By Joe Widick
During the course of a week, I receive a variety of emails from members at Maple Hill as well as other individuals that I know. I am always amazed at how much information is available. This past week I received some pictures of art work that really caught my attention. An individual took the dirty windshield of a car and carefully drew on the dust and dirt of the windshield pictures. Most appeared to be copies of some well known artwork. He transformed windshield into pieces of art. If I had been given the task of doing something with the dirt, I would have written on the windshield; “Wash me!”
It is an interesting exercise to consider who we were and then to look at who we are. God has taken you and I who were sinners without any hope of eternal life, and has given us hope. He has made us into something that is beautiful in his eyes. We are one of his children. When you and I look at our life, we can be reminded of that beautiful passage found in Isaiah 64:8 where the prophet said; “Yet, O Lord, you are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand.” One can see that lump of clay on the potter’s wheel and see the hand of the potter carefully working the clay to form a most precious and useful vessel. The care, the vision, the ability are all essential elements to make the vessel.
Take time this week to look at yourself and see what God has done to make you his vessel. Consider the love and care that went into you. Think of the providence of God that has put you at certain places in your life to make you a vessel of honor. Then quickly look back and see where you once were. Aren’t you glad that there was one who could take just as we were, without one plea and make us into something beautiful. As we think about that, could that not become a motivation for us to willing to share our lives with others, who have not realized the importance of turning their life over to the potter so He can mold them and make them into something beautiful.
Ancient Israel’s prolific songwriter wrote a poem thousands of years ago that still rings true: “When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have ordained, what is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of man that You visit him?” (Psalm 8:3-4). Thank you Lord being mindful of us and helping to make us beautiful.
By Joe Widick
It was towards the end of the last Titan pre-season game. The game for all practical purposes was over. The “stars” had long left the field of play, which gave the sideline reporter plenty of players to interview. One in particular caught my attention. I can’t remember his name, but he was a huge man who dwarfed the female reporter. It seemed that the road to being a star was filled with many setbacks. He was from Chattanooga and played college ball at Memphis. It seems that his story was one year with a team and then he was cut or traded. He even went and played ball in Europe. He was determined to make his dream a reality. Finally he landed with the Titans. He proved himself and was awarded with a two year extension to his contract—he wasn’t cut after one year. When he went home to talk to his wife, tears filled his eyes as he began to talk to her. She knew in her heart that he didn’t make the team. It was tears of joy, because he had an extension for two more years to play with the Titans.
How often do you and I find ourselves giving up when things don’t go our way, or we don’t have the success we thought that we should have had? Elijah was one of those characters who wanted to give up instead of pushing on. The battle at Mount Carmel with the prophets of Baal met with success, but that was just one battle and there was still much for Elijah to do. He becomes afraid of the threats of Jezebel and ran away from his situation. By the time he gets through fleeing he is about 250 miles from Jezebel. In I Kings 19 God asked Elijah two times what he was doing there. Both times Elijah responded by saying “I alone am left; and they seek to take my life” (I Kings 19:10 & 14). He had become so preoccupied with his own fears that he had forgotten what God had done through him at Mount Carmel. Despite his great victory, Elijah plunged into the depths of discouragement. I think it is easy for us to do that! When the going is tough, when life hands us a lemon, when we see only one set back after another, what are we going to do. Perhaps, like Elijah, you are despairing at the circumstances in your life. Let God speak to you. Remember in the great commission Jesus said “I will be with you…” Instead of allowing you to quit, God will show you what you can do through His strength. I don’t know much about the Titan player who didn’t give-up but rather shed tears of joy when he experienced success. I do however think there is a lesson for me and you.
By Danielle Gray
Join us each week, Tuesday mornings at 9:30 am as we become a “lady bug” – Lady better understanding God.
By Joe Widick
Some things make you think! A week or so ago someone sent me an email about a very unique phenomenon that was going to happen on August 27, actually it was August 28 at about 12:20 am. If you got up at that time, you could look out into the sky and it would appears as though the earth had two moons. The reason for this event was the location of the planet Mars. Mars would look like a second moon at that time. The email went on to say that the next time this would occur would be over 800 years. Elaine and I briefly discussed getting up to see this once in a lifetime event. 5:30 am comes too close to 12:20 am so we opted not to get up.
I have no idea what is going to happen in the next 800 years. One thing I do know is that Elaine and I lost our opportunity to see this happening.
How many times in our life is there only one opportunity to make a difference? Do we fail to tell someone we love them thinking that there will be another time? Have you ever thought about the fact that today may be the last sermon you ever hear, the last opportunity to give your life to Christ, the last time to say; “yes I believe that Christ is the son of God.” I will never have another opportunity to see with my own eyes the phenomenon of the earth have the appearance of two moons.
800 years is a long time. Think of all the births and deaths that will take place during that time. Consider all the advances in science, technology and medicine that will be made. Think of all the people that will have an opportunity to come to Christ. Think of our beautiful building being 800 years old. Imagine all the changes that will take place in our town of Lebanon. Then remember that you and I will not be here to see them. II Peter 3:8; “But do not forget this one thing, dear friends’ With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.” To God the 800 years is not long. There is no real comparison of time between 800 years and eternity. Am I ready for eternity? How have I conducted myself during the brief 70 to 90 plus years that He has given me? Am I a part of His family? Verse 9 follows by saying: “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise as some understand slowness’. He is patient with you not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”
