Jonah2005bt
Member
- Joined
- Oct 16, 2005
- Messages
- 617
I read this in my e-mail today.
When I read it, I new I just had to share it with everybody!
"JESUS WEPT!"
Esther 5:9-11
"So Haman went out that day joyful and with a glad heart; but when Haman saw Mordecai in the king’s gate, and that he did not stand or tremble before him, he was filled with indignation against Mordecai. Nevertheless Haman restrained himself and went home, and he sent and called for his friends and his wife Zeresh. Then Haman told them of his great riches, the multitude of his children, everything in which the king had promoted him, and how he had advanced him above the officials and servants of the king."
A housewife discovered a new business which prepared home cooked meals for an entire week. She decided to try it out. Her family went wild! She intimated that it was her own skill that had prepared the delicious meals. Jesus wept!
A Christian businessman had just closed the books on a wonderful and profitable year. There had been new contracts and promises of more to come in the new year. A new young accountant had been the impetus to turn things around. The corporation that owned his company called to the corporate offices to congratulate him for an excellent job. He did not mention the work of his new accountant, but took the credit himself. Jesus wept!
A pastor had just finished delivering a sermon he had copied from "Sermons In A Flash." As he stood at the door to greet his people as they left---their response was gratifying. Person after person shook his hand and spoke of how much the message had meant to them. He thanked them and spoke of how much he had worked on it and was glad it had been a blessing to them. Jesus wept!
How easy it is to take credit for things instead of recognizing that the Lord has been, and at all times, is in control of each and every phase of our life. None of the praise and glory is ours. It is God's and God's alone. He is the One who is to be praised.
In Scripture there are many instances that appeared to be the end for God's servants: Job on an ash heap, Joseph in a prison, Moses on the far side of the desert, Daniel in a lion's den. It seemed that God had turned His back on these men who had been chosen to be His witnesses.
In each case, these faithful servants maintained their integrity in the face of terrible affliction. It was not in order for them to receive glory, but in order that God would be glorified. They deflected the praise of men toward the Lord. He is the only One who is to be praised.
One of my favorite portions of Scripture is to be found in Genesis 50:19-20. Joseph's father had died and his brothers who sold him into slavery are afraid that he would now retaliate. Here is the way he calmed their fears: "Joseph said to them, 'Do not be afraid, for am I in the place of God? But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.' "
That is the type of attitude that makes the Lord smile. Regardless of the horrible ordeal that we may be going through, we need to recognize that God means it for our good and His glory. Instead of making Him weep, let's make Him smile as we give Him glory for everything we do.
Blessings dear hearts. Walk with God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing.
--- Pastor Cecil
**********************
DAILY-E-VOTIONAL
BLESSINGS FROM THE HEART
Pastor Cecil A. Thompson
November 12, 2007
When I read it, I new I just had to share it with everybody!
"JESUS WEPT!"
Esther 5:9-11
"So Haman went out that day joyful and with a glad heart; but when Haman saw Mordecai in the king’s gate, and that he did not stand or tremble before him, he was filled with indignation against Mordecai. Nevertheless Haman restrained himself and went home, and he sent and called for his friends and his wife Zeresh. Then Haman told them of his great riches, the multitude of his children, everything in which the king had promoted him, and how he had advanced him above the officials and servants of the king."
A housewife discovered a new business which prepared home cooked meals for an entire week. She decided to try it out. Her family went wild! She intimated that it was her own skill that had prepared the delicious meals. Jesus wept!
A Christian businessman had just closed the books on a wonderful and profitable year. There had been new contracts and promises of more to come in the new year. A new young accountant had been the impetus to turn things around. The corporation that owned his company called to the corporate offices to congratulate him for an excellent job. He did not mention the work of his new accountant, but took the credit himself. Jesus wept!
A pastor had just finished delivering a sermon he had copied from "Sermons In A Flash." As he stood at the door to greet his people as they left---their response was gratifying. Person after person shook his hand and spoke of how much the message had meant to them. He thanked them and spoke of how much he had worked on it and was glad it had been a blessing to them. Jesus wept!
How easy it is to take credit for things instead of recognizing that the Lord has been, and at all times, is in control of each and every phase of our life. None of the praise and glory is ours. It is God's and God's alone. He is the One who is to be praised.
In Scripture there are many instances that appeared to be the end for God's servants: Job on an ash heap, Joseph in a prison, Moses on the far side of the desert, Daniel in a lion's den. It seemed that God had turned His back on these men who had been chosen to be His witnesses.
In each case, these faithful servants maintained their integrity in the face of terrible affliction. It was not in order for them to receive glory, but in order that God would be glorified. They deflected the praise of men toward the Lord. He is the only One who is to be praised.
One of my favorite portions of Scripture is to be found in Genesis 50:19-20. Joseph's father had died and his brothers who sold him into slavery are afraid that he would now retaliate. Here is the way he calmed their fears: "Joseph said to them, 'Do not be afraid, for am I in the place of God? But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.' "
That is the type of attitude that makes the Lord smile. Regardless of the horrible ordeal that we may be going through, we need to recognize that God means it for our good and His glory. Instead of making Him weep, let's make Him smile as we give Him glory for everything we do.
Blessings dear hearts. Walk with God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing.
--- Pastor Cecil
**********************
DAILY-E-VOTIONAL
BLESSINGS FROM THE HEART
Pastor Cecil A. Thompson
November 12, 2007
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