Friday, July 16, 2010

Garlic and Diamonds

GARLIC AND DIAMONDS
James 2:1-9
V.1: “My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don’t show favoritism.”

“What’s the first thing you notice when meeting someone?” I ask you, my reader.

Nine year old Jamie said to her brother, Greg, age eight, as they parted company at the public swimming pool, “You passed your swimming test, so you can play in the big pool now. Let me know when you get hungry.”

Greg nodded, heading to the deep end. “See ya later.”

Greg met Timmy in line to go off the high diving board when a new boy got in line next. Greg looked at him, and noticed his bright blue sparkling eyes. His swimming trunks were ripped and dirty. That doesn’t matter, they’ll get clean in the pool, he thought. “How will you go into the pool, Tim?”

“First time, I’ll just jump feet first. I kind of get freaked my first jump, because it seems so far to the water!”

“What’s your name?” Greg turned and asked the new boy.

“Marshall.” He smiled, showing 2 missing front teeth.

“Are you new, Marshall? I never noticed you here before” Greg asked.

“We just moved here from Arizona.”
“I hear your accent now” Greg said. “I’m Greg, and that guy” Greg pointed, “is Tim.”

“Hi. What grade are you guys in?”

“Going to third” Greg replied, puffing out his chest.

“I’m going to second.” Marshall admitted.

“Well, you’ll get used to the high dive after you jump off it a couple times…don’t worry, Marshall. It’s quite a thrill!”

“High dive is my passion.”

“Really?”

Timmy jumped in the pool, feet first, as he said. He sputtered as soon as his head emerged out of the water, and he swam as fast as he could to the pool’s edge.

Timmy and Marshall both watched Greg, who also jumped in feet first.

At the pool’s edge, Greg and Timmy watched Marshall. He walked to the diving board’s end, then turned around. Timmy said, “What’s he going to do?” Marshall raised both his arms out straight, then up.

Greg’s mouth flew open as they watched Marshall execute a perfect reverse dive.

All Greg remembered as they climbed out of the pool was, Marshall has really sparkling blue eyes.”

Take Home Nugget


James 2 is scripture that warns against playing favoritism. Regardless of a person’s social status, whether rich or poor, we’re to respect others. God calls us to demonstrate concern for and have interest in all people.

Heavenly Father, You welcome Your kids into Your kingdom, not because of who we are, but because of who You are. Help us to open our arms in fellowship to everyone, remembering Your love and mercy towards us. Amen.

J.D. Griffith
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Tuesday, July 13, 2010

God's Mine

GOD’S MINE
Psalm 50:12
“If I were hungry, I would not tell you for the world is Mine, and all that is in it.”

Julie Ackerman Link describes infant eaglets in a devotion published by RBC Ministries1. Baby eaglets are the perfect illustration of why we shouldn’t be greedy in protecting our own self interests.
Before they’re one week old, baby eaglets fight over food. Neither one is strong enough to even hold up its head for more than a few seconds, but each fight the other over food every time the parents arrived at the nest. The twins looked like fuzzballs with attached bobble heads. The bigger eaglet pecks down his smaller brother, and snatchs up the fish for himself. The smaller eaglet can’t get one bite.

Food isn’t scarce. Their parents repeatedly bring food, so the supply seems endless. The infant eaglets are offered fish that are many times larger than their size. Their food is abundant—way more than what’s needed—plenty enough for them both. But still the larger eaglet is too greedy to allow his sibling one single bite of food.

Does the greedy eaglet remind you of anyone? James 4:1-5 teaches us that it’s foolish to try obtaining for ourselves what belongs to someone else. We often fight over things that we see God giving to another. Whether God’s blessing is for a friend, sister or brother, another relative, neighbor, or class mate, we try snatching it up for ourselves. Do we realize that God has something good for every one of His kids? We really don’t need what He gives to someone else, because there’s more than enough for everyone.
Always hard to do, but have you ever been disappointed when obeying the admonishment, “Wait your turn?” Every time we receive what we wait for, we are learning patience (PAY-shents means tolerance with courage to endure). But patience isn’t learned after just one time of receiving after waiting. Patience often seems to be a bad word, when we’re sorely tempted to want something right now.
Belly’s growl when waiting in line for a hot dog—because you can smell it, see it. Licking your lips in anticipation prepares you for that taste. When will we learn that there’s enough food for everyone waiting in line?

Take Home Nugget


Does the larger eaglet pecking down his brother make you sad? Is it ever permissible to harm someone to get what we need, or want? Our needs can’t exhaust God’s supply. He never comes to us when He’s hungry.

The secret of contentment is to
Let the Lord supply;
Our job is to do our job, and put God first,
So gratitude and thankfulness is our reply.

J.D. Griffith
1 Grand Rapids, Michigan, May 22, 2010.
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Friday, July 9, 2010

Mine!

MINE!
Philippians 2:3
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.”

“No!” Nina screeched, grabbing the game.

“Mom!” Nina’s brother, Timmy, yelled out. “Nina won’t share the game.” He ran to the covered patio to explain. “I wanted to teach her how to play, but she refuses to let me set it up.”
“Alright, come with me” their Mom said.

The rain continued pounding the roof, as Mom sat down. “Nina, give me the game. Tim wants to show you how to play it with him.”

Nina’s scowl darkened as she hugged the game to her chest. “No.”

“Give it to me at once, Nina!” Mom insisted.

Nina tentatively surrendered the game.

Mom handed the game to Tim, explaining, “Nina, this is how you share. Everything does not belong to you, dear. When you release something to someone else, their love returns to you. Your happiness is doubled.”
Nina watched Tim set up the floor game, fascinated.

“And” Mom waited until Nina looked at her, “when you’re sad, Tim can help you. This divides your trouble. Sharing has a win-win ending; everyone’s happy.”

“You go first, Nina” Tim handed her the dice. “Throw it down and see how many spaces you can move your player.”

Their Mom had to step in and end many quarrels between her children, just as all God’s kids fight among themselves. Most often people are selfish, and look out only for their own interests. This is an age-old problem. When someone wants to advance his or her person ahead of others, attitudes quickly become disruptive and divisive. This leads to disorder, and things quickly become ugly. Then people argue instead of playing (or working) nicely together.
The apostle Paul warned his church in Philippi against this problem. Bickering never solved problems. The good news is that this problem has a fix. He taught us to not only protect our own interests, but to look out for the interests of others in Philippians 2:3-4. Jesus urges His brothers and sisters to treat others the way we’d like to be treated (Matthew 7:12).

Timmy joined his Mom in their patio. “Will it ever quit raining?” he asked, bouncing a ball.
Will you guys ever play nicely with each other? his Mom replied.

Laughing, Tim said, “Yeah. Nina won the stupid game.”
Take Home Nugget


What will your life’s book reveal about how you treat others? Will there be chapters of selfishness? Will there be chapters of selflessness? Will it show how you looked out for others?
Selflessness prevents broken friendships, as well as not being consumed with self.
J.D. Griffith
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Tuesday, July 6, 2010

Reverent Attitude=Acceptance

REVERENT ATTITUDE=ACCEPTANCE
Genesis 4:1-7
V. 2b: “Now Abel kept the flocks, and Cain worked the soil.”

“Isn’t it time for us to present our offerings before the Lord?” Abel asked his brother Cain as they began a new day.

“Yeah, whatever” Cain responded.

“Aren’t you grateful for the Lord’s abundant blessings to us?”

“Yeah, whatever.”

“Meet you at sundown to present our gifts, then?” Abel inquired.

“Yeah, whatever.”

Abel prepared fat portions from a firstborn lamb (Genesis 4:4), as dusk settled upon their day. He wrapped the fat inside the lamb’s skin and brought it meet Cain.

Cain harvested fruit from one tree which had fruit that ripened a couple days earlier. Why is working the soil so hard? He wondered. The fruit ripens so quickly, and I’m too busy to get it all harvested before it begins decaying. Oh well, this will just have to do. What does the Lord need with my offering, anyway? Can’t He get His own fruit—when it’s perfect?

They met together at the designated place of worship. ”Hey Cain!” Abel greeted his brother.



“Yeah, whatever” Cain responded. “Let’s get this over with.”

“That fruit smells weird…Is it acceptable?”

“Whatever” Cain said. “It’s the best I could do.”

Abel knelt on the ground, and lifted his lambskin with the fat portions up high. “Almighty Lord, Creator of Heaven and Earth, and all things we see before us, have mercy on us. Accept this gift offering in gratitude for Your abundant blessings. With thanks and praise, I serve You every day.”

Cain knelt beside Abel, and lifted his harvested fruit up high. “Holy Lord, here’s Your offering. Thanks a lot.”

The men parted then, and God spoke to Cain. “Your offering is not anything I'll accept. Try again, son.”

Cain asked Abel, the next morning, “Want to see for yourself how quickly the fruit ripens? Come with me, brother.”

“OK” Abel agreed...It was the last thing Abel did.





Take Home Nugget



Before Cain killed his brother, Abel, the Lord tried again to win his heart. “If you had done the right thing, your offering would have been accepted, too. When you refuse to obey Me in your heart and action, sin has already won.” (Paraphrased from Genesis 4:7).

God never refuses a heart that’s surrendered to Him.

Lord, when I worship You with praise,
My heart’s already surrendered to Your ways.
Make my offerings of love
Be worthy of Your blessings from above.

J.D. Griffith


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Friday, July 2, 2010

You--God's Origami

YOU—GOD’S ORIGAMI
Romans 8:22-30
Vv. 29-30: “For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those He predestined, He also called; those He called, He also justified; those He justified, He also glorified.”

For those of God’s kids who choose salvation—believing in Jesus—there is unending inside work. This work lasts entire lifetimes. This work makes you "God’s work in progress."
How does conforming, predestining, calling, justifying, and glorifying happen?

Origami (or-i-GOM-EE, means folding paper) is Japanese. This term is derived from two Japanese words that define a skilled process--for which every person can learn to excel. From a single piece of paper, making precise geometric folds and creases, one creates something unique (u-NEEK, means one-of-a-kind).



As you fashion a single piece of paper into a bird, or a squirrel, think about how God’s shaping you, too. First, God uses circumstances to bring His kids to their knees, seeking Him. Fold one.



Then God engulfs us with His grace—twisting and turning our lives—until we emerge a close resemblance of Jesus. “Conformed into the image of His Son” is how Romans 8:29 describes our transformation. Aren’t we glad that God’s reconfiguring us into the likeness of a person, instead of a bird? But the “shape” has two meanings. Jesus’ soul is God’s target area: Mind, heart, emotions. Fold two.




Often God uses His other kids, like your parents, teachers, or Pastor to help His molding your soul into a mirror reflection of Jesus. Just like teachers show us the proper way to do all kinds of stuff, God uses them to help reshape us.

How many folds, twists, and creases does it take for God to transform you into the likeness of Jesus?

Take Home Nugget

When God’s kids' lives take unexpected turns—and we find ourselves in unfamiliar territory—remember what’s happening. Regardless of how freaked you get with difficult circumstances, remember who’s in control. Remember whose you are...In whose hands could you be more secure than in the hands of your Creator and Redeemer? Would you trade places with another?
Remember that the person you become looks like Jesus in God’s eyes.

“For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Ephesians 2:10.


You are the potter, Lord; I am the clay.
Have Your way, Lord; have it all Your way.
Mold and shape me as determined by Your will;
I await Your fashioning me, yielded and still.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, USA, ON YOUR INDEPENDENCE DAY!


J.D. Griffith
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Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Steadfast Trust

STEADFAST TRUST
Hebrews 11:1-31
Hebrews 11:3: “By faith we understand that the universe was formed by God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible”

All the provincial officials assembled for the dedication of the image King Nebuchadnezzar had set up, and stood before it.

The herald proclaimed, “This is what you are commanded to do, O peoples, nations and men of every language: As soon as you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes and all other kinds of music, you must fall down and worship the image of gold that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up. Whoever does not fall down and worship will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace.” (Daniel 3:3-6).

Some astrologers tattled: “There are some Jews whom you have set over the affairs of the province of Babylon—Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego—who pay no attention to you, O king. They will neither serve your gods nor worship the image of gold you have set up.” (Daniel 3:12).

Furious, King Nebuchadnezzar brought the offending men before him. “Why won’t you follow my orders?”

“There’s no way we’d worship your stupid golden image—or serve your gods. If you throw us into your blazing furnace, and our God doesn’t rescue us, so what?”

“Very well—heat the furnace seven times hotter!” King Nebuchadnezzar ordered. “Find the strongest soldiers to tie up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.” When the men were helplessly bound, the king said, “Toss them inside!” (Paraphrased from Daniel 3:17-23).

The flames curled outside the furnace, the soldiers died who put Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the furnace. King Nebuchadnezzar leapt to his feet and gazed inside. “Weren’t there just three men tied up that were placed inside? I see four men walking around, unbound and unharmed—the fourth guy looks like a son of the gods!” He walked closer to the opening and yelled out, “Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego—come out at once!” (Paraphrased from Daniel 3:24-26).

The three men approached the king. Not one hair singed, their robes not scorched, no smell of fire on them. King Nebuchadnezzar applauded. “Praise the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego—Who sent His angel to save these men—and from now on He’s the only God we’ll serve!” (Paraphrased from Daniel 3:28-30).

Take Home Nugget


Developing steadfast trust takes time. Convictions are nourished from a childlike faith when believing Jesus is God’s Son and accepting His gift of forgiveness of sins. This grows into knowledge of God and deepens our confidence in Him. Experiencing His protection, provision, and power in times of testing strengthens our loyalty and dependence on God.
Jesus assigns us the task of believing in Him (John 6:29).

J.D. Griffith
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Friday, June 25, 2010

Constant Faith

CONSTANT FAITH
Daniel 1:1-20
Daniel 1:5: “The King assigned them a daily amount of food and wine from the king’s table. They were to be trained for three years, and after that they were to enter the king’s service.”
“Sir, please listen to my request” Daniel asked Ashpenaz, King Nebuchadnezzar’s chief official.

“What is it, Belteshazzar?” he looked at Daniel, and smiled.
“We serve the one true God, and wish to not taint our bodies with royal food. May you please give us simple vegetables to eat, and water to drink?”

“Who else do you want to include for this diet?”

“My brethren: Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah.” Daniel said.

“You mean, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego?” Ashpenaz corrected Daniel.

“Oh yes, sorry. I forgot their new names!”

“I don’t know, Belteshazzar” Ashpenaz said scratching his balding head. “Would you wish me harm? I am in charge of your diet, and King Nebuchadnezzar would kill me if you four young men look worse than the others.”

“Tell you what” Daniel suggested. “Try feeding us vegetables and water for ten days. Then, compare our appearances with that of the other young men who eat from the royal table. Treat us any way you want to after ten days. Does this meet with your approval?”

“Well, OK. Just for ten days, mind you!” Ashpenaz agreed, and had the servants remove the choice food and wine from their table. Soon, the servants returned with vegetables and water.

“Thank you” Daniel and his cohorts said.

“Why did you do that?” Hananiah asked Daniel, scowling.

“You know the royal food was sacrificed to idols” Daniel patiently explained, keeping his voice low. “If we were to eat that food, and drink the King’s wine, we’d pollute our bodies! Do you really want to send the message to our God that we allow our bodies to be corrupted with food sacrificed to idols—their gods?”

“Well, I suppose not” Hananiah agreed.

“But that food did smell way better!” Azariah said, sighing. “And who wouldn’t prefer wine to water?”

“What if King Nebuchadnezzar hates this idea, and punishes us?” Hananiah wondered aloud.
“Well, wouldn’t you rather to be punished for obeying our Scriptures than facing God’s wrath?” Daniel countered.

Azariah swallowed a drink of water, and smiled. “I agree, Daniel. No matter what, we’ll stand behind what you say. Right, Hananiah? Besides, Ashpenaz likes you best.”

Take Home Nugget

Daniel shows God’s kids today how to stand up for what we know is the right thing to do. Can you trust God to always do what is pleasing to Him?

Lord, may we offer You our bodies in praise
From hearts surrendered to Your ways?
We long to be worthy of Your love
And blessings from above.

J.D. Griffith
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