This week’s lesson takes us to the biblical pages of the prophet Isaiah. One of the most encouraging truths I see coming from the story of Isaiah is when [at first] he claims to be a man “undone” and one of “unclean lips”. Isaiah feels inadequate and unable to proclaim the message of God. It’s at this moment that a hot coal is brought to Isaiah’s mouth which removes his sin and enables him to proclaim truth to disobedient Israel. Our world is in desperate need of more “hot-coal Isaiah’s!” We need more men and women of Christ to stand and boldly claim the truth that salvation comes through none other than God’s Son. We need courage combined with vision! The courage of vision is to say "Lord if that is you let me come to you walking on the water." The courage of vision is to say "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." The courage of vision is to say "If God be for us, who can be against us." The courage of vision is to say "The trials of this life are not worthy to be compared with the glory of the next life." Isaiah’s initial reluctance came from his own feelings of inadequacy. It’s extremely unfortunate that folks still use their own inadequacy as an excuse not to bring others to the truth. I understand that making sure our neighbors know that sin separates them Christ is an unpleasant task, but the actions of the faithful few have the possibility of saving hundreds from spiritual death. Remind yourself what’s at stake!

Have a blessed day and remember the One who gave it to you!
Kevin

He passed in December. He was the closest thing to my own father I had. I considered him a mentor, a confidant, and a friend. Mary’s dad had a way about him. He wasn’t quick to give advice, but always had a wise word to say when I asked. There wasn’t a thing he couldn’t fix on any of the vehicles I drove. When Mary and I decided to build a house, he helped me drive nails; plumb the bathrooms, set the walls, and finish the landscaping. When going through a particularly dark period in my life we would sit and talk pipe-lining, something we were both familiar with. It wasn’t so much we were trying to figure a better way to lay pipe in the ground as much as he was trying to help me get my mind off my current situation.

He never hesitated to come when I had an issue with anything. The only thing he chastised me about was not stopping by to see him on my way home from work. The foundation he stood upon was none other than Christ Jesus. He instilled a love for the Lord in his daughter to which I’m eternally grateful. There’s no way I can fill his shoes, but my prayer is that somehow, someway I can instill within my sons the desire to love God, love people and do whatever I can to help others succeed. He’s still with me. I can see his eyes in Mary and I can see his work ethic in my sons. I’ll see him again. I imagine the subjects we’ll discuss there won’t involve putting pipe in the ground. The discussion will center more on the greatest Father anyone could ever hope to have.

Have a blessed Father’s Day and remember the Heavenly Father who gave it to you!
 Kevin

We live in a fast-paced culture and are accustomed to quick results. Waiting appears to be an activity of past generations. In this week’s story Adonijah, the son born directly after Absalom, longed to obtain the throne. He acted as if David was already dead in that he hastened an entourage to go before him proclaiming himself as the next rightful owner of the crown. We can be like Adonijah in that we want things done our way and in a timely manner. There are instances it would be better to wait; to put on patient humility as we listen to what God is trying to tell us. When Adonijah hears that Bathsheba and Nathan conspire to have Solomon seated on the throne, Adonijah is riddled with fear. He’s afraid of what his half brother [Solomon] will do to him now that he [Solomon] has been elected king. Solomon assures him that as long as he behaves himself no harm would befall him. However, Adonijah won’t take being disposed of the throne easily. He asks for Abishag as wife (the beautiful young woman given to David) in his dying days. Solomon sees this request as yet another way to weasel his way into office and has him put to death. Why would Adonijah place himself on a path of self-sufficiency? Why continue to be conniving by using David’s nurse as a political pry bar? Intense desire to have things our way can cloud our minds as to what’s best for certain situations. We can become so passionate about making sure things are done our way that we can miss what God’s trying to show us. We're not immune to strong desire, human reasoning, or the influence of others. Impatient by nature, we could easily justify taking matters into our own hands. The best advice is to listen, obey, and wait. God's timing is perfect, and we don't want to miss His best. What happened to Adonijah? Let’s just say he became so preoccupied with being labeled as king he lost his head with intense desire to occupy the throne and ended up losing his life. Never force what God doesn’t endorse. It might just be the most painful mistake you ever make!

Have a blessed day and remember the One who gave it to you!
 Kevin