Windows On The Soul

In times of great despair, people will often start to question the reason for their existence. But why do we wait until we are at rock bottom to ask the most important question that every person must face up to? We have not been created to live a long, healthy, prosperous life in the pursuit of happiness, or just to be loving and kind to our fellow mankind, or even to live a holy righteous life. These may be desirable or even necessary, but they are not the essence of why we exist. The principal reason for our existence is that our lives should bring glory, honour and blessing to God ( Rev.5:13 ) . Our being or existence is different to what we do. Just as a beautiful work of art brings honour to its artist, so our existence should bring glory to our creator. But the dirt and grime of sin have tarnished, and restoration is required. It is in a state of righteousness through Jesus, restored per our creator’s original intent, that we are called to live. Then we will be able to refle...

" Combine dry ingredients with milk and eggs. Mix well; do not beat" . So goes the recipe book, but the same instructions should apply to Christians, who are called to be the " salt of the earth ". Why are new Christians the most effective in evangelism? Partly because they still have plenty of "non-Christian" friends. How easy it is as the years pass, to make our church the focus of our social and community activities as well as for worship and spiritual growth. As important as these latter are, our spiritual growth is not for personal gain, but as the means to God's end. Just as Israel was called to be " a blessing to the nations ", we are called to be " the salt of the earth " and " the light of the world ". ----xxxXxxx---- Gen.12:2-3 "...you shall be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you. In you all the families of the earth shall be blessed" 1 Cor.7:16 ...

It's the "great Australian dream" isn't it, the goal of every newly-wed couple - to "get on our feet". We have so many euphemisms - "getting ahead", "financial independence", "standing on our own two feet", and so forth. From childhood, peaking in our teens, we are exhorted to study hard to get a good education in order to get a well paid job. As newly weds, its scrimping and saving "just until we have enough for a deposit on a house". By then of course its having enough to give the new baby every opportunity. Finally, with the children off our hands, the prospect of retirement and living off our savings is looking us in the face. Right to the end, some are worrying whether they will have enough to pay for their funeral. What a worry-some lot we humans are ( Ps.39:6 ). This isn't the sort of life God wants us to lead ( Mt.6:25 ). The most joy-full life comes when we live by faith and trust ( Lk.12:29 ), when prayer...