How can we identify the source of the gifts we have? Some have gifts that add value to the society and promote good neighbourliness. Others use their gifts to torment and harm others.
Where did you get your own gift from? Good gifts are used for positive purposes and they are from God. 'Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above and cometh down from the Father of lights with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning'.
What will God's gifts empower you to accomplish? 'But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance..'
Think about it. Is it not good to show love to others? Everbody wants to be loved. It is a good gift and it is God's gift. Certainly, you want peace more than conflict. You want a peaceful marriage. You want to live peaceably with your colleagues in the place of work. Not everybody can give that to you.
God gave us peace through Christ. With Him, the peace of God and peace with God is guaranteed. It is a good gift and it is God's gift.
Now that you know what these gifts are, what are you to do? Covet them and ask God to bless you with them. They will turn you into a wise man. 'If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him'.
Text: James 1:17,Gal 5:22; James 1:5
Friday, April 17, 2009
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Art Thou He?
'Art thou he that should come or do we look for another?'.
John the baptist had the grace of God and the power of God in his life. He as the forerunner of Christ had warned the people against the impending judgement of God upon the sinner. He emphasized the need for repentance and turning away from evil. At the fulness of time, Christ went to him for baptism. John saw the spirit of God descend upon Christ which was the sign he expected as a confirmation that he was truely the begotten son of God.
That conviction of his soon changed. Why? Herod the king unjustly imprisoned him and inflicted pain upon him. At that point perhaps John got confused and he started doubting what he already knew. May be he taught Christ could have taken step to deliver him from the hand of the wicked Herod which he never did.
In order to clear his mind, he sent two of his disciples to confirm from Jesus if he was the Christ.
No one is immuned from persecution. We can be persecuted for the sake of truth and the gospel just as it happened to John the baptist. Such a time should not be a time to doubt the power and faithfulness of God. It is not the time to doubt the promise of God.It is the time to trust more in him. Let us learn to commit our all unto him even in difficult times. Remember he has promised to be with you whereever you may go.
Text: Matt 11:1-6
John the baptist had the grace of God and the power of God in his life. He as the forerunner of Christ had warned the people against the impending judgement of God upon the sinner. He emphasized the need for repentance and turning away from evil. At the fulness of time, Christ went to him for baptism. John saw the spirit of God descend upon Christ which was the sign he expected as a confirmation that he was truely the begotten son of God.
That conviction of his soon changed. Why? Herod the king unjustly imprisoned him and inflicted pain upon him. At that point perhaps John got confused and he started doubting what he already knew. May be he taught Christ could have taken step to deliver him from the hand of the wicked Herod which he never did.
In order to clear his mind, he sent two of his disciples to confirm from Jesus if he was the Christ.
No one is immuned from persecution. We can be persecuted for the sake of truth and the gospel just as it happened to John the baptist. Such a time should not be a time to doubt the power and faithfulness of God. It is not the time to doubt the promise of God.It is the time to trust more in him. Let us learn to commit our all unto him even in difficult times. Remember he has promised to be with you whereever you may go.
Text: Matt 11:1-6
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)