[ecko_quote source="1 Corinthians 3:10"]According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon[/ecko_quote]
An elderly carpenter was ready to retire. His contractor was sorry to see such a good employee go, and asked him if he would build just one last house as a personal favor. The carpenter agreed but his heart was not in it. He resorted to bad workmanship and using cheap materials.
When the carpenter finished his work, the contractor came over and handed the front-door key to the carpenter. "I appreciate all the hard work you've done for me all these years and I'd like you to have this house as a token of my gratitude."
The carpenter was shocked! If only he had known he was building his own house, he would have worked much harder! Now he owned a house that wasn't built very well.
We should think of ourselves as carpenters, and our lives here on earth, as our house. Each day we hammer a nail, place a board, or erect a wall, we must build with care! It is the only life we will ever build. And what we do here will count for eternity!
Friend, our lives today are the result of our attitudes and choices in the past. Our lives tomorrow will be the result of our attitudes and the choices we make today!
Let's proceed with caution.
Are you weary of the race? Remember: God is not looking for perfection but for persistence. As you keep your eyes on Jesus, you will get the courage and stamina to keep going until the finish line. And if you stumble, He'll be there to pick you up and get you back in the race again!
Source: Jonah Ravinder - UEC Ministries and George Whitten
Image Source:
[http://www.ctimes.com.tw/publish/TP/201603/251643157690/inc/index_content.jpg]
[ecko_quote source="హెబ్రీయులకు 11:6"]విశ్వాసములేకుండ దేవునికి ఇష్టుడైయుండుట అసాధ్యము; దేవునియొద్దకు వచ్చువాడు ఆయన యున్నాడనియు, తన్ను వెదకువారికి ఫలము దయచేయువాడనియు నమ్మవలెను గదా [/ecko_quote]
క్రైస్తవ జీవితములో విశ్వాసము అనునది మూల స్తంభము. విశ్వాసములేకుండ దేవునికి ఇష్టుడైయుండుట అసాధ్యము. విశ్వాసము మన మనసుయందు ఏర్పడు ప్రగాడ భావన. ఈ మనసునందు దేవుడు యున్నాడనియు మరియు తన్ను వెదకువారికి ఫలము దయచేయువాడనియు నమ్మవలెను. అపుడే మనము దేవునికి ఇష్టుడైయుండుటకు సాధ్యము. దేవుడు మన మనసుకు అనంత శక్తి మరియు ముఖ్యముగా ఉహించే శక్తి ప్రసాదించినాడు.ఈ ప్రపంచం కంటే, మన మనసు సృష్టించే ప్రపంచమే గొప్పదని అనిపిస్తుంది. వాస్తవం కంటే, వూహే గొప్పదిగా ఉంటుంది’ అనేవారు ప్రఖ్యాత శాస్త్రవేత్త ఐన్స్టీన్. ‘భావించు. కల కను. అది ఏనాటికైనా నిజమవుతుంది. కోరుకున్నది నువ్వు ఎంత స్పష్టంగా మనోఫలకం మీద చూస్తావో, అంతే త్వరగా అది వాస్తవమవుతుంది’ అని అబ్దుల్ కలామ్ చెబుతుండేవారు. మనకు మాత్రము అపొస్తలుడైన పౌలు ఎఫెసీయులకు ౩:20 లో ఈ విధముగా బలపర్చుచున్నాడు “మనలో కార్యసాధకమైన తన శక్తి చొప్పున (అనగా మన విశ్వాసము చొప్పున) మనము అడుగువాటన్నిటికంటెను, ఊహించువాటన్నిటికంటెను అత్యధికముగా చేయ శక్తిగల దేవునికి, క్రీస్తుయేసు మూలముగా సంఘములో తరతరములు సదాకాలము మహిమ కలుగునుగాక. ఆమేన్. మన క్రీస్తు మనము అడుగువాటన్నిటికంటెను, ఊహించువాటన్నిటికంటెను అత్యధికముగా మనకు ఇవ్వగల సమర్థుడు.
అత్యంత శక్తిమంతమైన భావన అంత సులువుగా రాదు, కలగదు. దానికి కారణం- మనసు. మనసుకు అటువంటి శిక్షణ లేదు. దానికి భావనాపూర్వకమైన జ్ఞానం కావాలి. విశ్వాసం కావాలి. తగినంత సాధన కావాలి. విశ్వాసము కేవలము దేవుని వాక్యము వినుట ద్వార మరియు వినిన దానిని నమ్మి జీవితములో ఆచరణలో పెట్టుట ద్వార సాధ్యము అవుతుంది. లేనియెడల కేవలము మనము వినువారామే మరియు మనలను మనము మోసపుచ్చు కొనువారము. విశ్వాసులు భావనతోనే బతుకుతారంటారు. భావన లేనిదే అనుభూతి కలగదు. భావించకుండా మనిషి ఏ కలనూ సాకారం చేసుకోలేడు. తర్క వితర్కాల మధ్య వూగుతుంది మనసు. అది తెల్లగా ఉంటే పాలుగా, నల్లగా ఉంటే నీళ్లుగా నమ్ముతుంది. మనం ఎంత లోతుగా నమ్మకంలో విలీనమవుతామో, అంత తొందరగా ఆ విషయానికి చేరుకుంటాం. నిజం చేసుకుంటాం. అందువలన క్రైస్తవులు తమ మనసును దేవుని వాక్యముతో నింపి అ వాక్య ప్రకారము జీవించుట ద్వార, దేవునికి ఇష్టుడైయుండుట సాధ్యము మరియు తద్వారా విశ్వాసములో పరిపక్వము పొందగలరు.
అన్నింటికీ విశ్వాసమే పునాది. ఆ విశ్వాసానికి మరియు నమ్మకానికి దృశ్యమే ఆధారం. దృశ్యానికి భావనే ఆధారం. భావనకు జ్ఞానమే కారణం. జ్ఞానానికి కారణం- తెలిసికొనవలెనను కుతూహలము మరియు జిజ్ఞాస. దానికి ‘నేను’ కారణం. ‘నేను’ అనేది లేకుంటే జగత్తు లేదు.సర్వ జగత్తు యెహోవా సృష్టి. ఆయనే “ నేను”. The great “I am”. ‘నేనే’ మూలం. ఇదంతా ఒక వలయం.కళ్లు మూస్తే భావం. కళ్లు తెరిస్తే భావం. ఆ భావాల పరంపరతోనే బతుకు సాగుతుంది. ఎక్కువ తక్కువలంటూ విచారించకూడదు. నలుపు తెలుపులుగా విడగొట్టకూడదు. వైరుధ్య, వైవిధ్యాల మధ్య మనసును పరుగెత్తించకూడదు. అలాంటివారు గొప్ప భావాలు పొందలేరు.
అద్భుతమైన ప్రపంచాన్ని మన ప్రభువు మన ముందుంచాడు. బుద్ధికి ప్రేరణ ఇచ్చి ముందుకు నడిపించే లోతైన భావం ఎప్పుడూ పరిశుద్ధాత్మ దేవుడు మనకు అనుగ్రహించగలడు. దేవుడు ఎప్పుడు తన యందు విశావసిoచెవారికీ తన యొక్క ప్రేమ లోతును కనుక్కోమని సెలవించుచున్నాడు . విశ్వాసి దాన్ని కనుగొనాలి. ఒడిసి పట్టుకోవాలి. అలా అన్వేషణ సాగిస్తే, సత్యం తెలుస్తుంది. అలాంటి సత్యాలన్నీ ఒక మహా సత్యానికి అనుసంధానమై ఉంటాయి. ఆ సత్యమే యేసు ప్రభువు.భక్తిభావంతో సర్వమూ సాధించగలం. ప్రేమభావంతో, ఇక ఏదీ మిగలకుండా చేయగలం. ప్రపంచాన్ని దేవుని మనసు సృష్టించింది. అందుకే మనిషి- ప్రేమ అనే భావాన్ని దైవభావంగా స్వీకరించాలి. అప్పుడు ప్రతి భావమూ ఆనందమే!
దైవభావంలోనే దైవం ఉన్నాడు. విశ్వసి ఎలా భావిస్తే అలా, ఆయన అనుభవమిస్తాడు. హృదయపూర్వకమైన ప్రతి భావనా విశ్వాసిని దైవానికి దగ్గర చేస్తుంది. దైవ భావమే మనిషి. మనిషిలోని భావమే దైవం. అంటే, భావం లేకుండా మనిషి లేడు. ఆ భావ సంపదనే మరియు విశ్వాస జీవితమే బైబిల్ ఆధ్యాత్మికత జీవితముగా (spiritual life) వర్ణించాయి
ప్రత్యేక అబినందనులు: జొన్నలగడ్డ రవీందర్ మరియు ఆనంద స్వామి
Image Source:
[http://lifewords.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Victory.jpg]
[ecko_quote source=" Psalm 41:9 "]“Even my close friends, whom I trusted, he who shared my bread, has lifted up his heel against me.” [/ecko_quote]
The spiritual journey is not the one that we are meant to walk alone. God intends us to travel in the company of other believers. It appears that for some this is a wonderful arrangement while for others, it may not seem so pleasant. People can be helpful, or hurtful; they can bless us, or harm us.
Over the years I have met a countless number of Christian people who have been hurt by other Christians. People have admitted to me that they have received more hurt from the fellowships/Churches/Cell groups than they have ever been by the world. Of course, there is some truth in it. I admit that I also have gone through some similar experiences in my Christian journey, in fact, it happened to me right after I accepted our Lord Jesus. As we see from the above Scripture, King David knew this pain, and even Jesus quoted this verse when He said, “He who shares my bread has lifted up his heel against me – John 13:18.
What's the solution then? The question we need to start thinking about is that how do we deal with relationships? It is because the way we deal with difficult relationships will determine whether we advance or withdraw in the Christian journey. God does not call us to live in distrust, but to live by faith in Jesus Christ. We are disciples of the One who knows what it is to be betrayed. Moreover, through His Grace/Power, we can be victors and not victims. Therefore, do not dwell on those hurts but instead move on by looking unto the Jesus the author and finisher of our faith (Hebrew 12:2). Satan always keeps our focus on the problems and people but not on the Lord Jesus. I consider this is the great trap and many people in it.
God commands us not to judge others, but He does want us to be discerning. Jesus said we would know people’s spiritual condition by the fruit of their lives (Matthew 7:16). He said,” Thorn bushes do not produce grapes”. If a person’s life produces thorns, we can assume that the person is not a grapevine! Are we judgmental? No, we are discerning. Scripture commands us to avoid associating with mockers or fools (Proverb 22:10; 17:12). Unless we can identify mockers and fools, we cannot obey God’s command. As Christians, we have been instructed to observe the lives of others so that we can help them while avoiding any sinful influence.
God is not interested in how right you are. He is interested in how obedient you are. God’s command is not that you win arguments, but that you are kind and forgiving when others mistreat you. You bring God no honour by winning a dispute, but you reflect a Christ-like character when you demonstrate patience to those who mistreat you or misunderstand your motives. Arguing may never win people to your view, but loving them just how Christ does will win you many friends over time!
Many offences could be immediately resolved by confronting the offending party and hearing their explanation. You would be surprised how many people are so immature that they do not even bother to investigate the facts or hear the other side of the story. Don't ever forget, "There are always two sides to a story," and never assume you know the entire truth of a matter until you have heard both sides.
I can guarantee that there would be far fewer misunderstandings in the body of Christ if people would be firmly devoted to love for their brethren. Love for the brethren gives us a desire to believe the best in our brother, giving him the "benefit of the doubt," instead of jumping to conclusions and always expecting the worst. The Bible says "If you love someone... you will always believe in him, always expect the best of him" (1 Cor. 13:7 TLB).
Note that the scripture says "if your brother has something against you." In other words, you might not feel that you have legitimately violated your brother or sister. However, if you are aware that "they" harbour an offence against you, you still are obligated to go and try to resolve the issue. Be willing to be humble and submissive to others, even when you do not consider yourself to be at fault. Don't be so rigid and self-righteous that you stand in the way of a brother or sister's reconciliation with you or with God (Rom. 15:1-3). Offer your humble, sincere apology for any unintentional offence and make every effort to reconcile, so that your relationship with God will not be hindered. Whether or not they pardon you, you have done your part and released your soul from blame
Source: Pastor Jonah Ravinder from blessings or blisters; Henry T Blackberry and Dr Dale A. Robbins
[http://heidilynne91.blogspot.co.nz/2014/08/when-friends-become-enemies.html]
[ecko_quote source=" Psalm 43:5"]Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why are you disturbed within me? Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him, The help of my countenance and my God.
నా ప్రాణమా, నీ వేల క్రుంగియున్నావు?
నాలో నీ వేల తొందరపడుచున్నావు?
దేవునియందు నిరీక్షణ యుంచుము[/ecko_quote]
This word has come into my heart strongly, and I believe it is much needed for some of our dear ones. In these last days, we hardly find peace in the world and within the families. The devil is attacking and putting its entire force to dislodge the Christian faith. Many of us are troubled and disturbed in our souls due to various reasons. When one trouble is followed by another, it seems like they are all combined to ruin us. But remember they are all appointed and overruled by the Lord. King David regards the Divine favour as the fountain of all the good he looked for.
Is there ever any ground to be cast down? There are two reasons, only two. If we are as yet unconverted, we have ground to be cast down; or if we have been converted and live in sin, then we are rightly cast down. But except for these two things, there is no ground to be cast down, for all else may be brought before God in prayer with supplication and thanksgiving. And regarding all our necessities, all our difficulties, all our trials, we may exercise faith in the power of God, and in the love of God. I hope most of us are in this category by putting forth our faith into action.
Hope in God (దేవునియందు నిరీక్షణ యుంచుము) and remember this; There is never a time when we may not hope in God. Whatever our necessities, great our difficulties, and though to all appearance help is impossible, yet our business is to hope in God, and it will be found that it is not vain. In the Lord's own time ( in fact, it's our perfect time) help WILL come.
In my life when it seemed impossible that help could come, help did come, for God has His own resources. He is not confined. In ten thousand different ways, and at ten thousand different times God may help us. Our business is to spread our cases before the Lord, in childlike simplicity to pour out all our heart before God.
It is always a weakness to be despaired and worrying, questioning and mistrusting of our heavenly Father. Can we gain anything by it? Do we not unfit ourselves for action, and unhinge our minds for a wise decision? We are sinking into our despair and disappointment when we might float by faith.
Come, my soul return unto thy rest, and lean they head upon the bossom of the Lord Jesus.
Saint Augustine once said "You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you.” The only solution for despair and discouragement is that we must turn our eyes from self and look to our Lord.
In our Saviour's name (Jesus Christ) let us hope and pray. One word from Him will calm every storm, and turn midnight darkness into the light of noon, the bitterest complaints into joyful praises. Let us never think that the God of our life and the Rock of our salvation has forgotten us; provided, we make His mercy, truth, and power, our refuge. Thus, the psalmist strove against his hopelessness: at last, his faith and hope obtained the victory.
Whatever befall me in this valley of tears, I know that He has chosen me.
దేవుని యందు నిరీక్షణనుంచి – ఆయనను స్తుతించు నా ప్రాణమా
తల్లి కన్న- తండ్రి కన్న – ఉత్తముడు
ఆధారము – ఆదరణ – ఆయనలో
Image Source:
[http://7-themes.com/data_images/out/60/6976929-spring-pink-blossom.jpg]
[ecko_quote source="Isaiah 55:8"]For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, saith the LORD.[/ecko_quote]
The Bible is not primarily a book to be explained; it is first and foremost a book to be believed and obeyed. Whether you understand it or not, when God says it, you just simply obey it. Just consider when we take medicines, flying in aircraft and driving a car, did it require us to understand entire technology and formulas before we sit back and go forward. I think absolutely not, we just take the medicine as prescribed, board the plane and drive the car having full faith in those created matters. But we often times struggle to put our trust and believe in our Lord who created everything.
And don't substitute human reasoning for obedience. So many times we like to tell God how He ought to do things. I can imagine those early disciples when Saul was making havoc of the church and carrying Christians off to prison and death. I imagine there were much praying, “Oh, God, do something about Saul. Strike him dead.” But God didn't want to strike him dead. God struck him alive! And aren't you glad He did?
Isn't it strange how God works? You see, our ways and God's ways are so different. This is when we have to say, “I will trust You and obey.” Trust and obey; For there's no other way; To be happy in Jesus, But to trust and obey.
Image Source:
[http://www.ctimes.com.tw/publish/TP/201603/251643157690/inc/index_content.jpg]