Leaning Side.

Magnificent Promises

This week I would like to share a story from Jentezen Franklin called “Leaning Side”. I hope you enjoy it.


Leaning Side

“A pastor of a small church would occasionally call on one gentleman to pray, and every time this one particular guy would pray, he would pray this, 

“Oh God, thank you for this word today, and bless these people today.” Then he would end with the strangest statement, “And, oh God, oh Lord, prop us up on our leaning side.”

Every time the preacher would call on him, he’d pray, “Oh Lord, prop us up on our leaning side.”

Finally, the pastor pulled him aside, and he said, “I love the way you pray, but I don’t understand your little closing phrase. What are you talking about – prop us up on our leaning side?” 

He responded, “Well, Pastor, I’m a farmer. I live out on the farm and, you know, I live in the country. I’ve got an old barn, and it’s been there a long time. It’s been through a lot of weather, and a lot of storms, and a lot of bugs have eaten at it.”

He said, “I got to looking at it one day when I was riding on my tractor, and I noticed that it was leaning to one side. So, I thought to myself, oh my goodness! The barn is leaning, and it’s a matter of time before the whole thing falls.

He continued, “So, you know what I did? I went and got some pine beams, and I propped it up on its leaning side.” He said, “It still leans, and probably always will. But I propped it up on its leaning side. And it’s not going to fall down because I propped it up on its leaning side. And I got to thinking about it.

When I was on the tractor, Pastor, and I was riding in the field, I thought about the kind of year I’ve had, and some of the storms I’ve been through, and some of the people that are bugging me, and eating away at my joy and eating away at my spirit. And I just got to thinking, you know, I’m still here! I’m still standing after all that stuff I’ve been through. The storms, and the howling winds – they couldn’t topple me. I’m still standing by the grace of God.”

He concluded, “From time to time, I find myself leaning. Leaning toward my old desires, leaning toward anger, leaning toward becoming bitter or hateful at the people who are bugging me, or leaning toward going back to the old habits and the old life I used to have. 

And when I feel myself start leaning toward that tendency, I just remember that old barn, and I pray out loud on my tractor – “Lord, I thank you that you’re going to prop me up on my leaning side.”

Leaning Side by Jentezen Franklin


What a powerful and meaningful story.  I think we all sometimes have a leaning side.  We tend to lean towards some of our wants and desires from our past.  Satan knows where our weaknesses can be found, and he attacks them.  But aren’t you glad that God props up our “Leading Side”?  Without God in our lives, it would be impossible to keep our leaning side standing up.  

So, here’s my question to you.  How’s your “Leaning Side”?  Are the storms of life making you “Lean”?  Remember Satan is trying his best to push it in.  Even if you think it’s too late or maybe it’s too big, God is wanting to help you.  Maybe you’ve tried and been defeated by Satan and now have given up.  Luke 1:37 tells us this, “For with God nothing will be impossible.”   

Our time on this earth is short!  We all are standing at the door to eternity.  We are not guaranteed another day.  So, how’s your relationship with God?

If you never had a relationship with God, or maybe you have lost fellowship with Him. There’s no better time than the present to start or renew your relationship with God.  Just take a moment now and dedicate yourself to Christ Our Savior.

All you need to do is ask the Lord to come into your life. Please… if you don’t know Christ or have fallen away, please pray… Tell God you believe His Son Jesus paid for your sins and rose again. Tell God you are sorry and want to start Living for Him. He will forgive your sins and mistakes and give you Everlasting Life with Him… and place His Spirit deep within your heart. In 1 John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

I pray that God will truly Help and Bless you. If you would like for me to pray with you, please email me at Bob.L@magnificentPromises.com.
May God Bless and Keep!


I thank you for reading my blog. I do not claim to be any expert or affiliated with any religious organization. All I can say is that I’m affiliated with my Lord Jesus Christ. This is one man’s opinion and observation. My hope is I stirred up some thoughts for you to think about. There is one place that we can find all the answers to life. That road map is Commonly known as the Bible. If you want the answers to life all you have to do is read. If you would like me to pray with you or want to send a comment, please email me at Bob.L@magnificentpromises.com

For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him shall not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16

 

 

 

 

 

 

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