Amazed

Lk:7:1-10

Will Jesus be amazed by seeing your faith? Jesus here is amazed by the faith of a Roman solider. Not even a Jew. This man was supportive to the Jews. He was friends with many respected Jewish elders. If anyone needed Jesus' help, it was he, testified the Jews. Still a gentile. But still believed that Jesus had the power to heal his slave by just His word. And this much of faith was with not much spiritual back up. Jesus was amazed seeing his faith.

After all the spiritual input that we have got from church, and the Sunday schools and the fellowships that we are involved with, Jesus would still be amazed at our faith (or the lack of it). We still fret. We are still anxious and worried, when the tables are turned against us. Trust is the only thing that He wants to see in us. And we need to grow in faith, not decline. The graph is to go upward, why is it directed downward, or status quo?

Make Jesus amazed and proud of your faith.

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Why? - a short story

I have always been obedient to my father. Though sometimes it sounded illogical. Of late his demands are more irrational. I have seen him spending time praying. But now he is different. He travels around Judea and sometimes even to Israel to listen to this man Jesus. Some say He is a rebel. Some say He is the son of God the Messiah. I don't know. I haven't been religious. I like this part of the Ten Commandments which says if you want a long life, then honour your father and mother. Ever since my mother passed away, my father had been lonely. They were in love. Never have I seen anyone love like this, even the newly weds. He had been gloomy for the past ten years. But now there is a smile in his face. He spends time in his room often, praying. Other times he is out to listen to this man. But there is joy in his face, that I know. Today why did he ask me to go and collect water from the town? No idea. There are slave girls to do that. There is plenty of water here...

Inclusive

Tell His disciples including Peter - Mk:16:7 The very one who denied and swore against knowing Him. The very one who rebuked Jesus not to have plans to die. The very one who was impulsive in every way, but fell away in the time of need. The very Peter. Including Peter, you tell what all you saw. Especially to Peter. A bruised reed He will not break. A repentant heart He will not push away. But include Him in His plan of redemption and restoration. David, Elijah, Peter, Paul are examples. Where as on the other side stands King Saul, Judas Iscariot. Sin is not a stumbling block for you to be included in God's plan, while you are given a second chance. But unrepentance and nonrestoration is. God has amazing plans for you. Lest you should squander it or thwart it, repent and return. Image credits: https://www.dckreider.com/blog-theological-musings/peters-denial-wasnt-cowardice

The Lord's servant - a poem

I am the Lord's servant. May everything you have said about me come true. Lk:1:38 It is easy to accept His will, when it's cordial When it's a blessing in our terms. But will it be possible to thank Him, When it is confusing and disturbing? Elizabeth, old as she is would be ome pregnant. The Lord is kind; she exclaims. Mary, a virgin is pregnant six months later. I am the Lord's servant; she accepts. After years of prayer, Elizabeth is blessed. All rejoice with her. All praise God for her. But Mary is all alone. She is cursed when she accepts His will. A virgin getting pregnant, can that be God's will? Someone greater than the greatest is being formed. In her womb, through all her pains. Through all the loneliness and difficulties She alone had to go through. Yet she accepted. Would you accept pain and ridicule. The same way you accept blessings from God. For through this, Christ is being formed in you Painful, but worth it. Consider it pure joy, dear b...

Humble

Scattered the proud - exalted the humble. Lk:1:51-52 The lowly He raises. The downtrodden He uplifts. The poor He makes him sit on lofty places. He is pro -poor. Not only monetarily. If you are poor in the Spirit, the Kingdom of heaven is yours is the promise. He is compassionate to the one who suffers. He is on the side of those who have no help. Unlike the proud and the rich and the affluent and the arrogant who has their influences and resources to help them( yet in vain). Therefore humble yourself in the sight of the Lord and He shall lift you up in the right time. Whether you have it or not, bring yourself low before the Almighty. Image credit: https://medium.com/@churuiheng/being-humble-is-the-best-way-to-learn-more-41b8dad157f5

Pressed down Shaken together

Your gift will return to you full, pressed down, shaken together to make more room, running over and poured into your lap. Luke:6:38 Many a times this verse is misinterpreted for giving, more precisely speaking, about money. But aren't we completely misguided? Jesus has not been talking about money at all here. It is about forgiveness that He talks about. It is about not judging. It is about not condemning. It is about our attitude and not about assets. Many a times we give importance to things which are not important to God. To forgive means to be forgiven. If you forgive, you will be forgiven to a greater extent. Both from man's side and from God's side. Jesus taught that in the Lord's prayer too. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. When we keep account of the wrongs done to us, remember that the wrongs done by us will be kept account of as well. Forgive just as God has forgiven. Do not judge. Do not condemn. As God has done to you....

Authentic

Lk:3:1-2 Oh! Why this mundane description. It looks boring. But a meticulous examination shows a pinpoint accuracy that is reliable. Dr. Luke presents the good News after a thorough research. When you look into the annals of history, we see these people were for real. Rulers over these places in real time. Which says this account is no figment of someone's imagination. But the real description of things that happened. As if Dr. Luke is saying, if you have any doubt, see, this is the time it happened I say. Go Check in the books of history. Which means. Jesus is real. So His death is real. So His resurrection is real. This makes Him unique. That proves that He is God Himself and not just another story of one god coming to stay with mankind. Authentic. Fool proof. To the point. Period. Image credit: https://www.istockphoto.com/search/2/image-film?phrase=thumbs+up+meaning

Led by the Spirit

That day the Spirit led him to the temple. Lk:2:27 Simeon was a man who was led by the Spirit even for the trivial mundane routine things. The Spirit was already upon him and promised him that he would not die, till he sees the Lord's Messiah. Now one day the Spirit prompts him to go to the Temple. And because Simeon obeys the Spirit's leading, he meets his Saviour. His life is complete and fulfilled now. Forget about taking decisions. Everyday routine, are you being led by the Holy Spirit? Will not such a life be beautiful - being led and guided by God's Himself. Taken to places where He would want us to be. Meeting people that He would want us to. Only His plan. But for that Simeon was righteous and devout and eagerly waiting. Image credit: https://landmarkjourneyministries.com/

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