Finding Laughter In Difficult Times

Much as kids and grownups have nicknames, God has other names known as compound names. These names reveal or enhance His character and attributes.  They tell us more about how He is as well as what He does.  From time to time, I’ll be sharing on God’s Names. I wrote the following piece on November 7, 2005; twenty years ago, for our church.

FAITHFUL PROVIDER

Thanksgiving and testimonies go hand-in-hand.  Though our kids are now grown, looking back to 1984 to our native residence of Brooklyn, New York, they were small then. All three were below the age of four.  We were living on $2.00 for every two weeks from 1981-84.  I had no choice but to ride my bike16 miles to work each day regardless of the weather.  We finally moved to a brand new 12-family housing unit.  We were on the first floor.  Within months, I was without work and my parents had just moved to Puerto Rico. 

  Our church folk weren’t too generous; only two families helped us with $20.00 each throughout our 6-month ordeal; and neither were my five older brothers; with only the elder giving us $20 at the time.  They were “harder” than the hard times we experienced. From each offering, we paid our tithes and proceeded to buy much-needed items such as $2.00 sneakers for each kid and a $3.00 pair for Viv.  I remember our power bill being $17, and after our $2 tithes, we paid it. Survived on a buck.

Housing sent us to Welfare & Food Stamps (which we really felt bad about).  But soon we received an eviction notice (that’s another story), because the aid didn’t come through on time.  Thankfully, God came through at the last minute.

Our experience helped us decide not to be as “hard” as those around us were.  Monthly, we began sending $2.00 to several ministries, then increased our giving little by little to $10, $35, $50, etc.  For the last decade, we’ve been able to support 18 ministries besides our church on a yearly basis.  We’ve also helped in building 2 churches in India, 1 in Mexico, and 1 in Ghana.  We also began tithing from Food Stamps by giving 1 item for any 10 we bought, & thus started a food ministry at the church.

Another outcome was getting closer to God through prayer.  I built a kneeling prayer altar/stand where I’d pray with each of our kids before bedtime.  That led to our family services where our son, Gammy, & daughter, Milcah, sang & preached.  Baby Sarai, collected the offering.  We still hold our services with the girls.  Each day, one of us leads the service and one day a week, I hold a Bible study. (Sidenote; this was 20 years ago).

A few years later, after things got better, the church decided to take away the church van from us (my wife Viv used to pick folks up before church & return them after the service).  For a while, a family would drive us to church but then decided not to. They’d pass us by as we walked 26 blocks in all types of weather with 3 little ones, of which one was in a carriage.

As years passed, we had been looking forward to 1991as we were going to celebrate our tenth wedding anniversary.  The kids were going to with walk down the aisle with us and be the ringbearers.  We even bought the girls lovely white dresses and Viv bought a violet one with lace and all, but then we had to use the money towards purchasing a station wagon.  There was no wedding anniversary celebration; only very disappointed kids with new clothes.  Throughout all this and much more, God has always been faithful. 

None of us will ever reach a “Safe Place” where we can say, “We’ve made it.”  God will always stir the waters.  Our attitude towards trials will determine the outcome that God expects or doesn’t expect from us.  He wants to bend us; not backwards, but forward.  Forward to: 1. Servanthood, 2. Stewardship, 3. Dependence on Him. In our trials, we’re still walking in victory.  We need to press on. 

God wants us to take our focus off our needs and focus on the needs of others.  He’ll stir others to meet ours.  Let’s have a THANKSGIVING attitude; contribute to others.  As imitators of God, we need to be givers, not takers.  Give to missions and give to those in need around you.

He’s “Pistos” Faithful, Reliable, always coming through. He’s also Jehovah Jireh-the Provider.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Sam

SIDENOTE: We finally celebrated our 25^th anniversary, at ALF (Abundant Life Fellowship) in Puerto Rico on 6/6/6 with all three kids present; the girls as bridesmaids, and our son walked Viv down the aisle!

Everything around us changes! We used to watch a TV show, Ten Years Younger where a person was “On display” in a box where they couldn’t hear outside comments.  Passers-by would comment on the appearance.  After an overhaul, they’d stuff the person in the cubical again and listen to the opinions. Sometimes, the crowds believed the person was 15+ years younger!

Every generation undergoes its changes. I recently wrote that there were about 50 kids on our block when I was growing up. Upon re-examining that, I counted close to 100 kids I could name!  Over the years, changes in demographics dropped those numbers to under 25. But what a great time we had with so many kids going up/down, through, around, and over our streets, block, sidewalks, stoops, and everywhere!

Strong changes are on the horizon across the globe.  The prophet Daniel was told by God that people would travel to and from all over and that knowledge would increase (Daniel 12:4). That’s been seen over the last few decades.  Everyone’s on the move.  World leaders are on life-control; controlling people and telling us what to do and where to go.

China, has installed over 700 million face-recognition cameras to track people going to church, work, etc. But as usual, God will use what Satan plans as evil, for good.  China will one day witness on every camera billions of people vanishing before their very eyes! They’ll check, double-check, and even triple-check their connections only to discover they’ll have witnessed phase one of the biggest, most anticipated event ever- Christ’s worldwide trumpet-call home to believers!  Of course, initially, China and all nations controlled by the False prophet, will deny such event; but it’ll leak out!

To those called Home, immediate transformation will occur!  Nope, angels will not rewrap you with duct-tape, they will not retouch your eyelids, retrofit you with DEPENDS, glue any missing teeth, or send you “under the knife” in attempts to transform you!  No siree!  “We will be changed in an instant.  We’ll be given brand new bodies!  Even if you currently have “a body to die for,” it’s going to die! Or, maybe yours is a drop-dead, gorgeous body; in which case, it’ll decay because “Blood and flesh cannot inherit the kingdom of God” (1Corinthians 15:50)!  We’ll be spanking new! Everything about us will have undergone change-a God-given transformation unlike anything ever seen.

After Jesus’ resurrection, He received a glorified body: “A week later his disciples were in the house again and Thomas was with them, Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you” (John 20:26)!” His renewed body allowed Him to be here and there in no time!

We all need transformation! Having a new glorified body will be great, but changing into looking like Jesus is really something else! “But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord” (2 Corinthians 3:18).

God’s already working in us!!! And I’m a firm believer that in heaven you’ll look and feel at least 80 years younger than now!  No more creams, no rituals, no canes, no walkers, no glasses or contacts, and no stranger to God’s goodness and holiness!

Sign up and get transformed NOW!

God Bless!
Sam

Ever been told you’re old, caput, decrepit, ready to ship out, no good, or over the hill?? Like or it or not, we will all be over the hill soon enough.  Nothing out there can stop aging!

Two weeks ago, the power company announced to our “good” neighbors that they would be working in our area on a Friday for close to 10,5 hours.  Everyone knew it except my family.  No one told us. As I headed out shopping, I noticed several power trucks nearby, but since power had gone out, I thought they were there to fix it.  WRONG!  I returned around 11:30 and saw the area blocked off.  One of the workers told me they had just begun and that it’d be a while.  So, I waited 90 minutes before a brother of a neighbor told me they’d be there until 6pm.

I parked, called my wife to come down to help with the groceries.  We walked our nearly quarter mile uphill all the way with our road being the killer-hill (pretty steep).  Since we both have injured backs and leg issues, we really felt that climb!

In the ten hours there to install two posts, they only installed one. They left around 6:40 pm and flicked the power on at another location. It lasted about 10 seconds before a slight explosion took place, meaning there would be no power the entire day and night until next morning around 9:30 am. Not to mention no power Saturday night until 4pm Sunday…

The “responsible” power company stated they’d return Monday to finish the job.  No one came any day that week nor the next-until yesterday, Friday, unannounced.  As my wife, my mom, and I headed out shopping, we saw the trucks arriving.  Food-wise, we bought very little in case they were headed to our area. When we returned around 11 am, we had to park away from home again.  Holding my 88-year-old mom’s hand, we climbed our mountain. Out of breath, but excited to make it up the hill, I then realized the house keys were left in the car! I had to climb back down, walk to the car to retrieve them, and climb again!

After power returned several hours later, back down the hill I went (making sure I had the car keys!) to get my car.  I guess one good climb deserves another!

Scripture tells us, that as the end of a 3.6-year drought neared, Elijah told his servant to go look over the hill for water to come, but no water came.  He did this a few times, but on the7^th climb, the servant told him, “I saw a little cloud about the size of man’s hand rising from the sea.” “And soon the sky was black with clouds.  A heavy wind brought a terrific rainstorm…” (1Kings 18:44,45).

For us, even if we’re “over the hill,” God still comes through victoriously!  Thankfully, I only climbed up and down my hill, twice!  My suggestion is you should climb a hill for a mountaintop experience! It might leave you out of breath, but you’ll see God’s hand at work; especially when He tells you to go out and see what’s there.  In Him, you’re not over the hill because being on the hill with us, He strengthens us!

God Bless!
Sam

My brother and I spent many hours watching El Zorro while growing up. We’d spar with sticks, plastic swords, or anything that would work until one of us was down and out! Sometimes, we’d be cornered behind a couch, a chair, or a table.  Since we didn’t have stairs, we’d jump on our sofas and battle it out.  Our imaginations ran with us!

Several years ago, I learned about Errol Flynn. Watched him take on all sorts of villains in his action-packed movies.  Both he and Zorro, and The Three Musketeers would shout, “On Guard” as they drew their swords to fight off evil.  There was great action there!  And so, as kids we were all the better because we leaned into the world of make-believe.

God tells us the same words! “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong” (1 Corinthians 16:13).

But don’t put away that sword just yet!  Because we’re admonished to: “Be on your guard and stay awake.  Your enemy, the devil, is like a roaring lion, sneaking around to find someone to attack.  But you must resist the devil and stay strong in your faith” (1Peter 5:8-9).  In other words, just as our sword-wielding friends scanned their surroundings, and made sure their footing was safe on solid ground, Jesus wants us to be aware of the evil around us knowing who the real enemy is (Satan, not a group of people) and to take action by wielding the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Ephesians 6:17).

If we don’t have the word of God in our hearts and minds, we’re dead meat. It is imperative that we know His word, since He is the Word (John 1:1). Be ready for the enemy!

Finally, Proverbs 4:23 tells us, “Above all else, guard your heart; for everything you do flows from it.”

Knowing the word and having Jesus inside of us is like having bullets and a rifle but not knowing how to use them or when and why. From our heart flows every imaginable idea. We need to make sure everything within our heart lines up with God’s word and plans for us.

Therefore, “On guard!” Whether on stairs, sofas, beds, the floor, the ground, at work, at home, or church, be ready to corner the devil (in Jesus’ Name) and defeat him through Christ’s shed blood on Calvary!

God Bless!
Sam 

Let’s journey back to the early 60s when life was vastly different from today.  My mom is twenty years older than me, and my dad was 25 years older than her. My dad was business oriented.  He was super-serious looking, but very funny. He was quiet and preferred to be alone.  Mom, on the other hand, though very funny too, came from a talkative family.  She and her sisters could talk all the way between the Bronx and Brooklyn without a phone!  They were yap, yap, yap all the time.  By the way, my aunt’s two daughters are the same way as are my two daughters, though our girls are more reserved!

When her family visited ours, my dad wasn’t too keen on the visit.  They were the type that after knocking on the door and my mom went to greet them with outstretched arms, while her mom hugged her, the others ducked under and headed straight to the kitchen.  They raided it like locusts upon crops leaving practically nothing behind!  My aunt G., would go straight for the Ritz Crackers and shred them apart.  Back then, the crackers didn’t come wrapped in rolls inside a box; they just filled the boxes to the top.  She’d talk, eat, laugh, chew, listen, swallow, sing, eat, watch TV, chew, etc. with one hand in the box making sure not to miss a single crumb.

Mind you, Brooklyn apartments were tiny and our kitchen was tight. Forget those new TV shows where kitchens are measured as two or four-butt kitchens with an island, hutches, breakfast nooks, etc.  This was the 60s and our kitchen was probably the size of a breakfast nook and ideal for half-a-butt!  My grandma and two aunts would sit at the table like statutes carved into it!  And they were loud!!! My dad “smoked,” I mean, fumed where smoke made its way up his collar!

If watching TV, they were the type yelling, “OH, MY GOD!!!!! WHAT WAS THAT?? THAT’S UMM, UMM, WHAT’S HER NAME??? NO, THE OTHER ONE!  And they slapped you on the back and your popcorn and chips went flying-which they grabbed mid-air and chewed on.  And when they laughed, they fell to the floor rolling over. They added drama to any show or movie!

They were known for loving surprises too-the very thing my dad hated!  This one time when we opened the door, they said, “SURPRISE!! Guess what?!?” (you’re at the wrong house? We thought and hoped) “We brought you someone!!” Besides my grandma, two aunts, one with her two daughters, and two uncles, they’d brought my other aunt’s husband and two kids as well!  What was worse than getting all the aforementioned into the kitchen?  Carrying the little ones in there too!  That’s the reason my wife decided she can’t have a walk-in kitchen where you’re trapped and cornered if people go in.  We have two openings; one being an escape route.

If there was a face for disappointment, my dad had it!  Unfortunately, the family was clueless.  He once locked himself in his bedroom the entire time and my grandma asked mom, “Is it that he doesn’t feel well?”  They never suspected it was their mannerisms and cultural ways.  They were being normal…only theirs was a different world!

One Christmas, after everyone had left, I showed my dad a flat box found in his room.  He said to me, “If you want a tie, take it!” I said, “How do you know it’s a tie?! He said, “It’s what they always give me!”  Skeptically, I opened it and was very surprised to see he was right!  I kept it!

Ever been surprised? YEEZE, who hasn’t?! God’s never surprised by anything we say or do.  When we make it to heaven-all billions of us, He’s not going to go nuts. He’s anticipating not a visit, but a permanent stay!  He won’t go bananas; even if my family shows up-or yours!  Though, there might be restrictions!!! NAH!! Everything will be supervised and in order.  This time around, my dad and I will be the ones raiding the kitchen!  I look forward to Oreos, chocolate ice cream, Chips-ahoy, powder- covered jelly doughnuts, and some cakes!  “Oh stop, stop” I’ll say to the angels; stop offering and just leave it there!” Probably, best of all for my dad, kitchens will be larger and there’ll be no more ties to wear!

 If you’re unsaved, and your world collides with another’s, remember God’s Kingdom is waiting for you!  If you’re a child already, God’s Kingdom is within you (Luke 17:20).

“The Spirit and “the Bride say, “Come.”  And let the one who hears say, “Come.”  And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price” (Revelation 22:17).   

God’s knocking on the door of your heart! Answer it and let Him in!  He’s got a surprise for you: Eternal Life!  Meanwhile, I’ll be “waitin’ for ya” outside the kitchen!

God Bless!
Sam

It was probably April,1973 when all the guys and girls on the block were outside.  It was a Sunday and everyone was either running around, playing, talking, hanging out, or listening to music.  Since Daylight Savings had just sprung forward, it was pure daylight outside.  Suddenly, I looked at the clock in Antenette’s Deli, and couldn’t believe it was about 8:15 pm!  I shouted out the time and everyone was shocked! We were all used to going up at 7 during school time.

“It’s what time?!” asked Nilsa. “After 8!” we shouted. She quickly called her 4 sisters and rushed them in. “See you guys tomorrow,” she said.  “Yep” was our response.  Everyone called his brothers up and “away we all went. Games of tag ended, handball was over, freeze-tag thawed, and silence took over. Footballs in the air were caught and tucked away. Passing 8 pm doesn’t seem like a big deal nowadays, but back then, we were a bunch of very responsible kids.  Everyone knew when to head up, and we’d do it.

The lure of daylight fooled us all! We just couldn’t believe our parents didn’t open the windows and shout us in, or, as in the case of friend, Maria Lugo, get chased with slippers (a girly thing)!  This was schooltime and it was strict!  Summertime was different, it’d get dark at 8:45-9:00.  A great time to be outside.  A few years ago, we visited North Carolina, near Waynesville, and it was super-bright at 8:30; almost like 6:30 a.m. At 9, it was still bright. Sun went down at 9:30! It was delightful!

Just imagine when we land in heaven! Not even Alaska will compare!  It won’t be 23 hours of daylight, but an eternity of it!  No sun will be needed because God’s glory will cover us all!  No night, no darkness, no terror, no horror, no gory-only glory!

Seems like we’ll be outside most of the time! Games of Tag will go on endlessly, handball will continue as long as possible, and thawed games of freeze-tag will resume! Football spirals or bullets, will be caught and touchdowns will continue in the midst of roars! Most importantly, we’ll be in the presence of God, The Son, and The Holy Spirit forever rejoicing in all things that are good!  There’ll be popcorn galore-heavily buttered; popsicles in all flavors, and of course, mouth-watering burgers and hotdogs for all!

If you’re finding yourself enveloped in darkness, call upon the Name of Jesus and He will dispel it! Come to the Light and get a foretaste of what’s to come!  Be comforted with Psalm 18:28, “For You, O LORD, are my lamp; the LORD lights up my darkness.” And: “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12 ESV).

How marvelous to be in the light and never have to fear darkness or the unknown again! Nothing but God’s goodness permeating every inch of heaven and beyond! Be comforted with these last words:

“There shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the LORD God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever” (Revelation 22:5).

God Bless!
Sam

Saturday night turned into a comedy event. It was pouring out all evening.  I had unplugged our water pump, located outside. Tried several times to run out and plug it, but to no avail. I finally had the chance and ran out to tackle it, which made me happy.  When it’s not power outage, it’s water not “gone-age.”  The pump is always needed because water goes quickly when least expected.  As soon as I walked into the living room, I noticed something swooping by!

It went near my small table which had my tall cup of hot water which I drink often for my upset stomach. As I went near it, I spilled the water all over my left thigh. Soaked on one side, I noticed a bat flying crazily all across our cathedral ceiling! “Oh no!” I thought.  “Not again!” We had had two several months back. They’re extremely dangerous.  I saw it fly upstairs, so I ran up.  Searched everywhere but couldn’t find it.

I came down and told my 88-year-old mom to hide in her room and close the door behind her. She did, and quickly opened it saying, “It’s in here!” My wife and I yelled, “Get out and close the door!” Then, like in a scene from the Great Outdoors, and looking like John Candy and Dan Akroyed, my wife and I, armed with brooms, entered the room. We swung high, swung low.  Belted the bat on the curtains.  It flew; we ducked! It swooped; we yelled!  More swoops and I yelled, “Don’t whack me, Viv!”  “I’ll try not to,” she snapped.  We laughed as we swung all around narrowly missing each other. It flew to a small table where I finally sprayed it with roach spray paralyzing it for a moment, then whacked it to the floor where I pounce on it with the broom as it lay hopelessly. I finished it off, swooped it up into a dust pan, and flushed it away forever!  It was worse than the 103 large, ugly spiders we’ve had to deal with this year!  We were glad it was gone, and it was more exciting than a late movie! All in a day’s work!

Sometimes, in life’s ebb and flow, we’re flying high, grooving with God overcoming all obstacles.  But sometimes, we’re down and out flying low unaware of the snares before us; yet Jesus is ever beside us. “I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you” (Luke 10:19).

Let’s gear up to riding high over all the LORD has set before us!  Let’s bat those bats away!

“Then you will delight in the LORD, and I will make you ride over the heights of the land, and let you enjoy the heritage of your father Jacob.’ For the mouth of the LORD has spoken” (Isaiah 58:14 CSBA).

God Bless!

Sam

Back in the early 90s, my family and I visited Puerto Rico.  Along with my mom, we headed to the country to visit some cousins.  A dusty dirt road led to their houses.  Grass was everywhere and I parked the red1966 Oldsmobile on the grass about 30 yards away from the house. It was a nice sunny day.  Maybe two hours after we were inside, it poured.  Once all had dried, we decided to head to my mom’s place. The car, of course, was stuck in mud. After trying all kinds of things, we finally put some pieces of lumber underneath the rear tires, and with my wife at the wheel, I pushed hard.  As the wheels spun, my wife was able to take off but not before an army of mud slapped the lower half of my body!  I had been pelted with dirt galore!

I was probably a 32” waist at the time, but all my cousin could find were a pair of shorts probably size 38!  I felt like those guys in western movies wearing a barrel up to their chests to cover their shame!

Aside from mud pits or mud fights, have you found yourself muddied recently?  That is, caught up in life-damaging situations that has brought you shame?  Whether it’s substance abuse or illicit affairs, there’s all type of dirt out there that pelts us right where it hurts-our dignity.  Ditch the mudpies!

Muddied, Distorted!

Many people have found themselves in these situations. It’s not a justifiable thing.  It’s what they have done afterwards that counts.  One biblical character, King David, found himself in muddy waters (Oh, not collaborating with the singer bearing that name). Listen to him: “He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings” (Psalm 40:2).

David was rescued by God and given new direction in life. Is that what you need? If you’re deep in mud, you need out; but not by a guru or a following into higher transcendence, no, no hums or a-umm… No, you need rescuing by God into His kingdom. What is that new direction that God gave David? Check it out: “And he has put a new song in my mouth, and even praise unto our God; many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD” (Psalm 40:3).

Like Adam and Eve, covering yourself with inappropriate fig-leaves (which wither in no time), or oversized shorts, won’t work. Too many people try covering their shame before God; it doesn’t work! “He who covers his sins, will not prosper” (Proverbs 28:13). So, what do I do? Read Isaiah 61:10

“I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God: for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness.”

Go to God and get blanketed with God’s robe of righteousness! He’ll take away the “mud.”  His cleansing power removes the stain of sin in your life!  You won’t have to run home and change your garments cause Jesus cleanses you and declares you righteous before God’s eyes!  No more muddied waters but Living Waters (John 7:38; Revelation 22:1-2)!

No more mud-cleaned!

God Bless!
Sam

Recommended Song: Sweet Glow of Mercy by Gary Chapman

For decades, there has been a Prosperity Gospel; a “Name it, claim it” gospel. In my opinion, this movement is for prideful people.  It’s about people who may have come to the Lord but obviously haven’t died to themselves.  It’s comprised of individuals who can’t let go of their Ferraris, Lamborghinis, jewelry, etc. They remain attached to everything they were to let go of.

For decades, I was a cyclist. I preferred biking over anything else.  Back in 1979, I rode 5,000 miles on bike but only 1000 on my motorcycle.  My current vehicle is 23 years old.  Would I promote “Come, join the Prosperity Gospel and claim the latest Muscle car” when I myself don’t care for them? I remember having a hard time spending $30 bucks on good shoes back in the late 80s in NY. and one day, a somewhat pompous young lady at church hit the ceiling because something spilled on her $100 shoes. Back then, I had never heard of hundred-dollar shoes! They looked like the $25 ones my wife wore!  

I, for one, am not at all interested in any type of jewelry.  Didn’t even want to wear a wedding band.  Would I go nuts over gold, precious stones, etc.? Nope. I like stones as far as veining goes for countertops or for artwork, but it’s not the same.

When Jesus walked the earth, I’m sure there were some who thought He lived in luxury.  They probably expected to see his floors overlayed in gold and find his sofas buried under gold coins. Instead, He told one person, “Come see where I live…” The religious leaders of the day probably felt the same way. If He were the Son of God, why didn’t He dress the part?

Satan uses what we offer him. If we expect riches and treasure troves, he’ll tempt us with that. That’s what’s likely to occur when the antichrist surfaces; he’ll probably emerge with chains down his neck, name-brand clothing, 2 billion followers, expense accounts, and with chauffeurs in luxury vehicles. 

Like Jesus, he might feed the 5000, except he’ll probably get them wagyu or rib-eye steaks.  No doubt, he’ll deceive everyone by giving them what they expect.  Like the “King” that he is (NOT), he’ll flaunt his wealth. He’ll heal the sick, and as scripture points out, he’ll be promoted by the False Prophet so that “He’ll do great wonders, so that he makes fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men” (Revelation 13:13).  Of course, he’ll be empowered by Satan.

Jesus has called us to walk pleased with the things we have (Hebrews 13:5) and not be tied down by the weight of sin (Hebrews 12:1).  He can make us rich, but it’s for His glory and for His kingdom, and it shouldn’t possess us. Prosperity comes in being rich in Christ; if you have the Son, you’re rich.  Besides, if you have all the world’s riches now, what’s there to look forward to in heaven?  What ‘ya gonna say? “Man, my old one was ten times better than this…” Better to be surprised by whatever God gives us, since He never disappoints.

God Bless!

Sam

A lot of items we buy come with expiration dates.  Some will say: Safe to use by: Best if used by: Use before: etc.  These are dates chosen by manufacturers to track freshness and usability. While a carton of milk doesn’t know when its time is up, it can last upwards of 2 weeks beyond its expiration date with freshness depending on fridge temp.

Now, I know there are people that go bonkers when something in their fridge is about to expire. They begin “sweatin’ bullets.” Their noses become vacuum cleaners sniffing out any potential bad odors waving their hands upwards as they say, ‘Come on baby, give me that already- going-bad smell.’  They’ll serve themselves a large chunk of cake or pack of Oreos (which they’ve been eyeing for two days anyways), and they’ll down it with all the milk they can.  Of course, they’ll have a sad face available if needed to justify themselves.  Afterall, someone’s got to save the world… Actually, the dates are just guidelines.  Most items can remain on shelves longer than the shown dates. If you want ultimate freshness in your meat, hunt, skin it, dress it and eat it the same day.

You and I were born (or hatched, if you believe you evolved from Mother Goose), with and expiration date.  It isn’t stamped on our foreheads, but within our hearts and lives-or eggshells. This expiration isn’t based on our heights, race, creed, or age. Only God, the Creator, knows each date. So, what happens when we expire?  We drop dead.  We all know that, but that’s not the issue. The Angel of Death knows where to take us; to its abode where darkness permeates the abyss. Upon expiration, there’s no second chance to change your course. You will either suffer separated from God or smell of freshness and victory in His presence. If we’re “Rescued” before our death date, God’s angels will guide us to His eternal abode: heaven.

So, what does your expiration date show?  That you expire in two days, three years, a decade?  Will you remain on a shelf? Are funny smells emitting from you?  Will you go bonkers sweatin’ bullets eating everything around the house? Will you get high, go womanizing, spend your money, or will you do good? Maybe you’ll help those in need, or will you sit on a shelf and cry?  After all, you will be meeting with Jesus who’ll be judging your life.                

  Will you get saved?  In that case, there’s no death-expiration!  As your internal clock winds down and takes its last tick, it’ll tick anew in heaven in fullness of life with Jesus and will never die again!

Satan thought Jesus had an expiration date.  He tried advancing His death.  He figured Jesus would rot in hell where he, Satan, lived, and that He had been defeated.   But one of life’s greatest mystery was to unfold!  Unbeknown to the world, Satan, and his demonic hosts, Death could not hold Jesus down! He laid down His life and took it up again (John 10:18)!  He sits at the right hand of the Father praying for us daily!  You might be far past your expiration date (woo!) and beginning to show foul smells, but Jesus is allowing you those extra days to choose Him!  When we do, we’re like prefume!  “For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and by those who are perishing” (2Corinthians 2:15). You can become sweet-smelling in Christ, for Christ. Choose NOW before you expire!  Tick, tick, tick…

God Bless!
Sam