Avoid Going Blind

Is there something you want in life so badly that you begin to obsess over it? Have you noticed that it will slowly begin to take over your life that it almost becomes an idol? It could be money, food, a sin, or even a loved one. Sometimes we have to step back and ask ourselves who is first in our lives, God or an idol? As a Christian you don’t have to find yourself empty handed or alone in life if Jesus is your priority. There is no need to idolize what you do have or want because it is simply an object holding no answers to your dilemmas. 

As it says in Isaiah 44:9, “All who make idols are nothing, and the things they treasure are worthless. Those who would speak up for them are blind.” Personally I would avoid going blind by idolizing something flimsy like money or looks. I would prefer to worship an all powerful God. Seasons change, beauty fades, money comes and goes, yet the Lord is eternal. 

Firm Foundation

Logically if you’re building a new house you would choose a secure foundation, not something sandy, so that once your new cottage is built it won’t get washed away due to floods. Your new casa should be built strong so no ocean waves can collapse it. 

This also applies to our walk with the Lord. If you know the Lord you should build yourself up with the Lord. Show that you’re in tune with Him, built on a rock versus the easily collapsing sand. Matthew 7:24-27 says, “Therefore, whosoever hearth these things of Mine and doeth them, I will liken him into a wise man who built his house on rock. And the rain descended and the floods came, and the winds came, and the winds blew and beat upon that house and it fell not, for it was founded upon a rock. And every one that hearth these sayings of Mine and not doeth them shall be likened unto a foolish man who built his house upon the sand.” You want to be strongly built for the Lord, to live for Him, not building your house on sand just because everyone else is. With one tsunami your coffee cups and your book shelves are all drenched and gone. 

“Jesus You’re my firm foundation, I know I can stand secure

Jesus You’re my firm foundation, I put my hope in Your holy word

I put my hope in Your holy word

You’re my firm foundation

You’re the rock of my salvation

You’re my firm foundation.”

-Firm Foundation

By John Chisum

Take a Froggy Leap

The conclusion of this book is so beautiful. All the crazy havoc that took place is not going to stop the lovely ending which will still occur. Certainly there are times when you are able to take an easy frog leap to the next lily pad of life, yet there still exists the lonely moments when you don’t move with enough confidence. You can try to leap on your own, however, it would be much simpler if you just wait for the wind to blow it closer. 

Waiting shouldn’t be done begrudgingly or because we are forced to, it should be done with grace. If we truly trust in the Lord’s plans we know He will cause the wind to blow that lily pad towards us. We should just patiently wait, what’s the hurry? We can just stretch out in the sun and know God has it handled. 

So the next time we are impatiently waiting, may the Lord deliver this encouraging viewer. Psalms 27:14’”Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and then He shall strengthen your heart. Wait I say on the Lord”.

Shields, What Are They Good For?

A helmet wouldn't protect your whole body, we need something with more protection like a shield. For when arrows are shot into the air, a helmet will only save your head while a shield will guard the body. Though currently not being used in earthly warfare we do face arrows in the spiritual battle. Temptation, anger, sadness, depression; these are the weapons of choice from our enemy. 

Someone is always on the prowl waiting for the most opportune time to attack, this would be the very cryptic devil. Therefore, we are always in need of a shield, and we have access to the best supplier of this tool, the Lord! As He says in Genesis 15:1, "After this the Lord came to Abram in a vision: 'Do not be afraid Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward.'"

This great reward is the new life in heaven and God's protection on this earth. Through this you can inspire people to look to the Lord always during any spiritual battle. 

What a Doggone Mess

This mess you’ve allowed to grow is going to take about three vacuums to clean up. What a mistake it was to let the dogs in after they’ve been gallivanting in the mud, I better have my cleaning shoes on for this one, not my fancy shoes. Since there is so much dirt I don’t want to sacrifice my good pair when my dirty ones are ready for such an event. I have some always ready for every activity, yet the most important shoes (and most stylish) comes from the peace found in God. As it says in Ephesians 6:15, “And with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.” I could even call these my holy heels, they help me look good and stand firm through all. And the gospel of peace through Jesus helps vacuum the dirt in life. It’s always nice having my spiritual vacuum ready to help me tackle the multiple piles of dirt in life. 

The Proper Tools

Taking a butter knife to a steak does not do the job, for if you’re cutting into a freshly barbecued piece of meat it would be highly annoying if you decided to use a butter knife. You were all ready to enjoy that steak, and you assumed you would get a tool that could do the job properly, but then find yourself disappointed when you learn it cannot.

We have hope that all these annoyances in life will pass; how sweet it will it be if you’ve given yourself to Jesus Christ making it easy to live this topsy turvy life. Like taking the incorrect knife over to cut your steak, even though it may be the most petite mistake you’ve made, this is simply the prelude to peace in Heaven. No matter what mistakes we’ve make, we know we have the promise that the list of our mistakes will be wiped clean. As it says in 1 Corinthians 15:42 “So also is the resurrection of the dead: it is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption.” Living in this life as the verse says we are born into corruption, yet after we deal with our mishaps, then (if we’ve given ourselves to Christ) we will launch into a space of incorruption.

Give a Hoot, Let’s Pray

Want to be as wise as an owl? Reading Biblical books is always good, but there is a step further to take to attain infinite wisdom, ask God for it. Perhaps He will draw you to a section of the Bible which promotes you to gain wisdom. Or you may run into an old companion who God uses to tell you exactly what you needed to hear.  James 1:5 says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” Once you gain this wisdom if you start hooting like an owl you may get asked to leave wherever your hooting at. So maybe avoid doing that and just become wise with prayer, no hoots are necessary!