The files in the ‘temp’ folder of a computer are once important, but are not essential after its usage. They become redundant soon after they are used. Computer experts suggest that as long as the date of a file in the ‘temp’ folder is not today, it is safe to delete. Accumulating too many of such files in the ‘temp’ folder will take up too many disk space and will slow down the system. These files are only temporary. There are too many things in our lives that can be classified as ‘temp files’. They don’t yield eternal value. Do you have too many of such ‘temp files’ in your life? They are not needed in eternity. They only give you extra burdens and slow you down in your spiritual walk with God.
A member of a certain church, who previously had been attending services regularly, suddenly stopped coming to church. After a few weeks, the Pastor decided to visit. The Pastor found the man at home alone, sitting before a blazing fire.
Guessing the reason for his Pastor’s visit, the man welcomed him, led him to a comfortable chair near the fireplace and waited. The pastor made himself at home but said nothing. In the grave silence, he contemplated the dance of the flames around the burning logs.
After some minutes, the Pastor took the fire tongs, carefully picked up a brightly burning ember and placed it to one side of the hearth all alone. Then he sat back in his chair, still silent. The host watched all this in quiet contemplation. As the one lone ember’s flame flickered and diminished, there was a momentary glow and then its fire was no more. Soon it was cold and lifeless.
The Pastor glanced at his watch and realized it was time to leave, he slowly stood up, picked up the cold, dead ember and placed it back in the middle of the fire. Immediately it began to glow, once more with the light and warmth of the burning coals around it.
As the Pastor reached the door to leave, his host said with a tear running down his cheek, “Thank you so much for your visit and especially for the fiery sermon. I shall be back in church next Sunday.”
We live in a world today which tries to say too much with too little. Consequently, few listen.
Sometimes the best sermons are the ones left unspoken. What silent message would God have you share with someone today?
There is amazing comfort and strength to know that when we leave our prayer closet, when we walk out into this wicked world, and face the roaring lion the actual presence of God is with us. It emcompasses us, it fills the room, and it goes before us. The problem is we usually don’t recognize it or realize it. We go about our daily routine, perform our habits and rituals, and never give thought to the fact that God is right there! Oh today let us pause and sense His presence, whisper His name, and walk in the sunlight of His love. The song writer wrote - “There is sunshine in my soul today, more glorious and bright”. That sunshine is because of God’s presence, peace, and provision. F.B. Meyer would, in the midst of good or bad times, whisper “Thou art near; Thou art here, O’Lord”.
To be found in Jesus, Paul says, is worth more than all of his religion, race, and ritual. It is a relationship with the Almighty God. It is Jesus. Paul says, “I’m tired of trying. I’m going to start trusting.” Basically, Paul lived a life of working his way to heaven before he met the Lord on the road to Damascus (see Acts 9). Legalism is a terrible thing. It is a harsh task master under which no one can succeed. Liberty, not legalism, is what the Lord Jesus Christ offers — freedom, not bondage; relationship, not religion. We give up nothing for which Jesus will not abundantly offer more than we could ever hope or dream.
Have you ever disagreed with someone and felt you were in the right? I have. What started out as a conversation turns into a confrontation, and the tension becomes so thick you can cut it with a knife. At that point, it’s time to separate before things disintegrate. Then when you separate, it’s time to communicate with the Lord. It’s when you get alone with God that the communion of conviction comes and what seemed to be confusion becomes crystal clear in His light. More often than not, the Holy Spirit has shown me that I was in the wrong and needed to ask forgiveness.
An elderly couple was sitting at the table discussing the rapidly changing world around them when one said “you know, things just aren’t what they used to be.” The other replied, “they never have been”. Things change so quickly. The way things look, what things mean. I heard a math teacher reviewing math symbols with her second-grade pupils, she drew a greater-than ( > ) and a less-than sign ( < ) on the chalkboard and asked, “Does anyone remember what these mean?” A few moments passed, and then a boy confidently raised his hand. “One means fast-forward,” he exclaimed, “and the other means rewind!”
I am glad that there are some things that never change: God - He is always the same; the Love of God - it is always available; Salvation - it is always for whosoever will; Scriptures - it is always God’s love letter to us. In the midst of this changing world hold cling to the one that never changes.
Growing up we used to sing “No, never alone, No, never alone. He promised never to leave me never to leave me alone . . .” Paul thought it was the greatest of blessings to be found “in Him” (see Philippians 3:9). Paul exchanged a set of rules for a friend. Hadn’t you rather have a friend than a set of rules? Before this, Paul had the law. Now, he has the Lord, and what a difference! What a safe place to be found — in Jesus Christ. If you’re saved, you’re not just a church member; you are in Christ. You are in His body, and He is in you. Talk about fellowship divine! You may be alone, but you’ll never be lonely again, because the Lord Jesus Christ is in you and you are in the Lord Jesus Christ. In Christ you can always sing “I’ll never be lonely again, never again”!
Charles Wesley was walking through the woods on a stormy day when a lightning storm broke out and rain began coming down in torrents. A bolt of lightning flashed and a little bird was so frightened it flew down to Wesley and tried to hide in his coat. He was so moved by the scene that he wrote a song we often sing, “Jesus, lover of my soul, let me to Thy bosom fly, while the nearer waters roll, while the tempest still is high. Hide me, O my Savior, hide, ‘til the storm of life is past; safe unto the haven guide, O receive my soul at last.” That’s what our Lord does. He hides us, sustains us, and keeps us.
Are the storms of life raging around you? Hide yourself in the dark clouds – they are just the shadow of His wing.
“My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus blood and righteousness”. As I awoke this morning that is the song that I found myself singing. My hope - the hope of my past forgiven, my present cared for, and my future secure - is not in me but in HIM and HIM alone. I dare not trust the sweetest frame, bu wholly lean on Jesus name. Where are you standing today? In yourself or on the solid rock? No matter the storms, the fears, and the cares in Christ we have hope. May this be your song today - ON CHRIST THE SOLID ROCK I STAND ALL OTHER GROUND IS SINKING SAND.
Once a king had a great highway built for the members of his kingdom. After it was completed, but before it was opened to the public, the king decided to have a contest. He invited as many as desired to participate. Their challenge was to see who could travel the highway the best.
On the day of the contest the people came. Some of them had fine chariots, some had fine clothing, fine hairdos, or great food. Some young men came in their track clothes and ran along the highway. People traveled the highway all day, but each one, when he arrived at the end, complained to the king that there was a large pile of rocks and debris left on the road at one spot and this got in their way and hindered their travel.
At the end of the day, a lone traveler crossed the finish line warily and walked over to the king. He was tired and dirty, but he addressed the king with great respect and handed him a bag of gold. he explained, “I stopped along the way to clear a pile of rocks and debris that was blocking the road. This bag of gold was under it all. I want you to return it to its rightful owner.”
The king replied, “You are the rightful owner.”
The traveler replied, “Oh no, this is not mine. I’ve never known such money.”
“Oh yes,” said the king, “you’ve earned this gold, for you won my contest. He who travels the road best is he who makes the road smoother for those who will follow.”
Whose path are you making smoother? Will those who follow you find a road fit to travel? Let your light shine for them, help them over the rough times, and let them shout for joy.