| | There is a common attitude no matter where you go or who you talk to right now. Everyone is quite aware of the economic situation, not only in this country, but in the whole world right now. People miserable in their jobs want to quit but are too scared to. Others getting laid off are wishing they still had the job they so desperately hated last week. People thankful for the drop in gas prices yet still fearful of spending too much this Christmas b/c “you never know what tomorrow brings.” Suicides & illnesses are up, donations are down. Why?! Because people don’t truly believe:
God is stronger than duct tape!
Duct tape Nicole?! Seriously!? What does duct tape have to do with God? Well first the obvious – James 1:17 – “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above…” We all know, Duct tape is goooood! If someone breaks a window in his car, you are liable to see him driving around with a duct tape window. You need to hold something together – duct tape it. You need to make something stronger – duct tape. I have even seen bags, folders & book covers made out of duct tape. There are books available with 101 things to do or make with duct tape! Seriously, we have a lot of faith in duct tape. Even my 6 year old knows that you can turn to duct tape! There’s no second guessing, you just trust in the old reliable. You don’t turn to Elmer’s glue or scotch tape, you turn to what you KNOW works.
The question is though, how many of us will turn to God as quickly? The answer – not many. How do I know? Read the paper, watch the news, look at the stock market. Our actions speak loud & clear. If we are sick, broke financially, hurting in any way – many will often first turn to anything except God: medicines, loans, the shoulder of a friend. And most often, we still end up singing, “Gloom, despair & agony on me. Deep dark depression, excessive misery. If it weren’t for bad luck, I’d have no luck at all. Gloom, despair & agony on me!” Then when we do finally think about turning to God, it’s often whining to Him or blaming Him, “Oooh Lawd! Why Lord why?!” Or last but not least, my personal most despised statement, “well at least we know that God has a purpose in all this.” AAGGHHHHH!! Could you be any more wrong!?! God’s plan is crystal clear: Pull out your Bible and read for yourself, Jeremiah 29:11-14,
11 For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.
12 In those days when you pray, I will listen.
13 If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.
14 I will be found by you,” says the Lord. “I will end your captivity and restore your fortunes.
What part of that scripture says that God wants you to suffer before He can bless you? NONE! The ONLY thing that is required of us is to pray & seek Him. That’s it!!!! He will restore fortunes and end captivity. Captive to what? Well, anything that isn’t of Him. Sickness – be it physical, mental, emotional or spiritual. Captive to a job you are not supposed to be in. Captive to a failing marriage that could be healed & strengthened if only you’d turn to Him instead of turning against each other. Captive in any way that is not His ways. He can & WILL hear you if you will only cry out to Him. He WILL heal your body, mind, heart, marriage, pocketbooks. He will make them stronger than ever before.
Duct tape is great. It’s fun to play with, it really is reliable for so many different uses. It’s easy to see why so many people keep it stocked in their homes, shops, work, some even in their cars. But the fact remains, there are things that duct tape can’t do. Jesus Christ however, is quite the opposite. There is nothing He can’t do IF we will put our faith in Him. Duct tape runs out. You have to go to the store & buy more. But Jesus Christ doesn’t ‘run out’. In fact we know that He says, “I will NEVER leave you nor forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5) You see, it’s not God that has this economic situation in a downward spiral. It’s not part of His plan. He never left this country, our schools, our homes, our hearts – we kicked Him out & turned our backs on Him. He WANTS to help us, we just have to let Him.
It’s Christmas time folks. A time of joy, peace, hope, celebration. It’s not a time to stress or fear. It’s not about buying a gift. The ONLY gift that matters at Christmas (or any time of year for that matter) is the ONE gift that gave it all – God gave His Son to us. A Son to be our Savior. A Savior who already took on every aspect of sin – sickness, lack, pain, etc. so that we wouldn’t have to. So put down the broken life you are living. Stop turning to supplements like duct tape to fix your problems. Turn to God. Give Him the chance to fix it all. I guarantee, if you give Him your heart and your life, you will have the best Christmas you’ve ever had.
-Nicole
Merry Christmas!
-bryan & nicole
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| | Posted 12/18/2008 10:28 AM - 34 Views - 4 eProps - 3 comments
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