Fisher of Men

Matthew 4:18-20 And Jesus, walking by the Sea of Galilee, saw two brothers, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. 19 Then He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” 20 They immediately left their nets and followed Him.

My story is a little different from Simon called Peter and Andrew his brother’s. For one thing, Jesus did not walk up to me and say “Brenda come follow me.” It happened one morning while I was walking to my job and it was the Holy Spirit who said to me “You are going to be a fisher of men- the right way.” Although I was a believer at the time I was not yet beyond making poor decisions if you know what I mean. Like my pastor says “You’ll catch that one around midnight!” 

Perhaps there is a lot different between me and them because I didn’t walk away from my net as Simon called Peter did- oh, and Andrew his brother. I continued to spend about four hours a day commuting by bus to and from a job where I spent eight or more hours with half a handful of people that hated me. And yes half a handful is a real measurement. You see there were only a handful of employees at the office where I worked and half of that handful hated me. Unfortunately half of that half handful included my boss. But whatever, I’m a big girl and if you know anything about big girls it’s the fact that we like to eat. So I was persecuted; I mean I persevered. Oh, yes, my kids needed to eat too.

I thought about what the Holy Spirit said. Sure I did- for a little while. I did ask Him if He was sure about what He said. I understood He knew everything about me- but so did I. I asked again, “Lord are you sure?’ Not right then but several times along the way. I didn’t hear anything else about being a fisher of men. I certainly didn’t bring it up either. Well not until about two years later. By then it was ten months after I was fired from that old job. I didn’t forsake it so it forsook me. I’m not complaining because my spiritual growth took off by leaps and bounds, and the Lord made some miraculous provision for me. That job I now know was an idol and a weight that beset me. But let’s get back to fishers.

Like I said I didn’t bring it up again but the Holy Spirit did when I was in Atlanta, Ga. Trust and believe the Holy Spirit will not forget anything He told you. Needless to say neither will you! I was at the 2013 Prophetic Scribal Advance looking up one scripture and then another about being a fisher of men caught my eye. I, being a semi research-a-holic, used my handy dandy Bible App to look up the words fishers and net in the same scripture. Three scriptures came up: Isaiah 19:8, Ezekiel 47:10, and Luke 5:2. Since it came up first I proceeded to read the Isaiah scripture: The fishers also shall mourn, and all they that cast angle into the brook shall lament, and they that spread nets upon the waters shall languish. I don’t know about you but none of that sounded appealing. I did not care to mourn, lament or languish. “Are you sure, Lord, you want me to be a fisher?” I then read the next scripture, Ezekiel 47:10- And it shall come to pass, that fishers shall stand upon it from En-gedi even unto En-eglaim; they shall be a place to spread forth nets; their fish shall be according to their kinds, as the fish of the great sea, exceeding many. I was excited that things were beginning to look up; no mourning, lamenting, or languishing in this scripture! Hold that thought and take a look at Luke 5:2. Actually look at Luke 5:1 first- And it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon Him to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret. People should want to press upon you to hear the word of God; not the latest gossip. I thought I would throw that in there in case you know of some gossipers, or people that murmur.

Anyway, Luke 5:2 And saw two ships standing by that lake; but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets. After reading that I thought, Lord, I’ve been washing my nets for two years! Not even that, I had been thinking about my nets and preparing to use my net once I figured out what my nets were to do all this fishing the Holy Spirit was talking about. Among other things I was taking a ministry class and learning this and learning that and the Holy Spirit convicted me one day and said “That’s good and all but how many souls have you saved? How many fish or men have you caught for me?”

Luke 5:4 Now when He has left speaking, He said unto Simon (Brenda or you) launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a draught. And Simon answering Him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing; nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net. Really the only thing I could say is “Master I have been toiling for years trying to figure out what my nets are and doing all this preparation for it once I figured it out. Not only that I’ve been trying to figure out how to use them, when, who would let me use them, and who am I to think I had nets anyway?” 

Oh, my how the list of excuses went on and on. Excuses are like noses; everyone has one and you can smell their stink from a mile away. The goal is to be a sweet savor unto the Lord and I was more like rotting fish with all the excuses I had. Still, I asked “Lord, don’t you remember who I am?” He answered “Didn’t you research-a-holic Ezekiel 47:10 where it says “There shall be a place to spread forth nets; their fish shall be according to their kinds, as the fish of the great sea, exceeding many.” I tried to be offended and say “Lord why you gotta come at me like that all hard reminding me of Your word that I just read. You know I got issues!”

Apparently exceeding many have the same issues! No wonder we are to confess our faults to one another and pray for each other so we can be healed. Getting saved is healing. I knew then it was my mission to save big girls that like snacks! We could pray over cupcakes while we are being delivered. So when the church has an influx of people that like snacks don’t blame me; take it up with Father in your prayer closet. It’s not my fault you like Lean Cuisine and I don’t- yet. Seriously, we are all washing our nets and should be saying “At thy word, Master.”  Instead we stand on the shore afraid to launch into the deep. 

What happens when we fail to launch? Ecclesiastes 9:12 For man also knoweth not his time; as the fishes that are taken in an evil net, and as the birds that are caught in the snare; so are the sons of man snared in an evil time, when it falleth suddenly upon them. Lives are taken up in an evil net when we hesitate to launch into the deep; they get caught in snares.  When believers hesitate to launch and cast their nets evil doers greedily cast theirs.

Habakkuk says this in chapter 1 verses 13-17: Thou are of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look upon iniquity: wherefore lookest thou upon them that deal treacherously and holdest thy tongue when the wicked devoureth the man that is more righteous than he? And makest man as the fishes of the sea, as the creeping things, that have no ruler over them? They take up all of them with the angle, they catch them in their net, and gather them in their drag: therefore they rejoice and are glad. Therefore they sacrifice unto their net, and burn incense unto their drag; because by them their portion is fat, and their meat is plenteous. Shall they therefore empty their net and not spare continually to slay the nations?

Matthew 13:47 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind. At thy word, Lord… We should all launch into the deep and let down our nets to experience the kingdom of heaven here on earth and gather every kind. 1 Timothy 2:3-4 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our savior; who will have all men to be saved, and come unto the knowledge of truth. Jesus is that truth. He said “I am the way, the truth, and the life. John 8:32 You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. Tell someone about Jesus and set them free.

This is a kingdom catch and release program. Each of us has a net, a God given gift to catch people and bring them into the kingdom and release them into the freedom of Jesus and the grace and mercy of God. I am willing to bet that your net is disguised as something you do so naturally and without much effort or thought that you take it for granted and don’t consider it a God given gift. Don’t get caught washing your nets. Get into the boat and launch into the deep. There are exceeding abundant fish waiting to hear about the truth.

Temptation

I don’t remember exactly how old I was when I first was taught about the temptation of Christ.  I know that I was a kid, though, and young enough to think that the devil was being mean and picking on Jesus.  I remember wanting Jesus to use His superpowers to trick the devil into thinking He threw Himself down but would really still standing there next to him. In my imagination it would be as if He could create the illusion of doing what the devil wanted but not really doing it.  That’s how badly I wanted the devil to leave my Jesus alone.  I really didn’t understand what the temptation of Christ was about back then at all. 

Today my understanding is probably only slightly better.  I mean, I understand why Jesus didn’t use His superpowers.  He came into the world just as we did; with the power of the word and the Holy Ghost to defeat the devil.  As I write I know I am going in a totally different direction than what I had intended so thank you Holy Spirit.   Here it goes.  When it comes to temptation we think we can trick the devil, ourselves really, into thinking we can engage in whatever is tempting us just a little bit and not be totally consumed by the temptation.  If drink is our temptation then “just a sip” will be ok.  If adultery is our temptation then some harmless flirtation is ok.  If stealing is our temptation then it’s just a pen I am borrowing.  We play games with temptations- illusions (or delusions?), and with the devil hoping to use our “super powers’ to get out of trouble once we are in it. 

 What we fail to realize is when we do such things it opens the door for the devil to come into our lives and set up shop.  When he sets up shop that’s just what he does, shop around to find out what other areas of our lives to infiltrate and ultimately ruin.  Depending on how well versed in the word you are you may have a tough time getting rid of the not so secret shopper.  Even the smallest entry into your life, to him, is like being given a credit card with no credit limit.  He’s holding it in his hand yelling ‘Charge!”  Don’t let him in; not even an inch. 

 Say, for example, you have a friend or friends trying to convince you to do something you know you shouldn’t do.  You yield to their pressure “just this one last time” but what you really did was let the devil in.  Psalm 1:1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.  Ungodly friends are truly enemies that hinder blessing.   Definitely ungodly counsel from anybody does.   

No doubt temptation will come.  Richard Baxter writes: “It is evident that you are your own destroyers, in that you are so ready to entertain almost any temptation that is offered you. Satan is scarce readier to move you to any evil, than you are ready to hear, and to do as he would have you. If he would tempt your understanding to error and prejudice, you yield. If he would hinder you from good resolutions, it is soon done. If he would cool any good desires or affections, it is soon done. If he would kindle any lust or vile affections and desires in you, it is soon done. If he will put you on to evil thoughts, or words, or deeds, you are so free, that he needs not rod or spur. If he would keep you from holy thoughts, and words, and ways, a little does it, you need no curb. You examine not his suggestions, nor resist them with any resolution, nor cast them out as he casts them in, nor quench the sparks which he endeavours to kindle: but you set in with him, and meet him half way, and embrace his motions, and tempt him to tempt you. And it is easy to catch such greedy fish that are ranged for a bait, and will take the bare hook.^1”

It is best to avoid temptation at all costs.  How?  Jesus, Himself, tells us how by praying.  He admonished His disciples to “rise and pray that ye enter not into temptation”.  With that in mind it is no wonder 1 Thessalonians 5:17 tells us to pray without ceasing.  It’s simple right?  Avoid temptation and everything will be hunky dory.  If only the flesh was as willing as the mind.  Thank God for grace and enduring mercy.  Truly, thank the Lord for knowing how to deliver the godly from temptation! 

¹ From Works of Richard Baxter: A Call to the Unconverted, PC Study Bible formatted electronic database Copyright © 2004, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and Ages Software, Inc. All rights reserved

Oh... My God

For a few days now I've been thinking about God, differently, I mean.  I'm always thinking about God.  I've just been spending quite a bit of time trying to figure Him out, you know?  Like how does being a believer work? There must be a key or some bottom line principle that makes this faith thing work.  As much as I have read and as much as I have prayed ( probably not nearly enough) I am unconvinced that I have discovered the bottom line.  I believe that I believe in God, but do I really? 

For example, I am so ready to go out and spread The Gospel.  Likewise I am ready to be used as an instrument of healing.  The list of "ready to" goes on ad infinitum to be in the service for others but what about me?  Do I believe in God for myself the same way I believe in Him for others?  Do you ever feel like you're telling people "Hey, you!  God is going to provide for you; I'm praying on your behalf!" but in the back of your mind you're thinking  I've prayed for myself, too, but I need provision today I've got to get a job now"? I have no doubt God will answer their prayer but as for me I've got work to do.  Is my God different than theirs?  And while I am on a roll with the questions how is it that I can easily tell someone that they are more than a conqueror and see nothing but a wimp when I look at myself?  What's really going on?  God is omnipotent.  God is omniscient, omnipresent, Healer, Provider, etcetera etcetera.  That God; their God is my God, too, isn't He?  The great I Am is mine right?  In Malachi 3:6 God, Himself clearly says " For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore he sons of Jacob are not consumed.  How easily we let ourselves be consumed with doubt when God says we are not.  The great I Am that I believe in for others I can most assuredly believe in for myself.  He is that God.  He is my God.

Are you familiar with the saying "Charity begins at home and then spreads abroad"?  Charity in Hebrew is the word agape and it means love, affection, benevolence, and curiously love-feast.  Can you imagine having a love-feast with God and having so much love left over you were then able to spread The Gospel or spread the love?  I think what happens is we have a love- feast with God on the behalf of others and not until they are full do we proceed to the table in a scramble for leftovers.  When they have a great need there are not much leftovers left over.  It is not because God isn't capable of meeting both theirs and our needs- no indeed!   Ephesians 3:20 clearly states "Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that you ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us." We worketh that power for everyone but us I'm afraid!  

We have access to petition our Father through prayer to have our needs met but tell the truth; don't you feel a little guilty when you do and think you're being selfish?  It's as if the devil interrupts our petition to ask if Johnny needs healing more than you need car repairs or if children starving in Africa need food more than your own. He tries to convince you that there is always a need greater than your own.  Thoughts such as those not only undermine the sovereignty of God but they also negate His power working in us.  You certainly can petition God! Philippians 4:6-7  Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.  If you're not yet convinced then refer to 2 Peter 1:3 whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lusts.  By all means make your requests known; partake!

What does all of that have to do with the key? What's the bottom line and how does being a believer work?  My friend there is one answer to all of the above questions, love.  It is because God so loves us we can petition to Him and make our requests known.  Because God so loves us we can partake of His exceeding great and precious promises.  God so loves us He sent His son to save us from the eternal damnation we deserve because of sin.   His Son sent us the Holy Spirit because He so loves us.  I am reminded of the Greek word sozo.  

Here it is as defined by: The NAS New Testament Greek Lexicon

 Strong's Number:   4982   

Original Word Word Origin

sozo from a primary sos (contraction for obsolete saoz, "safe")

Transliterated Word TDNT Entry

Sozo 7:965,1132

Phonetic Spelling Parts of Speech

sode'-zo      Verb

 Definition

to save, keep safe and sound, to rescue from danger or destruction

one (from injury or peril)

to save a suffering one (from perishing), i.e. one suffering from disease, to make well, heal, restore to health, to preserve one who is in danger of destruction, to save or rescue

to save in the technical biblical sense

negatively 1b

to deliver from the penalties of the Messianic judgment 1b

to save from the evils which obstruct the reception of the Messianic deliverance

I would say love does all of that; God's love.  Now, let's all be ready to spread the Gospel and, as Jesus said, "These things I command you, that ye love one another." Let's love one another.

You're Hired! (This is another homework assignment- It will be interesting to see what the instructors think)

Eph 1:3-12  3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:  4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:  5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,  6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.  7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;  8 Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;  9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:  10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:  11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:  12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. 

Can you imagine yourself after having applied for your dream job?  The above scriptures include the mission statement of the company and your job description.  It also details your sign on bonus.  You don’t necessarily have to worry about job performance at this point- you are holy and without blame before Him in love.  Your salary is according to the richness of His grace.  Now you are sitting in the Human Resources office after being given a job offer.  The HR manager has various forms for you to complete and sign including an I9 form and begins to explain the company’s benefits package.  The manager hands you a form imprinted with the following: Ps 103:1-5 Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.  2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:  3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;  4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;  5 Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.  Not only do you have free medical insurance but life insurance is free and without limits.  The owner and founder of the company is truly the best Boss ever.  He is God and there is none like Him. 

The paperwork, as always, seems like an insurmountable stack but it’s all good things!  The list of benefits is longer than your job description.  The first form is entitled Benefits  and it contains the scripture Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.  The benefits section describes how you are to act and your service to the company.  The next form is titled Renew since this particular company is like no other change is not mandatory; it is unavoidable.  The HR manager explains that the position has a way of changing paradigms.  Old ways of thinking seem to miraculously shift.  Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. There is a form that explains the medical insurance plan.  Unlike Obamacare with its thousands of pages this plan contains four:  Heals, Diseases, Redeems, and Forgives.  Through healing we are preserved.  We can declare by the stripes of Jesus we are healed.  We are given power over all manner of disease.  We are forgiven of our debts as we forgive our debtors.  We have the ability to cover and to pardon.  The major part of the medical plan is that we are redeemed.   We are free because of the ransom paid by Christ and we are His kin.  If that weren’t enough there is an added Incentive Plan.  It contains Lovingkindness so we have favor wherever we go.  It has Mercies so kindness and compassion abound.  Not to mention it also has Bless so we can seek divine help and guidance.  Best of all, although it is hard to choose we have Satisfies nothing can fill us like the Holy Ghost can!  This Employer provides job satisfaction beyond what we could ever imagine simply because our thoughts are not like His.  He will do beyond what we need exceedingly abundantly!  Now where is a pen?  I need to sign my "Welcome Aboard!" papers.

 

Ra'ah: To See or Not To See

After reading Numbers 21:4-9 two verses stand out in my mind and they are eight and nine.  Verse eight because it brought to my remembrance 1 COR 10:13- God will provide a way of escape from whatever you are going through.  He had done it for the Israelites on many occasions previously but, here, as it pertains to sickness and death, it really struck a chord in my spirit.  How many times has God needed to provide a means of escape for us?  Innumerable most likely.  We go about rebuking the devil when really we, like the Israelites, take our eyes off God and get ourselves into trouble.  We miss the mark when it comes to Ra’ah. The Israelites soon forgot how God was a cloud of protection over them by day and a fire by night.  They complained that God spared them from one thing only to lead them into something worse.  I cannot imagine anything that could be worse than 400 years of Egyptian slavery.  Not to mention they did not leave Egypt empty handed but with her wealth.  

Praise should have come from their mouths; not murmuring.  They were blinded by their fleshly desires and did not set their eyes on God.  God made provision for them yet they rejected it.  (Come to think of it Jesus was bread from heaven and He was also rejected)  Their soul loathed the light bread. I can only imagine how much it grieved God to see and hear His chosen people complain so.  It grieved Him so much that He sent fiery serpents to deal with them.  Speaking of serpents if you look up the Hebrew meaning of the word, the 5172 meaning according to Strong’s, the last part of it says learn by experience; diligently observe.  Essentially He sent serpents to remind them to Ra’ah.  Clearly they did not learn from their experiences with God.  They failed to diligently observe His ways.   How quickly do we forget the faithfulness of God and go through one circumstance after another complaining and asking why me?  It is by the grace of God that we are not in areas where fiery serpents in the physical sense are around us but those spiritual ones are more than enough to contend with.  We would not have to contend with them if we Ra’ah and learn by the experience of the Israelites and our own experiences that God is faithful and is with us each and every step of the way; His way.  Psalm 86:11 says “Teach me thy way, O Lord; I will walk in thy truth…”  Jesus said “I am the way, the truth, and the life”.  We should be ever mindful to Ra’ah and say teach me Jesus;  I will walk in Jesus.  Jesus is my life!  When the Israelites Ra’ah the serpent on the pole they were healed.  When we Ra’ah our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ we can decree and declare by His stripes we are healed.  By His resurrection we have life! Let us not forget that Jesus overcame the world.  Let us not forget that God is for us.  

What I found to be most curious, though, is verse nine.  Moses has had quite the experience dealing with serpents, right?  Exodus 4:2-3  And the LORD said unto him, What is that in thine hand? And he said a rod.  And he said, Cast it on the ground.  And he cast it on the ground, and it became a serpent; and Moses fled from before it.  In other words Moses got out of dodge!  Does God have a sense of humor or what?  You would think He knew that Moses had enough of serpents!  He certainly could have sent scorpions or something else.  At any rate, Moses understood the concept of Ra’ah.  He kept his eye on God and not his fear.  Moses remained obedient and set about accomplishing the task God had given him.  Equally curious to me is why God was not more explicit in His instructions to Moses beyond "make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole".  After all He gave Noah explicit instructions on how to make the ark.  The tabernacle and the Ark of the Covenant had exact measurements and explicit instructions on how they were to be made but this life saving structure He left totally to Moses' own design.  Moses chose to make it out of brass but why?  Let’s take a look at brass and its symbolism in a few scriptures.

Jeremiah 6:28 They are all grievous revolters, walking with slanders: they are brass and iron, they are corrupters.  Brass symbolizes the corruption that spread through the Israelite camp.  If you have one complainer in the camp it won’t be long before you have a multitude of them.  That verse perfectly describes the Israelites as they put their eyes off God and on their circumstance. They began to disregard God and Moses by speaking against them.  Ezekiel 22:18  also compares the Israelites to brass when they have gone astray:  Son of man, the house of Israel is to me dross; all they are brass, and tin, and iron, and lead, in the midst of the furnace; they are even the dross of silver.  Dross, according to Merriam Webster, is the scum that forms on the surface of molten metal.  It is waste or foreign matter.  In Hebrew it is the word, soog and it refers to refuse.  Dig a little deeper and you will see it defined as to go back,  turn away, and it also says backslider.  Israel had turned into a nation of backsliders with their complaints.  

As believers we need to go through the wilderness and even the furnace but the point is not for us to be abandoned or consumed. We need to be purified and sanctified all the while keeping our eyes on God as we go through each process.  We should not get discouraged when we follow the way the Lord leads us.  Pure gold has gone through the fire to be rid of its impurities.  We are more precious than gold to our heavenly Father.  What does it take to rid us of our impurities?  

Let’s take a look at another scripture, Daniel 2:39, Daniel is interpreting King Nebuchadnezzar's dream.  He says "And another a third kingdom of brass, which shall bear rule over all the earth".  Doesn't that sound like Christ,  the very One represented by the serpent on the pole? I see why God didn’t have to give Moses any further instructions on what to do. Moses knew what he was doing!  They say curiosity killed the cat but with the Bible curiosity reveals mysteries.  Besides I’d rather kill parts of me through learning rather than going through the wilderness and furnace all the time!  Amen?  I don’t need a fiery serpent to learn by experience.  Lord I pray not!  i don’t need a fiery serpent to diligently observe God.  I will Ra'ah; look to Christ.  Jesus the Christ bears rule over all the earth!  Jesus the Christ bears authority over sickness, infirmity, and death!  Jesus is the resurrection and the life, Ra'ah! Keep your eye on Christ and don't you dare blink!  Heavenly Father keep my focus on You!  By the stripes of Jesus Christ I am healed and I won’t dare blink.  I thank You, Father for Your precious Son who bears rule over all the earth.

The Black Box

Of all the things I wake up with today it was ‘black box’.  Even for me it was a little strange but then as more words came and in light of the recent tragedies involving Asiana Airlines and the train that derailed in Spain, both of which had black boxes, it became less strange even as the images presented on television of those events began to replay in my mind.  I wish I could say the first thing I did when I eventually got up out of bed was begin to write, but no, I had to handle a nature call- quickly!  You would think even that would be a normal routine- usually it is but not this morning.  My two year old nephew was outside the door knocking and saying “Open up, I must defeat you!”  Ironically what he was saying went right along with the conversation I was having in prayer and with the black box.  Anyway, after washing my hands I opened the door to find Timmy wielding his Power Ranger sword in his full armor- a T shirt and a diaper, in a stance that indicated he was ready for combat.  I love that kid. Skillfully avoiding mortal injury I decided to look up black box on Wikipedia and what I found was interesting.  Here is what I found:

Black box

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

In science and engineering, a black box is a device, system or object which can be viewed in terms of its input, output and transfer characteristics without any knowledge of its internal workings. Its implementation is "opaque" (black). Almost anything might be referred to as a black box: a transistor, an algorithm, or the human mind.

The opposite of a black box is a system where the inner components or logic are available for inspection, which is sometimes known as a clear box, a glass box, or a white box.[1]

If you read further along in the article you will see this:

Other uses of the term

• In aviation, a "black box" (they are actually bright orange, to facilitate their being found after a crash) is an audio or data recording device in an airplane or helicopter. The cockpit voice recorder records the conversation of the pilots and the flight data recorder logs information about controls and sensors, so that in the event of an accident investigators can use the recordings to assist in the investigation. Although these devices were originally called black boxes for a different reason, they are also an example of a black box according to the meaning above, in that it is of no concern how the recording is actually made.[2]

As it relates to you and me the black box is our heart and mind.  The data it records, input, are past experiences.  The output is how we choose to live our lives in response to the input.  Sometimes we live as Asiana Airline, although we haven’t necessarily crashed, we fly too low and don’t reach the altitude or heights God has set for us to soar.  We even miss His runway- that place where we know we are on solid ground.  We are virtually flying too low and too slow being outside of God’s will and timing.
 

On the other hand, as in the case of the train, we are traveling too fast trying to make up time or force God’s hand.  We get a word from the Lord and, instead of waiting on His perfect timing; we set our minds to do things our way instead of co-laboring with God.  Yes, we are on the right track but we are too busy being on the track and not really listening or following the Holy Spirit’s instructions.  In this case, when there’s a turn, or God wants you to change direction- be it a new spiritual gift, a deeper relationship or fellowship with Him, we totally miss the turn and overshoot the destination- we come off the rails.  
 

The Lord is looking for our black box to analyze it and repair the damage.  Jeremiah 29:11 says

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.  (NIV)  As Timmy would say He wants to defeat the hurt and pain.  He wants to put the sword to offenses.  Without acknowledging it we have crashed and the debris of our lives is spread out all over the tarmac.  Parts of us have died but we keep going like the energizer bunny;  dead dreams, lost ambition, lost hope- we’re going and going and going hobbling and limping facing the world with a smile but on the inside we have fully retreated and hidden ourselves from the world to avoid the input of more hurt.  Jesus wants to restore all that was lost.  He wants you to soar like an eagle at the altitude He has set for you; not fear.  
 

Ok, I just have to stop a minute to note that Timmy just came into the room with a black box on his head- one of those soft storage things that ordinarily has books or toys in it.  He just tried to take off running with it still on his head but his mom stopped him to tell him to take it off his head saying ‘You can’t run with a black box on your head!”  No you can’t.                 

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[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_box

[2] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_box