Thoughts for another day

Nov. 30, 2012.

Today's verse: Judges 8:23. And Gideon said unto them, I will not rule over you, neither shall my son rule over you: the LORD shall rule over you. (KJV)

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

People are too easily swayed by those who're stars among them; like, pop stars, top achievers in any field of sport, or even charismatic political or otherwise leaders and so on.  Over a period of time, people literally deify them and even call them 'god'.  In my country India, there's a cricket player to whom many do obeisance as 'god'; even the media calls him god, increasing his enigma; and all the people, display real sycophant herd mentality and literally bow at his feet.

Gideon too was a hero in Israel: he had just destroyed the Midianites who were thorns in the flesh of the Israelites and had set them free from their oppression.   The Israelites were greatly pleased with Gideon because of this and requested him to be their king.  They had no qualms to give him the glory and renown for what he had done, but God; yea, God who went with Gideon and destroyed the Midianites for him, they didn't even think of.  Far from their minds was the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.  They knew Gideon wouldn't have been able to do anything unless God helped him, but they didn't tell Gideon, 'let us celebrate before God and give Him honor for the great work He did for us.'  Rather they wanted to honor Gideon.

But Gideon knew of the Lord's great work; he clearly knew the victory on which he stood, was God's work.  He knew how with just 300 men, God had given them the victory.  He had felt God's breath over him on the battlefield as the battered troops of Midian fled from there!  As he looked upon the victory, Gideon let his arms go down and answered the people, 'I can't rule over you, nor shall my son, except God the LORD, He is your Ruler!'  An answer which perhaps, stunned them into silence and made them see their folly.  Such is the answer of a man who has seen God at close quarters and knows His Sovereignty and Power.  If you have never given anyone even an iota of the Awesome Glory that belongs only to God, then you too are His child and God will rule over you with joy.

Thoughts for another day

Nov. 29, 2012.

Today's verse: Eze. 11:19. And I will give them one heart [a new heart] and I will put a new spirit within them; and I will take the stony [unnaturally hardened] heart out of their flesh, and will give them a heart of flesh [sensitive and responsive to the touch of their God], (Amplified Bible – copyright acknowledged)

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

Ah, the sad story of man…he veers to the sinful as he moves on in life.  His direction is never toward God but always toward the other shore.  He's the quintessential follower of darkness and this, even as he seeks light, for the god of the world has blinded his mind (2 Cor. 4:4) and we know that Scripture declares that the whole world is a prisoner of sin (Gal. 3:22). The only solution is the Lord Jesus Christ for He alone is God and only He can bend the slant of man's heart toward good.

No matter how much we try to be good, we constantly fail for our nature is sin and our direction isn't the narrow path, yet, when we come to the Lord, we're filled with hope for Jesus Christ is the Way and when we walk, lifted by His power, we walk with Him and He then changes us.  He gives us a 'new heart' so we can be one with the saints and He etches a new spirit within us.  He takes away our stony hearts - stony by the layers of rock like sin piled on it, which increases our desire to go against God every moment of our lives.

Our struggle with sin isn't a onetime struggle either.   It's constant and can lead to great exhaustion, particularly when we fall and offend our Precious God.  But in that fall itself, comes the awesome Grace of God which bends to pick us up.  There is a sweet sound about our rise from the fall propped up by Grace and the refrain can be heard from heaven's ramparts; for I believe there's great joy in heaven in the repentance of one sinner.  That sinner could be me or you and we could receive a heart of flesh to behold the God who loves us and obey His statutes.  Let's rise from our webs of deceit and despair and move unto the Lamb of God, who has loved us and died for us.

Thoughts for another day

Nov. 28, 2012.

Today's verse: Rev. 7:17. There failed not aught of any good thing which the LORD had spoken unto the house of Israel; all came to pass. (KJV)

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

What God speaks, God does and this is something that we must never forget.  And if you ask, why does God do what He speaks; it's because God's Word is an unending and effective Word and its action is instant.  Instant in the spiritual realm, as Gabriel tells Daniel, Dn. 9:23, 'As soon as you began to pray, an answer was given,…'   But to attain it to us in our realm, it takes a while before the barriers are removed from us and we're able to accept the gift that God has given us.

What's this barrier you may ask; it's the barrier the accuser puts before us, in reminding God of our sins and seeking His justice on them.  God's justice demands punishment, but know that, we still get the gift, because God's mercy comes into play which demolishes the barrier and His Hand of might works in our favor.  We see this in so many places in the Bible, particularly the Book of Judges and Kings where the people of Israel and their kings sin, invoking God's wrath according to His justice, but when they repent and cry before Him, His mercy takes over and they're saved by His mighty Hand.

No matter what your condition before God is, I want to tell you this which can cool the spirit of your being that always and always with God is mercy.  He cannot bear tears in the eyes of His children and no matter what wrong they have wronged Him with, He is ready to forgive.  He yields and sets things right for us.  Go to His throne with trepidation and repentance with humility and your gift, the answer to your prayer will be released.  As our verse says, 'whatever God spoke unto the house of Israel, all came to pass' and this even though they sinned and sinned and angered Him.   I am not saying that you sin and earn His wrath, but if you have sinned and are in pain, get up and go to Him.  He will forgive and His Word will become active and alive in your life.  Amen. 

Thoughts for another day

Nov. 27, 2012.

Today's verse: Rev. 7:17. for the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of the water of life, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes. (NRSV)

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

A time for all believers and followers of Jesus Christ will come, when He will be their everything.  There won't be need for anything else as God will be the fulfillment of all we need.  This life and its travails will be over and in His kingdom, there will be new life…a kind we never knew of.  There will be things before us which we've never seen or heard of.  The most beautiful and delectable things, we can never conceive of or imagine now: the things that God made for us for we loved Him on earth despite knowing well that it was dangerous to do.

We'll recall all the trouble we had on earth for our belief in the Lamb of God, the Most Gracious, Son of the Most High.  The times, we faced ridicule and difficulties from those opposed to Him.  We will remember the feebleness with which we stood our ground, sometimes not knowing if we will be able to stand at all and many times just giving in to the sheer exhaustion of living our 'Gethsemane lives' pleasing to Him, who is our God; who loved us and gave Himself up for us. 

Then in the Land so pleasant, the Promised Land of our rest, we shall see multitudes and multitudes of white robed children of God.  We shall wonder, for among them we shall also see the murderers, the looters and the depraved: how did they come to be here?  And then a gentle voice will tell us, 'don't you remember, they're the ones you gave My Gospel to and they accepted and are saved!'  'When Lord?' we shall ask and a look from Him will suffice; tears will stream from our eyes, acknowledging His mercy and we will find Him by our sides, wiping the tears from our eyes and absorbing the praise and thanks from our lips.  He will hold us in His bosom as if to dance with us, the nuptial dance and lead us to springs of the water of life saying:  Come my beloved, into the kingdom of My Father to live with Me forever. 

Thoughts for another day

Nov. 26, 2012.

Today's verse: Jer. 17:10. I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings. (KJV)

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

We may do many things as we move on in life and a lot of them could be bad.  But being masters of deception, we project our masks of 'good people' before others; besides, we're also so skilled in this art that even our families don't notice any sign of the evil that's there in our minds or that which has happened through our hands, simply because being so adept at it, we can hide it so well.  And the gullible people we're with trust us so implicitly and help us with even more opportunities to do evil.

Not so God; for God can see through us – He can spot the least spots on our souls for God is able to read the heart and God has known our erroneous ways much before He laid the foundations of the earth.  He has seen the roughness of our hearts as we schemed to do evil to people.  He has known the sinister attitudes we possess and of which no one knows.  His knowledge spans every micro millimeter of our minds to spot the blueprint of anarchy against Him.  He sighs but He notices it and puts it in our record.

When the time for giving according to our actions comes, God removes the book of our records and notices our sinful characters etched in minute details in the book.  It may be years after we turned a new leaf and now live in accordance with His statutes, but God sees the record and He remembers our wrong-doing (or our righteous living) and rewards us according to it, for that is His justice and He is a Just God.  My friend, remember, no matter what you've hidden to yourself of the wrongs you've done, He knows it and before His justice falls on you, confess and repent and seek His mercy.  He is also merciful and His mercy will take over and deliver you from His wrathful justice.

Thoughts for another day

Nov. 23, 2012.

Today's verse: Jn. 11:14, 15. Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead. And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; (KJV)

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

All of us face some trial or other in the course of our lives.  There's not a person exempt though there're some who shy away from saying they're either undergoing or have undergone a trial and some who just don't know.  The trials God sends are usually meant to nip our erroneous ways and in it, also to get back into the circle of His light, though there may be times when God sends us trials to also fortify our faith, which we must recognize.  This brings to mind the story of a man who begged God to grant him patience. God soon sends him people and situations that stretch his patience to exercise and re-enforce it, but rather than understand the sudden spurt of angering situations, he is upset with God and asks Him why there're so many flare-ups happening with him.  God gently reminds him, 'Did you not ask Me to make you more patient?  And here, I am doing just that!' 

Many people are bogged down with their trials and most think rather adversely, imagining the worst that can happen; and to many, exactly that happens.  But those who trust God in whatever situation they are, are eased by the Grace God sends them.  Remember, God never sends us a trial, without sending us Grace in sufficient measure to bear it and in it, He also works out a great result as both generate great glory to Him; that's because He Himself provides the solution to the trial after some time and because it's proven to be the direct work of His hand, the person who bears the trial in fortitude, in turn praises Him openly for the great work done in his life.

Our Scripture today is a good example of God sending a trial to a people Jesus loved: Mary and Martha by snatching away their brother Lazarus.  To His disciples, Jesus says He is glad He wasn't there, which means that if He were there, He would work a miracle to heal Lazarus from whatever it was that took away his life, which would be but a small miracle by their reckoning.  This means that Jesus wanted to perform a greater miracle; and He does and Lazarus lives, coming back from the dead!  It's said, the greater the intensity of the trial, the greater the miracle.  So my friend, if ever you're faced with progressively more and more painful trials, remember God is at work.  Just remain calm and pray.  He will soon do such a massive work in you as to even stun and make you wonder, 'Lord, what am I, that you do such a great work in me?'

Thoughts for another day

Nov. 23, 2012.

Today's verse: Jn. 11:14, 15. Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead. And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; (KJV)

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

All of us face some trial or other in the course of our lives.  There's not a person exempt though there're some who shy away from saying they're either undergoing or have undergone a trial and some who just don't know.  The trials God sends are usually meant to nip our erroneous ways and in it, also to get back into the circle of His light, though there may be times when God sends us trials to also fortify our faith, which we must recognize.  This brings to mind the story of a man who begged God to grant him patience. God soon sends him people and situations that stretch his patience to exercise and re-enforce it, but rather than understand the sudden spurt of angering situations, he is upset with God and asks Him why there're so many flare-ups happening with him.  God gently reminds him, 'Did you not ask Me to make you more patient?  And here, I am doing just that!' 

Many people are bogged down with their trials and most think rather adversely, imagining the worst that can happen; and to many, exactly that happens.  But those who trust God in whatever situation they are, are eased by the Grace God sends them.  Remember, God never sends us a trial, without sending us Grace in sufficient measure to bear it and in it, He also works out a great result as both generate great glory to Him; that's because He Himself provides the solution to the trial after some time and because it's proven to be the direct work of His hand, the person who bears the trial in fortitude, in turn praises Him openly for the great work done in his life.

Our Scripture today is a good example of God sending a trial to a people Jesus loved: Mary and Martha by snatching away their brother Lazarus.  To His disciples, Jesus says He is glad He wasn't there, which means that if He were there, He would work a miracle to heal Lazarus from whatever it was that took away his life, which would be but a small miracle by their reckoning.  This means that Jesus wanted to perform a greater miracle; and He does and Lazarus lives, coming back from the dead!  It's said, the greater the intensity of the trial, the greater the miracle.  So my friend, if ever you're faced with progressively more and more painful trials, remember God is at work.  Just remain calm and pray.  He will soon do such a massive work in you as to even stun and make you wonder, 'Lord, what am I, that you do such a great work in me?'

Thoughts for another day

Nov. 23, 2012.

Today's verse: Jn. 11:14, 15. Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead. And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; (KJV)

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

All of us face some trial or other in the course of our lives.  There's not a person exempt though there're some who shy away from saying they're either undergoing or have undergone a trial and some who just don't know.  The trials God sends are usually meant to nip our erroneous ways and in it, also to get back into the circle of His light, though there may be times when God sends us trials to also fortify our faith, which we must recognize.  This brings to mind the story of a man who begged God to grant him patience. God soon sends him people and situations that stretch his patience to exercise and re-enforce it, but rather than understand the sudden spurt of angering situations, he is upset with God and asks Him why there're so many flare-ups happening with him.  God gently reminds him, 'Did you not ask Me to make you more patient?  And here, I am doing just that!' 

Many people are bogged down with their trials and most think rather adversely, imagining the worst that can happen; and to many, exactly that happens.  But those who trust God in whatever situation they are, are eased by the Grace God sends them.  Remember, God never sends us a trial, without sending us Grace in sufficient measure to bear it and in it, He also works out a great result as both generate great glory to Him; that's because He Himself provides the solution to the trial after some time and because it's proven to be the direct work of His hand, the person who bears the trial in fortitude, in turn praises Him openly for the great work done in his life.

Our Scripture today is a good example of God sending a trial to a people Jesus loved: Mary and Martha by snatching away their brother Lazarus.  To His disciples, Jesus says He is glad He wasn't there, which means that if He were there, He would work a miracle to heal Lazarus from whatever it was that took away his life, which would be but a small miracle by their reckoning.  This means that Jesus wanted to perform a greater miracle; and He does and Lazarus lives, coming back from the dead!  It's said, the greater the intensity of the trial, the greater the miracle.  So my friend, if ever you're faced with progressively more and more painful trials, remember God is at work.  Just remain calm and pray.  He will soon do such a massive work in you as to even stun and make you wonder, 'Lord, what am I, that you do such a great work in me?'

Thoughts for another day

Nov. 22, 2012.

Today's verse: 1 Kgs. 19:4b. He came to a broom tree, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, LORD,” he said. “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.” (NIV - copyright ack.)

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

Life leads us through many ups and downs and like I say, more downs than ups; particularly for us who follow Christ, as only then are we on our toes as far as God is concerned; and we keep our focus on Him.  Some years ago, I suffered from a severe stomach problem and used to have much pain as well as bear the anxiety that such a disease can bring with it: of imminent death.  The good Lord healed me but I used to tell Him not to heal me fully so He could use the pain as a lever to keep me in check from committing sin!  This may sound irrational to many; as the world would think it stupid, for it never wants any discomfort.  But God keeps us so, that we may not stray but be close to Him.

God kept Israel in a place surrounded by enemies so that they would always rely on Him and keep His precepts.  The moment they experienced peace, they forsook Him and sinned.  And God then sent them fiery trials through their enemies around them to correct their erroneous ways and keep them in check.  Now the more a person has connect with God, the more that person is kept in check and that's a great Grace, because without God's help there's no way one can avoid sin.  At times, the trial from God is really painful but at those times, one must take recourse to God, nay, rather run to Him. 

That's what Elijah did when Jezebel vowed to kill him.  The trial seemed too tough to bear for a man who a little earlier had experienced such a dramatic display of God's power and had destroyed the 450 prophets of baal!  When I read this episode in the Bible, I feel comforted in the realization that if Elijah, such a great prophet of God, felt so low to want to end his life, what about me, a mere human who is so far from God!  Remember, for God to redeem from such situations is very easy; just the sense of His Presence can drive away any fear or danger from us.  Later on Mount Horeb, when God visits Elijah, God doesn't even speak about his malady which he had so sorrowfully narrated to God, rather, God makes him feel His Presence and tells him what to do further!  With that Elijah is calmed and goes about the task God gives him.  You too may feel defeated and tired about some issue in your life; but fret not and keep your focus on God.  Just as He worked in Elijah's life, He will work in yours too.

Thoughts for another day

Nov. 21, 2012.

Today's verse: Is. 26:9a. With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early: (KJV)

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

All senses in man are tuned at his birth to be in conformity with our Scripture above.  But, as time passes and down the years, men do exactly the opposite.  In science you'd be aware, there's a term called entropy which means a slow descent into disorder.  And that's the bane of mankind; what's more, in man, the situation is severe because our decline into sin is more horrific as the years progress and we don't shy away from committing any sin, however bad it be!

Today I don't want to look at this area but rather the phenomenon that is God; and what He means to us.  You know God is the fire that burns on the candle of our lives. He is the sweetness our being and the strength of our limbs.  His touch is experienced by all, even by the worst sinner, who may experience it as some other feeling rather than as one, of God, for remember God is merciful and though He is severely hurt by our callous and insensitive nature by which we sin grievously, He yet seeks to touch us so we may turn a new leaf and go after Him.  This, because He knows that unless we be under the umbrella of His Grace, we can never do much in life and Jesus looked at us and said, 'without Me, you can do nothing!'

As for me, I can truly say, 'Oh, Lord, there is not a moment I can be alive but for your Grace.  Each moment I live, I live in the knowledge that You are close to me, very close to me; and I can touch You if I just stretch my hand.  Even in the dark of the night when worries that want to take wing in me, try to douse me with fear, I know You keep me and fling the fear away.  With my heart I seek Thee Lord and my spirit pines for the perfume of Your Presence so that I may find Thee and live this new life with You, abundantly.'  My friend, I trust you also say the same.

Thoughts for another day

Nov. 20, 2012.

Today's verse: Joshua 11:20. For it was the design of the LORD to encourage them to wage war against Israel that they might be doomed to destruction… (NAB)

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

The Israelites were God's chosen people through His call to Abraham and His promise of giving him descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky, though at the time God promised, Abraham had no child through Sarah and was well beyond the age of becoming a father.  Yet, of Abraham was born Isaac and through Isaac, Jacob, through whom were born the patriarchs and the vast peoples, called Israelites, through the new name God had given Jacob after the struggle in the night.

Over the years, the Israelites moved into Egypt and were in great trouble there.  God saw their misery there and redeemed them with a mighty arm and outstretched hand doing amazing things before Pharaoh and the Egyptians, so as to instill fear in them and among others nations around Egypt too.  The Israelites were held in great awe; and they were the only ones who knew the God of heaven and earth.  Now God wanted to make His Name known to all as the One and only God of the universe and therefore He hardened Pharaoh's heart so He could perform tremendous works, stunning the Egyptians into literally driving out the Israelites. 

God wanted people across the earth to know Him and worship Him alone.  God knew that the heart of man is inclined, by virtue of original sin, to move away from Him toward idol worship.  So, He commanded the Israelites to destroy the nations and their people as they moved to the Promised Land, so they wouldn't influence them.  God also designed that the kings of the nations wage war with the Israelites and thus be annihilated for were they not to wage war, the Israelites would perhaps find it comfortable to stay with them and mimic their idol worship - we know this, for we know what Aaron and the people did when Moses was on the mount for forty days.  The teaching we get from our Scripture today is that God wills certain things which may seem gross and ridiculous to us but remember, He knows why He is doing it and we must realise that even if He brings thorns across our paths, He knows the reason for that.  It's up to us to recognize that He loves us and He is doing something, even though painful at that time, which eventually will lead us to great things.  And remember that is His way and His way is always right.  Amen.

Thoughts for another day

Nov. 19, 2012.

Today's verse: Mic. 6:8. He hath shown thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? (KJV)

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

Coming into God's realm requires we follow what He tells us.  In our Scripture above we see Him clearly specifying  what He requires.  First, He has shown us all that's good and fitting before Him, so no one can say he doesn't know; for He has instilled His breath in us and hence, the desires of His heart are also embedded within our minds.  Then God requires we do a few things in line with His desires; and He loves us to do them: for it pleases Him, besides also gaining His favor upon us. 

God wants that we be people who are just - in every shade of the word; which includes that we even love our enemies and pray for them.  He wants that we not do anything false nor cheat nor deprive anybody of their rightful dues also meaning that if we go to the market, we don't bargain beyond a point as to make the person in his or her desperate need for a sale to forego his or her rightful profit.  God also requires us to be merciful.  Jesus clarifies it when He narrates the parable of the unmerciful servant. To those reading this reflection and being given to understand, please allow, Mt. 18:35, to sink in, which says, 'This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart,' meaning that our Father in heaven will subject us to harsh punishment, which we deserve, unless we forgive from the heart!

Finally our Scripture says that we walk humbly with Him, our God.  It means we must remove all arrogance and pride from our lives.  We cannot be proud with people and be humble with God at the same time for how can we be arrogant at one time and humble at another?  We may struggle to be humble because of the thick 'hide of pride' which time has ingrained in us, but we must beseech our Father to give us the spirit of humility which His Son, though God, exhibited fully even to the washing of His disciples' feet.   If we follow these, His precepts, then His kingdom will become a reality, not only when we leave for our eternal homes, but also as we live among His people.

Thoughts for another day

Nov. 16, 2012.

Today's verse: Jer.  17:9. The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? (KJV)

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

Man is a complex being and of all creatures God created, he has been most difficult to understand and even more hard to predict.  But there's one thing you can predict about man (and that to our shame) which is, no matter what, he will soon start creating trouble.  Do you not see this day in and day out when out of the blues, your neighbor or your colleague, with whom you were always on good terms, starts fighting with you?

Our Scripture says, 'the heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure and none can understand it', for the guile in man is so well disguised that I wonder whether he himself understands it and by the time he realizes the evil within him, it's far too late to redeem. There're so many sins we commit, little realising their impact on our lives and over a period of time, those sins come so naturally to us that we can commit them without batting an eyelid.  Jesus said, Mt. 15:18, 'But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man ‘unclean.’  We're so full of filth and error and sadly many of us don't want to acknowledge it, nor want it to be said of us.  I recall when I preached and called ourselves sinners, there were some who took objection to it saying, 'brother, not all of us are sinners!'  But remember, without acknowledging it, there can be no cure.

So how can we change our deplorable states?  It's possible only by the Grace of God.  Jesus came so that He could give us a new heart and remove the stony hearts from us giving us hearts of flesh; which would recognize God and God alone as our Redeemer from sin for without God's Grace, it is impossible to not sin; as sin is so deep within us, it even prompted St Paul who was so zealous for God, to say, 'I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate, I do' Ro. 7:15. No matter how strong the stranglehold of sin, God is able to cut its sinister grip on us and heal us from its malevolent effects.  And even if you see your life miserable, sinning and sinning, don't lose hope; only trust in what God says in His Word, Philip. 1:6, 'that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.'  He will do it for you.

Thoughts for another day

Nov. 15, 2012.

Today's verse: Ps. 118:8. It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.   (KJV)

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

I know a person who prays for the needs of an orphanage his friend runs and his words go thus, 'Oh Lord, You are our Father, Almighty and Omnipotent God for whom all things are possible and we are Your children, the work of Your hands.  We have no one to go to when we need or desire something and we know we can come to You for You are our Father and in confidence we come to You as we know You will not ignore our prayer but grant us all that we ask.  This is a simple yet soul touching prayer and there's an important thing said here: we have no one to go to when we need or desire something.  That's the key of this prayer, which tells God that when we're in need we consider none to be able to answer our prayer except You oh God; a simple and child-like expression of faith.

I can imagine what God feels about this prayer as Jesus said, unless you are like little children, you shall not enter the Kingdom of God!  By far it's better to put trust in God than in any human for we know how men break trust and vanish when most needed.  Yet God doesn't forsake nor leave us.  We may not at times understand what God is working in us because we feel the pain and frustration of the situation; we cry out to God, 'Where are You?' and we get no answer.  It's not that the Lord hasn't heard our prayer or doesn't understand our pain; but it's just that God tells us at that time that despite loving us so much, He doesn't answer for He knows that what He is currently working out in our lives is needed for us; just as He stood aside when Jesus cried on the Cross: 'My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?' 

God is never far from us and to be truly pleasing to God we must learn to cope with situations that He sends us which are painful and dreary, realising that it's just a matter of time.  In a short while, if we stay steadfast in our faith, He will change the situation in our favor and He will redeem.  He is powerful and He can and will do it for you.  Just believe that, even if it means holding on to burnt straw.  Truly He will come to you and you will experience His comforting hand.  And from experience I can say, He can be trusted and it is better to put trust in Him than in man.

Thoughts for another day

Nov. 14, 2012.

Today's verse: Hab. 1:5. Behold ye among the heathen, and regard, and wonder marvellously: for I will work a work in your days, which ye will not believe, though it be told you.   (KJV)

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

The Bible, particularly the Old Testament, gives good insight into the mind of God on things that concern the earth and us.  Walking gently on the path of the Word and soaking its finer points reveal that God brings about things the way, He means them to be.   Reading of Jacob and Esau, we learn He told Rebekah, 'the older shall serve the younger' (Gen. 25:23b).  And it happens in a way that's both, not normal and even by deceit; Jacob deceives Isaac and usurps the blessing meant for Esau!   The fact of the matter is 'WHAT GOD ORDAINS, HE FULFILLS' and nothing can thwart His plans.  In this context, a verse often comes to mind: 'And in very deed for this cause have I raised thee up, for to show in thee My power; and that My Name may be declared throughout all the earth.' Ex. 9:16.  God could have made Pharaoh accede to Moses' demand after a few miraculous signs, but He hardens his heart till He works out amazing things, displaying His tremendous power to the nations by which they learn that He alone is God; and His Name was declared everywhere. 

Now, how does this tie in with our Scripture today?  When I see what's happening in the world, I'm dismayed and frustrated for there's nothing pleasurable to God.  Sin is rife; greed and iniquity rule people all over and the distinction between good and bad is so blurred as to fool the children of God too into believing there's certain kind of bad which is good and can to be done, like stealing things from the office for use at home!  Recently while talking to a person on phone, I realised we had started gossiping.  When I mentioned it, he said, no we're only exchanging information; wow!  I was too stunned to reply appropriately and then after the call was over, I thought, what a brilliant idea to term 'rumor' as exchanging information; question is why is the information always about the people we choose to dislike and always about something bad?

Look at churches and so called institutions of God; they're involved in all things but God's.  Churches and congregations we say are very vibrant… yea, because of the loud of music in them, particularly during Sunday worship or parties and other celebrations that make no sense.  I believe it's not good before God for He is not concerned about the show of rituals and outward signs of worship or joy as we term them; for what joy can we have unless we joy in the lord?  On what're the hearts of people focused?  It's disgusting to know that people don't even know God and I'm only talking of those who are frequently seen in church!  At times I wonder…what will happen when the wrath of the 'All Consuming Fire' hits...

Do not even think we'll escape His wrath for remember so did the Jews before their exile to Babylon.  They never thought it would happen for they had the Holy Temple there.  But God allowed the temple to be destroyed; the whole of Jerusalem was stripped bare and the arrogant Jews were shunted out of their land.  You may call me a prophet of doom, but please hearken to our Scripture for it comes as a warning: Repent and come to the Cornerstone and be broken falling on Him; lest It fall on you and destroy you.

Thoughts for another day

Nov. 13, 2012.

Today's verse: Ps. 102:25-27. Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of thy hands. They shall perish, but thou shalt endure: yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed: But thou art the same, and thy years shall have no end.  (KJV)

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

God is, if I may use the word, 'old'.  Very old and the Bible also calls Him the Ancient of Days (Dan. 7:9 and elsewhere) meaning that even before anything came to be, He was and He will be; long after everything withers and dies for He is the Great I AM.  Heaven and earth will fold up and cease to be, yet He remains.  His years never had any beginning nor will they have any ending. 

For me, it means He is the same God who visited Abraham by the oaks of Mamre and gave him the promise that Sarah would conceive and bear a son next year.  God fulfilled that promise and at age ninety, Sarah bore Abraham, Isaac.  It means He is the same God who through dreams foretold the rise of Joseph and though Joseph was dumped into the cistern, sold as a slave and put in prison, God again fulfilled that dream and Joseph came to be the second most powerful ruler of Egypt, just under Pharaoh.  It means He is the God in Whom David believed and was anointed by Him to be the king of Israel and through much trial and difficulty, God made him king though it would seem unbelievable that David survived the evil machinations of the current king Saul, he was to replace.  It means He is the same God who says (Is. 49:16a) 'Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of My hands;' and His eyes are always on me to help me tide over the storms and the turbulences that come my way.

It means that He is yet the faithful and merciful God whose mercies have no end.  It means He came to earth in the form of frail man, like me, to save me from sin.  He taught me to address His Father, the Holy and Awesome God of heaven and earth, my Father; and when dying on the Cross, through tears He prayed to His Father, 'Father forgive them for they know not what they do.'  Yes, because He is the Ancient of days, I can be confident of approaching Him and seeking His pardon, knowing that He will forgive.  Yea, and even to ask Him for what I want and that he will give me whatever I want for he also said, 'Ask and you will receive.'  As I sit and reminisce this, I know when I am in His hands, I am safe and will be until I stand face to face with Him one day.

Thoughts for another day

Nov. 12, 2012.

Today's verse: Joshua 3:3,4.  When you see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God being carried by the levitical priests, then you shall set out from your place. Follow it, so that you may know the way you should go, for you have not passed this way before. (NRSV – copyright acknowledged)

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

There's always a first time in life: first time you got a job, first time you became a parent and so on.  Men survive on the challenges offered by the first time and it's the experience of the first time that can carry us forward to other times and keep us afloat in those other times.

The first times can be quite scary; ask those who have gone away from their homes the first time for maybe education elsewhere or work of even a school camp.  There's so much uncertainty; the road isn't known and each moment one doesn't know what to expect.  It gets even tougher for you don't know how to react to a particular situation or stimulus.  At the time when the Israelites were about to cross over the Jordan enroute to Jericho, they didn't know what their fate would be or what they would encounter.  Moses was dead and though they had seen Joshua with him, they would still have harbored doubts about Joshua because the job on hand was so overwhelming.  Obviously, they would be both skeptical and fearful for they knew they had many enemies around them and they really were not equipped to fight them.

It's then that through the working of the LORD God, the people assigned to command the Israelites went forth telling them the Word of our Scripture today.  In it they were reassured that their God who had been with them throughout the forty years they spent in the desert was with them even now. They knew they could trust Him.  God was so kind and merciful to them that He indicated, that through the Ark of the Covenant, He would guide them to where they needed to go for they knew not the place as they had never passed that way before.  God's reassurance through this Word was I'm sure comforting and gave them peace even though they knew not what they were to face.  And today too, God advises us:  I have given you My commandments, follow them; for you know not the ways of life; and they will lead you on.  I believe its best we do that, even though it may not be easy and we may fall, for eventually, His commandments will lead us HOME.

Thoughts for another day

Nov. 9, 2012.

Today's verse: Deut. 31:8. And the LORD, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed. (KJV)

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

Belief in God, the One and only Living God means great things for His children.  They can be assured of many things.  Yeah, they'll also have tribulations like all His other children and they'll also have their ups and downs, perhaps more downs than ups.  They'll be snared by the one who hates God's children and may have to undergo fierce trials just because they trust in Yahweh God and aren't willing to budge in their trust of Him.  There may come to a point when they will, drained by the rigors of life, just try to understand what to make of it.

What's one to do at these times?  Many of God's children get disappointed with God and blame Him for all the trouble in their lives.  Some even leave Him saying, though they kept His Word; His promises weren't fulfilled in them so what's the use of the promises.  I wonder what your response would be if you were caught in a crisis where you'd dread every tomorrow; and every today would make you wish, you weren't alive to see it!  You might remember Job at this juncture and the terrible situation he landed into.  Ah, the gasp may go out, 'oh that I could only be restored.'  If you really believe in God I tell you: YOU WILL BE RESTORED.  There's no other way.  Recall David and where his life careened to after being anointed 'king' by Samuel!  It would've shocked the hair out of the poor peasant-shepherd boy.  But did his trust in God wane?  If you have read David's story, you know.

Unswerving faith in God even in the toughest situations merits unseen and undeserved blessings from Him for He loves when His children believe Him to be able to deliver even from the jaws of death.  Remember, for God all things are possible.  If you're unmoved from your faith in Him by any disaster that visits you, He goes before you and He will be with you.  He will never fail nor forsake you.  Therefore, fear not and be not dismayed; it's only a little time that He will hide His face from you and then when you have passed the test, He will let His face shine on you and bless you.  Amen.

Thoughts for another day

Nov. 8, 2012.

Today's verse: Job 28:12. But where shall wisdom be found? and where is the place of understanding? (KJV)

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

Men are born; they live and they die.  Natural statement this, but most men born on earth struggle to make their lives more comfortable yet the more they do that, the more in the rut they go and more is their misery.  In all this, men of the world don't understand what they need as the attribute to live kindly lives; that attribute which is both endearing and fulfilling. So in their entreaty to God, they ask for all kinds of things which're meaningless and futile.  Some ask for riches and then worry sick about their riches when God grants it to them.  Some ask for long life but so miserable and sickly are their lives that they deem it better to die than live.

The tragedy of men is such that the refrain most often heard is: 'The one thing I wanted, I never got!'  They don't reckon that the things most needed to live kindly and fulfilling lives aren't riches or long life or such like, but 'wisdom'.  And why don't they know this? Because, they don't know God.  The world has shunned God and put Him far away telling Him as it were, 'we don't need You, stay away.'  On the other hand there're those who love the gods they worship: worthless idols, vessels of mud and wood, because these gods don't make any demands from them like living holy lives or the things our God wants or rather, commands of us.  It's because these idols fulfill their inner cravings for doing oblations to the divine and at the same time don't prove to be inconvenient!

When we seek God and go after Him, we shall meet with wisdom; and we shall also get 'understanding' and our eyes will be opened to see that when we have God, we have both wisdom and understanding and through these, we'll live honorable and full lives because, living necessitates that we be wise in making decisions and understand things so that our response will be right and only then will we achieve what we are to achieve.  Take Solomon: that his father David was close to God means he too was close to Him and when asking for his need, he recognized he needed wisdom for his closeness to God told him that. God gave him wisdom and also the other things for I believe it's because God knows that with wisdom, men are able to use His blessings correctly.  So today in your walk with God, ask for wisdom.  He will send it to you so you may live.

Thoughts for another day

Nov. 7, 2012.

Today's verse: Rom. 15:13. May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.  (KJV)

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

When I look around, I see people in many shades of emotions but what I see most in ordinary people, even among Christians is the cloak of despair.  You may disagree with my contention, but it doesn't alter the fact that people all around, no matter what economic strata they come from, are perpetually in some kind of emotional anguish and there're all kinds of reasons they have for being in the state they are.  Today, one has to make the effort to seem cheerful which I believe about four to five decades ago, was the norm. 

Misgovernance, greed, apathy and overall decay in social values largely contribute to this mood and it only seems to be getting worse. A factor of concern is the rise in prices all over which just doesn't seem to stop and there're many retired and non-working people staring at their depleted savings and dropping capacities to have even a decent meal.  For those who believe in the God of heaven and earth though, there's Good News.  That's because our God is a God of hope.  As long as we live and worship the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, we can rest assured that He will provide.

No matter what the situation is, no matter how dark the future looks, if you believe in Jesus Christ, I tell you, you have nothing to worry about.  Solving your situation is but a Word said in your favor and suddenly your whole condition will change.  When the Jews came out of Egypt, they had no water to drink and lo and behold, God provided water from a Rock in the desert.  Imagine, who would've thought a Rock could provide water?  But God is like that and there's nothing impossible to Him and therefore Paul in our Scripture today, wishes that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit which is my prayer for you too.  Just remember that in your quiet hope, your redemption, from any vile situation, is but a breath away.

Thoughts for another day

Nov. 6, 2012.

Today's verse: Lk. 12:19, 20. And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? (KJV)

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

A man I know, relies totally on God for all things in life and in his walk with God for over ten years, he hasn't faced any lack because God has fulfilled all his needs.  Only, the man isn't able to go on a holiday or do some of those things which he could've done were he not so much in awe of God, trusting Him fully and spending much time with Him.  What's this man's response on this, his chosen way of life? Well, he says that God, for a while has set him back, but will suddenly change things so even the best in life is accessible to him and he'll be always able to do all he wants.  Surprising, and it gets even more surprising that this man has absolutely no financial plans for his future as he has no investments nor anyone to give him anything.  What does this man say on this?  Well, he says: if God can provide in the earlier days of my life, He will provide in the latter days too.

Many people can't understand this because it's astonishing and certainly not the way to go about planning life.  Either the man isn't normal or he knows something of God which many don't.  The wise of the world will even say he is wasting his time as God Himself wants us to plan!  But, I agree with this man fully because he's set to exalt and glorify the Name of Almighty God, when God, who is always true to His Word, rewards him according to His Word.  Then will this man rejoice for, his well-being and greatness in life will have been brought about by God and only God and it will serve as a tremendous opportunity for him to tell the world, 'Look what the Lord has done!'

On the other hand, I see people who've amassed such riches that perhaps their descendents to the seventh generation will be with no care.  But what does God say?  The Word of our Scripture today:  A man may have stored much riches, but he could be dead the next moment.  Then what?  His riches will go to someone who doesn't deserve them.  What a travesty that would be.  My friend, it's better to rely on God rather than on unreliable wealth in life.  And true to His Word, God will deliver in time according to His Word.  Then will He raise up the man and bring about great glory for Himself from his mouth.