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- Written by: Don Goulding
For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer. (1 Timothy 4:4, 5) (NIV)
A toymaker and his apprentice son made an amazing gift for children. They crafted inner mechanical works to spin a globe while spreading luminance, fragrance, and music. The completed masterpiece was placed on the lowest shelf, so every visiting child might play with it.
As the first boy and girl entered the shop, the maker peered around his tools and watched the pair discover the globe. The children giggled at the music and light. The inventor smiled as two free hearts sat on the floor, enraptured by the spinning orb.
The girl whispered in the boy’s ear and, when next the old man looked, the children were gone, and the toy with them.
Days later, the toymaker glanced out his window to see his globe picked up by other, meaner children. This lot tossed it back and forth, and abused the masterpiece. They found the music and images addictive and they fought for a turn.
“Please, go show those children how to use our toy safely,” the toymaker said to his son.
The son entered the children’s huddle and held the ball above his head. He demonstrated the motion necessary to make it spin fast, sing, and shine. He taught them to pass the ball on, before the attachment became too strong.
Before he returned to his father’s shop, the son said, “Have fun little ones, but use care. Because if you abuse it, this toy will destroy you.”
Prayer: Father, let me enjoy your Earth with reverence for you.
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- Written by: Don Goulding
“I heard you at the acceptable time, and in the day of salvation I helped you.” Look, now is the acceptable time; look, now is the day of salvation! (2 Corinthians 6:2)
Sometimes I live in the past. I talk about how things were better “back when.” I camp on previous accomplishments, or rehash old problems until they ruin my present joy. My feet sink into the quicksand of the past.
Often I hanker for what my earthly life may yet be. When I can afford to buy a … If only I could connect with my soul mate, then … As soon as I get free of this problem … My head floats in the ether of the future.
Oh, that I might learn to live in the now. I don’t need a different history. In Christ, I’m separated from regrets as far as the east is from the west. Moreover, to be whole, I don’t need the future I conjure. Everything necessary for supreme joy is in my hands, now.
When you sift the chaff out of fulfillment, what remains as the active ingredients?
First, I need a Savior to free me from guilt. I have that.
Next, I need my clean but empty soul filled with the presence of the Holy Spirit. Check, I have that too.
Lastly, I need a present moment to celebrate God’s love.
If I’ll stop fretting the past and fondling the future, I’ll discover I have what I need—salvation, the Spirit, and now.
In the next age, my faculties will be upgraded so my worship can intensify a hundredfold. But I have an opportunity in the present era for a form of adoration not available in paradise. It honors God more when I do the hard thing of pushing past the world’s veil to glorify him, than when I do the easy thing of praising him face to face in heaven.
God’s greatest favor begins now, while I have salvation, Spirit-filling, and the opportunity to sit here and worship from this side of the veil.
Prayer: Holy King, I receive your favor and worship you in this moment.
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- Written by: Don Goulding
But for you who respect my name, the sun of vindication will rise with healing wings, and you will skip about like calves released from the stall. (Malachi 4:2)
My family raises our beef. The other day I looked out the window to see three red angus charge past. Dad had left the pasture gate open and the escapees were having a good trot around the house. A two-month-old calf took the lead, his long legs causing him to rock more than gallop.
“Hey Junior, slow down,” the mama cow seemed to say. “It’s all I can do to keep up with this udder bouncin’ hither and yon.”
A frolicking good time was had by all until Farmer Dad chased the mischievous bovines to their side of the fence.
Malachi says I’m going to jump around the new creation like that calf. When every fear, including the fear of acting silly, is removed from our existence, then Malachi’s prophesy will come true. I’ll leap through my new home of green and gold, rest and healing. Best of all, the delight of my heart, whose name is King of Kings and Lord of Lords, will run beside me and laugh a hearty welcome. Everything I remotely hoped for, and much more, will become my new reality.
The assurance that I will skip in heaven is born of the unshakable promises made all through the Bible.
You will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. (Psalms 16:11) (NIV)
Many of those who sleep in the dusty ground will awake -some to everlasting life … (Daniel 12:2)
And if I go and make ready a place for you, I will come again and take you to be with me, so that where I am you may be too. (John 14:3)
Look! The residence of God is among human beings. He will live among them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death will not exist any more - or mourning, or crying, or pain, for the former things have ceased to exist. (Revelation 21:3-4)
It is all so real, so absolutely certain—I could do a calf leap right now.