Issue #1,158 August 19,2004 On The Scent
Kathy, Genni the wonder dog and I took a leisurely stroll around the lake. We
passed the usual people; dogs; ducks; geese; other birds and muskrats. We even
saw a boy taking his pet ferret out for a stroll. I suspect his walk probably
wouldn't have gone so smoothly on the other side of the lake, by the toboggan
hill where all the gophers live.
Genni the wonder dog is a border collie/basset hound cross. Most of the time,
she thinks like a collie, but every now and then she becomes undeniably basset.
As we were nearing home from our walk, Genni got a whiff of something and the
basset hound part of her brain kicked in. With her nose to the ground she followed
the scent, nearly dislocating my arm in the process. She hopped up onto a short
stone wall to follow the scent. Normally there would be no way to entice her to
get up on a wall like that.
She tracked through some evergreens, back out onto the grass and up the trail.
I have no idea what she was following, she didn't react at all to the ferret and
there has been no sign of any unusual game in the area. Whatever it was, it had
her full attention. Nothing was going to deter her from tracking it down. At least
until she finally lost the scent of whatever she had been trailing. When she lost
the scent she wandered back and forth, very lost and confused looking.
Sometimes I get like that, and I suspect that you might as well. We hear part
of what God has to say to us and we begin to dig in and move forward like a hound
dog on a fresh track. We don't look anywhere but right in front of ourselves and
nothing is going to deter us from our set course.
Our enthusiasm is wonderful. Our diligence is laudable. Our persistence is admirable.
The problems comes in when we forget to stop and check with God to see if we're
still on the right track. Often God wants us to go down the path to a certain
point and then change directions. If we don't check we miss our turn off point.
The church is littered with examples. Congregations that didn't listen to God
about the changing needs of the community. Programs that have run forever, long
after the need for them has passed. People who hold on tight to the "way we've
always done it". Ministries that are no longer relevant or effective. Revivals
that drifted off into the morass of formula and legalism. Denominations that were
raised up by the Spirit only to stall and wither away when they lost touch with
His prompting.
We need to remember that God's plan is too big for us to know in its entirety.
Often He only reveals what we need for the moment and we must be in constant dialogue
with Him to stay the course.
Even the disciples were told to stop and wait at times. They were set to move
forward and boldly declare the resurrection of Christ. In fact they had begun
to do that, and the church saw it's first martyrs. That was fine, but there came
a point when Jesus said stop and wait.
Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. He told them,
"This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the
third day, and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name
to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. I am
going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you
have been clothed with power from on high."
Luke 24:45-49 NIV
After his suffering, he showed himself to these men and gave many convincing
proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and
spoke about the kingdom of God. On one occasion, while he was eating with them,
he gave them this command: "Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father
promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but
in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit."
Acts 1:3-5 NIV
Are you on track with God? Or are you simply following an old scent? Perhaps
it's time to check with Him.
Until next time, remember to lift you nose now and then, look to the heavens
and seek direction. Sometimes that means you might even have to stop and wait.
Hallelu Yah (Praise God)
Be blessed
Kevin
Never let the enemy tell you that you are worthless or insignificant. You have
value in the eyes of God so great that it was worth dying for. You are a blessing
to the world. You are so precious to God that heaven will not be complete without
you.
HELP FOR THE HURTING
God has a delightful plan for your life. He wants to forgive you, bless you and
restore you to your right place with Father. I can't tell you what that plan is,
only He knows, but I can put you on the right trail. It all starts with admitting
that you can't do it on your own and putting your trust in Him. Will you do that
today.
If you want to know how to do that simply email us and we'll send you some Bible
verses that will explain it to you.
You can simply begin the relationship by honestly and completely opening your
heart; admitting you need God's help; turning away from your sin and saying a
prayer along the lines of the one below. There isn't any "magic" in the prayer;
it's simply a way to open up to the gift that Jesus already bought for you with
His very life. You can't earn it. You don't deserve it. He freely offers it to
all who will accept it.
Jesus:
I have made many mistakes in my life and done things I am not proud of. I have
sinned. I need your love and forgiveness. I believe that you came into this world
and gave your life on a cross to pay for my sins and that you defeated death and
rose again. Please forgive me, and be the Lord of my life. I give my life to you
Lord.
Amen
If you pray this prayer for the first time let me know so I can rejoice with
you. It's not the end of the process. It is the beginning of a wonderful journey
to become more like Jesus. It's your starting point.
NEED PRAYER? GOT QUESTIONS?
If you're in need of prayer or answers to questions about the faith email us
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