Category Archives: Uncategorized

REALLY LIVING 1 Thessalonians 3

Posted on by

Don’t we all want a life worth living?  Not just putting in our time, waiting for the grim reaper.  Marking off earth’s calendar ’til heaven’s shores.  Hoping beyond hope not to mess up too much.  Less troubles.  More triumphs.  How sad to be given new life in Jesus only to fritter it away, hardly denting the enemy’s stomping grounds.

Making a mark for Jesus and His Kingdom–that’s what we want.  Listen to the Apostle Paul–‘…in all our distress and persecution we were encouraged about you because of your faith.  For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord’ (1 Thess. 3:7-8).

Really living.  Nothing phony-baloney.  Even through tough and terrible times.  Especially then.  We’re encouraged to faithfully stand firm for Jesus.  The old hymns rightly sing–‘I shall not be, I shall not be moved…’  So, ‘Stand up, stand up for Jesus…’.

This kind of living has little to do with our net worth.  Or how many bathroom suites we have in our home.  Or which academic degree hangs above our desk.  Or how big our church membership happens to be.  Or almost anything else for that matter.

Real life has to do with being in tune with Jesus.  With God’s Word resonating within as our tuning fork.  Standing proudly next to Him.  Unashamedly outspoken for Bible teaching, being careful to be compassionate and caring.   Encouraging others.  Giving more than receiving–not only money.  His follower rather than His leader.

Life in Jesus seems quite different from the world’s definition of success and meaning.  Does that come as a surprise?  Shouldn’t.  On my better days, it doesn’t.

So today I’m going to align myself closer to Jesus.  Grab onto Him for dear life with some good old-fashioned faith.  Put Him first for a change.  Join me?  Why wouldn’t you?

 

Father, please make my life more for you and others.  For Jesus’ sake.  Amen.

 

 

LOOKING OUT THE WINDOW Genesis 50

Posted on by

I still remember certain accusations hurled my way.  Some complaints air their ugly heads during a church elder’s meeting decades ago.  Seems now like a different lifetime.  It’s my Dickensian ‘best of times, worst of times’ experience.

What was one infraction laid at my feet that night?  A former secretary points her finger at me saying that one time, upon entering my office, I was looking out the window.  Hmm.  What?  Really?  Daydreaming?  How disillusioning!  Such heinous behavior!  Should be fired on the spot while being tarred and feathered!

When I heard this bum rap, I looked around the room (not out the window!) knowing that Candid Camera’s Alan Funt must be lurking somewhere in the shadows.  Had to be a joke.  It wasn’t.  Church leaders were shocked when others mentioned that I wore shorts downtown during summer weather.  Worst of times.

The best began when I left that church of my own free will, discovering that the Lord had much better in store.  Like for Old Testament Joseph, who stays faithful throughout his worst times.  How I’d love to be like him, but to be honest…  Well, you know.

One door closes while another opens with the Lord Jesus as my trusted doorkeeper.  Locks the one behind me.  Unlocks so many good ones before me.  As in a successful 20 year financial planning career.  The icing on the cake being 14 years serving a small, loving church in that same town.  That thankful fellowship now honors me as their pastor emeritus.  Smell of tar dissipates!  Feathers all blown to smithereens!

Genesis 50: 19-21–“But Joseph said to them, ‘Don’t be afraid…You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.  So then, don’t be afraid.  I will provide…’

God allows bad things to happen to His people.  Not all peaches and cream.  Some noxious weeds grow in my field.  Some of my own planting and others that blow in from outside.  All within God’s knowledge and care.

Someone reading this devotional needs to give the Lord all the good and the bad.  The best of times and the worst.  He’ll make something beautiful of them both.  As only He can…and will (Romans 8:28).  I had a choice.  Curse Him for dealing me a rotten hand?  Or see what He has in store.  Same choice for you.

The Lord handles our lives so much better.  I know.  I’m still learning to lean on Him.  He’s not done with me… or you… yet!

 

Thank you, Lord, for seeing us through to a better future.  For Jesus’ sake.  Amen.

GREAT TIME TO BE A CHRISTIAN 1 Thessalonians 2: 1-16

Posted on by

Really?  Great time?  Am I crazy?  Should I crawl out from under the rock I’m hiding under?  Get my head out of the sand?  No.  These are great times to be a Christian!

I know it’s not politically correct, as battles for the Lord are getting harder to win in our culture.  Losses mount.  Labels of bigotry and narrowness hurled our way.  Certain notable moral issues cause major rifts.

Saying you’re a Christian leaves you wide open to nasty comments.  But so what.  Rejoice!  You’re on God’s team.  If we lose this battle, we know that God has the ultimate victory!   For sure.

But family and friends?  That’s when the rubber meets the road.  We’ve lost some.   Hurt and sorrow tear at our hearts.  So, we pause and consider.  But hasn’t Jesus warned us (John 16:33, Matthew 10:34-39)?  Comes as no shock?  Yet it does.  After all, we’re not made of stone.  More like dust and clay.  Rejection hurts.  Scorn stings.

I sense the Lord wants to toughen me up.  Thicken my hide.  Be who I say I am.  I could use some of the Apostle Paul’s gutsy hard shell.   I don’t mean rudeness or arrogance; which, unfortunately, I have resorted to at times when cornered.  But more like what Paul says –‘We are not trying to please men but God, who tests our hearts.  You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed–God is our witness.  We were not looking for praise from men, not from you or anyone else’ (1 Thess. 2:4-6).  See what I mean?

When studying for my masters at Princeton Seminary, many of us took a social mobility test.  The results?   Most, me included, wound up as ‘country club managers’, making sure everyone was happy and taken care of.  Peanuts and drinks well supplied.  No controversies.  Everything cool and collected.  The model pastor?

Not what the Apostle Paul has in mind!  Stand tall for Jesus.  Lean in next to Him, holding on for dear life.  Helps us stay upright.  Tempered with love and humility.  And have a great time!

 

Lord, give us the strength to be yours regardless of anything.  For Jesus’ sake.  Amen.

 

TWISTED Psalm 106

Posted on by

For the past 30 years, I’ve read the Bible from cover to cover.  After retiring from the pastorate, I’ve committed to in-depth study of God’s Word and its original languages.  For no other reason than to know the Lord better.  To get closer to Jesus.  Be more like Him?  A hope with little howling success to brag about.

What I notice is that my internal view of God can be quite different from what I encounter in His Book.  A good example can be found in Psalm 106:1–‘Praise the Lord.  Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.’  God is so good.  His love lasts forever.  Praise God!  Clear as a bell.

But deep inside, I’m waiting for His other shoe to drop.  One more mistake and my house of cards collapses.  Unfortunately, He knows all about me.  One more slipup and out the backdoor I go?  God’s anger lingers with an even longer memory and shorter fuse?  Will He pull the rug out from under me at the slightest provocation?  Pour salt on exposed wounds?  This is what I think.  Like I said, twisted and contorted, like our filbert tree out front.

My off-kilter views of God need revising.  All those years of sin done by me, and what’s been aimed at me by others, take a heavy toll.  Paying out at a devastatingly high price.  Warping my ideas of God.  Putting the kibosh on my relationship with Him.  Just little ol’ me?

That’s why I keep my head deep down in my Bible every single day.  Week by week.  Year by year.   Ignored and cobwebs show up, skewing my spiritual vision.  I really want to experience something like this– ‘…that I may enjoy the prosperity of your chosen ones, that I may share in the joy of your nation and join your inheritance in giving praise’ (Psalm 106:5).

Relishing God who is so good and even more loving than I can imagine.  Dare I suggest that you too might need a bit more time in God’s Word?  If so, the skies grow clearer, so to speak.  The air noticeably cleaner.  Fog lifts as you mosey along with Jesus!

Arm in arm.  Hand in hand.  Exactly where I want to be.  Come on– join me.  There’s plenty of room!

 

Thank you, Lord, for opening our eyes to your goodness and love.  Amen.

TOO COMPLICATED? Psalm 92

Posted on by

At times I’ve made my search for God’s will way too complicated.  Hemmed and hawed, tied up in knots, pinned-down with indecision.  An old friend could rarely make up his mind about almost anything.  He searched for divine signs high and low, under rocks and trees.  Even the color of a squirrel that crosses his path discloses God’s decision about whatever.  Really?  Very strange!

Others I’ve known test the Lord through fleece contests, wondering what His answers will be.  Superstitious use of a ouija board, reading a horoscope, prognosticating tea leaves, all of which I don’t recommend.  If any of these apply to you, stop!  No ifs and or buts.

Still want to know God’s will?  Listen to Psalm 92:1-2—‘It is good to praise the Lord and make music to your name, O Most High, to proclaim your love in the morning and your faithfulness at night…’  Praise… thanks… and singing to Him!  That’s not too complicated, is it?  Hey, it’s exactly what He wants.  No exceptions.  No shilly-shallying waste of time.  His or yours.

Love Jesus.  Worship the Father.  Be filled with the Holy Spirit.   A Gaither gospel song keeps running through my mind–‘Jesus Is Lord of All’.  ‘All my tomorrows, all my life, Jesus is Lord of all.’  The song lifts my praise to Jesus.  Yes, Lord…of all!

Want to know God’s will?  The Presbyterian Westminster (1647AD) Larger Catechism’s opening question gets down to brass tacks–‘What is the chief and highest end (purpose) of man?  Man’s chief and highest end is to glorify God and fully to enjoy Him forever.’  It’s that simple.  Easy as pie.  Child’s play–for such is the Kingdom.

Glorify Him.  Enjoy Him.  Fully!  That’s not too complicated, is it?

 

Thank you, Jesus, for loving us and giving us your salvation.  Amen.

NIGHT TERRORS Psalm 91 and 1 John 4:16-18

Posted on by

I’m not alone experiencing ‘night terrors’.  Waking up in the wee hours gripped with anxiety’s sweat.  Like the psalmist writes–‘…the terror of night…the pestilence that stalks in the darkness…’ (Psalm 91:5-6).  Apt description, wondering when yet another of life’s shoes will drop.  Especially during these pandemic times.

But our psalmist offers hope– ‘…you will not fear the terror of night…nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness’ (Ps.91:5-6).  We won’t?  How?  Easier said than done.

Prayer offers me relief.  Startled awake, I spend time with God, reducing fear and panic.  I’ve much to pray about.  Asking relief for those up against it.  Help for family and friends.  Praising Him for so much.  Prayer pushes worry to the exit.  Shoved out the door.  Not enough room for both.  At least for awhile.

Here’s more help.  1 John 4: 16–‘And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.’  God’s love, known and relied upon.  But to be honest, I fear God’s punishment more than I rely upon His love.  The back of His hand more than His helping hand.  His patience running dangerously thin.  Distrusting His love more than trusting it.

Sorry to admit this.  Shameful for a retired pastor?  Hey, the Lord knows.  Comes as no surprise to Him.  After all, honesty with Jesus is never rejected.  It’s repentance and humility He looks for.  As in owning up.

1 John 4: 18–‘There is no fear in love.  But perfect love drives out fear…’  Letting God’s love simmer in my soul helps cast out fear.  Holding onto Him for dear life.  As if nothing else really matters… but Him.

Yes, I’ve a long way to go.  I’m neither faultless nor flawless.  Not even close.  Barely out of the starting gate.  Still in faith’s kindergarten.  But when I think of how much I love our children and grandchildren, and how each one is far from perfect, yet how much I love them anyway, then how about God and His love for you and me?  Think about that this week.

 

Thank you, Jesus, for being our Lord and Savior… and Friend.  Amen.  

 

 

ON THE STREETS OF CHICAGO Psalm 87

Posted on by

Not the streets of Laredo but Chicago!  What about them?  During the summer of 1966, I’m studying at Chicago’s Moody Bible Institute.  Still wondering if I should end my Fairleigh Dickinson University business administration studies to complete one in God’s Word.  Change is in the air.  Reshaping!

Even more than making oodles and caboodles of moolah with a stock trade, I love sharing Jesus with others.  Like times in Chicago’s Old Town with a group called Open Air Campaigners.  Someone would get up on a flat-bed truck, draw pictures on a chalkboard, explaining the Gospel of salvation in Jesus.  As in the unbridged gulf that sin creates between mankind and God.  The healing effects of the cross of Jesus.  And the call to accept Him into their hearts and lives.  Some hands go up and off we go, talking with them about their possible decision.  Thrilling!

I can’t wait to give out Gospel tracts to almost anyone I come across on the Windy City’s streets, buses and elevated trains.  I remember one kid coming up to me on his bike, showing me a tract that I’d given him a year before.  He still had it.  Pulled it out of his back pocket.  Astonishing!

Recently, after a friend dies, his wife shares with me how much a sermon I preached means to her.  A Sunday message from 40 years ago!  She’s kept it and reads it.  The title?  ‘What Lies Beyond’.  Comfort comes from this long- in-the-tooth meditation.  Lately I’ve mailed her one of my daily devotional books to bring the Lord Jesus closer to her every day.  Humbling and gratifying!

Psalm 87 motivates me to share my faith.  Talks about all kinds of people coming to worship the Lord God.  From everywhere.  Not only the expected bunch.  Previous pagans come pouring into God’s Temple finding His love, acceptance and care.  Psalm 87: 4–‘Among those who know me I mention Rahab(Egypt) and Babylon; behold, Philistia and Tyre with Cush…’  Surprising!

But how do the outsiders know the way inside?  Right!  Someone tells them.  Don’t have to be a pastor or missionary.  Be you.  Share.  Open your mouth.  Give a tract.  Support evangelistic causes.  Make it clear who has salvation to offer– the only One.  Costs Jesus everything; but, for us, free for the taking.  Amazing!

What could be better than to tell others about Jesus and point the way to heavenly home, sharing Him on whatever streets we travel.  Happy trails!

 

Thank you, Jesus, for the privilege of sharing you with others.  Amen.

SAIL AWAY PARTY! Psalm 68

Posted on by

Before traveling we always pray to meet other Christians to fellowship with as we journey together.  A few years ago, we embark on a world cruise.  From Sydney, Australia through Asia to India, the Middle East, traversing the Suez Canal into the Mediterranean visiting Egypt, Italy, France, and Spain; north to Scandinavia, then to England and Scotland’s Outer Hebrides, sailing the Atlantic’s thick fog to Nova Scotia, relishing pizza in New York City, south to the Caribbean, through the Panama Canal, off to the Hawaiian Islands, down to Tahiti, American Samoa, New Zealand, and finally docking in Sydney 104 days later!

On the first evening of the cruise, it’s the Sail Away Party on the upper deck, as we navigate Sydney’s Harbor Bridge and fabled Opera House, where Sue and I meet a couple as friendly as can be.  Jack and Maggie Littler of Australia.  A sail away toast launches our friendship.  Somewhere at sea we discover that they also are fellow believers in Jesus.

They’re such fun.  Laughed all the way around the world.  Literally.  We prayed together.  Shared trials and concerns.  Jack would always poke fun at us as we warmed two deck chairs while they diligently walked miles and miles around the Lower Promenade!  We still keep in touch.  They were one of the first to receive these weekly devotionals, and to read the two books I’ve written.

Psalm 68: 6–‘God sets the lonely in families…’ (NIV).  When you need someone to feel connected to in life, ask the Lord to provide.  He places us where we can find family way beyond our biological ones.  As in believers, who are more than family.  Blood relatives through Jesus’ shed blood on the cross.  A bond that lasts forever.

So pray.  And how about allowing the Holy Spirit to make you family to someone else?  Reach out.  Loneliness is terrifying.  Being together in Jesus the best antidote!

 

Thank you, Jesus, for family found in surprising places.  Amen.

 

I’m dedicating this week’s devotional to our Sail Away Party friends, the Littler’s.  They were God’s answers to our prayers.  Thank you, Jack and Maggie!

 

 

 

THE VALLEY OF THE KINGS 2 Chronicles 21

Posted on by

It’s a blistering hot day when we travel to the Valley of the Kings in Egypt.  With temperatures just shy of 120 degrees.  They say it’s a dry heat.  But so is our oven!

Here small children swarm all over the tram that ferries us deep within.  They’re in our faces, hawking postcards, gum and scarves.  They’re eager to ambush our cash, the baksheesh, they scream for.  ‘Baksheesh!  Baksheesh!’  Can still hear their plaintive, begging cries.

The only heat relief is found in the bowels of each king’s tomb.  How welcome!  But not for long as there’s much more to check out.

Visiting these tombs makes me wonder about what remembrance I’ll leave behind.  After all, in about 3 generations I’m just a name on a genealogy chart.  You too.  What do any of us know about our great-great grandparents?  A name?  Some dates?  Not much more, if that.

Reading 2 Chronicles, I’m mining information about some rather sketchy kings of Judah.  Few are godly.   Jehoram found in chapter 21 is a real mess.  From start to finish, a noted failure.  Kills all his brothers, preventing familial competition.  Nice bro!  Marries the daughter of wretched pagans Ahab and Jezebel.  Poor move!   Forsakes the Lord, suffering horrific war losses.  Big mistake!  Leads Judah into apostasy, and doesn’t give the time of day to the prophet Elijah’s mayday distress signals of imminent judgement.  Warnings like water off a duck’s back.

When Jehoram dies, here’s the final word –‘He passed away, to no one’s regret, and was buried in the City of David, but not in the tombs of the kings’ (2 Chronicles 21:20).  No burial with the other kings.  Excluded.  Shunned.  Given the bum’s rush.  No one sheds even a crocodile tear.

Not how I want to be remembered.  But I don’t need a valley tomb.  For I’ll be in the bosom of the King of Kings!  Close to Jesus in the dwelling He’s prepared for me and you (John 14).  Who cares if I’m remembered much beyond the next few generations?  Jesus never forgets us… and never lets us go.

Our King was dead but now He lives.  Risen and Reigns forevermore.  Happy Easter!

 

Thank you, Jesus, for keeping us safe with you.  Amen.

EMERITUS John 3: 22-36

Posted on by

What an honor to be named ‘pastor emeritus’ of the church I retired from.  An undeserved privilege.  Until I start leafing through my ‘Thesaurus of Slang’.  Why my eyes latch onto the word ’emeritus’ is beyond me.

Here are the synonyms.  You decide why I shouldn’t return that blasted book.  ‘Emeritus’–‘on the shelf, out of circulation, over the hill, passed it, a once was, has-been, hung up one’s spurs, old-timer.’  Enough, already!  What a bunch of hooey.  I want my money back!

Don’t imagine my church family discussed those ducky and dandy descriptions when they chose me as their only ’emeritus pastor’ in the church’s one hundred and twenty year history.  Or did they?  Someone may have some explaining to do!

Nevertheless, when I retired from the United Christian Church, a much younger man became their pastor.  We moved away, and one reason was to get out of his way.  To give him breathing room.  Without people turning to me first, which they were used to.  Giving him space to grow, making changes, as the old goat, me, moves aside.  Emeritus!

John the Baptist says this of Jesus–‘He must increase, but I must decrease’ (John 3:30 KJV).  That makes me think. Maybe you know of someone who needs you to step aside so that they can have an opportunity.  To increase, to spread their wings, even making mistakes as we all do.  To find the direction of the Holy Spirit without you barging in.  Moving forward rather than backwards.

How about letting go of something that’s moved Jesus off center stage in your heart and life?  Ring any bells?  Move aside.  Let it go.  Get out of the way.  The Lord always has something better for you.  What you’re now reading is His next job for me.  And I love it!

How about you?  Ready?  Get set!  Let go!

 

Thank you, Lord, for new opportunities to serve you and others.  Amen.