“Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household.” Ephesians 2:19

Today is my Father’s Birthday! If he hadn’t died, he’d be a nonagenarian at 94…and my day would look TOTALLY different than it does. I would be making plans to meet him for a little get together, a gift and birthday cake. But he’s in Heaven now..so THAT won’t happen. No birthday song and no blowing out candles for HIM. Which is actually just PERFECT!

My dad’s name was Kenneth, from which I get mine. Life wasn’t looking very good for him from the beginning. Dad had dropped out of high school to join the Navy. I guess when Hitler heard about his enlistment, he gave up! So dad celebratorily worked on becoming a drunk. After marrying my mom, THAT career goal had to stop. With time and discouragement, he Bounced from job to job. Until God happened!

He was working on the railroad (all the live long day) as a brakeman, coupling railroad cars together. One day his foot slipped and was caught between the couplers, crushing his foot. En route to the hospital he was told he would lose his foot! That statement haunted him in more ways than one!

It wasn’t a miracle…but it was! He DIDN’T lose his foot, but went through several tough operations which left him questioning, “WHY didn’t I lose it?” He knew ABOUT God…but didn’t KNOW God. That question bothered him, as he walked in front of a little black attended church in Pittsburgh. He heard singing, was drawn inside and then SAVED! Not long after, having never even given a speech before, Jesus called him into the ministry! I was 5!

My dad was tender and quiet, but tough. He wasn’t creative in the discipline department and had a long fuse. But when he went off, it was with a BANG! Being busy trying to figure out the whole Jesus AND ministry thing out at the same time, he bounced a lot of ideas and lessons off of ME…his practice dummy! He made me learn HOW to read Scripture, pray, preach and teach in the church from a young age. His expectations were HIGH! When he and God let me know I would be following in his footsteps, I rejected the idea with prejudice! I had SEEN what ministry was like first hand.

Today my dad would be 94 and I WISH we could have a party! My gift would be to bring Katie, the kids and grand-kids so he could see them all. He would be SOOOO proud! Because each and every one of us are burning candles for Jesus Christ, lighted by Dad’s life and legacy. We are Children of Most High God and WILLINGLY SERVE Him like my dad taught ME to serve. It is MY commitment that OUR candles NEVER go out! Cuz there IS a Party coming! And he’ll be there… WITH Jesus!

How bright is YOUR legacy and what are YOU doing about it?

“For you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.” James 1:3

I received a text yesterday with an offer that would make us monetarily wealthy beyond anything we have ever imagined. While not in the millions, it would make a HUGE difference in our lives. But the problem it presented was just as huge…because Katie and I had already put this subject to bed! Having prayed and tested and tried and figured, we had received our answer and made our decision. NOW THIS??

Not sure what to do, we had come together and made the decision to pursue an answer. ‘Should we or shouldn’t we’ was the question we had for God. Since we don’t know the future, and He does, we had made the choice to seek an answer from Him. Being dedicated to Jesus Christ, we have been in the “What-to-do?” room many times. And even though we have learned a thing or 2, it’s still a tough spot to be in.

How does one make a decision when so much is at stake? If God is truly The Lord of my life, He has plans and intentions for me. Discovering what those plans are takes intention and faithfulness. All through the Bible there are examples of ways to find out God’s will. In the Old Testament, Gideon did it with a fleece! The Priest’s did it with basically a coin toss! But that was THEM. This is US! How do WE do it? And how do we know our decision is reliable and God given. To make matters more difficult, I have experienced God’s answer in the form of, “I don’t really care…you decide and I’ll back you up!” OY VEY!

What I eat for dinner, what car I drive, the house I live in, and even who I marry can carry a lot of angst! Going to God and asking ‘by faith…’ EXPECTING Him to give me an answer… is NOT unreasonable. Neither is struggling to stay on course AFTER the decision is made. The act of making a Godly decision ALSO GUARANTEES that there will be opposing forces pressing AGAINST that decision. And here we are!

We had asked God to help us make the decision and, in the face of unrealistic odds, we received the SAME answer…THREE TIMES! Now, here comes the test…”but are you REALLY REALLY SURE you want to DO that?” The only surprise is that we were surprised at The Test! “Heart, Head or Heaven!” Which is it going to be? Go ahead and call us crazy…but we’re sticking with Heaven! God trusted that we would!

Are YOU a sticking stead-faster?

“If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple. And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.” Luke 14:26-27

Katie and I have been blessed with 2 houses. One we list on VRBO as a vacation rental. We weren’t GIVEN this blessing but WORKED for it! As God presented us with opportunities for us to serve Him, trust Him and give everything to Him, He blessed us as promised. But in the last four years of seasonally renting, ‘The Blessing,’ THIS had NEVER happened!

It was a 1 day turnaround, meaning that the current vacationer was to be out by 10am since, the NEW vacationer was scheduled to arrive at 2pm! In between, the house needed to be cleaned. It wasn’t a big deal because I have an EXCELLENT 1 woman cleaning crew! Having some things to do there myself, I arrived at 10:30 am, only to find that the current vacationer hadn’t left yet! And he hadn’t planned to!

I made a joke when, after I knocked, the renter came to the door. I smiled and said, “Good morning , eviction man here!” I could tell by the look on his face he had NO clue what I meant! He hadn’t even STARTED to pack! Bottom line…he had his dates mixed up and really didn’t know it was time to leave! I let him know that there really was no choice in the matter! A contract was a contract!

The Bible verse today is like my knock on the door… BRASH! But there it is! When Jesus said it He was speaking of HIMSELF! And for you PC people out there that hate the word HATE… you can see for yourself that Jesus Christ used it! And yes…WHAT He said made HUGE waves! Jesus said. ‘If you want to follow me… you must HATE everyone else! EVERYONE!’

I read a statement in a book that really brought light to this subject of how impossible it is to have 2 different families (or masters) living in 1 house! The author said, “Discipleship is an obvious prerequisite for overcoming sin and death!” That statement, along with these verses, makes it clear that CHOOSING JESUS costs EVERYTHING! And will continue to do so!

We’ve ALL heard very sad stories of people who have destroyed their entire family because they chose to ‘follow their heart!’ When reading Jesus’ words, I cannot help but see that He is asking me to do EXACTLY THAT! Except for 1 thing… He wants me to FOLLOW HIM! NOT my own heart! When I do, His wish becomes my command. Then He wishes me to love my family, friends and associates LIKE HE DOES! FAITHFULLY!

As I work to pay attention, I hear knocks on the door of my heart! And one more time, it’s the owner! And one more time He sticks His nose into my business and asks…no DEMANDS… that I throw some stuff (or myself) OUT! So please excuse me for the occasional look on my face, because I often get confused. After all… I never thought He’d ask for THAT!

Does anything else live in your heart before Jesus?

“‘Come now, let us reason together,’ says the LORD. ‘Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool. but if you resist and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword.’ For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.” Isaiah 1:18-20

It’s been going on now for a couple months…this insomnia thing. This new thing, along with my old chronic back pain, has added a whole new dimension to my life. The last few days have been especially rough as events and duty overlap to make me feel like I am running a marathon for my life… on 1 leg. Then there is Jesus!!!

Oh no! Don’t you think for a moment that I am whining! While it is true that I didn’t expect THIS at my age. Truth be told, I didn’t really EXPECT ANYTHING. Now, stepping back and plopping down into ‘The Reasoning Chair,’ I feel like I’m 19 again! And boy…I HATED 19!

I’m a WHOLE lot smarter now, and have a LOT of experience with hills and valleys of life. God and I have fought and argued and reasoned together so many times, you’d think I’d have learned to see what He is doing more quickly. And foolish me, when asked by folks, “So how are you doing?” I’ve actually TOLD them! Which is not always smart.

EVERYONE has an opinion about what to do in ANY given situation. And like me, people are NOT afraid to tell me what I should do in every area of conflict ‘I’ bring up. Which isn’t a bad thing in itself, since it shows that they care! I listen and often try out suggestions to see if their wisdom can help since… what are friends for?? Then there’s Jesus!

When the Shepherd and Master of my life wants to make me an offer I can’t refuse, He tries to get my attention with a wink, a finger crook or a low whistle. If I am paying attention, which I should be, coming together is quick and profitable. If I have wandered further away from where He wants me to be, I don’t always see the signs. Then…more dramatic things follow!

To REASON together means a couple things. First, in my opinion, there HAS to be absolute truth to rally around. Living on candy is NEITHER acceptable nor tolerated. Fighting to get candy as my main diet will prove painful to me. The NEXT truth is a lesson that I KNOW, but often need to be reminded. HE is God…I am NOT! I am His servant!

Yesterday I told someone, when they asked how I was, that I am right where God wants me…’up against the ropes!’ Having been there many times, I can see a breakthrough coming through any time now. He’s been trying to get my attention for SOME reason…and as I slip to the mat, He’s got it! After all, He is The Champion of Love! Listen for yourself.

What is God trying to show or tell YOU?

“Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.” James 3:10

As we left the house last night, we knew it was going to be chilly. Knowing, I ran back into the house to grab a jacket. Getting back in the car, I threw it onto the back seat…where it sat! I was prepared, ready and praised myself, “I’m SO glad I have, and remembered, to get that jacket!” My praise wouldn’t last long!

It wasn’t that cold to me when I jumped out of the car and went moving around in the bitter Florida cold. O.K… it was 52! But if you live here you KNOW what I mean. When stupid hit me in the form of a brain freeze, I hadn’t realized that I SHOULD have GRABBED the jacket and PUT IT ON! The wind whipped up and made the temperature feel like 12 degrees. O.K., I over-dramatized! But it’s MY story! So in 12 degree weather.. I cursed the cold!

It is my story, but I bet it’s yours too! Because I am SOOOO human! Of the entire light spectrum produced by a rainbow, the human eye can actually only see .0003%! Which COMPLETELY relates to how much of GOD I can actually see and understand in my human form. Being human, I am also FICKLE! I want what I want, how I want and when I want it…NOW!

I was talking to Jack the other day after he was home from his fall. He told me he was unhappy being in prison. He has no independence and is treated horribly! HE’S IN AN ASSISTED LIVING FACILITY! When I reminded him that he can go where and when he wants by Uber, he told me he doesn’t LIKE doing that! When I asked him what had to happen to change his situation, he told me he wanted a car! THIS from a guy who fell driving a walker!

I pick on Jack because he likes it… AND because he gave me permission. Besides, Jack doesn’t like computers and doesn’t read this devotional anyway! My point is, I am SO much like Jack! I want to be warm, but I don’t remember to put on the jacket. When I get cold, I curse the weather instead of my own forgetfulness! And I wonder if God laughs!

I KNOW you folks up north who are freezing in REAL 12 degree weather are now calling me a wimp! And I don’t mind. In fact, I just confessed to it! But today I’m going to take that label and try to make some use out of it by asking God to show me more than just .0003% of what’s real in Him. Maybe He’ll give me a BrrrrrrrEAK-ough!

How much do YOU want to see?

“We ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies.” Romans 8:23

Surfing through phone contacts I came across a VERY special name I hadn’t talked to in a very long time. Just seeing the name made me smile. The last time I tried to dial the number…it rang…but no one answered. Not even voicemail. But as I said, this name was special. So I hit dial…and THIS time…she answered!

I met her when she was the leading lady for our U.S. Senator at the time. She was in charge of all U.S. Service Academy appointments, and since my son Clint was applying, our paths crossed. Because she took such an interest in my son, I fell in love with her immediately. Later, when my other son Colt applied, our journey continued. When problems came up, one call to her was all it took to fix. Next to God, SHE is the reason my sons are where they are.

I recognized her voice IMMEDIATELY when she said hello. After catching her up to date on each of our kids, we got around to talking about the MAIN thing that made our friendship so special…JESUS! It was then that her voice dropped a little and an underlying groan could be heard. I perceived it, because I share it with her.

Her husband has passed on and is “in heaven waiting for her,” she said. She is looking FORWARD to the trip, her reason being the same as mine. We just can’t believe what has happened to this world. Like me she doesn’t watch the news because deliberate ignorance has, at least, SOME bliss. She made me laugh when she said, “If Jesus doesn’t come back soon, He’s going to have to apologize to Sodom and Gomorrah!” Did I tell you she has a feisty side?

If you are a grandparent you probably qualify. Being older means seeing things through a foggy lens that cracked a long time ago. Older people, and I am one, SEE that evil is on the rise and that righteousness is under attack, and not doing well! I have fought to keep evil at bay, but it just seems to keep coming…stronger than ever. I groan in community! Sadly, and like my friend, I sometimes feel that God just isn’t paying attention! But He knew I would!

Groaning is not a sin! In fact, Jesus groaned (John 11:33)! The Bible ALSO says that even JESUS doesn’t know when this ridiculousness is going to end (Matthew 24:36)! Which means that somehow, Jesus, the second person of the Godhead, is as ignorant and upset about the same thing my friend and I are! (and before you get upset at me calling Jesus ignorant… go look up the word!)

So here’s the question of the day…does the rise of evil upset YOU and make YOU groan? If not… WHY NOT? This is an invitation to come join God’s favorite son Jesus, my friend and me in The Groaning Club! After all, groaning IS Biblical and we could use some ideas for a name for it!  

“My eyes are on all their ways; they are not hidden from me, nor is their sin concealed from my eyes.” Jeremiah 16:17

Our Church ‘Evangelists’ were standing at the busy intersection as usual. And as usual, we had paired up in couples to talk while we held up Gospel signs. A man came by to talk with me and I had my back turned when I heard a sound. Turning around, I only saw a semi-truck heading southbound. All of us went on talking. We had missed it!

It wasn’t but for a couple minutes that someone said, “HEY, DO YOU SEE THAT CAR IN THE DITCH ACROSS THE ROAD?” By then, a couple guys had gathered and were seemingly talking to someone in a car, the roof of which was the only thing we could see. So I ran!

When I got across the street there was a lil ol’ lady in a VERY nice Mustang Convertible, sitting behind the wheel texting and talking on a computer tablet. She was unhurt but a little shaken, so I asked her how she was. “Did YOU see that guy run me off the road?” was all she asked. She seemed a very nice lady, but I couldn’t testify to something I hadn’t seen. Making sure she was fine, I waited until the Sheriff’s Deputy arrived.

When I got back to the corner I asked EVERYONE what they had seen. This time, unlike when we experienced the female flasher, no one had seen a thing! I started to think about how justice might be found for the lady with no witnesses! Reading this Bible verse kind of made me cringe a little… because when “I” do something wrong… there is ALWAYS a witness!

God is more talented than Santa because He DOES see EVERYTHING! And sin makes Him VERY unhappy! But He ALSO has something BIGGER than an entire toy factory run by elves! He has a heart FULL and OVERFLOWING with the kind of LOVE that only HE can address. So He addressed it!

God’s Son, Jesus Christ, came under cover to live, die and live again to PAY the penalty for my own infractions against me. God cannot lie, and won’t! He KNOWS! And being perfect in justice, the penalty MUST be paid! So His BIG HEART PAID IT! NOW… there is NO excuse for continuing to do what I always did. NOW… sinners sin, and suffer the penalty, because they CHOOSE TO!

God has an inheritance for me. Jeremiah 17:4 says that my inheritance CAN be LOST. But if it is, it is ALL MY FAULT! I have charges against me with SERIOUS consequences. And I have both a witness against me, AND FOR me! I am NOT a dummy… I chose Jesus!

In the face of LOVE….what is YOUR choice??

“Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.” Romans 14:19

Katie mentioned to me that we were out of Diet Coke. We had 3 different kinds of flavored water, milk, coffee, Diet Dr. Pepper and even water out of the faucet or in the bottle. But no Diet Coke! Since I make it a goal to try to please my wife, I was standing in the grocery store staring at the labels… doing what I don’t like. Head math!

I was in a conundrum! “Get a case of Diet Coke” was the goal. But saving money ALWAYS overrides ANY purchase. Not considering myself cheap, I DO choose to be frugal! The price on a special sticker below notified me that I could buy 2 and get one FREE! With an opportunity like that, how could I pass? Then I did what I don’t do well… head math!

There are people MUCH smarter than me who have figured every possible angle to sell as much of their product as possible. From shelf location on to the wording on the labels, companies have made it their business to get more business. And sometimes deception works. I remembered seeing a sign once that read, “2 for the price of 3!” Naturally, it was a joke. But ONLY if one took the time to process the label! I don’t process math fast enough to simply read and compute! It takes me TIME to figure! Reading God’s Word does too.

Being saved from the penalty of sin is the first thing that a Christian experiences. For some of us, that part is fun and freeing! But it doesn’t take long to learn that after making Jesus my Savior, I am also called to make Him my LORD! THAT takes some figurin! And because none of us are the same or carry the same issues, each of us is called to change the way we think and do things.

I am a Believer in Jesus Christ. I KNOW where I’m going when I die! But the process of living with that knowledge requires me to have secondary thoughts on HOW to live HERE until I go THERE! Today’s verse is like buying Diet Coke. I don’t just go pick it up! I take time to figure out where, when and how much it REALLY costs. Taking OTHER’S peace and edification into consideration ALWAYS affects the ultimate price. And Jesus EXPECTS me to pay it in full!

Have you figured out how much effort following Jesus costs YOU?

There are times when I read something that really impacts me and feel the importance of passing on.  I liked this lesson and am sharing it with you.  It’s a tough but serious question Jesus asks ALL of us.

Do you Want to Get Well? by Ray Stedman Ministries

“Then Jesus said to him, Get up! Pick up your mat and walk. At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked.” John 5:8b-9a

Notice that the first thing Jesus says to do is what the man could not do, what he had tried for 38 years to do. On what basis does Jesus say these words to him? Somehow this man senses what that basis was. Perhaps he was thinking, If this man tells me to rise (and I cannot rise), it must mean that he intends to do something to make it possible. Thus his faith is transferred from his own efforts to Jesus: He must do it. I can’t. The man must also have reasoned somewhat along these lines, If this man is going to help me then I have got to decide to do what he tells me to do.

That is a critical clue many miss when they are looking for help from God. There is always something God tells them to believe, and do, and act on. This is a word of action. Jesus does not say, Try to build up faith in your mind. Try to fasten your thoughts on this or that. He tells them to do something: Rise! Stand up! Obviously it was Jesus’ will that this man should do what he told him to do, and the moment the man’s will agreed with the Lord’s will the power was there. I don’t know whether he felt anything or not. All I know is that strength came into his bones and into his muscles and he could stand.

Then what? The Lord did not merely say, Rise, he said, take up your pallet and walk. G. Campbell Morgan states that Jesus said this, in order to make no provision for a relapse. The man might have said to himself, I’m healed, but I had better leave my bed here; I may need it tomorrow. If he had said that, he would have been back in it the next day. But he did not. Jesus said, Take up your pallet, and the idea was to get rid of it. In those words he is saying something very important to people who need to be healed: do not make any provision to go back on what you have done. Many people fail right here. Burn your bridges behind you. Cut off any possibility of going back. Let somebody know the new stand you have taken so that he will help hold you to it. That is so important. Many individuals have been touched by God, delivered from some inner attitude, a bitter spirit or whatever, but then he has allowed the past to come back in again and he finds himself back where he was. Our Lord knows what he is talking about—take up your pallet.

And then he tells him to walk. Do not expect to be carried—walk. Many people want to be carried after they are healed. They expect everybody to gather around them and keep them going—a common area of failure. But if Jesus gives you the power to rise, Jesus is the One who can give you the power to walk every day, to keep going. That is an important thing to see—you and the Lord. Keep your eyes not on your friends or on yourself, but your eyes on him.

Lord Jesus, I am like so many others, lying by the pool of Bethesda, waiting to be healed; trying various ways and means, hoping somebody will help. I have not yet listened to that wonderful voice that says to me in the inner heart, Rise, take up your bed, and walk. Grant that I will do so from this moment forward.

Life Application

Do we want to be healed from whatever impediments limit our spiritual health and fulfillment? Are we settling for dysfunctional and unfruitful lives when Jesus calls us to get up and walk in the power of His Presence?

Content provided by Ray Stedman – for more information please visit www.raystedman.org