First of all allow me to wish everyone happy holidays a very happy and prosperous new year 2013. It is my humble prayer to God that He may fill your life with His loving grace. Everyone prepared for new year in many ways. I'm guessing most of you did what my mom does and went dirt-hunting at home. She told me to clean my room too...errrr..let's just not remind mommy about that ;-)
Anyways, it got me wondering ! We painstakingly take care that we start the new year with new clothes, getting rid of many old things, cleaning the house, making a new year's resolution (whether we keep it is another issue) and so on. Now wait a minute ! All that's fine but what about cleaning and renewing something that is so much more important than all these worldly issues ? The bible says in Matthew 16:26, ''What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul?'' You can flaunt the best of clothes walking into the new year's ball or have the fanciest of cars to take you around town but what good will it do to you if your soul remains covered with the old, dirty and sinful coverings of evil that hides you from experiencing the glory of the Lord ? That doesn't mean anyone has to sacrifice their material needs for God but at the same time let us try not to get so attached to our worldly possessions that our entry into the "narrow gate" becomes difficult for Jesus said in Matthew 16:24, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me."
In Matthew 23:35 reads, "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence." The teachers of the law and the Pharisees had the best of clothes, best social status, they had reserved seats in the synagogues etc. but their hearts were as rotten as rotten could be. They twisted the law as per their convenience, demanded respect from others and exalted themselves before others. Jesus knew their wicked ways and condemned them. Dearly beloved brothers and sisters, what if God were to talk about us ? Are we sure that He wouldn't make such a remark against us ? As the children of Christ, we should make it our priority to see that we do not indulge ourselves in external beautification and neglect our soul. At the same time, if we have done so, we should ask for forgiveness and pay attention to our spiritual needs. This new year, let us clean up our souls and ask God to fill us with His spirit. I'm sure, just as the father welcomed his prodigal son so will our father in heaven welcome us into his arms.
As far as the outside of our cups are concerned,the article "Living Sacrifice" by Vernul & Vernica explains it well. In short, this new year, let us resolve to get rid of our old ways and adopt new better ones. Let our hearts be dedicated entirely to their creator, let our mind be hungry for His word and let our bodies long to do His will. I will end this with just one reminder, every time a good Shepard looses a sheep, he leaves the other 99 behind, goes in search for that one and rejoices when he finds it (Luke 15:1-7) So don't think God does not want you.
Once again I wish everyone a very happy and prosperous New Year 2013.
Anyways, it got me wondering ! We painstakingly take care that we start the new year with new clothes, getting rid of many old things, cleaning the house, making a new year's resolution (whether we keep it is another issue) and so on. Now wait a minute ! All that's fine but what about cleaning and renewing something that is so much more important than all these worldly issues ? The bible says in Matthew 16:26, ''What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul?'' You can flaunt the best of clothes walking into the new year's ball or have the fanciest of cars to take you around town but what good will it do to you if your soul remains covered with the old, dirty and sinful coverings of evil that hides you from experiencing the glory of the Lord ? That doesn't mean anyone has to sacrifice their material needs for God but at the same time let us try not to get so attached to our worldly possessions that our entry into the "narrow gate" becomes difficult for Jesus said in Matthew 16:24, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me."
In Matthew 23:35 reads, "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence." The teachers of the law and the Pharisees had the best of clothes, best social status, they had reserved seats in the synagogues etc. but their hearts were as rotten as rotten could be. They twisted the law as per their convenience, demanded respect from others and exalted themselves before others. Jesus knew their wicked ways and condemned them. Dearly beloved brothers and sisters, what if God were to talk about us ? Are we sure that He wouldn't make such a remark against us ? As the children of Christ, we should make it our priority to see that we do not indulge ourselves in external beautification and neglect our soul. At the same time, if we have done so, we should ask for forgiveness and pay attention to our spiritual needs. This new year, let us clean up our souls and ask God to fill us with His spirit. I'm sure, just as the father welcomed his prodigal son so will our father in heaven welcome us into his arms.
As far as the outside of our cups are concerned,the article "Living Sacrifice" by Vernul & Vernica explains it well. In short, this new year, let us resolve to get rid of our old ways and adopt new better ones. Let our hearts be dedicated entirely to their creator, let our mind be hungry for His word and let our bodies long to do His will. I will end this with just one reminder, every time a good Shepard looses a sheep, he leaves the other 99 behind, goes in search for that one and rejoices when he finds it (Luke 15:1-7) So don't think God does not want you.
Once again I wish everyone a very happy and prosperous New Year 2013.
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