Whose Hands?

 

I heard a radio preacher this morning speaking on John chapter 6 and I began to think (which is a scary thing).  Jesus had been preaching all morning and the people were hungry.  The disciples had only a little money in their petty cash bag.  Sounds like most churches that I know.  Only one little boy had thought to bring a lunch of five tiny biscuits and two little sardines, but what good was that tiny lunch among so many?  In the boy’s hands, it wasn’t much, but in Jesus’ hands, it was sufficient.  Jesus broke the bread, prayed to the Father, and handed out food over and over again to his disciples and they in turn handed it out to others and fed 5,000 men (besides the women and children)!  This is where I began to think.  A basketball is nothing in my hands, but in Michael Jordan’s hands, it is five-time NBA MVP and six-time NBA champion.  A tennis racket is nothing in my hands, but in Venus Williams’ hands it is seven Grand Slam singles titles, 16 Grand Slam doubles titles, and four Olympic gold medals.  The basketball, the tennis racket, and the lunch are ordinary; the difference is who is holding them.  Andrew saw the problem and said in John 6:9, “… but what are they among so many?”  Jesus saw the problem too, but Jesus WAS the solution.  Remember, you may not be able to solve your problems, but Jesus can.  Hey, put your life into the hands of the One who is the problem-solver.  You’ll never be sorry that you did.

Border Crossing

 

I began traveling to Romania in 1990.  There are many changes since those early years, and most are for the better.  In 1990, we flew into Germany, rented a car, and drove the rest of the way.  Each country had its own currency, and each border crossing was an ordeal.  When we exited Germany, we drove a hundred yards and entered Austria.  Later that day, when we exited Austria, we entered Hungary.  The next day, when we exited Hungary and we entered Romania.  But as years passed, the process became easier.  Soon the border guards from each country were standing at the same location on the border together.  One window stamped our passport exiting and the next window stamped our passport entering.  Hey, going from one country into another is like death.  You are leaving this life, but you are entering the next life.  You see, death is not a place (the grave).  Death is just the door into the next world.  And a door has two sides.  Above death’s door it says “Exit”.  And when you pass through death’s door, on the other side it says “Entrance into Heaven”.  If you are part of God’s forever family, you will enter heaven through death’s door.  What a glorious thought!  God will dispatch his ministering angels to usher you through the door and on to your heavenly abode.  You won’t get lost because you will have a guide.  You have nothing to fear!  Paul says in I Corinthians 15:53, “For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.”  We will be immortal!  Then Paul goes on to say in verses 55&57, “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”  Jesus calls Himself the Door in John 10.  Jesus Christ is our doorway into heaven!  Hey, have you trusted Him?  Has Jesus stamped your spiritual passport?  Are you assured of passage into heaven?  The choice is up to you.

Through the Valley

 

The Lord has allowed me to see some beautiful places during my life.  Some are old cities with cobblestone streets, and some are rivers and mountains with beautiful natural vistas.  I have been through the Black Forest region of Germany and the Alps in Switzerland and Austria.  I have crisscrossed the Danube river and traveled all over Transylvania.  But the most beautiful place on earth that I have ever seen is the Gap of Dunloe in County Kerry, Ireland.  From Killarney around Lough Leane, in 2005, we drove up through the gap and over to Hollywood and Dromluska on the other side.  The gap has lush green grass, a winding brook, and towering mountains on each side.  There are sheep everywhere that nibble the grass low to the ground making the entire area look like a putting green.  The Gap of Dunloe reminds me of Psalm 23 and the Good Shepherd.  The interesting thing about a valley is that it has two ends.  When you go into a valley, you will come out on the other side.  Hey, if you are going through difficult times, you can relate to verse 4.  You may think that you are going through “the valley of the shadow of death”.  But make no mistake, the Lord will lead you out on the other side!  He will not leave you in the shadows; He will lead you THROUGH the valley of the shadow of death safely to the other side.  So, take heart.  The difficulties that are pressing down upon your soul will not last forever.  God will see you safely through your valley and into the sunshine on the other side.  Trust the dear Lord to see you through.