First Question

I have often heard of individuals looking for a biological parent or siblings.  They are often asked "What will be your first question to them?"  That's fair.  I would also wonder what one's first question would be when they located their biological family.


Today, I was driving to the store when my thoughts went to a magazine.  It is a magazine that I have been receiving for about a year.  It comes with a 20% coupon or some promotional item for free.  I did not order this magazine but it arrived at my house every month.  In fact, it didn't even come to ME!  It came under a different individual's name.  When I first received it and I saw the name on it, I thought "Why would anyone do that?" 


It was a woman's magazine and every time I received it, I ripped it in pieces and threw it away.  Month after month I would shake my head in disgust and tear up the magazine.  I recognized the name on the magazine but it was sent to my address.  I just didn't understand someone's meanness in doing that.  I eventually called the company and asked them not to send any more magazines to my home.  I could have given them the address of the person whose name was on the label but that is not me.  I cancelled it weeks ago.


Today, as I drove to the store that came to my mind.   I thought to myself "When I get to heaven, my first question to God is going to be 'why did that person do that to me?"' I just wanted God to tell me why someone would be so mean spirited?  The more I thought of it, the more it ruled me.  My attitude changed and I found myself actually saying "I'm gonna ask God....I sure am!"


Then the gravity of what I was saying hit me.  I thought of that song I Bowed on My Knees and Cried Holy.  It talks of the artist seeing Abraham, Jacob and Isaac, he saw Paul and Timothy-but he said I want to see Jesus, the one who died for me. 


Really?  I finally get to see the one who died for me and my first question is "Who sent those magazines to my house?" It is amazing how we can be humbled when reality hits.  How superficial of me.  Does it matter who did that?  Not when I'm standing in the presence of my Savior.  Instead of asking that question, I am sure I will revel in the majesty of being surrounded by holiness. 


It doesn't matter who did it or what their intent was, it's done, it's cancelled, it's over.  So in re-grouping and thinking of a "first question" I thought of this.  If I have a first question for anyone it should be "Do you know our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and will you meet Him when your life is over?"  Now that's an important first question!


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." "But what about you?" he asked, "Who do you say I am?"  Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."   Matthew 16:13-16




(c) 2001, Steve Emerson Music-I Bowed on My Knees and Cried Holy/Gaither Vocal

Wait for it....Wait for it....BAM

These past few weeks I have been so excited.  I have been so close to an A in my Leadership Class of my doctorate program.  The first class I completly bombed it.  I was fortunate enough to walk away from that class with a C.  This week I had a presentation due and I was so excited.  My average was 89.56 and this project was what was going to kick me into that ever elusive A.


I woke up this morning and for some reason my phone was dinging that I had a message.  It was a not yet 5 AM for heaven's sake.  I opened the message and discovered my grade.  It was not at all what I wanted or expected.  My heart sank.  Once again, my A alluded me. My 89 average had dropped to an 85 and with this being the last week, there was no way I could make it up. 


Bummed.  B-U-M-M-E-D! One might ask "Why is this so important?"  It is important to me because I have attached my grade to my worth.  Isn't that silly?  Silly but true.  The greater my grade, the greater my worth - in my mind. I have had friends be really supportive through this venture but none of that can erase my insecurities.   Is it because I never had a high GPA in school?  Is it because I graduated with honors in my Master's Program therefore I have high expectations?  I don't know the answer to that.  I only know that I feel like this is the path God called me to and this is the path I'll take.  This I do know, God would never attach my worth to a grade yet I continue to do so. 


With this class behind me, I can only wait to see what the next one brings.  Waiting...such a difficult process.  It can be no coincidence that my devotions this week have been on waiting.  Isaiah 40:31 "Those who wait on the Lord...." wait, wait, wait.  How long do I have to wait.  That is one of my primary downfalls-impatience.  The rest of that verse says "...shall renew their strength.  They shall soar on wings like eagles.   They shall run and not grow weary."   


You may have to wait for something you are praying about but in the end, your strength will be renewed.  God has really spoken to me this week about this subject.  Like most of us, I want it now.  Wait for it, for at the appointed time, God will reveal it to you.  Don't give up.  Just wait for it.


For the revelation awaits an appointed time, it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay.  Habakkuk 2:3

Be Bold

The other day I was listening to a sermon by Dr. Tony Evans.  He was on a roll.  He was putting it out there.  In the middle of his sermon he said this "The word says 'For without God......'" and he awaited a response from the congregation.  There was silence but as I was driving, I meekly replied "I can do nothing??????"  That was my response.  Actually it was voiced like a question. It's like I was asking "Is that right?" I knew that verse and yet I was forming it in a question that indicated I was very unsure. 


Years ago at Vacation Bible School I learned the pledge to the Bible. 
I pledge allegiance to the Bible,
God's Holy Word.
I will make it a lamp unto my feet
and a light unto my path,
I will hide its word in my heart 
that I may not sin against God.


Portions of this come from Psalm 119:11. The specific verse that strikes home is "I will hide its word in my heart."  That is the only place one can not penetrate.  You know what you know and no one can go there.  So how do you put God's word in your heart?  You study, you memorize and you live it.  No xray can see it hidden there.   I was so hesitant in completing the verse because who wants to be wrong?  We can not be afraid to be wrong.  We have to be bold.  If we hesitate and we don't speak the word, there will be those that distort it and put their own spin on it. Paul wrote letters and in not understanding them, the people interpreted them and spread the message in a manner that was destructive [2 Peter 3:16]. 


So when you have your quiet time, when you study the word, when you commit it to memory, hide it in your heart.  The next time someone challenges you with a scripture or question, be bold!




Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it.  Joshua 1:8 I am the vine, you are the branches.  If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit for apart from me, you can do nothing. John 15:5