Author Archives: revjaf

I WONDER WHAT PLEASES HIM? Psalm 147

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I can think of umpteen things that God can do to please me.  How about answering all my daily prayers?  Every single one.  And there’s a ton of them.  Or adding more days to my life despite potential cancer issues?  Or more income to overcome the larger outflows from today’s inflated cost of living?  Or more caring neighbors?  I could go on and on.  How about it, God?

Two verses in Psalm 147 grab me by the collar, wake me up, and give me pause.  All at the same time!  Psalm 147: 10-11–‘His delight is not in the strength of the horse, nor his pleasure in the legs of a man, but the Lord takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his steadfast love.’  Maybe it’s time to move away from what hits my bull’s eye and think more about what hits the spot for the Lord.  No maybe about it.

The psalmist unveils what pleases God.  It’s not in horsepower, so to speak.  Or in material possessions.  Not in Olympic champions.  Or how alluring we are.  Or how much moolah we’ve invested.  Or where we’ve traveled to.  So sorry.  Have I stepped on a few toes?  Mine included?

Again I ask, what pleases God?  It’s simple, but easily overlooked and rarely done.  The Lord takes great pleasure in those who love Him, respect and revere Him, who can’t wait to sit at the feet of Jesus for comfort and guidance, letting Him lead as we follow close behind.  Not a surfacey kind of religion.  As in going through the motions, saying certain pre-approved phrases over and over again.  Buying off God through monetary gifts.  None of the above.

Rather He loves it when we put all our eggs in His basket.  Rely on Jesus’ promises, despite what we see.  We know better than to distrust our Lord, don’t we?  So, throw your hat in His ring.  Decide not to lose hope no matter what.  I know that’s hard as nails.  I’m no perfect example.  However, haven’t met anyone else who is either.  Still, I want to be His loyal, faithful follower.  That’s what pleases God.  That’s simple, isn’t it?

To be true blue, dyed in the wool, old-fashioned devoted, despite all the stuff that life throws at us.  That’s what He wants from us.   I know that it’s easier said than done.  This is where the rubber hits the road, spiritually.  Not being fair-weather Christians.  On sunny days only.  When I can benefit, wangling and getting my way in whatever way works for me, I, and myself.  An unpleasing trinity.

No.  Au contraire.  Both feet in…for Jesus.  No turning back.  Honed in on following the leader.  Eyes firmly focused on the Bible, avoiding whims even of modernistic church and state.

Ready?  For what?  To hang in there with the One who hung on a tree to make us His own.  Who paid the price none of us ever could.  Who gave His all.  So how could we give Him anything less?  Why not please Him for a change?  Why not?

Lord Jesus, we love you and put our all in your hands.  Amen.

STEADY EDDIE? 2 Peter 3

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Such a smart aleck, confident without reason, standing up on a folding ladder to spray some nasty bugs which we don’t want or need outside our home.  My wife cautions me to make sure the four legs are well-positioned and secure.  Of course, I will.  What does she think I am?  No comments, please!  You know.  You know.  One leg gets lodged off-center on a piece of cement, and another is angled poorly between some rocks, which must have come from my head.

Yes, wisenheimer, you’re right, of course!  Down I go!  Like a ton of bricks.  With ribs crashing against that unforgiving metal ladder.  The shock was instantaneous.  The pain is searing.  Things broken?  Fortunately not.  But a humungous monster bruise develops that looks more like some ugly abstract artwork.  Tenderness lasts for months with access to that ladder forbidden by you-know-who from here on out.  Steady Eddie, I’m not!

The Apostle Peter warns us that this world wants to put us off guard.  Unsteady us, spiritually.  Wobbly while placing us out on a limb–‘…take care that you are not carried away with the error of lawless people and lose your own stability’ (2 Peter 3:17).

Our culture bullies believers with almost any kind of sin they can think of.  Unfortunately, we’re vulnerable to their siren songs.  Are we much different from the ungodly?  Honestly?  Being different isn’t the be-all and end-all.  How about fitting in and being liked?  That’s a horse of a different color.  Getting ahead of the Joneses?  That green-eyed jealous monster?  Who doesn’t struggle with these temptations?

So what does Peter recommend to help keep us solidly on our feet, spiritually speaking?  Read on–‘ But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  To him be glory…’ (2 Peter 3:18).  It’s simple.  Keep growing.  Not my waistline or our investment portfolio.  No.  But something far more important.  Grow in Jesus.  In His grace.  In His love, kindness, and caring.  His forgiveness.  And much more.

That’s what Peter recommends.  But how?  It’s as obvious as the ample nose on my face.  In His Word.  Your Bible.  In fellowship with other believers.  Sharing Him with others.  Giving and supporting mission work, whichever ones move your heart.

All this grows our knowledge of Jesus, which is how we stand up tall and straight, secure and steady.  Actually, nothing else seems to work.  I’ve tried a few.  They don’t.  Period.

Lord Jesus, we want to be faithful forever.  In your name and for your sake.  Amen.

TAKE THOSE SUPPLEMENTS! 2 Peter 1

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After surgery, I’m restricted to an all-liquid diet.  Not a lot of fun, but survivable for a day or two.  That’s all that’s needed before soft foods arrive.  What the nutritionist makes crystal clear is that I have to supplement my diet with plenty of water.  Good old H2O.  Then add some of this and that to increase calories and even some bulk, which I’ve been blessed with since early childhood, so to speak!

Spiritually, when we’re new believers, we need an all-liquid diet.  Bible verses that tell us of Jesus’ love and salvation.  His forgiveness and kindness.  Not heavy-duty theology as in the timing of the fall of Satan and his cohort angel band, or that free will versus the elect business.  No.  But more time in the Psalms and the Gospel of John.  For a while avoiding Leviticus and Ezekiel.

But, as we grow in our relationship with Jesus, we add supplements to our spiritual diet.  Dig deeper.  Take on the tough stuff.  Placing faith, not only in what our mind’s comprehend, but also in how we live.  Reading 2 Peter 1: 5-8 we discover a cornucopia of tasty morsels.  As in building character adding these supplements–faith and virtue, knowledge and self-control, steadfastness and godliness, kindness and love.  Grab hold, and you’ll be maturing in the best possible ways.

The only problem for me is that I either forget about them or, even worse, ignore them.  Laziness leads with old habits becoming harder to break, masking God’s best medicine.  Know what I mean?

Imagine if I genuinely concentrate on adding godly virtues to my personality.  Not to be holier than thou.  Or better than thou.  But to be more honorable and honest, considerate and gentle.  More reliable and dependable.  A man of my word.  Loving and forgiving.  All just as the Lord desires for me.  And you.   Helping us grow more in our love for Jesus and others.  That’s more like it.

This week I’m going to zero in on those supplements.  To put them into practice.  See if I’m making any progress.  Or if I’m falling down on the job in this area or that.  For me, probably some of both on a good day.  How about you?  Maybe someday we’ll enjoy sharing three square meals with Jesus.  No more liquid diets.  Nothing salt-free.  With those supplements becoming part and parcel of exactly who we are.  Most of the time, at least!

While you’re at it, please pass the patience!

Thank you, Jesus, that we can grow in our love for you.  Amen.

HE’S NOT DONE YET Psalm 138

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It goads me that I fall miserably short of God’s ideal.  Of all that He wants me to be.  Not even close.  It bothers me.  Shouldn’t it?

I’m humbled, even taken to the cleaners, comparing myself with classmates from my Bible college days.  I graduated 2nd in my class.  No, not of three, wise guy!, but of a couple hundred.   At alumni gatherings over the years, I hear what they’ve done for the Lord– faithful pastors and missionaries, Bible teachers, and more.  Very moving.  I wish I could disappear, right out the back door.   When it’s my turn to share, I melt into the woodwork.

Reading Psalm 138, I take my eyes off myself and place them where they should be…on the Lord.  Might help you to do the same?  The opening verse praises God with the psalmist’s whole heart.  He means business.  Don’t you want to be His next-door neighbor?  On the best of terms?  Genuinely so?  I do.  Verse 2 highlights the Lord’s steadfast love and faithfulness.  God’s character displays His generosity and kindness.  He yearns for us to be as close as close can be.  Really?

His devotion, unswerving and dogged, means that Jesus will never wash His hands of us.  When we’re His, we’re His.  So, when we mess up (as I do regularly), get back on track with Him, as soon as possible.  As in ‘fessing up, getting it off your chest, telling Jesus all about it.  Like He doesn’t already know?  But He wants to hear it from your lips.  Come clean and you’ll be just that.  Clean and neat as a button.

It’s that last verse that captures my attention.  Psalm 138: 8–‘The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever.  Do not forsake the work of your hands.’  God’s not finished with us.  As long as we’re breathing, we can grow and mature.  To become more like Jesus.  Fulfilling His plans for us.  Doing what He wants us to do.  He’s not done yet.

Knowing that motivates me to keep busy for Him.  Not for brownie points.  Or bragging rights.  Not to shine brighter than others at our next Bible school alumni gathering.  No.  Why then?  You know.  To show my love for Jesus, putting worship into action.  For Him.  For others.  For a change.

Lord Jesus, to be busy for you is such joy and privilege.  Amen.

THE CHECK IS IN THE MAIL! 1 Peter 1: 3-12

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I can’t believe it– an inheritance is coming my way.  From whom?  What does it matter as long as the check is in the mail.  Sadly, I’m kidding.  But I do remember someone promised an inheritance only to find out that the deceased had spent it all on a remodeled kitchen.  Can a claim be made on the refrigerator, toaster, and upgraded cabinets?

The Apostle Peter promises an inheritance, one which comes directly from the Lord to His own.  That’s to any who repent of sin and welcome Jesus into their lives.  I’m not being simplistic, but that’s what happened to me years ago.  Hear of Jesus’ love and respond ‘yes’ to His offer of a new life.  Nothing complicated or requiring some theological final exam to cram for.  That starts my Christian life, which rolls with the punches, stays the course with fits and starts, and hangs in there going backward and then forward.  Not a straight line, but the trend is my friend.

1 Peter 1:3-4–‘…he has caused us to be born again to a living hope…to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you…’   Okay, it’s not money.  Sorry.  But the old green stuff has a way of doing a vanishing act.  Note recent stock market rollercoaster gyrations.  Better not to put your trust there.  In the perishable.

But our salvation, given us by the Lord Jesus?  As St. Peter says, it’s imperishable.  Held secure.  That check is not just in the mail, but already has been deposited into your account with the Bank of Heaven.  Nothing polluted, toxic, or mucked up about it.  It’s not from illegal or immoral sources.  Salvation remains ‘undefiled’.  Pure and clean, neat as a button, in apple-pie order.

Actually, I do have an inheritance from a friend.  It’s a personal, handwritten letter mailed from C.S. Lewis.  It hangs on my office wall.  Written from Magdalene College, Cambridge University, England on May 21, 1959.  I’ve framed the letter and the envelope, both in C. S. Lewis’ handwriting.  It’s a cherished gift from a dear friend.  But I note some fading of the ink.  Not much.  Only a tad.  But I wonder how long what C. S. Lewis has written will be visible.  Not forever.

Our inheritance from the Lord?  Fear not.  ‘Imperishable’…’undefiled’…and ‘unfading’.   You can always bank on Jesus.  Always.

Thank you, Lord Jesus, for being totally dependable.  Amen.

HOME AWAY FROM HOME Psalm 119: 17-24

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Hazel tells me, her financial planner, that she and her home have roots and foundations deep down in her yard.  No way was she ever going to be forced out of her mobile home.  But in her 90s she had no choice but to be uprooted to a nursing home.  Was painful but necessary as it may be for us if blessed to live to a great age as Hazel did.

Somewhere within lurks the feeling that we’re not at home yet.  Uprooted.  Strangers in this life.  The joys of our early years often utterly vanish.  Kids grow up and move away.  Disputes happen that never heal.  Death claims our heartstrings.  Hearing diminishes.  Sight dims.  You name it and it’s on its way out the backdoor.

I hear a similar echo in Psalm 119: 19–‘I am a sojourner on the earth…’  A traveler and wanderer hanging out at life’s bus stop, not knowing that a labor strike has idled all transport.  Hoping to put down roots, fearing that they lie barely under the soil’s surface.

C. S. Lewis wrote in his book ‘Mere Christianity’ that we believers in Jesus have been parachuted behind enemy lines, landing in hostile territory, where we feel less than welcome.  For, in fact, we are.  There are numerous reasons for feeling left out in the cold.  Even locked out.  A primary one is that Satan has a bit of sway and swagger in this world.  Not forever.  Never for good.  But often for here and now.  Please don’t mention my own complicity.  Please!

No wonder we feel so out of place.  The old song says–‘This world is not my home.  I’m just a-passin’ through.  My treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue… And I can’t feel at home in this world anymore.’  Possibly you’re feeling a bit out of sorts.  Unwanted and uptight.  Displaced.

Maybe it’s because you’re not home yet.  There’s no maybe about it.  But someday, as the front door opens, Jesus will take you by the hand ushering you into the unimaginable, the unheard of, and what’s presently unseen.  And then we’ll know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that we’re home.

Finally, home sweet home!

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

CAN’T BE DUE TO MY AGE! Psalm 118

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I’ve noticed that I’m repeating some stories I’ve told over the years.  They must be in great demand.  Who wouldn’t want to hear them for the umpteenth time?  The problem is that I’ve forgotten that I’m regurgitating the same old, same old.  Can’t be due to my age, can it?  Please, don’t answer!

Do you know why I feel much better when reading Psalm 118?  Here’s why–certain phrases and words get repeated over and over.  We’re told that good teaching requires repetition.  If I hear something five times, it may stick in my craw.  Maybe.  Hopefully.  What was that again?!

Remember.  Cover the same ground.  It’s why Christmas, Easter, and Lent warrant our attention every year.  Like seasons keeping the rhythms of creation.  Refreshing our minds and hearts with familiar Bible stories.  Why is this important?  Are we that forgetful?  Frankly, yes.  Without reminders, we’d be clueless.  So, let’s hear from the Lord again…and again.  His familiarity will never breed contempt.  Quite the contrary.

Here are those words repeated four times in Psalm 118: 1-4–‘His steadfast love endures forever.’  The phrase ‘steadfast love’ in Hebrew is but one word.  It’s hard to translate into English.  But let’s give it a shot.  Basically, it means loyalty, faithfulness, promise-making, and -keeping; and, again, steadfast love.  Too good to be true?  Not for our God!

For a committed believer in Jesus, the gist of that one Hebrew word is worth repeating– ‘Jesus’ faithful love for me knows no end, ever.’  Say it over and over again.  All week long.  He’s ever faithful.  Always keeping any promise that He makes.  Loyal to the nth degree.  Say it again… ‘Jesus faithful love…’

Thank you, Jesus, for words to live by.  Amen.

HOPE Psalm 115

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It’s tempting to put yourself directly into a Bible passage that you’re reading.  Usually, that’s fine.  But sometimes, like that famous glove at the O.J. Simpson trial, it just doesn’t fit!  How about when Judas goes out and hangs himself when next you read this– ‘go and do likewise’.  No, don’t!  But in today’s psalm, I’m holding on tightly to a fragment of a verse.  It’s for me, personally.

Psalm 115: 13–‘…he will bless those who fear the Lord, both small and great.’  One word lifts my heart–  ‘small’.  As in those of us who don’t get much of the world’s attention, who leave a mark not quite matching the rich and famous.

The Lord levels the playing field.  Everyone can be blessed by God.  Everyone.  The small and the great.  Note the order here–‘ small’ first and ‘great’ later.

Our culture celebrates big-shot go-getters.  The super-rich.  The high-mucky-muck.  Prima donna hotshots.  And that’s sort of okay with me.  For many of them create jobs, foster progress moving life forward, even though many lead tragic and horrible lives.

But here in God’s Word, they’re not the only ones who matter.  There’s room even for the likes of me.  The small.  From Podunk.  Bottom rung, entry level and lightweight.  After all, I’m no Max Lucado.  Or C.S. Lewis.  Or any other popular author or preacher, for that matter.  Why not?  Lots of reasons.

Nevertheless, here I am, chugging along writing weekly devotionals for almost nine years now, to encourage and challenge others with no monetary gain for myself.  All done gladly and willingly.  Even my two published daily devotional books have put us in a lower tax bracket!  The small.  Me.

Franklin Graham hasn’t signed up to receive these weekly devotions…yet.  Oh well, his loss?  Probably not.  But really doesn’t matter.  Small is good.  I’ll take it.  Do you believe that?  I do… on good days.  But on others?  Well, you know!

What does God want?  Here’s that first part of verse 13–‘…he will bless those who fear the Lord…’  What’s this about fearing Him?  Fear means to worship, love, and be loyal to God.  Not cringing, dreading the back of His hand.  Though if we thumb our nose at God, rebelling with abandon, we probably should watch out.  But that’s not me.  Or you?

So, be blessed!  You know the Lord, don’t you?  Jesus makes us family…both small and great!  Room for all at His inn.  Mansions over His hilltop await even a small-fry follower like me!

Thank you, Jesus, for bringing me close to you forever.  Amen.

WASTING AWAY 2 Corinthians 4

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Polio rears its ugly head once again. Not in some third world country, but in the New York City area of the United States. As one who contracted this disease at the age of two, let me tell you that this is not good news. Oh, that polio had been wiped out… forever.

Catching polio at such an early age leaves me fearful, apprehensive, and lonely. In isolation at a hospital polio clinic miles from home and family, life gets skewed rather early for me. Actually, I was very fortunate. I had polio’s lesser type. No permanent paralysis. No iron lung for breathing. I’ve joked over the years that the only residual effect has been a thinner left leg. Anything thin in my body, I’ll gladly take!

But it’s not so funny anymore. That leg is shrinking. Atrophy sets in. Becomes so noticeable that my sister says that I should ditch my outdoors warm weather shorts. Wear long pants. Cover up what’s becoming quite obvious.

Somehow I’m not too down-in-the-mouth about it. Not hopeless and despondent. For I’ve learned that the Bible is true, through and through. What God says matters. I try to listen to Him, as best I can.

Three verses among thousands speak to me about what’s happening with my diminishing left leg. 2 Corinthians 4: 16-18–‘So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.’

So, how can I handle this wasting away business? To accept what I can’t change? Not fight back saddled with unbridled fears and anxiety? Hang in there until…? You know when and where, don’t you?

I know that this life is but a prelude. We wait in the wings as the performance is about to begin, and we’re in the cast of the Show of Shows. What can’t and won’t be changed in this life will disappear like fog on a quickly warming morning. Until then be renewed day by day. Until then all we need to do is trust Him. Hold His hands. Throw our nail-biting jitters on His shoulders. Keep close by Jesus no matter what. No matter how long it takes. Until the Lord takes it all away as He’ll do for each of us who know and love Him.

Wasting away, mine or yours, will waste away once and for all. Amen to that!

Thank you, Jesus, for promises made and promises you’ll surely keep. Amen.

FROM A CURSE TO A BLESSING Nehemiah 13

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Poor Balaam.  He’s really in a pickle.  Brought from his home a thousand miles away to do the nasty bidding of a king to earn a king’s ransom.  Or so he hopes.  Balaam has garnered a world-class reputation as a seer and prophet.  When he casts curses, gloom and doom arrive lickety-split.  When he offers blessings, a cornucopia of good things spills out.  When he speaks, things happen.  That’s Balaam.

But this time?  He sweats bullets, knowing that his fame could be shattered.  Why?  How?  Well, his curses against ancient Israel fall flat.  Backfire into blessings, unwanted and unexpected by Balaam along with that furious, frustrated Moabite King Balak (Numbers 22).  I love what’s written in the book of Nehemiah about all this cursing/blessing business–‘…yet our God turned the curse into a blessing’ (Neh. 13:2).

A church I served many years ago faced a toxic crisis.  It centers somewhat on me.  I’m a mere two years into this pastorate when all you-know-what breaks loose.  Poor me?  A victim of nastiness, which I’d never experienced before or after?  Could be but really not so simple.  I’m not smelling like a rose.  But neither was that small leadership gang hell-bent to oust me.

Regrets?  Of course.  I was too young to head up such a large church.  Too naive and inexperienced.  Theologically evangelical, a fish out of water in a tepid liberal church stream.  I still scratch my head wondering if this was where the Lord wanted me to be.  But Lord, here I am.  Actually, out the door, even though the congregation votes two-to-one in support of my ministry with them.

But the next higher church authority, the one with the final say, says ‘adios amigo’.  Without any ‘amigo’ said or heard.  ‘And by the way, don’t let the backdoor slam behind you on your way out.’  I’m like a painful kidney stone needing immediate surgical removal.  Ouch.

A curse the likes of which Balaam would love to cast.  All I know is that that moment of rejection becomes the very beginning of many blessings.  I start a different career as a financial planner, which I love, and am blessed eventually with over 850 clients and friends.  Even former church members.

Years later another local church, just a stone’s throw from the other, takes a chance on me, and we share fourteen amazing years, seeing all that the Lord wants to do in and beyond those four walls!  It’s about Him this time.  During the worst of times, when we rely on Him, Jesus transforms it into the good, the better, and even the best.  He does that.  He’s good at that.  Often, despite us.

He’ll do it for you.  If for me then, of course, for you.  If you’re now in one of those times, scared and spooked, ask Jesus for His help.  Could He be nudging some changes in you?  An hour or two looking in the mirror of your heart?  A bit of good old-fashioned repentance?  A pause in that handy ‘blaming others game’?  Am I stepping on tender toes?  Oh well…

For I know how He can turn lemons into tasty lemonade!  You will, too.  But in His time.  In His way.

Thank you, Jesus, for second chances.  Amen.