December 10, 2024

More Christmas Miracles –Stolen Purse in Wal-mart

“He is your praise and He is your God, who has done these great and awesome things for you which your eyes have seen.” –Deuteronomy 10:21 NASB

It’s been too sacred to talk about. I think I’m ready now.

My word for 2024 came to me early last December; it is “Miracles.” I didn’t know why the word came so clearly and so early. Usually it’s more like early January before it comes to me.

My little grand-nephew Jameson was born two months early last November and spent weeks in the NICU. Maybe that’s one reason why. Now he’s a year old and growing like a little man.

It was Christmas Eve 2023, a Sunday. I know better than to shop on Christmas Eve, especially not a big store like Wal-mart. My aunt Nancy said she needed a prescription filled. Mom also had asked my nephew if he needed anything for the newly-born baby. He told her he needed two bottle warmers. Mom was ready for us to go to Wal-mart. 

I drove us and had an unsettled feeling the whole time. Mom told me to stay in the car parked at the curb in front of Wal-mart. “I’ll be back in 10 minutes, just enough time to get Nancy’s prescription and the bottle warmers for baby Jameson.” 

Five minutes passed. Then 10. Then 15 minutes. Two ladies came out and asked me to roll down my window. My heart fell. I knew tough news was coming. 

The lady looked distressed and said, “Your Mom asked us to come out here and find you. Her purse was just stolen, and she is hysterical in the Customer Service Department.”

I thanked them and felt nauseous. I whipped the car into a parking place, grabbed my purse, and ran to Customer Service, wondering if Mom had been hurt in the process of her purse being snatched. 

I ran inside and looked around and looked down. Mom looked pitiful against the wall, squatting on a car battery, hunched over and sobbing! I knelt down and hugged her, reassuring her that it would be OK. 

Moments later a policeman walked over and an undercover Wal-mart security person dressed in all black was with him. They escorted us into the cool secret security room at Wal-mart and asked Mom what happened. 

She said she had been in the baby section of Wal-mart. No one was on her aisle as she looked for bottle warmers. She even had her purse strapped into the child seat of her Wal-mart cart. As soon as she turned her back to reach down on the shelf and pick up two bottle warmers to put in her cart, when she turned back to her cart her purse was stolen! It happened that fast, and she saw or heard no one! 

She said she began sobbing and crying out “My purse was stolen! My purse was stolen!” Those two sweet angel ladies found mom and helped walk her to the Customer Service. 

Meanwhile, while Mom and I were in the inner-sanctum of the Wal-mart secret security room, the surveillance camera saw that a white male grabbed the purse. And then one of the undercover cops saw a white male leaving the store with a black purse, which of course is odd. They followed him and he tossed the purse in the woods by Wal-mart. 

They arrested the man AND were able to get mom’s purse out of the muddy woods. The policeman asked Mom how much money she had in the purse, and she said $45. 

When they brought her muddy purse back in the security room, all that was missing was cash and the change, not even the CREDIT cards or identification! The policeman then handed her $45 in cash back to her. We were in AWE. 

They then asked Mom if she wanted to press charges on the man, who they said was handcuffed and sitting in the back of a policecar in front of Wal-mart on Christmas Eve. Mom asked what it entailed, and they talked about a January court date. 

She said she did NOT want to press charges since she got her purse, wallet, and money back. She signed the release statement freeing the man from a court date. He would still go to jail for a few nights with bond. 

They asked if she would like to speak to the man, and she said yes. They said he was a younger man with two children, that he was a meth addict trying to get cash. 

Mom and I were then escorted with her purse, Aunt Nancy’s prescription and bottle warmers out of the secret security room and out of Wal-mart into the beautiful daylight. They walked us over the police car, where they opened the back door. 

He was pitiful looking at first glance. He was skinny, gaunt, with sunken eyes, and dark circles under his eyes. His arms were behind him as he sat, handcuffed. I watched as the policeman and six different undercover Wal-mart agents dressed in black also gathered around the cop car, wanting to hear the exchange. 

Before Mom could speak he said, “I’m sorry, ma’am. I’m sorry.” 

My courageous Mom spoke. “I forgive you. And, as Jesus said, ‘Go and sin no more.’ God loves you. Sir, you have children. You have mighty purpose. Don’t waste your life on drugs and crime. Get a job. Work hard. Provide for your family. Read your Bible, go to church and tell your testimony. You have so much to live for and a legacy to leave. I pray you have a Merry Christmas.” 

He told her thank you and Merry Christmas. Each one of the policeman and undercover agents came and hugged my Mom. They knew and we knew it was a CHRISTMAS MIRACLE. Most wallets and purses that are stolen sadly never get returned. Not only was Mom’s returned, she got to witness in real time to the man who stole it!

I often pray for that man and think about him. I pray his life was transformed that Christmas Eve afternoon for good. 

Since then we have seen a few of those Wal-mart agents when I have gone back to that Wal-mart with Mom. They hug her every time. They were so th

And friend, please carry your purses closely and don’t turn your back on it. Pray for Psalm 91 protection and for those around you. Pray for and expect miracles. God is the Miracle-worker. 

What miracles have you experienced? I would love to hear about them. 

Merry Christmas, friend. 

“I am the LORD, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?– Jeremiah 32:27 NIV

 

December 3, 2024

God Makes Somebodys Out of Us Nobodys–Christmas Miracles, Part 1

As we kick off this Advent/Christmas season, it’s refreshing to know that the Bible is full of nobodys like me. God loves to make somebodys out of nobodys.

Four amazing “somebodys” I had never really noticed are only mentioned in the Gospel of Luke 2 story of Jesus’ birth–  Simeon, Anna, the Shepherds and the Inn-Keeper.

We will focus next week’s whole message on the shepherds. Earlier in Luke 2,  the Lord transformed “nobody shepherds” into “somebody shepherds” as they were the first witnesses of Jesus’ birth. They spread the word of seeing Jesus, “and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.” (Luke 2:18)

In Biblical times, the shepherds were considered outcasts. I love that God gave voices to the voiceless. He still does.

A few verses later, 40 days after the birth of Jesus, Mary and Joseph took Jesus to the temple for His purification. Enter another nobody named Simeon…

“Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:

‘Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.’  Luke 2:25-32

Go Simeon! What a courageous, anointed man! The passage goes on to say that Mary and Joseph marveled at what Simeon said about Jesus. These verses are the only time Simeon is mentioned. What an impact he made on God’s Kingdom.

Then another nobody named Anna enters the Luke 2 stage:

“There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.” –Luke 2: 36-38. 

Wow, Anna! What an amazing example. What a leader. What a somebody.

It’s exciting to look at a few common traits, I believe, between the nobodys God transforms into somebodys–the shepherds, Simeon, Anna, and so many others in the Bible. All these “nobodys” wholeheartedly display that they are:

  1. Available to be used by God
  2. Attuned to the Holy Spirit
  3. Agile–Age is not an excuse
  4. Humble

Each one of these traits is a high calling. I pray to embody more of each. It’s a journey. I’m no expert. Here is what I believe to be true about each trait:

  1. Available to be used by God: God wants our availability, not our abilities. Like Simeon and Anna, they were in the temple waiting on baby Jesus, Mary and Joseph. Even the shepherds “hurried off” and found Mary, Joseph and the baby Jesus in the manger. They were flexible and available. May we be ready for God’s service, saying, “Speak, for your servant is listening.” (1 Samuel 3:10).
  2. Attuned to the Holy Spirit: Simeon was “righteous and devout.” Three times in slightly more than a verse the Bible mentions how the “Holy Spirit was upon him.” How do we get more attuned with the Holy Spirit? The short answer is to pray and fast, like Anna did; to spend time in God’s Word “listening” to God speak and answer us; worship regularly in a Christ-centered church; and to live a life of integrity. It seems like a tall order. That’s what grace is all about, at least in my life. 🙂
  3. Agile–Age is not an excuse: Whether you are five years old or “very old” like Anna, we can be used by God. Simeon was also older because the passage said the Holy Spirit said he wouldn’t die before seeing the Lord’s Christ. Nowhere in the Bible does it talk about spiritual retirement. Whatever your age, whatever God calls you to do, He will equip you. No excuses.
  4. Humble–Each effective person in the Bible and in today’s world who is the most effective leader embodies humility. Simeon prayed “now dismiss your servant in peace” (Luke 2:29b). Anna “gave thanks to God and spoke to all about the child” (Luke 2:38). They decreased as God increased (John 3:30).  Please, Lord, I pray daily to decrease as You increase.

May we be encouraged that God can use each of us for His service. As the old Christian song says, “I’m just a nobody trying to tell everybody about the Somebody who can save anybody.”  Merry Christmas, Friend.

Reflect:

–Name other “nobodys” in the Bible and/or your life who God has transformed into “somebodys” for His glory. Please comment.

Renew:

–“…I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” –Ephesians 4:1-2.

Recharge:

–Which of the four common traits will you focus on this week? You are a somebody.

November 3, 2024

What are the Saddest Words in the Bible and Seven Encouraging Ways for Overcoming Them?

It’s almost Election Day 2024, the most important Election Day in my lifetime. As I consider how divided our country seems to be, I am reminded of some of the saddest words in the Bible. Let’s talk about them, and I will prayerfully offer some encouragement to overcome those words.

The Jesus’ powerful Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5-7 is one of my favorite passages in Scripture and definitely an excellent moral compass for us. At the end of the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 7, Jesus gives several profound messages, from “asking and it will be given to you” in Matthew 7:7,  The Golden Rule in Matthew 7:12, and the  Gate is narrow and the way hard that leads to life (heaven) in Matthew 7:13.

Then Jesus begins to talk  even tougher. He warns us of false prophets in Matthew 7:15-16, 19- 20

“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16 You will recognize them by their fruits….Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.” 

And then the Lord does a “mic drop” with this harsh Truth in Matthew 7:21-22  ““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.  On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’

And here it comes… the saddest words from Jesus from Matthew 7:23…. “And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’”  

Holy Moly! I don’t know about you, but my heart falls each time I read this.  Truly the saddest words from Jesus, I believe, in the Bible. So what can we do to bear fruit and not to hear those words that He never knew you or me and to depart from Him?

As we approach Election Day and the world seems to become darker and less Godly, we are living out these words daily. So how can we stay strong in our faith and deepen our relationship with Jesus, so He knows us well and we draw near to Him?

  1. Pray daily. Thank the Lord as you wake up, pray Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, and Supplication (ACTS). Pray on your knees and even face down as we bow low with humility. “As we decrease, He increases.” –John 3:30
  2. Read daily in God’s Word. The Bible is my most prized possession. Each of the 66 books written are God-ordained and serve as our moral compass, our encouragement, our Comfort through the Power of the Holy Spirit, our plumb line, our standard of excellence.
  3. Surround yourself with a handful of deep, Godly leader friends who encourage you and hold you accountable. Find a few true mentors/friends of faith who stretch and convict you. They are your mirrors. Iron sharpens iron.
  4. Join and become an active member of a Bible-based, Holy Spirit-filled, healthy church family. Sadly, the Church is where so many will be found as false prophets and where the Lord will say “depart from me, I never knew you.” Ensure your Church aligns with scripture. Ensure your pastor is humble and points all sermons to the authority of the Bible and scripture, not opinions from himself. Ensure the focus is on the Great Commission of making disciples and Acts 1:8 of Missions and outreach.
  5. Spend as much time as you can serving and volunteering for Kingdom-building efforts. We are only given 168 hours in a week. Evaluate how you are spending your time? Is it playing a ton of golf, tennis or pickle ball? Is it watching a ton of Netflix or Hallmark Christmas movies?  (ouch)  Let’s be encouraged to reevaluate how we are spending our time on more mission-focused, faith-based ministries that are leading people to a closer walk with Jesus.
  6. Shine your light for Jesus! Let your light shine. Tell others about the saving faith in Jesus Christ. Let’s not be silent on letting others hear our testimonies and how Jesus saved our lives and is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
  7. Vote in a way that most closely aligns with Biblical values.  I pray you voted early. If you are waiting for Election Day, please vote for the Lamb in the way that most closely aligns with Biblical values with Judeo-Christian focus, pro-life (Psalm 139), pro-Israel (Genesis 12:1-3, Psalm 122:6, Zechariah 12:9 , capitalist economy (Matthew 25:14-30), and secure borders (Numbers 32:17).

These seven ways are only a few of the many ways for us to deepen our relationship with the Lord.

I pray to instead hear those precious words from the Lord, “Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.” (Matthew 25:21)

I pray for revival in me, in each of us, and for our country and world, and for the Lord to know each of us deeply as His sons and daughters. Lord, thank you for blessing America. May America bless You, Lord.

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