Determination

The other day I was a Jolly Mill with my family and became fascinated with a little determined wasp. He was trying to carry something that was really much bigger than him. He was trying to fly with it, but was not successful. I sat there watching him as the world went by around him, and as my lovely family tried (and eventually did) squash him, but he continued to press on, flapping his wings in shear determination to take off with this large object.

I knew as I sat there, that God was trying to show something, an allegory or sorts. Like, maybe how sometimes we also have to be determined and keep flapping our wings even when we feel like we are not going anywhere, and even when people try to squash our dreams, and the world seems to be passing us by.

1. We are the messengers that bring God's word to the lost. They are not going to be brought to God without determination on our part to plant seeds and set a consistent witness before them.
2. Sometimes, we may feel like we are losing ground instead of gaining it, but ultimately it is not up to us to gain the ground, it is our job to carry the message. God alone gains the ground as we are obedient.
3. Often times we are going to run into people or rules that that try to squash our efforts to further God's kingdom either through discouragement or physical threat, we have to keep our eyes on the goal and just keep going.
4. The world may pass us by, but God's Word will remain. We are not working for the temporal things of this world, but for the Kingdom.

So next time you see a little wasp, or an ant, or maybe a fellow laborer in Christ, remember to encourage them in their efforts, regardless of what the circumstances look like. You certainly don't want to be the one the squishes the net great leader of God!!!

Unity

So many times I have heard preachers discuss what other denominations believe, not like the cultish church denominations, but mainstream denominations. I never realized that the Bible also talks about this. I always thought that the early early years of Christianity as being one church "the church." I guess even back then there differences in beliefs.

Philippians 3:15-16 states "Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you. Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind."

As I read this, I realized Paul, and divinely so, God is telling us that we need to walk in unity in the areas that we agree upon. And that God will reveal to us, the truth, in areas that we have disagreements. God, not some great debate of theological interpretations, will reveal truth to us in areas that there are different beliefs. He further tells us that we should walk in agreement and stay focused on these areas so we can be of the same mind.

What a powerful concept. Don;t fight with each other on the differences, instead stand stand together in unity on what you agree upon. If Christian's could unite, truly unite, on the common ground and leave the rest o God - how much more powerful we would be!

Ecclesiastes 4:12 says Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken. How much more strong would a unified body of Christ be. We will never agree on everything, but we should stand together in what we agree on.

It is not just giving

I have heard Philippians 4:19 quoted so many times "And my God shall supply all your needs according to his riches and glory by Jesus Christ" as a verse to say God will give you everything you need. While that may be true, in the context it was written their need was going to be met because they had given in sacrifice to support the ministry.

So many times we want the promises of God without the cost. This church was the only one that supported Paul in the beginning of his ministry. They shared in his troubles, When Paul's was in need, these people sent over and over again.

Paul said "I don't need now." He just wanted them to have the credit to their account - not their bank accounts, but their spiritual accounts. The account where zero is not the bottom line, but God is the only line. He will make sure that we have what we need, when we are actively pursuing to supply and further His kingdom. When furthering His kingdom is our bottom line, He will supply all our needs, so that we can focus on that mission, through his riches and glory.

Learning to be content

Philippians 4:11 ends saying "I have learned in whatever state I am to be content." He then goes on to list areas of drastic contrast of each other that he has been. Then in verse 13 he states "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

It probably was hard for Paul at first to find contentment. He came from the finer side of town and then found himself imprisoned for saying what he believed. Not in one of the cushy prisons we have, but knee high in sewer and rodents. That had to be a test of faith. As we read it, we get the end result, "I did it. Be encouraged."

That is the key to contentment. Knowing that regardless of what you may be physically, emotionally, mentally, socially, economically, spiritually and environmentally facing - in God's strength you will get through it with Jesus Christ.

The impact of complaint

Philippians 2:14-15 gives the command to do everything without complaining and fighting, so that way we can remain blameless and not cause harm because we are God's light in the world.

WOW! That is certainly a challenge because when you look at the opposite it basically says that because were are God's light in the world we need to do things without fighting and complaining because otherwise we will be to blame for causing harm to the lost.

We are suppose to be the light. But if we are always complaining or fighting, why would anyone be attracted to the light.

My personal thoughts are that God will hold us accountable for the times that people were turned away from him because of our attitude.

God, forgive me for my mouth. I pray that you would help me to not gripe or complain but to grow in You. Lord, send other to those who have been impacted by my negative attitude to show them the light. Amen.

The Witness of Demons

I must say my faith and patient has been tested lately with a patient, who, as my pastors says is "freaky, flaky and weird." This patient certainly has a religious fixation. I admit, I have been judgemental. God forgive me, but the freaky, flaky and weird disclaimer of Pastor Cass clearly has applied.

My husband pointed out that there were weird people in the Bible that people of that time probably labeled as freaky, flaky and weird. He pointed out Noah built an ark, had animals get on it and sealed it up completely before a drop of rain ever fell. Ezekiel was also an extreme person. He dug his way out of his home with a spoon. He cooked dung and ate it - all as messages to the Israelites. In light of this, maybe people would have locked both up in a psych ward.

I guess it all boils down to "Is what is being said or done in line with the Word of God." Or is it a freaky flaky and weird spirit that is placed in this person, or other individuals that is here to destroy the work of Christ. I mean I know that Satan came to steal, kill and destroy, but I thought Demons had to flea in the name of Jesus. I questioned if someone could be demon possessed and truly think they were doing the will of God.

I was lead to Acts 16:16-18 Once when we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl who had a spirit by which she predicted the future. She earned a great deal of money for her owners by fortune-telling. This girl followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, "These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved." She kept this up for many days. Finally Paul became so troubled that he turned around and said to the spirit, "In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!" At that moment the spirit left her.

A Parent's Job

I was driving with my mother to church on Wednesday, reflecting on life. Mostly filling quiet space filling her in on my thoughts from the day. It dawned on me that starting in two and ending in five short years my children will be old enough to move out and start lives of their own. I was saddened by this thought because my life has revolved around my kids. My mom and other family and church members tried to encourage me, that they don't always leave, they come back, etc. I just asked for prayer for guidance and direction.

So today I sat here with my little nephew and my son and just enjoyed them. Laurin was at work, Tim was napping, and Billie Jo is away at camp. My four year old nephew was telling me he was a big boy, and I told him that he could be his mom and dad's big boy, but he is our baby. He was okay with this. I love that little guy! Even during his difficult moments.

Well, as I sit here reflecting again, kids laid down watching TV and texting in the chair next to me, I realized that it is my job. It is my job to prepare my kids to go out on their own. If I am a successful parent, my kids will move out on their own, support themselves, start their own families, make good decision, and start their job as parents. I will be able to watch this process and hopefully be proud of the decisions that they make, because I taught them - you know the important things like being a Christian, love, acceptance, forgiveness, kindness, contentment, hard work, putting others before themselves, honesty, integrity, good morals and values.

It will be hard for me to see my babies become adults, and I will certainly miss the days where they babies, but I think that God will give me the grace to move into the next stage of life knowing that I did my job as a parent to the best of my ability.