Tag: Wisdom

Today’s Word Is PROPER

FINAL ISSUE
Fri-Jul-24-2020
It’s Humor Day!

At the conclusion of the sermon, the worshipers filed out of the sanctuary to greet the minister. As one of them left, he shook the minister’s hand, thanked him for the sermon and said, “Thanks for the message, Reverend. You know, you must be smarter than Einstein.” Beaming with pride, the minister said, “Why, thank you, brother!”

As the week went by, the minister began to think about the man’s compliment. The more he thought, the more he became baffled as to why anyone would deem him smarter than Einstein. So, he decided to ask the man the following Sunday.

The next Sunday he asked the parishioner if he remembered the previous Sunday’s comment about the sermon. The parishioner replied that he did. The minister asked: “Exactly what did you mean that I must be smarter than Einstein?”

The man replied, “Well, Reverend, they say that Einstein was so smart that only ten people in the entire world could understand him, but I’m pretty sure that for you, it would be less than that.”

Hmmmm … I hope that doesn’t apply to me! Although, I have wondered at times if what I was saying made sense!

And now for the verse of the day …

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” (Galatians 6:9)

In the world of gardening, there is a certain predictability to planting a certain type of seed and knowing how long it will take to break the ground and become fruitful.

In the kingdom, seeds are being planted as well. We invest in the lives of people by “doing good.” These words and acts of kindness are like planting seeds of faith, hope, love, and joy into the lives of people. The reason we don’t want to give up on someone is because it is not predictable how long it will take the seed to sprout and grow. Everyone has a timetable that only God knows.

After planting some seed corn, there is a “proper time” for a green blade of the soon-to-be cornstalk to break the surface of the ground. Depending on the outdoor temperature, it could take anywhere from 5-14 days. If it has been two months since you planted it … well … it’s not going to happen.

In the natural world, we can know the “proper time.” In the spiritual world, God knows.

So … as for the people we invest in by planting seeds, we cannot give up, because only God knows why it is taking longer than we had hoped. A friend of mine tells the story of his 88-year old father coming to the Lord after decades of prayer by various family members. Now he is thankful he continued to pray and wait, never giving up.

Of course, we should not assume that this verse is only about salvation issues. It is about many, many things. It is about the next breakthrough in the life of a family member … or the success of the ministry you are involved in at your church … or the accomplishment of a vision that God has laid on your life … or the lifting of a burden that is causing great sacrifice and hardship. Do not let yourself become weary. There is a “proper time” in which the Lord does all things.

And so, it is that a “proper time” has arrived for me. The adventure of writing daily devotions has been a fulfilling journey for me. I thought I would be doing this for years to come, or at least that was my plan. But the Lord has something new in mind for me, though I am not fully aware of what it is.

I pray that something I have shared of the Gospel and of myself has touched your life and moved you forward in your faith … or perhaps even helped to launch your journey of faith in Christ. I thank you for your comments and encouragement.

“The Lord bless you and keep you;
The Lord make His face to shine upon you,
And be gracious unto you;
The Lord lift up His countenance upon you,
And give you peace.” (Numbers 6:24-26)

Blessings,

Chaplain Mark

Today’s Word Is CONTEND

Thu-Jul-23-2020

If you are angry or upset with God or disappointed in him, perhaps you should go ahead and say so directly to him. He already knows, but still wants you to say it. He can deal with it and still love you. Nothing you or I can say is going to knock God off His throne or cause him to forsake or abandon us.

In a movie entitled The Apostle, Robert Duvall stars as a charismatic Pentecostal preacher named Euliss F. “Sonny” Dewey. Sonny has some quite interesting prayer time discussions with the Lord. One evening company dropped by to visit his home, where he lived with his mother. Sonny could be heard upstairs carrying on with a raised voice, and so the guest asked his mother what this was all about. “That’s my son, that is,” Momma says. “I’ll tell ya: ever since he was an itty-bitty boy, sometimes he talks to the Lord and sometimes he yells at the Lord. Tonight, he just happens to be yellin’ at him.”

Eventually, if we contend with God long enough, we will have to face the fact that his nature is not going to change. And neither is he likely to change His approach when we are caught making “demands” rather than “requests.” You might point out that Jacob wrestled with an angel and “demanded” a blessing, which he did receive. But also remember that he walked with a hip out of joint and a limp from then on. When we contend with God, the condition of our heart is revealed. Some of us who think we are reenacting Jacob’s wrestling match and demanding a blessing may actually just be having a temper tantrum. There is a difference … one God-centered … the other self-centered.

As we contend with God, He will love us and love us some more and love us even more, even though we are dissatisfied with the unfair things that happen to us. We do the same thing with our children, don’t we? Sometimes, when there is a great disappointment or hurt, the only thing we can do is hold the child until they are comforted by our arms of love and their heart connects to ours.

And so it is with God when he comforts us. But what shall we expect if we proceed with a lengthy temper tantrum (sometimes measured in years) in which we are trying to outlast God and force Him to act like we want Him to? He is fully capable of outlasting us every time, until we come to Him humbly and say, “I need You.” His desire to grow us up through difficulties into full maturity works in tandem with his desire to comfort us, and both have their place.

It is interesting how a child who finally gives in and lets themselves be comforted by us, can so quickly “feel better” and jump up to the next activity. And so with us, once past our stubbornness, it is sometimes amazing how quickly we see the way forward and He works things out for us … his way.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 28:11-13)

Blessings,

Chaplain Mark

Today’s Word Is UNSHAKEN

Wed-Jul-22-2020

I hate putting my time or money into something that ends up not being worth it. A couple of years ago my wife and I were doing some painting inside the house. We ordered this great sounding device that was supposed to make trimming a cinch. Well … upon arrival of the product, we discovered that the quality of the gadget was significantly lower than the quality of the idea. In short, it was not worth using.

Suffice it to say that whatever we invest our time and money in does not always turn out to be worth it. Teaching the lesson of unreasonable expectations to the children in the family takes patience. When my sweet mother-in-law was raising my wife and her two siblings and one of them made a request for something that was “not gonna happen” … she would chuckle and say to them, “Yea, and people in jail want out!”

There is no guarantee you will get what you want. There is always a risk that some things you purchase are a waste of money. And sometimes the places you want to go or the things you want to do are not going to work out.

There is, however, something of a spiritual nature that has a trustworthy guarantee.

Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe; … (Hebrews 12:28)

This “kingdom that cannot be shaken” is worth trading everything we are and all we have in order to live in it. In a world in which many people get upset at the things that don’t work like they’re supposed to, the only thing I know of that comes through 100% of the time is the grace of God poured out on us in this “kingdom that cannot be shaken.”

In all my years of adulthood, I can’t think of a single person who ever came back to me and said they were disappointed in the life of faith offered to them through Jesus Christ. This is based on those who were “all in” for the kingdom.

For those who were just trying to “fit God into their schedule,” it seemed to me that they didn’t want to be “in” this kingdom, but just visit occasionally. In that case, God is not really your king. Those folks were frequently disappointed.

I am thankful that there is a “kingdom that cannot be shaken” offered by grace to all of us, in which the warranty never runs out. I’m all in for that! And good news … living in this unshaken kingdom also means that when the events of this life try to rock my world, I can remain personally unshaken because of the unshakable foundation of this kingdom in which I dwell.

If you or someone you know is holding out looking for a sure thing to commit to, hold back no longer. And when you take the leap, you will discover that this is not just an idea, it is a Person, the Creator himself, drawing you into a deep, loving relationship that far exceeds expectations … it will produce a sense of “reverence and awe” within you.

King David was all in, saying, “I lift up my eyes to the hills— from where will my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. He will not let your foot be moved …” (Psalm 121:1-3a)

This seems strange to say, but I have been shaken up a few times in my life, and yet remained unshaken, because God absorbed the shaking.

Blessings,

Chaplain Mark

Today’s Word Is SERENITY

Fri-Jul-17-2020
It’s Humor Day!

I hope you have heard of the “Serenity Prayer,” which is something worth posting on your mirror, bulletin board, or refrigerator.

First, I will give you a humorous remake called the “Senility Prayer” (author unknown), which applies to the aging process and how to deal with people whom you like or do not like. This is helpful for people of my age … ha-ha-ha …

THE PRAYER OF SENILITY
God grant me the senility
to forget the people I never liked anyway,
the good fortune to run into the ones I do,
and the eyesight to tell the difference.

The original “Serenity Prayer” was written by Reinhold Niebuhr (1892-1971), an American Reformed theologian, author of books on ethics and other topics, commentator on politics and public affairs, and professor at Union Theological Seminary for more than 30 years. Many groups, such as Alcoholics Anonymous, use the shortened version of his “Serenity Prayer,” (the first four lines) as a theme or tool of encouragement.  The full version goes like this …

THE PRAYER OF SERENITY

God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.

Living one day at a time;
enjoying one moment at a time;
accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
taking, as He did, this sinful world
as it is, not as I would have it;
trusting that He will make all things right
if I surrender to His Will;
that I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with Him
forever in the next.
Amen.

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

Chaplain Mark

Today’s Word Is ASSUMPTIONS

Fri-Jun-26-2020

The newly promoted department manager decides to float around the mass of cubicles surrounding his new office and let his new employees know that he is here and ready to take charge. Most everyone seems to be busy, except across the room he spots a guy leaning up against one of the cubicles. There is obvious casual conversation taking place, so Mr. New Manager decides he will let his new workers know what he expects in the way of productivity.

He strides up and says, “Young man, you need to get back to work instead of wasting your time.”

The fellow replies, “Whatever you say, man. Just getting in a little chit-chat time.”

Mr. Manager is appalled at the attitude. “Young man, how much money do you make a week?”

Undaunted the fellow looks at him and replies, “I make about $450 a week. Why?”

The manager reaches into his pocket, takes out $450 and says, “Here’s a week’s pay! Now GET OUT and don’t come back!”

Feeling rather good about his first firing, he looks around and sees several people with mouths and eyes wide open. “Does anyone want to tell me what that goof-off did here?” he asks. And someone toward the back of the room mutters, “He delivers pizza from Dominoes.”

Oops …

This verse might apply … “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” (Proverbs 16:18)

One thing pride does to us is to fool ourselves into thinking we know more than we do. We sometimes come up with false assumptions and then proceed to act on them. I have heard it said … “Engage your brain before opening your mouth!”

There are thirty-six Proverbs about the use of the mouth and the things we say, like this one: “The mouths of fools are their undoing, and their lips are a snare to their very lives.” (Proverbs 18:7)

I have said some pretty foolish things along my way in life, but I’m learning how to think before speaking. Something that helped me was to embrace God’s acceptance of me. Thus, when I don’t know something, I can say, “I don’t know.” There’s nothing wrong with that. And if I do say something presumptive or foolish, I can say, “Oops, I’m sorry. I got that wrong. My apologies. Help me get this straightened out.”

There’s always more to learn!

Blessings,

Chaplain Mark

NOTE: The BEMA Podcast is a great Bible Study tool from a Messianic Jewish perspective, which I highly recommend. It is a long-term study which will increase your understanding of the Scriptures in a new and deeper way. You can also get it on your other devices by going to the Google PlayStore or Apple App Store.

Today’s Word Is TRUTH

Thu-Jun-25-2020

This coming Sunday marks the 4th anniversary of the death of well-known Tennessee Women’s Basketball Coach Pat Summitt. Her premature death was due to early onset Alzheimer’s Disease. If you recall, I quoted her just recently in a devotion called “Today’s Word Is Team.”

Here is another great quote from Coach Pat Summitt:

“The absolute heart of loyalty is to value those people who tell you the truth, not just those people who tell you what you want to hear. In fact, you should value them most. Because they have paid you the compliment of leveling with you and assuming you can handle it.” – Pat Summitt

If you are going to value those friends who tell you the truth, you will need to value yourself first. And you can do that because God values you first and most.

If you do not accept and value yourself, you will not be able to …

  • Properly value those who are honest with you,
  • Handle the truth when it is painful,
  • Speak the truth to others without flinching,
  • Care about and value friends enough to speak the truth openly.

The Apostle Paul talks about “speaking the truth in love.” It takes maturity to do that. Some folks think that they should just “tell it like it is,” but end up leaving a trail of wounded people. While others think that their job is to soothe people, to the extent that they don’t “level” with anyone because it might “hurt” them.

Somewhere in the middle of that is “the way.” If someone who cares about you tells you a painful truth, then as Coach Summitt says, they have actually paid you a compliment … they believe in you, that you can hear what is difficult to hear and be able to “handle it.” And not just be able to handle it, but to be inspired by it, challenged to change, to grow, to improve, to succeed. And as Coach Summitt also says, if you can find someone who will treat you that way … both truthful and caring … you should value that person with your loyalty.

“… but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ …” – Apostle Paul (Ephesians 4:15)

As Paul points out, Jesus was the best at doing this … at speaking truth, and at loving others. It should cause us to want to “grow up” to be like Jesus, who is the head of our faith.

Carry this thought with you always … “Speak the truth in love.” You will know you are fulfilling this Scripture when you can do this without unnecessarily hurting others while you love them enough to speak to them the truth they need to hear.

Sometimes people get hurt by the truth. But hurt is not always a bad thing. It is through processing the hurts in life that we grow. They will make you “bitter” or “better” … your choice. But our reaction need not be to blame the person who had the courage to tell us the truth we needed to hear. Rather our response should be to turn to God in humility and ask how we may use this opportunity to grow forward into Him.

Good stuff!

Chaplain Mark

NOTE: The BEMA Podcast is a great Bible Study tool from a Messianic Jewish perspective, which I highly recommend. It is a long-term study which will increase your understanding of the Scriptures in a new and deeper way. You can also get it on your other devices by going to the Google PlayStore or Apple App Store.

Today’s Word Is ANYWAY

Wed-Jun-17-2020

You may have seen this before, but it is worth rereading occasionally, just as a reminder.

The Paradoxical Commandments

by Dr. Kent M. Keith

People are illogical, unreasonable, and self-centered. — Love them anyway.

If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish ulterior motives. — Do good anyway.

If you are successful, you will win false friends and true enemies. — Succeed anyway.

The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow. — Do good anyway.

Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable. — Be honest and frank anyway.

The biggest men and women with the biggest ideas can be shot down by the smallest men and women with the smallest minds. — Think big anyway.

People favor underdogs but follow only top dogs. — Fight for a few underdogs anyway.

What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight. — Build anyway.

People really need help but may attack you if you do help them. — Help people anyway.

Give the world the best you have and you’ll get kicked in the teeth. — Give the world the best you have anyway.

© Copyright Kent M. Keith 1968, renewed 2001

Here are some related Scripture verses.

And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. (Galatians 6:9)

“… doing the will of God from the heart, with goodwill doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men, knowing that whatever good anyone does, he will receive the same from the Lord, …” (Ephesians 6:6b-8a)

For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men. (1st Peter 2:15)

And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled. But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed. For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. (1st Peter 3:13-17)

Blessings Always!

Chaplain Mark

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 INQUISITIVE

Fri-May-22-2020
It’s Humor Day!

As we get ready to celebrate Memorial Day and to honor those who have served our country through military service, I share with you a bit of humor.

One Sunday morning, the pastor noticed young Alex was staring up at a large plaque that hung in the foyer of the church. The plaque was covered with names, and small American flags were mounted on either side of it.

Seven-year-old Alex asked, “Pastor McGhee, what is this?”

“Well, son, it’s a memorial to all the young men and women who died in the service.”

Little Alex got a worried look and in an inquisitive voice asked, “Which service, the 9:00 or the 11:00?”

Children like to ask questions. So did Jesus. When he was twelve years old, his family made their annual pilgrimage to Jerusalem for the Passover feast with their extended family. At the conclusion they left for home, thinking that Jesus was in the group somewhere. But after searching for him during the first day, his parents returned to Jerusalem to see if he had stayed behind and gotten lost.

After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. And when his parents saw him, they were astonished. And his mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been searching for you in great distress.” And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” (Luke 2:46-49)

There is always something to learn in the Kingdom of God. And even as a twelve-year-old, Jesus loved talking about his Father’s business and seeking greater understanding. Yes, Jesus had things to learn. We understand that he was the Son of God and the only perfect person, but his need to learn as he grew up is based on our doctrine that Jesus emptied himself of his equality with God in order to live among us as a man, fully God in origin, but fully a servant of God in the likeness of man.

Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. (Philippians 2:5-7)

At age twelve he already understood that God was his Father, and God’s house was his true home. Twelve was the age at which a child became an adult in their tradition, and their focus was now on learning and growing in the image of the Father. So, Luke says at the end of this story, “And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.” (Luke 2:52)

That is a great statement for us to embrace for our focus as believers.

I hope you attend services somewhere this weekend, as you continue to grow in wisdom and understanding and in favor with God and man.

Giving thanks this weekend for those who died in service to our country,

Chaplain Mark

Today’s Christmas Word is … EXTRAORDINARY

Daily Devotion for Tue-Dec-24-2019

Today’s Daily Devotion is about Joseph’s journey from ordinary to extraordinary.

God already knew that Joseph had the makings of an extraordinary person, but my guess is that the folks in Nazareth probably thought of both Joseph and Mary as rather ordinary people. One passage that makes me think this is something that occurred years later during Jesus’ ministry …

Matthew 13:54 Coming to his hometown, [Jesus] began teaching the people in their synagogue, and they were amazed. “Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers?” they asked. 55 “Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Isn’t his mother’s name Mary, and aren’t his brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas? 56 Aren’t all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?”

In the eyes of the townspeople, this whole family seemed ordinary. But it was this chosen family that nurtured Jesus just the way God needed. Isn’t it interesting that the Holy One of God had been raised in what seemed like an average family? Obviously, the neighbors didn’t have a clue what was happening!

Perhaps if Joseph had been mayor of the town, or a rabbi at the synagogue, the locals might have seen things differently, but instead he was thought of as just the town carpenter. But God had a plan and had been guiding Joseph on a journey from ordinary to extraordinary. This included playing a key role in the family. Although Joseph was not the “natural” father of Jesus, he was nevertheless the leader of the family in the Jewish tradition. And this was critical in fulfilling God’s purposes.

Going back to the beginning … when Joseph heard of Mary’s pregnancy, and knowing he was not the father, the norm would be to end the engagement. But here was revealed his godly character …

Matthew 1:19  Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.

Notice these words … righteous man … and quietly. This reveals his respect for the faith and his kindness. (Pause to ask if this applies to myself.)

Now it is time for the next step of the journey. Does Joseph know how to listen for guidance?

Matthew 1:20  But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21  She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

The question for Joseph, and us as well, is “are you paying attention to God?” … Because God is going to ask some surprising questions and give some out-of-the-ordinary directions. And if we believe and have the courage, we will respond according to God’s purposes (not our own).

Matthew 1:24  When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. 25  But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.

At this point, Joseph was “all in!” He demonstrated his new willingness to become the extraordinary man God had called him to be when he followed this path … he took Mary on a 97-mile trip to Bethlehem, stayed in a barn, welcomed unexpected visitors, and perhaps the most amazing … when he needed to protect his wife and child from danger …

Matthew 2:13  When [the Wise Men] had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up,” he said, “take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.”  14  So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt …”

Would you concede that God also has you on a journey from ordinary to extraordinary? It’s not about doing something famous necessarily, nor about being widely known and admired. Regardless of how much is built into us, we all pretty much start out as ordinary. The things in between ordinary and extraordinary for Joseph were that he had a basic faith; he was kind toward others; he listened when God guided him; and he did as he was directed, regardless of the difficulty. Thus, he found himself fulfilling the extraordinary life that God had placed within him from the beginning. You can, too!

Blessings,

Chaplain Mark

P.S. I hope you go to a Christmas Eve service!