I give praise to God, our Creator and King. I am reminded of His love and power, when I hear the birds sing. Some young birds have been practicing their new found voices at various times in the darkened hours of night and early morning. It seems as if having found their voices, they must practice, practice sounds joyfully and constantly. For a few weeks it was the kookaburras in the evening, and now in the early hours, it is the young magpies. How lovely that God our Creator gave so many of His creation, the ability to communicate with each other in joyful tones. Sometimes it seems as if the cares of this earthly sojourn, have robbed many of us people, the ability to frequently communicate joyfully.
When we look inward or around, there can be grey and sadness, but when we look up, there is a bright light that pierces any gloom and darkness. The good news is, the love of Jesus Christ toward us is real, and He comes to earth again soon. All we have to do is make ourselves available and test and try His promises. The answer from Jesus will be beyond human comprehension. Revelation 22:7 “Behold, I am coming quickly! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.” Verses 20, 21 “He who testifies of these things says, ‘Surely I am coming quickly.” Amen. Even so, come. Lord Jesus! The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.”
In the Bible there is an account of a man who had lived for himself, and by defraud had become very rich. To love God and place Him first, had certainly not been in his mind or practice; then like most people around, he began to hear of the love and works of Jesus Christ in various places, and his interest was piqued. Jesus had begun to pass through Jericho. Luke 19: 2 “Now behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus who was a chief tax collector, and he was rich.” The Bible record goes on to tell us, that because Zacchaeus was of short statue, he could not see over the heads of the people, and had climbed up into a sycamore tree, so that he might then see Jesus, passing underneath. What a shock he must have received, Verse 5, 6 “…..Jesus came to the place; He looked up and saw Him, and said to him, ‘Zacchaeus, make hast and come down, for today I must stay at your house.’ So he made hast and came down, and received Him joyfully.” The evidence is that Zacchaeus, fell completely in love with Jesus, and in repentance exclaimed, Verse 8 “…..’Look, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold.’ 9 And Jesus said to him, ‘Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham; 10 ‘for the Son of Man has come to seek and save that which was lost.’” In the understanding of the religious people of the day, Zacchaeus was too bad a sinner to be bothered with, and it would have been demeaning for them to associate with such a person. Jesus was judged to have erred, because he had done so: and in contrast to Jesus, there was no love or pity revealed in their attitudes.
Jesus taught, that all people living on earth have and do continue to sin, and all are equal in their need of Him, and before Him no man has anything to be pious or self-righteous about. When our heart and mind is filled with His love, and resulting good works, Jesus planned that we would be His light in the world. Zacchaeus became by his whole hearted repentance and change of life practice, a testament or ‘light’ of the power of Jesus in the heart. Matthew 5: 14-16 “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lamp stand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”
Just from these Bible examples, it can be seen, that everyone has an influence and reputation, judged in part by observation and knowledge of what we say and do; at least in the location around us. Sometimes our reputation is not accurate, because we do not make clear our motives and actions, and people form opinions based on little information and presumption.
Dear Jesus, I again accept You into my life and heart and ask that You direct me how I best can follow Your example of being a clear light of love to all those who know and observe me, that I refrain from forming pious judgements, that actually show that You are not fully in control of my life and practice. Thanks for continually loving and teaching me, and drawing me ever closer.
Amen