Tuesday 24th June 2008 - Birth of Saint John the Baptist
SCRIPTURE
And indeed the hand of the Lord was with him.
Meanwhile the child grew up and his spirit matured. And he lived out in the wilderness until the day he appeared openly to Israel.
Lk.1:66,80
OBSERVATION
Today the Church celebrates the birth of Saint John the Baptist, the one of whom Jesus said no greater had been born. John's greatness seems to be that he shone his light everywhere except on himself. His attitude of "I must be lesser that He may be greater" in turn made him great in the eyes of Jesus - in the eyes of God.
APPLICATION
John was bold, but boldly humble. You would think there would be a tension there but John did it naturally. What a lesson!
I can be called to bold leadership but must perform that leadership with humility. This is great protection against the vice of pride, my old enemy.
PRAYER
Holy Spirit, let me not shrink from the bold plans God has for me, but give me humility in living out those plans.
Saint John the Baptist, please pray for me.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Monday, June 23, 2008
Remove the Plank
Monday 23rd June 2008
SCRIPTURE
Hypocrite! Take the plank out of your own eye first, and then you will see clearly enough to take the splinter out of your brother’s eye.’
Mt.7:15
OBSERVATION
Jesus is nearing the end of His Sermon on the Mount. His message is hard-hitting and personal. There is no one who should not be squirming on hearing this.
APPLICATION
Of course, this teaching applies to me. Judging others would have to be one of the most common sins I commit. Interestingly, Jesus doesn't deny that my brother may well have a splinter in his eye. The point is, so have I. My blindness to my own splinter turns it into a plank. I am still to help my brother remove his splinter, but only after I perform surgery on myself first. Then, and only then, can I see clearly enough to truly help my brother.
Today every time the "Little Lawyer" in me rises up it will be a reminder for me to look at my own short comings first before saying or doing anything else.
PRAYER
Holy Spirit, give me clear vision and a steady hand to perform my own eye surgery.
Little Flower, please pray for me.
SCRIPTURE
Hypocrite! Take the plank out of your own eye first, and then you will see clearly enough to take the splinter out of your brother’s eye.’
Mt.7:15
OBSERVATION
Jesus is nearing the end of His Sermon on the Mount. His message is hard-hitting and personal. There is no one who should not be squirming on hearing this.
APPLICATION
Of course, this teaching applies to me. Judging others would have to be one of the most common sins I commit. Interestingly, Jesus doesn't deny that my brother may well have a splinter in his eye. The point is, so have I. My blindness to my own splinter turns it into a plank. I am still to help my brother remove his splinter, but only after I perform surgery on myself first. Then, and only then, can I see clearly enough to truly help my brother.
Today every time the "Little Lawyer" in me rises up it will be a reminder for me to look at my own short comings first before saying or doing anything else.
PRAYER
Holy Spirit, give me clear vision and a steady hand to perform my own eye surgery.
Little Flower, please pray for me.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Better Tast Experience
Tuesday 10th June 2008
SCRIPTURE
Jesus said, ‘You are the salt of the earth. But if salt becomes tasteless, what can make it salty again? It is good for nothing, and can only be thrown out to be trampled underfoot by men.
Mt.5:13
OBSERVATION
Jesus has just started His sermon on the Mount and has delivered the Beatitudes to the crowds. His teaching now becomes more personal, speaking into the lives of His disciples, into my life.
APPLICATION
I enjoy a little salt on my food. It enhances the flavours, creating a whole new and better taste experience. What a powerful analogy for the Christian life.
But it begs a question... am I creating a new and better experience for those about me?... or have I become tasteless, just the same bland flavour as the world?
I want to make a difference, add zest and zeal to the lives of those around me. Then they can praise my Father in Heaven.
PRAYER
Holy spirit. You are the source of tang in my life. Increase Your Zest in me that Jesus may be glorified.
Little Flower, please pray for me.
SCRIPTURE
Jesus said, ‘You are the salt of the earth. But if salt becomes tasteless, what can make it salty again? It is good for nothing, and can only be thrown out to be trampled underfoot by men.
Mt.5:13
OBSERVATION
Jesus has just started His sermon on the Mount and has delivered the Beatitudes to the crowds. His teaching now becomes more personal, speaking into the lives of His disciples, into my life.
APPLICATION
I enjoy a little salt on my food. It enhances the flavours, creating a whole new and better taste experience. What a powerful analogy for the Christian life.
But it begs a question... am I creating a new and better experience for those about me?... or have I become tasteless, just the same bland flavour as the world?
I want to make a difference, add zest and zeal to the lives of those around me. Then they can praise my Father in Heaven.
PRAYER
Holy spirit. You are the source of tang in my life. Increase Your Zest in me that Jesus may be glorified.
Little Flower, please pray for me.
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