Prayer Trigger

 

Two years ago, my brother-in-law gave me a rechargeable headlamp.  Kirk works in heating and air and found the headlamp indispensable, so he got one for me too.  And it has been a blessing!  I use it all the time.  I recharged it last night because I am using it today when I replace an LED light panel at church.  There are no windows in the downstairs hallway, so it will be totally dark when I turn off the power.  I can’t hold a flashlight while working overhead, so the headlamp is the perfect light.  And when I use the headlamp, I am reminded to pray for Kirk.  Paul was like me in Philippians 1: 3&4, “I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy.”  Hey, use triggers to remind yourself to pray for friends and loved ones throughout the day.  It’ll be good for them and good for you: they need the prayer and you need the practice.  As a matter of fact, pray for me just now … and when you click on a like or leave a comment, I’ll be reminded to pray for you  ;<)

Fighting the Wind

 

Saturday, I was using my gas blower (thanks for the gift, Eric) to blow off the church parking lot.  But the wind was contrary and kept blowing the twigs and leaves into my face.  I would make progress, but then a gust would undo what I had accomplished.  I was frustrated until I stopped and thought for a moment.  I turned around and blew the debris with the wind and cleaned the entire parking lot in short time.  I not only didn’t have to fight the wind, I actually used the wind to my advantage.  I was reminded of the Jewish Sanhedrin examining the apostles in Acts chapter 5.  Gamaliel offered this wise advice: Acts 5:38&39, “… if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought: But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.”  Well said, Dr. Gamaliel!  Hey, don’t fight against God; fight with God; be on the Lord’s side!

Tape Measure Troubles

 

In 1961 my dad bought some property in the country in Maryland and moved our trailer onto it.  After he had saved a while, he built the front half of our house with the trailer attached to the back.  Then two years later, he moved the trailer and finished the back half of our house.  While building the back half, he bought a new tape measure.  After laying out the framing, he began to notice problems.  The new walls were off, and the floor joists were too short.  After examination, he discovered that his new tape measure was off by only 1/32” per inch.  But at the end of the 45’ long house, it was almost 1 ½” too long!  That tiny difference added up to a big problem.  His new tape didn’t correspond to his 6’ folding rule.  The error was in the new longer tape.  Hey, do you seem to have problems in your life?  Do some things just don’t add up?  Go back to the Bible and see how your life compares to God’s standard.  Solomon spoke of “unjust weights” in the marketplace that fooled some people.  Proverbs 16:11 says, “A just weight and balance are the LORD'S: all the weights of the bag are his work.”  God compares all of our lives to His perfect standard.  God doesn’t grade on a curve; God is fair with everyone.  The problem is that we are ALL sinners and in need of a Savior.  And after salvation by God’s grace, we ALL still have a sinful nature to overcome.  We overcome our sinful flesh by surrendering each day to the dear Lord.  Hey, don’t struggle against God; surrender to Him.  Make your life measure up to God’s expectations and you will live a peaceful, spirit-controlled life.