Thoughts for another day

October 31, 2011

Today's verse: 2 Tim. 1:9.

[For it is He] Who delivered and saved us and called us with a calling in itself holy and leading to holiness [to a life of consecration, a vocation of holiness]; [He did it] not because of anything of merit that we have done, but because of and to further His own purpose and grace (unmerited favor) which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began [eternal ages ago]. (Amplified Bible – copyright acknowledged)

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

Our Father greatly desires one thing in us: HOLINESS.  No matter the fact I'm a sinner thru and thru dare to write this, it remains a fact that God wants me to be holy.  No matter if you're sinful and reading this, wondering how you can be holy, it still can't be erased that God wants you to be holy.  And no matter the amount of filth there's on earth and how ugly man's heart is, God yet wants us to be holy, yea every one of us living on earth.  Oh, you may cry it's impossible; and you'd be right for with us it's impossible, but with God all things are possible and truly it's an awesome thing that God makes us holy like He is holy.

For long I've marveled about the Holiness of God which we're to imbibe and for which He has given us the Grace in Christ Jesus before the world began.  I've wondered, of all attributes God is known for viz. love, mercy, graciousness, etc. which is the greatest and it came in a revelation some time back that it is the 'HOLINESS OF GOD' and I thought, wasn't it the love and mercy of God because of which Jesus went to the Cross?  Yes, but I believe they are from Him for He is holy and since He is absolutely holy, He is absolute love, absolute mercy, absolute beauty and so on.  Since I don't have the full revelation, I believe I need to wait before I write on it.

Nevertheless, how're we to be holy considering there's so much sin in our lives, particularly in our thoughts? I understand how difficult it is because I go thru' this struggle every moment.  But two things I know, one, no matter how difficult it is to attain holiness, I must still strive to be holy and two, I remember the Word of God which says, 'The One who began a good work in you, will continue to do it until the day of Jesus Christ' (Philip. 1:6.)  So completely trusting His Word, I stay rooted in the Anchor of the soul and I know, no tempest can shake me and no wind can uproot me.'  I shall win and so will you and being holy, we will behold Him our Lord and Maker on that day.  Amen.

Thoughts for another day

October 28, 2011

Today's verse: 2 Cor. 4:6. For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. (KJV)

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

Jesus came upon this earth and many didn't know that the promised Messiah, the Offspring of David was born.  The glory of the Son of man was shrouded for the people of Israel except for a few, who looked not at the earthly fact that He was a simple Carpenter of Nazareth, uneducated and coarse in a way, with no royal bearing nor dressed in any garb fitting nobility!  But they knew He was the absolutely glorious and magnificent, Son of God.

Fire burnt in their hearts when He spoke and they exclaimed in astonishment, 'who is this Man teaching with such authority that even the scribes paled in comparison!  Their eyes rolled in wonder when He commanded the sick, the paralyzed, the demon-possessed and others to be made whole and they were made whole that very moment.  Their hearts quivered in shock when He commanded the dead to rise and they rose. When He commanded the tempest to be stilled, they couldn't avoid the question, 'what sort of Man is this, whom even the sea and winds obey?'  Then they were cut to the heart when they saw His mercy toward them: sinners and the scum of the earth, who hitherto, were shunned and made pariahs by the self assumed owners of 'righteousness', the Scribes and the Pharisees!

But for a few, most never knew what they were witnessing and never understood the awesome love God had for mankind that He shed His glory and pitched His tent among them as One like them!  So they didn't see His Divinity and resisted His message and thus His Redemption which is why He said to them, 'you did not recognize the time of visitation…'  Yet, you and I are blessed in that the God of heaven and earth has put in us His Spirit of knowledge and shone His light in our hearts by which we're able to see the glory on the Face of Jesus Christ, as being the glory possessed by the Eternal Father and thus we acknowledge Him as LORD, GOD AND SAVIOR, which opens for us the doors to eternal life to be with the Son who is the refulgence of the Father's glory and sing Him songs of praise, eternally.

Thoughts for another day

October 27, 2011

Today's verse: Is. 45:3. And I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that thou mayest know that I, the LORD, which call thee by thy name, am the God of Israel. (KJV)

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

The God of Israel is an all-knowing God.  He is aware of everything on the earth and even within it and everywhere else.  We're His children and we hope in Him and listen to what He says today, 'I will give you the treasures of darkness and hidden riches of secret places' and this is so that 'we may know that He the LORD, who has called us by name, is the GOD of Israel.'  And the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Israel, never lies nor is pompous in His Word which when He utters, for He also does as His Word means.

Some of us are in dire financial difficulties not knowing where to turn each morning to fill our stomachs and pay the bills; but take comfort for God The Almighty is giving His above Word to you and me today.  For a minute, let's just forget every problem and concentrate on His Word.  Let us believe that if He is says something, He is also able to do it.  If He has said it before (to the Israelites at the time of Isaiah) there's no reason why His Word will not stand to us even today.  And let's remember that heaven and earth will pass away, but His Word will always stand.

I know deep within that the Lord will bless me with abundant finances shortly.  In expectation I live day by day and as each day turns into the next, I know it's closer.  I've confidence in the One I've believed in for I know He is able and He is the Owner of heaven and earth and He is there even in my most difficult times. I also know, having read His Word and having known Him, that I can confidently appropriate His Word and be sure that on the morrow, nay even today, the treasures unknown to me will be unfolded in my presence and accorded to my name.  For He is pleased to give riches to His servants and the same will be with you provided you hold on with no doubt the faith in His Word; thus will both you and I, glorify His Name in all the earth.

Thoughts for another day

October 26, 2011

Today's verse: Ex. 13:17. And it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God led them not through the way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, Lest peradventure the people repent when they see war, and they return to Egypt: (KJV)

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

God is all powerful in Himself and He expects us to know this and behave in a manner that's in line with our knowledge.  But sadly, we human beings aren't the way He would want us to be.  One moment we see His mighty hand and we praise Him to the highest and then the very next moment when a simple calamity or trouble comes upon us, we turn the other way and are troubled; remembering nothing of the way the Lord worked in our lives, just a moment ago.

Take the Israelites for example:  God had made Pharaoh send them away because of the mighty works He did against them; so much so that it was a thing of great satisfaction for the Egyptians to see the backs of the Israelites and they even bundled them off with gold and other precious things.  Yet, these very Israelites, the moment they faced any difficulty, cursed Moses and spoke well of Egypt, where ironically they had suffered much.  Imagine how much it would have hurt God, to hear their stupid bickering. 

That's why our Word today says that God led them through the much much longer way and not the short way for then they would face the Philistines who dwelt in the shorter way and fearing them, again curse God.  Take this as an example in your own life.  How many times has God led you to your destination via a difficult and roundabout way and then told God the pain He caused for having taken so much time, little realizing what you escaped and how your faith was secured.  Always remember that God knows you and will always lead you in the right manner, it may not be the best according to you, but it certainly is the best according to God and here you know, it's best to trust God.

Thoughts for another day

October 25, 2011

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

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

God has come to us; He has given in us a faith to believe in Him and be assured in this life and in the next.  God redeems us in every situation by the faith we have in Him and in a way He is compelled to work in our favor when we offer Him our faith, stubborn and revolutionary, defying all logic and in the face of extreme hardship. 

Yeah, the faith we profess from our mouths has to be deep rooted so that it can avail much.  It's not by us that we have this kind of faith, but by His Grace that we're able to believe Him though our situations don't match the exuberance in our hearts.  On the outside, we're bent and ready to wilt, but on the inside there's a remarkable defiance to our crumbling situation and despite what the eye sees in the atmosphere of gloom, the root of faith sees the hand of God, working mightily in our favor.

It's the same faith which will also lead us from here into our heavenly abode to be face to face with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  It's this faith that will fetch us the gloriousness of heaven as our heritage.  It is the will of the Father that we believe in Him and hold on to the faith, even when we do such callous deeds that hurt His heart, for then He will forgive.  Not only that, He sees how our situations on earth make us sad and He asks us to hold on to that faith of which a measure He has put in our hearts.  So as our Word says today, let's hold on to that faith, despite every difficulty, for He who is Faithful has promised us redemption and His Word remains.

Thoughts for another day

October 24, 2011

Today's verse: Is. 46:4. And even to your old age I am he; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you: I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you. (KJV)

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

Today's Word is a solid attestation from God to the love He has for us.  To the amount of care He wants to nurture us with and to the greatness of His mercy toward us His children who He has carried from the time we were born until this stage.  He has been with us since we were conceived in our mother's womb and He has been the constant factor in our lives, even if He is unseen, through the ups and the downs and the wins and the losses.

He says that even to our old age it is He who will carry us, through our grey hair even to the grave.  He says He has made us and He will bear, yea, He will carry and deliver us.  For God is our Maker and our Lover.  He seeks us out from the gutters we've fallen into, He cries with us when we cry.  He is there when it's lonely and all we have are shadows.  He sits there when the tears troop down and He gathers them into His bottle.  He beholds us in our pitiful states and always whispers Words of courage which, stupid that we are, we fail to gather them.  He is with us even when we've given up on Him, waiting so that on the day we turn back, He can run to us, just as the father of the prodigal son, seeing him in the distance, ran to him and embraced him.

Through the tumble and the roughs of life, God is with us.  He never leaves nor forsakes us.  He is true to His Word and everything He says will come to pass.  Friends and relatives will go away, but He remains.  He will carry us and take us home for He is the only One who has pity on us even when the rest of the world is sick at the sight of us.  So gather unto Him and let Him really know what ails you and He will deliver you.  You may not hear Him nor see Him, but remember He is there and know He is in control.

Thoughts for another day

October 24, 2011

Today's verse: Is. 46:4. And even to your old age I am he; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you: I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you. (KJV)

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

Today's Word is a solid attestation from God to the love He has for us.  To the amount of care He wants to nurture us with and to the greatness of His mercy toward us His children who He has carried from the time we were born until this stage.  He has been with us since we were conceived in our mother's womb and He has been the constant factor in our lives, even if He is unseen, through the ups and the downs and the wins and the losses.

He says that even to our old age it is He who will carry us, through our grey hair even to the grave.  He says He has made us and He will bear, yea, He will carry and deliver us.  For God is our Maker and our Lover.  He seeks us out from the gutters we've fallen into, He cries with us when we cry.  He is there when it's lonely and all we have are shadows.  He sits there when the tears troop down and He gathers them into His bottle.  He beholds us in our pitiful states and always whispers Words of courage which, stupid that we are, we fail to gather them.  He is with us even when we've given up on Him, waiting so that on the day we turn back, He can run to us, just as the father of the prodigal son, seeing him in the distance, ran to him and embraced him.

Through the tumble and the roughs of life, God is with us.  He never leaves nor forsakes us.  He is true to His Word and everything He says will come to pass.  Friends and relatives will go away, but He remains.  He will carry us and take us home for He is the only One who has pity on us even when the rest of the world is sick at the sight of us.  So gather unto Him and let Him really know what ails you and He will deliver you.  You may not hear Him nor see Him, but remember He is there and know He is in control.

Thoughts for another day

October 21, 2011

Today's verse: Ps. 24:1. The earth is the LORD'S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.  (KJV)

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

Here, listen to God's Word:  He says, the earth is His and the fullness thereof (also Ps. 50:12) and He, being the Owner, can give it to anyone He wishes.  So then, why I ask myself, are so many Christians in want?  Why are so many living in terrible conditions and in deep poverty?

The fault lies in the fact that we fail to acknowledge the ownership of God on both the earth and us who are His creation.  He has made us and He calls us; it's an irony that even the earth and the heavens are made by Him and when He calls they stand up together (Is. 48:13) but fragile as we are, we seek to defy God.  Many are the times when I hear from the lips of men that God has nothing to do with their lives and they are able and can run their own lives and can be their own masters.  Christians may not actually say this but their behavior shows they believe in this for when they have any difficulty, God is never on their minds but some man or other or an idol which is but that, an idol of wood or metal or mud.

Keeping faith in God's providence and trusting Him in all things is essential to receive from Him.  Remember, at times it may take time for us to see His hand, but know that He does not sleep or slumber as men do; He is watching to see how much you can believe and how long.  Then when He sees that you refuse to budge from faith in Him, He rewards your faith.  Know that Jesus said that 'our Father doesn't allow a sparrow to fall without His knowledge, how much will He care for us!'  If you've been holding on to your faith in hope, get ready for the work of His hand.  It is your day today.  Just BELIEVE.

Thoughts for another day

October 20, 2011

Today's verse: Lk. 11:23. He that is not with me is against me: and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.   (KJV)

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

In today's dazed, debased world, where success and money is the mantra for happiness, today's Word is a matter of abundant caution.  Jesus says, he that isn't with Him is against Him!  Know that if you aren't interested in the affairs of the Cross, you're against Jesus Christ.  If you feel the miracles done by Jesus, even today are not real be cautious, you probably be aligning yourself directly against Jesus' work.

I'm appalled to note that many scholars of the Bible defray miracles in it as sheer fantasy and acts of nature.  Now some of them, like the parting of the Red Sea, are mentioned by the later prophets and quoted even by the apostles and disciples of Jesus.  If Christian scholars negate this and take miracles as no work of God then how different are they from those who deny creation by God.  The ultimate blasphemy is sticking to what science says: that the world evolved after coming into being by a big bang!  See the irony, we believe science which is based on much assumption even though scientists know that their assumptions are nothing but sheer fantasy and we ignore the fact-file of God, the Bible in which God clearly states the development of everything as a work of His Word.

Remember, Jesus uttered today's Word, after being incensed at the accusation that He cast out devils by their prince, beelzebub.  And it, as an extension, applies to all the wonders that God does in our lives.  How then can we even dare to say that it was the doctor who healed me, when doctors, no matter how great they be, cannot even understand insignificant changes that occur in our cells, leave alone grapple with the mysteries of God's work in human lives.  I urge you my friend if you or if you know someone who belittles God's hand in your/their life/lives, change, for Jesus adds, 'he that doesn't gather with Me, scatters' which means, losing oneself. 

Thoughts for another day 

October 19, 2011

Today's verse: Job 5:22. At destruction and famine thou shalt laugh: neither shalt thou be afraid of the beasts of the earth.  (KJV)

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

Blessed is he who makes happy the Lord for he is assured of His eternal help.  For God, is a Rock, a mighty Stronghold for the man who holds Him in fear.  God is his vanguard and his strong Tower and when he is in need of help, God never hides from him rather God holds him high in His hand and lifts him up.

Happy is the man who has placed his trust in the Lord, for he is like the plant, planted by the river which in all seasons is luxuriant and green and sings powerfully to the tune of the wind for he is planted firmly and fully.  God's water of love washes upon him and he is assured of His saving help - always.  This man will laugh at destruction and not be afraid of any marauder that walks the earth for the Shield of Israel is near him and he knows that if anyone tries to contend with him, the Shield will move in front to contend with that one.

Make God your sole Comfort and your Rock for then you will reap much benefit.  Let His awe fill you with His fear which tells you to bow and walk humbly before Him always and live life keeping His commands so no terror shall be of any consequence to you as terror itself shall be filled with dread when it spots you.  Believe God to be that mighty Power in you when the hate of this world wants to stamp you down; and see His power work in destroying that hate and whatever else it is that confronts you for I tell you if you have really made God your Father, you will know that God is angry, very angry on anyone who dares to hurt His child. 

Thoughts for another day 

October 18, 2011

Today's verse: Rev. 21:5. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.  (KJV)

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

God says, 'Behold I make all things new.'  His Word remains true in all aspects for us, His children, whether it's this life or the next.  And we will look at our Word today for appropriating it in this life. 

Sometimes life leads us down to the dregs and the return back seems impossible.  Like that of a drug addict who's so far gone that getting the person to live without drugs is next to impossible.  But introducing the person to the Lord is capable of bringing him back from the abyss he ha's slipped into.  God can and certainly will change the person inside of you when you approach Him with your problem.  And God's cure can be lasting.  Then there are those who are given to a life of crime and passion.  Recently, I read about a person who was a criminal in jail, but was touched by the Lord in jail and He gave himself to God thereafter, not bothering what will happen for God gave Him the assurance that nothing will go wrong with Him despite His own shortcomings. 

We must remember that when the folds in our skins are too deep and it seems a wasted effort to reverse them, then God arrives and He re-vitalizes our situation and makes us new.  God's nature brings on His full newness to us every day.  His promise makes clear that He can make everything real and fresh.  With God all is possible and He endeavors to grant His blessings to us so that we can then shed our 'old persons' and join Him as a new person.  Give glory to Him.

Thoughts for another day

October 17, 2011

Today's verse: Mt. 8:10. When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.  (KJV)

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

Our Scripture today is about the Centurion who had a sick slave at home. There's a small dialog between him and the Master, after which the Master utters the above Word.  What's strongly said by the Master is on the kind of faith the Centurion had - a man whose god would've been some idol or some myth and who had probably never seen God's hand as had the Jews.  Yet he was convinced about the God of Israel and believed in Jesus and knew He could do anything. 

What's striking about this you may ask.  It's like jumping into the ocean from a ship, not knowing how to swim, yet knowing you will be rescued – how, you do not know; what you do is that you will be rescued.  This kind of faith is nothing short of amazing for remember being human, the mind will always remind you of what will be in store if you do not care about the consequences of your actions (or inaction), in the Godly realm of course.   At times it's extremely difficult to hold on to faith in God for circumstances around us seem so dangerous.  Everything seems to be riddled with failure and as for God's Presence; it just seems to be, not there.  That's when insane faith in God in a man, if he has it, comes to the fore.

Lord, he will say, here, I've lost an arm and a leg, yet God of heaven and earth, I know You will repair.  See, he says, I can't swim, yet I will come out of this unscathed.  At this point in time, God is amazed:  He tells Himself, I allowed this man to suffer, but look, he still holds on to Me and isn't taking his eyes off Me.  Then He will arise, He, the God of heaven and earth, and He will order your situation to be changed.  Then will that faith bear fruit and bring plenty in your life.   Insane and blind faith is possessed by very few.  Happy are you if you do, for no matter what situation you're in, with the explosive power of your faith, you will change the world for the Lord and all will know of your faith and marvel and say, 'Oh, what faith!' But there will be more who say, that's an insane fellow.  But be thrilled when someone says this for then you know the Master is pleased and He will relent.

Thoughts for another day

October 14, 2011

Today's verse: 2 Cor. 4:3,4. But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.  (KJV)

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

Sometimes when talking to people, I find it's almost impossible to knock sense into them.  I know a person who no matter what I say, will not leave alcohol and is almost addicted to it.  He maintains the Bible advocates the same in 1 Tim. 5:23.  So he's sure drinking alcohol is okay and so do millions of Christians around the world who can't do without a peg or two.

Then there're those among idol worshippers who are incensed when you tell them they worship false gods or shall I say, no gods.  You can clearly see that the idol they worship with all its myth is nothing but hogwash.  Let's take the 'monkey god' and its myth.  Why would a god be in the form of a monkey when a monkey is leagues behind man in both mental and physical capacity?  In fact, bowing to a monkey god is an insult to the intelligence in a man.  And there're so many such things it amazes me that even brilliant thinking people worship such gods, particularly in India where I live, even without thinking if they are doing right or not.  Yet, when you explain this to them, they're angry even to the point of being ready to destroy you.

The reason for both the above and many such foolishnesses in man is that the god of the world has blinded the minds of people so they refuse to see reason and be healed by the glorious blood of Jesus Christ; much the same way as the Jews in Jesus' time failed to see Him as the Messiah of God, the Savior despite Jesus telling them, 'If I do not the works of My Father, believe Me not. But if I do, though ye believe not Me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in Me, and I in Him.' Jn. 10:37, 38.  It's indeed sad that we succumb to the wiles of the evil one; and this happened even at the beginning when Eve took the fruit and eating it, gave to Adam too.  She did it simply because she wanted to be like God.  The only way one can get out of this is to believe in the Lord of heaven and earth and bow before Him in worship and His Spirit will bring the desired change in people to accept the Gospel of Christ and be healed.

Thoughts for another day

October 13, 2011

Today's verse: Jas 4:7, 8a. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you.  (KJV)

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

Outside a church premise was a poster, 'Inside this building, find the strength to fight the devils outside!'   The phrase as it is, probably doesn't make a great deal of sense, for merely going inside the church building will not allow us to fight the evil we face or be able to also quash temptations.   But the exchange of the Word within the building causes the change and makes a person strong enough to withstand the wile ways of satan. 

James in his letter provides a very sensible way in which we can avoid the contagion of the god of the world and that is to submit to God.  In submitting to Him, we get the energy to resist the devil and in a way refute his arguments that make us sin.  When we're able to do this, he realizes there's no way he can make us sin and so for a season, he moves away from us, just as he went away from Jesus after tempting Him three times. 

James also tells us to come closer to God.  I find that praying is the best possible way to come closer to God.  One may not know how to pray; one may not even know how to come closer to God for it's a relationship that allows us to be filled with His Spirit and which relationship we don't have.  There may be many other things that we don't know to come closer to God, but we all know how to sit and we all know how to read.  So we sit in a place of quiet and read His Word.  We also praise Him by simply saying Hallelujah repeating it again and again slowly and also use terms like, I praise You Lord, God I worship You, and so on.  The relationship then is formed and when you're in a relationship with God, you'll also realize that although you didn't do anything much, apart from a few of the basics, God has drawn near to you and makes you His abode for He is a God who yearns to be with us.  So this day, open the door of your heart, just pray and tell Him to come inside.  He will come for He is faithful to His Word and He will reward you, for that is His nature.

Thoughts for another day

October 12, 2011

Today's verse: Ex. 20:7. Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain. (KJV)

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

God's Name is the zenith of His Majesty and signifies all that He is, which means all His holiness, His love, His mercy, His power and whatever He comes forth to be for us at any given point in time, is embodied in His Name.  His deity presides in His Name which is holy and hallowed and awesome to both utter and behold.  His Name is sacred which is why He tells the people in Ezekiel 20:21-22, that He had pity for His holy Name which they, the house of Israel, profaned among the heathen wherever they went.  He declares to them that He will bring them back from where He scattered them and this He would do for the sake of His Holy Name which they had profaned; signifying clearly that His concern for His Name was more important than His wrath on them for their malicious acts against His Name.

God is concerned greatly about His Name and He says in Isaiah 48:11 that He will not bring about the entire wrath upon the people of Israel for the sake of His holy Name, lest His Name be polluted among the heathen and His glory given to others.  Yes, God works because He wants His Name to be held in honor among the nations.  That is why on Mount Sinai He commanded that they not take His Name in vain for when one takes His Name vainly, he brings His Name to nothing and it is a grave error to bring God to nothing for then we take Him to be like us, worthless and of no consequence, which is the exact opposite of what He really is.  Shun the habit if you've acquired it of saying 'Oh, my God… (OMG)' just like that, for that, will be in vain.

It makes sense for us who know Him to take His Name in awe and give Him the glory due His Name for He is the Creator of heaven and earth and He sustains it by the power of His Name and He will always be our Yahweh Elohim, the God who reigns; whose Majesty is higher than the heavens and His glory, like a million suns, shining together.  Know also that mighty wonders happen when we take His Name, so give Him all the glory and praise His holy Name.

Thoughts for another day

October 11, 2011

Today's verse: Hos. 11:4. I led them with cords of human kindness, with ties of love; I lifted the yoke from their neck and bent down to feed them. (KJV)

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

There's something very powerful about God's love that He Himself comes to us in the sordid state we are in to help and revive us.  He has always shown that love to us and from the beginning He has told He wants to commune with us and dine with us and take us in His arms.  His intent is that we be with Him in His heavenly kingdom forever.

But, we His creation has hardly understood the heart of the Father which beats for us every time.  We're so calloused in the pride we harbor in our hearts that we go and commit every offence we can think of and deride His love and His great feeling toward us.  Even early to creation, the Bible says that wickedness was so rampant among man that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was evil all the time!  And God was grieved that He had made men on earth and His heart was filled with pain – Gen. 6:5, 6. 

But like we said above, there's something very powerful about God's love that makes Him forget all our iniquities and ignoring them, He again yearns to put His hand around us.  He leads us with cords of kindness and knots of love.  He lifts the burdens off our necks and bends to lift us up and feed us.  Oh, so kind and so benevolent is His Majesty our God that if we're really made in His image we can't help but get on bended knee, touch Him and say, 'I'm sorry I hurt You Lord.'  Wouldn’t that be a wonderful gift we can give Him today?

Thoughts for another day

October 10, 2011

Today's verse: Jn. 6:29. Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent. (KJV)

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

A long time ago, when I first read the Bible I came across the verse, 'Abram believed the LORD, and He credited it to him as righteousness.'  Though it didn't etch itself in my memory, it made me think: Why did God credit righteousness to Abraham for merely believing Him?  As I grew mature in the Word, and learnt about God and gradually came to know Him, I understood the clean import of that Word!  I realize its significance can only come by quickening of the senses by the Holy Spirit; otherwise it's impossible to understand this and many other Scripture verses for Jesus said, looking they do not see and hearing they do not understand which is also deep as is anything of God. Its only those who're familiar with His territory who can understand; just as Jesus said, 'for the mysteries of the Kingdom are revealed to you (the disciples), not to others.'

The whole work that one can do to God is, to believe in Him.  This isn't some superficial belief but absolute and firm belief that He is there and that when He asks me to do something, I simply do it, not because it's easy (and sometimes it can be really tough remember, Abraham had to leave his father's house, his kindred and everything else), but because you trust God who has asked you to do it and He will take care of you in any of your situation.  That's like believing and acknowledging His immensity, His power and His Sovereignty.

Having said this, I know, it's difficult to believe.  Ah, one might say, it's easy to believe in Jesus, but then Jesus doesn't test your belief when there is light and everything is okay; He does it in the dark of the night when you can hardly see anything and the terrain is hilly and you hear Him say, 'Jump!' Today, we hear a similar command, 'This is the work of God that you believe in His Son!'  For truly the Carpenter of Nazareth didn't come with flowing robes and a halo around His head.  He came as an ordinary Jewish laborer from a humble background.  Like a Pharisee one may say, 'Oh, how can He be God, He has nothing regal about Him!' Yet, God has His ways and when you believe in Jesus Christ, despite other choices of mystical chants and flamboyance of idol gods, you know you're close to the Kingdom.  Just press on and you'll be about His work.

Thoughts for another day 

October 7, 2011

Today's verse: 1 Pet. 3:12. For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil. (KJV)

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

What do you think about the above Scripture, do you believe in it?  Answer this question before you go into the reflection for it's important in defining our relationship with God and the flow of His bountiful blessings in our lives. 

Some people may not agree that the face of the Lord is against those who do evil as they feel the coming of Jesus has changed all that and since His blood is on us, we're always acceptable to our Father in heaven.  This is right for when we believe in Jesus and are washed in His blood, we are immediately acceptable to God, made righteous in His sight; eligible for eternal life, for Jesus has given us His righteousness.  As for living before God, we must know that we have to be right before Him. Our actions, words and thoughts have to align with Jesus' teachings for Jesus wanted us to live life in a particular manner and He has told us all about it.

Don't take lightly what the Lord says about righteous living for if we don't live in a manner that's worthy of His Name, we're sullying His Name among those whom we live.  Jesus wants us to be the light of the world so that we can shine our light before the world so they will glorify our Father in heaven and nothing short of this will do.  Besides, if we do evil, it displeases our Father and His blessings over our lives stop; for our sins cry against the favor of His hand upon us; they force Him to look the other way and hence many of the things we take for granted as followers of His Son aren't given us simply because we aren't found worthy of His Name.  So listen to what He says in our Scripture today and live a good life, so the Father will be pleased and we will glorify Him on earth.