Thoughts for another day

Nov. 30, 2009

Today's verse: Is. 64:6. But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

As I move around meeting Christians, particularly Catholics, I find a pseudo-sense of confidence in them when I speak of God and try to make them understand what God wants of them. I’m surprised that many seem to believe they have no problem in inheriting eternal life the way they are and that is because they have good relations within their family, with their relatives and once in a while do some charity or deed of mercy and above all keep to themselves being non-interfering in others’ affairs.

Then when I mention the above verse, they’re shocked. It’s like they were travelling in rafts of rubber very comfortably, till they hit a shaft of iron in the water which punctured their rafts and all of a sudden from a state of bliss and happiness are flung into chaos. The problem is many people still think that good work is enough to inherit God’s kingdom; their limited knowledge of God not withstanding! They are of the opinion that if they do the oblations of faith and a few good works they would land up into heaven. This shows their gross ignorance of scripture and therefore of God and His ways. All good that we do is nothing but filthy before God for our base is sin and nothing good can emanate from us, unless directed and wrought about by God Himself.

God wants that we get to know Him and to do that we need to understand how to know Him, which is given only in scripture; and then knowing this, it’s important to sit with Him and learn from Him, talk to Him and just enjoy His presence. Gaining the Kingdom of God is possible by the immense sacrifice of Jesus Christ, but we also need to do our bit and that is to get to know Him and it is only in knowing Him that we are able to believe in Him and thus gain entry into the halls of heaven.

Thoughts for another day

Nov. 27, 2009

Today's verse: Ps. 86:9. “All nations whom thou hast made shall come and worship before thee, O Lord; and shall glorify thy name. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

Our God created the world and through the Bible, we know how it was created and the generations that have gone by. We know what key events happened and take it to be truth. We know that the earth is not millions of years old as ‘calculated’ by some ‘eminent brains’ and that these guys conveniently forget, had the earth been millions of years old and life continued throughout and if one were to account that there were major upheavals and everything was destroyed, from the last destruction as gauged by them till now, planet earth would be completely full with creatures swarming all over the surface of the earth, probably leaving no room for any vegetation!

The Bible also explains how people other than Christians came to be, because when God confused their language, they dispersed and out of all the dispersed people, God called Abraham out of Chaldea and that’s where the history of Judaism began and formed the root of Christianity. Now after Jesus’ coming, God desires to join all mankind as one and therefore intends that people all over are brought together believing in the Lord Jesus Christ as God to be saved and that they live as one even as God’s Kingdom on earth becomes a reality.

Our verse today, is the Lord’s guarantee that all nations, all people’s of all color, creed, form and type shall come together someday and come to the Lord and worship before Him and glorify His Holy Name. And even further guarantee is there to satisfy us who are zealous for the Lord, when His Word says, ‘Every knee shall bow, every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord!’ And honestly, what joy fills my heart to envision that, one day all nations shall come as one flock, shepherded by the One Shepherd and be lead to the One God who reigns forever and ever. Amen.

Thoughts for another day

Nov. 26, 2009

Today's verse: Judith 5:17,18. As long as the Israelites did not sin in the sight of their God, they prospered, for their God, who hates wickedness, was with them. But when they deviated from the way He prescribed for them, they were ground down steadily… (NAB –Catholic. Copyright acknowledged)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

Our above verse suggests quite coherently that our sins, block our blessings and further on if you read, when we repent God relents from His anger and turns from His wrath. Ever wondered what the connection is between defeat and sin? Well, this understanding is well camouflaged by the world who simply refuse to believe that the cause of all misery is sin. Rarely does a preacher touch the subject of sin. It has no benefit to him or perhaps to his congregation is his contention. But allow me to say: it is our sins that keep our God away from us. It is our sins that make our God shed tears in silence and loneliness. It is our sins that wrenched the life out of the Lamb of God in a most heinous and gruesome manner.

My friend, it’s convenient to talk about the hand of God and how good He is and how much He blesses us and how we can lead prosperous lives. It’s inconvenient to tell people they’re sinners and be subject to their ire resulting in an empty collection box! And who’s concerned about God anyway? They tell me, as long as all are happy, what is my problem? I met a gentleman recently to promote Bible reading and the man kept telling me how happy he is, etc. His view was that as long as he thanks God for all God has done in his life; God is happy (!) and blesses more. Were I to suggest, shouldn’t he get to know God more intimately, it wouldn’t even be an embarrassment for he doesn’t know the subject and the view he holds clouds every conflicting thought. The sad thing is, he’s content with his view and will have tons to talk about why he needn’t know God more (more? Does he know God at all!) Wasn’t Eve content with the devil’s suggestion that she will be like God if she ate of the fruit?

Fact of the matter is we need to know God and not just ritually or on the fringe, but intimately. Then we will know how terrible our sins are and the shock of sin will grip us so that our hearts will be torn, when we see His tears and loneliness. Then will we know that our blessings are held back because we are separated from Him by our sins and work to please God. We will please Him not to seek His blessings but just to enjoy His awesome Presence and relax at His feet.

Thoughts for another day

Nov. 25, 2009

Today's verse: Ps. 130:1,2. Out of the depths have I cried unto thee, O LORD. Lord, hear my voice: let thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

Sometime or other, our hearts are weighed down by some difficulty and we need God’s hand to work in our lives more than ever and we pray. I’ve known people come and cry to me and tell me about their sorrows; their pain. They tell me of all the evil and danger they’ve to face because of some enemy who wants to harm them and they’re scared. Some tell me, ‘brother, we don’t know what to do and how to escape this problem.’ My answer to them all is, ‘Go to God!’

I find it surprising that people can cry and tell their problems to mere humans – friends, relatives, whatever and many times to even unknown persons who are spiritual or secular counselors. But when I tell them to go talk to God the same way they speak to me, they look at me as if I spoke some alien language! Do you know why? It’s because they don’t know God; they don’t know that the reality of God is far greater than their own existence and the existence of others; for God is EVER, He says His Name is ‘I AM THAT I AM’ and we’re but a dot in the chronology of history.

Check today your own relationship with God, one way of doing it is by checking whether you can echo directly to God, the Words of our verse today. My friend when the depth of your heart cries out to the Lord, He is sure to listen. This listening of God in the Bible is described colorfully when it says, He bowed (parted) the heavens and came down – Ps 18:9 and there’re many other descriptions of how the Lord listens to His own and does awesome things. So just cry out your heart will you!

Thoughts for another day

Nov. 24, 2009

Today's verse: Dn. 14:41. The king shouted with a loud voice, "You are great, O Lord, the God of Daniel, and there is no other besides you! (RSV – Catholic Version)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

The signature tune of any Christian is the glorifying of God through the mouth of a pagan. That is the task we are assigned and that’s what we are supposed to do. Our whole purpose in life is to glorify God and be instruments in bringing about His glory come what may and even in the midst of threats and danger.

In our verse above, we have a perfect example of how a pagan, a non-Jew, glorifies God and how! In the incident, we learn of a man called Daniel who adored God and worshiped Him alone. When questioned about this, Daniel clearly told the king that he didn’t worship idols or things made by hand. His wisdom was a notch above any other in the kingdom and he was held in higher esteem than any friends of the king, therefore he made enemies who instigated the king against him and also provided reason for the king to punish him because Daniel had the audacity to destroy two idolatrous practices which the Babylonians followed that put a dent in their pride and they even termed the king who was a pagan, as a converted Jew for he supported Daniel.

Because of their anger and their hatred for Daniel they forced the king to hand him over so they could fling him into the den of hungry lions. Daniel’s enjoyed God’s favor in this extreme test and not only did God safeguard him from the lions’ jaws but also provided him food. And after his time in the den when the king found him alive, the king believed that the God of Daniel was the only God and made the exclamation as found in our verse. What a thing of pride for any man through whom and because of whom, our God is glorified and what a privilege it is for us to stand for our God in the face of threats and declare Him alone as the LORD God! Try it and you’ll discover that God is in all that you say and do, when you do it to bring glory to His Name.

Thoughts for another day

Nov. 23, 2009

Today's verse: Jer. 5:25. Your iniquities have turned away these things, and your sins have withholden good things from you. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

Have you anytime thought: I have prayed and prayed and asked the Lord, yet have received nothing? One possible reason, I’m not saying it’s the only one, could be that your sin is blocking the blessing and it’s possible you aren’t even aware of it.

The big block to blessings in our lives are our iniquities. The reason is something like this: Blessings need to have the presence of God, because He grants the blessing through His mighty hand and it comes to us. When we are in sin, God’s presence shuns us, for remember, God is sheer holiness and He cannot be dwelling with the unholy, which is us. Because of this, we lack His presence and therefore, His blessing.

That’s why in many retreats and crusades, etc. the one thing the preacher urges is to confess our sins and then in a state of purity claim the blessing of God. We’ve seen this happen so many times we can rest assured that it’s true. In your life too, if you aren’t receiving from the hand of God, check deep inside. If you can’t remember, request the Holy Spirit of God to allow you to know of any unforgiven sin. Once you know this sin and ask for His pardon, then thak… you will receive what you’ve asked for. It’s may be possible that a sin isn’t blocking your blessing, so you don’t need to confess anything, but it’s always better to give it a deep thought and remove it out of the way, just to be sure, God’s Presence is with you.

Thoughts for another day

Nov. 20, 2009

Today's verse: Heb. 10:36. For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

Sometimes God really tests our patience or perhaps, lack of it. Man by nature is impatient and also irreverent, because he wants everything done fast. We see it happening day by day all around us; and we also indulge in this ‘instant’ thing.

Not so God. When you move toward God, you will sense a kind of timelessness that’s different. In the light of God, you yourself will discover that any sense of urgency is unwarranted no matter what. In God’s terrain, there’s no emergency because everything that happens is according to His plan and therefore, there is no dismay nor frustration at what is happening or what is to happen. When we sit in prayer and meditate upon His countenance, we must understand that God tells us this. All urgencies, difficulties are washed in His Presence and Jesus was clear about that when He went to Martha’s house. Martha was doing all the cooking and cleaning and running around, whereas Mary just sat at His feet. Martha was angry and complained to Jesus and Jesus told her, ‘You need have only one thing and Mary has chosen that and it will not be taken from her!’

Today, God is exhorting us to have patience. God wants that we do His will and then sit back and see what He will do for us. Even as I write this, I believe today’s message is more for me than anyone else as just before writing this, I was requesting God to do something quickly and then I came to this verse! One thing I can say is we who do the will of God and are patient with His approach will get to see His whole glory in its magnificent form.

Thoughts for another day

Nov. 19, 2009

Today's verse: Dn. 3:40 c. …for no shame will come to those who trust in you. (NRSV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

Many times I feel it’s so difficult to believe in God; and that even after I’ve seen so many wonders wrought by His hand and having sensed and even been in His Presence. I realize after numerous experiences in life, that faith requires tremendous inner strength. Aren’t we familiar that God often, at perilous moments in life, chooses to vanish or remain totally invisible and we feel that He is not about to answer. But it’s precisely at that time that those who trust in Him must wring their faith a little more to ultimately destroy their enemies, no matter who they are, because know it for sure, God does show up. He does, He does, yes, He does.

It’s easy to trust God when things are hunky dory; but difficult when everything turns dry and gloom takes centre-stage in our lives. No matter what, remember it’s enough to trust the Lord. No matter what my past experiences, I have come to believe one thing God never fails. When you cry out to Him He gives another chance and rescues. If one were to recall the number of times one has sinned against Him, one may be appalled at the discovery. Yet, God always sees a better person in us in the future. God keeps hope in us and His eyes are on us.

The question is what do we choose. If we choose to trust Him when all around there’s despair, He comes to you and makes your situation bright. Rightly does our Word today say, ‘He, is not shamed who puts his trust in God.’ It’s a divine guarantee and totally foolproof. When God starts working, He works with impossibilities, not His, for there’s nothing impossible to Him, but ours, so we come to realize our hopeless situations are nothing but triggers of the faith motif in our lives. And therefore, no shame can be ours for when we trust God and are rooted in faith, shame seeks to hide itself from us, rather than face the wrath of God who is with us!

Thoughts for another day

Nov. 18, 2009

Today's verse: Is. 25:9. And it will be said in that day, "Behold, this is our God for whom we have waited that He might save us. This is the LORD for whom we have waited; Let us rejoice and be glad in His salvation.” (NASB. Copyright duly acknowledged)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

In the midst of the strife in my soul, the turmoil in my heart and listlessness of my being; in the deep tribulation I was in, looking at a situation far too hopeless for me, I beheld and my lips quivered when I saw God as a ray of light in the distance but approaching me. I couldn’t believe my eyes: Imagine the LORD of glory coming to a worm like me. Coming to soothe me and reassure me of His presence in my life. To lift me up and hold me close to Him. My pain vanished, my fears disappeared and between tears I asked Him, ‘LORD You came for me?’

He cast His glance of love over me and told me, I am your God, the One you waited for, expecting that I will save you. Yes, My son I AM your God, the One you waited for. Now rejoice and be glad in your salvation. I have come to bring you life and life in abundance. Sing to Me your best song and rejoice in My Name for I AM your God in Whom should be your delight. I will fulfill all you ask of Me. Glory in My Name that all nations come to know Me through you.

And as praise burst in my heart, the vision vanished, yet all around there was a brilliance I can’t describe. Suddenly I realized that all my fears had melted. There were none. I recalled His Word, ‘I Am your salvation and I have come that you live life abundantly.’ A new strength surged in me and a new song of praise erupted in my being that I knew not of…It was just praise you Lord in a new tune. This encounter just changed me and life is now different for I know that God is interested in me; Me? The least of them! Yes, but He is! And am I not glad? I was created by God and I am sustained by Him. I rejoice for I am His.

Thoughts for another day

Nov. 17, 2009

Today's verse: Eccl. 5:1. Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they consider not that they do evil. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

In the time that we, human beings, have come to this time, I feel we’ve totally forgotten God. Just the other day, I was in deep contemplation and also speaking with the Lord asking Him, why do we not see any miracles these days? Why’s there so much despair in the people? Why so much pain in the world? Now we may not believe that the world is such a terrible place, because within our immediate circles, we may not witness the crude face of the world. Also, the media glamorizes only the so called good things, which includes what that actor did to get that role or gossip of an international nature, or even achievements of a few famous people or what that businessman did to buy a rival company. And this according to the world is in the genre of achievement.

One reason entering my mind for the decay in the world is the fact that much of the world today is without the knowledge of God or better said without God. There’re but a few who know God and faithfully keep to His Word, but they’re few indeed. If so few know God, it means most don’t know Him. Some of my closest friends do not know Him as they ought to. The people I teach the Bible do not know Him, and even members of the Bible Cell to which I belong. It is indeed pathetic.

That’s why we enter the house of God to meet Him, with sacrifices and other stupid offerings as we feel God will be pleased with them. Sadly, God isn’t. God wants the whole of us and He isn't about to dilute that want. God isn’t interested in foolish sacrifices and offerings but He wants the core of our hearts to be with Him and let me tell you, only with Him can we find everlasting happiness, one where we seek Him and not His hand and remain united in Him. For it is the right thing to do before the Awesome Creator.

Thoughts for another day

Nov. 16, 2009

Today's verse: Rev. 3:20. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

I speak of the Lord’s affection for us many times and I believe we must crave that affection. This affection leads us to a grand fellowship with Him and further, to victory and rejoicing in our lives. We, of course fail to see the gloriousness of being in the affection of the Lord because the god of this world has blinded our minds so we are unable to see how well our souls are nourished and strengthened when we remain under God’s cloak.

Jesus is a beautiful God and He wants to spread His affection on us. So He says, ‘Behold I stand and knock at the door of your heart and if you hear My voice and open the door for Me, I’ll come in and sup with you and you will sup with Me.’ This is because Jesus is a gentle Spirit. He never forces Himself on us and He is always there looking for an opportunity to come in and feast with us. We do not recognize this and often we give up just when He is about to knock.

God has His timing and in His time, He gives us the Grace to be prepared to receive the Lamb of God into our hearts. It definitely calls for some price on our part and some sacrifices. We feel that the cost is too much because we’re so engrossed with the ways of the world. But if we choose to obey Him then we are led to into a communion with Him where our concern becomes His and His concern, ours. When you invite Jesus in your hearts you will see the change He makes in your life as everything is changed and God’s beauty is always before our eyes.

Thoughts for another day

Nov. 13, 2009

Today's verse: Ps. 56:8. put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book? (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

I looked at this verse and told myself: How much my God loves me. He’s done everything; so much so, He’s given Himself up for me. And now as I behold Him, He says, my tears are in His bottle with an account of every tear I’ve ever cried because my tears are precious to Him!

And then I reflect and wonder, ‘LORD, what about Your tears, honestly LORD, do You cry? My mind goes back to the time, when Jesus drew near to Jerusalem. He looked at the city and wept. You know why? Because He saw you and me, and He saw the pain we’re in. But more importantly, my mind dwelt on His pain. Why did He cry? Yes, He did say that He wept for us and sure He did weep for us, yet there was something else in that amazing heart which burns with love for us. There was pain and sorrow. There was hurt and agony; because, despite His loving us so much, we’ve always insulted Him and kept Him away.

It takes me back to a time when in prayer I had an amazing experience. I was reflecting on Mic. 6:3, ‘O my people, what have I done unto thee? and wherein have I wearied thee? testify against me.’ And I could feel the tears in His eyes. I saw the pain and anguish He harbored. Why, because we hurt Him. Because we’re ready to exchange Him for a bit of pleasure or a token of money, Judas sold Him for 30 silver coins anyway. We have no qualms in just shunting Him away or throwing Him far from our lives. We’re in constant rebellion with Him. We do not like Him, we war with Him. We’re more comfortable without Him. He is a pain and we just want to get away from Him. We don’t care that He is lonely. Yeah, it’s really lonely in His domain. All we want is to be self sufficient and master of selves. Adam and Eve wanted that too – to be god.

What you read above might surprise you, but it’s true. The thing is, we don’t have time for Him. That’s where the problem lies. We do not understand Him and we don’t care. We saunter into each day thinking we love and revere Him, but it’s a sham. We continue our charade and forward a few emails thinking we’ve done our bit, but yet He is lonely and even today, I can hear Him say, ‘O my child what have I done unto thee? Have I wearied thee? Tell me!’

Thoughts for another day

Nov. 12, 2009

Today's verse: 1 Sam. 5:10. And David went on, and grew great, and the LORD God of hosts was with him. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

Of all the reflections I have on the Word of God, those concerning David, the only man in the Bible of whom God said ‘A man after My own heart’, are the most inspiring. They’re inspiring because they portray David’s maximum craving to be in God’s presence. Today’s verse talks of the reverse sentiment when it says, ‘The LORD of hosts was with him.’

The biggest enigma for Christians waiting upon the Lord is the fact that our waiting is just the beginning of an awesome relationship with the Creator of the world. It sets the ball in motion for a communion that’s simply irresistible, where you want the moment to continue and be etched in time forever. In a way it echoes the voice of the bride who says, ‘when I found Him, whom my heart loves, I took hold of Him and would not let Him go…’ Song of Solomon, 3:4. It’s an enigma, not because we long for God our Lover, as that could be the case with an earthly lover too, but because there’s something profound happening within - an interchange of being and an exchange of hearts; a two way exhilaration, where our tiredness is enriched with the refreshing aroma of heaven! All in all it’s a wonderful lasting experience and it pulls you to the House of God to again commune with Him, as soon as you can. The enigma is that, God who is so quintessentially pure and ethereal is felt not only by us in our beings, but by others too coming in contact with us. In a sense God is with us and that’s what is meant by the verse when it says, God was with him!

My friend although my soul is aware of this and God is drawing me ever so gently into the shadow of His wings, I have yet to experience God in such candid passion. Even then, God I suppose, has ignited in us all, the pangs of passion for Him and He wants to consummate it so that we are lifted into heavenly realms to experience the highest form of bliss, where His glory takes the opportunity to shine through us. Imagine, the awesome glory of a splendorous God, just waiting to be reflected by us, what could make us deny Him this privilege.

Thoughts for another day

Nov. 10, 2009

Today's verse: Neh. 2:20. Then answered I them, and said unto them, The God of heaven, he will prosper us; therefore we his servants will arise and build: but ye have no portion, nor right, nor memorial, in Jerusalem. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

Our verse comes from a personal experience I’ve had today. The key Words I’ll dwell on are, ‘He will prosper us’. At times in our endeavors, particularly business and work related, it’s possible we come to depend on men for help and upliftment. By itself it’s okay; but I maintain we need to depend on God even if at times human help seems enticing and following and trusting God doesn’t yield anything. Even in this situation, we must fall upon God and not rely on man. Not that I have anything against human help, but I know when we tend to trust humans, there’s bound to be failure.

Countless are the times when I’ve seen people desert others when they’re needed most. It happens even among family members. You must have heard people who ask of their closest friends and family, ‘where were you, when I needed you most.’ Maybe you too may have done it. What we glean from this is, humans always have their own agendas. Whether they’re conscious about it or not determines their façade toward you. Humans will help only when there is some benefit they see in it for them. But God, God does it because He loves us and because He wants us to prosper. When we have a relationship with God, He looks after us and cares for us. And when we fellowship with Him, He wants us to be even more dependent on Him.

At times, even when we are close to God, we may ignore Him and seek human help because again it’s my experience that relying solely on God sometimes seems a ‘trying of our faith’. But again from experience let me tell you that God works and works marvelously. Remember today that it’s God alone who does good things for us and we His servants will arise and build and it will last; but those who trust in humans will be finished.

Thoughts for another day

Nov. 10, 2009

Today's verse: Jer. 49:19b. … for who is like me? and who will appoint me the time? and who is that shepherd that will stand before me? (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

Although the above verse is an indictment for Edom, there’s some learning for us too. God asks us something and we must decipher if we can and will, to know what it is. The verse has God telling us telling us two things. One, about His absolute sovereignty by which none can call Him to account and two, He dares any so called shepherd of His people to stand before Him.

Let’s take the first in which we learn God is the ultimate Sovereign. Hence, who can advise Him or tell Him what to do at which time. It’ll be as foolish as trying to stand in the path of rushing water and tell it to stop so you aren’t washed away. It’s like advising God the time to do a thing like a man praying to God at the start of the rainy season, asking Him to send the rains as that would be apt. Fools that we are, can’t we discern that God can change the seasons if He desires and none of us would know a thing? Sometimes, when I request God to do something, and tell Him that He better do it fast, I feel so stupid. I agree if I do that when in an intense communion with Him, (for even a woman with her lover will tell him something he already knows but yet he is pleased with her for telling him!) it may be okay. But when you don’t have fellowship with Him, can you instruct the ultimate Sovereign?

In the second there’s a warning to those who lead God’s people in some way. God is completely at liberty to choose who He wants for which of His appointed shepherds can stand against Him or threaten Him for taking that position away. God had enough reason to be mad at the shepherds in Bible times and He has enough reason to be mad at them now for the flock has strayed. Even now, God warns the shepherds that their time for removal has come and which of them can refuse?

Friend, it’s enough for us to know we need to understand God and His sovereignty and worship Him accordingly. Whenever you feel His presence, let your footwear automatically be removed for that is Holy ground you stand on and someday, the God of all things will be pleased to welcome you in His Kingdom.

Thoughts for another day

Nov. 9, 2009

Today's verse: 1 Pet. 2:1,2. Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: (NIV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

Peter exhorts in our verse today what is good for us to do. Let’s us take v 2. After our conversion to Christ, we are like babies; then on the desire for the milk of the Word has to be tremendous just as a baby has massive hunger for milk. The fortitude of a Christian is built on the Word of God. So much should the Word of God seep into us that our edifice, if I may use the word, should stand upon the Word, the living Word of God.

When I was small, as a catholic, I was taught various prayers and other things to do before God. For a long time, I did all that and I tell you I was quite happy and God blessed my life. But intimacy wasn’t there. I lacked the solidness of a relationship and the soaking in the Spirit of God was absent. Sadly, I didn’t even think about these things because nobody told me just as it was with Apollos in Acts Ch. 18 vvs 24 onwards. They say ignorance is bliss, but in this case ignorance can shut you from the Kingdom of God for ever; for you don’t know Jesus and if you don’t know Him, how can you believe in Him; and if you don’t believe in Him, how can you get eternal life?

I remember a gentleman in the parish zone where I am assigned to take Bible classes. This person, when I told him to read the Word of God said, ‘Brother, I have my prayers and I have my God and all these years and even today, I’m so happy, prospering in every way. Why then do I need the Bible now if God has chosen to give me happiness thru my prayers?’ I didn’t say anything to him because I realized he belonged to the tribe, ‘they hear but do not hear…’ I wondered to myself, ‘the Bible is the only means of knowing God intimately and if you don’t read it, how will you know Him?’ Now this man was happy about his prayers; the question is who was/is he praying to?

Friend just like Peter let me implore you to seek a deep thirst for God’s Word, for ignorance of His Word is ignorance of Him. Leave aside all your notions and just give in and someday, when you are strong in His Word, knowing Him well, you will be used by Him as a noble vessel for His work.

Thoughts for another day

Nov. 6, 2009

Today's verse: Rev. 2:23. Then all the churches will know that I am he who searches hearts and minds, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds. (NIV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

The wonderful thing in our God is the justice that He establishes. The bible tells us that He is a just God and so He is, except that when His justice had to fall on us because of our sins, He used His only Son, Jesus Christ as the One who had to bear His justice and truly what a justice that was. Jesus Christ became sin though He knew no sin and therefore an abominable sight before God. God abandoned His Son when Jesus was in much distress because Jesus had become sin and God, a pure and holy God, could not bear to look at Him and that is why the soul wrenching cry, ‘Eloi, Eloi, Lema Sabachthani’ – My God, My God why hast Thou forsaken Me.

Having said that, we come to the essence of our verse which says, God rewards us according to the work we do. The first thing we must remember is Christ has paid for our sins at Calvary. So we are redeemed and this takes effect the moment we believe in Jesus Christ. However, the retribution for the sins we commit daily is subject to God’s justice and hence our confessing our sins, seeking absolution from and promising we don’t sin again is necessary and let me tell you that as you move deeper into God, you will feel the burden of the sins you’ve committed. They will not allow you to be in peace till you go and confess. And when you do, the peace returns, but if you commit the sin again, you’ll again suffer. Mind you I’ve seen in many people that the sicknesses and diseases are due to the fact of unconfessed sin.

God always waits for us. He searches our hearts to understand us and use us for His work. And He gives us everything in the measure we deserve. He is a just God and there’s no partiality with Him and truly, let me say, when we repent God relents and sends us the best. I would advise that we avoid the contagion of sin as far as possible and even if we have sinned, plead God for His mercy and be reconciled.

Thoughts for another day

Nov. 6, 2009

Today's verse: Rev. 2:23. Then all the churches will know that I am he who searches hearts and minds, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds. (NIV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

The wonderful thing in our God is the justice that He establishes. The bible tells us that He is a just God and so He is, except that when His justice had to fall on us because of our sins, He used His only Son, Jesus Christ as the One who had to bear His justice and truly what a justice that was. Jesus Christ became sin though He knew no sin and therefore an abominable sight before God. God abandoned His Son when Jesus was in much distress because Jesus had become sin and God, a pure and holy God, could not bear to look at Him and that is why the soul wrenching cry, ‘Eloi, Eloi, Lema Sabachthani’ – My God, My God why hast Thou forsaken Me.

Having said that, we come to the essence of our verse which says, God rewards us according to the work we do. The first thing we must remember is Christ has paid for our sins at Calvary. So we are redeemed and this takes effect the moment we believe in Jesus Christ. However, the retribution for the sins we commit daily is subject to God’s justice and hence our confessing our sins, seeking absolution from and promising we don’t sin again is necessary and let me tell you that as you move deeper into God, you will feel the burden of the sins you’ve committed. They will not allow you to be in peace till you go and confess. And when you do, the peace returns, but if you commit the sin again, you’ll again suffer. Mind you I’ve seen in many people that the sicknesses and diseases are due to the fact of unconfessed sin.

God always waits for us. He searches our hearts to understand us and use us for His work. And He gives us everything in the measure we deserve. He is a just God and there’s no partiality with Him and truly, let me say, when we repent God relents and sends us the best. I would advise that we avoid the contagion of sin as far as possible and even if we have sinned, plead God for His mercy and be reconciled.

Thoughts for another day

Nov. 6, 2009

Today's verse: Rev. 2:23. Then all the churches will know that I am he who searches hearts and minds, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds. (NIV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

The wonderful thing in our God is the justice that He establishes. The bible tells us that He is a just God and so He is, except that when His justice had to fall on us because of our sins, He used His only Son, Jesus Christ as the One who had to bear His justice and truly what a justice that was. Jesus Christ became sin though He knew no sin and therefore an abominable sight before God. God abandoned His Son when Jesus was in much distress because Jesus had become sin and God, a pure and holy God, could not bear to look at Him and that is why the soul wrenching cry, ‘Eloi, Eloi, Lema Sabachthani’ – My God, My God why hast Thou forsaken Me.

Having said that, we come to the essence of our verse which says, God rewards us according to the work we do. The first thing we must remember is Christ has paid for our sins at Calvary. So we are redeemed and this takes effect the moment we believe in Jesus Christ. However, the retribution for the sins we commit daily is subject to God’s justice and hence our confessing our sins, seeking absolution from and promising we don’t sin again is necessary and let me tell you that as you move deeper into God, you will feel the burden of the sins you’ve committed. They will not allow you to be in peace till you go and confess. And when you do, the peace returns, but if you commit the sin again, you’ll again suffer. Mind you I’ve seen in many people that the sicknesses and diseases are due to the fact of unconfessed sin.

God always waits for us. He searches our hearts to understand us and use us for His work. And He gives us everything in the measure we deserve. He is a just God and there’s no partiality with Him and truly, let me say, when we repent God relents and sends us the best. I would advise that we avoid the contagion of sin as far as possible and even if we have sinned, plead God for His mercy and be reconciled.

Thoughts for another day

Nov. 5, 2009

Today's verse: Judges 2:22. That through them I may prove Israel, whether they will keep the way of the LORD to walk therein, as their fathers did keep it, or not. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

Looking at the map of Israel, you’ll notice an amazing thing. Around the boundaries are nations larger than them, more populous and enemies with them. You wonder at the irony. A peek into the history of the world also reveals from ages ago, Israel has always been like that: beset with enemies on all side. There were so many wars and so much bloodshed for a little piece of land! Throughout the history of the Bible we find God promising to be the Savior of Israel. And He has always been that, but before He saved them, the Jews got the harshest treatment from their enemies.

Today’s verse gives a clue to the reason why. You see, from the time God brought them out of Egypt, they insulted Him and craved to go back for stupid reasons as in Nu. 11:5, ‘the food with onions and leeks in Egypt was good!’ Perhaps the Jews never really understood the fragrance of freedom; it’s akin to a person who’s been a slave all his life and suddenly he finds freedom. He doesn’t know what to do with it and wants to go back to his master and once again surrender to him!

In the case of the Jews, what was worse was that they committed every filthy abomination before God, so much so that they were stinking before Him. They never respected or worshipped Him, except when He lifted the whip against them, so to say. So, God abandoned them and left them to their own little games. But whenever, they repented and sought Him, He gave in and helped. Our verse today is a summation of what was the order of the day in terms of the relation between Him and the Jews. God clearly said, that they will have their enemies all around and He would not take them away, so that He may make them keep to His ways and walk in them.

In our lives too, when we discover many stumbling blocks, remember, it’s because God wants to prove us, whether we are faithful to Him or do our own things and it’s at this time you need to check your affiliations with your Father.

Thoughts for another day

Nov. 4, 2009

Today's verse: Lev. 10:10. And that ye may put difference between holy and unholy, and between unclean and clean; (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

Moral values before God are excellent. God said, ‘Be ye holy as I AM holy.’ He exhorted thus, because He wants us to enjoy all the things that’re with Him. It’s our impurity that blocks His presence in our lives. When He is not present, His power is absent and we find no power in our lives. Our lives become dry; nothing seems to give us peace or inner satisfaction.

Real joy is present only in the Lord’s presence. If you take the richest men, somewhere down the course of their lives, they discover that ‘real’ joy is missing in their lives, for they realize that all along they’ve lived pseudo lives and chased wealth, which is akin to chasing wind! That’s why people like Bill Gates and Warren Buffet, have decided to use their massive wealth for charitable purposes. This in management terms is called ‘self actualization’. Self actualization is simply feeling the joy of being something meaningful to the underprivileged of the world for in that alone is the real sense of achievement. In that alone is the atmosphere of holiness where God’s presence is felt. Without real joy, life is but an assortment of thrills and when the show is over there’s a bottoming out. Vanity of vanity, says the writer of Ecclesiastes for everything is meaningless.

Many are driven by false ambitions; to amass more money or have more things or indulge in more luxuries. But the peace and satisfaction which take us to heavenly realms are elusive. One reason could be we’re still to decipher between what’s right and wrong. Or shall I in biblical terms say, what’s holy and what isn’t. Sometimes the devil deceives us so we hardly can decipher between the two, for the line distinguishing the two is often, very thin. Yet, God is asking us to be clear of the difference between the holy and the unholy and etch it in our hearts so our actions correspond accordingly; so when we want to take (steal?) that pen from our office, our hearts tell us it’s wrong; or when we want to tell a lie why we’re late to work, we just tell the truth. I feel the sooner we learn the difference between the holy and the unholy, the sooner we’ll experience God’s presence and in effect His power.

Thoughts for another day

Nov. 3, 2009

Today's verse: Is. 45:4. For Jacob my servant's sake, and Israel mine elect, I have even called thee by thy name: I have surnamed thee, though thou hast not known me. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

Sometimes when we think about it we wonder, is there any meaning to life? Is there a higher purpose that we know nothing about? Is there, something beyond all this which we need to be familiar with? As Christians and also most of us have read God’s Word, the answer to all the above will be ‘yes’. Then our minds stray to the thought, where is our God and what is He doing for us. Though, this is immensely wrong, for God Himself says, ‘will the pot ask of the Potter, what He is doing?’ even then because of His love for us, He allows it.

But remember, we cannot see God and we may not be able to perceive Him, yet He is at work; within you, working for you. The beating of your heart is a clear fact that He’s working for you, for it beats without your directing your energy to make it beat; and it beats regularly and rhythmically! Friend, God has given us a Name. You know, a name is exaltation, because it signifies uniqueness and capability. When you have a name, you’re something and God holds you high for He loves you.

The best part which I can’t help but ponder on and which is there in our verse is the fact that God has called us by name. The Word says He has surnamed us and this even without our knowing Him. Imagine we don’t even know God. For many of us He is alien and a distant entity, yet even then, God has named us and counted every hair on our heads. Look and see my friend, how beloved our God is and how much He is interested in our welfare. Pity, we hardly are aware of it!

Thoughts for another day

Nov. 2, 2009

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)

God is Holy and Awesome. He inhabits high places and eternity. His Name is Holy. To all those shenanigans of gods made of mud, stone, wood, I’d just like to ask whether their so called god has ever given them a message that it is holy, leave alone its name! Only our God Who alone is God can venture to say His Name is Holy, because He alone is God, reigning forever in the ramparts of the high and He is the Great I AM. He’s a jealous God and isn’t about to give His glory, due only to Him, to anybody else.

Look carefully at the above. When a man is able to understand it clearly, he is then able to say, ‘You alone are God and none else.’ That’s because of what He states by His own mouth. He also talks about basic human traits like love and compassion, saying we must be moved when we see the distress of others, even if they don’t ask for help.

There are many things to our God which lead us to call only Him ‘God’ but I cannot give it to you in just one reflection. Today, He tells us that though He dwells in places inaccessible to us frail humans, He also dwells with those who are of a contrite spirit and humble. He assures us, who’re bowed down by the storms of life that He’s there to take care of us. Friend, let it be known that God allows things that aren’t good to come in our lives, not to destroy us, but that we get up, repent and commune with Him and thus be lifted up from the morass we are in. So trust Him with your life and leave the situation in His hands even as you seize humility and sorrow over your sins.