There is a social media post going around recently that has captured the amazement of many people. In this post is a compilation of pictures showing various sheep and goats climbing up or walking along sheer-faced cliffs upwards of 60 degrees or more where no one else is able to go!
The secret of these animals lies in their feet. They have hooves with a hard and pointed exterior that allows them to get into tiny crevices while the convex-shaped bottom, consisting of soft, rubber pads help the feet stick and conform to the rocky surface. Because of this, they can traverse dizzying ledges like it’s a breeze! The same could be said of similar hoofed animals like deer and elk, who can run straight up a mountain side with no problem (and while I’m hunting them and they’re running away from me!). You may have never thought of it, but the hooves of these animals have great spiritual significance. For one, they are a reminder of who our God is. For example, the angelic living creatures around the throne of God have symbolic characteristics that point to the infinite and invisible God they surround. A familiar description is that their wings are covered in eyes around and within (Rev. 4:8), a reference to God’s all-seeing omniscience. Another description, though often overlooked, is that their feet are “like a calf’s hoof” (Ezek. 1:8). This is likely a reference to God’s omnipresence – He is all-present. Not even the mountain goats can escape His presence! But secondly, they are a reminder that when God is with you, and He is in Christ, He gives you the ability to do amazing things! Things you never dreamed you could do and go places you never dreamed of going. He gives you a sure-footed strength and ability over sin, Satan and circumstances that want to pull you down, and allows you to walk on the victorious mountaintops with Him. Habakkuk 3:19 says, “The Lord GOD is my strength, And He has made my feet like hinds' feet, and makes me walk on my high places.” You may never look at that verse or hoofed animals the same again! Pastor Justin
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When I was in Bible school, the president of the school told our class a story about a student softball game incident that had occurred a previous year. There was a close call at first base where one team was saying that the runner was out and the other team saying that the runner was clearly safe. And as things began to get a little heated between the two teams, some brave soul from the stands yelled out Philippians 2:14, “Do all things without grumbling or disputing[!]” (the exclamation mark added by the man in the stands and not apostle Paul).
As soon as this Word from God was spoken, the grumbling and disputing ceased. The team that was calling the runner out started giving the runner the benefit of the doubt and saying things like, “It was such a close call, he was probably safe! Let them stay on base.” The team that was calling him safe was then saying, “No, you’re right, he was probably out.” This, friends, is the power of the Word of God! And the reason why it is necessary for us to hide it in our hearts by memorizing it. The Word of God brought reconciliation to these believers and helped them continue to enjoy this friendly game of softball and more importantly, glorify Christ together through it. If you haven’t memorized a verse in a while, how about starting with this one? It’s very easy and very powerful. Pastor Justin “If you aim at nothing, you’ll hit it every time.”
Today is the start of a new month, which means it’s a good time to set some spiritual relationship goals. Unless we have an objective, a direction, or a focus, this month too will pass by with nothing but good but failed intentions. So what are you aiming at to grow in this month as parents? As a wife? As a dad leading your family? As a child? As a believer? Here are a few thoughts to inspire some thinking: In your relationship with your spouse, maybe it’s more date nights? More praying together? In your relationship with your kids, maybe it’s more quality time and or dinners together around the table? Kids, in your relationship to your parents, maybe it's honoring them by cooking them dinner. Maybe it's writing them a thank you note for all they do for you. In your relationship with the Lord, maybe it’s more gratitude and contentment? More reading or memorizing of His Word? More submission to His lordship in a specific area of your life as you study what He has to say about that area? Set some goals this month and write them down and pray them into your heart and mind and will. And don't forget to depend on Him to reach those goals. Apart from Him, we can do nothing (John 15:5) but through Him we can do all things (Phil. 4:13). Pastor Justin |
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