Thoughts for another day

April 29, 2011

Today's verse: Ps. 69:9a. For the zeal of thine house hath eaten me up;  (KJV)

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To work well for God, you need to have unyielding zeal in you: The zeal to shake the earth for Him and work ceaselessly in conquering through Him, the citizens of earth, making them citizens of heaven.  Although all profess to have this zeal, not many are privy to the heart of God which allows them to maintain this zeal and work for it and of course know the truth about it.

Jesus clearly had zeal for God therefore, any action of men which denied God exaltation was detested by Jesus and He fought against it and if I may say, became aggressive for that purpose. You see this when He drives out the sellers from the temple courtyard.  A fascinating trait I've noticed in the men and women with zeal for God is their total disrespect to things that distract from God's purposes seeking to project man's doctrines as something of God.  An example would be, that we expect a man or woman with zeal for God to be very good with people, particularly those in power and authority and more especially the religious ones.  Well, then Jesus wasn't One with zeal for God for He was no respecter of persons mostly of those in power and authority with emphasis on the religious kind.  In fact He even castigated them calling them 'white-washed tombs' a metaphor so crass it burned them with anger.  So was John the Baptist who called the Pharisees and Sadducees, the men of respect in Israel at that time, 'brood of vipers!'

I was yesterday talking to a gentleman (who's a fine example of 'humanity' but listless when it concerns God) about this and I could see that He didn't understand anything that I was saying and even while talking he was waving his hand at people who did not even look his way!  He understood nothing for really, our ways are opposite to God's ways.  People believe that to be a good disciple of God, you need to be people –friendly.  If this is true then I would say, the greatest evangelist I know, Saint Paul, wouldn't qualify and so I believe would Peter.  It doesn't mean you have to be mean or crass, it's just that you tell the truth about God even in the face of generating anger in them, like Jesus did when He healed on the Sabbath.  And mind you, you don't care for the consequences, only when zeal for God consumes you. 

Thoughts for another day

April 28, 2011

Today's verse: 2 Cor. 9:10. Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness.  (KJV)

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Although this above Scripture is said about Paul mentioning 'giving' in this letter, it's also to remind us that God is the giver of all things.  Just as He supplies seed to the sower and bread for food unfailingly through all the years, He will supply and increase our store of seed and together with it, also enlarge the harvest of your righteousness.

Remember God is Awesome and if you give God just a small thing, He will bless you a hundred fold for that small thing and that is what makes me cringe in shame when I tell Him of all my personal sacrifices and then confront Him saying, 'What have You done for me in return?' easily forgetting the life that He has given me and though trials I may have, yet He has given me such fine disposition that I'm never in sadness rather I can by His Grace comfort others who have problems.  The great Grace He has given enables people like me and others to not think of self but think of others and the pain they undergo.  Yeah, the fruit of righteousness grows deep in the Grace He provides.

I was praying hard for my needs one day in the prayer room when suddenly I saw a lady enter whose feet where elephantine; so swollen looking, it was amazing and she was literally dragging her feet to walk.  It made me forget my own needs and think of her and what she must be undergoing in her mind with those huge feet of hers.  Really my friend, God is so wonderful that He enables us to be kind to others and generous too and believe me, when we reach out to them He will take care of us.  No matter what we need or desire, we'll get; that's my permanent refrain though I be set through fiery trials for I know my Father…my trust in Him will never be in vain.  I Believe in Him for whom all things are possible.

Thoughts for another day

April 27, 2011

Today's verse: Jer. 2:13. For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water.  (KJV)

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When we read Jeremiah in the above Scripture we see God's exasperation in His saying, that 'His' people have committed two evils: 1. they've forsaken Him Who is the fountain of Living Waters and 2. They've had recourse to empty cisterns that hold no water meaning as it were, they've held no gods as their god. 

Not much has changed since this cry of God mentioned during Bible times.  Looking at the vast body of Christians who're His people, I see their 'un-faith' if I may say and I can only wonder how far we've moved from our God.  For every problem we face, we have earthly solutions that're no solutions at all but temporary halts in the plentitude of problems we're to face in this world.   We face problems which are really born of the way we live for e.g. unhealthy eating result in diseases of the stomach because we didn't follow discipline in eating.  The moment we have this sickness, we rush to a doctor which is just the natural thing to do and mind you, if you don't believing that God will cure, you'd be considered a fool.  I know because I have gone through it and I'd say unless you know God you cannot resort to this as you won't see results.

There're very few and they can literally be counted on your finger tips in the church, who have recourse to God often, speaking to Him, telling Him everything.  As for others, He is remembered only when Sunday comes or if there's an event where He is spoken about. And it's surprising that though we indulge in this, we speak of Him as if we were dwelling in His house all the time and 'know' Him well!  After a period of time, we ourselves fall for this façade of ours which tells us we're chosen of Him and are regularly doing His work.  Surprising, I say considering we hardly spend any time with Him therefore we don't know Him.   That's why even today out of the skies from the heavens comes the clarion call – get up and come; cling to Me and I will bless your ways.

Thoughts for another day

April 26, 2011

Today's verse: Song of songs 2:4. He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love. (KJV)

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Recently we celebrated the feast of Easter which commemorates Jesus' resurrection and His giving us new life.  But before this could happen, we know about the tremendous trials Jesus endured for us – He went through immense suffering that was never His for He knew no guilt.  He still went through it because His banner over us is 'love'.  An unconditional love, that chooses to be blind to our faults and wrongdoings, rather focusing on what can be done for us.

One of the major differences between Christians and others is that our God is always seen with open arms.  The Bible has many references to the word, 'Come' for God is waiting that we come. We see this in the Old Testament too: though the Jews had done every abomination in His sight, He always forgave and said 'Come'.  And we find Jesus also saying 'come to Me!'  God knows that there're times in our lives when we really don't know what to do.  We can't see things clearly and are so depressed that our lives seem too heavy for us.  At these times nothing works as well as a welcome by someone close to us and that Someone is our God who is waiting for us with open arms just as the Father of the prodigal son!

Jesus is an inviting God and we can see this in His Ministry. He is also very approachable.  Sinners, prostitutes, the scum of society, lepers etc. all found it easy to approach Him, while the learned found Him tough.  When we approach Him, He sets a celebration banquet for us.  Let's remember this symbol always for we know that at the end of age, when Jesus comes 'a calling', we shall enter the portals of His mansion for the greatest feast we've ever had.

Thoughts for another day

April 21, 2011

Today's verse: Jn. 13:14. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet.  (KJV)

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Many Christians observe today what's called Maundy Thursday.  It commemorates the Last Supper that Jesus had with His apostles before He could be crucified, die and rise.  What's of great importance about this last meal in accordance with Passover regulations is the washing of the feet of the apostles by Jesus Christ, the Son of God.  In this context, I also remember David saying, 'He stooped down and lifted me up from the miry pit.'  What an image this is for us!

By washing His apostles' feet, Jesus set us an example of service sans gain. Though all-powerful, Son of God, He yet had the courage to participate in this demeaning exercise.  Demeaning because never before; and probably never after has the teacher (guru) ever washed the feet of his disciple.  Rather it's considered proper for the disciple to wash his guru's feet as a sort of respect and obligation.  That's why God's ways are unlike our ways.  He is so different from us for He doesn't consider it too little to bend and accede to the wishes of His people and He wants us to do the same.  But take our current priests and pastors and for that matter take us too who're supposed to be Christian; we'd rather others wash our feet than us washing theirs. 

Christianity is about being servile, not because you have to, but because you choose too.  It's difficult, though not impossible and I believe God who knows all, allowed Jesus to wash His apostles' feet so we could be about serving one another not waiting to be served.  Besides we shouldn't consider any act of service though menial, as too small for us.  I know this isn't up our alley, but today as His Grace flows, let's in sincerity stand up and beseech Him to make us humble and humble to the core so for His sake we're able to do base things and in it glorify His Name.

Thoughts for another day 

April 20, 2011

Today's verse: Mal. 4:2. But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.  (KJV)

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The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom says the Holy Book and it's also the beginning of the rain of God's blessing upon one's life.  Today, we learn of another attribute of benediction on our lives when we fear the Lord and that is, the sun of righteousness arising with healing in its wings.  Look at it my friend as the dawn of a new era of growth without fear of any enemy eating away at it or anyone envying it or being able to do muffle it. 

What is the fear of the Lord, one may ask. It's quite simply being amazed at who God is and subject to His Sovereignty without a shred of doubt; and in complete obedience do all that He commands.  When our body language is such that it's at attention when we think of Him or even as we utter a simple Hallelujah (simple it may be for us, but great for God for He knows our desire to praise Him), we can be said to fear the Lord.  Our bodies have to be attentive to His Presence and be positioned in a way that doesn't offend Him.  Even when we're sitting comfortably and His Name rings somewhere, we spring to attention for remember His Name is awesome and blessed is the man who fears the Name of the Lord.

When God sees our reaction and sees how much He means to us, He provides us the sun of healing in our mornings and the rays of the sun give us the strength to gambol like calves  in the stall playing with his siblings.  I can tell you this much after spending time in prayer that when we submit ourselves to Him and look at His awesomeness with awe, then His truth Hits us and we realize how big a God He is.  It is then that we're able to declare boldly to our adversities, how big our God is and they shudder and whimper away from us.

Thoughts for another day

April 19, 2011

Today's verse: Eccl. 11:5. As thou knowest not what is the way of the spirit, nor how the bones do grow in the womb of her that is with child: even so thou knowest not the works of God who maketh all.  (KJV)

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For all man's boasting, what does he really know?  Does he know how long he'll live?  Does he know what's to happen tomorrow or the nature of the climate on the morrow?  No and an emphatic no because man's finiteness doesn't contain the knowledge of the future.

Man can only know what happened in the past and he do as much in the present as he knows of the past and hope he'll prosper.  Today, to ensure he prospers, he does all kinds of evil – destroying the flora and fauna for his own nefarious means and also destroying anyone that comes in the path of his success.  He bends rules and commits fraud; and each day we have these frauds in the open and these men instead of being ashamed, cling to their sham innocence. The good thing is they don't know the future and because of the greed the devil has put in their hearts they go about committing evil.  So we can safely deduce that most of what man does, he does in ignorance, but ask him and he'll elaborate on how much knowledge he has and what all he can do, conveniently forgetting that he may be dead by the time the sun sets!  We know this from the people who died recently in Japan because of the tsunami – how many of them would have envisioned their demise that morning?

When you take God, He knows all.  He knows what we will be speaking next day and even fifty years later.  He knows and understands our every point in the future for God can see our future as well as He can see the past and knows our present.  It's therefore worthwhile to trust ourselves into His hands and leave Him to run our lives for He knows what to do with us.

Thoughts for another day 

April 18, 2011

Today's verse: Joel 2:13. Rend your hearts and not your garments and return to the Lord, your God, for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in loving-kindness; and He revokes His sentence of evil [when His conditions are met].  (Amplified Bible – copyright acknowledged)

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There're many Christians who are in the season of Lent and I believe this season is invoked by God's Grace to bring men unto the point of repentance and humility before God, not that for the rest of the year they're to do what they want, but rather gain enough strength in this season to combat the debilitating forces of the devil throughout the year; akin to, I'd even say, reap what you haven't harvested so that your barns are full and you are fed the year through!

But that's just what we're meant to do; what is however important is what God does for us and it is defined by our Scripture today which says, He revokes His sentence of evil upon us; He cancels the debt we incur of His wrath because He is a merciful and gracious God.  He is absolutely slow to anger with us and abides in loving-kindness because of which the psalmist says, 'Thy loving-kindness is better than life!'  Ah, it comes as a waft of fresh breeze upon the soul of man - this nature of God to forget our misgivings and forgive our blemishes.

Truly, you and I serve a magnificent and splendid God who knows only one thing – to do good to us even if all we do is return evil on His face.  Though God, He is never abrasive nor crass with us and whenever I see Christ, I see Him upon the Cross, yielding Himself up to me.  When I see Him on the throne at the right Hand of the Father, I see a pleading in His eyes to His Father to forgive my sins and grant me all that I ask of Him.  My picture of Christ always beckons me to His banqueting table but never to His scourging chamber (if He ever were to have one) and all I can say is I rejoice in His company and I squeal with delight at His warm touch, so I will, by the power of His Holy Spirit, tear my heart and seek a new heart to worship and glorify Him always. Amen.

Thoughts for another day

April 15, 2011

Today's verse: Job 9:10. Which doeth great things past finding out; yea, and wonders without number. (KJV)
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Thinking about God's brilliance, leads me to things that're simply amazing and even the thought of them is an exercise in fantasy – though very real, for God is real and God's breath permeates the entire cosmos. His writ runs across the vast galaxy and His Presence in every pore and cell brings life. The planets, the earth, etc. all revolve around the sun. We know there's a force that can move the vast planets across their orbits, but who produces the force. The sun belches shafts of flames across millions of miles; question is who has kept the flames fanned in its belly over the generations and across ages?

I love to see raw nature in a remote place where God's hand is seen in all its glory. The myriad colors composing the landscape in these places are simply breathtaking. The snow capped mountains lit with the early rays of the sun provide sheer brilliance to the viewing eye. Not to forget the raging ocean bubbling with raw energy causing waves to gambol upon the sea shore.

And when it comes to us, just look at your hand as you read this; see the crisscross of lines on your palm. Looking at the architecture, remember each line etched there is but a sign of love the Master has for you. Yeah truly, the amazing Creator does great things. It's just beyond our comprehension most of the time and the wonders of His hand are simply too much to realize. Just let them be and just be still and know that He is God.

Thoughts for another day 

April 14, 2011

Today's verse: Lk. 7:47. Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little. (KJV)

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There's something about our hearts that God can read them so well.  You may be aware that even before you were conceived in your mother's womb; God had read your heart and known you.  That's why before David could be something, Samuel says to Saul, 'the LORD hath sought him a man after his own heart,' (1 Sam. 13:14) of him!  Truly astounding, how God knows each one of us. 

What's surprising is that the man blessed by God also knows it and acknowledges this.  There's a secret transaction between God and the man blessed of God.  None will see anything happen not even the man, but he knows it deep within and displays whole-heartedly the fruit of the blessing.  So also the woman in our Scripture above, who anoints Jesus' feet on the day Jesus went for a meal to the house of Simon, the Pharisee. 

Everyone looked at the woman with disdain and contempt but, the Lord who had read her heart had seen the immense joy in her being forgiven and forgave and no one, not even she heard His statement of forgiveness to her, yet in that secret transaction, her heart was lifted and moved to God for His love for her and she rejoiced in that love and thence had the courage to break the alabaster flask of dear spikenard and anoint His feet with it!  That's why the transverse in Jesus' statement to Simon wherein, the credit for the forgiveness of her sins has been given to her in the words, 'for she loved much therefore her many sins are forgiven!'  Truly God is so beautiful, there's hardly anything we do in whatever we do all our lives that's sufficient to give Him glory and there can never be.

Thoughts for another day

April 13, 2011

Today's verse: Pro 25:2. It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter. (KJV)
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It's an amazing the ways of God for He is very different from us. When a great thing happens, we tom-tom about it and go all over town broadcasting it; but when God does a great thing, He isn't bothered for there's nothing in God's dictionary which says' great' for they're great to us but nothing for God. When Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, there would have been great awe among the people, but for Jesus it was just another day at the office, if I may say.

God's glory is seen in everything, but very subtly. A simple glance at the least of trees may not generate much interest but to a discerning mind, the very shape and craft of the tree would be a marvel to behold for no human can create a tree…no, none can do it, except God. A look at the sky at dusk embellishing astounding beauty is lost among men for they aren't tuned to God's splendor and hence concealed from them. Besides, some of the greatest natural wonders that define the Magnificent Hand of God absolutely are in areas where humans hardly tread. Yes, my friend, it's the glory of God to conceal things and even more so the most awesome ones, while humans decree it a honor to reveal and publish them, even more so if it be a king.

Jesus, the greatest phenomenon ever on earth, came unannounced; but for a spirited trio of wise men and a motley bunch of shepherds. His life on earth was witnessed by simple people though eschewed by the learned who hardly thought much of Him. His resurrection and ascension into Heaven, was knowledge limited to His apostles and those close to them. I believe God keeps His glory hidden because He knows that those for whom it is intended will see it anyway, cf Elisha 2 Kgs. 6:16-17. Yes, truly if you've been privileged to see His glory, thank Him for you remain but among the few whose name is written in the Book of Life.

Thoughts for another day

April 12, 2011

Today's verse: Hab. 1:5b. for I will work a work in your days, which ye will not believe, though it be told you. (KJV)

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God is glorious, Sovereign and simply Awesome.  He reigns across the universe, the creation of His hand.  His power extends to every corner of the vast cosmos of which we're probably not even a zillionth part.  He treads in places none can even think of or imagine and His stamp of perfection is seen by us in every bit of material of this giant universe, whether stone or gas or anything else that we're able to see.  His signature of magnificence is evinced in the blushing sun as it gently sets among the huge snow filled mountains of the world and the glorious stars arrayed to form the candelabra of the night sky.

God's immense power is witnessed is the swirl of the waves of the seas around the world.  Simply amazing is this that round the globe, even as you are reading this, countless waves are either pounding the stones near the bay or stirring up the sand on the sleepy shore.  The gentle swaying of the magnificent trees give witness to His everlasting power and the gentle dropping of leaves, flowers and fruit show the sharp genius of the Master of all – the Lord God Almighty.

Today, God is telling us of a work He will do in our days which we will not believe and for sure who can comprehend the mind and the work of the Mighty Awesome God of the universe.  It may take us a billion years to just fathom, how great He is and digest the fact of His omnipotence, omniscience and omnipresence.  But this much is sure that what He hasn't yet done to show His splendor, He will do in the future to tell us what He is truly capable of and exhort us to be with Him for He knows that in Him alone is the secret of eternal life for us.

Thoughts for another day

April 11, 2011

Today's verse: Jer 3:12. Return, thou backsliding Israel, saith the LORD; and I will not cause mine anger to fall upon you: for I am merciful, saith the LORD, and I will not keep anger for ever. (KJV)
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When you consider it, you'll find so many things good about our God: He is loving, He is Kind and Merciful, He is Awesome and Mighty, and so on. In Scripture today, He says He is merciful and will not keep His anger forever. Think about what He says for it's so beautiful. What I write below will illustrate the magnificence and magnanimity of our Lord towards us.

First of all, He created us and made us in His own image. He invested His breath in us giving us life and fullness. He placed us in Eden to enjoy the beauty of the work of His hand and He led us by our hands, just as we lead a child by our hands. We sinned and He had to throw us out of Eden; yet He didn't disown nor destroy us. He promised us redemption in time to come and He stuck by us. We sinned and sinned and He had to destroy us in the flood. Later, He chose us out of the peoples of the world for Himself; that would emanate from a man who had obeyed Him and walked in His ways, Abraham. But Abraham's descendents sinned grievously. He felt bad and deserted them, but didn't destroy them. When they cried out to Him, He woke up like a giant from sleep and destroyed their enemies. Then He sent His only Son, Jesus Christ to save us and Jesus died a horrendous and painful death for our sakes, yet we never believed Him. The painful part is, we have always rebelled against Him. But He always reposed faith in us.

Today, we've moved very far from Him and don't even know Him. We have no time for Him and scarcely believe Him choosing rather to believe in man and his own things. Yet out of the deep He calls out to each one of us and tells us, believe and repent: He says, I have been angry with you in the past, but today, I will open the tap of My mercy so you can drink deep and be restored. But, (there's always a but), am I ready to embrace His offer of love?

Thoughts for another day

April 8, 2011

Today's verse: Mk. 4:27. And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how. (KJV)
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Our lives here on earth are filled with the 'knowledge of the unknown' - a contrast of sorts for how can one have knowledge of the unknown; it’s a bit perplexing but part of life. We actually thrive in the unknown for our God is a mysterious God and He dwells in the unknown. Yet He has set principles that delve in the unknown and shape the known. For e.g., when Catholics receive communion, we believe we've received the body of Christ. What we see is a wafer and not His body, yet we know we aren't partaking of a wafer but the actual body of our Savior; and God has granted us the knowledge of this mystery in several cases where the wafer has bled like a real piece of tissue around the world! Another example is the Trinity: How can God be One and then Three Persons in One?

Knowledge of the unknown is a powerful tool in the hands of a Christian to gain the fullness of His blessing and absolute Faith in Him gives us this knowledge. Paul says, we walk by faith, not by sight! When the Centurion told Jesus that He could just command from where He was and his servant would be healed, he exhibited the knowledge of the unknown and Jesus converted that knowledge into reality. Our Scripture today exemplifies this in saying the farmer after sowing sleeps and the seed springs up and provides him yield which he knows not how. But when he plants the seed, he exhibits the knowledge of the unknown and thus benefits. There could be so many things which could thwart that growth, yet he ignores them all for he has seen the hand of the Almighty Who grows the seed in time.

We're called to be aware of the 'knowledge of the unknown' and see the hand of the Master bring into fruition the deepest desires of our hearts when we act like we know. Believe me the Savior loves it when we present our 'knowledge of the unknown' for what better way to exhibit our confidence in Him and telling Him, Lord I know You are real! So let's do as the farmer does, having sowed, let us sleep peacefully with total knowledge that our labor will bear fruit. The crop may take a while to rise, but then don't we also know the God we serve. He will raise the crop and give us an abundant yield – be it Spiritual or material, as desired by us.

Thoughts for another day

April 7, 2011

Today's verse: Lk. 23:43. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise. (KJV)
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Dismas, was an evil man. He committed so much vice that the only punishment he deserved was death and that too the vilest type: on the cross and he got it. As he neared sleep on the floor of his cell, condemned to be crucified the next day, he remembered the evil he'd done over the years. He had spared none: ripping women of their jewelry and beating and robbing people on the lonely roads. He wondered how many had died on the roads itself. His mind went to his mother; he lost her protective arm around him when she died when he was yet young. There were tears in his eyes as he remembered her gently admonishing him when he did wrong and how she meticulously taught him the tenets of the law that every Jew needed to know.

His father was a drunkard and the moment his mother was buried, he got himself another woman who was evil to the core. She made him do some really vile things and set him on the road to crime. That night as he slept, all the hatred he had for her just vanished. He knew he could have still led a good life as a helping hand to his neighbor who'd offered to take him in to look after his massive herd. His taste for money had kept him away; although deep inside he knew he was doing wrong yet, he continued in it. He pondered on his execution: the Romans were evil men and he was very worried about the pain and the shame. He knew there were two more men convicted to die with him; the third being Barabbas, a vile and insolent murderer. At least he knew he wasn't alone and he soon fell into fearful sleep.

The morning saw a lot of activity and within no time he was hanging on the cross. He hadn't seen Barabbas and wondered what had happened. Suddenly there was a lot of noise and he saw an incredible sight: A Man carrying the Cross, supported by another big man. Although beaten right to the bone, the Man's face had a calm he hadn't seen before. His companion hanging on his left mentioned He was Someone called Jesus of Nazareth, the Miracle Worker. Suddenly his mind went back in time to that occasion when he was hiding from the law and had taken refuge on the mountain when a huge no of people led by a man who looked an ocean of calm walked up and sat down. Too weak to get up and run, he was surprised no one bothered him as he lay there. He heard Jesus say, 'Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven…' Laughing within, he heard Jesus unfurling His Gospel thinking he was a dreamer; but as Jesus spoke, he realized this was no ordinary man. Now, he strained for every Word that came from his mouth. He wept as Jesus said, 'eye for an eye and tooth for a tooth, but I tell you, offer no resistance to one who is evil…' He thought how could this be possible? But something told him that Jesus was serious of what He said and deep within, he knew Jesus was Divine.

And imagine his shock as he saw Jesus with the Cross walking up Calvary! As Jesus stumbled and fell, despite his pain, he involuntarily tried to move his nail fixed hand to steady Jesus, thinking to himself, what have they done, this man was the solution to clean up the hardened hearts of people like him, yet they were nailing Him!!! What had happened to Barabbas? He realized Jesus had taken his place.

In a matter of minutes, Jesus was on the Cross in the center. His companion cursed Jesus and asked Him to create a miracle and release them. An anger burst in him and he shouted for him to stop saying, 'do you not fear God, seeing you are similarly condemned? And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing wrong.' Then with tears in his eyes begging for mercy he implored of Jesus, 'LORD, remember me when You come to Your Kingdom.' He felt a wave of freshness as Jesus looking at him in pain haltingly told him, 'Today, you will be with Me in Paradise.' His heart exulted within and he realized, everything the Man had said He was actually doing. He knew that Jesus was God…he had felt it then on the mountain and he felt it now. Through the pain he looked at Jesus showing his helplessness in helping him, but the glance he got from the LORD was so awesome that he knew…all was well - Heaven had gained another!

Thoughts for Another Day

April 6, 2011

Today's verse: Jos. 24:27. And Joshua said unto all the people, Behold, this stone shall be a witness unto us; for it hath heard all the words of the LORD which he spake unto us: it shall be therefore a witness unto you, lest ye deny your God. (KJV)

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

There's an important truth in our Scripture today.  The truth is that for God all things are alive, yes even inanimate things!  If we consider our bodies, we're but mud and into mud we'll again go.  It is the touch of God's hand and His breath that makes us live.  The day He removes them, we die and are nothing different from mud.

For the Lord to command and bring life to anything is not difficult at all.  There're many instances in the Bible corroborating and bearing scrutiny to it.  When the Pharisees asked Jesus to rebuke His disciples for singing the Hosanna, He said, 'I tell you, if they keep silent, the stones will cry out!'  Even the devil, knows about God's power and so he tempted Jesus to turn stones into bread after He had fasted forty days and forty nights.  You see, God's power is so awesome that He can convert matter at will.  We also get to read, after the Jews had come out of Egypt, how God made water flow out of a rock.  Consider also His immense power which brought them manna from heaven, which corrupted if kept the next day, except the day before the Sabbath which remained fresh for two days! 

Think about God's immense power which can give life to dead bodies – Lazarus, Jairus' daughter and the son of the widow of Nain.  Isn't it marvelous to know that we serve a God so powerful and wonderful?  I'll tell you a little more and this is about Balaam's donkey who spoke after Balaam constantly hit her for not moving ahead.  Isn't it surprising for a donkey to speak? Not only is God awesome in the visible signs that He creates; He is also immensely powerful in the invisible, particularly in cleansing of sins and renewing of the heart.  Jesus' blood does that for us so smoothly and purely.  There are many more I can write about but am hindered by limitations.  So know you, that our God is an awesome God, the King of creation and excellent in being.  Believe in Him and in time, He'll do all He has promised for you.

Thoughts for another day

April 5, 2011

Today's verse: Jos. 1:9. Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

For all the people who are bowed down under heavy labor, Jesus said, come to Me and I will give you rest. In extension of that thought we have this promise from God which is actually a command at that when He begins with, 'Have I not commanded you…

Sometimes the journey of life is fraught with danger and fear. I'm speaking of people who are unusually intimidated with life and believe me, there are many like that. You could be one too although you may either not know about it or perhaps refuse to accept it. These are people who usually have a cheerful façade, but inside are in a state of continuous turmoil, for they dread the morrow or even the next moment with at times, morbid fear of what could be!

God knows how the devil can cause torment in our souls by ringing in fear in the very core of our being. Therefore at the outset itself God has promised us that His Presence is there with us and it is very re-assuring to have His Presence for it is a very strengthening Presence capable of destroying fear and trepidation within us which otherwise could cause our failure. God comes at the very beginning and tells us of His companionship and that He will go with us. Imagine Him as a Champion who is with us all the while; can anyone do anything to us while He is there and will He not defend us from all harm? Believe this, God will defend us from every harm and take care of us keeping us under the shadow of His wings as the apple of His eye.

Thoughts for Another Day

April 4, 2011

Today's verse: Is 54:10. For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the LORD that hath mercy on thee.  (KJV)

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

God loves us so much, it's impossible to even understand its extent, leave alone the depth.  God's love is the only thing we have to us in our journey on earth.  Because of such awesome love, we have access to His Word today, which tells us that though mountains shall crumble and the hills be reduced to dust, His kindness shall not move away from us neither will His promise of peace be removed.  And because of His immense love His mercy towards us will never cease.

When I think of God's, I sometimes see Him as a strict disciplinarian with a stick and I'm holding out my hand to be punished.  But immediately after this, He embraces me and massages the wounds He has caused and you know what, there're tears in His eyes because He punished me for what I deserved yet, He felt the pain Himself because He is so much a part of me and that's why my pain is His pain.  Yes, when I think of Him I think of my sinfulness: I imagine He is in court and I'm asked to witness against Him and I coolly say He is guilty.  I deny His goodness and walk away.  Later I see Him outside the courtroom and I look into His eyes – they're so soft and warm oozing love for me and I feel ashamed and quickly turn my eyes from them.

And therefore, I want to tell you, turn my friend to this God of ours, God of Abraham, God of Isaac, God of Jacob; the God who was, who is and who is to come.  Just listen to His Word and remain in His love.  When the earthquake hit Japan and the tsunami, lashed its territory, I looked to God and said, God save your people.  Today's Word is the defining truth of His security even in earthquakes and tsunamis.  You who trust in God, will, even in the midst of the quake or the eyeball of the tsunami have nothing to fear, for God will cause them to shut up and whimper away.  Never lose your focus on Him and this journey will be just another song.