Day: November 2, 2015

November 3- News Isn’t Gospel

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Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. Matthew 24:35 NIV

 I have no trouble catching the headlines of what’s going on in the world. The newspaper beckons my attention and the television offers me a smorgasbord of the latest in current events. I can drink it all in effortlessly while exercising, eating breakfast, or having my morning java. And I seem to have no problem paying attention or retaining what I hear. It’s strange. I don’t really have to be acquainted with the information’s source, their agenda, or motivation for reporting. I just chalk it up to “these are the facts so they must be true.” But when it comes to the Bible, God’s Inspired Word, I can’t seem to retain its content nor am I motivated to read it before all other activity. When I do take time to peel back its pages, my attitude is often anything but enthusiastic. My feelings tell me it’s a waste of time; there are more worthwhile things I should be doing right now than sitting here reading the Bible. Isn’t that funny? Why would I struggle with such ridiculous behavior? What makes me on one hand so eager and open to relate to the news and yet on the other, so reluctant to relate to God and His Words of ageless wisdom? Could there be something strategic to it? Is it possible my response is by design? Maybe there is a force so devious and diabolical, it wants to keep me constantly anesthetized with tragedy and gossip so I will have no appetite for what God has to say. Well, if Jesus is real and His statement is true about heaven and earth passing away, but the Word of God enduring for eternity, I am sure I know what to do next…. Do you know the last place you laid down your Bible?

Lorenzo

November 2- Fruit-full

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Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me. John 15:4 The Message Bible

 Independence is a phony thing. When you and I were little tots, we clambered and crawled toward the day of self-support; “soon I will do it myself.” And now, anywhere we want to go and most of what we want to do, we can accomplish without anyone’s help. Right? Today I am reminded of a dear older gentleman who taught me a thing or two about this subject. He was close to 90 when we met. I would go see him periodically on Wednesday afternoons for about 3 years straight. And every visit, I would learn something new about him, about Oklahoma, or about the world in general. There seemed to be no place or subject he wasn’t well-versed in. In my estimation, he had accomplished more in his lifetime than anyone I had ever known. And yet, he was wise enough to know at the twilight of his years, he couldn’t do some of the things he used to on his own. So, he had caregivers who assisted him with most of his day-to-day chores. No, he wasn’t too proud. When he was traveling the world, fighting the war, and surviving the Dust Bowl, he couldn’t do it on his own then, either. He learned his success and survival was directly connected to his relationship with the Lord. To the naked eye, this man was as independent as they come. But to the open heart and listening ear, he was the epitome of a “fruit-full” fellow well-connected to the vine. May we all learn and follow!

Lorenzo