“I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers and sisters, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in, and in this way all Israel will be saved.” Romans 11:25-26

It’s the time for health checkups. Every year I get them. It seems this year, I am adding more! Appointments for Doctors, labs and medical facilities have all adopted a method to keep order and business flowing. Every time I have an appointment, I can be SURE that I will get at least 1 email, a text and/or a phone call saying, “Now remember your appointment is at… Press 1 to confirm!”

I received a phone message yesterday, but couldn’t answer it because I was at another appointment! So they left me a voicemail. “Mr. McCay, we know your appointment is for 10:30am, but if you could come at 10:15am instead, that would be good!” I had to smile at that one, because anytime I can get something done and over with, sooner than later, I prefer it. Sometimes, I wish God thought like me!

I’ve been hearing that Jesus is coming back since I was a kid. That message hit a crescendo in my teen years in the 70’s. Ever since then, every world news story is used as an excuse for another prophecy for ‘The End of Days.’ Though Israel has been a miraculously regathered nation since 1948, I’ve seen it ‘at war’ more than not! I’ve prayed… “Lord, can you just get this over with?” ‘SILENCE!’

I haven’t gone looking for it, but lately it seems the Lord has been pushing my eyes and head toward the prophecies of the Nation of Israel… Our Mother! I say that because Romans chapters 9-11 were written, by my Father, about what is going on, or MUST go on, before God can ‘throw the flag!’ The one that says, “That’s it! Times’ up!” The ramp-up of more war rumblings has ME looking UP more!

I could spend a lot of time looking up Old Testament prophecies about it. But today, as I did that, I fell upon this verse. Then it hit me. Studying all the verses in the past about what is going to happen in the future isn’t really what God wants me to focus all MY time on. MY mission… and I accepted it, is to go tell the world about Jesus and make Disciples. His end can’t come until the last one comes!

So I’m going huntin’ today. I pray the Lord will place someone in front of me who doesn’t know Jesus, so I can introduce them! Maybe that ONE will be the LAST One! And we can get all this mess wrapped up… once and for all! Are YOU sharing Jesus with a VERY LOST WORLD? Because as Billy Graham alluded to in his book, I can hear ‘Approaching Hoofbeats!’

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” James 1:2-3

The phone rang! It rang early in the morning as I was getting ready to go out. The nature of the call dictated a change in my plans. One of our Church families had been involved in a car crash. The location was less than 1/5th of a mile from where I was actually heading. So I headed there first. Thankfully, nobody was seriously hurt. But mom and 2 kids were in shock and a mess.

The phone rings! And when it does, it often means someone has a need that needs a touch from God. They call me because… God doesn’t HAVE a phone number! Per Se! They call me because they need a tangible voice to try to make some sense out of an overwhelming situation. Or to tell someone of their good, bad, sad or joyful experience… or to fill a need. I answer on His behalf.

It is an honor to be called. Most often, the most immediate need is a prayer, a hug, an encouraging Word from God’s Word. Sometimes that’s all they need. But more often, it’s just the start of a trial, a test or a life-changing event. Sometimes what I do does it. Most times, that phone call is just an initial door to a valley of change. Sometimes short. Sometimes very long!

Like everybody else, I have trials. Some have come and gone just as quickly. Some lead to very long valleys with lots of shadows. Today’s verse gives interesting advice about trials. When they come, it appears I’m supposed to be Happily Joyful about them when they do! I’ve never arrived at a crash scene and handed out party horns and balloons! Maybe I need to think about that!

Humans in the Garden of Eden were programmed to expect God’s arrival at any and all times. Face to face! After that little sin incident, those meetings came to an end, and death turned the party life into a long drudge in a dark valley. So humans, looking for what USED to come natural, sought ways to party! And even today, most miss the point of this whole life. God still DOES party favors.

I have to remind myself, in and through all MY trials, that God is using my life to Glorify Himself on this darkening planet. He is my light and joy, if I LET Him be. But far too often, I fall for the deception that THIS world is my home. That working to get a good life HERE is the plan. And nothing could be further from the truth! God wants me WITH HIM… FACE TO FACE. FOREVER!

Someday I’ll be with Him face to face. But for now, I can look to him in trials and know that He is right there with me to help. If I let Him. What are YOU facing that could use a little God Time?   

“The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but the LORD tests the heart.” Proverbs 17:3

“What kind of music do you like?” was the question. When I told the technician, “Elvis,” I assumed Elvis was who I’d get! I didn’t… but it didn’t matter. I wasn’t there for a concert. I was there under Doctors orders to get an MRI scan of my prostate. Something I now do every year. The music didn’t matter because it was only a distraction for getting the real thing. A picture! WITH NOISE!

Lots of questions get asked before I go into the tube. CAREFUL questions. They want to know if I have any metal in my body of any kind. The ‘M’ in MRI stands for Magnetic! They really didn’t want ANY part of my innards pulled out and splattered all over their machine. Neither did I. So I had to really think long and hard to give them honest answers. My life depended upon it!

Going into ‘the tube’ gives me an opportunity to do what I like to do best… spend time with Jesus. The loud sounds and bangs may drown out the music, but it can’t make Jesus disappear. We talked in our own special way, and I rested in the knowledge that no matter what happens, He is ALWAYS with me. Even in and all the way through… life’s tests! I used to get confused about that!

Everyone goes through difficult and bad times. This verse in Proverbs, because it relates to experiences in life, could very well be one that God’s enemies use to provoke the evil thought that ‘God is IN CONTROL!’ Most believe that God hurls us into a terrible situation to strengthen, punish or test our metal! But nothing could be further from the truth. The loud bangs of life already exist!

My physical body, unlike my soul and spirit, has limitations. God does NOT apply those limitations. They come through experiences, time and genes. While not deliberate, my dad handed down the propensity gene for prostate cancer. God didn’t GIVE it to me. But I’ve got it! Now, good people are watching to make sure it doesn’t kill me! I appreciate them. But God was with me in the tube!

Sadly. I have discovered there are a LOT of people who see God as the creator of evil. They figure that since He made everything, He must be in control of it all! NOT! In fact, God calls satan the ‘god of this age.’ But He calls ME to walk WITH Him THROUGH the dark valleys of this life. It took a lot of practice. But I get it now. Who needs Elvis when I’ve got JESUS!??? Do you rest in God… or blame Him?

“Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you.” Isaiah 60:1

Last night, going into my garage, the light bulb flickered when I turned it on. Then later, it happened in the kitchen as well. This morning, going to put something away in a drawer, I was surprised to find a light bulb lying right there in a place… out of place. I smiled because all those circumstances just HAD to be mere coincidences. But then again, as I reminded myself, I don’t believe in coincidences!

Just yesterday morning I preached a sermon about what it means to be a Believer in Christ. What does it cost? What does the Savior of my soul expect from ME? And honestly… from ANYBODY who calls themselves a “Christian.” The sermon wasn’t a fun one to prepare for. As I read, prayed and lived through the week, I listened closely for Jesus’ topic. Yesterday morning, I had too many ideas.

Occasionally I get confused. But having done this for so long, It didn’t surprise or scare me when I sensed Jesus whispering… “I’ve got this!” And He did! There were lots of comments like, ‘I loved that one!’ But, I gave up receiving ‘atta-boys’ years ago. ‘I’ don’t preach sermons. HE does them THROUGH me. For I too, am a listener.  And Jesus was asking me, “How bright is YOUR light for Me?”

Jesus wasn’t stuttering or rephrasing a clause when He said in John, “I” am the light of the World.” And in Matthew, “YOU are the light of the world. The world is in darkness. HE shines through ME into that darkness. That is how He intended His light to work. Today’s verse refers to Zion, future Israel, who today… is FAR from reflecting ANYTHING resembling God. Jesus asks ME to do a checkup on ME.

How bright is MY light? How well am I shining? Can people, both saved and lost, see Christ through the light I am shining? Or do I hold no fear to the darkness, as it engulfs the lost, leaving no trace? Am I deliberate in my walk with Him? Do I put Him first, read His Word, listen for His voice, give my time and resources to His cause? How up at His house?  Do I pierce the darkness, or has darkness swallowed me?

To answer… I am a 200 watt-er and I know it! I am intentional and ALWAYS ON…. even when I am off! Darkness hates me… but The Light of the world LOVES me.  And He wants me BRIGHTER! I am a 200 watt-er baby! He WANTS me to be 1000! I’m working on it. Are you?

“Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, ‘Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.'” Mark 9:35

Ha Ha – Ding-Dong – Knock-Knock! Those were the sounds I heard coming from the other side of my front door yesterday. It was about the same time Katie was to get home from work, so I thought maybe it was her. Opening the door, I saw 2 young ladies with badges and clipboards smiling ear to ear! They asked me how MY day was going. Knowing they didn’t really care, I asked, “wha-da-ya sellin’?”

I was cordial enough… but kind of irritated. You see, my neighborhood gets plenty of door to door salesmen, though rarely females. Having been in sales most of my working life, I know that a sale doesn’t take place until ‘attention’ and ‘interest’ have been established. I wasn’t giving either until I knew the product. For Example, I ordered new windows last year, and have had at least 10 window salesmen knock since!

The discussion was cordial… and quick! It turned out I already have the product they were trying to sell me. When they asked how satisfied I was, I told them I’d like a new router because mine is old and sometimes freezes. They laughed at my age joke, then told me to call the main office and request a new router from THEM. “I’m sure THEY’D be willing to help you!” one girl said.

Enthusiasm, a willingness to serve, and the attention needed to do so are some of the basic characteristics of a genuinely good salesman. I used to refer to myself as a ‘troubleshooter’ more than a ‘salesman.’ If you have a problem? I’d like to help… if I can. The girl’s jovial attitudes proved they were there to simply make money. Once they realized they couldn’t, they left. QUICKLY!

Jesus was ‘The Greatest Salesman who ever lived.’ It’s a title… AND the name of a book. After that ding dong event, I was reminded that I am STILL required to serve Him by putting others needs before my own… and to serve others in His Name. Because being a Servant of the Chief Servant comes with the strict clause, ‘I am His’ and ‘Follow Him!’ Are YOU following Jesus’ lead by putting others first?

“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.” 1 Corinthians 9:24

It is 2024. It is typically a time of year to look over my life and weigh and measure how well I am doing in my relationships to God, Family and people. Last night at Bible Study, I threw open the question for discussion by asking, ‘What is it that you strive, seek or promise to God that you will do… and NOT do. It was an interesting time and the answers were recorded.

Not all things can apply to all people. ‘I promise to feed the dog daily,’ cannot apply to someone who doesn’t have a dog. But overall, I am very proud of the insights that came from our Church people. It is a good suggestion to spend some time reading Deuteronomy to find out what God considers as basic rules of conduct for obedience to Him. His principles do not change.

Do’s and Don’ts for 2024

I read my Bible thoroughly, and spend quiet time with Jesus every morning.

I don’t miss Church or Bible Study.

I Pray

I don’t watch Horror movies or open myself to the Dark World

I don’t drink to excess or to get drunk

I don’t read Horoscopes or dabble in the unknown

I listen to Christian Music and teachings

I serve others

I give my time and my money appropriately to God first

I share the Gospel with others

I admit when I am wrong

I fellowship with other Christians

I encourage others in their Christian walking

I intentionally love my spouse, family and friends

I do not lie, cheat or steal

I do not look at pornographic or lewd material

I get involved and speak God’s Truth

I take care of my body

I do not take advantage of others

I do not gossip

This is not a complete or exhaustive list, but it helps to define our own lives as we choose to run our race to win the prize Christ has for us. I pray this helps you as it has all of us.  Maybe you have some other suggestions or ideas.

“…put off your former way of life, your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be renewed in the spirit of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” Ephesians 4:22-24

It started when Katie took down the Christmas Tree. It seemed just yesterday we put the Christmas decorations UP! Too much, too fast, with not enough time to enjoy seems to be the theme of Christmas. We have a deal with the decorations. She does the inside, I do the outside. Pondering on what to do yesterday, the thought, ‘take down the Christmas Lights,’ hit me. Several times! UGH!!!

Putting the Christmas lights UP are WAY more time consuming than taking them down. Having done it for years, I have a system that works well and fast. But for some reason, I couldn’t get the engine of that job to start. The nudge ‘JUST DO IT’ succumbed far too easily to the, “Eh… maybe later,” idea. ‘Later’ fished around for some good reasons for support, but failed to pull any weight. Sooo!

As I expected, the job didn’t take long at all. Within half an hour, I was done. And I actually felt a sense of accomplishment and relief that I wasn’t being bugged about it anymore. That is until the NEXT thing hit my head! And the ridiculous fishing for excuses started all over again! It seemed that I hadn’t learned a thing! Maybe what I needed was a better, fancier version of ‘a round TUIT!’

When Jesus knocked on my old fleshy heart and wanted to take possession of it, I opened the door and welcomed Him in. It is a decision I have never regretted. I just didn’t realize the extent of what His ‘take over’ meant! Over the years, we’ve had numerous, and sometimes ugly discussions. In the end, He usually wins. But there is ALWAYS a NEXT TIME! Putting off and putting on is difficult!

I know we ALL have the same problem. But that doesn’t really help much. In the end, a crashing plane full of people will NEVER find a way to turn that experience into a party! With the Holy Spirit, my old self ALWAYS faces a ‘one on one’ experience. Until ‘He’ has Won! When He does, I always have the same feeling of accomplishment and relief. Put off… Put on! It’s a job that never ends!

How are YOU doing with that command? What are YOU needing to get ‘a round tuit?’ Cuz He’s waiting!  

“…we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance…” Romans 5:2b-3

“Monday, Monday, can’t trust that day.” That song, written back in my kid days, was being lived out as I made calls yesterday. Starting off well, it became apparent that for many, it was already going downhill. Listening to the sheep under my care, as they bleat out their woes, is actually an honor for me. It is my calling to listen, and then give True Hope from the Word of God. It never gets old.

Sometimes I read the Word of God and think God is whacked out of His mind! “Glory in (y)our sufferings?!!” THAT’S a phrase I RARELY see put to use. But then I am reminded that Jesus, The Word of God, suffered a WHOLE lot more in 1 day than I have in my entire life! And HE says… ‘Rejoice in sufferings!’ MY job is to DISCOVER and PRACTICE what HE preaches. Then pass it on to fellow sheep.

Galatians 1:4 says Jesus “gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father.” So on one hand, He agrees that I live in an evil age and have a NEED to be rescued. But He has no plans to pull me out of it! God’s Word says that if I follow and obey Him, I CAN be ABLE to GLORY in my suffering, living INSIDE this evil world! THAT sounds nuts!

C.S. Lewis said, in ‘The Problem of Pain,’ that “We can ignore even pleasure. But pain insists upon being attended to. God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains; it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world.” The logical question is, ‘why doesn’t He just throw the megaphone away!’ The answer is, He didn’t create pain in the first place! WE did that ourselves!

The point is, every ouch, bump, loss, hurt and uh-oh produces something. Usually it comes out in tears of sorrow, which can easily lead to anger and bitterness. God says those pains are simply the evidence that I was not MADE for this world. What I am experiencing was never intended in the first place. That should lead me to REJOICE because, there IS a HOPE and a PLACE where I DO belong!

Jesus calls me ‘The Light of the world.’ Lights shine in DARKNESS. Since I am LIVING in a dark evil world, He wants me to SHINE more than I WHINE! One day I will live where darkness cannot. But until then, I am called to adjust my mind to live brightly THROUGH the dark times by HIS power! That is His prescription for the day. So…. what’s in YOUR head and how are YOU doing at shining?

“Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done. Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts.” Psalm 105:1-2

It was easy on the Cruise… waking up without an alarm! Walking in the sunshine, then through a buffet with dozens of options of foods to choose from, it was easy to be happy and rejoice. I had no worries, cares, pains or responsibilities. As I read Psalm 105‘s first 5 verses, it was easy to praise and thank the LORD for all his benefits. Waking up to the gray cold of today, I admit some difficulty!

Because someone had asked, I went straight to work looking for the answers to the questions. A spirit of ‘back at work’ had caught me by surprise. My vocation calls for ‘work’ as much as any other. But it wasn’t long before I sensed God’s Spirit prodding me. “Did you do YOUR home-work?” He was asking. I knew what He was saying and knew that, before I had even started the day, I’d blown it!

So what’s a guy to do when he’s caught… after supposedly knowing better? Though easier said than done, I HAD to stop! Then I considered. Then I turned the pages of my Bible to the very same home-work assignment I had given the church yesterday. And there on the page was the assignment. Give Praise to the LORD! Remember what He’s done. Sing to Him. Then the song just came.

No… I didn’t write the song. But I knew it! As I remembered all the blessings and benefits He has overflowed to me, the song became easy to sing. Which is actually the meaning of, and for, my entire life! I am here, not there. A dreary cold day naturally darkens my mood. Life… is tragic, hard and dark without Jesus! The only point to it all… is HIM! It is my joy and purpose to Believe and sing!

As a believer and recipient of God’s life, the only way I can actually mirror and display Him is through my connection with Him. If there is none, my light dims. So priority 1 is to make the connection. The Word, and the song, helps me to do just that. Have YOU made ‘The Connection’ today? If not, turn to Psalm 105 and sing along! You know the words… It’s a song for the “Home-Sick”