40 Days to Live - Day 21

Luke 17:11-4 - Actively Forgive

Lord, keep me from being a stumbling block.

Help me never to stand in the way

by being a poor example

in anything I do or say.

Lord, keep me from being judgmental.

Help me never to cut with my words.

Help me to tame my tongue,

refuse to gossip of things seen or heard.

Lord, keep me from unforgiveness.

Help me never refuse to forgive.

For you have forgiven me freely,

given me a new life to live.

40 Days to Live - Day 22

Luke 16:19-31 - Believe in Hell

The only thing in life that matters is whether or not Jesus is our Lord. Success, education, riches all fade in comparison with where we will spend eternity. Life on earth is just a mist compared with spending eternity either with our Lord in Heaven or in torment in Hell. Christ died to pay for our sin. If His Holy Spirit is speaking to your heart, drawing you to God through Jesus, then you have the opportunity to be completely controlled by a sovereign but loving Father. In Romans 10:9-11, we read, "...if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heat that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved: for with the heart man believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. For the Scripture says, 'Whoever belives in Him will not be disappointed.'" The Amplified version renders the word believes as "adheres to, trusts in and relies on" and confesses as "declares openly and speaks out freely his faith". This is not a light confession made just to get "fire insurance" against hell. It is a complete reliance on Christ which will result in His control of your life. There is nothing you can do to earn Heaven. It is a gift you receive from God. Jesus died to make it possible.

ONE HEARTBEAT FROM HELL
Karen Sue Hale
October 7, 1984

He laughs and he acts merry,
yet he’s one heartbeat from Hell.
When his life on earth may end
no one here can tell.

One heartbeat from Hell he walks
and goes to work each day.
He finds time for recreation,
but he finds no time to pray.

This man may be your neighbor.
He may even be your friend.
Have you invested any time
to warn him of the end?

One heartbeat from Hell he sits
and reads the daily news,
and yet the words of life from God
he’ll often times refuse.

Perhaps you are this man who walks
just one heartbeat from Hell.
Please give me just one moment;
hear the news I have to tell.

One heartbeat from Hell you stand
and listen to me now.
There is a way to change your life.
Please let me tell you how.

Jesus Christ has died for you
that you might be set free.
The debt you owe was paid by Him
that day on Calvary.

Confess you are a sinner
and believe that Christ is Lord,
that God has raised Him from the dead
according to His word.

If you’ll pray to Jesus
and yield to Him your life;
he will save you from the fire,
from Hell’s eternal strife.

One heartbeat from Hell you live
for death may come this hour.
This may be the last time
you can call upon God’s power.

Do not waste one second more…
just kneel to God and pray.
Trust in Christ to change your life
and be Heaven bound today!

40 Days to Live - Day 23

Luke 16:14-18 - Take God at His Word

It seems that each time I read God's word, I am convicted of some wrong thing I've done or some good thing I've neglected to do. I have the responsibility of having friends who look up to me, and I take that seriously. I do not want anyone to stumble because of disappointment in my behavior. Yet, like all of you, I struggle with sin. No, I've not murdered anyone; but I have harbored ill will toward people. I've not stolen from a person, but there have been times that I've stolen from the Lord by not giving Him all He is due. God looks into our hearts, so we cannot hide wrong motives or the fact that we may dwell on inappropriate thoughts. Praise the Lord that He is slow to anger and gracious in His dealings with His children.

Father, look into my heart and reveal the real me.

If there is any blackness there, help me, Lord, to see.

Purify my heart. Refine me in Your fire.

Conform me to the image of Christ...

let that be my true desire.

40 Days to Live - Day 24

Luke 16:1-13 - Be a Wise Steward

My current position as Mom's caregiver gives me added insight into the idea of stewardship. I am a signer on Mom's checking account. I pay all the bills, go to the grocery store, and handle hiring repairmen as needed. Because Daddy was a wise steward of all God provided, our house is paid for, which helps a great deal. However, I must be careful with Mom's money and try to live within her monthly income from Dad's social security and retirement. My sisters and I agree that we need to avoid dipping into her savings as much as possible because we may need it for nursing care or major repairs to the house. My family is counting on me to be a wise steward of mother's funds.

God expects me to be a wise steward as well; and in reality, all that I have is His. Since the decision to give away the dressing table (which by the way has been accomplished), I've been taking stock of other things in my possession that might be given to ministry such as the annual church auction, or donated to the ARC for the use of those affected my mental retardation. I have also decided to begin sending some of my children's books to my grandchildren and giving some to my sisters' grandchildren. I may not be drawing much in the way of salary, but there are still things I can share with others. Because of my parent's good example through the years, I know the importance of tithing even when the amount seems small. God can bless those funds and have them reach farther than I could if I spent them myself.

Sometimes I feel sad that I'm no longer able to give over $300 a month to the church. That's why I really appreciated the "Live It" statement on the study guide today: "Consider that everybreath and moment today belongs to God." It's not just about money. Money is actually a small portion of our stewardship. We need to be good stewards of our LIVES. I am finding more and more ways I can be actively ministering to others with my life right here from home. No excuses! Each breath is HIS!

Each time I breathe, may I exhale praise;

for the air I drew in came from Father.

May I view each moment as a gift from God,

never considering life a bother.

May I be a good steward of the life I've been given,

each step taken to the glory of the Lord.

May I allow Him each day to transform my mind

by spending time with Him through His word.

May the words that I speak edify others,

and never be used to put down.

May the message I share, the seeds that I sow,

fall on listening ears, fertile ground.

40 Days to Live - Day 25

Luke 15:1-32 - Look for What's Lost

In all three of the parables in today's passage, someone was looking for something/someone that was lost. Once they found what they were looking for, they rejoiced. It was not that the other things or the other son were not as valuable or moreso than the one that was lost. The rejoicing, especially in the case of the prodigal son, was that something of value had been thought hopelessly lost; and now it/he was returned.

Our brothers and sisters in Christ are dear to us, and we enjoy spending time with other believers. However, if we never go out and seek the lost, how will they hear? What joy might we be missing by failing to share our faith? When someone comes to the Lord or a straying Christian returns, there is great rejoicing in Heaven. We can share in that joy if we are actively involved in spreading the Good News to the lost.

My current situation means that I am not in contact with many people on a day to day basis. However, I am going to make a concientious effort to seek out people with whom I can share Jesus at the grocery store, beauty shop, Sam's Club, etc. when I am able to get out. Most of my neighbors profess Christ, but some are unchurched. Perhaps I can be more forward in inviting them to North Pointe.

Lord, lead me to someone who needs

to hear the Gospel message from me.

Let me be bold to plan some seeds

that might help a blinded soul to see.

Help me to actively seek the lost

and point them to Christ on the cross.

Remind me, Lord, to count the cost

and consider all but You as loss.

40 Days to Live - Day 26

Luke 14:25-35 - Carry Your Own Cross

Our student minister, Curt, preached this morning. The challenge was to count the cost and take up your own cross. In the Voice of the Martyrs publication, I read of people persecuted for their faith who have counted the cost and continued to carry the cross. I have friends who are with Wycliffe Bible Translators in Papua, Indonesia. They and their 5 children have had multiple cases of malaria, endured the flooding of their town, and many other hardships such as not being able to be stateside as their parents age. They have counted the cost and continue to carry the cross. The day may come, sooner than we probably think, when serving Christ in America will be more costly than it is today. If I cannot follow Christ in the relative comfort and ease we have now, how will I possibly remain faithful to Him when times get tough?

I wrote the following poem many years ago after a sermon series by Jimmy Draper, then pastor of First Baptist Church Euless. I once shared it with a group of singles gathered for a Bible study. We were meeting in the one bedroom apartment of our poorest member, seated on the floor for lack of furniture. I turned out the lights, had two guys "confiscate" Bibles as the group came in, and asked everyone to pretend we were meeting in secret. I then read the poem. Afterwards, I asked everyone to share memorized Scripture, hymns, choruses, and personal testamonies all without Bibles or notes.

WHAT IF?
Karen Sue Hale
1986

What would happen if an army came
and conquered our country and changed its name;
and suddenly all of the laws had been changed,
and it was now a crime to speak Jesus’ name?

What if they took our Bibles away;
made it a crime to worship and pray;
and we’d have to guard every word that we’d say?
Imagine it happened just yesterday…

Imagine the sorrow. Imagine the fear.
perhaps you might muster at least one small tear.
Imagine we’re meeting in secret here,
afraid of losing the ones we hold dear.

How would we comfort each other tonight?
Who has a word that would help in our plight?
Do you know some Scripture? I hope that we might
encourage ourselves in the spiritual fight.

I hope that we have Scripture memorized.
I hope that God’s word is part of our lives.
I hope we know songs and hymns line by line.
What is stored in our hearts, God would now bring to mind.

What if this nightmare were reality?
Would there be enough hope stored within you and me?
What if our Bibles were taken away?
What if it happened just yesterday?

But you say, “This couldn’t happen!” And I pray it never will.
Yet I tell you there’s a greater danger still…

What if the Christians just didn’t care?
They ceased to stand up. They ceased to be wary
of atheist creed and humanist teachers
and dozed apathetically before godly preachers.

What if the church were content to be
just one more wave on philosophy’s sea;
placidly drifting, not stirring the waves?
Not cold, nor hot, “lukewarm,” Christ would say.

What if we saw this sea full of sin
then comfortably watched as our neighbors fell in?
What if we heard the Word preached each Sunday
then promptly forgot it on the way to work Monday?

What if our church were really so dead
that the words of this poem drift over your head,
and you look at the next guy and say, “It’s his fault”?
Yet we’re all so lukewarm we’re neither light nor salt.

Perhaps, it would be better if an army came,
made it a crime to speak Jesus’ name,
and shocked us into the spiritual fight.
Please, brothers and sisters, pretend it could happen tonight.

40 Days to Live - Day 27

Luke 14:1-24 - Compel Them to Come

Jesus healed those that others thought unworthy or unclean. He dined with tax collectors and sinners. He encouraged his followers to be humble, stating that the last shall be first and that those who would lead must be the servants of all. He told a parable of a man whose invited guests refused to come to a banquet, so he invited the poor, crippled, and homeless. I'm thankful that North Pointe Baptist has a ministry to reach our neighbors in apartment complexes, sometimes even taking a cookout to them and inviting all to dine. I'm thankful we are involved in prison ministry and helping with a local ministry that meets material needs. Because of my current situation taking care of my mom, it would be difficult for me to be actively involved in these ministries, but I can give them my prayer support and occasionally donate small items. However, I can take Christ outside the church building myself. I can take an encouragement card to the flower lady at the grocery store, share Christ with someone at Sams Club, or invite hurting friends to my home. I can be faithful to witness to those people placed in my path. Christ touched people right where they were, and so should I.

I'll share here a song on this subject that the Lord put in my heart a few years ago. The first impression I had was the title, "Portraits of People". The idea would not leave my head. So I prayed, "What people, Lord?" The answer that came to mind after a few days of diligent prayer was "people the Lord Jesus touched." So I began a study of people that Christ physically touched while here on earth. The result was the following lyric set to the most driving music I've ever written. (I'm usually 1960's folk rockish). When I sing it, I envision the scenes in my mind.

Portraits of People

The boy was so controlled by demons that he threw himself in the fire.

His father came and begged the Master to save his precious boy’s life.

Jesus didn’t say, “Clean him up, and bring him into the church.”

Instead He cast those demons out and touched him right there in the dirt.

Portraits of people for whom Jesus cared...

He’s called us to follow Him and His compassion share.

The woman had been bleeding for twelve terrible years.

She touched the hem of His garment as hope conquered her fears.

Jesus didn’t rebuke her for touching Him although she was “unclean”.

Instead He said, “Your faith has healed you. Daughter, you may go in peace.”

Portraits of people for whom Jesus cared...

He’s called us to follow Him and His compassion share.

He was just the servant of the man who’d have Christ killed,

but when Peter tried to defend our Lord, it was the slave’s blood he spilled.

Jesus did not say to him, “You got what you deserved.”

Instead He put that ear back on healing every vessel and nerve.

Portraits of people for whom Jesus cared...

He’s called us to follow Him and His compassion share.

Perhaps she may be dirty, or maybe he has AIDS...

Someone who’s been in prison or a homeless renegade.

How would Jesus touch them if he were here today?

In my heart I can’t believe He’d turn and walk away!

Portraits of people for whom Jesus cares...

He’s called us to follow Him and His compassion share.

40 Days to Live - Day 28

Luke 13:31-35 - Pray for Revival

I own a DVD set that is the book of Matthew dramatized, but is word for word in the NIV version. When Jesus laments over Jerusalem and says he would have liked to gather its children under his wings like a mother hen, he is on the verge of tears. That's how I've always read this, that Christ was mourning their lost state. In 1987, I was studying an old testament passage (wish I'd written down which one) in which the prophet was weeping over his country. I had to ask myself, "Do we ever weep?". Please join me in praying for revival in our own hearts that will spill over to those around us and begin revival of God's people in our nation and an awakening that brings many to repentance.

DO WE EVER WEEP?
Karen Sue Hale
February 10, 1987

Do we ever weep
for the nation that is falling,
for the children who are calling,
the teenagers now crying?
And some of them are dying
to find someone who cares enough
to tell them the word “no”.

Do we ever, ever weep
for morality that’s crumbled?
Do we have a heart that’s humbled?
On our knees are we now praying;
or are those only words we’re saying,
thinking someone else will care enough
to follow God and go?

Will we sit and watch
while our world turns from the Father?
Are we too lazy to be bothered?
Wait for someone else to tell them
’cause we don’t think we can “sell” them
on the only One who cared enough
to die, His love to show.

Will we stay content
as church time only Christians?
Never have a sense of mission
for the people out there crying,
for our nation literally dying
for someone just to tell them
there’s a Savior they can know?

Oh, I hope that we’ll rise up
from our knees where we’ve been praying,
listening to the words God’s saying,
marching forth that we might serve Him
(keep in mind we don’t deserve Him);
and we’ll share His plan with others as we go.

40 Days to Live - Day 29

Luke 13:22-30 - Face Eternity - see also John 14:6

Lord Jesus, I know I've been redeemed by your blood;

and I pray for friends and family that they, too, might know

that You are the only Door to the Kingdom.

Let my actions and words consistently show

that You are the Way, the Truth, and the Life,

and no one comes to the Father, but by You.

Please use my life to draw others to Your Kingdom.

Let my deeds and words be noble and true.

40 Days to Live - Day 30

Luke 13:10-21 - Live Outside the Box

When I was teaching at Glenview Christian School, I had a spice jar of mustard seeds that I kept in my desk to show the students exactly how tiny they are. One year my 2nd graders decided I should try planting one. I protested that they were processed to be food and had been in my desk for years, so they probably wouldn't grow. The students dared me to try and had great faith that the seeds would grow, so I planted three of them. I explained to them that the type of mustard we have does not grow into trees but that it can take over an entire field if you let it go to seed. Two of my mustard seeds sprouted. When the plants were large enough to survive, I transplanted them from the little plastic cup into our 2nd grade garden. In a few weeks I had two rather large mustard plants beginning to bloom. As I did not want our garden overrun with mustard, I pulled up both plants. I took them home, stripped off the best leaves, and par boiled them. I poured off the first water and boiled them again with a little butter and salt. I took pictures of the process and the final mess of mustard greens on my plate. I reported to the class that our mustard greens were very tasty.

Father, when you show me what you want me to do,

let me not let convention, tradition, or skepticism stand in my way.

Help me to search your word, seek your face,

and do what you show me to do every day.

Take my faith that is so much like a mustard seed,

grow until it takes control of my being.

Let me lose myself in following you,

for the Holy Spirit's control is freeing.