5.13.25 ~ 40 days after His resurrection (Pt. 18)

This morning I want to tell you a story with a hidden message to watch out for the frogs (Ex. 8:1-13; Psa. 78:45; 105:30; Rev. 16:13). And, on the flipside of that subliminal message I want to encourage you and challenge you to learn all you can about becoming what God is calling you to become (Rev. 1:6; 5:10; 20:6; 1 Pet. 2:5-9; Dan. 7:18,27)

Last night's zoom call: The Lord is tenderly speaking/emor to me about living who I am in His calling (Lev. 21-23).

Good morning!

Welcome to the 31st day, the fourth week and third day of counting the armor. 19 days to go until Shavuot/Pentecost. Keep going, you can do it!

A group of frogs were hopping and ribeting happily through the woods, going about their froggy business, when two of them fell into a deep pit. Strangely and ironically, all of the other frogs gathered around the pit to see what could be done to help their friends. They assessed the situation: saw how deep the pit was, no stairs, no ladder, and a pit that had no water. It was not a happy day in the froggy forest.

After their dismal assessment, the rest of the dismayed group agreed that it was hopeless and told the two frogs in the pit that they should just prepare themselves for their fate because they were as good as dead. Unwilling to accept this terrible fate, the two frogs began to jump with all their might. Some of the frogs shouted Into the pit that it was hopeless, and that the two frogs should just accept their situation and that they should’ve been more careful. Others said, "If you would have been more obedient to the froggy rules and been more responsible, none of this would ever have happened. Other frogs continued sorrowfully. Still others kept shouting "You mine as well save your energy and give up since you're already as good as dead...with friends like these, who needs enemies!?

The two frogs continued jumping as hard as they could, and after several hours of desperate effort, they grew quite weary. Finally, one of the frog's hearts, to the cause of his fellow froggies, spent and disheartened, he quietly resolved himself to die. He laid down at the bottom of the pit and died as the others looked on. Despite the helpless grief, the other frog continued to jump with every ounce of energy that he had; even though his body was racked with pain and completely exhausted. His companions began anew with insistent vigor, yelling for him to accept his fate, to stop the pain, to just die. The weary frog jumped, harder and harder, and wonder of wonders finally leaped so high that he sprang from the pit.

Amazed, the other frogs celebrated his miraculous freedom and then gathered around him.  "Why did you continue jumping when we told you That it was impossible"? Reading their lips the astonished frog explained to them that he was deaf and that when he saw their gestures and shouting, he thought that they were cheering them on.

What is the moral to the story? When you go back and look up all the Scriptures and listen to the 53 minute teaching, you'll understand even more :-)

We live in a world that strives to demoralize you when you don't fit their narrative. This my friends is part of the call to holiness (1 Pet. 1:15,16; Lev. 11, 19). When you feel discouraged by all of the croaking going on around you, turn a deaf ear and let the silent screams and gestures be your motivation to try harder and to succeed. Against all odds, the simple frog story contains a very powerful lesson that comes directly and indirectly from Scripture: Encouraging, positive words can uplift someone and help them to make it through the day. And on the flipside of that froggy lesson, destructive or negative words can cause deep wounds so deep that they may destroy somebody’s desire to continue trying and resolve.

Pentecost, the Feast of the Lord, is coming! You're on day 31! 19 more to go. Keep jumping! Keep jumping!

Shalom,
Alan