Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. Psalms 90:12 NIV

I receive a daily email from Baseball Manager Clint Hurdle (https://www.clinthurdle.com/) that contains devotionals and blogs of inspiration. Today in the “Monday Thinking” post the following entry below caught my attention. It reminded me of the practicality and wisdom found in the Bible.

“We’re each only gifted a certain number of days. There’s mere thousands we will experience. And the truth is most are blur, because we only place significance on those where something momentous happens. The extreme highs, the crushing lows. The days that mark a before and an after. We miss all the ones that fall somewhere in the middle. The majority. The seemingly inconsequential, mundane, routine, the every day. We let them all bleed into one another in a blur, not realizing, that there isn’t a never-ending, overflowing, abundance of them.

Forgetting that one day, the bank of days will inevitably run out. We have to stop being everywhere but where our feet are. We forget it’s up to us to make the most of every moment. We push aside the knowledge that life is fleeting, because we’re too entitled to what we’re not guaranteed ― tomorrow. We tell ourselves that there will be time to do it all later. We’re so sure that it will come. But, the time to do it all is really now. The truth is that the magic is right here. It’s in the small moments, in the days that seem inconsequential. It’s in life. Each day is a gift, a limited number on a tally we don’t get to see. Stop waiting. Live now.”
― Em Manuel, Salt and Whistle

I usually write my own devtions and thoughts. But I found this worth sharing. Dave Burchett is an Emmy Award-winning television sports director for Fox Sports, ESPN, and NBC, with a background in radio. He and his wife, Joni, are former staff members of Campus Crusade’s Athletes in Action.

I’m Done!

by Dave Burchett I have reached and exceeded my saturation point.  I’m done. Done with what? I am done with negativity. Our leaders, the media, and social media platforms spend a ridiculous percentage of their energy on what is wrong with this world. Their solutions are often soul-sucking condemnation, judgement, and summary dismissal of people who simply ask questions. Perhaps the most distressing thing is that many in the church have fallen into the same dark space. Christian social media responses to cultural and doctrinal issues may be slightly less profane but not much, if any, less negative. Brothers and sisters, we are supposed to be light! But please don’t take my word for it. Your argument is with Jesus.  “In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will  praise your heavenly Father.” (Matthew 5:16, NLT) What I see too often is this very sad paraphrase of His words demonstrated through social media platforms.  “Let my sharp words shame or demean you so that everyone will see how clever I am and praise me.”  Paul addressed why we should be eager to be light in the world in Ephesians 5:8.  “For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light!“ My heart breaks when I see how many followers of Christ seem to have forgotten they were once full of darkness. It is only because of God’s grace that you have light.  So I am done with negativity and it is not because I am naive about the condition of the world. I am done with negativity precisely because of the condition of the world. This hurting, fearful populace needs hope, light, and grace. They need the positive message of the Good News. That is my goal for the rest of my days. I feel quite comfortable that the negative side will be well represented by countless others.  Everyday I need to make choices. I can be judgmental or I can be joyful. I can be pessimistic or I can be prayerful. I can be condemning or I can be caring. I can be fearful or I can be faithful. I can be grace-filled or I can be graceless. We make those choices and I know they are not easy. Making the choice to eat better is hard. Making the choice to work out is even harder for me. Those are decisions with good but temporal benefits. But making the choice to be a positive, loving light in this world has eternal impact. Warren Wiersbe is one of my favorite writers. His book Be Joyful: Philippians): Even When Things Go Wrong, You Can Have Joy is a great study to reorient your negativity. “When you have the single mind, you look on your circumstances as God-given opportunities for the furtherance of the gospel, and you rejoice at what God is going to do instead of complaining about what God did not do.”― Warren W. Wiersbe That response ain’t natural my friends. That is a mindset based on who God is. It is a choice grounded on the grace He has lavishly given to each one of His children. I’m done with negativity. I don’t know if I have two weeks or two decades left on this planet but I don’t want to spend my time wallowing in pessimism. I remember joking with my television production crew a few years ago that I was in the 4th quarter of life. One of my dear, encouraging friends said this with a smile on his face. “What if you’re in overtime?” That could well be but no matter how much time is on the life clock I want to be a positive light. I want to remember and live out the truth of John 13:35. “Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” The choice to love and be light is infinitely more important than winning online arguments, getting social media likes, and racking up followers. I want to be a loving light for the Good News of the gospel. Anyone want to join me?

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY: “…some people brought to him a paralytic, lying on a bed. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven.” Matthew 9:2 ESV

            It was one of those times when the familiar became alive with new impact and meaning. Pastor Trevor Hindman was sharing from this passage during our morning prayer time that is part of the New Year fasting and prayer emphasis. His point was receiving the miracle that was unexpected or not asked for. We believe we know what we need, but the Lord knows our real need. This allowed me to focus more on the easily overlooked words and lessons in this passage.

            In this account the man on the mat had an obvious need. He had concerned friends who were focused on getting him to Jesus to heal him. But when Jesus sees the faith of these friends, He responds by first speaking forgiveness. In reading slowly and looking closely at the words, it is important that Jesus says, “take heart” or “be encouraged.”

            When someone is overcome with remorse and is aware of their failures and sin, it is encouraging to hear the words, “you are forgiven.” But in this case the obvious need of the man and the reason his friends went through all the challenges to get him to Jesus was his physical need. Since this is the only passage that I can remember when Jesus speaks forgiveness first, perhaps the man himself realized his sin and unworthiness as he is in Jesus’ presence.

            It would be interesting to know the thoughts in the minds of the people in this story. Was the paralyzed man surprised or relieved? Did his friends think, “that’s well and good, but let’s get the reason we are here!” We know the thoughts of the Scribes. They thought, “who does this guy think He is?! Only God can forgive sins. This man is committing the sin of blasphemy, while proclaiming forgiveness of sin!” (Verse 3) (my paraphrase)

            Jesus then speaks out loud the thoughts of His critics. “Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts?” (Verse 4) It is one thing to have a thought in your mind. It is another to “entertain” that thought in your heart. The heart is the seat of emotions. It is one thing to “think” Jesus is blaspheming, it is another to allow that judgment to stir up an emotional response. That shuts out any possibility to the truth. It stops conversation. It hinders looking at the facts. It kept the Scribes from responding with the crowd after the healing, “…they were filled with awe and they praised God, who had given such authority to man.” [to forgive and to heal] (Verse 8)

            Jesus continues, “For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he then said to the paralytic — “Rise, pick up your bed and go home.” (Matt. 9:5,6)

            The physical healing of the man demonstrated Jesus’ authority to forgive sins. In doing so we see the priority of the spiritual over the physical. Physical healing and health are related to this life. Spiritual wholeness (forgiveness of sin) is related to eternal life. “Whoever believes in Him (Jesus) shall have eternal life.” (John 3:16)

            This gives perspective to the words of the old song, “Whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say, ‘It is well with my soul.’” When our sins are forgiven. When we have spiritual life, we have what we truly need. And yes, Jesus is able to heal and answer our prayers.

Bible Verse for Today:   

But when she saw him, [the Angel] she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was.  Luke 1:29 NKJV

When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. Matthew 2:3 NKJV

        Here we are Christmas Day in Mississippi at my nephew’s house with his family and my brother who flew in from Colorado yesterday. Debbie and I drove here from Atlanta yesterday and we find ourselves in a house with family all with the same last name. That is a first for many Christmases.

         However, this was not the plan. We were looking forward to our first Christmas in Atlanta joining with Stephanie and family and the rest of the Munn family. However, son-in-law Nathan tested positive for COVID and all of a sudden, we found ourselves “troubled” by the circumstances that threw a curve ball into our otherwise anticipated and well-planned Christmas.

         Our original plans were to spend Christmas with family at Stephanie’s home and then travel to Mississippi for a visit with family here on Sunday. Suzanne, Steven’s wife, learning of our situation invited us to “come on down” and join them for Christmas Day.

        So, we made some quick adjustments. Packed our clothes, stopped by Stephanie and Nathan’s home (Nathan is sequestered in the basement) to open some gifts ahead of schedule and then head to Madison, Mississippi arriving Christmas Eve night.

         This interruption in our plans caused to me think of the first “Christmas” and the events recorded in the Bible. The narrative in Matthew and Luke is filled with events that were “troubling.” Disruptions. Sudden changes in plans. Angelic visitation and supernatural dreams.

         Mary was troubled, Joseph was in distress, Herod was troubled. (And when Herod is not happy…no one is happy!) The shepherds were frightened by the light the shattered the darkness. Joseph and Mary had to make a difficult, unplanned trip to Bethlehem, only to find crowded streets and filled hotels. But in it all God was in control, working out His divine plan so that scripture would be fulfilled and that believers down to this day can understand, as Benjamin Franklin reminded this patriot colleges, “God governs the Universe.” God’s Word can be trusted. His plans will prevail.

         No, I am not viewing our sudden change in Christmas plans as part of a divine orchestration of events. But only an opportunity for me to stop and consider how in the midst of the nostalgic, romanticized, mystical notions around modern Christmas (which we do all enjoy), the reality is that Christmas reminds us of real life. Challenges. Questions. Hardships. Fear. Disruptions.

         So, if this Christmas finds you in situations that are not of your choosing and less than ideal, you can be assured that God is still with you in the middle of the “mess.” The most powerful words of one of my favorite Christmas songs O Holy Night, contains the phrase, “He knows our needs, to sorrow He’s no stranger.”  

         May you experience His comfort and joy this Christmas Day.

Bible Verse for Today:
“At that time the Lord began to make Israel smaller…” 2 Kings 10:32 NCV

This brief statement important not to overlook. In some ways it seems strange in terms of its timing. King Jehu of Israel led one of the few revivals. He ended Baal worship, destroyed the family of wicked King Ahab but even with these reforms, the Lord began to reduce Israel’s territory.

Israel was the “northern kingdom” consisting of ten tribes of Israel. Solomon’s kingdom was divided into two nations following his death, due to his idolatry. Israel established its capital city as Samaria but failed to follow the Lord whole-heartedly.

In these days the strength and economic well-being of a nation was tied to its size and how many other cities that it ruled. This represented economic, military and political power.

At the end of Jehu’s reign Syria began to capture some cities and regions that belonged to Israel. But this was not a prolonged downward slide. Over the reigns of nine more kings, battles would be won by Israel, territory would be reclaimed, but it would end one day with Assyria taking Samaria and the people of Israel captive.

2 Kings 17 gives the indictment against Israel, All these things happened because the Israelites had sinned against the Lord their God…They lived as their evil kings had shown them, secretly sinning against the Lord their God… And they refused to listen to his warnings. They worshiped useless idols and became useless themselves. 2 Kings 17:7-15 (for full description)

What is important to understand is that the people did not totally reject the Lord. There were many who were faithful. Prophets spoke God’s message and sounded the warnings. There were times of repentance and revival, but there was not a serious and prolonged commitment to follow the Lord’s ways. Instead they were more influenced by the culture of the day and the customs of other nations.

As I view current events, I wonder if America is at one of these turning points. I believe we can observe many “water shed” moments in our nation’s history and in culture. But as a friend recently commented, “I didn’t think I would see things change so drasticallty and so fast as they have in recent months.”

I recall after the 2018 election in Colorado and seeing significant changes in the political structure as a reult of the election, a more politically astute friend of mine commented optimistically that “we will see things shift back.” My response was “I hope so, but I see this as a more significant change than just normal political cycles.”

How should we respond? What does this mean? We need to remember, the Lord is in control. The scripture says, “the Lord began to reduce the size of Israel.” We must keep our eyes on the Lord and seek to understand what is happening from a spiritual and eternal perspective.

We need to be a voice. Just as the Lord’s prophets spoke truth to power and to a culture in decline. We must do the same.

We need to be on guard against the downward spiral of culture. Paul gave these admonitions,
Don’t let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ. Colossians 2:8 NLT

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.  Romans 12:2 NLT

But all this is only possible when we follow the Lord completely, whole-hearedly. No compromise. No accomdation. So we pray for a spiritual turning point. One back to the Lord and His ways.

Bible Verse for Today:

Because they did not know the way that God makes people right with him, they tried to make themselves right in their own way. So they did not accept God’s way of making people right. Romans 10:3 NCV

I recall many years ago a man saying to me, “I try to live a good life and if that it not good enough for God, it’s not my fault.” Hmmm. It is interesting how people believe they can establish their own criteria when it comes to being right with God, when everyday we accept the standards set by other authorities.

No one says, I am a careful driver so it doesn’t matter how fast I drive. No one applies for a loan and determines their own criteria for what should be acceptable to the lender. No student determines their own criteria for the work and activities needed to pass a course.

It is one thing not to know how to be right with God and so try our best to do what we think is right. This may be the Ten Commandments or our own set of standards. It is another to know and to ignore. Hebrews 2:3 (NLT) gives this warning:
So what makes us think we can escape if we ignore this great salvation that was first announced by the Lord Jesus himself and then delivered to us by those who heard him speak? (Hebrews 2:3 NLT)

The Bible makes it clear on how to be right with God.
If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and if you believe in your heart that God raised Jesus from the dead, you will be saved. We believe with our hearts, and so we are made right with God. And we declare with our mouths that we believe, and so we are saved.  (Romans 10:9,10 NCV)

We then have this assurance:
The same Lord is the Lord of all and gives many blessings to all who trust in him, ¹as the Scripture says, “Anyone who calls on the Lord will be saved.” (Romans 10:13 NCV)

That is good news. We don’t need to be confused or to uncertain as to what the Lord requires. We don’t need to work and try, hoping it is good enough. We can just follow God’s plan and provision Jesus Christ has made for us on the cross.
Jesus told them, “This is the only work God wants from you: Believe in the one he has sent.” (John 6:29 NLT)

So “get to work” and start believing. Place your faith in Jesus Christ and accept His forgiveness by confessing your sin and placing your life in His hands.

Bible Verse for Today:
No one worships you
    or even asks you to help us.
That is because you have turned away from us
   and have let our sins destroy us. Isaiah 64:7 NCV

As we look at the world and prophetic events described in the Bible, are they a result of God’s judgment or a natural consequence of a godless world and sinful behavior? Perhaps the answer is, “Yes.” However, this verse caught my attention because it addresses this question at least in part.

We are living in a day when faith is more and more “out of style.” God is pushed to the periphery of life or viewed as nonessential or impractical to life by many. There are a host of reasons for this, but the consequence is the same, no recognition of God or worship of Him or seeking His help and favor.

You can count on it, a godless world is a world in trouble. That trouble comes from people who believe they have the power to address all the problems people have created through society and human activity.

I still recall years ago a youth camp speaker’s message, entitled, “When God Says Have It Your Way.” The bottom line is we don’t realize the grace of God that protects us from our sin and full brunt of the consequences of our actions, lifestyle and behavior.

The most telling verse from the story of Samson is when he was being probed by Deliliah about the source of his strength and kept toying with her until he told her the true source. He woke up and thought, “I’ll leave as I did before and shake myself free.” But he did not know that the Lord had left him. (Judges 16:20 NCV)

I believe much of what we see in the book of Revelation is what happens when the Holy Spirit is withdrawn and allows the full consequence of rebellion and rejection of God take place in nature and in human conflict.

What is the application? What should be our response? We continue to worship the Lord and ask for His help, even in the midst of a world or personal and cultural chaos. When it doesn’t look like our prayers are being answered, we must still pray. When it seems like there is no hope, we must still have hope in the Lord. We need to be quick to turn from sin keep our hearts open to the Lord and seek to understand from scripture and our relationship with Him how we are to live and respond to what is taking place around.

Bible Verse for Today: For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6 KJV)

As we celebrate Christmas, we find ourselves at the end of one of the most challenging years most of us have lived through. In times like this, it is good for us to remember what Jesus is to us and for us. No other verse summarizes succinctly the important qualities we possess through a relationship with Christ then, Isaiah 9:6. 

Even in a Presidential election year, it is reassuring to remember, “the government shall be on His shoulder.” Like Abraham of old, “we look for a city whose builder and maker is God.” (Hebrews 11:10) 

In Christ, we have a wonderful counselor, a mighty God, an everlasting Father and The Prince of Peace. Perhaps in this season one of those attributes addresses you at your point of need or in your life circumstances. Take some time to consider that and to press into and embrace the Lord’s provision for you. For the confused and struggling He is a wonderful counselor. For those who need strength for each day and hope for tomorrow, He is a mighty God. For those who feel lonely and disconnected, He is the everlasting Father. For those whose lives are wrought with fear, worry, and anxiety, He is the Prince of Peace. 

A blessed and Merry Christmas to you and your family.