RELATION AND RELATIONSHIPS - 2b (SPEND TIME WITH YOUR LOVED ONES)

"...And when they were alone, He explained all things to His disciples." - Mark 4:34

Long back I read a story which goes like this. The man came home from work late again, tired and irritated, to find his 5 year old son waiting for him at the door.

“Daddy, may I ask you a question? “Yeah, sure, what is it?” – replied the man.

“Daddy, how much money do you make an hour?” “That’s none of your business! What makes you ask such a thing?” – the man said angrily.

“I just want to know. Please tell me, how much do you make an hour?” – pleaded the little boy. “If you must know, I make $20 an hour.”

“Oh,” the little boy replied, head bowed. Looking up, he said, “Daddy, may I borrow $10 please?” 

The father was furious. “If the only reason you wanted to know how much money I make is just so you can borrow some to buy a silly toy or some other nonsense, then you march yourself straight to your room and go to bed.” The little boy quietly went to his room and shut the door.

The man sat down and started to get even madder about the little boy’s questioning. After an hour or so, the man had calmed down, and started to think he may have been a little hard on his son. Maybe there was something he really needed to buy with that $10 and he really didn’t ask for money very often. The man went to the door of the little boy’s room and opened the door.

“Are you asleep son?” – he asked “No daddy, I’m awake.” – replied the boy

“I’ve been thinking, maybe I was too hard on you earlier.” – said the man. “It’s been a long day and I took my aggravation out on you. Here’s that $10 you asked for.”

The little boy sat straight up, beaming. “Oh, thank you daddy!” – he yelled. Then, reaching under his pillow, he pulled out some more crumpled up bills. The man, seeing the boy already had money, started to get angry again. The little boy slowly counted out his money, then looked up at the man.

“Why did you want more money if you already had some?” – the father grumbled.

“Because I didn’t have enough, but now I do.” – the little boy replied. “Daddy, I have $20 now. Can I buy an hour of your time? Please come home early tomorrow. I would like to have dinner with you.” The father was crushed and he put his arms around his little son.

Many a times we let go off our time without being with those who were close to our heart. These days we spend much hours working for the welfare of our loved ones but we fail to be with them when they need us and long for us. Are they really happy with our money than us? No.

Recently as I was watching television I saw an interview of a film actor who was so popular. I heard that he was a humble person and so I started watching the interview. I know that he earned several millions of money being in the film industry. As the interview progresses the members of that particular television channel showed to him a short interview of his mom which was taken without his knowledge. At the end of the short interview they asked his mom to tell her desire. Then she said to him through the video, “You have given me so many things but all I wanted now is that you have to spend an entire day of yours being alone with me. I will cook all that you want but please spend one day with me.” 

Saying this she broke down and cried. There was a perfect silence in the interview hall where the actor was seated. He was asked to comment on the request of his mother to which he replied, “I don’t know what to say but my children were also asking the same.”

I could not believe his words at all. He earns millions of rupees and his wealth worth several crores. But yet his mom and his children were not at all happy for they long for his presence so that they can be with them. He provided them with everything but yet they long for him. The actor said that may be after some two years his schedule will not be that busy and at that time he could stay with his mom and children as they desire. What will happen if something happens to his mom or children or himself within those two years or so? 

My dear young friends, spend some time with those who were so close to you and make them happy with your presence. Do not spend your entire day to earn money. Spend some time for your family members because they don’t yearn much for your money but they long for you. 

Do not lose your loved ones as you stay busy with your work and with your own priority. Be with them, spend some time with them, take care of them and make them happy. God bless you

PUT GOD FIRST IN EVERYTHING YOU DO - A DEVOTIONAL BY RICK WARREN

“You should live in a way that proves you belong to the God who calls you into his kingdom and glory.” (1 Thessalonians 2:12 GW)

The Kingdom of God is a present reality. It’s what we’re to be doing on the earth right now. The power of God is the present resource. It’s the energy you get to do what God wants you to do once you’re surrendered and submitted to his will.

God’s glory is the reason. It’s not the reality or the resource. It is the present reason for everything. It’s all for God’s glory.

Romans 11:36 says, “Everything comes from him and exists by his power and is intended for his glory” (NLT).

I talk to people all the time who say, “I have so much, and yet I feel unfulfilled. I’ve got a good family. I’ve got a good job. I’ve got great kids. I’ve got good friends. I’ve got a good congregation to be a part of. Why am I so unfulfilled?” It’s because you were made for more than this! You were made for more than survival. You will never find fulfillment in life until you begin to live in God’s Kingdom, by God’s power, and for God’s glory.

How do you live a fulfilled life — the kind of life that you were designed by God to live?

The Bible says in 1 Thessalonians 2:12, “You should live in a way that proves you belong to the God who calls you into his kingdom and glory” (GW).

What does it mean to live in God’s Kingdom? It means you make God’s agenda your agenda. You make God’s will your will. You care about what God cares about. Whatever you want God to bless, put him first in that area.

What does it mean to put God first in your life? I made up a little acrostic, FIRST, to give you five things you need to put God first in.

Finances: If you want God to bless your finances, even during a recession, you must tithe. Sorry! There’s no other alternative.

Interests: Put him first in your hobbies, your career, and your recreation. Give God first consideration in every decision.

Relationships: Put him first in your family, your marriage, and your friendships.

Schedule: That means you give him the first part of every day. You get up and sit on the side of your bed every morning and say, “God if I don’t get anything else done today, I just want to love you a little bit more and know you a little bit better.”

Troubles: You need to turn to God first when you have a problem. Prayer should never be your last resort. It should be your first choice.

This devotional ©2013 by Rick Warren. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

CHRISTIAN BEST ONE LINERS - 12

To be an instrument in God's orchestra we must be tuned into Him daily.

Life insurance is terminal. Life assurance is eternal.

Life is like a loaf of bread. It doesn't matter who kneads it. It's all in who raises it up to feed thousands.

There are many books to read. But only one is written in Red.

The water only gets deep when you take your eyes off of Jesus.

The Bible is your Fathers toolbox He can fix anything.

Do not take over God’s work!

Wisdom flourishes when men seek after God. It dies when they seek after themselves.

Storing treasures in heaven means no bank fees.

Life is good because Jesus is Awesome.

Put God into the equation and watch everything balance out.

The Bible is the only book ever written where the author is present every time it is read.

You can't have a crop on the mountain top if you do your planting in the valley.

The church is not a museum for Christians, but it is a hospital for sinners.

Our future is as secure as God's promises.

HE WHO IS WITHOUT SIN AMONG YOU, LET HIM THROW A STONE

“…He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.” – John 8:7

One day the scribes and pharisees brought a woman caught in adultery to Jesus Christ to know His judgement. According to the Law of Moses they want to stone her to death. At that time Jesus Christ said that the one who is without sin can throw a stone at her first. Those who heard His word were convicted by their conscience and they left. And Jesus was left alone with that woman standing in the midst.

Everyone felt that they were sinners and left but Jesus Christ who is a Holy one stood there. He has the right to judge her and stone her but He said, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.” What a comforting words! Even though He had the right to condemn her, Jesus Christ never condemned her.

But what are we doing today? We hear someone telling something wrong about others. We do believe that without any evidence and we spread the news to those whom we know. There were times we get to know someone’s mistakes directly. Instead of keeping that within our hearts we threw stone at them hastily. How much their heart will get hurt? Before throwing the stone have you ever thought about your own life? Or have you ever thought about the other ones feelings?

Many years back I know a young girl who was studying in a college. I used to call her at times for some reasons. At that time I was so young and don’t have enough Spiritual maturity. On one particular week I called her several times and at those times she will be on another call talking to someone. Once she calls me back she used to tell me that she was talking to a particular boy of her class. I could not understand their relationship but they were actually good friends. I don’t know much about their relationship but yet I decided to throw a stone at her one day.

Even though I myself was a sinner, I called her on a particular day and told her that she was doing wrong things with mobile. Also I told her that I felt something bad about her behavior and so on. I kept my phone and never thought about it again. But on the very next day she came and met me with tears and said, “At times even spiritual people behave like an ordinary human. You did hurt me yesterday by your words and I learnt not to trust anyone in this world.”

I felt so bad that the stone which I threw had hurt her. I asked her forgiveness. Later she had gone out of the college without being in any wrong relationship.

That incident thought me a lesson that I should not throw stone at anybody at any time. After that I never tried to judge other people mistakes.

My dear young friends do not throw stone at anyone. Do not speak hastily to others in anger. If you have to throw a stone you should not have any sin within your life and once you have no sin in your life you will never a thought to throw a stone upon others.

If you find someone doing mistakes pray for them. If someone does any wrong thing against you leave them to God so that He will judge them. Being God’s children don’t ever hurt anyone by your words or deeds. Do not throw stone at anyone. God bless you. 

GOD'S HOLDING PATTERN - AUTHOR UNKNOWN

Many times God will allow a painful situation or a painful circumstance in our life to "swallow us up." This season in our spiritual growth is a holding pattern. We can't move to the left or the right. All we can do is sit, like Jonah sat in the belly of that great fish, so God can have our undivided attention and speak to us. God put Jonah in a holding pattern because He needed to speak to his heart. Jonah was all alone. There were no friends to call, no colleagues to drop by, no books to read, no food to eat, no interference, and no interruptions. He had plenty of time to sit, think, meditate, and pray.

When we're deep down in the midst of a difficult situation, God can talk to us. When He has our undivided attention, He can show us things about ourselves that we might not otherwise have seen.

A Few of God's Holding Patterns:

1. When you are sick in your physical body and you have prayed but God has not healed you yet, you are in a holding pattern.

2. When you are having problems with your children and you have put them on the altar, but God has not delivered them yet, you are in a holding pattern.

3. When you have been praying for the salvation of a loved one and they have not been saved yet, you are in a holding pattern.

4. When you are in a broken relationship and you have given it over to God, but it has not been restored yet, you are in a holding pattern.

5. When the doors slam shut before you can knock on them, you are in a holding pattern.

When we are deep in the belly of a difficult situation, there are no interruptions. God has our undivided attention. All we can do is sit, think, meditate, and pray. We cannot run from God because there are no Mountains that are high enough, valleys low enough, rooms that are dark enough, or places that are hidden enough from Him. We must remember to praise Him while we're waiting and remember three things:

1. The pattern has a purpose.

2. The pattern has a plan.

3. The pattern has a process.

So stop struggling and start listening, praying and trusting. He'll keep you right where you are until you can clearly hear Him say, "I love you."