But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8

We all have a unique memory bank from which to withdraw. Its part of what makes us individuals.  At the same time, these memories that we have as individuals apply in some way to all of us. It’s part of what helps us better understand life as human beings. May I share a personal memory and move to a general conclusion that you can judge to be true for all of us or not.

Let me set the stage for an experience in the 1970’s during my (unholy spirited) bar-tending days at an American Legion. There was an entertaining investigative TV show at the time called Kojak. Telly Savalas was the star and he wore a hat sometimes but most of the time you could see his bald head. He was so cool he could solve crimes and eat a lolly pop at the same time. His famous line was,”Who loves Ya, Baby?” Well, there was a gentleman who was a regular at the Legion Post who shaved his head, always had a lolly pop in his mouth and said without a prompt, “Who loves ya, Baby?” As you can imagine, everyone fondly called him…Kojak.

In Genesis 1:26, the Biblical memory says we are created in God’s image and likeness. In other words, we have the capacity to look and act like God.  The example above is a sad commentary on the result of our fallen nature. To choose to function as someone else (who, in fact is acting too) is not God’s plan.  We are not a clever mimic of someone else.  Instead, we are to develop and act as the precious and unique YOU and me God intended.

There is a reality beyond the make-believe realm of Kojak and his lollypop.  My conclusion agrees with Heaven’s scriptural answer, even to Hollywood’s clever scripted question of ….”Who loves ya, Baby?”  In John 3:16 the Bible says God so loved the world that He sent His only beloved Son to die for our sins so those who believed in Him would have everlasting life.” In the divine believe and make realm, God says, He loves us; and that family and friends is as real, and as sweet as it gets!

Ephesians 2:10; Romans 8:37-39; Ephesians 2:4-5 Psalm 86:15; 1 Peter 5:6-7; Zephaniah 3:17

And do not neglect doing good and sharing, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.  Hebrews13:16

When we recognize Abraham as God’s choice to be The Founding Father of our faith, and the Founding Father of Founding Fathers, perspectives change dramatically.  In the Genesis account in the Old Testament and in chapter 3 of Galatians of the New Testament, it’s clear that Abraham had a divine and prototypical role to play in history.  He was blessed by God to be a blessing to the nations.  Jesus came along as the seed promised in Genesis 3:15, fulfilled the promise, and by dying upon a tree, took the curse upon Himself that was earmarked for all of fallen man.   

There is eternal excitement knowing the blessing of Abraham has been released and alive and well in his heirs; those of us who live in Faith in the redeeming work of Christ at Calvary.

2021 – We’re Blessed to Be a Blessing

For this New Year and New Decade, my wife Cynthia and I have personalized a morning prayer, based on our Covenant relationship with God and Abraham.  May our daily reminder inspire you to realize that you are blessed to be a blessing too.   

Dear Father in Heaven,

We are so grateful for our trusted relationship with You and the favor You have lavished on us in Spirit, Soul, and Body.  Thank You for our living faith, focused energy, natural and kingdom-family members, friends, and plentiful material and financial assets. We recognize the responsibility and privilege we have in this season of our lives to be a blessing to those You inspire us to engage.   Help us to be sensitive as true gatherers and deliverers of Your love to those You have placed strategically in our lives.

Father, we acknowledge that You have chosen us for such a time as this.  We know that Your agenda for Cynthia and me is as good as it gets.  Let this and every day sparkle with the strength of Your joy. Be glorified as You lead us as missionaries in the power, and transforming effectiveness of Your Holy Spirit.    

 We pray this in the mighty Name of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.

1 Thes 5:23; Prov 11:25-26; 2 Cor 9:8-11; Rom 12:13; James 5:16; Eph 2:10; Matt 5:16

For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. 2Cor 5:21

It was during my draft-eligible age (nearly fifty-six years ago) that I was classified by the military as 4A. Simply put, 4A meant that I was exempt on all counts from the selection process. This was due to the passing of my father, who had lost his life while serving in the United States Navy during W.W. II. With his death, I became a sole-surviving son – the only one left to carry on our family name-and because of such, the government saw the need to shield me from any duty in Vietnam. In addition to my sole-surviving son status, I also was granted a sum of money ear-marked for a college education. While it may seem somewhat selfish, my outlook during that period was that my 4A classification was owed to me, I was entitled the free tuition, and in a very twisted way, I was legitimately grateful for my father’s sacrifice. The trade-offs for taking this stance were costly, however. My sense of trust was dismantled by the absence of a “father figure” and my non-participation in the draft cultivated a nagging share of regret.

Because I was only six years old when my dad passed away, my conclusions relative to his death were not only childish, they also seeded tainted attitudes which cropped up long into my adult life. In my little heart and mind, I had planted two horribly self-defeating weeds: 1) My biological father was responsible for deserting my mother, sister, and me, and 2) God (if there even were a God) had to be wretched and insensitive for taking my most essential influence in my father. To say that this package of broken trust, unforgiveness, and bitterness flourished in my life would be an understatement. The longing I had for the love of my earthly dad and for the peace that only God could bring remained locked in a suppressed place deep within me. As my stubborn self-will and hollow pride matured, I became more and more adept at concealing my true condition by never bothering to publicly share my father’s existence with anyone. In fact, it was not until my mid-thirties that I even visited his grave site. But the most unfortunate thing of all was my stubbornness to accept a much greater reality. I, the sole-surviving son, willfully chose to ignore God and trusted in only myself for more than half a century. I was a habit on legs, independent, and set on doing things my own way. Only the likes of an earthquake or a miracle could change that. Well, guess what? The miracle came while I was on vacation in the earthquake-prone state of California.

But before I give details of this occurrence, we first need to know that God doesn’t think like we do. We make plans, but His purpose is what is carried out. His ways are higher and greater than ours. So here I was, 3,000 miles away from my Massachusetts home, thinking I was visiting with my son. When I first arrived, I had begun to read a small version of the Amplified Bible that a friend had given me. Never a hungry reader, I was surprised by my appetite for what was on these pages. It was as if this Book were written just for me! Little did I know that this was part of God’s special appeal to meet with me. After a few days of delving into His Word and learning about the significance of His Son, Jesus, I decided to arise early one morning and drive to the beach. As only God can produce, I soon found myself in front of one of His more famous in-ground pools-the “peace maker”/Pacific Ocean. I stood at the shoreline gazing off to forever, when all of a sudden, the concept of God clicked. In that moment of awe, He showed me how immense He was. Immediately, my hapless and hopeless ways were brought into the light, which I later came to realize was captured so nicely in Proverb 13:12-”Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.” In His presence, I knew I was meeting with hope Himself, the God of transforming love that never fails. I whispered to Him from my prayerful heart, “I give up… I’m all yours. Please, Lord, help me…” His response was my miracle.

My tide changed immediately as the peace of God flowed within me. A joy swept throughout my entire being like never in my life. My eyes were opened in a spiritual rebirth that literally compares to seeing the ocean for the first time. At that moment, two significant things happened and have continued to this day. 1) God began erecting His monument of trust in the core of my heart and 2) He began to weed out of my inner garden the twin growths of unforgiveness and bitterness. The anchor of hope for my soul had arrived. My harvest in life would never be the same.

From the instant I became a baby Christian, I have continued to read the Bible, listen to teaching lessons, and learn from more mature Christians than I. As magnificent as the Pacific Ocean was and the personal experience that accompanied it, I now know that there is so much more to discover and understand about the source of both. God is a wonder to behold. It is through the depth of my relationship walk with Him that the benefits of being regenerated become apparent. In Christ, I am forgiven of all my sins. I can fellowship with God any time I want. I am righteous because I am in Christ. I have access to revelation knowledge. I am born unto a new spiritual family complete with full rights and privileges. I am a part of a royal priesthood. And most significantly, I am an heir to a Heavenly Kingdom and guaranteed an eternal existence.

As I look back on my sole-surviving son days, they are completely washed in the blood sacrifice of Jesus Christ. When I accepted Christ as my Lord and Savior, I was translated from being that sole-surviving, soul-condemned individual who had a despairing life and a destiny in the devil’s eternal hell to a new creation (2Cor 5:17), a recreated soul-serving son who is complete in the promise of abundant life on earth and the blessed hope of being loved in My Heavenly Father’s house forever.

Like I mentioned, my attitude about being a sole-surviving son and having never served in the military is actually something I have lived to regret. Yet, with God, all things are possible. And so it is in this case. I believe God has helped me in the military part of my life by drafting me to serve in His army. They say old soldiers never die; their memory lives on. It is in my new position as a spiritual soldier and soul-serving son that I have the opportunity to brandish the sword of His Word for His honor and glory. And the most amazing aspect of doing this is that not only will my memory live on, but I, too, will live forever!

If you would like to join me in the eternal army of Jesus Christ, recite the following prayer and you will be enlisted to serve too.

Heavenly Father, I come to You in the name of Your Son, Jesus. Thank you for sending Him to die for my sins, an incredible act of love performed just for me. I am sorry for sinning against You. I believe that you are a forgiving God, as Your Word says, and that You forgive me of all my sins. I believe You raised Jesus from the grave, overcoming death, which allows me to accept Him and receive eternal life through Him. Jesus, please come and reside in my heart and be my Lord and Savior. Amen.

As a boy, I can vividly recall a specific occasion when my step-father, a retired Navy man, brought our family to attention while driving across the Fairhaven-New Bedford Bridge. It was not by any sudden action or outburst because he was doing his usual scanning of the variety of sail boats which dotted the harbor. What tuned each and every ear were the words spoken from his mouth. They were honest words having to do with his greatest fantasy. It went something like this ……. “If I could only stop this car, get out, throw my wallet away, dive into the water and swim to one of those boats and sail off, I would never be seen or heard from again.” It sounded like a legitimate dream to all of us as we lightly accepted what was in the recesses of his heart. Fortunately, we were familiar with the dreamer part of Dad and knew he’d never actually do it. His fantasy was psychologically harmless to our family, but it pointed out a dangerous spiritual void that each of us were blinded to. Our earthly father was giving us his best shot at temporal happiness – what I now look back on and call “Sailvation”.

Sailvation is when one sets into motion a personalized plan of captaining his or her own ship; to somehow escape the issues of this world by simply sailing off to ….. somewhere. How many of us have actually done that only to find a new horizon of problems and a renewed longing to find that elusive port of peace?

Here is where we need to meet the real captain of the entire fleet — Jesus Christ. He is the Prince of Peace who made all ports. When we abide in Him, accept Him as our Lord and Savior, He then navigates the course of our lives. All we need to do is take the I out of Sailvation and trust Him and His salvation for us. He created the earth, the waterway, the material for boat building, celestial decoration, and all life that inhabits this planet – especially and including mankind, His Crown of Creation. He also recreated us. How? By dying for us on the Cross, an unprecedented and heroic act which in effect served as our “life saver” from the wages of sin or put another way, eternal separation or death. (Romans 6:23)

From the Sea of Galilee to the shores of Narragansett Bay, the ever-loving and ever-living miraculous Jesus Christ welcomes us to follow Him. If you want Jesus to come into your life and navigate for you, drop the “I” in your Sailvation approach and two major things will occur: 1) You will no longer continually run aground here on earth and 2) You will never sink into the eternal depths of hell. The only way to become ship-shape is simple. Be willing and submit to the greatest Harbor Master and Light House of all — He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life — Jesus Christ. (John 14:6)

To be reunited and sealed, God’s way, please recite this prayer and mean it with all of your heart, and your journey in and with Him will begin now and never end. (Romans 10:9-10)

Heavenly Father, I come to You in the name of Your Son, Jesus. Thank you for sending Him to die to redeem me from my sins. I’m sorry for sinning against You. I believe that you are a forgiving God, as Your Word says, and You forgive me of all my sins right now. I believe You raised Jesus from the grave, overcoming sin and death, and allowing me to accept Him and receive eternal life through Him. Jesus, please come into my heart and be my Lord and Savior of my life. Please help me to become the person of Your eternal destiny. Amen.

John 3:16-17; John 6:47; 2 Timothy 1:9-10; Acts 4:12; Psalm 62:1; Luke 19:9-10

Editor’s Note: When Jesus is the captain, you can sail towards the real Fair Havens!

Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it’s the Lord’s purpose that prevails. Prov 19:21

Some time ago, a talented and fine young friend of mine was headed to Texas to major in marketing. As we discussed his upcoming career path, he defined marketing in a way I had never considered. My basic idea of marketing included someone selling or buying a product or idea of some kind. His definition sparked with far more depth and hope. Marketing to him was to truly help someone purchase a quality product through “strategic influence.” As I thought about what he said, one of my favorite passages of Scripture came to mind. Please read Philippians 4:6-14 for yourself. We find a three point formula to the most amazing product that we all can use daily and… forever.

First, Paul says we are to be ANXIOUS for NOTHING. He’s not talking about being comatose to life, just trusting and truly believing that God will never leave us nor forsake us like He promised. Secondly, to be PRAYERFUL in EVERYTHING. The intimate relationship that comes from time with God is reflected in the first Commandment and so many supporting scriptures. One that vies for our attention is Hebrews 11:6 where God promises to reward those who earnestly seek Him and believe that He is who He says He is. Thirdly, to be GRATEFUL for ANYTHING of, by, for, or from Him.

The simple fact we have breath is none of our doing. Life, water to drink, abilities, beauty, witty ideas, and friends are all manifested examples of God’s grace. “This is the day that the Lord has made. Let’s rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm 118:24).  The product that Paul promotes is the peace that only God can impart, because it’s an attribute of His character. While Paul and Silas were in the Roman jail (a place disgustingly despicable and dangerous even in our imagination), they sang praises at midnight and influenced the guards around them. Either one is totally goofy in behaving like that or they were containers for something that transcended understanding. Paul gives us his notion of “positive thinking,” which is nothing like “you’re OK and I’m OK.” He describes being content when he abounded (things going his way) and being content when he was abased (trapped like an animal in the Roman jail).

In review, the help that is really help (that which comes God’s way) is the most profound strategic influence. God made us in His image to be overcomers and live a trusting life in Him. As The Ultimate Chairman of the Board and Chief Strategist, His marketing plan in His Word is as good as it gets for each of us. No sales pitches, open wallets, credit cards, internet glitz, weird gyrations, uncontrolled laughter or billboards are necessary for us to access God’s nature this week. Let’s believe and open our hearts to the power of God to produce His supernatural joyful peace in us as we live, move, and have our being.

I’m not sure about anyone else, but for me… looking forward to a joyfully peaceful and strategically influenced week makes me want to jump and sing, “Hallelujah,” too!

Dearest Lord, in the power of Your inimitable Holy Spirit, please lead us in the wholesome tension of Your growth and wisdom — ANXIOUS for NOTHING, PRAYERFUL in EVERYTHING, and GRATEFUL for ANYTHING of, by, for, or from You.

John 14:27; Romans 8:28; Isaiah 43:2; Hebrews 13:5; 1 Cor 10:31

Expectation is the root of all heartache. William Shakespeare

It’s amazing how often we set ourselves up for disappointment with unrealistic expectations.  In our dream world of anticipating wonderful things, sometimes we forget other factors preempt our assumed measure of control and almightiness.  In other words, what we think will happen and what actually happens can be two different things.  How we deal with that reality and the assigned disappointment varies with all of us.

For the past six years, a team of people have been involved in a fund-raising effort on behalf of two Greater New Bedford Christian groups – the Salvation Army and Mobile Ministries.  Aside from the significant amount of money we raised to help them serve the least, last, lost and lowest of us in our local community, a host of other valuable things have occurred.   New friendships have been made, political agendas have been put aside, the media has been more than helpful, and the general community has benefitted in a tangible way.  As wonderful as these outcomes are, there is one lesson I’d like to share that stands out as most vital.  Here it is ….

Back in 2015, when we first introduced the idea of conducting a Serve-A-Thon, neither group had a real grasp of how it would work.  In theory, however, both liked the concept enough to trust us to move forward.  Most of us are familiar with Walk-A-Thons or other thons where people get sponsored to walk, ride somewhere, or do something for a cause.  A Serve-A-Thon is similar in that people don’t walk or ride; they get people or businesses to sponsor them to serve in a needed community area.

Here is the crux of what struck us as the standard or starting point.  Both the Salvation Army and Mobile Ministries leadership, mutually exclusive of each other, said the same thing in terms of what they expected from our group effort:  Anything we did to help them would be great!

In that, all pressure was removed from our team in terms of an amount we had to raise or anything along that line. Instead, the scriptural blueprints found in “Whatsoever thy hand finds to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest. (Ecc 9:10) and Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. (1 Cor 10:31) connects us God’s way and guides our cooperative effort.

Right from the start, the vital lesson we’ve been taught comes directly from God’s game book and this additional verse hammers it home: Whatever you do, do it enthusiastically as something done for the Lord and not for men, knowing that you will receive the reward of an inheritance from the Lord you serve – Jesus Christ. Col 3:23

So, here we are in 2020; completing our 6th Annual Serve-A-Thon.  In spite of the negative influence of an unprecedented viral pandemic, our bottom line this year, as usual, far exceeded expectations.  Maybe there is a great cause in your locality for you to get involved in as well.  If so, let’s remember, anything we do to help would be great.  There is no expectation root of heartache with that agenda.  Rather, it’s a matter of our serving heart – pure and simple!     http://www.lift-in-love.org/

Acts 20:35; Eph 4:12; Gal 5:13; Luke 6:38; Matt 25:35

For the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 2 Cor 3:17

Jonathan Cahn, noted author and prophetic voice of the Christian faith, along with many other notable Christian leaders have planned a live, hopeful, and vital event on the National Mall in Washington on Saturday, September 26, 2020 called The Return.  In the midst of celebrating the Jewish Yom Kippur and the historical significance of the 400 year anniversary of the band of Christian Pilgrims landing on the famous Rock in Plymouth, MA, the gathering is in recognition and response to the all-out war Judeo-Christianity is now facing from cultural forces determined to diminish God’s purpose and presence from the public square.  It will also be offered as a simulcast throughout America and the World, and individuals and groups are encouraged to participate by gathering in their homes, church, or city locations. 

Friends, any one of us, relying on an ounce of honesty, must admit we have lost our way.  The call for us to Return to our Judeo-Christian heritage is a divine alarm.  As did the devout pilgrims before us, we must reject the world’s deceptive grip and believe that Jesus is the way, the truth and the life, as He said.  In the spirit of this timely revelation, we’re being called to gather to Return to our Godly roots, Repent of our sins, and Revive our personal lives and land to glorify the God of our Creation and Redemption.  2 Chron 7:14 is the scripture of promise being referenced that says: “If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”

Historian Joseph Carvalho III, native of New Bedford and retired Director of Springfield Museums and Libraries, tells me the Spanish were in the New World since 1492… and the French were in North America in the 1590s, settling Quebec in 1608.  The Cavaliers of Jamestown were here for commercial reasons on behalf of the King… He goes on to focus on us.  He describes our area as the “Cradle of New England and of Religious Freedom in the New World.” In other words, the original settlers’ core intention was to separate from old England and provide freedom and a new hope in a new world for their families.  That local historical description includes us! If Mesopotamia can be called the cradle of civilization that covers 8,000 square miles, then being bike-ride distance from New Bedford to Plymouth or to Providence sheds direct light on our legitimate claim.

There is no doubt that Washington is our Nation’s Capital and a wonderful spot for people to gather.  The Return also speaks on a personal level to those of us who live in the Providence – South Coast – Plymouth geography.  It’s not difficult to be fully persuaded that God’s hand is still firmly upon the area in which we reside, and it’s not too late for us to repent and cooperate with His call for us to return.  At the end of the day, it’s God’s side we must be on.  So, as for my wife Cynthia and me, we will participate and celebrate the day of the Return on Saturday, September 26th by gathering to pray at the National Monument to the Forefathers in Plymouth, MA. Yes, from the Cradle of Religious Liberty in the New World – the one That Still Rocks!

A song for pilgrims ascending to Jerusalem. A psalm of Solomon. Unless the LORD builds a house, the work of the builders is wasted. Unless the LORD protects a city, guarding it with sentries will do no good. Psalm 127:1 (NLT)

In the face of an unprecedented viral pandemic, in the midst of social and political upheaval, and on the 19th anniversary of our Nation’s worst terrorist attack, I’m fully persuaded that God’s hand is still firmly upon the area in which I reside, and it’s not too late for us to repent and cooperate with His plan for us.   In this message, my hope is for you to hear the heart of a man who has lived in this Greater New Bedford area for  seventy-four years—one who grew up and raised a family here, spent almost thirty years as an inner city special needs teacher, and forty years in the real estate business. Considering myself an ordinary citizen, there is nothing perfect in any of what describes me, prepares me, or for wanting the best for the place from which I hail.  With that confession upfront, as you read on, please allow my perspective a chance to take hold.

Never denying that our region has its challenges (like we as individuals also have), I’ve written confidently about our area in the past.  My point has always focused on our heritage, our positive qualities and the hope and potential we have in the wonderfully diverse people that make up our local population.

No other area can boast of being the once whaling and garment industry capitol of the world, or an ongoing seaport champion for so long. No other area borders Native American influenced towns named Mattapoisett with an “It’s Special” motto or the Wampanoag named town of Acushnet which bears its own Apple Peach Festival that has drawn thousands of people.  No other area can claim a town called Marion, that per capita I’m told was once the richest Town in the Country.  No other location is thirty miles from Newport, the home of extraordinary mansions and where the America’s Cup has been held.  No other locale is thirty miles from Providence, fifty miles from Boston – the medical oasis of the world, a thirty minute ride to Bristol, America’s oldest Fourth of July Celebration, or a boat ride to Martha’s Vineyard where our Presidents can hardly wait to visit for vacation.  Let’s keep it in our current fairway and not forget Titleist, the number 1 ball in golf, or between the buoys with the first naval battle of the Revolutionary War being fought here, too.

Again, facing our impending challenges and the reality that we are not perfect as individuals, towns, cities or as a regional community, the potential and hope to improve is an uplifting fact. If we, as residents, can look up and see the overwhelming positives, then perhaps we can change our shared perspective of who we are and where we live.  With so many attributes for us to personally focus upon, sometimes it’s easy to miss the obvious that is all around us. Our area truly is an amazing place to celebrate and to go about our business!

So friends, here’s the home run we must begin to integrate: If you attend the Thanksgiving Parade in Plymouth, their town proudly promotes and defines itself as “America’s Hometown.” Under that premise lies the fact that it happens to be Old Dartmouth’s or our areas “grandparent” settlement. A strong historical connection comes through Francis Cooke and his 13 year old son John, who came here from England aboard the Mayflower that grounded on the famous Plymouth Rock in the early 1600s.  Francis Cooke signed the Mayflower Compact, while his son was not eligible to do so because of his age.  Young John grew up and became the first, if not one of the first, white settlers in our Old Dartmouth area and is the oldest pilgrim male buried in the Fairhaven area.

The plaque on his memorial stone at the foot of Pilgrim Avenue in Fairhaven has nothing but rave reviews of his life.  That being the case, we have a blood father and son relationship with America’s Hometown, Plymouth. That truth can bear great weight as it relates to our strengthened and more qualified identity; one that is surely needed as we move into the challenging years to come.

Historian Joseph Carvalho III, native of New Bedford and retired Director of Springfield Museums and Libraries tells me the Spanish were in the New World since 1492… and the French were in North America in the 1590s and settled Quebec in 1608)  The Cavaliers of Jamestown were here for commercial reasons on behalf of the King… He goes on to focus on us.  He describes our area as the “Cradle of New England and of Religious Freedom in the New World”.  In other words, the original settlers core intention was to separate from old England and provide freedom and a new hope in a new world for their families.  That local historical description includes us!!  If Mesopotamia can be called the cradle of civilization that covers 8,000 square miles, then being bike-ride distance from New Bedford to Plymouth or to Providence sheds direct light on our legitimate claim.

Just think of traveling a distance far enough away for someone to ask us where we are from. Not only could we say we are from the once Whaling & Garment capitol of the world, the current fishing champion or home of the #1 golf ball, we could also tell the questioner a greater hopeful and living truth that “still rocks” without one word of  exaggeration.  We’re from the Cradle of New England and of Religious Freedom in the New World!

Psalm 37:23; Romans 8:28; Jer 29:11; Ps 40:8

(Photo of the participants of the 72 mile round trip “Pilgrim Bike Ride” from Cooke Park in Fairhaven to the Mayflower Pier in Plymouth on September 10, 2016)

I’m privileged to have recently met Anne Rich, a Salvation Army core member and music director for the Salvation Army in Massachusetts.  Anne was inspired to write this song back in 1995.  What a blessing to have her graciously sing her song that so appropriately integrates and richly complements this article.  Please listen below and hear Anne’s heart-felt voice sing out From the Cradle That Still Rocks.

 “Working for fulfillment is better than working for money.  The purpose of a job is work, not money.” – Dr. Myles Monroe 

As I join Rose Homes Real Estate and Laer Realty Partners in Fairhaven, MA as a Real Estate Broker, and take a final look at work, it is only fitting that we return to it’s biblical wisdom and understanding, so brilliantly captured by the late Dr. Myles Monroe in his book, Releasing Your Potential.  As an interesting side note, in 2012 my wife Cynthia and I went on our first cruise out of Miami and into the Caribbean.  One of our land excursions was to Freeport in the Bahamas.  Dr. Monroe’s ministry was located in the Bahamas. The picture herein is yours truly holding this particular book in Dr. Monroe’s home area of influence.

To be unaware of something is to be ignorant.  To learn something to be true and choose to ignore it, as if unaware, is foolishness.  In the 13th chapter of his text, entitled Understanding Work, Dr. Monroe highlights the principles we need to truly grasp as he contrasts the scriptural perspective of work with what the world system teaches.  May we go ahead and copy his summarized list of work-enlightening nuggets:

1. The achievement of greatness requires work.

2. Labor delivers your potential.

3. Work is… activated strength and energy, the effort required to bring something to pass, the use of your abilities and faculties to do or perform something, and the means to produce a desired result.

4. Faith without work is unproductive.

5. God designed you to fulfill your purpose by working.

6. Work multiplies your resources, be they large or small.

7. Idleness invites the company of lazy people.

8. The release of your potential is dependent upon your expenditure of the necessary effort to change your thoughts into visible realities.

So family and friends, in conclusion, let’s be encouraged to especially study the scripture directly or supplementary books like Releasing Your Potential to gain further evidence of what God’s favored four letter word – WORK means for us personally!!   As we do, we’ll be reminded of this….Potentially, We are God’s workmanship!!

Gen 2:15; Eph 2:10; Prov 13:4; Phil 4:13; 1 Tim 5:8; Prov 16:3

Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might.  Ecclesiastes 9:10 

Have you ever asked yourself, “What work is most important?” An honest answer to such a question deserves some serious thought.  Today’s message is designed to identify and discard the more probable human choices and make way for the only truth that satisfies such a challenging question.

There is nothing wrong with being self-employed or working for someone else, a just cause, a volunteering effort or another company/organization. To place the highest focus on any of these without first acknowledging God’s creative and founding place in all of it is where many of us have room to grow.  It was Jesus who said, “This is the work of God, that you believe on Him whom He hath sent” (John 6:29).  This was His response to the following question put forth by the people: “What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?” So the question we asked at the opening of this message now takes on a new light. Is working for myself, another, a just cause, or others more critical than working for God?

As believers, if we hold that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life, then what we think or feel must line up with the truth of what He says. According to the Lord, all our imagining, memories, thinking skills, meditating and flexing are secondary. The most important thing we can do is simply believe in Him. This is our most critical work.

And while the idea is simple enough, it certainly doesn’t mean that walking it out will be easy. We can believe in our heart, yet not agree in our confused thought life. The personal integrity that comes with our reborn nature must blend harmoniously with the way God would have us think. Apostles Paul and Peter, John the Baptist, and most significantly, Jesus, were all known for their call for repentance (rethinking).  In Romans 12:2, it reads, “We are not to be conformed to this world, but transformed by the renewing of our mind.” Scripture also says, “As a man thinketh in his heart, so he is” (Proverbs 23:7).

So family and friends, having a relationship by faith with our gracious God and Creator should bring His spiritual love nature into our heart or inner being. Our faith in Him generates hope in all we do because we work out our lifestyle to please Him. Studying to show ourselves approved becomes a critical part of our new pattern—whether we work for ourselves, someone else, for a just cause, or another company or organization.  Working with a divine perspective (even as a volunteer without pay) or in my case as a  Fairhaven Realtor honors and glorifies the One who labored so magnificently to make us His children and the work of His love in the first place!

Phil 2:5; Phil 2:12; 1 Cor 3:21; John 8:50; John 17:22; Phil 4:19-20; Rev 20:12-13; 1 Tim 4:11; Acts 15:18; 1 Cor 10:31; Book of Ephesians; James 2:17, 20, 26