The Apathetic Servant

Have your ever received a task or assignment and you really did not want to even deal with it.  I received an assignment in Beaumont and, well I really did not want to go on this assignment.  It would take extra time and expense due to the distance to inspect the location.  But, I went ahead and set off for the inspection. 

In the story of the lost contact lens, an Ant was carrying a contact lens along saying “Lord, I don’t why you have me carrying this lens but if you want me to I will”.  In that story, a lady found her lost lens on a hiking trail because she discovered it moving across the ground.  Little did the ant know that what seemed like a burden for him was a blessing to someone else.  Today I was the ant.  Only the ant was smarter because he realized that he was working for the Lord.  Even though he did not realize why what he was doing was important, he was obedient.

During my conversation with Ms. Parker of Beaumont, we learned of each other’s Christian faith.  She told me about reading Job multiple times as she was attempting to learn truth from that particular book of the Bible.  As she was explaining some of the things that she is learning from her studies; I asked if she had a study Bible.  She said that she did.  It was an older Bible in the NAS version.  I went to my truck and returned with a John MacArthur study Bible in the ESV version.  I asked if I could give that to her.  She was quite surprised.  She said that GOD has used me to answer her prayers.  I asked what her prayers were about.  She said that she had prayed for additional resources to study the book of Job.  She began to cry and said that the Lord had answered her prayers.  I confessed to her that she was the only inspection that I had there today.  I felt too guilty to say that I did not want to go initially.  She said that she was thankful that I was obedient in sharing God’s word.  Later, I was thinking “next time, I hope that I will be as smart as the ant and trust in God’s leading”

Colossians 3:23-24

 ²³ Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, ²⁴ knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.

My Brother’s Keeper

I was speaking with the insured Mr.  Ruiz on the roof.  He was a natural talker.  As we discussed things such as his roof and his plans for the house, I began to think, Lord how will you move this conversation to things spiritual.  It was shortly after that very thought that Mr.  Ruiz mentioned that his older brother had passed away.  He began describing him as a good person that didn't drink or use tobacco.  Mr. Ruiz said that his brother was in heaven.  

I said well, that’s not how you gain entry into heaven.  I said it’s through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.  That you place your faith in him that he died for your sins.  He said that his brother always preached to him.  I said that’s because he loved you.  You can tell by Mr. Ruiz’s voice and brief pauses of thought that he missed his brother.  I asked Mr.  Ruiz if his brother was a believer in Christ.  He said most definitely.  I said that the only way that you will see your brother again is to place your faith in Christ.  He said that he knew that he needed to but it seemed that he was always running away from Christ.  I smiled and said that we all have done that.  

I took a daily Bible and told Mr. Ruiz that I don’t normally give away Bibles to unbelievers but I felt that he should have one.  I explained that he would only take 20 minutes each day to read it that it could change his life.  I told him that I would pray for him.  I hope that you as a reader will also.   

Romans 1 “¹⁶ For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.”

The Bible and The Blues

I met Ms. Moore on an inspection recently.  Somehow, the conversation came about that her home had been burglarized in the recent past.  She knew that it was a young man who lived down the street.  She stated that he was suspected of committing multiple burglaries in the area.  He had evaded capture until he broke into a house and the residents were home. The burglar’s luck ran out on that day when the homeowner held a gun on him until police arrived.  The suspect was convicted and is serving time in jail.  At that point in the story, Ms. Moore said that she hopes that he rots in jail.  I could tell that she had still not forgiven that man in her heart.  I said to Ms. Moore that she needed to forgive him. I then told her my own forgiveness story that the Lord had allowed me to forgive the man that shot me. This turned the conversation toward God. We both spoke of his faithfulness and our favorite places to read from Scripture. I learned that Ms. Moore did not have a study Bible and was able to share one with her. She said that she couldn't believe that someone would want to give her such a book. I said that it was from the Lord so that she could know him better.  She said she felt like crying.

In continuing to get to know Ms. Moore, I found out that she was from a Blues musical background. She was a Blues singer and was in a band at one time.  She shared with me stories about meeting BB King, Elvis, Miles Davis and others.  I always feel that I’m the one blessed in sharing God’s word. And by taking some time to ask questions and listen, I met someone that was fascinating to listen to and has personally met so many musical legends.