Living with Terrorism

Chuckle: "If God wanted me to touch my toes, he would’ve put them on my knees!"

Quote: "When I stand before God at the end of my life I hope that I would have not a single bit of talent left and can say, 'I used everything you gave me!'" --Erma Bombeck

"The Lord is my light and my salvation -- so why should I be afraid? The Lord protects me from danger -- so why should I tremble?" (Psalm 27:1 NLT).

Fear is a dark and foreboding feeling that can ultimately make us prisoners within ourselves. I’m sure we all live with a nagging uneasiness about being attacked by terrorists or other criminals. We are reminded every day that ruthless people do not hesitate to kill innocent men, women, and children to further their selfish and irrational religious, political, or economic causes. As God's people, we must turn to our source of comfort and strength and trust Him. Remember, He stands ready to free us from the insidious feelings of fear and anxiety if we will only trust Him completely. Jesus said, "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world" (John 16:33 NIV).

God would have us remember that our eternal destiny is secure through the blood of Jesus and cannot be changed by terrorists or anyone else. We can find peace in the face of the storm of cruelty and chaos from the Prince of Peace. Jesus said, "Don't be afraid of those who want to kill you. They can only kill your body; they cannot touch your soul" (Matthew 10:28 NLT). God doesn’t want us to live in a state of panic or worry about what could happen to us.

So, what should we do in the face of the growing threat to our safety and well-being? One thing is certain. Having a strong faith should not translate into carelessness or foolhardiness. God wants us to trust Him, but He has given us wisdom to understand that we should adopt safe practices and take precautions as we go about our daily lives. This does not mean you are overcome by uncontrolled fear or panic, but rather are acting wisely. Staying alert for suspicious actions, sights, and sounds around you can provide early warning that something bad is about to happen and could save your life or the lives of those you love. We should all be vigilant.

I believe the terrorist and other criminal threats we face should impact the way we pray. Obviously, we should pray for God's protection of our troops and law enforcement officers fighting the war on terror and other criminal activity. But, how about our prayers for the terrorists and criminals? Listen to the psalmist's prayer: "Arise, O Lord, in anger! Stand against the fury of my enemies! Wake up, my God, and bring justice" (Psalm 7:6 NLT). Outrage because of what's happening seems appropriate when asking God for His protection and justice for the perpetrators.

Now, here's the tough part. Jesus said, "You have heard that the law of Moses says, 'Love your neighbor' and hate your enemies. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you" (Matthew 5:43-44 NIV). It is possible to love our enemies while despising the things they do. This is how Jesus loves you and me when we sin. We can pray that the hearts of the terrorists will experience the love of the one true God and that their lives will be transformed by His mercy and grace.

Love, Jerry & Dotse

Laziness or Diligence

Chuckle: "Why did Moses wander in the desert for 40 years? Even then men wouldn't ask for directions."

Quote: “Thou, O God, dost sell us all good things at the price of labour." --Leonardo da Vinci

"We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, in order to make your hope sure. We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised" (Hebrews 6:12 NIV).

Lazy is defined as, "not eager or willing to work or busy oneself; slow and sluggish." Has anyone ever accused you of being lazy? I can think of no greater put-down than to be labeled as "lazy," especially by our Lord. As Christians, our hope (assurance) of salvation should keep us from becoming lazy or feeling bored in God's service. Instead, we should be like the athlete who trains hard and runs with all his strength, while remembering the reward that lies ahead. We should never be accused of being lazy when it comes to serving our Lord and others. Here are three characteristics of a Christian who is not lazy but is a diligent one.

Godly Living. "Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God -- this is you spiritual act of worship" (Romans 12:1 NIV). As living sacrifices, we daily lay aside our own desires to follow him, putting all our energy and resources at his disposal and trusting him completely to guide us. This type of sacrifice is possible out of gratitude for our sins having been forgiven and for our belonging to Christ.

Godly Loving. Jesus said, "My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends" (John 15:12-13 NIV). Jesus loved us so much that he gave himself as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. We may not be called upon to die for someone, but we can show sacrificial love in various other ways: listening, helping, encouraging, giving, and praying. Give all the love you can, then love some more.

Godly Laboring. "Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain" (I Corinthians 15:58 NIV). Sometimes we become apathetic about serving our Lord because we do not see the outcomes we had hoped for. God would never have us become discouraged over apparent lack of results of our labors. Since we know our labor is not in vain, we should always work enthusiastically as we search for new opportunities for service.

Love, Jerry & Dotse

Joy of Knowing Christ

Chuckle: "From now on, ending a sentence with a preposition is something up with which I will not put." --Winston Churchill

Quote: "Gratitude and faith are brothers, and their children -- optimism and enthusiasm -- are first cousins." --William Arthur Ward

"We can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God -- all because of what our Lord Jesus Christ has done for us in making us friends with God." (Romans 5:11 NLT).

We should be grateful for what God has done for us rather than grumbling because He has not done enough. I suspect each of us has no problem finding something to grumble about if we really try. If we lose sight of the miraculous relationship we have with God through Christ, we become susceptible to feeling sorry for ourselves when we face even minimal hardships.

Just think about it; through Christ you are not only a child of God, but a friend of God. Jesus said to His disciples, "I command you to love each other in the same way that I love you. And here is how to measure it -- the greatest love is shown when people lay down their lives for their friends. You are my friends if you obey me. . . . Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me" (John 15:12-14,15b NLT).

Because Jesus is Lord of Lords and King of Kings, He has every right to call us servants; but forgoing that right, He chose to call us friends, and He laid down His life for His friends. As children and friends of God, "then we are heirs--heirs of God and heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory" (Romans 8:17 NIV). Yes, we can grumble and complain when we experience disappointments and hardships; but if we really understand our amazing relationship with Almighty God, the joy we experience should far outweigh any suffering we may be asked to bear.

Believers in the first century suffered extreme economic and social persecution. Some were even tortured and killed. These same types of persecution are being exacted on Christians in parts of our modern-day world. Yet, like the first century Christian, those being persecuted continue to experience great joy because of their relationship with our Lord. "However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name" (1 Peter 4:16 NIV).

The next time you feel like grumbling, reflect on your eternal relationship with the Creator of the universe and the love He has shown you. This reflection should convince you to be praising Him rather than grumbling because things are not exactly like you would prefer. Our hardships are nothing compared to the sufferings of our Lord which made our inexplicable joy possible.

Love, Jerry & Dotse

Joy That Jesus Gives

Chuckle: "Some people are funny," mused the curbstone philosopher, "I know a man who had not kissed his wife for ten years. Then he shot a fellow who did."

Quote: "All our discontents about what we want appear to me to spring from the want (lack) of thankfulness for what we have." --Daniel Defoe

Jesus prayed, "And now I am coming to you (Father). I have told them (disciples) many things while I was with them so they would be filled with my my joy" (John 17:13 NLT).

The word, "joy," conjures up in our minds a state of happiness, safety, comfort, peace, contentment, well-being, etc. One could go on and on reflecting on the ramifications of the word "joy" and specifically its meaning for us as Christians. I'm often amazed at how unhappy and devoid of joy some Christians appear to be. Some even seem downright sad, defeated, and dejected. Why is this so? Of all people, the body of believers should exhibit abundant joy. Each of us would be wise to take a spiritual snapshot of ourselves and see how it compares to the picture Jesus paints of a Christian full of HIS joy.

As Jesus spoke with His disciples, he often expressed His desire that they be filled with joy as they realized they are the beloved of God who had made them His children and joint heirs of His kingdom along with Jesus Christ because of their faith in Him (Romans 8:16-17). They, who had once been declared dead in their sins were spiritually alive in Christ (Romans 6:4). With the assurance of God's miraculous salvation through Christ, how could His disciples be anything less than joyful? How can we? If you are living a life without joy, you are failing to claim your spiritual birthright. As a child of God, you should never be satisfied with a life without joy.

For the purpose of our discussion, I want to distinguish between "happiness" and "joy." They are essentially synonymous in our current English usage. However, from a spiritual standpoint, I like to think of them this way. We usually think of happiness as being the result of having everything we want. This way of thinking makes our happiness dependent upon the circumstances of our lives. However, the "joy" that Jesus wants for us is not circumstance driven. If we distinguish between happiness and joy this way, every believer should have a permanent, deep, and complete fullness of joy that cannot be taken away even during the most trying of circumstances.

"Joy is consistently the mark both individually of the believer and corporately of the church. It is a quality, and not simply an emotion, grounded upon God himself and indeed derived from him . . . . Every believer is called upon to share in the joy of Christ by a daily walk with him and a daily practice of rejoicing in the knowledge of him and his salvation" (New Bible Dictionary).

Joy is a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22). Your joy, then, is a result of allowing the Holy Spirit to make himself known in your life. Our passage for today from John 17, is a part of our Lord's prayer. Jesus prays for His disciples and, ultimately for you and me. He did not pray for us to escape life's grief and troubles. He prayed that we would be filled with the same joy the Father had given Him. This is a supernatural joy that comes from a genuine, intimate, and continuing love relationship with the Father. It is the kind of joy that cannot be shaken by external circumstances. Do you have this kind of joy?

 

Love, Jerry & Dotse

Faith is Giving When I Don't Have It)

Chuckle: Troy: “I spoke at the Boston gardens to thousands of people.” Paul: “Really? What did you say?” Troy: “Get your peanuts and popcorn here.”

Quote: "Whatever we hold to ourselves is loss. Whatever we give to God is gain." --Gilbert Shaw

"Now I want to tell you, dear brothers and sisters, what God in his kindness has done for the churches in Macedonia. Though they have been going through much trouble and hard times, their wonderful joy and deep poverty have overflowed in rich generosity. For I can testify that they gave not only what they could afford but far more" (2 Corinthians 8:1-3 NLT).

Our passage about the Christians at Macedonia reminds me of my childhood days. I grew up as the son of rural pastor who often ministered in areas where most of the people were poor and barely eked out a living on less than ideal land. Even, as a teenager, I was impressed by the kind generosity of these humble and loving people. As the saying goes, "they would give you the shirts off their backs," and rejoice at the opportunity.

It has always been God's plan and desire that faithful giving by His people would provide the means for accomplishing His work here on earth including caring for the poor. For a church to reach people for Christ, disciple them into mature Christians, provide ministries to those in need, send missionaries around the world and provide adequate worship, educational and fellowship facilities, financial resources are required. If you enjoy all your church has to offer but do not give sacrificially for its support, your enjoyment is being subsidized by the faithful giving of others.

God has made us stewards of all the money and possessions He has entrusted to us. I believe God uses our finances to test the dimensions of our faith. We can give either by fear or by faith. If we give by fear, we say, "how much can I afford to give?" If we give by faith, we say, "How much does God want me to give?" God knows we have trouble with greed and selfishness and His Word has much to say about it. It tells us that God's minimum standard is for us to return the tithe (ten percent) of our income to Him for His work (Malachi 3:8-10). Offerings are gifts over and above the tithe. For your consideration, here are some additional Scriptures about giving.

Jesus said, "Freely you have received, freely give" (Matthew 10:8 NIV). "Go, sell your possessions and give to the poor" (Matthew 19:21 NIV). "Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap" (Luke 6:38 NIV). "It is more blessed to give than to receive" (Acts 20:35 NIV). "Silver and gold I do not have, but what I have I give you" (Acts 3:6 NIV). "Each man (person) should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver" (2 Corinthians 9:7 NIV).

Love, Jerry & Dotse

Faith is Persisting When I Don't Feel Like It

Chuckle: "The trouble with bucket seats is not everyone has the same size bucket!"

Quote: "Great faith is not the faith that walks always in the light and knows no darkness, but the faith that perseveres in spite of God's seeming silences, and that faith will most certainly and surely get its reward." --Fr Andrew SDC

The Lord said to Paul, "My (God's) grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." "Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me . . . "I can do everything through him who gives me strength" (2 Corinthians 12:9; Philippians 4:13 NIV).

We are often tempted to base our actions on our feelings. If it feels good, do it. We want to protect our comfort zones at all cost. But when we function within our comfort zones, we are totally depended upon our own strength and feelings to determine what we should or should not do. To persist in our faith often means trusting God for our strength when we may not feel like persisting.

This reminds me of a funny story about a mother who was trying to get her adult son out of bed for church one Sunday morning. After several pleas from his mother, the son said, "I don't want to go to church -- I just don't feel like it." Finally, in complete exasperation, his mother said, "you must get up and go to church, your the pastor!" This humorous story reminds me that there are times when each of us does not feel like persisting in serving our Lord, even pastors. That's when we must persist and say with Paul, "I can do everything through him who gives me strength"

We don't know exactly what the physical malady was that plagued the apostle Paul. But it must have been painful and caused him to ask the Lord to heal him. He called it a "thorn in the flesh" and said it was a "messenger from Satan sent to torment him." Paul's plea with God to heal him prompted God to say that He would not heal Paul, but instead said, ". . . , My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Think about all that Paul did for the Lord, even at times when I'm sure he didn't feel like it.

As I reminded us in a previous lesson, God does not ask us to do anything for which He will not give us the strength and courage to faithfully persist and follow Him. When we persist in faith, we are amazed by how much we will learn to rely on God's promises and how He will give us a degree of happiness we cannot otherwise imagine. Remember how God continued to strengthen and encourage Abraham as he persisted in his faith. He will do the same for you and me.

In nature, electricity and water always flow along the path of least resistance. Frequently people are like that, too. But there is one difference between ourselves and electricity or a river. They will never have to give an account for what they have done or failed to do. We will. Thus, perhaps we should incline ourselves to take the path of greatest persistence rather than the path of least resistance.

Love, Jerry & Dotse

Faith is Thanking God Before I Receive

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Chuckle: A cop to a lady stopped for speeding: "So you didn't think we gave tickets to pretty women? You're right, we don't. . .! Sign here."

Quote: "A faith that sets bounds in itself, that will believe so much and no more, that will trust thus far and no further, is none." --J. C. and A. W. Hare

"It was by faith that the people of Israel marched around Jericho seven days and the walls came crashing down" (Hebrews 11:30 NLT).

You may remember the story of how God delivered the city of Jericho into the hands of the Israelites (Joshua 6:12-20). In faith they obeyed God's command and walked around the city once each day for six days; then on the seventh day, they marched around the city seven times.

When they had completed the seventh time around the city on the seventh day, Joshua commanded the people to "shout! For the Lord has given you the city" (Joshua 6:16 NIV). Even before they took the city, they shouted with joy in anticipation that God would give them the city as He had promised. The Israelites were to shout the victory before the victory came so that the victory would come.

Faith is thanking God for something he has not yet done because we know He will do it. This requires faith so great that God's honoring His promises is a foregone conclusion. Anyone can praise God after He has fulfilled a promise or given us something in response to our prayers: But that's not faith, that's gratitude. We can praise and thank God for our salvation because we know He will take us to spend eternity in His presence when our life on earth comes to an end.

"In the classic movie, Miracle on 34th Street, Santa Claus utters what much of the world thinks faith is: 'Faith is believing in things when common sense tells you not to.' In other words, faith is irrational, contrary to experience, logic, and knowledge, and is so even at the most common sense level. Of course, the Bible knows of no 'common sense' that is not sensible enough to recognize that God exists and can do anything."

If you become certain of God's call on your life to go to a certain place and do a certain thing, In faith you can thank God ahead of time for the victory He will give you as you are obedient to His instructions. To doubt that the outcome will be what God wants it to be is to doubt God and feel He has made a mistake. God does not ask us to do anything for which He will not equip us and ensure us victory if we are obedient.

 

Love, Jerry & Dotse

Faith is Obeying When I Don't Understand

Chuckle: A little girl told her grandfather she was writing a story on his word processor. "What's it about?" he asked. "I don't know," she replied. "I can't read."

Quote: "The act of faith is more than a bare statement of belief, it is a turning to the face of the living God." --Christopher Bryant

"It was by faith that Abraham obeyed when God called him to leave home and go to another land that God would give him as his inheritance. He went without knowing where he is going" (Hebrews 11:8 NLT).

If we received such a call from God, most of us would want to know exactly where God is sending us, how long will it take us to get there, what will it be like when we get there, what are the risks to me and my family, and exactly who is going to provide for my needs? But the Bible tells us that Abraham obeyed without question based on God's call and single promise that He would bless him greatly and give him the land that God would show him as an inheritance.

God's command to Abraham was straightforward: "Go to a land I will show you." Without knowing where he was going or fully understanding why, Abraham obeyed and launched out in faith. Faith is obeying God and walking toward Him with expectation and anticipation even when we don't fully understand, but trusting that He will open doors and give us direction as we go.

I remember a time when I was sitting in my car in a WAL-MART parking lot just listening to the radio and watching people go and come while my wife shopped. It suddenly dawned on me that this was a teachable moment for me from God. The automatic doors to the store would not open until someone walked toward them. I could sit in my car all day long and those doors would never open for me -- I had to start moving and walk toward them for them to open.

What a picture of how we should exercise our faith. Instead of sitting and waiting for God to open doors for us, we need to get up and get going, and as we walk toward God, He will open doors of ministry for us and give us the understanding that we will need to fulfill our calling. You may be a skilled teacher, but are unsure where God would have you to exercise that gift. In an attitude of prayer, go to your pastor or appropriate staff member and let them know you are seeking God's will for you life -- and let God open the door and lead you to where He wants you to serve.

We may not fully understand what God has in store for us when we are obedient to His Word, but in faith we know we can depend upon His guidance, direction and protection as we obey. When God gives us a seemingly impossible task, do we write it off as impossible, or do we adjust our lives to see how, not if, God will accomplish His will through our obedience? Obviously, the later should be our reaction. That means exercising our faith by being obedient even when we don't understand what our destination or final outcome will be.

Love, Jerry & Dotse

Faith is Believing Without Seeing

Chuckle: More fun with the English language. "Since there is no time like the present, he thought it was time to present the present."

Quote: "Faith is to believe what you do not yet see: the reward for this faith is to see what you believe." --St Augustine of Hippo

FAITH IS BELIEVING WITHOUT SEEING

"What is faith? It is the confident assurance that what we hope for is going to happen. It is the evidence of things we cannot see. . . . So, you see, it is impossible to please God without faith" (Hebrews 11:1,6 NLT).

Do you remember when you were a child and how excited you became as you looked forward to your birthdays? You couldn't wait for them to roll around because you anticipated receiving gifts and maybe even a special party in your honor. You knew you were in for some wonderful surprises by those who remember your birthday. Looking forward to birthdays provides a child anticipation, excitement, and hope (assurance). When Christians exercise our faith in God, we experience similar feelings. Faith is believing, based on prior experiences and His promises that God loves us and will provide us with new and amazing surprises in His own time.

Faith is the evidence, certainty and reality of things we can't see. Faith gives us assurance that something will happen long before we can see it with our physical eyes. We see it in our mind's eye before it happens. Believing in God's character is the beginning of faith and believing His promises is the ultimate end point of our faith. It's interesting that we often say, "Seeing is Believing;" but God Word says "Believing is Seeing." "So we don't look at our troubles we can see right now; rather, we look forward to what we have not yet seen. For the troubles we see will soon be over, but the joys to come will last forever" (2 Corinthians 4:18 NLT).

A little blind girl was trapped in a burning building and was screaming from a third floor window. The firemen on the ground below were holding a net and pleading with the girl to jump. But her fear of what she could not see, the unknown, was just too great and she wouldn't budge. Then her father arrived from work and joined the firemen. He called up to his daughter and told her to jump. She had such faith and trust in her father that the sound of his voice gave her courage and she jumped into the net without hesitation. She could not see what was below with her physical eyes but knew it would be alright because she had faith in her father.

Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed. . . Nothing will be impossible with you" (Matthew 17:20 NIV). Jesus commanded His followers to go a make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19-20). Was this really possible? It is with God. When God gives us an assignment, it's no longer impossible, but a certainty -- if we only believe Him and step out in faith. Our faith gives us the ability to see the impossible being accomplished long before God chooses to bring it to pass. We should all remember, "And without faith it is impossible to please God"  (Hebrews 11:6 ).

Love, Jerry & Dotse

God's Timing is Always Best

Chuckle: A man and wife rushed into the dentist’s office, and the wife said “I want a tooth pulled quickly with no numbing agent because I’m in a terrible hurry.” “You certainly are a brave woman,” said the dentist. “Show me which tooth it is.” The wife turned to her husband, “Open wide, dear, and show the dentist which tooth it is.”

Quote: "Are we detached enough from our own spiritual hysterics to wait on God? To wait is not to sit with folded hands, but to learn to do what we are told." --Oswald Chambers

"These things I plan won't happen right away. Slowly, steadily, surely, the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled. If it seems slow, wait patiently, for it will surely take place" (Habakkuk 2:3 NLT).

We are an impatient people. We live in the day of instant gratification. People want everything immediately, if not sooner. We Christians are as vulnerable as anyone to this line of thinking. We sometimes think that if God doesn't answer our prayers immediately, he isn't going to answer -- or maybe he didn't hear us. But God answers prayers in three ways: "Yes," "No," and "Wait." How shameful it is that "wait" is not more prevalent in our functional vocabulary. Sometimes I think we are so impatient that when we ask God to give us patience, we want him to do it right now!!!

God's timing does not correspond with ours. The Bible says one day is as a thousand years to God, and, according to his Word, waiting patiently for God's timing in everything pleases him and it also removes great stress from our lives. Once we learn patience (a fruit of the Spirit - Galatians 5:22) with God and other people, we are letting the Holy Spirit do his work through us.

"I waited patiently for the Lord to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along. He has given me a new song to sing" (Psalm 40:1-3 NLT).

Waiting for God to help us is not always easy, but we can see in this psalm how David received four benefits from waiting. God (1) lifted him up out of despair, (2) set his feet on solid ground, (3) steadied him as he walked, and (4) put a new song of praise in his heart. Many times blessings cannot be received and appreciated unless we go through the trial of waiting and trusting God's timing.

"Be glad for all God is planning for you. Be patient in trouble, and always be prayerful" (Romans 12:12 NLT). Remind yourself continually of God's faithfulness. He is actively working in your life to help you become all he intended you to be when he created you. As we wait, we should continue to be steadfast in our prayers and service. “God gives when he will, as he will and to whom he will.” --St Teresa of Avila

Love, Jerry & Dotse

Light of the World

Chuckle: A Sunday School teacher asked her class, “What did Jesus say about people getting married?” Little Johnny quickly answered, “Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.’”

Quote: "In darkness there is no choice. It is light that enables us to see the differences between things: and it is Christ that gives us light." --J.C. and A.W. Hare

"Christ will give you light" (Ephesians 5:14 NKJV). "In him (Jesus) was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it" (John 1:4-5 NIV).

I'm a "morning person?" I usually pop out of bed while it is still dark because I enjoy the time with the Lord as I take in the first rays of dawn's early light and the glorious beauty of a dazzling sunrise? As I witness the sun's appearance over the horizon each morning, I'm reminded of all the blessings light brings into our physical lives.

However, as amazing as the morning sunrise is, it pales in comparison with the "Light of the World" who reveals to us spiritual truths and produces righteousness within us. Do you arise with joy and say, "Good Morning Lord," or "Good Lord, its morning?" I hope you begin each morning with anticipation and excitement about what the "Light of the World" has in store for you that day. He wants to light your way with hope even when the road ahead seems dark and foreboding.

In the same way that light dispels darkness, Jesus Christ wants to brighten your life each day. His powerful divine light can penetrate the very depths of your soul to illuminate and remove the hurts, frustrations, and disappointments that otherwise darken your life. As His light brightens your life, He takes away those things that keep you from experiencing joy as you grow in Him.

Whether you are a "morning person" or not, you can experience the light of Christ in your life. You can still see each day as a new experience with the Light of the World. Jesus said, "I am the Light of the World. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life" (John 8:12 NIV).

Yes, the Light of the World will light your path as you follow Him even through the darkest of times. You can become a child of the light and reflect His light into the lives of others. "For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord" (Ephesians 5:8-10 NIV).

Love, Jerry & Dotse

Where Should I Find My Values?

Chuckle: "I don't think those pictures you've taken do me justice." "You don't need justice -- you need mercy!!"

Quote: “Our value system must conform to His. Our actions must conform to our values.” --L. Tom Perry

"Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world -- the cravings of sinful man, the lust of the eyes and the boasting of what he has and does -- comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever" (I John 2:15-17 NIV). Worldly values tell us three things are most important in life.

1. Pleasure. Our culture is mesmerized by pleasure, with emphasis on instant gratification. "If you want it, get it -- and get it now, whether you can afford it or not. Do it even if the Bible says it's wrong." The number one industry in America today is entertainment -- pleasure. Jesus said in Luke 8:14 in the Phillips translation: "By the pleasure of living, the life is choked out of them and they produce nothing." There's a place for healthy entertainment and pleasure, but only when consistent with God's Word.

2. Possessions. Many are consumed with desire for possessions. "The one with the most toys, wins!" But I've never seen a hearse pulling a U-Haul trailer. Someone has said, "In America, people seem to believe in life, liberty, and the purchase of happiness." But we all know happiness can't be bought. Some believe their self-worth is determined by their net-worth. God says, "WRONG!" Valuables without values from God's Word won't give your life purpose or meaning. Jesus warned in Luke 12:15, "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions." If we depend on possessions for happiness and fulfillment, they will never be enough.

3. Prestige/popularity/power. Politicians "spin" everything to enhance their image. We pay for a certain label in our clothes for image/status, and say by our actions, "Look at me -- I can afford this!" Where we live, what we drive, and what we wear are good indications of our values. Someone said, "The human race started going downhill when we invented the mirror." Oh, how true! We turned from valuing character to valuing image. I John 2:15 reads: "Do not love the world or anything in the world . . they come not from the Father but from the world." Our young people are constantly bombarded images pulling them toward the world's values, and, sadly, many parents are setting the worldly example for them.

As Christians, our values should only come from God's Word. However, often the will is missing. If our priorities are to change, the "want to" must come before the "how to." This "want to" will only come when you allow God to change your heart. We are often more concerned about what others will think of us and say about us than pleasing the One who loves us and gave Himself for us. The alarming thing about all this is the subtlety with which Satan leads us down this path of contradicting values. A little compromise here; a little acceptance of the world's standards there; and the first thing you know the world's values have become our own.

Love,Jerry & Dotse

Helping Others with Troubles

Chuckle: This sign was posted in a Grand Rapids furniture store; "Try Our Easy Payment Plan -- 100% Down -- Nothing Else to Pay."

Quote: "Love is the basic need of human nature, for without it, life is disrupted emotionally, mentally, spiritually, and physically." --Karl Menninger

"Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself for us . . ." (Ephesians 5:1 NIV). "Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins" (I Peter 4:8 NLT).

If you truly love someone, you never tire of helping that person in every way possible. There's nothing you won't do for someone you unconditionally love. But when we love ourselves more than anyone else, helping others becomes unpleasant and unimportant to us. When it comes to helping others deal with the problems of life, genuine love is the first prerequisite. If someone who is in trouble is convinced of your love, he or she will be much more open and receptive to your help.

This was the reaction of the unbelieving Greek writer Lucian (A.D. 120-200) upon observing the warm fellowship of Christians: "It is incredible to see the fervor with which the people of that religion help each other in their wants. They spare nothing. Their first legislator (Jesus) has put it into their heads that they are brethren."

How about this: "It is our care for the helpless, our practice of lovingkindness, that brands us in the eyes of many of our opponents. 'Look!' they say, 'How they love one another! Look how they are prepared to die for one another'" --Tertullian.

Today's Scripture verses and these memorable quotes point us to an indisputable truth: God's people should genuinely love one another; and that love should manifest itself through acts of kindness and help to those enduring difficult and troubled times. "Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth" (I John 3:18 NIV).

You can genuinely love others with your actions on their behalf, your feelings for them, your attitudes toward them, the words you say to them, and your presence with them. Love resolves a thousand problems and prevents a thousand more. As we minister to others in their times of need, we are in fact ministering to our Lord. Jesus said, "Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me" (Matthew 25:40 NIV).

Love, Jerry & Dotse