Weekly Devotions

“Jesus called a little child to him and stood the child before his followers. Then he said, ‘I tell you the truth, you must change and become like little children. Otherwise, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. The greatest person in the kingdom of heaven is the one who makes himself humble like this child.” Matthew 18:2-4, NCV.

From the earliest age, parents begin teaching their child the way to maturity. Of course, each milestone has an appropriate approach. No one expects a newborn to read, write, or understand the same level as a six-year-old. And no one expects a six-year-old to reason in the same way a sixteen-year-old might. I especially remember my grandchildren as they came along, each one amazing me with their abilities (okay, I know…what grandparent is not amazed with their offspring?).

Jesus often spoke of things that confounded His listeners. When He told the Pharisee, Nicodemus, that “unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3), the learned teacher understandably asked, “How can a man be born when he is old?” (4).

Views on conflicting and contentious topics in the modern world are not lacking in quantity; one need only read or listen to the news to agree on this one truth. Being able to decipher the facts and understand whatever topic is being addressed, I sometimes think requires a scholarly education! The irony must not be lost, however, when Jesus uses a little child to demonstrate the “requirements” for entering the kingdom of heaven, something I think to which most people aspire. In contrast, He highlights one of the most educated and respected religious leaders of the day to explain, that it is not about what you know, rather who you know that opens heaven’s door.

Faith in Jesus is simple enough for a child to grasp and profound enough to confound the most intellectual individual. This is a paradox where every human heart must begin the journey to eternal life.

“The earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.” Psalm 24:1, NKJV.

My daughter and I have needed to travel to New York City over the past year for personal reasons. If you have ever had the opportunity to spend time in this “city that never sleeps,” then you know the perpetual sound of honking horns, emergency sirens, the bright lights of Broadway, and the people…oh, the people! Diversity is one word that seems to sum up all that is necessary to define all aspects of “The Big Apple.”

I am sitting outside my hotel room looking at the landscape and taking in all the descriptions of the city mentioned in the previous paragraph. Constant noise is literally in the air, and everywhere I look are concrete buildings so tall, that the sunlight can barely make its way through the narrow streets. I cannot help but ponder the parallel of how our lives in the 21^st century is but a microcosm of the many aspects of being in a large city like New York. You and I may not actually live in such a city, nevertheless, our senses are constantly bombarded by the “noises” of the cell phone, media, and internet. We wall ourselves in by the world, which frankly feels like it has shut out the light and lost its way taking all of us with it.

Do not be fooled! The scripture in Psalm 24 is clear. Ownership of “the world, and they that dwell therein” belong to the LORD. Even the inhabitants of a big city get lost from time to time and need help finding their way. The bright lights can be distracting, promising the glitz, glamour, fame, and fortunes of the flesh, only to deliver disappointment and despair. But God is jealous for you and me (2 Corinthians 11:2). In the poem, The Hound of Heaven by Francis Thompson, the author wracked by the guilt of sin writes about his effort to flee from God. Finally, exhausted from running, Thompson envisions the outstretched nail scarred hand of Jesus as he writes, “Rise, clasp my hand, and come.”

Jesus is pursuing you. Do not let the “noise” of this world deceive you. You are loved beyond measure. Reach up and take the hand of Jesus.

“…being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.” Philippians 1:6, NKJV.

“Performance may be affected until completed.” This message popped up on the computer screen when I updated to the latest software version. Every time new software is installed, I know it will take time, causing any current projects to be put on hold. Anyone who works from a computer experiences this message from time to time and knows, that sooner or later, if not followed will cause problems, such as sluggishness, program freezing, or even possible hacking opportunities by nefarious outside actors. Updating is just a technical necessity if we want our computer working at its best capacity.

Like our computers, you and I are in constant need of “updating.” The apostle, Paul, wrote in his letter to the church in Philippi, that He, God is doing a “good work in you” until Jesus returns to the earth one day. Jesus Christ was the Son of God and the only human being to be perfect in every way! When He came to earth, Jesus modeled perfection through everything He said and did. Being created in God’s image, we have been “programmed” by Him to accept the changes necessary to become more like Him in the example set by Jesus. Without these “updates” (changes), we will not be at our best. Our vulnerability to the elements of this world, such as fatigue, stagnant growth, and even the attempted high jacking of our faith by Satan will be a constant threat.

Keeping our computer working at the best capacity is to check it regularly, particularly when prompted by the message, “Updates Available.” God, through His Holy Spirit prompts us when changes are necessary, and these changes take time. Billy Graham’s wife, Ruth on her gravestone requested the following message be written, “End of Construction. Thank you for your patience.” Our earthly “performance may be affected until completed,” but the result will be worth it. “Remain in me, as I also remain in you…” (John 15:4, NIV).

“The Word became flesh and blood and moved into the neighborhood. We saw the glory with our own eyes.” John 1:14

For most of my life I have been intrigued with the British monarchy. So, the death of Queen Elizabeth has captured my attention. As a child living in a Commonwealth nation in Africa, I saw the Queen pass by in her royal motorcade. With our children, we happened to be in London the day the Queen was opening Parliament. Surprised and in awe, we were on the right street where few had gathered, and we saw with our own eyes the royal wave as the Queen’s carriage passed by.

With her riches, castles, and sovereign living, her neighborhood is not like ours. Popping in for tea or a walk in the dog park with her corgis is not something we commoners can experience. But Queen Elizabeth did cherish and follow One who became ordinary for her sake and ours.

The dear friend of Jesus, John, wrote about the King of Creation, the King Most High, becoming one of us and moving into the neighborhood. No castle with the flag announcing his presence, no carriage, no riches. But John, along with so many others, saw with their own eyes the glory of God.

Today, this moment, we can sit in the presence with our God. Our Savior and Lord. Our Holy Spirit. With awe and intimacy, with confession and gratitude, we can take in the truth that our God lives with us. The invitation for time with Him is always open.

Intimacy with our King also moves us to go into our neighborhoods with His love and welcome. Invite someone to have tea or a dog walk with you this week.

“If you will diligently listen to the voice of the Lord your God, and do that which is right in his eyes, and give ear to his commandments and keep all his statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you that I put on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord, your healer.” Exodus 15:26

You may go to the ER because you have a gaping, jagged cut from a rusty pipe. You’re in need of stitches, a tetanus shot, and an antibiotic.

But such visits do not dominate the Dallas area. Hospitals there, where emergency rooms are traditionally filled day and night, decided several years ago to find out why so many people regularly visit, costing tax payers millions of dollars a year. The researchers identified 80 patients, who collectively went to four Dallas-area emergency rooms 5,139 times during a 12-month period. 

The No. 1 reason? Loneliness. These habitual ER users often lack relationships, connections, support structures – and a personal Savior.

What a cold and inhospitable place for them to go! Like emergency rooms, Sweet Monday will accept anyone, no questions asked. And the door is always open.

No – Sweet Monday cannot address fevers, cuts, or gall stones. But it CAN connect lonely, hurting women in a warm, inviting environment. And it provides contacts to help combat loneliness.

Most important, Sweet Monday opens the door for many hurting folks to meet someone that has not been a part of their lives: Jesus Christ. They can leave, not with doctor’s orders and prescriptions, but with a fullness. They leave filled with a sweet treat and the word of God.

Let us pray that as Sweet Monday spreads in Dallas and other cities, visits to the ER will diminish, friendships will increase, and love of the Lord will soar.

“It is the LORD who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” Deuteronomy 31:8, ESV.

This morning, in my email feed a video appeared showing a mama duck with seven babies swimming in a backyard home swimming pool. The storyline was about how the mother duck decided to exit the pool, but when the ducklings tried to follow her, they could not make the leap up and over the edge. Realizing her babies were not behind her, the mama went back into the pool to gather her family. Again, she hopped out with little effort, while her babies struggled over and over to join her with no success.

Then, the video revealed a human coming to the rescue! With a skimming net, the person scooped up the babies and delivered them safely out of the pool.

Wait…What? Those rascally chicks turned right around and jumped back into the pool! You see, the mother duck, to demonstrate what she wanted them to do, had gotten back into the water; therefore, her “kids” followed her, even to their potential peril.

Well, the story has a happy ending because the human rescuer created an escape for this little family by stacking a couple of items on the step, where they could gently climb up and make their way out of the pool. Together, they all waddled to safety.

Like the chicks, you, and I are encouraged throughout the Bible to follow Jesus, no matter what. One verse that stands out, states, “We must keep our eyes on Jesus, who leads us and makes our faith complete” (Hebrews 12:2, CEV). If the mama duck was in the swimming pool, this is where her babies wanted to be, also. When you and I keep our eyes on Jesus, we may look foolish to the rest of the world as He sometimes leads us through what may appear as an untraditional approach to a challenge. God never leaves us stranded in our circumstances. He will always direct us if we keep our eyes on Him. Where is God asking you to trust and follow Him today?