A Farmer's tools enable him to produce more corps with less effort. For example, hand tools are better than using nothing at all. However, who would want to farm by hand when more powerful tools are available? Tractors, backhoes, dump trucks, combines, and such make the job go easier. They are tools of the trade. The right instrument in the hand of a skillful farmer can make all the difference!A Mechanic's tools enable him to diagnose, repair, or rebuild machinery. Not everything can be fixed with a ball peen hammer! A good mechanic needs electronic tools to diagnose problems identified by onboard computers, electrical systems, etc. He also needs delicate tools to make fine adjustments on tiny components. At the same time he needs powerful tools to remove axles, motors, and transmissions. They are tools of the trade. The right instrument in the hand of a skillful mechanic can make all the difference!
A Preacher's tools enable him to research, write, preach and teach the truths of God's Word. Regardless of what some may think, preachers do not know everything. They have to study long hours with whatever tools they can get their hands on. What was the history, culture and language o fthe people mentioned in the Bible? How are they like us or different? How did the Bible address their problems? How can it address ours? The preacher must study two cultures at the same time—theirs and ours. On the one hand, he must use many tools to access the truths in the world of God's Word—dictionaries, histories, concordances, word studies, etc. On the other hand, he must use more tools to access the world of today—the media, tapes, books, magazines, etc. They are tools of the trade. The right instrument in the hand of a skillful preacher can make all the difference!
What happens if the tools are broken or missing? The farmer is forced to work by hand. The mechanic may not be able to work at all. The preacher is left with a lot of unsolved mysteries.
Almighty God's tools enable Him to bless the world. Christians are tools of God. So what happens when Christians are broken or absent when God needs to use them? He is forced to repair, retrieve or replace His tools. We are the tools of God's trade. The right instrument in the hand of Almighty God can make all the difference!
Almighty God's tools enable Him to bless the world. Christians are tools of God. So what happens when Christians are broken or absent when God needs to use them? He is forced to repair, retrieve or replace His tools. We are the tools of God's trade. The right instrument in the hand of Almighty God can make all the difference!
“Therefore, do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness” (Romans 6:12-13).
Can God use you as one of His “tools of the trade”? Or must He search for another? You choose!
Activity For The Day - CROSSWORD PUZZLES
by Jim Morris
Copyright © 2003-06 Jim Morris. All Rights Reserved.
Article is taken from online resource Jim's Archive
