Show Me Your Ways Lord

By Gabriel Baptiste

This devotional seeks to depict how accessible the God of the universe has made himself to mankind. Utilizing everyday objects of his vast creation, God seeks to reveal himself to humanity, and he does this in many ways. Nature reveals the glory and majesty of God’s total ownership of this world and its inhabitants. God also communicates with us through the written Word. The Holy Spirit impresses the conscience of man to live a morally upright life. The aim of this journal is to acquaint all readers with God’s wonderful love for the human family.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Nov 30, 2017
• ISBN: 9781543459746

Gabriel Baptiste

Gabriel Baptiste is a practicing Christian believer and serves as an ordained elder in his local church. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Theology with a minor in history from Columbia Union College. He was born in the Commonwealth of Dominica and received his US citizenship in 1988. He is the son of Eden and Emelia Baptiste, the youngest of 11 children. He currently resides in Maryland with his wife, Daisy Baptiste. Early in life, he found his passion in reading, and history became his obsession. He’s also an avid sports fan who loves the New York Giants.

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Copyright © 2017 by Gabriel Baptiste.

Library of Congress Control Number:   2017916170

ISBN:                  Hardcover                978-1-5434-5972-2

                             Softcover                  978-1-5434-5973-9

                            eBook                        978-1-5434-5974-6

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

All scripture quotations are from the Holy Bible, New King James Version (Authorized Version). The complete NKJV was first published in 1982.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Rev. date: 07/03/2018

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Contents

Preface

Acknowledgments

Defender in Chief

His Tender Care

Long Live the Bride and Groom

Send the Rain, Please, Lord

It’s Time to Come Home

A Doer of the Word

Can We Live Together?

Joy in a Jail Cell

When Little Becomes Much

Being Connected

Divine Deliverance

All that Glitters Is Not Gold

One Good Turn Deserves Another

Ugly Frog Becomes a Handsome Prince

Jesus Loves Me at My Worst

Is This Really Love?

Too Much Energy

Thinking of Quitting?

I Came, I Saw, I Conquered Part 1

I Came, I Saw, I Conquered Part 2

The Keys

Changing Things Around

Staying in Formation

Forgiving My Enemies?

How Big Is Your Closet?

Marriage—What Is It?

One More Chance

On Holy Ground

Facts from Fiction

Dual Citizenship Part 1

Dual Citizen Part 2

Dual Citizenship Part 3

The Eagle Has Landed!

Light Shining in Darkness

Mates for Life

Why Did It Happen? Part 1

Why Did It Happen? Part 2

Winning the Big One

Mischief Never Pays

No Other Way

Get Ready, Here I Come

Perpetually Hungry

When It Rains, It Pours

Let Bygones be Bygones

Can He Dance?

Swimming against the Tide

The Power of a Smile

Words and Their Effects

Are You Wide Awake or Asleep?

Sweet Life Is No Long Life

Who Will Go for Us?

Power in the Word

A Tiny Setback but a Major Comeback

Dig Deep Within

Finishing the Race Strong

Marriage Supper of the Lamb

The Uh-Oh Moments of Life

Witness Number One, Rise. Speak!

Witness Number Two, Rise. Speak!

Witness Number Three, Rise. Speak!

Fully Protected

Smelling Your Roses

A Time for Everything

Are We There Yet?

Lift Him

A Brand-New Heart

Faithful Friend

Growing, Growing, Growing

Ready for Service Lord

The Last Race

Wait Patiently on the Lord

I Love You Much

Needle in a Haystack

Heroes Indeed

Hold Your Tongue

The Chariots of Israel

Saving for Rainy Days

Learning to Walk

You Bore My Pain

The Coming Kingdom

Till Death Do Us Part

In the Name of Jesus

Best Friend

Let My People Go

God is Able

Not Perfect but Still Striving

Fearfully and Wonderfully Made

Under the Weather Lately?

Standing up when It Matters

The God of All People

Praise Him

I Want to Live

Love Dwells Here

Repairing Life’s Potholes

Ambassadors for Christ

I Don’t Understand

Jacob’s Ladder

I Need You

We Have Found Him

Forgiven Much, Loves Much

God, My Provider

When Pain Is an Afterthought

Letting off Steam

Battered but Still Resilient

Fall Afresh on Us

Not a Sprint but a Marathon

Undoing What Is Convenient

One More Chance

We Struck Gold

Am I My Brother’s Keeper?

A Hedge around Us

Dust to Dust

Freedom in Releasing

When God’s People Pray

The Victory Parade

The Answer Is Behind the Doorknob

Not Peace but a Sword

Survival of the Fittest?

It’s Always There

Staying Calm during a Storm

Stop! Stop! Incoming Traffic

Where Is God?

Doing It Jesus’s Way

The Best Thing Ever

Passing on the Baton

He Is Almost Here

Being on Fire for God

Wash Me Clean

Arrested for Doing Good

I Will Grow

Go, Cross the Jordan

A Little Child’s Faith

The Battle Is Not Yours

Bless the Lord, O My Soul

Dear Mom

A New Thing

Penetrate Society

Freed from Bitterness

The Passover

Forgetting the Past

On the Potter’s Workbench

Overcoming the Grasshopper Syndrome Part 1

Overcoming the Grasshopper Syndrome Part 2

Overcoming the Grasshopper Syndrome Part 3

A Brand-New Body

Be Ready Always

Is God with Us?

Nothing Is Free

Here We Stand

Freedom in Christ

Honesty, the Best Policy

Yes, You Can

Jesus in My Mess

Imprinted on His Hand

Let Everything with Breath Praise Him

The Cross, The Cross

Teach Us How to Pray

Houston, We’ve Got a Problem

Help Me, Somebody, Anybody!

Who Is My Neighbor?

Eyes on the Prize

Imprisoned but Free

Walking Where Jesus Walked

I Pledge Allegiance

Late Again but Made It

Don’t Forget

A Little Child Shall Lead Them Part 1

A Little Child Shall Lead Them Part 2

In the World but Not Part of It

Dear Dad

I Find No Fault in Him

We Shall Behold Him

A God Close at Hand

Forbid Them Not

Proving God in Difficult Times

No Pain, No Gain

Hidden in Christ

Thank God for Suffering

Please, Don’t Hurt Me!

Died in My Place

Buried in Christ

God Showed Up Big-Time

Persistence Pays

The Midnight Knock

Who Are We?

The Birth of a Nation

Corresponding Strength for the Burden

Where Were You?

Overwhelmed by Love

It’s Okay, I Understand

The Glory of the Lord

I Can See Clearly Now

A Person of Interest

Delightfully Refreshing

Can’t Wait

When Memory Fails

Respect Your Leaders

Fishers of Men

Jesus Loves Me, This I Know

Jesus Wept

Prepare Me a Body

News of His Demise

Leaders Are Not Born; They’re Made

The Rush Is On

I Will Arise and Build

Sing to the Lord a New Song

It’s All Over

The Blood of Abel

Help! Help! Help!

Background Noise

Consecrate Me, Lord

Where Do You Stand?

A City on a Hill

The Best Kept Secret

Expressing Interest?

A Mother to the Motherless

Like Father, Like Son Part 1

Like Father, Like Son Part 2

When God Hears

Revival in the Land Part 1

Lacking Wisdom? Ask

Thoughts Shape Action

Make the Crooked Path Straight

Long Live the King

The Slow Wheels of Justice

No Place Like Home

The Wonder of Wonders

Is Anyone Listening?

Satisfied

Numbered with Transgressors

When Opportunities Come Knocking

God’s Impeccable Timing

This Far and No Farther

It Is Finished

No More Rash Vows

Few against Many

Set Your House in Order

Comfort Ye, My People

What Could Have Been

Conservation Now

Prayer Changes Things

A Narrow Escape

The Temple of the Lord

Awake! Awake!

Abundant in Mercy

I Have Sinned

You Are the Man

Good Worker but Raise Denied?

Revival in the Land Part 2

The Language of Tears

My Alabaster Box

One Thing You Lack

The Born-Again Night Visit

The Bitter Water of Marah

Finders Keepers?

Come See a Man

The Big Shout

Faithful to Me

No Regrets

Apples and Onions

Our Bread and Water Sure

Our God Is Greater

Rain in the Forecast

Your Love Inspires Me

To Tell or Not to Tell

Comfort, Yes, Comfort My People

Mining the Word

The Name

Going through Samaria

No Thanks, Not Intimidated

Moved by Compassion

Jerusalem, Judea, and Samaria

What Is Your Name?

It Pays to Serve Jesus

Time of the End

The Lord Is with You

Outflanked and Outnumbered but Still Victorious

If This Isn’t Love, What Is?

The Touch of Faith

Lord, Remember Me

I Want to Be First

Lazarus, Come Forth!

Cast Your Net over There

Are Your Eyes Open?

Why Not Me?

Stay on the Ship

You Are Rich Part 1

You Are Rich Part 2

Those Left Behind

Down but Not Out

I’ll Be Back Someday

The Best in the Business

In God We Trust

In His Sanctuary Part 1

In His Sanctuary Part 2

In His Sanctuary Part 3

The Firstfruits

No Deceptions, Period

Others May, but We Can’t

Is God Still Speaking Today?

Enduring the Storm

Ask for It

Submission to God’s Will

Ransom Paid in Blood

The Double Portion

Comfort in the Psalms

The Coming Kingdom

When Civil Disobedience Isn’t a Crime

Tribute to Mother Eve

Tribute to All Mothers

Doing it God’s Way

I Trust Your Judgment

Revival in the Land

One Person, Two Natures

Strength through Weakness

Jehovah Jireh, My Provider

When I Am Afraid

The Perfect Match

Dig Deep; It’s There

I Can’t Fix It, but You Can

The Word of the Lord Is the Best Course

God at His Finest, Saving People

Inspiration from the Cross Part 1

Inspiration from the Cross Part 2

Movement of God’s People

The Exodus

Waging War on Bad Habits

Full Speed Ahead

No Turkey yet Thankful

Giving Thanks on Thanksgiving Day

Down but Not Out

Victory in the Back of the Book

Dignity among Thieves

We Need Each Other

Averting a Disaster

Ladies, Gentlemen, Fasten Your Seat Belts

Ladies, Gentlemen, Start Your Engines

Been in the Dumps Lately? Part 1

Been in the Dumps Lately? Part 2

Forgiven

Fighting Our Battles with Us

Give Thanks Even in Chaos

Increase Our Faith, Lord

Learning to Walk All over Again

Covered by Grace

Where Are the Nine?

Think Eternity

Absolute Authority

Where Is Your God?

Return, Rebuild, and Claim

No More Playing Church

Exonerated and Restored

Lift Your Head

It Is the Seventh that Matters Part 1

It Is the Seventh that Matters Part 2

A King Is Born

Joy to the World

It’s Christmas Time Again

Christ, Peace, and Christmas

Season’s Greetings

Just Say the Word

Even so, Come, Lord Jesus

Harassed and Hassled but Vindicated

A Better Day Is Coming

A Calm during a Storm

On Holy Ground

Preface

A thrifty squirrel is busy burying acorns for the upcoming winter. How does his prudent investment compare to my nest egg (retirement saving)? A male Blue bird-of-paradise is putting on a fantastic display of a lifetime to impress his fussy mate. How does his romantic display relate to a man’s ability to provide for his family? A young mother gray whale is nervously leading her growing infant calf to the rich buffet up North, but she must swim past a gantlet of hungry, rambunctious, and mischievous killer whales with dinner on their mind. It just doesn’t make any sense at all. The black vulture is a model of monogamy; once paired, the group protects all new couples. Any would-be womanizer with adultery in mind is ferociously attacked and shown the exit door. Can we learn anything from our animal friends? Our two-year-old grandson, LaShawn, just had an accident on his mom’s well-kept rug. Judging from the horror on her face, he sheepishly yelped his favorite words Uh! Oh!

Whether it is the gray whale, the thrifty squirrel, the bird of paradise, the black vulture, or little LaShawn, there is a wealth of spiritual nuggets to be gleaned from our friends in nature. God has benevolently implanted rich spiritual lessons in nature for our mental, spiritual, physical, emotional, and financial benefit. All that is required of us is to dig beyond the surface to unearth the treasures waiting to be discovered. Speaking under inspiration, the wise man Solomon counsels, Go to the ant, you sluggard! Consider her ways and be wise (Prov. 6:6). Did you get the hint? Can we really learn some valuable lessons from our friends in nature? I think we can. Do you know that, besides the Holy Spirit and the Word of God (the Bible), Mother Nature is our best teacher and that we have barely scratched the surface of her vast inventory of knowledge? If we are conscious, patient, curious, observant, and inquisitive, she will happily reward us and unravel her deep secrets to us. Having observed both human and animal behavior, I have compiled a few oh oh (surprise) moments and applied biblical principles to assist us in our walk with God. Happy reading, my dear friend, and may God bless you as you immerse yourself in this journal.

Acknowledgments

Thanks be to God Almighty for providing me the insight when I really did not know what I was doing. To you be the honor, glory, and praise. Amen. To my dear wife, Daisy, who endured the agony of ruined vacations, sleepless nights, and meaningless Sundays while I was engaged in this project, thank you. To my dear son, Lyonel, who provided critically needed electronic aid to my rather Stone Age software skills, thanks. To his gracious wife, Latoya, whose hospitality has been quite robust and charming, thank you. To my grandson, LaShawn, whose antics became the subject matter for much of this journal, thanks. To Elder George Atama, who constantly inquired about the publication date of this journal, thanks for keeping me focused and on track. To all my friends from Seabrook who were aware of this project and prayed for its success and timely entry into the market, thanks.

Thanks to my siblings, particularly Angie, who regularly checked to see how the writing project was going on. Thanks to Vickie, who unwittingly provided a wealth of material to me from her experiences in life. To my big brothers Hughes, Alucious, and Samson—all of whom I adore—and my sisters Victoria (Vickie), Angie, Rebecca, Rachel, and Mary Magdalene (Recelda), you all showered me with the best of affection. I love you all to death.

To the patient educators who enabled and sharpened my writing skill, I am eternally grateful. Thanks to Cavel Melbourne, who copyedited for me. Thanks to Drs. Bertram Melbourne, Marcia Gelfand, and Valarie Swan for their affirmation of this journal. Thanks to Salon Phillips, Esq., for his timely counsel.

January 1

Defender in Chief

God is our refuge and strength a very present help in time of trouble.

Therefore we will not fear; Even though the earth is removed, and the mountains are carried into the midst of the sea.

—Psalm 46:1–2

The Patriot missile battery system is made by the Raytheon Company, located in Huntsville, Alabama. It is classified as a surface-to-air missile, from which the acronym SAM is derived. It is feared by foes for its ability to take down other missiles, rockets, and any other heat-producing object. It is highly classified, and much of its characteristics remain a mystery.

Its first deployment in a theater of operation was during the 1991 Gulf War; however, analysts were not very happy with its performance then. Nonetheless, during the 2003 Iraq War, its success greatly improved because of a few tweaks here and there. With the threat of a nuclear conflict becoming more of a reality in our time, many countries are scrambling to make their purchase. The system has been deployed in many countries all over the world, and its presence in theaters of instability provides a relative sense of comfort and security for governments and their citizens (www.raytheon.com/capabilities).

God is our refuge and strength, and his shield is impenetrable to all incoming missiles. The enemy can get to us only with God’s permission as Moses observes: Have you not made a hedge around him, around his household, and around all that he has on every side? (Job 1:10). Old Satan wanted to give Job a thrashing but was wise enough to ask permission. God placed a hedge around his people. Because you have made the Lord, who is my refuge, even the Most High, your dwelling place, No evil shall befall you (Ps. 91:9–10). God’s promises to Israel of old are ours to appropriate and claim. God gathers to himself a people, whoever responds to his love; he enlarges their portion and builds a defensive wall around them. In Genesis 22:17, God promised Abraham, I will multiply your descendants as the stars of the heaven and as the sand on the seashore. The apostle Paul improved on this statement a little further by stating that God will call them My people, who were not My people (Rom. 9:25).

Having severed ties with the kingdom of darkness, the believer finds himself in the crosshairs (gunsight) of Satan, but he is not left unprotected. God carefully weighs and measures the temptations confronting the Christian. Paul affirms, No temptation has overtaken you except such as common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make a way of escape, that you may be able to bear it (1 Cor. 10:13).

Has anyone won a championship by playing defense only? Shouldn’t we go on the offensive for God? Then Jonathan said to the young man who bore his armor ‘Come, let us go over to the garrison of these uncircumcised; it may be that the Lord will work for us, For nothing restrains the Lord from saving by many or by few’ (1 Sam. 14:6). God is pleased when his children take bold steps to enhance his kingdom. Just as he shielded and strengthened Jonathan, he can and will do more than what we ask of him. Is he not our refuge and strength and a very present help in time of need? It is wise to plan, but we are in danger of spending too much time on planning and not enough time on the field of conflict, witnessing to others.

January 2

His Tender Care

Deliver us from the evil one.

—Matthew 6:13

On sale: Garden of Eden vegetables. Any takers? My sister Chal (name changed) has a green thumb; anything she plants grows vigorously. It came as no surprise that, while visiting her in New Jersey, we somehow ended up in her backyard garden. True to her nature, she proceeded to give my wife and me a tour of her garden. From there, she displayed her proudest achievement. My big sister was in her element. She absolutely loves gardening and has become an expert at it. She comes from a family with the ability to grow all kinds of plants.

While touring her garden, she briefed us on the progress of each species and its unique history. The cabbages were huge but under a withering attack by slugs and another vermin and needed quick relief, but the collards and tomatoes escaped their barrage unscathed. The broccoli, surprisingly, rushed ahead of their peers and yielded a cone ready for the pot. Having run the entire course of the garden, we retreated to the patio for a breather, and that was when a wonder of nature unfolded before our eyes.

A parent oriole, perched on the roof of an adjacent house, was busy issuing flying instructions to a chick that had not yet fully discovered the use of its wings. It was clumsy, running and bumping into obstacles. Its parent was obviously concerned about its prolonged time on the ground since it was getting dark. From her perch, she continued her barrage of encouragements and instructions. Undoubtedly, she had put generations of nestlings through flight school.

Her maternal care reminds me of our heavenly Father. How anxiously he watches as we bumble and stumble along the way through life! He often picks us up when we fall and dusts off the dirt from our faces. He rearranges circumstances and events and delivers us as he did David. Who is like unto our God? Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, who has sent you today to meet me. May you be blessed for your good judgment and for keeping me from avenging myself with my own hands (1 Sam. 25:32–33). Obviously, God sent an angel in the person of Abigail to quell and foil David’s rash, hot anger. Does he not do the same for us? Not only does God care for his people but he also delivers them from evil, sometimes of their own creation. David realized all too well that it was God who shields and keeps us from temptation. Jesus, our Elder Brother and Maker, recognized our peril and asked the Father this special request on our behalf: And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one (Matt. 6:13).

The soul that is weak but determined to resist evil will rise above sin and gain victory. God will empower, deliver, and save his children. No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape. That you may be able to bear it (1 Cor. 10:13). Not only does God have our backs but he has our front covered as well. Someone once said, We have nothing to fear except we forget the way the Lord has led us in the past. God will deliver us from every evil as long we are intent on being faithful to him. Does he not have a shield around you as he did Job? (Job 1:10). He most definitely does.

January 3

Long Live the Bride and Groom

Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready.

—Revelation 19:7

There is a buzz of love in the air. Natalie and Andrew are getting married. Their long and much-anticipated wedding date has been set. An exquisite website has been created just for the purpose of issuing instructions and information to invited guests. This reflects the transition from the traditional snail mail invitation to the modern web invitations. Long live wedding invitations, whether antiquated or modern!

Natalie is funny, gregarious, virtuous, and outgoing. She is very sharp, sociable, and fun to be with. There is never a dull moment in her presence; she lights up everyone with her charm. Her smile is charismatic, infectious, and contagious, bringing joy and laughter to coworkers and friends alike. Andrew, on the other hand, is more reserved, more introspective, a thinker by all accounts. However, his résumé is very impressive; he’s from New York and has come to the DC region to kick-start his educational aspirations.

Walking through their website is an adventure in itself. We were amazed at Andrew’s creativity in popping up the magical question to Natalie. He had the plan all set up on his iPad, and quite casually, he enticed her into surfing the net. She immediately stumbled on the amazing marriage proposal. By this time, he was already on his knees with an engagement ring in hand, pleading, Natalie, Natalie, will you marry me? Can any woman resist such a romantic request?

Blushing shyly, she remarked, Yes, Andrew, I will marry you.

The plan of salvation is similar to Andrew and Natalie’s wedding. God has meticulously arranged a wedding to which everyone is invited. Matthew provides the details: The Kingdom of Heaven is like a certain king who arranged a marriage for his son, and sent out his servants to call those who were invited to the wedding; and they were not willing to come. Again, he sent out other servants, saying, tell those who are invited, see I have prepared my dinner, my oxen and fatted cattle are killed, and all things are ready. Come to the wedding. But they made light of it and went their ways, one to his own farm, and another to his business. And the rest seized his servants, treated them spitefully, and killed them (Matt. 22:2–6). The king represents God, his son is Jesus, and the wedding is salvation, and you have been cordially invited to the great feast.

Would you turn down an invitation from the president to his inauguration ball? You probably would not, but you are highly favored to have received such a prestigious invitation from God himself. The wedding invitation has been paid for at an immense cost to God. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life (John 3:16). This wedding is very urgent; it cannot be ignored, made light of, postponed, or canceled. By saying yes to Jesus, we become invited guests to join God in celebrating the marriage between him and his people in the earth made new. Have you accepted and invited him into your life? If yes, great. Congratulations!

January 4

Send the Rain, Please, Lord

Then it came to pass the seventh time; that he said, there is a cloud, as small as a man’s hand, rising out of the sea! So he said, go up, say to Ahab, prepare your chariot, and go down before the rain stops you.

—1 Kings 18:44

The year 2012 was a terrible year for farmers across the nation; they were hammered by a withering drought. When the rain finally descended, it came in torrents, but it was too late for many small farmers, and some went bankrupt. Ranchers raising livestock watched helplessly as the prolonged drought affected crop yield, increased the price of livestock feed, and decreased the market value of animals, and that left many farmers with wrinkles on their foreheads. Lawn businesses and other industries dependent on moderate rainfall all felt the pinch. My little backyard garden was demolished for lack of rainfall.

The lack of rain in the Bible economy is symbolic of the spiritual barrenness of God’s people. Jesus delineates this point quite well: Listen! Behold, a sower went out to sow. It happened, as he sowed, that some seed fell by the wayside; and the birds of the air came and devoured it. Some fell on stony ground, where it did not have much earth; and immediately it sprang up because it had no depth of earth … But other seeds fell on good ground and yielded a crop that sprang up, increased and produced; some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred (Mark 4:3–5, 8). Acceptance of God’s Word always represents fruitfulness, while rejection is symbolic of spiritual poverty and barrenness.

While farmers pray for rain to save their crop, we pray for a different kind of rain—the latter rain of the Holy Spirit. All of us, as God’s people, are in dire need of the reign of the Holy Spirit in our lives. And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions. And also on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days (Joel 2:28–29). But that spiritual downpour will come only upon request. It must be diligently sought after and must be prayed for. It does not fall indiscriminately on everyone as your average spring shower.

Jesus referenced good soil in many of his parables and with good reason. Good soil is always reflective of productivity, and since productivity is welcomed by farmers and business establishments, will God expect any less from us? We must be engaged in productive Christian ministry to be filled by the Spirit. The Holy Spirit will not occupy the idle and slothful for service. They will be passed over in favor of those already engaged in ministry. God never entrusts his dynamic power to idle hands. Jesus’s disciples were busy fishing when called. Many of those called to ministry by God were busy people: Amos, collector of nuts; Moses and David, shepherds; Paul, persecutor of God’s people; and Peter and John, fishermen.

Can God do the same for me? Of course, he can. What can God do with me? How do I get started? The Lord may be saying to you, What is in your hand? What are you good at? Can you cook? Then use cooking to lead others to Christ. If you have a pleasant personality and others are attracted to you, use that influence to guide others to the kingdom. Do you have a lovely voice? Use it to the glory of God. You cannot use what you do not have. If you have a talent and everyone does, then use it for Jesus.

January 5

It’s Time to Come Home

O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing.

—Matthew 23:37

In the animal kingdom, the mother hen should receive the Academy Award for her maternal care. She will send you packing if you stray too close to her chicks. Moments after her chicks hatch, maternal instinct kicks in. In defense of her precious investment, the mother hen goes on the offense by inflating her feathers when threatened. Looking much bigger than her normal size, she sends her enemies fleeing for their lives, but the unique aspect of her maternal care is her detection of threats. In typical chicken language, she chirps in a low-pitched cluck, which her chicks understand, and they dash to safety under her safe and fluffy breast. The rainy weather does not pose a problem; she loosens and spreads her waterproof feathers backward and voilà—an umbrella and an inviting warm body for her little chicks.

Jesus used the mother hen metaphor to describe both his frustration and yearning to provide comfort, security, and sustenance to his people in Israel. Regrettably, Israel rebuffed his overtures and frustrated him at every level by their apathy and intransigence. Are we in danger of repeating the same spirit of intransigence that caused Israel’s downfall? I have stretched out My hands all day long to a rebellious people, who walk in a way that is not good, according to their own thoughts: A people who provoke Me to anger continually to My face (Isa. 65:2–3).

God’s heart churns within him as the people whom he has ransomed by the shedding of his blood spurn his love and reject his grace. How can I give you up, Ephraim? How can I hand you over, Israel? How can I make you like Admah? How can I set you like Zeboiim? My heart churns within Me; My sympathy is stirred (Hosea 11:8). Admah and Zeboiim were wicked cities of the Old Testament era that resisted the Word of God and were destroyed. Did you hear the pathos in God’s voice, the feeling, the emotion? Make no mistake about it. God is not going to save us against our will, but he is having a hard time allowing us to walk in the self-destructive path we have chosen.

Johnny was born with a silver spoon in his mouth, a phrase used in my culture to describe inherited privileges, notably wealth and power. But can you imagine the horrific expression on a father’s face when he discovers his son walked away from a wealthy inheritance in exchange for life on the streets as a panhandler? In many respects, we do the same thing to God. He owns the world and its bounty, but we have little esteem or appreciation for the great inheritance in heaven dangling before our very eyes.

It remains true: You can take the horse to the water, but you can’t force him to drink. And I am saying this in love: For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them (2 Pet. 2:21). Lord, help us be faithful to you despite the distractions, the greed, and the evil of this age.

January 6

A Doer of the Word

For anyone who is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was.

—James 1:23–24

In the epic fairy tale Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, legend reveals a wicked queen who owns a magic mirror and is infuriated when her mirror informs her that there is someone in the kingdom more beautiful than herself. Incidentally, the one prettier than the wicked old queen is her own stepdaughter, Snow White. She hates the child with a passion and embarks on a mission to eliminate her, but in her blind hatred to destroy the child, she ends up destroying herself (www.dltk-teach.com).

The law of God is like a mirror that reveals to us the condition of our body. It points out our defects and character flaws but is incapable of removing them. As transparent as a mirror may be, it can only reveal conditions present on the body; it cannot fix, remove, heal, or erase flaws in character. Likewise, God’s law, the Ten Commandments, can neither save nor clean us up. Only Jesus saves.

At conversion, the child of God is saved by grace and is put on a course of obedience to God by the Holy Spirit. This course involves a life pleasing to God, which requires observance of the Ten Commandments. In essence, by abiding in Christ, one becomes a doer of the word and not a hearer only as the Bible states. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires (Gal. 5:24). Paul did not leave us guessing what the works of the flesh entails. Now the work of the flesh are evident, which are adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wraths, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in the past that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God (Gal. 5:19–21). Once converted, the believer develops a distaste for these sinful behaviors of the flesh and seeks wholeheartedly what pleases God.

The good news of the Gospel reveals that God’s grace is always sufficient and Christ’s biddings always enabling. Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light (Matt. 11:28–30). Fortunately, God’s way—the path of obedience—is always better than the ways of the world. God’s way may look difficult, but it is the best way. If the law of God is faithfully kept, it would effectively put an end to prisons, law enforcement agencies, security guards, locksmiths, and a host of health services.

God’s law is very much relevant to today’s civilization, and anyone teaching that his Ten Commandments are abolished, obsolete, irrelevant, and done away with is misinformed. At conversion, our will becomes subordinate to God’s will; and like Paul, we submit, stop resisting, and ask, Lord, what do you want me do? (Acts 9:6). Hereafter, the path ahead becomes a life of compliance and obedience to God’s will; it is only then that we will become happy doers of the word and not hearers only.

January 7

Can We Live Together?

But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled; my steps had nearly slipped. For I was envious of the boastful, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

—Psalm 73:2–3

Recent statistics have shown that the gap between the rich and the poor is growing and is the widest ever. This can be easily verified by the lucrative packages CEOs receive from their companies. Quite recently, the incentive for enticing a talented CEO to jump ship from one company to another has increased just a little bit more. It is also noteworthy to point out that the dedicated rank-and-file workers who labor devotedly to keep the company afloat have been denied an increase in wages. Needless to say, their meager income has forced them to hold several jobs to keep up with the rising cost of living. Management believes their low-level skill makes them expendable.

This is hardly anything new. The gulf that separates the rich and the poor has existed for millennia and has mystified the godliest of men throughout human history. Judas’s false pretense for the poor is indicative of today’s business rationale. If we give the poor a raise in salary, we might have to cut staff to make up for lost revenue, they argue. But Judas and his modern-day counterparts are far from having any sympathy for the poor. Why was this fragrant oil not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor? This said he not that he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and had the money box; and he used to take what was put in it (John 12:5–6). Judas pretends to be a defender of the poor, but Jesus sees through it all and replies, Let her alone; she has kept this for the day of My burial. For the poor you have with you always, but Me you do not have always (John 12:7–8). Few genuinely care for the poor as Solomon observes. The poor man is hated even by his own neighbor but the rich has many friends. But he who has mercy on the poor, happy is he (Prov. 14:20–21).

The psalmist in our opening verse tried to figure out the wide disparity between the rich and the poor and almost lost his sanity. When I thought how to understand this, it was too painful for me (Ps. 73:16). In verse 7, he describes how the rich seems to have the magic touch: They have more than heart could wish. Everything they lay their hands on seems to bloom and grow; their stocks and bonds do exceedingly well and above expectations. They are in vibrant health and have the best of medical care at their fingertips, but their standing is precarious.

The psalmist was permitted by God to see the whole picture, their end. He stopped envying their status when he realized their standing was fragile and precarious. Until I went into the sanctuary of God then I understood their end. Surely You set them in slippery places; You cast them down to destruction. Oh, how they are brought to desolation, as in a moment! They are utterly consumed with terrors (Ps. 73:17–19). How does the future look for the child of God? Though a sinner does evil a hundred times, and his days are prolonged, yet I surely know that it will be well with those who fear God, who fear before Him (Eccles. 8:12). Don’t try to figure out the injustice in the world; it is too painful and mystifying for us. Jesus did not change the rich/poor equation; evil must be allowed to run its full course, and in the end, God will set things right. Whether we’re rich or poor, if we are faithful to God, we will inherit eternal life.

January 8

Joy in a Jail Cell

Then the Philistines took him and put out his eyes, and brought him down to Gaza. They bound him with bronze fetters, and he became a grinder in the prison.

—Judges 16:21

Stanley Tookie Williams was as tough as shoe leather. He was leader of the Crips gang in Los Angeles. In 1981, he was convicted of the armed robbery of a convenience store, in which four people were slain. He was sentenced to death for his crime. Amazingly, while on death row, Stanley turned to God and began turning his life around, thanks in part to the diligent work done by volunteer religious groups and an insightful chaplain. Stanley apologized repeatedly and profusely to society for his criminal past, but this did not spare him the electric chair. He even wrote a book from his jail cell in an attempt to warn others and to clean up his criminal past, but after many attempts at clemency, Stanley Tookie Williams was executed in the year 2005 (www.biography.com/people/stanley).

Newspapers abound with stories of promising young men and women like Stanley who opt for life in the fast lane only to end up languishing in jail for the rest of their lives. Despite this, all is not lost; even while in jail, one can call on God and apply the spiritual discipline found in his Word to live a productive life. Yes, even while in jail and with Jesus abiding in the heart, one can be free as a bird and soar like an eagle.

Jails have become a last stop for many, as well as a classroom for grooming the world’s next great leader. Was it not in jail that Samson rearranged his priorities and determined to live up to his full potential? Did not the Birmingham jail provide the platform for one of the most famous speeches ever, I Have a Dream? What did twenty-seven years of solitary confinement do to Nelson Madiba Mandela? Did it not refine him, purging him of bitter hatred to become the father of all races to his nation? Should we forget Joseph and the character transformation he underwent as a result of his prison encounter? Like Mandela, his prison adventure paved the way to the palace and the reins of power in the government.

Should we fear prison if our cause is just and noble? The day is looming fast when they will put you out of the synagogues; yes, the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service (John 16:2). This is happening all around us; the righteous is being persecuted. And the dragon [Satan] was enraged with the woman [the church] and went to make war with the rest of her offspring [last day saints], who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ (Rev. 12:17). Looking down through the ages, Jesus foretold his church would be at odds with the authorities because of their allegiance to him: But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons. You will be brought before kings and rulers for My name’s sake (Luke 21:12).

The children of God have always been at odds with the sons of men controlled by the devil. Like John the Baptist, some of us might languish in jail because of our faith; or like Paul, some may even be executed, but a victor’s crown awaits the overcomer. Be on the alert; you might be headed to jail for your faith someday.

January 9

When Little Becomes Much

There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two small fish, but what are they among so many?

—John 6:9

With three hundred hungry orphans to feed and no food in sight, George Müller ordered the kids to sit at the table and say their grace (prayer). His wise old assistant thought he had gone off the deep end (mad), but faithful George had seen God at work several times before. While the children sat at the table, impatient and still hungry, there was a knock at the door. A baker whose sleep was interrupted by a mysterious urge to bake three extra batches of bread deposited the precious cargo at the orphanage. He had barely vacated the premises when a milkman’s carriage broke down in front of the shelter. Sensing the milk would spoil after the long repair, the man contributed the tasty treat to the students. All went well. God is never rushed; neither is he delayed but is always on time, isn’t he? Who thrives on taking little and making it much? Only God does (www.penneydouglas.com/2012/08/10/george-mueller-hungry-orphan-fed-miraclously).

The word of the Lord came to him [Elijah], saying, arise, go to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and dwell there. See I have commanded a widow there to provide for you (1 Kings 17:8–9). God is full of humor. Did he say a widow, someone without a husband, without a job, and living in poverty? In biblical times, a widow was reduced to poverty when her breadwinning husband died. The woman was preparing her last meal when the prophet showed up with a demand: Please bring me a little water in a cup that I may drink. And as she was going to fetch it, he called to her and said, Please bring me a morsel of bread in your hand (1 Kings 17:10–11).

Perplexed, the woman replied, As the Lord your God lives, I do not have bread, only a handful of flour in a bin, and a little oil in a jar; and see, I am gathering a couple of sticks that I may go in and prepare it for myself and my son, that we may eat it, and die (1 Kings 17:12). Was God testing her? Was he checking out her generosity? However, she passed the test by putting the interest of the stranger ahead of herself and her hungry son. Was she rewarded? Jesus highlighted her faith in the following parable: When did we see you a stranger and take you in or naked and clothe you? Or when did we see you sick, or in prison, and come to you? And the King will answer and say to them, assuredly, I say to you inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to Me (Matt. 25:38–40).

The believer must always be mindful that God owns everything, including the wealth of people and nations, and when we pray according to his will, he will appropriate their wealth to do his work. The earth is the Lord’s and its fullness, the world and those who dwell therein (Ps. 24:1). God owns everything, including the little we possess, and he is eager to stretch it, if only we allow him. The widow of Zarephath would never have been on the biblical record if she was not willing to part with her meager ration. Little becomes much in the Master’s hand. What was Christ able to do with the little boy’s fish and bread? Did he not feed thousands? How far can he stretch your little piggy bank? You can’t hold on to it if you expect him to use it. Should you not let it go? Give him your fish, and let him work his wonders with it. Dear Jesus, help us be unselfish with the resources you have placed at our disposal.

January 10

Being Connected

I am the vine you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.

—John 15:5

My neighbor was refurbishing his property for rent. Being a jack-of-all-trades, he did it all by himself. I watched with interest as he transformed his once-dilapidated house into a renter’s delight. Not even the soil escaped his wrath. He rented an excavating machine and ripped the soil over, transforming it into a beautiful lawn with a few trees in the front and a garden to the backyard. Upon completion, he paused for a moment and, with a piercing gaze, realized to his horror that something was missing. What am I doing? he thought. Where are the fruit trees? I must have fruit trees.

He purchased two medium-sized peach plants to complement his project. He was gracious and generous in giving me the less favorable of the two. Over the next few months, I watched in envy as his peach tree accelerated in growth, while insects and slugs feasted regularly on mine. The insects were not deterred by my insecticide spray and seemed to be even more voracious and energetic in enjoying the tasty peach leaves. Totally frustrated by my inability to control them, I decided to allow nature to take its course about whether the plant would live or die.

By the third anniversary of the planting of the trees, my neighbor’s tree was lush, luxuriant, healthy, and sturdy. In the following spring, his tree blossomed with a profusion of beautiful young peach fruits, while mine produced only three meager fruits. However, four weeks into spring, tragedy struck; my neighbor’s tree, which showed much prospect, suddenly died. It simply shriveled up and died. I was horrified. What happened? I asked myself.

We may never know the reason behind the plant’s sudden demise, but we are reminded of the wise counsel of Jesus in John 15:5–6: I am the vine you are the branches. He who abides in Me bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire and they are burned.

My neighbor’s tree represents those who begin walking with God. Over the years, they seem to be productive, but their love for God is eclipsed by their love for the world, and they give up. Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world and has departed for Thessalonica (2 Tim. 4:10). Moreover, my tree, which did not show much promise at all, is very much alive today and represents those who remain and abide in Christ despite the odds and bear much fruit as a result. Fruit bearing is not a difficult undertaking; all it requires is total surrender to the will of God.

When every member of the body is fully yielded to Christ, fruit will blossom in great profusion without the believer’s consciousness. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control (Gal. 5:22–23). These virtues (sap) flow from Christ to us as a result of abiding in him.

And here are examples of the fruits on display: For I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; naked and you clothed Me, I was sick and you visited Me I was in prison and you came to Me (Matt. 25:35–36). Go and do likewise. Produce some juicy fruits for Jesus, will you?

January 11

Divine Deliverance

The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear him and delivers them.

—Psalm 34:7

After a grueling day at the job, I jumped in my 1996 Mazda B3000 truck, slammed my foot on the accelerator, and headed for home. However, on the declining ramp from Route 695 to Highway 95 south, the entry lane was a curved steep downgrade. On a normal dry day, it would be tricky to negotiate the curve with speed of more than 40 mph. Yes, you guessed correctly. It was sleeting (wet snow). I soon found myself on the downgrade hedged in by a menacing eighteen-wheel tractor trailer to my right and an exit outlet going in the opposite direction to the left. To make matters worse, my wheels began hydroplaning (spinning) while going downhill at a speed of about 40–50 mph. I was in trouble. Several possibilities flashed through my mind: a rollover was a probability; I could sustain broken bones, neck, and back and could even die. Touching the brakes definitely was not an option; that could make matters even worse. There was no margin for error in this situation. Gabriel needed divine intervention—and fast.

Suddenly and quite mysteriously, a calm demeanor overtook me as an unseen hand negotiated the icy curve for me without any incident. I was awestruck. I just witnessed a moment no human should take credit for. God sent his angels to rescue his own. Many are the afflictions of the righteous but the Lord delivers him out of them all (Ps. 34:19). The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him and delivers them (Ps. 34:7). When we are powerless against the forces of evil, when the odds are stacked against us, when we are incapable of extricating ourselves from the mess of our own creation, God steps in and deliver us, his children. Glory! Hallelujah!

We have been warned in the scripture to be on guard because the devil is angry and is busy, on the prowl, destroying lives. Is he not in the war zones snuffing out lives without mercy? Where could he be found but on the street corners, poisoning both the mind and body of young men peddling drugs? Is he not in the dark alleys of abandoned buildings smiling as he assesses the grim evidence of his grisly work, the empty liquor bottles and discarded needles? He delights in nothing more than the entire destruction of the human race, but God, on the other hand, delights in mercy. He is full of love and delivers the willing from evil.

The raving demoniac is a typical example of what Satan has done to humanity. Hidden behind every tattooed and scarred body is a twisted mind crying out for deliverance. And that’s precisely what Jesus came to do, to liberate and save (Mark 5:6–15). However, God is engaged in a greater deliverance than the mere rescue from physical danger; there is a greater danger facing humanity. Is it not the total destruction of the soul that Satan is after? He wants as many people as possible to share his fate in hell. That’s why we must cooperate with God in rescuing our fellow humans from his grim fate. May God strengthen us as we cooperate with him in rescuing fallen humanity from total destruction.

January 12

All that Glitters Is Not Gold

Do not love the world or the things of the world, if anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

—1 John 2:15

Nepenthes are plants with a delicate taste for insects and small game. This plant species lures victims to its dining room table with a tantalizing aroma to those with sensitive noses. Some species of this plant family employ clever incentives to lure unsuspecting victims to their parlor. Colorful entrances to their dining room are the most common of their guile. Most insects are swept off their feet by the dazzling beauty and tantalizing aroma leading to the dining room. The menu invites all to a delightful and delicious eat-all-you-can buffet, but there is a catch: the meal could be your last (www.carnivorous—plants.com/pitcher-plants.html).

Many are fooled and ultimately robbed of money they now possess by smooth-talking con artists. They promise easy cash with fantastic returns on their investments. Should we fall prey to their scheme as the dog who crosses a bridge, sees his reflection in the water with a bigger bone, and then drops his bone for what appeared to be a bigger one, only to lose both? Be on the alert for snake oil salesmen promising you lots of easy money. Show them to the door quickly. All that glitters is not gold. If it is too good to be true, it is probably not true. Should we believe anything that proceeds from the mouth of the father of deception? Consider the source.

Again the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to Him, ‘All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me’ (Matt. 4:8–9). What appeared to be glorious kingdoms were nothing but cities rife with crime and corruption. Thankfully, Jesus saw through the deception of Satan and replied, Away with you Satan! For it is written, you shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve (verse 10).

While the devil lies, cheats, exploits, and deceives his subjects, God, on the other hand, operates under a different set of principles. He is honest and gives us precisely what is best for our needs. If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him! (Matt. 7:11).

Many are dazzled by the seductiveness of riches and are reluctant in following Christ, but may this never happen to the believer. Jesus said to him, ‘If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come and follow Me.’ But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions (Matt. 19:21–22). Of course, Jesus is not telling everyone to give away all their possessions. He is simply prescribing an individual diagnosis to this young man, who was dazzled by the deceitfulness of riches.

It is okay to pursue riches. After all, it is God who gives liberally to those who can manage it, but bear this in mind: Do not trust in oppression, nor vainly hope in robbery; If riches increase, do not set your heart on them (Ps. 62:10). All that glitters is not gold, and many are discovering all too late the validity of this wise old saying. God is all sufficient and is ten thousand times better than gold or riches. Trust him today, make him your sufficiency, and you will have everything.

January 13

One Good Turn Deserves Another

Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due.

—Proverbs 3:27

Once upon a time, a little mouse was foraging on the African plain for his dinner. His diligent search led him to a hairy brown mound. Since the hill was cozy, hairy, and warm, the little mouse continued with his exploration. He noticed a twitch and then a yawn. It moved a little, groaned loudly, and shivered a bit, but the little mouse ignored his better judgment until he found himself being suspended by his tail into the jaws of a hungry lion. Why did you disturb my nap? the lion demanded, lowering the little mouse slowly into his gaping jaws.

Please spare my life, and I will repay you someday, the little mouse retorted. The king of the beasts, wanting to be magnanimous to his little subject, granted him a reprieve. The little mouse scurried away as fast as he could.

Several days later, there was an agonizing roar on the plain, and the little mouse was quick to investigate. Upon arrival, he found the king caught fast in a trap. The more he tried to untangle himself, the more the ropes tightened securely around him. Tired, frustrated, and angry, the king gave up and resigned himself to his fate. The little mouse immediately recognized his benefactor and assured the king that he would soon set him free. How can a little mouse like you free a great, big fellow like me? he groaned.

You watch. The little mouse nibbled away at the last rope that bound his friend, and soon the lion was free. They both parted ways after a big thank-you from his royal highness (www.planetozkids.com/oban/legends/lion-mouse-aesop-fable.htm).

This story, although an allegory, reminds us of our obligation to others, whether they deserve it or not. We then who are strong ought to bear with the scruples of the weak, and not please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, leading to edification. For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written, ‘The reproaches of those who reproached You fell on Me’ (Rom. 15:1–3).

Because the believer has been called in service to the world, his objective is interwoven with Christ’s mission for the world. "The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me; because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the broken hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind. To set at