Category: Today’s Word Is

Today’s Word Is BECOME

Wed-Jun-10-2020

Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm. (Proverbs 13:20)

It matters with whom we associate. We cannot avoid being around all kinds of people. Some will be likable and some not … cheerful or not … kind or not … problem solvers or not … complainers or not … and wise or not.

Contact and collaboration are necessary with all these people. But … we do not have to “walk with” everyone in the sense referred to by this Proverb. Everyone must choose their principles and beliefs, and in so doing you will discover whom you should walk in step with. And by observation, others should be able to figure out who you “walk with.” They are the ones with whom you share a common faith, the ones you admire and want to imitate. These are the ones who will back you up in a disagreement, because you know their heart and they know yours. Skin color, cultural background, education, social standing, and affluence have nothing to do with this.

If I could make a group photo of the people I have “walked with” in my life because I sought their wisdom … They are from cultures and colors all around the world … Some have been far older than me, some far younger … Some have lived in mansions, some have lived in a tent camp in the woods … Some count their money in the millions, while some have no bank account, just what is in their pocket … Some have doctorate degrees, some never went inside a school … Some are popular with others, some not … Some are widely known or famous, some count their friends on one hand. God will show you with whom you should walk in order to become wise.

As we relate to those whom we think of as wise, we are influenced by their character and behavior. We observe how they have a positive effect on the world around them. We ask them questions and learn their secrets of peace, motivation, boldness, and wisdom.

I hope you have a desire to become a wiser person. God loves us as we are … yes … but he loves us too much to leave us the way we are. It has been said that you can’t “go with God” and stay where you are. And an important aspect of becoming who God wants us to be is that of walking with wise people.

Do you know that there are lots of very smart people who are foolish? The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.” (Psalm 14:1) Intelligence and foolishness can coexist within a person. There is a great difference between being smart and being wise. My admiration goes to those wise people whom God has placed in my life for the purpose of lifting me up and showing me the way.

Have you noticed that some folks are attracted to foolish people? They associate with them because it appears at times that they are carefree and unburdened. Whereas the wise person appears to be doing too much work, or getting redirected sometimes by inconvenient interruptions, or even being forced to make sacrifices that are not appealing. However, the wise person chooses these inconveniences for the greater good of others and for the high calling of character and integrity.

For you and me to become the best we are meant to be, it matters whom we admire and imitate. As for the one who is foolish, but appears on the outside to “have it made” … a window into their private moments might show us the “flip side” of their lifestyle, which includes hidden inner suffering, and whose behaviors create undesirable consequences. They get tied up in a pattern of repeatedly making botched attempts to reverse the results of their foolishness. These are the things they hide from us.

Spending time with foolish people can be a good thing. They may seek us out because they admire something about us. But again, there is a difference between spending time with someone and being their “companion.” Do you see that? If we are the salt of the earth and the light of the world (Matthew 5:13-14), then we must get close to and involved with people who need salt and light. Our companions, however, are those with whom we stand in lockstep in the faith, ready to change the world.

Have you ever suffered harm because you were the companion of fools? Hopefully, we have left that behind and moved on. If not, now would be a good time to resolve to walk with the wise, and in so doing become wise.

Blessings,

Chaplain Mark

Today’s Word Is ABSORB

Tue-Jun-9-2020

What creates fear in you? Relationship problems? Health problems? Financial problems? How about fear of failure? Fear of death? Fear of rejection? Something else?

Unaddressed fear contributes to worry, and the combination of fear and worry becomes heavier and heavier. Sometimes we try to fix it by isolating it into a back corner of our mind and then just live with it. In the medical sense we know that infected wounds don’t go away. And emotional woundedness that manifests in fear and worry festers in the same way.

So … How do you get rid of fear? What can you do to be less afraid of threats? Is there a way to reach the point where fear is not your automatic reaction? Can fear be cleansed out of us and replaced with a sense of peace and security?

Would the best tool be to have more courage? That certainly helps. Should we frequently and habitually remind ourselves of truths as a way to quench our fears? That is helpful as well. Some people would tell us, “Just get over it.” In my experience that rarely works. The fear hides somewhere inside, but it is still there.

You might know the answer I am looking for if I ask it this way: What does the Bible say will cast out fear?

It is love … perfect love.

“There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.” (1st John 4:18)

The source of love is God, and love is the most powerful game-changer in existence. We can release this love power into ourselves and into others through prayer. Everything God does is based on his love for us. “For God so loved the world that he gave his Son…” (John 3:16) God’s love is “perfect” love.

During these contentious times, let us intentionally reflect on the unlimited and unconditional love of God. Think of how deeply, thoroughly, and perfectly God loves you! Soak it in. Bring to the surface any worry or care that causes distress and ask God to replace it with his love. Make declarations about his love’s effect on you. “I am deeply loved by God.” “Nothing can separate me from the love of God.” (see Romans 8:38-39) “I hereby trade any disturbance in me in exchange for the love of God.” “I breathe in his love and breathe out the impurities of fear and anxiety.”

You see, as we continuously absorb the love of God into our inner being over a long period of time, fear starts to run out of places to inhabit within us. Fear eventually has little or no room to function. As the incredible love of God goes in, the fear is “cast out.”

Blessings,

Chaplain Mark

Today’s Word Is STILL

Mon-Jun-8-2020

He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” (Psalm 46:10)

That’s a tall order … be still. Have you ever tried to fix a child’s boo-boo by cleaning a wound and applying a bandage … all the while trying to keep them still and calm? “Be still,” we say. “It’s hard to help you if you can’t be still for a minute!”

Of course, adults have their own struggles with being still. Maybe it’s not about a bandage on a wound. It would be more like something has gone wrong and I need to fix it right now. Or some problem has come up, and my mind is going through all the consequences this is going to create. Oh no, what am I going to do now?

I am sure King David, who wrote this Psalm, had plenty of tragedies and problems enough to panic or worry about the destruction or terror that could result. He must have learned that one of God’s best responses to our troubles was to say, “Be still, and know that I am God.” It helps us to put things in perspective. Our spirit can declare within us, “Yes, you are God. You love me. I can trust you. I need not worry. Your promises are great and true.”

How great is God? Well, I am usually operating on the “me-level” while God is simultaneously operating on everything from the universe – earth – nation level, all the way down to my level and yours. I don’t always think about the big picture. God thinks about every picture, every angle … big and small. He is the Exalted One … at every level … trustworthy, good, faithful … our strength and shield.

When I was twelve years old, our family went to Connecticut because my dad had to visit a seminary student. Once we were in New York City, Dad took the car on his business, while my mom, myself, and two younger sisters finished the journey to her family in Connecticut by train.

My mom took good care of us and the trip worked out fine. But not having Dad around in a strange place was a little unsettling. Mom was our caregiver, managing daily life for us, while Dad was sort of like the stabilizer. We had been on many trips and vacations and were used to Dad always knowing directions, finding places to eat and to spend the night, and getting us to our destination, while Mom kept track of what we were doing and especially took care of the needs of the smallest ones.

So here we were with Mom in Grand Central Station, New York City. It was h-u-g-e!! We walked down corridors, climbed stairs, and stood in lines, all the while hanging onto Mom. We were surrounded by noise, movement, and confusion. There were moments I wished Dad were there to lead us through this strange place. Mom loved us, but Dad was the leader.

There is plenty going on around us right now … COVID virus, racial tensions, and political controversy. Surely, we know that there are people on this journey with us who love us, but in unsettling circumstances, we need stability within our spirits and guidance through the turmoil. It is an excellent time to “be still and know that God is God!” Will we make it through this strange time? Yes, if we let the God who is “exalted among the nations and in the earth” lead us through.

Pray for peace and be at peace. “Be still and know.”

Blessings,

Chaplain Mark

Today’s Word Is ASSURANCE

Fri-Jun-5-2020
It’s Humor Day!

Albert Einstein was once traveling from Princeton on a train when the conductor came down the aisle, punching the tickets of each passenger. When he came to Dr. Einstein, the professor couldn’t find his ticket. He searched every pocket, his briefcase, the seat next to him. No ticket.

The conductor said, “Dr. Einstein, I know who you are. We all know who you are. I’m sure you bought a ticket. Don’t worry about it.”

The conductor continued down the aisle punching tickets. As he was ready to move to the next car, he turned around and saw the great physicist down on his hands and knees looking under his seat for his ticket. The conductor rushed back and said, “Dr. Einstein, Dr. Einstein, don’t worry. I know who you are. No problem. You don’t need a ticket. I’m sure you bought one.”

Einstein looked at him and said, “Young man, I too know who I am. What I don’t know is where I’m going!”

I hope you know where you are going. If we believe the Scriptures, then we know that born again believers are going to heaven. Many people, Christians and not, over the years have asked me, “How can I know, how can I be sure that I am going to heaven?”

This is basic, but important. I think these three passages can most clearly describe what it means to be saved.

The first is from Jesus, who told Nicodemus, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (John 3:3) This does not describe how it happens, but rather what it is … namely, a rebirth. Just as we had a physical birth, so also, says Jesus, must we have a spiritual birth. In other words, not only must our body become alive, but also our spirit must come alive in a separate event. Thus, Jesus continued, “That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” (John 3:6) Up to the point of salvation, your spirit is dead, so to speak. So how does it come alive?

The other two verses say more about how it happens. The Apostle Paul says, “because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. (Romans 10:9-10)

And for the third, just to make sure we understand who does what, Paul says, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9) It requires God’s grace and our faith. And the fact that it is a gift indicates that God’s part is the greater part.

God offers the gift, for which Jesus Christ has already paid the price, but gifts are only put to use when the recipient stretches out their hands to receive it, this being an act of repentance, humility, and faith. When this happens, the Spirit of God enters into your spirit and your spirit comes alive! You are “born again.” The Holy Spirit of Christ is living in you and through you! I like this phrase, “Christ in you, the hope of glory.” (Colossians 1:27)

If these things you have done, then do not be embarrassed to ask the question about “how do I know I am saved and going to heaven?” You are not alone. Many Christians are not fully “at peace” until one more miracle occurs. Apparently, some believers in the New Testament had the same question.

Thus, there is one more piece. Besides having salvation, it is great to have an “assurance” of salvation, and to be at peace. And this is supplied by the Holy Spirit. So Paul wrote this to them, “The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.” (Romans 8:16-17) How do I know for sure? We sang as children … “How do I know, the Bible tells me so!” But also, I know because I can hear, sense, and feel the Holy Spirit whispering assurance into my heart.

Come and join with me, children of God, and give thanks that we can be sure that we are saved; we are heirs, heirs with Christ, and heaven is our home!

There is one last testimony as a verification. We will indeed suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. Yes, the life of faith involves suffering and hardship, but none greater than what our Master endured. And for this is offered all his glory for us to share, both now and forever.

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

Chaplain Mark

NOTE … I know that there are people who will call me exclusive when I say that Christ is the only way to God. But I didn’t create this idea. I read it in the Bible, and I believe it. As my friend Dr. Bob Sanders used to say, “Don’t look at me! I didn’t write it! I’m just the messenger!”

ANOTHER NOTE: Please don’t use this devotional to scrutinize someone else’s life trying to figure if they are in heaven or not. Only God knows. Doing so can discourage you unnecessarily. Believe for the best, and wait.

Today’s Word Is CIRCUMSTANCES

Thu-Jun-4-2020
Originally published
Wed-Nov-27-2019

The verse that says “I can do all things” by the Apostle Paul in Philippians 4:13 is popular and encouraging. But it means something more than what some people think. Philippians 4:10-14 is about Good Times & Hard Times … and how to thrive spiritually, mentally, and emotionally in all of them.

To do so we need to overcome what I call “try-harder” theology. You see, Paul was not saying, “I can do all things, if I try hard enough.” But that’s how many people use it.

So, here’s “the rest of the story” …

First of all … Sometimes we need help. The Apostle Paul earned money making tents, but many times that was not enough. He still needed offerings from churches. It’s OK to ask for help. But it’s not OK to complain if someone can’t help. For awhile the church couldn’t help Paul, but Paul thanked them when they could.

Paul says (v.10) But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned before, but you lacked opportunity.

Also … True contentment is apparently hard to achieve, since so few appear to have it. Learning how to adjust to a wide range of circumstances is not popular. After all, if I go through a drought, what am I going to do about the house and car payments? We want the circumstances to adjust to us. Paul learned to adjust to them. He had a mission that was more important than circumstances.

(v.11) Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.

Next … Without that passion for a calling or purpose in life, we often resort to bemoaning our misfortunes. When there’s plenty, we’re happy, but when we must do without … well … does our joy leave when difficulty arrives? Paul is our witness that it is possible to be as content in poverty as it is in prosperity. We will endure circumstances when we are on a mission. It could be as a schoolteacher, as a nurse, as a pastor, as a social worker, or any other job, as a parent to our children, loving our spouse, working for a non-profit or a church project. What we are passionate about will help us to disregard certain difficulties.

(v.12) I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need.

NOW, HERE COMES THE BLESSING …

(v.13) I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.

Some folks take this to mean that any bad circumstance can turn into a good one simply by believing it can happen, or that God will fix it for me, or that just trying harder is the way to overcome the barrier … and once the circumstance turns good, then I can rest, get the precious joy back, and be thankful that I succeeded.

But Paul is making a deeper point. “Doing all things” might just mean putting up with irritations or lack of amenities in order to accomplish a higher purpose.

Even if things are bad right now, and even if they’re going to stay bad for a while. No matter. I have God and he is enough. And my joy doesn’t come and go with good times and bad. They’re all alike to me in this sense: I am the same ‘me’ and God is the same God, regardless of my circumstances.

He is our strength in good times. He is our strength in hard times.

LAST THOUGHT …

We are not to wallow in our difficulties in order to get mileage or sympathy points out of our suffering. If things are difficult, we stay on course, and give thanks when caring people pitch in and lift us up.

(v.14) Nevertheless, you have done well to share with me in my affliction.

Stay steady in all circumstances, difficult or easy,

Chaplain Mark

Today’s Word Is AWARE

Mon-Jun-1-2020

Thus says the Lord, who makes a way through the sea and a path through the mighty waters, “Do not call to mind the former things, or ponder things of the past. Behold, I will do something new, now it will spring forth; will you not be aware of it? I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, rivers in the desert.” (Isaiah 43:16,18,19)

There is a song that says, “God will make a way, where there seems to be no way.” I hope you believe that. Just like the Israelites facing the Red Sea, we often look forward and mistakenly think there is no way. We think about “former things,” about what worked and what didn’t work. We conclude that those things which worked will still work, and what didn’t work still won’t work. Not so with God.

Let us read this verse carefully, because “remembering” is an important biblical principle. Isaiah is not telling us to forget the past. The book of Deuteronomy repeats many times the need to remember God’s faithfulness in the past as we proceed forward in our faith journey into the future.

Think about how Isaiah phrases it. “Do not call to mind the former things, or ponder things of the past.” He is warning us against intentionally dredging up memories of failures. Because new challenges call for new approaches, and God constantly presents us with a new way forward. God knows that if we rely exclusively on  what worked or didn’t work before, we can easily lose focus on him. He wants us to trust him!

Isaiah is pointing out that if our thinking excludes God’s power to do new things, then we may turn back instead of moving forward. God wants you to make it. You are his beloved. There is a difference between being “aware” of the past and being “confined” by the past. And as we are aware of former things, so must we also be aware that God is greater than former things. He has new things.

On the other side of the Red Sea, there was going to be a kingdom purpose for the people of God to fulfill. Thus, the Red Sea had to relinquish passage to those called to the Promised Land. Beyond our obstacles are purposes and dreams. Not selfish ones. Big ones. Kingdom-sized and kingdom-focused.

God will move obstacles and part waters for those who pursue his preferred future. Moses believed in the promised future land. But when driven into a trap in pursuit of that dream, what would he do? An army behind him, a great sea  in front of him. Would Moses be aware of God … of his presence, his purposes, his power, his promises, his plan? Are you aware of all these things in your present moment? It’s the key phrase of this passage … “Will you not be aware …?”

So, Moses listened to God’s instruction to hold up his staff toward the obstacle, the Red Sea, thus declaring that what should not have worked … was going to work … crossing the sea without a boat or a bridge … because his thinking took God’s purpose and ability into account.

Stop looking at how things used to be, used to work. The past is behind you. The future is on the other side of that obstacle. What are you going to be most aware of … the past behind, the obstacle ahead, or God above? From your vantage point, the promise out there may not be visible. But from God’s vantage point, it is.

Now occasionally, God says to live with things as they are for now, but more than we are aware, he says to move on, trust him. And when he speaks for action, take your staff, and hold it up in defiance against the obstacle. Yes, that can be a risky, scary act of faith. But it is your signal that you are aware … aware of the past, aware of the dream, aware of the obstacles, and most of all … aware of God’s ability to do a “new thing.”

If God has a purpose in mind for you, you must not be limited by the way things have been working up until now. In your wilderness, God will make a road. In your desert, God can make a river.

Blessings,

Chaplain Mark


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Today’s Word Is CONSEQUENCES

Fri-May-29-2020
It’s Humor Day!

In the Prohibition days, “revenuers” would go out into the mountains looking for illegal moonshine stills. One such revenuer was trying to track down a particularly well-known moonshiner. He came to the house where he thought the man lived. Outside the house there was a young boy clothed rather raggedly and sitting in a tree.

“Hey there, young fella,” the revenuer said from a distance.

“Who you and what you want?” replied the boy.

“I am looking for a man named John Smith. Do you know him?”

“Yessir, I do. That’d be my grandpappy.”

“Is he at home?”

“No sir.”

“Could you tell me where I could find him?”

“Well, sir, he’d be down at the still about now.”

“Could you give me directions to where that is?”

“Yessir, for five dollars I could.”

“OK, son, I can do that. Tell me where to find him.”

“First you pay me the five dollars.”

“Now, son. The way it works is that you tell me how to find him, and if he’s there, then I’ll come back and pay you the five dollars. Is that a deal?”

“No, sir, that won’t work. The five dollars first.”

“No, son, first I go find him and then I come back and pay you.”

“The five dollars is first, Mister, ‘cause you ain’t coming back.”

I heard that story from the wonderful Nell Mohney, author, speaker, and newspaper columnist, whose husband Dr. Ralph Mohney was the long-time pastor of First Centenary United Methodist Church in Chattanooga. She was a treasure who inspired many.

Here is my application of Today’s Word … There are some sure things about sins. They have consequences. There are certain decisions we make such that if we go down that road, we will not be coming back to the way things were. Fortunately, if we are in right relationship with God, we can be forgiven. But the blessing of being forgiven will not undo the consequences we caused regarding our own future nor the damage caused in the lives of others.

Often, we find that our foolish desires may have a temporary benefit, but afterward a great cost. It can be said of the temptation to sin, that it will “take you further than you wanted to go, keep you longer than you wanted to stay, and cost you more than you wanted to pay!” Let’s help each other not to go down those roads from which there is a great cost and no coming back to the way things were.

Blessings,

Chaplain Mark

Reduced Summer Schedule

Greetings, Friends!

I am going to adjust my Daily Devotion to a lighter summer schedule, so that I can do some traveling and work on some projects that need my attention. Beginning June 1, I will publish a devotional on Monday and humor for the week on Friday, as well as a Scripture verse for each day, Monday through Friday.

Thank you for your continued interest and for allowing me to be a part of your life.

Blessings,

Chaplain Mark Davis (retired)

Chattanooga, TN

Today’s Word Is RETALIATE

Thu-May-28-2020

Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you, instead, pay them back with a blessing. (1st Peter 3:9 NLT)

This verse is not very popular in today’s world. I suspect it wasn’t 2,000 years ago either. I have told hundreds of people over the years that they will have to forgive someone and bless them instead of retaliating. No one ever answered, “Oh boy, that sounds like fun.” But over time, God can cleanse you of the urge to retaliate as a first response.

I have had to work on this myself because I grew up with a hidden anger. I still have incidents where my first thought is to strike back. But I have come a long way and now have far fewer times when that anger develops. For me, it took the love of God being poured into me. I had to really, really think, think, think, and internalize that I am loved and accepted. My mind had to be “transformed.” That’s because my problem wasn’t with resenting other people, it was more about my struggle with self-acceptance. Here’s what the Apostle Paul said about mind transformation:

“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.” (Romans 12:2a NLT)

Another verse that influenced me was Romans 8:1, “So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.” Think of this in law enforcement terms. When I gave my life to him, I was transferred into his custody, thus no other agency can undo God’s authority over me. The worldly court of condemnation could accuse me of being guilty of violating one of their standards. And indeed, I might be guilty of that infraction. But the world court doesn’t get to try my case, it has no jurisdiction or authority over my spirit.

I am in God’s custody. I am free from the spiritual/emotional backlash of this world. I can no longer be tried in Satan’s court. In God’s court, I am forgiven and have already been declared righteous. Does that cause me to be proud? No … not proud, but humble. Does that make me want to get away with wrongdoing? No … it makes me want to please God and to walk a higher path. And when someone insults me, I’m not much interested in engaging in battle. I am free.

If you really internalize this ownership of your life by a loving God, and it goes way down into the depths of your soul, then retaliation against offenses no longer makes sense. Wouldn’t it be great to read that Bible verse above … “Don’t retaliate, pay back with a blessing” … and say to yourself, “I can do that!” And, indeed, it will become your new way of life.

Blessings,

Chaplain Mark