Pensamientos para hoy (afterthought for today)
tenacious as a Bulldog
When I was in the twelfth grade I lived on a dirt road named "Game Farm Road". My next door neighbor had a white Bulldog named "Max". Max was one of the biggest Bulldogs that I've ever seen. Although he didn't like cats, Max was always friendly with all the children in the neighborhood. If you know anything about Bulldogs, then you know that they have powerful jaws. Once they clamp on to something they won't let go. I guess that's why we have the simile: "tenacious as a Bulldog". The tenacious personality of the Bulldog is one of the reasons why the U.S. Marine Corps chose the Bulldog to be their mascot. In addition to being tenacious, Bulldogs are also very loyal. Possibly more than any other dog they have a reputation of loyalty to their family. We can learn a lot from the Bulldog's persistence and loyalty. Persistence and loyalty are both important characteristics that God wants his children to learn and practice. The early church exhibited persistence. In Acts 1:14 we read: "These all with one mind were continually devoting themselves to prayer, along with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers." Acts 2:42 says: "They were continually devoting themselves to the apostle's teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer." The words "continually devoting" are a translation of the Greek word "proskartereo". This word means "to persist or to continue". The other "Bulldog" characteristic is loyalty. To be loyal is to be faithful, trustworthy, and reliable. 1 Corinthians 4:2 says, "it is required of stewards that one be found trustworthy." The word "trustworthy" is a translation of the Greek word "pistos". This word means "to be faithful or reliable." The British are fond of their Bulldogs and many Brits would like to adopt this loyal and tenacious canine as their national symbol. It was one of the most famous of all British prime ministers Sir Winston Churchill who said in a speech given (during World War Two) on October 29, 1941 at Harrow School: ''Young men, never give up. Never give up! Never give up! Never, never, never--never--never!'' Let me encourage you to be loyal not only to God but to one another. Be men and women upon whom your brothers and sisters can depend. Be reliable. Be devoted to one another. It's in times of conflict when we need each other most, and perhaps now more than ever we all need each other. May we be like the early church who were "continually devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer." In the trenches with you, Pastor Steve
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