Philip made a trip to the desert as ordered by the angel of the Lord. (Acts 8:26-40) The angel told Philip to travel south into the desert between Jerusalem and Gaza so Philip began the journey. The Bible says that while on his way he came across a eunuch, of high standing from Ethiopia, who was sitting in his chariot reading. The spirit told Philip to go to the chariot and stay near it; Philip ran to the chariot. The eunuch was reading from the book of Isaiah but did not understand what he read. Philip was given an opportunity to explain the scripture and later during the travel to Baptist the eunuch.

            Philip and the eunuch were very different. The eunuch (a Greek word meaning “bed keeper”) was probably a different color, had been castrated, and no doubt had a higher position than Philip since he was in charge of all the treasury of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians. Philip left an active ministry to go to the desert following God’s will to minister to the eunuch. Philip set aside differences.

            Here is a story about being of one mind together. Every morning Phil passed Barney’s Auto Repair on his way to work. Barney’s place was dirty and rundown. Phil was proud that his office was state of the art. He was even more proud the he was scheduled to receive the Employee of the Year Award that morning. About two blocks past Barney’s place, Phil’s car lost power and stopped. He got out and looked under the hood, all to no avail. He didn’t even know what to look for. He walked through the drizzling rain to Barney’s shop. Upon hearing of Phil’s plight, Barney said: “Let’s get in my old truck and go down and see if we can tell what’s the matter.” Phil usually would have been afraid of getting dirty in Barney’s truck, but he was already soaked by the falling rain. Arriving at the scene, Barney opened the hood, surveyed the situation, poked a wire back in place and said: “Nothing much wrong, just a loose wire. Start your engine.” As Barney closed the hood and wiped his hands on the rag in his pocket, he smiled and said, “Have a nice day!”

            There is considerable difference between Phil and Barney. We need to learn to respect those who are not like us. The Bible tells us in Romans 12:9-21 to be devoted to one another in brotherly love, a sincere love, not in a hypocritical manner. We are to honor one another above ourselves keeping our spiritual fervor always looking for spiritual guidance. We are to live in harmony with each other. Verse 16 says that we should not be proud and be willing to associate with people of low position.

            Things are happening all around us that cause us to want to take revenge or at least attempt to correct some wrong. Romans 12:19 tells us to leave room for God’s wrath: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.

            Doctor Martin Luther King, I believe, practiced Romans 12:9-21. He had a vision of one Nation under God just as our founding fathers had the vision. While others have attempted to carry on Dr King’s dream, pride and conceit has clouded the vision. God created us to work as a team, together for the purpose of praising Him.

            Try a trip to the desert, go someplace that you haven’t been. Romans 12:21 says “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” Sometimes the last word is not the best. From my early elementary days at school I remember the teacher quoting from a poem, I believe by Emily Dickenson, sticks are stone may break the bones but silence breaks the heart. Let God have the last word, put away the differences and work together for the good of God.

            God sent a preacher from a poor setting to help the eunuch understand His word. The eunuch was a person of high standards being the keeper of the Queen’s treasury. Phil is characterized as a person of class and perfection while Barney appears to be an exact opposite. Though we are not always equally matched when God sends us on a desert mission like Philip, God does expect us to seize the opportunity that He has provided. You will never be sent anywhere for God that He doesn’t think you are ready for.

            Joy is a delight of the mind allowing us to rejoice, to be glad, and to exalt. Without joy there becomes a void of emptiness and a quagmire of sorrow. There are many ways of expressing joy, here is a way of looking at joy: Jesus first, others second and yourself last. Unfortunately most of the time joy gets turned completely around and you get advanced to first place.

            “You” actually gets put in first place and at times you are so filled up with yourself that you become like the Dead Sea. The Dead Sea has no outlet, only an inlet that allows a continual flow of minerals into it. The Dead Sea is so full of minerals that you can easily float in it making it a tourist attraction. People, who have more inlet than outlet, have one difference to the Dead Sea, don’t attract people, they turn them away. Solomon said, “Be stingy and lose everything. Be generous…prosper.”(Proverbs 11:24-25) God never intended for us to be ponds and lakes but to rivers where outpouring of joy flows in its proper sequence. When we invest in the needs of others, God promises to meet our needs.

            The Bible tells us in 2 Corinthians 9:7-8 that a person who gives cheerfully will have plenty to share. Verse 7 says that if we are forced to give that it is not Christian giving. The giving described in these two verses is not of a monetary nature; it tells that God’s grace will abound in you. Giving of yourself uses God’s blessing for the good of others. Only God knows when the seed of kindness will come back to bless you. The thing that you do for others does not go unnoticed. “God is not unjust, he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.”(Hebrews 6:10)

            A lady was praying about starting a pet grooming business but couldn’t afford to advertise. So she went to her local animal shelter and volunteered to groom pets in order to increase their chances for adoption. Interestingly, the harder she worked the more her own business grew by word of mouth. Finally she ended up with more clients than she could handle. Thankfully God’s unconditional love covers us even when we fail to help others.

            Yesterday I spoke with a lady who is in sales with a large company. I had last seen her several months ago, sales were down and her job was on the line. She was visiting a friend at the hospital where we had an opportunity to talk. I told her that she needed to put Jesus first, ask herself, what would Jesus do? “What a difference putting Jesus first,” she said, “sales are up and I am number one in sales on the east coast.” Yes, it does make a difference when you put Jesus and others ahead of your own needs.

            If you are beginning to feel a bit loaded down, try a little JOY. Don’t be like the Dead Sea, everything coming in and nothing good out. Life is challenging enough without adding to the Dead Sea. Put Jesus First, Others second and yourself last.

            Joy is a delight of the mind allowing us to rejoice, to be glad, and to exalt. Without joy there becomes a void of emptiness and a quagmire of sorrow. There are many ways of expressing joy, here is a way of looking at joy: Jesus first, others second and yourself last. Unfortunately most of the time joy gets turned completely around and you get advanced to first place.

            “You” actually gets put in first place and at times you are so filled up with yourself that you become like the Dead Sea. The Dead Sea has no outlet, only an inlet that allows a continual flow of minerals into it. The Dead Sea is so full of minerals that you can easily float in it making it a tourist attraction. People, who have more inlet than outlet, have one difference to the Dead Sea, don’t attract people, they turn them away. Solomon said, “Be stingy and lose everything. Be generous…prosper.”(Proverbs 11:24-25) God never intended for us to be ponds and lakes but to rivers where outpouring of joy flows in its proper sequence. When we invest in the needs of others, God promises to meet our needs.

            The Bible tells us in 2 Corinthians 9:7-8 that a person who gives cheerfully will have plenty to share. Verse 7 says that if we are forced to give that it is not Christian giving. The giving described in these two verses is not of a monetary nature; it tells that God’s grace will abound in you. Giving of yourself uses God’s blessing for the good of others. Only God knows when the seed of kindness will come back to bless you. The thing that you do for others does not go unnoticed. “God is not unjust, he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.”(Hebrews 6:10)

            A lady was praying about starting a pet grooming business but couldn’t afford to advertise. So she went to her local animal shelter and volunteered to groom pets in order to increase their chances for adoption. Interestingly, the harder she worked the more her own business grew by word of mouth. Finally she ended up with more clients than she could handle. Thankfully God’s unconditional love covers us even when we fail to help others.

            Yesterday I spoke with a lady who is in sales with a large company. I had last seen her several months ago, sales were down and her job was on the line. She was visiting a friend at the hospital where we had an opportunity to talk. I told her that she needed to put Jesus first, ask herself, what would Jesus do? “What a difference putting Jesus first,” she said, “sales are up and I am number one in sales on the east coast.” Yes, it does make a difference when you put Jesus and others ahead of your own needs.

            If you are beginning to feel a bit loaded down, try a little JOY. Don’t be like the Dead Sea, everything coming in and nothing good out. Life is challenging enough without adding to the Dead Sea. Put Jesus First, Others second and yourself last.

            A verse from the 23^rd Psalms calls attention to the walk that we should follow: “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for you are with me; Your rod and your staff they comfort me.” (Psalms 23:4) The shadow of death refers to the powers of darkness and the powerful attacks from Satan. When God is with you, the protection of the Shepherd will fight off any evil that crosses your path. God is continually beating back the powers of darkness for us.

            God promises His protection, he will always be there for us. There is a story in II Kings 6:10-23 that describes the protection that God has circled us with. The king of Syria has declared war against Israel, every move that he makes Israel already knows that it is coming and is aware of the attack. The king is furious that secrets are being shared and calls his cabinet together. A servant tells the king that they are true, the prophet Elisha of Israel tells the kings words. Spies are sent out to locate Elisha. All available troops, horses and chariots are sent out to surround one man, Elisha. Imagine Elisha’s servant that next morning when he saw the entire Syrian army surrounding the town. The servant went to the man of God saying, “What shall we do?” Elisha answered “Fear not” and prayed that his servant’s eyes would be opened. When God opened the servant’s eyes he saw the chariots of fire circled between them and the enemy. What a surprise to the servant, their protection was already in place.

            Elisha assured the servant that God would protect them. The protection of the chariots of fire, though invisible, was present all along yet not seen until the eyes of the servant were opened. Satan through deception will blind us to things around us. God has placed a wall of protection around us. I John 4:4 tell us “…greater is He that is in us, than he that is in the world.” The creator, God, created Satan, making God more powerful than Satan. It is not hard to understand that with full trust in God that we can be stronger than Satan. Truth is we tend to go through life trying to ride two horses with one behind. We try to serve the world and God.

            Jesus told of a miracle working power in Acts 1:8. He is talking about a baptism of the Holy Spirit where you are giving in your greatest capacity for Christ. It is all about submitting your all to Christ so that your eyes are opened to the Will of God through Jesus. Pray that God opens the eyes of your heart and see your chariots of fire.

            An old sea captain once asked a naval student how he’d handle a sudden storm. “I’d throw out an anchor, sir,” he replied. “But what if another storm approached?” asked the captain. I’d throw out another anchor,” he said. “And what if the storms just kept coming?” the old man asked. “I’d just keep throwing out anchors,” said the student. “Hold on son,” said the captain, where would you get all of those anchors?” “
From the same place you keep getting all those storms, sir,” came the reply.

            How over whelming things can get. The perfect storm is raging inside of us and we fight the storm with what ifs, only trusting God at the last possible minute. Kristen, my wife just had a valve replaced in her heart and unexpectedly became reciprocate of a pacemaker/defibrillator. Imagine all of the “what ifs” that went through our minds as we maneuvered through the past five weeks. Proverbs 15:15 tells us, “All of the days of the oppressed are wretched, but the cheerful heart has a continual feast.” It is just amazing how that part of us can trust God that everything will be alright and then plot the outcome on the other. We let Satan into our biggest, most vulnerable spot, our fear. This week, the day after surgery, Kristen’s heart began firing improperly, one hour she was fine, the next hour she looked horrible and was connected to a temporary pacemaker. The first person I called, I just totally fell apart. My mind said “what if” and I totally lost it, I couldn’t even talk and to make things even worse I was letting my mind run wild about the other person’s thoughts. My guard fell and Satan took control of my mind. I had to go to the parking garage and have a good cry and a face to face talk with God. Nearly five weeks of “what ifs” gone.

            “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect with love.” (1 John 4”18)  This verse is not talking about a Godly fear, but a fear that one would have toward a master or a judge, much like the fear of “what ifs”. God’s perfect love cast out fear so really there is no need for “what if”. This verse tells us that it is guilt that causes the torment that we experience. Verse 18 says “He who fears is not made perfect in love.” Jesus died on the cross that we would be perfect in love. We are so trusting of flesh that we fail to rely on the Cross. Paul said in Ephesians 4:27, “…do not give the devil a foothold.”

            God is completely trustworthy, yet we continue to: “what if”. Jesus created the perfect love with the sacrifice that he made on the cross. We go into battle every day against evil, the battle has already been fought and won yet we continue to live in fear. The events of these past weeks will strengthen both Kristen and I. I failed a test this week, by His Grace I get a re-test, it is open book, His Word.

            Each day I hear the statement; “Can’t find anyone to do anything.” In reality there is a lot of truth in that statement. Either people have gotten lazy and don’t want to work or the ones that are working have more to do than they can get done. Oh yes, I nearly forgot the ones that just “don’t have anything to do”, stumbling over treasures that are right in front of themselves. They are the bored ones, the ones that don’t even know there is work to do. Find a person that appears too busy to help with things and they are the ones that usually get things done.

            We even tend to miss treasures that are right in front of us. There is a true story told about a fellow named Al Hafed, who lived in ancient Persia.  One day a Buddhist Priest stopped by Al’s home for a visit, and told Al,  “You know there are valuable stones called diamonds and if you find one you would be a rich man.” Al spent a sleepless night dreaming of finding a diamond and becoming rich. Al sold his farm, sent his family to neighbors, and departed on his quest to find a precious diamond and become rich. After many months, broken in body and spirit, his funds gone Al threw himself into the Bay of Barcelona never to walk this earth again.

            Meanwhile back at the farm, the man who bought the farm picked up a stone from his garden and placed it on the mantle of his home. The Buddhist priest paid yet another visit to the home and upon seeing the stone exclaimed that Al Hafed must have returned from his journey. No, replied the new home owner, I found this stone while tilling my garden. From that very garden, diamonds have crowned heads in Europe and Russia.

            Al Hafed, like many others had looked right over the treasure that God had placed right before him. Many times during our short stay here on earth we search for what God has already given us. Isaiah 65:24 says, “…before they call, I will answer…” God has already answered if we are willing to seek what He has promised. How sad it is when our eyes are not opened to the blessings that God has given.

            Matthew 9:35-38 delivers a message from Jesus. (35) Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. (36) When He saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like a sheep without a shepherd. (37) Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. (38) Ask the Lord of the harvest to send out more workers into his harvest field.” Jesus told his disciples that they needed to go to the master of the harvest to request more help. Jesus said that we should intercede on behalf of the souls that need to be saved.

            We miss the mark when God has placed right before us many treasures to harvest. Most people feel that in order to be a missionary that you must travel to some far away place. Not true, there are close to 2 billion people lost and not all live in a far away place. There is a mission field right outside the doors of this church. Life and treasures aren’t all about you. Don’t overlook a treasure in your own back yard. God has a plan just for you, there is a harvest of blessing if you only ask.