On the surface, some people appear to have bad luck. If its not one thing, another quickly turns for the worse. Unfortunately, too many of us on earth know the expression, “when it rains, its pours.”
Trials don’t wait for a convenient time to show up. Rather, out of the blue and unannounced, these disappointing events inflict anguish, heartache and sorrow. Like a snow ball thrown off of a mountain, avalanches form creating a wall of destruction headed toward innocent bystanders. These freaks of nature don’t stop until its energy has been exhausted.
Similar to a fire drill, Christians should be prepared for the next hurricane. However, spiritual storms aren’t limited to a few months out of the year. Instead, every day pop up thunderstorms are possible, ripping the foundations out from those not ready, Matthew 7:24-27. May the promise of Psalm 34:18 encourage anyone who is currently stuck in stationary showers that don’t seem to be letting up. Hang in there, don’t give up and cling to the Lord, Philippians 4:13.
Cinderella was held up, late to the ball due to jealous step sisters. David wasn’t even invited, until a prophet passed on his brothers, getting a late invitation, 1 Samuel 16:10. Today, many try to play it cool, arriving casually late to make a grand entrance.
In life, there is one party you don’t want to be late to or forget about. The prodigal son became engrossed in his own sinful desires, seeking to indulge in the pleasures of this world, Luke 15:13. This invisible force is one of the greatest distractions, 1 John 2:15-17, causing half of the 10 virgins to miss the party entirely, Matthew 25:10-13.
At a funeral, heaven is often assumed, whether you made your reservations or not, 1 John 5:13. Some may get a second chance, surviving a near death experience. Regardless of the cards you are dealt, the road you choose lies in the choices you make, Deuteronomy 30:15. Don’t be late to the final party in life or else you’ll have eternity to regret it.
When I was your age, I had to walk to school both ways up hill. This mantra is repeated to each new generation, worded slightly different to drive home the point, “you have it so much easier than I did.” Whether this is exaggerated, somewhat true or simply a ploy to illicit guilt, the next generation is waiting for a positive message.
A humble shepherd understood this concept, passed over as an after thought by his own father, 1 Samuel 16:2-11. If there is one lesson everyone can learn, don’t judge someone based upon their physical features, impressive or not. Rather, the heart holds the key to greatness, 1 Samuel 16:7. However, unless you speak from the heart, Luke 6:45, no one will know for sure who they should follow.
David verbalizes his beliefs in Psalm 71:14-18. Recognizing that not everyone shares the same faith, the king felt led by God to express what his eyes have seen. Instead of regurgitating the same old mantra, David was inspired to pass onto the next generation a message of hope. Therefore, if you know the truth, don’t withhold this information. Rather, boldly proclaim the marvelous acts of a risen Messiah to the next generation, 1 Corinthians 5:54-58.
I’m not one to wear bling, yet there is something invisible beyond the gold chains adorned by celebrities and stars. Beneath the surface, a powerful spirit has risen up, taking hold of human hearts. Although disguised by many characters and personalities, the necklace called pride is real.
According to an eyewitness known as Asaph, the arrogant proudly display this attribute, Psalm 73:6. Pride is like a confidence that gets out of control, leading to cockiness, conceit and diarrhea of the mouth. This necklace is contagious, spreading to the heart, mind and soul. If left on, side affects could lead to diabolical pride according to C.S. Lewis, permanent blinding one’s perspective of truth.
As the gang culture increases, energized by rap music, the decay of families and morality on the decline, pride is the new source of power. Just as Naturalism replaced Theism during the Renaissance, pride has surpassed faith in modern circles. Attitude, behavior and words are being swayed daily from necks full of pride. May the words of Proverbs 15:31-33 unlock the chains of pride holding individuals back from God. In time, may the promise of Proverbs 11:2 use disgrace as a vehicle for change.
Early in the 2013-2014 school year, a high school senior became fed up with the persistent negativity bombarding her hallways. Searching for a simple solution, this silent leader began to fight back with kindness. Determined to leave a positive mark on her classmates, this glimmer of optimism began to make a difference, one encouraging, yet anonymous text at a time.
This principle is nothing new, passed on by the words of the apostle Paul in Ephesians 4:29. The best way to battle bullying, criticism and put downs is with uplifting words. In the end, it doesn’t matter who gets the credit as long as the desire to do good tarries on, Galatians 6:9-10. As this girl’s twitter handle began to light up with compliments to friends, faculty and staff, establishing hope for broken hearts.
Perhaps, this young woman will start a movement to love your neighbor as yourself, Matthew 22:39. Whether you think before you act or look at someone else’s life before you judge or make an assumption, randoms acts of kindness can make a difference. Therefore, instead of giving up on a cruel world, set your heart and mind on things above, Colossians 3:1-3, so that the light of Christ will be passed on to the next generation.
NBC in affiliation with the Golf Channel debuted their 1 hour special Payne Sunday June 8th, 2014 and reaired this on Monday to commemorate Payne Stewart’s last major golf championship, the 1999 United States Open Championship at Pine Hurst #2. With Phil Mickelson seeking to win the career grand slam this year at the place where Payne outdeuled him by 1 shot, the timing makes perfect sense. However, on October 25th, 1999, the world had a different kind of chase, watching cable news networks all day to locate a Leer jet which lost cable pressure shortly after take off, drifting way off course as fighter jets began to follow it. Winning the P.G.A. Championship on my birthday while in college, I remember this fateful day like it was yesterday as sports lost one of its greatest characters.
Clips from Payne’s funeral was aired and replayed by the Golf Channel, with many of golf’s greatest players in the attendance, most notably a young Tiger Woods. Speeches by Paul Azinger and Tracy Stewart his wife, inspired a 2 hour special in 1999, moving most who saw it to tears. Like a classic movie, I think I watched this original tribute to Payne a half dozen times, eventually leading me to name my second son, Daniel Payne. In my humble opinion, this second attempt to portray the real Payne Stewart cut and edited out whom became in his final years on earth.
Sure, to captivate an audience, its important to share Payne’s initial years as a brash individual who was immature and at times a jerk. Clearly explaining Payne’s father influence on his attire, knickers and flare for the game was also beneficial. Nonetheless, the editors purged Payne’s faith from this film, replacing in with religion. This sort of revisionist history is disingenuous to those whose closely followed Payne’s transformation from a sinner to a saint. The NEA may be able to get away with changing history to coincide with its own worldview in modern text books, but the spiritual legacy Payne Stewart has left behind is inspiring me to seek out and attain the abundant life Payne found, John 10:10. May all who search, find, peace, joy and love before breathing their last breathe, 1 Corinthians 13:13.
In 2010, more than 5 million car accidents took place in the United States. Subsequently, 32,885 motorists lost their lives with an additional 2.2 million suffered injuries. Whether these crashes were induced by alcohol, bad weather or cell phone related, bitter troubles visited individuals without warning.
Meanwhile, teenagers are facing an internal battle with depression. According to Psychology Today, a teen takes his or her own life every 100 minutes. Among 15-24 year olds, suicide in the 3rd leading cause of death for young people. Their absence leaves a different kind of bitter trouble for parents, replaying history in their minds to see if they could have done anything differently to save their child’s life.
According to Psalm 71:20, people aren’t immune to bitter troubles. Like Jesus’ brother once said, everyone should expect trials to come, James 1:2-4. However, when these unfortunate events do arrive, God does offer a promise. Therefore, the next time you experience one of those Murphy Law type of days, ask God to restore you from your bitter trouble.
The visual learner inside of human beings often struggle to believe in things that they can’t see. Words are meaningless unless an image, thought or vision appears. Sometimes a picture from God is what individuals are waiting for to breathe hope and life into their soul.
When the Lord slashed Gideon’s army from 22,000 to 300 men, he had his doubts about achieving victory. To calm these fears, God provided a picture of success in Judges 7:9-15. Peter had a similar experience in Luke 5:1-11. As a professional fishermen, Peter wasn’t one to withhold his opinion. However, after a humbling night on the water, a new kid on the block brought Peter to his knees, Luke 5:8. These pictures from above empowered these followers to reach heights they never imagined.
Although its not mentioned, the men of Issachar likely received snapshots from the Holy Spirit. While the world was distracted, these godly leaders stayed the course, keeping in step with the Lord, 1 Chronicles 12:32. Today, this country and the world needs someone who understands the times. May a picture from God engrave minds set on fulfilling Romans 12:2 so that the lost have someone to follow back home.
Credence, self-assurance and trust are all words synonymous with confidence. Whether you’re an individual, duo or team, confidence leads people to rely on their partner and or talents. However, when success is allusive, levels of belief tend to diminish, fade and shrink.
According to Psalm 71:5, the Lord is the source of confidence. When your own confidence becomes shattered, God puts the hope back into desperate souls. Whether this is David or some other author, its apparent faith begins at an early age. This seems to be a principle passed onto King Solomon, mentioned in Proverbs 22:6. Thus, confidence is taught, trained by godly mentors so that a biblical foundation is established.
Today, imperfect people make it hard to trust anyone. The danger of placing someone in high regards takes your eyes off of the Creator, gazing your eyes toward a flawed creation. Don’t allow yourself to fall into this trap. When your life begins to fall apart, lean on the Lord, Philippians 4:13, to be your source of strength to regain confidence.
Paradise didn’t last long until temptation entered the conversation. Since Adam and Eve were caught red handed with forbidden fruit in their possession, freedom has gone down hill. Sure, freewill still exists, yet a different kind of free is necessary to escape guilt, shame and regret.
In their 2003 hit song Different Kind of Free, Zoe Girl raises this question. Despite the pain of historic blunders, the future does hold the key to obtain a spiritual freedom. While the world is busy keeping score, 1 Corinthians 13:4, God hits the reset button every morning, Lamentations 3:22-23. The focus shouldn’t be on whether or not the Lord will forgive you for your transgressions in life. Rather, will you let go of failure to forgive yourself or are you going to continue to beat yourself over previous mistakes?
The New Testament expresses a kinder and gentler God, full of grace and love, Romans 5:8. Instead of shedding blood to atone for every time you mess up, the Lord has sent a different kind of high priest, Hebrews 4:15-16. To replace this Jewish tradition, a human was led to the slaughter to die once and for all, 1 Peter 4:1. Although no one deserves a second chance, a different kind of free is now available through Jesus, John 3:3-17. Don’t wait to taste this everlasting fruit, Psalm 34:8.
