The Proof of the Pudding is in the Eating

By chris | Published: March 25, 2010

I recently came across an uplifting quotation that brought me great joy:

“This is a cheerful world as I see it from my garden under the shadows of my vines. But if I were to ascend some high mountain and look out over the wide lands, you know very well what I should see: …armies fighting, cities burning; in the amphitheaters men murdered to please applauding crowds; selfishness and cruelty and misery and despair under all roofs. It is a bad world, Donatus, an incredibly bad world. But I have discovered in the midst of it a quiet and holy people who have learned a great secret. They have found a joy which is a thousand times better than any pleasure of our sinful life. They are despised and persecuted, but they care not. They are masters of their souls. They have overcome the world. These people, Donatus, are the Christians–and I am one of them. — St. Cyprian”

This is so true!  The proof of the pudding is in the eating.  Real believers are those who have overcome the world.  We are masters over our souls, by the grace and power of the Lord Jesus Christ.  May we go forth with joy and be led forth with peace today, as we know and understand that the true and living God dwells in our mortal beings through faith in His Son.  All praise and glory to Jesus our great God and Savior!

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Mercy Breeds Mercy

By chris | Published: March 23, 2010

What is the one thing we all need?  I would venture to be so bold to say MERCY!  And we need it from God Himself.  Did you know that the scriptures, the living word, contain the answer to this very crucial need?  I have often pictured myself standing before God in person.  To know Him in all His holiness and righteousness is both a wonderful and awesome thought.  But what if He wasn’t happy with me? What if I had deceived myself into thinking that all was well, when indeed it was not?  Well, one thing is for sure, no one will stand before Him and boast about their own righteousness in the sight of this great and glorious God…”for everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard” Romans 3:23, NLT).

So we need mercy from Him.  Mercy like never before.  Jesus told a story about  two men who went to the temple to pray.  One of them was proud and boasted to God about what a righteous and great relationship he had with God. But the other man wouldn’t so much as look into heaven, but pounded his chest and cried out “God be merciful to me, a sinner.”  Jesus said the second man went away in a right relationship with God, not the first. (See the story here)

The first requirement to receive mercy is to actually realize that you need it!  Jesus often spoke about light and darkness.  He encouraged us to walk in the light while we have it, so that darkness would not overtake us (John 12:35).  The light isn’t necessarily a comfortable situation, because it shows us our need for Jesus, the Savior, and God’s mercy.  The disturbing part of John 12:35 states that when we are walking in darkness, we don’t know where we are going.  Perhaps this means that we aren’t aware that we are in it — darkness that is.  We are not only reckless in our behavior with ourselves and others, but we are unaware of our need for God’s love, mercy and forgiveness.  We first need light, truth.  We need God’s revelation of Himself and ourselves, then we will see our need for mercy and God’s salavation.

The second requirement to receive mercy is to be merciful to others! Psalm 18:25 reads like this:  ”To the merciful, You will show Yourself merciful.”  Wow!  How’s that?!  Is this enough to convince you?  If not, you might remember the words that the Master Hiself spoke:

“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy” (Matt 5:7, NASB).

There’s no question about it.  Being a merciful person is a very good thing.  Jesus basically said “Oh how happy is the person who is merciful, for they shall obtain mercy from God.”  I don’t know about you, but that’s high up on my priority list.  I so much want to obtain mercy from God. Why?  Because I need it!  We all need it.  If you don’t see it now, you will see it then.  Sowing seeds of mercy in this life, right now — today even, is a very good thing.  Saint Paul said this in regards to our behavior now, in this life:  ”So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up” Galatians 6:9, NLT.  So don’t give up!

Know that God’s ultimate sacrifice, His Son, speaks of His heart of mercy toward us.  If God has shown us such mercy in the sacrifice of His own Son, shouldn’t we then return the same to each and every person we meet here on this earth? And even our enemies, yes our enemies.  If we do this, we show ourselves to be true children of God.  That is why Jesus said:

“If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. If you are kind [merciful] only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that.”

It’s what Paul called the more excellent way.  Be merciful, be kind, be loving.  The rewards are eternal.  The reward is from our Father Himself.  And the reward is His mercy!  You can’t earn it, you can only pass it along to others for as long as you are here on this beautiful blue planet.

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Only One Thing Is Needful…

By chris | Published: March 15, 2010

A very long time ago, stress still reigned.  Do you realize that people essentially haven’t changed since the beginning of time?  Why do we picture people of days past slouched over in a cave?  We see a very timely example, of how people and personalities really haven’t changed, in the holy scriptures   I’m speaking of two sisters named Mary and Martha who lived 2,000 years ago. Martha was an entertainer in the home.  She loved to invite people over and cook special meals. There’s nothing wrong with that.  Hey, we need Martha’s.  As a matter of fact, I am one (in the male sense).  I love to cook for others.  But I am learning a very important lesson as of late. Slow down and relax!

Does that advice sound kind of 70′s?  Yeah, I thought so.  But it’s true.  Martha was rushing around, stressing out about how many things needed to be done to meet her goals. While Martha was pushing herself too far, Mary was sitting at the feet of Jesus.  She was listening to His word (Lk 10:39).  Jesus had some words for Martha, “you are worried and bothered about so many things” (lk 10:41).  Do you ever feel worried and bothered about a multitude of things?  Has worry taken over?  Almost like your own personal demon?  It can happen to anyone.  Martha had choices to make.  She decided to go big.  Have a party…cook up the most delectable delights.  She wanted everything just right.  You have to be efficient, sort of a “sergeant-major” in the kitchen to pull it off if you know what I mean.

Often times, what ends up happening is we begin to pressure those around us when we shoot for the stars.  Does God really want us to shoot for those kind of stars? Should our daily regimen be such that others are feeling the stress of our vital accomplishments?  Jesus spoke a simple word to Martha.  Only one thing is needed.

Life doesn’t have to be so complex.  If you find yourself stretched beyond human tension-keeping abilities, stop and take a look at this passage.  One thing is needful.  Only one.  Be a worshipper. Live only to listen to Him, live only to sit at His feet and find out what life really is.  True life.  Because once you start hearing the voice of Jesus, that’s when everything begins to change.  His words are “Spirit and Life” (Jn. 6:63).  They infuse life into your spirit, the inner man.  This infusion will also promote wellness in your mind, soul and body!  Yes, stress kills.  The unattainable, steep hills in life will kill you.  But, if you sit at His feet, and are privileged to hear his voice, you will begin to live — really live!

Read the Passage: Luke 10:38-42

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