GLUTTONY

During the 14th century, Raynald III was a duke in what is now Belgium. As the result of a violent quarrel, Raynald’s younger brother Edward successfully revolted against him.

When Edward captured Raynald, he built a room around him featuring windows & a door & promised him that the day he left the room his title & property would be returned to him.

The problem with this arrangement was that Raynald was grossly overweight & could not fit through the openings in the room. Raynald needed to lose weight before he could leave the room.

Edward knew that his older brother could not control his appetite & sent him delicious food every day. As you may imagine, Raynald grew fatter during this time.

Anytime someone accused Duke Edward of treating Raynald cruelly, he said: “My brother is not a prisoner. He may leave when he so wills.”

Raynald stayed in that room for ten years & wasn’t released until after Edward died in battle. By then his health was so ruined that he died within a year.

He was a prisoner of his own appetite. (ministry127.com)

“I believe that gluttony is as much a sin in the sight of God as drunkenness.” - Charles Spurgeon.

Pro 23:2 (KJV): “And put a knife to thy throat, if thou be a man given to appetite.”

KINDNESS

A gentleman saw a boy thief in his flower garden. He went forth quietly in a roundabout way to meet the boy & coming up behind him, laid his hand on the boy's shoulder, saying: "Now, my boy, answer me one question: Which is the best flower in my garden?"

The boy, finding no escape, looked around & after a few minutes' pause, said, "That rose is best," as he pointed to a beautiful moss rose.

The gentleman, still keeping one hand on the boy's shoulder, reached out his other hand & plucking the rose in all its beauty, gave it to the boy. As he released him, he said, "There, take it, my boy." The boy was amazed.

Looking into the face of his strange benefactor, he said, "Aren’t you going to have me punished, sir?" "No," was the reply; "but as I am going to give you the best flower in my garden, you will never steal from my flower beds again, will you?" "Never, sir, as long as I live," was the emphatic reply; "but, please, sir isn’t there some little errand I can do for you?"

Free forgiveness & a token of love had won the hardened boy's heart & from that hour he was the willing servant of his friend. (Christian Herald, London)

“Be kind to the unkind people. They need it the most.” - Ashleigh Brilliant.

Pro 11:17 (ESV): “A man who is kind benefits himself, but a cruel man hurts himself.”

CRUCIFIED WITH CHRIST

A.W. Tozer says that people who are crucified with Christ have three distinct marks:

1. They are facing only one direction.
2. They can never turn back.
3. And they no longer have plans of their own.

“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” – Paul (Gal 2:20 ESV)

“True friends face in the same direction, toward common projects, interests, goals.” - C.S. Lewis.

Heb 10:39 (CEV): “We are not like those people who turn back and get destroyed. We will keep on having faith until we are saved.”

“There is always death at the end of your plan and life at the end of God's plan.” - Rod Parsley.

NO TIME FOR GOD?

What fools we are to clutter up
Our lives with common things
And leave without heart's gate
The Lord of life and life itself
- Our God!

No time for God?
Some day you'll lay aside
This mortal life and make your way
To worlds unknown,
And when you meet Him face to face,
Will He - should He
Have time for you? - Norman L Trott.

Psa 90:12 (GNB): “Teach us how short our life is, so that we may become wise.”

“If Satan can't make you bad, he'll make you busy.” - Adrian Rogers.

If you are too busy to attend the Sunday service and a mid-week meeting, then you are busier than God wants you to be.

THE LOVE OF GOD

“Salt, when dissolved in water, may disappear, but it does not cease to exist. We can be sure of its presence by tasting the water. Likewise, the indwelling Christ, though unseen, will be made evident to others from the love which He imparts to us.” - Sadhu Sundar Singh.

Rom 5:5 (KJV) says: “…the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.”

“If we have got the true love of God shed abroad in our hearts, we will show it in our lives. We will not have to go up and down the earth proclaiming it. We will show it in everything we say or do.” - D.L. Moody.

2Co 13:14 (MKJV): “May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the LOVE OF GOD, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen.”

A GOOD SOLDIER

“I think of David Livingstone, the pioneer missionary to Africa, who walked over 29,000 miles.

His wife died early in their ministry and he faced stiff opposition from his Scottish brethren.

He ministered half blind. His kind of perseverance spurs me on.

As I run, I remember the words in his diary: Send me anywhere, only go with me. Lay any burden on me, only sustain me. Sever me from any tie but the tie that binds me to Your service and to Your heart.” (‘Through The Fire’ - Joseph Stowell)

“When the going gets tough, the tough get going.” - Joseph Kennedy.

2Ti 2:3 (CEV): “As a good soldier of Christ Jesus you must endure your share of suffering.”

EXCELLENCE IN THE MIDST OF A LOT OF FAILURE

Edward Steichen, who eventually became one of the world's most renowned photographers, almost gave up on the day he shot his first pictures.

At 16, young Steichen bought a camera and took 50 photos. Only one turned out -- a portrait of his sister at the piano.

Edward's father thought that was a poor showing. But his mother insisted that the photograph of his sister was so beautiful that it more than compensated for 49 failures.

Her encouragement convinced the youngster to stick with his new hobby. He stayed with it for the rest of his life, but it had been a close call.

What tipped the scales? The vision to spot excellence in the midst of a lot of failure. (Bits & Pieces)

Before Jephthah became a ruler, how was his situation? (Jud 11) Son of a prostitute, chased out of the house by his step-brothers & his friends-circle consisted of ‘worthless people.’ Though he was living in such a negative environment, he had one positive quality – ‘brave soldier.’ Obviously because he focused himself on his positive quality, God used that quality as a handle to lift him up into public service.

Hence, Php 4:8 (ISV) says: “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is fair, whatever is pure, whatever is acceptable, whatever is commendable, if there is anything of excellence and if there is anything praiseworthy-keep thinking about these things.”

GROWING IN THE LORD

“A group of tourists visiting a colorful village walked by an old man sitting beside a fence. In a rather patronizing way, one tourist asked him, “Were any great men born in this village?” The old man replied, “No, only babies.”

Every person who is a born-again believer starts life as a baby in Christ. Whether the new convert is six or sixty, that person is still a new Christian and needs to grow in the Lord.

God intends for us to grow and mature so that we can be a positive influence in the lives of others. Until we learn to dig into the meat of the Word for ourselves, we will never grow.” - John Maxwell.

“Every Christian would agree that a man's spiritual health is exactly proportional to his love for God.” - C.S. Lewis.

“Pride is a barrier to all spiritual progress.” - Harry Ironside.

Heb 5:12 (GW): “By now you should be teachers. Instead, you still need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God's word. You need milk, not solid food.”

“Spiritual growth depends on two things: first, a willingness to live according to the Word of God; second, a willingness to take whatever consequences emerge as a result.” - Sinclair B. Ferguson.

WHOM ARE YOU FEEDING?

A grandfather talking to his grandson about a tragedy he witnessed:

“I feel as if I have two wolves fighting in my heart. One is the vengeful, angry, violent one. The other wolf is the loving, compassionate one.”

“Grandfather, which wolf will win the fight in your heart?” asked his Grandson.

Grandfather answered, “The one I feed.” (academictips.org)

"But I see a different law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity under the law of sin which is in my members." -Paul (Rom 7:23).

Rom 6:16 (ISV): “Don't you know that when you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one you obey-either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness?”

“No one can sum up all God is able to accomplish through one solitary life, wholly yielded, adjusted, and obedient to Him.” D.L. Moody.

When One Door Closes, Another Opens…

A jobless man applied for the position of ‘office boy’ at a very big company.

The employer interviewed him, then a test: clean the floor.

“You are hired,” the employer said. “Give me your email address, & I’ll send you the application to fill, as well as when you will start.”

The man replied, “I don’t have a computer, neither an email.”

“I’m sorry,” said the employer, “if you don’t have an email that means you do not exist. And who doesn’t exist, cannot have the job.”

The man left with no hope. He didn’t know what to do, with only $10 USD in his pocket.

He then decided to go to the supermarket, bought a 10kg tomato crate, then sold the tomatoes door to door. In less than two hours, he succeeded & doubled his capital.

He repeated the operation 3 times & returned home with $60 USD. The man started to go everyday earlier & returned late. Thus, his money doubled or tripled everyday. Shortly later, he bought a cart, then a truck & then he had his own fleet of delivery vehicles.

Five years later, the man’s company was one of the biggest food retailers. He started to plan his family’s future & decided to have a life insurance.

He called an insurance broker & chose a protection plan. When the conversation was concluded, the broker asked him his email. The man replied: “I don’t have an email.”

The broker replied curiously, “You don’t have an email & yet have succeeded to build an empire. Do you imagine what you could have done if you had an email?”

The man paused for a while & replied: “An office boy!”

Don’t be discouraged if something is not in your favor today. Better opportunities are waiting ahead. (academictips.org)

Rom 8:28 (CEV): “We know that God is always at work for the good of everyone who loves him…”

WHAT GOES AROUND COMES AROUND!

In 1892, an 18-year-old orphan student at Stanford University was struggling to pay his fees. He & a friend decided to host a musical concert on campus to raise money for their education.

They reached out to the great pianist Ignacy J. Paderewski. His manager demanded a guaranteed fee of $2000 for the piano recital. A deal was struck.

The big day arrived. But unfortunately, they had not managed to sell enough tickets. The total collection was only $1600. Disappointed, they went to Paderewski & explained their plight. They gave him the entire $1600, plus a cheque for the balance $400. They promised to honor the cheque at the soonest possible. “No,” said Paderewski. “This is not acceptable.”

He tore up the cheque, returned the $1600 & told the two boys: “Here’s the $1600. Please deduct whatever expenses you have incurred. Keep the money you need for your fees. And just give me whatever is left”. The boys were surprised & thanked him profusely.

Paderewski later went on to become the Prime Minister of Poland. He was a great leader, but unfortunately when the World War began, Poland was ravaged. There were more than 1.5 million people starving in his country & no money to feed them. Paderewski did not know where to turn for help. He reached out to the US Food & Relief Administration for help.

The head there was a man called Herbert Hoover - who later went on to become the US President. Hoover agreed to help & quickly shipped tons of food grains to feed the starving Polish people. A calamity was averted.

Paderewski was relieved. He decided to go across to meet Hoover & personally thank him. When Paderewski began to thank Hoover for his noble gesture, Hoover quickly interrupted & said, “You shouldn’t be thanking me Mr. Prime Minister. You may not remember this, but several years ago, you helped two young students go through college. I was one of them.” (academictips.org)

Indeed, what goes around comes around!

Heb 13:16 (GNB): “Do not forget to do good and to help one another, because these are the sacrifices that please God.”

MOTHER’S LOVE (A real-life story in Vietnam)

The Vietnam War broke out. A young husband joined the military and sacrificed his life leaving behind his wife & kids.

Life postwar was very hard. Still young & beautiful, the wife refused to remarry & dedicated her entire life to raise her kids with the best possible care & education.

An opportunity came; the first born son immigrated to America, studied hard & became a NASA Engineer having a good life.

The son sent home letters often, together with much money for mom to spend, however, year after year, with the many excuses, the son stubbornly refused to travel home to visit mom.

When the mother died, the son returned & organized a big funeral but people did not see him shredding tear.

Mother left behind a chest that she always placed at the top of her bed. During the funeral, the son opened the chest & suddenly bursted into tears, sobbed, embraced his mother’s coffin & screamed hysterically, “Mom! Mom!”

Everyone looked at each other & looked at the chest. It was full of $100 dollar bills & a piece of paper.

In it read, “Son, I don’t spend too much money. I miss you a lot. Every time I hear a motorcycle passing by, I run out the door but it wasn’t my son. I saved this money for you in case when you get sick.” - Michael Luong.

Isa 49:15 (GNB): “So the LORD answers, "Can a woman forget her own baby and not love the child she bore? Even if a mother should forget her child, I will never forget you.”

“Such was God's original love for man that He was willing to stoop to any sacrifice to save him; and the gift of a Savior was the mere expression of that love.” - Albert Barnes.

“Whom should we love, if not Him who loved us & gave himself for us?” - Augustus Toplady.

AN EXAMPLE

In England, in the last generation, Robert Arthington was a shining example of Christian stewardship.

He lived in a single room, cooked his own meals, and shared his friendship with students who were in need. Yet he gave to Christian missions more than $25,000,000 during his lifetime.

After his death these words were found on a slip of paper: "Gladly would I make the floor my bed, and a box my chair, and another box my table rather than that men should perish for want of the knowledge of Christ." – (Cyclopedia of Bible Illustrations)

Can we imitate him to a little extent?

2Co 8:3 (CEV): “They gave as much as they could afford and even more, simply because they wanted to.”

“There is nothing wrong with men possessing riches. The wrong comes when riches possess men.” - Billy Graham.

''If you give what you do not need, it is not giving.'' - Mother Teresa.

Shall we at least give what we do not need, to start with?

ENCOURAGEMENT FROM JEREMIAH

“I began preaching rather early; much sooner than I think boys should be allowed to preach. My judgment on the matter now is not in keeping with my feelings then; I felt I had been called of God to preach. Others had the same thought, and I was invited to help in a series of revival meetings in a town some distance from my home.

After the first service in which I had preached, as I left the church a very fine woman remarked, "What can he know about God? He is only a child." That woman will never know how near I came to fainting; it was the first word I had heard in opposition to my own desire. I at once decided that I should take the first train for home in the morning. I do not remember ever in my life to have felt more dejected.

My habit was to read a portion of Scripture before retiring for the night. I opened my Bible at random and my eyes espied these words: "But the Lord said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shall go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shall speak. Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the Lord" (Jer. 1:7, 8).

I will confess I rather fell in love with Jeremiah. The train that would take me from the pulpit had not yet started. I did not run away, but had the joy of seeing many souls brought to God.” - Dr. F. B. Stockdale.