Looking over what he had created one day, God saw the sad state that it had
fallen into, and decided enough was enough. So he decided to resurrect Noah and
have him build an ark to rescue those who had given their heart to him, and
flood the earth again. He told Noah he had 18 months to complete it, and it
would follow the same pattern as before. But after 11 months and checking in
with Noah, he found Noah had barely started, and in no way would he be done
within the 18 month period. And asking him why was given the following answers
from Noah.
“Forgive me Lord, but I had to apply for a building permit, and the
paperwork just came back. The boat inspector has been arguing with me over a
sprinkler system, despite my reason for building an ark. My neighbors have been
in court against me a few times, it seems the ark will violate the neighborhood
by-laws, and HOA covenants. It also would exceed the height limitations, and
block some views of the ocean. I am still waiting to hear from the planning
commission on that one. Then the council informed me that I would need to get a
special permit to move electric power lines, and are demanding a load of money
up front to move or relocate them. When I told them the water would be coming
to us, they would hear nothing about it. Sourcing the wood you required is
still a problem. The ban on cutting local trees is in force, seems a great
spotted owl is living among them, and despite the fact I told them I needed the
wood to save the owls, they said “no way, no go.” The environmentalists are
still picketing my site.
Next when I started to petition for the animals, PETA and the ASPCA took me
to court. Seems I would be confining wild animals against their will. They
argued the accommodations were to restrictive, and it was cruel to put so many
animals in such a small space. Inhumane they called me. Then the EPA ruled I
couldn’t build an ark, the construction site borders a flood plane of all
things, and would have an environmental impact on the area. Next the Human
Rights Commission is telling me how many minorities I must hire. The
Immigration Department is still checking the visas on the number of men I hired
from in front of Home Depot. May take months. And then the trade unions, and
SEIC told me I couldn’t hire my sons to do any of the skilled work, they must be
union. And have ark building experience. Arc welders, just no ark builders.
And finally the IRS seized my assets, claiming I was trying to launder money and
leave the country illegally. You can see what I am up against....”
And it is the liberals who want to separate the church from the state?
Shouldn’t it be the other way around? Now this may be an extreme example, but
who hasn’t come up against the bureaucracy and found it wasted their time and
money? Yet the church, and many Christians in particular feel overwhelmed in
life, with life, and feel hopeless in the face of adversity. Maybe a quick
memory jogging of Noah and the ark will refresh you. He was 600 years old at
the time God commissioned the ark. And it took him 120 years to complete, with
only his sons helping. And it wasn’t raining when God told him to build it.
But we find him to be an early example of when God says to do it, then it will
come to pass. And that same process and promise is still alive today. Yet how
many get the call to ministry, only to fail because they cannot raise the
funds? Or cannot build a customer base of support? Imagine the apostles going
to Jesus, “sure Lord, take what is in my pocket and change the world. That‘s
all I have is hope and change.” Now where have I heard that one before? Yet
these 12 men were sent out and changed the world without any financial support,
no proceeds from book sales or sponsored events, no line of credit, and no
VISA. But they did give the Master Charge, and he took care of them. And he
still takes care of us today...if we let him. So maybe we need to not only
separate the state from the church, but the church from the will of God.
Programs, processes, and procedures only weigh down the will of God, if God says
it will happen, and tells you to do it, it will happen. Just ask Samson, who
God told would overcome the Philistines. Enter Delilah, then he was blinded,
but still pulled down the pillars on his enemies, just as God had said. Only he
would not be there to see the victory...talk about a bad hair day! So maybe
what God asks us to do is not so difficult, to spread the gospel as we go.
To love, to let him change hearts, to share our testimonies, and let him be
God. But instead we have meetings, which sound all too familiar like the
state. I used to think that the world invaded the church, and I was wrong. It
invited it in, shut the doors and locked them behind them, not allowing them to
leave. They found they liked the things of the world, and started making
excuses to keep the world involved. Consider this, would we need a welfare
program if we took care of the widows and orphans as the Bible tells us to do?
If we owed no man nothing but to love him? If we lived an Acts 2:42 life, and
finally Matthew 6:33, seek Jesus first then all things will be added unto us.
Yet our daily lives are much like Noah’s in the example, and we are frustrated.
Don’t think so, listen to your prayers tonight...
When God tells us he has a plan for our lives, it includes tough times
too. But because he is honorable, and his promises yea and amen, we can depend
on him. No wonder man plans and God laughs, or have you been listening? If God
gives you a vision, he will supply all your needs in Christ Jesus. If he can
save a soul, don’t you think he can supply your physical needs too? But sadly
we get wrapped up in ourselves, asking and not receiving because we don’t listen
for his answer, and if we don’t like it, don’t obey it. And we still call him
Lord, but don’t do the things he asks? Maybe a simple test from Zechariah will
help. God told the people to build houses, but after awhile were bored, they
wanted to build buildings and cities. God’s answer was simple, “if you cannot
build a house, what makes you think you build a city?” And we wonder why God
laughs at our plans...if you cannot do a simple thing God asks, what makes you
think he will trust you with something bigger? Like a family, or a ministry?
Would you hire you? And we haven’t even begun the paperwork yet.
Now we know the Bible says God will never flood the earth again, but that
judgment will be given. And we need to live in the expectancy that Jesus will
call us home at any minute. Are you, are you about the things of God, or still
fighting with him? Separate yourself from the things of the world, but realize
we still live in it. Show love, compassion, and live like there is no
tomorrow. We are not promised tomorrow, so deal with the things of today, and
don’t worry about tomorrow. And if God asks, be able to give a good report. Of
praise for the blessings he gives you, and how he allows you to be part of his
plan. What if God’s answer to Noah’s excuses was “maybe I was too late, the end
is already here, beyond repair. Man beat me to it.” Now, do you really know
enough to counsel God? For who has known his mind and given him advice? God
has everything under control, and no undocumented people will be in heaven. So
make sure your name is in the book of life today....don’t fall for “hi I’m from
the government and here to help.” And all these things will be added unto him
who believes....for the wise man built his house upon the rock. And when the
storms came.....
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com