I was
reading yesterday about the 14th Century Asian conqueror Emperor Tamerlane. He and his forces had been routed and defeated by his enemies. He had made his escape from the battle, and he was hiding in an old deserted barn while the enemy troops scoured the countryside looking for him. He was depressed, his troops had been sorely defeated and scattered, and he did not know what he was going to do. He was desperate and dejected as he lay there hiding in the barn. As he was lying there hiding, a small scene of nature caught his eye and he began to watch with curiosity. There was this small ant, and the ant was trying to get a piece of corn up over a wall. The kernel of corn is much larger than the ant and try as he may the ant could not get the kernel over the wall. So Tamerlane began to count the futile efforts of this ant, to see how many times he would try until he gave up. He counted 10, 20, 40, 60, 69, but on the 70th attempt the ant succeeded. Sixty-nine times the ant tried to carry it up over the wall, and sixty-nine times he failed. But on seventieth try he succeeded and pushed the grain of corn over the top. Rejuvenated by what he had just witnessed, Tamerlane leaped to his feet with a shout! If an ant can do it, so can I! And he did. He decided that victory would be his, despite the odds! He reorganizing his forces and put on a fight that put his enemy to flight and destroyed them.
That moment with the ant changed his life and changed the course of history as Tamerlane went on to conquer more of the world than anyone else except for Alexander the Great. This story is not about Tamerlane. As great as he was and despite all that he conquered, and regardless of the statues of him erected by mankind to show his greatness, he is nothing next to an ant. But he learned a great lesson of perseverance from the ant, and that is something we also can learn, but there is so much more.
Did you know that an ant brains are largest among insects? Did you know that an ant’s brain has the same processing power as a Macintosh II computer? Say what? Yes, it’s true. As I am sure you have guessed by now, we are going to discuss the Kingdom of God and ants. Thousands of years ago, King Solomon in Proverbs wrote: “Go to the ant, consider its ways and be wise”. Now I have seen a lot of ants in my time, killed quite a few, been stung a few times and in general never liked ants and sure have never thought of them as wise. But everything in God’s Word has a purpose, and I discovered a few things that I think we can all learn from them,so I set out to let the Lord show me how to be more, ”Ant-like”. Here’s what I found.
First of all, I think we should know that the Bible speaks very highly of ants. One of the things unique among ants that sets it aside, showing its higher intelligence from many other insects is that ants think together! They are of one purpose, one direction, with one goal in mind. Now I have heard that before…Let me think…who else is supposed to be like that? Oh yea, the Body of Christ! We, as born again redeemed by the blood believers need to put aside our petty doctrinal differences and ignorance in arguing theological issues and walk and talk and live in unity, working together so that we can find the answers and solutions that the body of Christ is dealing with. That is a lot better than trying to figure things out all by ourselves, denomination by denomination. Do you know that there are almost 300 “Christian denominations” in America? Are you kidding me, come on, that is ridiculous. Yea I said it. It is not that hard to come together when we need to, or when we have to. Remember 911? Remember, when that tragedy happened, all the barriers that we as Americans had dividing us, for a period of time were set aside and we were in unity. Imagine that right now if we were living in a country where if you were found out to be a follower of the Lord Jesus, and they found you out, the authorities would bring you before a judge to pronounce upon you the sentence of death. Could you imagine the Judge saying well, Let me see now, what are you, a Methodist, a Baptist or one of them Charismatics? It would not matter to him, and it does not matter now. Blood is blood, it is mine, it is yours, and it is OURS. And the sooner we realize it, and start living what we preach, the better and stronger as a Body we will become, unified working together for the Glory of God.
1 Corinthians 1:10 I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought.
I want to not only urge you, but I want to stand on a soapbox and shout to the members of every church, to the whole organism of Christianity, let us put aside any and all differences we might have with one another and find common ground through the Blood so we can carry out the goals of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. When we are perfectly united in mind and thought we will do great things for God’s Kingdom. Think, work and act together…Like Ants.
Now one thing that Tamerlane witnessed is, Ants are Strong. Ants can lift from 20 to 100 times their own body weight. That would the equivalent of you or I being able to carry our car on our back! Even more impressive, as is in most cases, if the ant finds something that is too large for him to handle, too big for him to carry, he will call on others to help him share the burden of the load. He will get a couple of his friends and together they will carry it, or if it is still too heavy they will get a couple dozen of their friends together, and if it is still too heavy they will get a couple hundred of their friends together and together they will get the work done. Wow, I like that example. We as believers can share our brother’s burden. It may take 10 of us or even 100 of us, but that is why we are the “Body of Christ”. We are more than just 1 or 2, we are many. We are a group bound together to bear each other’s hardships and trials, lifting one other up before the Lord.
Galatians 6:2 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ… Ecclesiastes 4:9 Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up, But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm, But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
In Acts we read in the 4th chapter that all the believers were one in heart and mind. As believers we have the power of God’s Spirit in us empowering us to defeat the enemy. But when we encounter something too large to handle alone, too big to face, alone, we need to call the Body to help us share the burden of the load. We will get a few believers and we carry it, or if it is still too heavy we will get dozens believers together, and together we will overcome. Like Ants, Christians are stronger, Together.
So take the and above points and put them together and what you come up with is a formula for victory, a formula for the Body of Christ to overcome. Like I said in the beginning that I do not particularly care for ants and I have spent a considerable amount of time in my life trying to get rid of them. I will tell you what I have learned in trying to do so, ants will overcome every obstacle they encounter. It doesn’t matter if you attack them with powder, pellets, liquids or spray they will find a way around it, under it, over it, below it or above it. They are resilient. If that doesn’t work they will wait until the effects of whatever you have used wears off, then they will return. Why, because the ants are determined and committed to the life of the colony. Even though dozens, hundreds or tens of thousands may fall and die, they don’t give up. Together they will overcome. If we in the Body of Christ can wrap our minds around that philosophy, and embrace it, together, determined, and committed to the life of the Body of Christ instead of trying to go it alone, the whole world within us and around us will change. We cannot quit when adversity comes our way. We as believers need to be able, willing and ready to make the sacrifices that are necessary to ensure the life of the Body by which were born into by the blood of Christ. The Word of God tells us,
In Psalm 91:7 7 A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come near you. And Philippians 4:13 tells us, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” TOGETHER. Ants are successful because they work together.
We need to unify ourselves within the Body of Christ, working together, and decide like Tamerlane did, that victory will be ours, no matter what the circumstance, no matter what the odds. Then we like Tamerlane can say, ………….If An Ant Can Do It, So Can I!
Categories: Bible, God, Power of Prayer, Renewed Strength, Spiritual Power, Troubles
Powerful Bible Verses to Talk to God – Overcoming Adversity and Trouble 
Darrell Creswell - A Study of Christian Grace 
Dear Pastor Darrell,
I enjoy reading your message today, I do appreciate that you’re sharing this information with us all: I could not agree with you more on this subject that we, as “Christians” should stand up and be counted as ONE rather than many I believe you mentioned more than 300 hundred denominations in USA alone! Therefore be more “Ant-like” for the collective benefit of keeping the “Body of Christ” together! The now scattered body of the church only brings the precise opportunity for evil to tempt and deceive a single one standing! I also share with anyone who listens an old but wise adage that reads: “Alone We May Fall But United We May Prevail” or “One could be defeated but Together we’ll win”! The unity of the body should be a priority to maintain the paramount of the structure of the Body of Jesus!
-In Jesus name I pray, Amen!
May God bless you!
Truly yours, Bayardo Guevara!
Thank you for your comments Bayardo..It literally breaks my heart to see those of us who have been redeemed by His precious Blood spend our time in futile arguements of silly points of doctrine when there is a world crying out to be saved by the Blood of The Lamb, the more we realize that the last days are coming upon us and there is a world that needs to hear the message of salvation, the more we can unify and work together to help lead a lost and dying word to the foot of the Cross, wherein our Savior bled and died and was ressurected that we might all have eternal life through His name
I found this article in a Christian post!
Ants are among some of the exciting insects in nature, not only are they the strongest insects in terms of muscle-weight ratio, but are highly strategic in their everyday dealing. Every year just when it’s about to approach winter, ants get out of their comfort zones and search for food. During the search, research indicates that they search for well balanced food to keep healthy, strong and warm during harsh winter weather. What is more interesting is how ants collect their food. Each ant (worker) goes food-hunting and carries the ‘hunt’ back to the colony. Usually each ant carries small or insignificant food items to the colony (many of which it’s hard to get the mass because the food item mass is almost zero). What is fascinating about this God creation is their continued labor despite almost insignificant work each carries. A month down the line, the colony will be so full that there won’t be any more space to store the surplus, the colony overruns with food, such that some of this food items will be used as insulation against heat loss in the colony during the winter period. Then they hibernate.
As children of God we can learn a lot from these amazing creation made by our Heavenly Dad. Of course the morale of the story is pretty clear that .
Just as the ‘seen’ was created from the ‘unseen’, the foundation
of the ‘big’ is ‘small
I have a clear understanding why God said “Don’t despise small beginnings”. Usually as brethrens we want ‘big’ things immediately to an extent that some even give God ‘bribery’ or ‘threats’. Someone will say “God if u bless me with that car I will start tithing at church!”
Child of God, the small things that we normally attach insignificant value to, are building blocks to big things that we so desire. If you show faithfulness in the small things, you will be trusted with the big things you so die to get. It is that 20minutes you spend every morning recapping on your school work that make a strong foundation for you to realize your 1st class ambition. It’s the 30minutes of everyday jog that convert in to a healthy lifestyle. It’s the 20 minutes of prayer that touches the heart of God. Let me make this clear:
Two math professors in the field of trigonometry were studying angles as part of their research work. They send two gamma rays to the atmosphere from one point at 1 degrees angle difference. The rays covered millions of kilometers in distance into the atmosphere and at specified distance (which was millions of Kilos) they took the distance between the two rays. Guess what! What was initially 1 degrees difference were now thousands of Kilos! Of course the math is not my interest, but the morale of what the math communicates is pivotal. Oops! I like this!
Your pastor may not notice it, but that 20mins of prayer will convert into months or even years of nonstop prayer, your gym instructor may not see it, but your 30 mins of working out will convert into 5 extra years of long healthy life. Your tutor may not be aware, but that 20 mins morning study will make you top of your field. They are making you look like a fool today, mocking you and calling you names because you don’t go to the night clubs and the fact that you don’t have girlfriends or boyfriends, don’t worry. Your moments of abstinence and handling yourself in a decorum way touches the heart of God and that will translate into your happy marriage life, your sons and daughters will be called blessed!!!
A letter to all the Churches 2010
As a Christian, you already know that Jesus instructed us this way:
“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.”
I say to you, this command is being fulfilled in our time. You have not known us, but while you were asleep, we have been working. We are sharing the word of God in over 90 countries, and making disciples. The time for you to now participate has come. We see you standing here in the marketplace, and we ask you, why have you been standing here all day long doing nothing? Has no one hired you, and is it not the eleventh hour? And so it is that we now come to you, and we want to put you to work in our father’s vineyard. But first we have something to say to you.
A house divided against itself will not stand, and neither would ours if we continue as it has been. Will a Catholic be united with a Protestant? Will Eastern Orthodoxy be united with Roman Catholicism? Will any of these be united with Mormon LDS? I tell you the truth, none of these will ever happen in name. While each of us believes in the Bible and in Jesus, not anyone agrees on the particulars; nor will we ever, until the day of the Lord.
These divisions are not caused by what we see clearly, but what we do not. They do not emanate from where our doctrine is sound. Rather, they are our errors, given names. They are the names of a thousand divisions and denominations- more than can be named.
We all desire unity, because the Lord desired it first, and yet it has eluded us. Many a new Christian movement has been started with the goal of unity, but in the end has become another word for a new kind of division. Neither the root nor the branch is faultless.
The cause is plain; the problem is clear. We all start with the Bible, and we can accept it on its face, but we cannot accept each other’s interpretations. For every scripture that unites us in truth, an interpretation is used to push us apart. Interpretation is the enemy of us all, and the enemy is actually ourselves. We do not even agree on what is scripture and what is interpretation, as we all claim biblical authority and even apostolic succession.
The lines must be redrawn. Where there are thousands of lines of division, they should be reduced to only two. Throughout history there have always been two sides to the argument, no matter what the argument has been. On the one side, there are the humble. They fear God, and fear the word. They desire not to add or to take away. They do not want to quarrel, or seek power, for their authority is The Lord.
On the other side is the Strong. They honor God with their words, but they are not afraid to add their own. Though they should have one teacher, in the name of the Holy Spirit they set out to teach others. They should have one father, but they have become fathers themselves. They are not afraid to argue, and they wear judgement like a garment. They fiercely march off to fight for the God that once rained down fire from the sky, but have not heard the rebuke of the Lord given to James and John.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. But they have not yet come into this inheritance; it is the strong that sits upon the thrones of men. Their mark has been left on history by the lines that divide us all, and the disparate kingdoms they have made. Their spirits live on in the creeds and symbols of more than a thousand years- more of which that can be counted. But this is not the kingdom of our Father or the words that he spoke to us through his son.
The greatest among you will be your servant. For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. What remains will be great distress and sorrow for the strong, for they have shut the kingdom of heaven in men’s faces. They themselves do not enter, nor will they let those enter who are trying to. They travel over land and sea to win a single convert, and when he becomes one, they make him twice as much a son of hell as they are. They are hypocrites, like their fathers before them who killed the prophets and crucified the anointed.
Nevertheless the lines that separate us cannot be moved. We are not capable of reconciling these differences. The Protestant will remain Protestant, for which the Baptist will remain Baptist. The Catholic will remain Catholic, and the Orthodox will remain the same. We cannot abandon our sincerely held beliefs. What we can do, however, is hold another. It is the first of our traditions, and the last that held us together.
The Apostles Creed
1. I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
2. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only[-begotten] Son, our Lord.
3. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary.
4. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried.
5. He descended into hell. On the third day he rose again.
6. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
7. He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
8. I believe in the Holy Spirit,
9. the holy catholic [lower-case “c” meaning: “universal, one”] Church, the communion of saints,
10. the forgiveness of sins,
11. the resurrection of the body,
12. and life everlasting.
Amen.
This is our creed. Translated into English, this is the original creed attributed to the apostles of Jesus. It expresses the basic teachings of Jesus as evident in the scriptures. With these simple truths, all Christians can find unity with one another. Those whose doctrine is sound will accept the Apostles Creed. Those whose doctrine is corrupt may accept this creed, but can no longer accept this creed as being sufficient. And this is how you will know them: They will tell you that your salvation depends on believing something beyond this creed, and they will have a different spirit. Though they come at you from a position of strength, do not be afraid of them. There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. And do not be deceived, as nothing is absent- save perhaps one truth, which we hold most dear, and regard as self-evident: that God truly did send his son. There has been no oversight, and nothing needs to be perfected. Do not add anything, and do not take away.
α-Christianity Defined
If you hold to the teaching of unity in the tradition of The Apostles Creed, as plainly spoken and without special interpretation, and allowing it to cross over modern denominational boundaries that use labels such as Protestant, Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, or Anglican, you then can denote your unity through the symbol α (pronounced “alpha” in the greek). Christianα, Protestantα, Catholicα, Eastern Orthodoxα, Oriental Orthodoxα, Anglicanα, and so on. This symbol can also appear by itself. This symbol can be applied to any Christian group, small or large, to add this concept of unity based on this Creed alone. It can also be applied to persons not usually regarded as Christian, such as Mormons and Jehovah’s Witness, for those that accept both the creed and the spirit of it. Those who recognize this symbol know unity in Christ through it, despite all denominational boundaries. It does not eliminate error or disagreement, which unquestionably remain, but reserves judgement for the day of judgement. It also holds to no other theological position, and as a unification feature intrinsically never can. Only on the matter of The Creed and the spirit of unity does it divide the sound from the unsound, forming one body.
May all those who identify through this symbol be blessed by it. God bless you all, and peace be with you. You are all our brothers and sisters in Christ. Now when you see this symbol appear, you will know what it means and be strengthened by it.
Notwithstanding, remember that unity is made complete in Truth. [Jesus speaking] “…If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:31-32) And we remain guided by the Spirit and the truths of Acts 15. Join with us and make this symbol your own, and let it be heard on your lips, “Alpha Christian”. May God bless you.
α is the first letter of the word ἀπόστολος(Apostles), and a reference to Revelation 1:8.
[The End] : α-Christianity Defined
Unity will come not as we abandon our traditions; rather, it will come as we become more like God’s son- each in his own place. Though we remain many, we are also one.
Now, the vineyard is ready, and the workers are few. If you are willing to work, the workers are gathering here: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mobile-Jesus/111788788849290. We are Protestantα, we are Catholicα, we are Orthodoxα, we are every denomination, we are all around you, and we are working together. This, to the glory of God, and of his son Jesus Christ. Peace be with you.
All about this topic has reminded me that back in the nineties I used to like watching the animated blockbuster movie “Antz” with Sharon Stone & Sylvester Stallone characterized voices! Do you guys remember? I though my profile goes more accordingly with the ‘rebelious worker ant’ who wants to escape to find the utopian version of ‘Insectopia’!
Wow, this message is just what God wanted me to have for the day. God has been bringing me to these thoughts all week. concerning the Name of God and the way people should unite in spirit and in truth. The Bible is God’s word [I prefer King James] The main thing being that there is no private interpretation of the scriptures. Before Jesus returns or can return all denominations will have to unite and start worshiping the Lord Jesus Christ as the Redeemer, the Holy One, The Savior, And the Resurrected One . I praise God for His almighty saving power, For the spirit of truth, And His unspeakable gifts. My prayer today is that All the children of God will come together and serve the Living God and Our Savior Jesus Christ. Yours in Christ Jesus, Be Blessed Nedia Kay Bryant
sir are we permitted to share this article?
Yes sir Benjamin, feel free to share – Blessings in Christ, Darrell
Thanks God bless you
God bless you too, Darrell
God bless you Benjamin. Thanks for stopping by-In Christ Darrell
I was praying outside this morning and ended up watching the ants because one bit me and I accidentally killed it. I watched the ants for some length of time marveling at their creator. I then went on line to research ants and Christianity. I have read your words and been greatly blessed. Thankyou