All posts by 5Q

I’ll See You in the Morning

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“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot.”1

Some time ago when Dr. W. A Criswell was pastor of the First Baptist Church of Dallas Texas, he told how on an airplane flight he was sitting beside and visiting with a well-known theologian. The man told how he had lost a son who, one day, had come home from school with a fever that he and his wife thought was just a childhood sickness. Sadly it turned out to be meningitis. The doctor gave no hope for the boy’s survival.

Near the end when the professor was sitting at his son’s bedside, the child said, “Daddy, it’s getting dark isn’t it?”

The professor answered, “Yes, son, it is getting dark, very dark.”

“Daddy, I guess it’s time for me to go to sleep isn’t it?” the boy continued.

“Yes, son, it’s time for you to go to sleep.”

As the child fixed the pillow on his bed as best he could in his weakened condition and, putting his head on his hands, said, “Good night, Daddy. I will see you in the morning.”

Those were the last words the professor’s son said as he closed his eyes in death and passed from this life to enter God’s heaven.

For a long time, Dr. Criswell said, the professor just sat looking out the window of the airplane. Later he turned again and, looking at Dr. Criswell, with tears in his eyes, said, “Dr. Criswell, I can hardly wait till the morning.”

Dear reader, are you sure that you are ready for God’s heaven so that when you go, your loved ones will also be able to say, “I’ll see you in the morning?” Or, if your loved ones go first, you will be able to say to them with certainty, “I’ll see you in the morning.”

If not, be sure to read the article, “How to Be Sure You’re a Real Christian—without having to be religious” at: http://tinyurl.com/real-christian.

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, thank you for the assurance of Heaven that you have promised to all who accept your Son, Jesus, as their Savior. Please help me to know that I am ready to meet you face to face so that I will see all of my loved ones who’ve gone before. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus’ name, amen.”

1. Ecclesiastes 3:1-2 (NIV).

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Holiday Blues

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“Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.’”1

Most of us suffer from fears, anxiety, stress, and various degrees of depression and the “blues” at various times of our life. It’s when these feelings are affecting our daily functioning for extended periods, or when they are debilitating, that they become a problem for many.

However, during the Christmas and holiday season depression and the “blues” increases considerably for many. This can be caused by increased stresses, the loss of income, and especially because of the loss of a loved one, broken or impaired relationships, no meaningful relationships, being away at war and/or separated from family and loved ones, and just plain old-fashioned loneliness.

Unfortunately, I don’t know of any simple answers for how to cope with the holiday blues when one is facing adverse circumstances. Simple, pat answers can be even more depressing. Certainly we need to trust God, but even Jesus needed personal friends and relationships—and so do we. We were created for relationships, not only with God, but also with each other. And we especially need loving, warm relationships at Christmas time—when it is meant to be “peace on earth good will toward men.”

I don’t want to sound simplistic as I have known times of loneliness when nothing seemed to take away the pain. But if you will be alone at Christmas time, for some it can help a little if you can reach out to help someone else who might be lonely, or call some people on the phone and wish them a happy Christmas. Or invite someone to your home for Christmas dinner, or contact your (or another local church) to see if they have a program for the lonely at Christmas that you could attend, or better still, that you could help with.

I would like to think that most churches put on a special family style dinner for the lonely at Christmas or have a program where members open their homes for the lonely during the holidays.

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, please help me to be sensitive to the needs of others—especially the lonely—during this holiday season, and reach out in a practical way to help bring comfort to someone in need. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus’ name, amen.”

1. Luke 2:13-14 (NIV).

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Testing by Fire

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“But there is going to come a time of testing at the judgment day to see what kind of work each builder has done. Everyone’s work will be put through the fire to see whether or not it keeps its value. If the work survives the fire, that builder will receive a reward.”1

Greg Asimakoupoulos writes about Nome, a village on the edge of the Bering Sea. “Nome . . . is like many villages of the Artic. The ground on which the community sits is frozen, sponge-like tundra. Sanitation landfills are unheard of. Garbage trucks do not haul off the kind of refuse we leave curbside each week. Instead, a typical front yard displays broken washing machines, junked cars, old toilets, scrap wood, and piles of non-degradable refuse.

“Tourists who visit Nome in the summer are amazed at the debris and shake their heads. ‘How could anyone live like that?’ they wonder.

“What those visitors do not realize is that for nine months of the year Nome sits under a blanket of snow that covers the garbage. During those months the little town is a quaint winter wonderland of pure white landscapes.”2

In some ways many of our personal lives are like that. We have hidden all sorts of junk, unresolved issues from the past, bad habits that have us beaten, impaired relationships, etc., etc., and we make the outside of our life to appear as if we have it all together and everything is fine.

True, I “may” be able to hide who I really am on the inside from you, from my family and friends, but one thing is certain: I cannot hide from God. One day who I really am will be revealed by God for all to see. Much smarter and healthier to clean up our life now while the door of opportunity is so wide open. No matter what we have ever done or have failed to do, God is ready to forgive us, to heal us, to deliver us if we are truly repentant and acknowledge who and what we really are—not to whitewash over our sins with a covering of “snow” but wash us “whiter than the snow.”

Suggested prayer, “Dear God, help me to see who and what I am on the inside, not to put myself down or to berate myself, but to be real and acknowledge the fact that in your sight I am a sinner and need your salvation. And, in the words of David, ‘Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.’3 Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus’ name, amen.”

1. 1 Corinthians 3:13-14 (NLT).

2. Greg Asimakoupoulos, Leadership, Winter 1999. Cited in Encounter magazine (Australia), April/May 2004, 17.

3. Psalm 51:7 (TLB)(NLT).

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Encouragement

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“Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.”1

Alexandra Kropotkin, in an article titled, “Homemade,” described the death of her friend as follows: “One day a millionaire of my acquaintance, whose pride it was never to offer a tip for any service, faced an unforgettable tragedy. His chief accountant committed suicide. The books were found to be in perfect order; the affairs of the dead man, a modest bachelor, were prosperous and calm. The only letter left by the accountant was a brief note to his millionaire employer. It read: ‘In 30 years I have never had one word of encouragement. I’m fed up.”‘2

It never ceases to amaze me that so many people don’t bother to say thank you to the many people who help them or do something for them. I often hold a door open for someone who is following me into a store, the Post Office, or the bank, some of whom walk through without saying a word. Whenever I see our mailman, I always thank him and let him know how much I appreciate his service. I do this to lots of people.

And do we often say thank you and give a word of encouragement to our spouse, our children, our friends, our employer, and to our employees? If we all do this on a daily basis, we can make an impact on the world in which we live. Whether it is a kind word or a kind deed, in the words of Charles Dudley Warner, “It is one of the beautiful compensations of this life that no one can sincerely try to help another without helping himself.”

In the Bible a man named Joseph was given the name of Barnabas because it means, “Son of Encouragement.” Let’s all be a Barnabas to someone today.

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, please help me to be a Barnabas in some way today (and every day) to every life I touch. May I also be known as a son or daughter of encouragement. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus’ name, amen.”

1. Proverbs 16:24 (NIV).

2. Stan Toler, God Has Never Failed Me, but He Sure Has Scared Me to Death a Few Times! (Tulsa: Honor Books, 1995). Cited on www.sermons.com.

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Help Lord, Help!

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“Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, ‘Lord, save me!’”1

I’m sure you’ve seen the TV ad where a fellow is walking merrily along the sidewalk (footpath) minding his own business when he looks up and sees an attractive woman coming towards him. As he fixes his gaze on her, he is suddenly and rudely awakened as he walks directly into a lamppost. If this were true, one could just imagine the woman in question being highly amused.

I know I’ve certainly walked into things when I was looking in the wrong direction . . . or even worse, when I was looking in the right direction but my mind was on something else.

One is reminded of the words of Hannah More who said, “Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal.” Even more important is to be constantly aware of the trouble we can get into if or when we take our eyes off the Lord and decide to go our own way.

It’s hard to imagine Peter being afraid of sinking in the lake when he took his eyes off the Lord. Being a fisherman, Peter surely was a powerful swimmer. I couldn’t imagine him not being one. For whatever reason Peter was afraid and, fortunately for him, as soon as he realized he was in trouble, he looked back to Jesus and cried out, “Lord, save me.”

That’s a good lesson for us to do likewise when we take our eyes off the Lord and acknowledge the fact that we are either in trouble or heading towards it.

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, help me to always keep my eyes on you and follow your leading in all areas of my life. But if and when I do take my eyes off you and begin to ‘sink,’ help me to quickly see the error of my way, turn back to you, and cry out, ‘Lord, save me.’ Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus’ name, amen.”

1. Matthew 14:30 (NIV).

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Moral Compass

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“Justice, and only justice, you shall pursue, that you may live and possess the land which the Lord your God is giving you.”1

Not so long ago a local leader in our area who was on the board of a Christian retirement home resigned his position. Why? Because he was the only one out of 13 board members who took a stand on a moral issue the home was facing. This reminds me of what an English bishop once said, “Everywhere the Apostle Paul went there was either a revival or a revolution. Everywhere I go they serve tea!”

True leaders are not afraid to swim against the tide. Their goal is not prestige, power, or popularity … or to be served tea. They stand for justice and righteousness. And whether it is in the United States or the United Nations, in local churches or on school boards, on judiciary benches or in the local council, what the world desperately needs today are statesmen and stateswomen (not merely politicians)—leaders who lead; judges who love justice; and Christian leaders who love, practice, and make a stand for righteousness.

Sad to say far too many politicians and so-called leaders have no moral compass. They raise their finger to the wind to see which way it is blowing and follow the in-crowd in order, not to promote justice or righteousness, but to gain votes, votes, and more votes. This makes them followers—not leaders. They allow themselves to be controlled by vocal minorities without regard to moral guidelines and, in so doing, often disregard the will of the people.

So for all citizens who have the privilege of voting and choosing their leaders we are to choose men and women who stand for justice and have a strong moral compass to clearly show the way they are to lead their people.

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, please help us as a people and as individuals to make a stand for justice and righteousness, and vote for and choose leaders who have a strong moral compass. Help us always to put our trust in you and earnestly seek to follow your leading. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus’ name, amen.”

1. Deuteronomy 16:20 (NASB).

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More about Ethics

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“The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God.’”1

In a day when we, as a nation, are not only opposing and discarding the Word of God and its principles to live by, but also are aggressively seeking to get rid of it (at least from public places), is it any wonder we are seeing the resulting effects in political corruptness, increased cheating by students, an ever increasing moral decline, the acceptance and endorsement of sexual practices the Bible says are an abomination to God, individuals and some judges becoming a law unto themselves—not to mention the ethical debacles which have come to light in the business world in recent times?

Here in the United States, among the most highly educated, advanced and wealthy societies in the history of the world—intellectually, scientifically, technologically, medically, and materially—far too many of our leaders (including some religious leaders), businessmen, politicians, educators, entertainers, media moguls, etc., etc., have become moral and ethical paupers and little more than educated fools. Far too many care more for votes, high media ratings, position, power, popularity, and monetary gain than they do for truth, honesty, character, moral values and the good of our fellow mankind.

And whether we blatantly state it, or act as if there is no God, doesn’t make any difference, for as God’s Word says, “The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God.’”2

Unless we bring back a high standard of morals and ethics into today’s society we are heading for disaster. As God said about ancient Israel when they turned from him and his ways: “They sow the wind and reap the whirlwind.”3

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, please help me as a Christian to live according to high Christian morals and ethics and in so doing be a very effective model and witness to those with whom I work, relate, and live. And grant that they will see Christ in me and in so doing want the same for themselves. Please send a spiritual awakening to our country and let it begin in me. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus’ name, amen.”

1. Psalm 53:1 (NIV).

2. Ibid.

3. Hosea 8:7 (NIV).

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The Secret of Happiness Part III

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“Blessed and fortunate and happy and spiritually prosperous are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness (uprightness and right standing with God), for they shall be completely satisfied!”1

We have already pointed out that happiness is many things to many people. It means knowing and accepting ourselves for who we are; learning to live with circumstances we are not able to change; having a worthwhile and noble purpose for which to live; and having something of value to do.

“If you find a really happy man,” states one author, “you will find him building a boat, writing a symphony, educating his son, or growing double dahlias in his garden. He will not be searching for happiness as if it were a button that has rolled under the wardrobe, he will not be striving for it as a goal in itself, he will have become aware that he is happy in the course of living life to the full twenty-four hours of the day.”

The happy person also has healthy relationships with other people. The person who lives only for himself is immature and usually miserable. Even the ancient Greeks had a word for the self-centered person. It was idios from which we get our word, “idiot.” It means belonging to one’s self.

To love and be loved is without question one of mankind’s greatest needs for happiness. Without love all else in life is meaningless. Once again, however, love comes from within. If we give love we will receive love. That is a law of life. Unfortunately, many people, especially in childhood, were hurt because of a lack of love and as adults are afraid to love for fear of being hurt again. With effective counseling and the will to overcome, this fear can usually be conquered.

A well-integrated self is also needed for happiness. If the self is whole and mature, happiness will follow.

The greatest man who ever lived, Jesus Christ, is our great example. He developed in every area of his life. He “increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.”2 That is, he matured mentally, physically, spiritually, socially, and emotionally. We need to do the same.

Finally, character and a clear conscience are critical for lasting happiness. To feel forgiven for all the wrongs one has done gives one a deep sense of freedom. Any wrongs, therefore, that we have done need to be put right and any impaired relationships resolved. Not only do we need our brother’s forgiveness, but also God’s. When we confess our sins and faults to him, he always forgives us. We then need to forgive ourselves.*

Remember, happiness is a process not an event. Diligently follow the process and happiness/contentment will be the rich reward.

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, thank you that you have given me the principles in your Word for finding lasting peace, contentment, and happiness. Give me a love for your word so that I will know how to live and therein find the inner peace, contentment, and happiness you promise to all who put you first and follow your ways. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus’ name. Amen.”

* For further help read, “Forgiveness: The Power That Heals” at: http://tinyurl.com/forgive-to-heal.

1. Matthew 5:6 (AMP).

2. Luke 2:52.

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The Secret of Happiness Part II

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“I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.”1

As we said yesterday, happiness is many things to many people. For one thing, it means we need to know and accept ourselves for who we are.

Happiness also means learning to accept my personal circumstances. Some of them can be changed. Others can’t. And unless I accept the ones that can’t be changed, I’ll never be happy or content. As blind Helen Keller said, “I thank God for my handicaps, for through them I have found myself, my work, and my God.”

Happiness is also having a worthwhile goal . . . a noble purpose for which to live . . . something of value to strive for.

I was once talking to a union representative on a construction job. At the time he was also demonstrating for a cause that was popular back then. He told me he joined this group because it gave him something to live for. I don’t know if this man is still demonstrating for a cause, but certainly everybody needs something to live for other than himself and his own happiness.

Happiness in itself is not a worthwhile goal to live for. To be happy all of the time is unreal, as happiness is only one of life’s great emotions. To be in touch with all of one’s feelings is more important than being happy all of the time. To feel sad, hurt, angry, afraid, and unhappy at the appropriate times is both normal and healthy. However, if one is unhappy most of the time, this is nature’s way of telling him/her that something is missing in his life or some conflict needs resolving.

To be happy, or at least fulfilled, one also needs to have worthwhile work (paid or volunteer) into which one can put one’s best efforts. Note, too, that when our work is helping to meet others needs, this can be very fulfilling.

Everybody has some talents; so it is important that he/she discover his/her gifts, receive adequate training to sharpen them, and find a place to use them. This is equally true for both men and women.

It is a wise man who helps his wife find, develop, and use her special gifts. He will reap just rewards through his wife’s increased fulfillment and happiness. And so it is for a wise woman for her husband.

To be continued. . . .

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, please help me to realize that happiness comes much more through who I am rather than what I do. Help me to become the person you want me to be and then find further fulfillment and happiness with what I do with my life. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus’ name. Amen.”

1. Philippians 4:11-12 (NIV).

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The Secret of Happiness Part I

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“Then he [Jesus] said to them, ‘Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.’”1

The search for happiness is as old as mankind. Hedonism, an ancient Greek philosophy, stated that the chief end of man was happiness. Democritus, who lived in 460 BC, said, “Happiness is the object of our conduct.” And Aristipus, a pupil of Socrates, put it this way. “The most intense pleasure is the highest good and is the aim of life.”

People today still long for happiness, but in spite of our greatly increased knowledge and achievements so many people still haven’t learned its secret.

On the University campus the highest death rate is caused by suicide. Hospital beds are filled with unhappy and lonely people. Some doctors estimate that over 80% of patients are suffering as a result of emotional distress. A world-famous psychiatrist claims that “the central neurosis of our time is emptiness.” And according to the United Nations World Health Organization, depression is the world’s number one health problem.

Marilyn Monroe had everything that many seem to think brings happiness—beauty, wealth, fame, and popularity—but she ended her life in suicide. I have read that actor Mel Gibson also had everything the world had to offer but he never felt happy or fulfilled. This is one reason he produced and paid to make the film, The Passion of the Christ.

It is claimed that Voltaire, who was famous for his infidelity, said on his deathbed, “I am lost! Oh, that I had never been born.” And millionaire Jay Gould said when dying, “I suppose I am the most miserable devil on earth.”

Actually, wealth, fame, power, or beauty don’t make one happy or unhappy. They are externals. Happiness comes from within. It is a by-product of an inner condition. If one lives only for personal happiness, he will probably never find it. As one person said, “The search for happiness is one of the chief sources of unhappiness.”

In their mind happiness is many things to many people. It depends on one’s particular needs, abilities, interests, and maturity. Happiness for one man is to be an accountant, for another a farmer. Happiness for one woman is not to have any more children, for another to have several more. The reality is, however, that none of these in and of itself can make anyone happy.

For me, happiness begins with being honest with myself and learning to understand and accept myself for who and what I really am. This way I can utilize my strengths and work towards overcoming my weaknesses.

To be continued. . . .

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, help me to realize that happiness is not an end in and of itself, but rather a process of living in harmony with your will, in harmony with myself, and in harmony with others—and in having a purpose higher than myself for which to live. Help me to achieve these goals and therein reap the reward of happiness that comes to all who so live, Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus’ name. Amen.”

1. Luke 12:15 (NIV).

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