Thoughts for another day

May 31, 2010

Today's verse: Is. 49:23c …for they shall not be ashamed that wait for me. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

How long will you wait for the LORD God to do what you have prayed for? How much patience will you exhibit while waiting for His Hand to begin moving in your life? We humans are so fragile that even asking these kinds of questions seem audacious and improper because our God is an awesome God and how dare we ask Him these things. Isn’t it enough that He has given us life and sustains us in His good favor? Must we also try extract so much more from Him? These questions arise in the mind of the person who has a relationship with God and to be honest he may also be appalled at his own bravery before God, which certainly will be ill-founded.

But, not so God: He is very approachable and when we have a relationship with Him, He expects us to ask questions. See, a parent loves when the child asks Him questions and some intense ones also. So too, with God; He is our eternal Father and He loves us and wants us to be with Him. He loves to fondle and pat us often and were we sensitive enough, we’d definitely feel His touch. Ideas of retribution and revenge come instantly to our minds when someone offends us but that isn’t God’s way. Rather, it’s the exact opposite: God waits for us to come back and reconcile with Him.

In today’s Scripture, He says that those who wait for Him will not be disappointed. They will rejoice who wait for Him. They will get what they prayed for when they wait for Him. It may take some time but it will surely arrive for God doesn’t decline prayer but answers, often not in the way and the speed at which we want, but the way which is best for us. He has understood us well, far better than we have understood ourselves. And it is He who is our God. He reaches out to us even when we seem to be at the edge. So courage my friend, God Almighty is just at the door. Reach out once again to Him, holding Him to His promise and you will receive the salvation you longed for.

Thoughts for another day

May 28, 2010

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. 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)

Have you ever seen a man strutting His wisdom, pertaining to things that are alien to him? Listen to the ‘so-called gurus’ of society talk about nirvana and enlightenment. most of it based on what you yourself can do to attain. Funny because for us Christians, there’s nothing we can do in this area, God does it all for us.

Let’s forget wisdom for a moment and use common sense: Eternal life requires wholeness of purity to attain. Man, by even one sin can mar his canvas of purity and be sullied forever. Then no matter what he does, that one spot can be the cause of his rejection into the sublime, for here purity alone matters. So how can we ever attain to it? No theories or wisdom can work here and only the Bible has the remedy in Jesus Christ, the Sinless One who caused the very stain of sin to vanish from humanity just as Adam by sinning, had blotched all humanity. The Bible, suffused with the awesome wisdom of the all-knowing Creator, has the way forward to eternal life: Jesus Christ, alone.

But yet, men because of inherent pride try to condemn the ways of God by imputing their own theories with their own wisdom and slick talk. Look at some of the gurus, they bring the room down with their practiced art of deception and cunning, enough to rake up the ‘moolah’ rate of their presence in a future meeting. But does it do good to anyone? Well, none at all. In the wisdom of God, 'Jesus Christ crucified’ is the ultimate and only symbol of man’s victory over the power of sin and death & disease and curse. Man’s wisdom cannot give as much as a peaceful sleep to someone, leave alone an eternal future. So, vain is the effort of a man trying to deny the wisdom of God!

Thoughts for another day

May 27, 2010

Today's verse: Is. 43:4. Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee: therefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy life. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

There’re so many wonderful things about our God we discover in the Bible. His character comes out to be so refreshing and pure; suggesting He is much above our way of thinking and far removed from our nature. This, despite the fact that, He created us in His own image and likeness. Scripture today, tells of His far reaching love for the people He has chosen and consecrated as His own.

In the Old Testament, as we read the Books of Kings and Chronicles, we learn of all the Israelites do against Him and offending Him so much that His hand is forced to be raised against them to their destruction. Some of the offences the Israelites, spurred by their kings, commit are so abominable that they will smite the ears of the faithful. Seductions, orgies, idol worship, sacrifices of children to their god molech and what have you were the gross sins they committed. Prophet upon prophet was sent to them to correct their ways, but all their warnings fell on deaf ears. They were utterly faithless in their covenant to God and put Him to utter scorn.

Here in our Scripture we yet have our merciful God tell the very same people that they’re precious and honorable!!! He tells them He has loved them and is ready to destroy men for their sake and people’s lives for their lives. Amazing isn’t He? How dearly He loved them. Today, with us it is even more so because we are the Children of His Own, adopted by His Holy Spirit through belief in His Son Jesus Christ. Beloved, remember God isn’t changing. He is the same always. If, the Israelites sinned against Him and He yet, calls them precious and honorable, how much more us, who’ve been redeemed by His Son. No matter what our sin, no matter what our crimes against Him have been, there is a time for us to rise and turn back and go into His embracing arms telling Him: ‘Father I’ve sinned…forgive me.’ I’m sure the dew of heaven will then cool our souls.

Thoughts for another day

May 26, 2010

Today's verse: Is. 26:21. For, behold, the LORD cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

Imagine: the LORD God is so powerful and so complex is His knowledge that everything is known to Him. He is aware of all the thoughts of man and beast. Our Scripture today says that He will come out of His place to punish the sinners and the earth will lay bare before Him disclosing the blood of those killed. How’s that possible one might ask? It is possible for God is able to see everything that we do at different times all at the same time. He sees all our misdoings at the same time and He is too intense to miss anything. His eyes roam around the earth watching over the denizens of the planet and in a glance He scans the universe to see the wrongdoing of men.

In Genesis, we learn how even inanimate things speak to God. When Cain kills Abel, God comes to Cain asking Him about Abel to which Cain replies, am I my brother’s keeper. Then God points out to his crime telling him that Abel’s blood is crying out to Him! You see, God hears the cry of the blood of Abel; and even the drop of a heart beat of His creation. All things are clear before God. Even darkness is not darkness for He sees it as light. I’ve tried to fathom His immense intelligence and I’ve learnt that God knows all our thoughts, whether they be good or bad. You know, when an arrow splices the air and moves to its target, God sees the air move in both directions allowing the arrow to pass and when it has passed though we see nothing, God know an arrow passed there.

So great is the Lord, He can draw the exact line where the light of a small candle ends and darkness begins. He can hear the cry of every cell in our body whether they be alright or sick. Even the sigh of the innocent is clear to Him. He is a long suffering God and therefore doesn’t act immediately at the wrong, but gives the wrongdoer ample time for correction, but then He wrecks vengeance and who can bear His wrath? When faced with injustice and wrong, we might be inclined to say that God isn’t listening or seeing, but that’s far from the truth, God is aware and He sees even that which is not visible to the human eye and His anger is kindled against all those who harm the poor, the innocent and the helpless. Just trust Him to set things right and He will do it for you.

Thoughts for another day

May 25, 2010

Today's verse: Lk. 21:12,13. But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name's sake. And it shall turn to you for a testimony. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

Sometimes as we journey along in life, comes a point when we’re broken. Then we go for a crusade or a retreat and are impacted by the power of God’s Word and His cause in our lives. We begin to praise and glorify the Lord at all times. I’ve even noticed people, when you call them on the phone, greet you with ‘Praise the Lord’. At this point in time, we’re willing to do anything for the Lord and even die for Him. Then time passes and slowly the fire within us begins to die. Our real self comes out and then we have excuses for everything the Lord invites us to. If He asks us to sit up and pray, we’re tired. If He tells us to minister to someone in hospital, we’re too busy; and so on. Now we’re not ready to suffer injury for the Lord, leave alone die for Him! You wonder why? What happened to the zeal, the fire burning inside, etc? The question whether, we’re really called to be disciples of the Lord is critical at this time and also whether we are willing to be separated for the Lord’s work.

One thing I can say, when you’re chosen to be a disciple for Christ, Paul’s words hold true, ‘For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake’ Philip. 1:29 and this is so true of all who represent Christ in this world. Their lives are not their own but in the hands of the Lord, to do as He wills. And persecution is a must for the true man of God!

Our Scripture affirms when we’ve been set apart for the Lord, we will be persecuted. Jesus says it and He also went through it. Wonderful isn’t it to have a Master who has gone through all that He says we will go through. In fact, His going through the terrible agony and crucifixion gives us so much strength as we’re aware that He is up in the sky beckoning us to look at Him and He gives us much strength to bear the persecution. We know this of Stephen the first martyr who beheld the heavens opened and Jesus standing at the right hand of the Father, as they were stoning him. What a glorious picture and a fabulous way to depart from this world and move into the world of glory!

Thoughts for another day

May 24, 2010

Today's verse: Sirach 43:30. When ye glorify the Lord, exalt him as much as ye can; for even yet will he far exceed: and when ye exalt him, put forth all your strength, and be not weary; for ye can never go far enough. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

My heart exults at the above Scripture for I know its beauty and it tells me exactly what my heart has always known. One, that you can never praise the LORD God enough and two, were you to glorify Him with all your strength, you’d never exceed a point for God is so immense and so Majestic that all lofty adjectives, like Majestic, Splendor-robed, Awesome, etc. are fully expressed only when they’re used of God. Being man, I’ve no idea if there’s a language by which I can glorify and exalt Him even more, but with what I have, I can only do so much.

Writers in the Bible have struggled with Words to glorify Him, for we know how great our God is and how menial our language, for we cannot glorify Him according to His greatness, yet in our hearts we glorify Him all the more for He is worth it; because of His power and mercy and glory. He is our God and we’re His people; He, our Shepherd and we, the sheep of His flock. With tender care and mercy He treats us as we’re sons of His choice. He created us to have passionate recourse with Him; to joy and revel in Him; yet we’ve treated Him so basely. But today, O Lord if we could only rise up and sing Your praises, we’d urge the winds to whisper them in Your ears? We’d make the earth burst forth in utter mirth as the sound of praise emanates from every human heart? Then Lord wouldn’t the heavens exult in unveiled pride at the exaltation of You the Most High God to whom belongs all praise, worship and honor?

So LORD our souls sing your magnificence and we urge everything on earth to sing unto Your glory. Let the stars, the galaxies, the zillions of ‘galaxic’ beings, shout forth Your praise in the utter vastness of the universe. Let the stores of frost and snow, sing unto Your greatness. Let the dwelling place of light, take a bow. Let the songbirds and all winged creatures rise and fly in exaltation. Let the beasts of the earth and they that swarm the oceans make melody in their hearts on account of your Majesty. Let all things that have life and even that which doesn’t rise in exultation and joy in You. Let the farthest beings and the depths of creation, the great abyss, the black holes and the multitudes of hues and shapes in the universe clap their hands with mirth at the sound of Your beautiful Name. So much so Lord, let even the dead sing when Your voice flows forth in the universe and at the beat of Your heart. Remember Lord, all creation waits in joyous expectation for the revelation of You in it. Ah, Lord come, please accept our praise so that we know that we are Your people, the work of Your hands. Hallelujah.

Thoughts for another day

May 21, 2010

Today's verse: Jer. 3:19. "I myself said, "`How gladly would I treat you like sons and give you a desirable land, the most beautiful inheritance of any nation.' I thought you would call me `Father' and not turn away from following me. (NIV – copyright acknowledged)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

Has anyone ever told you of the tears of the LORD? It may seem shocking and a little far-fetched to believe, for how can one ever imagine that the all powerful and magnificent God who is Majesty enrobed and seated on a lofty throne will have tears in His eyes. One might say, He is Sovereign, so He can, just as He created with a Word, destroy, and hence thinking of Him crying would just be an insult on His Sovereignty, no? But then what do we know of the Lord our God? And were we know Him, we will have enough reason to marvel at Him and feel deeply the love He has for us.

Scripture attests to the LORD’s heart-break in various places and the above is one such. Prophet Hosea gives a beautiful treatise on God’s love for and His acceptance of us. In reading such heart-rending Scripture where the LORD, instead of destroying, just suffers silently, how can I not see the tears in His eyes? Imagine, He who says He will take count of each of our tears (for He stores our every tear in His bottle), how can I not feel for Him with tender loving care. Imagine, the One raised up in agony and shame on the Cross yet looking at His Father, pleading ‘Father forgive; they know not what they do.’ How can I not shed tears of repentance and regret understanding that though He is Almighty, He suffered for frail me to prove how much He loves me. Besides, all the while He only wanted good for me. He wanted to give me the best; desiring that like a bride, I’d never leave Him! Alas, how much I have offended His purity in insulting Him so painfully and going away from Him?

Behold my friend, can tears be far from my eyes when I think, He asked Abraham to sacrifice Isaac but when Abraham obeyed and raised the knife, He stayed his hand with a command, ‘harm not the kid’ and then provided a ram, yet when it concerned His own Son, He showed His Godly character even as He turned His face and went away. For had He but to say a Word, the destroyers of His Son would be destroyed immediately and men would perish totally. Consider my beloved in Christ, what manner of God we worship and let your hearts be rend today looking at the tears on the face of the Almighty and let repentance sweep into you and make you rush into His arms. Amen.

Thoughts for another day

May 20, 2010

Today's verse: Wisdom 10:12. She defended him from his enemies, and kept him safe from those that lay in wait, and in a sore conflict she gave him the victory; that he might know that goodness is stronger than all. (KJV – The 'she' above refers to wisdom)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

Among the greatest qualities a human can have, wisdom takes the numero uno position. Wisdom is the hallmark of ‘men in peace’ and she charts before each man the path on which he should tread. Wisdom gives him the dos and the don’ts which if he follows strictly, he’ll never have any problem in life for she considers all situations and then chalks out the right thing to do. Wisdom is the choicest of God’s ornaments upon His creation man; and it is wisdom who adorns man such that he can step up confidently before His God.

Since wisdom is highly exalted before God, He is pleased to grant it abundantly to all those who ask. Also, when we ask for wisdom, God grants other things as additional gifts. When Solomon asked for wisdom, God gave him everything else that a super king should have. Goes to show that God is pleased when we ask wisdom of Him.

Strangely, wisdom doesn’t always figure in our prayer list and that I presume is because man attaches such low premium to God’s choicest gift. We humans feel that if we want some quick funds or success in some endeavor, asking for wisdom will perhaps lengthen the process of getting what we want; which I reckon is erroneous for wisdom quickly guides us to the door of success and wealth, than anything else and anything got of wisdom stays with us; for wisdom herself bars the doors through which it can go out! Truly everything composed in our Scripture above is so true and so right of wisdom and I will only add and say, when the darkness of the night pervades your day, lean first unto God and then to wisdom and obey her instructions. For soon the clouds of despair will vanish and the rays of hope and victory will filter through.

Thoughts for another day

May 19, 2010

Today's verse: Eccl. 3:13. And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

Some years ago, I read a news item about a beggar found dead on the streets. As they were about to remove him and his belongings, they discovered about Rs. 500,000 (Approx. USD 10,700 a good amt. in India), in his rags. All were shocked at the unknown wealth of the beggar who never had a proper meal according to those around the place. Question is, why was this beggar hoarding so much money? For no one I presume; and if one further asked why, well there can’t be a rational answer I guess. What intrigued me at that time and does even today is, why didn’t the man have at least something decent to eat and why did he have to depend on alms alone for his food. Why didn’t he put the money he had to good use?

Funny as it may seem, there’re many people with the same attitude as the beggar. Only, they don’t live on streets and earn well but are acutely stingy. They never spend a penny except on necessities, which are satisfied with sub-standard stuff. Their food is disgusting and their home décor or personal clothing leave much to be desired. All their money goes into banks and other instruments but never on an evening out with the family or a good feast. I have some relatives who are like this; they don’t even buy a new pair of footwear however worn their old one, expecting someone from the family to give them a pair, gratis! Pathetic, to say the least.

Now what happens to their money? As far as I’ve seen, it’s spent on hospitals and medicines. The ratio of money on medicines is far higher than on any other item being bought! Finally they die and some irreverent son or daughter inherits their money, to squander it on inanities like the prodigal son. Our Scripture advises us to enjoy the fruit of our labor. What’s the point if we sweat out our whole lives and don’t enjoy. What’s the pleasure in slaving always to save and not spending on something that flatters the heart once in a while? In no way is Scripture suggesting that we splurge, but just that we enjoy the fruit of our labor; for don’t forget, it’s a gift of God to be able to enjoy the benefits that accrue us from our work.

Thoughts for another day

May 18, 2010

Today's verse: Pro. 16:3. Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed. (NIV – copyright acknowledged)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

All of us make plans in our lives. We need to do that because we put some order in our lives thus. But are our plans okay? Are they going to bring us peace in life at a later stage? Are they good for us and our family? These are some of the things we seldom dwell on when we make them. They are in, what one might say, our sub-conscious and don’t overtly occupy our minds when we sit on the drawing board etching out the plans. We usually seek people’s advice and use our own discretion and commit our resources and time in trying to make them succeed. What is to happen with our plans, we hardly know for the results of our planning can only be seen in the future.

So in this perspective, how many times do we talk to God about our plans and seek His counsel and ask for His special anointing on our strategies? Rarely do we do that. It’s not only with the common folk, but with us also who profess closeness to God; maybe I shouldn’t talk about others but at least with me, I’ve planned without God’s directives and come up a cropper. Yet, I’ve noticed that He has helped me beyond what I could imagine, even when I carried the sin of not consulting Him! How much more were I to consult and inquire of Him.

Our Scripture today is an advice from the particular writer of the Book of Proverbs asking us to commit our ways to the Lord and thus will the Lord ensure their success. Truly, God does want to be part of our lives and an integral part of whatever we plan to do. He loves to work for us and see us happy and He is willing to flood us with His Grace and His might; only we need to trust Him and entrust our plans to Him. Are we willing to do that?

Thoughts for another day

May 17, 2010

Today's verse: Job 37:16. Dost thou know the balancings of the clouds, the wondrous works of him which is perfect in knowledge? (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

The wisdom and power of God are unimaginable. Unimaginable, as we’re not built to fathom the things concerning God. Right from the elements of creation, including the sun, moon, stars, galaxies, milky-ways, planets, comets, and the many objects of the cosmic entity, to elements of man and animal such as tissues, blood vessels, nerves, the brain, etc. are quite unfathomable and try as we might, we scarce can get to their bottom in terms of knowing or even basic understanding. Though a plethora of philosophers and scientists have attempted to understand the graphic of life, they’ve found nothing but failure; although they’ll never admit that and therefore eschew reality by saying, its theory till we prove it, like for e.g. the theory of evolution!

When I look up at the sky during the rains and I see the dark, gloomy, water-laden clouds spread as a blanket in the sky, I can’t help but wonder what holds them up there. Then I think of Him and His hand breadth, gently caressing the clouds which are His special preparation for the sake of life on earth and He gently breaks the seams of the clouds and sends down water spray as the rain! How beautiful it is to see the clouds break up as rain and spew down water on the earth!

There are so many other phenomena on earth which give away the hidden hand of the Master Creator and the awesome way in which He has created everything. From the labyrinthine nervous system in a small ant, to the enigmatic brain of man – He has embellished His awesome power in creation and were we to behold each moment, we’d discover ever greater depths of His power in seemingly ordinary things like the rhythmic beating of our hearts which we hear when we quieten ourselves and listen. I could only exclaim and say, How Majestic is our God who is so abundant in knowledge and so astounding in power. He deserves all glory and all honor. Amen.

Thoughts for another day

May 14, 2010

Today's verse: 37:5. Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

In this world we operate under many pressures. Developing and living a principled life is probably the hardest thing in life because we feel they cause a lot of discomfort. But it is best to live a principled life if we want to be happy. In this regard, God has set forward a few principles which demand that we abide by them to be filled with His blessings. On our part we need to trust Him and just hope that He will bring fruition to our ‘principled lives’.

We feel that if we live by the laws of God, we’ll need to adjust much and not be free to do our own thing; and that is true. Because in living lives pleasing to Him, we break off from many of our own desires and passions which could lead us astray. Breaking off from our notion of living is good because we could then lead sinless lives, though not in entirety. But sadly, there’re many who feel that living by the Book is a bonded kind of life! Though I too sin often and grievously, I’d say it’s far better to fall in the hands of God living according to His ways rather than sin and be destroyed. From experience I’ll even testify that there’re much benefits that accrue to us in living His way.

Today’s Scripture tells us that committing our lives to Him and trusting Him is essential to get whatever we have in mind as a gift from God and for which we pray; because He will bring it to pass. God never fails and I’ll repeat that: God never fails. All He needs from us is to stay on the line He has charted and trust Him implicitly. And I can say this much that when we do it, then we will see His awesome hand working in our favor always. Amen.

Thoughts for another day

May 13, 2010

Today's verse: Ps. 114:7. Tremble, thou earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob; (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

Let me place before you a few situations:
1. Go to your church for a church service. What do you see? Even till the priest/pastor enters, there’s so much talk and so much noise in what you would call a revered and holy place.
2. Go for prayer meetings or crusades and see the behavior of people there. There’s such mirth (not holy mirth) and there’s so much noise, noise not in anticipation of what the Lord will do, but noise consisting of inane human chatter.
3. Go to designated prayer houses, chapels, retreat centers, unless restricted by persons in charge, people keep talking and chattering as if the world will end if they don’t and if told to keep quiet, they’re upset as if you pricked their pride!

I could go to other situations but the above suffice to give a picture of what’s our attitude toward our God today. Nothing but a casualness that’s pathetic; no real knowledge nor real intimacy but a certain disdain if I may say, that’s really speaking a calumny and an insult to His deity. How many of us realise this? Very few do and even lesser give Him the honor due His Name.

Ps. 33:8 says, 'Let all the earth fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him.’ Why, because He speaks and it happens, He decrees and it comes to pass. God thunders and the world sits up in attention. God is so awesome, that just a glance at Him without being worthy, can destroy instantly. He is so awesome, that at the breath of His nostrils the waters of the earth can dry up. He is so awesome that a mere Word and the earth can move from its foundations.

Today’s Scripture exhorts us to tremble at His Presence and it does so because God is so great. He is Magnificence Personalized. He is the Power of the universe, for He has created it by the mere Word of His mouth. My friend, always be aware of God’s Presence and give Him the honor and praise that He is worthy of and down the line I can say, He will lead you up to Him.

Thoughts for another day

May 12, 2010

Today's verse: Mt. 4:17. From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

After a Praise and Worship meeting, I was chatting with a gentleman and we were speaking about various things about the Gospel. Just then I had a thought and asked him, what he knew to be the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He instantly answered, ‘Jesus came to save us and He died for us and He rose again. In this, the gates of heaven were opened to us.’ I then asked Him, is that all; to which he queried, is there anything more? Before you read ahead, if your answer were to concur with his, just reflect thinking, ‘is there anything more’.

If you’ve answered yes, you’re correct. The main content of Jesus’ Gospel spells the need to repent. Why repent? Because the kingdom of God is at hand. It came at hand because of Jesus’ coming down to earth; and unless you repent you can’t enter the kingdom. What the gentleman answered regarding the Gospel is God’s work for us. But if we want salvation unto eternal life, we need to accept. God has done everything for us; He has even given us of His kingdom on a platter, all we need to do is accept. Jesus said ‘only believe’, because Jesus knew if we didn’t believe, it’d mean we don’t accept what He did for us and thence would perish. So the Gospel is essentially a message on the need to accept and repent. Unless these two components are there in a person, the preaching is in vain.

We must trust that God’s work is for us, yes to each one personally. Jesus died and rose to guarantee the inheritance of eternal bliss to every human being on earth. As people who are preached the Gospel, we must take the initiative to heed it and change our lives in the belief that God Himself will redeem us on the day of Judgment, making true what we know ‘For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.’

Thoughts for another day

May 11, 2010

Today's verse: Job 37:5. God thundereth marvellously with his voice; great things doeth he, which we cannot comprehend. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

I can’t help but be filled with awe at the awesomeness of our God. He is so powerful and splendor filled, it’s difficult to describe or decipher in entirety because of our human weaknesses. When I read the Word of God, I’m filled to the brim with knowledge of God’s glory and I read it with more intensity so that I can praise, glorify and worship Him even more. And the more I praise, glorify and worship Him, the more I feel I am lacking in giving Him the honor due to Him because He is a such a Majestic God, He’s worthy of every glory, all praise, every honor and every stream of worship. No human being can ever stand and say, I have glorified, worshipped, thanked, honored Him enough because all our honoring and exalting Him is so insignificant compared to His great love and His mercy which He covers us with all the time.

And the Bible shows so many significant scenarios of our God. In a way they acquaint us with Him – first hand as He speaks to us in the Bible. I love it when I read, ‘He bowed the heavens and came down…’ Ps. 18:9, I can feel a sense of elation looking at this picture of my God and I adore it because I know He is my God, He is my Father, He is my all. His Word is so vivid with so many such pictures which speak to my heart and tells me to exalt Him even more.

As for His works, well today’s Scripture tells us that He thunders with His voice and He brings into action so many things in His realm, so much so that I cannot comprehend His deeds nor understand Him. There’s such depth to God that were I to sit at His feet all my life, I could never quite reach the end of it. God spans so much of the universe, that I can only marvel and wonder at the magnitude of Him our God. He is so big that even the highest heavens cannot contain Him. Yet, this very God, awesome and majestic though He is, comes to us in such small form and says, ‘I have loved you with an everlasting love…’ There is no end to the awesome love and wonder of our God.

Thoughts for another day

May 10, 2010

Today's verse: 1 Thess. 4:14. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

Day before yesterday, my dad went to be with the Lord at the age of 92 years. 92 years is a long time and in that time, he’d obviously seen a lot. I still remember how he was when I was a kid and how he went about things – in discipline and conscientiousness. My mum had gone to God’s glory long ago, and since then my dad, looked after us, a brood of 6 children single-handedly. He was a man of humble means, a taxi driver by occupation; and one thing of his that stood apart, was his silent confidence in God. He’d hardly express it but I know it was there; and God had a special unction on his life because let me tell you, though he was an invalid on bed with no ability to walk for the last 5 to 6 years, he died at my sister’s home, under care of family. Besides, God took care of all his needs despite his adverse financial condition and we know this because there was good food at home and a satisfaction in all of us.

I really marvel at his sacrifice; apart from his regular peg at the country bar, he had no other vices, which was implanted in us too. His ensuring that as Catholics we go for mass regularly ensured the hand of God upon us which was so important and are glad. Though this reflection isn’t meant to be about a person’s life, etc. there’re some teachings that God brings our way in and through the lives of people, particularly those who live simple lives and perhaps don’t know the weightier things of life. For all these people today’s Scripture comes as unfading confidence: the confidence that, there is a God who knows us all and is there for us unto eternity.

The only qualification we need to be assured of God’s companionship is to believe in Him. Believing in Him and being confident in our belief in Him leads us to be eligible to receive all the Graces He has planned for us. Jesus said, ‘Only believe’ and through this we gain eternal life apart from living full lives here. Paul tells us that if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, then God will raise those who die in Jesus. Our God is so good and merciful and honestly, does it take too much to believe so that one can enjoy eternal bliss? Because of belief alone, my dad I know is enjoying the bosom of Jesus now and so it can be for all of us who live and believe in Him.

Thoughts for another day

May 7, 2010

Today's verse: Ps. 27:3. Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

Suppose you are walking on the road and happen to spot the most dreaded gangster coming your way, with a number of his men. What would you do? Wouldn’t you be terrified? You will if you are ‘normal’ and living in this world. But on the other hand, were you to have a faith in God that’s simply not normal, then what would you do? You would walk peacefully; and not only that, you would also not be harmed in any way for that is the guarantee of God for those who are strong in faith toward Him.

Rarely does man keep faith in God. This is because we are so used to comfort and instant remedies that we are not able to wait for God’s remedies in faith because they take time (time according to man…) to come. We never reflect on whether God’s time has come to send the remedy and also, are we worthy to receive it from His hand, knowing we lack trust in Him. Therefore we turn to human ways and human solutions. God provides for these also, but then there’s no increase in faith toward God; not in us or in others who know of our problems; which simply means there’s hardly any glory to God. On the other hand if we have steadfast faith in God and do not wilt under any situation, but wait upon God to rescue us, we’ll see His hand in due time. Also remember, we have it within us (He’s given that to us) to force His hand if we can only bang at the door of His heart in desperation.

Our Scripture is a clear indicator of the confidence of a man rooted in God. Read the words carefully and you will understand what I am saying. See, Jesus though man, wasn’t disturbed when there was the storm at sea because He had unwavering faith in His Father. He also knew of His relationship with Him and also that His Father would never ignore His prayer and mind you, Jesus’ every prayer was answered. We too are to be like Jesus, simply speaking, capable of being at rest even in the worst storms of our lives. I am not saying we should be totally unconcerned, rather let our concern be such that it will drive us to fall at His feet with even more urgency so that He mitigates our pain and answers our prayer, by which we’ll give glory to Him our God and say, ‘Though the storm rage against me, though my enemy surround me and though the bullets fly past thick and fast, I shall not fear, for I know in Whom I have belief.’

Thoughts for another day

May 6, 2010

Today's verse: Eccl. 3:1. To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

When we see the world with so much despair and nonsense, we wonder what is to be. We read the Bible and learn our God is good and all good comes through Him. When we take this in the context of the way the world is, we’re a bit confused and wonder, is this the way it’s meant to be. Some of us are so disturbed to even have a problem with God and among them are many pious people with unease in their hearts by the kind of people who live on the surface of the earth, yet they’re not able to do anything and besides, their continuous prayer avails not much.

But God is on His throne and He reigns. He is aware of all that’s happening in His world. Each thing is crystal clear to Him and He knows everything. Yes, He is aware of the wrong done to the poor by the rich and powerful. He knows the injustice done to the weak and to those who love Him. He is acquainted with the wickedness of the mighty and the atrocities they commit on the weaker people. He is also conscious of the cries of the innocent being subjected to crimes they haven’t committed. He knows all and so we wonder: why doesn’t He act?

To get an answer, we need to look at the life of Jesus Christ. He began Ministry at the age of 30 and was crucified at 33 after which He ascended into heaven. Why 30 you might ask; that’s because of God’s time. He appoints a certain time for a thing to happen. He knows it’s the best time for that thing and in that time the thing comes to pass; never before, never later. That’s the way God sets things and that’s the way they happen. But to you and me, God has given miracles and because of His abundant love for us and the genuine cry of our heart, He twists time and does it either earlier or later. So just put your trust in Him and explain your situation (yes, I know He knows our situation but He just loves to hear it from us) and He will redress it.

Thoughts for another day

May 5, 2010

Today's verse: Heb. 7:25. Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

Why Jesus is so good a God to us: Because He loves us and even when we were in a terribly unworthy state, He came down and gave His life for us. He proved His great love for us in dying such a miserable death. He even asked His Father in heaven to forgive us our sins for He knew we don’t know what we are doing and even today, He knows we do not know what we do!

And, this Jesus when He was about to ascend into Heaven, assured us that He will be there with us even unto the end of the age. Jesus has given us His Holy Spirit who is constantly with us, consoling, cajoling, guiding and sustaining us and He reminds us of Jesus Christ constantly, keeping true His promise of being with us. When we shun the world and approach Jesus Christ, He is able to save us to the uttermost. He cares for us (how can we forget this, because He proved He cared by dying for us) and He loved us even to the end and therefore, He never disappoints anyone who goes to Him for He is always willing to relent and give what we ask of Him for He loves us and He wants to give good gifts as He Himself says, if a human can give good gifts on earth to His child, how much more will the Father of all give good gifts to those who go to Him.

Another thing we must not forget is that Jesus reigns at the right hand of the Father and He lives to make intercession for those who approach God in sincerity. Those of us who go to Him in our pain can rest assured in finding the balm for our troubles. Jesus intercedes for us with His Father and know ye that the Father never rejects Jesus’ prayer or intercession for He loves Jesus tremendously and He is His beloved Son. So never fear O ye children of God, to approach our Lord and Anchor of our souls for anything you may have and I can tell you, He will answer with even more than what we can think or imagine, to our delight. Glory be unto Jesus.

Thoughts for another day

May 4, 2010

Today's verse: Hab. 3:17-19. Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The LORD God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds' feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

Sometimes I look at the Bible and see the men and women in it who kept faith in God; I marvel at the kind of faith they possessed and am inspired by them to also keep the same faith because we worship the same God. Our Scripture today, prods me to look at the Words uttered by Habbakuk, a prophet of God, deeply. What an amazing ode to confidence in the Awesome One. Imagine him saying, though there’ll be no fruit and the labor shall be in vain, yet he’ll rejoice in the LORD. I wonder how such confidence comes into a man. It can only be by the Holy Spirit. Isn’t it amazing to say: ‘in the midst of despair my confidence in God shall not wane even a little bit.’

I often tell people who claim to have faith in God to check that faith. Oodles of unchecked faith, is no faith at all and there’s no point in talking of faith when it’s not tested in the treadmill of trial. But when it’s tested and clears the test then that faith can be an inspiration to others’ faith. It can spur the human being to believe in God as nothing else can. In reading the account of Abraham, who obeying God, goes to sacrifice Isaac as God needed him to, I can scarcely hide my joy in my own faith in God, for I’ve come to know that God, though He tests, also provides Grace and great restitution after the test. Then He imprints on us – ‘passed’ – which stands us in good stead through our lives. Remember, what He did many years ago, He can do even now and in the future. We need but trust.

Truly with this faith implanted by His Spirit in us, we too like Habbakuk shall find delight in any autumn of our lives and live through it to give Him glory. Amen.

Thoughts for another day

May 3, 2010

Today's verse: Job 10:12. Thou hast granted me life and favour, and thy visitation hath preserved my spirit. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

Our Scripture today is from the mouth of Job. And we must know that at the time Job uttered this, he was in deep sorrow. To add insult to injury, his friends who had actually come to comfort him, ended up putting him to scorn and blaming all that happened to him on his sins which according to them and in line with the wisdom prevailing then, was the cause of his disaster. However, we know that it wasn’t, which of course neither Job nor his friends knew. All that was in front of them was the total destruction of Job’s prosperity and his appalling disease.

Sometimes, we too would like to blame others for the sorrow they’ve had to encounter although it may not be so. There are times these so called healers of God pour scorn on those who approach them to be prayed over, and cast all kinds of abominable deeds on to their character, so as to malign them and tell them that their improper living is the cause for their misery, while the real reason will be something very different. Our ways always seek to malign people and put the blame on them. Even in Jesus’ time, in the case of the blind man (Jn. 9) they asked who sinned because of which he was born blind and Jesus had to answer and say none did, but he was born blind so that God’s glory could be shown forth through him!

Our reflection today is centered on the response of Job in our verse. Look at what Job says to God: ‘You have granted life and favor and your coming has enkindled my spirit!’ Don’t you find this amazing? After he was shattered and all but dead in as miserable way as is possible, the man still has the requisite reverence to God to exalt Him. This is an almost impossible thing because when you are bowed down so that you can hardly stand, then to say this is virtually impossible. But herein we see Job’s devotion to God and his nature of being His servant. We too are challenged many times in life in disasters and mishaps. What at that time is our response to God? It is in this response that our measure of being God’s servants is found out.