The Pen of Pastor

"Fee-fi-fo-fum, I smell the blood of an Englishman, Be he live, or he he dead I"ll grind his bones to make my bread." I recently heard this famous piece wrote by Joseph Jacob in the classic English fairy tale Jack and the Beanstalk, in a favorite show of mine, The Andy Griffith Show. While I was watching this particular episode, I had a thought occur, it sounded like this.... "Fee-fi-fo-fum, Can you smell the blood of Jesus, the only begotten son?" It was at this moment, I couldn't help but wonder, can the devil smell the blood of Jesus on me?  In the Old Testament we find an account given of the children of Israel placing the blood of a spotless lamb over their door. Showing that their home was covered by the blood of the lamb. Is your home covered? Are you covered? When the enemy comes in like a thief in the night, does he smell/see/know the blood of Jesus, the only begotten Son?

Often we, as Christians, hear of scripture that encourage us to speak our faith in God a loud. Though I know this encourages us and perhaps strengthens the faith we have, when we hear it, what if God uses the silent faith. What if God wants to hear us petition less and allow Him to speak more? What if the scripture, "Be still and know that I am God," refers to our mouth? Proverbs tell us, " Too much talk leads to sin.   Be sensible and keep your mouth shut." (Proverbs 10:19 NLT) I was recently challenged with this passage of scripture, when I was rambling on in conversation with colleagues. Sure, the challenge was not an easy pill to swallow, but it was something I needed to hear. HEAR, being the key word. I know for me, the challenge cut deeper than learning to allow others to speak. It was a call to learn, grow, mature and perhaps submit more to humility.  Faith is a sign of humility, I believe. It recognizes that I rely on or believe in something or someo