Counterfeit religion is not in short supply.  Too many church-goers have been tricked into believing that they are going to Heaven because they do good works or fake behaviors that deceive.  They are in trouble.  There is no relationship with God.  There is no “new creation” after they claim they accepted Jesus into their lives.  There is no fruit blooming as a demonstration to others that they have matured in their walk with the Lord.

Oh, they go through the motions.  They take brownies to an ailing neighbor.  They bow their heads in prayer and are slightly bothered when someone takes God’s name in vain.  They promise to pray for hurting friends and volunteer at the church food bank.  Their Bibles lie open on their coffee tables, and they host prayer groups in their homes.  Still, no heart change exists.  There is no desire to become holy, even though 1 Peter 1:16b makes no bones about it when he repeats what God told the Israelites:  You shall be holy, for I am holy.

Before you decide to throw in the spiritual towel, please know this:   A pretend Christian is not a struggling Christian.  The latter describes every one of us; we all sin and mess up.  (Thank you, Jesus, that I’m not alone in this.)

But notice the clarity of God’s demand.  There is no “consider holiness” or “think about acting holy” or “hope you find holiness before you die.”  No such luck.  God wants more.  You. Shall. Be. Holy…

If you’re like me, you’re squirming.  Wouldn’t it be better if we were told just to “try a little harder” or “be nice” or “figure out a way to make people like you”?  Asking us to be “HOLY” seems a little too much, don’t you think?

Unfortunately, it doesn’t matter what we think.  It matters what God thinks, and that is the goal He has set for each of us.  We must pray for God to help us resist temptation and choose purity, ask the Holy Spirit to reveal areas where we are displeasing our Creator, and study the Bible to know what is expected.

Counterfeit/pretend religion deceives.  It keeps us in acting mode.  We play the part well, while hiding the real us from others.

• Our Cheshire grins, saved for neighbors or pew-mates, belie the alley-cat fights dominating our homelife.
• A daily fix of Facebook draws us into quarrels as passions are ignited over differing political opinions or self-righteous, judgmental calls.
• We belt out “Amazing Grace” from the first row of pews but once inside our car, tune our radios to secular music about sex and booze.
• We cry out to God when an emergency arises but completely ignore Him once our prayers are answered.

Counterfeit Christians want the most of God with the least effort.  They desire to keep one foot in their daily pleasures and one foot in spiritual considerations.  James 4:4 addresses such a contradiction: Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.

Our goal needs to be to draw closer to God. But here’s the awesome part—that’s God’s goal too!  He is waiting with open arms for us to ask for His help to make us holy.  We are not left floundering, hoping we get smacked upside our heads with a halo.  All we have to do is ask with a sincere heart, “Heavenly Father, please teach me how to be holy.”  That’s my prayer.  I hope it’s yours too.

Keys to the Kingdom

Because it’s been so long ago, I can’t remember whose pump organ I played as a young girl. But I do remember the effort and coordination it took to coax the instrument into action and make the thing sing. It had about 17 knobs (stops) that could be pulled out to select the desired sound.  If I pulled out all the stops, it was as full and loud as I could get it (as long as my ankles didn’t wear out). It’s a hoot to play one of these grand old gems. The Beverly Hillbillies was a favorite show of mine and I was always impressed with the delightful music cousin Pearl got out of her pump organ.

All my life I’ve been surrounded by the enthralling sound of music. In the church sanctuary, many of us have sung the lyrics by Judson W. Van DeVenter: “All to Jesus I surrender; all to Him I freely give. I will ever love and trust Him, in His presence daily live. I surrender all. I surrender all. All to Thee my blessed Savior, I surrender all.” That’s quite a bold testimony song that’ll change your life if you truly mean what you sing. All for Jesus means none for Satan — zero, he gets nothin’. Nothin’ from nothin’ leaves nothin’.

As followers of Jesus, we must determine to “go for it” and pull out all the stops as we live for Him and represent Him. The account of Lot’s wife is a good example of a bad example. Her feet left Sodom, but her heart stayed. “When they were safely out of the city, one of the angels ordered, ’Run for your lives! And don’t look back or stop anywhere in the valley’” (Genesis 19:17 NLT). She chose poorly when she disobeyed and looked back — and was promptly turned into a salt shaker. She’d been duly warned, but ignored it. Believers have three choices and we better choose excellently: Get in, get out, or get run over. Mrs. Lot started out in the right direction, but then her loyalty and determination fizzled out. She simply wasn’t all in for God and His plan for her life.

If believers will determine to do their part and live “full-court press,” God will provide all the tools we need to stand firm against the devil. With Jesus living inside us, being a Christian is “no hill for a climber.”  But we have to make the decision that we’re going to love and trust Jesus totally, no matter how tired we get pumping that instrument. We don’t want to quit before life’s song is over because we need to finish what we started.

“Surrendering all” and living full bore is absolutely possible. “I withstand [the enemy]; I am firm in faith [against his onset — rooted, established, strong, immovable, and determined], knowing that the same (identical) sufferings are appointed to my brotherhood (the whole body of Christians) throughout the world (1 Peter 5:9 AMP).

After choosing Christ Jesus as Savior and Lord, we must make up our mind to never give up, look back, or turn around. “And without faith living within us it would be impossible to please God. For we come to God in faith knowing that He is real and that He rewards the faith of those who passionately seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6 TPT).

The Key: Be determined not to wind up on the kitchen table in a salt shaker.

A Christian businessman was traveling in Korea. In a field by the side of the road was a young man pulling a plow while an old man held the handles. The businessman was amused and took a snapshot of the scene. “I suppose these people are very poor,’” he said to the missionary who was interpreter and guide to the party.

“Yes,” was the quiet reply. “Those two men are Christians. When their church was being built, they were eager to give something toward it, but they had no money. So, they sold their only ox and gave the proceeds to the church. This spring they are pulling the plow themselves.” The businessman, silent for a few moments, said, “That must have been a real sacrifice.”

“They did not call it that,” answered the missionary. “They thought themselves fortunate that they had an ox to sell!”

I read that story and wonder how much I really give up in order to advance the gospel, in order to obey Romans 12:1, where I am told to be a “living sacrifice” to the Lord.  How about you?  Are you content just to tithe and call it good?    But aren’t there other things we are asked to sacrifice?  In Mark 14, we learn of a woman who sacrificed not only her most valuable possession but also her pride.  Could we say the same?

Just a few days before Jesus’ death, we read about a dinner party where an uninvited woman showed up with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume (about $15,000 today), broke the jar and poured the perfume on Jesus’ head. Guests were indignant and harshly rebuked her. “Why this waste of perfume?  It could have been sold for more than a year’s wages and the money given to the poor.” I love Jesus’ response.

 “Leave her alone…Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me.  The poor you will always have with you and you can help them any time you want. But you will not always have me.  She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial. Truly I tell you, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.”

In Lady in Waiting, Becoming God’s Best While Waiting for Mr. Right, Jackie Kendall explains the purpose of the alabaster box in biblical times. When a young woman was old enough to marry, her family would buy this box and fill it with ointment.  When a man proposed, the future bride would break this box at his feet in order to show him honor.

Don’t miss the importance in this story about Jesus.

Amidst the arrogant rudeness of the other dinner guests, she, a lowly woman, cared not that she was being mocked and ridiculed.  Her entire focus was on her Savior. He who would be betrayed by Judas a short time later had to breathe a sigh of relief that someone understood what he had come to earth to do and wanted to honor him for it.  His disciples certainly didn’t.  The high priest didn’t.  Those for whom he had performed miracles didn’t.  Many of us still don’t.

But this woman did. In a few hours, Jesus would be on his knees, weeping that God would stop his crucifixion from happening.  But at this moment, he had an acknowledgement that it was worth it. Someone wasn’t requiring anything from him but wanting to love on him right where he was.

Dear Readers, what is your most treasured possession, your “alabaster box”?  This woman gave all she could.  Could Jesus say the same about my life?  Could he say it about yours?

Keys to the Kingdom By Carolyn Tucker

When I’m planning a meal for family or friends, I write out the menu on a little card and then make a grocery list. These lists help to ensure that I cover all the bases. I also keep the menu in sight to make sure I don’t forget to set everything on the table when it‘s time to announce, “Supper‘s ready!” I’ve been known to leave the deviled eggs in the refrigerator only to discover them after everyone left (sad face). Even though the meal time was enjoyable, without the deviled eggs it was “not as.”

One early wintry morning, while a lot of the community was still sleeping, I was not. Darkness still blanketed my property and I had just loaded the fireplace with wood when I was oddly drawn to the piano. I stood, leaning over the bench, and began playing and singing, “My Jesus knows when I am lonely, He knows each pain, He sees each tear. He understands each lonely heartache, He understands because He cares. My Jesus knows just what I need. Oh yes He knows just what I need. He satisfies and every need supplies, yes He knows just what I need.” I don’t know what was going on in the life of Mosie Lister when he penned the lyrics and composed the music to this song, but I would imagine he was experiencing some type of heaviness in his soul. We can all relate.

I don’t know if Jesus made lists and checked them twice or not. He could have. I do know that He covered all the bases before He left His followers to return to heaven. Jesus was speaking to His disciples and one of them asked a question. He replied, “What I am telling you is from the Father who sent Me. I am telling you these things now while I am still with you. But when the Father sends the Advocate as My representative — that is, the Holy Spirit — He will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you. I am leaving you with a gift — peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid“ (John 14:24-27 NLT).

Jesus accomplished His Father’s will by providing the needed sacrifice so those who believe in Him could have an abundant life now and an everlasting life later. Then there was only one more thing He made sure all believers would have — and that was peace. Jesus pays close attention to every detail of our lives and He knew if we had peace, we could not only survive, but enjoy life in Him. “No Jesus, no peace. Know Jesus, know peace.” I would imagine we’ve all prayed for peace at one time or another. But, according to Jesus’ own words, He already gave us the gift of peace. Perhaps we can liken it to purchasing another bottle of aspirin when we already have two unopened bottles in the medicine cabinet. By faith we have to apply the peace Jesus already gave us. It’s inside of us, but we have to activate it. It’s like when we’re issued a new credit card, we must call the card company to activate it before we can use it. If you’ll get quiet, you will hear the Holy Spirit gently remind you that you have the gift of peace in you.

We need to realize that the activation process is not just a one-time deal. It must be activated every time something/someone tries to steal our peace. From personal experience, I know that the devil can be counted on to do that because, “The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life” (John 10:10 NLT). Don’t let the devil take what Jesus gave you. Stand your ground and keep it because, of all things, you desperately need peace of mind and heart.

The Key: Jesus covered all the bases and gave us His gift of peace.

Ages ago, before computers/Google, Dave and I were invited to a party, and “business casual” was the expected attire.  We disagreed on what that looked like.  Hubby leaned more toward the “casual” side.  You know, shorts suitable for a beach party and a tee-shirt with three dolphins in a mid-air leap on the front pocket.  I leaned toward the “business” side: an ankle-length skirt with a really cool jacket atop a lovely V-necked, linen shirt.  We looked like a blind date gone wrong.

“Dave, this isn’t a barbecue at someone’s pool.  We are going to a party in a hotel.”

“Well, Patty, the Marriott is not the Taj Mahal.  You look like you are heading to a wedding.  Or maybe a funeral.”

We both changed clothes.  This time, Dave apparently was going to a job interview for a Fortune 500 company. He could have doubled as a plastic groom on a wedding cake. He told me that I was confusing a rodeo with a classy affair.  (Hubby had no idea how chic cowgirl boots could be.)  Clearly, neither of us had any idea what “business casual” meant.

And neither did anyone at the party.  Men’s attire ranged from suits and ties to—you guessed it—a shirt with dolphins adorning the breast pocket, while women’s clothing ran the gamut from a glittered, semi-formal dress to short-shorts and a lacy tank top.  There were no two people on the same apparel page.

Blame the host and hostess for using words that remain undefined.       Or blame all of us guests for failing to ask what, exactly, “business casual” meant.  But that’s human nature, isn’t it?  We don’t want to appear ignorant, so we fail to ask…which, of course, magnifies our ignorance.

How many times have I done that?  Too many to count.  Especially when it comes to asking God for advice.  After all, I can do it myself…figure it out…solve the problem.  Why bother Him with my piddly little issues?  Why?  Because He tells me to. In the New Testament, we read that Paul spent the years after his conversion to Christianity, relying on God for help.

We are to continually pray in all kinds of situations (Eph 6:18).  From healing our diseases to being given opportunities to disciple someone, to finding a parking spot, to having the willpower to say no to that chocolate-glazed donut, God wants us to bring our needs and desires to Him.  All of them.

Recently, I read about a little girl named Riley whose dad worked for the Christian organization Focus.  Sometimes he would share his youngster’s creative prayers…like this one: “Dear God.  I am amazed at something.  You are truly God.  Heaven is so big, which means it must be heavy—and yet it can hang so high up in the sky above the clouds.  How do you do that?  OK.  I was just wondering.  Amen.”

I have to think that God loved such a heart-felt prayer and the young girl’s desire to take all of her questions to Him. In Luke 18:17, we read that Jesus wants us to learn from children like Riley: Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.                                                                                                                                                     

Our problem isn’t that we can’t get an answer; our problem is that we don’t ask.

Keys to the Kingdom By Carolyn Tucker

One of my favorite things to do is shop at thrift stores. This is tremendous fun for me because I never know what unique secondhand treasure I’ll find. My friend Misty gave
me a framed wall hanging with a quote from J.S. Bach that reads: “Music hath no end other than the glory of God and the recreation of the soul.” Very well said, and this lovely gift was purchased at a flea market.

Both my son-in-law Levi and I like the movie, “Secondhand Lions.” The plot is about a 14-year-old boy who is sent to live with his eccentric and reclusive great uncles on a ramshackle farm in Texas. The bachelor uncles order a lion for a wild game hunt on their
farm. But when the “king of the jungle” was delivered and unloaded, all they had for their money was an old worn-out retired circus lioness, so she was turned over to the boy as a
pet. He loved her, even though the secondhand lioness had seen better days.

Toward the end of the movie, the two aging uncles considered themselves just “a couple of has- beens“ right along with the lioness.

There’s nothing secondhand about God. “The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is His faithfulness; His mercies begin afresh each morning”

(Lamentations 3:22,23 NLT). While I sleep, His loving goodness is restocked and available when my feet hit the floor in the morning. Believers know their heavenly Father firsthand and understand that there‘s always new hope for a breakthrough every day.

“Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:18 NIV).

Even when we’re in the valley we can be thankful to God.
Why? Because we aren’t without His spiritual blessings that are freely given to us

My pastor says, “There’s no free rides, just free gifts.” God invites us to receive His unfailing love, mercies, hope, faithfulness, peace, and joy. Even if we fail and miss the mark, the mercies and forgiveness of God never cease and that is proof of His trustworthiness.

“Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him, on those who hope in His mercy…” (Psalm 33:18 NKJV). God sees, knows, and cares about all who revere and obey Him.

In Genesis Chapter 16, Hagar ran away to the wilderness because Sarai was treating her so harshly. But God found her and spoke to her. Hagar was the only person to give God the Hebrew name “El-roi” which means “the God who sees me.“

You may feel like nobody knows the trouble you’ve seen, but that’s not true. El-roi knows everything you’re going through and He is “at the ready” with new mercies every morning.

Whatever you need, God has it because He’s not short-handed in any way, shape, or form.

“Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened at all, that it cannot save nor His ear dull with deafness that it cannot hear” (Isaiah 59:1 AMP).

God is not about to wear out, retire, give up on you, or throw His hands up and walk away. He is seated on His throne
with the King of the Universe beside Him.

“[Jesus] who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand — with angels, authorities, and powers in submission to Him” (1 Peter 3:22 NIV). God has always been, and always will be, faithful in His love and mercies.

The Key: Our firsthand experience with God proves that His mercies never wear out.

My college sorority sisters and I are organizing our annual reunion, our time to catch up on each other’s’ lives.  It is not going well.  Diana lives in Tulsa.  Keller lives in Indianapolis.  Dizzy lives in Florida.  Colleen and Cathy live in K.C.  And I live in Fort Scott. 

 Where we live is only part of the problem.  Diana is wheel-chair bound since taking prescribed medicine that caused her muscles to atrophy.  Keller fell through ice last winter while helping a neighbor, and the pins, plates and screws holding her foot together keep her in constant pain.  Dizzy has medical issues and lives on a fixed income.  Colleen’s husband retired and they have planned many trips–granted, a “problem” we all would like to have.  Cathy owns a company that suffered with COVID, so recovering has made it hard for her to take time off.  I just do as I am told.  (Um-hmmm…)                                                                                                                  

Our texting correspondence to pick viable dates shows the difficulty we are having. After   dozens of “I’m watching my grandkids then,” or “Flights are too expensive on those dates,” or “I have glaucoma surgery scheduled that week,” or “If we meet up at my house, I’ll send my husband to stay with one of the kids but I have to know soon,” or “What if we take two trips, one to Keller’s and one to Diana’s and stay only three days at each place?” or “Why isn’t Cathy responding to these texts?” or…you get the point.                                                                       

Planning our annual reunion always is difficult because just as soon as we think we agree on the dates, one of the girls has a change in her plans, and we start over. Still, we keep at it because we know that memories will be made and friendships solidified. Plus, there will be stories to share with anyone who’s interested (typically, no one) when we return home.                         

Mark 9:2-9 speaks to a special reunion, one which blows away our girls’ trips. Jesus invited his best friends, Peter, James and John, to join him for a mountaintop getaway.  With no warning, they were joined by Elijah (deceased for 900 years) and Moses (deceased for around 1600 years).  The excitable, terrified Peter did what he always does: chatter.  Why, they could make three tents and camp out there. How fun!                                                                            

God, speaking from a cloud, silenced Peter.  “This is my beloved son; listen to him.” (In other words, “Zip it, Peter!”) And with that, Elijah and Moses disappeared.                                            

Can you imagine what that must have been like? Did James and John rip Peter’s head off for causing this momentous reunion to end far too soon?  Or did that not matter because Jesus’ friends were so eager to share with their family and friends what they had just witnessed, albeit for only a short time?                                                                                                              

I imagine they were beside themselves to blab, but as they descended the mountain, Jesus told them not to tell anyone what they had seen “until the Son of Man had risen from the dead.”  WHAT?  Who could possibly keep that event to him/herself? Surely part of the thrill was reliving it, right?  I would be a crazy woman if I couldn’t tell my best friends what I had just witnessed (which, if the cliché “Three people can keep a secret only when two are dead” is true, this story would be passed on to everyone I knew before the day was over).                                          

The best thing about the reunion God is planning for us is that we don’t have to pick the dates or the place or who joins us. That is all determined once we ask Jesus to be our Lord and Savior.  Should we die before Jesus returns, our last breath here on earth will be on first one in Heaven.  Talk about a reunion! There won’t be anything we can’t share.                             

Personally, that makes me very happy.                                               

Keys to the Kingdom

Around third or fourth grade, I was watching my Dad push mow the yard. I thought it looked like fun so I asked him if I could give it a try. He gave me some instructions and away I went. That was the beginning of my fun affair with a lawn mower. Fast forward to 2020, we purchased a 60” zero-turn Bad Boy mower. The only instructions the salesman gave me was, “Make sure it’s on full throttle when you engage the blades.” In fact, all the mowing, from start to finish is accomplished at full power — the speed of the mower varies, but the power of the engine is full on.

The definition of “full throttle” is holding nothing back, with great intensity, full speed, as much speed and energy as possible, the maximum setting on an engine, an all-out effort. That’s a pretty good definition of a true Christ follower. I’m not referring to burning the candle at both ends or running on fumes. We need to make sure we’re not overworked and under-joyed as we give God everything we’ve got. Crashing and burning accomplishes absolutely nothing for the Kingdom of God. But it does give the onlookers something to talk about. The goal is to love God and others and do His will in a balanced “all or nothing” lifestyle.

Believers can’t cut the grass or the mustard if we’re not living at full throttle for God. A compromising Christian who has one foot in the world and one foot in God’s Kingdom  is simply going to bog down and wimp out. Jesus said, “The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life” (John 10:10 NLT). Because Jesus left the splendor of heaven, died on Calvary’s cross and rose triumphantly for us to have an abundant life through Him, the least we can do is give Him our all. Believers should be prepared to roll up their sleeves in their service for Christ. Let’s determine to be a powerhouse for God, not a playhouse.

God never cuts corners and Christians shouldn’t either. “Whatever you are doing, let your hearts be in your work, as a thing done for the Lord and not for men” (Colossians 3:23 WNT). God wants us to joyfully serve Him with our whole hearts; He’s not pleased with half-hearted effort. To half obey is to disobey. A yard that’s half mown still looks tacky. I think the following motto is superb: “Do your best and God will do the rest.” The Great God Jehovah won’t do what you can do, but He will sure do what you can’t do.

Before I hop on the mower, I always check the fuel gauge. Believers need to do a fuel check every day. Spending time with God, reading His Word, and communing with Him in prayer is what fills our spiritual gas tank which then enables us to do whatever comes our way that day. “I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency]” (Philippians 4:13 AMP). This amazing strength is inside believers and goes to work when the task before us is difficult. The time spent in filling the tank is never wasted because it enables us to reach way down within ourselves when the mowing gets tough. When life hands you an acre of tall grass, just mow at a slower speed, keep it at full throttle, and don’t stop until it’s finished.

The Key: Stay at full throttle, do your best, and you’ll finish your task.

My husband’s mother, Phyllis, worked for decades as the office manager of a car dealership.  Buyers dealt with her when they purchased a vehicle.  One day, a man sat down at Phyllis’s desk to finalize the details of his purchase.  Phyllis noted that his last name was “LaRoche.”

“LaRoche?  Seems like I’ve heard that name before,” she chuckled.

“Do you follow baseball?” he answered.

“I do.”

“Well then, that’s probably it.  My brother Dave is a pitcher for the Angels.”

Dave’s mom started laughing.  “You could have fooled me.  I’m Phyllis LaRoche.  I’m Dave’s mother.”

Some people will do anything to be recognized or valued, a theme repeated in my upcoming book.  If you’ve ever stretched the truth to appear qualified, needed, or superior, you know what this is like.

In the New Testament, we read that Barnabas had sold his property and presented the disciples with the money he made from the sale.  We can imagine the accolades and high-fives given to Barnabas for his generosity.

The married couple Ananias and Sapphira wanted in on the praise.  They too sold their land but kept back some of the profit for themselves.  There’s nothing wrong with that, except they lied to the disciples and said that they gave it all, a lie that cost them their lives.

God doesn’t want big-shots; He wants people of humility.  In The Best of Lee Strobel’s “Investigating Faith,” he writes this: “Humility involves an appropriate acknowledgment and realistic assessment of oneself. If you’re a skilled piano player, you don’t say, ‘I’m no good on the piano.’ That’s being out of touch with reality. On the other hand, the pianist should recognize that this talent is a gift he’s received from God.”

“John,” an American atheist who owned at our condominium complex in Mexico, showed up one year with long hair and a story about how he, in a few months, would lead an orchestra in his hometown in the United States.  Impressive, right?  Everyone was talking about his conductor opportunity.  I ran into John one day and congratulated him on being selected for his upcoming debut.  He began demonstrating his “a-one-and-a-two-and-a” pretend-baton movement while shaking his long hair from side to side.  He definitely was into his new role.

A few days later, his wife and I were chatting.  I asked if she was impressed that her husband had been chosen to conduct an orchestra.  She seemed surprised.  “He wasn’t chosen.  He won it in an auction.  He just outbid the other bidders.”  A small detail John failed to share.

One of my favorite quotes on humility comes from Pastor Rick Warren.  “Humility is not thinking less of yourself; it is thinking of yourself less…”  No one knew this better than Jesus.  After Jesus fasted for 40 days, Satan appeared to him and gave him three chances to exalt himself: change stones into bread so he could eat; throw himself down from a high building and be saved by his angels; or worship him (Satan) and be given all the world’s kingdoms.

Jesus wasn’t about to do any of those things.  His purpose was to show others the way to Heaven, not to call attention to himself.  One demonstrates humility, the other, pride.

Dear Lord, let me remember that in everything I say and do.

Keys to the Kingdom By Carolyn Tucker

My six-year-old granddaughter came to spend two days and a night with me. Prior to her arrival, Felicity had made a lovely card for me. My grandma name is “Mammy,” so here’s what she wrote with her pink ink pen on the outside of the card:  “I love you Mamee.”  The inside message was: “I love you Mamee. I will love you no madr wut. I love evreebudee in the hol intiure wrld. Frum Felicity.” I was astounded that this young child  had actually written the main theme of the Bible in her simple handmade card.

In 1 Corinthians Chapter 13, we’re told that the more excellent way to live is by practicing a life of love. In regard to the spiritual gifts of faith, hope, and love, God tells us that the greatest of these is love. Felicity wrote that she would love me no matter what. That means she would love me even when she is required to put away the toys, try new food, and obey instructions. Love is not a feeling; it’s our attitude and actions. In childlike faith, my granddaughter expressed that she will love not only those who love her, but everybody in the whole entire world. That reminds me of John 3:16.

If I had to name one earthly person in the whole entire Bible that best expressed his love for Jesus, I would choose John.  This disciple authored the fourth New Testament Gospel, three Johns, and the book of Revelation. We often refer to him as John the Revelator. But as the writer of the Gospel of John, he refers to himself as “the disciple whom Jesus loved.“ Jesus loved everyone in the whole entire world, but not everyone totally grasped that concept. But John clearly accepted Jesus’ love for him personally. “Now there was leaning on Jesus’ bosom one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved” (John 13:23 NKJV). Feeling confident in the Savior’s love, John was completely at ease resting his head on Jesus’ chest while at the table of fellowship. He was not afraid to demonstrate solid devotion for his Messiah, Master, and Lord. John recognized that Jesus was real love in human form and that He could be fully trusted in all things.

Believers have the ability to love one another because the Holy Spirit lives inside us and helps us to do the right thing. By inspiration of the Holy Spirit, John was certainly qualified to write about love. He had experienced it, seen it in action on the cross, and practiced it. “We know what real love is because Jesus gave up His life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters. If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion — how can God’s love be in that person?” (1 John 3:16,17 NLT). Jesus is our source and motivation to practice loving others. His atoning sacrifice calls us to perpetual responsibility to actively love others. When we claim to be Christians, we are beholden to live like Christ.

Love is God’s idea, so it’s a big deal to Him. We learn the importance of love all the way from Genesis to Revelation. God said, “I lavish unfailing love for a thousand generations on those who love Me and obey My commands” (Exodus 20:6 NLT). In the last book of the Bible, God is still talking about love. John the Beloved pens, “Those whom I [dearly and tenderly] love, I tell their faults and convict and convince and reprove and chasten [I discipline and instruct them]. So be enthusiastic and in earnest and burning with zeal and repent [changing your mind and attitude]” (Revelation 3:19 AMP).

The Key: Love God and evree budee no madr wut.

Scripture instructs us to pray.  Loved ones ask for it, depend on it, and trust we will follow through when we promise to intercede for those who are hurting.  Oh, we try (don’t we?), but there’s this haunting, little inadequacy thing. The words are fleeting.  Our mind wanders. We don’t begin to understand to Whom it is we are talking.

In A Morbid Taste for Bones, Ellis Peters gives a sweet description of someone she watched who was deep in prayer: “He prayed as he breathed, forming no words and making no specific requests, only holding in his heart, like broken birds in cupped hands, all those people who were in stress or grief.”

Do you picture that as I do, with a sense of awe, and know that this is the type of intercessor you want in your corner?  Or the kind of prayer warrior you want to be but perhaps are not delivering? You question the usefulness of your petitions. “What’s the point? The last sick people for whom I prayed have not improved, even though I visualized the miracle.”  “The marriage for which I prayed ended in a split, in spite of how I was praying in God’s will—He who disdains divorce.”  “The drug-addicted son for whom I grieved ended up in the penitentiary.”  Have you been there?

So, why are my prayers ineffective?

We forget that bad things happen to good people, our prayers are not a magic bullet, and to God, our spiritual growth is more important than our physical desires being met. Just as a sailor does not learn to master the sea during calm waters, so is our faith tested during the difficult times.  More importantly, we simply can’t see God’s purposes.

Someone once wrote that God offers three answers to prayer: (1) Yes, (2) No, and (3) I have something better for you.

As it turns out, I personally have some ownership in the battle of prayer.

(1). There has to be a relationship between God and me.  He is not interested in being my bottled genie when the only time I talk to Him is when I want something. Think of your children.  If they have no regard for you except when they want you to meet their demands, you would feel used, not respected or loved. So it is with God.

(2). Sin interferes with our relationship. Psalm 66:18 makes that clear. “If I regard sin in my heart, the Lord will not hear me.”  Sin seeks to control us, and yes, we all are sinners, but if we make no attempt to stop sinning and cling to it like shrink-wrap on a jar (or like my waist when I was younger and tried to lose weight), we will not be seeking God with our whole heart.

(3).  Selfish motives can kill a prayer.  I can ask God all day long to make me a better witness for Jesus, but if my hidden intent is to get notoriety or praise for doing so, God isn’t interested.

4).  Unforgiveness is not the way to get God into our court.  Mark 11:25 tells us that God will not forgive me unless I forgive someone who has offended me.

James 5:16 is a powerful verse: “The effective prayer of a righteous person has great power.”  You want power in your prayers?  I do.  Then our petitions need to be “effective,” meaning God will hear—and act on—those prayers. A few verses previous, James asked if anyone was suffering.  “Let him pray.”  That was the same answer given to anyone uncheerful or sick or sinning.  They all were to pray.  Why?  Because prayer works. And it works not because of us…but because of God Almighty.

Martin Luther said it well: “To be a Christian without praying is no more possible than to be alive without breathing.  I think that’s the kind of prayer Ellis Peters was talking about.

Keys to the Kingdom By Carolyn Hayward Tucker

I didn’t understand much about the He-Man Woman-Haters Club. All I really remember is that The Little Rascals got into a lot of mischief and they had a cute dog named Petey. Spanky was the ring leader, Alfalfa had awful hair and vocal ability, and Buckwheat’s smile was adorable. These are the boys I remember best, although there were several others. Their neighborhood exclusive boys club was against girls and Valentine’s Day.

Being excluded doesn’t promote acceptance or positive emotions, but being included lets us know we’re loved, valued, and appreciated. Before the foundation of the world was laid, God the Father decided that anyone who loved His Son would be loved and accepted by Him as His child. God decided He would adopt all those who believed in and accepted Jesus as their Savior and Lord. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16 NKJV). If you’ve ever memorized Bible verses, this is probably one you’ve committed to memory. This scripture is the gospel in a nutshell. God loved everyone, so He sent His Son to save them. Salvation is not an exclusive offer, but rather all-inclusive.

When Jesus was born, the angel told the shepherds, “Don’t be afraid!“ he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to ALL people” (Luke 2:10 NLT). This super-good news was all-inclusive. The word “all” is used to refer to the whole quantity or extent of a particular group. All means everybody. “For God shows no partiality [undue favor or unfairness; with Him one man is not different from another] (Romans 2:11 AMP). Salvation is offered through Jesus Christ for the good, the bad, and the ugly. No one is ever too bad or too-far gone to come to Jesus. No matter what you’ve done or haven‘t done, His blood washes away every sin stain to make you white as snow. All means all. “He [Jesus] is the one all the prophets testified about, saying that everyone who believes in Him will have their sins forgiven through His name” (Acts 10:43 NLT).

When Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to the temple to present Him to the Lord, Simeon was there. He took the baby Jesus in his arms and praised God saying, “Sovereign Lord, now let your servant die in peace, as You have promised. I have seen Your salvation, which You have prepared for ALL people. He is a light to reveal God…” (Luke 2:29-32 NLT). All people means Jews and Gentiles. God’s mercy is available to ALL, but not all will accept it. His mercy and forgiveness is all-inclusive, but all people have a freewill to accept Jesus or reject Him.

Jesus said, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to Me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in Me will never be thirsty. For it is my Father’s will that ALL who see His Son and believe in Him should have eternal life” (John 6:35,40 NLT). God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit are in cahoots together so ALL who believe in the Son will have an abundant life now and eternal life later. There are no restrictions, rules, or regulations required to walk through the open gospel door. The good news is for ALL who choose to believe and receive Jesus as Savior. “…Contrary to man’s perspective, the Lord is not late with His promise to return, as some measure lateness. But rather, His ’delay’ simply reveals His loving patience toward you, because He does not want any to perish but ALL to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9 TPT).

The Key: All can smile like Buckwheat because of the all-inclusive invitation to be part of God’s family.