Do you remember that little clapping/singsong game we used to play as a child? It goes like this:
"Who stole the cookie from the cookie jar? Number 8 stole the cookie from the cookie jar! Who ME? Yes, YOU! Not ME...couldn't be! Then WHO stole the cookie from the cookie jar? Number 3 stole the cookie from the cookie jar!" and the game goes on and on until we get tired of it.
I was reminded of that little game this morning as I thought about a sermon that Rex preached recently from 2 Timothy 3:1-5. Let me preface this by reminding you that the "rapture" of believers was predicted to occur on May 21. What does God's Word say about that? Jesus told his followers that no one would know the day or the hour. Timothy, a follower of Christ, said this:
"But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power..."
Rex cautioned us against pointing the finger at others and being judgmental. As I looked at this list, it hit me...but for the grace of God, there go I!! I could look at this list and see myself in every single one of those words and phrases that describe what men will be like in the last days...and it all boils down to this...I am a sinner, and I am selfish! I love myself more than I love others... I want to blame others when things go wrong!! Which brings me back to that little game...who stole the cookie...and I want to say, "Not ME!! Number 3 did it!!"
Honestly, I am tired of that little game! Not that I won't pick it up and start playing it again, but I long to get to the place in my life when I no longer see the specks in other people's eyes, because the log in mine is so big! I long to get to the place in my life when I think that the little, insignificant, wrong things I do are no big deal, when I know they are huge to God. I know that I will never be perfect this side of heaven...there was only one perfect man who walked this earth...but Rex continually reminds us that, "It's not perfection, it's direction!"
Are you headed in the right direction? For in the last days, men will be lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God...holding to a form of godliness, but denying its power...
Friday, June 10, 2011
Thursday, June 2, 2011
All the Way
I woke up this morning with the words of an old hymn running through my head:
"All the way my Savior leads me, what have I to ask beside? Can I doubt His tender mercy, who thro' life has been my guide? Heavenly peace, divinest comfort, here by faith in Him to dwell! For I know whate're befall me, Jesus doeth all things well!
All the way my Savior leads me, cheers each winding path I tread; gives me grace for every trial, feeds me with the Living Bread; Tho' my weary steps may falter, and my soul athirst may be; Gushing from the Rock before me, lo a spring of joy I see!"
The Lord knew I needed to remember this and sing it and preach to myself today that He is always directing my steps, and He will provide for every need that I have!
It's a little scary to know that our church has found a new pastor, and we will be leaving this place after 22 years. I followed my husband once before...like Sarah following Abraham, not knowing where they were going...but it was a little easier at 28 years instead of 58 years! I am grateful today, however, for God and His Word! It daily gives me encouragement and teaches me that I am to walk by faith in Him and not by what I can see! It assures me that He will take care of me and that everything He does is working for my good!
On a lighter side, I read this verse today, "The Lord is gracious and compassionate; He has given food to those who fear Him!" Psalm 111:4-5 I know, once again, that I will not have to eat beans or spaghetti everyday for the rest of my life! Even if I do, He will be with me...He will never leave me or forsake me!
"All the way my Savior leads me, what have I to ask beside? Can I doubt His tender mercy, who thro' life has been my guide? Heavenly peace, divinest comfort, here by faith in Him to dwell! For I know whate're befall me, Jesus doeth all things well!
All the way my Savior leads me, cheers each winding path I tread; gives me grace for every trial, feeds me with the Living Bread; Tho' my weary steps may falter, and my soul athirst may be; Gushing from the Rock before me, lo a spring of joy I see!"
The Lord knew I needed to remember this and sing it and preach to myself today that He is always directing my steps, and He will provide for every need that I have!
It's a little scary to know that our church has found a new pastor, and we will be leaving this place after 22 years. I followed my husband once before...like Sarah following Abraham, not knowing where they were going...but it was a little easier at 28 years instead of 58 years! I am grateful today, however, for God and His Word! It daily gives me encouragement and teaches me that I am to walk by faith in Him and not by what I can see! It assures me that He will take care of me and that everything He does is working for my good!
On a lighter side, I read this verse today, "The Lord is gracious and compassionate; He has given food to those who fear Him!" Psalm 111:4-5 I know, once again, that I will not have to eat beans or spaghetti everyday for the rest of my life! Even if I do, He will be with me...He will never leave me or forsake me!
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