Every morning we, the chaplains, take the opportunity to start our morning with a devotional and prayer. Our devotional today seemed so appropriate, especially in the midst of the turmoil and chaos of the current times, that we felt we needed to share it in its entirety for this Chaplains’ Chat:

What is it that our Lord wants most from those who claim to be devoted to Him? Shall we build Him more churches? More Bible schools? More homes and institutions for hurting people?

These are all worthwhile and needed, but He who dwells not in buildings made by hands wants much more than this. Solomon thought he had built an everlasting temple for God, but within years it was in decay. In less than four hundred years, it was completely destroyed.

The one thing our Lord seeks above all else from His people, ministers, and shepherds is communion at His table. He seeks oneness around His heavenly table, a place and time of intimacy, a continual coming to Him for food, strength, wisdom and fellowship.

This present generation has a limited revelation of the Lord Jesus because so many are missing from the feast. Few know the grandeur and majesty of the high calling in Christ Jesus to have communion alone with the Lord.

We mistakenly get our spiritual joy out of service rather than communion. We are doing more and more for a Lord we know less and less! We run ourselves ragged, burn out, go anywhere on this earth and give our bodies to His work – but we seldom keep the feast of communing with Him. We are too casual about the Lord’s table, not serious enough about taking our place to learn of Him.

Paul speaks of three separate years in the desert of Arabia. They were three glorious years, sitting in the heavenlies at the table of the Lord. It was there that Christ taught Paul all he knew – and the wisdom of God was made manifest in him.

Something in Paul’s soul cried out, “Oh, that I might know Him!” Conversion was not enough for Paul. A one-time miraculous hearing of His voice from heaven was not sufficient. He had caught a fleeting vision of the Lord – and he wanted more! May the same be said of us.

~God is Faithful by David Wilkerson

Indeed, may the same be said of us!

Staying true to His call,
Chaplains Steve and Robin Malek

Where do you go when trouble hits? You know that it does for all of us at one time or another. It could be a sudden death, an unexpected divorce, a child’s declaration of atheism…there are a ton of things that can rock our worlds. I often wonder where I would go for strength to continue if I didn’t believe.

Some of us have gone to drugs or alcohol to deaden the pain, as I did at one time. Problem was drugs and alcohol wear off. I had to “come down” at some point and when I did, the problem was still there, but because it wasn’t taken care of, it was worse. Others go to tv, computers, food, gaming, etc. They are all ways to get away for a moment, but they don’t handle the problem or help us to cope with what has come our way.

Trouble hit our home this past weekend. Our world was rocked. But Jesus... As I write this Chaplain’s report at 5:05am (after another sleepless night) Today, I am assured that God has it all under control. This doesn’t mean sleep comes easier nor does it mean I “feel” better, but it does mean I know this issue didn’t take Jesus by surprise. I know He is trustworthy and all sufficient. I know He is God Almighty and He can do anything. He is my rock. The One I can hold on to when all of life seems topsy turvy and out of control. He is stability. My Bible holds the words and wisdom that serve to strengthen me, comfort me and hold me still while the battle rages on.

As the founders of Gateway To Glory and chaplains of the Macomb County Jail, we hear the stories from men and women who have had the bottom of their worlds drop out. They have tried using “things” (drugs, alcohol, gambling, sex, etc) to help them cope with what the world throws at them, to no avail. Quite often they have gotten hooked on substances, causing them to lose everything. Others have ended up incarcerated. They are crying out for something to hold them together.

Faith and reliance on Jesus is the answer! As believers, we get to share our hope with men and women who have come up empty after trying to cope using the world’s methods. When they hear that there is a God who sees, cares and knows their hurts, one who is able to give hope and strength to continue, a spark ignites in their heart. We see countenances light up with hope for a new life and, as they begin to grow through mentoring, local church attendance, making new friends and linking arms in ministry, we hear praise reports!

If you know Jesus, the storm calmer, you have something to share with the rest of the world. Share Him. Help others come to know the One who holds you through the times of crisis. Now, I’m going back to bed, and I will have peaceful sleep, because I know the Rest Giver. "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." ~Matthew 11:28 & 29

In the shelter of His arms,
Chaplain Robin Malek