From a Human Standpoint!

Over the years, I have encountered individuals who were convinced that their bad, evil past prevented them from ever receiving GOD’s forgiveness and acceptance. Some have shared their past experiences with me and definitely there were some that I considered horrible and beyond forgiveness as well, from a human standpoint. But, fortunately for humanity, GOD looks beyond a human standpoint. His exceedingly abundant love for humanity looks beyond the evil and sinfulness and sees the possibilities–what could be.

Consider King Manasseh for a moment. Manasseh was a ruthless ruler of the nation of Judah. From all accounts, he was the most evil king to ever rule over God’s chosen people. During his fifty-five year reign, he built altars to the foreign gods of the pagan nations around about. He worshipped the stars; he sacrificed his own children to pagan gods; he involved himself in sorcery, magic, mediums, and fortune-tellers. He even went so far as to place carved idols in God’s temple. His ruthlessness filled Israel with innocent blood from one end to the other. He even had the prophet Isaiah sawn in half for continually condemning his wickedness and attempting to point him back to GOD.

The Scripture tells us: “The Lord spoke to Manasseh and his people, but they didn’t listen” (2 Chronicles 33:10 HCSB). GOD didn’t give up on Manasseh, even in the midst of his extreme wickedness. Apparently, his wickedness had also infected those around him. But, they wouldn’t listen. Maybe today you feel the LORD speaking in the midst of your evil ways. Are you listening? There is still time to respond to GOD’s call to repent and turn back. How will you respond? 

Manasseh responded by continuing in his evilness. So GOD “brought against them the military commanders of the king of Assyria. They captured Manasseh with hooks, bound him with bronze shackles, and took him to Babylon” (v. 11). GOD delivered judgment upon him through a foreign power. Manasseh’s wickedness had landed him in a terrible mess. He had a decision to make. The Scripture tells us: “When he was in distress, he sought the favor of the Lord his God and earnestly humbled himself before the God of his ancestors. He prayed to Him, so He heard his petition and granted his request, and brought him back to Jerusalem, to his kingdom. So Manasseh came to know that the Lord is God” (vv. 12-13).

Scripture reveals that GOD didn’t give up on him. When he turned back to GOD in complete repentance for his evil ways, GOD accepted him back and returned him to his position as king. Your past does not have to be your future. From a human standpoint, you may be considered beyond GOD’s grace. But, GOD is still in the business of forgiveness and He desires for you to turn back to Him, no matter how bad you have been. GOD desires to give you a future filled with His love and grace. How will you respond today?

Order Out of Chaos!

Many years ago an older gentleman asked me to assemble a desk he had purchased. When I arrived I discovered this thing was huge, filling five different large cartons in his living room. As I was laying out the pieces all over his living room for assembly, I began to feel as though I would never get it all together. But slowly, it began to take shape and order began to develop out of the chaos. After a long, difficult day, I stepped back and what I saw was amazing.
This so reminds me of our lives and our world. We look around at everything that is going on and all we see is chaos and disorder. We look at our own lives and the mess we have often made out of them and wonder how GOD could ever bring any order to such chaos.
King Solomon felt the same way. As his life was rapidly winding down, he looked back at it all and he said: “It is beautiful how God has done everything at the right time. He has put a sense of eternity in people’s minds. Yet, mortals still can’t grasp what God is doing from the beginning to the end of time” (Ecclesiastes 3:11 GW).
GOD is working—in His time, in our world, in our lives—to establish order where we only see disorder, to create beauty out of a mess. When we step back and look at where we were and then we are today, we can truly see the beauty of GOD’s hand. Oftentimes, we will not understand the “whats” or the “whys” or the “how comes;” but, we can rest in the assurance that GOD is at work creating beauty.
Sometimes, we just have to hold on by faith, trusting in what GOD is doing. Like that desk, I had no idea what it would become or if it ever would become but when it as finally finished, it was marvelous, functional and beautiful. So it is with you and me, if we have placed our trust in Jesus as our Lord and Savior.
The mortality of our hearts and minds prevents us from always seeing the big picture, but the time will come when we will step back and look over our years and say, “WOW! GOD, You are so awesome! What You have done with me, with my world, I would’ve never imagined the final product of Your work in my life! You have brought order, functionality and beauty to what was once only chaos and disorder. Thank You!”
Scripture Reading: “You are the ones chosen by God, chosen for the high calling of priestly work, chosen to be a holy people, God’s instruments to do his work and speak out for him, to tell others of the night-and-day difference he made for you—from nothing to something, from rejected to accepted” (1 Peter 2:9-10 Message Bible).
Prayer: Father in heaven, I have messed things up at times. In my pursuit of worldly acceptance, I have often created chaos and disorder in my life. But, I realize You have something far greater in store for me. I surrender myself over to You to be shaped, molded and created into a beautiful object that displays You and Your glory even in the darkness of our world. Thank You, Father, for taking me just as I was and working to make me just as You want me to be. In Jesus’ name…AMEN!

What Did You “SAY?”

How often do we think before we speak? How many times have we said something we wished we could take back or wished we’d simply never said it in the first place? How many people have we hurt by something we’ve said to or about them? Has there ever been a time when you said something and someone close by looked at you—shocked—and said, “What did you say?”

James warned of the dangers of an uncontrolled tongue with these words: “the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell” (James 3:5-6 NIV). He didn’t mince words because he knew the great danger of an out-of-control tongue.

A dear friend recently sent me the following. From its truths, we can recognize the dangers of an uncontrolled tongue while at the same time understanding the benefits of a tongue under control. Consider its simple truths for a moment:

What Did You “SAY?”
Words spoken are in motion:
Words can maim or words can mend;
They can be weapons or balm.
Our words can be Satan’s marching orders;
Or, with them God may send His angels on a mission.
Have you heard someone spew cursing about people or things?
Words start wars and stop wars.
Hitler’s words sent millions of Jews to their death.
Winston Churchill’s classic speech spared England.
We have also heard people spew meaningless chatter.
God said, “Listen, my son, accept what I say, and the years of your life will be many” (Proverbs 4:10 NIV).
~~ Frances Knight, Author of: Christianity Alive! with Prayer Power

STOP and think about what you just read. Now, consider something more James adds: “It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be” (James 3:8-10 NIV).

Before you are forced to ask yourself, “What did I say?;” ask yourself “What should I say?” Remember: “The tongue has no bones but it is strong enough to break a heart. So be careful with your words” (Greek Proverb). With an out-of-control tongue, men have lost jobs, friends, spouses and nations. Don’t let it happen to you!

Scripture Reading: “Lord, help me control my tongue; help me be careful about what I say” (Psalm 141:3 NCV).

Prayer: Father, I realize my tongue can have a mind of its own if I am not mindful of its every action. I pray for the ability to harness it and to prevent it from bringing harm to others as well as my situations on life; rather, using it for good and meaningful actions. I ask you, LORD, to give me wisdom to know when to talk and when to listen; what to say and when to be quiet. May my tongue be used to glorify You and You alone!…in Jesus’ name, AMEN!

Is It Ever TOO Late?

As he was drawing his final breaths in this life, Steve Jobs said: “In the eyes of others, my life has been the symbol of success. However, apart from work, I have little joy. Finally, my wealth is simply a fact to which I am accustomed. At this time, lying on the hospital bed and remembering all my life, I realize that all the accolades and riches of which I was once so proud, have become insignificant with my imminent death.”

His final words reveal his struggle to come to grips with his impending death. He had had it all; he had done it all; life for Steve Jobs, by human standards, was as great as it gets. Or was it? As he lay dying, reflecting on his past, his words signified his lostness. I am reminded of the final words of another who had gained everything the world had to offer but found no satisfaction. King Solomon’s final conclusion of life is summed up in his final words: “Meaningless! Meaningless! says the Teacher. Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless” (Ecclesiates 1:2 NIV). Was it too late for these men? Had they permanently traded in eternity in heaven for the pleasures of life?

I began to consider when too late is too late. I thought about Jesus hanging on the cross and the two thieves that were crucified on either side of Him. The first chose to hurl insults at Jesus as his life was drawing to a close; while the other, recognizing his desperate need for something more than life ever gave him, chose to turn to Jesus. His final words were: “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom” (Luke 23:42 NIV).

Jesus turned to the second thief and replied: “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43 NIV). Did Solomon find peace with His Savior as he was dying? We do not know for certain, but we do know that on his deathbed, it was not too late to make the right decision. Steve Jobs, did he recognize his need for a Savior during the final moments of his life? We do not know, but if he did, he was welcomed into the kingdom of heaven following his final breath.

What about you? Have you come to grips with your need for a Savior? Have you recognized your need to turn your life over to Jesus Christ? Is it ever too late? YES, it is! After you take your final breath on this earth, whenever that may be, it is then too late. Don’t wait until it’s too late! Discover the true meaning of life by choosing Jesus and then living every day for Jesus.

Scripture Reading: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Ephesians 2:8-10 NIV).

Prayer: Father God, I recognize how meaningless life truly is. I feel the emptiness; I feel the need for something more than I have ever experienced on this earth. Please forgive me and forgive my past. Come into my life, I surrender it all over to You right now. Thank you, Lord Jesus, for dying for me and for taking away my sins and giving me the opportunity to share eternity with You—in Jesus’ name, AMEN!

Backed Into a Corner?

How often have you found yourself backed into a corner with no apparent way out? Maybe right now you are backed into a financial corner, a relationship corner, an addiction corner, a health corner—your corner can be any place or anything in your life that is creating feelings of fear, discouragement, depression, anxiety.

Often times, your corner becomes your world because it takes over and occupies every moment of your time. Satan uses “corners” to keep us occupied, to prevent us from moving forward in life, to hinder our joy and happiness.

Think with me for a moment. The Israelites had witnessed the hand of GOD miraculously deliver them from Egyptian bondage. They had been set free to leave Egypt and return to their homeland after 400 years of slavery. But then they find themselves backed into a corner.

They find themselves standing at the shore of the Red Sea and then discover the Egyptian military is bearing down on them intent to destroy them. Their corner overwhelmed them and they began to whine and cry to Moses for bringing them out of their bondage only to die on the shore of the sea.

Chances are, you have found yourself in a similar situation—a place where your corner creates an abundance of fear that begins to dominate your ability to even think straight—you begin questioning GOD—even blaming Him at times. Have you ever wondered why GOD continues putting up with us when we get this way?

Notice what happens when GOD shows up. The Scripture tells us: “Moses said to the people, ‘Don’t be afraid. Stand firm and see the Lord’s salvation He will provide for you today; for the Egyptians you see today, you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you; you must be quiet’” (Exodus 14:13-14 HCSB).

In the midst of their chaotic situation, in their whining and grumbling, GOD shows up and delivers them from the corner they’ve been backed into. The sea opened, they walked through on dry ground and then the sea returned to its place, and covered over and destroyed the Egyptian army. Today, whatever corner you find yourself backed into, you need to realize GOD knows your situation. He knows where you are and what you need. His word to you is “Stand firm and see the Lord’s salvation!”

“The Lord will fight for you” and deliver you from your present situation. Trust in Him today. Stand strong against the enemy and his lies and be confident in the ability of your Heavenly Father to set you free. GOD will come through for you and release you from the power of whatever corner you are in today.

Scripture Reading: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding; think about Him in all your ways, and He will guide you on the right paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6 HCSB).

Prayer: Father, at times I find myself backed into corners that create fear and chaos in my life—sometimes these corners are my own creations. I ask you to give me the strength and the wisdom to reach out to You and to trust in Your ability to set me free in the midst of all of them. Help me to set aside my own understanding and to trust fully in Yours, knowing You are my Deliverer! Bless my paths with Your grace and mercy.…In Jesus’ name, AMEN!

Your Moment of Relief Has Arrived!

Life is a challenge! Each new day seems to deliver a fresh portion of new challenges, difficulties and problems to our lives. Some are more difficult than others. There are those times when you feel as though you are all alone—no one to help. You get to the place where you wonder if GOD even cares anymore as your troubles heap up and you feel as though you are being crushed under the weight of them.

David had been anointed king over Israel but he was far from feeling kingly. His enemies, including King Saul, were making his life challenging and difficult. He was being chased across the countryside by those wishing him dead. This went on for a great deal of time. He probably spent many nights crying out to GOD for relief and at times wondering if GOD even cared anymore. But, GOD did care. GOD had a reason for what He was allowing David to go through. GOD was using these difficult times to mold and shape him—to prepare him for the bigger and greater things He had in store.

Finally, the victory came for David. King Saul and those who desired David dead were now dead themselves. David’s moment of relief had arrived. From his relief, he composed a beautiful song we find recorded in 2 Samuel 22. It began like this: “The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer, my God, my mountain where I seek refuge. My shield, the horn of my salvation, my stronghold, my refuge, and my Savior, You save me from violence. I called to the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and I was saved from my enemies” (2 Samuel 22:2-4 HCSB).

Instead of blaming GOD for allowing him to pass through so much, he recognized GOD for who He was. He trusted in GOD’s leadership and timing. He knew GOD had a purpose and plan. He knew GOD had much more in store for him than he could imagine at the moment. He recognized GOD’s power and might and found his peace in that.

Today, you may feel like nobody cares. The weight of your problems may be so heavy, so extreme, you feel as though you are dying under the weight of it all. Your moment of relief is coming! GOD hears your cries for relief, for deliverance, for peace. Your problems will soon become victories as GOD begins to deliver you from them. Soon, you will shout with victory: My moment of relief has arrived! My GOD has delivered me and set me free. I am now better prepared to fulfill GOD’s plan and purpose in and for my life!

Trust in GOD. Do not struggle in your own strength but trust GOD. David found deliverance from his daily troubles by trusting GOD. Don’t allow discouragement to set in; rather set your eyes upon the victory that is coming. GOD delivered David; He will deliver you! Your moment of relief is on the horizon!

Scripture Reading: “The course of my life is in Your power; deliver me from the power of my enemies and from my persecutors. Show Your favor to Your servant; save me by Your faithful love” (Psalm 31:15-16 HCSB).

Prayer: Father GOD, my protector and my deliverer, I put my trust in You! I lay my problems and difficulties down before You and trust that in Your perfect time, my deliverance will come. But until that time, I pray that You will grant me Your strength to overcome and help me to not become discouraged but to keep my focus upon Your greatness always! In Jesus’ name, AMEN!

Contain Yourself!

I often wonder how many murderers sitting in prison today wish they had that one day to live over again. How many wish they could have a do over? As they look back on that day and consider how they could’ve contained themselves better so the crime would have never taken place. A major contributor to murder is uncontrolled anger.

You might say, well I’ve never killed anybody, I have control over my anger! But, how many times have you, in your anger, said things you wish you had never said? How many times have you done something to someone you wish you could take back? How many times have you wished you had contained yourself better and just walked away and taken a breath?

The first murder recorded in the Bible was a result of uncontrolled anger. We read: “So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast” (Genesis 4:5 NIV). The LORD quickly set out to correct the situation before it became volatile by providing a means of escape for Cain: “The LORD said to Cain, “Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it” (vv. 6-7).

The LORD warned Cain that sin was crouching at his life’s door desiring to be loosed so it could rule over him. As I look back at my life, I see many times when I had an opportunity to take the right action but opted for what was wrong. As a result, I said or did something that brought regret later. You have probably done the same thing in your life at some point in time?

Paul warns us to take control over our anger. In Ephesians 4:26-27, he tells us: “Be angry and do not sin. Don’t let the sun go down on your anger, and don’t give the Devil an opportunity” (NIV). While he doesn’t condemn our bouts of anger, he does warn us to contain it; otherwise, it will control us. When we allow anger to take control over our lives, we give the devil an open opportunity to control us and from that sin will spring forth which will lead to great regret at a later point.

As Cain was sent out as a wanderer, how often did he wish he had contained himself better and followed the warning of the LORD? How many nights did he sit by the fire crying over the damage created by his choice to allow sin have dominion over him? Maybe you are reading this and reflecting upon something you have done that you wish you could take back—something said, something done? Maybe you need to seek forgiveness from someone today? Maybe you need to get things right?

I encourage you to find peace in your heart and life by taking care of the past wrongs you have committed. And, as you move forward in life, learn to contain yourself and take authority over your anger to prevent yourself from doing things you will regret later.

Broke and All Alone?

Have you ever found yourself wondering how GOD could want anything to do with you? You stumble and fall constantly in your attempt to walk a Christian walk? You feel as though you have let Him down over and again and you just start wondering if you are even worthy to be called His child any longer?

Jesus told a story recorded by Luke about a son who decided it was time to let his hair down; time to live it up. He wanted everything that he had coming from his future inheritance right then. He told his father he was tired of being around the old home place and was ready to spread his wings and move on. Maybe that is a reflection of you?

He lived it up for a while; had a lot of friends; was blowing money on everything for everybody; having a great time doing everything he had ever dreamed of in the past. But, one day, the money ran out, the friends disappeared and he found himself broke and all alone. He soon found himself in the pig-pen eating alongside the pigs. The frivolous living finally caught up with him and he felt he was done.

As he began to come to his senses, he remembered what he used to have back home. He remembered that even the servants were living much better than he was now. So, humbled by how miserable his life had become, he headed home. The Bible tells us: “When he was still a long way off, his father saw him. His heart pounding, he ran out, embraced him, and kissed him. The son started his speech: ‘Father, I’ve sinned against God, I’ve sinned before you; I don’t deserve to be called your son ever again.’ But the father wasn’t listening. He was calling to the servants, ‘Quick. Bring a clean set of clothes and dress him. Put the family ring on his finger and sandals on his feet’” (Luke 15:20-22 Message).

Maybe that is you or someone you know today? Life has become a pig-pen of destruction? You have ventured so far away from GOD you see no way of ever returning. But, GOD is waiting for you with open arms. He is waiting to run to you. He can’t wait to put the family ring back on your finger and tell you He forgives you and welcomes you back home excitedly.

It’s time for you to come home! The father exclaimed: “This brother of yours was dead, and he’s alive! He was lost, and he’s found!” (Luke 15:32 Message). It’s time to come back to the real life found only in Jesus Christ!