Pastor’s Bible Reading Schedule:
Deuteronomy 18-22
Key Thought:
With an emphasis on legitimate vs. false prophets, there is a cute story written by a little-known author, Tom Mullen, who tells about an engineer, a psychologist, and a theologian who were on a hunting trip in northern Canada. The weather turned stormy, so they sought shelter at an empty cabin.
As they went into the cabin, they saw something striking: a cast-iron potbellied stove suspended in midair by wires attached to the ceiling beams. The trio could not keep themselves from speculating on the reason for the stove’s elevation. They each began to express the meaning of such a phenomenon. The psychologist opined, “It is obvious that this lonely trapper, isolated from humanity, has elevated his stove so he can curl up under it and vicariously experience a return to his mother’s womb.” The engineer disagreed, saying, “The man is practicing the laws of thermodynamics. By elevating his stove, he has discovered a way to distribute heat more evenly throughout the cabin.” The theologian offered a more profound explanation: “I’m sure that hanging his stove from the ceiling has a religious meaning. Fire lifted up has been a religious symbol for centuries.”
The three continued their debate for some time without resolving the issue. Finally, when the trapper returned, they asked him why he had hung his potbellied stove by wires from the ceiling. The trapper calmly replied, “I had plenty of wire but not much stovepipe.”
Speculation can only take the wisest of men only so far. The meaning of life, like the purpose of an elevated stove, can be known only when it is declared openly by the one who designed it. I am so thankful for a God who was willing to share His intent for all mankind, revealed to all of us through the precious Word of God! It contains everything “that pertains to life and godliness.” (2Pt. 1:3) This is certainly a reminder to preachers to declare the intent of the Author rather than speculating from their own perspective or agenda. Preachers are to “Study to show themselves approved unto God… rightly dividing the word of Truth.” (2 Tim. 2:15)
Prayer Requests:
Personal
- Lord, please help me to be very careful to repeat only your intent as I declare the unsearchable riches of your grace.
- Lord, please help me to study to show myself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed.
- Lord, please help me to be humble as I share your truths to those who so desperately need to hear it.
Political
- Representative Hank Vaupel
- Senator Roger Victory
- Representative Rodney Wakeman
Pertinent
- Pray for one another
- Pray for Protection
- Pray for Peace
- Pray for Peace
- PRAY FOR WISDOM AS WE NAVIGATE THE COVID-19 CRISIS.