Finding Laughter In Difficult Times

It was a cold, 20 degree day on December 10, 1977, when I went with some friends (Edgar, Gil, & Georgie) to the movies.       The latest movie had come to our neck of the woods. With quickly dropping temperatures, we headed out. We enjoyed watching up-close, CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND.  It was a good movie on alien life. I liked when the ship whizzed by over a lonely road-just over a wooden railing.  The road veered left but the spaceship zoomed straight ahead. The movie was an attempt to convince people we might not be alone in this world.  Afterall, the presence of higher intelligence might be right before our very eyes in tangible ways.

This week I watched a video on YouTube with a great story.  Turns out, a man, convicted of stealing, was brought before a judge for sentencing.  Seeing convicts upon convicts in her courtroom, the judge noticed something about this particular man.  She recognized him.  When she asked him if he had attended a particular school, he had an encounter.  He broke down upon recognizing who the judge was.  They had gone to school together when younger.  He had been a great guy who ended up following the wrong crowds.  Upon sentencing him to ten months in prison, she encouraged him to own up and make something better of himself.  He took it to heart and has remained out of trouble for ten years and keeps in contact with the judge.  That encounter changed his life.

People in the Bible also had close encounters of the third kind, though not with aliens, but with God!  After being told he would be going to his heavenly home, the prophet Elijah was swooped up by a fiery chariot-never to be seen again! He met the Son of God on that road; An encounter of the Third kind-he met the Trinity!

 Christian-persecutor, Saul, who approved the slaughter of Gentiles, was stopped right in his tracks by no other than Jesus Himself (Acts 9). The man who breathed hatred for God’s disciples, had a close encounter with God. He may not have touched God, but God touched him. He then immediately knew who Jesus was.

Like others, you can have an encounter with Jesus-right now! You don’t need to see Him, feel Him, or touch Him (this sounds like Tommy the Who!), to know He’s there, but you’ll know because He’ll be present within you bringing change from your old ways to new ones. You’ll know without a doubt that you’re not alone in this world!  Even if you never see God whizzing by, or, like Moses, have Him pass by you as you’re placed on the cleft of a rock (Exodus 33:18-23), you’ll know He is who He claims to be: the Son of God, the Rock!

Don’t wait until you meet The Judge (Isaiah 33:22)!  You DO NOT want to appear in His court (Romans 14:10-12)!  His Word of encouragement to you is to come now; not after sentencing you!  By then, it’ll be too late!  Like that convicted man, repent, own up for your actions and turn your life around.  Do you find yourself looking into space for answers?  Follow the book of Amos 5:8: “Seek Him that maketh Pleiades, and Orion, and turneth the shadow of death into morning, and maketh the day dark with night; that calleth the waters of the sea, and poureth them out upon the face of the earth (Jehovah is his name);” 

He’s only alien to those who don’t know Him, though He does travel the galaxies!

God knows the condition of your life!  If you’re falling apart, He’ll put you back together this very moment!

God Bless!

Sam

Recommended Songs: Broken Things, Julie Miller

We tend to like when the tables are turned on people who annoy us, though, God doesn’t want us to rejoice over it (Proverbs 24:17-18).  But when tables are turned, people get a taste of their own medicine, so to speak.

There are occasions when tables are turned in favor of someone; especially, one deserving it.  I just watched an episode The Wedding (Season 10, Episode 7), of Home Town where Ben is making a special table for a family getting ready to foster children. It looks like a regular table, but then an extension is pulled and a folded leaf is unfolded and turned to reveal a full extension allowing extra seating area. Josh, his helper, says something like: “So, it can be late at night when she’ll get a call saying ‘I have a child to be fostered overnight’ and when the new child comes home, the table is expanded and he has a seat.”  He then adds: “My life was changed because of foster parents.” “I ended up being at that table forever; the rest of my life.”

That’s amazing, that one would make room for another person, particularly, one that might feel unwelcomed, confused, insecure, unwanted, and unloved!  Welcoming another person at the table is an amazing act of kindness smiled upon by God.

Did you know there’s a seat set up just for you at God’s table?  It doesn’t matter if you’re the head-honcho of a booming industry, the maintenance worker cleaning after them, or sitting in tears sorting out the next steps in your life after everything’s fallen apart.  God has been eyeing you.  He knows every single step you’ve taken.  “You know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thought afar off.  You comprehend my path and my lying down, And are acquainted with all my ways.  For there is not a word on my tongue, But behold, O LORD, you know it altogether” (Psalm 139:2-4).

God’s gigantic table where we will dine with Jesus and heaven’s angelic hosts, awaits your presence.  Since no date or hour is specified, one has to be ready to attend. The invite has been issued. The seating arrangements made.  All that’s lacking is your affirmative response to attend.  Make confession now acknowledging a sinful life; repent, be made new, and turn over a new leaf!  Doing so, sends God the message that you’re ready to attend. Live for His Glory until you’re called Home to sit at His specially crafted table surrounded by myriads of angels and all His saints!  Just the plate settings alone will be enough to overwhelm us!  There will not be any plastic forks or paper plates!  We’re talking royalty at its finest!

This reminds me of something very important that the late singer, Kieth Green, sang, “Close the doors/They’re just not coming/We sent the invitations out a long, long, long, long time ago/We’re still gonna have a wedding feast/Big enough to beat them all/ The greatest people in the world wouldn’t come/ So now we’ll just have to invite the small.”

COME, Brother and sister!! We’re the “small” invited guests to God’s greatest feast ever-The Marriage Supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19:6-9)!!   In the words of Josh, you’ll be at that table forever; the rest of your life!

God Bless!
Sam

Recommended Songs: At the Table Michael Card; The Table Chris Tomlin; Come to the Table Sidewalk Prophets

Whenever I think of the late, Nat King Cole’s hit, Unforgettable, it’s not the original 1951 version that comes to mind, but rather the duet with his daughter, Natalie Cole, recorded in 1991, 26 years after his death.

 I remember hearing over the radio that through the magic of modern technology, Natalie had been able to reunite with her deceased dad for an unforgettable duet.  As great as the original hit was, the second one was greater!

That’s the Gospel message right there!  Prior to Jesus’ birth, serving God was summarized as following a seemingly endless number of rules and rituals.  There were plenty of Dos and Don’ts as well as animal sacrifices and building altars to God.  All in all, having God’s approval meant obeying His laws and commandments.   Wow, that’s like Nat’s original hit.

Then God’s Son, Jesus, came to earth and through His death and resurrection, fulfilled the law and the prophets (Matthew 5:17).  His new covenant with Israel and humanity, meant overriding the rituals, rules, and sacrifices and replacing them with His sacrificial death and resurrection.        “By calling this covenant new, he has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and outdated will soon disappear” (Hebrews 8:13).                                                     Why?? Because, as God had shared through His prophet Isaiah (43:19), “Behold, I’m doing a new thing; do you not see it?”

Instead of animal sacrifices He wants us to offer ourselves as living sacrifices for His glory (Romans 12 :1).  Instead of rules and laws written on tablets of stone, He’s written them on the tablets of our hearts (Jeremiah 31:33).  Instead of stoning our neighbors to death for breaking a commandment, we’re to forgive them and love them (Matthew 22:39) just as Jesus does. Consider this part as the duet of Nat and Natalie; the greater hit.               “For God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation” (2 Corinthians 5:19 NLT). The “Duet,” actually, the Trio (Trinity), sang the greatest song in history: The Redemption of Mankind.  And because of this best-selling “hit number,” we can dance before His presence with uplifted hands, clean hearts, and a clean conscience, not fearing His wrath!  Jesus bore on His body God’s penalty for sin, for all time, for all humanity!   He redeemed us! He purchased us!  He reconciled us to God.  And as God’s only Mediator (1 Timothy 2:5), He replaced the old covenant with a better one (Hebrews 7:22).                                   

I would say, that’s unforgettable!  Sing with me…”That’s what you are.”

God Bless!
Sam

Recommended Song: Lord We’ve Come To Worship Don Moen

Almost everyone has experienced falling in love at some point in their lives.  Love, adds spice to our lives.  It adds an extra lift to our steps as we walk, and people are known to hum or sing as they go about their business.  Love adds joy to people’s lives.

Soon, people around us will be celebrating St. Valentine’s Day.  Boxes of chocolate candies, heartfelt cards, stickers, candies, flowers, and more, will be exchanged between loved ones, friends, parents, kids, and people loving others.

Society has its own definition of love; it differs greatly from God’s.  Some people want to love so much, they love everything, including the wrong things. There’s a love that embraces everything under the sun.  It loves the alcoholic, the drug pusher/user, the thief, the scammer, the cheat and liar, without any concern for change-the same as it loves the average person.

This love, is a false love.  It is promoted by Satan.  By its actions, it seems to surpass God’s love.  But that’s where they’re completely distinct.  False love, is all-inclusive; everyone and everything, is covered.  Everyone loves everyone, and everything is acceptable under its guise. Such love allows no room for redemption.  It claims everyone deserves to be loved the same; with no consequences.

In a nutshell, false love, loves sin.  False love, sees no wrong.  It loves evil and good. It rationalizes away sinful behaviors.

True love, God’s love, however, is a love that hates.  It hates sin.  It hates deception. It abhors rebellion, lying, murders, cheaters, falsehood, etc.  True love made a way for rebellion: defiance against God. It celebrates man’s redemption from sin. God’s love extols God’s journey from heaven to earth to battle demonic oppressors to rescue and reinstate fallen man with God in holy communion.

Don’t miss this: God’s true love LOVES the sinner, but not the sin they’re in. He loves them so much, He wants to separate them from sin.  He died to cover their sin. His love is so great, He won’t leave them drowning in their sin.  Satan, however, will pretend to love people by leaving them in their sin, and many times will lead them to more sin under the guise of loving them.  I grew up hearing, “Your best friend is he who tells you you have bad breath.” To save you from embarrassment. Not Satan’s false love.  He’s a deserter.  Once you fall in sin, the sin that looked so appealing, He’ll accuse you and drop you like a hot potato.

Embrace God’s never-ending love.  Read how much He loves you:

“As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us” (Psalm 103:12 NIV).

“But God demonstrates his love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).

“How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are” (1 John 3:1)!

“I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness” (Jeremiah 31:3).

True love is available to you right now! Call on His Name now!

God Bless!

Sam

Recommended Song” Don’t You Know I’ve Always Loved You by Third Day

We all know what it’s like to be thirsty or “Dying of thirst” as some of us say. Our lips dry up and parch.  Being thirsty can cause us to ingest liquids not necessarily healthy for us.  In our lives, we can even “drink” from wrong sources.

We can also get “thirsty,” spiritually-speaking. This is something seen everywhere worldwide.  There’s a thirst from within that yearns to be quenched.  Unfortunately, millions turn to “unhealthy” alternatives which can never satisfy.

King David, feeling alienated from God at a particular moment, wrote: “O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water” (Psalm 63:1 ESV).

So, why are people thirsty?   Too many things to drink, too many options, but only ONE source, Jesus!  I once saw a TV script that went something like this:

 Clerk: “What’ll you have with that?”

Client: “I’ll have a Cola.”

Clerk: “Will that be a Pepsi or a Coke?”

Client: “I’ll have a coke.”

Client: Will that be a Coca-Cola or an Un-cola?

Client: “Cola.”

Clerk: “Will that be large, medium, or small?”

Client: “Medium.”

Clerk: “Will that be a bottle or a can?”
Client: “Bottle.”

Clerk:  Will that be regular, un-sweetened or diet?

Client (Frustrated): “Regular!”

Clerk: “To stay or to go?”

Client: “Jeeze!! Just give me something to drink!!”

We have to drink Jesus’ Living Waters; He serves us all in every way!

“For my people have committed two evils: They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters, and hewed themselves cisterns-broken cisterns that can hold no water” (Jeremiah 2:13).

Have you forsaken God these days? Are you into humanism, psychology, mythology, and a host of other “cisterns” that leave you dry?  Are you drinking from fountains that temporarily satisfy but leave you thirsty next day?  Stop searching around dry areas for this precious source!  Drink from the fountain of youth! Only Jesus offers Living Waters!  He alone quenches our thirst. Just what does that mean?  From beliefs in self-improvement organizations, self-aggrandizements, self-empowering movements; and religions, nothing out there can fill spiritual emptiness with still waters.  Only Christ can.

“Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, “Rivers of living waters will flow from within them” (John 7:38).

Even in the wilderness Israel sang: “Spring up, O well-Sing to it” (Numbers 21:17).  Yep, no matter where you are in life, Jesus, the source of Living Waters, is there.  I’ll drink to that.

Drink up!

Sam

Everyone’s intrigued with giants.  People wonder what it’s like to be way-up there.  The Bible mentions several giants and people can’t get enough about them.  Of course, you’ll always have people who’ll claim to have new and fresh info.  It’s almost as if they were first-hand witnesses!  There’s stuff we know and stuff we can research.  Nevertheless, it’s pretty interesting to learn about people that were over 9 ft tall, even close to 16’ and taller, but, there’s a different giant that people miss.

God’s chosen people, fought many wars and defeated many kings and nations.  Yet, like many people-groups before and after them, some of the giants we face, are within us.  Nevertheless, we can conquer them too with God’s help. Who is this other giant?

Sometimes in cartoons, we’ll see a small ant or animal send a larger critter running for their lives, thinking “I showed him.” But then we realize that behind them there was a larger animal scaring off the enemy.  That’s what happened with God’s people when they went against their enemies.

“It was not by their sword that they won the land, nor did their arm bring them victory; it was your right hand, your arm, and the light of your face, for you loved them” (Psalm 44:3).

God was behind the scenes fighting for His people.  Another verse in Jeremiah 20:11(JUB) reads: But the LORD is with me as a powerful giant; therefore my persecutors shall stumble, and they shall not prevail; they shall be greatly ashamed; for they shall not prosper; they shall have everlasting confusion which shall never be forgotten.”

While most versions omit “Giant,”  and say “Powerful warrior,” the Spanish version, Reina Valera, doesn’t. Check this out:

“Mas Jehová está conmigo como poderoso gigante; por tanto, los que me persiguen tropezarán, y no prevalecerán; serán avergonzados en gran manera, porque no prosperarán; tendrán perpetua confusión que jamás será olvidada.”

The giant above all giants, Jehovah God, shall always fight on our behalf. This giant will never be defeated and will never perish.  You’ll never once read, “ATTENTION! God lost the battle at…” or that He was chased away…It’ll never happen!

So, besides our obedience and trust in Him, we’re to remember He’s the ONE fighting our battles.

God Bless!
Sam

If a song were to be selected as theme of the 2020 decade, I would go 100% for the Temptation’s Ball of Confusion.  Check out these random lyrics:

“Ball of confusion Oh yeah, that’s what the world is today, Woo, hey, hey…So round and around and around we go, Where the world’s headed, nobody knows…Fear in the air, tension everywhere…”

From rise in crime, to teen and preteen suicides, the world has gone nuts; yet, we’re living in it.  How do we keep our sanity? You do, still have it, right?  I know, it’s hard.  It’s preferable to sing the song because we like it than because we’re part of it.

One main reason for the chaos is that people lack discipline, self-discipline. People are out of control. Mayhem is rampant. We can’t account for others, but if we’re under control, it’s a start.  The more people controlling their anger, injustices, home-problems, etc., the more control we’ll see around us.

So, what’s the key? One of the biggest takeovers happened in silence. Can you imagine in today’s “yell-at-the-top-of-your-lungs” protests, conquering an enemy’s city without saying a word?

Joshua was to take over the city of Jericho. Easy strategy from God: Joshua’s army was to march around it once a day for six days in SILENCE! Then, skedaddle. On the seventh day, they marched around it seven times, again in silence! But at the trumpet sound, they shouted.  The miracle was not in taking over the city, but that “The walls fell down flat” not crumbling over (Joshua 6:1-20); denoting, God’s intervention, and not man’s work.

We’re not called to control a city, but rather to control our lives.  God sees a lack of self-discipline, similar to a chaotic city.

“Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control” (Proverbs 25:28).

God Bless!

Sam

Back in the 70s, David Holmes sang “I’ve got a nickel; I’ve got a nickel shiny and new…” I remember having shiny new nickels, they looked so good, I didn’t want to spend them!  If you’ve ever had something new and shiny like a bike, motorcycle, car, etc. you’ve wanted to protect it.  You clean it and buff it endlessly.  God has meant for His bride, the church, to shine brightly in the midst of a darkened world.

In the midst of conflict, natural disasters, turmoil, and unending hardship, the body of Christ rises to the occasion contributing with their God-given gifts.  As we cook, deliver food, goods, clothing, build shelters, provide counsel, insight, sing, embrace, or provide a myriad of other helpful gestures, we are glorifying God and lifting up Jesus through our selfless deeds.

Around the world, as chaos ensues, the body of Christ is quick to stand to its feet to assist his fellow man without seeking recognition, and thereby bring glory and honor to God.  Satan uses tumultuous situations around us to wreak havoc and to show the world that God doesn’t exist, but without saying a word, the Word, Jesus, is exemplified by our caring acts in a hurting world. As we honor our fellow man, we honor God. In doing so, we shine brightly and speak loudly without uttering a word.

God Bless!               

Sam

Back when I was 7, there lived a girl of about 14-15 who lived with her family across our building.  One day she asked my father if I could join them on a trip to Coney Island. Approved, I wore dark pants and I think a light blue shirt.  She brought along a nephew similar in age to me and happened to be wearing the same outfit!  We were like brothers on that trip. At Coney Island, cowboy hats were bought for us.

We enjoyed similar rides and activities-except one.  At one point, I went on a small roller coaster ride without him.  When the operator saw me, he said, “I see you’re a cowboy, that means you like to go fast.” Boy, I wanted to take off that hat so fast! My insides were saying “NO!”  But, round and round and up and down I went.  Got off and never ever went on roller coasters again-until our daughter tricked us into one a few years ago! 

Have you had your share of life’s up and downs?  Been roller-coasting for some time now?  Have you wanted to take off that “hat” for some time and yelled “NO!” every time another trial shows up? I can relate!  God understands!  Do you want a fresh beginning?  Need new direction?  Let’s learn a few things from God.

With the start of a new year, we want to live it up making sure not to miss anything.  We want to grab ahold of life.  We want to accomplish our dreams and pursue new heights.

Generally, our plans, dreams, and aspirations differ from God’s plans for us.  Our best bet is to line up ours with His.  Since He’s Jehovah-El Hay, the Living God, He challenges us to live life to the fullest. The first step to living for Him is to die to ourselves.  Only when we die can we fully allow God to live through us.  After death, we need to be buried with Him; that is, put sin to death in us.  How? Don’t practice it!  Sin is crucified in us through our spiritual death because Christ took it to the cross for us. We need to be sure the “Old Man” in us will not rise again.  Through His resurrection, we too share in it by rising from the dead!

Our next step is to share in His sufferings and truly identify with His meaning of life.  Life will have more meaning when we realize we no longer live, but Christ lives through us (Galatians 2:20).

Desire a better life? Die to self, lead others to death also, and to life through Jesus Christ, El-Hay; The Living God.

Happy New Year!
Sam

Originally shared with our church on January 20, 2005

Ever receive a blank check to cover losses or meet a need? Neither have I!  But some people have received such a blessing.  Imagine, being trusted to honestly write-in an amount required to cover the cost of a need this Christmas. God knows your needs as well as mine.  He’s made out a blank check with your name on it.  The amount, though, is one only He could pay. Knowing you need a Savior, Jesus paid full price for sin: by dying on a cross, and taking upon Himself the burden of our sins.

He not only bore the pain, shame, and suffering. He became a curse in our place. There are thousands of people living in shame either for things they’ve done, haven’t done, or for having been falsely accused.  So great is the shame, that many can’t face life anymore and sadly, so sadly, many have taken their lives.  Jesus took our shame upon Himself.  He knows what that’s like.  Upon the cross, the Holy God became sin that we might become His sons and daughters. He took upon Himself our unrighteousness that we might become righteous.

Oh, I know, to many, Christmas is way-past; by almost two weeks.  However, when Christ is in our hearts, we have a perpetual Christmas season because Jesus is born not in a manger, but into our hearts. But though the holiday is over, His blank check offer is still under the tree of your heart.

Like a Christmas gift, unwrap it, open it, receive it and deposit it in your life’s account. “Cha-ching!” Get direct deposit!  Jesus will reside within you, and while it won’t snow inside, you’ll still have a “white Christmas” cause – “Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow” (Isaiah 1:18)!

God Bless!

Sam