Thoughts for another day

December 31, 2010

Today's verse: 2 Kgs. 6:17. And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha. (KJV)  

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

Men of God are blinded many times by lack of faith and we fail to see the wonders of God's hand in our lives and as a result are not able to appropriate the benefits thereof purely because God's benefits do not extend to those who have no belief.  In our Scripture above, we have a similar situation where the servant of Elisha cannot see the wonder that God has wrought at Elisha's door step and therefore is afraid.  Elisha who's not blind to God's work has to pray to God to open his eyes so he too could see and marvel at the wonder that God is and the way He works for those who are devoted to Him wholeheartedly.   

In our lives too, we are a stark reflection of Elisha's servant, aren't we?  Don't we also because of our lack of faith not see God's hand and therefore lead defeated lives?  I've seen scores of people who're like this and their biggest excuse is, it's God's will you know!  When the leper came to Jesus, he said, 'Lord if You will, You can make me clean.'  Jesus put His hand forth touched him and said, 'I will, be thou clean!' – Mt. 8:2,3. Jesus healed all who came to Him and made them as good as new and so we know what God's will is vis-à-vis a disease or a problem and our prayer to Him.  But then the excuse hits those people who don't believe; as if it isn't God's will to cure them.  I have a simple maxim – God has created us and He considers it His duty to sustain us and His sustenance covers everything like a comprehensive insurance policy including health, wealth and peace!!!

Let no one tell you, please try to find out God's will if is you are seriously ill or in some jam.  We have just read above what His will is.  Knowing this, just clutch at His hand – don't know how to do it? Just get down on your knees and pray with your heart – and He will deliver you no matter what your problem, for there is no problem too big for Jesus.  It may take time but the answer to your prayer will come.  That's His way, that's His will and that's exactly what He will do for He is the same yesterday, today and forever.  Heb. 13:8.  Just believe.  As you enter 2011, pray like the apostles did, 'Lord increase my faith' and you'll see marvelous things happening in the year.

Thoughts for another day


December 30, 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)

When we go to a prayer crusade or for a retreat or for anything which is Spiritual then we are filled to the brim with God and His ways. We look to do things for Him and to satisfy Him with our actions, etc. Thereby, we give alms, we forgive those who've offended us and try live as He has asked us to live. Oh the halo we have around us in that season is indeed too good and bright.

As days go by, the halo diminishes and vanishes completely. The effects of the retreat also vanish though maybe, gradually. This is the time when, though we still want to do good, we think that whatever we do for a person, he or she is the sole beneficiary and therefore our hand doesn't move to do the good or moves too slow because we don't like the person. This tantamounts to doing good for the person and not for God. Sometimes we are even upset that when we do something for someone, that person doesn't thank us.

It is for these moments or shall I say, normal Christian living that today's Scripture comes as a special reminder. You know whenever we do some good for someone, let it be as to God. No matter to whom we have extended our hand, let us hold that it is for God we did it. Scripture also dictates it when Jesus said, whatsoever you do to the least of these people, you do it unto Me. So as you approach 2011 and joy suffuses in your heart and you want that people should also enjoy with you and you want to do good, don't look at the person's worthiness or quality, (mind you, if God did that to us, would we receive anything?) rather look at God who is so worthy and do it as a pleasing song to Him and He will reward you.

Thoughts for another day

December 29, 2010

Today's verse: Lev. 26:12. And I will walk among you, and will be your God, and ye shall be my people. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

In this world and particularly in our lives, we who believe in God, however weak or flawed that belief be, are always asking Him for something and some of us even wait on Him day and night persevering in prayer; hoping for the answer and looking toward the light. Some of us walk in very dark alleys and the going through it can be very tough and frustrating. Many even wilt in that stage and if you ask me, no matter what I write with respect to having faith in God, I must say I understand these people because I know what it means to be going through the valley of the shadow of death.

I believe the Scripture above is given by God to staunchly reassure us of His being with us. We may never understand the importance of God's companionship in difficult situations, but for those of us who know God it's great to know that in our dark moments of trial, He is there. Truly today, try to comprehend the Scripture which says, I will walk among you. Isn't that fantastic? God, Almighty God, walking with us and He says, He will be our God and that we will be His people. O how glorious is this, our God who understands us perfectly and is there with us to cheer us when the chips are down and how great it is to commune with Him when we are in difficulty and there's darkness everywhere! That's why I say, When the going gets tough, the really tough get on their knees.

I empathize with David when he says, 'Though I walk in the valley of the shadow of death, I shall not fear, for You are with me!' God, it's so reassuring and soothing. Imagine God's magnanimity which grants us His power in our lives when we're weak and not only that, it also tells us He is there with us. When He is there with us, who can withstand us or go against us? None, for He is powerful our God who is the God of Abraham, God of Isaac and God of Israel. In His Presence I can only be strengthened and confident in all situations. So those of you suffering utter want, or maybe from a terminal disease or whatever and the situation is akin to walking in the darkness of the valley in which death lurks, I want to tell you that God is there with you and He will deliver you. This is His amazing Word and remember, He always keeps His Word. If before sundown today you accept His priceless Word, you'll learn what it means to have Him as your Companion; and you'll also know He never sleeps nor slumbers, yes, He, even He, the God you worship.

Thoughts for another day

December 28, 2010

Today's verse: Is. 30:18. And therefore will the LORD wait, that he may be gracious unto you, and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you: for the LORD is a God of judgment: blessed are all they that wait for him. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

The most blessed thing to do in life having faith is God is to wait for Him. Consider the Word of Scripture we have today, it is so marvelous in our ears when we see the LORD God waiting to be gracious unto us, filthy instruments of squalor and dirt. But yet, He is exalted in it and therefore He has mercy upon us; even though He is a God of judgment. And for me the Word that rings with pure pleasure is that He confers blessedness to them that wait for Him!

Our patience with God is limited. We want Him to do things instantly. I for one am always like that particularly because I pray for miracles from Him either for self or for others. I always feel that He should answer just as He did when He walked on earth. Yeah, they asked Him for something and He immediately said, let it be done as you have asked and to the measure of your faith. So we all think that God must answer our prayers immediately and only then are we satisfied but what about our faith?

Now, God has His ways and there are times when He answers prayer immediately. But there are certain prayers that He takes time to answer; it could be anything, a job, a financial blessing, curing a disease, etc. But He takes time and it seems inexplicable and we're inclined to ask Him like I do, 'What LORD is the problem?' But do we sit and try and listen to His voice which will tell us immediately why He is taking time? He has His reasons and it could very well be that our faith needs to rise. When this happens, you're so certain that He is there and He will answer your prayer that you start now talking about a situation beyond the answer and that in a way is the solidity of the Scripture: faith is the proof of things unseen. So today, I'll say, just hang in there and don't lose faith for your prayer is just around the corner. Just wait…on Him…He answers.

Thoughts for another day

December 27, 2010

Today's verse: Pro. 19:17. He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

This verse is a fine verse showing how things that we do for those God loves are considered high in His sight. Read the Words and you will know what I mean; it says that the person who has pity on the poor lends to the Lord. The Bible says that the earth is the Lord's and all its fullness and Paul says, what is it you have that you have not received? In the light of this do we give anything to the poor that's not given us by the Lord and if that is so then how can our Scripture says that giving the poor is lending to the Lord?

Simply amazing is the way of God for even He knows that of what we have, having been given by Him alone do we give and yet He considers it a loan. Sometimes the beauty of the Lord is just beyond human understanding and His ways are just too marvelous for us to behold and imbibe. For God, our deeds of charity are far more amplified than they be for even us which means they mean a lot more to Him than it may us. They spell out the success blue-print for us by which I mean, since God considers our giving as being loaned to Him, He does not always keep our loans and He repays us not to the extent of the loan but in its millions or even more if I might say.

I have always maintained that we need to help the poor. No matter how little it is, always help. Your little and my little and their little will be enough for the poor to tide by another day and that is important. So in this Christmas season as we see God's goodness in our lives let us extend our hearts to the poor and in that lend to the Lord our God who will certainly repay us many fold.

Thoughts for another day
December 24, 2010

Today's verse: Lk. 2:10,11. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

When what was ordained the foundation of the world came to be, the portals of heaven were resplendent with joy that can only be a part of heaven; Jesus Christ, was born on earth! In that moment, God sent His angels to be seen by men in their resplendence and their angelic voices be heard by them while His own glory shone around.

So the angels descended down to earth filling the atmosphere of the night sky with light most magnificent and sang the Gloria, Glory to God in the highest. The men who were deemed fit to see them were simple shepherds minding their flocks by night. To them the angels came and gave the glad tidings of great joy: that of the birth of the Christ Child, in the city of David, He Who was to be the Savior of mankind. It was an awesome moment for the shepherds for they were so afraid as to what all this might be. But you see they got the message and they went to Jesus in the manger and paid Him homage and gloried in Him.

This Christmas as we prepare to commemorate the birth of our beloved Savior, let's keep in mind the simple message: I bring you glad tidings…for to us by the birth of our Savior long ago, is salvation made known and joy rides the crests of our hearts as we move about being children of the Kingdom of God. Tomorrow as we greet each other at Christmas, let's remember the basic reason for the coming of Christ on earth and let us very meaningfully go about our celebration so it brings great glory and honor to God.

A GOD-FILLED CHRISTMAS TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY AND GOD'S LOVE BE POURED IN YOUR HEART EACH DAY OF YOUR LIFE.

Thoughts for another day

December 23, 2010


Today's verse: Jn. 1:14. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

God Almighty, made Himself small, very small. He took the form of flesh and came and pitched His tent among us. He delighted to be with us and therefore, many years ago one cold wintry night God came and dwelt with us. Jesus made Himself a place on the earth which really speaking is His footstool, shedding all His blessedness and taking up the weaknesses of man.

He was the refulgence of the glory and the express image of the Father in Heaven, yet in smallness, He never desired a glory that would set Him apart either in countenance or status from the smallest of men. He came in so small a stature that even the most downtrodden and unwanted in society could look up to Him for they found Him to welcome them. He seemed so much approachable and they trusted Him and could relate to Him. This of course both, confused and irritated His adversaries for He was everything opposite of them. In His actions He downright ridiculed their practices and regarding God, He spoke to them with such authority that never had any man done so before.

Jesus says, 'I have come to save the sick and the lost'. As Christmas fast approaches, let's remember that even today, He is there for those who are sick with the miseries of the world and those who are lost in today's manipulations of the convoluted beings on earth. Yes, Jesus is still there to save them and renew their minds with His promise which brings fulfillment and Grace in abundance to thwart the temptations that come and live a victorious life. To those of you who are reading this, consider yourself privileged for the ability to read this and reach out to those who don't even know what the internet is; whose world is so narrow that even a finger cannot pass through. Give them the saving love of Jesus and see how it enkindles your own heart this Christmas.

Thoughts for another day

December 22, 2010

Today's verse: Num. 24:17. I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

From the beginning, the coming of the Lord Jesus was inevitable and among the many prophecies in the Old Testament of the Bible, the above Scripture is one which talks about a Star coming out of Jacob and a Throne rising out of Israel. This magnificent prophecy talks about the Kingship of Jesus over the earth.

Little did anyone know that blessed night, the first Christmas that the dawn would bring the greatest King of them all, on earth. Cold as it was, the night laid out itself with clarity and chill for a Child which it knew from before and which was its Ruler, whose very voice it obeyed. Stunned as the manger was, to be elevated as the crucible for laying the head of the Ruler of the universe, it assembled all its poise to host the Son of God, perhaps wondering at why it was chosen as the cradle. Be that as it may, God had firmly established the throne of His only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ upon earth and planted His Scepter upon the heart of man.

Mary and Joseph might have never understood the meaning of it, what with the contradictions of sorts and inexplicable appearances and the wise men and shepherds. One contradiction was that they knew Jesus to be ruler, but here, He was born in a roadside manger amidst the cattle and goats!!! Yet, they accepted it and thanked God silently in their hearts for having given them the privilege to tend to His Son and look after Him. You know, today His gentle voice beckons us too as He whispers, like my Son, there are many children out there suffering in the cold. Won't you cover them with a blanket of your love? Won't you give them a hot meal?

Thoughts for another day

December 21, 2010

Today's verse: Lk. 2:14. Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

Freddy was in the American Navy and on the warship, USS Sandoval. They were sailing the icy cold waters of the Pacific and a new day had just begun burning the routine into the minds of the sailors. But just after 9 am, there was a shrill siren blast and all the sailors were commanded on deck in combat readiness for the Japanese had just attacked Pearl Harbor; and none knew what was in store. Enemy aircraft suddenly loomed in the sky and even as the sailors near the anti-aircraft artillery could do anything, they saw the bombs coming. Fortunately, they hit the water and one of them was so close that the sound of the blasting bomb ripped their eardrums.

In the melee, no one noticed that some shrapnel from the bomb had hit Freddy in the chest and had penetrated into his heart. A shoot of blood started pouring out and Freddy knew it was time to return to God. He slumped on the deck and was fast slipping into unconsciousness. At that moment his entire world flashed in his mind. His young wife, just 19 and his little child, 11 months who he had not even seen were topmost and the promise he made his wife of coming home for Christmas which would now not be fulfilled. He remembered the carols being played on the ship in the early morning and his thoughts went to that little child born in the manger and the Gloria of the angels. Peace on earth to men of good will… 'Oh God, accept me and let there be real peace on earth' was his final prayer as he closed his eyes for the last time.

And truly, peace is the one ingredient that's missing from our lives just as it was in Freddy's life. There's everything in the world but peace and peace can come with God alone. Let's pray in unison this Christmas that God's peace will come to dwell with man and though much might happen, we pray and trust that God will not take His peace from us…ever.

Thoughts for another day


December 20, 2010

Today's verse: Philip. 2:7. But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

As we prepare to celebrate this Christmas, we must remember the greater things that the celebration demands of us. For Christmas is not a festival of being merry (wonder who coined 'merry' Christmas) as in getting drunk and being in good spirits but rather being in the grip of the great mercy of our God who deigned that His Son be born as man for the salvation of man.

So as our Scripture says, Jesus arrived on earth in the form of lowly man, lowly for truly God's form is just too majestic and magnificent before which man pales into lowliness. He shed all His awesome glory in coming as a man; yeah we know Jesus as a frail man, but His glory as he reigns at the right hand of the Father is simply brilliant. Care to understand His glory? He says Himself, when the Son of man comes, it will be in amazing grandeur and in great glory and power and you will see Him from one end of the sky to the other. Awesome, simply awesome the glory of the Lord who today, we commemorate to have taken birth in a simple manger as a frail little child, which was announced to not the high and mighty, but to some wise men and some lowly shepherds; certainly not the way of man who would announce it from the roof-tops isn't it?

But that Christmas night reminds us of something most beautiful…that our God loves us so much He actually chose to come down and live with us, like us! And this is enough motivation for us to keep the spirit of Christmas in our hearts this year and reach out in some small way to the poor and the marginalized and touch them and show them God's love which He has washed and filled us with.

Thoughts for another day

December 17, 2010

Today's verse: M1. 5:2. (And thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, little to be among the thousands of Judah, out of thee shall he come forth unto me who is to be Ruler in Israel: whose goings forth are from of old, from the days of eternity.) (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

Our God is a God of contrasts. Looking at things from His point of view can turn your world upside down. When you are in a hurry to get something done, He says, 'Peace, be still'. When you want something now, He says, 'it's not the best time to have it!' When you are sore tired and just waiting to crash, He says, 'get up, you've miles to go.' Yes, God definitely doesn't think the way we mortals do and you'll find many examples in the Bible and your daily life also.

One striking example is that Jesus, the magnificent Lord, the King of creation was born in Bethlehem (Ephrathah) which was considered among the least of them all. Now who can be a ruler as big as our Lord, but He was born in a feeding trough of the cattle, hardly a place where the King of the universe is to be born. And Jesus the Holy One, the Righteous Son of God was crucified like the worst criminals at that time. Yet, God's plan always works. And this is because God knows: He knows the past from the present and He knows the present to the future and all these are seen by Him at the same time. He knows everything and therefore it is better to rely on His judgment rather than what we feel to be right for He is always right.

Even this Christmas, it may seem right to us to do so many things to be proper in our celebration of the feast. But check to see if there's something the Lord is telling you and don't be surprised if what He is saying is going against your thinking for you may then not do it. But rather, throw your judgment away and hearken to what He says and I'm sure your heart will be filled with peace and tranquility that's just inexplicable. For, as sure as the day dawns after night, when we trust His judgment, He sends us His peace which we cannot understand. Everything else we've asked for follows!

Thoughts for another day

December 16, 2010

Today's verse: Mt. 1:23. Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

The promise given to the virgin Mary before she conceived her Son was that she would bear Him despite having no relations with any man for it would be God's work with no human intervention whatsoever. It came to be exactly as was declared by the angel Gabriel on a cold night in a nondescript manger in Bethlehem and the announcement was made by angels in the night sky singing in a symphony of praise and peace to ordinary shepherds tending their flocks in the night.

Even before His birth, Jesus was to be called Emmanuel which means God with us and throughout His Ministry He made very clear to His apostles that He was to be with them in all their trials and tribulations. And He maintained that promise, though they ran away when He was arrested, tried and crucified. Jesus never left them but came to them. Before leaving this earth to return to His Father and our Father, He said, 'I AM with you always, even to the end of age.' This is a promise He keeps even to this day by the Holy Spirit.

Jesus is with us every moment. You doubt? Call out His Name in sincerity and you'll feel Him near. Cry to Him and you'll suddenly feel His protective and caring arm around you. See my friend, we cannot see Him, but we can definitely feel Him. I know a lady who met with a serious accident say that even as the car rammed into a tree, there was a force which came between her and the parts of the car, which was smashed and the same force threw her out of the car and that's why she lives. Another man says when he was in hospital with major pain because of a broken bone, a hand came and massaged him every night by which the pain subsided. So you see, Jesus is around and He still is full of compassion. Try Him this Christmas as you extend your hand to Him and ask Him to put His hand in yours. Do it and His gift will last you a lifetime.

Thoughts for another day


December 15, 2010

Today's verse: 1 Pet. 1:20. Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

Even before the foundation of the world, God knew about the fall of man… the collapse of the most magnificent creature He would create on the earth (which of course He would create to be fit for him to occupy and live in). Although God knew about man's desire to be like Him, fully abetted by the devil, God yet had much love in Himself for man to create him despite knowledge that man would treat Him with contempt and lack of desire, leave alone have gratitude.

At the beginning itself, God knew that though man would sin, He would yet love him and that love would also lead His Son to come on earth as man; then die for him and rise from the dead to provide him eternal life. Such was the plan of God before even the world started to be formed. And, God never hesitated in creating man upon earth even though He knew much about man's ambition to subtract Him from his life and try to be independent. God even knew that in the year 2010, He would have forsaken Him more or less completely and have his dependence on his own knowledge and on machines. Yet, God went ahead and created Him.

God knew He Himself would have to provide a solution for man's fall and so He ordained the birth of Christ. And on a cold wintry night long ago, Jesus came to the earth born of a woman, born into the crucible of suffering and penury so as to enkindle the hope of billions on the earth – a hope they would place in Him as they suffered remembering always that they worshipped a God who knew suffering and penury. A hope that would raise their spirits and make them await their salvation in time to come. Today, the world is in a terrible quandary. Man has diminished as it were, the control of God in his life and given it to the devil rather unwittingly and the mirth of satan can be seen in that he is causing grave worries for man. Yet as we celebrate this Christmas, we put our hope in the little child of Bethlehem and raise our pitch to be the children of the kingdom through Him.

Thoughts for another day


December 14, 2010

Today's verse: Jn. 1:10, 11. He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

Our God is so just and beautiful; it brings tears to my eyes of joy, just thinking about His beauty and His love for His people. When you look at the Scripture above, we can fathom His awesome love for us considering that He has kept us alive in this world despite the fact though He made it, we yet, don't know Him. Let's not kid ourselves saying we know God for just surfacial saying of anything isn't going to make it a reality and the fact of the matter is most of us don't know Him.

Then God arrived one day on earth: a little babe, small and frail. God considered the tent of man worthy enough to come and live in the same tent. He lived among us and He shared everything with us. But we didn't accept Him. Rather, we doubted Him and called Him an imposter and a fraud and when He worked those wonderful miracles, they were attributed to satan's work, demeaning Him our precious LORD God and making Him look so ordinary. Let's not say it was the Jews who did it, for today, we are worse than them. Judas betrayed Jesus for 30 pieces of silver; I offend Him for just one. He came to us with Grace immense and we told Him to get lost. We do that even today, day in and day out. Check if you want – is Jesus there in our Sunday services or are we just flaunting our little bits to be noticed, yeah, each one of us?

It's time now to take stock of our lives and see where we have gone wrong. He is there as He said He would be, to help us. He is there to guard us and guide us and lead us on the way. And as we are set to commemorate His birth, let us rise and accept His Grace in our lives and allow Him to birth a new us. And Behold He shall be proud of us and say…'My child I knew I could trust you!'

Thoughts for another day


December 13, 2010

Today's verse: Is. 9:6. For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

Soon, we will be commemorating the birth of Christ. The date of course none knows but for the sake of fixing a day, the 25th of December was fixed and around the world this day is celebrated as the birth date of Christ. The day isn't important, what is, is the birth of Christ. That He was born as man, we know and we celebrate His birth to revive memories of that cold wintry night many years ago in Bethlehem as the Christ Child was laid in a manger upon His birth and like the carol says, he didn't even have a crib for His bed!

The important thing about Christmas is, not mere lip service and celebration or partying or merry making or any of that sort of thing; it's whether Christ is born in our hearts. Is He really the King of the universe? For that I believe He must be the King of our hearts for if He isn't the King of our hearts, then how can He be the King of the universe? Makes perfect sense isn't it?

There's much talk about His birth in our hearts but what about the real situation? Does Jesus actually take birth in our hearts? Is He really the star of our lives? Questions I believe we need to ask as we prepare for the day. As we think of all the new clothes that we wear and the good food that we prepare to enjoy with friends and families, is the Christ Child uppermost in our minds. Does our mind even stray toward the gift of God in the likeness of a Child, small and frail in the Manger in Ephrathah? If it really is, then each time as we go about preparing for Christmas with clothes and sweets, let's be aware of that poor child shivering in the cold each night. Let's be conscious of the fact that there are many out there that are suffering and in pain. There are those who are lonely and scarred. Then there are the bereaved ones who've lost someone. All these are suffering silently in the silence of their souls. This Christmas can we do something that at least in the hearts of a few we can make the bells ring an anthem of joy. Can we tell them that Christ was born for them too and make their lives memorable this Christmas? Can we really declare that His Name is Wonderful Counselor?

Thoughts for another day

December 10, 2010

Today's verse: Mk. 5:35,36. While he yet spake, there came from the ruler of the synagogue's house certain which said, Thy daughter is dead: why troublest thou the Master any further? As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe.  (KJV)   

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

Faith: The common factor in all the great work of God since ages have passed.  Faith accorded Abraham the righteousness to have a relationship with God.  Faith helped Elijah to be the prophet he is.  Faith, delivered the goods to David as he moved from being a shepherd boy to the king of Israel.  Faith that just beat the plan of Nebuchadnezzar and delivered Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego from the white hot furnace that could reduce anyone else to ashes.  Faith that saw Paul being unharmed even when the viper had attached itself to his hand.  And faith did so much to so many people in the time of Jesus.  And even above, hearing about the death of the girl, Jesus says the amazing thing: Only believe!

The operative word in the power release of God is FAITH, BELIEF.  God releases immense power when He sees faith in someone and this faith is capable of doing anything… yes, believe me, anything.  For God there's nothing impossible and this tremendous capability is exercised when faith is offered to Him in abject surrender.  I put up my hands before Him and show Him my little faith and zoop… He answers my prayer.  Many times I wonder, why God doesn't answer our prayer immediately.  And the answer I get is; do I have faith? 

There's something about faith that's just amazing.  Both in the Bible and in everyday life, I've known of amazing things that've happened.  The process of faith, whether it's for material things or Spiritual is difficult, terrible at times.  I have the faith that I'll someday shun sin and believe me while the process is on, I find myself sinning more grievously.  It's a painful process this 'Faith in progress' thing.  But, it's worth it because when God answers prayer there's immense relief just as when a woman is in labor, she's in much pain, but after the child is born, there's much joy.  So it is with those in the process of faith and it will be even greater when we accept our 'Faith in progress' situation, for when we're through, we can stand up and shout Hallelujah, so that the world will know of the goodness of the Lord and acclaim Him as King.

Thoughts for another day

December 9, 2010

Today's verse: Mt. 26:40. And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour? (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

Prayer: the sign by which we shall be strong and known as Christians. Prayer, the all-powerful tool to shake the heart off the Almighty and get the things we need from Him. Prayer, oh the sheer power of it that it can move mountains and hurl the rivers into oblivion. Prayer it is that should be our recourse to God. But here, the 'but' always happens, how many of us pray. How many of us really consider it worth our time to pray. Let's say we are in a spot, how many of us prefer to sit and pray as against go to people for help. Your answer to this will define your attitude towards prayer and it is this attitude which is of phenomenal importance in praying.

We go through 'busy' lives, finding all sorts of excuses to not pray. Excuses are the gift wrapped presents that the devil gives us and nudges us to believe that our excuses work before God; this although we know God wants us to pray unceasingly for there is much to pray for in the world. Yet we adhere to the devil's prompting of excuses and give them to God. He wakes us up early in the morning reminding us to pray and we find the excuse of tiredness, etc. During the day, He prompts us to pray and we of course have our work or daily chores. What fools we are to believe that without His power we can accomplish anything oblivious to the fact that with prayer and a little self work, God can and will work wonders in our lives!

What we see in our Scripture is the Lord telling us to pray for at least one hour. Well you might say, one hour where can I find that much time? What if the Lord hurls us into the hospital with some disease? Then we have all the time in the world; so obviously we can pray no? But, at that time too, we are tired so we sleep, prayer be damned! We hardly heed the call of God to pray and are so parsimonious with prayer as to shame Him who has asked us to pray. And pray we must for if there are mountains in our lives that need be moved, there is no better way than prayer to make that possible.

Thoughts for another day


December 8, 2010

Today's verse: Philipp. 1:6. Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

When I look at my life and realize there's a Ministry for God in it, I think again. I look at myself and see the dirt in me. I was just reading a handout and the words jumped out 'God loves to pour out His abundance on the obedient and the faithful' and I told myself, it can't be for me for how disobedient I am and yea, maybe, faithful, but definitely covered in sin. Perhaps many of us too have this great malady of sin looking down on us and seeking to swamp us in its wake.

How wretched I feel when I look at the quality of my life before God. Before man (who knows nothing about me), I'm the perfect example of a man of God – knowing Scriptures well and assumedly living them too! But before God all this crumbles into bits. My façade is destroyed the moment I go to Him for He knows even the innermost desires of my heart. And in this knowledge of being sinful, if I may say in a human way - beyond redemption, my heart rends in pain as I look at God and tell Him, 'Lord this ministry, please give to another for there're so many men and women who are much more worthy than me!' I also sometimes tell the Lord, 'Give me death so that at least by that I might stop sinning!' I'm sure He the LORD God, Master of creation must be looking and laughing. Jesus particularly reminds me, 'I chose fishermen to grow My Ministry, not scholars of the law or erudite men, abiding high in human terms!'

Then I look at our Scripture today and tell myself, yes, God has begun a good work in me and He will accomplish it in His time. Lest you think this is about me, it's also about you for if God has put a ministry in your life, and you feel you're not up to it, fret not for it is His Ministry and His choice of people and He knows whom He has chosen. You are the right choice so just stand up and thank Him that He intends to use you – warts and all.

Thoughts for another day


December 6, 2010

Today's verse: 1 Jn 1:9. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

If we open the doors of the windows to our hearts, we'll immediately see many badges – badges of dishonor to God: our sins; all arrayed to undermine and belittle the glory and supremacy of God. I sometimes cringe at the thought of the number of sins I commit and well, it is not me alone but you and everybody who faults in some way or other. Our sin may not only be an act of doing, but also an act of not doing or doing indirectly. An act of doing could be lying or robbing. An act of not doing may mean not giving to a person in desperate need. Indirect sin may be giving a bribe or perhaps not appearing in court to give witness for a person who's alleged to have committed an offence you know he didn't.

All these badges of honor gnaw at the core of our hearts eating away the Grace that God has put in it so much so that after a period of time, our hearts because they have become bereft of His Grace become callous and sin wantonly as normal routine thus cancelling it's stench in our minds. We've so many examples in our lives like robbing staple pins from our offices for personal use, etc. You may say it's such a small sin, but sin is a sin no matter how small or small or how incognizable it be.

That's where our Scripture comes to our rescue. When we go before our God, we need to show Him our badges of dishonor and repent before Him. You know it's so easy to sit before God and just plead with him saying that you've committed sin and look at His face and see His love pouring out, just as Peter did when he looked at the Lord's face after denying Him three times and saw the compassion on it and he went out and repented in bitter tears. And wonderful as He is, He will forgive us our sins and make us righteous before Him. What a privilege…

Thoughts for another day


December 6, 2010

Today's verse: 2 Tim. 3:12. Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

If you are a disciple of Christ, there's one thing you need to know which actually few do, that is – persecution in your life is guaranteed. No matter who you are and what you do, being His disciple, you can rest assured that people will be out to get you. A genuine disciple of Christ is always persecuted and I am talking about persecution that's a direct result of your proclamation or your work on His behalf.

Unfortunately many haven't understood this and are 'shocked' when it happens; shocked that their persecution can be so severe. Some even are killed like it happened in Orissa in India and the odd thing is their relatives mourn and weep saying how it was so undeserved but the Word is clear that persecution is a direct consequence of your working for the Kingdom of God as Jesus Himself says it in Mark 10:29, 30 - “I tell you the truth, no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for Me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age (homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—and with them, persecutions) and in the age to come, eternal life."

There're also some who equate the troubles they get because of their wrong-doing with persecution because they also preach the Gospel. Which by itself is foolishness for the persecution they face is for the wrong they do and it would happen even if they didn't preach the Gospel but were just ordinary people. Be that as it may, it's pertinent for me to add that if you're inclined to being a servant of God and go to the vineyard to do His work, be aware that your days are numbered for someday you will be asked to stand up for His Name and take a bullet and woe be to you if you aren't prepared to do that having called yourself the servant of God. If you genuinely are His servant, you may be scared but your footsteps as you move toward death will be sure and not vacillating.

Thoughts for another day


December 3, 2010

Today's verse: Deut. 7:21. Thou shalt not be affrighted at them: for the LORD thy God is among you, a mighty God and terrible. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

When the hand of the Mighty LORD God is upon you, of whom shall you be scared? Under whose hand can you be subdued or who can pour out terror upon you as does one pour hot water on fowl? When He the Creator is thy rear Guard, then shall you not be afraid neither of things that are inanimate nor shall you be scared of anything that lives and moves.

You may have enemies though you were no cause for enmity with them and they could be sore afflicted with your prosperity and your joy. Yet, they would suffer to see you happy and not be able to do a thing to you for the hand of God blocks all their evil working towards you. You shall be dwelling under the shadow of the wings of the Great Father in Heaven and under His pinions He shall safeguard you. Whence shall persecution take hold of you as you proclaim His mighty Name, for He will block the very eyes of them that see you with the eyes of malice the devil has provided them till your times comes to be laid on His altar as a living sacrifice.

He shall remove the very fright of them from your heart so you do not as much as blink your eye when their threats are sounded, for He will be flexing His muscles on your behalf. His marching you shall hear as on the tops of the mastic trees as David did and if your enemy dares as much as lift a finger against you, His might will melt him and destroy him as were the Egyptians, the great and mighty nation destroyed before the Israelites and they, the Israelites did not even lift up as much as a hand to defend themselves! God is Awesome and terrible to the nations and when He takes cudgels on your behalf, all you can do is watch in disbelief as your enemies plunge into the pit of disaster one after the other. All you need be is surrendered.

Thoughts for another day

December 2, 2010

Today's verse: Wis. 15:3. For to know thee is perfect righteousness: yea, to know thy power is the root of immortality.  (KJV)

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

Knowledge of the LORD God Almighty is of great essence and like our Word says today tantamount to perfect righteousness.  How one might ask; and it is because knowledge of God doesn't come so easily.  When you know God all things change:  Your whole life changes.  You no longer are riddled by the affairs of the world for to you they are things that the Mighty and all-powerful God can set right in the twinkling of an eye. 

To the one who knows God, even if his life is scrambled and in tatters, the Master can set it right in a jiffy, just as a genius can set the rubik's cube right within a flash no matter what colors are seen in each of the various sides and how difficult it may seem.  Knowing God means being in awe of Him and seeking to worship Him always.  Your every cell is filled with His power and you suddenly realize the immense power of God and the brilliance of His Majesty.  Knowing Him is being able to imbibe Him deep inside.  Mary the sister of Martha, knew Jesus and she thought it right to sit at His feet gazing at His aura, rather than be involved in the affairs of the kitchen.  

David also knew God well.  His heart welled up with love for God and was he completely devoted to Him.  So confident was he of God that he could speak to Him and tell Him, 'Even though I walk in the valley of the shadow of death, I shall not be afraid… for You are there with Your crook and staff.'  On another occasion, when the Israelites were filled with terror of the Philistine Goliath, it was David who stood up and said, 'Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?'  Yes, David was aware of God, the Living God and he took pride in the fact that God was with Him and that is why he could belittle the person who caused the hearts of his fellowmen to melt.  Knowledge of God does that and though the person may still be fallible and still fall into the snare of the devil, he can stand up when the time comes and do his best for God and in the process witness God's power.  And then Jesus will say, 'come enter and dine with Me, for I know you well.'

Thoughts for another day


December 1, 2010

Today's verse: 2 Cor. 4:18. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

When Jesus was hung on the Cross, the people saw His physical body and thought it's the end for they saw defeat in His hanging on the Cross – a pitiable figure. You wouldn't envy Him, only pity Him for He seemed so pitiable. What people didn't see was the invisible realm. A particular world which isn't visible to all except those who're created in a manner that they dwell in it like the angels or, for them whom God has made it possible to see, like Elisha in 2 Kings 6:16.

And when you see the picture of Jesus on the Cross in the invisible realm, you see VICTORY. You see the defeat of darkness; which scenario is just not possible in the visible realm for us humans to conceive for our ways are not His ways and our thoughts are not His thoughts. He works in ways not known to us and wondrous and magnificent are His paths. When Jesus bent His head and died, there was jubilation in the invisible realm for the mystery that God had seen for us even before the foundation of the world and revealed in the coming of Jesus was declared as 'accomplished' by the Son of God. Yes, God had given man the possibility to look up and call Him Abba, enabling Him to enjoy eternal life.

Today, for us the invisible should be more than the visible. Our faith in God is invisible but very powerful as God can work wonders in our lives by our faith and it is faith by which we actually see the realization of all that we've asked God in prayer and it's the evidence of answered prayer. Faith enables us already see in our possession that which we've asked God and eventually it comes into the visible realm by His power. God is in the invisible world and He is far far more powerful than even the most powerful visible thing. Also, as Paul says above, that which is in the invisible realm is permanent unlike that seen in the visible for didn't Jesus say, 'heaven and earth will pass away but My Word will not pass away.' His Word of course can only be heard, not seen. Today, shake aside your doubts about the invisible and look at God in it. Your life will never be the same if you can but see, the Awesome form of our Magnificent God.