"Little Pigs"

Luke 6:47-49

We all know the story of the three little pigs, it's a timeless tale. But if you don't know it, here it is. Three pigs all decide to build three separate houses. So the first pig makes a house out of straw, the second pig makes a house out of sticks, and the third makes a house out of bricks. Along comes the big bad wolf and tells the pig with the house of straw "Little Pig, little pig, let me in!" and the pig responds "Not by the hair of chinny chin chin!" So the wolf takes a deep breath and blows the house down with ease.  The first pig runs to the second pig's house made of sticks but the wolf was in hot pursuit. Again the big bad wolf shots "Little Pigs, little pigs, let me in!" and the pigs respond "Not by the hair of our chinny chin chins!" So the wolf takes a deep breath and blows the house built of sticks down. The pigs scatter like roaches when there is light! They race to the third pig's house made of bricks, he graciously lets them in. The wolf arrives and demands "Little Pigs, little pigs, let me in!" and the pigs respond "Not by the hair of our chinny chin chins!" So the wolf takes a mighty breath and with everything he has tries to blow the house down, but this time it is to no avail because the house is stronger than his mightiest effort. The pigs are finally safe and secure.

I look at this story and I see parallels with the Gospel. The Word tells us in Luke 6:47-49 that when we are disobedient to the Words of Christ we risk losing our firm foundation when trouble comes because trouble will come. The Gospel makes it very clear that we will face trouble but if we stand in obedience to God's Word we will survive no matter the storm that comes. Just like the wolf, Satan prowls at our door and desires not only to blow our house down but destroy us in any way that he can (1 Peter 5:8). If we are continually disobedient and intentionally ignore God's instruction for our life, our houses built of our plans, our thoughts, and our ways (sticks and straws) will always fall (Proverbs 19:20-21). But if we are trusting and relying on Jesus, seeking his direction for our life, actively being obedient to His Word and Will for our life we will have a firm foundation (Psalm 119:9, 89, 105). Trouble will come but through His Word, Prayer, and His Spirit we will withstand the storm and defy the wolf (Satan).

I am asking for you to commit not forsake being an ordinary person but become an extraordinary Christian. I am petitioning you to step up your faith by studying the Bible and make an eternal promise to yourself to follow Christ. I am requesting that you let Jesus guide you and direct you in every aspect of your life. Become the pig with the house made of bricks and not the house of sticks and straw.

Stay focused, you can do this.

"In His JOY!"

Changing me softly with His Words

‎2 Corinthians 7:8-11

Paul wrote two letters to the Christians in Corinth (1 Corinthians and 2 Corinthians). . His first letter was an accountability letter. Paul had concern about the division in the church, sexual immorality, love, etc. (1 Corinthians 1:10, 5:18, 13). It was no the most pleasant letter but Paul was doing his best and trying to hold the church accountable for their actions. 

By the time Paul wrote his second letter to the church of Corinth, the church had received his first letter and found no joy in it. And Paul addressed this temporary sadness. He told them it was not his intention to make his fellow brothers and sisters in Christ bothered by the letter but he did not regret sending it (2 Corinth 7:8). Instead he found joy in the letter he sent because momentary pain they felt lead them to repent and turn back to the Lord (2 Corinthians 7:9). Paul was joyful because when the Corinthians saw their sins they did not rebel against God and continue to sin. No instead they were sorrowful for their actions but inspired to turn back to the Lord and do God's Will (2 Corinthians 7:10-11).

This makes me think about the church today. When you your sin becomes visible or known to you, what do you do? If someone were to call you out for your sins how would respond now? Would repent and seek to do the Lord's Will or would you brush it off and continue to live your life the way you want? To be honest sometimes I have become prideful and rejected someone when they have held me accountable. And have even sought out the bible and people to agree with me so I can feel justified. But that was not a godly response.

We should always consider our ways when the Word of God becomes clear to us and we are being held accountable for our actions. Something in us should respond to the hearing of God's Word. His Word and accountability should never become just background noise to us. They should abide in the forefront of our lives and they should cause to change and live for Christ. Much like it did in the Church of Corinth.

So I implore you to read God's Word and be inspired to turn back to the Lord. I urge you find good Christian friends who do not seek to agree with you but are willing to challenge you to live a Godly lifestyle. Stay focused you can do this!

In His JOY!

"Precious Pearl"

Hebrews 4:12-13

When you read the Word of God you are reading an active and alive word. You are not reading the dead writings of Muhammad, The past unspired thoughts of Buddha, or the poor intellectual insights of Confucius. You are reading the Word of a Living and Active God who cares for His People and their concerns (1 Peter 5:7).

You are reading about the lives of real people who understand victory, failure, triumph, success, grief, temptation, etc. You are reading about how people lived theirs lives for Jesus and gladly died for their faith. We are seeing the unedited autobiography about the lives of people with great faith (Hebrews 11). We are not reading about comic book villains and heroes, we are reading about the devil's plot against God's children. But we are also reading about a future hope we have, a present victory, and a past that was forgiven. That is what we are reading.

Let us not minimize God's Word and make it something it is not, but appreciate it for what it is. Stay focused, you can do this.

"In His JOY!"