Ezekiel 33:31, 31 My people come to you, as they usually do, and sit before you to hear your words, but they do not put them into practice. Their mouths speak of love, but their hearts are greedy for unjust gain.
Isaiah 1:2-3, 2 Hear me, you heavens! Listen, earth!
For the Lord has spoken:
“I reared children and brought them up,
but they have rebelled against me.
3 The ox knows its master,
the donkey its owner’s manger,
but Israel does not know,
my people do not understand.”
Since the time of creation man has tried to outdo himself and become bigger and greater than Father in heaven. Are we still living as His children?? We all know that the earth and sky have no ears. But we read in Isaiah that our Father cries to the heaven and earth and asks them to hear Him. Prophet Ezekiel says that we come together as a congregation and listen to the word of God but do not follow Him. Today we can see that people throng to attend conventions, prayer meeting and prayer groups. Here we should all pause and think. Are we not doing it out of our own self purpose and greed?? Greed, what greed you may ask. We often only pray for personal demands, I need this and that.
All parents on earth desire that their children are obedient to them and follow their words. Even when we show love to a wild animal it loves us back. The word of God teaches us that the Father in heaven is ever loving and merciful. When we receive blessing through His grace, we think it is our right to obtain.
1 Corinthians 4:7, 7 For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not? Is this not true of us, we need to think.
Luke 17:11 onwards We read here about how Jesus heals ten lepers. Only one of them comes back to thank Jesus. We read that he fell to his feet and thanked Him. Luke 17:16-19, 16 He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan. 17 Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? 18 Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?” 19 Then he said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.” The message here is that when we receive grace and blessings from the Father we should be thankful to Him.
Matthew 8:2-4, 2 A man with leprosy came and knelt before him and said, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.”3 Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” Immediately he was cleansed of his leprosy. 4 Then Jesus said to him, “See that you don’t tell anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.” Here too we see that Jesus is asking the leper who was healed to bear testimony to the Father.
Many people on this face hell having difficulty to breathe. There are many who cannot digest food, who cannot walk, cannot see/hear/speak, etc. Let us think about the various blessings we have-parents, siblings, relatives, etc. Were we born with them all? The Lord blesses us each day with so many blessings than those who are more intelligent and stronger than us. Yet do we pause to think about them and thank God for them???
When we do any good deed we expect the person to be thankful and also applaud us. The most Merciful Father gave up His only Son as a price for our souls. What benefit did Father and Son have from the sacrifice??? The Son had promised that whatever you ask in my name will be given to you. John 14:13, 13 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. In place of just asking for blessings, do we ever take time to thank Him, adore Him, worship Him and seek Him???
Our good deeds are just like a hen laying eggs( she makes so much noise for such a small egg). We too are a hen. We look for our benefits even in the God’s plan for us. A good example of this is Jonah. Instead of fulfilling the task given to him, he goes on his own way. Not only that he fell into a peaceful sleep. Just like a father who disciples a wayward son, our Father taught him a lesson and then rescues him. For Jonah his words coming true were more important than saving the lives of 1, 20000 people of Nineveh. In the small book of Jonah, the words I and mine have been used 9 times. Man is duty bound to do thank God while looking after self benefit and at the same time help others as well. But do we???
Let us introspect ourselves. How many people help us in our own homes and outside?? But in selfish state of mind we do not pause to thank them or the least smile at them. If we are unable to see the people right before us, then how can we see the Father who is not visible to naked eyes??? There are four types of people around us-
- Everyone should help me but unwilling to help others
- Those who help those who can help them in return in times of need
- Those who help others to be applauded by others, helping without helping mind, only for the praise.
- Those who help other without motive and are always thankful to God for the opportunity.
The Lord loves the 4th type of people the most.
Just one word to those who obtain blessings from God as their right: We should always be thankful to God and live a pure and holy life. Revelation 22:12, 12 “Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done. He does not break His promise.
Wake up children of God. Just think how many chances He offers to each us each day, then why do we hesitate to thank Him, adore Him and worship Him?? Do you think what will happen next?? It is still not late. In place of tele serials and shows, rock music and such, spare time to watch devotionals and programs that are food for the soul. How many hours do we spend looking and browsing through our mobiles??? What model are laying before the coming generations?? We have been reduced to a crowd that can only crib and make a hue and cry. Remove this and become people of action.
Ephesians 5:15-20,15 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. 18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, 20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Jehovah Roi 