The rainbow, the symbol of the covenant with Noah, is typical of our Lord Jesus, who is the Lord's witness to the people. When may we expect to see the token of the covenant? The rainbow is only to be seen painted upon a cloud. When the sinner's conscience is dark with clouds, when he remembers his past sin, and mourneth and lamenteth before God, Jesus Christ is revealed to him as the covenant Rainbow, displaying all the glorious hues of the divine character and betokening peace. To the believer, when his trials and temptations surround him, it is sweet to behold the person of our Lord Jesus Christ-to see him bleeding, living, rising, and pleading for us. God's rainbow is hung over the cloud of our sins, our sorrows, and our woes, to prophesy deliverance. Nor does a cloud alone give a rainbow, there must be the crystal drops to reflect the light of the sun. So, our sorrows must not only threaten, but they must really fall upon us. There had been no Christ for us if the vengeance of God had been merely a threatening cloud: punishment must fall in terrible drops upon the Surety. Until there is a real anguish in the sinner's conscience, there is no Christ for him; until the chastisement which he feels becomes grievous, he cannot see Jesus. But there must also be a sun; for clouds and drops of rain make not rainbows unless the sun shineth. Beloved, our God, who is as the sun to us, always shines, but we do not always see him-clouds hide his face; but no matter what drops may be falling, or what clouds may be threatening, if he does but shine there will be a rainbow at once. It is said that when we see the rainbow the shower is over. Certain it is, that when Christ comes, our troubles remove; when we behold Jesus, our sins vanish, and our doubts and fears subside. When Jesus walks the waters of the sea, how profound the calm!
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
The Biggest Mathematical Miracle in the World!
The Biggest Mathematical Miracle in the World!
Moses and the people were in the desert, but what was he going to do with them?They had to be fed, and feeding 2 or 3 million people requires a lot of food. According to the Quartermaster General in the Army, it is reported that Moses would have to have had 1500 tons of food each day. Do you know that to bring that much food each day, two freight trains, each at least a mile long, would be required!
Besides you must remember, they were out in the desert, so they would have to have firewood to use in cooking the food. This would take 4000 tons of wood and a few more freight trains, each a mile long, just for one day. And just think, they were forty years in transit.
And Oh yes! They would have to have water. If they only had enough to drink and wash a few dishes, it would take 11,000,000 gallons each day and a freight train with tank cars, 1800 miles long, just to bring water!
And then another thing! They had to get across the Red Sea at night. Now, if they went on a narrow path, double file, the line would be 800 miles long and would require 35 days and nights to get through. So there had to be a space in the Red Sea , 3 miles wide so that they could walk 5000 abreast to get over in one night.
But then, there is another problem... each time they camped at the end of the day, a campground two-thirds the size of the state of Rhode Island was required, or a total of 750 square miles long... think of it! This much space for camping.
Do you think Moses figured all this out before he left Egypt ?
I think not! You see, Moses believed in God. God took care of these things for him..
Now do you think God has any problem taking care of all your needs?
His love is always with you, His promises are true, And when we give Him all our cares, You know He will see us through.
Our God is an Awesome God!!
A true story mainly for professionals
A true story mainly for professionals
A man came home from work late, tired and irritated, to find his
5-year old son waiting for him at the door.
SON: 'Daddy, may I ask you a question?'
DAD: 'Yeah sure, what is it?' replied the man.
SON: 'Daddy, how much do you make an hour?'
DAD: 'That's none of your business. Why do you ask such a thing?'
the man said angrily.
SON: 'I just want to know. Please tell me, how much do you make an
hour?'
DAD: 'If you must know, I make Rs.100 an hour.'
SON: 'Oh,' the little boy replied, with his head down.
SON: 'Daddy, may I please borrow Rs.50?'
The father was furious, 'If the only reason you asked that is so you
can borrow some money to buy a silly toy or some other nonsense, then
you march yourself straight to your room and go to bed. Think about
why you are being so selfish. I work hard everyday for such this
childish behavior.'
The little boy quietly went to his room and shut the door.
The man sat down and started to get even angrier about the little
boy's questions. How dare he ask such questions only to get some
money?
After about an hour or so, the man had calmed down and started to
think: Maybe there was something he really needed to buy with that
Rs.50 and he really didn't ask for money very often. The man went to
the door of the little boy's room and opened the door.
'Are you asleep, son?' He asked.
'No daddy, I'm awake,' replied the boy.
'I've been thinking, maybe I was too hard on you earlier' said the
man.
'It's been a long day and I took out my aggravation on you. Here's the
Rs.50 you asked for.'
The little boy sat straight up, smiling. 'Oh, thank you daddy!' He
yelled.
Then, reaching under his pillow he pulled out some crumpled up bills.
The man saw that the boy already had money, started to get angry
again. The little boy slowly counted out his money, and then looked up
at his father.
'Why do you want more money if you already have some?' the father
grumbled.
'Because I didn't have enough, but now I do,' the little boy replied.
' Daddy, I have Rs. 100 now. Can I buy an hour of your time?
Please come home early tomorrow I would like to have dinner with you'
The father was crushed. He put his arms around his little son, and he
begged for his forgiveness.
It's just a short reminder to all of you working so hard in life. We
should not let time slip through our fingers without having spent some
time with those who really matter to us, those close to our hearts.
Do remember to share that Rs.100 worth of your time with someone you
love.
If we die tomorrow, the company that we are working for could easily
replace us in a matter of days.
But the family & friends we leave behind will feel the loss for the
rest of their lives. And come to think of it, we pour ourselves more
into work than to our family.
Value Relationships!!!!!!
Someone is waiting for you.
I KNOW
I KNOW
I know He is the beginning, so why do I worry about the end.
I know He is the creator, so why do I wonder who will destroy.
I know He has forgiven me, so why can't I forgive myself.
I know He is a healer, so why do I speak of sickness.
I know He can do all things, so why do I say I can't.
I know He will protect me, so why do I fear.
I know He will supply all my needs, so why can't I wait.
I know He is my strength and my salvation, so why do I feel weak.
I know that everything and everyone has a season, so why when someone's
season is over do I weep instead of rejoice.
I know He is the right way, so why do I go the wrong way.
I know He is the light, so why do I choose to walk in darkness.
I know that whatever I ask of GOD, GOD will give me, so why am I
scared to ask.
I know tomorrow is not promised, so why do I put off for tomorrow
what I can do today.
I know that the truth shall make me free, so why do I continue to lie.
I know He gives us revelation knowledge and understanding, so why do
I lean on my own understanding.
I know I should live in the spirit as well as walk in the spirit, so
why do I choose to live in the spirit but walk in the flesh.
I know that when praises go up blessings come down, so why do I
refuse to praise Him.
I know I am saved, so why do I refuse the word He has given me.
I know He has a plan for me, so why am I rushing it because I am
eager to do His will, when it is His time not my time.
-- Author Unknown
Sunday, August 10, 2008
"I can't go to Sunday School," she sobbed to the pastor as he walked by.
Seeing her shabby, unkempt appearance, the pastor guessed the reason and, taking her by the hand, took her inside and found a place for her in the Sunday school class. The child was so happy that they found room for her, and she went to bed that night thinking of the children who have no place to worship Jesus.
Some two years later, this child lay dead in one of the poor tenement buildings. Her parents called for the kindhearted pastor who had befriended their daughter to handle the final arrangements.
As her poor little body was being moved, a worn and crumpled red purse was found which seemed to have been rummaged from some trash dump.
Inside was found 57 cents and a note, scribbled in childish handwriting, which read: "This is to help build the little church bigger so more children can go to Sunday School."
For two years she had saved for this offering of love.
When the pastor tearfully read that note, he knew instantly what he would do. Carrying this note and the cracked, red pocketbook to the pulpit, he told the story of her unselfish love and devotion.
He challenged his deacons to get busy and raise enough money for the larger building.
But the story does not end there...
A newspaper learned of the story and published It. It was read by a wealthy realtor who offered them a parcel of land worth many thousands.
When told that the church could not pay so much, he offered to sell it to the little church for 57 cents.
Church members made large donations. Checks came from far and wide.
Within five years the little girl's gift had increased to $250,000.00- -a huge sum for that time (near the turn of the century). Her unselfish love had paid large dividends.
When you are in the city of Philadelphia , look up Temple Baptist Church , with a seating capacity of 3,300. And be sure to visit Temple University, where thousands of students are educated.
Have a look, too, at the Good Samaritan Hospital and at a Sunday School building which houses hundreds of beautiful children, built so that no child in the area will ever need to be left outside during Sunday school time.
In one of the rooms of this building may be seen the picture of the sweet face of the little girl whose 57 cents, so sacrificially saved, made such remarkable history. Alongside of it is a portrait of her kind pastor, Dr. Russell H. Conwell, author of the book, "Acres of Diamonds".
This is a true story, which goes to show WHAT GOD CAN DO WITH 57 CENTS.
May today there be peace within.
May you trust your highest power that you are exactly where you are meant to be.
May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith.
May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you.
May you be content knowing you are a child of God.
Let this presence settle into our bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing and dance. It is there for each and every one of you.
WHEN A LIZARD CAN, WHY CAN'T WE?
This is a true story that happened in Japan.
In order to renovate the house,
someone in Japan breaks open the wall.
Japanese houses normally have a hollow space between the wooden walls.
When tearing down the walls, he found that there was a lizard stuck there
because a nail from outside hammered into one of its feet.
He sees this, feels pity, and at the same time curious, as when he checked the nail,
it was nailed 10 years ago when the house was first built.
What happened?
The lizard has survived in such position for 10 years!!!!!!!!!!
In a dark wall partition for 10 years without moving, it is impossible and mind-boggling.
Then he wondered how this lizard survived for 10 years!!! Without moving a single step--since its foot was
nailed!
So he stopped his work and observed the lizard, what it has been doing, and what and how it has been eating.
Later, not knowing from where it came appears another lizard, with food in its mouth.
Ah! He was stunned and touched deeply.
For the lizard
That was stuck by nail, another lizard has been feeding it for the past 10 years...
Imagine? it has been doing that untiringly for 10 long years, without giving up hope on its partner.
Think, will u do that to your partner?
Think that will you do it to your Mom,
Who brought you after a big struggle of nine long months?
Or at least to your Dad, Friends, Co-workers, brothers and Sisters?
Imagine what a small creature can do that a creature blessed with a brilliant mind can't.
As information and communication technology advances,
our access to information becomes faster and faster.
But the
Distance between human beings . . . is it getting closer as well?
Please never abandon your loved ones
Never Say U R Busy When They Really Need You ..
You May Have The Entire World At Your Feet.....
But You Might Be The Only World To Them....
A Moment of negligence might break the very heart which loves you thru all odds..
Before you say something just remember.It takes a moment to Break but an entire life to make...
To Live Use Heart and to Survive use Brains.
Then Life would be a paradise Unfurling only Love Joy and
Happiness.....
Spread this message to everyone you Love and Help them Live life and not
Merely Survive...
Saturday, August 9, 2008
SUNDAY THOUGHT -10 from dear Jogy Bro
UNITY IN WORSHIP
Text: Psalm 133
Though we can worship God individually, most often, community worship has given significance in the Bible. The angels in heaven worship God as a community. During the days of Enosh people (plural) started worshipping (call on the name of) Jehovah. The people of Israel were delivered from Egypt to be a worshipping community of Yahweh. In Israel, the worship pattern was focused on community worship. The Church is intended to be a worshipping community. In John's vision of the heavenly worship, he sees worship of the redeemed community. So, one significant fact about worship is that it is collective and to be done in community.
One of the marks of the worshipping community is unity. David was observing the people of Israel ascending to the Mount Zion to come into God's presence to worship. He heard the songs they sing as they climb the road to Zion; the joy they had when they are together in the city. Then he said, "Behold, How pleasant and how good it is that brethren dwell together in unity" (Ps. 133:1). Worship, then, is beautiful when there is unity within the people of God. In contrast to this, worship is not perfect when no unity or disunity exist within the community.
Satan's rebellion caused disunity among the worshipping community in heaven! God dealt with the problem by expelling Satan from His presence. Disunity over an issue of worship resulted in Cain killing Abel. Very often sin led to disunity among the people and paused disturbance among the worshipping community in Israel.
So, unity within the community is important in the worship of the community. Two areas where unity becomes crucial in order for us to offer acceptable worship today are the following.
1. Unity in Doctrine.
'Doctrine' refers to the teaching of the Scripture and thereby of the Church. So unity in doctrine means agreement on the whole of what the Bible teaches. This I would say is an essential matter in offering acceptable worship before God. Churches today differ each other in their teachings which are developed from the same Scripture. Some churches find it difficult to accept certain teachings of other churches. In such scenario, coming together to worship, forgetting the doctrinal differences becomes painful. 'I love Jesus, you love Jesus, let's worship together' approach is not workable often. The N.T. churches had same doctrines. But the 21st c. churches do have a variety of doctrines, unfortunately. Our approach today is like the saying, 'birds of the same feather go together.' Churches or communities who hold particular teachings find it easy to worship together and fellowship together. This has become an 'unavoidable paradox' in Christianity. As an excuse we think like the Samaritan woman said, "When the Messiah comes, he will tell us all things!" (Jn.4:25).We expect the Lord to settle all these differences. Communities coming together for worship, having distorted teaching of the Scripture, would not be a pleasing thing to God, I suppose. So, a genuine attempt to identify the essential teachings of the Bible to uphold them should be seen in our churches today in order to have doctrinal unity and thus to offer acceptable worship before God. If there would be agreement on all the essential teachings of the Bible between churches, what a difference would have been evident in the worship of the church!?
2. Unity in Relationship
A strained relationship, weather it is between members of the same family or the family of the church, is a hindrance for true worship. As David exclaimed, it is really good and pleasant before man and before God when people of God come together having unity in relationship. When we worship God having unity in relationship, I am sure God would joyfully accept our worship. Unity in relationship includes unity of heart and spirit. When Moses asked the people to give for and participate in the construction of the tabernacle, in unity of heart and mind they did so. And God was pleased in it and He blessed them (Ex.39:43). So also, for the construction of the temple, during the days of Solomon. Where there is unity in relationship as David says rightly, 'there the LORD commanded the blessing-life forevermore'.(Ps. 133:3). This unity in relationship might be necessary between husbands and wives or parents and children or between in-laws; it might be necessary between church members. Do we have unity in relationship with the people of our community as we prepare to worship God this week? Let's also remember Jesus' words in Matt. 5:23,24.
Yours in The gloriuos ministry of God
Joji George Abraham
“I smote you with blasting and with mildew and with hail in all the labours of your hands.”
"I smote you with blasting and with mildew and with hail in all the labours of your hands."
How destructive is the hail to the standing crops, beating out the precious grain upon the ground! How grateful ought we to be when the corn is spared so terrible a ruin! Let us offer unto the Lord thanksgiving. Even more to be dreaded are those mysterious destroyers-smut, bunt, rust, and mildew. These turn the ear into a mass of soot, or render it putrid, or dry up the grain, and all in a manner so beyond all human control that the farmer is compelled to cry, "This is the finger of God." Innumerable minute fungi cause the mischief, and were it not for the goodness of God, the rider on the black horse would soon scatter famine over the land. Infinite mercy spares the food of men, but in view of the active agents which are ready to destroy the harvest, right wisely are we taught to pray, "Give us this day our daily bread." The curse is abroad; we have constant need of the blessing. When blight and mildew come they are chastisements from heaven, and men must learn to hear the rod, and him that hath appointed it.
Spiritually, mildew is no uncommon evil. When our work is most promising this blight appears. We hoped for many conversions, and lo! a general apathy, an abounding worldliness, or a cruel hardness of heart! There may be no open sin in those for whom we are labouring, but there is a deficiency of sincerity and decision sadly disappointing our desires. We learn from this our dependence upon the Lord, and the need of prayer that no blight may fall upon our work. Spiritual pride or sloth will soon bring upon us the dreadful evil, and only the Lord of the harvest can remove it. Mildew may even attack our own hearts, and shrivel our prayers and religious exercises. May it please the great Husbandman to avert so serious a calamity. Shine, blessed Sun of Righteousness, and drive the blights away.
Thursday, August 7, 2008
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
Then at the right time and place He created you. Christianity is not just a religion;True Christians experience a
deep personal relationship with the Creator God of the universe.
All other religions of the world have one thing in common they are attempting to reach God by their own efforts and traditions.
Only the God of the Bible reaches out to people in love. He has provided
a way for you to be united with Him.
The way is through His Son,
Jesus Christ. Jesus says to you, "I am the way, the truth, and the life.
No one comes to the Father except through Me."(John 14:6)
Jesus the Christ is the only true path for unity with God.
Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by
which we must be saved.(Acts 4:12)
The gospel message recorded in the Holy Bible is that
Jesus Christ came down from heaven to rescue people and restore
their relationship to God.
Jesus was born from a virgin woman and He
lived in a human body.
Jesus lived a perfect life without sin.
When Jesus died a painful death on a cross He did not deserve it.He did
not die for Himself,He died for you.
Jesus paid the penalty for sin
so that whoever enters into Him will have their sins covered by His
blood. Jesus rose from the dead and later ascended back into heaven.
Over 2 billion people on earth call themselves Christian,which
means to be a follower of Christ. Jesus Christ continues to have a
far greater impact upon individuals and the world than any one else
who has ever lived.
The Bible continues to be the best selling book of all time.
There are millions of witnesses who testify to having a
life changing encounter with Jesus.
There is a reason for these facts, the reason is because Jesus is Truth.
This is how God showed his love among us : He sent his one and only
Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love : not that we loved God,but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice.
"The Lamb is the light thereof."
Quietly contemplate the Lamb as the light of heaven. Light in Scripture is the emblem of joy. The joy of the saints in heaven is comprised in this: Jesus chose us, loved us, bought us, cleansed us, robed us, kept us, glorified us: we are here entirely through the Lord Jesus. Each one of these thoughts shall be to them like a cluster of the grapes of Eshcol. Light is also the cause of beauty. Nought of beauty is left when light is gone. Without light no radiance flashes from the sapphire, no peaceful ray proceedeth from the pearl; and thus all the beauty of the saints above comes from Jesus. As planets, they reflect the light of the Sun of Righteousness; they live as beams proceeding from the central orb. If he withdrew, they must die; if his glory were veiled, their glory must expire. Light is also the emblem of knowledge. In heaven our knowledge will be perfect, but the Lord Jesus himself will be the fountain of it. Dark providences, never understood before, will then be clearly seen, and all that puzzles us now will become plain to us in the light of the Lamb. Oh! what unfoldings there will be and what glorifying of the God of love! Light also means manifestation. Light manifests. In this world it doth not yet appear what we shall be. God's people are a hidden people, but when Christ receives his people into heaven, he will touch them with the wand of his own love, and change them into the image of his manifested glory. They were poor and wretched, but what a transformation! They were stained with sin, but one touch of his finger, and they are bright as the sun, and clear as crystal. Oh! what a manifestation! All this proceeds from the exalted Lamb. Whatever there may be of effulgent splendour, Jesus shall be the centre and soul of it all. Oh! to be present and to see him in his own light, the King of kings, and Lord of lords!
Monday, August 4, 2008
God is very just & very merciful & loving. He deals with His children in such love and such long-suffering and such patience, but nevertheless firmly and sometimes drastically if we need it. He is a loving God, but He's also a very good Father, and He knows how to give us chastisement for our mistakes. He sometimes has to give us a whack with the Shepherds rod to keep us on the right path or to turn us off the wrong path.
Although God's spankings are sometimes hard to take they're a token of His Love, His "intolerable compliment" and are good for us if we learn our lesson thereby and brought into happiness with Him and each other. He often has to spank us to gust us to really yield to humble us and make us more obedient, more contrite and more submitted to His Will.
Therefore, forget not "the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the Chastening of the Lord, nor lose heart when thou are rebuked of Him, for whom the Lord loveth he disciplines and correcteth every son whom He receiveth." (Heb.12:5,6) -- God's spankings are proof He loves you! So thank the Lord for His chastening rod which we have all felt if we're sons. It's such a compliment to know that we're His children!
"Look back and thank God.
Look forward and trust God.
Look around and serve God.
Look within and find God!"
Sunday, August 3, 2008
FRIENDSHIP !!
You find a special friend,
Someone who changes your life
Just by being a part of it
Someone who makes you laugh
Until you can't stop
Someone who makes you believe
That there really is good in the world
Someone who convinces you that
There really is an unlocked door
Just waiting for you to open it.
This is a Forever Friendship
When you're down,
And the world seems dark and empty,
Your forever friend lifts you up in spirit
And makes that dark and empty world
Suddenly seem bright and full.
Your forever friend gets you through
The hard times, the sad times,
And the confusing times.
If you turn and walk away,
Your forever friend follows.
If you lose your way,
Your forever friend guides you
And cheers you on.
Your forever friend holds your hand
And tells you that everything
Is going to be okay.
And if you find such a friend,
You feel happy and complete,
Because you need not worry.
You have a forever friend for life,
And forever has no end.
"Two are better than one...
If one person falls, the other can reach out and help.
But people who are alone when they fall are in real trouble."
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
The Little Grape Stem
Once upon a time there was a little grape stem. This stem was so glad to be alive... She drank water and minerals from the soil and grew and grew. She was young and strong and could manage quite well... all by Herself -- or so she thought.
But then, the wind was cruel, the rain was harsh, the snow was not one bit understanding, and the little grape stem suffered. She drooped, weak and suffering.
It would be so easy to stop trying to grow, to stop trying to live. The grape stem became weak! The winter was long, and the stem was weary.
But then the little grape stem heard a voice. It was another grape stem calling out to her... "Here, reach out... hang on to me." But the stem hesitated. "What would this mean?" she thought, for you see, the little stem had always managed quite well... all by herself.
But then, every so cautiously, she reached out towards the other grape stem. "See, I can help you" it said. "Just wind your tendrils about me and I will help you lift your head." And the little stem trusted... and suddenly she could stand straight again.
The wind came, and the rain, and the snow, but when it came, the grape stem was clinging to many other stems. And although the stems were swayed by the wind, frozen by the snow, they stood strongly united to each other. And in their group supporting strength they could all smile and grow.
Then, one day the little stem looked down and saw a tiny stem, swaying, frightened. And 'our' grape stem said, "Here, hang on... I will help you." And the other little stem reached up to 'our' grape stem, and together all the stems grew... leaves budded... flowers bloomed... and finally, grapes formed... and all the grapes fed many.
Addendum -- Galatians 6:2 (NKJ) Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
Saturday, August 2, 2008
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Jesus is passing through the throng to the house of Jairus, to raise the ruler's dead daughter; but he is so profuse in goodness that he works another miracle while upon the road. While yet this rod of Aaron bears the blossom of an unaccomplished wonder, it yields the ripe almonds of a perfect work of mercy. It is enough for us, if we have some one purpose, straightway to go and accomplish it; it were imprudent to expend our energies by the way. Hastening to the rescue of a drowning friend, we cannot afford to exhaust our strength upon another in like danger. It is enough for a tree to yield one sort of fruit, and for a man to fulfil his own peculiar calling. But our Master knows no limit of power or boundary of mission. He is so prolific of grace, that like the sun which shines as it rolls onward in its orbit, his path is radiant with lovingkindness. He is a swift arrow of love, which not only reaches its ordained target, but perfumes the air through which it flies. Virtue is evermore going out of Jesus, as sweet odours exhale from flowers; and it always will be emanating from him, as water from a sparkling fountain. What delightful encouragement this truth affords us! If our Lord is so ready to heal the sick and bless the needy, then, my soul, be not thou slow to put thyself in his way, that he may smile on thee. Be not slack in asking, if he be so abundant in bestowing. Give earnest heed to his word now, and at all times, that Jesus may speak through it to thy heart. Where he is to be found there make thy resort, that thou mayst obtain his blessing. When he is present to heal, may he not heal thee? But surely he is present even now, for he always comes to hearts which need him. And dost not thou need him? Ah, he knows how much! Thou Son of David, turn thine eye and look upon the distress which is now before thee, and make thy suppliant whole.
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All of us want to be loved. All of us want somebody to love us, Well , I want to tell you that God Loves you. He loves you so much that he gave us his Son to die on the Calvary cross for our sins. And he loves you so much that he will come into your life and change the direction of your life and make you a new person, whoever you are.
Are you sure that you know Christ ??
Jesus Christ is my Master.
"But as he went."
Jesus is passing through the throng to the house of Jairus, to raise the ruler's dead daughter; but he is so profuse in goodness that he works another miracle while upon the road. While yet this rod of Aaron bears the blossom of an unaccomplished wonder, it yields the ripe almonds of a perfect work of mercy. It is enough for us, if we have some one purpose, straightway to go and accomplish it; it were imprudent to expend our energies by the way. Hastening to the rescue of a drowning friend, we cannot afford to exhaust our strength upon another in like danger. It is enough for a tree to yield one sort of fruit, and for a man to fulfil his own peculiar calling. But our Master knows no limit of power or boundary of mission. He is so prolific of grace, that like the sun which shines as it rolls onward in its orbit, his path is radiant with lovingkindness. He is a swift arrow of love, which not only reaches its ordained target, but perfumes the air through which it flies. Virtue is evermore going out of Jesus, as sweet odours exhale from flowers; and it always will be emanating from him, as water from a sparkling fountain. What delightful encouragement this truth affords us! If our Lord is so ready to heal the sick and bless the needy, then, my soul, be not thou slow to put thyself in his way, that he may smile on thee. Be not slack in asking, if he be so abundant in bestowing. Give earnest heed to his word now, and at all times, that Jesus may speak through it to thy heart. Where he is to be found there make thy resort, that thou mayst obtain his blessing. When he is present to heal, may he not heal thee? But surely he is present even now, for he always comes to hearts which need him. And dost not thou need him? Ah, he knows how much! Thou Son of David, turn thine eye and look upon the distress which is now before thee, and make thy suppliant whole.
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"The Lamb is the light thereof."
Quietly contemplate the Lamb as the light of heaven. Light in Scripture is the emblem of joy. The joy of the saints in heaven is comprised in this: Jesus chose us, loved us, bought us, cleansed us, robed us, kept us, glorified us: we are here entirely through the Lord Jesus. Each one of these thoughts shall be to them like a cluster of the grapes of Eshcol. Light is also the cause of beauty. Nought of beauty is left when light is gone. Without light no radiance flashes from the sapphire, no peaceful ray proceedeth from the pearl; and thus all the beauty of the saints above comes from Jesus. As planets, they reflect the light of the Sun of Righteousness; they live as beams proceeding from the central orb. If he withdrew, they must die; if his glory were veiled, their glory must expire. Light is also the emblem of knowledge. In heaven our knowledge will be perfect, but the Lord Jesus himself will be the fountain of it. Dark providences, never understood before, will then be clearly seen, and all that puzzles us now will become plain to us in the light of the Lamb. Oh! what unfoldings there will be and what glorifying of the God of love! Light also means manifestation. Light manifests. In this world it doth not yet appear what we shall be. God's people are a hidden people, but when Christ receives his people into heaven, he will touch them with the wand of his own love, and change them into the image of his manifested glory. They were poor and wretched, but what a transformation! They were stained with sin, but one touch of his finger, and they are bright as the sun, and clear as crystal. Oh! what a manifestation! All this proceeds from the exalted Lamb. Whatever there may be of effulgent splendour, Jesus shall be the centre and soul of it all. Oh! to be present and to see him in his own light, the King of kings, and Lord of lords!
"The Lamb is the light thereof."
Quietly contemplate the Lamb as the light of heaven. Light in Scripture is the emblem of joy. The joy of the saints in heaven is comprised in this: Jesus chose us, loved us, bought us, cleansed us, robed us, kept us, glorified us: we are here entirely through the Lord Jesus. Each one of these thoughts shall be to them like a cluster of the grapes of Eshcol. Light is also the cause of beauty. Nought of beauty is left when light is gone. Without light no radiance flashes from the sapphire, no peaceful ray proceedeth from the pearl; and thus all the beauty of the saints above comes from Jesus. As planets, they reflect the light of the Sun of Righteousness; they live as beams proceeding from the central orb. If he withdrew, they must die; if his glory were veiled, their glory must expire. Light is also the emblem of knowledge. In heaven our knowledge will be perfect, but the Lord Jesus himself will be the fountain of it. Dark providences, never understood before, will then be clearly seen, and all that puzzles us now will become plain to us in the light of the Lamb. Oh! what unfoldings there will be and what glorifying of the God of love! Light also means manifestation. Light manifests. In this world it doth not yet appear what we shall be. God's people are a hidden people, but when Christ receives his people into heaven, he will touch them with the wand of his own love, and change them into the image of his manifested glory. They were poor and wretched, but what a transformation! They were stained with sin, but one touch of his finger, and they are bright as the sun, and clear as crystal. Oh! what a manifestation! All this proceeds from the exalted Lamb. Whatever there may be of effulgent splendour, Jesus shall be the centre and soul of it all. Oh! to be present and to see him in his own light, the King of kings, and Lord of lords!
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All of us want to be loved. All of us want somebody to love us, Well , I want to tell you that God Loves you. He loves you so much that he gave us his Son to die on the Calvary cross for our sins. And he loves you so much that he will come into your life and change the direction of your life and make you a new person, whoever you are.
Are you sure that you know Christ ??
Jesus Christ is my Master.
SUNDAY THOUGHT -9
Date: 2008/8/1
Subject: SUNDAY THOUGHT -9
| SUNDAY THOUGHT - 9 Remembrance in worship
God made man with the ability to observe, to experience, to memorize and to remember. Based on the same, God requires man to respond to Him. In worship, we praise or adore or honor God based on our remembrance of Who God is and what has he done for us. Any failure to remember this would adversely affect the true worship we would offer to God. In the life of the people of Israel, remembering God and His acts were essential to worship God. We see the command to remember from God Himself and a call to remember from the Scripture writers throughout the Old Testament.
All the aspect of true worship is keyed to this one important truth- Remembrance. We pray, or praise or serve God all because we remember who God is and what has he done for us. Let us examine the significance of remembrance in worship.
1. Remembrance enhances our Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is integral to worship. How would we be motivated to give thanks unless we remember what God means to us and what has he done for us? God instructed the people of Israel to remember all that he has done for them so that they will thank him.(A beautiful example for remembering the works of God and giving thanks is Psalm 136). But once they came in to the Promised Land, they did not remember the LORD but went after other gods (Judges 8:34). To the church, Jesus gave the command to observe the Lord's Table to remember what God has done for our salvation. Forgetting God's works towards us will result in developing a thankless Spirit. Once we actively remember the works of God for our salvation, sanctification and the future glorification, we will give thanks to God.
2. Remembrance enhances our Love.
Love towards God is integral in worship. Our love to the Lord depends on our memory. A poor memory of God's blessings would lead us to develop coldness in loving God. Mary Magdalene's action of Love to the Lord (John 20) was due to her remembrance of what the Lord did for her (Mark 16:11). The Jewish community, after their return from the exile grew cold in their love towards the LORD. (See the prophecy of Malachi). The reason was they forgot what the LORD GOD had been doing in the lives of their people. Whenever they did not remember, it affected their love towards God (Ps. 78:42; 106:7). Prophet Isaiah called the attention of the people to look back and see from where they were taken (Isa.51:1, 2). It is a call to remember so that they would respond to God in Love. Remembrance is essential to enhance our Love towards God.
3. Remembrance enhances our Confidence
In worship we also express our confidence in God. The moment we forget God's presence with us we behave humanly and naturally. The fact of God's constant presence is something that gives us confidence in worship. Though God's presence was there in their midst, the people of Israel failed to recognize it to honor God, often. Abraham remembered God's promises and he worshipped God. Jacob remembered God's words and he worshipped God. (Gen. 28:20-22 &35:3ff.). Asaph remembered God and he took confidence in Him (Ps. 77:3) David remembered the Lord's judgments and took confidence in Him (Ps. 119:52).The disciples did not remember that the Lord's presence is sufficient to satisfy the need when five thousand people had to be fed (John 6). Remembrance of Who God is and what has he done in the past is essential to enhance our confidence in Him.
"Bless the LORD O my Soul, Forget not all His benefits" (Ps. 103:2). Constant remembrance is essential for our soul to bless the LORD. As we prepare to worship God this week let us remember the importance of remembrance in worshipping God!
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Friday, August 1, 2008
"The Lamb is the light thereof."
Quietly contemplate the Lamb as the light of heaven. Light in Scripture is the emblem of joy. The joy of the saints in heaven is comprised in this: Jesus chose us, loved us, bought us, cleansed us, robed us, kept us, glorified us: we are here entirely through the Lord Jesus. Each one of these thoughts shall be to them like a cluster of the grapes of Eshcol. Light is also the cause of beauty. Nought of beauty is left when light is gone. Without light no radiance flashes from the sapphire, no peaceful ray proceedeth from the pearl; and thus all the beauty of the saints above comes from Jesus. As planets, they reflect the light of the Sun of Righteousness; they live as beams proceeding from the central orb. If he withdrew, they must die; if his glory were veiled, their glory must expire. Light is also the emblem of knowledge. In heaven our knowledge will be perfect, but the Lord Jesus himself will be the fountain of it. Dark providences, never understood before, will then be clearly seen, and all that puzzles us now will become plain to us in the light of the Lamb. Oh! what unfoldings there will be and what glorifying of the God of love! Light also means manifestation. Light manifests. In this world it doth not yet appear what we shall be. God's people are a hidden people, but when Christ receives his people into heaven, he will touch them with the wand of his own love, and change them into the image of his manifested glory. They were poor and wretched, but what a transformation! They were stained with sin, but one touch of his finger, and they are bright as the sun, and clear as crystal. Oh! what a manifestation! All this proceeds from the exalted Lamb. Whatever there may be of effulgent splendour, Jesus shall be the centre and soul of it all. Oh! to be present and to see him in his own light, the King of kings, and Lord of lords!
"So she gleaned in the field until even."
Let me learn from Ruth, the gleaner. As she went out to gather the ears of corn, so must I go forth into the fields of prayer, meditation, the ordinances, and hearing the word to gather spiritual food. The gleaner gathers her portion ear by ear; her gains are little by little: so must I be content to search for single truths, if there be no greater plenty of them. Every ear helps to make a bundle, and every gospel lesson assists in making us wise unto salvation. The gleaner keeps her eyes open: if she stumbled among the stubble in a dream, she would have no load to carry home rejoicingly at eventide. I must be watchful in religious exercises lest they become unprofitable to me; I fear I have lost much already-O that I may rightly estimate my opportunities, and glean with greater diligence. The gleaner stoops for all she finds, and so must I. High spirits criticize and object, but lowly minds glean and receive benefit. A humble heart is a great help towards profitably hearing the gospel. The engrafted soul-saving word is not received except with meekness. A stiff back makes a bad gleaner; down, master pride, thou art a vile robber, not to be endured for a moment. What the gleaner gathers she holds: if she dropped one ear to find another, the result of her day's work would be but scant; she is as careful to retain as to obtain, and so at last her gains are great. How often do I forget all that I hear; the second truth pushes the first out of my head, and so my reading and hearing end in much ado about nothing! Do I feel duly the importance of storing up the truth? A hungry belly makes the gleaner wise; if there be no corn in her hand, there will be no bread on her table; she labours under the sense of necessity, and hence her tread is nimble and her grasp is firm; I have even a greater necessity, Lord, help me to feel it, that it may urge me onward to glean in fields which yield so plenteous a reward to diligence.
"Who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will."
Our belief in God's wisdom supposes and necessitates that he has a settled purpose and plan in the work of salvation. What would creation have been without his design? Is there a fish in the sea, or a fowl in the air, which was left to chance for its formation? Nay, in every bone, joint, and muscle, sinew, gland, and blood-vessel, you mark the presence of a God working everything according to the design of infinite wisdom. And shall God be present in creation, ruling over all, and not in grace? Shall the new creation have the fickle genius of free will to preside over it when divine counsel rules the old creation? Look at Providence! Who knoweth not that not a sparrow falleth to the ground without your Father? Even the hairs of your head are all numbered. God weighs the mountains of our grief in scales, and the hills of our tribulation in balances. And shall there be a God in providence and not in grace? Shall the shell be ordained by wisdom and the kernel be left to blind chance? No; he knows the end from the beginning. He sees in its appointed place, not merely the corner-stone which he has laid in fair colours, in the blood of his dear Son, but he beholds in their ordained position each of the chosen stones taken out of the quarry of nature, and polished by his grace; he sees the whole from corner to cornice, from base to roof, from foundation to pinnacle. He hath in his mind a clear knowledge of every stone which shall be laid in its prepared space, and how vast the edifice shall be, and when the top-stone shall be brought forth with shoutings of "Grace! Grace! unto it." At the last it shall be clearly seen that in every chosen vessel of mercy, Jehovah did as he willed with his own; and that in every part of the work of grace he accomplished his purpose, and glorified his own name.
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