James 1:27 – “This is pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father, to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.”  NASB

I want to express my appreciation to David Barton and Wall Builders for some of the information that I will use in this devotional.  As I read what David Barton wrote I was convicted and inspired. I hope it elicits must the same response in your heart.  If so, then it is worth my time in writing and yours in reading.

The declaration of James in this passage could not be clearer or simpler. It distills the Christian religion and walk to its very essence and provides a clear target, objective, and goal for each of us.  Pure religion includes genuine care about other people, especially those who are unable to take care of themselves.  It includes a refusal to be captured and enslaved by the enticements of lesser things due to an uncompromising passion for the One who truly matters – Jesus!

The first part, genuine concern, and care for others is at the heart of the message and ministry of Jesus.  His message always contrasted that of the Pharisees. His words to the guests at one of the Sabbath meals hosted by one of the leading Pharisees of that day are powerful.

Luke 14:12-14 – “And He also went on to say to the one who had invited Him, “When you give a luncheon or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, lest they also invite you in return, and repayment comes to you. 13 “But when you give a reception, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, 14 and you will be blessed, since they do not have the means to repay you; for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”  NASB

I love the simplicity Jesus managed to use in addressing issues.  Basically, He says, “When you throw a party, invite people who could never reciprocate.  Celebrate and honor those who can offer you nothing in return – no quid pro quo.”  Imagine that, in a day and world where prestige and status.  The Kingdom of God is not about earthly status or quid pro quo, it is about Love, Commitment, and Surrender to God.

When I study American history, I am often amazed as I discover individuals and acts that I did not know.  The more I study those of bygone eras especially in the time of our founding I realize that America and Christian leaders understood and taught the simplicity of the message of Christ.

One such figure was the Reverend Frederick Douglas (a leading civil rights leader, before, during, and after the Civil War).  The aforementioned characteristic of Christianity was one of the key things that excited him the most.  He said, “I love the religion of our blessed Savior!  I love that religion that comes from above!  I love that religion that sends its votaries to bind up the wounds of him that have fallen among thieves!  I love that religion that makes it the duty of its disciples to visit the fatherless and the widow in their affliction!  I love that religion that is based upon the glorious principle of love to God and love to man [Matthew 22:38-39] – which makes its followers do unto others as they themselves would be done by [Matthew 7:12]!”  That is powerful.

Benjamin Banneker, a black American hired by Thomas Jefferson to help lay out the original city of Washington, D.C., affirmed a similar sentiment regarding true Christianity.  He said, “It is the indispensable duty of those who profess the obligation of Christianity to extend their powers and influence to the relief of every part of the human race from whatever burden or oppression they may unjustly labor under.”

I would suggest that we carefully consider the words “duty” and “obligation” in considering the sentiments mentioned.  Those words often carry a negative connotation in today’s world as does the idea of religion.  That was not the case in the era of our founding.  Those were celebrated as noble ideals fueled by a sense of passion and gratitude.  The Founders were keenly aware of the remarkable society they were building.  They clearly understood where our true liberty and inalienable rights came from.  Everything they sought to establish was with that clear understanding and acknowledgment of God and our responsibility to Him.

The Reverend Richard Allen, the founder of America’s first black denomination and a wagon driver during the American revolution emphasized that message in his generation.  He said, “Our Savior’s first and great work was that of the salvation of men’s souls; yet we find that of the multitudes who came or were brought to Him laboring under sickness and disorders, He never omitted one opportunity to do good to their bodies, or sent away one that applied to Him.  Christian charity is pure and disinterested, remote from all hopes of worldly recompense from the persons we relieve.  We are to do good and lend, hoping for nothing again [Luke 6:35].  In its extent, it is unlimited and universal… [it] is confined to no persons, countries, or places but takes in all mankind, strangers as well as relations or acquaintances, enemies as well as friends, the evil and unthankful as well as the good and grateful.  It has no other measure than the love of God to us.  The absolute necessity of practicing this duty is the very same as that of being Christians.  By doing acts of mercy and charity, we acknowledge our dependence upon God, and His absolute right to whatever we possess through His bounty and goodness.” 

 The emphasis of Richard Allen was the Love of God, first to us, then genuinely through us to a needy and hurting world.  America, as seen by our founders and the Christian leaders of history was to be “a city set on a hill.”  It was to be a light to the nations.  If we want to see that light shining brightly, we need to reconsider the promise of God through Isaiah. 

The nation of Israel sought God, humbling themselves in daily fasting and prayer.  They wondered why they were not seeing an answer to their prayers.  God responded saying, “Is this not the fast which I choose…to divide your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not hide yourself from your own flesh?”  [Isaiah 58:6-7].  God promised that if they would do that, He would make their “light break out like the dawn, and their recovery would speedily spring forth.  The Glory of Heaven would be their rear guard.  They would call upon the LORD and He would answer them.  They would cry out to God and He would say, “Here I Am.”  [Isaiah 58:8-10].  Hallelujah!

On the Day of Reckoning, God will take note of every act of kindness and every cup of cold water that is given in His name.  He waits with an excited longing to repay us in kind.  Jesus promised, saying that if we would do that, “You will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.” 

You cannot buy your way to heaven, but your reward is tied to what you do not just what you believe.  I am not, nor were those mean suggesting that we reward laziness and feed a sense of entitlement.  They were and I am suggesting that we show the Love of God in allowing the Love, Mercy, Care, Concern, and Compassion of Jesus to be demonstrated in us.

God bless you as you muse upon this thought.  God bless you as you enjoy this wonderful day in Him!

Mark 6:38 – “And He said to them, “How many loaves do you have? Go look!”  NASB

I do not know what comes to your mind when you read that or if you paused long enough to consider it.  Jesus had been teaching a massive crowd of people and had kept them a long time.  Wow!  Jesus was sometimes a long-winded preacher.  That gives me a sense of comfort and security in my style of preaching.  But that is not the topic I want to discuss or the style I want to defend.

The day was winding down, the crowd was large, and hungry.  The disciple came to Jesus and said, “Lord, this place is desolate, there are no What-a-burgers near, and it is getting late.  Why don’t you send them into the surrounding villages so they can find a McDonald’s and get something to eat?”  Jesus was undaunted by their plea and said, “I have a better idea, why don’t you give them something to eat?”  Actually, He said emphatically, “You give them something to eat!”

I laugh at their protest and realize that I would have probably done the same as they.  They said, “But LORD, are we going to take a couple of hundred dollars and buy something for this massive crowd?  Even if there was a place to buy food that would not be enough.”  Jesus probably smiled and said, “How many loaves do you have?”  Before they could respond He said, “Go Look!”

I can only imagine the stress they were feeling when they checked with everyone and discovered that they only had five loaves of bread and two fish.  How would you like to be in a situation where you had several thousand people to feed and had five loaves of bread and two fish?  I don’t care what size the loaves or the fish were, they won’t do it, in the natural. 

It is interesting to me that Jesus told them to “Go Look!”  They were already in a condition of weak faith.  They were already viewing things in the natural. They were already in a state of mind that the best approach was to transfer responsibility from themselves to the crowd.  Now, Jesus says, “Go Look!”  He knew that when they did, they would be even more pessimistic and doubtful.  The Bible says in John’s reporting of this that Jesus said this to Philip to test him because He (Jesus) already knew what He was going to do.

This was an opportunity for the disciples to see beyond what they could see in the natural.  This was an opportunity for them to resist allowing what they could see in the natural to destroy their faith.  This was an opportunity for them to participate in what He had been teaching and demonstrating regarding the Power and Provision of the Father.  This was their opportunity to participate in seeing the Kingdom demonstrate on this earth.

How many times do we see something in the natural and no matter what God has said, we trust what we see more than what God has said?  How many times do we allow what we can see and the smallness of our resources, in the natural, to prevent us from receiving God’s miracle?  How often do we allow the natural to override the supernatural?  Jesus was allowing them to move beyond what they could see in the natural to looking into the supernatural realm and seeing its Limitlessness.

As I write, I recall the directive of Elijah as he prayed for rain, “Go look!”  He sent his servant to see if there was any sign of rain.  Each time he came back with the report that there was no change.  Finally, the servant came back and said, “I see a cloud the size of a man’s hand.”  The prophet jumped up and said, “I hear the sound of abundance of rain – Run Before the Flood overtakes you.”  All he needed was a wisp of a cloud to believe the Promise.  Sounds like ‘a mustard seed.’ 

We must become people who believe that God is the God of the impossible and that nothing is impossible with God.  If we will just ‘Go Look!’ and refuse to allow what we see in the natural shipwreck our confidence in His Promises, we will see the Miracle!

God bless you as you enjoy this day in Jesus!

Someone asked me, “If you were to preach a sermon right now what would the topic be?”  Without hesitation, I said, “Relationships – Investing In and Cultivating Life.”  I am more convinced today than ever that Relationships are not just vital but essential if we are to enjoy the fullness of life and become what God desires.

As many of you know, my angel, my earthly treasure, my wife Bonnie went home to glory 40 days ago.  It has been a heart-wrenching journey for me and our family.  Some have suggested that because she and we are Christians we should be happy, not sad that she is in heaven.  We are happy that she is experiencing the wonders of heaven and the fullness of joy that God has for all who enter those gates.  However, to ignore the pain and hurt that is left in our hearts when a loved one departs, and in my case, part of me would be to deny reality. 

I appreciate the many efforts to shock me, correct me, help me, or whatever the purpose was in telling me the many things that I should feel, think, or do.  Some of them, although well-intentioned opened the door for guilt and brought more pain than comfort.  The devil needs no help making us feel ashamed that we are weeping when a saint, such as my wife, received her promotion to glory.  My response has been to lay it all before the LORD and follow His directive to CAST ALL MY CARE upon Him and allow the Holy Spirit to minister to my heart.  If I am wrong in my sorrow and processing my grief, I trust He will correct me.  I do not need religious cliches or formulas, I need the 4^th man in the Fire.  I need God!  He and only He can fill the hole in our hearts!

But, back to what I feel directed to address – RELATIONSHIPS.  In the Book of Beginnings, Genesis we read in 2:24 – “Therefore shall a man LEAVE his father and his mother, and shall CLEAVE unto his wife: and they shall become ONE FLESH.”  Paul addressed that again in Ephesians 5:31 as he compared the relationship of husband and wife to that of Jesus and the Church.  It is a joining that is beyond what most mortals can comprehend or are willing to invest to attain.

Many people get the LEAVING and sometimes never stop leaving things and people.  But the second part of that directive CLEAVING is not so easily acquired or attained.  The Cleaving is the part that enables the husband and wife to become ONE.  They always remain two separate people but, in their hearts, and spirits, they become ONE.  That does not happen by osmosis.  It does not happen automatically when the wedding vows are recited.  It is a process that requires commitment and covenant. 

Covenantal Relationships are largely unknown to much of today’s world.  We call marriage a Covenant but like much of society, most operate on a Contract mentality rather than a Covenant one.  A Contract mentality says, “As long as things are good for me, and do not require me to invest too much, I will maintain the contract.”  A Covenant mentality says, “UNTIL DEATH DO US PART.”  It commits all of itself to the fulfillment of the Covenant Vows and never views the investment too much or too difficult.  That is what Bonnie and I had, A Covenant Relationship.  We were 100% committed to each other and our relationship and as we grew into oneness, we enjoyed a marriage beyond anything I could have hoped for.

A person does not become adept at sports without commitment, investment, and work.  A person does not become skilled at their occupation without commitment, investment, and work.  Few things in life, Just Happen, they require investment and cultivation to produce fruit.  Marriage is no different. 

When Bonnie and I realized the depth of our love and the willingness of each to commit fully to the relationship we began to work at cultivating something special.  She showed me love that I had never experienced and love that I did not think humanly possible.  She drew out of me the best and inspired me to press on when it would have been easy to throw in the towel and quit.  I hope I did the same for her, I tried.

Before anyone assume that I am saying we never disagreed, we did.  However, in disagreement, we remained totally committed to our relationship and the depth of love in our union.  During the last year of her battle with cancer, there would be times I would awaken in the night and raise up on one elbow and watch her for long periods of time.  My heart overflowing with love and I prayed as I watched her facial movements and breathing.  She would awaken and see me and say, “Honey, what are you doing?  I’m okay and I’m going to be okay, you can go back to sleep.”  I would usually say, “I know, but I love loving you so much, I just enjoy watching you.”  We would kiss and often hold hands as we drifted back to sleep. 

Relationships, good relationships, covenant relationships, do not just happen!  If your marriage is not what I have described, and you are not one in spirit and heart you can be.  Love is developed not something you fall into.  There was a kinship and drawing the first time we met but we grew to love each other more each year and each day.  We viewed the other as ourselves.  We shared times that no one knows nor will they ever because of the personal treasure of those moments. 

She was an answer to prayer and because God told me she was my angel that I had been praying for, I was determined to make her happy and demonstrate the depth of my love to her.  The kisses we shared in the last months were special because we both knew they were from the depth of our hearts.  We knew they were the fruit of our years together becoming one. 

I fear that I am beginning to ramble and have not adequately addressed Relationships other than to identify their importance.  Covenant Relationships are more important than everything else in life.  Everything, but God for He is the most important but in earthly relationships, NOTHING is more important, and NOTHING should come close in the investment or cultivation given it. 

You do not grow in grace by osmosis, you have to work at it.  You make a commitment of heart, study God’s Word, and walk according to the directives of that Word.  In marriage, you do not have a marriage made in heaven by living for yourselves and failing to invest all of you in making them the best they can be.  If you refer to your wife as your Old Lady or make marriage sound like a war zone you do not understand The Leaving and Cleaving of Genesis.  It is as you cleave to so as to become one with that person, you will discover the marriage God designed and desired and it can become like the relationship of Jesus and the Church.

Today, Kalene and I took breakfast to the Oncologist and her staff. We know it was something Bonnie would have desired us do and it was meaningful to us and hopefully to them. It was a small token of our appreciation for the love and care they showed her an us. I miss my Bonnie more than words can express and I rejoice in the memories of our years together. However, sometimes those memories also bring incredible pain to my heart because I know they are not to be experienced again in this life.  She was and is the love of my life.  She was and is my angel.  She was and is me in a very real sense.  If you focus on politics but fail to invest in your marriage, you err.  If you focus on success in life but fail to invest in your marriage, you err.  If you make marriage a war zone, I wonder what you married for?  I wonder what you thought marriage was all about.  You may consider my remarks unrealistic, but I consider them God’s Norm for Marriage.  I had in my marriage with Bonnie something I could not have understood without walking through the development of it.  TODAY MORE THAN EVER, I KNOW WHAT Genesis and Ephesians were talking about because I had a Covenant Relationship with a Proverbs 31 woman.

God bless you and hopefully, my words are not so disjointed they are without impact or meaning to you.  I pray you experience what we did and that this day and every day will be a fulfilling journey for you!

Matthew 7:24-27 – “Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine, and acts upon them, may be compared to a wise man, who built his house upon the rock. 25 “And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and burst against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded upon the rock. 26 “And everyone who hears these words of Mine, and does not act upon them, will be like a foolish man, who built his house upon the sand. 27 “And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and burst against that house; and it fell, and great was its fall.”  NASB

I heard the Holy Spirit ask, “Are you wise or foolish?”  When I hear a question from the Spirit of God in my heart and mind, I am always cautious about how I answer.  I never want to be rash or presumptive.  I do not want to think more highly of myself than I ought to think.  I never want to answer a question wrongly that I know He knows the correct answer. 

Frequently, when I sense the LORD is asking me a probing question, I will answer the question with a question.  It is not meant to be a question to counter His question but for clarity.  It is usually a question that reveals my willingness to comply with whatever directive He is about to issue.  I desire, more than anything, to be pleasing to Him.  I want to do His will in all things and at all times.  Do I fail?  Yes, I’m human.  I don’t offer that as a justification but a reality that as Paul said, “I’m pressing toward the mark.”  I have not fully attained but am pressing forward.

After the question, I was led to this passage of Scripture and the beautiful analogy that Jesus offered.  He took a natural event to convey a powerful spiritual truth.  His message was clear.  I was not just to ‘hear’ what God says but to ‘do’ what He said.  In a measure that is descriptive of the issue of faith and works.  It should be a reminder that even the demons in hell believe His words but do not act upon or obey them.  The devil knows the Bible, but he is still a devil.

The foolishness of living in a flood-prone area and erecting a dwelling on an unstable foundation such as shifting sand is clear.  The wise man would consider the warnings, the history, the evidence, and after reviewing the information erect his house on a solid foundation.  That would be wisdom.  Therefore, if we HEAR what God says, through the Holy Spirit in prayer or in reading the Bible and fail to follow the directives, heed the warnings, and allow that Word and Spirit to transform us we are anything but wise.

I find in myself and other believers that there are times when we HEAR the directive of Scripture and the urging of the Holy Spirit but fail to obey.  The matter is trust.  It is trust in the sense that we are trusting what we see more than what God has said.  We are trusting our known abilities more than the supernatural power of God.  We are, in that sense trusting and relying on the ‘arm of flesh’ rather than the ‘power of the Spirit of God.’  That is not Wisdom it is Foolishness!

There are numerous examples in Scripture of people hearing what God said, and although His instruction was beyond the realm of human understanding, they acted upon what He said rather than what they could see.  That is Faith! That is Confidence!  That is Trust!  That is Obedience!  Abraham was instructed to offer Isaac the son of his old age and it made no sense to the natural senses, but He obeyed, and God worked a miracle that advanced the cause of the Kingdom of God mightily.

David took a slingshot and 5 smooth stones to face a seasoned war veteran who was a very imposing figure.  It made no sense, but His confidence was in the Name of the LORD and His remembrance of the Promises of God.  Goliath came with a sword and a spear (the arm of flesh) but David went in the Name of the LORD (The power of the Spirit of God).  We know which prevailed.  I will not take the time to list the exploits of Gideon, the Three Hebrew Children, Daniel, and scores of others.  But they Heard and Heeded what God said and demonstrated true Wisdom.

The Holy Spirit was challenging me and I challenge you to consider the words of Jesus in Luke 8:18 – “Therefore take care how you listen; for whoever has, to him shall more be given; and whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has shall be taken away from him.” NASB

God’s Word never fails, and God never fails, therefore we can trust Him and He desires obedience more than sacrifice.  It is in acting upon the Word that we demonstrate Faith in that Word and the God of the Word.  Faith without works is dead but faith with corresponding obedience moves mountains.  Let’s move some mountains!

God bless you as you enjoy this wonderful day in Him!

Psalm 127:1-2 – “Unless the LORD builds the house, they labor in vain who build it; unless the LORD guards the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. 2 It is vain for you to rise up early, To sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows; For so He gives His beloved sleep.”  NKJV

Through my years of Christian ministry and service I have heard the statement, “doing a work for God” used and even “growing a church for Jesus” as though we were the ones building the church or doing the work independently of God.  I know that was not the heart of what was being said but in a very real way, it detracts from the reality of the roles of man and God in the Kingdom Purposes.

If you remember in Matthew 16 when Jesus questioned the disciples as to who the people thought He (Jesus) was and Peter’s response when He asked, “Who do you say I am?” you find a powerful truth. Peter said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.”  Jesus responded to that revelation saying, “…upon this rock (truth) I will build My church; and the gates (powers) of hell will not overpower it.”  The thing we must always keep in mind is it is HIS CHURCH and HE IS THE BUILDER! 

That makes the statement of the Psalmist even more powerful when He declares that UNLESS the Lord builds the house it is an exercise in futility to attempt to do so.  That UNLESS the Lord guards the city the watchmen waste their time watching and warning of danger.  It is futile to worry and fret over life’s problems and obstacles because UNLESS God is on the Throne of our lives, we can change nothing.  But, when we know He is building, watching, guarding, and guiding we can sleep the sleep of peace.

Many have become frustrated over the lack of growth in a local congregation and pastors have resigned or been shown the door thinking that if they just had the right program or personality, they would have the dynamic growth equated with success.  Could it be that they were not allowing God to build the house in His way and time?  Could it be that the purpose of God was not or is not to make every local church a mega-church?  Could it be that our definition of success, often defined in numbers and dollars is not God’s definition?

I truly believe that God has called me to be a “Watchman on the Walls.”  I believe that I am to speak spiritually to and for our nation.  However, I am wasting my time if that conviction is not coupled with the confidence that God is the one truly watching.  If I am not echoing what He is saying and seeing I am nothing more than a clanging noise and without value.

I truly believe that God calls people to lead congregations and far too often that individual departs that local community before the time of God’s choosing.  One of the most significant reasons, I believe, is because of a conceptual failure.  That failure is the failure to truly understand and believe that building the church is not man’s responsibility but is the work of Christ Jesus our Lord through the Holy Spirit.  Yes, He inspires men and women, programs, pathways, and endeavors but at the end of the day IT IS HIS CHURCH and He is the BUILDER!

Our nation is experiencing dark days and will likely experience even darker days in the months to come and we can lament over the problems, conditions, attitudes, and direction and we should be grieved and pray.  But, unless we couple our lamentations with confidence that God is the one truly guarding the city or nation we err and become troubled in heart, mind, and soul needlessly.  

Without God, we can do nothing but with God, we can do all things!  There is no mountain too high, no river too wide no problem too great, or an enemy too powerful that He cannot handle.  Therefore, if we can come to grips with our role as messengers, representatives, and manifestations of Him and His purposes and His as the Builder and Guard we will find the peace that passes understanding and enjoy the success He has purposed.  Never deem success in number, noses, or dollars but look for the depth of spiritual commitment in lives being impacted for God’s Kingdom.  I am not making an excuse for times of little or no progress, but suggesting that we look to the source rather than trying to be the source.

God bless you as you go through this day in Him!

Proverbs 18:9 – “He who is slothful in his work is a brother to him who is a great destroyer.” NKJV

Proverbs 18:9 – “A lazy person is as bad as someone who destroys things.”  NLT

The Bible has much to say about LAZINESS and frankly, I have not heard anyone mention it from the pulpit in decades.  In 2 Thessalonians 3:10 the apostle Paul made a declaration that would have certainly drawn the ire of today’s modernist and politically correct crowd saying:  “…if anyone is will not work, neither shall he eat.”  That would not go over very well in a society that wants to please, tolerate and excuse bad behavior.  Churches that seek to please people would run from that as though it were the plague, but it is biblical.

There are numerous passages in scripture that refer to laziness and how God views that character trait.  Let me list a few of them:

Proverbs 13:4 – “The soul of a lazy man desires, and has nothing; but the soul of the diligent shall be made rich.”

Colossians 3:23 – “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as unto the Lord and not to me…”

Proverbs 10:4 – “A slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes rich.”

1 Timothy 5:8 – “But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially those of his household, he had denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”

Proverbs 20:13 – “Love not sleep, lest you come to poverty; open your eyes and you will have plenty of bread.”

Proverbs 12:24 – “The hand of the diligent will rule, while the slothful will be put to forced labor.”

2 Thessalonians 3:11-12 – “For we hear that some among in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies.  Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly.”

Proverbs 14:23 – “In all toil there is profit, but mere talk tends only to poverty.”

James 4:17 – “Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.”

Colossians 3:17 – “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father through Him.”

This is not an exhaustive list of verses regarding work and laziness but enough to demonstrate that IDLENESS and LAZINESS are not quality character traits and should NEVER be rewarded, justified, or excused. 

We live in a world that has poverty and lack and when we can help those less fortunate than ourselves, we should do so.  However, there is one caveat if they are LAZY then we SHOULD NOT HELP THEM REMAIN LAZY!  You may think me calloused and uncaring, but I care very deeply and know that if we allow a person to continue on a destructive path without intervention, we are harming them and become complicit in their destruction.  We should seek to rescue the perishing rather than help them perish!

It is no wonder that the Bible tells us in Proverbs 22:6 to “train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”  If we fail to discipline and tolerate laziness in our children, they will become non-productive members of society.  Every person should be expected to WORK where possible and when possible and if a person demonstrates LAZINESS, we should allow them to experience the pain of laziness.  That, to me, is a greater demonstration of love than enabling them to continue in that destructiveness.

God bless you as you go through this day!

John 6:61-69 – “When Jesus knew in Himself that His disciples complained about this, He said to them, “Does this offend you?  62 What then if you should see the Son of Man ascend where He was before?  63 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.  64 But there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who would betray Him. 65 And He said, “Therefore I have said to you that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted to him by My Father.”  66 From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more. 67 Then Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you also want to go away?”  68 But Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69 Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”   NKJV

James B. Coats of Summerland, Mississippi wrote a number of Gospel songs including the classic, “Where Could I Go But to the Lord.”  As with many of the timeless songs of faith, Coats captures a truth that resonates with hungry hearts and people desiring to find true spiritual freedom.

The song begins with the plight of man in the midst of a sinful world and the neediness of human beings.  The first verse also captures the visual that often we are facing the temptations and tempest of life with a sense of aloneness.  In that time of desperation, many realize there is only one place to turn and that is God.  If we are needing a refuge for our soul, a friend to stand with us in all things, and at all times what other source can we turn but God?

He continues to tug at our heartstrings in the verse, “Neighbors are fun I love ’em, everyone.  We get along in sweet accord, but when I face the chilling hand of death…”  In that time of facing eternity there is only one real source of comfort and strength and that is God.  He draws out of our emotions the joy of life with friends and the wonderful fellowship we have together but when the chips are down, and the clouds roll in there is only one true source of strength and that is God.

In our text, Jesus presented some difficult truths that caused many to realize the commitment was more than they were willing to make.  After he and the disciples witnessed the multitude turning away Jesus asked the twelve, “Do you also want to go away?”  It is here that Peter uttered the words that are captured in this song.  Peter said, “Lord, to whom shall we go?  You have the words of eternal life.  Also, we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.”  Simply, “Where Could We Go But To You Lord?”

Life is sometimes like a peaceful sea and at other times like a raging tempest with the waves billowing ready to crush our vessel in its anger.  In those times of terror, we realize that outside God there is no safety, but we are sheltered in His arms, and in Him, there is the peace that transcends human comprehension.

God bless you and be with you as you enjoy this wonderful day in Him!

Ephesians 3:20-21 – “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, 21 to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”  NKJV

The Gospel Song written by Stuart Hamblen, “It Is No Secret What God Can Do” was recorded by almost every major recording artist and has been a favorite of those who love Gospel music for years.

Stuart Hamblen captured the hearts of many when he wrote this tune and the first verse identifies the reality of human failure.  It seems that with each passing day we are reminded again and again of our inability to hit the mark and how often we stumble in our walk.  In our own strength living the Christian life are an impossibility and something we should never forget.

In the second verse, Hamblen reminded us of how often we long for strength and courage to face the daunting task of life that is before us and how easily we become discouraged.  His words are an encouragement as he declares, “Do not be disheartened for I have news for you.”   It is here that he begins the incredible reminder and source of powerful encouragement as he writes:  “It is no secret what God can do.  What He’s done for others He’ll do for you.  With arms wide open, He’ll pardon you.”  This reminder of God’s incredible longsuffering and tender mercy is so refreshing in our daily struggle to walk before Him and be perfect.

I love how Hamblen continues, as he declares that in God there is no night because He is light, and we are Never alone.  The comfort that no matter where we are, we are at home because we are In Him.  He then reminds us that we are more than conquerors through Jesus as he pens the words, “There is no power can conquer you while God is on your side.  Take Him at His promise, don’t run away and hide.”  Why?  Because it is no secret what God can do!  What He’s done for others He will do for you.  He stands before us with His arms of love and mercy wide open calling for us to “Come unto Unto Me.”

As Paul declared in our text, God is able to do Exceedingly Abundantly Above ALL that we can think or ask!  Think about that!  Exceedingly abundantly Above ALL, not some, but ALL that we can think, imagine, or even dare to ask.  That is the God we serve, and His power is immeasurable beyond all human comprehension.  That God does not operate in secret but has openly declared through the words of Jesus in Luke 12:32, “Fear not little flock, for it is My Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom…”   God is more desirous to bless us than we are to be blessed.

Remember God openly showers His love, mercy, grace, peace, protection, and provision upon His children.  Stop living in fear and walk into His arms and receive from Him Life and that more abundantly!

God bless you richly is my prayer!

Psalm 56:8 – “You number my wanderings; Put my tears into Your bottle; Are they not in Your book?”  NKJV

The imagery is powerful regarding God’s response to our tears, hurts, heartaches, and/or sorrows.  He puts them in His bottle.  The suggestion is that your tears are so important to God that he keeps them as a constant reminder and then records them in His book.  That is such a powerful statement my heart melts when I read it and I tremble at the knowledge that God not only sees and hears but is taking steps to deal with our difficulties.

Someone said, “Laugh, and the world laughs with you, cry and you cry alone.”  That is not true for the Child of God for as this passage records, God takes note of our tears, so we are never alone.  We may feel that everyone on earth has forsaken us and no one cares or understands what we are facing and that might be true, but God does.  He is carefully recording each tear, the cause, and the remedy.

The wording of the Psalm suggests that God has a bottle, and in that bottle, He keeps the tears we cry as well as the tears of Jesus.  He lists them individually in his book and in due time will respond to wipe away our tears and bring us into his incredible joy.  The Psalmist tells us that “weeping last for the night but joy comes in the morning.”  Then we read in Psalm 116 – “For you, O LORD, have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before the LORD in the land of the living.”   Wow! 

Remember what the writer of Hebrews declared about our LORD in 4:15, “For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.”  We are then encouraged to “come boldly to the throne of grace”.  That place of grace is where we find mercy in the time of need.  Hallelujah!

The Isaacs sing a song entitled, “He Understands My Tears” that I will conclude with.

            “It’s hard to believe He still loves me

             Knowing how wrong I have been

             When all I can say is, I’m sorry

             When all I can feel is my sin.

             He understands when all I do is cry

             He feels the hurt that no one can see down inside

             And when the words get in the way I know He still hears

             For He understands my tears.

             You may not believe that I’m broken

             For all, you can see is my smile

             Oh, but He hears the heart that’s unspoken

             And He gives me strength through each trial.

             He understands when all I do is cry

             He feels the hurt that no one can see down inside

             And when the words get in the way I know He still hears

             For He understands my tears.

             Oh, when the words get in the way I know He still hears

             For He understands when no one else can

             He understands my tears.”

As you go through this day go knowing that no matter what you encounter you are never alone!   

God bless you richly as you enjoy His day of salvation!

Psalm 51:1-2 – “Have mercy upon me, O God, according to Your lovingkindness; according to the multitude of Your tender mercies, blot out my transgressions.  2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.”  NKJV

One of the reasons I love the Psalms is their directness and connectivity to the human heart.  This is recorded as possibly being written after Nathan the prophet went to David and confronted him over his sin with Bathsheba.  David did not hide from his sin for he knew that God knew, and the weight of his guilt came crashing down upon him.  He recognized that without Mercy he was doomed and therefore he cries out to God.

• Have MERCY upon me.

He does not attempt to justify his actions or blame anyone or anything else.  His simple request and plea were Mercy.

• According to God’s lovingkindness and mercy.

David understood that God was and is a loving God more willing to forgive than condemn when genuine repentance was offered.

• Forgive, Blot Out and Wash Me.

His prayer was forgiveness, cleansing, and restoration.

In the next verses, the Psalmist cried, “I acknowledge my transgression, and my sin is always before me.”  He further stated that his sin was, at its very foundation, a sin against God.  Yes, we sin toward others, but the root of our sin is missing the mark and in so doing we hurl darts into our Lord’s heart.  The Psalmist went further and reflected upon the depravity of man, not as a justification for sin but a realization of his humanity and that without God’s mercy and help he could not walk uprightly before God.

In verses 10-11 we find the powerful cry that we should all pray:  “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.  Do not cast me away from your presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.”

If that were not powerful enough in verses 12-13, he declares, “Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and uphold me by Your generous Spirit.  Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, and sinners shall be converted to You.”

He never asked for Justice.  We hear of that much today with everybody wanting justice.  David asked for Mercy.  I do not want what I deserve I want what the Mercy and Grace of God will afford. 

May God be with you as you live the beautiful day in Him!