Apron Strings Devotional 1998 Labor Day Special Edition

1998 Labor Day Special Edition

Good morning....
Jesus loves You!!

Hi Brethren!!!!

Hope this finds your Labor Day going SUPER well!! I felt led to do this "Special Edition," and in it, I would like to share a dream I had last night..

I was having fellowship with some friends of mine, and only three of us showed up. Well, we had fellowship, but it wasn't what it could have been for some reason. Then after they parted, more showed up. I was still there, but about to leave. Most of the ones that came were children.

Well, they romped around in the yard of wherever we were. They played and wrestled...and had loads of fun. I sat on a little brick fence and watched. When it was time to go...we all decided who was to take who home. Well, it seems somehow in this particular dream...I had a granddaughter, and a neighbor child there. I volunteered to take them home. There was a man there, and he was of a "different color," and he was coordinating all of this..directing the whole thing. And this man needed someone to take his son home. When I woke up, some scriptures flooded in...and I began to see something. I believe this is a message for me first, and also for the Body of Christ.

When our fellowship with others in our Christian walk becomes stagnant, and perhaps, not many are involved, or it just seems "lifeless," God sends more our way. More to share the gospel with, to fellowship with.

Now, in this dream, it might not have been what I "expected." My mindset might have been more women..but here comes children. Do I go home, just because "time's up"...or do I stay? Do I allow fellowship to continue? I also saw that I didn't have to sit on that brick fence..I had ample opportunity to get involved, and jump right in there with them, instead of sitting on the "fence" and watching.

Now, here's a part that really impressed me. When it was time to "go home," who do we take with us? Who do we share the gospel with? Who do we put in our cars, and buckle them in, and see them safely on the path? I found myself ready to take the ones closest to me first...the ones I would guard with my heart. ( the granddaughter and the neighbor child ) But what about the man's son? In all "outward" respects, he was "different." Do I still take this man's son to the right destination, even if it means going out of my way?"

Who are we taking home before this journey ends? My heart has been grieving over the recent crash of Swissair Flight 111. I keep reflecting on their last moments. It is quite possible that they didn't know this would be their last journey here on earth.

If I ever board another plane, and make it to my ultimate destination, who will follow behind me, as a result of my obedience to the Holy Spirit? I know that some of you have heard the song, "Thank You," by Ray Boltz, I believe.. If you haven't, I recommend that you make a way to hear it, if possible.

In the song, this person describes his entrance into heaven. He saw the streets of gold, and the beauty all around him. But the neat part was, people kept coming up to him, and saying..."Hey, remember me?" You shared Christ at such and such time, and it was because of you that I am here. And the chorus goes, "Thank you, for giving to the Lord, I am a life that was changed. Thank you for giving to the Lord...I am so glad you gave."

Who will go because of us, Brethren? Who will we take with us? This place is just a passing through. This is not our final home.

I have a husband, four sons, and a dad that lives near me...and I sorta look after him. I have been giving of my physical self...and that is good and well, but they also need something more. They need the fruit of my spiritual side. Now I realize that I am not their savior, and that is not what I am implying. I am simply a vessel, that points the way, and that way is Jesus Christ.

John 14:6-7
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.

A dear Sister once told me something I will never, ever forget. She said.."Carol, you can go out and evangelize the whole world, but if your own children burn in Hell, then what have you accomplished?"

I know that God has called me to this ministry, and I don't take it lightly. But, I can easily "take everyone else's kids home, and leave mine right where they are." And then, they might not have a way home.

Remember I was sharing in past devos about the "overflow" that others get, when we guard our quiet time with Christ? That WILL happen by His Spirit...but I also know something else. We have a choice to allow it to happen. Many times in my own life, I know I have quenched the Spirit, when I chose not to be sensitive to Him. And I found myself "reasoning away" why I didn't do it.

I heard a man once share that our reception to His voice is likened to a transistor radio. We have to tune in...to His Voice, and keep moving the dials 'til we get a clear signal. Sometimes the other "stations" keep trying to bleed over into the one we want, and it seems that His station is like an AM station that you seem to have to keep slowly moving the dials to get it in clear...but it takes that effort to tune out those other voices. It takes a "pressing in." When we do get tuned in, I believe that there will be no doubt, as far as who we "hone" in on and pour out His love to.

I do believe the "different colored" man's son in the dream represented two things. He represented someone that we will help out, "if we have to." But he also represented someone else. I believe he represented Jesus..

Matt 25:34-41
Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

As we follow Christ, and receive His Spirit into our lives, it doesn't stop there. This is not JUST for us...it's for the multitudes, that may be breathing their last breath very soon. Let us not pick and choose who we will share the gospel with, or who we will give of ourselves. Let us be so in tune to God's Spirit that we will be bursting at the seams to tell the ones He puts in our path.

I believe that our children and our families need a way home. And there are others...that need to know the way. They need direction. They need to know that Someone and Something is waiting there on the other side..

1 Cor 2:9
But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

John 14:2
In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

Jesus is there, preparing a place, for us...and also for those that we share Him with.. For God so loved the WORLD...that He gave his only begotten Son..that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have EVERLASTING life. ( John 2:16 ) ( emphasis mine )

Is there an "extra seat" in our hearts? Are we sensitive to go to the ones He leads us to, so that they will be "buckled in?" Something to ponder..

"In this world of sin and sorrow
we may be gone tomorrow:
So let us seek and do the will of God today.
In all our behavior
let us live to please our Savior,
as by faith we let the Spirit have His way."

-By: Pastor J.C.O'Hair-
-Received from: CRUSADER1S-

I love you guys very much!!! Have a BLESSED Labor Day!!

God Bless You All! In Christ!!
Carol Skipper
Justaservn@aol.com

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