“‘In your anger do not sin.’ Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.” Ephesians 4:26-27

“Oops I did it again,” were words I hadn’t even spoken? But I realized that my reaction to what I had seen had interrupted my peaceful morning! In an instant, I ‘felt’ the sound of a jail cell door slamming closed, locking me into the state of unpleasant, unwanted and unintentional separation from the Joy of The Lord. And all I was doing was looking for a place to buy gas!

I have an app that gives me as much as 15 cents off a gallon of gas. But it’s only good at certain locations. Luckily for me, 2 of those stations are within a mile of each other. The price for a gallon of gas, like Jesus, had risen! It was up 15 cents over the day before. But my truck was on ‘E!’ So figured high priced gas was better than walking 5 miles! Then ANOTHER set of problems arose!

Seeing a station in between with gas 17 cents lower than my advertised special, I went to do a U-turn, after I had done the math. Only to be trapped behind 4 cars looking to do the same thing! After finally turning and approaching the cheaper station, I literally watched the price change to 15 cents higher! By the time I got BACK to the other station… IT TOO had raised Its prices. UGH!!!!

Satan and the world had won. My Jesus morning had been interrupted after I had allowed outward circumstances to alter my inward heart. Instead of living with peace and joy, I was frustrated and angry. What’s even worse… I have to admit it happens to me every day! Prices, social issues, politics, greed and selfishness are tools in the hands of satan, who controls the world!

There are almost a hundred Bible verses that allude to satan’s control of this world! Believers like to say ‘God is in control,’ but even God has admitted that He isn’t. But He WILL BE! Until then, I am SUPPOSED to EXPECT trouble, persecution, difficulties and being taken advantage of. AND I’m required by my Lord to MAINTAIN CONTROL of my spirit by walking every moment with Him.

As we study the Book of Revelation, I’m reminded of our assignment to read chapters 2 and 3. There, Jesus has written personal ‘Love Letters’ to His future bride ‘The Church.’ And just like any young lover’s letters, the feelings and details are explicit! In His letters He affirms His love and devotion, but then adds expectations as well. “I didn’t know!” I NOT an excuse He’ll accept!

It is good to know that Jesus is even MORE interested in saving than I am! But He encourages me to get better at it and to keep my eyes, heart and spirit on HIM… my lover… and not on the things of satan or the world! Are YOU steering your way around the obstacles and focusing on Him? 

“As for you, see that what you have heard from the beginning remains in you. If it does, you also will remain in the Son and in the Father.” 1 John 2:24

“My pool has cloudy junk in it,” my neighbor was telling me. As he talked, I immediately felt horrible because, before Rick went out of town 2 weeks ago, he had asked me to put chlorine in his pool… which I had! But apparently… not enough. What I heard was “apply chlorine!” What the job ACTUALLY required was ‘pool maintenance,’ and algae had formed as the evidence of my failure!

It’s not like I don’t know what to do. I too have a pool and for almost 33 years I have maintained my own body of water. I remembered once asking a neighbor to do what Rick had asked of me. When I came back from vacation, my pool was emerald green! I learned then that ‘pool maintenance’ is like mixing cement or baking. The ‘Good-job’ proof is only found in the end product.

When I had applied the chlorine to Rick’s pool the last time, a little flare went up. Something just didn’t look right. But it’s not MY pool, so I don’t really know what it’s SUPPOSED to look like. Just for kicks though, I threw in a little extra chlorine and called it done! Then, the weather got warm and it rained… 2 conditions that can easily spell trouble for any pool owner. Even MY pool turned ugly!

People are like pools… everyone is different. Size, as well as what other elements are in the water, determines what needs to be done to maintain a pool’s ‘crystal clear’ look that everyone, ESPECIALLY the OWNER, likes to see. Today’s verse was God’s reminder that my life is in continual need of spiritual maintenance, and that while He is my owner, it is up to ME to make sure it gets done!

In the Church I have learned that one of the expectations God has of His followers is to follow! Doing what He says in His Word moves followers to the next step, which is to help faithful followers learn how to encourage others to follow as well! It’s a tough task because all an encourager can do is encourage! Each follower must take any encouragement to heart and apply what needs to be done.

I feel bad I messed up on the maintenance of my neighbor’s pool, even though I know he doesn’t blame me. But that doesn’t make me feel better. It actually makes me want to be more vigilant and faithful the next time he asks.

Are YOU faithful to God in what He asks of you? Has He prompted YOU to be an encourager to another follower? Are you faithful when He asks? Do you use apparent failure as a tool to get better at following rather than to give up? What is God asking of YOU today?

“So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.” Colossians 2:6-7

“I don’t wanna grow up, I’m a ‘Toys-R-Us’ kid,” was the song that came to mind as I watched my 15 year old grandson ride the little Wiggle Car we have for his smaller cousins. He was having fun, even though his legs and arms were folded up like a pen knife to ride it! Interestingly, he just got his learner’s permit for driving a car! I wondered if he smiled this big driving in the real world!

Actually, someone bought that Wiggle Car for ME when I got on one at my grandkids house. It looked like fun, so I thought I’d find out for myself. It was! I remembered going to my grandmother’s house as a teen and seeing no toys. ‘Pop’s’ answer to my long face was to take me golfing. Seeing it would take time to acquire the skill to enjoy Golf, I never pursued it. Serious and fun don’t mix.

Naturally, that last statement is subjective! While I’m not sure if it’s just because I’m getting old, I do seem to notice that over the years, a LOT of folks are putting more time into personal FUN than they are at seriousness. Someone remarked to me last week that at the age of 15, back in Jesus’ day, most were already married! The average marriage age today is 31! Which proves the point!

Due to the recent interest in the Jesus Revolution in the early 70’s, and the making of the movie, I’ve been led to start a Bible Study series at our Church on the Book of Revelation. Having lived as a teen in the late 60’s and early 70’s, life then was different. Or maybe not! Free Love, drugs and the Vietnam War were the headlines. Today, LGBTQ+, drugs issues and global war trump the 70’s.

The one consistent thing I see between today and back then is the underlying need to Grow Up! Growing up means making important things important. God reminds us through Scripture that there is NOTHING more important that our relationship to Him! In fact… one could say it’s a matter between Life and Death! The Bible also says that in the Later Days… Death will reign!

So what is YOUR focus on life? Are you committed to growing up in Christ or trying to sneak off for some fun? Are you more pleased to please God than you are at pleasing yourself? Do you find this little devotion encouraging, or irritating? Because… Time and God’s Word are calling you! Ya may want to get a wiggle on it!

“To Him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve His God and Father—to Him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.” Revelation 1:5b-6

“You don’t have to do that!” Katie said. It was Easter Sunday evening and, in wanting to DO something, I remembered how dirty her car was. So I secretly started to wash and clean it. When he came out, it was clear by her reaction that SHE didn’t want to wash her car, but felt guilty if she didn’t offer to help ME! So I repeated back to her, “You don’t have to do that!” She grabbed a rag!

Like with so many… there are SO many should and shouldn’ts and could but wouldn’ts… or didn’ts, in life! To some, washing a car on Sunday is a big ‘NO NO!’ But doing it on Easter Sunday is even worse! But I’m a big Grace man and feel that Jesus would prefer to see ME honoring my wife by cleaning her car. BUT… that’s NOT to say that ALL husbands should see it my way! Confused?

We’d purchased 2 new vehicles within 6 months of each other over 18 years ago, then we got 18 years of use out of them. It worked so well that we did the same thing recently. Keeping 18 year old vehicles clean wasn’t a big priority. But having 2 brand new ones kind of laid the guilt trip of responsibility on me. Having the time and being antsy… I started cleaning. In guilt, she did too!

I know, I know! I’m a long term 50+ year veteran Christian. By now I SHOULD KNOW better than to operate out of guilt. After all, Jesus died for ALL of my sins to set me FREE from ALL of that stuff. But then, with a rag in hand, I saw it was possible I COULD be DISHONORING my wife by actually washing her car. I SHOULD have known it would make her feel guilty! Oh the games of Salvation!

As I copied and pasted today’s Bible verse, I noted the pronouns ‘him’ and ‘he,’ referring to Jesus, were not capitalized. Me being me, it made me feel dirty since, long ago I decided that I would Honor God by capitalizing all pronouns referring to Him. Here, someone else, in my opinion, dirtied up the Honor of God by breaking MY rule! Which made me feel guilty! You see what I’m saying!

When it comes to capitalizing God pronouns, many people struggle with this question. Some, believing it shows reverence for God, capitalize all pronouns that refer to God. Others, believing the “rules” of English style should be followed, do not capitalize the deity pronouns. So, who is right? The answer is neither. But judging the disagreeing wrong in either direction… is wrong!

With BOTH of us desiring to honor the other, and WHILE we BOTH felt guilty, we got her car clean AND my truck! And we BOTH, having served God and each other, felt GREAT afterwards! That Jesus’ plan of Salvation goes further than I originally thought! Do YOU have it and use it? Are YOU clean because of His love and sacrifice? How can YOU serve Him and others even better, capitalizing on His Grace Principle?

“I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.” John 10:9

“Rats!” That’s what I had told my friend was the reason for my call. Though I had no idea why or how, rats had eaten 4 holes in the side walls of my pool cage when they tried to get in! Why? I had no idea, as there was no food in my pool area. But my friend told me that he’d be over to take a look at re-screening. I said, “Let me know when and I’ll leave the door unlocked for you!” He laughed!

It wasn’t that he laughed that made me curious, but how and what he laughed at! It was kind of an, “oh silly boy” snicker at the thought of MY needing to let HIM in by unlocking the screen door! When I asked, “what’s so funny,” he said, “I don’t need you to unlock your door for me. I’m the screen-man. I can get in anytime I want! Just give me permission! And that’s when it hit me! How funny!

We humans are funny creatures. We build walls and structures to keep us safe and sound, not realizing that there are people out there who are experts at getting to us. Some for OUR welfare, and some for their own! The idea of being safe and secure behind a man made door is really only an illusion. I remembered the night we actually had an intruder break into our locked house!

How silly it is for me to think I can build a world where nothing bad or evil can get to me. If a rodent or a drug addict can gain access without my permission, ‘safety’ is simply false hope. I have found that even when the purpose of my heart is noble, darkness and evil continually plot to break in and turn my intentions to their ways. Fixing a flimsy screen won’t do. I need a Heart-Guard.

As good as my friend is at fixing screens, Jesus Christ is better at fixing and maintaining hearts. He IS ‘The Door!’ When I turn the keys of my life over to Him and let Him have total access, HIS power and abilities can take care of ANY intrusion… even when the rat… is me! Are YOU letting Jesus have control of your heart? Are you willing to let Him rid you of even your pet rats?

Halfway through the Words of Today, Katie sent me this!  For the day we recognize as ‘The Day’ our sin was paid for, this is better than ANYTHING I can write. Read SLOWLY!

Joni Eareckson Tada on the cross (When GOD Weeps)

Here is the most astonishing, moving description of the cross I have ever read. You might want to print it out and read it slowly.

The face that Moses had begged to see—was forbidden to see—was slapped bloody (Exodus 33:19—20). The thorns that God had sent to curse the earth’s rebellion now twisted around his own brow…

“On your back with you!” One raises a mallet to sink in the spike. But the soldier’s heart must continue pumping as he readies the prisoner’s wrist. Someone must sustain the soldier’s life minute by minute, for no man has this power on his own. Who supplies breath to his lungs? Who gives energy to his cells? Who holds his molecules together? Only the Son do “all things hold together” (Colossians 1:17). The victim wills that the soldier lives on—he grants the warriors continued existence. The man swings.

As the man swings, the Son recalls how he and the Father first designed the medial nerve of the human forearm—the sensations it would be capable of. The design proves flawless—the nerve performs exquisitely. “Up you go!” They lifted the cross. God is on display in his underwear and can scarcely breathe.

But these pains are a mere warm-up to his other and growing dread. He begins to feels a foreign sensation. Somewhere during this day an unearthly foul odor began to waft, not around his nose, but his heart. He feels dirty. Human wickedness starts to crawl upon his spotless being—the living excrement from our souls. The apple of his Father’s eye turns brown with rot.

His Father! He must face his Father like this!

From heaven the Father now rouses himself like a lion disturbed, shakes his mane, and roars against the shriveling remnant of a man hanging on a cross. Never has the Son seen the Father look at him so, never felt even the least of his hot breath. But the roar shakes the unseen world and darkens the visible sky. The Son does not recognize these eyes.

“Son of Man! Why have you behaved so? You have cheated, lusted, stolen, gossiped—murdered, envied, hated, lied. You have cursed, robbed, overspent, overeaten—fornicated, disobeyed, embezzled, and blasphemed. Oh, the duties you have shirked, the children you have abandoned! Who has ever so ignored the poor, so played the coward, so belittled my name? Have you ever held your razor tongue? What a self-righteous, pitiful drunk—you, who molested young boys, peddle killer drugs, travel in cliques, and mock your parents. Who gave you the boldness to rig elections, foment revolutions, torture animals, and worship demons? Does the list never end! Splitting families, raping virgins, acting smugly, playing the pimp—buying politicians, practicing extortion, filming pornography, accepting bribes. You have burned down buildings, perfected terrorist tactics, founded false religions, traded in slaves—relishing each morsel and bragging about it all. I hate, loathe these things in you! Disgust for everything about you consumes me! Can you not feel my wrath?”

Of course the Son is innocent. He is blamelessness itself. The Father knows this. But the divine pair have an agreement, and the unthinkable must now take place. Jesus will be treated as if personally responsible for every sin ever committed.

The Father watches as his hearts treasure, the mirror-image of himself, sinks drowning into raw, liquid sin. Jehovah’s stored rage against humankind from every century explodes in a single direction.

“Father! Father! Why have you forsaken me?!”

But heaven stops its ears. The Son stares up at the One who cannot, who will not, reach down or reply.

The Trinity had planned it. The Son endured it. The Spirit enabled him. The Father rejected the Son whom he loved. Jesus, the God-man from Nazareth, perished. The Father accepted his sacrifice for sin and was satisfied. The Rescue was accomplished.

“…that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” John 17:21

“Don’t forget, I have another appointment.” And as strange as it may sound, even after 45 years of being married, the first initial impact of that statement from my wife, over the phone, after work, hits an empty hole somewhere inside me. While it may be hard to explain or understand, the fact that it is there cannot be denied. I believe it’s supposed to be that way.

Monday through Friday is typically spent with us being separated most of the day. Katie goes to work about 8am and gets home about 4pm. I’m in and out all day myself, but most often, I make sure I’m home to be there when she gets home. And while it’s not like a gushy, sappy, teenage kind of feeling, it is still an anticipation. When I get that call, my mood is never a natural YIPPIEE!!!!

Today is Maundy Thursday. The day Christians typically celebrate the change in the Passover celebration. The one where Jesus instituted Holy Communion with His Disciples. It was there that He gave them information of another appointment He had to keep… that He wouldn’t personally be around much longer. So He gave them something to remember Him by. Holy Communion.

The breakup of the original 12 into a worldwide movement lasting 2000 years was intentional. The invitation was meant to be intimate… something to look forward to. To the world it may seem strange, but that was intentional as well. The call was to come join Him and be His. And while the price to join was covered, the invitee was still required to show up and join in. It still is.

While it is clear that ‘The Church’ has multiplied around the globe to millions, it is also clear that the enemy has used division as ‘his’ weapon of choice to counteract Jesus’ unique invitation. Whether by COVID or personal disagreement, the result is the same. To keep people from coming together as ‘the people of God where God resides.’ And it is, as always, a choice.

I look forward to Holy Communion tonight as a symbol of a future reality, when Jesus Christ and ALL believers will unite in reality and never be separated again. To get a glimpse of that future scene only encourages me more. Ask anyone who has lost their significant other, “what would you do or pay for even an hour reunion,” and you will discover the importance of Communion.

Are YOU in Him and is He in you? Are you looking forward to the reunion?

“’No,’ said Peter, ‘you shall never wash my feet.’ Jesus answered, ‘Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.’” John 13:8

“You don’t have to do that!” And though the words sounded sweet coming from my help-mate, I was not really listening to her. My MAN-voice was dominating me, drowning out her wisdom. Wisdom that was coming directly from God, and falling on deaf ears. Running and working myself ragged, I had every reason to since. “I have a job, and my boss demands my full attention!” But is it true?

It’s Holy Week. At the Church I pastor, there are LOTS of events and things to do. Almost every year I end up sick from wearing myself out ‘working and doing,’ dutifully showing my Lord and Savior that I DO love Him. After all, didn’t He say, “if you love me you’ll do what I do (John 13:15)?” “O.K. then Master Jesus,” I responded, “here’s my proof!” I’m starting to see that – He isn’t impressed!

The point is, I KNOW ‘the point’ on which the teeter-totter tots! I am saved by my Faith alone. But PROOF of that transaction can CLEARLY be seen by what I DO (the classic James 2:14 argument). But after belonging to Him for over 56 years, I STILL clunk HARD on the ground after Jesus slides off the teeter totter, after I have I moved the pivot point in my favor! Rule #1 is, He sets the rules!

As a called Teacher by Christ, The Word says I will be judged more strictly! NOT based upon how effective I was and how many people followed, but by how well ‘I’ followed JESUS in my calling! It is a CONSTANT problem, and one that He continually reminds me. Jesus is not nearly as concerned with WHAT I do, as He is with HOW and WHY I DO IT! Cuz Rule #2 is, He must always go, and be first!

So listening to The Spirit, I decided, after being tired and sore for days, that He wanted me to take a nap! And yes, I can see how that command might get abused! But that was the directive! “I want you rested and dependent on me.” He hinted, “I called for a sheep dog, not a bulldozer! So do what I tell you and go pull a Snoopy!” And I did what I was told! AHHHHHHHHHH!

Are YOU rested and resting in Jesus or are you trying to impress and perform for Him? Is HE in charge of YOUR life and are you following Him… or have you switched places and made yourself the king of your own universe? So… what has Jesus been trying to tell YOU lately?

“From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land.” Matthew 27:45

“At Urgent Care!” That was the start of a text from my son’s wife, letting me know that my son had been in an accident. Along with the text was a picture of him lying on the examination table. My son’s position was all I needed to see… to know that his body, soul and spirit were NOT in a good position. My immediate and most natural response was to run to MY Heavenly Father and PRAY!

I didn’t run to my Father and then run back out. We hung out! ALL DAY LONG. Since my son was over an hour away, I did what I could do and just kept praying. And my Heavenly Father kept on listening. And while there were no words directly from heaven, a deep sort of knowing came later, letting me know that he was going to be ok. Then, for some reason, I thought about Jesus!

This being Holy Week, I’ve spent time thinking and reading about what Jesus went through leading up, and through, to The Crucifixion. Maundy Thursday is the day we remember His appeal to His Father in the Garden of Gethsemane. The time when HE prayed and God listened. Jesus’ appeal was heart wrenching. Being a dad, I have NO doubt God’s heart was doing the same thing.

I can’t imagine anything my son asking me for, in a crisis situation, where I wouldn’t say yes. But while Jesus wept and poured His heart out, God the Father must have wept as well. Because the ONLY way OUT of hell for ME, was for Jesus to go THROUGH hell to save me. God HAD to let that happen. So He walked with His son, until He could go no further. Then He HAD to turn away!

God is perfect. HE cannot coexist in a same space where imperfection resides. With ALL of my sin, and the sins of the entire world, hanging on the back of His Son, God HAD to turn away. Darkness is simply the absence of light. NOT the other way around! When God turned, darkness came. And with it, the purpose of a higher agenda that NOW gives my dark days the hope and light I need.

It turned out as I was led to believe. My son was released and is going to be fine… though the scar from the stitches will remain. Just like the scars from My Savior’s dark day… on a cross… dying for ME! I’ve been told that the ONLY person carrying scars in Heaven will be Jesus. And because THOSE scars remind my Heavenly Father that MY dark days need His light, I can call on Him ANY time!

Are YOU special to Jesus and The Father? Is YOUR name priority one for Him when you are in a time of need? Are you listening to what He is trying to tell you in the dark times of life? Because it is THEN that He speaks most clear!