These are devotions I wrote for "THESE DAYS Daily Devotions for Living by Faith." Perhaps they can help you and bring peace and clarity.
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These Days — Friday, April 23, 2010
Scripture: The 23rd Psalm
Have a Little Talk with Jesus
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil. Psalm 23:4a
Late evening, July 28, 2009, began a night I'll always remember. At around 11:00 PM there was a strange feeling in my chest. It wasn't painful. It felt like something was struggling to get out. "Is this a heart attack?" I asked myself. I took two aspirin just in case. Dora, my wife, called 9-1-1. She's a nurse and figured I was having a heart attack. The paramedics arrived and confirmed it and took me to the hospital.
In the ambulance I had a conversation with Jesus. Most people would say I was praying. I asked Jesus to send angels to the hospital to get the people and the emergency room ready. I knew everything was going to be alright.
Whenever I am going to fly I always ask Jesus to send angels to make sure the airplane is safe. So this conversation in the ambulance wasn't a strange thing to do. What comes back to me is the old gospel song written during the 1930's, "Jesus is on the mainline, Tell Him what you want. Call Him up and tell him what you want."
It's that easy and Jesus is that accessible. Have a little talk with Jesus.
Action Step: Jesus said, "Fear not." Take him at his word. Whatever you ask for in prayer, believing, you will receive.
Prayer: Almighty God, in the name of Jesus, hear my prayer for those who read these pages that they believe and receive. Amen.
Lloyd R. Johnson, Bronx, New York
Bio: Lloyd R. Johnson is an elder at Eastchester Presbyterian Church in the Bronx, NY and president emeritus of the New York City Council of Presbyterian Men. He and his wife Dora have six grandchildren.
These Days — Thursday, April 22, 2010
Scripture: Acts 9:36-43
Will You Pack the House?
About that time she became sick and died, and her body was washed and placed in an upstairs room. Acts 9:37
There are lots of ways in which we remember our loved ones who have passed on. For you it may be something significant your mother or father said to you or did for you. For some people it's how that loved one made them feel. For others it may be the earnestness of the way they worked in their vocation.
I can't help notice that whenever someone is talking to me about my father, who passed away in 1974, there is a smile on their face. I remember reading somewhere the question, "When people think about you, do they smile?"
Tabitha obviously made a big impact on people who knew her. When she died mourners packed the room. She obviously poured a lot of love into her vocation as a clothier. What will your legacy be when you have fought the good fight, finished the race and kept the faith? We don't know when that day will come for us. We must approach the vocation to which we have been called with hands that are an extension of the hands of God. We must approach it with voices that tell the gospel story with clarity and understanding.
Action Step: Seriously find a life application for God's word.
Prayer: Almighty God, in the name of Jesus,hear my prayer for a life that shows the love of Jesus in all that I say and do. Amen.
Lloyd R. Johnson, Bronx, New York
These Days — October 2008 (A)
Scripture: Matthew 22:34-46
The Inconvenience of Affluence
"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?"
Matthew 22:36
Recently, my wife had a knee replacement. Following the operation she was moved to rehab. While visiting her one day in the exercise room a group of other patients where there to practice walking. These patients had knee replacements, hip replacements, strokes, brain surgery, and all sorts of traumatic episodes.
I watched as each took their turn with the therapist taking their painstaking steps. What surprised me was all of them had smiles on their faces. Each time one of them would struggle to rise up holding their walker the others would cheer them on, "Come on John you can do it."
Now when I am inconvenienced I reflected on the rehab patients. It took all of five minutes for some of them to take a few steps and with that they felt a sense of accomplishment. Having people around to lovingly give them encouragement was worth a whole lot.
Action Step: The next time you are inconvenienced and slightly delayed think about those who wish they could just take one step. Encourage someone today.
Prayer: Almighty God, thank you reminding me how much you have blessed me. Give me patience today as I meet and greet those in need of a smile. I pray in Jesus' name, Amen.
Lloyd R. Johnson, Bronx, New York
These Days — October 2008 (B)
Scripture: Matthew 22:34-46
A Friend in Need!
"And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' "
Matthew 22:39
One day while my wife and I were waiting at a red light we saw a homeless man with a sign that read, "Please Help! Homeless — Hungry." My wife handed me some money and said, "Here. Give this to him." I motioned to the man to come over and gave him the money. I wouldn't have given him anything if I was alone.
Three months later I was alone at the same red light when I saw the same man with the sign. I motioned for him to come over and handed him some money. This time I realized two things: First, I had money in my pocket because for the first time in my life I just cashed an unemployment check and Second, I didn't know how far away I was from where he was. It didn't matter to me what circumstances brought him into his situation. What matters is he is my neighbor.
Action Step: Really and truly love your neighbor as yourself and pray you will not think more highly of yourself than you ought.
Prayer: Almighty God, thank you reminding me how much you have blessed me. Give me patience today as I meet and greet those in need of a smile. I pray in Jesus' name, Amen.
Lloyd R. Johnson, Bronx, New York
These Days - April 2007
Scripture: Ephesians 5:1 — 5
Always Walk in the Light Because You Never Know
"Be imitators of God, therefore as dearly loved children and life a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God."
Ephesians 5:1-2
There is a young man in my neighborhood that I've known since he was around eleven years old. I'll call him Joey. I watched Joey grow up through his teen years into manhood. He was the type of teenager that you would hope your daughter wouldn't want to marry. There were times when I felt like taking him aside and talking to him about his behavior and inviting him to church. But, I never did.
Recently, Joey, now in his early thirties, stopped me on the street, shook my hand and said, "Mr. Johnson, you have been a positive influence in my life. I thought you should know that." I was flattered and flabbergasted. I thanked him with a puzzled look on my face. I walked away thinking, "Who, me? What did I do?"
Joey is now a school teacher and I've learned that he is a positive influence on his students. Of all the words that Jesus spoke, there are two words that are the most important words he ever spoke. Jesus said, "Follow me."
It's best that we follow Him! Because youngsters like Joey are following us. And someone is following Joey.
Action Step: Stay in the word and let your light so shine that people will see your good works and bring glory to our Heavenly Father.
Prayer: Lord, may I continue to walk in Your light, growing in faith in Jesus' name. Amen.
Lloyd R. Johnson, Bronx, New York
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