Issue link: https://cp.revolio.com/i/1506998
Content To Be A Bricklayer for the King Chris Bergman, BSHDFC US National Director, West. The picture was taken of me last week as a group of us were waiting for others to get ready for a ride. We were headed North to Ventura (CA). Earlier that week, I had been working on my men's Bible study and it had really gotten to me! I was thinking about this photo and what we were headed out and about to do. One of the questions in the Bible study on the book of Judges struck me when it asked if I was content to be God's bricklayer? Or, do I resent the work God has given us to do? This photo seems like we are just going out for a ride to support some event, but in all reality, God had called me from the dark place that I once was but now I am able to glorify Him! Anything and everything that I do now, I strive to do for Him! Yes, I believe God has called me to do this on a motorcycle. My prayer as we headed out was that God woul put somebody in our path that we might be able to share His love with, either by words or actions. As missionaries, we never get the glory! It all goes to God! So, this question, "...was I content to be God's bricklayer?" had me thinking about how much I am in deed so honored to be God's bricklayer! Yes! I definitely do not regret what he has called me into! If anything, I look forward to the things that God is doing in the future - and not just with me, but with the others that are with me in this mission. Jesus said in Matthew 28:19 "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations... So brothers and sisters, this is saying to us, "Get out there and share that love of Christ with those that you come in contact with! It does not mean stay within your own four walls and hope that they will come to you! Jesus clearly said, "GO!" Do not even think that God cannot and will not use you because the things that you have done in the past! If this is something you are thinking or saying, you have not opened your Bible and read it! God used so many people that have not been worthy; at least in their own eyes. I challenge you, all of my brothers and sisters in Christ to GO! I repeat, to GO and share God's love with others! a When Sheep Fall Down Marty Edwards If a sheep falls down, (say...a Black Sheep?) especially on his back, and is not up righted soon, there is a very real danger that they will die. And if they don't get back on their feet soon, their stomach gasses will build up and the sheep will die 100% of the time! The hotter the day, the worse their chances are for survival; especially if an opportunistic coyote or hungry wolf comes along! How do sheep become top-heavy? #1 If their coat is wet or overgrown or #2 if they have been lying around in the mud for some time, their wool obviously becomes more heavy! #3 A pregnant ewe is even heavier than a wet one and therefore in even great danger! Top-heavy sheep fall over and are not able to get up. If we fall, we have a Good Shepherd too. (1) The first thing a shepherd will do with a cast sheep is get them back on their feet so the gasses can be released. When we fall, our Shepherd wants to get us on our feet as well! (No lying around feeling sorry for ourselves.) (2) Next, a shepherd will begin to vigorously massage the sheep to restore blood circulation. God ministers love and mercy to us as well when we have fallen. (3) Once upright and massaged, the shepherd will not leave the sheep alone until it is fully able to stand and walk on his own. Some sheep learn their lesson. Some just keep falling. (4) If you have ever wondered, sheep don't particularly like haircuts (i.e. "shearing.") even though it certainly must feel better afterwards on a hot day. NOTE: Sheering is not like going to some barber shop or hair salon. Sheep are un- ceremoniously flipped onto their backs and the clipping begins; sometimes leaving a few nicks if the sheep is kicking! In spite of how rude this must seem, shearing the sheep's heavy wool coat removes the most likely cause of them becoming cast. Sometimes God needs to clean us up a bit as well! Word to the wise? When God is working , keep still and be quiet! Since sheep can over eat, a good shepherd will monitor the sheep's intake. The shepherd will reduce the amount of grain and provide fresh green pastures for the sheep to graze in. I'm guessing grass is to sheep what spinach must be to a 6 year old! Sheep would rather have grain ALL of the time - but that would make them fat! So the shepherd monitors what they eat and just keeps nudging us ( I mean the sheep!) towards a healthy, spiritual diet. Lastly, sheep without a shepherd will wander. The trip is planned out by eating one mouthful of grass at a time. Sheep just follow the next bite! Before they know it, they're lost and in danger! Our Good Shepherd keeps his flock from wandering! Our job is to listen and obey! The compassion a shepherd feels for a sheep, lying helplessly on its back, frantically pawing the air, must be something like Christ's compassion for us when we're upside down. The Good Shepherd desires nothing more than to set His children back on their feet when they fall. He loves us and wants the best for us, but we have to follow and obey the Shepherd. We are His! a