Being Protected

Being Protected

All the elements fell into place. There was a large bare spot in the lawn, I had the tools to work up the dirt, grass seed was in my possession, and the weather was good for planting. So, I thought it would be a good time to get this job off my to-do list.
As I started to scratch the ground and pull out the old dead grass, I remembered I had forgotten something; my gloves (in the old days we called them hand shoes). I felt the pressure on the palm of my hand, but I thought, "I don't want to take the time to go all the way back and get them, my hands are tough enough for this, I don't need that protection."
You can probably tell (because I'm writing this) that wasn't the case. It felt uncomfortable but I pressed on. I couldn't see anything where the pain was, so I finished. After I was done with all the sprinklers in place, the tools put away, and I was washing my hands, I found it. A dime size blister on the palm of my left hand. I was the worse for wear!
Now I had to put up with the blister. I couldn't grab anything I needed to twist for fear of ripping the that blister open. So, it wasn't only the blister, but the inability to do certain tasks. All because I didn't want to take the time to get my gloves, and I thought my hands were up to the job. Foolish isn't it?!
Well, I've learned my lesson. This may also help you. Not just in physical labor, but in spiritual things as well. Let me explain.
In our daily activities and interactions we face all sorts of difficult events, people and temptations. God has given us His armor for our protection. Not only protection but also so we can do the job correctly. You can read about it in Ephesians 6:10-18.
We face difficult people, circumstances, trying decisions and pressures every day. Many people deal with them in their own power, understanding or wisdom. In spite of the fact that God has provided us protection.
Like my reasoning about my gloves, "I don't want to take time to pray about this, I know how to handle it!" What a mistake. Just as I had to deal with the inconvenience of my blister, people who face life without God's protection too, have to suffer through inconvenience because of their mistake.
I've known people who avoid people because a conflict wasn't handled with God's protection. Take lying for instance. The liar can't be at peace in a conversation, but has to suffer the fear of discovery or exposure. All because they try to face life with lies. Consider too, the person who faces life with drugs or alcohol. There are many "inconveniences" connected to that practice.
Take Paul's advice. Put on the whole armor of God so you can stand up strong and godly when life happens. That's the only right way to do life.

Pastor Chuck

Some encouragement

The Life Long Race

Real life for believers starts with a touch from God. The Bible tells us that it's the goodness of God that brings us to repentance. That touch of God's grace on our lives points us to the need of change. However, the knowledge that a change is needed is not the only phase. It demands that a choice be made.
The choice is whether to continue on our old course of life or make the necessary change of direction toward the kingdom. Jesus stated that, "the kingdom of God is at hand, repent and believe this good news." It's one thing to know we need to repent, it is altogether another to actually repent. One of the first acts a person can do to show this desire of change is to be baptized.
Baptism is just the beginning. The life of believers has been compared to a race. Not the short distance dashes but to a marathon. It's a long distance, life long race. So, baptism is just the starting line. It points us in the right direction; towards the finish line.
Being baptized in the name of Jesus for the remission of sins will unload all the baggage we have carried to that point. The promise of God's spirit will help insure that whatever baggage we may be confronted with, does not need to be carried along.
The race course of our lives has been marked out by Jesus himself. That's why he makes the invitation to follow him. The desire to please our Master is what keeps us in the race. There are adjustments to be made along the way, to be sure, which keeps the necessity of repenting and confessing a regular activity.
Another motivation for continuing is the hope of seeing Jesus face to face. Many children look forward to the safe return of fathers, and mothers, from the war. What great expectations arise from the hope of that meeting? Some children may have never met the absent parent. Yet still the meeting is full of anticipation.
In the same way we can look forward to the joy of meeting Jesus. It may sound like an empty promise to some, but for believers, it keeps us in the race looking for the finish line when Jesus will say, "Well done".
Yes indeed, the return of Jesus and the resurrection from the grave will make all the hardships we face now forgettable. The face to face presence of Jesus, a new resurrected body (that won't wear out like the current model), and the kingdom on earth are grand prizes for finishing. God will give us the help we need by His spirit to complete the course.
The believers life is a life of faith. We trust that what is written is true. It's the same sort of faith Jesus displayed, and he asks us to follow him.
In short, we have left our dead-end life and exchanged it for a life of promise, hope, and great reward. Don't give up, it will be worth it all when we see Jesus.