operating in selfishness and arrogance

Daily Devotional for April 25, 2024 – God can read human hearts…it’s time for us to clean up our act!

Proverbs 15:11-12
Even hell holds no secrets from God—
do you think he can’t read human hearts?
Know-it-alls don’t like being told what to do;
they avoid the company of wise men and women.

Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.

A few days ago, I mentioned that I recently read The Village Healer’s Book of Cures by Jennifer Sherman Roberts. This historical fiction recalls the life of a young widow who learned herbal medicine from her mother, grandmother, and other women in a small village outside of London, England, in 1646. Along comes a man who declared himself to be the “Witchfinder General” (and falsely insists he is sanctioned by Parliament), and he makes all sorts of claims to the villagers that convince them this woman is a witch and should be hanged. In fact, this self-appointed charlatan has set himself up as an “authority” and “witchfinder,” and he has traveled through several villages condemning local healers and hanging them as witches.

Like this Proverb describes, the man is secretive and a “know-it-all” who avoids the company of anyone who might question his claims and motives. He “leads” with arrogance and selfishness and all but dares anyone to challenge his pronouncements. Ultimately, the readers learn the truth about this man – and the secrets he harbored – demons in his own life that made him truly evil. The villagers may not have known all this man’s specific sins and wrongdoings…but I assure you that God knew. And as Solomon reminds us in Proverbs 15:11, God can read our human hearts.

You may never say an untoward word aloud or do anything that others would deem to be disrespectful, dishonest, arrogant or selfish. But if you curse someone as he/she walks away, God knows. You may be cordial and pretend to be accepting and kind toward certain people…all while loathing them privately. And God sees your hypocrisy. You may think you are guarding your reputation, or protecting another person’s feelings by suppressing what you really think and feel…but you’re not fooling God for even a split second!

This is not to suggest that we should simply “let it all hang out” and see what happens! Often when we hide our true feelings and sugarcoat our words, we know in the moment that God would not approve of our words and actions. After all, when we do this, we are insulting and denigrating God’s children…each one as precious to Him as you and I. And those who make false claims and seek the company of people and groups who will listen and believe them are wasting God-given energy – and disavowing any commitments to love and serve as He commands.

We are all guilty of saying hurtful and unseemly things about others under our breath or behind closed doors. And we are all wrong for doing so. Even if nobody ever sees or hears these things, GOD KNOWS! And pleasing God is all that matters. So choose your words – and your company – wisely. Speak and act in a way that brings honor and glory to your LORD and Master. Let’s get real here…it’s way past time for many of us to clean up our act. This is the perfect day to get started! Alleluia!

Daily Devotional for December 8, 2023 – Cheaters never prosper – no matter what you’ve seen and heard!

Psalm 55:22-23
Our Lord, we belong to you.
We tell you what worries us,
and you won’t let us fall.
Our Lord, we belong to you.
We tell you what worries us,
and you won’t let us fall.
But what about those people
who are cruel and brutal?
You will throw them down
into the deepest pit
long before their time.
I trust you, Lord!

Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.

Sir John Harington was a 17th-Century English author, courtier, and translator – and the inventor of the flush toilet! He was also the person who wrote the Epigram, “Treason doth never prosper, what’s the reason? For if it prosper, none dare call it treason.” This became widely quoted in modern history as “Cheaters never prosper.” And I know that sometimes, it seems like this statement doesn’t hold water – that certain people seem to “get by with murder.” But I remind myself of scripture passages such as this one in Psalm 55, which indicates something totally different!

We can all agree that there are evil people who are cruel and brutal to the bitter end of their earthly lives. We may know people who lie and cheat and live arrogantly and selfishly up to their last breath. But remember…this earth is not the end. We all must stand before God and give an account of our words and actions. And God is never fooled. He has absolutely zero tolerance for such behavior…and there will be a Day of Reckoning.

I try not to worry about this, because I know who I am – and WHOSE I am. I trust God, and I do my dead-level best to serve Him in all things. I know that I have fallen and failed…and He has forgiven me and set me upright. And my prayer is that this is also the case for you. This does not excuse the rotten behavior of others…or cause me to feel superior to them. I wish we could all find common ground, love each other, and serve God collectively with total harmony and peace. But I know the devil isn’t going anywhere, so I am sure there will always be troubles and trials.

We seem to understand agreements in other arenas…we sign contracts and covenants – and agree to abide by the rules of everything from a game of Monopoly to TSA regulations when traveling and seatbelt laws. But when it comes to God, it seems like some expect Him to look the other way, change His mind to agree with their opinions and desires – or simply give them a pass. This scripture passage serves as something of a “notice”…God expects us to surrender to Him and trust Him in all things, and He will guide and guard us. If you choose to do things your own way and ignore God’s commands, He will mete out punishment, and it will be neither pleasant or pretty.

Remember that no matter how things may seem, cheaters truly never prosper. Ask God to help you always speak and act in truth, and to find a way to treat those who are dishonest, arrogant, selfish – or even cruel and brutal – with the love, grace, and mercy of Jesus Christ. Trust God and give Him room to work. I assure you that He can – and He will. Alleluia!

Daily Devotional for October 30, 2022 – Serving Christ according to His rules, not the world’s…it may be time to make some changes!

Galatians 2:19-21
What actually took place is this: I tried keeping rules and working my head off to please God, and it didn’t work. So I quit being a “law man” so that I could be God’s man. Christ’s life showed me how, and enabled me to do it. I identified myself completely with him. Indeed, I have been crucified with Christ. My ego is no longer central. It is no longer important that I appear righteous before you or have your good opinion, and I am no longer driven to impress God. Christ lives in me. The life you see me living is not “mine,” but it is lived by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I am not going to go back on that.

Is it not clear to you that to go back to that old rule-keeping, peer-pleasing religion would be an abandonment of everything personal and free in my relationship with God? I refuse to do that, to repudiate God’s grace. If a living relationship with God could come by rule-keeping, then Christ died unnecessarily.

Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.

Like many children, our niece and nephews do not like change. You should have seen and heard them last winter when they came to visit – and we had purchased new living room furniture. The oversized sectional that had been here all their lives was replaced by a compact loveseat and two recliners. Immediately, they declared, “We don’t like it!” Once they learned that the furniture was comfy – and the recliners were electric powered – they warmed up to the idea. Now, they appear to be completely on board with the changes.

The kids are also not keen on getting rid of any toys or clothes (even when they outgrow them). I will admit, I have talked of getting rid of some of the “baby toys” only to have a child play with them like old friends – or brand-new toys! One day, ten-year-old Nathan informed me that… “You are not allowed to get rid of any toys until we are 20!” I guess we have a few years to go!

I get it…continuity is comforting. We gain a sense of safety and security from knowing that we’ve always done something in a certain way – and nothing is changing. Even good changes can sometimes be stressful and challenging. But as we all know, we don’t have to keep doing things the same way just because this is always how they have been done. And this goes for some of the “laws” we have learned in our relationship with God, as well.

This scripture passage is packed with important information. It is a great foundation for teaching us how to love and serve God. If we could all learn to embrace God’s gift of Jesus Christ – and salvation by His sacrifice – and seek His will and follow it, imagine how different the world could be. Consider what could happen if we stopped focusing on what others think, the “we’ve always done it this way” mentality and legalism purported by many followers, and blind acceptance of the “laws” that have governed many church bodies for centuries. If we simply focused on the Jesus’ commands to love God, love others, and treat all people as we wish to be treated, think of how readily the presence of Christ would be evidenced in our daily living.

There are a lot of people who fear change …especially in how they love and serve Jesus. They are afraid to look at scripture with fresh eyes and ask the hard question, “Is this really what God intended?” The shift in thinking and how we love and serve might not be as easy as adjusting to a new living room chair…or accepting that your favorite pajamas no longer fit and must be replaced by new ones. Hopefully, the results will be more profound and bring us into a deeper, more nurturing relationship with Jesus – for us and for those we love and serve in His name.

This is a good day to take inventory and see where we have settled into a rut of following others and doing what we believe will be most popular – and thereby most comfortable. It is time for us to seek God’s will over our own, and to make whatever changes are necessary to ensure that we are following Christ’s commands and honoring His incomparable, gracious gifts and abundance. We don’t have ten years to wait…we’ve got to do this now. Change is hard sometimes…but often so worth it. For many of us, this is one of those times. Alleluia!

Daily Devotional for May 13, 2021 – What are you asking God for – and how are you asking?

James 1:5-8
If you want to know what God wants you to do, ask him, and he will gladly tell you, for he is always ready to give a bountiful supply of wisdom to all who ask him; he will not resent it. But when you ask him, be sure that you really expect him to tell you, for a doubtful mind will be as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind; and every decision you then make will be uncertain, as you turn first this way and then that. If you don’t ask with faith, don’t expect the Lord to give you any solid answer.

The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Today is the 12th birthday of our nephew, Timothy. We laugh that 12 years seems like an instant – and 112 years all at once! Since the children were able to talk, I’ve been writing down things they say. As I read through some of these quips recently, I noted the countless references to God. We’ve talked about God a lot in the last decade-plus! Ever since Timothy was a toddler, he has had an extraordinary interest in God…and an amazing understanding of our Heavenly Father and His significance in our lives. In fact, all three children have a beautiful relationship and awareness of God for their present ages.

As a case in point…I noticed this entry in my journal from 2015, when Timothy was six, and his sister, Zola, was four…“The kids were watching videos, and Zola asked Timothy why a robot in one that was sort of a video game didn’t have any eyes. Twice she asked. And twice, Timothy told her, ‘I don’t know, Zola…that’s just the way God made the game.’” That he included a reference to God in something as trivial as a video game or movie made me smile.

Now let’s be fair…a couple of years later, when our boy was upset over something I had said or wouldn’t allow him to do, he stormed upstairs and told on me to his Uncle Greg, adding in a irritated, sarcastic tone…“Don’t tell me that God will fix this…because He won’t! Don’t tell me to ‘trust in the LORD’ about everything…because that’s just not true!” He was merely having a moment. And sometimes, you and I are right there with him.

Sometimes, our 8-year-old heart wants what it wants, when it wants. We ask God for something, knowing that this is not in our best interest…or with trepidation that our “ask” is too big and God won’t answer. Sometimes we want something so badly that we ask God to make it so…even when we know that we should ask for His will, such as when we are asking Him to heal or spare a loved one who is ill or injured – or to allow us to have something we want, regardless of the ramifications. Rather than recognize that God will answer perfectly, we interject our own selfish will and hope that He will change course and go along with our pleas.

Sometimes, just as this scripture indicates, we know that we need to seek God’s will, but we also know that we are probably not going to like His answers and directives. These halfhearted prayers truly irritate God. They reflect our arrogance and lack of respect for His supremacy and perfect wisdom. They also show a lapse of faith in God to always give us good and true directives and care.

Prayer works. God always answers perfectly. You and I just have to ask in the right frame of mind – and with a faithful, obedient heart. What are you asking God for today…and how are you asking? God can fix anything…and He will – if only you pray humbly and trust His responses. If you want to know what God thinks, ask Him…He’s waiting to tell you! Hallelujah!

Daily Devotional for March 15, 2021 – It’s time to work happily together – and show the world the love of Jesus!

Romans 12:16-19
Work happily together. Don’t try to act big. Don’t try to get into the good graces of important people, but enjoy the company of ordinary folks. And don’t think you know it all!

Never pay back evil for evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honest clear through. Don’t quarrel with anyone. Be at peace with everyone, just as much as possible.

Dear friends, never avenge yourselves. Leave that to God, for he has said that he will repay those who deserve it. Don’t take the law into your own hands.
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

The Reverend Dr. John Robbins of Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church* told a story in his March 14th sermon involving his little dog, Henry, and his Bible. It seems that Robbins had a Bible that was given to him so long ago that the cover was all worn and tattered. He had the Bible rebound in a beautiful rich leather. Henry the dog saw the new leather Bible, and in the words of John Robbins, he “ate Deuteronomy”.

Pastor Robbins was so upset with his dog, and Henry knew it. He hid under the bed in a spot where he could not be reached, and Robbins said the little dog trembled with fear. Robbins admitted that he yelled and fumed at the dog. When Henry was finally coaxed from his hiding place, the pastor didn’t beat the dog – or further cajole him. Instead, he hugged Henry, stroked his fur, and assured him that all was going to be okay. His analogy in the sermon was that is how Jesus reacts to us when we sin and disappoint Him and show remorse. I like to think this is also how the Apostle Paul is telling the Romans (and us) to treat one another.

This morning, I read another story about a man whose family played an April Fool’s prank on him and caused him to frantically rush to the yard with his shotgun one morning – in his boxer shorts – thinking that a water moccasin was about to bite the family dog. (There was no snake, and the dog was fine.) This humiliating joke was not only viewed by the man’s family – the neighbors saw it, too. He was the brunt of a lot of friendly laughter for a long time as a result. The man could have chosen to seek revenge…to be angry with his wife and daughters…or to stomp and storm off in obvious fury. But he chose to laugh – and to turn this experience in to a good story with the reminder from Proverbs that laughter is good medicine.

These two stories are not isolated incidents. All around us, there are opportunities to operate in love, generosity, compromise, humility, and understanding…or to show our backsides! A lot of us fall somewhere in the middle. We don’t always behave badly toward others in an overt manner…but behind closed doors, we rant and rave…call names…harbor resentments, and plot revenge. Too many people compromise their relationship with Jesus just to fit in…to “move up” in some manner…or to make others think they are something grand or special – and should be “revered” in some manner.

It’s time for us to climb down off our imaginary pedestal and realize that in God’s eyes, we are all filled with the same potential for greatness and glory in His Kingdom. It is time for us to laugh at ourselves in our boxers chasing an imaginary snake – and to forgive those who “ate Deuteronomy”. It is time for us to put things in a proper perspective and recognize what really matters to God. It is time for us to love one another…to figure out how to get over ourselves and get along with others.

Read this passage from Romans 12 again and let the message truly resonate with you. As a precious child of God and a disciple of Christ, you are already as big as you need to be. You have more potential for the right kind of “greatness” than you will ever be able to imagine…and you are called to represent Jesus, who truly IS perfect and great, with humble love and respect for all of His creatures. You are called to defer to God for judgment and revenge – and to be about bringing others together for His glory.

People are watching to see how you will react and respond…whether you will kick the dog, yell at your family, disparage another person in some manner – or happily serve as the hands and feet of Jesus and leave meting justice to Him. What you show them will tell the tale of your discipleship. Now is the time to be sure you show them Jesus!

* Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church service – Sunday, March 14, 2021

Daily Devotional for April 20, 2020 – Seeking God’s will and directives in this pandemic – we all have a part to play

John 5:30
I cannot do anything on my own. The Father sent me, and he is the one who told me how to judge. I judge with fairness, because I obey him, and I don’t just try to please myself.

Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.

I have been talking with friends this morning about what we all have to do to “flatten the curve” of COVID-19. We’ve agreed that everyone has to play a part…we all have to wear masks, stay home as much as possible, and maintain a six-foot or better distance from others when we go out in public (and of course, we have to wash our hands and not touch our faces!). We have agreed that if one person decides that he knows better than the rest and ventures out unprotected, there is at least the potential for the virus to continue to spread. In turn, this will lengthen the time before our society actually can go back to some semblance of “business as usual”. We really cannot afford to do what pleases us in this matter…we absolutely must consider what is best for all.

If ever there was someone who deserved to judge others in a way that was pleasing to Himself, it was Jesus. And yet, He clearly pronounced that “I cannot do anything on my own.” Jesus deferred to the decisions of God Almighty. He could have easily gotten up in the Garden of Gethsemane and said, “That’s it! I am done with you people! I am NOT going to subject myself to a bogus trial, humiliation and ridicule, a vicious beating, and crucifixion because of a bunch of sinful, evil, ungrateful humans like the lot of you!”

Jesus would have had every right to do this. And yet, He said to God, “Your will, not Mine.” This is a time for us to follow the model of Jesus and put aside our will. We must do what experts are telling us is necessary in order to “flatten the curve” of this virus and enable our lives to return to some semblance of “normal”. While these mortal “experts” are not God, I do believe that our Heavenly Father has ordained epidemiologists and virologists with wisdom and vision in this instance. I believe that He is working in the lives of doctors and nurses and instilling many with courage to stand up in front of a television camera and say to the world…”This is bad…STAY HOME!” I believe that God is calling on all of us – including our elected leaders – to listen to these experts and heed their warnings and advice.

My prayer today is that you and I will do our part…that we will prayerfully ask God, “What do YOU want me to do to help eradicate the danger of this virus?” I pray that all who are making laws and judgments that affect our cities, states, nation – and the world at large – will prayerfully ask God to give them wisdom…to provide experts who can steer them toward informed and courageous decisions.

I pray that every person in a position of authority will say, “Not my will, LORD…but YOURS” I pray that all persons in positions of authority will determine to never make a decision or declaration that pleases only himself/herself – or benefits a handful at even the potential expense or peril of many. And if these persons are unwilling to do this, I pray that God sends courageous people to stand up and say, “This is wrong!” – and to do the right thing.

What we need more than ever is for people to humble themselves…to realize that this is bigger than just one person. It is time for us to fall to our knees and cry out to God to help us…to show us the way, and to convict those who are acting selfishly of how misguided their words and actions are – and how deadly these can be for so many. It is time for us to “be still and know” that God is the ultimate judge and ruler – and to listen for His directives in this pandemic – and every other aspect of our lives as we move forward. We truly cannot do anything on our own. Are you ready to ask God to show you how to proceed?

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