The Message in Mold
- by: Paul Hussey 10/03/08
A MOMENT IN GOD'S WORD
Read Leviticus 14:34-45
THE MESSAGE IN THE MOLD
Black mold, green mold, stinky mold, slippery mold. . .we've seen it all in New Orleans, especially since Hurricane Katrina. Just the other day Barbara and I were sitting in a coffee shop not far from the church drinking a hot cup of dark roast on the patio when I noticed that the bottom of the brick wall was covered in green mold. This coffee house has been renovated after flooding in the storm, but the mold is returning on the outside. Is it coming back on the inside, too?
We've cleaned a lot of mold in New Orleans during the past three years, but all of the mold is not gone. Some of it lurks in small crevices or behind a wall or loose brick. Mold acts like a sinister night stalker hiding in the shadows until it can jump out and snare its prey. You can remove mold completely to the naked eye, but I doubt you can ever remove it permanently.
Some sins are like mold. They may be easily recognized when they appear, but they are not easily removed. They may lie dormant for a time but return with just as much force as in the past. These reoccurring sins may infect any household, whether the household is your personal dwelling or your house of worship. For this reason, it's good to have someone like a godly minister inspect the house under the magnifying glass of the Word of God. More importantly, however, is your own responsibility to keep the house clean where the infection has less opportunity to grow.
Mold is a nasty plague that can discolor, deface, and ultimately destroy a house. Sin will do the same thing in your life. Rest in the assuring words of the Apostle John who advised: "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness" (I John 1:9). Then you will be able to sit back and enjoy that cup of dark roast coffee.
A MOMENT IN PRAYER
Several of our seniors expressed concern last Friday at the Fourth Friday Lunch about the financial situation in our country. Many seniors are on fixed incomes and are hurt more than others by financial turn downs. You may be someone who is affected by this current crisis. Let us all pray that our nation's leaders resolve this problem with the least amount of fallout for seniors.
A MOMENT IN SERVICE
The North American Mission Board(NAMB)will hold its commissioning service for new missionaries on Monday, October 6 at First Baptist Church New Orleans. If you can attend, please support these new missionaries who will be serving our Lord in North America.
A MOMENT IN TIME
We had plans to attend the Celebrator's Conference in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, October 27-30. Only a couple of people indicated they would like to go on the trip. If we do not have at least 8-10 participants, we will cancel the trip. If you would like to go, please contact Paul Hussey before Friday, October 3.