Thoughts for another day

April 29, 2008

Today's verse: Lk. 11:13. If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him. (KJV) (Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

There is a story I heard about a king in the erstwhile kingdom of Saudamini in Central India. He loved his son a lot and this boy grew up to be a fine young person. But the king’s younger brother, poisoned the mind of the youth to usurp the throne from his father. When the king learned about it, he had the boy summarily executed, even though he was his only son!

Jesus says, worldly parents being evil know how to give good gifts to their children – which the king gave to his son as he grew up. Yet the moment, the son seemed threatening; the father did away with him. Such is human nature. Maybe not so with you or with your people, but very much prevalent in the world. When it comes to God, you know, for our sake, God gave His own Son that we may become one with Him. God’s selflessness is exemplary in that, although God sacrificed His beloved Son, He never asked such a sacrifice of us nor as was in the case of Abraham, has He asked to go ahead with the sacrifice.

God is always willing to give of Him to us. He is there for us in good and in bad, even when we are in top form or down in the dumps. And He is ready to answer our every prayer. Jesus qualifies this in what He says of His Father when He says how much more will your heavenly Father give of His Spirit if we but ask. Jesus knows that to live a victorious life, we need His Spirit and He is willing for us sake to fill us with His Holy Spirit that we live full lives. What more then can He give us?

Thoughts for another day

April 29, 2008

Today's verse: Is. 4:5,6. And the LORD will create upon every dwellingplace of mount Zion, and upon her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day, and the shining of a flaming fire by night: for upon all the glory shall be a defence. And there shall be a tabernacle for a shadow in the daytime from the heat, and for a place of refuge, and for a covert from storm and from rain. (KJV)

(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

Listen to what the God of the universe is saying in the above verse. He is talking about protecting His people who abide on Mount Zion. It’s symbolic of the New Jerusalem, where will be called to dwell, all those who believe in Jesus Christ and give Him alone their worship.

The Word of God says that The Lamb of God stands on mount Zion along with those beloved to the Father and on whose foreheads is written, the Father’s Name. They are saved by the blood of the Lamb having believed in the Son and therefore have inherited His Father’s kingdom. For every believer, it spells the wonderful truth of the great sacrifice of God’s Lamb, Jesus and the redemption of the believer.

For us who believe in The Lamb, God will create upon the dwelling places of Zion, the holy mountain on which we stand symbolically, a cloud and smoke by day to protect us from any harm, the principalities and powers of darkness, will dare put against us. There will also be a shining flame of fire by night, which will guide us in the Kingdom. His awesome glory will cover us even as we call upon His Name and God’s protection will be ours, shielding us from everything. So what care we for the trials we are called to face upon the earth or the barbs the evil one throws at us menacingly.

God never dithers on His promises. Nor do we become eligible for His mercies except we are made eligible by the blood of The Lamb. All we need to do is, grab hold of His promises, remind Him of them and wait for His answer under the canopy of His glory.

Thoughts for another day

April 28, 2008

Today's verse: Eph. 5:10. Try to find out what is pleasing to the Lord. (NRSV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

Has it ever occurred to you to try finding out what is pleasing to the Lord? At least in my case, this trying has been rather infrequent; that too among a very low count itself. I think and I ask, ‘is it difficult for me to find what is pleasing to the Lord?’ When you look at it, it isn’t no? Then why don’t I do it?

In thinking this, a shocking truth that emerges is our lack of inclination toward the Lord. Do we take pleasure in things that are His? Are we stimulated enough to be with Him and do what He wants us to do? I find in my own case, after much reflection, that the answer is no. My mind asks, why? To be honest I can’t answer for sure but I will try to look at this issue rather critically and with the help of the Spirit, gain an insight. While we are at it, it doesn’t mean that God cannot put us on track on the path we were destined to take…didn’t He make Saul, a great enemy of the earlier Christians, into a champion for the cause of Christ? And my request is, if you are not as what I write us to be, please don’t be offended.

I think our lackadaisical approach to God is but a reflection of how dear He is or is not to us. It may shock us to know the truth about our love for God – it hardly exists. I ask myself, do I really love God? And my eardrums echo with a reverberating no. Your and my purpose here on earth is something that God works out in us but in this work are we with Him? Do we assist Him in His plan or do we resist? Our reactions are generally based on how much we love Him deep inside of us, in our hearts. God said about David, ‘he is a man after my own heart’ and though David offended God, God still loved him and made him a great king.

Our hearts determine whatever we do vis-à-vis God. Take the offering of Cain and Abel; Cain offered, but his heart wasn’t in it and therefore God looked at Abel’s offering with favor. The question here is one of the heart and that determines all. I feel that whatever we are now, whether we love God enough or not, whether we are walking the straight path or not, whether the things of God please us or not, we are okay if our hearts are turned to God and deep inside, we know we exist for His glory - this even if our lives today are a far cry from what they actually should be.

Thoughts for another day

April 25, 2008

Today's verse: Col. 2:6. As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

Having received Jesus Christ, we are now not the same. Our life has to change. This change may be fast or gradual but it has to be, for Jesus comes making all things new. If you have been in Him for a while, you will know what I am talking about becoz your life would certainly have been touched by His Presence. You might become more patient or more appreciative or whatever and even if you have many ‘not so nice’ traits of mannerisms, they will change in His coming. It may take years for this to happen (to be honest even I don’t know why it does) but eventually it does.

The power of God is not only for miracles of body and material. Those are necessary and God knows it and He fulfils our needs as He is concerned about us, but God wants that we ask for the power to change because when a man’s soul is purified in the blood of the Lamb, He becomes a citizen of heaven fully, and the courts of the Almighty resound with joy at this conversion. In our conversion (I am not speaking of religious conversion but being born again) the zeal to do His bidding comes into us and for a while, we are ready to battle anything for the sake of Christ. But gradually, it wanes off and we back slide into our old way of life. This is what we need to guard against and therefore we need to walk in Him.

After my conversion happened, I was ready to do anything for Christ. But as years went by, I noticed myself giving more prominence to other things than the things of God. The drive to sin also became stronger and I fell. But our beautiful God picked me up and His suggestion was that I depend on Him thoroughly to remain in His aura of life. When God calls us to an office, it is He who makes us eligible, even if we don’t consider ourselves worthy or are opposite to what we humans consider ‘fit’. He also keeps us in a state in which He may use us and He guards our coming and our going. God is more interested that we remain pure than we ourselves are for He wants us to work for His Kingdom. He can only work through us my friend and bring about His Kingdom on earth. Therefore, we need to remain rooted in Christ and firmly established in faith in Him as we have been taught through His Word. In all this our hearts have to be filled with gratitude for all that He has done in picking us from the muck and giving us entry into His glorious abode.

Thoughts for another day

April 24, 2008

Today's verse: Ps. 51:9. Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

All of us know Psalm 51 and we also read it daily to atone for our sins. Truly, God’s Spirit worked marvelously in David to make him cringe before God in confessing his guilt and being intensely sorry for it; thereby giving words to this most beautiful psalm. While every verse in the psalm is dew upon the dry surface of the soul and I relish the psalm in entirety, what got my attention today after reflecting on the omnipresence of God is the above verse.

We know that God is everywhere. He is far reaching and seeing everything even as it is done or for that matter being planned if I might say. That gives most of us Christians, the confidence of living victorious lives for we know that God is with us and being His children, He is leading us into victory each day. But I may wonder, when I indulge in nefarious pleasure, God is watching, what then? Usually, we don’t even bother about the omnipresence of God when we sin for in our state of committing the offence before God we are so immersed in our carnal pleasure or in that state of mind, we don’t even think. But, God is still watching and I am sure He is not pleased no?

Dr Philip Graham Ryken, a preacher, in his book, ‘Discovering God in Stories from the Bible’ says, ‘if you want to keep away from sin, remember how impossible it is to escape God’s notice. Never live as though God doesn’t exist. Practice, the presence of God.’ If we were to use this principle in our lives, we would be able to, with the help of the Holy Spirit, refrain from sinful activities.

I reckon, what God needs from us is a contrite heart with a deep desire to live pure lives. David knew this only too well because He knew the heart of God. Yet, David sinned. Even then, David did not wallow in his sin or go away from God. Only with whatever courage he had, he asked God to hide His face from his sin for David knew that God’s mercy would even accommodate that. As for us, it is enough to know today that God’s omnipresence is reason enough for us to be restrained in our sinful nature, for how can we sin in His blessed Presence…the very Presence in which we live and praise and worship Him, the One who is Holy and perfect.

Thoughts for another day

April 23, 2008

Today's verse: Ro. 16:19. I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

In this one small sentence Paul is making a profound statement of how we as Christians should be in our overall demeanor. It is profound because it holds a great deal of truth. We will see how.

Be wise unto that which is good. This means that our wisdom has to extend over the territory of goodness. That is, we must be aware of all that is good so we may do it and do it without hesitation such that it reflects our wisdom. I have seen that we know what is right and what is wrong. As an example I may quote, if a man is hungry, we know it is right to give him food. But mere knowledge isn’t sufficient in itself because it is dissociated with action. This is where wisdom comes in for wisdom associates with action whereby it positions knowledge appropriately into doing something. Wisdom demands that we give the man food to eat whereas knowledge only tells us he needs food. So Paul is urging us to be wise unto that which is good.

Paul also tells us we need to be simple when it concerns evil. Now this is the exact opposite of wisdom, saying we need to be naive concerning evil. I have sometimes seen immorality raising its head when we push questions beyond a point and evil thoughts arise when we dwell upon temptation. Even sinful pleasure is overwhelming when we harp on it and we know it is detestable to God. To explain the point, I would take the example of a child. You see, a child is so simple that it does not see any scheming or plotting the way adults do nor will a child conjure mischief or immorality. A child will not sit down and plot revenge or seek to do harm to others nor does it revel in the misery caused to the enemy for that matter, a child rarely has enemies and talks with everybody. That is really the crux of Paul’s exhortation.

Suffice it for us to know that dwelling on the good wholeheartedly and shunning the evil will pave our route to our heavenly kingdom in our Lord Jesus Christ.

Thoughts for another day

April 22, 2008

Today's verse: Isaiah 40:28. Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

People have told me how they love to honor our blessed and glorious God because He is so great. Truly, He is worthy of every honor we can give. Jesus is so great that we will never be able to even scratch the surface of the aura of His greatness. This very Jesus came down as man, lived among us and died a miserable death that we live with Him, in His kingdom, in His mansions as His bride and call His Father, ‘our Father’.

Jesus has so much power that a mere word from Him can still the storms raging in the seas, (remember the parting of the Red Sea?) and break into smithereens the icebergs (obstacles) that stick out their vicious noses. He can still every storm is your life that’s out to sink you. Before Jesus’ magnificent beauty, gold and diamonds pale in comparison (well, what can that which is created compare with the fount of all splendor anyway?). Jesus words are the wisdom in the inner recesses of the mind and even a fool is wise when Jesus puts His wisdom in his heart. And you know Solomon’s wisdom was so profound that people from all over the world flocked just to hear him. When Jesus speaks to a man, his feeble limbs muster strength of a kind never before and he is able to do the unthinkable - this the paralytic discovered to his joy when Jesus at the pool of Bethesda, straightened and poured strength in his limbs.

Jesus never tires of doing good even when you do no good at all and when you offend Him too as in the case of the thief hung next to Him. His mercy demands every crease on our furrows be straightened that no worry grip us, whatever the situation. Even when the world’s in turmoil, His hand is enough to protect you; in a way that disaster may befall everyone but you – we have heard of plane crashes where His people have just got up and brushed away the dirt on their clothes and moved on, even when mangled and burnt bodies were strewn everywhere.

What can I say about His understanding, I can’t even fathom what it’s like to enter those beautiful eyes and behold so much compassion and love and knowledge - were I as blessed as Mary Magdalene, I would perhaps. All I’d love to do is just sink in them for there I’m safe and secure and at complete peace. All glory to His Name.

Thoughts for another day

April 21, 2008

Today's verse: Lk. 13:34. O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not! (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

Here is a picture of the Love, God has for us, because of which He is wants to gather us to Himself like a hen does its chicks intending to give them the security of its bosom and the warmth they’d need to face the coldness of the world outside. If we bring to mind this picture, it’s easy to comprehend the immensity of the love the Lord has for us. What’s splendid is that He Himself describes this love albeit, in an illustration of an everyday village scene in Jerusalem concerning the young ones of a hen.

We know that as we live, the coarseness of the world seeps into our hearts and makes us coarse too. The beauty of innocence is lost in this coarseness and the softness of total trust is blown away. What emerges is a hard heart devoid of emotions and good feelings even as animosity and jealousy take root. It affects us and can hamper us in our daily living. Then again, the nature of other human beings can be pretty threatening bringing fear into our minds. At this juncture, we long for the covering of an oyster of safety and search for meaning in life and something other than strife.

Haven’t you too gone through this and desired a soothing hand upon you? In our verse today, God is offering us the same. He is going out of the way to give us comfort and solace and also total safety. What is surprising if you were to consider it is that, He is doing it, not because we have requested Him to, but because He knows we need it. He knows that by our sinfulness, we have strayed beyond the circle of His protection and have made ourselves unworthy of His hand of safety. But still, He is there at the point in time when we need Him. Really, how beautiful God is and how gently He comes to us and helps us even when the clouds of gloom are all over us and even perhaps when we are threatened by the repercussions of our own sinfulness. Now the question is, will we accept His love?

Thoughts for another day

April 18, 2008

Today's verse: Heb. 8:1. We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens; (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

The believer in Christ Jesus is not one who is left orphaned. He is our advocate with the Father on High in whom is vested every power in heaven and on earth.

In Jesus, we have power beyond our knowledge and capacity to understand. In Jesus is our hope and glory for He is always there to intercede for us and intercede He does and how…even the worst sinner is redeemed for whoever believes in Him, He gives them the power to become the Sons and daughters of God.

You know my friend; Jesus has given us of Himself. You were on His mind when He took that scourging at the pillar. You were on His palm, when that nail ripped it apart but nothing changed that engraved name of yours. He yearns for you even more than the thirst He felt when He cried out, ‘I thirst’. You are His greatest treasure and you are the reason He pours His Grace upon the world. And let me tell you, today if the world is still in shipshape, it is because of you for through you He protects it from the desire of the evil one of destroying it.

He will allow no harm to come near you and He will never forsake you. Even as He sits at the right hand of the Father, His eyes are trained on you, not so much that He can hold you guilty for the wrong you do in His sight, but so He may defend you from evil. He is ever beside you and today He is telling you that you have no need to worry for He will set things right because remember, every fight that you fight is His fight. So just let go and let Him for He is the High Priest who will be your advocate and defender forever.

Thoughts for another day

April 17, 2008

Today's verse: Mt. 7:22-23. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? And in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

In the circle of people devoted to God, there are many who are wolves in sheep’s clothing. There are people who do things by which they hope to be in better standing among those handling the things of God, the most prominent being preaching and praying over the sick and the like. To do a little confession, I must say initially I too was in the same bandwagon. But thanks be to God for He moved me off this. I now understand how lightly we take these things. And what pseudos we are when it concerns ‘God spoke to me and said…’, ‘You are healed in Jesus’ Name…’ etc.

Our verses today concern this aspect of God who will call us to account and settle the matter with us individually. Then will we clamor and speak about all the good we did yet, we will be rejected and cast away. It’s likely that we have done a lot of good work and God would have helped us too, for in doing good, God does not refuse to answer because He looks at the faith in the person seeking the good and answers that faith. The question Jesus asks in the above verses, without using words is, ‘whose glory were you seeking when you did what you did?’ And our answer ‘my own glory’ is an iniquity before God.

In the Kingdom of God, the key is, ‘The Glory of God.’ Only my heart is able to answer the question, whose glory am I seeking? And God looks at the heart. His Word says, ‘for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart’ 1 Sm 16:7. From the inside, God knows what the whole purpose of your actions are and He will ‘know you’ as much as your heart is to Him.

Thoughts for another day

April 16, 2008

Today's verse: Jn. 8:10-11. …he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

Recently an incident happened which left me pretty disturbed. I am constrained in mentioning the incident but will only make as much of a rendition as God leads me and which is required for this reflection. In a way, the incident reflects the moral equity that existed at the time of Jesus; and the banter of the moral police remains the same irrespective of the number of years that have gone between.

The incident concerns a lady, arraigned for supposedly immoral behavior. A report was apparently sent by her colleagues to her bosses who summoned her and summarily dismissed her. She, who was just a few weeks ago praised to glory, was now discarded like a used piece of tissue. No attention I reckon was paid as to why the report was generated and sent, or to the inner motive behind it or to the scheming of the mind, which conceived the report. All that was done by the supposed Puritanism of the individual who called her to account was: give her the dismissal.

What’s wrong with that you might ask, besides, an organisation must have the rote of discipline et al, right? But I’ll talk like Jesus did: Cast an aspersion, provided you yourself have no stain! I say this because I had a telephonic talk with the woman with God as witness, and I know deep within that she may be slightly in error but from my knowledge of her, she could change and completely reform, given the opportunity.

An opportunity, she was not given, unlike what Jesus gave to the adulteress, ‘go, sin no more.’ I am sure the adulteress must have reformed and become a great follower of Christ. You could be thinking, what does this have to do with me. Well, nothing maybe but then again think. How many times we jump to conclusions and brand a person, just on hearsay? The number of times we malign people and play with their lives without even understanding the state in which the person was? Brother, sister, if Jesus were to do the same with us, how many of us would escape His wrath? None, I’m sure because none of us are innocent. If I have a particular kind of weakness, so do you, perhaps something different. If I have fallen so have you. And let me tell you, in the court of the Infinite, any sin however small is sin - full and final. So we cannot escape when asked for an account by saying that ‘Oh Lord, you see, I just told lies, whereas he was a murderer!’ That won’t get you anywhere and those who have sat in judgment, will be judged even more harshly.

Beware what you say about others for you know not the harm you do. And when His wrath comes beating down, there won’t be left any corner for you to hide.

Thoughts for another day

April 15, 2008

Today's verse: Isa. 41:13. For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

Yesterday night before going to sleep, while I waited for my daughter to join me to pray, my mind dwelt on how much her mother and I love her and care for her. Suddenly my mind moved to God. I thought: Oh God, how much you love us. When my daughter came I told her, ‘we cannot see God but see, He is so near to us and He loves us so much; there is nothing comparable to His love.’ My mind then moved to that beautiful song, ‘Precious Lord, take my hand, lead me on let me stand, I am tired, I am weak, I am worn. Through the storm, through the night, lead me on to the light…take my hand Precious Lord, lead me home.’

As I set about to write this reflection, I thought let me see how this song came to be written and was stunned to read how the writer of this song, Thomas Dorsey happened to write it. For those interested, I’d urge to read the whole story on the website: http://www.popularhymns.com/precious_lord_take_my_hand.php.

It stunned me in knowing that this song emerged from the soul of a grief stricken man, completely shattered in learning that his wife, having delivered their newborn baby had died, even as he was performing solo at a revival in St Louis in 1932. He rushed back home and held his baby, swinging between sorrow, at the death of his wife and joy, at the birth of his first baby, a boy. But that night, the baby died. Dorsey was shattered and began to hate God, thinking God had done him great injustice. Later, as he sat at the piano, swinging his expert fingers over the keys, the Grace of God washed over him, giving him a peace, he scarcely understood. In the atmosphere of the moment, he felt He could actually reach out for God to hold his hand. He started playing a melody, he’d never done before and ‘Take my hand Precious Lord…’ emerged.

My friend, I behold the face of our Precious God. So gentle and so kind. My heart was lifted up when I read about Thomas Dorsey. ‘Oh, God, how you lift us mere mortals into your presence; is the refrain of my soul.’ And I am glad that He has counted me worthy to proclaim His Son. Yeah, so are you, I’m sure; and we both wait with the hope that someday, when the day has gone and the night is on and you and I stand at the river, He will guide our feet and take us home to be with Him saying, welcome My child…Oh, beautiful Lord!

Thoughts for another day

April 15, 2008

Today's verse: Isa. 41:13. For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

Yesterday night before going to sleep, while I waited for my daughter to join me to pray, my mind dwelt on how much her mother and I love her and care for her. Suddenly my mind moved to God. I thought: Oh God, how much you love us. When my daughter came I told her, ‘we cannot see God but see, He is so near to us and He loves us so much; there is nothing comparable to His love.’ My mind then moved to that beautiful song, ‘Precious Lord, take my hand, lead me on let me stand, I am tired, I am weak, I am worn. Through the storm, through the night, lead me on to the light…take my hand Precious Lord, lead me home.’

As I set about to write this reflection, I thought let me see how this song came to be written and was stunned to read how the writer of this song, Thomas Dorsey happened to write it. For those interested, I’d urge to read the whole story on the website: http://www.popularhymns.com/precious_lord_take_my_hand.php.

It stunned me in knowing that this song emerged from the soul of a grief stricken man, completely shattered in learning that his wife, having delivered their newborn baby had died, even as he was performing solo at a revival in St Louis in 1932. He rushed back home and held his baby, swinging between sorrow, at the death of his wife and joy, at the birth of his first baby, a boy. But that night, the baby died. Dorsey was shattered and began to hate God, thinking God had done him great injustice. Later, as he sat at the piano, swinging his expert fingers over the keys, the Grace of God washed over him, giving him a peace, he scarcely understood. In the atmosphere of the moment, he felt He could actually reach out for God to hold his hand. He started playing a melody, he’d never done before and ‘Take my hand Precious Lord…’ emerged.

My friend, I behold the face of our Precious God. So gentle and so kind. My heart was lifted up when I read about Thomas Dorsey. ‘Oh, God, how you lift us mere mortals into your presence; is the refrain of my soul.’ And I am glad that He has counted me worthy to proclaim His Son. Yeah, so are you, I’m sure; and we both wait with the hope that someday, when the day has gone and the night is on and you and I stand at the river, He will guide our feet and take us home to be with Him saying, welcome My child…Oh, beautiful Lord!

Thoughts for another day

April 11, 2008

Today's verse: Amos 9:6. he who builds his lofty palace in the heavens and sets its foundation on the earth, who calls for the waters of the sea and pours them out over the face of the land-- the LORD is his name. (NIV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

Once in a while, it is important for every Christian to sit back and learn from the Word of God, the might and the power our God possesses.

In this context, the above verse gives us a fair idea of the power of our God. In it, God talks about building His high palaces in the heavens even as He sets the foundations on earth! See, God is above all and capable of doing anything. Although we know about His gentleness, when needed, this very God wakes up like a roused giant and comes to our aid. He comes with all His might and power to even turn the world upside down if need be. There is none that can rein in our Lord or say anything to Him because there is none as big as Him. Our verse even says that He calls for the waters of the sea and pours them out over the face of the land.

Why, you may ask, do we need to know about the power of God? It’s because God wants us to know Who we worship. Take for example the miracle where Jesus walks upon the water. Do you think there was any need for that miracle? In my opinion, no. It was but to display that He is the absolute Master of matter. Even water, which is utterly malleable, transformed into solid mass under the feet of the Lord. Every now and then God demonstrates His Sovereignty on the earth so that all may know He is the Lord of the Universe and all things are under His command. In doing this, He mocks the powers that beset the earth treating them with contempt. It is not within our realm to understand this, but suffice it to say that there are incidents on the earth which the forces of evil wreck on the earth, but God changes their effects as He did after the bombing of the World Trade Center in NY, USA, when almost a whole nation turned to God.

We, who depend on our God have nothing to worry about for we worship a God for whom nothing is impossible and who, but for a while allows evil to happen in our lives, but soon, stretches forth His hand and quashes the evil that has tormented our lives.

Thoughts for another day

April 11, 2008

Today's verse: Romans 8:16. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

What a marvelous revelation our verse for today makes. The Spirit of God bears witness with our spirits (our deepest deep, if I may say) and concurs with us that we are indeed children of God. And if we are children of God, great is our stature for of a certainty our God is great.

What does this mean to us, defeated people? I say defeated because when I look around, I notice the miserable states we live in. We may possess everything the world can offer to make us comfortable. We may also not be in need, yet there in our hearts there is a thirst, which cannot be satiated by ‘us’ alone. It is a deep thirst arising from the desire if I might say, of meeting God, the way a woman intensely waits to meet the man she loves and has married, from the depth of her core. Our defeat comes when the thirst does not reach intensity or we aren’t aware there is a thirst within (strange, yet true). In such a state, being a child of God can make the difference between a life of woe and a victorious life.

My friend, God is our Father. How do I know this? Because Jesus has told me so and also, in my profound being, when I commune with God, the Spirit of God having borne witness before God that I am His child, softly whispers this into my heart. Now when I take God as my Father, I learn to lean on Him. He then takes charge of my life. My problems and difficulties become His to solve. My tears are all filled into His bottle and come before Him constantly. My sleepless nights arouse His Gentle hand to touch me and soothe my senses. In this situation, God becomes real and He rises to repudiate my enemies or the one who causes my life to ebb. I experience God’s awesomeness and my enemies flee from me. That is the promise I have in being a child of God.

Thoughts for another day

April 10, 2008

Today's verse: 1 Cor. 13:8. Love never fails. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

Before I begin with this reflection, I should add a rider. No human being can love perfectly and then there are many who do not know what it is like to love or be loved. Others struggle to love but the crudeness of the world affects them such that they find it difficult to love. Be that as it may, the words, ‘love never fails’ remain unaltered.

Whether we love or not, love never fails. Whether we are loved or not, love always succeeds. Love is the barometer of good human emotions. God began the human race with love. He fashioned man out of the depth of His love creating him to fellowship and love Him in return. God’s love for us was, is and ever will be pure because God is like that. The Bible says in John 3:16, ‘For God so loved the world…’ God’s divine nature is love and His nature will never change for God Himself cannot change.

When pure love prevails, everything is possible; the unthinkable too. Even supposedly pure love, as that of a boy and a girl, meeting for just two weeks yet speaking in terms of loving so much that they could gives their lives for the other! Honestly, real love can do just that. Check this in yourself; if you have love for someone, then wouldn’t you do anything for that person?

Out of the gush of pure love in one’s heart, a person is willing to sacrifice and take the blame. Jesus loved us so much that He stepped into our shoes when sin’s punishment was coming our way. Similarly we human beings, human as we are, are willing to take the blame for another’s error when we really love that person. Truly my friend, love never fails. In fact, love always amazes. Look at what good things you plan for the one you love. There’s unceasing good in your mind for that person too. For the world to become a better place, let’s learn to love. In humility, we approach the fount of love and in prayer ask Him to fill our hearts with His love that we too in turn, love the way He does.

Thoughts for another day

April 9, 2008

Today's verse: Ex. 12:12. For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the LORD. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

Here is a powerful self-declaration of God the Almighty. We know how God hits the people of Egypt by destroying the first born of all men and animals. That way, God works out major deliverance for the Israelites.

When we read this verse, we usually stay put on the smiting of the firstborn of Egypt but a look at the latter part of the verse reveals an awesome statement of God, which is much required today. It is, ‘against all the gods of Egypt, I will execute judgment!’ Often I sit before the Lord and pray for His Glory over all the earth, nothing great about it, we are expected to do that and I pray that every knee bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.

But, how Lord, I ask. The task is so difficult and huge. A look at the religious practices of the people around and you will immediately know what I am talking about. People are so steeped in their religious fervor that mere mention of ‘There is only One God and His Name is Jesus Christ’ is bound to result in danger for the one who says it. But today, my confidence in God is re-kindled. Ah, so many years ago, by His awesome might, He brought Pharaoh to his knees and God destroyed the notion of other gods by His mighty hand. Will He not do the same today too?

Yes, He will, provided we give Him the reason to. If we are seriously concerned in seeing His Kingdom come, we are to pray and in such fervent praying I am sure, He will bring the people of the world to their senses. I am sure that the god who has blinded the minds of the people will be destroyed as God brings judgment on him. Pray my friend that the world comes to ‘Know’ Jesus Christ and declares Him as Lord, God and Savior. For God’s sake.

Thoughts for another day

April 8, 2008

Today's verse: Zec. 2:5. For I, saith the LORD, will be unto her a wall of fire round about, and will be the glory in the midst of her. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

If you’ve ever considered the dangers of stepping out of your house or for that matter, dangers even in your house, you may feel a particular sense of helplessness as a human being, in not being able to put an end to the danger or atleast keeping yourself off it.

Danger lurks everywhere. From the sinister eyes watching you silently as you step out of your house and then roam toward your house to see whether any benefit can accrue if stolen into; to the eyes watching you daily to establish a pattern even as you get into a crowded train/bus; and then taking advantage of the crowd, snatch the valuables you bear. The danger can be to your life even. And this is not a strange notion but situations that could really occur, bringing disaster on you and your beloved.

But, take heart O child of God for God Himself says, ‘I will be a wall of fire round about.’ God is our defense in every situation and He is there to rescue us from all moments of difficulty. The best thing is, when the situation of difficulty is of extreme intricacy, He alone knows best how to extricate you out of the intricate web of the situation. God knows every little thing about the difficult situations you are called to face and He knows how to get you out of them if you surrender to Him.

Perhaps you may not believe in God for everything pertaining to you and may say, ‘How can I?’ for even God would expect me to do something. But the fact of the matter is, God does not need your help and can do it for you, Himself. And when we allow God to deal with a situation of difficulty, He becomes the glory in the midst of the situation and His glory comes to rest with it and we are restored. Consider this my friend, whenever you are faced with a difficult situation in life.

Thoughts for another day

April 7, 2008

Today's verse: 1 Kg. 8:28. Yet have thou respect unto the prayer of thy servant, and to his supplication, O LORD my God, to hearken unto the cry and to the prayer, which thy servant prayeth before thee today: (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

I was singing a hymn today. Then this thought came to my mind, ‘what am I singing and to whom?’ Frankly, I couldn’t answer because while my lips were moving and my vocal cords were sounding but there was never ‘me’ into it.

Thinking further I wondered, how many times, have I prayed without really being into it. How much have I mumbled without as much as a bit of heart in it? And then the Lord put it into my heart while I was thinking all this, ‘What is the destination of your prayer?’

So strange all this seems but how deep. Imagine the Lord saying; what is the destination of your prayer. Thinking about it now strikes me that if I have not recd. from the Lord after I have prayed, then one of the reasons is that the destination of my prayer has never been the Lord. It’s like you know, I have poured milk into the cup but I never bothered to see whether it fell into it or not and so it all spilled onto the floor. Then when I took the cup, it was empty for nothing fell into it.

My friend, if you are reading this with care, think about it. There are so many things we need to do while praying. As the days go by, we shall look at these aspects. Because my heart tells me that the Mighty Hand of the Lord is poised to bring major upheaval in the earth. Mountains will be torn down, citadels will crash. Countries will vanish and there will be major chaos. Pray my friend that in all this, God’s people sail through without so much as a scratch. In fact if you know anything of prayer, start praying now. And chiefly let your prayer be that God gets glory in all this and the Name of His Son, Jesus Christ, echoes in all the earth as Lord, God and Savior.

Thoughts for another day

April 4, 2008

Today's verse: 1 Isaiah 1:17. Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

This is what the Lord God wants us to do. I will dwell on only one aspect today and we will see what has been happening in the ‘do-good’ segment. As grown ups, when we see the crassness we wear within, we may think, ‘how did I become so crass, so brusque, so rude and crude?’ The answer lies in the past.

Think about the people you lived with and how they asked you to respond to situations. When small, I still remember clearly being told to give ‘tit for tat’. And the term, ‘serves you right’ is embedded in my mind. Another pretty favorite cliché is, ‘you must fight for your rights’, of course nothing wrong in it, but in God’s sight, not right either. In the ways of man, fighting for our rights is prudent and one must do it, is what people tell you. So too, if Mr Wright has wronged you, ‘then you must wrong him…see how can you keep quiet and bear the atrocities (atrocities? when it was just a little tiff he had with you and spoke ill about you with the neighbor) that he hands you, you must also insult him in full view of the public, else you will become a laughing stock… and so on the arguments of the world go.

However, in God’s domain these things are a strict no no. Our God is a forgiving God. He is always forgiving our misdeeds and He is intent on us forgiving too. In fact, God would go a step further saying that you need to do good to those who do you wrong. Pretty tough to do you might think but believe me when you have God by your side, it is possible. Because when He is with you, you tend to imbibe His nature and you will quickly realise that many times people may offend you without their desire being that. Another thing is God wants us to do good at all times. I have always maintained we do the good we can because by that we reflect the love of God.

My friend, it may not be possible to do good because of the layers we are padded with. But with a little effort and lowering of our ego, it is possible to atleast not do bad. That is the first step toward doing good. See there are many opportunities to do good in life. Pick them up and indulge. Someday at sunset point, your spirit will tell you that you need not worry about meeting your Savior on the other side, for you have taken His advise and your life has been a reflection of His nature… Good enough to walk the ramparts of Heaven!

Thoughts for another day

April 2, 2008

Today's verse: 2 Cor. 5:21. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

The wonder of God in His love for us can be seen in what He has done for us. Simply put, He punished (in a way) His only Son for the atrocities committed by us. Imagine this, we sin against God, so we are liable for His wrath and its consequences. Yet, because He loves us so much, He ordains His Son to bear our punishment.

But wait a minute there’s more. As if shedding all His glory wasn’t enough; as if bearing our guilt and getting punished for it isn’t enough, the Bible says, read the verse carefully, that He (the Father) made Him (the Son) to be sin for us. He who knew no sin became sin! O child of God comprehend this. Never will you then doubt the mercy and the love of God. Really, how much God has endured for us. Why? I ask. And He will say, cause I love you.

No man has ever been able to love another so much as God has loved us. No man has yet to sin so much that God cannot forgive. No man has yet to go so far that God cannot draw him close. If He can make His own Son to be sin, then truly, God can do anything for us. My friend, remember the love of God which He extends to you. Remember all those times, when He has stretched out His hand to cover you from danger and other mishaps and you were not even aware. Think of all those occasions from the time you were a little child till now that His cloak of protection has been over you. Don’t you see how much He has done for you. Yes, He is invisible and He will not tell you all that He does. But understand that He has still done so much.

Today, He is stretching His hand out to you and calling you. Reach out and touch His hand and hold on. That’s enough. He will hold you as the apple of His eye and lift you up by and by and take you on this amazing journey called life, with never a sorrow that can scar your soul or never a turn that will make you tumble. Even the sad things of life will turn to joy when your Saviour is at your side.

Thoughts for another day

April 1, 2008

Today's verse: 1 Sm. 1:9. He will guard the feet of his saints, but the wicked will be silenced in darkness. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

We who believe in God have ourselves a Guardian who never sleeps or slumbers. Think about this. Isn’t it marvelous for us to know and be aware that at each moment of time, God is around to take care of us and guard us from any harm or terror?

In today’s times, one never knows what can happen. We have heard of so many instances of things happening suddenly that cause death or permanent injury. Take for instance the US, in campuses as the students gathered for classes, one of their own opened fire with a gun and killed many. Youngsters, who a few moments ago were so full of life and feeling so secure, were now dead. In Mumbai where I stay, one of my co-parishioners, while walking home late in the evening, was dashed from behind by an itinerant motorcyclist who did not even possess a driving license. This resulted in intense damage to the hip bone and the ball and socket. They needed to be re-placed with steel ones made for the purpose.

We see accidents happening all the time and many of them involving people who are completely innocent. Today’s verse comes as a consolation for each one of us, God’s precious children to tell us that He is there in every situation of life, to defend and protect us. The verse says, He will guard the feet of His saints and truly He does defend us. All we need to have His defence with us, is to believe in Him and His saving power. Then let the devil send what he may, because God will form an impenetrable wall around us and his darts cannot come in whereby, we will be safe.