God's Heart for America

There are parts of the Bible I struggle with.

I don’t struggle because the language is challenging, or because I don’t understand the symbolism. I find some parts difficult because what I read hurts my heart. The passages offend my senses and paint violent and disturbing pictures in my mind. In other words, I struggle because I don’t like the content.

The book of Ezekiel is one of these books. Written at the end of Judah’s long period of apostasy, when the people had forsaken God and were chasing every idol that beckoned them, it is a frightening and horrible book. Most of its 48 chapters contain God’s solemn warnings that if Judah (the southern kingdom of Israel) doesn’t turn back to God, it will face severe judgment. (And I won’t go into detail about what that looks like, because the details made me cry.)

The book of Ezekiel upsets me because Judah’s falling away greatly parallels my own country’s, the United States, moral and spiritual demise. It makes me fear for my nation, my state, and my fellow citizens. Like Israel centuries ago, if my people don’t repent of their sins and turn to God, they will suffer unimaginable horror. This is God’s only appropriate response to a people who consistently rejects his offer of forgiveness, cleansing, and peace.

But there are sparks of brilliant beauty on these dark pages. They burst through the shroud of death and destruction like a mighty comet blazing a fireball path across the heavens. Here’s one of my favorites:

“’Do I have any pleasure at all that the wicked should die?’ says the Lord God, ‘and not that he should turn from his ways and live?’” (Eze. 18:23).

From the dawn of time, God has been pursuing mankind. Inviting us to have a relationship with him. Showering us with care, provision, and love. He has wooed us and offered the ultimate declaration of his love when he allowed his beloved Son to die on a cruel Roman cross for our sins.

“He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all . . . .” Romans 8:32 reminds us that God signed his love letter to us in his own blood. It’s no wonder, in the middle of God’s heartbreaking declaration of the coming judgment, that he interrupts to say,

“For I have no pleasure in the death of one who dies. . . . Therefore, turn and LIVE!” (Eze. 18:32).

If you've never surrendered your life to God, please don’t wait. God calls to you. Begs you. Pleads with you. Listen to his words in Hebrews 3:15:

"Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts . . .”

Our only hope, but our sure hope, is to trust in Christ as our Savior, Lord, Protector, and Provider. It is only under the shelter of his almighty wings that we will be safe in the perilous days to come.

My invitation is twofold: 

If you haven’t surrendered your life to Christ, asked him to forgive your sins, cleanse you, and change you, don’t wait another day. Here’s a link to my How to Know God page, which contains verses from the Bible and my personal testimony to show you how.

 If you do have a relationship with Christ, it’s time to get serious. We can’t be wishy washy in our witness while the world rides a bullet train toward its own demise. During ever-darkening times, the light of Christ will shine brightest through clean vessels.

To this end, we must confess sin quickly and seek God’s face daily through prayer and Bible reading. Like a runner preparing for a marathon, we need to be spiritually strong and healthy to run our faith race with endurance and finish well. We cannot shrink away. We cannot compromise. We must finish our course to receive the prize and hear our Lord’s words, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.” 

Do you ever encounter parts of the Bible you find disturbing? How do you handle it? I’d like to hear your thoughts. Leave a comment below and join the conversation.

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April 15 and Taxes -- What Procrastination Will Cost You and How to Avoid It

On March 1, 1985, the International News Network released the results of a survey taken the previous year in the United States Workplace. The survey found that the average worker wastes nine weeks a year procrastinating. Nine weeks wasted just by putting off decisions or delaying actions!

With the April 15 deadline for income tax filing right around the corner, I wonder how many of us who have put off filing our taxes will spend a significant portion of the weekend surrounded by W-2s and piles of receipts?

While some personality types lend themselves more to procrastination than others, we all have a tendency to put off unpleasant projects, difficult conversations, and important tasks. Although some procrastination is conscious and deliberate, oftentimes we postpone activities simply because we "haven't gotten around to it" yet.

Felix, the Governor of Caesarea, was a procrastinator. And it cost him a place in Heaven.

Serving the Romans in 40 AD, Felix was assigned the duty of hearing a criminal case between a group of Jews and the apostle Paul. While waiting for more information on the case, he sent for Paul to dialogue with him about faith in Jesus Christ. Knowing that Felix was well acquainted with "The Way," Paul skipped the preliminaries and cut to the heart of the matter.

He spoke frankly to Felix and his wife, Drusilla, about what it means to be righteous, how God calls us to live self-controlled lives, and how we will all stand before the judgement seat of Christ one day.

This kind of talk scared the robes off of Felix, because not only was he corrupt in his business dealings, often accepting a well-timed bribe to help him decide a matter, he had destroyed Drusilla's marriage and stolen his young wife from another man!

When faced with straight talk from the apostle Paul about his own sinfulness, God's standard, and the coming judgement, he did what many of us do--he procrastinated.

"That's enough for now," he said hurriedly, "You many leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you. . . " (Acts 24:25).

"When I find it convenient. . ."


"When I get around to it. . . "


"I'll do it tomorrow. . . "

How many times have we said these words? How many good things have we put off to another day? How many opportunities to make a difference in someone's life have we lost because we ignored the Holy Spirit's prompting and did what we wanted to do instead? How many people have missed eternity in Heaven because, like Felix, they put off making a decision for Christ until a more convenient time?

He was going to be all a mortal should be--tomorrow.
No one would ever be better than he--tomorrow.
Each morning he stacked up the letters he'd write--tomorrow.
Who can say what a credit he might have been--tomorrow.
The world would have known him if only he'd seen--tomorrow.
But the fact is he died and faded from view.
And all that was left when his living was through,
Was a mountain of things he intended to do--tomorrow.
                                                                            ~Anon

What are you putting off 'til tomorrow?

Is there something or someone God has placed on  your heart?

             a relationship you need to make right?
             a phone call you need to make?
             a gift you need to give?
             a conversation you need to have?
             a confession you need to speak?
             a forgiveness you need to ask for or grant?
             a lifestyle you need to forsake?
             a relationship with God you need to begin?

Don't wait 'til tomorrow.

Do it today. 



" Today if you will hear his voice, harden not your hearts."
                                                                                        (Heb. 3:15)

"Now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation."   
                                                                                        (2 Cor 6:2)

You want to connect with God, but in the craziness of life, it’s just not happening. You want practical, biblical answers to situations you face every day, but you don’t have hours to pore over Scripture.

You need a resource that answers the questions you’re afraid to ask out loud. Questions like:

• Is my situation hopeless?
• If God already knows what he’s going to do, why bother to pray? 
• Why have you allowed this to happen to me? 
• No one appreciates what I do. Why shouldn’t I quit? 

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You're Invited to the Family Reunion - Second in the Series of Cruise Devotions

Have you ever been to a family reunion? 

My paternal grandmother, Myrtle Slice, had ten children, over fifty grandchildren, and innumerable great-grandchildren. Family reunions on the Slice side were amazing. Every few years relatives from as far away as New England and as near as Columbia would descend on family land in Sandy Run, South Carolina, for a day of fun, food, and family.

Reno & Rose -- my brother and sister

What I enjoyed most about family reunions as a child was the chance to meet relatives I didn’t know. Because of differing vacation schedules, not everyone attended each reunion. 

Our section of the family, affectionately labeled “the Yankees,” came from Rhode Island only every four or five years. At one reunion in the 1970s, my sisters and I were happy to finally meet several cousins who were close in age to us. We still enjoy the relationships we began at that family reunion.

I enjoyed an unexpected family reunion last week in Nassau, Bahamas.

My husband and I had spent the day on the beautiful beaches of Nassau and were making our way back to the cruise ship on which we were traveling. As we climbed out of the taxi van we had shared with eight other tourists, a man asked us a question. 

A conversation developed, and before long we had exchanged basic information. We discovered that Reno and his wife, Rose, were traveling on the Aida, a beautifully painted ship docked next to ours. They were German, and Reno spoke much better English than his wife.

Reno had noticed David’s Operation Christmas Child t-shirt and the cross around my neck and wondered if we were Christians. 

His questions and our answers helped us discover that despite being born in two different countries, speaking two different languages, and living in vastly different parts of the world, we were brothers and sisters in Christ. We experienced the indescribable sense of family connection as we swapped stories of our conversions, our local churches, and our ministries. 

While the joy of finding cousins I hadn’t met yet at my physical family’s reunion had always been delightful, finding members of my spiritual family that afternoon in Nassau was even more so. We shared the Apostle John’s deep satisfaction at being a part of a world-wide family of believers. He wrote about it in 1 John 1:3 when he said, “truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ.”

As we parted from Reno and Rose, we linked arms while my husband prayed for them. His prayer contained these words. “Father, as Reno and Rose board their ship, and we board ours, we know that we may never meet again on this earth. We know, though, that we will meet again someday in Heaven, and we will be together for all of eternity. Thank you for the chance to fellowship as brothers and sisters in Christ today.”

It was one of the nicest family reunions I have ever experienced.

One day there will be an enormous family reunion in Heaven. It will be grand and glorious as all God’s children come to live with Him for all eternity. 

But like the Slice family reunion is only for those who bear our family name, God’s family reunion is also limited. It’s not enough to have been physically born. To be part of God’s family, we must also be spiritually born. Galatians 3:26 and 28 puts it this way, “You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.”

If you have never been born into the family of God, or perhaps you’re not sure, you can settle the matter today by praying a prayer something like this. “God, I know I am a sinner. I also know that Jesus died on the cross to pay the penalty for my sins. I accept what He did on my behalf. I repent of my sins, and ask You to come into my heart and life and make me a new person. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.”

 

If you prayed this prayer and meant it with all your heart, God’s word has a promise for you. “Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God” (John 1:12). This means you are now a member of His family. That makes us brothers and sisters in Christ. 

Welcome to the family. I’ll see you at the reunion!

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How Do You Heal the Ache in Your Heart? Lesson #1 From the Homeless

His name is Rudy.  

I met him at a local park where Christians had come together to feed the homeless. He noticed my clipboard and asked me what I was doing as he made his way through the serving line. 

“I’m writing an article about this ministry for a local Christian magazine,” I told him.  “Would you be willing to talk to me about what this ministry means to you?” I asked.  He said yes, and we agreed to meet in a grassy area somewhat removed from the serving tables.

Rudy was a man of average height with clear blue eyes and a weathered face.  He seemed comfortable, even eager to talk with me that night.

“Rudy,” I said, “I’d like to hear your story.” That was all the prompting he needed to begin.

As we sat there that night, surrounded by people society would like to throw away, I heard a tale that is all too familiar.  Sadly, this tale is not reserved for homeless men who sleep in parks.  With a few minor adjustments, it is the tale of every man and woman who has ever walked the streets of our world.  Whether they eat in the finest cafes in New York or out of a dumpster in a back alley, Rudy’s story belongs to mankind.  It is the story of an aching heart.

“I grew up the oldest son of six children,” Rudy began.  “When I was ten, my parents died. The six of us were sent to a children’s home. Because I was the oldest, I knew I had to look out for my younger brothers and sisters.  I fought a lot, ‘cause it was the only way I knew to take care of them.”

“I started to drink when I was twelve.  I got messed up in drugs after that,” he said to me, his clear blue eyes meeting mine in shared sorrow.  

“I got involved in crime,” he said, lowering his eyes. “I got 20 years.  While I was there, I said, ‘No more.’"

To fill the ache inside, Rudy had turned to fighting, then to alcohol, then to drugs. One sin led to the next until he found himself where he never intended to be.  From that hole, He looked up into the face of Christ and discovered a Man who knew all about him and loved him anyway. 

“I waited patiently for the Lord,

and he turned to me and heard my cry for help.

He brought me up from a desolate pit,

Out of the mirey clay,

And set my feet upon a rock,

Making my steps secure.

He put a new song in my mouth,

A hymn of praise to our God.

Many will see and fear,

And put their trust in the Lord.

How happy is the man

Who has put his trust in the Lord.”  (Psalm 40:1-4)

“I talked to Scott (the ministry coordinator) and asked Christ to be my Savior,” he confessed, lifting his eyes again in determination, "and I haven’t drank in 6 weeks.  I grew up blaming God, but the rough times made me realize I needed God.”

“I still live on the street,” he said with a shrug, “but I know now God's gonna give me the strength I need to get through.”

Our aches may not be as obvious as Rudy’s, but they are there nonetheless. They are open, empty places that we try to fill with everything but God. We may not use alcohol or drugs, or we might.  We may use friends, our position at work, or the stuff we buy.  We may seek to find our worth and bury our demons behind bank accounts or relationships or even altruistic acts.  

Paschal described it so eloquently:

“What else does this craving, and this helplessness, proclaim but that there was once in man a true happiness, of which all that now remains is the empty print and trace? This he tries in vain to fill with everything around him, seeking in things that are not there, the help he cannot find in those that are, though none can help, since this infinite abyss can be filled only with an infinite and immutable object; in other words by God himself.”

King David found the way to heal the ache, the way to fill the void. He found it in the person of Jesus Christ.  

Rudy found it too. 

If you do not know Christ as your Savior, the Healer of your heart and the Lover of your soul, you can know him today.  Click on the link at the top, “Do You Know God?”  It will be the best decision you will ever make in your life, and one that you will never regret.

If you do know Christ as your Savior, I challenge you to open up the aching places in your heart to His healing touch.  He wants to fill those places with his peace, his love, his healing, and his forgiveness.  He is waiting for you to let him in.

Christ said in Luke 4:18, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to  the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed;"  


Christ came for Rudy.   He came for me.  He came for you. If you can say with Rudy, “The rough times made me realize I need God,” then you have taken the first step.  I look forward to sharing the rest of the journey with you as we walk the faith walk.

  

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