Nothing New

Posted on March 15, 2023 by Arrow

Have you noticed how clothing trends and even styles of glasses seem to get recycled? What was cool decades ago, then totally out of style and laughable, somehow squeezes its way back to the forefront?

An author of proverbs wrote, “What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 1:9).

Unfortunately, that includes sin. Things that we identify as woes unique to the 21st century are sadly a repeat of yesteryear, or should I say yester-millennium. Listen to the advice spoken in 518 BC by the prophet Zechariah. “’This is what the LORD Almighty says: ‘Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another. Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the alien or the poor. In your hearts do not think evil of each other” (Zechariah 7:9-10).

We cannot change the world, but we can make a difference to those we come in contact with. Do we treat others fairly? Are we loving and compassionate, smiling at strangers as if they were friends? Do we see those in need and respond with a helping hand? And here’s the biggie! What are we thinking?!

Am I thinking, “I know what they’re thinking!”? Am I assuming the worst, jumping to conclusions, and choosing to be easily offended? Put on the brakes! Let’s go back to “Administer true justice.” Be fair, show mercy, and let things go. Or, if necessary, have a calm discussion.

Turn to the Father who reminds us to seek Him first. Ask for His patience and love and then pour it out on others. There may be nothing new under the sun, but perhaps there will be a new experience for others . . . and for us as we reflect God’s Son.

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Meaningless Offerings

Posted on March 8, 2023 by Arrow

It is a bit difficult to grasp the idea of a meaningless gift. The best I can come up with is perhaps an engagement ring from someone who is not willing to commit to a relationship.

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Israel’s first king, Saul, had been given a mission by God. When he was disobedient in fulfilling the given task, he thought he could justify himself by offering many sacrifices. God sent the prophet Samuel to straighten him out. “Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD? To obey is better than sacrifice” (1 Samuel 15:22).

God was so sick of sacrifices without obedience that in Isaiah 1:13 He says, “Stop bringing meaningless offerings!”

So, what did God want? Another prophet explains, “And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8).

Jump ahead to the New Testament. When Jesus was criticized by religious leaders for hanging around “tax collectors and sinners,” He told them, “Go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice’” (Matthew 9:13).

The Hebrew word for mercy can also be interpreted as “love.” To show mercy, means to have the right conduct toward one another or loyalty to God or both. It reminds me of Jesus’ summary of the greatest commandments, love God and love people. That’s the obedience God desires.

May our offerings come before Him like a fragrant incense when we are committed to and live to honor Him.

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Spiritual Food

Posted on March 1, 2023 by Arrow

Favorite foods, fast foods, healthy foods, breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks. Getting hungry? I’m salivating already!

We all know that the foods we put in our bodies affect many things. Our brain, mood, mental health, and physical well-being are all affected by what we eat and drink.

So, it is possible to comprehend Jesus’s teaching when He compared Himself to being the bread of life. “I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world” (John 6:51).

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Think about it. Food that provides sustenance and nourishment gives life. In the same way, having a relationship with Jesus allows Him to transform and strengthen us. Spiritually, we feed on Him and surrender to Him in order to become more like Him. The regular intake of heavenly food gradually changes the way we think, act, and react. It brings spiritual and physical healing as well.

How often we “eat this bread” will also affect our life. If I only eat one meal a week or worse, one a month, my body and mind will not function well. The same thing happens in our relationship with Jesus. We cannot become transformed in Christ if we are not taking Him into our life on a regular basis.

Finally, Jesus emphasized the following contrast. Those who eat physical food will die. But those who partake of spiritual bread, namely Jesus, will receive eternal life with Him. As the bread of life, Jesus gave up His life to give the world an opportunity for new and eternal life. Now, that’s living!

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A Testing Challenge

Posted on February 22, 2023 by Arrow

The goal is always to pass a test, whether it’s a spelling test, blood test, or a challenge in the area of spiritual growth.

Let’s consider what test God may be giving us right now. Will we give up right away, half-way through, or just before the test is finished? Many times, we have no idea how long the test will last. In that case, we need perseverance. We need to faithfully hang on, not looking too far down a road that may overwhelm. Take one day at a time, sometimes one hour at a time, saying, “I can do this for now. God is with me.”

I heard one preacher say that if we don’t pass a test the first time, we get to take it over and over until we do. Wow! Nobody wants that.

In the midst of our challenge, may we remember to recount our blessings and give thanks. Also, pray about what lesson God wants us to learn. I hope to be a quick learner, but I’m afraid I’m not.

Hear what James, Jesus’s half-brother, says, “Anyone who meets a testing challenge head-on and manages to stick it out is mighty fortunate. For such persons loyally in love with God, the reward is life and more life” (James 1:12 The Message).

Once you arrive on the other side of your challenge or perhaps your ‘dark valley,’ imagine God whispering, “Well done.”

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Living in Unity

Posted on February 15, 2023 by Arrow

How many people does it take to have conflict? Only two. So, when there are more people in the equation, the odds of disharmony are multiplied. Clearly, other people do not think, reason, and perceive things exactly like me. What is wrong with you people?!

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Living in unity should be something we all strive for, but typically tension and conflict abound, whether in families, a work environment, or the local church. God created us all different. Individuals vary in personalities, preferences, performance, and in about a million other ways.

Still, the goal is unity. Psalm 133 is only three verses long and its theme is unity. It begins, “How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity!” “Brothers” here refers to the people of God. The chapter ends with, “For there the LORD bestows his blessing, even life forevermore” (verse 3b).

In between those verses are two similes that portray what unity is like. First, unity is compared to precious oil poured over a priest, basically from head to toe. Oil was a symbol of God’s blessing. The oil is poured out in such a large quantity that it depicts blessings overflowing on God’s people living in unity. The second simile, the dew of Mt. Hermon, also portrays God’s blessings flowing to His people.

In the New Testament we are taught, “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:3). The verse just before this tells us how. “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love” (Eph. 4:2).

Also, let’s not assume the worst, jump to conclusions, or choose to be easily offended. Instead, ask for clarification and give grace. These thoughts and actions help promote unity. Remember, family, co-workers, and fellow believers are not our enemies. Let’s breathe and allow God’s love and gentleness to flow to those around us.

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Walking with the Lord

Posted on February 8, 2023 by Arrow

My eleven-month-old grandson is on the verge of walking. In fact, by the time this blog is posted, he’ll probably have the run of the house, literally! But until he’s mastered the skill, I’m sure he’ll have plenty of bumps and bruises.

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Walking is definitely a skill that takes practice. It takes strength, coordination, balance, and perseverance. Walking daily with the Lord takes practice as well.

Scripture teaches a lot about walking. The prophet Micah wrote, “All the nations may walk in the name of their gods; we will walk in the name of the LORD our God for ever and ever” (Micah 4:5). We choose who we walk with.

Walking with the Lord means we confess, love, obey, and rely on Him. Confession helps us stay in a right relationship with God. We need to regularly admit and deal with temptations and struggles.

The apostle John wrote, “And this is love:  that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love” (2 John 6).

When we rely on the Lord, we’re not doing life on our own. Instead, we are following His lead. The book of Proverbs has a lot to say about the benefits of allowing wisdom to guide us. “When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; when you run, you will not stumble” (Proverbs 4:12).

On the flipside, walking in the way of the wicked is to be avoided since its consequences include darkness, stumbling, falling, and violence (Proverbs 4). “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin” (1 John 1:7).

May we grow spiritually, making forward progress, as we walk daily with the Lord.

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Brain in Training

Posted on February 1, 2023 by Arrow

There are many areas in which we receive training. Jobs, leadership, sales, skills, weight or strength training in sports, and many more. Training methods include simulators, on-the-job, and instructor-led.

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While studying elementary education, my training experience included assignments as a student teacher. In both situations, I found myself becoming a ‘Mini-Me’ of the mentor teacher. I found myself mimicking their mannerisms, teaching style, and how they interacted with students. I learned by spending time observing them and then practicing what I’d seen them do.

In the same way, we learn from and are transformed as we spend time with Jesus. In order for our brain to be trained or retrained, we must spend time in His Word. Daily Bible reading, especially in the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John will cause us to observe how Jesus interacted with people and to learn the key lessons and values He taught.

Jesus is quoted in Luke 6:40 as saying, “A student is not above his teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher.” Training or changing our thought patterns and behaviors is no easy task. It will require more than a two-to-six-week time investment. In fact, it will be a lifelong commitment.

The apostle Paul wrote, “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). Now, that takes real brain training!

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The Battle is the Lord’s

Posted on January 25, 2023 by Arrow

There seem to be many worship songs recently that mention that our battles belong to the Lord, but the message really rang out when I came across a story in 2 Chronicles 20. Hang on to your helmets as I summarize this whopper!

It begins with the news of a vast army coming against God’s people. The good king of Judah, Jehoshaphat, responds by inquiring of the Lord and proclaiming a fast. The people come together to seek God’s help.

The king’s prayer sounds similar to what we might say when facing an overwhelming problem. “We have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you” (2 Chronicles 20:12).

The Spirit of the LORD answered through another man. “Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s” (verse 15b). He continued with directions for Judah to take up positions the following day, stand firm, and see the LORD’s deliverance.

The king was so confident in the Lord that he appointed singers to lead the army out. And check this out! “As they began to sing and praise, the LORD set ambushes against the men . . . who were invading Judah, and they were defeated” (verse 22). What the men of Judah found was that the nations who had gathered against them had annihilated each other.

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The inspiring finale is that the fear of God came on all the surrounding kingdoms when they heard how God had fought the battle for His people.

Remember, our God is all-powerful, trustworthy, and faithful. May we pray, take our next step of faith, and then watch and testify of His goodness.

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Take Words with You

Posted on January 18, 2023 by Arrow

As an author of devotions and children’s picture books, words are important to me. So, as I was reading in the minor prophets recently, this verse captured my attention and curiosity. “Take words with you and return to the LORD” (Hosea 14:2a).

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A major theme for most all prophets was to call Israel or Judah back to the Lord, to encourage them to repent of disobedience and rebellion, and return to a relationship with Him.

Hosea continues by giving specific words returning rebels could speak to the Lord. “Say to him: ‘Forgive all our sins and receive us graciously, that we may offer the fruit of our lips’” (Hosea 14:2b).

This is a profound and simple teaching for us all. When we find ourselves being disobedient or convicted of sin in our life, we can go to God, repent, and ask His forgiveness. It is comforting to know that He receives believers with salvation, blessings, and favor. It is then natural to bring Him an offering of praise and thankfulness, a bouquet of beautifully chosen words.

The author of Hebrews says, “Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that confess his name” (Hebrews 13:15).

May we bring our words to the One who created all things through His.

He wants to hear from us.

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Word for the Year

Posted on January 11, 2023 by Arrow

This is a first for me, a word for the year, something to contemplate and focus on. I asked the Lord about it and this is what came to me . . . with.

With? My first thought was the name given to Jesus. Matthew 1:23 refers to the prophecy from Isaiah. “’The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel’—which means, ‘God with us.’” God came to earth to be with us.

As an additional picture in your mind, note how ‘with’ is depicted in sign language. Hands together, side-by-side.

After Jesus’s death and resurrection, He promised that His Holy Spirit would come to live in believers, thus God with us.

My problem is I forget God is with me. I act like He is nowhere around. This year I want to keep in mind that God is really with me, literally!

That means there is nothing I have to face on my own. David wrote this word of encouragement, “I have set the LORD always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken” (Psalm 16:8). God will be with me every moment of this year.

The other half of the equation is that I choose to be with Him. I want to walk with the Lord daily, like Adam did at first in the garden, doing life together with Him. I don’t want to hide from Him or run from Him.

In the gospels, Jesus called His disciples to follow Him. That means I allow Him to lead and He helps me stay on the right path. Even when I rebel and go off track, I can be assured that God is still with me . . .

Which brings us back to where we started . . . God is with us!

Be blessed as you go with God!

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