#wine txt posts by des

[rmjm1995]

The Scary Part, the Google-ing, and the Heart

Genesis 7:18 NLT

As the waters rose higher and higher above the ground, the boat floated safely on the surface.

Three points in one post...

#1 THE SCARY PART

The flood is sometimes seen as the "scary part" of this story. Its the turning event, the moment that everything beforehand was building up to. The flood caused death and destruction. It wiped every living thing off the face of the earth. However, it is the flood, the scary part, the terrifying moment in time, the 40 days and 40 nights of unbearable rain. Rain that built up into puddles, and then streams, and then rivers, and then lakes, and then one giant ocean. Rain that once kissed the earth with nourishment, that now kissed it with death. It was this that created a new beginning. It created a fresh start for Noah and those kept safely inside the ark. Don't fear the scary things in life. It could be the start of a new journey; a new beginning. God just might want to clean some things out of your life first. God just might want to make you a little more braver, a little more stronger, a little more faithful, before you venture out and begin the fresh start He has planned for you. What's wonderful is that He will prepare you like He prepared Noah for the scary times in your life. He will provide and He will be there with you.

#2 The Google-ing

If Noah hadn't built the ark the way God intended him to, and didn't use the material's God wanted him to use, he probably wouldn't have survived the flood. God was specific from the very beginning in how to build the ark. God is also specific in how we should build our relationships with Him. We must build our relationship with God stronger and stronger with the materials He has given us. First and foremost, with His word. His word tells us every single thing there is to know about living. How to live right, how to have a relationship with Him, how to have a relationship with other people, how to handle difficult, annoying people. People we don't like, people that don't like us...What to look for in a spouse, how to have a successful marriage, how to make smart choices. It explains what wisdom is and how to obtain it and grow in it. It explains how to mentor and love others, how to make smart choices, how to run a successful business, how to manage our finances, how to raise our kids, how to be a good teacher, how to be a good boss...It's like the Google for life. Unfortunately I think we Google more things than we Bible them. His word gives us so much knowledge and insight on how to live, we need to treasure it in our hearts. Aside from His word, God also gives us the church (aka the body of Christ), our shepherd (aka our Pastor), mentors (aka our elders, our Sunday school teachers, youth workers, ministerial staff, etc. etc.), and He gives us opportunities, experiences, and inspirations that He wants us to use to grow closer to Him. If we don’t use the materials God so lovingly gives us to build our relationship with Him, we risk sinking. We risk drowning. We risk everything. Where would my mind be without the meditations and studying of His word? Where would my passions, my happiness, or my creativity be without being involved with the body of Christ? Where would my standards, my desires, my goals, my emotions and my feelings be without the life changing experiences God has placed in my life? We must build our lives with the material He gives us. If our relationship is strong with God, we will rise higher and higher above the floods in our lives, floating safely above the storm.

#3 The Heart

Noah's actions of faith didn't just effect him. In fact, they effected all of humanity. However, on a smaller scale, it truly effected the people he loved. His wife, his kids, his whole family. They made choices too. They chose to listen to him and prepare with him, and join him in the Ark. They were effected by Noah’s faith. Our relationship with God effects those around us. Whether THEY see it or not, we must understand that the actions we take to draw closure to God essentially brings those AROUND US closer to God. We may be the only Jesus someone sees. YOU MAY BE THE ONLY HOLY GHOST FILLED PERSON SOMEONE ENCOUNTERS. Do we truly grasp this? We over think a lot. Some of the smallest things we do as a part of our faith can make such an impact on someone. The more we let God's love grow within us, through commitment, sacrifice, and faithfulness, the more impact it will have on the people around us. We are always being looked at and watched. Not to see if we slip up  (although that may be what some people want), but to see how we live life. Why don’t we get mad as quickly as others? Why are we so understanding? How can we be so patient during times of stress and chaos? Why don’t we worry so much, or stress over things like others do? Why don’t we just vent or de-stress like everyone else does by saying a few swear words, having a couple cigarettes, or “rewarding” ourselves with a glass of wine after work? It’s because we have Jesus living on the inside of us. This changes us. Not over night, but over time, as we grow in our faith. God reveals things to us. The reason I live the way I do isn’t to impress anyone, it’s because my personal relationship with God, which we all have, has changed me. I guard myself from certain things because that’s what God tells me to do in His word. I separate myself from certain situations because I don’t want to risk falling down the wrong path. God lays out in his word how to live life and its pretty simple. We are the ones who complicate it. I know there are some things I do that aren’t spelled out word for word in the Bible but I know I need to do them because God has spoken to me through my prayers, through the Holy Ghost, through my circumstances, through my mentors, through my Pastor, through a lot of things because I am constantly asking God to speak to me. “Correct me if I’m wrong Lord.” “Close that door Lord if it’s not your will.” “This don’t make no sense but okay Lord, I will do it.” “This is really hard Lord but I’m giving it to you.” 

The things we do, the decisions we make, impacts our lives and the lives around us. 

Story: I use my phone a ton for work. My boss and co-workers have multiple group texts happening on the regular. Someone shared a funny story and I txt back “OMW that is too funny!” OMW mean Oh My Word. I know you can say OMG and mean Oh My Goodness but not everyone see’s it like that. So I really like using OMW. I know, this is so spiritual lol. But my boss pulled me aside one day and said that when she was talking with some of her friends, she told them what I sent and she loved that alternative because she constantly puts “OM-Goodness”. It seemed so insignificant. It made me realize someone is watching and notices the way I live. They shared this with many others and started changing what they wrote and said to others. Don’t ever take for granted the things you do to live righteously and faithfully. They do make a difference.

My prayer is to not get so caught up in MY agenda for my relationship with God, but to live the way He wants me to live. I wan Him to give me a heart for people and a love that shows.

"God give us a heart, give us a heart, give us YOUR heart. God give us a heart, for the least of these." -Deeper By: Israel Houghton

-RMJM