As much as I’d like it to be one or the other, I’m to aim at both. Okay, what am I talking about? Or don’t I have a clue and maybe I just like to hear myself talk? Be kind and let me explain.

Reading Luke chapter 10 in the New Testament, we encounter two amazing stories. The first is about the decent and caring Samaritan, the only one who lifts a finger to help some beat-up guy left by the roadside. Even the religious high mucky-mucks cross to the other side to avoid troubling themselves.

Immediately following this parable is Jesus’ and His follower’s visit with friend Martha, who rags on Him for allowing her sister Mary to leisurely sit at Jesus’ feet, cool as a cucumber, taking a breather, kicking off her sandals, without a care in the world, soaking in all the wisdom that Jesus has to offer while Martha slaves away in the kitchen, fuming over the next-to-nothing help she snags while working her fingers to the bone getting ready to feed this starving mob who seemingly won’t lift a finger to help her. I’m exhausted, along with Martha, with this run-on sentence!

Leaving bent out-of-shape Martha for the moment, the Samaritan story is about caring for some needy person, even going out of your way to lend a helping hand. And who’s the one doing this good deed in Jesus’ story? A Samaritan. Uh oh. Jesus chooses such a poor example. What was He thinking? After all, a Samaritan? There must be a better choice. He blows it this time. Or does He?

You know how the ancient Israelites and Samaritans got along, don’t you? Hardly at all, to put it mildly. In the Republic of Ireland, we rode on a jaunting cart through a lovely city park in Killarney. The driver, an Irishman with obvious funnybone, asked me the last names of my immigrant Irish family members. I tell him but notice a scowl on his face. Since my mother’s family is from Northern Ireland, the cart driver puts two and two together and announces that I’m starting the ‘Troubles’ all over again with names like Gibson, Moore, and Preston! We laugh but resentment lies close to the surface on that divided Emerald Isle. Similarly, referring to a ‘Good Samaritan’ offends Jesus’ people. Yet the point remains–get busy helping people even those we wonder about or don’t like.

How about that Martha/Mary spat? Well, it’s as plain as the nose, ample as it may be, on my face! I love Martha-types. Busy people. Hard-working. Dependable and reliable. Who keep their word. Promises made, promises kept. AOK–action-oriented types.

However, that’s not all. Following Jesus involves worshipping Him. Relaxing at His feet, eager to hear whatever He says, soaking in His wisdom, taking in all you can, never letting your Bible gather dust.

But then we must put what we learn into action. Not being good for goodness sake. But for Him. It’s a delicate balancing act. We often err on one side or the other. I do.

So, let’s try to get it both ways. Love the Lord your God and help others. I know that it’s much easier said than done. I don’t even like writing this. But it’s in the Bible. If God says it, that’s settled. It’s so. Enough, already!

Adore your Savior. Encourage someone in need. A good plan for this week? You think? Let’s give it more than the good old college try. Much more.

Lord Jesus, I love you and want to serve you. For your sake. Amen.

Growing up I needed a nightlight in my bedroom. Dark terrors stalked me for quite a while. Probably related to being in a hospital polio clinic at the age of two, while in isolation with lots of other children battling the same disease. I faintly remember the old shades being pulled down, the metal sides of our cribs getting locked in place, the ward lights being turned off, and all of us crying out, feeling like abandoned children surrounded by strangers in an offputting place. No Mommy. No Daddy. No brother or sister. All gone. What further hellions lurk in these shadows? Hence, my nightlight.

On some unidentified mountain, Jesus encounters Moses and Elijah, both deceased yet now very much alive. Peter, John, and James, Jesus’ inner circle of His 12 apostles, witness this amazing company of God’s Son with the greatest lawgiver and prophet. In addition, Jesus’ clothes dazzle and shine (Luke 9: 29). This experience startles the sleeping apostles with brightness around them. A nightlight like no other.

As Peter wakes up, he blurts out an idea–should he make huts for these three special ones, similar to what the Israelites used in their Old Testament desert wanderings for forty years? A good idea, Peter? Not really. But Jesus doesn’t come down hard on him just as He doesn’t on us for our off-the-wall ideas and plans. Jesus is much more understanding than we imagine. Chew on that this week.

He loves us like He does Peter. So many times the Lord could have landed on me with both feet, yet He prods me to be better. Allows tough times to teach me valuable lessons about living more for Him and others than for myself. Lessons I’m still trying to grasp. By the way, I graduated from Kindergarten last Spring, and am now getting ready for First Grade! Teacher says that progress has been noted.

Inch by inch, I’m letting Jesus be the light of my life. He’ll show the way. Just wait on Him. That’s the hard part for me, being impetuous like Peter. So, I’m challenged to let His light shine on the path ahead and to follow behind, not pushing my way into the lead. I’m trying, usually the hard way. But He’s not done with me yet. Do you want to join me? Letting Jesus’ light shine on your path this week?

By the way, I no longer need a nightlight. Any guesses why?

Thank you, Jesus, for being my light in life. Amen.

Growing up I couldn’t wait for the 4th of July, the day we celebrate our nation’s independence. Early in the morning, you could hear aerial bombs going off. Not the destructive kind, but fireworks that make a deafening, stomach-shaking boom. This went on for about an hour. Later that morning, it’s the circus at our local high school’s football field. In the evening there was a dance band followed by the night sky lighting up with awesome fireworks, culminating in a finale with reverberating blasts causing the earth to rumble beneath you.

Midday there were rides in our local park. From pony rides to mini-cars on a track. All at no additional cost after you buy the whole-day ticket, including a tear-off for a free popsicle. Good Humor trucks line up, giving away numberless popsicles, all on a hot, humid summer New Jersey day. My father and I would laugh at all the kids with extra tear-off tickets, stuffing frozen flavored ice into their back pockets to enjoy later when, unfortunately for them, all that melting goop runs down the back of their pants and legs!

What a mess! Reading Isaiah 64 we read of yet one more. The arrow is aimed at those of us who have cast God behind our backs, so to speak. Who stuff Him far away. Taking all His goodness and frittering it away on foolish sins. I know a bunch that have my name written on them. From A to Z of rebellion and selfishness. Just me? You wish.

Isaiah 64: 7–‘There is no one who calls upon your name, who rouses himself to take hold of you; for you have hidden your face from us, and have made us melt in the hand of our iniquities.’ Sins I’ve cultivated and groomed cause a colossal meltdown. Instead of helping me get ahead, I’ve only short-circuited things, causing fuses to blow out, crashing me onto some nameless dead-end streets.

Any antidote to this mess? Some help from on high? Of course. Stop stuffing precious things in your back pocket. Out of sight, out of mind. Instead, get serious about the Lord Jesus. Put Him front and center for a change. It’s where He belongs.

Tell Him you need forgiveness. Where? Which exactly? Be specific. Humble yourself (I’m looking in the mirror). Expect His help in His time and in His way. Take His direction. Follow the Bible as your guide.

Ready to go? I am. The train just pulled in. Hop on. Hey, guess who the conductor and engineer are? No, not you or me. So, sit back. Relax. Enjoy the scenery. Unwind. Guess who’s hands are on the throttle? No, not yours or mine.

You know, don’t you?

Thank you, Jesus, for taking the lead in my life. Amen.

For many years I’ve been praying about something. It’s not just any old thing. It’s big. The type only God can handle. As you can imagine, no answers have come. Should I give up? Just bag it? Don’t waste any of His time or mine? Here’s my advice–don’t budge or fudge in your prayers…until.

I’ve known people who hesitate to mention anything to the Lord as if they don’t deserve to ‘waste God’s time’. Or those who throw up their hands figuring that the Almighty doesn’t give a flying fig. Or that He’s got bigger fish to fry. After all, who am I?

Yet the Bible is crystal clear. Never give up when it comes to your prayers. Isaiah 62: 6-7 says this–‘You who put the Lord in remembrance, take no rest, and give him no rest until he…’ 1 Thessalonians 5: 17–‘…pray without ceasing…’ How about Jesus’ story of the woman who nags and badgers that nasty, good-for-nothing judge, who denies her justice, until he finally gives in to her endless hounding, finally causing him to yell ‘uncle'(or is it ‘aunt’!) at the top of his lungs (Luke 18: 1-8)?

In other words, get off your high horse, stop trying to outthink God, get hold of your pride, push it to the back burner, and talk with Jesus. Be open and honest with your Lord. Never stop until… After all, that’s what He said. Not my idea. His.

I’m not giving up on my prayers until answers come. Like it says so clearly in Isaiah–‘…and give him no rest until he…’ But remember that God’s answers can be ‘yes’, ‘no’, or ‘wait a bit longer’.

Maybe I need to grow up in my faith before He can give me the green ‘go’ light. You think? And His red ‘stop’ light often keeps me out of a deadly mess or two or a hundred. I’m somewhat content with the answer ‘no’ if it comes from God. After all, Father does know best.

Step up to the prayer plate. Keep swinging your bat. Foul balls keep you in the game. Caught out trying to steal second base? It’s okay. You’ll get another at-bat in a couple of innings. Don’t argue so much with the ump. He knows the rules and calls the plays. Just hang in there. Keep your eye on the ball. Focus. Get ready. Until…

Lord Jesus, thank you for always hearing my prayers. Amen.

Stop it, already! Before I mention exactly what you should put an end to, let me say that this devotional may not be for you. That is if you think the world of yourself. That you’re God’s gift to mankind. Never wrong. Blames anyone and everyone who crosses your path. The apple of everyone else’s eyes. That God broke the mold when He made you. You’re the top. The Mona Lisa. If that’s you, just delete this devotional right now.

For the rest of us, read on. Maybe you have a hard time imagining God forgiving you, loving you unconditionally, setting up your mansion over heaven’s hilltop, knowing that you even exist, let alone hearing any of your prayers, then what follows could be for you.

Specifically, take a gander at Isaiah 56: 3-8. My eyes perked up when I did, feeling like these verses were bowling a strike down my alley, scattering all my pins, chalking up a perfect 10!

It’s the Lord who speaks in Isaiah 56. He refers to eunuchs and foreigners. People on the outs. Less than perfect, who may feel good for nothing with God. Sounds familiar? An inner voice whispering to you? A downer even on a good day? So, stop it already!

Isaiah 56: 4-5–“For thus says the Lord: ‘To the eunuchs who keep my Sabbath, who choose the things that please me, who hold fast my covenant–I will give in my house and within my walls a monument and a name better than sons and daughters; I will give them an everlasting name that shall not be cut off.'” This was written to eunuchs. And you know what they lacked. Actually, in the Lord, as members of God’s family, they’re much better off than if they had sons and daughters.

Isaiah 56: 6-7,9–“And the foreigners who join themselves to the Lord, to minister to him, to love the name of the Lord, and to be his servants…these I will bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer…The Lord God, who gathers the outcasts of Israel, declares, ‘I will gather yet others to him besides those already gathered.'”

See what I mean? Outcasts are welcomed into God’s fold. If true for eunuchs and foreigners, then there’s hope for you and me. When you feel down and out, know that you will be up and in through faith in Jesus Christ. The Savior says, ‘I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd’ (John 10: 16).

Did you hear what Jesus said? The backdoor is unlocked. The light is on. The welcome mat is out. Come on in. The Father and Son have their arms wide open in love. It’s home time now and forever!

Thank you, Jesus, for welcoming me into your family. Amen.

Why is free food so tasty? Those samples passed out by a food truck advertising Oreos or whatever make me want even more complimentary goodies. Buy some? Maybe not. But more freebies, please! Let me meander the aisles of Costco, munching away on an endless variety of on-the-house edibles.

Reading Isaiah 55, a cloud of conviction hovers overhead. ‘Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters, and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good…’ (Is. 55: 1-2).

The Lord invites us to a feast consisting of what’s precious and pricey–water, milk, and wine. None of them were abundant in Bible times. Scarcity led to costliness. But in this Bible passage, the Lord invites us to share in the best of life, all for free. Can you imagine?

You’d think I’d spend more time, money, and energy on the good things of God, wouldn’t you? Never leaving His table of abundant blessings. Staying as close to Jesus as I can. Placing my feet firmly in His camp, refusing to be nudged or shoved off-center. You’d think.

But, sad to say, well, you know, I’ve been lax with the Lord. Wasting more time than I’d care to admit to. And He knows that I’ve been silent when I could have spoken up. Opened my big mouth when I should have been respectfully quiet. Mean-spirited when love was called for. Greedy in the face of someone else’s need which I could have helped with. Happy as a clam when somebody I didn’t like falters and suffers. He knows.

So, I need God’s water. Jesus’ milk and wine. Instead of imagining that I can earn any of that by my own efforts, I should stop wasting time, humbly fall at His feet, open my hands to Him, and let the Lord fill me with Himself. Don’t think for a moment that money or ritual will get you one extra tidbit from Him. No. Just faith in Jesus. A genuinely seeking and repentant heart. A trusting and believing soul.

Then get ready to be blessed galore, which is much better than free food and drink despite what most people think. Sometimes even me.

Thank you, Jesus, for all the blessings you freely give me every moment of every day. Amen.

I remember hearing an evangelist/Bible speaker admit that he had no idea what the book of Ezekiel was about and even wondered why God included it in the Bible. This prophetic book is one of the biggies of the Old Testament. And it’s dissed by someone who should have known better? Couldn’t believe my ears when he spouted off against good old Ezekiel.

For I’m intrigued by this book. The more I read it, the more I love it. How about you? Have you read it? Just a cursory glance or two? Then get out your water wings, we’re going for a swim (and I can’t swim!).

After many chapters in Ezekiel about the coming judgment, I’m stopped by three verses at the end of chapter 18. This section centers on the fair treatment of those who sin. This is not passing judgment as if it is inherited from father to son or son to father, but being judged only by what that particular individual does against God’s will.

I easily get bogged down with what I deserve from the Lord. Guilt hovers not far away after I’ve thumbed my nose at God. You see, I try to fool Him. Put one over on the Big Guy. Really? Are you sure? Actually, the wool is pulled over my eyes. Can’t ever hoodwink or dupe our Lord.

But you know what? Despite my playing games with God, He’s always there to comfort, forgive, hear my confessions, and note my tears. When exactly does this happen? When we come back to Him. Those times when we’re honestly sorry.

Hear Ezekiel 18–‘Therefore I will judge you…every one according to his ways, declares the Lord God. Repent and turn from all your transgressions, lest iniquity be your ruin. Cast away from you all the transgressions that you have committed, and make yourselves a new heart and a new spirit! Why will you die…? For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Lord God; so turn, and live’ (vs.30-32).

Such passionate words from God’s heart to ours. He yearns for everyone to come back to Him. To be forgiven. Therefore, given a new heart and spirit from God Himself. Why not reach out to Him? To ask Him into your life? What have you got to lose? Really a lot I’m sure you’d like to get rid of!

I can imagine some evangelist preaching these verses. Hey, I just did! How about asking the Lord Jesus into your heart? He’s the hope that will never let you down. Never.

Lord Jesus, I want to be yours forever. I believe in you. Amen.

Today’s title is not referring to when I’m strapped into my dentist’s chair. With my mouth hanging wide open, this masked man, who holds a terrifying drill aimed at my sensitive teeth, seeks to prod, poke, puncture, and perforate my dental troubles. No, that’s not what I mean.

Rather, it’s when you feel somewhat blah and blue, down in the proverbial dumps. When life throws a curveball, and you feel like you’ve struck out more than Babe Ruth, know that such is life on this other side of Eden. It’s the human condition, starting with Adam and Eve and everyone else ever since.

After all, we live on a globe where sin permeates everything. A fallen world will trip us up rather easily, making us prone to feeling a tad down in the mouth. I fall into that trap, feeling sorry for myself. Overly sensitive to other’s unsavory comments, yet I’m possibly less so to others’ feelings as I, clueless, slice and dice with my razor-sharp humor.

But the Lord has good medicine for us. Where? Of course, in your Bible. For today not in the Psalms, the Gospels, or some very familiar verse, but tucked away in the Old Testament, in the book of Isaiah.

So, grab your Bible and turn to Isaiah 43: 4–‘Because you are precious in my eyes, and honored, and I love you…’ Only a few words–‘precious…honored…loved.’ That should lift your day, shouldn’t it? Did mine.

Better than winning the lottery? Most wouldn’t think so. But, oy vey, what I’ve heard about the fate of unlucky-in-life lottery winners. Usually not good but, of course, I’d be different. I could handle all the begging from friends, family, and strangers. You think so, Fischer? Hmm. Maybe not. But you’ll never know since I’ve never bought one measly sweepstake lotto ticket with no intention of starting any time soon.

So hear God’s Word. He means what He says. Every jot and tittle. Chew on and digest each word and thought. It comes from Our Lord God to you and me. When downtimes hit, and they will, why not hit back with Isaiah 43: 4–‘Because you are precious in my eyes, and honored, and I love you…’ Again–precious…honored…loved.’

Get it? Then use it as a weapon, fighting back those inevitable blahs and blues. Keep repeating it until it sinks in. Try it on for size. You look great! You’ll like being precious and honored and loved. I do!

Thank you, Lord, for how good you are to me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

The Old Testament book of Ezekiel contains strange images, displaying disturbing, peculiar, and puzzling prophetic utterances from the Lord. Many people recoil at having anything to do with Ezekiel’s book. Not me. It’s in my Bible, for a reason, and I’m up for whatever weird and spooky images God chooses to convey His message. Bring it on, Lord!

If you’ve read Ezekiel 5, you know what I’m talking about. Our prophet is told to cut off the hair on his head along with all of his beard. In those days, religious types are supposed to grow their hair long (Lev. 21:5). Then Ezekial is told to weigh and divide the shaven follicles. Take one-third and burn them. Then he’s to scatter the next third around the city, striking those hairy bits with a sword. Hope he has a steady hand! Finally, the remaining locks and curls should be tossed to the wind.

What gives? I scratch my head until I realize that these are symbolic acts, signifying God’s judgment on His rebellious and unrepentant people, which should produce terror in their hearts and minds as it would in mine. Hope disappears. All lost. Cut and shaved. Tossed aloft into the sirocco-like winds. Doomsday is just around the corner.

Please don’t skip over a rather short verse in Chapter 5. As in this one–‘And you shall take from these a small number and bind them in the skirts of your robe’ (Ez. 5: 3). I’m not sure that we all get the point of this verse. I had to do some digging myself. Here’s what I found–Ezekiel is told to hide some of those shaved-off clippings in the folds of his outer garment, his robe. Kept safe from fire, sword, and wind. Tucked in. Safe and secure from all alarms.

Even when all hell seems to break loose, God takes care of His own. Either in this life or surely in the next. Folded, gathered, and pleated. Stored and securely stashed away. These are God’s remnant people, who count on Him alone for their help and care. They find themselves safe in His back pocket, so to speak.

My father kept a 1922 US silver dollar in his wallet in his back pocket (when those large dollar coins mainly contained silver). He said it reminded him to keep some extra money aside for an emergency. He was a good saver. And he urged me to do the same. This is one of the lessons I learned from my Dad. To tuck something away for unexpected troubles.

In a similar vein, the Lord Jesus makes sure that His own are shielded and guarded. Kept in His back pocket. Even more precious than silver and gold. Close by. Within reach. Only a hop, skip, and a jump away. Always on His mind. Embedded with His kindness and care.

This week, when you feel scared or all alone, remember that He keeps you in His neighborhood. He wants to reassure you that all will be well in the folds of His robes, protected from harm, sheltered in His love.

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

Usually, it takes only an occasional reassuring word to lift my day. An encouraging e-mail thanking me for what I’ve written. I don’t get tons of feedback from readers. A good thing? Could be. Keeps me grounded and off my high horse! Anyway, I don’t need ego-boosting backslapping.

I know the Lord wants me to keep at it. ‘Write for me’ was what I heard inaudibly, in the back of my mind, driving across the great state of Texas in early 2014, just weeks after retiring from my last church. Though different from what I had been doing, the Lord had more for me to do. As in what you’re reading right now!

But on rare occasions, my confidence flags and withers. I ask myself, ‘Does anyone really care?. ‘All for nothing?’ Maybe I just thought I’d heard from the Lord. Or was it too much TexMex food eaten at a waterfront restaurant along the Riverwalk in San Antonio? That yummy bean-laden grub can back up on me something fierce.

Here’s a most uplifting verse from the Bible–‘For the Lord takes pleasure in his people; he adorns the humble with salvation’ (Ps. 149:4). Those words were like a tall glass of ice-cold lemonade on a blistering hot and humid Texas day!

Those few words, easily memorized even by me, tell us that our Lord not only likes us but takes pleasure in knowing us, and having a relationship with you and me. Is that even possible? Really? Truly!

Usually, I don’t like to get technical in these weekly devotionals, sounding scholastic and heady, certainly less than humble, but I’ll break my rule this time. In the original Hebrew language, the phrase ‘takes pleasure’ is a participle, which is a verbal adjective. In English, participles usually have an ‘…ing’ ending. Unpacking this gobbledygook grammar lesson, we uncover that God’s enjoyment of you and me is continuous, and enduring, not just a mere infatuation or a momentary fling, but something that lasts and lasts. Living and lasting. Persevering. Continuing. Persisting. Going on and on.

We’re favored by Him. Well-pleasing to our God. Around the clock, day and night, God is taking pleasure in His own.

What about this being humble bit? It doesn’t mean being some bully’s doormat. Quite the contrary. It involves knocking, asking, and seeking Jesus (check out Luke 11: 9-10). In other words, humility means not thinking that we’re so high and mighty that we can handle anything and everything that comes our way all on our own. No. We need His help. His guidance. His forgiveness. His salvation which comes from believing in Jesus. Not what we can do for God, but what He’s already done for us in Jesus. That’s what humility looks more like.

This short verse should find a home in our hearts and minds this week, to be better prepared with the truth of God’s Word countering nasty things that inevitably find us in a weak moment.

Let’s memorize Psalm 149: 4–‘For the Lord takes pleasure in his people; he adorns the humble with salvation.’

For your encouraging words, Lord Jesus, I thank you. All for your sake. Amen.