Can we Make A Deal?

 

“W

hat’s behind door number one?”  That question and the familiar voice emanating from the big console television in our den told me that one of my favorite game shows was playing.  For years, “Let’s Make A Deal”, starring Monty Hall, dominated the air waves.  I loved to watch it as a kid, just to see how people would react to pressure and the ever increasing temptation to let go of a sure thing for something uncertain.

At times I found myself hoping they would make the deal, especially if all they were holding was a box of chocolates while there before them was a curtain or a door.  Now that door could have been hiding a car, or an old mule.  The box could have contained chocolates or several hundred dollars rolled up inside.  The point was to get the contestant to trade or keep what they had in hand.  Sometimes refusing to trade was a good thing and sometimes not trading was the worst mistake any one could make.

In addition to some of the zany deals Monty offered were the zany costumes of the contestants.  In order to get noticed, people disguised themselves and masqueraded as fairy tale characters, professionals, and all manner of odds and ends.  The more outlandish the disguise, the more ingenious the costume, and the more clever the ruse, the more likely it was that a contestant would be chosen to play the game.  At that point, they would embark on a series of deals leading up to the ultimate deal of the evening in which three contestants were asked to give away their prizes in hopes of getting something in return.

Sounds sort of like the Christian life at times, doesn't it?  We find it so difficult to take God at his word and to trust that he has our best interest at heart.  When he is dealing with us, when he wants to work in our lives, we have a hard time letting go of our present circumstances in order to accept something else from his hand.  We aren't sure that what he has is better than what we currently hold in our hand.  We know in our heads that God loves us, but in our hearts, we don’t really trust him.  We believe it would be so much better if he dealt with us on our terms instead of us dealing on his.

This last picture is nowhere more evident than in the life of Abraham.  Yes, Abraham!  The great patriarch of faith found himself in a situation where he tried to bargain with God.  Although God had promised Abraham a son, Sarah remained barren.  She thought that she could have children through her servant Hagar, and Abraham’s first son, Ishmael was born.   But this was not God’s plan.

When Abraham was 99 years old, just one year before Isaac’s birth, he made the following statement from Genesis 17:18 to God: "If only Ishmael might live under your blessing!"  In other words, Abraham was saying, “Can we make a deal, here?  Can’t Ishmael fulfill your promise?  Can’t it be some other way?”  God’s answer was a resounding “No!”  God’s promise was that Abraham would have a son with Sarah and he would be the child of the promise.  There would be no ifs, ands, buts, or deals about it!

Can you identify with Abraham today?  Do you find it so very hard to let go of what you have in order to accept something else from God?  If so, then I fully understand where you are!  But the fundamental truth is this, God has plans for us, plans we can’t even imagine.  The things he wants us to have are so far superior to anything we possess that we would be foolish to miss out on an opportunity such as this.  But God will not force us to accept anything from him.  Instead, he wants us to trust him, to come to the realization that he only offers his best to us.

Can we make a deal with God?  Not hardly!  And if we did, could we hold up our end of the bargain?  Think about it!!

The Water Cooler

 

S

ummertime in a small town has to be one of the best memories a boy could have.  It seems there was always something happening to keep your curiosity peaked and your desire for mischief at an all-time high.  I remember summers as a time when families came together for reunions, when crowds cheered as the local baseball team won the state pennant, and when churches gathered their congregations on lazy Sunday afternoons for the all-important-and-ever-essential dinner on the ground.

Whenever anyone was having one of these events, my dad usually received a phone call to reserve equipment we provided whenever people were in need.  In addition to conducting funeral services for our community, we also provided tents, chairs, and water coolers to the public.  I remember going on trips with my dad as he delivered equipment to people, organizations, and churches that were planning events for large crowds.  Whenever the city had any type of event, they always called dad for tents and water coolers.  No matter the occasion, I have fond memories of watching my dad erect tents bearing our family name and placing water coolers in strategic locations so people would have a cool drink to slake their thirst.

Of all the equipment we loaned, the water coolers stick out in my memory.  They sat approximately knee-high, were made of metal, were gray in color, and had light blue plastic interiors that were designed to keep water at a cool temperature.  On the outside of the cooler at the bottom was a spout for dispensing cold water.  Ice filled the inside and as it melted it provided enough cold water to quench the thirst of a large number of people.  A church gathering or a large event required several of these coolers and we were more than happy to provide them.

Matthew’s gospel reminds us of the importance of small gestures, like providing water coolers.  In fact, in Matthew 10:42 Jesus speaks specifically about the importance of providing a cool drink of water to those who are thirsty.  “And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward.” 

This is a wonderful passage of scripture because there are so many truths packed into it.  First, Jesus reminds us that even a cold cup of water given in his name brings great reward.  So often we believe we must do something great for the Lord.  By great, we usually mean going above and beyond the call of duty, accomplishing a goal no one has ever done or would ever dream of doing. 

Second, Jesus reminds us of the importance of doing these “ordinary acts” to those people who are around us on a daily basis.  We are to share the good news with everyone, especially those with whom we work and live from day to day.  When we do this, Jesus says we will not lose our reward.  He is not speaking of monetary compensation; rather, he is speaking of the reward God has for those who simply obey Him and share the truth of His son by word and deed.

I can still taste the water coming from the spout of those old water coolers.  They were by no means the center of attention at any of the events they attended but those events would have been incomplete without them.  People would not have stayed long had there not been something there to satisfy their thirst. 

Today, wherever you are, I pray you are playing the role of the water cooler.  The world is a hot and dry place, zapping the life from people on a daily basis.  Everywhere you look, you see people looking for ways to cool and quench their thirsts.  Remember that Jesus said that if we provide just a cool cup of water in his name to those within our reach, our effort would not be in vain.  Are you providing people with the cool, clear water that quenches their souls?  Are you pointing the way to Jesus Christ, the living water?  Are you being a water cooler today?

Seeing The Whole Picture

 

A

 few years ago on a visit to the dentist, I was reminded just how deceiving initial impressions can be!  I had been having some twinges of pain and knew I needed to see someone about it but keeping the appointment was a major step forward for me because I dislike the dentist’s chair a great deal.  But when I arrived for my appointment, I was pleasantly surprised by my dentist and her staff.  They took great care of me and provided excellent care.

As soon as I sat in the chair, a series of X-rays were in order.  They would show the true condition of my teeth and determine what needed to be done.  At first glance, the films showed only that the tooth in question might need just a filling.  However, one more film placed in a slightly different location, revealed that more damage than originally thought was present inside the tooth.  The dentist commented that from the outside, the tooth looked great; but on the inside, it was, quite frankly, a mess!!

And so my Odyssey across Root Canal Sea began.  Once opened, the decay hidden by the tooth’s white enamel shell was exposed. That’s when I began to feel little indications that all was not well inside.  As we continued with the procedure, I could still feel pain.  So the dentist decided to stop, place a temporary filling and send me home with a load of antibiotics to kill the infection over the next week.   

What a detailed and true to life picture of the words of Jesus found in Matthew 23:27, "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men's bones and everything unclean.”  In this passage from Matthew’s gospel, Jesus takes the Pharisees to task!  This particular passage, labeled as the six woes, still speaks to us today about our walk with the Lord.

The Pharisees were the most religious men of their day.  They revered the Law and did all within their power to keep it.  They were so afraid of breaking it that over the years they had developed a myriad of traditions to keep them from becoming lawbreakers.  The only problem was, they began to worship and revere their tradition more than the Scriptures.  They confused their priorities, making them appear to honor God’s law while down deep they worshipped their own tradition.

This is why Jesus called them hypocrites.  Outwardly they looked religious and did all the “right things.”  However, inside, down deep where it really mattered, they were filled with decay.  They practiced the letter of the law but not its spirit.  They made converts only to honor themselves rather than honoring God.  Much like my tooth, they looked good on the outside but were filled with decay on the inside.

Today, so many people are trying their best to make a good impression and look religious.  Unfortunately, some of these very people fill our pulpits, teach our Sunday school classes, or serve as deacons, elders, or fill other leadership rolls within the church.  We must be willing to let God examine us and plumb our inmost beings if we ever hope to be clean and free from decay.  What you see isn’t always what you get!  When was the last time you let God really examine your life?  Won’t you let him do that today?  You’ll be so glad you did!

Roll Up Your Sleeve

 

O

ne of the fun things about being a high school teacher is the variety of duties you are asked to perform in addition to teaching in the classroom.  In the contract, this is affectionately referred to as the “catch all” phrase.  Essentially it says that the teacher will perform all other duties assigned by the principal or other administrative personnel.  Essentially, you are legally bound to sponsor clubs, coach sports teams, attend all types of meetings, and sit on several different committees.

I fulfilled several of these roles during my years as a high school instructor.  However, one of my favorite duties was the annual blood drive held at our school.  It took several days of planning to make sure this was done correctly.  The library or the gym had to be reserved, the local blood center had to be contacted for an appointment, and the local papers and radio stations had to be provided with all the pertinent information.

People came from miles around, voluntarily rolling up their sleeves, pumping a pint, and then resuming their normal activities.  We always had a large turnout and consistently collected between 90 and 120 pints of blood each year.  The people of that community were generous givers and looked forward to the bloodmobile’s arrival at our school.

Several years ago, a local church sponsored a blood drive.  The pastor set the example by rolling up his sleeve early in the morning and pumping a pint.  He encouraged all those at the early service to do the same and he also requested those in the late service to stop by the mobile collection center on their way home.  He told the congregation that one pint of blood could be used to help as many as six people.

Now, stop and think about that for one minute.  If you’ve ever been in the hospital and needed blood, you were only able to receive a transfusion because someone voluntarily gave a pint.  Blood cannot be manufactured and it doesn’t appear out of thin air.  No!  It must be given by a volunteer so that others may live.  This fluid that courses through our veins and arteries is so important.  Without it, there would be no life, only death.

This truth was not lost on the people of Israel.  Their entire law centered on the concept of sacrifice.  Sacrifices were performed for various aspects of life.  There were sacrifices for births, for thanksgiving, and for forgiveness.  On the Day of Atonement, known as Yom Kipuur in Hebrew, a sacrifice was made for all the people to cover their sins.  Nothing short of the blood of a spotless animal would fulfill God’s requirements.  His command was very clear about the use of blood for this ritual.  The people were not to eat meat with blood in it nor were they to drink blood.  Blood represented a life that had been poured out sacrificially to purify their sins.

Leviticus 17:11 gives us God’s command concerning the role of blood: “For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one's life.”  Look at the importance God himself places on blood.  It is to be used to make atonement, to bring the people back into a right relationship with God.  In order for this blood to be used, an animal had to die, to be sacrificed, and to give of itself so that others could live.

All of this prefigured the coming of Jesus and his sacrificial work on Calvary’s cross.  Christ is the perfect lamb of God, without spot or blemish.  He sacrificed himself, spilled his blood, so that we could have eternal life.  God says there is life in the blood, and only in it.  It is the blood that makes atonement possible.  The sacrificial system in the Old Testament had to be repeated yearly.  The blood of an animal only covered sin; it did not destroy it or remove it from the people.  No animal’s blood could do that.  Instead, God sent his son, innocent and perfect, to give his blood for us.  Through his death, through his gift, through his blood, God made a way for us to be forever freed from sin and its hold over us.  The blood of Jesus does not cover our sin; it cleanses us from all sin.

Each time someone donates blood, pain is involved.  There is momentary discomfort while the blood is being donated.  However, after the pint is collected, the donor is free to leave and resume normal activity.  Yet, when Jesus gave his blood, great pain was involved.  Not only physical pain, but spiritual and emotional pain was part of the process.  In addition, Jesus didn’t give just a pint of blood, he gave all he had.

This is always God’s way.  God always gives his best to us and for us.  When mankind needed a blood transfusion to save him, there were no flyers, no advertisements, no phone calls, and no one begging for donors.  Instead, God rolled up his sleeve and willingly gave his own blood, all of it, so that we might have life.  There is life in the blood.  Won’t you roll up your sleeve and receive your transfusion today?

No Borders

 

T

he border between Italy and Austria is well known for its customs checks. Trains crossing the border in either direction are stopped for several minutes while guards from both countries conduct a thorough search of all compartments and verify the passports and official documents of the passengers on board. I had the pleasure of experiencing this phenomenon first-hand in the spring of 1988.

I was studying in southern France and during spring break, I had a little over two weeks to travel. Most of my friends visited a small island off the coast of Spain; but I decided to do some travelling on the continent. My travels took me to Spain, Italy, Austria, and Germany. It was during these travels that the Austrian border guard taught me a valuable lesson about crossing over from one country into another.

I took the train from Rome, Italy to Salzburg, Austria. Because there were so many people travelling at the same time I was, the train was completely full. There were no empty seats to be found on the train and I stood for several hours before space became available. At last, a compartment opened and I could use one of the benches as a cot with my backpack serving as a pillow.

At four o'clock in the morning, a blinding light awakened me as the border guard turned on the compartment's light. There, in my face, was a German shepherd police dog sniffing for drugs. The guard asked to see my passport, took one look at the cover, saw I was from the United States, and let me go back to sleep. I was able to cross over into Austria with no difficulty. However, there were a few passengers who were detained for questioning. Eventually, the trains crossed into Austria but those detained by the border guard were not permitted entry into the country.

This is a stark contrast from the freedom I experienced over the past two days as I drove from Texas to North Carolina to spend the holidays with my family. As I crossed from one state to the next, there were no questions to answer, no papers to show, and no border guards to confront. Instead, I could come and go as I pleased. The entire country, every part of it, was opened to me with no obstacles to prevent me from arriving at home.

The relationship we have with God is directly comparable to my experience on the border between Rome and Austria. Before we become Christians, we have no legal basis permitting us access to God. Try as we may, we simply cannot cross over to where he is because we don't have the proper papers. We get stopped at several places on life's border and when we try to enter God's kingdom, we are refused. Our "spiritual passports" do not bear the seal of God and are not recognized by Him.

Neither our good works, nor our good intentions, nor our reputations, nor our verbally claiming to know God will permit us to enter his kingdom. The only way we are able to cross the border separating us from God is to change our citizenship and become a part of his kingdom. We do this by willfully renouncing our former allegiance to sin and willfully accepting Jesus Christ as our personal savior. This gives us a new passport, one that is instantly recognized by God and that grants us immediate entry into his kingdom.

Once we change our citizenship, we have free access to all of God's promises and resources. We are free to travel the road of life without fear of border crossings, interrogations, or customs officials. We may travel with confidence and assurance that we belong to God's family and that he welcomes us whenever we call on him and wherever we are on life's road. Our passport, our legal claim as citizens of God's kingdom, is the shed blood of Jesus Christ.

Jesus, himself, said in John 10:9 "I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture.” Jesus is the border guard. It is only through him and by him that we gain access to God. There is no other way to cross over except through Christ. Once we accept him, once we obtain new citizenship and new passports, we are welcome in his kingdom and can travel unhindered. Once we belong to him, there are no borders between us!  We belong and have direct access to God. When was the last time God asked to see your passport? Are you free to travel life's road or are you hindered by border crossings?

Leg Cramps

 

T

here is nothing fun about waking up at 4:30 a.m. Early one morning, I was wrested from a peaceful sleep, not by an alarm clock, not by a bad dream, nor by an unexpected knock at the door.  Nope!  This particular morning, I woke up with a terrible pain in my lower left leg—cramps!

It doesn’t happen often but when cramps hit, they hit me extra hard!  I was just lying there, not bothering a soul, and suddenly all the muscles in my lower leg decided to head north!  It was a rude awakening.

At first, I thought the cramps would subside if I did nothing but this strategy proved to be a complete failure.  The cramps continued and increased in intensity.  What I needed to do was to stretch my legs but that would involve more pain as I forced my leg muscles to do a U turn in order to head in the opposite direction.

So, I gritted my teeth, counted to three, and began stretching my legs.  Yep, it hurt, but after a few minutes of stretching, the cramps subsided and my muscles returned to their normal positions.  By this time, the alarm clock had sounded and it was time to get out of bed. 

James, the brother of our Lord, knew a little about leg cramps.  In fact, Timothy understood that life just sometimes throws all sorts of things our way that are unpleasant.  But he understood that everything—including leg cramps—has a purpose.

In James 1:2-4 he writes, “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.  But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”

Three things stand out in this brief passage from the Scriptures.  First of all, life is full of trials.  Isn’t this a comforting thought?  All of us know the little opportunities we have every day to experience this opening statement.  No matter what day it is, no matter where we are, and no matter the time of day, something always seems to crop up to test us.  But James says we are to embrace these little opportunities with open arms and welcome them for they have a purpose.

The second notion is that trials come to test our faith.  Can you feel the muscles cramping?  I don’t know about you, but when God tests my faith, there is always pain involved on my part.  Trials come when we least expect it, when everything is going well and we are in control of everything.  That’s when our spiritual muscles cramp and we must work them, even though working them is difficult.

The last point gives God’s reason for trying us.  He wants us to be complete, perfect (meaning whole), and lacking in nothing.  The only way we can achieve this is to put our faith to work and the only way we can exercise that faith is to be placed in uncomfortable situations where it must be stretched.

Are you experiencing cramps this morning?  Are your spiritual legs being tested?  If so, exercise them.  It is the only way to get moving down the road God has laid out for you today!

A Talk In The Garden

 

I

 remember my dad telling me on more than one occasion that you are nearer to God in a garden than in any other place on earth.  It is in a garden that you really understand how patient God has to be with us.  Look how long it takes plants to grow and the constant care they require in order to mature and produce fruit.  If plants require that much attention and care from the farmer, just imagine how much more love, care, and attention God lavishes on us as he grow us toward spiritual maturity.

There is another lesson, a much harder one, the garden also teaches us.  That is learning to accept and pray for God’s will.  Anyone who has ever worked a garden knows the frustration and the disappointment of receiving too little rain.  I have seen my dad work in a garden—staking tomato plants, pulling weeds, plowing around plants—all the while waiting for and praying for rain with no results.  It almost seems God shuts his ears to our requests and our circumstances grow worse instead of better.  Then, one day, the heavens open up and send down rain, just in the nick of time. 

This sounds familiar in our spiritual walk as well doesn’t it?  We go to our knees before God and pour out our hearts to him.  We bring our concerns for our families, our friends, our co-workers, our pastors, our churches, and ourselves before his throne.  We wet the bed with our tears and we pray with all our might for God to act and move in our behalf.  We then close the prayer by asking that God’s will be done. But do we really mean that?  Do we fully understand all that this entails?

Jesus, himself, prayed this very kind of prayer.  In the Garden of Gethsemane, he had a talk with God.  Jesus poured out his heart and was so full of agony that drops of blood fell from his forehead.  In unspeakable and incomprehensible agony, he asked God for some other way to fulfill the plan of salvation.  Look at his request as recorded in Matthew 26:39, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will."  Jesus prayed this prayer, not once, but twice that evening in the garden.  Jesus knew the difficulty of praying and accepting God’s will and in this prayer we find great encouragement to do the same.

In life’s garden there are many opportunities to talk to our Heavenly Father.  Sometimes we speak to him of the goodness of his blessings on our lives.  Sometimes we bring requests to him on behalf of other people and at other times we bring heavy hearts and kneel before him in silence.  But every time we come to him, we must ask that his will be done.  This is difficult when we are facing unknown and trying circumstances.  When there seems to be no way out of a trial but to go through it, we still need to pray for his will.  God promised to be with us through every part of life; he never promised to remove all the obstacles so that life’s road would be easy.

In the garden that evening, Jesus prayed for God’s will to be done.  This is the acid test of faith.  We must be earnest in our request for God’s will to be done, even when we don’t understand all that this entails.  We must believe that God is in complete control and that he knows what is best for us because it is certain that we don’t know what is best for ourselves.  So, the next time you are in prayer, don’t be afraid to pray that God’s will be done in your life.  He will be with you in every situation, working to bring you to full maturity in Christ.  When was the last time you had a heart-to-heart with God?  When was the last time you had a talk in the garden with him?  How about having one today!

In and Behind Your Ears

 

S

oap and water are the sworn enemies of all children!  There’s just something about the words “bath time” that strikes fear into the heart of any kid, no matter how big, brave, or dirty he or she may be!

I remember how much I hated taking a bath.  I would always find some excuse to avoid the dreaded march to the bathroom. I argued that I wasn’t that dirty, that I had just had a bath the night before, or that, following up on a conversation I overheard between my parents, our water bill was just too high and that by not taking a bath, I was actually “helping” keep costs down.  I had no idea what that meant but it sure sounded good!

None of these arguments, however, swayed or even phased my mom!  When she said, “bath time,” that is exactly what she meant--no negotiations, no appeals to dad, just the obedient death march to the bathroom.  Once in the tub, I had to make sure all the dirt, grime, and filth was completed washed away.  

Just about the time I finished this “burdensome task,” mom would call from the kitchen and remind me to “make sure you wash in and behind your ears!” On more than one occasion she had informed me that we could probably produce a good crop of potatoes from the dirt in my ears!

Washing behind my ears, I could understand, but washing in them was beyond me. Who, besides mom and the doctor, was going to be looking in my ear canal?  Who wanted to?  But, in order to avoid any confrontation, I took the washcloth and dutifully washed both in and behind my ears.  Who would have thought that a little dirt would be such a big deal?  But mom knew that keeping my ears clean, especially the inside, would avoid infections and all kinds of not-so-fun stuff.

The idea of keeping the outside and the inside clean and protected can be found in the story of Noah and his ark!  Don’t believe me?  Then just take a look at this brief, but very important passage found in Genesis 6:14, “So make yourself an ark of cypress wood; make rooms in it and coat it with pitch inside and out.”

God’s instructions were clear, Noah was to use cypress wood to build the ark and he was to make sure it was coated, both inside and out, with a substance called pitch. Why would God make this demand of Noah?  Let’s find out!

Pitch was a resin that could be made from any of a number of substances, such as coal tar, plants, etc. It was used as caulk to waterproof sea-going vessels.  Putting pitch, both on the inside and the outside of a ship ensured the vessel would be waterproof and stay afloat.  Noah, had to make sure that pitch covered every joint and seam of the ark, whether they were inside or outside.  The outside pitch prevented water from seeping in and the inside pitch was used to stop any water that might get past the outside resin.  The inside pitch, although unseen from the exterior, guaranteed the security of the ark.

The application to the Christian life is clear.  Jesus, in Matthew 23:27 warned the Pharisees of having cleaned behind their ears, so to speak, but having neglected to clean them on the inside,“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean.”

Our Lord knows the hearts of men.  He knows that outward appearances are no indication of the inward condition.  The outside may appear clean but the inside is dirty, dark, and sinful.  Only the saving blood of Christ can pitch and seal the human heart both inside and out.  So, how clean are your spiritual ears today?

Do You Know Who This Is?

 

O

ne morning I returned home to find a message on my answering machine.  After putting my books down and arranging a few items on my desk, I turned my full attention to the blinking light of the answering machine.  There were a few new messages left for me while I was in class.  I listened to each message, discarding the ones from car salesmen, credit card companies offering me new cards with outlandish limits at obscene interest rates, and one from a company wanting to sell me vinyl replacement windows.  Since I lived in the men's dormitory at Southwestern Seminary, I didn't figure they'd appreciate me authorizing the replacement of the dorm's windows with vinyl ones, no matter how energy efficient they were.  Finally, I came to the last message.  It only took one initial sound to tell me that my father left the message.  The message began, "Blake, this is daddy..." He always begins his messages this way, although I know the sound of his voice from the first utterance.

It is amazing how we recognize the voices of those dear to us.  We can differentiate the sound of their particular voices even when we are surrounded other people.  Who hasn't received a phone call and known within seconds the person on the other end of the line just by the sound of his or her voice? 

Jesus taught this same lesson to his disciples.  John's gospel paints different pictures of Jesus but none so loving and endearing as the portrait of the Good Shepherd.  Jesus referred to himself as the Good Shepherd in John 10 and spoke of his relationship with his sheep.  In John 10:2-5, Jesus describes this relationship in the following manner: "For a shepherd enters through the gate. 3 The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear his voice and come to him. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 After he has gathered his own flock, he walks ahead of them, and they follow him because they recognize his voice. 5 They won’t follow a stranger; they will run from him because they don’t recognize his voice.”

This scripture shows just how intimately Jesus knows his own.  It is well known that sheep respond only to the voice of their shepherd.  He is the one who feeds them, who guides them, who protects them, who cares for them, and who loves them.  They will not respond to a stranger, but will only do the bidding of their shepherd.  We, as God's children and followers of Jesus Christ, are like sheep.  We hear his voice and we must follow him.  It is Jesus who cares for us, who protects us, who guides us, and who loves us. 

Not only do we know him but he knows us.  The shepherd knows every intimate detail about each of his sheep.  He understands, loves, accepts, and nurtures each individual sheep.  His voice is distinct, clearly discernible above the noise of the world.  He calls us to quiet pastures, to still waters, and to rest.  He never sends us out on our own, but always goes ahead of us, so that every situation we experience, he has encountered before us and is with us in every trial and joy.  The prophet Isaiah expressed this beautifully when he wrote, "And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left" (Isaiah 30:21).

How is your relationship; with God today? If he speaks and asks the question, "Do you know who this is?” will you be able to immediately recognize his voice?  I trust you can!

Wind Advisory

 

O

ne morning I awoke to the sound of wind whipping outside my bedroom window.  The wind was not constant but came in gusts, sending a wooshing sound across the shingles, along the windows, and around the walls.  The forecasters had been correct in their prediction that gale-force winds would visit the Dallas-Fort Worth area during the evening and would most likely remain with us throughout the day.

The morning’s newscast confirmed those predictions.  Our entire area was under a wind advisory until 6:00 the evening and all ready the news anchors had warned everyone to drive very cautiously and to take extra care, making sure to keep both hands on the wheel.  I could just imagine how interesting my morning commute was going to be!  I decided I’d better leave a little earlier than usual.

Anyway, back to that wind.  The tree in my front yard continued to take great bows as if it were being applauded for a stellar performance.  My bushes were joining in the act as well and the flags at the entrance to our community were fully extended.  The effects of the wind could be seen everywhere and I heard it as it whippe around the corner of my house and over my rooftop.

But inside, it was safe, warm, and cozy.  The lights were on, the coffee maker worked, the toaster was operating at peak performance, and the heating system ensured that I would not get cold.  All this is happened on the inside because the house had a good foundation and was built very well.

All this brought back the parable Jesus told of two men who built very nice houses.  But when a storm came with wind and rain, the end result of those structures was very different. Jesus put it this way in Matthew 7:25, “The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.”

There are a few things we need to glean from this small verse of scripture.  First we need to notice, that even though this house was built on the rock, the storms still beat against it.  There will be storms in life, especially the Christian life, as we live according to God’s commands and not the world’s whims.  Second, even though the storms beat against the house, it stood firm, protecting those who lived within.  It performed as a house should and it did so because its foundation was firm, solid, and sure.

As I learned several years ago, the most important part of any house is its foundation.  The carpet, paint, wallpaper, flooring, bricks, etc. are nothing if the foundation isn’t secure.  No matter how lovely or ornate the structure, unless it has a firm and sure foundation, the building has been constructed in vain.

And how about us today?  Are we standing firm?  Does the foundation of our lives hold us securely when the storms of life come?  Is the wind howling around you today?  Are the rains beating against you with seemingly merciless force?  Take courage!  Your house will withstand the rains, and the winds, and anything else life can dish out if your foundation is Jesus Christ.  This does not mean we will be free from pain or difficulty but it does mean we have a strong underpinning, a firm foundation which cannot be shaken.  So, how’s the weather where you are today?  Are you under a wind advisory?

Tomorrow's Forecast

 

O

ne winter evening the weather forecasters ventured into very shaky territory, especially for the state of Texas.  It seems that conditions were favorable not only for precipitation but for frozen precipitation at that.  Moreover, the forecasters actually went so far as to use the “S” word, snow, calling for the white stuff to arrive in the mid-late-afternoon.  That remained to be seen but, as you can guess, the mere mention of the “S” word (I don’t want to say it too loudly) caused a bevy of activity in and around the Dallas/Fort Worth area.

Slag trucks geared up to protect bridges and overpasses, grocery stores braced for the onslaught of people who would make a mad dash for eggs, bread, and milk, and school administrators as well as parents who began to make contingency plans in the event schools would have to close their doors due to the inclement weather.  All this just because someone on a television set mentioned one word.  Amazing!

I remember watching the evening news as a young boy.  I was fascinated by the weather forecast and watched it religiously every evening.  The weatherman drew the systems on a huge map of the United States.  There wasn’t much mention of other systems around the world and hardly any mention at all of weather across the country.  All that mattered was the immediate region and the next couple of days.  The time came for a picture of the radar and I remember watching in rapt attention as screen showed the swirling needle of the radar screen.  I didn’t understand any of it but I was convinced that whatever the weatherman said was law and would come to pass just as he said it would.

When you think about it, society exhibits an incredible amount of faith in the words of the weather forecasters.  We plan our entire lives around one or two words and we base all our decisions on what someone tells us about the conditions of the atmosphere.  Imagine how different our walk with God would be if we placed the same amount of faith in him and in his word as we do in the evening forecast.

The disciples had such an experienced and it is recorded in Luke 5:5, “Simon answered, “Master, we've worked hard all night and haven't caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.”  All night long the disciples had been on the Sea of Galilee fishing.  These professional fishermen made their living from the abundant number of fish swimming in its waters.  However, this evening, the fish had found somewhere else to swim leaving the disciples with nothing to show for their intense labors.

Jesus then told them to go out one more time into deep water and let down their nets for a catch.  Jesus predicted a large catch but the disciples had to go out one more time.  All they had to go on was Jesus’ word, the only instructions to follow were his commands, and for Simon Peter this was enough.  Although he was tired and although he had been out all night, he placed his faith in Jesus and based his decision not on feelings or desires, but on the word of his master.  Peter says simply “because you say so...” and that is the secret of the life of faith.

We do not receive life the way we want it; we receive it the way God sends it to us.  Since he knows all about us and the situations facing us, doesn’t it make sense to place our trust in his word?  Shouldn’t we, like Peter, simply say, “Father, because you say so, because your word is never wrong, because you love me and have only my best interest in mind, I will do as you say?”  If we would live like this we would find our lives so much richer, deeper, and more fulfilling than we can imagine.  Notice, I didn’t say easier.  Nowhere in scripture are we promised an easy life.  What we are promised is a life that is fulfilled and pleasing to God.

So, what’s the weather like where you are today?  Does the weather look to be cloudy, sunny, windy, or cold?  Have you opened your Bible to see what God has to say about the way ahead? Are you trusting God with tomorrow’s forecast today?

All In One Place

 

I

 was fortunate to grow up in a small North Carolina town.  It wasn’t exactly Mayberry, few towns are, but it did provide a nice environment in which to grow up and learn about life.  One of my favorite things to do was to go downtown.  Most of the activity in our community centered around the small stores and shops located on Main Street.  Here, you could find just about anything and everything you wanted. 

There were two drugstores, two men’s shops, two ladies’ shops, a dime store, a movie theater, a hotel, a small family-owned grocery store, three barber shops, a bank, a savings and loan association, a hardware store, a general mercantile, and two department stores.  You could spend all day downtown, browsing through the shops, pausing to talk to the store owners as well as the people on the street.  Everyone knew everyone else and there was always something to talk about and news to catch up on.

Usually, I would accompany one of my parents on these little jaunts downtown.  My mom would go to the grocery store or to one of the clothing stores to get something she needed.  My dad usually went to the hardware store, the general mercantile, or one of the men’s shops to find what he wanted.  I never gave much thought to the fact that we visited different stores for different things.  It just seemed to be the way things were done.  If my dad needed nails or screws, we went to the hardware. If my mom needed bread and milk, we went to the corner grocery.  And if we needed clothes, we went to one of the several shops downtown.

However, when I turned sixteen and was able to chauffeur myself around, I began to notice a difference in the way people shopped.  In the towns to the west and east of us, several large department stores had been built.  It was possible to go to these stores and purchase a number of different items under one roof.  The stores offered everything from house paint to shoestrings, from ink pens to motor oil, and cassette tapes to chewing gum.  In time, these large stores gave way to the super, mega stores we are accustomed to today where you can have your prescriptions filled while you wait to have new tires placed on your car.

In a way, our spiritual lives resemble my hometown during my childhood. We are constantly looking for answers to all of life’s questions.  We visit one place to find answers about life’s trials and challenges, we look in certain books to discover our “inner child”, we turn to various spas and exercise establishments to “feel good” about ourselves, and we chase after anyone who can teach us how to “take control” of our destinies.  However, all this running around trying to find satisfaction only leaves us unfulfilled and more confused and frustrated.  Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could find what we really needed and wanted in one place?  Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could locate everything under one roof without having to run all over creation looking for an answer?

Well, there is such a place and the Apostle Paul knew just where to find it.  In his letter to the Philippians, he makes the following promise to his readers: “And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19) Notice that Paul does not encourage the Philippians to seek the answers to their questions in various places.  He never tells them to explore a certain new idea, or to run after such and such a promise.  Instead, Paul states very plainly that the answer to all of life’s questions is found in one person, Jesus Christ.

Not only does Jesus hold the answers to all of life’s most pressing questions, he is also the source that supplies all our needs.  Notice Paul’s words in this verse.  God meets all our needs—not some, but all—according to his riches in Jesus Christ.  You want to talk about finding everything under one roof, here it is.  No matter what your need, physical, emotional, financial, social, spiritual, relational, marital, etc., Jesus Christ stocks everything necessary to address and fulfill all of them.  There is no need too small or great that he cannot completely satisfy.  He has everything we need all in one place.  Won’t you pay him a visit today?

How Low Can You Go?

 

I

t was a gorgeous Friday afternoon. I had just finished teaching my last class and was enjoying the drive back home.  The sun was shining, the sky was clear, the music was pleasant, and I was feeling great!!  Everything was going my way, no problems in sight!

All that changed in a split second!  One glance at my instrument panel sent a wave of fear over me.  Suddenly, the music didn't seem so cheerful, the weather didn't seem so pleasant, and the weekend seemed like an eternity away.  The needle on my fuel gauge was parked right on empty.  There was no distance between the needle and the E!  I was riding on fumes, hoping against hope the car wouldn't stop on the freeway!

I quickly calculated the distance to the nearest gas station and began praying.  I was praying and driving, driving and praying, doing my best to remain calm in the face of this desperate situation.  I normally keep a close watch on my fuel levels but this particular week, I hadn't kept as close a watch and I was paying for it.

Finally, I saw my exit, left the freeway, and pulled into the filling station.  The gas wasn't the most inexpensive, but I didn't have any choice. I was just glad to have the opportunity to fill my tank, regardless of price!  While I stood there, slowing my breathing, I reflected on what had just happened. If I had paid closer attention to my gauges, I would have had no worries and I could have paid less for gas.  As it was, I was scared, worried, and a few bucks over budget for gasoline that week.

My adventure at the gas pump has a direct parallel in the New Testament.  In Matthew 25, Jesus tells the parable of the ten virgins who were awaiting the arrival of the bridegroom so they could go in with him to the marriage feast.  Five of them brought extra oil for their lamps and five of them didn't.  When the bridegroom came, five of them were ready to go in but the other five were not.

Matthew 25:3 reveals Jesus’ assessment of those who were not ready, who didn't pay attention to their fuel levels. “The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them.”  These five did only half the job!  They took their lamps, they made provision for the short term, but they brought no oil in case the party started later.  That is exactly what happened.  The bridegroom delayed his coming and their oil ran out.

When the groom came, they were unprepared to meet him.  They asked their five friends to share oil with them but they refused lest there not be enough oil for them.  While the five foolish virgins went to buy oil, the bridegroom came and they missed the party!

The application for us is a good one.  How low can we go before we realize we are in trouble?  How often do we pay attention to the fuel gauges in our spiritual lives?  Are we keeping our tanks full, drawing our supply from God and his word?  Are we refueling our lives from his provision, running on the fuel he provides?  Or are we like the five foolish virgins, making provision for the short term but never thinking ahead?

When we fail to keep our tanks filled, when we let them run dry, then we run a great risk.  We will stop to fill them at the nearest station, taking on lower grade fuel at a higher price and we always pay for it.  God never intends for this to happen to us. He provides the best fuel in constant supply.  All we need do is fill our tanks each day and keep a watch on our gauges.  The world cannot supply the fuel we need; it can only come from God.

So, what does your fuel gauge read?  Do you have a full tank, half of a tank, or are you slap on empty?  Are you enjoying the ride or are you panicking today?

A Tried and Trusted Friend

 

M

y friend Larry has been around for as long as I can remember.  In fact, we have pictures of him dating back to my very early childhood, around the age of two or so.  Although every member of my family knew Larry, he and I were especially close and practically inseparable.  If I was watching television, Larry was with me.  If I decided to take a nap, Larry stood guard over me while I slept and sometimes he would even make it to the table for supper.  After eating, he and I would dart off to my room or somewhere else to play or just to talk.

Larry was a good listener.  I could talk to him about anything and he always listened, never interrupting, letting me get it all out in the open.  Larry gave great hugs as well.  He was never too busy and never too tired to comfort me.  He was always there; ready to listen, hug, laugh, and play when I needed it most.

As I grew older, Larry and I saw less and less of each other. In fact, for several years, I didn’t see him at all.  I almost forgot about him but from time to time he would cross my mind and a flood of wonderful memories came rushing back.  Finally, one day in August of 2002, Larry showed back up at my place.  He found me in Fort Worth, TX and has once again become a constant companion.

Ok, I have to make a confession.  Larry is not a person.  Larry is a lion, a talking toy produced by the Mattel ® Toy Corporation in the early 1960’s.  He is the first toy I remember and we have stayed together all these years.  When I pull Larry’s string, he talks.  His messages are few, simple, and always the same.  But those words that I heard as a boy still make me smile and laugh.

Larry is a tried & trusted friend.  He has been present during crises and triumphs, during skinned knees and skinned hearts, during times of sickness and times of excellent health, and on more occasions than I can count, he has stood watch over my bed while I slept, a lone sentinel in the night, protecting me from harm.  In all these years, Larry has never changed and as our friendship continues I know he will continue to be the same in the years ahead.

I have another friend who is even more constant and more trusted than Larry the Lion.  This friend is real and his name is Jesus.  He also has been present during every stage of my life, even before I was born.  He saw me when I was still a secret to my mother.  He was there at my birth, he was there when I accepted his gift of salvation, he was there in all of life’s challenges, during all of life’s joys, and during all of life’s disappointments.  Every night and all day long, he keeps watch over me, protecting me from harm, providing food, clothing, and shelter and meeting every need I have.

He is a good listener, understanding all my disappointments, hurts, and fears.  He is a great hugger, opening his arms wide to enfold me when I need it most, giving me the reassurance that he is still in control and that he cares for and loves me just as I am.  But when he speaks, his words carry such comfort, such strength, and such love.  At every turn, Jesus reassures me that just as he was with all those who walked this way before me, he will be with me as I walk it today and he will never leave me no matter how dark or steep the road grows in the days ahead. 

The writer of Hebrews 13:8 expresses this great truth like this, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”  Do you know him as your tried and trusted friend today?