"Who Is My Neighbour?"

In Luke 10:30-37 we find the narrative of the story, told by Jesus, that is often referred to as that of "the Good Samaritan". A lawyer, with less than noble intent, had asked Jesus, "Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" Jesus in turn asked him what was written in the law, and according to Luke, "And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself. And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live. But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour?" (vv. 27-29, KJV). It was to this question that Jesus related the story.

In our culture when we think of our neighbours, we think of people whose homes are relatively close to ours. Yet in the narrative we find Jesus teaching that our neighbours extend beyond those with whom we share anything materially common. When they saw the injured Jew lying by the side of the road, the immediate reponse of the priest and the Levite, who were fellow Jews, was to "pass by on the other side" (vv.31,32). "But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee" (vv.33-35). The beauty of the Samaritan's response is even more profound when we consider that at the time the Jews had no dealings with the Samaritans (John 4:9).

"Who is my neighbour?" As another Christmas approaches, and we think of festivities, families, friends, gift exchanges, and other good things, for the Christian the question becomes even more relevant. It is easy to forget those who rely on the food banks, those hard hit by the economic times, children who will go giftless, the familiar face we pass everyday of the one sitting with a cup or hat in hand begging for spare change. From Jesus' perspective, these are also our neighbours. As the Samaritan took care of the injured Jew, Jesus' admonition to the lawyer, and to us, is to "Go, and do thou likewise" (v.37).

Reach out and extend a hand to a neighbour. If you are a parent, it is also a great time to teach your child(ren) to look beyond themselves. On that very first "Christmas", God gave mankind His very best. In your immediate sphere of influence, why not do something tangible for the less fortunate around you?

From my house to yours, a very merry Christmas.

When Fear Overcomes Faith

When Jesus said to Peter "Come", and he immediately jumped over the side of the boat and started walking on water (Matthew 14:25-29), I have often wondered what was going through his mind. Lest we forget, the sea at the time was not calm for the boat he and the other disciples were in was "in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves, for the wind was contrary" (v.24, KJV). Conditions were of such that Peter could not see Jesus clearly, but despite the howling winds, he had no problem hearing His voice, and in his mind, that was good enough for him. Have you ever been there?

If we could have spoken to Peter afterward, I think he would have said he got out of the boat because the safest place to be in a storm is wherever Jesus is. Very few would argue with that. However, let us not not forget that before Peter got to where Jesus was, he almost didn't make it. We are told that "when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me" (vv.29-30). Isn't that like so many of us? Wanting so much to be where Jesus is, but often overtaken by the circumstances around us. Like the boisterous wind, the situations we often face leave us feeling shaken and afraid. Many times we do not feel His presence, neither can we "see" Him, yet it is comforting to know that in the wee hours of the morning, the darkest part of the night, He not only knows where we are, but we can hear His reassuring voice bidding us to "Come" towards Him.

For Peter, and many of us, fear sometimes overtake faith. It is in those moments that our knees buckle and we start to falter. Some people say Peter took his eyes off Jesus but the text doesn't support that. Despite his steadfastness in obeying the voice of his Lord, again like some of us who have tried to do the same, he fell victim to his humanness; he became afraid. That fear interrupted his walk but not his focus, for "beginning to sink, he cried saying, Lord, save me." Who do you call when your walk becomes interrupted by fear and personal failure?

There was no hesitation in Jesus' response to Peter's cry. Matthew tells us, "And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him" (v.31a). Yes, He also did rebuke him for his lack of faith, but His immediate response should be comforting to believers everywhere. Despite ourselves and our failures, and regardless of the circumstances we find ourselves in, Christ's love for us never wavers. As soon as he began to sink, Peter called out and was saved. Let that be our example for when we feel we can't go much further, for it is when we come to the end of ourselves that we will find Him to be more than enough.

Divine 'Accident'

Intersections. Who really stops to think about them? As drivers we pull up to them, drive through them, wait in them, and perhaps for an unfortunate few, the experience of an accident or two. The Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary defines an intersection as, among other things, "a place or area where two or more things ... [meet]." Naturally, good and bad things can happen at, and in, these common meeting areas!

While doing a recent study on the Atonement, it occurred to me that the greatest "accident" to ever take place at an "intersection" happened over two thousand years ago at a place Christians call Calvary. When mankind transgressed the laws of God, His holiness and justice demanded the ultimate punishment for such transgressions. In Ezekiel 18:4 God reiterated, "Behold, all souls are mine ... the soul that sinneth, it shall die" (KJV). In the New Testament Paul declared, "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God" and "the wages of sin is death" (Romans 3:23; 6:23). Jesus, the spotless lamb of God, and the only one qualified to lay down His life as a ransom for many (Mark 10:45), not only demonstrated the Father's love for mankind (Romans 5:8), but in paying the price for our sins, appeased or satisfied the wrath of God against said sins (Romans 1:18; 3:25).

As Jesus hung on the cross, two great attributes of God were on display; His love intersecting with His justice. Having declared us guilty, which automatically evoked the death sentence, God the Righteous Judge stepped down from throne, "wrapped" Himself in love and came to earth in the person of Jesus Christ. He took our sentence upon Himself, and when the work was done, triumphantly declared "It is finished" (John 19:30). In that moment our redemption was complete; by His stripes [bruises, wounds], we were made whole (Isaiah 53:5).

As we ponder this "intersection" and reflect on the Cross standing there, may we never forget what was on display. Love and justice met, and by God's grace we came away victors. "For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him" (2 Corinthians 5:21). To Him be all honor, glory, and praise.

A Heart of Thanksgiving

The idea behind having a day for thanksgiving, as North Americans do, is an excellent one. It is a day set aside when individuals stop to reflect on the goodness of God, and with a grateful heart, thank Him for His many blessings. It is a day shared with family and friends, a festive occasion for most, topped off with the traditional thanksgiving dinner. However, once the day is past, it is easy to go back to things being business as usual. Yet while it is wholesome to pause, reflect, and give thanks on the day, it is even better to do it every day.

A common theme in the Psalms is giving thanks to God. In five of them we read "O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever" (106:1; 107:1; 118:1, 29; 136:1), words echoed from 1 Chronicles 16:34. It is interesting to note the reason we are admonished to give thanks to God - "for his mercy endureth forever". The blessings we receive from God are all the result of His mercy, and so even before we start listing the things for which we are thankful, we have to begin with his mercy. Jeremiah reminds us "It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is [his] faithfulness" (Lamentations 3:22-23, KJV).

In his first letter to the Christians in Thessalonica, Paul wrote, "In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you" (5:18). Many sermons have been preached on this text, but it is a constant reminder that we should give thanks in all situations. It is easy to be thankful in and for the good times, and for benefits that are to our immediate advantage, but harder to do so when everything seem bent out of shape. Yet even in those difficult circumstances we should give thanks, because in the midst of our thanksgiving are the seeds for our breakthrough.

As we go through today, and the rest of our days, let us do so with hearts of thankfulness to God. And while doing so, let's not forget to thank him most of all for his "unspeakable gift" (2 Corinthians 9:15), our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

No Other Day Like Today

When we woke up this morning, for most of us in the familiarity of our homes, doing the same chores, doing the same commute, basically following the same routine, it is easy to lose sight of an important fact; today is a day like none other. Yes, in today's case it is another Friday, but it is not a Friday we have seen before, nor will we ever see it again. Every twenty four hours, God graciously give us a clean sheet of paper to write on, and it is up to us what and how we choose to write. For sure on some days there will be all kinds of aggravations and temptations, but in the final analysis, we alone determine our response to the situations we face.

Reaching for that first cup of hot beverage, listening to the news, checking our email, making that first phone call, or whatever else we do all have their place, but the greatest way to start any day is with the right attitude. In Psalm 118:24 David wrote, "This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it." From the moment we shake ourselves from our slumber, and realize that we have been blessed to see another day, clothed in our right minds, there should be an attitude of praise and rejoicing. When we stop and consider that many who went to bed didn't make it through the night, we realize just how gracious God has been. We didn't wake up because of anything we did, or because we're that special, but all because of His mercy. The prophet Jeremiah declared, "It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness" (3:22-23, KJV).

As you go about your business today, it is my prayer that amidst the hustle and bustle of things around you, there will be a quite place within from which will flow a steady stream of praise. The heart that is full of praise will not be easily distracted by much else. The added bonus is that the peace of God will stand guard over our hearts and minds thus making it a bit easier to deal with the challenging situation.

Today is the day which God hath made; rejoice and be glad in it! At the end of the day, God willing, you will be pleasantly surprised at what you were able to "write" on the sheet of paper, called today, that you were given.

"My Grace Is Sufficient..."

In 2 Corinthians 12:7, Paul speaks of his thorn in the flesh. Theologians have long speculated on what that might have been, but regardless of what it was, we know that Paul asked the Lord to remove it three times (v.9), however the answer wasn't what he might have expected. The Apostle wrote, "And he [Christ] said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness" (v.10, KJV).

Space limitation does not allow for a full discourse on this compelling portion of Scripture, however there are at least two very important lessons we can take from it. First, our fervent prayers are not necessarily answered in ways we would expect, and second, whatever God allows us to bear, He provides the grace for us to do so successfully. It is understandable that we, like Paul, would ask God to remove physical, emotional, psychological, or mental stressors, but in His wisdom and as He seeks to shape our lives to conform to the image of Christ, He may choose to leave us with those issues and the resulting pain. This does not mean that we are left to fend for ourselves. We have the assurance of Christ Himself that not only do we have the Holy Spirit as our Helper, but that the measure of grace that He has made available to us is sufficient. This grace will manifest itself in our moments of weakness, enabling us to rise above our challenging circumstances - no matter how painful, or how difficult.

Paul continued, "Once I heard that, I was glad to let it happen. I quit focusing on the handicap and began appreciating the gift. It was a case of Christ's strength moving in on my weakness. Now I take limitations in stride, and with good cheer, these limitations that cut me down to size--abuse, accidents, opposition, bad breaks. I just let Christ take over! And so the weaker I get, the stronger I become" (vv. 9b-10, The Message). The KJV renders the last clause in verse 9, "that the power of Christ may rest upon me." On the word "rest", Albert Barnes wrote, "The word properly means to pitch a tent upon; and then to dwell in or upon. Here it is used in the sense of abiding upon, or remaining with. The sense is, that the power which Christ manifested to his people rested with them, or abode with them in their trials."

Have you been given a thorn in the flesh? A situation that seems far more than you can bear? God has not lost your address; He knows exactly where you are. Amidst the many struggles and discouragement is a supernatural power resting on us, and an abundance of grace that He promises is sufficient. Take hold of those truths; go forward and conquer!

Keeping It Real

I love reading the Scriptures, especially from different versions. There is the Victorian richness in language and expression in some, while others bring the Word in today's English that makes it easier to understand. When I read the latter, especially the Psalms, I feel more "real" before God and that is not a bad thing.

Recently I was reading Psalm 51 from Eugene Peterson's "The Message", and here I found David's expressions of such that I thought, "God, if only we could be that real before you all the time!" Peterson's paraphrase of verses 1-12 read:

"Generous in love—God, give grace! Huge in mercy—wipe out my bad record. Scrub away my guilt, soak out my sins in your laundry. I know how bad I've been; my sins are staring me down.

You're the One I've violated, and you've seen it all, seen the full extent of my evil. You have all the facts before you; whatever you decide about me is fair. I've been out of step with you for a long time, in the wrong since before I was born. What you're after is truth from the inside out. Enter me, then; conceive a new, true life.

Soak me in your laundry and I'll come out clean, scrub me and I'll have a snow-white life. Tune me in to foot-tapping songs, set these once-broken bones to dancing. Don't look too close for blemishes, give me a clean bill of health. God, make a fresh start in me, shape a Genesis week from the chaos of my life. Don't throw me out with the trash, or fail to breathe holiness in me. Bring me back from gray exile, put a fresh wind in my sails!"

We do not need to use those exact words next time we pray, but how about we try to keep it real before our Heavenly Father? Let's call a spade a spade, and trust His redeeming grace to not only forgive and cleanse, but to lead us in ways that are pleasing to Him.

A Guiding Light

A fellow student at the Bible College I attend is blind, and uses a guide dog to get around. On a couple of occasions, I watched his (we'll call him Paul for our purposes) interaction with the dog, and how he quietly issued commands to "sit", "stay", "here", and so on, to which the dog would immediately respond. Once they were moving, the dog was Paul's eyes. He seemed to know where everything was, and as the master moved around in a world of darkness, he relied on his 'best friend' to guide him around obstacles and whatever else was in the way. It was obvious that the bond between them was one of trust.

In Psalm 119 we read, "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path" (v.105, KJV), and in these words we find a similar kind of relationship. As the believer goes about in a darkened world, we need our own "guide dog", and we have the light of God's word to show us the way. In his commentary on this verse, Matthew Henry wrote, "It [the Word] discovers to us, concerning God and ourselves, that which otherwise we could not have known; it shows us what is amiss, and will be dangerous; it directs us in our work and way, and a dark place indeed the world would be without it. It is a lamp which we may set up by us, and take into our hands for our own particular use...to direct us in the right ordering of our conversation, both in the choice of our way in general and in the particular steps we take in that way, that we may not take a false way nor a false step in the right way. We are then truly sensible of God's goodness to us in giving us such a lamp and light when we make it a guide to our feet, our path."

The Christian cannot afford to go about our business without the security of God's word lighting our way. In his notes on the Bible, Albert Barnes wrote, "He who makes the word of God his guide, and marks its teachings, is in the right way. He will clearly see the path. He will be able to mark the road in which he ought to go, and to avoid all those by-paths which would lead him astray. He will see where those by-roads turn off from the main path - often at a very small angle, and so that there seems to be no divergence. He will see any obstruction which may lie in his path; any declivity or precipice which may be near, and down which, in a dark night, one might fall. Man needs such a guide, and the Bible is such a guide."

Because the Word of God is so encompassing, it has something to say about every area of our lives. Every step we need to take, every decision we need to make, we can trust it to guide us in the right direction. A lamp unto our feet, and a light to our path. As you go day to day, are you making effective use of it?

Divine Restoration

God sure has a sense of humor, doesn't He? During one of my recent quiet times, and as I reflected on the believer being "under construction", it occurred to me that some of us were restoration projects. At one time or another, the love of God flowed through us and we were so in love with Him that every waking moment was spent with Him on our minds. We cherished the times we spent in His company, the times we talked, fellowshipped, unloaded our deepest fears and concerns while embracing His peace over our minds and hearts. We loved the intimacy.

Yet, as time progressed, something changed. Amidst the hustle and bustle of everyday living, we became pressed for time and before we realized it, the moments with Him became fewer and farther between. The relationship that needed to be nurtured and watered to remain vibrant started to suffer. Like a building showing signs of continued neglect, spiritually, cracks appear in the foundation of our faith, dust and cobwebs cover our perception of truth, our convictions go to and fro like broken shingles caught in the wind, and our witness to the world became dulled like the building's weather-worn paint. Do you recognize yourself in that picture? Not appealing to look at, but the perfect situation for a God who specializes in restorations!

While our salvation is by grace and God alone, our restoration to our rightful place in the kingdom is a cooperative effort. We need to recognize and acknowledge the emptiness of life and it's experiences outside of Christ, and like the prodigal son, purpose within ourselves to return home. In relating the parable as told by Jesus, Luke tells us that after looking at where he was, and remembering where he belonged, "he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him" (15:20, KJV).

It really didn't matter what the son had done, or how damaging his actions were to the relationship. With sincere repentance, in his father he found not condemnation and judgment, but forgiveness and restoration. For those of us who have drifted away from God, He offers the same today. With that in mind, isn't it time to come home?

Under Construction

In my neighborhood is a fenced lot dotted with some fairly large holes, mounds of dirt, and some construction equipment. Among the other commercial buildings in the area, this plot of land is a bit of an eye sore and undoubtedly, were it to be left that way, the protests would be loud and many. In big bold letters however, were the words "Coming Soon", and above it, an artist's rendition of a beautiful structure showing what the finished product would look like. The holes in the ground were the start of a process, which, along with numerous construction activities over time, would eventually result in a building that complemented those around it.

As I drove past the lot, the Spirit of the Lord reminded me that the process for the believer is no different. Spiritually, there is not much about some of us that look like representatives of Christ. The world looks at us and scoff at our lack of appeal. Some point fingers at our mistakes, our failures, and often we struggle with seeing ourselves as children of God because we seem to fail Him so many times, in so many areas of our day to day lives. Yet it is worth remembering that we are under construction; a process that as long as we yearn for God and the things of God, He will continue to shape us to conform to the image of Christ.

In his letter to the Philippians, Paul wrote, "There has never been the slightest doubt in my mind that the God who started this great work in you would keep at it and bring it to a flourishing finish on the very day Christ Jesus appears" (1:6, The Message). God will finish what He started. The way we are is not the finished product, but as with the artist's rendering to remind us of what is to come, we look at Christ as representing what we will eventually be. It is no wonder Paul said to the Christians in Rome, "God knew what he was doing from the very beginning. He decided from the outset to shape the lives of those who love him along the same lines as the life of his Son. The Son stands first in the line of humanity he restored. We see the original and intended shape of our lives there in him" (Romans 8:29).

If you are nowhere close to what you should be in Christ, take heart. You are under construction, and God isn't through with you yet. At times in the process you may seem "ugly", but the finish will be beautiful. Yield yourself to Him, and allow Him to "Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ" (Hebrews 13:21, KJV). He can be trusted. As the Master Builder, He knows what He is doing.

"I Then Shall Live"

I first heard this song while watching to the Gaither Gospel Hour, with Bill Gaither and his wife Gloria talking about the circumstances around which she wrote the lyrics. What was most moving was when she said she hasn't yet reached the spiritual level the song speaks of. Once I heard the words, I could relate to that feeling as I am sure you will too.

In the video below, the Gaither Vocal Band & Ernie Haase singing - to the tune of Be Still My Soul - "I Then Shall Live". As the words scroll, please sing along and share in the desire of the seeker's heart.

I then shall live as one who's been forgiven
I'll walk with joy to know my debts are paid
I know my name is clear before my Father
I am His child and I am not afraid
So greatly pardoned, I'll forgive my brother
The law of love I gladly will obey

I then shall live as one who's learned compassion
I've been so loved I'll risk loving, too
I know how fear builds walls instead of bridges
I'll dare to see another's point of view
And when relationships demand commitment
Then I'll be there to care and follow through

Your kingdom come around and through and in me
Your power and glory let them shine through me
Your Hallowed name, oh may I bear with honor
And may Your living Kingdom come in me
The Bread of Life, O' may I share with honor
And may You feed a hungry world through me

Amen, Amen, Amen



Please note: If you are on a corporate network and see seeing white space instead of the encoded video, your company's internet policy may be preventing you from seeing it.

"I Am The Door"

I had done it countless times before, but this time was different. As I inserted the key in the lock in the door, the words of Jesus broke through in my spirit: "I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture" (John 10:9, KJV). I got the message immediately. In the very same way going through the front door was the only way to get into my house, without breaking any of the windows, going through Jesus was the only way to salvation.

The word "saved" used in the text is the word "sode'-zo" in the Greek, and is best understood as "to save, deliver, or protect; to heal, preserve, save (self), do well, be (make) whole" (Strong's, G4982). This understanding, when applied, gives us a richer perspective of our position in Christ. When we enter our homes, we enter a place of safety. Closed windows and doors keep us safe not only from those who would steal, kill, and destroy, but as we go about our business in our world of anxieties and uncertainties, the comforts of home also offer us a place of refuge; a place to rest, be refreshed, and to be restored.

It is no different when we are in Christ. As Bible Scholar Matthew Henry stated, "By faith in him, as the great Mediator between God and man, we come into covenant and communion with God....True believers are at home in Christ; when they go out, they are not shut out as strangers, but have liberty to come in again; when they come in, they are not shut in as trespassers, but have liberty to go out. They go out to the field in the morning, they come into the fold at night; and in both the Shepherd leads and keeps them, and they find pasture in both: grass in the field, fodder in the fold. In public, in private, they have the word of God to converse with, by which their spiritual life is supported and nourished, and out of which their gracious desires are satisfied; they are replenished with the goodness of God's house."

Those benefits are only realized by those who come in through Christ. Just in case we're tempted to think there is some other way, He stated quite emphatically, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me" (John 14:6). One door, one way, and He is it. For those of us who have found Him, what a comforting thought! If you know someone still looking, why not tell them about Him today?

In The Center of His Will

In her book, "The Hiding Place", Corrie Ten Boom, Nazi concentration camp survivor, wrote the prayer: "Lord Jesus, keep me in Your will. Don't let me go mad by poking about outside it." This after she said: "There are no 'if's' in God's kingdom. His timing is perfect. The center of His will is our only safety. His will is our hiding place."

This powerful prayer reminded me of a question posed by author Charles (Chuck) Swindoll, who, in a section of his book "Growing Strong In The Seasons of Life" titled "Appraising Life", encouraged readers to ask themselves some tough questions including "Can I honestly say that I am in the nucleus of God's will for me?" It is a very sobering question, and one that we may have refrained from asking ourselves because the answer may be more revealing than we are willing to confront. Yet, whether it is in our choice of career, a mate, a business opportunity, or any other area of our lives, can there be any doubt that there isn't anywhere safer?

As His disciples wondered if Jesus would join them to eat, He said, "The food that keeps me going is that I do the will of the One who sent me" (John 4:34a), The Message). His clearly defined passion was the carrying out of God's will (Hebrews 10:9). As His disciples, shouldn't that be our passion also? Knowing the will of God isn't always easy, but we can find direction in His Word. It speaks of His desire for every area of our lives, and as long as we follow that road map, His directions, we should be fine (Psalm 119:105). As someone once said, "the will of God is not so much an itinerary as it is an attitude. Be willing to walk in the way that He wants you to."

"Lord Jesus, keep me in Your will. Don't let me go mad by poking about outside it." Amidst the hustle and bustle of everyday living, are you allowing His Word to be a lamp to your feet, and a light to your path? There really isn’t any other way to know His will, and once we are walking in it, there really isn’t any safer place to be.

"Who Is This Man?"

The disciples had just witnessed what they thought to be impossible. Mark recorded that on Jesus' instructions they had left out to go across the lake, and with Jesus asleep in the back of the boat, "Suddenly a strong wind blew up, and the waves began to spill over into the boat, so that it was about to fill with water" (4:37, GNB). Terrified, they woke and rebuked Jesus for not caring enough. We are then told, "Jesus stood up and commanded the wind, 'Be quiet!' and he said to the waves, 'Be still!' The wind died down, and there was a great calm. Then Jesus said to his disciples, 'Why are you frightened? Do you still have no faith?' But they were terribly afraid and began to say to one another, 'Who is this man? Even the wind and the waves obey him!' (vv.38-41).

Who is this man? According to Mark's account, from the start of Jesus' ministry, these men had seen a lot. They saw Him heal the man with the evil spirit in Capernaum (1:24-26); He had healed Peter's mother-in-law and "many who were sick with all kinds of diseases and drove out many demons" (vv.29-34); among others. Those they could accept, but to command the winds and the waves? That was something quite different. But as with Jesus' other miracles, they had a front row seat to this one! He had in fact commanded the winds, He spoke to the waves, and they obeyed Him! As The Message paraphrased their reaction, "They were in absolute awe, staggered" (v.41).

Before we rush in to chide them for doubting, how much different are we? We acknowledge Jesus as the Son of God, one who is able to do miracles, yet in the middle of our own storms, do we remain calm or do we become perplexed? Is it that despite what we profess with our lips, in the challenging moments of our lives we believe there are some things that are too big, even for God? In the person of Jesus Christ, the very image of God, we have one with whom all things are possible. He is everything the believer will ever need for every situation we will ever find ourselves in. John reminds us "All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made" (1:3, KJV). If He made it, He has dominion over it; always have and always will. The child of God can rest assured that there's absolutely nothing that is outside of His control. Why not allow Him to speak to your situation?

Dealing With An Anxious Heart

Anxiety. Webster defines it as a "painful or apprehensive uneasiness of mind usually over an impending or anticipated ill"; "an abnormal and overwhelming sense of apprehension and fear often marked by physiological signs (as sweating, tension, and increased pulse), by doubt concerning the reality and nature of the threat, and by self-doubt about one's capacity to cope with it." Does any of that sound familiar?

As global economies continue to struggle, and it seems we're greeted every day by news of more companies in trouble and people losing jobs, it is in these environments that anxiety becomes even more acute. These are challenging times for many, and there are real fears and concerns that provoke thoughts and worry minds. The Christian is not immune from these events, fears, and concerns. If we're not careful, we could easily find ourselves overwhelmed by our individual circumstances, and instead of keeping our eyes on the God of our salvation, we focus instead on the "contrary winds" howling around us. To avoid such a situation, we hear the Psalmist cry out, "Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer ... when my heart is overwhelmed and fainting; lead me to the rock that is higher than I [yes, a rock that is too high for me]. For You have been a shelter and a refuge for me" (61:1,2b,3a, Amplified). When faced with life's storms, a shelter and a refuge are exactly what we need. The good news is that we can find them both, in God.

The disciples of Jesus faced their own anxious moments as He spoke to them about His departure (John 13:31-36). We find in His response words that should encourage the heart that is anxious over any circumstances. "Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me" (14:1). Things may not look too good, but let not your heart be troubled. Bad news every where, but let not your heart be troubled. The pattern is obvious. God is not limited by what the global economies are doing. He knows how to take care of His own, and "Those who trust in, lean on, and confidently hope in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved but abides and stands fast forever" (Psalm 125:1, Amplified). Now is as good a time as any to cast those cares and fears upon Him. Why not give it a try?

I Thank God For You

I have been blessed to have people in my life, past and present, who in their own unique ways have added, and continue to add, measures of richness to my life that have blessed me tremendously. When I think of these people, I think of them in ways that often make me smile, and at times, with mixed emotions. Some of the lessons learnt over the years have been invaluable, and in the hustle and bustle of everyday living, they have served me well in many different ways.

These thoughts came to mind as I reflected on a couple of Paul's salutations to his friends. To the Philippians he wrote, "I thank my God upon every remembrance of you. Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy" (1:3, 4), and to Philemon, "I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers" (1:4). Friends that cross our paths through divine appointments are priceless. Whether for a reason, a season, or a life-time, these are the people who usually see us at our best and often times, at our worse. They are always thinking of us and even without always knowing what is going on at any given moment, they are often upholding us in prayer. Our greatest joy is their greatest delight, and when we are bruised and wounded by life's events, we can count on them to be there in our hours of need.

Someone once said, "A friend is one who strengthens you with prayers, blesses you with love, and encourages you with hope." There is a lot of truth in that statement, and I believe this was some of what the Apostle experienced with those he addressed; prayed for, loved, and encouraged. Do you have proven friends like that? Today is as good a time as any to send them a note to say "I thank my God upon every remembrance of you ... making mention of thee always in my prayers." And while you're at it, make sure to really thank God for them.

Going For Gold!

Millions of people all over the world watched in awe as Jamaica's Usain Bolt ran the finals of the 100 and 200 meters sprint races, in world record times, at the recently concluded Beijing Olympics. Members of the media, and track and field experts, struggled to find superlatives to describe the outstanding performance of this athlete. Bolt attributed his success, in part, to hard work, training, and desire. He wanted to win both races, and he also wanted to, along with his country men, win the 4x100 meters relay, which they also did in world record time. The consensus is that it will be a very, very long time before we see another individual performance on the track that surpasses Bolt's. Three races, three gold medals, three world records.

Desire; the will to win. Just as they are important in the natural, so they are in the spiritual because the Christian is also involved in a race. Not before 91,000 screaming fans in an Olympic Stadium, or with millions of people watching on global television, but before our own set of witnesses. In Hebrews 12:1 we read, "Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us." In his first letter to the Corinthians, Message Translation, Paul exhorted, "You've all been to the stadium and seen the athletes race. Everyone runs; one wins. Run to win. All good athletes train hard. They do it for a gold medal that tarnishes and fades. You're after one that's gold eternally" (9:24-25).

Like Usain Bolt, it is the ultimate prize that we are after; the gold medal, the "Well done" accolade of our Heavenly Father. In our race, we are running against the forces of darkness that would seek to cut us off and cause us to stumble, but by God's grace, we have to have a strong desire to win. The athletes ran with the bare minimum; nothing to hold them back and they gave it everything they got. That is why Paul concluded, "I don't know about you, but I'm running hard for the finish line. I'm giving it everything I've got. No sloppy living for me! I'm staying alert and in top condition. I'm not going to get caught napping, telling everyone else all about it and then missing out myself" (vv.26-27, The Message).

In the presence of your own crowd of witnesses, how are you doing in your race?

His Works Speak

One of the things I enjoy doing is walking, usually in parks or along trails. Not only is it good exercise if done consistently, but it's also a great way to empty the mind of mental clutter. One of the greatest benefit for me is the opportunity to meditate, to pray, and to feel the embrace of my Heavenly Father in the surroundings. Then there are the times when I'm simply enjoying the walk, and nature, and it is during those times that it become evident that the glory of God is everywhere to be seen.

I think the Psalmist David shared those experiences as he sat outdoors tending sheep. I believe that as he probably laid on his back, looking up into the skies, the words that became a part of Psalm 19 took form - "The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament showeth his handiwork. Day unto day uttereth speech, And night unto night showeth knowledge. There is no speech nor language; Their voice is not heard. Their line is gone out through all the earth, And their words to the end of the world" (vv.1-4a, KJV). It is as Matthew Henry posited, God "not only glorifies himself, but gratifies us, by this constant revolution; for as the light of the morning befriends the business of the day, so the shadows of the evening befriend the repose of the night; every day and every night speak the goodness of God, and, when they have finished their testimony, leave it to the next day, to the next night, to stay the same."

Day after day, night after night, a constant revolution. The Message paraphrase reads, "Madame Day holds classes every morning, Professor Night lectures each evening", no words are spoken, no voices are recorded, "but their silence fills the earth: unspoken truth is spoken everywhere." It is no wonder that when Carl Boberg, while on a two mile walk through a thunderstorm from a church meeting, considered the power of God on display in the universe, he later penned the words:

"Then sings my soul / My Saviour God, to Thee / How great Thou art!"

We couldn't miss the glory of God if we tried. God has made Himself known, and we who have found Him can testify that the "revelation of GOD is whole and pulls our lives together" (v.7a). For those still waiting to find Him, there really is no excuse. How great He is indeed.

When Justice Meets Grace & Mercy

Our legal system, and by extension our society, is built upon a system of justice; the notion that persons who are accused of violating certain standards of pre-defined acceptable behavior should face a jury of their peers to determine guilt or innocence, and where appropriate, to be sentenced to a suitable form of punishment as prescribed in law. The system isn't perfect, but for the most part it works.

I thought of this as I read the Psalmist's "The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever. He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us" (103:8-12, KJV). If God were to demand justice of transgressors the way society does, none would be found innocent. Just in case any one of us think differently about it, not only does Paul reminds us that we "all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23), but that having been found guilty, the sentence of death follows - "For the wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:23a). Under our legal system, each individual has to bear the consequences of his own actions; no substitutions are allowed. But thank God, He doesn't treat us that way, but sent His only begotten Son, and "made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him" (2 Corinthians 5:21).

Being made the righteousness of God in Christ means we do not have a "criminal record" associated with our name. Through His grace and mercy, God takes our confessed sins and as far as the east is from the west, that far He has removed them from us. From my limited perspective, that distance is immeasurable!

We have a lot to be thankful for, and a great place to start is to thank our Heavenly Father for His unfathomable and unfailing love. When was the last time you did that?

Living In The Moment

To live in the moment is very easy to do. Things are constantly changing, and with so many things demanding our time and attention, it seems there is always something immediate to think or worry about. My favorite analogy is that it is like trying to fill twelve holes with ten fingers. Most people who have tried it would agree it can be very stressful. Medical science tells us that stress is harmful to our overall well-being. Among it's symptoms are headache, back ache and neck pain, depletion of energy, aggravation of peptic ulcers, and memory disturbances, to name a few. Definitely, not good.

The reality is that we do have to live in the moment, but the degree to which we allow things to impact us is what we can control. One way to do this when we're challenged by the events of the moment is to look at the big picture. This was the principle Jesus applied when he told the disciples: "Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?" (Matthew 6:25-26, KJV). I would suggest that such an approach can be applied to any area of our lives. No matter what we are faced with, it fades into insignificance in the light of God's inexhaustible provision.

Despite knowing that fact, most of us however are like Peter. When Jesus challenged him, in the middle of a storm on the Sea of Galilee, to step out of the boat, Matthew tells us: "Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, 'Lord, save me!'" (14:30). He was overwhelmed by the moment, but "Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. 'You of little faith,' he said, 'why did you doubt?'" (v.31).

It takes faith to live in the moment, because to survive the moments we have to keep our eyes on the big picture. Just because we are confused doesn't mean God doesn't know what to do. Faith; in your challenging moments, how much of it do you use? How much of the big picture do you see?

Beating The Odds Every Time

The mid-week jackpot in one of Canada 's lotteries was a whopping $46 million. Reports indicate ticket sales totaled $27.79 million, and according to those in the know, the odds of winning the jackpot in this lottery, regardless of the amount, were one in 14 million. Yet that didn't stop people from putting down $2 for a single ticket for that one chance. After all, without a ticket, one doesn't have a chance. The next morning, according to the headlines, of all the thousands of tickets sold, two lucky ones had beaten the odds.

As I pondered the news story and thought how incredibly difficult it was to beat those odds, it occurred to me that in the believers walk with God there are no odds that we have to deal with. His Word offers nothing but guarantees, all backed up by His steadfastness. In Numbers 23:19 we read, "God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?", and in Joshua 23:14b, "...not one thing hath failed of all the good things which the LORD your God spake concerning you; all are come to pass unto you, and not one thing hath failed thereof." The Psalmist reminds us, "The LORD is faithful to all his promises and loving toward all he has made" (145:13, NIV), and from the writer to the Hebrews, "...he who promised is faithful" (10:23).

Thanks be to God we do not have to wait for the odds to be in our favor to lay hold of His promises. He will do whatever He said He would do, and for those who come to Him in faith, those promises are 100% guaranteed, "For no matter how many promises God has made, they are "Yes" in Christ" (2 Corinthians 1:20, NIV). Someone may or may not win the lottery jackpot, but in Christ Jesus we win every time.

In 1899, Leila N. Morris got a hold of this truth and penned the words:

"'Tis true, O yes, 'tis true / God's wonderful promise is true;
For I've trusted, and tested, and tried it / And I know God's promise is true."

What has been your experience? Can you testify to the fact that those words are true? Why not go out this week and tell somebody about the faithfulness of God?

Their Word & God’s Word: Do They Line Up?

It seems everywhere we turn these days, some individual or organization is disseminating information. We don't have to look too far to find the latest on how to dress, how to live, where to eat, where to go, and what to do. On the screen and in print, we get 'advice' on relationship, parental, familial, and marital issues. Our senses are so inundated with information that we risk becoming desensitized to what is truth and what is propaganda. The voices we hear, and the opinions we read, have become to a large degree, the source of authority. This is where believers have to be careful.

Not much of what we hear, or read, takes God's perspective in mind. Ours is a secular society, and with that comes the humanist effort; the promotion of, and the reliance on, self. Biblical advice and instructions are ridiculed, and instead of ordering our lives and dealing with situations based on His principles, many find themselves embracing principles and concepts, touted by popular "experts", that run contrary to those of Christ.

In his letter to the Colossians, Paul wrote: "Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ" (2:8, KJV). Those words written almost 2,000 years ago are very appropriate for our times. As children of God we need to take a step back and assess the things coming at us. Before embracing something as truth, and before incorporating it into our lives, we need to see how it measures up against the Word of God. It doesn't matter if we saw it on so-and-so's talk show, or heard it from popular psychologist and expert on all things, Dr. John Doe. If it conflicts with the Word of God, it is misinformation and should be rejected.

Our standard is not the latest fad promoted as being cool or even familiar ones that have become a part of our culture. There are some very good information available that can help us in different ways, but we have to examine them carefully. And let's not forget the greatest source of information available, God's Word. In it He has "given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue" (2 Peter 1:3). As you look for the right ways to deal with your situations, have you consulted it lately?

The Company We Keep

As a child growing up, my mother would constantly remind me and my siblings to be careful of the company we keep. As youngsters, we were very aware of the influence that friends and acquaintances could have on the things we do primarily because we had seen how other kids had adopted bad habits and attitudes from hanging out with the wrong crowd. Of course, growing up in the church we also understood that we were ultimately responsible for our own actions, but we could not ignore that despite our best intentions, if we were not careful, we could end up doing the wrong thing in order to maintain unhealthy friendships. I can still hear Mom's voice: "Show me your company, and I'll tell you who you are." There is a lot of truth in her wisdom.

I thought of this as I read Psalm 119:63 - "I am a companion of all them that fear thee, and of them that keep thy precepts." Interestingly, Scripture has a lot to say about the associations we form. From the formative years of the nation of Israel, through the millennia, God warned His people to avoid certain individuals, groups, and nations whose ways of being were against His laws and principles. Whenever God's people violated this directive, they found themselves in a position of compromise. It is said that we can only rise to the level of the company we keep, and for the child of God intent on walking in the ways of God, it is imperative that we be mindful of those we allow into our personal space. Our ultimate goal is not to please others, or even ourselves, but rather to please our Heavenly Father, and to help us in that objective we should surround ourselves with people of like mind.

In Amos 3:3 we read, "Can two walk together, except they be agreed?” The agreement to consider is not so much on secular things, but on those things that are spiritual. Even among Christians there is need for vigilance in this area. We need to ensure that the meaningful relationships in our lives are propelling us in the right direction; towards conformity to the image of Christ in the ways we walk, talk, and live. This is ultimately God's priority, and it should be ours as well.

How do your friendships and relationships measure up? Now is as good a time as any to check them out.

All Things In the Spirit

The importance of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer cannot be overemphasized. Among His many functions that Jesus promised was that He would guide us "into all truth: for He shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me: for He shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that He shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you" (John 16:13b-15, KJV).

Space limitation do not allow for an exegesis of the Holy Spirit's work, but from the text above, we get a glimpse of His capabilities in the lives of the disciples. Jesus also referred to Him as "the Comforter" (V.7), signifying a personal relationship as well. When Jesus returned to His father, the Holy Spirit became God's representative on earth, continuing to be with His people and facilitating divine exchanges between us and God. It is no wonder that Paul reminded the Roman believers that upon conversion "ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his" (Romans 8:9). However as long as the Spirit of God dwells in us, we are exhorted to do everything in, or as guided by, that Spirit: "Walk in the Spirit" (Galatians 5:16); "Live in the Spirit" (5:25); "Praying always, with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit" (Ephesians 6:18); and "Love in the Spirit" (Colossians 1:8).

I quite like Paul's exhortation in his first letter to the Corinthians: "But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God" (2:9-12). What better way to live our lives, and carry out our spiritual duties, than to do so as guided by Him who knowest all the things and ways of God? He knows exactly what needs to be done, how we should do them, and how to make known to us what is ours in God. How are you doing in allowing Him to direct your every step?

Sharing What We Have

Crippled from birth and unable to fend for himself, Luke tells us that they (maybe his friends and family) brought the man to the Temple Gate every day to ask alms of them that entered the temple (Acts 3:2). There was something to the strategy, because who better to have compassion on a beggar than those who were going into the house of God. Undoubtedly, he had become a fixture there. Nobody may have known his name but for sure they knew his face, and if seen around town, would have been referred to as the fellow who "sat for alms at the Beautiful gate of the temple" (v.10).

Amidst the people going to worship that day were Peter and John, and on seeing them, the man did what he knew best - he asked for money. For him it was a matter of survival; trying to get enough to make it through the day. But on this divinely appointed day, Peter, empty in the pockets but filled with the Holy Ghost, got the man's attention and said, "Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk." The narrative continued, "And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God" (vv. 4-8, KJV).

In a lot of ways, the lame man is like those who are outside of an intimate and personal relationship with Christ. Every day is one of existence instead of being one of purpose. The longing in the soul is to satisfy its immediate wants, totally ignorant to that which is its greater need. It is as Jesus said, "For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?" (Matthew 16:26). All the silver and gold he would collect that day would not have made the man whole. Only an encounter with the living Christ, through Peter and John, could change his situation and ultimately his life.

Who are you passing today who needs more than a temporary fix? There's no real satisfaction outside of knowing and experiencing Christ, and that is one truth every believer is empowered to carry and share. You may not have money, or any of the other material things a person is asking for, but you do have a life transforming message to share. Perhaps someone in your immediate sphere of influence needs to hear it through you?

The Love That Never Ceases

On the evening of his sister's marriage, George Matheson was alone at home. Years earlier, he too had been engaged until his fiancé learned that he was going blind. Unable to bear the thought of marrying a blind man, she broke off their engagement. He went blind while studying for ministry and his sister was the one to take care of him. Under her care, he had excelled and was said to have preached regularly in a church to over 1,500 people each week. Who would care for him now? To compound matters, his sister's marriage brought back memories of his own heartbreak; of a love lost due to the tragedy of blindness.

As he sat disconsolate, perhaps contemplating his loneliness and his future, the enormous truth of God's everlasting love filled his soul. It was not unlike Paul's moment of truth when in response to the question, "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?" (Romans 8:35), he wrote, "Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord" (vv.37-39). This was a reaffirmation of the truth that God himself demonstrated when through Jeremiah He said to the families of Israel , "I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with loving kindness have I drawn thee" (31:3).

Everlasting love has no end to it, and absolutely nothing can separate us from it. Regardless of circumstances, it is always there. That is the truth of God's promise, and the truth upon which every believer can rest. Matheson discovered that, and in less than five minutes was said to have written the grand old hymn that begins with the words, and whose title came from the first sentence:

"O Love that will not let me go / I rest my weary soul in thee;
I give thee back the life I owe / That in thine ocean depths its flow
May richer, fuller be."

What love! Have you known and experienced it?

Below, David Phelps, one of the best, if not the best tenor in gospel music, with a moving rendition of Matheson's song.



Please note: If you are on a corporate network and see seeing white space instead of the encoded video, your company's internet policy may be preventing you from seeing it.

I Surrender All (All To You I Owe)

I was browsing 'You Tube' one night when I came across the video below. A quartet of students singing a song I was hearing for the first time: "I Surrender All (All To You I Owe)." Not only was the harmony wonderful, but the words of the song, as written by Mary Alessi & Aaron Lindsey, were really profound.

(Verse)
My life is not the same
Everything has changed
What You’ve done for me
You’ve set me free
My heart is now Your home
I’ll never be alone
What You’ve done for me
You’ve set me free

(Pre-Chorus)
You removed every barrier
Erased every failure
And Your mercy shelters me

(Chorus)
I surrender all
All to You I owe
My heart is Yours and Yours alone
I surrender all
Giving everything
All that I am and ever hope to be
I surrender all

I pray that it blesses you as much as it did me.



Please note: If you are on a corporate network and see seeing white space instead of the encoded video, your company's internet policy may be preventing you from seeing it.

God's Priority

Paul's letter to the Romans is a fascinating one. Long considered "The Gospel Manifesto", I hold the view that it is difficult, if not impossible, to live the Christian life in its fullness without having a basic understanding of it. If you have not read this book in its entirety, I encourage you to do so for an insight into the awesomeness of God's grace, and our exalted position in Christ. Nestled in Chapter 8 are two verses that I believe, next to our salvation, point to God's priority regarding His children: "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren" (vv. 28, 29).

Most of us have struggled with verse 28, but since Paul wrote it under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, then we have to be comforted by it even if we don't understand it. The book of Job helps us to understand that things that happen to the children of God are sovereignly allowed by Him, and Paul reaffirms that the good, bad, and indifferent things all work for our good, according to the purposes of God. But just exactly what is that purpose? The answer we find in the next verse, especially in the words, "For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son". I quite like Matthew Henry's concise commentary on this portion of the text: "Here is the order of the causes of our salvation, a golden chain, one which cannot be broken. 1. Whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son. All that God designed for glory and happiness as the end, he decreed to grace and holiness as the way. The whole human race deserved destruction; but for reasons not perfectly known to us, God determined to recover some by regeneration and the power of his grace. He predestinated, or before decreed, that they should be conformed to the image of his Son. In this life they are in part renewed, and walk in his steps."

Renewed and walking in his [Christ's] steps. That is God's priority for us. Some may ask: "What about our day to day existence?"; "Doesn't God care if we can pay our bills or not, or if we have somewhere to live?" To all those questions we answer with a resounding "Yes, He does care!" Jesus made that clear when said our Heavenly Father knows we have need of those things, but He emphasized the priority was not those material things but rather to seek first the kingdom of God; once we got that right, then the rest of things would be added (Matthew 6:25-33).

God's priority is not our immediate material comfort, but rather that we become conformed [similar, identical] to the image of Christ. Are you cooperating with Him toward that end?

Come Apart & Rest A While

Sandwiched between his narrative of the execution of John the Baptist, and the feeding of the five thousand men, besides women and children, Mark records a very brief but important interlude between Jesus and His disciples. In Mark 6:7-13, we see Jesus commissioning the twelve, sending them out into the sorrounding areas, two by two, with power over unclean spirits. In verse 31, after the death of John, we read: "And the apostles gathered themselves together unto Jesus, and told him all things, both what they had done, and what they had taught." We do not know how much time had passed, but Jesus' response suggests that it had been a while: "And he said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat" (v.31), to which we are told, "And they departed into a desert place by ship privately" (v.32).

In the context of the busy-ness of our own lives, the application of this portion of text is most prudent. With so much to do and so little time in which to do them, finding time for ourselves, what I refer to as "me time", is extremely difficult. Yet as Jesus demonstrated, it is absolutely essential - amidst our many comings and goings - to take ourselves apart into a "desert place" and rest a while. Two important variables are at play; 1) "privately", which suggests the absence of others that would seek to distract, and 2) "desert place", which implies the lack of material things that would cause one to lose focus. Jesus' idea is not for a vacation, or a trek to a Galilean resort, but rather time alone with God to be refreshed physically, emotionally, spiritually, and mentally. Regardless of our calling, a tired, burntout, frustrated Christian is hardly the poster person God is trying to use to accomplish His will in the earth.

The challenge facing today's believer is that of periodically disengaging from the world to capture those quiet moments. Yet Jesus invites us to rest; a rest that demands that we walk away from our computers, turn off our phones, our Blackberries, our iPods, our T.V. sets, our DVDs/PVRs, our gaming systems, or anything that would distract or cause us to lose focus. It is only when our desire for Him supersedes our desire to be constantly engaged in our activities, that we will be able to share in the Psalmist's experience: "He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul" (Psalm 23:2,3a).

Amidst the hustle and bustle of everyday living and all its distractions, Jesus' invitation to you is "Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while." How will you respond?

Bearing Tales

Gossiping. Some would argue it is some Christians' favorite past time - always having a story to tell about someone else, whether that story is real or contrived. Webster defines a gossiper as "a person who habitually reveals personal or sensational facts about others". Maybe there is some perverse pleasure that is derived from such a behavior, but regardless of the perceived benefits, we can rest assured that such a behavior should not be found among God's people.

God Himself weighed in on the matter. In handing down the Levitical laws that would govern the conduct of His people, He instructed, "Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people" (Leviticus 19:16a), or as 'The Message' emphatically puts it, "Don't spread gossip and rumors". Obviously, if God forbids it, there cannot be anything virtuous about it. Solomon, the wisest of them all, also found the practice deplorable. In the Proverbs we read, "The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly" (18:8, KJV). In other words, they hurt deeply; so much so he repeats it again (26:22). In 20:19 it is said, "He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips", and in 26:20, "Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth."

It can be difficult at times to hold one's tongue in the face of provocation, especially if we are the ones being unfairly slandered. There's always the temptation to respond in kind with not so nice things we know about those who seek to do harm, yet in the midst of those strong emotions, God says "Stop it!" Our minds respond , "But, Lord...", but ever so emphatically He speaks, "Don't do it!" In the words of Solomon, "A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter" (Proverbs 11:13). Paul admonished, "See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men" (1 Thess. 5:15), and yes, that includes the gossipers.

Following that which is good is not always easy, but thank God, the Holy Spirit is more than able to help us to do it . "A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who pours out lies will [perish] not go free" (Proverbs 19:5). He that is of a faithful spirit does not gossip, but keeps/hides what he knows about others. Is your spirit faithful?

Who Am I?

The song with this title, sung by Casting Crowns, has really "grown" on me. In the big scheme of things, there's nothing commendable about who we are, but it sure is great to know that God thinks the world of us. The first verse and bridge of the song is below, and it really is something to marvel about. I trust the song will bless you as much as it blessed me.

Who am I?
That the Lord of all the earth,
Would care to know my name,
Would care to feel my hurt.
Who am I?
That the bright and morning star,
Would choose to light the way,
For my ever wondering heart.

Not because of who I am.
But because of what you've done.
Not because of what I've done.
But because of who you are.



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Faith: How Much?

At one point or another we've all done it. Struggling under the weight of a situation, and facing a crisis of faith, we've prayed words to the effect, "Lord, increase my faith." I'm reminded of the narrative in Mark 9 in which Jesus met a man whose son had a "dumb spirit", and who when stricken, engaged in all kinds of destructive behaviors. The disciples had tried but couldn't cast the spirit out. Jesus "asked his father, 'How long has this been happening to him?' And he said, 'From childhood. And it has often cast him into fire and into water, to destroy him. But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.' And Jesus said to him, 'If you can'! All things are possible for one who believes.' Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, 'I believe; help my unbelief!'" (vv. 21-24, ESV).

At first glance, the statement 'I believe; help my unbelief' may seem a bit of a contradiction but it really isn't. This father, having seen his son victimized on numerous occasions, and seeing the disciples failure, didn't have much hope that anything could be done. So as any distraught parent would, he said to Jesus, "But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us." That was not an exercise of faith. Sure he wanted to believe, but the evidence was stacked high against him. Let's not overlook Jesus' emphatic reaction to the man's qualifier; "If you can!". In other words, "What do you mean 'If I can!'"? Knowing that Jesus was capable of doing more than he could imagine, the father, in his faith crisis, found a way to activate the little that he had. As the narrative tells us, he quickly found out that it wasn't the amount of faith that mattered, but the activation of the amount he had.

Jesus reinforced this principle in a narrative recorded in Luke 15. "The apostles came up and said to the Master, 'Give us more faith.' But the Master said, 'You don't need more faith. There is no 'more' or 'less' in faith. If you have a bare kernel of faith, say the size of a poppy seed, you could say to this sycamore tree, 'Go jump in the lake,' and it would do it" (vv. 5-6, The Message). The astounding thing is that no one can say they lack faith as Paul affirmed that "God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith" (Romans 12:3b). So as we can see, the issue is not whether or not we have faith, but rather our inability to activate "the measure" we have been given.

It is important to note that faith can only be activated in the presence of the Word (Romans 10:17), so as we deal with our respective challenges, we have to believe that God can do the things He says He can do. It is only then that we can lay claim to the substance of the things hoped for, and the evidence of which we have not yet seen. In other words, faith connects us in the now with those things which are yet to come, all the while being fully persauded that we already have them, regardless of the external evidence. "All things are possible for one who believes"; all it takes is faith the size of a poppy seed. If Jesus said it, that's good enough for me. Is it good enough for you?

Boldness In Asking Equals Blessing

I watched him as he went from person to person in the Food Court asking for spare change "to buy some food." He wasn't having any success and so he came over to where I was standing in line, and in broken English, asked the people serving for something to eat. Husband and wife looked at each other, before the wife took up a plate and prepared a small serving. Before she could hand it to him, he asked, "More, please?"

Those in line chuckled at the man's boldness, but as soon as he spoke, the words from James 4:2b sprung to life in my mind, "Ye have not, because ye ask not." Right before me was someone who had asked not only for what he needed, but confidently asked for the amount that he felt would satisfy his hunger. He needed food, and a small amount was not going to do. As I watched the events unfold, the lady smiled, doubled the portions on the plate, and this time he took it without hesitation, said his thanks, before walking off to find a seat to have his meal.

The thought occurred to me that his request matched the severity of his need. In a spiritual sense, how many Christians fall short in that regard? From the old hymn we recall the words, "Oh what peace we often forfeit / Oh, what needless pain we bear / All because we do not carry / Ev'rything to God in prayer!", a striking indictment on the believer's inability to recognize and appreciate that the severity of our needs will never exhaust the resources of God. The writer to the Hebrews encourages us to come boldly unto the throne of grace (4:16); there we find Him of whom it is written, He "calleth those things which be not as though they were" (Romans 4:17). It really doesn't matter the needs, or the severity of those needs, God is more than able to meet them. I believe this was what Peter had in mind when he wrote, "Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you" (1 Peter 5:7). There is no justifiable reason to keep some of our cares (worries, anxieties, doubts, fears, needs) to ourselves; we are to cast them ALL upon Him.

Knowing God's inexhaustible supply, Jesus encouraged His disciples to "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened" (Matthew 7:7,8). No limits, no restrictions; just the assurance that the things that conform to the will of God for our lives are ours through Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19). With that in mind, let us not be afraid to ask for what we need. We serve a God who specializes in meeting every need, even the ones that seem impossible.

Sweet or Sour: How Are Your Words?

All throughout the Scriptures, we're reminded of the power of words. By themselves they are neither good or bad, but how we use them, and our intent, determine their impact. Jesus taught that from the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks (Matt. 12:34; Luke 6:45), and in the Proverbs we read, "The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips" (16:23, KJV). Because the heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked (Jeremiah 17:9), Solomon admonished "Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee" (Proverbs 4:23,24). Obviously, God places a lot of emphasis on the words we speak.

This becomes absolutely important in our dealings with others. The careless use of words can hurt, destroy, humiliate, and provoke other feelings of emotional distress (Proverbs 15:1). However, on the flipside, we see its positive potential: "Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones" (Proverbs 16:24). The pleasant words spoken of are not flattery, flowery words expressed with insincerity or selfish motives, but rather words seasoned with grace that seeks to encourage, edify, instruct, comfort, and which has their foundation in the Word of God. The right words, at the right time, spoken in the right way, are sweet to the soul and literally like medicine to the bones. The Psalmist experienced this when he wrote, "This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened [repaired, restored] me" (119:50).

I believe when David said "Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee" (Psalm 119:11), he was thinking of relationships at all levels, including those with his fellow men. Earlier he wrote, "How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!" (v. 103). The hidden word would permeate his entire being, instruct his tongue, and find its expression in ways that would be pleasing to both God and man.

Undoubtedly, many have been wounded by things said of us, and to us. However what about the things we say of, about, and to others? How are your words? What effect do they have on the people you interact with? It really is worth thinking about.

Alpha & Omega...

The first time I heard Israel & New Breed singing "Alpha & Omega" on CD, I was blown away. I listened to that song for days. Tears flowed freely just about every time, and the song took me places in my spirit I'd never been before. Then I got the DVD, and it was the same thing. I couldn't have enough of it, nor could I have enough of the Divine Presence it elevated me to. It is definitely one of my favorite worship songs, and I hope it blesses you as much as it blessed me.



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Facing "The Last Enemy"

She was standing, waiting for the elevator in the Bible College I attend and where she is a professor. Her husband had passed away a couple weeks before, and once I caught up with her, proceeded to offer my condolences. During our brief chat, I commented on her cheerful disposition despite her recent loss. Her eyes brightened, her smile got broader, and bouncing on her toes she said excitedly, with all the conviction she could muster, "I know where he is, I know where he is, he's with Jesus." What a wonderful perspective!

Death. It is not a topic that makes for comfortable conversation, yet its reality has touched the lives of so many of us. From the moment we were conceived, our 'appointment' with death was made, and unless we're privileged to be alive when Jesus returns, it is an 'appointment' - date and time unknown to us - that we must keep. The writer of Hebrews left no doubt about that when he wrote, "It is appointed unto man once to die" (9:27), and Solomon stated the uncomfortable truth, "For the living know that they will die" (Ecclesiastes 9:5a). However, whether when facing the death of loved ones, or awareness of our own mortality, death, for the believer, doesn't have to be a frightening thought. In the natural, it is but a period on our earthly existence, but from God's perspective, it is a comma, a transition, for to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:8). David, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, declared this moment of transition "precious", when he wrote, "Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints" (Psalm 116:5). Imagine that. When the final breath leaves the body of the child of God, the LORD deems that a precious moment.

While there is sorrow in death, there is no need for fear. Someone once wrote, "Death is but changing our robes to wait in wedding garments at the Eternal's gate." Before his execution, Paul, in his second and final letter to Timothy, wrote, "I am now ready to be offered" (4:6a). The Psalmist declared, "As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness" (17:15). Because of the hope in Christ Jesus, we do not have to face or mourn death like those without hope. Like the college professor, secured in the knowledge of the promises of God, we too can say of our loved ones, and they can say of us, "I know where s/he is, I know where s/he is."

The grave is not a final resting place. It is just a holding ground for our mortal bodies. Being fully persuaded that death will eventually be swallowed up in victory, and that it is just a transition from this life to the next, in its presence the believer should shout the words of 1 Corinthians 15:55, "O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?", because standing on the other side is The One who triumphed over death, and through Him, all who believe in Him will experience the same (John 3:16). Let us comfort ourselves , and others, with that thought.

God's Word, Our Response (Part II)

The Israelites experienced forty years of wilderness wandering because of unbelief. They allowed themselves to be influenced not by the word of the LORD, but by what they heard from their peers. How many of us make that same mistake today? "Search the land of Canaan, which I [the LORD] give unto the children of Israel" (Numbers 13:2, KJV). The Word was not "which I *will* give", but rather "which I give". That they had the land was already a done deal, and basically all they had to from this point on was to follow the LORD's instructions.

To walk in God's promises and assurances requires us to see things and situations from His perspective. His track record is of such that nothing that He has ordained has failed to come to pass. Six times in Genesis 1 we read, "And God said ... and it was so." From our perspective, it does not always look like things make a lot of sense, and when we look around at what God says is ours, we are often filled with doubt. However, there are times when we receive a Word from the LORD that others do not always understand, but as long as that Word is consistent with what God has revealed of Himself, the child of God can stand with conviction on it. It is interesting to note that when some of the spies saw the land filled with giants, they immediately saw themselves not as the LORD's children doing what He had instructed, but reported "we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight (vv. Numbers 13:32b-33). Their inability to see themselves as the LORD saw them defined who they were, and they presumed others saw them as they saw themselves.

If God says you're strong, then you are. If He declares you an overcomer, you are. If He says you can and that you will, you can and you will. Whatever He says of you, that is what and who you are. The issue is not so much what others say or believe about you, or even what you believe about yourself, or the different challenging situations you find yourself in. The challenge to every believer is this: what and whose report are you going to believe? The Israelites chose to believe the bad report, and by doing so, angered the LORD.

What does the LORD say of Himself? In Isaiah 55:8-11 we read, "My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it" (ESV).

If He says it, we can believe it. Anything else outside of that is irrelevant.

God's Word, Our Response (Part 1)

There were twelve of them, each representing their respective tribe, and their mission was well defined. As instructed by the LORD, through Moses, they were to "search the land of Canaan, which I [the LORD] give unto the children of Israel" (Numbers 13:2, KJV). They did as instructed, returning after forty days with a report that contained both good and bad news. The land flowed with milk and honey, and yielded much fruit, but it was occupied with giants, and the cities had walls around them (vv.28-29). The narrative tells us, "And they brought up an evil report of the land which they had searched unto the children of Israel, saying, The land, through which we have gone to search it, is a land that eateth up the inhabitants thereof; and all the people that we saw in it are men of a great stature. And there we saw the giants, the sons of Anak, which come of the giants: and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight (vv. 32b-33). They had assessed the situation based on what they had seen, and had forgotten what the LORD had told them. Does that sound familiar? Can you relate?

Among the twelve however, were two who had not forgotten. As the people became restless at the report, "Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it. But the men that went up with him said, We be not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we" (vv. 30-31). A reading of Numbers 14 show us that the negative report won the day, so much so that the LORD sentenced them to forty years of wilderness wandering, during which time all the doubters would perish and so forfeit entering the Promised Land. All because of unbelief.

Some important truths from the story: 1) The majority is not always right; 2) The LORD is not pleased when we doubt Him; and 3) What the situation looks like on the outside is no hindrance to the fulfilling of what the LORD has ordained. When a truth has been quickened in our hearts by the Holy Spirit, it is important we understand that whatever God declare *will* come to pass (Isaiah 55:11). Paul reminds us, "If God be for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31b), so we need not worry about what we see, think, feel, or what others may say. Instead, we can stand firmly on, and walk boldly in, the things that are in keeping with His will, trusting that He will take care of the obstacles Himself, or make ways so we can get through them.

Our God can be trusted. On this occasion, the people doubted and the consequences were severe. As you read the Word and realize what He has promised for your life, how do you respond? Do you believe? Do your actions matchup with your belief?

Let's Go to His House!

Homer Simpson, the incorrigible animated character and patriarch of the Simpson clan, once said, "I'm having the best day of my life, and I owe it all to not going to Church!" Funny to some I'm sure, and perhaps reflective of the thoughts of others. In an increasingly secular society, and given the negative news reports on various scandals involving some in the Church, it is no surprise that some see places of worship has having little or no relevance in their lives. For some, it is a Sunday morning ritual, while for others, there are token visits for baby dedications, weddings, and funerals, if any at all.

For Christians who are passionately in love with the Lord, and enjoying their relationship with Him, nothing could be further from the truth. Even when physically and/or mentally tired, the inner man looks forward to those times of worship and fellowship with other believers. As Matthew Henry wrote, "It is the will of God that we should worship him in concert, that many should join together to wait upon him in public ordinances. We ought to worship God in our own houses, but that is not enough; we must go into the house of the Lord, to pay our homage to him there, and not forsake the assembling of ourselves together....for the honour of God and for our mutual edification and encouragement." To add to that, I also believe that Church should be our place of refuge from life's storms; the place where we can be properly restored, renewed, strengthened, and encouraged.

Those are some of the reasons I can fully appreciate David's delight when he wrote, "I was glad when they said to me, 'Let us go to the house of the LORD!'" (Psalm 122:1, KJV), or as The Message translation puts it, "When they said, 'Let's go to the house of God,' my heart leaped for joy." Perhaps in our own experiences, we have not always "leaped for joy", but there is something special about going to the house of God that provoke our hearts to be there. Yes, it may be challenging to see some of those hard-to-love people, but it is not about them. It is about going to meet with God - to worship, praise, and to hear Him speak through the Word.

How do you feel when it's time for Church? Yes, it really does matter!

The Refiner's Fire

Earlier this week I received an email forward that was simply profound in its theology on Malachi 3:3, which reads, "And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness." I do not know the author of the commentary, which I've titled as above, but it was simply too profound not to share. I pray that it blesses you as much as it did me. Here goes:

This verse puzzled some women in a Bible study and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God.

One of the women offered to find out the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible Study.

That week, the woman called a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn't mention anything about the reason for her interest beyond her curiosity about the process of refining silver.

As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest as to burn away all the impurities.

The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot; then she thought again about the verse that says: 'He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver.'

She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time.

The man answered that yes, he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed.

The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith, 'How do you know when the silver is fully refined?'

He smiled at her and answered, 'Oh, that's easy -- when I see my image in it.'

If today you are feeling the heat of the fire, remember that God has his eye on you and will keep watching you until He sees His image in you.

Calling "Home"

The phone rings and it's the dreaded automated response: "If you're calling for ABC, Press 1; for DEF, press 2" and so it goes. Another unsuccessful attempt, and depending on the number of times experienced, maybe a bit of frustration. As if by conspiracy, this happens, more times than not, when we really need to talk to a real person, but as businesses engage in cost reductions, and life demand more from us as individuals, answering machines and other automated response systems have become a part of our culture. As I put the phone down, I wondered, somewhat amusingly, "What if God had an automated response system?" With angelic music in the background, maybe we would hear something like - "God is busy at the moment, but to leave a request, press 1; for thanksgiving, press 2; to complain, press 3", and so on. Then again, how many of us would simply hang up?

It can be frustrating trying to urgently reach someone by phone, and not being able to do so . At certain times of the year, international circuits are busy, connections may be bad, lines may be down, yet how incredibly comforting it is to know that when we try to 'connect' with our Heavenly Father, we do not have to worry about those limitations.

In his conversation with God, David said, "I will call upon you, for you will answer me" (Psalm 17:6a, ESV). There was no doubt in his mind that his "connection" was clear both ways - him to God and God to him - and we too can have the same assurance. God Himself declared, "Call to me and I will answer you" (Jeremiah 33:3), and even better, through Isaiah, "Before they call I will answer; while they are yet speaking I will hear" (65:24). These attributes of God did not disappear with the Old Testament believers, because God is unchanging in nature. Of Jesus, God in the flesh, it is said He is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8), and so we too can rest in the comfort of His assurances.

God has made available to us an instantaneous connection to Him that is always on; 365 days per year, 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. It doesn't go down in leap years either. If our calls are not going through, we need to check our side of things for possible obstructions. Are we properly 'plugged' in to Him? Any 'wires' crossed? Once things are in order, one thing we know for sure - no automated responses, no voice mail.

"I will call upon you, for you will answer me." What comfort!