Day Unto Day…

"You should have your first frost six weeks after you hear the first locusts," my Grandfather says.
Every year I listen for the first locusts--not because of the frost, but because of my Grandfather.
Grandpa has been gone now since 1992, and the seasons have continued faithfully these sixteen years just as the song says--one season following another laden with happiness and tears.

"Sometimes it is good to take a 'trip down memory lane'," the speaker says, then he adds with a laugh, "Until you come to one of those uncomfortable memories. You know, like when your mind is wandering as your mom is speaking, and you are jolted into the present by her very urgent words, "are you listening to me, son?!"

1Corinthians 10:11 Now these things happened unto them by way of example; and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages are come.

There is a new 'term', not really new I guess, it stands for laughing out loud, or 'lol' in computer jargon. Some times the memories are like that. I think, 'how could I have been so dopey', but it brings a funny memory, and makes me laugh. Sometimes I think we have the same effect on God as the speaker and his mother. God tells us things and we just-- la ta da-- and don't really hear.

Mark 9:31 For he taught his disciples, and said unto them, The Son of man is delivered up into the hands of men, and they shall kill him; and when he is killed, after three days he shall rise again. 32) But they understood not the saying, and were afraid to ask him.

How many times Jesus taught his disciples things! These very important things happened to be about his death, burial, and resurrection, but you see, they didn't understand. Even after he was crucified, when the women came back from the tomb and told them he wasn't there...they still didn't get it.

Apparently a number of folks today still don't get it. Funny, we all know that when Jesus died on the cross he became our sacrifice. He took our place, it was our sins that put him there, and without his death on the cross there would have been no forgiveness of our sins. Yet, how many denominations affirm that Jesus had come to establish a physical kingdom, but the Jews foiled God's plans when they wouldn't accept Christ as their Messiah. Therefore God had to go to a new plan, and that was when he came up with the idea of the church. But wait...

One thing--we humans don't 'foil' God's plans. Jesus fulfilled the prophesies that were made of his rejection. He himself even foretold of that rejection. But after it's all said and done...since it was his death on the cross that 'paid our debt'--what if he hadn't?

These people are missing the obvious. If Christ hadn't died...there would have been no forgiveness of sins. We would not have the hope of heaven...and no one else would have either.

Many things are written for our learning. The history of the Jewish nation was one long example of how God deals with people. It shows us that God has a plan, and we can fit into that plan one way or the other, depending on our choices. But no matter, His plan will be accomplished.

Galatians 4:4 but when the fulness of the time came, God sent forth his Son, born of a woman, born under the law,

How long suffering He is, but his righteous judgment won't wait for ever, and there is a sure punishment as well as reward awaiting us.

"Are you listening to me?!" It's Bible class, and Grandma is teaching the 'little' people. Sometimes they forget, "When teacher is talking its teacher's time to talk, and your time to listen." And some days they aren't speaking--but they aren't listening either. No matter which it is--an "are you listening" question still calls them back.

Hebrews 11:32 "And what shall I more say? for the time will fail me if I tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah; of David and Samuel and the prophets: 33) who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions..."

They like the Bible stories and the application points. So many things that so many have missed.

Their Uncle comes in after class, "Did you baptize somebody today?" he asks as he looks at the two 'clothes pin dolls' dressed in their wet 'robes'.

Little Amos shakes his head yes, his eyes very sober, very serious. His older brother points to the Jesus doll, and with prompting remembers, "Jesus and John".

Matthew 19:14 But Jesus said, Suffer the little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for to such belongeth the kingdom of heaven.

So many lessons, so little time.

Hallelujah! What a Saviour!