When I Don't Feel Like a Christian (Ephesians 4:26-27)

I have a temper and although I have learned to control it, I have not mastered it.  Every so often, it rears its ugly head and I am again humiliated. An annoying interaction with a client services rep about a disputed cell phone charge; a near miss at a traffic intersection; the list is as long as my attempts to control my temper. And I am definitely not proud of this. It is during these times when I don’t feel like a Christian.

“Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil.
Ephesians 4:26-27

Jesus was angry when he used a whip to clear the temple of the evil moneychangers. But Jesus’ anger was a righteous anger. He was standing up for God’s law. His anger is the type of anger that the Apostle Paul wrote about in Ephesians.

God created man with a full range of emotions. I believe it allows us to better appreciate and experience God’s Creation. But when unchecked, these emotions, including anger, may lead us down a darker and slippery road to sin. Anger may foment resentment within us. It allows Satan to drive a wedge between us and others. God rightfully reminds us to not let a day end in anger. Sometimes this is far easier said than done.

My anger often leads to sin. Jesus’ anger always led to righteousness. I should obey God’s Word and seek to bring to God the issues that lead me to be angry and lose my temper.

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

Geiko Sighting (Acts 19:13)

The city of Kyoto in Japan is home to some of the last remaining schools of the Geisha. Admired and misunderstood by many, the Geisha is a rigorous and demanding career path that women undertake to become professional hostesses. Unlike some popular portrayals, true Geisha are not prostitutes. They are schooled in the art of conversation, musical instruments, song, and dance. Geishas in Kyoto prefer to be called Geiko to distinguish themselves from the Geishas in other parts of Japan and women who masquerade as Geishas.

Many tourists in Kyoto will line up for hours along theaters where Geikos perform to catch a glimpse or photo of them as they exit the theater. Unfortunately Geiko sightings are increasingly uncommon, becoming a media circus, akin to paparazzi converging upon a celebrity. Although it may seem obvious to locals, not every woman that wears a kimono is a Geiko. Thus, many women in Kyoto who are adorned in a kimono are often indiscriminately swept up in the tourist’s rush, mistakenly photographed as a Geiko. And some of these kimono-clad women will gladly allow the tourists to believe they are Geikos. Many tourists proudly display their photographs or ask to be photographed with these women, thinking they have secured a coveted photo of a true Geiko, only to be disappointed when the truth is revealed.

Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists took it upon themselves to call the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, “We exorcise you by the Jesus whom Paul preaches.”
Acts 19:13

Appearances can certainly be deceiving. These Jewish exorcists thought that all they had to do was invoke the name of Jesus and evil spirits would be exorcised. Instead, the demons turned upon them because they knew the truth.

And the evil spirit answered and said, “ Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?” Then the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, overpowered them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.
Acts 19:15-16

Opportunists and charlatans are everywhere. Unfortunately, they have also infiltrated the Christian Church. There are preachers and leaders who claim to be Christians but deny the deity of Jesus Christ. But some have a far more subtle deception occurs and there is a denial of only selected portions of Scripture or acceptance of other religions or gods as truth.

Like the casual kimono wearing woman who is mistaken for a Geiko, it may be difficult to discern the true Christian from the pretender. Ultimately only God knows the true spiritual state of any of us. But a true Christian will exhibit fruits of their conversion. And this is how one can know for sure. It is not the outward appearance but the inward change of the heart.

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

Japanese Humility (John 13:13-15)

Humility is a pervasive trait for the people of Japan. It is on display everywhere, from the salespeople in department stores, to subway guards, to the managers and CEOs of large companies. It is never forced and always delivered with a smile and a bow.

This trait is ingrained within the psyche of the Japanese people. While there may be a superficial resemblance to the Judeo-Christian Golden rule paraphrased as, “Love your neighbor as yourself”, for many Japanese, the motivation is steeped within the Buddhist traditions of karma, good moral actions lead to a future rebirth into a higher and greater existence, eventually leading to enlightenment.

The culture and traditions of the Jewish people and early Christians may seem alien to some Japanese people. And therefore some of the teachings of Jesus may not resonate within the Japanese consciousness. But God’s truth is absolute and transcends any cultural or linguistic differences.

Humility was on display many times by Jesus Christ. He touched and healed lepers, a group of people for whom Jewish levitical laws forbid physical contact. He was willing to minister to prostitutes and adulterers. And He made Himself a servant. The Lord of the Universe willingly took on human form and temporarily lay aside His Glory to secure our redemption. Only a few hours before He would be tortured and put to death on the Cross, Jesus took upon Himself the most humbling task of washing the feet of His disciples.

You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you.
John 13:13-15 (NKJV)

Jesus Christ took on this humble task as an example of how we should serve others. We serve, not because we are attempting to earn our salvation, but out of gratitude for what God has done for us.

The humility of Jesus Christ should resonate with the Japanese people. Any cultural barrier that seemingly exists is man-made. God is not bound by man’s limitations and His Word will not return void and will accomplish what He pleases.

Amen!

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

Attention to Detail (Hebrews 9:23-24)

The people of Japan are renown for their attention to detail. On a recent trip, I marveled at their thoughtfulness exhibited in the example of a simple hotel bathroom mirror. Steam usually collects on the bathroom mirror after a shower or bath, preventing a clear image. In our bathroom, we were surprised to find a neatly pristine rectangular cutout of mirror that was unaffected by the steam. I even ran my finger from the steamed portion of the mirror to the non-steamed portion, curious if there were some coating or difference in the mirror composition. It was almost as if someone had snuck into the bathroom and wiped a portion of the mirror. Our confusion was later dispelled when we were told that a special heating apparatus is placed directly behind the mirror to prevent a steam buildup in that section. What attention to detail!

Therefore it was necessary that the copies of the things in the heavens should be purified with these, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. For Christ has not entered the holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us;
Hebrews 9:23-24

When I read about the details given for the tabernacle and the ark of the covenant, I also marvel at the attention to detail that God gave the Hebrews for its construction. Every detail, down to the intricate carvings, color of tapestries, and materials for composition were given. Why? Because it was a copy of the actual tabernacle in Heaven.

Attention to detail is an admirable trait for anything we do. But its fullest expression is found in serving God. Our attention to details on this earth is to prepare us to serve God in eternity. If you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, you will have this opportunity to see the absolute precision and detail of God’s Creation in Heaven. And anything we have experienced on this earth will pale in comparison.

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

Sakura (2 Corinthians 4:18)

The blooming of the sakura, or cherry blossom, is an important spring time ritual in Japan. For about one week in the spring, throughout the country, countless numbers of sakura trees blossom in a dazzling array of pink, white, and red. And following the sakura blossoms are millions of people, flocking to view this amazing annual site.

For many of the Japanese people, the fleeting beauty of the flower is symbolic of the Buddhist doctrine of mono no aware, a doctrine that stresses the awareness of impermanence, and is deeply ingrained into the Japanese psyche. Thus, the viewing of the sakura blossoms reinforces these Buddhist traditions for the Japanese people.

As a Christian viewing these blossoms, I, too, am reminded of the fleeting nature of this life. But instead of dwelling upon the negative and the impermanence of what this life offers, it causes me to look upward and focus upon the eternal nature of God and His promises.

...while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.
2 Corinthians 4:18

God created this world for us. Every aspect of His creation was perfect until sin entered the world through our disobedience. But even within this sin-tainted world, we can still catch glimpses of the beauty that He intended for us. The sakura is a reminder of the fleeting nature of the world but more importantly, it is a reminder of God’s promises of an even greater and permanent beauty within His presence in Heaven.

This promise is for all who confess their sins, repent, and place their trust in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. And when you do, the unimaginable beauty of Heaven will be yours. It will not be a fleeting memory but an eternal promise.

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

Less than 1% (Deuteronomy 6:4)

During my recent trip to Japan, we had the opportunity to tour many temples. Japan’s native religion is Shinto, a religion that is based upon nature worship, seeing god in every living creature and every natural phenomena. Many years later, Buddhism arrived and became ingrained within Japanese society. Of the many Buddhist teachings, one overarching thought is nothing is permanent. These two religions have profoundly shaped the Japanese culture and their approach to spirituality. As our guide remarked, it is difficult for many Japanese to accept an absolute God, as Christians do.

As I pondered this statement, I remembered that Japan is a nation of over 120 million people, yet less than 1% identify themselves as Christians. The same cultural and religious influences that have shaped so many wonderful Japanese sensibilities like their attention to detail, politeness, and humility, have also hindered their acceptance of Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.

Hear, O Israel:The Lord our God, the Lord is one!
Deuteronomy 6:4

There is only one God. He is omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent. He is unchanging, immortal, and eternal. As one reads the Bible, it is evident that God knew that man would very easily turn from worshipping the Creator and instead worship the creation. God knew that an ephemeral truth would replace an absolute truth.

My heart aches for the people of Japan. It is my ancestral heritage and I appreciate and admire so much of their rich culture and history. And yet, so many of them have yet to hear the Good News of the Gospel. And if they have heard it, their hearts may be hardened to the message.

I pray that God, through His Holy Spirit, will continue to open the door for the people of Japan to hear His Word.

Amen.

"I'm With My Peeps!" (Revelation 5:13)

I recently visited Japan. Because of my Japanese descent, I always wondered if I would find a connection to my cultural heritage? After a week long visit, I can unequivocally state that a connection has been made. The Japanese people are known for their attention to detail, their politeness, and their deeply ingrained sense of humility. All of these traits deeply resonated with me during the visit. I saw myself in the Japanese people. All during the trip, I proudly proclaimed, to the chagrin of my family, “I’m with my peeps!”

And every creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, I heard saying: “Blessing and honor and glory and power be to Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, forever and ever!”
Revelation 5:13

I look forward to the day when I am in Heaven, before God. But it will be more than just a deep resonation; I will be worshipping and serving Him in the way I was created to be. And I will be worshipping with other believers who have trusted God with their eternal destinies. I will truly be with my peeps!

If you have confessed your sins, repented, and accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, you can join the family of God. You can experience forgiveness and peace. And you can be with your peeps for all eternity. Your heritage will not be determined by genetics but by God’s sovereign choice by His mercy and grace.

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

Don't Shoot the Messenger (Romans 3:10-12)

When we receive bad or disappointing news, it is easy to lash out at the bearer of the news. Our anger or frustration may be misdirected and projected upon the messenger. Hence, the adage, “Don’t shoot the messenger!” is often a reality.

As it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.”
Romans 3:10-12

This is quite a damning statement, isn’t it? The Apostle Paul is unequivocally stating why we are completely lost and helpless in our sins. We may think we are good people, lead a good life, help others, and make the world a better place. But we are fooling ourselves. God has stated that not only are we not good people, we can’t even begin to be good people.

...for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
Romans 3:23

And no one likes to hear that message. We can become upset at Paul for writing this. We may turn our back on the pastor who preaches this message. But we are only attempting to shoot the messenger. The only person with whom we should be upset is ourself. We are sinners and try as we might, we will never stop being sinners.

God knows this and took action. He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to live a perfect life. He is the only person who has ever lived and never sinned. He lived a life in perfect obedience to God. And He died to take the curse of sin upon Himself, taking the punishment that God rightfully reserves for us and all sinners and redeeming us. Jesus did this because He loved us.

Don’t shoot the messenger! Listen to the message! Confess your sins, repent, and accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.

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

"You're From Hawaii, I'll Take Care of You!" (Acts 28:14)

I began searching for my first job as a physician during the final year of my medical residency. I sent my resume to a number of pathology groups, leveraging any connections I had formed over the previous 5 years. One response was from a pathologist, whom I knew was also from Hawaii. We had a connection because his brother in law was one of my internal medicine professors from medical school. After a few minutes of speaking over the phone, he paused and said, “You’re from Hawaii, right? I’ll take care of you!” Although I did not ultimately obtain a position with his group, he did help me to secure my first job.

...where we found brethren, and were invited to stay with them seven days. And so we went toward Rome.
Acts 28:14

When the Apostle Paul was being transported to Rome to plead his case before the emperor, the ship stopped at several ports along the way. Just before he arrived in Rome, he stopped at the city of Puteoli, around the Bay of Naples. The Bible records the hospitality of the fellow Christian believers, whom he had not previously met, who showed him hospitality.

Like the assistance I received from a fellow colleague from Hawaii, the Apostle Paul found comfort and help from those who shared a common heritage with him. If you are a believer in Jesus Christ, you share a far deeper connection with other believers than any birthplace, school, or occupation. You are a Child of God, adopted by God the Father, through salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.

How wonderful it is to say to a fellow believer, “You’re with Jesus Christ, I’ll take care of you!”

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

Help Me To Resist! (1 Corinthians 10:13)

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
1 Corinthians 10:13

God has given us this great promise of assurance. When we trust in Him, He is faithful to give us the strength and fortitude to resist any evil or temptation. He promises to give us the way of escape.

Yet, as we read the Bible, countless examples of lives given over to temptation and sin abound: Adam and Eve gave in to Satan’s lure, Samson succumbed to Delilah’s charms, David entered into an adulterous affair with Bathsheba, Peter denied he knew Jesus. In none of these examples do we ever read of a cry, “God, save me from this temptation! God, help me to resist!” All fall to temptation and fail.

All except one.

Jesus Christ was tempted yet He was the only one who showed what a life, completely yielded and obedient to God, can be.

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.
Hebrews 4:15

There are no more excuses. If you are a child of God, if you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, then you have the ability to resist any temptation that comes before you. By your own efforts, it is impossible, but with God, all things are possible. God’s promise to you is He will provide the way of escape. If you fail, it is because you did not claim God’s promise to rescue you. It is not because the temptation is too strong or God is weak.

There are no more excuses. God will help you to resist all temptations.

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

Who Would You Hire? (1 Corinthians 14:12)

Facebook’s co-founder and Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg has one rule for hiring. “I will only hire someone to work directly for me if I would work for that person.”

Clearly this philosophy has benefitted his company. It is sign of humility, a willingness to hire someone who may actually compete with or supplant his own position. But Mark is able to put his ego aside to do what is best for his company. If his employees succeed, they all succeed.

I have attended many churches replete with gifted teachers and pastors. When the church is in harmony with God, it is a magnificent symphony of the Holy Spirit working through that body of believers. But when personality conflicts, egos, and selfish ambitions intervene, only disaster can result. And God is dishonored.

Like Mark Zuckerberg, the senior pastor in a church must be willing to surround himself with gifted individuals, who may even be more gifted than himself in certain areas of ministry. The church cannot be a breeding ground for pride and selfish ambition. The only ambition of every church member should be to build the Body of Christ through the utilization of their unique talents as bestowed upon them by the Holy Spirit.

So with yourselves, since you are eager for manifestations of the Spirit, strive to excel in building up the church.
1 Corinthians 14:12

The Corinthian church was also beset by competing egos that escalated into frank immoralities. The Apostle Paul called for unity within the Church by asking each believer to use their unique spiritual gifts for the Church and not for their glory or self interests. It is a sobering message and one that every church needs to be mindful. Egos and ambition have no place in the Body of Christ.

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

Is This a Test? (Proverbs 27:21)

When a colleague approaches you with some critical advice, to take the sting out of what they are saying, it is sometimes termed constructive criticism. They may begin their criticism with a praise but after the perfunctory remarks, launch into a diatribe of what your problem is.

We have all been there, and, with rare exceptions, do we leave feeling wonderful about ourselves. But what happens when we are praised? If rightfully deserved, a praise from another person can bring a smile to our face and imbue us with a warm glow. It may invigorate and inspire us to do more. And it may also inflate our pride and ego, thinking ourselves more special or gifted than who we truly may be.

The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold, and a man is tested by his praise.
Proverbs 27:21

I believe praise is sometimes a more stringent test of our character than criticism because it can quickly lead to pride. And pride is at the heart of so many sins that have been recorded in the Bible. From Cain murdering his brother Abel to Saul despising the success of David, pride can eat away at our very character and subtly direct us to an ungodly stance toward others and ourselves.

The wisdom of the Bible is penetrating. We may prefer praise to criticism, but is this a greater test of our character?

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

How Do I Know It Is Working? (John 3:3)

I recently had a bout of the flu. There are several medications that are available that supposedly help to diminish the severity of the symptoms and may shorten the duration of the illness. I decided to try one of these medications but was amused when I read the potential side effects. The drug may cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headaches, dizziness, and cough or other respiratory symptoms.

Basically it was the same symptoms I was experiencing at the moment. Hmmm...how would I know it is working? Nonetheless, I took the drug, slept the entire weekend, and fortunately my symptoms did abate within a few days. Whether it was secondary to the action of the drug, increased rest, or both, I will not know.

Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
John 3:3

As Jesus told Nicodemus, one must be reborn again. A birth is a traumatic event.  Nine months spent in a comfortable and insulated environment is suddenly transformed into a  chaotic barrage of the senses. If our memories were perfect, we would vividly recall the event as a very profound change. The Apostle Paul did. The Bible described it as “something like scales fell from his eyes.”

I have met some believers who have told me that they cannot point to the one moment they became a Christian. I have never doubted their sincerity of faith because what matters is not whether they state they are a Christian, but whether their heart was truly changed. Only God knows the true state of their heart. But if one is truly saved, a change should occur in their life. It may be gradual or dramatic but a rebirth must occur.

Unlike the medication that I took for my flu, the moment I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior, I knew that my life was different. I knew Jesus was working in my life.

Jesus Christ extends His salvation to all who call upon His name. If you confess your sins to Him, repent, and ask Him to come into your life, He will answer you to become your Lord and Savior. And if you do, you will know that He is working in your life.

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

Food Tastes Better When You Are Hungry (Proverbs 27:7)

I love a great meal. I love the selection of the recipe, the gathering of the ingredients, the cooking and plating, and selecting the appropriate side dishes. But the only thing that makes the entire meal more special is if I have not eaten for a while. After all, food tastes better when you are hungry!

One who is full loathes honey, but to one who is hungry everything bitter is sweet.
Proverbs 27:7

Whenever I read this Proverb, I laugh, because it perfectly encapsulates my feelings. But it is a metaphor for life as well. Indulging in our favorite pastime or food is always more special when we have not done so in a while. But is our hunger for our relationship with God as intense?

God loves to bless His people. But sometimes, we become accustomed to these blessings and take God for granted. We see this over and over again in the Bible. The Hebrews were rescued from slavery in Egypt and protected and fed manna for 40 years in the desert. Yet, after a short while, they complained about their hard life stating they missed the variety of food in Egypt! They even complained that life was better in Egypt! How ungrateful!

I am definitely guilty of taking God for granted for the many blessings He has showered upon my life. At times, I have grown complacent in my walk with God. I do not seek God in all my activities. I do not give glory to God for what happens during the day. I do not spend time in prayer simply giving thanks and acknowledging God for who He is, the Creator and Sustainer of the universe. No, I have engorged myself on God’s blessings and I am no longer hungry.

I need to hunger and thirst for the true bread and living water of Jesus Christ. I need to crave my relationship with Him. I need to remain hungry!

Thanks be to God for His mercy and grace to me even when I am ungrateful for His blessings.

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

Fight To Resolve, Not to Win (Colossians 3:19)

In this hypercompetitive world we live, we hear phrases like, “Kill or be killed!” or “Survival of the Fittest!” Most of us can take this with a grain of salt but the pervasive culture that abounds sometimes carries over to our most precious relationships-our spouse.

Every married couple will have conflict. But it is how we resolve these conflicts that matters. If one listens to the ranting of the world, then a conflict can only be resolved with one side claiming a victory. But a Christian couple is called to a much higher standard. As Pastor Greg Laurie states, “Fight to resolve, not to win.”

I have definitely been guilty of wanting to get the last word in, to make sure my point is made and defended. I would even take the arrogant and vainglorious stance that even if my wife did not agree with my point, she at least understands it. It is a hollow victory at the least.

Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them.
Colossians 3:19

This word harsh can also be translated “to embitter”, literally to make a bitter taste in the stomach. When one fights to win, the results is more than a bad taste, it is bad communication. Marriage is advanced communication and advanced living. It is a relationship that is blessed and ordained by God. Thus when we fight, it should not be to embitter, but to honor God by resolving it.

Yes, it is easier said than done. But it can begin now. If you are a believer in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, He promises to give you His loving and peaceful Spirit to love your wife the way that Christ loves all of His children.

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

"There is Nothing More That I Want to Be!" (Acts 16:30)

I have been privileged to meet many excellent physicians as one of the directors of training for a dermatology residency program. One of my favorite but most challenging responsibility is interviewing prospective applicants. All of the applicants are amazingly brilliant with resumes that would be the envy of any physician or professional. Unfortunately, the competition is fierce because dermatology is a highly desired medical specialty. From a pool of over 300 applicants, only 25 are selected to interview, and, ultimately, only 2 are chosen for our program.

Thus, while our program has been fortunate to accept and train some excellent dermatologists, we must turn away many equally qualified applicants. Many of these go on to be accepted at other dermatology programs. But inevitably some are rejected by all programs and must reapply the next year and sometimes take even longer.

One resident stands out in my mind. Like her peers, she was an outstanding applicant. This was the third time she was applying, having been rejected by every program she applied to over the past 2 years. I asked her, “What will you do if you are rejected a third time?”

“Then, I will apply again.”

“And if you don’t get in again?”

“I will keep on applying until I make it!” She then turned to me and with a determined and steely gaze said, “There is nothing more that I want to be than a dermatologist!”

That year she did get into dermatology and she is now a superb practicing dermatologist, as she always dreamed and knew she would be. I admire her tenacity, passion, and strength of conviction.

Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”
Acts 16:30

Her example reminded me of my own goals for my spiritual life. Do I have the same tenacity, passion, and strength of conviction about my love for Jesus Christ? Could I ask with the same earnestness of the Philippian jailer, “What must I do to be saved?” Could I state with unswerving conviction, “There is nothing more that I want to be than a Christian, a child of God”?

And once I am saved, would I continue as fervently in my faith, always seeking to be more Christ-like?

By God’s grace and mercy, He saved me. And by the continuing sanctification of His salvation, He is transforming me into the image of His Son, Jesus Christ.

“There is nothing more that I want to be.”

Let me be a follower and disciple of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Amen!

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

Am I a Fool? (Proverbs 17:28)

Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak and to remove all doubt.
Abraham Lincoln

Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent.
Proverbs 17:28

The first quotation, attributed to Abraham Lincoln, is likely based upon the following Proverbs verse. It brings to mind a particularly painful and embarrassing episode in my life. I was one month into my first year as a medical resident. I was presenting the history of a patient to a senior resident. As I presented, he suddenly began chuckling. When I queried why he was laughing, he just shook his head and continued to snicker. I continued to present the case but the snickering continued. Irritated, I stopped and asked him, “You know, I don’t appreciate this. Why are you laughing?”

He looked at me in mock seriousness and said, “Sometimes it is better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak and to remove all doubt.”

He never did tell me what he thought was so foolish about my presentation and to this day, I still cannot discern what he found so amusing. But he did succeed in humiliating me. A few days later, he realized how callous and rude his statement was to me and he apologized. From that point forward, we became friends but the sting of his statement remained.

Regardless of his intentions, the episode does remind me the importance of choosing my words carefully. I often tell my daughter that words are very important and we must choose them very carefully when we speak or write. It is very easy to unknowingly hurt someone with a word that has a shade different tone or interpretation.

Am I a fool?

Perhaps for that day, I was. But In God’s eyes, the only person who is truly a fool is one who hears the Word of God and dismisses it, stating there is no God. If you have confessed your sins, repented, and believed in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, then you are not a fool. You are a child of God! And there is no more wonderful relationship in the universe.

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

Nahnmwarki (Revelation 19:16)

Many years ago, I had the privilege to practice medicine in the Micronesian island of Pohnpei (Ponape). I loved the people who lived there. They were friendly, generous, and eager to provide hospitality to every stranger. I immersed myself in the culture and attempted to learn some of the language. One word that stood out in my studies was Nahnmwarki. It described an ancient tribal government and the leader or King was designated Nanhmwarki.

When I returned to Hawaii, I was eager to share my experiences with my local church family. I greeted the congregation with an exuberant shout, “I bring you greetings from the people of Pohnpei. I was blessed to be able to go there and return by the grace of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He is the King of Kings, the Nahnmwarkien nahnmwarki!

Many years later, I was pleased to discover that God’s Word has been translated into the native language of Pohnpei. I am touched that the phrase I quoted so many years ago, was accurate and is now applied to the only King worthy of holding this title, Jesus Christ.

Nahnmwarkien nahnmwarki kan oh Kaunen kaun akan.

or, the more familiar translation…

And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.
Revelation 19:16

God’s Word is not bound by culture, language, or history. Let His promises resonate throughout all His Creation!

Amen!

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

My Barnabas (Proverbs 27:17)

I have a dear brother in the Lord whom I have known since the first day of my medical residency. As physicians in training, we already shared a unique bond. But our relationship grew as we both went through our various life stages. Now, nearly 30 years after we first met, we meet regularly to encourage one another in our jobs, families, and most importantly, our spiritual relationship and walk with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

We lost touch of each other for about 10 years, after we both completed our training. We became involved with our families and growing our medical practices. About 6 years ago, we began to meet on a regular basis but our fellowship was not as close and as sweet as it once was. But God intervened and rekindled our fellowship in a most dramatic fashion. During one of the darkest moments in my life, he showed up in my office at 8AM. Surprised but pleased by his visit, I asked him what brought him to my office that morning.

“I don’t know. I pass by your office every morning on my way to work. But this morning, I felt God speaking to me and telling me to stop and see you. Is everything okay?”

At that moment, I opened up and shared with him the turmoil that was surrounding my life, all because of my sinning. I expected him to be judgmental but with a kind look he said, “Paul, we are all sinners. I’m a sinner. This is why Jesus Christ came to save us. I love you and Jesus loves you. Let me pray for you.”

He is my Barnabas.

The Apostle Paul relied upon his relationship with Barnabas as he spread the Gospel to the known world. It was Barnabas who had the courage to first present Paul to the rest of the Apostles. All were afraid of him since it was only a short time since he was actively rounding up, persecuting, and imprisoning all Christians as blasphemers and heretics. Paul met Jesus Christ on the road to Damascus and although his life was dramatically and forever changed, there were many who did not believe his conversion was authentic. Barnabas was the only one who stood and vouched for sincerity of Paul.

Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.
Proverbs 27:17

The Bible reminds us of the importance of having the sweet fellowship of another believer. God uses others to sharpen or bring to clear focus the issues that we may not see in ourselves. He uses others to be a source of encouragement and comfort. And He uses others to help each of us to become more like His Son, Jesus Christ.

Do you have a Barnabas in your life?

Allow God to sharpen your life with the sweet fellowship of another believer.

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

A Class Act (2 Samuel 1:25)

If someone were pursuing you intending to kill you, for no good reason, how would you respond if an opportunity arose to take revenge? How would you respond if your pursuer was killed?

David was pursued by a deranged King Saul. And although David had several opportunities to take Saul’s life, he resisted, knowing that Saul was anointed by God to be King of Israel.

David was a class act, someone who exhibited outstanding character and virtues. No matter how desperate the situation, he refused to take matters into his own hand. Instead, he obeyed and trusted God, allowing Him to deal with all situations and outcomes. When Saul met his death in battle with the Philistines, David showed grace and extended a hand of peace and protection to Saul’s family. In his eulogy, he praised both Saul and his son, Jonathan, proclaiming their virtues, not once hinting at the pain and suffering he endured.

How the mighty have fallen in the midst of the battle!
2 Samuel 1:25

David was a man after God’s own heart. He was a class act by showing the character and nature of God.

If you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, then you can begin to experience the matchless beauty and majesty of God’s character in your life.

Be a class act!

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