“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16

What is success?  One of the minor ways some people measure success is yelling Bingo! on a Wednesday or Friday night.  There’s excitement in the caller naming the letter and number to fill their card first!!  On a grander scale, if life was a type of bingo, what letters and numbers would have to be called in order for us to consider ourselves successful?  I listened to a noted sales consultant offer six elements he said the great thinkers and researchers over the span of time have agreed make up success.  According to him, bingo in life is to fill the following card.  We must have…..

B – Peace of Mind

i –  Health and High Energy

n – Loving Relationships

g – Financial Freedom

o – High Ideals and Reasonable Goals

! – A Sense of Fulfillment

Please notice in his insightful formula the vital omission of the Greatest Caller of all, God Almighty.  If we consider the first commandment (Love, honor, and to please God above all else), then the rest of our success card would take on an even greater significance.  As a support scripture, in Matthew 6:33 it says, “Seek first the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”  In other words, bingo without God is (at best) a game of human fashion and luring chance.

This message of hope is not against the game of bingo and sees some truth and value in the Bingo! formula listed above.  What we’re asking to consider, however, is for us to forfeit a game of chance, when a sure thing is available by faith.  It’s either our way of looking at the measure of success through the eyes of experience and intellect or seeing it through the eyes of the One who is calling us to His eternal family.  To hear “Well done My good and Faithful Servant” at the close of our lives is to have the ultimate peace of mind, health and energy, loving relationships, financial freedom, ideals and reasonable goals, and fulfillment with one major difference…. It will be the kind of success that calls and lasts forever.  Now that’s real BINGO!! 

 Matt 25:21; 2 Cor 5:8;Ph 1:21-23 Ph 3:20-21; Jn 3:36; Jn 14:6; Jn 17:3

Editor’s Note:   Success is as easy as 1,2,3:  1 Kings, Chapter 2, Verse 3 —  And keep the charge of the Lord thy God, to walk in His ways, to keep His statutes, and His commandments, and His judgments, and His testimonies, as it is written in the law of Moses, that you may prosper in all that you do, and wherever you go.

This then is the message which we have heard from Him and declare unto you: that God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all. 1 John 1:5

Thomas Edison, one of the most famous inventors, conducted thousands of experiments before his first light bulb ever lit up.  At one critical point, his entire lab burned down causing him to start all over again.

There are many obvious qualities of Thomas Edison’s character displayed during the process of his notable invention.  Persistence, focus, genius, time management, and his attitude in overcoming failure would only be a start.  There’s an additional aspect to the Edison story that I believe can inspire us this week to operate with a greater measure of victory.  Consider this….

Thomas Edison was never called or expected to create light.  Light was already on the scene.  When God said, “Let there be light”, He didn’t call Mr. Edison for his input or the CEO of General Electric for that matter.  Light just manifested in obedience to the Creator’s command!!  What Mr. Edison did was use his wonderful and God-given talents, gifts, and abilities to fashion a tool (light bulb) to help others see physically.  His accomplishment in helping others see is what made him so famous.

None of us can create light.  Thanks to Mr. Edison, we no longer need to invent a light bulb either.   What we can do this week, however, is recognize the wonderful talents, gifts and abilities within us and plug in to the amazing truth that we ourselves are God’s invention; designed and spiritually powered from on high to shed his love, life, and light in the darkened places of others.

So, enjoy your own experimenting this week.  Remember, even if your lab burns down—GO forward and expect God’s love and life to lighten you up!

2 Peter 1:19; Ps 119:105; Matthew 5:16;John 8:12; James 1:17; 1 John 1:5-7

With God all things are possible. Matt 19:26

Sometime ago we received an educational advertisement in the mail heralding a new perspective with a catchy front cover headline that read….”Think Big”.  In smaller print, in the shadow of this “Think Big” promotion, was a sample of studies listed as course selections.  The courses mentioned were Winter Skate Boarding, Burlesque Dancing, and The Paranormal.  Without getting carried away with the merits of these topics, my delight focused on the title “Think Big.”  It struck my inner sense of freedom and stirred a personal challenge to think big enough to inspire  more revelation with a hopeful and productive future.  Here goes…

First, let’s quickly review a few usual patterns regarding new attitudes or resolutions behavior.  Most of us can think big in our imagination only; making us mere visionaries.  Fantasy promises like losing 40 pounds, becoming a doctor, or running a marathon rarely leave the drawing board.  We can think big and have a clear plan of action, making us missionaries.  Many of us have been there and done that too.  Somewhere around a week or two, however, the trumpet plays taps as these well-intended resolutions fizzle away.  We may have thought big, had a clear plan of action, and carried it out in our head only. Successful commitment to behavior change is always a commendable achievement.  Those disciplined few…let’s call — visionary missionaries!

With a fresh opportunity at hand, we are free to transcend what we normally consider big thinking.  Past practices, failed habits, or luring suggestions listed in a local educational publication fall short.  Fortunately, there is a source of undying refreshment, encouragement, and revelation  too valuable for us to ignore.  Carefully consider and please meditate on the wisdom of God’s Word (His thoughts) in Proverbs 23:7 (“As a man or woman thinks in his or her heart, so he or she is.)” and Proverb 3:5&6.  (“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct and guide your path.)”

So… For real perspective, attitude, and priority change, in the liberty of the prompting challenge to “Think Big”, our choice as our best and wisest thought is to believe in and trust God with all of our heart.  We choose to honor and submit to the One who created the mind we use in order for us to think at all. We dare to say, “Thank you, Lord, for giving us life, for forgiving our shortcomings, for qualifying our thinking, for developing patience in us, for maximizing us so gracefully, for blessing us with the opportunity to cooperate with You and loved ones through daily living, and for the hopeful revelation and resolution of eternity that only abides in You.

In Christ and together, let’s trust that to “Think Big” can be a dream about to come true! 

Heb 11:6; Eph 3:20-21; Matt 6:33; Josh 1:9; Phil 4:6; Rom 12:1-2; 1 Cor 2:16

Editor’s Note:  I remember hearing this statement within the last few years: “Don’t insult God with your small thinking!”

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.  Eph 3:20-21

Plastic fruit has its place, but give me fresh fruit any day!  Play money works in the Monopoly board game, but I’ll take the real dinero, thank you!  Big clothes may help to make me look thinner, but actually being fit is a far better option! 

If you are old enough, you remember the famous television show whose hero was introduced with this inimitable description:  “Faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful than a locomotive, and able to leap tall buildings in a single-bound.”  Of course, it was none other than……SUPERMAN!  Well, that entertaining and fictional show, like every other, eventually found its way into a vault of archives, where its only exposure to the light of day now would come in the form of a re-run.  As captivating as that series was, there’s something far greater and more enduring that comes from Isaiah 40:31 in the Bible!  

This verse says: “Those who wait upon the Lord (who expect, look for, and hope in Him) shall change and renew their strength and power; they shall lift their wings and mount up (close to God) as eagles (mount up to the sun); they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint or become tired.”  A reference like this is so uplifting and encouraging that only a supernatural Spirit can boast.  If the living God says we can have an intimate relationship and perspective that comes from and in Him, that we can endure the marathon of life with His inspired energy, and that we can take on the details of daily activity with a confident diligence and excellence,then… give me what God’s prophet said in Isaiah 40:31!

No plastic, no games, no imaging, no science fiction.  Family and friends, the truth and freshness of this Message of Hope comes straight from the script of Almighty God and will never qualify as a re-run…Oh to personally know, Jesus Christ – our True Hero!

Phil 4:13; Psalm 94:16-17; John 3:16; Psalm 23:1-6; 1 Cor 2:4-5

For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. Rom 8:14                                                                                                                                                   

Please allow me to establish a foundation with you.  It is safe to say that none of us knows everything.  It is even safe to say that all of us actually do know something.  The problem we face in our human condition is realizing and admitting that there are some things we don’t know that we don’t know.  Just like you, I fit in here somewhere.  Because this is so, I know well enough that today’s message has the potential to be either dangerous or helpful.  My intention–by all means–is to be helpful.

W. Clement Stone, a great entrepreneur and founder of the Combined Insurance Company (an original door-to-door penny insurance agency), is noted for his famous self-motivating phrase of ten 2-letter words: “If it is to be, it is up to me.”  This motto gives the man in the mirror the glory for any and all accomplishments.

On my office wall is another ten-word declaration.  This one, you see here, comes from the Bible in Philippians 4:13 where it says, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”  Unlike the prior example, this scripture gives Jesus Christ the glory for any and all accomplishments.  Those who are led by this truth constantly come to Him with a heart that says, “Thank you Lord for creating me in Your image and residing within me.  Help me to accomplish what will please You today.”

I have no problem with W. Clement Stone’s words of advice:  “If it is to be, it is up to me.”  There is a great deal of truth and gusto in these words.  However, a greater truth must be considered with regard to Mr. Stone’s blueprint of self-exaltation.  If it really is to be, we must realize that we are co-laboring with Christ, having a definite and confident outlook, knowing that the activities of each day can produce everlasting results when walking in the ten-word declaration of Philippians 4:13.

Now that our foundation has been addressed and shored, may we consider living, moving, and having our being according to these most hopeful and revelatory words:  I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.                                                  

1 Tim 1:1; Heb 4:12; Rom 8:9; Eph 2:10

Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered. Prov. 28:26

There are three wise old sayings that help to corral our purpose in sharing this week.   The first is the easiest to harness:  “Time flies when we’re having fun.” The second is a little more meditative: “We can’t give what we don’t have.”  The third is unique in that it can be life changing and settle us to the point of becoming eternally hopeful:  “It is better to give what we can’t keep to gain what we can’t lose.”

These three tenets apply to all, including those of us behind this Temple Ministry.  As a matter of self-examination, we’re amazed that over a dozen years have flown by since we began having fun sending out our weekly Message of Hope.  The second wise saying gives us pause to think and logically conclude…No chicken…no chicken soup (or in our case… No hope…No Message of Hope). God and you judge whether you receive genuine hope from our articles.  What about that third saying?  Without question, this one hits us the hardest.

Daily life is a mini-journey; a part of our life in total.  How we pack for our day will directly influence our “giving what we can’t keep” to “gain what we can’t lose.”  If our first priority is to please ourselves, then we’re deceived into believing that someday our hearse will be followed by a U-Haul trailer full of our material treasures.  If, however, our first priority is to please the one true living and eternal God, then we inherently invest in something that cannot be lost.  If we behave toward others in a manipulating or controlling way, then maybe we imagine our hearse with a double wide U-Haul.   If, on the other hand, we behave toward others in a way that is pleasing to God and our neighbor, then we invest in something that will endure forever.

Our desire has always been to share God’s hope, not ours.  It’s the hope where the Spirit of truth guides us in seeing the promise of eternity in heaven.  The same hope that shows us that material time is vastly different from eternity.  [World time is a convenience that God has given us to operate while on earth.  It is temporary and quick to disappear like a vapor (whether we’re having fun or not).]  It’s the hope that declares what we sow, we will reap.  It’s the one that commands us to love Father God with all our spirit, soul, and body and advises us to invest in His Kingdom where rust and moths can’t destroy.

Friends and family, as we resolve to invest in becoming more and more selfless, let’s consider living joyously as our time flies by, doing and giving our best to encourage and restore those around us in a bond of loving peace.  Better than imagining a hearse and our own U-Haul is choosing obedience to the One who saved us from a fleeting material world; the same hopeful One who stands in wait to haul us into His arms when our physical lives are over.  As believers in Jesus Christ, we walk by faith, not by sight.  We believe in the Hope of glory and we’re packed to live, move, and have our being knowing with a confident expectation, that in Him, “It is better to give what we can’t keep to gain what we can’t lose.”

Matt 6:19-21; Matthew 25:14-30; Luke 6:38; Acts 20:35; Joshua 1:8

Editor’s Note: If we invest in the external without investing in the internal, then we are not investing in the eternal.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. Romans 15:13

All of us can find serious challenges in life – even the crisis types these days that scream – GIVE UP! Most uncomfortably, I’ve been faced with a few of those discouraging episodes lately.  Fortunately, no matter how bad or squeezed I felt,  the God of Hope always showed up.  Perhaps you are in the midst of a crisis or draining discouragement too.  If that’s the case, let’s read this Message of Hope together and let the Spirit of God encourage us His way.

Many of you may have read about Pandora’s Box.  In Greek mythology, Pandora was the first woman on earth.  Her lot in life (per Zeus) was to be the steward of a certain box.  After receiving this gift, she was told not to open it by “friendlier” gods because they suspected Zeus had a devious plan.  Pandora’s curiosity finally overcame her, causing her to go against the command of her god.  Opening the mysterious box, she soon discovered her terrible error.  Plagues for the body and sorrows for the mind exploded from within the box out into the air.  In terror, she slammed the box shut.  What remained in the box was one last item—hope.  It would be the item to which humanity would forever depend.

One of the most beautiful depictions of hope I’ve ever seen was e-mailed to me.   There were four lit candles that were labeled:  Peace, Faith, Love, and Hope.  They flickered side by side, almost as if they were communicating with each other.  The candle of peace soon faded out, as did the candle of faith.  Not long thereafter, the candle of love dimmed away, as well.  The only one that stayed lit was the candle of hope.  A child then entered the room and noticed the situation.  He boldly declared they all should be lit and proceeded to relight the peace, faith and love candles using the continuing flame of hope’s candle.

Writer Theodore Leonard Cuyler gracefully describes hope as the flower of desire.  Its essence bars despair and always expects something good.  He declares, “There is no happiness that hope cannot surmount, no grief which it cannot mitigate.  It is the wealth of the homeless, the health of the sick, the freedom of the captive and rest of the laborer.”

We may not be Greek mythology advocates, children of innocence, or gifted writers of imagery; however, all of us are alive, keen, and can be honest enough to know that Hope has been around from our beginning.  It’s a universal truth that’s stood the test of time and is still accessible to each of us today.  Scripture calls hope the anchor of our soul.

For this week and beyond, may the God of hope (the One who truly created mankind) cast His everlasting shadow upon us.  May our faith and His grace blend to bring an overflow of joy and strength in Him, for His supply of peace and love is endless.  May we realize with total certainty that we are an overcomer of any crisis or discouragement because God says so. and we were created by His design to prove it.  May we celebrate our hope in Him together—that hope that is too awesome to suffer captivity within a box.

Heb 6:19; Rom 12:12; Psalm 27:4-5; 1 John 5:5

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight. Prov 3:5-6

The Book of Ephesians is so rich!  Every time I read any of the chapters, new insights abound.  In today’s message, we’ll take a quick look at this book from a coach’s perspective and discover a formula for a successful individual or team performance.

The first chapter declares that we are privileged to become part of the body of Christ, His church, or “team.” In a similar way, a person agrees to take advantage of resources already prepared to become a golfer, archer, or play as a participant in a team sport.

The second chapter talks about being united in the body of Christ. In a similar way, a successful individual or team performer must be united in purpose. Double mindedness or division among the ranks is a sure way of draining energy and spoiling the vital focus to prevail as a winner.

The third chapter declares that the purpose of our being part of Christ’s body and to be united in our connection is to glorify God.  The worldly parallel would be for the individual or team (heavyweight fighter, Yankees, Patriots, etc.) to be hailed as boxing’s, baseball’s, or football’s best and be glorified as #1.

The fourth chapter speaks of preparation necessary to do the work of the ministry.  This is the first mention of personal responsibility and accountability in becoming Christ-like. In a secular sense, these would be the prerequisites of what it really takes to become a functioning champion of the sporting activity in question.

The fifth chapter focuses on relationships and the guidelines for those to prosper.  Inner family truths are outlined as for marriages, parenting, and business associations.  In the athletic and world system, people skills and their varying dimensions are always part of the critical journey.

The sixth chapter talks about armoring up or putting on the uniform, as would a bowler or a basketball player appropriately dressing for their event.  In the sacred sense, we are to put on Christ to be an overcomer.  The helmet of salvation, boots of peace, a shield of faith, belt of truth, breastplate of righteousness, and the sword of the Spirit make up the uniform.  Prayer follows and is mentioned as most vital.  This is where the power comes in that by faith the plays are directed by the Coach Above who knows everything.

The significant difference between God’s formula for victory and man’s gleaning of it for secular purposes is in the critical substance and destiny.  One is for a goal, a good shot, a trophy, or bragging rights for the here and now.  The One that matters is to hear God say, “Well Done My Good and Faithful Servant”; that’s the one that plays on forever!

Book of Ephesians

Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:19-21

Do you consider yourself wealthy?  If you are anything like my wife Cynthia and me, your first thought has to do with material possessions such as bank accounts, 401 K’s, real estate, jewelry, stock holdings, cash in a can, or whatever else may sparkle in hand.  Our natural inclination stems from the extraordinary affluence of our society.  In a regrettable, yet insightful, way, we’ve learned from those around our country who lose “everything” in natural disasters that wealth is hardly measured in things owned.  May we explore the higher truth of what wealth truly represents.

When we observe the effects of human suffering and loss due to horrific storms, wild fires, pandemics, or other tragic events, we witness people longing to be united with missing relatives; we hear people proclaim with certainty their determination to rebuild; we’re inspired by the heroic efforts of some for the safety of others; we feel inadequate when families—who are totally wiped out of all their possessions—stand without complaining in quiet resolve to start again; we are touched by the people whose response to crisis is to rise up as problem solvers—not to fold in the face of the trying circumstances.  The well-being of our loved ones, our determination, our social courage, our sense of reality, and our problem-solving capacity are examples of inherent and priceless treasures stored within us that cannot be appraised or bought with money.

And what about the value of God’s love?  The Bible sums this up in two critical lines:  1) “God is love”, and 2) “Love never fails.”  It’s been said that God doesn’t love us because we are valuable. We are valuable because He loves us.  There are many in storm-torn areas throughout this Nation who have boldly declared that God was in their heart as their ultimate trusted treasure; wind, rain, destruction, family tragedy, money loss, despair, and fear, were all present….  But God!!!  What an amazing place to be—standing in hope and counting blessings of worthiness from God’s eternal perspective.

What does our portfolio really look like?  Is it material?  Is it abstract?  Is it spiritual?  The bottom line is this:  true wealth is calculated by those things that money cannot buy.  For us, all perspectives considered, my wife Cynthia and I count ourselves more than wealthy.  We have some material things, some close family relationships, some developed character traits, and most importantly a growing relationship with the One who created us, owns everything, and lives Spiritually within us.  That, friends, makes us rich beyond measure!

Once again, in the grandest and ever-lasting scheme of things, take a moment and answer the question: Do you consider yourself wealthy?

1 Tim 4:8; Phil 4:19; Matt 6:26-33; Prov 28:20; 1Tim 6:10; Prov 23:5

“Champions trust God while others ask for answers.  They step forward while everyone else prays for volunteers.”  Dr. Lester Sumrall

One of the great examples and champions of the Old Testament was the Jewish figure, Nehemiah, who was exiled and made cup bearer to the King of Persia. Though he was pried from his native land, Nehemiah never let go of a deep heart cry for his oppressed people back in Jerusalem. Prayer proved invaluable to this standout as it allowed him to wait patiently, cleared his vision, granted him favor, and inspired him to a confident, difference-making resolve. Seeing that his homeland was in distress and vulnerable to attack, he set out under the blessing of the Persian king to restore the protective wall that surrounded Jerusalem. In spite of relentless opposition and great difficulty, the task was accomplished in a mere 52 days. He didn’t pray for volunteers. Instead, he stepped out under the cover of God to do the remarkable work he had been born to accomplish.

The Apostle Peter, in the New Testament, refers to these special kind of builders as “living stones.” Nehemiah literally embodied the term! He was a man loaded with leadership attributes who didn’t hesitate when called upon by God to take action. We have the same potential if we strive to walk as true followers of the greatest leader of all time, Jesus Christ.  The Bible says we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. It also asserts that it’s not by might or power, but by His Spirit.  In other words, God’s attributes are available to each and every one of us if we simply are open and determined to accomplish the unique assignment He has equipped us to do.

For the past several years, and for such a time as this, a group of us come alongside the Salvation Army and Mobile Ministries, two Christian groups with a heart cry for people neglected and abused in the Greater New Bedford, MA area.  We’ve had the privilege to help and to witness the gifts, selfless actions, and good-heartedness on the part of a number of special people.  There is no doubt these folks have been rock-solid in their efforts and dedication in providing a service team for the benefit of others. These builders have released their inner Nehemiah, behaving like champions or living stones.

Please know this… Prayer alone has tremendous value. When it is paired with appropriate, God-inspired action, it quickly takes the form of precious kingdom builders. Over the course of time, the essence of any activity, including our local effort, is summed up in this probing question:  Are we one who only looks for answers and/or prays for others to volunteer, or are we a “living stone” who steps forward to do what God has called us to accomplish? Let’s be challenged to recognize the need and respond as present day Nehemiahs.

1 Peter 2:4-5; Eph 2:20; 2 Tim 3:16-17