Stay on God's Track

There are several critical transitions in life that each person is destined to experience. A transition imparts an awareness that life has changed and one cannot turn back to a former way of being. What are you willing to change about yourself as this New Year begins to summon you to stay on track for what God has planned for you? 

Samson’s life experienced a critical transition when his enemies seized him and enslaved him for the duration of his life. This happened when he disregarded the boundaries God had set for him. It's analogous to disregarding good health boundaries to enjoy a moment of pleasure.

Even when all seems lost, Jesus does not surrender. He waits for you to realize he is “the Way, the Truth, and the Life”. So return to him with faith and hope. Then you can face the New Year with confidence your sins are forgiven. Now you can believe the Holy Spirit will be your guide and helper for all the days of your life. Happy New Year!

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Keep your promise, Lord, and forgive my sins, for they are many. Those who have reverence for the Lord will learn from him the path they should follow.

~Psalm 25:11-12 Good News Bible

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The Prerogative to Choose

God gives each of us the prerogative for choosing how we want to live – to choose either righteousness or unacceptable behavior. We then experience the consequences of our choices. That happened to Samson when he revealed to Delilah the secret of his strength. He chose to be seduced by Delilah and consequently trusted her with his secret.

He became careless by believing he was indestructible because he’d escaped entrapment so many times. While Samson slept, Delilah’s attendant shaved his head. With the enemy at the door, he awoke to discover the terrible consequences of satisfying his lustful passion instead of honoring God’s calling for his life. 

Do you long for life to be different in this coming New Year? Philippians 3:14 encourages you to "press on toward to the mark of the high calling in Christ Jesus". Even in the worst failures, God offers healing and reconciliation to those who turn back to Him. Is that a choice you need to make for the New Year?

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Keep me far from every wrong; help me, undeserving as I am, to obey your laws, for I have chosen to do right. I cling to your commands and follow them as closely as I can. Lord, don’t let me make a mess of things… Stand ready to help me because I have chosen to follow your will.

~Psalm 119:28-31 & 173 The Living Bible

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Celebrating Christmas with Joy and Hope

Were you expecting a special gift for Christmas? Has Corvid-19 changed how you celebrate Christmas? You may be contending with difficult circumstances that have dimmed the light for Christmas Day, but fix your mind on Christ Jesus, in whom there is no darkness.

The Apostle Paul reminds us, “Once you were darkness but now you are light,” and the Apostle John further illuminates for us that darkness will not overcome your light because “you have the light of life.” A reason for joy and hope is, “Every good and perfect gift comes from God the Father, the Creator of light in whom no darkness exists.” Christ Jesus is your good and perfect gift. Thanks be to God for hope, joy and peace. Merry Christmas.  

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Suddenly an angel appeared among [some shepherds], and the landscape shone bright with the glory of the Lord. They were badly frightened, But the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you the most joyful news ever announced, and it is for everyone! The Savior – yes, the Messiah, the Lord – has been born tonight in Bethlehem!”

~Luke 2:9-11 The Living Bible

May the hope-inspiring God so fill you with perfect joy and peace through your continuing faith, that you may bubble over with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

~Romans 15:13 Williams – New Testament in the Language of the People

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Celebrating Christmas with Light and Hope

Has anyone asked you, “What do you want for Christmas?” Some people quickly answer, “Peace. Just peace and rest.” That’s understandable since parts of our society have been shadow

ed with unrest and chaotic darkness. While darkness exists, the love of God penetrates the deepest darkness.

It’s interesting that the Magi were guided to Jesus by a great light showing them where to find and celebrate him as Savior and Lord. Even in darkness God provides light and hope, which allow his peace to eclipse our grief and fear. Thanks be to God for loving us and giving us his best gift, Jesus the light of the world. Merry Christmas.  

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The sight of the star filled [the wise men] with indescribable joy. So they went into the house and saw the little child with his mother Mary. And they fell on their knees and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts – gold, incense and myrrh.

~Matthew 2:10-11 Phillips – New Testament in Modern English

 

Those who walked in the dark have seen a bright light. And it shines upon everyone who lives in the land of darkest shadows. Our Lord, you have made your nations stronger. Because of you, its people are glad and celebrate.

~Isaiah 9:2-3 Contemporary English Version 

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Celebrating Christmas with Peace and Hope

It’s true. These past months have presented difficult challenges. However today the Gospel hymn, “Send the Light,” encourages us to pray and celebrate because God’s grace abounds, making the light of Christ Jesus clearly visible for us to experience. God sends the light, and it shines in the deepest darkness giving us hope, peace and courage.

The Holy Spirit directs us to turn our eyes upon Jesus, looking full into his wonderful face so “the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of his glory and grace.” What a privilege it is to permit the light of Christ Jesus to penetrate our heart and soul with peace and hope. Merry Christmas and God bless you. 

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For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace! Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end.

Isaiah 9:6-7 New International Version

 

Suddenly many other angels came down from heaven and joined in praising God. They said: “Praise God in heaven! Peace on earth to everyone who pleases God.”

~Luke 2:13-14 Contemporary English Version

 

For he himself is our peace.

~Ephesians 2:14 New American Standard Bible

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Celebrating Christmas with Courage and Hope

As you think about all you’ve endured these past ten months, what special gifts have you received or given that compensate for the difficulties you’ve experienced? From where did your hope and courage come? Listen to Psalm 66:16: “Come and listen, all of you who honor God, and I will tell you what he did for me.”

God is the giver of courage and hope for contending with uncertainty, so celebrate with singing and praise for all God provides. We have hope because Christ the Lord is born. We sing “Hallelujah” and “Glory to God”, for he provides peace and hope to all who celebrate his coming. Merry Christmas. God bless you.  

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 The angel went to [Mary] and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High.

~Luke 1:28-32 New International Version

 

Everyone will see the Lord’s splendor, see his greatness and power. Give strength to hands that are tired and to knees that tremble with weakness. Tell everyone who is discouraged, “Be strong and don’t be afraid! God is coming to your rescue.”

~Isaiah 35:2-3 Good News Bible  

 

Take courage, my soul!…Why be discouraged and sad? Hope in God! I shall yet praise him again. Yes, I shall again praise him for his help.

~Psalm 42:5 The Living Bible 

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Celebrating Christmas with Hope for Healing

We’re beginning this season of celebrations remembering a year that began with optimism for the well-being of the nation. Within weeks, Covid-19 had infected the nation with fears of deprivation and death. However, America and the people of the world have refused to be defeated by this plague. 

So many are recovering from grief and sorrow, yet at this time of celebration we turn our hearts and minds to God’s gift of Christ Jesus with hope for healing. He will restore light to wherever darkness continues to persevere. Jesus proclaimed, “I am the light of the world.” “In me there is no darkness.” May the light of God’s love shine on you brightly. Merry Christmas.  

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 Then my favor will shine on you like the morning sun, and your wounds will be quickly healed. I will always be with you and save you; my presence will protect you on every side. When you pray, I will answer you. When you call to me, I will respond.

~Isaiah 58:8-9 Good News Bible

 

O Lord, if you heal me, I will be truly healed; if you save me, I will be truly saved. My praises are for you alone!

~Jeremiah 17:14 New Living Translation

 

As for me, I will hope continually, and will praise you yet more and more.

~Psalm 71:14 New American Standard Bible

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The Voice of Conscience

Making significant choices in moments of vulnerability has been everyone’s experience. Being vulnerable to praise and flattery, even if  pretentious and laced with ulterior motives, identifies those moments. For financial reasons, Delilah deceitfully pretended to love Samson in order to seduce him while being a spy for his enemy. 

Sexual passion has the power to diminish common sense, numb the conscience, and blur spiritual and emotional boundaries. The stronger the voice of sexual passion that is beyond God's boundaries, the more silent becomes the voice of conscience to warn of danger. In this state of mind Samson revealed to Delilah the secret of his strength.

It would be easy to condemn Samson for being so foolish, but have you ever been deceived by passion? Sin charges in full force to steal your voice of reason and logic. God’s word admonishes us to guard our hearts from sin by keeping our minds clear and our hearts tuned to God. He promises to be our shield and defender. 

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Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.

~Proverbs 4:23 New Living Translation

 

A good man produces good things from the good stored in his heart, and an evil man produces evil from his evil stored there. What you say flows from your heart.

~Luke 6:45 Beck – New Testament in the Language of Today

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Let God Pull You Back

Patterns of behavior are difficult to change. Thinking patterns are as harmful as behavioral patterns when they serve as a prelude to specific behaviors. Samson deliberately chose to subject himself to his enemy by allowing himself to fall in love with Delilah. He knew she was out of bounds for him, both spiritually and socially.

Samson's infatuation with Delilah drove him to please her even when doing so meant his destruction. Listen to him reveal his secret. "No razor has ever touched my head because I’m a Nazirite, set apart by God since my birth. If my head were shaved, my strength would leave me, and I would become as weak as any man."

Samson deliberately disobeyed God by sleeping with Delilah, giving her his secret, and naively trusting her. God's permissive will allows disobedience capable of ending our lives. Because of God’s mercy and grace, he does not give up on us but longs to pull us back to his safety and protection. Let him do that for you. 

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O Lord our God, you answered them. They found you to be a forgiving God, but also one who punished their sinful deeds. Praise the Lord our God! Worship on the holy hill, for the Lord our God is Holy!

~Psalm 99:8-9 NET Bible

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Who's Your Worst Enemy?

It seems insulting that someone could be their own worst enemy. How is it possible when everything within us wants to avoid pain and suffering? Failing to pay attention to warning signs has the potential of building a bridge to disaster. Ignoring obvious pitfalls paves the way to pain and heartache.

It’s unclear whether Samson believed Delilah would betray him, but listen as she appealed to his vanity. "Tell me the secret of your strength, how you can be tied up and overpowered." Every caring person wants Samson to run for his life. Instead he took delight in her frustrations, as her continued attempts to betray him failed. 

Samson may have loved Delilah, but it was a one-way street. He was blinded by sexual passion, which gave Delilah permission to extract information leading to his capture and death. Samson disregarded God's attempts to intervene. If this is indictive of where you are, open your heart and mind to Christ Jesus and he will provide you a life that promises contentment and hope.  

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I waited patiently for the Lord’s help; then he listened to me and heard my cry. He pulled me out of a dangerous pit, out of the deadly quicksand. He set me safely on a rock and made me secure.

~Psalm 40:1-2 Good News Bible 

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Flirting with Disaster

The allure of temptation may be direct or subtle. Satan is always on the prowl seeking to find the vulnerable and unsuspecting. Satan doesn’t portray temptation as objectionable and unsightly, but as inviting, desirable and beautiful. Christians need not go out looking for the challenge of temptation. It will find you. 

There are individuals, however, who seek temptation for the thrill of its challenge. Samson demonstrated this by intentionally pursuing Philistine women as love objects, knowing they would betray him. He also played with the temptation of revealing the secret of his strength, believing he could somehow escape the clutches of death. 

Samson persisted in flirting with disaster until he was eventually pulled into its snare. God gave us Samson’s story because each of us is vulnerable to temptation, but Jesus gives us a way to avoid falling into the pit. "Watch and pray so you will not fall into temptation." Be alert and wise to keep a vigil for God's help and deliverance.  

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 Dear friend, don’t let a bad example influence you. Follow only what is good. Remember that those who do what is right prove that they are God’s children. Those who continue in evil prove that they are far from God.

~3 John 11 The Living Bible

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Wait for God – Avoid the Razor's Edge

One of the most difficult tasks in life is waiting patiently on God's timing for what is needed or wanted. Instead, we tend to rush forward, determined to make something happen. Samson wanted what was prohibited. He evidently derived pleasure and excitement from deliberately living on the edge of what he knew was unacceptable to God.

The sixteenth chapter of Judges portrays Samson out on this razor-sharp edge. Movies and songs have told the tragic story of Samson and Delilah. He continually set himself up for disappointment and rejection by choosing what was forbidden and unacceptable to God. So what was missing inside him that drew him to the razor's edge? 

Judges 16:4 conveys that Samson gave his heart to Delilah, but for Delilah it was a scheme for Samson’s entrapment. When we wait patiently for God's guidance and direction, the outcome will be what is good and right. "Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord." This is faith encouraging faith.  

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But those who keep waiting for the Lord will renew their strength. Then they’ll soar on wings like eagles; they’ll run and not grow weary; they’ll walk and not grow tired.

~Isaiah 40:31 International Standard Version

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The Courage to Question

Everyone occasionally has felt their lives were out of control and beyond making necessary changes. Ludwig van Beethoven cried out to a friend, "I want to seize fate by the throat and bring it down!"  Imagine the helplessness this gifted composer felt at twenty-seven to experience severe hearing loss. By age forty-five he was totally deaf.

When experiencing such catastrophic events, our only choice is to muster the courage to face the future by entrusting ourselves into the care of the Lord Jesus Christ. As Christians, it’s imperative to believe and accept that the pain we must endure is in keeping with God’s purpose for us. If so, he will deliver us.

Samson ignored God’s purpose for his life, and even after escaping multiple encounters with death he still failed to thank God for his deliverance. He appeared to be blind to his bad choices even as he was shackled and blinded by his enemy. It takes courage to question our choices and make needed changes. God will help you do that.  

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Be strong and courageous. Don’t fear or tremble…because the Lord your God will be the one who keeps on walking with you – he won’t leave you or abandon you.

~Deuteronomy 31:6 International Standard Version

 

May all who come to you be glad and joyful. May all who are thankful for your salvation always say, “How great is God!”

~Psalm 70:4 Good News Bible

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Blessings from God vs. Despair

Enthusiasm and passion have much in common. Each projects zeal for accomplishing a particular objective. The Apostle Paul modeled for us exuberance for sharing the gospel with everyone. His letters written to young churches are filled with Christian doctrine while they remind us to practice self-restraint and sound judgment.

St. Paul's encounter with Jesus became his mountaintop, peak experience. It changed his identity, his name and purpose for living. The fire ignited in his soul constrained him from ever turning back to his former lifestyle. Samson, however, acknowledged God saved him from a dishonorable death, but he would not permit God to transform his values and behavior.

While visiting the town of Gaza, he responded to a prostitute’s enticing appeal. His weak moral and spiritual values were no match for his powerful, lustful cravings. If your passions are a detriment to your relationship with Christ Jesus, he stands at your heart’s door waiting to redeem and empower you.  

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Your words and your deeds bring life to everyone, including me, [Lord]. Please make me healthy and strong again. It was for my own good that I had such hard times. But your love protected me from doom in the deep pit, and you turned your eyes away from my sins.

~Isaiah 38:16-17 Contemporary English Version

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Life's Peaks and Valleys

Emotional and spiritual peaks and valleys come and go throughout one's lifetime. Following a mountaintop spiritual experience, a loss of enthusiasm or an episode of depression may follow. Yet it’s important to realize God equips each person with courage and determination to stay anchored in Christ Jesus and to mature in faith.

It's analogous to buying a dream house only to discover elements of dissatisfaction. This discovery would be difficult to understand, when everything had appeared so perfect. Old issues are powerful and periodically resurface, demanding our attention. Courage and determination are required to face these issues so peace and closeness can resume.

Samson’s mountaintop experience came when he finally realized it was the Lord God who gave him victory over his enemies. God desires to  build in us character strengths to prevent regression to a former spiritual or emotional lifestyle. God provides armament and courage to fight the good fight of faith as you stand firm in his calling.  

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God is strong, and he wants you strong. So take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials. And put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the Devil throws your way.

~Ephesians 6:10-11 The Message

 

Remain alert. Keep standing firm in our faith. Keep on being courageous and strong. Everything you do should be done lovingly.

~1 Corinthians 16:13-14 International Standard Version

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