I Know It Smells on the Ark...

I know it smells, but the Ark is the only thing floating! ~ Noah on day 299. Do you ever wonder about the conversations that took place on the Ark? It would seem that Noah and Mrs. Noah were on the Ark with their three sons and three daughters in law for about a year. Combine the close quarters of eight people with all of the animals and even a vessel as large as the Ark was will become very small. You have to wonder what took place and what was said. I wonder if they reacted like I sometimes tend to do? I find that sometimes when I am in the midst of being “saved” from adversity I complain about the method of that “salvation.” Rather than being thankful all I can see is the “stink” that is around me. Now you know the boat had to stink! Have you ever been to a zoo? Have you ever driven by a dairy? How about pulling up to a signal light and finding yourself setting next to a livestock truck? Anytime you get several animals together the natural result is going to be a smell. In fact it is going to be a really big, bad smell! A smell that would get more intense and eventually drive a person to a distraction! What do you do? The Ark is the only thing floating. There is no where else to go. Actually the Ark is your salvation. If you hadn’t gotten on board the Ark you would have drowned with everyone else. But now, the Ark is stinking and you are wishing you were anywhere but on the Ark. Been there and done that! I have often prayed prayers that go like this: “God I have got to make heaven no matter the cost and I need your help.” So God looks at me and sees some things in my life that will keep me from heaven and goes to work. Then in the midst of God’s mercy and grace I begin to complain that what God is doing in my life is too painful, it stinks! Another prayer that I have prayed is, “God I want to know you and to be like you. Show me what I need to do.” Again, God takes me at my word and begins to show me what I must do to know him and be like him. However, the cross is heavy, the road is lonely and, well, it just stinks! Yet when I look around me. When I look at all that is happening and going on in my world. I see a lot of destruction! There is so much that is failing! So many are drowning in the cares of life. They have put their hopes and trust in the things of life and all of its assurances only to have it wiped out. I know, the Ark is the only thing floating! So, despite the smell. Irregardless of how uncomfortable it might become I am going to stay in the Ark. I have found safety from the storms of life, in the Ark. I have truly found that I can rise above all adversity in life by remaining in the Ark. I will admit it isn’t always as pleasant as I would like it to be. However, it sure beats trying to tread water. Remember, it is just a thought!

Our Helmet of Salvation

The Helmet of Salvation

The Roman soldiers used several types of helmets worn. Most of the helmets consisted of bronze. They designed them to cover the back of the neck and having metal cheek guards to protect the sides of the face. The helmet had a reinforced ridge along the forehead to protect against downward slashes.

Paul tells us, in Ephesians 6:17, to, “take the helmet of salvation . . .” I find it interesting that Paul links salvation with the helmet. The helmet’s design and purpose were to protect the head of the soldier. Salvation is to protect the head or mind of the Child of God.

3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:
4(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds ;)

5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; (2 Cor. 10:3-5 KJV)

The battle or warfare of the Christian soldier takes place in the mind. Satan, the enemy of our soul, will wage war upon us by attacking our mind. The control center of the body is the head or the brain, the mind. The same is true spiritually in that our spiritual control center is our mind. Our thoughts and our thought process determine who we are and how we respond in all situations. If our enemy can attack our minds and gain control of them, he is then able to disable us. In fact, he will eventually destroy us.

Paul tells us that our spiritual weapons are powerful, through God, to the pulling down of strong holds. Strong holds would be fortresses or castles that the enemy has control of. Paul speaks of them, spiritually, as imaginations or those things that exalt themselves against our knowledge of God. He goes on to call our thoughts controlled by Christ.

The word imagination, used here, is speaking of reasoning of evil intent. It is the contemplation of actions because of the verdict of the conscience. In other words it is reasoning that is hostile to our Christian faith or teachings. It is thinking about things that are contrary to the Word of God. Our conscience says it is all right to do, what we are thinking about, so we go ahead and do it.

The helmet of our salvation is our protection against those evil thoughts. Let’s take a few moments and try to break this down a bit more. Salvation speaks to us of deliverance, safety, security, refuge and sanctuary. When we think of our being saved, we think of a defender or deliverer. In fact, we could actually use the word savior in place of the word deliverer. We also know that in Luke 2:11 the angel of the Lord told the shepherds in the field that Christ the Lord was their Savior. The angel told Joseph that the baby, Mary would have, would be named Jesus, because He would save His people from their sins. Of course many more scriptures confirm that our Lord Jesus Christ is our glorious Savior.

Paul says to the Church of Ephesis, “Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.” (Eph. 5:23 KJV) As the head and as my Savior or salvation he is protecting me. When I allow Christ to be my head or the authority of my life I bring myself into His protection. With Christ in authority I now have the advantage when in battle. Those strong holds of my mind will crumble before Him. The thoughts, which are ungodly and destructive, will be brought into captivity to Christ. I can live victoriously!

“Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8 NIV)

The wildebeest is the most fierce of all hoofed animals. Even a lion will not attack a healthy adult wildebeest. However, every animal has its nemesis or their adversary. The nemesis of the wildebeest is a fly. The information that they gave me says this fly will crawl down into the ear canal of the wildebeest and lay its eggs. When the eggs hatch, the maggots crawl even farther into the ear canal. They begin to eat the brain of the animal from the inside. It isn’t long until this causes the animal to be in intense pain.

What will happen next is sad, but try and picture it. The wildebeest will be eating and suddenly the pain in its head becomes so intense it is like the animal goes crazy. Trying to get rid of the pain they will suddenly jump straight up in the air and then spin around in circles. They are trying to get rid of the pain in their heads. After a few moments they will resume their eating. Until this all, happens repeatedly. It becomes more frequent as the fly’s progress farther and farther into the brain.

Lions are predators and will lie around the herd of wildebeest. They remain just on the fringe waiting and watching. Because of the fierceness of the wildebeest, the lion will not attack a healthy alert one. So they wait for one that has become ill and weakened by the attack of the flies on their brain. When they have spotted an animal that repeatedly goes into frenzy, they creep as close as possible, watching and waiting. Eventually the wildebeest will come out of his frenzied spinning totally confused, bewildered and even dizzy. This is the moment his enemy has been waiting for and with a roar the lion launches himself through the air in attack. The wildebeest is bewildered and befuddled. He is having a hard time standing. His world is spinning around. There is a loud confusing noise, a roar, but where is it coming from? He doesn’t know and then it is too late.

Let’s consider a couple of interesting things we can learn from this. We all know we have an enemy or adversary who is Peter likened to a roaring lion, (1 Peter 5:9). Beelzebub is a Bible name for Satan. In fact, Matthew 12:25 calls Beelzebub Prince of devils. In Luke 11:15 called Satan the chief of devils. The word, according to the dictionary, is a Latin word taken from a Hebrew word and means “Lord of the Flies.” In the Greek Beelzebub means the “dung-god.” It was actually the name of an Old Testament idol that Israel often worshiped, (2 Kings 1:2-3,6,16) In John 8:44 Jesus called Satan the father of all liars.

Now think of this. Beelzebub, the Lord of the Flies, comes to us and whispers in our ears. He tells us lies, whispering those little “flies” into our ears. God doesn’t love us or we would be experiencing so much pain. God doesn’t care what happens to us, He could change things if he wanted to. Go ahead and sin a little, it won’t hurt. God deserves it if you sin, He hasn’t treated you right. You can’t make it! You are a failure! You are a loser! Look at all the mistakes you have made! You aren’t worthy of God’s love! Do I need to go on? Do I need to say more? Lies that come from “The Lord of the Flies” and attack our minds. Little flies that land and creep farther and farther into our minds. They lay their eggs in our minds.

These eggs lay there and eventually hatch. They begin to eat away at our minds. The lies grow and destroy. It destroys us of our spirituality, our faith, our hope and finally our life. It is just as Jesus said, the thief comes to steal, kill and destroy. That is just what Beelzebub is trying to do. The pain becomes intense, to the point it is unbearable. We find ourselves bewildered. We become confused. We become disillusioned with everything. We are dizzy, dazed and befuddled! Then in the midst of this, the devil roars “like” a lion. We don’t know where the roar is coming from and we give up to his attack.

The helmet of salvation is to protect our minds against such attacks. It is the knowledge and understanding of God that will keep and protect us during the attack on our minds or our thinking. The attacks will be focused on exalting the enemy against the knowledge of Christ. This is what Paul spoke about in 2 Corinthians 10:5.

The prophet Hosea wrote that Israel was destroyed because of a lack of knowledge. They had rejected the Word of God and God rejected them. (Hosea 4:5) They had forgotten the Law of God and God forgot them. The wise man of Proverbs warns us to:

“Apply thine heart unto instruction, and thine ears to the words of knowledge.” (Prov. 23:12 KJV)

A few verses later he stresses that we pay the price for truth and refuse to sell it. Along with truth we should get wisdom, instruction and understanding.

“Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.” (Prov. 23:23 KJV)

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of all wisdom. With wisdom we need to get understanding. Understanding is going to help us to overcome the attacks of the enemy.

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.” (Prov. 9:10 KJV)

“And this is what he says to all humanity: 'The fear of the Lord is true wisdom; to forsake evil is real understanding.' " (Job 28:28 NLT)

When I use the helmet of salvation, I am trusting in the wisdom, knowledge and understanding that I have received from God. I am protecting myself against the lies of the enemy that would have me to doubt God. My mind is protected, because of my awesome respect for God. My knowledge and understanding of Him guard my mind against the lies of the enemy. I recognize what the enemy says as lies and reject them, before they can harm me. Before the enemy can build a stronghold in my mind, I can tear it down and destroy it.

It is vital that I constantly reaffirm what I have already learned of God. I need to strengthen it by constantly adding to that knowledge. I also need to seek the face of God and ask Him to help me to increase in knowledge, wisdom and understanding.

Almost Only Counts in Horseshoes and Hand-Grenades!

How often have you used the phrase, “I almost” attached to an action that almost happened? How many times have you looked back with a bit of regret and used the phrase indicating that you had almost made the right decision? If you are like me, it has happened more times than you want to count. Almost doing it shows good intentions but it doesn’t really count. In fact, when I was growing up there was an expression that was often used in our neighborhood, “Almost only counts in horseshoes and hand-grenades!”

I am not a great horseshoe player but I do enjoy a good game when the opportunity comes my way. Horseshoes, like a lot of games, can be very enjoyable but can also be very exasperating as well. In case you have never played, let me explain it in a brief and simple manner. You have two stakes set up several feet apart and you have four horseshoes to throw at the stake. Each player stands by a stake and throws their shoe at the stake several feet away. You want to ring the stake with your shoe to score points. However, if you get a shoe within the width of a horseshoe you also get a point. This is where the “almost” comes into the picture. You can almost get a ringer and still be a winner.

I think hand-grenades are very obvious. They are some shrapnel bombs of sorts. When they explode, they send shrapnel in every direction. Again, you don’t have to hit the target right on, just get close or just almost hit it.

Standing in the court room, he gave his best defense to those sitting in judgement. Well, I wouldn’t really call it a defense, it was more of a story of the change that had taken place in his life prior to this day. He explained to all that listened how he was raised and his early goals in life. He explained that he was so focused on doing what he thought was right that his whole life centered on accomplishing it, not realizing how wrong he was. He the told them of how God brought light into his life and changed it and how he could change their lives also if they would allow it to happen.

As he finished speaking one of the men sitting in judgement was visibly moved by what he had heard and said, “Paul, you have almost persuaded me to be a Christian.” However, as you and I both know, almost only counts in horseshoes and hand-grenades. You cannot be an “almost” Christian.

Just outside the city of Hebron, his attention is caught by the beckoning voice saying, “Come here! I have something important to tell you!” Foolishly he turns aside and walks over to talk to a man who he knew to be his enemy. A man he knew had sworn that he would kill him the next time he saw him. As he stood in front of the alleged messenger, he felt a stabbing sensation in his side. In horror he looked down to see his life’s blood flowing from his side. He was almost inside the city of refuge where his enemy, Joab, could not have touched him. In fact, David, the King, gave a eulogy at his funeral that said, “Abner died as a fool died. His hands were not bound and his feet weren’t in chains. He was almost safe and turned aside!” Of course, you and I know that almost only counts in horseshoes and hand-grenades.

I wonder how many of us will stand before God, some day, and use that ill-fated word as our excuse, “Almost!” I almost read my Bible. I almost prayed. I almost went to Church. I almost talked to them about salvation. I almost made a commitment in my life. I almost . . . but of course you and I know that almost only counts in horseshoes and hand-grenades.

My dad once told me, “The road to hell will be paved with good intentions!” I am sure this is so true. We all have those good intentions that we will someday do what we know we should. Let me encourage you to make up your mind to do so today. As you are reading this there are thoughts going through your mind of things, you know you need to do. You are thinking of changes you need to make in your life. There are choices you have been weighing for a while, knowing the way you need to go. Make the choice today! Do what you should do today! Make the change in your life you need to make today! Almost will never change anything because, as you and I both know, almost only counts in horseshoes and hand-grenades.

Well, it’s just a thought! God Bless . . .

The Miry Clay, The Rock and The Potter

Have you ever noticed that we often get a mind picture of something and that is the only way we see it? I find my self doing that way too often. I will sing a song and get a picture in my mind from that song. Even when I read the scripture passage from which the song is taken I will reflect upon the mind picture I have from the song. I am keeping it all in a neat little box! I have realized that when I get another picture there is great excitement, it is as if I have been released to see new horizons! That is just what happened to me this week. Here, let me share.

In my daily devotions I was reading a story that got me out of my little box and let me see something from a brand-new perspective. The story teller had gone to Pakistan on a missionary visit. While he was there, he and another missionary were visiting a small village and encountered a potter. As they visited with the potter, they learned that he had studied his vocation in China being taught by an old Master Craftsman who made china. This Master had taught him everything he knew about making pottery and along with many, many years of practicing the art himself had made him a Master Craftsman as well.

The story teller had asked the potter if he would show him how to make a master piece from start to finish? The potter was very excited at their interest and agreed to show them how it was accomplished. He took them to a shed behind his house-shop. It was an old tin building that looked about to fall down. When he opened the door of the shed, a horrible stench emanated from inside. The story teller said it was all they could do to follow him inside because of the horrible smell.

Inside there was a large pit full of muck and mire. The potter explained that this is where it all started for the master piece. He went on to explain that he added certain types of grass to the mud and as they decomposed they made added to the clay staying together, this gluing effect is called colloidal. He went on to explain that this mix was mixed together by him walking in the pit and mixing it with his feet. He then reached down into the mire and searched until he found a lump of clay that suited his purpose.

The clay was taken back to an area behind his house where there was a large round rock. Very carefully he placed the clay in the center of the rock. He was very careful to find the center of the rock before proceeding any further. He then sat on a stool and with a foot treadle began to turn the rock. He would dip his hands in water and as the rock and clay were spinning he began to shape a vessel.

The story teller shared a passage of scripture that came to his mind during this visit. Of course my mind had immediately gone to the encounter of the prophet Jeremiah with the potter and I had almost checked out of the story right then. I have witnessed many potters working with the wheel and felt I already knew what was going to happen and what would be shared. However, the passage the story teller referred to came as a result of the pit and was from Psalms 40:

"He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.” Ps 40:2 KJV

The picture I have always had in my mind went along with an old song we sang when I was growing up, the chorus went like this:

“He brought me out of the miry clay, He set my feet on the rock to stay, He put a song in my soul today, a song of praise Hallelujah!” (By Rev H. J. Zelley and H. L. Gilmour)

The picture I have always had was one of salvation. Being mired in the muck of sin, sinking lower and being unable to escape when God in His mercy reached down and lifted me out of that trap. He then placed me on the Rock Christ Jesus giving me hope and the promise of eternal life with Him.

The new picture was different in that now I saw God reaching down into the pit and picking me out by choice. Saying to Himself, as the Master Craftsman, this is just what I need to make a vessel of honor, good for the Master’s use. He then placed me in the center of the Rock, Christ Jesus, to shape me into that perfect master piece.

Now there is nothing wrong with the first picture. It is still applicable to our lives. However, the second picture takes us a bit further in our relationship with God. Jeremiah, the prophet, relates to us that God desires to work with us as the potter works with the clay. He desires to mold us into a vessel of honor. This process starts at the pit of mire. He lifts us from a life of hopelessness because of his desire to make something beautiful of our lives. He places us on the solid rock and as long we stay centered in Christ Jesus, the Rock, we can be made into the master piece He has pictured us becoming.

The picture of the clay being taken from the miry pit and formed into a master piece, a beautiful vessel is one that speaks to us of complete submission to the will of the Master. It speaks of being chosen and pliable in the hands of the one who has our best interest at heart. Becoming a vessel of honor, Meet for the Master’s House!

So once again, I am blessed be the old song that says:

“He brought me out of the miry clay, He set my feet on the rock to stay, He put a song in my soul today, a song of praise Hallelujah!”
Well, it is just a thought!