Author: Rev. Mark Davis

Today’s Word Is RIGHTEOUSNESS

The Steps of Christian Maturity
Beatitude #4
Hungry for More
Thu-Feb-20-2020

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” – Jesus (Matthew 5:6) (Beatitude #4)

I am sorry that “church” over the last 100 years has misled people in some things, has been too judgmental, and has in some ways caused average people to think that the practice of faith is boring and intended to suppress your enjoyment of life. Nothing could be further from the truth!

I dislike the word “religious” as it gives a connotation that by acting a certain way, we can earn our way into heaven or into favor with God. No one can live a “good enough” life that would impress God into granting heaven or any other special privilege. God does not want us to “practice religion,” he wants us to live in “relationship” with him, and through this we receive righteousness as a gift.

You see, the church has also failed to adequately explain “righteousness” in the Christian life, by inaccurately implying that it is about doing good, being good, acting good … or about being holier than thou, better than others, whatever … for the purpose of proving our worthiness. Nope … doesn’t work. Righteousness in the New Covenant made by the death and resurrection of Jesus is a gift, not something earned or achieved.

If you recall the first 3 steps (Beatitudes) I have discussed …

>> Blessed are the poor in spirit … humility, asking God to take over

>> Blessed are those who mourn … releasing things not good for us

>> Blessed are the meek … embracing the genuine self that God made us to be

… Then having experienced these things, we discover that in this process, things at the “big picture” level begin to “go right” in life. Really, they do. There will still be disappointments and tragedies, but we look at them differently now. They are not fatal. We learn from them and overcome them. Everything that is delightful as well as everything that is difficult all seems to fit together, and it is good.

All of us have said at one time or another … Things are not going right!!!! Well, as you walk the steps of maturing as Jesus describes them in the Beatitudes, relinquishing to God the job of being in charge of yourself, and by accepting yourself, liking yourself, experiencing the love of God, life is now “going right” … not perfect, but blessed … to the point that you are hungry and thirsty for MORE things to go right! You want things in your life to continue falling into place, believing in God’s plans for you, as he opens new doors of adventure.

Righteousness is not about rules or perfection. It is a gift bestowed on those who believe in Jesus. We don’t have righteousness of our own, so he gives us his! It is about living life oriented to the Kingdom of God instead of the kingdom of this world.

As you live this Kingdom way of life, you want things to go God’s way, to open up the flow of love in and around you, to experience peace that leads to joy and laughter, and an understanding of how “all things work together for good.” This is not a shallow, giddy, “head-in-the-sand” existence that ignores the tough parts of life. Rather it boldly and bravely faces every low moment, enjoys every high experience, and proceeds with confidence into whatever adventure is next. It makes you think, “This is the best life there is!”

And the reward for pursuing this new “genuine” life is that your hunger and thirst for its blessings are fulfilled!

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” – Jesus (Matthew 5:6) (Beatitude #4)

Be blessed!

Chaplain Mark

NOTE: Scripture Reference: And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)

NOTE: If you have not read the previous articles about each Beatitude, you should go back and catch up. We are discussing the faith journey toward Christian maturity as described by Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount.

The Beatitudes … Matthew 5:2-10 (NRSV)

2 Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying:

3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

5 “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.

8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

Today’s Word Is MEEK

The Steps of Christian Maturity
Beatitude #3
Meek Means Genuine.
Wed-Feb-19-2020

“Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.” – Jesus (Matthew 5:5) (Beatitude #3)

Meek does not mean “wimp.”

It means … genuine … not self-inflated … avoiding violent or forceful solutions to problems … open and honest … accepting of one’s own strengths and weaknesses … disciplined … power under control … respectful of others.

Going back to Day 1 of our series, the Beatitudes began with deciding to embrace humility and to ask God to direct our life … (1st Beatitude). Next, we realize that God accepts us we are, but also wants us to develop into our best self. So, we step forward by letting go of our old selfish ways, even though the process will involve grief … (2nd Beatitude).

Now we are ready to just be who we are, as God created us. We can appreciate our uniqueness. We can stop the self-criticism, stop the obsession with seeking approval from others, and simply be satisfied with things as they are. We can honestly say, “I like being who I am. It makes me smile to think that God created me a certain way for a reason. He wanted me in His world for a unique purpose. I am not a mistake. I don’t have to fight to earn the right to be here. I am the me that is supposed to be.” This is what it means to be meek … genuine … satisfied. (3rd Beatitude)

When I reached this realization, I finally relaxed. As a teenager and young adult, I had been afraid that I might be flawed and unacceptable. But that constant haunting feeling that I was defective and needed to fight my way upward went away when I fully embraced my acceptance. The essence of meekness is that I know God loves me, and I don’t have to struggle to prove anything. Nor do I need to always feel hurt or get offended by criticism. I am me, and that is good.

To get things right with God is not so much about worrying  that we must change ourselves to become acceptable to him, as it is to be at peace and receive his love. Then we can go about pursuing our purpose in life one day at a time.

What does it mean that the meek “inherit the earth”? Your inheritance, your earth is the sphere of influence that God gave to you. It includes family, neighbors, fellow believers, strangers, career, community, whatever you touch. Jesus is saying to you that as a meek, genuine, peaceful person, you are to “take charge” of your sphere of influence as your inheritance … to saturate your territory with love, joy, hope, and peace so that it radiates and touches others, and to let others see the new you, the real you.

Having started with humility and then releasing those things that hold you back, you are ready to live more fully. You can use your gifts and talents; you can love and mentor your family; you can have a positive effect in your workplace, your church, your circle of connections. You have been set free to make a difference, to use your “world” and your “gifts” to leave a legacy.

Being meek or genuine is the launch pad to a great future full of adventure and fulfillment.

Be blessed!

Chaplain Mark

If you have not read the previous steps of the Beatitudes, you should go back and catch up. We are discussing the faith journey toward Christian maturity as described by Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount.

The Beatitudes … Matthew 5:2-10 (NRSV)

2 Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying:

3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

5 “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.

8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

Today’s Word Is GRIEF

The Steps of Christian Maturity
Beatitude #2
Grief Comes from Letting Go
Tue-Feb-18-2020

The Beatitudes describe a process of maturing in the faith. Yesterday I shared with you that the road of faith and maturity toward a blessed and influential life starts with humility. “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matt. 5:3) (Beatitude #1). Jesus next addressed those who mourn.

Grief is most frequently associated with the feelings we have when someone dies. But … grief also happens on many other occasions as well. It is the emotion that surfaces when we lose or give up something that is important to us, something that we depend on, or are just accustomed to, whether it is good for us or not.

Sometimes we are grieving and don’t know it or don’t want to admit it. One thing that inhibits the process of healing from our grief is to deny it. Another is to pretend we are “strong” and can deal with anything … “no help needed, thank you very much.”

Let me surprise you a little … When Jesus says: “Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.” (Matthew 5:4) (Beatitude #2) … one additional thing he has in mind is that there are things we need to let go of, and we are going to miss them. We will grieve over losing them, but they have to go. Our health and happiness depend on it. The things that need to go include … selfishness, worry, fear, gossip, bad habits, distrust, etc.

Intentionally giving up things that are unhealthy is part of the maturing process, but it may still cause us to grieve, because we’re used to them. The promise of this Scripture verse is that if we let go of anything that holds us back or is bad for us, no matter how much we liked it and didn’t want to let go of it, God will replace it (in His timing) with something better that “comforts” us in a healthier way. Someday we will look back with thanks and peace rather than resentment and regret. The tears of grief help to wash away the hurt so that we may fully receive God’s comfort and move forward.

“Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.” … Get it?

How does this apply to salvation and Christian maturity? When we receive salvation, we are gifted with marvelous things, like peace, hope, joy, love, and forgiveness. But gaining these things involves releasing other things that were part of our old nature … sinful and unhealthy things. Unfortunately, we liked some of those bad things … we were used to them. Isn’t that true? Just like we sometimes love to eat food that is unhealthy for us, we also have habits and possessions that we are fond of, even though they are not good for us.

Do you see where Jesus is going with this? There will be parts of our old life that have to go for us to receive the wonderful things of God. This is a favorable trade-off, and yet we must recognize that the process of grief is going to take its course, as we say good-bye to those familiar but destructive tendencies. Once you know how to release these things in a healthy manner, the way forward into deeper faith looks promising and exciting. In the meantime, the process of letting go is infused with a promise … you will be comforted by God himself.

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles …” (2nd Corinthians 1:3-4a)

Blessings,

Chaplain Mark

If you have not read the previous steps of the Beatitudes, you should go back and catch up. We are discussing the faith journey toward Christian maturity as described by Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount.

The Beatitudes … Matthew 5:2-10 (NRSV)

2 Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying:

3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

5 “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.

8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

Today’s Word Is HUMILITY

The Steps of Christian Maturity
Beatitude #1
It All Starts with Humility.
Mon-Feb-17-2020

Christian maturity is a process which is described in Jesus’ teaching called The Beatitudes. The journey starts with humility. Jesus calls it being POOR IN SPIRIT.

“Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:3) (Beatitude #1)

The movie Rudy is the true story of a high school football player who has the dream of being on the University of Notre Dame football team. He is really not scholarship material for this caliber of school, so he enrolls and begins working on a way to play football as a walk-on. (You must watch this movie, if you haven’t yet.)

Rudy is talking to the university chaplain at one point, as he needs some hope and encouragement while trying to figure out how to make the team. He is wondering why things aren’t working out, and the chaplain is trying to explain that he needs to be patient, that there is someone “bigger than you” who has to be trusted. The chaplain puts it this way … “There are two things I have learned in life … One: There is a God, and Two: I am not him!”

Becoming a disciple of Jesus starts with admitting that we need help. This takes humility. To reach this point, most people have tried to make life work out right in a variety of unsuccessful ways. Along the way, we go through periods of frustration, guilt, failure, hurt, and hopelessness. No matter how good things are at various times, and no matter how many years it takes, eventually we will come to a point where we cry out for help.  We have dug our hole so deep, that we finally have to admit we will never get out of this pit on our own. Hallelujah! This is the moment at which we are finally ready to embrace God’s way … a Savior named Jesus, who gave his life so that we might be saved from our sin and futility and be set free.

Why did Jesus start the Beatitudes with “blessed are the poor in spirit”? It is because humility and surrender are where life truly begins. The creators of Alcoholics Anonymous picked up on this principle. Step 1 of the 12 Steps is to admit you are powerless over alcohol, and Step 2 is to believe that only a power greater than yourself can restore you.

Pride and determination will never be enough to achieve true peace, joy, hope, salvation, or eternal life. These are gifts given by God and can’t be earned. We may as well say that our starting point is “emptiness.”

Empty is good. God can’t put much in your hands if they are already holding on to things that you think will work or that you treasure above the “higher” things God would like to give you. This fight against embracing humility is universal.

I once read a book by a famous horse breeder, who told how he would always be present at the birth of a foal. When it got up on its feet, he would hold it by the tail and let it struggle to get free until it finally gave up. When he let go, the horse was calm and subdued. This little one would grow up knowing who its master was. It had a freedom and a sense of peace that lasted a lifetime. It was easy to train, enjoyed being around both horses and people, and lived a fruitful life. It trusted its master to provide all its needs.

As humans, God is not going to hold us by the tail and force us to be humble. It must be chosen. Once we do that, God begins to show us the best that life has to offer … a sense of identity, meaning, and purpose.

Once salvation is received, by grace through faith in Jesus … will our future be trouble free? Of course not. We are human, and we live in a fallen world . We will still have times of difficulty, but in those moments, we must remember that being humble before God is always a first step to having our world set right again. We may feel like we are too small and the problem too big, but we can always say, “Lord, help me. Lord, I trust you in everything.”

God can work with that! And the kingdom of heaven is yours!

Blessings,

Chaplain Mark

For the next few days, we will look at these verses, describing the path to maturity in the faith:

The Beatitudes … Matthew 5:2-10 (NRSV)

2 Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying:

3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

5 “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.

8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

Today’s Word Is GULLIBLE … Plus Friday Humor

Fri-Feb-14-2020

A man was stopped by the fish and game-warden in Canada. He had with him two buckets of fish. He was leaving Shaw’s Point, well known for its great fishing.  The fish and game warden asked the man: “Do you have a license to catch all those fish?” The man replied to the game warden: “No, sir. These are my pet fish.”

“Pet fish?” the warden replied. 

“Yes, sir. Every night I take these fish down to the lake and let them swim around. After a while, I whistle and they jump back into their buckets, and I take them back home again.” 

“That’s a bunch of hogwash! Fish can’t do that!” was the outburst from the Warden.

The man looked at the game warden for a moment, and then said: “Here, I’ll show you. It really works.”

“O.K. I’ve GOT to see this!” The game warden was curious now. The man poured the two buckets of fish into the lake and stood and waited. After several minutes, the game warden turned to the man and said, “Well?”

“Well, what?” the man responded. 

“When are you going to call them back?” the game warden prompted. 

“Call who back?” the man asked.

“The FISH,” the warden said. 

“What fish?” the man asked.

I have had quite a few gullible moments in my day. As I have matured in the faith, I have seen people sometimes want to twist the truth. Their tactic is to confuse us or mislead us by placing doubt in our minds. Sometimes we have to be quick thinkers and extremely tuned in to the Holy Spirit in order to see through misleading statements or questions.

For instance, Jesus was once present for a tense situation in which a woman had been caught in the act of adultery, then brought to a public place, possibly near the temple, in order to be stoned to death as the law demanded. These Pharisees (experts in the law) saw an opportunity to trap Jesus into publicly condoning the killing of a sinful woman.

They confronted Jesus with … ‘What do you say, Jesus? Kill her or not?!” Instead of answering their question, he proposed that “whoever is without sin may cast the first stone.” They all left, of course.

Ask God to give you the ability to discern and respond to people with hidden agendas, not so you can embarrass or confound them, but to help them and others find the truth.

For two years I hosted a national call-in radio show on XM satellite radio, called The Healing Touch. It aired from midnight to 2:00 a.m. for 5 nights a week. One caller was a lady who complained that she had been praying for help from God for 7 years and he either wasn’t listening or didn’t care.

I told her that neither of those were true, according to Scripture. I asked her if she read her Bible … “not much.” How often do you pray … “not much.” Do you attend a church … “no, not really, I don’t have time, and besides they aren’t nice to me.”

I don’t know where this came from … well, really I do … it wasn’t from me. But out of my mouth came this thought … “Ma’am, you could go into your bathroom, turn on the shower, then go and stand in your living room for 7 years and never get wet.”

As you grow in faith through Bible study, reading powerful books, sharing and discussing with others the meaning of faith issues, and living in faith community with a fellowship of believers, God will teach you to see through misguided people with distracting and devious questions. Warning … he will ask you to love them anyway.

Stay alert!

Chaplain Mark

Today’s Word Is MINISTRY

Thu-Feb-13-2020

“Your greatest ministry will most likely come out of your greatest hurt.” – Rick Warren

This principle is not just for pastors, but for every believer. The word minister is from the Latin, meaning “servant.” All of us who call ourselves Christians have a ministry. Jesus referred to many types of ministry when he told his parable about “the least of these” …

Then they also will answer, saying, “Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?” Then he will answer them, saying, “Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.” (Matthew 25:44-45)

Your own difficulties, problems and hurts of the past often lead to a compassion for others who are experiencing similar hardships. Take a look back and consider how you endured by depending on God through various hard times, and made it through somehow, as a changed, wiser, and better person. This can become your inspiration to minister to and encourage others.

People who are struggling through a hardship or tragedy need to hear several things. First, they may be thinking that they are alone … as if they are the only one who ever had to go through something like this. By sharing your story, you can help them discover that they are not alone and that there is someone who understands. The fact that you have faced a similar situation, or even a heavy problem of any sort, regardless of how you dealt with it, can be a comfort to them.

Also, people need to know that there is “life on the other side.” After the storm has subsided and life settles back down, “can I still go on?” It is easy for folks to think that “life as I know it” is over with! I have had that thought during several tragedies and hardships in my life. But I am here to testify that it wasn’t the end of my dreams after all. Regardless of what I lost, there were new dreams, bigger adventures, and continued blessings which came along.

And finally, people want to know if they will be accepted after life has changed. Will I still have friends? Will I still believe that good things are coming? Will I still be acceptable in God’s sight? Yes, yes, yes, and yes. After a divorce at age 30, I thought my pastoral career was over. I thought I was now “defective” and unusable. But God had other ideas. I was amazed at the support I received to help me through. And I have grown immeasurably through both the acceptance of God, as he repaired my inner hurt, and the ministry of others repeatedly over the years.

Yes, you are a minister. And yes, you have a ministry. Who you are, what you have suffered and endured, and the growth and healing you have received all fit together to equip you for service to someone at their moment of need.

Blessings,

Chaplain Mark

Today’s Word Is WORRY

Wed-Feb-12-2020

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything…” – The Apostle Paul (Philippians 4:6a, The Living Bible)

Somewhere along the way I read that Wor-ry and Wor-ship have a common linguistic root, as if they are opposites. To worry is to forget for the moment that God is interested in you and capable of great, even impossible things. To worship is to declare that worry is not the answer, God is. Worship builds up our strength; worry drains it. Worship increases our joy; worry destroys it. Worship expresses our confidence in God; worry shows our fear of the future.

Looking at it in writing makes the choice look easy. But at the crisis moment, we often revert to the poor practices of our weaker days and begin to worry. It takes practice to recognize the influence of our old human nature and the power of bad habits. How do we train our minds to do that? After all, negative thoughts are a killer.

The late Nell Mohney was a great speaker and author of 13 books. Her husband Ralph was pastor of First-Centenary United Methodist Church, Chattanooga from 1965-1981. One of her credits was writing an inspirational column in the Chattanooga Times-Free Press for 38 years.

Nell once told my wife and me about a period where she was having negative thoughts frequently. So she devised a solution. She put a rubber band around her wrist and every time she caught herself being negative again, she would pull back and pop the rubber band. She said it didn’t take long to break that habit!

What if you could resolve today to make worship and prayer into your usual choice, rather than worry? For some of us, it might not be as easy as Nell Mohney’s rubber band! So first, let’s look at a substitute word for worry, and that would be “concern.” Whereas worry is an exercise in fear, being concerned involves trust.

I confess that I worry sometimes. But there is a difference between worrying occasionally and being a worrier as a “way of life.” This is what Jesus is teaching us to turn away from.

Jesus said: “… your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things…” (Matthew 6:31-34)

If you need a breakthrough, and you’re ready to take the leap, then you can declare for yourself, “I don’t want to be a worrier anymore.” I’m sure your family and friends will have to recover from shock and get used to the “new you,” if you decide to stop worrying. They may accuse you of not caring anymore. Or it may be that the reason they don’t worry is because you are the worrier for them. If they want an explanation for why you have stopped worrying, tell them, “Jesus said not to!” Then, stop saying, “I’m worried about…” but rather … “I am concerned about …” This may sound like a trivial distinction, but from God’s perspective, it is not.

Worry is a lack of faith; concern knows where to place its faith. Worry is generated by fear; concern is the result of love. Worry tears you down through despair; concern builds you up through hope. Worry believes that we can’t handle bad outcomes; concern knows that we can, because “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13)

It’s a choice … worry and fear … or … worship and concern. Choose well!

Have a blessed and “worry-free” day,

Chaplain Mark

Today’s Word Is CREDIT

Tue-Feb-11-2020

Millard Fuller was a self-made millionaire who gave away his wealth to start the Christian house-building group called Habitat for Humanity, which was founded in 1976 and based in Americus, GA. Since that time, Habitat has built more than 200,000 houses to serve over one million people in over 100 countries and attracted prominent volunteers, including former President Jimmy Carter, whose hometown of Plains, GA was 10 miles away.

I had the privilege many years ago of hearing Mr. Fuller speak at a meeting, and his presence was riveting and inspiring … such great charisma. He told a story of being at a conference in Charlotte, NC, which had participated in a world-wide blitz the previous year, an effort of Habitat to start 300 houses at once. Charlotte’s part was to begin 14 houses, the effect of which was to engage thousands of residents. It attracted many outside public figures, including comedian Bob Hope as well as President Carter.

Millard got an inspired idea at this conference that he would take a long afternoon break one day and go out on a curious adventure to see the effects of the previous year’s enormous house-building effort. In particular, he wanted to go to the house that his friend President Carter had helped to construct.

Mr. Fuller hired a car and driver to take him to see the project site, and eventually they pulled up in front of the house Carter helped to build. Stepping from the car, he could see that the house still looked very well-kept. A five-year old boy stood in the yard. Fuller approached and introduced himself.

Thinking that this young lad might have been told the story of President Carter helping to build his house, he stooped down and asked, “How do you like your new house?”

“I like it!” the boy answered.

Testing to see if he knew about Carter’s involvement, Fuller inquired, “Do you know who built your house?”

The youngster grinned, eyes sparkling, and said, “Yes, sir! Jesus built my house!”

That was not the answer he expected, but he realized it was exactly the right answer. Fuller went home deeply moved and inspired by a 5-year old who shared a great testimony.

As I type this article, my eyes have moistened up just thinking about that little boy’s answer, just like when I first heard it, and like every time I retell it to someone.

This is the takeaway … We need to give God the credit, both for what has been given to us and what we have done for others.

Every good and perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. (James 1:17)

As to what we have received, Psalm 16:2 says: “I say to the Lord, ‘You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing.’” Thanking others is a very important thing, but those who are committed to the Lord know that ultimately God is the source.

And of course, we know that the act of giving is an imitation of God, in whose image we are made. As the Apostle Paul said to the Ephesians, “In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” (Acts 20:35)

If that story doesn’t light your fire, your wood must be wet!

Blessings!

Chaplain Mark

Today’s Word Is ANGELS

Mon-Feb-10-2020

He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High, shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.” Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the perilous pestilence. He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler. (Psalm 91:1-4)

When I was going to seminary at Emory University in Atlanta, I had a scary moment that I will never forget. I was traveling on Piedmont Avenue near downtown after midnight, returning home from an event. There were no other cars around at that moment, and I was leery of being in this area at such an hour.

Then, a terrible thing happened. My car’s lights went out, the engine shut down, and I coasted to a stop. The car would not restart. I got out and looked around, having no idea what to do next. There were no cell phones at that time, no nearby phone booth. I raised the hood but saw nothing unusual, based on my limited mechanical ability. I was helpless. Immediately, in the distance an old pickup truck appeared, heading in my direction. I didn’t know whether to be afraid or thankful. Should I wave for help, or get back in the car?

No matter, the truck pulled up behind me and an older fellow in what looked like mechanic’s work clothes got out and approached. “Need some help?” he asked. “Well yes, my car just quit. I don’t know what’s wrong.”

He went to the front of the car, looked under the hood, loosened the battery holder, lifted the battery and showed me a broken wire. (That was fast, I thought.) He said, “These Chevy Camaros have a problem where the tiny ground wire gets under the battery and it wears in two!” Lifting up the two frazzled ends of the wire, he said, “Look here!” He pulled out pliers, spliced and taped it back together, and said, “Now start her up!”

Once back in the car, I put the key in the ignition, and it fired right up! I looked out my window to see the old pickup already heading down the street. I didn’t even get the chance to say thank you.

Now, what’s your opinion? Was that a coincidence … that a truck with a mechanic in it, who knew about the particular and unusual problem of this car,  who had the tool and tape in his pocket to fix it, who drove away before I realized he was leaving, and all this after midnight? There is no doubt in my mind that he was an angel God sent to help me.

I know we call kind people an “angel” sometimes, and that is OK, but I hope you understand that humans are not angels. They are two different beings. Having read sometime before this incident a book by Billy Graham called Angels: God’s Secret Agents, the experience I had was very similar to the many stories in that book. So, when this event comes to my mind, even now, I remember that God sent me one of his angels. It is a reminder of the reality of God and his watch care over me. It renews my spirit and my conviction that God is always with me. Whenever I have doubts or difficult moments, remembering this event wipes the doubts away.

Psalm 91 will tell you how God cares for you. When I think about that night in Atlanta, these verses stand out to me …

Psalm 91:3 Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler.

Psalm 91:5 You shall not be afraid of the terror by night,

Psalm 91:11 For He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways.

There is a condition stated back in verse 1 … that you “dwell” in him. Psalm 91:1 He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

Your dwelling is your home. God wants us to know that our home is in him. Make God your home and abide in His shadow. He’s got you “covered.”

Blessings,

Chaplain Mark

Today’s Word Is PREROGATIVE

It’s Humor Day!
Fri-Feb-7-2020

A farmer is struggling because he is not making enough money at farming, so he decides to set up a clinic and be a doctor. He puts a sign out front that says “Will Cure Any Ailment for $500. If Not Cured, Will Give You $1,000 Back.”

The town physician is upset by this, so he decides to run the farmer out of business. He goes to the farmer’s office and says, “I am having trouble with my hearing and I need a cure.”

The farmer says to his assistant, “Go to the medicine cabinet and get bottle #22 and put 3 drops on his tongue.”

The physician says, “You are a fake. You can’t cure my hearing by putting drops on my tongue!”

The farmer says, “Your hearing is cured. That’ll be $500.”

The physician goes away angry and decides to try again. He comes back to the farmer the next day and says, “I am having trouble with my memory and I need a cure.”

The farmer says to his assistant, “Go to the medicine cabinet and get bottle #22 and put 3 drops on his tongue.”

The physician says, “Hey, that’s the same thing you said yesterday about curing my hearing!”

The farmer says, “Your memory is cured. That’ll be $500.”

Now the physician is really getting ticked off, so he comes back one more time and says, “I am having trouble with my eyesight and I need a cure.”

The farmer says, “Well, you’ve got me there. I have never cured anyone’s eyesight before. Here’s your $1,000.”

The physician says, “Hey, this isn’t $1,000. This is only $10.”

And the farmer says, “Your sight has been cured. That’ll be $500.”

If God wants to call a farmer a doctor, that is his prerogative. That sounds strange, but the point is that God’s declarations over you are true, though they may not make sense. In the case of Abraham, who was married to a woman who could not bear children, we know that God called him “the father of many nations.”

The Apostle Paul says in Romans 4:17 regarding Abraham, “… I have made you a father of many nations in the presence of Him whom he believed—God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did.” What God says about our value, identity, or destiny, may seem illogical, unlikely, or even impossible in our way of thinking., but if God says it, then to him it is already true. He can speak of what does not exist as though it did. What a blessing!

Have a good weekend, including rest, family, and worship,

Chaplain Mark