"Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come" - 2 Cor 5:17 (NIV).
The tomato is a vegetable berry widely used for soups, salads and even cocktails. When mature it beams with a succulent red. Because of its value farmers of tomatoes often engage in spraying chemicals to ward off pests as it ripens. Usually then it bears ugly marks till maturity. It might have looked bad on the outside but once harvested it is full and juicy inside.
In the Christian life something that matters most is what is inside us rather than outside. When a Christian encounters troubling storms his pose might look tried. However, because we have the power of the Holy Spirit holding us within while the outside may pose concern there is a beauty that glows inside.
If you have noticed the world is so focused on the outside while ignoring the inside. Consider how much is spent on cosmetics to improve our physical appearence, a struggle which is actually a race against time. Eventually the outside fades with age and natural contours give way along with grey hair.
However, if one has given attention to the inside, the Holy spirit enables one to flower with age. Anyone of us should be more concerned with what is inside than the outside. For as the Apostle Peter once elaborated, "Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight" (1 Peter 3: 3-4).
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, today I pray for beauty that flows from within, of a gentle and quiet spirit, which does not fade as it is in you, this I pray in Jesus's name.
Related upcoming events
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29/04/2024 - 30/04/2024 All day“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid” (John 14:27)
One of the most moving Christian song ever written is, “Its well with my soul!” To hear it sung in cathedrals, concerts or at funerals, always leaves many with goose bumps. It has uplifted many through the most difficult of moments, soothing their weary spirit.
It’s coming into being in many ways show how God so often uses difficult situations to bless so many. In 1871 Horatio Spafford, was one of the wealthiest lawyers, based in Chicago. He was also a devout Christian, along with his wife Ann, and their four daughters. But early in 1871 came the Great Fire of Chicago that destroyed Spafford’s sizable investment.
Devastated from the loss, Spafford, seeking to recover, two years later, decided to go for a holiday in Europe. But at the last minute he was detained by business, letting Ann and his four daughters to proceed, hoping to join them. No sooner had they left when the ship in which they were had an accident and sank within minutes. All the four children drowned, though Anna survived.
Spafford on receiving the news decided to go and pick up Ann. As he got to the spot where the ship had sunk, in his despair came the words that have brought respite to so many, through generations. “When peace like a river attendeth my way. When sorrows like sea billows roll Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say It is well, it is well with my soul... Let this blest assurance control That Christ (yes, He has) has regarded my helpless estate, And has shed His own blood for my soul. It is well...With my soul..
It is well, it is well with my soul.”It is said as Ann saw her daughters going down, she said, “God gave me four daughters. Now they have been taken from me. Someday I will understand.” And, indeed, “It is well with my soul” was God’s gift to all of mankind through a tragedy.
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of heaven, sometimes through tragedies, it is difficult to understand or appreciate the moment; but as the song goes, whatever the difficulty may be, “Its well with my soul” for you are with me, no matter! This I pray in Jesus’ name!
