inspiration from a pastor's wife
Post on 11-Mar-2016
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A Great Calm The tornado was moving very swiftly and I could see it coming, but there was
no place to hide. Suddenly it hit the vehicle I was in and I was horrified. The
van began to shake and I cried out in prayer to God for help. Immediately
everything became calm and then I awoke.
For years I continued to dream of tornadoes. The scen would be different but
the message theme always remained the same. I would see the tornado’s funnel
cloud, I would feel the shaking and see the surrounding destruction, but when I
would pray there would be a calm.
I felt the Lord was saying to me that there were some very great storms ahead,
but in the end I would always be fine as I trusted in Him.
In Mark 4:37-41 we see that Jesus and His disciples were on a ship, when a
great storm of wind arose. The waves beat the ship and it was now full of
water, but Jesus was asleep in the back on a pillow. This sounds pretty
comfortable doesn’t it?
The disciples could not understand. They questioned His concern. “Master,
carest thou not that we perish?” But the Bible says that He arose and rebuked
the wind and said unto the sea, “ Peace, be still.”
He spoke to the situation and there was a great calm. This great storm in verse
37 became a great calm in verse 39, at the word of the Lord.
We will all face storms of some type in our lives. Storms of loss, ill health,
lack of finances, emotional turmoil, the list is endless. Some may even
question, “ Master, carest thou not that we perish?”
The answer is yes, He does care. And just as He spoke to their situation He will
speak to yours.
When you do not know where to turn, you do not have to wake the Master as
the disciples did, for He is not asleep. Psalm 121:4 says, “Behold, He that
keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.”
He sees your need even now as you read this. Yes, He will speak to your
situation, if you will speak to him in prayer.
And when the Master says, “Peace be still,” your great storm can be a great
calm.
R. Nix
ARE YOU READY?
Years ago, as a teenager, I memorized a poem that was published in a
now discontinued Church of God magazine called, “The Lighted
Pathway.” The poem makes an imprint on my heart even to this day. It
goes something like this:
If the Lord should come in the summer
could I answer His call
Or would I say Lord I’m not ready
why didn’t you come in the Fall
By Fall, school will be started
I will have returned from the lake
I’ll return to thy house by then Lord
my duties by then I will take
Summer is time for relaxing
who can deny me this rest
Come Fall, Winter, or Spring Lord
I promise to thee my best
Lord, you know I had not intended
the oil from my vessel to slip
Wait I’ll run to my neighbor
and borrow oil enough for the trip
Quickly I ran to my neighbor
alas he had none to spare
And while I ran to the merchant
the saints went up in the air
Watch therefore and be ready
the Season to us is unknown
Jesus is true to His promise
He shall return for His own.
Scripture: Matthew 25: 1 - 13
Jesus is coming soon. Are you ready?
Back On Course I was returning from an early morning walk one day
to find a sparrow sitting beside my doorstep. She
made no effort to move although I was only inches
away from her. It was obvious that although she
looked perfectly intact, something was wrong. I
thought of the scripture that says the Lord sees the
sparrow when it falls and I prayed for the little bird.
We usually had been feeding the birds every day
just a few feet from where she was but since she
couldn’t move, I put some close to her. She didn’t
budge. I went on about my way still thinking what
could be wrong.
After a few minutes, I remembered that while I was
walking I had heard a loud thud. When I inspected
my kitchen window, sure enough, there were bird
feathers on the glass above her.
I checked her again, this time her eyes were open
and she turned her head as if just waking up to her
surroundings. Then it dawned on me, she had been
in shock. In a few minutes, I checked out the
window again and she was gone.
As the day wore on, I felt the Lord speak to me out
of this. I thought how many times we think the way
is clear, no doubt like that little bird, and fly on hard
and fast as we can only to meet up with an obstacle
that stops us in our tracks and may even put us in
shock. During these times we are oblivious to the
activity around us, refusing to eat, etc. However,
like the little bird, if we wait just a little while, the
Lord who saw us fall will also re-orient us and put
us back on course.
Rhonda Nix
BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE
Have you ever been lost as a child? Let me tell you from first hand
experience, it is super scary.
I have this micro-second memory of being lost from my mother in a
large department store in Huntsville Alabama. I was probably three or
five years old. I remember after realizing I didn’t know anyone around
I began screaming and crying when a beautiful lady came and stooped
down, looked into my face and tried to comfort me. It was about then
my mother walked up and I knew I was ok. I was found.
The reality may have been that this lady was just plain and homely, but
I remember her ( years later) as a beautiful lady.
She had had compassion on me and took a minute to stop to help me
find my way.
How many of us can share similar stories in the spiritual sense? I know
I can and I’m sure you can also.
You may have been lost, alone, or frightened when someone took time
to stop, comfort you, and help you find your way.
People who had a kind word at the right time, encouraged you, visited
you, loved you, prayed for you or whatever it was you needed at the
time. They were there. These people will always be beautiful to you.
The person who told you of Jesus hand won you to the Savior should
be a most beautiful person to you.
Romans 1:15 says, “…..How beautiful are the feet of them that preach
the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!”
Why not make a special effort to go by, call, or write these people a
special thank you for being a beautiful person in your life because you
once was lost, but now your found.
Rhonda Nix
Everything’s O.K. Is everything o.k. Randy? The man asked. It was approximately 11:00 p.m. one
night as my brother Randy and his wife, Debra, were traveling. the 4 hour trip
from Atlanta to North Alabama.
Debra had been to Emery hospital for a melanoma cancer treatment and
approximately one hour from their house and in an area where they knew no
one, she had became so sick that he had pulled off to the side of the road. It was
then that this stranger unknown to this day pulled up beside them and said
either “Is everything ok Randy?’ or “everything’s ok Randy.” My brother
wasn’t sure which, but either way one thing he was sure of and that was that he
did not know who this person was.
So how did they know him by name at 11:00 at night in a strange location? I
personally believe this was a ministering angel that night sent to encourage
them during that most difficult time.
Heb. 1:14 speaking of angels says, “Are they not all ministering spirits sent
forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of Salvation?”
God is truly working on our behalf. And while I do believe He can use
ministering angels, I also believe He will use everyday people, ordinary
circumstance, unusual situations, even upsetting obstacles, or any other means
He so chooses to bring about His perfect plan for you.
Do not be dismayed or fearful of the things you are going thru or the things you
will face. For God Himself has promised to never leave you nor forsake you.
So, how is it with you?
Is everything o.k.?
I can just imagine the Savior’s voice as He says to you, “Everything’s o.k.”
HE’S AN ON-TIME GOD “You’re late, where have you been?” the security officer asked.
“Excuse me, but I don’t know you sir.” I replied as I approached the
entrance door to the office building.
“We’ve been looking for you since 8 o’clock this morning.” he
continued.
“I’m sorry, but I don’t know who you are.” I again replied.
As I entered the crowded room and was meet by another officer I
realized the first one was indeed joking and making light of what could
be a stressful day. I don’t know if that office operates by appointments
or not but if so, it was obvious they were running late. I, on the other
hand, had no appointment, therefore could not be late and furthermore
had I been, “that” late I would have been too humiliated to show up at
all.
You’re late. Is it possible this is how Mary thought Jesus should feel
after their brother and His close friend, Lazarus, had died. After he
became sick, they immediately thought to turn to Jesus for help. After
all, He’d helped and healed others, even strangers, surely He’d drop
everything for Lazarus, his beloved friend.
But man’s reasoning was not God’s planning. Why Jesus even stayed
two more days in the place where he was after hearing Lazarus was
sick. The Lord knew Lazarus would have to go thru something (mainly
death) before He cam and God’s great power to raise the dead would be
shown. St. John II.
Today, you may be going thru a frightful situation with hard times and
not knowing which way to turn. You’ve called on the Lord and thought
surely He would have been here by now. Let me encourage you today
to know that He is very aware of your circumstance. He may be
allowing you to go thru some things that when He does come visibly,
His power of deliverance will be greater seen.
I believe in being on time for appointments, work, meetings, church,
etc. As best I can and I believe that the Lord expects us to respect
others time as well.
However, we all know the Lord’s timing and ours is not the same.
Some say, “He may not come when you call Him but He’ll come on
time.” I tend to believe He always comes when we call Him and always
on time.
He’s an on time God, yes He is.
R. NIX
HOPE IS THERE
New Year’s Day is exciting to me. It represents a clean slate of 12 months to
work on the many things that I didn’t quite accomplish over the months
before.
Hebrew 11:1 says, “ Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the
evidence of things not seen.” We often focus on the faith part of this verse,
but hope is there too.
I Corinthians 13:13 says,”And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three;
but the greatest of these is charity.” Here we often put emphasis and focus on
charity or love, but hope is there too.
Hope is important and there are many references in scripture regarding it.
Take away a person’s hope and you may have defeated them but with it, they
are not quite conquered.
These people need encouraging. They need to hear a message of hope, that
there can be another chance, that change is coming, that new beginnings can
start anytime or any day of the year, and most of all that hope is there.
Maybe your are one of the people who need hope today. Hope that your
prayer will be answered, that your problem will be solved, that your need will
be met, your crisis will end, or yur loved ones will be saved. The list could go
on but none of these things are beyond hope. Hope is there.
In some, hope means much more than the success of a new year’s resolution.
To some it means life or death. To the Christian it also points to the time of
Christ’s return.
Titus 2:13-14 says, “ Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing
of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ ; who gave himself for us, that He
might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people,
zealous of good works.”
The Lord is surely going to return soon and whatever it is that we hope to
accomplish we must do quickly. While we can have high hopes that our new
leafs and resolution will work this time, our greatest hope should be in the
Lord.
And for those who may feel there is just too many failures behind them to
even try again, let me tell you, hope is there.
NO WEAPON
Imagine with me that as a group of American young men get ready to go to war
in Iraq, Afghanistan, or some other distant place in the world, they are about
ready to be shipped out when they are told, “we’re so sorry boys, we’ve ran
short and we just don’t have any weapons to send with you. The last group
shipped out took the last ones. But go on anyway, do the best you can.”
We know this is ridiculous because it will never happen. Neither does the Lord
send His troops into the battle unarmed. He tells us in Ephesians 6:10-20 such
things as “Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might(v11) Put on the
whole armor (v12) we wrestle (v13) do everything to stand (v16) quench fiery
darts” etc.
This certainly sounds like warfare going on and there is a christian armor to put
on. However, the truth of the matter is there is enemy fire and there is
retaliation for satan also uses weapons, weapons of intimidation, hindrance,
doubt, gossip, fear, temptation, pride, judgementalism, rebellion, liberalism,
anger, resentment, strife, the list is endless.
If he cannot get the christian to yield to these temptations, others will and will
come against them in these attitudes. During these times of battle, we are not to
fight within our own abilities or natural tendencies. 2 Cor. 10:4 says, “For the
weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty through God to the pulling
down of strongholds.” I believe our most powerful weapons are prayer and the
word of God. There is an invisible power source behind these.
A few years ago a popular christian novel, “This Present Darkness” told of a
spiritual warfare going on in the heavenlies. As the story unfolded, you could
almost see this happening. If our spiritual eyes were really open to this, what
might we see?
Daniel 10:12-13, Daniel prayed and the answer was 21 days in coming because
of a hindrance. But the answer did come and the victory was won. For we are
promised in Isaiah 54:17, “No weapons formed against us shall prosper.”
No matter how hard you battle becomes, you can make it through. For the
weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty through God to the pulling
down of strongholds.” 2 Cor. 10:4.
Remember, we may lose a battle now and then, but we’ve already won the
war.
R. Nix
POINT OF CONTACT To my knowledge she never attended our church. At least not while Bro. Nix
and I were there to pastor the church. But her family were members of the
small country community where our church was located and several of our
church folk knew them.
Jane,(not her real name), was both mentally and physically handicapped and
although it was difficult her mother faithfully cared for her every day. But in
spite of her good care, one day she became ill and began to run a high fever.
Somehow I had heard that Jane loved chocolate cake and although I didn’t
know how they felt about prayer cloths and anointing with oil, I decided I could
use this cake as a point of contact for her healing. So I baked it, prayed over it,
anointed it, and sent it to her.
A few day later, as several of the church ladies were talking, the lady who
delivered the cake said something like, “you know, when I walked in the door
with the cake her fever was breaking.” I smiled to myself because the lady who
delivered my cake knew nothing of my prayer over it.
Prayer cloths and points of contact are not new methods of the contemporary
ways.
Acts 19:11-12 says, “And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul:
So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and
the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them.”
R.W. Shambach tells of a woman who was in an insane asylum. The doctors
had tried and failed and probably thought this was her final outcome. However,
somebody took charge of her situation when she could not. They informed Bro.
Shamback that she needed prayer and that she loved candy. So, he did
something out of the ordinary. He took candy, anointed it, prayed over it, and
sent it to her. Later, he was introduced to her by her sister and she was again in
her right mind.
Oral Roberts used to have people lay their hands on their TV. as he was praying
for their healing.
These were points of contact. A simple act of faith to release their faith. Our
own local church has had several incidents where prayer cloths have been used
and the Lord has healed and protected. The Pastor keeps a supply of these and
they are available upon requests. You may know someone who needs salvation,
or a healing, a job, protection, or miracle of any kind. They may have never
heard of a prayer cloth. Why not send them one? You may even stand in for
them in prayer. They may not know to stand in for themselves, or may not even
be able to. Take charge of their situation.
After all, you may be their only Point of Contact. R. Nix
Stay Focused “Oh, no! Sister Fern you’ve got to be kidding!” Later, I would realize how
inappropriate my response was for surely no one would joke about such a
serious matter.
“Sister Nix,” she said weeping, “ I’ve just lost everything I own. My house is
burning down.”
My heart went out in great compassion, and I began to cry and pray for her.
Brother Nix was not at home at the time but when he returned we immediately
went to her.
I’ll never forget as we drove up seeing her sit in her front yard helplessly as the
firemen worked to take control of the situation.
After a while we were all allowed to walk thru the charred remains. I’ll also
never forget the sights and smells as the pain and reality of the great loss really
began to set in.
However, Sister Fern had faith in God and although it was hard, as the months
passed, things began to look up as they began to repair what they could and put
their lives back together.
Most all of us will experience the pain of some kind of loss in our lives. It
could be a house fire where you lose all you’ve worked for, but it could also be
another kind of loss, some of which could be worse.
What about the loss of a loved one in death, the loss of a spouse in divorce, the
loss of one’s health, financial future, or even the loss of hope in severe
depression.
Phil 3:7 -8 “But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.
Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the
knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I suffered the loss of all things,
and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ.”
Regardless of what losses we may experience in life, we can be assured that to
hold to Christ is our greatest possession.
Because Matt. 16:26 says, “For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the
whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for
his soul?”
Insurance companies flourish as people strive to insure and protect most
everything they have. There are policies for your health, life, car, house,
belongings, etc. even supplemental policies for policies. But in spite of all
these, loss still makes its unwelcome visit. Yes, losses do still come and while
some losses can be replaced, many other cannot. Although some losses come,
none of us like to dwell on it.
I Tim. 6:6 says, “But godliness with contentment is great gain.”
So, let’s stay focused on the gain. R. Nix
SURROUNDED BY MOUNTAINS
“Hey!!! Can we use your phone?” We called out to the women sitting on her country
porch. Surrounded by mountains, we were in the valley below, and it seemed like we
hade stepped “way” back in time.
“There ain’t no phones this side of the creek.” She hollered back. So we walked on down
the road of this remote and unfamiliar area. It was getting late and I was getting scared.
My sister-in-law, sister, and I, all in our teens, had decided we would go cave exploring. However, the old truck we were in had refused to start back up and we found ourselves
stranded. That was years ago and today we often laugh and reminisce about this ordeal
and how we got out of it.
Most of us have stories of a time in our life that things didn’t turn out quite as planned. It
was suppose to be fun and adventuresome but because of an unexpected turn of events, it began to look dreadful, maybe even fearful, certainly not pleasant, but today you too can
reminisce and testify to others of how you came through it.
Life is like that. It is so daily. It is so unpredictable. We plan our days and schedule our
events and just as sure as we do, we know that the plans are all tentative for we cannot
control everything and everyone that, in turn, effects them. Like it has been said,” No man is an island.”
Prov. 21:31 says, “The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the Lord.” We should plan and prepare but ultimately our protection, security, and life is in
the Lord’s hands.
For the uncommitted, some events may just be planned as an adventure for a short time
visit, but they may soon discover that the short visit has potential to become an extended
stay with all signs reading, “no way out, stranded.” In fact, the way out is for help to stop by and rescue them. Like the saying, “sin will take you farther than you want to go and
keep you longer than you want to stay.” Don’t give in under the pressure to find a way
out.
You see, I remember that day we were approached by drunken men who offered to give
us a car ride. We refused and had we not, we may not have arrived home safely like we
did.
My friend, if you have recently had an unexpected change of plans for whatever reason; poor health, job loss, depression, divorce, or death, you name it, remember safety is of
the Lord. You will come through this and although every offer of help may not be God’s
plan, you can be assured that He will rescue those who call upon Him. And, by the way, the valley, although surrounded by mountains, doesn’t cause a break in His
communication lines. Pray.
R. NIX
SURROUNDED BY MOUNTAINS
“Hey!!! Can we use your phone?” We called out to the women sitting on her country porch. Surrounded by
mountains, we were in the valley below, and it seemed like we hade stepped “way” back in time.
“There ain’t no phones this side of the creek.” She hollered back. So we walked on down the road of this remote
and unfamiliar area. It was getting late and I was getting scared.
My sister-in-law, sister, and I, all in our teens, had decided we would go cave exploring. However, the old truck
we were in had refused to start back up and we found ourselves stranded. That was years ago and today we
often laugh and reminisce about this ordeal and how we got out of it.
Most of us have stories of a time in our life that things didn’t turn out quite as planned. It was suppose to be fun and adventuresome but because of an unexpected turn of events, it began to look dreadful, maybe even fearful,
certainly not pleasant, but today you too can reminisce and testify to others of how you came through it.
Life is like that. It is so daily. It is so unpredictable. We plan our days and schedule our events and just as sure
as we do, we know that the plans are all tentative for we cannot control everything and everyone that, in turn,
effects them. Like it has been said,” No man is an island.”
Prov. 21:31 says, “The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the Lord.” We should plan
and prepare but ultimately our protection, security, and life is in the Lord’s hands.
For the uncommitted, some events may just be planned as an adventure for a short time visit, but they may soon
discover that the short visit has potential to become an extended stay with all signs reading, “no way out, stranded.” In fact, the way out is for help to stop by and rescue them. Like the saying, “sin will take you farther
than you want to go and keep you longer than you want to stay.” Don’t give in under the pressure to find a way
out.
You see, I remember that day we were approached by drunken men who offered to give us a car ride. We
refused and had we not, we may not have arrived home safely like we did.
My friend, if you have recently had an unexpected change of plans for whatever reason; poor health, job loss,
depression, divorce, or death, you name it, remember safety is of the Lord. You will come through this and although every offer of help may not be God’s plan, you can be assured that He will rescue those who call upon
Him. And, by the way, the valley, although surrounded by mountains, doesn’t cause a break in His
communication lines. Pray.
R. NIX
TAKE NOTE
Those of you who are in school or college know that you must
take notes from the teacher, professor, or speaker. There are
some of us who take notes during the sermon. Why do we all do
this? It is a known statistic that we retain only a small percentage
of what we hear. But if we write notes on specific things the
percentage increases significantly.
Many times after being asked to explain key points of a sermon
or lesson, the student is unable to answer. How much greater the
retaining increases if they have taken notes.
Notes can often be referred back to, re-read, reviewed, and
reinforced. They make a mark on our memory, a valuable
resource to draw upon.
Many of us have taken notes without pen and paper, mental
notes upon which we draw today. Notes of how to and not to act.
How many of us can recall the name, even now as you read this,
of a parent, teacher, friend, mentor, or fellow Christian, whoever,
that influenced your life? You watched them and were impressed
by their wisdom, knowledge, love, godly life, etc. You took note.
Today you often find yourself remembering or repeating phrases
of people long ago in your past. You are using notes.
As we think about this, let us all realize that people are taking
notes from us. May we ever be aware of our treatment of others,
our attitudes, our tone of voices, our comments, our actions and
our overall example. May we ever show the godly example of
love for John 13:35 says, “By this shall all men know ye are my
disciples if ye have love one to another.”
I encourage you to consider this thought, and “take note”.
R. Nix
THE CHOSEN FEW Scripture: St. Matthew 7:12-14
“Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the
way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in
thereat: because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which
leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.”
Looking at these 2 scriptures, I believe there is an implication that all one has to
do to lead to destruction is “nothing”. Be passive, unconcerned, and careless
like the multiplied millions. The gate is wide to receive them all.
However, verse 14 implies to me that for one to enter the gate that leads to life
there must be something actively done. Mainly seeking, for to “find it” one
must be looking.
So, how do we look for the way that leads to life? We look in God’s Word.
Jesus said, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life.” Anyone who has found
Jesus has found the way.
The Bible also says that not those who say Lord Lord will enter in. But those
who do the will of the Father. Verse 21 “Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord,
Lord shall enter into the kingdom of heaven: but he that doeth the will of the
Father which is in heaven.”
So saying you know Jesus and calling on him in prayer is not enough to get you
thru the narrow gate. Millions do that, that may go the broad way. But few are
obedient, what has He told you to do?
We must be doers of the Word and not hearers only. Verse 24 “Therefore
whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them I will liken him unto
a wise man, which built his house upon the rock.” Verse 26 “And everyone that
heareth these sayings of mine and doesn’t do them not shall be likened unto a
foolish man which built his house upon the sand.”
One will survive, one will be destroyed. Obedience is important and far more
required than the masses would have you believe. They will go thru a wide gate
together with the “in” crowd. They will be surprised to find it’s end destination
is destruction.
But there are the few who will enter the narrow gate.
I don’t know about you but I don’t want to be “one in a million” just one of the
“chosen few.”
R.Nix
The Remedy
We don’t hear the word remedy very much today. We use more modern
terminology like, “Have you got a prescription for that?”
However, people have not always been able to afford insurance to pay for
medicines and they couldn’t financially pay for expensive medicines so they
used a lot of what we have come to know as “home remedies”. How many of
you know what I mean when I say, “home remedies?” How many of you have
actually used them?
We didn’t use odd mixtures for cures when I was growing up. However, we did
have some old time medicines that you seldom hear of today. Who can
remember the mercurochrome, methyl ate, castor oil, or heaven forbid the 666
tonic? And snake oil?
Years ago there were traveling “medicine men” who had strange elixirs, some
of which had no medicinal value, yet people were convinced they did. Doctors
today have something similar to this today. They are known a placebos. The
truth is that medicine today is very expensive and if prices continue to soar, we
may all have to return to some “home remedies”, at least for the physical body.
But how about the spiritual man? We know that Jesus is the Great Physician.
He went about healing people physically and spiritually.
Luke 9:1-2 says, “Then He called His twelve disciples together, and gave them
power and authority over all devils and to cure diseases. And He sent them to
preach the Kingdom of God, and to heal the sick”.
The author, Luke, was himself a physician. Yet he, no doubt, saw hopeless
cases healed by Jesus. Jesus also gave this power to not only the 12 but all of
His children.
The Bible gives man incidents of healing. John 9 congenital problems healed,
Luke 5 acquired disease healed, Luke 8 prolonged illness healed and medical
impossibilities healed. Jesus had the remedy for everyone. James 5:13-15 lets
us know we can pray for the sick and see them recovered.
If we live long enough our bodies will age and we will need remedies, home or
prescriptions. Physically we can try to delay death but that is part of the life
cycle. There’s no remedy for physical death.
But there is a remedy for spiritual death. John 3:16 lets us know that Jesus
Christ is the remedy for spiritual death. He freely offers eternal life if we accept
and live for Him. There is a hope for the lost.
There is a Remedy. R. Nix
THE ROADMAP
They arrived late one night but still we were so glad to see them. It
seems there had been some misunderstanding regarding the map I had
sent them.
Gary and I were pasturing in an area in Arkansas that was known as
flatlands. Miles and miles of farming fields and dirt roads that to me all
looked alike. The locals seemed to know where they all led.
Being a person of details I meticulously wrote out instructions for our
family who planned to pay us a visit. They followed the instructions
correctly all the way to within a few miles of our home. The
instructions said “you will come to a sign that says Leachville to the
right.” So they turned right and drove on. After a while someone said, I
don’t think it was very far after that sign. So, it being dark by now,
someone took a flashlight and read the instructions again.
It did say “you will come to a sign that says Leachville to the right,”
but the next instruction said, “but don’t turn.”
Actually, had they read all the instructions they would have known
their destination, our home, was just beyond this sign.
How many times have we failed to reach our correct destination on
some issue in our lives because we did not read all the instructions of
our Roadmap.
The Bible is our Roadmap. It tells us specific details on how to reach
our correct destination. However, we can’t take just an instruction here
and there. We must read them all and follow them all.
I have heard that the children of Israel’s wandering in the wilderness
was actually only about a two week journey. Disobedience to the Lord
will cause us to take the long way around.
I encourage you to read the Roadmap (Bible) and follow the
instructions because your destination is much closer than you think.
R. Nix
WHAT AM I HERE FOR?
How many of us have not at one time or another went on a search to find
something only to question after arriving, “What am I here for?” We
sometimes then find it helpful to back to where we started out and it often
reminds us of what we were originally setting out for.
There is a lesson in this. For many times people set out in life on a mission for
a specific destination. However, along the way, they are sidetracted and often
forget and end up asking, “For heavens sake, what on earth am I here for?” It
is then that we go back to the beginning goal or basic mission to be reminded.
In the spiritual sense, after salvation, we often set out to do great things for
the Lord. We seek out ways to use our gifts and talents and feel that we are
doing our best to benefit heaven while we are still on earth.
However, as time goes on we must guard against a tendency to become slack
in our first love zeal. On the other hand, overzealousness can lead to burnout,
a feeling of exhaustion that may eventually lead to the question, ‘ For heaven
sake, what am I here for?” Surely not just for all the endless activities.
This leads us to a deep sense of a need to return to basics. The real reason we
are here. What’s the purpose? Our purpose? My purpose? Yours?
Jer. 29:11 says,” For I know that all things work together for good to them that
love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.”
So what am I here for? Well, this question can have at least four different
meanings depending upon which word in the sentence you put emphasis on.
Try it.
What am I here for?
What am I here for?
What am I here for?
What am I here for?
There is an answer to this question because there really is a plan and purpose
somewhere in it all. Don’t be sidetracted. Go back to the original blueprint
plan (God’s word) and get back to the basics.
YOU’VE GOT EVIDENCE The year was approximately 1987-88. The place was Leachville, Arkansas. The landscape was fields and fields of farming flatlands. No hills were anywhere in sight for
had there been they might have helped to block or shield me of this memorable event.
What event you may ask? Well, it’s known by me and Brother Nix as simply, “The dust
storm.” For those of you who have never heard of let alone lived through, a dust storm, le
me explain.
For three days the wind blew very strong. And we could not even see across the road
where lay, of all things, an open field. Vehicles ran with their lights on bright to see and windshield wipers going at full speed in hopes to see better. What was so strange about
this was that there was no rain water involved. It was dry dust.
There was no keeping this out of the small trailer we lived in. The dust blew thru the door
facings or any opening imaginable and it would settle on our kitchen table, in our
bathtub, closets, everywhere at approximately 1/8 - ¼ inch thick. My guess is this would not be much of an exaggeration. It took quite a bit of cleaning to get the dust under
control. I doubt it all ever came out of my new sofa.
Sometime later, my family came for a visit. The dust storm had ceased and I knew they
would never believe my report on it so I had thought ahead and saved evidence. I went to
my closet and brought out a pair of shoes that were covered with dust so thick they could not believe their eyes.
I had always been afraid of storms but I had never seen anything like this one, before nor since. I might add I hope I never do.
You may be facing a storm of unusual events. Storms of life have come and some are not like any other you have ever faced. You have tried to weather them as you always have
with other storms, but this time it is yielding different results.
It will take different measures to clean and get things back together. However, when
things do get back together, save evidence. Save a reminder that you came through it.
Proof it was a real storm but you survived. What am I referring to? I am talking about a testimony.
A testimony is a reminder of what the Lord has done. While telling others, we ourselves are reminded of what the Lord has done.
So testify to God’s deliverance and protection thru the storms. Others may be facing similar events and your overcoming could be an encouragement of theirs.
None of us want to linger in the storms of life. Ps. 55:8 says, “I would hasten my escape from the windy storm and tempest.” But regardless of how we feel about them, they will
come.
While a dust storm does not do the same damage that traditional storms do, there can still
be a big mess to clean up when the dust all settles.
So, I encourage you today that when the storm is over and clean up of the aftermath is
almost done, save a reminder, a testimony of the fact you came through it, others can too, you’ve got evidence.
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