Church members imagine that their pastors receive many emergency late-night phone calls. I rarely did. I wonder why. Am I unapproachable? Too lazy to answer the phone? Is it placed safely out of earshot? It could be.

One morning, I receive a call from a church member that her husband is near death and wants to talk with me. Not later today when it’s more convenient. Or when I’ve showered and shaved. No. Now. Okay. I’m coming just as I am.

This elderly man, never our church member, whom I’d talked turkey with (and not only at Thanksgiving time!) about committing his life to Jesus, who had resisted like the you-know-who, is now eager to take up Jesus’ offer. Really?

So, I share the Gospel once again. It’s the quick version as time is of the essence. He’s ready and eager. We pray together. He has a smile on his face. So do I. Later that day, after I shaved and showered, I got the call that he was now safely heaven-bound. Never better news this side of that same place!

The good news is that, if you’re still alive, it’s not too late. I don’t recommend waiting until the last moment to do business with God by receiving His Son Jesus into your heart. Why waste one moment of living for God? Too much of our godly purpose in this life would be forfeited forever. Don’t dilly-dally or shilly-shally with the Master.

But don’t ignore the last buzzer either. Not a minute late or a dollar short, this man had listened to a somewhat defeated and demoralized pastor, thinking I was up against an insurmountable foe. Not at all. He heard and heeded God’s call in the nick of time.

In Matthew 20, Jesus gives us a snapshot of God’s Kingdom by telling a story about men looking for work, desperate to earn a day’s wage to provide for their families—food for the table, and a roof over their heads.

Some workmen are chosen immediately, while others must wait anxiously for the master’s nod to get them into the fields to earn just anything. Even at the last moment, the final minutes of daylight, the remaining workers hit the fields for pay. How much do they earn? Some receive a full paycheck for a day’s work while others imagine they’re up a creek without a paddle. Running out of time. Can’t win for losing. Returning home with barely a penny in their pockets.

But not with this employer. He pays all the workers the same amount, whether they labor all day or only for a fraction. He’s like God who loves giving to those who deserve so little yet receive so much.

Jesus is generous. Open-handed. Big-hearted. For with the Lord, it’s not too late. To repent. To turn to Him. To accept the gift of His only Son, who will turn your life around. Making you heaven-bound. Even for a Johnny-come-lately who wants to be a real McCoy follower of Jesus.

Is it your time?

Lord Jesus, thank you for being patient with me. Amen.

Here in the United States, Thanksgiving Day is just around the corner. As Jesus’ followers, we know how thankful we should be. But are we? Am I? I will probably get a Thanksgiving grade of C minus. That’s passing but barely. Even though I’ve been a Christian for over 60 years, I still must remind myself to thank God for so much. That’s not super progress. You probably do much better. Or do you?

Reading through the entire Bible each year forces me (in a good way!) to pour over every verse. One or more of them often leaps off the page, grabbing hold and refusing to let go until I meditate on them, like the two verses referenced in today’s title. If you need encouragement (and who doesn’t?), reflect on them. They’re like tasty Thanksgiving Day food for the soul.

Psalm 32: 10–‘…but steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the Lord.’ And then Proverbs 29: 25–‘The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe.’ Can you imagine being surrounded, not by angry faces and voices, uncertain medical issues, bitter family and friends, nail-biting financial woes, or just about anything else that’s plain awful; but, rather, by being lovingly and securely hedged in by our protective God, ‘safe and secure from all alarms’ as the old hymn reassures?

I tend to focus too much energy on fears. Rather, I should concentrate on those two verses from God’s Word, where His love surrounds me as I trust Him. Not trapped by this world’s winter storms but buttoned up in a warm coat by Jesus’ hands, protected from life’s biting cold winds. Then the worst day you’ll ever have in this life is the worst you’ll ever have, period.

So, grow a bountiful crop of faith. Weed out fears. Ask the Holy Spirit’s help. Jesus said that when we do, He gives us even more blessings than we’ve asked for. Really? Take a look at Luke 11:5-13. See?

So, enjoy a harvest of faith and trust in Jesus. He’ll never fail us or let us down. Which reminds me—have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Thank you, Lord Jesus, for all your love and care. Amen.

As far back as I can remember, I’ve lived with the feeling that at any moment the other shoe will drop…right on my old noggin. A straight shot. On target. With accompanying pain and suffering. Where does this come from? I’ve got a few ideas.

But shouldn’t a believer have freedom from the dreads that I feel? What’s wrong with me that Jesus seems unable to cure?

But when the fog lifts a bit, I see that God is so good to me. Just me? What do you say? After all, you carry your own extra baggage. Whether medical issues, family disintegration, financial hot water, political faceoffs and blowups, or the double troubles that plague you. So, can you say that God is good, and mean it?

Despite too many reasons why He should bid me a not-so-fond farewell, God hangs around, never letting go, never giving up. He floods my heart with love, happily forgiving, whether I feel He has or not, while joyfully being mine forever, knowing full well what a roller-coaster faith I often ride on.

Can you get the courage to say that God is good even when your house of cards collapses? Especially then. Then it’s time to pull out a fragment of one verse from Psalm 32 and hang on to your Lord–‘…but steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the Lord’ (v. 10).

‘Steadfast love’ in biblical Hebrew is the word ‘chesed’. It’s a big word in your Old Testament. ‘Chesed’ almost defies definition when moving from Hebrew to English. Here’s one I read from Michael Card’s book ‘Inexpressible’– it’s when someone from whom you expect nothing turns around and gives you everything. Say that again. Expect nothing. Receive everything. That’s God’s love. ‘Chesed’. Told you it was a biggie!

When you feel like God is about to let go of you, remember that His love never will. When troubles box you in, remind yourself that nothing can keep out God’s surrounding love. You become gratefully hemmed in by His goodness. Protected by His giving heart. Blessed beyond measure. Deserving none yet receiving all His goodness and love. ‘Chesed’.

I can’t tell you how much this verse has helped me. Actually, I have! Why not trust the Lord with whatever rudely disrupts your day? Try it. You’ll like it. ‘It’s the truth. It’s actual. Everything is satisfactual’. God’s ‘chesed’ is much more than any ‘Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah!’ we come face to face with.

After all, Jesus is always with us. Always. ‘…his steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the Lord.’

Thank you, Lord Jesus, for all your promises made and kept. Amen.

Over the years, I’ve studied many languages and enjoy adding more to my linguistic repertoire. However, I’m far from proficient; and, with most, far less than fluent. From Spanish to German to Hebrew to Greek to Russian to French and Italian, I can smell the coffee with a sprinkling of some while master of none!

But my wife speaks a language that I know nothing about. Sue is a master artisan. In fiber art and needlework, she’s in a class all her own. She writes and publishes her own knitting patterns. I share none of that ability except in appreciation of all the gifts the Lord has given her.

That special language she uses in her published patterns interests me today. I’m looking at strange symbols on a grid. Stitches or a combination of them with her directions on how many to use, and their kind. Knit and purl (yes, that is the correct spelling, oh thou nitpicker!) stitches that can be reversed or manipulated. Lest we forget those yarnovers. What? See what I mean about a language unknown to me?

In Acts chapter 2, we encounter something similar. Uncertain languages become understandable by the gift of God the Holy Spirit. Languages unfathomable now clear as a bell, offering meaning and comprehension. A miracle sourced from God.

Here in Acts, we enter the Feast of Pentecost, a festival in the Jewish calendar to thank the Lord for a successful grain harvest. Through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, a crop of diverse and sundry languages produces a harvest of understanding. God’s people get the point, catch on, know what’s what, and have that ‘aha’ moment.

In the Gospel of John, hear what Jesus promises–‘I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. All that the Father has is mine, therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you’ (John 16: 12-15). Comprende?

The Holy Spirit helps fade the thick fog that sin rolls in, clearing up confusion over issues about which the Bible speaks plainly and unquestionably, like how to receive forgiveness through Jesus Christ. Moreover, miraculously, we can understand much of what previously seemed like a foreign language. He’ll grant it if we seek Him.

And you’ll notice that when you’re with another Christian, with whom you have little in common, you’re suddenly in sync, communicating, hearing, and listening to each other. You’re family in the very best sense of the word.

Knit together by God Himself.

Lord Jesus, thank you for giving me the Holy Spirit. Help me to hear and understand your will for me today. Amen.

My brother gave me two audio CDs of the great Italian tenor Enrico Caruso. The original recordings were made between 1902 and 1920 with the newest soundtrack over 100 years old. My Grandfather Fischer was a great fan of the maestro Caruso. How can these primitive recordings be any good? The plastic case they’re kept in says they’ve been newly remastered. Background noise is muffled, clearing up scratchy sounds and producing amazing quality after removing old technology imperfections.

That’s similar to what happens when we put our faith and trust in Jesus Christ for all He’s done on the Cross for us. When we want to be His. No more fence-straddling. Now in Christ. As St. Paul says–‘…if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God… (5: 17-18). In Christ, something unaccustomed and wonderfully strange happens within us. Somewhat unexplainable yet we sense its source. We’re now ‘in Christ’.

I remember listening to Billy Graham on the radio over 60 years ago. Yes, we had radio! Even TV! I’m unsure what the evangelist’s exact words were, but whatever they were they hit home. I remember that when he asked if someone listening wanted God in their lives, to experience Jesus’ love and forgiveness, my heart skipped a beat or two, and my hand shot up in the air, so to speak. I signed on the dotted line that Sunday evening. Jesus accepted me and He’s never let me go, even though I’ve given Him too many reasons why He should have. He still holds me in the palm of His hand.

The newness Jesus implants in us is a growing experience. Baby steps start us out. It takes time. In my case, two steps forward, one back. Nevertheless, I’m trending His way more and more. Don’t be too hard on yourself when you sense the old raising its ugly head more than you’d like. This happens even when we have the best of intentions. But whatever sin grabs us, get right back with your Lord. ‘Fess up. Ask His forgiveness which He’s more willing to give than we are to ask. You’re new in Christ. Live like that for a change.

What’s happening? We’re being remastered by the Master!

Thank you, Jesus, for a new life in you. Amen.