The Emperor's Friend

The Emperor's friend.

Was there a time in your life you did some thing or anything to please anyone? A friend, sibling, a parent, a colleague, for fear of loosing the relationship or gaining favor. If we are truly honest with ourselves, we will agree that we've all done so and do so daily, weather it's giving in to a spouses demand, a child's plea, putting up with the unreasonable request of a sibling or nasty attitude of a friend. 

I believe that whatever we tolerate we allow or give permission to continue, regardless of our intention and in allowing or tolerating unreasonable behavior we crucify something else, our ability to excise control, decent behavior, integrity, honesty and  all that's good .

We may not know it and may think we are doing the right thing by caving in therefore avoiding conflict, but what  we are doing is giving our seal of approval for bad behaviour to continue. 

In John 19, we see this behaviour in
Pilate. He  was reluctant to crucify Jesus, but he was not ready to lose the friendship of the emperor. Choosing rather to crucify all that's good and true.  yes it was part of God's grand plan, but God's plan would still have come to pass had he decided to do the tight thing.

While Pilate's act was part of God's plan, and we can see the result today. can we say that of our actions or inability to take a stand?if it's part of God's plan, can we point to one positive outcome as a result of our action.
What's the effect on us, others, in allowing and encouraging bad behavior? 

You may remain the emperor's friend, but lose your integrity. if you fail to take a stand. 

So i urge you to be bold and take a stand against all that's evil, if that means losing a friend, sibling, colleague, or anybody else, (all some form of emperor) because an emperor is an important person, so be it. 
 But remember evil  trives when good refuses to flourish.  
So i urge you straight from my heart is this piece encouraging you to flourish, grow, be decisive, daring without demanding,
Firm without being incorrigible
Helpful without being proud
Bold without being boastful. 
Active without being awful.
Caring without being spiteful.
Remain bless as you decide whose side you want to be on. 

My Lover's Love

Grace like a river, goodness like the ocean,
Love poured on me like rain
vast and unending, and on display for all to see
is my Lord's love for me.
It keeps giving, flowing and drowning me,
in the streams of his love,
when I falter, he shelters,
when I weaver, he steadys me
such is my lovers' heart towards me
Love unshakeable, undoubtable
like a river flowing down,
always poured on me.

Grace Alone

How do you live life daily? In fear, doubt and worry? Or do you commit your ways to God’s hands believing he can handle whatever comes your way.

For a long time I was a worry wart, trust me I worry about every little thing, I even worry when I have nothing to worry about. I guess it stems from being impatient. I had to learn that it doesn’t matter how much I worry about an issue, it will turn out the way God wants it to.

That revelation saved my life, now I enjoy the peace that only God can give regardless of whatever circumstance I face.

God has not called us to live a life of worry, fear and pain. Yes, we will face disappointing situations as we journey through life, he said in his word that in this world we will have trials and tribulations, but he didn’t stop there… the other promise is that we can be cheerful knowing that he has overcome on our behalf. So in the mist of that difficult situation, perplexing problem and unimaginable enigma, let the hope of overcoming in Christ fill you with cheer.

I was saved by grace the moment I realised that I am not in control of whatever happens. I came to realise that after the initial disappointment of not realising our dreams, reaching our goals and having our desires met, we can dust ourselves and get back up again.

Being a Christian does not immune us from problems, though our pain may be great, we can be assured of God’s grace through each difficulty.

Grace alone is what carries us through when others are falling down from the weight of their problems,

Grace embraces us and keeps us hoping,

grace assures us of a better outcome,

Grace ignites in us a spark that radiates for all to see,

Grace gives strength for the journey,

Grace applauds us when we persist and keep on,

Grace enables us to ignore the jeers and sneers of the crowd,

Grace illuminates our paths and paves the way for a glorious dawn,

Grace always accepts us when we falter and waver,

Grace alone makes the difference.

© Deboo March 2009

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