When God Brought Me Through My Sickness! (Psalms 60)

Depending upon the translation of your Bible, many of the Psalms include a short description or historical background for the Psalms. For Psalms 60, the following is rendered by three different translations.

He Will Tread Down Our Foes

To the choirmaster: according to Shushan Eduth. A Miktam of David; for instruction; when he strove with Aram-naharaim and with Aram-zobah, and when Joab on his return struck down twelve thousand of Edom in the Valley of Salt.

ESV

Urgent Prayer for the Restored Favor of God

To the Chief Musician. Set to “Lily of the Testimony.” A Michtam of David. For teaching. When he fought against Mesopotamia and Syria of Zobah, and Joab returned and killed twelve thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt.

NKJV

For the choir director: A psalm of David useful for teaching, regarding the time David fought Aram-naharaim and Aram-zobah, and Joab returned and killed 12,000 Edomites in the Valley of Salt. To be sung to the tune “Lily of the Testimony.”

NLT

As I read and studied these paragraphs, it struck me, David, through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, wrote these Psalms after he experienced a great victory over his enemies. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we, too, could write a poem or psalm, praising God in remembrance for what He did for us? Updating it to the 21st century, we could give thanks for God saving us from a harrowing car accident, giving us strength through a series of examinations, or blessing us by a recovery from a difficult illness. Perhaps it may be written like this...

When God Brought Me Through My Sickness!
To the Choir Master and Chief Musician: Set to the song “Trust In You.” A song of praise and thanksgiving of Paul for remembrance and praise after God delivered him through a long week of illness!

Indeed! Perhaps we do not write or compose with the elegance of David through the Holy Spirit’s inspiration or guidance, but God is interested in our genuine sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving, not in the cleverness of our speech or prayers.

The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies me;

to one who orders his way rightly I will show the salvation of God!”

Psalms 50:23 (ESV)

I need to spend more time specifically remembering what God has done for me and praising Him in word and song. I need to meditate upon His kept promises to me. And I need to share it with anyone who will listen so that they, too, may know that God is mighty and awesome to save!

Love and trust the Lord; seek His will in your life.

Let's Hear It Again! (Luke 24:32)

Super Bowl 51 is in the history books and it was arguably the most amazing Super Bowl ever played. So many records were set capping the greatest comeback in the history of the championship game. And as exciting and enjoyable as watching the game, I relished the next few days as I relived the experience with friends and colleagues. It was an invigorating reminder of the joy of the day. It didn’t get old! Let’s hear it again!

They said to each other, "Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?"

Luke 24:32 (ESV)

The two disciples on the road to Emmaus experienced the excitement of retelling the story of Jesus Christ. The risen Jesus Christ appeared on a dusty road outside of Jerusalem and retold all the prophecies of Himself from the Scriptures beginning with the Patriarchs and leading to the Prophets. He revisited every intimate detail and at the end, their hearts were burning within them! They couldn’t wait to hear it again! And why not? It is the greatest story ever told-more exciting than this past Super Bowl, because THIS is the greatest comeback. Jesus Christ is risen from the dead!

The Good News of Jesus Christ needs to be proclaimed and shared everywhere we go!

Let’s hear it again!

Amen!

Love and trust the Lord; seek His will in your life.

"It Will Hurt Me More Than It Hurts You!" (Ezekiel 18:32)

The father sternly prepared his son as he was about to spank him.

“Now son, it will hurt me more than it hurts you!”

How many times have we have heard this? And each time, this parental confession still rings hollow. Discipline is seldom painless; the emotional hurt may equal or exceed the physical pain, for both the giver and recipient.  While I understand the sentiment of the father’s quotation, I don’t always believe it.  Oh yeah, I think, then why don’t you switch places with your son and see!

For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Lord God; so turn, and live.

Ezekiel 18:32 (ESV)

Sometimes I am frustrated when God disciplines me. I don’t believe His promise to the Israelites, prophesied by His prophet Ezekiel.  I think He is too harsh, unforgiving, or misunderstanding. I plead with Him, “Here God, let me lay it out for You, so that You would understand.”

God answers my plea.

Yet you say, “The way of the Lord is not fair.” Hear now, O house of Israel, is it not My way which is fair, and your ways which are not fair?

Ezekiel 18:25

All I am doing is reverting to my selfish desires and informing God, His way is not fair. I continually instruct God how to run my life. I, who have lived less than a century. I, who have lived in only one country. I have the audacity to ask God to switch places with me.

When God disciplines me, it should hurt me far me than I can conceive because I deserve so much more. I am a sinner and the wages of sin is death. I deserve death. It is only by God’s grace and mercy, through His Son, Jesus Christ, that He withholds His justice and disciplines me to transform me into the image of His Son.

Will it hurt me more than it hurts you? For God the Father, it meant seeing His Son die on the Cross, bearing the weight and punishment of all the sins of mankind. How can I ever fully comprehend the pain and suffering of both Father and Son? Why don’t I understand that Jesus died for me so that I would live the life I was created to live? When I will stop instructing God how to run my life?

I desperately need God’s saving grace and mercy in my life!

Love and trust the Lord; seek His will in your life.

Charades (Ezekiel 3:26-27)

When I was 10 years old, I participated in a series of interviews as part of the application process to attend a private school in Hawaii. At the end of the interviews, all of the applicants were gathered in a classroom to play a game of charades. It was a chance to relax and decompress after the stress of the day but ostensibly, it was an opportunity for the administrators to observe how the applicants would perform in a group setting.

I still remember my assignment. It was the movie, “Planet of the Apes.” I quickly acted out a movie projector, then proceeded to sign the number four with my hand, indicating four words in the title. Then I designated the last word and did my best imitation of an ape, to the laughter of the audience, who immediately shouted, “Planet of the Apes!”

Mission accomplished! Charades got my message across. A few months later, I received my acceptance letter!

I will make your tongue cling to the roof of your mouth, so that you shall be mute and not be one to rebuke them, for they are a rebellious house. But when I speak with you, I will open your mouth, and you shall say to them, “Thus says the Lord God.” He who hears, let him hear; and he who refuses, let him refuse; for they are a rebellious house.

Ezekiel 3:26-27 (NKJV)

If I were sending a prophet to Israel, I would make sure he had strong speaking skills. So what does God do? He informs Ezekiel he would be mute, his tongue clinging to the roof his mouth! Instead of speaking, Ezekiel would have to act out God’s prophecy! He proceeded to create a series of clay tablets surrounded by an iron tablet, depicting the impending siege of Jerusalem. He lay on his left side for three hundred ninety days, depicting the hundreds of years that Israel had been living in carnality, and his right side for forty days, depicting the forty years Judah had been sinning.  It was an ancient game of charades that lasted for over a year! Oh my!

Mission accomplished! God knows what He is doing. His unorthodox means of communicating with the Israelites proclaimed His message loud and clear. This is our God, turning expectations upside down because His ways are not ours!

Praise God!

Love and trust the Lord; seek His will in your life.

Good Name, Good Character (Proverbs 22:1)

As I guide my daughter through the arduous process of preparing for college, I am struck with an apparent glaring contradiction. So much of our activities as parents and students are focused upon getting good grades, good national test scores, getting enough volunteer activities, and amassing a well rounded portfolio of extracurricular activities. All of this is to facilitate the application process to get into a good college which may lay the groundwork for possible graduate school and a future job. These activities are important but what I realized is that although all of this preparation may help my child get a great first job, once they enter that door, very little of this matters. An employer is concerned about whether this person plays well in the sandbox. Does this person get along with everyone in my company and my customers? If a person is brilliant but has poor interpersonal skills, very few, if any, employers would declare, “Well, this person is a jerk, but he/she went to Harvard (or other prestigious school), so therefore I will overlook it.” I don’t think so.

It is all about character. Character is developed through many channels. Studying hones our discipline and responsibility.  Citizenship classes define and model the qualities of honor and respect. Coaches inculcate the importance of good sportsmanship. All of these activities are important but only dance around the salient issue.

A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favor is better than silver or gold.

Proverbs 22:1 (ESV)

A good name, a good character, should always be our goal, for ourselves and for our children. Our character reveals our core nature by unveiling our true motives. If we have a bad character, we cannot hide behind our grades and test scores; we cannot hide behind our awards or diplomas; we cannot hide behind titles or bank accounts. Our silver and gold will not buy us a good character. A bad character will always fail us.

How do we achieve good character? Good character always begins with God. Our tutor, our example, is our Lord Jesus Christ. As a parent, I need to model Jesus Christ, the perfect example of good character. As a child, they need to do their best with the abilities that God has blessed them with and leave the outcome to Him. AP classes, SAT exams, college applications-it is all part of the process of character development. The goal is to strive for a good name, a good character, in the name of Jesus.  And this is achieved by trusting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.

There are many obligations that are placed upon our children. The world clamors for good grades, good schools, and great riches. But God places His highest favor upon those who first seek a good name for His sake.

Amen!

Love and trust the Lord; seek His will in your life.

His Way (Exodus 14:21-22)

Nearly everyone is familiar with the stirring account of the exodus and how God used Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egyptian captivity by parting the Red Sea.

Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and the LORD drove the sea back by a strong east wind all night and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided. And the people of Israel went into the midst of the sea on dry ground, the waters being a wall to them on their right hand and on their left.

Exodus 14:21-22 (ESV)

The Bible does not record the expressions or comments of the Israelites as they walked on the dry river bed with walls of water surrounding them. It must have been an incredible sight! But why did God chose to deliver the Israelites in this manner? God can do anything, Couldn’t He have instantly transported all of them into the promised land? Wouldn’t that have been as amazing as walking through walls of water? Of course He could have done this. But God does things His way. The exodus was not for His benefit but for the Israelites and ours. Over the next 40 years, as the Israelites wandered in the wilderness, God showed the Israelites what true faithfulness means. He taught the Israelites the importance of holiness, of separating themselves from the sins that pollute their minds and body. He demonstrated what it meant to live solely by God’s Word and commands. He prepared and matured them to live by faith.

God does things His way!

I am impatient and sometimes want God to immediately resolve all my problems. I don’t want to face the arduous task of learning the life lessons that He wants to teach me. I can learn the same life lesson if He just shows me the end result. Right? Wrong! I want to do things my way. I want to be God. And this is why my faith is so weak. I am unwilling to learn the lessons of faith by obeying God’s plan and timing, instead, substituting my terms and time frames. I need to continually return and remember the promises that God has kept in my life, no matter how long He takes to answer. Only then, like the Israelites, will I begin to learn what it means to live by faith.

God does things His way!

Love and trust the Lord; seek His will in your life.

Heliotherapy (Romans 6:1-2)

Heliotherapy was a popular form of medical treatment in the first half of the 20th century. It was based upon the belief that fair skinned individuals were at risk for vitamin D deficiency. The discovery that ultraviolet radiation (UVR) is critical for an  important chemical reaction in the skin to convert Vitamin D to its active metabolite, led to generations of children and adults being treated with heliotherapy. Wearing only goggles, there were repeated and regular exposures to ultraviolet light. When later research showed that UVR could kill bacteria, patients with tuberculosis and impetigo were also exposed. All of this occurred during a period when the connections between skin aging, skin cancer and UVR were not established.

UVR  is not all bad. It does play a role to help in Vitamin D production and is an important sterilizing agent. But the small benefits are greatly outweighed by the destructive and life threatening effects UVR has on the human body. Today, no one would exclusively use UVR as a means to increase Vitamin D production or to sterilize and cleanse the skin.

What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?

Romans 6:1-2 (ESV)

The Apostle Paul admonished his followers to not continue in a life of sin. Some erroneously believed that they should continue sinning because it would allow God’s grace to be manifest. It is true that God’s grace would be manifested in a believer who confessed and repented of their sins. But Paul pointed out that if someone had truly accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, they would have no desire to willfully sin. Like UVR, we should not invite situations that allow sin to creep into our life, thinking it may benefit or not hurt us. The old adage, “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger,” is not correct in this situation. Sin does kill us. And if we allow even a little into our lives, there is no benefit, only despair and separation from God.

Only after many years, did physicians learn of the dangers of exposure to UVR . We have always known of the dangers of sin. There is no need to expose our lives to any amount.

Love and trust the Lord; seek His will in your life.

Wake Up Call (Proverbs 4:7)

I first entered private practice in 1994, fresh from my fellowship training with my medical specialty board certification in hand. I was confident and knowledgeable, or so I thought. I eagerly attended my first hospital tumor board, ready to contribute my prodigious knowledge of the latest treatment and diagnostic tests for diseases. I was greeted by an erudite panel of surgeons, oncologists, and radiation oncologists, all of whom rattled off numerous studies supporting their treatment options for the patients.

And I soon learned that many issues that patients and physicians face in private practice are seldom, if ever, discussed within the academic ivory towers of university medical centers. There were concerns of insurance payments and denials, interhospital politics, social service support dealing with nursing home and hospice care. If I were to survive in private practice, I needed to reorient my thinking. It was a definite wake up call! I consulted with my pathology group, sought advice from friendly surgeons and oncologists, and slowly, I began to learn and understand the subtle but important nuances of becoming a complete physician. I had the head knowledge but did not have the understanding to properly apply it in different practice settings.

Wisdom is the principal thing; Therefore get wisdom.

And in all your getting, get understanding.

Proverbs 4:7 (NKJV)

In my spiritual walk with God, I have had many similar wake up calls. I have a book knowledge of the Bible and can quote verses and discuss theological themes. But when I am confronted with a frustrated seeker dealing with a difficult life situation, pleading with me to show me where God is in his chaotic circumstances, I freeze and stumble. Slowly, God has given me wisdom, understanding and insight. It has not been easy and I continue to pray to God for direction. He has answered me, gently and firmly, and guided me with sensitivity into situations when I need to apply God’s Word for the sake of myself and others.

Get wisdom and get understanding! God’s wake up calls for my life place me in situations when I need to rely upon His insight and not my head knowledge.

Praise God!

Love and trust the Lord; seek His will in your life.

A Rolling Stop (Proverbs 15:3)

I drive my car and approach a stop sign or traffic light, intending to make a right turn. I am in a rush and instead of lawfully making a complete stop, then inching forward, I slow down, as if intending to stop, then proceed to make the right turn.

I’ve just committed a rolling stop.

It is illegal but it seems that nearly everyone does this sometime in their driving. Only an actual traffic ticket will put an end to this, or so I thought. My first ticket for a rolling stop happened when I was in medical school. I thought I learned my lesson. But after a few years, I was back to my old habits. I did a rolling stop again in front of a hospital where I was training as a medical resident. Fortunately, the police officer was merciful and when he saw my white medical coat, he let me off the hook with a warning. Now, many years later, I am riding in the car with my daughter, a newly licensed driver. She is very careful to never make a rolling stop. And when she is the passenger, I make sure that I strictly observe all traffic laws, including not making a rolling stop.

But what about when no one is in the car with me? What about when I am in a deserted and sleeping residential neighborhood at 5AM? There are no cars on the streets and no pedestrians crossing. These thoughts crossed my mind one morning as I commuted to work. But just as I was about to commit my crime, I spotted something and quickly made a complete stop. Sure enough! After I stopped and then proceeded to make a right turn, I saw a police car parked under a tree in the supermarket parking lot across the street. It was 5AM and I would never have expected a police car waiting at this interaction at this time. Thankfully I obeyed the law. But just a few seconds later, I saw another car  behind me make a rolling stop. Instantly the flashing lights confirmed my suspicions, the police officer was there to adroitly trap careless drivers who willfully flaunted the law and make a rolling stop.

The eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good.

Proverbs 15:3 (NKJV)

This rolling stop is a simple and seemingly harmless example of how I convince myself that some of my sins are small and inconsequential. I smugly think that no one is watching and therefore my sins are not hurting anyone. But God is always watching. My sins are a disobedience against God, and big or small, when I willfully commit the sin, I deny Jesus’ lordship over my life and His sacrifice for me. I nail Him to the Cross with each sin I commit.

How many times must I relearn the same lessons of a rolling stop? It is a symptom of my sinful nature. Thanks be to God that His patience with me is not limited by how many times I disappoint Him. I am grateful for His grace and mercy to me through His Son, Jesus Christ. He convicts me through His Holy Spirit and gives me the strength and perseverance to seek His forgiveness and ask Him to change my life.

Love and trust the Lord; seek His will in your life.

"You Have To Be A Showman!" (Isaiah 25:1)

When I was a first year pathology resident, I was introduced to the time-honored tradition of the  morgue conference. Once a month, a pathology resident was selected to present the interesting autopsy and surgical pathology cases from the previous month to interested medical specialties. Depending upon the cases that were being presented, radiology, oncology, and medical and surgical sub-specialties were all in attendance.

After my first conference, one of my professors kindly pulled me aside and said, “That was good. But what you have to be a showman!”

I was intrigued. “What do you mean?”

“Here, like this.” He took the preserved portion of the colon that was on the table. “Only show a little of organ in the beginning and build a story.” He covered most of the colon with a towel, revealing only a small portion, recognizable only to someone with a medical background. “Discuss the clinical history and the course of the patient. What symptoms did this patient present with when he was admitted? What diagnostic tests led to the diagnosis of the tumor? Then, slowly reveal the organ and give the audience several suggestions what the pathology might be.” He deftly removed the towel to reveal the tumor arising within the colon. Picking it up, he turned the organ to face me. “Hold the organ like this to present it to your audience so they see it as you would, facing them.” He then completely removed the towel. “Finally, present the key diagnostic findings that led to the diagnosis and give a summary statement how your diagnosis fits with the clinical presentation and the earlier diagnostic testing! You have to be a showman!”

Wow!

I learned to be a showman that day. I was grateful for the kind mentoring of my professor; it was a lesson I never forgot and have since taught it to my residents. Being a showman rivets the attention of my audience and allows me to focus upon the truly important points of the presentation.

O LORD, you are my God; I will exalt you; I will praise your name, for you have done wonderful things, plans formed of old, faithful and sure.

Isaiah 25:1 (ESV)

The experience taught me to appreciate the grandeur of God. God is the ultimate showman! Everything He does rivets my attention and allows me to focus upon the message He is teaching me. In this passage, the prophet Isaiah reminds us that everything God does is worthy of our attention because it is all according to His perfect will.

Many years ago, I learned to be a showman. But for eternity, God has been showing and displaying His Creation and mighty works to me and everyone who has ever lived, all to make His point.

He is God and there is no other!

Love and trust the Lord; seek His will in your life.

"Prayer never works, God doesn't like beggars." (Luke 18:1-8)

“Prayer never works, God doesn’t like beggars.”

This anonymous quotation was a comment posted after an internet news story requesting prayers for a family that had recently experienced the tragic loss of their father. The inherent contradiction struck me. This person acknowledges God and prayer but makes two sweeping statements that directed me to the Bible and seek the Truth.

And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart.  He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man.  And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’ For a while he refused, but afterward he said to himself, ‘Though I neither fear God nor respect man, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming.’” And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge says. And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”

Luke 18:1-8 (ESV)

Jesus Christ spent much time in prayer, continually seeking the will of God, His Father. He also spent much time with the poor and needy. As this parable beautifully illustrates, God hears the cries of His people who are downtrodden, and persist in prayer and supplication.

Prayer does work and God hears everyone, including beggars.

If we take the time to read the Bible and learn what God truly says about Himself and the world He created, we will understand that God’s plans for us are beautiful and perfect. We can chose to ignore Him or substitute our own views for who believe God is and what we think He wants us to do with our lives. In spite of this, God is always knocking on the door of everyone’s heart, seeking to come into our lives and give the gift of salvation to all who will confess and repent of their sins and acknowledge Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.

Love and trust the Lord; seek His will in your life.

An Ice Storm And The Super Bowl (Romans 8:28)

How did an ice storm and the snarl of a Super Bowl traffic lead to an innovative solution for securing a safe blood supply?

In February 2016, a severe ice storm struck the state of Texas, paralyzing businesses and even threatening the impending Super Bowl. But for patients and hospitals, the ice storm hampered the ability of local hospitals to obtain a ready blood supply. An entrepreneur surveyed this situation and quickly surmised that a better delivery system could be developed with existing technologies, one that would not be so hindered by weather and public events.

Bloodbuy!

The founder and creator, Chris Godfrey, utilized sophisticated computer algorithms to arrive at this cleverly named proprietary program that provides real time analysis of the nation’s blood supply so that potential shortages can be averted. Just as important, the program allows for cost savings for the hospitals by effectively managing inventory. Blood products have a defined and relatively short shelf life and must be continually replenished. However, overstocking may lead to expiring and wasted products if unused, so a delicate balance must be struck between a hospital’s anticipated needs and logistical obstacles to receive the blood products. In the short time the program has been used at various hospitals, it has led to a 22% cost savings.

An ice storm can be deadly. The debilitating effects of the cold are devastating but combined with the paralysis of local transportation, a major health emergency can result. There is nothing good that can come out of this. And yet, this man took the tragedy of the ice storm as motivation to create something that could prevent an additional burden to the nation’s fragile blood supply system.

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

Romans 8:28 (ESV)

In my life, I have often looked at tragedies happening to myself and others and have wondered what is the good that am I missing? Where is God in all of this? The answer is in front of me. God is with me during my storms of life. God is with others, ready to share their burdens and comfort them. And if we are willing to trust Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, He will show us the good. It may not be at the moment of our greatest pain and suffering, but He is faithful to bring His Goodness out of all situations. In my life, my tragedies have allowed me to better relate and empathize with others who are undergoing a similar situation. For others, like the founder of Bloodbuy, it may motivate them to find innovative ways to help others. In all things, God is sovereign, orchestrating a magnificent symphony of life, bringing good out of seeming chaos and suffering.

Love and trust the Lord; seek His will in your life.

"What Did the Chef Make For Dinner For You Tonight? (Matthew 25:21)

Whenever I eat dinner at a restaurant with servers, I pose the question, “What did the chef make for dinner for you tonight?” Most are a bit surprised by my question but all oblige me and have divulged some interesting answers. One server was enthusiastic and exclaimed that it is usually pasta or fried rice, but once a week, the chef will prepare one of the restaurant’s signature dishes. At one seafood restaurant, the meal was chicken, unusual since chicken was not even a menu item. Of course, some disgruntled workers shared that their restaurant did not feed them at all, nor does it give them a discount on meals taken at the restaurant. After I hear such a statement, to no surprise, I have noticed that servers in these restaurant are not as friendly nor as helpful as other restaurants.

Am I any different? When I was an employee working at other companies, I distinctly noted my own attitude and behavior was directly proportional to my perception over how I was treated. If I felt mistreated or underappreciated, it was difficult for me to be enthusiastic to an applicant seeking a position with the company. Similarly, when things were going well, I could easily be effusive in my praise and sell the merits of the company. Looking back, it all seems petty but when grinding it out in the trenches, it helped to know that your superiors acknowledge, value, and reward your efforts. Like a free, well-prepared meal, served in a popular restaurant,an expression of gratitude and thanksgiving in the workplace goes a long way to foster a collegial work environment.

His master said to him, “Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.”

Matthew 25:21 (ESV)

When I serve God in His Church, I sometimes become discouraged. Activities do not go as planned; there are interpersonal conflicts; priorities may clash with different parties. It is easy to focus upon the negatives and fall back to petty behaviors, taking my eye off the reason I serve God. It is not to make me feel better, it it is to serve Him out of thanksgiving in my heart for the grace and mercy He bestowed upon me by changing my heart and saving me from the forlorn path of destruction that my life was following.

Someday, when I am in Heaven before my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, He will review the works I have done on this earth. At that time, I will clearly see that the trials, the tribulations-all of these were to prepare my heart and strengthen my faith so that I may receive the reward the crown of glory in the presence of God. I want to seek His approval! As I serve God, He transforms my petty desires into a true longing to willingly and lovingly serve Him.

Praise God!

Love and trust the Lord; seek His will in your life.

"What School You Grad?" (Acts 21:39)

“What school you grad?”

Anyone from Hawaii is familiar with this question, uttered with a pidgin english accent when strangers from Hawaii meet. While it may seem pretentious and a bit obnoxious, it is an accepted manner of establishing a connection with a fellow islander. Hawaii is a diverse melting pot of cultures and the local high schools serve as a convenient reference point to connect with one another. Through the high schools, strangers avail of a conduit to connect through friends and relatives who may have attended the same school. It is a mini-vetting process and establishes the credibility of each person.

Paul replied, “I am a Jew, from Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no obscure city. I beg you, permit me to speak to the people.”

Acts 21:39 (ESV)

In this passage, the Apostle Paul attempted to connect with his fellow Jews after he was arrested by the Roman authorities. He first did so by identifying his birthplace, establishing an important link that he had with his fellow Jews. Anyone of that day could have immediately confirmed the veracity of his words.

If I had been in a similar situation, arrested and bound, I would have been absolutely terrified. I would been more concerned with establishing my credentials and identity to save my own skin. Not the Apostle Paul!  Paul never wasted a moment and used this opportunity when he was arrested to share the Good News of Jesus Christ-to the angry crowd, to his fellow Jews, and to the Roman soldiers.

I have connected with many islanders using this well-worn phrase. But my motives are not always pure and focused as the Apostle Paul.  Establishing credibility and trust when meeting someone new is important, but to what end? My motive, my every thought, should be to establish God’s Kingdom on this earth. And I do this by proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ.

“What school you grad?

I may connect with my fellow islanders but it should be so that God may connect with them.

Love and trust the Lord; seek His will in your life.

"Why Aren't You A Buddhist?" (Romans 11:17-18)

“Why aren’t you a Buddhist?”

My bespectacled professor had a bemused expression as he waited for my answer.

“What do you mean?” I cautiously replied.

Nodding his head he elaborated, “I mean, you’re Japanese, right? Aren’t most Japanese Buddhist or Shinto?”

A politically incorrect statement like that wouldn’t go far in 2017, but this was 1983. I was engaged in a summer of research within my college molecular biology professor’s laboratory. He was Jewish and was intrigued about why I was a Christian.

“Well…” I sheepishly began. “You are correct. Many Japanese are Buddhist. But God was merciful to me and led me to His Son, Jesus Christ. And I became a Christian a year ago.”

“But everything in the Bible is so foreign to Japanese culture. You know Jesus was a Jew, right? I understand the culture, of course, but do you? Can you relate to his life?”

I was being backed into a corner. “I...uh, haven’t really studied Jewish culture and traditions, everything I know is from the Bible, the Old Testament.”

“So, you can relate to the Jewish traditions?” Shaking his head, he continued. “Good. Good. Christianity evangelizes. What does that mean for a Jew like me? Am I lost? Am I going to hell?”

Whoa. I had only been a Christian for a year and had very little opportunity to defend my faith, much less share it with a Jewish person. He was my professor, adding an intimidating dimension to the entire interaction. My palms grew slick as I sought to politely answer his charge.

“The Apostle Paul, who was a Pharisee, a Jew, said that the Jews are the trunk of the olive tree and Christians are wild branches grafted in.”

That brought a smile to his face. “I see! So you guys are the riff-raff, the wild, and we are the pedigree, the real deal!” His Jewish faith was vindicated in his eyes as superior.

“Uh...sort of.”

“Very good!” He seemed quite satisfied with my answer, even if I was not.

But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, although a wild olive shoot, were grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing root of the olive tree, do not be arrogant toward the branches. If you are, remember it is not you who support the root, but the root that supports you.

Romans 11:17-18 (ESV)

Jesus Christ was Jewish. The Jews are God’s chosen people. But through Jesus Christ, God has extended His grace and mercy to all who confess their sins, repent, and place their trust in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. And someday, all Jews will know and believe that Jesus Christ is the Messiah and the Son of God.

Lest you be wise in your own sight, I do not want you to be unaware of this mystery, brothers: a partial hardening has come upon Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. And in this way all Israel will be saved, as it is written, “The Deliverer will come from Zion, he will banish ungodliness from Jacob; and this will be my covenant with them when I take away their sins.”
Romans 11:25-27 (ESV)

Why am I not a Buddhist? Because God was merciful to me and changed my heart to know the truth of salvation through His Son, Jesus Christ. His promise of salvation is for all nations, all cultures, and all races!

Love and trust the Lord; seek His will in your life.

9/11 (Acts 26:8)

9/11

For many Americans, the world completely changed on that fateful and tragic day. In my lifetime, I have never witnessed so many people of different ethnic, economic, and religious backgrounds come together, united to support one another and this country. I, too, was swept up in this outpouring of love and compassion for my neighbor. I wanted it to last forever.

And then the chinks appeared.

Slowly, the stories appeared on the internet. 9/11 was a hoax and likened to the alleged staged moon landing of 1969. It was orchestrated by the United States government. It was a conspiracy of multinationals. It was this...it was that...but it was never the truth.

And the love and compassion that was so effusive faded and was replaced with the cynicism and pettiness that marks so much of our worldview. As I lamented this change of events, I thought back to the events that shook the world nearly 2000 years ago. A carpenter turned prophet revealed Himself as the Christ, the Messiah. The people, Jews and Gentiles alike, received the blessings and miracles that He performed. But other jealous leaders were determined to kill him and with the help of the Roman government, succeeded in having Him die the humiliating death of a criminal-crucifixion. Yet three days later, He rose from the dead as He promised and what the Scriptures had foretold. He appeared to numerous witnesses and then ascended to Heaven where He now sits at the right hand of God, the Father.

But even in the Bible, we read of the chinks. When the tomb was found empty on that Sunday morning, the Jewish leaders paid the Roman guards to spread the lie that Jesus’ disciples had opened the tomb and stolen His body. We read of the Roman governor Festus who is bewildered over why the Jews are angry with the Apostle Paul who is insisting that Jesus is alive. It is all a myth! It is not the truth!

Why is it thought incredible by any of you that God raises the dead?

Acts 26:8 (ESV)

The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ is well-documented by hundreds of witnesses. But like the tragic events of 9/11, naysayers quickly intervened and attempted to convince others that the event never occurred. The single most important proof of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection is found in His life changing power within your life. God is omnipotent; He can do anything, including raising His own Son from the dead.

Read the Bible, study the accounts, then confess and repent of your sins and accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. And if you do, you will know in your heart, that your faith is not in vain and Jesus Christ is alive and lives within you.

Amen!

Love and trust the Lord; seek His will in your life.

Twenty Dollars (Mark 12:41-44)

My primary education was through a private school in Hawaii. It was founded by the Episcopalian church and we had a chapel service one morning a week. During that time in my life, I was not a believer and could best be described as an agnostic. I politely sat through the services but usually my mind drifted off to everything but the message.

But one morning, things were different. I was going through a difficult time at school, everything seemed to be going wrong and I didn’t know how to make things right. As I sat in chapel that morning, a thought struck me. Perhaps I should give an offering and then God would be pleased and solve my problems. So, I opened my wallet and found a $20 bill, a great deal of money at that time and especially for a non-working teenager. I put the money in the offering envelope and quietly said to myself,  “Ok God, I’m making a big sacrifice, hope you can help me.”

Although I was not a believer, I had studied the Bible through our mandatory religion classes and I was familiar with the story of the widow and her contribution of two mites, a seemingly paltry sum of money. But Jesus praised her actions and contrasted them with the rich men who made a loud show of donating large sums of money so that everyone else could see how great and generous they were.

And he sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the offering box. Many rich people put in large sums. And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny.  And he called his disciples to him and said to them, "Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on."

Mark 12:41-44 (ESV)

I expected God to do something good for me since I, too, like the poor widow, had made a genuine sacrifice. But nothing happened. Eventually the problems resolved on their own and I used this experience as further proof to myself that God did not exist.

If I had been sitting in a Buddhist or Hindu temple, a Jewish synagogue, or Moslem mosque, I probably would have made the same offering. I didn’t know God nor did I care to want to know Him. I was hedging my bets and was willing to try anything, even praying to an unknown god. That was my limited understanding of God. If I make a genuine sacrifice, God would honor the effort and answer my prayers.

God does desire sincerity within our hearts when we make an offering to Him. But that is not enough. He desires for us to know who He truly is. He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to answer these questions and reveal His magnificence and glory. The years I spent in chapel and religious classes introduced me to His Son, but it was only head knowledge. Until I confessed and repented of my sins and trusted in Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior, it was just a name, another god that I sought to manipulate for my own gain. Today, He is my God and the only God of this universe, for everyone who places their trust in Him. I serve Him, He does not serve me.

Praise be to God for His grace and mercy to me!

Love and trust the Lord; seek His will in your life.

"I Wish I Could Have Been More Uplifting." (Proverbs 26:11)

A few years ago, a high school friend from Hawaii visited our family at our home in Southern California. He brought his wife and two teen-aged children. I had not seen them for at least 10 years so I was quite happy for the reunion. As we exchanged the usual pleasantries, our conversation drifted to high school reminiscences of mutual friends. One particular person was a sore spot for me. He never missed an opportunity to put me down. I still carried bitter memories and within a few minutes, I was a teen ager reliving the same worn out episodes. My friend politely laughed but his wife excused herself and slinking off to the sofa. I should have picked up on the body language but I was determined to state my case and prove that I was right and our friend was wrong. The evening ended on a mixed note and my expectation that I would see them again, any time soon, evaporated.

The next morning, I emailed my friend. I was chagrined and wrote, “Sorry that the conversation degenerated into a rant. I wish I could have been more uplifting to you and your wife.”

He was polite and wrote, “Don’t worry about it. My wife understands.”

Perhaps, but I was chastened. I reverted back to my childhood, harping on distant memories and relationships that no longer mattered. I could not let it go.

Like a dog that returns to his vomit is a fool who repeats his folly.

Proverbs 26:11 (ESV)

I am a fool. Given an opportunity to move beyond my past, I reverted to my old habits and let pride and resentment take over. The event reminded me how desperately I need Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. I continually see the struggle between my old nature and the new nature I received when the Holy Spirit entered into me. The process of sanctification continues and in spite of unpleasant reminders of my old nature, I am confident that God is transforming me into the image of His Son, Jesus Christ. But it will take a lifetime.

Thanks be to God that He is always uplifting me even when I do not honor Him.

Love and trust the Lord; seek His will in your life.

"If You Only Knew Greek!" (2 Timothy 3:16)

One of my roommates in college was from Greece. We met when I was a young Christian and he frequently saw me reading the Bible in our dorm room. At times, I would attempt to witness to him but he was usually dismissive. One day after I was sharing a passage with him, he shook his head and said with disdain, “If you only knew Greek.”

I knew the New Testament was originally written in Greek and had been translated into english and nearly every known language. But he spoke in such a denigrating tone, I pushed for clarification. “What do you mean?”

“If you only knew Greek!” He repeated. “The Bible is very different if you read it in the original language!”

“And what? It’s not God’s Word?” I was even more confused.

“You would be surprised by what is written. You would understand if you only knew Greek!”

Once again! I persisted in asking him what he meant. Could he give me some examples? Did he mean that he didn’t believe the Bible? All my inquiries were met with a sardonic smirk, that answered my queries.

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

2 Timothy 3:16 (KJV)

I have never formally studied Greek but use a Greek concordance and dictionary when I study the New Testament. I have also read many commentaries written by learned scholars who are experts in Greek. There are some theological points that are open to interpretation depending upon how the Greek is translated. But the core principles of the Christian faith are unwavering. Jesus Christ is God! Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior!

My study of Greek has deepened my love for God and His Word. The Bible is God’s Word. No matter what language the Bible is translated, the Truth will be declared by the Holy Spirit who will illumine the words and make them come alive with relevance and direction for my life.

If I only knew Greek!

Whether Greek, English, or any other language, the Word of God is the same.

Thanks be to God that I know Him!

Love and trust the Lord; seek His will in your life.

"Money Makes People Do Funny Things!" (1 Timothy 6:10)

My dad shared many aphorisms and witticisms with me as I was growing up. One that he repeated quite often had its application in many different settings. We observed it with shady business dealings with formerly close business partners cheating one another to gain control of the business. We observed it between family members fighting over an inheritance that each felt rightfully belonged to them. After each episode, my dad would shake his head and state, “Money makes people do funny things.”

The longer I live, the more I see the veracity of his words. Perhaps it is not that money makes people do funny or strange things but rather, it reveals their true character. I, too, have fallen victim to this mindset. It does not take the form of heated arguments over inheritances or swindling a business partner or customer. No, my sins are more insidious. I may justify a purchase of something I don’t really need, but I easily convince myself and others of the necessity. I convince myself to purchase something deeming it  necessary for my Christian ministry when in reality, it is benefitting my personal comfort and feeding my ego far more.

For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.

1 Timothy 6:10 (ESV)

The love of money is at the heart of so many sins. The only solution to this wandering from the faith is to return to Jesus Christ. It is only by confessing and repenting of my sins and accepting Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior that the vicious and desperate cycle of chasing after money will be broken in my life. I still fail, but with the Holy Spirit empowering me, the victory becomes easier to reach each time I am faced with temptation.

How I desperately need Jesus Christ to keep my love burning only for Him.

Love and trust the Lord; seek His will in your life.