Healing Hopes

On November 24, 2020   /   Word of the Day   /   Leave a comment

Psalm 107:20

He sent His word and healed them, and saved them from their destruction.

If you have read the Word of the Day for long you probably recognize this as my favorite healing verse. It came to mind recently but in a completely different context. This is the question it presented to me, “Can you use this to pray about the healing of nation?” I believe the answer is, “Yes.”

When I write the Word of the Day, I try to be sensitive to the challenges and mood of the global Christian community and to that of my own nation. I write to what my heart feels is the need. Additionally, I hear what people are saying especially as they articulate their feelings and concerns. I take those to the Father and ask for His help and guidance because I am completely invested in the premise that He is the answer. Today’s message is what I believe the Father answered me.

This year’s election has divided us. It probably would have looked much different but for the Coronavirus epidemic. People are more sensitive and emotional and really do feel the stakes are higher this year. Christians are in that lot too. Overall, as I asked Christians how they were praying to God about the election, most said their main prayer was that God take care of our country. As for the presidential race, Christians voted both parties. The reality check is that everyone of us probably voted for some people who won and some who lost but the common factor is that we all voted for the people we thought would do the best by our country. And we prayed. We asked our God to prevail.

Now comes the hard part. If we prayed and some of our candidates lost what does that mean for our faith? Here is what I believe Father God would have me broadcast across the country. God has not abandoned His throne, nor has He turned a mute ear to our prayers. He is listening and He cares. Now we have to respond to Him. We must invest our faith in Him and believe He has us in His hands. It is not the man in the Oval office that is the most important part of the picture. It is the God who reigns over us all. In our state elections as well as the presidential race, our faith must be towards God and reconciliation. We must pray for unity amongst us and faith in God to carry us forward.

This is so important. It is up to us to reunite this country. Christians need to show that we are people of faith. Do you believe, with me, that our God is bigger than politics? Can He turn the angry rhetoric into a language of reconciliation and cooperation? A house divided cannot stand. So, do we have what it takes to reunite as one people who stand together for love, justice and mercy? Can we stand, again, in the chasm of faithlessness and show the world that God reigns supreme and that He loves humanity? Please take some time to think about this. Let us turn our eyes to Jesus and fix our eyes on him so resolutely that the fire of 2020 politics grows cold in comparison. Jesus is the answer. He is the way. Let us all set aside our political opinions and take up the banner of one nation united under God, with freedom and liberty for all.

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Vanity, Vanity

On November 23, 2020   /   Word of the Day   /   Leave a comment

Psalm 127: 1

Unless the Lord builds a house, they who build it labor in vain.

We just saw in Friday’s Word of the Day Jesus saying we should build our houses, i.e. lives, on the rock of his teachings. Do you think he had today’s verse in mind when he said that? Friday’s verse taught us that the foundation of any life must be Jesus’ words. Otherwise, there will be no firm foundation and every storm of life will blow the house down. Today’s verse teaches us the vanity of building a life on anything other than the Lord Jesus. What is the difference?

The implication of today’s verse is that if we do not construct our lives on Jesus’ teachings then we are essentially relying on our own strength and wisdom. This, the psalmist tells us, is vanity. In other words, we think ourselves wise and able. In fact, if we fail to build on Jesus’ foundation, it suggests we are wiser than he and more capable. We are vain in the way we puff up ourselves and the end result is a house of cards which falls down around us at the first stiff breeze.

It can be hard for us to admit we don’t know everything. It can be challenging to actually humble oneself under the direction, much less the lordship, of another. None the less, that is one of the foundation stones which Jesus has given us. Humility, rather than vanity, is the way to a successful and stable life. Do not labor in vain, build your house on the rock.

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Wise One

On November 20, 2020   /   Word of the Day   /   Leave a comment

Matthew 7:24

Therefore, everyone who hears these words of Mine, and acts on them, will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock.

Those who are wise build their lives on the rock which is the teaching of Jesus. It is his words that form the firm foundation. Those who act on Jesus’ words are building their lives on that strong foundation.  Be clear.  The firm foundation isn’t built by a confession of Jesus.  It is constructed through deliberately, routinely acting on his words.

You know this but here is part two. If you have acted on the teachings of Jesus, if you continue to build your life on the rock, then you should expect your house to stand through the rain and wind. By God’s grace, you should expect to be able to weather the storm.

God has wisdom available for His kids and He gives His wisdom freely. We don’t have to blow in the wind. We can have a strong foundation which allows us to weather storms. Don’t misread me to say that I think we should act foolishly in a hurricane, tornado or any other life-threatening event. What I mean to say plainly is that when you listen to Jesus’ teachings and act on them, when you tune your ear to the voice of the Lord and obey what He says, you can, and should, expect your house to withstand the pressures of the storm.

It’s gonna rain folks. Winds will slam against our lives, but lean on that rock and you will be alright. Expect your house to stand.

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Christian Model

On November 19, 2020   /   Word of the Day   /   Leave a comment

Philippians 2:3

Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility consider one another as more important than yourselves.

It you really want to see Christianity in action, here is your verse. Christians are supposed to put the needs of others ahead of their own. We are supposed to consider others as more important than ourselves. That is what Jesus did. He sacrificed his wants and needs for the rest of us. He didn’t want to be crucified. He didn’t want to die. He gave himself for us.
We see this in others. I cannot help but think of all the doctors, nurses and other health care workers who are putting themselves in harm’s way to care for us. I think of the military. Military personnel routinely put the needs and concerns of others before their own desires and needs, even putting their lives on the line. Firefighters, law enforcement and many others daily put our needs above their own safety. They forego time with their families so that we can be safe. I am sure some of them would love to be in lockdown with their families for a few weeks. Meanwhile, some of us complain about these measures. I think it is an insult to the people who are daily sacrificing for us.

This is the hard work of Christianity and I do not make light of it. It is human nature to think of oneself, but because of Christ and his sacrifice, we no longer have to operate at a mere human nature level. We have been given the grace of God. When Paul was faced with a personal challenge, Father God told him that His grace was sufficient to meet the need (2 Corinthians 12: 9). That is how Paul learned this important lesson so that he could convey it to us.

The reason I am writing this series on the Christian Model is so that you can protect and inform yourself regarding others. The verses I have sent this week and last present the model of Christianity and so by using them, we can inform ourselves of a person’s, or an organization’s, true intent. Jesus began this dialogue by informing us that wolves would present themselves to us disguised as sheep. We need tools to unmask them and it is precisely that which I have sent to you so that you can protect yourself and your family.

Today’s verse is in that same vein, but I find it turning the corner too. It begins to turn around and face me, challenging my own ethic. Am I the Christian I purport to be? Am I worthy of bearing Christ’s name? Maybe not, but this verse shows me the way. It is as clear a roadmap as one could require. If you critique yourself in light of this verse, I pray you fare well. However, we all can improve here so please, do not beat yourself up. This is an area the whole church should be growing in.

In conclusion, as you evaluate yourself don’t forget that this verse is important in the Christian model for dividing the wolves from the sheep. While we all may be self-interested to a greater or lesser degree, those who are self-important and who serve self rather than others are revealing their wolfish features. Beware these ravenous wolves for they will rend you if ever there is a choice between you and them. Learn to discern who is serving their interests rather than the interests of the whole or of others.

I believe this has been an important series, especially in this time of great challenge. All over the world people are dealing with abnormal levels of stress and need to know whom they can trust. We must be the church, the lovers of humanity. We must be Christ’s hands in this generation. There has never been a time when we have been more needed. Arise my beautiful Christian brothers and sisters and let the love of Christ be seen, felt, heard and witnessed the world over. Those of you outside the United States, though we are rooted over here, we don’t forget you for one moment. Our love and prayers are for you and your countries. May our dear Father bless you all.

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Words of the Heart

On November 18, 2020   /   Word of the Day   /   Leave a comment

Matthew 15: 18

But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and those things defile the person.

Matthew 12:34

You offspring of vipers, how can you, being evil, express any good things? For the mouth speaks from that which fills the heart.

Jesus said that in the last days, wolves would come dressed as sheep so we must be adept at discerning who is of the truth and who is not. Jesus said you would know the wolves (and the sheep) by their fruit. Yesterday, I sent you the test. It comes out of Colossians 3 and Galatians 5. Here is another way to tell the difference between those who say they follow Jesus from those who actually do. Check the fruit of their mouth.

No one who is of Christ lies. Period. End of story. Does that mean if a person ever tells one lie they are devil spawn? No. It means they relaxed their guard for a moment, perhaps have not been spending enough time with the Lord. However, a habitual liar or one who doesn’t have a strong relationship with the truth is not a Christ disciple. I’ve said it before, lying comes from the devil’s house. You can’t dance to his tune and be in harmony with Jesus.

Other language will give one away too. Is the person’s language kind, gentle, peaceful, patient, filled with goodness and faith? Or are their words harsh, critical, and judgmental. You can tell what is in a person’s heart by what comes out of their mouths.

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The Test

On November 17, 2020   /   Word of the Day   /   Leave a comment

Matthew 7: 16

You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes, nor figs from thistles, are they?

Jesus gave us the method by which we can know whom we can trust. We can know people by their fruit. We saw last week Paul’s elucidation of this principle. Colossians 3 shows the fruit of the chosen of God and also the habits and traits of those not reformed by Christ. Some of the traits Paul identified for Christians are: “a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other,” (Colossians 3: 12 – 13). In this list he also included the pursuit of unity (See the Word of the Day for 11/13/20).

Jesus’ teachings give us the principles. Paul’s teachings explain Jesus’ principles. He expounded on them to give further understanding. In his letter to the Galatians, Paul further described what the life of a Christian looks like. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Now those who belong to Christ Jesus crucified the flesh with its passions and desires,” (Galatians 5: 22 – 24).

When I was practicing law I came to despise when a client offered that they were Christian. Why? Ask many business owners and you will get the same response. It is code language for, “I’m not going to pay you.” It is as though they offered that bit of information in order to cover a defect in their character. As I said last week, pretend I am from the Show Me state. Let your actions identify you as a Christian. As my friend, Robin, said yesterday, “Actions speak louder than words.” Anyone can say, “I am a Christian.” It is an entirely different matter to walk it out. Most people who wish to deceive and take advantage of others will not identify their motives. Instead, they will use some covering ploy and claiming to be a Christian is one of the best. So, how are we to know who is the real deal?

That is the purpose of this series of devotionals which began last week. I know who you are and how you strive to live in the light of Christ. I also know that you are the most vulnerable because you are attracted to people who self-identify as Christian. Now, you don’t have to take their word for it. Look at their lives. Are they givers? If no, then you needn’t ask any more questions. They are done because Yahweh and Jesus are mega-givers. You can’t be in them and be stingy. Beyond that run the test of Galatians 5 and Colossians 3. Here it is synthesized for you.

Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control, a heart of compassion, humility, bearing with one another, and forgiving each other.

You might want to cut and paste this bit into your own document or print it. We are not asking people to be perfect, but we are looking for a pattern of behavior. I hope you identify with people who are patient and kind, gentle of speech and generous. We can encourage and expect these traits of people. We should, in fact, expect these kinds of behaviors. More than ever, we need to be considerate. We need to concern ourselves with the best interests of all people. We need to think of others instead of ourselves. That is the Christian mandate. It’s the Word. Let the Word prevail over the lives of us all.

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Spectacular

On November 16, 2020   /   Word of the Day   /   Leave a comment

Psalm 126: 1 – 2

When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, it was as if we were dreaming. Then our mouths were filled with laughter and our tongues with joyful songs. Then the nations said, “The Lord has done spectacular things for them.”

I claim this passage on behalf of our generation. We have been challenged. We have a global pandemic which has claimed many lives and upended our lives for most of the year. The weather has been tumultuous, and that is probably an understatement. There have been tornadoes, floods, typhoons, hurricanes, fires, mudslides, earthquakes, unseasonable temperatures and all of these in unprecedented numbers and unusual places. If there is anything you can say about 2020 is that it has been unprecedented. Things have been so unpredictable that they are almost becoming predictable. What would be unusual? That is probably what is going to happen. Record fall warmth and snow before Thanksgiving. Yep! You are getting both, and in the same region. It’s nuts.  And that isn’t all, but it is enough.

People are stressed out, no doubt! But here’s the thing, whether you are in the Philippines getting thrashed by typhoons, being swarmed by locusts in Africa, shaken by earthquakes in Turkey and Greece or dealing with record numbers of Covid cases, God is good and He has not abandoned us. We will be as these ancient song smiths who proclaim the year of Jubilee, the restoration of God’s people.

We should have the biggest New Year’s celebration ever, though virtually rather than congregating in large numbers. Still, it is a time to rejoice. Never have we been so happy to say good-bye to a year like this year. In the good-bye to 2020 we embrace our restoration and God’s good graces, “filled with laughter and our tongues with joyful songs.” Start thinking about God’s deliverance. Start anticipating it and thinking of how it will feel. Celebrate the Lord and His goodness. We will say and others will say of us, “The Lord has done spectacular things for them.”

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