Thoughts for another day

June 27, 2008

Today's verse: Is. 40:8. The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

The only way we Christians can fortify our lives is by the guarantee the Word of our God gives. And the Word of God says that things may come and things may go, for that matter, even heaven and earth will pass away, but the Word of God will remain ever as a Rock, for God neither changes nor goes back on his Word and there are times when I have said that even though the Word is invisible, it is more real than anything that’s visible.

At the beginning God created the world and the world was created as God issued the Word. John says that the Word is God and if the Word is God then in the Word, we have the guarantee of eternal power. Therefore, what is issued from the mouth of God has the capacity to do what it was issued for; and accomplish the same. Nothing can stop it from doing what it is meant to do and none can come in its way. It’s like the released atom in a reactor or a bomb. Once released, no one can reverse what is to happen. We human beings may start an unstoppable process because of stupidity, but the wisdom of God has no foolishness at all and therefore the Word released by God, not for foolish purposes, attains that which is worthwhile in our lives.

Many Christians are unwilling to consider God’s guarantee in His Word because of their inability to comprehend His ways, which work more in the invisible realm than the visible. You know, God can work things on their course much before He unfolds events concerning them. For example, you may not understand a decision you made when another seemingly better option didn’t get chosen by you. Let’s say you wanted to buy a home and although there was one you liked, you went ahead and bought another. But later, you’ll understand that the one you bought was good (and a problem arose with the other). Realize that God knew it and hence had blocked your decision.

God’s principles and dictates do not change though time passes and everything we see may wither and fade. He remains always and so does His Word. Today, if we are seeking something from God, let us align to His Word and do accordingly. Sure as the sun shines each day, it will come to pass. Moments might be when we cannot see the sun because of the dense cloud cover, but the sun still is. So maybe what we seek may not be granted immediately, but in time you will see the fruit of standing on the Word.

Thoughts for another day

June 26, 2008

Today's verse: Lev. 19:31. Regard not them that have familiar spirits, neither seek after wizards, to be defiled by them: I am the LORD your God. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

This is the pattern of life in the morning for Mrs. Joan Staggs. She gets up, finishes her chores and waits for the newspaper. As soon as the boy drops it she grabs the copy and furiously turns the pages. After having turned to the leisure section she scans it for ‘What your stars foretell’ and quickly reads what’s written under Aries. She believes every word and if anything goes against it she is so upset that after that, she is just impossible to talk to. By the way, Mrs. Staggs also consults astrologers, palmists, and face readers before she sets out to accomplish any big thing in her life. In fact, she took the okay of her ‘baba’ (guru) before she married the man who is now her husband.

Her family, conversant with this odd fetish of hers, doesn’t come in her way. They don’t want her tongue lashing if they do. Now, before you consider Joan to be a black spot on Christianity, let me say that she is generous, kind and into much prayer. She reads the Bible regularly and is vocal in the prayer group during Praise and Worship. In all ways she is a good Christian, with of course a little ‘kinky’ habit. People find nothing wrong in it because in all respects she is such a nice person – an example, you too might say, to emulate in Christian living!!! Besides, Joan’s argument is that God has crafted our destinies in the lines on the palm and the forehead; therefore, what’s the problem us trying to learn what they mean?

You think Joan’s right, particularly her interest in fortune telling, astrology, etc? On the face of it, there seems nothing wrong because it’s so harmless (???) and by nature she’s so nice. But, the Bible says this trait of hers is extremely harmful to her soul. Seeking to know the future or any other thing not meant for our consumption is the devil’s way of trying to usurp God’s authority. Taking recourse to any of the above things is defying God and akin to telling Him, ‘look, I don’t need You to protect me. I already know what is to happen to me and I can fend for myself!’

God is hurt when we turn to a medium to know our future. Remember, God does not reveal the future to anyone and if He does, He does with good reason. The only other who can do it (although in bits and pieces) is the devil; and he’ll only use it for eventual destruction. In seeking to know the future, we permit the devil to put us on a leash so he can boss over us. A novice in matters pertaining to God may not understand this, but a person mature in God will know how much it hurts Him when we grant His sovereignty to the devil. Besides, in our desire to know the future, we are taking away the protective cloak of God’s Grace from our lives and wearing the devil’s raiment. In due course of time, the devil will torment us and it can turn horrible, to say the least.

Thoughts for another day

June 25, 2008

Today's verse: 2 Tim. 1:12. …for I know whom I have believed. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

When I hear the above words of Paul, there is a flutter in my heart for the sentiment is so strong. He says, “I know” and it’s a powerful statement in itself, “whom I have believed”. What a declaration. When I ask myself what I’d say, I’d like to go the Paul way. But deep inside there is a little twitter of doubt. Do I really know my Lord? If yes, the last time I had a situation of pain, why did I not depend on Him solely?

The doubt lingers because of my belief systems: a life spent in disbelief at every stage in the power of the Lord. And to be honest, if I were to ask about you, I’m sure you too would exhibit doubt yet at the same time, declare like me that ‘I know Jesus in whom I believe!’ That is the bane in our following of Christ. It’s surprising that we want all of Christ for ourselves, but we want to keep ourselves away from Him. We want to partake in His miracles and wonder works and want to shine before others in being conduits of His work, yet we are not willing to walk His way, the narrow way.

It is so amusing this, we want to work the work He worked and talk the talk He talked, but cannot walk His walk! That is the reason why we do not know Him. Our belief too is stunted by our lack of communion with Him because of which we do not see great things happen in our lives. God’s fundamental rules will ever remain i.e. He will remain invisible to us yet He asks us to believe in Him and learn that He is there at every juncture of our lives. It’s but a question of belief, which either allows you to take the statement fully or leave it. And it’s also a matter of our belief whether He becomes alive and active in our lives! The choice is ours.

Thoughts for another day

June 24, 2008

Today's verse: Hosea 6:6. For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

What does God desire of us?

As for the vertical dimension He desires that we have communion with Him all the time because only then He can tell us why such and such a thing is happening and the reasons for that. Many times when we say, ‘I wonder why God did such a thing - when I go up to (heaven) maybe I’ll ask Him’; rather than that why not ask Him when you are here. You can do that and God will reveal His secrets, perhaps not all though. Besides, knowledge of God can be very critical in times of distress and that is why I always tell people to go through His Word for in trouble, there is nothing more reassuring than knowing God and knowing how He has been there from the beginning in your life and now too He is not too far off and knowing God comes from reading His Word and keeping His commands.

As to the horizontal, God is very clear what He wants. He doesn’t expect gifts from us like some of us think and then indulge in, flowers, candles, and other things that we can offer. God does not want rich offerings in the plate that comes around on Sundays; rather God wants that we have mercy deep within us. A kind of mercy, that arouses concern for our kindred and leads to caring for them as well as the poor. God needs that we not ignore those who count for nothing but rather help them with something so that they could live lives a little better.

One interesting thing I have noticed in the character of God is His pegging of our relationship with Him vis-à-vis our friends and neighbors. The more we help the people of the world, the closer God comes to us. The verse says God desires mercy. This mercy is for the people and they could be anybody. God is more interested that we show kindness and love people, far more than just useless rituals and other offerings that do not mean a thing. My friend, God is interested more in being with us and teaching us the sheer meaning of life and justice rather than in ornate offerings for Himself. In fact the greatest offering one could give Him is nothing but taking care of the poor and looking after the sick.

Thoughts for another day

June 23, 2008

Today's verse: Job 34:21. For his eyes are upon the ways of man, and he seeth all his goings. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

The assurance of God knowing everything about us is clearly mentioned in the above verse. And I re-iterate that nothing is hidden from God. How we take this, sums up our relationship with God (for that matter whether we have a relationship at all is reflected by the kind of response we give).

One thing we can be sure whether we are up to doing good or some activity, which is not so good, God’s eyes are always watching us. It does not matter whether we are doing it in secret in a remote place, for the Word of God says that God can be anywhere, even the middle of the earth’s crust. How does it benefit me, is what I would ask and in that I must say that no matter where I am, God knows I am there. If I am lonely somewhere, He is there and that knowledge is in itself enough to keep me comforted; for could you expect anything more than God Himself to be your companion in the wilderness? Imagine His awesome hand of protection on you!

I’ve had those moments when I’ve felt completely lost and frustrated. At that moment, I could not trust anyone one with my emotions, except God. And boy, did I use that awesome companionship! I spoke at length with God and made known to Him the inner fears that ruled me and my own dispositions that made me sink. I can tell you for sure that God did bend down and pick me up. God it was, who in that darkness, made me see light. Truly I can’t but marvel at the goodness of my God.

Maybe in our lives, we store up things we would not like God to see and know. But there is nothing we can do or say, not known to God. It is futile to keep anything from God, neither is it possible to keep God away from anything. The best is to take God into ‘confidence’ and confide in Him as with a friend and He is a friend who will never let us down.

Thoughts for another day

June 19, 2008

Today's verse: Acts. 20:35. It is more blessed to give than to receive. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

Give and it shall be given unto you, more than you can assimilate and more than you’d have expected. I don’t know how you feel about giving, but I’ve been an advocate of giving (although the drag is always towards being stingy) and I’ve always been blessed with untold joy, as if for a moment I’ve tasted Paradise. Giving opens the locks that the devil has placed in the path of the blessings God sends us and gives reason for God to cancel the devil’s claims against us.

When we give, God’s blessings find no resistance in reaching us. In fact, whenever I am faced with a mountain in my life, let me say, I must turn to giving, mind you, this giving is so that the prime will of God, i.e. redemption of souls, be done. There are other things we give, also according to the will of God, but aimed at ameliorating the sufferings of His people who may be poor or sidelined, or in pain. Whatever it is I have seen that giving is the real reason for the flood of joy in our lives.

Looking at Jesus’ life, He always gave, not in kind perhaps, but healings and comfort. You could also do the same. Jesus was very close to the Father and therefore one can understand that giving came automatically to Him. If you claim to be close to God, then it has to be reflected in your ‘giving’ nature. Also be reassured that it is only when you give will you find room to receive and thereby allow someone to give to you. It’s like if you’ve got a cupboard full of clothes with no room for anything else, will you go out and buy something new. But empty your cupboard, giving your stuff to the poor and automatically there will be space for receiving. This is a principle most dominant in my life and I will always follow it.

My friend, if you want God’s Grace in abundance, lean on His Word and I’d daresay give to your ‘advantage’ - even if you feel you are giving to someday who is in want, for the principles of God will rule in your life wherein you will receive in abundance.

Thoughts for another day

June 19, 2008

Today's verse: Acts 9:31. Meanwhile the church throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and was built up. Living in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers. (NRSV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

See, the verse says, the church of Christ was built up and lived in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers. There was the church then and there is the church now. What we are going to be looking upon is something which if I were to receive one good morning, I would say, ‘oh, well, what have I got to do with what happens to the church, I am but a small part of it?’ But remember you, me and others are integral parts of the church. We form the church and we build it up. There is nothing like, ‘it’s none of my business’. In our own small ways, we help build up the church and make it a home for the dwelling of Christ.

The verse mentions living in the fear of the Lord. That was the prime driver of those who comprised the little church of those days. They always did what they thought to be of the Lord and what would be pleasing to Him. What do we do now? In our own lives, if there is a thought that emerges in our minds as seemingly good and then lay it before the Lord for His opinion and if His opinion is not favorable, we argue with Him and fight with Him and then go ahead and do it anyway. Funny no, but that’s the compromise we make as ‘Christians’ and this because we know He loves us as we are, warts and all, and we know that Jesus’ blood is a guarantee of our safety! Where’s the fear then, one may ask?

Then the verse says, living in the comfort of the Holy Spirit. Do we experience our beloved Holy Spirit’s comfort? Anyway, how do we define the Holy Spirit’s comfort? It is a state of being calm even when we are in the worst situation possible. And why would we be calm then? Because we know deep within, that God is able to handle any problem we may have and set our minds at rest.

Beloved, if we were, but to take all that happens in our lives as ordained by God and know that He is in control, then our lives would paint another picture. If we lived according to God’s will swerving neither left nor right, then our lives will flow with Divine strength, ready to face hail or rain, sun or shade or whatever. Only then will the church of God be built up, decking itself as an oyster of the presence of our precious Father Dear.

Thoughts for another day

June 18, 2008

Today's verse: Job. 6:4. For the arrows of the Almighty are within me, the poison whereof drinketh up my spirit: the terrors of God do set themselves in array against me. (NIV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

Sometimes the weight of life weighs down rather heavily. So much so that we are bent with the weight and know not what to do. Every individual at some point or other experiences this, besides we always think our weight is heavier than the others’. At this time, the environment around us is rather gloomy and the mood is very somber. Besides, God is the first at whom we point our fingers, as the One who has been the sole cause of the misery!

What we see here is the grief of Job expressed as forced reconciliation with what God has done in his life albeit, morosely. Job has had a reversal of fortune in such a short time and swift manner that for any human being to experience the same would be a very exceptional experience, catastrophic to say the least and of course Job is a little bitter. The verse is Job’s ‘statement of fact’ of the matter, as is.

As Christians, God looks at a slightly different response from us. God wants us to know that He is with us. He re-assures us very often in ways very strange; even in the manner the blue sky sometimes reminding us of the enormity of God as we feel His hand stretching out the white clouds as they float gently there as on a blue canvas and the birds gliding majestically and the so many things that always seem to take our breath away at the beauty that the Almighty has spread before us.

We may be laden with much baggage but Christ our Lord tells us to go to Him for rest. He understands our every problem and is quietly standing beside us to let us know that all He needs to work in our lives is faith in Him. Today, I would urge you my friend, no matter what ditch you are in or whatever the needle in your back, turn to Him and He will guide your steps and bring you out of your situation.

Thoughts for another day

June 17, 2008

Today's verse: Ps. 17:6. I have called upon thee, for thou wilt hear me, O God: incline thine ear unto me, and hear my speech. (NIV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

Yesterday was the time for my prayer, which I had been praying for a while with full confidence, to be answered. I learnt God did not answer me! At the time I learnt, it did not affect me much but then as time went by, I started feeling a little bitter. I told Him, Lord, hard had I prayed to you and fervent was my plea…why Lord?

In situations of prayer, sometimes, the Lord may not answer as swift as we want Him to but He does later. My situation however was time- bound if one might say and strangely God was silent on it. After being used to God answering my prayer all the time, I found it very strange that I could not rejoice on being given a positive answer. It started me thinking, why oh Lord??? Let me firmly say, that we are in no position to question God or demand an answer to our prayer but then as His children, He is okay if through the pain in our hearts, we do query Him (pls. use this with discretion).

Going back to the lack of answer, I couldn’t help but wonder why. Yes, it was more than let’s say, a cure for a small illness or that ‘it not rain while I am out’. And when I speak to God, I tell Him, Lord its just as easy for you to give me a meal of rice and lentils as it is for you to grant me a mansion overlooking the sea! And believe me I tried to fathom for long why God didn’t answer. Before I speak about it, let’s look at some instances when God does not answer prayer. Though not conclusive, it does give an insight into some spiritual realities, we live with all the time.

David after his sin with Bathsheba was not answered because of his sin, 2 Sam. 12:15-23. In a situation of sin, God will not answer prayer if you are not repentant or if you’ve not made up with Him. Then again if your prayer is frivolous or oozing pride, do not expect God to answer e.g. prayer of the Pharisee, Lk. 18:10-14. There are many other types of prayer that really speaking are not prayers but mere conditions we lay upon God and which conditions we want fulfilled e.g. Jonah’s prayer for death (Jonah 4;3), my desire to go abroad or live in a mansion, etc.

But at times, God does not answer a prayer because He wants us to achieve more later. That’s exactly what I believe God wants in my case. The situation is an eye-opener to me. Only let me say that when there is danger or an immediate need, rest assured, God will swoop down in our lives and remove the situation of need. Trust Him.

Thoughts for another day

June 16, 2008

Today's verse: Pr. 16:24. Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones. (NIV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

Reading the above, we are sensitized to the fact that the choice of our words determines the lives we lead. So powerful is this maxim on ‘spoken words’ that Jesus Himself, cautioned us to be careful with our words in saying, ‘But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.’. You may wonder what’s so important about words that Jesus said such a thing, no?

To understand this, we need to move into a territory, I’ll refer as the ‘unknown’. Here, there exist no physical things but only non-physical: The territory of thoughts, emotions and other things of man lacking physical form. Do you know that a large part of our experiences that build us, lie in this territory? Let me give you an example: If someone came and told you that your neighbor was criticizing you, maligning your name, you will be sore with your neighbor. You too will retaliate and say a few unsavory things as spicy as the fertility of your mind, about this neighbor. When your neighbor gets to hear of it, she will add to the spice she’s already laid upon you and in your turn you too will do the same. Now mind you, all this happens in the mind catalyzed by words – your and your neighbor’s. But now these, which are in the non-physical territory, assume the form of reality and beset both of you and spoil your mind’s territory.

Think of it, did you have any physical contest? No. But in this ‘world of the unknown’ a larger than life image is created which now influences your world with respect to your neighbor and vice-versa. With almost all aspects of life, the unknown is the controller. The power of the unknown is ‘the ruler of the air…the principalities!' And there is tremendous power with him, so much so that he can turn your world upside down by this unknown territory.

Why all this you may ask? The reason is simple. You need to be aware of treading and trespassing in this territory. You must realize that the devil is your great ally in this place and he will destroy you with his seductive talk. You can rest assured that many times in life, you will have to walk the unknown territory but fret not for if your heart is clean and you appeal to God’s might, He is there to help, remember David’s ‘even though I walk in the valley of the shadow of death, I shall not fear…’ Instead of having a mean streak in your life my friend ask God to put into you, the spirit of goodness, seeking and saying good for everybody and then you will learn the joys of Paradise – the known domain of God.

Thoughts for another day

June 13, 2008

Today's verse: Acts. 4:24. When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. "Sovereign Lord," they said, "you made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and everything in them. (NIV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

When praying we invoke God with many names and titles. It’s right to do that cause it reflects our seeing Him in proper perspective - in His assumption of power, might and glory which belong only to Him; for example when we say ‘Master of the universe’, we accord to Him the glory due as the One Who’s created (and runs) the universe; in that we mean His omniscience knows the state of every star gasping its last breath, setting onto decay; or the journey of every ray of light across the universe, knowing where it began and where it gave up into the black of the huge expanse of the universe; including the matter of a little child in a shack whose body is hot as a live coal due to fever while the mother of that child on her knee, implores Him to intervene and grant relief.

One of the best titles I have loved is ‘SOVEREIGN LORD’. Blessed is he who utters this salutation because he’s understood God’s awesomeness; also that He the SOVEREIGN LORD, is far greater than any other sovereign on the earth for His territory extends into the infinite. His Power and Glory are unending and inexhaustible. The Bible in certain places gives us a gist of that power when it says, ‘He founded the earth. He shut the within doors the sea and made the clouds its garment setting a limit to where its waters could go.’ He knows the dwelling place of light and also that of darkness. He has entered the storehouse of snow and the way to the parting of the winds. He’s fitted a curb to every star and clothed it with light and has shaped every dot of the constellation. He commands and the winds stand to attention, the thunder quivers upon His approach, even as mountains melt and rocks split asunder. He knows the beat of every heart and gives strength to the horse to canter in his splendor! Oh, I could go on and on and on in glorifying Him but there’s something I must tell you.

That this God gently listens to you when you set your heart open before Him and let your tears flow into His bosom. When you address Him the same way as in our verse above, my God…my God, He will shake the earth on which you stand and send you His Spirit to declare the work of His hands. When this happens, your problems are blown as with the force of a tornado and your deliverance is but a fact. Rejoice in the awesomeness of Him even as you see the majesty of the universe, knowing well that in time, He will show you who He is, even as your heart craves Him.

Thoughts for another day

June 12, 2008

Today's verse: Ps. 91:14. Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

When a man starts loving Jesus and doing His bidding, an awesome experience becomes due him, which is worth it all. In the arms of love of the Savior there’s hope that never was before. An ecstasy beyond the realms of rationality prevails. What Bartimaeus saw, sitting by the road to Jericho, is seen – much much love and compassion speaks.

When Jesus sat in the house of Simon the leper (Lk. 7:36-50), the sinful woman beheld the eyes of beauty that graced her cleansed heart. There was so much love she beheld that tears streamed from her eyes and with those, she washed the feet of her Lord. For a moment as Jesus looked up the sycamore tree and spoke to Zacchaeus and called him down to stay at his place, Zacchaeus felt the warmth of that awesome love. He could not talk for a while as God’s mercy engulfed him and held him in comfort and then his heart broke out and exclaimed, ‘Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold’ (Lk. 19:8), what more could he do, his mind was furiously exploring as he held on to those dusty hands of his God.

David felt God’s presence so near that he spoke and said, ‘One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in his temple. (Ps. 27:4). Peter could not stop weeping, when the flood of mercy in the eyes of the Master engulfed him even after he had denied his Savior three times. And yes, the thief hanging on His side with quivering lips said, ‘Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom’ (Lk. 23:42) for he too had looked at that bruised body, laden with sin, yet through which, shone a glory as to belong only to the Maker of the universe.

Beloved in Christ, has His love washed over you yet, that your heart yearns for Him? If yes, then He says, He will deliver you and if you have striven to know Him, rest assured He will set you on high. Quick now, check if you have done this for then know your God will set you under the shadow of His wings and love you; commanding His angels to bear you in their hands lest a little scratch come on you! Oh blessed of God, bless Him today, the God who loves you so much that there is nothing He won’t do for you.

Thoughts for another day

June 11, 2008

Today's verse: Deut. 24:5. When a man hath taken a new wife, he shall not go out to war, neither shall he be charged with any business: but he shall be free at home one year, and shall cheer up his wife which he hath taken. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

You may wonder why the above verse for today’s reflection. As we read further, God will teach us that our reflecting has nothing to do with the situational manner we find ourselves in as mentioned above, but rather to dwell on a very important character of God that we need to understand; and that is - His concern for us in all matters that concern us. In reading the context of the verse you will notice how God directs His people in a way that shows tremendous concern for them, even when they had offended Him greatly.

Beloved of God, understand that God is not One who is comfortably sitting above and looking at the miserable drama down here on earth saying, ‘they deserve it.’ Rather, as we discover in 2 Ch. 16:9, ‘the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.’ My friend God is concerned with every aspect of our lives and is looking at us with mercy and compassion, willing to help, but are we tuned to Him? Jesus said, even a sparrow does not fall without His knowledge, then how can we fall and He be unaware. The immensity of His Omniscience is just waiting to be of service to us, if we but aim to keep Him abreast of all that concerns us.

In the last few days, I have been awash in His love, oh, I can feel it in every tendon in my body and I can only gasp with the joy I get in knowing that there is my God, my Lover, my Father in Heaven to whom I can go anytime for help and believe me my friend, He helps. If I tell you of the so many things He has helped me and my family with, you will be surprised. I credit all the wonderful happenings to Him because I am aware of Him, just as He is aware of me worthless though I am. I’d urge you my friend to be conscious of Him, even as He looks at you with those soft eyes of His waiting to sing a song of love to you. Are you ready for it?

Thoughts for another day

June 10, 2008

Today's verse: Mt. 7.7. Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

As I was about to write this reflection, verses came into my mind, springing from something I read, but quickly I told the Lord, that today, we His people, needed a promise to strengthen our day. So, the first thing that sprang into my mind was the above, the most simple yet the most dynamic of the promises that Jesus gave us.

Sadly, there has been much ado about this promise (as well as others of course) with preachers and teachers adding this and that as a precursor or a suffix. Like once a preacher told me, ‘you must seek the kingdom of God to be eligible for this promise!’ Well, all that they have said is well meaning and within the limits of their understanding. But let me tell you, God attaches no riders to His promises, which means they remain unconditional!!!

You may ask me, how then do we not get what we ask? Because, in our ‘humanness’ we fail to understand God and His ways. It is a matter of great sorrow for me to know that we aren’t clued to God’s specter. Not knowing Him, we live outside of it and that is why God’s promises remain outside of our domain. You know, the first and foremost thing to do to get to live in God’s domain is to get to know Him. Funny but true, we want His miracles, but we do not want to know Him. How can someone you don’t know give you something you want? Alas, we don’t have time for God. I spend hours watching television or reading the newspapers on holidays, but for God, well, I don’t have time. It is crass that I take time out for God of my sleeping time, and in that, I go to sleep with the excuse, ‘Lord, You know how sleepy I am!’

My friend, I tell you, get to know God. What you have asked (and at times, even what you have not) you will get. Miracles will happen right before your eyes and people will wonder, what’s your secret. Then tell them about Jesus and this business of knowing Him. Thus you will give Him the glory and He will be pleased with you. And by the way, it still is and will remain…Ask and you will receive…so go ahead and just ask.

Thoughts for another day

June 6, 2008

Today's verse: Job 33:14. For God speaketh once, yea twice, yet man perceiveth it not. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

For me and for most of you it should be a matter of consternation in reading this verse and it is because, God created us and we live by His spirit in us, yet when His Spirit speaks to us we don’t hear! God desires to speak to us and make us aware of many things concerning us, particularly with regard to relationship with Him and we are not able to perceive His voice!

You see, being tuned to God is the only way to live a life worthy of His plan for us. Sometimes we tend to look at others and the lives they live of extravagance and absolute comfort and peace and we imagine, ‘these people have no God in their lives, yet they are so happy!’ But do we really know the matter from their hearts? Do we know whether they are really happy? Even though we don’t, this argument suffices to turn us away from God and do our own things our own ways. Even while this happens, God speaks to us all the time. But in our haughtiness and much babble, we hardly hear His voice, leave alone obey it.

Obedience to God’s voice should be the norm in our lives. Sadly, even if we sometimes understand that God is speaking to us, we hardly tend to obey it. This is something I am also guilty of. My explanation is, ‘what’s the harm in doing what I plan to do?’ And so I ignore God’s voice calling out to me and seeking to lead me the right way. I have seen that by doing what God did not want me to do and yes, He did whisper His opinion, I am left without His blessing. I can feel His disapproval in the fact that, that day, whatever had to go wrong, does go wrong despite my praying, which does not happen on days when I obey God. My friends, God speaks to each one of us – I mean each one of us. If we but have the capacity to perceive His voice and keep His command, I am sure the misery in our lives would vanish.

Thoughts for another day

June 4, 2008

Today's verse: Philip. 3:3. For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

In the early time before Christ, there was a lot of importance given to outward signs as a mark of obedience to God’s command and hence, circumcision which was given to Abraham and to his descendents was central to be belonging to God. But with the coming of Jesus, all these outward signs were abolished by God, so to say. It is not to say that they were useless but that they were the edifices on which stood all the promises that God made to His children Israel, leading to the birth of His son Jesus on the earth, who spoke to them as a man does with man.

In the verse above, Paul’s intent is not to criticize the act but to proffer clarity that any action on the flesh, i.e. the body does not give one any extra right in the Kingdom of God. It is necessary we understand the spirit of this text because in our reverence to God, many times we offer material things, which become so legal that we feel if we do not do it, then our sacrifice will not be acceptable to God.

My friend, sufficient it is to understand that worshipping God in the Spirit is enough to draw all His blessings upon our lives. If our acts toward God rest upon the outward signs that we perform, like the Pharisee in Lk. 18:10, then the favor of God withdraws from our lives and Jesus says that the Publican who probably does none of the things that the Pharisee has been doing all his life, goes home justified before God because his spirit, sought the Spirit of God in humility and it is the Spirit who directs us to the favor of God. Human pride many times allows us not to do that which is right before God. For e.g. even if God were to ask us to forgive our irritating neighbor, we don’t do it because our pride will not allow us to do it and our response to God is, ‘Lord, tell me anything else but not this…’ My friend God already told you an easy thing and you can’t do it, how will you do the difficult?

Therefore, I’d say it is time for us to determine in what our confidence lies: in ourselves which then brings about a coating of pride in self, or God, which makes us humble and content in His will for our lives.

Thoughts for another day

June 3, 2008

Today's verse: Nah. 1:7. The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

What can we say about the goodness of our God, because everyone who’s experienced it cannot, but heap glories on Him for His blessings. When you trust Him implicitly and go to Him with your bundles of trouble seeking Him fervently in your need, He is gracious enough to bless you for He knows you, just as the above verse says, ‘He knows them that trust Him!’ and He will send His refreshment.

Men might trust in men when the chips are down and your first recourse would be a man to help you tide through your crisis. But, the Word of God says ‘It’s better to take refuge in the Lord, rather than put your trust in man’ – Ps. 118:8. And mind you, God knows whether you really trust Him or your saying that you trust Him is but an outward sign. No matter what your response on the issue of trust, the first part is and will always be there, ‘The Lord is good and a stronghold in the day of trouble.

Since ages, man has gone to God to seek rest from his burdens and without fail, God has delivered; and that too not looking at the background of the man or whether he deserves His Grace or not. The good thing about the Grace of God, which is so essential in our lives, is that, it is full and free and comes with no strings attached. Besides, it is sufficient for us to live our lives with the support it generates for us. So get your bag of worries and move it down your shoulder and lay it in the hands of God. For surely, He will stoop down and pick up that which you have ‘heartfully’ surrendered, for don’t forget, He has carved you in the palms of His hand and will never forsake you.

Thoughts for another day

June 2, 2008

Today's verse: Amos 9:6. It is he that buildeth his stories in the heaven, and hath founded his troop in the earth; he that calleth for the waters of the sea, and poureth them out upon the face of the earth: The LORD is his name. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

The Lord God is an eternal and Almighty God. The embellishment of His ‘Persona’ in the Bible is efficiently done in verses such as our verse for today. They allow us a glimpse into our God and show us how powerful and glorious He is. They lead us into deep secrets about our Lord where the Lord God makes statements about Himself so we come to understand Him and recognise His greatness. It is not so that God wants to project His greatness to us, for He would never do that but that we understand His power and know that He will use it for us if ever the need arises.

From the beginning our God has demonstrated His immense power throughout the universe. Even the fact that He holds the earth and many other celestial bodies in His hand because of which they do not shift from their orbits, is an example of His awesome might. Behold the sun and the moon, which He has set up in the sky, they are but small symbols of His glory. His majesty is ensconced in every aspect of the physical nature of the universe. Every dot of creation screams His gloriousness, as brought out so nicely in Psalm 19:1.

We, who are called to be His children in the belief we hold in Jesus, can understand what God can do for us. While He does take us through trial so that He may purify us, He still will use His power to quicken our bodies even as He grants refreshment for our souls. Suffice it for us to get onto our knees and glorify Him who is so good a God to us.