Eagle Mountain Assembly of God

P         Pastor Joel's Blog

6-10-10

 

I remember many moons ago (back in the 70's!) when my parents would speak the sweetest words ever spoken to a 14 year old: "Your cousins are coming to visit"!  Having a couple of guys that were the same age as my younger brother & I (and so closely related) was a great thing in and of itself.  What made it extra special was the goodies that they would bring with them on their visit to Illinois.  In a word...."FIREWORKS".  Yes, I know that fireworks have been illegal in Illinois for many years.  But, it seemed that as my aunt and uncle traveled the winding southern interstates towards Illinois, that the roadside advertisements for "Boom-World" were just too much for them to resist!  I'm sure that my teen cousins incessant begging didnt help either.  Anyhow, the legal fireworks of state "A" had made it to illegal state "B".....and what's a teen to do with such contraband, but destroy the evidence!!!   :)

As a parent of teens today, I recognize the usefulness of laws against things that have the potential for injury and dangers unknown.  I have a relative who was permanently injured by fireworks when they were a child, so I can clearly see the need for perameters. Rightfully so, they say that the 4th of July fireworks should be "left to the professionals".  Hidden within the tightly wrapped paper fusalage between the words "Black Cat", and an ample fuse.....is the powerful potential for harm....AND the powerful potential for enjoyment and creativity.   

So, lets talk about powerful potential from a spiritual point of view.  The New Testament talks about the positive power that was evident in Jesus' life, through the Holy Spirit.

 ( Acts 10:38 ) "How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth, with the Holy Spirit and power, and how He went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with Him.". 

 If you look at the meaning of the word "power" in this passage of scripture (in its original Greek) you'll discover the word "DUNAMIS".  Its the word where we get "dynamite".  So, that kinda begs the question:  Are you a crude "IED" explosive device (unstable and deadly) or are you a beautiful roman candle (with power that creates positive influence for others)?  Is your stand for Jesus something that is powerful and full of life and enjoyment for others?  Or, are you simply "blowing off" spiritual bottle rockets and ready to blow your fingers off?!!

I hope that you have a safe summer free from any sparkler burns, or short fused firecrackers!  And I'm hoping that the next time you see a colorful foutain of fireworks blossom in the dark summer sky....or hear the thunderous cannon BOOMS at your local 4th of July celebration...that you'll remember the power that God has placed inside of each and every one of us, through his Holy Spirit!  The Holy Spirit is your gun-powder.....Your life (submitted to God) is the paper tube.....and the word of God is the fuse.

This summer, let the love of God and the needs of your community & world light that fuse, for Christ!! 

 

Joel  JOel cartoon


Comments, Correspondence & Questions:

Joel Ruppert, EMAG youth pastor

pastor_joel1@yahoo.com

 

  www.facebook.com/joelruppert     


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