LOOKIGN THROUGH A WINDOW

Living in today's metropolitan world of cellular phones, mobile computers and other high-tech gadgets are not just hectic but very impersonal. We make money and then invest our time and effort in making more money. Does it end? Not usually because we are never satisfied. How many times have we convinced ourselves that if only we had some more money, life would be so sweet? But then, after receiving a substantial raise, we realize that it wasn't enough and that we need more?

What Should You Do?
I have read many books on life such as Robin Sharma's Monk says this and the monk says that, and they all seem to say that money is not necessary. But it is. Can you do without cash and a lot of it? I know I can't.

So, I went to the neighborhood Rabbi and asked for advice that will help me find my true way in life. The rabbi nodded and took me to the window. "What do you see?" he asked me.

Promptly, I answered, "I can see people walking to and fro and a blind man is begging for alms at the left corner."

The Rabbi nodded and guided me to a big mirror. "Now look and tell me what you see?"

"I can see myself," I man answered.

The Rabbi smiled. "Now you can't see anyone else. The mirror and the window are both created from the same raw material: glass, but because on one of them they have applied a thin layer of silver, when you look at it all you can see is your own reflection."

The Rabbi placed his arm on my shoulders. "Compare yourself to those two pieces of glass. Without the silver layer, you saw the other people and felt compassion for them. When you are covered with silver, you see only yourself."

I looked at the Rabbi and stared. "I don't understand."

The Rabbi continued. "You will become someone only if have the courage to remove the silver covering over your eyes in order to again see and love others." He patted me on my back and sent me on my way.

I have thought of what he said and come to the conclusion that he had a point. Yes. We need money and we should not aim to lead a moneyless existence; it’s pointless and will only cause our families and us much heartbreak in the future.

Instead, I suggest that we should follow the advice the Rabbi gave me. When we approach life through a silver covering, all we are able to see is ourselves. But discard that covering, and you will be able to see and feel everyone else.

In life, we are allowed to and should be able to look at both kinds of mirrors, but we should remember that a mirror reflects only us; a window is the door to compassion, health and true wealth. In other words, seek wealth by all means, but don't let it dissuade you from life, people, children and the poor and needy.

WHERE ARE YOU LORD???

"Where are you, Lord when I need you most?" That cry has been heard since the fall of Adam and its consequences. Although sometimes it seems as if He is far away, God has always been there. Abel knew Him, Enoch walked with God, as did Abraham. Isaac, Moses, David and many others were all after God's heart and knew how to turn to Him for their needs and hear His Voice.

Then, in the fullness of time Jesus came and redeemed you by His sacrifice on the cross of Calvary. He is the Light that shines in the darkness (John 1). Call on the Name of Jesus. He is as near as the mention of His Name. He knows your needs before you even ask.

You can go to Him as a little child climbs on his daddy's knee. Jesus taught us how to pray by giving us what is widely known as the Lord's Prayer. Sadly, however, many people who recite it by memory do so without knowing the full context of the verse in the Bible. They may not realize that Jesus in the text immediately preceding this prayer warns his disciples not to pray repetitive words, as the Pharisees and others do. Instead, He teaches to go into your prayer "closet," a quiet, restful place undisturbed by the hustle and bustle of daily life.

The Lord's Prayer is so rich with so much food for spiritual thought. Meditate on each phrase and then formulate it in your own words. For instance, what does Our Father mean? Why don't you just say "father," "daddy," or "my father"? Might Jesus be explaining in those two words that you are to be mindful of the fact that he is also the "daddy" of the person who may have hurt you deeply? What would be better: reciting "hallowed be thy name" in old English or to praise Him spontaneously, telling Him how much you love Him and thanking Him for all that He has already done for you? Are you aware that He is coming very soon to take you and all those who have made Him Lord over their lives up with Him and that together with Him you will reign forever? Do you pray for the lost to come into His kingdom before that day, and for the fulfillment of His reign on earth and the eventual true Peace?

Just as He has declared every Word in the Bible, which is established in heaven and earth, when you pray do you acknowledge that every Word, for instance: "By His stripes you were healed," (Isa. 53:5) WILL come to pass here on the earth? Your part is only to acknowledge, speak, and believe it. When you ask for your daily bread, wouldn't it be good to thank Him for all His provisions including the ones you need right now?

When you go to God with a contrite heart, you will know that you are forgiven.

Every morning it is a good thing to thank Christ for His precious Blood, which is your covering us from any evil that may befall us. Reach out for His Wisdom in all things with praise on your lips at all times.

Yes, the Lord's Prayer is rich with instructions on how to come near to Him. You may want to open your Bible to it when you pray and meditate on it, phrase by phrase.

You will get a new revelation every time you do so and, best of all, you will experience His Presence!

PEACE IS A PROCESS

There is a process of peace underway. Throughout the world nations are clamoring for peace. From Afghanistan to Iraq, Gaza and Lebanon we see destruction, violence and utter desolation. Israel is at the very heart of this process. Whether we understand it or not, the whole earth is embroiled in a spiritual battle. Although it seems like a number of unrelated wars between nations, nationalities, or religions, ultimately they are striving either for or otherwise against God's Kingdom to be established.

True Peace shall be established when the Lord returns and sets up His Kingdom in Israel. "Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone; a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation." (Isa. 28:16)

Just as the Ark of the Covenant was built in the wilderness exactly to God's specifications, so Jerusalem is the pattern of the heavenly City of God will be established on earth. His will shall be done on earth as it is in heaven. (Luke 11:2) For every physical element on the earth there is a spiritual counterpart.

"I have made a covenant with my chosen, I have sworn unto David, my servant, thy seed will I establish for ever, and build up thy throne to all generations. My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips. Once I have sworn by my holiness that I will not lie unto David, his seed shall endure forever, and his throne as the sun before me." (Ps. 89: 3,4,34-36) Jesus is that seed, (Luke 3: 23-38) By His sacrifice on the cross, all nations can become grafted in and become the spiritual Israel.

"The desert shall rejoice, and blossom like the rose. It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing. Strengthen the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees. Say to them that are of a fearful heart. Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, he will come and save you. The eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. For in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert. And a highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called: The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it. And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away."

OUR ATTITUDES… CREATE OUR FUTURE

Do you have a glad heart? Or, do you consistently worry? Are your thoughts filled with negative anticipation and worthless fears of tomorrow? Or do you wake up each day with a grateful heart that you are still alive and enjoying the grace of God?

Do you realize you are creating your future by the very attitude you posses?

In Proverbs 15:15: it says it this way, "All the days of despondence and affliction are made evil by anxious thoughts but he who has a glad heart has a continual feast regardless of circumstances."

We have an "either - or" situation here. Have a glad heart and a continual feast, or have your days made evil by "negative thinking." It's all an attitude.

Your attitude is supported by your beliefs and your beliefs are vital to your success or failure in life.

Jesus said, "As you have believed, let it be done unto you" (Matthew 8:13).

Whatever emotion you experience at any given time is supported by a particular belief. If you are experiencing joy, there is an underlying belief that supports that emotion. If you are experiencing discouragement, there is an underlying belief supporting that too.

If you know God is taking care of you and watching out for your best interest, then relax. Have a glad heart and know He is in control, for the peace of God surpasses all understanding.

If, for some reason, you are experiencing some negative emotion, your believing in something that is causing it.

So, the next time you're exuding a poor demeanor; slumped shoulders, shallow breathing, a sagging facial expression, just stop and ask yourself, "What is the belief that is supporting this behavior?" Once you recognize it, you can change it. It's just a decision.

Notice the phrase, "despondence and affliction." The word "despondence" means losing hope. As long as God is alive, there is no reason to lose hope. "He is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.

This power that works in us is our faith. Jesus said, "According to your faith let it be done unto you" (Matthew 9:29). God gives us the “grace of abundance in anything”, but we were also given the freewill to believe or not to believe.

Remember, we create our future by the very attitudes we posses, so we need to remember this and always be careful to not worry and keep trusting in God.