Thoughts for another day

December 30, 2011

Today's verse: Lk. 12:21. So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.  (KJV)

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

Here is a parable of our Master when he talks about a rich man who had an abundant harvest and he who was bent on becoming richer thinks to himself, how much more rich he will be with this harvest and even thinks of how to store his grains and then enjoy and make merry.  It's amazing how this very thing is suggested in the world today by the high and mighty and is also the motto of many men who go about their daily lives pursuing riches and then having met their goals go after pursuing even greater riches. 

We see this playing out in the galleries of the rich and famous and the so called movers and shakers of the world.  Grab, more and more and more and more…  Why? Well so that those even in the seventh generation following us, should not be bothered about facing lack.  Is it the fear that they will face lack that makes them do so or is it plain avarice to which they succumb.  And Jesus has a Word of advice to such as them when He speaks our Scripture above.  Yes, truly, what does it benefit a man if he amasses many riches but has no riches toward God and His affairs?  He is as bankrupt as a man in the midst of an ocean with no water to drink!

As Christians, it's shameful we adhere to this tenet of the world.  For remember it's not our savings nor what we get from the world that sustains us but everything the Lord in His mercy gives us.  God can easily turn the riches of a rich man into his biggest nightmare and make food scarce to him.  God is Supreme and Honorable and it is our due that we give Him what we have and have time for Him.  For surely on that day when you stand before Him, He will not throw you out saying 'I don't know you' for did you not spend time with Him daily?

Thoughts for another day

December 29, 2011

Today's verse: Lev. 26:12. I will walk among you and be your God, and you will be my people. (KJV)

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

When God gave the Covenant of the Law to the Israelites after leading them out of Egypt, He also gave a number of instructions along with the Law which they were to follow.  These were for their good for in keeping them they would adhere to His Kingdom which they would see at the end of this world.  God encouraged them of His covenant love and promised that He Himself would be with them all the way but they were only to be faithful to the Covenant. 

As we go further, we find that God was true to His promises.  He remained faithful to His people, the children of Abraham with whom He had formed the covenant of circumcision and whom He loved.  But what the people did was a blot on the Israelites for they forsook Him and broke His heart to utter sorrow.  Nevertheless, God always kept His Word and today's Scripture is one particular Word that caught my attention in this, the Word was manifest in Jesus' coming to earth to display, 'I will walk among you and be your God!' 

Yes, He walked among them and everything written about Him they found in Jesus.  Yet, their blinded eyes and clouded minds refused to accept Him as God.  Rather they did to Him as they pleased, even to the point of crucifying Him and appropriating His blood upon them and their children!  We may castigate the Jews for their destroying Jesus; but in reflection, what do we discover about ourselves in what we do to Jesus today.  Don't we harm Him every bit of the way?  Don't we betray Him, sneer at Him and abuse Him, in what we say and do?  My friend, much time has gone by since Jesus walked the face of the earth; but what He experienced then, He experiences even today.  The bitter pill of rejection He had to take then, He has to take even today, for the depraved and corrupt world rejects Him even more than it did then.  In fact today, we've found potent alternatives to the Gospel of Christ, even in His churches which profess Him, albeit in their own 'new-age' way.  We have churches that say they do His will but are more concerned about their coffers and rather than teach the truth, teach profit to the people and so on.  We await a man sent by Jesus Himself who will lead His people in the right manner so that they form the throng that worships and bows before Him in His heavenly kingdom forever.

Thoughts for another day

December 28, 2011

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

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

Jesus, oh the Beloved Lamb of God, who is the High Priest, lives forever at the right hand of God and intercedes with the Father for us.  However many be our sins, He the Son of God looks on us with love and asks the Father to forgive saying, 'Father forgive, for they know not what they do.' 

Not only is Jesus our Beloved Redeemer, He is also our Mediator with God 1 Tim. 2:5 and whatever we may want or desire, we but need to go to Him and ask.  And when we go to Him with faith in our hearts, however small it be, humbling ourselves before Him for our 'little faith' saying, 'Lord help my unbelief' then He our Mediator will press the Father to grant us that which we desire in our hearts and He will say to us, 'According to your faith be it unto you' Mt. 9:29. 

We have this assurance that He will also grant us redemption when we believe in His Name for His Word says, 'God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.'  It is for our sake that Jesus gave Himself up to the Father as a Lamb – blemishless and holy – a pleasing aroma to the Father, whereby all dominion is given unto the Son, even that of granting eternal life to all who call upon His Name.  Whereby, we have no hesitation when we approach the throne of Grace for we're confident in this that He is able to save us to the uttermost, we who come nigh to God and we're also sure that He, our blessed Bridegroom always stands, making intercession for us as He loves us and will never send us to the fires of eternal damnation. So in this, we have confidence in Him also to ask Him for whatever we need or desire for He who is pleased in us, shall also grant us what we ask of Him for He joys in us too.

Thoughts for another day

December 27, 2011

Today's verse: 1 Jn.  4:10. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. (KJV)

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

God's love for us has been extraordinary without any impurity and He loves us even though we sin and do all kind of nonsense.  Because we're so attuned to the ways of the world, we've not allowed ourselves to be fully conversant with His love for were we to be acquainted with it even a little bit, it would wash down over us as does a drop of rain down the parched earth.  Were we aware of our need for His love, without which we cannot even survive a single moment, we would've been overwhelmed in it to the extent that we would forget everything and be rooted in Him.  Yes, we would, for immense is His love for us.

The Bible says, 'God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, so whoever believes in Him shouldn't perish but have eternal life.'  Yes, God didn't hesitate in giving up what He loved most: His only begotten Son Jesus Christ, for us.  And what're we before Him?  Miserable, low-down, creatures, wallowing in filth and sin and depraved to the extent of not even realizing that our souls live forever even as we do our own things in the ghettos of hell on earth.

God gave His Son not that we loved Him, but that He loved us and He gave Him up to be an unblemished sacrifice on His altar for His justice demanded it.  The price we had to pay because of God's justice was paid in full by the righteous Lamb of God.  Two days ago we celebrated Christmas, the birth of Christ; do you realize what it means?  It means Jesus had to shed all His glory to be with us on earth – like us and with us in the form of a body like ours.  Metaphorically, it means emptying the entire ocean into a cup!  Did you grasp that?  If you did, lie on your knees and give Him your love.  It would cause heaven to come on earth and to you. 

Thoughts for another day

December 26, 2011

Today's verse: Ro. 5:8. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (KJV)

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

The night that Christ was born, also celebrated by us as Christmas, was a special and holy night signaling the immense love of God.  There in a manger so cold and dark was born the Savior of mankind, unheralded and unwelcomed, yet, in essence the very Lamb of God who was to take away our sins and it tickles my heart to think: we were sinners, yet, Christ took birth and died for us.  Were we worth it?  Sometimes, in tears as I reflect on this Word, I tell the Lord, what is me and the human race that You deemed it right to come and die for us, for we're sinners, rooted in filth and wallowing in the darkness of the god of the world.

But God didn't think us unworthy.  His love for us transcended the sin that's anathema to Him.  He looks at us as His little children and you know when a little child has done some grave mischief, we still don't beat it, rather glance it away as a small thing. Know you, that sin, no matter little or big, is terrible in His sight, yet He overlooks it, looking rather at the blood of His Son and forgives and embraces us. 

Let not your hearts be hardened today as you remember the great sacrifice Jesus made for us.  Look at Him, the Owner of the universe in that little manger and think of the love He shows in that twinkling of His eyes as he lies in swaddling clothes amid the cattle!  So beautiful and precious, no?  Then think of all that we do that pains Him. Yet, He spreads His light on us and draws us close.  This day as you are busy and looking forward to a beautiful week of Christmas, yield to His love.  Give a little, care a little, let those who love you, know you love them too, perhaps even those who don't love you.  Spread a little of His love everywhere and leave the fragrance of His being in the hearts you meet.  Celebrate Christmas genuinely and His light will come into you and remain with you.

Thoughts for another day

December 23, 2011

Today's verse: Lk. 2:15b. the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. (KJV)

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

When Jesus was born, very few people were aware that the Son of God had entered the world as a small baby, as vulnerable and frail as any other.  Among those who were blessed to know were shepherds grazing their sheep at night on the mountains in rural Bethlehem; and how:  the angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone around them, melting their hearts with fear.  The angel asked them not to fear saying he brought good news of great joy for all people.  He then declared the birth of Jesus in David's city who was the anointed of the Lord; also telling them that they would find Him wrapped in swaddling clothes lying in a manger. 

Then suddenly there was with the angel, a great multitude of the heavenly host, praising God saying, 'Glory to God in the highest and peace to men on earth.'  Imagine the incredulity of the shepherds at what they had seen.  They would've literally come alive on that silent, cold winter's night and galvanized into motion, told one another, 'let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing which has come to pass of which the Lord made known to us.  Off they rushed to see the baby Jesus in the crib in a manger - cold and dark and there they worshipped Him.

Of men upon earth, the dearest to the Lord are the poor and 'child-like' and the shepherds to whom the angel spoke were such.  Yet, God even today, sends us glad tidings of His Son and His Son's redemption power.  It may not be as dramatic as God's glory shining in the night sky but still it echoes in our hearts and is clear to us.  What do we do when we hear His call: do we like the shepherds say, let us go see what the Lord is telling us or do we choose to ignore His voice?

Thoughts for another day

December 22, 2011

Today's verse: Lk. 2:7. and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. (KJV)

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

On a cold wintry night as the moon shone serenely over the frosty countryside, a couple made their way, not knowing which way to turn.  The woman seated on an ass had completed her term of pregnancy and was about to deliver any time.  The man was desperately looking for a place where he could provide shelter to his wife but found none.  They had trudged a long way and no inn was to take them in for they had run out of room.  His forehead creased and sweaty, he looked around even as his very young wife went into labor.  He spotted a shed, an abode of cattle and farm animals and went in.  Taking a bunch of hay, he made a bed for his wife even as she was screamed in labor pain; and as soon as she lay on the hay, her Child was born.

This could be anybody's story, but it wasn't anybody that was born that night; rather the King of kings, the Lord of lords, the Owner and Supreme Commander of the universe was born there in that shed. His first cry signaled discomfort at leaving the warm womb of His mother and arriving into the cold world outside.  It was His first brush with the elements of the world which He only had created in His wisdom and there He lay wrapped in swaddling clothes in a trough from which the cattle fed.  All around him was bovine smell mixed with the dusty smell of dry hay. 

Amazing isn't it, that the King of the universe was born this way.  He was the only one who could choose how and where He was to be born and He chose to be born in a manger!  Why did He do that you may ask; He did it to signal to man that He was available to them who were rejected of men; who were poor and had no one to care for them and who had the doors of men of stature, closed to them.  The King was born in humility and poverty, loved only by His mother and her husband and no one realized the immensity of the moment of His birth which opened the way for His path to Calvary.  You know if I were there in His place I would have chosen pomp and glory at my birth on earth and thank God He isn't like me for then how could the lowly approach Him.  He left His glory behind and came, meek and mild, a helpless child and in Him God did that which He could do through no other: He gave salvation to the fallen soul of man.  Today, let this your Savior find some room in your heart too.

Thoughts for another day

December 21, 2011

Today's verse: Lk. 1:38. Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. (KJV)

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

To a simple village girl of Nazareth, just betrothed to a man and about to be living with him shortly, comes an awesome visitor, the angel Gabriel, who abides in the tremendous Presence of God, and he has a startling message for her, when he tells her that she has found favor with God and has been chosen to be His vessel on earth to birth His Son, without intercourse, who was destined to be the Savior of men.

Imagine Mary's shock at the message; everything was normal a few moments ago, and now this!  She was troubled and had a question for she was a virgin; and Gabriel allayed her fears saying, 'The Holy Ghost shall come upon you, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow you: therefore also that holy thing, which shall be born of you, shall be called the Son of God.'  In that moment her whole world would have spun before her, so many questions would've clouded her mind and so many anxieties would have flooded her.  What if anyone hears of her pregnancy without being with Joseph?  She would be stoned to death!  But Mary, had faith in God and her heart opened up and simply said, 'Look, I am the servant of God and let it be done to me according to your word!' 

Simple words, humbly accepting God's will even in the face of imminent danger to life; but they were said and so it happened that Jesus was born of the Virgin Mary!  Today let's look at our lives:  Jesus comes to us and like he did with Mary, asks us to open ourselves to Him.  Do we do that?  Maybe, maybe not, for remember, the price is high.  Sometimes, sacrificing for our God can be very costly but know that God asks us, not for small pithy things we can easily give, but for great things and He is worthy of our best.  Yet, do we submit to His request?  Do we trust Him in humility and agree saying, 'Thy will be my life.'  Measure this out in yourself, even as you celebrate Christmas, which happened because of one who accepted God's will.  Can you say you will please Him Who looks up to you to accede to His will?

Thoughts for another day

December 20, 2011

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

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

Emmanuel, the greatest word the church of God can hear; how wonderful it's sound and how great the significance of the meaning of the word, 'God with us!'   It delights my heart unceasingly when I ponder on the fact that on the first Christmas, God, the God of heaven and earth, Mighty Rock of ages, The Sovereign Lord, the Sovereign God, His Imperial Majesty, King of kings and Lord of lords, descended to earth to stay with us and be with us, like us!

God had always deigned that one day, He himself would come on earth to save His beautiful creature, man.  So when the time came, He, the owner of the universe, came to be born, not in a palace in which kings are born but in a manger, in which no one would want to be born.  He did that for us so we would never hesitate to go to Him when our lives seem to be sullied as a manger.  He came at a time when it was cold, so He could also feel the cold and be one with the suffering of the earth. In this, the God of mankind can be truly said to be well acquainted with our difficulties and experienced in our pain for He welcomed any pain that could come His way.  He even lived a simple and austere life, working like the commonest of men, as a carpenter, one of the lowliest professions at that time, so even the lowliest would feel welcome to be with Him.

As we move to celebrate this Christmas, do the lowliest of people say they see Jesus in us and are they confident of approaching us when they're in need.  We need to examine this little point in the silence of our hearts and do something; so He the greatest among all will also make our hearts His home.  

Thoughts for another day

December 19, 2011

Today's verse: Mt. 2:2b. for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. (KJV)

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

Little Johnny heard the priest preach on the great event of Christ's birth and how the church provides the season of Advent to prepare to welcome Jesus in their hearts in contrast to the world at that time which didn't believe the writings of the prophets and didn't welcome Him at His birth.  Johnny also heard how the star of Jesus was seen by the wise men who came and worshiped Him in the manger.  The priest ended asking, 'Have you also a star in your life that others may see and come worship Jesus?'  'Mom', asked Johnny of his mother, 'how can I have a star in my life?' She replied, 'by doing good to others.' 

Johnny was so struck by this that he removed his box of coins and took all the coins out; and as the family got busy with Sunday morning chores, Johnny marched to the local store and bought as many hot buns as his money could buy.  He lugged the bag with the buns over his shoulder and as soon as he spotted the old beggar propped against the lamp post, he took out two buns and gave them to him.  Walking further he saw this family with two little kids.  He removed ten buns and gave it to them and with a smile on his face, walked on.  He trudged around the entire block of his neighborhood, giving them to the poor until his buns ran out and then ran home. 

A little later, their family friend rang the door bell.  She requested the parents to allow Johnny to accompany her and her son on her small errand of goodness.  To the perplexed parents, she narrated how she had seen Johnny going around giving the poor the buns and she also felt she should do something for which she went to the local restaurant and bought meal packets which were in her car and she wanted that Johnny and her son distribute them.  Johnny's mum and dad were shocked at what they heard.  They hadn't an inkling of what Johnny did and when they heard it, they decided to do something too. 

Eventually, the whole of Christmas season, the poor in the neighborhood got all the food they needed; and this all due to one little boy who wanted to shine his star so others saw it and came and worshipped Jesus in just his small act of feeding the poor.  My friend like Johnny can we also display our star this season; maybe in the niceness we show those around us or in being a help to the helpless or in whatever way we can so we touch the downtrodden?  Won't it be wonderful that they who see our star, come and worship Him, the Master? 

Thoughts for another day

December 16, 2011

Today's verse: Mt. 25:40. And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. (KJV)

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

God created us on the earth through the one first couple, Adam and Eve.  From them was born this vast human populace filling the earth today.  Over generations, people have lost touch with their brothers and relatives and have drifted to other locations, etc.  Thereby the fundamental aspect of one brotherhood has been lost irretrievably and can never even be imagined; what with people embracing various paths in their faith; gaining physical features that set them apart as chalk to cheese; and go about their own lives caring a damn about the guy next door.

Yet, it remains that we're all brothers and sisters, linked to one-another in some way or other in the generations gone by.  But over the years, greed in some men have robbed the goods of others, be it their brother or neighbor,  resulting in their amassing untold riches; to the detriment of others, so much so, that these lack even basic needs including food to survive, leave alone clothing and homes!  That's why there're people out there, even as you read this, dying from hunger or from the cold or being exposed to the elements succumb to the fury of nature.

In our Scripture today, we have the clarion call from our King and Savior: In doing a small thing to the least of men, we do that to Him for God sees Himself in the least and most 'unwanted' of men.  What's our view on this, in the context of what Jesus is telling us?  Are we open to His call to help, to give, to shelter?  Or are we tight-fisted, in our selfishness and don't bother about the hunger pangs in the little child, whose protruding bones tell a sad tale, while we sumptuously feast?  Are we willing to share what we have with the have-nots this season?  Do a check on yourself, even as you prepare for Christmas.  Can you also prepare to feed one person on the road this season?  Can you really call this Christmas a celebration of the birth of Christ or just another ritual gone by?

Thoughts for another day

December 15, 2011

Today's verse: Ro. 10:13, Joel 2:32. For, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved." (RSV – copyright acknowledged)

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

There will be a time of judgment eventually.  Everyone who's walked the earth will be called to account.   Every human being who has lived on earth will have to stand before the Throne and give account to Him Who sits on the Throne.  No matter who he was on earth, whether of high or low office, he has to render his doings unto the Lord of the universe Who created man and sent him to earth to sojourn for a while and establish his credentials: whether he deserves heaven or hell.

In today's hustle and bustle of life, we've forgotten this small but very frightening aspect and I'm talking of Christians, who should be familiar with this eventuality, for remember, we're vessels of clay, who will one day, leave the vessel and move to our eternal destination.  Most people are completely oblivious to the peril they're in and the destination they're bound to.  Hardly anyone cares and most choose to ignore it as if it's not pertinent for they say, who's seen what happens after death?  But the Bible is clear about this thing and Jesus, the One who came from God and has gone back to God told this in clear terms when He alluded to the judgment day saying, 'he that rejects Me and receives not My words, has One that judges him. The Word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day', John 12:48.

Think not that you or anyone won't be judged for everyone will be judged: 'And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God and the books were opened, and another book was opened, which is the book of Life, and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works'. Rev. 20:12.  But for us who follow our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, we also have an advocate with our Father by Whom we shall be saved as belonging to God's Family and as Scripture says, 'whosoever calls upon the Name of the Lord, he shall be saved.' We believe in this and we know that no matter what our life has been on earth, Jesus will save us for we call upon His Name.

Thoughts for another day

December 15, 2011

Today's verse: Ro. 10:13, Joel 2:32. For, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved." (RSV – copyright acknowledged)

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

There will be a time of judgment eventually.  Everyone who's walked the earth will be called to account.   Every human being who has lived on earth will have to stand before the Throne and give account to Him Who sits on the Throne.  No matter who he was on earth, whether of high or low office, he has to render his doings unto the Lord of the universe Who created man and sent him to earth to sojourn for a while and establish his credentials: whether he deserves heaven or hell.

In today's hustle and bustle of life, we've forgotten this small but very frightening aspect and I'm talking of Christians, who should be familiar with this eventuality, for remember, we're vessels of clay, who will one day, leave the vessel and move to our eternal destination.  Most people are completely oblivious to the peril they're in and the destination they're bound to.  Hardly anyone cares and most choose to ignore it as if it's not pertinent for they say, who's seen what happens after death?  But the Bible is clear about this thing and Jesus, the One who came from God and has gone back to God told this in clear terms when He alluded to the judgment day saying, 'he that rejects Me and receives not My words, has One that judges him. The Word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day', John 12:48.

Think not that you or anyone won't be judged for everyone will be judged: 'And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God and the books were opened, and another book was opened, which is the book of Life, and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works'. Rev. 20:12.  But for us who follow our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, we also have an advocate with our Father by Whom we shall be saved as belonging to God's Family and as Scripture says, 'whosoever calls upon the Name of the Lord, he shall be saved.' We believe in this and we know that no matter what our life has been on earth, Jesus will save us for we call upon His Name.

Thoughts for another day

December 15, 2011

Today's verse: Ro. 10:13, Joel 2:32. For, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved." (RSV – copyright acknowledged)

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

There will be a time of judgment eventually.  Everyone who's walked the earth will be called to account.   Every human being who has lived on earth will have to stand before the Throne and give account to Him Who sits on the Throne.  No matter who he was on earth, whether of high or low office, he has to render his doings unto the Lord of the universe Who created man and sent him to earth to sojourn for a while and establish his credentials: whether he deserves heaven or hell.

In today's hustle and bustle of life, we've forgotten this small but very frightening aspect and I'm talking of Christians, who should be familiar with this eventuality, for remember, we're vessels of clay, who will one day, leave the vessel and move to our eternal destination.  Most people are completely oblivious to the peril they're in and the destination they're bound to.  Hardly anyone cares and most choose to ignore it as if it's not pertinent for they say, who's seen what happens after death?  But the Bible is clear about this thing and Jesus, the One who came from God and has gone back to God told this in clear terms when He alluded to the judgment day saying, 'he that rejects Me and receives not My words, has One that judges him. The Word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day', John 12:48.

Think not that you or anyone won't be judged for everyone will be judged: 'And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God and the books were opened, and another book was opened, which is the book of Life, and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works'. Rev. 20:12.  But for us who follow our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, we also have an advocate with our Father by Whom we shall be saved as belonging to God's Family and as Scripture says, 'whosoever calls upon the Name of the Lord, he shall be saved.' We believe in this and we know that no matter what our life has been on earth, Jesus will save us for we call upon His Name.

Thoughts for another day

December 14, 2011

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

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

When we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, many things happen –spiritual, physical and emotional.  Here I'll deal with the spiritual aspect of our association with Christ whereby we come into the realm of the Holy Spirit who teaches us all wisdom of the Kingdom of our Father.

As you know, one of the key ingredients accompanying us in our walk with the Lord from the time we encounter Him and accept Him as Lord and Savior is holiness; which is also the most difficult of traits for a man to be close to, leave alone possess. We know only one Man was perfect; only one Man was completely holy and that Man is Jesus.  No other man has ever been without sin, ever, and so, it all the more inspires us to be holy for we walk in the footsteps of our Master moving to be pure in His sight; yet we realize even without our intending it, we fall, sinning.  Sometimes, we're so depressed by this our weak nature that we find our spirits lilting and being gripped by guilt, we can't get into a genial communion with our God.  The reason is we feel we ourselves have to try to be holy before Him.  We forget an important aspect of our relationship with God, which is – He who has begun a good work in us will accomplish it until the day of Jesus Christ.  Which means, He who has spurred us into holiness, will accomplish it!

Yes, it is He who will make us holy and help us remain clean before Him.  Try however, much we may, we cannot be clean the way God intends us to be.  But He can and will make us clean when we surrender completely to Him.  We may yet commit sin, like let's say, doubt His providence in the face of acute want, but still, being committed to His ways, we're clean, particularly because of the blood of Jesus on our fore-heads which cries that we're holy before our Father.  So today, in our efforts to be holy, let's stop relying on selves, rather let's take hold of the promise in our Scripture above and rejoice for our intense desire to be holy will be fulfilled by Him.  Amen.

Thoughts for another day

December 13, 2011

Today's verse: 2 Cor. 5:21. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. (KJV)

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

Man sins, again and again so as to offend the sheer holiness of God.  It's not a trivial thing to offend the perfection of God, for in doing that our sins cast us in the judgment corner and the judgment of God can be devastating, for remember, just disobeying God and eating of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, cost Adam fellowship with God and Paradise.

But then, who among men, except Christ, hasn't sinned and St. Paul says, all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, thus deserving the judgment of a fair and holy God; yet, God has deemed it right that we be saved, not by the blood of bulls and goats but by shedding of the blood of His only Son, Jesus Christ, in which He ordained that the sins of all mankind be wiped clean, of those who accept Him as Lord, God and Savior.

Thus Christ entered the world, not in any noble manner, lest the poor and those needing mercy remain away; but rather as the commonest of men, aligning Himself with the poorest, and living like them.  Then when His hour had come, He strove to the scourging pillar to be pillaged in His body, not without reason this, but that our sick bodies will be made whole by His brutalized body.  His final raiment was the Cross, on which He was hanged like a criminal and God in His fierce anger, made Him to be sin; imagine this, He who knew no sin, who was the pure Lamb of God was made sin for us so we might be made the righteousness of God in Him; to appear unto God as pure and holy, when covered with Jesus' blood.  Just think of the privilege we have in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and so for His sake, let's shed our load of sin and move towards the life He wants us to live, so we also enjoy eternal bliss with Him.

Thoughts for another day

December 12, 2011

Today's verse: Gal. 5:25. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. (KJV)

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

Jesus makes us eligible to partake of the beautiful Holy Spirit, He sent us, to be our Companion, Guardian, Advocate, Counselor, Mentor and many other things we need Him to be, to help us live life in accord with what God wants.   The first thing the Holy Spirit does is make us aware or conscious of sin.  For remember, if there's one thing God abhors in us, it is sin.  God cannot and will not be with us when we sin for He and sin cannot co-exist.

Where there's sin, God moves away, for sin is arrogance before God and an insult to His pure holiness.  Therefore, ponder on this: If we say we live in the Holy Spirit, let's not stray but also walk in Him Who is there to guide us to all truth and show us the path to life in which we must live and discover the Lord of life.  No matter how great our tendency to sin, the Awesome Holy Spirit has such power, He can cut at the very root of sin in our lives and lead us out of it, for He convicts us of guilt with regard to sin, righteousness and condemnation and leads us to true repentance.

Some of us have been with the Awesome Holy Spirit for quite some time yet the tendency to sin remains and I'm not talking of sins like stealing, or murder, or the like, but things like bearing hatred, lying, harboring pride or doing some nonsense in the privacy of our homes when no one watches except God.  One may wonder why we sin despite not wanting to; it's because sin is so deep rooted in us; but although you may sin, if you're truly repentant before the Holy Spirit and desperately seeking His help, He is there and with each sin, you'll find it in you to confess it to God and seek His pardon.  This may happen again and again, but remember, one day, you will leave sin alone and by Him, our beautiful Advocate, be joined into our Savior and Lord as a holy and pure soul.  This hope we have in Him who leads us to all righteousness.  So let us walk in Him, who has been given us by God freely and be victorious in all the trials that come our way.

Thoughts for another day

December 9, 2011

Today's verse: 2 Cor. 6:14. Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? (KJV)

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

In our move toward holiness, our Scripture today has an important lesson that we can't be tied to unbelievers, particularly idol worshippers and such like.  You can be friends with them, but must learn when to break off and leave for if you don't, you may be drawn into conversations about their gods subtly and be party to their 'worship' sessions, and inadvertently do something that may help the devil to hold as a lever, he can use throughout your life in accusing you.

I remember when I was small, I used to live in a part of Mumbai, where practice of hinduism was rampant and even some of my closest friends were hindus.  I used to be invited to their homes for their worship sessions and used to participate whole-heartedly to be seen as one with them.  I even sang songs created  to their idols and it's surprising that even today I suddenly blurt out into one of those songs and then quickly stop, realizing what I'm doing.  These habits are so deep that they obstinately remain ingrained and refuse to leave.  This is what happens when we who are in the light fellowship with darkness!

Sometimes to be seen as nice, we do things we regret.  Let me say what happened recently with me; I met a school friend after 33 years and we were extremely delighted, having met after so long.  I went to his home and met his old parents; and to look good before them, asked for their blessings.  Later I realized, in their blessings they would've most probably invoked their god, which for me is atrocious.  Well, I understand they're old and really would've been so happy I asked to be blessed by them, but haven't I just acknowledged the god they invoked to bless me?  Didn't I hurt my Lord by currying favor with them? Was it necessary?  But it happens inadvertently and satan who masquerades as the angel of light tricks us into it to accuse us and keep us in bondage.  Believe you me, these things are not some stupid thoughts you can ignore, for I've been victim to satan's ways and I can tell you, he's so subtle you won't even know until you're destroyed.  What was Adam's fault?  Didn't satan trick them into doing that which they shouldn't have done; this even when they saw God face to face and communed with Him? 

Our Scripture says, 'what has righteousness and wickedness in common?' believe me, nothing and keep this planted in your heart and God will tell you when you're trying to go to wickedness and thus you will save your soul.

Thoughts for another day

December 9, 2011

Today's verse: 2 Cor. 6:14. Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? (KJV)

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

In our move toward holiness, our Scripture today has an important lesson that we can't be tied to unbelievers, particularly idol worshippers and such like.  You can be friends with them, but must learn when to break off and leave for if you don't, you may be drawn into conversations about their gods subtly and be party to their 'worship' sessions, and inadvertently do something that may help the devil to hold as a lever, he can use throughout your life in accusing you.

I remember when I was small, I used to live in a part of Mumbai, where practice of hinduism was rampant and even some of my closest friends were hindus.  I used to be invited to their homes for their worship sessions and used to participate whole-heartedly to be seen as one with them.  I even sang songs created  to their idols and it's surprising that even today I suddenly blurt out into one of those songs and then quickly stop, realizing what I'm doing.  These habits are so deep that they obstinately remain ingrained and refuse to leave.  This is what happens when we who are in the light fellowship with darkness!

Sometimes to be seen as nice, we do things we regret.  Let me say what happened recently with me; I met a school friend after 33 years and we were extremely delighted, having met after so long.  I went to his home and met his old parents; and to look good before them, asked for their blessings.  Later I realized, in their blessings they would've most probably invoked their god, which for me is atrocious.  Well, I understand they're old and really would've been so happy I asked to be blessed by them, but haven't I just acknowledged the god they invoked to bless me?  Didn't I hurt my Lord by currying favor with them? Was it necessary?  But it happens inadvertently and satan who masquerades as the angel of light tricks us into it to accuse us and keep us in bondage.  Believe you me, these things are not some stupid thoughts you can ignore, for I've been victim to satan's ways and I can tell you, he's so subtle you won't even know until you're destroyed.  What was Adam's fault?  Didn't satan trick them into doing that which they shouldn't have done; this even when they saw God face to face and communed with Him? 

Our Scripture says, 'what has righteousness and wickedness in common?' believe me, nothing and keep this planted in your heart and God will tell you when you're trying to go to wickedness and thus you will save your soul.

Thoughts for another day

December 8, 2011

Today's verse: Ro. 6:11. Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. (KJV)

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

Jesus died to sin once and now He lives for God; therefore, sin has no dominion over Him nor can sin or death demand anything of Jesus for He has conquered them both and He reigns, forever and ever.  His sacrifice has earned Him the eternal Priesthood and everlasting authority across all realms, whether they be of the earth or of the heavens, over all principalities and powers, for the Word says, 'of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end.'

Is. 9:7.

Our inability of not sinning is in itself a weak testimony to our faith in God for if we believe in Him and thus are called to be His children, then we have the ability to go against sin and decry its effects in our lives and in the lives of our children, relatives, friends and others.  And just as Christ died once to sin and now lives for God, we must also consider ourselves to be dead to sin but alive in God through Jesus Christ our Lord who reigns in glory forever and ever.

Our human limitations will definitely come in the way of our true communion with the Lord and our relationship with Him.  They will deter us from being pure and holy and righteous before our Father, yet, let us cling to the promise we have from our Blessed Savior that He has taken our sin and destroyed it at the Cross.  And in this confidence let us approach the Ruler of heaven and earth, forgetting our past and looking at our glorious future that Jesus Christ has given us.  In this we rejoice and are glad.