In the game of chess, there is the Touch-Move Rule which states a player must move any piece once they touch it. Despite any miscalculation or mistake, a player must finish their move with this piece regardless of their initial motives. This rule is strictly enforced and maintains a sense of integrity during each game of chess.
In the game of life, a similar rule applies, known as Cause and Effect. For any action take, there are consequences that follow. Good decisions often lead to blessings and or rewards. On the other hand, ill-advised decisions tend to result in harm, punishment and trials. Like the apostle Paul points out in his letter to the church at Galatia, you reap what you sow, Galatians 6:7-8.
Touching things of righteousness moves individuals closer to eternity. Yet, immaturity can lure people away from faith, essentially crucifying Jesus over and over again, Hebrews 6:1-6. One touch of an apple by Eve moved mankind into a fallen world, now filled with Turkish Delights, James 1:14-15. If there is any hope for the future, one must learn from the past, 1 Corinthians 10:1-6, to flee from modern temptations, 1 Peter 2:11. Keep in touch with the Holy Spirit, Galatians 5:25 and you will move beyond the game of chess, by entering into eternity.
There are moments in life when God reminds you, “you’re not as young as you use to be!” On Monday, an Evil Knievel like accident tubing brought me to my knees, lying in pain and waiting for an ambulance to take me to the hospital. In a flash, the ability to walk vanished as I was placed a stretcher with a neck brace, helpless as this reality set in.
More embarrassed than anything, I had 5 hours to contemplate how this injury might impact my life. Paralyzed by fear, I began to quote verses from the Bible as each came to my mind. Although still in pain, a sense of peace calmed my nerves, causing a spirit of optimism to enter my soul. While seconds slowly ticked away, I began to feel my back every couple of minutes to determine a diagnosis.
By the 4 hour mark of waiting in a hallway, the doctor in me narrowed my injury to my ribs, kidney and or spleen. Anxiously hoping for an x-ray, I was set free from my back and neck brace as the drugs kicked in, erasing most of the pain. However, I was still a hurdle away from being released and given a clean bill of health. Despite falling 3 feet, crashing into a table and shattering it to pieces, I came home late Monday night with a welt on my right side. Within this 911 emergency, only the power of God can take credit for a miraculous recovery from this stupid incident.
Looking back at the core principles my parents taught me, I learned 3 things lived out by my father: discipline, hard work and honoring the Sabbath. As a son of an immigrant, my dad persevered as he learned English, eventually becoming a Ivy League student before entering the military. His service to this country in the Army reinforced these attributes while his Roman Catholic background instilled in him a wholehearted effort to attend church wherever he was and whatever else he was doing.
Although the jealous may give circumstance or luck the credit, its clear that his successful career in sales, nice house at the beach and extended health is directly related to Matthew 6:33. When an individual begins to seek God first by worshiping the Lord Sunday, starting each day in prayer or studying the Bible, these acts get God’s attention. If these selfless acts continue with the right motives, the promise of daily bread and other blessings follow. Sure, maybe my dad didn’t earn as much as he desired or reached the position of his dreams, but I see the fruits of his labor today.
While far from being perfect, I am trying to pass the baton to my own children so that they too may live a life of discipline, hard work and keeping God’s day holy. Though the hypocrite in me may steer my kids off course from time to time, I can’t help but cling to Jesus promise within Matthew 6:33. “But seek first his kingdom and his righteous and all these things (life, food, drink, clothes and health) will be given to you as well.” Before 2014 speeds up too fast that you can’t catch up, take some time to slow down, Psalm 46:10, so that the hope of Matthew 6:33 may find you and your family.
Regardless of how big, strong or tall you are, one day you will face your match, being the David against a Goliath bully. In the Back to the Future movie series, George Mcfly faced a life long battle with Biff, never having the courage to stand his ground until he came face to his with his own son Marty. Going back to his father’s high school years, Marty played by Michael J. Fox, tries to break his father of this submissive trait. Finally, George becomes enraged by Biff’s mistreatment of Jennifer Parker, filling his fist with supernatural strength, knocking out this bully with one powerful left hand hook to the face.
Unfortunately, this Hollywood ending is not reality for the countless of Americans daily facing bullies at their school, in the neighborhood or at their place of occupation. Although bullies are conceived during childhood, they don’t magically disappear when you become an adult. Power, pride and selfish greed inspires an older, less obvious and wiser type of bully. Seeking and seizing control of others, individuals usually use their status, title and ego to boss around people low on the totem pole. Subsequently, year and year goes by without upper management ever noticing or seeing this harsh behavior.
Based upon the words of Psalm 10, David appears to have been bullied prior to his rise to power as King of Israel. His words describe how anyone who has faced bullying feels: helpless, weak and alone. The youngest in his family, this scrawny boy was a mere shepherd, an insignificant member of his household. During these days alone, an outcast in the fields, David began to communicate with God through prayer. Psalm 10 depicts a long period of unanswered prayers from verse 1-13. However, in the end, God answered David with a prayer for the bullied, “You hear O Lord, the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry, defending the fatherless and the oppressed, in order that man, who is of the earth, may terrify no more!” – Psalm 10:16-17
I know what you’re thinking; God doesn’t have favorites. The earthly brother of Jesus testifies to this fact with his own eyes, James 2:1. The rest of you are probably like, “who cares; why does it matter anyway?” You may be right, but the symbolism behind this color provides insight to God’s character and nature.
While God’s favorite metal is gold, fashioned, molded and shaped into every aspect of the tabernacle, Exodus 25-31, acacia appears to be the perfect wood for constructing non metallic pieces. Beside the 12 jewels representing each of the 12 tribes of Israel, blue, purple and scarlet appear to be God’s favorite mix of colors. Each of these 3 colors are woven into coverings, curtains and special garments worn by priests.
I’ll be honest; there are certain sections of the Bible that are hard to hold a person’s attention, especially this portion of Exodus and Leviticus. However, the Holy Spirit is teaching me there is a purpose for the details enclosed within this book. For instance, blue is symbolic of heaven and holy service. Meanwhile, purple represents royalty, a sign a riches due to the scarcity of this dye. Finally, scarlet is commingled with crimson in different translations, referring to blood, cleansing of sin, life and purification. When you follow the laws handed down by God to Moses, you are essentially displaying blue, purple and scarlet through your actions. May the prayer of David in Psalm 51:10-12 become a reality for you in 2014, illuminating blue, purple and scarlet!
As human beings with hearts, souls and minds, its hard to move on, especially when someone or something is gone. Just before Christmas an old friend had their grandparents house explode due to a gas leak, erasing any existence of their home and possessions. Fortunately, they were not home at the time, but every album and cherished picture was obliterated, becoming a distance memory.
In the film We Are Marshall, based upon a true story, when a plane crash wipes out 69 members of the Thundering Herd football program during a storm in the late 1970’s. Jack Lengyel, played by Matthew McConaughey is hired to rebuild a program, attempting to rise from the ashes of this disaster. Slowly rebuilding a team, piece by piece, Coach Lengyel gives a touching pregame speech in front of the statue dedicated to their fallen teammates. Before getting back on the bus to play their game, the motivational talk ends with the words, “the funeral ends today!”
While just a movie, these words provide sound advice for 2014. The apostle Paul uses a similar expression in Philippians 3:12-14. Despite what you’ve accomplished in the past, whether good or bad, its pointless to beat yourself up inside, leading to misery and regret. Therefore, you should press on toward the future, taking hold of the things God has called you to do on earth. Whatever pain you’ve endure throughout your life or in 2013, make Coach Lengyel’s words your prayer, “the funeral ends today!”
In the film Forrest Gump, Jenny’s advice for her friend remains constant throughout, “whenever you find yourself in trouble Forrest, just run away as fast as you can.” As for Jenny, this was similar to her childhood prayer, “please God, make me a bird so that I can fly far, far away.” Initially, God answered her prayer, being set free from the sexual abuse of her father as the state gave her grandmother guardian status. However, there are certain things like Soul Spirit hurts which you can’t run from as memories follow you wherever you go.
Meanwhile, Forrest Gump found safety, success and solitude from physically running. Fleeing from bullies, Forrest realized that he could outran people riding bikes, especially through grassy areas. Once safe from harm, Forrest fell in love with running, using it as his main mode of transportation. This passion led to a college scholarship, success in the military and solitude when he struggled to find meaning in life. Thus, Jenny’s advice worked much better for Forrest than for her, becoming the motto for his life.
In the spiritual world, fleeing from the devil is great advice, demonstrated by Jesus in Matthew 4:10. The apostle Paul added to this concept, referring to running away from a desire to do things in secret, at night when the mind thinks God can’t see you, Romans 12:11-14. The most vocal of the 12 disciples added his own 2 cents as well, recognizing the power of the devil and the need to just run away, 1 Peter 5:8-9. Finally, Jesus’ earthly brother provides one last reminder with a promise, “if you submit yourself to God, the devil with flee,” James 4:7. Don’t just run away like Jenny; rather run into the loving arms of God the Father who is waiting for all prodigals to come home, Luke 15:20.
The origin of Christmas is based upon the words found in the gospel of Luke 2:1-7. In a sense, the census issued by Caesar Augustus forced a family reunion of sorts. However, in this case, “everyone went to his own town to register,” Luke 2:3, back to your home town where relatives were born and raised. Thus, Mary and Joseph rode on a donkey from Nazareth to Bethlehem nicknamed the City of David creating the first Christmas traffic jam.
Like finding a cheap hotel in Dover, Delaware during Race Weekend, Joseph didn’t have a prayer. With the odds stacked against him, Joseph begged, pleaded and sought out a hole in the wall motel. This dive was filled with manure, cold drafts and the constant noise of animals. Yet, in this desolate place, the world welcomed a Savior, who came to seek and to save that which was lost, Luke 19:10. When the shepherds arrived, the first Christmas concert was performed by angels, praising God for the miracle of life.
Today, Christmas has become a day where families reunite, if only for a day, meal or weekend. Putting the past behind, its a time of reflection, thanksgiving and worship. Despite the distractions of parades, sporting events and more shopping, Christmas wouldn’t be the same without family. Maybe this is why death, divorce and orphans struggle to find peace on this sacred day. Regardless of where this holiday may lead you in 2013, let me be the first to say, “Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!”
Critics of the Bible have made numerous arguments stating their case against biblical accuracy. One of the strongest points skeptics have made uses the words of the Scripture to enhance their position, Romans 3:9-12. If mankind is indeed fallen, how can imperfect people become vessels of holiness. Well, its quite possible that authors of God’s Word may have received revelations of worship.
According to Exodus 24:12-18, the Lord called Moses to go up into the mountains and stay for 40 days and 40 nights. Despite any hidden motives or prideful moments, it was likely during this period that Moses recorded the first 3 books of the Bible, taking notes as the Lord spoke. However, half of his job was already done, receiving stone tablets with commands, laws and further instructions for Israel. Whenever someone meets God in a quiet place, a divine connection opens the door spiritual intervention and perhaps modern revelations of worship.
One of the places on earth where I have experienced God’s presence was at a wilderness camp in Minnesota, during the heart of winter. In the final days of Tentmaker’s Youth Ministry Trade School, there was a mandatory 24 hours of silence. Instead of interacting with future graduates, our final assignment was to engage the Lord through prayer, reflection and Bible Study. This was a lonely time as I realized that my new friends would soon be spread out across the country, taking what they had learned to a new church and community.
A few months later, I spent a semester teaching at a boarding school in the Monongahela National Forest. Known as the High Scope Institute for Ideas, this school focused on career underachievers who endured difficult living conditions. Many of these 13-15 year olds lived in poverty with dysfunctional families. If this wasn’t enough, several girls had already given birth to children while most boys became first time dads by age 13. Despite these distractions, the mountain provided a special refuge.
During an activity called 20/20, students were forced to spend 20 minutes a day in solitude either journaling, reading or reflecting on life. Although some slept, I began to write poetry without any formal background. Soon songs began to play in my head and before I knew it, I received a revelation of worship called a Simple Confession. The Holy Spirit gave me 12 songs which I later made into an album. If a spirit of poetry and song writing can fall upon me just because I was still once a day; then I believe its probable that the Bible is truly the inspired words of God, given to men and women through a still small voice. Practice Psalm 46:1o and maybe you too many receive a revelation of worship.
The average adult might associate refreshment with their favorite alcoholic beverage. Meanwhile, a typical child will likely imagine their favorite soft drink, shake or slurpee. After working 12 of the last 13 days, refreshment for me is laying in my hydrotherapy tub and relaxing until its time to go back to work. As for Sunday’s, my only day off in December, God has given me a new appreciation for the day of rest.
While woman across America will shop until they drop in December, men tend be distracted by sports on the Sabbath. Although I don’t intend to know why God chose to create the heavens and earth in 6 days, I understand the need to recharge your batteries. Thus, if you want to experience spiritual refreshment, investing time in prayer, worship and a quiet time studying the Bible on Sunday is a step in the right direction.
At the end of Romans 11, the apostle Paul places a doxology to complete this chapter. A doxology is a liturgical formula of praise to God like Romans 11:33-36. By practicing worship, it appears that God rewards those who master this art with divine knowledge from the Lord, Romans 12:2. A modern form of worship includes soaking in the Spirit, where some churches play non-stop praise and worship music as believers can rest and recline while absorbing and reflecting on the lyrics. If you want to experience true refreshment, this is a great place to begin.
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