Dust On The Shelf: Open Your Eyes

DUST ON THE SHELF --- OPEN YOUR EYES

By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com (YouTube: Wade Hughes)

GROWING DUST BUNNIES? I FINISH A BOOK, NOW WHAT?

I love Leonard Ravenhill’s books. I heard Ravenhill speak several times. I bought his books and read every one of them. They were good books. I have really enjoyed his books. After I read his books, I placed them on a SHELF on the book case. They gathered dust. One day I cleaned the dust off the books and thought what a waste? I took the books off the shelf and loaned them to other preachers. I lost track of where the books were. Years later I purchased his books again. I enjoyed them. Again I faced a dilemma knowing the fate of the other books. I again saw THE POTENTIAL OF THE BOOKS JUST GATHERING DUST. I again loaned the books with a condition: WHEN YOU FINISH READING THIS BOOK PASS IT ON TO OTHER PASTORS OF SMALL CHURCHES. I never asked for the books back. I guess I call that an investment.

WHEN THE GIANT MOCKS GOD’S PEOPLE --- WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE IN FAILURE AND SUCCESS? WILL WE ALLOW THE CIRCUMSTANCE TO DEFINE US?

There was a poor family from Elkhart, Kansas. The CUNNINGHAM boys went to the school house early each day and built the fire for some extra money. When the teacher and kids arrived the school was warm. Someone had accidently put gasoline in the kerosene can. When Floyd Cunningham (13) poured gas on the wood to build the fire there was a massive explosion. It killed Floyd. It burned the school down. Floyd’s little brother, GLENN was pulled out of the fire.

Glenn’s legs were seriously burnt. The doctor suggested they amputate both of Glenn’s legs. His mother refused to allow the amputation. Glenn’s mother would rub his legs and pray. The doctor said: THIS BOY WILL NEVER WALK AGAIN!

Glenn’s momma would do her chores and spend every extra hour she had rubbing his legs and praying for a miracle. The giant mocked Glenn. Day after day Glenn laid in the bed crying in great pain. His mom would rub his legs and pray. Months later Glenn started moving his legs. The doctor still declared the boy will never walk again. THE GIANT WINS? Months turned into years. One day Glenn took a step and fell flat on his face. His mom kept praying and rubbing his legs. One day Glenn took several steps before he fell. His mom kept praying and rubbing his legs. The next thing you know GLENN IS NOT WALKING HE IS RUNNING. Glenn ran all the time. He ran to school. He ran to the store. Glenn amazed the community and he was known to run and run. He started running for the track team. Glenn won. The University of Kansas allowed Glenn to run on their team. He ran across the campus all the time.

Glenn was invited to run in the 1936 Olympics, he won the SILVER METAL. GLENN RAN THE MILE IN 4:06 … THIS SET THE WORLD RECORD FOR 3 YEARS… GLENN REFUSED TO ALLOW WHAT HE COULD NOT DO DEFINE HIS LIFE. Glenn was one of 5 men to hold the world record for the mile for indoors and outdoor track events.

GLENN EARNED HIS BACHELOR OF SCIENCE, HIS MASTER’S DEGREE AND HIS PH.D… THE GIANT DEFINE ME? LISTEN: GLENN AND RUTH, HIS WIFE ESTABLISHED THE CUNNINGHAM YOUTH RANCH THAT HELPED OVER 9,000 TROUBLED AND UNDERPRIVILEGED YOUTH… WE CAN NEVER ALLOW THE GIANT TO DEFINE US… Faith must define us.

IN THE VALLEY: WILL THE GIANT DEFINE ME? AT LAST! WE OFTEN ALLOW CONVENTIONAL THINKING TO IMPRISON OUR MINDS…

FEAR IS A SELF FEEDING SNOW BALL THAT GROWS.

1 Samuel 17:11 When Saul and all Israel heard those words of the Philistine, they were dismayed, and greatly afraid.

WHY DO WE EMPOWER THE NEGATIVE MESSAGE BY LISTENING TO IT OVER AND OVER?

1 Samuel 17:16 And the Philistine drew near morning and evening, and presented himself forty days.

LISTEN TO ME, I AM THE KING: YOU CAN’T DO IT. YOU ARE NOT A SOLDIER.

1 Samuel 17:32 And David said to Saul, Let no man's heart fail because of him; thy servant will go and fight with this Philistine. 33 And Saul said to David, Thou art not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him: for thou art but a youth, and he a man of war from his youth.

GOD HAS PREPARED ME FOR THIS DAY. FEAR AND WORRY ARE NOT IN MY VOCABULARY.

1 Samuel 17:34 And David said unto Saul, Thy servant kept his father's sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock: