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Just to let you know again:
Book one covers the years up until the end of 2004 when I first
met Rommel. The second book tells our story from New Years day
2005 until the present.
MARK
14: 8
"She did what
she could..."
In the last week of Jesus'
earthly life it is recorded that this woman came to anoint His
body with costly perfume. These actions have been analysed through
the centuries and much written. I would like to concentrate on
these few words of Jesus as He committed to preserving her story
so that those actions would never be forgotten.
The point is this, she did
what she could. Do you know that many Thai people do not accept
Christianity because they believe it is a lazy religion? In Buddhism
the people grow up believing that the only way to obtain a better
'next life' is to earn points (make merit) in this life. You
will see them offering food to the monks in the early morning;
lighting candles and incense at the altars and spirit houses.
You will see young men spending time as a monk because in so
doing their parents are sure of a better afterlife. You will
see trees with paper money pegged to the branches - money offered
for good fortune. To a Buddhist, good works is all about making
sure that you will do better next time round. Ensuring that your
good actions outweigh your bad.
As Christians we can tell them
all this is unnecessary as Christ has paid our debt and we can
freely accept Him. Salvation and forgiveness is not dependant
on our works. When we talk to them about Jesus paying the price
for us by His death on the cross of Calvary, the Thai say that
we Christians are lazy. It is true that because Jesus did it
all, we don't have to add anything. When Buddhists observe many
Christians, what they see confirms this opinion. Christians (generally
speaking) are lazy. We find it easy to sit and let life go by
and do only what is necessary to exist in this life without building
for the next. We have eternal life; and so many of us sit out
this earthly one waiting for the promised 'home in glory' with
all its benefits.
Jesus wanted this woman to
be remembered. His words were, "...she did what she could..."
Jesus also did all that He could for us. He gave His all, He
gave His life. Have we done all that we can? Maybe for you that
means more prayer; for others it will mean going to the mission
field with all the accompanying sacrifices; for some it will
mean sharing God's resources (i.e. everything we 'own') with
God's people and for His kingdom; for others bringing hope and
good news to their neighbours.... All of us are capable of doing
something for God. Would He have said of us "...(he/she)
did all that they could"?
What is it that you need to
be doing for God? What stops you?
...let us throw off everything
that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us
run with perseverance the race marked out for us... Hebrews 12:
1
Until next month...
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