Best. Gift. Ever.

This Christmas morning, many will awaken to find boxes of various sizes wrapped with shiny paper, ribbons, and bows under the tree. But any kid can tell you, just as you can’t judge a book by its cover, you can never really tell how great a gift will be by its trimmings. They say the best gifts come in the smallest packages. That just may be very true…

Many years ago, people were awaiting a great gift from God. He promised them a Messiah, a deliverer who would save them from their suffering. Over the course of a few centuries, speculation abounded and many were hopeful that the gift would arrive soon. Many may have anticipated that the Messiah would ride in on a great white horse, draped in gold linens. He would dismount his steed and throw back his perfect hair, declaring that he would lead the people to victory.

When God’s gift arrived in the world, the anticipation and excitement were great. A chorus of angels heralded His presence. A star burned above, greater than the spotlight of a Hollywood premiere, signaling the location of the Messiah. And three travelers from the East made their way to find Him. Yet when they finally arrived, there were no gold linens. No white steed. No great warrior with rippling muscles and glistening teeth. They found a child.

In the meekest of conditions, they found God’s gift to all people. Jesus Christ, the very Son of God. Some would have scoffed at the presentation of this gift. In fact, even later in His life many did. Some wondered how this Jesus, the son of a carpenter from a nondescript town called Nazareth, could possibly be the Messiah that had been prophesized.

1 Corinthians 1:25 says, “For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.” God knew exactly what He was doing when He sent that precious gift. The gift of Jesus Christ, and the salvation offered through Him, is not for those who seek the shiny, fleeting pleasures that are the trifles of this world. It is for those who want greater substance in their lives, and those who desire the joy of His presence for eternity.

When I became saved, I received the best gift ever. I was 8 years old at a Christian sleep-away camp. And although I was raised Christian and knew of Jesus from the time I could walk and talk, that night at camp was the first time I could recall making a decision for myself that I wanted to accept the Gift that God had offered. And throughout the years, that Gift has never stopped giving.

Offer the gift of salvation to someone you know. It doesn’t come in a box, and it has no cash value. But it’s the best gift a person can ever receive. Share the joy.

Peace and blessings to you, and Merry Christmas!

What Tomorrow Holds

My aunt and uncle have made it a consistent practice to end every discussion of future plans with, “Lord willing.” For example, “We’ll be at your house at 8, Lord willing.” Or “Can’t wait to see you on Christmas, Lord willing.” As a child, I thought this was pretty peculiar, but I have grown to appreciate the wisdom contained in those two closing words.

The wisdom of my aunt and uncle’s perspective actually comes straight from Scripture. James 4:13-17 tells us that we should acknowledge that the plans we make are only according to God’s will. It reinforces that we have no idea of what the future holds.

This week, people I know and care about have lost loved ones, undergone surgery, and dealt with major illness. The week prior, they may not have even imagined themselves facing these trials. Any plans they had previously made were put on hold to deal with the unexpected turn of events. And all this reminds us that for as much as we plan and prepare, we never know what awaits us.

As society emphasizes being in “control of your future” and “deciding your own destiny,” we sometimes lose perspective of what we can realistically control. This is why many become devastated when things don’t go as planned. They complain that things are “spiraling out of control.” Often, the only thing that is truly up to us to control is how we approach and react to the situations we face each day. Do we respond with faith or fear?

Our lives are in God’s hands. As Christians, we should be even more acutely aware of this truth. And we should rejoice in the fact that no matter what happens, our Lord and Savior will never leave us or forsake us. Things may not always go according to our plans, but can turn our situations over to the Lord, for His will to be done.

Looking forward to sharing with you again next week, Lord willing!

Would You Be Your Friend?

A radio station recently posed a question to people passing on the street: “Would you be your own friend?” One of the first responses was, “No way, I’m a jerk! I wouldn’t even answer the phone if I called.” Another person, exuding self-confidence said, “I’m kind and loving and a great listener. I would be my best friend.” The range of questions prompted me to poll those around me.

I’m delighted to say that most of the people I know and love would be friends with themselves, as well. They cited their attractive qualities, such as thoughtfulness, pleasant disposition, and ability to have a good time with other people. And they gave examples of why they thought they are great friends to others.

Now each of these people happen to be Christian, and it made me further wonder if their faith had anything to do with their “friendability.” I thought of Galatians 5:22-23, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control….” It was interesting to me that many of the qualities they citied were right from that scripture.

Of course, this is not to say that a non-Christian cannot be friendly! However, the point is that as Christians, we have been called by Christ to walk a certain way, and that walk can help us in our interactions with those around us. We have the greatest friend of all in Jesus. And all He asks of us is that we demonstrate the same love to those around us as He has shown us.

Let’s be friends!

Now you can find me on twitter @aliciarharris.

Faith vs. Desperation

Many of us know that God can be a lawyer in the courtroom. He is a doctor in the sickroom. He is a deliverer in the time of trouble. In times of great desperation, tried and true Christians know to turn to God. Yet, does that faith extend to our everyday, seemingly insignificant, issues as well?

In “Does God Care About Scrabble?” we explored the privilege we have in carrying even our smallest concerns to God in prayer. This seems to be a greatly overlooked benefit of our relationship with Christ. And it goes hand in hand with why many of us fail to realize that faith isn’t just for the tribulations—it’s part of our everyday walk with God.

Often, when people give testimonies, they reflect on how God has healed them from catastrophic diseases or helped them get through devastating crises. These witnesses are important, because they help us to know that God is still a deliverer and He’s still in the miracle business. But how often are they balanced with the testimonies of joy? What about the accounts of those who are simply grateful that they get to work on time each day, have a comfortable roof over their heads, and enjoyed a wonderful vacation with the family recently?

When we become accustomed to applying our faith in the Lord only during our struggles, we tend to lose sight of the faith we need to make it each and every day. Hebrews 11 tells us quite plainly, “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” There is no prerequisite that “what we hope for” must be seemingly impossible. The simplest thing, such as “I hope this sweet potato pie comes out right,” is an opportunity to put our faith in action.

When we practice faith daily, it becomes all the stronger when we are really put to the test.

Merry Christmas

Yes, it’s a little early for season’s greetings, don’t you agree? However, it seems that many of the retail establishments we walk into these days already have their Christmas holiday decorations up. And the sales have already begun, as shoppers are urged to “remember everyone on your Christmas list.” How about we remember what the season is really about?

As the year comes to a close, we look forward to the Christmas holiday. Many folks think about the gifts to buy and wrap, the decorations to hang, and the meal that the family will come together to enjoy. But for Christians, the holiday is about so much more than that! It’s a reminder of the birth of our Lord and Savior. And it’s an opportunity to share our faith with others, as we sing hymns and praises of the joy that accompanied Jesus' birth: “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:11)

The Christmas holiday is also a traditional time of giving. We not only give gifts to our friends and loved ones, but many make it a point to give to those in need. We make clothing donations, shop for the disadvantaged, and make monetary donations to charitable organizations. Imagine if these activities took place on a regular basis!

I’ve often thought about wishing people season’s greetings at some random point in the year. Let’s say you gave me a call on March 23rd and I answered the phone, “Merry Christmas.” Although you might think I was suffering from an early form of dementia, perhaps you might be reminded of all the good will and glad tidings that accompany the holiday?

November may be a little too early to begin the commercial holiday season—but it’s never too early to walk in the spirit of Christmas. Sharing the good news of Christ’s birth, giving to others, being cheerful…those are things we can do all year long!

Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas!

Under Construction

Maybe you’ve passed by an area under construction with this sign: “We apologize for any temporary inconvenience while we make permanent improvements.” Do you ever feel like you should be wearing that sign around your neck? I do! No matter how old we get, there are so many improvements we can make in our lives.

One of the most unpleasant experiences I can think of is for someone to “tell you about yourself.” This is usually the result of someone being fed up with another person’s idiosyncrasies and finally deciding to rant about it. Perhaps you’ve held one of these sessions, where you’ve taken all you can stand from someone and finally reached your breaking point. It probably felt great to finally get it all off your chest.

However, if you’ve ever been on the receiving end of one of these conversations, it probably wasn’t so great for you. To sit there and have a person run through all the little things that are annoying about you isn’t so great. And if it’s someone you care about, you may even feel worse because of how you’ve made that person feel.

When someone presents you with a running list of “Things I Hate About You,” how do you react? Denial? Anger? Depression? We can try a better approach. When it comes to disagreements, especially in the church, I’ve always turned to Matthew 18:15-35. It begins with advising us to have a one-on-one with the other person to talk it out.

In your time alone with God, pray on the situation. Ask for guidance on dealing with the person in love and with more care in the future. And ask God for ways you can improve yourself that will glorify Him in the end. We should seek forgiveness for the temporary inconvenience we cause others, and we should strive for permanent improvements that will lead us to eternal glory.

Please be patient with me, God is not through with me yet!

Who Doesn’t Like You?

At this very moment, someone may be talking about you behind your back. Someone could be making plans to hurt you emotionally or physically. There may be people out there right now who are working against you to tear down what you are trying to build up. But God has given a promise that you can stand on—even when the world stands against you.

It’s upsetting to realize that not everyone is going to like you. There are people who are simply not going to be on your side. No matter how hard you try to be nice, or friendly, or helpful toward them, some people will just find a reason to dislike you. Even in ministry, personalities sometimes clash and we are left feeling devastated.

But before we lose heart, we have to remember God’s promise to His people, stated in Isaiah 54:16-17, “ ‘See, it is I who created the blacksmith and who fans the coals into the flame and forges a weapon fit for its work. And it is I who have created the destroyer to wreak havoc; no weapon formed against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and this is their vindication from me,’ declares the Lord.”

The Lord is not unaware of those in the world who come against us. He gives us the strength and support to stand strong against them. He also gives us a strategy in dealing with people who just seem to hate us for no reason. Proverbs 25:21-22 says, “If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you.”

When someone doesn’t like you and goes out of their way to let you know, take it to the Lord in prayer—and as the popular saying goes, “kill ‘em with kindness.” It will make your Father proud.

Before You Hit SNOOZE…

Ahhh, wouldn’t it be great if we could always go to bed at a decent hour, sleep soundly through the night, and when the alarm clock rings at the appointed time in the morning, we would hop out of bed well rested and ready to tackle the day? The reality is that, for many of us, when that alarm rings in the morning, our usual response is to hit SNOOZE. Are we hitting the spiritual snooze button as well?

Whoever invented the snooze feature revolutionized the way we approach the day. We don’t consider ourselves being completely disobedient to the alarm clock’s demand for us to rise and shine—we just reserve the right to delay it a little bit. Of course we will eventually get up, but we want to ease ourselves into it.

In our Christian walk, the snooze feature can be detrimental. When God requires us to do something, it’s not with the option of hitting SNOOZE. He wants us to act immediately!

A great example was when Jesus called the first disciples to walk with him. Peter and his brother Andrew were hard at work when Jesus commanded them to follow Him. The Bible reports that, “At once they left their nets and followed him.” (Matthew 4:21-22) This was no small action on their part, by the way. These men were leaving behind their livelihood, their families, and their way of life, to step by faith into something unimaginable. Yet their immediate action changed their lives and brought a magnitude of glory to the kingdom of God.

So why don’t we take immediate action when God commands us to move?
• We don’t feel prepared. Self-doubt can keep us from taking the first step forward. Yet we should feel confident that if God has led us to do something, He will provide us with what we need to get it done. Remember Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
• We are afraid. Fear and faith cannot coexist. Trust in Him to overcome the fear and accomplish what you have already been empowered to do. Remember 2 Timothy 1:7, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”
• We are tired. We are human, and our flesh is prone to feeling run down. There may be times where we are even ready to give up. But don’t lose heart! Remember Galatians 6:9, “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.”

When God calls, we should never hit snooze, but be ready to MOVE!

What’s for You Is for You

Sometimes our dreams, hopes, and aspirations are so clear, we can almost reach out and touch them. When doors open up easily for us, we take it as confirmation that we are on the right track. But when we come across obstacles and barriers, do we give up hope? Was it really meant to be, after all?

I’m reminded of the testimony of someone in the financial services field who was going for the job interview of a lifetime. They made their best presentation, felt they answered all of the questions like a pro, and left the meeting with all the confidence in the world. But soon, they found out that the impressive New York City job was not theirs. They were heartbroken, and soon turned to self-pity. They thought maybe this industry wasn’t for them after all, maybe they weren’t as talented as they thought they were, and maybe they were just a failure. It was just a couple of weeks later that they turned on the news and saw the World Trade Center—the very location where they had interviewed—completely decimated. The company they had hoped so desperately to work at was destroyed and many employees had lost their lives. Today, they are gainfully employed at a financial services company in New Jersey, but still sometimes think back and recall, “That would have been me.”

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 tells us to “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” God has a plan for each of our lives. Sometimes, what we need in order to accomplish that plan doesn’t always coincide with what we want in life. And the truth is, sometimes we have to go through struggles and hard times just to simply achieve the greatness that lies before us.

Think about it, David paid his dues as a scrawny shepherd boy, sleeping outdoors with dirty sheep. He came across frightening and dangerous situations, even fighting off a bear and a lion to save his father’s sheep. He was also initially overlooked when the prophet came and asked his father, Jesse, to present his sons so that he might anoint one. But not one of those obstacles that David faced prevented him from becoming one of the greatest kings of Israel. And while he had his doubts at times—as reflected in his poetry in the book of Psalms—he trusted in the Lord and turned all of his worries and insecurities over to God.

What God has for you is simply just for you. But you have to trust that God knows and cares about the things that are important to you. Whether it’s landing a great job or winning a baseball game, we are always welcome to bring our concerns to Him in prayer. There is no request too small or too silly—He listens and He cares. God created us and knows the gifts He has given us. Each one of us was born for a reason. Every one of us is significant. When we trust in the Lord to lead us in our daily walk, we begin to see Him at work in our lives.

There is greatness in you—don’t let a setback or obstacle prevent you from attaining your rightful place. Trust in the Lord and stay connected to Him in prayer—in due time, you will achieve exactly what was meant for your life.

The Devil Made Me (Not) Do It

Many people are familiar with the expression, “The Devil made me do it,” which was coined by Flip Wilson (as the character Geraldine) in the1970s. This comic relief became wildly popular—as it relieved folks of personal responsibility for their actions. These days, it seems like it would make a convenient excuse for people to justify their inaction.

Years ago, I learned there were 2 types of sin. The first is the one we’re most familiar with—the sin of commission. These are the things that we do, even though we know we’re not supposed to do them. But there second type of sin—the sin of omission. This is when we do not do the things that we know we should do.

For example, if we saw an older neighbor heading home on a rainy day from the grocery store with arms full of bags, everyone would agree that it would be a sin to intentionally push that person over. Yet, I wonder how many of us realize that if we were also headed home, and happened to notice our neighbor from a distance while we were in the comfort of our car (with plenty of space to accommodate another passenger), and we ignored the thought to pull over and give the neighbor a ride, that would also be a sin. Can we commit sin and non-commit sin? Unfortunately, yes.

Let’s just think for a moment about what sin is—it’s anything that is not pleasing to God. So it’s not always just the things we do. Sometimes, it’s the things we do not do. When we fail to show love and kindness to one another, we sin. When we choose to close our eyes and not speak out against an injustice, we sin. Even when we withhold information that could help someone else, we are committing a sin. Proverbs 3:27 tells us clearly, “Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act.”

Our goal is to please God in any way we can, so we should strive to do the things He wants us to do—even when we don’t feel like it. And even when we’re unsure of how to go about it. We must trust that if it is His will for us, He will equip us with whatever we need to get it done. And great is our reward for our efforts.

Let’s ask for forgiveness for our sins of commission and those of omission—and strive to do everything we can do to the glory of God.

Does God Care About Scrabble?

We know we can ask for God’s help in any situation. If a loved one has fallen ill, if our job is in jeopardy, or if we’re faced with a dangerous situation, most of us trust that sending up a prayer will bring down a multitude of blessings. But what about when the situation is a lot less dramatic? Does God have our back when the results seem to be of little consequence?

Once, I was playing the board game Scrabble with some family members. We were having a great time and I was enjoying a pretty good lead. That’s until my closest rival scored big by using all her tiles and getting a few bonus points, as well. With only a few turns left in the game and the score close to tied, I said a little prayer out loud, “Lord help me to win this game!” Immediately, I heard someone say, “God doesn’t care about Scrabble!” Without a beat, I responded, “If it’s important to me, it’s important to Him!”

My faith includes the trust that I can ask God for His help in anything in my life—even the minutia. 1 John 5:14-15 confirms this faith: “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.”

How do we know that what we ask is within His will? I think we can be pretty sure that as long as it’s not against his commands, we are not asking amiss. For example, I don’t think God would honor a request to kill someone who we don’t get along with. But I believe He would hear a prayer to improve the relationship with that person—and bless us accordingly.

So how does a prayer for a Scrabble game fit within God’s will? Maybe it was a demonstration of faith that helped someone else in their spiritual walk. Maybe it was a self-affirmation of my own trust in Him. Maybe it was an event in my life that occurred solely for the purposes of this blog! In the end I won the game—but more importantly, it was a teaching moment. Our cares are God’s cares, and He won’t let us down. Because even if I had lost, I would have still been able to praise Him for an enjoyable time with my family.

What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!

Keeping it Real?

A DJ of a popular radio station played a joke on a woman. He called with an invented story of a crisis situation. Her temper flared, and the woman ranted and raved, sprinkling in a few choice expletives. After allowing her to go on for a while, the DJ announced that the call was only a prank and the situation was completely made up. Realizing the call was being played live on-air for the listening audience, the woman gasped, “Oh, no! What will the people at church think?!”

We always want to put our best foot forward—especially in social situations such as at church or in the workplace. Yet, when that leads to a giant step away from our personality in other situations, we come across as being “phony.” But how do we actually become the personality we want to project to others?

Our sinful nature makes it very difficult to live by spiritual laws. We have a daily struggle with balancing our desires that are unholy with the ways in which God wants us to go. Even Paul acknowledged this dilemma in Romans 7:19, “For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing.” But Paul went on to say that this does not allow a convenient excuse to keep sinning—we should strive to live according to the Holy Spirit.

If we were to keep it really real, we would realize that the very reason we were created is to worship God. That worship should permeate every essence of our being. It should be part of our actions, our speech, and our attitude. This means that our actions should not be dictated by what people might think (hypocritical), but fueled by what is pleasing to God (aspirational).

Let’s keep it real and give God the glory in all that we do everyday.

The Lord Will Provide

I’ve heard it said that our culture is fueled by worry. We worry about paying our bills, we worry about what people will think of us—we even worry about what we’re going to do next. Our underlying worry causes us to make certain decisions and suffer certain consequences. Think about it…what are you worried about right now?

All of this worry leads to a ton of stress. It has been scientifically proven that stress worsens our overall mental and physical health. In fact, people with chronic diseases tend to have much poorer outcomes when they are stressed out about their condition.

In all of this worrying we do, where does our faith in God kick in? If we trust Him as the Word directs us to, we really wouldn’t have too much to worry about at all. In fact, the Word tells us that all of this worrying is for nothing. In Matthew 6:25-34, Jesus is pretty straightforward about the futility of worrying—and lets us know that it does not please God in the least.

We should strive to have the faith of Abraham, who at the thought of having to sacrifice his only son—the one he had waited almost a lifetime to conceive—found the strength to say, “The Lord will provide.” (Genesis 22:1-19) All it takes is a belief that God is a good Father who only wants the best for us. If we know that God has our back and will work out any situation that concerns us, we are on the right path to living worry-free.

Don’t be stressed—give it to God and He’ll do the rest!

Hard Head = Soft Butt

I have to admit, I was a pretty stubborn kid. So I used to hear the following phrase a lot: “A hard head makes a soft butt.” However, I always thought the phrase should have been, “A hard head makes a sore butt.” That’s because I realized that hardheadedness usually leads to painful results. So even as an adult, I have to ask myself, “Why do we continue to be so stubborn?

The truth is, people want to do what they want to do. And when we are emotionally or selfishly driven, we seek to do what is right in our own minds at the time. This type of stubbornness, or hardheadedness, is unbecoming to a Christian. Proverbs 3:5 tells us plainly, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” God wants us to do what He wants us to do.

How do we know what God wants us to do? When we stay prayerful and continually read the Scriptures, we strengthen our connection with Him. That makes it easier for us to hear His voice and receive His guidance. I’ve recently heard it said that we don’t listen for an audible voice, but as Christians, we know the calling of the Lord when we hear it. As Jesus said in John 10:27, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.”

And the truth is…life is just so much easier when we follow the leading of the Lord. He is the author and finisher of our faith, so why wouldn’t we seek His guidance in our daily lives? He is the Creator—he has all the instructions! With that in mind, we should consider the Bible our instruction manual.

Let’s put aside our hardheadedness and learn to follow the direction of the Lord. Even when we don’t feel like it. Even when it’s uncomfortable. We know that in the end, stubbornness leads to destruction, while those who follow the Lord will enjoy great reward.

Storm Warning

As Hurricane Irene threatened to touch down, the East Coast prepared for the deluge. Shore communities were evacuated, and in many inland communities, windows were boarded and outdoor possessions were tied down. One local business owner, who had recently invested in an impressive LED billboard display outside his store, reprogrammed it to read, “Irene, please don’t knock down my sign!”

As public officials preemptively declared states of emergency and grounded airplanes and mass transit, the public response ranged from cautious to panicked. Just gauging the emotions of my own friends and neighbors, I noted that the more prepared folks felt, the less worried they seemed to be about the storm. Isn’t that much like our spiritual state of being?

Whether faced with a personal situation or emotional tragedy, our spiritual preparedness usually determines how we will deal with it. We may be less likely to freak out or completely “lose it” when we are tied down with the Word and boarded up with faith. And with a good spiritual grounding, we know that whatever the outcome, God is in control and our trust is in Him.

Before the hurricane, many of us ensured our inventory of water, flashlights, batteries, and other essentials were accessible. Right now, it’s time to take inventory of our lives. Proverbs 10:25 assures us, “When the storm has swept by, the wicked are gone, but the righteous stand firm forever.”

Let’s make sure our spiritual resources are readily available in the event we’re faced with the storms of life!

Somebody’s Watching Me

In this day and age, you never know who’s watching you and where. There are cameras mounted in traffic lights, strategically placed along city streets, and even embedded in our personal computers. It’s amazing to see what these hidden cameras have caught on film. And while many of us are concerned about how people see us in the natural world, are we as conscious about how we are seen spiritually?

There was a song back in the ‘80s in which the singer declared, “I always feel like somebody’s watching me.” Truth be told, someone is always watching. Our Heavenly Father is always with us, watching out for us, and watching over us. Above all, our daily goal should be to walk in a way that is pleasing to Him.

Yet we are also being watched by the people around us. When we tell others that we are Christians, we declare our faith in Christ—but our actions provide the evidence. In speaking of his followers, Jesus said, “They are not of the world, even as I am not of it.” (John 17:16) Our spiritual walk separates us from the natural realm. So in times of despair, temptation, and confusion, our behavior should reflect a Godly response.

We should live each day as though we expect someone to play back our spiritual tape. Let’s strive to be caught in the act of Christ-like behavior!

Testimony or Example?

Every action has a consequence. The choices we make each day put in motion a chain of events that have a direct affect on our lives and the lives of others. When we listen to the guidance of the Holy Spirit, that choice can lead to a powerful testimony. But when we decide to do things our own way…we can become a terrible example.

Imagine a child who is confronted by a parent for eating cookies before dinner. The child can choose to tell the truth, “Mommy they smelled so good, I took one!” or the child can choose to lie, “I didn’t eat any cookies!” The first choice might result in a light scolding and a small lecture about self-control—and maybe even leave the parent with a funny anecdote about how cute the child was, holding up a chocolate-covered finger with the confession of one stolen cookie. But the second choice—the lie—might lead to more dire consequences, including punishment and restriction from eating any more cookies from the batch. The parent may feel the need to make an example out of the situation to help the child make the right decision in the future.

The Bible gives many accounts of folks who are testimonies (those who encourage us) and others who are examples (those who warn us about how to live). Some exist side-by-side, and give us great contrast, such as Able, who loved the Lord and chose to make a good sacrifice to Him, and Cain, who simply went through the motions and had his offering rejected by God. Some were at odds with one another, such as David, who chose to trust in God throughout his life, and Saul, who (although called by God), often decided to do things according to his own judgment and lived miserably.

In the ministry of Jesus, we clearly see the difference between a testimony and an example in those who chose to follow Him. No greater invitation was there than when Jesus Himself said, “Follow Me.” We applaud the disciples who immediately chose to walk away from their lives as they knew them and decided to follow Christ (Matthew 4:18-22). Yet we are warned by the example of the rich young ruler who decided to hold on to his earthly possessions when Jesus invited him to discipleship (Luke 18:18-23).

Let’s make Spirit-led choices to become testimonies—not examples.

NY—A Dangerous State of Mind

A few weeks ago, the state of New York passed legislature that legalized gay marriage. In essence, the men and women who craft the law have redefined the very nature of what “marriage” is. And the dancing in the streets and celebrations that broke out nationwide would seem to indicate that many people in the country are in agreement. But as Proverbs 14:12 reminds us, “There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death.”

To put things in perspective, New York is not the first state to allow same-sex marriages. It’s actually the 6th. What makes New York so significant is the sheer size of its population, making it the largest state to allow it. (It is worth noting that that California would have held that distinction had it not been for proposition 8, which specifically defined marriage as between one man and one woman.) The United States is also not the first country to legalize gay marriage. There are 10 nations that allow same-sex marriage, including our neighbor, Canada. Those who support gay marriage point to those countries as “proof” that these types of unions don’t necessarily destroy a nation.

But that brings us to the key underlying issue—the destruction of our moral fabric. As a Christian, I define my morality by the principles of God’s Holy Word. My Bible is my gauge against which I measure my morals, my ethics, and my behavior. Jealousy, gossip, and hatred are some of the things that I know are wrong because of what I’ve learned from the Bible. This is not to say that I am perfect and have never given in to any of those feelings—but I strive to overcome them to lead a life that pleases God.

Without the Bible, on what would any of the laws of this nation even be based? I wrote a piece some time ago about the Christian foundation of America’s founding fathers. Although one reader vehemently disagreed with me, I believe just as strongly that the Biblical principles of those leaders are evident in almost every aspect of the founding of this country. It is by no mere coincidence that our original government buildings, our currency, and many of our oldest historic monuments are laced with scripture and religious imagery. And why in many courts, defendants have been traditionally asked to swear on the Bible. It has been the basis of this country’s moral barometer.

But with the legalization of gay marriage and other ideas that fly against Christian morality, against what do we measure our morals? Do we all focus only on the constitutional words “pursuit of happiness” and reject the responsibility and discipline that were intended to go with it?

Proverbs 12:15 says, “The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice.” For Christians, that advice should come from the Word of God.

Disconnected

Sometimes the way that God gets you to make a greater connection with Him is to temporarily disconnect you from the rest of the world. Over the past couple of weeks, I found myself in a state of technological disconnection. But what I gained from the Lord was totally worth it.

There are times when we are so “plugged in” to the world around us that we are completely out of touch with the spiritual side of things. A few years ago, there was an MTV music program called “Unplugged.” The intent of the show was to allow musicians to perform their #1 hit songs without all of the glitz and glimmer of studio work. It was just the singer with an acoustic guitar or piano (or some other non-electric instrument). The audience was treated to the raw beauty of the song without distraction.

To truly appreciate the beauty of life in Him, sometimes God needs us to disconnect us from the distractions of everyday life. I’ve even heard someone say that being incarcerated was one of the best things that every happened to him, because it isolated him from his terrible lifestyle and forced him to pay attention to God.

There is also a tremendous amount of freedom that comes with being disconnected. After getting over the initial shock of being outside of your comfort zone, you begin to realize just how restrictive some of your “important” worldly connections really are. True freedom is in the Spirit of the Lord and living according to the way God commands.

James 4:8 begins with the words, “Come near to God and He will come near to you.” It should always be our priority to draw closer to Him. Let’s not wait until we’re so inundated with the busy-ness of the things around us that we are forced to disconnect from them.

Let’s stay connected with the cross.

Do You Look Like Your Father?

Quite a few of my Facebook friends updated their profile photo today with pictures of their fathers. For many, the similarities are striking. You can see strong family traits such as a common facial structure, similar eyes, or the same smile. And although many of us look a lot our earthly fathers, how much do we resemble our Heavenly Father, in whose image we were created?

If you look closely enough at me, you will see some of my dad’s features. But I believe you can really see my dad in my personality. My mother used to always tell me, “You’re just like your father!” Most of the time, it was a compliment. ☺ I share my dad’s temperament, his work ethic, and even many of his political views and opinions. It doesn’t matter that we are a generation apart. It doesn’t matter that he was raised in the West Indies and I was raised here in America. It doesn’t even matter that we didn’t always live under the same roof. You can see my dad in me because I am his child.

Jesus, the Son of God, resembled His Father in every way. In John 14:8-11, he tells Philip, “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father.” Jesus is the perfect reflection of God. As Christians, people should see our Father in us, too. When Jesus prayed to God on our behalf in John 17:20-26, He said, “I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one—I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity.” It is a Divine desire for us to be the spitting image of our Father. We should love the way God loves, care for others the way He does, and live in a way that reflects Him.

People should know that we are the children of God because we walk just like Him!

Happy Father's Day!

What Are You Doing With Yours?

As Christians, we look forward to the day when we take our rest from this earth and enter eternal life with Jesus. And we long to hear God say to us, “Well done, good and faithful servant!” But how many of us will enter heaven and only hear, “Well? You’re done.”

In Matthew 25:14-30, we read the parable of the bags of gold. Before leaving for a journey, a master entrusts various amounts of gold to 3 servants. Upon his return, the servants who have wisely handled the riches are rewarded with more. But the one who wasted the gold is punished.

Jesus told this parable to help us understand what the kingdom of heaven is like. The bags of gold (called “talents” in the King James Version) represent the gifts that we are given on this earth (for example: teaching, preaching, leading, or writing). Just as the bags were of different amounts, our gifts may be of different values. But it is what we do with them that matters. What good is it if God gave you the voice of an angel—but you only choose to sing in the shower? Or even worse, only use it to sing songs that do not glorify God?

So what does God want from us? Romans 12:1-8 gives us some pretty clear instruction. It begins by telling us to offer our bodies as a “living sacrifice.” That simply means we should turn our lives over to the service of the Lord. It also means going against the “norms” of society, which often tend to be in contention with the ways of God. The rest of the passage gives us wise direction on how to use our gifts well, in a way that is pleasing to God.

What are you doing with your gifts? Are your talents being used to glorify God? Make it your business to enter His presence with a job well done!

A Matter of Time

I’ve always believed the perception of time is purely mathematic. Think about it…for a 5-year-old, one year is 1/5th of that child’s entire lifetime. So one year seems like a very long time. However, for a 35-year-old, a year is only 1/35th of that person’s life experience—a much smaller segment. No wonder time seems to fly as you get older! But, as I was recently reminded, it’s not about how much time you have in life, but what you choose to do with it.

Aren’t you always amazed by people who seem to get so much done in the course of a day? We’re all given the same 24 hours, but some folks just seem to know how to make every 60 minutes count. Much of it has to do with goal-setting and discipline. Remember the old Army commercials? After a montage of scenes featuring very task-oriented young men going about their daily routine, the voice-over said, “We get more done before 6 a.m. than most people do all day.” Now, that’s a model for productivity!

Making the most of your time isn’t just a nice thing to do—it’s a spiritual principle. Ecclesiastes 3:1 reminds us “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.” In light of that scripture, when it’s time to eat, a person shouldn’t be out running and playing. Just as when it’s time to work, someone shouldn’t be sleeping. There is a time for everything. Every activity has a season.

Perhaps this is why the old have greater wisdom. After 60 and 70 years, they have witnessed quite a few seasons. And because life is cyclical, these older folks have had a chance to see for themselves the pattern of life over the years. They know by experience that “every action has a consequence.” They understand that “weeping endures for a night but joy comes in the morning.” They realize that “this too shall pass.”

People often say that young people have their whole lives ahead of them. But that holds true at any age. Remember the saying, “Today is the first day of the rest of your life?” Whether you’re 16 or 46, you have the rest of your life ahead of you. And life is so unpredictable, no one at any age can be certain of how much more time that is. But everyone can make the choice to make the most of the time we have right now. We can talk about what we’d “like to do” OR we can choose to go ahead and make it happen.

It’s all just a matter of time. What are you doing with yours?

The Word of the Day

As a writer, I love words. So I look forward to my daily podcast of the Merriam-Webster “Word of the Day,” where I’ll be introduced to words that may be added to my personal lexicon. But as a Christian, I look to a different resource for an even more important “Word of the Day.”

Taking the time out to read even few verses from the Bible each morning makes such a difference. It is no coincidence that there have been times when a certain passage seemed to apply to everything I experienced throughout the day. Those are the times, by the way, when I know for sure that there is a serious lesson God wants me to learn.

Then there are those days when I’m just so “busy.” I may not have time to listen to my podcast, but being in a rush is no excuse to miss the Word. In fact—those are the days when I seem to need it most! And nothing beats the comfort of having God’s Word to lean on at any point during the day.

Some of my favorite verses:
• “This is the day the Lord has made, we will rejoice and be glad in it!” (Psalm 118:24)
• “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)
• “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13)
• “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28)
• “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4)

Now, as a native English speaker, I love the nuances of the language—the way different words mean different things, depending on the context. When I listen to my daily “Word of the Day” podcast, I not only learn new words, I learn new meanings to some familiar words as well. I believe the same holds true for God’s Word—different verses have different nuances, depending on what point you are in your life and spiritual journey.

Are you getting your Word of the day? To borrow from an old commercial, “Don’t leave home without it!”

The Day After

Yesterday, the news media, the Internet, and event the barbershops and beauty parlors were abuzz with the news: The world was coming to an end. According to the prediction of a widely known religious leader, May 21, 2010 at 6:00 p.m. (ET) would be the end of times. Yet, the hour passed and the world survived…now what?

People have been predicting the end of the world since the times of Christ. In fact, when John the Baptist cried out, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near,” some may have mistaken his warning as a doomsday message instead of a proclamation of the good news of Jesus Christ. Since the beginning of time, people have been fascinated with wondering how it will all end.

One of the reasons people get so worked up about the “end of days” predictions is that they are really fearful of what they believe is the “unknown.” For too many people, life ends with a giant question mark. But as Christians, we are not like those without hope. We take joy in knowing that whether in this world or beyond, we have the presence of Christ with us.

Someone may argue that this most recent “end of days” prediction was made by a Christian—who encouraged other Christians to work themselves into a frenzy of emptying their bank accounts, quitting their jobs, and making their final peace with anticipation of the end of the world. However, this is in direct contradiction with the Word of God, which tells us that yes, one day the world will end, “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” In fact, it suggests that when the end does come, it will be so swift and sudden, there will be no time to make any preparations (Matthew 24:36-44). One would think this so-called “religious leader” would have come across this information at least once in his reading of the Bible. Beware of false prophets!!!

However, what the enemy meant for bad, God uses for good. Despite the fact that the prediction was a farce, it may have caused some people to take a good look at their lives. Because the truth is, one day life as we know it will be over. It may not be the result of a cataclysmic event that ends the world. It may simply be the body’s time to expire. And when that day does come—what happens next? If the answer to that question is anything other than peace and joy—it’s time to know Jesus. As Christians, whether our world ends tomorrow, next week, or a thousand years from now, we know that we have the promise of life with Jesus afterward.

For Christians, there are no worries about the end of the world—because what comes next is even better!

Motherly Wisdom

My husband’s mother used to have a sign in her kitchen that read, “Attention kids with stupid parents—get out while you still know everything!” Even recently in my own home, one of my teenagers complained about the rules my husband and I have laid down over the years. “Some of it just doesn’t make any sense!” he objected.

There are circumstances in which mothers make decisions that really don’t seem to make sense at the time. But never underestimate the power of motherly wisdom and divine guidance! One of the greatest mothers in the Bible made an unusual decision that ended with great reward.

Imagine a woman putting her newborn child in a basket and sending it up a river! When Egypt’s Pharaoh declared that all newborn males would be put to death, a mother decided it would be better to attempt to float him to safety than to keep him herself. As a result, the woman’s son was discovered by the daughter of Pharaoh himself. She took him in as her own and named him Moses. (Exodus 2:1-9) And, as we know, Moses turned out to be one of the greatest leaders Israel had ever known.

Although in 21st century America there is no official decree to murder our children, there is no denying that there are dangers in every community that can harm them. And moms are often the first line of defense. Despite social pressures, Christian moms cannot be afraid to make tough decisions—even the ones that on the surface seem “stupid” or “make no sense.” Spiritually wise choices may not be popular or conform to societal norms, but the results speak for themselves. The direction, advice, and actions of God-fearing mothers are essential to helping young people survive—and go on to later achieve great things.

Happy Mother's Day!

Good News!

Usually when presented with a good news/bad news scenario, people prefer to hear the bad news first. Well, here it is: the bad news is that we all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). But rest assured—there is good news! It goes like this: For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life (John 3:16).

Today we celebrate the good news of the resurrection of Christ. See, because there was a time when mankind fell from the grace of God. That was way back when Adam sinned by disobeying God. A single man’s transgression brought sin to everyone. And we know that there is a price to pay for sin—death (Romans 5:12-14). However, through a precious gift from a single source, our debt has been paid in full. Jesus Christ sacrificed himself so that we could all achieve salvation (Romans 5:15-17).

And the good news keeps getting better and better, because the gift of salvation is free to all! All you have to do is receive it freely, no strings attached. How do you claim your gift? According to Romans 10:9, it’s as simple as this: “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”

Easter is a celebration of the Good News of Jesus Christ. Let those who hear it and accept it today enjoy it for the rest of their lives!

Crossing the Line

A father had two young kids in the pool. There was a rope that separated the shallow end from the deep end. The father warned, “Now kids, make sure you don’t swim past the rope. The water beyond it is deeper and you might drown.” The first child stayed as far from the rope as possible. The second child decided to swim right to the edge of the rope. When the father called out, she replied, “Don’t worry, Dad! I haven’t crossed the line yet!” Which child best represents your spiritual walk?

There are many Christians out there who flirt with danger. They read the Word, but look for loopholes to justify their actions. They pray every now and again—usually in times o trouble or when they feel like they’re in a jam. And they listen to the Holy Spirit when they feel like it. Yet in their Christian walk, they feel comfortable telling the Lord, “Don’t worry, Father, I haven’t crossed the line yet!” Unfortunately, it won’t be long before a simple slip puts them in dangerous territory.

Just as the child in the story knew that her dad would be there to save her if she drowned, as Christians, we know that we can always count on the grace of the Lord to deliver us in times of trouble. Even trouble that we’ve caused ourselves. But just as it says in Romans 6:1-2, “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?”

God has called us away from the sin we used to swim in. So why even chance going near it again? If you want to play it safe in your Christian walk, be sure to read the Word and allow it to pierce your heart. Pray consistently. And listen to the still, small voice of the Holy Spirit to guide you each day.

Don’t cross the line. Stay near the cross.

Hurt People Hurt People

“Some people are just angry for no reason,” my mother used to say. “Just mean and hateful.” You’ve probably seen these people in action. They walk around with an attitude. They always seem to have a big chip on their shoulders. They never have anything good to say to anyone. What is wrong with them?

Let’s start by agreeing to one thing: When people are hurting on the inside, it shows on the outside—but sometimes only in their actions. Even the woman who seems to have it all together can be falling apart inside. And the man who appears to have everything under control may be suffering, too. You never know what someone else is going through. Does this give anyone a valid reason to be mean and hateful? Absolutely not—but as Christians, it’s only our response that matters.

There’s no denying that a snide remark or hurtful comment can make us angry. Immediately, the “man spirit” rises and wants to react out of pride or hurt feelings. But because the Holy Spirit dwells within us, we have to learn to rise above our own hurt feelings and respond with love. (Notice what just happened there—“love” was separated from “emotions.” That’s because love is an action.)

When hurt people try to hurt us, we have to put love into action. When we demonstrate love, as described in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 we are patient and kind. We are not jealous, we don’t brag, and we’re not proud. We don’t set out to embarrass anyone or look for self-glory. We are not so sensitive that we get angry easily and we don’t “take notes” on how we’ve been hurt. We don’t enjoy evil and misfortune—we find joy in truth. We protect, we trust, we hope—and we always keep going.

Whenever we're dealing with hurt people, we must take special care not to hurt them back. Instead, let’s cover them with love. For example, be sure to tell the next person who snaps at you to have a blessed day—and really mean it!

Love beats hurt every time, because love never fails.

Send Me

One of the greatest responses in the Bible can be found in Isaiah 6:8. When the Lord asked who would go out and deliver the prophesy to the people, Isaiah answered, “Here am I. Send me!” Wow. What if every one of us responded to God in such a way?

Each of us has been given some kind of ability. We have skills that can be used for the glory of God. But how many of us go out and put them into practice? For example, there are people with the natural ability to go up and speak to anyone anywhere. You may run into them in the mall, as they try to sell you perfume or a cell phone. How amazing would it be if, filled with the Holy Spirit, these people boldly went out with the Good News of Jesus Christ?

Or are we using our talents for our own glory? Think about the singers with truly exceptional voices—but who are out there singing for the world. They get accolades and awards and even great monetary reward from the world. But the things of the world will eventually pass away. How awesome would it be if these singers used their gift to proclaim the glory of God? Their reward would be eternal.

You have something in you that God has given for such a time as this. There are people who are in need of what you have to offer. But you aren’t doing anyone any favors by shying away or choosing to do nothing at all. Listen to what the Lord is telling you and when you hear His voice, be ready to answer, “Here am I. Send me!”

With joy in your heart and enthusiastically,
Say to the Lord, “Here am I. Send me!”

Hard Pressed but Not Crushed

Murphy’s Law states, “What ever can go wrong, will go wrong.” Have you ever had a time in your life where Murphy’s Law was in full effect? Where everything seems to be going wrong? Maybe you’re going through that time right now. If so read on…

Sometimes it seems that we cannot do anything right. Every decision we make seems to be the wrong one. Every thing we say seems to be taken the wrong way or said at the wrong time. We start to question every choice we make and every thing we do—down to picking the right shoes to wear when we leave the house in the morning!

We may find ourselves in this rough patch in our lives suddenly, and without warning. “Just when everything was going so well!” Or, “Just when I was finally starting to get ahead, here this comes to knock me back down!” And the worst part about it is that it makes us feel so bad. Sometimes, the pressures of life weigh so heavily on us, they feel like they’re going to crush us.

Recently, while going through a rough patch of my own, a good friend of mine passed along a scripture to help me put things in perspective, 2 Corinthians 4:8-9. “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.” What hope we find in those verses!

As Christians, we are not promised a life without disappointment and hard times. Unpleasant experiences are par for the course in living on earth. However, the difference between Christians and unbelievers is a simple matter of faith: When everything goes wrong, Christians are not left without hope. We can talk to God about our problems; we can read His Word for strength and encouragement; we are comforted by the Holy Spirit. And we bounce back!

The most important thing we can do is recognize that when everything is going wrong, there is only one thing to do—take our problems before the Lord. He hears our prayer and He is faithful to respond to us.

In the end, you win!

The Choice Is Yours

You’ve no doubt heard someone in authority say at least once in your life, “You can do this one of two ways…my way—or the hard way.” You may have even said it yourself. No matter what we do in this life, it usually boils down to a simple choice.

In almost every aspect of our lives, there is usually some sort of authority over us. If we are employed, we have a boss/manager/employer. If we play a sport, there is a coach/referee/official that keeps us in line. Even when we volunteer our time, there is an organizer/chairperson/leader with certain requirements for the task at hand.

Of course, as Christians we know that there is an even greater authority we must answer to in life—God. He has given us a set of basic rules and principles to live by in life.* For those of us who accept His Son, Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, we are free from the penalty of sin (death). However, we are still responsible for living in a way that is pleasing to Him. If we don’t there are consequences.

Rest assured, God is not “out to get us” nor does He take pleasure in seeing us suffer. In fact, He has given us the opportunity to enjoy the fullness of life. The direction God gives us is not for His benefit, but ours. When we live in a way that is pleasing to Him, it only benefits us in the end.

For example, if we live a life that is sexually moral, we have a better opportunity of protecting ourselves from STDs or unwanted consequences. If we refuse to allow ourselves to be greedy for the wealth of the world, we stand a better chance of making wise financial decisions and living a life that is even more prosperous. If we focus our thoughts on God and allow Him to direct our daily walk, we are less likely to be consumed by things that bring us guilt and shame.

One of the tricks of the enemy is to suggest that God’s way is undesirable and that the wrong way is better. If you remember in Genesis 3, the serpent made the sin of eating from the forbidden tree look very appealing to Eve. Although she readily admitted that God directed her and Adam not to eat from it, she “saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye.” That wrong choice led to dismissal from a perfect environment and a spiritual separation from God.

In the end, the choice is pretty clear. We can live our lives in a way that is pleasing to God—or we can do it the hard way. Which way do you choose?


*Please read your Bible for more information.

My Favorite Person of the Week

This week, one of my parents ended up in the hospital. What could have been an even more stressful or upsetting situation was made more bearable, thanks to a stranger. By demonstrating the love and compassion of Jesus Christ, she helped my family more than she could know.

Let me tell you, the emergency room can be a miserable place. Many people there are in pain and the level of anxiety is high. No doubt hospital staff is accustomed to dealing with angry and frustrated people all day long. I was the last of my siblings to arrive and I was relieved to find that my family was still in relatively good spirits—but my siblings had experienced some confusion with the woman who handled the paperwork. Later, after helping to answer questions and complete the paperwork, the woman turned to me and asked if we wanted to go with her down to the hospital cafeteria since she was going on break.

I had the feeling we would have a long night ahead of us, so I grabbed my nephew—a growing boy who loves to eat—and followed her. She was a very lovely person and full of conversation. When we reached the cafeteria, she wouldn’t even let me pay for my nephew’s meal and treated him to dinner! I was humbled and impressed. Admittedly, back when she processed the paperwork, I had figured her to be jaded to the feelings of ER visitors, and thought we were just numbers and data to her. I couldn’t thank her enough for her kindness.

This woman, who I’ll call Sister F, really touched my heart. I mean, she had no reason whatsoever to be so nice. Based on the confusion upstairs earlier, she could have written off my family or ignored us altogether. But through her conversation I learned—not surprisingly—that she is a Christian. Through her actions, Sister F proved she not only knows Jesus, she shows Him in her daily walk.

When we returned to the ER waiting area after her break, Sister F checked on us a few times to provide updates on the progress in getting us to the next step—and gave us a some tips about what to expect. Our experience with Sister F helped to relieve a lot of collective stress—and set the stage for a pleasant experience the rest of the way. Dealing with my parent’s medical emergency was still a little scary, but God is still in the healing business and all is well!

My experience with Sister F reminded me of Matthew 25:35, “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in.” As a Christian, I know I’m always on call to do these things for others—but I was humbled to be among the “least of these” who was a recipient of such kindness.

Thanks be to God for Sister F for her spirit of love and compassion!

Whatever Happened to Patience?

I remember a time when people would say, “Patience is a virtue.” Not so much today. With everything running at warp speed, it’s no wonder people refuse to wait for anything—even in the name of common courtesy or spiritual growth.

Technology has afforded us nearly instant access to anything. There are few things that we still feel the need to wait for. Our food is prepared in seconds. We have medicine that can make us feel better in minutes. Even our entertainment is available “on demand.” Our culture has gotten us to the point where waiting is seen as a personal affront.

In some ways, a long line is a great spiritual gauge. When was the last time you waited patiently in a long line? Were you content to simply wait your turn, or were you constantly looking for a shorter line to jump into? Did you take your time in line to allow yourself to meditate on your Word for the day, or did you stand there the whole time worried about rushing off to the next thing? If a new line opened up, did you rush past someone who was not as strong or fast as you so that you could be first?

Some time ago, when a person demonstrated “the patience of Job,” they were to be commended. Now they are mocked and ridiculed. The scorn usually begins with, “If that was me….” And, by the way, this is coming from Christians. How in the world can we ever wait for the Lord, as is written in Psalm 27:14, when we aren’t disciplined enough to wait for anything else in our lives?

Without patience, we are prone to making rash decisions. We allow ourselves to be pushed by outside pressures instead of waiting for guidance from the Lord. There are folks who have jumped into marriages, jobs, major purchases, and other long-term commitments without taking the time to pray—or wait for God’s response to their prayer. And they ended up with dire consequences because of their impatience.

Patience takes practice. Look for areas in your life where you can apply it. Make a conscious effort to take your time with certain things. And ask God to give you the strength to make patient, deliberate moves even when it seems that everything else in life is rushing around you.

Have patience and wait for the Lord. He’s always worth the wait!

What CAN'T God Do?

I never cease to be amazed by the limitations people assign to God. I often hear people say what He wouldn’t do—and some go so far as to say what He couldn’t do. Since when is God restricted by the extent of our imagination?

Walking on water, healing the sick, driving out demons, and raising the dead were just a few of the miracles performed by Jesus. It was hard for some of those who were alive during the time of Christ to accept these signs and miracles. So I can understand how this may be just as difficult to accept for some of those living 2,000 years later.

Those who see Jesus only as a “good man” or simply a “prophet” would no doubt find it hard to fathom how this “guy” could turn water into wine or feed thousands with a couple of fish and a few loaves of bread. There would have to be a logical explanation. But those of us who accept the deity of Jesus should recognize that God defies logic. Our belief in Jesus’ resurrection hinges on the understanding that God can do the things that we know to be impossible.

When we think of the Almighty, our brain cannot fully comprehend all that He encompasses. Our God is the Lord of all. Psalm 24:1 tells us “The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.” There are no exceptions. There is nothing outside of His jurisdiction. (Someone once even questioned if God could stop time. A quick look at Joshua 10:1-15 answered that!)

But at the end of the day, it’s all about faith. I would be a little disappointed to serve a God that is only as great as I could imagine. The fact that God surpasses all human understanding fortifies my faith. I know without a doubt that I can rely on Him for anything and everything. And I am encouraged to know that with God, nothing is impossible!

I believe God can do anything—except fail. ☺

God’s Time

We often give ourselves ultimatums: “I want to have this thing done by this time.” But when we make up timelines without first consulting with God, we set ourselves up for tremendous disappointment.

The truth is, people want what they want when they want it. We become impatient with delays and setbacks. And many of us are easily ruffled when things don’t run according to our schedule.

But the moment we decide to do things “our way” we fall into Satan’s trap. And sometimes we do it with all the best intentions—“Lord, I’m going to raise $6,000 by July and I’m going to be on a plane to Haiti by September to do some mission work!” But when a wrench is thrown into our plans and we don’t meet our own self-imposed deadlines, we become angry and frustrated.

Imagine how frustrating it was for Moses to lead the Israelites to the Promised Land. When he originally set out on the journey, he couldn’t have planned for it to take 40 years! But imagine if he had said, “Okay, if we’re not in the Promised Land by the end of February, I’m just going to quit!” All would have been lost. Thankfully, Moses was a man of great faith and was willing to follow God’s timing—and not his own—until the end.

Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.” There’s no plan that we should make without first consulting with the Lord. And once we get the green light to move forward, we must accept that His plans are perfect and His timing is right.

Allow God to do the planning and watch how it all unfolds—right on time!

Love

Tomorrow is Valentine’s Day and many hearts and minds will turn to all things romantic. There will be plenty of flowers, candy, and big red hearts to be seen. But looking aside from the overly commercialized, Hallmark version of love, how many people really know true love? And do we only get to experience it once a year?

Despite the hype centered on “love” this time of year, in our daily lives, we generally experience 4 types of love—they go by the Greek names of storge, philia, eros, and agape. Here’s a breakdown:

• Storge is what you would call “family love.” It’s the kind of love you often see at weddings, birthday parties, and family reunions. Good times!
• Philia is also known as “brotherly love.” Yes, it’s the word at the root of the name Philadelphia—the City of Brotherly Love. This is the kind of love that allows people to stand up for one another and have compassion for others.
• Eros is “romantic love.” This word is the root of “erotic.” It’s the kind of love shared between a husband and wife, which binds them for a lifetime.
• Agape is “unconditional love.” This is the love that God has for us and shows us each and every day.

The Bible offers the perfect definition of love in 1 Corinthians 13. Be sure to give it a read—especially if you haven’t in a while. Some of the highlights: Love is patient, love is kind, and love never fails!

Do you know the Love of Jesus?

Jesus Christ displayed the greatest Love of all, by laying down His life so that we may receive salvation. And it didn’t end there—as Christians, we experience the perfect Love of the Living God each and every day in our lives.

If you want to experience the Love of Christ in your life, it’s easy. Just say the following prayer, “Lord, I know that I have sinned. But I believe that Jesus Christ is Your Son and that He died for my salvation. And I believe that He rose from the dead so that I may enjoy eternal life with You. Jesus, I accept your gift of Love, please come into my life as my personal savior and help me to live in a way that is pleasing to You. Amen.”

If you have said this prayer for the first time, you are saved from the penalty of sin! Let the Holy Spirit guide you to a place of worship where you can fellowship with and be encouraged by other Christians—and enjoy the Love of Christ!

Market Correction

Due to the current economy, many people have adjusted their financial habits. Reckless spending is much lower and financial discipline is growing significantly. People are keeping a closer eye on their debt (especially the credit cards!) and trying to save more. This newfound financial discipline has spiritual implications as well.

Now, I’m no financial expert, so when the analysts are discussing the Dow Jones and the gross national product, I pretty much glaze over. But the idea of “market correction” caught my attention. According to analysts, a series of poor financial practices, such as overlending by banks, overspending by consumers (mostly on credit), and overambitious interest rates have led to current market conditions. And the resulting foreclosures, unemployment rates, and national debt are the price we now have to pay—literally.

Undisciplined financial behavior leads to serious financial consequences. Now take the word “financial” out of that previous sentence. It’s a basic spiritual principle that a lack of discipline leads to poor outcomes. So as Christians, taking stock of our financial habits is closely tied into taking a closer look at our overall lifestyle. During this period of market correction, maybe there are areas in which we will achieve spiritual correction as well. There are a few examples:

• More people are using coupons now when shopping. I heard someone once say, “Retail price is for suckers.” Getting the best price for purchases just makes sense. But of course, this type of discipline involves planning your shopping trip to the grocery store or mall to ensure you have the coupons you need—which means fewer wasteful impulse purchases.

• Many have cut down on non-essential spending, such as dining out. I can only begin to tell you how many benefits this offers. The first is the ability to spend more family time at home. In addition, by preparing your own food, you control the ingredients—which has tremendous nutritional benefits for your family.

• Most of us are also keeping a watchful eye on the credit card bills and our accumulated debt. Paying down and controlling debt has always been essential. Many lost sight of that during more prosperous times. But now, outrageous spending is down, allowing more people to appreciate what they currently have and save for the future.

Have you been more responsible with your finances lately? Or are you in the market for some correction? I’m reminded of the parable of the bags of gold in Matthew 25:14-30. Take a read—and ask yourself if you are like the servant who was pleasing to his master. Then ask God for ways in which you can be an even better steward of the finances He has entrusted you with.

What are some ways in which you have been led to be more financially responsible? Leave a message!

On Vacation?

I went away on vacation recently. But don’t you know, dear reader, that you can’t take a vacation from God? What I mean is, you can temporarily change your location and you can take a break from your daily routine…but when God has something for you to do—you just can’t get away.

In times of trouble and when faced with certain danger, it is so encouraging to know that God is there. And when we are walking in His way and serving Him the best way we can, we are so welcoming of His presence. But what about those times when we aren’t quite living up to our call? Are we as anxious to stand before Him?

I am reminded of Psalm 139, where David so eloquently states, “Where can I go from Your Spirit? Where can I flee from Your presence? If I go up to the heavens, You are there; if I make my bed in the depths, You are there.” Of course, this is not a frustration with the omnipresence of God, but an overwhelming awe of the fulfillment of His promise to never leave or forsake us. Yet, when we are out of His will, this may take on a new meaning for us.

For example, when Jonah was called to preach against the city of Nineveh, he decided to decline God’s assignment. So he packed his bags and went on vacation! Well, sort of. He ran away toward the city of Tarshish. He never made it, though, as he was swallowed by a big fish while en route. So much for getting away, huh?

And if you remember way back in the beginning, after Adam and Eve disobeyed God and ate the forbidden fruit, they tried to hide from His presence. But in the Garden of Eden, there was no place to hide their faces from Him. And even when they received their just punishment—banishment from the garden—God still watched over them.

Whether you work in ministry or serve from the pews, there may come a time where you feel like “taking a break.” It may come in the form of falling off from your responsibilities, or just getting lax in your prayer and Bible reading. The truth is, we can’t take “time off” from being Christians. Nor can we “get away” from the call on our lives.

Paul, who was a great worker in ministry, understood our human limitations. He encouraged the churches and warned them often to “faint not.” In 2 Corinthians 4:16, he offers the following words of encouragement, “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.” The irony is that our daily renewal, our very strength, comes from doing the very things that our bodies and minds are telling us that we’re too tired to do!

Next time you feel the urge to “get away” from the Lord’s will, try a staycation: Stay in prayer, stay in the Word, and stay in His presence. He will fill you with joy—and the joy of the Lord is your strength!

The End of Days

Birds fall from the sky. Dead fish wash up on the shores. Sickness and diseases strike in epidemic proportions. Wars and rumors of wars spread worldwide. For those who are Bible readers, these events sound pretty Apocalyptic. Could this very well be the end of days?

Depending on which news source you read, there’s a very good explanation for the recent sudden death of thousands of birds and fish worldwide. It’s either a natural phenomenon that humans have just happened to witness recently due to greater urbanization—or it’s an unexplained mystery that may be a sign of the upcoming end of the world. In recent years, there have been quite a few events that have caused folks to take a pause:

• Weather phenomena, such as El Niño, Hurricane Katrina, and the Indian Ocean tsunami
• The outbreak of the AIDS and SARS epidemics
• The rise and scope of terrorism, such as the September 11th attacks

But are these signs of the end of the world? The danger is that there tends to be 2 basic reactions: Too worried or completely apathetic.

Besides losing sleep and literally worrying themselves to death, those who are too worried run the risk of taking on a destructive outlook on life. Why bother to pursue one’s goals when the world is going to end anyway? Worry is a crippling state of mind. That’s why Matthew 6:25-34 warns us not to be consumed by such anxiety.

However, those who are completely apathetic may be overlooking an opportunity for salvation. With a “we’re all going to die, one way or the other” attitude, they may rarely stop to think about what happens afterward. But being “ready to die” is not quite the same as being prepared for eternal life. In Luke 17:26-29, Jesus mentions how people were obliviously going about everyday life in the days of Noah and Sodom and Gomorrah, before great destruction overcame them all.

So what is the right balance? As Christians, we are certainly to look forward to the day of Christ’s return. And we know that destruction of the sinful world soon follows. But instead of getting caught up in things over which we have no control, we should focus on getting our lives right. And reach out to help others find salvation. Because when the end of days does come, we want to ensure that we’re on the right side of eternity!

$86,400

I recently came across a very interesting proposition in my church bulletin. The question was, “What if someone deposited $86,400 into your bank account daily? What would you do with it?” Of course the mind begins to race and one begins to imagine all that could be accomplished with this amount.

As I read on, I found that whatever you don’t use at the end of the day gets deleted from your account. The next day, you begin with $86,400 all over again. You can’t save from the day before or borrow against tomorrow’s deposit. So, to make the most of your daily allotment, you would have to spend wisely.

Oh, and by the way, I read that the deposits can end at any time, without any warning. Well, that made the proposition a little more interesting!

How would you handle your daily deposit? Would you spend it on the things you need? Would you give some away to worthy causes? Would you invest it in long-term initiatives? Would you waste it on nonsense?

They say “time is money” and this helps bring that analogy to life. The $86,400 represents the number of seconds we have in a day. Each day, you get a new deposit and you have to decide what to do with it. In reality, each of us gets the same amount. How do you choose to spend yours?

This year, let’s make the most of our daily deposits. Some of us have made resolutions for the things we want to accomplish in 2011. Well, we have 86,400 seconds each day to make it happen.

A great start would be tithing some of it back to God. Remember to set aside time daily to go before the Lord in prayer, spend time reading His Word, and listen to His guidance. When you turn it over to the Lord, you will be amazed at what you can accomplish with your 86,400!

Happy New Year, readers!