Southside Baptist Church in Lake City, Florida has been added to my preaching schedule. I will be preaching in supply for Interim Pastor Ben Bryant this Sunday, June 4th, at 10:30am. The church is located at 388 S.E. Baya Drive in Lake City. For more info call the church at (386) 755-5553.
This will be my first time ever preaching at this church.
I will be preaching at my home church, First Baptist of Lake Butler, tonight at 6:30pm. The service will be held in the fellowship hall as our sanctuary is being remodeled. The church is located at 195 East Main Street in Lake Butler, Florida.
Please be in prayer for our church as we continue to search for a pastor.
Evangelist Raphael Adjei Kingbi (Evangelist Ralph) just told me that his wife, Mavis, was admitted to a hospital in Ghana, West Africa today. Doctors believe she has Malaria. To complicate matters, you may recall from previous posts to this site, she is expecting her first child in late June or early July. Please pray for her health as well as that of the baby.
I'll update this site as I receive new information.
Evangelist Ralph is the Ghana Ministry Coordinator for James Croft Evangelistic Association.
Before you think of saying an unkind word
Think of someone who can't speak.
Before you complain about the taste of your food
Think of someone who has nothing to eat.
Before you complain about your partner
Think of someone who's crying out to God for a companion.
Today before you complain about life
Think of someone who went too early to heaven.
Before you complain about your children
Think of someone who desires children but they're barren.
Before you argue about your dirty house; someone didn't clean or sweep
Think of the people who are living in the streets.
Before whining about the distance you drive
Think of someone who walks the same distance with their feet.
And when you are tired and complain about your job
Think of the unemployed, the disabled and those who wished they had your job.
But before you think of pointing the finger or condemning another
Remember that not one of us are without sin and we all answer to one maker.
And when depressing thoughts seem to get you down
Put a smile on your face and thank God you're alive and still around.
Our Daily Bread
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READ: Matthew 26:6-13
What this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her. —Matthew 26:13
Certain names from the past can elicit a variety of responses. The mention of Hitler, for example, brings feelings of contempt. On the other hand, a great historical figure like Churchill brings a positive response. Even within the circle of our own acquaintances, we remember some individuals with thankfulness, while we think negatively of others whose lives were spent in selfish pursuits.
On Memorial Day in the US, we pause to honor those of past generations. While many stirring recollections flood our minds, we realize that the time will come when each of us will also be a memory. What will others recall of our words and deeds when they think of us?
I once read about James Lewis Pettigru. His life was so exemplary that after his death the community erected a tombstone in his honor inscribed with these words:
UNAWED BY OPINION, UNSEDUCED BY FLATTERY,
UNDISMAYED BY DISASTER, HE CONFRONTED LIFE
WITH COURAGE, AND DEATH WITH CHRISTIAN HOPE.
What will your memorial be? Determine by the grace of God to live for Him and give yourself to the needs of others. Then your testimony will become a blessing and inspiration to all who follow in your steps.
What have you written on memory’s page?
Deeds that were done in the Master’s name?
Words that were spoken to spread His fame?
What have you written today? —Anon.
Will your memorial be a blessing or a blot?
Have you seen this and other photos like it circulating the internet via e-mail? The photo is real and you can see more and read about it by clicking here.
You can also read about it and see more images on Snopes.com by clicking here.
The author of this story is Michael T. Powers. It is published on his website and has also been reprinted in several books including Chicken Soup for the Grandparent's Soul.
You can read the story by clicking here.
Additional info about the story and the versions that circulate the internet can be found at Snopes.com and TruthorFiction.com which also includes some photos.
More information about the United States Marine Corps War Memorial can be found by clicking here.
The statue was inspired by Associated Press photographer Joe Rosenthal's Pulitzer Prize winning photograph of the flag-raising. You can view the photo by clicking here.
This is a true account written by Army Captain John Rasmussen and published by ARMY LINK NEWS on May 22, 2002.
It was raining "cats and dogs" and I was late for physical training.
Traffic was backed up at Fort Campbell, Ky., and was moving way too slowly.
I was probably going to be late and I was growing more and more impatient.
The pace slowed almost to a standstill as I passed Memorial Grove, the site built to honor the soldiers who died in the Gander airplane crash, the worst redeployment accident in the history of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault).
Because it was close to Memorial Day, a small American flag had been placed in the ground next to each soldier's memorial plaque.
My concern at the time, however, was getting past the bottleneck, getting out of the rain and getting to PT on time.
All of a sudden, infuriatingly, just as the traffic was getting started again, the car in front of me stopped.
A soldier, a private of course, jumped out in the pouring rain and ran over toward the grove.
I couldn't believe it! This knucklehead was holding up everyone for who knows what kind of prank. Horns were honking. I waited to see the butt-chewing that I wanted him to get for making me late.
He was getting soaked to the skin. His BDUs were plastered to his frame.
I watched-as he ran up to one of the memorial plaques, picked up the small American flag that had fallen to the ground in the wind and the rain, and set it upright again.
Then, slowly, he came to attention, saluted, ran back to his car, and drove off.
I'll never forget that incident. That soldier, whose name I will never know, taught me more about duty, honor, and respect than a hundred books or a thousand lectures.
That simple salute -- that single act of honoring his fallen brother and his flag -- encapsulated all the Army values in one gesture for me. It said, "I will never forget. I will keep the faith. I will finish the mission. I am an American soldier."
I thank God for examples like that.
And on this Memorial Day, I will remember all those who paid the ultimate price for my freedom, and one private, soaked to the skin, who honored them.
Here's another Memorial Day story for you that has been verified by Snopes.com and TruthorFiction.com.
Richard, (my husband), never really talked a lot about his time in Viet Nam other than he had been shot by a sniper. However, he had a rather grainy, 8 x 10 black & white photo he had taken at a USO show of Ann Margaret with Bob Hope in the background that was one of his treasures.
A few years ago, Ann Margaret was doing a book signing at a local bookstore. Richard wanted to see if he could get her to sign the treasured photo so he arrived at the bookstore at 12 o'clock for the 7:30 signing. When I got there after work, the line went all the way around the bookstore, circled the parking lot, and disappeared behind a parking garage.
Before her appearance, bookstore employees announced that she would sign only her book and no memorabilia would be permitted. Richard was disappointed, but wanted to show her the photo and let her know how much those shows meant to lonely GI's so far from home.
Ann Margaret came out looking as beautiful as ever and, as 2nd in line, it was soon Richard's turn. He presented the book for her signature and then took out the photo. When he did, there were many shouts from the employees that she would not sign it. Richard said, "I understand. I just wanted her to see it".
She took one look at the photo, tears welled up in her eyes and she said, "This is one of my gentlemen from Viet Nam and I most certainly will sign his photo. I know what these men did for their country and I always have time for "my gentlemen". With that, she pulled Richard across the table and planted a big kiss on him.
She then made quite a to do about the bravery of the young men she met over the years, how much she admired them, and how much she appreciated them. There weren't too many dry eyes among those close enough to hear. She then posed for pictures and acted as if he was the only one there.
Later at dinner, Richard was very quiet. When I asked if he'd like to talk about it, my big strong husband broke down in tears. "That's the first time anyone ever thanked me for my time in the Army", he said.
Richard, like many others, came home to people who spit on him and shouted ugly things at him. That night was a turning point for him. He walked a little straighter and, for the first time in years, was proud to have been a Vet.
I'll never forget Ann Margaret for her graciousness and how much that small act of kindness meant to my husband. I now make it a point to say Thank You to every person I come across who served in our Armed Forces.
As Memoria Day approaches, I thought I would share a few stories with you. Here is the first one:
The following speech is reported to have been made during a senate campaign debate in 1974 when Howard Metzenbaum was running for reelection and John Glenn was challenging him. Glenn and Metzenbaum had also run against each other for the same seat four years earlier, a race that Metzenbaum had won.
A few days prior to the debate, Metzenbaum made a widely publicized statement that said that Glenn had never met a payroll (he didn't actually say that he'd never held a real job). In other words, Glenn had been a military man not a businessman, like Metzenbaum, who had created a major newspaper and a nation-wide parking company. Metzenbaum did not repeat that charge during the debate, but Glenn came prepared to respond to it and did it so powerfully that he also went on to win the election.
John Glenn:
"I served 23 years in the United States Marine Corps.
I served through two wars. I flew 149 missions. My plane was hit by anti-aircraft fire on 12 different occasions. I was in the space program.
It wasn't my checkbook, Howard; it was my life on the line. It was not a nine-to-five job, where I took time off to take the daily cash receipts to the bank. I ask you to go with me ... as I went the other day... to a veteran's hospital and look those men - with their mangled bodies - in the eye, and tell them they didn't hold a job! You go with me to the Space Program at NASA and go, as I have gone, to the widows and Orphans of Ed White, Gus Grissom and Roger Chaffee... and you look those kids in the eye and tell them that their DADS didn't hold a job.
You go with me on Memorial Day and you stand in Arlington National Cemetery, where I have more friends buried than I'd like to remember, and you watch those waving flags.
You stand there, and you think about this nation, and you tell me that those people didn't have a job? I'll tell you, Howard Metzenbaum; you should be on your knees every day of your life thanking God that there were some men - some men - who held real jobs. And they required a dedication to a purpose - and a love of country and a dedication to duty - that was more important than life itself. And their self-sacrifice is what made this country possible.
I have held a job, Howard! What about you?
I will be preaching at Gadara Baptist Church on Sunday, June 18, 2006 (Father's Day) in supply for Interim Pastor Dr. Jerry Gesell, Sr.. The services begin at 11am & 6pm. The church is located at 6779 CR 315C near Keystone Heights, Florida. For more information call the church at (352) 473-3615.
Cliff Smelley, a staff writer for the Bradford Telegraph in Starke, Florida, has written two stories about me that appear in the May 25th issue of the paper.
One of the stories titled "Croft recovering from heart surgery" is taken from a presentation I made to the Kiwanis Club of Starke concerning my open-heart surgery (see related post).
The second article is about the "Walking with the Giant" Podcast ministry. This article is titled "Delivering a 'giant' message worldwide".
You can read the articles by clicking each title.
I pray the Lord receives all the glory for these articles and that He uses them to encourage, convict or inspire each reader as He sees fit.
I'll be preaching at 9am, 11am & 6pm this Sunday, May 28th, at First Baptist Church of Lake Butler. The church is located at 195 East Main Street in Lake Butler, Florida. The services are being held in the church's fellowship hall as the sanctuary is being remodeled.
On this day...
Evangelist Raphael Adjei Kingbi and his wife Mavis are expecting their first child in June or July. The last two doctor reports produced two different due dates, June 17th and July 5th. They also learned that the child is a boy.
Evangelist Ralph serves as Ghana Ministries Coordinator for James Croft Evangelistic Association and coordinated the crusades and other events during our three mission trips to Ghana, West Africa. He also gives a ministry report each month on the "Walking with the Giant" Podcast. He ministers for the Lord on a full-time basis in the township of Teshie, which is located about 45 minutes from Ghana's capital city of Accra.
If you would like to make a financial contribution to the Kingbi's to help with medical, ministry, and other expenses you can send a check or money order to:
In October 2004 I led a mission team to Ghana, West Africa. One of our goals for the trip was to construct a building for use by Zion Evangelistic Ministry. Four Americans worked with a team from Teshie and completed the building in two weeks time.
Evangelist Raphael Adjei Kingbi (Evangelist Ralph), Ghana Ministries Coordinator for James Croft Evangelistic Association, has sent us a couple of photos of the building. The building will hold 120 or more people and is used on a weekly basis by Zion Evangelistic Ministry for their meetings and prayer services.
I will be preaching at my home church, First Baptist Church of Lake Butler, on Sunday, May 28th. I'll be speaking during both morning services, 9am & 11am, and the evening service, 6pm. The church is located at 195 East Main Street in Lake Butler, Florida.
I can't think of any better way to celebrate a birthday than by sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ!
Evangelist Raphael Adjei Kingbi (Evangelist Ralph), our Ghana Ministries Coordinator, has sent us some photos to share with you.
This photo is from a special youth service that was held at the Presbyterian Church in Teshie on Saturday, April 22, 2006. The service is held annually for the youth that are preparing for final examinations in school. Evangelist Ralph described the service in the May 2006 episode of the "Walking with the Giant" Podcast.
The service was attended by over 1,000 youth and over 100 accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. In this photo, Evangelist Ralph (front left) is leading the students in a sinner's prayer. Praise the Lord!
I'll share the other photos on this site over the next few days.
If we believe the Bible, as God's Holy Word, it shoots down some of the modern arguments we here about "decision making".
You’re not the boss of me!” Have you ever heard a child make this statement to someone in authority? It’s the child’s attempt to assert his or her independence.
It’s not just children, though. No matter what our age, we don’t like having someone tell us what to do. After all, that person might ask us to do something we don’t want to do, or put us in a situation we don’t want to be in.
Therein lies the fear of trusting God. Afraid of putting control of our life into His hands, we prefer to dig in and say, “You’re not the boss of me.”
There’s a serious problem with that line of thinking: It’s not accurate. In reality, we cannot tell God that He’s not in charge. In Psalm 24, David said, “The earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness, the world and those who dwell therein” (v.1). God is the boss of “those who dwell” in the world. That means all of us.
Our response, therefore, of trusting Him and turning our life over to Him comes when we acknowledge His authority. We say to Him, “Lord, You are the boss of me! I acknowledge Your ownership, and I want to work with You to accomplish Your will.”
We are God’s. He is in charge. Our job is to trust in Him and live for Him.
Now I belong to Jesus,
Jesus belongs to me,
Not for the years of time alone,
But for eternity. —Clayton
© Renewal 1971 by Norman Clayton Publishing Co.
You are not your own. . . . You were bought at a price. —1 Corinthians 6:19-20
For similar resources, search these topics:
Relationships > Relating to God > SubmissionThis is a site that uses a modern situation to describe Heaven. You can see it by clicking here.
Everyone has ideas about what it will be like in Heaven. We do get a glimpse in various Bible Scripture, but the Word also says:
1 Corinthians 2:9 (NKJV)
9But as it is written:
“Eye has not seen, nor ear heard,
Nor have entered into the heart of man
The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”
(The Holy Bible, New King James Version)
The following is the number of downloads for each episode of the "Walking with the Giant" Podcast since April 19, 2006. This is the date I began a subscription to FeedBurner's Total Stats Pro service. I find it interesting that even the earlier episodes are still being downloaded.
Please note that this is a count of the downloads made through the RSS Feed and not downloaded directly from my website. I have since made the appropriate changes and new counts will include downloads through all locations.
Total Downloads April 19, 2006 - May 18, 2006 = 236
Epidsode/# Downloads
May 2006 - 79
April 2006 - 79
Feb.-Mar. 2006 - 33
January 2006 - 45
Have you heard any of these episodes? If so, PLEASE let me know what you think (good & bad)! If you haven't heard one, why not download one (or all) and listen now? If you are using a dial-up internet connection you can receive the program each month on audio CD. Just click here for details.
If you have questions or comments e-mail me at media@jamescroft.org.
This is the last day of school for many children (especially in this part of Florida), so I thought this cartoon would be very appropriate.
I'll be interviewed today by a reporter from the Bradford County Telegraph in Starke, Florida for an upcoming story. Please be in prayer for this opportunity.
This site is updated on a daily basis, but you may not always think of checking the site daily unless you subscribe to the RSS feed with a newsreader. Well, now you can be notified by e-mail each day that a new item is posted. To be placed on this list powered by FeedBurner use the form in the left column of this page.
The same service is also available for my ministry Podcast, "Walking with the Giant". You can find the e-mail notification form for the Podcast by clicking here.
I will be speaking to the Kiwanis Club of Starke today at noon. I'll be sharing my testimony concerning my open-heart bypass surgery in November and talking a little about the "Walking with the Giant" Podcast.
This one of those cute animated cards you can send to a friend, just click here to view it.
I can read bedtime stories till the cow jumps over the moon and sing "Ten Little Monkeys" until I want to call the doctor--but if I don't have love, I'm as annoying as a ringing phone.
I can chase a naked toddler through the house while cooking dinner and listening to voice mail, I can fix the best cookies and Kool-Aid in the neighborhood, and I can tell a sick child's temperature with one touch of my finger, but if I don't have love, I am nothing.
Love is patient while watching and praying by the front window when it's 30 minutes past curfew.
Love is kind when my teen says, "I hate you!"
It does not envy the neighbors' swimming pool or their brand-new mini van, but trusts the Lord to provide every need.
Love does not brag when other parents share their disappointments and insecurities, and love rejoices when other families succeed.
It doesn't boast, even when I've multi-tasked all day long and my husband can't do more than one thing at a time.
Love is not rude when my spouse innocently asks, "What have you done today?"
It does not immediately seek after glory when we see talent in our children, but encourages them to get training and make wise choices.
It is not easily angered, even when my 15-year-old acts like the world revolves around her.
It does not delight in evil (is not self-righteous) when I remind my 17-year-old that he's going 83 in a 55-mph zone, but rejoices in the truth.
Love does not give up hope.
It always protects our children's self-esteem and spirit, even while doling out discipline.
It always trusts God to protect our children when we cannot.
It always perseveres, through blue nail polish, burps and other bodily functions, rolled eyes and crossed arms, messy rooms and sleepovers.
Love never fails.
But where there are memories of thousands of diaper changes and painful labor(s), they will fade away.
Where there is talking back, it will (eventually) cease. (Please, Lord?)
Where there is a teenager who thinks she knows everything, there will one day be an adult who knows you did your best.
For we know we fail our children, and we pray they don't end up in therapy, but when we get to heaven, our imperfect parenting will disappear. (Thank you, God!)
When we were children, we needed a parent to love and protect us. Now that we're parents ourselves, we have a heavenly Father who adores, shelters us and holds us when we need to cry.
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
Now check out the "Love Chapter":
1 Corinthians 13
1Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.
2And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body £to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.
4Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; 5does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; 6does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 7bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
8Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. 9For we know in part and we prophesy in part. 10But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.
11When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 12For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.
13And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.
May 9, 2006
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The longsuffering of our Lord is salvation. —2 Peter 3:15
On March 20, 1980, Mount St. Helens in Washington, a supposedly dormant volcano, began to quake and rumble. The local population was evacuated to a “safe” distance 8 miles away. Later, the side of the mountain began to bulge. Scientists were not alarmed because past research of volcanoes indicated that they never blew sideways.
Then on May 18 the side of Mount St. Helens exploded, shooting tons of debris downhill at the speed of 150 miles per hour. A minute later, the volcano exploded upward with the equivalent power of 500 atomic bombs! Two hundred thirty square miles of forest were devastated and 57 people lost their lives. The scientists had assumed that natural events would continue as before. But they were wrong.
The book of 2 Peter tells us of a future time when a similar misplaced confidence will be destroyed by the fiery end of our world (3:4-7). But the good news is that God will build “new heavens and a new earth” (v.13). He is “not willing that any should perish,” and He is patiently waiting so that more people will find true safety in His Son Jesus (v.9). They need only accept the salvation He offers.
Have you trusted Christ for your safety?
Are you unsure where you stand with God? Please read Safe And Secure: The Permanence Of Salvation
God’s people must point the way if others are to escape God’s judgment.
A wealthy old lady decides to go on a photo safari in
One day the poodle starts chasing butterflies and before long, Cuddles discovers that he's lost. Wandering about, he notices a leopard heading rapidly in his direction with the intention of having lunch. The old poodle thinks, "Oh, oh! I'm in deep trouble now!" Noticing some bones on the ground close by, he immediately settles down to chew on the bones with his back to the approaching cat. Just as the leopard is about to leap the old poodle exclaims loudly, "Boy, that was one delicious leopard! I wonder if there are any more around here?"
Hearing this, the young leopard halts his attack in mid-strike, a look of terror comes over him and he slinks away into the trees. "Whew!", says the leopard, "That was close! That old poodle nearly had me!"
Meanwhile, a monkey who had been watching the whole scene from a nearby tree, figures he can put this knowledge to good use and trade it for protection from the leopard. So off he goes, but the old poodle sees him heading after the leopard with great speed, and figures that something must be up. The monkey soon catches up with the leopard, spills the beans and strikes a deal for himself with the leopard. The young leopard is furious at being made a fool of and says, "Here, monkey, hop on my back and see what's going to happen to that conniving canine!"
Now, the old poodle sees the leopard coming with the monkey on his back and thinks, "What am I going to do now?", but instead of running, the dog sits down with his back to his attackers, pretending he hasn't seen them yet, and just when they get close enough to hear, the old poodle says: "Where's that monkey? I sent him off an hour ago to bring me another leopard!"
"Walking with the Giant" for May 2006 is now online and ready for download. The links for the Podcast are as follows:
I have added a revival meeting to my schedule for October at Grace Baptist Church in Gainesville, Florida. The meeting will begin with Homecoming Services on Sunday, October 15, 2006 at 11am. There will be no service on Sunday night. The revival will continue on Monday, October 16th through Wednesday, October 18th at 6:45pm. For more information call Pastor Jim Riley at (352) 374-4748.
Grace Baptist Church is located at 7100 NW 39th Ave. in Gainesville, Florida.
Please be in prayer for these services.
Today is Internet Evangelism Day. A day to promote Christian use of the internet as a tool to spread the Gospel to all the world. You can read more about it at this website.
You can also find out more information on the website for the Internet Evangelism Coalition. An interview with the coalition's chairman, Dr. Sterling Huston, Director of Special Ministries for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, can be heard on the May 2006 edition of the "Walking with the Giant" podcast. He gives some great information that can be useful to churches, organizations and individuals that may want to use the web for evangelism.
Check out our ministry websites:
Tomorrow is Internet Evangelism Day. A day to promote Christian use of the internet as a tool to spread the Gospel to all the world. You can read more about it on their website.
Dr. Sterling Huston, Director of Special Ministries for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, is the chaiman of the Internet Evangelism Coalition. He is my special guest on the May 2006 edition of the "Walking with the Giant" podcast. He gives some great information that can be useful to churches, organizations and individuals that may want to use the web for evangelism.
"Walking with the Giant" for May 2006 is now online and ready for download. The links for the Podcast are as follows:
Lawyers should never ask a Southern grandma a question if they aren't prepared for the answer. In a trial, a Southern small-town prosecuting attorney called his first witness to the stand - a grandmotherly, elderly woman.
He approached her and asked, "Mrs. Jones, do you know me?"
She responded, "Why, yes, I do know you, Mr. Williams I've known you since you were a young boy, and frankly, you've been a big disappointment to me. You lie, you cheat on your wife, you manipulate people and talk about them behind their backs. You think you're a big shot when you haven't the brains to realize you never will amount to anything more than a two-bit paper pusher. Yes, I know you."
The lawyer was stunned! Not knowing what else to do, he pointed across the room and asked, "Mrs. Jones, do you know the defense attorney?"
She again replied, "Why, yes, I do. I've known Mr. Bradley since he was a youngster, too. He's lazy, bigoted, and he has a drinking problem. He can't build a normal relationship with anyone and his law practice is one of the worst in the entire state. Not to mention he cheated on his wife with three different women. One of them was your wife. Yes, I know him."
The defense attorney almost died. The judge asked both counselors to approach the bench, and in a very quiet voice, said, "If either of you asks her if she knows me, I'll throw you both in jail.
I will be preaching at First Baptist Church of Lake Butler tonight at 6:30pm. The services are now being held in the fellowship hall due to renovation of the sanctuary. The church is located at 195 East Main Street in Lake Butler, Florida.
I think this devotion was just for me. I'll explain more in a future post.
May 2, 2006
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The women said to Naomi, “Blessed be the Lord, who has not left you this day without a close relative.” —Ruth 4:14
A wise person once told me, “Never be quick to judge whether something is a blessing or a curse.” The story of Naomi reminds me of this.
The name Naomi means “my delight.” But when bad things happened to her, Naomi wanted to change her name to match her circumstances. After her husband and sons died, Naomi concluded, “The hand of the Lord has gone out against me!” (Ruth 1:13). When people greeted her, she said, “Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me” (v.20).
Rather than judge her circumstances in light of her identity as a follower of the one true God who had proclaimed unfailing love for His people, Naomi did what most of us tend to do: She judged God in light of her circumstances. And she judged wrongly. The hand of the Lord had not gone out against her. In fact, Naomi had a God-given treasure she had not yet discovered. Although Naomi lost her husband and two sons, she was given something totally unexpected—a devoted daughter-in-law and a grandchild who would be in the lineage of the Messiah.
As Naomi’s life shows us, sometimes the worst thing that happens to us can open the door for the best that God has to give us.
Loving Father, help me not to judge Your love for me
on the basis of whether today brings good news
or bad. Help me remember that You desire to use
my circumstances to make me more like Jesus. Amen.
God’s purpose for today’s events may not be seen till tomorrow.
May 7, 2006 is Internet Evangelism Day. You can learn more by clicking the following link: 1-minute introduction spot
