'Some urged me to kill you, but I spared you; I said 'I will not life my hand against you, the Lord's anointed.'
1 Samuel 24:10
A summer in Texas is no picnic. Triple digits mean higher energy bills, bored kids avoiding going outside, unattractive front lawns, and pesky uninvited guests looking for cooler weather.
My kitchen sink was covered with fire ants walking in a single file towards the faucet. It was the second time that day. I made myself absolutely clear of their unwelcomed status by spraying them with insecticide. (sorry insect lovers).
As I watch them scurry in panic, I noticed something quite interesting. Although their life was clearly in danger, some of the ants attempted to pick up a 'wounded comrade' rather than leaving them alone to die!
It was pretty amazing.
Obnoxious these creatures are to say the least, but possessing a lesson we ought to learn from - helping your fellow brother.
If we were to take a step back for a moment and begin to reflect on all the relationships we've established along the way, can we count the times that we've carried a brother instead of trampling over them?
The race for survival whether that means obtaining better material things, grabbing a title/position for fame, or just bobbing your head above the water higher than the rest, can become brutal and will eventually destroy us.
King David understood, that it was not up to Him to attack the man who desired to kill him. He understood that His job was to forgive, comfort, and love the one that God had placed in his path.
I want to make it also clear that trampling over your brother doesn't have to be so obvious. Sometimes allowing ungodly thoughts about others to creep in our mind, can be just as deadly, although we may not make it known to others. When this occurs, we must yank up the weed by its root with Christ as our focus.
Friends, may we remember today, how productive our spiritual lives can be if we only allow ourselves to be like Jesus, who sacrificed His life for 'wounded comrades' who would otherwise be left to die.
PRAYER
Father Almighty, in everything we do, you are the prime example of how our lives should be led. There is none like you and we pray that in each day, that you mold our spirit to become more of you and less of us.
Thank you for your grace. Forever and ever.
Amen.
8/04/2011
8/01/2011
Enticing Friends
"My son, if sinners entice you, don't be persuaded...It is foolish to spread a net where any bird can see it, but they set an ambush to kill themselves; they attack their own lives." proverbs 1:10; 17-18
I remember each summer, usually near the time school was about to start again,how my mother would always pray with my sister and I about the friends God would be putting on our way that school year. She always prayed that we would have friends who would build us up and not down, who would know Him too, and that way not be a bad influence on us, but a positive one. My son has not started school yet, however, my not-so-little sister will be starting her Junior year, this coming Fall Semester and my precious, defenseless nephews, will be starting a new school. It is true that what you are taught you too will imitate, and I too have imitated this prayer for my sweet nephews and sister.
I am sure each of us have some level of anxiety as our children begin the school year, but we must remember to instruct, talk, and pray with them, about potential friendships that they will have to end or not make due to the consequences they can have on their little but so very important lives.
As we lecture and pray for our children, we too must consider the relationships we have made along the way. Yes, we are no longer children, but that does not mean that bad influences cannot creep into our lives as adults. Do not be persuaded by friends who entice you to do something you know does not feel right and is not right! We all have friends who do not believe in God, and that is okay, we must reach out to them, but do not allow them to change you. You will be invited to go to clubs or bars for a birthday bash or a promotion celebration, but remember always what the wisdom of God declares, "don't be persuaded...It is foolish to spread a net where any bird can see it, but they set an ambush to kill themselves; they attack their own lives." Do not make a trap for yourself to fall into and later not be able to get out of it. So many Christians I know, proclaim they can walk into a club and since God lives in their heart, they will not drink or sin! God never asked them to do this and saying YOU CAN do that, is trusting on their own strength and depending on themselves and not God.
The instructions your parents gave you as kids regarding the type of friends you were and were not to make are still ever so important as adults. If you feel that ever since hanging out with a certain friend you gossip more, lie more, curse more, and even do things you never did before, distance yourself self from that relationship before, like the Word of God says, "you attack your own life."
I remember each summer, usually near the time school was about to start again,how my mother would always pray with my sister and I about the friends God would be putting on our way that school year. She always prayed that we would have friends who would build us up and not down, who would know Him too, and that way not be a bad influence on us, but a positive one. My son has not started school yet, however, my not-so-little sister will be starting her Junior year, this coming Fall Semester and my precious, defenseless nephews, will be starting a new school. It is true that what you are taught you too will imitate, and I too have imitated this prayer for my sweet nephews and sister.
I am sure each of us have some level of anxiety as our children begin the school year, but we must remember to instruct, talk, and pray with them, about potential friendships that they will have to end or not make due to the consequences they can have on their little but so very important lives.
As we lecture and pray for our children, we too must consider the relationships we have made along the way. Yes, we are no longer children, but that does not mean that bad influences cannot creep into our lives as adults. Do not be persuaded by friends who entice you to do something you know does not feel right and is not right! We all have friends who do not believe in God, and that is okay, we must reach out to them, but do not allow them to change you. You will be invited to go to clubs or bars for a birthday bash or a promotion celebration, but remember always what the wisdom of God declares, "don't be persuaded...It is foolish to spread a net where any bird can see it, but they set an ambush to kill themselves; they attack their own lives." Do not make a trap for yourself to fall into and later not be able to get out of it. So many Christians I know, proclaim they can walk into a club and since God lives in their heart, they will not drink or sin! God never asked them to do this and saying YOU CAN do that, is trusting on their own strength and depending on themselves and not God.
The instructions your parents gave you as kids regarding the type of friends you were and were not to make are still ever so important as adults. If you feel that ever since hanging out with a certain friend you gossip more, lie more, curse more, and even do things you never did before, distance yourself self from that relationship before, like the Word of God says, "you attack your own life."
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