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Be Better Than the Rocks

1/6/2020

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    "I don't want a rock to do my part."  Josh retorted.  This, of course, refers back to Luke 19:40, "And he answered and said unto them, "I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out."  The disciples were praising Jesus and the Pharisees wanted him to rebuke them.  Jesus responded by saying that if the disciples refrained from praising him, the stones would cry out.  
     Missouri has plenty of rocks.  Just think of the noise they would make it they all cried out praising Jesus.  Douglas County by itself could really set up a clamor should all the rocks tune up at the same time.  The last count of the population in this county is around 13,000.  Could 13,000 voices set up such a chorus?  Thirteen thousand people lifting their voices in praise to Jesus the Christ would surely be heard.
     Anyone who has some acquaintance with the Bible knows that names referring to Jesus are "Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." (Isaiah 9:6)  Knowing and believing just this alone should make everyone want to shout.  The God of our Lord Jesus Christ has "put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church." (Ephesians 1:22) If nothing else, praise him because he came here to give all who would believe on him everlasting life. (John 3:16)
    Excuses for this present-day world are diminishing.  There's been over 2,000 years pass.  The story has been told and retold.  It's available for those who want to hear it and those who don't.  The story of Christmas is not hidden under a bush.  All the world knows it.  Very few there are who might not know of Jesus and why he came to this world.
     We aren't like the disciples in Matthew 8:23-27 who cast out into the water on a boat.  Jesus was asleep when the tempest tossed the boat so much so that waves came over the top of it.  Scared to their core, they woke Jesus up thinking they were going to die.  Begging to be saved, Jesus was surprised to find them so fearful.  "O ye of little faith..." (Matthew 8:26) is what he said to them.  Then he rebuked the waves and wind and it stopped.  All was again calm.
     The good thing is they turned to Jesus.  The bad thing is they should have known they were safe when Jesus was with them.  How many times do today's believers have to learn this lesson?  Many, probably.  But it shouldn't be so.  Grow in your faith.  Trust and obey Jesus each day.  Renew your faith daily.  Maybe then, mankind will be able to shout louder than the rocks.  Amen.   ​
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    Linda Johnson

    Linda Johnson moved to Douglas County with her husband Tom 12 years ago after retiring from teaching. Following Tom's death in 2016, Linda began facilitating a grief support group called GriefShare through Sweden Church.​ She serves as the Sunday School teacher for our High School class. Her "Layman's Pen" articles are also published in the local paper, The Douglas County Herald. 

    Andrea Strong

    Andrea is Pastor Joshua Strong's wife. She also serves Sweden Church as Church Secretary, website administrator, and Sunday School teacher to the Intermediate Class.

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