Fleas on Thanksgiving

Romans 12:7a NIV

if it is serving, then serve;

2013 Happy Thanksgiving!

 find myself communicating a lot this past week. I adopted Savannah Hope on Tuesday. She is a precious little thing. The newest kitten in the family.

Savannah spent her first night with us. The next morning, I was playing with her, and I thought I saw something move on her. 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 had Mercy and Grace treated for the flea exposure. Luckily, they were not playing together. On the contrary, they were on opposite sides of the house, hissing and having spit fights.

So why this story? Well, it's Thanksgiving eve!

The Bible says that each of us has 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, 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 announce, “Here I am. Look at me, see what I am doing.” No, this gift in operation reminds me of Jesus walking on earth. Jesus went around with words of life. He healed many, and then just slipped away in the crowd. No attention sought. It was 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 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? To 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 the morning and drove two hours, round-trip, to pick up my dad and bring him to my home for Thanksgiving dinner. You see, originally we were to have Thanksgiving dinner at my sister's house, but they did not consider it an inconvenience to pack up, drive in the snow, and come to my rescue instead.

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

So this Thanksgiving, I want to give thanks to the Lord for Marty, 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

Who is Speaking?

2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV)
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!

Ever woke up in the middle of the night with a thought that would not let you sleep, how about while driving home? Perhaps you are in church or at the grocery store, and the thought grips you. You are wondering, is it true?

The better question is: Who is speaking? Is it the Advocate or the Accuser? One promotes life, the other death. The one who pleads on my behalf, the one who intercedes and appeals for me, is the Advocate! The one who points the finger and tries to humiliate me or sows dishonor to the person the Lord is shaping and molding daily into his image, that is the Accuser.

Are you a servant of the Lord Jesus Christ? Think you are shielded from such thoughts? Even worse, they come in floods and try to suppress our tongues from praising God. They try to steal the joy that God has given us. They bring confusion and shame. They speak, ridicule, and belittle the believer who has been made in the image of God.

The Accuser promotes pride. The Advocate, my Avenger, fosters humility. He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way. (Psalm 25:9)

Often, when a thought tries to invade me, before I begin entertaining it, I ask myself; Who is speaking? Are these thoughts trying to make me feel better or worse? Do they come at me like darts, trying to leave scars? Has the accusation captivated my thoughts?

I am listening attentively, I am consumed by it, my focus is completely at its disposal; I have even forgotten to invite Jesus to the conversation. I have built an altar, and I have "worshiped" every thought that has come to destroy me. If I am not careful, I will begin to agree with it. I will partake in this ceremony of destruction; a demise to my spirit; a clear demolition of all that God has been building in me. I erect a "golden calf," and I am satisfied even as I engage in idol worship. Idol, an obsession that has taken me captive.

We demolish arguments and every pretentious thought that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. (2 Corinthians 10:5)

Thank the Lord for his intrusion; for the invasion of his Spirit, the Avenger. Oh, a shield that is raised; a swift reminder to open my mouth and begin to exalt the Advocate, the King, my Redeemer. Come with a song and agree with the Word that became flesh. I ask my Defender to pulverize and bring the demise of these accusing thoughts that stem from the pit of Hell.

The question is, who is speaking? If the Lord wants to get my attention, bring correction to my life; he knows how to take this clay, melt it, mold it, break it, and reshape it for his glory.

The Accuser throws me into the fire and leaves me there to die.

Examination is good, but if it leads to guilt and I begin a destruction pattern that leads to death, I'm inviting Jesus to the party. He is the giver of Life!

A battle was about to begin last night, woke me up, but I called on the Name of Jesus! Hallelujah!!! Are you in the midst of a battle right now? STOP!! Call on the name of your Avenger, who knows how to crush our enemy.

God bless you!~Liz