Thoughts for another day

October 31, 2008.

Today's verse: Is. 57:15. For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

When I read some books that touch me the most or when reflecting on the LORD in prayer, the image that most impresses is the beauty the Lord displays in being with the lowly; those who are downtrodden, those humble, those who are outcast and shunned and the ones who have none to defend them. It is so comforting to know that those who have none as support, have the almighty as their Rock and fortress.

Think about it my friend, God is keenly watching the creation of His hand. You may at times be in a helpless situation not knowing what to do. The odds may be stacked against you and your spirit may be drooping without as much as an ounce of strength to help you stand. At this time turn your eyes upwards and look at the One who loves you and is very willing to help you. Cast your burdens unto Him for He cares for you and He alone knows the solution to your problems.

His magnificence is described in our verse above and the Bible says that He dwells in the high and holy place and also with those of a contrite heart and humble spirit. And why does He dwell there? To revive the spirit of the humble and the hearts of the contrite. You know, if there is any guarantee of protection in this world for a Christian, it is Jesus. If there is a sign of confidence, it cannot be greater than the One who loved us and died for us. Turn to Him and say, ‘I return to my Father who will accept me.’

Thoughts for another day

October 30, 2008.

Today's verse: Mt. 13:13. Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

Why are we on this reflection today? I believe God wants us to get to desire Him deep inside rather than on the surface. Most Christians, I discover, hate it when asked for credentials to prove they’re Christian. The usual refrain is, I go to church so therefore I am a Christian. So can anyone else no? Does that make them Christian any more than it does you? Then others will talk about baptism and other sacraments and catechism classes, etc. To all this, the answer is, so what?

There are others who can go through the rigmarole and pretend to be Christian isn’t it? You think what I am saying is nonsense. I don’t, because Jesus mentions something pretty complicated here and that’s the crux of it. Try and understand this, if you may; He says, I speak to them in parables…now that would make it difficult to understand no? You bet it is, (we’ll come back to this) then why does He speak in parables? And then Jesus says, they see, yet they don’t see! And they hear, yet they do not understand! Now what on earth is this…they have eyes yet can’t see, and ears, yet can’t hear! Seems a bit puzzling.

You know, Christianity is a state of living. When your heart pulls you in the direction of Christian living, it is open to the teachings of Christ. You slowly tend to understand things like, ‘if your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out!!!’ You will understand that in God’s presence even a stain of sin is anathema to God and you yourself will want to cast off that part in you which causes you to sin. Our problem is that we are not willing to give to God all that we are because we still relish those parts in us which God dislikes. Therefore, we turn a deaf ear to God’s messages, clinging to our own thoughts on the matter. Hence, we do not understand things so simple as ‘seed that fell on good ground, growing to fetch a 30-60-100 fold…’ and the context in which it is said!’

An open heart will ensure that Jesus speaks to you clearly and that you need to keep His Words however difficult they be. What a wonderful thing if every Christian would do this, then would the Lord say, ‘I spoke and you heard, I showed and you saw, now enter your Father’s house.’

Thoughts for another day

October 29, 2008.

Today's verse: Jas. 5:13. Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

Quite simply, if anyone is afflicted, let him pray. Yes, if you are unwell, the Word of God asks to pray. It is concluded that your prayer will be answered. The simplicity of the Word of God is apparent and it assumes the promises of God to be, not something which may or may not deliver, but the very guarantee of delivery – come what may. Hence it’s better to take the promises of God as they are. Whenever we’re in a spot it's enough to pray to Him, simply in a child like manner, the way a child asks for something without worrying where it will come from. God rewards this kind of faith and He even marvels at it …Jesus said, ‘I have not found so great a faith…’ Mt. 8:10.

I have seen the complications we get into in times of a little stress arising out of small problems. We blow our problems beyond proportions and then view them as great boulders, impossible to cross. That then induces us to rush for human help and also call upon God, not believing Him to really work, but more out of the feeling ‘not to leave anything untended, as something may help. Certainly not the way God wants, for He desires, we approach Him with the problem and then leave it to Him, not worrying about anything.

There is also another thing that’s there in our above verse. If you’ve been walking with the Man of Galilee, then you’ll understand it well. It says, if someone is happy, let him sing psalms. See, the Word of God seeps into all modes of our lives. It teaches us that we not only think of God only when in a spot, but also when happy. And when we are in good spirits, we should praise Him which is what the psalms do.

My friend, God is always around, in good and in bad. It’s time we recognised this and fell in line with what He wants us to do in any situation. His Word clarifies many difficulties and explains how we are to get His blessings. Read it and follow it. There will be peace beyond understanding in your heart.

Thoughts for another day

October 28, 2008.

Today's verse: Mk 12:24. And Jesus answering said unto them, Do ye not therefore err, because ye know not the scriptures, neither the power of God? (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

Leading a spiritual life needs reassurance on many things. We know it’s not physical things that trouble the most but things in the realms of words and thoughts. For eg, if you slap someone it may be possible to take it, but a verbal insult will be remembered. To comfortably journey in the Spirit life Jesus has called you, reassurance on many matters is needed. But, even as you walk with Christ, questions arise which aren’t satisfactorily answered. Take for example the Orissa situation. I know many well meaning and staunch believers are troubled by the happenings there and wondering why God hasn’t shown His hand. Besides, here who else can help, but God! Yet, He chooses to remain silent which gives rise to our own plausible reasons which far from satisfying create further difficulties.

Frankly if you ask me, the most difficult questions are those concerning the nature of God, how He will act in a given situation and His methods concerning anything. Yet we know that His ways are very different from us, remember, Is. 55:8, ‘My thoughts are not your thoughts, My ways, not your ways?’ We shy away from pain but He takes us through it and keeps us safe. The question then is, why the pain? We don’t understand.

Jesus was posed the resurrection question: one woman being wife to seven brothers. Human curiosity demanded to know whose wife she’d be at the resurrection; a question arising obviously from the shrewd analogy the Sadducees use. But Jesus unfazed, bluntly tells them they neither know scripture nor God’s power! Ironically only He, the God of the universe knew. In our eagerness to second guess God, we provide logic to many things we come across relating to our friends, relatives and neighbors particularly when they’re grievously ill. Our answers may or may not satisfy, but is our thinking aligned to God’s ways? My friend, its necessary we seek to know God’s will in every situation. In this process, God will reveal many secrets to us as He Himself says, ‘Call to me and I will answer you. I will tell you great things beyond reach of your knowledge’ Jer. 33:3.

Thoughts for another day

October 27, 2008.

Today's verse: Mal. 3:16. Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

When we read scripture, we realise what God needs from us: To love Him and worship Him and keep His laws. These also constitute to what the term ‘fear of the Lord’ means. Fearing the Lord is not being scared but having a reverential awe of Him; for really, isn’t He the God of the universe? Isn’t He magnificent and awesome? Is not all power in the universe in His hand and at His one Word He enables or disables all?

To such an awesome God are we, the mere creation of His hand related very expressly. In His Word, He has given us the honor of being called His children. We therefore, have an awe for Him and revere and worship Him for we know He is worthy of all our worship. Were it possible that we could sit and praise and worship Him all the time, even that would be inadequate for what He has done for us. Great is His mercy to us His children and great is the power of His sustenance to us who believe in the work of His hand and hold His only Son Jesus Christ as our savior.

To us who fear Him and speak of Him night and day, He listens. He says in our verse today, that a book of remembrance is written before Him for us who fear Him and think of His Name. The most powerful thing we have today is His Name which we take most reverently in prayer. ‘Hallowed be Thy Name’ is our prayer all the time for He is a holy God and it is His holiness that renders our own holiness, not our own anyway but that which we get through the Grace of His Son Jesus Christ.

And the wonderful thing is, He listens not only to our praises of Him but also to our little demands and beloved, He loves our demands and fulfils them in a hurry because He wants us happy. Turn your heart over to Him, becoming not like those who taunt Him but as those who look into His eyes to see if there be any sadness and to cry with Him, being burdened with Him. You will then get your reward of companionship with Him.

Thoughts for another day

October 24, 2008.

Today's verse: Is. 37:26. Hast thou not heard long ago, how I have done it; and of ancient times, that I have formed it? now have I brought it to pass, that thou shouldest be to lay waste defenced cities into ruinous heaps. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

Today morning I had a minor accident on my way to work due to absolutely no fault of mine. As a consequence two things happened, one, the scooter on which I travel has a dent because of which my boot in front can open but doesn’t close and two, my ankle has suffered a severe wound. After the accident, I went to the person because of whom it was caused and threatened him with dire consequences and after a lot of arguments, as they normally happen after such a thing, I resumed my way to office. But I started thanking God that whatever happened, was okay as it wasn’t too bad. It certainly could have been worse but it wasn’t as His Hand over me ensured that. I feel happy when these things happen because they remind me I need to be dependent on Him all the time and the fact that I am safe tells me how He lovingly protected me.

I later realized, whatever happens is okayed by God and He allows it because He wants to work something out in the person He allows it to happen to. And my friend that is a big comfort because instantly the dimensions change. From ‘human’ they move on to ‘Divine’ and the mood of anger and irritation turns to humility.

That, I believe, is the right response. In our verse today, God declares that what is to happen is planned by Him long ago and in time He brings it to pass. As sure as He exists, they happen for He has decreed them and He works them out. Good or bad are both before God and depending on what we need, God sends either of them; even the bad because at times to come back, we need to be acquainted with difficulty so that we learn how weak we are. In difficulty, our reliance will be on God and He removes it from us in time as we become aware of His sovereignty in our lives!

This much I believe in and I would urge you to do too, that God holds the reins of our lives. Spring, winter, summer and rain are all experiences He sends us. In the process we may be subject to pain and frustration but the fact remains that He is there to hold us up. My friend, put your trust in Him and don’t rebel. He will place you in the palm of His Hand and remember, He is your Father and a faithful God.

Thoughts for another day

October 23, 2008.

Today's verse: Ps. 19:3,4. There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard. Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

Sitting one early morning on a garden bench, I was savoring the beauty and tranquility of just being. The purity of the scene hit me as I sat there making me wonder about the work of His hands. I found amazing ‘harmony and seamlessness’. And in it, I perceived the Bible saying: ‘And the glory of the Lord fills the earth.’ Pause, if I might to see and note it and rejoice that even nature in all its simple intricacy, stands and glorifies our awesome God…and you know what, they glorify more where man is absent and where they shimmer with His splendor! Take for example, the snow covered hills far away and the audacious seas with their imposing ice bergs.

You know, God is so wonderful and magnificent, he’s just beyond our vocabulary to describe. Therefore, silence is the most awesome way to glorify Him and this even His Word suggests in Hab. 2:20 (and elsewhere) ‘But the LORD is in his holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before him.’

When I looked at the leaves and the grass glistening with the halo of the sun’s rays and swaying to the gentle swish of the wind, I marveled…O God, how great You are who made them. They cannot be duplicated by anyone, yet they seem so common. Looking at the deep blue sky and noticing the eagles majestically gliding therein, I couldn’t help but, admire the tranquility in the midst of so much latent energy. I could imagine how the psalmist must have felt as he wrote Ps. 19, particularly the above verses. He says, there is neither speech nor language where their (day and night) voice is not heard and that their line has gone out through all the earth and their words to the ends of the world. But, do they speak???

How clear is the understanding of God’s men and women of His ways and knowledge of the essence of His creation! How much they radiate the harboring of His Holy Spirit in their hearts. I wish to pray, ‘O all glorious and mighty God, even in the midst of turmoil and the cacophony of pompous voices, let me feel Your presence and in the silence of my heart, glorify Your Name, yet, ever so silently.’

Thoughts for another day

October 21, 2008.

Today's verse: Lk. 23:23. And they were instant with loud voices, requiring that he might be crucified. And the voices of them and of the chief priests prevailed. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

One of the most frequent echoes that roam in my mind is the voice of the unrighteous. Being loud and clear, it usually prevails. On the other hand, look around and you’ll find that those who are right usually remain within the boundaries of temperateness and are generally tender. They don’t resort to high decibels to make their point; but do things softly, though their hearts declare that the thoughts they harbor are eminently right.

Such is the nature of the righteous and Jesus Himself projected this persona on earth – of this we learn in His teachings. The unrighteous, at that time, our verse tells us, even then yelled to oust the right. They wanted Jesus destroyed; eliminated; finished! And they prevailed. Today too, the voices of the unrighteous demand destruction of peace, justice and equity and by extension, those who stand for them. That’s because, they cannot face the one who is ‘right’. Moreover, the power equation seeks to destroy all who stand in the paths of those who have power and attempting to seek more power.

What’s happening in our world largely mirrors this view. Orissa in India, poppy growing in South America, Cartelization of most essential goods and fraud around the world is the realization of visions harbored by the gluttonous, the powerful and the diabolic.

But in all this, when I look up and gaze into the eyes of His Majesty, The Emperor of the Universe, I see Him look gently and declare, ‘I AM still on the throne.’ Just as the Cross which was to be the symbol of shame, was metamorphosed into the universal sign of glory, so will the symbols of worldly status become emblems of shame for the evil denizens of the million dollar clubs! Wait and we shall see how He works His might in destroying fortresses that dare compare themselves to Him while ousting the rights of the righteous and the poor.

Thoughts for another day

October 21, 2008.

Today's verse: Malachi 3:6. For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

Passage of time brings about change. Philosophers say that ‘change is the only constant’ and we’ve heard that ‘constancy brings about stagnancy’. Yet, the Supreme One, the Only One who is the Most High doesn’t believe in change. Hence, some of the greater among His creation do not change. The sun never changes its course, neither does the earth stop rotating on its axis. We know the consequences if they’d do that. Apple trees still yield apples and water is still given by rain and snow…

So why doesn’t God change, nor do His fundamental principles governing the universe, controlling life. While I am too small to elucidate the grandeur of things like that and this being too small a forum to dwell on it, I’d only say that there are everlasting norms God has created along with the universe. What we note as time and the change that accrues as a consequence of time, is nothing for God Who is outside of time. For Him, a thousand years is as a day and vice versa. Therefore, God obviously does not harbor change as there is nothing like ‘change’ for God.

Take a look at yourself. Do you change? I am not talking of the physical attributes that happen as a result of aging, but about something like, let’s say after a certain age, do we change into different forms? We don’t, for God has not made us to change. Being given a mind that can allow change in the way we think, we humans consider change as the essence of growth; and that is a big fallacy the devil has pushed down our throats. Some of you may think, ‘what an illogical idea?’ but really think about it. Think deeply and you will come to know what I am saying.

And I say, thank God He doesn’t change. That His attributes of love and mercy never fade. Imagine if He, because of immense sin that mankind indulges in, sheds them, what would be our fate. We’d be washed off the face of the earth in no time. We’d have no hope of a good life and perhaps live, not knowing what’s to happen next. Bless God that He never forgets your name, because He has carved you in the palm of His hand and of course He never changes. Live in gratitude that He being the same, will never hesitate to say, ‘let it be done to you as you wish’, and ‘come home, I forgive you.’

Thoughts for another day

October 20, 2008.

Today's verse: Deut. 8:3. …that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

Have you ever considered the full import of this text at any time in your life? Most of us Christians hardly consider this to be true in its real context. Many question the veracity of this statement in the knowledge they have and that is, how could mere words from God, sustain? It is a trite difficult to believe in but it is true. The reason is, God’s Word has the power to create or destroy. It is by His Word that He created the universe and it is only by His Word that He orders the patterns of the universe and they develop to become real.

You know, we take the Word of God so lightly. We hardly reflect or mediate on it the way we should and the key reason is we do not know God well enough. See, the connect between us and God is so weak that we hardly know God. But if the connect is strong making us feel we are close to God, He leads us to His Word. God knows His Word is very important to us in our maintenance on earth and He has given it to us as a tool to be personally full all the time.

When you are connected to God, you will see that His Word is true. God keeps His Word no matter what, as He is very concerned about It and therefore, what He utters, He does. His Word is so important that Jesus says, ‘heaven and earth will pass away but My words will not pass away.’ When we imbibe the Word of God, His power becomes evident in our lives. There may be storms and tribulations, but His Word keeps us. There may be only darkness, but God’s Word seeks us out and helps us find our way.

My friend, there may be times when we don’t see any hope except for the hope in His Word. I would urge you today to keep that Word and believe in it. You will realise that through His Word, He is able to maintain us and make us grow to face any storm that may choose to strike us.

Thoughts for another day

October 17, 2008.

Today's verse: Gen. 45:5. Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

Times are when we are put into situations that trouble us and give us much anxiety. They are times of great trial and times of grief too. We wonder, what we have done wrong that such strife has come upon our lives… but in the stillness within, there is no answer.

Many children of God have undergone this. Many have crumbled; but at the same time, many have risen from the debris of decay and have gone ahead to speak about the glory of God. In the finiteness of our understanding and the limited vision we possess, its difficult to see beyond today, we can at the most deduce beyond a few years. And the troubles of today weigh so much on our minds that the future seems burdened with the weight of today.

In our current context, we see that Joseph’s brothers were petrified when he revealed himself. Joseph had undergone all he had to by the power of God and therefore he had been exalted to the position God had created for him. So much so that when it finally came that he faced the people who had been the object of much problems to him, he stoically declares the above verse, much to their relief.

Isn’t it wonderful to be aware at all times, whether up or particularly, down, that it is by the Lord that we are in that situation? We may be angry with the people around who we think are responsible for our mess, but at the end of the day, we must be aware that God it is, who has worked it out and God knows how to bring us out.

Thoughts for another day

October 16, 2008.

Today's verse: Nu. 11:21, 23 And Moses said, The people, among whom I am, are six hundred thousand footmen; and thou hast said, I will give them flesh, that they may eat a whole month.
And the LORD said unto Moses, Is the LORD'S hand waxed short? thou shalt see now whether my word shall come to pass unto thee or not. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

When you read the above verses, you may be inclined to laugh a little at Moses for what he tells God in v 21. But, place yourself in his shoes and wonder: How would it be possible for God to give more than 600, 000 people in the desert, flesh to eat? Aren’t we like that? Would our faith stretch to believe God to do the impossible? Don’t we also look at our difficulties thinking it will be impossible for God to work things out? Yes, and more.

I remember some time back this lady, detected with cancer. From that moment her relationship with God changed. From, what she considered a faithful relationship, she turned bitter with God, blaming Him for this disaster in her life. She was upset God allowed her to suffer the disease. She felt life would be over soon. Makes me wonder what kind of relationship she had anyway, besides, she had witnessed God’s hand in her and other people’s lives many times, yet the unbelief. But, God not only gave her the strength to bear the medication, but also restored her health completely!

Going back to Moses, God tells Him something that’s so beautiful that it’s become the focus of my image of God. Whenever, I think of Him I recall He is Omnipotent. ‘Is there anything impossible to God?’ In the above verse, what a wonderful declaration God makes. Imagine, God Himself asking the question to Moses. The darkness of Moses’ mind must have grappled with the impossibility of God’s question for sure, because he was not able to comprehend what God had already ordained.

So too in our lives, we are frequently unable to comprehend, what God has already ordained. If we are suffering from a terminal or dreaded disease, God has already ordained a healing. If in the current economic turmoil, you lose your job and livelihood, God has ordained resources to flow to you miraculously. Don’t wonder how it will happen. It is His to worry. The Word of God says, He brings into existence that which does not. The only thing we need to do is to ponder on the question Jesus posed, ‘nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?’ (Lk. 18:8). Will you disappoint Him with your lack of faith?

Thoughts for another day

October 14, 2008.

Today's verse: Zec. 7:5. Speak unto all the people of the land, and to the priests, saying, When ye fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh month, even those seventy years, did ye at all fast unto me, even to me? (KJV)

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

In our verse today, I’ll like you to concentrate on the last part which God commands Zechariah the prophet to ask the priests and the people, ‘did ye at all fast unto me, really?’ We need to ask this question of ourselves too. Whatever good we do, do we do it for the glory of the Lord or for self-gratification?

If an intense personal introspection is made in this matter, we would be shocked with the revelation that comes from it. We will realise that although our motivation in the first instance would have been God, it later quietly slips to self. The devil steadily but surely defaces God’s interest from our hearts and puts in self before God. Jesus gives an example of this when He talks about the Pharisee in Lk. 18:9-14. It’s not that the Pharisee doesn’t conscientiously do all those things he puts forth before God as a credit to himself, but what is lacking is the fervor for God. This is where most of us err and the sad thing is that we feel we are still doing it for God! The deception of the evil one.

That God doesn’t need all these things from us is clearly mentioned by Him here but what He needs us to do is also elucidated in verses 9 & 10. Personally, I take this as a good message for me as I believe I need to weigh my actions in the mirror of God and discern whether my loyalty and deeds are for myself or for God. From thereon, I guess I need to take corrective action for only then will on that day the refrain from God be, ‘well done, faithful servant.’

Thoughts for another day

October 13, 2008.

Today's verse: Jer. 17:10. I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings. (NIV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

Life’s a mixture of the good and the not so good. The share of good, as well as the not so good, in each one’s life differs from the other. We may crib and complain, but there’s nothing we can do except to, accept. It is only the Lord who can change our circumstance and our existence. Generally, we see that good people have a good share of happiness (not necessarily endowed with money for money doesn’t spell happiness) and with the others, the reverse is possible and why this happens is because of what the Lord God says in the verse above: ‘I the LORD search the heart and examine the mind, to reward a man according to his conduct.’

No matter what we do, we must be aware that God is watching. At every step of our movement, He watches to see what we do. He is Omnipresent and Omniscient. There is nothing hidden from Him. We have our frailties and weaknesses; and they are not hidden from Him, for when He looks at us, all our good and bad things stand exposed before the glare of His eye. Not a dot that tarnishes our soul is hidden from His gaze as even darkness and spots are light to Him. So we realize that hiding aught from Him is akin to a glutton covering his face with a sheet and beneath it, eating till his bloated stomach gives way.

The refrain God seeks from us today is that of repentance. Only in doing that will we ensure by His Grace, that we do not bear retribution for the wrong we do, rather are blessed abundantly even as we stand under the shower of His mercy, confessing to the sin we inadvertently/blatantly committed.

Thoughts for another day

October 10, 2008.

Today's verse: 1 Cor. 7:5b. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control. (NIV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

Do you know, how the devil gets the better of us? A little before we look at it, let me say that the devil is highly experienced in seduction. He has some 5000+ years of experience dealing with humans and is extremely cunning. Imagine how cunning he is because he could seduce two people – Adam and Eve - in doing something bad to the One they were in constant communion with, so what about us?

He attacks us in the area of our greatest weakness. Take for example we love sweets, he will ensure that this love gradually grows to greed and out will spawn sin through it. You will at some time be forced to sin to satiate this greed. This is possible with even a simple act like visiting people…the devil can convert this visit into a time of gossip and character assassination. Leave alone what he can do with some of our other basic instincts! I know because I suffer from the ill effects of the devil’s insinuations.

Although today’s verse is concerned with a man and his wife, we take it in the context I’ve given above because Paul talks of our lack of self-control. No person actually begins with his or her self-control going haywire, but many end up that way. If it’s happened with you, did you lose control because you couldn’t control? No, because at the time of the temptation, there was this strong voice asking you to indulge and you succumbed to it, though at the same time another small voice was asking you to refrain. But the enticement was great. I want to tell you that this enticement is delivered at the doorstep of you mind courtesy the devil. That is why we that Jesus hated sin but loved the sinner because He understood our frailties. Remember He himself was tempted, yet overcame and we need to follow in His steps.

Today, as we look up at that battered face on the Cross, let’s admit to Him that we have fallen. We know, He came to earth to commune with us and hold His beautiful hand out to us, so we can rise up and sit at table. Remember, He loves when we admit our faults and our weaknesses. And He is sure quick to hold us high thereafter.

Thoughts for another day

October 9, 2008.

Today's verse: Lk. 10:42. But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

I hear a lot about theology these days. To become a Pastor or a priest or a man/woman of God by laying on of human hands, you need to study. To go to college, spend a no. of years in a seminary and then be ordained! In the process, many men and women learn the ‘how’, ‘when’, ‘why’ etc. of God, rather than His Love and Mercy. Therefore, you get man-made, 100% sensible and absolutely endearing strategies from the pulpit, telling you what you must do to obtain God’s favor, so that your endeavor will be blessed. A favorite cliché has emerged wherefrom which is ‘God helps those who help themselves! And that my friend is the end of miracles in your life. Take it or leave it, God chooses to be ‘un-understood’, even by His greatest saints. God decides to answer, when you least expect it and God denies, in the darkest hour of need. O the mind of God, so difficult to comprehend. Ask Peter if you can: Peter, after you denied Him, did you ever think, He would bestow such great honor on you?

Be that as it may, the one thing that God loves is our fellowshipping with Him. In that moment of fellowship, it is as if, He is willing to give you the stars, if you but ask. On rare occasions of fellowship, people who have had this privilege where frankly, they’ve not dared to ask but what they did, He gave.

In the dictionary of God, the greatest word is ‘communion’: With HIM. The Bible says that we exist to praise Him (Ep. 1:12). God has loved us with an everlasting love and with loving kindness, He has drawn us (Jer. 31:3). Therefore, Christ advocates the greatest commandment as, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your mind.’ (Mt. 22:37). He loves when we fellowship with Him and we see how in today’s verse Jesus demonstrates that telling Mary that all the works and worries of life are there and one has to think about them, but the greatest of all is ‘Sit at the feet of the Lord and commune with Him.’

Thoughts for another day

October 8, 2008.

Today's verse: Ob. 1:15. The day of the LORD is near for all nations. As you have done, it will be done to you; your deeds will return upon your own head. (NIV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

Whether man likes it or not, the day of the Lord will be upon him: A day of great tribulation and upheaval. In different prophetical books, there are different things that the prophet voices as going to happen and though that be, for us Christians, it is a day of great joy for our Lord and God will come to reign. He will take us to Him and hold us close. Each one of us is expected to relax in the bosom of the Lord and sup with Him.

In today’s verse, we are cautioned about the wrong that we’ve done. Yes, we live in the dispensation of Grace and made eligible for comfort and life with the Lord. Yet, there are a few things in us that require cleaning and pruning. It is our sins that keep us away from the perfection of God. Also, our verse says, ‘as we have done, it will be done to us and that our deeds will return on our own heads!’

Don’t you think we should serve our God, being who He is, so pure and so kind, in a similar state? As humans we grapple with sin day in and day out, it is difficult to remain sinless. I have fallen so often but with His Grace I get up and then fall again. So much so, I really get frustrated with it and I ask Him, why do I sin Lord and infuriate You! Nevertheless, I have noticed that there are a few things I can shed as excess baggage immediately: that is, not doing wrong to my neighbor. Not wishing evil for her nor cursing her. Rather, praying for her and leaving all animosity to God. Besides, if we are clean in our hearts at the time of going to sleep each night, then we are almost there. The rest we leave God to handle.

What God wants to see in us is our little bit of effort in demonstrating we hate sin and then He will work out the rest in us. I urge you then to involve God in your day-to-day living and lean on Him to do away with your sin, so that on that day, retribution will not fall on your head.

Thoughts for another day

October 7, 2008.

Today's verse: Ps. 22:11. Do not be far from me, for trouble is near and there is no one to help. (NIV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

At times, we are so weighed down by our burdens, that death seems more welcome than life. In a ‘Job’ like situation, we wonder just as he did, why were didn’t die at birth (Ch. 3:11). If you have gone through it, you know what I am talking about. The pain before us, never seems to end and the weight grows heavier with each day.

Many men of God have gone through such affliction and a few have reformed to follow the Lord whole-heartedly because of the process. In Ps. 22, the first half represents vividly, the pain David underwent because of which the psalm came to be. As you read, you sense the extent of his soul’s grief. Even Jesus, God Himself, underwent dreadful pain. The psalm is a future ode for Jesus which He echoes when He utters, ‘My God, My God, why have You forsaken me?’ Jesus bore the pain stoically because He knew His father would accomplish what He set out to do.

If one were to look at pain, as long as it doesn’t happen to self, one is okay. Actually, most don’t understand, why pain should be borne. Great philosophers tried answering the question, coming up with things like, ‘I suffer, therefore I know I exist’ etc. but there is no ray of comfort there, because when in pain, even great knowledge is vain. All put together, there’s no escaping pain and the Bible says that God chastises the one He loves. For us, there is meaning in pain, because we are lead by One who suffered, not for Himself, but for the sake of humanity, however undeserving and ungrateful.

Yet in all this, we must realize that our recourse has to be God, no matter what the pain. There could be isolation because of pain but our plea to God has to be the same as in the words above. My friend, there is so much consolation when tears roll down the eyes and the heart cries out saying, ‘my God, don’t go far from me for great is my trouble and there is no one I can turn to, except You.’ In such prayer will the silent, gentle voice of the Most High resound, consoling and healing from inside.

Thoughts for another day

October 6, 2008.

Today's verse: Daniel 3:40. As though it were holocausts of rams and bullocks, or thousands of fat lambs, So let our sacrifice be in your presence today as we follow you unreservedly; for those who trust in you cannot be put to shame. (RSV - with apocrypha)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

Once, in a small gathering of people, I mentioned that the prayer they made was no prayer. They were shocked as even I would be; but no one asked me why. I said it because I realised that the lips move and the eyes close and the head I is bowed, but the heart isn’t in it! Where the heart is, there you are, because the whole body can be tilted toward a particular thing, but without the heart it is useless.

But when you pray with your heart, the texture of the words change: they comprise meaningful sentences and are said in exactly the same way we ask people to do something when we communicate with them face-to-face! Also, when we do that, we expect them to really do it. That’s exactly what happens when we really pray. We communicate with God and ask Him for things, expecting Him to answer. Remember, the key here is ‘expectation’. Expectation from someone happens only when we commune with that person and we know the person and we also know that he/she will do what we want. I say this today, because, God Himself expects us to expect from Him and oh, how much more will God our Father do things for us when we commune with Him and ask Him with sincere and expecting hearts.

In today’s verse, we see prayer from a believing heart. It’s prayer that recognises the sovereignty of God and acknowledges His presence. The writer of the letter to the Hebrews says, ‘he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.’ In the prayer that is made, the resonating theme is the knowledge of God and the fact of His existence. Furthermore, for Azariah who prays thus, God is not an unknown entity, but One who can be reached for and felt! How good it would be if every one of us would feel the same way about God and reached out to touch Him and feel Him. It is critical that we recognise His presence even in the small things of life and having done that, we allow our hearts to talk to Him and then sit back and relish as He puts little bits of sense in our insensate world, lighting it up with wondrous miracles.

Thoughts for another day

October 3, 2008.

Today's verse: Joel 2:32. And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered: (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

In any situation – whether of joy or sorrow, ease or pain, in sun or rain or anything, there’s One Name we have which will hold us in good stead in this world and in the next and that’s the Name of the Lord…Yahweh or Jesus (it is the Same). Throughout the ages, God has given us His Name – The great I AM, or Savior, to yell out to.

Yeah, when God exiled us (I say exiled, because we will be allowed re-entry one day) from Eden, His heart was heavy. As He shut the gates and placed Cherubim and the flaming sword to prevent us from entering as per His decree, He determined that He would be with us, just a voice away. He determined this, because He loved us and He knew we would face tribulation in the world. So He gave us His Name by which we are to seek Him and get His help. And man has been taking the Name of the Lord as early as the time of Enos, the Son of Seth, the Son of Adam (Gen. 4:26b).

The Name of God is precious and powerful. We see this power, only when we revere Him. When we call on His Name, great things happen. Our celebrations become more meaningful and troubles cease to appear. Closed doors open. Fear is stamped out and courage instilled. Despair in the heart gives way to hope. And what I best love about His Name is that sin and the desire to sin are erased and new life begins. Such is the power of His Name that diseases vanish and troubles just melt away. And as our verse mentions today, all who call on His Name experience His power!

Without a shred of doubt, I say in your good times, call on His Name, you will find His presence with you ensuring your good times last. And if you are in the lap of despair, just raise your hands to Heaven and call on His Name. Assuredly, He will listen and rush to your help. His Name crushes the plan of the devil, which is to your destruction and brings in the ray of Godly hope, enabling you to rise from the debris of the disaster you face and live another day testifying to His awesome goodness.