Making It Through The Storm

"My Most Significant Opportunities Will Be Found In My Times Of Greatest Difficulty."

- Raymond Bechard

No one escapes trials in life. When pursuing your God-given dreams, you are on a collision course with challenges and disappointments. But, these don't have to derail your destiny! Please remember that God is in control. So don't demand to understand all the challenges in life. Just trust in God's specific, glorious plan for you. Take a deep breath (or two, or twenty) and remain faithful no matter what. Don't give up and quit on your dream no matter what you face. Boldly ask God to give you the strength to stay faithful to what He's called you to do.

Today's Prayer

Father in Heaven, Thank-You for reminding me today, that once the storm is over, I may not remember how I made it through, how I managed to survive. I won't even be sure, whether the storm is really over. But one thing is certain. When I come out of the storm, I won't be the same person who walked in. That's what this storm's all about. In Jesus name. Amen....

Sleep Well . . .

Never alone! NEVER ALONE! What a promise. God will go with us through all the seasons of life, through all our ups and downs, through trials, temptations and triumphs, even through death (Psalm 139). So we can take courage and feel His strength. We are not alone!

Father in heaven, who is and was and is to come, thank You for being there and staying there when all others forsake and leave. You are the one constant in my life so full of change. Help me become more steadfast and faithful in my commitments and relationships to honor You and to learn more about You. 

Through Jesus I pray. Amen.

Sleep Tight…

A Prayer for The Anxious

Dear Heavenly Father,

I come into your presence this morning Lord exercising the freedom that is mine as a blood washed, born again child of God. I thank you Jesus for purchasing my salvation at a tremendous and sacrificial cost. That you tore away the veil that separated me from God the Father and because of you I have access to the very throne of God today. Praise the name of the Lord.

I pray this morning for all of your children who are suffering from anxiety.

There are many with physical ailments that are visible for all to see, but there are those Lord you know, who are struggling with inner conflicts and they try to present an outward appearance of normalcy in front of others. It's as if they feel a sense of shame in admitting their problem and so they seek to hide it from their peers. I realize this puts great pressure on them and so compounds their problem. I pray today God that they would be released from their anxiety whatever it is. That they would be able to appropriate your power to heal the inner man as well as any physical debility. I pray you will introduce them to someone who is caring and sensitive to help them resolve this anxiety, and cause them to permanently rise above these feelings and to become the man or woman you desire them to be. To realize their potential in you.

In Jesus Name - Amen.

IT'S UP TO YOU

“Jesus entered a village where a woman whose name was Martha welcomed him. She had a sister named Mary who sat beside the Lord at his feet listening to him speak. Martha, burdened with much serving, came to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me by myself to do the serving? Tell her to help me.” The Lord said to her in reply, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things. There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her.”

Luke 10:38-42

Have you ever felt like Martha? We all have. But, it’s important to take a close look at what she is really worried about. Martha is telling Jesus that she is not being treated fairly. She wants others to start acting differently so that she will feel better. Sound familiar?

Poor Martha wants everyone around her to change, but she is not willing to change at all.

That can be a familiar feeling. When things aren’t going our way, sometimes our first reaction is to think that we are being ignored or taken advantage of. “Why is everyone doing this to me?”

This is when you can turn to the Holy Spirit for wisdom and freedom. If you do you will find an opportunity for real peace in any tense situation. But, you must take responsibility for changing yourself before trying to change anyone else, especially if you are asking for divine grace to help you. You see, while the Lord will help you deal with you, He alone will deal with everyone else.

And when you allow the presence of Jesus to have absolute first place in your heart, I guarantee amazing things will happen in your life! That is because God is so creative He can lead you to life-changing thoughts, decisions, and actions. This will do far more than just resolve a particular situation; it will bring healing, freedom, and even deliverance.

Be assured that your love and compassion for others will always replace your fuming over be slighted by them. Yes, if you call upon Him, God’s own divine wisdom will lead you to make changes in you and how you deal with everyone else in your life. He may even reveal how you played a key role in creating whatever problems you face . . . along with a way out of the mess!

But, no matter what the Spirit reveals to you, you will find your faith and trust in Jesus deepening. And as you experience His power to change your heart, His grace will flow out of you, helping everyone around you to experience that very same healing, freedom, and lasting joy.   

Today’s Prayer

“Jesus, I  need you! I bring every troubled relationship and situation to you. I know if I don’t place these things  in your hands, they will spiral out of control until I give them to you. Please pour your peace and patience upon each person involved. Let your mercy triumph over every division. Holy Spirit, allow your grace to fill me right now. I want to turn from my anger. Show me how I can respond differently here. Amen.”

The Lord's Toolbox

Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy; And gathered them out of the lands, from the east, and from the west, from the north, and from the south. They wandered in the wilderness in a solitary way; they found no city to dwell in. Hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted in them. Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them out of their distresses. - Psalms 107:2-6

That great theologian, Charles Spurgeon once wrote these wonderful words to his students, “Lectures to my Students”, “Fits of depression come over most of us. Usually cheerful as we may be, we must at intervals be cast down. The strong are not always vigorous, the wise not always ready, the brave not always courageous, and the joyous not always happy. There may be here and there men of iron…but surely the rust frets even these.”

Spurgeon understood that not every day dawns brightly. Sometimes it rains. And sometimes, great storms come upon us. While dark days happen to us all, you must realize their inherent danger. I am reminded of a little story I heard recently about the pitfalls of feeling blue.

It seems the devil was upgrading the tools he uses to steal souls and ruin lives. So, he put all his old tools for sale on the internet. Each one of his tools had its own listing and was marked with a unique selling price. Hatred, Envy, Jealousy, Doubt, Lying, Lust, Pride, etc. They were all there, but only one stood at the very top of the list, highlighted above all the rest. It was a harmless-looking tool, well-worn, but priced very high. Discouragement.

Someone emailed the devil, “why is that one priced so high?” the person asked. He replied, “That one is more useful to me than all the rest. With it I can pry open someone’s heart like a crow bar. Discouragement gets me in when other tools fail. And once inside, I can lead them any way I choose. The tool is very worn because I use it on almost everyone, especially since very few people know it belongs to me.”

is very important to realize the power of discouragement and what it can lead to. I have seen good lives destroyed because people left themselves open to all the troubles despair can cause: bad decisions in relationships, drug use, poor health, and even worse. It can send you into a downward spiral to a place you just don’t want to go.

Yes, the enemy loves to discourage us, but we have one of God’s tools which is much more powerful: Encouragement from the Holy Spirit! When the dark days come, remember the Holy Spirit is here to help you press through and lift you out from the quicksand of discouragement, while setting your feet upon the Rock of salvation.

The real challenge is to look past your own despair and find those around you who may be struggling in the swamp of despondency. Do not abandon them. Reach down and help them up and out. Because you are part of the Lord’s Toolbox; an essential tool He needs to build His Kingdom. That’s right, through what you do and what you say, you have the power to rekindle a discouraged soul and bring inspiration to them.

Now is the time to get out of the Lord’s toolbox and get to work!

Today's Prayer

Dear Jesus, please save me from discouragement. Sometimes, I am too weak to face despair on my own. I need your help all day and all night to shield my heart from the darkness. Open me to the power of Your Holy Spirit and let You encouragement shine within me. Allow me to be a strong tool for building Your Kingdom by lifting up those around me. Amen

WHO'S PACKING YOUR PARACHUTE?

"Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. Do not repay anyone evil for evil.

Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody.

If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone."

Romans 12:16-18

Charles Plumb flew 74 successful combat missions over North Vietnam. On his 75th mission, with only five days before he was to return home, Plumb was shot down, captured, tortured, and imprisoned in an 8 foot x 8 foot cell for the next six years.

Eventually, Charles Plumb made it home. One day, he was sitting in a restaurant in Kansas City. “A man about two tables away kept looking at me,” he explains. “I didn't recognize him. But, a few minutes into our meal he stood up and walked over to my table, looked down at me, pointed his finger in my face and said, ‘You're Captain Plumb.’ I looked up and I said, ‘Yes sir, I'm Captain Plumb.’"

The man then said, "You flew jet fighters in Vietnam. You were on the aircraft carrier Kitty Hawk. You were shot down. You parachuted into enemy hands and spent six years as a prisoner of war." Charles Plumb was stunned. He asked the stranger how he knew so much about him.

The man simply replied, "Because, I packed your parachute."

Mr. Plumb says, “I was speechless. I staggered to my feet and held out a very grateful hand of thanks.” He then told his new friend, “I must tell you I've said a lot of prayers of thanks for your nimble fingers, but I never thought I'd have the opportunity to express my gratitude in person."

Charles Plumb was overjoyed, but he didn’t get much sleep that night. “I kept thinking about that man. I kept wondering what he might have looked like in a Navy uniform - a Dixie cup hat, a bib in the back and bell bottom trousers. I wondered how many times I might have passed him on board the Kitty Hawk. I wondered how many times I might have seen him and not even said ‘good morning’, ‘how are you?’ or anything because, you see, I was a fighter pilot and he was just a sailor. How many hours did he spend on that long wooden table in the bowels of that ship weaving the shrouds and folding the silks of those chutes? I could have cared less...until one day my parachute came along and he packed it for me.”

Right now, this very moment, ask yourself this one simple question, “Who’s packing my parachute?”

This one question gives you an incredible opportunity to see the unseen, to know the unknown and to appreciate the overlooked. But, you must be honest with yourself. Who are the special – and maybe not so special - people in your life who provide you with strength, support, encouragement – or just a smile, the brakes fixed on your car, your bags packed at the grocery store – who make your days better and brighter?

The Lord sends a lot of people to pack our parachutes everyday. We may not know exactly who they are, but it could be anyone. That’s why we must appreciate and show God’s love to everyone we meet.

This Week’s Prayer

Dear Lord, You have saved me every way a person can be saved. You have saved my life, my soul and my place in heaven. I know you send people to save me every day. Thank you for them. I ask that you bless their lives and their work. Please allow me to show them the appreciation and gratitude they deserve. And show me the many opportunities I will have to pack the parachutes of those around me. Amen.

THANK YOU

I will give thanks to the LORD because of his righteousness

and will sing praise to the name of the Lord Most High.

Psalms 7:17

Born in 1890, Eddie Rickenbacker, was an American pioneer. He became famous as an ace pilot in World War I, receiving the Medal of Honor for his service and heroics. He was also a race car driver and automotive designer, a government consultant in military matters and a pioneer in air transportation. During his lifetime, Rickenbacker worked with many influential civilian and military leaders. They counted on his keen insight into technology and his vision for the future of transportation that proved remarkably accurate well after his death in 1973

He also never went a week without feeding shrimp to seagulls at the old pier close to his home.

Why would this remarkable man take time each week to treat the seagulls to such a delight? Because Eeddie Rickenbacker was a grateful man. It began in 1942 when Rickenbacker and the crew of his B-17 ran out of fuel and crashed in the Pacific Ocean while trying to deliver a message to General Douglas MacArthur. After eight days in a lifeboat the crews’ rations ran out. They had no food and were quickly starving to death. Suffering from exposure, dehydration and exhaustion, Rickenbacker fell asleep just after finishing an afternoon devotional and prayer service. It was a Friday afternoon and Eddie expected this to be his final rest.

From out of nowhere, a seagull miraculously landed on his head. The other men immediately snatched the bird and ate its meat. The bird’s intestines, to dangerous to eat, were used for fish bait. Soon, they were devouring the fish they caught and were able to survive until rescue came a few days later.

Their lives were saved by a seagull that was mysteriously hundreds of miles from land.

So every Friday afternoon until the day he died, Rickenbacker would slowly walk to the end of the ocean pier near his home. And there he would stand and wait. Soon, the squawking of seagulls would surround him. He would feed shrimp to the seagulls for a half-hour or so - until his bucket was empty.

Yet each week, even after the shrimp was all gone, his friends would linger with him, sensing something more than just food. They perched on his hat. They flew along side him. They stood next to him.

That is when Eddie Rickenbacker would quietly say, “Thank you.”

If you’re drifting in a lifeboat right now, wondering whether or not you are going to survive, I have good news for you …You Will! The Lord loves you and will stop at nothing to swoop down and save you no matter what. It may be a call from a friend, it may be a new job, or it may be some seagull – or Turkey – to eat! No matter how He does it, He will save you. And no matter how He does it, now is the time to say, “Thank You!”

This Week’s Prayer

Father, Thank You for all you have done for me. Thank You for giving me Your Son, Jesus. Thank You for always saving me again and again. Let me never forget that I must be grateful every moment of my life, for I know that gratitude is the mother of all virtues. Amen.

Begin At The Beginning

The end of a matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride.  Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools.

Ecclesiasties 7:8-9

How do your control your actions, your anger, your patience – especially with those you love?

Recently, I heard about a wonderful couple. This extraordinary man and woman had been married for more than 60 years. Through the years they shared everything. They had talked about everything. They kept no secrets from each other . . . except one. It seems the little old woman had a shoe box in the top of her closet that she had warned her husband never to open or ask her about.

For all of those years he never thought about the box. But, then one day the old woman got very sick and the doctor said she would not recover. In trying to settle their affairs, her old husband slowly took down the shoe box and brought it to his wife's bedside.

She agreed that it was time he should know what was in the box.  When he opened it, he found two crocheted dolls and a stack of money totaling $95,000. He was astonished. “When we were to be married,” she explained, “my grandmother told me the secret of a happy marriage was to never argue. She told me that if I ever got angry with you, I should just keep quiet and crochet a little doll.”

The old man was so moved. Tears ran down his face. There were only two precious dolls in the box! She had only been angry with him two times in all those years of living and loving. He almost burst with happiness. 

“Darling,” he said, “that explains the dolls, but what about all this money? Where did it come from?”

“Oh, that,” she said, “that's the money I made from selling all the other dolls.”

How do we control our actions, our anger, our patience – especially with those we love? How do we create a life worthy of the Lord, worthy of our family? It begins at the beginning.

It begins with you and what resides deep within you. Just remember this simple wisdom:

• Watch your thoughts; they become words.
• Watch your words; they become actions.
• Watch your actions; they become habits.
• Watch your habits; they become character.
• Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.

Yes, there is a direct relationship between you thoughts and your destiny. The old woman knew this every time she made one of her dolls. She controlled her anger and her pride and allowed patience to win the day.

But, don’t go it alone. No! Because if the Lord Jesus does not reside within you, then you will not carry the strength necessary to expel all the negativity, self-centeredness, and fear that worms its way into your daily life.

Invite the Lord into your heart and mind and then your thoughts and emotions will forever gravitate toward everything that is good. Your destiny will be shaped by a loving God who wants you to have a glorious life with Him.

This Week’s Prayer

Dear Lord, Remind me to take a deep breath whenever the stress becomes too much, whenever my anger tries to take control, and whenever I am running out of energy to make it through the day. Let me breath You in; Your Holy Spirit, You love, Your promise of a better tomorrow. Help me to control my thoughts and emotions. Remind me that I am in control of them and they do not control me. Come into my heart today and everyday as I make my way to Your Kingdom. Amen.

PLAYING WITH FIRE

Can a man scoop fire into his lap without his clothes being burned?

Proverbs 6:27

For over 500 years, Mount Pinatubo sat silently on the island of Luzon in the Philippines. Once a tremendous volcano, now residents of the tiny villages surrounding the great tower looked upon the mountain as just a dormant pile of ash and rock. It just wasn’t something they worried about.

That is until the afternoon of June 15, 1991 when Mount Pinatubo erupted in the second largest volcanic explosion of the 20^th century – twice the power of the 1980 Mount St. Helens eruption.

The tremendous release of power blasted an entire cubic mile off the mountaintop. The earth shook for eight hours – that’s an eight hour earthquake! The newly awakened volcano produced an ash cloud rising 50,000 feet above the earth. If all that were not enough, Typhoon Yunga struck the island on the same day with fierce winds and torrential rains, mixing with the ash creating what the locals now call “Black Saturday.”

Consequences of the eruption were catastrophic. For instance, the United States was forced to abandon and eventually close Clark Air Force base, located just a few miles from Mount Pinatubo, because of the impenetrable blanket of fallen ash.

When an expert was asked about the widespread damage and destruction, he said something very important, “When a volcano is silent for many years, people forget it’s a volcano and begin to treat it like a mountain.”

Definitely words to live by!

We have to be aware of how sin has the potential to erupt in our lives, no matter how long it has been dormant. It’s a deadly mistake to ignore this possibility simply because we have lived without committing long-ago sins – even for decades.

We must remain steadfast until our dying day. That means we can never forget the danger that lives within us and around us at every moment. Like a volcano, sin has the potential to burn – and burn severely – at any moment. That is why the scripture above is so important. It reminds us that there is no way to play with fire without going up in flames!

That’s what sin does. And no matter how long it’s been since it erupted in your life, don’t ever forget that sin is never dormant. Fortunately, Jesus has you covered. He is always there to protect you in any storm, earthquake, explosion, or any other disaster that makes its way into your life. Our Lord is the only place to go when sin comes creeping in or just blows up in your face. That’s why the great Theologian D.L. Moody wrote, “When you’re thinking sin, think scripture!”

Remember, the enemy is never dormant . . . and neither is sin. The best thing to do is study God’s Word. Let it sink deep within your soul, your mind and your heart. And there the Lord Jesus will reside . . . and you will experience a new kind of fire, the fire of the Holy Spirit.

NEVER TOO YOUNG

Then our sons in their youth will be like well-nurtured plants,

and our daughters will be like pillars carved to adorn a palace.

                                                Psalm 144:12

Young people need to know that God has placed enormous value in them and has incredibly powerful love for them.

No doubt, it matters how we raise our children and what we impart upon their lives, their minds, their hearts and their souls because young people matter to God. He depends on them to carry His Kingdom. And sometimes, no matter how much they can get on your nerves….they will surprise you.

Calvin Leon Graham is an excellent example. Mr. Graham was a gunner on the U.S.S. South Dakota while it was buffeted by the Japanese in the Battle of Guadalcanal in 1942. He was struck in the jaw and mouth by shrapnel while his battleship suffered 47 enemy hits. Though seriously wounded, he helped pull his friends to safety. Among other honors, he was awarded a Purple Heart and Bronze Star.

At the time, he was 12 years old; the youngest person ever to enlist in the United States Navy, and the youngest U.S. serviceman during World War II.

Our children can do great things, miraculous things! We only need to provide them with a path to our Lord Jesus, allowing them to experience the awesome wonder of the Holy Spirit in their young lives.

This Week’s Prayer

Lord Jesus, give me patience as I raise with my children. Protect them as they make their way in the world. Touch them with your Holy Spirit. Open their eyes to You and Your love for them. Please do not allow them to waste their youth, but help them build a solid foundation of faith. I pray You will guide me in guiding my children, and all our youth, to Your Kingdom. Amen.

WANTED: EVERY DAY HEROES

He saved them from the hand of the foe;

from the hand of the enemy he redeemed them.

Psalm 106:10

Irena Sendler

In 1939 the Nazis invaded Poland and began their war against the Jewish people there. They began by establishing ghettos into which all Jews were forced to relocate. Food was scarce. The housing was filthy and crowded. The guards were brutal....and the days to come would only get worse.

Yet, there were heroes.

One woman, a woman whose name you may have never known, took action. Irena Sendler, a Catholic woman in her thirties, decided to join an underground movement against the Germans. In the beginning she helped Jews by providing food, shelter and over 3,000 false documents which allowed some to flee the coming Holocaust. The punishment for these “crimes” was death, but Irena continued her heroic work. Later, God would call upon her in even greater ways.

Because she worked for the Social Welfare Department, Irena was given a special permit to enter the Warsaw Ghetto to check for signs of disease among the Jews trapped there. But that’s not all Irena was doing.

Irena realized she had a unique opportunity to help the Jewish children held captive by the extraordinary evil of the Nazis. With total access to the ghetto, she organized the smuggling of children out of the Ghetto, carrying them in boxes, suitcases and hand trolleys.  She even smuggled out babies and small children in by disguising them as packages.

The children were placed with non-Jewish Polish families, in convents, or in church rectories where they could be further hidden. In order to keep track of their original and new identities, Irena She hid lists of the children’s names in jars. She assured the children that when the war was over they would be returned to their families.

In 1943, Irena was arrested by the Gestapo, severely tortured, and sentenced to death.

In total, Irena Sendler saved at least 2500 children from of the ghettos and away from certain death. Her story is a reminder that there are always opportunities for you to become a hero for those in need. It only takes the mind of Christ, thinking as Christ would think in any given situation, to provide you with the wisdom and courage to do what He needs done.

No, you may not be called upon to smuggle children out of danger. But, you may be asked to help a friend at work, to assist a single mother, to change a tire, to serve a meal, or if it is God’s will, give your life to save others as Jesus did.

Fortunately, this was not Irena’s calling. You see, on the way to her execution in 1943, the German guards, having been bribed by Irena’s colleagues in the underground, left her for dead in the woods. She was rescued and lived out the rest of her life in Poland. After the war, she dug up the jars with the children's identities. For years, she tried to return the children to their families. However, almost all the parents died in the Holocaust.

Having been honored by several international organizations, she passed away in 2008.

The message of Irena Sendler’s life is that all of us have a job to do. Because the Lord needs each of us to help one another in times of danger, pain, suffering and grief. Right now, He needs you to rescue his children from whatever ghettos they face – large or small. Yes, He needs YOU to be his Hero today.

This Week's Prayer

Dear Lord, I am willing to go where You need me to go and do what You need me to do. I only need you to make me able. Give me the power of Your Holy Spirit and the courage to move ahead in helping others. You are my Hero for saving my soul and giving me eternal life. Now, I want to be Your hero by following Your will every day and in every way. Amen.

WHAT YOU'LL FIND ON THE JERICHO ROAD

…Jesus said: "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him.”

Luke 10:30-33

The Jericho Road

If you have ever been to Israel and traveled along the Jericho Road then you know how lonely, desolate, mountainous and dangerous it is. Even today, 2000 years after Jesus told the story of the Good Samaritan, it is not a place to be caught alone. Modern-day travelers are still beaten, robbed and left for dead.

And it was here, 20 centuries ago, that a man chose to do something out of the ordinary. That is how he became the symbol of compassion for all of humanity, the Good Samaritan.

We all like to think of ourselves as compassionate - and to a certain extent we all are. But of course, there is a limit to our compassion. It’s true. For each of us, there is a point beyond which our compassion will not go. So, the key question is: where is that stopping point for you?

The only way to find the answer is to walk along your Jericho Road, the journey that symbolizes your walk through life.

Keep in mind your daily journey is fraught with danger, loneliness, challenges … and opportunities. Like that old road through the dessert, your days are filled with people who have been left for dead in one way or another. That is why you need to be prepared, because you never know what you’re going to find.

No, you probably won’t find a man who has been beaten up, but you may have a friend who won’t explain her bruises, or a man whose child has run away, or an colleague who cannot face another day alone, or a single mother who is too exhausted to face her children . . . and on and on and on. Here is where the limits of your compassion will be tested.

But, there is good news.

Jesus has given you His compassion. That’s right. You have all the compassion you need for every situation that will be presented to you. In fact, Jesus is putting you in these situations specifically because He needs YOU there!

Indeed, it is always best to treat all people as though they are hurting, because more often than not, they are. Can you imagine if every person treated everyone they encounter with sensitivity, compassion and grace – the way Jesus did? That is, in fact, exactly what He commanded us to do. That is why He told the story of the Good Samaritan.

Remember, God needs you to do what He needs to do. You are His representative, His hands, His feet, and His servant here on earth. That is why He has given you His limitless compassion.

There are so many hurting people who need to know they are worthy of love. And just as God builds into each one of us the need for Him, I believe He also gives us the need to help one another – especially when times are tough. At this very moment, people in your home, your workplace, your community and your world are hurt, damaged and just plain tired.

It is up to you to pick them up off the dusty road where you find them and give them the care they need, no matter who they are or where they are from. Because Jesus needs you to do what He needs to do – save His children.

This Week’s Prayer

Lord Jesus, even now I know of so many people who are hurting. Like myself, they face pain, shame, fear and challenges no one should face alone. Bring us together, Father. Let us share the face of compassion with one another. Give us the strength and courage to lift each other up and encourage everyone we meet. The Jericho Road leads to every home and every heart on earth. Guide me as I travel its path today, and lead me to those who need to know Your loving grace. Amen.

THE ULTIMATE SECOND CHANCE

Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

John 11.25-26

Years ago in ancient Russian villages, at a time when many children did not survive infancy, it was the custom to have a “mourning hut” at the outskirts of every town. All the women who lost their young children were sent to live in this hut for one full month of solitude and grief. At the end of the month, the hut was set on fire – with the woman still inside. At that point she had to decide whether to live or die. If she came out of the burning hut, this indicated that she was prepared to live her life once again. Then, she would rebuild the hut for the next mother in mourning.

            I find the rebuilding of the hut by the woman is the most striking point of this old story. She was acknowledging that tragedy is a part of life we must accept and for which we must prepare. She was saying, “Sometimes there are happy endings, but life is not going to be filled with them.”

            In our world today, we often set ourselves up to be greatly disappointed. As a culture we readily buy into the theory that we should and can be happy all the time. And if life is not always wonderful then something is wrong with us. After all, aren’t we supposed to be constantly filled with joy! No wonder depression is so prevalent today.       

Even as Christians, we expect the path ahead to be a rosy one. But, just because you are a friend of Jesus does not mean that you will not get your heart broken. After all, who suffered more hardships than Jesus Himself? No, Jesus does not tell us we will be free from life’s tragedies, but He does promise to carry us through them and to always give us another chance.

100 years ago, the famed Polish pianist Arthur Rubinstein was lonely, hungry and in debt, his career as a musician was going nowhere. He felt there was nothing left for him but suicide. His problem was finding a way. He had no gun, no poison, and the idea of jumping out of the window was revolting because, "I might have to go on living with broken arms and legs."

Arthur chose to hang himself with an old belt from his robe. He went into the bathroom, stood on a chair, and secured one end of the belt to an overhead hook. Then he tied the other end around his neck and kicked over the chair. The worn-out belt immediately came apart, and Rubinstein fell to the floor with a crash.

He lay where he had fallen for a long time, weeping. Later, he stumbled outside to the streets of the city and felt the warm sunshine on his eyes. Suddenly, it was as if he were reborn. Later, the legendary pianist would never forget what the experience taught him. He said, "Love life, for better or for worse, without conditions.”

Is there any greater gift than the gift of having another chance at life? That was the gift Jesus gave Lazarus. New life. He said, "I AM the resurrection and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live. . . ." And that is the promise he has given you today. Jesus IS the resurrection and the life – the Ultimate Second Chance.

It does not mean you will not have your heart broken from time to time. But it does mean that you must make a choice, right now, today. Will you stay in your hut and watch it burn around you? Or will you choose to live, come out of your burning hut and help those who are coming down the same road you have traveled? Will you take the second chance that Jesus is giving you? Remember, if you are in Christ neither life nor death will ever defeat you, for the One who raised Lazarus from the dead will give you new life as well.

This Week’s Prayer

Dear Lord, thank you for the life you have given me. May I never take what you have given me for granted. I choose to live every day fully awake and alive, acknowledging that each moment is a gift. In good times and in bad, I know you will always be with me, my constant friend and my loving Lord. And through all the pain and broken hearts of life, please make me a stronger servant for you. Amen.

CROSSING THE LINE

As he came near and saw the city, he wept over it.

Luke 19:41

On March 3, 1836, only 183 men remained to defend The Alamo against a huge army led by Santa Anna. Two hours before dusk, the Mexican guns suddenly stopped firing. The end was near.

The Commander of The Alamo, William Travis quickly assembled his men. He told them that no reinforcements were coming. "Our doom is certain," Travis told the tired, beaten men. Then, Travis pulled his sword from its sheath and drew a line in the dirt. He asked every man who was committed to remain in the Alamo, fight and die to cross the line.

Topley Holland was the first man to cross the line. Others quickly followed including Davy Crockett. Another man was Colonel Jim Bowie. He was very sick and unable to cross the line on his own, so he called for help. Four men carried him from his cot and lifted him over the line. On March 6, the Alamo fell. Every man within her walls died.

But, as their lives ended a great new beginning sprang forth. Because of their choice to cross the line, the Republic of Texas was born from their sacrifice.

The moment Jesus entered Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, He had crossed the line. The end was near.

This should have been the happiest single day in Jesus' life. Yet, we read that “He wept over” the city. Why? After all, huge Passover crowds had come out to greet Him. So many people, in fact, that the Pharisees murmured, "Look! The whole world has gone after him!" On that first Palm Sunday began it appeared as though Jesus’ preaching ministry would be a huge success.

But Jesus knew better. He knew how disloyal the crowds would become. He knew that when He needed His people the most, they would all forsake Him and run away. This same welcoming crowd would escort Him to the Cross. Today, they were shouting, "Hosanna!" By Friday, they were shouting, "Crucify Him!" In just a few days, Jesus would be arrested, tried, whipped, humiliated, spat upon, cursed at, betrayed, crucified, dead, and buried.

It took less than a week for this Man to be destroyed by betrayal.

He had crossed the line. But, as His life ended a great new beginning sprang forth.

He shed His blood for us. And now He draws a line in the sand and asks you to cross over to His side. Make no mistake, if you choose Jesus, you will need to make a very special kind of commitment. Now is the time.

As we approach Easter, will you cross the line to the Cross of Christ?

This week’s prayer

Dear Lord, I offer my eternal thanks for your Son Jesus Christ. He died for me so that I may spend eternity in your glorious presence. Please guide me so that I will not take lightly my commitment to Jesus. Help me to live a Jesus kind of sacrifice. Amen.

IT'S NOT YOUR JOB

"Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men's hearts."

I Corinthians 4:5

Joel Hemphill, a great southern gospel songwriter, wrote a hit song in the 1970's called "He's Still Working On Me.” It went like this:

"There really ought to be a sign upon my heart,
'Don’t Judge Me Yet There's An Unfinished Part'.
But I’ll be perfect just according to his plan,
Fashioned by the Master's loving hand."

Some Christians spend a lot of time judging others. I find it ironic that while we are supposed to proclaim the “good news” of the gospel, we often turn unbelievers away by our own bad news in the form of harsh criticism and judgment. After looking at how judgmental we can be, they might say to themselves: "If that’s Christianity, then I don’t want any part of it." Why do we push others away from Christ instead of allowing them to see the Christian qualities in us that bring us true peace and joy?

I’m afraid when we get to heaven, some of us are going to have a lot of explaining to do. Yes, as saved sinners our sins are forgotten, but the Bible promises that we will stand before God to discuss the good and bad in our lives.

So what are we to do? Without exception, Jesus tells us that that we should not judge no matter what. He tells us, "For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with measure you use, it will be measured you." You see, Jesus knew the dangers of one person judging another. He knew the damage we could do to His ministry if people saw Christians judging everyone. Maybe that’s why some of His strongest warnings concerned judgment. "Why," He said, "do you look at a speck of sawdust in your brothers eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?"

He is reminding us that we can’t look at others unless we look at them through our own mistakes, failures, and sins. By doing this, He knows that we will be less inclined to judge and more inclined to forgive and love.

You see, none of us is where we need to be in our relationship with Christ. Yet, the Lord does not judge us the same way we judge others. When God looks at your life, He looks first at your heart and not your mistakes!

This week, remember how Joel Hemphill finished his song:

"In the mirror of his word, reflections that I see.
Make me wonder why he never gave up on me.
But he loves me as I am and helps me when I pray.
Remember, He’s the potter, I’m the clay."

This Week’s Prayer

Oh Lord, I want to promise you that I will never judge again. I know your command is to love and forgive, never to judge. I know how painful it is when others judge me. Please give me the disciple to follow all your commands, but especially the command to never judge others. My heart’s desire is to bring others the good news of your Son Jesus. This is my passion and purpose. Set my eyes upon this one, singular goal, Lord. And allow me to see the things I must correct in myself and no one else. Amen.

ALL YOU CAN

“And He saw a certain poor widow putting in two mites.

So He said, “Truly I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all;

for all these out of their abundance have put in offerings for God,

but she out of her poverty put in all the livelihood that she had.”

Luke 21:2-4

Today, a widow is not destined to a life of poverty when her husband passes away. But in the days of the Bible, widows without families to provide for them were left to beg on the streets for a living. The widow Jesus observed was pennies away from being absolutely destitute. He knew she had given all that she had, reserving nothing for herself.

The mite was the lowest valued coin in the Hebrew culture of the day. It was worth less than a fraction of a penny. It was certainly no match for the large offerings given by the wealthy or even those who were struggling, but surviving.

That is an essential point. This woman had no way to survive; yet she gave.

That is why Jesus was so touched. He was not focused on the amount of money, but by the depth of her giving – from a place of poverty.

In his lifetime, the great theologian, John Wesley, traveled 250,000 miles on horseback, averaging twenty miles a day for forty years. He preached 4,000 sermons, produced 400 books, and learned ten languages. At 83 years old, he was annoyed that he could not write more than 15 hours a day without hurting his eyes. At 86, he was ashamed he could not preach more than twice a day. He complained in his diary that there was an increasing tendency to just lie in bed quite late – all the way until 5:30 in the morning!

Like the widow who gave only two mites, John Wesley gave everything of himself.

And that is the beauty of giving to God. It is not the amount of money we can afford to give. The Lord loves you. That is why He desires most for you to give of yourself, no matter who you are, what you do or how much you have.

This is what makes you so important to God’s Kingdom. You have something the Lord needs you – just you – to give. You have a unique and vital role to play in the story of the gospel. Now is the time for you to step up and give your best. Why? Because Jesus needs you . . . and so do all the people whose life your's will touch.

This Week’s Prayer

Lord Jesus, I want to give and do my best for You. Please show me the opportunities to do Your will every day. Do not hide my eyes from those in need. I know there is something I can do today to change someone’s life – even if it’s just a little. Guide me to those people, show me their wounds and worries. Give me the strength to encourage them and provide them with hope through Your Word and Your love. Amen.

LIVING THE DREAM

Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.”

Matthew 5:1-6

A man once stood as a brother and a preacher.

He stood high on the mountain like every great teacher.

He would not be moved from that peaceful place.

For his dream was love for every race.

His words brought hope to those without life.

And inspired a world cursed by its strife.

The sound of his voice rings down through the years,

Releasing the poor from generations of tears.

He marched through the streets calling people to rise,

And stormed the great cities chasing after the prize.

He dreamed of a world filled with love and light.

One far from the fear that was cursed by the night.

A man once stood as a brother and a preacher,

And was taken from us like every great teacher.

But his dream lives with us to remind us each day.

That we must keep marching ‘til we all find a way.

According to the US Justice Department, the number of incarcerated Americans exceeds 2 million people. Currently, Black men, who are roughly 6.5% of the nation’s total population, represented 37% of those behind bars. Further, 11% of all Black males between 25 and 34 are in prison.

If he were here today, how would Martin Luther King, Jr. address these horrible truths? I believe he would call all of us, ALL of us, no matter what our heritage or race, to go into the prisons. He would challenge us to start bringing hope to the hopeless, love to the love less and thoughts to the thoughtless.

He was a man of vision and inspiration. And those are the very things we all need. For weather or not we are behind bars, we are all trapped in the prison of ignorance and darkness. We are all living in a world held captive by hate and violence.

We are living in a world that does not know our Lord Jesus.

And if he were with us today, Dr. King would call ALL of us to go to the top of that mountain, get as much light, liberty and love as we can gather – and then bring it to the darkest nations, alleyways and prisons of the world.

And though he is not with us, his dream remains. So come. Let us begin. Let us ALL go as brothers and sisters to the mountain . . .

This Week’s Prayer

Dear Lord, remind me again that love is the thing and that love is the message and hope that You bring. Send me now to spread Your great love, throughout all the world like the wings of a dove. Your Word is the only hope for mankind. It brings the true peace we all pray we find. So, today I begin to march up that hill. I pray you guide me and give me Your will. Amen.

TO DIE FOR

Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.

                                                                                    1 John 3:16

Decades ago the Soviet Union imposed atheism and forced Christians to renounce their faith or face terrible consequences. During this dark period in the history of Russian, many kept the faith by meeting secretly to pray, worship and teach the Gospel. 

One Sunday, in the early 1970's, a few believers quietly made their way to an "underground" church outside Moscow. They arrived in small groups throughout the day so as not to arouse the suspicion of the NKVD - the Soviet Secret Police.

When everyone gathered together they began singing a quiet hymn. Suddenly, they heard heavy steps approaching the front door. Without warning two uniformed officers, loaded weapons at the ready, burst into the house. One of them shouted, “If you wish to renounce your commitment to Jesus Christ, leave now!”

Three of the quiet Christians quickly left, then another. As the two secret police glared at the others, two more of the frightened believers fled. “This is your last chance,” the second officer commanded. “Either turn against your faith in Christ,” he ordered, “or stay and suffer the consequences.” Abruptly, two more slipped out into the night.

After that, the intimidation no longer worked. No one else moved a muscle. Parents tried to reassure their frightened children beside them, fully expecting to be gunned down or imprisoned in the Gulag. Then, one of the soldiers closed the door and locked it securely.

He turned to the few  remaining worshipers and spoke, “We raided another house church just like this several weeks ago to arrest a group of believers.” 

The other officer interrupted, “But, instead, we became Christians there. We apologize for chasing your friends away, but we have learned by experience that unless people are willing to die for their faith, they cannot be fully trusted.”

The two officers then joined the core group in worship.

How would you react to the decision to run or die for your faith? It is the ultimate measure of what your individual faith in Jesus means to you.

If only we could deepen our relationship with the Lord so that our minds are focused on heavenly things rather than being consumed with the worldly ones. Then, it would be easy to make the truest decision should that day ever come. After all, Jesus had the choice to live or die for us ... and He chose death, death so that we could live.

Would you make the same choice for Him?

This Week’s Prayer

Courage, Dear Lord. I only ask for the courage to do Your will, to choose You over all else, to make the most of the blessings You have given me, and to make every decision for Your sake alone. Amen.

PREPARE FOR ABUNDANCE

You care for the land and water it; you enrich it abundantly. The streams of God are filled with water to provide the people with grain, for so you have ordained it. You drench its furrows and level its ridges; you soften it with showers and bless its crops. You crown the year with your bounty, and your carts overflow with abundance.

Psalm 65:9-11

 The weather today is pure February. Snow, rain, wind – all trying to bring our spirits down during these long, grey days of winter.

This does not seem like the kind of day, nor time of year,

when you can stand up and cheer.

These are the mornings when light will not enter your room, 

when the dark clouds spell doom.

Today you must find some new way to cope. 

There must be a new path to bright, shining hope.

Now is the time cast off your fears and stand up. 

Here is the moment to face God and hold out your cup!

Here is the answer to days like this. When you have moment to yourself, stand up and hold your hands in a “beggar’s bowl.” This means your hands are cupped and crossed slightly to make a bowl. Now, close your eyes and imagine a place where you would meet God. Have faith in the fact that Jesus is truly coming to see you right now. Then, while holding out your “bowl,” begin speaking to the Lord.

What happens? Before you utter one word, God starts filling your hands with blessings. At first, you will find grace, hope, love, the forgiveness of your friends and family right there in your hands. But then your hands will grow heavy as other gifts come your way:  relief from debt, health, a new job, etc.  At this point you’ll be struggling to hold on to the gifts God is pouring into your hands and your life.

Then the volume and frequency of God’s abundance will start pouring in. Soon there is an end to your loneliness, a renewed relationship with your spouse, a vacation, an uncontrollable laugh…and finally, a sunny day. The gifts are pouring out of your hands and onto the floor!

You see, to receive an Abundant Overflow from God, you have to be ready. You must believe in His abundance so deeply that you hold your hands out to Him and prepare to meet Jesus as He pours abundance into your life.

This is not an exercise or a drill of some kind. This is the real thing. Stand up and hold out your hands to God every day – and prepare for abundance!

This Week’s Prayer

Dear Lord Jesus, I am ready. Today, I hold my hands out to You in preparation for healing, forgiveness and Your overflowing abundance. You know what I need most. You know the deepest places of my heart Fill me with the things I need most to do your will today and every day of my life. Amen.