Devotional Shorts

Hard Rock Hotel

2010-01-16T11:27:00.000-08:00

(Genesis 25-28)

Preparation was quickly made for his escape. His mother knew that his older brother was angry, and held a grudge. Threats to kill him were in the air, and so he was sent away with just the clothes on his back, and precious little else. His uncle would take him in, and when tempers had calmed at home, he could return. Hopefully, that would not take long, perhaps just a few days.

His father said his good-byes to his son, and gave him a special blessing and words of advice. Then, with nothing else left to say or do, he fled out the tent door, and into the wilderness. As he walked alone, with nothing to his name, thoughts must have flooded his mind. "Was it really worth it?" "What have I now to show for my greed?" "Will I ever see home again? Mother, Father...even my brother?" "Will he ever forgive me, as my mother seems to think?" With no one to travel with, his thoughts were his only companions. Those thoughts could hardly have been a comfort to him. As he walked further and further away from the life he knew, he must have wondered why he had been so willing to sacrifice it all for something that belong to his brother. Now as he wandered through the day, he knew that night would soon be upon him, with terrors of its own.

Greed, trickery, covetousness, selfishness, and falsehood had all led him to this point in his life. He had betrayed those closest to him---his brother and his father. True, his mother had encouraged him, but he was a man capable of making his own decisions. And to think, he was the son of Isaac, who was the son of Abraham. He knew the God of Abraham and of Isaac. He knew better, but yet he had failed. Perhaps, out in this wilderness alone, it would be time to pay for those mistakes.

As night fell, Jacob searched for a place to stay. He probably longed for a warm, safe place,with a friendly face. Instead he found a rock. Instead of a comfortable bed and pillow, he found a piece of ground, and nothing but a rock for his head. Welcome to the Hard Rock Hotel, Jacob. Being tired, and wanting to shut out his thoughts, he had no choice but to lie down on the cold, hard ground, and snuggle up with his rock, and try to sleep. Sleep did not come easily that night. His mind was still active and full of thoughts, and his sleep was filled with dreams. As strange as it seems, his dream was filled with angels---and with God.

This must be where Jacob is going to pay for those mistakes! God is really going to throw the book at him now! Maybe God will sky drop rock tablets on Jacob as he sleeps! Even though they had not been written on tablets yet, Jacob had violated many of the 10 Commandments. God will probably rehearse those "Thou shalt nots... and Thou shalts..." with him now!! Whatever happens to Jacob he deserves! Or does he?

What happened that night, Jacob probably never saw coming. After all, he was running. He was running away from his home, his brother, his parents, his inheritance, and proably, even his God. When you have really screwed up, to within an inch of your life, God is proably not Someone you want to see just then. But, here HE was, in his dream as he lay on the cold, hard ground, with nothing but a rock for a pillow. God certainly knows how to get someone's attention!

But, instead of those "Thou shalt nots..." which Jacob deserved, and we would expect, God approached Jacob with a heart of love. God took away the "baggage" that Jacob was traveling with--- the greed, covetousness, selfishness and trickery; and began filling Jacob's heart and mind with precious promises for his journey. "The land on which you lie, I will give it to you...your descendants shall also be like the dust of the earth...in you and your descendants shall all the families of the earth be blessed...I am with you and will keep you wherever you go...I will bring you back to this land...I will not leave you."

What power there is in promises! Commandments reveal to us God's holiness and our unworthiness, but power is in God's promises. Jacob arose from his sleep a new man. He no longer dwelled in the Hard Rock Hotel, but because of this display of God's love and promises to him, he realized that he indeed was dwelling in the House of God! This outpouring of God's goodness and grace to him, caused Jacob to commit his heart and life to God. God's promises gave Jacob the strength and desire to serve and follow Him!

What power there is in promises! This is the secret that Peter shares with us in his seond letter: "He has granted us His precious and magnificent promises, in order that by them you might become partakers of the divine nature..." (II Pet. 1:4)

Peter declares to us that we have also been given His precious and magnigicent promises!! Like Jacob, we don't always get what we deserve, and aren't we glad! Like Jacob, isn't it time to check out of the Hard Rock Hotel, and grab ahold of the "precious and magnificent promises" of God that will give us strength for our journey? Are you ready to commit to following the God of Promise, the God Who will never leave you, the God Who will keep you wherever you go,the God Who will do for you exactly as He promises, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob? God's grace and mercy is waiting for you.

Message from a Crypt

2010-01-08T12:55:00.000-08:00

(Philippians 1:6)

Deep in the dark world of an underground crypt, a great truth is hidden away. Although a man's life is long over, and his thoughts and voice are now still and silent, he has left a message etched on the surface of his tombstone for all time.

Obviously, this man believed that this message was crucial---and a lesson that he felt that he had learned too late in life. But, no, any lesson learned never comes too late, if only we share it with others yet living. And, so, this man, even in death, has passed his lesson learned from failure, on to us today.

It is a simple lesson we all need to etch upon our hearts in order to be effective ministers in this world. This is what is etched into stone on the tomb of an Anglican Bishop in the Crypts of Westminster Abbey:

"When I was young and free and my imagination had no limits, I dreamed of changing the world. As I grew older and wiser, I discovered the world would not change, so I shortened my sights somewhat and decided to change only my country.

"But it, too, seemed immovable.

"As I grew into my twilight years, in one last desperate attempt, I settled for changing only my family, those closest to me, but alas, they would have none of it.

"And now as I lie in my deathbed, I suddenly realize: If I had only changed myself first, then by example I would have changed my family.

"From their inspiration and encouragement, I would then have been able to better my country and who knows. I may have even changed the world."

Youthful optimism leads us to think that we can change the world. Eventually, youthful optimism fades, and in its place, either pessimism or its twin sister, cynicism, often take up residence. That need not be the case. Instead, we need to narrow our focus. We need to focus on our own life, our own heart, and our own deficiencies. True change must come from the inside out. And that change must start within our own heart first.

Listen to the words of The Apostle Paul. Notice each time the word "IN" is repeated in these word penned by this man. Highlight the word "IN" in your Bible so that there is no doubt in your mind that change begins within you.

"It is God which worketh IN you..." Phil. 2_13

"Christ shall be magnified IN my body..." Phil 1:20

"Being FILLED (up) with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God..." Phil 1:11

"For you are bought with a price, therefore glorify God IN your body, and IN your spirit which are God's..." I Cor 6:20

"Let the peace of God rule IN your hearts..." Col. 3:15

"Let the WORD of Christ dwell IN you richly..." Col 3:17

"Be FILLED (up) with the Spirit..." Eph 5:18

"Be renewed IN the spirit of your mind..." Eph 4:23

"God...hath shined IN our hearts...And we have this treasure IN earthen vessels (within us) that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us..." II Cor 4:6,7

Being changed in our hearts by the Word of Christ dwelling within, having His spirit within, and being motivated by the peace of God in our hearts, is what moves men. Our words and cries for change alone are empty.

Always remind yourself that God is performing a great work WITHIN you. Take comfort in that, even when you feel as though you are not making a difference. God is making a difference IN you, and that change will effect those around you in a much mightier way than you can ever imagine.

"Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work IN you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ." Phil 1:6

Expectancy

2010-01-07T14:51:00.000-08:00

(Genesis 1:2)

I have always been told that a picture is worth a thousand words. But as I read His Word, I understand that God is not speaking merely words to us, but that many of the words He uses are "picture" words, that suddenly create in my mind many wonderful illustrations of God Himself. In effect, God often used words to "draw pictures" of Himself, so that we can gain a more intimate understanding of Him. There is so much to understand and know about God, more than you or I are capable of comprehending. But, by drawing word pictures of Himself, we are able to "see" more of God as we read His word. Sometimes, a word is worth a thousand pictures.

As we read the Creation Story in Genesis, we clearly see God as The Creator. Information is given, very matter-of-factly, in just a few words. On first reading, we seem to think we are being given just the bare details of God and His work. "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth..and God said, Let there be light..." You can't get much more basic than that explanation. But, if you look closely at each word, suddenly a word "picture" pops out from among these basic details, and you are given a much bigger view of the creation process and our Creator. We begin to learn more intimate details about The God of Creation, and discover by verse two, that He is also God the Father.

Consider for a moment a parent. A parent is one who loves, protects, guards, cares, and fusses over his offspring. The preparation for caring and protecting, begins even before the "big day" arrives when the baby is finally delivered and brought home. A crib must be bought, walls painted and decorated in the nursery, supplies of baby powder and diapers must be stored, clothes selected, and toys carefully placed within the new nursery. Excited and anxious parents scurry about in the nursery, making sure that everything is just right. They proudly show off the nursery to others who may come by to get a sneak preview, in those long weeks before baby arrives. The whole house is in a flurry of activity, and every thought and waking moment is with baby in mind. Each detail is carefully thought out and planned, so that when baby arrives, he will be surrounded with comfort and love. We can look to other areas of nature, and see that same flurry of excitment, care, and love taken by mothers and fathers. All nature seems to prepare and welcome the coming of children.

In The Creation Story, one word paints a picture for us of our God preparing for our arrival. We have probably read that one little word hundreds of times, but have missed the deeper meaning intended to be conveyed to us through it. That one word is such a commmon one, that we mistakenly think we understand its full meaning. But one little common word can have a much deeper meaning than we ever imagined.

"The Spirit of God MOVED upon the face of the waters."
(The word "moved" is from the Hebrew word "Rachaph" which means to brood, as a tender loving mother bird.)

The Spirit of God MOVED. Reading this, we immediately sense activity. The Creator is active. By His Spirit He is moving, working and acting. But, this little word, that is such an ordinary word in our vocabulary, has a special meaning in this creation story. Not only is the Creator active, and His work full of energy, but that work is motivated by love, compassion, and tenderness of a parent. The Spirit of God moved, hovered, or brooded, over His creation just as a mother bird would brood over the nest of eggs. God wants us to know that even as He began His creative work, He was acting as a concerned and loving parent, brooding, caring, fussing, and scurrying about the face of the waters, eager and excited about creating a nesting place for His young. He tells us that the earth was without form, and it was empty. His purpose was to prepare the earth for habitation, and fill it with His children. So, as a mother bird builds the perfect nest, in the perfect place, God the Creator and Father, is actively preparing the perfect place for His children.

What a wonderful picture God has drawn, illustrating the love and care He had for us, even before mankind was created. All of creation had as its purpose to be a perfect place for man to grow, learn, live and love. And our loving Father has always cared for us, even before we were created. The next time you see a mother or father bird hovering and brooding over a nest prepared for the expected young, let it remind you of your Heavenly Father, and the love and care He has for you.

The Formula for Life

2010-01-03T13:41:00.000-08:00

(Genesis 1:1; 2:7)

Most of us, if we have spent much time in school have learned a little about science and life. Your science teacher probably told you what the five properties are that must be present in order for there to be life. In case you slept through class that day, let me refresh your memory. First, scientists say, there must be time. There must be a starting point and a continuation of time. Yes, minutes, hours, days, weeks, months, and years are our measure of time. Secondly, there must be a force that started this whole process we call life. It could be a big bang, or some other type of force that would be able to get things going. Thirdly, there must be activity for life to be present. There would have to be an explosion, or some sort of creative activity for life to come into being. Next, scientists will tell you that there must be space or room for life to exist. If you destroy forests, in order to build houses, then the deer must either leave and find space somewhere else, or die. So, for there to be life, there must be space for life to exist in. Finally, there must be matter. There must be stuff, something there, for life to exist. That stuff could be rocks, water, or dirt, but it has to be matter.

Now, if any of these five properties are missing, there would not be life in any form. Go back over this list of things, and think about it for a minute. Which property could you leave out, and still have life?

Okay, so now we have agreed with modern science. They are right. But what is so new about their theory? What scientists have studied and determined after years of inquiry and thought, the Bible has declared ever since "Holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Ghost." In ten short words, God's Word has revealed to man what scientists have come to believe and know. And you do not have to dig too far into the Bible to find this information. These same five properties of life are laid out in black and white in the very first verse of the Bible, Genesis 1:1.

"In the beginning" Time
"God" Force
"Created" Activity
"the heavens" Space
"and the earth" Matter

Simply spoken and simply laid out, we have the formula for life straight from the mouth of the Creator Himself. Now, if we peek ahead a chapter in Genesis, we see that God used this same formula in creating mankind. Time had begun, there was day and there was night, and there was space. At this time, there was alot of space! So, God our Creator, continued His activity by creating plant, animal, and human life. Notice Genesis 2:7, to see this formula at work once again.

"The Lord God" Force
"Formed" Activity
"man of the dust of the ground" Matter
"and breathed into his nostrils" Activity
"the breath of life" Force
"and man became a living being."

What scientists call the formula for life, has been God's recipe for life since before the beginning of time. But the Bible tells us one more thing that scientists do not tell us. That is, what the scientists call a "force", and Who we know as the God of Creation, had a PLAN to His creative activity. John 1:1-4 declares this most important fact. "In the beginning was the word (LOGOS, meaning PLAN) the word was with God, and the word (LOGOS or PLAN) was God. This was in the beginning with God. Through it (PLAN) everyting was done; and without it not even one thing was done, which was done. In it was life; and the life was the light of men." Our God, the Creator, had a well thought out plan from before the beginning of time, and He used His plan, a blueprint, in creating the earth and all of life!!!

Isn't it wonderful to know and believe that this pretty planet and our very lives were not the result of some random act of nature, brought about by a mindless force without intention or will! The world and the beauty of it did not just happen by accident, but rather this world and mankind was created by the God of Creation, Who had the desire, intention, and plan to create the heavens and the earth by the power of His might, and to create man by His Own hands. What an awesome God!!

The Potter

2010-01-02T09:13:00.000-08:00

"By the breath of His mouth..." Psalms 33:6

In the beginning God had a plan. He spoke it, and it was done. (Ps. 33:9) As God worked, He merely spoke, as if it were three magic words, "Let there be..." And as Genesis records, "it was so." However, this was not a magical act, for a magician takes something and causes it to "disappear"---"Now you see it, now you don't." But God began with nothing and called all things into being. "The things which are seen were not made of things which are visible." (Hebrews 11:3) And so this process continued for five days. Light came into being at His command, as did the sun and moon, and the stars. The waters were separated and bounds set for them, creeping things and beasts were created, and herb yielding plants were called into being by the Voice of the Master of the universe.

"Let us make man..." Genesis 1:26
("Let us" is the Hebrew idiomatic way of expressing deliberation or careful thought.)

Then, His mode of operation changed. God stepped back and deliberated, for He was about to bring into being the crowning jewel of His creation. So, special deliberation by the Creator was in order. Everything that had been created by Him, up until this time, was with this jewel in mind. Everything had been declared "good" by God Himself as He observed the results of His plan and spoken Word. But, now, His final creative act was to be special; He wanted it to be judged "very good." So, with extra care and deliberation He contemplated the creation of man.

"We are the clay, and Thou our potter." Isaiah 64:8 ("Yatsar" is Hebrew word for potter.)
"For the LORD God FORMED ( formed is "yatsar", meaning moulded into a form as a Potter) man of the dust of the ground..." Genesis 2:7

On the sixth day of His creative work, The Potter sat down at His "wheel", and began crafting and forming His vessel. The dust was moistened and then formed into a ball of clay. It was placed on the "wheel" to be worked into a special vessel. The Potter knew the feel of the clay. He smoothed the imperfections with the palm of his hand and his fingertips. He reached deep down into the inward parts of the vessel with his whole arm, to make the inside as perfect of the outside. The Potter knew His clay intimately. Each detail of his creation was in His mind as He worked, for He had used Himself as the model for His vessel.
"So God created man in His own image..." Genesis 1:27

"...and He breathed into his nostrils the breath of life..." Genesis 2:7

Man was not to be just a mere earthen vessel, for The Potter did something that no other potter could do. "He breathed into his nostrils the breath of life..." Man was not intended to be just a pretty pot, but man was to have LIFE...to love, act, think, reason, and make choices, so that from the inside out, and with every fiber of his being, he would reflect the image of the Father. All of this is much more than we can possible comprehend or fathom---to be created in the image and likeness of God Himself, and to have His breath within us, making us alive!!!

Just at The Potter deliberated and comtemplated how He wanted to make man, surely this should cause us to pause and deliberate, and consider what kind of person we ought to be. We know the joy and pride that we feel when we see ourselves in our children. "You have daddy's eyes." "She has her momma's smile." "He has grandma's sweet ways." Do you, as God's child, His special creation, give your Heavenly Father that same feeling of pride as He looks into your eyes, and observes you ways? Do others see His image and likeness reflected in your eyes and in your living?

This Pretty Planet

2010-01-02T05:34:00.000-08:00

(Genesis 1:7-10; Hebrews 11:3)

All of us have probably seen pictures of the earth taken from outer space by space craft or astronauts. These pictures are awesomely beautiful. Imagine with me for a moment that you are on a space craft looking back at the earth. See the sphere suspended in space, held in place by nothing. Watch the white cotton clouds float above, around, and under this pretty sphere. Notice the azure waters on the face of the earth, and the patches of land that appear, and then disappear under a canopy of cloud.

Genesis records these words: "And God made the firmament (heavens) and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament, and it was so. And God called the firmament Heaven. And the evening and the morning were the second day. And God said, "Let the waters unders the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear; and it was so. And God called the dry land Earth; and the gathering together of the waters called he Seas; and God saw that it was good."

Here in God's Word we have an accurate description of what you have seen in your mind's eye, aided by the experience and photography of astronaunts and space equipment. These words were recorded millenniums ago, and passed down in written form to us today. We did not need astronauts and space craft to tell us about our planet. God's Word already did.

Tom Chapin, a brother to the late Harry Chapin, who is also a singer/songwriter, has written a song describing our beautiful planet. John Glenn, while on his last historic space shuttle mission several years ago, requested that this song be played by mission control as a morning wake-up call.

This Pretty Planet

Winds blow, Tides flow,
Shooting stars descend.
Our lives begin, middle and end on
This Pretty Planet
Spinning through space.
You're a garden,
You're a harbor,
You're a holy place.
Golden sun going down,
Gentle blue giant
Spin us around
All through the night.
Safe till the morning light.

Although different words, this song carries much the same meaning as those words spoken by Job around 2000 B.C. Job said, "He stretchedth out the north over the empty place, and hangeth the earth upon nothing. He bindeth up the waters in his thick clouds, and the cloud is not rent under them. He holdeth back the face of His throne, and spreadeth His cloud upon it. He hath compassed the waters with bounds, until the day and night come to an end."

Job never set foot off of this planet earth, yet, because he was inspired by the One Who created all things, he knew that this planet was hanging in space, held in place by nothing. All that is left for man to understand is that "the worlds were framed by the Word of God so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear."

Scientists and astronauts have indeed taken "Giant step"(s) for mankind, but now man must take the leap of faith and believe in the obvious Creator of This Pretty Planet. That journey is much shorter than a space voyage, for it takes place in the human heart. Is your heart ready for that leap?

A Good Warning

2010-01-02T04:28:00.000-08:00

(Genesis 2:16,17; 6:5; Revelation 21,22; 20:15)

I have always been a big fan of Snoopy, Linus, Charlie Brown and the Peanut's gang, created by Charles Shultz. One of my favorite cartoons pictures Linus sitting snuggled up with his favorite blanket, as Snoopy sits close by eyeing the blanket. Apparently Linus thinks Snoopy has designs on his blanket, so he gives him some words to think about: "Make one move toward this blanket, you stupid beagle, and I'll destroy all hopes you have for the future!" That was enough said for Snoopy. Snoopy turns away, and thinks to himself, "I love a good warning."

Wouldn't it have been nice if Adam and Eve had loved a good warning as much as that stupid beagle, Snoopy, did! It would have saved us a lot of pain and sorrow! In different words, but bearing the same distinct meaning, God spoke a warning LOUD and CLEAR to Adam. "You may eat of any tree in the garden, BUT from the tree of knowledge of good and evil you shall NOT eat, for in the day that you eat from it you shall surely die." A warning does not get much better than that, especially when it comes from the mouth of God! But, unfortunately, Adam and Eve simply could not keep their eyes and hands off of that forbidden tree and its tempting fruit. Unlike Snoopy, they could not turn away!

Adam and Eve were placed in the perfect setting. They had a beautiful, lush garden, filled with fruitful trees, and surrounded by rivers. And it was a garden resplendent with gold. Finally, Adam and Eve were given dominion over every living thing on the earth, and were told to be fruitful and multiply. They were given a perfect place and perfect lives.

But somewhere in this perfect garden, they lost their way, and it did not take them long to do so. It began with a mistaken notion, or perhaps a misdirected desire to have it all, to know it all, both the good and the bad, despite the consequences. Although created in the image and likeness of God, man thought that by eating a borbidden fruit, he could become "like God". Man desired to know not just the good, but the evil as well. Man was a fast learner! He began fleeing the presence of God almost immediately. "Where are you?" God asked. And we have been fleeing from God, and pursuing the evil ever since. Ten short generations later, God looked down on earth and "saw that the wickedness of man was great."

What should have been the beginning of a story book tale of living happily ever after, in Genesis 2, instead became a long sad tale, one chapter after another, of wrong choices and the suffering that resulted. The earth was cursed, and mankind was destined to a bad future, ending in death. It does not get any worse than that!!! If only man had been as smart as that stupid beagle!

But because God loves us so much, we have Good News!!! We still have that chance of living that story book tale of happiness forever! What Adam and Eve destroyed by their sin of disobedience, we see re-created in the final book of the Bible. John the Baptist, who saw Jesus, proclaimed, "Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world." (John 1:29) Because of Jesus, the Lamb, the other John, "the dreamer," has announced that "I, John saw a new heaven and new earth..." "Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He shall dwell among them..." "There shall no longer be any death..." "And the city was pure gold, like clear glass." "He showed me a river of the water of life...coming from the throne of God and of the Lamb." "On either side of the river was the tree of life...and there shall no longer be any curse...and they shall reign forever and ever."

Wow, hearing those words of John almost takes my breath away! John, the dreamer, has given us a wonderful picture of the new heaven and a new earth that we shall inherit at the Coming of Christ back to this earth! Like John, I, too, am dreaming of the day when there will be a new heaven and a new earth. I want to be there! How about you?

But this promise of a new heaven and a new earth comes with another stern warning: "If anyone's name was NOT found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire." (Revelation 20:15)

Just like that stupid beagle, don't you love a good warning?

Dusty Feet

2009-12-31T04:33:00.000-08:00

(John 13:3-11)

Peter is just so "Peter". He is often bold, bossy, boisterous, and even belligerant. Yet, his loud, bold questioning of Jesus blows open the windows of our minds (and his,too!) to the deeper meaning of the words and actions of Jesus.

On this particular night, after eating a meal with his closest friends and followers, Jesus removed His outer garment, wrapped a towel about his waist, and then filled a basin with water. Without explanation, he approached each disciple one at a time, and knelt before them, and washed their tired and dusty feet.

I can almost hear the outrage in Peter's voice, as Jesus approached him with the basin of water. The room was silent except for the gentle swish of the water, and the water dripping from the towel into the pottery basin. Suddenly Peter speaks, breaking the silence, "You will NEVER wash my feet!"

His startling words seemed to revergerate throughout the once still room. The other disciples may have wondered to themselves how Peter could question the Master in this manner. Although the others accepted the servant action of Jesus toward them without comment or question, Peter would not. He refused to allow Jesus, His Master, to humble Himself before him! "Wash my feet, You will not!"

Such a strong statement required an equally powerful response, one that would get the attention of Peter away from himself, and one that would compel Peter to look at the relationship he had with his Master, Jesus Christ. And so Jesus answered His friend's bold proclamation with His own dramatic statement. "If I do not wash you, you have no part with me."

This statement by Jesus must have caught Peter off guard. The last thing that Peter desired was to lose his friendship with his dear friend, Jesus. Peter was so strong in his love for Jesus, that later that same evening, Peter would declare that he would be willing to even die for Him. So, Peter had no choice but to submit to Jesus' desire to wash his feet. However, once again Peter went to an extreme in his submission. "Don't just wash my feet; wash my hands and head, too!"

Jesus was so right when moments earlier He had told Peter that "what I am doing, you do not understand now." Jesus had to help him understand that he was not in need of a bath as Peter suggested now, because Peter was already clean. According to the custom of the day, once a person had bathed, he was clean and only needed to wash off the daily dust from his feet.

Jesus wanted Peter to understand that just as he was already clean and only needed to wash his feet, he was also spiritually clean and only needed a cleansing from the daily dust of sin collected from his walk in the world. Only the Master, Jesus, could wash that kind of dust away. With those words spoken, the room was once again silent, this time filled with a quiet understand, as the Master gently washed Peter's feet. Jesus also knew in His heart that His precious ones would have great difficulty accepting the gift of His ultimate act of humility and shame that awaited Him on a cruel cross, unless they could receive this small act of humility now.

In the hours and days ahead, this was a lesson that Peter would need to know, as he faced some of his darkest moments of failure in living for and following his Master. He would desperately need the tender care of his Master. He would need His loving touch of forgiveness and cleansing. The daily dust and dirt of doubt, disappointment and denial would need to be washed from his feet.

Once we have come into Christ, we have become a new creature, we have been cleansed from sin by the blood of Jesus, and we no longer need another spiritual bath. Like Peter, what we also need is that daily cleansing of our dusty feet, so that we can continue to walk in close fellowship with Him. Only Jesus could do that for Peter. Only Jesus can do that for any of us.

Will you allow Him to wash your dusty feet?

Why Bother?

2009-12-29T04:16:00.000-08:00

(Luke 17:11-19)

We've all felt it and had it happen to us. We do something really nice for someone, something that may be big, or even small, and have it ignored by the recipient. The word of thanks is not given, nor a card sent in the mail. We may steam, do that slow burn thing, have a few not so nice thoughts about that ungrateful person, or complain around the table with a few friends who have not violated the rule of expressing appropriate thanks for kind things done. Sometimes we are so taken back by the lack of gratitude that we contemplate just becoming less giving, and keeping our kindness to ourselves from now on. Perhaps our random acts of kindness, and those acts that are carefully thought out and planned, just are not as meaningful as we thought in our minds. So, why bother when people are so ungrateful?

Perhaps we shouldn't call it a scientific survey, but the numbers are very revealing. Would it surprise you that it has been shown that 9 out of 10 people are ungrateful? That number may astound you. Even though you know that many people have been ungrateful to you for favors and kindnesses shown, you still can remember many who have shown gratitude. That number may seem too high to you, yet you are still tempted at times to keep your kindness to yourself, and justifiably so!

Can you even imagine going beyond the call of duty to help someone, knowing ahead of time, that he will walk away after getting a great blessing from you, without even a slight nod of the head, or a quick "thank you"? Certainly not!

Throughout the wilderness, horrifying cries of pain could be heard. Behind those cries were 10 deformed faces, and withering body parts. Condemned to cold winds and soaking rain, with no family or protective cover, 10 men wandered and wondered. They wondered no longer about their future, but instead hoped for an end. Then, somehow, they heard about a Healer. Rumors spread even among the desolate hills and the rock. He would be their last hope. If only they could get close enough. If only they were allowed to approach Him for just a glance, or a word from the Healer. It would be their last and only chance.

And then they heard that He was close by. Perhaps it was the sound of the happy crowd that alerted them. He was close, and closer still. But will He be close enough? Jesus was walking in the village, but they stood huddled outside that village, as required by the Law of Moses. Somehow they must get His attention. So with desperate and pleading voices, from hollow faces, they hollered above the joyful noise of the crowd. They begged for mercy from the One they now claimed as their Master. Jesus heard their voices and their pleas. His compassionate eyes fell upon their diseased bodies. Then He simply instructed them to show themselves to the priests, according to the Laws of Moses. The priests will be the ones to declare them clean. As they went according to His word, they were healed.

Great joy must have filled their hearts! As they ran to see the priests, they must have looked at one another, and been a mirror to each other. They each saw that their skins were healed and their sunken cheeks full and flushed! Upon hearing the priests declare them clean, each of the 10 went his way. Ten lepers healed, ten lepers given their lives back, ten lepers restored to their families and friends, ten men, no longer lepers, allowed to sleep in comfort and warmth that night. But first, a word of thanks to the Great Healer, Master Jesus, must be given.

But of those ten, how many returned to fall at the feet of Jesus, to glorify God for the miracle that had just happened in their life? Only one returned; one out of ten. We shake our heads in disbelief. How could that be? Where were the other nine? Jesus asks the same question out loud.

Although Jesus knew all things, He did not try to explain or condemn the behavior of the nine. In fact, before He healed those ten men, He already knew that only one would return to give thanks. He knew this, yet He stilled preformed His work of mercy for all ten.

And He continued on working and giving. He continued His works of mercy, kindness and love. He continued to preach of the coming Kingdom. He continued to bless little children. He continued to counsel the young. He gave sight to the blind. He continued to eat with sinners. And He continued on His journey to Jerusalem where He would make a final gift of incredible mercy to an ungrateful world. He continued on, not for the thanks, but because He loved.

Go Climb a Tree

2009-12-13T12:22:00.000-08:00

(Luke 19:1-10)

Are you feeling the tug and pull of life, are you getting battered and bruised by the crush of life?

Are you missing out on the really important stuff, because of all the little pressing stuff?

Are you barely moving along in the stream of life because you feel as though you are going up stream rather than going with the flow? Are you using all the strength that you have to battle the crashing waves?

STRESS. Stress hits us all like a ton of bricks at times, or sometimes sneaks up on us almost unawares. It can make us feel like a rusty old cog of the wheel--neglected, screaming, squeaking for some oil.

So, what can you do? Climb a tree. Yep! That's right! Climb a tree. Doesn't matter whether it is an apple tree, oak tree, a plum tree, or a sycamore tree, just find a tree. Did the sycamore tree remind you of anyone? Do you remember the little song you sang as a child about a wee little man? Do you remember the little guy, literally caught in the hustle and bustle, the push and the shove, the stampede of life? He tried to fight his way through the pressing mob, but to no avail. So, instead, he climbed a tree to get up above all of it. He was little more than a cog, but he knew he was important enough to need some oil. He knew he needed to see Jesus. To do that, he had to get out of the crowd and out of the push and shove of life. That was the only way for him to see Jesus. It was then, when little Zacheaus escaped the crush of the crowd and of life, that he also knew Jesus saw him.

It's not easy to climb a tree. It takes effort. But what a view from up there. The view from there makes all the difference. It gives you a different perspective. You can see what really is going on. Suddenly, all that pressing little stuff really does look little. Clinging to that vine, Zacheaus saw "what" was really important in life, and that "what" was Jesus.

Jesus did the same thing. Whenever the crowd pressed Jesus, He departed for a quiet place alone. He got out of the throng. Why? you might ask. Afterall, that throng was composed of the very people He was sent to seek and save. So why depart? Why sneak off? Just like Zacheaus he needed to get out of the hustle and bustle, and focus on God. He knew that the only way He could truly see the needs of each person, was away from the crowd, and through the eyes of God.

So, go ahead, and find your tree. Take time to claim a tree, a garden, a closet, or a mountain top. Just be alone with God. Sink into His arms and rest, relax, and be refreshed.