“Take Courage! It is I.”

 

But when they [the disciples] saw him [Jesus] walking on the lake, they thought he was a ghost. They cried out, because they all saw him and were terrified. Immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid.”

—Mark 6:49-50

The New Testament records a number of incidents in the life of Jesus that stand out as reminders of the key principles of our walk with Him. These incidents have many parallels in similar circumstances that occur in our daily lives.

One of the more dramatic examples takes place on the Sea of Galilee (Lake of Gennesaret). Jesus has sent his disciples on ahead in a boat. As they cross the water, a storm quickly arises—a frequent occurrence on this large lake. The disciples become terrified that the boat will capsize in the rough, wind-blown water and they will drown. Then they see what, at first, appears to be an apparition approaching their vessel, walking on top of the water.

This sets the stage for what the Scripture records in Mark 6:49-50:

But when they [the disciples] saw him [Jesus] walking on the lake, they thought he was a ghost. They cried out, because they all saw him and were terrified. Immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid.”

This real-life event gives us many parallels in our daily lives. We may all too often find ourselves surrounded by high waves and experience being tossed about by the storms of life. We need to remember that in our most difficult hour, Jesus will come to us. He will speak words of comfort and assurance. He will remind us that He is always with us. He will gently and tenderly speak words to the ear of our heart, telling us that His Holy Spirit is guiding us, caring for us, and loving us.

As we begin yet another day, let’s remember that, no matter how difficult our lives may seem, we are never alone. God is with us. He will see us through the storms of life and bring us safely to that distant shore.

 

_{Copyright © 2017 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

A Place of Rest

 

Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he (Jesus) said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”

—Mark 6:31

Unless you find yourself in a much less chaotic life than I do, every day you are likely assailed by confusion and rapidly changing demands. Sometimes, we feel like the comical baker in the television advertisement for a national donut chain who meets himself both coming and going at the door to the bakery.

Jesus understood that this kind of chaos breeds a whole laundry list of ailments. The antidote to a chaotic world is to get apart and rest.

Notice what Jesus told His disciples, as recorded in Mark 6:31:

Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he (Jesus) said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”

Let’s start this new day with a determination to find some time to get apart from the chaos, find a quiet place, and rest. That would be a good time to talk with Jesus about what’s going on in your life. It would also be an excellent time to just sit peacefully and quietly in His divine Presence.

If we follow Christ’s admonition, our days will become much more manageable. We will find that we can bring some control to the chaos. Or, at the very least, we will not become as affected by it.

 

_{Copyright © 2017 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

Come and Drink

 

On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture said, streams of living water will flow from within him.”

—John 7:37-38

To keep ourselves in the healthiest possible state, we need to remain well-hydrated. Drinking a significant quantity of water each day is an important step in that process. Water is the most appropriate alternative to all other beverages.

For many, many years, I was addicted to diet cola. I loved the taste of diet cola. I drank a quart or more of diet cola each day. Then, my doctor confronted me with the potential damage that such a large quantity of diet cola could do to my already-stressed kidneys. So cold turkey, I stopped drinking diet. Every day, I now only drink water or an occasional glass of milk.

I cannot report that I feel any better physically. But, I do derive some sense of well-being from actually having overcome my addiction and, more so, from following the advice of my doctor.

I still greatly miss the taste of diet cola. I am significantly tempted, almost every day, to break my diet cola fast and grab an ice cold glass of that delightful amber-brown liquid. For several years now, I have successfully abstained and I fully plan to continue to do so.

Far more importantly, in addition to our physical need for water, our spirit needs refreshment from the life-giving water of the Holy Spirit. That’s what Jesus was talking about during the exchange recorded in John 7:37-38:

On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture said, streams of living water will flow from within him.”

Through the Holy Spirit, God provides living water for our thirsty souls. As we begin this new day, let’s determine to drink deeply from this life-giving spring.

Let’s allow the Holy Spirit to pour this spiritual water over us, into us, and fill us full-to-overflowing. The dryness of our spirits will disappear in an instant. We will feel truly refreshed and renewed. Let us come and drink.

Please listen, as the late Donald Doig, sings about this spiritual water in a lovely arrangement of Lucy J. Meyer’s song, beautifully arranged by Ronn Huff:

 

_{Copyright © 2017 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

Abundant Showers

 

“You gave abundant showers, O God; you refreshed your weary inheritance.”

—Psalm 68:9

Do you like the sound of falling rain? Most people find that distinctive sound very relaxing. In fact, among all the sounds available on many white noise-generating Apps, the sound of falling rain is, by far, the most popular.

Yes, we all realize that flood waters can be very destructive. So, too much falling rain, or melting snow, can cause a serious disaster. But, that doesn’t diminish the soothing effect that the sound of falling rain evokes.

There is also something very refreshing in falling rain. Where I grew up, in the inland valleys of central northwestern Pennsylvania, on very hot, humid summer days, we would long for a rainstorm that would dispel the humidity. Years later, when I lived in Connecticut, I was surprised that falling summer rain in that locale did little to reduce the stickiness of the air.

We have all seen the famous scene from the movie **Singin’ in the Rain,** starring Gene Kelly, Donald O’Connor, and Debbie Reynolds. Kelly displays his classic choreography while holding an umbrella and singing the title song from the movie. There is something so lighthearted and free about this routine that it has earned its way into the hearts of millions of theater lovers worldwide.

Falling rain is truly a gift from God. It soothes us, refreshes us, cleanses us, brings water to crops, and does so many wonderful things. That is why King David celebrated falling rain as a symbol of God’s goodness. Notice what David writes in Psalm 68:9:

You gave abundant showers, O God; you refreshed your weary inheritance.

Not only does God refresh the inheritance of His love and grace through falling rain, He also uses this imagery to talk about times of spiritual renewal or revival. Numerous songwriters have captured the image of falling rain as a symbol of a great, sweeping movement of the Holy Spirit that brings new energy and new life to faithful believers.

As we step out into a new day, let’s take a moment to ask God to send spiritual rainfall that will cleanse and refresh our souls. As we consistently do this, day after day, God will hear and answer our prayers. Then, we will experience all of the benefits that come from the abundant showers of God’s choicest and richest blessings.

 

_{Copyright © 2017 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

Scorched Feet

 

“Can a man walk on hot coals without his feet being scorched?”

—Proverbs 6:28

Several motivational speakers use a “self-confidence test” for the new people who have adopted their particular motivational philosophy. They have them walk across hot coals. Amazingly, in the vast majority of incidents, and particularly if they do not pause during the walk, the individuals emerge without burns on their feet.

However, if they hesitate, are too timid, or persist too long on the coals—as some show-offs might do—they will seriously burn their feet. The key is the time in which their feet remain in contact with the hot coals, which do not actually transfer conducted heat very well.

Sometimes, it seems as if hot coals line the pathway of life. Step off to the left and persist in walking on those hot coals, you will soon create serious burns on your feet. Step off to the right and try to walk on the hot coals for very long, you will also cause hurtful burns. That’s why it’s important to follow the pathway of righteousness that God lays out before us each day.

King Solomon understood this issue when he wrote these words found in Proverbs 6:28:

Can a man walk on hot coals without his feet being scorched?

Not if he or she stays on those coals too long. Not if he or she strays from the protected righteous pathway and pursues sin. That’s why we need to listen to the nudgings of the Holy Spirit. He will keep us on the straight, proper, and safe pathway.

This new day, let’s determine to stay off the hot coals of sinful living. Let’s keep to the pathway God has laid out before us. Our feet will thank us.

 

_{Copyright © 2017 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

Out of His Fullness

 

“Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.”

—John 1:16-17

How patiently did your parents behave toward you when you were a child? My parents had infinite patience with me. Only on the rarest of occasions did my father get angry with me. And, as far as I can remember, my mother never got angry. They were both firm in their expectations. But, anger directed toward me was not a common part of our family existence.

Over the years, I have had friends and acquaintances who did not fare so well in their upbringing. Several have recounted an almost constant sense of anger directed toward them. Sometimes that anger might have come from disappointment in their behavior. But, most of the time, the anger was fueled by alcohol or mental illness or a generalized dissatisfaction with life in general.

In contrast, God remains infinitely patient with His dearly loved children. He created us so that He could fellowship with us. But, our sinful disobedience pushes Him away because the holiness of His nature cannot tolerate sin. Yet, in spite of our willful misbehavior, God has made provision through His Son, Jesus, to forgive our sins.

God has consistently poured out His grace on those He loves, beginning with His chosen people, the children of Israel—the Jews. Throughout the Old Testament (the Hebrew Scriptures), we see time after time when God bestowed great grace on His set-apart people. He continues that caring, patient, love-giving nature with us “Christ’s-ones” who have been grafted in to the line of David through the shed blood of Jesus.

Speaking of our Savior, Jesus, the Apostle John makes this declaration, as recorded in John 1:16-17:

Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

Through the Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ, God gave grace upon grace to His dearly loved people. He extended His magnificent love to Gentiles, granting them entrance into His family. He made those who believe in Jesus to become brothers and sisters with His chosen people, the Jews. That’s why the relationship between Christians and Jews has a preciousness that few today seem to understand.

We rely on God’s grace continually. Therefore, at the start of this new day, we need to rejoice in this constant outpouring of His grace. We need to celebrate our oneness in Him. We need to sing praise to Him and glorify His precious and holy name.

 

_{Copyright © 2017 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

Shining Lights

 

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

—Matthew 5:14-16

Have you ever found yourself in a crowd surrounded by people who very likely would not welcome someone with strong Christian beliefs? Maybe it was a Christmas party or summer picnic of the place where you work. Perhaps it was a family gathering where you were the only Christian among those present. It might even have been at a rock concert, or the symphony performance, or a lecture series. Whatever the circumstances, the people around you did not exhibit the behaviors that you would normally identify as honoring to Jesus.

In such a time and place, what did you do? Did you join in the fun by putting aside your core beliefs and go along to get along? If someone said something snarky about Jesus or Christians, did you smile and nod approvingly? As the people became more inebriated, did you join them in their alcohol-fueled antics? Or, in a kind and gentle way, did you quietly take a stand for your faith?

You see, it’s not necessary to act like a pompous or arrogant person, taking every opportunity to criticize those who do not believe as we do by condemning their behavior. While there may be times we will have to take a strong, even aggressive, stand for righteousness, most of the time the gentle, patient witness has a much more powerful effect. We do not need to say things that make others think we think we are better than they are because we’re not. After all, we believers are all sinners —sinners saved by God’s grace.

But, in that quiet and gentle way, we do need to let the light of the Lord Jesus Christ shine through us and touch the lives of those around us. Such a stand requires us to live holy lives, as enabled by the Holy Spirit. It also requires us to exhibit the kind of God-breathed love that is so evident in Jesus’ life on this earth.

Jesus said it this way, as recorded in Matthew 5:14-16:

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

As followers of Jesus, we become His shining lights in a sin-darkened world. We shed His light across the pathway of everyone who comes into contact with us. We illuminate the path of righteousness, holiness, and love.

Let’s determine this day to shine our light brightly without ever hiding it under a bushel. That would please God very much, indeed.

 

_{Copyright © 2017 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

Preserving Precepts

 

“I will never forget your precepts, for by them you have preserved my life.”

—Psalm 119:93

Over the past few months, countless visitors to Yellowstone National Park have gotten into trouble because they strayed from the clearly marked pathways. Officials of the National Park Service, speaking in a recent televised interview, expressed chagrin and amazement that visitors could not simply follow the rules and stay on the pathways provided for their benefit.

It’s not really surprising. People don’t like to be told what to do. That’s one of the hallmarks of our society here in the United States of America. Our country was born out of a rebellion against being told what taxes our forefathers had to pay, with whom they could conduct trade, who would determine their governance, and a host of other rules and regulations that the colonists found oppressive and unfair. Thus, we’ve inherited a society that is always just a wink and a nod from rebelling against authority.

In the Christian life, we have a great deal of freedom in the life-transforming work of our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. He has set us free from the bondage of sin. He has given us power to do His will through the indwelling Holy Spirit. Our free will is constantly at work, choosing whether or not we will obey His leading in our lives.

Yet, God always gives us a clear pathway. He has enumerated His holiness in His Word. He has shown us what an outpouring of His love looks like. He has given us much freedom, but has also given us clear direction in many areas.

The Psalmist celebrates God’s holiness and His love, when he extols God through song, as recorded in Psalm 119:93:

I will never forget your precepts, for by them you have preserved my life.

We need to recognize that the foundational principles of the Christian life exist for our great benefit. God wants us to celebrate the freedom He has given us. But, He also wants us to learn to surrender our sinful, selfish wills to His perfect, holy, and divine will.

Once we surrender to Him, we will discover the great joy of walking a preserved life of obedience. We will know how to best share His great love with others. We will experience the reality of being His ambassadors to the needy world in which we live.

 

_{Copyright © 2017 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

Forget and Press On

 

“Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the oal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”

—Philippians 3:13-14

Most of us have painful memories with which we have to deal. Some of these memories come from incidents in our lives that we caused because of our own foolishness, or selfishness, or sinfulness. Other memories that hurt us come from the way someone else treated us, or the way the chapters of our lives unfolded in a way that we did not, or could not, anticipate.

Whatever the case, we are plagued by these unpleasant memories, even filled with guilt or remorse about the things we did, or sorrow at the things that were done to us. The question: how do we move forward and put these memories in their proper place?

The Apostle Paul, based on the very painful experiences of his own life, offers us his advice on this matter, as recorded in Philippians 3:13-14:

Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

You will remember that before God met Paul on the road to Damascus, he was Saul of Tarsus, persecutor of Christians, zealous for the Jewish Law, unbending in his devotion to the Pharisees, of which he was one. His political allegiance trumped everything in his life. A citizen of Rome—a very unusual thing for a Jew—he had given himself fully to making the lives of these new “Christ’s-ones” as miserable as he could.

But, God met him, as Saul traveled to persecute yet another group of Christians. On that lonely stretch of road, Saul became Paul. God gave him a new heart and a new name. Paul’s devotion was transformed. Paul now became as zealous for Christ and His Kingdom as he had formerly been when he persecuted those who worshipped this new King.

Yet Paul, no doubt, felt a lot of guilt for how he had formerly behaved. So, Paul’s words of wisdom, expressed in this letter to the Philippians, should carry a great deal of weight with us. And, as we begin a new day, we can appropriate this same attitude.

Let’s start this day by forgetting what lies in the past and by pressing on toward the goal that God has set before us. If we do so, we will certainly be much better off.

 

_{Copyright © 2017 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

Run for the Crowd

 

“Since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.”

—Hebrews 12:1

If you’ve ever participated in a sports activity, or performed with a band or orchestra, or had a part in a drama, you know what it means to “play to the crowd.” There is something electrifying to perform when onlookers fill the space around you.

In my junior high and high school years, I worked on the backstage crew for Arena Playhouse Productions, the local “little theater” group in my hometown. There was a vast difference in the energy and intensity the actors and crew felt between the nights of rehearsals and the first performance in front of an audience. Everyone stepped up into a higher level of concentration. Some of the rough places in rehearsals suddenly smoothed out and became nearly pristine. The fact that people had come to see the performance made all the difference in the world.

In our walk with the Savior, we perform acts of obedience and love in front of the legions of believers who have gone before us. That’s exactly what the writer conveys in Hebrews 12:1:

Since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.

As we begin another day, let’s remember that those who love Jesus and have graduated to heaven are watching us. They are cheering us on to victory. They have experienced their own struggles of the faith. They want us to succeed. They love us and desire God’s best for us. That’s why their enthusiasm becomes a turning point for us.

We are not alone in our striving for the Kingdom. This “cloud of witnesses” longs to see us succeed in our battle for the faith. They pour out their love and devotion in our direction. And that, dear ones, should give us courage and strength, as we persevere in our walk with Jesus.

 

_{Copyright © 2017 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

For Certain

 

“Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”

—Hebrews 11:1

How much certainty do you have in your life? Do you know for a certainty that the sun will rise tomorrow? Do you know for a certainty that your health, which is now pretty good, will continue that way for the foreseeable future? Do you know for a certainty that your car or truck will start when you turn the key? Do you know for a certainty that when you turn on the TV, or the radio, your favorite station will appear?

When it comes right down to it, there are many things that we may believe we have a certainty about. But, upon more careful examination, those things aren’t as certain as we may believe.

Almost everything in this life is subject to change. Sometimes that change will be for the better. Other times, at least in the moment, that change will appear to be for the worse.

Because our lives and the world we inhabit is always in a state of flux, those few things that we can have a certainty about will more and more become very precious to us. That’s the whole idea behind the opening statement found in Hebrews 11:1:

Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.

Faith is not the leap in the dark that some describe. It is not an uncertain plunge into uncharted waters that many believe is beyond their ability to embrace.

True faith, given by God to those He loves, comes as a calm assurance, a true reality, a genuine bond of trust. As God perfects our faith, through the ministry of the Holy Spirit, we can truly grasp the truth that faith is something certain. It is a knowing that surpasses all other knowing. It is a definite that trumps every other definite.

As the dawn begins another new day, let’s appropriate the faith that the Holy Spirit is building within us. As He nurtures our spiritual formation, let’s celebrate the truth that our faith has a foundation of certainty given to us by God.

We can be certain about Him, about His love for us, about His plan for us, about His overwhelming desire to see us live for Him. That, dear ones, is a certainty. Faith is being certain of what we do not see.

 

_{Copyright © 2017 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

Quickly, Now! Quickly!

 

“I will hasten and not delay to obey your commands.”

—Psalm 119:60

Have you ever asked someone to do something for you and instead of hopping to it they procrastinated? This usually happens with children or husbands.

“Tommy! Please take the garbage out!”

“Okay, Mom. I’ll do it.”

But, time passes and still the garbage remains in the house.

“Tommy! Please take the garbage out, NOW!”

“Okay, Mom. Okay, I’ll do it.”

Even still, Tommy may eventually go to bed and the garbage remains. Why? Because it’s easier to say you’ll do something than to actually do it.

Imagine how God feels when He instructs us in His Word and tells us something we need to do for our own spiritual benefit. We may say, “Yes, Lord. I will do it.” But, we don’t. We procrastinate.

The Psalmist understood this and urged those singing praises to God to remember that a major part of obedience is the way in which we respond. Note these words from Psalm 119:60:

I will hasten and not delay to obey your commands.

This is a promise that the Psalmist, and those singing with him, intend to keep. Not only will they do what God asks them to do, they will hasten to do it. They will approach the task with a spirit of obedience that propels them to launch into the task at hand.

As we begin another day, let’s determine to respond in obedience to God’s Word with enthusiasm, determination, and yes, with speed. Let’s not become spiritual procrastinators. Instead, let’s take the words of Psalm 119:60 to heart.

 

_{Copyright © 2017 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

The Coming Good

 

“Good will come to the one who is generous and lends freely, who conducts his affairs with justice.”

—Psalm 112:5

Have you ever gone through a difficult period of time in your life where you longed for things to just get better? Even if they would only get a little bit better, you would celebrate this small victory.

Every day, as we walk in the footsteps of Jesus, we will come under attack from the enemy. He is subtle in his attacks. They do not always knock us for a loop. In fact, they most often steal our joy and our peace. That’s why we need to develop a singular focus that will aid us when attacks come our way.

As we read through the Psalms, we find a wide variety of literature designed as songs to God. Some simply praise Him. Others seek His help. Still others intend to teach us valuable lessons. Notice what we read in Psalm 112:5:

Good will come to the one who is generous and lends freely, who conducts his affairs with justice.

When we become weighed down with the trials of life, one way to lift ourselves up is to show God’s love and generosity, His kindness and justice, to others. As we lend freely of God’s love—love that He has so freely given to us—we will find ourselves rising above the fray. We will begin to experience the attitude of an overcomer.

When the evil one attacks, we will find God shielding us with His righteousness. He will be our ever valiant protector.

 

_{Copyright © 2017 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

Use Your Gift!

 

“Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through a prophetic message when the body of elders laid their hands on you.”

—1 Timothy 4:14

Scripture teaches us that when we acknowledge the gift of salvation that God has given us through His Son, Jesus, the Holy Spirit comes to live in our hearts. The Spirit gives us gifts to empower us and enable us to serve God.

A lot of believers puzzle over this matter of discovering their Spirit-given, or spiritual, gifts. But, I believe that—in concert with the specific spiritual gifts mentioned in Scripture—God also uses the talents He has given us and then supercharges those abilities by a touch of the Spirit so that they transform into spiritual gifts fit for His service.

The most important aspect of spiritual gifts is that we commit ourselves to using whatever gifts God has given us. Take note of these words from the Apostle Paul. He is writing to his spiritual son, Timothy, and offers this advice, as recorded in 1 Timothy 4:14:

Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through a prophetic message when the body of elders laid their hands on you.

We are expected to nurture the gifts God has given us. We nurture them by learning all we can about the particular gift and by using that gift to the fullest extent possible in the normal course of our daily lives. Our gifts were given to us for service. Thus, we need to use them for that service.

As another day opens before us, let’s ask ourselves how we might use our gifts today. Surely we will find opportunities to realize the fullest possible potential of these God-given gifts. And, we will be able to employ them, on behalf of His Kingdom, to bring glory to Him.

 

_{Copyright © 2017 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

What About You?

 

When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” “What about you?” Jesus asked. “Who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

—Matthew 16:13-16

When I was about ten years old, I observed a conversation on the playground from a short distance away. A very pretty little girl in one of the other fifth grade classes had approached a boy in my class. He was the class prince whom most of the girls seemed to really like. At least they fell all over themselves trying to get his attention. Indeed, he was a very handsome and athletic kid.

As this little girl approached the boy, she asked him, “Sally says that she really, really likes you!” To my surprise and amazement, the little prince answered, “Yeah, but what about you? What do you think about me?”

For many days, I considered what I might have said to that little girl if she had asked me that question, as unlikely as that occurrence would have been. At ten years old I had heard my parents talk about the words “arrogance” and “pompous.” I wasn’t exactly sure what those words meant. But, I remember wondering if the boy’s response was at least a little bit arrogant. Or, in all sincerity, did he really want to know what the little girl thought? I wasn’t certain.

I do know it is very important that we clearly understand what we think and what we feel about the most important people in our lives. Thus it was in Jesus’ day, as well. Here’s a conversation between Jesus and Peter—with no arrogance whatsoever—that the Apostle Matthew recorded in Matthew 16:13-16:

When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?”

They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”

“What about you?” Jesus asked. “Who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

Interestingly enough, Jesus asks that same question today: “What about you? Who do you say that I am?” Every person on earth will have to answer that question, either now or on the Day of Judgment.

As we begin a new day, let’s consider, by our words and by our deeds, how we do answer that question. Who do we say that Jesus is?

 

_{Copyright © 2017 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

The Faithful Way

 

“I have chosen the way of truth; I have set my heart on your laws.”

—Psalm 119:30

Every day we have the opportunity to make very specific choices. Will we do what we know is right? Or, will we do what we feel we want to do?

We seldom think about the fact that choosing to do what we fell we would like to do is actually a selfish decision. We are in effect saying that nothing else matters but satisfying our own willful desires.

What I am about to write will seem very out of place to many readers, because, after all, “boys will be boys.” But, when I was a young teenager in junior high and high school, I was appalled by the way most boys thought and acted toward most girls.

I consistently observed boys lying to girls in order to obtain what they wanted. You can say that my reaction was naïve and foolish. Teenaged boys, you might insist, have one thing on their minds. Society accepts that this is the way boys are. Everyone, including girls, should know this and act accordingly.

My parents had taught me that girls and women deserved my utmost respect. I should always treat them with kindness and consideration. In fact, I should always put the well-being of others ahead of my own wishes. And, furthermore, lying was simply unacceptable. It was never, ever appropriate to lie.

I cannot help but wonder today if many parents teach their children these same kinds of values. When I see how teenagers react to one another, I am surprised and saddened by what I see. Our society has gone so far out of its way to accept, even celebrate, sinful behavior that it is no wonder we act so badly toward one another.

The Psalmist made this declaration in Psalm 119:30, speaking to God:

I have chosen the way of truth; I have set my heart on your laws.

Notice that the Psalmist insists that he has made a conscious choice. He has chosen the way of obedient truth. He has purposefully set his heart on God’s laws. His full intention is to obey.

Of course we realize that, in our own strength, we cannot obey God’s laws. It takes the redemptive blood of Christ, shed for the remission of our sins, along with the persistent help of the Holy Spirit, for us to yield our selfish human wills to God’s perfect, divine will.

As we jump off into this new day, let’s respond in love to God’s desire for us to allow His will to prevail in our lives. We can learn how to speak truthfully. We can learn how to show loving respect for others. We can learn how to live in a way that honors God’s sacrifice in our behalf.

 

_{Copyright © 2017 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

A Light-filled Pathway

 

“If we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.”

—1 John 1:7

When you walk along a rocky path with a sharp drop off to the right and another sharp drop off to the left, you want to make certain you have plenty of light. In fact, when you walk almost anywhere in the darkness, you want the best possible light.

A lifetime ago, when I worked as the Chief Electrician for the Arena Playhouse Productions in my hometown, one of the dear ladies who helped with the costumes fell off the platform in the middle of the theater. It was pitch black.

She was working alone in the costumer’s suite in the backstage area. She thought she heard someone knocking on the front door of the theater.

She left the backstage area and walked from the wings into the totally darkened theater. The work lights were not on because the schedule had indicated that no one would be working on-stage that night.

She thought she knew her way. But, as she hastened to the stairs that would let her reach the aisle of the theater, she fell off the edge of the stage and broke her leg in three places. If only a light had illuminated her pathway.

In our walk with Jesus, He provides the light to make our pathway clearly visible. We do not need to wander in darkness. While our enemy always waits in the dark to trip us and make us fall, Christ, who is the Light of the World, banishes the darkness from His divine Presence.

Notice what the Apostle John wrote, as recorded in 1 John 1:7:

If we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.

Jesus provides the light. He invites us to walk in it. In that lighted pathway, we will remain safe.

So, the question for this new day: Will we choose to walk in the light throughout this day? I sincerely pray that our answer is a resounding “Yes!”

 

_{Copyright © 2017 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

The Source of Strength

 

“Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

—Isaiah 41:10

For some of us, it is very easy to become discouraged. I first noticed this many years ago, back in the late 1970s.

My father had always been a very strong and decisive man. His experience as a member of the United States Marine Corps seemed to have cemented his naturally assured personality. But, toward the end of his life—he died in 1981 at the age of 74—he became more hesitant and even a little fearful. I particularly remember how he reacted when his car broke down while he was visiting with us in Connecticut. He was so nervous about what had happened that he was unable to sign the check to pay for the repairs.

I have certainly come to understand how the circumstances of life can affect one’s confidence. Over the course of the last 19 years, as I have struggled with health issues, I have become more and more fearful. Much of the confidence that I once had seems to have slowly ebbed away. Having spent most of my life completely unconcerned about my health, I have now become far too much of a hypochondriac. I find myself worrying about even the simplest things related to my health.

It disturbs me that I feel this way. In fact, I find my own loss of confidence greatly irritating and annoying. Even with a very strong faith—I know God’s plan for me is unfolding in the way that He wants it to unfold—I am still anxious and often quite discouraged with seemingly unimportant matters.

You may not have yet begun to feel as I do. In fact, you may never reach the point that I have come to in your own life. I hope that is the case for you. But, for those of us who are struggling with a loss of confidence, perhaps these words from God, recorded in Isaiah 41:10, will help:

[The Lord says] “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

Let’s seize this new day with the confidence that comes from knowing God has chosen us to belong to Him. He is certainly on our side. He is our help and our strength. What more do we really need?

 

_{Copyright © 2017 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

Watchmen For Our Time

 

“But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet to warn the people and the sword comes and takes someone’s life, that person’s life will be taken because of their sin, but I will hold the watchman accountable for their blood.”

—Ezekiel 33:1-9

As ambassadors of God’s mercy, grace, and love to a troubled and needy world, how important is our truth-telling?

Please take note of these words of the Prophet Ezekiel recorded in Ezekiel 33:1-9:

The word of the Lord came to me:

“Son of man, speak to your people and say to them: ‘When I bring the sword against a land, and the people of the land choose one of their men and make him their watchman, and he sees the sword coming against the land and blows the trumpet to warn the people, then if anyone hears the trumpet but does not heed the warning and the sword comes and takes their life, their blood will be on their own head.

‘Since they heard the sound of the trumpet but did not heed the warning, their blood will be on their own head. If they had heeded the warning, they would have saved themselves.

‘But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet to warn the people and the sword comes and takes someone’s life, that person’s life will be taken because of their sin, but I will hold the watchman accountable for their blood.’

“Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the people of Israel; so hear the word I speak and give them warning from me.

“When I say to the wicked, ‘You wicked person, you will surely die,’ and you do not speak out to dissuade them from their ways, that wicked person will die for their sin, and I will hold you accountable for their blood.

“But if you do warn the wicked person to turn from their ways and they do not do so, they will die for their sin, though you yourself will be saved.”

These powerful words resound across the ages. As you go out into another new day, please remember them and heed their warning. For we who serve the living Lord Jesus Christ are truly watchmen for our time and place.

 

_{Copyright © 2017 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

Nothing and No One Can Oppose Us

 

“What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?”

—Romans 8:31-32

“It’s clear sailing from here on out.” Those words of comfort came from the pilot who successfully guided the cargo ship through the tortuous route from the dock, through the shipping channel, and out into the ocean. The captain of the vessel breathed a sigh of relief. His ship was finally safe in open water with no other vessels and no obstacles in sight. Nothing could stop his forward progress now.

In our lives, we often come up against obstacles that try to prevent us from reaching our goal. And, when that goal is serving God with all of our heart, mind, soul, and strength, it is particularly troubling to find ourselves facing opposition.

But, the Apostle Paul, writing to the Christians gathered in the church at Rome, shared these very encouraging words that we can apply to our situation, as well. Notice what Paul wrote, as recorded in Romans 8:31-32:

What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?

No matter what obstacle may pop up in our way, nothing and no one can oppose us. God is on our side because He chose us to belong to Himself. He graciously gives us all things, including peace of mind and heart. We can face this new day with our eyes wide open and our heads held high, knowing that nothing and no one can stop our forward movement along the pathway that God has laid out before us. That is very comforting and we should cling to this important truth.

 

---

Author’s note: This day, I celebrate the 70th anniversary of the day of my birth. By God’s grace and His protection, I have reached this milestone. I am humbled to still be alive. Well-meaning and highly skilled doctors had expressed doubts that I would ever live this long. I am, on the one hand, surprised that I have done so. On the other hand, I can give strong testimony to the very truth expressed in this blog post. God has preserved me. He has removed obstacles in my pathway. He alone deserves the praise for my reaching this day.

I have now walked with God for 61 years. My “spiritual birthday” is sometime in October of 1956 when an evangelist, Oral Bradford, a chalk artist, issued a call for those who wanted to invite Jesus into their hearts to come forward. I fairly rushed to the altar. Rev. Bradford patiently showed me from the Scriptures God’s invitation to receive His gift of salvation.

Throughout these many years, I have failed in my quest to be faithful to God many times. He has always graciously received my prayers of repentance and always welcomed me to return to full fellowship with Him. He has also never stopped giving me such a great outpouring of His finest gifts that I can hardly begin to list all that He has done for me.

The most important thing that I can do on this signal day is to offer the highest possible praise I can give Him for who He is and what He has done for me. I would say to anyone reading this who has not yet acknowledged the gift of eternal life that God freely gives, to please not hesitate one more moment. While many have mocked this simple phrase, it remains absolutely true: “God loves you and He has a wonderful plan for your life.” I would urge you to find a church that preaches the Scriptures and offers opportunities for you to learn more about God, His precious Son, Jesus, His blessed Holy Spirit, and His wonderful written Word, the Bible. In the company of fellow believers, you will be able to learn and grow in your faith.

The Christian life is not one of “giving up the fun things in life.”” Rather, it is a life of receiving the very best that God has to offer those who belong to Him. Until you are inside the walls of His Kingdom, you cannot understand how overwhelmingly blessed you are to belong to Him. Don’t hesitate one more moment. Simply speak to God in prayer. Acknowledge that you need Him. Thank Him for giving you the gift of His salvation. Ask Him to open up His new life for you this day. He will surely hear your prayer and answer it by welcoming you into His Kingdom.

 

_{Copyright © 2017 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

Saved by His Life

 

“For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!-”

—Romans 5:10

“Christianity is not just for the sweet-by-and-by. No! Christianity is for the here and now!”

More than fifty years ago, as I sat on the wooden seat in the Tabernacle at Camp Findley on Findley Lake, New York, the words of the guest speaker nearly knocked me to the floor. I thought I understood what faith in Christ was all about. But, here was a totally new concept to me.

Since that time, whenever I encounter these words from the Apostle Paul, found in Romans 5:10, it’s like a jolt of electricity hits my body:

For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!

Why does this verse hit me with such force? Because I am reminded that Christianity is not a religion about death. Rather, Christianity is a faith that points people to life—a new life in Christ.

Contrary to what some people may think, Christianity is not only about what happens after we die. No, Christianity is very much about what happens every single day of our lives. For when we acknowledge the gift of God’s mercy, grace, and love—brought to us through His Son, Jesus—we are placed on a new pathway of life. We begin to experience genuine life, real life, in this present time frame.

Over the years, I have commended this book several times in this blog, and I will do so again. The title of the book is The Saving Life of Christ. The book was written by the founder of both the “Capenwray Missionary Fellowship of Torchbearers” in the United Kingdom and “Torchbearers” here in the United States, Col. W. Ian Thomas. This fabulous book gives a very readable and very useful exposition of Romans 5:10. I urge you to buy a copy of this book and read it—no, devour it.

That’s the best advice I can give for this new day. We need to grasp the reality that our faith in Christ super-activates our current daily life. He has not only saved us from eternal death. Jesus has, in fact, saved our very present lives. And that, dear ones, is “more wonderful than our hearts can conceive”—to borrow a phrase from a Sandi Patty song.

 

_{Copyright © 2017 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

How Devoted Are We?

 

“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

—Galatians 2:20

One of the questions that each Christian must ask himself or herself from time to time is “How dedicated am I to the Lord Jesus Christ?”

We measure the commitment to discipleship by self-examination, only. For no other believe can truly judge our personal walk with the Lord. In fact, Scripture forbids us from judging others. (see Matthew 7:1-5)

When we look at our own spiritual formation, we can surely judge where we stand in terms of commitment to our Lord and Savior. He is, after all, our King. Do we bow our knee in fealty to Him and Him alone? Or, have we allowed other far less important things to crowd into our lives and take away our close fellowship with Him?

The Apostle Paul offers his own self-examination of his walk with our Lord when he writes these words found in Galatians 2:20:

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Here Paul states that he has surrendered everything to Jesus. In fact, in so doing, Paul insists that he has allowed the Holy Spirit to nail all intruding aspects of life to the very cross of Calvary.

As a result, Paul is daily experiencing new life in Christ. Yes, Paul stills lives in this world and deals every day with the temptations and trials of a sinful existence. But, Paul has chosen a pathway that will incrementally draw him closer and closer to Jesus.

As we begin a new day, let’s examine our own walks with God. Are there areas where we can let go and, instead, cling more tightly to Jesus? If so, we should do just that in order to experience the ever-increasing devotion that God wants us to have in our lives.

 

_{Copyright © 2017 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

I Lay Down My Life

 

“This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.”

—1 John 3:16

From 1982 through 2002, I traveled extensively, mostly by air. In many of those years, I was on the road 39 out of 52 weeks. As you might imagine, I spent a lot of time in airports.

I was always fascinated by how people acted in various situations. One of the most interesting phenomenon was watching how people standing in a long line at the check-in counter reacted when a ticket agent opened up an adjacent line.

Some people immediately rushed to the new line. In fact, some of those individuals would elbow their way, even almost knocking other passengers to the ground, in order to be as close as possible to the front of the newly opened line.

Others would pause to think about what they should do. Sometimes they would eventually decide to move to the new line. But, they would always end up almost as far back in the new line as they were in the original line.

Still others would stay right where they were. As other people rushed to the new line, they would calmly move step-by-step closer to the front. Many times, because of the mass movement to the new line, they would end up far closer to the check-in counter than if they had rushed to the new line.

On very rare occasions, when a rush to the new line began, a few individuals would extend great courtesy to the people rushing to form the new line. They would graciously gesture for others to enter the new line ahead of them. They never pushed or shoved. They never seemed at all frantic to have their own way. They exhibited very calm, patient kindness to their fellow passengers.

These last people fascinated me the most. As a very seasoned traveler, I would marvel at their courtesy. At the same time, I would have very warm feelings toward these ones who clearly were making an effort to put others first in a very trying situation.

In writing to the new Christians scattered across the then-known world, the Apostle John made a very important point in 1 John 3:16:

This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.

Love exudes kindness and courtesy. It starts at home. For believers, that means not only their own homes, but also in their own church homes. Instead of always seeking to have their own way, those who want to show the love of Christ will put others first before themselves.

As we begin a new day, let’s determined to show God’s love in the way we relate to others. Let’s put others first.

And, let’s “lay down our lives” for our brothers and sisters in Christ. Just imagine how much better our lives and the lives of the people around us would be if we did behave in this way.

 

_{Copyright © 2017 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}

 

Compelled by Christ’s Love

 

“For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.”

—2 Corinthians 5:14-15

Do you ever stop to think why you do what you do?

For example, all my life I have been known, and sometimes disliked, because I am generally a person who revels in details. I look for details and, when I find someone skipping over the details, I am, at the very least, annoyed.

In my dotage, I have come to realize that in many cases I have no right whatsoever to be annoyed. That realization has not yet stopped the annoyance. But, it has helped me to temper what I blurt out when faced with skipped details.

Elsewhere on this blog, I have lamented the failure of the majority of McDonald’s employees to follow the corporate mandate—taught at McDonald’s University in Oakbrook, IL—on how to assemble an Egg McMuffin®. Let me very quickly explain—since some of you are downright sick of my complaining about this—the order from bottom to top is English muffin, Canadian bacon, egg, cheese, English muffin. However, most McDonald’s employees make it as follows: English muffin, cheese, Canadian bacon, egg, English muffin.

“So what?” you might ask.

You see I loathe Canadian bacon. To speed up the ordering process, instead of ordering my Egg McMuffin® the way I like it—without the Canadian bacon—I prefer to order an ordinary sandwich and then remove the Canadian bacon before eating the sandwich. But, if the cook does not follow the corporate procedures, I cannot peel the Canadian bacon off the cheese without losing a significant portion of cheese. And, I love, love, love cheese.

“Wow, Dean!” you respond at this point. “Get a life!” And, you would be right. But this incident pretty much sums up my life: details, details, details, details, and more details. These details comprise the bulk of every day. Sometimes that is a valuable thing. Most times is makes people around me strongly dislike me.

So, I ask again: Do you ever stop to think why you do what you do?

In our relationships with others, we should do what we do because of Christ and His love—the love He gives to us and the love He expects us to give to others. Notice how the Apostle Paul describes this in 2 Corinthians 5:14-15:

For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.

Because Christ died for us, we should no longer live for ourselves. Rather, we should live—every moment of every day—for the One who died for us, namely Christ. It is His love that compels us to do what we do.

As we begin another day, let’s allow the Holy Spirit to cause our memory of what Christ has done for us to compel us to obediently bend our selfish, human wills to His loving, caring divine will. If we do that, we will be so much better ambassadors of His mercy, grace, and unfathomable love.

 

_{Copyright © 2017 by Dean K. Wilson. All Rights Reserved.}

_{More info at www.DeanKWilson.com}