“Rise Up!”
“Rise, take up your bed and walk” (John 5:8 KJV).
Here is a man who suddenly finds himself carrying the bed he once laid upon. No one would help him get down into the healing pool of water. However, the Lord came along and healed him. What a contrast! We see in this ill man upon a pallet one minute, and the next minute he is up and walking. Now the pallet is under his arm, not under his back. “Rise up!” Hear that voice?
The new theme for the NBA Cleveland Cavaliers is “Rise Up!” If you travel through Cleveland, Ohio today you will see this plastered everywhere. They are selling “Rise Up!” memorabilia like crazy in this city. With their new super star, Lebron James, and his incredible ability on the ball court, both fans and team are starting to believe that they can indeed rise up and win the NBA Championship. This theme, “Rise Up!” speaks volumes to me.
Every day you and I live there is that incessant challenge to “Rise Up!” This summer of ‘07 “Rise Up!” Go to your local book store and find a new book to read. Expand your mind. Visit a local children’s hospital and share yourself with someone in need. Climb a mountain. Go catch a fish in a stream. Visit a local landmark you’ve passed by for years. Get out of yourself. “Rise Up!” Take a long trip. Get a new family photo made. Attend a reunion. Paint a picture. Skydive if you’re up to it. Go to a nearby water world and splash in the water like a child. “Rise Up!” Go to a museum. See a play. Attend a symphonic orchestra. See a concert. Write God a letter. “Rise Up!” Let healing come into your own life. Pick up your pallet. Roll out of your bed. Walk. Run. Play. Worship. Change your day. “Rise Up!” Bury your fears and your tears. Yesterday is gone. Today is before you. “Rise Up!” Get off the ground. Let healing come ‘round.
The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? (Psalm 27:1 KJV).
Enjoying His Walk,
Davin B. Scott
The Deeper Dimension
“Wisdom has built her house” (Proverbs 9:1 RJV).
I read recently about a crime mobster at 97 who was caught again for racketeering and fraud. “The Old Man” as they call him has not lost his trade. Tragic as it is, this is who he is; this is his legacy. His first arrest came 75 years earlier for virtually the same kind of crime. Stains we make in life are made when we spill our character over the years of time.
In my world of work I feel called by the Lord to teach people about the great opportunity and even excitement they can experience by leaving a legacy for those they love most. It is not always just about “Stuff” either: like money, jewelry, houses, cars, boats, and land (property). The reality is that true legacy is one’s history. When people open up our safe, our life safe deposit box, what will they really find? I hope the house that you have built has been an intentional legacy for those you love most and for God’s great kingdom.
A church that was built around 1000 A.D. had severe roof problems some 200 years later. Fortunately the original construction plans had been handed down over time. So the church members looked them over carefully. To their amazement they discovered detailed plans where the church founders had planted a forest at the time the church was first built. Within this forest was a unique kind of tree which would serve well for the roof’s support beams. Sure enough these church members found the forest that had been planted in neat, methodical rows 200 years earlier; exactly according to the plans the founding fathers left behind.
The deeper dimension in life is found in God—in His wonderful wisdom. What kind of forest are you planting for those ahead of you? What kind of legacy? What will our heirs discover when they go through our original construction plans? Through our life safe deposit box? I pray they discover that deeper dimension that is truly a genuine faith, and an indelible legacy of unquestionable love for the Lord and man. The Apostle Paul wrote confidently about his own legacy saying to a church:
Practice what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and model your way of living on it, and the God of peace—of untroubled, undisturbed well-being—will be with you (Philippians 4:10 ABV)
Down the road ...
Ronnie Johnson
Lady Liberty
“And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32 RKJV).
Some weeks ago I was in New York on business. As I traveled to see the Statue of Liberty I could not help but notice the thousands of people awaiting this venture like myself. I stood near several young blond headed women. When they began to speak they were talking in a different language. From Boy Scout groups to church groups, from individuals to families, from one race of mankind to another they were all represented. Everyone had the same thing in mind—to see Lady Liberty.
Sculptor Frederic-Aususte Bartholdi was commissioned by France to design this extraordinary statue. The same engineer who created the Eiffel Tower, Alexandre-Gustave Eiffel, came up with the frame and structure of Lady Liberty so the copper skin could cover the statue. This Statue of Liberty was given by the country of France October 28, 1886 in recognition of America’s independence and new government by winning the American Revolution War. When France ran into financial difficulties Mr. Joseph Pulitzer, father of the Pulitzer Prize, helped make it financially possible for the funding of Lady Liberty by offering the world a chance to give toward this great Statue and cause. He urged people through his newspaper to support Lady Liberty; and the world responded with the funding of this awesome Statue.
As we passed by this Statue of Liberty I saw in the faces of young and old their thankfulness for such a great country. I was touched by the people gently pushing their way forward to get a perfect glimpse of Lady Liberty. Cameras flashed, video paraphernalia was swinging in all directions, and those mental pictures were taken by each of us as we passed by Lady Liberty. I could not help but think about our gift from heaven, the Messiah, who also brought us freedom. A country gave us a Statue, but God gave us a Savior. How blessed we are to live in America—free indeed!
Down the road ...
Ronnie Johnson
The Heart of the Matter
“And when he came to himself” (St. Luke 15:17 KJV).
Today doctors can go online and register to gain continuing education. I stumbled upon Medscape recently and learned a lot about the medical field. One of the relatively new treatments today in the cardio vascular field is cardiovascular electrophysiology. Now through electricity (electric field) many new and innovative treatments are being accomplished with heart patients. I also read about the benefit of cardiac resynchronization therapy. Especially in the cardiovascular field of the medical world I’m sure that constant new techniques and treatments are changing as I write. The rhythm, the beat, and the electric movement of one’s heart means life and hope. It all goes back to that word we learned in our school science class, electron. This is the heart of the matter. The electron is a very light particle within the atom having the smallest possible charge of electricity. That first heart beat, that first sign of life begins with the slap, the shock of electricity; then breath and movement and new life.
In this Biblical parable the Lord tells us about a young man who came to himself. He had an electrical shock! Why did he come to himself? Because he came to the heart of the matter. He realized where he was. He suddenly understood who he was. And most importantly he rediscovered who his Father was. For this rebellious, wild and crazy prodigal son came a terrific surge of light, an electrical current or wave came across him—a new dawning! Your thinking becomes your living. His past was filled with silliness, frivolity and laughter. Now he got to the heart of the matter. A pig pen is no play pen. He was sick to his soul. He had a spiritual resynchronization.
The prodigal son was quarantined by his own foolish and stupid choices in life. He was now a victim of greed and guilt. But when he got to the heart of the matter, he knew where he needed to be and where he wanted to go—HOME! Today you do not have to go around the world to reach the heart of the matter. It’s right before. No! He is right before you. Run back home to your Father….to the heart of the matter. Rediscover your Father. He is watching and waiting for you.
And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and feel on his neck, and kissed him (St. Luke 15:20 KJV).
In His loving way,
Elizabeth J. Lloyd
A Gift
“Give and it shall be given unto you” (St. Luke 6:38 KJV).
I remember teaching a course on cruise ship. Later we disembarked and toured a Caribbean Island. I was buying a gift or two for my wife at a local shop. When I signed the VISA card I commented to the very friendly husband and wife (owners) how nice their little pen wrote; I being a connoisseur of writing pens. The man and his wife instantly insisted that I take the pen. I first hesitated and said, “No, thanks; you keep this for your store.” But they lit up like neon signs with unusual smiles and began to urge me to take this little pen. So I did. It was a gift from them to me. Now when I look at this pen it brings back those memories of this couple and their incredible smiles and wonderful spirit. A gift speaks volumes to us; causes our spirit to touch another’s.
Somehow in the mind of Almighty He, too, chose to make a gift to you and me. A gift has a way of mending the heart. A gift from our heart is a true expression of our love for one another. “Love forgets mistakes” (Proverbs 17:9a LBV).God gave His only Son for our sake and for our sins. He gave. Now we give. And when you give, you receive. It is a spiritual law.
God loves us perfectly. His love is both vocal and demonstrative. He balances blessings and discipline. God’s love is unfailing, so any time we perceive He does not love us, our perception is wrong. Anything we perceive about God that does not match up with either the truth of Scripture or the portrayal of His character in Scripture is a lie.(Beth Moore, author and teacher).
Give a gift to someone. Small or great give a gift of love; tangible or intangible. Just a small note to someone will do wonders. Get out of your box today. Gift a gift. Make someone’s day! “Give and it shall be given unto you.”
Down the road ...
Ronnie Johnson
Summation
“Serve the Lord Jesus Christ and spread His Word as far as I possibly can in the course of my lifetime.” -Life summation of Dr. Norman Vincent Peale.
“Preach the word; be instant in season and out of season” (2 Timothy 4:2a)
Kerusso (pronounced kay-roos-so) is an interesting word in Greek. It means to herald out a message or publish it. When I was in London I went to the “Speaker’s Corner” and heard different people standing up on stools and stumps on a street corner loudly proclaiming and heralding their voices of concern. Different people from different backgrounds stand up and air their words to those who will give a listening ear.
Each day you and I speak to someone with our tongue or with our life. We all have a “Speaker’s Corner” every day of our lives. I am convinced as never before that you need a written life summation that you personally feel totally comfortable with. It is a life goal subject just for you. It is, in fact, you—what you are here for on this planet. Write it down and memorize it. My own life summation is simple in one sentence: “I am here to make a positive and powerful difference in the lives of others both personally and eternally.” Whatever you think you are, you are. It is an imaging process that changes your life. How you envision yourself becomes yourself. Deron Williams who plays point guard for the Utah Jazz wrote down in grade school that he would become an NBA star. And He is today an NBA star.
When you change your thinking you will change your living. I started reading an old book called The Diabetic Manual some years ago. I have been inspired to work on what I call “The ‘C’ Diet.” This old manual made me realize that eating food out of my car window is toxic for my health. It also made me think twice about consuming so many potato chips that poison my body with so much saturated fat. You can start seeing yourself change from your current waist line back to a smaller waist line. Your mind is that powerful. And it will happen. Write down what you want to become. Let this image of your goal saturate your mind. Make a mental picture of who you want to be. Perceive who you want to become “in season and out of season.” Paul’s prayer and plea to this young minister was for Timothy to see (image) himself “preaching the word in season and out of season.” What a summation! Write what you want to work for you…for your life. Stay with your summation. Scribble it down in your heart and on paper you can see everyday of your life—tape it on your computer in front of you. Share your life summation with others. We all need one another’s encouragements.
Down the road ...
Ronnie Johnson
Sleep’s Strength
When at night you cannot sleep, talk to the Shepherd and stop counting sheep.
———copied
“Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him” (Psalm 37:7a KJV).
The National Commission on Sleep disorders tells us that Americans spend a $150 Billion a year for sleep privation. Experts also tell us that today we have more reduced productivity and higher stress than ever before as a society. Many sleeping disorders have legitimate cause due to earlier impairments either from physical trauma or from some psychological or social issue. But rest, that wonderful comfy sleep is the most restorative ingredient to our bodies each day that we live. We all love a good night’s sleep! Don’t you?
Physically, mentally and spiritually the real rest that you experience is in Christ. He alone offers peace that “passes all understanding.” In Him is sleep’s strength.
Come unto me all you that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart and you shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. (Matthew 11:28-30 RKJV).
Rest in Him. Let go of what you can’t control. Sleep’s strength is in the deeper rest within your inner being. You will only discover this spiritual somnolence in the Master’s pharmacy. Bury those dead bones of yesterday. Tune in to today. Rest in Him. Allow your Father to be your Father. Trust His mighty arms of grace and love. Seek His face. Lean on Him. Ask Him for His rapacious rest that comes from Him and Him alone. Slow down in your spirit. Learn His tranquility. Beneath the violent raging waves of the sea there is calm. He is that “Calm” you are longing for. Sleep’s strength is in Him—He’s “the Pill” for your problem. Go, run to your Father’s medicine cabinet—sleep well!
Thou will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusts in You, Lord (Isaiah 26:3 RKJV).
In His wonderful Way,
Davin B. Scott
That Pervading Darkness
“When I sit in darkness, the Lord shall be a light unto me” (Micah 7:8b KJV).
Just recently I was traveling through our city. I came upon the police and the yellow tape of a crime scene in a neighborhood. Unfortunately this is not even a surprise any more. Today the more violent crimes are on the increase in America. You can go to Sex Crimes.com and discover a whole world of information about sexual predators, the national registry for them and just about anything you want to know about the pervading darkness in our society today. In 2005 we had an estimation 1,390,695 violent crimes in the greatest country on earth. Hard to believe, huh? In a world of such enormous prosperity, opportunity and sheer blessings beyond blessings we are seeing such incredible pervading darkness—killing our own people. Congress is currently requesting new legislation to ask for millions of more dollars to place more police on our nation’s streets. Pervading darkness!
The most recent well-known national violent crime to hit the news has been that of the lovely young lady, Kelsey Smith, who had simply gone Target to shop. Now Edwin R. Hall, her suspected killer, is believed to a possible serial killer. Pervading darkness!
Micah tells us “When, not if, I sit in darkness.” Your Father’s promise to you is that in the face of pervading darkness He will bring His shining Light to your soul. That pervading darkness is so obvious in this universe right now. One can cut it with a knife. John Wesley once declared, “Remember there can be no little sin till we can find a little God.” Your relationship to your Father, the Light, means everything. “Christ in you is the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27b RKJV).His Light in you will dispel the darkness. We know it’s not the darkness without, but the Light from within that changes human hearts. Even in this pervading darkness we “sit in” today, your Father will give Light (help, hope and healing) to your life. “When I sit in darkness.” Thank goodness! It does not end there. “The Lord will be a Light unto you.” And He is. Pervading Light!
Loving the Light,
Elizabeth J. Lloyd
The Touch of the Master’s Hand
“And he laid his hands on her: and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God” (Luke 13:13
The lady must have only known shame and blame; shame because she had been bent down for 18 years, and blame because the ancient world looked at illnesses and deformities as the result of her sins (or her family’s sins of the past).One cannot help but wonder about her thinking, her attitude. When you are physically impaired you are always fighting the battle of staying positive and keeping your head up. This is something she could definitely not do—keep her head up.
According to the Family Network, “Today one in five children face life with the challenges of mental health, emotional and behavioral disorder. Sadly enough one in three children are affected by family violence.”
“When the Lord laid his hand upon her,” she was never the same person again. Her world became brand new. She was healed from a long life of degradation and privation; not to mention the shame and blame she had known. You can be sure He not only made her body straight, but He also made her mind straight. A radical turn around!
Sigmund Freud once said, “Two conditions are necessary for mental health; to be able to love and to be able to work.” Now this little lady could go out into the world and be productive again. She knew, too, the Touch of the Master’s Hand. When He touches you, you are never the same again. His touch is transforming. Real! Through the power of His word, the witness of His people, the reality of His creation and the very presence of His being He can touch your body, your mind and make you straight, too. Let Him.
Friends with the very Best,
Jason D. Lloyd
Going On
“And he must needs go through Samaria” (St. John 4:4 KJV).
It is hard to believe that a man was confined to a prison for 26 years and then became the president of the country he had been imprisoned in. But it happened. And former South African President, Nelson Mandela, learned that in life you must go on: you must square those shoulders, lift up your head, give the world a smile and “keep trucking.” And he did. The only apartheid he wanted was an apartheid buried in a deep grave from humanity. He, too, had to go through that hated Samaria, that apartheid that writhes with pain and blame; the place where people are categorized and terrorized by the brutal control of a philosophy of superiority. It is no wonder in his in augural speech that he chose the words of Marianne Williamson:
Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light, not our darkness that frightens us.
We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous?
Actually, who are we not to be?
You are a child of God.
Your playing small doesn’t serve the world.
There’s nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you.
We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.
It’s not just in some of us, it’s in everyone.
And as we let our light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.
As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.
Let us keep “Going On.”Let us shine our own light for Christ in the hated Samaria’s of this world; in the face of apartheid and any other rising evil tide. “Playing small doesn’t serve the world.”
Down the road ...
Ronnie Johnson
