Slavery

     We just finished watching a movie on black slavery in the US and I ponder once again why more white people didn’t stand up against slavery (or for black equality) as well as why the slaves didn’t rise up, overpower and kill their owners.

     Then I think: why don’t Christians today stand up for what is wrong in society? They are taking away our rights one at a time and we remain silent, allowing it to happen. No prayer in schools, no nativity scenes on government property, no Bibles given in schools, no crosses on jewelry worn by government workers in Quebec. Abortion has a decreasing amount of people being vocal about it. Open sinful behavior of politicians is not rebuked or even seen as sin…

Why don’t we stand up for what is right? Are we that fearful?

     As for why the slaves didn’t rise up, I suppose they were afraid for their lives especially since they had no guns like the owners. Of course it didn’t help that they had no education and were kept down physically, overworked and treated as less than dogs. Maybe after years of horrible treatment, they even believed some of the dung thrown at them. Running often meant severe beatings, loss of limbs, and sometimes death to scare the others into submission.

     How many Christians today are still living in the devil’s kingdom never being free, not really believing they can escape the bondage of the world and live free? “..Whoever practices sin is the slave of sin.” (Jh. 8:34) The devil and the world tears them down until they believe the lies. Lack of education, being beaten down (feeling powerless), leaves them believing the lies of the devil/ world (Jh. 8:44). Why are so many living this way? Why do we not fight back and take what Jesus made available to us--- abundant life.

The thief does not come except to steal and to kill and to destroy. I have come so that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. Jh. 10:10

     Are you living in abundant life? Really? Abundant life doesn’t mean all goes well, you have enough money you don’t need to worry, and your health is good. Actually, my live goes wrong more often than right, we always need to live frugally, and my health is problematic. Yet I live with joy, peace and feel satisfied most every day of my life. How is that possible? God.

     God is the giver of good in our lives and He is so good to me. “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above and comes down from the Father…” (Jm. 1:17) My life is great in all the areas that count- with Him. I am never alone. I feel fully satisfied. It all started when I became desperate, finally gave up control of my life to him and pressed in closer to Him- and I was already a Christian! His plans for me have become my desires, and His dreams for me are beyond anything I could imagine. Every day is new and exciting.

     The good news is I am not more special than any other Christian. What God does for me, He can do for you. Are you willing to give up control and press in? Get to know God- He wants to be known by you…

Go to the source for knowledge of God: the Bible, the prayer room.

My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge… of God (v.1) 

Hs. 4:6

And Jehovah would speak to Moses … as a man speaks to his friend... 

Ex. 33:11

My Aversion to Certain Phone Calls

     I enjoy calling friends, family, really anyone and have conversations on a variety of topics. In fact, I have been know to spend 2 or 3 hours conversing with a friend I haven't spoken to in a long time. (Headsets allow for work at the same time!) We start with one topic, run through dozens more and occasionally end with the starting topic again. Conversations can be fun, deep, sad, crazy, confusing, and full of nonessential but interesting information, but I still enjoy them.

     It is the other kind of calls, like to businesses, tech support, stores, utilities, municipal offices, hotels, reservations, in other words what I like to call- official calls. I dislike them so much I often procrastinate for days. Anything might take precedence: cleaning, dishes, laundry, texting, studies, fixing items, even de-callousing' my feet. Today I made one of those calls only three days later than I should have. It was to Amazon.

     I've used their services before and never had a problem. This time they sent one incorrect item. I ordered three hdmi cables: one regular and two mini to regular. When they came in, one of the minis was regular so it needed to be returned. In reality though, I made a mistake with both minis because they needed to be micros. (oops, didn't know there was a difference.) So I choose to call and speak to a live person to see what could be done in light of my mistake. Service rep. Brian was pleasant, personable, helpful, patient, knew exactly what to do, and how to explain it all to me so I understood what to do. It all worked out quite well thanks to him.

     I got thinking later... Perhaps if we Christians shared our faith with others using the same model Brian used with me, maybe more unbelievers would listen, consider and believe or if not, at least walk away happy with the experience thinking, wow, that was a pleasant, personable, helpful, patient, knowledgeable person. Many unbelievers have an aversion to listening to us because we can sound judgmental, condescending, arrogant and close minded. If it isn't in our words, it can be in our tone or body language. Often, they do not feel love from us, and that is a shame. 

After all, we are commanded to love:

and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength." This is the first commandment. 

And the second is like this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.

Mr. 12:30,31

Let all that you do be done in love.

1Cr. 16:14 ESV

I Feel Such a Peace Today

     It was earlier this morning and I had my list of things to do. There were a jillion things that I had to get done. So, I prioritized, and worried a bit about what I could actually achieve as opposed to what I wished I could achieve. I wished I had more energy to accomplish more, that there was less to do in the house, that I could do more for hubby who has been really great since I got hurt, that I could do more to help more people, pray more, clear up more jobs around the house…

     You understand, especially if you’re a woman. The mind hardly ever stops. There are always things to do. But I decided to put all that aside this morning and talk with God. Cleaned up an area just a bit so I’d have room to worship ‘Vicky’ style- one song and the Lord reminded me to pay an important bill. That done, I sat down with Him and whoosh (no, not peace) conviction hit me like a tidal wave. I was so busy prioritizing my plans, my tasks, my life…

     I deeply felt the shame of my sin; the years of waste, hours on games, puzzles, tv, all the while justifying it by excuses. So after repenting of my sin I asked what He wanted my priorities to be. In my spirit I heard, “People are your priority; always people.” And He gave me three specific names: one He told me to do something for (weeks ago), one who I helped a few months ago but haven’t spent any time with lately, and another He told me about a few days ago, all of whom I have neglected because of my list of priorities. “I’ll get those things done after…”

     His presence was strong and I felt His love pouring into me, not for me, but for me to show others. There were names of people flowing through my mind, ‘His priority’ that I need to show more love to. Add a tiny chastisement about dealing with family. There I stayed until He told me to go make that phone call about which I’d been procrastinating. Really? What a way to spoil the moment! lol When I was done the call I thought, hmmm, by allowing Him to direct me I was getting more done in a shorter time. Interesting.

     Failed to be directed by the Lord’s agenda a few times since then because other issues cropped up… but I’m trying to do better- catching myself sooner. Lord, please continue to have patience with me… Thank You, for this peace that really does pass all understanding. (Php. 4:7)

Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. Jh. 14:27

     As a footnote- I have been very impatient (for months now) with my Mom who is not remembering well at all, is getting confused and a little paranoid. It usually takes less than 15 minutes before frustration comes out in my tone. I was over there for about 3 hours in the evening and did not feel frustration at all. In fact, she told stories, we laughed, and I actually enjoyed the conversation with a new heart of love for her. This is a miracle to me. Wow, God! You are awesome!!!

Quotes from Leonard Ravenhill

     I just 'discovered' this preacher of old who was born near the turn of the twentieth century and died in the nineties. Besides thinking similar in many ways, I really enjoyed some of his thought provoking quotes- so I thought I'd share some of them.

Take some time to ponder each one.

Entertainment is the devil’s substitute for joy.

The Church used to be a lifeboat rescuing the perishing. Now she is a cruise ship recruiting the promising.

A man who is intimate with God will never be intimidated by men.

How can you have a dead service with a living Christ?

Today’s church wants to be raptured from responsibility.

Are the things you are living for worth Christ dying for?

If Jesus had preached the same message that ministers preach today, He would never have been crucified.

Our condemnation is that we know how to live better than we are living.



www.leonard-ravenhill.com