Remember the Poor

Posted on May 8, 2024 by Arrow

We finally did it. We visited missionary friends whom we’ve supported for years. Did we have to purchase tickets for flights, make sure we had current passports, and receive special vaccines? Nope.

We simply drove to this third-world-type nation located less than two hours east of Phoenix, Arizona. We arrived at the San Carlos Apache Reservation with two cars full of donated food and toiletries, very little compared to the need we saw.

The lack of nearby job opportunities, transportation, and other factors have led to rampant poverty. (Unemployment is above 75%.) Small homes filled with thirty family members of multiple generations is typical. Many houses have no electricity. Alcoholism, illegal drug use, abuse, poor health, suicide, and gang activities are common.

But in the midst of all this, there is hope. In 2002, Dale and Diana Lawrence, with a lot of help from God, started Arizona Reservation Ministries in Globe, Arizona. The goal of their team is to “come alongside the San Carlos Apache Nation so that they will know of God’s great love for them.”

This is done through outreach ministries to adults, children, and youth. They have a program for building homes and also work hand-in-hand with the churches on the reservation. Meeting the physical needs of people leads to meeting spiritual ones, and is done with intentionality and much prayer.

In Galatians, Paul writes that the one thing the church leaders in Jerusalem requested of him was, “[C]ontinue to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do” (Gal. 2:10).

May we also eagerly “remember the poor.”

If God puts Arizona Reservation Ministries on your heart, there are many ways to help. For specific prayer needs, ways to give, information on short term ministry, or for more about ARM, go to https://azrez.org/.

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What Do I Do First?

Posted on May 1, 2024 by Arrow

This spring, I attended my grandson’s first T-ball game. What a riot! Turns out the order in which players do things is important. For these little tikes (4-5-year-olds), it was a lot to remember! First hit the ball. Then put the bat down. Then run to first base. Where is that again?

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As believers, sometimes we get things out of order as well. Lately, I’ve been focusing on a specific need. I think about it multiple times a day, like every time I hear my phone “ding!” I mention it during my prayer time and wait for God to move. I also remember that while waiting, I should ask God what He wants me to learn.

Finally, the Holy Spirit hit me upside the head with a Scripture I learned in a song decades ago. “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6:33).

Jesus taught that His kingdom includes those who receive God’s Word and who rely on Him, putting Him above other things. Allowing God to rule on the throne of our heart means surrendering to Him all areas of our life.

In the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus prayed to His Father, “[Y]our kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10). He also prayed for God’s will to be done above His own when He prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane.

First things first. Seek Him and His will.

Now when my phone “dings,” my goal is to remember to pray for God’s will to be done, but it’s taking a while for that to become automatic. (Good thing I’m not ‘out’ after three strikes!)

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Give Credit Where It’s Due

Posted on April 24, 2024 by Arrow

You’ll hear it on Hollywood award shows and at sporting events. Recipients of prestigious statues and trophies give thanks to producers, parents, co-stars, directors, coaches, teammates, and more.

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In the book of Luke, we find the background story of John the Baptist. His father was quite advanced in years when an angel announced that his aged wife, Elizabeth, would bear a son.

For Elizabeth, being pregnant with John was an answer to her prayers. Hear her response. “‘The Lord has done this for me,’ she said. ‘In these days he has shown his favor and taken away my disgrace among the people’” (Luke 1:25).

She gave credit where credit was due.

In the Old Testament we find King David eloquently giving the Lord credit following pleadings and cries for help. One example is Psalm 28:6-7. “Praise be to the LORD, for he has heard my cry for mercy. The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song.” In two brief verses, God is credited five times.

In the following chapter, David uses the word “ascribe” rather than “give credit” or “attribute.” “Ascribe to the LORD, O mighty ones, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength. Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness” (Psalm 29:1-2).

David makes it clear who we are to honor and to whom we should give thanks. God’s children are expected to acknowledge the Giver of all good gifts. James wrote, “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights” (James 1:17a). Let’s not be ashamed or become lax in acknowledging who our blessings are from.

To God be the glory!

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Decisions That Impact Generations

Posted on April 17, 2024 by Arrow

It’s easy to see how past good and bad decisions affect our present life. Choices about education, where to live, who to marry, what to invest in, etc. impact our life today.

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But do my decisions touch or have any influence on future generations? Today we’re going to take our fourth and final peek into the book of Ruth.

In chapter one, we saw Ruth’s mother-in-law, Naomi, grieving over the loss of her husband and two sons. Without hope, Naomi traveled back to Bethlehem, her hometown, with one daughter-in-law, Ruth the Moabitess, a foreigner.

Ruth had decided to leave her family, homeland, and gods. Hear her determination as she speaks these now famous lines to Naomi. “Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God” (Ruth 1:16b).

Skip to the end of the story in chapter four. (Spoiler alert for those who’ve never read Ruth.)

Ruth ends up marrying Boaz, a kinsman-redeemer of Naomi. Ruth and Boaz have a son named Obed. Obed becomes the father of Jesse. Jesse, from Bethlehem, becomes the father of David, AKA King David. And waaaaay down the line of family lineage comes “…Joseph, the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ” (Matthew 1:16).

Wow! I’m sure Ruth never would have guessed that her name would be listed in the genealogy of Jesus. Her decisions to move to a small village called Bethlehem and marry an upstanding Jewish man impacted generations. But there it is in Matthew 1:5b, “Boaz the father of Oded, whose mother was Ruth.”

May we prayerfully weigh our decisions and pray they will positively impact generations to come.

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Take Inventory

Posted on April 10, 2024 by Arrow

Stores do it, schools do it, hospitals do it. They regularly take inventory. They may also create a list of what they need, but first they notice what resources or supplies they already have.

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As we visit the book of Ruth again, we find that as Naomi returned to Bethlehem from Moab, she had a message for those welcoming her back. “‘Don’t call me Naomi,’ she told them. ‘Call me Mara, because the Almighty has made my life very bitter. I went away full, but the LORD has brought me back empty’” (Ruth 1:20-21a). (I find it interesting that the name Naomi means “pleasant” while Mara means “bitter.”)

But had Naomi truly returned to her hometown “empty?” True, her husband and two sons had died. And yes, one daughter-in-law chose to stay in her own homeland. But her other daughter-in-law, Ruth, elected to join Naomi. Not only did Naomi have a daughter-in-law who then worked the fields to provide for them, but Ruth eventually married a Hebrew named Boaz and they would become the great-grandparents of king David.

Wow! God turned Naomi’s “emptiness” into unimaginable blessings.

In the New Testament, we see Jesus taking care of “emptiness” at a wedding feast after His mother explained, “They have no more wine” (John 2:3b). Jesus took stock of what they did have, water and large water jugs. Then, He changed the water into wine.

At the feeding of 5000, the disciples took inventory of what they had. Two fish and five barley rolls. The problem was, they assumed it was not enough.

Let’s not make that same mistake. Instead, let’s inventory what we do have, release it to God, and allow Him to make of it what He wishes. It may be better than we can imagine!



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Putting on the New

Posted on April 3, 2024 by Arrow

Whether it’s new shoes or a new haircut, putting on something new feels good. That small change often helps us feel better or more confident.

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Last week we looked at the character, Ruth, in the Bible. At one point, Ruth was told to change her clothes before going to visit her possible, future husband. This change may have meant adding an outer garment that covered her entire body except her head, or it may be interpreted that she changed out of her widow’s or mourning clothes, indicating her time of grieving had ended. Either way, Ruth made an obvious change.

In the New Testament, Paul instructs believers. “You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness” (Ephesians 4:22-24).

Note that before we “put on,” we must first “put off.” Seriously, we can’t wear our new shoes on top of our old ones. Similarly, in Christ, we must trade our old habits and ways of thinking for the new. I find that unfortunately this is not a one-and-done deal.

Being “made new” or becoming more like Jesus is a process. Paul also wrote, “… inwardly we are being renewed day by day” (2 Corinthians 4:16b). We need to regularly take an account of what we’re “wearing.” It’s easy to slip into old habits and forget to continue to apply the Biblical teachings we are receiving.

As we dress each day, we can make a mental note or pray to “put on” the attitude of Christ and with God’s help reflect His behavior.

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A Welcoming Table

Posted on March 27, 2024 by Arrow

Surprise! Uncle Arnie calls and announces that his son and daughter-in-law are in town. Would we like to get together? God’s grace and remembering that we had some good dinner options in the freezer helped me respond with, “Come on over!” God’s blessing reigned that evening as we ended up singing oldies together, something we never would have imagined doing with some folks we barely knew.

In the Book of Ruth, we learn that recently widowed Ruth joins her widowed mother-in-law as she returns to Bethlehem from Moab. A gentleman named Boaz (a resident of Bethlehem) invites Ruth the Moabitess (historically an enemy of Israel) to share a meal. The compassion, generosity, and acceptance Boaz demonstrates to this foreigner raises her status from one considered lower than his servants to someone worthy of sitting alongside the harvesters or as part of his family.

All believers are called to be hospitable, even if it is not our area of giftedness. Today, a shared table may simply be inviting others to join us at a restaurant. The task is not that difficult but the ramifications may be better than you can imagine.

Jesus said, “… When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed” (Luke 14:12-14a).

Reaching out to others that are different from us may stretch us in a way where all are blessed. Watch for an opportunity to share a meal with someone new.

Do it all for the glory of God!

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A Lesson From Grandpa

Posted on March 20, 2024 by Arrow

A college gal set aside a few days to visit her grandparents. Arriving at their home late on a Saturday night, the young lady planned to relax on Sunday morning. To her surprise, Grandpa was shocked that she would even consider missing an opportunity to be in the Lord’s house. In his mind, going to church was a posture of thanksgiving for all that Jesus had done.

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That testimony caught my attention. Since the pandemic, believers have become more lackadaisical with church attendance. It became so convenient to stay home in our jams and “watch church” that for many, it replaced attending church.

Let’s quickly review just a few things Jesus did for us:

  • God left heaven to come to earth as a human
    baby.
  • Jesus was tempted in every way.
  • Jesus was falsely accused, beaten, flogged, and nailed to a cross even though He did no wrong.
  • Jesus died a criminal’s death to pay for the sins of the world.

May our attitude be more like that of king David, who wrote in the Psalms:
I’m asking GOD for one thing, only one thing:
To live with him in his house my whole life long.
I’ll contemplate his beauty; I’ll study at his feet.
That’s the only quiet, secure place in a noisy world,
The perfect getaway, far from the buzz of traffic.
God holds me head and shoulders above all who try to pull me down.
I’m headed for his place to offer anthems that will raise the roof!
Already I’m singing God-songs; I’m making music to GOD” (Psalm 27:4-6 The Message).

May we sacrifice the PJs and get our butts in church. It’s the least we can do for the One who wore a crown of thorns for us.

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Concern for Others’ Hearts

Posted on March 13, 2024 by Arrow

Atherosclerosis or “hardening of the heart” occurs when arteries become narrowed or blocked with plaques. We know from Scripture that this “hardening” can happen spiritually as well.

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The author of Hebrews warns, “So, as the Holy Spirit says: ‘Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden our hearts” (Hebrews 3:7-8a).

Paul warns Christians not to live as unbelievers who, “… are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts” (Ephesians 4:18). In verse 19, he describes them as having “lost all sensitivity.”

In Jesus’ day, the hard-hearted Pharisees and teachers of the law had lost their sensitivity to the heart or true meaning of God’s Word. Because of this, most refused to hear and see who Jesus was, the Son of God.

Our task to reach those who have hardened their hearts is challenging. Sometimes people’s hearts become hardened when they experience painful situations in the church setting or with believers. In many instances, they are looking for excuses why not to believe and why not to attend church. Sadly, we provide that.

Perhaps we could take a proactive stand in doing all we can to prevent others from becoming hard-hearted. Remember that people are watching us. When we fail, we should admit our wrongs and ask for forgiveness. We should do our best to represent Christ, living a holy life, separated from sin and set apart for God.

May we take heart and be sincerely concerned about the hearts of others, doing all we can to demonstrate the love of Christ and represent Jesus well.

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Evidence of Change

Posted on March 6, 2024 by Arrow

A friend of mine fell and broke an arm. Eventually, there will be more tests and therapy to check for evidence of healing and improved motion and strength.

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This week I’m looking again at the teaching of John the Baptizer. Like my friend’s doctors, John was hoping to see evidence of improvement. He warned his listeners to “produce fruit” giving proof that they had repented of their sin. The crowd basically responded with, “How do we do that?”

John gave three examples.

  • “The man with two tunics should share with him who has none, and the one who has food should do the same” (Luke 3:11). In other words, we should share with those in need, not hoarding extras for ourselves.

Sharing with the needy has endless possibilities. We can give away material possessions, demonstrate hospitality, or mentor in our area of expertise. We might share financially and with encouraging words.

  • When tax collectors asked, “[W]hat should we do?” John told them, “Don’t collect any more than you are required to” (Luke 3:12a-13).

This could translate into not being greedy. Don’t take advantage of or cheat others. Be people of integrity.

  • Finally, John instructed soldiers, “Don’t extort money and don’t accuse people falsely—be content with your pay” (Luke 3:14b).

The Message version interprets this as not harassing or blackmailing others and being content with our pay or rations. Again, in whatever ‘job’ we find ourselves, let’s treat others the way we want to be treated while being honest and content with what we’ve received.

The apostle James described it this way, “… faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead” (James 2:17). In summary, our attitudes, words, and actions should show more and more evidence of a lifestyle of faith.

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