Throwing It All Away

“He who neglects the present moment throws away all he has.” That observation by Johann Friedrich von Schiller, a great German historian and playwright, holds much truth for all of our lives.

Early one morning fire broke out in a house on a narrow street. The fire spread quickly, and flames were leaping high into the air before the fire engines could get to the scene.

A young man appeared at an upper window in his pyjamas. Fire-fighters quickly placed a ladder against the burning building, but the man refused to come down. Instead, he yelled that he had to get dressed first. The fire-fighters pleaded, “Come as you are! Come as you are! But to no avail.

The firefighters tried to climb the stairs from below, but they were turned back by the flames. When a rescuer tried to enter through a lower window, the heat and smoke forced him away.

Suddenly the walls and roof fell in. The man waited too long, and was buried under the ruins.

How does this apply to our lives?

The man refused to immediately do what was best for himself because of what someone might say about his appearance later. Thus, the young man literally threw his life away.

We can make the same foolish mistake. I read about an experiment in which a rat was placed in a box and shocked until it huddled in a particular corner. To avoid future shocks, the rat soon learned to run to that corner as soon as it was placed in the box.

How much of your life is spent avoiding the disapproving “shocks” of those around you? Do you disregard your own beliefs, and compromise who you are as a person, so others will like you?

That is easy to do, especially in matters of faith. Many people do not live according to their beliefs because they are concerned about what others will think or say. If that includes you, then in effect you are throwing away the most significant part of yourself–your spiritual life.

Instead of trying to become someone others will like in the future, focus on God’s love for you right now. Live each day according to God’s standards, no matter how people may react; because some things are too important to throw away–including yourself.

By Rich McLawhorn

Meditation: Your love is ever before me, and I walk continually in your truth. – Psalm 26:3

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

The Welfare Regimen of a Computer

 

A computer has no welfare regimen on its own except as wrought by its operator, and the ailments of these tools are as a result of how we manage them. So, blame not your system, but your handling of it for whatever lapses it is outputting. The computer is not responsible for its own welfare.

When the Storms Break

A pastor had been on a long flight between church conferences. The first warning of the approaching problems came when the sign on the airplane flashed on: Fasten Your Seat Belts. Then, after a while, a calm voice said, “We shall not be serving the beverages at this time as we are expecting a little turbulence. Please be sure your seat belt is fastened.”

As the pastor looked around the aircraft, it became obvious that many of the passengers were becoming apprehensive.

Later, the voice on the intercom said, “We are so sorry that we are unable to serve the meal at this time. The turbulence is still ahead of us.”

And then the storm broke…

The ominous cracks of thunder could be heard even above the roar of the engines. Lightning lit up the darkening skies, and within moments that great plane was like a cork tossed around on a celestial ocean. One moment the airplane was lifted on terrific currents of air; the next, it dropped as if it were about to crash.

The pastor confessed that he shared the discomfort and fear of those around him. He said, “As I looked around the plane, I could see that nearly all the passengers were upset and alarmed. Some were praying. The future seemed ominous and many were wondering if they would make it through the storm.

“Then, I suddenly saw a little girl. Apparently, the storm meant nothing to her. She had tucked her feet beneath her as she sat on her seat; she was reading a book and everything within her small world was calm and orderly.

“Sometimes she closed her eyes, then she would read again; then she would straighten her legs, but worry and fear were not in her world. When the plane was being buffeted by the terrible storm when it lurched this way and that, as it rose and fell with frightening severity, when all the adults were scared half to death, that marvellous child was completely composed and unafraid.” The minister could hardly believe his eyes.

It was not surprising, therefore, that when the plane finally reached its destination and all the passengers were hurrying to disembark, our pastor lingered to speak to the girl whom he had watched for such a long time.

Having commented about the storm and the behaviour of the plane, he asked why she had not been afraid.

The child replied, “Cause my Daddy’s the pilot, and he’s taking me home.”

There are many kinds of storms that buffet us. Physical, mental, financial, domestic, and many other storms can easily and quickly darken our skies and throw our plane into apparently uncontrollable movement. We have all known such times, and let us be honest and confess, it is much easier to be at rest when our feet are on the ground than when we are being tossed about a darkened sky.

Let us remember: Our Father is the Pilot. He is in control and taking us home. Don’t worry!

— Author Unknown

Meditation: God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, Even though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; though its waters roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with its swelling. – Psalm 46:1-3

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

Ideas may become feasible

Ideas may become feasible by talking about them, but they will neither become tangible nor grow until you start working them.

-Babatunde Oladele

How to Increase in Grace (2)

 

Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord.
– 2 Peter 1:2

Grace is endowed as required to carry out the responsibilities of an office, spiritual or secular. Grace answers to purpose, assignments, and calling, as allotted by God. But no two individuals have the same measure of grace, even if they hold the same office and have a similar calling.

The scripture above sheds light on the one reason people have different portions of grace. The apostle, writing under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, says grace is multiplied through the knowledge of God and Jesus Christ, His Son. The Bible does not say that grace is multiplied to anyone based on his office, background, assignments, or any such consideration. While there is grace available to execute them, that grace becomes multiplied only in proportion to one’s knowledge of God. That means the extent you know God is the extent you would increase in grace. And because it is not possible for two or more individuals to know God in the same degree, that is why it may, perhaps, be difficult to see people who share the same measure of grace.

Grace rules in every area of life. That is why your relationship with God will influence your bearing, performance and results in different aspects of life such as work, business, career, marriage, ministry, academic, and other such spheres.

It takes grace to be among the high flyers in whatever setup you find yourself in. And, whilst you have enough grace to get by, you need an increasing measure of grace to get to the top and to remain there. To receive this, your personal altar must be in place; you need a closer walk with God in addicted prayer life, Bible study, fellowship with the brethren and selfless service. The more of these you do, without leaving other important diligence of life undone, the more you will increase in the knowledge of God, and the more aura of grace you will enjoy to be more and do more.

Try it and you will testify.

You will succeed in Jesus’ Name!

Prayer Won't Avert Every Mistake

 

There are some mistakes prayer will not avert until the lesson is learnt and adjustment is made.

How to Increase in Grace (1)

 

Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord.
– 2 Peter 1:2

Grace. That beautiful word. How sweet it sounds in the ear, how melodious it is in the mouth. It does not just sound good in the mouth and the ear, it is also pleasant in meaning. It is pleasing to receive, it is nice to ascribe.

It is an often-used word that never becomes redundant. Almost everyone who is aware and achieving appreciates its essence. Nobody is too big or too good for grace, neither is anyone too small for it or unworthy of it. The apostle needs it, the archbishop needs it; the clergy needs it, the laity needs it; the adult needs it, the young ones need it; the saint needs it as much as the sinner.

Oftentimes, it is the distinguishing factor between an achiever and a struggler; it separates the high flyer and the no-performer. Without it, anything will be laborious, with it, things become easy.

It is commonly described as “unmerited favour.” How true. But its manifestation is not restricted to favour alone. Depending on the peculiar circumstance or need, grace could be strength, capacity, supplies, encouragement, inspiration, deliverance, healing, and so on to whoever it is endowed with at a point in time.

By divine providence, everyone has a measure of grace. But there is a difference in the degree of grace that each individual enjoys. We do not all have the same measure of it. That is why different individuals with the same training or calling, using the same resources, will not always turn in the same results. One or two of them will achieve greater success than others. That is grace at work, setting some apart from the rest.

To be continued…

You will succeed in Jesus’ Name!