Many of you are needing to 'stay home' too, so I thought I'd provide a little more reading than usual, for those who are filling in time...
The Narrow Path is a Good Place
" Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it." Matthew 7:14 (KJV)
Perhaps you can think of something you did a few years ago that would bother your conscience if you tried to do it now. It may not have bothered you five years ago, but because God has now revealed to you that it is wrong, you would not think of doing it anymore.
God speaks to us about issues, works with us to bring correction, and then lets us rest for awhile. But eventually, as long as we're still listening, He will always talk to us about something new.
If you are anything like I was, you once walked through life on a wide and reckless path, but you are now on a narrow path. I remember saying to God once, "It seems like my path gets narrower and narrower all the time." I remember feeling that the path God was leading me on was getting so narrow that there was no room on it for me! No wonder Paul said, "It's no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me" (Galatians 2:20). When Jesus comes to live in us, He takes up permanent residence and slowly expands His presence in our lives until there is more of Himself and less of our old selfish nature.
If you feel you are on a narrow path - as though you cannot do what you used to do or as though the restrictions on you are very tight - then be encouraged; your old selfish nature is getting squeezed out so more of God's presence can dwell in you.
(Hearing from God Each Morning - Joyce Meyer)
The Synergy of Cooperation
Read: Nehemiah Chapter 4
"So build ye the wall; and all the wall was joined together unto the half thereof: for the people had a mind to work." - Nehemiah 4:6
Molly had four kittens. Several weeks later Boots had one kitten. Molly carried the new kitten to her nest. Now she had five, and Boots had none. Later Boots joined Molly and the kittens in the box. Now there were five kittens and two mother. Everyone seemed happy. The kittens had plenty of milk and the mothers had plenty of kittens. Molly and Boots did not waste time and energy fighting or trying to push each other out of the box. They did not compete for the exclusive affection of the litter, nor did they show favoritism for their own biological offspring. They cooperated to keep all of the kittens well-fed, healthy, clean, and safe.
The two mothers working together were able to accomplish more than the sum of their efforts had they worked alone. One prowling dog might have gladly accepted the challenge of doing battle with one cat at a time, but he would likely have had second thoughts about facing two outraged felines standing shoulder to shoulder. That is synergy.
There is synergy in human cooperation as well. Working together, we accomplish more than all of us could do individually. Opportunities and resources for spreading the Gospel are unprecedented. God has chosen to have His work accomplished through our hands as He gives us wisdom and strength to do it. When we faithfully do what God has called us to do, taking our place in cooperation with other believers, God's power will multiply our efforts. But His power is limited when we begin jostling for preeminence, competing for personal recognition, and bickering over trivial details. Perhaps God smiles to see Molly and Boots working together to care for kittens. We know He is pleased when His people work together in humility and mutual appreciation.
Gary Miller - Pantego, NC
When we all pull together; how happy we'll be.
This devotional is from Beside the Still Waters, an Amish Mennonite publication. It is my favourite of the 4 I read each morning.
If you would like to receive a free copy you can write to:
Still Waters Ministries
285 Antioch Road
Clarkson KY 42726
USA
Or in Canada:
Beside the Still Waters
4180 Line 61 RR1
Milverton ON N0K 1M0
Canada
And if you are looking for more ways to fill the days, there are hundreds of sermons and articles (from an Anabaptist perspective) here:
I'll be listening to some this afternoon.
xx
It's wonderful, isn't it, the availability of these online faith resources - so helpful now! I like the cat story - it's a good illustration of synergy, which is a word I've never paid attention to before. :) You were wise to stay home.
ReplyDeleteI thought of you when I was typing the cat story :) x
DeleteAwww.
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