by: Phillip & Kara Mathis Like so many of you that have the privilege of living in the south, we know that these "privileges" also come with setbacks. Our setback tonight............the biggest, most ugly beast you have ever encountered. It is fast, sleek, aerodynamic, and an all out terror. It is the horsefly! It was like a stealth bomber flying about the room and landing at a moments notice. Well, let's just say on Kara's face!
Those of you that are not from the south might not realize the magnitude of this situation. So, let us enlighten you....horseflies bite.....and it hurts. To avoid the bite of the horsefly you must immediately jump up, begin screaming, and start flailing your arms and legs at the same time(well, that's how Kara does it anyway). In my heroic effort to save my beautiful damsel in distress who is obviously under attack, I grab the obvious weapon of choice...........a hairbrush.......... and my damsel in distress who is not going to go down without a fight also grabs her weapon of choice, which is also the closest thing at hand.....a pillow. Now here we are, ready for battle, I with my hairbrush and Kara with her pillow. This horsefly doesn't stand a chance! Our hilarious dilemma made me think of how we so often go to battle spiritually.....unprepared. I couldn't help but think of the Ephesians 6:13 (NKJV): Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. When you are going to battle with Satan, you must have weapons! It's been said we can't go to a gun fight with a water pistol. But spiritually, that's exactly what we do. The good news is we have access to two of the greatest weapons we need. Weapon #1: The Holy Spirit (John 16:13a NKJV) "However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth" Weapon #2: The Bible (Hebrews 4:12 NKJV) "For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." We CAN be better prepared each and every day to face the battles of life. How many times do we face a lost friend who asks questions that we can't answer? How many times have we fallen to the pressures of life? Temptations? Why? Because we don't know the word. We are not prepared for battle. We don't have God's Word, "hidden in our heart so that we may not sin against thee.". Shame on me....us! As far as the next horsefly we face: no doubt, it doesn't stand a chance!
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by: Phillip Mathis I'm saved! I know that without a doubt, but the one question I haven't been able to answer with certainty is this: Is He Lord of my life? What does it mean to make him Lord of your life? What do I have to give up? What is God looking for? Just like you, I sometimes catch myself going through the motions of following Christ. When I do, I ask myself these piercing questions: Am I willing to give my life completely over to God? Am I willing to do something radical? Am I willing to sacrifice for Him? 3 And being in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper, as He sat at the table, a woman came having an alabaster flask of very costly oil of spikenard. Then she broke the flask and poured it4 But there were some who were indignant among themselves, and said, “Why was this fragrant oil wasted? 5 For it might have been sold for more than three hundred denarii and given to the poor.” And they criticized her sharply. 6 But Jesus said, “Let her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a good work for Me. 78 She has done what she could. She has come beforehand to anoint My body for burial. 9 Assuredly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her.” on His head. For you have the poor with you always, and whenever you wish you may do them good; but Me you do not have always. THAT, my friends, is extravagant worship! Extravagant love! Wow! It's not worrying about what people think of you! Oh God, that I would be willing to pour my life out as an offering of worship to you! Help me to be moved by this story to give my life to you-COMPLETELY! After all you've done for me...wow! Help me be a wonderful fragrance of worship to you! I am starting a new blog about life, marriage, parenting, pastoring and how they all intersect in one beautiful mess!
Phillip |
AuthorChrist-Follower. Husband. Father. Pastor. P1 ArchivesCategories |