August…What can we say? It’s the eighth month of the year, not included in a holiday,
not included in a celebration. It’s surrounded by the heat of summer and the busyness of
back-to-school events (for those with children or working with children). These are
what’s often referred to as the “dog days of summer.” Seriously. How exciting can they
be?
As the heat swirls and the kids’ activities build, let’s all take a minute to breathe deeply
and exhale slowly; take a moment to refocus our attentions on what is important and
remember Intentionality. Let’s be intentional as we move forward in the year, not
allowing the days to slip into obscurity, forgetting God has called us to a great fight of
faith. 1 Timothy 6:12. In our intentionality, let’s speak words of Truth, His Truth, boldly
and unashamedly. Let’s speak words of Truth in love and grace, never condoning sin, but
loving the sinner rather than the sin. Let’s speak words of Truth in faith, believing that
the Holy Spirit will draw those who are lost. John 12:32.
Let us remember that courage is given to us by God to be who He’s called us to be and to
win the lost at any cost. I love this quote: “Courage is not the absence of fear but acting
despite it. In fact, you would not need courage if you did not have fear.” (Arthur W.
Lindsey, C. S. Lewis Institute) Let us be ambassadors for Christ, being intentional in our
everyday lives to listen to His prodding, to obey His direction, and to reach those who
might be right there in front of us who desperately need to hear, “Jesus loves you!” It
doesn’t take much to help someone to have a better day, but sometimes, we do need the
courage to look, listen, speak, and reach out. Joshua 1:9.
In our courage, let us not get caught up in the temptations of the enemy that will cause us
to look at flesh and blood as the problems with sin. Sinners will sin. Christians will sin.
By the grace of God, we all go. 1 Corinthians 15:10. Remember, our battle is never with a
person. Rather, it is with the enemy of our souls! Let’s put on the full armor of God. Let’s
intentionally raise our swords and grasp our shields of faith with purpose and with
vigor. Let us march on the gates of hell and cast down any vain imaginations, speak
against the darkness, and let His light shine so brightly within our lives that the demons
tremble and the lost see Jesus beyond our humanness. 1 Peter 5:8. Ephesians 6:10-20.
During these “dog days of summer,” let us not be distracted by the heat nor by the
busyness. Let our intent be the Father’s business, and let’s go and be who He’s destined
us to be! Matthew 28:18-20.
And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I amwith you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
Matthew 28:18-20
the grizzle grist mill 