Monthly Archives: December 2018

I love the first real snowfall of the season. Last evening it snowed a good portion of the night and I awoke to a world transformed. The hills, a dirty brown yesterday morning, are now a brilliant white, the dead leaves on the ground are covered by a frozen blanket, and tracks go off in different directions where rabbits and deer had wandered. The air is crisp and clean and it just feels good to be alive in such a beautiful place.

God wants to work a similar transformation in our lives today. No matter how dark our past, how dry and barren the landscape of our lives, how loathsome our sin, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9).

This morning God offers you a new life, a new beginning. He promises, “Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, I will make them as white as wool.” Isaiah 1:18

This is why Jesus came, why He was born in a manager and died on a cross, so that you might live, not just today, but forever. This morning accept Jesus as your Savior and, just as the snow transforms our valley, He will change your life forever. Give Him your heart today and He will make you too “whiter than snow.” Psalm 51:7.

God bless and Happy Winter!

Two days ago America remembered once again the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, “a date which will live in infamy.” This unprovoked attack resulted in America’s entrance into World War II, a conflict which eventually claimed the lives of over 400,000 Americans and over 70 million people worldwide. It also saw the use of the most powerful weapon yet developed in mankind’s determined march towards self-destruction.

As horrific as World War II was, it also saw the rise of a generation of Americans whose influence still affects each and every one of us to this very day. Called by Tom Brokaw “The Greatest Generation”, this group of people willingly gave up their comfort, possessions, and even their lives, in the fight against tyranny and oppression. Inspired by patriotism and a strong sense of duty, this generation rose up to fight against the forces of evil and ultimately overcame.

Now, 77 years later, our world stands on the brink of a conflict far greater than World War II. The enemy has been marshaling his forces, preparing the way for one last final battle. The winds of strife about to break forth in full force upon the Earth and the events about to be played out on the world stage, will make the atrocities which came before pale in comparison. Speaking of this time, the prophet Daniel declared, “Then there will be a time of anguish greater than any since nations first came into existence.” Daniel 12:1 NLT.

As we face this coming conflict, it is time for a new “Greatest Generation” to arise, a generation of Christians who will respond to God’s question, “Whom shall I send?” by declaring, “Here I am! Send me.” Isaiah 6:8 NLT.

What is needed is a people who, clothed in the full armor of God, will stand up against tyranny and hate, declaring, “Enough!” Armed with sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, this generation will go forth into the fray, with love in their hearts and words of hope on their lips, and do battle with the forces of evil.

Risking comfort, security, reputation, and even their very lives, they will willing sacrifice all in the quest to bring just one more soul to the Savior and to share the Good News of His soon coming with the world.

Today, are you ready to answer the call? Will you be a part of the next Great Generation, the last Great Generation? If so, then this morning get down on your knees, lift your eyes toward heaven, and declare, “Lord, here I am! Send me!”

Will we have enough money for Christmas? 
Does my hair look all right? 
I hope I don’t lose my job. 
I’m afraid I’m going to get cancer.

Philippians 4:6 says, “Don’t worry about anything; instead pray about everything.” I think we too often get this backwards. We worry about everything and hardly pray about anything. It’s no wonder we feel so stressed all the time.

As Erma Bombeck used to say, “Worrying is like a rocking chair, it gives you something to do, but it never gets you anywhere.”

This morning, instead of wasting your time worrying your life away, decide to follow the Apostle Peter’s advice to “Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.” (1 Peter 5:7).

In other words, stop rocking and do something that will get you somewhere – Pray!

God bless and have a worry-free day!

I went for a walk this morning with our dog Lily. It’s been a while since we walked together. I’d hurt my left heel and had to lay off my exercise program for several weeks, so our daily walks had to wait.

The great thing about Lily is, she didn’t hold my neglect against me. She didn’t turn her back when I said, “Come on, girl! Let’s walk!” She didn’t stick up her nose at me, because I’d not walked her in a while. No, she was just as eager as ever to be with me. All that mattered to her was I was that I was back.

That’s what real friends are like. It might be years between visits, but when you finally get together again it’s like old times; like you’ve only been apart for a few days, instead of a few decades. The conversation flows, laughter comes easy, and you just feel at home.

God is that kind of friend. Maybe it’s been a long time since you really spent time with Him. It could be your Bible’s been collecting dust on the shelf. Perhaps it’s been awhile since you knelt to pray. All that doesn’t matter, because if you’ll come back to Him today, He’ll welcome you with open arms. Jesus promised in John 6:37 “…whoever comes to me I will never drive away.”

Today, Jesus eagerly holds out His hand to you and says, “Come on! Let’s walk!” Don’t let your past mistakes or neglect of Him hold you back. All that is forgiven. The only thing that matters is you’re back. Take His hand right now and get ready for an adventure! There’s so much He’s been waiting to show you!

As seven year-old Jedrick lies in the hospitable bed, awaiting surgery, his mother gently strokes his hand. Jedrick has needed surgery for a hernia since birth, but medical care was unavailable in his homeland of Venezuela. Finally, in desperation, they joined the thousands of other Venezuelans fleeing to nearby Columbia in hope of finding a better life. Now, thanks to the good men and women of the US Navy hospital ship Comfort, Jedrick is getting the surgery he so desperately needs.

As I watched this story on NBC I was once again overwhelmed by the plight of people like Jedrick and the millions throughout the world who do not have adequate medical care, enough to eat, clean water to drink, or even a safe place to lay their heads.

The needs in this world are overwhelming. I understand how the disciples must have felt when Jesus, feeling compassion for the 5000 people who’d come to hear him speak, said to the disciples, “You give them something to eat.” Mark 6:37 NIV. Their task seemed impossible, just as the task before us seems impossible today.

As we look at the needs around us, God’s command to us in Isaiah 58 seems ridiculous. How are we, with our meager resources, supposed to “loose the chains of injustice…set the oppressed free…share [our] food with the hungry and…provide the poor wanderer with shelter”?

The answer is, we can’t. As Matthew 19:26 reminds us,“With man this is impossible…” but it doesn’t end there. Jesus goes on to say, “…with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26.

In this time of giving, do not let the overwhelming needs around leave you disheartened and discouraged. Instead, give what you can of your time and resources and let God do the rest. Take your “five loaves and two fishes” to Jesus and prepare to be amazed! He will take your meager efforts and multiply them a thousand fold!

But, when this happens, don’t just sit back and watch! The disciples work wasn’t ended when Jesus blessed the food. They still had to hand it out. Likewise, God may multiply your offering, but He still wants you to share it with the world! So, pick up your basket and get to work!

God bless and have a great day!

Do you remember as a child being afraid? Maybe your fear was monsters under your bed, being alone in the dark, or thunder at night. Whatever it was, fear fled away when your mother took you in her arms and whispered, “Don’t be afraid. I’m here.”

Most of us have outgrown those childhood fears. Unfortunately, we’ve replaced them with new ones. Fear of failure, financial hardship, losing our jobs. Worries about our health or that of those we love.

For many, it is the future which frightens them. They look at world events and are “terrified at what they see coming upon the earth, for the powers in the heavens will be shaken.” Luke 21:26 NLT

Yet through it all, as the storms of life rage around us and fears multiple on every side, we need not be afraid. No matter how the winds howl or how the waves crash, we are never alone. Jesus promised long ago, “I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:20.

This morning, don’t let fear rule your life any longer. Don’t let the storms of life terrify you or waves of worry overwhelm you. Look up! Jesus comes to you, walking on the waters! Hear His voice today echoing through the tempest’s blast, “Don’t be afraid. I am here!” John 6:20

Rest in Christ’s arms today and let “the peace of God, which transcends all understanding,…guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:7) And know this above all else – no matter what, you are loved!

For most things I have a memory like Swiss cheese. Names, dates, faces, they just don’t stick. But there is one thing I’m good at remembering – my past mistakes. Those I cling to, storing them carefully away, only to take them out and let them gnaw at my peace of mind, make me question my faith, disturb my sleep.

In Hebrews 8:12 God promises, “I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.” He In fact, He says, as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.” Psalms 103:12. He promise to “hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea.” Micah 7:19.

We had a dog once who could dive underwater. One time he came up from the bottom of the stream with a rotted, dead fish, in his mouth. My wife screamed, “Eww! Put that back! That’s disgusting!

God must feel that way sometimes. He’s buried my sins in the depths of the sea, but I insist on throwing in a line and dragging them back to the surface, so I can gnaw on them a little more. When I do this I can almost hear God saying, “Put that back! That’s disgusting!”

When it comes to my past mistakes and sins I need a little holy amnesia. I need to believe God when He said, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9

The past is in the past. We can’t do anything about it. We need to leave it where it lies. We need to follow Paul’s example and, “Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called [us] heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13 and 14.

This morning, stop dragging your past mistakes up from the depths. God’s forgotten them. So should you. Let the past in the past! God’s got a beautiful future in store for you. So, today, put down your fishing pole, take up your cross, and press on!