No more strife! Only mercy!

Today’s scripture:

A man’s pride will bring him low, But the humble in spirit will retain honor. (Proverbs 29:23)

Have you ever told yourself, “I would never get like that” or “I would never do or say that”?

Being a truck driver can be extremely challenging to the values of morality and damaging to your integrity if you let the negative atmosphere effect you. There are countless situations that you can encounter while on the road that are influenced by anger, resentment, lust, envy, strife, backbiting and gossip. Not a day goes by that the CB radio is free of some driver getting so angry at another driver that causes a fight and terrible strife. Everyone is out for themselves and hardly anyone is willing to encourage or lend a hand to someone else. Even as I sit here in my truck writing this, there is a lot of arguing on the radio.

Just the other day, I was listening to a driver rip another driver to shreds (verbally) because he wouldn’t turn off his headlights while backing up into a parking spot in a truck stop (because headlights shine directly into the truck in front of you and that person may be trying to sleep, or blinding another as he is trying to park). He said he would do what they used to do in the old days which is take a hammer to the headlights which would teach a lesson to the driver.

Which leads me back to my first question… Have you ever told yourself, “I would never get like that” or “I would never do or say that”? I have to admit, a year ago in the beginning of driving a semi-truck and interacting with all the other truck drivers, I vowed I would never get like that. I wouldn’t say that but I believed it in my heart.  Can you imagine the arrogance of that statement? I actually believed I was beyond acting so low. I have a pride that is so arrogate that I actually believe I am incapable of having a bad attitude towards another human being. That I have been changed by God so much that my heart, no matter the situation, would have only meekness to give. That, my friend is one form of pride!

Today, I had encounter with another driver that left me very convicted about what and who I had become. This driver did make a mistake and got mad at me when I wouldn’t get out of his way while trying to correct his mistake. Instead of showing meekness, I was stubborn and refused to give him space just because it would cost me a few minutes of my precious drive time. It’s a dog eat dog world out here and nobody is looking out for me so I am going to look out for myself. That had become my attitude.

See, what I had failed to remember is, as long as I am being humble and kind to others, God is looking out for me. His heart and passion is about relationships and helping those who have needs. It may be small to me but it is a huge deal to God if I were to just quietly wait for this guy to correct his mistake and maybe even get out of my truck and offer help and then go about my day.

It’s so easy to get caught up in this busy life and rough world, we can forget what it’s all about. It’s all about Jesus and loving Him through our love and relationships with our neighbors (Matthew 22:37-39)

Reflection:

Rather you are a truck driver, baker, engineer, janitor, physician or whatever your profession, try not to let the severe negative comments get to you. And if you have given into strife, gossip, anger or any other sins, simply confess them to God and return back to His ways of meekness, mercy and forgiveness. You don’t have to listen to that lie from the devil…”you have already messed up, might as well finish the day off with it. Besides God isn’t interested in you coming to Him now that you have messed up” that is a lie from the pit of hell! Don’t stay there!

Challenge:

I’m sure there will be something said or done today that will cross your will and cause you to consider lashing out even if it is done in your mind. See this as a golden opportunity to let mercy and meekness shine bright and be for certain that will bless that person and according to today’s scripture Proverbs 29:23, God will honor you!

-Doug McGowan

Ransomed from Death

Today’s scriptures:

“We are all infected and impure with sin. When we display our righteous deeds, they are nothing but filthy rags. Like autumn leaves, we wither and fall, and our sins sweep us away like the wind.” (Isaiah 64:6)

“He gave His life to purchase freedom for everyone. This is the message God gave to the world at just the right time.” (1 Timothy 2:6)

“So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8:1)

From the very early years of Tony’s life, he had many trials and challenges. Tony grew up in a home filled with all kinds of evil… violence, abuse, drugs and alcohol among many other things. He lived in this environment because his parents created that environment. Tony believed this was the way his life was to be. He hadn’t ever experienced true love and acceptance.

By the time Tony was 13, he had helped his brothers steel cars, deal crack, and even became involved in a gang. Then when he turned 16 he had taken some elderly woman and her 8 year old granddaughter’s life for the BMW she had in her garage. Even though Tony grew up with this lifestyle all around him, he knew his life was completely unmanageable and out of control. Of course he would not admit that to anyone so he could maintain is “cool” and “got it together” demeanor, but he knew it was true!

Tony was caught, arrested and put on trial. He was tried as an adult and was facing life in prison. Then, this man walks into the court room and says “I want to represent this man as my client”. Although this was not protocol, the judge allowed it. Tony was shaking inside knowing his life up to this point was a complete ruin and a disaster, but still trying to maintain his outward appearance of being so called “tough”.

Tony could not believe what he heard coming out of the mouth of his new found lawyer… “I want to take this young man as my own, and being that he is only 16, he needs to be mentored and discipled rather than a cell to rot in for the rest of his life.” Now, Tony had seen it all and heard it all. Who does this??? Who walks into a court room and says I want to take this killer home with me to live so I can teach him life? Let alone, what judge would allow it? As soon as Tony thought this with his mouth wide open in amazement and disbelief, the judge granted him that request with very strict probation of course.

After a few years of intense and extreme sacrificial love, mercy and forgiveness on the lawyers part as well as on Tony’s, he had a new life (Psalm 51:7)! He was working for his lawyer’s friend restoring cars in a body shop in town and he met with the family of the two people he had killed, pleading with their forgiveness. Amazingly all charges dropped and off his record as if to say, ‘this man was never a thief, drug dealer or killer.’

I wonder how many of us can relate to Tony. Yes, this story is amazing and seemingly untrue! But there is a story that diminishes Tony’s life in a huge way! There is this unbelievable story of someone who created a crime so horrible the judge had sentenced them to a place far off from any civilization to be tortured and tormented with fire and extreme malicious brutality for the rest of their life never seeing any of their loved ones ever again…. FOR EVER!!! You are that someone who has been sentenced to that place of torment! You are that unbelievable story of inexplicable crimes that you have committed!

Would you believe we all could relate if we really stop to meditate on the price Jesus had to pay for our freedom and a new life? You see, Jesus is our “new found lawyer” and God the Father is that judge accepting Jesus’ plea of taking us in as His own. Jesus has spent an extreme amount of sacrificial love and mercy and forgiveness on us so that we can have new life with Him! Not only has Jesus given us that mercy and forgiveness, He extends that every day!

Some of us may not be able to relate to Tony. Those of us who cannot, may not realize how wicked and demonic our sins really are. If we are to TRULY humble or ourselves we will put Jesus and ourselves in our rightful place knowing that He is our needed savior!

Reflection:

The reason why it is hard to look at ourselves as great sinners deserving of eternal punishment is we compare ourselves by other sinners deserving death. We fail to compare ourselves to a holy and righteous God. This is the point where we need to throw up our hands and say, “Lord, your right! Even though I’m not fully there of 100% totally believing what Your Word says about how wicked I am, I do want to believe it. Help my unbelief.”

Challenge:

Ask the Lord Jesus to help you believe and accept His daily forgiveness and mercy. We don’t have to do anything to receive it. It’s there as a gift to us if we realize how desperately we need it.

-Doug McGowan

The Craftiness of Evil

Today’s scripture:

“For she has cast down many wounded, And all who were slain by her were strong men. Her house is the way to hell, descending to the chambers of death.” (Proverbs 7:26,27)

“Immediately he went after her, as an ox goes to the slaughter, or as a fool to the correction of the stocks, Till an arrow struck his liver. As a bird hastens to the snare, he did not know it would cost his life.” (Proverbs 7:22,23)

Just like many scriptures in God’s Word, these are very sobering and frightening verses… BUT VERY TRUE! All too often I overlook the importance of the Lord’s guidance and discount the severity if I choose not to walk in His way, even for a quick moment. Please understand, the severity I’m speaking about isn’t so much God’s correction or discipline. It’s just what happens when we choose a different path that is not safe. See, God’s ways and His commandments are safe.  They are boundaries to keep us from harm, from the one who rules this earth as well as from our own nature of pleasuring self. If you choose to cross over the double yellow line on the freeway, you will die! If you choose to step in the line of fire, you will get shot! If you choose to play with fire, you will get burned! And, if you choose to follow the seducing words of evil, you will be destroyed with shame, guilt, despair and even sickness or death!

…It’s just what happens when we choose to be unsafe.

Some may read this and say quietly to themselves, this is for those who have totally lost control of themselves and have given over to whatever evil comes their way. People like thieves, murderers, rapists, child molesters or that one who is considered to be a sex craved maniac willing to be with anyone no matter what the cost.

Oh, dear ones, please do not fool yourselves!!! This is for ANYONE and EVERYONE! Anyone can be deceived. Remember, it is in our nature to serve self. To take pleasure of what feels good to our flesh. This is even for the one who is desiring God and seeks Him daily. He too can and will be deceived.

I have recently taken on a new kind of lifestyle to provide for my family. It is something both my wife and I know this is what God has called me to do. I am now driving a big rig across the country delivering loads to different companies. I am away from my loving family weeks at a time. Needless to say there are tons of temptation out here on the road for lonely men that are away from their loved ones. In my old life before being born again to Jesus Christ, I lived a double life of serving myself always without regard of anyone or anything, even the ones I loved the most. I was willing to give into any kind of seduction that would make me feel good. I would even ask satan to give me things I wanted because I knew God wouldn’t.

A couple of weeks ago, I pulled into this truck stop to get some coffee in Kentucky outside of of Cincinnati, OH which was on my way to Michigan to deliver a load. As soon as I parked, this lady walks right up to the cab of my truck and climbs up with a map. She asked me to help her read the map being that I was a truck driver and looked at maps as part of my job. As she was pointing to the map, she very boldly physically advanced herself onto me. She used the map as a crafty way of getting close to me so that I wouldn’t be hesitant. Without any details, I had a very quick decision to make. Now at this point I had been away from home almost a month. I was missing my family and was feeling lonely. Satan knows just when to strike and how to strike, doesn’t he? I had just came off of a fast and seeking the Lord desperately two days before.

As she talked the Lord revealed to me the scriptures above but yet I was still very enticed to be ohnest. Her words were smooth as silk and inviting but the gracious and loving Lord Jesus reminded me what my life was like before when I gave into such temptation. I destroyed my marriage and relationships and mostly destroyed my desire for the Lord! I didn’t want that anymore. I told her I am married and she needs to leave and then I got out of there and started calling everyone I knew within the brotherhood of Jesus Christ.

It can happen to anyone at any time anywhere in any way. Please be aware of those tiny little steps that walks ever so slightly away from God. It usually doesn’t start out so bold, it usually and gradually starts with little and subtle things like a look or a thought. Do not be fooled! These are not little things because they will lure you away from a safe and loving God and onto a path that is DESIGNED to destroy you! It can and will destroy you!

Reflection:

The ways of God are safe. They can be difficult to follow even though they are so simple. Remember, they are difficult because we make them difficult due to our nature of always wanting to serve self. Never forget that! If you get only one thing from this reading, let it be this… Never, ever think you are strong enough or too close to God for something to lure you away. Remember, it starts out ever so slightly and subtle. The devil is very crafty and knows you are weak when you are left to yourself. He knows you like pleasure. Pleasure is not wrong as long as it is directed from our Lord Jesus.

Challenge:

Before you go any further today, be aware that there is one looking to devour you and rip you to shreds and he will use anything to get to you (1 Peter 5:8). Be mindful of what your next steps today will be. There is no in between, they will either be from the Lord or from the enemy. Press into the Lord pleading Him to keep you.

-Doug McGowan

Awake oh you sluggard!

Today’s scripture:

“I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of my mouth. Because you say I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’ – and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked…” Revelation 3:15-17

I was recently requested to write about the institution of the Lord’s Supper and more importantly examining ourselves before we take part in such a glorious and reverence time. Honestly, it is a topic that I have felt very strongly about and felt the need to make it known to the church at large the importance of having that time to reflect on what God has done, more specifically what Jesus has done in your life!

I have witnessed some who have a misunderstanding of what is meant by taking communion. First of all, it’s only meant for those who have truly asked the Lord Jesus to come into their lives and to follow Jesus as their Lord and Savior. This is only meant for followers and lovers of Christ because of the meaning of communion. It’s to remember and reflect of what Jesus went through for you and why He chose to give up His glory in heaven and be beaten and spat on and die a horrible hellish death on a cross so that you can have close contact and a relationship with the Father.

My concern is that even in the church there are many who may have once made that decision to give their life to Christ but now have slipped into a spirit of sluggishness and have fallen asleep spiritually. Have we as a church lost that reverence and aw on what the cross means to us? Have we slipped away from thanksgiving and gratitude to our Lord? I even fear that sometimes I fall into that spiritual sluggishness and lose sight on the Lord Jesus and why I chose to follow Him in the first place a few years ago.

Look at the Word from God… Matthew 25:5 – “But while the Bridegroom (Jesus) was delayed, they all slumbered and slept”. See, the Word of God says He was delayed. Jesus will come again whenever He chooses to come. He is not late! He is delayed only in our minds because people have been saying His is coming again very soon for years. We think we can kinda skate by and when things get bad we can turn to God  until things cool off and then we go back to living our busy lives going to and fro and not having much thought about Jesus until Sunday rolls around again next week.

The truth is we need to press into Him now! Examine yourselves before God and before you take part in the Lord’s Supper. Is there anything at all that The Lord Jesus wants you to turn from? Are you living a consecrated life devoted to Him and Him only? Are you devoted to sacrifice your will so that His will can be lived out through you? Put down the smartphone and tablet, and stop playing those video games and listening to that music and taking part in group activities just for a moment each day and spend time with the one who has saved your life from the tortures of hell!

Let’s together turn from that sluggish spiritual sleep and awake up to a spirit of thankfulness and respect to the enormous sacrifice Jesus made for us! It is time to stop being a lukewarm church and start living a life of prayer and a burning fire in our hearts to enjoy Jesus Himself by living and sacrificing for others in need and having a special time set aside each day for the Lord to speak to us.

Reflection:

The verse for today is indeed strong! It is not meant to cut people down but it is the Word from God and it is meant to put us in our rightful place and humble us. It is also meant to show us our need to be godly rich only in Him and to be clothed with a whiter than snow garment to cover our nakedness and we need Him to give us sight to see Him as He truly is and not a false distortion of a god. This writing is about communion. Communion with Jesus and knowing who He is and who we are in light of Him. To have Him be put on the thrown of our hearts instead of us being our own ruler of our lives.

Challenge:

My challenge to you today is to put down and stop anything that has kept you from spending time with Jesus. Maybe even fast for a week or so from that thing that has become a god in your life.

-Doug McGowan