Little Foxes

We've all heard the phrase, "big things come in small packages," and most of us are aware that sometimes it's the little things that can really stack up, for better or worse, and end up having an enormous impact...

Song of Solomon 2:15 states, Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines: for our vines have tender grapes.

Now most of us have heard this scripture preached on and taught on, and we understand that for the most part, it's those little things that go unnoticed that can bring us down.

It's kind of like the frog: throw him into boiling hot water and he'll immediately jump out, but slowly turn it up while he's already sitting in some lukewarm water and he'll sit there until he's cooked...

Or maybe it's like the great Sequoia's of northern California; they can weather the fiercest of storms, but fall prey to the tiniest of foes--the termite...

Still, the scripture in Solomon goes deeper. First, it says our vines have tender grapes. Truly, our lives and our souls are tender when you really think about it. There are so many things out there that can affect us, so we have to guard ourselves with fervor. Second, there's no indication that the foxes would intentionally harm the vines. They're just after some food, the grapes, but in there effort to just do what's natural for them, they'd destroy the vine altogether...

So we can see that we need to watch out for not only those things that would come against us to destroy us, but also against those things that might creep in unawares, with no intent to do damage, but that may end up causing our tender vines to become spoiled.

Apply it in YOUR OWN situation. That relationship that's keeping you from being where you need to be in God, that job that's dragging you down, the entertainment that you thought you had under control, that attitude you know's there but haven't had time to tackle, that temptation, that weight, etc...

God has given us power in the Holy Ghost to be overcomers!!! Let's not slay the giant only to succumb to the flesh during our time of war. Let's lay aside the sin and the weights and run this race all the way to the finish!!!

Ignore The Circumstantial Evidence

The Bible tells us in Hebrews 12:2, "looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith;" that's how we are to run this race we're in. However, at times there are those "issues" in life, be it financial, familial, medical, or otherwise, that intrude and distract. But Jesus Christ has given us a remedy, Himself.

When Peter began to sink into the sea (Matthew 14:30), it was because He started to look at the evidence around him, telling him he was crazy for stepping out of the boat. The wind and the waves were matters of circumstance that distracted him from Jesus Christ. That's when he started to fall.

Could it be that we face the same test? When problems arise, it's not that we should ignore them and pretend they're not there, but we should NEVER lose our focus, we should never lose our relationship with Jesus Christ. Rather, we should cling to Him all the more and He will see us through the circumstances of life.

The psalmist wrote, "I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth. He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber." (Psalm 121:1-3).

Keep your eyes on Jesus, and ignore the circumstantial evidence, His witness is true and He will see you through!!!

Don't Quit Your Day Job

John 9:4 says, I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work. Jesus has put us in this world for a purpose, He saved us through the gospel, the death, burial, and resurrection, but when we are saved through repentance, baptism in Jesus name, and the infilling of the Holy Ghost, we aren't immediately translated to glory...Why not?

Because we become Jesus' hands and feet in this world. It's up to us to accomplish His purpose, to seek and save that which was lost (Luke 19:10). But let's be honest, sometimes life can get a hold on us, the day to day routine can sink in and we find ourselves losing focus or falling out of touch with our purpose...

That's why the Bible warns us, And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. (Galatians 6:9). Don't quit, don't give up, don't give in. Not only does your soul depend on it, but there's a lost, hurting, and dying world that's depending on you too!!!

Overcoming The Wilderness

Ever been through a trying time? Ever walked through a valley that seemed to go down and down forever or been tested to the point where you thought you couldn't handle it any more? Ever felt as though the weight of the world was on your shoulders like a rising tsunami about to crush you?

Don't give up hope or loose out with God during those dry, lonely times, it's just test of the wilderness!!!

You see, when Israel came out of Egypt, they were purged, tested, and tried in the wilderness for 40 years before moving into the land God promised. There was a lot of cleansing and fashioning that had to happen...

Likewise, before Jesus was fully launched into His earthly ministry, He fasted 40 days in the wilderness, and was tried and tested by Satan himself!!!

I Corinthians 10:11 says, Now all these things happened unto them for examples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.

We have a scriptural example we can follow to understand what's really happening when we find ourselves in the wilderness. During those difficult times, that's the opportunity to weather the storm and see if you're really built on the Rock (see Matthew 7:24-27), and when you pass through the test, you'll come out as fine gold, tried by fire!!!