Inspired by a kindred spirit.
Read my first posting entitled 'Splashes of Grace' in April 2009 and you will know how I was inspired to start this blog.God bless you!
But Jesus said, "Let the children alone, and do not hinder them from coming to Me; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." Matthew 19:14 (NAS)
A well drawn picture of Jesus with the children. How nice to be in His presence.
Just as David says "Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked." Psalms 84:10
This expression speaks of the depth and experiential love that David has for God. 'Rather be a doorkeeper'- though thats the lowest place in the house of God based on this picture spoken but it is compared to be better than the highest position among the godless. Almost like saying it is God's wrath is better than the devil's temptations. Sometimes words alone just cannot explain the meaning of it. The close relationship and proximity births out the longing for His presence. And a desire to please God above all else. David has the greatest poetic expressions, songs and proclaimations of his love towards His loving Father. That is the kind of love we should strive for in our relationship with our Father God.
Truly there is no words to describe the awesomeness of our God but we can express in our worship to Him in self abandonment and love. God wants our heart of worship, He is our audience and there should be no one above Him. Worship Him with this song and give Him your all.
1 Corinthians 15:58 (Amplified Bible) Therefore, my beloved brethren, be firm (steadfast), immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord [always being superior, excelling, doing more than enough in the service of the Lord], knowing and being continually aware that your labor in the Lord is not futile [it is never wasted or to no purpose].
Paul spurs us to move forward with God's work no matter what mountains we have to climb.Last Sunday, the preaching was on sense of 'Taste' and it was expounded that there are many times a lot of bad experiences leaves us a bitter taste and it curbs us from doing what we should for God. That is true and reality often stings, probably to make us aware that we should not stay in that bitter past forever, for God made us more than conquerors through Christ who loves us.
Paul in 1 Corinthian speaks on steadfast - fixing on Jesus and trusting in Him. And then 'immovable' - that our faith will not be shaken at all cost and not wavering in our commitment to God. The word 'abounding' in Greek is 'perisseuo' means 'abundantly furnished'.In other words "exceeding a fixed number or measure," "over-and- above.". We are actually asked to do more exceedingly if not most likely we will stagnate in our service for God. Work for the Lord is not only confined to just serving as a usher and worship leader in church, it also includes work of giving to the poor, encouraging a weary brother, visiting the sick and etcetera.
Let us not forget what we do for God is never in vain, although others might not see the number of dishes you wash after cell group each Friday or vacuuming the floor to make the house clean for your family. Cleanliness need to be maintained, same goes for our work for the Lord so that dirts of laziness and complacency will not remained for long.
I'm currently re-reading this book.Excellent reading.We all have anger issues occasionally, something that is inevitable. What we hope to achieve is to not sin in anger and Lisa Bevere, the author of this book brings you insights of how to manage our anger successfully.It is practical and realistic especially when the author shares her testimony, how she cries out to God and found the help she needs. If you would like to have a preview of the book before purchasing CLICK HERE
Be blessed and know there is a God who heals all sicknesses. Nothing is impossible for Him if we believe. He is our Jehovah Rapha, God our healer. Jesus bore the stripes for us that we could overcome sicknesses. The song is based on the story of a woman who had that faith in Jesus to heal her 12 years of disease. This woman with the issue of blood was spoken in three books in the bible which I have placed the extracts below.
43And a woman who had suffered from a flow of blood for twelve years [a]and had spent all her living upon physicians, and could not be healed by anyone,44Came up behind Him and touched the fringe of His garment, and immediately her flow of blood ceased.45And Jesus said, Who is it who touched Me? When all were denying it, Peter [b]and those who were with him said, Master, the multitudes surround You and press You on every side!46But Jesus said, Someone did touch Me; for I perceived that [healing] power has gone forth from Me.47And when the woman saw that she had not escaped notice, she came up trembling, and, falling down before Him, she declared in the presence of all the people for what reason she had touched Him and how she had been instantly cured. (LUKE 8:43-47(Amplified Bible)).
25 A woman in the crowd had suffered for twelve years with constant bleeding. 26 She had suffered a great deal from many doctors, and over the years she had spent everything she had to pay them, but she had gotten no better. In fact, she had gotten worse. 27 She had heard about Jesus, so she came up behind him through the crowd and touched his robe. 28 For she thought to herself, “If I can just touch his robe, I will be healed.” 29 Immediately the bleeding stopped, and she could feel in her body that she had been healed of her terrible condition. 30 Jesus realized at once that healing power had gone out from him, so he turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who touched my robe?”31 His disciples said to him, “Look at this crowd pressing around you. How can you ask, ‘Who touched me?’”32 But he kept on looking around to see who had done it. 33 Then the frightened woman, trembling at the realization of what had happened to her, came and fell to her knees in front of him and told him what she had done. 34 And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace. Your suffering is over.”“Just then a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind Him and touched the edge of His cloak. She said to herself, ‘If I only touch His cloak, I will be healed.’ Jesus turned and saw her, ‘Take heart, daughter,’ He said, ‘your faith has healed you.’ And the woman was healed from that moment”(MAR 5:25-34(NLT).
20Just then a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak. 21She said to herself, "If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed." 22Jesus turned and saw her. "Take heart, daughter," he said, "your faith has healed you." And the woman was healed from that moment.(MATT 9:20-22 (NIV)).
