Category Archives: Meditations

Inspirational writing

Meditations, Poetry

DON’T LOOK BACK

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boy looking forward his hand to his head. blue-eyed. blonde in a blue sweater. Isolated on white background

“Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old” (Isaiah 43: 18-19).

Leroy “Satchel” Paige was a baseball star with the Negro Leagues who later played in the Majors. Though he was an excellent player, noted for his fastball and showmanship, sportswriters often criticized, ridiculed, and over-looked him. In spike of his troubles, he was still able to counsel others with many witty statements.  One of those statements that we can all adopt as our own is “Don’t look back – something might be gaining on you.”

In his acceptance speech to the Hall of Fame, Paige said that that “Don’t look back” statement kept him going through all the hard times in his life.  Like Paige, we can all profit from focusing ahead rather than looking back.

In Isaiah 43: 18-19, God urged his chosen people to forget the things of old.  Sure, He was speaking to Israel assuring them of a future victory in escaping an impending oppression.  However, I hear Him speaking to you and me as well.  His lesson to us is this: We should not cling to the things in our past, especially those things that have cause us great harm.  For, if we hang on to the injuries from our past, we can never behold the healing that awaits us in our future.  If we are truly God’s children, our future is always brighter than our past.  How?  It holds the promise of a wonderful hope – a new life in Him.

As we journey into 2016, let us remember to leave these horrible things behind:  hate, hurt, anger, pain, fear, and doubt.  They burden us and prevent us from arriving safely to our destination – a bountiful life today and an everlasting life in your future.

Prayer:    Heavenly Father, as we travel life’s journey, rid us of the temptation to look back.  Help us to break free of those things that will imprison us in the past.  Always, keep our eyes straight ahead – focused on you.   In Jesus name, we pray.  Amen.

 

Meditations

WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

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Unhappy Girl Being Bullied In Class

“ Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy” (Proverbs 31: 9).

A popular reality show, “What Would You Do,” creates life situations of injustice to see if ordinary people will step in to rescue others. John Quinones, the show’s host, records the scenes and later speaks with a witness about his reason for defending or not defending the victim. It is dishearten to see that many people will not act to defend the rights of innocent victims. Are they right or wrong? According to Solomon, they certainly are wrong. Solomon instructs us in Proverbs 31:8-9 to speak up for the poor and for those who can’t defend themselves.

The next time you find yourself in a what-would-you-do situation, be sure to follow Jesus’ example. He stepped in one day to help a woman facing execution by stoning for her sin. As the story goes, the Pharisees and scribes brought an adulterous woman to Jesus telling Him that the woman was caught in the act. In His wisdom, instead of condemning the women, Jesus taught the accusers a lesson in compassion by defending her. He told the one without sin to cast the first stone. One by one, they walked away because they too were all guilty of sin. In the end, Jesus and the woman were left alone, and He asked her, “Where are your accusers. Are there none?” She told him that no man accused her. Jesus forgave her and told her to go and sin no more (John 8: 1-30).

As a Christian, it is our duty to speak up for right. We should never stand by and watch the innocent, the poor, or the needy bullied or misused by others.

Prayer: Dear God, give us the strength and the desire to fight for those in need. Help us to speak up for others, even if it means that we ourselves will suffer. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Meditations

WILL YOU DIE FOR JESUS?

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Jesus Christ on the cross in stained glass

“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends” (John 15: 13 KJV).

In John 15: 13, we read that there is no greater love than for a man to die for his friend. Of course the reference is to the sacrifice that Jesus made. He willingly suffered and died so that we might live, so that we might escape eternal damnation. Considering that one good deed deserves another, my question to you this Easter season is this: Jesus died for you.  Are you willing to die for Him?

Dying for Jesus might mean simply giving up your old corrupt life and devoting all your new time and energy to His service.   Are you willing to lay down your comfortable life in America and give up all to work in a poverty-stricken country like Haiti or an Ebola infected area like West Africa caring for the “least of these”? Dying for Jesus might mean defending His Word even in the face of danger. Are you willing to defend Jesus’ commandments to your death so that all will see and know them, so that His laws may stand as a beacon of light in public places along with other official documents of our culture? I could go on and on, but I ask you again: if the situation presents itself, will you die for Jesus?

As Christians we are called to make the ultimate sacrifice and follow Jesus. If our love, faith, and hope are anchored in Christ, then we should be able to follow Him even to the grave.

 Prayer:   Almighty God, we are grateful for your unselfish love.  Touch our hearts   so that we may joyfully return that love by demonstrating extraordinary acts love in all walks of life.  In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Meditations

DEFEND YOUR RIGHT

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“And when the scribes and Pharisees saw Him eat with publicans and sinner, they said unto His disciples, How is it that He eats and drinks with publicans and sinners. When Jesus heard that, He said unto them, They that are whole need not a physician, but they that are sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance” (Mark 2: 16-17).

Sometimes we are pressured to discriminate against others that are different. It happens quite frequently in schools. As a child on campus, you probably heard one group telling another to not have anything to do with those children from that side of town.   Grown- ups also pressure others to separate. No doubt, someone has told you, “You need to stay away from those low-life people.” When holier-than- thou friends try to get you to disassociate from others that they think are not good enough, what do you do? Do you yield under pressure, or do you defend you right to associate with whomever you please? If you defend your rights, you are following Jesus’ example.

In Mark 2: 16, we read that the scribe and Pharisees asked Jesus’ disciples, “How is it that He eats and drinks with publicans and sinners?” Jesus overhears this act of pressure and responds with the perfect defense. In a sense, he tells them that the “well” needs no doctor; the sick does. Jesus came to save sinners. Since He came to save sinner, He mingled freely with whomever needed saving. If that included the liar, the prostitute, the backbiter, the poor; then, so be it. He had to relate with them in order spread the gospel to them.

The next time someone tries to pressure you to exclude anyone, will you stand for what is right even if it causes others to criticize you? Many times we stay within the church walls and minister to members for fear of associating with the wrong people.   Will you  go wherever you need to go, and talk to whomever you need to, if that is what it takes to save sinners? Of course, you will, and you will never surrender to the pressure to exclude.

Prayer: Dear God, we realize that many have surrendered to the pressure to exclude others. Help us to discern what is right and stand firm to defend that right even if it means being criticized by our peers.  In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

 

Meditations

LET’S GO HOME

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LET’S GO HOME.

Meditations, Poetry

THE WAY TO ETERNAL LIFE

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WIN_20140915_004053 (2)“

I am the way, the truth and the life.  No man cometh to the Father but by me”  (John 14: 6).

A Garmin is a Global Positioning System that gives directions to any desired destination in the US. Just type in the address of where you are going, and it will direct you there. If by chance you take the wrong road, it will tell you to stop and guide you in the right direction. It is almost impossible to get lost with a Garmin on board while traveling.

Have you ever worried about the way to eternal life? Wouldn’t it wonderful if we could use a Garmin to guide us there, too? It would, but heaven is outside of the Garmin’s vast network.   On the other hand, we do have something that is more effective than a Garmin – the Bible. If we follow it, there is no need to worry about the way to eternal life. Better than the Garmin, it will get us there.

In John 14: 6, Jesus tells us that He is the way . In other words,  He is the mediator between God and man- the road up which we must all travel to get to the kingdom. According to His directions, first , we must believe, repent, be baptized (Acts 2:38).  Second, we must follow His statures and do all the good we can  (Ephesians 2:10).  If we fail to measure up to His standards and get on the wrong road, remember that “He is just to forgive” (1 John 1:9).  Like a Garmin, the Bible will  redirect us to the right road.

Finally, remember this: Jesus has said that He was going to prepare a place for us in his father’s house (John 14: 1-2). Remain faithful to Him, and He will remain faithful to His word.

Prayer: Heavenly father, we thank you for your son Jesus who suffered and died so that we might have eternal life. Help us to follow His directions so that none will get lost as we travel the way home to you.   In Jesus’ name, we pray.  Amen.

Meditations, Poetry

MY DREAM OF SALVATION

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“That in the dispensation of the fullness of time he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth, even in Him” (Ephesians: 1:10).

            Martin Luther King, Jr. had a dream of racial equality. He dreamed that one day all people, black and white, in America would live together in harmony united under one creed. I, too, have a dream. It also deals with unity, but not necessarily with races. I have a dream that one day all God’s people, both those who love Him and those who despise Him now, will unite as one in Him.

In my dream before Christ’s second coming, all people on earth will put their faith in Him. Even those who are Satan’s disciples and who have been children of darkness all their lives, will bow –not just out of fear, but out of faith — to Christ near the end of time. On the day when everyone is truly united in Christ, the trumpeter will signal the “fullness of time.” It is then that Jesus will gather all His creation unto Him. In my dream, no one will be lost.

Some may argue that my dream is contrary to all prophetic teachings about the end time. It certainly is, but still I dream. Why Not? My hope and faith is in a God of love, a God of mercy, a God of grace.   I believe in a forgiving God who has taught me to love my enemies and to do good to those who despitefully use me. What will keep Him from accepting all into His kingdom if all turn to Him and truly lift Him up? My answer is … nothing!

In Matthew 28: 18-20, we read the Great Commission. In it, Jesus instructs His disciples to go into the entire world to teach people about Him and to baptize all in the name of the trinity. It seems to me that from the very beginning, Jesus’ intentions were that all come to know Him and be saved from hell and damnation. Is that not why He allowed His crucifixion?

As Christians, it is our duty to evangelize the world and to unite all people unto God. We all have a role to play in God’s plan for us. Are you doing your part to make sure that Jesus’ invitation and my dream of salvation for all come true?

Prayer: Heavenly Father,   we pray that you withhold your wrath and judgment until all gather around your throne and worship you in truth. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Meditations, Poetry

COMING, COMING, COMING SOON!!!

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I AM ANNOUNCING THE DEBUT OF OUTSIDE THE GATES OF HEAVEN, MY NEW BOOK OF MEDITATIONS  WHICH WILL BE PUBLISHED IN LATE DECEMBER.

Below is an example of what you can expect from it.  READ AND ENJOY!!

Burdened by Life’s Journey, Feel Free to Stop

“All that the father giveth  me shall come to me; and him that come to me I will in no wise cast out” (John 6:37).

               Our house sat by the side of a railroad track, no more than a hundred yards away. The trains of 25 to 30 cars rumbled and thundered by several times a day in the late fifties and sixties. You would think that the noise was distracting, but it was not. I guess the noise, like bad smells, deadened our sense overtime so that those of us living near the track were not bothered by it. There was one thing though that was quite a nuisance. It was the never ending string of hobos or vagabonds that drifted from the train to our house in search of food, clothes, odd jobs, or a night’s lodging. To my dismay, my father never turned any of them away. When I asked him why, he said, “You should never turn a stranger away from your door.”

When I grew older, I realized that Dad was following Jesus’ example.   According to John 6:37, Jesus never rejects anyone who comes to Him either. He accepts all because He wants all to be saved. In fact, He constantly extends an invitation to any wayward traveler. It doesn’t matter if you are a drug addict, a murderer, a liar, a child abuser, an African American, a Mexican, a Muslim, a sex offender, an AIDS patient, or a homeless person. His cry to you is, “Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28).

Overtime, many trains stopped their regular schedules, and hobos faded away into history. Dad died in the eighties, but the house still stands by the side of the railroad. Just as Jesus’ invitation still stands offering a rescue mission to all who are willing to come. So, if you are burdened by life’s journey, feel free to stop. He will not cast you out.

Dear God, we thank you for your gracious invitation to come to you. May all respond willingly knowing that you will provide an everlasting home free from all cares? In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Meditations

Let Go of the Fear of Dying

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Meditation

And deliver those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.

Hebrews 2:15

            Your attitude about death is very important.  What is your view? Is death a thief whose job is to steal you away from your family and friend or a welcomed visitor whose delight is to accompany you on your journey to the Father?   If you believe that death is a thief and you spend your life worrying about him, then you will live the rest of your life like a prisoner, shut-in from the joy and gusto of real living. Heaven forbid!

Old age should be the best stage in a person’s life.  For, it is a time when responsibility is at a minimum.   There is no job to worry about, and there are no children to fuss over. We are free at last to do whatever we want. Yet, instead of seizing the opportunity to do those things that we postponed for our golden years, too many of us spend our time fearing dying.  Let it go!

Jesus conquered death with His dying on the cross.  Therefore, why fear it?  As people of faith, we should always have a positive attitude about living and dying.  Why?  We know that God, our protector, provider, and counselor, will still take care of us no matter what.  We also know that if we remain faithful to God until the end, dying is a just means to a better life.   So, embrace the here and now; it is ours to enjoy. Welcome death; it is the only a passageway to our heavenly home.

Gracious Father, we pray that you free us from all fears, especially the fear of dying.  Help us to live out our old age with unquestionable worth until we are called home to live with you in peace.  In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Meditations

One Day at a Time

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Meditation for Day 9

“This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.”

     Psalm 118: 24

                Yesterday, today, and tomorrow: these are times of our lives.  Too often our yesterdays are crammed with regrets.  For, we spend one-half of our time worrying about those things that we left undone, or we spend time crying about the things that we tried and failed.  Our future is always a veil through which we cannot see.  As a result, we spend the other half of our time anxious about it.  We worry about what is going to happen to our children, whether we are going to able to pay the bills, or who is going to care for us in our old age.  In truth, we spend so much time looking back at yesterday  and looking ahead at tomorrow that we fail to live happily in the today.

The writer of Psalm 118 declares that he will rejoice in the today? How can we have joy today if we spend our times worrying about yesterday and tomorrow? Impossible! What we need to do is release yesterday; it has already happened.  There is no changing it.  Trust God to order our future; he and only he has the power to do so.  After we have taken our eyes of yesterday and tomorrow, then we can have room to rejoice and be glad in the now.   In other words, live one day at a time.

Gracious God,  In this new year, help us to let go of the regrets of the past and the anxieties about the future so that we can rejoice and be glad today.  In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.