Are You Willing to Make a Difference in This World?

John 15:27  (NIV)

And you also must testify, for you have been with me from the beginning.

What do we do when depression ravages our minds? How do we react when anxiety springs up on us unawares? Where do we go to when all of our energy seems to have evaporated into thin air? Where do we turn when adversity becomes our constant companion?

In the 14th century, construction began on the western tower of the St. Waburga Church in Veurne, Belgium. It was going to be a glorious tower, and many were looking forward to seeing its completion. But it never came to be. Due to limited funds, the work was halted and the tower was never completed.

These people could commiserate with those of us whose strength has left us.

Although unfinished however, the tower was far from being useless! Its caves, deep in the ground, were ideal for storing ammunition and protecting Veurne residents from the bombings of World War II, and even today it has found its usefulness. A modern art museum is now hosted there. Even though incomplete, the tower still has its place in society!

I have discovered that age has nothing to do with usefulness. I have met elderly people who are still so full of vigor that they continue to be shining examples of how God had transformed their lives. Not only do they do the unthinkable, like that 90 year-old woman who jumped from a plane (with a parachute naturally!) for the first time in her life, but they also testify about Jesus through their actions, by helping the dejected, by encouraging the hopeless and by visiting the abandoned.

An older lady discovered she had cancer. It didn’t stop her from becoming a missionary in China. “If I have to die, it doesn’t matter where it will occur. I want to die in a place where I can be useful and where I can testify.”

I have also met young people, however, who acted like they were elderly. They have no ambition, no motivation. Maybe it’s because they hadn’t discovered what the apostle Paul had found out:

“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: ‘For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.’ No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Rom 8:35-39 NIV)

Doesn’t this truth fill us with adrenaline? Doesn’t this encourage us to carry this banner of love throughout our neighborhoods? How many around us are hungering for hope? Why can’t we be the ones to satisfy that hunger? 

Yes, we may face ridicule, even rejection, but still such consequences are meager compared to the witness of Christians in oppressed countries. Their testimony can cost them their very lives, yet they still go one, undeterred. With God’s love spurring them to action, they bring hope to the hopeless, encouragement to the depressed, and friendship to those who are friendless.

All of those who don’t hesitate to testify have discovered a simple truth: “For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Cor 12:10 NIV)

No matter how incomplete you own “tower” stands, you can make a difference! You don’t have to feel dejected and useless! It’s time to stand up, for you truly are “more than conquerors through him who loved” you.

Are you willing to make a difference in this world?

Dear Lord, help us be the ones to carry Your banner of Love to show to those around us. No matter how incomplete our tower is we ask that You will use us. In Jesus’ Name,  Amen.

Are You Taking Advantage of the Spiritual Opportunities?

2 Timothy 4:2 (NIV)

Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.

Gerd Muller? Does it ring a bell? With national record of 68 goals in 62 international appearances, this German footballer was aptly nicknamed the ‘Bomber’. He is one of the very few players to score more goals than the games he has played.

What made him so effective in goal mouth action? His uncanny ability to seize even a small opportunity and convert it into a goal.

In the process of sharing the Good News about God’s saving grace, ‘opportunism’ is vital. One has to be constantly on the lookout for an opportunity and when it arises, it needs to be grabbed... with both hands!

Remember, if we do not evangelize, we fossilize!

Dear Lord, please enable and equip us to be a good servant, who capitalize on every opportunity to share the Good News of You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Our Your Eyes Open?

Isaiah 32:3-4 (NIV)

3 Then the eyes of those who see will no longer be closed,

    and the ears of those who hear will listen.

4 The fearful heart will know and understand,

    and the stammering tongue will be fluent and clear.

Have you ever wondered why some people succeed and others fail?

Maybe it's because the people who are successful see things that others don't.

A naturalist once did research in Labrador and noticed that meat frozen in weather 40-degrees-below-zero tasted better than meat that had been frozen slowly. When he got back home, he experimented with quick-freezing a variety of foods. Eventually, he started a business for himself.

His name was Clarence Birdseye, and, in 1929, he sold his business for twenty-two million dollars.

I wonder how many opportunities we have missed by not keeping our eyes open?

The Holy Spirit has opened our eyes to the one thing... the one Person we need: Jesus. Worth more than the Birdseye company in 1929, Jesus' suffering, sacrifice, and resurrection gives me a wealth that cannot be bought or sold; a wealth that will never spoil.

It's a wealth we have in Jesus. Since we do, Let us pray for someone who doesn't know Jesus as his Lord?

After all, the Lord wants everyone to see Jesus.

Dear Lord, keep our eyes open so we may see your love as shown in Jesus. Make us a witness that reflects Your love to others around us. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

A Lesson from a Bull with No Tail.

Galatians 6:10 (NIV)

Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

The story is told of a young man who wished to marry the farmer's beautiful daughter. He went to the farmer to ask his permission. The farmer looked him over and responded, "Son, go stand out in that field and I'm going to release three bulls, one at a time. If you can catch the tail of any one of the three bulls, you can marry my daughter."

The young man stood in the pasture awaiting the first bull. The barn door opened and out ran the biggest, meanest-looking bull he had ever seen. He decided that one of the next bulls had to be a better choice than this one, so he ran over to the side and let the bull pass through the pasture out the back gate.

The barn door opened again. Unbelievable. He had never seen anything so big and fierce in his life. It stood - pawing the ground, grunting, slinging slobber - as it eyed him. Whatever the next bull was like, it had to be a better choice than this one. He ran to the fence and let the bull pass through the pasture, out the back gate.

The door opened a third time. A smile came across his face. This was the weakest, scrawniest little bull he had ever seen. This one was his bull. As the bull came running by, he positioned himself just right and jumped at just the exact moment. He grabbed... but the bull had no tail!

Life is full of opportunities. Some will be easy to take advantage of, some will be difficult. But once we let them pass (often in hopes of something better), those opportunities may never again be available.

The same thing is also true of opportunities to serve Christ. God often opens doors -- opportunities to speak up for Him, opportunities to minister to someone who is hurting or in need, opportunities to make an influence on the world around us. If we allow them to pass by (perhaps because we are waiting for something easier to come along), we may miss out on them altogether.

May you take advantage of the doors God opens for you this day!

Dear Lord, we pray that today we will take advantage of the things that are before us today.  Help us not let opportunities pass us by. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.  

A Golden Opportunity

Psalm 56:3-4 (NIV)

3 When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.

4 In God, whose word I praise—

in God I trust and am not afraid.

    What can mere mortals do to me?

During the 1890s, sarcastically called "The Gay (Happy) 90s", the United States was in the midst of a deep depression. The country was rapidly being transformed from a farm-based society into an industrial giant. Some might have more accurately labelled the developing society an "industrial dwarf" however, for the transformation pushed several large railroad companies as well as 16,000 businesses throughout the nation into bankruptcy, the result was nation-wide unemployment! Cities around the nation became flooded with people looking for work. Most of these were forced to live in substandard conditions, and as is so often the case when unemployment is high, crime, pollution, and widespread epidemics resulted. Only a few, the rich industrialists, lived extravagantly.

Given these facts, is it any wonder the news of gold in the Klondike spearheaded such a massive stampede?

The city of Seattle had it no better than the rest of the nation. Besides facing the same nationwide depression, it was also trying to rebuild itself from the Great Fire of 1889. Business was almost completely dead, leaving extensive unemployment and hungry people in its wake.

As gold fever spread rapidly across the country, some of Seattle's finest city leaders recognized a golden opportunity for their city. If stampeders could be led to view Seattle as the place to embark for their adventures, local profits would soar!

On August 30, 1897, the Seattle Chamber of Commerce founded the Bureau of Information. The primary purpose of the Bureau was to promote Seattle as the gateway to the Klondike, and to counter the endeavors of any other west-coast town that might try to make the same claim. Soon newspaper ads and pamphlets appeared on the desks of librarians, mayors, newspaper editors, postmasters and railroad employees nationwide, promoting Seattle as the sole place to adequately outfit stampeders. Local inhabitants were asked to write to their friends back East to publicize their city, and any negative press was countered by a quick "Letter to the Editor". Too bad there was no Internet in those days! Their efforts would have been much easier and far less costly!

In March 1898, Seattle lobbied with Washington DC for the establishment of an assay office in town (This is not where essays are written, sorry!). An assay office was responsible for turning gold into cash. Having such an assay would mean that much, if not all, of that cash would in turn be spent in town! In June 1898, Seattle was granted their petition and local business began to bloom. In fact, the day the assay office's doors officially opened, it took in over $1 million in gold! (Would any of you like an assay office, by any chance?)

In a matter of months, Seattle was transformed into a booming, prosperous city, and to the joy of the city officials, the city's tax revenues grew. This allowed for substantial improvements to sewer systems (No more stink!), water systems (Do you think it was chlorinated at that time?), and gas systems. Seattle had succeeded in using the Klondike Gold Fever to turn the tide for them. Though they were hundreds of miles from the gold fields, they had literally "struck gold"!

As I reflect on the 1890s, I can't help but think about the different ways that we tend to face adversity.

Some complain about trouble. Complainers don't tend to get very far, however, for although the other grumblers will listen, anyone with good sense will turn a deaf ear! After all, criticism doesn't change the harsh realities of life!

Others develop an attitude of fatalism. This doesn't work either, as adversity continues to dominate every thought.

Still others face adversity with passion, fighting to subdue it under their own efforts and power. Some of these succeed, but many don't and they are left even more deflated than before.

How can I be so sure that none of these strategies work? Because through the years, I've tried them all!

So what CAN one do in desperate times?

Maybe we should follow the example of Seattle! Maybe we should see trials as golden opportunities-opportunities to grow, and opportunities to experience God personally and intimately! Instead of seeing "doom and gloom", we should face troubled times with anticipation and longing, for it is in the midst of trouble that we can see our Father's unfailing love most clearly!

David experienced God, and although he was persecuted by his king, he trusted in the Lord and faced adversity with confidence. What was his secret?

1. "When I get really afraid I come to you in trust. I'm proud to praise God; fearless now, I trust in God. What can mere mortals do?" (Ps 56:3-4)

2. "The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles." (Ps 34:17)

Experience God for yourselves you will not be disappointed.

Has your life come to a standstill? Are you facing heavy trials? Why not experience what God has in store for you? You have a golden opportunity in front of you!

Dear Lord, thank You that we can experience You. Thank You that we can put our trust in your hands and that You will make us golden. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.  

Sharing Your Opinion

Romans 1:16-17 (NIV)

16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. 17 For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”

During the months of September through November we find that the dinner hour is interrupted by somebody who calls us to ask our opinion on the coming election.

Those questions are diverse asking our opinions our political preferences, and who would we vote for if the election was today. We have tried very hard not to be rude.

Opinions. We all have them.

Name a recent president, and most people will be vocal as they share their opinion about him. We have opinions on the garbage collector, the children's teachers, the preacher in the pulpit, the auto mechanic, the next-door neighbor, and the check-out person at the grocery store. We have our opinions, and we're usually not afraid to say what we think; unless, of course, we believe the individual we're talking about might hear us or a spy might tell on us.

After all, we don't want anybody to talk badly about us.

Almost 500 years ago, Martin Luther said, "It is a common evil plague that everyone prefers hearing evil to hearing good of his neighbor; and ... we cannot suffer that any one should say anything bad about us ... everyone would much rather that all the world should speak of him in terms of gold, yet we cannot bear that ... spoken about others." Luther knew. We like to talk about others, don't we?

Have you ever noticed how often people have an opinion of, and are willing to talk about, others? Have you also noticed that many of those people don't have an opinion about Jesus? Almost as bad, if they do have an opinion, they aren't going to talk to others about Him.

Isn't that amazing? How could anybody not be vocal in expressing their opinion on Jesus?

Jesus stands alone. Jesus is absolutely unique. Shakespeare may be brilliant in his writings, but there are others like Homer who would not be embarrassed to stand by his side. Alexander the Great was a genius in battle, but Caesar, Napoleon, Rommel and Patton could command, too.

But Jesus Christ is special. He's one of a kind. More than anyone else, Jesus is the world's exceptional, extraordinary Person. He has changed the way the world thinks, the way humanity lives, and He alone is the way to forgiveness and eternal life.

If you must talk of someone, let that someone be the Savior. Let others know how you feel about the Lord who gave His life for yours.

Dear Lord, guard our tongue from saying wrong about others.  Help us instead proclaim the wonders of You and all that You have done for each of us. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

Be a Good Friend

Proverbs 17:17a (NIV)

A friend loves at all times,

   

We had the joy of spending the holiday at the beach with our extended family.  As I was sitting there writing my blog My Grand Nephew thought he would help. With his help I thought I would write a devotion as if a child was writing it. I hope it is a blessing and brings a smile to your face.

  

Friends are so important. Not just because they are really fun and nice to be with but because they help you in times of need. God wants us to make good choices and pick good friends because friends are going to be there your whole life. If it’s one thing that will last, it is a really good friend.   Good friends have your back and are there for you. They play around with you and make you smile when you are sad. A true friend is a friend no matter what is going on around you. God wants us to remember that to have good friends we need to be a good friend too.

Be a good friend to someone today.

Dear God, thank you for this day. Thank You for the friends You gave us. Help us treat them like they are important. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.