Month: May 2023

God‘s timing is always perfect. It never ceases to amaze me. He always seems to send somebody just at that “right” moment. The last two days, I have had veterans that I’ve been blessed to be able to work with, send me messages of gratitude. Messages like this motivate me. Humble me. Keep me going. One of them I met two years ago. We developed a bond that was pretty instant. Last year he went into a really dark time. Demons were attacking him. He didn’t even look the same. We surrounded him with love and prayer. Part of this text to me Monday was simply a photograph of him. Smiling. Saying that he loved me. The messages from the other veterans were similar in nature. Their timing couldn’t have been better. God‘s timing couldn’t have been better. Let me explain. 

God puts us into positions where we can best serve him. He puts us into places where our skills and our talents can show others who he is. Whether we are laborers, managers, counselors, owners, or something else. Doesn’t matter. Our talents are to be used to serve him. Sometimes, the roles that we are put in come with attacks. Attacks on what we are doing. And attacks on us personally. The latter happened to me Sunday. Without going into great detail, let’s just say that it hurt me. First it shocked me. Then it hurt me. I will not deny it. And I understand that the role that I’m in comes with attacks like this. But, I feel the hedge of protection around me. Around the ministry. And that hedge went to work the last couple days.

I know that most of us, if not all of us, realize the importance of surrounding ourselves with people who care about us. People who celebrate our victories. People who will be there for us when we are suffering. And people who are not afraid to hold us accountable. That is part of being part of God’s family. I love the saying: “Surround yourself with people who will brag about you, and fight for you, when you’re not in the room.” There is so much truth and wisdom in this statement. We should love one another enough to do all of these for each other. If you’re reading this today, know that I view you as part of our family. And know that I value your accountability of my actions.

Scripture warns us about succumbing to temptation. Temptation can include retaliation. That would’ve been easy to do. Scripture also tells us to help others the best that we can. To carry their burdens. To bless them just as God will bless us. And that is what happened from the messages that I received. 

I’m aware that I talk about Coach Armstrong a lot when I write these devotions. I do so because we had so many conversations that had life lessons in them. Many times they were very challenging. Just the way he meant them to be. Things that will always stick with me. Things that I hope that my children and grandchildren will learn as well. Obviously, I try to live by the ideals that we talked about. I try to walk daily on those. One thing that really stuck out to me hopefully will resonate with you as well. We were talking about how we are called to serve and to tell others about Jesus. And he said to me something along these lines. Can you imagine going to heaven and along the way people that you know, and are in hell, are saying to you, “Why didn’t you say anything?” Holy cow!

At church this past Sunday, the message really put this into perspective. Here is a quote that was mentioned: “The gospel is not good news if it does not get there in time.” I hope this is hitting home. Because this puts the burden on us. The burden is for us to tell others the good news. To tell others about Jesus. We can ask God to send someone. We can ask him to intervene. And his response can be simply that he sent us. He did send somebody. Us! That means you and me. People that don’t know Jesus, are not going to know Jesus, unless we tell them about Jesus. Read that again. We cannot expect them to find out who he is if we don’t tell them. Think about yourself. How did you find out about Jesus? Did you just bump into it? I think not.

The Bible tells us that there’s one way to the Father. That there is one way to our Father. And that is through Jesus. There’s no way around that point. The path goes through Jesus. So let’s not assume that people we talk to know him. Let’s not assume that they have heard the gospel. The good word. Instead, let’s assume that they don’t know Jesus. Let’s assume that they have not heard the gospel. Let’s assume they have not heard the good word. And let’s be the ones to have the strength to tell them. And let’s view it not as a burden, but as a blessing. A blessing getting to tell others. I know this is easier said than done. I know this is easier to read about than it is to put into action. I get it. I am still working on having the strength. The confidence. So let’s work on this together. And if you don’t know Jesus, let’s talk. Let’s help you develop a relationship with him. Let’s make sure that you hear the good word. And let’s make sure that you’re not one of those people that are asking: “Why didn’t you say anything?”

Today is Memorial Day. Today is the end of a three day weekend. The end of a holiday. Today is the day symbolized as the beginning of summer. Today, many people will stop by cemeteries to place flowers on the graves of loved ones. There’s nothing wrong with any of this. Actually, I think it’s fantastic that we separate this weekend for what it is. But, today has a much greater meaning than any of this. Today is a day we should be remembering those that paid the ultimate price for us. Those that did so, while they served us, without even knowing us. 

The other day I got to go attend a Memorial Day ceremony. The speaker is a retired Vietnam Veteran Marine Colonel. Colonel Jackson. He flew Cobras. He had a pretty amazing and accomplished career. But his message didn’t focus on himself. His message was why we have a holiday called Memorial Day. As it should have been. And he did a great job of explaining. During his message, he told everyone in attendance a story about meeting a woman at the Vietnam War Memorial in Washington DC. The Wall. She was there because her son lost his life in that war. And she was at the portion of the wall with his name on it. Not knowing this, he asked her why she was there. Her response floored him. And it floored everyone at the ceremony when he told us. She answered to him, “I am here because his name is just not a name on a wall.”

Today, as you are celebrating this holiday, remember that. The 50,000+ names on that wall are not just names on that wall. Those names belong to fathers, sons, mothers, daughters, cousins, etc. Those names belong to people who died for us. Paid the ultimate price. The sacrifice. And there’s something else to consider. And not to lessen the soldiers’ names the least bit. But let’s remember another name. The name of the one who paid the ultimate price for everyone on this planet. Let’s remember Jesus. His sacrifice was for the world and everyone in it. Let’s never forget his name. NEVER! And let’s make sure others know his name as well. Let’s make sure they know that it’s not just a name. That it is the name of our Lord and Savior. Now if you don’t mind, let me finish with this. Colonel Jackson said this. Forgive me, I know I will not get it word-for-word. But, he told us that he believes that when veterans arrive at the pearly gates, there will be outstretched arms with nails in the hands. And that the right hand is going to reach down and salute them. Wow! That is awesome. I want to take it one step further. Those outstretched arms with nails and hands are going to both reach down and hug us when the rest of us arrive. Happy Memorial Day. 

This morning is the Sunday of Memorial Day Weekend. The 3 day holiday that we celebrate because we are honoring all the incredibly brave men and women members of our armed forces that we have lost. A time for us to remember their sacrifices. A time for us to remember what their sacrifices have meant to our entire nation. If we look at this holiday in this manner, then we can assure that they will never be forgotten. And that’s powerful. To never be forgotten is so very powerful. 

When I was coaching basketball, we would give a life lesson at every practice. Sometimes as simple as a small statement like: “Prioritize. God. Family. School. Basketball.” Other times we went a bit deeper. Here’s an example. Every year I’d ask the same question at least once. “What will people remember and say about you when you’re gone?” Man, that’s deep. Especially for a teenage boy. After I asked it, I’d add my thoughts on what I think people might have said about me if I had died as a result of my accident. My thoughts are that they would have said things like…”He had potential.” “He could have been a great leader.” “He loved the spotlight.” Nice ways to say I didn’t have my head on straight. My priorities were messed up. And I’m sure there are more things they may have thought. 

So now let’s ask ourselves the same question. Think about what might you be remembered for when your time on earth is up. Each day is one day closer to that time. I know this is a tough and dark topic. But it’s a good point to self analyze. Are you living a life serving others or yourself? Are you living a life of morals or a life of self satisfaction? Are you living a life following Jesus or a life following the world? The last question really is the only one that matters. Because, if we’re following Jesus then there really are no other questions to be answered. No question! So today I’m pleading with you to begin living a life that follows Jesus. Live a life that lets him lead you serving others. Not a life serving ourselves. And don’t do it for recognition. Just do it because we’re called to. If we do this, then when our time here is gone, others will remember us. They will talk about us and ensure that we will not be forgotten. And that’s powerful. 

As I’m writing this, I am wondering about the broken pieces that we have in our lives. The things that caused us harm. Caused us heartache. Maybe some things that you brought on yourself. Maybe some things that someone brought on to you unexpectedly. Or maybe, just maybe, you were the one who caused others to have broken pieces. Maybe you did so without even knowing that you did. Or maybe, you did so knowing what you were doing. No matter what circumstance or situation you fall into, we all have dealt with broken pieces. Either in our lives or in the lives of others that we know.

As we’re thinking about this, let’s also remember that no matter what it is that is broken, God can mend it. No matter what it is that has caused us harm, God can mend it. No matter what it is that has caused us heartache, God can mend it. Broken relationships. Broken spirit. Broken whatever. God can mend all of them. I am a firm believer in this. I have seen it. I have seen it in my life. In the lives of those around me. I have witnessed it firsthand. And I bet many of you have as well. 

One thing that we must keep in mind is that this does not mean that we are going to avoid pain. I’m not talking about physical pain. I am talking about the kind of pain that we feel internally. God mending these for us does not take away the pain necessarily. And I think that is because we can grow stronger going through those. A veteran that I know sent me a video yesterday. In the video of the voice said that he prayed for strength. And that God gave him difficulties to make him strong. And I think that’s an example of God mending the situation. Placing in his life a difficulty for him to go through. Never leaving his side. Leading him through it. Very hard I’m sure. Possibly causing pain. But the result was being stronger. So today, be encouraged knowing that God can pull you through any difficult season that you’re going through. But you must seek him and let him take control.

Yesterday, Barbara and I took all of our grandkids to the Dickerson Park Zoo. Better known as the Springfield Zoo. We enjoy this trip. Trying to make it an annual thing. It was the first zoo experience for our youngest, Liam. The others are zoo veterans now. What’s cool about the zoo is how the kiddos react to seeing the animals. All four of them showed pure joy. It was “real” joy. But, seeing Liam’s face was awesome. Watching him giggle and laugh at all of it. Not many things better in this world than the laughter of a 3 year old grandkid. Especially when it’s a reaction to a first time experience. Actually, not many things better than the laughter of all of our grandkids. Those of you who are grandparents can relate to this I’m sure. 

Now, let’s think about the joy we experienced when we first came to know Jesus. I bet some of us were moved to tears. Or maybe you laughed in excitement. Think about how your lives changed. I remember sitting in my high school coach’s living room. Sitting there talking about that night in 1990. How that one moment changed my life forever. I’ll never forget it. Coach was always black and white with me. He wasn’t concerned about hurting my feelings. Especially, when the topic at hand was of great importance. My salvation being one of those topics. He straight out asked me if I thought I would have gone to heaven if I died that November night. I told him I wasn’t sure. His response: “Well, if you don’t know, then you probably wouldn’t have.” No more important words have ever been said to me. EVER!!!

I asked Jesus into my life that night. January 4, 1992. I immediately felt it. I knew he was there. His presence was there. Not sure if I can explain the feeling. Joy. Happiness. Relief maybe. Maybe all the above. Honestly, all the above and more is more like it. It was my first time experiencing his grace. His hope. His love. It was then that I knew heaven awaited me. And heaven awaits me now. I have had other experiences where I felt those emotions. When I felt the Holy Spirit really working on me. Working in me. And here’s what is even more cool. Everyone of us can have this. Everyone of us can feel these. EVERYONE OF US. That includes you. So if you don’t already, make today the day to come to know him. Welcome him into your heart. If you do know him, maybe you need to try to rekindle the fire. Or maybe try to let the Holy Spirit consume you. Wherever you are in your faith, maybe make today the day.

This world is full of limits. Meaning that we are limited on many things that we can do. Need some examples? Certain venues limit you to one bottle of water upon entry. Sometimes there are limits on things we can purchase that are on sale. Those are put in place to let everyone have an opportunity to purchase certain items. There are limits that are set to control us. Or maybe I should say, there are limits to protect us. Speed limits for example. Sometimes we limit our grandkids on certain things. Like one piece of candy. Point is, there are limits all around us. I’m sure you can think of some.

There is a limit that we sometimes do without even knowing it. Or sometimes we do it knowing what we are doing. That is putting limits on God. We limit areas of our life that we want him to be in. We limit the control over us that he has. We limit the influence he has on our decisions. We put him in a box. One that we can open whenever we see fit. For example, maybe some of us pray for him to help us with something that “we” want. I know I have been guilty of this. I think we do this because we want control. We want to be the decision makers in our lives. This one might hit home with most of us. Here it is though. Tithing. Do you control how much you tithe? Be honest.

So today, here’s the challenge. Take God out of the box. Let him take control. Let him influence our decisions. Let him have our lives. If we just get out-of-the-way long enough, great things will happen. Let’s remember God is not restricted by anything. Not by time. Circumstances. Pain. Seasons. Nothing can control God. Unless we decide to not let him take control. No matter what we face. No matter the ups and downs we go through. God is not restricted by any of these. As a matter of fact, God should be the one restricting us. He should be influencing enough that we make decisions based on our faith in him. Take him out the box. And watch what happens. I promise you this, it will be glorious.

This world is full of limits. Meaning that we are limited on many things that we can do. Need some examples? Certain venues limit you to one bottle of water upon entry. Sometimes there are limits on things we can purchase that are on sale. Those are put in place to let everyone have an opportunity to purchase certain items. There are limits that are set to control us. Or maybe I should say, there are limits to protect us. Speed limits for example. Sometimes we limit our grandkids on certain things. Like one piece of candy. Point is, there are limits all around us.  I’m sure you can think of some. 

There is a limit that we sometimes do without even knowing it. Or sometimes we do it knowing what we are doing. That is putting limits on God. We limit areas of our life that we want him to be in. We limit the control over us that he has. We limit the influence he has on our decisions. We put him in a box. One that we can open whenever we see fit. For example, maybe some of us pray for him to help us with something that “we” want. I know I have been guilty of this. I think we do this because we want control. We want to be the decision makers in our lives. This one might hit home with most of us. Here it is though. Tithing. Do you control how much you tithe? Be honest. 

So today, here’s the challenge. Take God out of the box. Let him take control. Let him influence our decisions. Let him have our lives. If we just get out-of-the-way long enough, great things will happen. Let’s remember God is not restricted by anything. Not by time. Circumstances. Pain. Seasons. Nothing can control God. Unless we decide to not let him take control. No matter what we face. No matter the ups and downs we go through. God is not restricted by any of these. As a matter of fact, God should be the one restricting us. He should be influencing enough that we make decisions based on our faith in him. Take him out the box. And watch what happens. I promise you this, it will be glorious. 

Yesterday we talked about pursuing just to be pursuing. Getting caught up in the pursuit. Losing sight of why we are pursuing God. Losing sight of our purpose. When we do that, we can totally miss the point of being called to serve our Lord and Savior. It’s easy to get lost in this. Because, it’s exciting to be “doing” things for God. And it’s easy to think that the more we are “doing”, the more we will be in good favor with God. There’s a real danger here though. Some thing that can sneak up on us without realizing it. 

This might be hard for me to explain. But please give me a moment here. What can happen is that we can get to the point that we burn out. Not even knowing it. We simply burn out. That happens because we might think that God is guiding us. But our own personal desires have actually taken over. Pursuing to be pursuing. And that’s not good. That’s why I always challenge us to keep God in focus. To keep him in our sites. To let him lead us. There is nothing wrong with doing more for God. There’s nothing wrong with serving as many people as we can. But the key is to make sure that we are always trying to show his grace.  

Each day it is a grind in this world following Jesus. Each day we wake up to battle what the world throws at us. What the world throws at everyone. And it can take its toll on us. God does not want us to become weary in our pursuit of him. He doesn’t want us to become weary in doing good. Because he knows that our efforts can lead others to his glory. He can use us in this manner. So today, don’t focus on the pursuit. Focus on being obedient to God. Put your focus on honoring God. And not just today. Make it every day. And when you feel the load becoming too heavy, lean on God more than ever. Let him carry you. Let him guide you. And remember this, resting is different than giving up. God will help us rest. And then he will help us move forward as well.

I try to wake up each morning and type these devotions on my phone. I try to make the first thing that I do is read the word of God. It really is pretty incredible when you think about it. That we have the technology to pick up a phone and find the Bible at our fingertips. Very convenient. It’s an amazing tool at our disposal. To help us build our relationship with God. But, I think we can all agree that we live in a very fast paced world now. And I believe that it’s going to continue to speed up. There’s nothing wrong with living in a fast-paced world. As long as we can maintain control over what we are allowing to “control” us.

We are called to pursue God. To pursue him in all that we do. But sometimes, we can get caught up in the pursuit. We find ourselves bouncing from one pursuit to another pursuit. We find ourselves pursuing just to be pursuing. Getting caught up in the chase. If we do that, we can lose track of why we are to pursue God. We can lose track of the true purpose. And that is easy to do. Because there’s so much going on. So much information coming at us. So many opportunities for us to pick from. And if we’re not careful, we can easily grow tiresome. Fear not though. If you find yourselves in the situation, there’s still hope.

Maybe you are holding on too much. Trying to have too much control. Trying to dictate what happens. Maybe you can’t let go. Or possibly, maybe you’re not letting yourself let go. when you get to the point where you’re exhausted, sit back. Focus on God. Let him dictate what happens next. Let him help you get re-focused on your purpose. Let him help you prioritize what you need to be doing for him. Let him control the outcome. Let this be a time where you truly find yourself in his grace. Take it all in. Feel his love. Feel his hope. Feel his power. And then get back in the game. But always strive to keep your focus on him.