Never lose hope, it will come

   I remember reading the poems of Langston Hughes as a student. One of them stuck with me, especially after it became the subject of the play “A raisin in the Sun” by Lorraine Hansberry.

  The poem was called “A dream deferred” It asked the question, “What happens to a dream differed, does it dry up like a raisin in the sun?

   The short poem defined the frustrations of the youth of my generation who burned down Watts, rioted after the assassination of Dr. King, shouted Black Power. 

  

We were angry because the dream of justice and equality seemed like a hopeless nightmare.

   Hughes's poem said when hope is lost it may fester like a sore and run, stink like rotten meat or it might explode.

   Today, another generation is angry because of hope deferred, it’s marching and screaming, too.

   As a young man, I found hope in the promises of God. I learned to constantly push to make dreams happen, but despite the frustrations, never lose hope.

  I kept the promise of fulfillment in front of me. I found consolation in Proverbs 13:12 which says, “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.”

   Whatever your dream, don’t lose hope. Keep working to make it happen. 

   If God has blessed it, it will happen.

Auto Correct me, Lord

    I write my thoughts on my cell phone or I pad, but sometimes I notice that my final product is not what I wrote. It appears that my phone has a feature called “auto correct” that suggests the correct spelling of a word and allows me to use the suggestion.
   

AutoCorrect Me, Lord

But sometimes, I notice that even after I have typed correctly what I wanted,  the cellphone changes my word and puts in another. Once I sent a message to a man named Jesse. The message was “Jesse, this is my email address” but Jesse was replaced with Jesus and the message became “Jesus, this is my email address”

   Since the phone, computers, and iPads remember our most used phrases, it assumed that I really want to say, “Jesus” instead of Jesse. Not that time.
  

 As Believers we do have an autocorrect feature, however, He is called the Holy Spirit. He works on our conscience when we know we’ve done wrong and prompts us to correct ourselves.
 

 The prophet asked God to correct him. He said it was a good thing. He said in Jeremiah 10:24, “Correct me, O Lord, but with Justice, not with your anger, or you will bring me to nothing.
 

  We Thank God for the Holy Spirit it corrects us automatically every day and the blood of Christ erases our mistake automatically giving us a clean slate.
  

 Thank God for auto-correct.

The 190 Foot Cross makes travelers look twice

    A few years ago our youth group, on a summer trip, traveled down 1-40 near Groom, Texas and saw an awe-inspiring sight 20 miles outside of the small town.  A giant cross loomed in the air. 
   We stopped when we got there in wonder at this huge 190-foot tall cross that invited truckers and travelers like us to stop and worship while on the road.
   

That Sunday, we did just that. We stopped and worshipped at the foot of that humongous cross.
   In Southwestern Ohio, there is 62 statue of Jesus with his arms lifted up in a pose similar to a referee’s touchdown signal in football.
   The giant Jesus has hands big enough to hold a truck. It has caught the imagination of believers along I-75 because the state reports that the number of highway deaths in that area dropped to zero immediately after the Jesus statue was erected by a local church.
   Jesus and the cross are mysteries to those who don’t believe.
   I doubt that a statue of Christ stops highway wrecks, but I do know that if Christ is lifted up, he will save those who believe in him from their sins.
   It doesn’t have to be 190 feet tall and neither does it need to dangle around your neck, but the cross of Christ, when it is carried in our hearts, reminds us of God’s saving grace.
   We should lift up his name in any way we can like the folks did in Texas. We will reflect Jesus' words in John 12:32 “And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.”
    Like the statue on I-75, Jesus stands in front of us showing us the way to victory over Satan and the problems he causes in our lives.
    It’s up to us to trust him.

Dreaming about riches

 Most of us have dreamed of being rich at one time or another because we connected riches with happiness. We saw ourselves living in big mansions, with swimming pools, cars, diamond rings, gold platted bath tubs, and servants.

My thoughts were altered after I saw a movie about the last man on earth. Everyone on earth had disappeared left him with the best of everything. He had access to fine apartments, suitcases filled with money, and fast cars..everything! He was rich, but he soon tired of all because all of his riches had little purpose. I concluded it was better to be comfortable and living with a purpose than rich and my only purpose is to get richer. Even though we know money can't make us happy, we take every chance we get to be sure. The believer can handle life any way that it is served. If we are rich, we'll serve the Lord, but if we lose it all or never get there we're still happy in the Lord. Happiness is tied to things, but joy comes from inside and is not dependent on things.. It comes from the Lord. Our attitude of joy in any situation is reflected in Philippians 4:12 "I know how to live humbly, and I know how to abound. I am accustomed to any and every situation—to being filled and being hungry, to having plenty and having need." If you measure yourself by the size of your bank account, house or car, you'll always be unhappy. Because we know the Lord, we measure ourselves by our ability to fulfill our life purpose; that gives us joy. Most of us aren't rich, but we look at our families and what they are becoming, we are content that we have successfully accomplished God's will.

Let it go and be at peace

 Two men walked through the woods until they came to a wide river. Each one carried a backpack that contained all of their worldly goods. At the riverside, their feet began to sink in the muddy waters and the weight of their backpacks pushed them further into the mud.

It appeared that they would never cross. As they slid deeper into the mud and drowning became inevitable.

Finally, one man said, let's take off the backpacks and swim for the opposite shore. The other man was reluctant to let go of his backpack because it contained all of the stuff he thought he needed to survive.

Eventually, both men dropped their packs and swam safely to the other side. However, once on the other side the second man complained that he had lost his backpack and all of his stuff; he was very unhappy. The first man said, "Your feet are safely only dry ground and all you can worry about is the stuff that nearly killed you. Be at peace, the stuff you are worrying about would have killed you if you had not let it go."

Are you trying to move to another level but "stuff" is holding you back. Sometimes it might be better to leave it behind, be at peace and be glad you can stand on dry ground.

To be at peace think about 2 Thessalonians 3:16,  "Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you."

If it's dragging you down and has you stuck in the mud, let it go and be at peace.

Don't ring the bell

 In 1997 there was an exciting movie called “GI Jane” that caught the imagination of many people. It featured Demi Moore as the first woman to qualify for the Navy Seals program.

The Seal trainees faced grueling tests of strength and endurance including what’s referred to by trainees as “hell week” in which they had little sleep, ate food from the trash, and faced an exhaustive physical test.

GI Jane won the hearts of the male trainees when she cut her hair like a man, trained like a man, and eventually saved the life of her master Chief.

They tried relentlessly to get her to drop out by ringing a large bell saying she gave up. She refused and became a Navy Seal.

Sometimes life puts all of us through a grueling test of endurance, but we have resolved not to drop out, give up or ring the bell.

That's the message of 2 Chronicles 15:7 But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.

We choose to never give up but trust God.

Don’t give up and don’t ring the bell in defeat.

It's terrible to doubt yourself

  Doubt is a dream killer.  

  How do you expect to accomplish a Godly purpose if you doubt your own ability, even under God's power?

 

Moses told to speak to Pharaoh. It was a simple task, but since he didn't speak well he doubted himself.  He responded to God's command with “What ifs.” What if they don’t believe me? What if they don’t listen to me or laugh at me? He paid more attention to the prospects of failure than he did to the victory. 

  God promised victory, but Moses responded with “buts.” What ifs are victory killers, and zeal quenchers. 

 Philippians 4:6-7 says, “Don’t worry about anything, instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”

  Excuses will relegate us to second best. 

  God uses what we have, and has never demanded from us what we do not have. We will never know the full potential of what can be done until we are willing to offer it to God. God is not looking for excess ability; he is looking for availability.

  Whatever you do, don't doubt what you can do with God by your side.

So many dreams, which one do I pursue?

   Is it possible to have so many dreams that we miss out on the big one trying to chase after every little dream we can think of? 
   Sometimes our real dream can get lost in the shuffle while we are chasing after everything else.
   
Consider the hungry wolf who dreamed of having chicken for dinner. So he watched the hen house carefully and saw all of the fat hens moving around. Finally, he chased after one big fat hen, but just as he was gaining on the hen a rabbit crossed his trail. It was the biggest rabbit that he'd ever seen. He instantly forgot about the Hen who was eluding him and started to chase after the rabbit that seemed bigger and closer. After a few twists and turns, a squirrel appeared in the road. The squirrel was so close that he could touch it, so he changed course and went after the amber little animal. Just as he was about to catch the squirrel, it disappeared. He spotted a rat and chased it for a small distance until the rat ran into a hole.
   As the sun went down he found himself standing outside waiting for a rat to come out. He started out looking for chicken and dumplings and ended the day standing guard over a rat hole!

   Many of us are guarding rat holes when we should be doing much more. Many are satisfied and have lost the desire for dumplings but are content with rat soup.

   Ecclesiastes 5:7 says, For in many dreams and in many words there is emptiness. Rather, fear God.

   Try focusing on your God-given dream rather than chasing every empty one that crosses your path. It's the God-given dream that will fulfill you. The others will be empty.

We moved three times and carried our home with us

 
How many times have you moved? When my wife and I married we lived in a three-room shotgun-style house. 

   Later, we moved to a house with two bedrooms, but the landlord sold the house from under us. We later moved to an apartment that had a few more modern amenities. 

  We moved out of the apartment when the rent increased to $150 a month. I thought that was outrageous. That was 1976. 

  My mother died and we moved in the house she left behind. We've lived in that house for over 40 years, rent-free. 

  I was in my 20s then, young people in their 20s move a lot. Others move, too.

  We all move around a lot. Every if we buy a house, in reality, it's not permanent. One day, we'll leave it behind. 

   Every place we live is like a little condominium or travel inn that we occupy for a while and then leave behind.

  We are on a journey that will take us to who knows where. Jesus said those who trust him will finally have a permanent home with him in heaven. 

 John 14:2 says, “My Father’s house has many mansions . . . . I am going there to prepare a place for you” 

  Whether we live in a shotgun house, a condo, or a mansion, it becomes a home when there is love inside the walls, otherwise, it’s just a house, a place to lay your head.

  We should remember the words of C.S. Lewis who said, “Our Father refreshes us on the journey with some pleasant inns, but will not encourage us to mistake them for home.” 

  Home is where the heart is. Where we live now is just a comfortable rest stop on our way to our real home which is in heaven where we will be with the Lord forever.

My surprise birthday party

   On June 29th, I turned 70 years old. In the week prior to my 70th birthday, I was out of the city with a busload of youth on a learning tour of Louisiana. When I returned home I received a call that a couple who used our church fellowship facility the prior day was creating a scene at the facility. She insisted, they said, that she had another day promised. She brought wedding guests as well, I was told.
   Before I could unpack, I rushed to the facility and was greatly disturbed because there were cars parked everywhere, "This woman has lost her mind," I thought.
  When I walked in the door, I was hit with a giant, "Surprise!"
   They got me!
   There were church members, family, politicians, and friends packed into the facility and big projector on the stage that showed videos tributes from people I have mentored over the years. There was food, laughter, music, and memories.
   God was praised.
   It was the first birthday, I've ever had. Ever.
   Some denominations teach that we should not celebrate birthdays. They note that birthday celebrations are only mentioned twice in the Bible, the Egyptian Pharaoh in Joseph’s time (Genesis 40:20) and King Herod in Jesus’ time (Matthew 14:6; Mark 6:21). Since both these men were non-believers, they think it's wrong to have a birthday party.

   Celebrating birthdays is not prohibited in scripture. If a Christian chooses to celebrate a birthday as a special day, that’s all right; if a believer does not celebrate birthdays, that’s all right, too. Let each be “fully convinced in his own mind.” (Romans 14:5-6)

   It's a matter of choice, but if there is a celebration, it should be done decently and in order in a way that glorifies the Lord.

   They surprised me on my 70th birthday.

   They gave me a party to remember.

   God was glorified.

Lessons from the Cookie Jar

In 1959 I returned to Monroe from Oakland, California after an intermittent two-year stay in the Alameda County home for Delinquents. In California, I was incarcerated at eight years old for burglary and theft. Finally, the courts sent me back to Monroe where I was to live with my dad.

He was always busy with his businesses and I lived in his 20th street house mostly alone. I moved in the house of Mr. and Mrs. Roosevelt Hill, who lived across the street. I moved in, spending the nights frequently and bringing more of my things with every overnight stay.

She noticed that I was obviously trying to move in and she and her husband talked to my dad who gladly gave his permission. 

I had to learn the rules of her house, which were very strict. She showed me the pictures of her three children on the wall. One was a nurse and two were school teachers. She said if I planned to live in her house that I should also plan to go to college, like all of her children.

She also showed me the cookie jar. It was green and yellow porcelain and looked like an oversized ear of corn. She baked fresh cookies regularly and kept the jar filled with oatmeal and peanut butter cookies. At the end of the day, if I didn’t break any rules, my reward was to treat myself with cookies from the jar.

If I broke the rules, I lost my cookie jar privileges and received an additional hour of “reading” as a punishment. (Three hours a day was standard reading time, seven days a week, 365 days a year. That was another house rule). When I broke a house rule she presented me with the “A” volume of the Funk and Wagnalls Encyclopedia which was followed by all of the others as my delinquent behavior continued.

It took two years for me to even slightly reform. When I didn’t earn a cookie, I took one. Each stolen cookie came with a long lecture afterward and another hour of reading. She counted the cookies in the jar, I counted the hours I spent reading stupid books like the encyclopedia.

“Don’t steal, don’t lie and don’t beg. Be a man that pleases God.” That was the lecture, I knew it from memory and could recite it verbatim. After the lecture, she’d hug me and say she expected great things from me. She was the only person close to me that hugged me. My dad never hugged me, I rarely saw my mother even though she was in the same city; she didn’t hug me either. No matter what I did, Mrs. Hill hugged me and said she expected great things from me; but only after I had finished reading.

The jar became more than a cookie container; it was a reminder that even though I was a delinquent I could grow up and do something meaningful if I could make a turn and keep my hand out of the cookie jar.

Since reading was the punishment for stealing cookies or breaking any of her rules

Ethan and Cadence Wright with the Cookie Jar

, I made it to “Z” many times.

When I saw a picture of my grandsons with that Cookie Jar, it brought back memories. I hated that cookie jar, but I loved the cookies. That cookie jar offered a reward but it also meant hours of reading for breaking the rules. As I sat for hours crying and reading, that cookie jar became symbol reward and punishment.

The upside from all of that reading was I began an honor student in the 5th grade at J.S.Clark Elementary although I never really completed the 3rd and 4th grade because I was locked up in juvenile hall. I learned to read well and increased my vocabulary.

I hated the cookie jar because it resulted in many extra hours of torment reading the encyclopedia, the Bible, Life Magazine, Ebony Magazine, Comic Books and the Newspaper.

Now, 60 years later, reading is a habit. On most weeks, I read four books at a time, jumping from one to another. My wife reads, too. 

I hope my grandsons learn the lessons of the cookie jar and develop a taste for reading, too. I’m glad they have the cookie jar and I hope they take of it because it has a lot of significance in our family.

He made me prepare for college, I preached his funeral

I was 14 years old and had no intention of going to college, because nobody in our family ever attended even a day of college. They all worked hard, but college was not in the picture. In fact, I was a C-D student. My favorite classes were lunch break, recess, and school vacations.

I thought college was unnecessary because I didn’t need to go to college to make money. I always found a way to make money. I sold seeds, greeting cards, newspapers, comic books, light bulbs, and pecans. I mowed lawns, raked leaves, shined shoes, wrote plays, and sold them. I had three News-Star paper routes, a News-Leader route and earned $15 a week writing a weekly teen column. College was out of the picture for me. I knew how to make money and it sure wasn’t working a $1.15 cent an hour minimum wage job or sitting in a boring class all day.

However, at Carroll High School, a student like me had no choice, preparing for college was not optional. What was optional were electives. The school wanted every graduate to be prepared for college AND to graduate with a skill that would help them get a job.

The school guidance counselor, Richard Miles chose business electives for me. He said I should go to college and study journalism, theater and the arts, but I was convinced that I wasn’t college material. I was so slow in some classes that when the teacher called my name and announced my grade as “B” I ducked because I thought I would be stung.

Mr. Miles said, “Our job is to prepare you for your future, whether you use it or not. If you choose to be a wine head and sit on the street corner it’s your choice, but Carroll will give you the knowledge needed to stop being a bum, when you get ready, and climb the ladder to success.”

Between 1964-67 I never made the honor roll once, but I was also suspended once for pulling the fire alarm. I was paddled often, frequently sent to the principal’s office, ran away from home, and was the school fool. The senior class had seven homerooms. The smartest students were in division 12/1. I was in 12/7. By all estimates, I wasn’t cut out for college; but the school’s principal Henry Carroll forced me, and others like me, to prepare anyway.

I complained but, Mr. Miles chose business electives for me. I learned to type 80 words a minute on blind keyboards using touch. I had to take Algebra for college prep, but business math and bookkeeping as electives. I was also required to participate in “Junior Achievement” which prepared students to own and operate businesses, manufacture products, sell stock and pay dividends to stockholders. The school taught us that black people should learn to own businesses and provide jobs rather than always looking for a job.

The class that was most challenging was “Gregg Shorthand.” I was the only boy in the class, but I learned it quickly. Each little line meant something and a person who was proficient at shorthand could accurately take notes; there were no tape recorders or cell phone records. I used it to write plays and later to take reporter’s notes, sermon notes and more. The strokes were quick and smooth, but they looked like chicken scratch.

Today, I still use some of the shorthand strokes. I learned in high school. I type 93 words a minute, and I use the business understanding that I learned from high school “Junior Achievement.” I used everything I learned from my business electives over a lifetime and ended up going to college after all; Mr. Miles was right. I eventually earned two degrees from ULM and a Doctorate in Theology.

Today, my longhand and cursive writing looks horrible. Strangely, the scribbled strokes of my high school shorthand still look the same. I went to college and built on the foundation I received at Carroll.

I bless the memory of Mr. Richard Miles. He wouldn’t let me take the easy route.

Many years later, I became his pastor.

I preached his funeral.

My notes for his funeral oration, entitled, “Milestones” were written in shorthand and typed on a word processor at 93 words a minute.

Trump, Cosby, others prove that dark secrets will come to light

    With the recent conviction of Bill Cosby for alleged sexual offenses against a woman several decades ago, attention is brought to Bible truth that dark secrets will one day be revealed.

    The conviction of Cosby, which is being appealed, is highlighted by the fact that 50 women have accused him of virtually the same offense: drugging them and then having sex with them. The fact that these accusations took as long as 40 years to surface disturbs many people, but it highlights a basic Biblical truth: What's done in the dark will come to the light.

    Cosby's name was a shocker to many because of his "Mr. Clean" image derived from "The Cosby Show" reputation being the ideal family man and, "America's Dad." However, he is not alone. Since October of 2017 over 70 high profile men have faced similar charges including Donald Trump, President of the United States; Harvey Weinstein, a powerful movie industry personality; Donovan McNabb, football player; Matt Lauer, the Today Show anchor; Russell Simmons of Def Jam Records, and many more. Most of these men are accused of sexual offenses that were allegedly committed decades ago.

   All of these accusations from decades ago brings to light Luke 8:17, "For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open."

    The accusations against these men were hidden from the public view for many reasons. The general public in King David's time would not have known about King David's dark and sinful activities with Bathsheba had it not been for the fact the Prophet Nathan called him out. Then, the whole story started to unravel: How David had an affair with her, impregnated her, and then caused her husband to be killed in battle to cover it up.

    It was done in the dark, but he came to the light.

    We are not immune. Neither can we point fingers.  All of us have dark secrets we hope stay in the dark and in the past. We would certainly be embarrassed if some of our darkest moments came to light.

    That's why we are thankful that Jesus is forgiving and merciful. He wipes out our indiscretions from God's book and gives us a chance at eternal life. That's the core of our faith. 

    Unfortunately, although our sins may be expunged from God's judgment, the courts of law are not so forgiving; that's what Mr. Cosby and others are finding out.

I Admired Billy Graham

 

  In 1961 I was fascinated with evangelist Billy Graham’s televised crusades. I lived with the Hill family in Monroe, La. and they were very religious, watching the Graham crusade on television was a no brainer.

  It seemed that they were aired on CBS at least twice each year in our community.
  Mrs. Hill sat in front of the television religiously and watched, and so did the rest of her family, me included. Their conversation was about his intelligence, the large crowds and the presence of Negroes in the audience and choir.
  I watched with curiosity. It amazed me that so many people came to his rallies. I was even more amazed that when he gave the invitation that thousands came down to the altar to rededicate their lives to God.

  I first noticed his intelligent presence. He preached in a style that blacks called lecturing. He never yelled, but spoke clearly about Jesus as savior and his willingness to forgive. He offered that forgiveness and thousands accepted.

  I was also Impressed that he included Blacks in his choir and had Ethel Waters to sing “His eye is on the sparrow.” He was was criticized for his integrated crusades but he did not back down.That impressed me.

  I watched all of the televised crusades until they stopped airing them.

  He died in 2018 at the age of 99.
  He made an impression on me that lasted a lifetime.

They drank beer on Sunday, but they were neighborly

  In the late 1980’s my family attended a convention in Richmond, Virginia. We drove a blue Ford LTD that was long past its prime. On the return trip, a stream of white smoke clouded the highway and soon the car just stopped.

  We were a mile from an exit and 20 miles from a hotel. The five of us walked along the highway, passed by hundreds of cars as we walked in the summer heat on a Sunday morning. We looked pretty ragged that day. A man, his wife and three little boys who were dirty, sweaty and tired.

   A church van approached us and the driver asked if we wanted a ride to his worship services. We declined after explaining our situation. They van drove off to pick up worshippers waiting for rides.

   At the exit, in Ladysmith, Va., we were assisted by several men who were drinking alcohol and playing loud music. They put us in their car and carried us 20 miles to a hotel, and then returned and towed our car to their home. They happened to be mechanics.

   We had a blown head gasket, but they stayed up all night long, drinking, listening to loud music and repaired our vehicle. They only charged us for the parts and continued drinking.

   As we pulled away, the church van stopped us and the driver asked whether we had our problem solved. He said, “God bless you,” and then drove away.

   Each time we go in that direction my wife bakes a cake to take to those men, in gratitude for helping us when we were stranded. We never even thought about attending that church.

   Luke 10:29 asks a question, “Who is my neighbor?”

   On that Sunday, when we were in distress, our neighbors were three drinking men who listened to loud music on Sunday, but gave of themselves to help us.
  

She fasted and posted, did she really fast?

  A young woman was concerned with her weight, so she decided to go on a diet. She concluded that fasting at the same time was a “cool” idea. As she fasted she posted to all of her friends on Face book that she was on a 30 day fast. Her posts received hundreds of comments and likes. At the end, she announced she had lost ten pounds and attributed to fasting. She received even more comments and congratulations from her friends!

   The young woman participated in a weight loss regimen,  but it was not a spiritual fast. Fasting means we do without a prescribed diet for the purpose of helping us intensify our spiritual connection with God. Each time we would normally consume the item of the fast, we pray instead.

   The churning in our stomachs reminds us of the yearnings in our soul and keeps us on task.

   Fasting is secret. It is not posted on Face book, Tweeted or announced. It is part of a believer’s prayer life. It is not a weight loss program.

   No one should know that we are fasting by our appearance or communications; that is, if we are really fasting.

   In Matthew 6:18 Jesus says, "That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly."

   The moment we tell someone we are fasting, it loses its power!

I prayed, but I'm still sick

    A young lady stayed absent for church for several months. She refused to worship, read her bible or call on the name of the Lord. She was asked why by friends and she responded that the church lied to her. She said she prayed for her mother’s sickness to be removed and followed all of the rituals and steps in the bible, but her sickness remained. She said, praying, God and faith were a waste of time.

   Believers should understand the nature of our relationship with God. Generally, sickness is related to sin or testing. How do we know which one?

   First, we confess our sins and pray the prayer of faith for forgiveness for those sins. If the sickness persists, then we know that it is not sin based, so we then change our prayer from “forgiveness” to “endurance.” –Lord help me to endure my time of testing.

    James 5:15  And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they  shall be forgiven him.

    Each believer will endure testing periods; those times when everything seems to fail: health, strength, finance, relationships-everything. When test time comes we pray for strength to endure and gain from the situation. That prayer, when prayed fervently and intensely, and in faith, will count heavily toward the desired result.
 
    Those who know they are not practicing sinners, immediately know that they are in a time of testing.

    That’s when they fervently pray for strength to endure.

    The effectual fervent prayer of the righteous availeth much. (James 5:16)

Absolutely 'flicted!

We’ve all seen people that we thought were absolutely “off the chain!” They did and said crazy stuff. The old timers around us had a way of describing erratic, changes in mental or physical health as being “flicted.” It was not proper English, but everyone understood what they meant.

Flicted covered a whole range of problems such as mental instability, foolishness, immorality, bi-polar issues, infidelity, abusive behavior and often physical illness.

When we couldn’t understand why a person with money in his pocket shoplifted from a store, it was described as ‘flicted. The man who had a beautiful loving wife, but felt the need to cheat, could only be described as ‘flicted. Bodily aches and pains and sicknesses were also called, "flictions."

We have a few flictions ourselves, if we tell the truth. We have flictons in our body. Flictions in our heads. Some of us have flicted zippers and skirts.

James 5:13 says people who are ‘flicted should pray that God would help them deal with their fliction-issues. It says, “Is any among you afflicted? Let him pray.” The person who is flicted should pray for him/herself.

In most cases people are so flicted they won't pray for themselves or won’t, so in the meantime those who are affected by the ‘flicted people have to keep praying for them.

The prayers of the faithful can go a long ways.

What if you Never ask?

 Three children stood outside their father’s room and debated with each other. They wanted an increase in their allowance. They did all of their chores, obeyed all of the family rules and always tried to be respectful. They wanted an $1 increase in their weekly allowance, but two of them said it would be a waste of time because the father would probably say no. The third said, “It’s not like we’re going to get a beating for asking, let’s just ask him.” The first two refused, but the third, who was very bold said, “I’ll do it.”

   As the boys went before their father he greeted them with a big hug, and then the third one popped the question. When the father agreed all of them were surprised. The father said, “I decided weeks ago that you should be rewarded with a $2 increase, but decided to wait until you asked.” Then the father said something that they remembered the rest of their lives, “You have not, because you ask not.”

    In Hebrews 4:16 the word of God says, “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”

     It means that we are God’s children, he knows what we need and will help.  We should not be afraid to ask for mercy and for help in time of need. This knowledge helps us to be like the third child. We should bow humbly before the father and boldly plead our case.

     We’ll find out that, in most cases, the help we need (which may be more than what we ask)  is available, just waiting for us to ask.

     We have not because we ask not.

Been there-Done that!

    A man opened a marriage counseling service and hung his many degrees on the wall. He followed all of the protocols for establishing a successful business: he was well financed, advertised, and executed a great business plan. However, after a year in business he only had a few clients. It seemed no one cared. It suddenly dawned upon him that he had the wrong business model. He changed his business to “Divorce Counseling” and his business increased. His business increased because he was now seen as someone’s whose advice could be heeded. He had been married seven times.

    When we are in despair we get our best help from those who understand our dilemma. A cancer victim can find solace in the words of  a cancer survivor. A person who has known the hard life listens to the advice of those who have done the same and rebounded. This is so because they have been in the same position. They can relate.

    In Hebrews 4:15 believers are encouraged to look to Christ for our help because whatever our dilemma, he has faced a similar situation himself. The meat of text says, “but was in all points  tempted like as we are, yet without sin.”

    To be tempted is to be tested in matters of morality, social acceptance, health, financial security, family concerns, dealing with enemies, facing death and other issues of life. Jesus faced them all.

    He could easily say, “I’ve been there-done that and I have the marks to prove it.”

    He will listen when we pray and we will receive an answer. The answer we receive will be from someone who has walked a mile in our shoes. He knows what we are going through.

    An old hymn says, “He knows the pain we feel, he can save and he can heal, take your burden to the Lord and leave it there.”

   When you pray, be assured that God understands and will respond at the appropriate time according to his will.

Ask a favor for Judas, too?

    Have you ever put it all on the line for someone, pleading in their defense or asking a favor for them? If so then, you know what it is to intercede or act as a middle man to help someone.
   There are many who are hired on jobs, get promotions, get scholarships or other opportunities because someone recommended them, pleaded their case or called in a favor to help them. It helps to know someone on the inside.
   In John 17:9 Jesus intercedes on behalf of his 12 disciples, even Judas. He asked God to show them favor because they have been loyal to him. He specifically notes that in this prayer he is not praying for the whole world, but especially for these twelve. (In verse 12 he notes that since  Judas' role was ordained, he doesn't like what the son of perdition is doing, but he prays for him anyway).
   In verse 13 he asks God to give his followers “my joy.”
   His prayer was personal, specific and in line with God’s eternal plan. It asked God to favor his followers to the extent that they put themselves on the line for the cause of the kingdom.
   Like Jesus, we pray intercessory prayers, too. These are not prayers for the world, but for specific people. These prayers are personal and touch the heart. We ask God to favor a friend in need or a hurting family. We ask that an opportunity be made available for a deserving person.
    There have even been times when we asked a favor for someone who hurt us in the past. We followed Christ's example.
    We ask him to give them “The joy of the Lord” for their situation.
    Jesus pleads for us and God shows us favor, often undeserved.
    We should intercede for others, even the Judases in our lives, and ask God to help them know the “Joy of the Lord.”
    Those who know the “joy of the Lord” can pray for Judas, too!

My enemy's enemy is my friend

  There is an old proverb that says, “The friends of my friends are my friends also, and the enemies of my friends are also my enemies, but the enemies of my enemies are my friends.”

  It’s a strange twist of relationships, bedfellows and associates, but it usually proves true. We tend to like the people who are friends with our friends. We are uneasy around people who enemies of our friends and we have a tendency to cozy up to anyone who dislikes the same people we dislike.

  That’s the reason why people who often disagree on one issue may find themselves on the same side if they have a common enemy.

  A children’s song has these lyrics, “The more we get together the happier we’ll be, for your friends are my friends and my friends are your friends. The more we get together the happier we’ll be.”

   In John 17:10 Jesus prays to God for the safety and protection of his friends or disciples. He says, “And all of mine are thine and all of thine or mine; I am glorified in them.” He asked God to consider believers as friends of God because any friend of the cross is a friend to God. In essence he said, “My friends are your friends and your friends are my friends.”

   God showers us with favor and blessings because we love, respect and promote his son. That connection explains how knowing Christ puts us into the fellowship circle of the Creator who is in a position to help us as we help further his kingdom.

   Jesus is our friend.
   Jesus says to God, help my friends by showering them with favor and grace.
   God says, any friend of my son is a friend of mine.

   And the blessings come…

You know him, but does he know you?

     We all know the President and follow the details of his life daily, but do you think that he actually thinks about us personally when he wakes in the morning? What about the governor? Does he wonder about our personal safety and security?
    No one likes to be a faceless name in a crowd with no connection, but that is often the case. The world seems to be filled with big powerful wheels and millions of little wheels that are nice to have but do not really matter.
    A who friend moved to a large city had considered joining a mega-church with 30,000 members. She asked me should she join. I told her she was from a small church where folks knew each other by name. To test how she would fit in I told her to request a meeting with the pastor to discuss her interest. She later called to say that meeting the pastor was not possible, but his assistants met with her. She sensed that if she joined she would be connected to the 30,000 membership, but the leader would not know her name, recognize her in the grocery store or come to her funeral.  (She joined anyway).
    That’s a contrast our bible lesson for today, John 17:9 where Jesus prayed for his 11 faithful disciples. Read what it says, “I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine.”
    Though he was soon to be crucified for the entire world, Jesus in this recorded prayer, prayed for 11 people specifically. He prayed for their protection, understanding, unity and ability to withstand the days ahead.
    He knew them by name. Even though he was concerned about the whole world. He was concerned about them personally because “they are thine.”
     As believers we are connected to God in a personal way. He knows us and thinks about us just as he thought about the eleven during his garden prayer. He meets with us in our moments of solitude, walks with us in our meditation, and is present in our moments of despair. He knows us by  sight, even if we are shopping in the grocery store.
     When we pray, it’s good to know that we have a hookup with a big God, who is not so big that he doesn't know all of us…by name!

I prayed for a new car, but didn't get it! What's up?

     If the bible says all we have to do is ask, seek and knock and we would receive, why is it that we have often asked for things and have not received them?
   Do you remember the job you prayed for or the new car, clothes or that 82” big screen T.V. that was on your prayer list? Why didn’t God keep his promise and deliver our prayer request?
   Our expectation is based on popular notions, but not biblical truth.
   In our lesson for this week Jesus gave his disciples an outline of what to pray for and how to pray. In Matthew 6:9-13 he gives the outline. In Luke 11:1-13 he gives the outline again with a more detailed explanation.
   The idea is to ask for the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives daily, to guide us and protect us from evil and from ourselves.
   It is the Holy Spirit or the presence of God that we should pray for to help us deal with all of life’s issues. He will guide us in the right direction, and help us deal with the issues we face. It is better to pray for God’s presence than a new Xbox or a new refrigerator. We are promised that if we ask or seek the Holy Spirit he will come.
   God can do anything: heal, bless, open doors and provide new refrigerators. We should pray for the Holy Spirit, not for things.
   The idea of asking for things such as cars, new clothes, a fine woman or a super lover is not what is meant by ask, seek and knock.
    Look closely at Luke 11:10 and 13 together and you get clear answer: 10: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. 13. If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?
   Instead of asking God for the Saints to win a football game or for a new fishing pole, the Bible says when we pray we should ask for God’s presence. He heals, opens doors and makes the magic happen in our lives.
   If we ask for him, seek him, or knock on a door looking for him, he will co

Blessed in the Mess

  Have you ever considered  how God blessed you last year in the middle of all the mess that surrounded you?
 

  It was all around you: in your family, at work, at home, in your relationship; it was everywhere.

  Mess.

  Yet, in the middle of that mess God blessed you anyway.

  Luke 6:8 details an instance where a man with a withered hand sat in the midst of many people who called themselves religious, but no one did anything to help him. In that time many believed that withered limbs, leprosy and other abnormal conditions were caused by sin; the victims brought it on themselves. So, no one helped the man with the withered hand, but there were probably many opinions about the cause of his problem.

  In the middle of all of that mess Jesus appeared and told the man to “rise up and stand forth in the midst.” Right there in the middle of the mess that added to the misery of his life, Christ healed him.
  
  He was blessed while still in the middle of his mess.

   Today, we have the same witness. In the middle of our mess, God raises up believers and blesses them right in front of those who doubt our faith.

   Today, as you step forward into the mess the world has created for you, prepare to be blessed!

Let the Haters Talk

Does it bother you that many people watch you every day?

Whether you know it or know there are many people who watch you. Some watch you because they admire you and the keep track of your every move. There are many who track the movements of movie stars and recording artists; they know all about them.  They study them and know them very well. You are not a star, but they track you for the same reason.

However, there are some who watch you for different reasons; they are trying to find a reason to criticize or tear you down.

That’s what is happening in Luke 6:7. The religious leaders were watching Jesus to find a reason to criticize him. They looked for anything they could find to accuse him of wrong doing, even if he healed the sick on the Sabbath.

Jesus was always aware that people watched all he did, so he chose his words carefully, but remained true to his calling.

We should remember that we can’t stop people from watching us, but we can control what they see. Let’s follow Jesus’ example and choose our words carefully and act responsibly, so when our critics report our activities or “hate” on us they won’t have anything embarrassing truths to report.

Jesus’ attitude was simple, let the haters talk, but don’t let their talk stop you from doing God’s will.