Same Location, Different Diagnosis (Acts 11:9)

In my daily practice as a dermatopathologist, I may diagnose diseases that look identical under the microscope but have a very different diagnosis depending upon the age of the patient and the location on the body. A skin tag is a common lesion, usually found on the necks or armpits of adults. The microscopic features are distinct and are not normally mistaken for any other diagnosis. However, if I viewed the same microscopic features and was told it was from the neck or armpit of a 1 month old baby, my diagnosis would not be a skin tag but an epidermal nevus. The latter disease may be associated with serious internal abnormalities and may require an additional radiological examination.

Same location, different diagnosis.

During our Christian walk, we may fall into a similar trap and view circumstances that we encounter as meaning the same thing for different people and different cultures. But what is true and relevant in one circumstance, may not hold true for another.

The Apostle Peter encountered such a situation when the Holy Spirit led him to preach the Gospel to Gentiles, non-Jews. Up to that point, the Gospel was being preached almost exclusively to Jews. But God directed Peter in a most unusual manner. While in a trance, God provided him a vision of a great sheet, lowered from Heaven, containing all types of unclean animals, forbidden by the Jewish Levitical laws to be eaten. Then, the God commanded Peter to kill and eat these forbidden animals. Peter naturally recoiled in horror, and protested saying that he has never defiled himself by eating these unclean and forbidden animals. But God answered his protests.

But the voice answered a second time from heaven, “What God has made clean, do not call common.”
Acts 11:9

What was once a sin for him was a sin no longer. God had cleansed the formerly common or unclean animals through the saving blood of Jesus Christ. Because of this vision, the Gospel began to be preached to the Gentile world.

There are many instances where customs that were practiced during the time of the Apostles are no longer relevant today. The wearing of head coverings by men and women may seem a nonsensical issue in the 21st century but it was a raging controversy in the 1st century church at Corinth.

We need to be diligent in the study of God’s Word. We need to be sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit. And we need to carefully apply our beliefs as we preach the Gospel to all people in all cultures.

Love and trust the Lord; seek His will in your life.

They Have a Black Cloud (Malachi 4:2)

In medicine, the appellation “black cloud” is applied to physicians who attract a large number of hospital admissions and/or complicated cases when they are on call. In my career, I have definitely had my share of black cloud days. But it does seem that some physicians have this dubious distinction applied to them with more frequency than others.

As difficult as those black cloud days were, it was during those times I learned some of the greatest lessons of medicine. I learned to prioritize and appropriately triage resources, including my own time and stamina. I learned nuances of disease presentations that could never be learned in a textbook. And I learned humility, that I needed to work and rely upon others when the workload was overwhelming. An aphorism that still rings true today is, “For every cloud, there is a silver lining.”

But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall.
Malachi 4:2

This verse is a reminder that the black clouds of exile for the Jewish people will ultimately lead to the shining sun of God’s promise, God’s Son, Jesus Christ. The healing the Jesus Christ brings is for everyone who places his trust in Him. If we confess our sins to Him, He is righteous and just to forgive us our sins and accept Him as our Lord and Savior. For Jesus is the light who illumines our lives and shows us the truth, when our days seem darkest and the clouds are blackest.

Praise God for His presence and mercy!

Love and seek the Lord; seek His will in your life. 

A Sleep Fast (Matthew 6:17-18)

Fasting is one way that we can rededicate ourselves to God. When we voluntarily give up something like food, there is sense that we are sacrificing something very important to seek God’s will in our life or to intercede in prayer for others.

Most of us view fasting as giving up food. But there are many kinds of fasts. Recently, I was able to participate in a media fast where I did not access any form of online or audio communications for 3 days. This meant no internet (except to answer and send emails), no television, and no radio. Although it was a bit difficult on the first day, by the third day, I appreciated the quietness and the opportunity to spend the extra time in prayer and devotion to God. I have also fasted from food for up to 3 days and although I was a bit uncomfortable, it was not a great sacrifice as I thought it could have been.

I began thinking what could I voluntarily give up for God that would require a great sacrifice? And during this past week, as my wife and I cared for our son who is ill, the painful answer emerged.

Sleep.

I do not think it is wise to give up sleep or deprive oneself of rest, but clearly there are times when this is unavoidable-caring for a sick family member, a friend in crisis, an unexpected problem that demands an immediate solution. I do not handle sleep deprivation very well. I am a morning person and accomplish much of my work beginning at 6AM in my office. But this early productivity comes at a cost and when I return home, my brain begins to shut down after 9PM and I would ideally like to be in bed by 10PM since I awaken at 5AM every weekday morning. Thus, I may become very insensitive and cranky when I need to engage in deep conversations or discussions after 9PM. In fact, the majority of disagreement and arguments that I have had with family members have occurred after 9PM.

But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
Matthew 6:17-18

Our Lord, Jesus Christ, spoke these words. Although He was specifically addressing a fast from food, I believe it applies to every type of fast. I may not be fasting from sleep every night, but I need to be mindful that the sleep and rest schedules of my family and friends may not correspond to mine. I need to put my best face forward during these times when I am most tired.

My best face can be achieved by giving my fatigue over to Jesus Christ. He understood the weariness of a long day. He experienced physical and mental fatigue. But He persevered as He relied upon His relationship with God the Father to sustain Him.

If you are a believer in Jesus Christ, He has given you His Holy Spirit to indwell within you to strengthen you during your most strenuous physical and mental challenges.

Love and trust the Lord; seek His will in your life. 

You Can't Miss Her! (Matthew 16:13-16)

If one were describing how to find singer Taylor Swift in a crowded room, one possible description may be, “You can’t miss her, she is blonde woman.”

Yes, this is true. But it would not be enough information. No, although the description is correct, it is simply not enough.

For centuries, Jesus Christ has been both admired and scorned by mankind. His supporters thought Him to be a great prophet, a teacher, a miracle worker. His critics thought Him to be a blasphemer and heretic.

Now when Jesus had come into the parts of Caesarea Philippi, he said, questioning his disciples, “Who do men say that the Son of man is?” And they said, “Some say, John the Baptist; some, Elijah; and others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets”. He says to them, “But who do you say that I am?” And Simon Peter made answer and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
Matthew 16:13-16

Jesus Christ left no doubt as to His true identity. Jesus Christ is God. He was God before the creation of the universe, present at the creation, and will reign forever when the new earth and new heaven are created. He left no room for uncertainty. Yes, He was a great teacher, a prophet, a priest. But these roles only produce a glimpse of His true glory and magnificence.

We can use many words and titles to describe Jesus Christ. But the only proper identification is God Incarnate.

Won’t you take the time to see who Jesus Christ truly is? Once you do, you will never miss Him or mistake Him for anyone else!

Love and trust the Lord; seek His will in your life. 

She Never Looked Lovelier (Proverbs 31:27)

My wife has a tremendous capacity to love and has a special gift for working with children. It is a beautiful gift. But when I see her caring for our sick children, my wife never looks lovelier. Her voice softens and soothes their hurt and her gentle yet firm hands caress their hurting bodies. As she attends to their needs, her inner loveliness blossoms yet more and I find myself irresistibly drawn to her.

She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.
Proverbs 31:27

In Proverbs 31:10-31, the Bible gives us the attributes of a godly woman. She is a woman who looks after her family, her husband, and her household. If ever there were a description of a superwoman, this is it. In the end, a truly beautiful and lovely woman is one who fears God and first focuses upon her relationship with Him. And this is why my wife is truly lovely.

Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
Proverbs 31:30

If you have a godly woman as a wife, thank God for truly blessing you! It is the type of marriage that God desires for all couples. Of all the relationships that are mentioned in the Bible, only one, the love between a husband and wife is compared to the love that Jesus Christ has for His Church. When the world looks at a godly marriage, they should see the love of Jesus Christ clearly radiating as the Sun of Righteousness.

Thanks be to God for blessing me with a godly wife!

Blessings with Aloha!

The Unanswerable Question (Proverbs 16:3)

How do you know when you don’t know?

This is not a play on words but a question that I face everyday. This is the unanswerable question in medicine and life.

All my professional life I have been conditioned to seek a definitive answer for a patient’s medical problems. Many times, the patient’s life is on the line. In the rare cases when I cannot arrive at a definitive diagnosis, I am left frustrated and perplexed. I need to provide direction to the physicians treating the patient. And although I may render a descriptive diagnosis, it is an educated guess, at best, made with all available resources and my experience and judgment. At this point, I may opt to send the case to another expert consultant with the expectation that they may have more experience and could shed more insight and understanding. But occasionally, even a consultant may be stymied and confess that they also do not have a definitive diagnosis. The unanswerable question-how do you know when you don’t know?

Part of the answer is experience. The more cases and patients one has seen, the more confident one will be when encountering an unusual case. If you don’t know what it is, it may be likely that no one else, including another consultant, may not know as well. Part of the answer is humility. You can never be arrogant thinking that you know everything. There is always something new to learn.

Witness an arrogant and inexperienced physician who is supremely overconfident in their abilities and knowledge.  He may see a patient and puzzle over the case since it does not absolutely fit the classical criteria for the diagnosis. Yet, enough of the signs and symptoms appear to fall into place and a diagnosis is rendered. He reassures himself that it resembles other cases he has seen. In reality, the actual disease is a more serious mimic of the benign disease he so confidently trumpeted. The result is a mis-diagnosis and serious harm to the patient.

Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.
Proverbs 16:3

In our walk with God, we must be ever vigilant to remain dependent upon His sovereign guidance. Too often, we may fall back upon our knowledge and experiences, confident that it will be enough to maneuver an obstacle in life. But the day will arrive when this knowledge may mislead you and tragic results may occur.

How do you know when you don’t know? When you acknowledge that all decisions must first be brought before the Lord, this is the beginning of true wisdom. God, who has created everything and controls the workings of the universe, can provide you the insight you need to answer every question.

The unanswerable question is resoundingly answered by God!

Amen!

Love and seek the Lord; seek His will in your life. 

"He's Not Elderly!" (1 Samuel 16:7)

The hospital tumor board is a weekly meeting where physicians from multiple specialties present their problematic cancer cases for review and to coordinate treatment review. Present at such meetings are surgical pathologists, oncologists, radiologists, radiation oncologists, surgeons, and any interested physician. Many of these interested physicians are retired physicians who wish to stay current with medical knowledge.

When I first began my private practice, I was 32 years old and one of the younger physicians attending the tumor board. During one session, I presented the history of the patient and began, “This is an elderly 68 year old man with a history of….”

“He’s not elderly!”

Before I could even finish my sentence, a chorus of the retired physicians, all in their 60’s to 80’s, vehemently expressed their outrage at my statement! Major faux pas! I quickly apologized and attempted to finish the history but to no avail as additional sarcastic comments were hurled in my direction.

“Wait until you’re his age! Then we’ll see if you think he’s elderly!”

I am not a very politically correct person but in this instance, I clearly should have been more sensitive to my audience.

Casually judging someone by their appearance can be a sign of great ignorance. Samuel the prophet was also quick to judge the sons of Jesse as God led him to anoint the next king of Israel. God rejected the first 7 sons of Jesse, all of whom Samuel thought would have made excellent kings, based solely upon their appearance.

But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.”
1 Samuel 16:7

Samuel learned that God looks at a person’s heart and not their appearance. This is a good reminder for all of us when we speak of others or meet someone for the first time. But one can only do this if we have God’s Holy Spirit indwelling within us. And this can only happen if we confess our sins and accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. To see others the way God see us; this is a magnificent promise from God!

By the way, now, whenever I present the history of any patient, I do not add any adjectives and simply state their age. Sometimes you can teach an “old” dog new tricks.

Love and seek the Lord; seek His will in your life. 

Learn Something New (Proverbs 3:5-6)

It is gratifying to learn something new everyday.

In my professional life, I find this a relatively easy goal to accomplish. As a dermatopathologist, at least once a day, a relatively rare case comes across my microscope.  In fact, what I may see and diagnose once a year, the average physician may not see in 10 years. And for the truly rare case that I diagnose, another physician may not see in their lifetime.

But when it comes to learning something new from God, things are not always plainly evident. While many times, the new ideas or lessons He wants me to learn are obvious, with some lessons, only a glimpse of what God is doing in my life may be evident. And with still other lessons, I may never learn what the ultimate answer is until I am in His presence in Heaven; I simply need to learn to trust God.

We are conditioned to understand the meaning of events that happen in our lives and when we do not receive an immediate answer or events seem random and chaotic, we may become frustrated, even angry.  But this is not as unsatisfying as it may seem. God uses these times to grow our faith, if you trust Him.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
Proverbs 3:5-6

The greatest daily lesson is learning to trust God with all the answers and to be grateful that He allows us to obtain glimpses of His Providence, His Divine Hand overseeing our lives. It is not unsatisfying but reassuring that God is in control.

If you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, you can be assured that God is in control. Will you take that first step and come to Him?

Love and trust the Lord; seek His will in your life.
 

Stop and Smell the Roses (Psalms 127:2)

When I started my first job, I was relentless in making partnership. I would work long hours, often going to the hospital on the weekends. I volunteered for many committees and made myself indispensable to the group. Of course, this all came at a cost and during this time in my life, my heart was very distant from God. I was a backsliding Christian and I deliberately turned my back on my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, to pursue the selfish ambitions of my career.

After one particularly grueling day of work, I came home and as I entered the driveway, I noticed that my roses in the front yard were beginning to bloom. Instead of going into the house, I walked to the front of the yard and admired the blossoms, stopping to take in their fragrance.

“It’s about time you stopped and smelled the roses!”

My quiet reflection was interrupted by my neighbor who was standing across the street and was observing my actions.

He was right, of course. I was so caught up with myself that I had forgotten to take time to admire the simple pleasures of life that abounded. Sadly, it took many more years before God was able to reach me. The seductive call of the world rang louder in my ears. It was so easy to convince myself that sacrifices for my work were justified. After all, I was providing for my family. I was utilizing the education that I have sacrificed so many years to obtain. I was helping others.  I...I...I...where was God in these justifications?

It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil;
for he gives to his beloved sleep.
Psalms 127:2

God places so many reminders and warnings about the dangers of a life that is solely focused upon work. He knows the failings and excuses of my heart. And even after I have disobeyed Him, only by His grace and mercy am I able to repent of my sins and come to Him for His forgiveness.

Thanks be to God for His love and sacrifice for me!

Love and seek the Lord; seek His will in your life. 

Growing Pains (James 4:17)

I have been blessed to witness my company grow from 1 employee to 6 employees over the past few years. But somewhere along the way, the typical growing pains experienced by any family has emerged. One particularly touchy point is the replenishing of supplies in the shared bathroom. Toilet paper is used at the rate of about one roll per day. Thus, it is inevitable that the roll holder will be empty and should be refilled. But more often than not, the holder is holding an empty toilet paper roll. Of course, it should have been replaced by the last person who used it. But when this issue was brought before all the employees, everyone denied culpability! Since we have had no new employees during this time, it undoubtedly must have been the postal worker or a courier visiting our office!

So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.
James 4:17

I am reminded of the Apostle James’ warning to believers. Although written in a different time and to a different audience, the truth of God rings through even to this day. True, there are far more egregious sins that one may commit than neglecting to refill the toilet roll holder.  But when such an obvious task is placed in front of you and you do not act, it does call into question the motives of our heart. What kind of excuses go through our mind?

“Oh, someone else will do it!”
“I’m in a hurry, leave it for the next person.”
“Others use this more than me, let them do it!”

And what happens when we are confronted with the larger issues in life? The wheelchair bound woman seeking assistance to board a plane; the lost child in the shopping center crying for her parents; the frantic woman who drops her bag, spilling the contents? We can chose to look away but at what point do we stop and do the right thing?

Our Lord Jesus Christ attended to the needs of many when He was on this earth. But now seated at the right hand of God, the Father, He has sent His Holy Spirit to indwell all believers. Jesus works through us to be His ambassadors of service and love to all on this earth.

All of us know what is the right thing to do. It may not be the same for every person but God calls us to action to serve others. Pray to God to give you the sensitivity to see where you may serve Him.

Love and trust the Lord; seek His will in your life. 

Stop and Wait! (Proverbs 17:14)

Conflict resolution.

I have sat through many counseling sessions, attended seminars addressing conflict resolution, even have counseled others regarding their conflicts! And yet, at times it seems that all this knowledge is for naught.

Too often, the worst conflicts are with those with whom I am closest, usually family members. The conflict may arise from a seemingly insignificant event. But conflicts have a way of taking on a life of their own and within a few seconds, the conflict may escalate to an argument. Old issues resurface and are piled on to the current argument. Body language changes, speech becomes pressured, and words are spoken with a sarcastic bent. The initial drops of the conflict have become a torrent. Rightly did the Bible speak of the dangers of conflict and strife.

The beginning of strife is like letting out water, so quit before the quarrel breaks out.
Proverbs 17:14

This is the best advice to anyone in conflict with another. Stop and quit before the quarrel breaks out. And it so fitting, that in a few verses later, the Holy Spirit reminds us of the importance of waiting on the Lord.

Whoever restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding.
Proverbs 17:27

These are God’s sage words of advice. When you feel obligated to answer or defend yourself during an argument, Stop! Wait! And let God take control by allowing His Spirit to empower you and give you peace and understanding. Sometimes, saying nothing at all is the best. How many conflicts and arguments could have been diffused with these simple actions?

Love and trust the Lord; seek His will in your life.

Woman! (John 2:4)

And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come.”
John 2:4

Whenever I read this passage, I cannot help but think that Jesus was being rude to His mother. It was a wedding, a festive occasion, and there was a miscalculation by the host  because the party had run out of wine. This was considered a serious insult and offense to all the guests during that time. Mary communicated the frantic concerns of the wedding party to Jesus and He seemingly dismissed her.

What stings me is the way Jesus address His mother as “Woman”. When I first read this, I was offended. I would never call my mother or refer to any other woman in this manner. It was not until many years later that I learned that something was lost in translation. During this time, the use of the term “Woman” was a sign of great respect. It would be analogous to a man today addressing a woman as “Ma'am” or “Madam”.

John records two other instances when Jesus used this word. He addressed the woman at the well in this manner.

Jesus said to her, “ Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father.
John 4:21

And in a sad and poignant moment, He again addressed His mother Mary as He hung on the Cross, making sure she would be properly cared for when He was gone.

When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!”
John 19:26

It is very easy to jump to conclusions when one does not take the time to truly understand the meaning of the words in the Bible and how they were used during that time and culture. When you do, the Bible becomes so much richer than anything you will ever read. This is God’s Word and through His Holy Spirit, He directed men to write this.

Won’t you take the time to read the Bible? Ask God to open your eyes and heart to behold and understand the infinite riches and beauty of God’s Word!

Love and trust the Lord; seek His will in your life.

"It Nails Everybody!" (Romans 3:23-24)

“The Bible is very balanced. It nails everybody!”
Pastor Greg Laurie

For many years before I became a Christian,  the Bible was just another book to read. There were many great stories and practical ideas for living, but nothing more. This all changed when I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. Instead of distant characters living in a foreign culture and forgotten time, the stories became very real to me. The difference was I saw myself in everyone of the characters. I saw my sins, even secret and hidden sins, laid bare on the pages.

The Bible nails everybody. Male or female, young or old, rich or poor...all have one thing in common. We are all sinners. I never wanted to admit that. Surely my sins could be overlooked or explained by naivete or immaturity? After all, I couldn’t be as bad as a murderer or thief? But when I was finally ready to see myself as God saw me before I accepted Jesus Christ, only the truth remained. I am a sinner. And in spite of my best efforts to excuse my behavior, only one thing mattered. I was in desperate need of a Savior.

For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,
Romans 3:23-24

Once I accepted the fact that I was a sinner and repented of my sins, I could come before God and ask Jesus Christ to be my Lord and Savior. Now, when I read the Bible, it is alive and penetrating into my soul. It is God’s Word and His Holy Spirit enlightens me to understand what is written.

The Bible does nail everybody. And I thank God that it nailed me and has never let up!

Love and trust the Lord; seek His will in your life. 
 

My Funny Valentine (1 Corinthians 12:4-6)

Last weekend, a disc jockey on a local jazz radio station did something a bit unconventional. In honor of Valentine’s Day, he played several  hours of the classic, “My Funny Valentine”. But each version was done by a different artist and each was remarkably different. The artists ranged from jazz legends such as Art Farmer and Ella Fitzgerald, to classic pop singers like Frank Sinatra, to contemporary singers like Carly Simon, Ronnie Milsap, and Anita Baker.

Here is a small sampling:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UjuaZDdqmCw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ajKuyXM2-PA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5tpLFOOHHS0

All in all, it made for a fascinating listening! One song, different singers, same message.

It was a lovely reminder of the unity of the Church, the Body of Jesus Christ. Different believers serve within the Church, utilizing their God-given gifts and talents in His service. Some have the gift of hospitality, others the gift of teaching or exhortation, still others are prayer warriors. But all different members utilizing different talents and gifts are for the same message, to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ. One God, different gifts, same message.

Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone.
1 Corinthians 12:4-6

On this Valentine’s day, may God surround you and your loved ones with His love and peace.

Blessings with Aloha!

If It Doesn't Hurt Anyone, It's Okay (Psalms 10:11)

“It’s okay, just so long as you are not hurting anyone.”

How many times have you heard this spoken? There is a compelling truth and logic to this, isn’t there? After all, your time and your money are yours alone and you are free to do with it, whatever you chose...just so long as no one is hurt and it doesn’t break the law.

This sanctions many kinds of behavior, from drug abuse to gambling to pornography. Yes, any of these activities could hurt another, but if the activity is just limited to yourself, the world reassures us it is okay. But the consequences of any deviant behavior is never limited to just the perpetrator. Sin, like a pebble thrown into a still pond, reverberates long after the act has been committed. 

He has said in his heart, “God has forgotten; He hides His face; He will never see.”
Psalms 10:11

As the psalmist wrote, we may think that no one sees or cares what we do when we are alone. We may even think that God turns a blind eye to our secret shenanigans. I have been guilty of holding this attitude and I have repented of these sins and asked God for forgiveness. My arrogance did not just hurt myself, but many others. But first and foremost, I sinned against God and it certainly grieved His heart. And any believer in Jesus Christ who has an attitude that they can sin and get away with it, just as long as it doesn’t hurt anyone else, is living a lie.

Come to Jesus Christ, the author of our salvation, and confess your sins to Him. He is righteous and just to forgive you and is offering you the gift of salvation if you believe in Him as your Lord and Savior.

Praise the goodness of the Living God!

Love and trust the Lord, seek His will in your life. 

Professional Successes and Personal Losses (Matthew 16:26)

During the early part of my career, I turned my back on God. The reasons are complex but at the heart was my sinful nature. I gave in to the lust of the eyes, lust of the mind, and the pride of the flesh. I was fanatical about succeeding in my career and while my professional success grew, my personal losses accelerated.

I recall one forlorn evening, walking through my empty home and looking at my diplomas and awards that were on my wall. I recounted broken relationships that resulted from my determined desire to excel at my career, at any cost, regardless of whom I hurt. I thought back to others who attempted to help me along the way only to be rejected by my haughty and selfish spirit. I lamented the weak excuses I gave to acquire material possessions that could somehow make up for the spiritual void in my life.

For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?
Matthew 16:26

Indeed, what can a man give in return for his soul? Nothing. Absolutely nothing.

At that point, I had no where to turn but to the ground. I fell on my hands and knees and confessed my sins to God and repented in tears. It took time but God redirected me to those with whom I had alienated with my lifestyle. I was able to forgive so many who had hurt me along the way. And most importantly, I was able to once again find fellowship with a Bible believing Church and be surrounded and embraced by God’s family.

God saves us by His grace. We do not deserve the salvation and there is no work we can do to earn His forgiveness.  God owes us nothing. It is only by confessing and repenting of our sins and accepting His Son, Jesus Christ, as our Lord and Savior, that He is able to save our soul.

Professional successes...personal losses...all need to be measured against the standard of God’s love and sacrifice. And until I came to that point in my life, I was truly lost.

Praise God for His mercy and grace!

Love and seek the Lord; seek His will in your life. 

 

Excruciating (Acts 5:41)

There is a word that has become common in the english language-excruciating. It means agonizing or severe pain, to cause intense suffering, or unbearably distressing. It is a colorful word and one that certainly adds an erudite air to any writing or speech. The origins of the word, however, are dark and somber. It is derived from crucifix and emblematic of the pain and suffering of a crucifixion.

Although there is nothing wrong to use this word in everyday language, I am definitely uncomfortable applying it to myself, no matter the travails or hardships I may be undergoing. The Romans crucified many people, but only Jesus Christ, paid the ultimate sacrifice by being crucified and dying on the Cross for my sins. Nothing that I have or ever will experience will even begin to approach the same level of pain or anguish that He experienced. It is enough to know that if I do suffer for my faith, I share it out of gratitude for what Jesus Christ has done for me.

So they went away from the Sanhedrin, happy to undergo shame for the Name.
Acts 5:41

The early disciples rejoiced in any suffering or punishment they encountered for their faith and belief in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Christian tradition states that the Apostle Peter asked to be crucified upside down because he felt he was not worthy to die in the same manner as his Lord.

We need to approach Jesus Christ with the same respect, ever mindful of His sacrifice for all of mankind. We thank Him but confessing our sins, repenting, and accepting Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior.

Amen.

Love and trust the Lord; seek His will in your life.

"I'm Drowning Here, and You're Describing the Water!" (Psalms 121:1-3)

"I'm drowning here, and you're describing the water!"
Melvin Udall in “As Good As It Gets”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UIi18nRFBU4

This is a famous line uttered by Melvin Udall, played by Jack Nicholson, who was upset over the advice that Simon gave him after Carol breaks up with him over the telephone. Melvin felt that Simon was not helpful at all, simply describing the pathetic situation rather than giving him practical advice to resolve the problem.

I laughed when I first heard this because I wondered how many times I have been both the recipient of similar helpful advice or have been equally guilty of rendering advice that was of no help at all to the listener?

When we are in need of sound advice, to whom do we turn? The Bible has many examples of men turning to others for advice. In some instances, the advice was ill-advised and the consequences devastating. Rehoboam, Solomon’s son, rejected the advice of the elderly counselors of his father and listened to the foolish advice of his younger peers, with whom he grew up. The result of accepting this advice was a divided kingdom with Israel following their own king. Rehoboam paid a high price for seeking counsel from man rather than first seeking God.

Sometimes it seems as though we cry out to God only as a last resort. But when any problem confronts us, the God of the Universe is able to cut through the chatter and noise and address the real problem rather than simply describe the circumstances.

I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come?
My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber.
Psalms 121:1-3

God is able to help us like no other because it is He who set all events in motion. Our limited minds can never fully comprehend the meaning of the circumstances we find ourselves. But God does not ask us to understand, He asks us to trust Him and allow Him to take care of the situation.

Won’t you accept the help of God? By accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, you will gain access to the limitless blessings and help of God. Is there any better solution to your problems than this?

Love and trust the Lord; seek His will in your life. 

Daily Devotional (Psalm 119:105)

There are a plethora of excellent daily devotionals. Some of them, like Oswald Chambers’  My Utmost for His Highest are considered classics. I have read many of them and have taken great inspiration and have deepened my faith.

Each devotional takes a verse or verses and illuminates some life lesson. Whenever I read these devotionals, as wonderful and insightful as they are, I could not help but think that all of these devotionals are simply pointing to God’s Word and I would rather read God’s Word instead of someone’s insights.

I was inspired by the story that President Abraham Lincoln read a chapter from Proverbs everyday, so I decided to create my own devotional based upon the wisdom of God’s Word. There are 31 proverbs and 150 psalms. Thus beginning on the first day of the month, I begin reading Proverbs 1 and Psalms Chapters 1-5. The next day is Proverbs 2 and Psalms Chapters 6-10, and so on. If the month has 30 days, I will read Proverbs 30 and 31 on the last day. If the month has 31 days, I read five chapters of the Psalms of my choice. If it is the month of February, the 28th or 29th day will be spent reading extra chapters of Proverbs and Psalms, Ecclesiastes, or the Song of Solomon. In this manner, the entire Books of the Proverbs and Psalms are read through twelve times a year.

This takes place during my quiet time which is usually in the morning. I have organized my daily Bible study in a similar fashion to ensure that I read through the rest of the entire Bible in an orderly fashion.

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
Psalms 119:105

I used to marvel at people stating how they would continue to gain new insights and see how God could speak to them through the Bible. But once I began a serious and diligent reading of the Bible, I saw this in my own life. It is absolutely true that God’s Word is alive! God’s Word truly enlightens my path and I turn to it for answers to all of the problems I face in life.

I am absolutely convinced that when we go to Heaven, we will be judged by how diligently we read the Bible and applied it to our lives and to those around us. In the United States, there is such a tremendous access to many translations of the Bible in numerous formats. There is no excuse to not have a Bible and to read it. There are even Bibles that have devotionals placed side by side with God’s Word. But for myself, the only true devotional is spent reading God’s Word alone.

Praise God for the gift of His Holy Word!

Love and praise the Lord; seek His will in your life. 

We're On the Same Side! (Romans 8:31)

Conflict in life is inevitable. Many conflicts appear to arise from mis- or lack of communication. The result is disagreement, anger, and frustration. Ultimately, there may even be a sense that the two of you are not on the same side. In some instances, taking the time to understand the viewpoint of the other may go a long way to resolve or avoid further conflict.

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
Romans 8:31

What if you could look at life from God’s perspective? What if you could view every conversation, every interaction, every thought the way that God sees things? Wouldn’t that be tremendous? We would immediately understand what motivates the other person and from what perspective they were reasoning.  And if we did, conflicts would dramatically diminish.

God does give us His perspective!

When we confess our sins and trust in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, God gives us His Holy Spirit to indwell within us. He gives us God’s perspective through the mind of Jesus Christ. God is truly on our side!

In our fallen state, conflict is inevitable. But if the person you are having a conflict with is also a Believer, the two of you have a supreme advantage. God is on both of your sides and if you are willing, He will help to resolve the conflict in a manner that neither of you could have ever imagined, to bring glory to Him!

What a wonderful promise!

Love and trust the Lord; seek His will in your life.