1 Corinthians 15: 3-4
"For I delivered unto you first of all that which also I received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures."
It is that time of the year again when Christians prepare for Easter. Easter is a time when we reflect on the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, and what His sacrifice means to us. It is because of His death that the penalty for sin is paid for all mankind, and because of His resurrection, we now have hope to live eternally, and not die.
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Devotional of the Week March 22-28
John 4: 7-14
"There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith to her, Give me to drink. (For his disciples were gone away unto the city to buy meat). Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans. Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water. The woman saith unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then hast thou that living water? Art thou greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his children, and his cattle? Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be a well of water springing up into everlasting life."
We derive a lot of pleasure from the things of this world - good food, music, wine, dancing, social affairs, family, friends, and so on. Here is the thing: None of those things, as good as they are, and as pleasurable as they are, can give us lasting and eternal happiness. We may enjoy some temporary pleasures here on earth that give us happiness, but that happiness is maintained by constantly filling up our lives, time after time, with those things that give us pleasure. Jesus is offering us something different. He is offering us something that when we get it, it will continously give us joy, happiness, and peace, all on its own. It never needs to be replenished because it replenishes itself. This is the living water that He is offering to us, which is a well-spring of joy that will last for all eternity.
"There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith to her, Give me to drink. (For his disciples were gone away unto the city to buy meat). Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans. Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water. The woman saith unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then hast thou that living water? Art thou greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his children, and his cattle? Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be a well of water springing up into everlasting life."
We derive a lot of pleasure from the things of this world - good food, music, wine, dancing, social affairs, family, friends, and so on. Here is the thing: None of those things, as good as they are, and as pleasurable as they are, can give us lasting and eternal happiness. We may enjoy some temporary pleasures here on earth that give us happiness, but that happiness is maintained by constantly filling up our lives, time after time, with those things that give us pleasure. Jesus is offering us something different. He is offering us something that when we get it, it will continously give us joy, happiness, and peace, all on its own. It never needs to be replenished because it replenishes itself. This is the living water that He is offering to us, which is a well-spring of joy that will last for all eternity.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Devotional of the Week March 15-21
Romans 6:1-4
"What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life."
Living a sinful life is no fun! Yes, people rave about the "pleasures" of sin and the fun they have, but the fun is only short-lived. It does not last, and one has to keep on looking for the next thrill in order to feel happy. Jesus is offering us a new way to live, that will give us lasting happiness and contentment. Yes, to some people the Christian life may look "boring," but that is because they do not know the joy of the Lord. He makes you feel happy ALL THE TIME, EVEN WHEN YOU SHOULD BE FEELING SAD. He makes you feel happy, by putting you in a state of ectasy and joy that is unbelievable! He transports your mind away from the mundane problems of life, and settles you in a state of perfect peace and calm. He makes everyday tasks enjoyable, and gives you love in your heart for your fellow man, even for those who are unlovable. He puts you in a constant state love. This is the true happiness that man has been searching for. True happiness that lets you enjoy life to the full, which is something you cannot achieve in sin.
Let us move on up to the next level - a higher state of consciousness and deeper awareness of God, for He is our joy.
"What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life."
Living a sinful life is no fun! Yes, people rave about the "pleasures" of sin and the fun they have, but the fun is only short-lived. It does not last, and one has to keep on looking for the next thrill in order to feel happy. Jesus is offering us a new way to live, that will give us lasting happiness and contentment. Yes, to some people the Christian life may look "boring," but that is because they do not know the joy of the Lord. He makes you feel happy ALL THE TIME, EVEN WHEN YOU SHOULD BE FEELING SAD. He makes you feel happy, by putting you in a state of ectasy and joy that is unbelievable! He transports your mind away from the mundane problems of life, and settles you in a state of perfect peace and calm. He makes everyday tasks enjoyable, and gives you love in your heart for your fellow man, even for those who are unlovable. He puts you in a constant state love. This is the true happiness that man has been searching for. True happiness that lets you enjoy life to the full, which is something you cannot achieve in sin.
Let us move on up to the next level - a higher state of consciousness and deeper awareness of God, for He is our joy.
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Devotional of the Week March 8-14
Psalm 25:11-22
"For thy name's sake, O LORD, pardon mine iniquity; for it is great. What man is he that feareth the LORD? Him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose. His soul shall dwell at ease; and his seed shall inherit the earth. The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant. Mine eyes are ever toward the LORD; for he shall pluck my feet out of the net. Turn thee unto me, and have mercy upon me, for I am desolate and afflicted. The troubles of my heart are enlarged: O bring all my sins. Consider mine enemies; for they are many; and they hate me with cruel hatred. O keep my soul, deliver me: let me not be ashamed; for I put my trust thee. Let integrity and uprightness preserve me; for I wait on thee. Redeem Israel, O God, out of all his troubles."
We love to pat ourselves on the back and say how good we are. The fact of the matter is however, is that none of us are as good as we think we are. Surprise! We all have sin. We have all done or thought something wrong. It is therefore time for us to be honest with ourselves and to God, because while we may fool others, we can never fool God. It is when we open up in honesty before God that we can have freedom from fear, regardless of what is happening around us or to us. We can trust Him, knowing that He will keep us safe in His hands.
"For thy name's sake, O LORD, pardon mine iniquity; for it is great. What man is he that feareth the LORD? Him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose. His soul shall dwell at ease; and his seed shall inherit the earth. The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant. Mine eyes are ever toward the LORD; for he shall pluck my feet out of the net. Turn thee unto me, and have mercy upon me, for I am desolate and afflicted. The troubles of my heart are enlarged: O bring all my sins. Consider mine enemies; for they are many; and they hate me with cruel hatred. O keep my soul, deliver me: let me not be ashamed; for I put my trust thee. Let integrity and uprightness preserve me; for I wait on thee. Redeem Israel, O God, out of all his troubles."
We love to pat ourselves on the back and say how good we are. The fact of the matter is however, is that none of us are as good as we think we are. Surprise! We all have sin. We have all done or thought something wrong. It is therefore time for us to be honest with ourselves and to God, because while we may fool others, we can never fool God. It is when we open up in honesty before God that we can have freedom from fear, regardless of what is happening around us or to us. We can trust Him, knowing that He will keep us safe in His hands.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Devotional of the Week March 1-7
John 10:11-18
"I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. Therefore doth my Fahter love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father."
Our choice of leadership, whether political, religious, social, or business is one of the most important life choices we can make, as our choice of leaders determine to a large extent the direction our lives. Simply speaking, good leaders will lead down right paths and poor leaders will lead us down wrong paths. A good leader takes his/her responsiblities seriously, and treats his/her followers with the utmost love and care, and is willing to make sacrifices for his/her followers. On the other hand, a bad leader will do okay when things are good, but when tough choices have to be made, that leader usually bails out, and leaves his/her followers on their own to fend for themselves. What kind of leader are you? What kind of leader have you chosen to follow? Are you being led by someone who is willing to stick with you through times of crisis? Or are you being led by someone who is fun to be around with during the good times, but who deserts you when times are hard? Think about it.
"I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. Therefore doth my Fahter love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father."
Our choice of leadership, whether political, religious, social, or business is one of the most important life choices we can make, as our choice of leaders determine to a large extent the direction our lives. Simply speaking, good leaders will lead down right paths and poor leaders will lead us down wrong paths. A good leader takes his/her responsiblities seriously, and treats his/her followers with the utmost love and care, and is willing to make sacrifices for his/her followers. On the other hand, a bad leader will do okay when things are good, but when tough choices have to be made, that leader usually bails out, and leaves his/her followers on their own to fend for themselves. What kind of leader are you? What kind of leader have you chosen to follow? Are you being led by someone who is willing to stick with you through times of crisis? Or are you being led by someone who is fun to be around with during the good times, but who deserts you when times are hard? Think about it.
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