What's Your Sign?

I was standing in a hardware. . .which in and of itself. . .is an unusual place for me to be. Just ask my fine wife, Bev. 

But maybe I should explain. I told Bev before we were married that I’d take her places she’d never been, do things she never dreamed of . . . but if something broke down, somebody else was going to fix it. For almost 39 years of marriage . . .I’ve kept my word.

In fact, someone called our home on one occasion and asked Bev if I was handy. She said, “No, but he’s close to the phone, if you’d like to speak with him.”

So it is noteworthy if you ever hear that I’m standing in a hardware store of any description.

On this particular day, I was on a mission. . .it wasn’t from God but it was for my fine wife for her birthday. While wandering through the aisles I came across a spinning rack with the various signs and the Lord sparked my imagination.

As I’ve reflected on some of those signs. . .I feel led to relate them to the human experience or our spiritual life.

BEWARE OF DOG—Have you ever noticed how some people look and act like their dogs?

PIT BULL and/or ROTWILDER—They’re always growling, snarling and seemingly ready to rip your face off. . .if you just look at them the wrong way.

Have you met people like this. . .they’re easily offended and loud. . .ready to throw down and duke it out?

Philippians 3:2 in the Message Bible says:

“Steer clear of the barking dogs, those religious busybodies, all bark and no bite. All they're interested in is appearances—knife-happy circumcisers, I call them. The real believers are the ones the Spirit of God leads to work away at this ministry, filling the air with Christ's praise as we do it…”

Understand that I’m making generalities here for the purpose of making a point. Not all Pit Bull or Rotwilder owners are growl and are angry. Although some dogs have caused these breeds to have a bad rap, many own them because they are very protective to the ones they love.

GERMAN SHEPHERD—Loyal and obedient. . .they think of themselves as part of the family but unaware of their size and the complications it can cause. Kinda like a bull in a china shop. . .so to speak. 

BOSTON TERRIERS—seldom bark and can be possessive. We have two Boston Terriers. . .Hubbel and Jessie. Truthfully, they would more properly be named Shadow 1and Shadow 2 since they follow every single footstep my fine wife takes.

I could go on with the dog classifications but that would be a rabbit trail. I’ll save the comparisons and analogies for another day. It is important to note that no self-respecting sign display would be complete without a variety of “BEWARE OF DOG” sign.

FOR SALE—Are you for sale. . .do your values, principles and beliefs have a price?

The “For Sale” sign indicates that something is available for the highest bid or a specific price.

Sadly, too many people. . .young and old. . .are for sale. I’m not talking about human trafficking or sexual liaisons which are bad enough.

I’m speaking of people who are sitting with co-workers at lunch and someone tells a dirty joke and they laugh along with everyone else. . . they may think they are just appeasing the crowd, but they just sold their witness.

Employees who call themselves Christian but take home everything from ink pens and paperclips to file folder or anything else that seems harmless and insignificant. . .have just sold their principles for a pittance.

For those who have sex outside of the marriage bed with their boy/girlfriend regardless of how long they’ve been dating or how seemingly sweet the words of love. . .they just sold their virtue.

Those who have a drink with everyone else at the party because they want to fit in . . . just sold their integrity.

Taking income without reporting it on your taxes. . . running a red light or breaking any other traffic law because there’s nobody around. . .if you take credit for something you didn’t do at work or school. . .then your principles are FOR SALE.

In reality, if we compromise with sin in any capacity. . .seemingly small or big. . . we’ve just sold our soul and we should have a FOR SALE placed around our necks. . . we have to think so we don’t abandon our heartfelt principles.

PRIVATE PROPERTY—is another sign that was spinning around on the rack.

First, it’s important. . .absolutely essential that you, I and every other believer fully understand that even though our name is on the deed to the house and cars, they don’t’ belong to us. And I’m not just talking about the bank holding the note.

Second, in God’s economy, we own nothing but we get to manage everything.

So here’s another observation and a question. The tangible private property that you’re in charge of. . .how effectively are you acting and reacting as a family steward?

The money to which you’ve been entrusted. . .how are you handling God’s private property?

Are you spending His money. . .His private property on foolish pursuits or world-enticed pleasures? Did you ask Him before spending His money?

Did He really want you to buy that 64 inch Flat Screen High Def TV on 54 monthly payments?

Did He answer “yes” when you asked Him about purchasing the $90,000 motor home for your yearly vacation?

If those things aren’t at your home, think about what is. We all have something that’s tempts us to lose our focus.

Third, God is not against us having things. . .He just doesn’t want the things having us.

If where you live. . .what you drive. . .what you wear. . .or what others think about it. . .is more important to you than what He thinks. . .then you’ve forgotten whose property you’re managing.

On a non-financial note. . .if you allow someone other than your spouse to have access to your physical body. . .that’s a violation of personal property. . .because your body is not your own. . .it belongs to God.

1 Corinthians 6:19 in the Amplified Bible says:

“Do you not know that your body is the temple (the very sanctuary) of the Holy Spirit Who lives within you, Whom you have received [as a Gift] from God? You are not your own.” 

The next two signs are ones that I can honor in the natural . . . but not in a spiritual dimension.

NO FISHING—OK, I could promise not to fish for bass, perch or any other aquatic species in your lake, pond, stream or whatever. 

But when it comes to the kind of fishing talk about in Matthew 4:19:

“And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”

The scripture is very clear. . .if you are a follower of Jesus then you are to be a fisher of men. PERIOD. PARAGRAPH.

My 83-year old father is one of the greatest fishermen I know. He’s led over 70 people a year to the Lord for the past ten years.

I remember calling my Dad on his 82^nd birthday. . .in fact, I called him four times that day . . . but I will always remember the last conversation. I asked him what was the best thing about his birthday. . .he said that he went fishing. Even though my parents live on a lake. . .I knew that was not the kind of fishing he was talking about.

You guessed it. . .my Dad led someone to the Lord on his birthday.

On my Mom’s 82^nd birthday they were staying at a friend’s condo in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. As I sang “Happy Birthday” to my Mom I could hear people in the background. She said they had just finished breakfast. When I asked her if Dad was close by she told me he was over in the corner of the restaurant leading their server to the Lord. 

My dear friend, Brother Bob Harrington, the Chaplain of Bourbon Street is the consummate soul winner as well. He’s led countless souls to the Lord, many of them celebrities including Sammy Davis, Jr.; Oscar-winner Walter Brennan, country singer, Porter Wagoner, and too many others to name here.

When we share a meal together. . .he walks to every person in the restaurant and asks if they know his Best Friend. It’s a great conversation starter.

Bottom line. . .you may not feel that you’re called to be a soul winner but just know that God called you to be one whether you feel like or it not. One of the best ways to be a soul winner is to live the God kind of life and let His love and light shine through you. People will notice the difference.

There is one more sign I saw that I cannot agree to obey spiritually.

NO HUNTING—I’m continually on the hunt to shoot down negative thinking; debt seducers; credit card crack dealers; and the devil of debt and lack.

I’m pumped, primed, locked and loaded for every trick, trap, lie, deception and wile the enemy is using against the children of God.

In fact, my passion, my commitment is to place “POSTED” and “NO TRESPASSING” signs on the door of every believer who has been or is being tempted by the slew foot of unnecessary spending.

I make no bones about it. . .I’m a Holy Ghost Hunter searching for the good life.

Proverbs 21:21 in the Message Bible says:

“Whoever goes hunting for what is right and kind finds life itself—glorious life!” 

That’s such a great scripture. . .the sign that you’ve headed to a good and glorious life is when you pick up the Word of God. . .holding on to His promises and provisions. 

The last sign is one we’re all familiar with but are we living it?

WELCOME—the Lord wants us to be a welcome sign for those who’ve lost their way.

There will come a day when we will be judged for how we welcomed those we’ve come in contact with and only we can answer how well we’ve done our job or perhaps where we need to improve.

Matthew 25:31,32-36 says:

  “When the Son of Man comes in His glory (His majesty and splendor), and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory.

    “All nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them [the people] from one another as a shepherd separates his sheep from the goats;

    “Then the King will say to those at His right hand, Come, you blessed of My Father [you favored of God and appointed to eternal salvation], inherit (receive as your own) the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.

    “For I was hungry and you gave Me food, I was thirsty and you gave Me something to drink, I was a stranger and you brought Me together with yourselves and welcomed and entertained and lodged Me,

    “I was naked and you clothed Me, I was sick and you visited Me with help and ministering care, I was in prison and you came to see Me.”                                                      

            It is amazing how God can use a sign to point us in the right direction. It’s good to be able to read the signs of the times.