Overcome

(the neighbor's cat)

There is a cat. She's a cat of our neighbor's, but she has decided that she needs to be as annoying as possible to us and our cats. She's a sweet petite thing I will admit, but she thinks that we're now part of her family. I think she'd live with us if she could. How did she get this way? Subtly, very subtly.

We knew she was our neighbor's cat, so when she came in our yard the other day, she was welcomed warmly. A mistake on our part, I will admit. We enjoyed petting her, and watching her roam our yard. And within a few short hours, we realized our mistake. She doesn't get along with our cats for one thing, and when we tried to get her out of our yard, she refused.

When her owner came, he tried to take her home a couple different times, yet she still returned. She sneaked herself into our yard and next thing you know, she'd be laying in the middle of the garden, or staring down one of our cats. Now trying to keep her out of the yard is proving to be a difficult task. We like the sweet kitty, but she needs to stay with her family. Today alone I've already had to shoo her home a few different occasions.

Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. ~ 1 Peter 5:8-9 (ESV)

Sin and temptations are the same way. They worm their way into our lives, and when we realize what's happening, they can be a pain to remove from our lives. Just like the cat, we need to be on guard for when the temptation returns. It's not a sin per-say, but something in my life that is like this is stubbornness. Oh, can I be stubborn!

Over the past several months it's something I've truly noticed, and with some prayer & work on God's part, I'm slowly trying to overcome it. Let me say it is so easy to be stubborn. In fact it's painful not to be stubborn. So then I have to make a choice, do I stay stubborn or do I yield & submit? It's hard to decide sometimes, but God's way is best.

Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. ~ Ephesians 6:21 (NIV)

If you just leave the sin and temptations in your life, it's just like letting that pesky cat roam into your yard and doing nothing to remove it. But, if you pray, stand firm, and remove them, then bit by bit, you can overcome them. Some of them will be pesky and continue to test you. Stubbornness is still testing me, and quite possibly always will. Three verses come to mind.

Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. ~ 1 Corinthians 10:12-13 (ESV)

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world. ~ John 16:33 (ESV)

For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. ~ 1 John 5:4 (ESV)

So today I challenge you to take some time to think, pray, and ask God what in your life needs to be removed. What do you need to overcome? It is a hard, yes. But! It is worth it! 

Praying During Times of Trouble

 James 5:13 (ESV)

Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise.

With that being said, I could end it there. Instead I'm going to share with you some things I've learned from a man named Habakkuk.

Habakkuk was struggling. A lot trouble, evil, and suffering was going in the land of Judah. When he saw the trouble going on, he cried out to God with questions. Why was God letting all these bad things happen? How could God allow these things to happen? (Habakkuk 1:2-4) God replied to Habakkuk's cries.

Habakkuk 1:5 (ESV)

Look among the nations, and see;
    wonder and be astounded.
For I am doing a work in your days
    that you would not believe if told.

Then God said to Habakkuk that he would be raising up their enemies to punish them. When he was told this, Habakkuk was confused. Why would God use evil to punish evil? 

Habakkuk 2:4 (ESV, italics mine) 

Behold, his soul is puffed up; it is not upright within him,
    but the righteous shall live by his faith.

God told Habakkuk that they would be punished for their evil deeds. When Habakkuk heard this, he started to praise God through prayer (Habakkuk 3).

Habakkuk 3:17-19 (ESV)

Though the fig tree should not blossom,
    nor fruit be on the vines,
the produce of the olive fail
    and the fields yield no food,
the flock be cut off from the fold
    and there be no herd in the stalls,
yet I will rejoice in the Lord;
    I will take joy in the God of my salvation.
God, the Lord, is my strength;
    he makes my feet like the deer's;
    he makes me tread on my high places.

To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments.

 So what was the point of all that? Habakkuk was going through hardships, yet he didn't desert God. Quite the opposite, he went to God and told him exactly what was on his mind. He listened to what God said, and accepted it with faith and praise. (I highly recommend that you read the book of Habakkuk on your own).

What about us? In John 16:33 it says that we will have troubles in life. It's inevitable. We all will go through troubles of some kind or nature. In Psalm 46:1 it says that God is our refuge and strength in times of trouble. So what should we do when we encounter trouble? We should go to God and tell him everything that's on our mind. Then we need to put our complete trust in him.

1 Peter 3:14-17 (ESV)

 But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God's will, than for doing evil.

When troubles come, trust in God. Pray and tell him what's on your heart. Let him guide you through the difficult times you encounter. 

I pray that this will encourage you not to give up when troubles come.

*This post took a while, as I wasn't sure what God wanted me to share with you. I had been praying about it when a friend mentioned they had been reading Habakkuk. It was an answer to prayer!*

The Neighborhood Cat Burglar

Our neighbor came over the other day to tell us he had a cat burglar in his basement.

The cat burglar broke his basement window and climbed in. He was unhurt but still in his basement.

He asked our assistance in getting the neighborhood nuisance out.

Scene of the crime.

The Cat Burglar returns to the scene of the Crime

The Mug Shot

Height: 15 inches, with tail 20 inches

Weight: 12 lbs

Eyes: Green

Fur: Black and white tuxedo with white paws

Keep out a look out for him, he can be dangerous!