Thoughts for another day

Sept. 28, 2012.

Today's verse: 1 Cor. 2:9. But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. (KJV)

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When our above Scripture is mentioned in church gatherings, preachers usually point to the many riches we'll get on earth, yea, things beyond they thought was possible.  I'll not say that, what they say isn't right, for God can certainly give His people the delight of earthly things far more than what any man can gain for himself.  But there's a more perfect way in which we can look at this Scripture and that way is to be focused on life beyond here.

Consider this my friend, we're on our sojourn here on earth to work and be prepared for our journey onto the great high, the abode of our Divine and Merciful God.  And He is waiting for us to be subject to His will so we work according to it and attain to our room in His mansion.  However, many people of God, and I'm talking of those who claim to be Christian, aren't aware of this.  Worse, they feel they're here to lead good lives, which is also a major component of God's will for us, do charity and remember God; and basically enjoy.  No harm in it; but what about God's work? Well, there's no answer for if they don't know God, how will they know His work? 

Hence, the focus is always on things of earth.  But those who're reading this and able to identify with God and His domain, I know you get excited to even think of it; this even if your mortal eye isn't able to fully perceive the glory of the place God has prepared for us, as our Scripture says, no eye has seen nor ear has heard nor the heart perceived what God has prepared for them who love Him.  It shall be revealed to us when we leave our earthly dwelling and go into the divine chambers.  So, why are many Christians afraid to leave their earthly shells and go beyond the doors of this life into death for only then can we be before God and see the beauty He has spread for us.  Now, if Paul yearned to leave his body and go to Christ (Philip 1:23), I can understand; for really there's nothing on earth that can compare to the absolute splendor that is with our LORD. 

Thoughts for another day

Sept. 26, 2012.

Today's verse: 2 Tim. 3:12. Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. (KJV)

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Make no mistake about it, our Scripture is true for all who want to lead lives pleasing to our God.  And when you live a life pleasing to Him, you're walking the narrow path; so there'll be obstacles and difficulties from which there's no escape as there's no room and you've got to go through them, unlike the broad road where you can flit here and there and side-step them.

But living a life pleasing to the Lord, mentioned as 'living godly in Jesus Christ' in our Scripture is very pleasurable and delightful.  The joys of that life are so wonderful that even when you're in deep distress, the joy in your heart is overflowing.  I remember when Sadhu Sundar Singh, a man ferociously in love with God, was tortured in a unique way in Nepal for preaching Christ: His clothes were removed and leeches were then dropped all over his body, and leeches can behave as only they can, suck the blood out of you, he started singing and praising God.  The policeman thought he was mad, but then realised that here was something greater than the common man and he was released soon after. 

So also there're many others who suffer but don't resist it because they're aware of God's fabulous ways of intervening as they lead godly lives and know Him personally.  We may not be anywhere close to living godly lives, but it doesn't mean we shouldn't begin, for there has to be a beginning somewhere and in that beginning, we'll see Him closely as He leads us in life – the Chief and Good Shepherd leading His flock.  Then we'll realise that He is taking us to awe-inspiring, verdant pasture and along refreshing waters. He restores our spirit to be full of life; it's only then, that we live.

Thoughts for another day

Sept. 25, 2012.

Today's verse: Ps. 71:14. But as for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more. (NIV – copyright ack.)

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Though the sky seems glum with the weight of the clouds, I'll not cease to look up to God my Maker and Sustainer.  Though my road seems to be fraught with danger and there're obstacles all over, yet will I look beyond them and see the face of my Lord, the One who comes to help His people, who trust in Him in rain and shine.

His Word says, 'Many are the afflictions of the righteous man, but the LORD delivers him from them all.'  Because He can; Because He can do anything or undo anything.  Even if the icy hand of death has almost seized me, I know He will rescue me, for He has the power.  I remember Lazarus whose body had started rotting and emitting a putrefying smell.  Then the Savior spoke, 'Lazarus, come forth' and Lazarus awoke as from a deep sleep and not knowing why he was bound, walked out of the grave, tied in burial cloths; his body attaining the perfect complexion of good health.

God can do anything for me.  Yes, today, I'm in a bit of a spot and heavy laden, but His Word will come anytime; even now as I write, and can rescue me.  You know, going through a trial is no fun, but it's fun to know that you are in the hands of a mighty God who loves you and will work for you.  Then any trial is nothing but a matter of praise to our God who can with His little finger fling the trial away and raise you aloft.  And I must say, even if the billows of life are choking me and there seems no hope for me…still will I hope and I will praise His Name even more for I know He can and He will rescue me. 

Thoughts for another day

Sept. 24, 2012.

Today's verse: Wisdom 16:24. For creation, serving you who made it, exerts itself to punish the unrighteous, and in kindness relaxes on behalf of those who trust in you. (NRSV)

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Man, of all of God's creation, is the only one who goes against God's will.  And what is His will?  The answer is given in Deut. 10:12,13 'Now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require from you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways and love Him, and to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the LORD'S commandments and His statutes which I am commanding you today for your good?'  This isn't only for Israel but for all the chosen ones of God, Israel first and then gentiles who accept and follow His Son, Jesus Christ.  That is why man has problems with God's creation; he is at conflict with every one of it including, land, water, air and everything else.

But what about other creation, you may ask and that answer is there in our Scripture today.   When I read it, it shook me to know that creation exerts itself to punish those who disobey God; but works in favor of them who trust Him!  And really, I must say, though it may be hard to understand, it does.  Or else it may be difficult to explain why evil men come to an evil end.  We may think the wicked are prosperous and move about confidently in life, but deep inside they're eaten by fear and fear of the unknown.  It's in this unknown that the elements created by God exert themselves to punish them.   Sometimes the wicked are even scared of their own shadow and look at the number of diseases they encounter and finally die bitter and broken. 

But the just that trust God are favored by God's creation.  It's amazing but true; and I know it is, for at times when your spirit is low, you look out and see the sun and immediately it inspires you for it seems so warm and beautiful.  There're times when I look out of the window, I see the beauty in the trees and the flitting birds and I remember my Father in heaven and I know that in His creation He is sending me His message and my heart rouses and sings…'Every tiny star that twinkles in the night sky….And the message is, God still loves the world.'

Thoughts for another day

Sept. 21, 2012.

Today's verse: Jer. 49:19c. For who is like Me? And who will appoint for Me the time and prosecute Me for this proceeding? And what [earthly, national] shepherd can stand before Me and defy Me? (Amplified Bible – copyright acknowledged)

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Look carefully at what the LORD God is saying today in Scripture above.  While I give here a few thoughts that will embellish His Word, a little more clearly, it is the LORD God who will tell us what He has in mind about His Sovereignty and His ultimate say in all things that concern the universe and His say, His Sovereignty are supreme and will be forever.

Let's look at some situations in life where people harass us.  There're leaders who rob our peace, endangering our livelihoods and putting us in the line of great risk.  Like evil shepherds, they lead us astray and cause great loss.  But to you I say, trust in the Lord.  When the Lord asks you to do something, don't hesitate but do it even if it means you have to confront your leader who will simply tell you that his decision stands, perhaps even giving you lame excuses to make his decision stand.

What does our Lord say today with respect to such people?  He asks a simple question: Who is like me?  Yea, who is like Him…there's none.  If He has ordained something good to happen in your life, then no matter what, it will happen, even if in the initial stage, the situation seems to be leading toward dismay.  Take Abraham's case: God told him to go sacrifice Isaac and Abraham, went to do that and while going it would have never occurred to him that he would be back with Isaac, but it happened for God thwarted his act of slaying Isaac and offered him a ram in the thicket.  What God seeks from us is 'an obedience' that may seem to be a little off the mark, maybe, even make us look foolish or be small in the eyes of someone.  But it's essential for us to obey for only then will He act on our behalf for having learned that we're willing to obey Him even at the cost of self ridicule, He will provide us His relief for He has made us see that we are His and willing to do anything for Him.

Thoughts for another day

Sept. 20, 2012.

Today's verse: Eccl. 11:5. As thou knowest not what is the way of the spirit, nor how the bones do grow in the womb of her that is with child: even so thou knowest not the works of God who maketh all. (KJV)

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The mind of man is somehow, I really don't know how; arrayed against God which it shouldn't be.  See, we immediately rebel against God, atleast in our minds all the time, blaming God for everything that goes wrong.  You may not want to believe but that's the fact.  It happens in the greatest men of God too: Paul says, 'I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature (Ro. 7:18).'  And he also says in verse 15 of the same chap. 'I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do, I do not do, but what I hate, I do.' Strange isn't it?  Do I really have something in me that's always against God and His ways?  Do I really harbor deep within, a desire to upstage God?  Do I really want to tell Him, how smart I am and I can run my life better than He can? David talks of 'hidden faults' - those unfathomable dark darts of treachery against God, waiting every moment to fault Him, the way the Pharisees waited to humiliate Jesus. 

My friend, in everyone of us they're there and they're bad for they are prone, if not nipped in the bud, to make us go against our beautiful Father, God of heaven and earth.  How is all this related to our Scripture?  Well, if our dark desires put us against God then we assume we know things the way He does, but Qoheleth, the writer of Ecclesiastes, though bearing in him a reservoir of wisdom, didn't think that way for he realised that man knows nothing.  We may think we know, but we don't know this moment from the next, leave alone how things fall into place – or for that matter, how a child is created in the womb; alright technically we may know, but actually, do we?  Can we interfere in that process and modify the creative process?  No.  God will never give us that ability, no matter how much we progress, for remember, He is the potter and we're the clay and the potter knows no clay that can contribute to creation of its own form, apart from him!

Therefore, what we can do is fall at God's feet and wait.  For everything that you face today of despair and trouble, rely on Him. No human may be able to conceive a solution to the situation you're in, but He knows the solution.  When I look at myself, I don't know what my tomorrow is going to be, for the atmosphere I walk in, is dark and all I see is pain.  But for God, darkness itself is light (Ps. 139:12) and He will work out the way.  I only believe He can…and He will, for His love's sake.  

Thoughts for another day

Sept. 19, 2012.

Today's verse: Lev. 25:21. Then I will command my blessing upon you in the sixth year, and it shall bring forth fruit for three years. (KJV)

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This is the LORD God, the Mighty One of Israel speaking: saying He will command His blessing upon the children of Israel and the yield of the fruit of their land will be much in the sixth year for they're not to work in the seventh year which would be the year of the Sabbath of the Lord.  And they must believe His Word and obey. 

Believe?  How can you unless you know your God!  But sometimes even not knowing or seeing, you must believe for that's how it works with God, who stays hidden and wants us to know that He is God and He is there.  It's difficult, for the human engine is developed to believe what it sees.  But then just under the hood are also human faculties which know there're myriads of things out there under the sky that aren't seen but need to be believed for they affect us.  Like we don't see air but we know it is, for we breathe it.  We don't see viruses but we know they can cause diseases in us.  If we can believe in them, why can't we believe in God who can be seen in His creation?  Are we so blind, we can't see His hand in the wide expanse of nature and created things?  Check and see how the bud of a rose opens and if you're cued in, you'll see His hand gently opening the petals, giving it just that little tap till they open and shine in their bloom, giving Him glory.

I tell myself, if I know I'm breathing, then I know God is.  For I never control my breath, but He does and I live.  Abraham heard Him and did what He asked and at that time, he was by no means young; but then how could he not believe for when he turned to look up the night sky, he saw the stars and they spoke to him of God.  He heard them and won God's favor of righteousness.  So also other great men in the Bible; I'll take just one: David – you know when he stood before Goliath, he didn't see how big Goliath was, but he saw how big the 'Great I AM' was and he laughed Goliath to scorn.  Goliath didn't understand and enraged, charged at the Almighty's vessel; and perished. 

I'm asking you my friend today, to believe…yea, believe in Him with your all for He is a Mighty Warrior who will shield you and His blessings will come upon you and the world will know you're His vessel and blessed.  I'll end with what Jesus said: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed Jn. 20:29.  He blessed you and me and we'll remain blessed for we believe in Him.  Amen.

Thoughts for another day

Sept. 18, 2012.

Today's verse: Ps. 62:11, 12. God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; that power belongeth unto God. Also unto thee, O Lord, belongeth mercy: for thou renderest to every man according to his work. (KJV)

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God speaks and power emanates.  In His Word is power, unlimited power by which the universe can be rendered upside down or split till every stone becomes dust.  Yes, God is Almighty and immense is His form.  Yet, when I think, in His plan to redeem man, a plan He conceived before the foundation of the world, He did not speak; but He became man with all man's attributes like pain and suffering and every other weak nature that man has and He experienced pain; excruciating and startling pain; and He died a horrifying, miserable death, the worst in those times, in a public place accorded the dignity of the worst criminal!

I wonder why…why did He die such a death.  And I realise when I look at our Scripture today that mercy belongs to Him.  A mercy that comes from His love; a love that comes from the fact that He is holy and because He is holy, there is no negative in Him.  He loves and He loves awesomely and there is no limit to His love and therefore He has mercy, a mercy that is able to see beyond sin, and perceive the misery of the sinner.  Yes, in this also He renders to each man according to his work for He is also a just God, ready to forgive, yet needing us to only ask His forgiveness.

As I think of Him, the God I worship, Yahweh God, the El Shaddai, the GREAT I AM; I can only bow down in gratitude and tell Him: My God have mercy and love me for the sake of Thy love, pardon me for the sake of Thy mercy and make me pure for You are too holy to behold even a small speck of dirt in me.

Thoughts for another day

Sept. 17, 2012.

Today's verse: Eccl. 2:24, 25. A man can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in his work. This too, I see, is from the hand of God, for without him, who can eat or find enjoyment? (KJV)

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See our Scripture above? Think about it; and you'll find great wisdom and the correct attitude to life in it.  A man toils hard, works day and night and he enjoys every moment of his life; living rightly and helping others.  He never looks at wealth as to be amassed but something which will help him move toward contentment, while doing both, self care and care of the society.  Such a man is blessed of God.  It's from the hand of God that he's able to live well and enjoy his life. 

On the other hand, there's this man who works hard, toiling night and day and absent during meal times.  If you ask him, he'll say, 'Oh, I've no time to eat!'  I remember when I was a young executive working for an advertising agency, I used to pretend to work hard during lunch time and I never had time to have lunch.  When I looked around, I noticed others skipped their lunch because they didn't have time too.  Some of them got their lunch-boxes delivered to them and the couriers often took them back after a couple of hours – unopened and uneaten.  By the way, a few minutes before lunch, we all had such a lot of time, chatting and fooling around.  Ironically, it was considered a plus point if you didn't have lunch as you'd be termed a busy guy with great responsibilities and grow.  The prime objective in these environments is to amass wealth to of course brag about it.  But then, you don't have time to enjoy it or rather pretend you don't have time; funny, really funny, the ways of the world.

Now that I've become mature, I realise there's nothing better than enjoy ones goods, for when you die, what can you do with them.  The Book of Ecclesiastes is an essay on the vanity of man's ways and the ways of the world across the ages.  God's ways are so different from our ways for our ways are so warped in wisdom.  This much I've learned in my life: If I do the right thing and follow God, enjoying everything He gives me; then it's good.  Even if there're times when God really puts me through the fire, I shouldn't lose hope but trust Him to undo the fire around me and in that He will also bless me, so I can enjoy the fruit of His blessings even more.  I have quit worrying about tomorrow for Jesus said, 'tomorrow will take care of itself…'  And I rely on God to help me on my way for when He does, there's no way I can slip and fall.

Thoughts for another day

Sept. 14, 2012.

Today's verse: Hab. 1:13. Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity: wherefore lookest thou upon them that deal treacherously, and holdest thy tongue when the wicked devoureth the man that is more righteous than he? (KJV)

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Habakkuk, a righteous man, saw the wrongs being done in Judah; it was like shards of glass striking him in his eyes and therefore he pleads his complaint to the LORD and our Scripture above is part of his complaint which he puts to the Just God and gracious Ruler of the world.  So too, just people today believing in the One True God, the God of Israel, have the same complaint to make unto God for they're simply exasperated at the scant respect the people of this world have for God and the evil they spew out on His people. 

And this is not about people who don't know God, but those who profess to know Him.  Were you to observe carefully, particularly in cities and other urban places, we see such denial of God.  Where there is some awareness, you regretfully find that, that awareness is only to seek the gift of God's hand.  They go to churches and they do their own things.  They don't bother to get into a spirit of rightness before they worship Him, but in the church premises they talk and keep talking, ignoring the Presence of the Holy One, who can destroy them in no time.   But then, they don't know Him so they're not bothered.  They scoff at the poor and ridicule those who're not as gifted and on every issue they have a comment, which puts down others.  And this also pertains to people like me.

When the time comes to show that they know God, their hands are up first, as they take to the pedestal to talk about Him… sheer hollow talk for what can they talk when they hardly know Him.  Sin for them is in doing something big like murder or such like, but the gossiping they do marring people's reputation; and the lack of respect and total disregard for others is nothing to them for well, they consider them as 'no sin' you see!  But the Lord God watches it all.  Nothing escapes His eyes and just as He answered Habakkuk, many years ago, He will also answer the just ones who cry out to Him day in and day out, seeking His intervention.  Swiftly will He destroy the wicked.

Thoughts for another day

Sept. 13, 2012.

Today's verse: Pro. 16:3. Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established. (KJV)

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Committing our works and thoughts to the Lord is the best way we can operate in the favor of the Lord and gain His blessings in our lives.  And mind you, His blessings may not seem to be really good, using a metaphor: like honey in the rock, but they keep us in fine fettle and help to go about our things in a manner, both systematic and useful.

When we commit our works to God, He is pleased.  And remember, when God's Name is invoked on anything concerning man, His supernatural power is exercised on that thing and though we may not see it, His power keeps our works from straying, helping them reach their expected end or even better.  An example: Let's say we set out to buy a home; now there're so many things involved, like necessary clearances, permissions, structure quality and what have you.  I ask you, can you really ensure everything will be okay; and when you spend your hard-earned money, you'll not have any problem but enjoy your home for a long time?  I'm sure you'll not be able to say with certainty that everything is okay for there're many things you don't know and the greed and cheating of men is exposed more and more with every step of the way, because they know that revealing it at the beginning will make you go away. 

But God knows everything and if you're committed to Him, He will sometimes even against your own will, make you move away from a thing.  You wonder why for you really liked it, but still it transpires that you don't go for it, even if your family and friends ridicule you for not taking the right decision. Eventually you come to know it was right and you thank God for it.  My friend there're hundreds of decisions we make in our lives and we're just not in a position to always be right; therefore, it's best to commit them to God and ask for His unfailing eye to be on all that we're involved with for then He will watch over you and make you lie down in green pastures even as He leads you to perfect peace.

Thoughts for another day

Sept. 12, 2012.

Today's verse: Ps. 107:1 O give thanks unto the LORD, for He is good: for His mercy endureth for ever. (KJV)

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

When I see our Scripture today, I feel a deep joy within me, something that's just inexpressible because it's so deep and it's because God is so good.  My friend, you may be sitting on the top of a huge problem and what I say here might sound so ridiculous to you right now, but then it stands; for God is good.  Like what people usually say, I'll not tell you, don't look at your problem, look at God; for I know how much the mind is clogged in misery when the chips are down and life is unbearable; where then, you might tell me, is the space in my mind to appreciate my situation.

When trials coming our way bring great pain with them, which whether we like or not, we have to bear, even keeping the faith is difficult.  Some days ago I was talking to this lady and she almost cried and told me that she suffers a lot of pain in her body – a pain she knew of after she and her husband met with an accident in which they were saved rather miraculously.  After patiently listening to her, all I could tell her is, maybe in your pain God wants you to reach out to those suffering similarly – a pain which only they who suffer from, know what it's like for its searing and ceaseless, brought about by the slightest movement of the hand or any part of the body.  How then is our above Scripture, to bring about that deep feeling of joy within these people; for they're so slain by pain!

But, remember, Jesus too went through excruciating pain and shame during the last hours before He died.  A pain, He could very well have escaped from; a pain, which was unnecessary for Him but very necessary for us.  The fact that He went through that pain, means there's something beyond, that pain which we must see no matter how dark the road ahead seems.  And if we but try, God will put that view in our hearts.  Then, though in pain, our soul will rejoice for it is able to understand that just beyond this life is its meeting with God.  A God Who will welcome you with arms open wide.  That's when the soul, even here on earth will say:  Oh, give thanks to the LORD for He is good and His love is everlasting.  

Thoughts for another day

Sept. 11, 2012.

Today's verse: Hos. 4:1. for the LORD hath a controversy with the inhabitants of the land, because there is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land. (KJV)

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When I look at the above Scripture, I wonder:  This Word we read today, it was of so long ago yet it's so relevant today and in fact even worse.   See the decay the world has slipped into: a cauldron of vile and evil existence filled with the snobbery of pseudo power.  A world where truth is an absolute casualty; and puffery and vain glory have gained the status of authority: all that we Christians are loathe to either behold or indulge in.  But look, how many of us Christians are also basking in the erroneous glory of counterfeit divinity meant to exalt man and glorify his virtues rather than Glorify God who alone is worthy of all glory and honor.  Where is the knowledge of God I ask!

Isn't it strange that men and women go about in this world without an iota of thought toward God and if it is, then it's to idols and heresies that merit trampling upon, rather than keeping on pedestals  to beg deification.  When I look at the idols and hear stories about how they came to be, I find them so putrid and horrifying.  The idols themselves need to be supported that they not fall, like the Word says, 'He nails down the idol so it will not topple' Is. 41:7.  But such is the degradation that man has slowly but surely fallen into, that he fails to see that the object of his worship is but trash not meant to be even set eyes upon.  There is no wisdom in the land, nor truth nor mercy.

I wonder what God Almighty holds in His mind for I can plainly see He cannot be pleased with what He sees and He is doubly incensed on us if being Christian, we still are infatuated by idols that mean nothing; if as Christians, we deify creations of wood and mud or gold and silver; creations that may look good but beyond that mean nothing.  For behold man's creation is nothing when compared to the breathtaking wisdom and creative force of Yahweh God, Creator of all things.  His creation has life in its very essence as He alone is the Giver of life and He alone can be exalted as the Architect of the universe.  As to vain images and cults, let them be damned in God's Consuming Fire.

Thoughts for another day

Sept. 10, 2012.

Today's verse: Mt. 5:20. For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven. (KJV)

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Today's moral standards are so hazy and blurred that if a strong wind of teaching blows in one direction, we're swayed in that direction because within us too, the yardstick for morality is constantly changing, toward the worse (what with our changing characteristics and aspirations), and therefore we accept doctrines that fall in line with our thinking at the moment.  Take for example, abortion.  Believe me, there're so many Christians around the world who're involved in it and don't think it wrong to do it, for after all they say, it can be very 'inconvenient'! 

There's so much filth in our churches it's really shocking.  The man sitting next to you robs the very company he's working in by buying sub-standard stuff on the job and getting paid for it by the supplier under the table; or the woman, so composed and dignified, who's an agent of a school, authorized to collect donations, etc. without anyone to check, because this woman has bribed officials to look the other way.  And you know what; they've such remarkable, reputations in the church; why? For they're the first to donate to it and the favorites of the pastor or priest!  In fact, what they say is approved by the clergyman, on even moral issues!  Such is the atrocious and blatant hypocrisy in the church of which, Christ is Head.

When I see this, I get so miffed, particularly because they're Christian; and also on the pastors and priests because they meander to the perversity of these people just because they have the money, looking beyond the fact that they don't live right lives!  Even small time preachers like me or other stalwarts of God aren't above board for the evil we harbor!  Therefore, I feel pity for the people who're subject to our 'oh-so-right' sermons or preaching.  For all of us, Christ has a terse message: unless your righteousness exceeds that of the Pharisees (the duplicators, the hypocrites and the con-artists) you cannot enter the Kingdom of heaven for there's no place for such. I remind myself too of the personal need to be holy and shun hypocrisy while teaching that which I don't practice.  Reminds me of what Jesus said, 'The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. So you must obey them and do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach.'  Mt. 23:2,3.

Thoughts for another day

Sept. 7, 2012.

Today's verse: Ps 4:4. Don’t sin by letting anger gain control over you. Think about it overnight and remain silent. (New Living Translation)

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

There're occasions in our day to day living when we're thrown on the borders of great fury and rage and it's at that time that we're most prone to sin; either in doing or saying something which we shouldn't and which can cause immense harm to the subject of our anger.  Our Scripture cautions us against this today and also tells us to reflect overnight about the thing that infuriated us.  This advice is so apt don't you agree?  For many times we realise after the great display of our anger that we were angry for nothing or something that's not worth being angry about. 

Anger in a man is his biggest problem, though he may not realise it at the time of his being angry and it can cause immense harm if not controlled.  It's very easy to get angry when things don't go our way or if someone does something that hurts our ego.  It's essential to know that God doesn't want us to be angry, which is what He tells us many times in His Word e.g. Eph. 4:31, Let all bitterness and wrath, and anger and clamor and evil speaking, be put away from you; and in other places too.

Anger also makes a man temporarily blind in that he is unable to see clearly or choose the right from the wrong and therefore it's possible that he bring great harm upon himself.  In any case I know that anger causes much misery upon self.   As children of God who believe in Him, we have to learn to curb our flashes of rage and put on a cloak of calm and this, even if we believe the other person to be wrong.  In the silence of our minds it's good to understand the issue; and certainly the morning will show that all is well.

Thoughts for another day

Sept. 6, 2012.

Today's verse: Job. 40:8. Wilt thou also disannul my judgment? wilt thou condemn me, that thou mayest be righteous? (KJV)

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

God's judgment is perfect, and in every way, He is right when He sentences.  David acknowledged it when he said, 'so that You are justified in Your sentence and blameless when You pass judgment'  Ps. 51.  Men of God know that the Lord God is perfect in His judgment for He is neither afraid of anyone and none can influence Him to render justice that's not congruent to the crime.  Only, He withholds judgment because His heart melts before a penitent heart and sincere tears of repentance.

There's no man who can cancel God's judgment nor negate it; for solid and certain is God's verdict made either in favor of or against man.  God is the God of right and there's no way He can be false for He is Truth Himself.  No man can condemn God, no matter what, for he is God's creation and God holds the right to make him this way or that.  No one can tell God what He may do for them, for no one has any authority before God: as in Isaiah 29:16, 'Shall the potter be regarded as the clay? Shall the thing made say of its maker, "He did not make me"; or the thing formed say of the one who formed it, "He has no understanding"?   

God even asks Job, 'will you condemn Me so you may seem to be righteous?'  What man is there who can be right before God and God be found wrong before him?  Even thinking of this, is bizarre for I can never conceive God to be wrong; for He is the all knowing one and what we're yet to come by in the future, He knows and He has given us examples in our lives whereby we learn this and understand.  All a man can do is go to Him in faith and cry before Him; and if he has any difficulty, tell God about it and surely God's cloak of mercy will cover the man and redeem him.  Amen.

Thoughts for another day

Sept. 5, 2012.

Today's verse: Mt. 19:21. Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me. (KJV)

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

In our Scripture, Jesus reveals the formula for being perfect and I'd say, not only before God, but even in the world.  Unfortunately, the world has it all wrong, in what constitutes happiness.  For the world, money, possessions, riches, fame, etc. mean happiness in life, but Jesus amplifies, life doesn't mean abundance of possessions, for greed is the fount of possessions and greed spawns a desperate intensity to possess more and more and can drive the sanest beyond the bounds of sanity.

For us who're the citizens of the Kingdom of God, possessions needn't mean hunger for them, but a means to bless others with.  In understanding the real purpose of why we're on earth and why God put us here, it's good if we grasp that God wants us to be here for He wants us to show ourselves as proven to be His inheritance.  He wants us to be His children, for in us He must, I repeat, He must behold His image and this through our constituting the Body of His Son Jesus Christ and just as in Jesus was found no blemish, so also we, the constituents of His Body should be absent from any stain that would tarnish the Holy Name of our Father.

Beloved, it's indeed a vain proposition, you may say: how can we go sell what we have and amass treasure in heaven and be paupers on earth; for then, on what shall we subsist; this may be your rationale and surely perhaps, the argument of the rich young man who stood before Jesus in his quest to lack nothing in gaining eternal life.  But do you think having said this; the Master will allow you to be high and dry with nothing in your pocket?  Remember, God asked Abraham to go sacrifice his son Isaac.  Tell me which is more difficult: For Abraham at age 121 (probably) to sacrifice his only son to whom God had made all those promises; or for the rich man, who was young, to sell all his riches to attain heavenly treasure?  You'll certainly pick the task of the rich man as easier but when God puts the same challenge in our lives, what do we choose?  Yeah, I know, it's easy for me to write this and for you to read it, but extremely difficult to do.  But that's what our life should comprise of: shedding every desire for earthly things, and striving through to heavenly gain.  The path may not be smooth, but He who walked on water is there to hold you.  Just get moving.

Thoughts for another day

Sept. 4, 2012.

Today's verse: Ex. 32:33. And the LORD said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book. (KJV)

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

There's a 'book' God wrote before the beginning of all creation, even before the foundation of the world (cf Rev. 17:8, 'the inhabitants of the earth whose names have not been recorded in the Book of Life from the foundation of the world…') wherein are noted, the names of all who will live eternal life with the Lamb of God as His Word says, 'But nothing unclean will enter it (the new Jerusalem), nor anyone who practices abomination or falsehood, but only those who are written in the Lamb's book of life' Rev. 21:27.  As sure as we know God is, we must be aware of this book; and when we attain to a certain age, we get an inkling of whether our names are in it or not and what prompted our names to be there.  I reckon we who believe in Christ and do what He commands are there in His Book of life and it's our obedience to His will that puts us there, rather than anything we did, for God loves obedience more than any other thing.

This Book was written before the foundation of the world which means God knows what we're going to be doing much before we actually get about doing it and on earth we play our role, that is live our life, either to be in the Book or get blotted out of it. And, blotting out is possible because God tells Moses that He will blot out those who sin against Him.  Conversely, if I may daresay, God would also add in the Book, those whose names are perhaps not there and this because of His great love and mercy which will always be in Him as His nature, for He is a Holy God and He never changes.

To us it means, our proclamation of the Gospel will never go vain for from it will be written atleast one name in God's Book of life.  It must be our active effort to give Christ to the world, even to those who have maligned Him and done harm to His people in the past, so as to bring this person's name into the Book.  For, God desires all men to be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth.   The intensity of our effort today must increase and we pray to the Holy Spirit to make us fleet footed so that our feet move faster toward the giving of the Gospel for the end is to come soon.  Thus will God be pleased with us and say, 'Well done good and faithful servant.'

Thoughts for another day

Sept. 3, 2012.

Today's verse: Ps. 139:6. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it. (KJV)

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

There's 'knowledge', beyond man's capacity for he's too little to obtain it as David implies in our Scripture.  A 'knowledge' God promises He will reveal to us, Jer. 33:3 'Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.'  It's this 'knowledge', we must attain for its right on the pathway to God, leading us to know Him.  For once we've known God, or are known of God…Gal. 4:9, Christ will accept us as known to Him. If we don't know Him, then He doesn't know us and He says, 'I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity Mt:7:23.'

Every true believer must strive toward this 'knowledge' because it's the true fruit of our faith where we start seeing God both in us and around us, the way our Lord and Master, Jesus, saw God in all His dimensions; which is why He could walk on water for He knew God has control over water (and deep inside if you know it, you can harness God's power, and also control it).  Jesus never shied away from working a miracle because He knew God and things of God; a 'knowledge' of the possibility of all things by the Holy Spirit of God.  You know when I think of Adam's folly, an effort to know between good and evil; I find his desire so insipid compared with what God had given him, i.e. Himself.  Adam was able to stand before God and see in Him, as through clear water, a reflection of all glory, all possibility.  Can you grasp this, for if you do then, like David who probably got just a fraction of this 'knowledge', you could also echo, 'such knowledge is too wonderful for me!'

To attain to this 'knowledge' it's essential to be holy.  Without holiness it's impossible to even see it as it floats in our imagination as little dots which God pours into our minds to evoke our desires to grasp it because of His mercy and because He wants us to have this 'knowledge'.  It can only be attained by meeting Him in the dark and holy place like Elijah did on Mount Horeb.  In that instant, the boundary between knowledge and lack of it, vanishes.  It's then that we see clearly to walk with God and we no longer focus on our problems because the 'knowledge' shatters our problems before the 'Awesomeness' of God.  It leads us into the heavenly realms where we can see His holy angels attired in flaming garments: praising Him eternally.  It releases us from the corrupt earthen vessels we're in and lift us up with our heavenly bridal garments before the Holy of holies to gaze in awe at the Lamb of God at the right hand of the Father, dwelling in unapproachable light and worship Him!  For He is our God, our Bridegroom. Amen.