Thoughts for another day
May 31, 2006
Today's verse: Ps 86:3. Teach me thy way, O LORD; I will walk in thy truth: (KJV).
Whoever said that living the Christian life is easy? Rather the path of this life is littered with meaningless turns and twists which the enemy of souls puts on the way to mislead and create misery in our lives.
In my life, I have had such experiences of dismal living that I really gave up and told the Lord, it is His business to keep me on the right path. We are so weak we can hardly avoid the darts of the evil one. No matter what people say, this is the experience, I am sure, of most of us who have been trying to walk the narrow way. We simply cannot walk on it without the Lord enabling us. Just when I think I am on even keel something happens and my peace is disrupted. The communion with the Lord breaks and there is Spiritual turbulence. That is why I borrow the words of the verse above and the cry of my heart is, ‘Lord teach me your way that I walk in Your truth.’
Of course the Word of God is there to strengthen our resolve but there are times when we slip and in my own life I slip again and again. We are familiar with the devil’s ways as Paul says in 2 Cor. 2:11, yet we are not able to resist, as the writer of the Letter to the Hebrews rightly says in 12:4, ‘In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.’ My friend, sin is an abomination in the sight of God. Make no mistake; the blotch in your heart can be the breach in your relationship with your Father. Get rid of it, not by your power, but by His Spirit. And someday as you conquer, you will perceive the Lord calling out to you on your journey back home saying, ‘Welcome home, my faithful servant.’
Wednesday, May 31, 2006
Tuesday, May 30, 2006
Thoughts for another day
May 30, 2006
Today's verse: Eze. 22:30. And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none. (KJV).
I have heard people say, it’s a privilege to be a Christian. I ask why and the answer I get is, we worship a God who’s proved His love for us. Now this very God gave us the way of love and also in His Kingdom, the stones, the pillars, the foundation, etc. are all ‘love’. When Jesus was asked, which is the greatest commandment, He said it is to love God. And He followed it and said, there is a second one, and that is to love the neighbor. Most of us are comfortable loving God (what kind of love?…I don’t know, see 1 John 4:20) but when it concerns our neighbor, how much of love do we have?
I can fall back on experience and say that very few among us do that. Just yesterday, I had a scrap with my neighbor and then I went to pray and I couldn’t pray. God cannot be with us when we offend our fellow human beings. Therefore we need to be cautious in this area. I will always maintain that you don’t need overt signs of display of love for your neighbor but you need to restrain yourself when it concerns them. You have to be patient, kind and of a helpful nature and then they will come to know Christ.
Now God is looking to us to include our neighbor in our scheme of things. If you look at the above verse, you will see God saying that He is looking for someone to stand in the gap and pray. To pray for another requires a level of selflessness. It requires going beyond the call of duty, in a way. It requires having inside of you, a basic love of another human being who is not of your family or a friend. Jesus when asked who is my neighbor tells the story of the ‘good Samaritan’ and we are to be like him. Today my friend, we renew our commitment to be on God’s side and pray for our neighbor. Let it not be again noted in the annals of God’s Words that, ‘I looked but didn’t find anyone.’ But rather let it be ‘I am the one who will pray’. May the God of Mercy touch your soul right now even as you pray for your neighbor.
May 30, 2006
Today's verse: Eze. 22:30. And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none. (KJV).
I have heard people say, it’s a privilege to be a Christian. I ask why and the answer I get is, we worship a God who’s proved His love for us. Now this very God gave us the way of love and also in His Kingdom, the stones, the pillars, the foundation, etc. are all ‘love’. When Jesus was asked, which is the greatest commandment, He said it is to love God. And He followed it and said, there is a second one, and that is to love the neighbor. Most of us are comfortable loving God (what kind of love?…I don’t know, see 1 John 4:20) but when it concerns our neighbor, how much of love do we have?
I can fall back on experience and say that very few among us do that. Just yesterday, I had a scrap with my neighbor and then I went to pray and I couldn’t pray. God cannot be with us when we offend our fellow human beings. Therefore we need to be cautious in this area. I will always maintain that you don’t need overt signs of display of love for your neighbor but you need to restrain yourself when it concerns them. You have to be patient, kind and of a helpful nature and then they will come to know Christ.
Now God is looking to us to include our neighbor in our scheme of things. If you look at the above verse, you will see God saying that He is looking for someone to stand in the gap and pray. To pray for another requires a level of selflessness. It requires going beyond the call of duty, in a way. It requires having inside of you, a basic love of another human being who is not of your family or a friend. Jesus when asked who is my neighbor tells the story of the ‘good Samaritan’ and we are to be like him. Today my friend, we renew our commitment to be on God’s side and pray for our neighbor. Let it not be again noted in the annals of God’s Words that, ‘I looked but didn’t find anyone.’ But rather let it be ‘I am the one who will pray’. May the God of Mercy touch your soul right now even as you pray for your neighbor.
Monday, May 29, 2006
Thoughts for another day
May 29, 2006
Today's verse: Mal 1:8. offer it now unto thy governor; will he be pleased with thee, or accept thy person? saith the LORD of hosts. (KJV).
If you have not read the above well meaningfully, I’d request you to please read it again. Is God trying to say something here?… Yes?… What?
My friend, God is a magnificent being. Superior in glory to any and every king that ever was born on earth. His kingdom stretches as far as the mind can imagine. His might is far greater than the greatest power that our science tells us as possible. And His knowledge, well it is limitless; just as you are reading this and assimilating these thoughts, He knows every single thought of yours that is roaming on the pathway of your mind and while this is so, He is also aware of what I will be thinking at the same time as well as millions of other humans and animals. He is aware of every child being born and every lily being trampled in the field. He is aware of every breath that you are breathing and every sound you are making. And this God is talking about a mere governor…
God has a problem with us. We don’t give Him His due. Forget about our material things, we don’t even give Him of our time. We don’t sit and watch with Him. You can imagine the pain of Christ when the apostles sleep and don’t pray with Him. He says, ‘you can’t even persist in prayer for an hour?!’
Our offerings to God are devoid of value and meaning and God is hurt. Here in this verse, He is asking us to offer the same gifts to the governor of our state and see whether he will accept it. And the irony of it is that if a man cannot accept our stupid offerings, we expect God to accept them!
My friend, give a little to God, you will be blessed with more. Essentially, give of your time. Read His Word and worship Him. Your life will be refreshed.
May 29, 2006
Today's verse: Mal 1:8. offer it now unto thy governor; will he be pleased with thee, or accept thy person? saith the LORD of hosts. (KJV).
If you have not read the above well meaningfully, I’d request you to please read it again. Is God trying to say something here?… Yes?… What?
My friend, God is a magnificent being. Superior in glory to any and every king that ever was born on earth. His kingdom stretches as far as the mind can imagine. His might is far greater than the greatest power that our science tells us as possible. And His knowledge, well it is limitless; just as you are reading this and assimilating these thoughts, He knows every single thought of yours that is roaming on the pathway of your mind and while this is so, He is also aware of what I will be thinking at the same time as well as millions of other humans and animals. He is aware of every child being born and every lily being trampled in the field. He is aware of every breath that you are breathing and every sound you are making. And this God is talking about a mere governor…
God has a problem with us. We don’t give Him His due. Forget about our material things, we don’t even give Him of our time. We don’t sit and watch with Him. You can imagine the pain of Christ when the apostles sleep and don’t pray with Him. He says, ‘you can’t even persist in prayer for an hour?!’
Our offerings to God are devoid of value and meaning and God is hurt. Here in this verse, He is asking us to offer the same gifts to the governor of our state and see whether he will accept it. And the irony of it is that if a man cannot accept our stupid offerings, we expect God to accept them!
My friend, give a little to God, you will be blessed with more. Essentially, give of your time. Read His Word and worship Him. Your life will be refreshed.
Tuesday, May 23, 2006
Thoughts for another day
May 23, 2006
Today's verse: Prov. 10:6. Blessings are upon the head of the just: (KJV).
The Word of God assures us beyond doubt that God’s blessings are with those who seek and give justice. People of various attitudes, character, etc. live on this earth. But the Lord is with them who are fair and show equity to neighbor as well as friend.
I have heard people say to me, ‘But brother, I know this man who is such a nice and just person who suffers tremendously. He is the butt of people’s ire where he lives and every one blames him for everything.’ At this time, check the ‘justness’ of the person. Is it noble or is it a mask? But nevertheless, even the most just of people do suffer scorn and ridicule not only from fellow men but also from God’s ire seemingly. Don’t we sometimes see our own people who by far are the nicest people we know, suffer injustice and ridicule? Besides, we also read about Job, ‘the just, upright man is laughed to scorn’ (Job 12:4).
So the question is, how does today’s verse impact our lives? I could say after learning from the Word of God that blessings do not mean a trouble free life. Even if we are just, God sometimes allows calamity upon us, which is not to put us down but to allow us to experience His love and know that our dependence has to be on Him. The best example of this is Job. A man cast down to the darkest abyss though he had done no wrong. A man who fell in the sight of his neighbors and relatives and on whose character, aspersions were cast by his best friends!
But my friend, God redeems. He comes to the aid of the just when he is down; exhausted. The just man’s nature makes him rely solely on God and that is why God rushes to his aid, for He cannot beyond a point see the just man in pain. He delivers. Today, if you too are suffering persecution although you are just, know that He will provide a way out so that you may be able bear it and also come out of it. Amen.
May 23, 2006
Today's verse: Prov. 10:6. Blessings are upon the head of the just: (KJV).
The Word of God assures us beyond doubt that God’s blessings are with those who seek and give justice. People of various attitudes, character, etc. live on this earth. But the Lord is with them who are fair and show equity to neighbor as well as friend.
I have heard people say to me, ‘But brother, I know this man who is such a nice and just person who suffers tremendously. He is the butt of people’s ire where he lives and every one blames him for everything.’ At this time, check the ‘justness’ of the person. Is it noble or is it a mask? But nevertheless, even the most just of people do suffer scorn and ridicule not only from fellow men but also from God’s ire seemingly. Don’t we sometimes see our own people who by far are the nicest people we know, suffer injustice and ridicule? Besides, we also read about Job, ‘the just, upright man is laughed to scorn’ (Job 12:4).
So the question is, how does today’s verse impact our lives? I could say after learning from the Word of God that blessings do not mean a trouble free life. Even if we are just, God sometimes allows calamity upon us, which is not to put us down but to allow us to experience His love and know that our dependence has to be on Him. The best example of this is Job. A man cast down to the darkest abyss though he had done no wrong. A man who fell in the sight of his neighbors and relatives and on whose character, aspersions were cast by his best friends!
But my friend, God redeems. He comes to the aid of the just when he is down; exhausted. The just man’s nature makes him rely solely on God and that is why God rushes to his aid, for He cannot beyond a point see the just man in pain. He delivers. Today, if you too are suffering persecution although you are just, know that He will provide a way out so that you may be able bear it and also come out of it. Amen.
Monday, May 22, 2006
Thoughts for another day
May 18, 2006
Today's verse: Ps Ps 139:12. the darkness and the light are both alike to thee. (KJV).
Life is not always, bright, cheery and wonderful. There are times when we land into darkness and everything seems glum and frustrating. We undergo this experience atleast once in life. I call this, the ‘dark-experience’: a situation, potentially disastrous to our well being. Sometimes, the darkness stretches far beyond our expectations of its longevity and nearly destroys us. Our spirits are crushed and living becomes laborious.
And my friend, with the kind of trouble the world is experiencing today; there is atleast someone within our immediate circle of family and friends to whom this must be happening. It could even be you! But then there is good news I have. God says in His Word that He has made darkness His secret place (Ps. 18:11). In fact, God often meets people in dark places. Take the time Moses meets with God at Mount Sinai; he goes into the thick darkness where God was! (Ex. 20:21). He also meets Jacob at night! (Gen. 28:13). And so on…
If you are experiencing darkness in your life, particularly spiritual darkness, I can assure you that God is on the threshold ready to flood light on your darkness. Oh child of God lift up your eyes and see, He who is your Maker and dwells in bright light will manifest His light when He knows we have had enough. Even when you are going through it, you must remember that what is dark to you is but light to God for He knows no darkness (Ps. 139:12). At this time of our lives, can we like Paul & Silas sing praises and pray (Acts 16:25) to Him who can break through our darkness and release us. And rest assured blessed one, He will do it for you for the sake of His Holy Name.
May 18, 2006
Today's verse: Ps Ps 139:12. the darkness and the light are both alike to thee. (KJV).
Life is not always, bright, cheery and wonderful. There are times when we land into darkness and everything seems glum and frustrating. We undergo this experience atleast once in life. I call this, the ‘dark-experience’: a situation, potentially disastrous to our well being. Sometimes, the darkness stretches far beyond our expectations of its longevity and nearly destroys us. Our spirits are crushed and living becomes laborious.
And my friend, with the kind of trouble the world is experiencing today; there is atleast someone within our immediate circle of family and friends to whom this must be happening. It could even be you! But then there is good news I have. God says in His Word that He has made darkness His secret place (Ps. 18:11). In fact, God often meets people in dark places. Take the time Moses meets with God at Mount Sinai; he goes into the thick darkness where God was! (Ex. 20:21). He also meets Jacob at night! (Gen. 28:13). And so on…
If you are experiencing darkness in your life, particularly spiritual darkness, I can assure you that God is on the threshold ready to flood light on your darkness. Oh child of God lift up your eyes and see, He who is your Maker and dwells in bright light will manifest His light when He knows we have had enough. Even when you are going through it, you must remember that what is dark to you is but light to God for He knows no darkness (Ps. 139:12). At this time of our lives, can we like Paul & Silas sing praises and pray (Acts 16:25) to Him who can break through our darkness and release us. And rest assured blessed one, He will do it for you for the sake of His Holy Name.
Friday, May 19, 2006
Thoughts for another day
May 18, 2006
Today's verse: Ps 23:4. Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: (KJV).
Every living person is conversant with fear. Fear of lack, fear of plenty, fear of nothing, fear of everything, fear of enemies, fear of the unknown. Fear, fear, fear… There are times we fear and we really don’t know the reason why. Such is the bondage of fear that it can mutilate the sensibilities of humans, rendering them helpless and mar their character. I have seen people take drastic steps because of fear and when confronted they behave as if they were the last person in the world to fear. What many term fearlessness is but a façade for despite the show of bravado on the outside, fear rules within.
How does God look at fear? God knows that fear arises when we do wrong. For example, when I do something wrong in my work, I fear. When a student does wrong at school, the fear sets in. But, in God’s domain there is no fear. God often reminds us to conquer fear with faith. When the storm beat the ship Jesus and His disciples were in, the disciples shook like leaves and in desperation woke Him from His sleep (?!). And He asked them, ‘why are you so fearful, have you no faith?’ Mk 4:36-40.
Where there is faith, there is no fear. I have personally discovered, that when I put my faith in Him, He removes my fear. Each time I had fear in me because of a problem, He first removed my fear and gave me peace and solved the problem. God knows how to deal with our situations best and He comes into our world and holds us up. With faith, like David I can say, ‘though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will not fear for He is there besides me.
May 18, 2006
Today's verse: Ps 23:4. Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: (KJV).
Every living person is conversant with fear. Fear of lack, fear of plenty, fear of nothing, fear of everything, fear of enemies, fear of the unknown. Fear, fear, fear… There are times we fear and we really don’t know the reason why. Such is the bondage of fear that it can mutilate the sensibilities of humans, rendering them helpless and mar their character. I have seen people take drastic steps because of fear and when confronted they behave as if they were the last person in the world to fear. What many term fearlessness is but a façade for despite the show of bravado on the outside, fear rules within.
How does God look at fear? God knows that fear arises when we do wrong. For example, when I do something wrong in my work, I fear. When a student does wrong at school, the fear sets in. But, in God’s domain there is no fear. God often reminds us to conquer fear with faith. When the storm beat the ship Jesus and His disciples were in, the disciples shook like leaves and in desperation woke Him from His sleep (?!). And He asked them, ‘why are you so fearful, have you no faith?’ Mk 4:36-40.
Where there is faith, there is no fear. I have personally discovered, that when I put my faith in Him, He removes my fear. Each time I had fear in me because of a problem, He first removed my fear and gave me peace and solved the problem. God knows how to deal with our situations best and He comes into our world and holds us up. With faith, like David I can say, ‘though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will not fear for He is there besides me.
Thursday, May 18, 2006
Thoughts for another day
May 18, 2006
Today's verse: Mt 16:16. Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. (KJV).
On a warm afternoon as Jesus with His disciples was entering Caesaria Phillipi, His Divine mind formulated a question, ‘Who do men say I am?’ Their answers were known to Him and did not surprise Him. Then he looked pointedly at them and asked, ‘But, who do ‘you’ say I am?’ Peter immediately answered, ‘You are The Christ’, meaning the Messiah, the Anointed One. The Son of the living God.
It was a statement that made Heaven rejoice. A statement, that, impacted the whole of humanity. A statement, which only God, could put on the mouth of man. For, therein the truth and the knowledge of the mystery of God, which He had planned before the foundation of the world was made bare. ‘You are the Christ’: the statement redefines the Man Christ into the Son of God in the minds of men and emphasizes the relationship that God sought of man. Peter in that moment was representative of men and unflinchingly revealed the knowledge that God the Father had put in his heart. Only then did Jesus confer the keys of the of the Kingdom to him. Only then did Jesus talk about the Divine plan that would entail His suffering and dying and then rising. Something that every Christian who zealously walks with the Christ will also go through.
In your walk with Him, someday He will ask you, who do you say I, Jesus, am? Oh Christian, would the Father have until then put into your heart the answer? Would you have established that relationship with Him? For only then, He will tell you how much you need to suffer for the sake of His Name. You will then know that the miracles you have seen; the signs that have been created through your hands however great they be, still do not have the ability as much as His Cross to give you the ultimate glory, He desires for you. He will alter the axis of your life and appoint you as an ambassador of the Kingdom. Rest assured, You will be persecuted and maligned and be rejected and someday die a miserable death. For the sake of His Name.
May 18, 2006
Today's verse: Mt 16:16. Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. (KJV).
On a warm afternoon as Jesus with His disciples was entering Caesaria Phillipi, His Divine mind formulated a question, ‘Who do men say I am?’ Their answers were known to Him and did not surprise Him. Then he looked pointedly at them and asked, ‘But, who do ‘you’ say I am?’ Peter immediately answered, ‘You are The Christ’, meaning the Messiah, the Anointed One. The Son of the living God.
It was a statement that made Heaven rejoice. A statement, that, impacted the whole of humanity. A statement, which only God, could put on the mouth of man. For, therein the truth and the knowledge of the mystery of God, which He had planned before the foundation of the world was made bare. ‘You are the Christ’: the statement redefines the Man Christ into the Son of God in the minds of men and emphasizes the relationship that God sought of man. Peter in that moment was representative of men and unflinchingly revealed the knowledge that God the Father had put in his heart. Only then did Jesus confer the keys of the of the Kingdom to him. Only then did Jesus talk about the Divine plan that would entail His suffering and dying and then rising. Something that every Christian who zealously walks with the Christ will also go through.
In your walk with Him, someday He will ask you, who do you say I, Jesus, am? Oh Christian, would the Father have until then put into your heart the answer? Would you have established that relationship with Him? For only then, He will tell you how much you need to suffer for the sake of His Name. You will then know that the miracles you have seen; the signs that have been created through your hands however great they be, still do not have the ability as much as His Cross to give you the ultimate glory, He desires for you. He will alter the axis of your life and appoint you as an ambassador of the Kingdom. Rest assured, You will be persecuted and maligned and be rejected and someday die a miserable death. For the sake of His Name.
Wednesday, May 17, 2006
Thoughts for another day
May 17, 2006
Today's verse: Col 3:14. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. (NRSV).
The more I look at things in this Christian walk, the more I discover my own fallibility and hypocrisy. Because, I lack love.
Walking with God demands love in your heart and this ingredient is extremely important to have a satisfactory walk with God; in having soul stirring and moving communion with Him. O unworthy that I am, today I crave His love in my heart and say, ‘Lord you said, “A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh” Eze. 36:26, so Lord go ahead and make this change of heart in me. Build love in my heart and let it stay.’
My friend, there is nothing like love. Pure love transcends all bounds and works wonders for the person exhibiting it as well as the person on whom it is showered. It is worth far more than any thing else you possess. Paul says, ‘if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.’ It is true my friend that if we do not have this love in us life lived is an experiment of failure. Many of us operate behind a façade of love but it is detrimental to our own selves as when exposed, it can do much damage to our psyche.
My prayer today, more for myself than for you because of what I am, is that God will put love in all hearts. For then I can approach Him and say, ‘Lord, I have loved you in those I know, so it is love far more pleasing in your sight. I do exhibit Your Son’s nature, so Lord, let me be with you, even at your doors as a watchman and behold your face and get mesmerized by your fabulousness.’
May 17, 2006
Today's verse: Col 3:14. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. (NRSV).
The more I look at things in this Christian walk, the more I discover my own fallibility and hypocrisy. Because, I lack love.
Walking with God demands love in your heart and this ingredient is extremely important to have a satisfactory walk with God; in having soul stirring and moving communion with Him. O unworthy that I am, today I crave His love in my heart and say, ‘Lord you said, “A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh” Eze. 36:26, so Lord go ahead and make this change of heart in me. Build love in my heart and let it stay.’
My friend, there is nothing like love. Pure love transcends all bounds and works wonders for the person exhibiting it as well as the person on whom it is showered. It is worth far more than any thing else you possess. Paul says, ‘if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.’ It is true my friend that if we do not have this love in us life lived is an experiment of failure. Many of us operate behind a façade of love but it is detrimental to our own selves as when exposed, it can do much damage to our psyche.
My prayer today, more for myself than for you because of what I am, is that God will put love in all hearts. For then I can approach Him and say, ‘Lord, I have loved you in those I know, so it is love far more pleasing in your sight. I do exhibit Your Son’s nature, so Lord, let me be with you, even at your doors as a watchman and behold your face and get mesmerized by your fabulousness.’
Tuesday, May 16, 2006
Thoughts for another day
May 16, 2006
Today's verse: Zec 2:8. Truly, one who touches you touches the apple of my eye. (NRSV).
Do you consider yourself too less or too small? I have glad tidings for you.
Whether you are black, white, yellow or any color, tall, short or whatever, God calls you the ‘apple of His eye’. So rejoice; for if you be the apple of His eye, there is no danger that can go near you. There is no flood so strong as to overwhelm you and there is no night too long to make you dread. For truly I say, even in the sinful condition I am, He the Righteous One, whose righteousness we beget as an inheritance by faith in the Holy Lamb of God, standing in His Name, we are the precious ‘child’ of God Almighty, Lord God Yahveh. Yahweh Makkadesh: The Lord God our Sanctifier, Ex. 31:13. And the gates of hades shall not prevail against you.
And therefore, today, I call upon the heavens and the earth and all therein and even those outside of it, if there be a partner of the enemy of our souls, I call down the wrath of our God upon them and say, ‘beware, for if they touch you, they touch the chosen one of Him who is a Rock. They trespass the soul of the one dear to the Father, they trespass the people of the new covenant…For God in His day will wave His Hand over them and they shall be signaled for plunder and reduced to rubble. Then will all know that He is the Lord! He has set His sights on His chosen ones and will gather them together under His wings and rejoice over them with joy. He will rest in His love. He will joy over them with singing and all will know, ‘He is the LORD.
May 16, 2006
Today's verse: Zec 2:8. Truly, one who touches you touches the apple of my eye. (NRSV).
Do you consider yourself too less or too small? I have glad tidings for you.
Whether you are black, white, yellow or any color, tall, short or whatever, God calls you the ‘apple of His eye’. So rejoice; for if you be the apple of His eye, there is no danger that can go near you. There is no flood so strong as to overwhelm you and there is no night too long to make you dread. For truly I say, even in the sinful condition I am, He the Righteous One, whose righteousness we beget as an inheritance by faith in the Holy Lamb of God, standing in His Name, we are the precious ‘child’ of God Almighty, Lord God Yahveh. Yahweh Makkadesh: The Lord God our Sanctifier, Ex. 31:13. And the gates of hades shall not prevail against you.
And therefore, today, I call upon the heavens and the earth and all therein and even those outside of it, if there be a partner of the enemy of our souls, I call down the wrath of our God upon them and say, ‘beware, for if they touch you, they touch the chosen one of Him who is a Rock. They trespass the soul of the one dear to the Father, they trespass the people of the new covenant…For God in His day will wave His Hand over them and they shall be signaled for plunder and reduced to rubble. Then will all know that He is the Lord! He has set His sights on His chosen ones and will gather them together under His wings and rejoice over them with joy. He will rest in His love. He will joy over them with singing and all will know, ‘He is the LORD.
Monday, May 15, 2006
Thoughts for another day
May 15, 2006
Today's verse: Mi 6:2. Hear ye, O mountains, the LORD'S controversy, and ye strong foundations of the earth: for the LORD hath a controversy with his people, and he will plead with Israel. (KJV).
The more you learn or think you learn about God, He expands your perspective and knowledge about Him and gets you inside His atmosphere and opens a little more of Himself to you; of course, the only criterion being – your sincerity and your relationship with Him.
In the course of life, there are many things we discover of Him. When we are down He shows how caring He is when He stoops to take our hands and lifts us up. When we are sad He shows Himself as a sure guarantee of our happiness.
When the world messes us up and leaves us with a massive feeling of hatred for it, He comes down like a whiff of fresh breeze and showers us with love. And so it goes on…
What I discovered in today’s verse is another aspect of God: where His heart is pained. He is hurt and therefore he calls the very foundations of the earth and the mountains to bear witness to the hurt and the callousness we subject Him to.
Imagine my friend, His Word says He will plead with us. Plead with us!!! Mere mortals!
He is so awesome and so great…beyond comparison, yet He says, He will plead with us. See how wonderful He is. He knows He is all powerful, yet… In Chap. 13 of John’s Gospel, we have the Word say that Jesus knew the Father had put all things in His hands and then He girded Himself with a towel and set about washing the disciples’ feet…
There is something here, which we need to ponder on. Let our hearts rise to this message of our God and ask Him, Lord, how may I please You rather than hurt You?
May 15, 2006
Today's verse: Mi 6:2. Hear ye, O mountains, the LORD'S controversy, and ye strong foundations of the earth: for the LORD hath a controversy with his people, and he will plead with Israel. (KJV).
The more you learn or think you learn about God, He expands your perspective and knowledge about Him and gets you inside His atmosphere and opens a little more of Himself to you; of course, the only criterion being – your sincerity and your relationship with Him.
In the course of life, there are many things we discover of Him. When we are down He shows how caring He is when He stoops to take our hands and lifts us up. When we are sad He shows Himself as a sure guarantee of our happiness.
When the world messes us up and leaves us with a massive feeling of hatred for it, He comes down like a whiff of fresh breeze and showers us with love. And so it goes on…
What I discovered in today’s verse is another aspect of God: where His heart is pained. He is hurt and therefore he calls the very foundations of the earth and the mountains to bear witness to the hurt and the callousness we subject Him to.
Imagine my friend, His Word says He will plead with us. Plead with us!!! Mere mortals!
He is so awesome and so great…beyond comparison, yet He says, He will plead with us. See how wonderful He is. He knows He is all powerful, yet… In Chap. 13 of John’s Gospel, we have the Word say that Jesus knew the Father had put all things in His hands and then He girded Himself with a towel and set about washing the disciples’ feet…
There is something here, which we need to ponder on. Let our hearts rise to this message of our God and ask Him, Lord, how may I please You rather than hurt You?
Friday, May 12, 2006
Thoughts for another day
May 12, 2006
Today's verse: Mt 5:20. …except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven. (KJV).
Our Father, God, dwells in unapproachable light. There is no stain in Him. No blemish and no spot whatsoever. Jesus never sinned. The Lamb of God was blemish less and without a single flaw, which is why God could use Him as a sacrifice.
God today is looking for blemish less people whom He may use as His chosen vessel. He wants to confer a kingdom on you and wants to raise you up. In effect, raise you from Glory to Glory by His Spirit. Therefore Jesus said, ‘Be ye perfect as is my Father.’ And only in that state is the entry into heaven guaranteed; the glorious mantle yours! To make things easier, the Father has bestowed upon us the blood of the Lamb, the blood which cleanses us and makes us worthy to stand in His presence.
By His blood, says the writer of the Letter to the Hebrews, we can boldly enter the Holiest. And in another place he says, Jesus sanctified us by His own blood. Now that His sanctifying work is over, where do you stand, within or without the holiest? How may your righteousness, be measured by the One who maintains the Book of Life. Can you enter His Kingdom?
May 12, 2006
Today's verse: Mt 5:20. …except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven. (KJV).
Our Father, God, dwells in unapproachable light. There is no stain in Him. No blemish and no spot whatsoever. Jesus never sinned. The Lamb of God was blemish less and without a single flaw, which is why God could use Him as a sacrifice.
God today is looking for blemish less people whom He may use as His chosen vessel. He wants to confer a kingdom on you and wants to raise you up. In effect, raise you from Glory to Glory by His Spirit. Therefore Jesus said, ‘Be ye perfect as is my Father.’ And only in that state is the entry into heaven guaranteed; the glorious mantle yours! To make things easier, the Father has bestowed upon us the blood of the Lamb, the blood which cleanses us and makes us worthy to stand in His presence.
By His blood, says the writer of the Letter to the Hebrews, we can boldly enter the Holiest. And in another place he says, Jesus sanctified us by His own blood. Now that His sanctifying work is over, where do you stand, within or without the holiest? How may your righteousness, be measured by the One who maintains the Book of Life. Can you enter His Kingdom?
Thursday, May 11, 2006
Thoughts for another day
May 11, 2006
Today's verse: Ps. 139:23,24. Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my thoughts. See if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. (NRSV).
Blessed is our God who knows us inside out. A careful study of Ps 139 reveals to us how wonderful and omniscient our God is and it also reveals important aspects of our own form – the way we are made.
David in this psalm, which is one of the best psalms for me, writes about the wonder of our own creation. He waxes eloquent on the magnificence of our beings and the way God has created us. It evokes a picture of a potter who creates his pots lovingly and painstakingly. So would God have made us: Lovingly and painstakingly. He invested a part of Himself in us. Which is why only after creating man did God find His creation very good, Gen. 1:31.
But, then this very good creation, man, faltered and sinned. Disobeying God and in its wake, generating, the basis of sin in every human heart. That is why Cain killed Abel and God told Cain, “if you do not do well, sin is lurking at the door; its desire is for you, but you must master it." Gen. 4:7. My friend, sin is at the door and anytime it can get its grip on you. Which is why the Son of Man had to make the ultimate sacrifice of coming down and dying for us so that by His blood we could be redeemed. It is only by Him that we can be the master of sin.
Therefore, David, whose heart beat for God, being concerned about his soul condition cries out and says, ‘search my heart O God and see if there be any wicked in me’…for he knew well that the human heart was prone to wickedness. He then tells God, ‘lead me in the way everlasting’…which translated means forgive my iniquities (reminiscent of Ps. 51) for only then can eternal life be a reality!
I invite you my dear reader now to make the same prayer and I assure you that God in His mercy will reach out and touch your soul right now. Amen.
May 11, 2006
Today's verse: Ps. 139:23,24. Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my thoughts. See if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. (NRSV).
Blessed is our God who knows us inside out. A careful study of Ps 139 reveals to us how wonderful and omniscient our God is and it also reveals important aspects of our own form – the way we are made.
David in this psalm, which is one of the best psalms for me, writes about the wonder of our own creation. He waxes eloquent on the magnificence of our beings and the way God has created us. It evokes a picture of a potter who creates his pots lovingly and painstakingly. So would God have made us: Lovingly and painstakingly. He invested a part of Himself in us. Which is why only after creating man did God find His creation very good, Gen. 1:31.
But, then this very good creation, man, faltered and sinned. Disobeying God and in its wake, generating, the basis of sin in every human heart. That is why Cain killed Abel and God told Cain, “if you do not do well, sin is lurking at the door; its desire is for you, but you must master it." Gen. 4:7. My friend, sin is at the door and anytime it can get its grip on you. Which is why the Son of Man had to make the ultimate sacrifice of coming down and dying for us so that by His blood we could be redeemed. It is only by Him that we can be the master of sin.
Therefore, David, whose heart beat for God, being concerned about his soul condition cries out and says, ‘search my heart O God and see if there be any wicked in me’…for he knew well that the human heart was prone to wickedness. He then tells God, ‘lead me in the way everlasting’…which translated means forgive my iniquities (reminiscent of Ps. 51) for only then can eternal life be a reality!
I invite you my dear reader now to make the same prayer and I assure you that God in His mercy will reach out and touch your soul right now. Amen.
Wednesday, May 10, 2006
Thoughts for another day
May 10, 2006
Today's verse: 1 Chron. 16:11. Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually. (KJV).
When you look at the above verse, and if you think, you will wonder why it’s mentioned, ‘Seek His face continually.’
The reason as I know through the Holy Spirit is, when you seek God’s face, you get the whole of Him. Yes you need to seek Him and His strength. But the moment of your transfiguration is when you have the epiphany of the Owner of the universe. It can be exhilarating and last for hours. In it all your sorrows fade. Your problems vanish. Darkness is overcome with overwhelming light and every stupid human emotion vanishes in the Divine hug. After all, before Yahweh God, The All Mighty, who can stand?!!!
My friend, such is the beauty and intensity of God that you will be immersed completely in it. And I tell you that as His Spirit embraces you, He will move you from one level of ecstasy to another with tremendous joy in that moment. It is a feeling hard to describe. The closest an earthling can come to is when someone is approached, by his lover and the stars sparkle in both faces. But the union of your spirit with God’s Spirit will give you an experience far greater. It will take you into a beautiful world – all your own with your maker. Reminds me of Is. 54:5, For thy Maker is thine husband; the LORD of hosts is His name.
My prayer for you today is that you will seek the face of your God. Your Father and your Husband. Also it matters not what the condition of your heart is; you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart. His Word says that and He is faithful to His Word. Then might you say as David said, ‘One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD.’
May 10, 2006
Today's verse: 1 Chron. 16:11. Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually. (KJV).
When you look at the above verse, and if you think, you will wonder why it’s mentioned, ‘Seek His face continually.’
The reason as I know through the Holy Spirit is, when you seek God’s face, you get the whole of Him. Yes you need to seek Him and His strength. But the moment of your transfiguration is when you have the epiphany of the Owner of the universe. It can be exhilarating and last for hours. In it all your sorrows fade. Your problems vanish. Darkness is overcome with overwhelming light and every stupid human emotion vanishes in the Divine hug. After all, before Yahweh God, The All Mighty, who can stand?!!!
My friend, such is the beauty and intensity of God that you will be immersed completely in it. And I tell you that as His Spirit embraces you, He will move you from one level of ecstasy to another with tremendous joy in that moment. It is a feeling hard to describe. The closest an earthling can come to is when someone is approached, by his lover and the stars sparkle in both faces. But the union of your spirit with God’s Spirit will give you an experience far greater. It will take you into a beautiful world – all your own with your maker. Reminds me of Is. 54:5, For thy Maker is thine husband; the LORD of hosts is His name.
My prayer for you today is that you will seek the face of your God. Your Father and your Husband. Also it matters not what the condition of your heart is; you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart. His Word says that and He is faithful to His Word. Then might you say as David said, ‘One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD.’
Tuesday, May 09, 2006
Thoughts for another day
May 9, 2006
Today's verse: Mk. 10:21. …and come, take up the cross, and follow me. (KJV).
Our faith is hinged on one emblem. The Cross. Jesus Himself, much before His crucifixion, spoke of the Cross (perhaps, it never struck His followers in those days, as to why He spoke of it) as a crucial ingredient in following Him. He said, ‘If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me’.
His Cross today, is the world’s greatest symbol of hope. All around us we see trouble and frustration. People are led by moral depravity and manic urges. People, floundering around with questions and no answers. Disease and hunger stalks the world as sensible people and governments grope for answers in the midst of the turmoil that has befallen the earth. If we but try to go out of our make believe worlds and look out, we will see destitution and death. When a jumbo jet crashes with 200 passengers there is so much hue and cry; but every day a similar no. and even more people are dying due to disease and lack of food! Imagine every day a jumbo jet crashing. But there is no sensitivity. We live in a mirage!!!
Our senses are numbed by death facing us, day in and day out. In the silence of our spirits, if we choose to listen, comes Jesus’ voice: ‘Come, take up your cross and follow Me.’ He asks us to lay down our crosses at the foot of His Cross for therein our troubles are erased by the blood flowing down. Therein are our hurts healed. Therein is our seal of solace. Jesus does not want us to labor but take His yoke upon us, which is easy, and His burden is light.
Look upon those words of Jesus. ‘come take up your cross and follow Me.’ It is an invitation to life. My friend, taking the cross of Jesus is not a hard task at all. In fact as we meld our cross unto the Cross of the Savior of the world, it becomes unto us the ‘Power of God’. This power is tremendous. It casts asunder the bastions and citadels of the evil one. It ruins both the will and the appetite of the enemy of our souls.
You may ask what is this cross? It is the hurdles the evil one put across your path as you walk in life. God allows these because through them He purifies and toughens you. No evil can befall you unless it is His will and let me tell you that there is no cross too heavy that God will send toward you. For He knows well how much you can bear. With the cross He will also send you the Grace to bear it; then having borne it you eventually give Him the glory. So dear Christian, this day joy in the cross that God gives you. Pray that with every cross, souls will be saved. This prayer will rise as a fragrant aroma very pleasing to the Lord of Heaven. For He too loves souls. Do not hesitate in taking up your cross, however painful it seem, but rather rejoice in His mercy and wait. Then He will enter your life and bring you to the calm brook and give you living water that wells up inside of you in a glorious offering of praise.
May 9, 2006
Today's verse: Mk. 10:21. …and come, take up the cross, and follow me. (KJV).
Our faith is hinged on one emblem. The Cross. Jesus Himself, much before His crucifixion, spoke of the Cross (perhaps, it never struck His followers in those days, as to why He spoke of it) as a crucial ingredient in following Him. He said, ‘If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me’.
His Cross today, is the world’s greatest symbol of hope. All around us we see trouble and frustration. People are led by moral depravity and manic urges. People, floundering around with questions and no answers. Disease and hunger stalks the world as sensible people and governments grope for answers in the midst of the turmoil that has befallen the earth. If we but try to go out of our make believe worlds and look out, we will see destitution and death. When a jumbo jet crashes with 200 passengers there is so much hue and cry; but every day a similar no. and even more people are dying due to disease and lack of food! Imagine every day a jumbo jet crashing. But there is no sensitivity. We live in a mirage!!!
Our senses are numbed by death facing us, day in and day out. In the silence of our spirits, if we choose to listen, comes Jesus’ voice: ‘Come, take up your cross and follow Me.’ He asks us to lay down our crosses at the foot of His Cross for therein our troubles are erased by the blood flowing down. Therein are our hurts healed. Therein is our seal of solace. Jesus does not want us to labor but take His yoke upon us, which is easy, and His burden is light.
Look upon those words of Jesus. ‘come take up your cross and follow Me.’ It is an invitation to life. My friend, taking the cross of Jesus is not a hard task at all. In fact as we meld our cross unto the Cross of the Savior of the world, it becomes unto us the ‘Power of God’. This power is tremendous. It casts asunder the bastions and citadels of the evil one. It ruins both the will and the appetite of the enemy of our souls.
You may ask what is this cross? It is the hurdles the evil one put across your path as you walk in life. God allows these because through them He purifies and toughens you. No evil can befall you unless it is His will and let me tell you that there is no cross too heavy that God will send toward you. For He knows well how much you can bear. With the cross He will also send you the Grace to bear it; then having borne it you eventually give Him the glory. So dear Christian, this day joy in the cross that God gives you. Pray that with every cross, souls will be saved. This prayer will rise as a fragrant aroma very pleasing to the Lord of Heaven. For He too loves souls. Do not hesitate in taking up your cross, however painful it seem, but rather rejoice in His mercy and wait. Then He will enter your life and bring you to the calm brook and give you living water that wells up inside of you in a glorious offering of praise.
Monday, May 08, 2006
Thoughts for another day
May 8, 2006
Today's verse: Jn. 5:6 When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole? (KJV).
As I go about preaching and teaching the Word of God and telling people that belief in Jesus opens the marvelous power of God, I generally find many people agreeing to what I say; the sad thing is that the moment they are made to contend with troublesome realities in their lives, all their faith vanishes and belief becomes non-existent. Their response is ‘It is God’s will you know.’ But does Jesus desire that you be sad and burdened? Can’t be, for He came to give abundant life isn’t it? It is not God’s will that we have a problem so why do we compromise and accept it as God’s will?
Jesus, the face of God for mankind, never had even an iota of doubt that God would not answer His prayer. In fact just before He gives the command for Lazarus to be raised, He looks up and tells His Father, ‘Father, I thank You for having heard me!’ Jn 11:41. He thanks His Father even before the physical manifestation of the miracle…
The question then is why don’t we have miracles. I am not talking about the small little things that God does in our lives; but the big ones like say Lazarus’ miracle or for that matter Bartimaeus’ sight. What is lacking? Is it faith? Or is it not asking in a proper way or asking to satisfy our worldly desires?
Jesus said, ‘Ask and you shall receive’. He never placed conditions. It is we who do. We labor under things like, ‘you are sinful, therefore you cannot receive miracles’. In this context what about the centurion whose servant was healed by Jesus? (Mt 8:5-13). He was Roman and therefore an idolater; yet Jesus healed. Then we say, you don’t have faith, then what about the paralytic who was brought to Jesus through the roof and on a stretcher. Did he have faith? Then again we say your family tree needs healing… and so on and so forth. I know of many healers and preachers telling people, ‘your family is in bondage’ but didn’t Jesus say, ‘If the Son therefore shall make you free, you shall be free indeed!’ Jn 8:36.
There are many reasons we give for not witnessing a miracle. The problem is we only make the person who needs a miracle feel more guilty and depressed. I am not taking away from the rightness that we need to exercise before God e.g. we should not be in a sinful state (a mere confession of sins will do – as God forgives) and other things. But are they essential in creating a miracle? My answer is no. In my opinion, it is only the right time that God is looking at. Jesus waited for thirty years before His ministry could start! For us who have to wait, let me tell you that the waiting is tough. I know for I am experiencing it. It is like the seed: sown and watered each day but not giving a shoot. But when its time comes, it bursts forth into a small shoot. So I wait. But on the day He starts my Ministry, you shall witness some of the greatest miracles on the face of the earth. Besides, there will be millions of people who will just fall on their knees on the streets, touched by God’s spirit and praising the God of Israel. Raising mountains of Glory for the ‘Holy One of Israel’.
Let me tell you from my heart: ‘When you are distressed, Jesus is distressed.’ He wants to do something for you, like in the verse above where He asks the paralytic, ‘Will you be healed?’ So also He will ask you and heal you; but in time. So lose not your hope and let your gaze be fixed on Him. Also He will do it only if the glory comes to Him. If you meet up to these two, I believe you can rest assured, ‘your miracle, is waiting for you.’ No matter what your situation, it will be done for you. Not because I am saying it but because He wants to do it for you. And remember, ‘there is nothing impossible for Yahweh God! Praised be the Holy One of Israel.
(PS: the image above is not mine but I thank whoever the source is and pray for the person who created it. If you are among the readership of this blog please let me know so I could acknowledge your name.)
Friday, May 05, 2006
Thoughts for another day
May 5, 2006
Today's verse: Eze. 38:23 Thus will I magnify myself, and sanctify myself; and I will be known in the eyes of many nations, and they shall know that I am the LORD. (KJV).
The job of every Christian is to make known the Good News of the Kingdom of God. Our Blessed Lord and Master Jesus Christ came to this earth in the form of frail man and suffered and died just to bring us the glad tidings of forgiveness and eternal life. He bridged the chasm between His Father and us and gave us a new relationship with God that was and is astounding. This relationship is that of ‘Father & child’. Imagine, Jesus established, our credentials as it were and revealed that we are children adopted into the family of the blessed Trinity; not orphans or strangers! Which is why Paul says, in Romans 8:15, that we received a spirit of adoption through which we cry, Abba, Father!
That my friend, is not a small thing. To be called a child of the Almighty is to gain an inheritance in the Almighty. So therefore, I tell you today, no matter who you are and what you are, rejoice, for you are a child of God. It is an unmistakable fact and is there for the believing. There is not much that we need to do to avail of the benefits that God sends our way but to accept them in faith. Proof of this is the lives of many people who hold on to this belief.
And now that we acknowledge God as our Father through our belief, we also have to let others know the mystery of our faith. Jesus gave us the great commission of going forth and preaching the Good News to all creatures. We who believe have to do this in the way He charts the course. We cannot define our own ways that may be erroneous and not bring God the glory. Therefore, we need to wait upon the Spirit to lead. Don’t be mistaken or have false guilt that you are not doing your bit and do something; for it will not work because without God beginning it for you, it is sure to fail as Jesus in Mt. 15:13 says, ‘every plant that My Father has not planted shall be uprooted.’
And so we need to wait until He sets us to go and unleash His Kingdom upon the earth. In that He will magnify Himself and let Himself be known by the earth and all will know that He is God: The Holy One of Israel.
May 5, 2006
Today's verse: Eze. 38:23 Thus will I magnify myself, and sanctify myself; and I will be known in the eyes of many nations, and they shall know that I am the LORD. (KJV).
The job of every Christian is to make known the Good News of the Kingdom of God. Our Blessed Lord and Master Jesus Christ came to this earth in the form of frail man and suffered and died just to bring us the glad tidings of forgiveness and eternal life. He bridged the chasm between His Father and us and gave us a new relationship with God that was and is astounding. This relationship is that of ‘Father & child’. Imagine, Jesus established, our credentials as it were and revealed that we are children adopted into the family of the blessed Trinity; not orphans or strangers! Which is why Paul says, in Romans 8:15, that we received a spirit of adoption through which we cry, Abba, Father!
That my friend, is not a small thing. To be called a child of the Almighty is to gain an inheritance in the Almighty. So therefore, I tell you today, no matter who you are and what you are, rejoice, for you are a child of God. It is an unmistakable fact and is there for the believing. There is not much that we need to do to avail of the benefits that God sends our way but to accept them in faith. Proof of this is the lives of many people who hold on to this belief.
And now that we acknowledge God as our Father through our belief, we also have to let others know the mystery of our faith. Jesus gave us the great commission of going forth and preaching the Good News to all creatures. We who believe have to do this in the way He charts the course. We cannot define our own ways that may be erroneous and not bring God the glory. Therefore, we need to wait upon the Spirit to lead. Don’t be mistaken or have false guilt that you are not doing your bit and do something; for it will not work because without God beginning it for you, it is sure to fail as Jesus in Mt. 15:13 says, ‘every plant that My Father has not planted shall be uprooted.’
And so we need to wait until He sets us to go and unleash His Kingdom upon the earth. In that He will magnify Himself and let Himself be known by the earth and all will know that He is God: The Holy One of Israel.
Thursday, May 04, 2006
Thoughts for another day
May 4, 2006
Today's verse: Prov. 25:2 It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter. (KJV).
If you were to think of how different God is as compared to us, you will find that every dimension in which we operate, is distinct from His. His ways are very very different from ours without a shadow of doubt.
God operates from the level of absolute authority. Man, even if there is some authority in him, operates from a level of ‘unsure-ity’. In this context there are two examples I would like to give from The Word.
One, the disciples are scared like rats in a trap, when the storm engulfs their boat at sea and they wake up the Lord who is sleeping amid the storm and tell Him, ‘don’t You care that we perish?’ And He gets up and simply commands the wind and the sea to be quiet! Then turns around to them and asks them, ‘Why are you terrified?…
Two, in Jn 13:3-5, we have ‘And Jesus knowing that the Father had put all things in His hand…laid aside His garments and …began washing the disciples’ feet!
In the first one, Jesus is completely aware of His own capability. He is aware of the power of God. He knows that nothing is impossible to His Father. Somewhere in our minds, we also know about God’s power but how do we react in difficult situations? We flap about our hands, here and there and we do our own things and we say, but isn’t God needing us to do something. Remember, all that God wants us to do in trying moments is to ‘Keep still’ and allow Him to work.
In the second, knowing all things are subjected to Him, by the Father, Jesus yet becomes like a servant. In our case if we know that just a little bit of authority is conferred on us, we wear it on our sleeves; banish the thought of us stooping down at all.
In today’s verse we understand that in concealing God has glory; whereas worldly kings who are absolutely limited and possess hardly anything as compared to God, take glory in whatever they flaunt! God will not want to reveal anything about His glory just to please someone. He is Supreme and has all power with Him and therefore does not need to prove to anybody how capable or powerful He is. But when needed, God’s power will be projected like a tower across the sky. The consolation for us then is that if we are sincere with our Father, He will deliver us. He will show His power before the nations in redeeming us. He will, if I may borrow David’s term’ incline His heavens and come down. My beloved, He will come and save you. For there are times when He surely must be saying to His host, ‘There’s my servant who trusts me and honors me, I must now touch him with my finger. Come on let’s go over there in his domain and redeem him.’ And then He will travel on the wings of the winds toward you!
May 4, 2006
Today's verse: Prov. 25:2 It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter. (KJV).
If you were to think of how different God is as compared to us, you will find that every dimension in which we operate, is distinct from His. His ways are very very different from ours without a shadow of doubt.
God operates from the level of absolute authority. Man, even if there is some authority in him, operates from a level of ‘unsure-ity’. In this context there are two examples I would like to give from The Word.
One, the disciples are scared like rats in a trap, when the storm engulfs their boat at sea and they wake up the Lord who is sleeping amid the storm and tell Him, ‘don’t You care that we perish?’ And He gets up and simply commands the wind and the sea to be quiet! Then turns around to them and asks them, ‘Why are you terrified?…
Two, in Jn 13:3-5, we have ‘And Jesus knowing that the Father had put all things in His hand…laid aside His garments and …began washing the disciples’ feet!
In the first one, Jesus is completely aware of His own capability. He is aware of the power of God. He knows that nothing is impossible to His Father. Somewhere in our minds, we also know about God’s power but how do we react in difficult situations? We flap about our hands, here and there and we do our own things and we say, but isn’t God needing us to do something. Remember, all that God wants us to do in trying moments is to ‘Keep still’ and allow Him to work.
In the second, knowing all things are subjected to Him, by the Father, Jesus yet becomes like a servant. In our case if we know that just a little bit of authority is conferred on us, we wear it on our sleeves; banish the thought of us stooping down at all.
In today’s verse we understand that in concealing God has glory; whereas worldly kings who are absolutely limited and possess hardly anything as compared to God, take glory in whatever they flaunt! God will not want to reveal anything about His glory just to please someone. He is Supreme and has all power with Him and therefore does not need to prove to anybody how capable or powerful He is. But when needed, God’s power will be projected like a tower across the sky. The consolation for us then is that if we are sincere with our Father, He will deliver us. He will show His power before the nations in redeeming us. He will, if I may borrow David’s term’ incline His heavens and come down. My beloved, He will come and save you. For there are times when He surely must be saying to His host, ‘There’s my servant who trusts me and honors me, I must now touch him with my finger. Come on let’s go over there in his domain and redeem him.’ And then He will travel on the wings of the winds toward you!
Wednesday, May 03, 2006
Thoughts for another day
May 3, 2006
Today's verse: 1 Thess. 1:5 For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance. (KJV).
The word ‘Gospel’ has been derived from the Greek word ‘Evangelion’ which rendered in English means ‘Good News’.
Now why is it Good News? Because in it, we have the wonderful assurance that, although we cannot see God, He is close to us. That although, we sin and offend Him, He is ready, to forgive us our sins and close the chapter on our past and welcome us into His marvelous light.
All because the Son of God came down to earth, lived among men, died for him and rose again on the third day. Hallelujah to His Name. If you are in a position to shout Hallelujah, shout it out now or say it gently.
This is not a small event that it can be confined in a small place and be forgotten. Imagine, the Son of God, God Himself, clothed Himself in the finiteness of man; He who is so big that He can grasp the sun in His little finger became so small for our sakes and then suffered the worst ignominies, not opening His mouth and then died a miserable death for our sakes!
And that is the reason why we can hope for glory in our lives. For if God could do what He did, He can and will do anything for us.
The Gospel, is God’s power for the salvation of the world and our own redemption. It is a beacon of hope for a world lost in the mire of confusion and discontentment. The Gospel is not empty words with no meaning but is the power for us mortal beings to receive all that we need, mentally, spiritually, materially because it tells us that if God cares for a sparrow so much, how much more will He care for us who are His choice creation and whom He loves abundantly.
My friend forget not the sacrifice the Son of God made for you. Take recourse to His blood which can deliver against all odds; after all we are talking about a God for whom nothing is impossible. Rest in the calm assurance that even as the boat you are in is pounded by the winds of calamity and trouble, He is around. His Spirit envelopes you and nothing can touch you. Today, I ask you to raise your sights to heaven and tell Him, ‘Lord, I believe that You are near. And so there is no storm that can hurt me nor anything that can cause me grief – for You are my Savior and my Rock of refuge.’Amen
May 3, 2006
Today's verse: 1 Thess. 1:5 For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance. (KJV).
The word ‘Gospel’ has been derived from the Greek word ‘Evangelion’ which rendered in English means ‘Good News’.
Now why is it Good News? Because in it, we have the wonderful assurance that, although we cannot see God, He is close to us. That although, we sin and offend Him, He is ready, to forgive us our sins and close the chapter on our past and welcome us into His marvelous light.
All because the Son of God came down to earth, lived among men, died for him and rose again on the third day. Hallelujah to His Name. If you are in a position to shout Hallelujah, shout it out now or say it gently.
This is not a small event that it can be confined in a small place and be forgotten. Imagine, the Son of God, God Himself, clothed Himself in the finiteness of man; He who is so big that He can grasp the sun in His little finger became so small for our sakes and then suffered the worst ignominies, not opening His mouth and then died a miserable death for our sakes!
And that is the reason why we can hope for glory in our lives. For if God could do what He did, He can and will do anything for us.
The Gospel, is God’s power for the salvation of the world and our own redemption. It is a beacon of hope for a world lost in the mire of confusion and discontentment. The Gospel is not empty words with no meaning but is the power for us mortal beings to receive all that we need, mentally, spiritually, materially because it tells us that if God cares for a sparrow so much, how much more will He care for us who are His choice creation and whom He loves abundantly.
My friend forget not the sacrifice the Son of God made for you. Take recourse to His blood which can deliver against all odds; after all we are talking about a God for whom nothing is impossible. Rest in the calm assurance that even as the boat you are in is pounded by the winds of calamity and trouble, He is around. His Spirit envelopes you and nothing can touch you. Today, I ask you to raise your sights to heaven and tell Him, ‘Lord, I believe that You are near. And so there is no storm that can hurt me nor anything that can cause me grief – for You are my Savior and my Rock of refuge.’Amen
Tuesday, May 02, 2006
Thoughts for another day
Thoughts for another day
May 2, 2006
Today's verse: Dan. 9:19 O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive; O Lord, hearken and do; defer not, for thine own sake, O my God: for thy city and thy people are called by thy name. (KJV).
The Word of God often gives prayers of people who have prayed to God and have sought His answers. In the verse above, we have the prayer of Daniel. This prayer is purportedly at the time of the Jewish exile into Babylon and at the time, Darius had taken over the reins of Babylon and was ruling over it.
Our God is a patient and loving God and He gives us a long rope. Then for the sake of bringing us into His fold, He chastises and disciplines us. The disciplining is not a punishment as such but a form of bringing us closer to Him. For you see, that it is only when we have troubles that we turn to the Lord. At fine times, who wants God!
God often warns us about the punishment we will incur if we continue leading sinful lives. In His Word, as well as in visions, and in talking to us He lets us know of our sins. We ignore this to our own peril. The people of Israel sinned gravely against our God. They taunted Him often. They infuriated Him to the extreme. But in His mercy, He sent them prophets who decried their acts and told about the reprimanding that God would send them. But they did not heed their voice. Yet, God in His abundant patience, waited. But they still did not change and then gave them up to suffer under Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon. They were plundered, derided, and laid low. And only in this situation did they feel remorse at what they did to God. The situation was a terrible awakening for them. They, who prided themselves as being people of a living and active God, now suffered doom.
Daniel in this situation understands that according to the prophets, salvation was near. He realizes this and prays. The fundamental aspect that we can draw from this verse is that no matter how far we are from God, He is close to us. What is even more important is that, even when we have hammered and hammered at the heart of God without getting any answer, we should not give up. For, He will deliver. He is a beautiful and loving Father. He will listen to our cries. He is the same eternally and if He heard the cries of the people then, He will hear your cries too. Hold fast to His Word and give it not up nor allow doubt to eat at His Words. And surely He will come with His power to rescue you. If not for any other reason, then because of His Name by which we are known!
May 2, 2006
Today's verse: Dan. 9:19 O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive; O Lord, hearken and do; defer not, for thine own sake, O my God: for thy city and thy people are called by thy name. (KJV).
The Word of God often gives prayers of people who have prayed to God and have sought His answers. In the verse above, we have the prayer of Daniel. This prayer is purportedly at the time of the Jewish exile into Babylon and at the time, Darius had taken over the reins of Babylon and was ruling over it.
Our God is a patient and loving God and He gives us a long rope. Then for the sake of bringing us into His fold, He chastises and disciplines us. The disciplining is not a punishment as such but a form of bringing us closer to Him. For you see, that it is only when we have troubles that we turn to the Lord. At fine times, who wants God!
God often warns us about the punishment we will incur if we continue leading sinful lives. In His Word, as well as in visions, and in talking to us He lets us know of our sins. We ignore this to our own peril. The people of Israel sinned gravely against our God. They taunted Him often. They infuriated Him to the extreme. But in His mercy, He sent them prophets who decried their acts and told about the reprimanding that God would send them. But they did not heed their voice. Yet, God in His abundant patience, waited. But they still did not change and then gave them up to suffer under Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon. They were plundered, derided, and laid low. And only in this situation did they feel remorse at what they did to God. The situation was a terrible awakening for them. They, who prided themselves as being people of a living and active God, now suffered doom.
Daniel in this situation understands that according to the prophets, salvation was near. He realizes this and prays. The fundamental aspect that we can draw from this verse is that no matter how far we are from God, He is close to us. What is even more important is that, even when we have hammered and hammered at the heart of God without getting any answer, we should not give up. For, He will deliver. He is a beautiful and loving Father. He will listen to our cries. He is the same eternally and if He heard the cries of the people then, He will hear your cries too. Hold fast to His Word and give it not up nor allow doubt to eat at His Words. And surely He will come with His power to rescue you. If not for any other reason, then because of His Name by which we are known!
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