Bella and the Barbed Wire

 

 

 

Andy Hollifield, cbn.com

 

"They that observe lying vanities forsake their own mercy." (Jonah 2:8 KJV)

There were no signs she'd dug under it and no reason to think she could've jumped over it uphill. But at the sound of my voice, Bella turned and belly-crawled right back underneath the fence into the pasture like nothing ever happened — never touching the bottom strand.

Bella acted like she owned the pasture and was more like a good dog than a goat. She was always glad to see me, came when I called and followed me all around the pasture. She even headbutted the other goats if they came close. 

What she didn't realize was her escapes set a bad example for the others. It wasn't long until they, too, crawled outside to graze. They picked right beside the fence and went back under when they saw me coming. They didn't realize the boundaries were there for their protection as well as confinement. I wanted them to stay in but also wanted to keep predators out. The spacing of the barbed wire and electric fence was probably adequate to keep predators out.

Two things I learned from goats. One was I didn't want any more, and the other was how much goats and humans have in common. We're both stubborn, strong-willed and determined to do whatever we set our minds to regardless of the danger or consequences. 

Christ didn't put boundaries in his word to be mean. He always knows what lies beyond the fence. On the outside of his boundaries, we're subject to the enemy's attacks. Inside, we can dwell in peace and safety while the Lord keeps the enemy at bay. When we walk with him, he won't let anything harmful come through the fence. When we violate his boundaries, we may suffer consequences that last a lifetime. 

Jonah learned this concept, but not until he was caught in a storm, thrown overboard from a ship and then swallowed by a whale where he stayed for three days and nights. It took all of that before he ever repented. When the Lord released him from the whale's belly, he didn't remove his command. Jonah still went to Nineveh and preached possibly the most remarkable revival meeting in history. The problem was, his heart had become bitter and vindictive, blaming Nineveh for his suffering. He thought because he'd suffered, they should also. Through a couple more hard lessons, God taught Jonah the extent of his mercy — there's no limit if we repent. 

Jonah never enjoyed the fruits of his labor. He preached one sermon, and over 120,000 people repented. His bitterness caused him to forfeit the fellowship and admiration of those people who undoubtedly appreciated his obedience. How pitiful to accomplish that great work and never enjoy how God used him to bring Nineveh to repentance.

Are we willing to stray outside of God's protective boundaries? Are we prepared to sacrifice the blessings of obedience to pick outside the fence?  We'd see things much differently if our family had lived in Nineveh. Are we willing to obey God to see our families repent in the future? God won't send Jonah to them, but he may send you. Have a blessed day in the Lord!

Running Against the Odds

 

 

Byron Bohnert, cbn.com

I am not an advocate of gambling associated with professional horse racing, but I have always been intrigued by the sport. It is referred to as “the fastest two minutes in sports.”

Every year, horse breeders from the United Sates and around the world compete in America’s Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing.

The U.S. Triple Crown consists of the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and the Belmont Stakes. In order to be the champion you have to win all three races in a single season. Every horse owner, trainer, and jockey will do whatever they can to increase their horse’s chance of winning the Triple Crown.

In horse racing, an individual, who is better known as a handicapper must carefully analyze each horse to predict a winner. This method of analysis is called handicapping. It is determined according to the horse’s competition, winning history, the racetrack conditions, and is carried out in advance of every race.

The horses have an obvious advantage over people. They are unable to know their predicted odds or hear what the experts are saying. Racehorses have only been trained to run and ultimately win in the process. When a racehorse is running in a race their eyes are clearly focused ahead.

You and I, unlike a racehorse, tend to allow our lives to be dictated by other people instead of by God. People are limited with their knowledge of what is best for us. But God is not. He always knows best.

We have to shake off every distraction that comes our way because those distractions can hinder us from running the specific race God has chosen.

The end of Hebrews 12:1 says,

“… let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, …” (NIV).

Recently, I learned about a Texas-bred racehorse named Assault. He was the Triple Crown champion in 1946. When Assault was a foal, he accidentally became injured by stepping on a stake. As a result of the injury, his right front hoof was deformed.

He was tagged with the nickname “the Clubfooted Comet” because of the awkward way he walked and galloped. Assault’s athletic ability was not seen until he ran. When he ran he was an amazing spectacle.

In 1945, as a juvenile, Assault ran twelfth in his first career race and only won two of nine races. Assault did not reveal his true racing qualities until the following year. On May 4, 1946, Assault entered the Kentucky Derby as a considerable outsider but won by eight lengths. In the Preakness Stakes a week later, he won the race by a neck. Then, on June 1st of the same year, Assault became the seventh Triple Crown champion when he won the Belmont Stakes by three lengths.

Like Assault, we may not appear to be anything great at the moment; however, that doesn’t mean we are destined for an average life. What will set us apart is our ability to keep pressing on despite the odds.

We can be observant to the problems around us, but not dwell on them. Our focus has to be on Jesus and the knowledge that we are victorious through Him (See 1 Corinthians 15:57).

Paul was a man of great faith and ended his race strong to the finish (See 2 Timothy 4:7). Along the way, Paul encountered many hardships and was honest when he said,

“We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance” (Romans 5:3, NLT).

There is an inner drive within a racehorse that propels them to run. The Spirit of God also propels us to run when we feel like quitting. Regardless of the odds or how difficult the race becomes, our life will continue on unless we stop running. So we must keep running until our race is complete.

From Broken to Beautiful

 

 

Manndi DeBoef, cbn.com

“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” (Psalm 147:3)

Three days ago, I stuffed my Grandmother’s childhood dresser so full that when I pulled the second drawer open, it nearly crumbled to pieces. Thinking it was irreparable, my heart sank to the floor, along with the outpouring of socks, t-shirts and other random contents.

Justin, my sweet fiancé, entered the room Friday evening. He took one look at my dresser and said, “I can fix it.” He spent the entire morning on Saturday running errands to get wood glue, clamps, and whatever else one needs to fix a piece of antique wooden furniture.

Late last night, after bonding for nearly two full days, he brought the drawer to my room. It was as good as new. Perhaps even better. The replacement parts coupled with the strong adhesive breathed fresh new life into my old wooden friend.

So many times in life we simply break. A hurtful word from a well-meaning friend. An unkind gesture from a stranger. A day of giving with no receiving anywhere in sight. It can wear a body down. Yet…

There is always a friend that wishes to fix our broken spirit. To breathe life into our exhausted lungs. To replace, replenish and resource that which was once a whole heart, but somewhere along the way, was tragically shattered in two.

Justin’s gesture of lovingly fixing what I broke is a stark reminder that Jesus is humbly waiting for me to reach out. No matter the situation. No matter the time of day. No matter how deeply, sorely and completely I have messed things up. He wants to fix the situation. He wants to fix me. To make me stronger, better able to function than ever before, able to withstand the pressures and stresses of life. He wants to repair, replace and rejuvenate this weary old soul into something new, beautiful, functional, grateful and full of purpose.

Jesus wants to clean the dirty, tired, no longer usable contents from the remnants of my being and lovingly bond me together again. A new work, a fresh spirit and a stronger vessel to wisely hold the most precious contents my heart could conceive. Just like my treasured antique dresser, this old soul often needs cleansing of the old junk, adhesive to bring the walls back together and bonding time to heal, replenish and renew. From broken to beautiful, Jesus specializes in turning battles to blessings, if only we seek His gentle, loving and healing hand.

“…and provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.” (Isaiah 61:3 NIV)

Choking on the Will of God

 

 

Paul Dailey, cbn.com

God most often speaks to me in analogies. This time was no different. As I was preparing a message for our youth group several weeks ago on “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,” I got a revelation from two different Scriptures.

First, in John 4, is the story of Jesus speaking with the Samaritan woman at the well. His disciples had gone into town to get some food while Jesus stayed behind. When they returned and offered Him something to eat, He replied,

“I have food that you don’t know anything about.” John 4:32 (CEV)

This left the disciples scratching their heads as to what He might possibly mean, so Jesus clarified it for them by saying,

“My food is to do what God wants! He is the one who sent me, and I must finish the work that he gave me to do.” John 4:34 (CEV)

Then, in Psalm 63:1, and again in Psalm 143:6, David iterates his intense longing for the presence of God in these words,

“My soul thirsts for you.”

God had brought him to a dry, deserted, lonely place in his life so that his craving for the presence of God would overwhelm him. That’s often a hard pill to swallow, but it is such good medicine!

After reading these several verses, the Lord began to speak to me in terms I could really understand. Think back to a time in your life when you sat down to a tantalizingly delicious meal. Perhaps it was a perfectly cooked and juicy steak right off the grill, complete with a side of sautéed mushrooms and onions. Or maybe it was that salad that had just the right combination of fresh veggies and topped with that one special dressing that just makes your mouth water. Or imagine being one of the five people left in this country who hasn’t sworn off carbs and there’s that particular dessert you dreamed about one night — you know, the one oozing with chocolate or caramel, smothered in fresh strawberries.

Now, if you just kept eating and eating and eating your favorite food, whatever that might be, and never took a drink, that steak or salad or dessert would quickly lose its appeal, wouldn’t it? Imagine how dry and scratchy your throat would get. The food that once made your head spin with delight is now causing you some potentially life-threatening problems. That’s because the liquids we drink help to coat the food as we get it from the plate to our stomachs.

It works the same in the spiritual as in the natural. Our food is to do the will of God, but it is God’s presence that we thirst for. Too many people have burned out and choked to death on the will of God because they neglected to make regular trips to the river for a drink of the water of life.

Jesus offered the Samaritan woman at the well water that would leave her eternally and completely satisfied. That water is Jesus Himself. Are you living for God at a breakneck pace, trying to do everything He’s called you to do? How long has it been since you stopped and just drank deeply of the presence of God? How long are you going to wait before you answer the Lord’s call to drink the water which will become in you a spring of eternal life?

If you are choking on God’s will, He is calling you to put down your forks, spoons, and knives for just a moment and take a healthy gulp of His presence. Do what the Samaritan woman did and just ask Him for that water. You will be glad you did!

The Best Fort Ever!

 

 

Bill Gaultiere, Ph.D.

“But the Lord has become my fortress, and my God the rock in whom I take refuge.” (Psalm 94:22, NIV84)

One year, when I was a boy, a bad tornado was approaching our home in suburban Chicago. I was watching the weather reports on TV with my parents and younger sisters. This was something we were used to doing in the spring or summer.

But I realized that this time was different when my Dad suddenly exclaimed, “We’re going down to the basement for shelter. Quick! Everyone open up a window and grab a flashlight!”

Each of my parents picked up one of my baby twin brothers and we all made our way downstairs into the basement.

It was scary and exciting at the same time. All seven of us huddled together in the basement, listening to radio reports on the tornado. I asked my dad what would happen if the tornado hit our house and he reassured me, “It probably won’t hit our house, but if it did we’d be safe down here.”

My mom piped in, “It won’t hit our house! In Jesus’ name, it won’t hit our house! I’m praying!”

The tornado actually touched down near our house but it didn’t do any damage. We were safe in the basement!

Building Forts in the Basement
After that, the basement took on greater meaning to me. I loved to go down there. On a hot day, it was cool and damp. On a day when I was bored, it was full of old treasures in boxes to explore. If my sisters and their friends were bothering me, I could go down there where it was quiet to be alone.

But my favorite thing to do when I was a boy was to make forts. I recruited my sisters to join me in this. I got to be the building superintendent, telling them what to do to erect our fort! We used whatever we could find in the basement. We’d find pieces of wood, old chairs, and big boxes for the walls. Then we used bed sheets and towels for the roof.

We were safe in our fort. Safe from the tornado. Safe from “bad guys,” including the communists. (In those days we were afraid that armies from Russia might invade America and try to take us over.)

We’d play in our fort too. I’d bring my GI Joe’s and my sisters would bring their Barbies. But the most fun part was improving on our forts — making them bigger and adding special rooms. One time, our mom even let us bring all the high-back dining room chairs into the basement! It was the best fort ever!

The Lord is our Fort
David, the Psalmist, knew all about finding refuge in forts. His forts were the thousands of caves throughout the wilderness of Israel (see Psalms 57 and 142). Many times he found a cave to hide in when enemies were trying to kill him. He wasn’t just hiding in a cave — he was hiding in the Lord!

“The Lord is our fort” is a good way of wording a frequent prayer of the Psalmist. Ninety times he refers to the Lord as his fortress (or similar words used to refer to the same idea: refuge, shelter, rock, or hiding place.) Nine times he speaks of finding safety “under the wing” of the Lord or “in his shadow.” That’s almost 100 times out of 150 Psalms that the Psalmist speaks of finding refuge in the Lord.

That’s what my sisters and I were doing in the basement: finding refuge in the Lord who answered my mom’s prayers and kept us safe from the tornado.

The best thing about this Fort is that we don’t need to go down to the basement and build it. We don’t need to wait until we get to heaven. Wherever we are, no matter what problems we face or what hardships may befall us, even if we’re injured or dying, we can be in “the secret place” of prayer with Jesus and the Father, finding refuge in the Lord and his Kingdom of the Heavens in our midst (Psalm 91:1; Matthew 4:17, Matthew 6:4, Matthew 6:6, Matthew 6:18).

The Doorman

 

by Ryan Duncan, crosswalk.com

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” – Matthew 11:28

Once upon a time, there lived a wise and righteous king who cared deeply for his people. In order to ensure that his kingdom prospered, the king summoned one of his servants and gave him this decree,

“Go and stand at the door of the palace. If someone comes and asks to see me, open the door and allow them in so I may speak with them.”

So the servant went and did as the king commanded. People came from far and wide to see the king. Some were rich men, some were great scholars, others were from noble families, and when they asked to see the king the doorman gave them entry. Then one day a poor beggar came to the palace door and asked to see the king. The doorman looked him over and frowned.

The beggar’s clothes were dirty and torn, he wore no shoes and was unpleasant to look at.

“Surely my king would not wish to meet with such a man as this,” the doorman said to himself, and turned the beggar away. Soon the doorman began turning others away; people he deemed too poor, or too sick, or too strange. When the king discovered what was being done he summoned the doorman to him.

“Why have you been turning people away from the palace?” the king demanded angrily. The doorman was surprised and replied meekly, “My king, I was only performing the duty you gave me.”

“Your duty was to open the door for those who would see me,” said the king, “not decide if they were worthy to do so.”

It’s unfortunate when we behave like the doorman in this story. We style ourselves the “Watchmen on the Wall,” and if we see someone who doesn’t quite fit our definition of worthy, we slam the door in his or her face. But God’s grace is not ours to give away, and true forgiveness belongs to Christ alone. Our job is to open the door that leads to Christ, through prayer, through friendship, and through service. Remember, we all stand on equal footing at the door of Christ’s mercy.

I’m Behind You

 

 

Jeanette Levellie cbn.com

When I made my living as a waitress, I quickly learned the value of three words spoken to fellow servers: “I’m behind you.”

No one wants to turn around and cannon into a tray brimming with hot coffee, Denver omelets, and oatmeal with raisins. Fifteen Cub Scouts and their troop leader get impatient when you have to re-scoop their ice cream because you dropped the original bowls on the floor after forgetting to tell the busboy, “I’m behind you.” It’s wise to let people know of a potential mess, so you both can avoid it.

As my husband was getting a pizza out of the oven recently, I walked behind him, carrying our salad bowls. Although 35 years have passed since I served food professionally, I still said, “I’m behind you.” When those three words hit the air, they gripped my heart in a new way. I was not simply telling Kevin to “watch out;” I was helping him succeed at his task of the moment. I was supporting him. And I was saving both of us a trip to the floor to clean up tomato sauce, mozzarella, and Thousand Island dressing.

We all need support, especially in the Church, where we operate as a body, and “should have equal concern for each other” (1 Corinthians 12:25). As we serve the Lord and those around us, our individual loads become lighter when we help each other carry them.

The second-wisest man who ever lived said it this way,

“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: if either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, NIV)

The list of ways to get behind a brother or sister is endless:

• Are you struggling to make ends meet on a stingy budget? If I slip a ten in your pocket, I’m behind you.
• Do you doubt if your marriage can last one more night, or one more fight? If I listen and pray for strength for you, I’m behind you.
• Is your kid making choices that break your heart? If I hug you and say “Don’t give up,” I’m behind you.
• Are you afraid of what the doctor might find on the next test? If I pray for your healing and tell you “I love you,” I’m behind you.
• Do you wonder where your dream got lost? If I encourage you to keep hoping, I’m behind you.

Rebuking and finding fault rarely motivate anyone to succeed. Most of us avoid critical, sour individuals. But we enjoy the company of people who bring out the best in us, helping us believe in ourselves and our dreams. We achieve things we thought impossible by having one or two caring friends say, “I’m behind you.”

You can be that friend to someone today. Instead of turning your back on a need or mocking a dream, be wise enough to say, “I’m behind you. Let me help you succeed.”

For us fellow servers, it will make the difference between messes to clean up or miracles to celebrate.