Buried Treasure

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ne of my favorite books is Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island.  I have read the book several times and have often pretended I was on some deserted island in search of lost treasure.  What little boy, or big boy for that matter, hasn't imagined what it would be like to hunt for buried treasure?

I played out this scenario quite often, especially while looking for quarters to do laundry when I lived in the men’s dorm.  Finding the correct change involved rummaging through drawers, looking under the bed, and checking in pants’ pockets.  Unlike Treasure Island, though, there was no map and ‘X’ never marked the spot.

Laundry and money never seemed to be a problem when I was growing up.  My clothes magically appeared, washed, pressed, and folded.  Whenever I needed money, and it seems I needed it often, I would ask my mom to give me some.  Her response was always the same: “Bring me my pocketbook.”

I learned at a very early age that a woman’s pocketbook was a wonderful thing.  They have everything in there, from paper clips to super glue.  However, I also learned not to go poking around in them for the very simple reason that they are impossible to navigate.  More than once I have gotten lost in there.  My mom, however, always knew where everything was in her purse. How she knew, I never figured out, and, although I could never find her billfold, she always located it.

What, you may be wondering, does rummaging around in my mom’s purse have to do with today’s devotional?   How could there ever be a connection between Psalm 119 and my mother’s pocketbook?  Well, actually the two have quite a bit in common.  Psalm 119:11 reads, “I have hidden your word in my heart. that I might not sin against you.”  David’s message is very clear in this passage from his longest psalm.    We must hide God’s word in our hearts and make it a part of our daily lives.  We must be able to retrieve it at a moment’s notice, to be able to find the hidden treasures and the wonderful promises God has made to us all.

When God’s word is securely hidden in our hearts, when it becomes a part of who we are, when it penetrates to the deepest levels of our being, then we will indeed have buried treasure.  We can tap this resource at any time, in any situation, and draw upon it for strength, comfort, assurance, and help.  We hide God’s word because it is precious and of infinite worth.  Just as we base our physical lives upon the treasures hidden in our bank accounts, so must we base our spiritual lives upon the treasures God’s word hidden in our hearts.

At any given moment, most people can tell you how much money they have in the bank or in a stock portfolio.  However, most of us would be hard-pressed to give an accurate balance of our knowledge of God’s word.  In fact, most of us are severely lacking in this area. 

If we believe God’s word is our source of strength, knowledge, and the basis upon which we build our relationship with him, doesn’t it make sense to hoard as much of it as possible?  Doesn't it make sense to hide this treasure, to bury it deep in our hearts and guard it with all diligence?  Remember, Jesus himself said, “For where you treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew6:21).

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es, when I needed some money, a Band-Aid, or a cough drop, I always asked my mom for help.  She always asked for her purse because whatever I needed at the time was in there.  God’s word is the same.  Everything we need is contained inside.  However, if we never read it, it we never store it, if we never hide it deep inside, we won’t have enough of it or of him to sustain us in our time of need.  So, how much hidden treasure is there in your life?  If its secret hiding place were discovered, would you be rich or poor?

Before I Was, He Knew

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aturday and Sunday mornings at our house were pretty typical.  We would sleep later, drink our coffee slower, and talk with each other longer, easing ourselves into the day ahead.  A visit to my parents’ home in North Carolina several years ago proved to be no exception to this rule.

During these visits, the conversation will invariably turn to events and stories from the past.   On one particular Sunday morning, we were standing in the kitchen, one of my very favorite haunts in any house, just talking about nothing in particular.  The conversation, however, took a turn toward the past. For a few moments, we took a stroll down memory lane, discussing the many ways God had provided for us as a family, and for me in particular.

I was born with several congenital abnormalities for which I have undergone numerous surgeries over the years.  One of these "little challenges" concerns my heart.  In June of 1975, I underwent open-heart surgery to repair a hole between my heart’s upper chambers.  The surgery was successful and I had no difficulties afterward.  I grew stronger and could run and play for longer periods without getting tired.

However, a few years after surgery, the doctors discovered another abnormality with my heart's electrical system that caused me to have sporadic, rapid, irregular heart rhythms.  Actually, they had suspected this problem all along due to my irregular electrocardiogram which did not change markedly after surgery.  They were able to determine the cause of the problem and were able to prescribe medications to keep it in check.

When I travel, I carry a copy of my medical record so that a physician will know what to do in case of an emergency.  In the record are letters between my pediatrician and my first cardiologist at Duke University Medical Center.  Those letters indicate their assurance that, at some point, an irregular rhythm episode would occur and they had discussed possible means of treatment. 

As I read those letters, I couldn't help but be amazed at the way God had put in place the people to help me.  These two doctors, from different parts of the country, met each other in medical school years before I was born.  Nevertheless, God was already working, putting them together so that when I came along, they could provide the medical care I needed and assemble one of the finest medical teams to address this issue. 

Before I was, He knew what I would need and made provision for it.  Before my mom and dad married, before any of this, God knew.  Some would chalk this up to coincidence or luck.  In my experience, there is no such thing.  God either cares for us or He doesn't, He either knows everything or He doesn't, He is either who He says He is or He isn't, we either believe Him or we don't.  I choose to believe God is exactly who He says He is and that He knows us and provides for us even when we don't yet exist.

David knew this to be true and penned the following words in Psalm 139:16, "Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed.  And in Your book they all were written, the days fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them."  David knew and understood how awesome God is.  He understood how wonderfully he had been fashioned and he also knew that if God could create everything that exists, then He knew how to take care of it and maintain it. 

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oday you may be struggling.  The circumstances you are in may seem so overwhelming and daunting.  You may be wondering where God is and if He even knows or cares about where you are.  Rest assured He does.  He has been making plans for you for years, even before you were born.  Nothing enters your life without His knowledge.  If sparrows do not escape His attention when they fall, nothing in the life of His children goes unnoticed either.  Today's challenges only speak of tomorrow's victories.  Everything you need for this day, God will provide because before you were, He knew!!!

AnswerThe Door

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ne of the busiest rooms in our home was the front hallway.  From this small room opened doors into two bedrooms, a bathroom, our living room, and the kitchen.  It was impossible to visit the front of our home without traversing the hallway.

 As a boy, I spent several hours there playing with cars, putting puzzles together, and listening to the small stereo we kept on one wall.  The access to the attic was also in this small room, so visiting the upstairs always proved quite a challenge and an adventure.

One of my favorite features of our hallway, however, was the doorbell.  The chimes for the doorbell hung in the hallway and when someone visited us, the hallway would reverberate with the sound of the ringing chimes, sending out notice to the entire house that someone was at the front door.  The chimes were made of brass and hung on the wall adjoining the kitchen.  One of the chimes was longer than the other, giving off the lower of doorbell’s two distinct notes.

During Christmas time, my mom and dad would entertain, having guests in for an informal drop-in party.  As you can imagine, the hallway was a bevy of activity as people poured through to get in while others were trying to get out.  These groups met in the hallway and while they greeted one another, traffic came to a halt.  Just about that time, the doorbell would ring again and someone would call out, “Answer the door!”

When the doorbell rang, the house reverberated at its very center, announcing to all those inside that a new visitor had arrived.  Later, when all was quiet, I relived the moments in that hallway.  I could close my eyes and see the faces of friends and family and I could hear their voices still echoing in that small enclosure.  In fact, I can still do that at this very instant.

The book of Revelation contains one of the most beautiful images of Jesus visiting a home.  This home, however, is the human heart and the place of residence is inside a person, someone like you or me. 

Jesus approaches the door and gently knocks on it.  There is no answer so he knocks again, this time a little louder.  He wants to gain entrance, to spend time with the owner, to sit down and talk, to eat, and to enjoy his company. Notice is words in Revelation 3:20, “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.”

When Jesus knocks upon the heart, a person’s whole being resonates with the sound of his knocking.   He knocks on the heart because it is the very center of our being.  He knows that a man’s heart is the true indicator of who he is.  He knows that the heart is the most important room of the house, connecting all the other rooms together.  He knows that every thought, every motivation, every need, and every desire pass through the heart.  Jesus also knows that the access to stored memories, feelings, and experiences, both good and bad, pass through the heart as well.

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n the inside, we are constantly entertaining.  We entertain ideas, desires, thoughts, and dreams.  He so wants to be a part of who we are.  He wants to come in and show us how to live, how to please God, and what it is like to have a true relationship with our heavenly father.  He will not force his way in.  Instead, he is waiting for someone to answer the door, to welcome him, to greet him, to invite him inside to stay.  Won’t you do this today?  What was that?  I think it was the doorbell!  Won’t you answer the door today?

A Strong Tower

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everal years ago, before coming to seminary, I was visiting the local Christian bookstore in my hometown.  Now, I love bookstores and can spend hours, just browsing and looking without spending anything.  There is just a wonderful feeling about looking at different books and thumbing through them without anyone placing pressure on you to buy something.  I could spend literally hours doing this, and if I'm not careful, that is exactly what I end up doing.

However, on this particular day, it wasn't the books, the cards, or music which caught my eye.  As I was leaving the store, I saw a rather large poster hanging on the wall and that poster grabbed my attention. 

The poster was made up of three different pictures taken in succession.  The subject of the poster was a large lighthouse, located off the coast of France.    The series of photographs depicted a large wave forming around the lighthouse.  The first picture showed the wave's formation, the second picture showed the wave striking the lighthouse, and the third photograph showed the lighthouse after the wave had passed by.

The wave was enormous; however, what captured and riveted my attention was the image of a man standing at the door of the lighthouse.   There he was, as this huge wave struck the lighthouse, with a cup of coffee in his hand and a smile on his face.  Never have I seen a better picture of confidence and faith than this man displayed.  He was not afraid or worried and he showed no signs of panic as the wave struck the lighthouse.

Looking at this picture, I noticed a small plaque bearing a single verse of scripture.  The caption

came from Proverbs 18:10 and read, "The name of the Lord is a strong tower; The righteous run to it and are safe."  The scripture verse was a perfect match to the poster.  The gentleman in the lighthouse was not worried in the least.  He knew the lighthouse structure was sound, he knew it could withstand the large swells and waves of the ocean, and he had complete faith that the lighthouse would protect him. 

The symbol of his confidence was the coffee cup.  Instead of worrying about the wave and the storm that produced it, this man made himself at home in the storm.  He poured himself a cup of coffee, and settled in for a quiet evening at home.  The storm was on the outside of the tower, not on the inside.

What a marvelous picture of God!  Like the man in the poster, we are to have complete and utter confidence in our God.  No storm that arises, no winds that blow, and no waves from life's sea can shake the strong tower of our God.  He is our refuge, our hiding place, our security, our safety, and our comfort.  During the most difficult times of our lives, who among us has ever experienced anything but God's strength and comfort?

God, like that lighthouse, provides shelter and comfort for us.  The storms of life will come, the waves of adversity will beat against the tower, the winds will howl against it, but the tower of God's strength will never crumble and it will never fall.

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y prayer for you today is that you will learn what it means to call upon the name of the Lord; to know that he is your strong tower and that you are safe in him.   May you rest peacefully in God’s strength today!

A Perfect Fit

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hirty-six inches wide, seventy-two inches high, twenty-four inches deep!  The area hadn't changed any in the last two weeks.  Jason had measured it from every angle with every possible device known and the dimensions were still 36W X 72H X 24D.

 His wife, Nikki, had often remarked how she would love to have a beautiful oak armoire in that spot; but she knew it was impossible.  Coming up with enough money just to make the mortgage payment each month was a small miracle.  Since Jason had lost his job, money was tight, as tight as it had ever been and the wants of life had given way to its bare necessities.

Nevertheless, Jason knew how much Nikki wanted that armoire. From the day they bought their small, modest home, she had dreamed of such a piece of furniture.  She used to talk about it for hours and hours.  She would describe the texture of the wood, the color of the stain, the number of drawers and cabinets, and the exact contents of each.  Jason loved to listen to her talk about the armoire and he determined that one day she would have it.

Little did he know that his company would file for bankruptcy, leaving him with no employment and a very small severance package on which to survive.  But Jason didn't lose faith.  He knew he would find a job and when he did he would buy Nikki that armoire. 

In the meantime, however, he began a hobby.  His father had been a woodworker and Jason inherited his dad's tools when he died.  He remembered how his dad would work ever so patiently with him, teaching him how to locate a wood's grain and how to work with it until it yielded what he wanted.

 It was during one of his woodworking sessions that Jason decided to build the armoire for Nikki as a gift for their rapidly approaching wedding anniversary.  He worked feverishly during the day while she was at work and he revisited the workshop late at night to hide the armoire underneath old drop cloths he kept in the basement.

Finally, the day had come to place the armoire in the bedroom.  Jason was concerned about the dimensions of the armoire.  Although he had measured the area several times, the armoire didn't seem to be the correct size.  However, there was only one way to find out.  Today was their anniversary and Nikki would be home in a few hours.  He had to work fast.  With the help of a few friends, Jason brought the armoire out of the workshop, moved it gingerly through the house, and installed it in the bedroom.  It was a perfect fit!!!

When Nikki arrived home after a long day at work, Jason asked her to get him something from the bedroom.  Reluctantly, she agreed, shuffling down the hallway, muttering something about a happy anniversary. 

Suddenly, a scream issued from the bedroom and Nikki ran back into the living room to Jason.  She couldn't stop the tears of joy and all she could say to Jason was, "Now I know how much you love me."  Jason replied, "Yes, my love is exactly 36W X 72H X 24D."

Jason's love for his wife, of course, had no physical dimensions.  It couldn't be measured or contained in that armoire; it could only be represented by it.  In his letter to the Ephesians, the Apostle Paul had these words of encouragement for his fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, "And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love really is.  May you experience the love of Christ, though it is so great you will never fully understand it. Then you will be filled with the fullness of life and power that comes from God." (Ephesians13:18-19).   

Have you ever tried to fathom the dimensions of God's love for you?  Have you ever tried, really tried, to understand just how much our heavenly Father loves us?  Try as we may, there is simply no way for us to comprehend God's love for us. 

Much like Nikki, we look around for signs and indications of God's love.  We want to touch it, to see it, to hold it, to grasp it so that we can know he loves us.  But Paul reminds us that depth, width, length, and height cannot be touched.  They must be experienced.

What are the exact dimensions of God's love for us?  It is taller than Mt. Everest, it is wider than any ocean, it is deeper than any gorge or valley at the bottom of any sea, and it is longer than the longest river on Earth.  It fills the universe, it outshines the sun, and it is expressed in ways more numerous than the stars. 

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ore amazing, God's love is a perfect fit for the human heart. Before time began he was measuring, preparing, and creating the plan of salvation just to show us how much he loves us.  The exact dimensions of God's love are represented by the cross of Jesus. Wont' you open your heart and accept his love today?  I think you will find it a perfect fit!   

A One Percent Chance

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oe didn't believe in taking risks.  He had always prided himself on making his own way, being self-reliant and taking charge of his life.  However, in the past few weeks, his stock portfolio had completely bottomed out.  Stocks and bonds he believed would never fail, suddenly had; mutual funds he was certain of lost a great portion of their value; and the monies he had invested in very stable companies were not giving spectacular returns.  He just couldn't understand what had happened.  He found himself facing a mountain of debt and certain financial ruin.  The future looked bleak and he could see no way out of this situation.

His holdings had dwindled from $32,000 to a mere $300. With such a small amount of money, there was simply no way he could ever hope to overcome his financial dilemma.  He didn't know where to turn and he had no idea what he would do.  The only certainty was that an army of creditors was about to invade his life, taking everything he had worked hard for, and leaving him with nothing.

 He kept looking at the financial statement indicating his net worth.  He was worth only a mere 1% of what he had been just a few weeks ago. How could he rebuild his life on a mere 1%?  He wondered if anyone had ever been able to accomplish such a feat.

The answer to Joe's question is yes and it comes straight from the book of Judges.  In Judges 7:7, God is talking with Gideon about the approaching battle with the Midianites: “By the three hundred men who lapped I will save you, and deliver the Midianites into your hand. Let all the other people go, every man to his place.” 

Israel started with 32,000 men in its army.  Gideon must have felt very secure with such a large number of forces at his disposal.  However, God had other plans and another idea about how this battle would be won. 

God continued to whittle down the army's number until there remained only 300 men, a mere 1% of the original number.  To Gideon, this seemingly spelled certain defeat, but for God this small percentage was a dominant force.  God's reason for choosing only 300 men was to prevent Israel from claiming they had won the victory on their own.  When the dust settled, there would be no explanation other than that God had saved Israel and defeated her enemy.

This is the position God wants us to take today.  In life, the odds are stacked against us.  It may seem the enemy’s forces are overwhelming and that we don't have adequate means to go into battle.  This is just where God wants us to be.  He wants to fight our battles for us.  He wants there to be no doubt that He loves us and that He is our God.  So, He reduces our resources to a mere 1%, totally inadequate for us to act on our own.  That is just when He steps in and routs our enemies before us.  You see, no matter how frail we are, no matter how low our reserves, and no matter how poorly stocked we are, God is always operating at 100% and that 100% is always at our disposal.

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o, whatever your circumstances are today know that our God is on your side.  He has not left you; He has not abandoned you in your moment of need.  Instead, He is beside you and all around you with His sword drawn, ready to do battle on your behalf.  A one per cent chance is always a one hundred per cent return in God's economy when He is in charge!

A Backward Glance

Monday mornings were no fun for Steven.  He hated getting up early and heading to work.  Actually, it wasn't the work he dreaded, it was the traffic he had to face every morning on his way to the office.  Monday's were the worst because no one on the road was the least bit interested in being courteous.  Instead, every driver was on a self-proclaimed mission to be the dominant force on the highway. 

Such was the case with the gentleman in the car immediately following Steven. He was playing a cat-and-mouse game with the other drivers around him.  He approached Steven's rear bumper, almost touching it, and then he would back off.  He would change lanes, only to return to his original place.  He cut people off and refused to let anyone get in front of him. 

Steven spent the vast majority of his time looking in his rear view mirror, enthralled with the man directly behind him.  He was so absorbed that he failed to notice the stalled car in front of him and when he turned his attention back to the road ahead, it was too late. He hit the car squarely in the rear, bringing his car and several cars behind him, to a screeching, halt.

Many of us can identify with Steven's plight.   .  What is behind us seems to hold more allure than what lies before us.   We constantly gaze in the rear-view mirror, more interested in where we've than in where we are going. 

Eventually, if we hold to this practice, we will meet with Steven's fate.  It is impossible to move forward while constantly glancing backwards.  To continue this practice is to invite unwanted danger and to act irresponsibly

In 1 Kings 19:19-21, the scriptures describe for us the call of Elisha by the prophet Elijah.  "So he departed from there, and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen before him, and he was with the twelfth. Then Elijah passed by him and threw his mantle on him. And he left the oxen and ran after Elijah, and said, “Please let me kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow you.” And he said to him, “Go back again, for what have I done to you?” So Elisha turned back from him, and took a yoke of oxen and slaughtered them and boiled their flesh, using the oxen’s equipment, and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he arose and followed Elijah, and became his servant."

 When Elijah found Elisha, he placed his mantle on him, indicating he had chosen him.  Elisha's initial reaction concerned his family.  He wanted to return and kiss them goodbye and then follow Elijah.  While this seems noble and even the desirable thing to do, note Elijah's response.  He essentially tells Elisha, "Why do you want to go back after what I have done for you?" 

Elijah had called Elisha into God's service.  In response, Elisha went back, killed his oxen, his means of support and his livelihood, made a fire with his plow, cooked the oxen, and then became Elijah's servant.  In essence, he glanced back for just a minute to his life before Elijah's call and decided to look forward.  He removed anything that would keep him from becoming Elijah's servant.

Today, God calls us to follow him, to leave our comfort zone, to leave our past accomplishments, and to join him.  For some of us it may mean leaving home and family.  For others of us it means changing careers or locations.  But all of us must change our perspective, concentrating on what lies ahead instead of the view behind us.

 Jesus used this same illustration when speaking about the cost of following him.  His call was to leave the past where it belongs, in the past, and to join him in working for God's future kingdom.  His words, as recorded in Luke 9:62, demonstrate his expectation of those he calls, "No man, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God."

Are you content with the view behind or is your attention focused on the path ahead?  Are you looking forward or are you glancing backward?  Are you going to or are you coming from?

Bread & Water Rations

Carp's Daily Tidbits

"Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits." Psalm 103:2

Date: Friday, March 20, 2015  

Today's Title: Bread & Water Rations  

Today's Scripture: John 6:35  

The Ten Commandments directed by Cecil B. DeMille and starring Charlton Heston as Moses, is one of my all time favorite movies.  I have watched that film many times over and every time I view it I see something I didn’t see before. There are so many wonderful scenes and depictions in the film that have become famous it seems impossible to pick only one to use for today’s devotional.

The crossing of the Red Sea, the plagues on Egypt, the conversation at the burning bush, the giving of the Ten Commandments, and the walk out of Egypt are all wonderfully portrayed by Mr. DeMille.  Any of these is enough to make the hair on the back of your neck stand on end.  However, there is one scene which is not so popular, not so well known, but one I think teaches a great lesson about following Christ.

After Ramses (played by Yul Bryner) discovers that Moses is a Hebrew and not an Egyptian, he bans him from Egypt, sending him into the desert to find his destiny.  As they stand at the border of Egypt, Ramses orders that Moses be given one day’s supply of bread and water and he commends Moses to the God who has no name for safe keeping.  It goes without saying that Ramses does not believe in God and fully intends that Moses should die in the wilderness. Bread and water rations are not the food of kings; they are the sustenance of prisoners and outcasts!

There is great theology in this one scene.  In fact, the entire gospel and its message of salvation are wonderfully depicted in these few moments of film. Just like Heston’s character, we too are living in a world in which we do not belong.  For us, the world is a desert, offering no shelter, no safety, and no comfort.  Sometimes the hot winds blow furiously against us and sometimes the loneliness is overwhelming.

If we were to stop here, we would indeed grow very depressed and want to give up. Why go on in the face of such overwhelming and daunting circumstances?  But we’re not finished yet!  Ramses gave Moses bread and water rations to sustain him across that wilderness.  Although that seemed far less than adequate, he arrived safely in Median where he was able to restore his strength.  DeMIlle, I believe, took great license here but he accurately depicted the way in which God helps us cross the deserts of life and brings us to a place of safety, comfort, and endless provision.

 In John 6:35, Jesus makes the following statement about himself, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.”  Read that verse again and you will find that our sustenance through life is bread and water.  Jesus knows that we can make it across this wilderness and arrive safely home as long as we have a daily ration of bread and water. 

There is only one catch!  He alone must be our portion!  Notice that Jesus calls himself the bread of life.  When he spoke to the woman at the well (John 4:1-26) he promised to give her living water if she put her faith in him.  Throughout the scriptures we see the elements of bread and water and how God used them to feed His people in the desert.  They ate manna during the entire 40-year march in the desert.  God fed Elijah with bread and water when he was tired.  And Jesus spoke of himself many times as the bread of life providing nourishment and sustenance to all those who believe in him.

Today, we are walking across the desert of life heading toward the land of God’s promise.  We are not there yet; but on the way He is with us.  He will not abandon us in the desert, He will not forget we need food and water, and He will never let us go hungry or thirsty. Instead, He gives us a daily ration of bread and water which is nothing less than His son, Jesus Christ.  Have you had your ration of bread and water today?

It's Time To Wash Your Hair!

Carp's Daily Tidbits

"Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits." Psalm 103:2

Date: Thursday, March 19, 2015

Today's Title: It’s Time To Wash Your Hair!

Today's Scripture: Psalm 51:7

I remember the touch of my mother’s hand when I was a little boy.  Most of the time, mom’s touch was gentle and affectionate. There were times, however, when her touch was a little stronger, like when I insisted on having my way over hers--bad move on my part!!  I remember that mom’s hands were always busy, preparing meals, washing clothes, cleaning house, or sewing.  But her hands were never too occupied or too tired to attend to scraped knees, running noses, or hurt feelings. Many times as I lay in a hospital bed, the mere touch of her hand did more than all the nurses and medications combined.

One of the things I remember most about mom’s touch happened on Saturday evenings.  We had the same ritual.  I would get my bath, and then mom would put me up on the kitchen counter, have me lie on my back, and she would wash my hair in the kitchen sink.  I remember her hands supporting my head as it hung in mid-air over the sink.  She always talked to me while she washed and we would joke, tease, and laugh during the whole process. 

Now, don’t get me wrong, this wasn't always a bunch of roses.  In the summer time, when I had been outside playing, I would get sand and grit all in my hair.  When it came time to wash it out, it wasn't fun.  Mom’s hands, though soft and reassuring, were also relentless in their determination to find every grain of sand in my head.  With my head dangling over the sink, she used both her hands to lather, search, scrub, and scratch, until every grain of sand was gone.  When I got up from the counter, I knew my head was completely clean, not only because I could feel it, but because mom had washed my hair and I knew nothing had escaped her attention.

In Psalm 51, David records the same experience, except David isn't having his hair washed and his mom isn't doing the honors.  Instead, David prays to God to cleanse his soul, to find anything and everything that makes his life spotty and unclean.  This entire Psalm was written after David’s adultery with Bathsheba (see 2 Samuel 11). Knowing he has done wrong and knowing he cannot cleanse his own heart, David comes before God’s throne and ask his Heavenly Father to make him clean. 

David knows the process will not be pleasant but he also knows that when God is finished he will be completely clean.  David’s specific request is found in Psalm 51:7 “Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.” Read the last three words again very slowly and think about them.  What can be whiter than snow?  Yet David says that is exactly how clean he will be when God finishes with him.  David asked God to look into every nook and cranny of his life, to find all the grains of sin that were making it spotty, and to remove them. 

If you have ever asked God to cleanse you, then you know just how probing His hands can be.  They relentlessly search for the smallest speck of sin and they scrub and scrub, until it is completely gone. Although this is not the most enjoyable aspect of our relationship with God, it is one of the most productive.  God will not stand for any sin to stain our lives!  He has zero tolerance for sin because He knows that, left alone, it will continue to soil our lives and affect our relationship with Him.

When mom was washing my hair, she wouldn't stop until she was satisfied all the sand was gone.  It didn't matter if I was ready for her to be finished; the ordeal wasn't over until she had removed all the sand from my hair.  She knew that if the dirt remained, it would be more difficult and more challenging to remove at a later time.  When it was time to wash my hair that is exactly what she did, right down to the last follicle.

If my mom would take such great pains to make sure my hair was clean, how much more important do you think our souls are to God?  With a loving touch, He searches us all over, making sure that our lives are free from sin.  Our part is to lie still and let Him work. He knows what He is doing, He knows what to look for, and He knows how to remove it from us.  But there is one proviso—we must ask Him to do it.  We must allow God to search us and cleanse us.  God is a gentleman and will not force Himself on us.  He waits until He is invited in and then He begins His work!

When was the last time you asked God to wash you?  When was the last time you let Him really inspect every part of your life to see if sin was lurking in a hidden corner?  When was the last time you willingly let God cleanse you and make you whiter than snow?  Don’t you think it’s time to wash your hair today?

Come On In!

Carp's Daily Tidbits

"Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits." Psalm 103:2

Date: Wednesday, March 18, 2015

Today's Title: Come On In!

Today's Scripture: Joshua 1:1-3

I distinctly remember the first day my brother and I moved into our new home.  For eighteen long months we had worked, preparing the house for occupancy.  At last the long-awaited day arrived.  With the help of our parents and a few friends, we moved our furniture, our clothes, and all our belongings into the new house, cutting the apron strings with home and taking up the reigns of home ownership.  

It was exciting and frightening at the same time.  During the previous eighteen months, we had lived with our parents but our new home was across town, waiting for us to enter and set up house keeping.  During this time we were in limbo; we lived in one place but were looking forward to another.  Although we had enjoyed living with mom and dad, the time had come for us to move on and start a new life of our own.

A few days after moving into the house, I received a reality check. You know what these are, don’t you?  They are those little moments when you understand just how big the hole you’re in is and you know the shovel you are holding isn't large enough to dig you out.  It had never occurred to me that the money we borrowed had to be paid back.  I had written checks to pay for the plumbing, the wiring, and all the other needs we had.  But that was the bank’s money, not mine.  Now I was faced with the reality that I had to use my money to repay the loan.  Talk about scared!

I imagine this is the way Joshua must have felt as he stood on the threshold of the Promised Land, ready to make his entrance with the children of Israel.  For forty years they had been wondering in the desert, walking in a great circle, paying for their disobedience to God.  The Lord was using this situation to prepare them to take possession of the land. The wanderings in the desert would teach them about God’s faithfulness and His trustworthiness.

Finally, the day came when they were to cross the Jordan and enter the Promised Land.  There must have been wonderful excitement in the camp that day.  The promise made to Abraham hundreds of years before was about to be fulfilled.  God had opened the door and had extended an invitation for His people to go into the land of promise.  The responsibilities for leading the people into the land and for conquering it fell to Moses’ servant, Joshua.

Can’t you just imagine Joshua’s fears and worries?  For the past forty years, the people had received their instructions and their leadership from Moses.  This great man of God had stood before Pharaoh, he had led them through the Red Sea, he had given them God’s law, and he had built the tabernacle in the wilderness.  How would Joshua ever fill Moses’ shoes?  Would the people listen to him, would they respect him, would they carry out his instructions?  The fear of the unknown must have plagued Joshua and weighed heavily on his mind.  God, however, had great plans for him and gave him wonderful words of reassurance.

In Joshua 1:1-3, God gives these words of encouragement to Joshua, “After the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, the LORD said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses' aide: "Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them-to the Israelites.  I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses.”

There are three things we need to learn from this passage of scripture today.  First, Joshua must face reality.  Moses is dead!  The people can no longer rely on his leadership.  This left the people and Joshua with not only a sense of loss, but also caused them great anxiety.  Their security blanket had been ripped right out from underneath them.  But God does not stop here.  The next sentence demonstrates that God’s plans do not change. 

Second, God tells Joshua that the people will cross the Jordan River and take possession of the land He promised on oath to Abraham.  What wonderful reassurance this must have been.  God’s promises are not dependent on one individual or set of circumstances. God’s promises are dependent on Him and, therefore, can never fail. 

Finally, God restates His intention.  That intention is to fulfill His promise, to be with the people as they cross over and to settle them in the land just as He told Moses and just as He promised Abraham.  No matter how daunting the circumstance and no matter how impossible and hopeless the situation may seem, God’s promises remain true.  He will keep them all!

This morning, as we face the day ahead, we can and must draw great strength from these verses.  The events of yesterday are gone.  All of its successes, all of its comforts, and all of its security are forever in the past.  God is calling us to move forward into territory unknown to us but very familiar to Him.  He is calling us to move from where we are into the promises He has given us.  We can not dwell in the desert when God has called us to a land flowing with milk and honey.  We must get up, move forward, leave the past behind, enter the land, and possess it.

God has opened the door on this morning and He extends to us the following invitation:  “Come on in!”  The rest is up to us.  Personally, I’m going to wipe my feet on the welcome mat and go on in!  How about you?

You May Safely Cross Over

Carp's Daily Tidbits

"Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits." Psalm 103:2

Date: Tuesday, March 17, 2015

Today's Title: You May Safely Cross Over

Today's Scripture: Joshua 3:15-16

It was a very typical Monday morning.  I had originally planned to get up earlier than usual to allow myself a little more time to get ready for work, a second or third cup of coffee, and a pleasant, leisurely drive to work.  Well, you can guess what happened, right?  The alarm clock went off on time but I dozed just a few minutes longer than I should have.  There was no coffee and my drive was anything but leisurely.  The traffic was awful and felt more like an Indy 500 race than a leisurely drive to the office. 

 I got off the Interstate at my usual exit and began my way toward the university.  This street is always congested but this morning it seemed to be more so. This was probably due to the fact that I was running behind and wanted to get to the office.  As I made my way around the last bend, I noticed an older gentleman in an orange vest sitting at an intersection.  He had a bright red stop sign beside his chair and he sat there very calmly in the cool morning air. 

This man was one of many volunteers who work for the local school systems.  His job is to stop traffic until school children have safely crossed over from one side to the other.  The power this man yields is incredible.  No matter the color of the traffic light, if he is in the crosswalk with a child, all cars, trucks, vans, scooters, and bicycles must stop until he has safely delivered a little boy or girl to the other side of the street.

The Old Testament book of Joshua has a very similar illustration for us today.  The Hebrew children were poised, ready to enter the Promised Land and to rout their enemies before them.  On the eve of their entrance, God informed Joshua that He would provide safe passage for the people across the Jordan River. Joshua was to instruct the priests to carry the Ark of the Covenant before the people and the priests were to stand in the middle of the river.  What happened next is simply amazing!

Joshua 3:15-16 records this for us, “Now the Jordan is at flood stage all during harvest. Yet as soon as the priests who carried the ark reached the Jordan and their feet touched the water's edge, the water from upstream stopped flowing. It piled up in a heap a great distance away, at a town called Adam in the vicinity of Zarethan, while the water flowing down to the Sea of the Arabah (the Salt Sea) was completely cut off. So the people crossed over opposite Jericho.”

Wow!  Don’t you wish you could have witnessed this!!  Notice the condition of the Jordan River—flood stage!  Notice God’s instruction to the priest—step into the water!  Notice the course of the Jordan River—toward the Dead Sea!  Notice the results—the water upstream stopped flowing and the water downstream was cut off!  Now I ask you, what better illustration of crossing over our problems into God’s promise exists than this?  Outside the crossing of the Red Sea, nothing!

God had promised to be with His people and to provide for them.  When it came time to cross over into the land, the waters of the Jordan, even though at flood stage, posed no threat and were, in fact, inconsequential.  The priests took the Ark, the symbol of God’s presence, and entered the water.  When we take God into the middle of our trials the result is always miraculous.  If we enter the water when, how, and where He tells us, we find that we have safe passage from where we are to where He has called us to be.

In essence, God walked with the people, holding a stop sign, and the waters ceased their flow.  The waters upstream piled up while the waters downstream just drifted away.  Like the Jordan River at flood stage, a life without Christ who lovingly walks with us through all of life’s difficulties, leads to certain death and eternal separation from God.  However, when we choose to become a follower of Jesus, we are able to cross over and enter the promise of God’s love, mercy, and grace.  We are able to inherit the kingdom He created for those who choose to follow Him.

Jesus, himself, spoke to this point.  In John’s gospel, Jesus says, "I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life” (John 5:24) 

What a wonderful promise this is.  Through our faith in Jesus Christ, we have crossed over the Jordan River, over the river of sin, over the river of death, and we have received life!  Just like the children in the crosswalk this morning, and just like the people crossing the Jordan into the Promised Land, we can walk confidently, secure in the knowledge that Christ Jesus walks with us in all of life’s difficult paths.  He looks at us and says, “You may safely cross over with me!”  Are you enjoying this kind of walk today?

The Same Dollar Back

Carp's Daily Tidbits

"Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits." Psalm 103:2

Date: Monday, March 16, 2015 

Today's Title: The Same Dollar Back  

Today's Scripture: Matthew 14:17-18  

Ah, the lessons of childhood!  Some are fun, some are painful, and some are just plain confusing—that’s just the way it is.  All lessons we learn as children seemingly fall into one of these three categories.  Personally, my lessons were either painful or confusing.  Precious few of them were actually fun.  What can I say? I was just a normal little boy, with normal little boy tendencies, which means I wanted things my own way and on my own terms!  Sound familiar?

Now, one of the most confusing lessons I learned was saving money.  I understood that keeping my money was important.  After all, it was mine and nobody else was going to get their hands on it.  My dad, however, had something else in mind. He spoke with me about opening up a savings account at one of our local banks and I listened with eager ears.  The idea sounded great and it was so simple.  We would go to the bank, I would give them my $10, and they would hold it for me until I decided to spend it.  They would even add money to it if I left it with them for a long time.

Man, this was great!  I was so excited to learn there were people who wanted to help me take care of my money.  Dad and I went to the bank together.  It was a huge place and he had to pick me up so I could see the nice lady behind the counter.  I gave her my $10 and she gave me a little book.  Curious as to what was about to happen to my money; I asked where she would put my cash.  I believed they had a drawer with my name on it and that‘s where they put my money.  I was firmly convinced that I would receive the exact same $10 bill when I returned to make a withdrawal.  But that wasn't the way things worked!!  My dad explained that the bank would take my money and help other people with it.  It would be used to build houses, buy cars, pay bills, start businesses, and all sorts of different things.  Reluctantly, I relinquished my death grip on that $10 and opened my first savings account.

There is a story in the Matthew’s gospel of another little boy who was asked to relinquish what he had in order to help others.  Having been a little boy myself, I can fully understand how this little guy might have felt.  Little did he know that he held the key to touching the lives of so many people.  He was simply carrying his own lunch that his mother had prepared for him earlier that day.  What happened next was nothing short of a miracle.

In Matthew 14:17-18 we read, "We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish," they answered. "Bring them here to me," he said.” The disciples were faced with the impossible task of providing food for over 5,000 people.  They had no food, they had no money, and they had no idea how to take care of the people following Jesus.  Dumbfounded, they found a little boy carrying five loaves and two fish.  That was it!! Nothing more and nothing less! The provisions were so inadequate!  It’s sort of like showing up to a bank to open a savings account with only $10, isn't it?

Jesus, however, had a different idea.  Notice his words, “Bring them here to me.”  That is the great secret in a nutshell.  Jesus simply asked this little boy to give what he had and the little boy did.  He didn't fret over receiving the exact same fish in return; and he didn't concern himself with holding on to those five loaves of bread.  Instead, he turned loose of what he had so Jesus could use it to bless the other people in the group that day.

This is exactly what Jesus asks of his followers today.  Our resources are always inadequate; never measuring up to the task God has set before us.  That is just the way God means for it to be.  When we realize our resources are always limited and insufficient, we come to understand that we must depend on our Heavenly Father for everything.  Jesus always takes what we have and he uses it to bless so many people in ways we never dreamed possible.  Our job is not to understand how God works; our job is to be available as He works.

Whatever God has given you, don’t hold on to it.  Give your talents to Him, give your time to Him, give your job to Him, give your family to Him, give your dreams to Him, and give your life to Him.  You will be amazed at how much God will use what you give to bless other people.  In the process, you will be blessed beyond measure, knowing that God has used you to share the gospel of Christ to thousands of people who might not have heard it otherwise. 

One thing is certain; God will never put what you give Him in a drawer until you are ready to make a withdrawal.  He will use it—all of it—to further His kingdom.  So, what are you waiting for?  Bring what you have, no matter how small, to God.  He’s just waiting to take what you have and use it for His glory.  If you listen very carefully you can hear Him saying to you, ‘Bring them here to me!”  Why don’t you open that account today?