Step One

There is a saying that "A journey of 1000 miles begins with the first step." Actually there is a first step for each of us as we begin our life's journey. The beginning is physical birth. There is also a first step on the journey to heaven. In order to have spiritual life, one must have a spiritual birth. That's what Jesus was telling Nicodemus when He said, "You must be born again." The journey to heaven begins with spiritual birth. Without it, people remain helpless sinners with a hopeless future. Romans 6:23 tells us, "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."

There is a second step that makes the journey of life much more exciting and rewarding. That step is called "the Lordship of Christ." It's a matter of committing your life completely into His keeping, placing it totally under His direction and supervision.

No one can tell you how wonderful it is to have grandchildren. You must experience it for yourself to really believe how gorgeous, how brilliant, and how much fun they are and how much you love them. No one can tell you how amazing it is to experience the abundant life which Jesus gives us when we are committed totally to Him. You must experience it for yourself to realize how incredible and delightful it is to walk hand in hand and step by step with Him all along life's journey. The psalmist challenges us, Psalm 34:8, to "Taste and see that the Lord is good." As the children's blessing reminds us, "God is great. God is good."

Father, You are a great and mighty God, and yet You are so personal and loving and caring and good to each of us. Thank You. Amen.

Life's Little Frustrations

The traffic light ahead is green.

I carefully survey the scene.

I drive along with cautious dread.

When will that traffic light turn red?

Oh, no, it's yellow--what to do?

Slam on my brakes or speed on through?

A Time to Go

Ecclesiastes 3:1, "There is a time for everything, a season for every activity under heaven."

There are times to pray. There are times to plan. And then there are times to go, to carry out the plans that God has revealed.

Eagles don't fly by flapping their wings. They hold out their wings, catch the air currents, and soar on the wind. We as Christians do a great deal of wing flapping to little avail when what we need to do is catch the current of the Holy Spirit and soar on His power.

The Holy Spirit is moving in very exciting ways, in the church and in the world. Do you want to have a part in what God is doing? Why don't you catch one of His currents and soar aloft to see what wonderful things God will do in and through your life?

Isaiah 40:31, "But those who wait on the Lord will find new strength. They will fly high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint."

Father, may I fit into Your plans. Use me whenever and wherever and however You will. May Your Holy Spirit always be the Wind beneath my wings. Amen.

Life's Little Frustrations

I dial the phone, and in answer these are the words I hear,
"Press one for ---------, press two for --------," and I just think, "Oh, dear!"
I don't want option one or two or even three or four.
I need a different alternative, but they don't offer any more.
Now what to do? I know I need to make some kind of choice.
What would I give if I could hear someone's human voice?!

Child-Like Faith

Luke 18:16-17, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it."

What are children like? What child-like qualities do people need in order to receive the kingdom of God as a child? Unless children have a good reason not to do so, they place implicit trust, complete faith, in the adults who care for them. That faith is simple, straight-forward, uncomplicated, and enduring. They don't worry but believe that the ones who love them will also protect them and provide for them.
Children enjoy simple pleasures. They just want to hang out with the loving adults in their lives, to spend time with them. It's so much fun to see the world through the eyes of a child because they feel and express so much awe and wonder at God's creation. Things that we overlook, like rocks, bugs, worms, butterflies, four leaf clovers, and bird feathers, are newly discovered treasures to them.
If you have ever made a promise to a child, you know that the child absolutely expects you to keep that promise no matter what. We have probably all heard a child wail in disappointment, "But you promised me!"
Some people have been raised in the care of untrustworthy adults, people who were negligent or abusive. Even if this is so, all Christians have a heavenly Father who can be trusted completely. Do you have implicit faith in the love, protection, and provision of your Heavenly Father? Do you spend time just "hanging out" with Him, reading His Word and pouring out your heart to Him in prayer? Do you regard Him and His creation with awe and wonder? Do you claim His promises, knowing you can trust Him to fulfill every single one? Do you live in such a way that makes it easy for the people who know you to trust their Heavenly Father?

Father, may I represent You well in the world so that all who know me will be encouraged to trust and love You. Amen.