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Thursday, February 9, 2012
We've not had much snow this winter so we were pleased to receive a bit yesterday!
Mollie sure enjoys playing in it.
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"For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?" (Matthew 16:26).
I have had this Scripture print practically since I began my ministry in the seventies.
What a solemn reminder from our Lord!
A 24-year-old British musician named Dante Knoxx tried to sell his soul for $38,000 on EBay several years ago but the sales site bars the sale of intangible items. The musician wanted the money to kick-start his career. Wired magazine reported that a 29-year-old university instructor succeeded in selling his immortal soul for $1,325. He said, “In America, you can metaphorically and literally sell your soul and be rewarded for it.” No word on how the purchaser intended to collect!
You may not be able to sell your soul but Jesus gave a solemn warning concerning losing or forfeiting it.
The soul and the spirit are connected, but separable (Hebrews 4:12). The soul is the essence of humanity’s being; it is who we are. The spirit is the aspect of humanity that connects with God. That's a very simple understanding; you can spend a lot of time studying this topic as I did in preparation for the message! Suffice it to say our soul has utmost value.
Many years ago I memorized today's verse. These solemn words of our Lord ought to be etched deeply onto the tablets of our hearts and firmly established in our minds: "For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?"
Jesus very pointedly asks two rather simple but loaded questions:
Commentator Matthew Henry reflects: "As the happiness of heaven with Christ is enough to make up for the loss of life itself for Him, so the gain of all the world in sin, will not make up for the ruin of the soul by sin. And there is a day coming, when the cause of Christ will appear as glorious, as some now think it mean and contemptible. May we think of that season, and view every earthly object as we shall do at that great day."
We are but stewards in this life called to manage the property and affairs of Another. Our treasure, time and talents (work skills) and indeed our very life are gifts from God. When it's all over on this side we will fully realize that, "We brought nothing into this world, and we can take nothing out of it." Let's choose to live each day with that sobering realization.
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily Prayer:
Father,
Your Scriptures teach us that we're not home yet; we're just
passing through. This world is all we've physically known
so it is only through our spiritual transformation of salvation that we
are able to transport our affections to our future home where we've
never been. Fix
our hearts and our minds upon that which is imperishable, that which
satisfies the soul and lifts us above the allurement to this world
along with the troubles it brings. There is nothing in this world
that is of greater worth or has more lasting value than our salvation
in Christ, and it is in His name that we pray. Amen.
Thursday, February 9, 2012
We've not had much snow this winter so we were pleased to receive a bit yesterday!
Mollie sure enjoys playing in it.
Listen
to this
message on
your
audio player"The Value Of The Soul"
"For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?" (Matthew 16:26).
I have had this Scripture print practically since I began my ministry in the seventies.
What a solemn reminder from our Lord!
A 24-year-old British musician named Dante Knoxx tried to sell his soul for $38,000 on EBay several years ago but the sales site bars the sale of intangible items. The musician wanted the money to kick-start his career. Wired magazine reported that a 29-year-old university instructor succeeded in selling his immortal soul for $1,325. He said, “In America, you can metaphorically and literally sell your soul and be rewarded for it.” No word on how the purchaser intended to collect!
You may not be able to sell your soul but Jesus gave a solemn warning concerning losing or forfeiting it.
The soul and the spirit are connected, but separable (Hebrews 4:12). The soul is the essence of humanity’s being; it is who we are. The spirit is the aspect of humanity that connects with God. That's a very simple understanding; you can spend a lot of time studying this topic as I did in preparation for the message! Suffice it to say our soul has utmost value.
Many years ago I memorized today's verse. These solemn words of our Lord ought to be etched deeply onto the tablets of our hearts and firmly established in our minds: "For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?"
Jesus very pointedly asks two rather simple but loaded questions:
- "For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul?"
- "What will a man give in exchange for his soul?"
Commentator Matthew Henry reflects: "As the happiness of heaven with Christ is enough to make up for the loss of life itself for Him, so the gain of all the world in sin, will not make up for the ruin of the soul by sin. And there is a day coming, when the cause of Christ will appear as glorious, as some now think it mean and contemptible. May we think of that season, and view every earthly object as we shall do at that great day."
We are but stewards in this life called to manage the property and affairs of Another. Our treasure, time and talents (work skills) and indeed our very life are gifts from God. When it's all over on this side we will fully realize that, "We brought nothing into this world, and we can take nothing out of it." Let's choose to live each day with that sobering realization.
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily Prayer:
Father,
Your Scriptures teach us that we're not home yet; we're just
passing through. This world is all we've physically known
so it is only through our spiritual transformation of salvation that we
are able to transport our affections to our future home where we've
never been. Fix
our hearts and our minds upon that which is imperishable, that which
satisfies the soul and lifts us above the allurement to this world
along with the troubles it brings. There is nothing in this world
that is of greater worth or has more lasting value than our salvation
in Christ, and it is in His name that we pray. Amen.Today's
Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources
"Now I Belong To Jesus" Video Haven of Rest Quartet An old hymn with outstanding lyrics.
"How Great Thou Art" Video Chris Rice "Then sings my soul!"
"I Have Decided To Follow Jesus" Video Selah Including portion in KIKONGO (African)
"I'd Rather Have Jesus" Video Crabb Family
"Sometimes I Cry" Video Jason Crabb
Interesting music: This morning we were visiting one of the companies we serve as chaplains that does laser cutting. They had some photos of some of their projects. One is work for a musician with quite an interesting approach using carillon mounted on a trailer. Video Cast In Bronze (website)
Send
a message
to Stephen &
Brooksyne
"Now I Belong To Jesus" Video Haven of Rest Quartet An old hymn with outstanding lyrics.
"How Great Thou Art" Video Chris Rice "Then sings my soul!"
"I Have Decided To Follow Jesus" Video Selah Including portion in KIKONGO (African)
"I'd Rather Have Jesus" Video Crabb Family
"Sometimes I Cry" Video Jason Crabb
Interesting music: This morning we were visiting one of the companies we serve as chaplains that does laser cutting. They had some photos of some of their projects. One is work for a musician with quite an interesting approach using carillon mounted on a trailer. Video Cast In Bronze (website)
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Scripture references are from The Holy Bible: New International Version. © 1984 by International Bible Society; NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. and the King James Version.
Personal Mission Statement: "I am created by God to bring Him glory. Through God's Son Jesus Christ I have been redeemed and I make it my life's goal to please the Lord. My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and to prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity."
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