Matthew 25:14-30
Inspired thots:
This is another favorite from days of old for me;
Though I may not fully know HOW MUCH talent God has given me, what I do know that I DO HAVE, I must work it to produce 100-fold! It is so clear with the examples of the first 2 servants; from the given 5 talents, he made another 5; from the given 2 talents, another 2 were made.
It is NOT the quantity I reproduce but the PERCENTAGE to indicate my deepest motiivation of action. The servant who hid the talent was motivated by fear which his master implied wickedness and laziness. Yes, fear clouded his better judgment. He could have put the ONE talent into the bank for interest without doing anything else!
This is where I need the HOLY SPIRIT to lead and guide me; at times I may be accosted by fear to cloud my better judgment; at times, I am really lost at the seeing the 'solution' or a better solution.
There may be a 'harsh' side to God's nature, but when the better side of Him is known, we need to get onto that side! ~ just like the first 2 productive servants ~ they entered into their master's happiness. There is always 2 sides to a coin. Do I see it? Which side do I choose?
A daily time out with the Lord Jesus, to hear Him speak to ME. I am asking the Lord to share HIS thoughts with ME, to teach me more about Himself, and how I can be drawn closer to Him... for 'His thoughts are not my thoughts and neither are His ways my ways' Isaiah 55:8,9. This blog is not a theological exegesis. This blog is to record down the INSIGHTS & INSPIRATIONS of God's Word to me; speaking LIFE into my life for Abundant life! :)
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
AMPLY Prepared for the 'Just in Case'
Matthew 25:1-13
Inspired thots:
Parable of the 10 Virgins ~ One of my favorites.
The lesson hit me like a rock and has stayed so clearly in my mind, directing my life hence.
It's not enough to KNOW that Christ is coming back for me; it's not even enough to PREPARE myself for His return; I must be ALERT and WATCHFUL for I do not know the day or hour of His coming.
10 waited ~ only 5 got in! It's a 50% statistics. Truly, the Word of God says,"Narrow is the road that leads to life, and few find it" (Matthew 7:14)
Minimum preparation is no good; there must be ample, like the 5 wise virgins who were prepared with extra oil, just in case... and 'just in case' happens. If that is how life is, what more of eternal life? So, it is not just preparing for Christ's return, it is AMPLY Prepared for the 'just in case' (Phil 4:19)
Inspired thots:
Parable of the 10 Virgins ~ One of my favorites.
The lesson hit me like a rock and has stayed so clearly in my mind, directing my life hence.
It's not enough to KNOW that Christ is coming back for me; it's not even enough to PREPARE myself for His return; I must be ALERT and WATCHFUL for I do not know the day or hour of His coming.
10 waited ~ only 5 got in! It's a 50% statistics. Truly, the Word of God says,"Narrow is the road that leads to life, and few find it" (Matthew 7:14)
Minimum preparation is no good; there must be ample, like the 5 wise virgins who were prepared with extra oil, just in case... and 'just in case' happens. If that is how life is, what more of eternal life? So, it is not just preparing for Christ's return, it is AMPLY Prepared for the 'just in case' (Phil 4:19)
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Keep Watch, Be Ready
Matthew 24:36-51
Inspired thots:
"Preparing for a Rainy Day" ~ as the adage goes.
You know it will rain... perhaps from signs of cloudiness; even without signs, you would expect rain...one day, some day! That is the order of Nature, unless it is the desert.
Similarly the Return of Christ ~ it is imminent! Am I prepared for His return since I DO KNOW He is returning. It is quite different if one does NOT KNOW... one cannot prepare. But if one KNOWS and does NOTHING about it, then one is fully accountable for the lack of action on the given knowledge.
With knowledge comes responsibility and the choice to use the knowledge, especially in the way it is originally meant; knowledge is subject to abuse. That's where responsibility steps in.
I may know one part, and not the rest (v42) but it should not stop me from taking action based on the part I know; and being in God's hand, He will guide each step from that one step.
Yes, it is true that when the given knowledge is abused, indulgence sets in. (v48,49) Indulgence causes one to lose sight or focus of the Original. Such is the sinful nature of man. Hence, it is important to be constantly ALERT by keeping watch and making the necessary preparations.
Inspired thots:
"Preparing for a Rainy Day" ~ as the adage goes.
You know it will rain... perhaps from signs of cloudiness; even without signs, you would expect rain...one day, some day! That is the order of Nature, unless it is the desert.
Similarly the Return of Christ ~ it is imminent! Am I prepared for His return since I DO KNOW He is returning. It is quite different if one does NOT KNOW... one cannot prepare. But if one KNOWS and does NOTHING about it, then one is fully accountable for the lack of action on the given knowledge.
With knowledge comes responsibility and the choice to use the knowledge, especially in the way it is originally meant; knowledge is subject to abuse. That's where responsibility steps in.
I may know one part, and not the rest (v42) but it should not stop me from taking action based on the part I know; and being in God's hand, He will guide each step from that one step.
Yes, it is true that when the given knowledge is abused, indulgence sets in. (v48,49) Indulgence causes one to lose sight or focus of the Original. Such is the sinful nature of man. Hence, it is important to be constantly ALERT by keeping watch and making the necessary preparations.
Monday, September 13, 2010
Watch the Signs
Matthew 24:15-35
Inspired thots:
There are so many signs for the end of the age as Jesus has informed; am I alert to them? is there any cause for worry or anxiety?
1) The world will change ~ from peaceful to troubled times. Wars and rumours of war. Natural disasters. These have begun.
2) There will be a drastic happening at the holy place to confirm Jesus' words. (v15)
3) There will be falsity and deceit, especially towards the people of God. (v24)
4) The heavenly bodies will react. (v29)
But God is SO good; He cares for His people.
1) He gives His people knowledge of His plans ~ for preparation of self for confrontation. (V15,33)
2) He reduces the length of disaster for His people's sake, knowing we are weak and frail. (v22)
3) He is confident His people will not fail Him in the deceit. (v24)
So I must be CONFIDENT in God as He is of me. (v24)
I must heed His words of knowledge which are warnings and guideposts. (v32)
Inspired thots:
There are so many signs for the end of the age as Jesus has informed; am I alert to them? is there any cause for worry or anxiety?
1) The world will change ~ from peaceful to troubled times. Wars and rumours of war. Natural disasters. These have begun.
2) There will be a drastic happening at the holy place to confirm Jesus' words. (v15)
3) There will be falsity and deceit, especially towards the people of God. (v24)
4) The heavenly bodies will react. (v29)
But God is SO good; He cares for His people.
1) He gives His people knowledge of His plans ~ for preparation of self for confrontation. (V15,33)
2) He reduces the length of disaster for His people's sake, knowing we are weak and frail. (v22)
3) He is confident His people will not fail Him in the deceit. (v24)
So I must be CONFIDENT in God as He is of me. (v24)
I must heed His words of knowledge which are warnings and guideposts. (v32)
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Signs Are For Preparation
Matthew 24:1-14
Inspired thots
The Signs of the End Times...
It's already happening... just as the thunder is booming this morning in the distant heavenlies... with the pitter-patter of the rain, and an ever so slight breeze... it feels so peaceful somehow, making me calm.
~ Is this the Peace Jesus promised in John 14:27? It is good to be in God's covering. There is nothing to fear.
Yes,wars and rumours of war; nations rising against one another; earthquakes and famines in various places;... and here I am praying for God's mercy over my country! A bit selfish, really. There are God's people all over the world!
Thus, the BEST prayer is... BUILD Your People UP, Lord!
For, deception will come, with persecution, death, hatred, wickedness, betrayal, turning away from the faith, coldness... to me, the worst will be betrayal.
The disciples finally asked a powerful and strong question: the end times. I wonder if they were ready for Jesus' answer as they were eager to present their question, for it is a tough question; but if I am in Christ, the answer brings calm.
Inspired thots
The Signs of the End Times...
It's already happening... just as the thunder is booming this morning in the distant heavenlies... with the pitter-patter of the rain, and an ever so slight breeze... it feels so peaceful somehow, making me calm.
~ Is this the Peace Jesus promised in John 14:27? It is good to be in God's covering. There is nothing to fear.
Yes,wars and rumours of war; nations rising against one another; earthquakes and famines in various places;... and here I am praying for God's mercy over my country! A bit selfish, really. There are God's people all over the world!
Thus, the BEST prayer is... BUILD Your People UP, Lord!
For, deception will come, with persecution, death, hatred, wickedness, betrayal, turning away from the faith, coldness... to me, the worst will be betrayal.
The disciples finally asked a powerful and strong question: the end times. I wonder if they were ready for Jesus' answer as they were eager to present their question, for it is a tough question; but if I am in Christ, the answer brings calm.
Saturday, September 11, 2010
How am I Aligned?
Matthew 23
Inspired thots
So many thots in this chapter; lets see what I can glean from it.
1) Always be humble; do not desired to be exalted ~ which is self-righteous. Yes, this is a long learning process until I am immune to exalting self. Self righteous thots must be checked immediate; this I am learning. Do not let it even stop by, lest come in and brew. That is the best way to handle it!
2) Own standards burden others. Do not impose them on others. Apply God's standards (Isa. 55:8,9) - that is the best and only way.
3) Man is self-centred; it is the 'I' factor once again. But I am the created, not the Creator. The focus should not be on ME ~ the 'I'. When the 'I' is focused upon, disappointments abound.
4) Inner cleansing is more important than external beauty. External cleansing does not clean the internal but the cleansed inside cleans the outside too! Hallelujah! So, the physical and what can be seen are just temporal and not as important as the inside (heart, spirit, mind, soul). Only God sees and knows my internal while others may only see my external.
Inspired thots
So many thots in this chapter; lets see what I can glean from it.
1) Always be humble; do not desired to be exalted ~ which is self-righteous. Yes, this is a long learning process until I am immune to exalting self. Self righteous thots must be checked immediate; this I am learning. Do not let it even stop by, lest come in and brew. That is the best way to handle it!
2) Own standards burden others. Do not impose them on others. Apply God's standards (Isa. 55:8,9) - that is the best and only way.
3) Man is self-centred; it is the 'I' factor once again. But I am the created, not the Creator. The focus should not be on ME ~ the 'I'. When the 'I' is focused upon, disappointments abound.
4) Inner cleansing is more important than external beauty. External cleansing does not clean the internal but the cleansed inside cleans the outside too! Hallelujah! So, the physical and what can be seen are just temporal and not as important as the inside (heart, spirit, mind, soul). Only God sees and knows my internal while others may only see my external.
Friday, September 10, 2010
Only God is Wise, God is Good
Matthew 22:34-46
Inspired thots
First the Sadducees... so sad they didnt understand about Resurrection; not believing in the Resurrection tantamounts to not believing in God, for through the Resurrection, we are made alive for our God is a Living God!
Now the Pharisees... thinking themselves to be wise, they were foolish; remember that...
They set forth a question for Jesus, thinking themselves to be experts in the Law (v35); Jesus answered not only answered their question, He gave them an extra! (v37,38) My God is like that. He always supply according to His riches (Phil 4:19)
Then, Jesus posed HIS question to them, just to help them realise they werent so wise; not the expert they thought themselves to be;(v42,43) yes! I am NOT the expert I thought myself to be; only God is! Glory to Him.
Inspired thots
First the Sadducees... so sad they didnt understand about Resurrection; not believing in the Resurrection tantamounts to not believing in God, for through the Resurrection, we are made alive for our God is a Living God!
Now the Pharisees... thinking themselves to be wise, they were foolish; remember that...
They set forth a question for Jesus, thinking themselves to be experts in the Law (v35); Jesus answered not only answered their question, He gave them an extra! (v37,38) My God is like that. He always supply according to His riches (Phil 4:19)
Then, Jesus posed HIS question to them, just to help them realise they werent so wise; not the expert they thought themselves to be;(v42,43) yes! I am NOT the expert I thought myself to be; only God is! Glory to Him.
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