Spirituality

How Genuine are you? Do You Make empty Promises?

Stained glass at St John the Baptist's Anglica...

Stained glass at St John the Baptist’s Anglican Church http://www.stjohnsashfield.org.au, Ashfield, New South Wales. Illustrates Jesus’ description of himself “I am the Good Shepherd” (from the Gospel of John, chapter 10, verse 11). This version of the image shows the detail of his face. The memorial window is also captioned: “To the Glory of God and in Loving Memory of William Wright. Died 6th November, 1932. Aged 70 Yrs.” (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Righteous lips are the delight of kings,
and they love him who speaks what is right., (Proverbs 16:13).

The politician promised so many wonderful things. His constituents wanted to put their faith in him. They kept hoping someone would come along who cared about their plight. Every time new promises had been made, the hopes of the people soared. Each time, though, their hopes were dashed to the ground, and the great talk dissolved into the wind. This time they hoped it would be different. They had to hold onto something. Promises were the best they could find. If even half the talk resulted in action, they would be a great deal better off than they were now.

Talk without action can be destructive. If we make a promise, we must be committed to following through. Jesus told the people of his day that they should not swear, because when they did not do what they said, it was a sin.

But I tell you, do not swear at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. Simply let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one (Matthew 5:34-37).

It is good for us to commit ourselves to helping other people, but when we make empty promises, we are being cruel and unloving. It is through actions, not mere words that we show how much we care. Actions speak louder than words, and action done in love speak the truth of Christ in our lives. Besides, it has been said that one of the highest accolades is the comment, “if he says so, you can take it to the bank.”

Let us always strive to follow the example of Christ, saving our words until we are ready to act.

The Earth Is The Lord’s. Happy Earth Day!

On April 22, more than one billion people around the globe will take part in Earth Day 2012 and help Mobilize the Earth™. People of all nationalities and backgrounds will voice their appreciation for the planet and demand its protection. Together we will stand united for a sustainable future and call upon individuals, organizations, and governments to do their part.

Attend a local Earth Day event and join one of our Earth Day campaigns as we collect A Billion Acts of Green® and elevate the importance of environmental issues around the world.

The earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness,
The world and those who dwell therein.
 For He has founded it upon the seas,
And established it upon the waters. (Psalm 24:1)

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it (John 1:1-5).


God wants you to check your ego at the door

Sassetta - Virgin of Humility - WGA20869

Sassetta - Virgin of Humility - WGA20869 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

“The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honor is humility” (Proverbs 15:33).

There was an actor who was fond of telling everyone how wonderful he was. His house was a museum of memorabilia from his career. His rave reviews were framed and hung in every room. Awards graced shelves and tables, and copies of his movies were played on large screens when visitors came by. He took such delight in rattling off his achievement that no one else ever felt compelled to praise him.

“For whosoever exalted himself shall be abased; and he that humbles himself shall be exalted” (Luke 14:11)

Too often people seek after honors when they should be thriving for humility. Honors are not something that we deserve. They are gifts and should be given by others, not by ourselves. When we praise our own efforts, we slip into the sin of conceit. The good book tells in James 4:6 that “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” God is most pleased when we commit ourselves to doing what is right. Even if no honors come to us in this life, God will honor us richly in the life to come.

“Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time” (1 Peter 5:6). It is the humble man who is able to keep his sights set on God and in doing His will. Thomas A. Kempis said it best, “It is good for me Lord, that thou hast humbled me, that I may learn Thy righteous Judgments, and may cast away all haughtiness of heart and all presumption. “

If we use our time doing the things that God has asked us to do, we will not have time to brag about our accomplishments. God has given us plenty to keep us busy all the days of our lives. If we stay committed to doing what is pleasing in His sight, He will bless us all our days.

Keep me humble, Lord. Help me to remember that I am nothing without You. You have given me everything I have and everything I am. You have blessed me with so many wonderful things, and I praise you. Amen!

Be Still And Know That Jesus Is God

Psalm 46 (NIV)

 God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with their surging.

  There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy place where the Most High dwells.
God is within her, she will not fall;
God will help her at break of day.
Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;
he lifts his voice, the earth melts.

  The LORD Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.

  Come and see what the LORD has done,
the desolations he has brought on the earth.
He makes wars cease
to the ends of the earth.
He breaks the bow and shatters the spear;

 he burns the shields with fire.

He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.”

 The LORD Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.

Who is the grand Author and Designer of creation?

Chuck stood looking in awe. His son, his firstborn, was coming into the world, and he was a part of it. He stood by his wife’s head, and together they shared the wonder of the experience. He had often doubted whether God existed, but now all of his doubts were gone.

He looked on at the perfect little creation. Each finger and toe was a testament to God’s loving existence. The miracle of life was overwhelming. It was inconceivable that something like this could happen by chance. Only a master artist of incomprehensible power and glory could come up with something as fine as human life.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.

The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, neither of blood nor of the will neither of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:1-14).

When we look at God’s creation, it is difficult to question anything about Him. There is so much to wonder at in the world. As we learn more and more, it should not make us skeptical of God. Quite the contrary, it should convince us that there is a grand Author to all creation—God, and that His power is far beyond our wildest imagination.

To see God, all we must do is open our eyes and look around. Only an unreasonable person would deny God’s existence in the face of such remarkable evidence. His signature is on each one of His creations, He is right there for the person who has eyes to see and ears to hear. God is all around us. He is the Arthur and Designer of all creation