LESSONS FROM A LOWLY HOUSECAT (Part I)
SCRIPTURE: “But now ask the beasts, and they will teach you; and the birds of the air, and they will tell you…and the fish of the sea will explain to you.” Who among all these does not know that the hand of the LORD has done this…?” Job 12:7-9
Upon reading the title verse, you may wonder is Job actually telling his friends to become “Dr. Doolittle” and talk to the animals? No, he is not, actually; yet, given the extraordinary crucible of testing that God entrusted to Job in this biblical account, I believe that most of us would totally empathize if he had directed those guys to seriously go talk to the animals! The slightly sarcastic reply of the beleaguered Job reminded me of some lessons one can learn even from a lowly feline—our thirteen-year-old tabby housecat. (Don’t laugh!) As has been said of many U.S. presidents, people may love ‘em or loathe ‘em, but seldom are they (i.e., people) neutral on the topic of cats.
Did you know that five years ago, domestic cats (AKA: felis silvestris lybica) had surpassed dogs as the leading household pet in the U.S. alone? Without a doubt, one can learn some biblical lessons from even these lowly creatures. For one thing, they put us to shame when it comes to persistence—albeit, we’re talking mealtime here. For reminding their humans about the need to feed, they’re more persistent than the widow of whom Jesus spoke in Luke 18:1-8, who sought justice from a judge. They are confident that with enough pathway interceptions (theirs into yours), you and I will stop to serve up the grub. Just imagine if they had thumbs!
Many Christians are hard-pressed to practice the acronym P.U.S.H.—pray until something happens! We much too quickly give up, contrary to the Spirit’s command in 1 Thess. 5:17 and Luke 18:1. Secondly, even before our geriatric kitty became such, he has never needed to be nudged into nap or bedtime. We can learn much from him about Psalm 127:2—“It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows; for so He gives His beloved sleep.” If our Lord commends our giving up our daily exertions (or even entertainment) in order to give our bodies adequate sleep, why do we so often resist the Spirit’s wisdom, compromising the functionality of our heart and brain, possibly incurring memory issues, says one Online article. [www. Healthline.com, Wellness Topics].
PRAYER: Dear Abba, teach us anew how to learn and benefit from everything You’ve created in Your beautiful world—even the ants, birds, and lowly housecats! Thank You, in Jesus’ name—amen!
By Sis. Denise Diggs
Did you know that five years ago, domestic cats (AKA: felis silvestris lybica) had surpassed dogs as the leading household pet in the U.S. alone? Without a doubt, one can learn some biblical lessons from even these lowly creatures. For one thing, they put us to shame when it comes to persistence—albeit, we’re talking mealtime here. For reminding their humans about the need to feed, they’re more persistent than the widow of whom Jesus spoke in Luke 18:1-8, who sought justice from a judge. They are confident that with enough pathway interceptions (theirs into yours), you and I will stop to serve up the grub. Just imagine if they had thumbs!
Many Christians are hard-pressed to practice the acronym P.U.S.H.—pray until something happens! We much too quickly give up, contrary to the Spirit’s command in 1 Thess. 5:17 and Luke 18:1. Secondly, even before our geriatric kitty became such, he has never needed to be nudged into nap or bedtime. We can learn much from him about Psalm 127:2—“It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows; for so He gives His beloved sleep.” If our Lord commends our giving up our daily exertions (or even entertainment) in order to give our bodies adequate sleep, why do we so often resist the Spirit’s wisdom, compromising the functionality of our heart and brain, possibly incurring memory issues, says one Online article. [www. Healthline.com, Wellness Topics].
PRAYER: Dear Abba, teach us anew how to learn and benefit from everything You’ve created in Your beautiful world—even the ants, birds, and lowly housecats! Thank You, in Jesus’ name—amen!
By Sis. Denise Diggs
Archive
2023
January
MOVING INTO A NEW YEAR AND LEAVING YOUR BAGGAGE BEHINDEncouraging You in the New YearA Veteran StudentAll of God’s Gifts Are Wrapped in JesusThe Gift that Keeps on GivingA Faith That’s Signed and SealedI Remember Grandma (Part I)I Remember Grandma (Part II)Roots Growing DeeperSTANDING IN HIS PEACEBE WARY OF COMPARING! (Part I)BE WARY OF COMPARING! (Part II)TIE A YELLOW RIBBON...[Part I]TIE A YELLOW RIBBON... [Part II]The One That Got Away [Until Now] Part IThe One That Got Away [Until Now] Part IIThe One That Got Away [Until Now] PartWINTER, ALREADY ?! [Part I]WINTER, ALREADY ?! [Part II]HE KNOWS!Godly Hope vs. Positive ThinkingHope DeferredCalled To Endure!The Greatest Expectation!The Ear and Eye GateCourage, Saints!!Getting to Know Him- Little By LittleSame Storm Different Boat pt2The Apron of ServanthoodGetting to Know Him- Little By LittleConfess It as Sin!
February
People Are Laughing Out Loud at My BibleMe, Myself, and I (Depression)I Have to Qualify to Run the RacePreach, Preacher!Does He Know You?LESSONS FROM A LOWLY HOUSECAT (Part I)LESSONS FROM A LOWLY HOUSECAT (Part II)God’s Obedient Wild Kingdom (Part I)God’s Obedient Wild Kingdom (Part II)PRAISE God for WITNESSES!Sock LintSock LintNO GAS! NO BRAKES! SAY WHUT?! (Part I)NO GAS! NO BRAKES! SAY WHUT?! (Part II)THE BEST DEFENSE IS A GOOD OFFENSE (Part I)THE BEST DEFENSE IS A GOOD OFFENSE (Part II)Having The Faith to Favor And Follow A Faithful God (Part I)Having The Faith to Favor And Follow A Faithful God (Part II)MORE THAN 'SUPER,’ MORE THAN 'HERO'!HE IN WE, AND WE IN HE! [where 'we' can also be 'me'] (Part I)HE IN WE, AND WE IN HE! [where 'we' can also be 'me'] (Part II)MAKE FEBRUARY THANKSGIVING HISTORY MONTHTAKE HEED HOW YOU WALKTrust and ObeySpiritual ImmaturityMake It PersonalCain was Able and So are YouClimate Change
March
Loving My SpouseStop! In the Name of Love!Ask Not, Have Not!Beneficial GraceThe Incomparable ChristRECEIVE The CHIEF CORNERSTONE! Part IRECEIVE The CHIEF CORNERSTONE! Part IIDETRIMENTAL DELAYSFootprints On the Mountainside Part IFootprints On the Mountainside Part II...I SMELL SMOKE IN THE AUDITORIUM...The Heartbeat of His HeartThe Wayward and The ObedientThe Potter and His Vessels of ClayGod Can Use Anybody!You’re Canceled!Today’s Assignment!There You Go, Again!I Messed Up!The Worker and The Work!Repent and Obey!God Can Reach Anybody, But Will You?Wonder Working PowerThere is Work for You to Do!Yes, God Does Reveal Himself to Us!Now Hear ThisImperfect, But Usable!Preach the WordGod Can Save AnybodyThe Hard WordThe Message of Salvation from God
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Praise God for His unique ways of teaching us!
It’s like God has preprogrammed His creation for service and worship in lesser and greater degrees. Every aspect of creation knows its job and knows there is a creator! Amen Sus Denise. Thank you.