Monthly Archive for June, 2009

The Scratch As A Reminder

Published
by
AnotherSheep
on June 28, 2009
in Uncategorized
. 0 Comments

Awhile back, I had my car painted.  It looks great.  Recently, however, I noticed a scratch.  It’s a very small scratch, which most people won’t even notice, but still it’s a discouragement… or is it?

 

Jesus said, “Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where they can be eaten by moths and get rusty, and where thieves break in and steal.” 

 

Moths, rust, thieves, and scratches have a purpose.  They are reminders that everything here on Earth is temporary – even those things we cherish.  Even our own earthly lives.

 

There is only one solution. Again, the words of Jesus say it best:  Store your treasures in heaven, where they will never become moth-eaten or rusty and where they will be safe from thieves.

 

Part of me is glad for the scratch on my car.  It helps me focus on the spiritual aspects of life.  It points me to eternal matters such as love, people other than myself, having a relationship with God, and the process of growing in character.

 

God never does anything by accident.  Even a scratch can be a reminder.

 

Spiritual Blessings

Published
by
AnotherSheep
on June 21, 2009
in Uncategorized
. 0 Comments

Once in awhile I find myself in a one-on-one or group meeting where Christian brothers and sisters tell each other about how God has blessed them.  Generally, their stories involve new and better jobs, relaxing days off work, special meals, nicer cars, unexpected money, restored health after an illness, and so forth. 

 

I rejoice with these people, and I know that God delights in giving good gifts to His children.  I, too, live in relative comfort – but there are greater blessings to be had.

 

The apostle Paul wrote a letter to people in Ephesus.  He told them that they had been blessed with “…every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms…”  There are no jobs, cars, money, health issues, etc. in heaven, so spiritual blessings must be something else.

 

Heaven is filled with God’s character.  He offers grace, faith, hope, love, peace, forgiveness, and so much more – all as spiritual blessings.  In fact, Paul’s letter says that God gives us EVERY spiritual blessing.

 

It is proper, of course, to thank God for the generous gifts He sometimes gives in the physical realm.  As well, I need to count my spiritual blessings.  How have I been shown the favor of a loving act or a forgiving word or a kindness I did not deserve this week – from a fellow human or from God Himself? 

 

It’s good to show thanks for physical blessings.  Credit is due as well, for spiritual blessings that come only from the heavenly realm.

 

Prayer Without Words

Published
by
AnotherSheep
on June 14, 2009
in Uncategorized
. 2 Comments

The Bible says that, when we don’t know what to say in our prayers, God’s Holy Spirit does the praying for us, “with groanings too deep for words.” 

 

Many things in this life are a mystery.  I’m going through one of those right now – or rather, I’m watching some friends go through one.  The details would break your heart. 

 

Having been a Christian for over 30 years, I’m sure I could put together some kind of a prayer that would sound good, be theologically correct, and even be sincere.  But the truth is that I don’t know what to say… not to them, and not to God.

 

So I’ll groan. And the Holy Spirit will do the same.  And somewhere in there will be a prayer that reaches the throne of God.

 

Save It For The Enemy

Published
by
AnotherSheep
on June 7, 2009
in Uncategorized
. 0 Comments

In many World War II movies is a scene that goes like this.  The men are sitting around in a barracks or a tent or inside a ship when one says “I’m from South Carolina, and the girls there are the prettiest in the country.”  Another guy replies “You’re crazy.  I’m from Texas and the girls there are prettier.”  The argument escalates and eventually turns into a fist fight.

 

Hearing the commotion, the Sergeant busts in, grabs the two, separates them and says in a crusty voice “Save it for the enemy.”

 

As a believer, I have an enemy.  The devil is as real as God.  Petty disagreements and frustrations with my brothers and sisters, therefore, must be put aside.  Anger and energy are better directed at combating the one who wants to destroy me.

 

When it comes to fighting, it’s important that I save it for the enemy.