Many years ago, nearly 1000 years before Jesus was born, Samuel led the Nation of Israel. (I Samuel 8:1-22) Samuel had grown old and his sons were wicked so rather than look to God the Nation of Israel asked Samuel for a king. Samuel, feeling rejected went to God, who consoled Samuel by saying that it was He, not Samuel that was being rejected. The Israelites were actually rejecting God, not Samuel. This group of people had continually fallen away from God and followed other gods since they were freed from Egypt. God told Samuel if they want a king, warn them of: high taxes, sons drafted into the army or work details, daughters drafted to cook for the king and to make perfume, and the best vineyards and olive groves would be taken for the royal family. The leaders still wanted a king. Saul, a donkey herder whose strength was on the battlefield, was to be the new king. God rejected Saul as king because of Saul’s continual disobedience.

            Now here we are some 3000 years later in a very similar situation: God is being rejected and the nation wanted a king. Our king brings higher taxes, our men going off to war, the women have to work, and the government is taking our best. The king now differs as some refer to him as “the One”. Like Saul, our king is also a donkey herder and I feel would also be rejected by God. Our country, like Israel has looked to man for the answers to the problems we face rather than to trust God.

            Nehemiah in about 446 B.C. stood as the most powerful man in Israel over the ruins of Jerusalem and prayed, “I confess the sins of Israel”. (Nehemiah 1:6) He told the people that before they could rebuild that they had to confess their sins. Imagine a government leader, business people, teachers, any kind of leadership confessing their  sins. H C Bowman would see the “Hog Pen” of Capital Hill cleaned up then. We as a nation need to spend hours in prayer; praying not only for the country but confessing our own sins. Could this nation recover? It worked for Jerusalem, it was restored. II Chronicles 7:14 says “If My people, which are called by My Name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” There it is - God said it, “I will heal their land.”

            Effective revival must start with each one of us individually. Arrogance only points at others, a scene all too familiar with our “it is not my fault world”. Jesus once told a group of Pharisees when they brought to Him a woman that was caught committing adultery that the one with no sin should cast the first stone. Humility looks at self and it must begin in me. If you were to point your finger straight ahead, you would probably see two pointing ahead and three back at you. What are you doing to start revival? Could you throw the first stone?

            Junior Samples, a comedian who stared on the Hee Haw television show could tell a yarn that always left you laughing. He was once asked why with his size he not played football. In that laid back country way of sayings things Junior replied; “If size had anything to do with it, a cow would out run a rabbit.” No, it is not size that matters; it is what you do with what you have. A dwarf fruit tree can not produce as much fruit as a regular tree can produce, nor will a pony pull the load of draft horse, yet God created them for their own purpose. No, it is not size but the quality of what you do.

            Churches may be small and seemingly unimportant, however when following God’s lead they will produce more fruit than a large church. A large army is not necessary to do battle when God is in charge. There is a good comparison of an army preparing itself for battle in Judges Chapter seven that depicts a typical church. The army led by Gideon had twenty-two thousand men; a number that could easily ensure their victory in battle. God told Gideon that the army was so large that they may take credit for winning and forget that He had even helped (God does not get the credit for things that churches do). Gideon gave the option for the cowards to leave since there is no room for fear in God’s work to leave, ten thousand remained. There were still too many soldiers for God so He had Gideon send them to the water to drink, the ones who cupped their hands and lapped water like a dog would stay while the ones that bowed on their knees to drink would be sent away. Three hundred men were left and were given victory. The victory belongs to God, He allows man to participate. Gideon led 300 men into battle against nearly 135,000 men and though his faith in God was awarded victory. Churches can and often tend to allow the overwhelming odds that Satan puts before us to hinder the battle that is before it.

            This world that we live in is covered with churches both large and small with a great variation of beliefs and way of worship. Many times I have been asked how many members that the Valley Cowboy Church has on its roll. Our building does not have a roll of membership, we each one are a part of God’s church. A church should be evaluated like a dwarf fruit tree, not by its size but by the quality of the fruit that it produces. Jesus saw a fig tree (Matthew 21:19-22) He went to it because He was hungry and found only leaves but no fruit, and cursed the tree that it withered away. Here this tree symbolized Israel and her lack of faith to follow God. This fig tree that was cursed for not bearing fruit symbolizes a church, large or small, that can be cursed for not bearing fruit for God.

Bearing good fruit for God will move mountains of difficulties from you path.

            The Bible says that faith the size of a mustard seed can move a mountain yet we continue to question God’s power. He only asked us to produce good fruit and allow Him the credit.     
    

            There is a cross breed chicken named the Amerauanas, nicknamed the Easter Egg Chicken for the green, blue, or pink colored eggs they lay. We have chickens here on the farm that lay green eggs, brown eggs, and white eggs. Once cracked open, no matter the color of the shell, the contents are still the same. More than once I have heard a person say that they would not eat green eggs. The contents of each egg are the same yet the window of life that is looked through only sees the outside of the container. Many people go through life seeing only the outside appearances; looking at the color of ones skin or judging the book by its cover. Like green eggs it is what is on the inside that counts.

            Proverbs 4:23 tells us “Keep your heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” We have to be careful what we think because those thoughts can run your life. One has to be willing to step up for Christ the Lord. II Corinthians 10:5 says that we should capture every thought, make it give up, and obey Christ. We must walk by faith, not sight; get out of our comfort zone.

            Learn to make the most out of what God has given you; see the green eggs for what is inside, not something too different and strange to use. God put you where you are. The Bible tells us in Revelation 3:20 that He stands at the door and knocks, open the door, find out what is in store for you. Concentrate on what God called you for, step out and try something new. God may have some great plans for you. One thing for certain, you will never make your life count if don’t try something new once in a while.

             We as believers were given a great commission from our Lord and Savior. To some it might be like trying green eggs. Matthew 28:19-20 tells us “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, (20) and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” Two-thirds of God is go. You need to get out of your comfort zone, away from things that you are comfortable with and listen to God.                                                                      

 Paul said in II Corinthians 5:7 that we walk by faith, not sight. A disciple named Cleopas and another, possibly Luke were walking on the Emmaus Road. (Luke 24:13-31) These two disciples were talking about the recent crucifixion of Jesus when a stranger joined in their walk. The stranger asked questions that caused the disciples to think that this person was from out of town. As the stranger walked with the disciples, the three talked about the Biblical prophesies of the crucifixion. The stranger opened the eyes of the two disciples, revealing himself as Jesus. We also like the disciples can become locked in a box of our own thoughts, unwilling to see things for what they really are.

Cowboy Church is but another example of the green egg syndrome. A walk by faith started the church and a walk by faith will keep it going. Growing up in a traditional church can create a sense of security and an unwillingness to get out of the safety zone. There are a lot of people that would not visit a Cowboy Church just because of its name.

Ask God to help you to make the choices that gets you out of the safety zone. He won’t let you get into trouble.

            How many times have you wondered if God is really real? I hear people talk of some sort of Supreme Being or everyone has to believe in something. Personally I prefer to rely on the Bible. Genesis 1:1 says, “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” Now that is a pretty good start for me. I believe that every word in the Bible is true and inspired by God.

            Things that we can touch or feel we believe are real. I watch the television believing that things that are happening on it are real, although I have very little idea exactly how it happens. On that same television the viewers were show a man from the United States walking on the moon or at least I was told it was the moon (I haven’t been there myself). Perhaps real is what we want it to be; if we didn’t go to the doctor, would the doctor be real? We hear of numerous places to visit, yet if we do not go to them are they not real? Only by going to God does one know that God is the real deal.

            Here is a New Testament example of how even the demons know that God is real. God has brought miracles to the hands of Paul in Acts chapter 19 drawing attention to verses 13-16. “Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, we adjure you by Jesus Whom Paul preaches. (14) And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and Chief of the Priests, which did so. (15) And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you? (16) And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so they fled out of that house naked and wounded.” Even the evil spirit knew the real deal and recognized the vagabond Jews were not of God.

            Satan continually clouds our mind with doubt and uncertainty. Here are seven scriptures that will help you to see God as real. (1) You won’t get tempted more than you can stand, God will give you a way out. (1 Corinthians 10:13) (2) God will give you power over the enemy. (Luke 10:19) (3) God will soon crush Satan under your feet and the grace of Jesus will be with you. (Romans 16:20) (4) Use the armor that God gave you. (Ephesians 6:13) (5) Don’t be afraid, God will be with you and give you strength. (Isaiah 41:10) (6) Jesus recognizes our weakness; He was tempted, yet did not sin. (Hebrews 4:15-16) (7) When you get in trouble, God knows how to rescue.

            When danger comes, sheep become wise, and get closer to the shepherd. They know the shepherd is real and is their refuge. Call on God, He is more than just a shepherd, He’s the real deal.