THE CARPENTER ANTS! 3/30/14

 (repeat)   I’VE ONLY SEEN  “carpenter ants” once in my life.   They are about 3/4 of an inch long and black.   I’ve seen big black ants in the dirt and always felt that they could and would bite.  I’ve seen tiny black ants that we called “grease ants” and they usually were found in the house in cupboards and around the sinks. They were difficult to get rid of.  Red ants were also something to be careful around.  Don’t know why, but that was what I was told.   I have never met an ant that I liked!
 
JIM RETIRED in 2000 and I retired in 2001.  We decided that when we both were retired we would sell our house and move to where our Son and his family lived, to be closer to our grandsons.  We finished all the up grades we were going to make to our house and so it was time to put it on the market.   Our realtor made arrangements for an open house for realtor’s only.   Upon returning home, one of these realtor’s was still looking around and suggested we should have an inspection because of the “carpenter ants” that were seen in our bedroom.   I was shocked and perplexed!   “What is a carpenter ant”; I asked!  She told me they were big black ants that eat wood.  Sort of like a termite!   I went into the bedroom and sure enough I saw a big black ant on my mirror above the bathroom sink.  Then I found one on the dressing table in the bedroom.  I began to inspect the whole room and found three more.  One on the drapes, on the bed and on the floor.   Where did these come from?

WHEN JIM arrived home I told him about the ants.  He called the name of the inspector that the questioning realtor left with us.  The inspector came out the next day and found no carpenter ants but he did find a little dry rot on one of the corner eves of the house.  We made arrangements to have that fixed but what about the carpenter ants!  He had no explanation about the ants and how only five made it in.  Within a couple of weeks our house sold and the rest is history.

EVERY once in a while I think about the carpenter ants.   I still wonder about how they got into our bedroom, if they did not penetrate the walls.   Did they come in on someone’s clothes or were they carried in another way.   I am probably a more suspicious person than Jim is but even he has wondered about the surreptitious appearance of the carpenter ants.   Did someone bring them in purposely?  After all the realtor gave us a name to call for the inspection!  Were they in cahoots with each other?

OBVIOUSLY the house needed the inspection because of the dry rot, but the idea of someone wanting to trick us into having this done is a questionable business tactic. We are all aware of advertisements which bring you in, and when you get there they are out of the product, but have something else available which probably is not really want you want, and costs a whole lot more.  I remember that tactic when buying a car, and was warned to watch for!

AS A CHILD one of the things I remember our preacher saying was; “Don’t take my word for it, go home and check out the scriptures for yourselves.”   I took him at his word and to this day, I go home and check out the scriptures for myself.    Do you look beyond the pulpit or the teacher?   Do you know what God’s Word is saying to you?    Can you apply it and make it a part of your life?

GOD’S WORD says to watch for the wolves in sheep’s clothing.  “Beware of false prophets who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.  You will know them by their fruit.  Good trees bear good fruit but bad trees bear bad fruit.”  Matthew 7:15-17    Jesus continues with “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves.  Therefore be shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves.  Beware of men, for they will deliver you up to the courts and scourge you in their synagogues.”  Matthew 10:16-17    Even if we are called His sheep and follow wherever He leads, let us remember that many will dress up in sanctified clothing and can cause us to stray.   We are to know our shepherd!  We are to know His voice!  We are to pay attention!   Let’s be sure to hold fast!   For when we do; the tempter cannot lead us astray!   Jesus has promised to never leave us nor forsake us, but we must do are part; know His Word!     (Written 2/1/08)   By Jane Ann Crenshaw 3/29/14

A GRAIN OF A MUSTARD SEED? 3/23/14

 (Repeat) I KNOW many have pondered the question of having the “faith of a mustard seed”.  The mustard seed is a very, very tiny seed.  I have a necklace that holds a mustard seed in the center of a magnified glass ball.  It was given to me when I was in my early teens.  Without the magnifying glass, I am not sure I could even see that seed today.  But what about a grain of that seed?  Oh how I have prayed for such faith because in Luke 17:6 it says I could move mountains.  

MY NIECE Leslie was always a serious little girl. When she was around 8 or 9, she received a red umbrella for Christmas.   I never saw her so excited as she was with that umbrella.  After Christmas vacation and with thoughts of school starting the next day - she prayed that it would rain.....The next morning it rained..... she begged her mom to let her carry her umbrella.    That evening, Leslie prayed again that it would rain......the next morning it rained.....that night she prayed again.....and again the next morning it rained..... Wednesday night Laura, her little sister came to her mom very unhappy and said; “Mom, don’t let Leslie pray tonight - because I am tired of the rain and I want to play outside during recess”.     Talk about Faith!   Even though they were very young girls with faith as a grain of a mustard seed they believed God would hear and answer their prayers no matter what.....Well, my sister Joetta did ask Leslie not to pray for rain that night so that Laura could play out doors during recess....You know what?   It didn’t rain the next day!

SHORTLY after my brother-in-law Clancy accepted the Lord, he couldn’t get enough of God’s word.  He and my sister Janice had a scripture box on their dining room table and would look at a scripture often.  One evening Clancy received a call from a close friend from highschool who lived out of town.  His 14 year old daughter ran away from home.  He thought she might be headed for Hollywood.  He asked Clancy to go and see if he could find her!  A little bewildered on how anyone could just go to Hollywood and find someone, Clancy said he would give it a try.  As he prepared to leave he pulled a scripture from the box.  It read; “Jesus looked at them and said; With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible”.  After they prayed Clancy left for Hollywood.  He decided he would start at Hollywood & Vine because that name was familiar to him.  He pulled into a parking lot, got out and stood on the corner of Hollywood & Vine.  He stood wondering which way to turn when he saw this girl across the street from where he was standing.  She was his friends daughter!  His faith was new, the size of a grain of a mustard seed!.....

IN HEBREWS 4:14-16 it tells us that because of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, we can approach God’s throne with confidence.  However, we forget who He is!   When we approach the throne we are to come with clean hands and a pure heart.  We are to be humble because of who we are and exalt God because of who He is.  Our hearts should be loving life and doing what is right; we are to turn from evil; asking mercy and seeking peace!   Many feel they are unworthy to approach the throne.  I believe that God considered the whole world worthy.  His Son went to the cross to make a way for everyone....He made us worthy!   The cross was the bridge, made by the blood of Christ, so that we could go to the Father. Because of the cross we can believe, confess, repent and be baptized.   When we are obedient, and when we pray;  we have only to seek God’s face, with a contrite heart and a desire to draw near to Him.  When we experience God’s answers, pay attention!  It is miraculous!  It is Not an everyday event!   A grain of a mustard seed is more than tiny, it is all we need!   That doesn’t seem so complicated, does it?  
Written 4/13/08         By Jane Ann Crenshaw

QUIETLY SERVING! 3/16/14

“BUT HOW are men to call upon Him in whom they have never heard?  And how are they to hear without a preacher?  And how can men preach unless they are sent?  As it is written; “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach good news!”  Romans 10:14-15

IT HAS BEEN SAID;   “To some we are the only Christ they will see!”  “We are the only Bible that some will read!”  “We represent the Christ, who is still in the world!”  I read a little story some time ago; “A little girl was walking down the street holding onto her mother’s hand.  She tugged on her Mom’s arm and said; “Look, Look Mommy, there goes God!”  Across the street she saw her Sunday School teacher walking.  Is that how others see you?

UP FRONT people within the congregation, are those who do things that are out in the open.  Boy, do we need those servants of the Lord!  If they weren’t doing it, who would do it?   Those behind the scenes are the ones that make things happen.  Boy, aren’t we glad they are the ones doing it, otherwise, who would be doing it?   Do you feel like that?   I don’t!

IN THE PAST, I don’t think I ever did anything quietly because I was always out there recruiting everyone I could, to help.  I was the organizer; the doer; the participator and sometimes just in the way.  But I was there!  Today, I surprise myself, because I know I don’t have to be out in front, pushing all the buttons, and/or creating some sort of activity.   I am now one of the old folks, but I don’t want to be one of the ones that say; “Let the young people do it!”  I still want to be a doer regardless of my age!

HAVE YOU ever wondered who keeps the lawns and flower beds manicured?  Have you ever wondered who cleans the rest rooms?  Have you ever wondered who continually makes the messes in the kitchen, and somehow it is all cleaned up before Sunday?   Have you ever wondered if the worship team practices and if so, when?  Have you ever wondered who arranges for Sunday School teachers and orders the material that is to be used?  Have you ever wondered who is in charge of the sound system and replaces the light bulbs?  There are so many things that go on behind the scenes that sometimes we wonder if the church has a genie who wiggles her nose and WALLA, it’s all up and running in order.  The church should be a well oiled machine?

I HAVE known many who quietly serve!   They never seem to complain about things, they just do what  needs to be done, or if it needs to be fixed, they fix it.  There are those who just always seem to be around when I stop by the church.  There are many who go about the Lord’s work and never seem to have any kind of fanfare.  They like it that way!  There are many who are type A, and don’t mind being up front, but it doesn’t mean they can’t do things without being noticed.  It pleases God to watch His children at work and play.

IT ISN”T JUST the preacher that considers the church his home away from home.  God asks us to be good stewards!  We care for the building, we manicure the grounds, we bring our tithes and offerings in so the Church can go forward as prescribed in God’s Word.  Church work is not busy work, it is God’s mission that as we go, we take His word and teach, baptize and make disciples!.

“DO NOT labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life, which the Son of man will give to you; for on Him has God the Father set His seal.  They said to Him, “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?  Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent.”  John 6:27-29     If we believe, we then will be His disciples!

BECAUSE we truly believe Jesus is the Christ, we must continue in the Faith!    Jim and I  have chosen to serve our Lord by lifting up and encouraging the Saints!   We do that by seeking first His kingdom, the Church;  teaching, fellow-shipping; practicing His presence!   God is Good and He is happy when His children serve Him!   Thank you Jesus for loving us!   By Jane Ann Crenshaw 3-15-14

EVIL IN THE LAND! 3/9/14

I HAVE attended Sunday School all my life!  My mother sent me, along with my siblings who were close to my age, ever since we were old enough to go!    We would walk!    Today it is difficult to find a church with a Sunday School for all ages.   And when you do, they are located too far from home.    We are even fearful to send our children off by themselves.   So the result is; Sunday Schools are far and few between.

I REMEMBER in March we would have an enthusiastic Sunday School program called March to Sunday School!    You guessed it!   It began the first Sunday in March.   We had contests and prizes for  bringing  a friend; memorization; bringing your Bible; learning the books of the Bible and so on!  In September the promotion was called Sunday School Roundup!   That was because it was the end of Summer and vacations.

TODAY we don’t want to call it Sunday School but ‘small groups;’ and usually it is geared to adults.   Our children, and teenagers are presented with other activities which don’t seem to have the same emphasis as learning the stories of the Bible and understanding God’s love, along with the steps to salvation.  Our college and career young adults stop attending because the churches don’t have anything for them.   We are losing young families for the same reasons!

A SINNER’S prayer is all that is needed and so the churches grow empty as the believers forsake the assembly.  Yes, evil is in the land and we are becoming blind to what must be done for God’s Word  to continue marching on!  

WE WRITE books and read book  after book explaining God’s truth, and leave our Bibles on the shelf.   We choose a translation that is easy to read but neglect to question who the commentators are.   We talk about the evil in our land, but still sit and watch the TV and neglect our families and neighbors when it comes to reaching them for the Lord.

WE TALK about the seekers and set about to disciple them,  yet we neglect God’s people who need to be encouraged and lifted up.   Jesus said; “Come unto me all who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest!”  Matthew 11:28    Isn’t that amazing?   Jesus calls you and the church doors are to be open, waiting for you to enter.   Friend, I want to be there to welcome you and to show you God’s love!

TALK is okay but showing God’s love is what motivates the church and church growth.  “For this is the message which you have heard from the beginning, that we should love, one another, and not be like Cain who was of the evil one and murdered his brother.  And why did he murder him?  Because his own deeds were evil and his brother’s righteous.  Do not wonder, brethren, that the world hates you.”  1 John 3:11-13

HE WHO is born of God does not make sin the practice of his life.  Even while we believers do sin, it is not our custom to be a part of the evil that is in our land.   God said, we live in this evil world but we are not a part of it!    Belonging to God’s Body gives us the edge we need as a child of God.   We do not live a life of sin because the Son of God keeps us!

“EVERY SPIRIT which does not confess Jesus is not of God.  This is the spirit of the anti Christ, of which you heard that it was coming and now it is in the world already.”  1 John 4:3    Evil is in our land because the anti-Christ is here.   Everywhere we turn we are faced with a decision to accept what the world decree’s as legal.  Everyday we must choose what is right or become tolerant of what is wrong.

I HAVE decided to follow Jesus!   I can’t change the world but I can stand up for his kingdom; the church!   I will be faithful and sincere in my walk!   I will encourage and lift up the Saints until God calls me home.   “Who is it that overcomes the world, but he, who believes that Jesus is the Son of God” 1 John 5:5     My prayer is “Thank you God for saving my soul!”    By Jane Ann Crenshaw 3/8/14

MY NAME IS CHRISTIAN! 3/2/14

I’VE HEARD that the name Christian sets many people on edge.   They have the idea that those who are called Christian means they are homophobes, judgmental, full of bigotry, fanatic, intolerant and they walk with an attitude of being full of themselves or all pious.  Jesus is referred to as the WAY, but more importantly, we should remember that he chased the money changers from the temple courtyard.  The world didn’t change His mind or deter Him from His mission.   The world said they didn’t like it; they indicated they were afraid of it, but Jesus said; this is who I am because I am, who I am!    Who was He?   He was the Son of God and He was in the beginning before we knew there was a beginning.  He became the light of the world!  

PERSONALLY, I like the name Christian!    When I confessed Jesus as my Savior and was baptized, I accepted His name for my own.   Christian means “Christ One!”   I belong to Jesus, He is my Savior; He has set me free!   When I married Jim, I accepted his name!    I gave up the name I was born with, and I have never regretted taking his name!   Did it change me?   Absolutely!

I DON'T USUALLY use Webster’s dictionary when writing these devotionals but I think today’s topic warrants it.   Christian means Professing the religion of Christ; representing a Christian people; having traits exemplified by Christ, as humility, etc.   Christianity means we follow Christ’s teaching; we are the Christian part of the world; state of being a Christian!   Why would I want to change my name for anything else when these words identify who I am in Christ.    A part of me wants to say to the world; “World, get use to it!   God is here to stay!”

“SO BARNABAS went to Tarsus to look for Saul; and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch.  For a whole year they met with the church, and taught a large company of people; and in Antioch the disciples were for the first time called Christians.”  Acts 11:25-26     Some think they were called Christians by those who were not part of this radical movement.     I have always thought, if it isn’t broken, why try to fix it!   This name has set God’s chosen people apart for over 1,967 years!

“AND AGRIPPA said to Paul; “In a short time you think to make me a Christian!”  And Paul said; “Whether short or long, I would to God that not only you, but also all who hear me this day, might become such as I am, except for these chains!”  Acts 26:28-29    Why bicker over a name, when the person who’s name you wear, has lifted you from the bondage of sin, and replaced it with the bondage of GRACE!    Those who are intimated by this name needs Jesus!  Their rebellion cries for it!

THE WORLD knows who we are!    The world can either love or hate us but to deny who we are by giving ourselves a new name, would bring shame to me.  It is saying “I was wrong to call myself a Christian, so if it pleases you, I will say I belong to the WAY!   How is that going to make any difference?    “But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or a thief, or a wrongdoer, or a mischief-maker; yet if one suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but under that name let him glorify God.”  1 Peter 4:15-16     We have a tendency to rationalize how to approach the world with Jesus!   I believe we are to love one another.   Loving our brothers and sisters in Christ; loving our families whether they follow Christ or not; and living peacefully and lovingly in the world is what God has called us to do.

  WHEN JESUS prayed for the coming church He said; “The glory which you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one.  I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you have sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.”  John 17:22-23   Remember the song; “They will know we are Christians by our love!”?    How responsible is that?    How pleasing to the Father when we are doing that!   “For the time has come for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God?  1 Peter 4:17      By Jane Ann Crenshaw 2/27/14