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

September 11, 2024

LIFE IN THE FOLD

I recently read this and thought it was very good and thought provoking. The author is unknown. I would like to share it with you, because I feel like it's an excellent read and worth considering:

"Don't feel sorry for or fear for your kids/grandkids because the world they are going to grow up in is not what it used to be.

"God created them and called them for the exact moment in time that they're in. Their life wasn't a coincidence or an accident.

"Raise them to know the power they walk in as children of God. Train them up in the authority of His Word. Teach them to walk in faith, knowing God is in control. Empower them to know they can change the world.

"Don't teach them to be fearful and disheartened by the state of the world, but hopeful that they can do something about it.

"Every person in all of history has been placed in the time that they were because of God's sovereign plan. He knew Daniel could handle the lions den. He knew David could handle Goliath. He knew Esther could handle Haman. He knew Peter could handle persecution. He knows that your child can handle whatever challenge they face in their life. He created them specifically for it!

"Don't be scared for your children, but be honored that God chose you to parent the generation that is facing the biggest challenges of our lifetime. Rise up to the challenge. Raise Daniels, Davids, Esthers, and Peters!

"God isn't scratching His head, wondering what He's going to do with this mess of a world. He has an army He's raising up to drive back the darkness and make Him known all over the earth.

"Don't let your fear steal the greatness God placed in them. I know it's hard to imagine them as anything besides our sweet little babies, and we just want to protect them from anything that could ever be hard on them, but they were born for such a time as this." [end]

Many parents and grandparents worry about what the future is going to look like for the younger generation as time goes by. The world is in a mess! But this isn't the first time that the world has been in a mess.

This isn't the first generation that has ever faced challenges and hardships. Ever since the beginning of time, there have been generations of people who have lived through some extremely hard circumstances.

If you read the Old Testament, you will see that there were some really awful things that happened. There were times of great famine, whole groups of people either being killed or taken captive to heathen nations, idols set up all around where people went to worship; some even throwing their children into the fire to offer as a sacrifice to those idols, so many wars that took place..... There seems to be more bad years than good ones for hundreds of years.

Then in the New Testament there were times of the church being persecuted. Most of Jesus' own disciples were killed in some way for their preaching and faith.

There was that period of time when christians were being taken to the arenas and being killed, for the entertainment of ungodly people. Can you imagine trying to raise a godly child, during that time, when you were surrounded by such hatred and horrible sin, and you never knew when you might be captured and taken to the arena and killed?

During the Civil War it's estimated that approximately 620,000 died. Men were killed on the battlefields, but there was also lack of food and diseases that spread and lack of provisions and men freezing to death in the winters due to lack of proper shoes and clothing. There were many women who were widowed and so many children orphaned. And the devastation didn't end when the war did. There was still so much hatred and fear and killings that took place. You didn't know who you could or couldn't trust. It was a scary time, regardless if you were black or white or Irish or another race. Many lost their family, their home, no work available, poverty and hunger, and so many men who had lost legs and arms -- and had to deal with the constant pain. It was a difficult time for people to feel safe or see any hope in sight. This went on for many years following the war.

During WWII, there were two wars going on simultaneously. Can you imagine what it was like to be Jewish during that time and knowing that you were seen as unnecessary and massive killings were taking place to try and rid the world of your existence? Can you even imagine being a parent during that time and living with that fear? Trying to protect your children, but not having any way of doing so? The Jews suffered the worst, but there was loss and devastation for so many all around the world.

There's been the potato famine in Ireland; The Great Depression; Vietnam and Woodstock and the drug craze of the 60's and 70's.......

My point is, ever since the world was created, people have lived in perilous times. Right now, the world seems crazy and I've heard comments that it's the worst it's ever been. I'm not sure I agree. I do believe that it's the worst that this generation has ever seen. No one knows what the future holds, and it seems as if things are going to become worse instead of better.

But here's the hope! Throughout history, God has never changed and has never turned His back on His people. His ears are open to those who call upon Him. He has given us His Word to read and cherish and it is filled with words of encouragement and hope. Nothing that has ever happened has been a shock to God! He's never been caught by surprise and thought, "Wow! I didn't see that coming!" I do believe that much of what has taken place throughout the various generations, since His creation of the world, has broken His heart and it saddens Him. But God has never turned His back on the cries of His people!! Even when they endure suffering, He has walked through the valley of the shadow of death with them.

God has promised peace to those who place their trust in Him. We don't have to live as those who have no hope. We have been promised a hope and a future. We can hold fast to that promise! We know that this life is only temporary, and that we have eternity in Heaven to look forward to.

But while we are here, we need to live as those who have hope. Don't give into the stress and fear and worry that the world surrounds themselves with. If we are the same as them, then why would they want a relationship with Jesus? They should see the peace and love and lack of worry and rest, that only God can give. Yes, we should use wisdom in our decisions and pay attention to what's happening around us; but we don't have to live in fear.

1 Peter 3:14-15 says, "Even if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for it. So don't worry or be afraid of their threats. Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks you about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it."

In order for someone to ask us about our hope as a believer, then we have to live as a believer who has hope. In order for our kids and grandkids to live with hope and have the peace of God in their lives, then they must be showed that in how we handle situations. We have to let them see our faith and trust in God; not in the world or in our circumstances.

We were all put here on this earth, at the exact moment that God needed us here. Let's serve the purpose that He placed us here for and ask God, "You have me here for such a time as this, so how can I be a light in the darkness and show Your love to those around me?"

JON'S PERSPECTIVE:

It's amazing how gullible people can be in every generation. Just a few thousand years ago, someone could spread a rumor that if you sacrifice on a certain altar, or pray to a certain idol, you will get whatever you want. And they did, in mass numbers. People forgot the Lord of Heaven's Armies (the name for God in many places, especially Isaiah), and began sacrificing anything, including their own children, to chunks of metal or wood. If they didn't get what they wanted, they would assume they didn't sacrifice enough, so would give more.

Today, someone can spread a rumor that they made a lot of money by investing in this or that (and then got whatever they wanted). And people will invest the same way, hoping for the same gain. If they lose their investment, they will try bigger and bolder. Some people will put their entire savings and retirement on the line for a gamble they know very little about. All, in the hopes they will get rich, and be able to afford all the luxuries they want. For several decades, I've heard get-rich-quick schemes, and about people who have lost everything on them.

I have also heard for decades forecasts of disaster. They say the world will end on this date or that. Many said the world's economy and utilities would stop January 1, 2000, because of a software bug that didn't exist. (Okay, there was a legitimate bug that could have affected a very limited group of interest rate calculations, but not utilities or airplanes.) And, yet, we are all still here, enjoying our water and electricity.

In Matthew 24:26-27, Jesus even said that in the end, there would be people claiming to have seen Jesus appear in the desert, or in an inner room. But don't believe it.

So, when you hear all these predictions or claims, test them against the Bible. If they say to live in fear, read the many, many scriptures where God says (to paraphrase), "I got this." If they say you can do some ritual to get all you want, look for scriptures about putting God first, and leaning on His understanding. And in every case, pray.

ON THE MENEWE:

Country Fried Okra

Dip okra in buttermilk; dip in flour to coat. Salt and pepper, to taste, if desired. Fry in oil until golden brown.

THIS, THAT AND THE OTHER:

Recently when I arrived at my nephew's home to get his kids on the school bus, his 6 year old daughter came over and whispered, "Aunt Retta, can I have a date with you today?" I asked if she was wanting to stay home from school so we could hang out.... she was.... I told her that her parents were not going to let her miss school just so the two of us could have a day together. After her parent's left for work, she came over beside me and said she was hurting. I asked where and she pointed to her arm, her leg, and her neck. I asked if she was hurting because she wanted to stay home with me. She smiled at me and nodded yes. She asked if I would message her mom and asked if the parents would go out on a date over the weekend, so I could come stay with them. I told her that she could ask when they got home from work. She said, "They'll say no if I ask! I want you to ask them." I did... but they already had plans for the weekend. I do love it that this sweet little girl loves spending time with me!! I hope she always does!!

THOUGHT TO PONDER:

If My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray,

and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways,

then I will hear from Heaven, and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14

OUR HEARTFELT THANKS TO YOU:

We love you!

Loretta & Jon

http://www.graysheep.org