Haman built a gallows to hang Mordecai and instead was hanged on it. Our wishes for others ought to match our desires for ourselves. If we apply the Golden Rule across the board, we will be fine. As long as we do not wish any hurt or harm upon anyone and wish them the same prosperity we wish ourselves and our loved ones, all will be well. If we dig a pit, we may fall in it.

Imagine having diamond at your disposal yet still going around foraging for diamonds because you are not even aware that you have it right there in your presence? No need to point a finger at Philip because many of us are exactly like that! We are not even aware of what we already possess. God has given us all that we already need to get by. We only need to utilize it. In and through Christ we can accomplish all things. Today let us be aware of who we are and whose we are!

Imagine seeking to pick up our salaries before we even begin to work. Such a thing is unheard of! Yet many of us would wish for this sort of thing. Tell the truth now! And sometimes we seek to get ahead because we know someone in a high position. Now this is what Zebedee’s wife was requesting for her sons- that they get special treatment! However, we will get our pay; all we need to do is do our job well and stay on point. And as the scriptures rightly say, ‘the Father who sees in secret will reward us openly.’

Acts 2: 42

And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. KJV

The Disciples of Christ continued the work after he left them. They understood the mandate that was given to them and did not slacken off. The scriptures use the word ‘steadfastly’ to tell how they approached this very important task that the Master left them. The same applies to us today. We must work and work steadfastly. The work is no less important because we are in the 21st Century. In fact, with all the distractions that we have to contend with, I posit it is even more important. May God help us to do the work that He has called us to do.

Psalm 145: 19
He fulfills the desires of all who fear him; he also hears their cry and saves them. NRSV

God will grant us what we most desire when we show awe, reverence and obedience which is the essence of a righteous fear of God. Our desires are usually aligned with godliness when we fear God. The writer of psalm adds that God hears the cry of those who fear God and saves them. Reliance on God is what the righteous can count on because God never changes and honors those who honor Him.

John 13: 34

I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. NRSV

There was a song made popular by Amy Grant over twenty years ago entitled ‘My Father’s Eyes’.   In it she sang of having ‘eyes that see the good in things when good is not around’.  I propose that one way to address the struggles we may have loving those whom we consider difficult to love is to adopt the posture of seeing them as we would have them become; in much the same way a mother wishes the best for a wayward or problematic child. She does not ‘wish them away’, but rather that they would change their behaviors and become what God intended them to be yet all the while loving them unconditionally. We have to love one another not because of, but in spite of. After all, we ourselves are not perfect beings.  We each have our own shortcomings.  We have to love one another because that is what God has asked us to do. Jesus gave this new commandment and Jesus was not a teacher who just told his followers what to do- he showed them.   No-one can accuse Jesus of teaching in abstract. Jesus led by example. He broke every barrier when he touched the untouchables and loved the unlovable. Love conquers all.  Let’s seek to have ‘our Father’s eyes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WZoGqRDsc_c

Read Acts 11: 1-18

Verse 18:
But the voice answered again from heaven, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common. KJV

No good parent shows favoritism for any particular child. All are treated as loved and equal. The Gentiles are God’s as well as the Jews.  God is the creator of  all.  So God spoke to Peter in a vision and told him not to ostracize anyone because He determines who is clean or not and what He has cleansed Peter should not call unclean. It is interesting why Peter would have this vision seeing that like his master, Jesus, he too was intermingling with the ‘outcast’. But perhaps his upbringing and the fact that he as being heckled by ‘keepers of the law’ could have occasioned such a vision. Maybe he was having conflicting thoughts. Whatever it was, God straightened it out. We must always remember that God has the last word and that what God has put His stamp of approval on we do not have the right to despise. God is the ultimate judge, after all.

John 10:1
Very truly, I tell you, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold by the gate but climbs in by another way is a thief and a bandit. NRSV

Oh boy, oh boy. This could be a very disconcerting scripture verse-depending on who is listening. There are those of us who want the short cut and as they say in my corner of the globe in our vernacular, ‘shortcut draw blood’. Some of us do not want to put in the work that it requires to succeed. This reminds me of some of my students who say things to the tune of, ‘that’s too much work’. Is that right? You shall see. No pain, no gain. You see, Jesus is simply saying there are no shortcuts. We must follow the path he followed. There is only one way to get eternal life and our Lord himself is the gatekeeper. Yes!

Read Psalm 23

Verse 4:
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. KJV

There is no telling what the righteous may have to endure but God promises to be our guide and stay. There is comfort in God. In God’s presence there is no need to be afraid. So while there is no promise of a smooth sailing, there is a definite promise for a safe anchor on the other side. Thank God for His preserving mercies and tender loving care.