The Pencil

This information was part of our mother/daughter retreat this weekend, and the speaker told use we could freely share.  Its about a pencil.  An unassuming, plain pencil.

The pencil maker told the pencil 5 things before he put the pencil in the box to be sold.

1) You will be able to do MANY great things, but only if you allow yourself to be held in someones hands.
2) You will experience a painful sharpening from time to time, but you need it, to become a better pencil.
3) You will be able to correct the mistakes you make.
4) The MOST important part of you will ALWAYS be what's on the inside.
5) On every surface you are used, you MUST leave your mark. No matter the condition you must continue to write.

How does this apply to us?

1) You can do MANY things if you reside in God's hand, and allow other beings to access the many gifts you possess.

Isaiah 41:10 Do Not fear for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will hold on to you with My righteous right hand.

2) You will experience a painful sharpening from time to time by going through trials and problems, but you will need it to become a stronger person.

Isaiah 43:2 "I will be with you when you pass through the waters and through the rivers; they will NOT overwhelm you. You will NOT be scorched through the fire, and the flame will not burn you."

Ecclesiastes 10:10 If an ax is dull, and one doesnt sharpen the edge, then one must exert more strength; however, the advantage of wisdom is that it brings success"

Zechariah 13: 9 "I will but this third through the fire, I will refine them as silver is refined and test them as cold is tested. They will call on my Name and I will answer them. I will say, They are my people, and they will say, the Lord is our God."

Prov 27:17 "As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another"

3) You will be able to correct some of the mistakes you might make, and grow through them, and learn from them.

Phil 3:13 "one thing I do; forgetting what is behind, and reaching forward to what is ahead"

Ephesians 4:22-24 "You took off your former way of life, the old man that is corrupted by deceitful desires. You are being renewed in the spirit of your minds, you put on the new man, the one that created according to God's likeness in righteousness and purity of the truth.

Romans 12:2 Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know God's will for you, which is good, pleasing and perfect"

2 Timothy 3:16-17 All scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong, and teaches us to do what is right.

Phil 1:6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus

4) The MOST important part of you will ALWAYS be what's on the inside.

Prov 27:19 As a face is reflected in water, so the heart reflects the real person

I Sam 16:7 But the Lord said to Samuel, "Don't judge by his appearance, of height, for I have rejected him.  The LORD doesnt see things the way you see them.  People judge by outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart"

5) On every surface you walk, you MUST leave your mark.  No matter the situation serve God in everything. We leave a mark, on everything - will it be a dirty smudge, or will we point to God?

Lev 19:17-18 And to this day I declare your marvelous deeds.  Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, o God until I declare your power to the next generation, your might to all who are to come.

Psalm 66:16 Come and listen, all who fear God, let me tell you what he has done for me.

Deuteronomy 6:1-3 these are the commands, decrees and laws the LORD your God directed me to teach you to observe in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess, so that you, your children, and their children after them may fear the LORD your God as long as you live by keeping all his decrees and commands that I give you, so that you may enjoy long life.  Hear O Israel, and be careful to obey so that you may go well with you, and that you may increase greatly in a land flowing with milk and honey, just as the LORD the God of your fathers promised you.

The Challenge:

Deuteronomy 6:4-9 Hear O Israel, the Lord our God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD your God with all your heart, your soul, and your strength.  These commandments that I give you are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children, talk about them when you sit at home, and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of you houses, and on your gates"