Month: July 2022

Source: Peanuts. 

Gotta love Snoopy!

His reasoning is irrational but completely amusing. And why not? Isn’t this how many of us think about life at times? The world informs us to just do it! Go for the gusto! Otherwise, FOMO! Because IF tomorrow never came, you may hate yourself. Makes complete sense! Yet, there is some truth to Snoopy’s reasoning. We sometimes fixate so much upon the potential problems of tomorrow that we miss out living for today. Our Lord Jesus Christ taught this thousands of years ago. 

So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today. 

Matthew 6:34 (NLT)

God’s wisdom is true because He is not bound by time. He created time. Thus, He controls and knows all the events of our lives that have occurred and will occur. Tomorrow will come and I am willing to trust God with my concerns and burdens of today because He already knows the outcome. He always has plans to prosper me and not harm me (Jeremiah 29:11). 

Praise God!

Love and trust in the Lord; seek His will in your life.

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“How many times have I told you?”

My father sternly shook his finger at me. Inside my head, I was rolling my eyes. Yes, Dad. You’ve told me so many times! Give me a break! It could have been any one of numerous issues for which he previously scolded me. So why didn’t I listen to him the first time? Was it because I did not think the issues were important enough to be followed? Perhaps it was because I didn’t truly fear the consequences? Indeed, all of the above and more. 

God, our Heavenly Father, similarly instructed the ancient Israelites in the same manner like my earthly father. In fact, God is far more explicit than my own father. 

Be careful to listen to all these words which I command you, so that it may be well with you and your sons after you forever, for you will be doing what is good and right in the sight of the LORD your God. 

Deuteronomy 12:28 (NASB)

In the Book of Deuteronomy, God repeatedly instructs the Israelites of the importance of obeying His commands. In fact, He uses this phrase and others like it at least ten additional times! Why did He do this? The Israelites had completed their forty years of wandering in the desert and were about to cross over the Jordan river to take possession of the promised land of Canaan. However, before they did, God reminded them of what He had done for them and what He promised to do for them, IF they obeyed Him. And of course, we all know what happened. Not only did the Israelites not obey God commands, they did the exact action that God warned them not to do! They chased after foreign gods. They intermarried with foreign peoples. The consequences were not a simple scolding and rebuke. God punished the Israelites by sending them into exile, conquered by foreign kingdoms. 

How many times have I told you so?

With God, it can never be enough. What is the reason we do not obey? We are hopelessly lost in our sinful nature. How desperately we need a living Savior, our Lord Jesus Christ!

Amen!

Love and trust in the Lord; seek His will in your life.

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“So, here’s my offer. I will give you $100,000 for 30% of your company. However, you will create a board of directors with three people. You and I will be on the board and I may pick the third person.”

The young entrepreneur slowly nodded his head. “Okay, I like that better than the other offer to get $300,000 for 51% of the company. This way I don’t  have to give up control and ownership of my own company.”  Looking up and smiling, he exclaimed, “You got yourself a deal!”

Smiles all around, except for myself. I was watching a popular television show that featured nascent entrepreneurs pitching their product to a group of seasoned entrepreneurs and investors with the objective of receiving funding from them. This offer that was accepted was different from most offers which simply offered a cash investment in exchange for a percentage of ownership. It was a twist that seemingly offered the young entrepreneur an opportunity to gain the expertise of additional members on a board of directors. 

I have no formal business training but I do have a great deal of practical experience. The scenario I witnessed reminded me of a professional colleague who lost their business because they forfeited control of their own board of directors. After completing a round of funding which placed several new members on their board of directors, the new members garnered the support of other board members until the majority were on their side. They then unceremoniously fired my colleague. He lost everything. I feared this young entrepreneur on this television show may suffer a similar fate. 

I went by the field of the lazy man, And by the vineyard of the man devoid of understanding; And there it was, all overgrown with thorns; Its surface was covered with nettles; Its stone wall was broken down. When I saw it, I considered it well; I looked on it and received instruction: A little sleep, a little slumber, A little folding of the hands to rest; So shall your poverty come like a prowler, And your need like an armed man. 

Proverbs 24:30-34 (NKJV)

Some of us may look upon a situation and arrive at completely different conclusions. In business and relationships, this is very common. What may appear to be a good opportunity may harbor sinister details upon closer inspection. An investment in a thriving company may uncover a relationship with human trafficking. The amiable supervisor who reshuffles staffing to accommodate an employee’s personal needs now expects sexual favors from that same employee. 

We have ears to hear and eyes to see but are we willing to understand and discern what is truly happening within the situations we encounter? Our spiritual lives are no different. As Christian believers, we need to continually rely upon the guidance of the Holy Spirit to enable us to discern and make decisions that honor God and not man.

You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen. 

2 Peter 3:17-18 (NKJV)

Love and trust in the Lord; seek His will in your life.

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“In the chain of human events, the birthday of the nation is indissolubly linked with the birthday of the Savior. The Declaration of Independence laid the cornerstone of human government upon the first precepts of Christianity.”

This quotation is not taken from a Christian pastor or clergyman. President John Quincy Adams, the sixth president of the United States, stated this. If a president or politician stated this today, they would undoubtedly be shamed and canceled by social media and the liberal press. Contrary to what these pundits vehemently contend, this statement is not a violation of the separation of the Church and State. President Adams was stating a fact that the founding fathers based many of the governing principles of this country upon the precepts of the Bible and Christianity. They were not advocating a theocracy. They were acknowledging and praising God for His wisdom that He imparted to men who governed a country. 

Founding a country based upon Christian ideals and principals does not mean that other religions are not tolerated. In fact, the very right to freely worship any religion is constitutionally guaranteed to all American citizens. Rather than being restrictive and exclusive, Judeo-Christian values have opened the door to the abolition of slavery, voting rights, and freedom of speech and religion. It has allowed America to become one of the most inclusive and tolerant countries in the world. Church and state are separate but work together. 

When he sits on the throne as king, he must copy for himself this body of instruction on a scroll in the presence of the Levitical priests. He must always keep that copy with him and read it daily as long as he lives. That way he will learn to fear the LORD his God by obeying all the terms of these instructions and decrees. This regular reading will prevent him from becoming proud and acting as if he is above his fellow citizens. It will also prevent him from turning away from these commands in the smallest way. And it will ensure that he and his descendants will reign for many generations in Israel. 

Deuteronomy 17:18-20 (NLT)

This passage from the Book of Deuteronomy shows that God commanded all of the future kings of Israel to have a personal knowledge of His Law. The ancient Kingdom of Israel was a theocracy and God desired to set Israel as the standard by which all kingdoms could come to a saving knowledge of God. It is instructive to see that God wanted the king to have humility before his fellow citizens. Even if America is not a theocracy, many of today’s politicians could learn great lessons about leadership if they followed the advice of God!

Love and trust in the Lord; seek His will in your life.

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“Man! We would layover in Tahiti for five days! The entire flight crew would hang out at the hotel pool, all paid for by the airlines. We were all together-the pilots, flight attendants, even the ground crew!”

My dear friend, who has been a flight attendant for over thirty years, was fondly recounting a bygone era when airlines would pay the entire flight crew to layover in Tahiti after flying out there from Hawaii. At the time, the airlines believed it would be cheaper to pay for the crew to remain in Tahiti rather than fly them back to Hawaii and then return them.

“We had a blast!” my friend continued. “I keep telling my supervisor that this is the difference between then and now. Today, there is no camaraderie amongst the flight attendants and pilots. There is no time or opportunities to create relationships between the crew and management. It’s not the same anymore.”

It’s a familiar story. Companies seeking to cut costs are slashing perks and benefits that were previously quite common. Is it still possible for a modern company to create a supportive, even familial environment, and still maintain good profit margins? This story from the Bible is a touching reminder how relationships between employer and employee can be harmonious. 

And a centurion’s slave, who was highly regarded by him, was sick and about to die. When he heard about Jesus, he sent some Jewish elders asking Him to come and save the life of his slave. When they came to Jesus, they earnestly implored Him, saying, “He is worthy for You to grant this to him; for he loves our nation and it was he who built us our synagogue.” 

Luke 7:2-5 (NASB)

To place this story in its proper context, the Romans were the conquerors of the Jews and their homeland. Relations were understandably strained between the two groups, particularly amongst the Jewish elders. Yet, this Roman centurion distinguished himself from other Romans by being a kind and caring employer, even contributing from his own savings to build a synagogue for the Jews. His request to heal his slave was even supported by the Jewish elders who recognized his genuine compassion for their people. 

In today’s fast paced world, where profit margins dictate nearly all business decisions, God reminds us that all successful businesses begin with a harmonious workplace relationship. There are many ways this can happen and is only limited by our willingness to put the well-being of our co-workers first. Even in an acrimonious situation such as the Roman conquerors and the Jews, mutual love and respect can emerge. 

Love and trust in the Lord; seek His will in your life.

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The dusty unpaved dirt road jostled us during our twenty minute ride to the entrance of the slot canyon. Thankful to arrive at our destination, we eagerly entered the narrow opening to the canyon. Our guide surprised us with this request.

“Give me your phone.”

Curious, I obliged and he quickly sifted through the photo settings. “All right, look what I have done. You need to put it in these vivid settings. Ok, watch.”

Our guide positioned the camera in the dimly lit canyon. A few seconds later, the flash partially illuminated the walls. From our vantage point, we saw nothing different. However, when we viewed the photos on our phone, the breathtaking results were stunning!

For with You is the fountain of life; In Your light we see light. 

Psalms 36:9 (NKJV)

The use of the different light settings on our phone cameras was a beautiful illustration of God’s Truth. In the dimly lit canyon, everything was shades of gray and dull hues. Only when the proper light settings are used do we see the true hidden beauty and complexity. When God shines His light, everything is illuminated in ways we could not even comprehend. Ordinary events of life become deep lessons for God’s instructions. Seemingly random encounters become life changing relationships. 

How desperately we need God’s light to illuminate our lives!

Love and trust in the Lord; seek His will in your life.

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The data was undeniable. During the height of the COVID pandemic, communities of color, ethnic, and minority groups were disproportionately affected with higher death rates and other complications than the white population. While the reasons are multifactorial, numerous medical organizations and residency training programs are promoting the idea that racism is a disease. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) labels it a system and a serious threat to public health. 

If we review the dictionary’s definition of a disease, we find the following which provides compelling support to label racism a disease. 

1. a condition of the living animal or plant body or of one of its parts that impairs normal functioning and is typically manifested by distinguishing signs and symptoms 
2. a harmful development (as in a social institution)
   Source: Merriam-Webster.com

Correctly identifying and defining a disease is the first step in learning how to diagnose and treat it. What about a far more deadlier disease, one that afflicts everyone who has ever lived? These are the distinguishing signs and symptoms of sin.

When I kept silent about my sin, my body wasted away Through my  groaning all day long.

For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me; My  vitality was drained away as with the fever heat of summer.

Psalms 32:3-4 (NASB)

And this is the treatment. 

I acknowledged my sin to You, and my iniquity I did not hide; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD”; and You forgave the guilt of my sin. 

Psalms 32:5 (NASB)

The reasons for racism are rooted in our sinful nature. God has created each of us in His image and imbued us with a conscience, an ability to discern right from wrong. Yet, instead of listening to our conscience and obeying God, we follow the world and our own will. Even when threatened by a pandemic, we are unable to come together and care for one another as brothers and sisters under God. Instead, we accept explanations that certain groups of people are disenfranchised due to their own actions and they deserve their fate. This is not what God says. We are all separated from God and we all need to be reconciled to Him through faith and belief in Jesus Christ. This is the treatment for racism because it is the only treatment for sin.

Love and trust in the Lord; seek His will in your life.

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“I’m done with you! Mic drop!”

The well-known actor dropped his microphone on the ground and stormed out of the interview. A mic drop has become synonymous with dramatic endings. Comedians, athletes, even Presidents have done this.  Source: YouTube

Obviously, it is done with aplomb. A mic drop implies that one’s statement is not open for further discussion. If anyone is qualified to do a mic drop, it is Jesus Christ. After all, He is God. He should always have the final word. So why do so many still fight and argue with Him? Why do so many still doubt that He is God?

Some have reasoned that Jesus cannot possibly be God since God cannot die. This is only true if Jesus was just a Man. Jesus Christ is unique. He is fully Man and fully God. He is the God-Man. The divine nature of God became flesh when Jesus was born on this earth. When Jesus died on the Cross, his human nature died, but His divine nature and soul, left His body and returned to Heaven. Three days later, His divine nature returned to the lifeless body and Jesus was resurrected. Jesus the man died; Jesus the God did not. 

Jesus Christ is God and He has always existed and always will. In His last recorded words in the Bible, Jesus emphatically states:

I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.

Revelation 22:13 (NASB)

Mic drop!

Amen! Come back quickly, Lord Jesus!

Love and trust in the Lord; seek His will in your life.

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The laboratory worker stormed out of his manager’s office. He was complaining about the new hours he was being asked to work. He stated that he had more seniority and his contributions during his shift were critical for an efficient workflow. By moving him to another shift, he averred that it was endangering patient care. In reality, many of us knew that he was working another job at a neighboring hospital laboratory and the new shift to which he was being reassigned would interfere with his other job. 

In any dispute, there is a stated reason and the real reason for the complaint. The Bible records this rebellion against Moses as a striking example. 

One day Korah son of Izhar, a descendant of Kohath son of Levi, conspired with Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, and On son of Peleth, from the tribe of Reuben. They incited a rebellion against Moses, along with 250 other leaders of the community, all prominent members of the assembly. They united against Moses and Aaron and said, “You have gone too far! The whole community of Israel has been set apart by the LORD, and he is with all of us. What right do you have to act as though you are greater than the rest of the LORD’s people?”

Numbers 16:1-3 (NLT)

Korah led a rebellion against Moses. Ostensibly, he complained that because all Israelites were chosen by God, Moses and Aaron were not any more qualified to lead than anyone else. The real reason was he desired the same privileges as Moses and Aaron. He wanted to be the chief priest rather than simply serving the priests Moses and Aaron. 

In all relationships, we need to be discerning about the real reason for any dispute. I have witnessed it many times, both in my own company and in other companies for which I have worked. Candidly, I often did not pursue the real reason since I trusted the person and their stated reasons. I was later chagrined to learn of my misplaced trust. Jesus knows our hearts and instructed His disciples to be discerning in all dealings. 

Look, I am sending you out as sheep among wolves. So be as shrewd as snakes and harmless as doves. 

Matthew 10:16 (NLT)

Amen.

Love and trust in the Lord; seek His will in your life.

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Many years ago, I was preparing for an event which would be attended by several of my closest friends. To honor them, I prepared brief biographies on each of them, recounting specific shared events which endeared them to me. As I did this, butterflies went through my stomach as I relived the pleasant memories. I only remembered the good times and the promise of seeing each of them once again to create new memories. 

Isn’t this how our relationship with God develops? The more time we spend thinking about God and the experiences we have shared, the more our longing for him increases. There are many ways we experience God’s love. We experience it through our relationships with friends and family. We experience it through life experiences in our schooling and jobs. And we experience it in the grandeur of His creation. In fact, there is one special reminder that God has given us of Himself and His promises that we may literally see everyday. It is the sign that God gave to us after He delivered Noah and his family from the flood. 

Can you imagine how Noah felt when he and his family finally left the ark? Everyone they had known had perished in the flood. The entire world looked different. They were commanded by God to repopulate the earth through their family and all the animals they carried with them. There surely must have been some doubt in their minds. What if God destroys the world again? What reassurance could they have that God would care for them as He did in the past?

I set My bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a sign of a covenant between Me and the earth. It shall come about, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the bow will be seen in the cloud, and I will remember My covenant, which is between Me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and never again shall the water become a flood to destroy all flesh. 

Genesis 9:13-15 (NASB)

Did you catch that? The rainbow reminds us of God’s promise to never destroy this world with a flood, but it also reminds God of His covenant promise between Himself and His creation. Does this mean God forgets? Does He need reminders? No. The Bible is simply acknowledging that God will share the same thoughts that we do when He looks at the rainbow. God is reassuring us that He keeps His promises. 

When I see a rainbow, I look forward to my next encounter with God and how He will create new memories. Like my friends, it is built upon our previous shared experiences. The wonderful Truth is that God also thinks about us in the same manner. He shares our same memories and desires to create more with us! 

“For I know the plans that I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.”

Jeremiah 29:11 (NASB)

God has plans to prosper us, not to harm us. When I think upon God, all He wants me to remember are the good times we have shared and the promise and assurance that even greater joy is waiting.

Praise God!

Love and trust in the Lord; seek His will in your life.

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