Author Archives: revjaf

GOOD AND GENEROUS Matthew 20: 1-28

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We know that God is good, don’t we?  This Christmas season I’d like to remember exactly that.  Plus, that He’s generous.  He lives to give.  Not based on our merit, but all because of His love and mercy.  Jesus said–‘…the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many’ (Matt. 20:28).

Jesus gives, not only to a few, but to many then and there, here and now.  Christmas models the call to serve rather than be served, giving little thought of what comes back to us for a change.

Jesus’ parable of the vineyard workers exhibits God’s goodness and generosity.  The vineyard needs harvesting.  Breadwinners hang around looking for work.  Some sweat and slave all day long.  More eager beavers are required. They’re hired but plug away for only part of the day.  Finally, even more are brought on board for only an hour or so.

Do they receive proportional wages as I would give?  An hour’s wage for an hour’s work?  And no more?  Can’t count on my generosity!  Shockingly, the vineyard owner pays all the workers the same amount, regardless of time and toil.

Those who plug away and knock themselves out from dawn ’til sunset blow a gasket.  Seems most unfair.  A raw deal.  But the vineyard owner says this–‘Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me?  Or do you begrudge my generosity?’ (Matt. 20:15).  That zinger hits home.  My hardhearted teflon fails.  For God is both good and generous.

How about being some of both this Christmas?  I don’t mean only with money and things.  How about good and generous words of encouragement?  Listening to someone?  Reading the Christmas stories in your Bible?  Telling someone about the gift of Jesus?  Wishing some sour soul a ‘Merry Christmas’?

I’m sure you can think of lots more, can’t you?  Whatever they are, do them.  How generous of you…and me!

 

Thank you, Jesus, for being so good and generous to me.  Amen.

 

JOY! Ecclesiastes 9: 7-10

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We attended a church for a few months that had friendly members and meaningful worship.  When holidays roll around, we notice that something’s missing.  As in nothing observed!  No Veteran’s Day.  No Easter.  No Thanksgiving.  And, to cap it all off, no Christmas!

I understand the reluctance to embrace a materialistic and pagan Christmas.  I agree.  But no carols, no Christmas Eve candlelight service, and no ‘Merry Christmas’ greetings to one another in church?   Joy seems somewhat banned and barred.  Whatever happened to ‘Keep Christ in Christmas’?

And why use a text from Ecclesiastes for this Christmas devotional?  Crazy me?  No comments, please!  After all, these Ecclesiastes’ verses speak of joy and relishing all of God’s gifts.  Simply reveling in everything.  Your spouse and family.  Friends and church family.  Vocation and avocations.

Not to win God’s approval.  No.  For that’s been given, which is the Christmas story, isn’t it?  ‘For God so loved the world that he gave His only begotten Son…’ (John 3:16).  And Ecclesiastes 9:7–‘Go, eat your bread with joy, and drink your wine with a merry heart, for God has already approved what you do.’

Cease buttering up God.  He doesn’t need it.  He’s given us His all when Jesus came to seek and save the lost.  The lost who become found in Him.  That’s you and me, by the way!  Heartfelt, ecstatic thanks most appreciated by the Lord.

This Christmas season, let’s have no end of joy.  Don’t let naysayers throw cold water on what’s obviously wonderful.  As in God giving us His only Son, approving of us, forgiving and loving us, all because of what Jesus did on the cross.  See what I mean?  Have joy?  Uncontained?  Of course!

 

For all the joy you bring to this world, we thank you, Lord Jesus.  Amen.

PARCHED! Psalm 23

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How amazing is that ancient Jordanian city of Petra.  Can’t put into words the magnitude of this long-abandoned metropolis.  We weren’t petrified by its enormity.  More like Petra-fried by its blistering heat!  120 degrees!  Yes, dry heat.  But so’s an oven, and I don’t plan on hanging around there too long either!

Dry, all-consuming, thirst clutches our throats.  We tote lots of water.  Sufficient for the first hour or two of our all-day tour.  Cardboard soon inhabits our lips, mouths and throats.  Never have we felt such cotton-mouthed thirst.  When later we arrive back at a nearby restaurant, and then to our cruise ship, we drink and drink and drink even more.  Water that is, wise guy!

Psalm 23 pictures a similar desert locale.  I love how the shepherd cares for his sheep, making sure they’re led to suitable pasture, where also fresh water flows.  Psalm 23: 2–‘He makes me to lie down in green pastures.  He leads me beside still waters.’  King David, this psalm’s poet, identifies the Lord as the shepherd.

Thirsty, hungry sheep have nothing to fear as they follow their shepherd.  If they balk at something or get wedged in, he has a way of moving them along.  He won’t let the flock be decimated or wander off lost and forgotten.

To follow the shepherd is all for our own good.  After all, he knows where food and drink can be found.  He’ll do all in his power to get us there, even when unknown valleys feel like death lurks right around the corner.  But it doesn’t.  We don’t know that.  But he does.  All we need to do is trust and shadow him.  Move out…behind him.  His follower.

Good idea?  To follow Jesus, who calls Himself the Good Shepherd (John 10:11)?  No doubt about it.  There’s much goodness ahead.  Even bucket-loads of water to quench the thirst of Petra-fried folk!

 

Thank you, Lord Jesus, for being our Good Shepherd.  Amen.

 

 

THANKS TO THE YANKEE CLIPPER Psalm 100

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After a nice visit with my parents, my boys and I arrive at Newark airport to fly home.  We walk around to pass the time before boarding our flight.  It’s then that I notice a man sitting all by himself, waiting to get on a jumbo jet leaving for San Francisco.  A solitary figure whom I recognize immediately.

It’s the ‘Yankee Clipper’!  Who?  A bygone Yankee Stadium announcer names him this because he seems to run as fast as the new airplane, the Pan Am Clipper.  Now I’m gazing at Hall of Famer Joltin’ Joe DiMaggio!

Let me say that I first met him years ago when I’m 2 years old.  He visits the polio ward I’m confined to where he gives out autographed baseballs to each of us.  Mine gets stolen.  Oh well.

At Newark airport a thought crosses my mind.  Knowing that Joe D is a shy man, I’m nevertheless impelled to go over and say the following–‘Mr. DiMaggio, sorry to bother you.  But you visited me at the Sister Kenny ward in Jersey City while I was being treated for polio in 1949, and I just wanted to thank you.’  What I’m determined not to do is ask for his autograph, which is almost beyond my control!  All I want is to thank him.  That’s it.  He graciously says ‘your welcome’ and shakes my hand.  Then, as the intended last passenger, he’s ushered onto that jumbo jet.

This Thanksgiving, let’s praise and thank the Lord for being with us as our God, who loves us beyond measure.  Psalm 100:4–‘Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise!  Give thanks to him; bless his name!’

Put personal requests on the back burner.  Just for a moment.  Not for long.  I know–we have so many needs this year.  Been such a difficult and scary one.  For us personally, Thanksgiving Day has been blown out of the water.  All family plans scrapped and gutted due to a nasty, unseen bug.

But I’m not going to allow it to put the kibosh on my thanks to Jesus.  No way.  And you?  Time to rise above it.  After all, the Lord loves to hear our thanks and praise.  Means so much to Him.  Remember, He’s not on some jumbo jet, winging His way to parts unknown.  He’s right here.  With us.  Never to leave.  Thank you, Lord!

And a Happy Thanksgiving!

 

Thank you for being our God.  We love you.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

 

MOTEBECANE MOPED 1 Thessalonians 5

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I moped around for months after unsavory thieves did their dirty work on my French Motebecane Moped.  I loved that 2-wheeled wonder.  You could pedal it or move the tiny gasoline motor over the front tire and off you’d go!  I even traversed the George Washington Bridge, chugging through Manhattan, visiting church members in hospital.

This was during the gasoline crisis, when scarce petrol could be pumped only on certain days for so many gallons.  My moped got over 75 miles on a third of a gallon.  Can you imagine?  The gas tank held that tiny amount, meaning I could travel most everywhere, not worrying about running out or declaring bankruptcy !

Until I go downtown to buy a newspaper, carefully watching my moped parked outside the newsstand, but having my vision blocked by what turned out to be some rather shady characters.  Coming out of the store, anxious to get home to read that rag sheet, it hits me.  No moped!   I’ve been robbed!!

The Bible talks about being prepared for Jesus’ soon return.  Soon being a relative term.  Relative to His timeframe and not yours, mine or some know-it-all prophecy, chart-thumping prognosticator.  Whenever it is, it will come just as the Bible says–‘For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night’ (1Thess. 5:2).

Thieves don’t usually send an announcement including their nefarious details.  They didn’t phone me in advance–‘You’ll be robbed Tuesday morning at 9 am at the corner newsstand.  Be there.  Don’t be late.  We’ll be waiting and you’ll be walking home!’

So, get your spiritual house in order.  On highest alert.  Lock up your moped as I didn’t!  Guard your mind and heart by spending time in your Bible.  No speed-reading.  Find out more about Jesus and His ways.  Less about politics (!), money, and time-wasting diversions.  Much less.  Install a security system with spiritual preparedness.

Jesus is coming again.  When?  Whenever.  Don’t be caught off guard.  That’s too easy.  I can tell you.  I just did!

 

Lord Jesus, help us to prepare for your return.  Amen.

 

A TASTY MORSEL Psalm 34

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Maybe you’ve heard this expression–‘Faith tastes the goodness of God’.  Hmm.  Really?  Wonder what that means? Sounds like a mixed spiritual and gastronomic metaphor.  Maybe.  Maybe not.

Speaking of food, my wife cooks marvelous meals, using spices that add depth of flavor.  The air fills with tantalizing aromas.  And left-overs never tossed out.  Never.  Anticipating dinner is pure joy!

How about your hunger, your taste for the things of God?  Wanting to know Jesus better?  Your Bible an eager daily habit?  Praying more than worrying?  Giving money, bringing God’s Kingdom a step closer?  Sharing Jesus with someone else?  Is that your tummy growling?!

Faith that tastes exhibits a personal experience.  Not some erudite, academic prowess but something from deep within.  Passionate and heartfelt.

Does trusting the Lord leave a bland taste in your mouth?  As when fear nudges out faith?  Or that yummy sweet taste, knowing that our Lord Jesus is the Good Shepherd taking care of everything?  Which one?

Frankly, I’m a mishmash of a mixed bag!  Some this, some that.  Hands folded in prayer while biting my fingernails all at the same time!  Didn’t know I was so acrobatic, did you?  But don’t be too hard on me or yourself, for the Lord gets it that we’re dust and clay.  Friable stuff.  Easily crumbled under pressure.

Guess what?  Right!  He still loves us, warts and all.  So imagine the super-sized mercy and compassion, kindness and patience of our Lord for His own.  For who?  Yes!  You and me!  Chew on that this week.  Your faith will taste God’s goodness!  Yum!

Psalm 34:8–‘Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!  Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!’

Bon Appetite!

 

Lord Jesus, thank you for loving me so much.  Amen.

HARMONY Psalm 15

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Will this week’s election bring harmony to our country?  Have I gone whacko, loco with a screw loose?  No comment from Howdy Doody’s Peanut Gallery, please!  Getting together and cooperating, a thing of the past.  Or was it a phantom which never really existed?  One political comment–the Lord will still be Lord after the election.  God Almighty!  Worry not…as best you can.

Years ago I sang lead in a Gospel quartet called ‘Livin’ Harmony’.  We had four parts all trying to produce one sound.  Practice every week, having a vocal coach pointing out where we need help and improvement.  A full-time job!

Singing in sync not easy.  Our individual volumes have to mesh.  None overpowering.  Phrasing must connect.  Memorization required.  Humor not too corny.  This is heavy sledding.

Psalm 15 begins with a question and ends with a promise.  The question?  Who is welcome to dwell with the Lord? Who are those harmonizing with the King of Kings?

The answer?  Three positives and three negatives.  The positives, found in Psalm 15:2, are Hebrew participles; which, in English, end in ‘ing’.  Those closest to God are walking blamelessly, doing what’s right, and speaking truthfully.  Walking…doing…speaking.  Harmony.

The negatives are found in verse 3.  Not mouthing off as a backbiting mudslinger.  Not plotting something rotten against your neighbor.  Not being green-eyed jealous of friends.  I’ve done some of these.  And you know what?  None did me one bit of good.  Not one.  All groaned and moaned in total disharmony.  Notes way off key.

So, exit the negative.  Cut it out.  Harmony travels Jesus’ way.  Tipping my behavior toward what He wants.  More positive.  Less, well, you know.  Jesus helps us get up when flattened and floored.  Back on track after going around in circles.  Head held high when thrown for a loop.

And that promise at the end of Psalm 15?  ‘He who does these things shall never be moved’ (v.5).  When we’re in tune with the Master, we’ll be singing His praises right on key, tunefully with perfect pitch, and sweet-sounding!  Ah, now that’s harmony!

 

Lord Jesus, what a privilege to be with you.  Amen.

 

INSIDE Luke 11: 37-44

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Usually writing a check is no sweat.  Popping it in the mail no big deal.  Help is on the way for some Christian charity, which we love to support.  Without others like us, there would be no money to fulfill the work God calls them and us to do.  It’s a team effort for Jesus.

But sometimes your money spring dries up.  The caboodle skedaddles.  Even then we can give with what costs nothing monetarily.  Reading Luke 11, I’m stuck at verse 41.  Regardless of your translation, Jesus says to give what’s inside.  Inside?  As in what?

The Lord squelches those who make a scene of giving.  Big shots who brag about their largesse.  Grandstanders.  Blowhard showoffs.  Better to be looked over than overlooked?  Not from Jesus’ mouth.

Better to look within for things to give away.  A pastor could use encouragement but often receives ‘suggestions’.  What does he need that I can give?  A listening ear.  A kind word.  Intercessory prayers to the Lord.  Costs nothing.  Gives something that money can’t buy.  Not only clergy.  You can think of many others.  Dig deep within and give.

Sometimes I warrant a ‘swift kick’.  I’ve received a few.  Why even from the editor of my devotional books.  But all were given to make my writing more effective.  Looking back on those earliest pieces catches me with egg on my face–no paragraph breaks, endless wordiness, way too many uses of the word ‘just’.  Just plain awful!  See?

Hints from the editor?  Spot on.  Shame on me if I don’t heed them.  I did and still do!

So, here’s an idea.  Jesus says–‘But give as alms those things that are within…’ (Luke 11:41).  Look within.  Find tenderness that exhibits grace and mercy.  And give from them.  Even that helpful idea.  Firmly yet gently put.  From your heart.  From inside.  From you.  Genuinely.

See what fits.  Sometimes shut your mouth!  Keep it to yourself, as hard as that may be.  Remember, we’re to help someone else.  Not for brownie points or a pat on the back.  But actually, as gifts for Jesus.

 

Thank you, Jesus, for gifts to share with others.  Amen.

 

 

THAT MAKES SENSE Luke 8: 40-56

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Blessings come from God.  I say, the more the merrier.  Not showers but downpours.  Yet when troubles hit, we wonder.  Where’s God then?  He has some tall explaining to do.  Really?  Instead of looking on the sunny side, I nurse older, darker wounds.  Scabs and scars.  Too bad really.  What am I missing out on?

Reading Romans 8:28, you’ll find out.  Me too!  God takes all kinds of nasty stuff, and somehow, due to His being God, makes lemonade out of lemons.  Gets my approval though hardly needed!

But in Luke 8 something bothers me.  Synagogue leader, Jairus, rushes up to Jesus because his 12 year old daughter is dying.  Word floats around that Jesus can help.  Jairus gets His nod and off they go together.

A large crowd gathers around Jesus when someone touches Him and healing happens.  Here’s my question.  Why make a big stink about this woman touching Jesus?  He knows who’s done it.  Yet, he tells his followers to find out who.  In the meantime, Jairus knows that time is slipping away.  May already be too late.  She was so sick when he last saw her.  And foot travel chews up valuable time.

But Jesus refuses to take one step further without pinpointing her identity.  Why?  Feels like He’s making an example of her, which bothers me.  Is that what’s going on?

Not quite.  This poor woman suffers with a blood condition for 12 years.  Ancient sawbones have bled her savings down to the last shekel.  Also, in her culture, Temple worship nixed.  Marriage relationship on the back burner.  Friends and family move far away leaving no forwarding address.

Here’s her next hurdle.  When she’s healed, who’s going to believe her?  Think about that.  She’ll find everyone still at arm’s length.  Socially distant much more than 6 feet!  Disbelieving and accusing her of doing anything to seem well.  Even lying?  Making up stories?  She might.

No.  Jesus will have none of that.  He’ll make a blowout storm of this healing.  No one will doubt, absolutely no one, what He’s done for her.  She’s healed and that’s that.  This woman.  Completely cured and restored.  No one will dare to defy Him.

That makes sense, doesn’t it?  Could it be that what we’ve experienced, the good, the bad and the ugly, may take on a different slant when we know that Jesus’ hand has been at work?  What our eyes can’t see or fathom?  Romans 8:28 again.

And Jairus?  He no doubt needs to see Jesus’ healing power.  Firsthand.  With his own eyes.  And he does.  So, when word comes that his precious daughter is dead, he keeps following Jesus home, and even upstairs where her lifeless body lies.  No jeering from Jairus, like from those mourners who mock Jesus.  No.  He hopes that the best may yet happen.  For he’s just seen what Jesus’ hands can do.

How about being a Jairus this week?  Follow Him no matter what.  See the Master at work.  Look…!

 

Thank you, Jesus, for giving me eyes to see.  Amen.

HADN’T NOTICED THIS BEFORE Luke 8

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I’m innocently reading my Bible, doing what I’m supposed to, when something jumps off the page and hits me right in the old mug!  How many times have I read Luke 8?  And where exactly?  It’s in the parable of the seeds.  And only one measly word.  That’s all.  As if hidden in the wings, waiting to come on stage, on cue.

Recently I’ve been down in the mouth.  My two devotional books haven’t exactly flown off the shelves or made the NY Times best-seller list.  When’s the last time scads of new followers sign up for these weekly devotionals?  Or how many even bother to say ‘thanks’?  One or two at most.

In Luke 8, I’m reading about those seeds and their possibility of success or lack of such.  Ever since my first assignment as a student assistant pastor during Princeton Seminary days, I’ve loved creating programs that get the message of Jesus out to others.  Dedicated a couple of summers to leading Good News Clubs in that rural New Jersey church for hundreds of kids.

I love seeing programs take root, take off and bear fruit.  From hosting a weekly Christian TV program, pastoring a couple of churches, writing devotional books, I’ve not actually been gathering dust.  But problems come when I get antsy for results.  Easily discouraged, pulling on new crops to make them grow faster.  Grandiose goals I’ve set for myself.  The bigger the better!

So what knocks me on my ear?  Luke 8: 15–‘As for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patience.’  There it is–that last word.  ‘PATIENCE’?  That’s what I’d glossed over.  Soft-pedaled.  On purpose?

Patience.  Trusting His timing and ways.  Giving Jesus my life.  He’ll make more of it than I ever could.  Yours too.  I’m struggling, probably in a tizzy.  But you know what?  He’s not done with either of us!  Not by a long stretch!

 

Thank you, Lord Jesus, that we can rest in you.  Amen.