Thoughts for another day

June 29, 2012.

Today's verse: 1 Pet. 2:11. Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; (KJV)

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

Again and again we see in Scripture, men of standing before God like Paul, Peter and others, urging us to refrain from sin and move toward holiness, which is the right thing to do, for  the Bible says, 'Without holiness you cannot see God' Heb. 12:14.  As I keep saying, God's character is Holy and the atmosphere around Him is holy and therefore anything impure or anyone who is impure cannot share the same atmosphere, unless it or he sheds that impurity.  To understand this, we need to look at Moses removing his sandals as instructed by God when near the flaming bush, for God told him that the ground on which he stood was holy.

Where God is, there can be no blotch, for so sublime is His terrain that even a fraction of a speck would be noticed in it and therefore that speck is not allowed there.  Many of us, me included, will not understand the scope of what's written here nor even adhere to the exhortation of the Scripture and its reflection.  But as far as I'm concerned, I know this much that God is awesomely, awesomely Holy and He demands that I be holy so that I may commune with Him and the same is the case with you, for you too are a child of His and therefore called to holiness.  Having said this, it would be right to also say that, He gives us the power and ability to be holy.

The nature of holiness can't be understood by us simply because it's something we're bereft of.  Man possesses no holiness in himself therefore holiness has to be poured into him and the blood of the Lamb of God does that.  In the tide of that flow, you and I are cleansed and made fit to be citizens of the Kingdom.  It then, must be our constant endeavor to remain in a state of holiness as exhorted by Peter above.  We must abstain from all fleshly lusts which are in direct opposition to our souls, which is 'us' and will move into life after this for eternity.  Rather we must strive to be pure and holy in His sight so that when we're called to account, the Blood of the Lamb upon us and our obedience to His commands, will speak out and He then, will welcome us into the kingdom.

Thoughts for another day

June 28, 2012.

Today's verse: Ps. 139:21. Do not I hate them, O LORD, that hate thee? and am not I grieved with those that rise up against thee? (KJV)

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The above Word in Ps. 139 is an enigma and a moving away from the general theme of the psalm, where David so beautifully expresses God's greatness for His all encompassing knowledge and His omnipresence which are so precious to David; who enjoyed the protection of the Lord in its fullest.  And then the theme suddenly changes to David desiring the destruction of the wicked.  Why, would David do that?  I believe it emanates from David's deep love for God and His purposes. 

David understood God well which is why he is known to be a man after God's own heart and this can't be said of you unless you understand the essence of God's heart.  David knew how beautiful God is; how tremendous His thoughts are and how lovely His works, and he describes that in the earlier portion of the psalm.  When a man gets to know God so intimately, he loves God with all his heart, his mind and strength and he experiences God's goodness and greatness.  He is able to sit with God and worship Him in spirit and truth.  Therefore, when anyone says anything against God, he is incensed to move and even kill the person (we of course don't do that as the very love we have for God also makes us love that person) just as Phinehas, in his zeal for God, slayed a man who had married a Midianite woman against God's wishes and God acknowledged it by giving him, His covenant of peace – Nu. 25:6ff. 

What I've said here might make you wonder about the God we serve, but remember God is so holy and blameless that, even as much as a single comment against Him, can turn the maker of the comment to dust instantly.  If you know Him you also do not want to offend Him for you feel terrible when you offend Him knowing He is such a beautiful God and it makes it even worse because you know how much He loves you.   In the wake of such knowledge, it's impossible for any person who loves God, not be agitated when someone ridicules or insults Him or does anything against Him – even if later we pray for that person and seek God's pardon for him.  In this vein, David's ending to the psalm reflects His deep anguish at the hate the wicked have for God and in turn, he hates them for it.  

Thoughts for another day

June 27, 2012.

Today's verse: Mi. 7:7.  Therefore I will look unto the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me. (KJV)

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

There're many fears abounding the common man of the world today, even fear of hunger and disease, not that there're no cures, but the high cost of the cure, isn't only a barrier, but also reason to feel angst against those who due to their avarice, don't provide the cure.  I remember a man in a small village I once visited, suffering from tuberculosis (TB).  Sitting outside his home, he either slept on the bed placed there for him or roamed around the hills.  As thin as a reed yet in good spirits, he said he was just waiting for death! 

Yea, such is the story of what we call modern man, and if we think this isn't the case in cities and towns, well we all know how the common man is harassed by the authorities for small things like driving licenses etc. which without a bribe aren't available or available after much hassles.  Fear of losing jobs is so real; for without blinking an eye an employer may sack his employee on trivial grounds.  There're blood thirsty hounds waiting all around to see how they can make a sucker of you.  Thieves and muggers abound, waiting to lighten you of the load of your valuables and they don't mind if in the process, they even kill you.  Fights erupt at the least instigation and life has literally no value, what with governments and those in power having no zeal to do anything for the people, except fill their own pockets!

What can you do in such a scenario?  I kneel down and turn my face to the hills from where the Lord God Almighty directs His help to me and I will pray the Word of the Scripture above and look unto Him my Lord; waiting for the God of my salvation; He Who will hear me when I call.  I have no friend but Him, Who alone can help me live in this world and Who strengthens me in every way, giving me the confidence to live and move about for He lives in me and moves about powerfully thwarting every dart of the evil one that's aimed at me.  With the LORD God as my Protector, what have I to fear and I would urge you my friend to also look up to Him who can be your Protector and Guide. 

Thoughts for another day

June 25, 2012.

Today's verse: 2 Cor. 7:1.  Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. (KJV)

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

Holding holiness in our hearts, let's tread further to truly know the significant greatness of it and how can we achieve that holiness that will please God and stand us in good stead before His throne knowing even, that through our Scripture above, St Paul says, we must clean ourselves from all filth of the flesh and spirit in the meanwhile, perfecting holiness in the fear of the Lord.   

My friend you know that you are the temple of the Holy Spirit and thus you are the abode of the Mighty God, the Emperor of the universe; and so can you keep your body unholy?  Can it be that God's Spirit will dwell in unrepentant and sinful vessels of clay?  It shall never be, but His Spirit will reign in bodies consecrated for His dwelling.  Now the body, means the spirit of man, the depth of his being and the voice of his soul; it also means the will of man; his answer to God questioning him, 'I want to enter into you, will you allow Me?' If yes, his body is consecrated to God's purpose and then becomes a vessel for His dwelling and He comes and dwells in that person.  He will not dwell in a vessel also containing anything else for understand well that He is a jealous God and He will not share His glory with another.  And it is only in holiness that a man can be joined to God!

We're made for communion with God even since the beginning of time and we know that we live and move and have our being in Him.  For that perfect communion with our Father, Jesus laid down a criterion:  'True worshippers will worship the Father in Spirit and Truth.'  Which means together with the Word and His mighty Spirit and we can worship Him but only as the Spirit allows. The Spirit of God will not allow anyone near the Holy of holies other than the one who is sanctified to be a servant of God; sanctified by Grace and the blood of Christ through a yielded heart; kept apart for the work of God, to live and be ready to do and die for Him.  That being holy, is the only state in which one can worship God, is clear from what I've said and only in this perfection can a man stand before the awesome Presence of God, to lift up His hands in meek surrender and speak to Him but a few words through His heart alone.  A state, in which everything else for that man ceases to be, and only God IS; where he meets God and God meets him and every promise of God is real.

Thoughts for another day

June 25, 2012.

Today's verse: Eph. 1:4.  For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.  (KJV)

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

No matter how much we deal on the subject of holiness, I feel it's still insufficient because it is one of the two crucial aspects of God's great nature viz. His love and His holiness.  And don't mistake it, He seeks holiness from us too, for how can we who're made in His image and likeness exist without His great trait of holiness?  Our Scripture clearly spells out what He meant us to be when He created us in Him before the creation of the world and that is to be holy and blameless before Him.  

Now why is holiness so important for us and why does the Bible speak of it, directly or indirectly, so many times?  The reason is simple: We agree there's eternity?  Yes, no matter who you ask, whether they belong to Christ or not, will agree there's eternity; for otherwise mankind is the worst creature on earth if everything is over, here itself.  But there's eternity and there's a destination in it for you and me.  If we're to be in the place where God is, then we need to have the traits of one who can be with God and in this case the primary trait is 'Holiness'.  For without being holy you cannot see God.  He is so holy that even a blotch in us will not allow us to see Him. 

Jesus Christ came to remove all blotches of sin in us and He has accomplished His work so we're now free to enjoy the reality of eternal life with Him.  But we're to continue in the state of holiness until we leave the earth and that's where the challenge of being holy comes.  It's easy for anyone who knows the requirements of being holy, to brush it aside saying it's not possible; but I have good news for them…Jesus Christ was holy and if you work on your holiness, His Grace will come to you in a massive flow helping you to be holy.  Remember, you can be holy if you choose to.  It's difficult and you may need to struggle but you can be holy. You may not see the drape of holiness on you and you may not be aware of the spiritual beings working in your favor but you'll definitely see small changes in yourself; your methods and manners will change.  Gradually you'll be led to a level of holiness which will make it possible to be concentrated in Him and praise Him continually.

Thoughts for another day

June 22, 2012.

Today's verse: 1 Jn. 3:2.  Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.  (KJV)

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

Our body is frail and very weak.  It's so worldly, it can't afford to see or feel brilliance because brilliance will disintegrate it.  Paul calls it a vessel of clay which it is, and can be destroyed easily.  At the beginning, when God created us, He made us as it were, a body fit to live and commune with Him, The Epitome of brilliance and glory, supreme and radiant as a billion suns at their highest brilliance.  Adam, it can be elicited, conversed with God for he saw God face to face which is why when he broke His command, he did not dare face God, Gen. 3:9,10, 'And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou? And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.' 

So God banished Adam from the Garden of Eden and cursed the ground from which Adam was made and thus this splendid body which could commune with God was forever cursed to be a vessel of clay, with the ability to die and be corrupt. But then, just as through Adam, sin entered the world and became the bane of man, so also through obedience of one Man, the Christ, sin was destroyed and the same body will again commune with God when it is raised from the dead.

Paul says (1 Cor. 15), in burial of the body that which you sow, you don't sow the body that it shall be, but a bare grain as it were, and then God gives it a body as it pleases Him.  And what is sown in corruption is raised in incorruption; the weak, raised in power; the natural raised in glory and a spiritual body.  He adds saying, as we have borne the image of the earthy body, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.  He also says, we shall not all die, but we shall all be changed, in a moment in the twinkling of an eye at the last trumpet sound, the dead shall be raised incorruptible and those not dead shall be changed.  For the corruptible must put on incorruption and the mortal, immortality.  And then as our Word today says, we shall be like Him and we shall be before Him, face-to-face with the God of lights and see Him as He is.  Blessed be our Lord Jesus Christ who has made it possible for us to stand before Him, even to behold His glory and say, 'Abba Father.'

Thoughts for another day

June 21, 2012.

Today's verse: 2 Cor. 9:13.  Through the evidence of this service, you are glorifying God for your obedient confession of the Gospel of Christ and the generosity of your contribution to them and to all others. (NAB)

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

Living the Gospel of Jesus Christ is the best honor we can give Him and exalt Him high in this world.  We may be experts in knowing the Word as some are and also every word or every nuance in the Bible, yet we could be far from the Lord for we only know the Word in its letter and not in spirit and reality, for only in living it in spirit and reality, can we please the God of lights and do His work. 

In the second letter to the Corinthians, Paul praises the Corinthians for the service they render to the saints in Jerusalem by providing funds to them, which means they're glorifying God in their obedient confession of Jesus' Gospel and living it in being generous with their contributions.  Paul is lauding their acceptance of the Gospel, not only in Word, but also in deed for the Gospel of Christ comes with certain mandates and of them, a very clear and stark mandate is to be of service to the church, whether the local church or the distant church, when it is in need. 

A true servant of God always seeks to please God in his ways. But how can we please Him?  Not as do the pagans with their candles, flowers, incense and offerings of sweets, etc. But rather in being of use to the least of the people.  In realizing that the poor and the needy or the under-privileged are all children of the same God and recognize that God put them there to test us: whether we'll be liberal with our funds to them or we won't.  Jesus was moved with compassion when He saw the crowds following Him, seeing they didn't have anything to eat.  He therefore worked out a miracle - multiplying the fish and the loaves.   When we share what we have with the poor, we're also partaking of the miracle working out right in front of us, when the poor man you fed, is satisfied and looks happy or when the family you provided clothes to, looks at you with pride in their attire and so on.  In this is the true spirit of Christianity and in this resides Christ Himself. 

Thoughts for another day

June 20, 2012.

Today's verse: Ps. 104:31.  The glory of the LORD shall endure for ever: the LORD shall rejoice in his works.  (KJV)

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

A few minutes before, as I was in prayer, I dedicated this day to the glory of the Lord and doing things that would give Him glory and this reflection too must adhere to this decision and to you my friend to whom it speaks, may I urge to give glory to God for His gift of life to you and for making you His offspring, His Own possession as His inheritance to be with and enjoy over eternity.  Isn't it a wonderful thought to give glory to God for all He has done and for all He means to you? 

But better still it is to give Him glory for all that He is in our lives.  His Word says, 'Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.' Rev. 3:20.  Now listen to this, He, the God of infinite glory seeks you out among the zillions of beings on the earth, standing outside the door of your heart, knocking; seeking to come in and enjoy a meal with you!  Amazing, the awesome fidelity of God to us when we think about it and when we really do, there can be only one refrain in our hearts, 'What is man, that You are mindful of him? And the son of man, that You visit him?'  Ps. 8:4. 

Paul says, 'But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.' Rom. 5:8 which in itself is a bold statement on God's unceasing love for us His creation.  The band of His love on us is ever strong and till the end He waits in hope, seeking that we return.  His eyes are perpetually glued to the road, and His heart moans, 'when will my child return to me'  echoing His soft Word in Malachi 3:7, 'Return unto me, and I will return unto you.'  And when you do, He runs to embrace you, akin to the father of the prodigal son, 'But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.' Lk. 15:20.   

Tell me now, you blessed one, isn't our God an awesome God; a glorious God with a Name, exalted and renowned over all the earth across generations and time?  Isn't He worthy of all glory, praise and honor?  So lift up the tones of your heart and shout Hosannah to the Holy One, the Living God, the Majesty, Emperor of the universe, Who was, Who is and Who is to come…amen.

  

Thoughts for another day

June 19, 2012.

Today's verse: 2 Cor. 6:17.  Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,  (KJV)

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In living our lives, we attach ourselves to many people, things, ideas and traditions. Our single aim in life though is to live life worthy of the Lord, living by His commands, accepting His will as our way and His Word as our guide.   However, if we look around, we discover that many things in this world are certainly out of range of the Lord's Word; they also twist His Word, accommodating human notions and sentiments as being above any deity, as if there're many deities and gods.  We too, are swayed by these thoughts which seem to titillate the human sense, obnoxious though they be, and feel they're worth getting into.  Now wasn't the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, equally tantalizing? But did eating it serve any purpose apart from getting the death penalty?

 

God's things are God's things and children of God who've pondered on His Word, who're seemingly foolish to the wise ones of earth, go by His Word even today, on issues pertaining to homosexuality, abortion, feng shui, etc.  Whereas, we see the shenanigans of civil propriety shunning all God's values, being embarrassed by them, and propagating values (!) their own which are not in sync with the rules of nature at all, like is there any sense in same-sex marriages? 

Our Word comes with loud exhortation to be separate from people harboring these wrong notions, who're drunk on their own foolishnesses, inventing new terms to accommodate their mental decay, like terming homosexuality, not a disease, but a different orientation!  Yes, my friend, you may find my argument ridiculous and perhaps laugh over it, but truly as He lives the God of Israel, He will hold you responsible for your leanings if you lean on these erroneous and vain ideologies, emanating as they say, from being free individuals with the license to practice all that one fancies, freely.  The Lord says, 'touch not any unclean thing and I will receive you.'  Yes, don't dabble in these fanciful things even if they're pleasing to your ears, rather for everything seek enlightenment from His Word and guidance from His Spirit, Who will teach you the right way and then He will receive you.

Thoughts for another day

June 18, 2012.

Today's verse: 2 Cor. 1:5  For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.  (KJV)

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The Christian life simply means a life abounding in sufferings and afflictions.  Every follower of Jesus Christ is acquainted with suffering, for that's a part of His heritage in Him, as He Himself has been the owner of this heritage and He also says to us His disciples, 'If you wish to be My disciples, take up your cross and follow Me.' So you see, this "suffering" is not an option, but a necessity for everyone tuned to Christ and in following Him.

Many Christians are quite oblivious to this, as watching television channels and other means through which evangelists of well being and prosperity, bellow day in and out that God greatly Blesses and never allows His children to suffer and so on; and prosperity and wealth is the right of the Christian for Jesus said 'I have come to give life and life in abundance.'  But, did Christ say, 'I have come to give wealth and wealth in abundance?'  Did He at any time say 'if you follow me, you'll receive no pain and no suffering?'  If so, then why did He say 'you have to pick up your cross and follow Me?'  Or does it mean that a life of abundance has no suffering? My friend, I'm not against prosperity and wealth and well-being.  All I'm saying is that it's not the only thing in Christianity.  Suffering melds a Christian to the cross of Christ and enjoins him into a deep fellowship with the Lord.  He who suffers, becomes weak and then Christ becomes strong in Him. Besides, how else can faith be tested, if not in suffering?  So, if trials and other diverse temptations come our way, let's set our face like flint and stand in their face telling them that they've to face the Lord.

For a while you may suffer and suffer terribly at that, but eventually the sun will rise with healing in its wings and you'll find your consolation.  For Paul says, 'as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so will our consolation abound too, by Christ.'  Make no mistake, if we've suffered in His Name, He will also give us the consolation due to us for He our God, really doesn't like to see us suffer as one might deduce by human wisdom, rather He delights in that we suffer quietly and serenely when tried and still give Him praise and when He does set us free He doubles our blessings and exalts us for He is immensely pleased with us when He's tried us and found us to be with Him.  

Thoughts for another day

June 15, 2012. Today's verse: Lk. 22:46 …and he said to them, "Why are you sleeping? Get up and pray that you may not come into the time of trial. (NRSV)

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

Jesus, the only begotten Son of God, who came from God to return back to Him, gave this command, to not sleep but pray - in most versions, it is 'that you may not fall into temptation' but we look at NRSV, which includes 'trials', which also means temptation, but slightly wider than what it often means, viz. a trigger to sin. Jesus I'm sure meant we pray for any and every purpose and surely He, the Master of creation, understood the need to pray and of course its effect as He Himself prayed.

Looking at this, I'll agree with His loving suggestion to not sleep but get up and pray.  I do it in my own life, in the evening.  It's difficult to do regularly for the moment you begin, you have many excuses to not pray or if you do, to wind it up fast; for you, see the evil one makes you suddenly so important that without you the world would stop running!  So it's simply impossible to go and pray for a long stretch of time and again if you have to do it alone, there's another trick he uses; that is to give you sleeping pills, so you can sleep and before you know it, you have spent half an hour sleeping and when you suddenly wake up, it's time to go back to normal chores.  But mind you, the one who knows to pray, achieves much.  Many Graces are accorded to them who pray: silent and invisible they may be but Graces yet, no doubt.  I've found the discipline to pray very useful and without prayer I'm a little uneasy.  I must confess it's a Grace of God that a man can pray regularly.

While we must pray for our own needs, we also remember the whole world and the desperate need for God to send His Word unto the souls of those who walk the face of the earth.  Without it humans will never accept the Gospel of Jesus Christ and not be saved.  Even among professing Christians, I see so many not doing what they must do and so we pray for them too.  We pray that justice reign in every part of the world, whether it is Egypt, Syria or even the US of A.   We must pray that evil forces are demolished and good reigns.  We pray for food sufficiency and for the rains to provide health to the earth.  I can go on but suffice it for me to say that all the above that I've listed are prayers the good Lord will grant us when we ask Him and also the things we asked for ourselves.  He loves a praying soul and He knows that, that soul is just a single touch away from His heart and one day, He will give that touch so that the soul will meld into His being, in ecstasy and complete liberty, which experience He even does give once in a while, here on earth, to those who struggle to grope into His heart and see there His grave need and pray for it, if you understand what I mean. 

Thoughts for another day

June 14, 2012

Today's verse: Eze. 13:5. You have not gone up into the gaps or breeches, nor built up the wall for the house of Israel that it might stand in the battle in the day of the Lord. (Amplified Bible – copyright acknowledged)

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

Whenever we confess our sins, we look at only those which are wrought out of our mouth such as words, or our hands, such as our deeds.  Some may also include their evil thoughts and seek mercy for them.  But look closely at our Scripture above, it's an indictment on the false prophets which the Lord God puts on them, asking Ezekiel to prophesy against them and warning that He, the Lord God will be against them. 

The Lord has clearly denounced those who don't do what they're supposed to do and they will face His wrath in time.  Jesus also censured those that didn't extend their hands to help those in need in giving the parable of Lazarus and the rich man, Lk. 16:19ff and the Good Samaritan, Lk. 10! Jesus warns us of our sin of omission in Mathew 25, saying, 'Whatever you did not do to the least of My brothers, you did not do unto Me.  

Is the indictment of the Lord for not doing our work when we need to do it so as to save many, still valid today?  Yes, indeed.  If I'm a preacher, then like Paul says, 'Woe is me if I don't preach the Gospel' 1 Cor. 9:16.  If I'm a prophet then I must prophesy and save the people or the indictment of the Scripture above will fall on me.  If I'm a rich man with lot of wealth, I must reach out to the poor and help them or face the penalty meted out to the Rich man in Lk. 16. We need to be concerned about this, for even if I'm not rich but have two morsels of food, and I see a hungry soul, I must give Him atleast one morsel.   I've hated myself at times for not having reached out to those in distress and for going with the tide where people just castigate all those who ask as being lazy to work and so, beg! 

My friend, think about this, if I have a large amount of money in the bank and there's drought and people are dying for want of simple food, what use is my money if it can't reach out to these people.   In my country India, there're farmers committing suicide because they cannot repay their loans, loans as much as 200 USD, and it doesn't even set us in motion to do something!   What're we going to do when the time comes to face the Lord?  Will He be pleased?  Will He welcome us into His kingdom?  Think about it, you'll get your answer.

Thoughts for another day

June 13, 2012

Today's verse: 1 Thess. 5:24. Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.  (KJV)

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

Prior to this verse Paul says, 'May God Himself, God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ', confirming that God will sanctify you, that is: keep you from all profanity and holy before Him. 

Here's therefore Paul's prayer that we be kept blameless on the day the Lord Jesus Christ makes His appearance in glory on earth for that time will be of great tribulation.  It will come like destruction from the Lord Almighty (Joel  1:15) and there will be great distress prior to those days when many false entities will appear claiming to be the Christ, but it won't be Him, as Jesus Himself says, adding,  'Immediately after the distress of those days, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken. Mt. 24:29 and then He says, 'At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and all the nations of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory. And He will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather His elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other' Mt. 24:30, 31.

Now who are His elect?  Well, they whose names are written in the Book of Life even before the world began, as Paul says in 2 Tim. 1:9, 'For He delivered and saved us and called us with a calling in itself holy and leading to holiness, not because of anything of merit that we have done, but because of and to further His own purpose and grace which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began'.  This, because in exercising our free will, we, accepted belief in His son Jesus Christ, as Lord, God and Savior of the world.  In that also, we will be kept blameless because as our Scripture says, 'He is faithful Who called us and He will do it.'  Strive as we might in our human strength, we won't be able to amass one iota of purity before Him for our nature is at war with Him, but God who is eternally powerful will embellish His seal upon us with a sign for the stealer of souls,  'This is My Son, keep off!'

Thoughts for another day

June 12, 2012

Today's verse: Ps. 25:3a. Yea, let none that wait on thee be ashamed:  (KJV)

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

He who trusts the Lord with all his heart can never be afraid of being shamed for God will save him from whatever situation he's in, simply because of the trust the man has in Him.  I really don't know what it is about faith or trust that God loves, except that it moves God's hand in a manner nothing else can do.  Sometimes, I may be in anguish and may pray with tears flowing down my cheeks but then if I don't cover myself with faith, I will be disappointed, though I rained tears in my prayer.

When Elisha cursed the boys who were teasing him (2 Ki. 2:24) he spoke with such a force of faith that two she-bears came and mauled forty two youth!  When Paul was troubled by the oracular spirit, in the slave girl, following them and telling the people about them, (Acts. 16: 17, 18), he just spoke with faith in Jesus' Name, asking the spirit to come out and it did!  Jesus Himself appreciated acts of faith so much that He lauded those who exhibited it like the Centurion, the Syrophoenician woman, the woman with the issue of blood, etc. and immediately granted them their needs! 

If I were asked what really happens when we display faith then, I must say that we exalt God in the highest and accord Him great glory when, not seeing, we yet acknowledge Him.  God is so pleased that He works, granting the request of the person immediately.  At times faith also leads to wait upon the Lord, I would call it, patient faith, but faith no doubt.  In this, we exhibit that we trust Him and depend on Him, willing to endure the trial, believing the end will be exactly what we envisioned it to be.  Remember, when we trust God and wait upon Him, there can be no greater prayer than that and it will touch God's heart and He will work to reveal His glory in us.

Thoughts for another day

June 8, 2012

Today's verse: Mt. 5:37. But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.  (KJV)

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

Before we dwell on our reflection, I'll ask a question: When I really want to reassure somebody that I am going to do something for them, is just a mere yes enough to satisfy and make them feel that I'll be really doing it?  In most cases no, isn't it?  They want another sign of confirmation, perhaps, even swearing on something, or a guarantee, etc. 

Now here's Jesus talking about oaths and how swearing is out of question for there's nothing we can swear upon as there's nothing we created or have control over.  Think about it, really there's nothing that's within us or of us that we can place as an hedge to swear!  That's why Jesus says, 'let your yes, be yes and your no be no' for He says further, 'anything more comes from the evil one'.  Now, when you think of the need for guaranties, indemnities and promissory notes, etc. in today's world, what can we make out?  Nothing much but that the world is under the control of the evil one and men are his foil in this control.  Leave alone men not being a part of his coterie, we're his emissaries in a way and that's why our lives are so convoluted.  When we say yes, we don't mean it.  When we say no, we have a way around it and so on. 

In effect there's no truth in the world today because the father of lies reigns in the world and he directs both our thoughts and our deeds to work for him and not God.  My friend, this is indeed sad because we know how good our God is and how basely we, His children, treat Him.  It would indeed be right and pertinent that we look upon Him and do as He says for then alone will we find His way in the world and we'll come to honor Him and glorify Him as God and as the One who reigns in the world, not the rogue, who masquerades as the angel of light twisting the Word of God to sway us from being God's children.

Thoughts for another day

June 8, 2012

Today's verse: 1 Ro. 8:18. For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. (KJV)

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

Every person who believes in the Lord Jesus Christ has an assurance – the revelation of the glory of God in us when we're transferred into the Kingdom of God in the new life we will attain.  God has overlooked man's transgression till a time; not that it is God's intention that man be filled with iniquity rather that he not be, which is why the Law came before the revelation of His Precious Son, Jesus Christ, to tell man of the wrong he does and to command him not to do it; but God now demands that everyone, everywhere repent in His Son, Jesus Christ, and attain to the Kingdom.

Now after the fullness of time has come and His Son is revealed, total redemption from sins has been assured to many around the earth even to the uttermost parts of the earth who believe in Jesus Christ, whereby we may contemplate seeing and knowing the glory of the Father of lights in and through His Son and gaze at His face, face-to-face, not ashamed of the filth we were with when we lived a life of debauchery and wanton pleasure, rather confidently as would a child, his father, simply because we have no trace of sin in us, and this accorded by His sweet mercy through which He has washed us clean by the Blood of the Lamb.

In the process of our going from one step of glory to the next, we may be subject to tyranny and even severe persecution and yea, every disciple of Jesus Christ is told by Him that he needs to take up his cross and follow Him and if he will not, then the Son of Man says that, that disciple isn't worthy of Him!  So we rejoice my friend when diverse types of tribulations are sent our way for in that will our faith be purified as gold is in fire and then when we come out purified, His glory will be revealed in us, such that we shall see it and know that whatever we suffered on earth was as zilch compared to the glory that covers us there in our heavenly abode.

Thoughts for another day

June 7, 2012

Today's verse: 1 Sam. 3:19. Thus Samuel grew and the LORD was with him and let none of his words fail.  (NASB)

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

A man who is devoted to God can do great things.  I remember once Elisha was going to Bethel (2 Kgs. 2:23, 24) - now Elisha was certainly not one of the better looking of the human species - when he met some lads who mocked him.  Elisha looked at them and cursed them and immediately two female bears came out of the woods and tore up forty two of them!  This amazes me as to how much the Lord cares about His people and listens to them even to their cursing others which He hearkens to immediately as we see in the above incident in Elisha's life.

And now let us look at Samuel who was an attested prophet of the Lord.  He was made an offering to the Lord by Hannah, his mother who was given the gift of Samuel as she had asked for and she returned Him back to the Lord's service.  He grew up before the Lord in His Holy Presence and served Him day and night according to the instructions of Eli the priest, whose own sons were doing evil in the sight of the Lord.  Samuel grew up in stature before both man and God and He became an instrument of God in His plan of raising David as the king of Israel.  Whatever Samuel did, His heart yearned to give Him glory and He went about upholding the God of Israel.

Our Word says that the Lord was with Him and brought to reality whatever he spoke because the Lord knew that Samuel was devoted to Him whole-heartedly and would never disobey Him.  To get this great blessing of God in today's times, what can we do so that God will do the same for us as He did to Elisha and Samuel?  We first need to be conscious that God does all things in His great mercy and favor.  Next, if we're devoted to Him and concerned fully that He be glorified in all that we do and say, then God will in turn grant us His favor on our lives and not allow any of what we say go in vain, accomplishing everything we utter for it would be to His Glory.

Thoughts for another day

June 6, 2012

Today's verse: Ps. 44:6,7. I do not trust in my bow, my sword does not bring me victory; but you give us victory over our enemies, you put our adversaries to shame. (KJV)

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

Everything, everything is done and placed, everywhere by God and God alone.  Make no mistake, God it is, who runs the show, if I may say and there's no involvement of any other neither to help Him nor even to suggest to Him, for who can help or suggest the all-knowing, Omnipotent God? 

If an obstacle is placed in my path, I attribute it to being allowed by God, not so it block my path, but that I learn to climb over it and soar over problems.  Every trial He provides me is to make me grow; not in the way of the world, but in His way so that I become more humble and learn that He is the only One Who is my help and He definitely exalts me.  In the Words of our Scripture today, I'll admit, I don't trust my own ability neither my own judgment or wisdom, as that which will provide me victory, but that He, the God of the universe, will make me triumph over all my enemies. 

Men have come and men have gone.  Many have exalted themselves to be gods, but they've slept the sleep of death and rotted.  None has lived to see even a moment more than that God ordained to be their last.  No human has any authority over anything although they may boast saying they do, but their hour comes to depart and they're gone.  Their memory fades over time, their greatness erased forever.  Nothing is permanent that man makes and even what he makes is only from what God has provided and therefore I look up to Him to deliver me from any situation that discomforts me and know this, even when something does discomfort me, I have inner peace because He has given me His peace, a peace that passes all understanding.  I know He is my Deliverer and Fortress; in Him alone shall I trust and then He will put my enemies to shame. Amen.

Thoughts for another day

June 5, 2012

Today's verse: Joel 2:13. And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil. (KJV)

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

No matter the state of sin you're in; no matter the penalty accorded to you by His Majesty Yahweh God, there's a way whereby you may turn, for God is Gracious and Merciful.  He is infinitely patient and endowed with great kindness.  He doesn't desire to plunge you into evil or any difficulty because you broke His heart or made Him weep; but desires you to turn from your ways and come back.

From the beginning when God invested of Himself into man by His breath through His Holy Spirit, God intended that man be, and remain His son.  When Adam emerged as God's creation, he imbibed God's nature, for God had made him in His Own image.  The shimmering icicle of Adam's being was pure and shone forth as a clean mirror, reflecting God's character and God intended Adam be His helper in governing the earth.  Adam's sole object was to glorify and magnify His Name in creation; and every other element of creation was to be the rhythm of Adam's heart beat to sing a sonorous song of joy before God for the great happiness of their 'being.'  Yes, the whole earth was meant to meld into Adam's consciousness which held God as Master and through Adam, worship of all creation was to be raised as banner before God, a semblance of heavenly worship we witness in the Book of Revelation.

But as we know there's 'one' who hated man for God had endowed man with Himself, making his glory greater than him who had fallen from heaven; he was accorded the highest status, among the highest angels, alas, pride prodded his mind to raise himself above the Most High and was therefore, thrown down from his seat, for a while, before being punished forever.   And he incited man to fall from the Grace of God and man fell and was subjected to a world far different from Eden.  Sadly, he falls repeatedly today as we know, for every moment we're awake, we sin and offend His infinite being.  But our Word today should be our comfort for in it we know that He Who created us with such love and desire, is still our Lover and He will turn His anger from us and draw us close.  Gain comfort from this my friend and turn to Him you'll live eternally with Him in bliss.

Thoughts for another day

June 4, 2012

Today's verse: Ps. 39:7. And now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope is in thee. (KJV)

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

He prays, he waits; the waiting is tense, it's nerve wracking and sometimes seems delusional.  The world says, 'look at that fool, he's waiting for God to help him and there's no god that will help.'  His feeble faith falters and anxiety creeps near his door, seeking to get in somehow to hold him in its grip.  Fear is killing him inside, so much so, there're moments in the night when he gets up in cold sweat, wondering what will happen to him, his children and to his life which has been put in a kind of a limbo; and danger and huge uncertainty.  One can agonize with this man who lost his job and has no savings whatsoever and a load of debt on his head.  His reputation has been marred because of a small moment of indiscretion when he misbehaved with a woman who happened to be the spouse of the owner of the nation's largest company and the organization he worked in.  Thrown out on the streets like trash, his career ended and in a flash his whole life turned upside down!  

This could happen to us too, for we too have our moments of indiscretion when we throw caution to the wind, refusing to listen to the gentle whisper of the Spirit of Jesus telling us to harbor discretion and quiet.

When we who're led by the Spirit are cast into the same hole as the man above, the story can be pretty different for our knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and the gentle prodding of His Spirit, will lead us to fall on Him who is the Cornerstone and plead confidently for help, for He will break us but not destroy us.  If I were there, I'd utter the Word of our Scripture above, 'Now Lord what do I wait for, my hope is in You!'  I am sure He will come to help for He does.  His nature is such.  He never fails, He never lets us down and though time may go by, He is in control for we have given Him the reins of our lives so He can work out a way for us, gently but surely, so we aren't crushed, but able to rise and live victoriously, praising His Name.

Thoughts for another day

June 1, 2012

Today's verse: 2 Cor. 1:10. He who rescued us from so deadly a peril will continue to rescue us; on him we have set our hope that he will rescue us again, (New Revised Standard Version)

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

God grants us faith in and through what we see of Him working miracles, no matter how small they be, in our lives.  We may hear when we're big how we had contracted a disease when small, and were almost at the door step of death, but then our parents prayed and He healed us, even if it might have been through the very doctor who had earlier told our parents that we would perhaps not live!

An amazing thing I've found about us humans is how quickly we forget what God did and fall into the trap of anxiety and dread.  It's as if we love to do it and I see people wallow in misery and self pity even if there's no problem with them.  As for me, I remember how marvelously God worked in my life in the past by rescuing me from a dreadful and painful disease, yet, when I think of the situation I am in, today, it fills me with fear and worry; the very thing that shouldn't be when you hope in God fully; that's why I believe the word 'hopefully' smacks of little hope in its usage. 

Trust in God has to be complete for remember, our prayer, coming from the very depths of our heart always, I repeat, always reaches the ears of God.  His reply may not come immediately as it may seem to us, but it will come.  Years may go by; much water may flow under the bridge and we might have learnt to reconcile with our situation, but God has never forgotten how you knelt on that hard floor that summer afternoon, sweating and crying out to him to help you.  And suddenly you find your whole life changed; in an instant; and all that you had ever dreamed and envisioned of, is happening right before your eyes.  Surely I'll echo our Word above, He who rescued us from so deadly a peril will continue to rescue us; for, we have set our hope on Him that He will rescue us again.