Keeping The Child Alive

“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.” 2 Corinthians 4:16 (NIV)

It comes as a shock, and it shouldn’t. We look in the mirror and see new wrinkles, graying hair, sometimes a person we hardly recognize. We wonder, “How did I get this old? It seems just like yesterday that I was a child, a teen, a young man.”

Today I must admit simply that I am old. Not an easy admission because when I was young I remember what I thought of old people. Old people were out of touch, could not do anything fun, mostly sat around getting older. Now I am one of them.

Growing older does not have to be a burden. Though there are some things we simply must accept in an aging body, we need not accept bitterness, grumpiness, or a complaining attitude.

My grandmother collected dolls into her old age. I enjoyed the look on her face when she would pick one of them up. It was almost as if I could still see the little girl still inside of her.

I think that is the way to be. We ought to grow wiser, more understanding of the faults of others, and generally kinder in our later years. But I think it is also important that somewhere inside we keep alive the child, the sense of wonder, the sense of excitement. I think Jesus meant something of the kind when He said we must be like little children to enter His kingdom. (Mark 10:15)

Prayer: Dear Lord, help us to keep the child alive, even as we grow and mature and waste away outwardly, keep us renewed inwardly. Amen.

Karlton Douglas

Copyright 2016

Just Getting Through The Day Can Be A Positive Testimony

“Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.” 2 Timothy 2:3 (NIV)

Right now I’m nearly too weak to get out of bed or off my recliner. I believe God does not give us more than we can handle, but I am beginning to wonder if He is giving me too much credit.

With major surgery looming in just a couple of days I wonder where I will find the strength to get through. Just surviving each “normal” day right now seems all I can do. So how do I survive a major surgery and its aftermath?

I think there are some things you don’t get through without God’s intervention. I have seen Him intervene in situations before when things looked bleak. I have seen Him move people and circumstances so that things fall into place for my benefit. It takes trust and faith, and those are not always easy when tough circumstances loom large.

I do not know what you are facing this day or this week, but we are all soldiers in the same army. Sometimes it feels like we are just going through the motions. Sometimes it feels like we can’t go on.

Just putting one foot in front of the other may be a huge act of faith on your part, but I believe if we will keep moving forward the Lord will see us through.

Take your cares and concerns to God. Rely upon Him when your strength is small, or nonexistent. He is our hope and strength.

Prayer: Dear Lord, You see how small our strength is, please come to our aid with Your almighty power. Amen.

Karlton Douglas

Copyright 2016

How To Surrender To God's Will

“. . .because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” James 1:3 (NIV)

Fear is the opposite of faith. Fear is the belief that what we do not want to happen will happen to us or our loved ones. Fear can drain the life out of us, use up our energy reserves, and leave us paralyzed and unable to act.

The day before an appointment with a surgeon where major surgery was imminent, I felt terrified. I have never spent more than a single night in any hospital in my adult life. The idea of going through an extensive surgery that would keep me in the hospital up to a week, and everything else involved in the procedure, had me nearly paralyzed with fear. I did not want the surgery, or anything to do with it.

Finally, with God’s help, I surrendered myself to His will and squarely faced the circumstance. I had peace the next day at the surgeon’s office, and peace when I discussed the procedure.

It is not always easy to accept God’s will. His will may have us facing challenges we would rather avoid. Sometimes we have to simply submit to His authority and surrender to the path we would not choose.

Trust God when hard things come your way. Rely upon Him when fear tries to steal your peace and joy. Face your fears with confidence that God will see you through.

Prayer: Dear Lord, sometimes I would rather run and hide, but help me face my fears and overcome whatever challenge comes my way. Amen.

Karlton Douglas

Copyright 2016

A Little Gratitude Goes A Long Way

“Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.” Colossians 3:16 (NIV)

I have tried to make it a practice to show gratitude toward those who have helped me in any way. People appreciate it when we are thankful and show gratitude. They may tell you that “no thanks” is needed, but I suspect that deep down everyone appreciates hearing a “thank you” when they have helped us in some way.

Cultivating an attitude of gratitude can also benefit us. Aside from the obvious benefit of making us a grateful person, I have noticed over time that when I regularly let people know I appreciate them, that they go out of their way to do even more for me. I know that sounds “mercenary” but the fact is people want to help us even more when we let them know their help is greatly appreciated.

Consider those around you, consider the many ways you are helped by others, and then begin thanking them, letting them know they are appreciated, and that no small act of kindness is overlooked by you.

Let “thank you” become two of the most used words in your vocabulary. People want to be appreciated, and you can never go wrong by letting them know that they are.

Prayer: Lord, no one does more for us than You. You help us at every step in life’s journey. We thank You for helping us, and for the many people You send to aid us throughout our life. Amen.

Karlton Douglas

Copyright 2016

God Has Never Failed Us

Then Moses told his father-in-law all that the Lord had done to Pharaoh and to the Egyptians for Israel's sake, all the hardship that had come upon them in the way, and how the Lord had delivered them. Exodus 18:8 (ESV)

“There has never been a problem that God has failed to get you through or out of.”

 

I wrote those words on a whiteboard in a conspicuous place in my house. I have been going through months of the worst Crohn’s Disease flare up in four years. Along with the Crohn’s a terrible skin ulcer formed due to the flare up. It brought back all the nightmares of years earlier when Crohn’s Disease whittled me away to nothing and nearly took my life.

We need to share and remind others and ourselves that God is not AWOL. God has not abandoned us in the bad times of our lives. We often feel alone in our suffering and misery, yet Jesus dwells within every believer by the Holy Spirit. He feels our pain, knows our suffering, and comforts us in our afflictions.

Very often the pain seems to drown out everything, even our consciousness of God. In those times in particular we need reminders of dark days past that the Lord pulled us through and out of. We all have a testimony of how the Lord delivered us from something, beginning with our sins and failures in life.

What has the Lord delivered you out of? It is worth remembering the good things Jesus has done for us, especially during very bad times.

Prayer: Dear Lord, how often You have delivered us. Thank You for for being there, for leading us through and out of so many dangers and troubles. Amen.

Karlton Douglas

Copyright 2016.

Sunshine Comes After The Storm

When I thought, “My foot slips,” your steadfast love, O Lord, held me up. When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul. Psalm 94:18-19 (ESV)

Stormy weather can be frightening and disturbing. Lightning strikes, thunder rumbles and then shakes the earth like a firing cannon. Often there is a threat of tornadoes, and tornado sirens cut the air as our city alerts us to danger. Outside is a threatening black sky, hail begins to pound everything, the wind tears at trees, and rain falls in torrents.

But how wonderful it is the day after a storm. A beautiful sunny azure sky stretches as far as the eye can see as billowy white clouds float effortlessly overhead. The sunshine feels warm and cheerful. The air is clean, clear, and refreshing. It is as if the earth is made new again.

So it is in the life of a Christian.  Illness, disease, a terrible diagnosis brings “threatening skies” into our lives. We are rocked and shaken by the storms that come suddenly upon us. We must look for and take shelter, and that shelter is found in Jesus.

Jesus delivers us through and out of the storms that come into our lives. And no matter how many sunny days we experience, we know that eventually a storm is coming. We can prepare for the storms by staying informed and alert, and especially by relying upon Jesus, praying, and standing strong upon the Word of God. Our faith sees us through the storms. And we rejoice when the Lord brings us through them and the sunny, peaceful weather returns to our lives.

Power and courage to face the storms of life come from a close relationship and constant fellowship with Jesus. Storms are coming, but so too are peace and comfort from our saving Lord.

Prayer: Dear Lord, we the know the storms will come, but so do the sunny skies. Fill us with Your peace no matter what weather faces us this week. Amen.

Karlton Douglas

Copyright 2016

How We Live As Christians Matters To God

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 7:21 ESV)

What we do, and the way we behave, matters. I think most of us would say that we are far from perfect, that we could all “do better”. Jesus said some very tough things to His followers, and would-be followers. He set a very high standard for Christian behavior, and made it clear that He expected His followers to do God’s will on the earth.

    Pray then like this:
       “Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven. (Matthew 6:9-10 ESV)

Many of us feel conviction when our actions are put under scrutiny. Though we may not be “the worst of sinners”, neither are we “the greatest of saints”. We could all do better. And while it is not our good works that pay our way into heaven--only Jesus could pay for our sins--nevertheless, it matters what we say and what we do in our lives.

So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will recognize them by their fruits. (Matthew 7:17-20 ESV)

We must all give an account of how we lived our lives when we stand before Jesus. And I don’t think He will be measuring our worth to Him according simply to outward appearances. I believe Jesus will be measuring our hearts, looking at the gifts and talents He gave us, and how we used such gifts. I also think He will be looking at our relationship with Him, did we really know Him? Did we fellowship with Him through prayer, time spent in His word, and sharing His love and kindness with others?

Though our human efforts are not sufficient to win us a place in heaven, it does matter that we live good lives here on earth, depending upon the Lord, following the leading of His Holy Spirit, knowing His word, so that we can be Christians in both word and deed.

Prayer: Dear Lord, help us to be better Christians. Help us to represent You well, and to live our lives in fellowship with You. Amen.

Karlton Douglas
Copyright 2016

The Importance Of God's Word To The Believer

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart (Hebrews 4:12 ESV)

We know God both by what He does, and by His word. Our knowledge is never perfect or complete, but as we spend time with His word, and with Him in prayer, we discover more about Him and get to know Him better.

  His word keeps us 'safe' in our ideas and attitudes about Him, for the Bible is a direct revelation. His Holy Spirit gives us revelation as well, as we learn to listen to Him, and to follow His lead.

  The way to get to know the Lord is through prayer, His word, and the presence of His Holy Spirit--all of which are available to any and all believers.

And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God. Luke 4:4 (KJV)


Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 2 Timothy 4:2 (KJV)

The word of God is a living thing, it has the anointing of the Holy Spirit, and it changes hearts and minds as it is accepted as “seed” into the heart of the willing listener. Christ's words, recorded in scripture, have the power to open the heart and mind of the hearer to the salvation of Jesus Christ as such words are preached and carried forth by the Holy Spirit. The Bible, because it is Holy, because men of old spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit to record His words, the Bible is the most powerful book on the face of the earth, because it is anointed by God.

The Holy Bible is the word of Jesus, and the Father God, brought to us by the Holy Spirit. The entire trinity is involved in the Bible. Loving and revering God's word is not an usurping of Christ, but a confirmation of the reverence and adoration we have for our Lord.

But he answered, “It is written,
    “‘Man shall not live by bread alone,
but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” (Matthew 4:4 ESV)

We need to refocus society toward the importance of God’s word. The word of God can deliver from many of the current ills and afflictions of society, but first they must see that God’s word matters to believers, that we take it seriously, that we live by its precepts.

Prayer: Dear Lord, help us to remain passionate for Your word, to apply and live by its teachings. Amen.

Karlton Douglas
Copyright 2016

Finding Refuge Under His Wings

He will cover you with his pinions,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness is a shield and buckler. (Psalm 91:4 ESV)

Have you ever needed to take refuge under God’s wings? I have done so many times. There are circumstances and situations and events that take us beyond our power and ability. Certain events can try us and measure us and weigh us and find that our ability and strength is insufficient. When we find ourselves in such places and situations, the wise thing to do is to call upon One who has strength and the ability and power to uphold us in our weakness.

Beat your plowshares into swords,
and your pruning hooks into spears;
let the weak say, “I am a warrior.” (Joel 3:10 ESV)

There are illnesses, financial situations, hurting family members, suffering children, and disasters that bring us all to our knees. I often see people dealing with incredible circumstances and wonder--how do they survive that?

Recently I was watching a TV documentary about some High School kids killed in an avalanche, and I wondered: How do the parents cope with such a loss? A few nights ago I stood outside in bone--chilling temperatures watching as firefighters tried to extinguish a major fire that devastated my neighbor’s house, and I wondered: How do they cope with losing everything they owned? Also recently my dear friend, who is 46 years old, experienced a series of devastating strokes. This was a man who I spent many days fishing and camping with, we talked about life, God, and our hopes and plans for the future. Now my friend cannot even speak, or raise his arm, he is a prisoner in his own body, and I wonder: How will he cope?


   We live in troubled times, with difficult circumstances facing many people. Next we could be the ones suffering a loss, and how would we react? What would we do?

   Those who have placed their trust in Christ can survive anything. Those who love the Lord have a Constant Advocate to help us through troubled waters. If the Lord be for us, who, or what, can be against us?

Prayer: Dear Lord, help those around us who are suffering so many things, and help us to never forget that You are our Advocate and Friend. Amen.

Karlton Douglas
Copyright 2016

Our God Is A Healing And Helping God

Heal me, O LORD, and I shall be healed;
save me, and I shall be saved,
for you are my praise.
(Jeremiah 17:14 ESV)

For months I have been dealing with a skin ulcer that started as a tiny spot that I did not think much about when it began. But it gradually spread and became much larger and incredibly painful to the point I could not move without excruciating pain. And no matter the treatment, even those who were experienced in treating wounds could not rein it in.

You can be sure I prayed, asked for and believed God would heal it. Yet I just ended up frustrated as I continued to lose ground. Why did God not heal this awful wound?

After months, seeing several doctors, and getting more information about how to heal my terrible, unrelenting sore, I have finally gained ground and the wound is healing. I can tell you it is satisfying to see that awful wound closing up now.

Why does God not heal us miraculously all the time? Why do some wounds take months, maybe years to heal? And why do some wounds, both internal and external, never seem to heal?

God is sovereign, and He always knows what is best. Most of the time God does heal us either quickly and miraculously or gradually over time. And when He does not heal us, those are the times we need our faith the most, and when we must rely upon His grace to see us through.

So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
(2 Corinthians 12:7-9 ESV)

We praise God when He heals us, giving Him thanks for both the quick and the slow healing. And we thank Him when He does not heal us, for He gives us His grace and peace to endure and survive until we are with Him in eternity. He is sovereign, He knows what is best. He determines what moves us closer to His will and purpose for our lives even when we do not fully comprehend it.

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for all the healing You bring into our lives, both the quick and miraculous and the slow and steady ones. And thank You for Your grace to help us bear up under ongoing afflictions. Amen.

Karlton Douglas

Copyright 2016

Finding God's Rest In Our Fatigue

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28 NIV)

Have you ever been so tired that you did not even have the energy to watch TV? Think about that. How much energy would it require, and how much poor concentration is needed to sit in front of a TV set? Yet I have found myself even that exhausted, to the point of not enough energy for the mindless entertainment of television.

Sometimes God will speak to you in your spirit, just a small voice that you must listen closely to hear. Recently I was praying to God and saying, “Lord, today I need You to carry me for I have no strength.”

The Lord surprised me by responding, “I have been carrying you today and every day.”

I burst out laughing because it was so very true. God had been carrying me through the many days when I had no strength.

My “Chronic Fatigue Syndrome” needs a name change to “Constant Fatigue Syndrome.” I am continually exhausted and finding myself with no strength. Yet the Lord has helped me to somehow get through.

We each face diverse things. For me fatigue is a major issue, and for you it may be something completely different.

You may have plenty of energy but find yourself in a wheelchair or limited in movement by arthritis. We may need different kinds of rest and relief, but one Lord supplies all of our needs by His love and grace.

Today you may find yourself in dire need of God’s rest for your soul. Our Jesus is a living God. He is master of the universe and master of our lives. We each face much adversity, but we never face it alone. Turn to Him for rest for your weary soul.

Prayer: Dear Lord, when weariness saps at our will to go on, give us rest and strength to move forward again. Amen.

Karlton Douglas

Copyright 2016