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:
WIN? LOSE? THE DUST OF SIN IS COSTLY. WHAT ARE THE REAL GIANTS THAT WE FACE? PERSONAL DESIRES? WHY? WHY DID DAVID WIN AGAINST GOLIATH? DAVID DEFEATED GOLIATH --- THE SAD STORY IS DAVID LOST SIN’S BATTLE TO BATHSHEBA.
The life of ease in the palace and David was not where he should have been.
2 Samuel 11:1 And it came to pass, after the year was expired, at the time when kings go forth to battle, that David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the children of Ammon, and besieged Rabbah. But David tarried still at Jerusalem.
Mom always said: AN IDLE MIND IS THE DEVIL’S WORK SHOP.
2 Samuel 11:2 And it came to pass in an eveningtide, that David arose from off his bed, and walked upon the roof of the king's house: and from the roof he saw a woman washing herself; and the woman was very beautiful to look upon.
DAVID’S IDLENESS LEAD TO SIN: BATHSHEBA HAS A LITTLE BABY BOY NOT BY HER HUSBAND. David has one of his mighty heroes killed: URIAH THE HITTITE. David begs God to heal his son. The marble halls of the King’s palace grow silent as DAVID HAS TO VISIT THE FUNERAL HOME. THE DUST OF SIN IS VERY EXPENSIVE.
THERE IS A HIDDEN SAD STORY THAT FEW PREACHERS WILL TELL. THE DUST OF SIN LEADS TO DIRTY LIVES! VANITY AND USELESSNESS. WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE MIGHTY GENERAL THAT HEARD THE SONGS SANG: DAVID HAS SLAIN HIS 10,000’S IS MOVED TO THE SHELF OF USELESSNESS. WHY? DUSTY LIFES LEAD TO THE SHELF.
2 Samuel 21:16 And Ishbibenob, which was of the sons of the giant, the weight of whose spear weighed three hundred shekels of brass in weight, he being girded with a new sword, thought to have slain David.
17 But Abishai the son of Zeruiah succoured him, and smote the Philistine, and killed him. Then the men of David sware unto him, saying, Thou shalt go no more out with us to battle, that thou quench not the light of Israel.
I CAN SEE THE DUST? DUST FROM CLOSED EYES? FEAR NOT! WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO? FOCUS ON THE OBSTACLES?
2 Kings 6:15 And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do? 16 And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.
GOD EXPOSE THE DUST BUNNIES THAT WE SEE: THIS OBSTACLE IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY.
2 Kings 6:17 And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.
18 And when they came down to him, Elisha prayed unto the LORD, and said, Smite this people, I pray thee, with blindness. And he smote them with blindness according to the word of Elisha. 19 And Elisha said unto them, This is not the way, neither is this the city: follow me, and I will bring you to the man whom ye seek. But he led them to Samaria.
20 And it came to pass, when they were come into Samaria, that Elisha said, LORD, open the eyes of these men, that they may see. And the LORD opened their eyes, and they saw; and, behold, they were in the midst of Samaria.
CONCLUSION: Remember the stories in the Lost Chapter, Luke 15. The lady lost one of her coins. She then got a candle and the light from the candle exposed the dirt. When she saw the dirt, she cleaned it up. THEN SHE FOUND HER COIN.
DIRTY LIVES GROW FROM DUSTY BIBLES. Let us be faithful and stand at our post of duty until we hear that trumpet sound.
His servant, Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com (YouTube: Wade Hughes)
