...The Grace of God continued (Luke 15)...
2) "The Folly of God's Grace"
What makes God's grace look foolish?
In Luke 15, Jesus used three parables to show the quality and extravagance of God's love for the lost (sinners and tax collectors). In all scenarios of the parables, the lost coin , the lost sheep and the lost son, a great joy is expressed when they are found. There is plentiful party when the woman found the coin, the shepherd found the sheep and the father sees his son return.
So, where is the folly? It is on, the celebration. Who would spend a cost of plenty sheep on the joy to found a single sheep? Who would spent several money over one coin? Or who would spent an extravagant party over an adulteress son , who destroyed all your treasure?
Of course no one- is the answer. Or, the one who is foolish. But, what if the thing matters to you? Like Aladdin traded the new lamp for an old one? (Though he made it on selfish desire). What if you got the coin from a very dear one and losing it might mean a lot. Then the foolishness may be justified.
But, that is the reality of God's grace and his joy over the sinner to repent. It is amazing!!! What would we cost in real sense for him? But he loved us. And, as it is portrayed in the parables, it may seem foolish. But, God is the risk taker longing father, woman and shepherd, to restore the lost. He left the 99, in the wilderness to look just you and I. You singularly are the focus of his interest and sacrificial love. He payed too much...more than enough to bring you back...and will celebrate too much over the one who is willing to repent.
He paid himself on the cross just for you...you...in order to have you with him...!!
#youareloved #extremely #AMAIZINGGRACE @like page
2) "The Folly of God's Grace"
What makes God's grace look foolish?
In Luke 15, Jesus used three parables to show the quality and extravagance of God's love for the lost (sinners and tax collectors). In all scenarios of the parables, the lost coin , the lost sheep and the lost son, a great joy is expressed when they are found. There is plentiful party when the woman found the coin, the shepherd found the sheep and the father sees his son return.
So, where is the folly? It is on, the celebration. Who would spend a cost of plenty sheep on the joy to found a single sheep? Who would spent several money over one coin? Or who would spent an extravagant party over an adulteress son , who destroyed all your treasure?
Of course no one- is the answer. Or, the one who is foolish. But, what if the thing matters to you? Like Aladdin traded the new lamp for an old one? (Though he made it on selfish desire). What if you got the coin from a very dear one and losing it might mean a lot. Then the foolishness may be justified.
But, that is the reality of God's grace and his joy over the sinner to repent. It is amazing!!! What would we cost in real sense for him? But he loved us. And, as it is portrayed in the parables, it may seem foolish. But, God is the risk taker longing father, woman and shepherd, to restore the lost. He left the 99, in the wilderness to look just you and I. You singularly are the focus of his interest and sacrificial love. He payed too much...more than enough to bring you back...and will celebrate too much over the one who is willing to repent.
He paid himself on the cross just for you...you...in order to have you with him...!!
#youareloved #extremely #AMAIZINGGRACE @like page
...Grace continued...
3) Don't rely on your repentance; but on his Grace to receive you!!!
I used to imagine, the reason for the restoration of the lost Son was his well crafted and rehearsed repentance. But, it seams it is repentance with wrong motivation. The reason he wanted to return to his father was his frustration over his current life. Life couldn't continue as he plans it. He thought he would enjoy life by his own. So he managed to return.
On the other hand, the father is waiting his son to return. No matter what he had lost, but he want him back. No matter the reason his son would be back, does care, he only wanted him back. That is amazing love.
So, as he saw his son coming back he doesn't let him finish his rehearsed, selfish ambitious repentance. He hugged him and receive him with whole heart.
Today's massage is, to tell you that there is no place like home. The prodigal son couldn't have fun in the far land because he is prodigal. He don't belong there. His only satisfaction is in his father's house.
Have you asked your self what am I searching apart from God? I will tell you it is love!! An unconditional love. You want some one to accept you with out precondition. And, I believe it is only found in your God!!
" You have made us your self, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it rests in you." St. Augustine
3) Don't rely on your repentance; but on his Grace to receive you!!!
I used to imagine, the reason for the restoration of the lost Son was his well crafted and rehearsed repentance. But, it seams it is repentance with wrong motivation. The reason he wanted to return to his father was his frustration over his current life. Life couldn't continue as he plans it. He thought he would enjoy life by his own. So he managed to return.
On the other hand, the father is waiting his son to return. No matter what he had lost, but he want him back. No matter the reason his son would be back, does care, he only wanted him back. That is amazing love.
So, as he saw his son coming back he doesn't let him finish his rehearsed, selfish ambitious repentance. He hugged him and receive him with whole heart.
Today's massage is, to tell you that there is no place like home. The prodigal son couldn't have fun in the far land because he is prodigal. He don't belong there. His only satisfaction is in his father's house.
Have you asked your self what am I searching apart from God? I will tell you it is love!! An unconditional love. You want some one to accept you with out precondition. And, I believe it is only found in your God!!
" You have made us your self, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it rests in you." St. Augustine
Eternal satisfaction is attainable in and through Jesus only. He said to thirsty Samaritan Woman, "who ever drinks of the water I shall give him will never thirst; the water that I shall give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life" (John 4:14). The direction of our longings need to get back to the right place in which we find true satisfaction and meaning in life. For, our longings are not to be fulfilled in anything other than the source of life Himself (Jesus). And, it is only through him we will have a better understanding of life and purpose for the thing we have in life.
Don't let them Change you!
Before Bob Marley said "don't let them change you...or rearrange you", the Apostle Paul, firmly fought for people not to change there identity in order to get Saved (Christ). He believed, he should not be Peter or among the twelve apostles to be used by God. But, he said, God revealed his Son in me (Gal. 1:15-16). God used all his background, experience, ethnicity, behaviour, his failure and straight for good and together. Thank God we had Paul in God's kingdom (and not Peter's or James duplicate).
Now, we may are facing same battle. To be yourself and not to be. I guaranty you, you can't and should not change yourself into some stranger. The only human figure you need to strive to imitate should be Jesus. And, he is willing to be revealed in you with out changing your personality, background, family, ethnicity, culture, ...(unless they totally react to his kingdom planes and values).
So, since He is the ultimate standard, have time to appreciate and love the way you are. Have time to be thankful for your parents, childhood and friends....And, please and please I beg you don't waste your time to some one else, whether in trying to please others. Like Paul, don't seek man's approval over God's approval or don't try to please all human feelings; just be Christ's servant!
Before Bob Marley said "don't let them change you...or rearrange you", the Apostle Paul, firmly fought for people not to change there identity in order to get Saved (Christ). He believed, he should not be Peter or among the twelve apostles to be used by God. But, he said, God revealed his Son in me (Gal. 1:15-16). God used all his background, experience, ethnicity, behaviour, his failure and straight for good and together. Thank God we had Paul in God's kingdom (and not Peter's or James duplicate).
Now, we may are facing same battle. To be yourself and not to be. I guaranty you, you can't and should not change yourself into some stranger. The only human figure you need to strive to imitate should be Jesus. And, he is willing to be revealed in you with out changing your personality, background, family, ethnicity, culture, ...(unless they totally react to his kingdom planes and values).
So, since He is the ultimate standard, have time to appreciate and love the way you are. Have time to be thankful for your parents, childhood and friends....And, please and please I beg you don't waste your time to some one else, whether in trying to please others. Like Paul, don't seek man's approval over God's approval or don't try to please all human feelings; just be Christ's servant!
You against the World
Have you ever felt life as it is a battle; you against the whole world? Or, have you felt all your beliefs, interests, values be dream or just an ideal world?
Yesterday, I saw one person on the street trying to wash a dirty dog. And, crowds were gathering and watching him in wander. What a wast of time, it may seem or a begging of losing mental stability. But, was it not a right thing and all people should perform it?
The world is living with abnormality considering it to be the normal or the standard.
Now, that's where you need to battle. The normal is not a dream. The normal is to love. The normal is to trust. The normal is to think simple, live simple and with considering others. If you are seeking harmony and you felt you are day dreaming, wasting your time...I say may be you are not!
And, the world is may be wrong!
Have you ever felt life as it is a battle; you against the whole world? Or, have you felt all your beliefs, interests, values be dream or just an ideal world?
Yesterday, I saw one person on the street trying to wash a dirty dog. And, crowds were gathering and watching him in wander. What a wast of time, it may seem or a begging of losing mental stability. But, was it not a right thing and all people should perform it?
The world is living with abnormality considering it to be the normal or the standard.
Now, that's where you need to battle. The normal is not a dream. The normal is to love. The normal is to trust. The normal is to think simple, live simple and with considering others. If you are seeking harmony and you felt you are day dreaming, wasting your time...I say may be you are not!
And, the world is may be wrong!
Kingdom Thoughts
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We are not forgiven because we are able to make an effective repentance, but because of his unlimited grace and love . And, we repent because God's mercy is sufficient and overwhelming to accept us.
Sami T.
Sami T.
Have lessons from yesterday. Use your opportunities today. And, hope for tomorrow in faith.
Sami T.
Sami T.
Do you know, what 'God is a creator God' imply?
It implies to create is his past, present, and future act. So, we are saying, he still calls light from darkness. He still fills all the void, the empty, the disorder into something beautiful, meaningful and in order. Your God is a creator God!
Sami T.
It implies to create is his past, present, and future act. So, we are saying, he still calls light from darkness. He still fills all the void, the empty, the disorder into something beautiful, meaningful and in order. Your God is a creator God!
Sami T.
"My heart recoils within me;
my compassion grows warm and tender.
9 I will not execute my fierce anger;
I will not again destroy Ephraim;
for I am God and no mortal,
the Holy One in your midst,
and I will not come in wrath." Hosea 11:8&9
my compassion grows warm and tender.
9 I will not execute my fierce anger;
I will not again destroy Ephraim;
for I am God and no mortal,
the Holy One in your midst,
and I will not come in wrath." Hosea 11:8&9
You will be good or do good not to have the favor of God. It is the other way you do and be good because you got the favor of God. You don't try to please your parents to be a child to them, but you do things because you are already their child. You don't any more do what pleases your wife to make her your wife, you will do what you ought to do because she is the best thing that happens in your life. It is the same way with God; we already have his favor and love without any of our efforts. As it is said, "for while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly....God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us. So please don't try hard to impress or west your energy to prove your self to him, but just ponder on his love and what his love made you to be. Then the commitment flows. #you are loved unconditionally!!
Curious what is missing...
If you're life feels like it is tearing apart, if you lose all the satisfactions in life and if you're world seems it is crumbling, may be it is the love of God what is missing.
When your relationship with God is straight and if you know God is the center of your love, affection, and desire, all will be settled. And if the upright relationship is settled you will be unshakable!
If you're life feels like it is tearing apart, if you lose all the satisfactions in life and if you're world seems it is crumbling, may be it is the love of God what is missing.
When your relationship with God is straight and if you know God is the center of your love, affection, and desire, all will be settled. And if the upright relationship is settled you will be unshakable!
What if he/she would be Jesus?
One of the famous cote in Christianity is "what would Jesus do?". It situates a person to think and act like Jesus (assuming as if how Christ would think or act) in different circumstances. It is a crucial part of discipleship and imitating Jesus.
Nevertheless, most of the time, thinking or assuming (accepting) as the other person would be Jesus is simply over looked. And, I believe it is another crucial aspect of being a Christian. It is the way we affirm, Jesus is 'God becoming man'. In which he embraces the whole of humanity. He is identified with all who have soul and are God's image. That's why, speaking of helping the poor,the sick...,he said "truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of this, you did not do it to me" (Math. 25:45).
So, to think of others who need all our help, care, love support ...are like they 'would be Jesus' should motivate us to treat them right. And, anything we de in that light is, surely counted as we do it straight to Christ.
Love,
Sami
One of the famous cote in Christianity is "what would Jesus do?". It situates a person to think and act like Jesus (assuming as if how Christ would think or act) in different circumstances. It is a crucial part of discipleship and imitating Jesus.
Nevertheless, most of the time, thinking or assuming (accepting) as the other person would be Jesus is simply over looked. And, I believe it is another crucial aspect of being a Christian. It is the way we affirm, Jesus is 'God becoming man'. In which he embraces the whole of humanity. He is identified with all who have soul and are God's image. That's why, speaking of helping the poor,the sick...,he said "truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of this, you did not do it to me" (Math. 25:45).
So, to think of others who need all our help, care, love support ...are like they 'would be Jesus' should motivate us to treat them right. And, anything we de in that light is, surely counted as we do it straight to Christ.
Love,
Sami
Take care of what you desire.
What you seek and desire; what you wish and dream for, as you are willing to pay what it takes...the probability of getting it is high.
In biblical examples, Moses (seeks the presence), Jacob (to have spiritual blessing ), David (seeks to be in the house of the Lord), Solomon (seeks wisdom), and Paul (to know God), are good examples to what we should really strive for.
Indeed it is worth for to pay all it costs and fervently seeking.
Let's put all the efforts to find and be what is true, meaningful and eternal!
What you seek and desire; what you wish and dream for, as you are willing to pay what it takes...the probability of getting it is high.
In biblical examples, Moses (seeks the presence), Jacob (to have spiritual blessing ), David (seeks to be in the house of the Lord), Solomon (seeks wisdom), and Paul (to know God), are good examples to what we should really strive for.
Indeed it is worth for to pay all it costs and fervently seeking.
Let's put all the efforts to find and be what is true, meaningful and eternal!
Don't be surprised with your failure, even with your wickedness , and or even all your in capabilities. But, be amazed with the width and strength of God's love and patience.
True spirituality doesn't comes from the struggle of keeping the status quo, or the proscribed law. But, with the total, hope, faith (trust) on the unfailing love and the power of God that can change ...and makes perfect.
#God is our only hope. #and pride!!!!
True spirituality doesn't comes from the struggle of keeping the status quo, or the proscribed law. But, with the total, hope, faith (trust) on the unfailing love and the power of God that can change ...and makes perfect.
#God is our only hope. #and pride!!!!
People may not understand What you really feel and experience right now. But, for sure your current situations might help you understand many other people.
"Christianity isn't difficult- it's impossible." In other words, what Christ calls us to do we cannot do apart from his empowerment. Chestron, as cited in Manley Pippert)