Category: Daily Devotion

Today’s Word Is KNOWLEDGE

Fri-Mar-27-2020
It’s Humor Day!

One day, shortly after the birth of their new baby, the mother had to go out to run some errands. The proud papa stayed home to watch his wonderful new son.

Soon after the mother left, the baby started to cry. The father did everything he could think of doing, but the baby wouldn’t stop crying.

Finally, the dad got so worried that he decided to take the infant to the doctor. After the doctor listened to the father relate all that he had done to get the baby to stop crying, the doctor began to examine the baby’s ears, chest and then down to the diaper area. When he opened the diaper, he found that the diaper was indeed full.

“Here’s the problem,” the doctor said, “He needs to be changed!” The father was very perplexed, “But the diaper package says it is good for up to 10 lbs.!”

I’m pretty sure there are books somewhere about how to raise a child. I’m also sure that there are some parents who don’t know such materials exist, and others who wouldn’t read one even if it were laying on the coffee table. Lack of knowledge is a problem.

My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being My priest. Since you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children. (Hosea 4:6)

According to research, 5% of Americans would be considered Bible-centered, meaning they interact with the Bible frequently, and it is transforming their relationships and shaping their choices. On the other hand, 46% would be classified as Bible-disengaged, having little or no Bible knowledge or interest. The other 49% lie somewhere in between.

Despite the abundance of biblical study materials and other books about growing in faith, many believers are poorly informed about the Bible or various principles of Christian living. Would it be safe to say about our world today that “my people are destroyed for lack of knowledge”?

And finally, were you astonished by the verse above in which God said, “Since you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children”? Well, since Hosea’s generation had rejected the knowledge of God, then the next generation’s hopes would seem to be even more bleak. God needed that present generation to wake up and repent so that their children could be taught.

I hope some of this has fanned your flame and encouraged you to dig in a little more. It has for me just in the process of writing this.

Have a blessed weekend,

Chaplain Mark

Today’s Word Is OVERWHELMED

Thu-Mar-26-2020

“When my heart is overwhelmed, lead me to the rock that is higher than I.” – King David (Psalm 61:2)

Oh my goodness, the King of Israel, the famous David, the victor in battle, the stable force of safety, the direct ancestor of our Lord Jesus … don’t tell me … does he actually get overwhelmed sometimes?! Oh, yes! And the Psalms are full of his every emotion … every high and every low.

But he has a solution … he wants something or someone to remind him where to turn. When he says, “Lead me to the Rock,” who is he talking to? What is he talking about? Well, David knows that in overwhelming circumstances, when he has momentarily failed to hear the direct voice of God and be aware of the divine presence, he needs help. So he is appealing to God to use some trigger, some attention-getter, to redirect his thoughts back to God the Rock.

I’ve felt overwhelmed quite a few times in my life. Somewhere in the midst of that, I too need some kind of trigger that turns my head and helps me to recall who I am and whose I am. This sudden intervention of truth, thought, or revelation can then lead me to “the Rock that is higher than I.”

So, what does God do to accomplish that? Sometimes he uses one of my friends, or even a stranger, as that trigger, sometimes it is something I see, or a Bible verse that pops into my head. The Spirit of God gives me this startle in which I remember that I don’t have to suffer from being overwhelmed. And it speaks into my spirit that there is a Rock that I can stand on.

Once I reach a calmer frame of mind, I can shake my head at myself, and ask … how was it that I forgot during this experience that God is close by … as close as my breath … within my being … that I do not have to be overwhelmed. He is my Rock. Nothing can shake me loose.

I try not to be unnecessarily critical of myself or wallow in guilt about letting myself get overwhelmed. My enemy wants me to respond by “beating myself up.” God tells me he understands my lapse, and that he can pick me up and we’ll keep going.

If your heart is overwhelmed, may something or someone lead you to the Rock that is higher. In the outdoor world, the higher you get, the better your perspective. Receive his assurance and let that overwhelming feeling subside.

Blessings!

Chaplain Mark

Today’s Word Is WITHIN

Tue-Mar-25-2020

In J.R.R. Tolkein’s book “The Hobbit” there is a point on the expedition to destroy the dragon where Gandalf the wizard has to leave the group to tend to other business, so he puts Bilbo Baggins in charge temporarily. The dwarves are displeased, as they regard Bilbo the hobbit to be lowly and incapable. One of the dwarves should be in charge by their way of thinking … after all, they are warriors and superior to hobbits.

But Gandalf persists, saying, “There is a lot more in him than you guess, and a deal more than he has any idea of himself.”

Now, as you may or may not know, J.R.R. Tolkein, author of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, was a close friend and confidant of C.S. Lewis, author of The Chronicles of Narnia. Both writers wove Christian themes into these works of fiction, and for Tolkien, the character of Gandalf was a Christ-figure.

When my children were elementary age, we had a cassette tape condensed version of The Hobbit, which we would listen to in the car as we drove on trips many times. And when the narrative would reach this scene, Gandalf would say (in the condensed version), “Bilbo Baggins, there is more about you than you know.” And then, I would pause the tape, and say to each of the kids, one at a time, calling them by name – “There is more about you than you know.” And they soon started saying back to me in unison, with delight and a giggle, “Daddy, there’s more about you than you know!” They are mid-life now, but still remember this line, as if it were imprinted on their hearts.

Do you believe that about yourself? Do you realize that God has planted things within you of which you are not aware? If not, then you’re somewhat like Gideon in the Old Testament. God’s people had called out in desperation because of the attacks of the Midianites. So, God sent an angel to Gideon to inform him that he had been chosen to lead the Israelites to do battle.

And the angel of the LORD appeared to [Gideon] and said to him, “The LORD is with you, O mighty man of valor.” (Judges 6:11)

Gideon vented some frustrations about how God seemed to have abandoned his people. So, the angel explained that now was the time to solve the problem and Gideon was chosen of God to pull it off. Gideon’s response was not … “Oh, boy! Thanks for picking me! I’m your man!” Nope … it was more like … “Great idea, but you’ve got the wrong guy!”

“Please, Lord, how can I save Israel? Behold, my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father’s house.”  And the LORD said to him, “But I will be with you, and you shall strike the Midianites as one man.” (Judges 6:15-16)

Have you ever felt like God needed to do something about a situation, but you were quite certain it should be handled by someone besides you?

If so, then I pass this on to you … “There is more about you than you know!” God has hidden things within you. Don’t be intimidated. When Gideon questioned why he was chosen, God didn’t give a run-down on Gideon’s advantages. he just said, “I will be with you.” God is not going to hand you an advance list of what is within you. You are going to discover as you go.

As in the Hobbit story, don’t listen to the “dwarves” who think you are not fit for the task. Listen to God, who sees within you the gifts and strengths that you do not yet realize are there. As often as needed, say to yourself, “Yes Lord, I can. Because there is more about me than I know! And best of all, you will be with me.”

Blessings,

Chaplain Mark

Today’s Word Is COST

Tue-Mar-24-2020

“I hated every minute of training, but I said, ‘Don’t quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion.’” — Muhammad Ali

Every accomplishment, every activity, every possession, and every relationship each has a cost and a benefit.

The prize fighter Ali knew that the great accomplishment of a world championship of boxing would come at the high cost of rigorous and relentless training. The world is full of people who have underachieved simply because they were not willing to do the unpleasant, difficult steps to become who they were meant to be and to achieve the goals along the way that lead to success in life.

Every activity in which we participate is the same. Going to the movies has a cost and a benefit. The same is true with our possessions. Sometimes folks pay more than what something is worth at face value because they may get an added intangible benefit. For instance, wearing a certain brand of clothing or watch, driving a certain car, or living in a certain neighborhood might seem of greater value than just the base value of the item.

Before we invest in something, we count the cost to see if it is worth it, and if we are willing or able to pay the price.

Jesus said, “For which one of you, when he wants to build a tower, does not first sit down and calculate the cost to see if he has enough to complete it?” (Luke 14:28)

There’s a hidden meaning here … You and I have enough resources to do lots of things in life. But only one had the ability and willingness to accomplish the redemption of mankind from sin. That was God. So, he “counted the cost,” which was the life of his son. And he was willing to pay thar price. The benefit of God’s restoring the relationship between himself and his people came at a high cost.

There are certain things that we can’t achieve on our own, because it is not within our ability to accomplish or we are unable to pay the price. The cost is too high. Salvation is one of those things.

Did God achieve the goal of restoring our relationship to him? Yes, he did. The cost was extreme. He sent his son, “who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:2)

Because of what was achieved “for” you, new doors are open “to” you. I would define success as living a life of deeply and fully loving God and passionately loving others with the love he gives us. There is a great cost and sacrifice for us in this. But his cost was infinitely higher. And the benefit is too extraordinary to measure.

The saying, “God helps those who help themselves” is not biblical. It is the other way around! God gave “his help” up front, for free. That’s what opens the door for us to achieve greatness. Once we receive this gift of salvation, we learn that we will have to make sacrifices in order to accomplish the purposes that God placed within us. But it is well worth it for us, just as it was for him.

Is there something difficult, unpleasant, or sacrificial that you need to do that has a higher purpose? Jesus set the example and unlocked the door for you to do that.

Have a blessed day,

Chaplain Mark

Today’s Word Is COLLABORATE

Mon-Mar-23-2020

Do you sometimes feel like giving up on something? … Even though it is very important? But it just isn’t working out?

Maybe your usual way of solving things is not getting results. This happens to folks who compartmentalize God. Although He has promised to “walk” with us, never forsake us, it is like we keep him in the back seat of our “car.” And thus, it is a bit misleading to tell people that “I know God is with me” … if “with me” means he’s just a silent passenger (who would really like to say something if invited!).

There are folks who rarely discuss things with God throughout the day. It’s no wonder that things frequently don’t work out so well. Our best friend, the wisest of all, is waiting for the invitation not just to help, but to be our guide, our wisdom, our everything. Instead we go about solving daily problems without Him, and sometimes give up on important things too soon.

After the death and resurrection of Jesus, the disciples didn’t know what to do next, so several of them went out in their boat fishing (their old career). They were having no luck, when a man called to them from the shore. (At first, they didn’t realize it was Jesus.)

So Jesus said to them, “Children, you do not have any fish, do you?” They answered Him, “No.” And He said to them, “Cast the net on the right-hand side of the boat and you will find a catch.” So they cast, and then they were not able to haul it in because of the great number of fish. (John 21:5-6)

God wants us to collaborate. “Co-“ means together, “labor” means work … work together!! And not just occasionally … all day … every day. God doesn’t need to be a passenger; he needs to be driving our car!

Often, we are throwing our nets on the wrong side of the boat. We have our own habits, methods, and solutions. If we listened to God, there is another way … a “God way” that is outside our logic. Don’t be afraid to cast your nets “one more time” before you give up. And listen to God, because he may not have you cast your nets in the “same old place.”

My guess is that the disciples remembered this scenario happening before, at the beginning of Jesus’ ministry, when he called Simon, Andrew, James and John to follow him. They had fished all night with no catch.

When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. (Luke 5:4-6)

There may be a “catch of fish” waiting under the water, but you keep coming up empty. Maybe your first job is just to believe it is there. The success God wants you to have is not just to catch the fish, it is to “co-labor” with him in doing it … to “collaborate” in the success. What are you facing that in your mind has no reasonable solution? For me … well … I have this stormwater problem under my driveway that is threatening our property, and I haven’t found a solution yet. But I am not giving up, because God knows where the answer is, and in his good timing he will reveal the solution.

In these uncertain times, you may be dealing with a looming financial crisis. Even though the answer is not visible to you, it is visible to God. And this fact applies to any problem, not just financial ones. Do you have a problem child? Difficulty at work? Health issues? Keep listening to the voice of Jesus. He is right there in the situation with you. And at the right time, things will work out, probably in a manner you do not imagine, and you will confess the name of Jesus as the supplier of your need. As Simon said, “… because you say so, I will let down the nets.”

Have a blessed day,

Chaplain Mark

Today’s Word Is AGING

It’s Humor Day!
Fri-Mar-20-2020

OK … I know most of you are not as old as I am, so here is a taste of what’s coming. These are hymn titles for the aging …

Top 10 Hymns For Senior Citizens …

#10 – Precious Lord, Take my Hand, And Help Me Up

#9 – It is Well with My Soul, But My Knees Hurt

#8 – Nobody Knows the Trouble I have Seeing

#7 – Amazing Grace, Considering My Age

#6 – Just a Slower Walk With Thee

#5 – Count Your Many Birthdays, Name Them One by One

#4 – Go Tell It on the Mountain, And Speak Up

#3 – Give Me that Old Timers Religion

#2 – Blessed Insurance

#1 – Guide Me O Thou Great Jehovah, I’ve Forgotten Where I Parked My Car

Does anyone else identify? Or maybe you know someone who does … your mom, dad, grandparents? Whatever your age, growing older is not for wimps! Do you have the heart and wisdom to age gracefully?

As a pastor, I have seen my share of bitter senior citizens. They can tell you their long list of everything that ever went wrong, and all about their present level of dissatisfaction. But their joy has been stolen!

Thankfully there are many, many older folks who have a better outlook. We can learn a lot from those who have this spirit of love, encouragement, joy, and wisdom.

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. (2nd Corinthians 4:16)

Throughout the ups and downs of life, I have found something positive about every stage and every age. I do my best to enjoy where and who I am now; and I look forward to the next age. I think that’s how God wants it to be. If we can laugh at ourselves at any age while still taking life seriously, we will find the joy God intended.

Moses was a hundred and twenty years old when he died, yet his eyes were not weak nor his strength gone. (Deuteronomy 34:7)

Have a blessed, restful, and joyful weekend,

Chaplain Mark

Do not say, “Why were the old days better than these?” For it is not wise to ask such questions. (Ecclesiastes 7:10)

Today’s Word Is FOLLOW

Thu-Mar-19-2020

Several years ago, my friends Harry and Belinda sold their house in an upscale East Brainerd neighborhood and purchased a farm across the mountain. Harry had grown up on a farm in Middle Tennessee, so this move was a return to a familiar life and a closeness to the land. He now has “100 head of cattle.”

Harry told me one time, “It doesn’t work for me to drive these cattle into a pasture. If I am behind them trying to force them in a certain direction, they go every which way. But if I get out in front, they will all follow me around anywhere.” The same could be said about flocks of sheep, which are depicted in artwork as following a shepherd toward a new pasture. And this is how the life of faith works … following.

As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth; and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he got up and followed him. (Matthew 9:9 NRSV)

There is an excellent group study by Henry Blackaby called Experiencing God, which you should definitely experience. One of the principles he teaches is to watch what God is doing and then participate. Too often we get involved in what may be good things, and then ask God to help us. But the life of discipleship should have a different approach. Instead of asking God to “bless what we are doing,” it is more in line with the teachings of Jesus to “do what God is blessing.”

For instance, suppose you want to start a prison ministry, but find it hard to get organized and recruit volunteers. This goes on for a while with minimal progress, and you are constantly praying to God for help and direction to make this work. Meanwhile, there are teenagers at church or among your friendship connections that seem to have an affinity toward you. They ask you questions and seem to trust you. Maybe God is trying to tell you something. If you are paying attention, you would see that God is working on teenagers in your presence, while you are spending your time trying to start a prison ministry. It would appear that God wants you to mentor teenagers, not prisoners.

Pay attention to what God is doing, and then follow. Let him lead you. You and I are the sheep. We don’t need to be out front, leaving the shepherd behind. The notion of “I did it my way” that is glamorized in a popular song sounds alluring, but it is self-centered. My version of that song would go more like, “I did it my way, and messed things up!” I would rather sing it like this, “I did it God’s way, and amazingly it was much better.” That ought to be obvious, or as Homer Simpson would say, “Well, Duh!”

It is not really our job to figure out what to do, or even to figure God out. It is our job to follow him and to watch what he is doing and do that! … Follow … Watch … Join.

Blessings,

Chaplain Mark

Today’s Word Is LAUNCH

Wed-Mar-18-2020

“You can never cross the ocean until you have the courage to lose sight of the shore.” – Christopher Columbus

Well, we know what Mr. Columbus did. It would probably be the most exciting but also the most anxious day of one’s life to push away from the shore of the known and head for the unknown. Remember that Christopher Columbus did not rush into this; it took time. He listened for his dream, took years to prepare, and finally launched! So, if you want to get beyond the ordinary, and embrace what God has next for you, that’s what you must do … push off from the shore and embark on the adventure.

Many years ago, as I was reading the seven books called The Chronicles of Narnia for the first time, I embraced the idea that the Christian life is not so much lived by rules as it is a great adventure. Various seasons of this life start with a calling, a God-given dream, an idea, or a high purpose. Preparation is necessary, but as in the case of Columbus, at the moment you launch, there is still a great deal of uncertainty about how all this will work out.

Under the leadership of Moses, the Israelites, who numbered about a million people, were being led by God into freedom from slavery in Egypt. They headed out on foot but soon reached a decision point. There was a mountain on one side, the Red Sea on another, and the Egyptian army behind them in hot pursuit. So, they did what any normal person would do … they cried out to God! … Help! … Even the leader cried out for help!

And the Lord said to Moses, “Why do you cry to Me? Tell the children of Israel to go forward. But lift up your rod, and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it. And the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea.” (Exodus 14:15-16)

Do what?! You’re kidding! No, God was not kidding. He accomplishes his purposes. Our part is to listen and act.

God has many dreams for you throughout life. Sometimes it is enormous and intimidating, and it may last a season or a lifetime. Other times it may be something small or simple. Whatever your next one is, don’t be afraid to leave some things behind and launch at the proper time. God, who called you to it, will open the doors (part the sea) and guide you.

There is an interesting combination of emotions when you say “yes” and launch yourself into it … sadness perhaps to leave certain things behind … a twinge of healthy fear something like the first time you swam in water over your head … but also a great excitement that there is a fulfillment awaiting that will outweigh any hesitation you may have harbored. To cross an ocean, you must leave the shore.

One last thought … this doesn’t only apply to big decisions. There may be something simple that you have been putting off. You may have a 99% commitment and a 1% hesitation. You could relieve yourself of this weight by proceeding. Ready, set, go.

Have a blessed day!

Chaplain Mark

Today’s Word Is NOURISHED

Tue-Mar-17-2020

If you were promised that all your physical needs (food, clothing, shelter) would be taken care of for the rest of your life, it would still not guarantee that you would be happy or fulfilled or have no worries.

Lots of us, including myself, have at some point in life fallen into thinking that what we need is enough money to meet our basic needs and pay our bills, and then we could stop worrying. However, such is not the case. When those surface needs for survival are pushed aside, underneath is a great longing to be accepted and to feel like our life is worth something to others.

And deeper still within us is that place that can only be filled by the love, grace, and Spirit of God, offered by Grace and received by Faith. This is the foundation. No amount of emotional or physical provision will stand throughout life unless built on God our Rock. Jesus spoke in Mathew 7:24 about building a house on Rock or Sand. For those who built on Rock, when the storms came, “it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock.” But if built on Sand, “it fell, and great was the fall of it.”

Sometimes God makes a miraculous provision of our surface needs in time of drought and desperation to remind us that we should rely on his grace as the provision for our deepest needs in our inner being. While traveling through the desert for 40 years, the Israelites of the Old Testament encountered several times of crisis where food, water, or safety was in short supply. For one period of time, God supplied “manna,” which was an unusual substance like bread that would appear on the ground in the morning. Free food! Along with the following reminder …

“He humbled you and let you be hungry, and fed you with manna which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that He might make you understand that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by everything that proceeds out of the mouth of the Lord.” (Deuteronomy 8:3)

What goes into our mind and our heart is far more important for “living” than what goes into our stomach. Sometimes God will miraculously get us through some bad times by supplying food, money, or other provisions. What he wants to teach us is to trust him, and to seek deeper nourishment than just food.

At the beginning of Jesus’ ministry, he went through temptations in the desert, and during those 40 days he fasted (nothing to eat). So, Satan tempted him to turn stones into bread. (I’m sure some of those rocks were in the shape of a nice freshly baked loaf of homemade bread.) Jesus resisted by quoting the above passage of Scripture from Isaiah … We do not live by bread alone, but by God’s Word.

Keep yourself spiritually nourished … this is one of the keys to “really living.” You have deeper needs than the physical, or the money, or being surrounded by convenience. Your soul, your heart, and your mind all need God-designed nourishment.

Blessings,

Chaplain Mark

The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. (Psalm 18:2)

Today’s Word Is FRAGILE

Mon-Mar-16-2020

How do you handle people who seem to be fragile? It is tempting to tell people who can’t deal with their problems to just “get over it.” There might be a handful of people for whom that works, but that approach is rarely effective. So, let’s consider two types of fragile people.

First – there are some folks who are always fragile; it’s a way of life, and a method of avoiding further hurt. It takes great commitment to help this kind of person without “enabling” their negative behavior. Usually this kind of person needs more help than we can give, and perhaps we should seek outside wisdom.

What they “say” they need is “a little help.” What they “actually” need is “inner healing” in a profound way. This idea sounds extremely frightening to them. They may get angry or hurt if you won’t give them, once again, a small dose of help. Their best hope is with a person who loves and is committed to them enough to find them some serious help. Counseling would be good. In a spiritual sense, they may need inner healing from a ministry that is equipped for it. Celebrate Recovery helps with addictions. Sozo ministries, Formational Counseling, and other ministries like them can help facilitate amazing emotional healing from God. I was involved many years with The Order of St. Luke the Physician and saw many people receive life-changing inner healing.

If this sounds like you or someone you know, and you are unsure how to proceed, please contact me.

Next … there are also folks who are temporarily fragile, such as during a hospital stay, or following the death of a loved one, or any number of other crises. It might also describe someone who has dealt with a difficult situation for a long time and is getting extremely weary and discouraged or close to falling apart. Sometimes this extends to the whole family, as all may be suffering and fragile. But these would be folks who normally seem to “have it together,” and who could get back on their feet through the love of Jesus and the assistance of their family and God’s family. For people such as this, we can apply the words of Isaiah the prophet, who said this about the coming Messiah Jesus … “A bruised reed He will not break, and a dimly burning wick He will not extinguish…” (Isaiah 42:3)

Being honest with people about their situation is necessary of course, but we can also be mindful that there is sometimes very little capacity remaining for dealing with their condition. In this sense, we are dealing with people who are like “bruised reeds” or “dimly burning wicks.” It is quite an art to help people deal with stress and hurt and to assist them with healing, while simultaneously caring for their personhood in such a way that we do not break their spirit or extinguish their hope. It is worth developing the ability to accomplish this.

Remember, we will occasionally run into one of those “always fragile” people who resist help. But many others will respond positively to our ability to get them through this present difficulty, even in their fragile state. And perhaps they will gain strength, wisdom, and maturity because of it, even to the point of gaining a passion to help others like you have helped them.

If you are one of those dimly burning wicks or bruised reeds, tell someone that you trust. Tell them that you are willing to listen, and that you need someone to walk with you. Find a friend, a chaplain, a pastor, a counselor, someone wise and trustworthy. If you have been thinking about this … then don’t put that off any longer. There is hope. Life can be better.

And if you know of a friend, co-worker, or family member who is “fragile” but won’t say so – then however gently you must do it, offer them some hope and support.

Blessings,

Chaplain Mark