Many years ago, in middle school, I took the stage to boldly proclaim Him. I can scarce believe it- the the Lord loved me so even then when I lived in the sins of my youth. Under the direction of my youth pastor, now also choked out by the weeds and temptations of lust, we would contrast the will of the Lord for our lives with the worlds deceitfulness. We even tossed out Little Debbie snack cakes from a basket to my peers. These snacks were just temporary substance- food to hold our bellies free from hunger for a short while.
Now is a time for me to share the bread of life - from the basket of Christ for there are leftovers. He fed the crowds when they hungered. Since He cares to give food for our physical body- why would he not also provide drink to those who are spiritually thirsty? There are many that thirst and it is freely given. It says so it the bible quite clearly:
For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, ... Then the righteous will answer him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? [Matthew 25:35, 37 ESV]
Jesus said to her, "Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life." The woman said to him, "Sir, give me this water, so that I will not be thirsty or have to come here to draw water." [John 4:13-15 ESV]
And he said to me, "It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. [Revelation 21:6 ESV]
It was quite difficult to share and walk by the spirit before. I think perhaps I may have been unequally yoked. I also quenched the Spirit with my own sinful choices. Like Jacob, my younger years I sought my own path. As I approach the day I will turn back to dust- I reflect and turn to Him. Indeed, his words are truth for Christ as woken a sleeper and his light shines brightly in me. Does a man hide a light under a basket? NO. If the words of the bible say 'Let him that has ears to hear, listen!' we must speak for sounds not spoken cannot fall on ears at all.
Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear. [Matthew 13:43 ESV]
but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always [being] ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, but with gentleness and respect; [1 Peter 3:15 NASB20]
Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, [1 Peter 3:13-15 ESV]
But everything exposed by the light becomes visible--and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. This is why it is said: "Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you." Be very careful, then, how you live--not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. [Ephesians 5:13-16 NIV]
Time to lean in to what He is telling me. He has my full attention after a recent experience of Fatherly discipline. For a good father speaks truth. Thought I don't recall if this happened in my youth with my earthly father I likely had closed ears at that time, blinded by the passions of my youth. I pray I leave my youthful folly behind me. No wonder the lives of men were cut short after the flood. To think if I had many more years of youth left?!?!? A blessing despite the curse of man indeed.
Feels like its a Jesus-take-the-wheel situation and I am just in the backseat of the car, trembling with a fear of the Lord, being driven to an unknown destination for His future glory. I think I will try my very best now to take the blue chip every day. A blue chip in Celebrate Recovery is a chip that represents the surrender of a person to Christ. It is the first chip received and is considered the most important.
This is what the LORD says: "Heaven is My throne and the earth is the footstool for My feet. Where then is a house you could build for Me? And where is a place that I may rest? "For My hand made all these things, So all these things came into being," declares the LORD. "But I will look to this one, At one who is humble and contrite in spirit, and who trembles at My word. [Isaiah 66:1-2 NASB20]
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