Thoughts for another day
July 31, 2007
Today's verse: Amos 8:11. Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD: (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)
A thing I have noticed among many Christians is the scant respect for the Word of God. Bible reading is almost zero as far as many people are concerned and even with those who read, it is like moving quickly toward the finish. Like most of these programs we have – read the Bible in one year and then they give us advise on how many chapters we must read and which Books etc. But, this way of reading to ‘finish’ reading the Bible is no good for anyone. God is not pleased and therefore the truth of God’s Word is hidden and hence there is no power.
My friend, we are indeed privileged to have His Word available to us so easily. And we must find the time to read the word. Even a simple passage can change our lives for it is not our strength but His power present in His Word. There are many who have with just a Word, been changed. Their lives have taken a 180-degree turn and they have moved from being their old selves and become a new creation.
If you have, a Bible in your cupboard, etc. take it out today and give it the honor due by reading it. It will do much good to your soul. It’s best we do it quickly lest the Word of God (today’s verse) catch up and become reality. Then it will be too late. We will never be able to know our God nor fellowship with Him and consequently lead defeated lives. There are already many who are leading such lives. The tragedy is that they do not know. But as far as we are concerned, let’s rise up and pay homage to the Word of God with all our hearts and He will make it a reality in our lives.
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Friday, July 27, 2007
Thoughts for another day
July 27, 2007
Today's verse: Zec. 1:6. But my words and my statutes, which I commanded my servants the prophets, did they not take hold of your fathers? (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)
In the prophets, God speaks His heart out at times. You will know this when you read the Bible carefully. To you who do not read it, I would urge to read. Surely you can give fifteen minutes to God who gave you His life, can’t you?
In this above verse, there is a fundamental truth that God is saying through Zechariah. But before this, is the verse, which talks about, how the fathers of the recipients of Zechariah’s message got the Word from God but ignored it. Then God asks whether they are alive or for that matter, even the prophets who gave them His Word. Then God declares the above. Which means, that His Word cut asunder and took hold of them and did what was promised in that Word. He dealt with them the way He had told He would.
There is a great eternal truth in this. God’s Word always accomplishes that which It said It will. For God’s Word is not an empty assemblage of utterances but a semblance of power and a reality beyond the real. Aside from this, God’s Word is sure. You can take His Word and stand upon it. I challenge you today my friend, look at His Word and dare. For when you dare, it is not your own might that you are laying on the line but the power of God. When the winds swipe you and the tempests surge around you, grab God’s Word. It will shut the tempest and arrest the motion of the winds. For none can withstand the Power of the Word of God. Believe in His Word and stand firm. Life will sure weave you through the pleasant dales of His wings.
July 27, 2007
Today's verse: Zec. 1:6. But my words and my statutes, which I commanded my servants the prophets, did they not take hold of your fathers? (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)
In the prophets, God speaks His heart out at times. You will know this when you read the Bible carefully. To you who do not read it, I would urge to read. Surely you can give fifteen minutes to God who gave you His life, can’t you?
In this above verse, there is a fundamental truth that God is saying through Zechariah. But before this, is the verse, which talks about, how the fathers of the recipients of Zechariah’s message got the Word from God but ignored it. Then God asks whether they are alive or for that matter, even the prophets who gave them His Word. Then God declares the above. Which means, that His Word cut asunder and took hold of them and did what was promised in that Word. He dealt with them the way He had told He would.
There is a great eternal truth in this. God’s Word always accomplishes that which It said It will. For God’s Word is not an empty assemblage of utterances but a semblance of power and a reality beyond the real. Aside from this, God’s Word is sure. You can take His Word and stand upon it. I challenge you today my friend, look at His Word and dare. For when you dare, it is not your own might that you are laying on the line but the power of God. When the winds swipe you and the tempests surge around you, grab God’s Word. It will shut the tempest and arrest the motion of the winds. For none can withstand the Power of the Word of God. Believe in His Word and stand firm. Life will sure weave you through the pleasant dales of His wings.
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Thoughts for another day
July 25, 2007
Today's verse: Is. 30:15. In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength: (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)
In appropriating God’s power, the key ingredients are given by God Himself as above. Essentially, they mean that we just need to shut up and relax and allow God to work in our lives.
When a crisis comes our way, we are in a state of extreme disturbance. The disturbance being directly proportional to what we consider the crisis to be. In this disturbance, the virtue of the true believer is to bring about a silence. A kind of, coming back to God. Remember that God usually makes Himself know in stillness (Ps. 46;10).
God, also needs us to be confident in Him. If we are confident in God, knowing at the back of our minds that He is all-powerful and He loves us; and also that God’s will is that we are with the ‘good’ all the time, else Jesus would not be healing and delivering most of the time in His Ministry; and we keep this as the anchor of our lives, we find God pleased with us and then of course His power is imminent.
I would exhort you my friend today to live in the way that God wants us to live. To come back to Him and rest (Jesus told His disciples to retreat and rest awhile). Then be still in your life so you will feel His presence. Be confident that He will deliver. Be aware that you are His child and a precious one at that. Be also aware that He loves you beyond your every comprehension. In this will you fulfill His dictates to you and His power will be unleashed in your life and you will stand in faith and glorify His Name.
July 25, 2007
Today's verse: Is. 30:15. In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength: (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)
In appropriating God’s power, the key ingredients are given by God Himself as above. Essentially, they mean that we just need to shut up and relax and allow God to work in our lives.
When a crisis comes our way, we are in a state of extreme disturbance. The disturbance being directly proportional to what we consider the crisis to be. In this disturbance, the virtue of the true believer is to bring about a silence. A kind of, coming back to God. Remember that God usually makes Himself know in stillness (Ps. 46;10).
God, also needs us to be confident in Him. If we are confident in God, knowing at the back of our minds that He is all-powerful and He loves us; and also that God’s will is that we are with the ‘good’ all the time, else Jesus would not be healing and delivering most of the time in His Ministry; and we keep this as the anchor of our lives, we find God pleased with us and then of course His power is imminent.
I would exhort you my friend today to live in the way that God wants us to live. To come back to Him and rest (Jesus told His disciples to retreat and rest awhile). Then be still in your life so you will feel His presence. Be confident that He will deliver. Be aware that you are His child and a precious one at that. Be also aware that He loves you beyond your every comprehension. In this will you fulfill His dictates to you and His power will be unleashed in your life and you will stand in faith and glorify His Name.
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Thoughts for another day
July 25, 2007
Today's verse: Hag. 1:8. Go up to the mountain, and bring wood, and build the house; and I will take pleasure in it, and I will be glorified, saith the LORD. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)
Many of us, either deliberately or inadvertently tend to take glory for things we have managed to create; upon ourselves. This malady has wide ramifications and has spread its tentacles in many a Christians’ home.
Somehow, the world we live in nurtures in us the belief that we exist for ourselves. That we earn for ourselves and it is ‘us’ which are important in our lives. Our actions then flow with this thinking and God becomes a non-entity in our space. We live in a manner suggesting invincibility and longevity. We completely ignore God. For us He is just a distant ‘someone’ who doesn’t matter. We have no allegiance to Him nor do we develop a home for Him, which in other words and in today’s time means, we have no room for Him in our hearts.
But while we harbor such things in our hearts, what does God think? Before we go to this, let us realize that God is an ever-pervading omnipotent force in the universe by whose direction, the winds and matter move in an orderly manner. We might choose to ignore that but it doesn’t mean that God doesn’t exist. So, then, once we hold that God is more real than we ourselves, let us also learn what He thinks of our foolish thoughts about taking glory for ourselves. He is not happy for He very clearly states in His Word that He will not share His glory with any other. He alone is worthy of all glory and honor and man in no way must usurp of this.
In the Bible and in the world today we see innumerable examples of people who have tried to ascribe glory to themselves and have perished. Take Herod in the Acts of the Apostles (12:20-23) or for that matter John Lennon, the Beatles man, who claimed that his group the ‘Beatles’ was more famous than Jesus Christ. He was shot dead… Therefore, I say to you, give God the glory for all that happens with you and God will honor you when it comes to it.
July 25, 2007
Today's verse: Hag. 1:8. Go up to the mountain, and bring wood, and build the house; and I will take pleasure in it, and I will be glorified, saith the LORD. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)
Many of us, either deliberately or inadvertently tend to take glory for things we have managed to create; upon ourselves. This malady has wide ramifications and has spread its tentacles in many a Christians’ home.
Somehow, the world we live in nurtures in us the belief that we exist for ourselves. That we earn for ourselves and it is ‘us’ which are important in our lives. Our actions then flow with this thinking and God becomes a non-entity in our space. We live in a manner suggesting invincibility and longevity. We completely ignore God. For us He is just a distant ‘someone’ who doesn’t matter. We have no allegiance to Him nor do we develop a home for Him, which in other words and in today’s time means, we have no room for Him in our hearts.
But while we harbor such things in our hearts, what does God think? Before we go to this, let us realize that God is an ever-pervading omnipotent force in the universe by whose direction, the winds and matter move in an orderly manner. We might choose to ignore that but it doesn’t mean that God doesn’t exist. So, then, once we hold that God is more real than we ourselves, let us also learn what He thinks of our foolish thoughts about taking glory for ourselves. He is not happy for He very clearly states in His Word that He will not share His glory with any other. He alone is worthy of all glory and honor and man in no way must usurp of this.
In the Bible and in the world today we see innumerable examples of people who have tried to ascribe glory to themselves and have perished. Take Herod in the Acts of the Apostles (12:20-23) or for that matter John Lennon, the Beatles man, who claimed that his group the ‘Beatles’ was more famous than Jesus Christ. He was shot dead… Therefore, I say to you, give God the glory for all that happens with you and God will honor you when it comes to it.
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Thoughts for another day
July 24, 2007
Today's verse: Ez. 8:22. The hand of our God is upon all them for good that seek him; but his power and his wrath is against all them that forsake him. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)
The above verse, isn’t it marvelous? If you seek the Lord, His mighty and blessing Hand is upon you life. If we think about it, it means a lot; because upon those whom the Hand of the Lord is, none shall cast anything. No evil can come near their dwellings for God stands as a block between them and any tricks of the devil.
As people of God we must understand that the principalities and the powers of darkness are constantly at our doorstep waiting to devour us. In moments of our weaknesses and sin, they engulf us and seek to destroy us. But if our heart is with our Father in Heaven and we seek Him constantly in our lives (except in moments of utter temptation when we succumb to it), He looks not at our sin but looks at the threat on our lives that the evil one has propositioned and turns the devil away saying as it were, ‘don’t touch him, he is My child.’ And the devil has no option but to run away else the stern eye of the Lord blow him asunder.
Now my friend, I ask, would God say this of you? Would you be found nesting under His wings? Would you be at His table partaking in the sumptuous meal He has laid out for His people? If yes, glory to God. If no, then even now, the time is not past. All you need to do is rise and call Him into your life. Seek Him now as yet He may be found. And He will bring healing to your heart. Do not ignore this call today for remember, if you forsake Him, and the devil wants to torment you, God will not stand before you and him simply because you have cast Him away. He is too gentle to interfere in your life if you do not want Him. My friend, don’t let this happen; rather immediately make room for Him now and let Him occupy the inner chambers of your heart. Soon He will show you, how much it means to Him and how much He will bless you.
July 24, 2007
Today's verse: Ez. 8:22. The hand of our God is upon all them for good that seek him; but his power and his wrath is against all them that forsake him. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)
The above verse, isn’t it marvelous? If you seek the Lord, His mighty and blessing Hand is upon you life. If we think about it, it means a lot; because upon those whom the Hand of the Lord is, none shall cast anything. No evil can come near their dwellings for God stands as a block between them and any tricks of the devil.
As people of God we must understand that the principalities and the powers of darkness are constantly at our doorstep waiting to devour us. In moments of our weaknesses and sin, they engulf us and seek to destroy us. But if our heart is with our Father in Heaven and we seek Him constantly in our lives (except in moments of utter temptation when we succumb to it), He looks not at our sin but looks at the threat on our lives that the evil one has propositioned and turns the devil away saying as it were, ‘don’t touch him, he is My child.’ And the devil has no option but to run away else the stern eye of the Lord blow him asunder.
Now my friend, I ask, would God say this of you? Would you be found nesting under His wings? Would you be at His table partaking in the sumptuous meal He has laid out for His people? If yes, glory to God. If no, then even now, the time is not past. All you need to do is rise and call Him into your life. Seek Him now as yet He may be found. And He will bring healing to your heart. Do not ignore this call today for remember, if you forsake Him, and the devil wants to torment you, God will not stand before you and him simply because you have cast Him away. He is too gentle to interfere in your life if you do not want Him. My friend, don’t let this happen; rather immediately make room for Him now and let Him occupy the inner chambers of your heart. Soon He will show you, how much it means to Him and how much He will bless you.
Monday, July 23, 2007
Thoughts for another day
July 23, 2007
Today's verse: Is. 53:4. Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)
Sometime today in prayer within the silence of your heart, place this verse and ponder over it. Your heart will gush with sorrow and certain guilt, not to take you away from the Master, but to tell you how much He loved you. To tell you that no matter what you do, He stands in readiness to forgive.
If you take but one step towards the Master’s throne, He will walk down to embrace you and lead you home…remember the father of the prodigal son? Such is our God. When you think of it, you will wonder; what a God is this. So powerful, so mighty, so glorious, yet, when it comes to us, so gentle and patient. God is the epitome of kindness and forgiveness. When you study the Bible, in the Old Testament, you have the stern words of our Father who promises to destroy the Israelites for they had literally smacked God with their abominations. The stench of their sin filled His nostrils and He was angry. So He sent His prophets with the exhortation to repent. But they didn’t. He warned them of the calamities He would send yet, after each warning, He also promised them redemption. And He said, that He would gather them up and bring them back to the land from wherever he had scattered them. Today, years later, we find that saying true.
God, though an enigma, is best understood with the heart. Opening your heart counts as an open door for His Majesty and He deigns to come in and reign. We need to open our hearts to Him. He surely deserves the highest place in our lives because He even died for us. Like a lamb He was slaughtered, this Jesus, even the Son of God. Yet, he did not count it too much my friend. Tell me: can you see the vast ocean of love in His eyes for you. Which of your friends who loves you, will lay down his life for you? Which one will be abased so that you may be lifted up? But remember, your God, your mighty Father, did it. And you know what, even if you’ve been away from Him for a long time, He doesn’t mind. He says, ‘the last shall be first.’ Get up now and worship Him and give Him your life, it will be worth it.
July 23, 2007
Today's verse: Is. 53:4. Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)
Sometime today in prayer within the silence of your heart, place this verse and ponder over it. Your heart will gush with sorrow and certain guilt, not to take you away from the Master, but to tell you how much He loved you. To tell you that no matter what you do, He stands in readiness to forgive.
If you take but one step towards the Master’s throne, He will walk down to embrace you and lead you home…remember the father of the prodigal son? Such is our God. When you think of it, you will wonder; what a God is this. So powerful, so mighty, so glorious, yet, when it comes to us, so gentle and patient. God is the epitome of kindness and forgiveness. When you study the Bible, in the Old Testament, you have the stern words of our Father who promises to destroy the Israelites for they had literally smacked God with their abominations. The stench of their sin filled His nostrils and He was angry. So He sent His prophets with the exhortation to repent. But they didn’t. He warned them of the calamities He would send yet, after each warning, He also promised them redemption. And He said, that He would gather them up and bring them back to the land from wherever he had scattered them. Today, years later, we find that saying true.
God, though an enigma, is best understood with the heart. Opening your heart counts as an open door for His Majesty and He deigns to come in and reign. We need to open our hearts to Him. He surely deserves the highest place in our lives because He even died for us. Like a lamb He was slaughtered, this Jesus, even the Son of God. Yet, he did not count it too much my friend. Tell me: can you see the vast ocean of love in His eyes for you. Which of your friends who loves you, will lay down his life for you? Which one will be abased so that you may be lifted up? But remember, your God, your mighty Father, did it. And you know what, even if you’ve been away from Him for a long time, He doesn’t mind. He says, ‘the last shall be first.’ Get up now and worship Him and give Him your life, it will be worth it.
Friday, July 20, 2007
Thoughts for another day
July 20, 2007
Today's verse: Ps 103:1. Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits. (NIV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)
There is a song which goes, ‘count your many blessings name them one by one…’ O sing it dear people of God for God finds pleasure when you sing and bless His Name for great is He who does all these things for us and is by our side in all our trials and troubles to deliver us from them.
Do you know that even as you are sitting in your place reading this, Satan has demanded of God that he whittle and thrash you and sift you like wheat. But our dear Father allows him not. He does not as much as allow him to touch a single hair on your head for God loves you too dearly to hurt you. The devil loves only to steal and destroy and is at it so he can cause you pain, but the mighty One of Jacob is also constantly watching over you as does a mother eagle over her brood in the crags of the high rock.
It is such blessed thing to sit down before God and tell Him, ‘Lord thanks for my legs…yonder I see a legless man on crutches, or Lord, thanks for my good health, cause I went to the hospital and saw the suffering of those there, what have they done to deserve it…or for that matter, Lord thanks for my family, for I know aunt Lily who stays alone and none is there to take care of her…
See my friend, there is so much we need to thank God for. He is so loving as a Father that it is seemingly impossible for us not to thank Him. Today, even as we think of our Father, let us not ask for that which we don’t have rather thank Him for the many blessings He has showered upon us. I tell you, heaven will rejoice in the refrain of thanks that flows from your heart.
July 20, 2007
Today's verse: Ps 103:1. Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits. (NIV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)
There is a song which goes, ‘count your many blessings name them one by one…’ O sing it dear people of God for God finds pleasure when you sing and bless His Name for great is He who does all these things for us and is by our side in all our trials and troubles to deliver us from them.
Do you know that even as you are sitting in your place reading this, Satan has demanded of God that he whittle and thrash you and sift you like wheat. But our dear Father allows him not. He does not as much as allow him to touch a single hair on your head for God loves you too dearly to hurt you. The devil loves only to steal and destroy and is at it so he can cause you pain, but the mighty One of Jacob is also constantly watching over you as does a mother eagle over her brood in the crags of the high rock.
It is such blessed thing to sit down before God and tell Him, ‘Lord thanks for my legs…yonder I see a legless man on crutches, or Lord, thanks for my good health, cause I went to the hospital and saw the suffering of those there, what have they done to deserve it…or for that matter, Lord thanks for my family, for I know aunt Lily who stays alone and none is there to take care of her…
See my friend, there is so much we need to thank God for. He is so loving as a Father that it is seemingly impossible for us not to thank Him. Today, even as we think of our Father, let us not ask for that which we don’t have rather thank Him for the many blessings He has showered upon us. I tell you, heaven will rejoice in the refrain of thanks that flows from your heart.
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Thoughts for another day
July 19, 2007
Today's verse: 2 Chron. 5:13. For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever: (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)
Deepak was a young enterprising executive moving at jet speed up the corporate ladder. In his haste to move up, he trampled others and made immoral alliances with people. God blessed him with a wonderful wife and a sweet daughter but Deepak’s penchant for corporate glory did not allow him to see the beauty at home but seek splendor in the outside world. He had all the time for work, but for his family, none.
One day as Deepak was sitting on the negotiating table involving a deal that ran into millions, he felt a sudden twitch in his chest. A shaft of pain moved through his body and in an instant, large globules of sweat panned his forehead. His neck slanted at a dangerous angle and life seemed to drain from Deepak. He was all of 37 years of age and right now had suffered a massive stroke. The left side of his body was completely numb and speech had left him. Waking up in the hospital bed, he saw his wife seated at his side holding his hand. He opened his mouth to speak but couldn’t utter a word. He realized that he couldn’t move his left hand and his left leg. He could only think, even as his wife kept telling him all was okay. He wanted to know the time but even that he couldn’t ask for he couldn’t talk and his right hand had needles coming from his wrist. Suddenly he was scared. Fear hit him in the stomach. His wife sensed this and with soothing hands rubbed his temples. For the first time, Deepak felt her gentle hands and wanted to hold them, but couldn’t.
Days passed and Deepak reconciled to the situation. Each day his friends strolled in with comforting words but deep inside, he felt they were laughing at his condition. He was nothing but a vegetable. His wife was the only succor he cherished. When she was not there, he waited for her. His daughter was not allowed to visit as she was small but he longed to hold her hand! The movement of doctors and nurses became a routine.
In all this, Deepak started learning. His wife read him from the Bible and Deepak felt he was with Jesus. Deepak, saw Jesus as He moved to the paralytic near the pool Bethesda and ask him, ‘do you want to be made well?’ Then Deepak saw Him cure the man who for 38 years could not move. Deepak’s relationship with Jesus increased. He learnt that God was good and He always was with His people. He yearned to know more and waited for his wife to come and read him the Bible. He had established a system with her, which made her understand that he wanted something re-read, etc.
One night while sleeping, Deepak, in great anguish asked Jesus, ‘Lord why this with me.’ And he sobbed and sobbed and drifted to sleep. Jesus came by and gently woke him and led him down a beautiful path. There Jesus explained, ‘child, there are so many things you needed to learn about Me. But you would not. Your wife and child needed you and you did not. I spoke to you to keep your life clean through that preacher, but you ridiculed him. I could not keep this from happening to you as you didn’t want Me near you. I knew it was coming and warned you, but you did not listen to Me. Now don’t worry I am with you and no matter if you have insulted me, I forgive. I will heal you and restore you for the sake of your wife who constantly is with me and praying for you. Then Jesus left Deepak. When he got up in the morning, he could feel a gentle tingling in his spine; the first sign of life in his battered body. Deepak couldn’t kneel down but the tears flowed down. ‘My God, You are good and really Lord, Your mercies are ever lasting. You even chose to forgive me who has revolted and gone away. How great and wonderful you are…’
Five months down the line, Deepak was back on his feet talking and doing normal things rather miraculously but now a changed man. He left his earlier job and took a simpler job. No trappings of luxury just a simple one but he was happy. There were no blockages in his heart, just an imprint of the Lord. Deepak, a changed man now was a vessel for Jesus Christ. A succor, for the diseased, and a messenger of God’s hope.
July 19, 2007
Today's verse: 2 Chron. 5:13. For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever: (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)
Deepak was a young enterprising executive moving at jet speed up the corporate ladder. In his haste to move up, he trampled others and made immoral alliances with people. God blessed him with a wonderful wife and a sweet daughter but Deepak’s penchant for corporate glory did not allow him to see the beauty at home but seek splendor in the outside world. He had all the time for work, but for his family, none.
One day as Deepak was sitting on the negotiating table involving a deal that ran into millions, he felt a sudden twitch in his chest. A shaft of pain moved through his body and in an instant, large globules of sweat panned his forehead. His neck slanted at a dangerous angle and life seemed to drain from Deepak. He was all of 37 years of age and right now had suffered a massive stroke. The left side of his body was completely numb and speech had left him. Waking up in the hospital bed, he saw his wife seated at his side holding his hand. He opened his mouth to speak but couldn’t utter a word. He realized that he couldn’t move his left hand and his left leg. He could only think, even as his wife kept telling him all was okay. He wanted to know the time but even that he couldn’t ask for he couldn’t talk and his right hand had needles coming from his wrist. Suddenly he was scared. Fear hit him in the stomach. His wife sensed this and with soothing hands rubbed his temples. For the first time, Deepak felt her gentle hands and wanted to hold them, but couldn’t.
Days passed and Deepak reconciled to the situation. Each day his friends strolled in with comforting words but deep inside, he felt they were laughing at his condition. He was nothing but a vegetable. His wife was the only succor he cherished. When she was not there, he waited for her. His daughter was not allowed to visit as she was small but he longed to hold her hand! The movement of doctors and nurses became a routine.
In all this, Deepak started learning. His wife read him from the Bible and Deepak felt he was with Jesus. Deepak, saw Jesus as He moved to the paralytic near the pool Bethesda and ask him, ‘do you want to be made well?’ Then Deepak saw Him cure the man who for 38 years could not move. Deepak’s relationship with Jesus increased. He learnt that God was good and He always was with His people. He yearned to know more and waited for his wife to come and read him the Bible. He had established a system with her, which made her understand that he wanted something re-read, etc.
One night while sleeping, Deepak, in great anguish asked Jesus, ‘Lord why this with me.’ And he sobbed and sobbed and drifted to sleep. Jesus came by and gently woke him and led him down a beautiful path. There Jesus explained, ‘child, there are so many things you needed to learn about Me. But you would not. Your wife and child needed you and you did not. I spoke to you to keep your life clean through that preacher, but you ridiculed him. I could not keep this from happening to you as you didn’t want Me near you. I knew it was coming and warned you, but you did not listen to Me. Now don’t worry I am with you and no matter if you have insulted me, I forgive. I will heal you and restore you for the sake of your wife who constantly is with me and praying for you. Then Jesus left Deepak. When he got up in the morning, he could feel a gentle tingling in his spine; the first sign of life in his battered body. Deepak couldn’t kneel down but the tears flowed down. ‘My God, You are good and really Lord, Your mercies are ever lasting. You even chose to forgive me who has revolted and gone away. How great and wonderful you are…’
Five months down the line, Deepak was back on his feet talking and doing normal things rather miraculously but now a changed man. He left his earlier job and took a simpler job. No trappings of luxury just a simple one but he was happy. There were no blockages in his heart, just an imprint of the Lord. Deepak, a changed man now was a vessel for Jesus Christ. A succor, for the diseased, and a messenger of God’s hope.
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Thoughts for another day
July 18, 2007
Today's verse: Nah. 1:7. The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)
A look at today’s verse and two things emerge. 1. That the Lord is a stronghold in the day of trouble and 2. He knows His own.
To know that the Lord is a stronghold is very very comforting. That’s because in some situations in life, we need to have a stronghold in which we can seek refuge. We need to feel the strong presence of someone we can go to and get rest for our souls and that too without fear of fees or other things that could be asked of us. Yea, although we are not able to see the Lord, we can rest assured that He is there. Never for a moment think that the Lord is unaware of what is happening with you. At times people torment you and you feel so bad. At these times, pls. turn to the Lord and tell Him about it so that He may avenge the situation. Remember He can do it; for even the greatest of humans cannot stand before Him.
Then is the fact that the Lord knows His own. This is fantastic. Because remember, when you have made a special place for God in your heart and you worship Him day in and day out and remove time to be with Him, He Knows you. You become special to Him because you are willing to sacrifice for His sake. This is a great trait in our devotion to Him – our ability to sacrifice for Him. My friend, sometimes I feel there are tears of pride in the eyes of the Lord when He brings to His mind certain people who consider themselves nothing before Him and are willing to face ridicule for His sake. In fact, His Son was like that and anyone emulating His Son is pleasing to the Father.
Let us then remember that in our battles we are not alone. But that He is the weapon we have. Let us forge in our minds that we need to be known of Him at all times. We must endeavor to spend quality time with Him, no matter how busy our schedules. We may think of how much easy life would be if we could keep that hour for ourselves but let us also know that spending that one hour before the Almighty gives us the strength to go for the next 23 hrs.
July 18, 2007
Today's verse: Nah. 1:7. The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)
A look at today’s verse and two things emerge. 1. That the Lord is a stronghold in the day of trouble and 2. He knows His own.
To know that the Lord is a stronghold is very very comforting. That’s because in some situations in life, we need to have a stronghold in which we can seek refuge. We need to feel the strong presence of someone we can go to and get rest for our souls and that too without fear of fees or other things that could be asked of us. Yea, although we are not able to see the Lord, we can rest assured that He is there. Never for a moment think that the Lord is unaware of what is happening with you. At times people torment you and you feel so bad. At these times, pls. turn to the Lord and tell Him about it so that He may avenge the situation. Remember He can do it; for even the greatest of humans cannot stand before Him.
Then is the fact that the Lord knows His own. This is fantastic. Because remember, when you have made a special place for God in your heart and you worship Him day in and day out and remove time to be with Him, He Knows you. You become special to Him because you are willing to sacrifice for His sake. This is a great trait in our devotion to Him – our ability to sacrifice for Him. My friend, sometimes I feel there are tears of pride in the eyes of the Lord when He brings to His mind certain people who consider themselves nothing before Him and are willing to face ridicule for His sake. In fact, His Son was like that and anyone emulating His Son is pleasing to the Father.
Let us then remember that in our battles we are not alone. But that He is the weapon we have. Let us forge in our minds that we need to be known of Him at all times. We must endeavor to spend quality time with Him, no matter how busy our schedules. We may think of how much easy life would be if we could keep that hour for ourselves but let us also know that spending that one hour before the Almighty gives us the strength to go for the next 23 hrs.
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Thoughts for another day
July 17, 2007
Today's verse: Mk. 7:8. For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)
As I was sitting in the Prayer Room one day, I saw a lady bring a beautiful bouquet of flowers as an offering to the Lord. She knelt down kept it near the Tabernacle and quietly slipped away. No prayer, no pause, not a word with the Lord. This started me thinking, ‘what does the Lord want of us, an offering or ourselves.’
In our prayers although, we spend time as we used to; we feel dryness. We may spend that half hour but our heart is not with the Lord. We may give tithes but again it is because God mandates us, not because we want to. Our life continues… seeped in tradition, the non-essentials, and the rituals. Talk about the waste of time in tradition and we make it seem it were sacrilegious to even utter such an allegation!
Honestly friends, what God seeks from us is love for humanity. You needn’t go and embrace everybody saying ‘brother, I love you, or sister, I care for you’; but you are to be there when somebody needs you. Tell me, is there one person in the world, other than your family members, who can say, ‘I know she is there for me’. God looks for this in us. He wants us to partake of His role in this world. It is difficult to play God, for God is so good and we are so crass, yet, it is possible, despite what people think of us to do small acts of kindness. I know of a lady who though despised by society, does small acts of charity, reaching out to people and this even though the people sometimes throw out the little things she brings them. Through her tears she told me once, ‘you know, my life is so bad. Yet, I want to change, do good to people, but when I reach out to them, they shun me.’
You and I, who seem to be so nice, do this. We shun ‘tainted’ people for the sake of our lofty traditions. I myself have time and again ignored people who are held in bad repute so that I may not be accused of anything. Ah, and then we sit before the Lord with our own list of sins… What a shame. Jesus never did it. He had the guts to say, ‘I have come to seek and save the lost.’ Today, shall we stand before God and tell him how bad we feel and seek His help in turning tradition on its head if it does not heed the cry of another human being.
July 17, 2007
Today's verse: Mk. 7:8. For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)
As I was sitting in the Prayer Room one day, I saw a lady bring a beautiful bouquet of flowers as an offering to the Lord. She knelt down kept it near the Tabernacle and quietly slipped away. No prayer, no pause, not a word with the Lord. This started me thinking, ‘what does the Lord want of us, an offering or ourselves.’
In our prayers although, we spend time as we used to; we feel dryness. We may spend that half hour but our heart is not with the Lord. We may give tithes but again it is because God mandates us, not because we want to. Our life continues… seeped in tradition, the non-essentials, and the rituals. Talk about the waste of time in tradition and we make it seem it were sacrilegious to even utter such an allegation!
Honestly friends, what God seeks from us is love for humanity. You needn’t go and embrace everybody saying ‘brother, I love you, or sister, I care for you’; but you are to be there when somebody needs you. Tell me, is there one person in the world, other than your family members, who can say, ‘I know she is there for me’. God looks for this in us. He wants us to partake of His role in this world. It is difficult to play God, for God is so good and we are so crass, yet, it is possible, despite what people think of us to do small acts of kindness. I know of a lady who though despised by society, does small acts of charity, reaching out to people and this even though the people sometimes throw out the little things she brings them. Through her tears she told me once, ‘you know, my life is so bad. Yet, I want to change, do good to people, but when I reach out to them, they shun me.’
You and I, who seem to be so nice, do this. We shun ‘tainted’ people for the sake of our lofty traditions. I myself have time and again ignored people who are held in bad repute so that I may not be accused of anything. Ah, and then we sit before the Lord with our own list of sins… What a shame. Jesus never did it. He had the guts to say, ‘I have come to seek and save the lost.’ Today, shall we stand before God and tell him how bad we feel and seek His help in turning tradition on its head if it does not heed the cry of another human being.
Monday, July 16, 2007
Thoughts for another day
July 16, 2007
Today's verse: Jer. 26:14. As for me, behold, I am in your hand: do with me as seemeth good and meet unto you. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)
I believe our verse today is given to tell us that like Jeremiah, we must, if appointed by God to the office, proclaim His Word in all truth and in its entirety without fear of what will happen if His Word is found unsuitable by the powers that be.
In understanding this, let’s go back to Jeremiah’s time when he stood before the prophets and priests in the court of the Lord’s house and proclaimed to the people the impending disaster that was to visit Judah. It was dangerous for a man to do that since the prophets and priests of that time were supposed to be the sole recipients of God’s Word. If you read the portion before this, you will know that God was tired of His prophets and priests because they did not do His bidding but rather the exact opposite. In this they sinned gravely and that’s why God raises Jeremiah. Nevertheless, the hold of the prophets and priests on the people because of ritualistic practices was complete. It is in this backdrop, that we see Jeremiah risking His life for God’s Word.
The exalted office of prophet comes power packed and will in all probability usurp positions of authority at that time. It may also be a slap on the faces of many who seek to pander those in authority. But the one who is chosen as prophet has no alternative but to speak what is given.
You and I may be called to become prophets of the Lord. At the current time, I believe there is a lot the Lord God will want to tell us about what’s going to happen. For I believe that the cup of His wrath is brimming over because of the evil that man harbors in his heart and the diabolic acts that have been perpetrated on the earth. He may raise us up and bid us go and proclaim the bitter truth to the people. This may not be palatable to many who seem to be seated in positions of power and the chair of the prophet. What will we do: suppress the truth of God’s Word or proclaim it boldly even if it means our head will not remain on our shoulders.
July 16, 2007
Today's verse: Jer. 26:14. As for me, behold, I am in your hand: do with me as seemeth good and meet unto you. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)
I believe our verse today is given to tell us that like Jeremiah, we must, if appointed by God to the office, proclaim His Word in all truth and in its entirety without fear of what will happen if His Word is found unsuitable by the powers that be.
In understanding this, let’s go back to Jeremiah’s time when he stood before the prophets and priests in the court of the Lord’s house and proclaimed to the people the impending disaster that was to visit Judah. It was dangerous for a man to do that since the prophets and priests of that time were supposed to be the sole recipients of God’s Word. If you read the portion before this, you will know that God was tired of His prophets and priests because they did not do His bidding but rather the exact opposite. In this they sinned gravely and that’s why God raises Jeremiah. Nevertheless, the hold of the prophets and priests on the people because of ritualistic practices was complete. It is in this backdrop, that we see Jeremiah risking His life for God’s Word.
The exalted office of prophet comes power packed and will in all probability usurp positions of authority at that time. It may also be a slap on the faces of many who seek to pander those in authority. But the one who is chosen as prophet has no alternative but to speak what is given.
You and I may be called to become prophets of the Lord. At the current time, I believe there is a lot the Lord God will want to tell us about what’s going to happen. For I believe that the cup of His wrath is brimming over because of the evil that man harbors in his heart and the diabolic acts that have been perpetrated on the earth. He may raise us up and bid us go and proclaim the bitter truth to the people. This may not be palatable to many who seem to be seated in positions of power and the chair of the prophet. What will we do: suppress the truth of God’s Word or proclaim it boldly even if it means our head will not remain on our shoulders.
Friday, July 13, 2007
Thoughts for another day
July 13, 2007
Today's verse: Mt. 11:28. Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)
In the past few reflections we understand that in this world there are tribulations galore. People are in misery and pain. Getting solutions for their problems can be impossible with many running pillar to post, yet not being able to get anything done.
But in this, we need to find what God says. Wherever in the Word you read of trouble and pestilence, you will find God advising, ‘Come unto Me.’ Whenever the backs of men have been loaded with burdens too great to carry, the Creator asks man to go straight to Him. For God knows what the solution to our problem is. God knows how to remove the load off our backs. He alone can afford us comfort in the midst of our most violent discomfort. Jesus says, ‘come unto Me all who labor and are heavily burdened…’ Jesus knew that evil in the world would necessarily touch His servants and that is why He made the statement.
Today, it is possible you are under some kind of torment and discomfort. It could be a disease, a financial trauma or strife at home. It could be a situation at work where you might have experienced injustice and hurt. Or it could be a simple rejection from loved ones. In all this remember, our Lord asks you to go to Him. Don’t forget that He Himself faced trouble. He was so weary when asked to take the Cross on His shoulder and move up mount Calvary. But He did it, because He drew strength from the source of all strength. You too run to the source of strength and drink of the sweet spring of comfort. Forget all your trouble (I know its difficult when you are going through it) for the time being and put yourself in His presence. Look and see how He will make all your loads evaporate. It has happened with many in the past, it will happen with you, for He is the same God and He loves you too.
July 13, 2007
Today's verse: Mt. 11:28. Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)
In the past few reflections we understand that in this world there are tribulations galore. People are in misery and pain. Getting solutions for their problems can be impossible with many running pillar to post, yet not being able to get anything done.
But in this, we need to find what God says. Wherever in the Word you read of trouble and pestilence, you will find God advising, ‘Come unto Me.’ Whenever the backs of men have been loaded with burdens too great to carry, the Creator asks man to go straight to Him. For God knows what the solution to our problem is. God knows how to remove the load off our backs. He alone can afford us comfort in the midst of our most violent discomfort. Jesus says, ‘come unto Me all who labor and are heavily burdened…’ Jesus knew that evil in the world would necessarily touch His servants and that is why He made the statement.
Today, it is possible you are under some kind of torment and discomfort. It could be a disease, a financial trauma or strife at home. It could be a situation at work where you might have experienced injustice and hurt. Or it could be a simple rejection from loved ones. In all this remember, our Lord asks you to go to Him. Don’t forget that He Himself faced trouble. He was so weary when asked to take the Cross on His shoulder and move up mount Calvary. But He did it, because He drew strength from the source of all strength. You too run to the source of strength and drink of the sweet spring of comfort. Forget all your trouble (I know its difficult when you are going through it) for the time being and put yourself in His presence. Look and see how He will make all your loads evaporate. It has happened with many in the past, it will happen with you, for He is the same God and He loves you too.
Thursday, July 12, 2007
Thoughts for another day
July 12, 2007
Today's verse: Pr. 12:18. There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)
When you think of it, it dawns upon you that there is tremendous power in the tongue. One of its great powers is to bring healing to hurting souls. Yet, our human nature usually does not allow us to do that. Rather there are things we do with the tongue that hurt. That cut through the heart, scalding it in its wake.
Crudeness in the ways of the tongue is something we are all familiar with. We use it to slash as with a sword. We use it to lay down and torment. We use it to good effect in putting down people and as we say, put them in their place. And we do all kinds of things with our tongue that erode the fabric of niceness within human beings. Many a person has been done in because of the tongue. Because of it, homes have broken. Members of families have split and hurt each other. When it comes to it, you wonder, such a small instrument in the body can cause such waste?
Rightly has James said, ‘the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity’, James 3:6. He adds saying that it defiles the whole body and again when you reflect, don’t you think he’s very right?
Let us today pray to God to help us put our tongues on a leash. Minimum words to be spoken and that too, words that help build, not destroy like that of the tongue of the wise. Let our tongues be used more to glorify our God rather than to vilify men. We pray to God to allow us to exercise our tongue to be true to His nature in setting forth words of healing. It doesn’t cost us much except our pride. But for the sake of our Lord, let us do it.
July 12, 2007
Today's verse: Pr. 12:18. There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)
When you think of it, it dawns upon you that there is tremendous power in the tongue. One of its great powers is to bring healing to hurting souls. Yet, our human nature usually does not allow us to do that. Rather there are things we do with the tongue that hurt. That cut through the heart, scalding it in its wake.
Crudeness in the ways of the tongue is something we are all familiar with. We use it to slash as with a sword. We use it to lay down and torment. We use it to good effect in putting down people and as we say, put them in their place. And we do all kinds of things with our tongue that erode the fabric of niceness within human beings. Many a person has been done in because of the tongue. Because of it, homes have broken. Members of families have split and hurt each other. When it comes to it, you wonder, such a small instrument in the body can cause such waste?
Rightly has James said, ‘the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity’, James 3:6. He adds saying that it defiles the whole body and again when you reflect, don’t you think he’s very right?
Let us today pray to God to help us put our tongues on a leash. Minimum words to be spoken and that too, words that help build, not destroy like that of the tongue of the wise. Let our tongues be used more to glorify our God rather than to vilify men. We pray to God to allow us to exercise our tongue to be true to His nature in setting forth words of healing. It doesn’t cost us much except our pride. But for the sake of our Lord, let us do it.
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Thoughts for another day
July 11, 2007
Today's verse: Is. 45:22. Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)
Which one of us is there who atleast a few times, doesn’t stare trouble in the face in life? None, I would imagine; for every now and then comes some kind of strife. By being born itself, we put ourselves in line for trouble. Jesus said, ‘In the world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world Jn. 16:33.
So it’s a guarantee that you will face trouble. But note that Jesus has added that He has overcome the world. So if He has overcome the world, our route map is clear on where we need to go when in trouble.
In our verse today, we find God telling us to look to Him to be saved. Because He alone is God and redemption is only through Him. You know, there are situations that present themselves in our lives where we are completely beat. We do not know which way to turn for everywhere there seems to be a dead end. Something like, a man, the sole breadwinner of a family of four, suddenly loses his job! What then? Who can help? Rather who will? None for in these situations friends seem to suddenly be busy doing things that apparently don’t have place for us.
But truly there is a God we can go to. His only condition is that we look unto Him. He knows how to solve our problems and He knows what we need even before we ask Him. The best part of it is that He is always there and He will not reject you. If you have been caught in a problem that seems like a mountain too big to be moved, turn your face to Him. He will rescue you.
July 11, 2007
Today's verse: Is. 45:22. Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)
Which one of us is there who atleast a few times, doesn’t stare trouble in the face in life? None, I would imagine; for every now and then comes some kind of strife. By being born itself, we put ourselves in line for trouble. Jesus said, ‘In the world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world Jn. 16:33.
So it’s a guarantee that you will face trouble. But note that Jesus has added that He has overcome the world. So if He has overcome the world, our route map is clear on where we need to go when in trouble.
In our verse today, we find God telling us to look to Him to be saved. Because He alone is God and redemption is only through Him. You know, there are situations that present themselves in our lives where we are completely beat. We do not know which way to turn for everywhere there seems to be a dead end. Something like, a man, the sole breadwinner of a family of four, suddenly loses his job! What then? Who can help? Rather who will? None for in these situations friends seem to suddenly be busy doing things that apparently don’t have place for us.
But truly there is a God we can go to. His only condition is that we look unto Him. He knows how to solve our problems and He knows what we need even before we ask Him. The best part of it is that He is always there and He will not reject you. If you have been caught in a problem that seems like a mountain too big to be moved, turn your face to Him. He will rescue you.
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Thoughts for another day
July 10, 2007
Today's verse: Mk. 5:39. And when he was come in, he saith unto them, Why make ye this ado, and weep? the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)
The day before Peter had undergone a test for a minor stomach pain he had over a long time. Today evening as he received the report, his world fell apart. He had a cancerous growth in the last stages. His doctor kept telling him, ‘if only you had come earlier…’ He had, not much time to live. Just enough to set in order his papers so that his wife and two young children could live without the headaches of running around. He feared telling his wife about his fate as she would dread the coming days and he wished to die peacefully. That night, while in prayer, he could hear Jesus telling Him ‘trust Me’.
Peter had no option but to put all his trust in Jesus. Day and night went by and his light was dimming as he arrived at a fingernail’s distance of death. But even as he did all that he could to settle things for the sake of his family, desperately keeping his secret from them with lies and even more lies, he kept faith in Jesus. He knew his Lord would do something. One night, Peter sensed his time was up. As he slept he took a long look at his wife of over 12 years. His two kids sleeping fitfully and he thought, Jesus Lord, You asked me to trust you and I have done it despite the odds. Lord, I need more time on earth to spend with my family…Lord…his tears flowed on to his pillow in the night. He sensed a release from his body and began to move toward a bright light. Suddenly, he saw Jesus. Peter went and clasped Him tight. Lord I believed You and I know that even now I can live again on earth. And he also mentioned the above verse the Lord Himself uttered on that beautiful day, probably at Capernaum, to those gathered at Jairus’s house to mourn his daughter’s death. Jesus asked him, ‘Peter do you believe I can do it?’ ‘Yes, my Lord’, said Peter. Jesus smiled and said, ‘for having believed, Peter, I ask you to go back and live on earth for a while more, but sin not any longer.’
Peter awoke with a start. He felt a peace he couldn’t understand. He poked his stomach to where the growth was, and he felt no pain which, otherwise caused him to wince. Falling on his knees he praised God. Tests done on him revealed no sign of cancer, astonishing his doctors and the few people who knew. My friend, you may be in a similar situation like Peter. I want to exhort you to rush to Jesus. He is the same. Put yourself under the protection of His umbrella. Understand there is nothing impossible for your Redeemer. Give release to your anxiety and allow your problem to contend with the Master. You will see it melt away. For what can withstand the angry glance of the Most High, particularly that which dare worry His child?
July 10, 2007
Today's verse: Mk. 5:39. And when he was come in, he saith unto them, Why make ye this ado, and weep? the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)
The day before Peter had undergone a test for a minor stomach pain he had over a long time. Today evening as he received the report, his world fell apart. He had a cancerous growth in the last stages. His doctor kept telling him, ‘if only you had come earlier…’ He had, not much time to live. Just enough to set in order his papers so that his wife and two young children could live without the headaches of running around. He feared telling his wife about his fate as she would dread the coming days and he wished to die peacefully. That night, while in prayer, he could hear Jesus telling Him ‘trust Me’.
Peter had no option but to put all his trust in Jesus. Day and night went by and his light was dimming as he arrived at a fingernail’s distance of death. But even as he did all that he could to settle things for the sake of his family, desperately keeping his secret from them with lies and even more lies, he kept faith in Jesus. He knew his Lord would do something. One night, Peter sensed his time was up. As he slept he took a long look at his wife of over 12 years. His two kids sleeping fitfully and he thought, Jesus Lord, You asked me to trust you and I have done it despite the odds. Lord, I need more time on earth to spend with my family…Lord…his tears flowed on to his pillow in the night. He sensed a release from his body and began to move toward a bright light. Suddenly, he saw Jesus. Peter went and clasped Him tight. Lord I believed You and I know that even now I can live again on earth. And he also mentioned the above verse the Lord Himself uttered on that beautiful day, probably at Capernaum, to those gathered at Jairus’s house to mourn his daughter’s death. Jesus asked him, ‘Peter do you believe I can do it?’ ‘Yes, my Lord’, said Peter. Jesus smiled and said, ‘for having believed, Peter, I ask you to go back and live on earth for a while more, but sin not any longer.’
Peter awoke with a start. He felt a peace he couldn’t understand. He poked his stomach to where the growth was, and he felt no pain which, otherwise caused him to wince. Falling on his knees he praised God. Tests done on him revealed no sign of cancer, astonishing his doctors and the few people who knew. My friend, you may be in a similar situation like Peter. I want to exhort you to rush to Jesus. He is the same. Put yourself under the protection of His umbrella. Understand there is nothing impossible for your Redeemer. Give release to your anxiety and allow your problem to contend with the Master. You will see it melt away. For what can withstand the angry glance of the Most High, particularly that which dare worry His child?
Monday, July 09, 2007
Thoughts for another day
July 9, 2007
Today's verse: Lk. 11:1 one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)
Years and years after the Lord ascended after walking the face of the earth, the cry of the above verse is still echoing in His years, and He still hears His children trying to learn to pray. I am shocked at the way we Christians live our Christian life. Lacking God! We know to do many things, but that which is basic to our faith, we do not know. We don’t know to pray. Many of our brothers and sisters, just cannot pray. I’m not talking of movement of the lips but praying from the heart. And, I believe it is so because we do not care enough to speak to God on a One-to-one basis.
To understand this, we need to re-track and learn why? The reason is that we do not find God interesting enough to lean toward Him. To, create space for Him in our lives and hallow that space. And I talk not only of the simple folk teeming the earth, but preachers, priests, pastors, bishops, etc. The crux of the matter is, we don’t know God, because our focus is more on the rituals than on it’s Subject. For many who conduct prayer meetings, it’s the preparation of what to say, the manner to say it in and how much to say, that’s more important than ‘what Lord, do You want me to say?’ We have lost the meaning of God in our lives. Here I am not judging anyone but just stating the matter of fact. And truly it must pain God who yearns to be a meaningful part of our lives.
My friend, you and I are guilty of faulty conversation with God. But now is the time to shake ourselves up and tell Him you are fed up with this blandness. Let us confess ‘Lord, I have no relationship with You nor can I converse with You, because I don’t know You. Oh Lord, have mercy on me and reveal Yourself to me.’ I am sure that God who loves to be with us and assures us of His presence in our lives, will respond with a shower of His Grace, suffused with knowledge of Him.
July 9, 2007
Today's verse: Lk. 11:1 one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)
Years and years after the Lord ascended after walking the face of the earth, the cry of the above verse is still echoing in His years, and He still hears His children trying to learn to pray. I am shocked at the way we Christians live our Christian life. Lacking God! We know to do many things, but that which is basic to our faith, we do not know. We don’t know to pray. Many of our brothers and sisters, just cannot pray. I’m not talking of movement of the lips but praying from the heart. And, I believe it is so because we do not care enough to speak to God on a One-to-one basis.
To understand this, we need to re-track and learn why? The reason is that we do not find God interesting enough to lean toward Him. To, create space for Him in our lives and hallow that space. And I talk not only of the simple folk teeming the earth, but preachers, priests, pastors, bishops, etc. The crux of the matter is, we don’t know God, because our focus is more on the rituals than on it’s Subject. For many who conduct prayer meetings, it’s the preparation of what to say, the manner to say it in and how much to say, that’s more important than ‘what Lord, do You want me to say?’ We have lost the meaning of God in our lives. Here I am not judging anyone but just stating the matter of fact. And truly it must pain God who yearns to be a meaningful part of our lives.
My friend, you and I are guilty of faulty conversation with God. But now is the time to shake ourselves up and tell Him you are fed up with this blandness. Let us confess ‘Lord, I have no relationship with You nor can I converse with You, because I don’t know You. Oh Lord, have mercy on me and reveal Yourself to me.’ I am sure that God who loves to be with us and assures us of His presence in our lives, will respond with a shower of His Grace, suffused with knowledge of Him.
Friday, July 06, 2007
Thoughts for another day
July 6, 2007
Today's verse: Mt. 7:12. Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)
Across the vastness of the universe, amidst the roaring of the seas and the brilliance of the heavenly bodies, a still small voice, thunders(!). It speaks the above verse; to each one of us. In anxiety does the Lord then wait to hear us say, ‘send me, I will go.’
Out there in the world there are people in great misery. There is bondage so taut that death is welcome relief. Misery abounds. Suffering, well, it’s a foregone conclusion. In the din of human cry and mourning, we see the stark picture of the devil’s army unleash their shenanigans while dancing in the moroseness they have created. People whose gluttony deprives others of one square meal a day. People whose apathy causes untold misery and pain to millions. Fiends, whose tyranny squashes lives and means of livelihood of thousands and thousands. Fiefdoms of terror and moral depravity.
God too needs something from us just as we need things from Him. His purposes span the entire humanity and His desire is that every soul enjoys eternal bliss. Into this foreboding darkness therefore, is the Lord inviting us to go. And He asks, ‘whom shall I send?’ Mostly there is an eerie silence after that, for unlike chirpy students in a classroom, who enthusiastically raise their hands to their teachers’ questions, none here is willing to answer. But Lord, we may say, I have a family. Look my daughter is young; see my dad is so sick; my parish team needs me…our excuses go on.
My friend, open your eyes to the world, don’t be so myopic to look only at your family, He knows how to take care of them. While He has blessed you and me with sufficiency and happiness, what about all those mentioned above. Look at their existence. What if you were there in that situation? Our God loves them too. And He needs us to go to them. The Gospel is the only solution to a deeply wounded earth. His light alone can dispel the darkness enfolding the myriads of denizens of the planet. Pause. Reflect. And then when the Voice says, ‘whom shall I send?’, your answer will be…
July 6, 2007
Today's verse: Mt. 7:12. Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)
Across the vastness of the universe, amidst the roaring of the seas and the brilliance of the heavenly bodies, a still small voice, thunders(!). It speaks the above verse; to each one of us. In anxiety does the Lord then wait to hear us say, ‘send me, I will go.’
Out there in the world there are people in great misery. There is bondage so taut that death is welcome relief. Misery abounds. Suffering, well, it’s a foregone conclusion. In the din of human cry and mourning, we see the stark picture of the devil’s army unleash their shenanigans while dancing in the moroseness they have created. People whose gluttony deprives others of one square meal a day. People whose apathy causes untold misery and pain to millions. Fiends, whose tyranny squashes lives and means of livelihood of thousands and thousands. Fiefdoms of terror and moral depravity.
God too needs something from us just as we need things from Him. His purposes span the entire humanity and His desire is that every soul enjoys eternal bliss. Into this foreboding darkness therefore, is the Lord inviting us to go. And He asks, ‘whom shall I send?’ Mostly there is an eerie silence after that, for unlike chirpy students in a classroom, who enthusiastically raise their hands to their teachers’ questions, none here is willing to answer. But Lord, we may say, I have a family. Look my daughter is young; see my dad is so sick; my parish team needs me…our excuses go on.
My friend, open your eyes to the world, don’t be so myopic to look only at your family, He knows how to take care of them. While He has blessed you and me with sufficiency and happiness, what about all those mentioned above. Look at their existence. What if you were there in that situation? Our God loves them too. And He needs us to go to them. The Gospel is the only solution to a deeply wounded earth. His light alone can dispel the darkness enfolding the myriads of denizens of the planet. Pause. Reflect. And then when the Voice says, ‘whom shall I send?’, your answer will be…
Thursday, July 05, 2007
Thoughts for another day
July 5, 2007
Today's verse: Hos. 14:4. I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for mine anger is turned away from him. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)
‘I will love them freely’ says the Lord. That is what the Lord has always done, freely loving and forgiving us. When we look at the canvas of our lives at the most trying periods, we wonder how we came out of them unscathed. As we ponder deeper, we realize that even when we were going through them, we could sense a hand behind propping us up and lifting our spirits high. Seldom have we connected it to be God’s hand because God is usually absent from the firmament of our minds. Detached as it were from our lives. Not by default but by our own choice.
Not withstanding this, God still loves us. He still yearns to gather us as does a hen its chicks. Jesus’ refrain in Mt. 23:37 echoes on and on. But unfortunately, we will not hearken to His Words because we are puffed up with our own knowledge and our own interests. But today, we will reflect on this and bend our knee before our God. Cause we know He loves us. We know He cares for us. Much evil we may find in the world, but it happens, as there is no one to stand in the gap. We may be facing many trials but in their midst we find solace like a lotus found in the dirty swamp.
The world gives us many options of love. But they all require something from us. God gives us the option of Himself, which is far larger than the world. And God needs nothing from us. If there is a problem you are facing, a sickness you are going thru’ or a financial crisis staring you in the face, don’t worry for He is there. You just need to turn to Him and tell Him about it. Confide in Him, cry out to Him, yell… He won’t tarry for long. Remember, His heart tears when you are in agony. He becomes miserable. There are times He undergoes all this because He has a purpose being worked out. Don’t you know that our Father’s heart broke when He saw the suffering of His Son…Tears streamed down from heaven but Jesus’ misery didn’t stop. For the world was receiving salvation. But on the third day, the purpose having been fulfilled, God raised Jesus up with power and might. So my friend He will raise you up. The mud will not be able to hold you nor any iron, able to shackle you. Become aware that you are a child of the Most High and that He loves you.
July 5, 2007
Today's verse: Hos. 14:4. I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for mine anger is turned away from him. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)
‘I will love them freely’ says the Lord. That is what the Lord has always done, freely loving and forgiving us. When we look at the canvas of our lives at the most trying periods, we wonder how we came out of them unscathed. As we ponder deeper, we realize that even when we were going through them, we could sense a hand behind propping us up and lifting our spirits high. Seldom have we connected it to be God’s hand because God is usually absent from the firmament of our minds. Detached as it were from our lives. Not by default but by our own choice.
Not withstanding this, God still loves us. He still yearns to gather us as does a hen its chicks. Jesus’ refrain in Mt. 23:37 echoes on and on. But unfortunately, we will not hearken to His Words because we are puffed up with our own knowledge and our own interests. But today, we will reflect on this and bend our knee before our God. Cause we know He loves us. We know He cares for us. Much evil we may find in the world, but it happens, as there is no one to stand in the gap. We may be facing many trials but in their midst we find solace like a lotus found in the dirty swamp.
The world gives us many options of love. But they all require something from us. God gives us the option of Himself, which is far larger than the world. And God needs nothing from us. If there is a problem you are facing, a sickness you are going thru’ or a financial crisis staring you in the face, don’t worry for He is there. You just need to turn to Him and tell Him about it. Confide in Him, cry out to Him, yell… He won’t tarry for long. Remember, His heart tears when you are in agony. He becomes miserable. There are times He undergoes all this because He has a purpose being worked out. Don’t you know that our Father’s heart broke when He saw the suffering of His Son…Tears streamed down from heaven but Jesus’ misery didn’t stop. For the world was receiving salvation. But on the third day, the purpose having been fulfilled, God raised Jesus up with power and might. So my friend He will raise you up. The mud will not be able to hold you nor any iron, able to shackle you. Become aware that you are a child of the Most High and that He loves you.
Wednesday, July 04, 2007
Thoughts for another day
July 4, 2007
Today's verse: Ps. 73:28. But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)
Have you ever felt at times like jumping up in joy and praising the Lord? Me? Yes, in the solitude of home and in thinking about our God, I have felt like this and have done it too. There is such joy in the Lord that the spirit of man is overwhelmed and in great exultation exclaims, ‘it is all so good this, the work of the Lord.’
My friend, though we are slack in praising God, though we count not his innumerable blessings and though we pain His heart often, it brings much joy to the Lord when we give Him thanks from the bottom of our hearts and express to Him our joy in what He did for us. Sometimes it is also good to just thank the Lord for our very ‘being’. That we are able to take His Name and lift Him up is in itself a great blessing.
Drawing near to God is perhaps be the greatest experience God gives us because it is a privilege of few. Don’t we know that it is the Father who draws us to Him, and not the other way round as we mistakenly think? Putting your trust in God is something so right; and even before you have done it for a purpose, He has already granted it, for His Word says, even before a word was formed on your lips, He knows the whole of it!
The human heart is where the truth lies. If our devotion to God is from our hearts, it is good because then our spirit rises to meet Him as He draws near. This can happen anywhere even in the most crowded places. The environment doesn’t matter for God, He can touch you even when everything is in turmoil because He is God: The Most High, Almighty and Eternal One. Jump up in gladness and say, ‘I love you Lord; thank You because You are the Lord of my life.’
July 4, 2007
Today's verse: Ps. 73:28. But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)
Have you ever felt at times like jumping up in joy and praising the Lord? Me? Yes, in the solitude of home and in thinking about our God, I have felt like this and have done it too. There is such joy in the Lord that the spirit of man is overwhelmed and in great exultation exclaims, ‘it is all so good this, the work of the Lord.’
My friend, though we are slack in praising God, though we count not his innumerable blessings and though we pain His heart often, it brings much joy to the Lord when we give Him thanks from the bottom of our hearts and express to Him our joy in what He did for us. Sometimes it is also good to just thank the Lord for our very ‘being’. That we are able to take His Name and lift Him up is in itself a great blessing.
Drawing near to God is perhaps be the greatest experience God gives us because it is a privilege of few. Don’t we know that it is the Father who draws us to Him, and not the other way round as we mistakenly think? Putting your trust in God is something so right; and even before you have done it for a purpose, He has already granted it, for His Word says, even before a word was formed on your lips, He knows the whole of it!
The human heart is where the truth lies. If our devotion to God is from our hearts, it is good because then our spirit rises to meet Him as He draws near. This can happen anywhere even in the most crowded places. The environment doesn’t matter for God, He can touch you even when everything is in turmoil because He is God: The Most High, Almighty and Eternal One. Jump up in gladness and say, ‘I love you Lord; thank You because You are the Lord of my life.’
Tuesday, July 03, 2007
Thoughts for another day
July 3, 2007
Today's verse: Jn. 6:68. Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)
Of a truth I must tell you dear saint of God, the above Word has tremendous significance - it’s depths are beyond the grave. They ‘well up’ unto eternity. Remember, God’s Word is all. Ever powerful, filling all. To understand this in its entirety, it’s best we reach out to the Holy Spirit. For He knows the depths that go beyond the unending abyss and the breadths that never cease. He alone can make you embrace fully the import of what Peter says to Jesus, on a pleasant Spring morning, a day after the distribution of two fishes and five loaves among a huge number of people.
The Holy Spirit is the One who gave Peter the wisdom to utter ‘eternal life’ and be aware of its meaning. And in the scripture above, we understand that in Jesus alone is eternal life. For He came that we may know God as our Father and He died that we may live. Beyond this there is no other truth. Pilate did not understand therefore He questioned, ‘what is truth’. The truth is that Jesus is the lone Way to everlasting communing with our Father. And that He alone is the route to our destination on the other side of death.
For many this is difficult to digest. That’s why the people went away as we see in Jn. 6. Ironically, those very people were searching for eternal life in their scriptures, and the scriptures mentioned Jesus as the route. The fact of the matter is, all scripture, Christian and otherwise, mention Jesus as the Savior. Willful misinterpretation or suppression by bigoted vermin of the devil, have restrained the people from this beautiful knowledge. That is why the Word says, ‘My people die for lack of knowledge!’ And indeed we see people dying; for their Redeemer is unknown to them. Even among us Christians many do not know Him, but unfortunately rest content with the wisdom the world has given that if you do good and live a good life you are saved. Saved? By good works? Then there was no necessity for Jesus to alight onto earth. But He did; and so we know that His Word gives us the liberty from our sins. Belief in Him grants eternal bliss to our souls, the very ‘I’ that lives on and on. To end I may draw a refrain from Peter and exclaim, ‘what shall my redemption be, if not Your Cross!’
July 3, 2007
Today's verse: Jn. 6:68. Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)
Of a truth I must tell you dear saint of God, the above Word has tremendous significance - it’s depths are beyond the grave. They ‘well up’ unto eternity. Remember, God’s Word is all. Ever powerful, filling all. To understand this in its entirety, it’s best we reach out to the Holy Spirit. For He knows the depths that go beyond the unending abyss and the breadths that never cease. He alone can make you embrace fully the import of what Peter says to Jesus, on a pleasant Spring morning, a day after the distribution of two fishes and five loaves among a huge number of people.
The Holy Spirit is the One who gave Peter the wisdom to utter ‘eternal life’ and be aware of its meaning. And in the scripture above, we understand that in Jesus alone is eternal life. For He came that we may know God as our Father and He died that we may live. Beyond this there is no other truth. Pilate did not understand therefore He questioned, ‘what is truth’. The truth is that Jesus is the lone Way to everlasting communing with our Father. And that He alone is the route to our destination on the other side of death.
For many this is difficult to digest. That’s why the people went away as we see in Jn. 6. Ironically, those very people were searching for eternal life in their scriptures, and the scriptures mentioned Jesus as the route. The fact of the matter is, all scripture, Christian and otherwise, mention Jesus as the Savior. Willful misinterpretation or suppression by bigoted vermin of the devil, have restrained the people from this beautiful knowledge. That is why the Word says, ‘My people die for lack of knowledge!’ And indeed we see people dying; for their Redeemer is unknown to them. Even among us Christians many do not know Him, but unfortunately rest content with the wisdom the world has given that if you do good and live a good life you are saved. Saved? By good works? Then there was no necessity for Jesus to alight onto earth. But He did; and so we know that His Word gives us the liberty from our sins. Belief in Him grants eternal bliss to our souls, the very ‘I’ that lives on and on. To end I may draw a refrain from Peter and exclaim, ‘what shall my redemption be, if not Your Cross!’
Monday, July 02, 2007
Thoughts for another day
June 29, 2007
Today's verse: Heb. 12:4. Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)
Our struggle against sin brings us only to point, after which we just let it lie. Our comfort zones do not allow us to go beyond. This is a trait I am very skilled in and I find that most of us are. Many times I wonder ‘what do we do with our nature to sin’. There is a lot of struggle and the mind wearies with the load we carry. There is also the pain that we undergo when it is reckoning time, sitting before the Lord in prayer. Many worthy people tell me that God understands and to be honest, I too would say the same if someone were to ask me on this but, is that all there is to it.
On further reflection, I find that God alone can give us the strength to resist sin. It is He who can make us immune and save us from the ill effects of sin. But this I am sure of, we need to be sincere to have the attitude of not sinning…
Today’s verse tells us that we have not resisted to the point of shedding blood in our effort to not sin, which means we have not given our best in this fight. The best requires that we lay down something precious and that is our very life. That’s because sin is anathema to God and therefore His Word always takes an extreme position. We too need to raise our levels in our fight against sin. And since it is not possible by ourselves, let us atleast actively pray to God to give us the Grace that we resist sin, even if it means we lose our own pride.
June 29, 2007
Today's verse: Heb. 12:4. Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)
Our struggle against sin brings us only to point, after which we just let it lie. Our comfort zones do not allow us to go beyond. This is a trait I am very skilled in and I find that most of us are. Many times I wonder ‘what do we do with our nature to sin’. There is a lot of struggle and the mind wearies with the load we carry. There is also the pain that we undergo when it is reckoning time, sitting before the Lord in prayer. Many worthy people tell me that God understands and to be honest, I too would say the same if someone were to ask me on this but, is that all there is to it.
On further reflection, I find that God alone can give us the strength to resist sin. It is He who can make us immune and save us from the ill effects of sin. But this I am sure of, we need to be sincere to have the attitude of not sinning…
Today’s verse tells us that we have not resisted to the point of shedding blood in our effort to not sin, which means we have not given our best in this fight. The best requires that we lay down something precious and that is our very life. That’s because sin is anathema to God and therefore His Word always takes an extreme position. We too need to raise our levels in our fight against sin. And since it is not possible by ourselves, let us atleast actively pray to God to give us the Grace that we resist sin, even if it means we lose our own pride.
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