Can You Manage It?

 

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 grew up in a very small town in western North Carolina called Cherryville.  It is a small town with a population of approximately 5,000 people.  Life is slow there and good.  People know each other by their first names and some families, like mine, have been there for generations.  The town has very nice neighborhoods with large yards shaded by large trees and it is very common to see people taking long walks during the evening hours. It was here that I grew up, here that I learned about life, and here that I made good friends, many of whom still live in town.

Our neighborhood had several kids, several dogs, and a small store called Nell's where we would get snacks, candy, drinks, and bubble gum.  There was also a man who lived in the neighborhood who taught me the wonderful lesson of faithfulness that I learned to appreciate much later in life.  This is an attribute seriously lacking in society today, but back then, this man demonstrated faithfulness by his actions, his words, and his life.

The man's name was Emmitt Clark and every kid in the neighborhood knew him. We just called him Emmitt and he was always ready with a smile and a laugh.  He always called me his "old buddy" and every time I saw him, be it in the neighborhood or downtown, his voice would ring out, "There's my old buddy" and I knew right away it was Emmitt.  He had this neat little workshop behind his house full of all kinds of gadgets, tools, spare parts, oilcans, etc.  He opened this shop on a regular basis and we all took our bikes to him to have them inspected, oiled, repaired, or to have our tires filled with air.  Emmitt took it upon himself to ensure that every kid had a well-maintained bike and he would build bikes from spare parts for kids who didn't have them.  No matter what the time, Emmitt always had time for us kids.  He never complained, never hurried us away, but always took time for us and cared for us.  I know of no better picture of faithfulness than this.

In 1Corinthians 4:2, the Apostle Paul writes, "Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful" Although this verse is short, it has far reaching implications.  The first thing we must understand is that we are all stewards.  This means we must manage those things God has put in our care.  These include our relationships with others, our relationship with God, our financial resources, our time, and our lives.  In addition to being stewards, we must be faithful to fulfill the responsibilities God has entrusted to us. We must conduct ourselves in a manner that is pleasing to God and we must manage the gifts he has given us in a way that will glorify him.  We must use our time to his glory, our relationships to his glory, our finances to his glory, and our lives to his glory. 

The requirement to be faithful also means we are accountable to God for our stewardship.  Every action we take, every thought we have, every dollar we spend, every moment we live, and every life we touch must be accounted for.  God calls us not only to profess faith in him; he calls us to be faithful. In one of his parables, Jesus described a faithful servant who labored in the absence of his master.  He described him with these words, “Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his master made ruler over his household, to give them food in due season? 46“Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing. “Assuredly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all his goods." (Matthew 24:45-47). Will God find us so doing today?

Heather's Lessons

 

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he ideas for these devotionals reflect different aspects and lessons I have learned in life.  Some of these lessons have been easy to learn and others I have learned only through difficult circumstances.  Various people have played such an important part in my life and some of them have been addressed either directly or indirectly in one or more of my writings.  I have often spoken of my parents or my brother, but rarely have I mentioned my sister, Heather.  This devotional is dedicated to her.

August 6, 1971 is one of the most important dates for our family.  On that day, my little sister, Heather graced our family with her arrival.  For nine long months I had waited, wondering what the baby would be.  So, one day before my eighth birthday, my patience was finally rewarded.  I had a little sister, and I thought it was very polite of her to wait until my birthday to make her grand entrance.  I mean, it's not every day that a guy can say he got a real live baby sister for his birthday.  It was big stuff!

Not long after Heather's birth, my parents told me that she was born with Down's Syndrome, a congenital condition causing mild, moderate, and sometimes severe mental retardation.  I understood what that meant, but to me, Heather was the most beautiful child I had ever seen and she still is!  Heather and I grew very close.  We played together, went for walks together, sang together, wrestled together, watched movies together, and laughed together.  When mom and dad went out, I looked after Heather and I became very protective of her.  I still am!!!!

As she grew older and developed, Heather constantly taught me great and valuable lessons that only now I am beginning to understand and appreciate.  The more I reflect on her life, the more I can see how Heather teaches my family so many lessons about God and His mercy and grace.

Whenever I am home, Heather and I spend a lot of time together.  She is always happy to see me.  She always hugs me and tells me she loves me. 

She sits on the couch and talks with me, or holds my hand, or watches movies with me.  Sometimes we take a ride in the car, and sometimes we just sit with each other, not talking, but just enjoying each other's company.

Each night before she goes to sleep, I ask her if I can say prayers with her.   She has one answer to this request, “Sure!”  What a privilege it is for me to pray with her and to have her in my life.   It is a wonderful blessing, far more than I could ever explain or express in words.

In so many ways, I believe Heather's life teaches me about my Heavenly Father.  He is always glad to see me.  He always opens His arms to welcome me or to give me a hug when I need it.  God always tells me and shows me He loves me.  He is always working in my life in ways that demonstrate His eternal love for me.  Whenever I want to sit and talk, He listens.  Whenever I need someone to take me by the hand, He does; and if I just want to sit and watch the sunset, He is always beside me.  His patience with me is endless and His care for me is boundless.  Whenever I need to talk to Him, He always has time to listen; and to every request for some individual time He answers, "Sure!"

God looks forward to spending time and sharing Himself with us.  It thrills His heart for us to just pull up a chair and spend time with Him. But I believe He has also made it possible for those around us to demonstrate His love in a very unique and tangible way.  For me, this is what Heather does every day; not because of what she can do but because of who she is.

The scriptures say in Hebrews 13:2, "Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it!" Our family has been blessed to experience this scripture first-hand.  I trust you will have a similar occasion today!

Step Right This Way

 

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ach summer, the high desert of New Mexico in the southwest United States, becomes home to a host of young people eager to hike the trails, scale the mountains, explore the valleys, and walk the meadows of Philmont Scout Ranch. Some of these crews have waited several years to visit the ranch and to experience scouting's ultimate challenge.  However, before these eager youths can begin their journey, they must first get   directions for the road ahead.  They arrive with great expectations of what the backcountry holds; but they must develop a definite plan of action before beginning their wilderness experience.

One of the most important stops the crew makes at base camp is a visit to logistics. Here, the crew leader meets with a trip planner who provides vital information on the various aspects of the hike. Before their arrival, logistics is aware of the crew’s wishes and needs. Each crew is assigned a trip planner who indicates on a map the appropriate places to get food, fresh water, and to pitch camp. Every aspect of the trip is planned out BEFORE the crew leaves base camp.  They arrive with a selected trek in mind but logistics determines the route they will take and the time period they will follow.

This process teaches us a great truth about the plans God makes for us.  In Proverbs16:9, Solomon writes, "We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps." In this brief, but all-important passage of scripture, Solomon unlocks one of the great truths about God.  He is constantly and fully aware of our plans but he decides the paths we take to reach our destination.  How many of us have prayed for patience only to find that the pathway lies through difficulty and hardship until we learn what patience truly is?  How many times have we asked God to give us a forgiving spirit, only to be placed into situations that demanded us to forgive those who wronged us?  And how often have we asked God to teach us contentment and found ourselves removed from comforts and familiar surroundings until we learned to be at peace no matter what the circumstances?

Our heavenly father knows what we want, but more importantly, he knows what we need.  He also knows that the easiest route is not necessarily the best one or the one that will mold us and shape us according to the plans he has for us.  God is very interested in us and the paths we choose to tread; but he reserves the right to determine the paths we take to reach our destination. 

God is familiar with life's terrain.  He knows its high peaks and its low valleys.  He understands the uphill climb and the long, dusty roads.  He understands our frustrations and our discomfort with life's situations at times.  That is why he chooses the paths.  He knows where and when we need rest.  He knows how to restore us and supply us from his own, infinite resources at just the right time.

God's paths are not always easy; but they are always rewarding; designed to strengthen us, mature us, develop us, and transform us into the image of Christ.  Are you walking his paths today?

Come On In

 

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 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 wonderings 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!

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?

A Note of Thanks

 

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he post office can be a place of extreme joy or extreme disappointment, depending upon the contents of your mailbox. When I was in college, the post office was a place of extreme excitement. Around exam time, my parents would send me a care package, usually filled with homemade cookies which I stashed away in my room. I knew that if the other guys on my hall found them, they'd be gone in a flash. Hey, I'm an understanding sort of guy but when it comes to mom's homemade cookies the word share does not compute!!!

As I grew into real life, the post office began to lose its magical allure. Instead of boxes filled with homemade goodies and envelopes with spending money tucked inside, I began receiving statements and bills from various places. The phone company wrote regularly, the power company always seemed to remember me once a month and several businesses delighted in filling my mailbox with reminders of the big sales events they were hosting. Needless to say, going to the post office became less and less appealing. Instead of receiving cookies and treats in the mail, I was sending my hard-earned money to everyone. I began wondering if the mail system had any redeeming value whatsoever.

Then, one day, it happened. My mailbox was unusually full. In fact, the box was completely stuffed! There were the usual bills, some promotional flyers, the ever-popular notification that I had won $1 million dollars, and several survey forms from charitable organizations I had never heard of. That's when I spied a small envelope with my address written on it. It was almost lost in the shuffle of unimportant and mundane pieces of mail. As I inspected the envelope, I noticed it lacked a return address. Understandably, my curiosity was peaked and I quickly tore it open. Inside was a thank-you note in beautiful handwriting. A very dear friend had written to thank me for doing him a favor a few weeks before. What a breath of fresh air this was in comparison to all the other pieces of "junk" mail littering my mailbox.

Our lives, it seems, resemble the mailbox described in the preceding paragraph. They are crammed full of things that are so very unimportant. Our lives are filled with requests, notices, promises, promotions, and junk. Rarely, if ever, is there room for important things like giving thanks to God for all He has done for us. When we do get around to thanking Him, our gratitude is very small compared to the other, more "important" things taking up room in our lives.

In Leviticus 22:29, God gives a clear indication of the type of thanks He desires from His children. In this passage of Scripture, God says, “And when you offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving to the Lord, offer it of your own free will." Take a very close look at that requirement again. Thanksgiving must be of our own "free will" if it is to be pleasing and acceptable to God. Thanksgiving which comes from tradition, coercion, or from a sense of obligation is not true thanksgiving.

Today, the United States is celebrating its annual Thanksgiving holiday. We set aside this day to officially give thanks to God for the many blessings He has bestowed upon us as a people and as a nation. Millions of people will gather with family and friends around a table filled with traditional foods. Before eating, thanks will be given for the year's blessings and everyone will sit down to eat. After just a few moments of fellowship, most people will abandon the table and will head for the nearest television to watch a football game or a movie. We give God a few minutes of thanks in return for His daily blessings and faithfulness to us. Something seems drastically out of balance here, doesn't it?

As long as our thanks to God is dictated by the calendar, the clock, or family tradition, we really aren't thanking Him. The Scripture says we are to do this deliberately of our own free will. Thanksgiving is not something that we do; rather, it is something that we are. Thanksgiving is an attitude, a fundamental part of our character. Our lives must reflect thanksgiving to God on a daily basis, not when it's convenient or politically correct to do so.

The thank-you note I found in my mailbox that day was very special to me. My friend didn't have to send it to me; he wanted to. Of his own free will, he went out, selected a card, thought about the message, inscribed it on the card, sealed the envelope, addressed it, and went to the post office to mail it. It required time and effort on his part as well as a real willingness to do it. That made the card all the more special to me.

It's Time To Wash Your Hair

 

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 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?

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).

Yes, 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?

Answer The 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.

On 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?

Daybreak

 

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he sound of the piercing alarm clock rouses me from a deep, restful sleep.  The room is still dark, but the first tendrils of daylight indicate that the sun will soon rise in the east and a new day will start.  The alarm is still sounding so I throw back the covers, get up, walk across the room, turn off the alarm, and then climb back into bed for “just a few more minutes.”

As I lie on my bed looking out the window, I notice that it is steadily growing lighter outside.  I can now see the outline of trees, houses, and the birds and squirrels have started their early morning jaunts and their never-ending search for food and water.  Soon, the highways will be filled with people going to appointments or hurrying to their jobs and another hectic Friday will be in full swing.

But for now, the sun continues its steady approach and light is rapidly overtaking the darkness that has held the world captive for the past several hours.  I enjoy this time of the morning, as the night gives way to the day.  Although the darkness tries to linger for “just a few more minutes,” it is no match for the light.  The sun totally dispels all the darkness and chases it away, making everything clear and visible.

Isaiah knew what it was like to watch God create a morning.  I’m sure he watched the sun rise and dispel all the darkness and the gloom of night.  Perhaps that is why he used this analogy to speak of the coming Messiah and of a time when all would be made clear and visible.  He wasn't speaking about seeing the physical world better, but about having a clearer spiritual understanding of God and his plan for mankind.  Isaiah knew that the coming of the Messiah would remove the spiritual darkness holding mankind captive and would replace it with the burning light of God’s salvation, love, and mercy.

In Isaiah 9:2, the prophet writes these words, “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned”  Can you think of a better way to describe a sunrise than this?  Isaiah heard an alarm sounding, indicating that the long night was ending and a new day was beginning.  From his vantage point, he could see the small but perceptible tendrils of God’s light that would one day dispel all the darkness of sin from the earth.

We are now living in that light and that light is Jesus Christ.  Jesus, himself, said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." (John 8:12).  Jesus fulfilled the promise Isaiah made so many years before.  The light of God’s salvation did come and it did remove the darkness from the world.  But notice that in order to walk in this light, we must follow Jesus.  He is the only way to God and he is the only means of light in a dark world.  Only by believing in and following him can we ever hope to leave the darkness behind.

Is it dark where you are today?  Are you walking in the light of Jesus’ salvation?  You can.  Listen carefully and you will hear the alarm clock sounding.  It is God’s voice calling you from the darkness to walk in his eternal light.  Won’t you get out of that spiritual bed and watch the sunrise today?  You will never see things in the same way again!

Curvey Road Ahead

 

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he Blue Ridge Mountains in North Carolina are absolutely breathtaking. This is especially true during the month of October when the leaves are changing colors.  Nestled among the valleys, dotting the mountainsides, several small towns and communities provide various opportunities for tourists to visit the sites, sample the local charm, and try their luck on the slopes.  Everything about the area is charming and beautiful.

During the autumn, scores of people make their way up the winding mountain roads to the Blue Ridge Parkway, a highway built along this mountain range which provides large vistas, and awe-inspiring views of the mountains in all their splendor.  The mountains become a giant canvas onto which God spatters bright shades of orange, yellow, and red.  On a clear, crisp day the mountains stretch out before you, their various hues and shades of color playing and dancing with the sunbeams that bring them to life.

When I was living in North Carolina, I would sometimes make the one-and-a-half -hour journey to drive the Parkway and enjoy the sights and the wonders of the mountains.   After spending several hours in this wonderland, I began the long journey out of the mountains, winding my way toward home.  At many points along the way, several road signs warned of dangerous and sharp turns ahead.  The signs read something like this:  Caution! Curvey Road Ahead!! 

Boy, they weren't kidding.  Going straight down the mountain was not an option so the road turned back and forth and zigzagged down the mountain.  The sharp bend of the curves forced everyone in the car to one side and then everyone would shift to the other side of the car as the direction of the curve changed.  Doing this several times made for very interesting seating arrangements, especially if you were sandwiched between two or more people in the back seat.  It was always fun but after several miles of curvy road, it was nice to regain a flat, straight section of highway.

In a very similar way, this jaunt in the North Carolina Mountains directly resembles our walk with God.  God takes us into the mountains of his mercy and shows us some of the most incredible sights there.  On these peaks we learn valuable lessons, we refresh our souls and our strength, and we gain encouragement to continue our journey.  But then, it is time to leave the mountains and descend to the valleys below.

The descent down a mountain always involves curves.  The side of the mountain is too steep and any attempt to go directly down would end in certain disaster.  So God provides curvy roads to gently lead us down the mountain’s side.  It appears that we will never go to a smooth surface.  We are jostled about from one side to the other and just when we think the rough ride is over, the whole process starts over again.  We wonder if God knows what he’s up to and if the curvy road is indeed the only way down.

Rest assured that God knows what he’s doing.  Although it takes longer and is a little more cumbersome, going around the mountain is far superior to charging straight down its side.  The Children of Israel had this experience in the desert when they left Egypt.  Exodus13:17-18a says, “When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them on the road through the Philistine country, though that was shorter. For God said, "If they face war, they might change their minds and return to Egypt."  So God led the people around by the desert road toward the Red Sea.”

Did you notice God’s reason for the curve?  So they would not lose heart and change their minds about following him.  God fully intends for you to follow him faithfully and he has designed the road ahead so that you will not grow discouraged, frustrated, or be overly burdened.  He knows what he is doing.  Just remember, when the sign reads, “Caution!  Curvey Road Ahead!” God is in the process of gently bringing you down the mountain so you will be ready to go up the next one and receive the blessing he has waiting there for you.  Remember to hold steady in the turns!

Get Into The Closet

 

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he events of childhood leave an indelible mark on our lives whether we remember them or not.  There is the first step, the first tooth, the first word, the first fall, the first skinned knee, the first bike ride, the first birthday cake, etc.  All of these are memorable and are usually recorded on film, on video cassette or in special albums.  These moments are replayed at family reunions or from time to time when we just need a stroll down memory lane.

There is another experience, however, that we can all point to, one that is forever fixed in our minds.  All of us remember a time when we were very frightened, really shaken to our very foundation.  For most people, this is a bad memory and one they try to avoid.  For me, however, the memory is somewhat comical and it becomes more so the more I think about it.

My second grade class was busy doing a classroom assignment that our teacher, Mrs. Jack Putnam, had given for the afternoon.  I remember the assignment vividly because it was math, and math was never one of my best friends.  No one noticed as Mrs. Putnam stole out of the classroom, leaving us with our assistant, Mrs. Beam.  Everyone was working quietly and intently when it happened. 

Suddenly the door flew open, and an old lady with long, stringy hair, a black frock, a huge nose, and a pointed hat came into the room.  She was straddling a broom and she whipped in and out among the desks and chairs in the room.  Kids began screaming, running in all directions, trying desperately to find a safe place to hide.  I was petrified and I began looking for a place to find cover.  All at once, I noticed the sliding door of the coat closet was ajar.  I wasted no time, but ran to the closet, opened the door, jumped in, closed the door and held it shut. I left just a slit just large enough to watch the activity in the classroom without drawing attention to myself.

My heart was racing, especially when that old witch (Mrs. Putnam in disguise) came right by

the closet.  She “flew” past me and left the room.  I refused to come out of that closet for several minutes, wanting to make sure she wouldn't return and start the ruckus all over again.  When everyone settled down, I emerged from my hideout, much to the laughter and teasing of my classmates.  It didn't matter though, that closet had protected me, and had provided a place where I knew nothing or no one could harm me.

Proverbs 18:10 provides a safe haven from the frightening things of life.  The passage reads, “The name of the LORD is a strong tower; The righteous run to it and are safe.”  This passage perfectly describes the events of that memorable day in the second grade.  Like students, we dutifully work on the task God assigns us.  We remain focused, concentrating, doing our best.  Suddenly, out of nowhere it seems, the unexpected happens.  We face a sudden attack from Satan whose one goal is to frighten us, confuse, us, and scatter us.  He knows as long as we are worried, confused, frightened, angry, or frustrated, we are not working with God.

Let that closet be a lesson for all of us.  When we try to find hiding places of our own, we are always exposed and vulnerable.  Mrs. Putnam could see kids under their desks, behind the door, or under a table.  Although they believed they were hidden and safe, they remained in full view, very vulnerable to fear.  The only person she didn't see was me because I had hidden in the closet, completely concealing myself inside it.

This is what the passage from Proverbs means.  When fear, anxiety, worry, anger, frustration, or anything else tries to separate us from God, we need to run to him.  We need to jump inside, up in his arms, and become completely hidden in him.  Nothing can find us there, nothing can harm us there, and nothing will ever touch as long as we remain hidden in God, our strong tower.  So, how long has it been since you've hidden in the closet?  What’s that?  Did you hear something at the door?

Your Place is Set

 

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hanksgiving morning, my telephone rang at 6:45 a.m. Now, I am a heavy sleeper so I wasn't sure if the phone was real or if I was having a dream. After a few more rings, however, I determined that the phone was indeed real and I needed to answer it. Slowly I ascended into consciousness, rolled over, picked up the phone, fumbled with the talk button, and said "Hello”. The voice on the other end of the line greeted me with a hearty "Happy Thanksgiving!" It was my dad. He called to wish me a very happy holiday.

My mom was in the kitchen making the final preparations for her Thanksgiving meal. Everyone in my immediate family was going to be there, except for me.  Dad informed me, however, that I had not been left out or forgotten. Earlier, mom had set the dining room table and she set a place for me. Although we are separated by over one thousand miles, to mom and dad I was present at today's meal. The place setting at my chair spoke to that fact.

After our brief talk, I hung up the phone and lay back on the bed. I replayed the conversation I had just had with my dad several times in my head. One image kept coming into view, that place setting at my chair.

My parents missed me; and they knew I wanted to be there. However, the distance between us didn't prevent them from setting a place for me. It didn't stop them from considering me to be present with them, it didn't lessen their love for me, and it didn't make me any less their son. In fact, by placing the silverware and the plate on the table, they demonstrated that my presence is always with them, no matter where I happen to be.

Paul underscores the idea that from God's perspective we are already in Heaven with him, now! Ephesians 2:4-6 states, "But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus..."

There are three things we need to see in regards to this passage of Scripture. First, God loved us long before we came to love him. Before the foundation of the earth was laid, God made provision for mankind to be reunited with him. God's love spanned the great distance that separated us from him and he made a way for us to return home, to be with him eternally.

Second, we are dead in sin, separated from God. We cannot come into his presence, we cannot approach his throne, and we cannot have a relationship with him until we accept Jesus as our savior.  Just as God made Christ alive and raised him from the dead, so too are we alive because we have accepted Christ's death as the only means of salvation.

Third, we sit in heavenly places now. In essence, God has set a place for us at his table.  There is no distance too great, no obstacle too large, and no situation so dire that can keep us from being God's children. We are his, with the full right to eat at his table. His love is for us and his desire to be with us is so strong, that he sets a place for us at his table in advance of our arrival.  

My dad called that morning because he wanted me to know that he was thinking of me.   No matter where I am, nothing will ever be able to separate me from my mom, dad, brother, and sister. I was present at the holiday meal just as surely as if I had been there in person.

The spiritual application is just as real. Although we are not physically with God at this time, one day we will be.   He welcomes us into His presence, He showers us with His blessings, and He makes room for us at His table. If you have accepted Jesus Christ as your savior, this invitation to dine at God's table is open and available to you. I am so glad that my place is already set. How about you?  Is there a place reserved for you at God’s dinner table?  

Upside Down and Backwards

 

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rom December of 1988 through June of 1990, my brother, Kevin, and I were busy converting an old office building into our home.    I believed this process would require no more than six months.  Kevin, however, was not so enthusiastic about this deadline.  He knew it would be several months, perhaps more than a year, before the house was ready.

There was no heating system in the house, the wiring was too old, the walls needed to be replaced, the floors needed to be refinished, the building needed a new roof, and the basement needed to be waterproofed. In addition, the house also required several cosmetic repairs to complete the restoration.  New paint (inside and out), new wall paper, new flooring in the kitchen, new cabinet tops, etc. were needed to add the finishing touches  we wanted the house to have.   

One afternoon, the familiar sound of the miter saw met me as I got out of my car.  In the living room, Kevin was hunched over the saw, working with a long piece of crown molding.   To my horror, he had the piece of molding upside down!!  I quickly pointed this out, but he just kept on working.    

He started the saw, made the cut, climbed the ladder, turned the molding over, and put it into place.  It was a perfect fit!  After driving the last nail, he slowly descended the ladder and spoke with me.  "I wasn't ignoring you," he said, "but the cut needed to be precise.  Molding has to be cut upside down and backwards. The cut required my full concentration if it was to be perfect."

The prophet Isaiah understood the construction process.  He knew that sometimes God's methods of building look awkward to us; and sometimes they appear to be anything but practical.  We often find ourselves on God's worktable.  There is always something to be improved upon, removed, added, sanded, blasted, or chiseled.   

Life sometimes throws us a curve and in order to be molded, God must place us upside down and cut us backwards.  From our perspective, this is the most unnatural and contorted position possible.  We don't understand how in the world he could possibly use us like this.  There seems to be no method to this madness.  "Surely, this can't be from God," we think, "He always does things in a logical manner. Upside down and backwards just isn't the way he works!"

This last statement finds its answer in Isaiah 29:16.  The prophet writes, "Surely your turning of things upside down shall be esteemed as the potter’s clay: for shall the work say of him that made it, He made me not? or shall the thing framed say of him that framed it, He had no understanding?"  

Despite our objections and our indications that the situation is upside down and backwards, God pays us no attention.   He sees the entire project from drafting stage to finished product.  He has the full knowledge of what we will look like when he is finished.  Isaiah rightly reminds us we should not call God's methods into question.  The potter molds the clay, the carpenter molds the wood, and God molds us.  In all circumstances, the master molds, the material yields, and the result is perfection.

My first reaction when I saw Kevin working with the molding was to stop him.  I didn't believe he knew what he was doing; but I was wrong.  He was thinking on a plane much higher than mine.  God is the same way with us.  His thoughts are not our thoughts and his ways are not our ways.  He thinks on planes and levels far above anything we can imagine  Left to us, life’s construction  would be a disaster; but yielded to God, it is a perfect fit every time.

Neither the carpenter, nor the potter can make anything unless he holds the material, wood or clay, in his hand.  God is holding you in his hand right now.  Lovingly he sands, cuts, chisels, and shapes you until you fit perfectly into his plan.  Upside down and backwards, perhaps, but perfect every time!

Give Me Your Hand

 

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hen was the last time you were on your knees?  Now, I don't mean in prayer, or scrubbing the kitchen floors.  When was the last time you were on your knees, viewing the world as a small child would see it?  The perspective is very different, indeed!  Everything looks so big, so far away, and so impossible.  If you haven't done this in a while, I encourage you to do so, especially if you have small children.  It will give you a greater appreciation for them and for the way in which they view the world.

I remember seeing the world from this perspective and it was frustrating.  Everything I wanted to do or touch or play with seemed to be out of my reach.  In order to experience anything, I had to have assistance; and this assistance was provided by my parents. All I had to do was raise my arms and they would lift me up and carry me wherever I wanted or needed to go.  However, there was one thing I particularly enjoyed doing with my dad. 

My dad had this unique way of making me feel very special.  I would run to him and he would lift me up, using only the index finger of his right hand.  He would dangle me and jostle me and spin me in circles as I kept a death grip on that one finger.  I wasn't frightened, worried, or concerned about anything bad happening.  Instead, hanging on for dear life to his finger was one of the most exciting things I ever did.

As long as daddy held me, it was all right.  I knew he wouldn't let go and I wasn't about to.  There was a bond forged between us that we mention even to this day.  However, it is now quite impossible for my dad to lift me with one finger anymore, but his desire to do so is still evident as is mine.

Have you ever considered that God wants to treat us in just this fashion?  Nothing gives him

greater joy than to have his children latch on to him for dear life.  He wants us to hold onto him, to trust him completely, and to have fun in his presence.  God knows that from our perspective the world looks large, overwhelming, and impossible.  He knows that we can never reach the things we need to have and want to have without his assistance. Moreover, he stands ready to help us do just that if we will only ask him.

What parents could resist their child begging to be held?  When the little arms go up, the big arms wrap around in a hold that will not let go.  When found in such a situation, the child does not struggle against the parent, instead he snuggles, giggles, and is content just to be held.

 What better picture of God is there than this?  Who better to pick us up, cradle us in his arms, and carry us than our heavenly father? He will never let us go and nothing bad will ever happen to us while we are with him.  There may be times of difficulty, but his hand is always there, holding us tightly, even more tightly than we are holding on to him.

Now, when was the last time you approached God on your knees, not in prayer but as a child with outstretched arms?  When was the last time you asked him to pick you up with one finger and twirl you around to your heart's content?  When was the last time you sat in God's lap and just enjoyed his presence? 

He is ready to share that with you today.  As Isaiah41:10 says "Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. I will help you. I will uphold you with my victorious right hand." Isn't it about time you grabbed God's hand and spent some quality lap time with your heavenly father?  Why don't you do so today!