I’m enjoying riding my bicycle on our favorite New Jersey seashore town’s 4-mile-long boardwalk when a flock of noisy seagulls flies directly overhead. Obviously, they’ve had a rather ample breakfast and are in need of you-know-what, which lands right on the back of my jacket with a noticeable plop. Great start to my day! Thanks, rude and crude fine feathered friends!

Later that day, my wife and I attend an annual festival celebrating I forget what. Who knows? All I did know was that one of my favorite TV comedians from way back when would be there in person. Soupy Sales! But recently the poor guy has suffered a terrible stroke and obviously is having a hard time with it all.

One of Soupy’s television schticks was a pie in the face. So, we were given pies filled with shaving creme to shove in each other’s faces. Such fun except when the lady next to me, before the okay is given, turns and grinds her pie directly in my left ear and then smooshes it some more.

I hate and fear a clogged ear. Always have. Produces a panic attack. And I had one that day. A big one that my wife helps me get out of by using a hairdryer to melt the shaving stuff while offering to play a card game to calm me down only to beat me unmercifully. That helped! It was one of those days.

But all that silly stuff of mine is nothing, even less than nothing if that’s possible, in comparison with what Jesus experiences on what turns out to be His last day. Think of all that He goes through. As in the failure of His closest friends and followers. He only has twelve. One sells Him for a lowball price, becoming a traitor of the worst kind.

Then Simon Peter, the main apostle, hovering at the outskirts of one of Jesus’ trials, when confronted claims he never knew this man Jesus. Hasn’t a clue who they’re talking about. Feeling cornered, he curses a blue streak with further denials. With friends like this, well, you know.

The rest of those twelve? They high-tail it out of Dodge. Run for their lives. When Jesus needs them the most, they’re not to be found. Oh, yes, the Apostle John and some others mosey on back, hanging out in the shadows, hoping the spotlight ignores them. Only the women stay faithful to their Lord. And they’re only a handful.

The day continues with some unsuspecting pilgrim from North Africa being commandeered to carry Jesus’ cross. Then a thief, a convicted crook, exhibits faith at the very last second. A Roman centurion, a Gentile, who guards Jesus’ crucifixion site, exclaims that this man is much more than that. He’s the Son of God. A few members of the high mucky-muck religious leadership, the Sanhedrin, ask for Jesus’ body so they can bury Him in a nearby tomb.

Quite a day Jesus has. But it becomes a day when all the tables will be turned from death to life. Like no other, it’s a day that ushers in the end of darkness and death. Where light and life will shine forever. It’s the Day of our Lord Jesus Christ! His day for you and me. Shouldn’t that thought make us more grateful to our Lord? Give thanksgiving to Jesus? All week long?

Seagulls, clogged ears, and faithless followers won’t have the last say. Hear what the angel says–‘…Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen, he is not here…’ (Mark 16: 6).

Lord Jesus, thank you for being my risen Savior forever. Amen.

Did today’s title get your attention? Hope so for I’m revealing all you’ll need to know about the no ifs, ands, or buts, ironclad, and no fine print timing of Jesus’ second coming. Even promising money-back if I’m off by a day or two. Charts and booklets I’m selling at exorbitantly inflated prices with enormous profits for myself. What a guy. All heart…and dough!

Actually, I can’t remember a time when I was drawn to those prognosticators who know all about the how, when, where, and who of end-times predictions. I’m skeptical. Rarely convinced.

Such culmination highbrows have a thing about knowing it all and having the right answers as big-shots who get their jollies through one-upmanship. Neener, neener, neener– I know more than you poor swine out there in the peanut gallery!

So, I’ll stick with what Jesus has to say. He might have a clue or two as to His own second coming. Might He? Duh! The Gospel writer Mark records what Jesus teaches in chapter 13. Basically, it’s four words of good advice. Only four? That’s right. And remember, don’t forget!

First of all, don’t be overcome with fear at the state of this crazy world (v. 6-8). Lots of false messiahs and political magicians will offer cures for society’s ills. Wars and upheavals, even in nature, will be par for the course. There’s really nothing new under the sun. So, get a grip. Hold your Savior’s hands.

Second, don’t let persecution break your trust in Jesus (v. 9-10). The time is coming (and for much of the world, it’s been here for quite a while) when we’ll lose jobs, money, family, friends, and even our lives because of our relationship with Jesus and the teachings of God’s Word in the Bible. You know what I mean. So, don’t give in, Jesus says. This will happen with increasing ferocity before He returns to straighten out everyone and everything once and for all. I can hardly wait.

Third, don’t worry about being tongue-tied when questioned about your faith (v. 11). Be yourself and God’s Holy Spirit will be right there with you, filling your mind and heart with what you want to say. Be kind. Clear and definite. Try not to be intimidated or likewise to hit someone else over the head if they disagree with you. Remember who’s by your side. God’s Helper, the Holy Spirit. Can’t get any better than that!

Finally, hang in there with Jesus. Can get really dicey, even with our families (vs. 12-13), because of Jesus and what the Bible teaches. We know what that’s like and how it feels. Our backs get slammed against the wall. No one seems to care or love us. Only Jesus. Only our Savior. He will. Who needs more than Him?

When is the end coming? I know exactly when and even can guarantee it. When God the Father says so. Jesus will arrive right on time. Not a day or millenia late. It will be something to behold if you are in the family of God. If not? All hell will break loose and the unimaginable will commence. Not for believers. Not ever. That I can guarantee. For Jesus said–‘In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world’ (John 16:33).

So, come over and get real close to the Overcomer!

Thank you, Jesus, for your promises of goodness and life to me. Amen.

Why do I make living for Jesus so complicated? Do this…don’t do that. Say this…don’t say that. I get tangled up in brambles and briers of my own making. Guilt from my past rears its ugly head more often than I’d like. After all, Jesus has bothered to sacrifice His life in order to forgive my sins. Hanging on to old useless junk seems ungrateful. Like kicking dust in Jesus’ face, marking ‘return to sender’ for the best gift anyone has ever given me. Not smart. Way too many flies in the ointment of my faith.

Looking for some help, I run across Mark 9. There I stop for a moment. Something in this story shouts ‘pay attention’. Is the Lord speaking to me? In a still, small voice? You think?

Here’s what grabs me. One day Jesus’ disciples are confronted by a father and son. The boy suffers from convulsions. An evil spirit tosses him to the ground. Foam appears on his lips. A demon casts him into flames of fire, and then into a pool of water trying to drown him. What father wouldn’t want to find any help from any source anywhere? Desperate he turns to Jesus’ followers. For help and healing. But the apostles prove inept and useless.

Jesus is not a happy camper, hearing about His followers’ limp dishrag efforts. He tells them to bring the boy to Him. The father shares his son’s story, asking Jesus to help if He can. If He can? If? Jesus then says that everything is possible with God. That’s when the father admits this–‘I believe; help my unbelief!’

I can have said much the same. To be honest, I need my faith to grow more. This father openly displays his honesty and humility. That his faith needs more oomph and resilience. He wants to trust Jesus but fears disappointment. ‘I believe; help my unbelief!’ He’s not alone with that confession.

Throughout this story, two elements surface that make for a Christian life. A couple of basics. To untangle twisted-up faith. First, obviously involves a relationship with Jesus. More than mouthing some words, it’s coming to Him, believing Him. Okay, like that father, we’re not perfect. Our faith needs beefing up. A mustard seed-sized faith will do. At least for starters. Baby steps lead to walking and then running with your Lord. But start where you are.

Faith in Jesus means trusting Him even when we’re not sure that we should or can. A conscious choice to be His. Position Him first and foremost, and then put Him back up there when we’ve allowed other things to give Him the old heave-ho. Be quick about this. Don’t dawdle. Your faith will mature and grow the more you put Him first. Three steps forward, one back. One forward, two back. But remember, the trend is your friend as your faith will grow. Be patient, even with yourself. Again, your faith in Jesus will grow.

Then there’s prayer. I don’t have a set formula. Or some magic incantation that opens heaven’s ears and arms. A skeleton key that unlocks all the blessings we think we can’t live without. No. Prayer is simply sitting at Jesus’ feet and telling Him all that’s on your heart and mind. All of it. With your Lord. Talking with Him. And listening to Him in your Bible. Thinking of Him and His ways more often than not. Unable to wait to be with Him. A passion, if you will. A want-to that’s much more than a have-to. You know the difference. Don’t you?

Following Jesus is not some Rube Goldberg contraption, a brand-new high-tech unfathomable gadget, or an old can of worms impossible to open. Just follow. Stop playing games. Mean it. The purpose of our lives? Here’s a thought–‘The chief end of man is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever’ (from the Westminster Shorter Catechism).

Hey, even I can put my head around that wisdom! Two requirements. Worship and enjoyment…of our God. Now and forever. That says it all!

Thank you, Jesus, for being the love of my life. Amen.

I’m not going to sing Elvis’ song ‘I’m All Shook Up’. You’d get exactly that if I did. Shook up, that is. What happens to me when I get into a tizzy? As wheels fall off my wagon? Can’t see the forest or the trees? What then? I get all shook up.

But not Daniel. This Old Testament character shines with great strength and devotion. He’s been faithfully serving one pagan king after another while being forcibly evicted and exiled from home, family, and country decades ago, Still, he labors on with eye and heart firmly focused on Jerusalem and his Lord God. Never wavering. Always dyed in the wool. True blue.

I want to be a Daniel. You too? I doubt he ever sang Elvis’ lyrics that go like this–‘…my hands are shaking and my knees are weak…’ May not have sung them, but he sure felt them. All through chapter 9, Daniel owns up to his people’s sins. How they’ve reneged on their promises to God. Cast the Ten Commandments to the ground, stomping all over them. Brazenly rejecting God at the drop of a hat and the first sign of trouble.

How to be like Daniel? Beyond a shadow of a doubt, rely on God’s love for you if you trust Jesus as your Lord and Savior. An angel comes to Daniel’s side when he’s all shook up–“…a hand touched me and set me trembling on my hands and knees. And he said to me, ‘O Daniel, man greatly loved, understand the words that I speak to you, and stand upright, for now I have been sent to you.’ And when he had spoken this word to me, I stood up trembling…” (Dan. 10:11). Even while all shook up, Daniel hears words that he hungers for–‘…man greatly loved…’ Jesus says those words to you and me as well.

Something else? To be like Daniel? At the beginning of chapter 9, we find him combing through his Bible. He’s searching the book of Jeremiah for insight and understanding of his world that’s being all shook up. Good idea. We should, too. That is to dig deeper into our Bibles. Be a Daniel. Like a treasure hunter on the search for untold riches, cherish your Bible. Valuable gems and jewels can be found from cover to cover. Find out for yourself.

Like Daniel, draw close to Jesus telling Him all that’s on your heart and mind. Daniel 9: 3-4–‘Then I turned my face to the Lord God, seeking him by prayer and pleas for mercy with fasting and sackcloth and ashes. I prayed to the Lord my God and made confession…’ Open up to God, letting it all out with Him. Like He doesn’t already know? Tell Him. That’s what He wants.

There it is. Some guidance from Daniel, our role-model of long ago; when, you and I, here and now, get all shook up. Look gratefully at the wedding ring of committed love that Jesus gives you. Make your Bible your best friend forever. Be more about prayer than panic.

Then we won’t get all shook up! Not as much as usual. Not if we’re like Daniel.

For your strength, O Lord, we pray this day. In Jesus’ name.. Amen.

Our garden soil is becoming more fertile and lush as we add compost to it. Compost develops its ambrosial richness using common toss-outs like kitchen scraps, coffee grounds, and grass clippings. Yum stuff, right? Not to us but to our garden beds. Tons of wriggling worms within the compost do their duty, so to speak, adding even more oomph to our patch.

Jesus talks about being good soil. Mark 4 recounts this well-known story. You’re aware that the seed is God’s Word, which can be found in your Bible. When taken to heart and acted upon, it helps you to root, grow, and be productive for Jesus. Nothing better anywhere.

But here’s the rub. Good soil consistency often lacks just that, consistency! When it comes to Bible reading, study, and meditation, we can be rather hit-and-miss, lukewarm, and lackadaisical. Fairweather followers. When we have extra time if there is any. And if we feel like it. Then and only then. Inconsistent.

What about Jesus’ story? Here goes. Some seed gets tossed on hard ground, which becomes food for hungry birds. A faith that’s here today, gone tomorrow. No roots, no depth, nothing.

Other seed is scattered where too little topsoil exists and hardly takes root. Shallow believers who bolt the family of God at the first sign of trouble. Now you have faith, then you don’t. Fence-straddlers who also fall off Humpty-Dumpty’s wall.

Then there’s soil filled with weeds, brambles, and thornbushes which choke out the good plants. Who is Jesus referring to here? Those who focus on their problems more than God’s provision and promises. Who run to anxiety more than to the Lord.

Finally, the good soil, which is clear of weeds and protected from predatory birds, contains deep, vigorous, and nutrient-rich soil. Those who thrive in their relationship with Jesus. Who live for God and others along with themselves. Who let the seed of God’s Word work its wonders in their lives. Good soil. Productive followers.

Which soil are you in? How receptive are you to God’s Word? How much daily time does your Bible garner? Many probably fall into the overflowing with distractions category. Shallow soil. Dominated by ever-present cell phones. Too much time in front of glowing screens with fingers flying all over a keyboard. Shouldn’t surprise us that God’s Word remains razor-thin in our hearts and minds. And we know if that’s happening, don’t we? Jesus’ impact evaporates lickety-split.

I’m often in the smothered and clogged-up group. Worry-warts anonymous. My thoughts embrace fear and panic way too often. Old troubles refuse to leave the theater’s front-row seats even after they’ve been tossed out years ago. Keep them out, I say to myself, only to recall and massage some long-gone rotten word said to me by some know-it-all meany. Inconsistent me. Fouled soil. Unproductive.

Still, I want to be God’s good soil. His good earth. Where His ways find nourishment and growth in my life and heart. Not just here and there, when there’s nothing better to do, but much more often than that. Always? Not in this life, with the spirit willing but the flesh weak as can be.

What of those worm casings? Their droppings in the compost? I think that’s how we can use failure. Mixing and folding in what we’ve learned from our sins so that we become more compassionate and helpful. Let alone forgiven by God. This compost, combined with our flops and foul-ups, produces super-rich soil for Jesus. As St. Paul says, ‘all things work together for good for those who love God…’ (Rom. 8: 28). ‘All things…’ Let the Lord work those shameful things in our lives to make richer soil than we ever could produce all on our own.

How about it? Want to be God’s good soil? That’s my prayer. You too?

Lord Jesus, I need you in all my life. Amen.

Hold delicately to the certainty you feel about the specifics of God’s will. Many of His desires we know. All that’s necessary, to live as Jesus wants us to, is given. We need nothing more to shine for Him and to know His presence than what’s told to us in the Bible.

Forget hidden puzzles, mysteries, and codes, which demand more from God than He’s willing to share–‘The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law’ (Deut. 29: 29).

It’s God’s prerogative to hold His cards close to His chest if He so chooses. To maintain His veil of secrecy where and when He wants. But think what He’s already divulged. The Bible from cover to cover unveils God’s will. An open book for all who choose to dive right in and enjoy the water of life. Refreshment starts in Genesis with waves cascading to its fulfillment in the book of Revelation. Come on in. The water’s fine. Even for those of us who can’t swim.

I’m skeptical of preachers who give, usually at a price, dates and times of future events. They’ve been wrong so often that it’s not funny. To me, they seem more like fortune tellers with horoscopes and Ouiji boards, all couched in spiritual lingo, and less like Bible teachers. Every detail of Christ’s second coming is laid out on a massive chart to wonder at. I wonder, alright! But not in the way they want me to. So, I grab tightly onto my Bible while holding them at arm’s length.

1 Samuel 24 deals with knowing God’s will. For sure. With certainty. Beyond a shadow of a doubt. Except that it wasn’t what the Lord wanted. Not in the least. In 1 Samuel 24, David has a chance to rid himself of his archenemy, King Saul– ”And the men of David said to him, ‘Here is the day of which the Lord said to you, ‘Behold, I will give your enemy into your hand, and you shall do to him as it shall seem good to you'” (vs. 4). David’s men smell enemy blood as God’s gift to them. His will for sure. But is it?

Not quite. David responds–‘The Lord forbid that I should do this thing to my lord, the Lord’s anointed, to put out my hand against him, seeing he is the Lord’s anointed’ (1 Sam. 24: 6). David sets them straight about God’s will in this case. He follows what he already knows from the Lord.

So, be careful thinking that you know exactly what the Lord wants when you haven’t found it in the Bible. Be humble. Not presumptuous or a know-it-all, showing off how much you think you know.

That’s why we make God’s Word our constant companion. He’ll point the way. Travels right beside you no matter what. Just be aware of the boundaries and where to settle for not knowing. It’s okay to be tentative at times. To not have a clue or an opinion. Where we just don’t know.

So trust your God. Place whatever in His strong hands. Hold your head high and smell the roses. Have faith in Jesus. Count on Him. Bank on His reliability. Especially with the unknown. Let’s give it a good try. Shall we?

Lord Jesus, you are my constant companion and I love you. Amen.

Before I sold my financial planning business, I had over 850 clients. Quite a number to take care of. But I loved doing just that. Helping them achieve their financial goals while overcoming frustrations and concerns. Felt like a pastor, giving oversight to people who had put their trust in me. A responsibility I willingly accepted.

As with a lawyer who represents clients. Doing for others what they can’t do for themselves. When a neighbor sues us over a property issue, it’s to an attorney we reach out to for help. Felt reassuring knowing that there was someone watching out for our best interests. Speaking up for us. Our advocate.

Which is who the Holy Spirit is to believers. We’re His clients. He watches over us and speaks on our behalf. Romans 8: 26-27–‘Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.’

When we don’t know what to say or what to do, the Holy Spirit is there with God the Father, speaking on our behalf. Our advocate and champion. He knows God’s will. He knows what we need better than we do. He knows how to utter the right words. We’re all tongue-tied but not the Holy Spirit. He’s right on the money all the time so we don’t have to worry about what to say. Forget it. The Holy Spirit’s got it. Leave it to Him (I’m speaking to myself). He knows.

It should put our minds at rest knowing that God has it well taken care of. Handled with love. So, relax already. Trust the almighty trustworthy One. Let Him work the late hours and burn the midnight oil in our defense. All ‘pro bono’. I’m sure He’s heard it all before and defended tougher cases than anything we can give Him. Let go and let God, as they say.

As the Holy Spirit’s client, I can begin to enjoy life. Freed up. Off the hook. Burdens are lifted at Calvary, as the old hymn rightly says. Just what Jesus promises–‘…I came that they may have life and have it abundantly’ (John 10:10).

For life in its fullness, Lord Jesus, we thank you. Amen.

Oh, were those workmen red hot angry with little old me that day. Why? Well, innocently I’m riding my bicycle back home from Millburn Junior High School, safely traversing sidewalks, down the hill right past some shops on Main Street, without a care in the world, free as a bird in flight. And clueless.

Until I hear some rather nasty words hurled my way along with a hand gesture of a rather foul sort. What did I do to deserve this? As I stop my bike at the corner light, and look back at where I’d just come from, to where those fuming workmen stand rather threateningly, it’s there I note a continuous tire mark in the cement from the top of the hill to where I’m now standing. Head in the clouds, not over fantastic grades I can assure you, I’ve ridden through a relatively long stretch of wet cement! That cement hadn’t had time to harden. Not yet. Especially with my help.

This experience reminds me that my Christian life needs time to set, mature, and cure. Immaturity happens early on but hopefully doesn’t last a lifetime.

Our faith and trust in Jesus need time to harden. To settle down and grow up. Both feet firmly in. Stop fence-straddling and take your stand with Jesus. Be all in with the truths of God’s Word. No more fudging. Hemming and hawing flirting with modern culture just to fit in. Blossom. Settled with who is your Lord and God. Like cured cement.

It’s quite a stretch for me to seek what God wants. Why does it take me so long to stop in my tracks and ask Jesus for His guidance and help, and then wait on Him? And see what happens? As I said, it’s taken me a while, and I’m still in Jesus’ Kindergarten class. Sadly, not the head of it. I may have to be held back.

Hebrews 6: 1–‘Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity…’ Grow up. Be an adult believer. How? If you’re a follower of Jesus, then you know where you need to mature. To improve. Be honest. No one will hear you; except, well, you know who?

How about me? I need to focus less on my problems and more on God’s promises. Get the Bible into my head, so to speak. Less negative self-talk and more positive God-speak. Stop allowing Satan to man the phones. Push him aside giving my internal microphone to Jesus for a change. That’s one area where I need to grow up as a believer. There are others. But at least get off your duff. Start, already. And watch where you’re going.

Thank you, Jesus, for being patient with me. Amen.