Z is for Zeal...

Z is for Zeal

The Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary defines zeal as:

: eagerness and ardent interest in pursuit of something 

What a way to end the A to Z Challenge.  I feel like I have approached this challenge with much zeal.  I pray that we, as Christians approach our relationship with Jesus Christ with a zealous attitude.  I hope and pray that each one of us is eager and passionate about the Word and our eternal home in Heaven.

‘Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.  And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.’    Deuteronomy 6:4-7

Our children and even the world need to see our love for God not only in church related events but also in our everyday walk.

‘And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.’     Acts 8:36-38

                   

‘Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.’     Romans 10:1-2

‘Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;’     Romans 12:11

‘For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.’     Ephesians 2:10

‘Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.’     Ephesians 6:10-13

Each of us needs to have the zeal or eagerness to walk close enough to Jesus Christ that we can withstand the devil, we will be ready for him.

I have thoroughly enjoyed the challenge.  My hope and prayer is you have been blessed along the way and perhaps it has given you more to think about as it did me.

until next time…nel

Y is for Yielding or Yield...

Y is for Yielding or Yield

The online definition from Merriam-Webster for yielding is:

1: productive yielding wheat>

2: lacking rigidity or stiffness: flexible

3: disposed to submit or comply  yielding temperament>

The Webster’s Desk dictionary defines yielding as:

1: inclined to surrender or submit

2: flexible or compliant

The desk dictionary is what we will look at.  I think we, as Christians need to be yielding to the Holy Spirit.  We need to be more surrendering to the Word of God.  He has given us the instructions or manual to have eternal life if we only yield ourselves to Him and not temptations of this world.

‘And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.’    Genesis 3:6

‘When I saw among the spoils a goodly Babylonish garment, and two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold of fifty shekels weight, then I coveted them, and took them; and, behold, they are hid in the earth in the midst of my tent, and the silver under it.’    Joshua 7:21

Yielding to temptation started way back in the Garden of Eden when the serpent tempted Eve.  Throughout the Bible we can see different situations where the people yielded to temptation.  We need to be careful or we will yield to temptation in our world today.

‘But now, O LORD, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand.’    Isaiah 64:8

We need to yield to our Lord and not to temptation.

until next time…nel

X is for Xenophobia...

X is for Xenophobia

The online definition is:

 fear and hatred of strangers or foreigners or of anything that is strange or foreign

I can think of several people who may have Xenophobia.  Unfortunately we hear of it every day in the world.  We tend to call it racism or hate.  Xenophobia was also prevalent in biblical times.

‘And the child grew, and was weaned: and Abraham made a great feast the same day that Isaac was weaned.  And Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, which she had born unto Abraham, mocking.  Wherefore she said unto Abraham, Cast out this bondwoman and her son: for the son of this bondwoman shall not be heir with my son, even with Isaac.’    Genesis 21:8-10

‘Then she fell on her face, and bowed herself to the ground, and said unto him, Why have I found grace in thine eyes, that thou shouldest take knowledge of me, seeing I am a stranger?’    Ruth 2:10

Foreigners were not always welcomed in Israel but Boaz welcomed Ruth because of her reputation of being kind and generous with others.

‘And Haman said unto king Ahasuerus, There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the people in all the provinces of thy kingdom; and their laws are diverse from all people; neither keep they the king’s laws; therefore it is not for the king’s profit to suffer them.  If it please the king, let it be written that they may be destroyed; and I will pay ten thousand talents of silver to the hands of those that have the charge of the business, to bring it into the king’s treasuries.  And the king took his ring from his hand, and gave it unto Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the Jew’s enemy.  And the king said unto Haman, The silver is given to thee, the people also, to do with them as it seemeth good to thee.’    Esther 3:8-11

‘Thus saith the LORD; Execute ye judgment and righteousness, and deliver the spoiled out of the hand of the oppressor: and do no wrong, do no violence to the stranger, the fatherless, nor the widow, neither shed innocent blood in this place.’    Jeremiah 22:3

We need more than good works to save us; we have to live obediently to God.

‘And I will bring you out of the midst thereof, and deliver you into the hands of strangers, and deliver you into the hands of strangers, and will execute judgments among you.  Ye shall fall by the sword; I will judge you in the border of Israel; and ye shall know that I am the LORD.’    Ezekiel 11:9-10

‘And it came to pass, as he went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off: And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us. And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests.  And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed. And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan. And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine?  There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger. And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.’     Luke 17:11-19

These scriptures show us even in Biblical times there were people that were hated and treated badly, but we need to remember Jesus loves everyone.  And He alone provides a way for us to deal with those who despise us or mistreat us.

until next time…nel