Isn’t it amazing how Father teaches His children? A lesson can be as few as one word. In this world men vie to be the focus of attention, to be self-centered and egotistical. Men desire prominence, to be the best at their game, to be the greatest in the world in their pursuits. In sports individuals and teams compete to be “champions of the world”. Imaginary super-heroes do great feats to “save the world”. Men want to be the top dog or alpha male to lead and command subservience and respect. Movie stars, singers, and entertainers want to be the best at their craft for financial rewards as well as objects of adoration by their fans. And for this they cannot have peace in the public without paparazzi vexing them and fans pressing them for a handshake or autograph. Stalkers have hounded some stars and disturbed their life. All this is because men in this world want to be “numero uno” and the greatest of all. As you can see men in this world have a problem inherent with wanting to be in the limelight and worshipped by an adoring public. Even presidents need the Secret Service to insure their safety and they cannot live in peace like common and ordinary men. Now look at this.

Mark 9:33. And he came to Capernaum: and being in the house he asked them, What was it that ye disputed among yourselves by the way? 34. But they held their peace: for by the way they had disputed among themselves, who should be the greatest. 35. And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all. 36. And he took a child, and set him in the midst of them: and when he had taken him in his arms, he said unto them, 37. Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me.

Genesis 25:21. And Isaac intreated the Lord for his wife, because she was barren: and the Lord was intreated of him, and Rebekah his wife conceived. 22. And the children struggled together within her; and she said, If it be so, why am I thus? And she went to inquire of the Lord. 23. And the Lord said unto her, Two nations are in thy womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels; and the one people shall be stronger than the other people; and the elder shall serve the younger. 24. And when her days to be delivered were fulfilled, behold, there were twins in her womb. 25. And the first came out red, all over like an hairy garment; and they called his name Esau. 26. And after that came his brother out, and his hand took hold on Esau's heel; and his name was called Jacob: and Isaac was threescore years old when she bare them. 27. And the boys grew: and Esau was a cunning hunter, a man of the field; and Jacob was a plain man, dwelling in tents.

Luke 13:29. And they shall come from the east, and from the west, and from the north, and from the south, and shall sit down in the kingdom of God. 30. And, behold, there are last which shall be first, and there are first which shall be last.

Luke 14:7. And he put forth a parable to those which were bidden, when he marked how they chose out the chief rooms; saying unto them. 8. When thou art bidden of any man to a wedding, sit not down in the highest room; lest a more honourable man than thou be bidden of him; 9. And he that bade thee and him come and say to thee, Give this man place; and thou begin with shame to take the lowest room. 10. But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room; that when he that bade thee cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, go up higher: then shalt thou have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee. 11. For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. 12. Then said he also to him that bade him, When thou makest a dinner or a supper, call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, neither thy kinsmen, nor thy rich neighbours; lest they also bid thee again, and a recompence be made thee. 13. But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind: 14. And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just.

1 Samuel 2:27. And there came a man of God unto Eli, and said unto him, Thus saith the Lord, Did I plainly appear unto the house of thy father, when they were in Egypt in Pharaoh's house? 28. And did I choose him out of all the tribes of Israel to be my priest, to offer upon mine altar, to burn incense, to wear an ephod before me? and did I give unto the house of thy father all the offerings made by fire of the children of Israel? 29. Wherefore kick ye at my sacrifice and at mine offering, which I have commanded in my habitation; and honourest thy sons above me, to make yourselves fat with the chiefest of all the offerings of Israel my people? 30. Wherefore the Lord God of Israel saith, I said indeed that thy house, and the house of thy father, should walk before me for ever: but now the Lord saith, Be it far from me; for them that honour me I will honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed.

Do you want a quick blessing? If so, then you should take Jesus’ advice. Become the least and most inconspicuous in your affairs in this life. Do not seek fame and prominence in this world and in human affairs. Your peace can be at stake. Do not desire popularity nor seek the praise of men. Flattery and egomania have led to the downfall of many in this life. Humble yourself before your Father who sees in secret and weighs the hearts of men. Let Him lift you up. He will honor you, and you will be BLESSED! So every time you see the single word, BLESS, just remember the sermon it teaches. Blessed are those with eyes that see, ears that hear, and hearts that understand the work of our Father! Can you say, “Amen”?!

John,
GOOD NEWS, Inc.

"Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart." Ps 26:2

Sort of makes me think of a story I heard one time. Two brothers lived in the wild west who were thieves, robbers, and killers etc... One of them died and his brother went to a preacher to perform his funeral. The preacher was aware of the life of the person who was dead and he didn't want to perform the ceremony. The brother told the preacher that he'd give him $10,000 to do the ceremony and that the only thing that the preacher HAD TO SAY somewhere in his message was that the deceased was AN ANGEL. The preacher struggled with this for quite a while and then he came up with the solution. He gets up to give the EULOGY and says "now this man laying before us today in this casket was a miserable soul. He robbed, stoled, killed, and ran around with people who were just like him all of his life, BUT, compared to his brother he WAS AN ANGEL."

Problem solved, truth spoken, and all was OK.

I just thought you all could maybe use a small laugh today. Hope you enjoyed that!

A Concerned Believer