Not a Wall but a Bridge
A smooth run through this morning’s routes, Father. Thank You for answers to my prayers regarding that and for getting me safely through it all.
John 14:1-7 (<<click here to read the passage)
I cannot pinpoint one specific memory, but at some point in my childhood, I know that I was taken to a camp or maybe a friend’s home or possibly to spend time with a relative. For the most part, they were enjoyable experiences, but not so much so that I was not ready to go home when the time came. I’m sure that I found great assuring comfort in the realization that my parents would come and get me when that time arrived.
It was not something that I had to work at feeling…it was a given. There were no doubts whatsoever. I knew that my mom and dad would come. I never once misplaced my faith in them. They were always there for me – and still are to this day!
For those of us who hold Jesus as our Lord and Savior, the faith runs even deeper.
When I read Jesus’ statement to his disciples that same assuring comfort of realization is there! Jesus said,
“There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am.” v2-3
He began the whole thing with this statement,
“Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me.”
To be honest, that last statement didn’t register in my heart until after I had read the latter. My mom and dad would never allow anything to come between us. They love me with an amazing love. But God loves me even more. I have the utmost of trust in my parents. But at some point, no matter how much we push back, death will separate us, but only until we are reunited in eternity! Yet, the trust I place in God? Nothing can ever separate us! Death is not a wall with Him but a bridge!
His promise is true! “When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am.”
Our eternity awaits and oh, what a day that will be!
Sept 7th, 2021, Tues, 7:26 pm
Good Intentions
Well, Father, it all begins tomorrow – another year of students, of driving, of early to bed, early to rise. May You watch over us, direct us, and protect us. Amen.
John 13:31-38 (<<click here to read the passage)
I’m sure that at some point in my life I have been seriously embarrassed due to the fact that I was not able to come through on a promise I had made. The only thing in particular that comes to mind is when I had substantial papers that I had to turn in while in college. Of course, it wasn’t so much a promise but a responsibility I needed to fulfill to complete my coursework.
I think one of them was a Music History paper. It was a huge endeavor. The part I was able to complete was pretty decent. I had even copied some nice illustrations to place amongst the text, but I had bitten off way more than I could chew. That, accompanied by not starting as early as I should have, left me with no choice but to turn in a partially completed paper.
There are times when our aspirations exceed our abilities. We have good intentions, but you know what they say about those!
In today’s passage, I think Peter truly believed he would do what he said he would do. “I’m ready to die for you,” he wholeheartedly exclaimed. There was no doubt in his heart and mind.
But Jesus saw more clearly. He saw beyond Peter’s good intentions. He knew that when it came right down to it that Peter wouldn’t be able to come through with his intentions no matter how good they were. And in reply to Peter’s exclamation,
Jesus answered, “Die for me? I tell you the truth, Peter—before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny three times that you even know me.” v38 NLT
The thing is, even with those words, there is no animosity in Jesus’ words – neither here, nor in the words that followed. It was simply a statement of truth.
We don’t know what Peter did or thought in response. He may not even have really processed the ramifications at all…at least not then. Later he surely would, as the rooster crowed. Suddenly, Jesus’ words flashed through Peter’s mind…and he broke down and wept. Mark 14:72 NLT
There is certainly nothing wrong with dreaming – and even dreaming big! – but maybe it is best that though we may be ardently pushing towards a goal, that we should concentrate on placing our foot one solid step at a time. Seeking God’s direction. Making sure that we are stepping where He thinks best. There’s nothing wrong with good intentions. Let’s just make sure we follow through, leaving nothing behind.
Sept 6th, 2021, Mon, 4:47 pm
No Smiles
Father, thank You for a relatively calm, uneventful day. Karen and I had a nice lunch together, ran some errands, and arrived home safe and sound. Life is a little crazy right now, so some downtime was great. Father, there is no one like You. We are blessed beyond measure.
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Today as we ate lunch a family sat behind us. It consisted of a mom and a dad and four children. The oldest, a girl, who may have been in 1st or 2nd grade, then there was a boy – a kindergarten maybe? – and two younger girls. Beautiful wife, overall well-behaved children, but the thing that became most obvious to me was that the dad, to my knowledge, did not smile once the entire time they were there.
He wasn’t hateful or overly mean but he was stern. A couple of times he told the boy to get back in his seat – nothing over the top but, at least from my perspective, there just never seemed to be the least bit of joy. There was no conversation with his children, though he did hold the youngest for a bit before their food arrived. He spoke with his wife, but he seemed to ignore his children. At one point, the next to the youngest girl, held up her remaining pizza crust in front of her face as a “smile” and when she got his attention, no smile, no chatter, just a stern comment that sounded something like “don’t play with your food.”
I don’t know if this disposition was how he responded to them a majority of the time. He may have been having an off day, but as I said, no smiles, no joy, and though he was by no means hateful, love seemed to be in extremely short supply.
All in all, the children didn’t seem overly impacted by the rebuff they received from him…but I just can’t get out of my head the fact that he is missing so much. His kids are missing so much.
Maybe that was how he was treated by his father but what a tragedy, both for him and his children, as well.
Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Ephesians 4:2 NLT
May we all take a moment and think of the relationships we have. May the Lord help us to closely examine them and seek His direction on how we should live and interact with each other. As we have learned from His example, may we realize that loving those around us is not a sign of weakness but shows the utmost of strength! Time is fleeting. Love shown should be embraced and returned. Oh, Lord Jesus, help us, we pray.
Sept 5th, 2021, Sun, 9:16 pm
True Love in a Prison Camp
Picture from the cover of Ernest Gordon’s book, Through the Valley of the Kwai.
To make it through each day, Father, I must lay my life into Your than capable hands. You know my comings and goings. You know the yearnings of my heart. You know my weaknesses. May I never stray from Your side. In You, I find my strength.
John 13:31-38 (<<click here to read the passage)
This story is from Ernest Gordon’s true account of life in a World War II Japanese prison camp in his book, Through the Valley of the Kwai. The camp was filled with Americans, Australians, and Britons who had helped build the infamous Bridge over the River Kwai. Early on a dog-eat-dog mentality had set in. Allies would steal from and cheat each other; men would sleep on their packs and yet have them stolen from under their heads. Survival was everything. The law of the jungle prevailed…until the news of Angus McGillivray’s death spread throughout the camp. No one could believe it! It wasn’t his death that shocked the men, but the reason he died.
Angus was an Argyll – a Scottish soldier – and they took their buddy system very seriously. Their buddy was called their “mucker” and they believed that it was literally up to each of them to make sure their “mucker” survived. The problem was Angus’ mucker was dying…everyone had given up on him…everyone but Angus.
Angus made up his mind that his friend would not die. Someone stole his mucker’s blanket. So, Angus gave him his own, telling him that he had “just come across an extra one.”
Likewise, every mealtime, Angus would get his rations and take them to his friend, stand over him and force him to eat them, stating that he was able to get “extra food.” Angus did everything to see that his buddy got what he needed to recover.
But as Angus’s mucker began to recover, Angus collapsed…and died of starvation complicated by exhaustion. He’d given his own food and shelter – everything he had—even his very life. The ramifications of his acts of love and unselfishness had a startling impact on the compound.
As word circulated of the reason for his death, the feel of the camp began to change. Men began to focus on their friends and the humanity of living beyond survival…of giving oneself away. Among other things, the camp soon had a church called the “Church Without Walls” that was so powerful, so compelling, that even the Japanese guards attended. The men began a university, a hospital, and a library system. For many of those men, this turnaround meant survival. The place was transformed…an all but smothered love revived, all because one man named Angus gave all he had for his friend.
Jesus takes an Old Testament command (Leviticus 19:18) deems it new and delivers it with a twist.
I am giving you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, so you too are to love one another. By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you have love and unselfish concern for one another.” John 13:34-35 AMP
The supreme lover of our souls calls us to love one another as He has loved us.
But the question that begs asking is, how are we doing with that? Sure, pockets of love exist. I wouldn’t say they are rare but truly loving others isn’t easy.
Love is more than…warm feelings; it is an attitude that reveals itself in action. How can we love others as Jesus loves us? By helping when it’s not convenient, by giving when it hurts, by devoting energy to others’ welfare rather than our own, by absorbing hurts from others without complaining or fighting back. This kind of loving is hard to do. That’s why people notice when we do it and know we are empowered by a supernatural source beyond ourselves.*
*Life Application Study Bible New Living Translation
Sept 2nd, 2021, Thurs, 8:16 pm
A Difficult Circumstance
Father, I praise Your name today because You are an awesome God! And as You know I reserve that term for You and You alone. Only You are worthy!
John 13:18-30 (<<click here to read the passage)
There are situations in life that are extremely difficult to handle. Sometimes they involve our loved ones, or they may even involve people with whom we hold no ill will whatsoever. Circumstances arise that must be dealt with and dealing with them involves stern confrontation. Feelings are hurt, angers flare but when it comes right down to it, we have no choice. It is not always the case but can be a life-or-death situation.
Not too awful long ago, an organization with which I am affiliated hired an individual to take on certain responsibilities. We hoped they would be the answer to one of our biggest problems. Long story short, it just didn’t work out. There was a window of time in which things needed to happen…and the individual let the moment pass. There were no other windows in sight, so the organization leadership terminated our relationship with the individual. Feelings were hurt, anger flared. It was extremely difficult, but we truly felt we had no choice
As I read the Amplified Bible text notes I discovered that the phrase “troubled in spirit” used in the first part of verse 21 conveys the same meaning in a passage we looked at almost a month ago.
Back in John 11 when Jesus saw Mary weeping over the death of her brother Lazarus, and all those wailing with her a deep anger welled up within him, and he was deeply troubled. v33
The note reads, “In Greek this term suggests an emotional indignation or sternness. Jesus was angry…”
Jesus was troubled in spirit when He stated,
“I assure you and most solemnly say to you, one of you will betray Me and hand Me over.” v21b
Reading further we find that the betrayer-to-be was Judas Iscariot.
I fully understand that Judas committed a reprehensible and shameful act. He has been despised since by many who would align themselves with Jesus. But I believe that even knowing what Judas was getting ready to do, Jesus still loved Judas. I do not believe that Judas was destined to betray the Messiah. Maybe the time for not going down the path he chose had passed but even in the end, he realized the error of his ways. Unfortunately, he chose death instead of forgiveness – a forgiveness that would surely have been extended to him by Jesus Himself.
So, Jesus was deeply troubled to the point of anger, not at Judas the man but at what sin and the master of this world – the devil – had enticed him to do. Again, it was Judas’ choice, but I feel Jesus’ anger was directed at the sin that cripples all of us.
Hebrews 12 fleshes this out. In it we are to be …stripping off…the sin which so easily and cleverly entangles us, let us run with endurance and active persistence the race that is set before us, [looking away from all that will distract us and] focusing our eyes on Jesus, who is the Author and Perfecter of faith [the first incentive for our belief and the One who brings our faith to maturity], who for the joy [of accomplishing the goal] set before Him endured the cross, disregarding the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God [revealing His deity, His authority, and the completion of His work]. vs1-2 AMP (emphasis mine)
We must not lose focus! We must keep our eyes on Jesus! He did it all for us, knowing what we would do. It is an extremely difficult situation to handle yet still, He forgives!
Sept 1st, 2021, Wed, 8:37 pm