Who is The Greatest Among You. Part [1] 08/19/2025 (Morning thought)

Matthew 20:20 Then came to him the mother of Zebedee’s children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him. 21 And he said unto her, what wilt thou? She saith unto him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom.

It was the revealed will of God to make the nation of Israel great in the sight of the other nations, which in turn would bring honor to His name, while at the same time attracting the peoples of earth to the One and only true God. And since God’s purposes for His people, the world over have not changed with the passage of time, we who live in the 21st century are gently reminded in the Bible of what it means to be great in the sight of heaven.

According to the Scriptures, true greatness consists of several components which when interfaced with each other, produces a person or a nation of sterling character. Many of the things that are accounted as greatness in the world, are foolishness in the sight of God and Christians are cautioned to avoid conflating the two very different concepts in our minds, lest we come to wrong conclusions, and cultivate aspirations that are neither endorsed or recognized by The Lord.

According to worldly, and secular concepts, a great man, or a great nation is one that has tremendous wealth, one that wields unlimited, and apparently unchecked power, and one that has other people and nations in subservience. This is what Nebuchadnezzar gloried in when all of a sudden, the voice from heaven announced the great change in his fortunes by which he was rendered on a level playing field with animal kingdom.

Matthew 20:22 But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are you able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, we are able. 24 And when the ten heard it, they were moved with indignation against the two brethren.

May The Lord add His blessing to the study of His word. God bless!

Two Sides To A Story. Part [11] 08/19/2025 (Evening thought)

Galatians 6:Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, you which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. 2 Bear you one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

There are times and there would be times when you may be tasked with listening to two sides of a story, where only God, who reads the heart, could make a correct determination and thus, the instructions we are given in the Bible will greatly help in navigating any potential mine fields.

More than this, the spirit of love will help to mend broken relationships, and soothe frayed nerves even as we endeavor to reflect Christ in our interactions with others. Whenever rumors, tales, and stories may have to be dealt with, let your conclusions be redemptive, and conciliatory in nature, as much as is possible, for the Christian must seek reconciliation, not annihilation as is too often the case.

God will bless all such efforts if we seek His wisdom and guidance in these matters, for as was stated up front, He does not leave Christians alone, to handle volatile situations all by themselves when they may have stories or tales to deal with. We therefore end with a passage of Scripture that should point us in the direction of reconciliations, wherever possible, for this is the good and perfect will of God.

James 5: 19 Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; 20 Let him know, that he which converts the sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and shall hide a multitude of sins.

May God add His blessing to the study of His word. “Good night” and God bless!