Month: October 2023

“Good afternoon, Sir. Thank you for calling our help desk. How would you like to be addressed, by your first name or last name?”

“Thank you. You may address me by my first name.”

Our world is marked by the casual attitude of how complete strangers address one another. All of us have encountered situations on the phone or in a setting such as a doctor’s office when we are addressed by our first names by complete strangers. The formality that once characterized much of societal manners is discarded in favor of a casual familiarity with using one’s first name. Depending upon one’s age, this may be viewed favorably as collegial or negatively as rude. I definitely fall into the latter category. To be given the choice of how I would like to be addressed was refreshing to hear. Calling someone by their first name assumes a level of intimacy that may not exist. 

In the dark moments before Jesus Christ was captured and put on trial, He prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane, aware of the unimaginable pain and suffering He would soon endure on the Cross. He cried to God, the Father, and addressed Him as Abba. 

“Abba, Father,” he cried out, “everything is possible for you. Please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” 

Mark 14:36 (NLT)

Abba is a very intimate way to address one’s father. It is akin to us calling God, Daddy. It was unprecedented and startling to hear Jesus speak of God, His Father, in such an intimate manner. It implied a deep intimacy that had never been experienced with the Jews and was foreign to all other religions. It was even more astounding when the Apostle Paul wrote in his letter to the Galatians that we may also call out to God, the Father, as Abba Father!

And because we are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, “Abba, Father.” Now you are no longer a slave but God’s own child. And since you are his child, God has made you his heir. 

Galatians 4:6-7 (NLT)

When we confess our sins and accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, we enter into the same relationship as Jesus Christ has with God, the Father. We are now sons and daughters and co-heirs with Jesus Christ to the magnificent glories that God bestows upon all who place their trust in Him. God is our Father, our Abba, our Daddy. We have the same intimate relationship with God that Jesus Christ has with Him. We may address God with all of these titles because of the sacrifice and the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

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

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What is the perfect crime? 

There are certainly many definitions but I recently heard one that succinctly and accurately captures the meaning. It is undetectable and profitable. Ironically, we will probably never know the perfect crime since, by definition, it would be undetectable. 

The Bible gives us many examples of crimes when the perpetrator attempted to cover it up and commit the perfect crime. There is Cain who killed his brother Abel. There is King David who arranged for the murder of Uriah to cover up his affair with Uriah’s wife, Bathsheba. In many of these instances, there were co-conspirators who could definitely divulge the details of the crime. What if everyone was a participant in the crime? Could this have the makings of a perfect crime?

“Go in,” he said, “and see the wicked and detestable sins they are committing in there!” So I went in and saw the walls covered with engravings of all kinds of crawling animals and detestable creatures. I also saw the various idols worshiped by the people of Israel. Seventy leaders of Israel were standing there with Jaazaniah son of Shaphan in the center. Each of them held an incense burner, from which a cloud of incense rose above their heads. Then the LORD said to me, “Son of man, have you seen what the leaders of Israel are doing with their idols in dark rooms? They are saying, ‘The LORD doesn’t see us; he has deserted our land!’” 

Ezekiel 8:9-12 (NLT)

Thousands of years ago, the leaders of Israel were leading the nation into idolatry. Behind closed doors, they were undetected. They were profitable because they duped the Israelites into supporting them while they worshipped false gods. God exposed their crimes to the prophet Ezekiel and recorded them in the Bible. The leaders thought they had the perfect crime but a perfect God exposed them. 

Is there a perfect crime? 

When a perfect God is in control, everything will be detected and laid bare and God will bring all to justice, giving all their just rewards. 

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

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“Will we turn our backs on science because it is perceived as a threat to God, abandoning all the promise of advancing our understanding of nature and applying that to the alleviation of suffering and the betterment of humankind? Alternatively, will we turn our backs on faith, concluding that science has rendered the spiritual life no longer necessary and that traditional religious symbols can now be replaced by engravings of the double helix on our alters?

Both of these choices are profoundly dangerous. Both deny the truth. Both will diminish the nobility of humankind. Both will be devastating to our future. And both are unnecessary. The God of the Bible is also the God of the genome. He can be worshipped in the cathedral or in the laboratory. His creation is majestic, awesome, intricate, and beautiful – and it cannot be at war with itself. Only we imperfect humans can start such battles. And only we can end them.”

Francis S. Collins as quoted from The Language of God: A Scientist Presents Evidence for Belief

The first time I peered into a microscope was an epiphany for me. I saw an entirely new world that was always in front of me, just not readily discernable. However, it was not until many years later when I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior, did I understand that these same intricate and microscopic structures could also declare God’s glory and magnificence. I simply did not understand their language and method of communication.

So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It will not return to Me empty, Without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it. “For you will go out with joy And be led forth with peace; The mountains and the hills will break forth into shouts of joy before you, And all the trees of the field will clap their hands. 

Isaiah 55:11-12 (NASB)

Mountains and hills cannot shout. The trees of the field have no hands to clap. Is this simply poetic speech? This is certainly one way to interpret these magnificent verses. However, perhaps like my startling revelation when I was viewing the cells under the microscope, am I simply not properly listening?  Nature’s form of communication is through the revelation of its intricate beauty and magnificence of design. The grandeur of the creation points the way to an even greater grandeur of the Creator!

Creation does cry out. Are we willing to listen?

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

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Nearly every professional or amateur sport has been tainted by accusations and convictions of referees, umpires, and judges illegally ruling in favor of the opposing teams. In all of these occurrences, the official was bribed by another party, either representing the opposing team or gamblers betting against them. 

When the officials authorized to impartially judge a sporting match are corrupt, there is no hope for any of the participants. The outcome has been illegally and unfairly predetermined. All honest participants, from the players, management, and spectators are hurt and cheated of a fair outcome. The system is rigged.

There are some who feel that our eternal destiny with God is also rigged. Why bother praying to God who has already predetermined when we live and die? Why worship God when the world is overrun with evil and seemingly out of His control? How can we truly trust Jesus Christ as our supreme Judge? 

We were created by God to be in a harmonious and perfect relationship with Him. We chose to disobey and rebel against Him. In truth, we rigged the system to be against us! If we complain that it is unfair, it is because we chose this. 

People ruin their lives by their own foolishness and then are angry at the LORD. 

Proverbs 19:3 (NLT)

It does not have to be this way. Jesus Christ is the perfect Judge because He is God. Only He will never lie and cannot be coerced by anyone else, including ourselves. Surrender your will to Jesus Christ and accept Him as Lord and Savior. Break the system that you rigged against yourself!

I can do nothing on my own. I judge as God tells me. Therefore, my judgment is just, because I carry out the will of the one who sent me, not my own will. 

John 5:30 (NLT)

Amen!

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

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“America’s public enemy number one in the United States is drug abuse. In order to fight and defeat this enemy, it is necessary to wage a new, all-out offensive.”

The somber warning was issued by the President of the United States. However, it was a speech delivered by then-President Richard Nixon in 1971. Sadly, similar speeches have been given by every president who has followed him. The nation’s drug problem is spiraling out of control. During President Nixon’s time, marijuana was a drug of abuse. Today, the drug of choice is fentanyl. One can only wonder what is next. Some things never change.

Thousands of years ago, the world was deep in the throes of evil. The sin that entered the human race through Adam and Eve was bearing its full fruit. God surveyed the deplorable state and declared judgment, wiping out all creatures on the earth, preserving a representative remnant of all animals with Noah and his family on the ark. It was an all-out offensive against sin. 

The LORD observed the extent of human wickedness on the earth, and he saw that everything they thought or imagined was consistently and totally evil. 

Genesis 6:5 (NLT)

After the Flood, mankind had a fresh start. However, within a very short period, sin, once again, found a firm foothold. Drugs, whether in the form of alcohol, opium, or cocaine flourished in the ancient world and remains a major problem today. The human heart does not change. Only a supernatural intervention by an all-powerful God can change the human heart. God sent His only Son, Jesus Christ, as the answer to reconcile the relationship that sin had broken between man and God. 

History has shown us that some things never change. Only by confessing and repenting of our sins and accepting Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, can we stop the relentless cycle of sin in our lives. We can change when we place our faith in an unchanging God!

Thanks be to God that Jesus Christ is the same, yesterday, today, and forever.

Amen!

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

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“Doctor, there is a patient on the phone who has a question about the diagnosis you gave him.”

I answered the phone and was greeted by a nervous voice. “I don’t know if you can help me but I saw your name on my pathology report.”

“Certainly, how can I help you, sir?”

“I had two skin cancers diagnosed by you and when I saw my surgeon, he re-excised the sites and then told me, much to my surprise that there was nothing left. I don’t understand.”

“Yes, and that is a good thing! First, let me reassure you that everything you did is correct. You have a history of skin cancers and have been regularly seeing a board-certified dermatologist who correctly identified two skin cancers. He sent the biopsies to me and I confirmed the clinical diagnoses by using my microscope. You then went to another dermatologist who specialized in surgical removal of skin cancers. The good news is there was no residual cancer so you are cured.”

I expected him to be happy but instead, he asked, “But there’s nothing left. Shouldn’t there have been cancer left in the excisions? Are you sure of your original diagnosis?”

Now, I understood the issue. “Sir, I assure you there was no mistake. The biopsies are only to confirm and establish the diagnoses, this is not the definitive treatment for these types of skin cancers. However, there is no way to know how much cancer is left in you. The good news for you is most, if not all of the cancer, was in the original biopsy. There are many times when these types of cancers are very aggressive and even after getting a definitive excision, as you did, the cancer may still be present at the margins and you would have to have obtained additional surgery. So, there’s nothing left. You are cured!”

There was an audible gasp as the patient replied. “Thank you! I spoke to so many people but no one gave me a straight answer as to why there was no cancer left. I thought for sure there was a mistake.”

There are many examples in life when we think of the worst possible outcome and instead, receive the best news. The disciples of Jesus Christ certainly experienced this.

That Sunday evening the disciples were meeting behind locked doors because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders. Suddenly, Jesus was standing there among them! “Peace be with you,” he said. As he spoke, he showed them the wounds in his hands and his side. They were filled with joy when they saw the Lord! 

John 20:19-20 (NLT)

Jesus Christ prophesied His death to His disciples, yet none of them understood or believed Him. It would take His death and resurrection to finally convince them that He needed to suffer and die for their sins so that death would forever be conquered. What was seemingly the worst possible outcome became the Good News of the Gospel!

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

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“Marco!”

“Polo!”

The familiar names rang out over the cacophony of splashes of water and shrieks of the children. Nearly everyone has played this swimming pool game when one player either closes their eyes or blindfolds themself and then attempts to find the other players by yelling, “Marco” The other players are expected to answer with, “Polo” revealing their position. The blinded player must find them by sound alone. It is entertaining for sure, but I always played with people who cheated by either opening their eyes or moving their blindfolds. However, there is a variant of the game that is almost foolproof to cheating. What if one were to play this game in total darkness? This is a different experience and nearly impossible to cheat. Instead, all of the players would be stumbling over objects, furniture, and even each other. In fact, at times, it may be frightening since one could never be sure what they are stumbling over. 

But the way of the wicked is like total darkness. They have no idea what they are stumbling over.

Proverbs 4:19 (NLT)

What is true in a game is also true in the game of life. However, unlike a game, we have chosen to spend most of our existence in the darkness of sin, often in complete ignorance. What is even more tragic is believing that some of the things we stumble over may be beneficial for us. Drugs. Financial fraud. Destructive relationships. What hope is there for us?

Thanks be to God that we do not have to live our lives in the ways of the wicked. By confessing and repenting of our sins and accepting Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, our path is illuminated by the Light of the world. 

Praise God!

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

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We had already walked nearly a mile when I surveyed the row of stairs that now confronted me. It was at least two hundred steps to the top of the tower. I was visiting the Great Wall of China and it more than lived up to its name and reputation. In spite of this grandeur of human engineering, it was not always successful in defending the Chinese kingdom. Some invading armies simply bypassed it by going around it. Other invaders filled in trenches along the wall to successfully scale it. However, the most egregious failure was when an invading army bribed a Chinese general and he simply let the invaders enter through a gate.

No matter what type of physical defense we may construct, we are never truly safe. Even if no one can physically challenge the structure, we can still be betrayed from within our own defenses. What about our spiritual lives? We may put up many robust psychological defenses but can we ever be betrayed by our own self? Our psyche is very strong. It can drive our bodies to do amazing physical feats of strength and endurance. It can endure enormous emotional pain and suffering. It may also mislead us into thinking we are stronger than we truly are, convincing us that we can conquer any obstacle by our will and volition. What does the Bible tell us?

I have discovered this principle of life—that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. I love God’s law with all my heart. But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me. Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. So you see how it is: In my mind I really want to obey God’s law, but because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin. 

Romans 7:21-25 (NLT)

The Apostle Paul, one of the greatest missionaries of the nascent Christian Church, lamented his own forlorn state. He realized that no matter how strong he thought he was, by his own power, he could not conquer the sin that enslaved him. He was betrayed by his own sinful self. He knew the only answer was complete surrender to his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. 

This is the principle of life. We do not rely upon worldly defenses or our own power when Satan attacks. The answer is only in Jesus Christ!

Amen!

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

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“Sorry! Ever since I retired, I have lost track of time. I know I was supposed to plan the next get-together, but it slipped my mind!”

I was speaking to my friend who recently retired. He and his wife, along with myself and my wife and another couple, would get together for dinner on a regular basis. We would take terms planning the dinners and until this past time, never had to remind each couple that it was their turn to plan. Retirement had definitely changed him. The irony was he was one of the most compulsive and organized persons I had ever met. Now, all of these skills were seemingly disappearing. Before he would awaken early to exercise and read the Bible. Now he would fritter away the time by surfing the internet and sleeping in. He was becoming the opposite of what made him a success. 

Watch yourselves, that you do not lose what we have accomplished, but that you may receive a full reward. 

2 John 1:8 (NASB)

The admonition, “Finish strong” are not empty words. The Bible is replete with examples of great saints who lost what they accomplished after a long life of success and faithfulness to God. Perhaps there is no more tragic example than King Solomon, one of the wisest and richest monarchs of the ancient world. He fell victim to idolatry, following the false gods of his many foreign wives. 

We do not have to allow ourselves to descend to self-defeat. Our full reward is awaiting all who have placed their trust in Jesus Christ, as Lord and Savior. 

Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.

Jude 1:24-25 (NASB)

Watch yourselves!

Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus Christ, the author and perfecter of our salvation.

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

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