The Duck And The Devil

Someone sent the following email to me and I thought the message was worth repeating so I decided to post it.




The Duck & the devil

There was a little boy visiting his grandparents on their farm. He was given a slingshot to play with out in the woods. He practiced in the woods; but he could never hit the target. Getting a little discouraged, he headed back for dinner. As he was walking


back he saw Grandma's pet duck. Just out of impulse, he let the slingshot fly, hit the duck square in the head and killed it. He was shocked and grieved! In a panic, he hid the dead duck in the wood pile; only to see his sister watching! Sally had seen it all, but she said nothing. After lunch the next day Grandma said, "Sally, let's wash the dishes" But Sally said, "Grandma, Johnny told me he wanted to help in the kitchen." Then she whispered to him, "Remember the duck?" So Johnny did the dishes. Later that day, Grandpa asked if the children wanted to go fishing and Grandma said, "I'm sorry but I need Sally to help make supper." Sally just smiled and said, "Well that's all right because Johnny told me he wanted to help" She whispered again , "Remember
the duck?" So Sally went fishing and Johnny stayed to help. After several days of Johnny doing both his chores and Sally's; he finally couldn't stand it any longer.
He came to Grandma and confessed that he had killed the duck. Grandma knelt down, gave him a hug and said, "Sweetheart, I know. You see, I was standing at the window and I saw the whole thing, but because I love you, I forgave you. I was just wondering how long you would let Sally make a slave of you."

Thought for the day and every day thereafter?

Whatever is in your past, whatever you have done... and the devil keeps throwing it up in your face (lying, cheating, debt, fear, bad habits, hatred, anger, bitterness, etc.)...whatever it is...You need to know that God was standing at the window and He saw the whole thing. He has seen your whole life. He wants you to know that He loves you and that you are forgiven. He's just wondering how long you will let the devil
make a slave of you. The great thing about God is that when you ask for forgiveness; He not only forgives you, but He forgets. It is by God's grace and mercy that we are
saved.

Blog Design Giveaway!

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Refreshing

My mind has been so full of thoughts lately that everything just seems jumbled all together. There are so many needs and not enough people ministering (or so it seems) to those needs. I have been thinking about that last statement and feel compelled to ponder the "why not." Why are we not ministering to our brothers and sisters? I feel pretty comfortable in stating that there are countless reasons, especially when we bring it down to a personal level. Before this sounds like I am criticizing, I am totally NOT doing that, I want it to be known that I also realize there are many people/organizations that ARE ministering to the best of their ability. What I am referring to, is the the person sitting beside you on the church pew.

How well do we know that one that sits next to us? Do we know what they are dealing with day after day? Are we concerned? I have noticed that most of my friends and family that are serving the Lord, are kept so busy fighting spiritual battles, that they are constantly worn out. This alone has them beaten down and the thought of helping just one more is out of the question. Not because they don't want to, but because they feel there is nothing left to give or because they have let the devil convince them they are inadequate. How do I know this? I speak from experience.

I have sat on the pew and quietly thought about how I wanted to do more, but how could I? How could I possibly take on another burden onto my already overloaded "burden wagon?" Not that I would ever turn anyone away, verbally that is, but what about my actions? Were others able to see my almost flat, spiritual tires bending from all the pressure? Did this make me appear to be unapproachable? Dear Lord, I hope not. We are to carry things to Jesus, not for Him! I think this detail is forgotten somewhere along the journey.

So, as I am trudging along carrying all these burdens and just when I think I can't go another step, The Lord of hosts shows up! Suddenly our burdens are lifted away and we are refreshed and renewed by His Spirit! Nothing can compare to the presence Of God. This is exactly what happened in our Sunday morning service. The sweet presence of God surrounded us in His sanctuary and pointed us back to the cross and with "emptied wagons." I was reminded of the scripture in Acts 3:19 that I wanted to share.


19.Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.



Next time your wagon feels full, empty it out at the feet of Jesus. Don't try to carry it around needlessly. And by emptying it out, we will be able to minister to those that are hurting. I want others to see and feel the love of Christ in me. Only then will they be comfortable in letting me help carry their "load" to Jesus!