Success.

“If the iron is blunt, and one does not sharpen the edge, he must use more strength, but wisdom helps one to succeed.” Ecclesiastes 10:10

The online dictionary has the following definitions for the word ‘success’; “achievement of intention: the achievement of something planned or attempted.  Attainment of fame, wealth, or power.  Something that turns out well: something that turns out as planned or intended.”  The Haitian word for ‘success’ is siksè.  How do you define success?  If you have ever turned on the television really early in the morning, you are bound to find infomercials promoting products that will give you success.  Or go to the dentist office and open a magazine that has an article on how to find success.  What brings success?  Last night my cousin Phil said that success was Nebraska Women’s Volleyball as they are 25-0 and rated first.

Wisdom brings about success; good wisdom only comes from God.  The plates filled with food at the school in Bois Marchand did not come about by accident.  Volunteers with Trinity HOPE prayerfully sought out wisdom from our Heavenly Father so that the feeding of children attending Christian schools in Haiti might be successful.  We are still seeking His guidance and constantly looking for ways to raise the bar of excellence and lower the prices of the meals.

There are other feeding programs in Haiti that have not succeeded and I can only imagine that they were plans devised by men and not of God.  When plans are from the pride of men and not from our Heavenly Father; they will in time fail.  Chuck Swindoll recently wrote that “Wisdom may not give us great popularity and wealth and it may not mean that we will be the most respected in our field or that we will have the most significant voice in the company, but ultimately, as God gauges it, we will be successful.”  Begin your plans by seeking His wisdom and give thanks while you enjoy your successful endeavor.  I close today with the words from the song ‘Taste and see’ that was written by Lowell Alexander.

“Taste and see that the LORD is good; you've tried everything that you thought you could; taste and see that His love is real.  Open up right now and let your heart be filled with peace overflowing, joy everlasting.  Love so amazing taste life so exciting, hope so inviting.  All who are crying to be free; taste and see, taste and see, taste and see.  Taste and see that His Word is true.  You've been hurt before but He won't lie to you.  Taste and see never thirst again; every broken heart Jesus Christ will mend.  You'll never know ‘til you try, you'll never live ‘till you die to yourself and find for yourself that He's good.  You'll never see with your eyes until your heart realizes that He is all that you need; taste and See.”

Heavenly Father, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown  Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.  Amen.

May God be with you,

Jay

Are we saints?

“Greet every saint in Christ Jesus.  The brethren who are with me greet you.” Philippians 4:21 (NASB)

A few weeks ago on Reformation Sunday, Pastor Theilen was our guest Pastor and he talked to us about ‘saint’s’ in his message.  When I got home, I did a search on the word ‘Saint’ and read a commentary by Martin Luther that we are both ‘saints’ and ‘sinners’.  Are we saints?  The world causes me to reluctantly identify myself with that title as it tells me that is reserved for a person with a higher spiritual level than I possess.  Identifying with the title ‘sinner’ is a given for me, but being called a ‘Saint’ is something that we shy away from when that title is brought up in our conversations.

Roman Catholic theology indicates that "A saint is one who has exhibited unsurpassable devotion to Christ."  The Roman Catholic Church teaches that a “Saint has a special work in interceding with God for the souls of people which are captive to the pain of purgatory.”  On the day of Reformation Luther took a stand on these teachings and we are so thankful that he did.  The saints in the attached photo attend Bon Berger Lutherienne in Caredeux and they, like us are both saints and sinners.

It is interesting to note that the Apostle Paul’s most used word for Christians is the word "Saint."  A search on the Internet indicated that he used it 45 times in his epistles and when he speaks of saints, he is referring to ordinary Christians like the children in Caredeux and you and me.  The hymn ‘Saints of God, the Dawn is brightening’ was written by Mary Maxwell in 1849 and her words seemed to be an appropriate to close this devotion.

“Saints of God, the dawn is bright'ning, token of our coming Lord; o'er the earth the field is whit'ning; louder rings the Master's word: pray for reapers, pray for reapers, in the harvest of the Lord!  Now, O Lord, fulfil Thy pleasure, breathe upon Thy chosen band, and with Pentecostal measure send forth reapers o'er our land, faithful reapers, faithful reapers, gath'ring sheaves for Thy right hand.  Soon shall end the time of weeping, soon the reaping time will come, Heav'n and earth together keeping God's eternal Harvest-home.  Saints and angels, saints and angels, shout the world's great Harvest-home.”

Heavenly Father, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown  Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.  Amen.

May God be with you,

Jay

Hated by the world?

“Everyone will hate you because of me.” Luke 21:17

Being hated by others is probably not something for which we attempt to attain; but being a Christian, it is inevitable as Jesus tells His disciples and us that this will happen sometime along your journey.  Have you ever given this passage much thought?  Actually, we have lived most of our lives in America during a time of religious freedom; unlike some of our great-grandparents experienced.  There have been signs that freedom is being attacked recently.  A small number of us actually know what it means to be hated by the world; but that is rapidly changing.

The child eating their daily meal at the Lutheran School in St. Marc is probably hated by some in the neighborhood where he lives because he follows Jesus and believes in the Triune God.  The vodou followers hate him and hate you for feeding him and have been told by their neighborhood vodou priest that Jesus is dead…period.  There may be people in your family, or place of work or within your circle of friends who know that you are helping to feed children in Haiti and they think you are foolish or perhaps hate you because you are not giving your treasures to them instead of Trinity HOPE.

Stand firm.  Be reminded that your treasures are being used wisely to feed His children and also that Jesus has told us that this world will hate you because of Him.  Your love of Christ sets you apart from this world.  I close with the words of the hymn ‘I Know My Faith is Founded’ that was written by Erdmann Neumeister in 1718.

“I know my faith is founded on Jesus Christ, my God and Lord; and this my faith confessing unmoved I stand upon His Word.  Man's reason cannot fathom the truth of God profound; who trusts her subtle wisdom relies on shifting ground.  God's Word is all-sufficient, it makes divinely sure, and trusting in its wisdom, my faith shall rest secure.  Increase my faith, dear Savior, for Satan seeks by night and day to rob me of this treasure and take my hope of bliss away.  But, Lord, with Thee beside me, I shall be undismayed; and led by Thy good Spirit, I shall be unafraid.  Abide with me, O Savior, a firmer faith bestow; then I shall bid defiance to every evil foe.  In faith, Lord, let me serve Thee; though persecution, grief and pain should seek to overwhelm me, let me a steadfast trust retain; and then at my departure take Thou me home to Thee and let me there inherit all thou hast promised me.  In life and death, Lord, keep me until Thy heaven I gain, where I by Thy great mercy the end of faith attain.”

Heavenly Father, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown  Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.  Amen.

May God be with you,

Jay

What shall I do?

“He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’” Luke 12:17

In this parable from Luke, Jesus tells of a rich man who had too much.  His crops were so abundant that he didn’t have enough storage bins to hold all of the grain; a good problem to have.  This man thought the best way for him to alleviate this problem would be to build more barns and storage bins…tomorrow.  He took care of his earthly problems but didn’t consider his Spiritual problems as the Lord came to take him home.

Is your life in order?  How have the pages of your legacy been unfolded?  There are over 60,000 children enjoying a school feeding program in Haiti today, and the number of children waiting to receive this blessing is to date unknown.  These five girls from Bon Berger in Caredeux are extremely happy as they have received this blessing; their meals cost a donor about a dollar and a 3 quarter’s. 

Like the rich man in the parable, we don’t know when the Lord will call us home.  As we look around us for opportunities to use our time, talents and treasures, we turn to Him, the Lord of the harvest and seek His directions.  I close today with the words to the hymn ‘Almighty Father, Heaven and Earth’ that was written by Edward A. Dayman in 1867.

“Almighty Father, heaven and earth with lavish wealth before Thee bow; those treasures owe to Thee their birth, Creator, Ruler, Giver, Thou.  The wealth of earth, of sky, of sea, the gold, the silver, sparkling gem, the waving corn, the bending tree, are Thine; to us Thou lendest them.  To Thee, as early morning's dew, our praises, alms, and prayer shall rise as rose, when joyous earth was new, faith's patriarchal sacrifice.  We, Lord, would lay, at Thy behest the costliest offerings on Thy shrine; but when we give, and give our best, we give Thee only what is Thine.  O Father, whence all blessings come; O Son, Dispenser of God's store; O Spirit, bear our offerings home: Lord, make them Thine forevermore.”

Heavenly Father, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown  Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.  Amen.

May God be with you,

Jay

Friends praying.

“For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” Matthew 18:20

I read a quote last week that might be good to share with you this Monday; “Real friends are those who, when you feel you've made a total fool of yourself, don't feel that you've done a permanent job.”  True friends accept you for who you are.  Friends laugh together, cry together, listen to one another and pray together.

“You are in my prayers.”  Has somebody told you that recently?  It really doesn’t matter to me if one person, three people or a congregation is praying for me; it is still a comforting and rich blessing.  The young boy in the attached photo attends the school at Bois Marchand on the outskirts of Gonaives, and he prays for you; his school gives thanks in prayer for you.

Our Lord Jesus is present when His people gather together to pray.  The common table prayer and fellowship is so important to their spiritual lives.  When this young child prays before going to sleep on the mat on the floor of his home, his relationship with our Heavenly Father, like ours, is precious.  When you and I pray for the children attending Christian schools in Haiti our common requests to feed these sheep is heard; daily.  The hymn ‘What a Friend We Have in Jesus’ was written by Joseph Scriven in 1865 and his words seemed like a very good match for this devotion.

“What a Friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear!  What a privilege to carry ev'rything to God in prayer!  Oh, what peace we often forfeit, oh, what needless pain we bear, all because we do not carry ev'rything to God in prayer!  Have we trials and temptations?  Is there trouble anywhere?  We should never be discouraged, take it to the Lord in prayer.  Can we find a Friend so faithful who will all our sorrows share?  Jesus knows our ev'ry weakness; take it to the Lord in prayer.  Are we weak and heavy laden, cumbered with a load of care?  Precious Savior, still our Refuge; take it to the Lord in prayer.  Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?  Take it to the Lord in prayer; in His arms He'll take and shield thee, thou wilt find a solace there.”

Heavenly Father, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown  Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.  Amen.

May God be with you,

Jay

What are you searching for?

"Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well" Matt. 6:33

Ahhh, the weekend is finally here.  And yes, I know it is early.  I woke up at 2 AM and have spent time reading and after a couple of hours it is time to send this out.  Please, don’t ask why I get up so early.  Internal clock issues and yes, I have searched for and been trying a few remedies to help me sleep better.  What are you searching for this Saturday?  In all that we do on this side of Heaven, we should always first seek our Heavenly Father’s direction for our plans.  No matter how big or small.  North American mission teams desiring to construct a church in a foreign country should NOT go to that country and start a project on ground that is NOT already owned by the congregation; the local congregation should purchase the land first with their own tithes and then construct the foundation with their own hands and sweat before a mission team leaves from North America.  I’ve seen that happen.

These children attending school at Merrotte were not blessed with a Trinity HOPE feeding program until the Arcahaie District President, the school principal, teachers and parents fully understood what was expected of them to make the program work and countless prayers had been offered for God’s wisdom and timing.  The prayers of those attending this school were not answered overnight; they went through a season of waiting and a feeding program came about in His time and in His way.

Sadly, too often we imagine that we are the one’s in control of the show and that kind of thinking generally provides satan with an opportunity to stir up a mess; here and there.  It can be a humbling experience to call upon Him after we move forward relying upon our own wisdom and abilities.  Trinity HOPE is feeding over 60,000 children in Haiti daily in 277 schools; this didn’t happen overnight.  He continues to bless this ministry; abundantly.  A few days ago I heard Alexa play the hymn ‘Seek where ye may to find a way’ that was written by Georg Weissel in 1623 and I thought that its words are a fitting way to close this devotion.  Have a blessed weekend.

“Seek where ye may to find a way that leads to your salvation; my heart is stilled, on Christ I build, He is the one Foundation.  His Word is sure, His works endure; He doth o'erthrow my every foe; through Him I more than conquer.  Seek whom ye may to be your stay; none can redeem his brother.  All helpers failed, this Man prevailed, the God-man, and none other.  Our Servant-Lord did help afford; we're justified, for He hath died, the Guiltless for the guilty.  Seek Him alone, Who did atone, Who did your souls deliver; yea, seek Him first, all ye who thirst for grace that faileth never.  In every need Seek Him indeed; to every heart He will impart His blessings without measure.  My heart's Delight, My Crown most bright, Thou, Jesus, art forever.  Nor wealth nor pride nor aught beside our bond of love shall sever.  Thou art my Lord; Thy precious Word shall be my guide, whate'er betide.  Oh, teach me, Lord, to trust Thee!  Hide not from me, I ask of Thee, Thy gracious face and favor.  Though floods of woe should o'er me flow, my faith shall never waver.  From pain and grief grant sweet relief; for tears I weep, Lord, let me reap Thy heavenly joy and glory.”

Heavenly Father, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown  Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.  Amen.

May God be with you,

Jay

I am a child of God.

“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!  And that is what we are!  The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.” 1 John 3:1

It is Friday on this side of Paradise.  What comes to your mind when you think about the love that our Heavenly Father has lavished upon us?  The twelve smiles in the attached photo bring a smile to my face as I have hugged each one of them; each one of His children attending school at Caredeux.  There are many souls living in this fallen world who do not understand the reason for their smiles as these children live in a Third World country.  They know Jesus. 

I smile when I think about being so blessed that I can buy lunch for these twelve kids for about three dollars.  As John Hall used to say, “ain’t God good?”  The hymn ‘Hail, Thou source of every blessing’ was written in 1810 by Basil Wood and seems to express the joy we have when we fully realize all that is lavished upon our lives each day.
“Hail, Thou Source of every blessing, Sovereign Father of mankind!  Gentiles now, Thy grace possessing, in Thy courts admission find.  Grateful now we fall before Thee, in Thy Church obtain a place, now by faith behold Thy glory, praise Thy truth, adore Thy grace.  Once far off, but now invited, we approach Thy sacred throne; in Thy covenant united, reconciled, redeemed, made one.  Now revealed to Eastern sages, see the Star of Mercy shine; mystery hid in former ages, mystery great of love divine.  Hail, Thou all-inviting Savior!  Gentiles now their offerings bring; in Thy temples seek Thy favor, Jesus Christ, our Lord and King.  May we, body, soul, and spirit, live devoted to Thy praise, glorious realms of bliss inherit, grateful anthems ever raise!”

Heavenly Father, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown  Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.  Amen.

May God be with you,

Jay

Not important?

“So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up.” Ephesians 4:11-12

There are many people living in this fallen world who will tell you that this little girl at the Bon Berger Lutheran School in Caredeux is really not very important, she is too small and lives in a Third World Country; the thinking of our sinful world is wrong.

She is being brought up with the knowledge that she has a Savior who loves her and has conquered death and the devil; she will learn that the Holy Spirit has much more power than the evil spirits from the vodou priest.  She is being fed daily in the Trinity HOPE school feeding program and will grow up to be a strong witness of Christ; equipped to do His service.  She is very important.  She is unique.  Samuel J. Stone wrote the words to the hymn ‘The Church’s one Foundation’ in 1866 and these words seem to be a fitting way to close this devotion.

“The Church's one foundation is Jesus Christ, her Lord; she is His new creation by water and the Word.  From heaven He came and sought her to be His holy bride; with His own blood He bought her, and for her life He died.  Elect from every nation, yet one o'er all the earth, her charter of salvation one Lord, one faith, one birth. one holy name she blesses, partakes one holy food, and to one hope she presses, with every grace endued.  The Church shall never perish!  Her dear Lord, to defend, to guide, sustain, and cherish, is with her to the end.  Though there be those that hate her.  False sons within her pale, against both foe and traitor she ever shall prevail.  Though with a scornful wonder men see her sore oppressed, by schisms rent asunder, by heresies distressed, yet saints their watch are keeping; their cry goes up, "How long?"  And soon the night of weeping shall be the morn of song.  Mid toil and tribulation and tumult of her war she waits the consummation of peace forevermore, til with the vision glorious her longing eyes are blest and the great Church victorious shall be the Church at rest.”

Heavenly Father, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown  Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.  Amen.

May God be with you,

Jay

You are unique.

“Now Elijah the Tishbite, from Tishbe in Gilead, said to Ahab, “As the Lord, the God of Israel, lives, whom I serve, there will be neither dew nor rain in the next few years except at my word.”” 1 Kings 17:1

Have you ever thought that you were just like your brother or sister, mom or dad or Uncle Julius?  You aren’t.  When you see a group of Haitian school children smiling in their clean uniforms eating a bowl of rice and beans, do you think they are all alike?  They aren’t.  God is bigger than creating people in the same mold.  Thank goodness we aren’t alike.

God's methods are always surprising.  When reading through 1 Kings, we learn that God did not raise up an army to destroy Ahab and Jezebel.  God didn’t send some scintillating prince to argue His case or try to impress their royal majesties.  Instead, God did the unimaginable; He chose somebody like Elijah.  Have you ever thought that somebody else is better qualified than you for a position at your Church?  Are you a wife and homemaker who feels that your contribution to God's service is not noteworthy?  Do you see other people as special or more talented?

You may be missing an opportunity that is right there in front of you.  You may be in the very midst of a ministry and not even realize it.  Your ministry may be to just witnessing to two or three people.  You may be able to provide a single meal to one Haitian child.  Don't discount that; God's methods with a unique person like you are often surprising.

When we're standing alone in the gap, ultimately, we're standing before God.  When the call comes, will God find us ready and willing to stand for Him?  Will He find in us hearts that are completely His?  No matter what role you fill in life, you're not unimportant when it comes to standing alone for His purpose on your journey.

What spot has God given you?  Whatever it is, God says, "You're standing before Me, and I want to use you. I want to use you as My unique spokesperson in your day and age, at this moment and time."  Elijah, this gaunt, rugged figure striding out of nowhere, suddenly stepping into the pages of history, is a clear witness of the value of one life completely committed to God.  An unknown man from a backwater place, he was called to stand against evil in the most turbulent and violent and decadent of times.  Look around in your neighborhood.  The need is still great, and God is still searching for a unique person like you.

Heavenly Father, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown  Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.  Amen.

May God be with you,

Jay

Leaving a legacy.

“David praised the Lord in the presence of the whole assembly, saying,

“Praise be to you, Lord, the God of our father Israel, from everlasting to everlasting.  Yours, Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours.
Yours, Lord, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all.  Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things.  In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all.  Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name.” 1 Chronicles 29:10-13

As you sit in your chair on this side of Paradise…in this fallen world; what do you see?  What are you leaving behind?  Are there boxes in the basement, garage and closets filled with nick-knacks and paddy whacks that will end up in a garage sale and if nobody want that treasure it will then be shoved to the curb?  I have a few back in the day things hanging on the wall that hold dear memories for me but my daughters and grandkids won’t understand their relevance to my legacy.  I got a few boxes in my basement.

As we read these above verses, David falls on his knees and utters a beautiful prayer, an heartfelt expression of his worship of the Lord God.  The first verses are expressions of praise.  Praise leaves humanity out of the picture and focuses fully on the exaltation of the living God.

Unlike many of us, David was surrounded by limitless riches.  Yet they never captured his heart.  He fought other battles within, but never greed.  David was not trapped like many in our culture, by materialism.  He said, "Lord, everything we have is Yours; all these beautiful places where we gather for worship, the place where I live, the throne room; all of it is Yours, everything."

What an important investment it is to pass on to our children a proper scale of values, so that they know how to handle the good things of life, knowing that those good things are just a wisp; here today, into a box in a storage room and gone tomorrow.  Such an investment also teaches them how to handle it when things aren't easy.  David held everything loosely, another admirable trait.

What lessons can we learn from such a man?  We learn hope, in spite of his humanity.  We learn courage, even in the midst of his own fear.  We learn encouragement and praise in the songs that grew out of his hours of despair.  We learn forgiveness in his dark moments of sin.  And we learn the value of serving the purpose of God in our own generation, even though all our dreams during seasons of waiting, may not be fulfilled.

David, a sometimes fallen, but also a good model, taught us by his life such significant truths through his writings.  And, thank you, Heavenly Father, for being our Master; using us though we are weak and broken, forgiving us when we stray and fail, and loving us through all the people in David’s life; the Sauls and Goliaths and Jonathans and Abigails and Bathshebas and Absaloms and Joabs and Solomons of our lives.  Thank you for showing us that we can be people like David; people of passion and destiny.  May our legacy inspire others to seek You and desire to walk closely with You.

Heavenly Father, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown  Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.  Amen.

May God be with you,

Jay