NOVEMBER 24 - She Did What She Could

NOVEMBER 24 - She Did What She Could     "Leave her alone," said Jesus. "Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. . . . She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial. I tell you the truth, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her." — MARK 14:6, 8 – 9   When it comes to the Chris tian life, the stakes are high. Things like heaven, hell, and eternal reward. You and I get only one chance on earth to live a life pleasing to our Master. No starting over and no reincarnation. We have been given life and breath to prove our faith and demonstrate what we believe. It's why I sometimes wake up at night, wondering, Am I doing this thing called "the Chris tian life" right? Am I making the most of the moments God gives me?     I found a calming, reassuring answer the other day in Mark 14. When the woman poured expensive perfume on Jesus' head, some people at the banquet thought she did a stupid thing. But Jesus rebuked them harshly and said, "Leave her alone . . . she did what she could do . . . and I think it's beautiful." I identified with the woman. I feel like I have often done stupid things in my service to the Lord. Am I doing this right? Is this pleasing to God? But like the woman in Mark 14, I did what I could. And that's all God asks. We can only do what we are able to do; but inspired by the Spirit, it's always a beautiful thing in Jesus' sight.     "She did what she could — Mark 14" is written on the tombstone of Fanny Crosby, the blind composer of over four thousand hymns. Don't have anxious thoughts about the high stakes involved in Christian service. Just ask for the Spirit's help and do what you are able to do. Jesus will think it's beautiful.     Holy Spirit, empower me this day so I can do what I'm able to do in service to my Master. _

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SERVE YOUR MOTHER – THAT’S DIVINE

SERVE YOUR MOTHER – THAT'S DIVINE   Baba said "You need not go far or anywhere in search of Me" in Sri Sai Satcharitra, Chapter XLIV.   When Ramraj was young, all his thoughts were centred around his spiritual quest. He took leave of his mother and left home to seek the Truth as a wanderer.   Years later, fate led him back homewards, his quest still unfulfilled. He went up the familiar path that led to the door of his home, to hear his mother praying aloud.   "O Lord, take care of my son" she prayed fervently. "I have not seen him for years together! Bless and protect him in Your Divine Mercy! May all his aspirations be fulfilled!"   Ramraj was moved beyond words. "Mother! Your son is here!" he called gently.   The old mother's joy knew no bounds. She rose from her prayer and hugged her son, with tears streaming from her eyes.   "Until now, I had not realized how much your love mean to me," Ramraj said to her. "I will live with you and serve you in every way possible."   Ramraj's mother fell ill. He nursed her with great love and devotion.   One dark night, she awoke to ask her son for water to drink.   Ramraj found that there was not a drop of water in the house. Taking a pitcher, he went out in the bitter cold of the moonless night to fetch water from the flowing stream.   By the time he returned, his mother had fallen asleep. He kept standing by her bed, with a cup of water in his hands. After a few hours, his mother opened her eyes and once again asked for water.   "Here it is," Ramraj answered immediately, bringing the cup of water to her lips.   The mother was touched to find standing by her bed for such a long time – and blessed him with all her heart.   That blessing, Ramraj said, gave him what he searched for. His heart was suddenly illuminated – and he had a vision of God.     http://vasukimahal.blogspot.com

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Beware of your habit – ‘it’ will remain.

Beware of your habit – 'it' will remain.     An old man, sensing that his time was almost up, called his three sons to himself and took them to a nearby field. In the field were three types of plants: (a) a tiny sprout; (2)a bush, (3) a full fledged tree.   He asked the youngest boy to pull out the tiny sprout which he did without the least difficulty.   He asked his second son to pull out the bush. The boy pulled first with one hand, then with the other; but the bush would not come out. Then, using both hands together, he pulled as hard as he could and the bush yielded to his strength.   He asked his eldest and strongest to try his hands at pulling out the full-grown tree. The young man tried with all his might and mien, and said: "Father, it can't be done!"   The old man asked all the three sons to do it together. They tried but failed.   Turing to them, he said: "My children, I may pass away any day. But may you never forget the lesson of the plants. Our old habits, when they are still in the formative stage, can easily be overcome. When they are full-grown, you can do nothing to uproot them. So be careful – especially in regard to drinking and gambling and idle gossip."   It has been rightly said that if you cut the first letter of 'habit', 'a bit' will remain. If you cut off the second letter, 'bit' will still remain. If you cut off the third letter, 'it' will remain. So beware!       http://vasukimahal.blogspot.com

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Save me, else I shall be drowned

Save me, else I shall be drowned     Baba said, "Guru is God, all pervading. To get this conviction, strong unbounded faith is necessary" in Sri Sai Satcharitra, Ch. XXXIII.   By the seashore stood Jesus, gazing at the breathtaking beauty of the rising sun. It was so quiet as he stood there underneath a tree. A cool, refreshing breeze blew from the sea, as the tree tops gently swayed in the wind. A few clouds rested on the far off blue mountain.   And there came to him a disciple with a question in his eyes. Looking at him, Jesus said, "What disturbs thee, child?" The disciple said, "Master! How is it that Thou canst walk upon the surface of the sea as easily as Thou dost walk upon the earth? But when we enter into the waters, we flounder and began to sink!"   Jesus said, "He who hath faith in his heart and in whose eyes in the light of certainty, he well may walk upon the waters with the ease of a fisherman's boat!"   The disciple said, "Master! Ever since I saw Thee first, I have not lacked in faith. I believe as Thou dost believe. And my faith makes me feel certain."   Jesus said, "Then come with me and together we shall tread waters!"   The disciple followed. And both the Master and the disciple walked upon the waters. Suddenly a big wave arose. Jesus rode the wave but the disciple began to sink and frantically cried for help.   And Jesus called out, "My child! What has happened to you?"   There was terror in the disciple's voice as he answered, "Master! When I saw huge waves coming towards me as though they would swallow me up, fear arose within my heart and I began to sink. Save me, beloved Master! Else I shall be drowned."   And Jesus said, "When fear enters your heart, you cease to believe! You lose your faith, and certainly doth vanish as mist before the rising sun. Alas my child, you feared the waves; you did not fear the Lord of the Waves!"     http://vasukimahal.blogspot.com

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WHAT DOES GOD NEED FROM YOU

WHAT DOES GOD NEED FROM YOU   Baba said, "I do not need any paraphernalia of worship - either eight-fold or sixteen-fold. I rest there where there is full devotion: in Sri Sai Satcharitra, Ch. XIII.     A girl, belonging to a rich family, was fond of visiting places. She had little time for her mother who lay ill.   The girl was in Kashmir when, suddenly, she remembered that her mother's birthday was near. She bought a beautiful shawl, of a rare material, and sent it to her mother.   The mother received the costly packet on her birthday but did not care to look at the shawl. There were tears in her eyes, as she wrote to her daughter, "My child, what shall I do with shawls? I want you dear, You, You alone my dear!!!   God speaks the same words to us, "What shall I do with your rituals and ceremonies, your gifts of silver and gold? I want YOU !!!" which means, I want your heart – a heart contrite and lowly, humble and holy.       http://vasukimahal.blogspot.com

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