“Now after him came Shamgar the son of Anath, who struck and killed six hundred Philistines with an oxgoad; and he also saved Israel.” (Judges 3:31 NASB)
For readers who prefer the shorter Mark Writes meditations, we are going to make Monday the day where your preference is met, and I will do it without sacrificing a meaningful message via the meditation. The theme is the title, “Use What You Got.” Shamgar did it in the verse above and David did it in the verse below. The early church evangelists did not have a written New Testament and definitely not a plethora of translations to choose from; not any word for word, thought for thought, or paraphrase versions from which to pick. Yet in all instances, they used what they had. So you follow the example. Use what you got! Use the preached word you heard yesterday! Use what you got! Use the Scriptures you have hidden in you heart so you might not sin against God! Use what you got! Use what you were taught as a child, referred to as the Golden Rule, and treat other people like you would want to be treated! Use what the Holy Spirit brings to your remembrance! Use what you got! Use the verses you remember from some prior counseling session or the Scriptures that you heard in a sharing session with a support group! Use what you got! Use the Scripture on the front of your church T-shirt or the verse on your license plate frame! Use what you got! Use what the Lord sent specifically to you yesterday when you hear His sent messenger preach the word! Use what you got! You can tell from the exclamation marks that while I am short with words, I am long on seriousness about what I am saying, can’t you? Well, seriously, I am expecting you to respond in your actions today! Use what you got! This was brief, but it can make your Monday morning better! Be blessed!
Still committed to the climb,
Mark L. King