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Insufficient Covering*

10/20/2014

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When our soul is awakened by the Lord's conviction we begin to try to mending things together as a covering. Adam and Eve sewed leaves together to hide their nakedness. But God already knew about it. He had already seen their lack and despair.  

Like Adam and Eve, we may try to do better. We may try to go do works of righteousness on our own. But we will fail as they failed. Our covering will be insufficient. Not because the world can see through it. Not because we can't fool our friends. Possibly the world won't see through it and our friends will be convinced. But we cannot trick God. He has already seen through our pitiful covering to the naked despair beneath it.

The Blood of Christ is the only sufficient covering for my sins, my mistakes, my faults, my lack, my weakness. Christ, according to his infinite mercies, has redeemed me. So when that conviction of the Spirit of God comes to me, and it awakens me from the spiritual daze that I've been living in, the thing I should do is run to grace. I should call out to God. I should trust in his righteouness that I can be made righteous (Romans 5), for that is the only way I can be.

Then, and only then, can I do right things for God. I can be what He calls me to be. I can fulfill His will in my life. You may not like that, but my Bible still says, "I can to all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." (Philippians 4:13).

*With thanks to the late Mr. George Whitefield for inspiration from his original idea.
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Wait

10/11/2014

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In the busy and fast-paced world in which we live, it seems people are often looking for answers; or, at least, they want to look like they are looking.  Sometimes, the hunt is a greater reward than the quarry.  Sometimes, the chase is more exciting than the finish.  That is true.  But, it is possible for me to get too busy.  It is possible for me to get ahead of God.  It is possible for me to go too fast.  It is possible for me to get occupied doing things, even “good” things, and miss the greatest blessings God has for me. 

All throughout scripture God says, “Wait.”

  •   Whether it is at the side of the Red Sea, He says, “Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord.”

  •   Or David, in Psalm 40, caught in a pit and bogged down in mire, “waits upon the Lord.”  

  •   Or, Jesus speaking to the disciples concerning the coming Day of Pentecost – “go to Jerusalem and wait” for the Spirit.

The Hebrews had just been delivered from Egypt.  They probably felt like “running” through the Red Sea, but God instructed them to hold on a little longer.  David was literally and spiritually stuck in ruts.  He was in a terrible predicament – not able to go forward, or back.  He could have continued to spin his tires, and he would’ve gotten more and more stuck.  Yet, God heard and answered his cry when David “waited upon the Lord.”  The disciples probably wanted to go out and change the world.  They had witnessed Christ perform many miracles.  They could’ve been chomping at the bit to “go unto the world and preach the Gospel.”  After all, that was their commission.  But, Jesus still said go to Jerusalem and “wait” first.

The moral of the story is this:  Waiting is doing something.  Sometimes, it is the best thing you can do.  In your life, don’t get so hectic with things – even good things, that you outrun God.  Talk to God.  Let God talk to you.  Find His will.  And, when He has given you the grace you need to accomplish His will, then go, and even run, in Jesus’ name and complete your task.

May God Bless You!

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    Pastor Joshua Strong

    I have served as Pastor of Sweden Church since 2006.

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