February 25- Groceries on the Porch

There was a certain widow woman who struggled financially.  Getting down to her last meal, she opened her front door and began praying aloud for the Lord to bring her some groceries. Some of the neighborhood kids overheard her desperate prayer and thought to play a joke on her.  Within hours they had went to the grocery store and bought enough food for several meals.  Leaving the food upon her front porch they attached a letter to the groceries that read; “Here’s Your Food” signed “The Lord.”

After ringing the doorbell, they stood in the bushes waiting to hear her response.  The lady was aware of the childish schemes of the neighborhood children, and so opened the door and prayed once again, “Lord, thank you for this food that you have given, even if you used the devil to bring it.”

The Lord often provides in strange and peculiar ways- ways in which we could never dream.  In His infinite wisdom and grace, He always takes care of His people.  He is Jehovah-Jireh, our great and glorious Provider.  If he takes care of the sparrow He can certainly take care of you and me.  God knows your need before it arrives.  He is able to put groceries on the front porch- He may even use the devil as the delivery boy.

If God sends us on stony paths, He provides strong shoes” – Corrie Ten Boom

February 24- An Unlikely Team

As a child my brother and I would play outside from early morning to late evening.  During the summer months especially we would play for hours with kids in the neighborhood.  Whether it was kickball, Hide-and-Go-Seek, or a pickup-game of football we would always select captains and chose sides.  As a captain you always wanted to go first so that you could pick the fastest, strongest, and biggest kid.  As a captain you wanted to form the very best team.

This holds true in life as well.  Whether you are running a business, pastoring a church, or leading your family- you want the very best team.  But consider just for a minute the people Jesus hand-selected to be on His team:  Matthew, a despised tax collector; Simon Peter, a cussing sailor; Thomas, a consistent cynic and critic; Judas, the diabolical turncoat and traitor.  These were unnamed and untrained nobodies; they were unlearned men without much passion, heart, or drive.  These were not the “fastest, strongest, or biggest” kids in the neighborhood…..but nonetheless they were chosen by the Captain.

Jesus could have chosen anyone…kings, politicians, affluent members of society, but he chose fishermen and tax-collectors, just everyday-run-of-the-mill people like you and me.  Come to think of it, He is still doing that!  Anyone can be on His team; all you have to do is come when He calls.

The place God calls you is the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet” –Frederick Buechner

February 23- 5 Ways to Stay Defeated

Elijah experienced one of the greatest national victories in the history of Israel.  He descended from Mount Carmel having glorified his God.  Victoriously his prayer brought down fire from heaven.  But within a few short verses Elijah was on the run for his life.  He entered into a cave discouraged, defeated, and ready to die.  Why such extremes?  Better still, why do we too experience defeat after such great victories?

1. Elijah Lost Sight of God.  His victory on Mount Carmel came from his clear vision of God, when he took his eyes off the Lord and onto his trouble he grew discouraged.

2. He Ran Away from His Problems.  Instead of facing Ahab and Jezebel he ran in fear for his life.  Elijah lost his courage and conviction to fight.

3. He Isolated Himself from Others.  Not only did he try to run from God (an impossible task), he alienated himself from other people.

4. He Allowed Circumstances to Control His Joy.  Elijah permitted external circumstances beyond his control to rob him of his contentment.

5. He Forgot About Past Victories.  The defeat came just as quickly as the victory.  Spiritual amnesia set in and Elijah hastily forgot about the power and provision of God.

Our biggest problem in life is not getting victory, it is keeping victory.  If we follow the pattern of Elijah we are guaranteed to stay defeated.

Our biggest problem in life is not getting the victory, it is keeping the victory” – Kenneth Kuykendall

February 22- It Pays to be Wise

Automaker Henry Ford asked electrical genius Charlie Steinmetz to build the generators for his factory. One day the generator’s ground came to a halt, and the repairmen couldn’t find the problem. So Ford called Steinmetz, who tinkered with the machines for a few hours and then threw the switch. The generators started back up and quickly Ford got a bill for $10,000 from Steinmetz. Flabbergasted, the rather tightfisted car maker inquired why the bill was so high. Steinmetz’s reply: For tinkering with the generators, $10; for knowing where to tinker, $9,990.  Ford paid the bill.

Wisdom is a wonderful thing.  King Solomon said it was the “principal” thing, and instructed us to get understanding above everything else.  Every day we are faced with decisions that need to be made, and if we make those decisions consistently without the right counsel and insight, we will ultimately fail in life.  Wisdom is better than rubies and gold, and the person who finds wisdom will find true happiness.  Knowledge may give you a living, but wisdom will give you a life.  Knowledge may build you a house, but wisdom will build you a home.  Knowledge may give you a career, but wisdom will give you contentment.  Someone laughably said, “Knowledge is seeing the flaws in your boss, but wisdom is not pointing them out.”  Pursue wisdom; ask Charlie Steinmetz- it pays!

I do not think much of a man who is not wiser today than he was yesterday” – Abraham Lincoln

February 21- Help is on the Way!

A statue designed and created by artist Ron Lee sold for over five hundred dollars at a local auction in Lawrenceville, Georgia.  Only seven inches high and six inches wide, the statue depicts a mild-mannered Clark Kent coming out of a phone booth ascending up into the sky.  As the “news-reporter-turned-Superman” leaps from the base of the statue, we are reminded that he is going to assist some helpless victim. For good reason, Lee entitled the statue, “Help is on the Way.”

The fictional Superman could only offer help in the physical realm.  He could rescue or deliver the body from an impervious situation, but Superman could never save the soul.

Much of the world is looking for a hero- someone to fly in and save the day.  We look for someone to fix the current state of our economy, or to bring social justice to the poor and underprivileged.  While the Lord Jesus Christ certainly can do those things, He does so much more.  You see the world doesn’t need a hero- the world needs a Savior.

To those who will call upon His name He will in no wise despise.  I can testify by personal experience- help will be on the way!

He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon the rock, and established my goings” – Psalm 40:2

February 20- Hazardous Homes

In August of 2010, the Dekalb Country Fire Department of Decatur, Georgia sent a hazmat unit to investigate a suspicious home in the suburbs of Atlanta.  They had a possible lead in the investigation that the owners were connected to a known meth lab in the area.  When the team entered the house they did not find any drugs or paraphernalia; they did however discover the house to be in a contaminated condition.

Apparently the residents were hoarding all types of items including dead animals and toxic waste.  The house was quickly condemned as it was considered a hazard for many in the surrounding homes.  One journalist while reporting on the story asked, “How can people allow their homes to get into such terrible shape?”

That is certainly a relevant question in these troublesome times. Most people work hard to ensure the upkeep and preservation of their houses.  However, it is possible to spent thousands of dollars to keep your home aesthetically appealing while at the same time letting it become spiritually toxic.  The difference between a home full of trash and a home full of truth is the presence of the Lord.  The difference between a home full of garbage and a home full of godliness is the presence of the Lord.  The difference between a home full of waste and a home full of worship is the presence of the Lord.  Work hard at keeping your home in good spiritual shape.

To us, family means putting your arms around each other and simply being there” – Barbara Bush

February 19- The Energy Crisis

There is much debate over the future of energy these days.  The experts tell us that our current rate of fossil fuel usage will lead to an energy crisis during the course of this century.  In order to survive the energy disaster many companies are being forced to create new ways to produce, generate, and harness energy.  From off-shore drilling to the utilization of solar power, we are attempting to “go greener” as a nation.  Although much of this movement has a political motivation, it is certain there is a growing concern about how to conserve energy.  No matter how you feel about the political sway of these issues, one thing is for certain in this post-modern world: we need power.

How much more do we need power in our spiritual lives?  Our church, our family, and our personal walk with God suffer because we fail to walk in the power of God.  The great energy crisis of our generation is not the lack of solar power, but the lack of spiritual power.

We are engaged in spiritual warfare, and the enemy threatens, assaults, and attacks our lives on every hand.  Through the might of the Holy Spirit, He will give us power to overcome.  We do not have to live in defeat as spiritual weaklings- we have the power in the name of Jesus.

Many Christians estimate difficulty in the light of their resources, and thus they attempt very little and they always fail” – Hudson Taylor

February 18- The End of the Voyage

I recently read an article from a religious magazine that chronicled the account of a particular pilgrim who journeyed all throughout the world looking for spiritual enlightenment.  He traveled to Mecca during the Islamic Hajj to find inner peace and tranquility.  He journeyed to the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem looking for spiritual answers.  He toured various churches, mosques, and temples in the United States surveying the different theologies and doctrines of men.

At the end of his voyage he came to terms with the fact that he was still empty and void on the inside.  However, the energy and effort he exerted in his religious expedition brought forth a wonderful truth in his life: peace cannot be discovered by entering into a particular place, but is rather experienced through the encounter of a particular person, and that Person is God Himself.

Jesus Christ came that we may personally know God.  We spend much time trying to find the answers to life in various avenues and venues; when the real answer to life if found in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. I encourage everyone to work for the Lord and to attempt great things for God; but our energy and efforts will come to naught if we have never met the One for whom we are working.

It is good to be tired and weary by the futile search after the true good; that we may stretch out our arms to the Redeemer” – Blaise Pascal

February 17- Their Pain, Your Gain

One of the greatest difficulties of the ministry is seeing people suffer.  As a pastor I have watched the sick take their last breath; I have seen parents weep bitterly over their wayward children; I have prayed with people who have lost their jobs, their cars, and their homes.  Whenever I visit someone going through great adversity I try my best to offer encouragement and strength in their hour of need.

But through my many years of ministry I have discovered something interesting- oftentimes, those people who are enduring affliction are more of an encouragement to me than I am to them.

Amazingly enough, God uses affliction to bring hope and comfort to others.  King Nebuchadnezzar would have never seen the “fourth man walking” had not the three Hebrew boys been in the fire.  Mary and Martha would have never known resurrection power had not Lazarus died.  The world would have never understood the sovereignty of God in such a personal way had not Job lost all that he had.  Consider how God used their lives to encourage and equip millions of people down through the years.  Sometimes the affliction we endure is ironically for the benefit and blessings of others.  Instead of asking God to take away your pain, ask Him to use it for someone else’s gain.

Oh what a happy soul am I although I cannot see, I am resolved that in this world contented I shall be” – Fanny Crosby

February 16- There’s a Place in the Storm

Several years ago my home was struck by lightning.  It was one of the most fearful and terrifying moments that my family has experienced. The thunderous and electrically-charged boom fell from the sky with immense power.  The soft gentle rain that was lulling us to sleep all of a sudden turned into a torrential storm; and within moments we were franticly scurrying all over the house looking for a place of protection.

Thankfully our home survived with just a few minor damages.  No one in my family was harmed and we feel grateful for the mercy of God in such a powerful storm.  One thing I learned from the experience was the necessity of having a good place to go during such events.  Anyone who has ever gone through a major storm knows that having a place of shelter will increase the chance of survival.

The psalmist David spoke often of God being his refuge, his high tower, and his fortress.  David knew something about dwelling in the secret place of God, and with God.  When Moses felt discouraged about the journey in the wilderness the Lord told him there was a place in the cleft of the rock.  When the storms of life suddenly hit there is a place in the presence of our God.  Run to Him; He is sure to give you the strength and safety you need.

He’s the I of the storm, the center of my calm; the place where I find shelter, the place where I find warmth” – Kenneth Kuykendall