"Oh, How We Need Him!"

 "For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God." (Hebrews 6:7 KJV)

  ""The rain and snow come down from the heavens and stay on the ground to water the earth. They cause the grain to grow, producing seed for the farmer and bread for the hungry. It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it. You will live in joy and peace. The mountain and hills will burst into song, and the trees of the field will clap their hands! Where once there were thorns, cypress trees will grow. Where nettles grew, myrtles will sprout up. These events will bring great honor to the LORD'S name; they will be an everlasting sign of his power and love."" (Isaiah 55:10-13 NLT)

 Having tossed this around in my head, the more I think about it, the more I don't want to think about it, as it causes me to feel shame, thinking about all the times I messed up. I know we aren't perfect, so it isn't really hard to look back at some of the stupid things we have done; but it is by the blood of Christ Jesus that we have been cleansed, and by His blood we are totally and completely made perfect! 

 I can recall something that Pastor Gene taught, several years ago. He illustrated the likeness of having an umbrella, standing under it, and being under the protection from the rain. In this illustration, the rain was meant to be all of the filth and sin, the umbrella was the grace that covered us completely. We need to stay under that umbrella! When we step out from under it, we get wet!

 That might not coincide with the message, but it does illustrate our need to abide in Christ! No matter what we might get into, He is always faithful and just to forgive us and get us back on the right path. All we really need to do is ask Him to forgive us and have control of our lives, which is what we really need!

 Another thing Pastor Gene had taught: Do all that God tells you to do, and if something doesn't work, then it's not your fault, and you do not need to feel ashamed...   

"Trust in the LORD with all you heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take." (Proverbs 3:5-6 NLT)