Show off

Luke:20:45-47

The teachers of the law and Pharisees wanted to show off with their robes and long prayers. In the core, they wanted to do things which would show off their pomp and authority. They would boss over the underprivileged to exercise authority.

Why do we want to do the things that we do. To be appreciated by the public? To be recognised by the public?

Or is my life gospel centred? Do I do the things which I do only for the sake of Christ being glorified?

Oh, to be empty and lowly

Meek and unnoticed and unknown

And to God, a vessel Holy

Filled with Christ, and Christ alone

May Christ be all, and I be nothing

His glory shines in the vessels weak

May Christ be all, and I be nothing

This is my hope

Not I, but Christ in me

- Grace worship.

Image credit: https://www.dmoose.com/blogs/training/body-builder-pose?srsltid=AfmBOopwLNyg0Ru1vxMPvba9LVcGUQh9cVO3YMwT5EIxMkPJ5Z3iO-Z-

Comments

Ashley

Dear Brother. Rest in peace. This life is small. Yet proved again. But you proved. Living for Christ alone matters. Trying to acquire skill And to use your well earned medical knowledge For the poor and needy. Your words still ring in my ear. "We are alone there" Brother gone too soon. Leaving behind a legacy. Well done good and faithful servant. Enough is enough. Come back and enter the rest planned for you. In His bosom, the classic smile I can imagine. Your laughter will surely resound in heaven today. There is rejoicing in heaven For a son has come back home. Fulfilling his Father's will for him Why should earth be gloomy? For he is home.

One more chance

Karun Nair, Indian cricketer was unduly kept away from Indian cricket team. Though he scored runs in international and domestic circuit. This was a viral post of his in 2022. After which he scored piles of runs in domestic circuit and in the IPL. Finally he was given a chance to represent team India again. Inspiring stuff. Give it one more chance. Lk:13:6 Jesus the intercessory keeps on asking for one more chance for you. Those that do not bear fruit are expected to be cut down. V:5 reaffirms by saying - No and I tell you again and again that unless you repent you will perish too. Sin is not something which a holy God can accommodate with. Bearing fruit is what you think as a higher level of Christianity. But not bearing fruit is actually sin. Because that is the purpose of the plant. If you don't love your neighbour, if you do not have joy despite all your circumstances, if you do not have peace that passes all circumstances , if you are impatient and short tempered, i...

Pray

Ask and shall be given to you. Seek and you shall find. Knock and the door shall be opened to you. Luke 11:9 Pray. And that's it. The Father who loves you, won't He give what is best for you. Just like an earthly father wants to give the best for his child. Wouldn't the Heavenly Father do much more? Then why wouldn't we ask, seek and knock? Because we think we are self sufficient. We think we are comfortable in the way we are. It's because of pride that we are lazy to ask. So just pray. Pray aloud. Pray silently. Pray with others. Pray alone. Pray without ceasing. Pray desperately. Pray with tears. Pray with confidence. Father teach me to pray to you. Image credit: https://exodus90.com/blog/spiritual-defense-deliverance-prayers-for-the-laity/

Be rich

That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life. - Jesus Which is why? Luke:12:21 describes the reason. Yes a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth, but not have a rich relationship with God. Focussing on the temporary, focussing on the things which will vanish. Focussing on the things which might blip. Then you worry. But if we focus on the things which is eternal. If we focus on things which would have lasting values. Then you know that God who is eternal All Powerful is your Father. He will take care. That is trust. It is faith that you believe that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ. It is trust that you believe that All things work for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteous. And all these things shall be added to you. Image credit: https://create.vista.com/photos/gold-jesus-christ/

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...

How do I know whether I am a disciple or a follower?

Luke 14:33 In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything, he cannot be my disciple. Discipleship and following are different. Anyone can be a follower. But a disciple, prioritises. For a follower, it is convenience. He may or may not. He will join the meeting online, if the situations are cordial, with camera switched off and then do other things simultaneously as well. A disciple listens with intend, takes note, rerevises it, desiring to practise it. A follower is irregularly irregular in attendance. A disciple longs and plans to listen to the word. A follower may or may not obey, depending on convenience. A disciple's only option is to obey. Why do you pursue Jesus? Is it as if He is the only way to meaningful and purposeful living? Or is He one of the way? Are there other ways of entertainment and responsibilities which would weigh more in your life as compared to this God? Would you take the convenient route or the more beautiful and fruitful route of ...

Fade into oblivion

Luke:14:11 For those who exalt themselves will be humbled and those who humble themselves will be exalted. This example that Jesus quoted has challenged me since childhood. To not to take up seats of honour, lest you would be embarassed and humiliated. But to take up seats of less honour, that you would be honoured by the host later. It is man's tendency to project himself. To take up honour for your own. But to keep it aside, to stay low profile so that others are honoured more, is a great thing. Others might not know it, neither would they know you. You may fade into oblivion just like that. As if you never existed. Without being noticed or honoured. But that is absolutely fine, as God sees it. 1Pet:5:6 So humble yourself under the mighty power of God and at the right time, He will lift you up in honour. But most of us focus on being lifted up in due time in honour. That becomes the motivation to humble ourselves. That is not true humbling. Is the desire to be lifted...

The halfbaked Bard

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