Christian Reflection and Prayer

Speaking before the Council of
Athens, the Apostle Paul said:

 24 “He is the God who made the
world and everything in it. Since he
is Lord of heaven and earth, he doesn’t
live in man-made temples, 25 and
human hands can’t serve his needs—
for he has no needs. He himself gives
life and breath to everything, and he
satisfies every need. 26 From one
man he created all the nations
throughout the whole earth. He decided
beforehand when they should rise and
fall, and he determined their boundaries.

 27 “His purpose was for the nations to
seek after God and perhaps feel their way
toward him and find him—though he is not
far from any one of us. 28 For in him we
live and move and exist. As some of your
own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’
29 And since this is true, we shouldn’t think
of God as an idol designed by craftsmen
from gold or silver or stone.

 30 “God overlooked people’s ignorance
about these things in earlier times, but now
he commands everyone everywhere to repent
of their sins and turn to him. 31 For he has
set a day for judging the world with justice by
the man he has appointed, and he proved to
everyone who this is by raising him from the
dead.”

 32 When they heard Paul speak about the
resurrection of the dead, some laughed in
contempt, but others said, “We want to hear
more about this later.” 33 That ended Paul’s
discussion with them, 34 but some joined him
and became believers.(Acts 17: 23-34)  NLT

Scripture:
   
Then he said to them, "Anyone who
welcomes a little child like this on my
behalf* welcomes me, and anyone who
welcomes me also welcomes my Father
who sent me. Whoever is the least
among you is the greatest
Luke 9:48, NLT    

Reflection:

What is greatness?  Am I a great person?
I m not a well known person, I have not
done anything in life that is note worthy,
I'm not a hero, I'm not a celebrity.
I'm just me.  So what makes me great!
Christ tells us caring for others is a
measure of our greatness.  How much
do you care?  How much concern do you
show to others?  These are important
questions to accurately measure your
greatness in God's eyes. 
Let me ask something when is the last
time you showed your care for someone
else, especially those who are helpless,
or needy, or poor?   When is the last time
you expressed compassion and caring
to someone who can't return your love
and concern?  YOUR HONEST ANSWER
TO THAT QUESTION WILL GIVE YOU A
GOOD IDEA OF YOUR REAL GREATNESS.

Psalm 12

5 “Because the poor are plundered and the
needy groan,
I will now arise,” says the LORD.
“I will protect them from those who malign them.”
6 And the words of the LORD are flawless,
   like silver purified in a crucible,
   like gold[c] refined seven times.
7 You, LORD, will keep the needy safe
   and will protect us forever from the wicked,
8 who freely strut about
   while depravity is honored by the human race.

"Go where you are least wanted, for there
you are most needed."
Abigail Kelley Foster
Pacifist Abolitionist
(1811-1877)

In the movie Gladiator, General Maximus
Decimus Meridius seeks to stir his cavalry
to fight well in the imminent battle against
Germania. Addressing his troops, he
challenges them to give their very best.
He makes this profound statement:
“What we do in life echoes in eternity.”
These words from a fictional military
leader convey a powerful concept that
is of particular significance to believers
in Christ. We are not just taking up time
and space on a rock that’s floating in
the universe. We are here with the
opportunity to make an eternal difference
with our lives. Jesus Himself said, “Lay
up for yourselves treasures in heaven,
where neither moth nor rust destroys
and where thieves do not break in and
steal” (Matt. 6:20).
HAVING THE PERSPECTIVE OF
LIVING FOR ETERNITY CAN MAKE
ALL THE DIFFERENCE IN THIS
WORLD
(Bill Crowder; January 3, 2007)