Shipwrecked

Shipwrecked

A vessel out of Control

 

Text: Prov. 26:20
Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.

There are many large ships in the world, but the Maersk McKinney Moller is the largest of its kind. A container vessel approximately twenty stories high, two hundred feet wide, and thirteen hundred feet long; is capable of carrying more than eighteen thousand, twenty foot containers. The containers, if placed end to end would measure seventy miles long. Yet this behemoth, under the command of a skilled captain, is controlled by a small helm.

There is one muscle of our body that can cause more damage than any other and it

is caged behind our teeth, the tongue.

The saying, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me” is a lie. Many lives have been crushed by venomous words that have been projected from our mouth like searing arrows. Words have changed the course of history. They have shaped the lives of individuals to become mighty men and women; while causing others to fail when they could have succeeded.

 James 3:5-6  tells us: “ Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!

      And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.

Pro_15:4  

A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.

Don’t let your tongue shipwreck your life or the lives of others.

Louis Edwards

Under His Wings

Luke 13:34

…as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings…

My pastor while preaching one Sunday morning shared with the congregation a frightening experience he encountered as a child on the family farm. In the early morning hours as he turned over in his bed, he noticed a bright orange glow outside his bedroom window. Jumping to his feet to investigate this unusual light, he ran to his window and saw the barn on fire. He rushed to his parent’s room, woke them up, and told him what was happening. His father along with his older brothers rushed to the barn to release the livestock. Later that morning, while looking over the damage, he noticed the charred remains of his prized hen. When he removed the lifeless body, three little chicks emerged unscathed protected by a mothers love. 

Most parents understand this type of selfless love. When a little one is sick with fever, they will spend sleepless nights trying to comfort them, and if necessary take them to a doctor no matter the cost. Some will risk their own life to save that of their child. A mother while giving birth to a baby walks through the valley of the shadow of death for the one she loves. On occasion, a loved one will donate an organ, to give life back to their precious loved one. 

There have been times in my life when I wasn’t aware of the dangers that surrounded me. Hidden traps the enemy had waiting for me, hoping to entangle me in his snare. The master deceiver unleashed an arsenal of weapons trying to destroy me. He tried to crush my character, demolish my family, take the life of the ones I love, and attacked my faith in Him. During these times of uncertainty, I found comfort under His wings. Jesus is the hen that takes me under His wings, protecting me during the fiery trials of my life.

As a child of God, are you facing trials and dangers in your life? Do you feel that the devil has you in his sights? Is the pressure becoming insurmountable? Do you feel like giving up? Run to the out stretched arms of Jesus. He’s waiting to place you under his wings, and protect you from all harm. His love to protect us was proven on the cross of Calvary.

By Louis Edwards 

Against all Odds

Hebrews 12:1 

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

Melissa Stockwell, a U.S. Army Purple Heart recipient, lost her leg when a roadside bomb exploded during a convoy in 2004. Instead of giving up on life, after much physical therapy she trained for the 2008 Paralympic Games. Her dedication and determination made her the record holder for the 100 meter butterfly, and the 100 meter freestyle.  She said, “I can really do anything I want to do, missing leg or not.”

Other athletes like Anthony Robles, who was born with one leg, became the NCAA wrestling champion for the 125 pound class. Legally blind Twenty-four year old Im Dong-Hyun, won two Olympic gold medals in archery. Carrie Johnson, battling an autoimmune disorder that causes pain, fatigue, and weight loss is competing for the third time in the sprint canoeing event for the Olympic Games. She refuses to let Crohn’s disease hold her back. 

Just as some athletes face physical limitations, we too experience difficulties or sin that would hinder us from becoming His star achievers. In Heb. 12:1 we’re instructed to: …lay aside every weight and the sin which doth so easily beset us. We’re to put aside failures of the past, quit carrying around the sin that He no longer remembers. He said in Ps. 103:12:  As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. If He has forgotten our sin, why should we dig up old bones?

All great athletes will push through the pain and look toward the finish line. We too should …run with patience, the race that is set before us, (Heb. 12:1).

Keep your eye on the finish line, (our heavenly home).  Serve Him with all your heart, and finish a winner.

Recommended reading: Hebrews 12:1-3

Quote:

If you think you can do a thing or think you can't do a thing, you're right.

Henry Ford

By: Louis Edwards

Note: The excerpts mentioned about the athelets in this devotion were found in www.beliefnet.com

Diamonds are Forever

James 1:3

Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.

   Practically everyone loves diamonds, especially the ladies. If you don’t believe it, watch her face when presenting her with one. 

I remember the first diamond I purchased for my wife was a promise ring with a diamond chip. Okay, so it wasn’t a cut diamond, but it was all I could afford at the time. When I gave her the ring and asked her to marry me, her face beamed with joy. I later learned in our marriage that her aunt asked her for a magnifying glass so she could look for the diamond. Reflecting back to that moment in our lives, we both laugh.

What is it about diamonds that make them such a coveted possession? Is it the value of the gem? Could it be the brilliancy of its beauty? Maybe it’s the design, or the prestige of owning one? Its cost can range from a few dollars to millions of dollars. Many people around the world desire this priceless gem. Its beauty has been displayed by royalty, and worn by a meager soul as a promise given. Whatever the attraction, it’s a jewel that demands attention.

The diamond starts its arduous journey as a piece of coal. After being subjected to extreme pressure and heat over many years, the piece of ore becomes a gem in the rough. To the untrained eye it would appear to be nothing more than a stone, but to a gemologist it’s a master piece in the making.

The creation of a beautiful gem requires years of training.  With this knowledge, a Master Diamond cutter can transform what would appear to be an ordinary stone, into a beautiful work of art for all to admire.

First he examines the stone for any flaws that may obscure its beauty. If any are found, the crystal will be carefully marked to remove any imperfections. A blue print is then made and soon the stone is cut to bring out its hidden beauty.

In the early stages of our lives as a child of God, we were nothing more than an old chunk of coal. But through the fiery trails and pressures in our life, we start taking on the form of a diamond in the rough. The Master takes the crystal in his hands, cuts away the flaws, and removes the rough edges using the cutters wheel. When all is finished, He examines us for brilliancy, color, and grade to be placed in a set for all to see.

If the trials of you faith are wearing you down, and it seems like there is no hope. Just remember, you are a diamond in the rough placed in the Master’s hands. Let him bring out the best in you, so that all may see and glorify Him.

Louis Edwards