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February 2002

The "instruction book" for life is the Bible.

"Why We Need The Chief"

February 24, 2002

"When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd."

- Matthew 9:36 (NIV)

Have you ever wondered why we have a chief running things?  I mean, we are a team, right?  Why can't we run things by committee or by vote?  Well, our verse this week tells us why.  We are like "sheep without a shepherd."  Oh, sure, the sheep are a group.  They instinctively know what they are to do in life: eat, mate, donate their wool, sleep, etc.   BUT, without a shepherd, they would wander off and get lost or fall off into a ravine or get eaten by a wild animal or... well, you get the point.

People are like sheep, in a way.  We know what to do, but without guidance, we will often do the wrong thing.... yes, we will wander away.  The word for "sheep" in Greek is "probata."   It is where we get our word "probation."  That's right, we must be "watched over."

I will tell you a prime example of needing Christ in our life.  It happened yesterday.  A scene you and I have seen repeated all across America... and beyond: a love triangle homicide.  I was called to the scene to comfort a woman and a young child.  They had just witnessed the woman's estranged husband shoot to death her new boyfriend...  I also was sent to the home of the mother of the deceased to deliver the message of her son's death.

Throughout the ordeal, I kept thinking to myself, "Man, what if these people would have had God in their lives?  Would this man still be alive today?"  I believe he would.  You see, one unwatched sheep "wandered away" and caused an avalanche of catastrophe.   The single act of homicide has not only ended the life of one human being, it has forever changed the lives of every one of the people associated with the man and his separated wife.  A young child watched her father get murdered.  Another mother has now outlived her son.

Yes, people need a chief... our REAL CHIEF to watch over them.  Have you asked Christ to be your Shepherd?  If you haven't, PLEASE, stop right now and ask HIM into your life.  Let me know if I can help you with that decision.

I am so thankful that I am one of the sheep that is serving...

"Not a One-Man Crew"

February 17, 2002

"And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

-  Matthew 28:20(b) (NIV)

"While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, "Peace be with you."

-  Luke 24:36(b) (NIV)

Have you ever felt like you were all alone?  You know... like pulling up on the scene of something and you are first in.   It seems like it takes forever for the next due companies/personnel to start arriving.  During that time, don't you have feelings like, "I can't do this." or "Forget it." or "I'm tired of trying by myself."?   I do.  I think we all do.

I have been feeling a little bit like that this past week.  Sometimes, the enemy (Satan) starts making me think that I am trying to keep this ministry going "all by myself."   I fell like, hey, I am tired of trying.  No one else is helping.  Waaah! <sniffle, sniffle>   Poor me.

It is at times like these in our lives that we have to stop and seek our REAL CHIEF's counsel.  When I did that this weekend, I learned that the phrase "with you" appears 384 times in the Bible (NIV).  Three hundred eighty four!  In digging deeper, I came across a couple of those times in the Bible where Jesus, our REAL CHIEF, reminds us of not only HIS presence, but also of HIS peace in our lives.

If you are serving our REAL CHIEF, HE promises you that you will never, ever be alone... HE says HE is with you always.  I think, too, that we must "give up the nozzle" when we realize HIS presence.   HE must take command.  Have you ever heard the phrase, "God is My Co-Pilot?"  Well, I am here to tell you that if God is your CO-pilot, you had better switch seats.   I mean, wouldn't you rather let HIM be the pilot?

Keep reminding yourself that our REAL CHIEF is not next due.  HE is with you right now, as you serve...

"EMS First Responder"

February 11, 2002

"But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him."

-  Luke 10:33-34 (NIV)

Okay.... SORRY!  I know it has been two weeks and one day.  I won't put you to sleep with the boring details, but I have been on the road a lot.  Then, my internet gateway was down from Sunday through Wednesday last week.  I appreciate the emails from those of you who had written to say how much you missed the weekly article.

This week, we are looking at a part of the story where we find the story of the "good Samaritan."  It is the basis for our "Good Samaritan laws" found in most states that provide protection to those of us who are first responders acting "in good faith."

In this story, Jesus is telling a story to a man who has challenged him wanting to know both "how do I love my neighbor?" and "who is my neighbor?"  The story goes that a man was ambushed by some robbers, who beat him and left him unconscious and apparently dead.  To shorten the story, two other men had walked by and seen the trauma victim, only to walk around him on the other side of the road.  Then, along came one of our ancestors... perhaps the FIRST first responder!?  In this case, EMS stands for "Emergency Medical Samaritan." Our hero, the story says, immediately took pity on the victim, bandaged and cleaned his wounds, and then transported him to "an inn."  My guess as to why he took him there was because Jerusalem General and Jericho Memorial were both on complete divert.

This story also tells me that the Samaritan was trained and prepared.  He obviously had his jump kit with him.   And, he knew what to do.

The point our REAL CHIEF made was this; our "neighbor" is anyone we come across who is in need... in need of our compassion and pity.  And, to "love our neighbor as our self" means to take care of the one in need.

When we do this in HIS name, we become the true First Responders...

It is my prayer that the verses we discuss help each of you as it has helped me deal with the amount of stress we are all faced to deal with.

If you are not yet saved, I have Good News for you. Jesus loves you very much and His Holy Spirit is drawing you to Him. To learn more, click here.