Thoughts for another day

March 30, 2012

Today's verse: Ps. 30:5. For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning. (KJV)

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

For all the troubles I cause Him, there's only one thing I hear, 'I forgive.'  This is the nature of our Lord and His established way.  To the Israelites who had defied His every norm and vilified Him in rebelling against Him before the nations, He had given hope through the prophet Micah, '… He retaineth not His anger forever, because He delighteth in mercy.  He will turn again, He will have compassion upon us; He will subdue our iniquities.'  And they had the confidence that He would cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.

How can we not turn then to His Most Precious Holiness, God, in Whom we live and move and have our beings; and come before Him, no matter what the condition of our souls and say, 'I'm sorry for offending Thee Lord!'  What holds us back (and I know of some who're at the threshold of death's door yet stubbornly refuse to bow) that we don't seek His mercy.  What blindness do we have when we cannot see the awesome flow of the river of His mercy because of which we're not consumed!  Do we forget that our weeping may remain over a night but He enables us to rejoice in the morning for by that time, His anger of the moment would have dissipated? 

Though we constantly offend Him till we're anathema to His Being, He yet says, 'Come now, and let us reason together: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.'  Buffeted as we are before the storms of life which lead us astray, should we not just fall at His feet, knowing He is real and compassionate?  Shouldn't we just let go and let Him take the reins of our lives for we don't know what we do but He does?  My friend, He whom you worship is precious and lovely.  He is a Friend par excellence and One you can hold on to in the whirlpool of your existence.  Endear yourself to Him and He will take your tears away.

Thoughts for another day

March 29, 2012

Today's verse: Ps. 66:20. Blessed be God, which hath not turned away my prayer, nor his mercy from me.  (KJV)

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

No matter how much I turn from Him, He never moves away from me.  His love is like a canopy that provides shade and is always over me, just as the sun and the moon never shy away from their assigned duties.  In my frustration, without thinking, I accuse Him of putting me in difficulty and sneer at Him to show how much I really care for Him; I tell Him, 'go ahead, do what You want … You want me to die miserably, so be it.'  I don't bother to see His love for me on that swollen face on the Cross; and His bruised and mutilated body, showing how much He suffered for me.  I see the yearning in His eyes.  I see how much He thirsts for me as I softly hear Him say, 'I thirst'. 

I tell Him, 'You have abandoned me' and I quickly bite my tongue for I remember His feeble voice crying to His Father, 'Eloi, Eloi lema Sabachthani.'  I can actually see the darkness before Him and worse, I can see the sneering and the deep satisfaction at His predicament on the faces of men who He created and whose names, He etched in His palms; and He tells me He always wanted to have a deep relationship with me!  Yet, even then, my ego tingles in my veins to rebel and I say, 'Oh You are God and I'm just a man.  I suffer and I'm in pain and I don't want your trial, just take it away from me.'  'Move on, I tell Him, cease to interfere with my life, I've had enough of You!' 

His Spirit comes gently and tells me, 'My son you are in this state for you sin and in your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.'  He says, 'I will never try you beyond a point for you are dear to Me!'  I suddenly realize, Who I am talking to: The LORD God Almighty; He who owns the universe and all in it; He whose power can still the winds and the waves of the sea.  And look, here is He coming to pacify me, a disfigured vessel of mud!  Ah, I know my God and He loves me so much and coming to my senses I say, 'Thank You Lord for Who You are in my life.'  I wonder at His goodness even as I close my eyes in deep reflection – He has never turned away my prayer nor His mercy from me – and I can feel His love like a canopy that provides me shade from the harsh elements and I can't help but cry, 'my God, my God, why do You love me so?'

Thoughts for another day

March 28, 2012

Today's verse: 2 Cor. 5:7. For we walk by faith, not by sight. (KJV)

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

To read and imbibe the Word above is to say the least, extremely difficult not only in the normal things of life but also in everything concerning our spiritual journey.  There're moments when things are so much in disarray that one may tend to look up and just tell Him, the Maker of our destinies, that everything is unjust. 

Paul, who wrote this letter certainly abided by its spirit and always walked according to his faith in the Lord but as far as I'm concerned, I know I'm not Paul and my faith is not even a thousandth part of a mustard seed that it can muster courage in me and unflinching faith.  I, and a few people I know, are at a stage that's so painful, that mere endurance is sapping us of our energies and depending on God is becoming so difficult for we cannot see God and cannot even hear Him.  Honestly, it pleads my being to just give up on God and start living by my terms, for then, maybe by my own efforts, it may be possible to set things right atleast by a small degree.

I'm not writing to tell you we mustn't believe God beyond a point - which is what many say for they hold that God wants you to do your own thing and He is there to help - far from it,  as I always maintain that we must lean on God always.  For the theory of the world will never help us understand God's ways which seek that we surrender everything to Him and depend completely on Him.   I write this more for you and others to know what it means to go through a trial and hold on for someone said, 'the teacher is silent during the test', so I take it that God keeps His silence when you're under trial (Don't we recall Jesus' agonizing cry, 'My Lord, My Lord, why have You abandoned Me?'). But even then bruised all over, if we're yet able, by His Grace to keep faith, He will deliver and His deliverance is absolutely miraculous and sudden.  Remember Job and keep the faith.  Your time will come.  Amen.

Thoughts for another day

March 27, 2012

Today's verse: Jer. 51:15, 16. He hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom, and hath stretched out the heaven by his understanding. When he uttereth his voice, there is a multitude of waters in the heavens; and he causeth the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth: he maketh lightnings with rain, and bringeth forth the wind out of his treasures. (KJV)

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

Surfing Google earth can be fascinating as you go closer and closer to the images of on the surface of the earth.  You discover how fabulous the earth is and how orderly everything is.  You find it this way because He, the LORD God of heaven and earth made the earth by His power.  His infinite wisdom is sprawled before us on the canvas of the universe for He has commanded it to be according to His infinite wisdom and understanding and it came to be a picture of brilliance and splendor.

Today, reflect not on your puny little problem which you feel is about to overcome you and douse you in its wake, rather reflect on the awesomeness of the One who is your God and who says, "the battle is the Lord's and He will fight for you' Ex. 14:14.  Yes, your situation may be suffocating and really really dangerous, but know that He, the LORD God also knows about it and He knows to snatch you out of the jaws of death at the 11th hour and 59th minute…yes He knows it and He does it for you simply, for He has engraved you on the palm of His hand. 

Go back to our scripture and you'll see, when He speaks, the waters gather in the heavens by the multitude of vapors ascending off the earth and He sends the rain, not dumping the whole cloud but spraying water to the earth, creating a sprinkler as it were in the lining of the cloud.  He causes the lightning to light up the night sky and commands the winds out of His grand treasures to sweep the waters over the face of the earth, giving life to it.  Oh you of little faith, arise right now and bow before His Majesty whose great power conceals the foundations of the earth and holds it steady and know that He has committed to be your Guardian as David knew it when he, inspired by the Spirit said, 'my Refuge and my Fortress, my God in whom I trust!'  Just Trust Him and He will save you.

Thoughts for another day

March 26, 2012

Today's verse: Mark 1:41. And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will; be thou clean. (KJV)

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

Some days back I went to pray for a boy of 17 years who's suffering from blood cancer.  Imagine, this boy until last November, was in fabulous health. Then after a sharp fever and diagnosis, was reduced to a person not knowing whether he'll celebrate his next birthday.  When I saw him, I noticed black spots all over his hands and learnt they were needle pricks for intravenous drips, applied when he underwent chemotherapy.  The pain in his lower back was so much due to constant injections there, that he couldn't sit on a chair or needed help to hold him as he sat with great difficulty. 

I really felt pity for him and as I spoke, preparing him to get acquainted with Jesus and His ways, before I could administer prayer for his sake, I told him about the will of God with regard to healing and read the episode of the leper begging Jesus to heal him, from which I've taken the above verse as our Scripture today.  One thing I know about disease is that Jesus never wants anyone to be in any kind of disease in the body and He is pained to see anyone suffering from any disease, no matter what it be and I'll even go further to say that He doesn't want us to suffer from even other things like financial problems, marital problems, etc.  Remember, a sincere soul who goes to Jesus and beats at His door is bound to come back with healing no matter what the problem.

I want to reassure every person who's suffering from any disease, whether of the body or otherwise, of the awesome Presence of Jesus and just like He touched the leper and healed him; so also, He will touch and heal you.  Also remember, in many cases, Jesus healed even on the Sabbath, without regard to the threats of the Pharisees and religious rulers, because He had so much compassion for His children who suffered, and He is also there with you.  Just lean onto Him and cry out and surely He who has healing in His wings will touch you and heal you.  Just trust Him.

Thoughts for another day

March 23, 2012

Today's verse: Sirach 47:22. But the Lord will never leave off his mercy, neither shall any of his works perish, (KJV)

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

Here's a promise of God that should gladden our hearts; for truly God loves us His people even if we rebelled against Him and treated Him as naught.   We see man's indifference to God from the time he was created: for the lure of being like God, Adam ate of the fruit and thus showed His disdain for God.  When the going was so good for Adam in Eden, what was the need to be like God, particularly when he could commune with Him at will and God had thrown the canopy of His Spirit over him and covered him with His arm, giving him the right to see Him and rest under His wings; yet Adam wanted to be like Him!

You see, the seed of sin, sown into Adam by the devil, beguiled him to disobey and it started a series of rebellion and antagonism toward God.  When you read the Bible, you have to shed a tear for God for so often we see Him yearning for us, but has to make do with our erroneous ways.  Across the scenes that unfold in His Word, you'll notice God always waiting for us, be it at the time of Samuel, when they demanded Samuel provide them a king, an affront to God because He was their heavenly King, till the time of their exile to Babylon when they were pressed in the winepress of misery.  Yet, when they repented, God was most ready to embrace them.  This image of God was embellished by Jesus Christ, God Himself, who knew what it meant to wait for man to pay Him homage; and they never did! 

And today we have the assurance yet again, of God waiting for us.  He tells us He will never let go of His mercy nor will He allow any of His promises to fail; so we always can hope in Him. What more can we as His children, ask for?

Thoughts for another day

March 22, 2012

Today's verse: Amos 8:11. Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD:  (KJV)

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

The Word of God, our companion on earth is the most precious gift God has given us to both cherish and live.  But how crassly we treat it?  There're many, many 'Christians' out there who've never read the Bible end to end.  And believe me it's sad to meet so many Christians across all denominations, who even at the age of 60 plus are simply ignorant as regards the Bible.  In fact I'm appalled to hear some preach things as quotes mentioned in the Bible, but they're never there! 

Now, if we don't read God's Word and don't keep them, the above Scripture is for us and it's quite scary for imagine, what would Christians do without God's Word?'  Our strength would depend on man's words, uninspired by God and they would lead us astray, even as today we see thousands of Christians around the world swayed by heresy and other objects of deep intellect.  Our lives would lack direction without it.  We would've no power, for which of man's word could we lay on our hearts to tap the power of God with? Note that without God's Word there is no God's power.  Many try to appropriate His power without His Word and are vanquished and shamed.

The Word of God is the barometer which we Christians have, to shed light on the presence of God in our lives and the world.   His Word is that guideline which helps us to live lives of strength and fullness.   His Word stands as a bulwark in the midst of the storm and conquers it. No matter what words human beings use, bringing them out with great pomp and show and teaching them to be the writ, they're as nothing for they lack 'God' in them and without God, all is vain.  My friend today do not ignore God's Word and beg of God to not bring in a famine of His Word. Remember to honor the Word and live it and in time when you approach the door of the next life, He will honor you as He opens the door.

Thoughts for another day

March 21, 2012

Today's verse: Ro. 5:20b. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: (KJV)

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

I find this rather strange but nevertheless am delighted at the mercy and love of God and it's this; when I sin, I notice God sends a greater Grace in my life and on the day I sin I can sense His love flowing out more than usual.  In fact, I've also noticed that on the day I offend Him seriously, He works out something good for me!  I've seen it happen so many times that I am unable to hold it but say that, truly the above Scripture is so real with me; and I'm sure with you too. 

Nothing touches me more than this God's lovely gesture as if to remind me, 'its ok…you've sinned, now get up and sin no more!'  Think of it, isn't our God so beautiful and so good.  Imagine you hurt Him and He reverts with a kiss!  You malign Him and He answers with a blessing!  How great is our God who is our Father on high even to everlasting life.  Remember it is with our God that we shall spend everlasting life after we've crossed the threshold of this life and it certainly excites my soul to know that I have such a God who I can worship at will and love and cherish!

But hey, remember that the occasion of 'special Grace' that He confers on us when we sin is not that we go on sinning, but that we realize what He is to us and how much He loves us.  And for the sake of that love, we shed our sinful nature and turning new leaves, offer ourselves as living sacrifices on His altar to be a sweet smelling oblation.  Beloved, repent of your sins and your wrongdoings for the season of Grace is at hand when your soul can turn to embrace its Creator; rather than face the cauldron of His wrath, when the season has gone past.

Thoughts for another day

March 20, 2012

Today's verse: Mt. 11:28. Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (KJV)

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

Living at times can be really weary as times things just don't go right.  Even as you've accomplished a major task at home, another pops up, aiming to sap both, your finances and energy.  And before you've set about doing this, literally hanging on a thread as far as your finances and resources go, your boss calls you and says your performance audit has been way below your goals and projections that year.  Then, you reach home and learn that your child instead of being anywhere near the top in the exams has now failed in two subjects!  Why God why, you ask and of course there's no answer.

What are you to do in this situation?  Where do you go with all your problems?  At that moment, it seems even your friends have ditched you for when you pick up the phone to talk to someone, that someone is so busy, they make you feel guilty you called them.  Even those you spent hours with gossiping about this and that, now have no time to soak in your misery, for who wants to be saddled with someone else's agony?   Relatives flee, bringing innovative excuses to abstain themselves from your company; and your dearest friends, well, when you open their mouth, they mention a situation in their lives that perhaps merits more attention than yours.  Ah, you wonder and fret, 'What am I to do?  Where in the whole big world do I go to take the burden off my shoulder?  Who will rescue me and what is to happen to me now?  Questions, questions and more questions with no hint of an answer anywhere.

And then someone mentions our Scripture verse above:  It seems interesting and well, you say what have I to lose?  So you go to the Lord and in your desperation you sit before Him for you know there is no other solution.  You may not believe in Him as you should, but what other option do you have?  In sheer agony of your soul you reach out to Him and surprise! He reaches out to you and your problems seem so small before the might of His power.  When you touch Him for whom all is possible, you suddenly and instantly find a solution for your little worries and tensions.  He makes  you a way where there seemed to be no way, perhaps not the way you wanted, but a better way and He leads you to refreshing times.  He is the LORD.

Thoughts for another day

March 19, 2012

Today's verse: Ps. 75:6,7. For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south.  But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another. (KJV)

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

In our limited imagination, it's weird to understand but rather real that all human endeavor succeeds only by God allowing it to succeed and not due to their ability (who gave that ability in the first place?).  Conversely, does it mean that if a man has had failure, then God is responsible for that?  While it's a little difficult to answer with a straight forward yes, it must be said that failure is refusal of a man to accept God ordained defeat in his life.  So he cracks up to his own detriment; whereas if he would've accepted it as God's test, it would eventually work out for his good. 

I don't understand why the progress graph in some people's lives moves downwards; even if that person is brilliant, he yet, faces failure.  Now to be in the shoes of that person isn't a pleasant task, for believe me, it's very painful.  You can see others moving forward, atleast materially (for that's our yardstick for comparison), whereas you're in a sense, moving backward.  But so it is and it's not good.  You may blame God and even be angry with Him.  But, doesn't He as the Creator have the right to grant a few downs in our lives?  And even in the downs, we have the choice to accept His Grace and fight, or sulk and despair.  The former is the superior way and fighting it makes us that much more tough.

In the Bible we have a good example of a man suffering, that too for no fault of his: Job.  But Job, though he condemns his destiny and is very upset, doesn't curse God nor deride Him.  His only fault, if one may call it, is to question the Almighty.  From this we learn that we must have patience and depend on God who has allowed misery in our lives to be satisfied that we're in line with His will and He will remove the misery and bless us abundantly.  I read somewhere about this man begging God to make him patient and when God subjects him to trial to increase his patience, he cries out and tells God He is unjust.  God then gently reminds him about his prayer!  And the man realizes what a fool he has been.  So also remember, if you've prayed to God for the greatest Graces, know well that He will give you this Grace and also put you in a situation where you can recognize it.  So, if for some reason you're going through some inexplicable difficult patch, look up and ask and He will tell you and even remove the difficulty.  He does it for everyone who is faithful to Him.

Thoughts for another day

March 16, 2012

Today's verse: Is. 26:4. So trust in the Lord (commit yourself to Him, lean on Him, hope confidently in Him) forever; for the Lord God is an everlasting Rock [the Rock of Ages]. (Amplified Bible – copyright acknowledged)

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

Today's world is probably in the highest state of ethical and moral decay.  Promises are made to be broken.  People say things they rarely keep.  Looting of the highest level is present in every strand of society and deep decadence is the grain of the fiber of the world.  In all this, what's there for the honest, God-fearing person, you may ask?  Is he to go with the tide and reap the benefits of such a society, or is he to defy standard norms and live in dread not knowing when he may face problems because he refuses to compromise with the teachings of the Lord?

To us, who have this issue placed squarely before us, as we live each day, I must exhort to keep the essence of the above Scripture deeply embedded in the psyche.  For, the promise therein will enable us to stand tall despite the mire of evil and debauchery in our entire atmosphere.  The Bible has that we're to face these problems which will intensify as the coming of the Lord comes close, but He our God will enable us to live fairly, given that we trust and confidently hope in Him.

He will rescue us from all that's threatening to swamp and pull us down, for He is the Lord God, the Rock of Ages and He will do it for the sake of His awesome Name that is above all names.  And also, because we revere His Name He will do something.  Our plea will touch Him as we hammer our prayer into His heart and seek reprieve from the deathly travails we're subject to.  We may be down for a while but eventually, He will extend His hand of help and lift us up, granting unto us the fruit of His kingdom which we will savor all our lives.

Thoughts for another day

March 15, 2012

Today's verse: Josh. 10:8. Fear them not: for I have delivered them into thine hand; there shall not a man of them stand before thee. (KJV)

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

If you're truly a friend of Christ, the above promise is also for you; the same promise Christ made to Joshua, when Joshua was stacked against an array of kings on the battle front.  And vanquish them he did, for the Lord of hosts, the God Almighty, Joshua's constant refrain and refuge was with Him and God fulfilled the promise He made to Joshua.

Our problems today may not be 'war-type'; they could simply be: our own weaknesses and passions that lead us to sin.  And it's possible we hate sin with all our hearts for we know they offend the Lord our God but are really helpless against the immense pleasure sin seemingly offers.  We're taken in by the mirages they lure us to and then trapped, by the vicious webs they weave, like various kinds of addictions from which we're just unable to free ourselves. 

Our battle might be in just living good Christian lives; of not rumor mongering, lying or getting angry.  It could be trying to keep ourselves morally right before God despite all the attractions we face every day, at home, in the form of an 'adorable' neighbor or in the office where a colleague seems to take extra fancy to you.  It could even be the disease of lethargy and procrastination, or simple thievery.  Yes, and it could be a threat on our peace from that man in our building who's rather intimidating and perverted.  But, in everything, look up to Him.  Pray and cease worrying for I tell you, God's promise holds good in the face of any storm we're subject to.  And believe me, I can say this from personal experience, He will save and bring you through, just trust Him.

Thoughts for another day

March 14, 2012

Today's verse: Hagg. 2:7. I will shake all the nations, and the treasures of all the nations will come in, And I will fill this house with glory, says the Lord of hosts. (NAB – copyright acknowledged)

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

The promises of God, they endure.  Time may pass but there will remain the promises of God which will stand the test of time, be it in any age or in any situation.  So today in our Scripture, we hear God promising the future glory of His temple, which at the time He made the promise, the Jews who returned from exile in Babylon had encountered formidable obstacles in their efforts to rebuild the temple.   Yet, they went on to build the temple and great glory accrued to our God, Whose Name is Yahweh and Whose signature of supremacy is embellished on the entire universe.

There is no other god as our God, no not one.  He is the Living God, Who is 'all mighty'; for Whom there is no impossibility or limitedness.  What He says He will do.  So, when we consider His Word in the Bible as His promises (for He does not vacillate with words), we rest assured He will do it.  If He has promised eternal life to those who believe in His Son, Jesus Christ, he will endorse eternal life to you, no matter if you were a lieutenant in the devil's army in your life before, but changed by the heart wrenching touch of His Word, you now believe in His Son!  Don't we know of the thief who so longingly said, 'Lord remember me when You come into Your kingdom' and Jesus turned to him, even though in great pain, and said: 'I assure you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.'

His promises know no limits – they are as they are – take them or leave them.  His power works in them and as a consequence, in you when you acknowledge His promises.  It may take time to realize something you've asked, based on His promises, but know that, it will happen.  Were it not to happen, then God would be a liar; but He isn't and He prevails; and His Word is eternal.  You may be in a spot and maybe desperately holding on to His Word, even if every other influence in you says, just forget His Word and move on; but just hold on.  That, you've held on so far is testimony to your faith in God and in His promise and none knows this better than He our beloved Father.  So, be steadfast and suddenly His Word will become reality in your life.  

Thoughts for another day

March 13, 2012

Today's verse: Lk. 18:17. Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein. KJV)

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

To me this verse was difficult to understand for I always thought, what does a child have or what does it do that it's given exclusive privilege to the Kingdom of God?  For a thought, surely an adult being would be better suited to do that isn't it for he or she is able to understand the right between the good and the bad?  He or she is also able to worship in the right manner and accept the Lord in great understanding and depth of mind and so on.  But then Jesus' Words belie the spuriousness in the thinking an adult has which is far different than that of a child.

You know, God wants us to believe in Him like a child does his parent.  A child is totally secure in the arms of its parent and not scared of anybody or anything when he has his parent with him.  Even if they're facing a wild bull on the rampage and the parent is shaking all over, yet, the child is calm.  God wants us to believe in Him despite the huge blocks ahead; a child would do the same for it is secure in the knowledge that its parent is there.  God wants us to accept things as a child, each day and not think of the morrow for Jesus says, 'tomorrow will care for itself!'  Mt. 6:34. 

A child has nothing to offer except its innocence and its dependence and that's exactly what God our Father is looking for in us.  An innocence showing purity, which God morphs into strength.  He wants us to depend on Him and not on ourselves for He yearns to look after us; and if we tend to look after ourselves, why would God want to look after us?  He is after all a thorough gentleman and will never force Himself on us.  What He loves is that we always look up to Him, the way a child looks up to His parent with that sweet smile of confidence which can melt the heart of that parent.  My friend, God wants us to be His Own and in that He looks in us the same qualities we find in a child.  Make over your personal character and fill it with God's choice and He will in no wise cast you away; rather He will put His arms around you and hold you close.

Thoughts for another day

March 12, 2012

Today's verse: Is. 29:23. But when he seeth his children, the work of mine hands, in the midst of him, they shall sanctify my name, and sanctify the Holy One of Jacob, and shall fear the God of Israel. KJV)

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

God's work is indeed marvelous and unimaginable.  From the man whom He gave the name 'Abraham', God created the entire race of Israel.  To Jacob gave He, many children, who in turn would comprise the twelve tribes of Israel, a nation He had chosen for Himself; for in Abraham, He had found a man who would trust Him implicitly, despite the impossibility of achieving what He told Abraham He would achieve and Abraham's unflinching faith in God wrought for him, through His hands, this great children of Israel. 

It was God's Who created Israel and kept them; and here in this our Scripture, Isaiah is saying that when Jacob shall see his children, he shall not be ashamed nor shall his face become pale with fear and disappointment, for rather than seeing his children in the miserable condition they were, he shall see them well and sanctifying God's Name.  They will sanctify the Holy One of Jacob; and they shall fear the God of Israel.  For such will be the work of God in the midst of Israel.

God can work similarly in our lives too.  No matter how far gone we are from Him and the rut we are in, we shall still be near Him for He will keep us and mould us to fear Him and obey Him.  His work cannot be blocked nor can it be re-directed.  He will keep His people in awe of Him and they shall on bended knee praise and worship Him, the God of Israel before the nations, and there shall be great glory raised to Yahweh Most High, even as the heavens and the earth are filled with His glory as the water covers the sea.

Thoughts for another day

March 8, 2012

Today's verse: Heb. 4:15. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. KJV)

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

For the times when I fear I can't be holy and I need to indulge in pleasure however fleeting it be, this Scripture comes as dew on parched earth and tells me that Jesus Christ, though God came to us with all the frailties we possess, no different from any of us, except sin.  He was human in every respect: He felt pain and anguish; I'm sure He enjoyed a good laugh once in a while; He could weep and smile and be happy just like any of us.  In every respect He was like us, tempted and tired too, but He didn't choose to respond the way we do, rather He chose the response His Father gave.

Just as we see above, Jesus would've definitely suffered from the diseases that afflicted men at that time and therefore he knew the suffering of the people.  His Own closeness to God, both in Spirit and physically (He sought to be with His Father in prayer whenever possible even sacrificing His sleep sometimes) must've kept Him safe from every malady and through Him, many people with various sicknesses, both bodily and spiritually, were healed by Him.

Hence, we can confidently say that we too can be like Him for He is our Fore-runner and our Ideal.  He is the One we follow.  He left His glory behind so we could confidently approach Him always and be assured of His saving help and cure.  Just turn today to Him and surrender all you have and sure enough, He who is our High Priest at the right hand of God, will grant His Grace, strengthening us and keeping us in all our ways.

Thought for another day

March 8, 2012

Today's verse: Ps. 119:114. Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word. (KJV)

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

I read a book on Tony Anthony, a kung fu champion hailing from, through his mother, the line of illustrious kung fu grandmasters, who left their indelible mark on the shaolin temple and its ways.  As expected, Tony, though in England and born of an Italian father, was shunted to China to learn martial arts from his grandfather, a grandmaster in kung fu.  The harsh and unforgiving training his grandfather gave made Tony the kung fu champion of the world.  It also did another thing:  Make him lonely and solitary.  Over the years, he met a girl who taught him to love, but even before he could come to grips with it, she was snatched from him through an accident.  This made him so bitter that the values kung fu taught of fighting only to save lives, vanished.  Coerced for money by his mother, Tony used wrong ways to earn it until in Cyprus, where he lived, he encountered the law which incarcerated him in one of the most hideous and infamous jails in the world. 

His awesome anger and pride made a havoc of his life.  Being brought up to believe he could do anything, needing no one to help him, he couldn't figure how he came to be in jail though he did understand he should be there for the crimes he had committed, particularly bashing people and breaking up their limbs at the least provocation.  But the Master sought Tony out in the dungeon and won him to Himself.

From being a self-believer, Tony became a believer in Jesus Christ and in the book I read, he speaks of an experience so awesome where he was about to clash with a man he could easily beat, yet something held him back; rather than use his own strength, he took the Name of Jesus Christ and his opponent just fled.  Truly Jesus became for Tony, a hiding place and a shield, and he trusted Christ fully.  Today, Tony moves around the world testifying to God's love which changed him from his cold selfish self, to a man led by Christ to do His work.  Amazing is our God who is our refuge and our help.  There's nothing like putting our trust in Him and hoping in His Word.  Truly, He will deliver us no matter what our situation and He will keep us safe.  

Thoughts for another day

March 7, 2012

Today's verse: 2 Cor. 4:6. 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)

When people in Israel, after hearing a lot of Jesus and His marvelous works, saw Him, they were a little taken aback to see a man very simply dressed with no regal bearing nor any show of pomp or arrogance as they had seen displayed by those who had anything to do with God like the scribes and Pharisees.  Even the place He came from, Nazareth, failed to impress as Nazareth was never known to produce any major person among the fraternity of the religious greats.

But those who knew God and were keen to seek Him, saw in Jesus His glory, the glory that belongs to Him as the Mighty Son of God; the centurion for example who said he didn't deserve to have Him under his roof, or Peter who was so overwhelmed with the catch of fish that with great anguish in his heart because of sin, exclaimed, 'depart from me Lord for I am a sinful man.'  And there were many who saw the glory of God in His Son Jesus Christ, even if He lived among them and moved as a man for they saw with their eyes as He commanded the storm and it stilled without any ado and when He called to the dead to rise, they defied death and rose!

Our Scripture today declares that God has commanded light to shine out of darkness in our hearts to give light of the knowledge of God's glory in Jesus Christ and it's so true that when I see the face of Jesus, having opened the eyes of my heart, I behold Him, the Lord and Master of my destiny, walking as it were, on water, with Majesty on High and approaching me even in my sin; resplendent in glory so awesome that only my mind can perceive it and it can't be described by my mouth for it's like no other thing seen on earth.   Yes, God has gives us the ability to see in Jesus His Own brilliance, whereby every knee shall bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of the Father. 

Thoughts for another day

March 6, 2012

Today's verse: Habakkuk 3:4. His splendor was like the sunrise; rays flashed from his hand, where his power was hidden. (KJV)

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

Know what the splendor of God is like?  Simply Awesome!  His form is myriads of shimmering light and He has the sea of glass under His feet which masks His super brilliant countenance which is with such light that it outshines a million suns as it were.  From His mouth come flashes of lightning and power; the power to crush huge rocks and rent the mountains asunder spews forth from His nostrils.  When He treads the surface of the earth, all creation is silent before Him, for they know the Lord of Glory.  Every cell of every kind, except perhaps of man, is in awe of Him, ready to lunge into that He commands them, deeming it their privilege if He asks them to do something.

In the place of His holy abode, far beyond the scrutiny of man, lies the fount of His glory.  Power emanates from this place and reverberates across the universe quickening it and ensuring that every element He has placed in it moves according to the command He has given.  Wisdom and brilliance are enshrouded in the place He dwells; stillness and peace give it that utter atmosphere of serenity found nowhere on earth.  In His holy place, the elders and angels bow and worship Him day and night crying out, 'Worthy is the Lamb that was slain!'

And to imagine, Jesus, yes the very God we see above came as a mere man; shorn of all the glory described above, to be with us!  To commune with us and share the news of His kingdom, He pitched His tent among us and the tragedy is, we knew not Him, Who is so much for us and Whose children we are.  If you're reading this, I pray God tingles your hearts and raises your bristles even as you become aware of His closeness to you and you fall on your knees to worship Him and cry out, 'O my soul, worship the Lord, my being praise His holy Name!'

Thoughts for another day

March 5, 2012

Today's verse: Mt. 8:27. But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him! (KJV)

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

Yeah, marvel at the Lord Jesus Christ who preached with such conviction that even they who were least in the society, heard and were moved in their hearts, as they sensed they too had something given to them by this Man, who was very unlike the Scribes and Pharisees, whose only aim in life was to belittle them; whereas this One only glorified God and looked unto them as to how He may help in their afflictions and make them come closer to the God of Abraham, who so loved them.

Marvel at the mighty things done by His mere Word.  Demons flew out in terror from those they had tormented at slight rebuke from Him.  Death ceased to have its hold on men and disease knew not where to flee at His Word.  Blind eyes and deaf ears were opened, withered limbs lay rejuvenated and the paralysed were straightened.  There wasn't a single part of the body that wouldn't listen to Him; every part waiting as it were, to hear the Word from Him and rush to become whole; even such as leprosy, bleeding conditions, cerebral palsy which hitherto had total dominion over the cells of man.   Even nature was in awe of Him as it recognized its Creator and Master and swung into action in startling, split-seconds as His command echoed on their ears.

There's no such thing as the 'impossible' for Him who reigns forever; Whose way is in the whirlwind and in the storm; and at Whose feet, the clouds are but dust; Nahum 1:3.  We may marvel at Him for we're not as yet acquainted to the possibility He grants to that which is impossible; for our minds are limited and cannot see, even to the slightest splendor He has laid before us as the foundations of the earth He has laid, or the brilliance of the sun which rises at His command.   It's so good to know that He is the Lord we worship and we're blessed that we worship Him whom we haven't seen, yet worship.  There will be many wonders He will do for us so we may witness the fullness of his glory among us who believe in Him, which we will take as testimony to them that don't yet believe in His Name and they too shall lay stunned at the work He accomplishes through us even to the changing of the most hardened of hearts which His gentle Grace renews to beat for Him.

Thoughts for another day

March 2, 2012

Today's verse: Luke 5:8. When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.  (KJV)

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

Peter and his fishing companions had worked all night without a bit of success and so, Peter thought that Jesus' suggestion of putting out in the deep waters for fish was futile, for he, a professional fisherman, knowing the ins and outs of fishing and having faced utter failure the whole night, also knew the waters couldn't be trusted to suddenly produce fish out of nothing!  But something in the Word of the Master told him to do it and he did; and viola, he landed the biggest catch in his life; a little more and both his boat and that of his partner, would have sunk!

The reality of who Jesus was hit Peter.  In a flash he saw the Divinity of Jesus and in it, he sensed His holiness.  Awe struck his heart; fear sank into his tendons and all of a sudden Peter realized his own futile and dirty existence; he understood that before the Awesome and holy God, he was nothing.  His 'time' suddenly froze inside the vast expanse of timelessness of the Savior while the knowledge of God, burst into his conscience.  In humble recognition of who he was, Peter made the plea to Jesus, 'Depart from me LORD for I am a sinful man!' 

Peter had, in that instant of 'stilled' time, his 'revealed moment of truth', become aware of his lack of holiness which hitherto he hadn't even thought of and the Divine trait of holiness was manifest to him.  We too at times come face to face with the holiness of God and squirm at our own sinfulness, which hits us in the guts and like Isaiah; we may be undone or come apart or simply crushed by the realization of how insignificant we are before our God.  The beauty is, even when the Lord reveals our guilt, He yet, gives us His Own worthiness, making us worthy before our Father, to be accepted in the Beloved!  So work to get that holiness before God, even if by jeers, insults or stripes, as reward for your faithful service as His messenger, so that some day in heaven you can rejoice in His glory.

Thoughts for another day

March 1, 2012

Today's verse: Lev. 10:3. Moses then said to Aaron, “This is what the LORD spoke of when he said:“ ‘Among those who approach me I will show myself holy; in the sight of all the people I will be honored.  (NIV – copyright acknowledged)

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

Aaron's sons had done the thing which breached God's rules, set for them; and here they were to serve in the Presence of the Holy One of Israel, (in fact I'd say our word 'holy' for what it has come to mean to us, is grossly inadequate to explain the holiness of God for He is absolutely, awesomely and totally Holy, beyond what you or I can even imagine).  So holy, that even if the shadow of anything impure arrives near, it will be blown to smithereens in an ultra fraction of a second!   Here's an example, though inadequate, which can bring to mind what the holiness of God is like: if an object comes near a high tension electricity cable, of let's say 25000 volts, in an instant it's sucked to it and annihilated!  God's holiness is greater than that.

At this point in the Book of Leviticus, Aaron and his sons are just about to begin their ministry before God, when Aaron's sons did the act that God had not permitted them to do and in an instant they were consumed shocking Moses and Aaron and the people too.  Then Moses remembered what the LORD said (in the Word of our Scripture today) about the manifestation of His great glory!  God had displayed His glory a little earlier when fire came down from Him and consumed the holocaust on the altar.  In the presence of that glory, to be doing that Nadab and Abihu did was a gross act of negligence, akin to a man entering a room in which cooking gas has leaked and turns on the switch without thinking!  You know what happens, boom; and he's finished.  Imagine what the glory of God, which was still on the altar beheld in awe by the people can do; and the boys did their stupid act!

How does it relate to us today?  Well, we too may at some time witness the awesome glory of God.  At this time, it's best to bask in it and feel your every pore soaking it in until your senses are numbed with the Presence of His Being.  In that moment, don't even try to understand what's happening or do something stupid, for if you do, His glory will mar your senses and destroy the moment for you and you may never be able to see His glory again.