Win them over with love

Romans 12:20-21 (ESV)

20 To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Between the years 1861-1865 the United States found itself in the midst of a bitter civil war over the issue of slavery, and several other serious disagreements. By the time the North won the war nearly 620,000 soldiers had perished. There were many in the North who were so embittered that the South had dragged them into such a deadly conflict that they wanted the South to pay dearly.

At the end of the war, a group of Southerners gained an audience with President Abraham Lincoln. His gentle, kind and friendly personality quickly softened the hearts of his once-hardened foes and the Southerners left the interview with a deep respect for the man who had been their bitter enemy. Not long afterward, a northern congressman criticized Lincoln for "befriending the enemy!" He suggested that he should have had them shot for being traitors instead of welcoming them!

I love Lincoln's response. He said, simply , "Am I not destroying my enemies by making them my friends?"

As we serve the Lord –- we can expect our share of enemies. Don't let a root of bitterness grow up because of them –- but rather, seek to win them over with gentleness, kindness, and even love. Show your enemies the Lord's grace and His peace through your Spirit-controlled response...and in so doing, you'll "heap coals" upon their heads! Satan wants to provoke you through their hatred and opposition. Don't let him! Instead, shock your enemies –- not with angry retaliation...but with Spirit empowered LOVE! Win them over with love.

Dear Lord, we pray that we would love our enemies and win them over to You by showing them love. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

The pursuit of God

Philippians 4:8-9 (ESV)

8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

In the midst of the American Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln called Vicksburg "the key to the Confederacy", and told his generals, "We do not yet have the key in our pocket!"

Taking Vicksburg was a daunting task for the Union Army because of its strategic position atop high cliffs overlooking the Mississippi River. But whoever controlled Vicksburg also controlled the shipping traffic up and down the Mississippi. Some of the bloodiest fighting took place as the Northern Army mounted bold attacks on Southern strongholds fixed atop the highest points. When the Yankees couldn't drive the Confederate army from the high ground -- they finally laid siege to Vicksburg.  After a few months of being under siege they finally surrendered on July 4, 1863.  This battle, along with Gettysburg, was the turning point in the American Civil War.  While the Southern army controlled the high ground, they controlled the battle and when they couldn't be driven off -- they had to be starved off the high ground, and powerfully illustrates how critical the fight for the high ground can be for determining the outcome!

Throughout history, the same principle appears over and over again – he who holds the high ground wins the battle!

This principle of warfare can also be applied to our lives. When we walk in integrity, honesty, purity, holiness, and love – we are maintaining the high ground. However tempting it may be, this is where we must not give in, compromise, or surrender! Because as soon as we begin giving up the high ground of character, losing the battle for holiness...it won't be long before the war overtakes us too.

Fight to hold your high ground -- strive to reach the top in your pursuit of God! Whatever the cost -- hold that high position, and soon... victory will be yours!

Dear Lord, help us to always strive to reach the top and pursue after the things that You have for us. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

Memorial Day 2015

John 15:13  (NIV)

Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.

Memorial Day doesn't mean what it once did. For most, Memorial Day is just another Monday holiday meaning a three day weekend. It marks the beginning of summer. It's the weekend of the Indy 500. School's out. The pools open. It provides the first real chance for picnics, BBQ's, and maybe an outing to the lake. It hasn't always been that way.

Memorial Day grew out of the human need to remember where we have been. Only then can we figure out where we are going. The cherished memories of a nation, a town, a church, or a family provide the values and dream that one generation passes on to the next. Forgetting means dropping the torch.

All of this was on the mind of President Abraham Lincoln on November 19, 1863 as he made his way to the Pennsylvania battlefield. He feared that he might be the last president of the United States. The country teetered on the brink of self-destruction. The ceremony that afternoon would dedicate the site of the cemetery for the over forty thousand soldiers killed at Gettysburg in the three-day battle the previous July. Lincoln's remarks provided the seedbed for what would become Memorial Day.

"Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation, conceived in liberty and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal," he began. Less than two minutes later, he concluded, "The world will little note nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here (referring to the sacrifice of the soldiers). It is for us the living rather to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us--that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion--that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain, that this nation under God shall have a new birth of freedom, and that government of the people, by the people, for the people shall not perish from the earth."

Over the next few years, many communities set aside special days to honor the fallen soldiers of the Civil War. Some services were held with little fan fare. Others involved marching bands and speeches. All included decorating soldier's graves with flowers and flags. Most towns referred to the event as Decoration Day. After World War I the day expanded to honor the American heroes of all wars. Gradually the custom of decorating the graves of relatives and friends became a part of the day.

Eventually the official name was changed to Memorial Day. Originally, the day always fell on May 30. In 1971 congress moved the date to the last Monday in May. 

Let us never forget those that sacrificed their life so we may have the freedoms we have today.  Also remember the Lord Jesus Christ that gave His life so that we may have eternal life.

Dear Lord, thank You for the men and women that have given their all for the freedoms we enjoy. Be with their loved ones that have suffered the great loss, hold them in Your loving arms. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Have You Laughed Today?

    Proverbs 17:22 (NIV)

A cheerful heart is good medicine,

    but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

"She who laughs, lasts." At least that was Theresa of Avila's philosophy. Theresa, a Spanish nun who founded the reformed order of the Carmelites in 1562 used to look for novices who knew how to laugh, eat and sleep. She believed that if they ate heartily they were healthy, if they slept well they were more than likely free of serious sin, and if they laughed, they had the necessary disposition to survive a difficult life.

Abraham Lincoln must have also known that laughter is good medicine. In writing about Lincoln's Civil War years, author Richard Hanser says that on September 22, 1862, the War Cabinet was summoned to the White House for a special session. Lincoln was reading a book as everyone came in. Secretary of War Stanton later said this of the meeting:

"Finally the president turned to us and said, 'Gentlemen, did you ever read anything of Artimus Ward? Let me read a chapter that is very funny.'"

The president then read aloud a skit called "Highhanded Outrage at Utica." Stanton was furious, but Lincoln read on and, at the end, he laughed heartily. "Gentlemen," he asked, "why do you not laugh? With the fearful strain that is upon me day and night, if I did not laugh, I should die. And you need this medicine as much as I do." It was at this same session that the president pulled a paper from his tall hat and read aloud the now immortalized Emancipation Proclamation.

He's right -- we may likely die without frequent and sustained doses of laughter. After all, they who laugh, last.

Dear Lord, help us to see the good things in life and face them with laughter.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Stay Away From Gossip.

1 Timothy 5:13 (New International Version)

Besides, they get into the habit of being idle and going about from house to house. And not only do they become idlers, but also busybodies who talk nonsense, saying things they ought not to.

In 1861, soon after Lincoln’s inauguration, a large Republican delegation from California visited the White House. Their purpose in meeting with the President was to complain about a friend of Lincoln’s, Senator Edward D. Baker of Oregon. The delegation claimed that Senator Baker was interfering with appointments in California and his attempt, as they claim, to foist corrupt and broken-down politicians of doubtful antecedents upon the administration and the people of the Golden State. Some of the Californians sought to assail both the public and private character of Senator Baker.

This angered Lincoln and he vehemently defended his friend. Lincoln’s wrath on the delegation was in short that he would not permit anyone to gossip about Baker in his presence; and if they intended to persuade Lincoln, they would have to do it without character assassination. The result was that the charges against Senator Baker were summarily withdrawn and the delegation apologized for their accusations.

Gossip is a sin. We need to avoid it all cost. Today when we go to our prayer times let’s confess any sin of gossip and seek to only build up others in Jesus Christ.

Dear Lord we pray today that we will keep our hearts and minds away from gossip. We pray that we would instead find ways that we can build people up so that they can see Your love through us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Have YOU accepted God's pardon?

1 John 1:7 (New International Version)

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.

It has been said that during the Civil War, a man was sitting on a park bench in Washington, D.C. He was crying. His son had deserted his post in battle and was to be shot by a firing squad. So the father went to Washington hoping to talk to the President and tell his story and see if the President would intervene. But he couldn't get passed the front gate to the White House. He would go there and be denied access. So he sat crying, fearful about his son's impending death. Hundreds of people pass him, but no one noticed....

Finally, a small boy noticed him and saw him crying. The boy went up to the man and asked him what was going on. The man was barely able to talk, but told him about his son and what was going to happen. The boy was touched. He said, "Follow me." He walked up to the front gate, looked up at the soldiers guarding it and said, "It's okay. He's with me." The gate opened. The boy and the man marched right up to the front door of the White House, opened it and walked in. He knew exactly where the President was. He knocked on the door, and he was told the President was in a meeting with his cabinet members and generals discussing war strategy. But the little boy nudged his way through the room full of people, finally reached the President, and jumped up on his lap. The conversation in the room ceased.

The boy said, "Daddy, I want you to meet a man. He needs your help." The meeting stopped, everyone left the room, and the man was brought into the room so he could tell his story. After hearing the man's plight, Lincoln took out his pen and signed a document. He handed it to the man. And written in bold letters it said:

"Presidential Pardon. Signed, Abraham Lincoln, President of the U.S. "

The man's SON had been pardoned! His tears of sadness became tears of joy. As he was leaving he turned to the President and asked, "Why did you do this for me?"

Lincoln replied, "I did it because my SON took an interest in your situation! "

Due to our sin, YOU and I are much like the young soldier that deserted his post in battle. WE have sinned, and the wages of sin is DEATH (Romans 6:23). Yet, both the Son (as well as the Father) "took an interest in OUR situation." Because of His great love for us, Jesus died on the cross so that WE might receive FULL PARDON for OUR sins (1 Peter 2:24).

And through Jesus, God's only Son, WE too have DIRECT ACCESS to HIGH PLACES because He EVER LIVES to intercede for us at the right hand of God (Romans 8:34-39).God will grant this "DIVINE PARDON" to those who: place their trust in Him (Hebrews 11:6), repent of sin (2 Corinthians 7:9-10), confess Jesus before men (Romans 10:9-10), and are baptized (immersed) for the forgiveness of sin (Acts 2:38). He will CONTINUE TO PARDON those who CONTINUE TO FOLLOW Jesus for the rest of their lives (1 John 1:7)

Have YOU accepted God's pardon?

Dear Lord we thank You for the pardon You have offered to each of us. We pray that we would be the one to share that with others today. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Lightning or Thunder.

John 8:12 (New International Version)

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

A great story from one of America's greatest story-tellers, Abraham Lincoln, was related by the president during those anxious days of the American Civil War. A delegation of well-meaning patriots tried to impress upon the president the gravity of the war. They implied that his administration was neither as wise nor good as it ought to be. He listened carefully, then responded with a memorable anecdote.

He told them that he once had a neighbor who found himself in a tight situation. He was traveling home one dark and rainy night. There were few bridges in the country and he came to a stream that he would have to ford. But because of the darkness and the rain, he couldn't see well enough to know just where to cross.

Lightning flashed and he saw his way for the briefest moment. But the man was perplexed because there seemed to be more thunder than lightning. He was convinced that every lightning flash was followed by several loud peals of thunder. The poor man just stood at the edge of the stream in his confusion about how to proceed. He finally prayed, "O Lord, if it is just the same to you, give me more light and less noise."

The delegation clearly got the point that the president needed more solutions and less complaining - more light and less noise.

Some people are more like light and others are more like noise.

Some people shed light on solutions. Others only make a din about the way things are.

Some people help us to see the situation more clearly. Others just sound off about who's to blame.

Some people show a better way. Others only clamor about the present course of action.

Some people offer to help. Others just wail about the problem.

The sun rises every morning and sheds light -- vanquishing the night's darkness. The rooster also rises every morning... and makes noise -- neither shedding light nor dispelling the darkness.

What could your work environment, your family or your life be like if everyone were like the sun rather than the rooster? What if we all decided to contribute to the light?

Dear Lord we pray that we would be part of the light rather than the noise. We want to show the light that you have given to us to the world. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Making the Best in All Things.

Ephesians 5:16 (New International Version)

making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.

They say "make the best of a bad situation." But I believe the bad situation makes the best of you. Even the irritations of life can be useful. President Abraham Lincoln showed us how this is so.

One of his cabinet appointees, Edwin Stanton, frequently found flaws with the president and criticized him -- sometimes in public. Lincoln seemed to show excessive patience with him. The president was asked why he kept such a man in a high level position.

Lincoln characteristically responded with a story. He told about a time he was visiting with an old farmer. He noticed a big horsefly biting the flank of the farmer's horse. Lincoln said he reached over to brush the fly away. As he did so, the farmer stopped him and cautioned, "Don't do that, friend. That horsefly is the only thing keeping this old horse moving."

Even life's many irritations and problems have their place. They may cause us to change directions. Or prod us to greater achievement. Or keep us moving along when it's easier to go nowhere.

Are you simply making the best of a bad situation, or will it make the best of you?

Dear Lord we want to thank you for all that happens to us. We pray that we would let those circumstances make us better. In Jesus’ name, Amen.