Smoke & Wineskins

Today's part of Psalm 119 is verses 81-88. I've been reading this passage and saw that the author is speeking about the persecution that he is in. He says that he has become a 'wineskin in smoke'. If a wineskin is placed in smoke the skin will dry out and crack; then becoming useless.

So the author is saying that in his perscution he has 'cracked'. But in verse 88 he says, "Revive me according to Your lovingkindness, So that I may keep the testamony of Your mouth." What a very vivid image!

All For His Son's Glory!
-Kole

Cats and Fireworks

The title of this post refers to two separate stories that have both happened recently.

First, cats.  Last Thursday, one of my favorite cats died.  She was getting old, so it was expected, but it was still hard (for those of you who know her, it was Tea).  Well, over the past few days, my favorite cat, Bistro (a.k.a. "The Beast" or "Beasty") has become sick and is about to die as well.  It was unexpected and was (and is) very hard.  I'm going to miss him.

Second, fireworks.  Yesterday, on the 4th of July, I shot lots of fireworks and watched even more from Jim Rollo and Jase Samuelson.  It was great.  I got giddy and excited--I love fireworks.

Now, how they relate.  When I was laying in bed last night, I thought, "fireworks excite me--how much more should Jesus excite me."  I prayed that God would remove the callus that has built up to prevent excitement about God and Bible Study.  Then I thought again about my cats.  I thought, "my favorite cats dying disappoint me, and it makes me sick and sad--how much more should sinning against my Lord and Savior disappoint and sadden me."

Just another viewpoint on things.

So, when you face trials that cause you grief, remember that you should despair over your sin (but don't stay despairing--ask God for forgiveness and move on).  The despair is a good deterrent to prevent doing the same sin again (although it often doesn't prevent it either).

And when you are excited about something, remember the excitement you should experience when you think about Jesus.  If it is not there, pray that God would remove the callus of your heart and give you genuine excitement for godly things.

Luke

Rejoice!

"Rejoice in the Lord, and I'll say it again: Rejoice." (Phil. 4:4)

Even when you don't feel like being joyful or happy, we are commanded to be happy and satisfied in the Lord. We are to "consider it pure joy" to face trials in our lives (even minor ones). And, as believers, we have the best reason in the world to rejoice! So why don't we do it more?

Do you think that God wants other people to see us carrying His victory banner into the thick of the battle, but then calmy we retreat because we were beaten back by the enemy? Never.

As Christians we are always representing Christ.

If we call ourselves Christians and are always discontent and angry, that's what people think of Christ. But we know that He is the opposite of that!

We need to be joyful in the Lord.

Luke 6:22 "Blessed are you when people hate you for my sake, and when they exclude you and revile you and spurn your name as evil, on the account of the Son of Man! Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy, for behold your reward in Heaven is great. . ."

Most of the time when we are sad, discontent, angry, or whatever it is, "not on the account of the Son of Man," it's because of our own selfish reasons. But I pray that I would be persecuted for His name.

-Kade