Life’s Music

Today’s Scripture: The priests then left the Holy Place. All the priests there were consecrated, regardless of rank or assignment: and all the Levites who were mu-sicians were there—Asaph, Heman, Jeduthun, and their families, dressed in their worship robes; the choir and orchestra assembled on the east side of the Altar and were joined by 120 priests blowing trumpets. The choir and trumpets made one voice of praise and thanks to GOD—orchestra and choir in perfect harmony singing and playing praise to GOD: Yes! God is good! His loyal love goes on forever! Then a billowing cloud filled The Temple of GOD (2 Chronicles 5:11-13, TM).

       Some years ago there was a radio program in which pianist and composer, William Parry, was being interviewed. It was very interesting in that it answered for me an important question with reference to why some people can pass through a certain tragic situation and come out of it a far better person for having done so. While on the other hand there are people who can pass through the identical crisis and come out a far more troubled person than they where before passing through it. For instance, how could Corrie ten Boom emerge from a Nazi concentration camp with a strong, vibrant faith in God, while other people came out of the same concentration camp with emotionally shattered lives? There are multiple experiences of a similar nature.

       Why? Well this interview with William Parry might be as helpful to you as it was for me. The interviewer was asking him about his experience when he first got started accompanying silent film in movie theaters. He said to him, “That must have required a great deal of attention. You must have followed the action frame by frame to reflect in the music what the audience was seeing on the screen.” To which William Parry replied, “Yes, but it also worked the other way. The music played affected what moviegoers saw.” He then went on to give the example from one of Charlie Chaplin’s films. One that had a blend of humor and pathos. He said he could underscore a scene any way he desired. “If I played bright, bouncy tunes, the audience would roar with laughter. But if I chose to accompany the very same scene with mournful music, handkerchiefs would come out all over the theater.”

       I immediately began to wondering if this might not be true of life. Is it the “music” we ourselves have chosen to listen to on a regular basis? Is it a sort of bouncy, brisk, stirring music or music played in a minor key? Our reaction to life’s problems and crises is dependent upon our attitude toward life. That is why two people can pass through an identical experience and react entirely different to it. May each of us examine our lives and see what “music” it is to which our inner ear is responding. May each of us remember and personally respond to the words written in 2 Chronicles 5:13, God is good! His loyal love goes on forever – Amen!

When Your Hut’s On Fire

  Today’s Scripture: I pulled you in from all over the world, called you in from every dark corner of the earth, Telling you, ‘You’re my servant, serving on my side. I’ve picked you. I haven’t dropped you.’ Don’t panic. I’m with you. There’s no need to fear for I’m your God. I’ll give you strength. I’ll help you. I’ll hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you. "Count on it: Everyone who had it in for you will end up out in the cold—real losers. Those who worked against you will end up empty-handed—nothing to show for their lives (Isaiah 40:9-11, TM).

       The only survivor of a shipwreck was washed up on a small uninhabited island.  He prayed feverishly for God to rescue him. His daily routine was to  scan the horizon hoping for help, but none seemed forthcoming. Exhausted, he eventually managed to build a little hut out of driftwood to protect himself from the elements, and to store his few possessions.

       One day, after scavenging for food, he finally arrived back at his humble abode only to find his humble abode only to find it in flames. The black smoke was still rolling up into the sky. He felt the worst had happened. The few possessions he had were being destroyed by the flames. He was stunned with disbelief, grief, and anger. He cried out, “God! How could You do this to me?”

       Early the next morning, he was awakened by the sound of a ship ap-proaching the island!  It had come to rescue him! “How in the world did you know I was here?” asked the weary man of his rescuers. “We saw your smoke signal,” they replied.

      So . . . what is the moral of this story? Well, I’ll give you a brief example to  show you what it’s all about. It’s so easy to get discouraged when things are going bad, but we shouldn’t lose heart, because God is at work in our lives, even in the midst of our pain and suffering. Remember this the next time your little hut seems to be burning to the ground -  it might be a smoke signal that summons the power of God to assist in rescuing you. When life seems to be harsh, and seems to be doing you in, remember the promise of God,  recorded in Isaiah 40:10, Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand” (NKJV).

       P.S. You may want to seriously consider passing this on to a friend, be-cause you never know who might be passing through a crisis of having their “hut” on fire, and needs a word of encouragement.

Every thing I Needed to Know . . . .

Today’s Scripture: We were also given absolutely terrific promises to pass on to you—your tickets to participation in the life of God after you turned your back on a world corrupted by lust. So don’t lose a minute in building on what you’ve been given, complementing your basic faith with good character, spiritual understanding, alert discipline, passionate patience, reverent wonder, warm friendliness, and gene-rous love, each dimension fitting into and developing the others (2 Peter 1:4-7, TM).

       Today I would like to share with you an article I read quite some time ago, entitled, “Everything I Needed To Know About Me, I Learned From Noah’s Ark.”  I do not know the author, but certainly wish I did, because I found it to be, not only interesting, but inspirational. I hope that you’ll find it as fascinating, and motivational as I did. It’s short, but you’ll learn some essential truths about your everyday life as a follower of Jesus Christ.

       “Don’t rock the boat. Remember that we are all in the same boat. Be sure to plan ahead – it was not raining when Noah built the Ark. Take the time to stay fit – when you are 600 years old [God] may ask you to do something really big. Do not listen to your critics – just get on with the job that needs to be done. For safety sake travel in pairs. Speed is not always an advantage, the snails were on board the Ark as well as the cheetahs. Remember the Ark was built by amateurs, the Titanic by professionals. Be sure and  build your future  on high  ground.  And last – No matter  how fierce  the storm, when you are with God there is always a rainbow waiting.” Fantastic and true! Have a great day in Christ Jesus!

Major on God

Today’s Scripture: The Lord is living; praise be to my Rock, and let the God of my salvation be honored. It is God who sends punishment on my haters, and puts peoples under my rule. He makes me free from my haters; I am lifted up over those who come up against me: you have made me free from the violent man. Because of this I will give you praise, O Lord, among the nations, and will make a song of praise to your name (Psalm 18:46-49, BBE).

       David just showed up this morning. He clocked out of sheep watching to deliver bread and milk to his brothers on the battle-front. That’s where David heard Goliath defying God,. . . .

       Read the first words he spoke, not just in the battle, but in the Bible: David asked the men standing near him, “What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine and removes this disgrace from Israel? Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?” (1 Sam. 17:26 NIV).

       David shows up discussing God. The soldiers mentioned nothing about him, the brothers never spoke his name, but David takes one step onto the stage and raises the subject of the living God. The One in whom he places his trust . . . . No one else discusses God, but  David discusses no one else but God. . . .he sees what others do not see, and refuses to see what others do. All eyes, except David’s, fall on the brutal hulk. . . . The people thought only of his taunts, demands, size, and strut. They have majored in Goliath.

       However, David majored in God. Oh, he sees the giant, mind you. Yet he concentrates his focus on God in a far greater and more personable way. Take the time and read carefully David’s battle cry: You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel whom you have defied (1 Samuel 17:45, NKJV).

       David, as young as he was, had learned a valuable spiritual truth – with God on your side you need never have any fear. May we learn to see that God is in every situation we may find ourselves, no matter how dangerous and difficult it might be. Rather than standing around debating the situation, may we be challenged to discuss it only with God. May our first thoughts each morning, and our last one each night, be focused on whom we believe in our hearts, for He is the One who is able to achieve wonders. And, my friends, when we’re tempted to look at the giants in our lives, let us sense the depths of God’s power and choose to look at Him, who stands ready to lend us a helping hand to victory, rather than the one who defies the God of creation – the Devil. May the God of love, grace and mercy be our foundation upon which we build our future and hope of abundant life.

      

Think On These Things

Today’s Scripture: Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy––meditate on these things (Philippians 4:8, NKJV).

       I received a letter a few years ago, from a lady in Bel Air, Maryland, that was very meaningful. She stressed her point very strongly and eloquently in a five and a half page handwritten letter. I’m truly grateful for what she had to say. Among the many “sentence sermons” in her letter was a quote from the Prime Minister of Britain’s Educational System, Winter of 1955. “The people who will survive the crisis of our troubled times will be:
1. Those who love people.
2. Those who are willing to help those less fortunate.
3. Those who are courteous and kind.
4.  Those who are not afraid to speak up, and out.
5. Those who are trying to better life….”

       Our nation and our world would be a far better place in which to live if we would immediately begin to put these principles into practice. My friends Just talking about our problems, and/or solutions, is not the answer. Taking action with regard to them is what is so desperately needed, but I must admit that it’s the most difficult to do. However with God’s help it can be done, but you and I must be the instruments through which He works.

       So don’t lose a minute in building on what you’ve been given, complemen-ting your basic faith with good character, spiritual understanding, alert disci-pline, passionate patience, reverent wonder, warm friendliness, and generous love, each dimension fitting into and developing the others. With these qualities active and growing in your lives, no grass will grow under your feet, no day will pass without its reward as you mature in your experience of our Master Jesus,  and without these qualities you can’t see what’s right before you, oblivious that your old sinful life has been wiped off the books.

       This is wonderful and soul searching truths that not only applies to educa-ting our children, but living our lives daily with these qualities, not only in mind, but in actions.

Life’s Great Moments

 Today’s Scripture: Don’t shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ—that’s where the action is. See things from his perspective. Your old life is dead. Your new life, which is your real life—even though invisible to spectators—is with Christ in God. He is your life (Colossians 3:2,3,TM).

       I wish to share with you today an article I recently read that touched my heart. It had to do with the words of Lisa Beamer on the TV program, “Good Morning America.” I would like to share with you some of her remarks after being introduced as the the wife of Todd Beamer who made the statement ‘Let’s Roll!’ and helped bring down the plane over Pennsylvania that was heading for Washington, DC, back on 9/11. After her introduction She made this profound statement, “it’s the little things that I miss most about Todd, such as hearing the garage door open as he came home, and the children running to meet him.”

       In the interview Lisa recalled this soul touching story: ”I had a very special teacher in high school many years  ago whose  husband died sud-denly of a heart attack. About a week after his death, she shared some of her insight with a classroom of students. As the late afternoon sunlight came streaming in through the classroom windows  and the class was near-ly over, she moved a few things aside on the edge of her desk and sat down. With a gentle look of reflection on her face, she paused and said, ‘Class is over. I would like to share with all of you a thought that is un-related to class, but which  I feel is very important. Each of us is put here on earth to learn, share, love, appreciate and give of ourselves. None of us knows when this fantastic experience will end. It can be taken away at any moment. Perhaps this is the power’s way of telling us that we must make the most out of every single day.’ Her eyes, beginning to water, she went on, ‘So I would like you all to make me a promise. From now on, on your way to school, or on your way home, find something beautiful to notice. It doesn’t have to be something you see, it could be a scent, perhaps of freshly baked bread wafting out of someone’s house, or it could be the sound of the breeze slightly rustling the leaves in the trees, or the way the morning light catches one autumn leaf as it falls gently to the ground.  Please look  for these things, and cherish them. For, although it may sound trite to some, these things are the "stuff" of life. The little things we are put here on earth to enjoy. The things we often take for granted.’

       “The class was completely quiet. We all picked up our books and filed out of the room silently. That afternoon, I noticed more things on my way home from school than I had that whole semester. Every once in a while, I think of that teacher and remember what an impression she made on all of us, and I try to appreciate all of those things that sometimes we all over-look." Take notice of something special you see on your lunch hour today. Go barefoot. Or walk on the beach at sunset. Stop off on the way home tonight to get a double dip ice cream cone. For as we get older, it is not the things we did that we often regret, but the things we didn’t do. Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away." How true!

       There is nothing I can possibly add to this article that will be life changing. If you can remember only one statement made by Lisa Beamer, it would be the last statement – “Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away." How true! An essential truth that gets right to the heart of what life is all about. Have a great day in Christ’s love.

Sentence Sermons!

Today’s Scripture: And hope does not put to shame; because our hearts are full of the love of God through the Holy Spirit which is given to us.  For when we were still without strength, at the right time Christ gave his life for evil–doers. Now it is hard for anyone to give his life even for an upright man, though it might be that for a good man someone would give his life. But God has made clear his love to us, in that, when we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:4-8, BBE). 

       Dr. Roy L. Smith was one of the truly great preachers of the twentieth century. He was the editor of The Christian Advocate for a number of years, and was nationally known for his outstanding ability as a preacher, writer and lecturer. In fact he wrote a dai1y column for many years in the “Minneapolis Tribune,” which later became syndicated nationally under the title of "Sentence Sermons.”  Let me share with you today a few of  these gems of wisdom.

       “Wasn’t it fortunate – That Abraham Lincoln’s mother wasn’t a flapper. That George Washing-ton didn’t stop because he was criticized. That Paul Revere didn’t let George do it. That Michelangelo never went on strike.  That Jesus of Nazareth never drew the color line. It is hard – To sell goods you would not buy. To send your youngster to Sunday School and justify staying home yourself.  To make a good wrapper for poor merchandise. To have a guilty conscience and a happy heart. To leave God out and keep your sense of duty clear. To correct a child for a habit you taught him.

       “It is everybody’s business – That honest men shall be elected to office. That the poorest boy shall have a chance at education. That no man shall be permitted to debauch public morals for gain. That every man’s daughter shall be safe on the streets. That the poor and unfortunate shall be cared for.  That the law shall be enforced.  That religious institutions shall not fail.”

       We live in a world that has many problems. However I believe that the one that appears to be the least emphasized is the dehumanizing of the individual. We talk a lot about human rights and the value of true freedom of the individual to become a person in the truest sense of that word, but in actuality very little is done to assist in making this a reality for all people regardless of race, color, background.

      So I’ll leave you today with an important sentence sermon from the pen of the apostle Peter. Read it carefully, and rejoice! Grace and peace to you many times over as you deepen in your experience with God and Jesus, our Master. Everything that goes into a life of pleasing God has been miraculously given to us by getting to know, personally and intimately, the One who invited us to God. The best invitation we ever received (2 Peter 1:4,5, TM)!