Devastated
The elements will be destroyed by fire. – 2 Peter 3:10
The smell of smoke and ash filled the air, choking out the breath in my lungs. But that wasn’t why my eyes began to water. Sitting on the cold, wet pavement just up the road was a young woman, wailing and sobbing.
My brother came rushing in the door moments before. “Get out here, QUICK!” Confused and seeing the obvious excited panic in his eyes and went to the door in my socks. Not 500ft from my house flames licked the cold night sky. They stretched far out the top of the roof in the front, smoke billowing out from underneath the shingles in the back.
It’s a sickening feeling knowing your helpless. I had heard the fire horn about 30 minutes before but thought nothing of it until now. As I walked down towards my neighbors house I was struck by two things, the crying and the massive amount of help that had been called in. Blocking off the main road through town were 7 fire engines from 4 towns.
After much discussion with a few neighbors we thought maybe they could use some help. It was December 22, 2 days before Christmas, and they had lost everything. I walked over to ask if they could use some blankets or jackets. A young man refused, you could see the hurt in his eyes. I went back to my house and sat on the steps outside watching the firefighters put out the flames feeling very helpless. Fighting the idea in my mind I trudged upstairs and started pilfering through my closet. I found a few fleece sweatshirts and a jacket and made my way back downstairs. The walk back to the end of the road was a long one. I fought the voices in my head, “Don’t do it, you look like an idiot. He already said no. Everyone will see.” I remembered a verse: Sell your possessions and give to the poor.(Matthew 19:21). I walked on, handing him the jackets. He said thanks as he passed them out to his family and I went home.
It was the only thing I could do. There wasn’t any words to say that would make everything better. I prayed for them as I drove over to my parents house later that night.
There are no firefighters in hell. The fire never goes out, the crying never stops. It’s devastating losing your home and all of your possessions I’m sure. How much more to lose your life for eternity? We are called to be fishers of men, not reclusive Christians. I struggle every day with sharing my faith and helping others. It was in that moment though that I realized I would have given them anything I had if they asked. Then it struck me, Jesus gave them His life.
If my house had burnt down I may have cried a little but it wouldn’t have been so bad because I have Jesus. Everything is under control with Him and I have hope always regardless of the situation. It’s in stark contrast to what an unbeliever goes through when bad things happen. Always be prepared to give an answer for the hope you have(1 Peter 3:15).
This fire made me appreciate the material things I have, the God I serve, and the blessings and protections He’s given me through the years. It also made me think about what others don’t have and the hope that is lost without Jesus Christ.
There are no firefighters in hell, but we should all be preventative firefighters on earth. Only you, knowing the truth, can prevent fires. God ultimately puts the fire out, by cleansing us of our sins and saving us from hell. As Christians we can do our part here on earth. Give those who don’t know the truth a smoke alarm. Share with them, give them a glass of water, give them your bible…pray for them. In these small things you may unknowingly prevent a massive wildfire.
Don’t freak out!
For nothing is impossible with God. – Luke 1:37
I went to leave for work today and there was an odd white ring around my tire. I took a closer look and my wear bars were showing. A very bad sign and not something I should drive to work on. Okay, no problem I told myself.
I called my mother who works for a tire company and got an appointment to get new tires. I can’t really afford them but it’s a need not a want at this point. With my appointment set I called work and told them I’d be working from home.
As I sat on the computer doing the work thing I noticed my thermostat wasn’t on. It turns off when the furnace is blowing so I didn’t think much of it until the blower stopped and it still wasn’t on. Ooops, heat stopped working! It’s 20 degrees out, it’s a week before Christmas, and I have no heat!
Ok, no problem, call up a friend who does heat repair and see if he can figure out my problem. 3 hours later I still had no word back. I started up a space heater and the stove to try and keep up at least for a while, with the cold.
I was okay for the most part until the lull when you just have time to think. You start stressing about how you’re going to afford it, what your gonna do tonight in the cold. Then as I started to freak out I realized my God is so big. This is no big deal for him.
Satan doesn’t come at you like a house cat. He comes at you like a roaring lion looking to devour you. Oh the tires weren’t enough? how about if your heat breaks in your house? Will you curse God now?
I was sharing with a friend last week about trials and the way we are called to handle them. 1 Peter 4:12 says “Don’t be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering…” It was a comfort and a reassurance to them to stand strong for Christ. In a way, He was preparing me for today. “Don’t freak out! I’m here.”
Why now? Because here is the perfect opportunity to test me. With the stress of Christmas, medical bills, and all the other things going on lumping car and house breaking in should make me denounce my faith right? Wrong. I’m at a different place. Satan’s only making me stronger. He’s making me realize just how big my God is.
Nothing is impossible. I’ll get through this problem, just like the last one, and just like the one that’s coming next. No problem is to big or small for our God. Try him out, you won’t be disappointed.
Red Rover, Red Rover
The Farmer sows the word. -Mark 4:14
Have you ever played red rover as a kid? It’s a recess game, with two teams facing each other, their hands interlocked. Each team takes turns calling someone over to try and break through the chain. I’d like to view it in another light.
As Christians we have a tendency to form an impenetrable wall. We interlock hands with each other and hold on for dear life. When someone new comes along and tries to break in to our group we resist. Even as Christians Satan can use us for evil. Jesus communed with sinners(Mark 2:16-18). They need Him more than we who are already saved.
We are all farmers, chosen to plant seed. It’s amazing then that we feel our only charge is to throw the seed around and hope it sticks. Does a farmer whip seed all over his field and go back months later for the harvest? In contrast, he plants it, he waters it, he plows it, he takes care of it.
If we allow Christ to work in our lives He’ll give us those opportunities. There’s a time when we will plant and in His perfect time that seed will germinate and begin to grow. When it does we can’t sit idly by and hope for the best.
A friends mother got saved last week. We met her when I was 7-8 years old. We lost touch when I was around 12 and didn’t see them again until 4 or so years later. Our path’s kept intersecting. As a kid you don’t really think of those things. Who would have thought 18yrs after we met she would come to church and be saved? Not me. God knew. Her name had been written in the Lambs Book of Life.
I don’t particularly remember doing anything specific but it got me thinking about the interactions I have today. Do I make the extra effort to include everyone? If I plant a seed, do I follow through and water it? Do I remind them to come to church? Do I encourage them to come out with other Christians even if it will feel a little awkward? Even if a swear or inappropriate comment might slip out?
Like a baby, the only way a new Christian is ever going to get off milk and eat real food is with patience and practice. If I don’t offer solid food how will they survive?
It’s very convicting to realize the trap has been laid and you walked right in to it. How could I be so arrogant to think I could just throw the seed and be done? I am no better than a new Christian. I was in their shoes once. I am a sinner. We need to help out and welcome them with open arms. We need to take care and watch until they have rooted themselves.
Just like red rover except when we call them over, let them in and then join hands with them. Pray for those who don’t know Christ. Pray for those new to the faith. And when you can, give them a drink of water.
Black Ice
As I was heading in to church yesterday an usher who helps with parking came sliding over as fast as he could scurry towards my car. He urged me to back up and park somewhere else as the spot I had coveted right there in the front was covered in slick ice.
Turns out the salt truck had not yet showed up and the entire parking lot was coated in a layer of clear ice ready to take down anyone willing to venture on it. I carefully made my way around the ice through a carefully thought out path, around some cars, up a few spots, and then back down towards the church entrance.
On my way out of church I noticed the salt on the ground. The truck had come and most of the ice was slowly melting away. I didn’t take a second thought as I walked out towards my car. My left foot suddenly slipped out from under me. My arms went sprawling out to the sides for balance, my back tightened for the fall. As I feared the inevitable, my right foot caught a patch of salted snow and ice and I was planted securely on two feet again.
What are the characteristics of black ice? It’s clear. It appears to be something it’s not and when you step out on it you risk serious injury. Pretty Basic. Why then should we not be even more careful in our actions? Sin looks so good, and always appears to be something it’s not. it comes on subtly. This little bit isn’t bad…then suddenly your neck deep in a world of hurt. Maybe that first step wasn’t sin, but that second and third were.
Don’t open the door with a suspect action if it even COULD lead to sin. Learn to say no to the smaller things that seem insignificant and you’ll avoid some larger problems.
2 Corinthians 11: 14-15 says: “…for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness.” They make it seems as though it is okay, it is good. And before you know it you step out and it wasn’t pavement at all, it was black ice, and down you go.
This earth is full of pitfalls. In a world covered in black ice we need to be salt as the Lord calls us to be. As salt we are abrasive but salt also breaks down that black ice. You can trample all over black ice if it’s covered in salt. So to, be salt to an unbelieving world. Conquer your struggles/sin. If you are salt then your walking with Jesus daily. In walking with Jesus daily you are more keenly aware of wrong and right and more likely to resist the devil’s temptations.
When you find yourself not being salt and you step out and slip on that ice Jesus is right there to catch you. He’ll help you balance and get through. And if you should fall? He kneels down and picks you up.
So as winter comes here in the northeast be careful! Keep a watchful eye for black ice, for sin that masquerades as good. Be vigilent, and if you see someone fall, do as Jesus would and pick them up.
Roller Coaster
Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering. -1 Peter 4:12
At the end of every school year my tiny Christian school would have an outing to a small amusement park about an hour from us. There was nothing great about the park, mostly kiddie rides, but they did have one ride all us older kids loved to get in line for.
“The White Roller Coaster”. It wasn’t much to look at, an old school roller coaster made of wood. There aren’t many of these vintage coasters laying around anymore. It was rickety, it was noisy, and no matter how many times you rode it you always felt like this time could be your last and the cars could go flying off into the parking lot.
There are four phases I see: The Anticipation, The Ride, The End, The Do-Over.
The White Roller Coaster was right inside the main gates so once you got in it was a mad dash to get in line as there was always a wait. There’s always that feeling of euphoria and anticipation as you wait in line. Jittery excitement takes over as you can’t wait to get in a car and start the ride. “This is gonna be awesome. I can do this!” You’re nervous, but at the same time psyching yourself up.
I loved to sit in the back car. The back car was always the scariest. It shook more violently side to side nearly coming off the tracks. The ride was always the scariest part, whipping around turns, up 10 stories, rushing back down to earth; The screams cascading back from the front and the wind in your face. Even though you knew you were safe, there was always this “what if” scenario.
As the cars slowed to a halt in front of the operator weren’t you glad to be done? “Phew it’s over, I did it!” I finished the ride, I’m back to where I used to be(safe on the ground).
Ah, then came the do-over. LET’S DO IT AGAIN! The scary unknown was done with and you were ready to face it again. You were safe, it was all in your head, and going again will be just as safe.
You’re waiting in line again…and that pit in your stomach is back…
Isn’t that the way trials are? We start off in anticipation, “I can do all things through Christ“(Phillipians 4:13). We’re pumped, we’re ready to tackle Satan for all he’s worth. We have Jesus. Nothing he can do will break us.
Even as the trial begins, it’s so subtle. This isn’t so bad. God is good, I’m getting through. No big deal(your climbing the first 10 story hill). Then WHAM! You’re dropped 10 stories, you’re whipped blindly around a corner at 70mph. We’re scared, we feel alone, what’s next? This is so much worse than I could’ve imagined! How could this be happening!?
Jesus is with you, but maybe you don’t feel Him. Maybe you don’t see Him sitting there next to you anymore because you’re so focused on what’s in front of you. Maybe you’re saying “DO SOMETHING!” In the back of your mind you know your safe but in the here and now you’re scared. Is that a huge drop coming? Can I get off?
As the ride ends you’re relieved. Thank you Jesus! Thank you for bringing me through. Thank you for teaching me. Thank you for caring for me that much. Ah, I see what that part was for, thank you Jesus, thank you.(1 Corinthians 15:57)
At this point aren’t we all back to square one? The do-over? I’m ready Lord, test me again. I’m stronger I’m better than before. I’ve learned to lean on you that much more. Like Paul don’t we accept the challenge(2 Corinthians 12)?
I had a trial last 2yrs and it was awful. If I think real hard about it I don’t think I would want it again. But it changed my life. It brought me to a place I’d never been before. As I sit here typing away I’m at the end of the ride. I’m saying “Give me more!”. It will be hard, it will be painful, but I’ll be all the better for it. One of my favorite songs says: “Lose your life, just so you can find it”. I couldn’t have put it better myself.
Holding on to long
Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love.
~Romans 12: 9-10
We as a human race have a tendency to hold on to things just a tad to long. How about that favorite t-shirt? The one will the moth size holes all in it. That’s still sitting in your bottom drawer and you’ll pull out every now and then to wear working around the house or working out at the gym. It’s probably time to let go but we have memories, sentimental ones, that we just don’t want to let go.
That may be a very simplistic example but consider this; We all have fleshly desires and pitfalls that regardless of how strong our walk is with God we continue to hold on to. The longer we hold on to these materialist desires the more we are devoured. Matthew 6:19 says “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy”. The longer that shirt stays in your closet the more holes it has. The same goes for your walk with God. Continue holding on to worldly things and you’ll never get as close as you could if you just let go.
My problem lies with relationships in particular. I don’t want to lose that friend and I hold on to long. It drags me down, farther from God and I miss out on some great things. Other times it may not drag me down but creates a mini-trial and some unneeded stress in trying to work through differences. Again in Matthew 26:41 it says “The spirit is willing, but the body is weak”. I desperatly want to hold on. Part of me says “I can change them. I can shine Jesus light on them.” But if I’m honest with myself I know that 1) my flesh is weakness and the darkness will overtake me if I’m not careful, 2) Selfishly I want to keep the relationship.
Some times you have to let go for both of your benefit. It isn’t my job to fix other peoples problems, that’s what God’s for. He’ll work on them and I’m there as a servant to do His will.
Am I saying don’t hang out with non-believers? No, I’m saying limit yourself. Some are stronger than others. I can go to a party where there’s alcohol and not take a sip, other’s can not. Don’t put yourself in a situation where your bound to stumble. Surround yourself with believers to keep you accountable and build you up.
Severing ties to me is one of the hardest things to do, I’m struggling with it as we speak, but with God all things are possible(Mt 19:26).
$500 free at Best Buy
On Black Friday I went down to Best Buy and waited patiently in line all night in search of a GPS system for my car. When I left I had bought a tv and a laptop and picked up a tv for my father. He’s one lucky guy. Sleeping in his warm bed while I waited out in line in the cold all night. Oh, I did get my GPS too.
I love my new tv, it’s very nice and an obvious upgrade over what I had. My dad’s tv…well, not so much. We pulled it out and I set it all up for him but he was disappointed with the picture quality. It was a cheaper model and so I did except somewhat lower quality. The second night he was watching tv and the red flipped out and turned everyone’s faces pink. He had seen enough and I was charged with taking it back.
Yesterday I packed it in my car after church and was off to return it. Best Buy is always an adventure when trying to return things so I wasn’t surprised when I had to wait for 30 minutes while they got a “tech” to look at my tv before they could return it. Back years ago when I worked there “tech” meant you wore a black shirt, and that’s where your qualifications ended.
No surprise then when the tv “was fine” and I probably used poor cables. Frustrated now, I kindly explained that I know bad cables from good ones, having worked there, Circuit City, and Bose. My cashier suddenly became “busy” and a new cashier was brought in to finish the transaction. Weird. I finally got my refund though.
Something told me to check the receipt. I looked down and, ut oh, there’s a problem. They returned MY tv. The one that was twice as expensive. To shorten the story I spoke up and spent an extra 10 minutes in line while they figured out what to do and sorted it all out.
Years ago I would have shut my mouth, justified it in my head as their mistake/problem, and walked right out the door. And honestly, would they have ever even caught it? Probably not. I would have had a nice bonus and free Christmas presents for everyone.
What’s changed? I’m now consistently reading the Word and being convicted by it. I didn’t even think twice when I spoke up and that’s not ‘normal’ for me. I didn’t even need to convince myself to return to the line, the words just came out.
That’s the thing about reading the Bible, it changes your life, literally. You make sound choices in situations you normally wouldn’t have. The Spirit guides you in all things(John 16:13). It’s an amazing thing to know your being watched and protected at all times.
I challenge you if you don’t believe to pick up a bible and spend 5 minutes reading one chapter every day. It’ll change your life.
