Fleas on Thanksgiving

Romans 12:7a NIV

if it is serving, then serve;

2013 Happy Thanksgiving!

I find myself communicating a lot this past week with you. As you know I adopted Savannah Hope on Tuesday. She is a precious little thing.

So she spent the day and the next morning I was playing with her and I thought I saw something on her move. Well, let’s leave it at that! I was scared and angry. I adopted Savannah from the same place I adopted Mercy & Grace. I was particular about the cat's health. Make sure she has no fleas; I have two other cats and this could be disastrous. Well lo and behold, you got it - this kitty cat has fleas. I was so overwhelmed. I drove immediately to the vet, and treated Mercy and Grace just in case somehow they also has picked up the fleas.  Luckily they were not playing together.  On the contrary they were on opposite sides of the house hissing at each other, and having spit fights.

So why this story on Thanksgiving? 

The Bible says that each of us have been given gifts from God. Many different gifts but the same Spirit, Glory to God! In my overwhelming, emotional state, I called my sister crying. It's the day before Thanksgiving and we have fleas!

I have a new adorable kitty cat that I don't know what to do with. You see, my brother-in-law a.k.a Dr. Doo-Little, he is a master at taking care of kitties. He has rescued many, housed them, lost some to disease, but not once has he given up on any of these little creatures.

In my desperation, I asked my sister if she could come up to the house on Friday, the day after Thanksgiving and have Dr. Doo-Little "un" flea Savannah.

Of the many gifts dispersed by the Spirit of God I am always amazed at the gift of Service. The gift of Service is a behind the scenes gift; it does not say here I am, look at me, see what I am doing..... No, this gift in operation reminds me of how the Lord Jesus went around bringing words of encouragement, healing and then just slipped away in the crowd. No attention grabbing....no, just an act of kindness to someone else.

My sister tells her husband Dr. Doo-Little that I was crying and in need. So what does a person who operates in this gifting look like; how do they respond? They pack the pork shoulder, throw the turkey breast in a bag, drive one hour from New Jersey, in the middle of the precipitation (snow by my house) and arrive at my home the day before Thanksgiving to help! Help who? Help me!

He spent hours in the bathroom with Savannah, removing this infestation from this precious little tiny creature. In the morning Savannah and mom were doing much better. Oh, it does not stop there. Dr. Doo-Little got up early in morning and went to the Bronx to pick up my dad and bring him to my home. You see, originally we were to have Thanksgiving dinner at my sister house, but they did not count it an inconvenience to pack up, drive in the snow and come to my rescue.

By the way, Dr. Doo-Little's real name is Marty Lagares. In the midst of it all Marty lost his dad the week before. 

So this Thanksgiving I want to give thanks to the Lord for Marty Lagares, for his selfless act of service.

BTW,  Help me wish him a Happy Birthday. Yes his birthday is just a few days away. Happy Birthday Marty!

God is so Good! 

This Thanksgiving, thank someone who is always serving, a behind the scenes person. Let them know how much you appreciate God working through them!

God bless you!~Liz

www.LizRod.com

Danger. Heed the Council

"So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!" (1 Corinthians 10:12)

I have to stay close to God, he's my protection.

When we were young our parents would say, go out and play, but "stay where I can see you".  It was for our protection.  Our parents were aware of the imminent dangers in the playground, the perils and threats in the streets.  

I grew up in the Bronx and I remember walking down the block from the bus stop.  As I walked I felt a presence as if someone was walking close behind me.  So I decided to look back.  Yes, there was a man taking strides with me.  I decided to cross the street, to test and see if this was my imagination or indeed danger lurked behind me. 

I crossed, he crossed.  I was afraid but smart enough to heed the instructions of my mom. The words echoed in my mind "be careful and wise." Every time I left the house those were my mom's words.   

As I got older, a teenager, a young adult, those words sounded "annoying".  "Mom, don't you think I can take care of myself?"

"God, don't you think I know how to live my life?"  I got this!  I'll call you when I need you. Surely there are others out there that need your help more.  I'm doing OK. Am I?

My mom's council helped me to escape the danger that had been following me.  I entered a safe place. It was a local restaurant who knew my family.  I was escorted safely to my apartment.  

The story continues and this man that followed me carried a knife and his face was painted like a clown.  I praise God for His protection and my mother's council. No harm came to me. This clown was no joke! His intent was harm.  Sometimes danger has a different face, we must be wise.

It's a disease that comes to destroy known as sin!  It's led by a master deceiver; one cloaked in light; Satan himself masquerading as an angel of light. (2 Corinthians 11:14) In the beginning of time the Lord spoke to the man he created and blessed him with an incredible abundance of goodness.  The Lord God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground—trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food. (Genesis 2:9)

What is it that happens to us? When is God's provision not enough?  Who is instigating and having a battle in our minds? Why do we fall when the warnings are everywhere? 

If Adam and Eve ate from the tree of good and evil; why is it that discernment escaped them and the sensitivity of knowing right and wrong was somehow shadowed? Disobedience, a breaking of the rules, a curiosity that caused them to doubt their Creator did not result in more knowledge, but as God promised it lead them to death. (Genesis 2:16-17) This penalty has tainted every child that has been born.

Solomon, a little child not knowing how to carry out kingly duties asks God for a discerning heart to govern; a heart to distinguish between right and wrong; and the Lord blesses him with wisdom like no other man that ever lived (1 Kings 3:6-9).  Solomon constructs the temple for the Lord's Name in (7) seven years (1 Kings 6:38). Solomon is rich, wise, and being lured to a place where he will fall.  His palace took (13) thirteen years to build (1 Kings 7:1).  

Solomon be careful, don't allow wealth and riches to steal you from the heart of the Father. A little disobedience goes a long way. The Lord became angry with Solomon because his heart had turned away from the Lord, the God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice.  Although he had forbidden Solomon to follow other gods, Solomon did not keep the Lord’s command. So the Lord said to Solomon, “Since this is your attitude and you have not kept my covenant and my decrees, which I commanded you, I will most certainly tear the kingdom away from you and give it to one of your subordinates (1 Kings 11:9-11).

A warning about sin....IT'S OUT TO DESTROY US; a spirit of destruction and an obsession to see us fall.  Satan meddles in the lives of God's people with very clever propositions.  The means to this end is separation from God!

"These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the culmination of the ages has come.  So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it." (1 Corinthians 10:11-13)

As a child of God we have a Counselor that is forever warning us of imminent danger.  The Bible says that Jesus intercedes for me in prayer (Hebrews 7:25).  He has sent the Holy Spirit to guide me in all things; he warns, convicts, redirects, and loves me immensely.  He is forever speaking, if we would just listen.

Examine our hearts God.  "Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread.  Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’ Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God." (Proverbs 30:8-9) 

Don't allow us to misrepresent you and reap death (Leviticus 10).  Keep us under your protective cover, Lord.  Shower us with discernment; a clear view of the enemy that we may escape. As sin crouches and seeks to devour and destroy, help us Lord to master it, to do what is right, that it may not rule over us. (Genesis 4:7).

Sometimes danger has a different face, we must be wise.
Be careful out there!

God bless you!~Liz
www.lizrod.com