Boundaries

Come, sit, and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in the comfort of the Lord:  "Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice."  Ephesians  4:31Boundaries

"For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love be servants of one another."   Galatians  5:13

     The morning had been fairly routine - until I discovered the bird trapped in the family room.

     Perched quivering on the arm of the couch, the pathetic little bird splattered pale droplets of fear on the upholstery.  At my startled sound, he took flight, crashing first into one window and then another.  Finally, exhausted, he clutched a ledge for a brief and trembling rest before trying to break free again.

     Then a surprising thing happened.  From outside, another sparrow hopped toward the open door.  He moved right up to the doorjamb, loudly chirping the way to freedom.  And it worked.

     As his trapped friend paused, he heard and cocked his feathered head, riveting his attention to the liberating call.  He jumped from the couch arm, to the cushion, to the floor.  He listened, not yet seeing, but following the call closer and closer.  Then one more hop and he was out with his friend, flying free.

Come As You Are

Come, sit, and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in the comfort of the Lord:  "Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice."  Ephesians  4:31

"For by grace are ye saved through faith . . . Not of works, lest any man should boast."  Ephesians  2:8,9

     It was the year 1836 - a young girl was preparing to attend a dance.  On her way to her dressmaker to have a fine gown made for the occasion, she met her pastor.  Upon learning the purpose of her errand, he pleaded with her not to go, and spoke to her about receiving Christ.  She became very angry at this and said,  "I wish you would mind your own business!"

     When the ball was held, this young lady was among the gaiest of all those who attended.  She was flattered by her admirers, and danced until the wee hours of the morning.  However, when she lay her weary head on her pillow she found no rest, for she was far from being happy.  The sweet words of admonition by her preacher had pricked her conscience, and deep conviction made her extremely wretched.  For three days she struggled with her load of sin until life itself seemed to become intolerable.  Finally she went to her pastor and asked his forgiveness, which he readily gave.  Then she cried,  "Now I want to be a Christian; what must I do?"  "My child, give yourself to the Lamb of God, just as you are."  "Just as I am?"  she asked.  "I am one of the worst sinners in the world.  How can God accept me just as I am?"  The preacher assured her that it was "not by works of righteousness" but by faith in the One who said "it is finished," that she could ever hope to find peace.  She went home, knelt down, and after a struggle gave her heart to Christ, guilty and sinful as it was, for cleansing in His precious blood.  Peace and joy filled her soul to overflowing.  Grasping a pen she wrote her now immortal hymn:  "Just As I Am Without One Plea." Charlotte Elliot little dreamed of the fame or immortality the words she had written would attain.  She had but transcribed the truth of the Gospel in the language of her own heart - a heart which had experienced Ephesians 2:8,9 in all its fullness!

     Oh sinner, today stop trying, and try trusting!

"Bread For Each Day"

Sheep And Pigs

Come, sit, and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in the comfort of the Lord:  "Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice."  Ephesians  4:31

                                                "My sheep . . . . follow me."  John  10:27

     Some time ago I saw a picture of trained pigs who had been taught by the owner to follow his commands.  The acts were very simple.  Any dog, even a mutt, could be taught these things, and no one would think them unusual.  Then why the oh's and ah's and thunderous applause from the gallery when a pig stood on its hind legs to reach an ear of corn?  Simply because these were not normal pigs.  They did not act like pigs.  Ordinary pigs cannot be led - they must be driven to the slaughter.  How different a sheep - it follows the shepherd.  The shepherd  "leadeth them out"  (John 10:3), and  "he goeth before them"  (John 10:4).

     A sheep not only follows the shepherd but looks up into the shepherd's face.  You have all seen the beautiful painting of a shepherd holding a lamb in his arm, while the mother sheep with lifted head looks up at the lamb and the shepherd's face.  But how different is the pig; it has no neck - so cannot lift its head.  Its eyes are set so they look toward the ground.  While a sheep grazes and browses, a pig only roots and grubs. The only way a pig can be made to look up is to turn him on his back.  I visited a sick friend and told him this comparison of pigs and sheep.  "Yes,"  he said,  "I'm learning my lesson on my back in bed.  I have been so busy with material things - my business, my civic duties - that I haven't been looking up as I should.  And now on my back, the only way I can look is up.  I've been so piggish, but thank God, He is turning me over." Are you on your back today, and wondering why?  Maybe He is trying to teach you to look up, and not be so busy with earthly cares that you neglect spiritual things!

"Bread For Each Day"