THE NEW EWE

"What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost, until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!'"

Luke 15:4-6

January 19, 2022

LIFE IN THE FOLD:

Since the beginning of time, satan has been using distractions to try and get people's eyes off from God. If he can get us to give into temptation, quarrel and fight among ourselves, become self-centered and self-focused, worried and fearful.... anything to get our attention.... then he has done his job and is quite pleased with himself.

I don't believe that satan suddenly showed up to tempt Adam and Eve to eat of the forbidden fruit. I think he first got their attention at looking at the beautiful tree, the juicy fruit that grew on the tree, then wondering what that fruit would taste like. Each time they walked by, that temptation probably became stronger and stronger until they began thinking about it as they were going about their daily duties. Then that moment of weakness came when the serpent showed up and spoke to them, enticing them to disobey God and eat of the fruit.

God showed up that evening to walk with them, as He did each day, but was unable to find Adam and Eve. He called out to them and found them hiding, because they had suddenly noticed that they were naked. God told them what their punishment would be, due to their disobedience.

I have been teaching on Amos at church at Wednesday night Bible study. God gave Amos a prophecy for Israel through visions. Israel were experiencing a time of great prosperity and wealth. They had begun worshipping the gods of the nations surrounding them. They were so self-absorbed that they had no regard for the poor. The sins of their heart had led them far away from God.

God spoke very specifically through Amos regarding what His punishment would be. He had had enough, and Israel was going to suffer the consequences for their disobedience and sin. God's word came to pass and everything happened just as He had promised.

Throughout history, there have constantly been events to draw the eyes of a nation away from God. Wars, famine, holocaust.... but also times of abundance and prosperity.

We see that happening in our world today. There is so much division and fighting and differences of opinions regarding politics and Covid. It has affected family relationships and caused conflict in churches. Parents are suing schools and businesses can't find enough workers.

A few nights ago, I had a dream regarding this. It felt like I dreamed about teaching about Amos all night long. I would wake up, then start teaching/saying the same thing over and over again when I fell back to sleep.

This is basically the message that I kept saying: We pray for Covid to be stopped and that this virus go away and stop disrupting our lives, causing deaths, and making so very many people so sick. That is a good thing to pray!

But what satan has been using to bring destruction and dissension isn't the virus; it is people's response to Covid. Everyone has a very strong opinion, and feel as if their opinion is right; and are unwilling to bend to what other's think or feel. Whether or not to get the vaccine has become a point of contention in our nation, churches, and families. In fact, I have heard stories where family members have such strong opinions that they stop talking to one another when they disagree. One gets the vaccine, another feels like the vaccine is wrong, so it causes such anger and strife that it causes division in their relationship; which causes a breakdown in the family unit.

Wearing masks has become a point of contention and has caused such anger and people taking sides. I recently heard of a group of parents who are suing a school district because of their mask mandate. The school is struggling just to stay in session, due to so many teachers and staff being sick with Covid; and this lawsuit is something else that the administration is having to deal with.

Churches have had hurt feelings and division regarding people's opinions on the vaccine and wearing of masks. Those who are against it have made those who are for it feel as if they lack faith and don't trust God to protect them from Covid. Those who are for it are upset at the others for not getting vaccinated and taking precautions.

Social media is flooded with videos coming from both sides, trying to prove their opinion is right. Neither side is willing to back down; or simply agree that each person has the right to do what they feel is right, and to agree to disagree.

Satan is having a field day with people's responses and strong opinions; which is causing their eyes and focus to be on this, instead of God being their priority.

What would happen if we all decided to forego our opinions, and only speak (and post) words that are encouraging, uplifting and beneficial? Stop arguing about who is right and who is wrong; but just love one another -- regardless of their stance on issues. Talk about Jesus and His blessings and what He is doing in our lives, instead of vaccines, masks, and politics. Stop letting satan win! Stop letting him cause us to be distracted from those things that are truly important.

Yes, Covid has changed many things in our nation, schools, churches, hospitals, and families. But it doesn't have to rule our lives and consume our thoughts. Instead, let's obey Philippians 4:8 and think on things that are true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable -- if there is virtue and if there is anything worthy of praise -- dwell on those things!!

JON'S PERSPECTIVE:

What if Jesus had told the rich young man who wanted into heaven, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise." The rich man probably would have gone away even more smug than he had been before, and never truly followed Jesus.

What if Jesus had told the criminal on a cross next to Him, "You lack one thing. Go, sell whatever you have and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." I'm sure the criminal would have been happy to sell all he had and give it away. After all, he was about to die. But he couldn't really have done that.

In Mark 10:21 and Luke 23:43, we see it was really the other way around.

I suppose the rich man might have heard Jesus invite the criminal into paradise without so much as a baptism, and thought, "Hey, why did he get off so easily. Not fair!" He might have even said, "You aren't listening to God, if you think getting into heaven is so easy. Because that's not what He told me."

My point is: Jesus talks to us in different ways, in whichever way we truly need.

If someone else follows where God leads them, and it isn't the same place God leads you, what concern is that of yours? (In John 21:22, Jesus said, "If I want him [John] to live until I come back, what concern is that of yours? You follow Me!")

One of the most heated arguments I hear lately is that if someone disagrees with a person, then that other person must not be paying attention to the truth from God. But what concern is that of mine? I'll follow where Jesus leads me. Maybe they just hear something different.

ON THE MENEWE:

Cabbage Casserole

(I was skeptical, but this is really very, very good!!)

Preheat oven to 350.

Coarsely chop cabbage. Place in a 3-quart casserole dish.

Chop onion (I only used 1/2 onion, but use as much as you like). Place on top of the cabbage.

Pour melted butter over the top. Add salt and pepper to taste.

In a small bowl, mix cream of chicken soup and mayonnaise. Spread on top of the cabbage mixture.

Topping:

Crush crackers. Mix crackers with melted butter and grated cheese. Spread evenly over top of casserole.

Bake for 40-45 minutes or until top is browned and inside is bubbly.

**Note: This is a delicious side! It reheats very well the next day, too.

THIS, THAT AND THE OTHER:

One of my sisters got me some wind chimes for my back porch for Christmas. I had been at her home a few weeks before Christmas and had mentioned that I really liked hers and should get some for my house, so that's what she bought me as a present. They have a really pretty sound, and Jon and I have both enjoyed listening to them each time the wind blows. In fact, we have talked about them almost every day since hanging them up on our back porch.

Recently, I was emailing a friend and told her what I had got for Christmas this year. I got to what my sister had got for me and my mind when blank! Later I asked Jon what she had given me, and he couldn't remember either. We both knew that it was something that I had really liked, but could not think of it. Finally, I messaged my sister and asked what she had got for me. I felt silly as soon as she answered back and told me it was the wind chimes!

The mind does some pretty silly things at times!! My cousin mentioned on social media a few days ago that he and his sister were talking on the phone and she asked what he was doing. He told her that he couldn't find his phone anywhere and was looking for it. A friend's dad called his wife up one time and asked her if she had seen his phone anywhere, because he couldn't find it. She asked what he had used to call her! It was his phone. I've heard so many similar stories. Or stories about people looking for their glasses when they are either wearing them or they are on top of their head. Silly things happening make for silly memories later where we can all laugh at ourselves!

THOUGHT TO PONDER:

The Bible is like a stepladder.

It helps us see things from a different perspective and that changes everything. - Luke Lang

OUR HEARTFELT THANKS TO YOU:

We love you!

Loretta & Jon

http://www.graysheep.org