March Pastor’s Chat
One of the great hindrances to following Christ alone is our own pride. Sometimes we are just so stubborn and self-sufficient that we think and live like we don’t need God at all. The fact is that we need God in every aspect of our lives and that He should always have first place. (the preeminence – Colossians 1:18).
I will never forget the time I was going to help a friend with his broken-down car that needed a new water pump. As he went off to work I confidently told him, “No problem, I’ve changed lots of water pumps. It will only take a few hours.” I started early, to work in the cool of the morning that beautiful summer day. By lunchtime I still could not get one of the bolts out between the frame on that crazy sideways motor. After lunch I attacked the problem with more thought and force to no avail. In frustration I gave up and sat down under a shade tree. God sent a nice breeze and as I sat, it was as if His voice was saying, “Come unto me all ye that labor . . .” I had not even prayed. Humbled, I asked the Lord for forgiveness and help. A new approach came to mind and out came the bolt and the new water pump went in much more quickly than the old one came out.I now try to remember to start every task with prayer but often am reminded by my Lord or a friend to stop and pray! May God help us all to start in prayer and to stop to pray as we go through the trials of life. God has a way of turning our trials into blessings!
Jesus told His disciples in John 15:5, “I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.” May we all learn to abide in Christ and come before His throne of grace to find help in our times of need (Hebrews 4:16)! That is more often than our pride wants to admit. God help us to be humble! (James 4:6).
Magnify! 