Trust and Obey

17 Jan

When I was a child and my parents would tell me to do something, I would sometimes ask, “But why?” Sometimes they would explain their reasons, but often they would reply, “Because I said so!”

That was a frustrating answer for a curious child, but since I’ve become a father it makes a whole lot more sense. I now realize what my parents were really saying to me was, “Trust me.”

Children don’t need to know “whys and wherefores”. All they need to know is who is giving the command. If they know their parents love them and are doing everything for their good, then the “why” doesn’t matter. All that matters is that they trust and obey.

It is the same with us. God sometimes leads us down paths and through trials we don’t understand and we cry out, “But why?” Often His only reply is a smile and a softly whispered, “Because I said so.”  For a true child of God that should be enough.

If we truly know God we know we can trust Him, even if we don’t “understand everything along the way.” After all, He says in Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you…They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”

We can rest assured God, who gave His only Son to redeem us, loves us with an everlasting love. He will never tell us to do something which will not be for our ultimate good, so the “why” doesn’t matter. All that matters is that we trust and obey.

Today, God may lead you down paths which seem dark and scary. He may ask you to do things which take you out of your comfort zone. When this happens don’t waste your time trying to understand everything along the way. Don’t fret and whine and ask, “But why?” The why doesn’t matter.

All that matters is you trust and obey. God will take care of the rest. He promises to cause “… everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” Romans 8:28. You can trust Him, so don’t ask, “Why?” Just obey!

God bless and have a wonderful day!

Free at Last!

16 Jan

“So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” John 8:36 NIV

Yesterday we celebrated the life and work of Martin Luther King Jr. As I listened once again to his “I Have a Dream ” speech I wondered what he would have thought of our nation now. What has become of The Dream? Has his hope for a nation where “all men are created equal” fallen by the wayside?

In a nation where racism still spreads its evil through our streets, has his prayer that his children would “…one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of the character” gone unanswered?

Has his vision that one day “little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers” been trampled under the feet of white supremacists marching in the streets, been rendered obsolete by the widening gap between economic classes, or been drowned out by the racist rhetoric spewing from the mouths of those pledged to protect the very freedoms for which they show such disdain.

In 2018, does Martin Luther King Jr.’s dream live or was it dead on arrival, a mere fantasy, with no hope of coming to fruition in the face of racism, economic injustice, and the general indifference of the American public?

While some may say “The Dream” was a pipedream from the very beginning, I disagree. I believe the dream lives on and finds fulfillment every day in the lives of men and women who put aside their own self-interest for the good of others, who reach across the aisle to shake the hand of a rival, and who reach into the gutter to lift up their fellow man.

This dream will never die as long as there are men and women of good conscience willing to stand up for rights of others, people who take to heart the command of Isaiah 58 to “loose the chains of injustice and untie the chords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free, and break every yoke”. The Dream lives as long as there are those who “refuse to believe that the bank of justice is bankrupt” and who are “able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together to, to go to jail together, to stand for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day.”

In 1903, Ellen G White, said in the book Education, “The greatest want of the world is the want of men–men who will not be bought or sold, men who in their inmost souls are true and honest, men who do not fear to call sin by its right name, men whose conscience is as true to duty as the needle to the pole, men who will stand for the right though the heavens fall.”

Martin Luther King Jr. was such a man, but he was not the only one.  There have been men and women in every period of our nations history have shared his dream, who have willingly given up “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” that others might share in the bounty of a nation build on the creed that “all men are created equal.”

I believe at this critical time in Earth’s history God is raising up a new generation will embrace this dream. The world is in desperate need of men and women “…who will not be bought or sold, who in their inmost souls are true and honest, men who do not fear to call sin by its right name…” If you are one of these people, then now is the time for you do your duty and “…stand for right though the heavens fall.”

We need men and women who will strive to make Martin Luther King’s dream “a reality for all of God’s children.” This includes not just Negro, but Hispanic, Asian, Muslim, and the poor and disenfranchised of this great nation. We can never “Make America Great Again” until we, the American people, live out the true meaning of the creed upon which this nation was founded that “we hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal”, regardless of the color of their skin or the nation of their birth or their economic status.

Unfortunately, because we live in a fallen world where evil and hate too often reign supreme, we must face the fact that Martin Luther King’s dream will never be fully realized until sin is vanquished and all things are made new. It is only when Jesus comes again that will finally experience what true freedom is, for when “The Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” John 8:36 NIV

This is why we who call ourselves Christians must remember we have an even greater commission which goes far beyond the dream of Martin Luther King Jr.. Our commission does not just end with America, for we are citizens of a greater kingdom, a kingdom founded by a crucified and risen King, a kingdom founded on love, a kingdom established not just for Americans, but for all people of all nations.

It is time for Christian men and women to take up the Great Commission and carry this gospel to the ends of the earth as a witness unto all men. It is time for us to stand for what we believe and speak up for the rights of others. It is time for us to choose to live lives filled with love and compassion, beating back the forces of hate and evil which assail on every side. It is time for us to take seriously Christ’s admonition to love our neighbors as ourselves. It is time for us to lift up Christ before the world, to show them there is a better way, to spread wide the good news that Jesus is coming soon, that there is hope for tomorrow and a better world is just beyond the horizon.

When we do this, when we take The Great Commission seriously, then The Dream will be fully realized and freedom shall finally “…ring from every city and every Hamlet, from every state in every city.” On that great and awesome day, when Christ glory fills the sky, wars shall cease, hatred will be banished forever and then , and only then, “…all of God’s children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual, free at last, free at last, great God Almighty we are free at last.”

May that day come quickly is my prayer. Have a good day and God bless America!

No More Tears

13 Jan

I’m feeling a little beat up this Sabbath morning.

Yesterday was rough. I didn’t get home till after 11 PM, because we were so slammed in the Walk-in Clinic. There’s an awful lot of hurting people in the world right now and a good portion of them walked through our doors last night.

It didn’t help I learned yesterday a friend’s cancer is back, another friend is struggling to cope with a family illness, and still another just got divorced. My heart is aching right now for each of them. That’s the problem with having people you care about – it hurts so bad when they hurt!

After yesterday I can really relate to the words of Lamentations 5:17, which says, “Our hearts are sick and weary, and our eyes grow dim with tears.” (NLT). Somedays I feel like I just can’t take anymore. I’m so sick of the sadness and pain this world throws at us everyday.

I’m so glad there’s a better day coming! Very soon God “will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” Revelation 21:4 NIV. This is not the end. Jesus is coming soon!

Until then, I’ve got some friends who are hurting, some patients who need a ray of hope, and a world desperate to hear some Good News! So, I think I’ll wipe away the tears, stop moping around, and get back to work.

Nothing drives away the gloom like making someone else’s day a little brighter! Give it a try today. You know life’s not half bad when you’ve got something good to share!

God bless and have a Happy Sabbath! It’s going to be a great day!

#AimToPleaseGod

8 Jan

I love to bring my wife flowers. Why?  Because it pleases her.

I strive to have the house clean when she gets home at night. Why? Because it pleases her.

I rub her back when it’s sore at the end of the day. Why? Because it pleases her.

If we love someone we want to do all we can to please them. We will bend over backward, go out of our way, and sacrifice our own pleasure, all in an effort to make them happy. Why? Because it pleases them.

2nd Corinthians 5:9 tells us, “Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him.” If we truly love God it should be our greatest joy to please Him and our greatest sorrow when we do something which breaks His heart.

This is how Jesus lived His life. In John 5:30 He said, “I seek not to please myself but him who sent me.” If this is how Jesus, the Son of God, lived his life doesn’t it make sense that we should do the same?

We all face decisions every day. Do I go right or left? Take that job or keep the one I have? Drink that or put it back? Marry or stay single? It can all be very confusing.

Decisions get a lot easier, however, if we first ask ourselves the question, “Will this please God?”  When you can respond to that question with a “Yes” you’ve probably found your answer and the direction you should go.

Today, choose to make pleasing God the goal of your life and watch everything else fall into place.  When we aim to please God life just makes a whole lot more sense.

So, God bless, have a great day and remember – #AimtoPleaseGod..

Imitations Wanted!

7 Jan

When my kids were young they loved to imitate their daddy.

Once I got upset with myself and angrily kicked a wall, shouting, “Stupid!” Moments later, I heard my little daughter kick the wall too and shout, “‘Tupid!” Needless to say, my wife had a few words for me later about the example I was setting for our children.

Thankfully, our Heavenly Father sets a much better example for us to follow. We can’t go wrong imitating Him. His love and mercy have no bounds and, if we choose to imitate Him, neither will ours.

Ephesians 5:1 says, “Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children.” (NLT). Then verse 2 calls us to, “Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ.”

Too often “Christians” are better known for their intolerance, insensitivity, and selfishness than their Christ-likeness. A few years ago, a survey found the number one thing people thought when they heard the word “Christian” was “anti-gay” – and it didn’t get better after that! “Loving” didn’t even make the list!

Imagine how different our world would be if Christians actually imitated Christ, if they lived lives filled with love. Conflict would end, marriages would flourish, rifts would be repaired, the hungry would be fed, and the destitute would find a place called “home.”

Someday soon Jesus will come to take us to a place like that, to Heaven, where “…there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain” and where “the wolf and the lamb will live together; the leopard will lie down with the baby goat. The calf and the yearling will be safe with the lion, and a little child will lead them all.” (Revelation 21:4, Isaiah 11:6).

Until then it’s up to us to bring a little bit of heaven into the world around us, to be imitators of Christ, living lives filled with love in a world filled with hate. We are to be beacons of hope, shining in the darkness, showing the world a better way, pointing them to a God who loves them with an everlasting love.

We cannot do this on our own, however. My children became imitators of me, for better or worse, by spending time with me. It is the same with us and God. It is only as we daily spend time with God, studying His Word and talking with Him, that we will become like Him and be able to love as He loves.

2 Corinthians 3:18 describes it this way, “And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” (NIV)

The world is in desperate need of “imitations”, people who imitate God’s love in their everyday lives. Today, determine to spend every moment in His presence, contemplating His glory, “being transformed into His image“, so you can truly be “imitators of God”, living “a life filled with love, following the example of Christ.”

May God guide you as you imitate Him today!

Through the Mist

7 Jan

This morning the fog was heavy in our valley. The mountains were hidden behind the mist and it was hard to see around the next corner. The way ahead was dark and dreary.

A short time later, however, the sun came up and burned away the mist. Light chased away the darkness and our valley was transformed into a beautiful winter wonderland.

Life can seem this way sometimes. Your past mistakes hem you in on every side and guilt presses down on your soul. God seems hidden from view and you can’t see around your own sins to find your way into the future. You feel lost, stumbling along in the dark, with no clear path forward.

But if you will just reach out and grasp by faith the nail-scarred hand of He who gave His life for you, Jesus will sweep “…away your offenses like a cloud, your sins like the morning mist.” Isaiah 44:22 NIV.

He is always there, even when you can’t see Him, waiting for you to call out His name. When you do your world will be transformed. He will “turn the darkness into light…and make the rough places smooth.” Isaiah 42:16. “Then you will go on your way in safety and your foot will not stumble.” Proverbs 3:23.

As we get ready to start a new week, let go of the mistakes of yesterday and grab hold of Jesus’ hand. Put your trust in Him today and let Him lead you through the mist safely into a brighter tomorrow.

God bless!

He Leadeth Me

5 Jan

I got a call from a pastor yesterday who wanted me to come speak at a couple of his churches. As I went through my calendar I realized a good portion of my year is already planned out for me. It’s going to be a busy year!

After eliminating Sabbaths when I’m already scheduled at my local church or other churches, weekends when I work, and times I’m away at CME conferences, we finally settled on a couple Sabbaths in June. It’s going to be fun to preach at a couple new places this summer

As I thought about this later I felt overwhelmed by God’s goodness to me. Although, it looks like a busy year ahead, God has filled my calendar with things I enjoy and opportunities to serve. I’m glad He’s in charge, because His plans for me are so much better than I could have on my own.

God promises in Jeremiah 29:11, “I know the plans I have for you…plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” God knows every moment of the year ahead, every challenge and opportunity that will come my way. I can trust Him to lead me, because I know He loves me with “an everlasting love.” Jeremiah 31:3.

As I start my journey into 2018 I find comfort in the words of that beautiful hymn, He Leadeth Me. The first stanza goes:

He leadeth me, O blessed thought!
O words with heav’nly comfort fraught!
Whate’er I do, where’er I be
Still ’tis God’s hand that leadeth me.

It’s wonderful to know it is “Still ’tis God’s hand that leadeth me.” I’m excited to see what God has had planned for me in the days and weeks ahead. Whatever it is I know it will be good, even if it seems bad at first, because “…in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28.

God has great things in store for you too this year, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” I don’t know what the road ahead holds for you, but I do know this – if you let God take the wheel  He will never steer you wrong.

God bless and happy travels!

Decisions, Decisions!

4 Jan

Do you ever find yourself asking, “Lord, what do you want me to do?”

I know I do, especially around this time of year. I’ve yet to get a blinding flash of insight in response to this question, although I have occasionally heard a gentle whisper in my mind.

The thing is we don’t need a special revelation to know what God wants us to do. He’s already shown us in today’s text, Micah 6:8.

What does the Lord require of you?

  • To do justly
  • To love mercy
  • To walk humbly with your God

When faced with a decision, whether a job change or a diet change, if your decision meets these three criteria then you can be pretty confident you’re making the right choice.

Let’s take diet for example. You’re probably wondering what does diet have to do with justice, mercy, and humility. Let me explain.

I’ve chosen to be a vegetarian. So how does this choice line up with the 3 criteria of Micah 6:8?

  • Do justly – to do justly means to do the morally right thing or act in a way that is well-founded or justifiable. All the latest scientific research makes it clear a plant-based diet is the healthiest diet, so I am doing my body justice when I strive to put only good things in it. A plant-based diet is also better for the planet, generating less waste and a smaller carbon footprint.
  • Love mercy –A vegetarian diet is also kinder to my own body, providing numerous health benefits without the toxins found in a meat-based diet. It’s also a lot easier on our animal friends.
  • Walk humbly with your God – 1 Corinthians 6:19 tells us, “Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?” If we are to walk humbly before God we must take care of His temple, our body, carefully following all the light He has given on what is best for our health.

Now, having said all that, please don’t think I am insisting you become a vegetarian or that I think being a vegetarian is a requirement to be saved. I’m just using my diet as an illustration of how we can use Micah 6:8 to make a decision.

The point is, knowing God’s will for any decision we must make isn’t hard. Just ask yourself,

  • Is this the just thing to do? Is this right for myself, my family, or other people this decision will affect?
  • Is this the kind thing to do? Will this decision hurt others or myself? Is there a better way which will cause less harm?
  • And, most importantly, am I surrendered to God in this decision? Have I humbled myself, submitting to His will, and trusting Him to guide me?

If your decision meets these criteria then move forward in faith, knowing God is with you in whatever you do. And don’t worry. He’ll redirect you if you’ve got it wrong. You can count on it!

May God guide a bless as you walk humbly with Him this day and throughout this year.

Don’t Let Depression and Anxiety Win!

4 Jan

I’m glad the holidays are over!

No, I’m not some sort of Scrooge or Grinch. I love the Christmas season, the lights, the presents, the food, time with family, the songs… all of it! As the song goes “It’s the most wonderful time of the year!”

No, I’m glad the holidays are over, because it’s the hardest time of the year for a lot of my patients. Many feel socially isolated and alone. For others, Christmas is a time of grief, a painful reminder of loved ones they’ve lost. Still others face the New Year with hearts filled with despair over the mistakes they’ve made in the old year. Whatever the reason, depression and anxiety reach a peak in the holiday season and I end up seeing their devastating effects in our exam rooms every day.

This past year seemed worse than ever before. I stopped counting the number of people I was seeing with depression, anxiety, or suicidal thoughts. It was heartbreaking to see a young person break down in tears, because the stress was too much, or an elderly lady mourning over her husband who had died the previous year.

Christmas is supposed to be a time of year filled with “Joy to the World” and “Peace on Earth, good will to men”, but instead so many are crying out with David, “Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me?” Psalm 42:11 NIV.

Unfortunately, depression and anxiety don’t go away at the stroke of midnight on December 31st. Mental health disorders don’t take a winter vacation. No, depression and anxiety are a fact of life for far too many people all through the year.

That’s why I’m excited the Cashmere Seventh-day Adventist Church is sponsoring the Nedley Depression and Anxiety Recovery Program.

A wholistic lifestyle program, developed by Dr. Neil Nedley, this comprehensive, evidence-based program has helped thousands find freedom from depression and anxiety. I have helped out with this program in the past and I can testify to the difference it has made in people’s lives.

If you live in the Cashmere or Wenatchee area and you suffer from depression or anxiety, or know someone who does, please join us for the free introductory session at Cashmere SDA Church, 507 Pioneer Ave, Cashmere, WA 98815, at 6:30 PM.

For more information or for directions go to http://nedleydepressionrecovery.com/listing/cashmere-sda-church-507-pioneer-ave-cashmere-wa-98815/.

If you don’t live in the area you can find a program near you at http://nedleydepressionrecovery.com/program-locations/.

Whether you come to the Depression and Anxiety Recovery Program or not, I encourage you to seek the help you need. Science has made major strides against these devastating diseases. Don’t let depression and anxiety win. There is hope and it’s yours for the asking!

Jesus said in John 10:10, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” That abundant life can be yours. Contact your doctor or mental health professional today and take the first step towards living fully alive in 2018!

The 100 Percent Rule

3 Jan

I love setting goals!

At the beginning of every year I make a list of all the things I want to accomplish in the coming weeks and months. Around the time of my birthday in June I reassess to see how I’m doing and at the end of the year I evaluate how I’ve done.

I’m a great goal-setter. Unfortunately, I haven’t always been a great goal-achiever.

I’m sure you know what I mean. You start out the New Year with a bang – running that mile, avoiding desserts, saving money. The first week goes great, but then a day comes when you’re just too tired to run, that cake looks so good, or you find that perfect outfit you just have to buy. Before you know it you haven’t run in weeks, you’re eating ice cream at every meal, your savings account is empty and your credit cards are full. You throw up your hands and say, “Oh well, there’s always next year!”

Don’t feel too bad. We’ve all been there. I think I’ve found a solution, though. It’s called the “The 100 Percent Rule.”

Basically, “The 100 Percent Rule” states if you want to succeed in any endeavor you have commit 100 percent to it. 99 percent is never enough.

99 percent lets you sleep in late once in a while, sneak a cookie at lunch, or buy that dress instead of saving the cash. 99 percent lets you make exceptions, find excuses, and accept less than your best. In other words, 99 percent lets you fail.

At first 100 percent living seems hard, but in reality it’s so much easier than giving only 99 percent. When you make a 100 percent commitment to something decisions become easier and life gets a lot simpler.

When you’re 100 percent committed:

  • Skipping out on your daily run is no longer an option. You’re committed, so every day finds you out on the trail, rain or shine, come what may.
  • Losing weight becomes a breeze, because you’ve committed to only putting good things in your mouth, no matter what.
  • Saving money becomes second nature. Every month the first check you write is for your tithe and offering. The second goes in savings, no exceptions.

The 100 percent rule can change almost every area of your life, but the place where it will have the biggest impact is in your relationship with God.  He says in Jeremiah 29:13, “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”

God doesn’t want you just one day out of the week, on Sabbath. He wants a relationship with you every day, every hour and every minute. He doesn’t want just a portion of your life, but every beat of our heart. Even 99 percent isn’t enough.

A 100 percent Christian doesn’t need to ask what he should do in a certain situation. He knows! He’s fully committed to following Christ no matter what, so the answer is clear. He’ll do what Jesus would do, no exceptions allowed, 100 percent of the time.

If you want to be successful in 2018 determine to put 100 percent into whatever you do. Accept nothing less, especially when it comes to your relationship with Christ. After all, He gave 100 percent for you – and more!

God bless and have a great year!