Thoughts for another day

Jan. 29, 2010

Today's verse: James 2:19. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

Last Tuesday, I met a person in a friend’s house. My friend introduced him as someone deeply interested in spirituality and just arrived from a deep spiritual experience. This chap, a Catholic, does as most Catholics do: accept compromises in the pure Word of God. Mind you, I too am Catholic, yet I say this because of the adulteration of the faith in Christians, particularly Catholics. This happens by listening to various persons on TV, in the church, outside and elsewhere, rather than reading the One book giving you the whole truth: The Bible.

Now this person’s spirituality is a mix of philosophy, psychology and what he says meditation, a potent combination which the world terms ‘spirituality’; of course with no Holy Spirit and where there is no Holy Spirit, there is no spirituality. I’m glad they didn’t have transcendental meditation else he’d be even more thrilled at the experience. The center he’d gone to for his experience is run by a ‘great’ hindu religious teacher and guru and he was even more excited to tell that he met the guru himself over there. My, my, what an experience was his refrain and he so much reeked of the experience he wanted to tell everybody. Sad, for he’d never have this to say of Jesus Christ who’s the Guru of Gurus and Teacher of teachers!

I posed him a question, have you met Jesus Christ. Well… you know Jesus is also like Buddha and Krishna, etc. and if you know them, you know Him! Wow he was thrilled at his own intelligence. But have you read the Bible? No, it doesn’t interest me. Then, I asked him a few basic questions telling him to answer them to himself and left it at that. Later when he’d gone, I told my friends how true Paul’s statement of scripture was when he said, ‘But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.’ I realise today how true it is and how powerfully the devil blinds our minds. Even me he has bound telling me when I sin, it’s okay if you sin once in a while, God understands that. Is it true, how can God who is so pure understand that His servant sins? His mercy takes over so that I’m alive and write this. Same goes for you too my friend. I'm glad you believe in one God and you do well in Him. Be very careful about these pseudo spiritualists for you never know, they might have you believe one day that they and you are god and the irony is that you may believe!

Thoughts for another day

Jan. 28, 2010

Today's verse: James 3:9. Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

Human beings are rather complex and difficult to understand many times, the ‘intelligent’ kind particularly! At one moment they’ll drip sugar and honey, and at other times, they’ll spew venom. Our scripture today is related to this aspect of dualism of the humankind, and James speaks of the tongue which on one side blesses God and sings praise to Him and then goes and curses His creatures.

While James speaks of the tongue which does this, we must understand that the tongue is just a tool we employ in portraying our character in speech. More importantly, it also signifies the good and the bad that exists in man simultaneously by which the complication of understanding him is magnified. What is implicit in James verse is, how it could be possible for both natures to exist in man with the ability to show different characters at different times. But man, as he matures harbors both contrasting natures in himself. He grows up doing it so well that at times he is really nice and at other times he is evil to the core and the recipient of his goodness rarely knows about his dark side!

God hates dualism. Jesus says, let your yes, be yes and your no, be no. It means, be very sure of what you are up to leaving no room for doubt and then let it be only that. On the other hand He also says, either be hot or cold or He will spew you out of His mouth. God doesn’t like our dualism. On one hand we sing praises to Him in the church and as soon as we come out, we rain brimstone on another human being. Don’t we have specimen of these in the communities we live? It’s also possible we are like that. It’s time to take stock today to understand clearly that it’s better to know God well and adopt a nature pleasing to Him and then be constant in that nature.

Thoughts for another day

Jan. 27, 2010

Today's verse: Gen. 28:15. And, behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land; for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

Some time back, I read this on the net. A girl, because of work had to stay back late in office. On her way home, she had to walk through a park where reports of muggings and murders emerged almost every day. Praying silently she walked home briskly. Watching TV a few hours later, she saw the anchor introduce a cop who had an announcement to make. The officer requested people who had gone through the park (she had gone through) to go to the police station as there was a murder and they needed witnesses as they had rounded up some suspects. The girl was shocked because the murder occurred a couple of minutes after she had gone by.

She went to the police station and was taken to a room where some men sat. She identified some of them having seen them sitting on the benches looking at her. The officer with her was a little puzzled and wondered loudly why they hadn’t attacked her but she didn’t have a clue and this intrigued the cop even further because she told him she had walked alone! He then summoned one of the men and asked why they had not attacked her and the man said, ‘how can you attack someone accompanied by big huge men!’ The cop looked at her and again asked her whether she was alone and she said yes. Now very perplexed, he caught the mugger and again asked why they hadn’t attacked her and again he said the same thing. Perplexed, yet the cop allowed the girl to be given a ride back home.

The girl too didn’t understand at that time, but that night as she sat in prayer it suddenly dawned on her as to what had happened. The Lord in His mercy had sent His angels to protect her! As the tears rolled down, she muttered a silent, ‘Thank You’ to Jesus. My friend, this is the content of our scripture today. Our wonderful God says that not only will He be with us, but He will not leave until what He has spoken of in our lives is accomplished! Now you decide… will you be with Him?

Thoughts for another day

Jan. 26, 2010

Today's verse: Ps. 37:4. Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

To most people, God is Someone available in the church. They probably know He is all powerful and omnipotent. They feel they must spend at least five minutes a week to pray to Him and their prayer is like muttering something before a statue – meaningless gibberish. Their lack of relationship and understanding of God is apparent in their body language and they show scant respect to Him and do not even know His will in their lives.

But, by His Grace, there are others who are aware of the things of God. These people know Him and aim to do His will. Yes it is difficult in most situations to do what He wills of us, but at least we try. Although trying per se is not enough, at least it is something He may accept for He knows our hearts well. It is said, if we take a few steps towards God, God will take giant strides toward us. And this is testified by the coming of Jesus on earth, leaving all His glory behind just because a few people were waiting eagerly for Him, Simon, in the Temple for instance.

The best of the lot are those people who know the Lord and fashion their lives according to His will. They delight in Him, and give Him the numero uno place in their lives. They sleep God, they walk God and breathe Him. Their entire lives are centered on Him and when such a thing is seen by God, He rewards them because He loves them dearly and wants to do the best for them and we notice that these people have peace in every situation. Yes, they have problems but since their confidence is in God, they tend to ignore their problems and they vanish. Such is our message is in today’s scripture. I urge you to consider the love of God in your lives and look at what He has done and you’ll have enough reasons to delight in Him and in return whatever you desire, you will get. Didn’t Peter get to walk on water if even for a few seconds?

Thoughts for another day

Jan. 25, 2010

Today's verse: Heb. 10:24. And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

God’s love toward us is extensive and pervasive. God’s love does not see our spiritual condition or our worthiness before Him. He loves us unconditionally and without any barrier. So much is God’s love to us that He did not think twice before He could send His Son to get down to earth in an un-glorified condition and die a miserable, criminal’s death for our sakes. He did not even shirk when it was decided that Jesus would suffer the worst punishment and insult for the sake of His foolish and miserable creation.

Now this precious love of God: what does it achieve and how are we to look at His love? There are many ways of considering this love and one key way is to share it with others and because of the love of God, do His works which are good. God’s awesomeness is seen in simple works of faith and small little things we do for our families, neighbors, friends and specially our enemies. They are like little flowers with perfumes so gorgeous that they tend to please the heart.

Today, we are told that we must not only love one another but provoke, instigate one another to love. And to also make it very compelling by our own attitudes to move people to good works. By our example, we must show the world that yes, the Light of the world exists in us and we shall show it to the world. Our message to this fallen world is that, many may claim to have the light, but it is only the true Light that shines forth and it is only through a firm believer in Jesus Christ do piety and goodness flow that is inimitable.

Thoughts for another day

Jan. 22, 2010

Today's verse: Is. 25:9. And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the LORD; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

The cycle of humanity’s sin has continued unabated since the world began. Somehow, man always seems to find an excuse to sin. It is sin that perturbs God and distances us from Him. It is sin that blocks our blessings from being ours. Yet, we sin and we notice, sin is the bane of mankind. The treacherous enemy of souls has literally captured the imagination and soul of man with sin and it seems a lot of gain in sinning whereas it’s like a mirage which actually is empty and fruitless. Things like telling lies when we shouldn’t; or worrying when we needn’t; or mouthing filth when there’s no need to. If we hark back in our own lives we notice the needless sins we commit, yet sadly we don’t even regret them!

God’s natural laws remit punishment for our disobedience to His will and we’re then thrust into a trough of pain and sadness. It’s then we realise our follies and turn to Him. In His mercy He is ever ready to welcome us back as His heart melts quite fast at our distresses. A similar thing happened with the Israelites years ago during the time of Isaiah. The people burned in the fierce wrath of the Lord but then they realised their follies, turned to Him and looked forward to His salvation.

Our verse today is prophetic in that it says God reaches out to them in the time of their distress and their waiting is over. It exudes confidence that God will save them. They say they waited for Him and will now be glad and rejoice in His salvation. So too my friends our sins will be washed clean. Jesus has already paid the price for them so we have nothing to worry about. We have to wait in confidence for His salvation which He will bring us and then rejoice in the saving power of our God who loves us and has died for us.

Thoughts for another day

Jan. 21, 2010

Today's verse: Heb. 10:23. Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

If you were to think profoundly about the word ‘faith’ and the dimensions it takes when it concerns our God, you will quickly realise that as far as God is concerned, ‘faith’ is the operative word for the full power of God to be turned on. As Christians, we all claim to have faith. But, I maintain that for us to declare we have faith is alright when from the swamp of despair we can raise our hands up and say, I stand on faith, else, it is no faith and it’s best we not kid about this because it could be dangerous.

Why is faith so important to God? Because faith believes in the fact that He exists and He it is who is the architect and owner of the universe. Absolute faith defines the role of God in each moment of our lives. Faith does not condone wrong but accords it as something unpleasant before God. Faith grants laurels to the thought that God is running my show and He will help me plough through. Faith accords God the numero uno status in our lives. Faith exalts God before anyone else and faith gives Him the glory alone. Best of all faith stands on the pedestal of the sufficiency in God. Faith is therefore the bulwark on which we depend entirely throughout our lives.

Yes, it is pleasant to us to hear that faith is the realization of what is hoped for and the evidence of things as yet not seen because faith has already received what is asked and seen the bounty of God’s hand. Faith is something deep within. It cannot be on the surface and therefore we like to hear the story about a little girl who carries an umbrella to the prayer meeting where prayer is to be made for rain in a place where there was drought. My friend the action that the girl made is cause for demonstration of God’s power. David saw Goliath just like everybody else; but his eyes of faith also saw his destruction at the hands of God. God took this faith David had in Him and worked in his mind the game plan of the stones and the sling. David went through the motions, God worked in them and it resulted in victory.

While all this is okay, remember, it is only by faith in the Son of God that we are to be saved. We need to believe in the shed blood of the Lamb of God. There is nothing by far other than faith that can put us into the mansion Jesus has already gone to prepare a place for us in for our eternal dwelling and truly I can sense the truth in this faith when Jesus Himself in John’s Gospel, asks us to believe in Him and God so many times even pleading as it were, to believe becaue of His miraculous works itself; and I can tell you He does so that we will not perish but have eternal life. So faith, now what does it say to you?

Thoughts for another day

Jan. 20, 2010

Today's verse: Philemon 14. but I preferred to do nothing without your consent, in order that your good deed might be voluntary and not something forced. (NRSV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

Anything forced upon people isn’t correct. God never impinges anything upon us; rather God feeds us with love and makes us hungry for Him because we learn we’re so comfortable in His presence and if we need to be comfortable, we need Him. I’d like to glean the implication of today’s verse and apply it in the area of proclamation. Presenting Jesus Christ to people: It can’t be forced. In many countries and in my own, we’ve seen the bad that force can do in bringing people to Christ. Even inducements can be bad for proclamation; giving a carrot and converting a person to Christ is very bad because the converted person seeks the carrot more than the Lord!

There are various ways in which we go about God’s business of proclamation in the world. I was told yesterday that gone are the days when Christian missionaries did something with the sole objective of making the beneficiaries Christian. Today, Christian missionaries silently work in very backward areas and teach the people new things, making them capable of adopting skills to generate livelihood and while about it, if the person is touched by God, then he/she may convert; which is good. Although I like this concept, I’d say that the beneficiary should be clear that it is our love for Christ which enables us to help them. If they have no idea of this, then it is futile.

But I must say this is a good way – no force, except their own will! There’s no question of forceful conversion just intentional, which is very good. Remember Jesus never asked us to force Himself on others. He only asked us to proclaim. This we can do in various ways. Even simple acts of love toward others will make them wonder why we do it and when we get an opportunity, we explain that it is Jesus in us who makes us what we are. Then the glory will go to Him.

Thoughts for another day

Jan. 18, 2010

Today's verse: Titus 2:11, 12. For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

Many times in my mind there’s this deep anguish that I present myself so sinful to God. I wonder why; and then who will be able to correct the situation? Is it impossible for me to live the life Jesus wants me to live? Every time I think of being a good person, something happens which irritates me and instantly my old sinful nature is back with a bang! I say, ‘Lord, how much pain will I give you, how much heart ache will you bear on my account.’ The thought sometimes grips me so that my being is disturbed. See, our nature is fine by worldly standards as no one can read our minds to know what’s going on within. And people also refer to us as good human beings although within us there’s this deep distaste for them.

If you were to think the way I do, you too would shed the façade, if you have one and become the real you and then the world would not like you. Now isn’t it better to be really nice? I know some people who are like that and I tell myself, ‘If I could only be like her or him.’ It is for this desire that our verse today comes like a remedy. God’s Grace has come in the coming of Jesus Christ and in His death the issue has been settled that His Grace is available to all who believe in Him. Now see, His Grace is not so that we can only talk about it as being something outside of our reach but as a potent tool for us to exercise in our lives and living victoriously.

God’s Word says that He is faithful who called you and He will accomplish the task He has given you. Grace is the guarantee of the possibility of this Word, for Grace strengthens us and helps in awakening the power within us. God has equipped us with every strength in Christ and it is by imbibing Grace we realise the potential of God living in us whereby we can deny all ungodliness and live the way He wants us to live; thus providing relief for the anguish within us of living right before Him.

Thoughts for another day

Jan. 18, 2010

Today's verse: Dan. 4:17. This matter is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones: to the intent that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

In the Bible we learn that the world and all its fullness belong to the Lord, Pss. 24:1, 50:12, etc. In reading it we know that God is Sovereign and none can come in the way He wishes to operate, as none has the power or the right to educate the Creator of all things. Sometimes we who are close to God feel we own Him so whatever He does has to be only for us. Of course if the intent is because of a noble desire of sharing in the awesomeness and power of God then we’re right in doing that as it also speaks of our faith in Him. But it’s wrong when in our pride and arrogance; we try to appropriate God for ourselves as if He is not God of the entire world but only our God.

We see this attitude among the Jews in the Bible, particularly concerning the incidents of Elijah going and abiding with the widow of Zarephath and the cure of the Sryian, Naaman. The Jews who felt that their God would only be for them and not for others, couldn’t understand this. Besides, this same attitude is also seen when the apostles started making disciples of the people after Pentecost when the Jewish Christians felt that Jesus and salvation, was for them alone.

But our above verse declares God’s stand very clearly. He is the owner of the earth and no matter if we do not see His hand, we ought to know He rules. Without His consent, there’s nothing that can happen. All things on the earth are only because He allows it. And since all things belong to Him alone, He deems it fit to give it to whoever He wants. After all, isn’t it proper for the owner to do as He feels fit with what He owns? It would be prudent for us to bear this in mind, before we demand something from God and sulk if He doesn’t provide it to us.

Thoughts for another day

Jan. 15, 2010

Today's verse: Col. 3:23. And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

My neighbor comes running to me for some help. I help her because I’m known to be a ‘godly’ person and devout. Then after some days, she passes by me on the road and pretends she’s not seen me. I’m angry and feel insulted. I say, ‘look at that woman I helped; she’s so ungrateful, etc. etc. Then I throw a coin into the hands of a beggar and the person takes it without so much as even looking at me in acknowledgement and I’m incensed thinking: the fool, I gave money and he didn’t even look at me, leave alone thank me!

Have these been your experiences? They certainly have been mine and well, both of us are right in these reactions when seen in a worldly way. But when it comes to God, we’re wrong. See Jesus, He went about doing good and healing everybody. But, when it came to Him, none of the people He helped even stood up for Him. All ran away like rats on a sinking ship. Was Jesus upset? Never. He even prayed for those who acted against Him saying, ‘Father forgive them for they know not what they do.’

My friend in God’s territory it’s like this: Whenever you help somebody, you help not them but the Lord. Have no expectations from anyone for a good you might have done them. Rather expect your reward from God in due time. When your attitude is to please God and do good things for His sake (and not to take it as an entry into the account of the person helped so when help is needed from that person then it can be demanded), God is pleased and surely He will help you when you are in need for it is God’s nature to provide help and counseling. Besides, let me tell you that if you take this approach as working for God when you help others, then even your body language will be cheerful as you are confident God will repay.

Thoughts for another day

Jan. 14, 2010

Today's verse: Ro. 9:17. For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might show my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

When we read the account of Moses and the Israelites in Egypt and how the destruction of the Egyptians began, it takes us by surprise, not so much by the Israelites being rescued but the way it began and the trouble they were put to at the beginning. But it was God’s way of bringing great glory for His Name and ensuring the Israelites were separated from the Egyptians as a people who worshipped Him, the living God! He let the nations know then that the Israelites were His people and they were not to mess with them.

Looking into our own lives, let’s recall whether we’ve had a low in our lives and then suddenly things began to change and there was tremendous victory. God’s ways are like that. First the enemy seems to be gaining and at the right hour, God’s power breaks through the dark walls of gloom and brings in the light. Then in a moment, there’s total transformation. What once seemed to be very difficult to go through now becomes easy. God says in our verse above that He raised up Pharaoh, so He could show the might of His power in him and that seeing that power, His Name would be declared through the earth. Don’t we too see some of the mightiest testimonies arise out of the most difficult situations?

I want to encourage you today if there’s a mountain in your life that doesn’t seem to move. If you trust God completely, remember He would have put it there to show you that at the right moment His power will be great toward you and that mountain will be mightily crushed and removed from your presence so then you will rejoice in Him and proclaim His great Name all over so all will know and come to worship the One true God, who made the universe and still reigns.

Thoughts for another day

Jan. 13, 2010

Today's verse: Is. 60:10. And the sons of strangers shall build up thy walls, and their kings shall minister unto thee: for in my wrath I smote thee, but in my favour have I had mercy on thee. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

God’s mercy is peculiar. We will never understand it, nor ever be able to gauge it’s depth. Indeed for us, it is wonderful that God is merciful. Else we would have perished with no sign to show we were ever alive. His mercy comes into play largely when we sin and are found to be wanting in many respects. Any sin is disobedience against God, even if it is a sin of hating our enemies because Christ has clearly told us that we need to love our enemies. Our sins are abominable in God’s sight, just as a rotting carcass would be before us and even more horrible. Yet when God looks at us, He doesn’t consider His wrath, rather His mercy comes to the fore and He forgives.

When you read this above verse, you’ll realise the extent of His mercy which keeps renewing itself day after day. The Israelites, the people of His promise, had vexed God so much that He decided to punish them as He could take it no more. You name the abomination and they committed it in His sight. But God soon relented and that’s when this promise comes into play. Despite the grievous offences they gave Him, He yet forgave them saying that strangers would rebuild for them and kings would minister to them! Look at the amazing graciousness of our God and what do we see in it, love and mercy.

In the new dispensation of Grace in the coming of Jesus Christ, we see further proof of the extent of God’s love and mercy for a fallen world; in that Jesus died for us, even when we were steeped in sin and helpless. Remember each moment today, God’s love and you’ll see His mercy and that we need to go to Him and surrender all to Him, seeking redemption for our souls. Amen.

Thoughts for another day

Jan. 8, 2010

Today's verse: Col. 1:17. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. (NIV –copyright acknowledged)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

I will talk today about a peculiar type of protein referred to as a glycoprotein, called laminin. It is outside the cells in a human or animal body. This protein has the primary function of holding cells together in any organ of the body. In a way it’s like glue which holds two or more objects together when brought into its contact. While this may or may not be interesting reading to us Christians, what is important to note is the shape of laminin.

Before I reveal this, let’s refer the above scripture. We learn that Christ is before all things and in Him all things hold together. See, when God created the world, He said the Word; and the Bible tells us that it came to be! Now further the Bible also reveals that the Word of God is God and we learn that it is the Son of God, who came down on earth as God’s chosen Lamb, blemish less and God’s own. So this Word which God used is Jesus Christ and if all things came to be through Him, certainly He would hold all things together. I’d extend this argument to also contain inanimate things apart from living things. Therefore, when Jesus commanded inanimate things, they obeyed for e.g. the sea (which quieted down), the water (which turned into wine), etc.

And if Jesus holds all things together then it means that His imprint is possible to be left on His creation. One of which is breath and the other being the protein I spoke of earlier, laminin, whose shape is in the form of a ‘CROSS’! Believe it or not, it is in the shape of the Cross. We can thus see the wisdom of our God who gave us this sign much before Jesus came to earth and was crucified. It is the Cross of Christ which is the profundity of the Christian; even the cells are held together by it. My friend though the world ignore that Jesus created the world, it shall yet acknowledge His primacy in creation as there’re many signs to show that Jesus alone is the Creator because of His imprint on creation, many of which they don’t even know of. And time itself speaks of an era before and after Christ, what more proof could man have that There is One God and His Name is Jesus Christ. Don’t believe it? Ask the cells in your body!

Thoughts for another day

Jan. 8, 2010

Today's verse: Sirach. 19:30. A person's attire and hearty laughter, and the way he walks, show what he is. (RSV - apocrypha)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

God made all human beings on earth and each one bears His breath by which humans are alive. God made all equal for before God equality is of prime importance and there is no partiality with Him and whoever obeys Him and stands by Him, is favored by God.

As man grows up, he gains things on himself, particularly in his nature, and the way he moves about that may or may not be pleasing to God. Years go by from the time he was a child and in growing up, he displays characters and traits which are his own, that often come from his experiences in life. His temperament and way of life are determined by himself and his loyalty to God is defined therein. This man who was dependent on others now becomes independent and then establishes his effect on things around him which even when he is not there speak of him.

Our verse today, talks about the character of man that defines his overall personality. God has created so many people in the world one can say from the same mould and yet there are millions and millions of different natures of man. Each one defines him so distinctly and yet each one is so distinct. Each character or trait of personal nature is so different from each other. You may have a good person and there could be some points in him which will be so different from the points in another good man. Perhaps there is no likeness in the two and yet both are good. Our inference of today’s verse is the character and outlook that a person wears. It could be for any reason, good or bad. Man is a creation of circumstance and from the things that belong to his nature; we can come to know what kind of a person he is. Blessed of course is the man whose nature embellishes his devotion to God.

Thoughts for another day

Jan. 7, 2010

Today's verse: 1 Chr. 14:15. And it shall be, when thou shalt hear a sound of going in the tops of the mulberry trees, that then thou shalt go out to battle: for God is gone forth before thee to smite the host of the Philistines. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

Some of us when we pray request the Lord saying, ‘Lord go before us and make our paths easier.’ Where did we get the inspiration to do this? Here in this verse. David a man after God’s own heart knew how to listen to Him. Before embarking on any venture, He sought the Lord and it is while seeking the Lord at one time, He got this message and obeyed.

What about us? When we set out to do anything, do we also seek the Lord? Or, do we just refuse to sit in prayer and listen to Him in order to hear His gentle voice, doing rather our own thing? See, with God, life can always be victorious and He will tell us at each step of the way, whatever we are to face and how to face it. Even if it is a trial that we need to undergo, God tells us as much and then knowing it, we are strengthened to bear the trial.

My friends through all this remember it's important to sit at the feet of the Lord every day, to hear Him speak. I know it’s a difficult exercise and you may say it borders on the fringes of boredom. But gradually you’ll come to realise that the Grace that flows into you when you’re in His presence is so powerful that without your knowledge, your live becomes a symbol of fortitude and power. When everybody says it is difficult, you’ll say it’s possible. Even if we’re not able to hear His voice because of years of not wanting to, He will speak often because He loves to see us keep some time for Him each day and someday you’ll be able to hear His soft voice calling you by name, addressing you with love and then you will like David be strengthened and confident of all your endeavors because you know that when you hear the sound of battle cry and the marching, it is the Lord who has gone before you to settle the matter in your behalf and in your favor.

Thoughts for another day

Jan. 6, 2010

Today's verse: Heb. 2:18. For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

When a person in pain narrates his or her tale to one who has had a similar experience, there will be much comfort the other can give, because he or she has lived through the pain and known the deepest miseries that that pain gave, this will be quite unlike narrating it to someone who hasn’t known the situation, even though they have a compassionate heart.

In our verse today, we are told that Jesus Himself suffered various temptations that we suffer and He also went through the fieriest trial of them all. Therefore, Jesus is able to help those who are going through the trial. It is not for us to question why we go through a trial for God knows best, but to face it bravely and conquer. Even Jesus, Son of God Most High did not question why He needed to go through trials; rather He boldly faced them and conquered.

Listen, Jesus has a way by which we can face every trial and be bold in its wake. Let us then, boldly face the trial and give glory to God in what we do in the moment of the trial. Grace is always outpoured upon us in our trials and Grace is there to ensure we neither succumb to nor bend before a trial. Let us then set our face like flint and face the trial with all boldness knowing well that our God who has gone though trials before us is always there to help us who are now going through it and His help is like a rock, solid and strong.

Thoughts for another day

Jan. 5 , 2010

Today's verse: Job 9:10. Which doeth great things past finding out; yea, and wonders without number. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

Which man has known the ways of God? Who can detect His hand in his day to day affairs and who can assign to God a particular happening in which is not seen His hand and in which is not acknowledged His Presence or His might nor His glory.

Man goes about His ways and feels to himself to be supreme. He thinks he has no end and that none can deter him from acting like God, creating all those edifices without God’s assent and proclaiming his supremacy over creation. Man’s whole attitude is to delete God from the picture for then he will get the glory for all he has achieved. God is a headache, an inconvenience. The world craves for the disappearance of God for without God it could do as it wanted with no one to give an account to. How wonderful they think if they could assume power to run the world for then they’d do as they wished.

But God is and will be, forever. And God works. It’s easy for Him to destroy every ambition of arrogant man. Nothing is possible without God’s concurrence or agreement to the effect that it be created. Sometimes it seems God allows things which take away His glory and render Him second class before man. Why does He allow, none knows. Even His works are past finding out for e.g. He blesses one who is not worthy and destroys one who didn’t deserve punishment. We humans are just not able to comprehend God and He is answerable to none. And you bet, who can hold Him to reproach? He operates from an area we have no access to, dwelling in unapproachable light. But then, even then, though God need not come, nor need He explain His actions, He does so when someone with a pure heart appeals or cries out to Him. He becomes small for His own creature. Why? Well, none knows and as for me I don’t bother as long as I know, He is beside me and caring for me and that His mighty hand is over my life and all things mine. Oh, glory to Him. Amen.

Thoughts for another day

Jan 4, 2010

Today's verse: Jer. 2:5. Thus saith the LORD, What iniquity have your fathers found in me, that they are gone far from me, and have walked after vanity, and are become vain? (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

The Bible throws up many facets of the Lord which are proper for us to reflect on and think about, for they give a full picture of our Lord’s nature, His pain and sorrow which He keeps in His heart and of course, His tremendous love for us. It’s just that sometimes in our haste to ‘finish’ a particular book, we miss upon these ‘pearls’ of our Lord’s nature.

Times are when I sit and ponder hard, reflecting on God’s love for us. Yes, I get vexed with the Lord when the answer to my prayer takes ages to come. You know it can get particularly frustrating at times; I can sure understand Joseph’s predicament when he dreams he’ll be above his brothers and parents and then suddenly finds himself a slave! Truly it can be frustrating; but then they are the ways of God and there’s hardly anything I can do about them except be a little upset with Him and I believe He likes that to an extent as it shows that I trust Him and go Him even when things fail (but of course doing it often would be no-no).

In the same vein is my coming upon our verse of today in which He, the Lord of the Universe, God Most High is asking, what iniquity they found in Him! Can you believe it? It seems unbelievable that He even asks this question; for what or who are we that He should give an account of His actions to us. When I look at my own acts and stupidities before Him, I cannot but fall at His feet and ask for pardon. God cannot be faulted. If He has done something, He knows well the reasons why He did it and He has all of time before Him at once and He knows what is right, unlike us who don’t even know what our actions will bring us the next day.

My friend ultimately, it’s this love of God for us by which He seeks to sit and argue our case of anger with Him. And it is the same love that gave us Jesus. The shame and humiliation that Jesus underwent spells the extent to which God will go to give us the best. Can we then find any iniquity in Him to move away?

Thoughts for another day

Dec. 31, 2009

Today's verse: 1 Cor. 5:7. Purge out therefore the old leaven that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

In ushering in the New Year, many of us may have made resolutions and promises. The success in keeping them depends on our resolve. For our resolve to be strengthened, we need to purge the inside dirt that’s there and be cleansed of all the nonsense filled within us. A drunk, with an excessive desire for liquor will never be able to overcome his habit, unless something happens on the inside and propels him to change; and the same goes for any other vice. Even a habitual liar will find it difficult to speak the truth after years of piling on of lies and deceit.

Emerging from the above logic you may deduce that if it’s possible to purge the decay within us, we can turn a new leaf isn’t it? Yet, we find that most of the time, it’s just impossible. And it’s here that the world fails miserably. A new year may come and before long it would have gone, but we remain the same. Why? Because there wasn’t anything formidable on our insides, given by the world that could hold our resolve and we realise that it was the same yesterday and the same today with us!

How then can we change? By turning to the Lord; for only He can grant success to our resolutions to be better human beings. His Grace has the power, slowly but surely to destroy the old man within us and usher in the new man. Jesus says, ‘Behold I make all things new!’ and this newness is newness of life which completely changes us human beings so much so that we sometimes can’t believe we were so horrible in the past. For the change we human beings desire, the world doesn’t have any answer. All it does is feign answers and make us feel secure for a while and then again it is the same ditch it leads us to. Not so Jesus Christ, for when He changes us, we are changed and we remain changed. Praise His Name