Shall we indeed accept good from God, and shall we not accept adversity? - Job 2:10
Imagine relaxing on a rubber raft along the shore, eyes closed, soaking up the sun and listening to the gentle crashof waves. You don't have a care in the world - until you open your eyes! Suddenly the shore is alarmingly distant.
We tend to drift like that spiritually. It's subtle yet shocking when we suddenly realize how far we've drifted from God. The point of departure begins when Satan steals our affection for our experiences and putting a deceitful twist on our experiences and causing us to suspect God instead of trust Him.
Consider Job and his wife. Both had plenty of reasons to be mad at God. Their children were dead, their fortune lost, and Job's healt destroyed. His wife told him, "Curse God and die!" But Job replied, "Shall we indeed accept good from God, and... not accept adversity?" (Job 2:9-10).
There are many attitudes that can sets us drift believing that we need more than God to be happy; placing meaningful relationships above loyalty to God; thinking God should live up to our expectations; resisting His reproofs; turning a dear ear when His Word is uncomfortable.
If you're beginning to drift, remember to stay close to the One who is the sole source of satisfaction. - Joe Stowell
Lord, help me to stay close to You
And trust You more each day;
So when the storms of life appear
I will not drift away. - Sper
To avoid drifting away from God, stay anchored to the Rock.
^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^
Job 1:13-22
It fell on a day when his sons and his daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house, that there came a messenger to Job, and said, "The oxen were plowing, and the donkeys feeding beside them, and the Sabeans attacked, and took them away. Yes, they have killed the servants with the edge of the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you."
While he was still speaking, there also came another, and said, "The fire of God has fallen from the sky, and had burned up the sheep and the servants, and consumed them, and I alone have escaped to tell you."
While he was still speaking, there came also another, and said, "The Chaldeans made three bands, and swept down on the camels, and have taken them away, yes, and killed the servants with the edge of the sword; and I alone have escaped to tell you."
While he was still speaking, there came also another, and said, "Your sons and your daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house, and, behold, there came a great wind from the wilderness, and struck the four corners of the house, and it fell on the young men, and they are dead. I alone have escaped to tell you."
Then Job arose, and tore his robe, and shaved his head, and fell down on the ground, and worshiped. He said, "Naked I came out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return there. Yahweh gave, and Yahweh has taken away. Blessed be the name of Yahweh." In all this, Job did not sin, not charge God with wrongdoing.
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Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Slapton Sands
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 1 Peter 5:8
On the southern shores of England is Slapton Sands. This beautiful beach area carries a tragic memory from its past.
On April 28, 1944, during World War II, Allied soldiers in amphobious beach landings in preparation for the D-Day invasion of Normandy. Suddenly, enemy gunboats appeared and killed over 700 American servicemen in a surprise attack. Today, a monument stands on Slapton Sands to commemorate the sacrifice of those young men who died while training for battle but were never able to enter the conflict.
This tragedy is a metaphor that warns the believer in Christ. We too are involved in combat with an enemy who is powerful and deceptive. That is why te apostle Peter warned: "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour" (1 Peter 5:8).
Like the soldiers on Slapton Sands, we face an enemy who desires our undoing. In the service of our King, we must be on the alert. The call to be effective in battle (2 Tim. 2:3-4) challenges us to be ready for the surprise attacks of our spiritual enemy - so that we can endure to serve another day. - Bill Crowder
The devil's tactic is surprise
To stop you in your tracks,
So keep on guard and trust God's Word;
Resist hi strong attacks. - Branon
Satan's ploy are no match for the Savior's power.
^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^
1 Peter 5:1-11
I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and who will also share in the glory that will be revealed.
Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, exercising the oversight, not under compulsion, but voluntarily, not for dishonest gain, but willingly; neither as lording it over the charge allotted to you, but making yourselves examples to the flock.
When the chief Shepherd is revealed, you will receive the crown of glory that doesn't fade away. Likewise, you younger ones, be subject to the elder. Yes, all of you gird yourselves with humility, to subject yourselves to one another; for "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble." Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in die time; casting all your worries on him, because he cares for you.
Be sober and self-controlled. Be watchful. Your adversary the devil, walks aroung like a roaring lion, seeking who he may devour. Withstand him steadfast in your faith, knowing that your brothers who are in the world are undergoing the same sufferings.
But may the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a little while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. To him be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.
... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
On the southern shores of England is Slapton Sands. This beautiful beach area carries a tragic memory from its past.
On April 28, 1944, during World War II, Allied soldiers in amphobious beach landings in preparation for the D-Day invasion of Normandy. Suddenly, enemy gunboats appeared and killed over 700 American servicemen in a surprise attack. Today, a monument stands on Slapton Sands to commemorate the sacrifice of those young men who died while training for battle but were never able to enter the conflict.
This tragedy is a metaphor that warns the believer in Christ. We too are involved in combat with an enemy who is powerful and deceptive. That is why te apostle Peter warned: "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour" (1 Peter 5:8).
Like the soldiers on Slapton Sands, we face an enemy who desires our undoing. In the service of our King, we must be on the alert. The call to be effective in battle (2 Tim. 2:3-4) challenges us to be ready for the surprise attacks of our spiritual enemy - so that we can endure to serve another day. - Bill Crowder
The devil's tactic is surprise
To stop you in your tracks,
So keep on guard and trust God's Word;
Resist hi strong attacks. - Branon
Satan's ploy are no match for the Savior's power.
^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^
1 Peter 5:1-11
I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and who will also share in the glory that will be revealed.
Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, exercising the oversight, not under compulsion, but voluntarily, not for dishonest gain, but willingly; neither as lording it over the charge allotted to you, but making yourselves examples to the flock.
When the chief Shepherd is revealed, you will receive the crown of glory that doesn't fade away. Likewise, you younger ones, be subject to the elder. Yes, all of you gird yourselves with humility, to subject yourselves to one another; for "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble." Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in die time; casting all your worries on him, because he cares for you.
Be sober and self-controlled. Be watchful. Your adversary the devil, walks aroung like a roaring lion, seeking who he may devour. Withstand him steadfast in your faith, knowing that your brothers who are in the world are undergoing the same sufferings.
But may the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a little while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. To him be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.
... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
Monday, April 27, 2009
First Thing First
Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. - Matthew 6:33
A seminar leader wanted to make an important point, so he took a wide-mouth jar and filled it with rocks. "Is the jar full?" he asked. "Yes," came a reply. "Oh, really?" he said. Then he poured smaller pebbles into the jar to fill the spaces between the rocks. "Is it full now?" "Yes," said someone else. "Oh really?" He then filled the remaining spaces between the rocks and stones with sand. "Is is full now?" he asked. "Probably not," said another, to the amusement of the audience. Then he took a pitcher of water and poured it into the jar.
"What's the lesson we learn from this?" he asked. An eager participant spoke up, "No matter how full the jar is, there's always room for more." "Not quiet," said the leader. "The lesson is: to get everything in the jar, you must always put the big things in first."
Jesus proclaimed a similar principle in the Sermon on the Mount. He knew that we waste our time worrying about the little things that seem so urgent but crowd out the big things of eternal value. "Your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things," Jesus reminded His hearers. "But seek first kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you" (Matt 6:32-33).
What are you putting first in your life? - Dennis J. De Haan
Make It Practical
* Always pray before planning
* Always love people more than things
* Do all thing to please God
Those who lay up treasures in heaven are the richest people on earth.
^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ . ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^
Matthew 6:25-34
Therefore, I tell you, don't be anxious for your life: what you will eat, or what you will drink; nor yet for your body, what you will wear. Isn't life more than food, and the body more than clothing?
See the birds of the sky, that they don't sow, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns. Your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren't you of much more value than they?
"Which of you, by being anxious, can add one cubit to the measure of his life? Why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow. They don't toil, neither do they spin, yet I tell you that even Solomon in all his glory was not dressed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today exists, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, won't he much more clothe you, you of little faith?
"Therefore don't be anxious, saying, 'What will we eat?', 'What will we drink?' or, 'With what will we be clothed?' For the Gentiles seek all these things, for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.
But seek first God's Kingdom, and his righteousness; and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore don't be anxious for tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Each day's own evil is sufficient.
... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
A seminar leader wanted to make an important point, so he took a wide-mouth jar and filled it with rocks. "Is the jar full?" he asked. "Yes," came a reply. "Oh, really?" he said. Then he poured smaller pebbles into the jar to fill the spaces between the rocks. "Is it full now?" "Yes," said someone else. "Oh really?" He then filled the remaining spaces between the rocks and stones with sand. "Is is full now?" he asked. "Probably not," said another, to the amusement of the audience. Then he took a pitcher of water and poured it into the jar.
"What's the lesson we learn from this?" he asked. An eager participant spoke up, "No matter how full the jar is, there's always room for more." "Not quiet," said the leader. "The lesson is: to get everything in the jar, you must always put the big things in first."
Jesus proclaimed a similar principle in the Sermon on the Mount. He knew that we waste our time worrying about the little things that seem so urgent but crowd out the big things of eternal value. "Your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things," Jesus reminded His hearers. "But seek first kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you" (Matt 6:32-33).
What are you putting first in your life? - Dennis J. De Haan
Make It Practical
* Always pray before planning
* Always love people more than things
* Do all thing to please God
Those who lay up treasures in heaven are the richest people on earth.
^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ . ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^
Matthew 6:25-34
Therefore, I tell you, don't be anxious for your life: what you will eat, or what you will drink; nor yet for your body, what you will wear. Isn't life more than food, and the body more than clothing?
See the birds of the sky, that they don't sow, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns. Your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren't you of much more value than they?
"Which of you, by being anxious, can add one cubit to the measure of his life? Why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow. They don't toil, neither do they spin, yet I tell you that even Solomon in all his glory was not dressed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today exists, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, won't he much more clothe you, you of little faith?
"Therefore don't be anxious, saying, 'What will we eat?', 'What will we drink?' or, 'With what will we be clothed?' For the Gentiles seek all these things, for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.
But seek first God's Kingdom, and his righteousness; and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore don't be anxious for tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Each day's own evil is sufficient.
... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Lip Service
This people honors Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. - Mark 7:6
Smile," said Jay as we drove to church. "You look so unhappy." I wasn't; I was just thinking, and I can't do two things at once. But to make him happy, I smiled. "Not like that," he said. "I mean a real smile."
His comment got me thinking even more intently. Is it reasonable to expect a real smile from someone who's being issued a command? A real smile comes from inside; it's an expression of the heart, not of the face.
But phoniness before God is unacceptable. Whether we're happy or sad or mad, honesty is essential. God doesn't want false expressions of worship any more than He wants false statements about people or circumstance (Mark 7:6).
Changing our facial expression is easier than changing our attitude, but true worship requires that all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength agree that God is worthy of praise. Even when our circumstances are sad, we can be greatful for God's mercy and compassion, which are worth more than the "lip service" of a phony smile. - Julie Ackerman Link
What a God we have to worship!
What a Son we have to praise!
What a future lies before us -
Everlasting, love-filled days! - Maynard
A song in the heart puts a smile on the face.
^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^
Mark 7:5-15
The Pharisees and the scribes asked him, "Why don't your disciples walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat their bread with unwashed hands?" He answered them, "Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written, 'This people honors me with their lips, But their heart is far from me. But in vain do they worship me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.'
"For you set aside the commandment of God, and hold tightly to the tradition of men--the washing of pitchers and cups, and you do many other such things.'' He said to them, "Full well do you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition.
For Moses said, 'Honor your father and your mother;' and, 'He who speaks evil of fater or mother, let him be put to death.' But you say, 'If a man tells his father or his mother, "Whatever profit you might have received from me is Corban, that is to say, given to God;"' then you no longer allow him to do anything for his father or his mother, making void the word of God by your tradition, which you have handed down.
You do many things like this." He called all the multitude to himself, and said to them, "Hear me, all of you, and understand. There is nothing from outside of the men, that going into him can defile him but the things which proceed out of the man are those that defile the man.
... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
Smile," said Jay as we drove to church. "You look so unhappy." I wasn't; I was just thinking, and I can't do two things at once. But to make him happy, I smiled. "Not like that," he said. "I mean a real smile."
His comment got me thinking even more intently. Is it reasonable to expect a real smile from someone who's being issued a command? A real smile comes from inside; it's an expression of the heart, not of the face.
But phoniness before God is unacceptable. Whether we're happy or sad or mad, honesty is essential. God doesn't want false expressions of worship any more than He wants false statements about people or circumstance (Mark 7:6).
Changing our facial expression is easier than changing our attitude, but true worship requires that all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength agree that God is worthy of praise. Even when our circumstances are sad, we can be greatful for God's mercy and compassion, which are worth more than the "lip service" of a phony smile. - Julie Ackerman Link
What a God we have to worship!
What a Son we have to praise!
What a future lies before us -
Everlasting, love-filled days! - Maynard
A song in the heart puts a smile on the face.
^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^
Mark 7:5-15
The Pharisees and the scribes asked him, "Why don't your disciples walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat their bread with unwashed hands?" He answered them, "Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written, 'This people honors me with their lips, But their heart is far from me. But in vain do they worship me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.'
"For you set aside the commandment of God, and hold tightly to the tradition of men--the washing of pitchers and cups, and you do many other such things.'' He said to them, "Full well do you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition.
For Moses said, 'Honor your father and your mother;' and, 'He who speaks evil of fater or mother, let him be put to death.' But you say, 'If a man tells his father or his mother, "Whatever profit you might have received from me is Corban, that is to say, given to God;"' then you no longer allow him to do anything for his father or his mother, making void the word of God by your tradition, which you have handed down.
You do many things like this." He called all the multitude to himself, and said to them, "Hear me, all of you, and understand. There is nothing from outside of the men, that going into him can defile him but the things which proceed out of the man are those that defile the man.
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Saturday, April 25, 2009
Against The Wall
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? - Romans 8:35
On April 25, 1915, soldiers of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps landed on the Gallipoli penisula expecting a quick victory. But before fierce resistance by the Turkish defenders resulted in an 8-month stalemate during which thousands on both sides were wouded or killed.
Many of the ANZAC troops who were evacuated to Egypt visited the YMCA camp outside Cairo where chaplain Oswald Chambers offered hopitality and hope to these men so broken and disillusioned by war. With great insight and compassion, Chambers told them, "No man is the same after an agony; he is either better or worse, and the agony of a man's experience is nearly always the first thing that opens his mind to understand the need of redemption worked out by Jesus Christ. At the back of the wall of the world stands God with His arms outstretched, and every man driven there is driven into the arms of God. The cross of Jesus is the supreme evidence of the love of God."
Paul asked: "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?" (Rom. 8:35). His confident answer was that nothing can remove us from God's love in Christ (w. 38-39).
God knows each winding way I take
And every sorrow, pain, and ache;
His children He will not forsake -
He knows and loves His own. - Bosch
God's love still stands when all else has fallen.
^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^
What then shall we say about these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who didn't spare his own Son, but delivered his up for us all, how would he not also with him freely give us all things?
Who could bring a charge against God's chosen ones? It is God who justifies. Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, yes rather, who was raised from the dead, who is at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Could oppression, or anguish, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Even as it is written, "For your sake we are killed all day long. We were accounted as sheep for the slaughter."
No, in all these things, we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, not depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
On April 25, 1915, soldiers of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps landed on the Gallipoli penisula expecting a quick victory. But before fierce resistance by the Turkish defenders resulted in an 8-month stalemate during which thousands on both sides were wouded or killed.
Many of the ANZAC troops who were evacuated to Egypt visited the YMCA camp outside Cairo where chaplain Oswald Chambers offered hopitality and hope to these men so broken and disillusioned by war. With great insight and compassion, Chambers told them, "No man is the same after an agony; he is either better or worse, and the agony of a man's experience is nearly always the first thing that opens his mind to understand the need of redemption worked out by Jesus Christ. At the back of the wall of the world stands God with His arms outstretched, and every man driven there is driven into the arms of God. The cross of Jesus is the supreme evidence of the love of God."
Paul asked: "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?" (Rom. 8:35). His confident answer was that nothing can remove us from God's love in Christ (w. 38-39).
God knows each winding way I take
And every sorrow, pain, and ache;
His children He will not forsake -
He knows and loves His own. - Bosch
God's love still stands when all else has fallen.
^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^
What then shall we say about these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who didn't spare his own Son, but delivered his up for us all, how would he not also with him freely give us all things?
Who could bring a charge against God's chosen ones? It is God who justifies. Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, yes rather, who was raised from the dead, who is at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Could oppression, or anguish, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Even as it is written, "For your sake we are killed all day long. We were accounted as sheep for the slaughter."
No, in all these things, we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, not depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
Friday, April 24, 2009
The Father's Faithfulness
Through the Lord's mercies we are not consumed, because His compassion fall not... Great is Your faithfulness. - Lamentations 3:22-23
Hudson Taylor, the humble servant of God to China, demonstrated extraordinary trust in God's faithfulness. In his journal he wrote:
"Our heavenly Father is a very experienced One. He knows very well that His children wake up with a good appetite every morning... He sustained 3 million Israelites in the wilderness for 40 years. We do not expect He will send 3 milion missionaries to China; but if He did, He would have ample means to sustain them all... Depend on it, God's work done in God's way will never lack God's supply."
We may be faint and weary, but our heavenly Father is all-powerful. Our feelings may fluctuate, but He is unchangeable. Even creation itself is a record of His steadfastness. That's why we can sing these words from a hymn by Thomas Chisholm: "Summer and winter, and sringtime and harvest, sun, moon, and stars in their courses above join wiht all nature in manifold witness to Thy great faithfulness, mercy, and love."
What an encouragement to live for Him! Our strength for the present and hope for the future are not based on the stability of our own perseverance but on the fidelity of God. No matter what our need, we can count on the Father's faithfulness. - Paul Van Gorder
Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see;
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided -
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me! - Chisholm
He who abandons himself to God will never be abandoned by God.
^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^
Psalm 107:1-16
Give thanks to Yahweh, For he is good, For his loving kindness endures forever. Let the redeemed by Yahweh say so, Whom he has redeemed from the hand of the adversary, And gathered out of the lands, From the east and from the west, From the north and form the south.
They wandered in the wilderness in a desert way. They found no city to live in. Hungry and thirsty, Their soul fainted in them. Then they cried to Yahweh in their trouble, And he delivered them out of their distresses, He led them also by a straight way, That they might go to a city to live in.
Let them praise Yahweh for his loving kindness, For his wonderful works to the children of men! For he satisfies the longing soul. He fills the hungry soul with good. Some eat in darkness and in the shadow of death, Being bound in affliction and iron, Because they rebelled against the words of God, And condemned the counsel of the Most High.
Therefore he brought down their heart with labor. They fell down, and there was none to help. Then they cried to Yahweh in their trouble, And he saved them out of their distresses. He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, And broke their bonds in sunder.
Let them praise Yahweh for his loving kindness, For his wonderful works to the children of men! For the he has broken the gates of brass, And cut through bars of iron.
... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
Be faithful of His loving kindness... for no one else could do something like what He did... He is the One...
Hudson Taylor, the humble servant of God to China, demonstrated extraordinary trust in God's faithfulness. In his journal he wrote:
"Our heavenly Father is a very experienced One. He knows very well that His children wake up with a good appetite every morning... He sustained 3 million Israelites in the wilderness for 40 years. We do not expect He will send 3 milion missionaries to China; but if He did, He would have ample means to sustain them all... Depend on it, God's work done in God's way will never lack God's supply."
We may be faint and weary, but our heavenly Father is all-powerful. Our feelings may fluctuate, but He is unchangeable. Even creation itself is a record of His steadfastness. That's why we can sing these words from a hymn by Thomas Chisholm: "Summer and winter, and sringtime and harvest, sun, moon, and stars in their courses above join wiht all nature in manifold witness to Thy great faithfulness, mercy, and love."
What an encouragement to live for Him! Our strength for the present and hope for the future are not based on the stability of our own perseverance but on the fidelity of God. No matter what our need, we can count on the Father's faithfulness. - Paul Van Gorder
Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see;
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided -
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me! - Chisholm
He who abandons himself to God will never be abandoned by God.
^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^
Psalm 107:1-16
Give thanks to Yahweh, For he is good, For his loving kindness endures forever. Let the redeemed by Yahweh say so, Whom he has redeemed from the hand of the adversary, And gathered out of the lands, From the east and from the west, From the north and form the south.
They wandered in the wilderness in a desert way. They found no city to live in. Hungry and thirsty, Their soul fainted in them. Then they cried to Yahweh in their trouble, And he delivered them out of their distresses, He led them also by a straight way, That they might go to a city to live in.
Let them praise Yahweh for his loving kindness, For his wonderful works to the children of men! For he satisfies the longing soul. He fills the hungry soul with good. Some eat in darkness and in the shadow of death, Being bound in affliction and iron, Because they rebelled against the words of God, And condemned the counsel of the Most High.
Therefore he brought down their heart with labor. They fell down, and there was none to help. Then they cried to Yahweh in their trouble, And he saved them out of their distresses. He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, And broke their bonds in sunder.
Let them praise Yahweh for his loving kindness, For his wonderful works to the children of men! For the he has broken the gates of brass, And cut through bars of iron.
... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
Be faithful of His loving kindness... for no one else could do something like what He did... He is the One...
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Agrreing With God
These people draw near to Me with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. - Matthew 15:8
The calller of the radio program mentioned religion, so the radio talk show host began to rant about ypocrites. "I can't stand religious hypocrites," he said. "They talk about religion, but they're no better than I am. That's why I don't like all this religious stuffs."
This man didn't realize it, but he was agreeing with God. God has made it clear that He can't stand hypocrisy either. It's ironic, though, that something God opposes is used by some people as an excuse not to seek Him.
Jesus said this about hypocrisy: "These people draw near to Me with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men" (Matt. 15:8-9).
Notice what Jesus said to perhaps the biggest hypocrites of His day, the Pharisees. In Matthew 23, He called them hypocrites - not once, not twice, but seven times! They were religious people who were putting on a big show, but God knew their hearts. He knew they were far from Him.
Non-Christians who point out hypocrisy in us when they see it are right in doing so. They are agreeing with God, who also despises it. Our task is to make sure our lives honor the One who deserves our total dedication. - Dave Branon
Hypocrisy is a common sin
That grieves the Lord above;
He longs for those who'll worhip Him
In faith and truth and love. - Bosch
The devil is content to let us profess Christianity as long as we do not practice it.
^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^
Matthew 15:1-9
Then Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem, saying, "Why don your disciples disobey the tradition of the elders? For they don't wash their hands when they eat bread."
He answered them, "Why do you also disobey the commandmet of God because of your tradition? For God commanded, 'Honor your father and your mother,' and, 'He who speaks evil of father or mother, let him be put to death.'
But you say, 'Whoever may tell his father or his mother, "Whatever help you might otherwise have gotten from me is a gift devoted to God," he shall not honor his father or mother,' You have made the commandment of God void because of your tradition. You hypocrites!
Well did Isaiah prophesy of you, saying, 'These people draw near to me with their mouth, And honor me with their lips; But their heart is far from me. And in vain do they worship me, Teaching as doctrine rules made by men.'"
... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
The calller of the radio program mentioned religion, so the radio talk show host began to rant about ypocrites. "I can't stand religious hypocrites," he said. "They talk about religion, but they're no better than I am. That's why I don't like all this religious stuffs."
This man didn't realize it, but he was agreeing with God. God has made it clear that He can't stand hypocrisy either. It's ironic, though, that something God opposes is used by some people as an excuse not to seek Him.
Jesus said this about hypocrisy: "These people draw near to Me with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men" (Matt. 15:8-9).
Notice what Jesus said to perhaps the biggest hypocrites of His day, the Pharisees. In Matthew 23, He called them hypocrites - not once, not twice, but seven times! They were religious people who were putting on a big show, but God knew their hearts. He knew they were far from Him.
Non-Christians who point out hypocrisy in us when they see it are right in doing so. They are agreeing with God, who also despises it. Our task is to make sure our lives honor the One who deserves our total dedication. - Dave Branon
Hypocrisy is a common sin
That grieves the Lord above;
He longs for those who'll worhip Him
In faith and truth and love. - Bosch
The devil is content to let us profess Christianity as long as we do not practice it.
^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^
Matthew 15:1-9
Then Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem, saying, "Why don your disciples disobey the tradition of the elders? For they don't wash their hands when they eat bread."
He answered them, "Why do you also disobey the commandmet of God because of your tradition? For God commanded, 'Honor your father and your mother,' and, 'He who speaks evil of father or mother, let him be put to death.'
But you say, 'Whoever may tell his father or his mother, "Whatever help you might otherwise have gotten from me is a gift devoted to God," he shall not honor his father or mother,' You have made the commandment of God void because of your tradition. You hypocrites!
Well did Isaiah prophesy of you, saying, 'These people draw near to me with their mouth, And honor me with their lips; But their heart is far from me. And in vain do they worship me, Teaching as doctrine rules made by men.'"
... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Too Old
My convenant is with you, and you shall be a father of many nations. - Genesis 17:4
When God promised Abraham and his wife Sarah that they would have a son, Abraham laughed in unbelief and replied, "Shall a child be born to a man who is one hundred years old? And shall Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear a child?" (Gen. 17:17).
Later, Sarah laughed for the same reason: "After I have grown old, shall I have pleasure, my ord being old also?" (18:12).
We too grow old and wonder is the Lord can fulfill His promise to us. We no longer have prominence or status. Our minds are not as nimble as they once were. We're hampered by physical problems that limit our mobility and kep us close to home. Every day we seem to lose more of the things we have spent a lifetime acquiring. Robert Frost underscores something that we sometimes ask ourselves: "The question... is what to make a diminished thing."
Not much - if we left to ourselves. But God is able to do more with us than we can imagine. He asks us, as He asked Sarah, "Is anything too hard for the Lord?" (18:14), Of course not!
We're never too old to be useful if we make ourselves available to God for His purposes. - David H. Roper
Growing old but not retiring,
For the battle still is on;
Going on without relenting
Till the final victory's won. - Anon
As God adds years to your life, ask Him to add life to your years.
^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^
Genesis 17:15-22
Then Abraham fell on his face, and laughed, and said in his heart, "Will a child be born to him who is one hundred years old? Will Sarah, who is ninety years old, give birth?" Abraham said to God, "Oh that is Ishmael might live before you!"
God said, "No, but Sarah, your wife, will bear you a son. You shall call his name Issac. I will establish my convenant with him for an everlasting convenant for his seed after him.
As for Ishmael, I have heard you. Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly. He will become the father of twelve princes, and I will make him a great nation.
But my convenant I establish with Issac, whom Sarah will bear you at this set time in the next year." When he finished talking with him, God went up from Abraham.
... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
Sometimes we will get into a logic mind set... that may block whatever work from God... We all knew that He is powerful and also nothing is impossible to him... so what are we looking of?... thinking of what?... He will surely answer us when we ask... as long as we all do have faith on Him...
Just ask, and you shall be answer...
When God promised Abraham and his wife Sarah that they would have a son, Abraham laughed in unbelief and replied, "Shall a child be born to a man who is one hundred years old? And shall Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear a child?" (Gen. 17:17).
Later, Sarah laughed for the same reason: "After I have grown old, shall I have pleasure, my ord being old also?" (18:12).
We too grow old and wonder is the Lord can fulfill His promise to us. We no longer have prominence or status. Our minds are not as nimble as they once were. We're hampered by physical problems that limit our mobility and kep us close to home. Every day we seem to lose more of the things we have spent a lifetime acquiring. Robert Frost underscores something that we sometimes ask ourselves: "The question... is what to make a diminished thing."
Not much - if we left to ourselves. But God is able to do more with us than we can imagine. He asks us, as He asked Sarah, "Is anything too hard for the Lord?" (18:14), Of course not!
We're never too old to be useful if we make ourselves available to God for His purposes. - David H. Roper
Growing old but not retiring,
For the battle still is on;
Going on without relenting
Till the final victory's won. - Anon
As God adds years to your life, ask Him to add life to your years.
^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^
Genesis 17:15-22
Then Abraham fell on his face, and laughed, and said in his heart, "Will a child be born to him who is one hundred years old? Will Sarah, who is ninety years old, give birth?" Abraham said to God, "Oh that is Ishmael might live before you!"
God said, "No, but Sarah, your wife, will bear you a son. You shall call his name Issac. I will establish my convenant with him for an everlasting convenant for his seed after him.
As for Ishmael, I have heard you. Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly. He will become the father of twelve princes, and I will make him a great nation.
But my convenant I establish with Issac, whom Sarah will bear you at this set time in the next year." When he finished talking with him, God went up from Abraham.
... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
Sometimes we will get into a logic mind set... that may block whatever work from God... We all knew that He is powerful and also nothing is impossible to him... so what are we looking of?... thinking of what?... He will surely answer us when we ask... as long as we all do have faith on Him...
Just ask, and you shall be answer...
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Thunderstorm Thoughts
The God of peace will be with you. - Philippians 4:9
I laugh every time I hear the radio commercial that has a woman shouting to her friend in conversation. She's trying to talk above the sounds of the thunderstorm in her own head. Ever since a storm damaged part of her home, that's all she hears because her insurance company isn't taking care of her claims.
I've heard thunderstorms in my head, and maybe you have too. It happens when a tragedy occurs - to us, to someone close to us, or to someone we hear about in the news. Our minds become a tempest of "what if" questions. We focus on all the possible bad outcomes. Our fear, worry, and trust in God fluctuate as we wait, we pray, we grieve, and we wonder what the Lord will do.
It's natural for us to be fearful in a storm (literal or figurative). The disciples had Jesus right there in the boat with them, yet they were afraid (Matt. 8:23-27). He used the calming of the storm as a lesson to show them who He was - a powerful God who also cares of them.
We wish that Jesus would always calm the storms of our life as He calmed the storm for the disciples that say. But we can find moments of peace when we're anchored to the truth that He's in the boat with us and He cares. - Anne Cetas
Fierce drives the storm, but wind and waves
Within His hand are held,
And trusting His omnipotence
My fears are sweetly quelled. - Brown
To realize the worth of the anchor, we need to feel the stress of the storm.
^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^
Matthew 8:23-27
When he got into a boat, his disciples followed him.
Behold, a great tempest aorse in the sea, so much that the boat was covered with the waves, but he was asleep. They came to him, and woke him up, saying, "Save us, Lord! We are dying!" He said to them, "Why are you fearful, oh you of little faith?"
Then he got up, rebuked the wind and the sea, and there was a great calm. The men marveled, saying, "What kind of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?"
... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
I laugh every time I hear the radio commercial that has a woman shouting to her friend in conversation. She's trying to talk above the sounds of the thunderstorm in her own head. Ever since a storm damaged part of her home, that's all she hears because her insurance company isn't taking care of her claims.
I've heard thunderstorms in my head, and maybe you have too. It happens when a tragedy occurs - to us, to someone close to us, or to someone we hear about in the news. Our minds become a tempest of "what if" questions. We focus on all the possible bad outcomes. Our fear, worry, and trust in God fluctuate as we wait, we pray, we grieve, and we wonder what the Lord will do.
It's natural for us to be fearful in a storm (literal or figurative). The disciples had Jesus right there in the boat with them, yet they were afraid (Matt. 8:23-27). He used the calming of the storm as a lesson to show them who He was - a powerful God who also cares of them.
We wish that Jesus would always calm the storms of our life as He calmed the storm for the disciples that say. But we can find moments of peace when we're anchored to the truth that He's in the boat with us and He cares. - Anne Cetas
Fierce drives the storm, but wind and waves
Within His hand are held,
And trusting His omnipotence
My fears are sweetly quelled. - Brown
To realize the worth of the anchor, we need to feel the stress of the storm.
^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^
Matthew 8:23-27
When he got into a boat, his disciples followed him.
Behold, a great tempest aorse in the sea, so much that the boat was covered with the waves, but he was asleep. They came to him, and woke him up, saying, "Save us, Lord! We are dying!" He said to them, "Why are you fearful, oh you of little faith?"
Then he got up, rebuked the wind and the sea, and there was a great calm. The men marveled, saying, "What kind of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?"
... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
Monday, April 20, 2009
Faitful Gaius
Beloved [Gaius], you do faithfully whatever you do for the brethen and for strangers. - 3 John 1:5
Third John presents a sharp contrast between the way two members of the church welcomed believers who visited them. The letter is addressed to "the beloved" Gaius, whom John loved "in truth" (v.1). The truth was in him as he walked with God (v.3). Whatever he did for his "brethren'' - itinerant missionaries and teachers such as Paul - he did it faithfully and with love (w.5-6).
Diotrephes was another story. He was proud and domineering (v.9), and spoke against those who came in the name of Christ (v.10), probably even Paul. In addition, he drove out of the church anyone who wanted to accept them. No doubt he did this to protect his position and self-interests and to keep the focus on himself.
My wife, Shirley, and I, along with our granddaughter Bree, recently visited a country once closed to the gospel. The believers welcomed us with trust, openness, hospitality, and genuine love. Though they had little, their generosity was astounding. What an encouragement to us! They truly followed the example of faithful Gaius. May God give us a loving and faithful spirit that enables us to treat our fellow believers in "a manner worthy of God" (v.6). - David C. Egner
A time for fellowship that's sweet,
A time for sacred song;
But never is there time to treat
A human being wrong. - Isenhour
Christlike hospitality is an open heart and an open home.
^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^
3 John
The elder to Gaius the beloved, whom I love in truth. Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be healthy, even as your soul prospers. For I rejoiced greatly, when brothers came and testified about your truth, even as you walk in truth. I have no greater joy than this, to hear about my children walking in truth.
Beloved, you do a faithful work in whatever you accomplish for those who are brothers and strangers. They have testified about your love before the assembly. You will do well to send them forward on their journey in a manner worthy of God, because for the sake of the Name they went out, taking nothing from the Gentiles.
We therefore ought to receive such, that we may be fellow workers for the truth. I wrote to the assembly, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first among them, doesn't accept what we say. Therefore, if I come, I will call attention to his deeds which he does, unjustly accusing us with wicked words.
Not content with this, neither he himself receive the brothers, and those who would, he forbids and throws out of the assembly. Beloved, don't imitate that which is evil, but that which is good. He who does good is for God. He who does evil hasn't seen God. Demetrius has the testimony of all, and of the truth itself, yes, we also testify, and you know that our testimony is true.
I had many things to write to you, but I am unwilling to write to you with ink and pen; but I hope to see you soon, and we will speak face to face. Peace be to you. The friends greet you. Greet the friends by name.
... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
Third John presents a sharp contrast between the way two members of the church welcomed believers who visited them. The letter is addressed to "the beloved" Gaius, whom John loved "in truth" (v.1). The truth was in him as he walked with God (v.3). Whatever he did for his "brethren'' - itinerant missionaries and teachers such as Paul - he did it faithfully and with love (w.5-6).
Diotrephes was another story. He was proud and domineering (v.9), and spoke against those who came in the name of Christ (v.10), probably even Paul. In addition, he drove out of the church anyone who wanted to accept them. No doubt he did this to protect his position and self-interests and to keep the focus on himself.
My wife, Shirley, and I, along with our granddaughter Bree, recently visited a country once closed to the gospel. The believers welcomed us with trust, openness, hospitality, and genuine love. Though they had little, their generosity was astounding. What an encouragement to us! They truly followed the example of faithful Gaius. May God give us a loving and faithful spirit that enables us to treat our fellow believers in "a manner worthy of God" (v.6). - David C. Egner
A time for fellowship that's sweet,
A time for sacred song;
But never is there time to treat
A human being wrong. - Isenhour
Christlike hospitality is an open heart and an open home.
^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^
3 John
The elder to Gaius the beloved, whom I love in truth. Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be healthy, even as your soul prospers. For I rejoiced greatly, when brothers came and testified about your truth, even as you walk in truth. I have no greater joy than this, to hear about my children walking in truth.
Beloved, you do a faithful work in whatever you accomplish for those who are brothers and strangers. They have testified about your love before the assembly. You will do well to send them forward on their journey in a manner worthy of God, because for the sake of the Name they went out, taking nothing from the Gentiles.
We therefore ought to receive such, that we may be fellow workers for the truth. I wrote to the assembly, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first among them, doesn't accept what we say. Therefore, if I come, I will call attention to his deeds which he does, unjustly accusing us with wicked words.
Not content with this, neither he himself receive the brothers, and those who would, he forbids and throws out of the assembly. Beloved, don't imitate that which is evil, but that which is good. He who does good is for God. He who does evil hasn't seen God. Demetrius has the testimony of all, and of the truth itself, yes, we also testify, and you know that our testimony is true.
I had many things to write to you, but I am unwilling to write to you with ink and pen; but I hope to see you soon, and we will speak face to face. Peace be to you. The friends greet you. Greet the friends by name.
... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
Sunday, April 19, 2009
The Best Eraser
I have blotted out, like a thick cloud, your transgressions. - Isaiah 44:22
What is memory? What is this faculty that enables us to recall past feelings, sight, sounds, and experiences? By what process are events recorded, stored, and preserved in our brain to be brought back again and again? Much is still mystery.
We do know that memories can be blessings - full of comfort, assurance, and joy. Old age can be happy and satisfying if we have stored up memories of purity, faith, fellowship, and love. If a saint looks back on a life if Christian service and remember the faithfulness of Him who promised: "I will never leave you nor forsake you" (Heb. 13:5), his or her sunset years can be the sweetest of all.
But memory can also be a curse and a tormentor. Many people as they approach the end of life would give all they prossess to earse from their minds the past sins that haunt them. What can a person do who is plagued by such remembrance? Just one thing. He can take them out forever. He's the One who said, "Their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more" (Heb. 10:17).
You may not be able to forget your past. But the Lord offers to blot out, "like a thick cloud, your transgressions" (Isa. 44:22). - M. R. Haan
The deep remorse that's in the soul
No human eye may trace;
But Jesus sees the broken heart,
And can its woes erase. - Bosch
The best eraser is honest confession to God.
^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^
Luke 16:19-31
"Now there was a certain rich man, and he was clothed in purple and fine linen, living in luxury every day. A certain beggat, named Lazarus, was laid at his gate, full of sores, and desiring to be fed with the crumbs that fell from the rich man's table. Yes, even the dogs came and licked his sores.
It happened that the beggar died, and that he was carried away by the angels to Abraham's bosom. The rich man also died, and was buried. In Hades, he lifted up his eyes, being in torment, and saw Abraham far off, and Lazarus at his bosom.
He cried and said, 'Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue! For I am in anguish in this flame.' "But Abraham said, 'Son, remember that you, in your lifetime, received your good things, and Lazarus, in like manner, bad things. But now here he is comforted and you are in anguish.
Besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, that those who want to pass from here to you are not able, and that none may cross over from there to us.' "He said, 'I ask you therefore, father, that you would send him to my father's house; for I have five brothers, that he may testify to them, so they won't also come into this place of torment.'
"But Abraham said to him, 'They have Moses and the prophets. Let them listen to them.' "He said, 'No, father Abraham, but if one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.' "He said to him, 'If they don't listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded if one rises from the dead.'"
... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
If someone don't listen to Moses or prophet, he won't care no matter how many person rises from dead to tell him the truth... for everything he "think" is in his own control...
Abraham too point out the fact of not everyone will listen to Jesus even after he rises from dead... T.T (so sad... why so many people don't want to depend on God??!! someone to help you in everything, take care of you... not good enough meh??!!)
What is memory? What is this faculty that enables us to recall past feelings, sight, sounds, and experiences? By what process are events recorded, stored, and preserved in our brain to be brought back again and again? Much is still mystery.
We do know that memories can be blessings - full of comfort, assurance, and joy. Old age can be happy and satisfying if we have stored up memories of purity, faith, fellowship, and love. If a saint looks back on a life if Christian service and remember the faithfulness of Him who promised: "I will never leave you nor forsake you" (Heb. 13:5), his or her sunset years can be the sweetest of all.
But memory can also be a curse and a tormentor. Many people as they approach the end of life would give all they prossess to earse from their minds the past sins that haunt them. What can a person do who is plagued by such remembrance? Just one thing. He can take them out forever. He's the One who said, "Their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more" (Heb. 10:17).
You may not be able to forget your past. But the Lord offers to blot out, "like a thick cloud, your transgressions" (Isa. 44:22). - M. R. Haan
The deep remorse that's in the soul
No human eye may trace;
But Jesus sees the broken heart,
And can its woes erase. - Bosch
The best eraser is honest confession to God.
^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^
Luke 16:19-31
"Now there was a certain rich man, and he was clothed in purple and fine linen, living in luxury every day. A certain beggat, named Lazarus, was laid at his gate, full of sores, and desiring to be fed with the crumbs that fell from the rich man's table. Yes, even the dogs came and licked his sores.
It happened that the beggar died, and that he was carried away by the angels to Abraham's bosom. The rich man also died, and was buried. In Hades, he lifted up his eyes, being in torment, and saw Abraham far off, and Lazarus at his bosom.
He cried and said, 'Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue! For I am in anguish in this flame.' "But Abraham said, 'Son, remember that you, in your lifetime, received your good things, and Lazarus, in like manner, bad things. But now here he is comforted and you are in anguish.
Besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, that those who want to pass from here to you are not able, and that none may cross over from there to us.' "He said, 'I ask you therefore, father, that you would send him to my father's house; for I have five brothers, that he may testify to them, so they won't also come into this place of torment.'
"But Abraham said to him, 'They have Moses and the prophets. Let them listen to them.' "He said, 'No, father Abraham, but if one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.' "He said to him, 'If they don't listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded if one rises from the dead.'"
... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
If someone don't listen to Moses or prophet, he won't care no matter how many person rises from dead to tell him the truth... for everything he "think" is in his own control...
Abraham too point out the fact of not everyone will listen to Jesus even after he rises from dead... T.T (so sad... why so many people don't want to depend on God??!! someone to help you in everything, take care of you... not good enough meh??!!)
Saturday, April 18, 2009
What's Next?
I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. - Philippians 3:14
In the television series The West Wing, fictional president Josiah Bartlet regularly ended staff meetings with two words - "What's next?" It was his way of signaling that he was finished with the issue at hand and ready to move on to other concerns. The pressures and responsibilities of life in the White House demanded that he not focus on what was in the rear-view mirror - he needed to keep his eyes ahead, moving forward to what was next.
In a sense, the apostle Paul had a similar perspective on life. He knew that he had not "arrived" spiritually, and that he had a long way to go in becoming like Christ. What could he do? He could either fixate on the past, with its failures, disappointments, struggles, and disputes, or he could learn from those things and move on to "what's next."
In Philippians 3, Paul tells us how he chose to live his life: "Forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Chirst Jesus" (w. 13-14). It's a perspective that speaks of moving on - of embracing what's next. It is where we too must focus as we seek to be shaped into the image of the Savior while we look forward to eternity with Him. - Bill Crowder
Onward and upward your course plan today,
Seeking new heights as you walk Jesus' way;
Heed not past failures, but strive for the prize,
Aiming for goals fit for His holy eyes. - Brandt
Keep your eyes fixed on the prize.
^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^
Philippians 3
Not that I have already obtained, or a already made perfect; but I press on, if it is so that I may take hold of that for which also I was taken hold of by Christ Jesus.
Brother, I don't regrad myself as yet having taken hold, but one thing to do. Forgetting the things which are behind, and stretching forward to the things which are before, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, think this way. If in anything you think otherwise, God will also reveal that to you. Nevertheless, to the extent that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule. Let us be of the same mind.
... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
In the television series The West Wing, fictional president Josiah Bartlet regularly ended staff meetings with two words - "What's next?" It was his way of signaling that he was finished with the issue at hand and ready to move on to other concerns. The pressures and responsibilities of life in the White House demanded that he not focus on what was in the rear-view mirror - he needed to keep his eyes ahead, moving forward to what was next.
In a sense, the apostle Paul had a similar perspective on life. He knew that he had not "arrived" spiritually, and that he had a long way to go in becoming like Christ. What could he do? He could either fixate on the past, with its failures, disappointments, struggles, and disputes, or he could learn from those things and move on to "what's next."
In Philippians 3, Paul tells us how he chose to live his life: "Forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Chirst Jesus" (w. 13-14). It's a perspective that speaks of moving on - of embracing what's next. It is where we too must focus as we seek to be shaped into the image of the Savior while we look forward to eternity with Him. - Bill Crowder
Onward and upward your course plan today,
Seeking new heights as you walk Jesus' way;
Heed not past failures, but strive for the prize,
Aiming for goals fit for His holy eyes. - Brandt
Keep your eyes fixed on the prize.
^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^
Philippians 3
Not that I have already obtained, or a already made perfect; but I press on, if it is so that I may take hold of that for which also I was taken hold of by Christ Jesus.
Brother, I don't regrad myself as yet having taken hold, but one thing to do. Forgetting the things which are behind, and stretching forward to the things which are before, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, think this way. If in anything you think otherwise, God will also reveal that to you. Nevertheless, to the extent that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule. Let us be of the same mind.
... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
Friday, April 17, 2009
The Bus Driver
Be imitators of God... and walk in love. - Ephesians 5:1-2
In the middle of carting 70 pieces of luggage, an electronic piano, and other equipmemt through airports and on and off a tour bus, it's easy to wonder, "Why are we doing this?"
Taking 28 teenagers on an 11-day ministry trip to a land across the ocean is not easy. But at the end of the trip our bus driver, who had carted us all over England and Scotland, grabbed the bus microphone and in tears thanked the kids for how wonderful they had been. Then after we got home, he e-mailed us to say how much be appreciated the thank you cards the kids had written to him - many of which contained the gospel.
Although the students ministered to hundreds through song during the trip, perhaps it was the bus driver who most benefited from their Christlikeness. In Ephesians we are told to be imitators of God and to walk in love (Eph. 5:1-2). Others see God in us when we show love to one another (1 John 4:12). The bus driver saw Jesus in the students and told them that they might just convert him to faith in Christ. Maybe it was for this man that we took that trip.
Why do you do what you do? Whose life are you affecting? Sometimes it's not our target audience that we impact most. Sometimes it's the bus drivers of the world. - Dave Branon
Lord, may I be a shining ligt
For all the world to see
Your goodness and Your love displayed
As You reach out through me. - Sper
Witnessing is not just something a Christian says, but what he is.
^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^
1 John 4:7-12
Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God, and knows God. He who doesn't love doesn't know God, for God is love.
By this was God's love revealed in us that God has sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son as the atoning sacrifice for our sins.
Beloved, if God loved us in this way we also ought to love one another. No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God remains in us, and his love has been perfected in us.
... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
In the middle of carting 70 pieces of luggage, an electronic piano, and other equipmemt through airports and on and off a tour bus, it's easy to wonder, "Why are we doing this?"
Taking 28 teenagers on an 11-day ministry trip to a land across the ocean is not easy. But at the end of the trip our bus driver, who had carted us all over England and Scotland, grabbed the bus microphone and in tears thanked the kids for how wonderful they had been. Then after we got home, he e-mailed us to say how much be appreciated the thank you cards the kids had written to him - many of which contained the gospel.
Although the students ministered to hundreds through song during the trip, perhaps it was the bus driver who most benefited from their Christlikeness. In Ephesians we are told to be imitators of God and to walk in love (Eph. 5:1-2). Others see God in us when we show love to one another (1 John 4:12). The bus driver saw Jesus in the students and told them that they might just convert him to faith in Christ. Maybe it was for this man that we took that trip.
Why do you do what you do? Whose life are you affecting? Sometimes it's not our target audience that we impact most. Sometimes it's the bus drivers of the world. - Dave Branon
Lord, may I be a shining ligt
For all the world to see
Your goodness and Your love displayed
As You reach out through me. - Sper
Witnessing is not just something a Christian says, but what he is.
^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^
1 John 4:7-12
Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God, and knows God. He who doesn't love doesn't know God, for God is love.
By this was God's love revealed in us that God has sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son as the atoning sacrifice for our sins.
Beloved, if God loved us in this way we also ought to love one another. No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God remains in us, and his love has been perfected in us.
... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Gatekeepers
The temple of God is holy, which temple you are. - 1 Corinthians 3:17
In journalism, the term gatekeeper refers to reporters, editors, and publishers who consider various news items and determine which stories are newsworthy. Some long-time news professionals warn that the Internet allows information to get through without being checked at the gate.
In Old Testament times, gatekeepers guarded the temple to prevent those who were unclean from entering (2 Chron. 23:19). In ad 70, the temple was destroyed by the Roman armies of Emperor Titus. But the destruction began years earlier when the Levites assigned to guard it failed to do so after coming under the corrupt influence of the Syrian King Antiochus iv.
Paul called our bodies Gods "temple" (1 Cor. 3:16-17), and many forces are at work to assault God's new dwelling. Evil may gain a foothold through unfortified areas of our spiritual life - places where envy, strife, or divisions may undermine us (3:3). Each of us must be on guard against the enemy of our sould and never give place to the devil (Eph. 4:27).
The criteria for what may enter is found in Philippians 4:8 - whatever is true, noble, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous, and praiseworthy. The resulting peace will guard the gate of our hearts and minds. - Julie Ackerman Link
Help me to guard my troubled soul
By constant, active self-control.
Clean up my thought, my speech, my play;
Lord, keep me pure from day to day. - Thomas
If you're not on guard against evil you'll be influenced by evil.
^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^
1 Corinthians 3:1-23
Brothers, I couldn't speak to you as to spiritual, but as to fleshly, as to babies in Christ. I fed you with milk, not with meat; for you weren't yet ready. Indeed, not even now are you ready, for you are still fleshly.
For insofar as there is jealousy, strife, and factions among you, aren't you fleshly, and don't you walk in the ways of men? For when one says, "I follow Paul," and another, "I follow Apollos," aren't you fleshly? Who then is Apollos, and who is Paul, but servants through who you believed; and each as the Lord gave to him?
I planted. Apollos watered. But God gave the increase. So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase. Now he who plants and he who waters are the same, but each will receive his own reward according to his own labor. For we are God's fellow workers. You are God's farming, God's building.
According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another builds on it. But let each man be careful how he builds on it. For no one can lay any other foundation than that which has been laid, which is Jesus Christ.
But if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay, or stubble; each man's work will be revealed. For the Day will declare it, because it is revealed in fire; and the fire itself will test what sort of work each man's work is.
If any man's work remains which he built on it, he will receive a reward. If any man's work is burned, he will suffer loss, but he himself will be saved, but as through fire.
Don't you know that you are a temple of God, and that God's Spirit lives in you? If anyone destroys the temple of God, God will destroy him; for God's temple is holy, which you are. Let no one deceive himself.
If anyone thinks that he is wise among you in this world, let him become a fool, that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, "He has taken the wise in their craftiness."
And again, "The Lord knows the reasoning of the wise, that it is worthless." Therefore let no one boast in men. For all things are yours, whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come.
All are yours, and you are Christ's, and Christ is God's.
... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
In journalism, the term gatekeeper refers to reporters, editors, and publishers who consider various news items and determine which stories are newsworthy. Some long-time news professionals warn that the Internet allows information to get through without being checked at the gate.
In Old Testament times, gatekeepers guarded the temple to prevent those who were unclean from entering (2 Chron. 23:19). In ad 70, the temple was destroyed by the Roman armies of Emperor Titus. But the destruction began years earlier when the Levites assigned to guard it failed to do so after coming under the corrupt influence of the Syrian King Antiochus iv.
Paul called our bodies Gods "temple" (1 Cor. 3:16-17), and many forces are at work to assault God's new dwelling. Evil may gain a foothold through unfortified areas of our spiritual life - places where envy, strife, or divisions may undermine us (3:3). Each of us must be on guard against the enemy of our sould and never give place to the devil (Eph. 4:27).
The criteria for what may enter is found in Philippians 4:8 - whatever is true, noble, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous, and praiseworthy. The resulting peace will guard the gate of our hearts and minds. - Julie Ackerman Link
Help me to guard my troubled soul
By constant, active self-control.
Clean up my thought, my speech, my play;
Lord, keep me pure from day to day. - Thomas
If you're not on guard against evil you'll be influenced by evil.
^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^
1 Corinthians 3:1-23
Brothers, I couldn't speak to you as to spiritual, but as to fleshly, as to babies in Christ. I fed you with milk, not with meat; for you weren't yet ready. Indeed, not even now are you ready, for you are still fleshly.
For insofar as there is jealousy, strife, and factions among you, aren't you fleshly, and don't you walk in the ways of men? For when one says, "I follow Paul," and another, "I follow Apollos," aren't you fleshly? Who then is Apollos, and who is Paul, but servants through who you believed; and each as the Lord gave to him?
I planted. Apollos watered. But God gave the increase. So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase. Now he who plants and he who waters are the same, but each will receive his own reward according to his own labor. For we are God's fellow workers. You are God's farming, God's building.
According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another builds on it. But let each man be careful how he builds on it. For no one can lay any other foundation than that which has been laid, which is Jesus Christ.
But if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay, or stubble; each man's work will be revealed. For the Day will declare it, because it is revealed in fire; and the fire itself will test what sort of work each man's work is.
If any man's work remains which he built on it, he will receive a reward. If any man's work is burned, he will suffer loss, but he himself will be saved, but as through fire.
Don't you know that you are a temple of God, and that God's Spirit lives in you? If anyone destroys the temple of God, God will destroy him; for God's temple is holy, which you are. Let no one deceive himself.
If anyone thinks that he is wise among you in this world, let him become a fool, that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, "He has taken the wise in their craftiness."
And again, "The Lord knows the reasoning of the wise, that it is worthless." Therefore let no one boast in men. For all things are yours, whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come.
All are yours, and you are Christ's, and Christ is God's.
... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Check Your Attitude
He must increase, but I must decrease. - John 3:30
A music professor with a well-trained voice usually sang the major male solo parts in the choir of a large church. A young man named Bob who had no training sometimes took a few shorter solos. As the choir director prepared for the Christmas cantata, she felt that Bob's voice and style made him a natural for the lead role. However, she didn't know how she could give it to him without offending the older man.
Her anxienty was unnecessary. The professor had the same thoughts as she did, and he told her that Bob should take the part. He continued to sing faithfully in the chorus and was a source of much encouragement to Bob.
People who can set aside selfish ambition and genuinely seek the good of others have an attitude that pleases God. Do you remember how John the Baptist reacted when the crowds left him and began following Jesus? He said, "He must increse, but I must decrease" (John 3:30).
What did John the Baptist and the music professor have in common? They were able to set aside "selfish ambition." They were happy to see others elevated above themselves when it was for the common good. Can the same be said about us? - Herbert Vander Lugt
This is the highest learning,
The hardest and the best -
From self to keep still turning
And honor all the rest. - MacDonald
When we forget about ourselves, we do things others will remember.
^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^
John 3:22-30
After these things, Jesus came with his disciples into the land of Judea. He stayed there with them, and baptized. John also was baptizing in Enon near Salim, because there was much water there. They came, and were baptized. For John was not yet thrown into prison.
There arose therefore a questioning on the part of John's disciples with some Jews about purification. They came to John, and said to him, "Rabbi, he who was with you beyong the Jordan, to whom you have testified, behold, the same baptizes, and everyone is coming to him."
John answered, "A man can receive nothing, unless it has been given him from heaven. You yourselves testify that I said, 'I am not the Christ,' but, 'I have been sent before him.'
He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the brodegroom's voice. This, my joy, therefore is made full.
He must increase, but I must decrease.
... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
A music professor with a well-trained voice usually sang the major male solo parts in the choir of a large church. A young man named Bob who had no training sometimes took a few shorter solos. As the choir director prepared for the Christmas cantata, she felt that Bob's voice and style made him a natural for the lead role. However, she didn't know how she could give it to him without offending the older man.
Her anxienty was unnecessary. The professor had the same thoughts as she did, and he told her that Bob should take the part. He continued to sing faithfully in the chorus and was a source of much encouragement to Bob.
People who can set aside selfish ambition and genuinely seek the good of others have an attitude that pleases God. Do you remember how John the Baptist reacted when the crowds left him and began following Jesus? He said, "He must increse, but I must decrease" (John 3:30).
What did John the Baptist and the music professor have in common? They were able to set aside "selfish ambition." They were happy to see others elevated above themselves when it was for the common good. Can the same be said about us? - Herbert Vander Lugt
This is the highest learning,
The hardest and the best -
From self to keep still turning
And honor all the rest. - MacDonald
When we forget about ourselves, we do things others will remember.
^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^
John 3:22-30
After these things, Jesus came with his disciples into the land of Judea. He stayed there with them, and baptized. John also was baptizing in Enon near Salim, because there was much water there. They came, and were baptized. For John was not yet thrown into prison.
There arose therefore a questioning on the part of John's disciples with some Jews about purification. They came to John, and said to him, "Rabbi, he who was with you beyong the Jordan, to whom you have testified, behold, the same baptizes, and everyone is coming to him."
John answered, "A man can receive nothing, unless it has been given him from heaven. You yourselves testify that I said, 'I am not the Christ,' but, 'I have been sent before him.'
He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the brodegroom's voice. This, my joy, therefore is made full.
He must increase, but I must decrease.
... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
God Remembers
God remembered Noah, and every living thing, and all the animals that were with him in the ark. - Genesis 8:1
A Chinese festival called Qing Ming is a time to express grief for lost relatives. Customs include grooming gravesites and taking walks with loved ones in the countryside. Legend has it that it began when a youth's rude and foolish behavior resulted in the death of his mother. So he decided that henceforth he would visit her grave every year to remember what she had done for him. Sadly, it was only after her death that he remembered her.
How differently God deals with us! In Genesis, we read how the flood destroyed the world. Only those who were with Noah in the ark remained alive. But God remembered them (8:1) and sent a wind to dry the waters so that they could leave the ark.
God also remembered Hannah when she prayed for a son (1 Sam. 1:19). He gave her a child, Samuel.
Jesus remembered the dying thief who said, "Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom." Jesus replied, "Today You will be with Me in Paradise" (Luke 23:42-43).
God remembers us whenever we are. Our concerns are His concerns. Our pain is His pain. Commit your challenges and difficulties to Him. He is the all-seeing God who remembers us as a mother remembers her children, and He waits to meet our needs. - C. P. Hia
There is an Arm that never tires
When human strength gives way;
There is a Love that never fails
When earthly loves decay. - Wallace
To know that God sees us brings both conviction and comfort.
^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ .... ^.^ ... ^.^
A Chinese festival called Qing Ming is a time to express grief for lost relatives. Customs include grooming gravesites and taking walks with loved ones in the countryside. Legend has it that it began when a youth's rude and foolish behavior resulted in the death of his mother. So he decided that henceforth he would visit her grave every year to remember what she had done for him. Sadly, it was only after her death that he remembered her.
How differently God deals with us! In Genesis, we read how the flood destroyed the world. Only those who were with Noah in the ark remained alive. But God remembered them (8:1) and sent a wind to dry the waters so that they could leave the ark.
God also remembered Hannah when she prayed for a son (1 Sam. 1:19). He gave her a child, Samuel.
Jesus remembered the dying thief who said, "Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom." Jesus replied, "Today You will be with Me in Paradise" (Luke 23:42-43).
God remembers us whenever we are. Our concerns are His concerns. Our pain is His pain. Commit your challenges and difficulties to Him. He is the all-seeing God who remembers us as a mother remembers her children, and He waits to meet our needs. - C. P. Hia
There is an Arm that never tires
When human strength gives way;
There is a Love that never fails
When earthly loves decay. - Wallace
To know that God sees us brings both conviction and comfort.
^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ .... ^.^ ... ^.^
Monday, April 13, 2009
It's Bubbling In My Soul
If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink... Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water. - John 7:37-38
Decades ago, I visited a ministry center in West Africa and saw a little girl climb onto a truck that had a public address system. Smiling, she began to sing over the microphone:
It's bubbling, it's bubbling,
It's bubbling in my soul;
I'm singing and laughing
since Jesus made me whole.
Since Jesus came within, and cleansed my heart from sin,
It's bubbling, bubbling, bubbling, bubbling, bubbling in my soul!
I heard her sing that song only once. But the joy in her voice was so evident and powerful that I remember the lyrics and tune to this day. The parallel in the song between water and spiritual refreshment is a biblical one. During the Feast of Tabernacles, a providing water for Israel in the wilderness. During that feast, "Jesus stood and cried out, saying, 'If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as he Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water'?" (John 7:37-38). Jesus was talking about the Holy Spirit promised to those who would believe in Him (v.39). This thirst-quenching water is a picture of the spiritual satisfaction that only He can provide.
Perhaps you've lost that joy you first experienced at salvation. Confess all known sin right now (1 John 1:9). Be filled with God's Holy Spirit (Eph. 5:18), and let Him provide you with a "bubbling in your soul." - Dennis Fisher
Christ departed so that the Holy Spirit could be imparted.
^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^
John 7:37-44
Now on the last and greatest day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink! He who believes in me, as the Scripture has said, from within him will flow rivers of living water."
But he said this to about the Spirit, which those believing in him were to receive. For the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus wasn't yet glorified.
Many of the multitude therefore, when they heard these words, said, "This is truly the prophet." Other said, "This is the Christ." But some said, "What, does the Christ some out of Galilee?
Hasn't the Scripture said that the Christ comes of the seed of David, and from Bethlehem, the village where David was?" So there arose a division in the multitude because of him. Some of them would have arrested, but no one laid hands on him.
... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
Decades ago, I visited a ministry center in West Africa and saw a little girl climb onto a truck that had a public address system. Smiling, she began to sing over the microphone:
It's bubbling, it's bubbling,
It's bubbling in my soul;
I'm singing and laughing
since Jesus made me whole.
Since Jesus came within, and cleansed my heart from sin,
It's bubbling, bubbling, bubbling, bubbling, bubbling in my soul!
I heard her sing that song only once. But the joy in her voice was so evident and powerful that I remember the lyrics and tune to this day. The parallel in the song between water and spiritual refreshment is a biblical one. During the Feast of Tabernacles, a providing water for Israel in the wilderness. During that feast, "Jesus stood and cried out, saying, 'If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as he Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water'?" (John 7:37-38). Jesus was talking about the Holy Spirit promised to those who would believe in Him (v.39). This thirst-quenching water is a picture of the spiritual satisfaction that only He can provide.
Perhaps you've lost that joy you first experienced at salvation. Confess all known sin right now (1 John 1:9). Be filled with God's Holy Spirit (Eph. 5:18), and let Him provide you with a "bubbling in your soul." - Dennis Fisher
Christ departed so that the Holy Spirit could be imparted.
^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^
John 7:37-44
Now on the last and greatest day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink! He who believes in me, as the Scripture has said, from within him will flow rivers of living water."
But he said this to about the Spirit, which those believing in him were to receive. For the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus wasn't yet glorified.
Many of the multitude therefore, when they heard these words, said, "This is truly the prophet." Other said, "This is the Christ." But some said, "What, does the Christ some out of Galilee?
Hasn't the Scripture said that the Christ comes of the seed of David, and from Bethlehem, the village where David was?" So there arose a division in the multitude because of him. Some of them would have arrested, but no one laid hands on him.
... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Much More!
Where sin abouned, grace abounded much more. - Romans 5:20
A statement I heard at an Easter service stays with me: "More has been gained in the resurrection of Jesus than was lost in the fail." More gained than lost? Can it be true?
Each day we experience the damage caused by sin entering our world. Greed, injustice, and cruelty all trace their origins back to Adam and Eve's decision to follow their own path rather than God's. The legacy of their disobedience is passed down to every generation. Without God's intervention, we would be in a hopeless situation. But Jesus overpowered sin through His cross and conquered death through His resurrection.
The victory of Christ is celebrated in Romans 5, often called the "much more" chapter of the New Testament, where Paul contrasts the devastation caused by sin with the restoring power of God's grace. In every case, grace overpowers he consequences of sin. In a grand conclusion, Paul says: "Where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord".
No matter how much we have personally lost because of sin, we have gained far more through the reserrection victory of Christ. - David C. McCasland
Sin and despair, like the sea-waves cold,
Threaten the soul with infinite loss;
Grace that is greater - yes, grace untold -
Points to the refuge, the mighty cross. - Johnston
Our sin is great - God's grace is greater.
^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^
Romans 5:12-21
Therefore, as sin entered into the world through one man, and death through sin; and so death passed to all men, because all sinned. For until the law, sin was in the world; but sin is not charged when there is no law.
Neverteless death reigned from Adam until Moses, even over those whose sins weren't like Adam's disobedience, who is a foreshadowing of him who was to come. But the free gift isn't like the trespass.
For if by the trespass of the many died, much more did the grace of God, and the gift by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, abound to the many. The gift is not as through one who sinned: for the judgement came by one to condemnation, but the free gift came of many trespasses to justification.
For if by the trespass of the one, death reigned through the one; so much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one, Jesus Christ. So then as through one trespass, all men were condemned; even so through one act of righteousness, all men were justified to life.
For as through the one man's disobedience many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the one will many be made rigteous. The law came in besides, that the trespass might abound; but where sin abounded, grace did abound more exceedingly; That as sin reigned in death, even so might grace reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
A statement I heard at an Easter service stays with me: "More has been gained in the resurrection of Jesus than was lost in the fail." More gained than lost? Can it be true?
Each day we experience the damage caused by sin entering our world. Greed, injustice, and cruelty all trace their origins back to Adam and Eve's decision to follow their own path rather than God's. The legacy of their disobedience is passed down to every generation. Without God's intervention, we would be in a hopeless situation. But Jesus overpowered sin through His cross and conquered death through His resurrection.
The victory of Christ is celebrated in Romans 5, often called the "much more" chapter of the New Testament, where Paul contrasts the devastation caused by sin with the restoring power of God's grace. In every case, grace overpowers he consequences of sin. In a grand conclusion, Paul says: "Where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord".
No matter how much we have personally lost because of sin, we have gained far more through the reserrection victory of Christ. - David C. McCasland
Sin and despair, like the sea-waves cold,
Threaten the soul with infinite loss;
Grace that is greater - yes, grace untold -
Points to the refuge, the mighty cross. - Johnston
Our sin is great - God's grace is greater.
^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^
Romans 5:12-21
Therefore, as sin entered into the world through one man, and death through sin; and so death passed to all men, because all sinned. For until the law, sin was in the world; but sin is not charged when there is no law.
Neverteless death reigned from Adam until Moses, even over those whose sins weren't like Adam's disobedience, who is a foreshadowing of him who was to come. But the free gift isn't like the trespass.
For if by the trespass of the many died, much more did the grace of God, and the gift by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, abound to the many. The gift is not as through one who sinned: for the judgement came by one to condemnation, but the free gift came of many trespasses to justification.
For if by the trespass of the one, death reigned through the one; so much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one, Jesus Christ. So then as through one trespass, all men were condemned; even so through one act of righteousness, all men were justified to life.
For as through the one man's disobedience many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the one will many be made rigteous. The law came in besides, that the trespass might abound; but where sin abounded, grace did abound more exceedingly; That as sin reigned in death, even so might grace reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
Saturday, April 11, 2009
The Day With No Name
If we hope what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance. - Romas 8:25
In Louisiana, a woman lies buried beneath a grove of 150-year-old oak tres in the cemtery of an Episcopal church. Only one word is carved on her tombstone: "Waiting."
A friend of mine knows an elderly pastor who delivered a stirring Good Friday sermon titled "It's Friday, but Sunday's Comin'." In a cadence that increases in tempo and volume, his sermon contrasts how the world looked on Friday - when the forces of evil seemed to have triumphed - with how it looked on Sunday. The disciples who lived through both days never doubted God again. They learned that when God seems most absent, He may be closest of all.
The sermon skips one day, though - Saturday - the day with no name. What the disciples lived through in small scale, we now live through on cosmis scale. It's Saturday on planet earth; will Sunday ever come?
That dark, Golgothan Friday can only be called good because of what happened on Sunday. Easter opened up a crack in a universe winding down toward decay. And someday God will enlarge the miracle of Easter to cosmic scale.
Meanwhile, we wait in hopeful anticipation, living out our days on Saturday, the in-between day with no name.
It's Saturday. But Sunday's comin'. - Philip Yancey
Dark was the night - sin warred against us!
Heavy the load of sorrow we bore
But now we see signs of His coming -
Our hearts glow within us, joy's cup runneth o'er! - Camp (c) Renewal 1941 Norman Camp
God took the worst deed of history and turned it into the greatest victory.
^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^
Romans 8:18-25
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which will be revealed toward us. For the creation waits eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed.
For the creation was subjected to vanity, not of its own will, but because of him who subjected it; in hope that the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of decay into the liberty of the glory of the children of God.
For we know that the whole creation groans and travails in pain together until now. Not only so, but ourselves also, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan ourselves, waiting for adoption, the redemption of our body.
For we were saved in hope, but hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for that which he sees? But if we hope for that which we don't see, we wait for it with patience.
... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
In Louisiana, a woman lies buried beneath a grove of 150-year-old oak tres in the cemtery of an Episcopal church. Only one word is carved on her tombstone: "Waiting."
A friend of mine knows an elderly pastor who delivered a stirring Good Friday sermon titled "It's Friday, but Sunday's Comin'." In a cadence that increases in tempo and volume, his sermon contrasts how the world looked on Friday - when the forces of evil seemed to have triumphed - with how it looked on Sunday. The disciples who lived through both days never doubted God again. They learned that when God seems most absent, He may be closest of all.
The sermon skips one day, though - Saturday - the day with no name. What the disciples lived through in small scale, we now live through on cosmis scale. It's Saturday on planet earth; will Sunday ever come?
That dark, Golgothan Friday can only be called good because of what happened on Sunday. Easter opened up a crack in a universe winding down toward decay. And someday God will enlarge the miracle of Easter to cosmic scale.
Meanwhile, we wait in hopeful anticipation, living out our days on Saturday, the in-between day with no name.
It's Saturday. But Sunday's comin'. - Philip Yancey
Dark was the night - sin warred against us!
Heavy the load of sorrow we bore
But now we see signs of His coming -
Our hearts glow within us, joy's cup runneth o'er! - Camp (c) Renewal 1941 Norman Camp
God took the worst deed of history and turned it into the greatest victory.
^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^
Romans 8:18-25
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which will be revealed toward us. For the creation waits eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed.
For the creation was subjected to vanity, not of its own will, but because of him who subjected it; in hope that the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of decay into the liberty of the glory of the children of God.
For we know that the whole creation groans and travails in pain together until now. Not only so, but ourselves also, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan ourselves, waiting for adoption, the redemption of our body.
For we were saved in hope, but hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for that which he sees? But if we hope for that which we don't see, we wait for it with patience.
... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
Friday, April 10, 2009
Who Crucified Jesus
When they had come to the place called Calvary, there they crcified Him. - Luke 23:33
When looking at Rembrandt's painting of The Tree Crosses, your attention is drawn first to the cross on which Jesus died. Then as you look at the crowd gathered around the foot of the cross, you are impressed by the various facial expression and actoins of the people involved in the awful crime of crucifying the Son of God. Finally, your eyes drift to the edge of te painting to catch sight of another figure, almost hidden in the shadows. Some art critics say this is a representation of Rembrandt himself, for he recognized that by this sins he helped nail Jesus to the cross.
Some has said, "It is a simple thing to say that Christ died for the sins of the world. It is quiet another thing to say that Christ died for my sins... It is a shocking thought that we can be as indifferent as Pilate, as scheming as Calaphas, as callous as the soldiers, as ruthless as Caiaphas, as cowardly as the disciples. It wasn't just what thedid - it was / who nailed Him to the tree. I crucified the Christ of God. I joined the mockery."
Place yourself in the shadows with Rembrandt. You too are standing there. But then recall what Jesus said as He hung on that cross, "Father, forgive them.'' Thank God, that includes you and me. - Henry G. Bosch
Behold the Savior of mankind
Nailed to the shameful tree!
How vast the love that Him inclined
To bleed and die for thee! - Wesley
The cross of Christ reveals the love of God at its best and the sin of the wrld as its worst.
^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ...
Luke 23:33
When they came to the place that is called the Skull, they crucified him there with the criminals, one on the right and the other on the left. Jesus said, ''Father, forgive them, for they don't know what they are doing."
Dividing his garments among them, they cast lots. The people stood watching. The rulers with them also scoffed at him, saying, "He saved others. Let him save himself, if this is the Christ of God, his chosen one!"
The soldiers also mocked him, coming to him and offering him vinegar, and saying, "If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!" An inscription was also written over him in letters of Greek, Latin, and Hebrew: "THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS."
... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
When looking at Rembrandt's painting of The Tree Crosses, your attention is drawn first to the cross on which Jesus died. Then as you look at the crowd gathered around the foot of the cross, you are impressed by the various facial expression and actoins of the people involved in the awful crime of crucifying the Son of God. Finally, your eyes drift to the edge of te painting to catch sight of another figure, almost hidden in the shadows. Some art critics say this is a representation of Rembrandt himself, for he recognized that by this sins he helped nail Jesus to the cross.
Some has said, "It is a simple thing to say that Christ died for the sins of the world. It is quiet another thing to say that Christ died for my sins... It is a shocking thought that we can be as indifferent as Pilate, as scheming as Calaphas, as callous as the soldiers, as ruthless as Caiaphas, as cowardly as the disciples. It wasn't just what thedid - it was / who nailed Him to the tree. I crucified the Christ of God. I joined the mockery."
Place yourself in the shadows with Rembrandt. You too are standing there. But then recall what Jesus said as He hung on that cross, "Father, forgive them.'' Thank God, that includes you and me. - Henry G. Bosch
Behold the Savior of mankind
Nailed to the shameful tree!
How vast the love that Him inclined
To bleed and die for thee! - Wesley
The cross of Christ reveals the love of God at its best and the sin of the wrld as its worst.
^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ...
Luke 23:33
When they came to the place that is called the Skull, they crucified him there with the criminals, one on the right and the other on the left. Jesus said, ''Father, forgive them, for they don't know what they are doing."
Dividing his garments among them, they cast lots. The people stood watching. The rulers with them also scoffed at him, saying, "He saved others. Let him save himself, if this is the Christ of God, his chosen one!"
The soldiers also mocked him, coming to him and offering him vinegar, and saying, "If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!" An inscription was also written over him in letters of Greek, Latin, and Hebrew: "THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS."
... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
Thursday, April 9, 2009
The Honor Of Your Friendship
I have called you friends. -John 15:15
During the marriage ceremony of a British couple, the best man remained motionless. Even vows were exchanged, he didn't move.
The still figure was a racecar driver who was trying to be in two places at one time. Because of contractual commitments, Andy Priaulx, three-time world touring-car champion, had to break his promise to participate in his firend's wedding. So he sent a life-size cardboard coutout of himself, as well as a prerecorded speech. The bride said she was moved by his effort to honor their marriage.
Priaulx's gesture was certainly creative, and we shouldn't second-guess his actions. But Jesus gave us another standard by which to gauge friendship.
Jesus asked His disciples to show their friendsip to Him by lovning one another as He had loved them. Then, He raised the bar. In anticipation of His death on the cross, He said, "Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends" (John 15:13).
This depth of friendship isn't merely about doing the right thing. It's about sacrifice, and it springs out of a relationship with the One who truly did lay down His life for us.
Are we showing others that we have been loved by Jesus as He is loved by His Father? (v.9). - Mart De Haan
Love is more that a sentiment, it's putting another's needs ahead of your own.
^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^
John 15:9-17
Even as the Father has loved me, I also have loved you. Remain in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and remain in his love.
I have spoken these things to you, that my joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be made full. "This is my commandment, that you love one another, even as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.
You are my friends, if you do whatever I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant doesn't know what his lord does. But I have called you friends, for everything that I heard from my Father, I have made known to you.
You didn't choose me, but I chose you, and appointed you, that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain; that whatever you will ask of the Father in my name, he may give it to you. "I command these things to you, that you may love one another.
... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
During the marriage ceremony of a British couple, the best man remained motionless. Even vows were exchanged, he didn't move.
The still figure was a racecar driver who was trying to be in two places at one time. Because of contractual commitments, Andy Priaulx, three-time world touring-car champion, had to break his promise to participate in his firend's wedding. So he sent a life-size cardboard coutout of himself, as well as a prerecorded speech. The bride said she was moved by his effort to honor their marriage.
Priaulx's gesture was certainly creative, and we shouldn't second-guess his actions. But Jesus gave us another standard by which to gauge friendship.
Jesus asked His disciples to show their friendsip to Him by lovning one another as He had loved them. Then, He raised the bar. In anticipation of His death on the cross, He said, "Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends" (John 15:13).
This depth of friendship isn't merely about doing the right thing. It's about sacrifice, and it springs out of a relationship with the One who truly did lay down His life for us.
Are we showing others that we have been loved by Jesus as He is loved by His Father? (v.9). - Mart De Haan
Love is more that a sentiment, it's putting another's needs ahead of your own.
^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^
John 15:9-17
Even as the Father has loved me, I also have loved you. Remain in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and remain in his love.
I have spoken these things to you, that my joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be made full. "This is my commandment, that you love one another, even as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.
You are my friends, if you do whatever I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant doesn't know what his lord does. But I have called you friends, for everything that I heard from my Father, I have made known to you.
You didn't choose me, but I chose you, and appointed you, that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain; that whatever you will ask of the Father in my name, he may give it to you. "I command these things to you, that you may love one another.
... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
The Other Goat
He Himself is the propitation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world. - 1 John 2:2
Te Scapegoat, a novel by Daphne du Maurier, is about two men who are amzed at the skriking similarity in their appearance. They spend an evening together, but one runs off, stealing the other's identity and leaving him to step into a life filled with problems. The second man becomes a scapegoat.
The origin of that word comes from a ceremony performed with two goats on the Hebrew Day of Atonement (known today as Yom Kippur). The high priest would sacrifice one goat and symbolically place the sins of the people on the head of the other - the scapegoat - before it was sent into the wilderness carrying away the blame of the sin (Lev. 16:7-10).
But when Jesus came, He became our scapegoat. He offered Himself up "once for all" as a sacrifice to pay for the sins of the whole world" (1 John 2:2; Heb. 7:27). The first goat had been sacrificed as a sin offering for God's people and symbolized Jesus' sacrifice on the cross. The other goat was a representation of the comletely innocent Jesus accepting and removing our sin and guilt.
None of us is without sin - but the Father laid on Jesus "the iniquity of us all" (Isa. 53:6). God sees followers of His Son as blameless - because Jesus took all the blame we deserve. - Cindy Hess Kasper
Jesus our Savior left heaven above,
Coming to earth as a Servant with love,
Laying aside all His glory, He came,
Giving His life, taking all of our blame. - Hess
Jesus takes uor sin and gives us His salvation.
^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ...
1 John 2:1-6
My little children, I write these things to you so that you may not sin. If anyone sins, we have a Counselor with Father, Jesus Christ, the righteous. And he is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not for ours only, but also for the whole world. This is how we know that we know him: if we keep his commandments.
One who says, "I know him," and doesn't keep his commandmets, is a liar, and the truth isn't in him. But whoever keeps his words, God's love has most assuredly been perfected in him. This is how we know that we are in him: he who says he remains in him ought himself also to walk just like he walked.
... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
Te Scapegoat, a novel by Daphne du Maurier, is about two men who are amzed at the skriking similarity in their appearance. They spend an evening together, but one runs off, stealing the other's identity and leaving him to step into a life filled with problems. The second man becomes a scapegoat.
The origin of that word comes from a ceremony performed with two goats on the Hebrew Day of Atonement (known today as Yom Kippur). The high priest would sacrifice one goat and symbolically place the sins of the people on the head of the other - the scapegoat - before it was sent into the wilderness carrying away the blame of the sin (Lev. 16:7-10).
But when Jesus came, He became our scapegoat. He offered Himself up "once for all" as a sacrifice to pay for the sins of the whole world" (1 John 2:2; Heb. 7:27). The first goat had been sacrificed as a sin offering for God's people and symbolized Jesus' sacrifice on the cross. The other goat was a representation of the comletely innocent Jesus accepting and removing our sin and guilt.
None of us is without sin - but the Father laid on Jesus "the iniquity of us all" (Isa. 53:6). God sees followers of His Son as blameless - because Jesus took all the blame we deserve. - Cindy Hess Kasper
Jesus our Savior left heaven above,
Coming to earth as a Servant with love,
Laying aside all His glory, He came,
Giving His life, taking all of our blame. - Hess
Jesus takes uor sin and gives us His salvation.
^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ...
1 John 2:1-6
My little children, I write these things to you so that you may not sin. If anyone sins, we have a Counselor with Father, Jesus Christ, the righteous. And he is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not for ours only, but also for the whole world. This is how we know that we know him: if we keep his commandments.
One who says, "I know him," and doesn't keep his commandmets, is a liar, and the truth isn't in him. But whoever keeps his words, God's love has most assuredly been perfected in him. This is how we know that we are in him: he who says he remains in him ought himself also to walk just like he walked.
... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Who's On My Guest List
When you give a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind. And you will be blessed. - Luke 14:13-14
The poor and needy everywhere
Are objects of God's love and care,
But they will always know despair
Unless His love with them we share. - D. De Haan
Opening our hearts and homes blesses both us and others.
^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ...
Luke 14:12-14
He also said to the one who had invited him, "When you make a dinner or a supper, don't call your friends, nor your brothers, nor your kinsmen, nor rich neighbors, or perhaps they might alos return the favor, and pay you back.
But when you make a feast, ask the poor, the maimed, the lame, or the blind; and you will be blessed, because they don't have the resources to repay you. For you will be repaid in the resurrection of the righteous."
... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
I love hosting festive dinners. Sometimes I'll say: "Tonia, we haven't had anyone over for dinner in a while. Who do you think we should invite?" We go through our proposed guest list and suggest friends we have never invited or have not invited in a while. And it seems like this list is normally comprised of people who look and sounf and live like we do, and who can reciprocate. But if we were to ask Jesus whom we should have over for dinner, He would give us a totally different guest list.
One day a prominent Pharisee invited Jesus into his home, probably for table fellowship, but possibly to watch Him closely so he could trap Him. While there, Jesus healed a man and taught the host a significant lesson: When making out your guest list for a dinner party, you should not be exclusive - inviting friends, relatives, wich neighbors, and thoes who can pay you back. Instead, you should be inclusive - inviting the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. Although such people would not be able to pay the host back, Jesus assured him that he would be blessed and that God would reward him (Luke 14:12-14).
Just as Jesus loves the less fortune, He invites us to love them by opening up our hearts and homes. - Marvin WilliamsThe poor and needy everywhere
Are objects of God's love and care,
But they will always know despair
Unless His love with them we share. - D. De Haan
Opening our hearts and homes blesses both us and others.
^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ...
Luke 14:12-14
He also said to the one who had invited him, "When you make a dinner or a supper, don't call your friends, nor your brothers, nor your kinsmen, nor rich neighbors, or perhaps they might alos return the favor, and pay you back.
But when you make a feast, ask the poor, the maimed, the lame, or the blind; and you will be blessed, because they don't have the resources to repay you. For you will be repaid in the resurrection of the righteous."
... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
Monday, April 6, 2009
Nothing Left But God
Do not e afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God's. - 2 Chronicles 20:15
A wise Bible teacher once said, "Sooner or later God will bring self-sufficient people to the place where they have no resource but Him - no strength, no answers, nothing but Him. Without God's help, they're sunk."
He then told of a despairing man who confessed to his pastor, "My life is really in bad shape." "How bad?" the pastor inquired. Burying his head in his hands, he moaned, "I'll tell you how bad - all I've got left is God." The pastor's face lit up. "I'm happy to assure you that a person with nothing left but God has more than enough for great victory!"
In toda's Bible reading, the people of Judah were also in trouble. They admitted their lack of power and wisdom to conquer their foes. All they had left was God! But King Jehoshaphat and the people saw this as reason for hope, not despair. "Our eyes are upon You," they declared to God (2 Chron. 20:12). And their hope was not disappointed as He fulfilled His promise: "The battle is not yours, but God's" (v.15).
Are you in a position where all self-sufficiency is gone? As you turn your eyes on the Lord and put your hope in Him, you have God's reasssuring promise that you need nothing more. - Joanie Yoder
Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face;
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of His glory and grace. - Lemmel
When all you have is God, you have all you need.
^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^
2 Chronicles 20:1-19
It happened after this, that the children of Moab, and the children of Ammon, and with them some of the Ammonites, came against Jehoshaphat to battle.
Then there came some who told Jehoshaphat, saying, There comes a great multitude against you from beyond the sea from Syria; and, behold, they are in Hazazon Tamar. Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek to Yahweh; and he proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. Judah gathered themselves together, to seek of Yahweh: even out of all the cities of Judah they came to seek Yahweh.
Jehoshaphat stood in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of Yahweh, before the new court; and he said, Yahweh, the God of our fathers, aren't you God in heaven? and aren't you ruler over all the kingdoms of the nations? and in your hand is power and might, so that none is able to withstand you. Did not you, our God, drive out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel, and give it to the seed of Abraham your friend forever? They lived therein, and have built you a sanctuary therein for your name, saying, If evil come on us, the sword, judgement, or pertilence, or famine, we will stand before this house, and before you, (for your name is in this house), and cry to you in our affliction, and you will hear and save.
Now, behold, the children of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir, whom you would not let Israel invade, when they came out of the land of Egypt, but they turned aside from them, and didn't destroy them; behold, how they reward us, to come to cast us out of your possession, which you have given us to inherit. Our God, will you not judge them? for we have no might against this great company that comes against us; neither know we what to do: but our eyes are on you.
All Judah stood before Yahweh, with their little ones, their wives, and their children.
Then on Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, the Levite, of the sons of Asaph, came the Spirit of Yahweh in the midst of the assembly; and he said, Listen you, all Judah, and you inhabitants of Jerusalem, and you king Jehoshaphat: Thus says Yahweh to you, Don't be afraid you, neither be dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God's.
Tomorrow go you down against them: behold, they come up by the ascent of Ziz; and you shall find them at the end of the valley, before the wilderness of Jeruel. You shall not need to fight in this: set yourselves, stand you still, and see the salvation of Yahweh with you, O Judah and Jerusalem; don't be afraid, nor be dismayed: tomorrow go out against them: for Yahweh is with you.
Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground; and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerulsalem fell down before Yahweh, worshipping Yahweh. The Levites, of the children of the Kohathites and of the children of the Korahites, stood up to praise Yahweh, the God of Israel, with an exceeding loud voice.
They rose early in the morning, and went forth into the wilderness of Tekoa: and as they went forth, Jehoshaphat stood and said, Hear me, Judah, and you inhabitants of Jerusalem: believe in Yahweh your God, so shall you be established; belive his prophets, so shall you prosper.
A wise Bible teacher once said, "Sooner or later God will bring self-sufficient people to the place where they have no resource but Him - no strength, no answers, nothing but Him. Without God's help, they're sunk."
He then told of a despairing man who confessed to his pastor, "My life is really in bad shape." "How bad?" the pastor inquired. Burying his head in his hands, he moaned, "I'll tell you how bad - all I've got left is God." The pastor's face lit up. "I'm happy to assure you that a person with nothing left but God has more than enough for great victory!"
In toda's Bible reading, the people of Judah were also in trouble. They admitted their lack of power and wisdom to conquer their foes. All they had left was God! But King Jehoshaphat and the people saw this as reason for hope, not despair. "Our eyes are upon You," they declared to God (2 Chron. 20:12). And their hope was not disappointed as He fulfilled His promise: "The battle is not yours, but God's" (v.15).
Are you in a position where all self-sufficiency is gone? As you turn your eyes on the Lord and put your hope in Him, you have God's reasssuring promise that you need nothing more. - Joanie Yoder
Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face;
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of His glory and grace. - Lemmel
When all you have is God, you have all you need.
^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^
2 Chronicles 20:1-19
It happened after this, that the children of Moab, and the children of Ammon, and with them some of the Ammonites, came against Jehoshaphat to battle.
Then there came some who told Jehoshaphat, saying, There comes a great multitude against you from beyond the sea from Syria; and, behold, they are in Hazazon Tamar. Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek to Yahweh; and he proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. Judah gathered themselves together, to seek of Yahweh: even out of all the cities of Judah they came to seek Yahweh.
Jehoshaphat stood in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of Yahweh, before the new court; and he said, Yahweh, the God of our fathers, aren't you God in heaven? and aren't you ruler over all the kingdoms of the nations? and in your hand is power and might, so that none is able to withstand you. Did not you, our God, drive out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel, and give it to the seed of Abraham your friend forever? They lived therein, and have built you a sanctuary therein for your name, saying, If evil come on us, the sword, judgement, or pertilence, or famine, we will stand before this house, and before you, (for your name is in this house), and cry to you in our affliction, and you will hear and save.
Now, behold, the children of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir, whom you would not let Israel invade, when they came out of the land of Egypt, but they turned aside from them, and didn't destroy them; behold, how they reward us, to come to cast us out of your possession, which you have given us to inherit. Our God, will you not judge them? for we have no might against this great company that comes against us; neither know we what to do: but our eyes are on you.
All Judah stood before Yahweh, with their little ones, their wives, and their children.
Then on Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, the Levite, of the sons of Asaph, came the Spirit of Yahweh in the midst of the assembly; and he said, Listen you, all Judah, and you inhabitants of Jerusalem, and you king Jehoshaphat: Thus says Yahweh to you, Don't be afraid you, neither be dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God's.
Tomorrow go you down against them: behold, they come up by the ascent of Ziz; and you shall find them at the end of the valley, before the wilderness of Jeruel. You shall not need to fight in this: set yourselves, stand you still, and see the salvation of Yahweh with you, O Judah and Jerusalem; don't be afraid, nor be dismayed: tomorrow go out against them: for Yahweh is with you.
Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground; and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerulsalem fell down before Yahweh, worshipping Yahweh. The Levites, of the children of the Kohathites and of the children of the Korahites, stood up to praise Yahweh, the God of Israel, with an exceeding loud voice.
They rose early in the morning, and went forth into the wilderness of Tekoa: and as they went forth, Jehoshaphat stood and said, Hear me, Judah, and you inhabitants of Jerusalem: believe in Yahweh your God, so shall you be established; belive his prophets, so shall you prosper.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
The Measure Of Mercy
You were not redeemed with corruptible things,... but with the precious blood of Christ. - 1 Peter 1:18-19
What is the distance from God's throne of splendor down to the abyss of Calvary's cross? What is the measure of the Savior's love for us? In Paul's letter to the Philippians, he described Jesus' descent from the height of glory to the depths of shame and agony and back again. (2:5-11).
Christ is the eternal Creator and Lord of all existence, exalted infinitely above earth's foulness and decay. He is the source of life, with myriads of angels to sing His praises and do His bidding. Yet, motivated by love for our lost human race, "He humbled Himself and become obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross" (v.8). He came to our puny planet, was born in a cavelike barn with its smells and filth, and was placed as a helpless baby in a feeding trough.
When He grew to manhood, He endured homeslessness (Matt. 8:20). Thirsty, He asked an adulteress for water (John 4:7-9). Weary, He fell asleep in a boat on a storm-tossed sea (Mark 4:37-38). Sinless, He was adored by the multitudes one day (Matt. 21:9), and then comdemned as a criminal and died on a Roman cross in excruciating pain.
That's the distance from God's throne down to Calvary! That's the measure of His mercy and grace! - Vernon C. Grounds
O the love that drew salvation's plan!
O the grace that brought it down to man!
O the mighty gulf tat God did span
At Calvary! - Newell
God broke into human history to offer us the eternal gift of salvation.
^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ...
1 Peter 13-21
Therefore, prepare your minds for action, be sober and set your hope fully on the grace that will brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ - as children of obedience, not conforming yourselves according to your former lusts as in you ignorance, but just as he who called you is holy, you yourselves also be holy in all of your behavior; because it is written, "You shall be holy; for I am holy."
If you call on him as Father, who without respect of person judges according to each man's work, pass the time of your living as strangers here in reverent fear: knowing that you were redeemed, not with corruptible things, with silver or gold, from the useless way of life handed down from your fathers, but with precious blood, as a lamb without spot, the blood of Christ; who was foreknown indeed before the foundation of the world, but was revealed at the end of times for your sake, who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead, and gave him glory; so that you faith and hope might be in God.
... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
Jesus... who are totally sinless... and holy... since we call Him as Father Lord... we should follow His steps...
We are not able to die for anyone... but we can drink His cup, and show the life of Jesus to other through our own behavior...
What is the distance from God's throne of splendor down to the abyss of Calvary's cross? What is the measure of the Savior's love for us? In Paul's letter to the Philippians, he described Jesus' descent from the height of glory to the depths of shame and agony and back again. (2:5-11).
Christ is the eternal Creator and Lord of all existence, exalted infinitely above earth's foulness and decay. He is the source of life, with myriads of angels to sing His praises and do His bidding. Yet, motivated by love for our lost human race, "He humbled Himself and become obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross" (v.8). He came to our puny planet, was born in a cavelike barn with its smells and filth, and was placed as a helpless baby in a feeding trough.
When He grew to manhood, He endured homeslessness (Matt. 8:20). Thirsty, He asked an adulteress for water (John 4:7-9). Weary, He fell asleep in a boat on a storm-tossed sea (Mark 4:37-38). Sinless, He was adored by the multitudes one day (Matt. 21:9), and then comdemned as a criminal and died on a Roman cross in excruciating pain.
That's the distance from God's throne down to Calvary! That's the measure of His mercy and grace! - Vernon C. Grounds
O the love that drew salvation's plan!
O the grace that brought it down to man!
O the mighty gulf tat God did span
At Calvary! - Newell
God broke into human history to offer us the eternal gift of salvation.
^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ...
1 Peter 13-21
Therefore, prepare your minds for action, be sober and set your hope fully on the grace that will brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ - as children of obedience, not conforming yourselves according to your former lusts as in you ignorance, but just as he who called you is holy, you yourselves also be holy in all of your behavior; because it is written, "You shall be holy; for I am holy."
If you call on him as Father, who without respect of person judges according to each man's work, pass the time of your living as strangers here in reverent fear: knowing that you were redeemed, not with corruptible things, with silver or gold, from the useless way of life handed down from your fathers, but with precious blood, as a lamb without spot, the blood of Christ; who was foreknown indeed before the foundation of the world, but was revealed at the end of times for your sake, who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead, and gave him glory; so that you faith and hope might be in God.
... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
Jesus... who are totally sinless... and holy... since we call Him as Father Lord... we should follow His steps...
We are not able to die for anyone... but we can drink His cup, and show the life of Jesus to other through our own behavior...
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Humility And Greatness
Whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. - Matthew 20:26
As a 7-year-old, Richard Bernstein admired Jackie Robinson's athletic ability and courage as the first African-American man to play Major League baseball in the modern era. A few years later, while working at a small-town golf course, Bernstein was astonished to find himself carrying the bag of his hero, Jackie Robinson. When rain postponed the game, Robinson held an umbrella over the two of them and shared his chocolate bar with the young caddy. Writing in The International Herald Tribune, Bernstein cited that humble act of kindness as a mark of greatness he has never forgotten.
True greatness is shown by humility, not pride. This was powerfully demonstrated and taught by Jesus Christ, who did His ambitious disciples: "Whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. Ans whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many" (Matt. 20:26-28).
When God Himself walked on earth as a man, He washed feet, welcomed children, and willingly gave His life to deliver us from self-centered tyranny of sin. His example gives credence to His command. - David C. McCasland
True greatness does not lie with those
Who strive for worldly fame,
It lies instead with those who choose
To serve in Jesus' name. - D. De Haan
We can do great things for the Lord if we are willing to do little things for others.
^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ...
Matthew 20:20-28
Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came to him with her sons, kneeling and asking a certain thing of him. He said to her, "What do you want?" She said to him, "Command that these, my two sons, may sit, one on your right hand, and one on your left hand, in your kingdom."
But Jesus answered, "You don't know what are you asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?" They said to him, "We are able."
He said to them, "You will indeed drink my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with, but to sit on my right hand and on my left hand is not mine to give; but it is for whom it has been prepared by my Father." When the ten heard it, they were indignant with the two brothers.
But Jesus summoned them, and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you, but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. Whoever desires to be first among you shall be your bondservant, even as the Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
I willing to become servant... May God use me... I am sorry for my past... but may God forgive me... and give me another chance... and... I promise to change...
As a 7-year-old, Richard Bernstein admired Jackie Robinson's athletic ability and courage as the first African-American man to play Major League baseball in the modern era. A few years later, while working at a small-town golf course, Bernstein was astonished to find himself carrying the bag of his hero, Jackie Robinson. When rain postponed the game, Robinson held an umbrella over the two of them and shared his chocolate bar with the young caddy. Writing in The International Herald Tribune, Bernstein cited that humble act of kindness as a mark of greatness he has never forgotten.
True greatness is shown by humility, not pride. This was powerfully demonstrated and taught by Jesus Christ, who did His ambitious disciples: "Whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. Ans whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many" (Matt. 20:26-28).
When God Himself walked on earth as a man, He washed feet, welcomed children, and willingly gave His life to deliver us from self-centered tyranny of sin. His example gives credence to His command. - David C. McCasland
True greatness does not lie with those
Who strive for worldly fame,
It lies instead with those who choose
To serve in Jesus' name. - D. De Haan
We can do great things for the Lord if we are willing to do little things for others.
^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ...
Matthew 20:20-28
Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came to him with her sons, kneeling and asking a certain thing of him. He said to her, "What do you want?" She said to him, "Command that these, my two sons, may sit, one on your right hand, and one on your left hand, in your kingdom."
But Jesus answered, "You don't know what are you asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?" They said to him, "We are able."
He said to them, "You will indeed drink my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with, but to sit on my right hand and on my left hand is not mine to give; but it is for whom it has been prepared by my Father." When the ten heard it, they were indignant with the two brothers.
But Jesus summoned them, and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you, but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. Whoever desires to be first among you shall be your bondservant, even as the Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
I willing to become servant... May God use me... I am sorry for my past... but may God forgive me... and give me another chance... and... I promise to change...
Friday, April 3, 2009
The Journey Home
[Abraham] waited for the city... whose builder and maker is God. - Hebrews 11:10
Bill Bright, the founder of Campus Crusade for Christ, was diagnosed years ago with the terminal disease pulmonary fibrosis. Eventually he required prolonged bed rest. Bright used this time of quiet reflection to write a book called The Journey Home.
In his book, Bright quotes Charles Haddon Spurgeon, who said: "May we live here like strangers and make the world not a house, but an inn, in which we sup and lodge, expecting to be on our journey tomorrow."
Struck by Spurgeon's perspective concerning his own terminal prognosis, Bright commented: "Knowing that heaven is our real home makes it easier to pass through the tough times here on earth. I have taken comfort often in the knowledge that the perils of a journey on earth will be nothing compared to the glories of heaven.
Abraham, the friend of God, illustrates this same otherworldly orientation: "By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country... for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God" (Heb. 11:9-10). His sojourn was that of a travelling foreigner, who by faith sought an eternal city constructed by God.
Whether death is near or far away, let's exhibit a faith that focuses on our eternal home. - Dennis Fisher
Home from the earthly journey,
Safe for eternity;
All that the Savior promised-
That is what heaven will be. - Anon.
We may walk a desert pathway, but the end of the journey is the Garfen of God.
^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ...
Let's make the world a home for everyone...
No more strangers or enemy... but friends and family...
Although the condition is not so good... but all this is just very little compared to Jesus' tough... to carry up the cross is not easy... but with God's help and also friends... it will become much more easier...
Bill Bright, the founder of Campus Crusade for Christ, was diagnosed years ago with the terminal disease pulmonary fibrosis. Eventually he required prolonged bed rest. Bright used this time of quiet reflection to write a book called The Journey Home.
In his book, Bright quotes Charles Haddon Spurgeon, who said: "May we live here like strangers and make the world not a house, but an inn, in which we sup and lodge, expecting to be on our journey tomorrow."
Struck by Spurgeon's perspective concerning his own terminal prognosis, Bright commented: "Knowing that heaven is our real home makes it easier to pass through the tough times here on earth. I have taken comfort often in the knowledge that the perils of a journey on earth will be nothing compared to the glories of heaven.
Abraham, the friend of God, illustrates this same otherworldly orientation: "By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country... for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God" (Heb. 11:9-10). His sojourn was that of a travelling foreigner, who by faith sought an eternal city constructed by God.
Whether death is near or far away, let's exhibit a faith that focuses on our eternal home. - Dennis Fisher
Home from the earthly journey,
Safe for eternity;
All that the Savior promised-
That is what heaven will be. - Anon.
We may walk a desert pathway, but the end of the journey is the Garfen of God.
^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ...
Let's make the world a home for everyone...
No more strangers or enemy... but friends and family...
Although the condition is not so good... but all this is just very little compared to Jesus' tough... to carry up the cross is not easy... but with God's help and also friends... it will become much more easier...
Thursday, April 2, 2009
His Part; Our Part
Arise, go over this Jordan... I will not leave you nor forsake you. - Joshua 1:2,5
Whenever the Lord assigns us a difficult task, He gives us what we need to carry it out. John Wesley wrote, "Among the many difficulties of our early ministry, my brother Charles often said, 'If the Lord would give me wings, I'd fly.' I used to answer, 'If God bids me fly, I will trust Him for the wings.'"
Today's Scripture tells us that Joshua was thrust into a position of great responsibility. Not doubt the enomity of the challenge before him made him tremble with fear. How could he ever follow such a great leader as Moses? In his own strength it would be impossible to lead the people into the Promised Land. But along with the marching orders, the Lord gave him an assuring promise: "I will not leave you nor forsake you" (Josh. 1:5). Then He said, "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be affraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go" (v.9). Such reassurances were the backing Joshua needed.
If God has given you some special work to do that frightens you, it's your responsibility to jump at it. It's up to the Lord to see you through. As you faithfully do your part, He will do His part. - Richard De Haan
I will go where You want me to go, dear Lord,
O'er mountain or plain or sea;
I'll say what You want me to say, dear Lord,
I'll be what You want me to be. - Brown
Where God guides, God provides!
^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ...
He will leave a window if all the doors are close...
Trust Him faithfully and will get to see miracle...
He didn't forget me... although I am not able to join the alpha, training and some more... but I do know He never leave me alone... but it is me to push Him away in order to stay alone for calm and think... Whenever I ask, He will do answer me... He helps me alot... but I did nothing for Him...
Maybe it is time for me to do something... they are right... I have to boost up my academy for God's glory... and of course with His help...
I believe He is my provider for everything... so nothing is impossible for Him...
Whenever the Lord assigns us a difficult task, He gives us what we need to carry it out. John Wesley wrote, "Among the many difficulties of our early ministry, my brother Charles often said, 'If the Lord would give me wings, I'd fly.' I used to answer, 'If God bids me fly, I will trust Him for the wings.'"
Today's Scripture tells us that Joshua was thrust into a position of great responsibility. Not doubt the enomity of the challenge before him made him tremble with fear. How could he ever follow such a great leader as Moses? In his own strength it would be impossible to lead the people into the Promised Land. But along with the marching orders, the Lord gave him an assuring promise: "I will not leave you nor forsake you" (Josh. 1:5). Then He said, "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be affraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go" (v.9). Such reassurances were the backing Joshua needed.
If God has given you some special work to do that frightens you, it's your responsibility to jump at it. It's up to the Lord to see you through. As you faithfully do your part, He will do His part. - Richard De Haan
I will go where You want me to go, dear Lord,
O'er mountain or plain or sea;
I'll say what You want me to say, dear Lord,
I'll be what You want me to be. - Brown
Where God guides, God provides!
^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ...
He will leave a window if all the doors are close...
Trust Him faithfully and will get to see miracle...
He didn't forget me... although I am not able to join the alpha, training and some more... but I do know He never leave me alone... but it is me to push Him away in order to stay alone for calm and think... Whenever I ask, He will do answer me... He helps me alot... but I did nothing for Him...
Maybe it is time for me to do something... they are right... I have to boost up my academy for God's glory... and of course with His help...
I believe He is my provider for everything... so nothing is impossible for Him...
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Servant - Friendship
We were gentle among you, just as a nursing mother cherishes her own children. - 1 Thessalonians 2:7
Don Tack wanted to know what life was like for homeless people. So he cconcealed his identity and went to live on the streets of his city. He found out that food and shelter were offered by many organizations. At one shelter he could spent the night if he listened to a sermon beforehand. He appreciated the guest speaker's message and wanted to talk with his afterward. But as Don reached out to shake the man's hand and asked if he could talk with him, the speaker walked right past him as if he didn't exist.
Don learned that what was missing most in ministry to the homeless in his area were people who were willing to build relationships. Se he began an organization called Servants Center to offer help through friendship.
What Don encountered at the shelter was the opposite of what the people who heard the apostle Paul experienced. When he shared the gospel, he gave himseld too. He testified in his letter to the Thessalonians, "We were well pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God, but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us" (1 Thess. 2:8). He said, "We were gentle among you," like a mother (v.7).
In our service for the Lord, do we share not just our words or money but our time and friendship? - Anne Cetas
I want to do service for Christ while I live,
And comfort and cheer to poor lonely hearts give;
For this is the program approved by the Word,
To visit the needy and speak of the Lord. - Bosch
One measure of our likeness to Christ is our sensitivity to the suffering of others.
^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ...
Don Tack wanted to know what life was like for homeless people. So he cconcealed his identity and went to live on the streets of his city. He found out that food and shelter were offered by many organizations. At one shelter he could spent the night if he listened to a sermon beforehand. He appreciated the guest speaker's message and wanted to talk with his afterward. But as Don reached out to shake the man's hand and asked if he could talk with him, the speaker walked right past him as if he didn't exist.
Don learned that what was missing most in ministry to the homeless in his area were people who were willing to build relationships. Se he began an organization called Servants Center to offer help through friendship.
What Don encountered at the shelter was the opposite of what the people who heard the apostle Paul experienced. When he shared the gospel, he gave himseld too. He testified in his letter to the Thessalonians, "We were well pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God, but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us" (1 Thess. 2:8). He said, "We were gentle among you," like a mother (v.7).
In our service for the Lord, do we share not just our words or money but our time and friendship? - Anne Cetas
I want to do service for Christ while I live,
And comfort and cheer to poor lonely hearts give;
For this is the program approved by the Word,
To visit the needy and speak of the Lord. - Bosch
One measure of our likeness to Christ is our sensitivity to the suffering of others.
^.^ ... ^.^ ... ^.^ ...
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