October 2009
October 1
Lost Dog
Driving out of my neighborhood, I saw a lost dog wandering on a very busy road.
He was oblivious to the dangers around him. As the cars slowed so they would not
to hit him, he simply looked up to see if his master was in each car. I held my
breath hoping he would fully cross the road without getting hit. I decided to
abandon my own plans and try to rescue this dog. I crossed the road and watched
him avoid yet another car. I pulled over, opened my door and called for the
puppy. Trusting and tired of wandering, he came right over and jumped into my
car. He had tags, so I reached over to find his name and a number. I called and
a panicked voice answered on the other end. Shortly, she arrived and ran to
embrace her friend. The reunion brought me to tears.
There have been other dogs I’ve tried to rescue which haven’t had such a happy
ending. Some have growled at me, some have run in the opposite direction, and
unfortunately I have even seen one not make it out of the street. But, I always
have to try.
As I drove away, the Lord began speaking to my heart. “This is how it is with
those I love. They often wander away never perceiving the danger they are in out
from under my care. Many see them in danger but refuse to stop from their busy
lives to help the lost ones find their way home.”
I praised the Lord as I found myself overjoyed to witness this reunion. Not
unusual.
I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who
repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance…there is joy
in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”
Luke 15:7,10
Since we have the Spirit of God living inside us, we will rejoice when heaven
rejoices just as we can grieve when the Spirit is grieved. It is very exciting
to lead someone to the Lord! I always feel blessed to be able to be a part or be
witness to someone coming home.
After we come to the Lord, we may wonder what our purpose is, what our gifts
are, or how God might use us. However, one of the last things Jesus said to His
disciples was to preach the gospel. Once we become the Lord disciples, we are
called to help the lost find the way home. Some may run away from us, some may
growl at us, but some will gladly listen, because they have been looking for
awhile. Their response is not our responsibility; our job is simply to tell
them.
How beautiful are the feet of
those who preach
the gospel of peace, Who
bring glad tidings of good things. Romans 10:15
Go into all the world!
Blessings,
Janet Fairbrother
October 2
Kiss It Better
As I was talking to Beth the other night we got on a subject of hurt and pain
and how as a child just a kiss from mom could make things better. It reminded me
of an incident I witnessed years ago.
The toboggan was careening wildly down the hill. The two little kids obviously
had no concept of steering. They were screaming with delight as they started but
the screams turned to panic as they gained speed. I wasn't surprised to see them
flip the toboggan.
Then came the tears. They were obviously more frightened than hurt. As they
started back up the hill in tears, their concerned mom started down. A few
soothing words and a kiss on the top of the head and they were soon screaming
with delight on their next run.
The soothing power of a gentle word and a kiss are amazing. More children's
hurts have been soothed that way than can be imagined. If only it worked as well
for adults.
There is no doubt that in this world there is pain and fear. We have the promise
though of a better place where those things do not exist.
Revelation speaks of God's comfort for those martyred for the faith
Revelation 7:16-17 NIV
Never again will they hunger; never
again will they thirst. The sun will not beat upon them, nor any scorching heat.
For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead
them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their
eyes."
Even for those who do not suffer as martyrs but simply accept Christ by faith,
heaven will be a wonderful place.
Revelation 21:1-4 NIV
Then I saw a new heaven and a new
earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was
no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of
heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I
heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men,
and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be
with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will
be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has
passed away."
The old order with all its pain and disappointment will be gone. There will be
no more sin or suffering our new home. No more death or mourning or crying or
pain. What a promise.
It's a promise of God. It's not just some nice wish or hope. We have seen
throughout Scripture that what God promises, God delivers. It isn't just a
fantasy to ease or pain here. It is a prescription for bliss dispensed by God
and paid for by Jesus Himself.
Just as the two children had their fear and pain kissed away by the closeness of
their mother we too will have it removed by our loving Father. It will be a
permanent removal of pain, loss and fear, never to trouble us again.
It's something we can hold fast to no matter what comes our way.
There are people suffering right now that need a kiss and a hug from you as a
Christian and believer in God. You don’t have to have any credentials or
diplomas just a heart to give.
The giving can be food, clothes, money, prayer or even a kiss, a simple thing to
let people know you care. The Philippines is one of the places that need someone
with a heart to help and a willingness to see a need and step up.
However the Lord is leading you and what He asks you to do is between you and
Him. I would just ask now that you prayerfully consider what your part is in
this time of need.
Even a kiss can solve a world of hurt and pain to those in need.
Darrel Mason
October 5
Technicalities
I looked at the sprinklers at the park and saw a young boy of four or five,
walking out of the water. He was in his underwear. He was muddy to the knees and
wet even higher. To say that his mother was not impressed is an understatement.
She came unglued.
She screamed, "What are you doing? Why were you in the water? Answer me! "
"I was...” "Don't interrupt!”
“Mom, I…”
She cut him off again. “You'll all wet and filthy!”
“Mom, I…” ”What did I tell you?"
Finally the boy had an opportunity to get a word in. "But mom, you said, Don't
get my new shoes and new clothes dirty. I didn't! They're over by the bench. I
took them off so I wouldn't get them dirty. Just like you said mom."
I smiled and laughed to myself as the mom sputtered some explanation about
leaving the shoes and new clothes on the bench not being what she had meant.
We're so often like the little boy looking to get off on some technicality or
another. We try for superficial holiness or partial obedience in our faith walk.
We try and rationalize that "we're not as bad" as someone else or that "we can't
help it".
We'll hear a call from God to do something and come up with all kinds of excuses
why we can't do it or why we must have been mistaken about hearing from God.
Moses even tried to talk his way out of going back to Egypt when standing in
front of the burning bush.
The same behavior that made me laugh at the little boy and his mother isn't
nearly as funny when we do it to God. I believe God has a sense of humor and
laughs, but never about sin and disobedience.
Christ showed a perfect example of someone meeting all the technicalities of the
law, but not being right before God.
Luke 18:9-14 NIV
To some
who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everybody else,
Jesus told this parable: "Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee
and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself:
`God, I thank you that I am not like other men--robbers, evildoers,
adulterers--or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a
tenth of all I get.'
"But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven,
but beat his breast and said, `God, have mercy on me, a sinner.'
I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God.
For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will
be exalted."
The Pharisee, like the little boy with the clean shoes probably thought he was
fine. The truth is meeting all the superficial requirements, and hiding behind
the technicalities doesn't cut it. Jesus wants something more.
Psalm 51:17 NIV
The sacrifices of God are a broken
spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.
It's the heart He looks at. How's yours?
Darrel Mason
October 6
Highest Calling
The economy. The world situation. Employment options or unemployment. Our
health. Our family. The state of the environment. The political scene. Our
wealth or lack thereof. So many things in life can burden us.
One thing that keeps Christians for realizing their true potential in Christ is
they refuse to believe they are made anew and continue to live and relive past
mistakes. They live their lives every day, with the heavy burden of past failure
pressing on the necks, keeping them down.
We're called to live each day with the Lord. As believers, we have been made new
and our past wiped out. More than that, we're called to the highest calling.
2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV
Therefore,
if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has
come!
Even in the Old Testament, God challenged His people to look forward not
backwards.
1 Peter 2:9-10 NIV
Forget the
former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it
springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams
in the wasteland.
As a believer you:
ARE CALLED TO THE ROYAL PRIESTHOOD
Isaiah 43:18-19 NIV
But you
are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to
God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into
his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of
God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
ARE GIFTED FOR THAT CALL
1 Corinthians 12:4-11 NIV
There are
different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of
service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same
God works all of them in all men. Now to each one the manifestation of the
Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit
the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same
Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that
one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another
distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of
tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the
work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he
determines.
ARE MINISTERS
1 Peter 4:10-11 NIV
Each one
should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully
administering God's grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do
it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with
the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through
Jesus Christ.
You have been given a great responsibility and a great privilege by God. You
have been called into the highest calling, the service of the Most High God.
Don't allow the opportunity to pass you by because you feel dragged down by some
mistakes in your past.
You have been set free. Now utilize and share that freedom.
Until next time, may the yoke of bondage to past sins be lifted from your neck.
May you understand your freedom in Christ and answer the call of God into His
service.
Blessings to all,
Darrel Mason
October 7
1-800-MYJESUS
As I sat meditating this morning before preparing the devotional, I was struck
by the radical view that Christians have of God.
We don’t believe in a distant God who is impersonal and uncaring. We don’t
believe in a God who has layer upon layer of ritual and levels to pass though
before we can get to Him.
We believe in a God who is directly involved in our daily lives. One who cares
what happens to us every moment of every day. One who has given us direct access
to Him through His Son.
From the very first days of creation, God walked with people in the Garden of
Eden and wanted to enjoy their company. He still wants to be in direct contact
with us and has given us prayer as an instrument.
Being able to pray and talk directly with God, is like having a toll free phone
card that goes direct to head office. Call 1-800-MYJESUS.
We don’t need fancy theological language to pray. We can just say what’s on my
heart. We can just share whatever is on our hearts and minds complete with all
the emotions that goes along with it and He understands.
We don’t have to have it all together to talk to Him. He knows that we are
sinners and He still sent His Son to die in our place.
We don’t have to be inside a special building to pray. We can pray at home,
outdoors, in our car or where ever we are, just as we would talk to our best
friend.
We are called to prayer about our joys and our needs, in short about everything.
Pray continually; 1 Thessalonians 5:17 NIV
Is
any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs
of praise. Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to
pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer
offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If
he has sinned, he will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other
and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man
is powerful and effective.
James 5:13-16 NIV
When was the last time you called your heavenly home? Perhaps it’s time to do
that right now, God is waiting on the other end of the line, just waiting for
your call.
You don’t need a special occasion or excuse to pray. Just do it because He loves
to hear from you.
No matter whom you are or what you have done. It doesn’t matter what your
circumstances, I promise that He’d love to hear from you.
Until next time, may you remember to share your daily life with Him through
prayer.
God is wanting to hear from you! For some of you it has been way too long!
God bless.
Darrel Mason
October 9
Childish Games
Did you ever play hide and seek as a child? I'm sure you probably did, at least
one time. I don't think I've ever met anyone who hasn't done so at least on
occasion.
Sometimes I liked to be the one who was hiding, other times I liked to be the
one who did the seeking. I confess that I hated the counting part, and on
probably more than one occasion I skipped a few of the numbers, so that the
hiders would have a little less time to hide.
Some kids were not very adept at hiding and they could be found easily. Others
were a lot more creative and every now and then one of the kids would just seem
to be an ingenious hider who turned out to be virtually impossible to find.
I watched a small boy playing hide and seek with his mom recently. She counted
and he ran away, perhaps twenty feet. He stood out in the open with every muscle
in his body clenched and his eyes closed. In his mind, if he couldn't see his
mom, she couldn't see him.
Mom looked everywhere for him, calling out because she couldn't "see" him.
Eventually, he couldn't contain himself any longer and a fit of the giggles
overcame him. He opened his eyes and his mom "found" him.
She ran to him, hugged him tight and gave him a kiss. His giggles turned into
squeals of joy and fits of laughter.
It seems silly to think that by closing his eyes, he was invisible, but that's
how a young child thinks.
In some ways, at times, adults are no different. We hide from God. We hide our
sins and pain from God. We think if we just close our eyes tight enough, He'll
never know.
There simply is no hiding from God. We can ignore Him and deny Him all we want,
but we will all eventually stand before Him.
It is written:"
Romans 14:11-12 NIV
`As surely
as I live,' says the Lord, `every knee will bow before me; every tongue will
confess to God.'
So then, each of us will give an account
of himself to God.
What are you closing your eyes to in your own life, hoping against all hope that
He doesn't know? He already knows, no matter how much you clench and tighten, so
turn it over to Him. The only one you’re fooling is yourself.
The freedom that comes from giving it all up to God, will take the tension out.
I don't know if you will be like the little boy and be overcome by the giggles
and squeal, but there is great joy in not having to hide from Him anymore.
Until next time, may you stop hiding from the one who is patiently seeking you
and waiting to love and help you.
May you truly open your eyes to all he is trying to free you from.
If you've been hiding from God today is the day to change that fact. It's time
to open yourself up to His love, mercy and forgiveness. It's time to prepare for
eternity.
There is coming a day where there will be no more counting and it will be a time
of tears, not joy for those who hid from God and those who had the chance to
open their eyes to find the beauty in life they missed.
Ready or not, here God comes!
Darrel Mason
October 12
Let Go—Gain Life
My youngest child is knows too many details about Star Wars. I can’t begin to
tell you how many times he has seen each episode. One day last week, he was home
from school and watching one again. As I listened from a nearby room, I said,
“Rewind! Rewind! What did Yoda just say exactly?” This was the conversation
between Yoda and young Anakin Skywalker:
Yoda: “Careful. Fear of loss is a
path to the dark side. Attachment leads to jealousy. The shadow of greed that
is.”
Anakin: “What must I do?”
Yoda: “Train yourself to let go of everything you fear to lose.”
I began to ponder Yoda’s advice the scriptures from Luke 18:18-23 about the rich
young ruler came to mind.
Now a certain ruler asked Him, saying, "Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit
eternal life?"
So Jesus said to him, "Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is,
God. You know the commandments: 'Do
not commit adultery,' 'Do not murder,' 'Do not steal,' 'Do not bear false
witness,' 'Honor your father and your mother.'"
And he said, "All these things I have kept from my youth."
So when Jesus heard these things, He said to him, "You still lack one thing.
Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in
heaven; and come, follow Me."
But when he heard this, he became very sorrowful, for he was very rich.
The rich young ruler wanted to know what he had to do to inherit eternal life.
The problem I find is that people think of eternal life as what happens after
they die and go to heaven. Eternal life is so much more than that! Jesus defines
eternal life in his prayer to His father in John 17:3,
“And this is eternal life, that they may know You,
the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” Jesus was sent
to give us eternal life—the ability to know God! Anything we are holding on to
that hinders us from knowing God needs to be let go of. That is why Jesus told
the man to sell everything he had. His riches were coming between his knowing
God. Money was not the issue. The issue was
his money. The man walked away
sorrowful because he was afraid to let go of his money. What is your security?
What are you afraid to let go of? To receive more of God and what He has to
offer, we must always let go of something first.
Matthew 16:24-27 tells us what Jesus spoke to His disciples, “Then Jesus said to
His disciples, ‘If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and
take up his cross, and follow Me.
For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life
for My sake will find it. For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole
world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?
For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and
then He will reward each according to his works.’”
To deny oneself means to refrain from satisfying one’s desires or the practice
of self-denial. We cannot go around this world, satisfying our own desires. If
we want to be a Christian disciple, then we are called to know God and glorify
His desires—more of Him and less of us. Our will is to become His will. Our mind
is to be the mind of Christ, and we are to love and hate the things our Father
loves and hates.
Yoda said train yourself to let go. The word gives us many commands about how to
do this:
Matthew 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all
these things shall be added to you.
Philippians 4:6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and
supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.
Philippians 2:3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in
lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.
Colossians 3:2-4 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For
you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our
life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.
We must let go of earthly desires and seek that which is above. We have no
reason to be afraid of letting go, our gain is Christ. He is a treasure worth
the price. He paid the ultimate price for you.
What do you need to let go of to inherit eternal life?
But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet
indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of
Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count
them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ.
Philippians 3:7-8
Daily letting go,
Janet Fairbrother
October 13
Stunted Sunflowers
In my backyard there were a number of sun flowers. They were from seeds that got
dropped out of the bird feeder. A number of them are quite small and stunted
because they didn't start growing until late in the summer.
Stunted or not, they still managed to grow some small flowers and were managing
to start the process of setting seed. I was thinking about them the other
morning and thinking about the amazing way God has equipped them to propagate
despite their tough circumstances.
As I was doing that my mind went back perhaps forty years ago to an amazing
sight on my parent's farm. Early one fall day I was moving some bales when
something caught my eye. Growing on one of the bales was a fully grown stalk of
wheat with a full head of seed ripening.
That in itself isn't unusual. What caught my eye is that the whole plant, seed
and all was less than two inches tall. There wasn't much nutrition in the bale
for a plant, yet a seed had managed to sprout, to survive and to produce new
seeds.
Throughout the history of the church, there have been churches like that. They
are in difficult circumstances. Perhaps they are persecuted. Maybe the community
they live in is dying. They could be a pioneering work in an area resistant to
the gospel.
Somehow though, despite all the odds and all the obstacles they still manage to
produce spiritual fruit.
I thought of the church in Smyrna (in the Roman Province of Asia, what is now
modern Turkey)
Revelation 2:8-11 NIV
"To the
angel of the church in Smyrna write: These are the words of him who is the First
and the Last, who died and came to life again. I know your afflictions and your
poverty--yet you are rich! I know the slander of those who say they are Jews and
are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Do not be afraid of what you are about to
suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and
you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of
death, and I will give you the crown of life. He who has an ear, let him hear
what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes will not be hurt at all
by the second death.
I also thought about the church in Philadelphia (also in Turkey, not in
Pennsylvania)
Revelation 3:7-13 NIV
"To the
angel of the church in Philadelphia write: These are the words of him who is
holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and
what he shuts no one can open. I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you
an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you
have kept my word and have not denied my name. I will make those who are of the
synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews though they are not, but are liars--I
will make them come and fall down at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved
you. Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you
from the hour of trial that is going to come upon the whole world to test those
who live on the earth. I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no
one will take your crown. Him who overcomes I will make a pillar in the temple
of my God. Never again will he leave it. I will write on him the name of my God
and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out
of heaven from my God; and I will also write on him my new name. He who has an
ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
They struggled and despite all they went through, the Lord Jesus was still with
them. In fact out of the seven churches named in John's Revelation of Jesus the
Christ, these two struggling, persecuted churches are the only ones God does not
condemn in some way.
Perhaps you're worshipping or serving in one of these churches that is like my
struggling sunflower or stunted wheat. Take heart. As long as the truth is being
proclaimed and the faith walk is authentic the Lord Jesus is pleased.
On the other hand if the place you worship or serve is stunted because the truth
is compromised or people are allowing things in the church that shouldn’t be;
beware. The church was supposed to change the world not the world change the
church; so in many things Jesus is not pleased.
Until next time, walk in trust with Him even when times are hard and the enemy
is coming against you.
Remember the battle belongs to the Lord.
Carefully examine whether you are struggling against the enemy or the Lord!
Be blessed
Darrel Mason
October 22
All in a Name
From time beyond memory, in most cultures, people were named based on
significant events, locations, lineage or other identifying factors. Some common
English examples include Miller, Smith and Clark which are all occupations.
Overhill, Bottoms, and Fields are all locations.
In many cultures children were named with characteristics the parents hoped
their children would have. Strong, Prudence, and Charity are a few English names
that might fit this category
The names we give our children often show what we value. It seems that certain
names go in cycles. During the 1960's and early 1970's there were a lot of
"earth" names like River, Sky, Moon, Wildflower. During the 1970's and 1980's
the trend seemed to be soap opera stars. In the 1990's it appeared to be
successful athletes. It's been a real mixed bag since the turn of the century.
I'm truly surprised we haven't taken to naming our children Happiness, Career,
Wealth, Success, Rights or Tolerance.
The name of every person and place in the Bible has some significance, the
importance of which is often missed in English. If you do a Google search, it is
easy to find Hitchcock's Bible Name Dictionary. It's usually free for the
downloading and it has been public domain for years. It's not 100% complete, and
like any other name dictionary some of the meanings are arguable at best, but it
can give you some insight.
It is especially important in Scripture when there is a name change. Abram to
Abraham. Sarai to Sarah. Jacob to Israel. You can look those up yourself in your
"new" Hitchcock's or other study tool.
A study of the names of God can be incredibly enlightening. The English words
Lord and God miss out on so much of the depth of the original Hebrew meaning.
We're all familiar with Jesus Christ. Jesus is a name and Christ is a title.
It's a title meaning Anointed, or by implication Savior. It would be more
correct to refer to Him as Jesus the Christ. Even the name Jesus is not strictly
correct. The letter "J" didn't exist in his lifetime. A more correct name would
be Yeshua (or anglicized Joshua). Jesus, son of Joseph and Mary would
technically be Yeshua, son of Yosef and Miriam. The Hebrews often took their
Father's name as last name by adding "Bar" much like Olafson would be the son of
Olaf in some countries. This would make Jesus more likely to be Yeshua Bar
Yosef.
There is power in a name. Whether we call Him Jesus, Christ, Jesus Christ,
Messiah, Lord, Yeshua or something else, there is something very significant
about Him.
Acts 4:8-12 NIV
Then
Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: "Rulers and elders of the
people! If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to
a cripple and are asked how he was healed, then know this, you and all the
people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you
crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you
healed. He is “`the stone you builders rejected, which has become the capstone.'
Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given
to men by which we must be saved."
In the same way we're saved in His name, we told to pray in His name.
John 14:11-13 NIV
Believe me
when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe
on the evidence of the miracles themselves. I tell you the truth, anyone who has
faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than
these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my
name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything
in my name, and I will do it.
In His name and by His name are not magic phrases. They aren't like rubbing a
genie lamp or saying abracadabra or any other "magic word". It's a reflection of
who He is. He is Jesus, the Son of God, part of the triune God who controls all.
He's the one who came and took away the eternal penalty of sin. The name is to
remind us who has the power and who we are to have faith in.
Prayers in the name of dead saints don't cut it. Prayers offered to idols don't
do it. Only through Christ can prayer be truly answered. Strong faith in anyone
other than Christ doesn't bring salvation. Good works can't save. Being nice or
religious has no power. Salvation comes only through faith in Jesus.
Until next time, when you think of His name, take a moment to meditate on who He
is and what a miracle it is that we can know Him.
My question to you now is that you know the name of Jesus but does He know you?
Be blessed,
Darrel Mason
October 23
Drought
It had rained steadily for several hours and everything seemed to be thoroughly
drenched. There were small puddles forming in the low spots and the rain was
running down the gutters like little rivers.
Just before retiring for bed, I looked out the window into the back yard. The
ground underneath the trees was as dry as a bone. Everything around it was wet
and lush, but this ground seemed to groan and cry out to share in part of the
water.
We have all gone through times like that in our life, where we seem to be in
spiritual or emotional deserts. We look at those around us and they seem to be
blessed and we are under intense pressure, groaning for relief.
We cry out for God and He doesn't seem to be listening. We look to others, but
they don't seem to understand what we are going through. We don't even know how
to express what we are in need of.
Sometimes it happens because we have turned away from God in pursuit of other
things. Sometimes it is because God has called us to do something and we refuse
to listen.
Perhaps it is because of unrepentant sin in our lives. Maybe we have hardened
our hearts to Him and others.
Sometimes there is a lesson we need to learn. Frankly sometimes, only God
Himself understands why we are going through a drought.
We need to turn to God in those times and seek His face. We need to give up
those things which have distracted us and take us away from Him. We must learn
to ask Him to show us what we need to be learning. We need to ask for His
strength to ride out the drought.
When we have done those things, we need to find the joy of knowing Him
regardless of our circumstances. He is still there with us, even in the desert
times.
He walked with Israel the 40 years they wandered in the desert. He was with
David in the physical deserts and spiritual droughts of his life.
He is beside you as you struggle with your desert. In His time He promises:
Isaiah 41:17-20 NIV
"The poor and needy search for water,
but there is none; their tongues are parched with thirst. But I the LORD will
answer them; I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them. I will make rivers
flow on barren heights, and springs within the valleys. I will turn the desert
into pools of water, and the parched ground into springs. I will put in the
desert the cedar and the acacia, the myrtle and the olive. I will set pines in
the wasteland, the fir and the cypress together, so that people may see and
know, may consider and understand, that the hand of the LORD has done this, that
the Holy One of Israel has created it.
Revelation 7:17 NIV
He is not just speaking here of
physical water, but of His living water For the Lamb at the center of the throne
will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God
will wipe away every tear from their eyes.
As you pass through the drought seek Him and His living water.
Until next time, may you be filled to overflowing with streams of His living
water.
An abundant and overflow of God’s blessings to you!
Darrel Mason
October 26
No More Excuses!
For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing
his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and
immediately forgets what kind of man he was. But he who looks into the perfect
law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of
the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.
James 1:23-25
For some reason, we can be so blind to our own sin. We can see it in everyone
else, and sometimes we are quick to point it out too! We need to be that quick
with ourselves always willing to confess and change. James is telling us that we
may see our sin, but when we aren’t staring at it like in a mirror; we tend to
walk away and forget about it. We walk away and look at other people’s sin too
willing to pass judgment. When we deal with the sin in our lives, we will be
blessed by God. Ignoring it only allows it to fester and grow hindering our walk
with God.
Psalm 51 was written by David when he finally acknowledged his sins pointed out
by the prophet, Nathan. The story is found in 2 Samuel 12. It is interesting
that the Lord had Nathan tell a story about someone else so David could see the
gross sin and be appalled. Unfortunately, he did not see himself in that story
until Nathan spoke saying, “You are the man!” The Lord’s rebuke followed and in
verse twelve added, “For you did it secretly, but I will do this thing before
all Israel, before the sun.”
Wouldn’t it have been better if David had recognized his sin from the beginning
when he first saw Bathsheba bathing? He could have brought his thoughts captive,
repented, and walked away. But even if he didn’t catch it then, what if he had
recognized taking Bathsheba was wrong, repented, and spared Uriah’s life?
Instead he continued to cover up and hide one sin after another refusing to see
his sin for what it was. When we refuse to see our sin and come to God in
humility, He will often bring it out into the open bringing humiliation.
Remember, only the prideful can suffer humiliation. God sees the secret places
of our hearts. When we don’t want to look at ourselves, God will show us. He
wants nothing to hinder our walk with Him.
David repents before the Lord in Psalm 51 acknowledging his sin and calling on
God’s mercy and love to cleanse him. I love verse 12 where David says restore me
to the joy of Your salvation. First of all he admits that in sinning he had lost
his joy and felt apart from God. Secondly though, David finds himself looking to
God and God alone for salvation. Maybe, he had begun to lose his joy in the
first place and instead of running to God, he ran into the arms of sin through
the woman Bathsheba. Only that didn’t satisfy. Sin never does. It is never
enough. It is only God that can bring us salvation and uphold us by His Spirit.
David came to the place that he realized that he had looked for salvation
outside of God. How foolish can we be?
Oh Lord, so many times we look in all the wrong places! We need only to look to
you. You alone can restore our joy. Only Your ways will bring us salvation. Show
me Lord, right here, right now where I need to repent. I don’t want to walk away
from this mirror until I am clean before you. I will look at myself and face the
areas You want to change. I am walking away from this mirror a changed person. I
am a doer of the Word and not just a hearer. No more excuses! Thank you for your
love and forgiveness. Amen
Create in me a clean heart, O God,
And renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me away from Your presence,
And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of Your salvation,
And uphold me by Your generous Spirit.
Psalms 51:10-12
Watch for the blessings!
Janet Fairbrother
October 27
Noisy Birds
I keep two bird feeders in my backyard along with a bird bath.
The feeders bring a constant flurry of
birds to the backyard (along with the occasional gluttonous squirrel).
There are two species of birds that visit regularly, the white breasted and the
red breasted. The white is larger of the two but they are both very similar in
behavior, voice, and behaviors. They make a sound that can best be described as
kvaak-kvaak-kvaak. Both will often walk down trees and feed upside down. They
can be quite comical to watch.
On Saturday there was the usual stream of birds gathering seed to hide for the
winter. Until I stepped into the backyard to do some cleanup. Then they sat in a
nearby tree and lectured me. In addition to their normal kvaak-kvaak-kvaak they
were making some other distressed noises.
I don't speak bird language but I had the distinct impression they were telling
me to get away from their territory and to leave their feeder alone. If only
they understood that I'm the one who keeps their feeder filled. Without my help
they would have no seed at least not the sunflowers from this yard.
As I thought about that I wondered how many times I had grumbled at God for
getting in "my way". How ungrateful and short sighted of me. Without Him I
wouldn't even be here. Without Him I would have nothing and could do nothing.
Forgive me Lord for the times I have sounded like a noisy bird.
Our attitude should be colored by gratitude no matter what our circumstances
say.
Philippians 4:6-7 NIV
Do not be
anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with
thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which
transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ
Jesus.
Although you might think you have a lot to squawk about, there is really more to
praise god for than you can know.
Until next time, stop squawking and start thanking.
Be blessed
Darrel Mason
October 29
Fresh Eyes
I was having one of those moments this morning reading Scripture. You probably
know the type of moment I mean. You're reading a passage of Scripture for the
second, tenth, hundredth time and sometime pops out at you that you see with
fresh eyes. It's almost as if you are reading it for the very first time only
clearer.
I was reading in the New Testament in the letter to the Hebrew church when I saw
it.
Hebrews 3:6-4:12 NIV
See to it,
brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from
the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today,
so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness. We have come to
share in Christ if we hold firmly till the end the confidence we had at first.
As has just been said: "Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts
as you did in the rebellion."
Who were they who heard and rebelled? Were they not all those Moses led out of
Egypt? And with whom was he angry for forty years? Was it not with those who
sinned, whose bodies fell in the desert? And to whom did God swear that they
would never enter his rest if not to those who disobeyed? So we see that they
were not able to enter, because of their unbelief.
Therefore, since the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us be
careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it. For we also have
had the gospel preached to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was
of no value to them, because those who heard did not combine it with faith. Now
we who have believed enter that rest, just as God has said, “So I declared on
oath in my anger, `They shall never enter my rest.' " And yet his work has been
finished since the creation of the world. For somewhere he has spoken about the
seventh day in these words: "And on the seventh day God rested from all his
work." And again in the passage above he says, "They shall never enter my rest."
It still remains that some will enter that rest, and those who formerly had the
gospel preached to them did not go in, because of their disobedience. Therefore
God again set a certain day, calling it Today, when a long time later he spoke
through David, as was said before: "Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden
your hearts."
You've likely read those very verses or heard sermons on them. What jumped out
at me this morning was the line “So
we see that they were not able to enter, because of their unbelief.”
Why were they unable to enter the Promised Land? Was it because of their sin?
Yes and no. Not their sin as we might normally think of it. Their sin was their
unbelief.
All of us are sinners yet some enter eternity with Christ and some do not. Is it
the degree of sin that makes the difference? No. There will be people in heaven
who have committed heinous sins and there will be good "moral" people in hell. I
know of more than one multiple murderer who will be there and I know many self
righteous people who will likely not be there.
The difference is in their choice to believe God or disbelieve. Our unbelief in
the message of the gospel is what condemns us. The rest of our sin could be
covered through the death of Jesus, but the cross does not cover our unbelief.
The message of the gospel must be accepted by faith. For we also have had the
gospel preached to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no
value to them, because those who heard did not combine it with faith.
Now we all know that, or should. Yet, sometimes as Christians we get a holier
than others attitude. We have no right to such an attitude and to be honest when
we think like that I believe it is an affront to Jesus and His sacrifice.
The difference, the only difference between those who enter into Christ's rest
and those who do not is whether or not they accept Him by faith. That choice is
no reason to look down on others.
Of course when we become believers there should be a change in our lives, but
that is a result of the faith not the cause of it. It is no reason to be proud.
Any fruit belongs to God and resulted from abiding in Him.
Until next time hold fast to the faith and praise God for what He has done.
Thank Him for allowing us a choice about our eternal destiny.
May you find fresh eyes today to consider all God has done for you and may you
see clearly His hand at work in your life.
Let your belief in Him build your faith so you may receive the promise He has
for you!
Promises are there, Do you want them or not?
Darrel Mason
October 30
First Snow
I woke up to the first snow of the season yesterday. Not much, perhaps a 1/2 an
inch or so. It is a pretty typical snowfall for this time of year. It will melt
off quickly. It is absolutely nothing new. It happens every year.
As I listened to the traffic reports on the radio I knew what I would hear ...
the same thing I hear at the first snow fall every year. It's pandemonium out
there. Many multi car pileups. Trucks with jackknifed trailers. Intersections
closed because of accidents.
It’s amazing we forget how to drive in winter conditions. We know better, but
somehow we forget through the summer.
We act the same way spiritually some times. After being led out of Egypt in a
miraculous way, the people of Israel soon forgot God and began complaining. The
disciples walked with Jesus and saw all His miracles yet He constantly chided
them for their "little faith".
Fortunately God is faithful and unchanging despite our constant failing. His
character is immutable (never changing). God is as He always was and always will
be. We can hold fast to that rock no matter what.
Malachi 3:6 NIV
"I the
LORD do not change. So you, O descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed
1 Samuel 15:29 NIV
He who is
the Glory of Israel does not lie or change his mind; for he is not a man, that
he should change his mind."
James 1:17 NIV
Every good
and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly
lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
Hebrews 13:8 NIV
Jesus
Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
When we find that we've stumbled and fallen or our hearts have grown cold we can
look to Him. He remains faithful and unchanging forever. For that we can be
truly grateful.
Until next time rejoice in his immutable (unchanging) nature.
May you not soon so quickly forget ALL the good things God has done for you!
Remembering today His faithfulness and love!
Darrel Mason