respond NOT reject.

" When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard Jesus' parables, they knew he was talking about them" ( Matthew 21: 45, NIV).

The next verse, 46, talks about how they looked for a way to arrest Jesus. These men, highly regarded in that society, knew that Jesus was speaking directly to their hearts through the words of his parables. However, instead of adapting a heart of repentance, they adapted a heart of resistance. They were being called to change but they refused, and rather conspired to get rid of the one constantly calling them.

How do we respond to the word of God? The book of Hebrews describes the word, as a double edge sword. It cuts our hearts and rends it into two. It shears our consciences and brings down our mental barriers. It shows us who we truly are; a mirror to our souls. But then after all this, how do we respond to such actions? Do we refuse to change because of our status in society, or because of the fear of rejection? He calls to our hearts again and again. May we respond to Him and not reject Him. AMEN.

Know who you are

In the parable of the prodigal son, the elder brother was indignant towards his father for accepting his wasteful bother. This was because he did not understand his inheritance. In Luke 15: 31, the father responded: "My son, you are always with me, and everything I have is yours." He had all, yet was envious of the little his father had given to this brother. Let us understand who we are in Christ; When we do, we will not be shaken by any circumstances that might occur. May we study and meditate on these scriptures to broaden our perspective of our inheritance:

I am accepted
John 1:12- I am God’s child.
John 15:15- I am Jesus’ friend.
Romans 5:1- I have been justified.
1 Cor. 6:20 -I have been bought with a price. I belong to God.
Ephesians 1:5- I have been adopted as God’s child.
Colossians 1:14- I have been redeemed and forgiven of all my sin.
Colossians 2:10 -I am complete in Christ.

I am secure
Romans 8:12 -I am free from condemnation.
Romans 8:28 -I am assured that all things work together for good.
Romans 8:35-39- I cannot be separated from God’s love.
Philippians 1:6 -I am confident that the good work God has begun in me will be perfected.
Colossians 3:3 -I am hidden with Christ in God.
2 Timothy 1:7- I have not been given a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind.
1 John 5:18 -I am born of God and the evil one cannot touch me.

I am significant
John 15:1,5- I am a branch of the true vine, a channel of His life.
Acts 1:8 -I am a personal witness of Christ.
1 Cor. 3:9- I am God’s co-worker.
Ephesians 2:6- I am seated with Christ in the heavenly realm.
Ephesians 2:10- I am God’s workmanship.
Ephesians 3:12 -I may approach God with freedom and confidence.
Philippians 4:13 -I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

The "WORD" effect

"

1Blessed is the man

who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked

or stand in the way of sinners

or sit in the seat of mockers.

2But his delight is in the law of the Lord,

and on his law he meditates day and night.

3He is like a tree planted by streams of water,

which yields its fruit in season

and whose leaf does not wither.

Whatever he does prospers.

4Not so the wicked!

They are like chaff

that the wind blows away.

5Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,

nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous." (Psalm 1 :1-5, NIV) emphasis,mine.

"

7But blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord,

whose confidence is in him.

8He will be like a tree planted by the water

that sends out its roots by the stream.

It does not fear when heat comes;

its leaves are always green.

It has no worries in a year of drought

and never fails to bear fruit.”(Jeremiah 17: 7-8, NIV) emphasis, mine.

...to serve, and not to be served.

One of the themes that strongly comes out from the Crucifixion of Christ, is humility. The fact that God Himself came down to take the form of man, and be tortures and killed by man, just to save him, show s the true meaning of humility. In our societal setting, the greats are those who espouse power and lord it over people. However in the law of God's kingdom, the greats are those who choose to serve first, and see to the needs of others.

Over the years, many people have used this heavenly law to campaign, whiles referring to themselves as servants of the people; but are they? Today the Lord is calling us to understand what true greatness is. He draws our minds ever so increasingly to focus on His crucifix, especially in as we prepare for Easter. We need to draw the lesson of humility from the Lord as we see the God of heaven and earth outstretched on a piece of wood. He came not " to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many" (Matthew 20:28 NIV.)

Sacrficing the "Isaacs"

Genesis 22: 1-18, records the story of Abraham, asked by God to sacrifice Isaac. The Bible indicates that Abraham woke up early the next morning and set off to carry through the command of the Lord. I wander the turmoil that was going through his mind as he climbed the mountain to sacrifice the promised son he had waited for, for so long. This story further reinforces Abraham as the father of faith. In verse 15, the Lord blessed him because he had not "withheld" his son from Him, though He had intervened and Isaac was not harmed. However, I believe the Lord blessed him because He saw that Abraham had sacrificed Isaac in his heart. Isaac was not the priority in Abraham's heart but the Lord was. The Lord tested Abraham to ascertain his loyalty, and he passed.

Having journeyed with the Lord for such a time, is He still the priority in our lives? Have we allowed what we have desired and wanted to take center stage in our hearts? Today, He is calling us to sacrifice these "Isaacs" to Him on the altar of our hearts. He wants to be the first in our lives, He seeks our total loyalty.

The Golden Rule.

Matthew 7:7; nicknamed the golden rule, is employed in so many other religions, from Buddhism to Islam. However, for us, this command is exceptional. The position of this verse just after Jesus had spoken of how much our Father in heaven gives good gifts, to those who ask Him ( Matthew 7:7-11), makes the golden rule much more unique.

In Matthew 7:7, Jesus begins His statement with "So"; Implying that the reason for treating others as we would like to be treated is that, we seek to glorify the father as we imitate His generosity. The aim of the golden rule is not for us to be seen as being highly moraled, but to point to Jesus and the Father. Consequently, we must not relent to treat others, as we would, ourselves, even when we don't receive a similar response. This is because, this command comes from Jesus and also because the Father is kind and generous to us, regardless of our response to Him (i.e to His love).

This command in more cases than not, seems very difficult to accomplish. I however believe that it will be easier when the motive for carrying it out, is not self glorification but the glorification of the Lord. We pray for grace to carry this word through; that we would treat others as we would treat ourselves, because of the Lord.

Pray for the kings.

Jonah was given a second chance in Jonah 3, after he had been vomited out by the fish. He heeded to the command of the Lord and went straight into Nineveh. The love and compassion of our Lord was fully exhibited as He spared his life though Jonah had plainly disobeyed Him. The Bible informs us about how Jonah preached assiduously, covering the whole town in a day instead of three; job well done!! However what struck me the most, was the attitude of the king. He set aside his royal robes, covered himself with dust, wore sackcloth (a symbol of humility and repentance) and called upon God. He went further to promulgate a decree/law throughout his vast land, commanding everybody and everything to do the same; What a leader!

We are often very critical of our leaders, which is all well and good. But the question is: How many of us spare some time to intercede for them?. Will our world not be a better place if our leaders are "cut in the heart" with the Gospel of God, influencing their actions and the laws they pass? Today lets leave the criticisms for a while and get down on our knees in prayer. You can begin by joining me to pray:

" Father, we thank you for our leaders.
We thank you for their lives and the roles they play in it.
We humbly ask for your mercy upon those who have strayed so far from you,
for those who have contradicted the purposes for which you placed them in those offices
for those who have abused the power you have given them
for those who have led their people astray, from you.
We humbly ask that you shall touch the hearts of all leaders in the world with your gospel;
that their actions or inaction, at all times will seek to glorify your name,
that they will lead the people to lives that glorify your name
that your wisdom will be their number one counselor
that regardless of the pressures of this world, their stronghold will forever be you
that their lives shall be one that points their people to you.
In the name of Jesus, we pray,
AMEN."