...I SMELL SMOKE IN THE AUDITORIUM...

SCRIPTURE: "And this is the judgement, that the light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the light, for their deeds were evil." John 3: 19
When my wife was a child, probably before school age (as I was told), she took the opportunity
early-on to share her singing talent. It was during a church service of some sort, where she distinguished herself singing the secular song "Charlie Brown,” which I'm sure most of us know. "Fee-fee, Fi-fi, Fo-fo, Fum... I smell smoke in the auditorium. Charlie Brown, Charlie Brown, he's a clown... that Charlie Brown. He's gonna get caught. Just you wait-n see! Why's everybody always pickin' on me?"
If that was captured then, on You-tube or Facebook, I'm sure it would've gotten a "million likes."
It seems the personality in this little ditty has a natural inclination towards trouble, and in context, he is as clueless about it, as he is prone to mischief. Here he is, the chief suspect in either taking a smoke or, at worst, committing arson in the auditorium. He's labelled a 'clown.’ That diagnosis is arguable. Now, how about the "auditorium" of our heart? Is it more like a sanctuary, inviting of the heavenly and reflective of godly splendor, or is it a junk magnet? Perhaps it is somewhere in between, or perhaps a bit of both variably, a shape-shifter? Do you smell smoke in the auditorium?
Not to worry... no matter how profound a "Charlie Brown" you are, God's got something for you! Grace. No matter how microscopic you perceive your mess to be, God's got something for you! Mercy. You see, none but the righteous shall see God. It is the putting of the Spirit of Christ in us, and upon us, that we may be put before the perfect gaze of God, and be pleasing.
We need to know that the behaviors of a fallen world are "fallen"... that 'evil grazes in the fields of our blessing,’ and our sole response is to LET our little light shine.[by which there isn't any smoke] By the faithfulness of God we have been brought from blight to bright, and He will never leave us, nor forsake us.
For Gideon, the youngest within the lesser family of Manasseh, God permitted a lessening, to letting that little light shine, reducing the available ranks of his men lest Israel become boastful, saying, "My own power has delivered me." as they were to contend with their enemy, the Midianites. [Judges 7:2] With the Midianites were the Amalekites, and others, and together they were numerous as locusts. God, however, elected to allow the reduction of the number of men under Gideon from 32,000 to 300. The 300 were evenly divided into three companies boasting trumpets, torches, and pitchers, as well as the ever crucial obedience to see one odd victory unfold. Outnumbered, victory was had, without having swords. "Won't He do it?!"
So, in letting your light so shine before all people, consider: But since we are of the day, let us be
sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation. For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ who died for us, that whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with Him. Therefore encourage one another, and build up one another, just as you also are doing.” [ 1st Thessalonians 5:8-11]. Moreover, “Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass. [1st Thessalonians 5:24] Believe. Behave. Be glad.
PRAYER: Precious Lord, allow me that sanctified self-talk that is INSISTENT on my better self showing up, and help me to be CONSISTENT in the living out of it, as well as PERSISTENT day by day, and may the glory be all Yours when this "little light of mine" has been let to shine everywhere I go. Help me to be RESISTANT to the world, the flesh, and the lures of the evil one. Bless You, Jesus. It's in Your wonderful name I gratefully ask it. Amen!
By Bro. McNeal Brockington
early-on to share her singing talent. It was during a church service of some sort, where she distinguished herself singing the secular song "Charlie Brown,” which I'm sure most of us know. "Fee-fee, Fi-fi, Fo-fo, Fum... I smell smoke in the auditorium. Charlie Brown, Charlie Brown, he's a clown... that Charlie Brown. He's gonna get caught. Just you wait-n see! Why's everybody always pickin' on me?"
If that was captured then, on You-tube or Facebook, I'm sure it would've gotten a "million likes."
It seems the personality in this little ditty has a natural inclination towards trouble, and in context, he is as clueless about it, as he is prone to mischief. Here he is, the chief suspect in either taking a smoke or, at worst, committing arson in the auditorium. He's labelled a 'clown.’ That diagnosis is arguable. Now, how about the "auditorium" of our heart? Is it more like a sanctuary, inviting of the heavenly and reflective of godly splendor, or is it a junk magnet? Perhaps it is somewhere in between, or perhaps a bit of both variably, a shape-shifter? Do you smell smoke in the auditorium?
Not to worry... no matter how profound a "Charlie Brown" you are, God's got something for you! Grace. No matter how microscopic you perceive your mess to be, God's got something for you! Mercy. You see, none but the righteous shall see God. It is the putting of the Spirit of Christ in us, and upon us, that we may be put before the perfect gaze of God, and be pleasing.
We need to know that the behaviors of a fallen world are "fallen"... that 'evil grazes in the fields of our blessing,’ and our sole response is to LET our little light shine.[by which there isn't any smoke] By the faithfulness of God we have been brought from blight to bright, and He will never leave us, nor forsake us.
For Gideon, the youngest within the lesser family of Manasseh, God permitted a lessening, to letting that little light shine, reducing the available ranks of his men lest Israel become boastful, saying, "My own power has delivered me." as they were to contend with their enemy, the Midianites. [Judges 7:2] With the Midianites were the Amalekites, and others, and together they were numerous as locusts. God, however, elected to allow the reduction of the number of men under Gideon from 32,000 to 300. The 300 were evenly divided into three companies boasting trumpets, torches, and pitchers, as well as the ever crucial obedience to see one odd victory unfold. Outnumbered, victory was had, without having swords. "Won't He do it?!"
So, in letting your light so shine before all people, consider: But since we are of the day, let us be
sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation. For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ who died for us, that whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with Him. Therefore encourage one another, and build up one another, just as you also are doing.” [ 1st Thessalonians 5:8-11]. Moreover, “Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass. [1st Thessalonians 5:24] Believe. Behave. Be glad.
PRAYER: Precious Lord, allow me that sanctified self-talk that is INSISTENT on my better self showing up, and help me to be CONSISTENT in the living out of it, as well as PERSISTENT day by day, and may the glory be all Yours when this "little light of mine" has been let to shine everywhere I go. Help me to be RESISTANT to the world, the flesh, and the lures of the evil one. Bless You, Jesus. It's in Your wonderful name I gratefully ask it. Amen!
By Bro. McNeal Brockington
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
3 Comments
To God be the glory. Thanks Bro. Brockington. The testimony of Gideon’s obedience is very encouraging. (Thanks also for that tidbit on Sis. Debora and Charlie Brown😄)
Amen😇
To God, we praise!