May 31 - A Higher Call

A Higher Call

1941…There’s never been a year like it nor will there ever be.  Of course, I’m referring to baseball as the boys of summer turned a triple play that has been pursued but never equaled in the 70+ years that have followed. 

The first belonged to Joe DiMaggio.  On May 15^th of that year, Joltin’ Joe, the future husband of Marilyn Monroe, but more famous as the New York Yankee Clipper, started a hitting streak that has lasted in the record books until this day.  For 61 straight games, DiMaggio got a hit in every game in which he played.  And imagine this fact, after Joe went into a one game slump on July 17^th to stop his streak, he started right back up and hit in 17 more.  Most people believe the streak will never be broken.

The second came from Bob Feller.  Through that special summer, the 23-year-old-pitcher won 26 games.  The young right-hander would go on to throw several no hitters including a “gem” in the World Series that would later leave him as an uncontested Hall of Famer.  While that number is still attainable, the specialized nature of the game and juiced baseballs is making that number harder and harder to reach.

The third was recorded by Ted Williams himself.  Williams had a season that no one has seen in the 70+ years following, as he hit for a batting average of .406.  Add to that, the fact that on the final game, he had a double –header in which he was batting .401.  To sit out would have insured his mark but to play and fail would have dipped into the high 300’s.  Ted chose to play and hit 6 for 8.  Talk about prime time.

What a year!  But if that is where it ended, it would be nothing more than a great footnote in baseball history.  But there is much more to the story.  The year included a certain event that extended past the sports page and onto the political page…World War II.  While a less noble group of individuals might have rested on their laurels and watched the events from afar, these men were quick to enlist and sacrifice years of their prime to fight for a greater cause…our country.  DiMaggio served three years in the Army, Feller served four years on the Battleship Alabama, and Williams flew fighters for three years (plus two more in the Korean War).

Furthermore, as Sports Illustrated recorded, Hank Greenberg, the 1940 MVP spent the 1941 season as a sergeant in the U.S. Army.  He was released on December 5^th, and the Press reported on December 6^th that the slugger would join his team at training camp.  Greenberg wouldn’t play for the next three years as the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor on December 7^th and he re-upped on December 8^th saying, “Baseball is out the window as far as I’m concerned.  I don’t know if  I’ll ever return.”

           

The apostle Paul could identify with that kind of commitment.  While he had a record to rest on, he found a higher calling than anything he had ever accomplished.  He wrote, “What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things.  I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him.”  (Philippians 3:8, 9)

Our relationship with Christ should bring a reality check which establishes new priorities.  In some cases, even things held most dearly go “out the window” in comparison.

Terry Risser

Consider reading the Word today:

Copyright - Terry Risser 2014

May 30 - God Will Make A Way

God Will Make A Way

 For several weeks, we are highlighting stories from the newly published Foursquare devotional called, “From The Field.” In celebration of 75 years of missions work in our denomination, missionaries both past and present have recounted great works of God through the years. 

John & Shirley Walker, former missionaries to Central America, share how God is able to take the impossible circumstances and make them possible:

“One of these occasions was when we drove with a couple of our Bible Institute students to a place of ministry in San Jose, Costa Rica.  To get there, we had to go down a steep hill, cross over a bridge, and then come up the hill on the other side of the bridge in order to get to the church.  This was the only way to get there; there was no other way.  It was pouring rain and the windshield wipers were going fast as they could, but it was still very hard to see.” 

We came to the bridge area and all we could see was a lot of debris, but we paid no attention and went over to the other side. When we arrived at the church and ran in through the rain, people began to ask us how we got there.  Several people seemed very concerned, so I asked them why they were upset.  They told us that the bridge was gone – completely washed away – and that the floodwaters were so high that it was impossible to cross. We walked to the bridge and to our amazement, it was not there!   

I have often thought about this, and I know that God either rebuilt the bridge for us to go across and then destroyed it again, or that angels simply picked up our Jeep and carried us over.  Either way, we were filled with gratitude to God.  God made a way when it seemed there was no other way.”  

There are few places in the Bible that remind us of this truth more than Moses and the Red Sea.  As the Israelites were fresh from their escape from Egypt, Pharaoh and his soldiers were in hot pursuit with intentions of fully reclaiming them to slavery or fully unleashing mass genocide on God’s people.  Whatever the case, Israel was defenseless and had little hope of maintaining their new found freedom.

Rather than helping their exodus through an unveiling of the heavenly hosts or at the least the ultimate Catch 22.  The Egyptians behind them and an enormous body of water before them.  They were in an impossible situation and exactly where God wanted them to be.

Most of us have found ourselves in that place.  Not necessarily in a literal sense.  Most people don’t even live by a Sea and furthermore have few armies converging on them.  But the truth is nonetheless a reality.  Our impossibilities pinch us in the realm of finances, relationships, careers dilemmas, and parenting challenges.  In every sense, they are bridges that are impossible to cross.

But, greater than anything we will accomplish on our own strength, are those moments in life where you are fully surrendered to God’s power.  It’s then, like with the Walkers and like with Moses and the Israelites, God will make a way, where there seems to be no way.   

Terry Risser

Consider reading the Word:

 

Copyright - 2014

May 29 - The Call To Worship

The Call To Worship

When Seth grew up, he had a son and named him Enoch.  It was during his lifetime that people first began to worship.  “Stay here with the donkey,” Abraham told the young men.  “The boy and I will travel a little farther.  We will worship there, and then we will come right back.”

           

Then the Lord said to Moses, “Go to Pharaoh once again and tell him, ‘This is what the Lord says:  Let my people go, so they can worship me.’”   “Do not worship any other gods besides me.  Do not worship the gods of these other nations or serve them in any way, and never follow their evil example.  Instead, you must utterly conquer them and break down their shameful idols.”

You must worship no other gods, but only the Lord, for He is a God who is passionate about His relationship with you.  The people replied, “We would never forsake the Lord and worship other gods.  But be sure to fear the Lord and sincerely worship Him.  Think of the wonderful things He has done for you.  Exalt in His holy name; O worshipers of the Lord, rejoice!

Then King Jehoshaphat bowed down with his face to the ground.  And all the people of Judah and Jerusalem did the same, worshiping the Lord.  Because of your unfailing love, I can enter your house; with deepest awe I will worship at your Temple.  A Psalm of David.  Who may worship in your sanctuary, Lord?  Who may enter your presence on your holy hill?  Give honor to the Lord for the glory of His name. Worship the Lord in the splendor of His holiness.

Happy are those who hear the joyful call to worship, for they will walk in the light of your presence, Lord.  Worship the Lord with gladness.  Come before Him, singing with joy.  Instead, you will see Zion as a place of worship and celebration.  You will see Jerusalem, a city quiet and secure.  “I will bless the Gentiles who commit themselves to the Lord and serve Him and love His name, who worship Him and do not desecrate the Sabbath day of rest, and who have accepted His covenant.

And I will give them one heart and mind to worship me forever, for their own good and for the good of all their descendants.  On that day I will purify the lips of all people, so that everyone will be able to worship the Lord together.  “Where is the newborn King of the Jews?  We have seen His star as it arose, and we have come to worship Him.”

And as they went, Jesus met them.  “Greetings!” He said.  And they ran to Him, held His feet, and worshiped Him.  Jesus replied, “The Scriptures say, ‘You must worship the Lord your God; serve only Him.’”  And again, when God brings His firstborn into the world, He says, “Let all God’s angels worship Him.”

Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our “God is a consuming fire.”

Genesis 4:26; Genesis 22:5; Exodus 8:1; Exodus 20:3; Exodus 23,24; Exodus 34:14; Joshua 24:16; 1 Samuel 12:24; 1 Chronicles 16: 10; 2 Chronicles 20:18; Psalm5:7; Psalm 15:1; Psalm 29:2; Psalm 89:15; Psalm 100:2; Isaiah 33:20; Isaiah 56:6; Jeremiah 32:39; Zephaniah 3:9; Mathew 2:2; Matthew 28:9; Luke 4:8; Acts 13:2; Romans 1:25;  Hebrews 1:6; Hebrews 12:28

Consider reading the Word today:

 

Terry Risser

Copyright 2014 – Terry Risser

May 28 - The Marker of Baptism

The Marker of Baptism

“Go ye into all the world…baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit.”  Matthew 28:19, 20

Water baptism was implemented by God for several important reasons.  It is a point of identification with Christ’s death and resurrection, a point of declaration to the world, and also a point of obedience.  Jesus Himself was baptized and He asked each of us to follow this plan upon coming to know Christ (Matthew 28:19, 20)

Much like a wedding ring for a bride and groom getting married, baptism is our wedding ring with Christ.   Though a couple has already made a commitment in the ceremony, they decide to wear the wedding band as an important symbol of that love relationship.  Strange is the marriage where the couple would make a commitment and not want others to know about it.  Jesus reminded us that as believers “we must not be ashamed to identify with Him before men.”

The late Dwight David Eisenhower had the distinction of being the only American President to have been baptized and received into church membership upon confession of faith while in office.  The memorial service in the Washington Cathedral witnessed strongly to his faith and  there was no mistaking it.  The simple service, the hymns sung by choir and congregation, the Scriptures read, the prayers given, the Apostles Creed, all bore witness to Ike’s faith in his Lord.  The leaders of one hundred nations were present and they heard the witness.  More than that, national television brought the witness before the American people.

The country and world were not only reminded of Eisenhower’s faith, but of his humility.  While there was much pomp and circumstance, the President pointed all his attention to his Savior. Eisenhower was the Commander of the Allied Forces for the invasion of Europe.  He was one of the world’s most decorated military men. Many honors had been heaped upon him in life.  Yet, in death, the services were simple.  It had been planned that way as he was buried in a casket just like those used for common soldiers.  Again, this speaks of humility of the man.  With all the honors bestowed upon him, and having been the 34^th President of the United States, and having enjoyed a personal popularity seldom matched in America, he chose humility as had a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

Baptism, whether for the President of the United States, or anyone of us, will forever be the marking point in each man, woman, young person and child of their love and commitment to Jesus Christ.  Just like a graduation or wedding day, baptism helps us to drop the anchor of our faith to be reminded of our commitment in good times and challenging times, remembering God is always there for us. 

As Jesus sent his disciples forth to carry the message, He permanently linked the “Baptism of our Hearts” with the “Baptism of our Bodies.”  “Go ye into all the world…baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit.”  (Matthew 28:19, 20) It is the ultimate picture of the One who died and was buried and then rose again unto new life.   As we go under the water, we die to ourselves.  As we come out of the water, we rise in Him.

Whatever your circumstance, recall that you have been given new life in Christ. We can now be bold to identify with Christ and remember He has given us new life.  If President Eisenhower was willing to let the world know, we can feel free to pass along this great news to friends and family.  Christ is alive and reigns in us.

Reflections:

1)    Have you ever been baptized?

2)    What did it mean to you then?  What does it mean to you now?

Consider reading the Word today:

 

Copyright 2014- Terry Risser