This Week With Jesus

Deuteronomy Chapter 28 verses 1 and 13 “And if you faithfully obey the voice of the Lord your God, being careful to do all his commandments that I command you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth. And And the Lord will make you the head and not the tail, and you shall only go up and not down, if you obey the commandments of the Lord your God, which I command you today, being careful to do them". Leadership is a subject which has received much attention from the management perspective. It is now agreed that Servant Leadership is a powerful concept and probably the best leadership style. But did you know that the concept of Servant Leadership was best exemplified by Jesus Christ? Christ's Leadership is further based on Biblical principles, starting with the 10 commandments, through the proverbs and in fact every book of the Bible. Some of the key traits practiced by Jesus Christ are - Humility, Focus, Story telling (or explaining through

What do we do with our gifts? This is an ever-present  question. But  first, let me point out the difference between a present and a gift. A Gift is something of value given by one person to another without consideration, out of love, with no expectation of return. A Present, on the other hand, is something of value given by a person who is invited to attend a function or party, such as, a wedding party, birthday party, marriage-day party etc. Unlike a gift, which is absolutely free, a present is not given absolutely free; there is an understanding of giving and taking — present is given in lieu of taking part in the function or party We all receive Gods gifts - as blessings.  Our nontransferable skills, talents, job etc., are gifts coming from God's blessings. The greatest gift of all was God's gift to mankind, Jesus Christ. The question is what do we do with these gifts?  Ms. Francis Taylor sums it up beautifully when she prays - "When God blesses us with abundance, even

Leaders embrace the unknown Read: Genesis 12 Managing risk and uncertainty is a mandatory skill and habit for business leaders. They are called upon to maintain a stable attitude whether they are in a profitable state or a loss scenario. Seldom do they flinch from carrying out what they are supposed to do. Yet, in personal lives we normally hate risk and hate uncertainty. We avoid such situations to the best of our abilities. In our reading today, Abraham was directed to head out to a distant land, not knowing how and why. He is the e ample of someone embracing the unknown. Not questioning or doubting, just with faith in the future. A future based on a promise made by Jehovah. How many of us would do that? Yet Abraham did and we all know how it turned out for him. We can be leaders in our homes, our workplace or society, carrying out our purpose and our role assigned to us.  Like Abraham, we too can make a difference.

BIBLE PASSAGE – ROMANS 12:9-21 The Principle of Replacement The Principle of replacement states that it is not enough to passively accept the enemy’s actions or even accept it in order to leave it to God’s intervention and justice. We are to do the opposite: we are to replace evil with good. Why? That is the very opposite to what we have been taught!.  Because, by doing good to the one who has wronged us may shame the other person into repentance and a change of way. Paul closes this passage saying do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. This is not easy in fact it is costly because it sometimes involves taking on the pain of someone else’s wrong doing. But overcoming evil with good may result in gaining a friend and promoting reconciliation in the process . These words may have been written thousands of years ago but are as true today as then. Today these words are as relevant, as crucial, and, as important as they were then because we are living in a

BIBLE PASSAGE – ROMANS 12:9-21 While we discussed resolutions yesterday and, taking a cure from Paul, we looked at "building a Biblical New Year Resolution". From verse 14 onwards Paul changes gears to talk about behaving like Christians with non-believers. Make no mistake, this is a crucial admonition especially in the world we are living in today. Paul says we are to relate to non-believers the same way we relate to other believers: with love Even when non-believers persecute us do good even to those who treat us badly. The post tragedy behaviour of Mrs Gladys Staines is a beautiful example of this : ‘bless those who persecute you, bless and do not curse’. It takes god’s grace to be truly concerned about the successes and needs of other people. Verse 16 is extremely crucial in defining behaving like Christians : be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. do not be wise in your own opinion. Simply put, t

BIBLE PASSAGE – ROMANS 12:9-21 Most people make new year resolutions! In fact, A study in the us in 2016 showed that 41% of Americans made new year resolutions but by the end of the year only 9% could claim to have been successful in keeping those resolutions. The reasons for this failure are many - unrealistic goals, poor record-keeping, plain forgetfulness, and, an unrealistic number of resolutions. I don’t know how many of us make new year resolutions. I don’t, but perhaps a good way to start would be to follow the list given by Paul in our bible passage today. Paul in this section of his letter to the Roman church is advising and cautioning them, and us, to ‘behave like Christians’. As a church, as people, I think that is a good resolution to make and then strive to keep it. But what exactly does he mean? Paul talks about behaving like Christians within  the church, with other Christians (verses 9 to 13) and behaving like Christians outside the church, with others (in ve

Show me your ways, LORD, teach me your paths you would have me go this coming year. Show me your vision for me a d Guide me in your truth and teach me. for you are God my Savior, my provider, and my protector and my hope is in you all day long, every day. Your thoughts and plans for me will give me an expected end. Remember, LORD, your great mercy and love, for they are from of old and yet are new every morning, in your great faithfulness. So I do not lose hope. Do not remember the sins of my youth, of past years gone by, and my rebellious ways, but forgive me my transgressions, according to your love remember me, for you, LORD, are good. Yet, even as I am your work in progress, help me, in all things shewing myself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, and good speech. Fill our homes with your presence, for me and my house, have and will, serve you. And in this coming year, and years after that, renew our strength and that of our children, and