The Key

Once there was an old man who would walk through the neighborhood with a mysterious small drawstring bag attached to his belt. These were hard times and a lot of people were out of work. Like clockwork, he would come in to town early in the morning knocking on doors looking for odd jobs and in return be paid with food.
Rumor had it that he lived by the railroad tracks underneath a bridge with the other homeless people whom he would share some of his days ‘wages’ with.
Everyday he would walk the streets of our small town scavenging through the garbage occasionally finding treasures, even if they were only that in his own eyes.
He was an odd man. Humped over, his clothing and shoes always larger than his frame could hold. He had a scuffle when he walked that was slow, never in a hurry, never seemingly going anywhere in particular. He bore the signs of age, his face and hands hardened through years of hard labor and weather. Yet there was a kindness that showed through in his almost toothless smile and the gentleness with which he would pat a child’s head as he walked by. The only name we ever knew him by was George.

Over the years, he became a fixture within our little bedroom community.
I remember the time a fire started in a neighbor’s house and George was one of the first people there. He certainly couldn’t help put out the fire but his words of encouragement and hope were perfect to squelch the fear in our neighbors.

At the other end of town stood an old Victorian mansion. My mother told us of stories her mother told them about how it was the showcase of the town when she had been a young girl. Its beauty and elegance would have made the mansions of today pale by comparison. Inside the ornate trim, marble flooring imported from Italy and woven tapestries from around the world hung in the grand hall and were breathtaking. The sounds of laughter and music from the conservatory filled the air like an enchanting melody. Beautifully manicured gardens were the envy of the towns’ people. To receive an invitation for afternoon tea was the highlight of the year for anyone. The family who lived there had died a long time ago and the grandeur of the mansion had been lost due to neglect.

One cold wintry day we noticed George didn’t come into town. Although it seemed out of character we didn’t think anything more about it. Two more days passed and George was no where to be found. Finally the third day came and still no George. My dad and a couple of other men from our street thought maybe something had happened to George and decided to go down to the bridge to look for him.

No one and nothing was in sight except for a lonely box wrapped with old strips of plastic tarp to help shield against the cold wind and snow. It seemed the people who had lived there during the year had gone for shelter elsewhere now that winter was upon us. There were signs around the box that showed someone had recently been there.

When they removed the plastic tarp and opened the box their hearts were saddened to discover the lifeless body inside was George. The cause of his death was exposure to the elements—George froze to death. Attached to his belt was the small bag that had been his constant companion and inside the small bag was a key.
It took weeks of investigation to realize the key found on George’s body was for the old Victorian mansion. Much to everyone’s surprise, George was the adopted son of the mansions owners. Upon his father’s death, the mansion had been given to George as an inheritance but he never claimed his inheritance. He used to tell us that he had a grand inheritance waiting for him but we always thought he was just imagining it. When asked why he didn’t claim it he would say he didn’t want to lose the ‘lifestyle’ he had chosen…thought he would lose his freedom. Of course as much as we liked George we all thought he was making it up. Why would someone choose a life of poverty when they could have such wealth? All those years of living so close but never assuming rightful ownership, it just didn’t make sense.

Reading the above story, it is easy to think how foolish of George to choose poverty over wealth and protection had he only accepted and received his inheritance.
Some of our choices, like George’s don’t make sense either. We have been given citizenship in a Kingdom that is beyond any description we know. A Kingdom where safety, peace, restoration and rest are the norm and yet by accepting the “Key” to that Kingdom we think our ‘lifestyle and freedom’ will be infringed upon. We did nothing to earn or deserve this Kingdom. Yet it was purchased for us by the giving of the owner’s Sons life. Like George we too are an adopted heir to this Kingdom.  The Key to entering this Kingdom:
     For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, trust also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going—I am the way, and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. Signed….Jesus
(John 3:16;14:1-7)

I've got you covered!

“Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered” is a common phrase heard not only in movies but between friends. It can be a comfort to know someone will be there to protect you when entering a dangerous or uncomfortable situation.

How much greater the impact of this phrase when it comes from the very mouth of God and is directed toward you and me.

David records these thoughts in Psalms 32:1-5, “Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord does not count against him and in whose spirit is no deceit….then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord”—and you forgave the guilt of my sin.”

Throughout the Psalms David opens his heart and mind like a book to us, the readers, and we are allowed to enter into the pages of his private and personal thoughts. At times this may even seem like an intrusion into very intimate moments between David and his God. At other times it would appear David is at the front door of his heart opening it wide to welcome us into the inexpressible joy that can be realized from a sin forgiven which overwhelming had taken away the light and hope of his heart.

David understood his sin had been forgiven, covered and forgotten. The covering David speaks about was twofold: a present and recurring covering through the blood of an animal but also of a promise yet to come of a “complete covering.” A promise not yet seen by David, but for us it is a reminder of an unselfish and sacrificing covering through the blood Jesus Christ shed on the cross. Our sins were not only forgiven but also covered…buried…to be remembered no more by God!

There is yet another part to forgiveness we tend to struggle with even today. Equally important to the acceptance of forgiveness and the covering is to let go of the guilt surrounding the sin. We tend to resurrect guilt that was meant to be covered and buried with the sin.


I believe in Psalm 32 David knew the keys to burying guilt:
1. Don’t give time for guilt to be planted…he acknowledged and didn’t cover up his sin from God (verse 5)
2. Don’t give fertile soil for guilt to grow…he confessed (verse 5) and accepted God's grace and forgiveness 
3. Don’t give guilt a permanent address…he allowed God to be his hiding place (verse 7) rather than dwelling and inviting guilt to stay as an "unwanted guest" 
4. Don’t give guilt the key to our heart and mind…he was careful what he listened and dwelt upon (verse 7-8) …"rejoice in the Lord and be glad…” (verse 11) He didn't "revisit" the offense that would bring guilt


Although we may have to deal with consequences for our sin, letting go of guilt is a choice. 
Whose covering are you under today? Is it bringing freedom, hope and life or slavery and bondage to “past”?
“He who dwells (remains) in the shelter of the most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty…He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.” (Psalm 91:1, 4)

IF

Then if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves, if they will pray and seek me and stop their evil ways, I will hear them from heaven. I will forgive their sin, and I will heal their land. Now I will see them, and I will listen to the prayers prayed in this place.

2 Chronicles 7:14-15

HUMBLE MYSELF: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. Romans 12:3

PRAY…SEEK (ASK) GOD: While Jeremiah was still locked up in the courtyard of the guards, the LORD spoke his word to him a second time: "These are the words of the LORD, who made the earth, shaped it, and gave it order, whose name is the LORD: 'Judah, pray to me, and I will answer you. I will tell you important secrets you have never heard before.' Jeremiah 33:1-3

STOP:  We are surrounded by a great cloud of people whose lives tell us what faith means. So let us run the race that is before us and never give up. We should remove from our lives anything that would get in the way and the sin that so easily holds us back. Let us look only to Jesus, the One who began our faith and who makes it perfect. He suffered death on the cross. But he accepted the shame as if it were nothing because of the joy that God put before him. And now he is sitting at the right side of God's throne. Think about Jesus' example. He held on while wicked people were doing evil things to him. So do not get tired and stop trying.
Hebrews 12:1-3

Choices I make with results that will affect a nation…one person at a time…because I AM has spoken and promised!

Exist or live?

“There was a time when I didn’t exist, but there will never again be a time when I won’t exist.”

This was quoted at a seminar I recently attended and I can’t seem to get it out of my mind. I have been thinking about life and existence all week. I didn’t have a choice in my conception and birth that was my parent’s choice. However, it is my choice that will determine my existence as living or dead AFTER my last breath on earth. What I do with my life from the time I came out of my mother’s womb until I breathe my last breath is in preparation for a time when I won’t physically exist…yet I will still exist.
Sounds like a riddle? Jesus often spoke in physical terms to explain an eternal/spiritual concept. What to the physical ear can sound like a riddle is revealed as truth to the spiritual ear. Two examples:

1. Jesus speaking to Martha after her brother Lazarus died:
Jesus told her, “Your brother will rise again.” “Yes,” Martha said, “he will rise when everyone else rises, at the last day.” Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying. Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this, Martha?” (John 11:23-26)
2. Jesus speaking to Nicodemus explaining that unless he was born again he could not see the Kingdom of God. To which Nicodemus explained, “Huh???”…well, not exactly that word.
Nicodemus said, "But if a person is already old, how can he be born again? He cannot enter his mother's womb again. So how can a person be born a second time?” (John 3:1-16)

What sounded like a logical question from Nicodemus, Jesus used as a segue into explaining the lives in of John 11:26. "I tell you the truth, unless you are born from water and the Spirit, you cannot enter God's kingdom. Human life comes from human parents, but spiritual life comes from the Spirit. Don't be surprised when I tell you, 'You must all be born again.’ No one has ever gone to heaven and returned. But the Son of Man (Jesus) has come down from heaven. And as Moses lifted up the bronze snake on a pole in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in him will have eternal life. For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.”

So what does all this have to do with my opening statement?
Knowing at some point in time I would be born, God had a plan for my life. (Jeremiah 29:11)
Knowing exactly what I would need for my body to be formed and grow, God was there when I was conceived. (Psalm 139)
Knowing the number of days I would live on earth….God determined my beginning from my end. (Psalm 139)
Knowing eternal life past my earthly existence….God gave His Son so I could always live (eternal life) not just exist (decaying yet remaining alive…forever). (John 3:16-21)

“In the beginning…God” are the first words written in the Bible. "Come!" Let whoever is thirsty…whoever wishes may have the water of life as a free gift…Jesus, the One who says these things are true, says, "Yes, I am coming soon." These are some of the last words written in the Bible. In between are all the answers we will ever need to make an eternal choice.
There may have been a time when I didn’t exist, but there was never (nor ever will be) a time when God did not exist. One question remains for you and me: do I want to “live” or just “exist” after I die and leave this earth?  That choice will always remain ours.

Prized possession

Mr. Jenkins was the old eccentric that lived at the end of Dead End Alley. The street name was actually Prince Avenue but it had never looked like a description of royalty! Mr. Jenkins would rummage through peoples garbage and bring home…stuff. Always had stuff just lying around his yard. Never could understand why anyone would want an old tub in their yard filled with dirt and flowers, the neighbors all complained that it looked just plain tacky! Mr. Jenkins was once asked, “What value is there in old rusted pieces of broken down appliances, scraps of ‘who-knows-what’, some of it unrecognizable through years of exposure from the weather. Why do you hang on to this stuff? It is an embarrassment to the neighborhood.”

The old man paused and then carefully choosing his words replied, “These were once prized possessions of someone…someone who saved money to buy them, who cared for them, cleaned them, and showed them off as bran-spankin’-new. Time was when they all had a purpose and value to them; when people would fix things that were broken, now everyone just wants to throw away…seems like EVERYTHING is disposable now. See this rockin’ chair? To you it is a broken piece of furniture, of no use or value. But I imagine a momma once sittin’ here and rockin’ her baby…singin’ and tenderly caressing a precious gift given to her by the Almighty. You see this ‘junk’, as you call it, just needed some tender loving care and it could have been restored back to its original purpose. Kinda like you and me. Just like I clean the dirt and tarnish away from this junk, God did the same for me. He used my tears to clean out the dirt I been collectin’ over the years. We need to stop lookin’ at each other as ‘junk’…need to stop throwin’ each other away when life gets tough. When we can get past the outside dirt we are all carryin’ then we’ll see the beauty…the treasure inside each other. We’ll take time to help fix the broken in all of us instead of throwin’ in the towel and throwin’ each other out.”

People can be seen as “junk”. Children in and out of foster care because parents no longer are able or desire to care for them; abandoned like a piece of trash along the street. Marriages torn apart…looking for something (someone) better, younger, more interesting; adult children giving up on their parents once they hit the “golden years”, and the list could go on.

Perhaps you feel like you are living in a “junk yard” today, discarded for reasons you had no control over. You may even have thought God has forsaken you. Let me reassure you…HE HAS NOT!!
When others let go of us, God will never forget us.

"Can a mother forget her baby...have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands." Isaiah 49:15-16
"The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing." Zephaniah 3:17

Friend, you are of such great worth and value that the God of all creation...of all created beings is singing over you today!! He sent his only son, Jesus, to pay the penalty of all our past, present and future sin. He has not thrown you away, but rescued you from the junk yard of life, cleaned you and restored you to your original purpose: to give God glory in everything you do.

The dynamic duo

Fear and worry are the dynamic duo that once given an inch will take the preverbal mile in our lives! Much is written on fear and worry throughout God’s Word. Isaiah wrote, “So do not fear for I am with you; do not be dismayed (worried) for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10)

I find it interesting that an antonym for fear and panic is self-control. I don’t know about you, but I must admit that sometimes I don’t like that word, self-control!! Could it be that it makes me accountable for my actions (as in one scoop of ice cream instead of three!)? That it requires I make a choice and ultimately the consequences of that choice cannot be blamed on someone else? “I can’t help but worry” has been an excuse I’ve heard a thousand times….yes you can! It is called, “choice”, as in SELF control.

Solomon reminds us of the danger of not having self-control: “Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control.” Prov 25:28
When we allow fear and panic to invade and take control of our thoughts we are opening the doorway of our hearts and minds for physical, spiritual and mental attacks. As in the city walls , WE cause a break in the seal placed around our hearts and minds through which the Holy Spirit was sent to bring safety and security.
“And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice (this includes fear and worry!).” Eph 4:29-31
“Nevertheless, God's solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: ‘The Lord knows those who are his,’ and, ‘Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness (this includes fear and worry!).’ 2 Timothy 2:19
Picture your heart and mind as a fortress and above the door is the inscription, “The Lord knows and guards this entrance.”

Jesus said out of the overflow of the heart our mouths speak (Luke 6:45). Ultimately what we believe and live will be revealed through our speech and our actions.
In other words, whoever has control of our mind and heart also has control of our actions. If fear and panic are the foundation our walls are built upon, our actions throughout the day will be aligned with anxiety, paranoia, anger, jealousy, etc. because those are the byproducts of fear and panic. But if we allow God to be the foundation faith, hope and trust will be the walls built around our city (our heart and mind). This will then result in actions such as “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law (or no limit).” Galatians 5:22-24.

It is our choice…..fear and worry or trust and faith. Both options are placed upon the unknown, but only One option gives life.
Be humble under God's powerful hand so he will lift you up when the right time comes. Give all your worries to him, because he cares about you. Control yourselves and be careful! The devil, your enemy, goes around like a roaring lion looking for someone to eat. (1 Peter 5:6-8)

Why do you ask my name? It is beyond understanding

Usually the first thing I say and ask when meeting someone is, “Hello, my name is Kay and you are?” A name is the doorway into discovering and connecting with another person. In biblical times names were descriptive of anything from the circumstances in which the child was conceived or born to the times they were living in. For example, when Jacob’s wife Leah gave birth to her children they were given names describing how God heard and knew Jacob’s relationship with her.
How would you like to go through life with names that meant: “he has seen my misery (Reuben)” or “my struggle (Naphtali)?”
Don’t know about you but that sounds like the makings of a country song, “Here comes Misery and Struggle” complete with banjo and harmonica background...sorry, I digress!!

So what is in a name? When God called Moses to lead his children out of Egypt, Moses asked God, “When the Israelites ask me ‘What is his name?’ what shall I tell them?” God answered, “I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’” (Genesis 3:13-14) God’s name was and still is indicative of action…past, present and future. God was giving them the promise of faithfully loving and caring for them, of always being with them not far away and it was all in His Name. He continued by saying, “this is my name FOREVER, the name by which I am to be remembered from generation to generation.” (Genesis 13:15)
It was not by chance Isaiah foretold Jesus birth and that he would be called ‘Immanuel’—which means ‘God with us.’ (Isaiah 7:14) This was also reaffirmed to Joseph in a dream prior to taking Mary as his wife (Matthew 1:19-15). God was once again reminding his people, ‘I AM is still with you…I haven’t left you.’

Upon given the promise of a son (Samson), Manoah asked the angel of the Lord, “What is your name, so that we may honor you when your word comes true?” The angel replied, “Why do you ask my name? It is beyond understanding.” (Judges 13:17-18)
This verse intrigued me and I started thinking if we cannot understand the meaning of a name, particularly the names of Jesus and God, how then can we understand the why’s and how’s of the actions of the One bearing that name? Yet we are forever analyzing God’s actions so we can somehow justify those actions when they don’t meet our expectations.

Isaiah reminds us, “Who has understood the mind of the LORD, or instructed him as his counselor? Whom did the LORD consult to enlighten him, and who taught him the right way? Who was it that taught him knowledge or showed him the path of understanding?” (Isaiah 40:13-14)
God goes beyond our comprehension to do the impossible in our lives and when He does this our only response should be like that of Job (Job 1:20), Manoah and his wife (Judges 13:20), Mary (Luke 1:38) and numerous others—falling before the Lord in worship and submission.
If we wait until we understand, we will miss out in the most amazing part of bearing His Name (Christians)--the anticipation of the power of God working in and through us. “And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well…and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it.” (Mark 16:17-20)

Where do you find yourself today? Are you still trying to understand before you submit to God or have you “fallen before the Lord in worship and submission” giving God the freedom to use you to display His Name...whether you understand or not?