The Egg

In a land beyond the ocean in a country far, far away lived
a man. He lived a life normal for his small village, working, farming, raising
a family, just living life. He was surrounded by beliefs that many of us would
find strange. Although he worshiped a higher power, a creator, he was
surrounded by those who practiced witchcraft, casting evil spells and
controlling people’s lives.

As time passed some missionaries came to this land and
taught people about a man named Jesus. Many believed, yet at the same time,
many did not. The Witch doctors were of course very unhappy as they made their
living selling spells, potions and talismans to the people. Those who turned to
follow Jesus rejected witchcraft, so there was a constant conflict among them.

The man in our story came to follow Jesus, he began to
practice Christianity. The man’s wife was a believer in witchcraft and opposed
her husbands continually and it was a serious problem between them. It was so
much of a problem that she couldn’t stand it any longer and decided to take
drastic action. She went to the Witchdoctor and asked for a way to change or
kill her husband.

The Witchdoctor had the perfect plan; he went to the man’s
house while he was working in the fields and placed an egg before the door of
the house. He made a special incantation over the egg and sprinkled it with a
supposed “magic” powder. When the Christian man looked at the egg it was
supposed to make him sick and cause him to die.

When the Christian man arrived home he saw the egg and knew
just what it was. He noticed all of his neighbors watching from their doorways
and wondering what he would do. To the man it was a test of his new faith; he
no longer believed that Witchcraft had any power over him, so he decided to
prove that point. He walked up to the egg and proclaimed loudly, “Look at this,
God has blessed me with an egg for my supper”. He went into his home, gathered
a pan and things to make a fire. He came out and made a fire in front of his
house and cooked the egg and ate it to the amazement of all of his neighbors.
It was his testimony of his faith in Jesus Christ.

Now you may think that this is an interesting story, but
just a story. But it is not! It is a true story that really happened in a small
village in Kenya, East Africa. I have been to the house of the man, I have
worshiped at the church he began in his village, I have met his wife who was
then a believer also.

What
is your testimony? What does the world think of when they see you? Does your
faith show though in the way you live, the things you say, the way you dress,
the faith you exhibit in your actions? Jesus put it in simple terms for us in Matthew 5:15-16 where he said, “Neither
do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand,
and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light
shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father
in heaven”. How are you doing?

Donuts and life

Wow, I just got some good news! Well, may be not “good,”
for me physically, perhaps interesting would be a better word. I was reading
one of my favorite medical reports (which I have found to be very informative
and trustworthy) and found a way to justify my oft denied craving for Crispy
Cream donuts. The report said that they have found that there is more sugar in
a Starbucks Frapachino than in a Crispy Cream donut… So, now I can justify
myself in skipping Starbucks and instead picking up a Crispy Cream donut with
chocolate icing!

OK, I’ll continue to skip the donuts, but I still like them
and really could feel more justified in eating one (or two) now. Isn’t it
strange how our minds work? I have often said in considering life, that I can
find a way to justify just about anything I want. Think about it, the “New Car”
commercials on television plant the idea that it would just be great to have a
new car. Suddenly you start hearing noises when you drive. You notice that the
paint is a little more faded and scratched than you had thought. The tires are
going to have to be replaced soon and there are some other repairs that you
have been putting off, so why not start dreaming about the new car. Then before
long the dream becomes a passion and soon you are the owner of a new car (and
new car payments).

Now the same is true of furniture, appliances or even your
house. For some folks it is even their spouse or families that they begin
finding reasons to replace. Some even decide that their lives need some
changing (and not necessarily for the better). They decide to find out about all
the world is trying for fun, excitement and simulation. They become involved in
drinking, gambling and perhaps even sexual relationships outside of the marriage
covenant.

Now the world says this is great, they say: “try
new things,” “live your life anyway you want,” “don’t
let old moral views hold you back,” perhaps even “Crispy Cream donuts are good for
you”. Yet, the apostle Peter warned 2000 years ago, “Be
serious and keep watch; the Evil One, who is against you, goes about like a
lion with open mouth in search of food; Do not give way to him but be strong in
your faith, in the knowledge that your brothers who are in the world undergo
the same troubles. (1 Peter
5:8-9)

So
where does this leave us? How do we deal with this issue? King Solomon gave us
an answer a couple of centuries ago when he said: “All has been heard; here is the
conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the
duty of all mankind. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including
every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil”. (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14)

Well
having said all that, I think I’ll head over for a Crispy Cream donut… well
maybe not!

Scratching it out

A minister was sitting at the
kitchen table working at writing a sermon. His young daughter came in and asked
what he was doing. He said, “I'm writing a sermon for this coming Sunday morning.” The daughter asked, “How do
you know what to write?” He replied, “The Spirit leads me as I write the
words.” She thought for a moment and said, “If the Spirit is leading you, why
are you scratching out so much of it?”

Now the scripture does indicate
that the Spirit will help guide us if we open ourselves up to God. Paul writes
in Romans 8:14, “for
all who are led by God's Spirit are God's Children”. He also mentions
in Galatians 5:18 that, “...if you are being led
by the Spirit, you are not under the law.”

I'm afraid we forget it far too
often, but we really should understand that when we become Christians we
receive the gift of the Holy Spirit in our lives. “Peter answered them, “Every
one of you must be baptized in the name of Jesus the Messiah for the
forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the Holy Spirit as a gift.”
(Acts 2:38).

The obvious question then is, “How does the Spirit lead
us today?” We are led by the word of God in conjunction with the Spirit who
dwells in us. The apostle Paul shared these thoughts with us in Ephesians
3:2-6, “Surely you have heard about the administration of God’s grace
that was given to me for you, that is, the mystery made known to me by
revelation, as I have already written briefly. In reading this, then, you will
be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made
known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit
to God’s holy apostles and prophets. This mystery is that through the gospel
the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and
sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.”

Jesus words fills and and leads
us as we read the things written by His apostles. It can have an amazing and
wonderful effect on our lives and direct our steps if we allow it.

The problem is that many times we
“scratch out” the parts we don't like or agree with. In doing some reading
“online” I was amazed at the number of people who said we should not believe
everything Paul wrote, basically because it went against today's accepted
social and moral standards. You tell me, who is right, God or man? What (or
who) is going to lead you today. For me, I choose God and His Word!