Thoughts for another day

July 31, 2009

Today's verse: Mk 10:30. But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

When Jesus speaks of the difficulty a rich man has in entering the kingdom of God, Peter asks an interesting question, ‘Lo we have left all and followed Thee’ v 28 and in Mathew 19: 27, it’s extended to include, ‘what’ll be there for us’. What Peter wants to know is, the reward for those who’ve left everything for the Lord. Now Jesus understood what was in Peter’s mind and told Him that those who have left things for the Kingdom of God would receive a hundredfold in this lifetime and eternal life in the next.

Most people of God who explain this verse usually show benefits that are pleasing to us and why not - a hundred fold in the current world and eternal life thereafter; a good enough incentive to leave all and follow the Lord no? But there’s one Word which most preachers miss and that is, persecution. Look at the verse carefully and you’ll find it. Anyone wanting to sincerely follow Jesus Christ will be persecuted. In fact I’d even go to the extent to say that it’s guaranteed. When a man preaches the Gospel effectively, God works through him and when God works, people are affected and turn to Him. The devil simply doesn’t like this and employs his minions in doing harm to that man.

Don’t we see this in our environs and learn of it too as it happens? People start envying those whom God uses, even hating them. I have a good friend who was preaching in the church and was very successful in drawing a number of people for his meetings. But soon jealousy crept into his rivals and colored versions of what he was doing reached the church authorities, who then advised that he should stop preaching. The question before him was, what should he do? The answer obviously is to keep preaching and the Lord would provide new avenues, which He did. If you intend following the Lord doing His bidding, I can assure you from His Word that you will be persecuted; but even in that you will rejoice for more the persecution, more souls will be touched.

Thoughts for another day

July 30, 2009

Today's verse: Pro. 3:27. Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

I have always felt that one should do what one can to alleviate the sufferings of others. When I say this, my conscience is pricked with guilt because many times I have shirked from doing the good I could do but didn’t do. Catholics term it the sin of omission and this sin is also as much sin as doing something wrong is. The world and its ways don’t cognize it, but in the kingdom of God it’s a serious matter which is why when Jesus talks of Lazarus and the rich man, He says the rich man went to hell (Lk. 16: 19 – 31). Now it is obvious why he went to hell: Because although Lazarus sat at his gate longing to eat what fell from his table, we can infer he didn’t get anything.

Jesus never refused to do good, even at the cost of His own life. Why did He cure on the Sabbath? Because the kingdom of God dictated that when you see someone in distress, you help immediately, not wait for an opportune moment. That’s the writ of God and Jesus as Man was subject to it and He obeyed it. However much our consciences may be pricked; and even our resorting to excuses and rationalizing, the fact of the matter is that our Lord and Master did it and we are bound to do it if we want to be His followers. James clearly says, that faith has to be found in action without which it is no faith; in fact it is dead. Even to the point where James impresses that a man who acts, demonstrates his faith in his actions (James 2:14-18).

Coming to our verse today, how appropriately the Word of God tells us to do that which is good to others when it’s in our power to do it. My friend, heed this, the Word of God and go give that beggar with the open palm the coin you were always withholding and rationalizing about. Go give your neighbor that meal which he or she can’t afford and then experience the joy of the Kingdom. Besides, remember, each day we too go to God with our palms open, asking, asking and asking. If we don’t give the simple things to those who ask, how can we expect God to give us that which we ask?

Thoughts for another day

July 29, 2009

Today's verse: Ps 8:4. What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him? (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

From the beginning man has been, what shall I say, a pain to God. He created Adam so lovingly giving him everything; and what did Adam do, sin! Even then God didn’t fully destroy him but gave him a place on earth and assured him of all help. Then began the sin of man in all its strength; so much so, God had to destroy them all except Noah who was righteous before Him. Time and again, God destroyed men through natural calamities or allowed them to perish through their own calamities. Yet man never changed; never learnt his lesson.

One of the starkest scenarios where God is shown to be vexed with man’s sins yet setting a plea before him is to be found in Mi. 6:3 ‘My people, what have I done to you, And how have I wearied you? Answer Me.’ At times when I look at this sigh of the Lord, I think, ‘Lord you are so great and powerful. You hold all things in Your hand and in you is all power, then why are we alive after all our sins which offend Your infinite goodness?’

I can understand David’s inner heart when he chants the Words of our verse today before God. How much humbled he must have felt by God’s mercy and love for him. Aren’t you and I also loved and cherished by our God? Hasn’t He been with us all our lives. Yet how basely we treat Him. But He, He never takes it to mind, rather He draws us near and tells us gently that He loves us – warts and all. Reflect on this my friend and comprehend the amazing love of our God which carries us forth in our journey on this earth to bring us unscathed into the next eternal world where He alone will be our all.

Thoughts for another day

July 28, 2009

Today's verse: Mk. 14:38. Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

I have come to understand through a series of happenings in my life this saying of Jesus: ‘The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak.’ Oh, the desires of the flesh…eating, drinking, dressing up, carnal lust and the list goes on. Really, we are so beset with scores of attention riveting items of and for our body which ironically is one day going to rot. And honestly, try as I might, I’ve made hardly any headway in controlling the passions and the indulgences that engage the flesh!

The scars on the soul are mostly wrought through the ‘inways’ of the flesh and in that context, God understands us well and gives us this advice: Watch and pray lest you enter into temptation. You know, bulk of our prayer, if at all we pray that is, is directed toward inane and meaningless requests and entreaties. But Jesus tells us, Watch…and pray that you enter not into temptation. Jesus Himself might have been tempted oftentimes; the Bible gives us an instance after He was hungry having fasted forty days and nights. He had one weapon against temptation and that was prayer. Reading the Word reveals how much stress He laid on prayer which is why He went early mornings up the mountain to pray.

So it brings me to the premise of our verse: Watch and pray. This is to remind me today and everyday that I need to do exactly that – watch and pray. Not that I may achieve great recognition and fame but that I pray the Lord keep me away from temptation thereby helping me remain in a state of holiness, through which state alone I can one day behold my Blessed Maker and my glorious Master and perhaps say, ‘Hello’ face to face I mean.

Thoughts for another day

July 27, 2009

Today's verse: Ro. 4:20. He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; (KJV)

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

In the course of life, God often speaks to us. There’re times He tells us to refrain from doing something and at other times, He encourages us to do something. Often He makes us promises; BTW, God’s promises are just His telling that He’s going to do something, unlike us where we say, ‘I promise to do…’ God’s Word alone is enough and is true and what it is intended for it will do.

Our relationship with God is reflected in whether we obey His Word. I can tell you that sometimes God wants us out from a particular situation where we’re really comfortable and get into something that’s uncomfortable; not exactly what we wanted. What’s our response at that time? Abraham must have faced a similar situation when God called him out of his father’s land and move to a place He’d show him. What a difficult time for Abraham. Remember in those days, one didn’t know much about places away from their hometown and but for a few journeys and voyages, people didn’t have much of an idea of geography. Yet, Abraham trusted God. His belief was firm and he didn’t stagger in making the decision. He moved.

When we do things obeying the Word of God, we inherit the same blessing from God. Sometimes, when we are in the midst of something and very comfortable, say for e.g. we’re the leader of a vibrant and growing Prayer Group and God asks us to step down, we tend to argue it out with the Lord. The first question we ask self is ‘have we heard correctly?’ The next we tell God, ‘Lord, I’m doing so well here, don’t You understand and I don’t really want to step down, there’s so much work to do. God still says, ‘Step down.’ And say sometimes, we do that, then we hear nothing more. Silence. Now we’re confused and say, ‘Did I do the right thing? Now there’s nothing for me?’ But remember, God makes no mistakes and He achieves the end to which you are created. Also remember, for God nothing is impossible. When faced with such a situation, I’d like to comfort you with the above verse. Be confident. God wanted you to do something and if you’ve done it, leave it at that. He’ll do the rest. Just trust Him. It may take years but it will come to pass exactly as the Lord promised.

Thoughts for another day

July 24, 2009

Today's verse: 1 Tm. 6:10. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

Every human needs money because every material you need, needs money to be bought. Strangely the most important things, if you look at it, don’t need money from you unless of course man intervenes and then bullies charging money. Take water: It is for free. But man intervenes, like bottling it for instance, and it becomes chargeable. Air is free. The seeds in the ground sprout without any cost and give grain, but man’s intervention then adds to costs etc.

Love is free and so is happiness and it is these two that bring joy to life. Strangely, those with money try to buy these too and then are disappointed because they discover after paying huge sums that they cannot be bought. It’s this kind of attitude which is the root of all evil. The Word of God gives us ways in which we are to get these, for free of course. Getting them by any other means would be a futile exercise.

Man’s in-principle thirst for dominance, leads him to try and own things which in the first place he was not supposed to own but give for example, happiness. In the process, he yearns for money and more money. Over a period of time, his love for money takes gigantic dimensions while his desire to love, ceases. Our Word today cautions us about our love for money for it takes us away from our faith in God. There is a shift from being dependent on God to being dependent on money and so from being God-centered, we move toward being money centered. We are hypocritical in saying we love both, but Jesus clearly said, God and mammon do not co-exist! Love of money leads to a plethora of miseries and eventual destruction. Here I’d also like to add that being rich is not a sin, it’s one’s attitude to riches that can bring in the sin.

Now, honestly check whether you too love money and if you do, shed it, so God can reach you and fill you with all you need to lead a full life.

Thoughts for another day

July 23, 2009

Today's verse: Mk. 6:42,43. And they did all eat, and were filled. And they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments, and of the fishes. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

Someone once said, in the hands of the Creator, 'nothing', can account for much and a little, can go a long way. How true it is as we find in this miracle of Jesus which is mentioned in all the Gospels. The pre-cursor to this is the concern of Jesus for the people and when the disciples also voiced concern about their food, the Savior as is His wont, decided upon a miracle, where the molecules of bread and fish suddenly increased to feed more than five thousand men and there were probably an equal number of women and of course children who haven’t been numbered. So you can imagine how far just five loaves of bread and two fishes went.

Deep inside when things go wrong and I’m not in the best of shape as I’d want to be, then I think upon this miracle. I pray, ‘Lord I’m hungry and You seem not to care for I cannot find any food anywhere!’ In my despair I’m reminded about the miracle. What about those people who ate that day; they were intently listening to the Master speak, mesmerized by His Good Words. They too might have been worried about their food and the Master, because of His tremendous concern, fed them; so much so that they were all filled and satisfied and twelve wicker baskets of food were leftover.

My friend, all I want to tell you today through the Word is that Jesus Cares for you. He knows you well and He knows when to intervene. You may not see any food or help in sight and you could be in the desert, but He knows how to supply for He even supplied heavenly bread and water in the desert to His promised ones. How much more will He supply to us in need, we who bear the mark of His Son on our hearts and are cleansed by His blood. Ponder on this awhile even as He works things out for you.

Thoughts for another day

July 21, 2009

Today's verse: Mt. 10:7 And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

This is the crystallized Gospel Jesus gave us: ‘The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.’ You may ask, is this the Gospel; and probably be shocked if I say, ‘Yes’; because for Christians all over, the Gospel is: Jesus came, He died and rose again. But that’s our life, our creed, our whole. Jesus introduced us to a new system of living called the ‘kingdom life’, a life driven and operated by God. That’s the Gospel we need to follow and preach.

At a synagogue in Nazareth, Jesus opened the scroll, landing on the book of Isaiah 61:1-2 and declared, ‘The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me…’ The essence of His statement meant full living; a life to be lived without any burden or worry, of peace and happiness and total trust in Him. Then and only then will we taste heaven on earth. Therefore, even in prayer, Jesus instructed us thus, ‘Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done…’ When the Kingdom comes, humans will live full lives, the kind of lives they’re supposed to live eternally.

How do we live the Gospel? Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount declares the essential traits needed to live the Kingdom life: love your enemies and pray for them, let your ‘yes’ be yes and your ‘no’ be no, give even beyond what you’re asked for, etc. Jesus took the theory of giving the other cheek to the one who slaps you on one, when He gave Himself up on the Cross thus heralding the coming of the Kingdom and opening the Gospel to the nations. The three chapters, viz 5, 6 & 7 in Mathew’s Gospel are essential reading and living I’d say in our Christian lives, though let me add, easier said than done. No matter how much we’d like to brush aside this, we have to abide by it if we want to enjoy heaven for only by being citizens of the Kingdom here, can we continue in eternal bliss in heaven.

Thoughts for another day

July 20, 2009

Today's verse: Is 40:31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

There is something about the Lord that conveys strength and may I add, unending and unyielding strength. Strength is a characteristic of various dimensions and is an essential ingredient to victory. A person may have physical strength not it doesn’t avail much; rather strength of character goes a long way.

The prima facie charter for a person ingrained in the Lord is victory. Not a facile one though but a convincing victory and a deep one at that. And the Lord is also indulging us in victories in fields we’ve never known to be common to us, such as victory over our carnal selves or victory over our bad habits. Both are victories which are very hard to come by, try and see. Yet in the eyes of the world, a victory in a game or a sport is victory. A good rank in an exam is a victory. But, a victory where a person converts and becomes someone noble is no victory at all in the eyes of the world, where money matters. But for us who are in the Lord, these victories are empty and not worth it.

Now when we wait upon the Lord, He gives us the strength to soar. No matter how bad we’re off, or how tired we are, God alone can give us the victory. He fills our limbs with strength, when we are weak. The Word of God says that we who wait upon the Lord will mount up with wings as of eagles. No matter what we do we shall not be weary and neither shall we faint for He who is our Rock is tireless and has no weakness.

Thoughts for another day

July 17, 2009

Today's verse: Mt. 4:4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

When I first read or rather heard this verse, my knowledge of God was very limited and I hardly knew its meaning. To my mind, it probably meant that apart from the food we required to live, maybe we also needed to read the Bible. But then, I wondered, ‘on a day I don’t read the Word, do I not live?’ Well, the question was rhetorical, for I knew the answer to be a ‘no’, but that was a strictly human point of view.

Later on as I began to know a little more about God, I slowly started realizing that the ‘by every Word that proceeded from the mouth of God’ was in the context of our lives’ balance or state of equilibrium. When we grow up without God as part of us, we grow, yet deep inside, we don’t. Outside, we may appear mature and polished, but inside, we’re as trapped animals – insecure and laden with fear. A little push and we lose our equilibrium which can shatter and probably finish us too. Then there are people who live but there’s no joy or sense of happiness. At times, life itself becomes such drudgery with its meaning so elusive that we fear to live and also live in fear.

This is seen even in the so called top guys in the world. And all that is because, the Word of God is not an active ingredient in our meals each day. God’s Word adds the balance and the stature in our lives. All that man achieves, he does by wisdom and wisdom is what God’s Word imparts. It also provides the solidity of God’s presence that can weather any storm. There’re even instances when by merely using God’s Word, people have lived for days with no food or water when His Word became life sustaining because with Him all is possible and with His Word He brings into existence that which doesn’t exist (ref. Romans 4:17). Imagine, even our food came by His Word.

Putting it into perspective, I’d say, ‘If you have no food, it’s okay; But when you have God’s Word it can transform into physical food anytime and nourish you and therefore, it’s more important you Have God’s Word than anything else.

Thoughts for another day

July 16, 2009

Today's verse: 1 Ch. 22:19. Now set your heart and your soul to seek the LORD your God; (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

We know of David’s great affinity for the Lord and may I daresay, vice versa i.e. God’s love for David. Every action of David was so that the Lord be glorified and magnified. In every sphere, he had room for the Lord and the best space for God. Very rarely did David ever consider himself as magnificent, but he always magnified God.

In today’s verse, we find David exhorting the princes of Israel to set their hearts and souls in seeking the LORD. David had learnt what it meant to be in deep communion with the Almighty. It was not necessarily the blessings of God that had made David passionate about Him, but His awesomeness which had driven him to His feet, to gaze at His face for hours on end.

What David intricately understood, we also must attempt to try understanding the beauty of our God. There are things if we understand, that will lead us into a state of ethereal bliss. Whenever I have a difficult situation, I just focus on the power of our God and His love for me and I can just see the problem vanish; dissolving into nothingness. God’s power is able to do much more than just removing obstacles in our lives but also ensuring that we are not capsized because of them nor are we taken away from Him. So then today, release yourself from any inhibition preventing you from going to the Lover of Souls and hold on to Him. Set your hearts and souls to seeking Him and you will find the road to prosperity for your souls and your lives too.

Thoughts for another day

July 15, 2009

Today's verse: Eze. 38:23. Thus will I magnify myself, and sanctify myself; and I will be known in the eyes of many nations, and they shall know that I am the LORD. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

In 1 Kings 18 there is a wonderful event that happened in the life of Elijah when he challenged the 450 prophets of baal. God demonstrated His power and His Sovereignty in such an amazing manner that the people who witnessed it fell down, prostrating themselves declaring: The LORD is God; the LORD is God! In our verse above the Almighty LORD God, the Creator of the universe says that the same thing will happen when He will magnify Himself and sanctify Himself. This He says will make Him known in the eyes of many nations and they’ll know that He alone is the LORD.

In the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus teaches us, ‘Thy Kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven…’ And this prayer is said by millions of people around the world daily. I am sure that God will shortly set things right by His awesome power and majesty. This comes as a solace to the millions of people around the world who are persecuted and tortured because they believe in the Name of His only Son, Jesus Christ. It raises the hope that soon redemption will come when God will work mightily before the very eyes of the people of the world. Believers and non believers alike will witness the marvelous deeds of our God. Just like they recognized Him as the LORD that day, today too, they will recognize Him as the only God. You know, this thought brings such joy in my heart.

Our task is to pray regularly ‘The Our Father’. When Jesus gave us that prayer, He knew what He was doing and He knew what we needed and therefore He asked us to pray that the Father’s kingdom come, even as His will on heaven and earth reigned supreme. I pray my friend that today, you will not hesitate to tell the LORD to open the eyes of the earth to His Sovereignty and make people across the world bow down to His Name, declaring He alone is God.

Thoughts for another day

July 14, 2009

Today's verse: Jn. 18:27. Peter then denied again: and immediately the cock crew. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

Jesus was with His apostles for a good amount of time. He knew the true nature of each one and He even knew them better than they themselves! He knew Peter to be a kind of an impulsive character. And He knew Peter would be first in doing things that would amount to gaining favor in His sight, for e.g. when He predicted His own death and resurrection, Peter was the one who first showed sympathy saying, ‘God forbid …’

Now Jesus loved Peter. We know it because, there are many assigns given to Peter, incl. the fact that to Peter was revealed the truth about Him, that He was the Son of God, the Anointed Savior. But so, Peter would not be too boastful in his relation and affinity to Him, Jesus also gave Peter the ignominy of being the one who would deny Him. Never, in his life could Peter have imagined that he would deny Jesus and he even made claims like, if everyone ran away from Jesus in His troubles, he never would! Jesus had to bring him onto terra firma by asserting to him that he would deny His own persona.

When Peter actually denied Jesus, he’d have probably not understood what he was doing, but when it hit him, imagine his plight. He probably would have not understood where to go and hide in shame. Only in desperate crying and sincere repentance, he'd have found solace and through it, his way back to the Master’s heart! In our lives too, we deny Jesus for very small things. If we’re upset, we do not call out His Name. We refuse many times to accept His sovereignty over our lives and shoo Him away. In this we are denying Him and making other things our gods. Therefore, God has given us the example of Peter, that like Him we too turn and repent with bitter tears and return to Him, the fount of all glory, patience and mercy.

Thoughts for another day

July 13, 2009

Today's verse: Jer. 29:13. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

The angels looked down and beheld the mire that humans had flung themselves in; Sad. They were available to help them as the Lord of Hosts had commanded, but who sought their help anyway. People of the world had sunk into great depths of depravity and immorality. They knew not the Savior’s love for them nor the purpose they’d been called for on the earth. They had no inkling of what they were doing and absolutely no brief on the wonder they were. They did all the beguiler of souls told them to, as it appeared good to them. All in all, everyone had sinned and were outside the ambit of God’s glory.

They looked upon His face. They knew Him and the beauty of His being. They loved Him. They couldn’t understand why humans, His choicest creation shunned Him so much. Was the guile of the evil one so strong to entrap even the best of them? Not so, not so came the thought. For God always had His own who would rise from the ashes as it were, and find Him. For the sake of them, He had given His unfailing Word. His precious Word said, ‘And you shall seek me and you will find me when you seek me with your whole heart!’ Ah…, that was His promise to them.

As long as God was; as He always was for He said of Himself, “I AM”, they knew, somewhere in some muck, with the sand almost covering them, there were those who would look up and shout, ‘Lord help me.’ And their hearts would cry out searching intensely for the lover of their souls; and heaven would pause and say, Hey, I see my friend drowning. He would then summon them and send them on a rescue mission. And heaven would resound with joy. For one who had sought had found and come into the bosom of the Holy One. The Angels would then sing their song of delight, ‘All glory be to the Holy One, who was, who is and who is to come!’

Thoughts for another day

July 10, 2009

Today's verse: Jn. 15:13. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

Born of royal lineage, He lived a simple life. He then started teaching and what He taught was unalloyed truth. Hypocrites didn’t bother Him, nor was He afraid to speak the truth in all circumstances. He always had time for the down trodden and made it a ‘one man mission’ to save the miserable lost people who wallowed in sin, particularly those held at arm’s length by the shenanigans of ultra society and self appointed guardians of morality and status. He even endured stinging criticism for healing those bent by disease and sin. He called every person His friend and in everyone, He beheld the glory of His Father, though trapped by guilt, sin and immorality; and He intended to ‘untrap’ this glory so they could shine forth in the august halls of His abode, where He’d set up mansions for them! His close confidantes didn’t realize the extent of His love for them until they saw it in His eyes, even when His body ‘was a mess of flesh and bone’ hung on a tree. His enemies saw His defeat; He knew it was His victory!

Two thousand years later, Pril, a young girl of 18 in a grimy slum in north Mexico, was gripped in pain and shame. She had just been raped by her uncle, a burly man of 44, with a daughter older than her. She saw the sickle on the floor of the barn where she was deflowered. She decided: The sickle will slice off her uncle’s head first and then her own. Between sobs, she steeled herself to do it. She knew she had no other way as complaining to her own father would probably make that drunkard do the same thing. She picked up the sickle and was about to move out, when her eyes fell upon a wooden cross on the wall of the barn and she saw Him with His head bowed. Suddenly, He lifted His head and looked at her. She felt His love wash her…all her shame and dirt left her. A question – ‘I loved you so much, I laid down My life for you My child. And what’re you doing? Killing yourself? Do you think you’re so worthless?’ The sickle dropped out of her hand. The voice again: ‘Now go, clean yourself and I will lead you henceforth.’ Pril had a bath and walked out of that slum and kept walking, she knew not where. Nearing a gate, she collapsed. When she awoke, she was on a bed and beside her was a kind faced woman. To cut a long story short, Pril worked with that lady to form the most adorable home for children who either had no parents or found no place in society.

Years later, as an elderly matron, sitting in her chair, she remembered, ‘Greater love has no one than this that he lay down his life for his friends.’ A smile clasped her lips and she whispered, ‘I know Lord Jesus, I know!’

Thoughts for another day

July 8, 2009

Today's verse: Jer. 19:23, 24. Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

Journeying with the Lord over the years has taught me that the greatest riches are in Him; in understanding and knowing Him. Many will challenge me on this were I to write this on a common board like facebook, twitter, etc. But to me, the fact of the matter is, all riches are in the Lord and they’re mine when I get to know Him and swing to the beat of His heart.

Let me explain: If we were to glory in our wisdom, thinking we are the wisest, He is wiser for He created the vast earth and us and of course common sense says that the creator is superior to the created! There’re those who push aside the concept of God and bring in ‘automacy’ to creation as if it happened by itself…can it really? Is the big bang capable of bringing in such order we find in the universe? What nonsense you will say using your wisdom.

Then if we boast of our might, get introduced quickly to the One who churns the mighty waters of the sea and by His power allows them to flow to a point on the land and no more; what’s human might emanating from the machines he builds compared to that? Riches? Ah well, if He just withholds the rains for a couple of years, human riches will amount to nothing for is there anything greater than food and water? Think about it.

And while I say that the world’s greatest riches can be found at the feet of the Lord, let me add, it’s very difficult to mine them as the devil erects barricades that are seemingly impregnable! Only with His Grace can we circumvent those and approach the fount of all riches. Only He can provide balm for our weary souls and peace in our inmost parts. But sure, you can approach confidently and partake in His riches through His Son who has made all things available to us in His benevolence.

Thoughts for another day

July 8, 2009

Today's verse: Jer. 17:5. Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

Yeah, cursed indeed is the man who trusts not in the Lord for he dwells in that area that leads to oblivion. Denying God’s existence is by far the worst error we make and not trusting Him spells our doom. You see, the man not trusting God, in the first instance doesn’t know Him. He’s heard about Him but doesn’t know Him. He thinks God is like a human hence he equates God to man and is disillusioned because it’s man’s nature to cause frustration and disappointment. No so God; for when we hope in Him, He provides a way out even in the darkest moments. The Bible says ‘He who trusts in the Lord is like a tree planted by the water, stretching its roots to the streams; never in awe of the heat or the dryness elsewhere for it is near the source of life.’ Experience says, ‘God provides the life-line even when you’re sunk, to pull you out alive!’

God, my friend is the Rock of life. He is the shelter and refuge of the world’s lost souls. The first thing He does when you encounter Him is provide hope. He works things out for you when you trust Him (Be cautioned here that when you come to trust Him and also trust other things such as ‘other gods or vain philosophies – thinking they mean no harm, but do good’ are bound to suffer, for God never allows anything else beside Him to rule your life if you trust Him). You don’t know Him if you want Him and other vain notions too for He is a jealous God and it’s an abomination in His sight when you trust other things in addition to Him, see Zeph. 1:4,5.

Since the world was created, the devil’s children are always at cross-purposes with the children of the Kingdom. They’re what I may call in today’s terms, ‘street-smart’ and often, God’s children seem poor in comparison to them. Yet, the Master of the universe doesn’t leave them orphaned or without help. He rises from His throne to help them. He is furious when His children are discomfited and when His wrath awakens; the destruction of hell’s angels is inevitable. So trust Him my friend; see someday, He will rise to help you even if you’re down and out completely. Just trust Him.

Thoughts for another day

July 7, 2009

Today's verse: 1 Cor. 3:19. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

These days, we’re constantly bombarded with news of the primacy and supremacy of man. We hear of all his achievements and yet more in the making. We’ve stories of mega structures, great monuments, bigger and taller buildings, greater airplanes geared to fly even greater distances non-stop and bigger ships etc. Then we have computers operating at gigahertz or unimaginable speeds and missiles bang on their targets thousands of miles away; and other turbo charged scientific gadgets. In the area of weather forecasting, there are equipment which they say, can accurately forecast weather and so on.

So there’s much man has been able to achieve and he flaunts it to glory. The question is, to whose glory? To the glory of God? Dash the thought for man is so pompously arrogant that apart from self glory, there’s room for none. And so therefore, God watches all that His creature creates and He laughs. He laughs because He knows had He not allowed, man could hardly do anything. The wisdom God’s given to man is used well and God’s pleased about it. As to the pride, God knows He can destroy man any time which He’s not for He has to fulfill the purpose of creating man; or even make his own creation destroy him, but then God would not want a catastrophe emanating from man for the earth is the Lord’s and safeguarding it is His responsibility.

Think about it, God watching it all. Man boasting, striving hard to create new things, yet not knowing what’s going to happen to him tomorrow! You know, when I ponder on it, I see how small man is compared to God who cannot be grasped by the universe too! See how marvelous God’s creation is, even the little most, say a small leaf that man cannot even emulate! All man’s big talk is going to serve only one purpose: his destruction. There have been many wise men who’ve come and gone. What remains of them today are perhaps stray memories. But in their time, they’d have promised they control the earth! But God has taken their wisdom and made shrouds of it for them.

For you and I however, who believe in God, He’s given access to His mega wisdom and it works good for us. And we know, He’s just a call away as He says, ‘Call to Me and I will answer you. And tell you things great beyond reach of your knowledge.’ Jer. 33:3.

Thoughts for another day

July 6, 2009

Today's verse: Lk. 5:8. When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

It was blinding dark – the type where you can’t see anything, not even yourself, except feel you’re there. It stretched for miles and miles and I was trapped in it. I knew I couldn’t stay here forever and began to move forward. I moved and moved and moved, but the darkness didn’t end. I didn’t even know where I was going and whether I was moving in a straight line. I noticed all my senses had taken leave of me and I was in great distress. I was frightened, scared and I thought, ‘look at me; I used to laugh at the timid for I used to refer to self as the hardcore brave guy!’

I sank to my knees and cried out, ‘Lord help me, I know not where I am and how to get out for all I perceive is darkness.’ Out of the dark came a gentle voice, ‘Son, here I am. I’ve come to save you for I love you.’ Then in an instant, there was great light. The darkness just vanished. A hand reached out beckoning me to get up. I held on to that hand and was saved. I beheld, the Son of Man, the God of my life before me and there was such love in His eyes, I felt ashamed. I couldn’t look Him in the eye and blocking my view with my hand, I told Him, ‘Lord, please go away from me for I’m a sinful man.’ The moment, I said it, He held me close. I felt His warmth and a sense of being washed. He told me, ‘Have I died that you may feel ashamed or perish. If you believe in Me, why fear and despair?’ It was as if a load was lifted and a strange happiness enveloped me. I felt blessed and oozed joy. Then suddenly I awoke. It was 3.31 am. The feeling of joy was still deep in my heart. I sat upright and I praised Him, the blessed Lamb of God.

I now understood how Peter must have felt years ago. Deep inside me I knew my Lord had forgiven me and made me an inheritor in His Kingdom. I was happy and I knew, my redemption had happened…and I sang, ‘my Redeemer lives’. Gladness filled my heart and I knew I had to give this news to everyone I met and here, I’m making it known to you my friend; won’t you sing with me, ‘my Redeemer lives…’

Thoughts for another day

July 2, 2009.

Today's verse: Hosea 2:14. Therefore, behold, I will allure her [Israel] and bring her into the wilderness, and I will speak tenderly and to her heart. (Amplified – copyright acknowledged; thank you)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

When small, I used to sneak on the Mills and Boons novels my elder sisters read and I remember, they always spoke of a dashing, dark and handsome hero who came and swept the heroine off her feet with his bravado and his gentleness. And as my mind goes back to those romantic scenes read long ago and I look at the Bible, I’m reminded about the romance our God wants to have with us.

Did you know that God is passionately in love with you? Aha, You didn’t eh? But He is and He’s also a jealous God who’ll not have you philandering with others who may try to take His place in your life. The book of Hosea is stamped with His unbounded passion for us. We stray and run behind other gods, who’re no gods but figments of our imagination. Our adrenaline rushes into spontaneous rhythm when we indulge in some attractive activity of the world promising us nirvana, even though its but a mirage, the essence of an ephemeral poison disguised as an eternal fragrance, killing us in its wake later.

But you know, our God…the handsomest hunk the world can ever know, rescues us from the shackles of the illusion the devil beguiles us with. He blocks our paths so we don’t tread into the devil’s lair and He leads us on to a garden so beautiful that only its appearance is enough to refresh our souls and cleanse us deep within. Though it be a searing wilderness, His presence creates an oasis of grandeur where He bends down and takes your face into His hands speaking gently to your heart; telling you of His love and the dwelling place, He’s prepared for you, where He and you can consummate your passion. Even thinking of this can bring us into an aura of ecstasy. And then, what care I of my troubles or what care I of my illnesses? In the grip of El Shaddai, the Omnipotent One, every danger - present and to come - melts into nothingness.

Thoughts for another day

July 1, 2009.

Today's verse: Ps. 73:26. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

In the freshness of the morning come fresh thoughts of God and His love and of course His mercy which is new every morning and within the soft membranes of my mind, the above verse tinkles like a gentle reminder of what God means to me.

To be honest, God means the world to me and I’m sure to you too. Because, I cannot fathom what life would be without God, (what a scary thought!) I reckon He’s always there guiding and guarding me and it is all so comforting and that’s why I’d echo the above Words, ‘My body and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart…my portion forever.’ It means that I have come to depend on God totally. When in any kind of trouble, I trouble Him for a solution. If there are financial woes, I call Him and He promises that the wealth of the nations will be brought to me! When sick, I look to Him and He tells me this is not so you may fall but that, He will be glorified in it.

God’s glorious span encompasses the earth and even beyond. His warmth radiates louder than the sun, permeating both body and soul; so much so that at times, it seems too much. His awesome love creates awe in me as to how much of His love can I hold. Deep inside of me, a voice speaks saying, ‘I have loved you with an everlasting love and drawn you with loving kindness…’ Jer. 31:3. There is no measure with which I may measure His fondness for me and there is nothing that can separate me from His love. What an amazing thought. Am I the scum of the earth, exalted to be the apple of His eye (Deut. 32:10, Zech. 2:8) this is all too glorious for me.

When I think all this and I behold His marvel in creation, I look up, my eyes a bit moist, and I can only tell Him, ‘O God never let your gentle hand be lifted from me.’ Amen.