Last week I opened my email to find a death threat. Whether this was spam or the real deal is yet to be determined.
The officer asked if I owned a gun and suggested I might want to keep it handy and be aware of my surroundings. These words sent me scurrying to the closet to pull out my Smith & Wesson. I loaded the pistol with bullets my husband had stored all these years.
Realizing we were low on ammunition, I let my fingers-do-the-walking in an attempt to find replacement ammo. A number of calls later I located a store and told the clerk I’d see them first thing next morning.
I tucked the weapon into a safe hideout and crawled in bed for what I hoped would be a good night’s sleep. Before closing my eyes, I asked God to keep me safe through the night. My gun was loaded. I knew how to use it. I was prepared.
Early next morning I loaded myself and the revolver into the car and headed for the gun shop. And to be honest, a little concerned. I had never been in a gun shop and didn’t know what to expect. But walked in like I knew what I was doing and handed my gun to the man behind the counter, informing him it was loaded. Just wanted to be sure I bought the right bullets.
He emptied the chamber, held the bullets out and said, “Mrs. Gates, if you are going to shoot someone you’d best be sure you have real bullets, these are just for target practice. You’d make someone mighty angry if you’d shot ‘em with these.”
I gulped as the bullets slid from his hand into mine. And I stared down at the silver and gold cartridges. They looked real. They fit in the gun’s chamber. They smoked when fired and the cartridge shot deep in the ground when I pulled the trigger yesterday afternoon. Yet they weren’t real? My confidence and preparation cracked like a sheet of thin ice. Into very small slivers.
I thought I had a powerful means of protection. But I was uninformed. Powerless. Deceived.
The shells were fake. And using these fake shells would probably have caused me greater harm in the event of a break-in.
After allowing this new found truth to sink in for a moment, I was grateful I didn’t know the night before I had sissy-bullets. Wouldn’t have slept a wink. Would you?
We laughed. Well, kinda. I made my purchase of the right stuff, and left for home. But I drove home asking myself how many other things in my life looked real but were powerless to protect me? Just like those fake cartridges.
A six figure life insurance policy? A large bank account? A portfolio full of stocks and bonds? My name on a church roll? Or perfect attendance at church—Sunday after Sunday?
Financial assets can be swept away in a single market crash. And my name on the roll of the local church and perfect attendance means nothing without a personal, trust filled relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. Without obedience to His Word. And without love for all my brothers and sisters in Christ.
I can sit in church clothed in my Sunday’s best. I can maintain a loving expression pasted on my face. I can even appear to be hanging on every word the pastor utters. But the litmus test? What’s going on in my heart. Worship of the Lord God Almighty or worship of the idol of self?
Am I depending on a sissy faith, a spiritless faith, a powerless faith to see me through the trials of this life and into the kingdom to come? No wonder fifty percent of the folks want nothing to do with religion.
Religion is like target practice bullets—smoking and loud but always missing the mark. Faith and trust in the blood of Jesus Christ is the only true power to save us now and in the days and ages to come.
In that day when I stand before the righteousness of God and He holds the fragments of my life in His hands will the evidence of my faith be fake or real? Will my name be written in The Book of Life? Has my life on earth given testimony and honor, fruit of the Spirit, to the Lord Jesus Christ or to the gratification of self?
Standing in the presence of God will He recognize His Spirit in me or will He say:
“Many will say to Me on that day, Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles? And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness’” (Matthew 7:21-22 NAS).
Last week I had the opportunity to replace those powerless gun shells for the real deal. In that day it will be too late—no opportunity to exchange a deception for The Truth.
What are you relying on for protection?
The blood of the Lord Jesus Christ is the only real salvation, now and in the kingdom to come. God’s Passover Lamb is waiting to exchange your sin for His righteousness. He is waiting to pour out His mercy and grace over you, in spite of who you are, where you’ve been, or what you’ve done. And He is waiting to fill you with the power of His Spirit so that you will know He is God.
Now and forever. He’s the only deal. The real deal.
“Come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord our Maker. For He is our God, and we are the people of His pasture, and the sheep of His hand. Today, if you would hear His voice. Do not harden your hearts…”(Psalm 95:6-7 NAS).
We have a similar story, but not fake bullets. For two “old” people who have never fired a gun our handgun was not considered suitable. “Better to have a small shotgun that has its own distinct sound when you prepare it to fire,” the gunshot owner said.” If the intruder does not respond to the sound, you will definitely not miss him/her.”
Yes, our only safety weapon is the love and grace of God. Aren’t we glad we have Him in our lives?
Karen
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Karen, thanks for reading, replying and sharing. And you’re right about the shotgun. These past weeks have upped my learning curve. Considerably. Thank goodness for Jesus. There’s a world of hurt, pain and anger out there. We must not be sidetracked from the purpose He has given us.
DiAne
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DiAne..This touched me beyond words. You have such a wonderful, God given talent of wisdom and expression. It is very obvious you are very “tuned in” to the Holy Spirit and through your written words we become the recepients of what you hear from God. Thank you and if I may, I would love to share this on Face Book. God bless you today and always….How I would love to sit with you, have a cup of coffee and share our thoughts…
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Marie, of course, you can share this on FB. That’s all we are required to do is give witness of what God teaches us. And sometimes the lessons are painful, as I will share next week.
DiAne
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Very Good, Diane! So glad you are strill around. I cannot believe someone sent you a death threat. That is amazing.
But that the policement woudl recommend you ready a gun .. . totally surprising! (Of course, it is wisdom, but in this day . . .
May reblog?
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Of course, you may reblog, Katharine. You must remember this is Texas. This has been a real learning experience in many ways. I’ll share more about that next week. How have you been? Missed hearing from you.
DiAne
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Thanks, DiAne!
Been really busy.
Redid a ceiling, making for lots of furniture moving and plaster dust cleanup.
Buried my father-in-law. Now doing mother-in-law’s 80th birthday. (Both of those were/are 500 miles away, making for day-long road trips.
Blogging for another site, and getting ready to blog for a third. Have to get a new keyboard, though–one that doesn’t make typos! 😳
Life has been full, as it has for you, under the big skies. Texas–we’re neighbors, but still far away.
So today I have a mild cold and decided to do some catchup, here, after noticing your posts in my inbox and sighing . . .
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I’m very sorry to hear about the loss of your father-in-law. How’s your mom-in-law holding up. It’s always good to see your name on the emails. Spring is coming. Hurray!
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My mother-in-law is fine. She was under a lot of stress with her husband so sick, but has many friends and her daughter to be with her, now. I think she is just resting. She has a part-time job, labeling hand-made candles for a crafter she knows. Gives her a bit of mad money and something to do on schedule. That’s good.
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DiAne….Thank you again for sharing so beautifully. This is so powerful and true! Matthew 7:21-22 has to be the most heartrenching verse in all of scripture. Can’t imagine living my whole life only to find out in the end that He is Lord, I am lost, and it’s too late. In Timothy it speaks of the latter days and of how men will have a form of godliness but deny it’s life changing power. Sadly, we see this all around us. Jesus is the real deal! In Him, I place my trust. “The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.” Proverbs 18:10
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[…] This is a wonderful tale of fear and foibles by DiAne Gates. Read more, here! […]
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This is a rich post on many levels. How deep is your faith, is always a question worth asking. As for fake bullets. I didn’t know there was such a thing !
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In the body of the text I identified “fake bullets” as target practice bullets. Certainly you must know they lack the power to protect one from a person intent on harming them. Thus the whole premise. God tells us “not by might nor by power but by My Spirit says the Lord.” We rely on so many things to protect us but truth of the matter is the Lord Jesus Christ is our only protection.
Thanks for reading and replying.
DiAne
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In spite of the threat the Word of God says, “No weapon formed against you shall prosper….” We can only provide protection for what we see or hear, but in the Spirit the No weapon formed against you shall prosper takes… care of the things we cannot see or hear. I am not saying people should not bear arms for protection, but I do know God is totally in control. God see the heart of any perpetrator and when the enemy attempts to direct them in our path, the No weapon formed against you…prevails and is activated. I appreciate your gifted writing skills. CWG has developed a self-publishing company which will provide an opportunity for my book to published. There are other things involved that the Lord will work out. Continue to encourage the Believer with what God has given you.
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Great news about your book, Shirley. Let me know when it is released. Look forward to reading. Yes, I’m well aware of the scripture you quoted and you’ve stolen my thunder for next week’s post. Going through any situation always reveals things that God wishes to deal with, if we listen when He speaks. Last week was a trying time on many fronts. Tune in. Zipping my lips on that one today.
Blessings…DiAne
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Oh my, I read this to my husband. We are crying at your story. It is well written and thought provoking. We enjoyed it and the information. Makes you wonder how many other people who might be “duped” with sissy bullets and beliefs.
I am becoming passionate to get the Word of God out. I write fiction in the hopes that people will be challenged to pick up the Word and check it out for themselves. I have six novels finished, but only one right now…VAPORS, is published. It’s a self-pub. and I’m sure in need of better editing but felt in the Lord it was time. It came out last July. Similar to the Jerry Jenkins end time series, I had it finished a year before his work was birthed. I think God will continue these warnings until He comes back and He will do it through many different authors and means. My biggest prayer is to be in His will.
The people must be warned. Much of our History is buried and the next generation is clueless. I read required George Orwell’s 1982 in High School and couldn’t believe that any of it was possible. Just a fictional novel…but he truly meant a lot of it and that’s what Vapors is about, things that I’ve seen and observed come to pass since then. Especially, I saw it in schools because I taught in California for a number of years.
I also love to write about angels and demons. Prayers are sincerely appreciated.
If any one reading this would like to check my blog, it’s about encouraging writers for rest and refreshment in Christ. 🙂 comeandsitawhile.blogspot.com.
Thanks for sharing with me on FB. 🙂 Hugs in Jesus from Jim and me.
Paulette Harris.
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Paulette, thank you for reading and commenting on this blog. My focus is to the church, attempting to call us to recognize just how far we’ve moved those ancient boundaries God established for us. Not to be a cosmic kill-joy, but to keep us safe. Hope you’ll make this a regular stop and read during your week.
I write for middle-grades (‘cept for the blog) and families. Have written a four book series which I’ve illustrated. It’s living with a publishing house right now to see if they are interested. I’ve just finished Roped, the story of two Texas families whose teens are rodeo queens. The sequel is seven chapters toward completion. Then I have one other children’s book about a rebellious little ant named Arnold. I write a monthly article for The Christian Pulse and have a story in Cecil’s Murphey’s book Heavenly Company, Entertaining Angels Unaware.
Looking forward to reading and subscribing to your blog.
Bless you for your bold stand for our Lord Jesus.
DiAne Gates
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Reblogged this on MOVING THE ANCIENT BOUNDARIES and commented:
I noticed this morning that someone had dug back through my old Word Press posts and read one I didn’t remember writing…it was after all seven years ago. I pulled it up, read the first few lines and my memory flew back to that night. Somehow, this post seems more applicable to today than ever. Hope it speaks to your heart too.
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Amen. Matthew 7:21-22 is a scary, humbling and wonderful reminder.
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Thank you, ekurie.
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