Thoughts for Another Day

June 28, 2011

Today's verse: Ps. 94:18. When I said, My foot slippeth; thy mercy, O LORD, held me up. (KJV)

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

God's mercy is our guarantee of redemption.  It is by the mercy of God that we are safe from His wrath or from anything else that's adverse and directed at us.  As we live, we strike the purity of God and offend Him many many times.  Just imagine, Adam was thrown out of the Garden of Eden because He disobeyed God and thus lost the right to live eternally (which right was restored to us by the awesome and mystical death of our Savior, God's Own Son Jesus Christ) how much more then are we subject to the wrath of God for we so greatly offend Him.  How much more are we to succumb because of Satan, who is the accuser, if you remember, due to which Job lost his all that too despite him being innocent and God to prove his innocence allowed the accuser to have his way to a point.  Yet the mercy of God allows us the ability to go on with life as if nothing happened.

God's mercy is rich and new each day.  God's mercy is ceaseless and comes to us in purity and love.  Because God's love toward us is unending, His mercy toward us is also unending.  It is therefore our privilege that we are subject to His mercy and therefore when we say we are falling, though we have sinned, God holds us up, for His mercy on us is great. 

Thougths for Another Day 

June 27, 2011

Today's verse: Eph. 1:11,12. In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. (KJV)

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In Christ we have obtained an inheritance given us by God who has predestinated us according to His purpose, who does all things according to His own will.  He has no recourse to anyone when He considers doing what He does to His own, according to His plan.   God's plan is too big for us to delve into, leave alone understand.  The unfolding of His plan in our lives sometimes brings great pain and frustration to the one who is subject to it and it could be you or me.

But in essence we must know that all things always work for good for those who're called according to His purpose that which He purposed us in Christ Jesus.  And this can be really awesome for no eye hath seen nor ear hath heard nor has it entered into the heart of man what things God has prepared for us who love Him; only by the whispering of His Spirit are we conscious of that which God has in store for us and therefore we too, who face troubles in this life have been left with much to hope for so we can certainly say, we aren't hopeless.

In this we realize that God has done what He intends according to the counsel of His will and we are to be subject to His will, not as a slave subject to his master, for the master's agenda is to his own benefit, but God unlike masters on earth, has our benefit in mind for, what can we provide God which He doesn't have, except the wholesome praise from our mouths which serves as pure incense before Him, which is pleasing to Him and for which to render, we're created.  So just praise Him in any situation and leave it to Him for He knows how to push the dark clouds that cloud our lives and bring in His sunshine of peace and joy and prosperity.

Thoughts for Another Day

June 24, 2011

Today's verse: Hab. 3:17, 18. 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. (KJV)

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There's tribulation around me.  The fig tree shall not blossom nor will there be grain sufficient to eat. The rains are delayed and predicted to be scanty.  There won't be sufficient to plant and grow.  The yield of my hands is expected to hit rock bottom and I'll be facing terrible insufficiency this year.  I've also been rocked by disease and each day my body creaks degree by degree and it's so difficult to get up, to sit and work.  My world seems to be falling in on me…

 My enemies have surrounded me and they're fierce and unrelenting and like marauding dogs they are looking to tear me to pieces. Even my sleep is drudgery.  Where do I find help and where do I get relief.  Then I look at the heavens, the hills from where my help comes.  And there I see the LORD of the earth, the only Almighty and Living God enthroned upon the throne.  I know; I know Him who is the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob and He looks down upon me; and though the clouds of despair beset me across my firmament, I jump in delight and I shout Hallelujah.

For I know, He is mighty to redeem.  He stretches forth His hand and He removes me from the pit of danger.  With a stroke of His finger, He flicks away those who were my enemies, those who had laid snares for me.  They vanished never to return again and He helps me up with His own hand.  I grasp His hand and latch on to it; I saw my tears fall on His hand and He wiped them of my face carefully measuring each tear and putting it into His flask.  I now rejoice and I joy for though the whole world be against me, I know my God is for me.  He will redeem.

Thoughts for Another Day

June 23, 2011

Today's verse: Pro. 23:17, 18. Let not thine heart envy sinners: but be thou in the fear of the LORD all the day long. For surely there is an end; and thine expectation shall not be cut off. (KJV)

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Sometimes no matter what we do, how hard we work and the vast inputs we render, there's no success.  Sometimes the road to success is paved with bribes, 'under the table' dealings and other slimy stuff which our devotion to God won't allow us to entertain.  For us Christians the road to success looks very difficult and impossible to attain.  If we stick to our avowed way of pleasing God remaining within His circle of allowance, we tend to lag behind.  I know this well for in my new venture I've maintained that I'll stick to the agenda which I believe pleases God and the result thus far: zero business!

It's at this time, that we're jealous of others who probably are less fit than us yet since they have no qualms of doing things any which way, they zoom ahead of us and we see them gain strength by strength and feel we should also do things the same way.  Yet, God's Grace stops us from doing it.  Now if you've been in a similar boat recently, today's Scripture is a reminder that living in the fear of the Lord all the daylong is the key to having our prayers answered and our expectations being met.

Just because we adhere to God's ways doesn't mean we be left behind, whether it be in studies or business or anything that we grapple with in the world.  God is far superior than any man or system or plan or whatever.  In the twinkling of an eye, God can turn our failure to awesome success because we were sincere with Him.  God is the Boss and Master of the universe and everything is in His hands.  Boast people may, saying they're the masters, etc.  but it is God who runs the show for the ingredients of the show i.e. the earth, it's resources, humans, etc. are all God's creations and therefore He is the Boss and Master and no one else can claim this position.  All we should do is always remember that everything is happening according to His plan and all is in His control and soon He will raise us up to the position we've hoped for, in Him.  For in that will He be praised and honored by us.

Thoughts for Another Day

June 22, 2011

Today's verse: Is. 43:13. Yes, from the time of the first existence of day and from this day forth I am He; and there is no one who can deliver out of My hand. I will work, and who can hinder or reverse it?

(Amplified Bible – copyright acknowledged)

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From the beginning, from even before the time the first day came to be, God is there and is Supreme.  He wrought everything that you see on earth and it is He who is the centrality of creation; and from age to age He has been there, yes Alpha and Omega is He, the Lord God of creation, who is the God of Jacob, forever Sovereign and Only Potentate.

Nothing is more exquisite and enchanting about God than the fact that He was Sovereign, He is Sovereign and He will be Sovereign.  Time may come and go, eons may pass, but He remains, yet the same.  Therefore my friend we can be assured of His love which we know is eternal and warm.  He is there when the good and the bad happens to us, rather He put up the situation to reveal that He is Sovereign and He can do what He wants with us and all creation on earth and even elsewhere.  But He is a kind God and He always thinks of us.  Of His abundance He pours into our lives and we become puffed with arrogance and disobey Him.  He sends us the cup of His wrath to grind us in the mortar of His mercy and we come out unscathed.

But then if we think we're supreme and can challenge God, then today's Word should warn us about the thing we are doing for we cannot question or challenge God's hand. Neither can we block His awesome work in the universe and reverse it.  He gathers us together and works things in us, our according to His good will and we come to know that without Him, we can do nothing and that realization can help us gain heaven again.

Thoughts for a Another Day

June 21, 2011

Today's verse: Ps. 37:5. Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. (KJV)

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All of us make plans depending on who we are, what kind of situation we're in and what our vision is.  The bigger we're in status, the bigger our plan and whatever plan we make, we always hope that it will work; that it will fructify in the time we've allotted for it and we'll be exalted through that plan.  If it works then we're happy and we feel on top of the world. 

But in our planning do we involve God?  Very often and I must confess it's with me too, it's rare that we involve God.  We do something and after we've done it we ask God that He make the outcome the way we've envisaged it rather than involving Him in the initiation of the plan from the beginning.  It's with great difficulty that we learn to involve God and seek His advice in what we should do and how we should go about things that will help us gain success.

Our Scripture tells us today that we must commit our ways, our thoughts, and our minds to God and trust Him.  Now, we may commit all we plan and think and do to God, but like it happened with me, there's no result at all and frustration knocks at the door!  It's at this time that the next part of our Scripture comes in, 'trust also in Him'.  I know at times it's difficult to trust Him after having gone through a rough time, but think again, will it cost us much to trust the Lord.  In His time, He comes through as a Knight in shining armor and He suddenly turns things to our benefit.  Remember, God knows our breaking point and He will never allow us to break no matter what, when we trust Him and in our trust we can rest assured that His help will come, however much thus far we may have failed.

Thoughts for Another Day

June 20, 2011

Today's verse: Eze. 34:31. And ye my flock, the flock of my pasture, are men, and I am your God, saith the Lord GOD.  (KJV)

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One of the most endearing images I have of my Lord is of the good Shepherd.  I can still in any situation see the picture: Jesus with His beard and genial eyes and a sheep on His shoulders.   Look at the eyes of the sheep and you'll notice absolute contentment and joy for being raised above and feted as it were, before others, as 'My possession, My loved one.'  This picture has been a part of my mind and it makes total sense to hear Jesus saying, 'I AM the good Shepherd and I lay down My life for My sheep!'  And He did lay down His life for us the sheep of His flock.

One may not be too happy being compared to sheep and Jesus as the good Shepherd, for sure there're other more endearing pictures than that of sheep and shepherd.  But ask a shepherd out there in the fields and mountains what it means to be a shepherd and you'll understand why this imagery is used by the Lord.  For the sheep, the shepherd is all they need.  He leads them by the verdant greens to feed on the luscious lilies of the grass and then he leads them by the silent brook to drink of life in the gently flowing stream.  Yeah, for the sheep the shepherd is 100% security and life itself.

For us Jesus is that and much more.  He is a friend even as He is a Shepherd and He says, I AM your God and I love you.  This makes us cling more to Him on His broad shoulders.  When I think of it, I can feel the security of those arms which tell me about His ability which is - making the impossible, possible - and no matter what the night give me or the day will give as it unfolds, I am snug in the arms of The One who holds His rod and His staff over me that no evil or harm dare approach me and Who in my weak moments picks me us as the apple of His eye, delighting in me, making me courageous and ready to face any challenge my adversaries throw at me.

Thoughts for another day


June 17, 2011

Today's verse: Heb. 13:8. Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

The Grace on our lives continues and works the same as it did maybe years, months or days ago when we first received it. This, because, Jesus Christ, Eternal Grace, lives and reigns and is the same; ALWAYS. Jesus Christ who walked the lanes of Galilee and the dusty roads of Jerusalem is still the same. The whole earth and everything in it will change but Yeshua Ha Massiach, Himself God almighty won't change; and His eyes yet, roam the earth seeking to find that one devoted to Him wholeheartedly, to encourage him.

Though years may pass and generations move into newer generations, His nature and character are the same. He is, He was and He will be the same. The compassion He had for people when He preached on the mount is still unchanged. His look upon the downtrodden and the sick is still of Divine pity and mercy. His love for the sinner is still the same. His appreciation for the one forsaken by men of esteem, who knows not how to pray but mutters something in utter humility, is the same as it was for the publican whom He exalted as compared with the Pharisee.

Jesus looks at both the rich and the poor in the same manner. If you are devoted to Him wholeheartedly, you can expect to be blessed by His genial eyes of favor. If you are arrogant and lift yourself up, you can expect Him to put you down. If you are bowed down because of difficulties, He will hold you straight and lift up your chin and whisper softly to you, 'I will always be with you and I do not change.'

Thoughts for Another Day

June 16, 2011

Today's verse: Ps. 27:1. The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? (KJV)

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God created us to first of all give praise to Him Eph. 1:11, 'So that we who first hoped in Christ [who first put our confidence in Him have been destined and appointed to] live for the praise of His glory!' (Amplified Bible) and then to fill the earth and rule over it, 'And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moves upon the earth.' Gen. 1:28.  Yet, there're many elements on earth who steal our happiness and make us live very ordinary lives.

The bane of mankind is fear and it works in all to put people down and trap them.  Sometimes things can be very difficult as we see in our neighborhoods and elsewhere because evil people under the influence of the enemy of souls, create situations quite contrary to what God created.  They make it seem that only they should rule and it's not for everybody.  People are subdued and forced to follow the rule of the few.  Might is right they say and it's quite right for we always see that the people with might are the ones who stamp their authority upon others.

Today's Word has a welcome feel for all who've been subjugated by irrational elements who subvert the rule of law becoming objects to fear.  The Lord's promise of safety is echoed in David exhibiting his confidence in God declaring Him as his light and salvation therefore shall no fear of anyone be in him.  Further he also declares God to be the strength of his life and because of that, he shall be afraid of none.  I've personally experienced this in my own life when fear of someone had crept in me about 5 years ago.  Yet, my trust in God made me confident and move without any tangible sign of fear though I must admit that lack of total faith in Him did cause a bit of anxiety to nibble at my core.  But I remember how the Lord God brought me out of this and honestly our Word today makes so much sense and I can really say, 'with You on my side Lord, who shall stand before me?'

Thoughts for Another Day 

June 15, 2011

Today's verse: Job 19:25. For I know that my redeemer liveth, (KJV)

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Nothing gives me more pleasure than the Word above, 'my Redeemer lives' yeah it's like fresh breeze over my parched soul for I know the One whom I believed in, is alive and He is able. 

I care not what the world can do for I know my Redeemer lives.  I care not for the hatred and envy of my enemies and their evil scheming against me, aiming for my downfall because my Redeemer lives.  I care not that things don't go the way I envisaged them to, for I know my Redeemer lives.  I care not when I'm besotted with fierce trials and disease strikes my body and there's no money in my pocket; for my Redeemer lives.  When I look at the sky with despair in my eye not knowing what's next, I don't care for my Redeemer lives and my anxiety is but for a while, like the sun hides behind the clouds to soon appear after a while. 

Really, I can't be bothered by the shackles the world has bound me in, yes I really mean it, for He my God, my Beloved, my Redeemer, lives.  I can imagine the beauty of that which He will send my way for He sees my travails, my difficulties and He understands. He will turn it to my benefit; how and when I don't know but I know – He will.  When I think of all I've gone through in life, the pain which has engulfed me over the years and I really don't know much about tomorrow, then I know He lives and because He lives I can face any tomorrow for He is powerful you know and there's no tomorrow that can overpower me, for in Him I live and move and have my being.  He whom I believe in is mighty and truly, He will raise His mighty hand and rescue me from the pit; yes I believe it and you also should do for He has saved you too and He is your God.

Thoughts for Another Day

June 14, 2011

Today's verse: Heb 2:18. Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.  (NIV – copyright acknowledged)

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

O when you are in a trial what do you do?  When the waves and billows gush past you with force and speed and you're about to wilt, what will you do and where will you go for help?  When all the chips are down and nothing seems to be coming together, what can one possibly do?  But, for bearing the fracas of life, head bowed down, many can't really do much.  But, we the children of light are born to achieve victory and greatness through our Lord Jesus Christ who went there first and is a model for us of quiet and strength.

Jesus suffered terribly and bore all His problems stoically.  He never uttered a word to underline His difficulties.  His scourging was severe, the taunts and the sneers were dastardly and inflicted Him with unremitting pain within, but He did not open His mouth and we're told that He was quiet as a lamb being led to the slaughter, dumb as a sheep before its shearer!

Today, we can turn to Jesus for He has experienced it all:  rejection, pain, taunts, and all kinds of disdainful things which one might say, He shouldn't have been subjected to.  Yet, we know He was and He went through it so when we pray to Him to deliver us from our own troubles, we know He is aware of what our situation is like since He had been there; experienced that.  We know that Jesus is aware of our pain for He is there to remove the root of our problem.  Let's just trust Him, our Beloved Shepherd to deliver us from all sorrow and bring us out in victory and His glory.

Thoughts for Another Day

June 13, 2011

Today's verse: Acts 2:2. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.  (KJV)

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The word 'mighty' pales in strength when you call the Holy Spirit, 'Mighty' for our Holy Spirit is more than mighty, more than awesome, more than anything that has power and Jesus promised us the Holy Spirit after He would leave the earth, (But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceeds from the Father, he shall testify of me: Jn. 15:26) to enable us live lives pleasing to Him and to the Father.

On that day the feast of Pentecost or the feast of weeks (Hebrew: Shavu'ot) a holy feast, one of the big three, as the timid and frightened men whom Jesus had made apostles, hid in fear of the Jews, and were in one accord in prayer and supplication; from heaven came the sound of a rushing mighty wind filling the room they were in and then there appeared cloven tongues of fire resting on each of them and they were filled with the Holy Spirit and power just as Jesus had said, 'But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you;' Acts 1:8 not for any purpose but that they would proclaim the Name of the Lord Jesus in the whole earth.

Yesterday on the feast of Pentecost, we are again reminded of the Great Commission from our Shepherd to go and proclaim.  He still reminds us that His Holy Spirit is freely given us, just the way He was to the apostles and we can yet take recourse to the Holy Spirit of God and move forward to do His sacred work.  Not only that, in any difficulty we face in life, the Holy Spirit is our 'Comforter' and our 'Counselor' and He will never leave us rather He will build us up in strength and power to face the evil one fair and square.  We love the Holy Spirit and give Him the salutation, 'Your Majesty' for in Him, we're transformed into a royal people unto the Lord and He will bring us through no matter what. 

Thoughts for Another Day

June 10, 2011

Today's verse: 1 Tim. 4:10. For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.  (KJV)

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

Believing in God doesn't mean a bed of roses all the time; rather our belief in God makes us ready for the worst kinds of atrocities the world will heap on us.  Suffering is a weapon for the chosen dear ones of God who know Christ personally and are selected to suffer for the sake of His Name; did He not say, 'If you wish to be My disciples, take up your Cross and follow Me.'

We come to the larger issue, what does the Kingdom of God consist of?  Voices around tell us we need to live full lives, meaning, lives lived in comfort and no lack.  Many refer to this as the prosperity Gospel.  There're others who tell us that Jesus Himself suffered and therefore should His disciple not suffer?  Both points of view are correct and one may think that they can't co-exist, but they do.  Jesus was considered to be a Man who came eating and drinking, very unlike John the Baptist, and of course Jesus knew what was right.  But I'm sure Jesus never went overboard, besides, when the hour arrived that He should suffer and die, He never re-traced His steps.  This is the right approach to the concept of abundant life as well as suffering. 

God allows us more than enough to be happy and live life fully.  Then at some stage He closes the tap of happiness and allows us to suffer for He wants to work out His purpose in our lives.  We need to accept both of these as God's gifts and thank Him for both, for in them alone will we find Him manifested and He will be pleased with our actions.

Thoughts For Another Day

June 9, 2011

Today's verse: Mt. 22:29. Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God. (KJV)

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

There're so many Christians around the world and many of them profess to be active Christians.  Even the parish I belong to as a Catholic, professes to be a vibrant parish with great participation of people in the programs of the church.  Then why do so many in our own 'vibrant parish' suffer so much.  In our church itself as I move around the parish, I've seen much suffering and pain.  So many people say that God doesn't answer their prayer and that they're fed up with life.  So what could it be that leads this people to make such comments?

I personally feel that there's an acute lack of knowledge of God and His power among us.  People don't know God; neither do they know how He operates among them and how to be in His perfect will.  Jesus says today that we err for we aren't familiar with His Word nor with His power.  This is the root cause of the difficult situations we see in our churches and in the world.

In knowing God's Scripture, we get to know Him and when we get to know Him, we get to know His ways and in knowing His ways, we're filled with confidence in His delivering power and when we walk in that power there's nothing stopping us from walking the full lives He has asked us to lead.  Even if we have read the Bible end to end, the question we must ask selves is 'Who is God and do I know Him?'  'Does He know me?' Now if I answer that I know Him, then 'How well do I know Him.'  Remember when you get to know Him, all His promises become crystal clear in your life and they come to pass exactly as he supposed them to be.

Thoughts for Another Day

June 8, 2011

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 Word of God says, 'the LORD will wait to be gracious unto you'.  Yes, the LORD God, the Maker of heaven and earth and all that's in the universe; yes, He loves us so much, He waits so He may grant His favor on us.  Truly a powerful statement on the kind of love God has for us.

To also know that His exaltation will bring mercy upon us is a great revelation.  We praise and worship Him and exalt Him highly and since we do this He has mercy on us because He is a God of judgment and He waits to judge us with His mercy and love.  No matter how far we've gone from Him, there's always a turning point.  Sometimes I'm just not able to connect with Him despite sitting before Him for a long time and I realize how far I've gone from Him, yet I know that, He who has begun a good work in me will bring it to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.  I can trust in the integrity of God and His commands and most of all His Word where He says, 'I will never forsake you!'

Finally our Word also tells us that we're blessed who wait for Him.  Waiting on Him is by no means an easy task, for sometimes it's like lying still in utter darkness.  How can you do that?  Very difficult, yet, that's exactly what He wants us to do and because we do that trusting Him in the darkness, He blesses us abundantly.  Strange are God's ways, but stranger His ways of blessing for without any indication and in an instant, we who were down in the pit, are now like thoroughbred stallions, running in fearsome winds; daring them to put us down, knowing well they can't for beneath our wings is the Awesome power of our Father in heaven.

Thoughts for Another Day

June 7, 2011

Today's verse: Job 2:10. But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil?  (KJV)

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

What really is our relationship with God?  Were this question to be asked at church, most would not be able to answer, for most of us have no relationship with God.  Our prayers are really meaningless utterances of the mouth and mere sounds emanating, meaning nothing. 

We pray as we are wont to pray: asking for this and that and expecting God to give it to us as we ask and when we ask.  But what do we give God in return.  Of ourselves we don't want to give; and of our time, well, where do we have time?  Leave alone time for God, as someone would say, I don't even have time to breathe.  You would know this because either you have said the above or heard it in the mouths of the people.  Yea it's a fact that most of us have no time and thus, no relationship with God.

Life goes well for a while when we have no relationship but then comes a bend in the road; a very sharp bend and it is very distressing.  Then we look up to heaven and complain.  We give God our choicest piece of mind making Him responsible for the misfortune we are going through.  Yet, we never ponder on this, that were God not there, we would be suffering even more.  And my question to such creatures of God is, what makes you ask such things of a God who is so awesome and glorious?  Is He the work of our hands that we may ask Him these things?  Far from it, rather He has created us and we are not even equal to a wisp of smoke in the wind!  Reflect my friend and ponder on the Word of our Scripture today.  Am I in a position to curse God?  Have I lived according to His laws that I be assured of His blessings always?

Thoughts for Another Day

June 6, 2011

Today's verse: Deut. 7:21. “You shall not dread them, for the LORD your God is in your midst, a great and awesome God.  (NASB – copyright acknowledged)

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

As I walk along the journey of life, many obstacles stare in my face.  Some, though difficult to cross, seem bearable; for instance the loss of a job: I'm suddenly caught without a job and a family to fend for and nowhere to turn, yet this obstacle I'm able to bear because the Lord helps me get financial help from an unknown quarter and also provides a job in due time.  Again, I've crossed the hill and still not married.  My contemporaries are all settled with kids.  God, I cry, why don't You give me a life mate?  No answer.  Yet, I trudge on keeping hope in a God who never fails and so am able to cross the hurdle.

There're other obstacles that seem very difficult to circumvent.  My husband suddenly dies and has left me with two young children with no planning and no financial benefits.  How am I to look after the children and enable them to make career choices they'd be good at; even if I'm able to somehow to feed them and take care of their basic needs?  I just can't figure out what to do, the future seems so bleak.  Then again, there're obstacles so larger than life that it's like staring at the icy hand of death each day as I'm afflicted with blood cancer and the doctors have given up on me saying, well whatever little of life you have, life it fully!  Fully? How? Can anyone tell me and really, this obstacle is enough to bring out a cold sweat every night in me and each passing moment is like the burning of the string attached to a pack of TNT.

And while I think of the ups and downs life has in store for us humans, I wonder why we're born, why and how we live and then die; death seems better than life as Solomon says in Ecclesiastes.  What's the purpose of it all?  Then gently comes a voice, 'I'm with you always, even to the end of age.'  That changes it all.  The presence of my Mighty and Merciful God makes it all so different.  Meaninglessness becomes meaningful for life takes a new meaning as I journey in it with the Lord.  And when I get today's Word, which assures me that the LORD my God in my midst is a great and awesome God, I can't help but jump and shout Hallelujah for I know all things are possible with Him and if I devote myself to Him, He will work out all for me and I now see my obstacles as mere stepping stones on which I learn to tread and use as a springboard to fly.