|
The Dead
Sea
received
its name
because
no life
can
exist in
its
waters.
The
Jordan
River is
the
source
of fresh
water
for it,
but as
soon as
the
water
reaches
the Dead
Sea, it
can’t go
any
further,
so it
becomes
stagnant.
The
fresh
part of
the
water
evaporates
rapidly
in the
hot
desert
climate
and all
the
salt;
minerals,
etc. are
left
behind.
The dry
air
absorbs
the
water
evaporating
and
creates
a
natural
sunscreen.
This can
happen
in our
Christian
walk. If
all we
do is
take in
without
ever
giving
out,
then we
are
going to
become
stale
Christians.
All the
blessings
and
knowledge
we
receive
from God
are
going to
evaporate.
We do
not want
to be a
“son”-screen,
and
screen
out
Jesus
from the
rest of
the
world.
We want
to share
Jesus
with the
rest of
the
world.
But, the
more we
allow
ourselves
and our
spiritual
life to
become
stale,
the more
we are
being a
son-screen
rather
than a
witness
to
others.
Many of
us take
in
mercy,
grace,
forgiveness,
love and
all the
blessings
both
material
and
spiritual
from God
and
never
give any
of it
away. We
are
intended
to be
vessels,
to pour
out to
others
what we
receive
from
God.
“And
become
useful
and
helpful
and kind
to one
another,
tenderhearted
(compassionate,
understanding,
loving-hearted),
forgiving
one
another
[readily
and
freely],
as God
in
Christ
forgave
you.”
Ephesians
4:32 AMP
|
“For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.” Matthew 6:14 NKJV
The
things
we learn
in the
Scriptures
we are
to share
with
others,
to help
lead
people
to the
Lord. We
are to
do
Kingdom
business
here on
earth,
sharing
what we
have
whether
it is
knowledge,
love or
material
items.
“For the
harvest
truly is
great,
but the
laborers
are
few...”
Luke
10:2a
NKJV “And there was a man called Zacchaeus, a chief tax collector, and he was rich.” Luke 19:2 AMP
“And
when
Jesus
reached
the
place,
He
looked
up and
said to
him,
Zacchaeus
hurry
and come
down for
I must
stay at
your
house
today.
So he
hurried
and came
down,
and he
received
and
welcomed
Him
joyfully.
And whe
Eating
in a
person’s
home was
a
significant
act in
biblical
times,
signifying
fellowship
and
acceptance.
Zacchaeus
RECEIVED
and
welcomed
Jesus
joyfully;
and in
response
promised
to give
half of
his
goods to
the poor
and
restore
four
times
the
amount
to
anyone
that he
had
cheated.
The law
only
required
that
Zacchaeus
restore
the
original
amount
plus
one-fifth.
The
proof of
receiving
salvation
is not
that we
do what
we must
to make
things
right,
but that
we
gladly
do more. November 19, 2001 |
Spiritually
we can
be
vessels
for God,
by
giving
time,
encouragement,
love,
mercy,
grace,
forgiveness
and
other
forms of
support.
This
includes
forgiving
the
people
we
encounter
on a
daily
basis.
Not just
our
friends,
family
and
coworkers,
but the
people
that cut
us off
in
traffic,
or are
slow in
front of
us in
line.
Giving
mercy,
grace
and love
to
others
can be
part of
our
daily
lives. A
kind
word, a
smile,
letting
someone
go ahead
of you,
these
are all
little
ways
that we
can
bless
others.
Sometimes
all
people
need is
to be
listened
to, or
noticed
and
given
time.
n
the
people
saw it,
they all
muttered
among
themselves
and
indignantly
complained,
He has
gone in
to be
the
guest of
and
lodge
with a
man who
is
devoted
to sin
and
preeminently
a
sinner.
So then
Zacchaeus
stood up
and
solemnly
declared
to the
Lord,
See
Lord,
half of
my goods
I give
[by way
of
restoration]
to the
poor and
if I
have
cheated
anyone
out of
anything,
I
restore
four
times as
much.”
Luke
19:5-8
AMP