I came across this story and it shares a powerful message. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
The O’Learys and the MacMillans lived as neighbors at the turn of the century. One day a young man in a suit came to their village to explain that they would soon have electricity for the first time. The MacMillans responded with their typical enthusiasm and filled out the appropriate papers to have their house wired.
The O’Learys were more cautious. After all, they had lived for generations without electricity and had managed just fine. They weren’t about to throw money after every passing fad. So they decided to wait. If electricity was as good as everyone said, they could always sign up later.
In the weeks that followed, the MacMillans busily prepared their house for electrical power. They clamped wires and sockets to the walls and hung bulbs from the ceiling. When the big day finally came, the MacMillans invited their neighbors, including the O’Learys, to a grand lighting party. With a dramatic flourish, Mr. MacMillan threw a switch and the bulbs began to glow for the first time. The MacMillans house was illuminated more brightly than it had ever been lit before.
There was a gasp. “How lovely!” someone said. But then another gasp, “How filthy!” someone else said.
It was true. No one had noticed it before in the dim light, but years of oil lamps had left a film of dingy soot over everything. The walls were grimy, there were cobwebs in the corner, and dust covered the floor. The O’Learys decided right then and there that they would never install electricity in their home. They would never suffer the humiliation of having their dirty home exposed by the light.
After the party, the MacMillans went to work. They scrubbed the soot off the walls and ceiling, cleaned the cobwebs and swept away the dust. They had indeed been embarrassed by their dirty home when the lights came on, but within a day, their house was cleaner than it had ever been.
Meanwhile, the O’Learys continued to live comfortably in their dimly lit home filled with soot, cobwebs and filth.
How many of us are like the O’Learys, and choose to live in the dark so that the dirt and filth in our lives won’t be exposed? It’s not that others will see the dirt we have in our lives; we fear most that we’ll see it ourselves. So we avoid the light for fear of the seeing the truth because if the light exposes the filth, we’ll have to clean it up.
John 3:19-21 says “This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he had done has been done through God.”
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Monday, February 16, 2009
God, will you defeat the Philistines?
Have you noticed when you are about to do something for God's Kingdom, when you step forward to volunteer, when you’ve made your mind up to give that special offering, Satan comes in opposition? You’re not alone. Satan's trying to prevent you from entering into the blessing and destiny God's planned for you.
When Jesus was born, Satan used Herod to try to kill Him. After Jesus was baptized, He fasted for 40 days and then Satan came to tempt Him. Satan tried to destroy the destiny of our Savior.
David suffered this same fate. When the Israelite’s heard of David’s anointing and God’s plan to make David King, so did Satan. Then Satan set up a plan to steal David’s destiny. The scripture says David went into his stronghold. He went to a quiet place and asked God to defeat the enemy (Philistines). “When the Philistines heard that David had been crowned king of Israel, they tried to capture him; but David was told that they were coming and went into the stronghold. The Philistines arrived and spread out across the valley of Rephaim. Then David asked the Lord, 'Shall I go out and fight against them? Will you defeat them for me?'" (2 Sam 5:17-19).
When God's plans for your life are revealed, Satan will come against you in order to take you off the path that God has set you on. Follow David’s example. Retreat to your stronghold, ask the Lord for His plan, and then wait for the answer. The battle belongs to the Lord.
When Jesus was born, Satan used Herod to try to kill Him. After Jesus was baptized, He fasted for 40 days and then Satan came to tempt Him. Satan tried to destroy the destiny of our Savior.
David suffered this same fate. When the Israelite’s heard of David’s anointing and God’s plan to make David King, so did Satan. Then Satan set up a plan to steal David’s destiny. The scripture says David went into his stronghold. He went to a quiet place and asked God to defeat the enemy (Philistines). “When the Philistines heard that David had been crowned king of Israel, they tried to capture him; but David was told that they were coming and went into the stronghold. The Philistines arrived and spread out across the valley of Rephaim. Then David asked the Lord, 'Shall I go out and fight against them? Will you defeat them for me?'" (2 Sam 5:17-19).
When God's plans for your life are revealed, Satan will come against you in order to take you off the path that God has set you on. Follow David’s example. Retreat to your stronghold, ask the Lord for His plan, and then wait for the answer. The battle belongs to the Lord.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Your Biggest Fan
The Sydney Swans were the joke of the Australian Rules football league. They had the worst record, the worst players, the worst coach, and the worst fans. Most of their home games were played in front of empty seats.
But a strange thing happened. The team got a new coach and a few new players – and started winning! Before long, the team that had been the laughing stock of the league was a powerhouse.
And since everybody likes a winning team, you can image what happened next. The stands began to fill. Thousands of people who had no interest in the team before began to attend games religiously. The Sydney Swans became the talk of the town. Everyone wanted to be identified with them.
Downtown Sydney was awash in the team’s colors and people could be seen wearing Swans merchandise everywhere. Soon it became almost impossible to get a ticket to a Swans game.
One Sunday afternoon the Swans were playing a rival team in front of a capacity crowd. As the TV cameras zoomed in on the revelry and joy in the stands, one camera focused on a single man who was cheering and waving a sign that he had obviously made himself. Grinning proudly, he held up his sign for all the world to see: “I WAS HERE WHEN NOBODY ELSE WAS!”
Jesus is that proud fan who was and is always there for you, even when you aren’t winning. When you feel like the biggest loser of all time, when nobody is there cheering you on, Jesus is proudly waving a banner, proclaiming his love of you. He told us Himself that He is with us always, even until the end … (Matthew 28:20). He’s there when nobody else is. Prov 18:24 tells us there’s a friend that sticks closer than a brother. That’s Jesus. He’s there beside you through thick and thin, good times and bad. Jesus is your biggest fan.
But a strange thing happened. The team got a new coach and a few new players – and started winning! Before long, the team that had been the laughing stock of the league was a powerhouse.
And since everybody likes a winning team, you can image what happened next. The stands began to fill. Thousands of people who had no interest in the team before began to attend games religiously. The Sydney Swans became the talk of the town. Everyone wanted to be identified with them.
Downtown Sydney was awash in the team’s colors and people could be seen wearing Swans merchandise everywhere. Soon it became almost impossible to get a ticket to a Swans game.
One Sunday afternoon the Swans were playing a rival team in front of a capacity crowd. As the TV cameras zoomed in on the revelry and joy in the stands, one camera focused on a single man who was cheering and waving a sign that he had obviously made himself. Grinning proudly, he held up his sign for all the world to see: “I WAS HERE WHEN NOBODY ELSE WAS!”
Jesus is that proud fan who was and is always there for you, even when you aren’t winning. When you feel like the biggest loser of all time, when nobody is there cheering you on, Jesus is proudly waving a banner, proclaiming his love of you. He told us Himself that He is with us always, even until the end … (Matthew 28:20). He’s there when nobody else is. Prov 18:24 tells us there’s a friend that sticks closer than a brother. That’s Jesus. He’s there beside you through thick and thin, good times and bad. Jesus is your biggest fan.
Saturday, February 7, 2009
When We All Pull Together
A man from a big city was enjoying a relaxing drive in the country when a dog ran in front of his car. He swerved to miss it but lost control of his car and ended up in a ditch. After a few unsuccessful attempts to get his car out, the man sat on his bumper and waited for help to arrive.
He didn’t have to wait long. A farmer who lived just down the road came to his aid with a big, powerful-looking horse. The man watched as the farmer hitched the horse to the car’s bumper. When the rope was secure, the farmer yelled, “Pull, Nellie, pull!!” But the horse didn’t move. So the farmer yelled, “Pull, Buster, pull!!” But the horse didn’t move. Next, the farmer yelled, “Pull, Coco, pull!!” But the horse still didn’t move. Finally, the farmer yelled, “Pull, Buddy, pull!!” And the horse dragged the car from the ditch with very little effort.
The motorist was appreciative – and a little curious. “Why did you call out four names when your horse only responded to one?” he asked.
The farmer smiled. “Oh, Buddy is blind,” he explained, “and if he thought he was the only one pulling he wouldn’t even try.”
Just like Buddy, we need other people to bring out the best in us. I remember singing the song "When We all Pull Together" as a child. It's a powerful message that needs to be resurrected!
As the Scripture says, “Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not easily broken.” (Ecclesiastes 4:12). That’s why God created us to be part of a community, part of a family, part of the church.
It’s very difficult to live a Christian life alone. It can be done, but like the verse says, one can be overpowered. If alone we can defeat 1000 enemies, and two can put 10,000 enemies to flight, imagine what we can do together!
We need everyone pulling together in the church. This Sunday (and every Sunday), hug someone you wouldn’t normally hug. Greet someone you don’t know. Tell someone who may have hurt you that you love them. We are in this fight together. And we can’t afford to have casualties in this war.
He didn’t have to wait long. A farmer who lived just down the road came to his aid with a big, powerful-looking horse. The man watched as the farmer hitched the horse to the car’s bumper. When the rope was secure, the farmer yelled, “Pull, Nellie, pull!!” But the horse didn’t move. So the farmer yelled, “Pull, Buster, pull!!” But the horse didn’t move. Next, the farmer yelled, “Pull, Coco, pull!!” But the horse still didn’t move. Finally, the farmer yelled, “Pull, Buddy, pull!!” And the horse dragged the car from the ditch with very little effort.
The motorist was appreciative – and a little curious. “Why did you call out four names when your horse only responded to one?” he asked.
The farmer smiled. “Oh, Buddy is blind,” he explained, “and if he thought he was the only one pulling he wouldn’t even try.”
Just like Buddy, we need other people to bring out the best in us. I remember singing the song "When We all Pull Together" as a child. It's a powerful message that needs to be resurrected!
As the Scripture says, “Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not easily broken.” (Ecclesiastes 4:12). That’s why God created us to be part of a community, part of a family, part of the church.
It’s very difficult to live a Christian life alone. It can be done, but like the verse says, one can be overpowered. If alone we can defeat 1000 enemies, and two can put 10,000 enemies to flight, imagine what we can do together!
We need everyone pulling together in the church. This Sunday (and every Sunday), hug someone you wouldn’t normally hug. Greet someone you don’t know. Tell someone who may have hurt you that you love them. We are in this fight together. And we can’t afford to have casualties in this war.
Friday, February 6, 2009
Open Book Test
I recently heard a TV Evangelist (Jentezen Franklin) speaking. (He’s one of my favorites!) He was talking about how silent God can be during tests. Isn’t that truth? It always seems like when we’re going through the toughest tests, we hear the least from Him? But Jentezen then said something that resonated in my spirit. In school, teachers don’t speak during tests. In the same way, God is also silent during the tests.
Good teachers teach the lesson. It’s up to the student to learn it. God is the ultimate Teacher. He’s informed us, taught us, and equipped us during the lesson. As the student, we must listen. We can’t be speaking while God is teaching. Like our school teachers, He’s also silent during the tests. However, the great thing about God’s tests is that they’re all open-book! He knew there would be lessons we didn’t learn from his classroom lectures. He knew some of us (including me) would be talking during the lesson, thinking we already had all the answers, believing we knew the lesson better than the Teacher. So He gave us His lesson plan and answers in His Word. He allows us to use the school book throughout the tests. It’s just like God to provide us a cheat-sheet.
Teachers don’t speak during the test. I will never hear God’s silence the same again.
Lord, I pray that when I’m going through times of testing, I remember you have already provided me the answers. Open my ears and my mind to receive the lessons you teach. I thank You for the times of silence, God. Because in them, I know that you’ve already taught me all I need to know. You are so wonderful, God. When I need remedial training, and feel like I’m failing the test You’re giving, You’ve provided me Your Word. I can always look up the answers. May I always remain “teachable” and learn Your lessons the first time. Amen
Good teachers teach the lesson. It’s up to the student to learn it. God is the ultimate Teacher. He’s informed us, taught us, and equipped us during the lesson. As the student, we must listen. We can’t be speaking while God is teaching. Like our school teachers, He’s also silent during the tests. However, the great thing about God’s tests is that they’re all open-book! He knew there would be lessons we didn’t learn from his classroom lectures. He knew some of us (including me) would be talking during the lesson, thinking we already had all the answers, believing we knew the lesson better than the Teacher. So He gave us His lesson plan and answers in His Word. He allows us to use the school book throughout the tests. It’s just like God to provide us a cheat-sheet.
Teachers don’t speak during the test. I will never hear God’s silence the same again.
Lord, I pray that when I’m going through times of testing, I remember you have already provided me the answers. Open my ears and my mind to receive the lessons you teach. I thank You for the times of silence, God. Because in them, I know that you’ve already taught me all I need to know. You are so wonderful, God. When I need remedial training, and feel like I’m failing the test You’re giving, You’ve provided me Your Word. I can always look up the answers. May I always remain “teachable” and learn Your lessons the first time. Amen
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