I crave happiness. 

My eyes are gone, long burned and shriveled to the point of nothingness, the surrounding areas dull and discolored, singing into the void,

My face is wrinkled and leathery, as if the youth and innocence that had once been there had evaporated and what was left could withstand the effects of gravity no more,

My mouth is a decaying wasteland, where not even bacteria could find nourishment, nor are there any pools of saliva to wet my dry, cracked tongue,

My hair is mostly gone, replaced by spots of leprosy, and what strands of what that do remain are long, thin and split half-way down,

My body is not the pinkish hue it once was, but is now gray, and where muscle and fat had once flourished only brittle bones now reside,

This is not the result of drugs or alcohol or any kind of physical abuse, but a look into the soul of one with hidden stains; addictions which have been taking place in private and have lasted for years,

Though it looks hopeless, life can come into this pitiful creature once more, not by way of formulas or self-disciplines, but by a deeper understanding of the ways of Father God, whose very presence will undo all the years of damage...if I let it.

     

Php 1:12-23  I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel,  (13)  so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my shackles are for Christ.  (14)  And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my shackles, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.  (15)  Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will.  (16)  The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel.  (17)  The former proclaim Christ out of rivalry, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my shackles.  (18)  What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice. Yes, and I will rejoice,  (19)  for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance,  (20)  as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death.  (21)  For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.  (22)  If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell.  (23)  I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better.  (24)  But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account.  (25)  Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith,  (26)  so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again.

 

4/22/2007

Many times in our lives we feel like we're stuck.  We're in a place we don't want to be and there's nothing we can do but wait.  And wait.  And wait.  When these times happen to us we feel like there's somewhere else we need to be and we want to be there now.

When Paul was "stuck" in prison the Kingdom was being advanced because of his faith (Php_1:12-13).

            What are we like when we're "stuck" somewhere?  How are we being a light to the world (Mat_5:14-16)?  Is our light actually darkness (Mat_6:23)?

            If we are doing God's will are we ever really anywhere by chance?  Or are we exactly where He's assigned us to be?

 

Many people think of God as being a slice of pie in their lives.  One slice may be family, another work, and yet another their social lives or projects to be completed, and then they have there slice of God.  What if God isn't supposed to be a mere slice of your life?  Maybe God wants to be the pie tin of your life; the thing that gives your life shape and holds you together. 

 

Final thought-Will you allow God to be your pie tin?

 To listen to sermons by Jeff Manion and other pastors at Ada Bible please visit the church's website.