UCOG Forum

The Pearl

2006-09-02T12:48:00.000+01:00

Matthew 13:45-46

“ … the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant, seeking beautiful pearls,

… who, when he had found one pearl of great value …

“… went and sold all that he had and bought it.”

Why is this story in the Bible? How is this example like “the kingdom of God?” The secret is knowing the identity of the players in the story!

The merchant, is Jesus Christ! Jesus became a man, gave up everything He had, offered His life as payment! He laid down His life.

But what is it that has such great importance to Him? What does the pearl represent …?

You are the pearl! Jesus died on the cross, He surrendered Himself --- for you! Do you now that your salvation was bought at a great price? This is just how valuable you are to God!

Don’t ever let anyone let you feel that you are worthless. Jesus gave up everything for you. He sacrificed Himself for you! You are very important to God --- you are needed for His kingdom. You have a purpose in God!

This is just how priceless you are to Him! God gave up His only son so that “whoever believes in Him, shall not perish, but have everlasting life.” [John 3:16] This is how much He loves you! He surrendered everything for the price of your soul. He asks us to surrender ourselves completely to Him. God will heal you --- He will deliver you from every problem --- He will care for you --- as a precious pearl of great value.

He has paid the price for your salvation! The work is done!

Accept Jesus Christ as your Saviour!

10 Things God Won’t Ask On That Day

2006-09-02T12:44:00.000+01:00

God won’t ask what kind of car you drove. He’ll ask how many people you drove who did not have transportation.
God won’t ask the square footage of your house. He’ll ask you how many people you welcomed in.
God won’t ask you about the clothes you had in your closet, he’ll ask how many people you helped to clothe.
God won’t ask what your highest salary was. He’ll ask if you compromised your character to obtain it.
God won’t ask what your job title was. He’ll ask if you performed your job to the best of your ability.
God won’t ask how many friends you had. He’ll ask how many people to whom you were a friend.
God won’t ask in what neighbourhood you lived, he’ll ask how you treated your neighbours.
God won’t ask about the colour of your skin, he’ll ask about the content of your character.
God won’t ask why it took you so long to seek salvation. He’ll lovingly take you to your mansions in heaven and not the gates of hell.
God won’t have to ask how many people you will have read this as he already knows.

A Word To Husbands

2006-04-10T12:57:00.000+01:00

1 Peter 3:7

"Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered."

When Peter calls women the "weaker" partner, he does not imply moral or intellectual inferiority but is recognising women's physical limitations. Women in his day, if unprotected by men, were vulnerable to attack, abuse, and financial disaster. Women's lives may be easier today, but women are still vulnerable to criminal attack and family abuse. And in spite of increased opportunities in the workplace, many women still earn less than men, and the vast majority of the nations' poor are single mothers and their children.

A man who honours his wife as a member of the weaker sex will protect, respect, help, and stay with her. He will not expect her to work full-time outside the home and full-time at home; he will lighten her load wherever he can. He will be sensitive to her needs, and he will relate to her with courtesy, consideration, insight, and tact.

If a man is not considerate and respectful of his wife, his prayers will not be heard, because a living relationship with God depends on right relationships with others. Jesus said that if you have a problem with a fellow believer, you must make it right with that person before coming to worship (Matthew 5:23-24). This principle carries over into the family relationships. If men use their position to mistreat their wives, their prayers will not be heard.

(Taken from iLumina Bible, Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.)