Offering from the heart.

“ Now Jesus sat opposite the treasury and saw how the people put money into the treasury. And many who were rich put in much.  Then one poor widow came and threw in two mites, which make a quadrans.  So He called His disciples to Himself and said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all those who have given to the treasury;  for they all put in out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all that she had, her whole livelihood.” Mark 12:41-44

     The above story made me think how differently does Jesus value things in our lives.Mark chapter 12 Jesus talks about the scribes,their very nature seeking prestige, looking to acquire high status in the society – people pleasers. Here Jesus draws  the attention of the congregation to a  real time person to oppose the nature of the Scribes-A poor widow, a person who have very less privileges in the society,no one pays respect to her, she does not have provisions for  a decent living . But Jesus looks at her and  says you have  given the best offering today ,I am pleased with you. There were many decent men who donated great sums of  money than that poor widow,but when the enquirer of heart examined them; they all weighed much less in his scale,they were all too light in comparison to that poor widow. God looks at what we have and how much of that we are using for his glory.Here the poor widow knew that the two mites she had was provided to her by God,she had a great faith in God that if today God made her survive in her nothingness tomorrow also he can provide.Only a person who understands that what He possess came from God can give it to God with a happy heart. Here I would like to add this applies not just for the material blessings but also the wisdom God gave,the spiritual blessings,the talents God planted in you.Today examine your life and  identify all the material and spiritual blessings God gave you. Assess yourself how much percentage of  each of those blessing are you using for the glory of God?If your report reads unsatisfactory make a decision in prayer to change your attitude to that of the widow who gave just two mites,but remember that was all she had. If you give all you have for His glory, God will uplift you in the right time.May God bless you.

In Christ Jesus,

Smitha Thomas.

Salvation- ticket from Jesus.

 Acts 4:11,12 “It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. He is the stone you builders rejected,  which has become the capstone.Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”

  The ultimate question in life where to find salvation?Many have sought answer to this by their intellect others tried through their own righteousness but failed without justification as they stumbled upon the cross. If you are in search of a reason to live,if you are unable to understand the eternal life or eternal hell, if you are unable to recognize the love of God in your life or in search of truth please try to stop and rethink about the plan of salvation,that God has already fulfilled for you.The truth of Jesus Christ can set you free from the bondage of sin to which we are tied up since age unknown. God gave the name of  Jesus to us as a ticket to heaven. If you  hold onto that name with an intangible faith believing that Jesus is the only way to salvation; you are set free from the label of a sinner and is now made a new creation and also is adopted to the family of Jesus. Bible clearly talks to us,except for Jesus, there is no person  or name that can save us from sin to which we are enslaved from birth. Today have you received the salvation God have foreseen for you?Do not stumble on the cornerstone God laid for us who is none other than Jesus.

         Salvation  is the redemption of man, from the bondage of sin and liability to eternal death, and the conferring on him of everlasting happiness. It is the saving grace of God the Father through his son JESUS CHRIST.

In Christ Jesus,

Smitha Thomas.

 

Worship…

Lord, open my eyes to the truth in worship

let me not be skeptical of the truth.

As each day I meditate your true words,

take me to the deeper places of worship.

A worship that’s pleasing to your eyes.

Worship to me is my souls life,

its my days embedded in you.

Its the discipline I need

to present my body as a living sacrifice,

holy and acceptable to you.

Its something I need to practice

every moment of my life.

Is it my passion?

if not, I need to consider!!

You have called me to worship,

in spirit and truth.

Give me a discerning spirit Lord,

to recognize the essence of a worship,

in truth and spirit.

So that my worship is well pleasing to you.

I worship you because you deserve it,

The creator ,maker of the universe.

I acknowledge your existence and

I glorify your name with reverence.

You saved me from the grip of sin

made me heir to your kingdom

where the key is,  Grace.

I offer my humble sacrifice of praise ,

knowing that you beseeched torment  for me..

Knowing that you held all my infirmities

knowing that you could heal all my sickness

knowing that you could set me free from my bondage

I owe you my worship in truth and spirit.

Let my worship be an excellent sacrifice

with all my heart, soul and mind,

reaching out to the total orb of my existence.

Lead me to a worship in spirit,

from the truth of my heart

A worship in truth,

with the torch of your word.

Edify my soul each day

as I humble myself in worship .

{ Worship in truth and Spirit is what God wants from the new testament church believers.If we are not able to understand the real meaning of that ,the reason why we are saved through Jesus Christ go wasted.There are a few verses which i would like to quote for your meditation.Ask this questions to yourself and if you cant find an answer ask  God , he will lead us in all truth.Am I worshipping God in truth and spirit? If your question is sincere God will provide you an answer.

“Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. ²⁴God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth” JOHN 4:23-24

“ I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service”.ROMANS 12:1

“ By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.”HEBREWS 13:15

“For you were bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.”1 Corinthians 6:20

“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and all your soul, and all your mind.” Matthew 22:37}

In Christ Jesus,

Smitha Thomas.