Words Of Jesus Devotionals - 24
"Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you will know them. "Not everyone who says to Me, "Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, "Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' And then I will declare to them, "I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!" (Matthew 7:15-23) (NKJV)
Our motives and intentions are closely watched by the Lord while we are in the Lord's work or ministry. Why are we doing things that we are doing? Is it for fame, is to become rich, is it to build our own kingdom? or is really the "kingdom of God" that we are truly concerned about. The Apostle Paul speaks of those who "peddle the Word of God".
For we are not, as so many, peddling the word of God; but as of sincerity, but as from God, we speak in the sight of God in Christ. (2 Corinthians 2:17)
In the passage above, Jesus warns us of "false prophets". There are many around today who qualify
for this infamous title. Mind you, they prophesy, cast out demons and do wonders, all in Jesus' name, but they are not the servants of Jesus, but of the evil one. They use Jesus' name, but use the power of the devil to achieve it.
Jesus says, we can know them by their fruits. Luxurious lifestyles, propensity to hoard money, self propogated unbiblical doctrines have become so common these days. Riches and prosperity are linked to faith and holiness. Naive believers cannot differentiate between true and false ministers of the Gospel, though Jesus had issued the warning long ago.
According to Jesus, "Doing the will of the Father in heaven" is what is most important, which can often mean working for the Lord without fame and prosperity in an obscure place. Jesus wants his ministers to be "good trees bearing good fruit". Can we match up to his standards? is a question that we as ministers of the Gospel should ask ourselves.
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Words Of Jesus Devotionals-23
Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. (Matthew 7:13, 14) (NKJV)
The few who pass through the narrow gate and walk through the difficult way are the ones who are blessed. Eternal riches await them. Jesus also said,
Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able. (Luke 13:24)
Living in this world, the Christian believer encounters much more problems than the unbeliever. Not only what we face daily because of living in a sin infested world, but because we have to walk in the difficult way that Jesus taught. Why is the way difficult? Because we have to keep ourselves unspotted from the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life. Of course, the Lord is with us continually as Immanuel ......healing, delivering, protecting, granting peace and joy.....and the Holy Spirit is there as our Counselor at all times....guiding us.
The Apostle Peter writes,
Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless. (2 Peter 3:13,14)
Look at the last 4 words in that verse...it says "without spot and blameless".....
Difficult.....But it can be achieved.
The Apostle Paul exhorts us regarding this in this manner:
Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling......... (Philippians 2:12)
Every believer must strive to keep himself/herself without spot and blameless, for that is what Jesus expects of us.
The few who pass through the narrow gate and walk through the difficult way are the ones who are blessed. Eternal riches await them. Jesus also said,
Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able. (Luke 13:24)
Living in this world, the Christian believer encounters much more problems than the unbeliever. Not only what we face daily because of living in a sin infested world, but because we have to walk in the difficult way that Jesus taught. Why is the way difficult? Because we have to keep ourselves unspotted from the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life. Of course, the Lord is with us continually as Immanuel ......healing, delivering, protecting, granting peace and joy.....and the Holy Spirit is there as our Counselor at all times....guiding us.
The Apostle Peter writes,
Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless. (2 Peter 3:13,14)
Look at the last 4 words in that verse...it says "without spot and blameless".....
Difficult.....But it can be achieved.
The Apostle Paul exhorts us regarding this in this manner:
Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling......... (Philippians 2:12)
Every believer must strive to keep himself/herself without spot and blameless, for that is what Jesus expects of us.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Words Of Jesus Devotionals-22
Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets. (Matthew 7:12) (NKJV)
Most of us desire that others be good and kind to us, that they may help us and not hurt us. If they aren't friendly, they may at least not trouble us in any way. A word of thanks and a word of praise is appreciated by all. In the above verse, Jesus gives us the "Golden Rule" or the "Rule-of-Thumb Guide" regarding our dealings and expectations from others.
If we do not respect, love and be thankful to others, we should not expect it from them either. But if we do expect it, we should be willing to give.
In the gospel of Luke, we read Jesus saying the same;
And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise. (Luke 6:31)
Even if we take these verses with regard to members in a single family unit, they have great relevance. If the husband and wife complement and thank each other for small and big things and the children are appreciative of their parents and vice-versa, there would be greater harmony in Christian homes.
There are a lot of imperfections in each of us and we would do well to remember that people around us are the same too and so we should be willing to forgive others as we expect them to forgive us our shortcomings with regard to them.
May the Holy Spirit help us all to follow the "Golden Rule" that Jesus gave us and follow in the footsteps of our Savior at all times.
Most of us desire that others be good and kind to us, that they may help us and not hurt us. If they aren't friendly, they may at least not trouble us in any way. A word of thanks and a word of praise is appreciated by all. In the above verse, Jesus gives us the "Golden Rule" or the "Rule-of-Thumb Guide" regarding our dealings and expectations from others.
If we do not respect, love and be thankful to others, we should not expect it from them either. But if we do expect it, we should be willing to give.
In the gospel of Luke, we read Jesus saying the same;
And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise. (Luke 6:31)
Even if we take these verses with regard to members in a single family unit, they have great relevance. If the husband and wife complement and thank each other for small and big things and the children are appreciative of their parents and vice-versa, there would be greater harmony in Christian homes.
There are a lot of imperfections in each of us and we would do well to remember that people around us are the same too and so we should be willing to forgive others as we expect them to forgive us our shortcomings with regard to them.
May the Holy Spirit help us all to follow the "Golden Rule" that Jesus gave us and follow in the footsteps of our Savior at all times.
Monday, March 21, 2011
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Thursday, March 17, 2011
From the news - 5
From The News-5- Wrong frequency
Capitol building in Washington, America was evacuated for a short time on 1st Jan.2011 because a Piedmont Airlines plane lost radio contact. The pilot had tuned into a wrong radio frequency and lost contact as the plane approached Washington. Military planes took off to find it and took 15 minutes to figure out where it was and restore communication.
Since the 9/11 suicide attacks on the Pentagon in Washington, U.S. authorities regard any unidentified plane approaching the Washington area as a threat and deploy fighter planes to intercept it. The pilot read the wrong radio frequency and then went on to get the wrong frequency creating pandemonium.
As Christians are we reading the "signs of our times" rightly?
Are we on the "right frequency"?
In simple terms...Do we know where we are headed?
Good if we are sure...If not, it's high time to get on the "right frequency" and stay on course.
But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:13, 14)
Capitol building in Washington, America was evacuated for a short time on 1st Jan.2011 because a Piedmont Airlines plane lost radio contact. The pilot had tuned into a wrong radio frequency and lost contact as the plane approached Washington. Military planes took off to find it and took 15 minutes to figure out where it was and restore communication.
Since the 9/11 suicide attacks on the Pentagon in Washington, U.S. authorities regard any unidentified plane approaching the Washington area as a threat and deploy fighter planes to intercept it. The pilot read the wrong radio frequency and then went on to get the wrong frequency creating pandemonium.
As Christians are we reading the "signs of our times" rightly?
Are we on the "right frequency"?
In simple terms...Do we know where we are headed?
Good if we are sure...If not, it's high time to get on the "right frequency" and stay on course.
But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:13, 14)
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
From the news - 4
From The News Series-4-Miracles, Prayers & Desires Fulfilled
2 month old Jenny Alexis spent 4 days crushed in the rubble after the 2010 Haiti earthquake. Her mother was in another part of the town when the earthquake occurred. Someone found her amid the concrete and handed her to a journalist who drove her to the makeshift hospital run by the University of Miami. Dr. Karen Schneider, head of the department of Pediatrics in the hospital, who had worked 30 hours continuously and was taking a much needed nap was woken up by the nurse to take care of Jenny.
The baby was unconscious and she had a head trauma with an indentation in her skull and her chest was completely caved in. 4 days without any liquids, Jenny was so dehydrated that the doctor could not even get an IV into her veins. With no choice, the doctor delivered the fluids directly into Jenny's leg bones. The doctor operated on her and later she was flown to Miami in a private jet provided by Project Mediashare.
Nadine Devilme, the mother of the baby thanked God continually for saving her baby. She also had a fervent desire to meet the doctor who had saved her daughter, but didn't know how to. The doctor also had a desire to know how the baby was doing after a year of her surgery. The mother's and Doctor's desire were fulfilled when the doctor made inquiries and met their family at their home in Miami. The child was perfectly normal. The mother thanked the doctor profusely. The Doctor said it was a gift to be able to see the baby. She had thought that the baby wouldn't live for 2 hours when she had been brought to her initially.
"May he give you the desires of your heart and make all your plans succeed." (Psalms 20:4)
2 month old Jenny Alexis spent 4 days crushed in the rubble after the 2010 Haiti earthquake. Her mother was in another part of the town when the earthquake occurred. Someone found her amid the concrete and handed her to a journalist who drove her to the makeshift hospital run by the University of Miami. Dr. Karen Schneider, head of the department of Pediatrics in the hospital, who had worked 30 hours continuously and was taking a much needed nap was woken up by the nurse to take care of Jenny.
The baby was unconscious and she had a head trauma with an indentation in her skull and her chest was completely caved in. 4 days without any liquids, Jenny was so dehydrated that the doctor could not even get an IV into her veins. With no choice, the doctor delivered the fluids directly into Jenny's leg bones. The doctor operated on her and later she was flown to Miami in a private jet provided by Project Mediashare.
Nadine Devilme, the mother of the baby thanked God continually for saving her baby. She also had a fervent desire to meet the doctor who had saved her daughter, but didn't know how to. The doctor also had a desire to know how the baby was doing after a year of her surgery. The mother's and Doctor's desire were fulfilled when the doctor made inquiries and met their family at their home in Miami. The child was perfectly normal. The mother thanked the doctor profusely. The Doctor said it was a gift to be able to see the baby. She had thought that the baby wouldn't live for 2 hours when she had been brought to her initially.
"May he give you the desires of your heart and make all your plans succeed." (Psalms 20:4)
Monday, March 14, 2011
From the news - 3
From The News-3-Japan's nuclear crisis widens
Looks like countries have dug their own graves by planting nuclear reactors and storing dangerous radiation. Of course nuclear reactors have great potential in generating electrical power, but whats the point if finally it would lead to their own destruction. With the way things have gone in Japan, will the other countries learn? Hardly likely because most nations are out there competing for world supremacy and dominion, forgetting that everything, including their own existence lies in the hands of Almighty God.
Japan is said to have one of the best Tsunami warning systems, but did it help really? The destructions and devastations speak otherwise. Earthquakes, tsunami, volcanic eruption and burst nuclear reactors...all within a short span of 3 days...May Jesus have compassion on them who are going through the crisis. Haiti...New Zealand....Japan....Only God knows who's next in the line. May God show mercy.
Looks like countries have dug their own graves by planting nuclear reactors and storing dangerous radiation. Of course nuclear reactors have great potential in generating electrical power, but whats the point if finally it would lead to their own destruction. With the way things have gone in Japan, will the other countries learn? Hardly likely because most nations are out there competing for world supremacy and dominion, forgetting that everything, including their own existence lies in the hands of Almighty God.
Japan is said to have one of the best Tsunami warning systems, but did it help really? The destructions and devastations speak otherwise. Earthquakes, tsunami, volcanic eruption and burst nuclear reactors...all within a short span of 3 days...May Jesus have compassion on them who are going through the crisis. Haiti...New Zealand....Japan....Only God knows who's next in the line. May God show mercy.
Words Of Jesus Devotionals-21
Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him! (Matthew 7:7-11) (NKJV)
Jesus said...."If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him."
God has been a giver of good from the beginning. It's only when men rebel against his authority that evil things happen. Disobedience was the cause of Adam and Eve being sent away from the Garden of Eden. God had given them much but they choose to disobey God's command and thus suffered the consequences.
God gave his only begotten son Jesus for our salvation; Jesus gave his life on the cross for our salvation; the Father gave the Holy Spirit to be with us as our Counselor.
Even today, Jesus, who has all authority in heaven and earth says, "Ask, Seek, Knock" to all who have trusted in him. He is a giver and he still gives as when he said those words.
The giver of eternal life beckons you today to call out to him in your need.
He never goes back on his promise as men do.
He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? (Romans 8:32)
Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. (Ephesians 3:20, 21)
Jesus said...."If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him."
God has been a giver of good from the beginning. It's only when men rebel against his authority that evil things happen. Disobedience was the cause of Adam and Eve being sent away from the Garden of Eden. God had given them much but they choose to disobey God's command and thus suffered the consequences.
God gave his only begotten son Jesus for our salvation; Jesus gave his life on the cross for our salvation; the Father gave the Holy Spirit to be with us as our Counselor.
Even today, Jesus, who has all authority in heaven and earth says, "Ask, Seek, Knock" to all who have trusted in him. He is a giver and he still gives as when he said those words.
The giver of eternal life beckons you today to call out to him in your need.
He never goes back on his promise as men do.
He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? (Romans 8:32)
Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. (Ephesians 3:20, 21)
From The News-3-Japan's nuclear crisis widens
Looks like countries have dug their own graves by planting nuclear reactors and storing dangerous radiation. Of course nuclear reactors have great potential in generating electrical power, but whats the point if finally it would lead to their own destruction. With the way things have gone in Japan, will the other countries learn? Hardly likely because most nations are out there competing for world supremacy and dominion, forgetting that everything, including their own existence lies in the hands of Almighty God.
Japan is said to have one of the best Tsunami warning systems, but did it help really? The destructions and devastations speak otherwise. Earthquakes, tsunami, volcanic eruption and burst nuclear reactors...all within a short span of 3 days...May Jesus have compassion on them who are going through the crisis. Haiti...New Zealand....Japan....Only God knows who's next in the line. May God show mercy.
Japan is said to have one of the best Tsunami warning systems, but did it help really? The destructions and devastations speak otherwise. Earthquakes, tsunami, volcanic eruption and burst nuclear reactors...all within a short span of 3 days...May Jesus have compassion on them who are going through the crisis. Haiti...New Zealand....Japan....Only God knows who's next in the line. May God show mercy.
Saturday, March 12, 2011
From the news - 2- Earthquakes everywhere
We are just 3 months into 2011 and already there have been 37 earthquakes. 3 of them major, causing devastations in New Zealand, Myanmar-China border and yesterday in Japan. The latest in Japan with an accompanying tsunami has been horrific leaving thousands dead and severe destruction of property ensuing.
Things seem to be coming to a boil. Believer its all foretold. This shaking.
"This is what the LORD Almighty says: 'In a little while I will once more shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land. I will shake all nations, and the desired of all nations will come, and I will fill this house with glory,' says the LORD Almighty. (Haggai 2:6,7)
And when you see this, remember, your redemption is drawing near.
So....Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man." (Luke 21:36)
Things seem to be coming to a boil. Believer its all foretold. This shaking.
"This is what the LORD Almighty says: 'In a little while I will once more shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land. I will shake all nations, and the desired of all nations will come, and I will fill this house with glory,' says the LORD Almighty. (Haggai 2:6,7)
And when you see this, remember, your redemption is drawing near.
So....Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man." (Luke 21:36)
Thursday, March 10, 2011
From the news - 1- Former office boy becomes Chief Justice of India
India's 38th chief justice Sarosh Homi Kapadia began his life as an office assistant who ran errands at a law firm. His vision though was to study law and be a judge. Homi was from a lower middle class Parsi family: his father was a clerk and his mother, a housewife. He could not afford costly education. In 1960, he took up a small job at a law office. He became a lawyer later on and he became counsel for the income tax department at age 27. He was appointed judge of the Bombay High Court in 1993. In December 2003 was appointed a judge of the Supreme Court. On 12 May 2010, Kapadia was sworn in as the Chief Justice of India by the President. A few words of his shows what kind of a man he is......"I come from a poor family. I started my career as a class IV employee and the only asset I possess is integrity."
The integrity of the upright guides them.......... (Proverbs 11:3)
Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will serve before kings......(Proverbs 22:29)
The integrity of the upright guides them.......... (Proverbs 11:3)
Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will serve before kings......(Proverbs 22:29)
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Words Of Jesus Devotionals-20
Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces. (Matthew 7:6) (NKJV)
Take a look at these verses from the books of Philippians and Revelation.
Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the mutilation! (Philippians 3:2)
But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie. (Revelation 22:15)
Surely Paul and John wouldn't be speaking of dogs as the term literally means. Paul exhorts the believers at Philippi to "beware of dogs" and John writes "outside are dogs"(outside New Jerusalem). Whom were they hinting at then?
They spoke about false teachers and hypocritical Pharisees, who, though familiar with the law, lived a life without any real relationship with God.
There are others who have a "Let anything happen, I don't care attitude.....", swine like..........
Jesus taught not to give what was holy to the dogs and not to cast pearls before swine.
Believers should exercise discretion when speaking the truths of the Gospel to people. Some of the people we speak to may be like dogs and like swine, wilfully resisting the Gospel and harming the bearers of the Good News. They know the truths but have hardened themselves not to submit to it.
They don't care about the truths and are ever ready to trample them under their feet and cause harm, as the history of Christian martyrs would attest to.
Jesus advices caution while we do his work. Even when he sent out his disciples for the first time, he told them- Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils and scourge you in their synagogues....... (Matthew 10:16, 17)
The best for us would be to rely on the Holy Spirit, the Counselor, for he will guide us in the Lord's work each and every day.
Take a look at these verses from the books of Philippians and Revelation.
Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the mutilation! (Philippians 3:2)
But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie. (Revelation 22:15)
Surely Paul and John wouldn't be speaking of dogs as the term literally means. Paul exhorts the believers at Philippi to "beware of dogs" and John writes "outside are dogs"(outside New Jerusalem). Whom were they hinting at then?
They spoke about false teachers and hypocritical Pharisees, who, though familiar with the law, lived a life without any real relationship with God.
There are others who have a "Let anything happen, I don't care attitude.....", swine like..........
Jesus taught not to give what was holy to the dogs and not to cast pearls before swine.
Believers should exercise discretion when speaking the truths of the Gospel to people. Some of the people we speak to may be like dogs and like swine, wilfully resisting the Gospel and harming the bearers of the Good News. They know the truths but have hardened themselves not to submit to it.
They don't care about the truths and are ever ready to trample them under their feet and cause harm, as the history of Christian martyrs would attest to.
Jesus advices caution while we do his work. Even when he sent out his disciples for the first time, he told them- Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils and scourge you in their synagogues....... (Matthew 10:16, 17)
The best for us would be to rely on the Holy Spirit, the Counselor, for he will guide us in the Lord's work each and every day.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Monday, March 7, 2011
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Words Of Jesus Devotionals-19
Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. And why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, Let me remove the speck from your eye; and look, a plank is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye. (Matthew 7:1-5)
Perhaps we may not judge overtly, but how many times, in our hearts we judge our brothers and sisters;their dressing, their talking, their mannerisms, their work for the Lord and so many other things. Sometimes we may drop a hint and sometimes pass judgement publicly. But Jesus says it will come back to us in some way or the other.
Are we seeing things clearly? is the question Jesus asks. That would need the planks to be removed from our eyes. During Jesus' days, the Pharisees walked with planks in their eyes and tried to remove the specks from others eyes including Jesus'.
When the sign outside the Church read "Remove footwear before entering", the visiting preacher had dared to enter the Church with his shoes on. Not many that day listened to what the priest said for the first part of the service. Almost all were passing judgments on the preachers arrogance of ignoring their church sign. "How dare he do that, when the sign clearly says it" was the thought that had invaded many minds. There were many murmurs.
The priest finally asked the visiting preacher to come forward to preach the sermon. He started by sharing his testimony of how as a soldier, he lived in sin and later went to war and lost his right leg to bullet wounds; he was wearing a prosthetic leg. When he said that, a few gasps were heard, from of course those who had been judging him all through. He said, he had seen the sign outside, but he had no other option but to walk in with his prosthetic limb and shoes on.
Some believers may not be as strong as us spiritually, because there are several levels of growth in Christ; so rather than passing judgments on them, we should help them grow and attain maturity and become mature ourselves.
Perhaps we may not judge overtly, but how many times, in our hearts we judge our brothers and sisters;their dressing, their talking, their mannerisms, their work for the Lord and so many other things. Sometimes we may drop a hint and sometimes pass judgement publicly. But Jesus says it will come back to us in some way or the other.
Are we seeing things clearly? is the question Jesus asks. That would need the planks to be removed from our eyes. During Jesus' days, the Pharisees walked with planks in their eyes and tried to remove the specks from others eyes including Jesus'.
When the sign outside the Church read "Remove footwear before entering", the visiting preacher had dared to enter the Church with his shoes on. Not many that day listened to what the priest said for the first part of the service. Almost all were passing judgments on the preachers arrogance of ignoring their church sign. "How dare he do that, when the sign clearly says it" was the thought that had invaded many minds. There were many murmurs.
The priest finally asked the visiting preacher to come forward to preach the sermon. He started by sharing his testimony of how as a soldier, he lived in sin and later went to war and lost his right leg to bullet wounds; he was wearing a prosthetic leg. When he said that, a few gasps were heard, from of course those who had been judging him all through. He said, he had seen the sign outside, but he had no other option but to walk in with his prosthetic limb and shoes on.
Some believers may not be as strong as us spiritually, because there are several levels of growth in Christ; so rather than passing judgments on them, we should help them grow and attain maturity and become mature ourselves.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Words Of Jesus Devotionals-18
Words Of Jesus Devotionals - 18
"Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?
Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? "So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? "Therefore do not worry, saying, "What shall we eat?' or "What shall we drink?' or "What shall we wear?' For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. (Matthew 6:25-34)(NKJV)
Worry! Who doesn't worry? Very few..........
There are so many things in life that make us worry, feel depressed and sometimes even lead believers to a spiritual drought.
Jesus here is teaching his disciples to get above such situations; by doing what? by keeping ones eyes on the Lord and seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.
We may know all this and may have read this time and again, still we worry. The disciples heard all the pep talk right from the mouth of the Savior, yet they worried.
So whats to be done? Jesus says, all these things (meaning all our necessities) will be added to us if we keep seeking the kingdom and His righteousness.
Do you believe that? Well, there's no other option for the believer, but believing. Take time to look at the birds of the air and the lilies of the field. There's much to learn there. And the best thing that we read in the above teaching is Jesus saying,
"Are you not of more value than they?"
Definitely, the Father loves you greatly. Paul, the apostle exhorts the believers in Rome saying,
"He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?" (Romans 8:32)
So be strengthened this day. The Lord loves you much more than you can imagine.
"Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?
Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? "So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? "Therefore do not worry, saying, "What shall we eat?' or "What shall we drink?' or "What shall we wear?' For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. (Matthew 6:25-34)(NKJV)
Worry! Who doesn't worry? Very few..........
There are so many things in life that make us worry, feel depressed and sometimes even lead believers to a spiritual drought.
Jesus here is teaching his disciples to get above such situations; by doing what? by keeping ones eyes on the Lord and seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.
We may know all this and may have read this time and again, still we worry. The disciples heard all the pep talk right from the mouth of the Savior, yet they worried.
So whats to be done? Jesus says, all these things (meaning all our necessities) will be added to us if we keep seeking the kingdom and His righteousness.
Do you believe that? Well, there's no other option for the believer, but believing. Take time to look at the birds of the air and the lilies of the field. There's much to learn there. And the best thing that we read in the above teaching is Jesus saying,
"Are you not of more value than they?"
Definitely, the Father loves you greatly. Paul, the apostle exhorts the believers in Rome saying,
"He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?" (Romans 8:32)
So be strengthened this day. The Lord loves you much more than you can imagine.
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