The Mosquito.

 I like to drive with my windows down when the weather is nice. Sometimes I get some flying insects in the van. Flies, bees, mosquito's, whatever, no big deal. Well the other day I had a mosquito flitting about across the windshield. From driver side to passenger side and then back again. It kept doing this the whole time while I was driving. I had all the windows down once again and when I came to a stop, I tried to shoo the mosquito out the open window. It had no intention of doing that. Every time that I would try to scoop it or swat it out the window, it would fly the other direction. It was like it was comfortable being inside the car, when there was an open window for it to fly out of and be free.

I thought about us, you know, people. How we are like that with the sin that we are in. We think that we are trapped inside when all along God has opened a window for us to get out of. It's almost like we are too comfortable in our sin to see the open window. God speaks to us, nudges us, shows us the way out, but we are to blind to see it. Out that window is the unknown. A different life that God wants for us. Inside is something that I am used to & comfortable with!

2 Corinthians 5:17 Amplified Bible

17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ [that is, grafted in, joined to Him by faith in Him as Savior], he is a new creature [reborn and renewed by the Holy Spirit]; the old things [the previous moral and spiritual condition] have passed away. Behold, new things have come [because spiritual awakening brings a new life].

God wants us to be set free from sin! He doesn't want us to be trapped by it any longer. He always makes a way for us to escape. We just have to obey and follow His leading. Like one song says. He is a way maker, a chain breaker, He is a prison shaking Savior!

1 Corinthians 10:13 Amplified Bible

13 No temptation [regardless of its source] has overtaken or enticed you that is not common to human experience [nor is any temptation unusual or beyond human resistance]; but God is faithful [to His word—He is compassionate and trustworthy], and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability [to resist], but along with the temptation He [has in the past and is now and] will [always] provide the way out as well, so that you will be able to endure it [without yielding, and will overcome temptation with joy].

So  my friends let me encourage you. If you are embedded in sin and you see no way out. Seek God and He will show you a way. He will open a window, door, whatever means necessary to get you out of there. Don't be like that mosquito flitting about in comfortableness. God loves you too much to leave you there!

Church & The Gas Station.

 Now you may be wondering what those two places have in common. Well, let me tell you. I visit each one once a week. I fill my car up with gas about once a week to get me to where I am going. I go to church once a week (actually twice) to fill up spiritually to get me through the week.

I was thinking about this as I was filling the tank in my van the other day. I thought that this is sure a lot like church. I mean you fill your vehicle up and run it all week until it gets low on gas and then do it all over again. So that's like church. I go once a week, get filled with the word of God, some really good worship, enjoy the company of other believers, get my iron sharpened and then go out and empty myself throughout the week, then come back and do it all over again.

How does one empty themselves during the week? Well, I tell people about the Gospel of Jesus. I give testimony for what He has done for me. I volunteer to make a difference in my community. I worship as I go about each day of the week. Just like a car uses gas by going places during the week, the same is with us as we move about in our circle of influence. Family, work, shopping, volunteering. What ever it is that you do, empty yourselves of what God has filled you up with.

Colossians 3:12-14 The Message

12-14 So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It’s your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it.

As we go about our days, we strive to live like this. This what God wants from us, and that takes a lot of energy and strength. So from Sunday through Saturday our energy should be completely zapped and we are ready to be refueled. What better place to do that than the church with other like minded people.

Hebrews 10:25 New Living Translation

25 And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.

Lord I pray that I may be empty so You can fill me with Yourself and what You want from me.

Amen!