On the first day of school, new parents are handing their children over to their education system. Perhaps, a mother may not want to let go of her children, afraid of what may happen. Certain parents may wait a day or two before finally dropping off their child to begin the next stage of life. Meanwhile, shy and timid youngsters may need a nudge to start this journey.
Be happy [in your faith] and rejoice and be glad-hearted continually (always); 17 Be unceasing in prayer [praying perseveringly]; 1 Thessalonians 5:16.
In the passage above, the apostle Paul alludes to a spiritual nudge. In the previous chapter, 1 Thessalonians 4:4-8, there is a call to change. This decision is highlighted in Colossians 3:1-7, transitioning from your former way of life, humanism, toward Christ centered living. Like a child who doesn’t want to leave the security of their parents, Christians may need a nudge from the Holy Spirit, Galatians 5:25, to complete this process.
Thank [God] in everything [no matter what the circumstances may be, be thankful and give thanks], for this is the will of God for you [who are] in Christ Jesus [the Revealer and Mediator of that will], 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18.
Maintaining a spirit of Thanksgiving isn’t normal. People don’t just wake up and proclaim, “thank the Lord!” Rather, joy is a decision, a state of mind conceived by a fruit of the Holy Spirit, Galatians 5:22-23. Although joy isn’t one of the theological virtues discussed by C.S. Lewis in Mere Christianity, 1 Corinthians 13:13, this is a byproduct of Jesus living inside of you. If you wake up on Thanksgiving Day grumpy, a spiritual nudge is like hot coffee to get you going in the right direction.
In this age of diversity, equity, and inclusion, American calendars have turned their attention toward honoring specific causes each month. Rather than celebrate each cause every day, monthly themes are designed to highlight the accomplishments of African Americans every February and women every March. As one month comes to an end, teachers are taught to immediately switch the attention of children to a new month’s emphasis.
You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy, at Your right hand there are pleasures forevermore, Psalm 16:11.
Why not celebrate everyone daily? Last February, author and sports talk host Steven A. Smith shared his own opinions on this topic. Using his show on ESPN as a podium and pulpit, Steven has come to the conclusion that topics like Woman’s History and Black History should not be limited to just one month. Rather, every day, these causes should be celebrated daily. If a sports talk show host agrees with me, there must be something to this argument.
This is from the Lord and is His doing; it is marvelous in our eyes. 24 This is the day which the Lord has brought about; we will rejoice and be glad in it. 25 Save now, we beseech You, O Lord; send now prosperity, O Lord, we beseech You, and give to us success! – Psalm 118:23-25
According to the Psalmists, you should seize each new day that the Lord gives you on earth. Meanwhile, the prophet Jeremiah writes about the newness of each day in Lamentations 3:19-24. When you wake up every morning, you should celebrate the gift of life. After this initial celebration, you should honor those who have gone before you by cherishing their imprint on America. As 2024 approaches, prepare your heart to celebrate others daily.
I was sitting at the Old Valley Forge Music Fair listening to a series of professional athletes share about their faith in God. While several of these athletes from Philadelphia I idolized, none of their testimonies wowed me. The keynote speaker strolled up in a wheelchair making me feel uneasy at the time. Yet, when Skip Wilkins began speaking, God got my attention.
Now Moses kept the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian; and he led the flock to the back or west side of the wilderness and came to Horeb or Sinai, the mountain of God. 2 The [a]Angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush; and he looked, and behold, the bush burned with fire, yet was not consumed, Exodus 3:1-2.
Moses was a recent newlywed when God got his attention. Beneath the surface, Moses was depressed as a stranger living in a foreign land. Yet, as this Spiritual Flame begins talking, conviction begins to consume Moses’ soul. While Moses doesn’t say why he is too ashamed to see God’s face, taking another man’s life in Egypt might be one of if not the reason for his shame.
And Moses said, I will now turn aside and see this great sight, why the bush is not burned. 4 And when the Lord saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the midst of the bush and said, Moses, Moses! And he said, Here am I. 5 God said, Do not come near; put your shoes off your feet, for the place on which you stand is holy ground, Exodus 3:3-5.
According to the Parable of the Sower, Matthew 13:18-23, not everyone whose attention is perked by God responds. Apparently, some talk about making changes in their life, but never do. Others eagerly pursue God initially, but a weak spiritual foundation is washed away during times of trouble. In view of this, the next time God gets your attention, plant your faith upon fertile ground.
As a former youth pastor in Columbus, Indiana, some of my students would come over to my apartment at night with a burning question on their heart. According to the disciple whom Jesus loved, one Pharisee caught up with Jesus after sunset, afraid of what his peers might think of their meeting together. Jesus used this conversation as an invitation to faith.
Jesus answered him, I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, that unless a person is born again (anew, from above), he cannot ever see (know, be acquainted with, and experience) the kingdom of God. 4 Nicodemus said to Him, How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter his mother’s womb again and be born? 5 Jesus answered, I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, unless a man is born of water and [[a]even] the Spirit, he cannot [ever] enter the kingdom of God, John 3:3-5.
After meeting with a couple of key teenage leaders, I became open to the idea of meeting in the chapel once a month. Rather than having a series of games, ice-breakers, and planned talk, the youth group met in a small chapel designed for hosting prayer gatherings. This night gave students an open forum to share what was on their hearts, minds and soul.
For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He [even] gave up His only begotten ([d]unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life. 17 For God did not send the Son into the world in order to judge (to reject, to condemn, to pass sentence on) the world, but that the world might find salvation and be made safe and sound through Him, John 3:16-17.
Depending upon the moving of the Holy Spirit, touching testimonies were shared by quiet teens, finally opening up about what was going on inside their broken heart. On a couple of occasions, one of the brave individuals who got up in front to speak, gave an invitation to receive Jesus into their hearts, John 3:16-17. This is what Jesus envisioned 2000 years ago as he spoke the words above to Nicodemus, offering an invitation to faith.
One of the most rewarding jobs I ever had was working as a Summer Camp Counselor at a YMCA Day Camp. Following my first year of college, I wanted to do something fun and meaningful. One of my friends from church, Chrissy, also applied and got hired. Everyone week, counselors were paired up with different staff members. Twice that summer, Chrissy and I had time to work together and talk. At this point in life, she was like the Samaritan woman, thirsting for something more in life.
The Samaritan woman said to Him, How is it that [a]You, being a Jew, ask me, a Samaritan [and a] woman, for a drink?—For the Jews have nothing to do with the Samaritans—10 Jesus answered her, If you had only known and had recognized God’s gift and Who this is that is saying to you, Give Me a drink, you would have asked Him [instead] and He would have given you living water. 11 She said to Him, Sir, You have nothing to draw with [no drawing bucket] and the well is deep; how then can You provide living water? [Where do You get Your living water?] 12 Are You greater than and superior to our ancestor Jacob, who gave us this well and who used to drink from it himself, and his sons and his cattle also? 13 Jesus answered her, All who drink of this water will be thirsty again. 14 But whoever takes a drink of the water that I will give him shall never, no never, be thirsty any more. But the water that I will give him shall become a spring of water welling up (flowing, bubbling) [continually] within him unto (into, for) eternal life, John 4:9-14.
I just wish I was more prepared to give an answer for the hope that I had in life, 1 Peter 3:15-16. While we reminisced about running cross country in high school, simply attending a Roman Catholic wasn’t enough. Chrissy longed for a spiritual retreat, going away to contemplate the spiritual meaning of life. Unfortunately, I wasn’t Jesus and failed miserably at pointing Chrissy toward the living water that Jesus provides in today’s featured passage.
The woman said to Him, Sir, give me this water, so that I may never get thirsty nor have to come [continually all the way] here to draw. 16 At this, Jesus said to her, Go, call your husband and come back here. 17 The woman answered, I have no husband. Jesus said to her, You have spoken truly in saying, I have no husband. 18 For you have had five husbands, and the man you are now living with is not your husband. In this you have spoken truly. 19 The woman said to Him, Sir, I see and understand that You are a prophet, John 4:15-19.
Although Chrissy and I did attend the University of Delaware together, our last week at camp was the last time I spoke with her. On this occasion, I only got one chance to share my faith with Chrissy. In the weeks and months that followed, I was drawn to John 4, but have never gotten the opportunity to point Chrissy toward Jesus. In view of my failure, the next time you talk with someone thirsting for living water that lasts, tell this individual about the Samaritan woman in John 4 who leads her entire family into a personal relationship with Jesus at end of this chapter.
If I had to do an assessment of my current spiritual condition, prayer is my weakest area. Yet, when I listen to mature Christians pray, I hear themes of a generational prayer. One year before morning to South Carolina, I attended a Saturday morning Bible Study with a couple of other men. I don’t remember much about the topics we covered, but what sticks out in my mind is the need to daily prayer for and cover your children in prayer. If you want to begin your own generational prayer, this is a good place to start.
Then [Jacob] blessed Joseph and said, God [Himself], before Whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac lived and walked habitually, God [Himself], Who has [been my Shepherd and has led and] fed me from the time I came into being until this day, 16 The [b]redeeming Angel [that is, the Angel the Redeemer—not a created being but the Lord Himself] Who has redeemed me continually from every evil, bless the lads! And let my name be perpetuated in them [may they be worthy of having their names coupled with mine], and the names of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; and let them become a multitude in the midst of the earth, Genesis 48:15-16.
As the book of Genesis comes to an end, Moses provides a brief summary of Joseph’s father, grandfather, and great grandfather. Before the Ten Commandments were introduced, each of these men followed one simple rule: walk habitually with God. While Moses does not record a specific prayer spoken by Joseph, this is the goal of any parent for their children and grandchildren. Rather than make up your own prayer, you can always claim the words of the Bible as your own.
When I heard this, I sat down and wept and mourned for days and fasted and prayed [constantly] before the God of heaven, 5 And I said, O Lord God of heaven, the great and terrible God, Who keeps covenant, loving-kindness, and mercy for those who love Him and keep His commandments, 6 Let Your ear now be attentive and Your eyes open to listen to the prayer of Your servant which I pray before You day and night for the Israelites, Your servants, confessing the sins of the Israelites which we have sinned against You. Yes, I and my father’s house have sinned. 7 We have acted very corruptly against You and have not kept the commandments, statutes, and ordinances which You commanded Your servant Moses. 8 Remember [earnestly] what You commanded Your servant Moses: If you transgress and are unfaithful, I will scatter you abroad among the nations; 9 But if you return to Me and keep My commandments and do them, though your outcasts were in the farthest part of the heavens [the expanse of outer space], yet will I gather them from there and will bring them to the place in which I have chosen to set My [a]Name. 10 Now these are Your servants and Your people, whom You have redeemed by Your great power and by Your strong hand. 11 O Lord, let Your ear be attentive to the prayer of Your servant and the prayer of Your servants who delight to revere and fear Your name (Your nature and attributes); and prosper, I pray You, Your servant this day and grant him mercy in the sight of this man. For I was cupbearer to the king, Nehemiah 1:4-11.
When you face adversity, trials or unforeseen circumstances, following the actions of Nehemiah in the passage above is a good place to start. As news of Israel’s fall came to Nehemiah, he wept, mourned, prayed, and fasted until the Lord provided a clear plan of action. Nehemiah was willing to wait up to 3 months, praying for clarity so that Israel would have a future as a nation. In view of these two passages, develop your own generational prayer so that the Lord will bless your children and their families.
Since I didn’t know how to dance as a freshman in high school, I tried to avoid embarrassing myself. However, I did attend all of the Concord High School dances with my friends from the Cross Country team. I decided to play it cool by sitting in the chairs along the dance floor waiting for the next slow dance. Stuttering didn’t make it easy to ask a girl to dance, but this is where I was introduced to the inspirational ballads of the 1980’s.
Let the word [spoken by] Christ (the Messiah) have its home [in your hearts and minds] and dwell in you in [all its] richness, as you teach and admonish and train one another in all insight and intelligence and wisdom [in spiritual things, and as you sing] psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, making melody to God with [His] grace in your hearts, Colossians 3:16.
The Esterlyn Lamps album is one of the CD’s I listen to during my hour plus commute back and forth to work. As I was searching for the whole album, Esterlyn has a variety of soft rocks songs with inspirational lyrics. Back to the Start by Esterlyn is like an Eddie Money song just before the DJ slows it down with Careless Whisper, Hello and Is this Love?
While you can’t go back in time to relive these awkward moments in life, Esterlyn provides the sound of the 1980’s with great lyrics to uplift your soul. Listening to songs like Killing My Despair, Back to the Start, We All Need and Reveal Your Love will help you live out the apostle Paul’s prayer in Colossians 3:16. While I couldn’t find the whole album, I hope you enjoy Esterlyn this week.
My father spent his entire working career with the same company. As a salesman for this oil lubricant, he was trained to stand up to any criticism by persuading clients of the positive aspects of each product. One of negative aspects of this training is when our family went out to dinner, my father always pointed out if an order was wrong or if his food wasn’t cooked correct.
Then the king of Egypt said to the Hebrew midwives, of whom one was named Shiprah and the other Puah, 16 When you act as midwives to the Hebrew women and see them on the birthstool, if it is a son, you shall kill him; but if it is a daughter, she shall live. 17 But the midwives feared God and did not do as the king of Egypt commanded, but let the male babies live, Exodus 1:15-17.
As I watched these awkward confrontations on numerous occasions, I wanted to hide underneath our table. Perhaps, this is one of the reasons why I grew up fearful of confrontations. Yet, if you never point out an issue or raise your voice to share a concern in life, you’ll likely get steamrolled by dominant and outspoken individuals.
And one man ran, and, filling a sponge with vinegar (a [j]mixture of sour wine and water), put it on a staff made of a [bamboo-like] reed and gave it to Him to drink, saying, Hold off! Let us see whether Elijah [does] come to take Him down. 37 And Jesus uttered a loud cry, and breathed out His life. 38 And the curtain [of the Holy of Holies] of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. 39 And when the centurion who stood facing Him saw Him expire this way, he said, [k]Really, this Man was God’s Son! – Mark 15:36-38
Shiprah and Puah were Hebrew mid-wives, servants to Israeli woman about to give birth. Questioning any authority figure or Jewish leader could result in their firing. Yet, when the new King of Egypt made a decree for Hebrew mid-wives to immediately kill any Hebrew male born, they refused. This bold decision not only saved children; it preserved Moses’ life who went on to free Israel from 400 years of slavery. Stand up for God or risk be steam rolled over in life.
To those individuals who sweat more than the average person, cologne and deodorant are designed to hide any stink or strong odor that your body generates. However, sometimes medial conditions may make it difficult for you to smell like you just got out of the shower. A little more than a decade ago, a severe sinus infection caused me to sweat profusely. By the time I got to work each day, I smelled like I just ran a 5K road race.
But thanks be to God, Who in Christ always leads us in triumph [as trophies of Christ’s victory] and through us spreads and makes evident the fragrance of the knowledge of God everywhere, 15 For we are the sweet fragrance of Christ [which exhales] unto God, [discernible alike] among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing: 2 Corinthians 2:14-15.
In a letter to a teenager pastor, the apostle Paul writes about a different kind of stink in 1 Timothy 1:15. Paul refers to himself as the greatest sinner of all time. Perhaps, Paul was haunted by his actions in Acts 7, giving the command to have the apostle Stephen stoned in his presence. While Christians can’t undo their transgressions of the past, entering into a personal relationship with Jesus offers a sweet aroma in the above passage.
For God Who said, Let light shine out of darkness, has shone in our hearts so as [to beam forth] the Light for the illumination of the knowledge of the majesty and glory of God [as it is manifest in the Person and is revealed] in the face of Jesus Christ (the Messiah). 7 However, we possess this precious treasure [the divine Light of the Gospel] in [frail, human] vessels of earth, that the grandeur and exceeding greatness of the power may be shown to be from God and not from ourselves, 2 Corinthians 4:6-7.
The best way to view a Christian’s life is as a work in progress. The apostle Paul sees God as a potter and human beings as clay. God molds and fashions us into the being and designed vessel to serve the body of Christ, 1 Corinthians 12:1-7. Therefore, while you may experience stinky periods in life due to health and self-inflicted reasons, take off your old self and put on the spiritual cologne called Jesus, Colossians 3:1-5.
Death bed confessions can be like a scene from a movie where a sinner seeks to get right with God prior to breathing their last breath. Yet, Moses’ detailed story of Israel’s death bed confession in Genesis 49 reads more like a prophecy for each of his twelve children/grandchildren. These boys will one day form the 12 tribes of Israel when God’s timing is right, Ecclesiastes 3:11.
And Jacob called for his sons and said, Gather yourselves together [around me], that I may tell you what shall befall you [a]in the latter or last days. 2 Gather yourselves together and hear, you sons of Jacob; and hearken to Israel your father, Genesis 49:1-2.
One of the first comments Israel makes on his death bed is his disappointment over the brash actions taken by Simeon and Levi. These two brothers could not let go of the fact that their sister was raped and held captive by the man who wanted to marry her. After Israel negotiates a peace treaty and solution, Simeon and Levi kill Shechem and all of his family, Genesis 34:24-29.
By the God of your father, Who will help you, and by the Almighty, Who will bless you with blessings of the heavens above, blessings lying in the deep beneath, blessings of the breasts and of the womb. 26 The blessings of your father [on you] are greater than the blessings of my forefathers [Abraham and Isaac on me] and are as lasting as the bounties of the eternal hills; they shall be on the head of Joseph, and on the crown of the head of him who was the consecrated one and the one separated from his brethren and [the one who] is prince among them. 27 Benjamin is a [e]ravenous wolf, in the morning devouring the prey and at night dividing the spoil. 28 All these are the twelve tribes of Israel, and this is what their father said to them as he blessed them, blessing each one according to the blessing suited to him. 29 He charged them and said to them, I am to be gathered to my [departed] people; bury me with my fathers in the cave that is in the field of Ephron the Hittite, 30 In the cave in the field at Machpelah, east of Mamre in the land of Canaan, that Abraham bought, along with the field of Ephron the Hittite, to possess as a cemetery, Genesis 49:25-30.
After giving prophecies for each of the 12 tribes of Israel, Jacob ends this death bed confession with the blessing of Joseph. Israel’s kind words remind me of the technicolor dream coat specially made for his favorite son. While Joseph does receive greater blessings than that of his forefathers, it doesn’t take away the pain of losing his father. Don’t wait for relatives to die before you open your heart by sharing what you really think about someone close.
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