“Your grade will be 50% examinations, 30% homework, and 20% class participation.”
Wait! What?
I have never been in a class that graded my participation. I was relatively shy in high school, unlike how I presently am. I was surprised to learn the grading criteria from the teacher since this was a world history class. How does one participate? Whatever hesitation I had, it did not bother one of my classmates. He loved to talk but he often just loved to hear himself talk. Most of his observations did not add anything to the discussions and were usually distractions. Did the teacher acknowledge this or give him credit because he spoke, regardless of the content?
I did make timid attempts to speak up when I thought I had something to contribute but it was not enough. On more than one occasion, when I raised my hand and the teacher called upon me, he addressed me by the wrong name. He didn’t know me! How would I get the credit?
A truly wise person uses few words; a person with understanding is even-tempered. Even fools are thought wise when they keep silent; with their mouths shut, they seem intelligent.
Proverbs 17:27-28 (NLT)
Many years passed before I was confident enough to participate in class discussions and later in business meetings. Fortunately, God’s Word provided a template, and I now ponder everything I would discuss before speaking, attempting to be as precise and clear as possible. Perhaps I was thought a fool or unwise when I did not participate as actively as I should have in that high school class. With God’s wisdom, He helps me to choose my words wisely so that they edify and encourage others rather than simply making noise and drawing attention to myself.
Praise God for His grace and mercy!
Love and trust in the Lord; seek His will in your life.
What is the real story behind Bernie Madoff’s Ponzi scheme? What is the truth behind the assassination of President Kennedy? There is no shortage of tell-all books, written by insiders and other pundits. The 2024 election is still fresh, less than a month old, but already, there are books in the works. Biden’s abdication. Harris’ failed presidential bid. Trump’s expansion of his voter base. Throughout history, tell-all books have been written about all major news events.
What about the Bible? Throughout history, the Resurrection has had as many believers as detractors. Tell-all books? Look on the bookshelves of any bookstore, library, or online book retailer and they are replete with scholarly discussions espousing their viewpoints. If one had any background for the event, it would be easy to be swayed by the prevailing sentiments of others. Like the 2024 election, most have already decided their version of the event, regardless of whether it is true. The Resurrection does not allow one to take such liberties. It either occurred or didn’t. There is no middle ground, no ambiguity. Thus, how can one know the truth?
There is one tell-all book that supersedes all others. It is the Bible, written by God. It reveals why the universe was created. It explains why we were created. It describes the tragic events that led to evil and suffering. Most importantly, God gives us hope for a better life because of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.
God’s Word is sealed with the power of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Over five hundred witnesses, including the Apostle Peter, who wrote the above-cited verse, saw Him in bodily form. Many were martyred because of their unshakeable faith and witness. Perhaps the most compelling argument was written by former Watergate conspirator and later Christian-turned-prison minister, Charles Colson. “I know the resurrection is a fact, and Watergate proved it to me. How? Because 12 men testified they had seen Jesus raised from the dead, then they proclaimed that truth for 40 years, never once denying it. Every one was beaten, tortured, stoned and put in prison. They would not have endured that if it weren’t true. Watergate embroiled 12 of the most powerful men in the world-and they couldn’t keep a lie for three weeks. You’re telling me 12 apostles could keep a lie for 40 years? Absolutely impossible.”
For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.
2 Peter 1:16 (ESV)
God’s Word is the most searing tell-all revelation of our lives. Everything we need to know about why we were created and exist is here. Read it. Meditate on it. Believe it!
Amen!
Love and trust in the Lord; seek His will in your life.
“Why should you use our psychics? Only 2 of every 100 psychics who apply to work with us are approved. This way, you can have peace of mind that you are getting a qualified psychic to give you an accurate psychic reading.”
Wow! Sounds too good to be true! The radio advertisement eagerly trumpeted the vetting process for this psychic organization. I decided to pursue this further, visiting their website. Under the terms of use, a sneaky disclaimer reads, “We don’t guarantee that readers’ predictions will come true, but we do our best to ensure that you enjoy the readings.”
I don’t believe in psychics and this ad, created to instill confidence, did just the opposite for me. Psychics, fortune tellers, mediums, and soothsayers. They are all charlatans who are very good at reading their audience and making educated guesses about their lives and aspirations. Nothing more. It is false advertising because it is a lie.
Someone may say to you, “Let’s ask the mediums and those who consult the spirits of the dead. With their whisperings and mutterings, they will tell us what to do.” But shouldn’t people ask God for guidance? Should the living seek guidance from the dead?
Isaiah 8:19 (NLT)
A 98% approval of a lie is still a lie. No amount of vetting will verify it. God admonishes us that we avoid these liars and blasphemers. When we are seeking guidance, we should only turn to God. He created us and knows our past, present, and future. It is not fortune-telling. It is God’s providence, guiding our lives.
For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.
Jeremiah 29:11 (NLT)
Amen!
Love and trust in the Lord; seek His will in your life.
For over a decade, I had voted by mail but this year, because of my recent move, I did not receive the mail-in ballots so I knew I would have to vote in person. Thus, I was flabbergasted when I recently voted in person for this current 2024 general election.
Perusing the various voting sites, I found a familiar venue and drove there. I approached the initial greeting desk workers and presented my driver’s license. To my surprise, they smiled and shook their heads. “Oh, we don’t need that! Just go inside and speak to one of the workers at that table.” Heading inside, I was greeted by ten volunteers who were eager to assist me. I again presented my driver’s license and the response was the same. “That won’t be necessary. Please give us your address.” I obliged. “Last name?” I answered. “Year of birth?” Completing this brief set of questions, the poll worker then turned the computerized screen to me and asked me, “Is this you? If so, please sign it and agree.” Once I did, I was directed to a voting booth where I completed the process, grateful to perform my civic duty. However, I was completely distracted by this seemingly porous verification process.
California is one of the states that does not require voter identification. Regardless of what side of the political spectrum, one should have a healthy degree of skepticism over this vetting process. It takes far more identification to fly an airplane or even to purchase liquor in the same state. Shouldn’t voting be held to at least the same level of standard? When I mentioned this to the poll workers, they smiled and nodded without saying anything, probably because they were not allowed to voice their opinions. I am not an election denier or conspiracy theorist, but this process did not assuage my fears that voter fraud may easily occur in states that do not require voter identification.
Voting is a right and privilege for all American citizens. We should protect it and ensure its integrity. Voter identification is just one step in this process. It is not discriminatory anymore than requesting identification at an airline, bank, or any number of transactions we daily partake in. What about our relationship with God? A well-known aphorism asks Christians that if they were placed on trial, would there be enough evidence to convict them of being a Christian? A sobering thought. There is no spiritual identification card to verify one’s relationship with Jesus Christ. Only God knows the true nature of our relationship with Him. The only external proof we have is how we live our lives. How do we do this?
Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.
Matthew 6:21 (NLT)
If our lives have truly been transformed by Jesus Christ, our identification is our lifestyle. The transformation must first be internal, by confessing and repenting of our sins and accepting Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. The moment we do this, the Holy Spirit indwells within us, transforming us into the image of Jesus Christ. How will we know? Our heart’s desires will change. Material possessions and activities that we previously treasured that were antagonistic to Jesus Christ will be let go, replaced by anything that brings honor and glory to His Name. Our treasure will be only found in Him. Once that happens, we will be identified as a true disciple of Jesus Christ.
Verification of identification is important, not only for voting but for many activities of daily living. But our most important identification must lie in our relationship with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Love and trust in the Lord; seek His will in your life.
Dozens of people pushed and maneuvered to enter the restaurant. An imposing three stories, it was one of the most difficult restaurants in Southern California to secure a reservation, and I was there! A colleague of mine was a minority owner in the restaurant and he arranged to have a medical continuing education conference held in the exclusive top-floor meeting room. We were escorted to our seats and were greeted with an open ceiling that revealed a star-lit sky. What could top this? We immediately found out.
“Hey everyone.” My colleague, who was also the host, interrupted us. “I just want to tell you that Penelope Cruz and Selma Hayek are on the first floor doing a film shoot for an upcoming special. I’m telling you so you don’t go downstairs and gawk. They don’t want to be disturbed.”
During the first break, I scrambled to the first floor. In a corner booth, were the two celebrities, surrounded by their film crew and security entourage. And at that moment, Aston Kutcher, another owner, walked in. Wow! I was finally in a restaurant with the in-crowd! I am not one to follow celebrities and their lifestyles, nor am I always in step with the latest trends, but it was still exciting to be in this situation. It gave me great pleasure. However, like 90% of all restaurants, within five years it was closed, replaced by another restaurant catering to the in-crowd.
Over forty years ago, I was introduced to another in-crowd. This one was not the darling of the social media or the mainstream press. Like the restaurant, I did have to know someone. Unlike the restaurant, it was not a temporary association. It is an eternal relationship.
God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure.
Ephesians 1:5 (NLT)
When I confessed and repented of my sins and accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior, I became part of the family of God. It was the supreme in-crowd, never to fade away or replaced by another. The most beautiful part of this crowd is I did not chose it, God chose me before I was even born.
Praise God for His grace and mercy!
Love and trust in the Lord; seek His will in your life.
Judas had bought a field with the money he received for his treachery. Falling headfirst there, his body split open, spilling out all his intestines.
Acts 1:18 (NLT)
It was a grim scene. A suicide. Never pretty. This one was different. It was recorded in graphic detail in the Bible. It was Judas Iscariot, the disciple who betrayed our Lord Jesus Christ. As morbid a description this was, what was spoken of him later is chilling. Since he was one of the twelve disciples, chosen by Jesus, Peter declared that his position must be filled.
Peter continued, “This was written in the book of Psalms, where it says, ‘Let his home become desolate, with no one living in it.’ It also says, ‘Let someone else take his position.’
Acts 1:20 (NLT)
Peter was quoting from the Book of Psalms, prophesying the fate of Judas who would betray Jesus.
Let his years be few; let someone else take his position. May his children become fatherless,
and his wife a widow. May his children wander as beggars and be driven from their ruined homes. May creditors seize his entire estate, and strangers take all he has earned. Let no one be kind to him; let no one pity his fatherless children. May all his offspring die. May his family name be blotted out in the next generation.
Psalms 109:8-13 (NLT)
Nearly everyone knows the story of Judas Iscariot. However, many do not consider the consequences of his actions upon his family. Judas was responsible for his own actions but his family also suffered as a result. It should be a graphic warning to all who chose to lead a sinful life. We are not simply responsible for our own actions. The pain and suffering to one’s family may continue for generations and reputations irreparably damaged. Sin is ugly. It hurts the sinner and all those associated. It does not have be this way. Break the cycle of sin in your life by confessing and repenting of our sins and accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. Only then can hope replace hopelessness and faith in Jesus Christ lead to recovery.
Love and trust in the Lord; seek His will in your life.
