Blessings and Difficulties...
You need both blessings and difficulties, because one without the other is neither.People who live in affluence for all of life (such as many people in North America and Western Europe) can easily become so accustomed to wealth, blessings, and prosperity that they can easily forget what blessings they actually have. However, if those possessions are taken away, those people will certainly look at life with a new perspective, realizing how much they really had.
You don't realize how much you have until you don't have it anymore.
God knows the importance of balance; that is, the importance of having both blessings and difficulties. There are several scriptures that speak about this balance. For example in 1 Peter 4:13, we are told: Rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. Notice how we participate both in suffering and in joy.
Similarly, in 2 Corinthians 1:7, Paul wrote this to the church in Corinth: And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort. They experienced both suffering and comfort.
Don't become too comfortable with what you have, because when you forget that the things you have are a blessing from God and when you start to assume that they are guaranteed possessions, it is quite possible that God will take them away from you in order to teach you that you need both blessings and difficulties, because one without the other is neither.
love in christ,
Benhar Philip
Thursday, September 6, 2007
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
His pain, my gain.
Text to read Mark 8:22-25
"... Jesus led him..." Mark 8:23
One day, some people brought a blind man to Jesus and begged Him to touch him. “Jesus took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village…” (Mark 8:23) Notice two things that Jesus did:
1. He took the blind man by the hand
2. He led the blind man out of the village.
I was studying that line very carefully and I realized that: It DID NOT say:
A. “Jesus took the blind man’s hand and led him out of the village.”
It said: B. “Jesus took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village.”
The “object” of attention in Statement A is “the blind man’s hand.” However the object of attention is Statement B is “The blind man.” Mark 8:23 does not use Statement A, rather it uses Statement B.
I am glad that when I encountered Jesus, He did not take only a few components of me – rather He took all of me. He did not take my hands alone; he took ME by my hand – and that means a lot to me. It means a lot to me that He did not take my hands alone to serve His purpose – rather He used my hand to take ME – and then work out His purpose through me. He did not take my successes alone, or my failures alone; my strengths alone, or my weaknesses alone; my dreams alone, or my fears alone. He took me. “Jesus took the blind man…”
By,
Sujith Alex
Text to read Mark 8:22-25
"... Jesus led him..." Mark 8:23
One day, some people brought a blind man to Jesus and begged Him to touch him. “Jesus took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village…” (Mark 8:23) Notice two things that Jesus did:
1. He took the blind man by the hand
2. He led the blind man out of the village.
I was studying that line very carefully and I realized that: It DID NOT say:
A. “Jesus took the blind man’s hand and led him out of the village.”
It said: B. “Jesus took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village.”
The “object” of attention in Statement A is “the blind man’s hand.” However the object of attention is Statement B is “The blind man.” Mark 8:23 does not use Statement A, rather it uses Statement B.
I am glad that when I encountered Jesus, He did not take only a few components of me – rather He took all of me. He did not take my hands alone; he took ME by my hand – and that means a lot to me. It means a lot to me that He did not take my hands alone to serve His purpose – rather He used my hand to take ME – and then work out His purpose through me. He did not take my successes alone, or my failures alone; my strengths alone, or my weaknesses alone; my dreams alone, or my fears alone. He took me. “Jesus took the blind man…”
By,
Sujith Alex
Keep the Emotional Tank Full
"Happy are those who long to be just and good, for they shall be completely satisfied." (Matthew 5:6)
Today's Word
Every important relationship you have should be an opportunity to ask yourself, "How can I keep this person's emotional tank full?" Try to discover what the people around you need. People have different ways they express and receive love. We all have different kinds of needs and different ways that these needs are best met. These differences are part of what make our relationships exciting and fulfilling! Take the time to find out what your mate needs and how you can best meet those needs. Not only will this work in marriage, but in every other relationship of your life. You'll grow closer to your relationship & have more meaningful and fulfilling friendships, and find that your life takes on a new dimension and purpose when you focus on caring for others.
A Prayer for Today
God, I thank You for thinking so much of us. You loved us enough to give us everything. Give me strength so that I may look to fill the emotional tanks of others around me. Thank You for putting these special people in my life. In Jesus' name. Amen.
By,
Shreedhar Jaysingh
"Happy are those who long to be just and good, for they shall be completely satisfied." (Matthew 5:6)
Today's Word
Every important relationship you have should be an opportunity to ask yourself, "How can I keep this person's emotional tank full?" Try to discover what the people around you need. People have different ways they express and receive love. We all have different kinds of needs and different ways that these needs are best met. These differences are part of what make our relationships exciting and fulfilling! Take the time to find out what your mate needs and how you can best meet those needs. Not only will this work in marriage, but in every other relationship of your life. You'll grow closer to your relationship & have more meaningful and fulfilling friendships, and find that your life takes on a new dimension and purpose when you focus on caring for others.
A Prayer for Today
God, I thank You for thinking so much of us. You loved us enough to give us everything. Give me strength so that I may look to fill the emotional tanks of others around me. Thank You for putting these special people in my life. In Jesus' name. Amen.
By,
Shreedhar Jaysingh
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
"Cast your burdens on the Lord, releasing the weight of them and He will sustain you." (Psalm 55:22)
Today's Word
Jesus said in John 14:27, "I'm leaving you My peace. I'm giving it unto you." The Amplified version says, "Now stop allowing yourself to be agitated and disturbed. And do not permit yourselves to become unsettled." God has done His part to give you His peace. As a child of God, His peace is on the inside of you right now. You've got to do your part and make the decision to live in peace.
When negative circumstances arise, and you make the choice to stay calm and live in peace, you are showing that you have faith and trust in God. You are saying, "God, I know that You are in control, I know that You're going to see me through. I know that no weapon formed against me is going to prosper." Today, choose to keep peace in your life. When you cast your burdens on Him, He promises to sustain you–that's a place of true peace, a place of lasting power!
A Prayer for Today
God, what an amazing discovery to find that Your perfect peace is within me! I trust You and will tap into that peace when life tries to steal it away. Thank you for giving me power over negative attitudes! In Jesus' Name – Amen.
By,
Shreedhar Jaysingh
Today's Word
Jesus said in John 14:27, "I'm leaving you My peace. I'm giving it unto you." The Amplified version says, "Now stop allowing yourself to be agitated and disturbed. And do not permit yourselves to become unsettled." God has done His part to give you His peace. As a child of God, His peace is on the inside of you right now. You've got to do your part and make the decision to live in peace.
When negative circumstances arise, and you make the choice to stay calm and live in peace, you are showing that you have faith and trust in God. You are saying, "God, I know that You are in control, I know that You're going to see me through. I know that no weapon formed against me is going to prosper." Today, choose to keep peace in your life. When you cast your burdens on Him, He promises to sustain you–that's a place of true peace, a place of lasting power!
A Prayer for Today
God, what an amazing discovery to find that Your perfect peace is within me! I trust You and will tap into that peace when life tries to steal it away. Thank you for giving me power over negative attitudes! In Jesus' Name – Amen.
By,
Shreedhar Jaysingh
Monday, September 3, 2007
"The Lord trieth the righteous."-Psalm 11:5
All events are under the control of Providence; consequently all the trials of our outward life are traceable at once to the great First Cause. Out of the golden gate of God's ordinance the armies of trial march forth in array, clad in their iron armour, and armed with weapons of war. All providences are doors to trial. Even our mercies, like roses, have their thorns. Men may be drowned in seas of prosperity as well as in rivers of affliction. Our mountains are not too high, and our valleys are not too low for temptations: trials lurk on all roads. Everywhere, above and beneath, we are beset and surrounded with dangers. Yet no shower falls unpermitted from the threatening cloud; every drop has its order ere it hastens to the earth.
The trials which come from God are sent to prove and strengthen our graces, and so at once to illustrate the power of divine grace, to test the genuineness of our virtues, and to add to their energy. Our Lord in His infinite wisdom and superabundant love, sets so high a value upon His people's faith that He will not screen them from those trials by which faith is strengthened. You would never have possessed the precious faith which now supports you if the trial of your faith had not been like unto fire. You are a tree that never would have rooted so well if the wind had not rocked you to and fro, and made you take firm hold upon the precious truths of the covenant grace. Worldly ease is a great foe to faith; it loosens the joints of holy valour, and snaps the sinews of sacred courage. The balloon never rises until the cords are cut; affliction doth this sharp service for believing souls. While the wheat sleeps comfortably in the husk it is useless to man, it must be threshed out of its resting place before its value can be known. Thus it is well that Jehovah trieth the righteous, for it causeth them to grow rich towards God.
By,
Saji
All events are under the control of Providence; consequently all the trials of our outward life are traceable at once to the great First Cause. Out of the golden gate of God's ordinance the armies of trial march forth in array, clad in their iron armour, and armed with weapons of war. All providences are doors to trial. Even our mercies, like roses, have their thorns. Men may be drowned in seas of prosperity as well as in rivers of affliction. Our mountains are not too high, and our valleys are not too low for temptations: trials lurk on all roads. Everywhere, above and beneath, we are beset and surrounded with dangers. Yet no shower falls unpermitted from the threatening cloud; every drop has its order ere it hastens to the earth.
The trials which come from God are sent to prove and strengthen our graces, and so at once to illustrate the power of divine grace, to test the genuineness of our virtues, and to add to their energy. Our Lord in His infinite wisdom and superabundant love, sets so high a value upon His people's faith that He will not screen them from those trials by which faith is strengthened. You would never have possessed the precious faith which now supports you if the trial of your faith had not been like unto fire. You are a tree that never would have rooted so well if the wind had not rocked you to and fro, and made you take firm hold upon the precious truths of the covenant grace. Worldly ease is a great foe to faith; it loosens the joints of holy valour, and snaps the sinews of sacred courage. The balloon never rises until the cords are cut; affliction doth this sharp service for believing souls. While the wheat sleeps comfortably in the husk it is useless to man, it must be threshed out of its resting place before its value can be known. Thus it is well that Jehovah trieth the righteous, for it causeth them to grow rich towards God.
By,
Saji
"For the Lord grants wisdom! His every word is a treasure of knowledge and understanding." (Proverbs 2:6)
Today's Word
The Bible says that God predestined us that we should live the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us. We have to choose to experience that life of abundance and blessing that He has planned for us. This is true for you no matter what you have gone through in the past. The exciting thing is that you don't have to follow those old ways anymore! The key is simply to listen to God's wisdom and choose to obey it. God gives good sense to the godly. He shows us how to distinguish right from wrong, how to make sound, wise decisions . . . and bloom according to His plan.
A Prayer for Today
God, thank You that You want to bless me, and that You prearranged a wonderful and fulfilling life for all of those seek You. I am so thankful that I'm able to look ahead and be excited about what lies in front of me. Give me strength to listen to Your voice and obey it. In Jesus' name. Amen.
By,
Shreedhar Jaysingh
Today's Word
The Bible says that God predestined us that we should live the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us. We have to choose to experience that life of abundance and blessing that He has planned for us. This is true for you no matter what you have gone through in the past. The exciting thing is that you don't have to follow those old ways anymore! The key is simply to listen to God's wisdom and choose to obey it. God gives good sense to the godly. He shows us how to distinguish right from wrong, how to make sound, wise decisions . . . and bloom according to His plan.
A Prayer for Today
God, thank You that You want to bless me, and that You prearranged a wonderful and fulfilling life for all of those seek You. I am so thankful that I'm able to look ahead and be excited about what lies in front of me. Give me strength to listen to Your voice and obey it. In Jesus' name. Amen.
By,
Shreedhar Jaysingh
Saturday, September 1, 2007
Love unexpressed is not love at all.
In John 13:34-35, Jesus instructed us—His followers—to love others: "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." As Christians, learning to walk in love should be a very high priority.
Unfortunately, we often love others only superficially—that is, we talk love, but don't live love. James 2:15-16 addresses this problem: "Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, 'Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,' but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?"
If you say that you love someone, but don't express it by what you do, then that "love" is worthless. Indeed, it isn't even real love.
Likewise, 1 John 3:17-18 asks, "If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth." Here again, we are instructed to love with actions—not just with our mouth.
Follow the instructions of Jesus: love one another. However, remember that real love must be accompanied by actions, because love unexpressed is not love at all!
By,
Benhar Philip
In John 13:34-35, Jesus instructed us—His followers—to love others: "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." As Christians, learning to walk in love should be a very high priority.
Unfortunately, we often love others only superficially—that is, we talk love, but don't live love. James 2:15-16 addresses this problem: "Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, 'Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,' but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?"
If you say that you love someone, but don't express it by what you do, then that "love" is worthless. Indeed, it isn't even real love.
Likewise, 1 John 3:17-18 asks, "If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth." Here again, we are instructed to love with actions—not just with our mouth.
Follow the instructions of Jesus: love one another. However, remember that real love must be accompanied by actions, because love unexpressed is not love at all!
By,
Benhar Philip
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