Jan 9

  • mvivas
    mvivas added a text contribution Speak what you are told
    The Lord Jesus makes a very important point here. Unless you are steady in prayer (darkness) and steady in the study of the word (what you hear), you shouldn't go out an preach what your heart desires. We are told to preach upon the housetops that which the Lord has spoken unto us. How easy it is to assume that we can say what we want because we "know better". A heart of prayer and discipline Bible study knows God's will and knows what should be said. Only after having t… Read more »

Jan 4

  • mvivas
    mvivas added a text contribution Priorities
    The nature of man says that we should first provide for ourselves and if any resources, time, etc is left over, then offer it to God. Here the priority is very clear. Seek first the Kingdom, with all our hearts, and not to worry so much about the needs of life, God will provide for our needs. However, note that food, shelter and clothing are necessities, not wants. Let us not misunderstand this as God giving us what we want in return for seeking His kingdom. No, there is a difference betwee… Read more »
  • mvivas
    mvivas added a text contribution Our Refuge
    The Lord here promises to be the place of rest to the oppressed. This is wonderful, because in the world we live in (in all generations really) there has been oppression. We just need to believe this and realize that the Lord is not too far off. The Lord Jesus also supported this thought when he said that "blessed are those who weep or mourn. If only the oppressed realized that if you belong to him he will never leave you nor forsake you. Read more »

Jan 3

  • mvivas
    mvivas added a text contribution Modeling God
    The argument here is that if God is merciful and loving enough to make the sun rise and the rain come down for the good and the bad, how much more should we love the just and specially the unjust. This is a hard statement, because the nature of man (sinful) will always strive towards vengeance and "an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth". Let us humble ourselves and pray for those who despitefully use us and persecute us so that our fruit is that of righteousness Read more »

Jan 2

  • mvivas
    mvivas added a text contribution You reap what you sow
    The Lord Jesus Christ was very clear when he said that every good tree will bear good fruit. It is impossible for an apple tree to bear oranges and for an orange tree to bear apples. Therefore, John the baptist was saying to the Pharisees and Sadducees that the fruit they are bearing, reveals the root of a wicked and unjust tree. God wants us, not to say we are repentant, but to let our actions (fruits) reveal our repentance. There is a difference of speaking truth than to living truth. L… Read more »