Where is the Love? (2 Masters)

Messages come through to us in a myriad of different ways. I was with some friends last night, and this song was played.I found it refreshing, because its truth. We live in a blinded world, driven by greed, consumerism and materialism. Its everywhere and sadly even within Christendom. If most problems in the world were boiled down to there essence, we would find 'greed'and 'fear' as the root causes.

The bible speaks very clearly about whats important in life and whats not.

Treasures in Heaven
19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
22 “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!

24 “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.

On my recent visit to America, I had an experience that has stayed with me. I attended an event, which was pretty much a wash out, torrential rain had been forecast, and it didn't let us down. Many people didn't come because of the weather..and I suppose thats understandable. On one of the nights, when the wind was howling, and the rain bucketing down, some believers had arranged a church service. They gathered in a small group to sing songs to God and give testimony of what he has done in their lives. Initially I wasn't going to attend that little service, because of the terrible weather, and the only shelter from it, consisted of a building with a roof, but no sides. Then the thought came to me 'If my saviour could be born in a smelly old manger for me, then the least I can do is worship him out in the storm, so I donned my coat and went out there.
Well the singing was so beautifull and soft...(drowned out in part from the raging weather), and the sharing was from the heart and genuine. I truly felt the spirit of the Lord there...and I believe the others who stood around that night did too. It felt sort of like a sacred moment, because I knew that no matter what happened in life, believers in the Lord, don't need any props, we don't need buildings, we don't need sound systems, we don't need power pionts..all we need is each other and the word of God. The Spirit is whats important....and if its sweet and honest, then love is there too...and where there is Love, lives are changed and miracles happen. Its not about the money, money, its about the spirit and about Love.

The pastor at the church I attend and his family are very humble people. They have 9 children, 4 of them still live at home. The house they live in is provided by the church and its the most plainest, humblest house you could imagine. It looks like it hasn't been redorated since the 1970's and there are definelty no mod cons and nothing fancy inside it. The dishwasher looks like it came out of the ark...and I think its only fired up for special occasions. They always have people over for meals and they're the happiest looking couple I've ever met. In my opinion they live 'Its not about the money, money'...really and truly...and I find that inspiring in this world today. Its obvious where their treasure lays and where there hearts is.
Be Blessed,
Linda - Follower of the Way

A Living Temple

“‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven."
Mathew 6: 9 & 10

Doing Gods will should be our first and greatest goal in life.

Here's a true story from the book 'Praying the names of God' - by Ann Spangler

Lalani is a Sri Lankan woman who knows what it is to depend on God to provide for her. In 1986 she married Lionel Jayahsinghe, a former Buddist monk, who had converted to Christianity after reading a tract. Shortly after their marriage the two began a small house church, despite the opposition of local monks, who went door to door warning people against them. It wasn't long before Lionel started recieing death threats. One Friday in March 1988 Lalani heard a gunshot. Lionel had been shot in the face. her husband stumbled into their bedroom, followed by an assailant who stabbed him repeatedly. As she turned away to shelter her 11 month old son, she heard another gun shot.
After Lionel's death Lalani became determined to continue the work they had begun in their home, despite threats against her own life. During the years that followed, the church grew despite continued opposition. At one point the roof was burned and later on, in 1999, the church property was bombed. Today their are 1200 believers, that attend the church that she and her husband founded.
Not long ago Lalani travelled to another city..
When asked how things were with her church, she replied "Wonderful, Praise the Lord". later she gave a more detailed report, telling how the local opposition had that week organised a protest march against her church and then burned the thatch roof.
Stunned by this news, someone in the meeting asked why she said everything was wonderful. "Obviously she said enthusiastically, "since the thatch is gone, God must intend for us to have a metal roof."

What a remarkable statement ! Instead of complaining about her hardships (and they must be many) Lalani praised God, because she fully expected her heavenly father to turn these difficulties into a blessing for the church.
We should all reflect on the faith of this amazing and couragious woman. !!

Reading this devotional today got me to thinking about the way we gather to worship the Lord, and more specifically where we gather. For the Lord isn't living in a building. Yes he meets with us there, and he dwells within us..but he is also everywhere. So we can be alone or in company and still praise his name, worshipping him in spirit and in truth no matter where we are. Praise him for that and for freedom from persecution.
Praise God that he does not dwell anywhere that man can destroy.

In the old testament Soloman says in 1 Kings 8:27 “But will God really dwell on earth? The heavens, even the highest heaven, cannot contain you. How much less this temple I have built."

2 Corinthians 4:6 - 12
For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.
7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 8We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 10 We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 11 For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body. 12 So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.

1 Corinthians 3: 16-17
"Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person; for God’s temple is sacred, and you together are that temple."


Blessings to you all - Linda Follower of the Way

The Narrow Road

Mathew 7: 13-14 The Narrow and Wide Gates
13 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

Mathew 6: 19-21 Treasures in Heaven
19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Jeremiah 6:16
This is what the LORD says: “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.