Living in Truth or Living in Deception
“But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint” (Isa. 40:31).
A fable is told about an eagle that thought he was a chicken. When the eagle was very small, he fell from the safety of his nest. A chicken farmer found the eagle, brought him to the farm and raised him in a chicken coop among his many chickens. The eagle grew up doing what chickens do, living like a chicken and believing he was a chicken.
A naturalist came to the chicken farm to see if what he had heard about an eagle acting like a chicken was really true. He knew that an eagle is king of the sky, so he was surprised to see the eagle strutting around the chicken coop, pecking at the ground and acting very much like a chicken.
The farmer explained to the naturalist that this bird was no longer an eagle. He was now a chicken because he had been trained to be a chicken and he believed that he was a chicken. The naturalist knew there was more to this great bird than his actions showed as he “pretended” to be a chicken. He was born an eagle and had the heart of an eagle and nothing could change that. The man lifted the eagle onto the fence surrounding the chicken coop and said, “Eagle, thou art an eagle. Stretch forth thy wings and fly.” The eagle moved slightly, only to look at the man; then he glanced down at his home among the chickens in the chicken coop where he was comfortable. He jumped off the fence and continued doing what chickens do. The farmer was satisfied. “I told you it was a chicken,” he said.
The naturalist returned the next day and tried again to convince the farmer and the eagle that the eagle was born for something greater. He took the eagle to the top of the farmhouse and spoke to him: “Eagle, thou art an eagle. Thou dost belong to the sky and not to the earth. Stretch forth thy wings and fly.” The large bird looked at the man, then again down into the chicken coop. He jumped from the man’s arm onto the roof of the farmhouse. Knowing what eagles are really about, the naturalist asked the farmer to let him try one more time. He would return the next day and prove that this bird was an eagle. The farmer, convinced otherwise, said, “It is a chicken.”
The naturalist returned the next morning to the chicken farm and took the eagle and the farmer some distance away to the foot of a high mountain. They could not see the farm nor the chicken coop from this new setting. The man held the eagle on his arm and pointed high into the sky where the bright sun was beckoning above. He spoke, “Eagle, thou art an eagle! Thou dost belong to the sky and not to the earth. Stretch forth thy wings and fly.” This time the eagle stared skyward into the bright sun, straightened his large body and stretched his massive wings. His wings moved, slowly at first, then surely and powerfully. With the mighty screech of an eagle, he flew.
This reminded me of how mankind, like this eagle, has been deceived to live far below their potential. Being slowly brainwashed into accepting for the norm that which is abnormal, what is wrong as right and what is evil as good — eagles being trained to be chickens! They are suppressed by the powers that be and made to live below their God-given potential.
Maybe it’s time people, as a whole, find the strength to look up. For freedom and liberty are those things that are easily transformed into bondage and servitude. Sadly, one does not miss what one has never experienced. “Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong” (I Cor. 16:13). Remember, we are children of the King.
From Our Missionaries
Connection Point, Brookland: Chad White writes, “God blessed us with a good week at Connection Point. Sunday seemed a bit gloomy with clouds, rain and a modest attendance. However, once the service began, we enjoyed a wonderful time of praise and worship. We are thankful for the guests who joined us and for all who regularly worship with us in person and online. Like many of you, we continue to try to navigate the unknown waters of a COVID-19 society.
“The current status of our community does not just impact our worship services and our small groups; it has really hurt our ability to do effective outreach. We are asking you to pray that we will have wisdom in discerning God’s will and recognize those things that He is leading us to do so that we might have a positive impact on the lives here in Brookland.”
The Mustard Seed, Cain: Jim Tollison writes, “I am sure all of our mission points need special prayer during this time of COVID-19. It seems that when we begin to make progress, another family is impacted by the virus. And just when we make one step forward, we end up having to take two steps back.
“Some new families are showing a real interest in becoming a part of this mission. Two of those families are now quarantined. We also have one of our main families who now has COVID-19. The ‘two steps back’ is a very real thing for the mission.
“We had good services Sunday, even though attendance was not where we would like it to be.
“Our Wednesday evening Bible study is still our most productive service, with a good attendance in all age groups. One group that is difficult to reach is generally teenage boys, and we average around 10 in that age group. God is so good.
“Thanks so much for your continued prayers and support. Any good thing that comes from this mission, you are one of the reasons why. May God bless you and keep you is my prayer.”
Misión Creciendo en Cristo (Growing in Christ), North Little Rock: Juan Carlos Posadas writes, “On Wednesday night, two families visited who moved from New Jersey to Sherwood — Natividad and his wife, Alejandrina; and Hector, his wife, Alejandra and their daughters, Abba and Lael. Alejandra is the daughter of Natividad and Alejandrina. The latter are a couple of older adults who would be very interesting to have in our congregation since we need people of those ages. We invited them to the Saturday workshop and Sunday meeting, and they attended both meetings. Let us pray that God will show them if it is His will for them to congregate with us.
“On Friday, we delivered 285 sacks of food with the help of some volunteers from the community and the church who helped us with the distribution.
“On Saturday, 6-8 p.m., we had a workshop on how to strengthen our relationship with God. Luis Ortega taught us, and it was a great opportunity to receive biblical instruction. We pray that God will continue to bless His servant in all areas of his life. After the workshop, we had the opportunity to share the gospel with Bella, a young lady who came to the church as a result of our service to the community. She and her family have joined the church. Bella volunteers in the community service program and takes music classes that we offer on Saturdays and attends discipleship. Glory to God, Bella received Christ!
“Sunday, we studied about the biblical principles that should govern the relationships between the poor and the rich, according to I Tim. 6:1-2, 17-19. It was an interesting study that helped us talk about the proper use of wealth.
“We have four families in quarantine due to COVID-19. Help us to pray for these families and for those who are infected — for wisdom in how to deal with their situation, for timely medical assistance and for protection against the virus for those who are not infected. God bless you!”
Life Journey, Fort Smith: Darrin Smith writes, “Like many other churches, we have had several who have COVID-19. We did not meet this past Wednesday or Sunday because of it. Pray for us. Thanks for all you do.”
Grace, Green Forest: Carter Pearce writes, “This week, my son had his annual checkup with his cardiologist. Our oldest son, Gabriel, was born with four heart defects. Over the past 17 years, he has had four surgeries and several smaller procedures to correct the problems with which he was born. During his echocardiogram, my wife and I reminisced about having to put a pillow on the hospital bed just to keep him in place for that test. Now his 6-foot-tall frame is too long for that same bed!
“He is now scheduled with annual checkups. We go to Arkansas Children’s Hospital once a year so the specialists can take measurements of his heart, listen to his chest and determine what our next steps will be to ensure that his heart remains in good working order.
“Don’t we do that every Sunday as Christians? We go to church each Sunday to examine our spiritual hearts and ensure that we remain spiritually healthy to remain in good working order for our Lord.
“We were thrilled on Friday to learn that our son’s heart is doing well, and that there is no current reason for concern.
“It is also wonderful to worship each Sunday morning and know that God has healed our spiritual condition. Even when we struggle, we can be assured that we can come to God. He will test us to determine what is needed to ensure a healthy heart. When we miss a Sunday, we continue as we have been, without knowing what we need. Gathering with our church family gives us the tools we need to remain healthy Christians. May we never “forsake the gathering of (our)selves together.”
Ebenezer, West Little Rock: Ruben Isturiz writes, “This week has passed more calmly compared to last week. I have been participating in a Novo (novo.org) ministry training as part of my part-time position. It is a great blessing. We have been praying for God’s guidance on how to plan in this time of a pandemic. It’s wonderful to be able to depend on God from week to week to set the agenda.
“I ask you, our partners in ministry, not to stop praying for us.
“Last Sunday, we went to another home to pray and bless them. Several homes where we have gone are of people disconnected from the church. They believe in God, but are disconnected from a community of believers. Only the Holy Spirit can bring changes to the lives of these families.
“On Feb. 1, we start the Berean Group (cells) in Chenal. Feb. 2, we start a new group with the Vidal family. Feb. 5-6, we will be participating in a BMA preaching workshop and Feb. 7, we will have the Lord’s Supper. We keep making plans. I know the Lord has wonderful plans for His church. We are on the side of the winner. To God be the glory!”
Faith Chapel, Flippin: Johnny Shew writes, “We had another good week at Faith Chapel. Attendance was good, but there were no visitors this week. We have a cold/flu/bug going through the community that is not COVID-19, and several of us have had it. All that stuff that was out there before is still there!
“We started our Sunday evening services this week, and everyone is excited about that. The building we are renting will seat about twice as many as we have been having but, with social distancing, we are about full.
“We are in the planning stages of a building of our own, but if we continue growing at the rate we want to, we may have to rent a bigger one before our own building can be started. That is a good problem to have!
“Please join us in prayer for God to lead us in His will for our mission. We thank God for you, your prayers and your support!”
Not Alone, Springdale: Clinton Morris writes, “This was a hard and emotional week for my family. We know we are fighting an ever-present enemy that wants nothing more than to snuff out our presence. I believe others who are reading this have felt the same way. The war within the mind is ongoing and Paul’s words from Ephesians 6 ring clear in this time, “put on the whole armor of God” — Why? — to “be able to stand against all evil.” God has been bringing Elisha to my mind — specifically II Kings 6:15-19. May we, too, have our eyes opened to see God’s armies at work and count it all joy to be in this fight — not just in it, but winning!
“We are making great contacts with our neighbors. I’m so thankful for my kids’ ability to break through the awkward ice that exists. Pray for my neighbors who are not religious and one who is an ex-Jehovah Witness. I also have several more contacts interested in our church when it gets underway.
“Pray specifically for a second vehicle, a like-minded team member for me, more developing friendships and opportunities to share the gospel.”