THE POWER GIVER!

 “O God, You are more awesome than Your holy places. The God of Israel is He who gives strength and power to His people." Psalm 68:35. (NKJV).

“Wow.” Timmy said. “What a beauty.”

Grandfather turned. A new red sports car rolled to a stop at the neighboring gas pump.

The amazing low-slung car, built to hug the curves, exuded power. Spectators gathered, oohing and aahing, some drooling.

“Come on, Grandfather. I want to see inside.” He replaced the nozzle and they ambled over.  “I want a car like that when I grow up.”

“No doubt about it, huh?” Grandfather chuckled.

“Let’s look under the hood,” one gentleman said.

“In a minute,” the owner said. “First look at the safety precautions. Check out these special tires, the reinforced roll bar...”

“How many horses?” someone asked but was ignored.

"Let’s see under the hood.” The owner shrugged, popped the hood.

They gasped. A clean engine gleamed but no battery? No power source for the car with all the safety features?

“How’d you get the car here? I saw you drive up.” 

The owner winked at Timmy. “Rolled down the hill and glided in as pretty as you please.” He pointed to a van parked across the street. “Cameras rolling as we speak. If you agree, you can be on the evening news.” All clamored to give their consent. Who wanted to miss their five minutes of fame?

“Changed my mind,” Timmy said. “Our truck’s got power.”

Grandfather smiled. “Proves things are not as they appear.” 

“Looks really great—if you don’t raise the hood.” Timmy tilted his head. “The power source can be tricky, huh? Like our Bible verse this morning? We need to know our God is the Power Giver.” 

“Absolutely, son. No doubt about it.” He highfived his grandson.

 Kingdom Thinking.  I was like that car. To the world, all appeared well but the power of life was missing. Then the Lord Jesus came. He took the emptiness and pain—all my unrighteousness—and nailed it to the cross. He declared me righteous. He promises to love me and never forsake me. He is my Power Giver. He offers the same to you. Won’t you come? 

PROBLEM? DIFFICULT TO TRUST!

 “‘For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,’ says the Lord. ‘For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.’ And again: ‘I will put my trust in Him.’” Isaiah 55:8-9, Hebrews 2:13a (NKJV).

“Grandfather has a Birthday surprise for me. Wants me to trust him. What’d he mean?” Cing pumped with her legs. The swing arced high as the sky.

“Cing. Time to go.” 

"Coming, Grandfather." She hopped from the swing, slipped her hand into his, then stiffened. Four grinning Gray kids, gifts in their hands, stood by the car.

“Surprise! We're invited to your Birthday party!”

Why'd he invite them? She peeped up. Grandfather watched her. He winked. She sighed but held his hand.

After dropping off the Gray kids later that afternoon, Cing turned to him. 

“Best Birthday ever. Thank you, Grandfather.” She grinned.

“The hiking trip—great fun but know what I loved best? Angie's my new best friend.” She hurried to explain. “Her brothers are nice but they’re just boys. Will you teach me how to build a campfire? And cook hot dogs and s’mores?” Grandfather chuckled as he listened to Miss Chatty.

“Indeed I will. Happy Birthday.” He cleared his throat. “Glad you had a change of heart. Saw disappointment on your face but I knew this hiking trip would be a great gift—if you’d trust me.”

“It’s hard to trust when I don’t know what you’re doing.”

“Ah, but Cing. That’s what trust is.” He smiled at her wrinkled brow. “I want the best for you 'cause I love you. I'd never do anything to hurt you. There'll be times when we don't know the answer to our problems so we put our trust...”

“In Jesus.” She slumped in the seat. “That’s what my Sunday School teacher says. It’s hard 'cause I can't see Him.” 

“You're right. The Bible teaches He has a plan for my life—way too difficult for me to understand. But I do understand He loves me so much He died on the cross in my place for my sins. Not only that, He rose from the dead and lives so when I invited Him into my life, He promised never to leave me. So I choose to put my trust in Him.”

“I want to put my trust in Him, too, Grandfather.” Her hands on each side of his face, she whispered. 

“If He's kind like you, and loves me like you do, I trust Him.” 

Grandfather's eyes glistened as he prayed with his granddaughter.

Kingdom Thinking. Let's face it. My best plans don't always work out but the Lord knows what I need. He promises to love me and never leave me. The Lord Jesus offers the same to you. You can trust Him with the plans He has for you. Just slip your hand into His outstretched One. 

HIS TOUCH!

 “And when He had come into the house, the blind men came to Him. And Jesus said to them, ‘Do you believe that I am able to do this?’ They said to Him, ‘Yes, Lord.’ Then He touched their eyes, saying, ‘According to your faith let it be to you.’ And their eyes were opened. And Jesus sternly warned them, saying 'See that no one knows it.'” Matthew 9:28-30. (NKJV).

“Grandfather, they saw after the Lord Jesus touched them?”

“They did.”

"If they were blind, how did they know Jesus?”

"Maybe someone told them or they recognized His voice?” 

Timmy tilted his head. “Why'd He ask if they thought He was able?” 

Grandfather leaned back in his chair, a twinkle in his eye.

"Remember the morning you tangled the cord to your kite?" Timmy nodded. "The more you tried, the more tangled it became—one big mess." Grandfather chuckled.

"Finally I came to you for help." Timmy grinned and you said, ’Sure you think I can fix this?'"

"Right. Once you agreed and believed I could untangle the cord, you trusted me with it. 

“The Lord Jesus wants us to trust Him, to believe in Him, son. When the blind men said they believed, He touched their eyes, said, 'According to your faith let it be to you.'

"Can you imagine? Blind one minute and seeing the next. Then He warned them to tell no one about this."

"Why?"

“Our Lord loves us so much and wants us to come to Him, not for what we can get from Him. He wants us to love Him because He is Love. We share His Love because we know His amazing love never fails."

"Oh. He touches my eyes, allows me to see so I can help others find Jesus?"

"Absolutely, son. We lead others to the Lord Jesus. He opens their eyes."

"Amazing."

"Amazing, indeed, son." He hugged his grandson.

Kingdom Thinking. My eyes although open couldn’t see the important things in life. Then the Lord Jesus came. He touched me and allowed me to see He loves me and promises never to leave nor forsake me. He offers the same to you. 

THE PERFECT LINK!

 “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”  2 Corinthians 5:21. (NKJV).

“Grandfather, what are you making?”

“A chain.” He held it up. Janie's fingers covered her mouth.

“That chain—?”

“Yes?” He examined it. “Perfect, right?”

“It’s. It’s.” She rolled her lips. "The links don’t match. One’s rusted.”

“Yes. But look at this one. Heavy-duty steel. Should do the trick and hold the other links together.” 

Hand on her hips, she shook her head. “Okay, what are you teaching me today?” 

He grinned. “Some links are strong, some weak. If I hold this chain high, how many will fall when the most fragile breaks?”

“All that hang on the weak link.”

“Would you choose this chain for your safety if you dangle over a cliff?”

“No way. I'd want one with every link of heavy-duty steel.”

“Smart girl.” He tilted his head. “We all have weak links or sin in our lives. My link may be one thing, yours another. Get the picture?” She nodded.

“We need Someone with a perfect chain to cover us with His. One who guarantees He'll keep us safe.” He lifted his left eyebrow.

“The Lord Jesus?”

“Absolutely. He promised and He keeps His promises. We can depend on Him.”

Janie tilted her head. “Grandfather, that’s kind of crazy. Why would anyone choose a weak chain?” 

“Why indeed?” 

“Because no one told them about the the perfect chain?” She whispered.

“You’re right. So we—“ 

“We need to tell others about the Lord Jesus and that He can make their link new?” 

“Couldn’t have said it better myself.” 

Kingdom Thinking. My chain of life is filled with weak links. I choose to put my faith in the Lord Jesus because He loves me and promises never to leave me. His chain is unbreakable and He's the One who holds me and makes me new. How about you? Won't you put your trust in Him?

LITTLE CHILD! LOUD VOICE!

  

“Then little children were brought to Him that He might put His hands on them and pray, but the disciples rebuked them. But Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.’” Matthew 19:13,14. (NKJV).

"I need food." Timmy grabbed his rumbling tummy. On his knees he watched the passengers deplane. Their flight landed ahead of schedule at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta, Georgia. 

"I really am hungry, Grandfather." The stewardess stopped by Grandfather’s seat. 

“Your flight won’t be called for another thirty minutes—plenty of time to enjoy a snack and stretch your legs.”

“Thank you. Ready, Timmy?” He grinned at another tummy growl. 

“There, across the way. Let’s head to that restaurant.”

“What would you like?” Grandfather said as Timmy scooted into a booth. 

“Give him a beer,” a gravelly voice at the bar, hollered.

“I’d like a hot dog with catsup and a Sprite, please.” 

Grandfather gave their orders, picked up their food, then spread it on the table.

“Can I have the blessing?” 

“Of course, son.” Grandfather bowed his head.

“The Lord is good to me and so I praise the Lord. For giving me the things I need. The sun and the rain and the apple seed. The Lord is good to me. Amen.” He lifted his head, a pleased expression on his face.

In the deafening silence, Grandfather looked around. At the bar, heads were bowed, hats off.

“Takes a little child, with a loud voice, to bring quiet to this place.” Grandfather chuckled, took a bite of his hot dog. "Eat up, son. Don't want to miss our flight.”

A few minutes later, he gathered his trash. “Thank you, Grandfather. That was good.” 

“My pleasure, son.” And thank you, Lord, for a child’s loud voice.

Kingdom Thinking. The actions of a child can speak louder than words. The Lord Jesus promises He'll never leave nor forsake me when people yell or try to discourage me. He loves me with an everlasting love. He says, “Come to Me.” The invitation includes you. Won’t you come?

GOOD MEDICINE!

 “A merry heart does good like medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bones." Proverbs 17:22. (NKJV).

“No way!” Timmy snickered. 

“Oh, yeah. Late that evening, Harry plopped into the kitchen chair, his elbows on the table.  Jenny set a plate before him—steak, baked potato, hot rolls with a green salad on the side— 

“'Umm, just what I need. Thank you.' She smiled, handed him a cup of coffee, and joined him. He blessed his food, but before he could pick up his fork— 

“A blur of yellow fur zipped under his elbow, snagged his steak, and fled. Stunned for a nano-second, he leaped from his chair and took off after the cat. The feline made it to the now-closed door, the meat dangling from his mouth. 

“Harry strode into the kitchen, the trophy between his thumb and forefinger. He tossed it into the garbage can. 

"’My steak. And he thought he'd get away from me? Ha!’

“His wife doubled with laughter. ’I'm impressed. Didn’t know you could move so fast.’  She swiped away tears, patted her husband on the back. The kids came running at the commotion and hooted. 

“’Who'd believe a cat could stir up this much laughter? Guess it was in there all the time.’”His wife suppressed a giggle, fingers covering her mouth.

“Did Uncle Harry get supper?” 

“He did." He chuckled. “Not steak, mind you, but a cheese omelet with the trimmings and a good dose of laughter.” 

"Dose of laughter?"

“Absolutely. Good Medicine. Which would you choose? A merry heart or dried-up bones?” 

“Good medicine—a merry heart, of course.” He grinned at Grandfather. Grandfather winked. They laughed.

Kingdom Thinking. The Lord Jesus promises to love me and never forsake me. He'll be there in times of trouble and in times of gladness. He tells me in His Word, a merry heart is like a dose of good medicine. He promises the same to you. Won’t you come to Him?

ANYONE THIRSTY?

 “On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, ‘If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’”John 7:37-38. (NKJV).

The little guy picked up a plastic water bottle, tipped it up. A few drops landed on his outstretched tongue. He dropped it into a shopping bag.

“Hey,” Timmy called. “Thirsty?" He held up a bottle of water.

“I'm Timmy," he pointed to the gentleman to his left. “This's Grandfather.” He handed the bottle to the boy. He chugged half of it.

"Name's Jake. Mine to keep?" 

“Yours to keep. We’re headed to get breakfast. Welcome to join us.” 

The boy peeped at Grandfather through half-closed lids. 

“If you’re not hungry, it’s okay." 

“Can I bring this?” He held his bag. At Grandfather’s nod, he slung it over his shoulder.

Seated, the waitress brought menus. “Mr. Sterling, Timmy." She pulled back. "Jake? What’re you doing here?”

“He’s my guest and needs a menu, Sally.” She hesitated, handed one to him. “Thank you. What’ll you have this morning, boys?” Grandfather winked at Timmy.

After a breakfast of blueberry pancakes and sausages, Jake put down his empty milk glass. “Y’all must eat here a lot. She knows your name.”

“Our Saturday morning treat. But Jake, I’ve not seen you before.”

“Just moved. She lives on my street.” Jake nodded to the waitress. “I’ve got to go. Thanks for breakfast.”

"Join us anytime." He smiled at Grandfather, grabbed his bag, and left.

“Think he’ll come again? He loved those pancakes.” 

Grandfather smiled. “I believe he will. He knows he's welcome with us.”

“Besides, we know his name.” 

“Indeed we do.” 

Timmy tilted his head. “Maybe after he gets to know us, we can offer him sips of living water?” 

Grandfather grinned. “Sounds like a plan to me.” He high-fived his grandson.

Kingdom Thinking. Like Jake, I drank water that couldn’t satisfy. Then Lord Jesus invited me to come to Him and drink living water. He promises never to leave me and to love me with an everlasting love. He promises the same to you. He knows your name. Are you thirsty?