Cutting Saul's Robe

Anyone else enjoy just a little revenge? We all have enemies...people who've hurt us and who make life miserable for us. And we know we need to forgive them. We know we need to love them as Christ loves us. Most of the time, we really try our best. But sometimes we just can't resist that small, momentary opportunity for revenge. You know what I'm talking about. Something bad happens to your enemy and you secretly rejoice. A co-worker asks what you know about your "favorite" person, and before you know it, you're engaging in some "harmless" slander. And best of all...you ask all of your friends to "pray" for so-and-so as you spill all of the ugly details. Just a little revenge...David knew what it was like. He served crazy King Saul who constantly tied to kill him, made his life a living hell, and was controlled by an evil spirit. Talk about an enemy! David also knew that the job title "king" was destined to be his--he just had no idea when. One day, he had his chance...that brief momentary opportunity for revenge. Saul was sleeping in a cave and David stood over him. He knew he couldn't kill the king, but he needed just a little revenge. So David cut off a piece of Saul's robe--just to scare him. And you know what? Instead of enjoying his revenge, God's spirit pierced him 1 Samuel 24. David knew it was wrong. He knew revenge belongs to God alone. God sees it all and promises to fight for us, but we have to remember the battle is His. God can't bless, honor, or uphold us until we stop cutting Saul's robe.

Worthy Enough To Fill My Boots

I'll never forget the day I stood in front of my third graders wearing my Dad's huge old work boots. My plan was to teach a lesson about choosing good fit books. God and the kids had a different plan. They had a lesson for me....

       Ready to teach, I excitedly began clomping around the classroom in my work boots until the kids were rolling on the floor in fits of laughter. When they finally quieted down, I asked, "Does anyone know why I'm wearing these boots today?" A boy immediately said, "Yeah, Miss Andy they're your husband-hunting boots." Stunned!!! all I could manage was, "They're my what?" He calmly explained, "Whenever a lady isn't married she should put on men's work boots and walk around the school. This way all the men will know she needs a husband. She should watch all of the men carefully, and when she finds one who is worthy enough--she should let him fill her boots." A speechless teacher does a lot of thinking. And I've done a lot of thinking since that day...thinking about how I'll know when I've found a man who's worthy enough. I've been single long enough that I've given up my dreams of white picket fences and of being carried away by a Christian Prince Charming who is practically perfect in every way. Real life is messy, and things never go as we dream they will. But I've also waited long enough that I refuse to settle for a man who isn't worthy enough. Pastor Alistair Begg says a man who's worthy enough will: 1) Be committed to growth in Christ (he won't be someone I have to lead) 2) Model genuine humility 3) Be honest to a fault 3) Be able to laugh 4) Love sacrifically 5) Model servant leadership--not domineering leadership. I couldn't agree with him more. Five important qualities--my non-negotiables. All the rest, I leave with God. And for those who say my standards are too high--as the old saying goes "I'd rather want what I don't have than have what I don't want." So as I walk around school each day, wearing my husband-hunting boots, I'm going to be watching carefully. And if I happen to meet a man I love, who's worthy enough, I just might give him my boots to fill.

Sitting in the House....Disappointment With God

I've always loved Mary, Lazarus's sister because she's so real. Mary, the girl who loved Jesus so much she followed Him everywhere He went, sitting at His feet and listening to His every word. Mary, who forgot all about her chores (until her sister became angry) because she was too busy making time for what is most important--the only thing that really matters--knowing Christ. Mary, the only one who really got it. And Mary, who lost her brother and was so devastated and disappointed with God that she wouldn't leave the house to speak to Him. "When Martha got word that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him. But Mary stayed in the house." John 11:22 Like Mary...I often sit in the house, so disappointed with God that there's really nothing I want to say to Him. But I'm learning that when I have nothing to say to Him, that's exactly when He wants to see me. John 11:28-29 "...She called Mary aside from the mourners and said, 'the Teacher is here and wants to see you.' So Mary immediately went to Him." Maybe all God wants me to do is leave the house, fall at his feet, and tell Him how much I'm hurting, "When Mary arrived and saw Jesus, she fell at his feet and said, 'Lord if only you had been here, my brother would not have died.'"John 11:32 I'm learning God doesn't want us to pretend. Faith isn't saying all of the right things....things we don't feel or believe. Faith is coming honestly before God and giving Him our hearts... no matter how shattered they may be. When we fall at His feet in total honesty and surrender, He shows up to weep with us, and to do things we could never imagine like raise dead men. John 11:40 "Jesus responded, "Didn't I tell you that you would see God's glory if you believe?"

My Best Friend

Thinking...about so many things right now...and hurting for all of my friends and family members who don't know my Jesus. So thankful for Art, the sweet man who came alongside me when I lost my mom and introduced me to the only one who will never leave me or forsake me--Hebrews 13:5. Wishing I could introduce all of my friends and family to my best friend Jesus. I don't know how people live without Him--it's hard enough with him! Thinking about faith...what it is and isn't and what draws us to Jesus or turns us away from Him.  My Pastor says, saving faith isn't what we say, feel, or think, and it's not just believing Jesus exists--even the demons believe this and shudder. Faith is something we do. Faith is loving the man who died for us, it's believing that what He says is true and trusting Him because of how much He first loved us. Faith is loving God so completely that you trust Him to run your life, that you just want to please Him with everything you do--even when it breaks your heart because you know that this life is short and eternity is all that matters. Faith is getting up no matter how many times we fail Him or doubt Him and running back into His waiting arms.



http://www.ggfusa.org/conferences/recordings/sermon/55-working-beyond-your-fields-a-fowler