I love wearing my New York Yankees T-shirt that proudly displays all the years of their 27 World Series baseball championships. Some share my joy. A pittance, sad to say. Their sour grapes blab and squeal blatant scorn at this deservedly most-winning team in US sports history. I empathize with woebegone fans of lesser teams! That’s quite big of me, isn’t it? Still, I can hear their boos and hisses. Oh, the trouble caused by advertising my favorite team with uber braggadocio. Better watch my step. And back.

Micah 6: 8–‘He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God’? And Zechariah 7: 9-10–“Thus says the Lord of hosts, ‘Render true judgments, show kindness and mercy to one another, do not oppress the widow, the fatherless, the sojourner, or the poor, and let none of you devise evil against another in your heart.'”

These verses nudge us to live godly lives without advertising our good deeds, avoiding beating a drum roll for batting a thousand in God’s good deed league. I can talk the talk but will I land my feet solidly on His pavement? Doing what I know I should? Not being willy-nilly about living for Jesus. Really following Him. For a change of pace.

Am I the only one who feels like I live far below the standard set by Jesus? I’ve put ‘God is Great’ and ‘Jesus is Lord’ signs framing our car license plates. Does that make any difference? I catch myself driving more like the devil than who I say I follow, receiving a C- grade on good days! Still passing but only by the skin of my teeth. 

I’m resolving this new year to be who Jesus wants me to be. Being kind. More considerate and patient (which I want to happen right NOW!). Less the same old me. More like Him. 

This is my prayer to the only One who can give me the resolve and the follow-through to make this year more about Jesus than you-know-who. Your prayer also? Would love the company. Especially someone to pick me up when I fall flat on my face!

Happy 2024!

Thank you, Jesus, for always standing with me. Amen.

Our God is the God of second chances. He’s not done with us if we’re still breathing. We’ll have more opportunities to serve Him even when we’ve run out of gas or crashed by the side of the road. I’ve been there. May yet again. No guarantees that you’ll escape trials and tribulations. As Jesus said–‘In the world you will have tribulation’ (John 16: 33). Not ‘might have’ but ‘will have’. Yikes!

A tough one for me happened decades ago, when I voluntarily left a pastorate, leaving lots of angry people both for and against me. The vast majority were supportive but a few were, oy veh, filled with ire, to put it mildly. To a handful, I was persona non grata. Not a title I aspired to. Pain was palpable, both with those in my favor and those boiling tar ready for feathering me on my way out of Dodge.

I knew in my heart that the only church that would ever want me as pastor was in some little town in Nowheresville Podunk. A desperate berg filled with those who never ask questions, who could care less. Any such place out there? I didn’t bother looking. I was done. Finished. Caput.

Ever felt that way? Had it up to here? Totally fed up?  If so, here’s a word from God in Zechariah 1: 17–‘Cry out again, Thus says the Lord of hosts. My cities shall again overflow with prosperity, and the Lord will again comfort Zion and again choose Jerusalem.’ Four times that little word shows up in this one verse. ‘Again’…and ‘again’. Then ‘again’…and once more ‘again’.

That takes a load off my mind for the Lord is not done with us as long as we seek His direction in our lives. When I admit that I mess up, owning up to wanting my way with my timing in my whatever, then watch what can happen. Simply put, God wants a more humble me. His daily special? Humble pie. Grab a piece and join me, won’t you? 

Years later, I was enjoying a financial planning career with a large investment firm, when a client contacted me to see if I could preach in her church for two Sundays. That’s all they need. Two Sundays. No more, no less. Preach this week and again the next. Again–there’s that word.

Fourteen years later, I retire from that 2-week stint and hand over the church keys to a young man who’ll be a super pastor for their future. For fourteen years, I’ve been there again and again and again and again. All in the same town where I was nearly tarred and feathered. 

Now I genuinely want to see what the Lord will do. Instead of singing ‘Going My Way’, I make a melody of Jesus’ musical notes with His rhythm and His lyrics producing overtones of God’s will with Jesus as lead singer.

I’m grateful that He took me out of the bone pile. Made me useful in His service. If Jesus does that for me, think about what He’ll do for you. By all means, let Him. Stop being so down in the mouth. Get up. Stand up. Hold your head up high. In His direction for a change. Move aside and see what He will do.

Interested? Surprises await. Again and again. With Christmas day just around the corner, isn’t it surprising that God sent His Son to give new life to His fallen people? Second chances all wrapped up in a Babe found nestled safe and secure in a manger in a cave in Bethlehem of all places. God’s second chances. Let’s celebrate that fact this coming week. 

Merry Christmas!

Thank you, Lord Jesus, for always being there for me. For your sake. Amen.

How many times do we skate through life without giving a thought to much of anything? Habits form. We go through the motions. Drive to the store not even aware of what route we’ve taken or what we need to buy. That’s me, sad to admit. Yes, telling the same old stories. Repeating worn-out, stale jokes. Stuck in the mud without a clue. But what if that changes? Pull myself out of this rut with help from what I discover in Haggai Chapter 1? Where? Yes, Haggai!

This rarely-read Old Testament prophet uses a certain phrase a few times in that first chapter. I’ve highlighted it in my Bible. Haggai tells us that these words are from on high–‘Thus says the Lord of hosts…’ (Haggai 1: 5, 7). Sounds like we better listen up, doesn’t it? From God’s mouth to our ears.

But what specifically should we pay attention to?  That we’re to ‘consider your ways’. ‘Your’ refers to you and me. In the biblical Hebrew language, that phrase literally means–‘put your heart on your roads’. Read that again. ‘Consider your ways’=’Put your heart on your roads’.

I think I get it. Whatever I do for the Lord, put my whole heart into it. Be passionate about my relationship with Jesus Christ. Stop going through the motions. Quit play-acting. No phony baloney. Be the real McCoy. For a change. ‘Put your heart on your roads.’

Don’t you know when you’re heart isn’t in something? Of course, you do. When I was fourteen years into serving my last church, which originally was to be for two months, I found myself feeling grouchy, bugged, and a bit of a sourpuss. Some people get on my nerves who least deserve it. I’m visiting church families less and less. Like a grinding chore rather than doing handstands to get to church, so to speak.

Guess what? You’re right. My heart wasn’t in it. So, I refused to draw a paycheck to make money from serving God’s people. It was time to move along. Best of all, the Lord had a new man in mind to continue His ministry with His people in that place. And he’s still doing a super job. God too!

After I retired, an idea came to mind. We were traveling across the state of Texas on one of our seven cross-country drives when I had a strange thought, like a quiet voice within, saying ‘Start writing for me’. Do what for who? ‘Start writing for me.’

That’s how this weekly devotional and two published books get launched. With a heartfelt idea on a highway. I know who was calling out to me. And what I was to do. Sort of. When the details get worked out, after my wife figures out how to computerize it all, the excitement begins and keeps me at the computer keyboard, happy as a lark, day after day.

Ten years later, I’m still following my heart on this roadway, willingly and joyfully! Never making a red penny. Actually setting me back a shekel or two. Good!

How about you? Something God wants you to put your heart into as you travel life’s highways? If you’re not sure, ask Him. Wait on Him. Don’t be surprised when His answer comes. And then go with Jesus on any highway He leads you on. Put your whole heart in gear. Not reverse. Forward!

Lord Jesus, may you always be the passion of my heart and the direction of my life. For your sake. Amen.

Yes, of clay. Simple products of earthen material. Clay, molded and fired into jars and lamps. I have one. It’s a lamp from Jerusalem of Jesus’ time. It’s tiny. I can hold it in the palm of my hand. There’s only room for a small amount of precious oil, which will give sufficient evening light for a diminutive Israeli home. My clay oil lamp is fragile and could easily be broken.

Like me. And you. Yes, we’re built strong by the Lord. Fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139: 14). Yet any kind of curve ball such as divorce, financial collapse, cancer, you name it can flatten us out, reminding us how vulnerable we are. At any moment, the rug can be pulled out from under us.

I know. It’s happened to me and made me weary and leary. Looking over my shoulder more than I’d like to. Seeing who or what sort of double-trouble gains ground on me. Will God allow something fierce to terrorize me? Again? No guarantees that I know of. Terrible things can happen to God’s good people. Faithful followers who get blindsided by tragedy of the worst kind. You know what I mean.

Reading 2 Corinthians 4: 7-12, I’m encouraged by what the Apostle Paul writes. He talks about a treasure that we’ve been given. Verse 6 tells us about this precious find–it’s knowing the glory of God through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, which is something no money can buy. Salvation is given to God’s own. Our Christmas gift from God Almighty.

And it comes by faith alone. No backbreaking work is required to achieve it. No balance sheet with more in our favor than not. Only a seeking, believing heart that means business with God. Asking for what He’s so willing to give us. Salvation. Forgiveness. A faithful life worth living. And much, much more. All of the above can never be snatched away for His own. Never still means never.

Where is this treasure? In us. We become a new person. Hardhearted, vengeful, unforgiving emotions become tender and loving. Our goals in life shift us to a new track. Not all at once but we’re heading in God’s direction. Yes, even for broken, beat-up, weak, and fragile folk like present company included. You and me! We’re in…with Jesus!

Sounds odd, but we’re just the kind of people that the Lord loves to put to work for Himself. Those humbled by tough times. Jars and lamps made of delicate clay who know how little we have to offer Him. Yet, more to the point, how much more He wants to give us and do through us. Let Jesus fill you with His oil, the tiny and fragile vessels that we are, to do all we’re designed to do for the Potter.

Get busy for Him. Relax. Fear not. Enjoy Him. Always praise and thank the source of all our blessings. Too tough to do? Are you kidding? This little light of mine, I’m going to let it shine. Little or not, let’s do it together.

Thank you, Jesus, for a life worth living. Amen.

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.