edjukshun

egjukashun...what is it?



Every morning when I am driving the fourteen miles to the office, I am continually thanking God for bringing me out of the hellish past and creating a brand new life for me.



This moring was no different except I thought about how life is its own education. There is an old saying I've heard since I was young. "I graduated from the School of Hard Knocks." I don't know if one ever graduates from that school.



But when we think about Who decided before the earth was formed that we were needed in God's scheem of things, for a certain time, in a certain place, in all of eternity, then we also realize that it is He that allowed no evil formed against us to work.



Wait a minute, I know what some of you are thinking; "What about those souls whose lives were hell from the time they were born until they died. OK, let's talk about that.



God put within every human being a desire to be free, at peace and be productive. That is part of His nature that we are, whether born-again or not. 'Egjukashun' is what everyone of us have in front of us, from the time we came out of the womb.



Have you ever heard of a drop-out? Darling, there are some that just drop-out, for many reasons; It's too hard, They don't feel like it, they don't have this or that, and on and on we could go. There are always excuses.



God's plan was that every child should be taught at home, the principles of God that make for a good life, how to use good manners, how to converse well, how to dress, how to learn your ABC's. How to discipline yourself, wow, that is probably the hardest one for parents.



Now, that would be the easy way. You know as well as I, that is not the normal way anymore. However, God has schools out there for those like myself that had not the advantage of good parenting.



Let me share with you the schools that I have learned from, schools that I didn't choose, schools that I was thrown into that really taught me some life long lessons.



I was moved around continually, from birth until I was thirty two years old. I was born into a violent family, Mother having died while I was in my infancy. I lived with a dad that was totally out of control, until I escaped him in the middle of the night at ten years old. The story worsens from there.



He died, totally insane, in a mental institution. We are talking a disjointed, disruppted life. A formal education was not possible. It was was not in the hand I was dealt, from birth.



I will always remember the moment that I picked up an old Bible and read these words; "I saved you and called you with a holy call....according to My divine purpose, which was in Christ Jesus before the earth was formed." 11 Timothy 1:9. Reading that verse explained so much to me. I belonged to God before the earth was made.



He knew that I would not get a formal education. So, here comes the 'Hard Knocks" schooling. Here it is... I just bet you attended some of these also.



#1, School of Humiliation,

This is where you go into a corner and consider what was said that hurt you so badly. You accept responsibility and get out there and watch your words as well as your actions the next time.

Or was it the way your parents actions or the physical situation that you lived in that humilated you and forced you to check your attitude, then study why, and how to improve when you were at the helm of your life.



#2.School of Poverty:

This is where you learn that your creative thinking can kick in and you can work wonders with very little available to you to work with. This school teaches you to share with others because you feel their hunger pangs.You are empathetic. You know how it hurts to never have enough so that you can just relax, wihout being concerned where the next meal is coming from or where you and your children will sleep at night,



#3 School of Betrayal;

This is where you learn to pull yourself up by your own boot straps, and quit depending on everyone else to meet your need. This one really brings out self-discipline. It makes you dig deep within yourself and pull out the much desired character trait, called "Faithulness". It fine tunes your discernment skills.



#4 School of danger ;



This is where your survival skills are fine tuned. This is where you learn that you are not a wimp, that there is power within you, put there by God when you were being formed in your mother's womb. This is where you learn that you can go to someone else's side and take up their battle, because you have won over the enemy. Maybe you were bloody and looked like you had been to hell, but a strong warriors Spirit was the treasure you came home with.



#5. School of Higher Learning ;



This is where you learned that God was there all the time, giving you creativity of mind, strength, wisdom, determination and protection. This is the school that makes you realize that God, your Father was and is the Head Master, working everything for good, to make of you His pride and joy, through Jesus His Son.



OK, How did you score? If you scored one hundred on all five points there is a good chance that you will be chosen to be one of the God's Glorious REMNANT . You get to carry the banner as the last days Army moves into the future with the NAME OF JESUS emblazened on that Banner. And you will be blazing a trail to heaven. All the while just a grinnin. I can see it now!!!



Lotsa love,





Benji

Jump in Anywhere...

So often Christians have said to me, "I just don't know where I fit in." This reminds me of a response that General Sherman made to a young soldier who had become detached from his own troops. Coming up on the fierce battle headed by General Sherman, he asked the old war veteran, "What do you want me to do, where do you want me to git?"

"There is fighting going on everywhere; jump in anywhere!"
That statement holds true for anyone who has signed up to be a soldier in the Army of God.

I can just hear it now, "I didn't sign on to be a soldier, I just wanted to land in a bed of roses and get in on all the promises of God, then, go to heaven when it's all over."

Brother, it doesn't take long to come to the realization that God has given us the Power of the Holy Spirit to guide us through the battlefields to rescue the perishing.

His promises assure us of victory if we do not become weary, fall back and curl up in fear, wishing to die.

As I am writing to you to encourage you this morning, you can be sure that I, too, must fight the good fight of faith for my own family, health and finances but the best remedy for fatigue and battle weariness is to jump in anywhere and do battle for someone who doesn't know our good God as well as we know Him

It really will get your mind off yourself. Therein is the secret to victory over your own temptations to fear or be discouraged.

Just jump in anywhere, you are needed on each end, in the middle and anywhere in between. Look around you...there is the old man on the street, looking at you as you pass in your car, do you know what he is looking for or thinking? Yes, You Know! He is looking for a miracle, and you are it. Stop, give what you can. Your whole day is filled with opportunities just like that. Go ahead, Just jump in anywhere.

That's what I do!

Love
Benji

Then,There is the One About...

Some Indian braves were challenged to climb to the highest peak to see a sea beyond the mountains. Most of them brought back leaves or moss or a certain flower, or some kind of token to prove the height to which each one had climbed; but one came back speechless without anything except an expression of joy on his face, and the glory of the vision in his eyes.

As the tribesmen looked upon his face they exclaimed, "He has seen the crystal sea." No one could doubt it.

Darlings, there is a look, an aura, something so heavenly in the eyes of those who have actually encountered Jesus Christ, that no one can deny they have seen Jesus. Words cannot express the sweetness, the rest, the peace that He brings to one who has given their life completely over to Him.

Are we perfected? Soon now, my fellow traveler...we shall be. With breathless wonder we shall see Him face to face.


Let us walk together taking this journey with exquisite joy,


Love,

Benji