Writing On Eagles Wings

“Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.” – Psalm 25:5

In this chaotic world that we live in, it is easy to get overwhelmed. With the exponential increase of technology… social media, cellular networking, even microwaves, and so much more, we live in a world that’s on the fast track! Trying to keep up with our obligations and responsibilities is almost impossible, yet we struggle daily to do exactly that! It IS overwhelming, and often we find ourselves drowning! So what can we do to alleviate the increasing feelings of helplessness and hopelessness?

My pastor, Tim Campbell, wrote this devotion that addresses this exact issue. With his  permission, I have reposted his devotion here in my blog. I hope you are as blessed from it as I was.

“Overwhelmed is a word that we have redefined over the past couple of years. When something happens over which we have no control, the natural tendency is to lower our attitude and spirit and become overwhelmed.

King David had been in times like that when he was running for his life or facing overwhelming odds against an enemy set on destroying him. But in those most helpless times, David set his heart to trust in God. He chose to rise higher and reach out to the Rock of his salvation. As a shepherd, David knew every high rock in the region where he had grown up. From the high rock, he had learned that his view of things was much better. He could grasp the big picture. He could see where the enemy was and see the places where he could stand or hide!

We have the same Rock in the Lord, our Shepherd. He will always lead us in the darkest times to the Rock so that we might have hope and a different perspective from those that do not know and trust Him. Whether it be a consequence of sin, the challenge of your life, or a catastrophe that overwhelms your soul, cry out to the Lord and ask Him to lead you. It is amazing how in a time of trouble, the touch of a leading hand can bring great comfort and courage.

Take the Lord’s hand today. Follow Him to Higher Ground and stand on the promises of Scripture. You will see highways of faith and God’s plans for your life. You will see beyond the situation to a Savior who loves you! Overwhelmed today? Move Higher!”

O safe to the Rock that is higher than I,
My soul in its conflicts and sorrows would fly;
Alone I would perish, undone would I be;
Thou blest “Rock of Ages,” I’m hiding in

Hiding in Thee, hiding in Thee,
Thou blest “Rock of Ages,” I’m hiding in Thee.

(from “Hiding in Thee” by William O. Cushing)

“Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings...”- Psalm 17:8

**********

Jesus truly is our Rock in a weary land!

Today, my church’s associate pastor, Doyle Jackson, preached a message that really spoke to my heart. With his permission, I am sharing the notes I took, which are a blend of his sermon plus a few of my own thoughts woven throughout as the Holy Spirit moved me. I hope this is a blessing to you as much as it was to me.

Paul is in prison and close to his last day on earth. In the end of this last letter to Timothy, Paul continues to be focused on doing God’s work, and he is encouraging Timothy to remain strong and courageous and continuing preaching the gospel, so he sends him this letter. While this was a letter to Timothy, a young preacher that Paul thought of as a son in the faith, it is also part of the Word of God that the Lord inspired Paul to write for generations-to-come to read and study long after he and Timothy had finished their work on earth.  It is this Bible, that we have in our hand today, and it is truly a love letter from God! Just as we would reread love letters, we should reread the Word of God and allow Him to speak to us every day! Here is what this portion of God’s love letter says to us today.

1) First… the charge from the man of God. “Charge” means to assign a responsibility or a duty. Paul reminds Timothy he has a divine responsibility. He tells Timothy to not forsake this calling from God. One day, our lives here on earth will be over, and we will give an account to God of what we have done with our lives. God is the judge, and one day we will stand before Him. Are you ready? Are you saved? Is there a day in your life when you asked the Lord Jesus Christ to forgive you? A time when you understood that you were a sinner and could not save yourself, but chose to believe that Jesus died on the cross to provide salvation and the assurance of a future home in heaven? Did you call upon the Lord and ask Him for His forgiveness of sins and to save your soul? Salvation through faith in Jesus will guarantee eternal life in heaven one day. The authority of the Bible guarantees that if you make that decision to accept God’s Son as your personal Lord and Saviour.

If saved, are you surrendered to the Lord? Have you allowed God to take control of your life and do what He wants to do with you? Are you willing to do what God directs you to do? God has a plan for each life. There is no greater satisfaction or joy in life than doing what God has prepared you to do. Additionally, whatever God calls you to do, He will equip you with the knowledge, skill, and ability to do it! There is no need to fear what God asks of you! One future day, we will give an account to God of what we have done for Him. The Lord called Timothy to preach the Word of God because the world he was a part of desperately needed the hope that only Jesus offers. The world today is also full of idolatry, sinfulness, and wickedness. We need to share the gospel with all we encounter! Why? The good news of Jesus Christ is the only answer to the problem of sin and its impact in our world. No matter what the circumstances are, no matter if people mock or reject you, we must be faithful to get the Word of God out to a lost and dying world. It is not just a preacher’s or Sunday school teacher’s responsibility; it is the duty of every single child of God to share the good news of the gospel… the truth of the Bible! There is no doubt that our world urgently needs it! Why is that? Because Jesus is coming soon. The evidence of this next event on God’s calendar is clearly spelled out in Scripture. Don’t be ashamed of the gospel of Christ! We must be fervent in our work for the Lord before the trump of God sounds! (I Thessalonians 4:16-17). Imagine where you would be if no one shared Jesus with you!

2) Second… the condition of the man of God. Paul is in prison because he chose to live for God. He committed no crime. He simply chose to be a faithful minister for 30+ years of his life. If you were in a dungeon or jail and knew you were going to be executed for your faith, what would you be doing? Paul was in this very situation. However, he realized there was still much work to do for God. He was “content” (Philippians 4:11( in his circumstances and refused to quit. He realized that God was sovereign and in complete control of his life. He also knew that in his last day, God would take him home to be with Him forever. Paul never abandoned his calling despite the fact that living for Christ was not easy. He didn’t quit; he finished his race (2 Timothy 4:7), and he finished it well to the glory of God. Paul knew there was a reward in heaven for him and all those who live for the Lord Jesus Christ. (Hebrews 6:10), and that was reflected in his testimony. “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ” (Colossians 3:23-24).

3) Third… the concern of the man of God. Paul writes about those who have abandoned him. His heart was probably broken because a fellow-laborer, who was a trusted man, fell in love with the present world. He had pursued the temporary of this earthly life and forsook that which was eternal. Many Christians do that today. They live their lives for things… material things… not realizing those things would one day be left behind. 2 Timothy 3:4 states that people would become lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God. Sometimes even believers can get off course as Paul warns about in the end of this letter to Timothy. We need to ask ourselves, “Is there anything I love in my life more than I love God?” When you ask yourself this question, be honest with the answer. If you find there are things that mean more to you than doing God’s work, it is time to seek God’s forgiveness and help to make things right.

4) Lastly… the confidence of the  man of God. In verse 17, Paul writes about how God has been with him and strengthened him. He writes about being “delivered out of the mouth of the lion.” His confidence was not in himself… it was in God. That’s encouragement, and Paul needed that at the end of his life. And oh, how God encouraged him! The strength that Paul received from God enabled him to bring glory to the Lord despite facing his execution!. Hebrews 13:6 reminds us, “So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.” No doubt this was forefront in Paul’s mind.

How is all this applicable to us today? What can we glean from this conclusive letter from Paul to Timothy… from God to us? Here is what we must do:

1) Allow God to have His way in your life.

2) Choose faithfulness to God regardless of what anyone else does.

3) Live for the eternal; live for that which really matters.

4) Enjoy daily the Lord’s presence… find a time to be alone with Him every day.

5) Remember, it will be worth it all when we see Jesus!

It will be worth it all, when we see Jesus

Life’s trials will seem so small, when we see Christ;

One glimpse of His dear face, all sorrow will erase,

So bravely run the race, till we see Christ. 

(from “It Will Be Worth It All” by Esther Kerr Rusthoi)

“Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.” – Psalm 19:14

**********

For whom are you running your race?

 

 

 

 

There’s a heat wave hitting a large part of the country right now. Where I live, it’s pretty miserable outside. Temperatures are in the high 90s and low 100s, and the humidity is above 55%. When the afternoon thunderstorms roll in, the humidity rises even higher, and the heat is stifling. Anything I can do to avoid the heat is what I do, and most of the time that involves being in an air-conditioned environment. Can you imagine what it would be like to never have respite from the torture of unbearable heat…ever? I know of a place where that is a reality.

That place is hell. We don’t seem to hear a lot about hell these days. Maybe you’ll hear someone joke about going there with all their friends, or you might hear “hell” used as a word of emphasis or worse. But for the most part, people don’t enjoy talking or hearing about a place of eternal suffering and damnation, and many people don’t believe such a place exists. I suppose it’s easier to deny the existence of hell than face the prospect of possibly going there one day.

The denial of something or someone unpleasant seems to be the cultural norm nowadays. For example, if we tear down monuments or refuse to teach our children about the difficult events in history like the Holocaust or slavery, its easier to pretend they never happened. The reality is that destroying a memorial to Confederate soldiers or removing all references to the Holocaust in school textbooks doesn’t make what happened untrue. It just hides the horror, and no one benefits by past atrocities and mistakes being brushed under the rug, for that, as the old adage states, leads to repetition of heinous behaviors.

Regardless of whether we deny the existence of hell or refuse to preach/teach about it in our churches, hell still exists. The Bible has over 150 verses that reference hell in the New Testament alone. Here is just a small sample of what the Scriptures say about hell.

1) Hell is a place of torment.

*Luke 16:23-24 states, “And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.”

2) Hell is a place of unquenchable fire.

*Mark 9:45 records, “And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:”

3) Hell is reserved for unbelieving sinners.

*Revelation 21:8 says, “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.”

4) Hell is a place of eternal punishment.

*Matthew 25:46 records Jesus as saying, “And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.”

5) Hell is a place of unmeasurable suffering.

*Matthew 13:42 states, “And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.”

There are many other verses in the Bible, Old and New Testaments, that reference hell. None of them sound fun and exciting, and none would make someone want to go there. Originally, hell was prepared by God for Satan and the angels that sinned. “For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment;” (2 Peter 2:4). Later, when mankind sinned, hell became the place of eternal punishment for them as well. “And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” (Revelation 20:15).

Hell is a place forever without God. While we cannot fully comprehend what that will be like in this life, we will all know one day, without a doubt, that God exists and what He said in His Word is absolutely true. For those found guilty of their sins, there will be no second chance to beg for God’s forgiveness. God’s judgment at that time will be final. “In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;” (2 Thessalonians 1:8-9). While that sounds harsh, God is merciful and not willing that any should die in their sins and go to hell. 2 Peter 3:9 “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” He is waiting to give the world time to come to Christ for salvation, but according to the Bible, that time of waiting will soon end.

Ever wonder why some Christians work so hard at sharing the gospel? It’s because we know what the future holds for believers and non-believers. We know that without the acceptance of Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord of your life, your sins will not be forgiven by God, and that denial will condemn non-believers to a Christ-less eternity in hell.

I am so grateful that I belong to a church whose leaders do not shy away from preaching and teaching all aspects of the Bible, even the parts that are difficult to hear. A person must know what they are being saved FROM in order to seek God’s salvation. If not, they will never see a need to come to Christ, confess their sins, and accept His forgiveness.

The Bible says in Romans 6:23, “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Eternal damnation is found in the pits of hell with no access to our Heavenly Father, our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, or the sweet Holy Spirit of God. But when a person truly repents of their sins, believes on Jesus, and seeks His forgiveness, everlasting life is the outcome! A glorious everlasting life in heaven with God forever!

One day, the invitation that Christ extends to “Come unto Me” (John 6:37) will end. No one knows when, but it will happen, and from the signs listed in the Bible, that time may be much sooner than many want to believe. According to 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” The day is soon approaching when God will send His Son back to earth to gather all those who have accepted His free gift of salvation and take us back to heaven forever.

The Savior is waiting to enter your heart
Why don’t you let Him come in
There’s nothing in this world to keep you apart
What is your answer to Him?
 
Time after time He has waited before
And now He is waiting again
To see if you’re willing to open the door
Oh how He wants to come in.

(from “The Savior is Waiting” by Ralph Carmichael)

“In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.”- 1 Corinthians 15:52

**********

Will you be going with us? If you are not sure, I would love to share with you how you can know for sure you are going to heaven. Just reach out!

 

 

 

“But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 19:14

This week is one of the most exciting weeks of the year for me! This is the week of Vacation Bible School! I have been privileged to teach a class of first-grade boys for several years, and despite the fatigue that creeps in every night after they leave for home, working with these young ones fills my heart with incredible joy every year!

Last night, the Lord led me to share the gospel story, and several of the boys accepted Christ as their Saviour! (Do you think I was on a spiritual high last night? Yes, indeed! All to the glory of God!) Witnessing a child open their heart to the gospel is such a blessed experience. Children are so sweet and trusting, and so accepting of the message of Jesus. When they ask questions, they are genuinely seeking answers, and they respond enthusiastically to the love and truth from God’s Word! They are so eager for what God has for them! And then, when they pray, their words are simple, pure, and from the heart. It is such a blessing to work with children!!

Last night, each boy stated that they knew they had sinned (done “bad things” in their lives) and wanted Jesus to forgive them. Their sweet prayers were simple and direct. There were no specific words they had to pray… no special formula. Each one, in their own special way, asked Jesus to forgive them, and then afterwards, each one stated to one of the workers in our class that they were going to be in heaven one day! This is what VBS is all about! There was great rejoicing in our classroom that night as we cleaned up!

Salvation should never be a process in which an individual has to jump through hoops to become part of God’s family. The Bible specifically states that there is nothing we can do to merit God’s forgiveness; it is a gift from Him. Titus 3:5 states, “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost.” These boys were not guaranteed eternal life in heaven because of baptism, communion, church attendance, giving of tithes, or even coming to VBS. Their eternal security came simply from trusting Jesus Christ as their Saviour and accepting His forgiveness of their sins. John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Salvation is solely a GIFT from GOD. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)

Not sure about that? Think about the thief on the cross. When he asked for Jesus to remember him, the Lord did not say, “It’s too late. You’ve never been baptized; you’ve never gone to church; you’ve never served me sacrificially.” Instead, our Saviour assured that repentant criminal that because of his faith, he would be with Jesus that very day in paradise.

What about the age of my boys? Isn’t 6 or 7 years old too young? It isn’t the number of years that determines one’s readiness for salvation, it’s the understanding in the heart that is the determining factor, and that is not what anyone can judge. We are merely the tools that God uses to help children come to Christ. If the Holy Spirit is working on the heart of a first-grade boy, who am I to say that child is not ready for salvation? My heart’s prayer is, “Lord, use me to help this young one understand your love for him and his need for Jesus.” Maybe I am simply to plant the seed. Maybe I am to water a seed that has been previously planted. Maybe… just maybe… I am to lead that child to Jesus for salvation! It doesn’t matter how God chooses to use me; my responsibility is to be ready and available for His use!!

Jesus admonished his disciples when they stepped in to stop parents from bringing their children to him. He wanted the little ones to come to him. May I never stand in the way of anyone who is seeking Jesus, no matter the age, social status, past history, race, gender, or economic status. Jesus went to the cross for each one of us.

Some of the greatest joys in my life have been the times when God has allowed me to lead someone to Christ. Maybe you’re not sure what to say? Allow the Holy Spirit of God to work through you. Luke reassures us that God will enable you in any situation. “And when they bring you unto the synagogues, and unto magistrates, and powers, take ye no thought how or what thing ye shall answer, or what ye shall say: For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say.” (Luke 12:11-12) The easiest way to share Christ is to share what He has done for you! Philemon 1:6 reminds us, “That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.”

Think you could never lead someone to Christ because you never went to Bible college or even taught a Sunday school class? Jesus chose common people to spread his gospel throughout the entire known world. Some were fishermen; one was a bill collector; one was a tent maker; some were shepherds… this list goes on. Be assured that whosoever God will call, He will also equip to accomplish His will. All He asks is that you be willing to share Christ with others. God promises He will do the rest!

Jesus calls the children dear, “Come to Me and never fear,

For I love the little children of the world; I will take you by the hand,

Lead you to the better land, for I love the little children of the world.”

 

Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world.

Red and yellow, black and white, all are precious in His sight,

Jesus loves the little children of the world.

(from “Jesus loves the Little Children” by C. Herbert Woolston & George Root)

“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.” – 3 John 1:4

**********

There’s a world out there, both children and adults, that desperately need Jesus. Won’t you share Him with someone today?

 

 

 

Genesis 8:22 – “While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.”

When God created the world, He also established seasons, and He promised that as long as the earth was here, there would be spring, summer, autumn, and winter. Each season has its own story.

*Autumn is a time of change.

*Winter is a time of barrenness and preparation.

*Spring is a time of rebirth.

*Summer is a time for bearing fruit and embracing the abundant     life that surrounds us.

Just as every natural summer has a story, so does every spiritual summer. As with the natural seasons, we each will also walk through spiritual seasons many times. Ecclesiastes 3:1 – “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:”

Summer is a season known for cultivating and bearing deliciously good fruit. I know many people who look forward to the summer bounty that includes strawberries, peaches, tomatoes, cantaloupe and watermelon! However, before we can enjoy these, they must be skillfully cultivated until they are ready for harvest. Only then, will they will look beautiful and taste delicious!

Like the natural summer, our spiritual summer can also yield a bounty of amazing fruit! What kind of fruit? Our spiritual fruit is described in Galatians 5:22. This verse states,  “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” And like the natural fruit of summer, spiritual fruit must also be carefully cultivated by our spiritual gardener, the Holy Spirit.

How is this accomplished? He uses the Word of God to prepare us to bear good fruit. Jesus told us in John 15:4-5 “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.” The Holy Spirit helps us ABIDE in Jesus.

How do we abide in Jesus?

1) First and most importantly, you must be born again. What does that mean? Has there been a time in your life when you asked Jesus to forgive your sins and become the Lord of your life? That is the first step because like a natural plant needs water to flourish you need the living water that Christ has to offer. John 4:10 records, “Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.”

2) Second, a plant needs good soil to gain the nutrients and minerals for growth. We get our spiritual nutrition from the Word of God, the Bible.  1 Peter 2:2 states, “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:” If we do not spend any time in the Bible, the Holy Spirit cannot remind us of the rich nutrients in God’s Word that enable us to grow in our faith. Romans 10:17 states, “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”

3) Thirdly, a plant needs the attention of the gardener. The gardener inspects the plant and its environment for anything that may hinder healthy growth. He then removes weeds that could eventually choke out the young plant. Through prayer, we ask God to help us grow strong by cleansing us from the sins that threaten to destroy our relationship with God. Additionally, it is through prayer that we seek our “spiritual gardener’s” help by asking for forgiveness of the sin in our lives or by showing how us how avoid the temptations in our life.1 John 1:9 states, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins,   and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Additionally, 1 Corinthians 10:13 records, “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”

We must yield ourselves to the Holy Spirit of God and allow Him to work in us in order for fruit to be manifested in our lives. The fruit of the Spirit is a reflection of what is in our hearts. What kind of spiritual summer fruit are you bearing? Galatians 5:22-23 reminds us of the fruit we have as we abide in Jesus.

1. Love – “This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you” (John 15:12). Do we love others as Christ loves?

2. Joy – “Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore” (Psalm 16:11). Do you spend time in the presence of God? Does your life reflect the joy of your salvation? When others look at you, do they see the joy of the Lord?

3. Peace – “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7). Our peace comes through Jesus. We must have a relationship with Him. Not simply a moment or time of salvation, but an ongoing relationship.

4. Longsuffering – “But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint” (Isaiah 40:31). Do you trust God enough to wait for Him to answer, lead, act?

5. Gentleness – “To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men” (Titus 3:2). How do we relate to others?

6. Goodness – “Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: and be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you” (Ephesians 4:31-32). Forgiveness… is it easy for you to forgive others or do you harbor bitterness toward them?

7. Faith – “Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works” (James 2:18). How is your faith being demonstrated? In other words, how are you serving the Lord?

8. Meekness – “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves” (Philippians 2:3). Why do you serve the Lord? Is your underlying motive one of pride or humility (meekness)?

9. Temperance – “Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath” (James 1:9). Are there areas of your life in which you feel you are out of control or overindulging? Eating habits, social media, tv watching, relationships?

If we want healthy spiritual fruit in our lives, we must examine ourselves carefully and honestly. Ask yourself these questions:

A) First, are you saved?

B) Second, are you regularly in the Bible, listening to God speak to    your heart

C) Thirdly, do you spend time talking to God?

If you are lacking in any of these areas, it’s time to let our spiritual gardener, the Holy Spirit, do a little weeding and pruning.

Christ is the vine, and we the branches are.
Without him, we no fruit can bare.
For of ourselves, we cannot grow,
He must both power, and life bestow.

Lord, thou has chosen us that we
Should bear well-pleasing fruit to thee:
O make us fruitful to thy praise.
Preserve us from all barrenness.

(from “Christ is the Vine” by John Swertner  and Johann Muehlmann)

“Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.”- John 15:8

**********

It is your choice to bear fruit. What kind of fruit are you bearing?

 

 

“Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.” – Romans 13:7

Memorial Day is a day of remembrance. It is a time to reflect upon those who sacrificed their lives in service to our country. My dad, my father-in-law, and John’s dad served their country during WWII and the Korean conflict. They came home to become husbands and fathers. So many did not. Those who died made the ultimate sacrifice for the liberties we enjoy today here and around the globe. This year, many will go to the final resting places of those who died, and in their honor, will place American flags or flowers on the graves. Sadly, some never made it home for even a burial, and are remembered only in the hearts of their surviving relatives and friends. But these are not the only ones to remember this Memorial Day.

In addition to the servicemen and women we honor this day, we must also reflect upon those whose names we will never know. Men and women who worked in classified areas of our government… those in fields that are considered “top secret”… who remained anonymous to most of the world for reasons of safety f0r themselves and their families, yet they labored for our freedoms as well. Some of these individuals have no graves for family members to visit, and they received no acknowledgment or accolades of service. We must honor these men and women as well on this Memorial Day for they also gave their lives for our country and our freedoms.

I am also reminded of another individual who gave all, so that others could live. His name is known well by most of the world although many do not honor him or even acknowledge his divine existence. His name is Jesus, and He is God’s only beloved Son, who sacrificed everything to reconcile God’s most special creation to Himself. He willingly left the glory of heaven… think of it… a place with no sorrow or pain, a place without wars or famine or disease. This is what Jesus chose to leave to come to a world filled with every conceivable sin…hatred, violence, greed, lust, pride… the list goes on and on. Philippians 2:6-8 states, “Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” Jesus, who had existed throughout all eternity past without an iota of sin in Him, chose to become sin for us and then pay the penalty for that sin by dying an agonizing death on a rugged Roman cross nearly 2,000 years ago. 2 Corinthians 5:21 states, “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” Why? Because He loves us with an everlasting love (Jeremiah 31:3) and yearns to reconcile us to God.  Jesus wants a personal relationship with each one of us so much that He sacrificed Himself to make a way. When Jesus rose from the grave three days after His crucifixion, He proved He alone was the Saviour of the world; the only One with the power to forgive sins and give everlasting life to all who believe on His name! May we always remember and honor the sacrifice Jesus made for all mankind.

But on this special day set aside to remember the fallen, may our nation never forget the brave men and women who courageously gave their lives so that we could continue to be “the land of the free and the home of the brave.” Let us honor Memorial Day this weekend; count our blessings; and thank God for those who gave everything for the cause of liberty and the right to be free.

He left His Father’s throne above, so free, so infinite His grace;
Emptied Himself of all but love, and bled for Adam’s helpless race;
‘Tis mercy all, immense and free; for, O my God, it found out me.
Amazing love! how can it be
, that Thou, my God, should die for me!

(from “And Can It Be?” by Charles Wesley)

“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” – John 15:13

**********

All gave some; thank God some gave all.

“Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:” – John 11:25

Today I am saying goodbye to Danisha, the daughter of a dear friend and sister in Christ. After battling pancreatitis, pneumonia, and renal failure, this sweet young lady left this temporal world and entered eternity.

I have known Danisha for many years. She was the same age as my daughter. They went to the same church and shared much of their pre-adolescent and teen years together. Later, in their adult years, they traveled different paths, but I remained close to Danisha’s mother, Estelle. When I received the news that Danisha was in the hospital, I prayed, fully expecting the Lord to restore her to complete health, but He had other plans for her.

My heart is filled with great sadness today, but I know without a shadow of a doubt that I will see Danisha again one day in the kingdom of God. The immense sorrow of loss from death will become overwhelming joy in life everlasting! I know this because Danisha had professed the Lord Jesus Christ as her personal Saviour. When she understood that she was a sinner, as we all are, she recognized that Jesus, God’s precious Son, died on the cross for her… to take all the punishment for all the sins she had ever committed or ever would do. His resurrection from the dead proved that Jesus was truly the Saviour of the world, and He desired her to trust in Him. She did. Because of that, she became His child forever, and He began to prepare a place for her in heaven.

John 14:2 states, “In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.” I have heard many speak of when Jesus is finished with an individual’s “place” in heaven that is when death comes. But I think differently. I believe that God takes us home when our work for Him is completed. Danisha’s work for her heavenly Father was finished sooner than anyone expected, and the time had come for her to go home to Him. 2 Timothy 4:7 records Paul’s words as he was close to dying. He wrote, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:”

Danisha fought the good fight, finished her course and kept the faith. She is now in the presence of her beloved Saviour rejoicing and worshiping Him face to face. Her faith has become sight!

Will I miss her? Yes. Will her family miss her? Of course. But we are not as those without hope, as Paul stated in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14 “But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.”

We will see you soon, sweet Danisha!

And then one day I’ll cross the river
And I’ll fight life’s final war with pain
And then as death gives way to victory
I’ll see the lights of glory and I’ll know He lives!

(from “Because He Lives” by Bill and Gloria Gaither)

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” – John 3:16

**********

“Love gives us memories; faith gives us strength.” – author unknown

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Her children arise up, and call her blessed;” – Proverbs 31:28a

Tomorrow is Mother’s Day. I know that I will be celebrated by my children, and it will be a joyous day for the most part. The greatest difficulty for me is not being in the presence of my own mother to honor her. She passed from this life to her eternal one almost 30 years ago, and I miss her more than words can say. This is my tribute to her.

My mom was a very strong woman. She was born in rural Japan, just a stone’s throw from Hiroshima. As the youngest of four children, I imagine she was well looked after, especially after her father died when she was only twelve years old. Whatever career goals she had were abruptly put on hold when Japan chose to engage the United States in war when Emperor Hirohito ordered the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Schooling for her was interrupted, and she had to go to work as a young teen.

At the age of 17, she was an eyewitness to the atomic bomb explosion in Hiroshima. Once she shared with me her memories of the bright light, the heat from the blast, and the horrific after-effects of the radiation. Hiroshima was destroyed, but thankfully, the small village in which my mother and her family lived was somewhat sheltered from the deadly radiation and force of the explosion. She was a survivor.

Years later, during the Korean conflict, my mother met my father, a US serviceman, and they fell in love and married. She then moved to the United States to begin a new life in a land where she knew no one, barely spoke the language, and dwelt among those to whom the memories of WWII were still fresh. Many still considered her “the enemy”, yet she persevered and made a life for herself and her husband in America. She was determined.

In later years, my mother faced great challenges including a divorce and a chronic illness that her physicians hypothesized was a direct result of being exposed to atomic bomb radiation. This illness led to years of repeated hospitalizations due to SLE (systemic lupus erythematosus) and renal failure. Eventually, she learned to do peritoneal dialysis when her shunts for renal dialysis continued to fail due to her autoimmune disease. She was no longer able to work, but she maintained a positive outlook… at least when in my presence. She was courageous.

Her last years of life were filled with the joys of being a grandmother, and she doted on my children, always delighted to watch them for me when I went to work. Due to her many years of learning to live “without”, she had the greatest ability to create fun times with my son and daughter. She often played “Mr. Potato Head” with real potatoes and vegetables, or let the children build forts out of her many dialysis boxes. She was loving.

One of the greatest concerns I had for my mother was her relationship with God. Being raised in Japan, she was a Shintoist, although she didn’t go to temple here or demonstrate any real evidence of her faith in that religion. I, having accepted Christ as my Saviour at the age of 12, was burdened for my mother’s eternal destination, and would often share the gospel message with her. She listened politely, but never made a decision for Christ. It wasn’t until her last year of life that the Holy Spirit of God opened her eyes to her need for Jesus. One of the greatest joys of my life was sharing the message of salvation with my mother and listen to hear pray from her heart and accept Christ. We were in the hospital at the time, and her joy was bubbling over. In fact, her first declaration of her new faith was when a nurse came into the room. My mother burst out, “Today is the first day that I am a Christian!” I couldn’t hold my tears back. She was saved!

When my mother passed away, I was at her side. A few days before she died, she told her physician that she was ready to go home. He gently said to her that she was too sick to go home. She smiled sweetly and said, “No, I am ready to go home to Jesus.” Again, I cried tears of gratitude to a God who cared enough to touch the heart of my mom and prepare her for this final journey, secure in His promises of eternal life in heaven with Him. She was comforted.

So, this Mother’s Day, I will look upward and whisper “Happy Mother’s Day” to my mom who faced so many obstacles in her life and overcame them. I know she sacrificed so much for me… too much to write here, but needless to say, it was monumental. She was never a selfish woman, but instead, she gave all of herself to me and my children without reservation. She was memorable.

I would give anything to be able to tell my mom one more time how much I appreciate her… how much I admire her… and how much I love her. I know that one day I will be able to tell her all these things and so much more. I was so blessed to be her daughter, and I will forever be grateful that she was my mother.

“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”- Romans 10:13

**********

“A mother is your first friend, your best friend, your forever friend.” —Unknown

 

 

 

 

 

“After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.” – 1 Corinthians 11:25

During the month of May, we celebrate Memorial Day. It is the day in which we remember those who died while serving in the armed forces. Memorial Day was first known as Decoration Day because after the Civil War, military graves began to be decorated with flags or flowers to honor the dead. Occasionally, it is referred to as a day of remembrance, but no matter what name is used, it is a time to remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our national freedoms.

Jesus Christ, who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom from sin, is also known by different names. Some are well known, such as Prince of Peace, Lamb of God, and the Good Shepherd, but the writers of the four gospels, through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, portrayed Jesus in very different ways.

In the first book of the New Testament, Jesus is described as the promised king. Matthew directed his writing to the Jewish people, and used many OT Scriptures to point out that Jesus is the promised Messiah, the King of Israel. Isaiah 7:14 states, “Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel,” to which Matthew relates in 1:23. Another verse, Matthew 2:6, states Bethlehem is the birthplace of Jesus, which Micah 5:2 prophesied as the place from which the Messiah would come. It is important to note that Matthew recognizes Jesus as the Saviour as well. “And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:21)

In the book of Mark, Jesus is seen as a “suffering servant”. This gospel focuses on many of the miracles that Jesus performed and seems to be aimed at an audience who lived outside of the land of Israel and not been eyewitnesses to anything Jesus did or said. Mark’s writings clearly demonstrate the power of God in Jesus as a servant. Mark 10:45 records Jesus’ words: “For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.” Like Matthew, Mark also proclaims Jesus as the Son of God. In the first verse of his book, he writes, “The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God;” (Mark 1:1) and “And he saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Peter answereth and saith unto him, Thou art the Christ.” (Mark 8:29)

Jesus is presented as a man in the book of Luke. This is not to be mistaken for a denial of Jesus’ deity, for Luke also proclaims that Jesus is the Saviour of all mankind, for Jew and Gentile alike.  Luke 2:11 states, “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.” It is important to note that Luke is writing his gospel primarily for Gentiles, non-Jewish people. His writings accurately describe the humanity of Jesus, which is rather fitting considering Luke’s occupation. As a Gentile physician, Luke had a unique perspective regarding the sufferings of individuals and their physical needs especially in describing how Jesus addressed those needs. Additionally, the Greek culture focused on the perfecting of the body, and Luke understood that. His writings appealed to the Greek/Gentile mindset as he pointed out how Jesus attended to many of the physical needs of women, the poor, the shunned (lepers and demoniacs), etc. “But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind: And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just.” (Luke 14:13-14)

In the last of the gospels, the deity of Jesus is clearly the focal point. John wrote of the many signs and wonders surrounding Jesus, using the miraculous events to inspire belief in Christ as the Son of God. He begins his book by affirming that Jesus Himself is the incarnate Word of God in the first chapter. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” and “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth” (v.1, 14). John also quotes Jesus as saying, “I and my Father are one” (John 10:30), declaring His own divinity. Additionally, many miracles are recorded in the book of John, including 7 that are not listed in the previous 3 gospels. These reinforce the deity of Christ, in that only God can raise the dead (John 11), heal the blind (John 9), and control nature (John 6). John’s assertion that Jesus is the Son of God is threaded throughout this gospel as he documents the declarations from eyewitnesses of Jesus’ life and miracles from Thomas ((John 20:28) to Martha (John 11:27) to Peter (John 6:69) to John the Baptist (John 1:34), and others as well.

For us, however, the greatest role that we can attribute to Jesus is that of “Saviour”. In this month of remembrance, it is easy to remember the death, burial, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ because the Easter season has just finished, but we must be determined to never forget or take for granted what Jesus has done for us. 1 John 4:10 & 14 tell us that God the Father sent His Son Jesus to be the Saviour of the world. Without Jesus and the work He completed, we would have no hope of reconciliation with God, and we would be doomed to an eternity forever separated from the Lord. However, because God loves us so much, He provided a way for us to dwell with Him in heaven forever. That way was Jesus. John 3:16 states, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

His name is wonderful! His name is wonderful!

His name is wonderful, Jesus my Lord!

He is the mighty King, Master of everything;

His name is wonderful, Jesus my Lord.

He’s the Great Shepherd…

The Rock of all ages…

Almighty God is He.

Bow down before Him, love and adore Him;

His name is wonderful, Jesus my Lord.

(from “His Name is Wonderful” by Audrey Mieir)

“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” – Isaiah 9:6

**********

Who is Jesus to you?

 

 

 

(photo courtesy of Samantha Campbell)

“And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” – Joshua 24:15

What is a servant? According to the KJV dictionary, one of the meanings for the word “servant” is “a person, male or female, that attends another for the purpose of performing menial offices (services) for him, or who is employed by another for such offices or for other labor, and is subject to his command.” Another definition is “One who yields obedience to another.”

As a servant of God, which I believe encompasses both definitions, what are my responsibilities? I can think of many, such as sharing the gospel, praying, being faithful to getting together with like-minded believers, and the list goes on. But this morning, I was wondering what it was that servants do not do.

I reflected upon the relationship between a servant and a master. Here are some things a servant does not do.

• A servant does not tell the master what to do.
  1. “Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ;” – Ephesians 6:5
  2. The servant is obedient to the master, not the other way around. The servant listens and obeys.
• A servant does not grumble or get angry with the master when there is a job assigned to him/her.
  1. “Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again;” – Titus 2:9
  2. The servant serves without being argumentative (“answering gain”).
• A servant does not ask the master for food or clothing or shelter; it is provided by the master.
  1. “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:19
  2. A good master takes care of his servants by providing all the necessities of life needed; the servant will be 100% cared for by the master. The servant can rest knowing that no matter the need, the master will meet it and so much more.
• A servant does not ignore the master for any amount of time, whether it be an hour, a day, a week, etc.
  1. “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.” – 1 Corinthians 15:58
  2. A servant doesn’t serve when it is convenient to do so; he is always ready and available no matter the hour of the day. His devotion to the master is total. The servant is always attentive 24/7 to the master’s wishes.
• A servant does not think himself more highly than the master.
  1. “Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed.” – 1 Timothy 6:1
  2. The servant honors and respects the master, humbling himself in his service and in his heart.

The question now is, do I exhibit any of these ‘do not’ qualities in regard to my relationship with God? The Scriptures clearly state that believers are to be servants of the Lord. John 12:26 states, “If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.” Colossians 3:24 adds, “Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ,” and as a servant of the Lord Jesus Christ, I must examine my heart continually to be sure it is that of a true servant.

Therefore, my desire is to cast all my cares and concerns upon God because I know He truly cares for me (1 Peter 5:7) and He will take better care of me than I can do myself. To do so, I must remember Psalm 37:3-7, and strive for those qualities in my life.

• “Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.” (He has met my needs.)
• “Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.” (He blesses me with my wants in addition to meeting my every need.)
• “Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.” (He guarantees a successful outcome to my service.)
• “Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.” (His ways are so much higher than mine, and His timing is perfect for everything in my life.)

My God loves me with an everlasting love (Jeremiah 31:3), just as He loves you. How can we not resolve to serve Him as humbly and thankfully as we know how?

Now I resolve with all my heart,
With all my powers, to serve the Lord:
Nor from His precepts e’er depart,
Whose service is a rich reward.

O be His service all my joy;
Around let my example shine
Till others love the best employ
And join in labors so divine.

(from “Now I Resolve with All My Heart” by Anne Steele and Lowell Mason)

“Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.” – Psalm 100:2

**********

What kind of a servant are you?