Sunday, January 29, 2012

Donkey in the Well

One day a farmer's donkey fell down into a well. The animal cried piteously for hours as the farmer tried to figure out what to do. Finally, he decided the animal was old, and the well needed to be covered up anyway; it just wasn't worth it to retrieve the donkey.

He invited all his neighbors to come over and help him. They all grabbed a shovel and began to shovel dirt into the well. At first, the donkey realized what was happening and cried horribly. Then, to everyone's amazement he quieted down.

A few shovel loads later, the farmer finally looked down the well. He was astonished at what he saw. With each shovel of dirt that hit his back, the donkey was doing something amazing. He would shake it off and take a step up.

As the farmer's neighbors continued to shovel dirt on top of the animal, he would shake it off and take a step up. Pretty soon, everyone was amazed as the donkey stepped up over the edge of the well and happily trotted off!

Life is going to shovel dirt on you, all kinds of dirt.
The trick to getting out of the well is to shake it off and take a step up. Each of our troubles is a steppingstone. We can get out of the deepest wells just by not stopping, never giving up! Shake it off and take a step up.

Remember five simple rules:

1. Free your heart from hatred - Forgive. (Like 6:37)
2. Free your mind from worries - Most never happen. (1 John 4:18)
3. Live simply and appreciate what you have. (Like 12:15, 33)
4. Give more. (Luke 6:30)
5. Expect less (Philippians 4:12-13)

Blessings,

Owen

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Uncomfortable Moments

We wanted to come to you—certainly I, Paul, did, again and again—but Satan stopped us.”  1 Thessalonians 2:18

We Christians sometimes become selective, we ignore what is revealed and taught in Scripture about living as a follower of Jesus—simply, some verses are uncomfortable.  We are uncomfortable with the stories of Jesus casting out demons, uncomfortable with teaching on spiritual armor used in demonic battles, and uncomfortable with Jesus declaring that “You are my friends if you do what I command” (John 15:14).  Those are superstitious topics and a narrow-minded, conditional demand.

Our tendency is to embrace the promises that give us pleasure and our perception of freedom.  We embrace only we want for a comfortable religious life.  Subjects on Satan, demons, sin, hell, obedience, etc., are not comforting.  We avoid what our time views as old school or superstitious.  We stop witnessing Christ, or stop loving others as Christ commanded.  Why?  Was it uncomfortable?

Embracing a half-faith, a half-truth, a half-demon, a half-heaven, or half of a command of Christ gives you absolutely nothing.  The apostle Paul must have been extremely uncomfortable, but he tried, as he said, “again and again” to carry out his call.   When ceasing preparation to battle demons, when refraining from witnessing Christ, when severing friendship with Christ—was it due to being uncomfortable, or was it with ease that “Satan stopped” you?

Uncomfortable, Obedient,

Owen <><  
 

Saturday, January 21, 2012

No Strength Left?

I, Daniel, was the only one who saw the vision; the men with me did not see it, but such terror overwhelmed them that they fled and hid themselves. So I was left alone, gazing at this great vision; I had no strength left, my face turned deathly pale and I was helpless. Daniel 10:7-8


Daniel’s companions, when face to face with a messenger (angel) of God, were more than helpless, they were terrified.  A story was similar to the shepherds who were terrified by the angels delivering the message of Jesus’ birth (Luke 2:9).  Jesus promised his followers of divine encounters by the Counselor, His Holy Spirit—we’re not to be terrified like Daniel’s friends and the shepherds—Jesus lifted our spirits by saying, “do not be afraid” (John 14:25-27), just as Daniel was told (Dan 10:12). 

Daniel was a humble seeker, wanting to know God better—he received an incredible answer, a divine experience.  Can you imagine what would it would be like to have an angle in your presence, or better, God’s Spirit envelope you?  Such an encounter—a spiritual revelation, a manifestation, or a vision—changes your thinking about a lot of things.  Your faith turns into action.  Your worship ignites with passion.

Daniel tells us that he, “had no strength left, my face turned deathly pale and I was helpless.”  Are you a seeker of a deep, relational experience with Christ—have you ever had a divine experience?

·         If your answer is yes, then you mind is transforming, your spirit is on fire to worship with passion, and your craving is to follow Christ.

·         If your answer is no, but within you is a whisper wanting to shout, “Yes,” then, transform your mindset to know God better, through humility set out to follow Christ—whom, you are helpless without.   Do you seek Christ for such a moment?

You can have an encounter with Jesus, because a divine presence is more than a Bible story—it is a true to life story waiting to happen.  Only when you know that you have “no strength left, [your] face turned deathly pale and [know you’re] helpless” without God, can you experience an embrace of his awesome presence.

No strength left,

Owen <><

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