Kept Clean

Good morning,

We draw great strength from our church family, and from the times of worshiping our Lord.  It was such a time yesterday at Dogwood.  As one of our heroes from the past said:  "Best of all, God is with us."  If you could just dwell in the house of the Lord forever, would life be easier for you?  Less temptations to draw one away from God?  But for now we are to face this world in a new day, and a new week. But not alone, for He is always with us, and we have this great promise.   "Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love Him."  James 1:27   


In the forests of northern Europe lives the ermine, a small animal that we know best for its snow-white fur. Instinctively the ermine protects its white coat lest it become soiled. European hunters often capitalize on this trait. Instead of setting a mechanical trap to catch the ermine, they find its home in the cleft of a rock and daub the entrance with tar. A chase ensues and the frightened ermine flees toward its home. When it arrives at the cleft of the rock and finds it covered with dirt, the animal spurns its place of safety. Rather than soil itself and its white fur, it courageously faces the hunters. That's character. To the ermine, purity is dearer than life itself.

Never forget that we have an enemy pursuing us, Satan Himself, "seeking whom he may devour."  But unlike the ermine, when we turn to stand our ground, the Lord is with us, and promises:  "Submit yourselves therefore to God.  Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."  James 4:7

If today we are tempted to cast off our righteous lifestyle, let's remember the ermine. To keep ourselves ".....unspotted from the world"  James 1:27c ,  is as important to the Christian as life itself.


        "Whiter than snow, yes, whiter than snow;

          Now wash me and I shall be whiter than snow."

We pray for God's blessings on you today, and always remember that you are loved!!!

Henry