Thoughts for another day
Feb. 29, 2008
Today's verse: Nu. 14:34. After the number of the days in which ye searched the land, even forty days, each day for a year, shall ye bear your iniquities, even forty years, and ye shall know my breach of promise. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)
Before the advent of Christ on earth, God’s retribution was stringent. God hated sin and those who indulged in it paid in a rather visible and sure manner. Our verse today, serves as a good example of how God’s anger on man’s sin made His hand heavy on them, particularly the words, ‘…and ye shall know my breach of promise.’
After the death and resurrection of our beloved Lord and Master, Jesus Christ, we live in the dispensation of Grace and mercy, whereby all we know is the tenderness of our God and our lives are awash with His love. So, how then do we understand the above verse and how to come to terms with it, saying how good our God is? It isn’t as simple as rubbishing arguments that favor the instant retribution of God as seen in the Old Testament and saying that our God is not like that. That’s because His Word talks about His fiery nature and vengeance on those who chose to go against His will and we know His Word holds no lies. Rather, it, the verse, must coax us to delve deep into scripture and decipher what His plan was for human kind.
All along even before the foundation of the world, God in His Omniscience knew what we would do. But yet, He created us. In the early days after creation and Adam’s sin, God led us like a loving Father and corrected us when we went astray. In this process to show His glory and might, He needed to show us His retribution. The reason was to make us understand how utterly disdainful sin is to Him. He did send many warnings and only when we neglected them as well as scorned the people through whom He sent the warnings, did His hand grow heavy upon us. But then all along, God was leading us from a certain level of understanding Him to another completely different and higher level wherein He wanted to show us first of all, how much He loved us and to what extent He’d go for us.
My friend in Jesus’ coming we’ve come to know the manner of love God has for us. If retribution wasn’t the first step, then where would the need be for Jesus to come and if He had not come, how would we understand His awesome love. Take heart today that we are in this dispensation. Yet, don’t forget that like those who have gone before us and who experienced the hard hand of God, we too will be given an experience but it won’t be suffering for us, rather a vivid picture of the pain our precious Savior bore because of our sins. That’s more than enough, to cut us to the heart. That’s in every way more potent, to make us God’s children and partake of His eternal bliss.
Friday, February 29, 2008
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Thoughts for another day
Feb. 28, 2008
Today's verse: Ps. 54:4. Surely God is my help; the Lord is the one who sustains me. (NIV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)
It’s a blessed thing to utter today’s scripture words as a summation of our lives.. How wonderful to declare: Surely God is my help…It is He who sustains me! Usually, I find this declaration by men and women of God who find their life’s joy and purpose in Him. For them God alone is everything. Sometimes, I marvel at the faith of these people who believe in God so intensely, so much so, that each thought of God they have is but an expression of the very movement of blood in their hearts.
Then I wonder, is it difficult to be like them? Think of it, just because God cannot be seen, for a very valid reason though, is it reason enough for us to distrust Him? Are we so foolish to sometimes ask, ‘Is God really there?’ Will He help me? And so on. The fact of the matter is that, God exists. He is forever the Great Sovereign – Omnipotent, Omniscient and Omnipresent. He is aware of the trillions of activities going on under the sun right now, even to the extent of a tiny blade of grass being completely bent over, because a little caterpillar fell on it!
My friend, in today’s time, what we need is great consciousness of God. Our minds must enshrine that, the breath in us by which we live, is granted by God for a while and it keeps us alive. When withdrawn, we die. Yes it is difficult to always keep God top of mind, but surely not impossible. It is a gradual process. I know because I am a part of that process. But this much let me tell you, if you make yourself available to being a part of that process, He will lead you on. Mind you, there will be blocks and falls, but eventually, you will see the light at the end of the tunnel and then you will declare the marvelous words, ‘Surely God is my help…It is He who sustains me’.
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Thoughts for another day
Feb. 27, 2008
Today's verse: Mk 8:38. Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)
A servant or disciple of Jesus has to be a bearer of His banner. It means, leave alone just acknowledging Him, one should also attempt to talk about Him. In our day-to-day walk, do we do that? If you ask me, I for some reason or other, fail to talk about Him. I may want to hide that I am a Christian because the rest of the people in my vicinity are not, and they’re engaged in something, which sort of threatens me with their dislike, if I were to reveal that I am a Christian. Again, there are times, it becomes difficult for me to say I am a Christian for I have done something that doesn’t stand for the values of Christ and I fear someone might say, ‘although a Christian, he still does that!’
There are many excuses that come to my mind, to rationalize why I behave that way. But God’s Word is very clear, ‘The Son of man shall be ashamed of him in the presence of His Father and His holy angels!’ No excuse my friend is going to hold, when standing before the throne I am needed to justify my actions. I might not have been accountable to anyone on earth, but here, there is no go, I have to provide the answers and hell is what I face for either wrong or no answers. Alas, at this stage, there is no way I can change my actions; no way, I could wipe the slate clean and rewrite!
But, now is the time, even as Jesus is speaking to me, to rewrite the script. Now is the time to stand up before others and speak of my Lord. Jesus has done so much for me that woe is me, if I don’t speak of Him. Woe is me, if I don’t thank Him from my heart and Woe is me, if I do not acknowledge His work in my life. Nothing can be worse than the destruction of my soul; for what do I gain if I earn the whole world, but forfeit my life in the eternal?
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Thoughts for another day
Feb. 25, 2008
Today's verse: Lev. 19:16. Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people: neither shalt thou stand against the blood of thy neighbour: I am the LORD. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)
In the Book of Leviticus there are a few rules God seeks to induct into the Israelites, so they can walk the way He wants them to. Today’s verse talks of an important trait we need to avoid, that is spreading slander or rumor mongering. They say, ‘It is better to kill the man, than his character’. Rumor mongering kills the character of a person destroying his soul and I have seen for myself that most of the time, the rumor has no substance in it except hot air that people blow into it.
Many a person’s character is destroyed because of rumors and spread of slander. We love to talk ill against others little realising the harm we cause by it. Take for e.g. there is a lady in your building who you ‘think’ to be of loose character and then you find her one day returning late at night with a man. You were already spreading rumors about her, now, you have added fodder and spread the tale about her immorality. Gradually, people view her as the tale you created of her because of which nobody talks to her and look at her with disdain. She notices this and talks to nobody either also doing things which worsen the situation in a way daring anyone to do anything about it. And we all know the consequences, don’t we? The question is where did it begin?
In the latter part of the verse God also instructs against giving false witness. It is a gross sin to do that, no matter what your compulsion. Remember giving false witness is like killing the person, because, we stand in the corner of judgment and give truth to a falsehood. It can be very damaging and surely someday it will come to haunt us.
There is also a stern warning the Lord gives after the rule, in saying that He is the LORD, which means that anyone doing what He is against has to face Him, the Lord of the universe. That should be enough to discourage us from indulging in anything that the Lord has told us not to.
Feb. 25, 2008
Today's verse: Lev. 19:16. Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people: neither shalt thou stand against the blood of thy neighbour: I am the LORD. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)
In the Book of Leviticus there are a few rules God seeks to induct into the Israelites, so they can walk the way He wants them to. Today’s verse talks of an important trait we need to avoid, that is spreading slander or rumor mongering. They say, ‘It is better to kill the man, than his character’. Rumor mongering kills the character of a person destroying his soul and I have seen for myself that most of the time, the rumor has no substance in it except hot air that people blow into it.
Many a person’s character is destroyed because of rumors and spread of slander. We love to talk ill against others little realising the harm we cause by it. Take for e.g. there is a lady in your building who you ‘think’ to be of loose character and then you find her one day returning late at night with a man. You were already spreading rumors about her, now, you have added fodder and spread the tale about her immorality. Gradually, people view her as the tale you created of her because of which nobody talks to her and look at her with disdain. She notices this and talks to nobody either also doing things which worsen the situation in a way daring anyone to do anything about it. And we all know the consequences, don’t we? The question is where did it begin?
In the latter part of the verse God also instructs against giving false witness. It is a gross sin to do that, no matter what your compulsion. Remember giving false witness is like killing the person, because, we stand in the corner of judgment and give truth to a falsehood. It can be very damaging and surely someday it will come to haunt us.
There is also a stern warning the Lord gives after the rule, in saying that He is the LORD, which means that anyone doing what He is against has to face Him, the Lord of the universe. That should be enough to discourage us from indulging in anything that the Lord has told us not to.
Monday, February 25, 2008
Thoughts for another day
Feb. 25, 2008
Today's verse: Lk. 10:37. And he said, He that showed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)
There is a type of human nature, taken directly from God’s nature: it is mercy or compassion. At birth the first emotion we experienced in all probability was love; shown by our mother, in placing us in her bosom and giving both nourishment and warmth (the world is sad for those children that never experienced love from their mothers). From this love emerged compassion. Compassion means forgiving or helping or both. A great thing about compassion is when our heart is moved, seeing the pain of someone unknown and we feel like doing something, perhaps at a cost to us – money or time or both, or some other risk e.g. taking an accident victim to hospital, etc.
Compassion is a trait that should come naturally because we’re created in God’s nature. That’s why in our verse today, which culminates the story of the ‘good Samaritan’, Jesus asks us to do as the Samaritan did. Or, put another way, go to the extent of being compassionate and even helping those unknown to us, not for any recognition but because we ourselves experience God’s compassion in our lives.
Brothers and sisters, I fail to understand how we can be mute witnesses to suffering around us. We see hunger-strewn faces and not even offer a small morsel. We see the sweat of the man in the street pulling a handcart and not even offer a glass of water. We behold the pain in the eyes of a child and ignoring it, go about our duties and then in the evening sit in prayer and beg to God and of course, expect to be given by Him.
Compassion is a great nature. God expects us to be compassionate and yield to its call of duty. We may not be able to do much, but we must do the little that we can. We may never change the world by our compassion, yet somewhere there will be a little warmth in someone’s heart because of what we did. I urge all of us today to be a little more compassionate and look upon the unfortunate. Perhaps, that could be the only opportunity for them to experience the love of Christ.
Friday, February 22, 2008
Thoughts for another day
Feb. 22, 2008
Today's verse: Ps. 121:1,2. I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)
Who will I help me, who will come to raise me up? When I am beat and the paths of life seem to be strewn with treacherous and vile things, who will clear my path. Don’t we at many times wonder aloud on this and wonder, what answers will life provide to these our questions.
Well, today, the Guardian of Israel is listening intently to the fearful questions that arise in our hearts. He is listening to that cry of one of you who is in great pain because of cancer. Right now, He is focused on someone who’s just lost her job and in great despair. Besides, He is also looking at that couple that have no children and the prayer of this lady pulling at His hem day in and day out. And ah, His heart is troubled. He is anguished at your anguish because He loves you. He is pained that you don’t trust Him enough. He wants to stretch out His hand and comfort you. He yearns to hold you in His arms as does a mother, her child. Will you just unshackle yourself so He is able to hold you?
O frail Christian, lift up your eyes and look on high, your Redeemer has already set Himself to arrive at your door. See He is coming swiftly to touch you and comfort you. Set your heart firmly to His Word that when He sees you, He feels, ‘I must help this child who believes so much in Me.’
Let your mannerism be as David who, in the midst of tribulation exhibited a confidence, which in many ways could be termed foolish. But David knew His Redeemer live and would come to his aid. Therefore, he could speak the words as he did, as are in our Verse today.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Thoughts for another day
Feb. 21, 2008
Today's verse: Ezek. 12:25. For I am the LORD: I will speak, and the word that I shall speak shall come to pass; it shall be no more prolonged: for in your days, O rebellious house, will I say the word, and will perform it, saith the Lord GOD. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)
On the 18th of this month, we had reflected on how the Lord brings about every vision that He gives to us and there never will be an occasion when He will not be able to carry out what He says. Today, I stopped by the above verse, which is to be our point of focus and it also has the same message. The Lord I believe, is speaking to me or to one of us and telling that what He has planned in our life and what we have not been able to perceive to be moving on course, is surely now coming to fulfillment.
My friend many are the blocks, placed by the enemy of our souls in the paths of the saints of God. Yet, victory is ours because we have with us a God who is able to bring water out of a rock or even part the mighty sea. He is the Most High, the Rock of ages and in Him is no weakness or gap or falsehood. He is forever the same Almighty, Who says once and it comes to pass. There is no other way for anything except doing God’s bidding.
The entire earth stands to attention at the breath of the Lord. For Him it is but a mere blob of mud and a footstool. Imagine the stature of God for whom the mighty oceans are just tiny drops of water. God can stand on the circle of the earth and direct the movement of the sun and the moon and the planets and what have you, in this vast universe. So great is God that there is nothing I can use in comparison but suffice it for us to know that although He is so great, He is yet, a tiny prayer from us.
And we must know that He accomplishes whatever He has destined for us. Therefore, I tell myself that He has a vision for me and that vision is on its way to accomplishment today; and so is it with you. Just trust in Him.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Thoughts for another day
Feb. 20, 2008
Today's verse: 2 Pet. 2:9. The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished: (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)
Tell me, how much do you believe God to rescue you from your temptations or trials that come upon you. Do you sometimes look at the wicked with envy, and think, ‘I wish I was like that…so much wealth and comfort and of course, peace and joy?’ Have you asked God why the trial or do you really know the inside story of those people and the kind of face they put on?
If we but ponder and think and understand the issues life confronts us with, we will find many things within us that can give us great joy and happiness. You may be poor but there will be a certain thing in your family, which is most delightful. I have seen such people and I wonder what keeps them so happy. Then again I have seen some families who have plenty and on the outside seem very happy but on the inside are rotting.
This much I would like you to remember that real joy is the one that God gives us and believe me this joy can come in the midst of pain and suffering. God has a purpose for everything and if you will only subject yourself to His will, He will reveal to you His purpose, for God cares how you feel, much more than you may think He does!
And another truth I know is that God may subject you to a trial, perhaps, a difficult one, but remember, eventually He will bring you out unscathed. He knows how to bring relief to those, who are His and firmly believe in Him. And mind you, even when you think that the wicked prosper and are happy, you need to look deep inside at the truth. You will see unveiled, the pseudo life they live and the mud in which they roll. But on the outside, they put up a valiant and different face. Trusting in Him, the God of all flesh, bring all your trials at His feet and surrender in the morning. Before sunset, he will have set the burden off your shoulder and you will feel like on cloud 9.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Thoughts for another day
Feb. 19, 2008
Today's verse: Ex. 23:2. Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil; (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)
I remember in school, we had this test in math. The paper was tough and therefore, the boys, with the exception of a few, were copying happily. The supervisor being gentle, ignored their actions. To their dismay, the principal suddenly emerged and landed on this chap who was happily noting word-to-word from the paper of the genius of the class in front of him. The parents were summoned and asked to justify the action of their son. Their answer was: ‘everybody was copying, therefore our son was also copying!’ The flabbergasted principal couldn’t refute it but told them their answer was hollow and warned the next time, the boy was caught copying, he’d be rusticated.
This incident came to mind in the context of our Verse today. You see many times we tend to copy others in doing things that serve our self-interest. Things that are wrong. For e.g. in Mumbai, where the queues for train tickets are long, we try to walk up to someone way ahead in the queue and request them to buy our tickets. When the others behind start yelling, our excuse is, ‘I’m getting late and even you could do the same…’ Jumping signals is quite common. The best is if a mob is beating up someone, we also join in to rain a few blows on the poor guy without even knowing his fault!
If we question ourselves whether what we did was right or wrong, we know the answer, for it stares in our face. But yet, we continue. Going late to office, doing our own work during office hours, robbing stationery, gossiping, taking bribes, talking dirty, etc, etc. all because everyone is doing it, no? Human beings may often gloss over these mistakes of ours because of the ‘everyone doing it’ factor, but not God. He is going to question our rationale for the action. Our answer, ‘everyone is doing it’ won’t hold water, because, then God will have to say, ‘Ok to hell you go as everyone else…’
Monday, February 18, 2008
Thoughts for another day
Feb. 18, 2008
Today's verse: Is. 49:1-3. The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name. And he hath made my mouth like a sharp sword; in the shadow of his hand hath he hid me, and made me a polished shaft; in his quiver hath he hid me; And said unto me, Thou art my servant, O Israel, in whom I will be glorified. (NRSV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)
For many of us who, over a period of time, forget that it is the Lord who brings about things to be and it is He who gives someone something and someone else nothing, today’s reflection will be useful. For me, today’s Bible passage is but a reminder of the Sovereignty of God and the firmness of His plans for us.
First of all, He has known us even while we were being formed in the womb. This shows the eternal nature of God who has been and will forever be The Omniscient One. Now it is He who calls us by name and assigns us a task. The task is His. It is a sacred task. And no matter what happens, the task never gives God’s decree the slip in not being accomplished! Never. For with God, His heaven and all His creation may slip into oblivion, yet His Word will remain. For, it is He Himself that is The Word.
My friend, I want to tell you something about the Ministry God has assigned to me. It is tremendous. I call it world changing, and to be honest, I ain’t wrong. But, what do I see as my situation now? It is a far cry from what is assigned. And when I look at it, the scene is enough to drive me to desperation. It is also enough to make me doubt: has God really assigned me anything? Then I look at Joseph in the Bible, the dream he had and the situation he landed into. In prison, would Joseph even imagine that he would one day be the ruler of Egypt second only to Pharaoh? But the impossible does happen, and how!
Beloved friend, God’s purposes may take time to be accomplished, but happen they must. And ‘time’ is nothing for God who dwells in timelessness. I remind myself today that no matter what happens, His purpose in my life will be worked out. The vision He has given me will come to pass. The same is with you, if He has assigned you a task, come what may, you will accomplish it. What’s the guarantee, you may ask: He is the guarantee. There is nothing beyond Him and nothing as permanent as Him. He will always remain and prevail. Amen.
Friday, February 15, 2008
Thoughts for another day
Feb. 15, 2008
Today's verse: 1 Peter 2:19. For it is a credit to you if, being aware of God, you endure pain while suffering unjustly. (NRSV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)
A question. Pls. answer honestly to yourself. Have you ever tried to do something for God? Like, just for His sake skipped a meal or abstained from something you desire greatly…you know what I am talking about. I’m sure sometime you must have. That’s great. Now, Peter is talking about even I find pretty difficult (or is it, impossible) to do. That is to suffer for the sake of God or if I may interpret in another way, suffer, keeping in mind that God knows you’re suffering and still allows it.
Peter says it is a great Grace to do it. I have many times encountered situations of difficulty that someone has created for me and I am forced to endure. What to do at such a time? To continue in that environment (let’s say a job where a colleague has been successful in making life difficult for me), however painful it is, or however insulted I feel, is difficult. But I need to realise that the Grace of God flowing toward me is directly dependent on how much I have reconciled to the situation and taken it as something, God has put in my path for my own good, even while considering that He has the power to take the situation away.
Though I would be guilty of complaining and murmuring in such situations, I yet know that if I take the situation to God and reconcile with it, His Grace flows abundantly. It’s just that our faith in God is so shallow and our consciousness of Him so low that we do not abide by what He asks us to do. That’s how life becomes difficult and our miseries never end.
Today onwards I pray by His Grace to try and suffer even in an unjust situation and leave it to Him. I remember that God is with the just and He will some day, wreck vengeance on those I leave Him to avenge. And I am sure that in that situation of difficulty, the trial will be mere a stepping stone teaching me how to leap better.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Thoughts for another day
Feb. 14, 2008
Today's verse: Ex. 8:23. And I will put a division between my people and thy people: (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)
The Lord is never partial and never refuses anyone who approaches Him in faith and humility. But yet, there are some people on whom He shines His favor. In the Bible, we have men and women who had the favor of the Lord upon them and who walked in the directions He set them. One of them was Abraham. We read how Abraham walked according to God’s will, even to the extent of being ready to sacrifice his only son, Isaac, who he had after such a long time and loved so much; and then even when he saw no hope of ever having any other child in the future.
God’s favor is on them who, out of their own free will, agree to Him being everything to them and then start walking in His ways. God calls everyone to Himself, but there are some of us who obey and hearken to His call. We become dear to Him because we choose Him to be on our side. It is then that God will speak as He spoke in the above verse. And what God says is of great significance. Because in what He says is the difference between victory by overflow of Grace and defeat by shadow of gloom.
Being God’s people is of deep value because His face shines upon them. The Israelites who God speaks of as His people, were descendents of Abraham. Because of what Abraham did, his people became dear to God. We see how, in Egypt before Pharaoh, God works great signs and wonders on behalf of His people. Then again, God never leaves those who are counted as His own and they then have nothing to fear in life.
How do you and I become ‘His people’? We do, by communing with Him and striving to do His will in our lives. Truly, let me tell you; that it would by far be the best thing we could do. Our lives would then be nothing but a song of praise and a bouquet of love to Him. It is then that we would experience, heaven on earth.
Feb. 14, 2008
Today's verse: Ex. 8:23. And I will put a division between my people and thy people: (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)
The Lord is never partial and never refuses anyone who approaches Him in faith and humility. But yet, there are some people on whom He shines His favor. In the Bible, we have men and women who had the favor of the Lord upon them and who walked in the directions He set them. One of them was Abraham. We read how Abraham walked according to God’s will, even to the extent of being ready to sacrifice his only son, Isaac, who he had after such a long time and loved so much; and then even when he saw no hope of ever having any other child in the future.
God’s favor is on them who, out of their own free will, agree to Him being everything to them and then start walking in His ways. God calls everyone to Himself, but there are some of us who obey and hearken to His call. We become dear to Him because we choose Him to be on our side. It is then that God will speak as He spoke in the above verse. And what God says is of great significance. Because in what He says is the difference between victory by overflow of Grace and defeat by shadow of gloom.
Being God’s people is of deep value because His face shines upon them. The Israelites who God speaks of as His people, were descendents of Abraham. Because of what Abraham did, his people became dear to God. We see how, in Egypt before Pharaoh, God works great signs and wonders on behalf of His people. Then again, God never leaves those who are counted as His own and they then have nothing to fear in life.
How do you and I become ‘His people’? We do, by communing with Him and striving to do His will in our lives. Truly, let me tell you; that it would by far be the best thing we could do. Our lives would then be nothing but a song of praise and a bouquet of love to Him. It is then that we would experience, heaven on earth.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Thoughts for another day
Feb. 13, 2008
Today's verse: James 4:1. From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members? (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)
After you’ve fought with somebody and later having regrets and reflecting on the kind of grotesque person you turned into when fighting, you may end up thinking ‘What the heck was I doing? Was that I, fighting? Am I like that? Do I have such venom that turned me into that hateful figure that was screaming at my wife (if you were fighting with your wife)?’ And so on…
Now, what happened that turned you into that loathsome person from otherwise being, cool and calm? It’s what James says, ‘the lusts or the passions in you, make war within you’. There are tremendous forces of evil operating in the world that impact you. If for a moment, God were to show you the evil that the devil has spread on the earth, you would shudder in fright. But thank God for His Lamb and the shed blood of the Lamb, the evil stands conquered for all those that believe on the Name of Jesus. Nevertheless, by our siding with the evil one, who feeds on the passions we harbor and abets our sinning, we join with him in sinning and offending God.
The evil we see in the world is deep-rooted in the heart of man. Jesus says, “For from within, out of men's hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. All these evils come from inside and make a man ‘unclean.'” Each one of us however clean we think ourselves to be, harbor sin, deep inside; this is because of the first sin committed by man whereby, the nature of man is to sin. God tells Cain that sin, is a demon lurking at the door, but in doing well he could be his master. This is relevant for us too. The question is our ‘doing well’.
Now, the wages of sin is death says Paul in the letter to the Romans, but Jesus in His mercy, has obliterated the bond that was being touted by the devil in possessing our souls as a legal claim. Jesus has given us total redemption and made us once again children of His Father and our Father. What a glorious privilege to be called ‘Children of the Most High!’ How great this Jesus, the lover of our souls!!!
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Thoughts for another day
Feb. 12, 2008
Today's verse: Col. 2:6. As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)
Many of us often times find our living difficult to explain, particularly when juxtaposed with our ‘Christian’ status. That, I presume is because we fail to understand what being a Christian means. There are many who are called Christian, but it is he who is a real Christian who walks on the path, which Jesus Christ walked on.
Well, it’s certainly not a cake walk to walk in Jesus’ footsteps but not an impossibility either. Because, when we follow Christ, He gives us Grace in abundance and His Grace heaps upon us the presence of the Holy Spirit. In the presence of the Holy Spirit, we learn that nothing is impossible. It is eminently possible to hear the voice of God and obey when Jesus is with us and His Spirit helps us conquer our fears and our inhibitions.
At regular intervals in time, it makes sense to stop and reflect on the kind of lives we lead. You know, Jesus cannot be real to us unless we really give Him room in our hearts. Giving Him room means allowing Him to dictate our life styles and letting Him lead us. In this there is tremendous peace. Just like He said, ‘My peace is unlike any the world can give…’ Life is really short and before we know it, the sun is ready to set. Hence, it’s even more pertinent to focus on Jesus Christ if we are going to be living with Him after life.
I recall with great delight, Zacchaeus and his transformation when Jesus Christ met him head on. How, from then on, Zacchaeus walked in Christ, to the extent that money ceased to be material for him, who was the chief tax collector. Imagine what Christ did to him. And my friend, Jesus Christ can do the same in our lives too. But its up to us to want this change or want to walk in Jesus. We express our willingness to Him and then He helps us live appropriately.
Feb. 12, 2008
Today's verse: Col. 2:6. As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)
Many of us often times find our living difficult to explain, particularly when juxtaposed with our ‘Christian’ status. That, I presume is because we fail to understand what being a Christian means. There are many who are called Christian, but it is he who is a real Christian who walks on the path, which Jesus Christ walked on.
Well, it’s certainly not a cake walk to walk in Jesus’ footsteps but not an impossibility either. Because, when we follow Christ, He gives us Grace in abundance and His Grace heaps upon us the presence of the Holy Spirit. In the presence of the Holy Spirit, we learn that nothing is impossible. It is eminently possible to hear the voice of God and obey when Jesus is with us and His Spirit helps us conquer our fears and our inhibitions.
At regular intervals in time, it makes sense to stop and reflect on the kind of lives we lead. You know, Jesus cannot be real to us unless we really give Him room in our hearts. Giving Him room means allowing Him to dictate our life styles and letting Him lead us. In this there is tremendous peace. Just like He said, ‘My peace is unlike any the world can give…’ Life is really short and before we know it, the sun is ready to set. Hence, it’s even more pertinent to focus on Jesus Christ if we are going to be living with Him after life.
I recall with great delight, Zacchaeus and his transformation when Jesus Christ met him head on. How, from then on, Zacchaeus walked in Christ, to the extent that money ceased to be material for him, who was the chief tax collector. Imagine what Christ did to him. And my friend, Jesus Christ can do the same in our lives too. But its up to us to want this change or want to walk in Jesus. We express our willingness to Him and then He helps us live appropriately.
Monday, February 11, 2008
Thoughts for another day
Feb. 11, 2008
Today's verse: Rev. 4:11. Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)
Blessed are the lips and raised is the mind which utters the above verse for in it is a truth far greater than truth itself because it accords a praise to our Creator and acknowledges that He alone is the only One who is worthy to receive glory, honor and power. Why would that be? Because, He has created all things and all things were created and are but, for His pleasure.
On why He created the universe, the above is the one statement that clearly spells out the purpose. If we peruse it carefully, it will also clearly etch our perspective on why we are here, provided we understand it too. I have always maintained that in our prayer, we need to first pray for God’s purposes and then our own for in that, we align ourselves well in His dimension of Grace. That Grace which flows toward those who are His own and will stand up for Him.
My friend, we may have a number of agendas that occupy our mind. It is possible that our entire time is occupied by these agendas, leaving no time and space for God. If this is your case, be careful…in fact, very careful. Because, it goes completely against the alignment of the Creator. Sooner or later, you will be hit. If God hits you benevolently whereby something happens and it enables you to come closer to Him, then God has looked kindly upon you. But if you have no time to even say a good bye, your entire life would have been futile. Jesus Himself says, ‘What profit ye, if ye gain the whole world but, lose your life?’
Check whom you are leaning on today. If it is Christ, praise God. If it is something or someone else, take stock of the situation, even if you seem to be happy on the face of it and make a ‘U’ turn. You would have done the best thing yet.
Feb. 11, 2008
Today's verse: Rev. 4:11. Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)
Blessed are the lips and raised is the mind which utters the above verse for in it is a truth far greater than truth itself because it accords a praise to our Creator and acknowledges that He alone is the only One who is worthy to receive glory, honor and power. Why would that be? Because, He has created all things and all things were created and are but, for His pleasure.
On why He created the universe, the above is the one statement that clearly spells out the purpose. If we peruse it carefully, it will also clearly etch our perspective on why we are here, provided we understand it too. I have always maintained that in our prayer, we need to first pray for God’s purposes and then our own for in that, we align ourselves well in His dimension of Grace. That Grace which flows toward those who are His own and will stand up for Him.
My friend, we may have a number of agendas that occupy our mind. It is possible that our entire time is occupied by these agendas, leaving no time and space for God. If this is your case, be careful…in fact, very careful. Because, it goes completely against the alignment of the Creator. Sooner or later, you will be hit. If God hits you benevolently whereby something happens and it enables you to come closer to Him, then God has looked kindly upon you. But if you have no time to even say a good bye, your entire life would have been futile. Jesus Himself says, ‘What profit ye, if ye gain the whole world but, lose your life?’
Check whom you are leaning on today. If it is Christ, praise God. If it is something or someone else, take stock of the situation, even if you seem to be happy on the face of it and make a ‘U’ turn. You would have done the best thing yet.
Friday, February 08, 2008
Thoughts for another day
Feb. 8, 2008
Today's verse: Gen. 35:5. And they journeyed: and the terror of God was upon the cities that were round about them, and they did not pursue after the sons of Jacob. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)
In the course of life, we come across people with whom we cross-vibe. Over a period of time, enmity begins and it could be that, although you have nothing negative for that person in your heart that person may yet try to damage your reputation or position or discomfort you in the harshest way, he or she can. Then what do you do? My advice to you would be: leave it to God and pray for your enemy.
In the Bible, we have two areas where the Lord God says that vengeance is His: Deut. 32:35 and Rom. 12:19. God tells us that, we need to forget about the venom of our enemies and move on because He is there. He takes care of our every aspect. In that, He is there for us and we needn’t worry. In a way in case of revenge, God tells us not to act ‘god’ and wreck vengeance so that you may show how big you are, because then, even your enemy will in return do something offensive and the enmity will continue and bloat.
The advice I have given really works. I have had countless people telling me how they had left vengeance to God, praying for those who offended them and how their enemies had come and made peace. Because God subjected their enemies to unbearable torment and in that torment, God put their names in the enemies’ heart and moved them to apologise. That, my friend, is God’s way. He makes peace through the calamity He brings on the enemy who then understands that he is at fault and comes to you.
A little before today’s verse in the Bible, we see how Jacob’s sons do something wrong. They did it for the honor of their sister. Now, because of Jacob and the promises God made Abraham, He ensures that no harm comes to Jacob and his family. His terror, enough to send up a chill along your spine, comes on the people around, who otherwise could have destroyed them. I too have seen this happen in my life, how people who hated me without reason have been humbled before me by my Mighty God. Make it a point therefore, to drop revenge from your mind and leave it to God. You will see Him destroying the ones who plan your destruction. Blessed is the Living One of Jacob. Amen.
Feb. 8, 2008
Today's verse: Gen. 35:5. And they journeyed: and the terror of God was upon the cities that were round about them, and they did not pursue after the sons of Jacob. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)
In the course of life, we come across people with whom we cross-vibe. Over a period of time, enmity begins and it could be that, although you have nothing negative for that person in your heart that person may yet try to damage your reputation or position or discomfort you in the harshest way, he or she can. Then what do you do? My advice to you would be: leave it to God and pray for your enemy.
In the Bible, we have two areas where the Lord God says that vengeance is His: Deut. 32:35 and Rom. 12:19. God tells us that, we need to forget about the venom of our enemies and move on because He is there. He takes care of our every aspect. In that, He is there for us and we needn’t worry. In a way in case of revenge, God tells us not to act ‘god’ and wreck vengeance so that you may show how big you are, because then, even your enemy will in return do something offensive and the enmity will continue and bloat.
The advice I have given really works. I have had countless people telling me how they had left vengeance to God, praying for those who offended them and how their enemies had come and made peace. Because God subjected their enemies to unbearable torment and in that torment, God put their names in the enemies’ heart and moved them to apologise. That, my friend, is God’s way. He makes peace through the calamity He brings on the enemy who then understands that he is at fault and comes to you.
A little before today’s verse in the Bible, we see how Jacob’s sons do something wrong. They did it for the honor of their sister. Now, because of Jacob and the promises God made Abraham, He ensures that no harm comes to Jacob and his family. His terror, enough to send up a chill along your spine, comes on the people around, who otherwise could have destroyed them. I too have seen this happen in my life, how people who hated me without reason have been humbled before me by my Mighty God. Make it a point therefore, to drop revenge from your mind and leave it to God. You will see Him destroying the ones who plan your destruction. Blessed is the Living One of Jacob. Amen.
Thursday, February 07, 2008
Thoughts for another day
Feb. 7, 2008
Today's verse: 1 Sam. 25:8. He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the LORD hath spoken it. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)
There indeed is a glorious thing about our God. O Christian, read the above verse and you will get, but a faint hint of it. A thing of interest is that God reaches out to us in the furthermost and the farthest niches of oblivion that we might have receded into. You know, for Him traversing between death and life is but a triviality and both life and death are current; in fact, death is only for us, that too, only a shift from the earthen vessels we dwell in to an incorruptible body. And, we inherited death through our first father Adam, in and through the sin he committed.
God can send us into the shaft of death and then bring us into life, both, life here on earth (like Jesus gave to Lazarus) and new life beyond this life (like Jesus has promised us). When death means the ‘finalé’ for us in most cases, Jesus promises victory in it. It’s like Paul teasing death in saying, ‘O death, where is your sting…?’ – 1 Cor. 15:55. Most people, who have learnt a few things about God, understand what I say very well. The immensity of God over all things has to be understood first to understand things like ‘I am the Resurrection and the life.’ God, though beyond the scope of human comprehension through human knowledge and endeavor, is much understood in simple belief sought at His feet. And in this comprehension comes the knowledge of His loveliness to us, who are but flowers, which wilt and wither as the sun comes up – as James says in 1:10,11.
My heart is moved when I read what God will do additionally, that is, wipe the tears off our eyes. Imagine a God so majestic, making us sit in His bosom and gently wiping the tears in our eyes. Can you see the love oozing out of our God? Can you see His care manifested by His act? My God, I too, like David want to say, ‘What is man that You think of him; mortal man that You care for him.’
Feb. 7, 2008
Today's verse: 1 Sam. 25:8. He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the LORD hath spoken it. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)
There indeed is a glorious thing about our God. O Christian, read the above verse and you will get, but a faint hint of it. A thing of interest is that God reaches out to us in the furthermost and the farthest niches of oblivion that we might have receded into. You know, for Him traversing between death and life is but a triviality and both life and death are current; in fact, death is only for us, that too, only a shift from the earthen vessels we dwell in to an incorruptible body. And, we inherited death through our first father Adam, in and through the sin he committed.
God can send us into the shaft of death and then bring us into life, both, life here on earth (like Jesus gave to Lazarus) and new life beyond this life (like Jesus has promised us). When death means the ‘finalé’ for us in most cases, Jesus promises victory in it. It’s like Paul teasing death in saying, ‘O death, where is your sting…?’ – 1 Cor. 15:55. Most people, who have learnt a few things about God, understand what I say very well. The immensity of God over all things has to be understood first to understand things like ‘I am the Resurrection and the life.’ God, though beyond the scope of human comprehension through human knowledge and endeavor, is much understood in simple belief sought at His feet. And in this comprehension comes the knowledge of His loveliness to us, who are but flowers, which wilt and wither as the sun comes up – as James says in 1:10,11.
My heart is moved when I read what God will do additionally, that is, wipe the tears off our eyes. Imagine a God so majestic, making us sit in His bosom and gently wiping the tears in our eyes. Can you see the love oozing out of our God? Can you see His care manifested by His act? My God, I too, like David want to say, ‘What is man that You think of him; mortal man that You care for him.’
Wednesday, February 06, 2008
Thoughts for another day
Feb. 6, 2008
Today's verse: Dt. 32:5. They have acted corruptly toward him; to their shame they are no longer his children, but a warped and crooked generation. (NIV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)
O human being, see what you have done to your God. How much you have pained Him, who has died for you. Think about His love and His graciousness. Reflect on the joy He’s put into your heart and know that His heart yearns for you. Yet, tell Me, nay, rather tell yourself, what have you done for Me.
You take Him to be an obligation and an unnecessary chore midst the busy setting of life. You look at Him as a distraction amid the immorality you engage in. He is but a pain when you indulge in the darkness this world loves to live in and you willingly partake of. And then you say that your God does not respond to your prayer. Ah, yes, not forgetting the many gods who have gained attention of your mind and whom you value more than Him.
My friend, this is what God is putting in my mind today as He addresses me. The very words that Moses put in his praise song, because of the way the people treated God then. That was ages ago, but even now I see myself in the ‘they’. Haven’t I gone about and done all sorts of things that I cannot even mention when I look Him eye to eye. Somebody once said, your thoughts should be such that if they could be projected on a screen, would you place the screen before the people you move with? I wouldn’t for my thoughts are corrupt.
But, I look then upon the blood stained face of my Savior Jesus and I behold His eyes. They talk to me about His love and His mercy. He tells me that, He has made me and every believer a kingdom and priests. He tells me, He has wiped my shame and replaced it with His own glory. He has heaped glory into my account. Of my sins He says, He has cast them at the bottom of the ocean and He also tells me ‘Get into a new beginning’. I am very seriously considering His proposal. Will you too join me?
Feb. 6, 2008
Today's verse: Dt. 32:5. They have acted corruptly toward him; to their shame they are no longer his children, but a warped and crooked generation. (NIV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)
O human being, see what you have done to your God. How much you have pained Him, who has died for you. Think about His love and His graciousness. Reflect on the joy He’s put into your heart and know that His heart yearns for you. Yet, tell Me, nay, rather tell yourself, what have you done for Me.
You take Him to be an obligation and an unnecessary chore midst the busy setting of life. You look at Him as a distraction amid the immorality you engage in. He is but a pain when you indulge in the darkness this world loves to live in and you willingly partake of. And then you say that your God does not respond to your prayer. Ah, yes, not forgetting the many gods who have gained attention of your mind and whom you value more than Him.
My friend, this is what God is putting in my mind today as He addresses me. The very words that Moses put in his praise song, because of the way the people treated God then. That was ages ago, but even now I see myself in the ‘they’. Haven’t I gone about and done all sorts of things that I cannot even mention when I look Him eye to eye. Somebody once said, your thoughts should be such that if they could be projected on a screen, would you place the screen before the people you move with? I wouldn’t for my thoughts are corrupt.
But, I look then upon the blood stained face of my Savior Jesus and I behold His eyes. They talk to me about His love and His mercy. He tells me that, He has made me and every believer a kingdom and priests. He tells me, He has wiped my shame and replaced it with His own glory. He has heaped glory into my account. Of my sins He says, He has cast them at the bottom of the ocean and He also tells me ‘Get into a new beginning’. I am very seriously considering His proposal. Will you too join me?
Tuesday, February 05, 2008
Thoughts for another day
Feb. 5, 2008
Today's verse: Daniel 3:39. Nevertheless in a contrite heart and an humble spirit let us be accepted. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)
Man makes mistakes continually. His atrocities are abominations before the God of heaven and earth. God, though incensed by our sins, does not bring in retribution because of His unlimited mercy but, there is no doubt that the repercussions of our sins return to haunt us. While this may be so, our eternal destiny isn’t changed if we have believed in the Son of God and have subjected ourselves to the atonement through His shedding of the blood, which has been accepted by the Great I AM.
The retribution to the Jews was right because of the Law and the instructions that God gave them. But the Jews sinned bringing God’s wrath upon them. God forsook them and they were miserable before the Babylonians. God had sent His prophets to advise the people and turn them from the path of wrong, but they did not care for the prophets, on the contrary they subjected them to insult and injury. How long could a Holy God tolerate this? Before long, they suffered and the most dreaded calamities visited them. They were brought to their knees and subjected to all sorts of evil.
But in God’s story, we often see that in beaten and miserable situations, there are a few people who God, in His unlimited mercy and boundless love, keeps to pray so that,He can stretch His hand and save. Azariah and His companions prayed in the fire they were hauled into. They had defied the edict of the king for it went against the only King they believed in and it required that they be cast into a hot furnace. In the furnace God’s Spirit entered the hearts of His servants saving them. And they prayed and sang His glory.
Our verse today, is an expression of acceptance of guilt and the fervent plea which finds God’s acceptance. In such humbling, God finds room to work. Therefore, although they were in the blazing furnace, they were not singed. For us it is a good lesson that even if we have done something dreadful, it’s time to get up and move toward Him humbly, for He is merciful to forgive and begin a new chapter in our lives.
Feb. 5, 2008
Today's verse: Daniel 3:39. Nevertheless in a contrite heart and an humble spirit let us be accepted. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)
Man makes mistakes continually. His atrocities are abominations before the God of heaven and earth. God, though incensed by our sins, does not bring in retribution because of His unlimited mercy but, there is no doubt that the repercussions of our sins return to haunt us. While this may be so, our eternal destiny isn’t changed if we have believed in the Son of God and have subjected ourselves to the atonement through His shedding of the blood, which has been accepted by the Great I AM.
The retribution to the Jews was right because of the Law and the instructions that God gave them. But the Jews sinned bringing God’s wrath upon them. God forsook them and they were miserable before the Babylonians. God had sent His prophets to advise the people and turn them from the path of wrong, but they did not care for the prophets, on the contrary they subjected them to insult and injury. How long could a Holy God tolerate this? Before long, they suffered and the most dreaded calamities visited them. They were brought to their knees and subjected to all sorts of evil.
But in God’s story, we often see that in beaten and miserable situations, there are a few people who God, in His unlimited mercy and boundless love, keeps to pray so that,He can stretch His hand and save. Azariah and His companions prayed in the fire they were hauled into. They had defied the edict of the king for it went against the only King they believed in and it required that they be cast into a hot furnace. In the furnace God’s Spirit entered the hearts of His servants saving them. And they prayed and sang His glory.
Our verse today, is an expression of acceptance of guilt and the fervent plea which finds God’s acceptance. In such humbling, God finds room to work. Therefore, although they were in the blazing furnace, they were not singed. For us it is a good lesson that even if we have done something dreadful, it’s time to get up and move toward Him humbly, for He is merciful to forgive and begin a new chapter in our lives.
Monday, February 04, 2008
Thoughts for another day
Feb. 4, 2008
Today's verse: Heb. 4:12. For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit… (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)
Let me begin with a question today: Do you read the Word of God every day? If you have answered yes, I’m glad and if no, well, you could begin today and in case you don’t have the physical bible, you could always browse the net and get an e-version you are comfortable with.
Why the Word? Because the, Word of God, or the Bible, contains knowledge of God. Because, it’s His blueprint, for Salvation whereby, we can come to enjoy eternal bliss with Him. Because, in it, God speaks to us and tells us the way we can be strong in life. All in all, it is only the Bible we need to live both, our temporal lives here and eternal life hereafter.
The Bible ensures we lead lives pleasing to our God because it has a way in which God can penetrate right into us. God’s Word can divide the soul and the spirit in ways one cannot imagine. By the way, the soul is that component put into us by God with His breath because of which we are. It is the soul that will leave the mortal body and leave for our eternal destination after our death. The spirit is the nature of the soul (akin to the mind of the body). It is the manifestation of the soul in diverse situations. For e.g. when my spirit shows hatred and anger, it can be fairly assumed that my soul is not at peace. The Word of God has the ability to dissect the soul and the spirit. Can you imagine the precision needed to do that? It’s like, separating the light of a candle from the darkness!
So powerful is the Word of God toward us that if there is anything that can help us lead a worthy life before the Father then, it is His Word. Of course, it also is for healing, riches, prosperity, etc. The Word of God is awesome and complete. You can trust it to aid any situation you may have. It never fails and that’s because Jesus is the Word. And God’s Word accomplishes everything that it was sent to accomplish and then returns back to God. Knowing the Word of God is like being aware of a treasure and keeping it is like possessing that treasure.
Feb. 4, 2008
Today's verse: Heb. 4:12. For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit… (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)
Let me begin with a question today: Do you read the Word of God every day? If you have answered yes, I’m glad and if no, well, you could begin today and in case you don’t have the physical bible, you could always browse the net and get an e-version you are comfortable with.
Why the Word? Because the, Word of God, or the Bible, contains knowledge of God. Because, it’s His blueprint, for Salvation whereby, we can come to enjoy eternal bliss with Him. Because, in it, God speaks to us and tells us the way we can be strong in life. All in all, it is only the Bible we need to live both, our temporal lives here and eternal life hereafter.
The Bible ensures we lead lives pleasing to our God because it has a way in which God can penetrate right into us. God’s Word can divide the soul and the spirit in ways one cannot imagine. By the way, the soul is that component put into us by God with His breath because of which we are. It is the soul that will leave the mortal body and leave for our eternal destination after our death. The spirit is the nature of the soul (akin to the mind of the body). It is the manifestation of the soul in diverse situations. For e.g. when my spirit shows hatred and anger, it can be fairly assumed that my soul is not at peace. The Word of God has the ability to dissect the soul and the spirit. Can you imagine the precision needed to do that? It’s like, separating the light of a candle from the darkness!
So powerful is the Word of God toward us that if there is anything that can help us lead a worthy life before the Father then, it is His Word. Of course, it also is for healing, riches, prosperity, etc. The Word of God is awesome and complete. You can trust it to aid any situation you may have. It never fails and that’s because Jesus is the Word. And God’s Word accomplishes everything that it was sent to accomplish and then returns back to God. Knowing the Word of God is like being aware of a treasure and keeping it is like possessing that treasure.
Friday, February 01, 2008
Thoughts for another day
Feb. 1, 2008
Today's verse: Job 38:22. Hast thou entered into the treasures of the snow? or hast thou seen the treasures of the hail, (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)
Very rare are the times when God projects who He is and what He is capable of. He never needs to do that, which is why Jesus never tried to prove He is God to the Pharisees, scribes and Sadducees. The reason is simple: An Almighty God for whom nothing is impossible would never want to do that before His own puny creation for that would be demeaning. But for the sake of love and only to His chosen ones, He doesn’t mind doing that just to quell their doubt, that is and also perhaps show a lesson. When Jesus walked the water of Galilee they were astounded and Peter asked that he too be made able. The moment Jesus said ‘come’, the water was made firm and Peter could walk on it.
Through this Jesus demonstrated His immense power, the same to which we too have recourse. But then Peter doubted and became afraid. The moment that happened he began to sink but Jesus held out His hand and helped him. Look, a little bit of doubt and we fall short of God’s power! But then again crying out to Him brings about His immediate help. See, a sincere cry from you never fails to move His heart.
But now, back to our verse, God Almighty is giving Job the lesson of his life. Imagine, Job a few mins. before was trying to justify his innocence but now when the voice came out of the storm, he might have been literally shivering, of course not because of the storm. Not a laughing matter, for both you and I would shiver before the voice of the One Who spoke, and it came to be! That aside, perhaps in the entire Bible, there is no qualification of God – His miracles are a projection of His qualification – as powerful and vocal as in the book of Job. Read Chs. 38 – 41 and take it as if God were speaking to you.
My friend, if what God is saying sinks in, never in your life will you be afraid. Never will you cringe before the unknown. You won’t tremble at adversity nor will you stoop down before problems. Because, beside you is the One who’s told you He will always be there for you and He can handle any problem, any problem…
Feb. 1, 2008
Today's verse: Job 38:22. Hast thou entered into the treasures of the snow? or hast thou seen the treasures of the hail, (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)
Very rare are the times when God projects who He is and what He is capable of. He never needs to do that, which is why Jesus never tried to prove He is God to the Pharisees, scribes and Sadducees. The reason is simple: An Almighty God for whom nothing is impossible would never want to do that before His own puny creation for that would be demeaning. But for the sake of love and only to His chosen ones, He doesn’t mind doing that just to quell their doubt, that is and also perhaps show a lesson. When Jesus walked the water of Galilee they were astounded and Peter asked that he too be made able. The moment Jesus said ‘come’, the water was made firm and Peter could walk on it.
Through this Jesus demonstrated His immense power, the same to which we too have recourse. But then Peter doubted and became afraid. The moment that happened he began to sink but Jesus held out His hand and helped him. Look, a little bit of doubt and we fall short of God’s power! But then again crying out to Him brings about His immediate help. See, a sincere cry from you never fails to move His heart.
But now, back to our verse, God Almighty is giving Job the lesson of his life. Imagine, Job a few mins. before was trying to justify his innocence but now when the voice came out of the storm, he might have been literally shivering, of course not because of the storm. Not a laughing matter, for both you and I would shiver before the voice of the One Who spoke, and it came to be! That aside, perhaps in the entire Bible, there is no qualification of God – His miracles are a projection of His qualification – as powerful and vocal as in the book of Job. Read Chs. 38 – 41 and take it as if God were speaking to you.
My friend, if what God is saying sinks in, never in your life will you be afraid. Never will you cringe before the unknown. You won’t tremble at adversity nor will you stoop down before problems. Because, beside you is the One who’s told you He will always be there for you and He can handle any problem, any problem…
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