Given September 2005
We all know that, down through history, Satan has been deceiving God’s people. He began with Eve and is doing it to us today. He’ll make things look really good and tempt us to, “take a bite”, then we see the ugliness of it all. “And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. 2 Corinthians 11:14“.

At this time of high gas prices, (and it’s worse now than it was in September), this sign beside the road looked pretty good. It might make you want to say, “Wow, what a good price. I’m going over there!” But what was beyond told the rest of the story. If you didn’t take a closer look, you would have gotten off the road to where you were going and gotten into a place where fire had been. “But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ. 2 Corinthians 11:3“.

This place had been burnt out and vacant for months! God has us going somewhere but Satan is constantly trying to get us off the highway to Heaven and into his messed up, burnt out places. Take a closer look and don’t be deceived.

Given September 4, 2004
If something you’re doing or about to do isn’t going well, think about who you think you’re doing it for. Does that make sense? We think we know who we’re doing a job for or who will see the results but who all is really looking? Here’s my example.

It was my week to mow the church grass and a couple of young people were supposed to come help me. Well, guess what? They didn’t show up! So I started on the job by myself, no big deal, right? Well, after about 2 1/2 hours, I was getting pretty worn out and realized I had another hour to go before I could finish. I started griping about having to do ALL this myself. People I knew were driving by, waving, going to eat or something. I was hungry too but I had to finish this job before I could have my supper. I was railing on the kids who didn’t show up and getting myself pretty steamed about the whole thing. Then….

That small, still voice on the inside said, “Bill, who are you doing this job for anyway? Are you doing it for the pastor, for yourself….who are you mowing MY church grass for?” Oh man! I was convicted big time! I then realized I should be doing this job for the Lord. If the church grass looked good, then all those people driving by might have a better impression of the church. I repented on the spot and asked forgiveness.

After that, even though I was almost exhausted, my frame of mind was that if God was pleased with what I was doing and my attitude about it, then that’s all that mattered. Even on the side of the church where no one would ever see, I weed-eated, (is that a word?), anyway. God was watching!

“And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, Colossians 1:10“. Since then, I have often remembered this lesson and tried to have the right attitude about anything I’m doing. If for no one else, I’m doing it for the Lord and I want Him to be pleased.

Given April 28, 2006
I was reading my devotion this morning and it was about Moses and the burning bush. You know, Moses wasn’t too cooperative in this job interview with God. Our school system has been conducting interviews recently for various openings and I thought about that as I contemplated Moses’ responses.

When someone goes into a job interview, they, first, have chosen to be there then they will do and say anything they can to convince the interviewers that they’re the one for the job. But Moses was just the opposite. God sort of tricked him into coming to the interview to start with, (the burning bush), then He told him what He wanted him to do and that he already had the job. But instead of saying, “Thanks”, Moses told God how he wasn’t qualified and couldn’t do the job! But God’s response is the key.

“…God called to him from within the bush, “Moses! Moses!” And Moses said, “Here I am.” …So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt.” But Moses said to God, “Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” And God said, “I will be with you. Exodus 3:4, 10-12” “I will be with you.” God called Moses in, gave him a job, not caring whether he was qualified or not but said He’s go with him on the job. What a boss!

It would be awesome in the workplace if the boss picked you out, called you in, gave you the job, then said, “Now, let’s you and I go do it.” God HAS done this to us. He’s called us to do a job and He’s ready to go out with us. And that will insure the job will get done successfully! “Here I am, God, let’s go!”

Given April 25, 2006

“For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: Ephesians 5:8 ” This is what I’ve tried to do for many years, walk as a child of light. Because, being in education, I know that students, parents, and others are watching me all the time especially if I’m known as a Christian. Many times I’ve failed and people see that but they’re still watching to see how I respond in failure. You wonder if you’ve ever made any difference in anyone’s life.

Well, the other day I got an email from a young lady who ran track for me back in the 80’s. It was great hearing form her and learning about her life in Texas. But you know, she made a statement that warmed my heart. She said I was her FAVORITE, (and that’s how she wrote it), teacher and that she really looked up to me. Wow!

As we go through life and do the best we can, we need to be aware that we ARE affecting those around us; our light IS shining. I want it to be positive, don’t you? God bless you Pam.

Given April 22, 2006
Recently I attended a conference on Early Childhood Education at the local college and heard a wonderful speaker who brought up several good points. Although he was speaking about how we treat children in school and as parents, I found myself saying “Amen” to many of his comments.

One of them was the picture of us walking a tight rope pushing a wheel barrow and the question was, “Who wants to ride in my wheel barrow?” Well, to trust someone enough to let them push you across a tight rope in a wheelbarrow is true trust. You have to have laid the groundwork and portrayed yourself as someone who can be trusted before anyone will get in.

This reminds me of the scripture, ” Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Matthew 5:16“. People are watching us and forming opinions about us; our light is shining. If we’re witnessing to someone, (asking them into our wheelbarrow), and they’ve seen our negative light, they won’t get in. This brother even asked, “Would your kids or spouse get in?”. It’s something to think about.

And, he also reminded us that we often will only invite the clean, good smelling, “acceptable” types into our wheelbarrow. Shame on us!