Thoughts for another day

May 31, 2012

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. (NIV – copyright acknowledged)

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

God's love for us is unending, ceaseless and pure.   To be honest, as I write this, I must confess that I write because of His love else I just wouldn't be; considering that to me, love for certain individuals, even if they're closely related to me is virtually impossible.  This may also be the case with many, but when it comes to God's love, we can rest fully assured that His banner of love will never move away from us, rather it will always flutter high, even if we go against Him and deny or disobey Him.

He says He has loved us with an everlasting love and drawn us with loving kindness (Jer. 31:3) and our Scripture above speaks of His unyielding and all encompassing love for us who're His fallen children.  Israel went and sinned and did offend Him gravely but He says, '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.' So great is His love that He bends down and feeds us!  Consider this my friend, when we sin against Him, we pierce His heart badly… God, our God is hurt immensely.  In His cry He says, 'But the more I called Israel, the further they went from me.'  It's very distressing when you hear this, yet, what do I do, get distressed and sin more!  Even then I notice that His love doesn't diminish. 

His Word says, 'For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.' Jn. 3:16.   Jesus came to us as a result of the immense love He has for us.  He chose to 'pitch His tent among flesh' but we quickly chose to destroy Him and we served Him up to the Cross after stinging His flesh with severe scourging, literally tearing off His flesh in the process.  Yet He didn't say a word against us, rather He told His Father, 'forgive them for they know not what they do!'  And after this, He opened up the pathway to heaven which hitherto had been inaccessible and He has us seated in His mansion in heaven.  What can be said about a God so beautiful; nothing; except fall prostrate before Him and worship Him all our lives.  Amen.

Thoughts for another day

May 30, 2012

Today's verse: Is. 64:4. Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for him. (KJV)

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

Our God never forgets any of His promises, nor does He ignore those leaning on His promises and waiting on them; yeah even for a long time as he tests them, not that He doesn't know, but He does it only to reveal the love they have for Him. When God asked Abraham to go sacrifice Isaac, He knew he would, but did Abraham know how much He loved God; how much He meant to him that he'd go sacrifice his only son to honor Him?  When he went to Mount Moriah and raised the knife, God forbade him to touch Isaac and then Abraham learnt of His love for God which even surpassed his love for Isaac.  God revealed this through the test and then blessed him.  I even see the sparks of joy in the angels in heaven, rejoicing at what they saw and the delight on God's face at what transpired!

To every person who loves God and hopes to live for Him, there's a test.  It may be mild, or tough, but it is there.  God knows the heart of every human being and He is aware of a person's loyalty to Him but He provides the test so we can learn of our own loyalty to Him.   In the process of the test, we may be moulded and bent but never broken as God, while giving the test, guarantees that.   

Every test must be accepted by whoever the person is even if one doesn't understand it and there's silence all around; for at times the test may confound us and the teacher may be utterly silent.  But know that the test doesn't last long…it gets over and if you do well you'll pass.  In our case, the test may take a while and mind you, God will never reveal you're being tested; but if you silence yourself, then deep within your being you'll feel the flow of His mercy and Grace and the sound of His footsteps as they seek to go with you (Recall the sound of the marching on the top of the trees, 2 Sam. 5:24) and then you'll know.  Believe me the test then becomes a pleasure, for you know, at the end, you'll get a reward. A reward of a God, no one has heard nor ear perceived nor has eye seen, Who will act on your behalf, because you've held on to His Name and brought Him honor. 

Thoughts for another day


May 29, 2012


Today's verse: 2 Kgs. 7:2. Then the captain on whose hand the king leaned said to the man of God, "Even if the LORD were to make windows in the sky, could such a thing happen? (Revised Standard Version) 
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)


The power of God: what is it and what is it able to achieve?  Everything: for His power spans everything and before it there's nothing called impossible.  With God there's nothing impossible as He can do anything and that too by just a word.  You may take the worst case scenario like a man in the last stage of cancer and the doctor has given him limited time and his own people have given up.  Then God arrives on the scene and he is able to live, to the utter bewilderment of others.  When Jairus' people had given up his daughter as dead, Jesus arrived on the scene and she lived to see another day.


What, if you might say, you have no food in your home and your children are hungry and there's no one you can think of who'll give you a morsel of bread!  Well, Jesus arrives with bread; for is it too difficult for the One who supplied meat to the Israelites in the desert, to supply food to you, who are yet staying in a civilized place?  You'll hear the doorbell ring and a man you don't know, standing outside with packets of warm food and neither he nor you know why he gives you the food.  All he knows is that a voice in his head told him to do it and you know that you really prayed desperately.


The only block we have is, even after we've prayed and lets' say, what we've prayed for is impossible by human means to do, we believe it's difficult for God to do too.  But remember He is the One who stands on the circle of the earth and by His Own might thunders and the mountains melt before Him and the seas roar at the sound of His Name.  He is the Lord of Creation and there's nothing difficult for Him and we see that even as Jesus stands up and commands and the winds die down and the waves wilt into silence.  Remember my friend that God; He is the same and He will do it for you if you cease not holding Him in faith for if there is one thing most pleasing to God, it is 'faith'; faith that you put in Him to do anything for you, yes, anything.  And may I add, God loves to reward the one who holds faith as his prayer tower.  

Thoughts for another day

May 28, 2012

Today's verse: Lk. 22:44. And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground. (KJV)

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

Jesus, as a man, was tested every way a man is and in His prayer above, we see His utter helplessness in the face of the supreme test He had to face even as He entered the  threshold of the 'hour' when He was to depart from the world.   The letter to the Hebrews has 'During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, He offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to The One who could save Him from death, and He was heard because of His reverent submission.' 

Note, that Jesus, who was God, the most powerful and eternal, had to submit Himself in humility to His Father who had prepared for Him the most dreadful trial one could think of!  Jesus knew the trial was tough and therefore cried before His Father.  So intense was His crying and prayer, that sweat, like drops of blood, fell from His brow.  My friend there was no shrinkage in the misery He went through for us, so that we could be where He is, in the Kingdom of His Father and our Father. 

On earth we may have trials so fierce that make our very hair stand on edge, not that God doesn't give us Grace to bear it, but that we fail to either recognize His Grace or hold on to It; in our distress we too must cry out to Him who has the power to set us free from every trial by His Own authority.  The Word of Ps 130, 'Out of the depths have I cried unto thee, O Yahweh.  Lord, hear my voice, let Thy ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications'; will enhance our ability to be servile before Him and gain favor in His sight so that no matter what it is that ails us, we shall be drawn out of it, and be victorious, simply because He, the Lamb of God, lives and He reigns at the right hand of God, interceding for us before His Father so that mercy shall come upon us in our time of need.

Thoughts for another day

May 25, 2012

Today's verse: Ps. 22:1. My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me,

so far from the words of my groaning? (KJV)

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

The Word we hear above is from the lips of a man in much agony.   Didn't we hear the same Word from the lips of our Blessed Savior when His ordeal on the Cross was great?  At that time, He could not feel His Father's Presence as His mind was suffused with pain and though there were people around Him, He was lonely for His world, His Father was nowhere!  His senses had numbed and His sinews, bereft of any pain, made Him utter the Word in the depth of His trial.  He uttered them for He was close to His Father and not finding His Father with Him, tore His heart and His shrill cry pierced the lattice of the air, reverberating across the valley near Mount Calvary.

So too, David must have been in great agony when the Word of the psalm escaped His lips.  Imagine, a man after God's own heart couldn't hear the footsteps of God which he always did in the past even as he walked the treacherous mountain paths with his sheep across the hilly terrain.  It must've been a time of great torment for David to reach the heart of God for his enemies had surrounded him as strong bulls and roaring lions.  Even the tears that fell from his face, he reckoned had fallen vainly for where was He, the God of His heart who stored his tears in His bottle?

We too at times, in the quiet of our hearts cry out similarly, for surging billows lambast us with their torments.  Heaven seems to have shut its doors and the world seems to be filled with dread.  We try to rise, failing to find the strength to do so. We cry out in the night as agony shakes us, as do fierce winds, the dry leaves of a tree; yet there's no answer to our cry and all around there's silence.  God must have left my world is what I surmise and there's no succor for me now; and I lie in the embers of an ancient fire, waiting for the life to ebb out of me… but suddenly I see a crack in the huge menacing black clouds above.  Wait, this frail voice tells me, and reflect; didn't the Ancient of days rise to help David?  Didn't the glorious Father, the Author of the Word not rise to raise His Messiah?   Faith surges within as hope dazzles across my despondent sky and I'm raised to praise the Name of my God: the El Shaddai, Yahweh Yireh for He is Yahweh Shammah, my Yahweh Rohi and Yahweh Rapha.  And I stand erect to glorify Him, the Lord of Glory.

Thought for another day

May 24, 2012

Today's verse: Ps. 18:6. In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears.  (KJV)

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

In the situation I am, I agonize at the silence of God.  In fact, there're many times I try listen to Him, but there's no response.   It's as if the Lord were sleeping and won't rise on my waking Him up.  The silence is really painful and unable to bear.   I ask myself, 'is the Lord really deaf to my plea; is He really so upset with me that He won't hear me?  My mind says I've sinned and sinned, wantonly, so perhaps God is very upset with me and won't listen.  But when I stand covered with the blood of the Lamb, freely available to anyone who believes in the August Son of God, Jesus the Messiah, then how can the Father notice the sin in me?  Yet, my mind cannot fathom the silence of God and sometimes I cry gently into the night.

To strengthen me, Grace comes and whispers, 'Don't you know how many years Abraham waited before he could beget Isaac?  Twenty five years!   And later, Abraham was put through such a harsh test; he was asked to sacrifice his only son Isaac and this at a time when there was no way he could bear another or atleast the thought would be playing in his mind, yet Abraham did not vacillate, but picked up the knife and fire and set forth.  I cry to think of that old man, so keen to please the God of his life and here I please myself!  Thoughts of Moses too gush into my mind.  Moses ran to Midian when he realised his secret work toward his fellow Hebrew was no longer a secret.  Deep inside he knew he had to do something for his brothers the Jews, but again, the man had to wait 40 years!  

Is this going to be my case too Lord? I ask.   Again silence, but wait what is this… On my ears fall the Word of this psalm: 'In my distress I called upon the LORD and cried unto my God.'  Sounds familiar, yea, I awake from my 'distress stupor' and my ear craves the notion of the Word and I hear again, 'He heard my voice out of His temple and my cry came before Him, even into His ears!!!'   I leap with joy, for I realize now that the Lord has heard my prayer and He will rise to relieve the pain off me.   Yes, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, the God of Jacob, the Eternal, Immortal and unchanging God has heard my plea and I'm sure He will not delay, even a moment, and he will pick me up and set me among His nobles, both here on earth and in His Kingdom, simply because I believe His Word and His Word is His Son, the Eternally Living Anointed Savior, the Lord of all, the one who reigns at His right hand forever and ever.

Thoughts for another day

May 23, 2012

Today's verse: 1 Sam. 26:24. As surely as I valued your life today, so may the LORD value my life and deliver me from all trouble.  (NIV – copyright acknowledged)

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

Jesus said, 'love your enemies and pray for them.'  For any Christian, this may come as a surprise because – 'how can you love your enemies and pray for them'; for don't we remember the harm they do to us?  Don't we remember the malicious tales they spread about us and the evil they plan against us?  And then the Lord says, love them and pray for them! 

But think awhile upon our Scripture; and read what David did with Saul; remember he didn't expect Saul to value his life but the LORD to do that for him!  Why?  Because David knew the principles on which God operates: whatever good we do for others, God notes it as if it were doing good to Him.  Doesn't Jesus say, 'whatsoever you do unto the least of your brothers, you do it unto Me.' And if you live according to God's ways, whenever you give something to someone in his distress, you can be sure it will be accounted by God as if it were being done to Him and He will account it as a loan you gave Him to be repaid, not in the life hereafter but now in this very one.  God doesn't keep any of our debts but repays us a hundred fold, a thousand fold or even a million fold.

In the context of our Scripture, we know how God so valued David's life and never allowed any harm to come to him, but note that when David quoted this Scripture, he didn't know what was in store for him.  All he knew was to trust the God of Israel who had helped him so much even as he tended his father's flock at night.  David trusted God and God rendered to him according to his trust.  David did good to others and God rewarded him a kingdom.  I would urge you my friend, if you have the opportunity to do a little good, even it's for your enemy or if it hurts you a little, go ahead and do it. Your mind may insist you shouldn't, as would I'm sure, David's mind did, when he had the chance to harm Saul.  But David focused on God's way and saved him.  So too, go ahead and tell the Lord what you've done and He will reward you.  Time may pass and many winters may go by, amnesia may set in and you may forget and reconcile to your pathetic condition.  But the Maker of time doesn't forget and He will reward you, and like I said, not in the next life but here and now.  Praise Him.

Thoughts for another day

May 22, 2012

Today's verse: 1 Sam. 2:7. The LORD maketh poor, and maketh rich: he bringeth low, and lifteth up. (KJV)

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

The Lord the Great and Almighty God knows what's best to give to His children, particularly those who follow Him, keep His commands and trust Him.  He cares for and sustains them and gives them strength day by day, to do their things and live in happiness and joy.  He gives them His protection and His arms encircle them to keep them from wrong or from any evil touch of the enemy.  They're in His care as they're true to His heart and can rest assured of His being with them always.

But there're times, when the Lord does things rather inexplicable and He hurls them into poverty and destitution.  From a reasonably high status, He flings them into oblivion and dumps them into the bin of society.  You know, this phase in our lives can be terrible for really what would you do if you were upscale and at the top one day and the next day, without any serious effort from yourself, you fall into the lower strata of society?   No matter how you set your face, the fact remains that you live in the same society and you're terribly, terribly embarrassed.   Yet, what can you do, for you're in such muck, it's difficult to even lift yourself up. 

Then the Lord works and suddenly the muck under you vanishes.  You feel solid ground and realize that all those who worked against you are now yearning to work for you and with you!  My friend this is not some wishful thinking on my part but what the Word of God says in our verse above and it is also seen in so many people's lives, here and currently in the world.  But the point is when you're down what is your response?  Do you rely solely on God to raise you or do you try to invoke humans.  For that matter, do you even understand that it is God doing these things by which your state is pathetic, just after an exciting one!  If you believe it is all by God, then be ready, He will suddenly pick you and put you in the higher echelons of society - just like that, and again you wonder what happened!  But then you'll lift your eyes to heaven and glorify Him, your wonderful God.  And you know what; in your glorying will also the people around you glorify the God of Israel.  Amen.

Thoughts for another day

May 21, 2012

Today's verse: Eccl. 5:18. Every man also to whom God hath given riches and wealth, and hath given him power to eat thereof, and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his labour; this is the gift of God. (KJV)

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

In the course of my ministry to people, I've noticed the stupidity of Christian men and women in their approach, or rather lack of approach to, life.  I know an elderly man whose only time-pass, if I may call it, is to remember the past and all the great things he did then.  Oh yeah, when you go to him he tells you of his wonderful exploits and how great he was and so on.  You begin thinking, if he was so great, how then is he so down now?  But whatever his story, the fact is, he hardly enjoys his life now.  I ask him, what he does for people, for he always cribs that no one visits him, and as expected his answer is, nothing! With the opinion, why should I do anything when others don't do anything for me?  I dare not even suggest that he could begin the process.   Ask him, are you able to enjoy life and again his answer is no, for he will again slip into the past, which is the only place he can enjoy….ah, well; you think, this is a life worth living? Again I know of an old lady who lives alone.  Her constant refrain is that her younger son is a real lout and must be punished and that her elder son died without any comfort, poor fellow, and she blames herself and cries about all those things. 

What I tend to wonder at is, both these are reasonably well off and if they but shed their lousiness and go about the act of living, they could not only make life for them worth living but also enrich others like them.  But do they use what God has given them as their portion and live life according to what He would want them to?  No, they don't.  On the contrary they're miserable and they will also make those who visit them miserable with the dirt they're filled with.

I look at our Scripture above and realize what a 'gift' it is from God to be able to enjoy riches and wealth He in His mercy gives us; to have the power to partake of this wealth and to rejoice in one's labor, no matter what it be; to be able to live a full life perfumed with God's Grace in service of the other and laughing with them, perhaps crying too.  How wonderful it would be if we ceased to look at only the clouds without realizing that the sun is but a few shades away.  If you're reading this and if the Holy Spirit is reaching out to you, accept His love and His teaching and live life, rather than just exist.

Thoughts for another day

May 17, 2012

Today's verse: Ps. 139:17. How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them! (KJV)

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

How infinite are God's thoughts toward us reflects David the psalmist, in rendering one of the most beautiful poems to the magnificence of God, to His absolute omniscience; conceding rather happily through his heart that God is Omniscient and also Omnipotent.   Throughout the psalm, David can't help but marvel at God who thinks so much of us, and in a way, has nothing but thoughts to us and us alone. David is clearly awed by the beauty of a God who never seeks to move away from Him.

My friend God's thoughts and counsels are unfathomable and beyond enumeration.  He is at once with us and with zillions of creatures in this vast universe and yet He knows our every thought, yea, He is aware of our every cogitation.  His inner consciousness and thoughts are vast and humungous and the good news for you and me is that they are toward us.  He knows us as it were, individually and personally.  He values our 'being' far more than I do mine and you do yours.  He is constantly thinking of our wellbeing, our happiness and our being with Him in eternal life.  Let the knowledge  that He is always there not frighten you; rather let it remind you that He is so fond of you, He just cannot move away.

In this psalm I realize how close God is with you and me and I recall Jesus' saying, 'I will be with you always, even to the end of age.' I bow my head in quiet obeisance when I think, 'Lord, when were You ever away from me?  For I know Lord, You can't take Your eyes off me; so much do You care for me and love me.'  Yea, my spirit rejoices in the knowledge that God, my Father, is ever with me, even when I sin and break His heart.  It jolts me to think how I pain Him so much, but shameless that I am, I repeatedly pain Him again and again.  But when my madness is over, He gently comes, sits with me and cajoles me.  Imagine, He cajoles me, a worm who has hurt Him saying, 'Never mind My Son, I believe in you and I know you will rise from your sin and be My instrument on earth!'  Oh My God, precious, awesome, sparkling, brilliant and tender God, how great Thou art and how precious are Your thoughts unto me and how infinite their sum!  My head bows down in humble adoration.  

Thoughts for another day

May 17, 2012

Today's verse: Is. 29:13. Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men: (KJV)

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

The Christian faith is one of personal acceptance and personal favor of God.  A person whoever he be, must have a personal relationship with God and must daily sit with Him, commune with Him and be with Him and then and only then will our hearts dance to the rhythm of His heart beat for that is what He requires of us.  But you'll see many Christians having no time at all to be with Him or sit with Him or even commune with Him.  Some, one way or another find the time to sit with Him and pray, but their minds are away from Him.  They may think they're in prayer with God, but they aren't for their minds are going places unaware of God who is before them.

When we were children, we didn't know God for we were too small to realize the deep ramifications of God and His ways.  But now we're grown up and supposed to know things that concern God.  No matter what we say, we must realize that this life is too short and will end soon, then will come the time of standing before Him and so it means that we must know Him so there's no fear in us but familiarity when we stand before Him just as we wouldn't fear standing in court before a judge who knows us. 

I must say that often our prayers are only lip service and our person is hardly involved.  I often see myself muttering the prayers by rote on Sundays and find it really shameful for I believe it is an insult to God.  But God Almighty Who knows the desire of my heart keeps reminding me of the need to pray in a focused manner.  So I understand that if we're to pray to God or commune with Him, we must discipline ourselves to sit with Him regularly, desiring to spend some time with Him.  God will honor our desire and give us the ability to be concentrated and focused on Him.  Then the prayers that escape our lips shall rise as fragrant incense before Him and will be surely answered.

Thoughts for another day

May 16, 2012

Today's verse: Exek. 18:4. Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die. (KJV)

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

Across many retreat centers there're many preachers, even famous ones, preaching on various subjects, one being generational curses (the subject of our reflection) involving sins of our fore-fathers.  They preach saying they're cursed because of the atrocious sins they committed like idolatry, witchcraft, etc. and these curses coming down, generation to generation are believed to block God's blessings.  When a healing session is held and a person desperate to be healed isn't healed, he goes to the preacher asking why.  Many preachers  rather than say that healing is in God's hands and He decides who is to be healed, tell them they may have some unforgiven generational curses in their lives, so they can't be healed.  The poor man is plunged into despair not knowing how to get rid of these 'generational curses' so they can be free.

While there're many great men and women far better than me, and competent to speak on this, I speak not on my own but the Word of God in facing this contentious issue and first I'll take our Word above which should banish any fear in the heart of a man on generational curses on himself and his family.  In Ex. 20:5 is given the first idea of this concept where God speaks of visiting the sins of the fathers on his children even to the third and fourth generations. It's further stressed in Ex. 34:7, Nu. 14:8, Lev. 26:39, Deut. 5:9 and elsewhere.  But later, in many verses e.g. Deut. 24:16, 2 Ki. 14:6, Jer. 31:30 and our above verse, God has revoked the mandate where the children suffer for the sake of the sins of the parents.  Perhaps the notion of generational curses came through Lam. 5:7 where the people said, "Our fathers have sinned, and are not; and we have borne (been punished for) their iniquities."

Sadly, the generational curse theme is still echoed and not by ordinary people but by preachers themselves forgetting that the great Sacrifice of Jesus has taken away any curse that may be upon His people.  Paul says, 'Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree” Gal. 3:13 and of course Jesus Himself says, "So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed."  Let's remember that Jesus' Sacrifice has covered a multitude of sins and has swept away every curse and every principality from our lives.  If you're not healed during a miracle service, don't worry, it's not because of a generational curse, and I'll remind you of what Jesus said in Jn. 9:3 when they asked Him, 'who sinned' saying,  Yea“It wasn't that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him.'', you may have a sickness that persists but keep trusting.  Keep aside all false talk and rely on God, and I'm sure His power will be displayed in your life.  Amen.

Thoughts for another day

May 15, 2012

Today's verse: Mk. 15:34. And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (KJV)

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

On the Cross, Jesus' body was wracked in pain and untold suffering; the scourging, the walking with the Cross up Mount Calvary, the nails mercilessly driven through His palms and the excruciating pain of holding the weight of His body on the nails and the sharp blinding sun contributed to what could be the zenith of pain for a human.  Each breath was a test of His endurance of pain and every heave of His arms or head, set about an agonizing experience.  But above all Jesus sensed the absence of the Presence of His Father.  In His most tormenting moment Jesus missed His Presence so much that He cried in anguish the Word of our Scripture.   It's amazing isn't it, to know that The Son of God who had such communion with His Father, never felt His comfort in the moments He needed it most.  But don't forget, it was because of you and me that the Father had to turn His Face from His Son, who had become sin for us!

We too at times, require God's Presence so desperately, for life comes to devour us and darkness is a shroud of fear and torment; yet we don't feel God's Presence.  We may cry out but He isn't there and our grief becomes stronger and our tears fall faster.  God allows us to be tried this way for He wants us to learn and be strong.  Yes, He allows it for it is for our own good and a process by which our journey into heaven is a bit easier. 

In this vein, I'll talk to you of a woman I learnt of recently, Joni Eareckson Tada.  A person so touched by pain, it's amazing.  She had a diving accident when 17 and has been a quadriplegic not able to use her hands and operating from a wheel chair.  In 2010 she was also diagnosed of breast cancer and has undergone mastectomy.  Joni, as you might have guessed, has experienced pain first hand – intense, excruciating and ceaseless … chilling, if I may say.  A look at Joni and you'll be shocked to find her spirits so high.  She too, I'm sure, confronted God with the same question of His Presence or rather lack of it.  But now she understands.  When she speaks of pain, she speaks of its acceptance as that from God and she says, 'at times I've thought, "Lord, this is an awful lot to bear. Are you sure you know what you're doing?" And yet, I know the answer.'  She has clearly understood that suffering for the Kingdom is far better gain eventually.  

My message goes to all those who are suffering out there, their bodies wracked with pain, thinking when death in its icy throes will provide relief.  But then, look up to Christ as Joni did and in the Word of the Scripture today, you'll find solace.  I ask myself, if the Son of God felt pain the way He did, even the pain of not feeling the Presence of His Father, how much will He give us solace who believe in His Name and walk in His ways.

Thoughts for another day

May 15, 2012

Today's verse: Mk. 15:34. And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (KJV)

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

On the Cross, Jesus' body was wracked in pain and untold suffering; the scourging, the walking with the Cross up Mount Calvary, the nails mercilessly driven through His palms and the excruciating pain of holding the weight of His body on the nails and the sharp blinding sun contributed to what could be the zenith of pain for a human.  Each breath was a test of His endurance of pain and every heave of His arms or head, set about an agonizing experience.  But above all Jesus sensed the absence of the Presence of His Father.  In His most tormenting moment Jesus missed His Presence so much that He cried in anguish the Word of our Scripture.   It's amazing isn't it, to know that The Son of God who had such communion with His Father, never felt His comfort in the moments He needed it most.  But don't forget, it was because of you and me that the Father had to turn His Face from His Son, who had become sin for us!

We too at times, require God's Presence so desperately, for life comes to devour us and darkness is a shroud of fear and torment; yet we don't feel God's Presence.  We may cry out but He isn't there and our grief becomes stronger and our tears fall faster.  God allows us to be tried this way for He wants us to learn and be strong.  Yes, He allows it for it is for our own good and a process by which our journey into heaven is a bit easier. 

In this vein, I'll talk to you of a woman I learnt of recently, Joni Eareckson Tada.  A person so touched by pain, it's amazing.  She had a diving accident when 17 and has been a quadriplegic not able to use her hands and operating from a wheel chair.  In 2010 she was also diagnosed of breast cancer and has undergone mastectomy.  Joni, as you might have guessed, has experienced pain first hand – intense, excruciating and ceaseless … chilling, if I may say.  A look at Joni and you'll be shocked to find her spirits so high.  She too, I'm sure, confronted God with the same question of His Presence or rather lack of it.  But now she understands.  When she speaks of pain, she speaks of its acceptance as that from God and she says, 'at times I've thought, "Lord, this is an awful lot to bear. Are you sure you know what you're doing?" And yet, I know the answer.'  She has clearly understood that suffering for the Kingdom is far better gain eventually. 

My message goes to all those who are suffering out there, their bodies wracked with pain, thinking when death in its icy throes will provide relief.  But then, look up to Christ as Joni did and in the Word of the Scripture today, you'll find solace.  I ask myself, if the Son of God felt pain the way He did, even the pain of not feeling the Presence of His Father, how much will He give us solace who believe in His Name and walk in His ways.

Thoughts for another day

May 15, 2012

Today's verse: Mk. 15:34. And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (KJV)

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

On the Cross, Jesus' body was wracked in pain and untold suffering; the scourging, the walking with the Cross up Mount Calvary, the nails mercilessly driven through His palms and the excruciating pain of holding the weight of His body on the nails and the sharp blinding sun contributed to what could be the zenith of pain for a human.  Each breath was a test of His endurance of pain and every heave of His arms or head, set about an agonizing experience.  But above all Jesus sensed the absence of the Presence of His Father.  In His most tormenting moment Jesus missed His Presence so much that He cried in anguish the Word of our Scripture.   It's amazing isn't it, to know that The Son of God who had such communion with His Father, never felt His comfort in the moments He needed it most.  But don't forget, it was because of you and me that the Father had to turn His Face from His Son, who had become sin for us!

We too at times, require God's Presence so desperately, for life comes to devour us and darkness is a shroud of fear and torment; yet we don't feel God's Presence.  We may cry out but He isn't there and our grief becomes stronger and our tears fall faster.  God allows us to be tried this way for He wants us to learn and be strong.  Yes, He allows it for it is for our own good and a process by which our journey into heaven is a bit easier. 

In this vein, I'll talk to you of a woman I learnt of recently, Joni Eareckson Tada.  A person so touched by pain, it's amazing.  She had a diving accident when 17 and has been a quadriplegic not able to use her hands and operating from a wheel chair.  In 2010 she was also diagnosed of breast cancer and has undergone mastectomy.  Joni, as you might have guessed, has experienced pain first hand – intense, excruciating and ceaseless … chilling, if I may say.  A look at Joni and you'll be shocked to find her spirits so high.  She too, I'm sure, confronted God with the same question of His Presence or rather lack of it.  But now she understands.  When she speaks of pain, she speaks of its acceptance as that from God and she says, 'at times I've thought, "Lord, this is an awful lot to bear. Are you sure you know what you're doing?" And yet, I know the answer.'  She has clearly understood that suffering for the Kingdom is far better gain eventually. 

My message goes to all those who are suffering out there, their bodies wracked with pain, thinking when death in its icy throes will provide relief.  But then, look up to Christ as Joni did and in the Word of the Scripture today, you'll find solace.  I ask myself, if the Son of God felt pain the way He did, even the pain of not feeling the Presence of His Father, how much will He give us solace who believe in His Name and walk in His ways.

Thoughts for another day

May 15, 2012

Today's verse: Mk. 15:34. And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (KJV)

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

On the Cross, Jesus' body was wracked in pain and untold suffering; the scourging, the walking with the Cross up Mount Calvary, the nails mercilessly driven through His palms and the excruciating pain of holding the weight of His body on the nails and the sharp blinding sun contributed to what could be the zenith of pain for a human.  Each breath was a test of His endurance of pain and every heave of His arms or head, set about an agonizing experience.  But above all Jesus sensed the absence of the Presence of His Father.  In His most tormenting moment Jesus missed His Presence so much that He cried in anguish the Word of our Scripture.   It's amazing isn't it, to know that The Son of God who had such communion with His Father, never felt His comfort in the moments He needed it most.  But don't forget, it was because of you and me that the Father had to turn His Face from His Son, who had become sin for us!

We too at times, require God's Presence so desperately, for life comes to devour us and darkness is a shroud of fear and torment; yet we don't feel God's Presence.  We may cry out but He isn't there and our grief becomes stronger and our tears fall faster.  God allows us to be tried this way for He wants us to learn and be strong.  Yes, He allows it for it is for our own good and a process by which our journey into heaven is a bit easier. 

In this vein, I'll talk to you of a woman I learnt of recently, Joni Eareckson Tada.  A person so touched by pain, it's amazing.  She had a diving accident when 17 and has been a quadriplegic not able to use her hands and operating from a wheel chair.  In 2010 she was also diagnosed of breast cancer and has undergone mastectomy.  Joni, as you might have guessed, has experienced pain first hand – intense, excruciating and ceaseless … chilling, if I may say.  A look at Joni and you'll be shocked to find her spirits so high.  She too, I'm sure, confronted God with the same question of His Presence or rather lack of it.  But now she understands.  When she speaks of pain, she speaks of its acceptance as that from God and she says, 'at times I've thought, "Lord, this is an awful lot to bear. Are you sure you know what you're doing?" And yet, I know the answer.'  She has clearly understood that suffering for the Kingdom is far better gain eventually. 

My message goes to all those who are suffering out there, their bodies wracked with pain, thinking when death in its icy throes will provide relief.  But then, look up to Christ as Joni did and in the Word of the Scripture today, you'll find solace.  I ask myself, if the Son of God felt pain the way He did, even the pain of not feeling the Presence of His Father, how much will He give us solace who believe in His Name and walk in His ways.

Thoughts for another day

May 14, 2012

Today's verse: Lk. 23:23. And they were instant with loud voices, requiring that he might be crucified. And the voices of them and of the chief priests prevailed. (KJV)

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

In all these years of life, I've learnt one thing clearly and that is, the forces of evil or bad are often stronger than we would want them to be.  It's so easy to get into a bad habit no matter what it be; whether taking drugs or getting into immoral acts or anything which is eventually going to bring us into both disrepute and trouble.   

On the other hand we rather struggle to keep on the narrow good path.  Take an example: in an examination center where supervision is lax, all around we see students copying etc.  and we're so much led to copy too.  It takes a lot to refrain when every cell in the brain is screaming to go ahead and copy.  In the office where we work, we see so many of our colleagues pilfer stuff home including toilet paper and it's so hard for us to stick to our principles and not do it.  What fools we think, we are, to unnecessarily pay money for staplers, paper, etc. when they're freely available in the office.

Always realize that the bad needs no push to get into.  In our Scripture today, people are witnessing the trial of Jesus at the hands of Pilate.  Many don't even know the charges framed against Him, but yet when Pilate states that he will release Him, they pour out their voices in unison asking that He be crucified.  And the thing to be considered is that, their voices prevail.  So also we see 'evil' prevailing in our society.  We forget it's in our hands to stop it, if we but raise our voice against it, but do we do that: rather we raise our voices against the good seeking as it were, to put an end to it. That's how the good is silenced and then we blame others, exactly how Jesus was crucified and then they must have blamed the chief priests, etc. little realizing that the addition of their own voices to the others' also multiplied the cacophony and brought about the death of the 'Messiah'.   Time we realized our faults and corrected them before they prevail and make monsters out of us which fail to see the good that is for us and destroy it.

Thoughts for another day

May 11, 2012

Today's verse: Lk. 20:17. And he beheld them, and said, What is this then that is written, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner? (KJV)

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

There're numerous occasions in the Gospels when Jesus gives rather oblique references to Himself which the people are unable to understand.  This is one of them and it bears credence for it was there in the Old Testament, or as they called it the Law.

What He spoke of Himself, He expected the people would identify with what Isaiah said, 'So this is what the Sovereign LORD says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who trusts will never be dismayed" '(Is. 28:16).  They'd also remember 'From Judah will come the cornerstone, from him the tent peg, from him the battle bow, from him every ruler' Zec. 10:4.  But did they?  Jesus knew they didn't and He also knew how they would treat Him, the One who was the Tested Stone, a Precious Cornerstone, a Sure Foundation, the One from Judah and to know that He knew, He gave them a prelude in the parable of the vineyard owner and the tenant farmers where He speaks of the avarice and murderous intents of the tenants against the owner, speaking as it were, an analogy of what actually was happening on earth.

Sometimes I wonder and I'm sure you too my dear reader, 'why do we do, what we do, against God?'  Why are our hearts so cold toward Him?  Why are we so insecure in His Presence?  I'm sure it is because of the sins we commit and we know that He hates our sins.  But we don't even ponder and think that He may hate our sins but He loves us.  Though very wrong we are, we still cling on to our beliefs against God and I know so many people whose faces are so set against Him, refusing to believe or even give the honor due to His Name.  They are so much like those to whom Jesus spoke our Scripture and I'm sure many will end the way they did.  But as for you and me, will we not honor the Cornerstone, will we not pay Him respectful homage and be His slaves all our lives?  You bet, we will and we shall also glory in Him, who loves us and has given Himself for us.

Thoughts for another day

May 10, 2012

Today's verse: Mt. 13:11. He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, (KJV)

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

A man I know was deeply touched by the Lord in 2001.  He understood his life was to give the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the world.  He left his secular pursuit of livelihood and engaged in deeper study of the Bible, the Fount through which God's wisdom is poured into us, and also waited upon the Lord in prayer and fasting.  To ensure he'd follow in His pursuit, God sent him a sickness which, though quite hurting was also moderated by God. After few years the man felt he wasn't used much by the Lord and besides, his financial situation was pretty bad, so under God's guidance he took up a job while continuing in prayer and fasting; going wherever he was called to share God's Word and counseling people.  He experienced a no. of torments from people close to him and surprisingly, even from people who purportedly served God.  His colleagues too were a source of dismay to him.  Day and night this man prayed to God to show him the light but nothing!  Having worked a few years, he again decided to leave, to run a business which would help in keeping him close to God, and to run it according to what he knew to be God's way. Even in this, he has no success and is struggling with his bills. But rather than be defeated, he is yet more confident of God, able to see His hand in various phases in his life, even before 2001 and firmly believes God will deliver miraculously! 

What's more important than what he did are the realities of the mysteries of God this man got from Him; realities hidden to all but a few and he gratefully acknowledges this and profusely thanks God for choosing him. He learnt he's under trial and waits; realizing God always strengthens him in need and understands Paul saying to the Corinthians, 'But when you're tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.'  Many things in the Word of God, hidden to man are open to him, moving him to primarily ignore the natural and see the Spiritual, like Elisha. He realizes now why God says, 'I am a jealous God.'  And things like Bartimaeus, a blind ignorant beggar, calling Jesus, 'Son of David' even though the learned Pharisees and scribes doubted His antecedents though He knew Scripture so well.  Jesus has opened his eyes to see why He walked on water and why He cursed the fig tree – this knowledge he realizes goes far beyond the obvious and other ways that many display, vitiating God's reason for them.  He understands better God's plan for him and that He alone will stand at the top of the pit in which he is and raise him up by His Word.  Knowing God deeper, he trusts Him fully.  He is eager to be spent for God's work and stands firmly on The Word, with the knowledge that the light at the end of the tunnel is near.

This is his story. Perhaps it resonates with yours; question yourself, has the experience deflated you or made you strong in God.  Are your thoughts on heavenly things and not on things of the earth? Are you willing to go the whole way with Him even bearing the Cross He has given?  If you are, well, you're another sojourner on the Pilgrim Road.  It is narrow but honestly, it is good.

Thoughts for another day

May 9, 2012

Today's verse: Lk. 17:10. So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do. (KJV)

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

What profit does a man bring to God?  Nothing.  The answer will be the same of every question we ask as regards any benefit God has from His creation, man.  I wonder sometimes, why God even looks at us just as David did when he said, 'what is man that You are mindful of him, the son of man that You care for him?'  Centuries have gone by since God created us and over every phase of time, God enlightened man of his duty toward Him, but we have always shirked our duty and shrugged God off, as if to say, 'I don't need You' even though he must realize that without God, he can do nothing, yes, not even breathe.  We must deeply understand that even our breath, leave alone the beating of our hearts, is controlled by God.  What can we really do without Him; can we even live?

This truth is placed before us by our precious Savior Jesus Christ in His discourse on the relationship between a Master and servant in Luke 17.  Now if the servant is seen as having done nothing great, just the work he is supposed to do, then how much more we, who God has made and set up in the world, how much more should we be obeying Him!  Do we do that?  When he asks us to come, we need to go; He asks us to sit and like Martha we're too busy.  He asks us to believe, giving us reasons to believe, but we'd rather believe the stupid voice within us opposed to Him and ensure we don't believe.   What arrogance we show toward God in our actions and some don't even recognize His Presence, saying that God is just a creation of man to pass time with!  Someday, God the Almighty will be seated upon His throne in judgment. Then will come all the men He created and give an account to Him.  There will be no second chance, no turning back, neither will the fullness of Grace be available…only the open door of condemnation and fire.  Before the Throne, you will be all alone; and mind you, if you haven't known God, His countenance will be simply dreadful, for remember He is a Consuming Fire. 

But I look forward to that day; and seeped in the blood of the Lamb, I'll quietly say, 'Lord, it's not what I did, which, being completely unworthy I should have done anyway, but it's what You did, my LOVE, my ALL.  I know I'll be at home with Him.  I trust you will too and in the event you'll not, well now is the time.  Recognise the time of your invitation and yield; He will lead you to your room in His Father's house.