Yes, I knew eventually I was going to do it. Each time that I added water to the humidifier, I told myself “deliberately” to not forget to put the lid on the tank before I flipped it back over. But each time I did it, I knew there was going to be a time when I would forget. Yes, tonight was that time, and actually it did not end up being an ugly picture of me throwing a hissy fit.
I filled the tank up with water. Then I was distracted and I went into the other room. When I came back to flip the tank over, I picked it up and started to flip it right over. Yes, I forgot to put the lid back on the tank. Water went everywhere, the table, the chair, the floor, and my shoes were filled. In times past that would not have been a very pretty picture. I would’ve been throwing a fit and whining like a big old ball-baby.
But you know what, I didn’t. The second that I flipped that tank over, I almost laughed at myself. I had known this day was coming. Truthfully though, it was not quite as traumatic as I had imagined it would be. I did catch it before ‘all’ of the water ran out. So it wasn’t that big a mess to clean up. I do remember in times past though that I probably would have been really angry at myself.
When my momma was here with me, she had to hear a number of hissy fits when I did silly things like that. I make a whipped coffee filled with milk and coffee and chocolate. I have spilled it three different times in three different rooms. It splattered everywhere each time. I would be having my little fit, yelling at the cup and at the spilled coffee and my momma would be in another room, saying, “What’s going on in there?” So she got to hear and see all that. I wasn’t ugly, I just was very unhappy.
That was not the picture that I really wanted her to see. The last time that I spilled, the coffee was within a few weeks of her passing. I knocked the coffee off of my nightstand and it splattered all across the nightstand, the bedroom wall and the floor. As emotional as I was during that time, that one really got me. I was even yelling at God. I just looked up, threw my hands up, and yelled, “Really? Really? I don’t get it! I really don’t get it!” Quite frankly, I didn’t want God to see that picture either, although I think he completely understood my emotions.
There was no meltdown tonight. I kind of just laughed at myself. I’m hoping now that I can be a little more chill in those situations. I know a lot of it is because I’m not under the amount of stress that I was under during those moments .
That being said, the picture that I want other people to see of me is one where I am calm and confident in my Lord, and not having meltdowns over inconsequential incidents. I want to be able to be an example to others that God’s presence is in my life and that it makes a difference—and be able handle any situation through the Power that fills me.
The Apostle Paul was all about being a good example and handling those crazy situations. In the Book of Romans, he was writing to believers that he had not yet met. Most likely, people that had been present during Pentecost in Acts 2 had spread the Gospel as far as Rome. Paul wrote this letter to make sure they had the facts of the Gospel. He presented the Gospel to them clearly. He encouraged them to continue doing the right things. He wanted them to carefully uphold the teachings of Christ. (1)
In Romans 16:17-20, Paul was closing out this letter by seriously urging the believers to make sure they could pinpoint who the people were that were causing division in the church, and the ones that were teaching doctrine that was not true. He wanted them to learn how to avoid such people. it was vitally important that they stayed away from this evil.
He told them that these people were not really servants of the Lord Jesus Christ. They were self serving and wanted only what was best for their own desires. They spoke with eloquence and were able to wrongly influence and deceive those that were humble and innocent in serving the Lord .
He expressed his pleasure at the good reputation he heard about them and their obedience. He saw a good picture when he looked at them. He told them that all this made him glad, but he still wanted to warn them to use wisdom when facing good situations, and to be humble and simple when confronting evil.
He encouraged them to keep going as they were. He assured them that the God of peace would bruise Satan under their feet shortly. He blessed them with the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.
During the time of this letter, Christians were being persecuted and it was a challenge just to be “a Little Christ.” What is the challenge from this passage to those that are following Christ today? How can we encourage others? Part of the challenge in this crazy world is to maintain the unshakable belief that we have the power of God residing in us through the Holy Spirit, and that we do have power to defeat satan’s schemes.
How can we apply this passage to our lives? We can live our lives in obediences and victory, because the war has already been won. With wisdom, deal with the earthly battles as they pop up, but stand strong in the realization that we are on the winning side!
What does this mean to my faith? My faith is strengthened by knowing that the source of my strength is God. This Truth helps me be confident that I will be able to handle any situation through His Power.
Lord, I thank You and praise You that You have given me strength and power through Your Holy Spirit. Through You, I have victory in life and death. Please strengthen my faith and help my life be a visible picture of You to others.
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“17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. 18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple. 19 For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil. 20 And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.” Romans 16:17-20 (KJV)
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I feel that since God has given me the gift of this platform, I must always tell you about my Jesus.
What is your relationship to the all-knowing God of the universe? Do you know Jesus? Do you know the peace that can come only from an intimate relationship with Him? You can know Him. Jesus Christ, God’s Son, born into human flesh, sinless, crucified and giving His life freely, buried, arisen on the third day, will come into your life and change the outcome of your eternity. You just have to be willing to believe and accept His truth.
In addition, here is an excellent page that can give you additional information on peace with God: PeaceWithGod.net.
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(1) Information reference from The Life Application Study Bible, King James Version, The Life Application Study Bible, 3rd Addition, Tecarta. Inc., 2021.
Restricted Vision, Unburdened Sight 