solution

Posted on October 5, 2017 by Dana

Since the year 2000, I’ve been a part of a group that might know the solution to a problem our country seems to be struggling to solve. Though this group is very diverse with people from all races and walks of life, I’ve never witnessed prejudice or internal strife. What we all have in common is the secret to our harmony, but no one would choose to join… we are all dying.

Strangers are uncomfortable but friends smile when I talk about dying because I’ve been discussing it for seventeen years. But it is true that I’m closer to the end of life on earth now than I have ever been… and so are you! Over fifty friends from our group have passed away, including dear Mary whose funeral I attended this week, but the rest of us will stay positive.

No one really has the time to point an accusing finger when we are dealing with so serious an opponent. Instead, everyone pulls for one another. The differences among us are abundant, but we are all quick to encourage the struggling or give helpful information to the newcomer. We feel we are all in the same boat.

As fine a solution as ‘dying’ is to societal unrest, it is still not ‘the solution.’ Our support group is quite imperfect… and we realize that even if the cure for cancer is discovered today, we’re still going to die. Though few like to discuss death, it is our common destiny. God calls it the ‘last enemy’ and He is the only One who can defeat it.

The Holy Spirit wants every individual to know that apart from God’s solution we are already dead – separated from Him, the perfect Father. His Son is ‘The Solution.’ If we will humbly turn from our own ways and put our faith in the Lord Jesus, we will find life.

If dying people in a support group dare not argue or fight, how much more unified should those be who stand at the foot of the cross, trusting the Innocent One who died in our place? And when we realize He took away our sin and defeated death, should we not offer ourselves as those who simply want to carry out His good plans? Praise God for the Gospel.

“As for you, you were dead in your sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in our transgressions – it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages He might show the incomparable riches of His grace, expressed in His kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God has prepared in advance for us to do.” Ephesians 2:1-10

Posted in Jesus | Comments Off

Way

Posted on September 28, 2017 by Dana

“’You know the way to the place where I am going.’ Thomas said to Him, ‘Lord, we don’t know where You are going, so how can we know the way?’ Jesus answered, ‘I am the Way and the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.’” (John 14:4-6)

The Way is not connected to any political party; following the Way does not require being a certain nationality; the Way transcends human leadership. The Way is Jesus Christ the Son of God, who defeated sin and death.

‘Self’ is often our greatest hindrance. When tempted to think selfishly, John the Baptist replied, “He must be greater; I must become less.” (John 3:30) Jesus promised the Holy Spirit to those who would follow this path. “If you love Me, you will obey what I command. And I will ask the Father and He will give you another Counselor to be with you forever – the Spirit of Truth.” (John 14:13-17)

The Way includes Truth and Life. The enemy hates us, but Jesus overcomes. “The thief comes only to steal and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” (John 10:10)

img_1026I’ve written before about an Indian brother named Prabhu Das. He and his wife Sheeba visited our home this week and he shared about finding the Way. On the run after committing violent crimes, Prabhu Das was invited into the home of a Christian family. Sensing he was in trouble, this family fervently prayed that God would speak to their guest. During the middle of the night, the young criminal heard a clear voice say, “Son, I want you.” His testimony was similar to the familiar story of Saul, an enemy of the Gospel who became an ambassador for Christ.

Praise God for the Way!

“Meanwhile Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, ’Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me?’ ‘Who are You, Lord?’ Saul asked. ‘I am Jesus whom you are persecuting,’ He replied, ‘now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what to do.’” Acts 9:1-6

Posted in Jesus | Comments Off

Proverbs

Posted on September 21, 2017 by Dana

img_2405“Mr. Davis, as Taylor grew older, what were some things you looked forward to doing with him?”

This was one of several questions I was asked in a seventh grade Bible class at Taylor’s school this week. A while back, I called our son as he was driving back from a game with a fellow coach. We just had a normal conversation, but overhearing it, the coach decided to invite us to his Bible class to be an illustration of ‘generational wisdom.’

The class has been studying the Proverbs, and while I don’t claim to have a great deal of wisdom, the Scripture is full of it. Solomon often wrote about fathers and sons. “The glory of a young man is his strength; the gray hair of the old is his splendor.” (Proverbs 20:29) As Taylor and I told stories and answered questions, I thanked God for His goodness.

“Coach Davis, as your children grow older, what are some of the things you look forward to?”

Our answers to questions were often similar. Many years ago, I enjoyed coming home from work and playing various games with the kids. I enjoyed taking them fishing and going on trips. Wilkes is now at the age where he loves to play and Taylor loves it. Cars, superheroes, ball, rocks, sticks… everything is fun.

But what is most important for a child? Don’t we as parents want our kids to know our Heavenly Father? However close I feel I am to God, I want my children to be closer. He is our Source of life. He is our fortress. He is our hope.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5-6) As parents, we can pray our children follow this wisdom as we daily put it into practice in our own lives. And God will prove Himself faithful… for He is the perfect Father.

“The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.” Proverbs 18:10

“He who fears the Lord has a secure fortress, and for his children it will be a refuge.” Proverbs 14:26

“For the Lord gives wisdom, and from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.” Proverbs 2:6

Posted in family | Comments Off

dodger

Posted on September 14, 2017 by Dana

After singing a few songs and sharing a Bible story with the children in the mountains of Ecuador, we always had some treats to distribute. Anywhere on earth it is wise to have a good strategy in gift-giving to prevent chaos. And there always seems to be a couple of ‘artful dodgers’ who attempt to take advantage.

IMG_1009My most memorable young friend this past summer sat near the front of two long rows as cookies were distributed to about thirty children. As he held out his hands, I went to hand him a bag and Karlyn said, “He already has some, Dad.” The boy looked at me with sad eyes and continued to hold out his hands. “Are you sure, Karlyn?” I asked. She firmly confirmed her answer and I refrained from giving. A few minutes later, knowing his efforts had failed, the kid stuck his hand in his pocket, pulled out the cookies, and started eating.

A few minutes later, with the children still sitting on the steps, we began giving gifts – one to every person. I watched my little friend take a toy, put it in his pocket, and nonchalantly walk to the other end of the row. As he stuck out his hands to receive another toy, I walked over and foiled his plan. He looked a little wounded, but I thought I detected a hint of a smile and a twinkle in his eyes.

We closed our time in the village playing outside. We kicked soccer balls, threw Frisbees, played chase, and had a good time. When it was time to leave, I felt a tug on my jacket and noticed the young ’dodger’ at my side. “Dios te bendiga,” he said with a big smile. “God bless you,” are beautiful words in any language.

Who knows, it might have been a similar child who gave his lunch to Andrew to help Jesus feed the multitude. Jesus took five loaves and two fish and blessed thousands, but a little boy played an important part in the story. Don’t ever sell a kid short.

“Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up, ‘Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?’ Jesus said, ‘Have the people sit down.’ There was plenty of grass in that place and they sat down (about five thousand men were there). Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish.” John 6:8-11

“At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, ‘Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?’ He called a little child to Him, and placed the child among them. And He said: ‘Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one such child in My name welcomes Me.’” Matthew 18:1-5

Posted in stories | Comments Off

thirst

Posted on September 7, 2017 by Dana

Jesus’ encounter with a thirsty woman illustrates human tendency. This story also shows how Jesus has the ability to cut through our shallow comments and thinking to focus on what really matters. (see John 4)

When we want to make things about race or gender or societal correctness, Jesus makes the conversation personal.

Woman – “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?”
Jesus – “If you knew the Gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would ask Him and He would give you Living Water.”

When we want to interpret things literally, Jesus uses symbols.

Jesus – “Whoever drinks the Water I will give him will never thirst again. Indeed, the Water I will give him will become in him a spring of Water welling up to eternal life.”
Woman – “Sir, give me this water so that I won’t get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water.”

When we want to change the subject… and remain elusive with the parts of our lives we’d like to keep hidden, He makes us face the truth.

Jesus – “Go, call your husband and come back.”
Woman – “I have no husband.”
Jesus – “You are right… The fact is you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. What you have said is quite true.”

When we try to shift the conversation to religion, forms of worship, or other differences between groups, Jesus points to His Father… who is above all.

Woman – “I can see you are a prophet. Our fathers worship on this mountain, but you Jews claim that where we should worship is in Jerusalem.”
Jesus – “A time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem… God is Spirit, and His worshipers must worship in spirit and truth.”

When we try to keep things nebulous or symbolic or in the category of knowledge no one clearly understands, Jesus makes Truth literal… “I am.”

Woman – “I know that Messiah is coming. When He comes He will explain everything to us.”
Jesus – “I who speak to you am He.”

Jesus loves the thirsty… and He has the answer for our thirst! He wants us to come to Him, stay with Him, believe in Him, talk to Him, walk with Him, and receive from Him. “Thank You, Lord, for Your Living Water. Please flow through us every day.”

“’If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. Whoever believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, streams of Living Water will flow from within him.’ By this He meant the Spirit, who those who believed in Him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified.” John 7:37-39

Posted in Holy Spirit | Comments Off