Jeremiah 17:10. I the Lord search the heart, I try (test) the reins (mind), even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings (deeds).
Ah friends, when is not one thing is another yes! Yesterday morning we were talking about showers of blessings, well last night about one o’clock, we had a granddaddy of thunderstorms, with flashing lightning, pounding rain and Thor’s hammer hammering like crazy! I was standing at my opened bedroom window when it began, and admired it for a while, then went to bed leaving the window open. But shortly thereafter I had to get up and close it because the lightning scene got sort of crazy and scary.
And the storm went on for a good half an hour or more, and as it calmed down, you could hear the thunder rolling in the distance as it approached another area. Now who says our God isn’t great eh? One moment He can show gentleness, which we saw with the early morning showers, while the next He can show His awesome power with thunder, lightning and pouring rain. So please don’t take our God lightly! (smile) That’s the watchword for today!
Anyway, since it’s Saturday, let’s look at the quotes our friend Anselm sent us this past week, as he aspires to inspire us for a better tomorrow. And the first one declares: ‘All progress takes place outside the comfort zone.’ That is true more often than not! For we don’t usually make progress unless we come upon something difficult for us to overcome.
That’s why we read about God testing us as we walk our earthly journey. Listen to Moses as he talks to the Israelites. ‘And thou shalt remember all the way which the Lord thy God led these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove (test) thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep my commandments, or no.’ (Deut. 8:2) Meanwhile Jeremiah puts it thus: ‘I the Lord search the heart, I try (test) the reins (mind), even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings (deeds).’ (Jer. 17:10)
Yeh friends, the Lord took the Israelites the long way to the promised land to try, to test them, and they failed miserably. It’s the same with ordinary life, we usually can’t improve unless we put out a special, or bigger effort. And that’s why we can only be changed from glory to glory, become more Christ-like in small increments; at every level, we need to put out a bigger effort to rise up higher. Consequently, the next quote is very true. ‘If you are not willing to risk the usual, you will have to settle for the ordinary.’
If you want to achieve more than the ordinary stuff, then you must put out more than the ordinary effort, take some risks, climb out on a shaky limb or two, for only those who dare to step out from their comfort zone, ever win the first prize. No wonder there are so many under-achievers in our current society. Too many of us are simply willing to accept the status quo and live the lazy, entitled life, than to make an effort, to put a foot forward and improve ourselves and our world.
Then we have this interesting quote: ‘The ones who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones that do.’ And that’s the gospel truth yes my people. Most of the people who have caused worldwide changes in our universe had a screw or two slightly loose, (smile) or rather a big vision that most of us cannot even comprehend, and also a monumental passion to achieve it.
When you consider people like Alexander the Great, Genghis Khan, Lenin and Stalin, Abraham Lincoln, George Washington, as well as inventors like Henry Ford and Thomas Edison, they were driven by a different mental attitude and passion than most. And that’s how one needs to be, if you desire to make worldwide changes. Your efforts, imagination and steadfastness must be bigger than ordinary.
That brings us to our last quote: ‘One child, one teacher, one book, and one pen can change the world.’ And there is a lot of truth to that statement, which is best exemplified by our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Just look at the impact His birth had on the world nuh. Wise men came many miles from distant lands just to praise and worship Him, offering priceless gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.
In his home area He also made a big splash, after the angels announced it to the shepherds and they noised it about, even so badly scaring King Herod, that he went about killing all the children around two years of age. And then worldwide, His birth is now celebrated by the wonderful festival of Christmas; a time of giving, sharing and LOVING, even if you are not a Christian.
Jesus is also the epitome of how one teacher can change the world. He gathered twelve young men, taught them His ways and desires for three years then sent them out to evangelize the world. And although it took some time and much effort, including serious persecution, they set the ball rolling, until now, it’s almost done. In another few years, with the wonderful tools we now have, the whole earth would have heard of Christ and His wonderful message of salvation and eternal life, even if they choose not to accept him. Now how is that for one teacher starting from humble beginnings eh?
And when we talk about one book changing the world, there’s none like the Bible, the Holy Word of God! Wow! It’s been in existence for thousands of years. Numerous wars and arguments have blossomed from it. It’s been banned, burned, vilified, blasphemed, called all sorts of names, but today it is still the bestselling book in the universe!
Mamacita! How is that possible eh? Because of its author, Jesus Christ! One pen might not have done the actual writing, but it was the thought process of just One Person, Almighty God. He inspired the words of the prophets and writers, and thus it’s all His doing!
So friends, please, let’s never believe that ONE of anything is not sufficient or enough to make big changes, for if that ONE thing or person is valiant and willing enough to go to the ends of the earth to succeed, they can, especially if they have the awesome power of Christ Jesus, His Holy Spirit dwelling in them and leading and guiding them to their divine destiny! Much LOVE!
…all things are possible with God…and those who sincerely reverence Him…
Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZJ8
SCRIP-BITS 