Lesson From A Dog Trainer
Lesson From A Dog Trainer
By Dennis Huebshman
A short while back, my wife and I took our then 100 pound “puppy” (now about 130) to a class to learn how to train him in a better way. The first thing the trainer did was to speak for about two solid minutes in complete “gibberish”. Her tone was even and pleasant, but not one word was understandable. (any emphasis mine)
What she said next was profound, and can be applied in every day life, not just training animals. She said that how she spoke to us is what our pets hear when we just talk to them as if they understand everything we say. She made the point that we needed to speak using “understandable” and “recognizable” words so that they would not be overwhelmed.
In a previous message, I made the comment that some professional speakers; pastors, preachers, ministers or whatever; have wonderful messages that no one understands. The speaker or presenter uses large “dollar” words, when a couple “nickel” ones would do. One speaker I heard years ago said he would rather use five understandable words, than a thousand that just bounced off the ceiling. That statement has stuck in my mind.
Any time I have presented the Word in Church or on these sites, my aim is to get the meanings out so that everyone can understand the message. If someone gets left out because the words went over and around them, then what benefit is there? Through understanding, many will seek to learn further and not be frustrated.
Our Savior gave His lessons so that everyone would be able to relate his words in their own lives, as they applied to each person. The ones that challenged Him the most were the religious leaders who didn’t want the truth. They desired to be held up in high esteem for their piety, or their own “reverence”. He was constantly berating them for the rules they placed on others, that never came from the Father.
The sabbath was one of those areas where there were clashes. Jesus healed people no matter what day, hour or even where it was to take place. The Pharisees would call Him a sinner for doing what was “prohibited” on a sabbath. “And He said to them, the Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. (28) So, the Son of Man is Lord, even of the Sabbath.” (Mark 2:27-28) He tried to show them they were missing the true will of the Father, and therefore were not serving as they should be doing.
Someone once said, we’ve been given a mind to use; our heads weren’t made just to keep our ears apart. Each and every one of us has a different level of learning ability. To those that learning new information comes easy; Praise the Father for that. Hopefully, messages such as this will spark an interest for deeper and more complete study.
For those who may be a bit slower in grasping such information, my hope it they will get a good understandable study Bible, and take their time going over the passages listed. When someone comes to realize that God never intended for His word to be a great mystery that only certain people could decipher, it becomes a joy to read and see the “treasures” we have been given.
For a person just getting into the Word, John is a great book to start with. The love of our Father and His Son reaches out to show it is for all who will accept the Son. (John 3:16-18) It gives insight that Jesus controlled every aspect of His life and death on this earth. No one forced Him to die for us, but He did so willingly. (John 10:18) Also, Jesus tells that He had to return after His resurrection so the “Helper” (Holy Spirit) could come to be with all believers. (John 16:7-14). The Lord’s prayer, the one He gives just before His arrest is in John 17. It goes into the depth of His commitment to be our Savior. He plainly tells us He and God are One. (John 10:30), and “Jesus said, I am the Way, the Truth and the Life; no one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:6)
Next, Romans is a good guide for the road to Salvation, and what we must do to be saved. Paul was a persecutor or the church until He “met” Jesus on the road to Damascus. (Acts 9 – good to read after Romans) Then, he became one of the most inspired teachers for the Way – what the Church was called in the beginning – and was commissioned to take the Word to the Gentiles. That’s all of us! The word was never meant to be just for the Jewish people. It was always meant to include everyone. (John 10:16) One thing to remember, the Jews have been God’s chosen people all the way back to Abraham (Genesis 12:3), and that has not changed. The Church has not replaced them, but has gained a covenant with God as well. When God makes a covenant, it is forever.
We learn that all who call on the Lord will be saved. (Acts 2:21 and Romans 10:13) We must believe Jesus is real and came to earth as fully-human, yet remained fully-God; and His purpose was to provide the perfect sacrifice for our sins that we could never do. He died, was buried and resurrected three days later. Without His sacrifice, we would be lost forever as God can tolerate no sin, and no sacrifice we can do would be worthy. No other “god” could ever provide this.
When someone has read these two books; John and Romans; then it would be good to go to the beginning of the New Testament (Matthew), and start reading a chapter or two each day. After about 21 days, there will be a habit formed. After about 2 months, it will be come a lifestyle. One point here, try to read at the same time each day if possible.
You should see a need for a “relationship” with Jesus by the end of Romans. You will see you need to confess your sins to Him and ask His forgiveness. He already knows what you have done, but wants you to talk to Him about them. The only unforgivable sin is to not accept Jesus before you leave this earth. When you ask forgiveness, He will do so. (1 John 1:8-10) The Holy Spirit will come to live within you, and your final address will have gone from the Lake of Fire (Revelation 20:11-15), to a Home prepared by the Savior Himself (John 14:1-3).
There is a prophetic event that is next, but we don’t know the day or hour. All believers worldwide, will be caught up to meet the Savior in the air to miss a very horrible wrath that is coming to this earth. All who have called and accepted Jesus will be in this event which has been called the Rapture. (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 1 Corinthians 15:51-53) We will receive new Forever Bodies, and a mindset that will never be subject to temptation and sin again.
You can be ready to go, no matter when it happens, if you have accepted Jesus as your Savior. Those who will not accept Him will be separated from Him forever. This is not what God wants, as He wants all of us to be saved. (2 Peter 3:9) However, He will not force anyone either. It’s our free choice to make.
Jesus is ready to receive your call, no matter when you make it. He’s available all the time, and today would not be too early. Don’t be left behind.
Maranatha – Come Lord Jesus!