Squirrels, Walnuts, Green Beans and Firewood. (And weve still not got to the part where Peter denies Jesus) - The Ongoing Adventures of a Sunday School Teacher. 10-5-14. In the past three weeks, we’ve covered 3 verses, the 35th verse of the 22nd chapter of Luke and two verses from 17th chapter of I Kings. So Sunday we were set to begin on the 36th verse of Luke 22. And so I read the verse. 36 Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one. I guess the usual thing to do is teach this from a spiritual perspective, where the sword you take with you is the Word of God. And I mentioned that. And it worked for me. And it seemed that everyone was content that having the Word of God with you, either the Book or with it written on the tablets of your heart, or both. But I felt there was more there. So it began. Let’s take this thing and apply it to our everyday lives. I believe that Jesus was telling his disciples the importance of being prepared, because things were about to change for them. Things weren’t going to be the way they’d always been. Jesus would no longer be with them - physically - and those who persecuted Him would now turn their attention to the disciples. And He was telling them to be prepared for it. And I think the Scripture should apply to us also. Be prepared. I think God wants His people to be prepared. It seems that sometimes the idea of the “Magic God” gets into people’s minds. You know, God just snaps His fingers and things magically happen. And yes, God can do that and I’m sure He has done such things in many people’s lives. However, I can see how that could make a person grow lazy. But I also believe that God expects His people - that are able - to put forth an effort to help themselves, and others. I used this as an example. I know the electric bill comes due each month. I know that bill is coming, and I need to have the necessary funds to pay that bill. Likewise, I know that winter will soon be upon us and I have made efforts to be prepared for that by getting in firewood. And while I have no guarantee that I’ll live to get to burn the firewood, but in case I do live, I have firewood. God provided the trees and the ability, all I had to do was get up and go to work on it. About that time, someone mentioned that way back in the day, you didn’t see walnuts lying in the road or on the ground like you do now. Because back in the day, someone would gather them up and use them. Not so much today, though. The mind set seems to be that the almighty grocery store will provide for us. Now, God still provides the walnuts, people just don’t care to pick them up. But if people don’t gather up the walnuts, the squirrels will. God provides, but He doesn’t force us to accept His provisions. Then someone began talking about why people who lived 100 to 50 years ago raised gardens. They knew their job was to plant and water and God would give the increase. So they canned green beans and put their potatoes in a cellar. They knew to prepare for winter. Then someone in the class mentioned that he had been blessed with an abundant crop of green beans one year - more than he needed. And he felt led to take a bushel of beans to a family that might need them. He said that when he gave the basket of green beans to the family, you’d thought he had given them a million dollars. God blessed him with more than enough and he could share with others who were not able to do for themselves. Yet another reason to be prepared, so you can help others who may be in need. Who knows, the next time around
Posted on: Thu, 09 Oct 2014 02:31:31 +0000
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