Twist to Fit

Luke 10:26 He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou?
(read the entire parable here http://is.gd/dsmFJ)

Bro. Paul Luther taught on the parable of the Good Samaritan Wednesday evening in VBS. To start the parable we find a lawyer more-or-less twisting Scripture trying to justify his behavior. Jesus asks the question of what does the law say and how do you (the lawyer) read it? This is a good question for us to ask ourselves today.

God’s Word says what It says, about what It says. If it stings when we read it we should be glad; the Holy Spirit is pointing out a deficit that you need to address. Instead, today as in Jesus’ day folks will try to work around the Word, distorting it to fit their lives. What we need to do when we feel that piercing in our heart is to cry out to God in repentance. And be thankful that He loves you enough to chasten you.

VBS Night 5- Go Obey

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Tonight was the last night of VBS.  It is a bittersweet night.  As I previously opined, I hate to see it end and yet am so exhausted from it am glad, too.  I know for certain I will miss seeing the kids and their smiles as they saw the fruit of their leather-labor.  I will especially miss a few that attend other churches and will probably not see again.

Tonight’s lesson was on Paul’s conversion along the Damascus Road (Acts 9:1-19).  But it really centered on Anaias and his obedience to Jesus.  As you will recall, Anaias was told to go to Paul by our Lord to restore his sight.  Can you imagine how Anaias must have felt, being sent to see the infamous Saul of Tarsus?  He must have had some, if not a lot, of deep concern.  And yet he obeyed what Jesus called upon him to do.  I wonder how I (we) would react to that call in that time and situation.  Would we be as willing to put ourselves into that situation as Anaias was?  I don’t think we can honestly answer that without having faced such a situation.  But I hope that I would obey as readily as Anaias did.

Today we still have to decide if we are going to obey His call.  The Lord calls us all to do something and at times we are hesitant.  But as we saw with Gideon, and now with Anaias , it is human to question at times, “Lord, is that really You calling and is that really what You want me to do?”  I know I have had that very thought.  And He has confirmed the answer to me.  And I can say that with some of the situations I was ready from the get-go to obey Him.  And I can say other times I was absolutely terrified at what He was asking of me.  But I obeyed Him be cause I love and want to please Him.  And please, do not think that I am trying to position myself as something ‘special’ or what ever; I am not.  My point is merely if Jesus calls us to do something He knows best and should obey His call.  It may not seem like something we would choose to do, it may be terrifying to us, but it is His plan and therefore is perfect for us if we do it His way.  I can attest that this is an exercising of one’s faith.  But remember, anything you exercise becomes stronger.

Drawing to a Close

VBS is quickly drawing to a close, only two more nights left. I find myself wondering if I’m looking forward to it ending or wishing it wouldn’t.

On the one hand I am tired, physically. Each night I find myself being the last one ready to go, about 30 minutes later than everyone else and holding up the Brother who heads up VBS. The last two days I’ve needed to go over to the church for a few hours in the afternoon to clean up and do touch up work on projects. And then there are the ‘special’ requests from kids not in my class for items that I just can’t refuse.

On the other hand, I’m having a ball. I so enjoy watching the kids work and see them create items for themselves. And then there’s the little ones who are enthralled with the whole process and so interested, too. I should say many adults are also very interested in the leather-work as well. And we can’t forget the wonderful Bible lessons each night! There is just so much fun, fellowship and learning that I hate to see it end.

Kind of makes me look forward to next summer already….