THE DIVIDING LINE
(Mat 25:44 CEV) Then the people will ask, "Lord, when did we fail to help you when you were hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in jail?"
WE CAN no longer serve our Lord as they did in the days of His flesh, when they ministered to Him of their substance. But He has left behind His representatives, and whatever we do for them He takes as to Himself. Therefore we are debtors to all men; to every unit of the human family we must pay back a proportion of our infinite debt to the Son of Man from. Mat_1:14).
The dividing line hereafter will not be a Credal one--not "How much do you believe?" Nor even a Devotional one--"How much did you pray?" But a Practical one--"What did you do?" The Apostle James shows that our faith is evidenced by our works (Jam_2:14-20). It is not enough to say "Lord, Lord!" We must show the same spirit as our Master in love for our fellows, or we shall be rejected at the last.
The Lord's brethren are spread widely through the world. Whenever we meet the hungry and thirsty, the stranger and the homeless, the sick or imprisoned soul, we encounter one whom He calls "Brother" or "'Sister," and to help any such is to send a thrill of joy through the soul of our Redeemer. We must have the quick eyes of love to penetrate the many disguises that our Lord assumes. It is said that when St. Francis was riding across a plain, he saw a leper standing by the roadside, asking for alms. Dismounting, he not only gave to him, but kissed him on the cheek. As he was riding away, he looked back, and saw Christ Himself standing where the beggar had been, and he knew that he had been permitted to kiss his Lord.
Notice that the saints do not generally realize that they have done anything directly for Christ: "Lord, when saw we Thee?" The beauty of goodness is its modesty and unobtrusiveness, as the charm of childhood is its unconsciousness. Notice, also, that in Christ's eyes, it is a crime not to do. Moses says that it is wrong to do wrong; Jesus that it is wrong not to do right. Some were cast away, as men reject weeds, not because they had violated the Ten Commandments, but because they failed to fulfil the Law of Love.
Let us consecrate ourselves to the service of men, women, and children for the sake of Him who loved us and gave Himself for us.
PRAYER
Help us, dear Lord, to minister to the needs of others, to care for the poor and needy, the destitute and outcast, to show our love to Thee by our sympathy and help to the least of Thy brethren. AMEN.
Culled from ESWORD DEVOTIONS 2009
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Friday, February 11, 2011
WORSHIP SERIES SEASON 1: episode 6
WHAT DID YOU SAY?
Many times our lives inevitably get intertwined with other people for the good or sometimes otherwise. As social beings it is absolutely impossible for us to live in isolation. As we go about our daily activities we are bound to interact at particular levels of association with our roommates, course mates, peers and others we might not have met before or even at times would never meet again. Our speech and actions are therefore very critical in these instances. A person can only be associated with integrity if he or she says what he means and mean what he says. The words we say whether we think about them or not, actually describe or portray a picture of our personality and image to those around us. The Bible talks a great deal about the tongue and how poisonous and deadly it is. In proverbs 10: 19-21, the writer makes an elaborate emphasis on the consequences of the words that comes out of the mouth of a wise man and a simple or foolish man.
When G od was creating the heaven and earth, the bible says “He spoke and it was”. God is sovereign but his word binds him. He says “I have raised my word above my name”. In the Greek and Hebrew setting, one’s name embodies the person’s whole self and personality; hence God’s word can be rephrased as “I have lifted my word above myself”. This means that God is bound by his word and hence he cannot break or dishonor it. So you see, if God the Almighty, omnipotent and omniscient himself gives such reverence and prominence to his speech, what then are we his children supposed to do?
Countless examples in the Bible have been provided to buttress this point. God would not kill all the Israelites because He had said, I will take you out of Egypt and into the Promised Land. Herod could not spare the life of John the Baptist because he had promised to give whatever the dancing girl asked to her. The king of Babylon could not pardon Daniel because he had made a decree that whoever was caught praying to anyone else would be cast into the den of lions.
. The book of Jeremiah gives the perfect example of the power of the word in chapter 23:29 when it says, “
Is not my words like as a fire saith the lord; and like hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?. In James 3:6 the Bible says “And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.
The verse 8 also says, “But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.
In our own social settings, there have been coutless times that words that were spoken carelessly have brought about consequences that could have been avoided have the individuals involved taken just a little precaution with their tongue. Let us examine ourselves, how many times have we uttered words that we really did not mean to say?
In 1st peter 3: 10 the bible says, for he that will love life, and see good days let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile.
In proverbs 13;3, it says, he who guards his mouth preserves his life but he who opens his lips shall have destruction. Do we love life and want to see good days, then it is about time we say what we mean and mean what we say for our God is not a God of chaos and indiscipline but of order and discipline. It is only then that we can fully embrace the call of the lord to come up higher. May God bless and have mercy on us. May he teach us to refrain our tongue from iniquity. God bless you as you set out to do His will. AMEN.
Let us meet another time.
Many times our lives inevitably get intertwined with other people for the good or sometimes otherwise. As social beings it is absolutely impossible for us to live in isolation. As we go about our daily activities we are bound to interact at particular levels of association with our roommates, course mates, peers and others we might not have met before or even at times would never meet again. Our speech and actions are therefore very critical in these instances. A person can only be associated with integrity if he or she says what he means and mean what he says. The words we say whether we think about them or not, actually describe or portray a picture of our personality and image to those around us. The Bible talks a great deal about the tongue and how poisonous and deadly it is. In proverbs 10: 19-21, the writer makes an elaborate emphasis on the consequences of the words that comes out of the mouth of a wise man and a simple or foolish man.
When G od was creating the heaven and earth, the bible says “He spoke and it was”. God is sovereign but his word binds him. He says “I have raised my word above my name”. In the Greek and Hebrew setting, one’s name embodies the person’s whole self and personality; hence God’s word can be rephrased as “I have lifted my word above myself”. This means that God is bound by his word and hence he cannot break or dishonor it. So you see, if God the Almighty, omnipotent and omniscient himself gives such reverence and prominence to his speech, what then are we his children supposed to do?
Countless examples in the Bible have been provided to buttress this point. God would not kill all the Israelites because He had said, I will take you out of Egypt and into the Promised Land. Herod could not spare the life of John the Baptist because he had promised to give whatever the dancing girl asked to her. The king of Babylon could not pardon Daniel because he had made a decree that whoever was caught praying to anyone else would be cast into the den of lions.
. The book of Jeremiah gives the perfect example of the power of the word in chapter 23:29 when it says, “
Is not my words like as a fire saith the lord; and like hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?. In James 3:6 the Bible says “And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.
The verse 8 also says, “But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.
In our own social settings, there have been coutless times that words that were spoken carelessly have brought about consequences that could have been avoided have the individuals involved taken just a little precaution with their tongue. Let us examine ourselves, how many times have we uttered words that we really did not mean to say?
In 1st peter 3: 10 the bible says, for he that will love life, and see good days let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile.
In proverbs 13;3, it says, he who guards his mouth preserves his life but he who opens his lips shall have destruction. Do we love life and want to see good days, then it is about time we say what we mean and mean what we say for our God is not a God of chaos and indiscipline but of order and discipline. It is only then that we can fully embrace the call of the lord to come up higher. May God bless and have mercy on us. May he teach us to refrain our tongue from iniquity. God bless you as you set out to do His will. AMEN.
Let us meet another time.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
WORSHIP SERIES SEASON 1: episode 5
WHAT DO YOU HAVE?
And the LORD said unto him, What is that in thine hand? And he said, a rod.
Exodus 4:2 RV
God does not make any junk! I saw this very interesting statement on a car bumper sticker and it got me thinking. If God makes no junk, then obviously everyone God made, is making or will make had got something and just like everything God gives, if you do not accept it, He will not force it on you. So the question is what have you got? As long as that question remains unanswered in your life, you will lack any meaningful focus or vision. Unfortunately many people are under the notion that they got nothing and even if they do, it is insignificant or too small to make any meaningful impact. Well if you are one of those people, I’ve got news for you, you are wrong! Absolutely wrong! Do you think the omnipotent, omnipresent God will create an image of himself and make it useless or insignificant? God made man as stewards of his creation and just like any responsible master, he equips his servants to enable them carry out their specific functions. God loves variety and just like the church being the body of Christ, every individual is unique, special and essential to the proper functioning of this world and that includes you! All through the history of the world, God has worked with and through man to bring to pass His plans and He always uses what that individual already possesses. With Moses it was his staff and skill as a leader and a shepherd. With Abraham it was his steadfast faith and vision. Joseph was humble, hardworking and skillful at interpreting dreams. Joshua had courage, dedication and an ability to be optimistic about any situation. Paul had tenacity. Intelligence, a firebrand passion and commitment. With David it was bravery, skill compassion and a gracious spirit.
All these people possessed a foundational quality that became the basis for their successes. Some had more, others had few but in all everyone had something. God makes no junk! He never has and He never will. So I ask again, what do you have? To answer this question properly, one requires a firm conviction of the faithfulness of God to his part, the acceptance of His purpose for our lives and the desire, faith and hope to be a vessel to channel His blessings.
What ignites within you the most passion?
What activity gives you the deepest longing to participate?
What skill comes to you naturally without much effort?
What do you do most excellently even without any prior preparation?
Simply put, what comes to you naturally? Whatever it is, no matter how small or insignificant it may appear, it is God’s seed in you. Do not despise small beginnings!
Martin Luther King Jr., said,
"If a man is called to be a street sweeper, he should sweep streets even as Michelangelo painted, or Beethoven composed music, or Shakespeare wrote poetry. He should sweep streets so well that all the host of heaven and earth will pause to say, here lived a great street sweeper who did his job well." --
God knows what He has deposited in you and the Bible says, he will require accounts from you.
After the prince had been made king, he returned and called in his servants. He asked them how much they had earned with the money they had been given.
The first servant came and said, "Sir, with the money you gave me I have earned ten times as much."
"That's fine, my good servant!" the king said. "Since you have shown that you can be trusted with a small amount, you will be given ten cities to rule."
The second one came and said, "Sir, with the money you gave me, I have earned five times as much."
The king said, "You will be given five cities."
Another servant came and said, "Sir, here is your money. I kept it safe in a handkerchief.
You are a hard man, and I was afraid of you. You take what isn't yours, and you harvest crops you didn't plant."
"You worthless servant!" the king told him. "You have condemned yourself by what you have just said. You knew that I am a hard man, taking what isn't mine and harvesting what I've not planted.
Why didn't you put my money in the bank? On my return, I could have had the money together with interest."
Then he said to some other servants standing there, "Take the money away from him and give it to the servant who earned ten times as much."
But they said, "Sir, he already has ten times as much!"
The king replied, "Those who have something will be given more. But everything will be taken away from those who don't have anything.
(Luke 19:15 -26 CEV)
Don’t be like the servant who was given one talent. Don’t dig a hole and hide it by refusing to do something with what you got. Remember he thought he had good reason for his conduct; after all he was given only one. However the master called him lazy and wicked and punished him.
Now is the time to do God’s will. Rise up, take what you got and get to work. God is counting on you.
Finally, Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee.
(Isa 60:1 KJVA)
Deesam
08/02/11
And the LORD said unto him, What is that in thine hand? And he said, a rod.
Exodus 4:2 RV
God does not make any junk! I saw this very interesting statement on a car bumper sticker and it got me thinking. If God makes no junk, then obviously everyone God made, is making or will make had got something and just like everything God gives, if you do not accept it, He will not force it on you. So the question is what have you got? As long as that question remains unanswered in your life, you will lack any meaningful focus or vision. Unfortunately many people are under the notion that they got nothing and even if they do, it is insignificant or too small to make any meaningful impact. Well if you are one of those people, I’ve got news for you, you are wrong! Absolutely wrong! Do you think the omnipotent, omnipresent God will create an image of himself and make it useless or insignificant? God made man as stewards of his creation and just like any responsible master, he equips his servants to enable them carry out their specific functions. God loves variety and just like the church being the body of Christ, every individual is unique, special and essential to the proper functioning of this world and that includes you! All through the history of the world, God has worked with and through man to bring to pass His plans and He always uses what that individual already possesses. With Moses it was his staff and skill as a leader and a shepherd. With Abraham it was his steadfast faith and vision. Joseph was humble, hardworking and skillful at interpreting dreams. Joshua had courage, dedication and an ability to be optimistic about any situation. Paul had tenacity. Intelligence, a firebrand passion and commitment. With David it was bravery, skill compassion and a gracious spirit.
All these people possessed a foundational quality that became the basis for their successes. Some had more, others had few but in all everyone had something. God makes no junk! He never has and He never will. So I ask again, what do you have? To answer this question properly, one requires a firm conviction of the faithfulness of God to his part, the acceptance of His purpose for our lives and the desire, faith and hope to be a vessel to channel His blessings.
What ignites within you the most passion?
What activity gives you the deepest longing to participate?
What skill comes to you naturally without much effort?
What do you do most excellently even without any prior preparation?
Simply put, what comes to you naturally? Whatever it is, no matter how small or insignificant it may appear, it is God’s seed in you. Do not despise small beginnings!
Martin Luther King Jr., said,
"If a man is called to be a street sweeper, he should sweep streets even as Michelangelo painted, or Beethoven composed music, or Shakespeare wrote poetry. He should sweep streets so well that all the host of heaven and earth will pause to say, here lived a great street sweeper who did his job well." --
God knows what He has deposited in you and the Bible says, he will require accounts from you.
After the prince had been made king, he returned and called in his servants. He asked them how much they had earned with the money they had been given.
The first servant came and said, "Sir, with the money you gave me I have earned ten times as much."
"That's fine, my good servant!" the king said. "Since you have shown that you can be trusted with a small amount, you will be given ten cities to rule."
The second one came and said, "Sir, with the money you gave me, I have earned five times as much."
The king said, "You will be given five cities."
Another servant came and said, "Sir, here is your money. I kept it safe in a handkerchief.
You are a hard man, and I was afraid of you. You take what isn't yours, and you harvest crops you didn't plant."
"You worthless servant!" the king told him. "You have condemned yourself by what you have just said. You knew that I am a hard man, taking what isn't mine and harvesting what I've not planted.
Why didn't you put my money in the bank? On my return, I could have had the money together with interest."
Then he said to some other servants standing there, "Take the money away from him and give it to the servant who earned ten times as much."
But they said, "Sir, he already has ten times as much!"
The king replied, "Those who have something will be given more. But everything will be taken away from those who don't have anything.
(Luke 19:15 -26 CEV)
Don’t be like the servant who was given one talent. Don’t dig a hole and hide it by refusing to do something with what you got. Remember he thought he had good reason for his conduct; after all he was given only one. However the master called him lazy and wicked and punished him.
Now is the time to do God’s will. Rise up, take what you got and get to work. God is counting on you.
Finally, Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee.
(Isa 60:1 KJVA)
Deesam
08/02/11
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
WORSHIP SERIES SEASON 1: episode 4
JUST DO IT!
I will walk the skies, I will swim the oceans, I will climb the mountains, descend the valleys and ravines. I will cast my net far and wide, set out into the golden sunset. I am made for the top, there is nothing to hold me back. I will be the best, the first, the foremost, the standard. I will standout, be outstanding. I will reach out and touch the hearts of all I meet. I will create dreams of infinite possibilities. I will bless all I encounter, make better the path I thread. I will build bridges, fill gorges and make straight crooked paths. I will fly so high, shine so bright, laugh so hard, feel so much, run so fast and love so deep. I will write so much, sing so loud, dance so hard, live so well and care so much.
I can see better now,
The limitless possibilities, the freedom of the skies, the mysteries of the sea, the beauty of space. The myriad of colors, the blend of beauty, the symphony of sound.
I can feel deeper too,
The sadness of loss, the foolishness of pride, the loneliness of hate, the disaster of selfishness, the pain of disappointments.
I can dream bigger now
The joy of giving, the excitement of sharing, the fulfillment of forgiveness, the hope of humility, the beauty of love
My goals are clearer now,
Joy for sadness, beauty for ashes, kindness for need, understanding for pain, courage for fear, hope for despair, gladness for mourning, peace for turmoil, love for all.
To reach out and touch the stars, to stretch forth my hands and feel the breeze.
The heady sensation of expectancy. The dizzying realization of awareness.
To come to terms with my nature. That I have been equipped with all it takes to take on the world. To stand on my own and not waver.
To revel in the endless connections all around me. The beautiful sensation of being part of the cosmos. To feel the enchantment of nature, to experience a peek of heaven. To taste happiness and savor the promise of success.
To realize that I can do more than my mind can conceive, that even my most fantastic and wildest dreams can come true only if I will just do it.
Forget my fears and throw caution to the wind. Leap off the cliff and make my wings in the air. Take a risk. Dare the storms. Challenge the winds. Take on the storm.
Stand my ground. Just do it.
Courage is not the absence of fear. NO! fear is constant. Courage is rather the realization that, there is something more important than fear. Quit paying interest on a loan I have not yet taken. Forget about dangers. Ignore the flatters in my gut. Just do it!
Deesam 2011
I will walk the skies, I will swim the oceans, I will climb the mountains, descend the valleys and ravines. I will cast my net far and wide, set out into the golden sunset. I am made for the top, there is nothing to hold me back. I will be the best, the first, the foremost, the standard. I will standout, be outstanding. I will reach out and touch the hearts of all I meet. I will create dreams of infinite possibilities. I will bless all I encounter, make better the path I thread. I will build bridges, fill gorges and make straight crooked paths. I will fly so high, shine so bright, laugh so hard, feel so much, run so fast and love so deep. I will write so much, sing so loud, dance so hard, live so well and care so much.
I can see better now,
The limitless possibilities, the freedom of the skies, the mysteries of the sea, the beauty of space. The myriad of colors, the blend of beauty, the symphony of sound.
I can feel deeper too,
The sadness of loss, the foolishness of pride, the loneliness of hate, the disaster of selfishness, the pain of disappointments.
I can dream bigger now
The joy of giving, the excitement of sharing, the fulfillment of forgiveness, the hope of humility, the beauty of love
My goals are clearer now,
Joy for sadness, beauty for ashes, kindness for need, understanding for pain, courage for fear, hope for despair, gladness for mourning, peace for turmoil, love for all.
To reach out and touch the stars, to stretch forth my hands and feel the breeze.
The heady sensation of expectancy. The dizzying realization of awareness.
To come to terms with my nature. That I have been equipped with all it takes to take on the world. To stand on my own and not waver.
To revel in the endless connections all around me. The beautiful sensation of being part of the cosmos. To feel the enchantment of nature, to experience a peek of heaven. To taste happiness and savor the promise of success.
To realize that I can do more than my mind can conceive, that even my most fantastic and wildest dreams can come true only if I will just do it.
Forget my fears and throw caution to the wind. Leap off the cliff and make my wings in the air. Take a risk. Dare the storms. Challenge the winds. Take on the storm.
Stand my ground. Just do it.
Courage is not the absence of fear. NO! fear is constant. Courage is rather the realization that, there is something more important than fear. Quit paying interest on a loan I have not yet taken. Forget about dangers. Ignore the flatters in my gut. Just do it!
Deesam 2011
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