Good works done without Love are dead works.

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.. who was born in one of the humblest places on earth

.. who, from a young age, sought God with all his heart, soul, and mind

.. who submitted to authorities over him, especially his parents

.. who possesses wisdom and a clear mind for everything

.. who grew and lived in harmony with those around him

.. who spent the best years of his life ministering to his family

.. who, despite his noble birth, humbled himself to be like a commoner

who adores and cares for children

..who treats women with respect and even upholds their dignity

.. who is kind and compassionate to the lame and needy

.. who is a strong encourager to his peers

.. who devoted his life to leading  people to God

.. who is never a wimp to stand for righteousness, justice, and truth

.. who is always patient with the foolishness of his friends

..who is rooted in God’s word that he wittingly conquered all forms of deceptions

.. who firmly didn't stagger from his life’s purpose

.. who knows how to provide soothing comfort to the lonely and broken-hearted

.. who talks, thinks, acts, and breathes God…..

.. whose faith didn't waver even in the face of terror

... who is meek and forgiving of those who have wronged him gravely.

..who did not suffer in vain but gave up everything for love

 

Do you know who he is? He is the Man--Jesus. 

‘O my Groom! I pray You’ll find me faithfully waiting for You.’

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To love like Jesus  simply means death to yourself and life to  others.

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Nobody is unassailable to pain. We cry..over..various ..things..

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However, have we ever shed tears for God? Have we wept over our inability to really love Him? I know the focus is not on how much we love Him but on how much He loves us. Nonetheless, have we ever cried because of Him? Were there times that our hearts were so overwhelmed by His love that we burst out sobbing? Yes, God wants us to be joyful Christians, but there are times that crying can't be helped. Tears will continue to stream down until that glorious day when God Himself will wipe them away from our eyes.

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Mat_2:18  In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.

Comfort me not when God wounds me. Leave me in His hands.

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Psa 51:8  Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.

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Oh Lord! When I am broken. 

Give me Yourself.

" Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." ~ Matthew 5:3 ~

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Bless Your Name Lord for I was born poor. In lacking the luxuries of this world, I was averted from self-indulgence.

Bless Your Name Lord for I grew up poor. Always in need. Always in want. Those made me depend on You.

Bless Your Name Lord for I stayed poor. I cannot have what others have, and I cannot do what others do. Through it, my heart found its fulfillment in You.

Bless Your Name Lord for You made me poor. Poor in my body and poor in my spirit. 

For in my poverty, I have savored Your fulness. In my being a pauper I was  welcomed in Your kingdom.

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Thick dusts clogged my nostrils. I am besieged on every side
by clamoring people over a disfigured body hanging on the tree. Looking around,
I saw eyes filled with rage. Surely, this man’s crime is unforgivable. As I
survey the whole scene, my eyes caught a glimpse of some men and women on the
far side. Their faces painted sorrow. I shook my head in disgust. Soon, the
yelling grew louder. What a blood cry! Oddly, I can’t make out their words. Watching
the body on the tree, I felt revulsion towards him.  My mouth moved and was uttering something
loudly, but to my ears it’s inaudible. Slowly, he lifted his head, eyes poring
through the crowd until it rested on mine. I was stunned! His cracked lips
quivered. He’s saying something. It’s impossible for him to be heard over the
noise, so I concentrated on the movements of his lips. Intensely, my mind put
together the words. How my heart was pierced!

“I love you so much to suffer this. Be mine.”

In a moment, my whole world of reality crashed. Flashbacks
of him flooded my memory. He saw me from the beginning, but I knew him not. He
decreed; “Certainly, You shall be mine.”

I can’t breathe! I want to rip my eyes off his penetrating stare
but I can’t! Knowing I can’t escape, I just stood there, held by his gaze. Those
blood-shot eyes invite me to look deeper. I saw longing and passion. His heart
was laid bare. On it is written, “You are mine.”

Tears began trickling down my face. How could you love
someone whom you have found among those crying, ‘Crucify Him! Crucify Him!’

Malachi_3:17  
And they
shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels;
and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.

Isaiah_43:1  
But now
thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O
Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.

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Have you been afraid sharing your salvation testimony in front of a crowd? I did. Wish I could say that I’m not because it is not for my sake that God gave me that chance, but for His name to be glorified. Like now, I’m risking vulnerability whenever I share my testimony. It is easy to honor God for His provisions, His help in times of trouble, and His sanctifying work in us. However, there’s the tendency to sulk when it is our turn to share how God saved us. And you know why. We put ourselves in a very uncomfortable and awkward position. Our faults and shame are exposed. When we start to speak of it, we destroy the high expectations of those who think much of us. There’s the risk of being judged, and painful as it may sound, there’s the possibility of desertion by some of our friends. What then? It’s the Holy Spirit that leads the heart and mouth. When He’s at work in us, we can’t make our testimony to sound a bit plausible or sensational. He will get the praise, not us. One thing is for certain though. That there’s the shrinking of ourselves and Him magnified. So be it. He is worthy.

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How can I provide comfort to a hurting brother or sister when my sympathetic words or deeds merely aggravate their wounds? 

How can I persuade them to take heart in the promise of God in Romans 8:28 when tragic circumstances escalate? 

How can I turn myself into a pillar of strength for those who turn to me for comfort when I am also wounded and bruised? 

The answer to these is that I can't. I just can't. 

I can only tell them and myself to turn to the real "Parakletos"- the Holy Spirit.

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Jesus stated many radical things in the Bible. Many got offended and left. Will you also walk away? Why do you follow Jesus? Is it more because of His Person  than His provisions?

(John 6:66-67)

Luke7:23  And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me. 

                                       ..If I am Your beloved..Can You help me believe it?...
                                                ~ Jason Gray, Remind Me Who I am~

 Remind me where You first found me..Make me not forget.When I start heaping legalistic judgements on myself in the arid times of my heart, remind me that I don't earn Your Love. It's You who profusely give it.

What think ye? They 
answered and said, He is guilty of death.   Then did they spit in his face, and buffeted him; and others smote him with the palms of their hands, Saying, Prophesy unto us, thou Christ, Who is he that smote thee?                                            ~Matthew 26:68~  

My Prince,

How humble is my God and Savior to allow such ill treatment to fall upon Him. Did the heavens cry seeing the most beloved, of whom the world is not worthy,                          regarded as a trash?