Lessons We Are to Learn

    The sixth chapter of Mark contains several lessons that we should learn. In verses one through six, we should learn the lesson regarding unbelief or lack of faith. Jesus was visiting his hometown of Nazareth. When he taught with power and authority in the synogogue, the people who had known of him before the beginning of his ministry saw only the carpenter, the son of Mary. They heard his authoritative teaching, saw some of his miracles, but would not respond in faith to what they heard and saw. They trusted in what they knew and what they could understand and missed the Son of God and the mighty works that he could have done in their midst had they believed in Him. The fifth and sixiths verse say, 'He could do no mighty works there except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them, and He marveled at their unbelief.'
The people of Nazareth short changed themselves. We do too, when we walk by sight and not by faith. Hebrews 11:6 tells us that 'without faith it is impossible to please God for we must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.'
    In verses seven through thirteen, Mark tells us of Jesus sending the twelve as missionaries. He gave them His message and sent them out. He instructed them to carry nothing for the journey except a walking stick. The lesson to be learned was that God provides for us as we are obedient to Him.
    In verses thirty through forty, Jesus takes the five loaves and two fishes and feeds five thousand plus people, and had left-overs. The lessons to be learned are that whatever we give to God He is able to use and to multiply for His purposes, and He is adequate to meet our needs no matter the nature or magnitude of those needs.
    Verses forty-five through fifty-two present other lessons to be learned. Jesus sent the disciples by sea to Bethsaida while he stayed behind. He went to a mountain to pray and while crossing the sea, the disciples encountered a great storm. They were straining to deal with the storm, but the wind was against them. Jesus was perfectly aware of their predicament and walked on the water to go to them in the storm. They were afraid of the storm and afraid when they saw Him. They didn't recognize Him. In the midst of the situation, they mistook Him for a ghost. But, He said, 'Be not afraid.it is I. He stepped into the boat with them and the winds and the waves ceased. They were greatly amazed within themselves beyond measure and marveled. For they understood not about the loaves (the lesson), because their hearts were hardened.' Imagine it. The disciples had heard Jesus teachings, had seen His mighty works, had been sustained by God's provision on their missionary journey, had seen Jesus take five loaves and two fishes and feed five thousand with left-overs, but had not learned the lessons that each was supposed to teach. Why not? They had not really considered what they had heard, seen or experienced. They had not meditated on these things. Therefore, their hearts were hardened, not filled with faith, not trusting God in whatever circumstance they found themselves.
    We would do well to learn these lessons, to meditate on these things and the things we have heard, seen and in experienced in our lives because of the promises, goodness, grace, provision and power of God.

The Lord Is My Shepherd

  In my morning devotions this day, I considered the truths of Psalm 23. In verse one, the psalmist writes, 'The Lord is my shepherd. I shall not want.' Sometimes I feel like I do want and that my needs are not met. However, I was reminded that since I belong to the Lord on the basis of salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ that He is my Shepherd and I am His sheep. He is the Good Shepherd and the Great Shepherd who always honors his Word. If I look to my Shepherd in trust, I shall not want. Because He is the Good Shepherd who gave his life for the sheep, He has pledged Himself to meet my needs. I was reminded that often the things I think are my needs really are not my true needs. My true needs are eternally oriented. That is, they are things, experiences, situations, people, circumstances and whatever else will build my character and transform me toward Christlikeness. I focus on the temporal. He focuses on the eternal so that during my temporal stay on earth, I can make eternal contributioms. His purpose for me is to point others to the eternal, to Him, to the reality of His gospel and its claims on their lives. He meets my needs in order to help meet their needs. 'The Lord is my sherpherd. I shall not want.' Psalm 23:1.

What Do You Say?

   There are often times in life when we do not know what to say. We desire to offer comfort and impart wisdom to those we care about. We feel deeply about their dilemnas, but cannot find words to express those feelings. Our sympathy, empathy, and emotions are too deep to draw from the word well. Friends lose a twenty-three year old son to a freak accident and their hearts are broken. A co-worker's daughter is faced with a life-threatening illness, has surgery to solve the problem, is told that the problem is solved, but she finds out a few weeks later that the problem is not solved. Her daughter is still facing blindness and death. A fellow teacher in my hall calls his wife as he does every day at lunch, but this time there is no answer. He rushes home to find her incapacitated by an excuriating headache. He offers her what aid he can and returns to school. He checks on her a short time later and receives no response. He flies home to find her unresponsive. An ambulance is called and his wife is rushed to the hospital.. She is airlifted by helicopter to Vanderbilt Medical Center to undergo emergency surgery and has continued to be unresponsive.
    Parents, co-worker and fellow teacher's worlds have been jolted with a cataclysmic shift. Nothing is the same as it was and never again will be. What do you say? I am not omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent, nor adequate, but I know One who is. I may not know exactly what to say to those who need hope and comfort, but He does. He is the only one I know who has all the answers, all the strength, all the grace, and sufficiency needed for each situation. He knows how to meet each need and He alone can do what no one else can do.
   What do I say to each of them? I say I am sorry and I pray. I entrust each of them to God who hears and answers prayer. I trust God to do and say to their hearts and in their situations all that I cannot.

Writing

   I am the usual writer. I write because I have something to say. My books are meant to be entertaining and inspiring, but there is more, much more. I write with a fixed purpose.  It is my goal to cause my readers to hunger for a more authenticate Christian life. Heaven only knows if I have succeeded.
   Two young ladies who have recently read my newest book, The Witness, told me that they loved the book. One girl said that she liked the way it ended. The other said that she liked the character Sarah. I am glad for both things, but my hope is that they read the book and were touched by the God who is spoken about throughout the book.
   All who read this may think that I am taking too much upon myself. You may think that it is too grandiose an idea that I should expect God to use my feeble writing to touch lives and accomplish His purposes, but as a Christian that is what I must expect. God help me if all I do is write an engaging story. My writing and my life must be used by Him to advance His kingdom or both have missed their purposes.

Fall Break Mission Trip to Ecuador

    October 9-17 was fall break. This time was spent in Ecuador sharing the gospel with anyone who would listen. Why Ecuador? I felt strong that God was leading me to spend my break in Ecuador.For the most part people in Ecuador are hungry for the gospel and will listen as you share.
    Our mission team worked in Qaevado, Ventannas and Quito. The Lord blessed and our work was fruitful.
When the people we spoke with asked what church or religion we represented, we readily answered. We went to Ecuador not representing a church, a demonination or religion. We went representating Jesus Christ as the only way to have sins forgiven and a right relationship with God. People argue about particular churches, demoninations or relgions. However, when confronted with Jesus and the gospel, people are presented with a choice. Many people in Ecuador chose to accept God's gift of salvation through Jesus Christ.
    I thank God for His leading and His allowing to be part of the presentation of the gospel. I thank God that He allowed me to see Him work miracles in peoples lives. It was a wonderful fall break.

Days of Pressure, Trials and Testing

  The last several weeks have been some of the toughest of my life. Everything in my life seems to be a source of pressure and trial. People, circumstances, and things that I have always counted on have become a source of insecurity and stress. I find myself in all things cast upon the Lord. In my head I know that is not a bad place to be, however, my emotions are not quite as sure. Anxiety and worry creep into my consciousness at will and I am forced to make a deliberate decision to trust and not be afraid. With the Lord's help, I am seeking to be obedient to His command and to cast all of my cares upon Hom. I am claiming His promises, His presence and  His power. I am determined to walk by faith and not by sight. I know that He is involved in the details of my life and that He is working out His plan for my good and His glory. That is all that I want to want, even though it is quite uncomfortable just now. What time I am afraid, I will trust in you." (Psalm 56:3) I will trust in you and not be afraid." (Isaiah 12:2) You have promised never to leave me nor forsake me, (Heb 13:5b) and, that You are working all things together for good according to your purpose of conforming me to the image of your Son." (Romans 8:28-29) Thy will be done and not mine.

On Mission in Ecuador

   May 29-June 5 are the dates that I served with WHEW Missions in Quito, Ecuador. Quito, located in two valleys and surrounded by mountains, is a city of approximately three million people. It is a beautiful place where wealth and poverty meet.  The people we interacted with were friendly and amazing in their determination, resilience and discipline. It was a privilege to meet them and get to know them a bit.
  Our mission team was made up of seventy-three people plus translators. We worked with five churches, five schools, an orphanage, a children's hospital, a women's prison and did street evangelism. Many lives were touched including ours. Many people came to know Jesus as their Savior and Lord.
  I am deeply grateful to those who made it possible for me to go, to those who provided supplies and materials to be used, and for those who prayed for the team and me as we ministered there. Only God knows the rewards you will receive and the fruit that was born as a result of your efforts on behalf of the mission trip. Thank you and God bless you.