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Good Monday Mornin!
"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and
rust
destroy, and where thieves break in a steal. But store up for yourselves
treasure in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves
do
not break in and steal. . . " "Therefore do not worry about
tomorrow, for
tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its
own."
Matthew 6:19-20 and 34
This past week I was reminded once again of just how bad things are
getting
with our economy and our Country. A good friend of mine decided that life
was not worth living any more, apparently because of losing everything he
had, and he took his own life. Wife, two kids, brother, mother and father
all left behind, and yet this man decided that it was time for him to go.
He
had lost hope.
Things are bad when we look at the way things are going, but in the grand
scheme of things are they really all that bad? Cory said in a sermon last
week that the way things are is forcing people to stay at home, which in
turn is encouraging people to spend more time together as a family. So how
bad is bad? And really if you lost everything you have today, is that
really
so bad?
You see when people come to a place of believing that things are so bad
that
they need to take their own life to escape, they have lost hope. And hope
is
the one thing that Jesus came to give us. He gives us a hope that really
all
the things that we have on this earth will pass away, but He and our
relationship to Him will last forever.
Last week I was in Illinois deer hunting, and I was sitting in a tree
stand
in a huge field when a doe and her baby came out into that field to eat.
They just meandered around looking for something. They didn't have a care
in
the world and certainly did not know that I was there in the tree waiting
to
kill one of their kind! Then suddenly her head came up and she got very
nervous. I wondered what in the world has her so worked up? There was no
way
she saw me. And then quicker than she had appeared she disappeared. Then I
saw what startled her, a truck came down the dirt road 400 yards from
where
I was hunting but within sight of the field.
Now the reason I am telling you guys this story is that I think that all
of
us can learn something from that doe in the field. . .
1. This doe was taking in only what she needed. No more, no
less. In a world of over everything - overeating, over consumption of
alcohol, oversexed, 60k cars and truck - it is hard sometimes to get into
the swing of just consuming what we need. For instance, how many pairs of
shoes are enough? Ladies I realize I am stepping on some toes here, but
really, how many? Or how many fishing poles are enough? Ha! That one hurt,
hunting rifles, pocket books, four wheelers and pairs of jeans how much is
enough? How much food is enough? Do we really need the 20oz prime rib, or
would the 12oz fill us up? You see when we are willing to take just what
we
need and not be obsessive then we are free to live less dependant on
money,
jobs and man. We open ourselves up to depend on God.
2. The next thing this doe taught me was she was taking what
was given her by God. What I mean by that is she was not worried about
where her next meal was coming from, she was only worried about the meal
she was eating at that time. There is a line in a song that says, "If
you want to hear God laugh tell Him your plans" I am sure God is
hysterical
sometimes at the stuff I come up with. The truth is I am one heartbeat
away
from death. I can save money, plan retirement, plan to pay off a bill,
plan
a vacation, plan to build a new home plan plan plan plan and then someone
run a red light, find a lump, or just stop breathing and all of that is
over! But we are terrified of death! So we don't think about it. I had a
life changing experience here not too long ago. As many of you know I am
adopted and I found out that my biological mother passed away at a very
young age. And in a little more research found out she died with
Huntington
's disease. Now those of you who don't know Huntington's is very
hereditary,
as a matter of fact my biological grandmother, two great uncles, and one
uncle that I know of all died with it, and I have a 50% chance of getting
it
and if I do my children both have a 50% chance of getting it. Now, at
first
I have to admit I was paralyzed at the news. Almost consumed by it. But
then
one night as I was lying in the bed I realized God gave me this life, He
can
take it any way He wants to if He so chooses. I have to live in the moment
that He gave me. So what am I doing? Not worrying, the main thing I want
to
know is that if I start shaking uncontrollably tomorrow and I am diagnosed
that I lived everyday like it was my last! You and I are only guaranteed
right this moment! Live like it!
3. Finally this doe was aware of very real danger. You see although we
live in the now, and we live dependant on God and His provisions, we cant
live in denial. There are certain things that I can do to help me not get
Huntington's as fast if in fact I do end up with it. I
can eat right and exercise, watch my caffeine intake (not doing to good on
that one), but I don't just ignore the things that can help me live. So
what
I am saying is that we don't help the enemy kill us by being stupid, but
we
are willing to stay away from danger as much as we can in order to live in
the now!
Guys things are tough. And things are certainly going to get tougher, but
God is in control. Nothing is taking Him by surprise. If I could encourage
you to do one thing in these hard times it is to live in the now. Don't
let
economy get you down, take what you need, live in the now and keep your
eye
our for danger.
I love you guys and hope this was helpful. Have a great week.
Pastor Jason Lyle
The Open Range Church of Henry County
Many are the plans in a man's
heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails.
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