Bees / Mrs Charissa Andrews

 

Mrs Charissa Andrews

Pastor's Wife

Amazing Grace Baptist Church

O'Fallon, MO

 

Bees

 

I've never really been a fan of bees. I really grew to have a strong repugnance for the little creatures after a scary encounter. My son was 9 at the time and my sister was watching my little guys for me. When I arrived home, I noticed that Daniel's face looked a little different. I couldn't really put my finger on what it was, it just looked different. I thought maybe one of his brothers had boxed him a bit, or he had run into something. I questioned him and he had no recollection of anything like that happening. It wasn't long before his lips began to swell. I started really questioning him and he then told me that right before I arrived home he had been stung by a bee, but no where near his face, only on his finger. I knew what I was looking at: anaphylactic reaction. I grabbed the Benedryl and Daniel and rushed to the hospital. On the way his tongue began to swell. The initial dose of Benedryl had calmed down the swelling quite a bit by the time we arrived at the emergency room. We got checked in and they had us in a triage room. Doing the blood pressure, weight, etc. All of a sudden the male nurse that was talking to us grabbed Daniel and took off down the hall yelling. I ran after him I watched as several nurses and doctors got him hooked up to an IV very quickly. The reaction came back, with a vengeance. Talk about scary! When I read an article after this experience that warned of a bee shortage, I almost got giddy. Yay!! Bees...be gone I say. However the article went on to explain the importance of bees. According to Business Insider, “a world without bees would also mean a world without fruit, vegetables, nuts and seeds”.  Nearly one third of our world's crops are dependent on bees. One third. I began to think bees play a very important role in our lives.  There are another type of “bees” that also are vital to us. Our crops don't depend on them, but something even more important. Our christian walk depends on these “be's”. These are the “be's” of the Bible. There are so very many and I won't list them all. But I'd like to list some of my favorites. These are the “be's” God has given us because He loves us. They teach us how to love right, how to live right, how to serve right, how to honor Him with our lives.

These things have I spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but BE of good cheer; I have overcome the world. -John16:33
Satan is such a liar, and he is superb at his job. One of his most used tools on God's children is the tool of discouragement. But our Savior says, “Be of good cheer!!”

BE ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful. -Luke 6:36
Mercy is defined as: compassionate or kindly, forbearance shown toward an offender, an enemy or other person in one's power; compassion, pity, or benevolence. How are we doing with this be? God is not telling us to just be merciful, but He is saying we are to be merciful just as He has been merciful. I don't know about you, but He has sure extended a monumental amount of mercy to this girl! And He asks me to be as merciful to my offenders and enemies.

And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and BE ye thankful -Colossians 3:15
Ladies, when we learn to truly be thankful (for everything) something amazing will happen. The peace of God will rule in our hearts. The circumstances will no longer dictate if we are having an up day or a down day. Can the peace of God rule in my heart when I receive an unexpected medical bill or when I face heartache? What about when my husband takes a pay cut or one of my children begin to show a rebellious spirit? Can God's peace control and rule in my heart when things don't make sense? Nope...absolutely not. Not unless I learn to be thankful in those things. I think this one is such a biggie because the thankfulness can only result from trust. The only way I can thank God for the second child being diagnosed with epilepsy is if I completely believe that God loves me, that He is good and that He is trustworthy.

BE strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee nor forsake thee.
- Deuteronomy 31:6
This is one of my all time favorite be in the Bible. The “cause” of this verse is “for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee nor forsake thee” and the effect of this verse is we can “BE strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid...” There are many things we fear, especially in today's society. Some of us fear that our children will be sick. Some of us fear being able to have finances that will meet the need. Some fear because of a lack of insurance. Some fear getting close to others because of past hurts. Some fear taking a stand due to criticism. Some fear losing their homes or jobs. Some fear the presidential elections and where our country is heading. However God admonishes His children to not fear these things, but to be very courageous. Fear paralyzes us, it prevents us from going forward, from advancing. It stops us in our tracks. Let's not forget that the very One who parted the Red Sea...He goes with us. The God who called Lazarus from the grave...He goes with us. His promises are true. “...he will not fail thee nor forsake thee”.

Therefore BE ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh
-Matthew 24:44
The last be I'll share with you today. Now, I know where I am. I know who I'm writing to; a bunch of amazing ladies. Ladies that love the Lord. Ladies that are pastor's wives, deacon's wives. Ladies that have been in church longer than I've been on this earth. My sweet friends, He is coming back. Soon. I believe so very soon!! I urge you to make sure you are ready. Don't allow anyone or anything to stand in the way of this most important matter. He is coming soon to snatch His bride. Not only should we be ready in the area of salvation (trusting completely, entirely and ONLY in the finished work of Christ on the cross), but we should be preparing to meet our Heavenly Groom. Remember all of the preparation you made to face your groom? The time and energy and investment you made for that day when you would face him as his bride. Let us give ourselves, our energy and investment in anticipation of meeting our Groom.