Thoughts for another day

Oct. 31, 2012.

Today's verse: Is. 26:13. O LORD our God, other lords than You have ruled us; it is from You only that we can call upon Your Name. (New American Bible)

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

Earthly masters rule over us and lord it upon us but the only Master we love and we worship is the Master who loves us and gave Himself for us.  From Him is our soul refreshed; our beings are rejuvenated by His open hand and His providence.  He alone has a solution for both our temporal and eternal needs for He has made us and He knows us intimately and thus also knows our need, both in this world and in the eternal.

What can our earthly masters give us?  Only pain.  Look at the common man in any part of the world.  His existence is marked by the generosity and sympathy of the ones who rule him.  If his rulers want, they can destroy him completely and for this they don't even need a reason but that, he held them in contempt.  And this isn't the situation only in dictatorships but even in the so called 'civilized' and democratic nations of the world, where the values of yesterday have eroded and instead greed and filth have filled the minds of politicians who'll do anything to keep their chairs intact.  For them, people's lives are expendable and they have such a superior attitude as if they own the world.  The best thing is no matter which party they're from, they're equally the same and corrupt.

What they give you as reward for your honesty is but crumbs while they retain the whole portion.  They can never give you pure joy or happiness for they themselves are not purely joyous or happy.  When you compare them to our heavenly Father, they appear to be hell's emissaries and before the brilliance of our God in heaven, they pale into total insignificance.   But our God, He is so beautiful and awesome.  When He says something, He keeps His Word and He is always there for us and the best part is He has the time for us and He listens to us.  Though He is so awesome and brilliant, He yet comes to us and is with us and though we are not meant to be the dust on which His foot treads, He yet enables us to call Him by Name and also say, 'Our Father'.

Thoughts for another day

Oct. 30, 2012.

Today's verse: Psalm 97:11. Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart. (KJV)

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

The LORD God is above all the earth and He is exalted far above all gods.   He is lifted high in every area and He knows every nook and corner of space.  Those who love Him, keep from evil and He preserves their souls.  He keeps them from the wicked and is a shield for them against all who're their enemies.  No one can triumph over them for He guards them and keeps them.

The Lord is mindful of those who're His and declares His plan for them so that they can live according to His will and He fills them with good things and leads them to full lives.  They experience the trials He sends but in all their trials He is there with them.  In their pain and suffering He abides with them and His gaze never leaves them as He said, 'I will never forsake nor leave you.'  He suffers with their pain for He is so close to them but after the trial is over; He raises them aloft and showers them with His blessings.

While they live on this earth, He adds the most essential ingredients in their lives: gladness of heart and brilliance wherever they are, that show they're really blessed. He sends forth His light upon them which means they're never in the dark with their lives illuminated by the light of the face of God keeping them from every ungodly thing and every snare of the enemy.  Their hearts are filled with the glow of joy that can come only from God.  In this are their lives able to experience heaven on earth and who can take it away from them, for the darts of the evil one cannot penetrate the armor that God sets around their lives.  Surely, blessed is the man who is right before God for he will surely be with God eternally.

Thoughts for another day

Oct. 29, 2012.

Today's verse: Hosea 4:1. Hear the word of the LORD, ye children of Israel: 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)

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

In the comfort of our homes, ensconced with what I might call, 'ourselves' we're so insulated to the world outside and what's happening there.  Most of us don't know of the evil that's pervaded every nook and corner of the lives of people around the globe and those of us who do, are like ostriches with heads buried in the sand, not wanting to know further because it doesn't concern us.  But really it's alarming and like the surface of the ocean bed, tranquil and serene; though the turbulence at the bottom is waiting to be unleashed suddenly on its surface.

Now what is God saying to us?  I recall our Word today: The LORD has a controversy with the inhabitants of the earth: because there's no truth, no mercy and above all no knowledge of God at all!  Don't kid yourself that people know God; they don't!  If we open our eyes, we'll see the earth filled with the wickedness of man.  We'll notice the greed and selfishness among so called good people; even among Christians.  We'll realise that men have turned into brutes and there' nothing called sympathy in the fabric of society; just a wee bit short of a 'dog eat dog' situation, man has plumbed the depths as far as rightness is concerned and has invented new ways of looking right, one of them by saying: everybody does this, so what's wrong in it?  People do all kinds of evil and then tag along with the so called priests and pastors who because of the money they receive from them, speak in glowing terms about these people. 

Preachers out there preach comfort and prosperity, when they should be preaching judgment and repentance because they don't want to upset the apple cart which delivers their 'BREAD'.  Nothing inconvenient you know, because we all sin, right?  WRONG!  We all sin but someone must stand and tell that we're sinners and we need repentance; and this even if the person who says it is himself a sinner, but he must be the first to repent.  Oh, I shudder to think what will happen to the world on God's appointed day…Of this I am sure, it will be terrible.  I can say for sure, the time will come and soon when God will shake this earth and make it a place of torment.  The thing that men hankered after will become dross and the cause of tribulations for them who hankered for it.  Yea, retribution is on its way my friend.  Make sure you're right with God: NOW; else, you'll be swept away; blown into oblivion.

Thoughts for another day

Oct. 26, 2012.

Today's verse: Gal. 2:20. and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. (KJV)

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

When you meet the wise of the world, they usually ask a simple question, 'What do you do?'  We have different answers: some might say, I'm an engineer, another, I'm a doctor, and another, I'm an architect and so on.  Those in the priestly ministry ordained by a church may say, 'I'm a priest/ pastor' or some such thing.  But suppose you ask someone the question and he says, 'I'm a man waiting on the Lord', then you might be a little curious for you know this man is neither ordained nor recognized as a man of God!  Besides, you may say, aren't priests/pastors, and others ordained for Ministry also waiting on the Lord?  Will you take his word at face value and believe him?

While I don't want to draw any distinction here because it would be improper to list an ordained person as part of those who're ritualistic, lacking zeal for God and His work; besides, it's an individual thing.  Each person is called by God to do something for Him and it could be anything.  For that matter, a beggar singing a hymn on the sidewalk while begging, could be an evangelist through his hymn and perhaps far better than most of us.  Atleast he isn't ashamed of the Lord and is ready to take His Name before others while confirming that He trusts the Lord for his daily bread.  Our Scripture today refers to such people who live solely by faith in Jesus Christ, knowing that He loves them and will never forsake them.  And when a man says that he doesn't have any profession but is waiting on the Lord, I aver it would tantamount to trusting the Lord fully to sustain him.

It speaks of a man who lives in Christ, while living in the flesh; and he lives by faith in the Son of God, who came to meld Himself into the human race, for He loved us much and by it also He gave Himself for us.  It's because we care for Him that we love and not because we have love in us.  We do things to please Him, not to please ourselves; for if we did and chased after human pleasure we need remember that every pleasure that's pleasurable now, turns boring in the future and something else is required.  But if our pleasure comes out of our lives set aside for Jesus Christ, then the pleasure will be lasting and His peace will reign in our hearts and no storm on earth will snatch that peace away for Jesus will watch over us and He will rejoice over us with joy; He will rest in the love He has for us and He will joy over us with singing!  Imagine, this from a God so awesome and brilliant whose Name to take is but a privilege given to us by Him so that we may commune and be one with Him.

Thoughts for another day

Oct. 25, 2012.

Today's verse: Deut. 7:21. Thou shalt not be affrighted at them: for the LORD thy God is among you, a mighty God and terrible. (KJV)

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

As we move in life, we're invariably faced with situations that're difficult or at times insurmountable or even impossible and dangerous.  We're usually left to fight with whatever we have as our arms and we hope we'll come out of the circumstance unscathed.  Most of us have something or other which has threatened to put us down in the past; or at the moment is choking us; or as we see it, will flog us in the future.

I'll speak of a man who invested all his money in a unique opportunity while working, seeking good returns after he retired.  Soon, he learnt the opportunity which seemed so good was like a wooden box, eaten up by termites.  His dreams of returns vanished and he was even unsure of getting back the money he invested.  Because of this, he suffered a paralytic stroke, lost control over his left arm and was barely able to speak.  Frustrated, he thought if he could, he would end his life.  By the time a year passed, all his savings dried up and both he and his wife were left to the mercy of his son, who provided hardly enough money to survive.  Now what could he do in this state?

Then there're those working in organizations on the brink of disaster.  They're staring at an unsure future and don't know what's going to happen. What do we do when faced with these situations?  Where do we go for help and who'll help us?  Yet, there is One Whom we can go to – Our Father in heaven.  The world may reject us but He is there to help.  In our Scripture today, we see Him tell the Israelites not to be scared of their enemies for He who is among them is a mighty God and 'terrible'.  As long as we remember this, we're safe for we know, He is Almighty and that He is 'terrible' to the ones who torment us; i.e. an enemy, or a problem or whatever.  We must realise that the Most High, the LORD GOD of Hosts is with us and when He is with us, who or what can put us down.  So, even if you're fighting the demon of your trouble right now, bring a smile to your lips and cast that demon to God.  He will restore you.

Thoughts for another day

Oct. 24, 2012.

Today's verse: Lk. 24:45 Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. (NIV – copyright ack.)

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

Taking a cue from our reflection yesterday, we find today that even understanding Scripture is a gift from God and it's possible to understand clearly by the wisdom He puts into us.  Nothing in Scripture is contributed by the person who wrote it. St. Peter endorses it in saying, 2 Pet. 1:20, 'Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation.'  Of course here we know that most of Scripture for us is what is to be in our lives and can be held to be prophetical as we live our lives; and God's Word is not something that the writer of Scripture can either conjure up or determine and he himself is subject to God's Word for it is to him also.  

As you read Scripture you're often hit by sentences that're completely incredulous and meaningless.  For e.g. Mark 9:35, 'If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all', how do we understand this?  By worldly sense we know that if you want to be first you cannot be last for then how can you be first?  But Jesus is speaking of the desire of man's heart to be first in His Kingdom, for that, the person has to be last in the world.  Even after Scripture is revealed by the Spirit of God, many still don't understand, as the eyes of their minds are blinded by the god of this world.

Similarly, there're instances in the Bible which seem to be confusing as you read and I'm sure you too would be unclear as to what it means just like the Ethiopian eunuch (Acts 8:27ff) who is reading from Isaiah and not able to understand, 'Who was led like sheep to the slaughter.'  And the Lord led Philip to go explain to him; and he not only understood it but being so touched by the Spirit of God, he even asked to be baptized!  Such is the force of God's opening of His Word in our lives and when He does, the whole event becomes so real.  I have been led up the streets of Galilee with Jesus while He preached and cured and was with David as he hid in the caves trying to escape Saul.  My friend, when you read Scripture today, let it be really, really, real to you and if it is not, ask God to open the eyes of your mind so that you may worship Him in His Word.

Thoughts for another day

Oct. 23, 2012.

Today's verse: Dan. 2:22. He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him. (KJV)

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

The average Christian or believer hardly knows anything about times and things, both seen and unseen, than anyone else on earth.  I used to wonder when I read our Scripture verse, what're the deep and hidden things?  What does God know that lie in darkness?  To be honest, I still wonder and am amazed at the things that are, or shall I say, are not.

Lest you get confused, let me clarify: once, Aram's king sends a strong force of men to capture Elisha, the prophet of God and they go surround the place.  In the morning when Elisha's servant goes out, he spots them and scared out of his wits asks Elisha, 'oh my lord what shall we do?  Elisha simply answers, 'don't be afraid, those with us are more than they!'  Elisha prays to God to open his eyes and the servant is then able to see the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha!   2 Ki. 6:17. In another episode, our Master and Lord, Jesus goes to cure Jairus' daughter.  Even while on the way, some men come from Jairus' house and tell him, 'your daughter is dead, why bother the Teacher anymore?'  Jesus ignores them and moves ahead and as He reaches the house, he meets with commotion, crying and wailing, which makes Him say, 'why this commotion and wailing?  The child is not dead but asleep!'   They laugh at Him, but He goes and raises her up, Mk. 5:35 ff. 

We think: what did Elisha and Jesus see that the others didn't?  But it shouldn't be surprising to us, who know God for we also know that when it concerns God and His realm, there're many hidden things that God may reveal to His people.  Here's what we read in the Bible: The LORD reflected, 'shall I hide from Abraham, what I AM about to do,' Gen. 18:17; this before God destroys Sodom and Gomorrah.  So you see there're things out there, both intriguing and amazing and God knows them all as even light dwells with Him.  Because He knows, in His mercy, He may reveal what is there or what is to happen to those who're dear to Him as they're mindful of Him.  The revelation however, is not so that we may waste the knowledge, but that we put it to good use for the glory of God.

Thoughts for another day

Oct. 22, 2012.

Today's verse: Is. 49:16. Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me. (KJV)

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

Jack was on the hospital bed, pipes and machines connected everywhere.  Though in pain, there was a certain numbness; he wanted to give in to that numbness and go into limbo as he knew deep within, he wasn't going to survive that motorcycle accident.  Finally, after all his life of daredevilry, the laws of justice had caught up with him even as he crashed into the truck ahead.  His life of just 32 years whirled before him in a flash: the debauchery and filth that accompanied it, made him nauseous even in the limp condition he was.  It seemed to him as being a different person on that hospital bed

Pain, nerve wracking pain, arose at the least movement he made and in that pain, the word 'God' came on his lips, a word he shunned all his life.  For his circle of degenerate friends, God was nonexistent; period.  His mind went to his childhood friend Joe whom he had recently met and ridiculed as holy Joe.  He had felt awkward to even talk to Joe for Joe had nothing on his lips except God.  This God, that God and all God.  In fact, Joe's 'God talk' rankled him so, that he asked him to shut up and leave God out of their conversation.  But Joe couldn't and though Jack wanted to move on, something made him stick to that restaurant seat where Joe had joined him and told him about God's love and mercy. 

In the haze of his aching mind, Jack could clearly remember one line that Joe mentioned in that very tiring conversation:  See he had told him, God has carved you in the palm of His hand!  Jack had laughed heartily for he found it so funny.  He sneered at Joe saying, 'Man, if God has carved each person's name on His palm, His palm would be a mess of names and aching with the pain of carving!'  But now that same line stuck in his mind.  With great effort he was able to direct his thought away from the pain and to God.  He said, 'God, I've always ridiculed you, but if what Joe said is right, then forgive me for being such a pain and for mocking you so much.  Now if you will, take me away for I'm suffering so much.'  The nurse, attending on him suddenly saw a light on Jack's face and his otherwise contorted face smoothed to bear a smile: a genuine and bright smile.  Then Jack's heart stopped beating and his pulse fell but the smile didn't leave his face.  The transaction was complete. God had once again proved that He keeps His Word.

Thoughts for another day

Oct. 19, 2012.

Today's verse: Matt. 15:13. But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up. (KJV)

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

When we reach unto the Divine, we learn that all things are decided by God even to the choice of following Jesus Christ for Jesus said, 'No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him', Jn. 6:44.  God decides, based on your response even before the foundation of the world, who is to be His and who isn't.  In this background, our Scripture verse makes for very interesting reflection for remember, there're many out there going in the Name of our Precious Lord, but don't have a mandate from Him.

Only the man who is planted by God has His message and only his message comes to pass for God gives him the message and accomplishes all that He says. But, as to the man who goes without God's ordination, well, whatever he says is of no consequence for it is of him and not of God.  I recall in the Bible, at the time when Jeremiah prophesied evil on the Jews, there was this prophet Hananiah who prophesied relief in contrast to Jeremiah.  God commands Jeremiah to tell him and the people that because Hananiah has prophesied relief, their punishment will be more severe; and Jeremiah also tells him, Jer. 28:15, 16, 'Listen, Hananiah! The LORD has not sent you, yet you've persuaded this nation to trust in lies. Therefore, this is what the LORD says: ‘I am about to remove you from the face of the earth. This very year you are going to die, because you have preached rebellion against the LORD.'  Hananiah dies in the same year.

Many people wish to serve the Lord and their intentions may be sincere, but in their eagerness to please people who're suffering etc. they resort to false words of comfort, even using God's promises in His Word to do that.  There's nothing wrong in using God's promises to encourage people; but standing as a prophet of God, and telling them their maladies have vanished as of that moment, is impersonation of God's man and perhaps, violation of His will.  Punishment can be drastic; maybe even, death.  I've learnt over time that impersonation of the prophet of God, (even if ordained by God but your time hasn't come), can have harmful consequences.  It's better to wait for God to raise you up if He has set you for Ministry and then move.  Then the results will follow and then will the people of God praise Him for His work, even done on your word.  On the other hand if you're not chosen by God to do His work, don't even think about it for it may cause you much harm; in this case you can just pray, for in that you'll be able to please God.

Thoughts for another day

Oct. 18, 2012.

Today's verse: Rev. 1:17. And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: (KJV)

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

Sometimes when in prayer, many people feel that sudden lifting of spirit beyond the normal realm to that where the Lord and Master, Jesus Christ abides.  I might add, they're lifted to virtually feel and know Him intensely because they have sought Him and they meet Him; for His Word says, And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart; Jer. 29:13.

That moment is one of the most beautiful and intense moments, for suddenly you can feel the glory of God and you realise how great His Majesty is and before that Majesty, you can only cringe and fall on your knees or prostrate yourself, for really, you can feel, how utterly worthless you are before the LORD God, the King of the Universe.  Now, John the apostle who was given the vision of what is to happen and which He faithfully noted down, says that when He saw Jesus, he fell at His feet as though dead!  Remember, this was the same John who walked and talked and ate with Jesus the Man, when He was on earth and I'm sure they would have had long conversations every now and then.  But, see what happens to John when Jesus reveals His glory to Him: He falls down prostrate like he were dead. 

As I said above, when you're lifted into that Godly realm, your spirit within sings with awe and your soul knows, here is the awesome and great One and His beauty is unimaginable and He is standing before you and looking at you.  In that moment, you want to debase yourself so much before Him.  You just want to be emptied of all your false vanity and pride.  And they both vanish.  What remains is only your sorrowing heart, seeking to draw from Him, life and love.  And you feel His gentle touch, re-assuring you and filling you with confidence and hope.

Thoughts for another day

Oct. 17, 2012.

Today's verse: 2 Chr. 33:13. And when he prayed, the LORD listened to him and was moved by his request for help. So the LORD let Manasseh return to Jerusalem and to his kingdom. Manasseh had finally realized that the LORD alone is God! (New Living Translation – copyright ack.)

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

Manasseh, a wicked king led the people of Judah and Jerusalem to do more evil than the pagan nations the Lord had driven out when He brought the children of Israel into Canaan.   Therefore, the Lord sent the Assyrian armies to destroy him and they did much harm to Manasseh and led him to Babylon (2 Ch. 33:9-11).  Then an amazing thing happened; in his deep distress, Manasseh sought the Lord God and greatly humbled himself before God.  So deep was his entreaty that our Scripture today tells us that the LORD heard him and was moved by his request for help.

When I see this, I look up to the sky and tell the Lord:  In you I have hope.  Not because He keeps the heart to forgive and so I can sin again and again and seek His forgiveness; but because often, I sin without knowing what I do and when I'm pained in my soul for the sin I committed, I know I can hope in Him for just as He forgave Manasseh and helped him, He will forgive and help me too.

This confidence I have in God and I know that no matter how far we go from Him, He is always ready to welcome us back and even if we have grieved Him seriously, He is indeed moved when we lay our hearts in abject surrender and cry before Him because of the pain of our suffering, a suffering that came to us because of our rash attitude with Him; yet, He lets bygones be bygones and is eager about the new beginning we pledge to Him.  Such is our God, the Holy and Mighty One of Israel.  With Him as your God, you can have hope for He is a God Who is the fount of hope, always.

Thoughts for another day

Oct. 16, 2012.

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

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

There're times we think about our lives in the backdrop of dying and being united with the Lord.  When we reflect and assess honestly, we see ourselves as, but a web of sin and folly.  However if we're blinded by the rationale of the world, we see that it gives a perfect reason for our blemishes.  For example if you envy, they'll tell you it's only natural for its only then that you'll work toward achieving more.  If you gossip, they'll say its okay, for the person you gossip against, deserves to be maligned as she's so disgusting!  If you want to trust God completely, the world has a standard answer: See, you first trust yourself and then God will stretch His hand to help you.  The principles on which the world functions go on and on and usually against the teaching of God.  But sin, well, sin is sin and whether you talk of it as sin or not, deep inside you know that it is; and that someday you'll have to account for it before the Father of lights. 

As young people, we don't often think much of this as we feel there's an eternity to come to that point in life.  It's only when we cross the age of 60 that we start thinking seriously about these things for health fails and the bones creak. And the reality of the exit wakes us up in the night, profusely sweating and scared.  It's at these times that we honestly try to do something about the sinful lives we've lived.  It doesn't mean we don't sin any more, but atleast we begin to recognize that sin is the block to God's gift of eternal life for us.  Some of us even wonder, how can we be right before God?

I too often ponder on this question, and I think: at the appointed time for my exit from this world, will I be ready to meet my Savior, my God!  Believe me; it's frightening to think of standing before the 'Consuming Fire' and a great thing to meet Him face-to-face.  I'm confident that Jesus through His great sacrifice for me has also taken care of my final destination.  His death on the Cross signaled God to begin a good work in me and He will move to take care of it till the day of Jesus Christ.  Make no mistake, God will fend for you and save you from every catastrophe that hurts your soul; you need to believe this and joy will fill your heart when you realise what a great God you serve.

Thoughts for another day

Oct. 15, 2012.

Today's verse: Jer. 17:7. Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is. (KJV)

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

I've maintained that trusting in the Lord at all costs is the hallmark of a man whose spirit has been in touch with the Lord's Spirit and through the injection of faith the Holy Spirit gives him, this man is able to rise above the muck he is in and see the hand of God beyond the muck, as raised by Him out of the muck and to a new high of glory; actually living Heb. 11:1 which says, 'faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.' 

To have a mind that holds on to faith in the rigors of fire and water, is really, really a great thing for I tell you, if you've gone through such a situation, you know what it means.  Its one thing to sit, when the soul is in peace and declare 'I trust the Lord'; and quite another to sit, when the soul is in turmoil and declare, 'I am saved by the Lord', note, the word is 'saved' not 'will be saved'.  That's why our Scripture calls such a man blessed.  And certainly blessed is he who trusts in the Lord, who has put his hope in God and neither rain nor shine can take away the hope in his heart which stands firm in YAHWEH God, King and Owner of the universe.

In this context, I recall a friend who runs an NGO who had some difficulty with the tax authorities in India for the grant of 'tax exemption certificate' for those who donate to the NGO.  He had a bad time with a senior tax official, who was deadly against Christians and who saw red when he saw the request for the exemption certificate and refused to grant it.  This friend and his Christian brothers and sisters trusted God and many prayers were offered seeking God's intervention in this matter.  God intervened and eventually, this friend got the certificate.  See, they who trust in the Lord and put their hope in Him will be recognized and rewarded by Him.  Today, if you have a situation just beyond your ability to handle, fear not; for if you trust in Him, the LORD God Almighty, He will intervene and He will deliver.  Just stay steady in your trust and you too will be blessed because you trust Him and have put your hope in Him.

Thoughts for another day

Oct. 12, 2012.

Today's verse: Eph. 1:17. That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: (KJV)

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

There are Christians and followers of Christ and then again there are Christians and followers of Christ.  A brief meeting with them and one can easily make out, who are for Christ and who are the pseudo ones who know not Him, Whose Name they take, for not everyone is given the inner knowledge of God, without which it's impossible to live a life pleasing to Him.

The point of what I'm to write today is– when you know God, you're a different person: You just know one thing…LIFE IS GOOD!  This knowledge, none can take from you for its not surfacial knowledge, rather it's embedded deep inside a man's heart by which he's able to do and live according to faith in his God, whom he knows and worships.  This knowledge is awesome for God is awesome.  The life one leads in the knowledge of God, is unshaken by the cyclones of the world: be it a job loss, an incurable illness, death of a loved one, or a major slur on one's character.  No matter what the irritable or painful issue is, the smile on the face doesn't change to a sigh for when you look at the countenance of the Almighty, El Shaddai; you know that He can and will intervene in ways so powerful, that the load which one bears will be lifted in an instant.

I know of a man who went through much in life; failure after failure, trial after trial; yet, never lost the smile on his face for he used to tell me, 'you see the God I worship…well, He is no ordinary God and He knows how to step into my life at the right moment and correct all the faults that I face and free me of all burden.'  Such is what I call 'Exquisite Knowledge' of our God: Knowledge, so powerful that nothing can shake you; nor can anything can move or frighten you.  And my friend, such is the knowledge that Paul prays for us in our Scripture today.  I too pray that you can find this knowledge of God which can see you through the storms that thrash your life and bring you to the calm shore.  In that situation you'll know what victory in life through God means, and life will be worth living.

Thoughts for another day

Oct. 11, 2012.

Today's verse: Eccl. 12:13. Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. (KJV)

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

I'm reading a book by Philip Yancey where he speaks on the Book of Ecclesiastes.  He alludes to various commentaries to present the writer of the Book as a 'set-up' job meaning: he constantly refers to the futility of life and how everyone's end is the same no matter if he is a fool or wise; if he is rich or poor.  So when you read the Book you wonder, what's the reason for it all?  What's the purpose of the Book and what are the lessons it gives?  The major mind block in understanding the Book is its lack of purpose in life and its sundry approach to all things, for example: Nothing is new under the sun, 1:9; and another: for in much wisdom, there is much sorrow, and he who stores up knowledge, stores up grief! 1:18. 

What are we to make of the rather unorthodox wisdom of this book such as, 'Then I realized that it is good and proper for a man to eat and drink, and to find satisfaction in his toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given him—for this is his lot' 5:17.  This may startle you and you may wonder, what instruction is this Book giving me; and how is it useful for my spiritual build-up.  Does it provide any hinge to latch on to and obtain God's wisdom?  What Philip Yancey writes further may help, which is somewhat like, 'the author (of Eccl.) merely leads the reader along demonstrating the futility of life, as though he were secular, believing not in God and then he finally springs the truth he believes all along, engraving our Scripture above as his message, Fear God and keep His commandments.

No matter what we may think of Ecclesiastes, Philip Yancey, in revealing that man's purpose has to be in serving God, has hit the nail on its head for that's what it's all about:  The whole duty of man is to fear God and to keep His commandments!  That's His purpose in life.  Things may happen as they do, life may continue and it may just be a cycle of what has happened earlier, yet, you'll see that the inner being of man is still the same, as it was yesterday and it will be the same tomorrow.  Only circumstances change; but for man, it's not the circumstances, but the net residue of substance in his heart that makes him; and that is what he is.  In effect, a life dedicated to God is a life perfumed with abundance and lived fully.  For only with God can you find meaning in an otherwise meaningless world, and live a meaningful life…everything else is vanity, a chase after the wind.

Thoughts for another day

Oct. 10, 2012.

Today's verse: John 11:15. And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him. (KJV)

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

What do you think my friend; is God always there?  Is He there in good and bad times?  Does He see our happiness interspersed with our sorrow?  Is He there in every facet of our lives?  Does He care about us?  There're these and many other questions particularly when we look into the deep dark hole, from which we know not how to escape.  You know, we may not be bothered about God being with us when things are good and there's peace in the meadow of our lives as we sing to the strains of the wind and mimic the moves of the swaying grass.  But the question of God's Presence arises when bad times hit; and when they refuse to move away like a juggernaut of brute force.

I look back at the face of Christ, a frail man on the Cross when He uttered, 'My God, My God, why have You forsaken me?'  I think, if God can forsake His Own Son, what about me?'  Many religious ones may want to slap my mouth shut, but believe me, the question lingers for when a man is in misery, it's simply too much to accept that even God isn't there.  I ask, isn't it incredible that God isn't there in the darkest moments of life, particularly when you need Him most?  But, deep inside, my spirit may be in pain, yet it knows, 'what God says, God will do…' And God says, 'I AM with you always.'  Moses, a man who knew God said it, Deut. 31:6. The writer of the letter to the Hebrews repeated it, Heb. 13:5.  Above all the Master said it just as He was to ascend to where He came from, Matt. 28:20.

Now another doubt, when Lazarus was unwell, about to die, where was the Master?  He was aware of his illness, so why did He not go to Bethany?  The answer lies in our Scripture above.  For God to do a great deed in your life, He needs a desperate situation.  Without it, can you know how great He is?  Think of all the great works of God in the bible and even in the lives of people around you.   They were manifest when the situation seemed beyond repair.  My friend, God waits in silence when you suffer most for He wants to show His mighty hand in a manner you never expected or thought was possible.  Remember, God is always there; He is never away on a vacation.  Because you are His child, He wants to reward awesomely and He allows you to suffer a bit so then He can step in; just as Jesus stepped in four days after Lazarus died and raised him up!  Imagine the sight near the tomb and the disbelief as Lazarus walked out in burial cloths.  So too, know that God will work greatly only when you trust Him the utmost.  Don't dither between the fear the world will put in you and the fledgling faith you have, rather like Job say, 'My Redeemer lives' Job 19:25.

Thoughts for another day

Oct. 9, 2012.

Today's verse: Is.30:18. And therefore will the LORD wait, that he may be gracious unto you, and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you: for the LORD is a God of judgment: blessed are all they that wait for him.  (KJV)

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

Because of our wanton disobedience to God and His will for us, He is forced to chastise us; maybe by sending a trial so we again turn to Him and do as He wills.  God does this, not because He delights in sending us tribulation as retribution, but because He is concerned that we stray from the path which He has, by His Own Sovereign Authority, adjudged as the path by which we can adhere to eternity.  God knows which road is best for us in life as He knows our tomorrows from our todays and He can see everything.  It's akin to a parent seeing his child walking on the treacherous path and sharply pushes the child away from impending danger on that path.   That sharp pushing may hurt the child a little, but actually saves it from danger.   God is also like that; but He e Hewill never push us so as to break us and He knows what our breaking point is!

Even when we're tormented by the trials He sends us, in our weariness and pain we may not even look at Him, but He is waiting that He may be gracious to us.  He wants us to just take that little step toward Him and then He comes forth, racing to us.  For in the praise of our lips which we freely give Him because we've received His mercies and blessings, He is exalted and praised in the earth. 

Sometimes in our acute pain, it becomes really, really difficult to know that God really loves us for we see the trouble we're in and wonder, 'If God really loves me, why does He send me trials?'  If we can wait awhile, even as we turn from our disobedient ways and run to Him, we will see that He will deliver us from evil and raise us on high for He is a God of judgment and while His judgment decrees our punishment, His mercy takes hold of us and brings us back to be united with Him and live in His bosom all our days.

Thoughts for another day

Oct. 8, 2012.

Today's verse: Is. 14:27. For the LORD of hosts hath purposed, and who shall disannul it? and his hand is stretched out, and who shall turn it back? (KJV)

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

Sometimes when I contemplate on God, just gazing at His face, trying to understand Him, I ask, 'what are You O Lord? And what am I to make of You?'  I don't get an answer for He will never answer this in words but He gives experiences which one could say, are comparable to the experience of the man caught up in the third heaven, of which Paul mentions in 2 Cor. 12:2. 

God is soooooooooooo… everything; Awesome and fiercely burning, sharp and illuminating, fiery and brilliant, etc. on one side; and on the other, soft and gentle, tender and loving, beautiful and gracious and so on.  My friend, when you're caught up in the vortex of Divine atmosphere, there's so much you learn of God, but at the same time, there's so much you don't understand.  You realise, it's not for you to understand, but just absorb and enjoy.   In Scripture today, we see the awesomeness of God and the tremendous power that is in His train.  He is the epitome of power (perhaps, the word epitome is incorrect for it's too human and God is infinitely beyond human gauging) and He can do anything.  There's no one who can thwart His plans and none to question His work; for who can stand before His blazing countenance?

But you know, it is His awesomeness, His loving nature, His supreme holiness that cut the smoldering despair in my heart and put hope there.  It's in the knowledge that God can do anything and all things are possible for Him that I continue on my journey of the unknown.  I know that any moment He can reach out and pull me out of the mire I've pushed myself into; and perhaps it was His plan that I get pushed into the mire so that when He releases me from it by doing a great thing for me, it will give me reason to believe and glorify Him more and more.  For, it is in praise coming forth from a mouth which has experienced God's goodness, that is tuneful and creates a pleasant harmony before men and a fragrant perfume before the Owner of heaven and earth.

Thoughts for another day

Oct. 5, 2012.

Today's verse: Ro. 3:23, 24. For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: (KJV)

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

Today, as we talk of Grace, which we find in our Scripture, let us before anything understand Grace in the perspective of a fallen creation.  Every human being, no matter who he is, born of the seed of man, after Adam, is corrupt and a sinner falling short of God's glory.  In that state, there's nothing he can do to attain unto the kingdom of God for even a single stain, were it even the stain of Adam's sin, isn't permitted to stand before the awesome holiness of God who is so pure, as to repel the slightest taint.

But God wants all of us to come to enjoy His companionship in His Kingdom by being washed clean of the stain within us.  So therefore, even before the foundation of the world, He gave His Son Jesus Christ by whose innocent and blemishless blood, many who take Him as the Savior of the world, are saved.  God gave Grace in abundance which, though we didn't deserve it, becomes ours when we accept His Son Jesus Christ and in the working of the Holy Spirit in our lives.  God's Grace, His favor, His hand of friendship, is abundant and free and flows unceasingly into our hearts as we repent from our sinful lives and pledge before God to live according to His commandments, according to His path set generations ago, by the giving of the law to the children of Jacob, Israel. 

It's difficult to understand Grace for who can understand the ways of the Holy and Immortal God.  Jesus Christ is the personification of God's Grace and in Him and through Him; men are drawn to the mansions on high.  Grace comes to us in least expected ways and though we receive and are full of it, it's yet difficult to explain what really happens as our lives twirl around the Grace of God.  Then our lives which were so base suddenly look up and there's new hope kindled within us.  When Grace comes and is accepted, life is changed and it's not of man but God whereby our nature is changed into His.  Through which also, we who strive to look into the treasure of heaven now suddenly find ourselves in the midst of that treasure and we realise our goal is not to be of the world, but out of the world and to be in union with our Lord and God, Jesus Christ.  Hail Grace by which lives are transformed and by which men live.  Oh, amazing Grace.

Thoughts for another day

Oct. 4, 2012.

Today's verse: Ps. 23:4. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; (KJV)

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

The Presence of God is a mighty thing and every man on earth must crave for His Presence because it is His Presence that puts us on the right track and takes us safely home.  David, the man whom the Holy Spirit appointed to write our above Word of Scripture, knew how important God's Presence was in his life and he never attempted to do anything without God being present in whatever he did and we know the life of David and how God blessed him in his every endeavor. 

Another man who knew the significance of God's Presence was Moses.  God spoke to him – man to man and Moses abided in His Presence day by day.  An event I'll take is Ex. 33:9,'And it came to pass, as Moses entered into the tabernacle, the cloudy pillar descended, and stood at the door of the tabernacle, and the LORD talked with Moses,'  we also know how his face shone after his long stay with the Lord.  Yea, Moses knew the intensity of God's Presence.  Now when God, vexed by the constant murmurings of Israel refused to go with them, Moses intercedes with God in Ch. 33 that He go with them.  My friend it's an amazing thing to have the Presence of the Most High with you.  It's awfully amazing and beautiful at the same time; simply frightening and pleasurable and if heightened beyond a point, a man may even collapse under the power of God…of course in the intense exhilaration he may feel he'll die, but God holds him.  You know, I just don't have the words needed to describe this emotion and did the best I could in the above.

So, when men know God so closely, they can place their hands on their chest and look up danger in the eye for they know and agree: 'though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil' for He is with me!  Truly, I pray that every man walking the surface of the earth right now; will in time, experience God so closely that God becomes real to him and in that most blessed moment he also become aware of the brilliance and awesomeness of God.  Amen.

Thoughts for another day

Oct. 3, 2012.

Today's verse: 2 Chron. 30:9b. for the LORD your God is gracious and merciful, and will not turn away his face from you, if ye return unto him. (KJV)

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

In contemplation some days back, as I sat focusing on God and His attributes, I realised how merciful Yahweh God is to sinners when they return to Him.  I asked Him, 'LORD God, what do You see in us that you welcome us back; we hurt you so grievously.'  My friend you may or may not realise, how much we offend God by our sins…they're in His nostrils like, what example shall I give, putrid and stinking flesh, from which we want to run as far as possible.  Now would you want to go back to that putrid flesh? Ever?

But God, the Full and Holy One, He does not turn His back on us however foul we are to Him.  He forgives and takes the initiative even if the person is a known offender and an outcast in the sight of men.  I remember an instance when a woman of 'ill-repute' came to talk to me.  We stood in our church quadrangle and spoke.  The people seated on the benches lining the boundaries of the quadrangle were looking at me and I could see their stares and felt the heat under my collar. But the woman just wouldn't go, even though in every response, I swung a finale and I just wanted her to go!  How shameful of me to do that; but my friend we do it all the time for we want to be seen as removed from such people – separate from them and their ways, although, if you ask me, we're even more sinful than them.  Our sins are hidden, but they, poor people, are exposed. 

But God, doesn't run away, nor is He bothered about what others think.  Jesus was very categorical when He said, I have come to save the sick and the lost and remember Jesus was ABSOLUTELY PURE.  In this matter, he also quoted the parable of the prodigal son where He wanted us to understand that God the Father is as the father of the son.  Waiting, tears in the eyes, looking in the distance and craving for that lost child.  And when the child comes back, there is rejoicing and celebration just as the father of the son celebrated, much to the dismay of the other son.  But that is God's way and He will do the same for any of His lost children who return.  Because of this, we have hope that no matter how far we go, He is there waiting with arms open wide to welcome us back.