Soft Hearts for a New Year

As we head into a new year, we find a good word in the book of Hebrews where it quotes Psalm 95:7-8 and its reference to a time the Israelites quarreled with their Lord.

“See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God.  But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called ‘Today,’ so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.  We have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original conviction firmly to the very end.  As has just been said:

‘Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion.’

Who were they who heard and rebelled?  Were they not all those Moses led out of Egypt?”

It seems amazing that the very people that God blessed, as God lead them out of Egypt and into freedom, had hard hearts.  Yet we know how easy it is to take our blessings for granted and to want our own way.  May we, who know the blessings and presence of our Risen Lord, hear his voice and offer Him our soft hearts as we follow Him.

“I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh.  Then they will follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. They will be my people, and I will be their God.”  Ezekiel 11:19-20

Secret Meaning Behind "The 12 Days of Christmas"

The Twelve Days of Christmas, a baffling Carol about a partridge in a pear tree, swimming swans, leaping lords and French hens, along with other peculiar activities, has an interesting history and deep meaning.

A check of history revealed that from 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics in England were not permitted to practice their faith openly. An anonymous Christian during that time, wrote this carol as a catechism song for young Catholics.

It has two levels of meaning: the surface meaning plus a hidden meaning known only to members of their church.  Each element in the carol has a code word for a religious reality which the children could remember.

*****
One Partridge in a pear tree was Jesus Christ.

Two turtle doves were the Old and New Testaments.

Three French Hens stood for Faith, Hope and Love.

Four calling birds were the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke & John.

Five golden rings recalled the Torah or Law, the first five books of the Old Testament.

Six geese a-laying stood for the six days of creation.

Seven swans a-swimming represented the sevenfold gifts of The Holy Spirit--Prophesy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership, and Mercy.

Eight maids a-milking were the eight beatitudes.

Nine ladies dancing were the nine fruits of The Holy Spirit--Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self-Control.

Ten Lords a-leaping were the Ten Commandments.

Eleven pipers piping stood for the eleven faithful disciples.

Twelve drummers drumming symbolized the twelve points of belief in The Apostles' Creed.

*****
Sing it with extra joy this Christmas. Oh yes, the 12 days of Christmas would be from December 25th to January 5th, which is St. Nicholas Eve, which would be the first date recorded for the Christmas celebration and still celebrated by many around the world today.
Compiled by Rev. Austin Miles   
http://blogs.christianpost.com/the-connecting-link/secret-meaning-behind-popular-christmas-carol-13743/

Heroism Amidst a Tragedy

On Dec. 14, Adam Lanza shot and killed 21 children and 5 adults at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn.  Words are inadequate to describe the horrible loss and grief.  It was a terrible tragedy.

There were two heroes in the midst of the tragedy.  A teacher, Victoria Soto, died after hiding her students in a closet.  Principal Dawn Hochsprung was killed after she’d lunged at the gunman in an attempt to overtake him.  They both sacrificed their lives so that the children they loved and were responsible for, might live.  In doing so, they showed courage in risking their lives for others. 

Another tragedy is playing out in our lives.  God’s creation was made perfect and harmonious, but it has been ruined by humankind’s rebellious sin.  We have rebelled against God’s laws that were intended for our good.  We have cheated, coveted, lied, stolen, defrauded and lived selfishly.  Romans 3:23 says, “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”   This is a terrible tragedy in God’s eyes.

God sent His Son Jesus to be born on Christmas, to reveal God’s grace and mercy, and to love sacrificially and give his life as a payment for our sins.  Like the teacher and principle who sacrificed their lives for others, Jesus is a hero because of his love and sacrifice for others.  The question for us on this Christmas, is how will we respond to what Jesus has done for us?  I hope you will join us in bowing our heads before the Christ Child in the manger scene, and thank God for giving up His Son Jesus to be our Hero and save us from our sins.  This will make your Christmas truly merry.

Will You Say Yes to God?

“’I am the Lord’s servant,’ Mary answered. ‘May your word to me be fulfilled.’”  (Luke 1:38)

“When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife.”  (Matthew 1:24)

It must have taken real faith for Mary, probably a teenager, to agree to bear Jesus, knowing that her fiancé could cast her aside, and the world would shun her as an unwed mother.  It must have taken just as much faith for Joseph to accept a bride who was pregnant with a child that wasn’t his, knowing that people would mock him for being with a disgraced woman.

While Mary and Joseph’s position in society was low, their position in God’s plan was great.  They played their roles well, not because of any skill or expertise they had, but simply because they had said yes to God and allowed God to carry them through.

Is it any different for us?  We may see ourselves as ordinary, with no special gifts to offer to God.  In fact, we may see ourselves as of little use to God.  But Mary and Joseph show us that God isn’t looking for someone with outstanding talent, money, power, or ability.  God is looking for a person who simply says yes to Him and follows His will in faith.

The question is, are you such a person?  Whatever God is asking you to accept, will you respond by saying, “No, Lord, this is too hard.  I can’t do it.  Make it easier.”  Or will you say, “Yes, Lord, I’ll persevere through hard times because I trust you to see me through them the way you saw Mary and Joseph through their challenges. 

Answering yes isn’t always easy, but we can be confident that God’s Holy Spirit will strengthen us and protect us.  Will you say yes to God?

Are u Dreading a Christmas Financial Burden?

A recent Think Finance poll showed that 45% of Americans would rather SKIP CHRISTMAS because of the financial stress and strain on their precarious finances.  They do not expect to have enough money to cover holiday expenses, which is understandable when you consider how many people live paycheck to paycheck.  Thus many are seeking ways to spend less during the holidays.  So I’d like to offer a few ways to limit or reduce your holiday expenses.

To get a handle on how much you spend on the holidays, make a list of those you give presents to and other holiday expenses, that shows about how much you spend on each.  Add up the total, and compare it to the funds you will have available.  Try to reduce or avoid charging things on your credit card.

Could you explain to some of those whom you usually give to, that you’re struggling financially or had unexpected bills, and plan a more modest Christmas?  They would understand if you could not afford to give them a gift. 

Consider an alternative such as a homemade gift or a card with a note about why that person means so much to you or what you appreciate about her.  Could you give him a dozen homemade cookies or another baked item? 

Read the Bible’s warnings about taking on debt in Proverbs 22:7, 26-27 and Deuteronomy 15:6.  Then refuse to feel guilty about not being able to give someone an expensive gift or perhaps any gift. 

Ask yourself if everyone on your list actually needs a gift?  Perhaps you could make a gift to a charity or ministry in someone’s name, instead of giving a gift.  About 7 years ago, my in-laws told their large family that they were going to use the money they’d used for Christmas gifts in the past, to support a mission project that Dad was involved in.  We felt good because we knew that those who were blessed through the mission project, needed the help much more than we family members did.  Could you do something like this?

Most importantly, focus on the MEANING of the Christmas season.  Picture the nativity scene with the poor shepherds and Mary and Joseph who were also poor.  The innkeeper was the only one with money, but was overwhelmed by his business.  The point is that Christmas is NOT primarily about money or things.  Everyone focused on the CHRIST-CHILD in the manger.  Christ-followers today need to focus on the same Christ-Child.

When your holiday financial burden is reduced, you’ll feel much more peace and joy.

Finding Light in Dark Times

We’re entering that season known as the holidays.  This season can be a hard time for those who are feeling down or depressed.  The days are shorter, and the nights are longer.  Holiday parties can mean feeling pressured to spend time with people that you’d rather not.  The music, festivities and joy can remind some that their lives are not joyful.  In short, the holidays can deepen one’s dark feelings.

Elijah is a good example of how God leads us to do simple things.  Elijah was running for his life, afraid and depressed, and God stepped in.  

“He came to a broom bush, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. ‘I have had enough, Lord,’ he said. ‘Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.’  Then he lay down under the bush and fell asleep.  All at once an angel touched him and said, “Get up and eat.”   I Kings 19:4-5

Elijah awoke, ate and drank, and then slept again.  These simple things were God’s way of beginning to lead him out of his depression.  These first steps were simple ones: eat and rest. 

If you’re feeling down during this holiday season, you might want to check to see how you’re taking care of yourself.  Are you getting enough nourishment and rest?  These are simple, practical things that we can do to take care of ourselves, so that we might serve the One whose birth we are preparing to celebrate.

A Hero of Service and Sacrifice

Of all the news stories about Hurricane Sandy, this one caught my eye.  It was titled, “NYPD officer dies after helping save 7 family members.”  NYC police officer Artur Kasprzak had helped move 6 adults and his toddler nephew into his home’s attic, to escape the rising floodwaters on Oct. 30. 

Then Kasprzak went back down to his father’s basement to look for his father.  Unknown to him, his father had already left the house and was on his way up to the attic by a different path.  Arter didn’t return, and later his body was found in the basement.  One online comment posted after the story said, “May God rest his soul.  He died in an honorable way.”

The way in which he lost his life shows his love for his family.  He risked his life and died because of his love for his father.  I think of those who’ve had bad relationships with our fathers, and I wonder how many of us would have done that, if we’d been in that kind of situation.  Artur made the ultimate sacrifice for his father, in sacrificing his own life for him.  Kasprzak died like Jesus died, in giving up his life for someone else.  Would you sacrifice your life for someone you love?  That is true service and devotion. 

Some Christ-followers don’t seem willing to make such sacrifice for our Heavenly Father or the Lord Jesus, but then we see a story like this one, and are reminded of those who have made such deep sacrifices.  I think of a middle-aged man and his wife with a beautiful suburban home which they sold so that they could serve a poor, urban ministry.  I think of those who’ve accepted the call to serve the Lord overseas.  There have been many believers in nations that persecuted Christ-followers, who were executed because they refused to deny the Lordship of Christ.

Some ask, Where was God in this disaster that killed so many.  I believe God was in the countless sacrificial actions of people like Artur Kasprzak.  God was in the actions of rescuers who risked their lives to save many in Sandy’s floodwaters.  God was in the decisions of elected officials who put the welfare of their citizens above political matters. 

Jesus said “whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant,  and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all.  For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many”  (Mark 10:43-45).    You and I have opportunities to serve our families and make sacrifices for others.  Be a hero for someone this week.

A New Scene with the Lord's Footprints

Imagine you and the Lord are walking on the beach together For much of the way, the Lord’s footprints go along steadily, consistently, rarely varying the pace.

But your footprints are a disorganized stream of zigzags, starts, stops, turnarounds, circles, departures, and returns. For much of the way, it seems to go like this, but gradually your footprints come more in line with the Lord’s, soon paralleling His consistently… You and Jesus are walking as true friends!

This seems perfect, but then an interesting thing happens: Your footprints that once etched the sand next to Jesus’ are now walking precisely in His steps. Inside His larger footprints are your smaller ones, you and Jesus are becoming one.

This goes on for along time, but suddenly the second set of footprints is back. This time it seems even worse! Zigzags all over the place. Stops. Starts. Gashes in the sand. A variable mess of prints. You are amazed and shocked.

Your dream ends. You now pray: “Lord, I understand the first scene, with zigzags and fits. I was a new Christian; I was just learning. But you walked on through the storm and helped me learn to walk in with you.”

“That’s correct.”

“And when the smaller footprints were inside of Yours, I was actually learning to walk in you in Your steps, following you very closely.”

“Very good.” You have understood everything so far.”

 “So Lord, did I lose your trail or get distracted?  The footprints separate, and this time it was worse than that at first.”

There was a pause as the Lord answers, with a smile in His voice. “You didn’t know? It was then that we danced!"   (adapted from Linda Newton’s blog)

In the midst of difficulty, let’s choose Jesus’ strength and salvation, not pain and confusion.  Jesus will lead us in this dance called life, if we choose to follow Him.  If you desire the Lord to give you strength and salvation, pray this verse for yourself:  

" The Lord is my Strength and my Song, and He has become my Salvation; this is my God, and I will praise Him, my father's God, and I will exalt Him."  Exodus 15:2

Divided Disciples with the Master

The Holy Land in Jesus’ time has been called a land of conflict.  People were divided by the wars, religious groups, and political parties.  The Roman occupiers were the latest oppressors.  Jesus chose 12 disciples to mentor and send to preaching and healing missions; numerous women also followed Jesus and were devoted to his teaching and work.  Four disciples left the fishing business behind.  Matthew the tax collector and Simon the Zealot are the only disciples identified by their past.

Matthew the tax collector was apparently a wealthy man and was hated by almost all Jews because he collected heavy, unfair taxes for the despised Romans.  Matthew was one of those who sat at the tax booth (Matthew 9:9, Mark 2:14) and collected customs or tolls at ports and city gates on goods passing through.  They were hated because they cooperated with the Roman oppressors and because they were usually fraudulent crooks.   He would have been politically conservative because his lucrative position depended on the Romans’ control of Israel.

Simon the Zealot was named so because of his radical views (and possibly his actions) before he became one of Jesus’ disciples.  “The Zealots” were a fanaical Jewish patriots who wanted to restore Israel to glory by brute force.  Some of them carried large knives or short swords hidden in their cloaks.  They would work their way through a crowd to get close to an official and fatally stab him.  Have you ever heard of “cloak and dagger?” They were willing to die to further their cause because they were zealous for Israel’s glory. 

So we have the only 2 disciples who were labeled by their previous lives.  One’s title represented greed and cooperation with an occupying foreign government.  The other’s title represented violence and hatred for the same government.  Can you imagine a tea party person sitting down to eat with someone involved in the Occupy movement without some tension and sparks?  Why did Jesus chose such radically diverse disciples?  There must have been times when Matthew and Simon argued about their views. 

Jesus demanded total allegiance from the disciples.  He required a forsaking and radical break from the past.  From the stories about Matthew, we can see that he did forsake his former ways and used his wealth to introduce his friends to Jesus (Luke 5:27-29).  We only assume the same for Simon.

Today we have the Culture Wars in America.  Christ-followers are divided along economic, political, and moral issues.  We have Christians on the right and on the left.  We even question the faith of those who disagree with us.

I suspect it was that way among the 12.  Jesus probably had to squash such talk.  It’s difficult to get conservatives and progressives to sit down together and discuss their beliefs, but Jesus somehow persuaded them to accept his teaching and work together for God’s Kingdom.  Despite their differences, Matthew the tax collector and Simon the Zealot are both able to live together with the rest of the 12.  After Jesus’ ascension, in Acts 1:13, both are listed with the other disciples in Jerusalem. 

In these weeks leading up to the election, I hope we can recognize that some things are more important than our political differences, and that following the Master is one of those.  If a tax-collector and a Zealot could get along well enough to serve together in God’s Kingdom, why can’t we do the same?

Simple Ways to Represent Christ at Work

Many Christ-followers struggle with how to represent Christ in our workplaces.   How can we find practical ways to be a blessing to coworkers?  Pressures, deadlines and/or conflict can undermine our best intentions.   Here are some by Josh Reeves that I found online:

-Intentionally eat lunch with coworkers, to learn their life-story.

-Get to work early to pray for your coworkers and the upcoming days, or if you’re not a morning person, find another time of day to pray for coworkers.

-Make it a regular priority to speak or write encouragement when someone does something well.

-Bring extra snacks when you make your lunch, to give away to others.

-Once a month, bring donuts, burritos, or cereal for breakfast with everyone in your department.

-Keep small candy, gum, or little snacks around to offer to others during a long day.

-Find a regular time to invite coworkers to your home or out for coffee, tea, or ice cream.

-Make every effort to avoid gossip in the office, and be a voice of thanksgiving, not complaining.

-Be one of the first to welcome new employees and help them get oriented.

-Ask someone who is usually ignored, if you can get a tea or coffee for them when you leave the office.

-Go out of your way to talk to your janitor or cleaning people who are overlooked by most people.

-Visit coworkers when they are in the hospital.

-Find out your coworkers’ favorite music, and arrange to play it often.

-Make a list of your coworkers’ birthdays, and find ways to bless everyone on their birthday.

-If possible, invite coworkers to participate in a service project or community service club that you’re involved in.

In John 20:21, Jesus said, “As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you."  Jesus has sent us to our workplaces as His representatives.  May we seek to be a blessing to our coworkers by choosing a few of the ideas above.

Rejoice in the Lord Always!

In Philippians 4:4, Paul wrote, “Rejoice in the Lord always.  Again, I say, rejoice!”  The amazing thing is that Paul wrote that from a prison.  How could Paul rejoice while he was restrained in chains and awaiting his trial?  What did he know that we need to know?

About 10 years before Paul wrote that letter to the Philippians, he was in Philippi to share the gospel.  Paul and Silas were beaten and put in jail for casting an evil spirit out of a slave girl.  Late that night, while in a dark prison cell, Paul and Silas began to pray and sing to the Lord.  See Acts 16: 16-34.  It must have seemed strange to hear the song of the Lord in a place of suffering, shame, and abuse.  How odd to hear JOY coming from a place of SORROW. 

Paul and Silas could have cried, but they chose to rejoice.  They knew that Jesus Christ has overcome the world.  They knew that He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.  They had a deep conviction that God is always in control, and God will have the last say.

Have you ever felt like you were in a prison?  Ever felt stuck between a rock and a hard place?  Maybe it was a prison of sickness, accusation, financial ruin, heartache, or depression.  What are you going to do when you’re in that hard place?  When you’re up a creek with a paddle, how are you going to handle it?

Paul shows us how to rejoice in dark place.  God is bigger than whatever you’re facing now.  Your circumstances may look bad, but God is still on the throne.  No matter what happened to Paul, he kept on praising.  He kept on rejoicing in the Lord.  When we are weak, we have to depend on God and his strength.  When we come to the end of ourselves, we see that we can’t accomplish anything apart from God.

If you are tired and weary, sick and tired of being sick and tired, trust the One who has overcome the world.  If you need help or encouragement, if you don’t know how long you can keep hanging on, seek the strength and joy that comes from the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

Praise and rejoicing can help you see beyond your emotions, your circumstances, your enemies.  Your praise will establish a base for God’s wonder-working power.  If you rejoice in the Lord and his faithfulness and goodness, the Master will work it out.   God is always in control, and God will have the last say.

Thirsting For God

A drought will renew one’s appreciation for a glass of cold, refreshing water. 

In Psalm 63:1-2, David wrote, “You, God, are my God,
earnestly I seek you;
I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you,
in a dry and parched land
where there is no water.

I have seen you in the sanctuary
 and beheld your power and your glory.”

David wrote this while he was a fugitive in the desert of Judah.  He fondly remembered the sanctuary of the temple in Jerusalem and longed for God’s presence that he’d experienced in the past.  Listen to the deep yearning in his prayer: “Earnestly I SEEK you;
 I THIRST for you, my whole being LONGS for you,
in a dry and parched land 
where there is no water.”

As children of God, we have a void, a vacuum in our hearts, that can only be satisfied by God.  We thirst to love and be loved by others.  Many try to fill this void in unhealthy or sinful ways.  The only way to truly satisfy this void is through God’s living water.  Jesus said, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink.  Whoever believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.”

This life has many trials, tests & difficulties; it can seem like traveling throught a desert after running out of water.  We get tired, thirsty, and lonely.  We miss the fellowship of close friends.  There may no one to help us or encourage us.  When we are weak or lonely, this life can like a dray, weary land where there is no water. 

But we don’t need to thirst.  God can quench our thirst, fill our hearts, and fill us with his Living Water.  Remember what God has done for you in the past.  Close your eyes and imagine standing in the sanctuary before the throne of God, with flowing fountains at each side.

If you do not have a church home, you are welcome to attend First Presbyterian Church in Hugo, where we are blessed with the Water of Life each Sunday, in Sunday School at 9 am and worship at 10 am.  The next time, you pour a glass of water, pause to thank the One who gives the Water of Life.

PRAYER:  O God, my heart is dry.  My body hurts.  I am lonely.  I thirst for You, for more of You.  I long for You.  I want to be filled with Your Living Water.  Please fill me with Your Spirit.  Amen.

Do You Live With an Invisible Illness?

Invisible Illness Week starts Sept. 10.  Some years ago, Lisa Copen and the folks at www.restministeries.com started a week of offering help and hope for people with chronic illness.  The term “invisible illness” was used because many people with chronic illness look fine; they look like normal healthy folks.  A common response these people hear from others is, “But you look fine.”  Well, we may look fine, but we don’t feel fine. About 96% of people who live with an illness have an illness that is invisible. These people do no use a cane or any assistive device and may look perfectly healthy

I have lived with the chronic pain of spinal degeneration and fibromyalgia for about 15 years.  In fact, the Lord used the cold, horribly painful winters up north, to guide me to southern Oklahoma.  At various times, when I mention my back pain to others, they’ve said, “Well, you look fine.”  I may look fine or normal to you, but my back and neck hurt everyday, and I have numerous physical limits.  Surveys show that one-third to one-half of Americans live with a chronic health condition.  Sixty percent of Americans with a chronic health condition are between the ages of 18 and 64.  Ninety percent of seniors have at least one chronic disease and 77% have two or more chronic diseases.  

About 10 years ago, I discovered www.restministries.com which was founded by a young woman, Lisa Copen, with rheumatoid arthritis.   This site is a huge online ministry for people with chronic illness or chronic pain.  It has tons of free articles, and you can sign up for chronic pain email devotionals.  It also has resources for caregivers, families of patients, and parents of disabled children.  If you need help with anxiety/worry, anger, grief, depression, suicidal thoughts, fear, loneliness, love, joy, click the section on Emotions.  You can also find help with pain management and relationships.  A prayer request will be handled by their Encouragers Club.

Keeping our hope alive is a common theme for those of us with chronic illness, because of our health struggles.  Living with chronic illness hit our finances in 2 ways.  It reduces or eliminates one’s ability to work, while also causing more medical bills and prescription costs.  Most people with chronic pain experience depression.  Living with a chronic illness can wear you down.  So hope can be hard to find. 

Isaiah 40:29-31 says, He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.  Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord
 will renew their strength. 
They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, They will walk and not be faint.  Trust in the Lord for hope and strength.

Invisible Illness Week will be Sept. 10-14.  Go to http://invisibleillnessweek.com/ to attend online seminars, both printed and video.  May our faithful God give you the strength and hope to continue living with your chronic health condition.

On a Journey Following the Master

Scripture tells of many pilgrims who went on a trip, a journey, a pilgrimage.   God told Abraham: Leave your country and go to the land I will show you.   Joseph was sold by his brothers into slavery and ends up in Egypt; years later, God uses Joseph’s position in Egypt to save his people from famine in Palestine.  Hundreds of years later, God tells Moses to lead his people out of slavery in Egypt and through the wilderness to the promised land. 

In the New Testament, God’s Son is born while his earthly parents, Joseph and Mary, are on a trip to Bethlehem for the census.  When Joseph is warned that some bad guys are out to kill their son, the family packs up and moves to Egypt.  Then, when the coast is clear, they return to Nazareth in Galilee.  Much of Jesus’ ministry is spent traveling around various places.  Years later, Paul is converted to Christ on the road to Damascus. 

So many important things happened in the Bible, when God’s people were traveling from one place to another.  The Christian’s life is often called “walking with Jesus.”  God’s people are pilgrims following the Master.

Hebrews 12:1 tells us to “run with perseverance the race that is set out for us.”   Life’s obstacles will test our perseverance; steadfast endurance is needed to finish the race or pilgrimage.  

Hebrews 12:2 tells us, “Let us focus on Jesus.”  We have a tendency to look at others around us to see how we’re doing.  The problem is that means taking our eyes off of Jesus.  Jesus endured the cross and its shame.  He endured hardships and suffered much before finishing his journey.  If you’re going through a hardship now, keep your eyes fixed on Jesus, and keep moving toward the finish line.

When you are tired and worn out, remember the promise of Isaiah 40:29, “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.”

On your journey through life, begin wherever you are.  If you’re not living in a relationship with Jesus, begin by confessing your sins and asking Jesus to forgive your sins.  Make it your goal to follow Jesus as your Master.  Read His Word, the Bible. 

Then take a step forward in faith.  Abraham left his homeland, not knowing where God was leading him to.  Mary and Joseph traveled to Bethlehem, not knowing how or where their baby would be delivered.  Trust God to guide you and your decisions.  Step forward in faith.

Let God be your Guide on the journey of life.  God will lead you and watch over you.  He desires what’s best for you and me.  Make this verse, Psalm 25:4, your prayer - “Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.”

The Greatest of All Time

 "I'm now a legend.  I'm also the greatest athlete to ever live."  - Usain Bolt, after becoming the first man to win back-to-back Olympic titles in the 100 and 200 meters.

Jamaica's Usain Bolt is definitely the fastest man alive.  If you don't believe that, just ask him!  I have been amazed watching Bolt run the last two Olympics.  His speed and ability defy explanation.  How can a man 6'5" tall run that fast?  Sports commentators have exhausted the English language trying to describe Usain's accomplishments.  One word, though, they have never used to describe Bolt is "humble."

In stark contrast to Usain Bolt's self-glorifying rhetoric, the Olympics also brought us Gabby Douglas.  This 4'11" gymnast claimed gold for the United States in the all-around competition.  In a television interview after her amazing performance she said, “I give all the glory to God.  It’s kind of a win-win situation.  The glory goes up to Him, and the blessings fall down on me.”  She then tweeted to her fans, “Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things He does for me.”

A 16-year-old gymnast reminds us of a powerful biblical truth.  All the glory goes to God.  He alone is the giver of all that is good in this world.  It's so tempting for us to take the credit when good things come our way and then to blame God when things fall apart. 

I would challenge us in the coming days to begin and end each day giving God all the glory for every good and perfect gift.  God is showering our lives with blessing whether we think we are in an abundant season or not.  We just need to open our eyes and appreciate His blessings all around us. 

Usain, I hate to burst your bubble, but our God is the True Legend and the Greatest of All Time.

Preppers for Jesus

Have you heard of the preppers?  Preppers are preparing for a disaster, or as some say, for “The End of The World as We Know It.”  They gather large quantities of food, water, and other supplies.  They learn skills to become more self-sufficient.  They prepare for a long period of time without the electrical grid.  Most have guns to protect themselves in case law enforcement cannot help them.  You can learn more about preppers at www.survivalblog.com/ or americanpreppersnetwork.com.  Some see prepping as a wise plan, while others see it as unnecessary or strange.

I believe that some preparation is wise.  Since 9/11, FEMA has recommended that you store one gallon of water per person, per day, so that you can survive 3 days in your home, and enough food to last 3 days.  Life brings unexpected disasters.  What would you do if a tornado hit your home?  How well were you prepared for this recession?  If your electricity was cut off in an ice storm, how many days could you survive without electricity?  Does your family have a plan on how to deal with a fire in your home?

In Genesis 41, Joseph interpreted Pharaoh’s dream that Egypt would have 7 years of abundant crops followed 7 years of famine.  So Joseph was put in charge of saving up extra food supplies during the 7 years of abundant crops, to prepare for the 7 years of drought and famine.  That lead Pharaoh and Joseph to wisely use the abundant years to prepare for the lean years of hardship.  The decision lead to the saving of the Egyptian people, and to the survival of the Israelites when Joseph’s family came to Egypt to receive food from him.  Maybe Joseph and Pharaoh were the original preppers.

Have you ever considered spiritual preparedness?

Are you trusting Christ’s mercy for the ultimate day of judgment in Revelation 20: 11-15?  Do you regularly confess your sins?  Or do you, like the Pharisee in the temple, give thanks to God that you’re not like those “sinners?”  (Luke 18:9-14)

Have you ever learned to read the Bible for your own spiritual nurture?  What if you were in a situation where you did not have access to a good Bible-teaching church or pastor?  (Those who have lived away from the Bible-Belt may have experienced this.)  Would your faith decline or deteriorate in your new world?  Or would you be able to sustain your faith? 

If you’re a parent or grandparent, are you training your children or grandchildren in the ways of faith, hope, and love in Christ?  Relying on your church to train your children is not enough to prepare your child for life in today’s world.  Imagine a rope that is 168 inches long.  There are 168 hours in a week.  If your child is taught by a church for 2-3 hours per week, that leaves huge segments of time when you child will be influenced by others.  Consider your child’s daycare workers or school teacher.  Are they influencing your child for good or for worldly ways? 

Can you devote a few hours every week, or say 20 minutes a day, to reading the Bible to your young child?  Or talking to your older child about what the Bible means?  When you watch TV or a movie with your child, do you point out good or bad things in the show and bring up what Scripture teaches about those things?  Do you know what your child is looking at online?  There are software programs that monitor children online.  Do you pray with your child at mealtime or bedtime?  How much are you influencing your child or grandchild for God?  Is your child being prepared for a life of faith in Christ?

I’m not affirming all aspects of the prepper life, but I believe that the Christian life includes getting prepared for some things.  You can become a prepper for Jesus.

Pray for Our Governmental Leaders

Forty years ago, I was a budding teenager who followed political news for the first time.   In the summer of ’72, the media was revealing the connections between President Nixon’s men and a break-in at the Watergate Hotel in D.C.  There were secret grand juries, tape recordings with erased silent spaces, and accusations of lies & cover-up, & a possible impeachment of the president.  It was an unfolding drama that drew my interest.  At least one TV network played the hearings & testimony instead of its usual daytime shows.  Eventually, Pres. Nixon resigned before he could be impeached. 

The Watergate scandal along with the Vietnam War controversy left a weakened national government & presidency that many could no longer trust.  Thus, I was part of a generation that grew up when government leaders could not be trusted.  Almost every U.S. President since then has been investigated for something or other.

Decades later, when 9-11 happened in 2001, the period of patriotism & flag-waving was a new experience for my generation.  Hearing the democrats & republicans sing “God Bless America” together on the steps of the U.S. Capital was previously unthinkable.  The united support for our national leaders after 9-11 was unprecedented in my lifetime.  Like many, we flew the U.S. flag in front of our house for years. 

Now we are in the midst of another election campaign season.  What can we do?  First, the Bible tells us to pray for our governmental leaders.  Having served as a pastor for 20+ years, I know the hurt of people speaking against you, slandering your name with gossip instead of praying for the leader.  Every leader in our society has had to deal with that, which is why many good people don’t want to run for office or step forward to lead.  Pray for our leaders, that they would stand for what is right & against wrong.  Pray that God’s wisdom would guide their decisions.  Pray for those who advise them to give wise counsel.

What should we do when our leaders go astray?  After prayer, let us offer sincere, loving, helpful counsel, and let us pray for those who do this with fallen leaders.  Most leaders are aware of their weaknesses & deal daily with their human sinfulness.  I wrestle with bad decisions I’ve made or words that have hurt or offended others. 

When King David had a man killed because of an immoral affair, God sent Nathan to show him his sin & encourage his confession.  Nathan prayed for David & offered wise counsel that lead to restoration.  Can we do the same for our fallen leaders today?  Can we aim for restoration instead of character assassination? 

Another way to support our leaders is to remember our own sins.  Romans 3 says we have all sinned & fallen short of God’s glory.  In today’s world, there is little, if any grace for leaders.  When did we become a people who look for a leader’s sin & use it against him?  This lack of grace is part of what has destroyed some good leaders.

What can we do to turn things around?  Pray for our leaders.  Offer them wise counsel.  Lighten their burdens by offering to carry part of their load.  Treat them as we want to be treated.

I don’t know if the USA will ever return to being a Christian country.  But you & I are still called to pray for & support our leaders.  Our children’s future depends on this.  God is faithful & gracious.  Let us pray for our leaders.

Whose Hand is Guiding Your Stroller?

It was a touching scene at a Christian convention.  In the space between the seats & the convention hall wall was a mother & toddler standing together.  The little toddler would not be still, as you can imagine.  His Mom let him stand in the stroller, holding its back while he pushed with all the energy he could muster.  He didn’t know where he was going, as his Mom turned the stroller in a different direction.  This could have been a problem except that the loving mother was behind him, close enough to guide the stroller handle whenever it began to move away.

The toddler was free to follow his heart’s desire, with regular correction from his mother to keep him where she wanted him to end up.  So it is with you & me & God.  We are free to follow our heart’s desire, although the Heavenly Father corrects our course.  When one gets humble before God, He lifts that lowly one up.  When one becomes too proud, well, remember that proverb that says pride comes before a downfall.

This raises the question: Who or what is guiding the stroller of your life?  Are you submitting yourself to the Master daily?  Or are your desires & decisions leading you astray? 

Many years ago, I heard & read that money, sex, & power are the 3 main temptations for Christ-followers.  Those 3 things - $$, sex & power – include a lot of temptations, temptations that have led many of us into sin.  If you struggle to identify your sins, try reading the 10 Commandments in Exodus 20 or Deuteronomy 5.  Are you loving the Lord with your whole heart and loving your neighbor as yourself?  Do you see yourself as a sinner?  Do you truly need the guidance of the Master?

How can we know that God’s hand is guiding your or my stroller of life?  It’s a matter of faith & trust, & lining up one’s life with the Bible that was inspired by God’s Spirit.  When you feel unsure of God’s will for your life, read relevant Scriptures, bring it to the Master in prayer, and ask a mature Christian for guidance.

Jesus called his followers to become like little children.  That means that we’re not in control; the One who guides our stroller is in charge.  Let the Master steer your stroller of life.

We’re all riding a stroller through life.  Sometimes the ride is as exciting as a roller coaster.  Sometimes it’s a leisurely stroll down a country lane.  You and I will experience more peace & joy when we let the Master steer our stroller.  Put yourself in the Father’s stroller and let the Master steer the stroller of your life.