Thoughts for another day

Dec. 28, 2012.

Today's verse: Acts 17:28a. For in him we live, and move, and have our being; (KJV)

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

We're told in Matthew 1 that three wise men came from the East to Jerusalem saying, v2, 'Where is He that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.'  These were men outside of Israel, but when they saw the signs in the sky, they realised something great had happened and journeyed all the way to witness for themselves the great event which very few eyes got to see; they were party to the greatest event on earth when God Almighty left His glory behind and came to be born in a little manger in Bethlehem.  Since then, for years and years, men have often sought the Lord, even if to behold Him and die just as did Simeon in Jerusalem who took the Lord Jesus in his hands and then found the peace to go the way of all men.

But where is He to be found?  We have the answer in our Scripture today, for Paul tells us that we live, and move and have our being in Him.  Do you know that you're never far from God, no matter how much you're steeped in sin, because your very breath is His investment in you?  The spirit you have is birthed in you by Him.  He is the God your heart craves, Who can also become the God of your mind and your soul by a simple decree from you which says you accept Him as your Lord, God and Savior and He will come and abide in you for He is knocking at the door of your heart, waiting for you answer; to open the door and welcome Him in.

Unlike the wise men who traveled so far to witness the birth of the Lord, it's rather easy for us to let Him take birth in our hearts, establishing our own particular Christmas by simply opening the door of our cold hearts, allowing Him to enter in; and He will bring warmth and good cheer in it whereby, we will also be able to live by His laws and give Him glory all our lives.

Thoughts for another day

Dec. 27, 2012.

Today's verse: 2 Pet. 1:19. And we have the word of the prophets made more certain, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. (KJV)

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

For us who're believers in the Lord, it's sufficient to know we don't dwell in darkness as far as our spiritual lives are concerned; for the Lord of the universe, our Savior and Master is born and each year we celebrate the happening of that event; for our hearts are filled with joy that He chose to come down from heaven and pitch His tent among us in the flesh.   The joy in the hearts of people comes alive in the days to the build-up to Christmas even to the Christmas week and for some even to the first few days of the New Year and then it begins to wane until the following Christmas; but is it the way it's meant to be?

The dawn of each day must instill in us the hope, the Christ Child put in our hearts both by His birth as a little baby and His death and resurrection, of eternal redemption and salvation from our sins for that's why He was born in the first place and there's no other reason for Jesus to come down but to save us and give a glimpse of heaven and our Father.  He laced His interactions with people with love and injected mercy and compassion among those who would follow Him and spread His message. 

Having celebrated Christmas recently, the thing we need to ask is, 'Is Christ really born in my heart?'  This is of utmost importance because the answer will determine the extent of joy in our hearts; the joy which the Christ Child came to give us.  This joy isn't to be reminisced during the rest of the year but well-up within always in our lives for we know it has been implanted there by our Lord whose love we know and whose way of life we yearn to walk in.  My friend a very simple question to you: Have you moved from darkness into light and has the Morning Star risen in your hearts?  Are you well in your soul and is Christmas, not just an occasion to remember the birth of our Lord, but also a reminder to reach deep within and take recourse to the love He planted in you and share it with others who need it so much in this dark and glum world?

Thoughts for another day

Dec. 26, 2012.

Today's verse: Luke 2: 30-32. For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel. (KJV)

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

Each year Christmas comes and Christmas goes.  For many of us, one Christmas isn't much different from the other apart from the fact that we've grown older or, of the people whom we've celebrated Christmas with in the past, there aren't a few who've gone to be with the Lord.  Yet, Christmas has a greater significance than that which we seemingly take to hold.

It's the higher calling of man one is lead to look at during Christmas: the dazzling beauty of the love God has shown us in that He left His glory behind, coming to us in human form; and what's indeed surprising and difficult to ingest is the fact that He, the Owner of the universe, the only One who could choose to be born where He wanted, chose to be born in a dark and dank stable, in a manger, the feeding trough of benign cattle!  Yea and His parents, 'the poor of the Lord' laid Him down in swaddling clothes in that awful crib, tinged with the gooey spittle of the barn livestock in pitch dark, but for the glint of the star above, rushing in glittering haste so as to shower its glitter on its Owner and Master.  Funny, how God's creation, but for man (barring a few), was totally tuned to the birth of its Creator and found great pleasure in glorifying Him in their own ways.

Christmas is the time, when we allow our shallow selves to be filled deeply with the eclectic array of God's beauteous nature and His character which so much overflows with mercy and love.  It's the time to hurl the inadequacies we possess, by our lack of living in His light and rather adorn ourselves with His warm glow and embrace.  It's the time to latch on to His Saving Grace and through it to also display His nature in our dealings with others so that we shine brightly as the star above His crib bringing joy and warmth to maybe, a soul in distress.  That I believe is the best gift we can give our Master.

Thoughts for another day

Dec. 25, 2012.

Today's verse: Luke 2:6,7. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. (KJV)

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

Isn't it rather odd that the King of the universe, the LORD God Himself, when He came on earth was greeted, not inside walls, but rather in a damp cold manger, out in the open among cattle and the farmyard beasts? 

Consider this with the kind of festivities we have today: There's so much jubilation yet not a single strain sung to His tune to please Him. I for one, love to stitch new clothes and have new threads all over me and of course new perfumes, new watches, new this and new that.  I make it a point to drape myself in everything new and grand to the best of my ability for I believe Christmas comes once a year when one can really pamper oneself and give in to ones desires for what else should one do on such a grand and great day.  Fit and proper right?  Yes, of course for isn't it a majestic day when the LORD of the universe took birth on earth?  But, just before I get carried away with the fact that the occasion demands celebration and celebration demands new clothes, new shoes, new whatever, there's also a new something that I must work toward and that's the new heart that I must wear in me so as to be a pleasant gift to my Savior and my GOD.

Though I've gone by this year with absolutely no preparation of heart and in come cases, with a mere set of rituals which apparently cleanse me, making me feel I'm holy.  Yet, it's grossly insufficient and also dangerous for through mere rituals, I may feel that I have righted myself before God, but not so, for my heart is still in rebellion with my heavenly Father.  I must now hold my heart out to my God and offer Him some space in it to atleast allow Him a toe-hold which in turn over time must make way for His Presence completely, as to make Him the 'reason for my life.'  A life He can use to do and will as He pleases and in which also I will gain His favor and bring His salvation to a cold and dark world that did not even contain room for Him at His birth.

Thoughts for another day

Dec. 24, 2012.

Today's verse: Mic. 5:2. But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah,

out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times. (KJV)

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

Out of the small, God brings out the biggest; out of little Bethlehem Ephrathah, the least of the clans of Judah, came the God of the universe; Jesus Christ, the Lord God of hosts, the Supreme Commander of the Universe. 

Little notions, little thoughts, little actions are all we need to give to our God for Him to bring out the greatest out of the little.  Mother Teresa began her activities in India with only Rupees Two in her pocket, a paltry sum,  not worth even thinking of; even she wondered what that absolutely negligible sum would be able to achieve.  But today, the little that she began with has been able to bless and caress thousands and thousands of people.  Yea, God's qualification for her came from His own work which He performed in her, which in turn has led to glory to His Name in the earth.

On this occasion of Christmas as we take ourselves away from the hustle bustle of the commercial crassness that's come to symbolize Christmas and focus on our God, you will hear Him gently asking you for the little you have: maybe a little time from your busy schedule, or the little that's left of your money or the little goodness that's still in you after you were treated so badly by the world; yea, He wants that little so He can spread the Christmas cheer in this season to the world, starved of the 'little'; little love, little food, little time, little blessing, etc.  Go ahead and give Him your little and see how it multiplies in the hands of the Ruler of Israel, whose origins are from ancient times.  Then, Christmas will be a lot warmer and meaningful than it has ever been:-)

Thoughts for another day

Dec. 21, 2012.

Today's verse: Is. 9:6. For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. (KJV)

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

Before the foundation of the world when God reigned over the formless mass upon the deep with His Holy Spirit hovering over the waters, God had decided to make a human being, who would be formed in His Own image and likeness.  God would invest a lot in Him, beginning with His breath and His form.  And if I may imagine the scenario among the Triune God, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, the issue was, who will redeem this man from eternal death for God knew that man would slip and fall at the first hurdle and as was His plan, man would be summarily dismissed from the Garden of Eden and made to work hard to get his food.

The Son noticed the Father's anguish at what man would do, first disobey and then insult Him by worshipping gods made by hand.  The Son loved the Father deeply as did the Father the Son, and immediately the Son volunteered to leave His awesome glory behind and go, commune with man and then die for him, a death necessitated by man's fall into sin.  And just as through one man's sin the entire human race fell, so through One Man's death and resurrection, would man be redeemed for Jesus would die on behalf of man.  This plan was accepted by the Father and the Holy Spirit and was put into the confines of time to be as it was planned and so many eons later, in the town off Judah, God raised up a prophet, Isaiah who would utter our Scripture above to definitely set into the knowledge of man, that there was to be the coming of the Son of God, to redeem him from the wretchedness of sin and decay.

Today, we see the other side of the coming and death and resurrection of the Son and await His return with glory.  Yet, we must ponder upon what it must have cost God to send His only begotten Son to earth to die for worthless man and if we can, we must also tell God that we will give Him a gift this Christmas: a gift of self.  Remember, He gave us Himself and we need to give ourselves to Him just as He did, so that in His hands our lives become a pleasing sacrifice before our Father.  Let this Christmas be the beginning of a new journey with our Lord.  Perhaps, you may say, oh so you write and it's so easy to write and then quickly forget; but it depends on you and I would urge you to forget not His mercies upon your life, rather remember each day, His sacrifice, even coming and being born as a Babe in a manger.  Just think, what can I do for Him and go do it.

Thoughts for another day

Dec. 20, 2012.

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

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

The ways of life for most people on earth are very tiring.  There're so many problems and so many accounts of trouble and sorrow.  Even the big people aren't able to escape them and no one can flee them if they're meant to take you over.  There're many who just lie down on their beds each night, hoping that the cover of darkness will be their shroud and their beds, their last resting place for so much are they bowed down under the weight of their own troubles.

We see how the world is so distraught with many crises and the inability to live decent lives even if people want to.  The devil is very active and his task is to steal, kill and destroy as Jesus tells us.  That's why people too are hard at work safeguarding their lives, properties and their status from the myriad number of enemies bent upon destroying them.  It's in this state at times you just want to give up; and people do give up as living for them becomes real hell.

We too, firm believers in the Lord Jesus Christ are subject to the attack of the evil one and we suffer the pain of his attack, so much so that sleep flees our eyes and rest seems a distant dream.  But there's hope for those who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ for He said, 'I have come to give life and life in all its abundance.'  His promise is valid even today and I can tell you, even if the situation is utterly beyond redemption, even if you don't have in nickel in your purse, even if the clothes you're draped in are in tatters and the strength in you has evaporated; even if the enemy has succeeded in pinning you down and is now pressing your neck to flush the last dregs of life from you, there's hope and that is in Christ.  He can raise you from the dead, He can bring life into your body, in your soul and in your finances.  He can change the climate to heal you and raise you up, crushing the shackles of the evil one and yes, He will do it for you if you trust Him, for if you don't, how can He?  So lift up your countenance to the heavens from where your help comes and cry to Him and like me stay steadfast in your belief that you will look up to the LORD our salvation, for He will hear you.

Thoughts for another day

Dec. 19, 2012.

Today's verse: 1 Cor. 4:7. For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? (KJV)

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

The world is filled with people of all hues and shades: white, black, yellow, ebony and whatever else there is and we know the various kinds of individuals who walk the planet.  Each person is different from the other and has a purpose and objective according to God's magnificent plan for the world for God created them all.  We must remember it was God who created us the way we are; whether short or tall, whether dark or fair; He created us all.  One cannot boast or look down upon others because one is fair to behold for he had no hand in making himself fair; it’s another thing that the world lays a premium on white skin, which wasn't in God's plan for He made all equal. 

And so it is with any and every physical attribute God gave man and each is to be appreciated and accepted as God's gift for self.  Seldom do we see men accept some 'socially unacceptable' things about themselves like dark color or short height, etc. In the same vein, some people who become very successful in amassing material wealth and gaining fame in the world think that they're the masters of the time.  They don't realise their attributes that gave them their success were also God-birthed and straightly a gift from God.  The problem lies when we think God gave us the negatives or when we think we're the ones who own everything with no contribution from God; some even think, what's the need to worship God? 

How does God feel about all these notions and behaviors; you can be sure God isn't pleased but then He gave men freewill and He will not interfere and so if men hold something in a particular way, it's they who suffer and not God.  As for us, we must remember that all things come from God and He gives us all we have, so like Paul I'll say, 'What do I have that I haven't received?'

Thoughts for another day

Dec. 18, 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)

A man came to a rich young lady claiming he was a sales agent; and over a period of time they became good friends with the man ever making claims of how great he was and how bright his future was, etc.  The rich lady who was living alone not only trusted him completely, but also started loving him and he too told her he loved her and wanted to marry her.  A date was set and they had a private marriage ceremony.  The surprising thing was, not a single person from the man's family or friends, except for an old man, who was witness, were there at the ceremony and the man explained it away saying he was an orphan and new to the city, etc.

Within a week of the wedding the man vanished with almost all the substantial wealth the lady kept at her home and there was absolutely no trace of him.  The old man who was witness, confessed he knew nothing of the man and had witnessed because he offered him a good sum of money.  Later, the police discovered that the man was a fraud, having married seven women and with each, the story was the same.  Does this sound familiar?  We may say yes and if we think, we'll also recall the various faces we see in our walk of life and also recognize the pseudo characters we come across.  Of course, we may not agree that we too assume different personas to different people at different times, perhaps to look better or maybe to seem more important or some other reason.  But the fact is, most human beings are seldom what they seem on the surface, there's a scary truth underneath to be discovered only when too late!

But, not so with the LORD; for He doesn't see the exterior, but the inside.  He can spot the least blemish in us and He knows us far, far better than we know ourselves.  He can gaze direct into our hearts and know our every plan and our every move, for He is God and nothing is hidden from Him and the best is, He rewards every man according to his ways which God knows accurately.  My friend, never hide from the Lord, even the least of your stains, rather go to Him with it and ask Him to clean it, He will and He will also clothe you with spotless raiment.

Thoughts for another day

Dec. 17, 2012.

Today's verse: Hos. 10:1. Israel is an empty vine, he bringeth forth fruit unto himself: according to the multitude of his fruit he hath increased the altars; according to the goodness of his land they have made goodly images. (KJV)

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

When you read the above Scripture, you realise how strangely we act before our God:  the more He blesses, the more we move away from Him; the more we take recourse to inane things and meddle with that which don't matter.  And in the process, move away from Him who blessed us in the first place!  I recall people of Judah telling Jeremiah, Jer. 44:16-18, 'We'll not listen to the message you have spoken to us in the name of the LORD? We'll certainly do everything we said we would: We will burn incense to the Queen of Heaven and pour out drink offerings to her just as we and our fathers, our kings and our officials did in the towns of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem. At that time we had plenty of food and were well off and suffered no harm. But ever since we stopped burning incense to the Queen of Heaven and pouring out drink offerings to her, we have had nothing and have been perishing by sword and famine.'   Of course, Jeremiah reminds them that because they've been worshiping idols, they've come to such a situation; but they're so blinded by the sheer stupidity clouding their minds, that sanity wouldn't enter.

This sounds very weird to my ears because I feel they knew about the situation and they would be urged to change when someone pointed it out to them; but not so, not so at all.  Rather they defied the man of God saying 'because we stopped worshipping idols we're miserable!'  I'd love to consider them abjectly foolish, but then I pause a moment and look at us today, particularly me; the more I hear what God wants us to do, the more I go against it.  The more God points out a thing as wrong, the more I feel its right and the more is the urge within me to go for it.  This innate stubbornness is very troubling and painful.  But I know that if we can think so much, God will provide a way out and change us to become beautiful petals of His Rose Garden, bringing Him sweet fragrance.  And remember, it's not by our effort that we can shun wrong before God but only by His Grace can we be right before Him. 

Thoughts for another day

Dec. 14, 2012.

Today's verse: Ps 17:8. Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings, (KJV)

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

He who birthed me is the One who keeps me whether I walk the narrow path or the wide one.  His hand of protection is upon me, no matter what dangers lurk beyond my eye-scape.  I may not even know how much He has done for me, when He brushes aside the dangers I don't see, but which were meant for me; and for all these, I don't even thank Him.

Years ago when small, I read Ps. 17, and my eye was on our verse above.  I meant it when I read it like David had done and I had also raised my eyes to heaven and sensed Him telling me, 'I will'.  It was great comfort; but being stupid as ever, I quickly forgot Him.  I went on to do things the world does: to shun good and love 'bad' which really speaking isn't bad for the world or me, for what's wrong if I crave a little wealth and in the process destroy a few lives by my cruelty and indifference to the pain I caused several people who came in my way.  When someone told me they cursed me, I laughed their curses to scorn.  When their curses were to take effect on me, His mighty Hand stayed them and I walked on thinking I was the master of myself and I could do as I pleased and I did just that.  In all this I was completely oblivious to the tears of pain, He shed for me…always, always asking me to repent, but I never did.  To the world, all I did was perfect and it acknowledged me as the ideal example of success and fame without a single blemish for the laws of the world had nothing that could indict me.  I was the 'Successful species!'

Then one day, suddenly, a paralytic stroke hit me.  Believe me, it can be the most wretched thing to happen to anyone and it happened to me.  Lying on my bed, like a vegetable, I thought to myself: what am I going to do, for believe me, life as a vegetable is terrible and isn't worth living; and death, the preferable option in the situation, was not to be seen.  As I slept, my limbs a drag on my body, my mind remembered God.  As in a flashback, my previous life reeled open before me, but now I saw that which was invisible to me before.  Every moment, I saw His hand over me and I heard Him say, 'You're Mine and I love you.'  I never realised He was so close to me; so true to His promise. Shame hit me.  I told Him, 'Lord if I am Yours, heal me, get me back and I will proclaim your Name to the nations.'  Two years later, I am on my feet, fit as a fiddle, my healing, miraculous and complete – both body and mind.  The world has stepped away from me, who wants to be with a vegetable anyway?  My wealth had dwindled; yet I felt rich and at peace.  Today, I roam about and I speak of Him, my God who says, 'I have carved you in the palm of My hand and I will never forsake you.'  I tell them about His sacrifice on Calvary by which He proved His love for me and really when I do that, I feel on top of the world with my Savior; and He and I both walk together, hand-in-hand, moving to the everlasting shore.

Thoughts for another day

Dec. 13, 2012.

Today's verse: Mt. 25:19. After a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them. (NRSV – copyright acknowledged)

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

God gives us a long rope.  He leaves us to ourselves to do as we will for He has given us free-will by which we're unique.  No two persons, no matter how close they're to each other or how much they appreciate, adore or love each other are the same.  There're differences, though subtle, in each of them and each person lives a life he wants to live driven by the slant of his will. 

Some men learn to love what's right and do that all their lives, in turn they live good lives, even if in penury and die peacefully; for no matter what you have in your life, if you're good, you're peaceful as peace and goodness are twins.  Some men learn to love what's wrong and do all that's wrong and their wrong increases in degrees, becoming more menacing and dangerous with every turn of the week.  Then there're others who take the middle path …they vacillate with every turn and are like leaves in the wind, being blown, not having a path their own.  They live okay lives but are confused inside most of the time for the good in them balks at the bad within and the bad shuns the good within.  As to the ones who do wrong all the time, they work as if there's no one to question them because those who can question are bought out with the riches they posses.  They walk with their heads held high as if having won the campaign of winning the world.  They seldom realise they have an end and that their 'Master' will settle accounts with them. 

No matter to which category we belong, we will be brought before the throne to settle our account and every bit of bad or good we did all our lives, will be open before us; the way we see in the parable of the ten talents which Jesus tells the people.  Be careful I may advise you my friends in your dealings in life.  Even if you dig your dirt under the cover of darkness, it will be seen by Him and His light will uncover your shame.  Leave nothing to the last hour but cleanse your home today so that as your turn approaches, He may look at His book and say, 'Come My faithful one, your name is written in the Lamb's Book.  Come rejoice in the Kingdom of My Father.'

Thoughts for another day

Dec. 12, 2012.

Today's verse: Mt. 5:8. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. (KJV)

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

The greatest desire of every human being is and should be to see God – face to face.  I may agree with those who say, 'quit thinking of seeing God and work among the poor, the downtrodden, the sick, etc. for in them you'll find God.  But even then I desire to see God for these are all reflections and I thank God He takes any help we give to the disadvantaged as help given to Him and will add it as blessing to us.  But it is an absolutely thrilling idea, even to contemplate seeing God, leave alone, actually seeing Him!

We may not see Him as we live except in cases where He desires that we see Him and He comes to us sometimes in a vision right before us as He did in the case of many saints among men; or in a dream.  But when we die we have the possibility of seeing Him as He is, face to face and we can even commune with Him and bask in His awesome glory.  I can't wait to see Him, really, and what a joy, what a great and awesome moment it will be when I set my face upon the Lord and probably shout a million Hallelujah's all at once. 

But, there's a condition to be able to see Him and that is to 'be holy'.  My friend, God cannot be seen by the sinful for He is so holy that any sinner before Him will be destroyed by the sheer brilliance of His holiness.  But they who are pure of heart will see Him and it isn't my saying, it is His Word above and His Word is true.   So aim to be pure in all your ways and keep your mouth and hands and thoughts from error and surely you will see Him as He beckons to you from above.

Thoughts for another day

Dec. 11, 2012.

Today's verse: 2 Kgs. 5:15b. Behold, now I know that there is no God in all the earth, but in Israel: (KJV)

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

Through us does God create glory for Himself in that He does great things before us and when the nations who do not know Him see the mighty works of God among His people, they come to believe in Him for they know that without Him, the One and Only God in all the earth, that work was not possible.

There are so many instances in the Bible where God showed His awesome might in favor of His people, so that the people praised Him and accorded Him the glory as to the One and Only Living God through Whom the earth and all in it came to be.  If we look at the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt, the Egyptians acknowledged Him as God for they saw the devastation God caused through mighty signs and wonders which they had never seen before.  Even as they moved into the Promised Land, the nations were awed by them because they heard of what God had done on their behalf.   Even through our Lord Jesus Christ, God's Name was glorified in many instances when He caused those great miracles before the people.

Similarly, God can and will work great things through us also if we submit to His will and do His work.  He doesn't ask for much but that we be holy and humble before Him and wait upon His Word.  If you wish to be His instrument on earth, bow to His holy will and bless His Name today.  You will be used by Him for His wonderful work on earth by which they will say, Behold, there is no God but the God you follow, whose Name is Jesus Christ. Amen.

thoughts for another day

Dec. 10, 2012.

Today's verse: Jer. 4:26. I beheld, and, lo, the fruitful place was a wilderness, and all the cities thereof were broken down at the presence of the LORD, and by his fierce anger. (KJV)

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

Wonder how many Christians in the world have heard of the fierce wrath of the Lord which destroys as above.  Many, I guess, choose to ignore it or brush it aside because they feel, Jesus having died on the Cross also canceled the wrath of the Lord.  I too would like to hold to it and acknowledge that Christ died for me so I have nothing to fear of the wrath of the Lord and Paul says, Ro. 5:9, 'Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through Him!'  But I look at this carefully and realise that I need to be saved from God's wrath through Him! 

Jesus said, 'It is finished' and therefore, there's nothing more left for me to do to gain eternal life and I accept that by His awesome atoning sacrifice, the chasm between God and us has been bridged by His Cross so now we need no longer be worried about not reaching our Father in heaven.  I 'reckon' that if I go on sinning and offending God many times, it's ok, right?  Wrong, for God's Word gives the way He wants us to live our Christian lives.  When I think: 'I need to be saved from God's wrath through Him', I realise I need Him to be my 'PASS' into the portals of heaven, for without Him I'm doomed and what I say further, will embellish the point that Jesus is with you, when you walk along His way. 

I don't want to frighten any reader of this reflection on what I've said, for it's not my aim, but I want all of us to repent and come to a proper understanding of Jesus' way for our lives. He said, Mt. 5:48, 'Be ye perfect as your Heavenly Father is perfect!'  And then He gave directions for us on the way to live ranging over three chapters, 5-7 of Mathews Gospel.  Why, I ask myself would He do that if I had nothing to fear of God's wrath.  To compound my situation, I hear Him say, Mt. 7:26ff, 'Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock…'  And then I also hear His frightful saying, Mt. 7:23, 'And then will I profess unto them, 'I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.'  My friend, we need to turn on Jesus Word into our lives and realise that there's yet need to do according to His will to be with Him eternally and mind you, we may fall and even be pummeled by the devil to give up.  But yet, it's better to trudge on battered and bruised into the arms of the Lord, than languish in the fierceness of hell and utter darkness without our Precious God.

Thoughts for another day

Dec. 7, 2012.

Today's verse: Zechariah 3:3. Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel. (KJV)

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

Yesterday when in prayer, I thought of all the sins I commit and the ways in which I vex the Lord.  Now before I write further, I'd like to say that all of us without a shade of doubt love to remain clean unless it's not possible; and also adorn our bodies with good clothes; put on some ornaments and perfume so that when we appear before people, we may impress them, don't we?  As I thought further, I looked around in the prayer room of our church where the people go to pray and where I like to spend my evening, even if briefly.  I saw that I wore decent clothes and looked clean and most people also looked clean.  On various days that I've been to the prayer room, I noticed the poor who wear not so good clothes and are perhaps shabbily dressed and even some eunuchs who come, usually move to a less visible corner; and doing what they have come to do, move away quickly and very inconspicuously so as to not attract attention.

Suddenly my mind moved to how my soul might look before God!  It dawned on me that it would look like Joshua did when he stood before the angel, in our Scripture today.  Ah, a dreadful sight: filthy, unkempt, disheveled and utterly ugly to look at.  My friend, so disgusted was I with the sight of my soul that I couldn't raise my eyes before the Lord and I spoke and told Him, 'Lord, I look so disgusting…'  My eyes became moist and there was much anguish in me.  I thought to myself, 'before the world, I like to be seen as fabulous, but what about, before the Lord?'  For to the Lord, our outer appearances don't matter; it's our souls He is interested in; what will He say when He sees our souls?   Next, what will He do to us who're so awfully filthy?  What do we do when a filthy, dirty person comes and sits next to us in a bus?  We move away isn't it?  Then what about God before whom we are even more dirty than the filthiest of persons; for God is Holy and Pure; Unblemished with absolutely no stain!

God can also move away from us and if He does, we are doomed, but God doesn't do that.   Instead He clothes us with white raiment and makes us 'priests' and 'kings' in His Kingdom; remember Jesus washes us clean and makes us as white as snow.  For such a great God, isn't it possible that I atleast do a little internal cleaning?  I guess it is right and proper and in this season of advent which most Christians are following, won’t it be fabulous if we but attempt to be clean before Him, even if it costs us a little?  Think about it.

Thoughts for another day

Dec. 6, 2012.

Today's verse: Ro. 6:11. Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. (KJV)

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

Within the heart of man lies the key to his final destination, whether he'll live with God eternally or whether he'll be away from God suffering the torments of hell.  The heart is a slave of the will of a man, free-will, which God has given him and which differentiates him from every other being; for by his free-will a man can be his own master.  The urge to sin emanates from the heart of man and Jesus rightly said, Mt. 15:18, 'But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man ‘unclean.'  This urge, man has not been able to curb since the ages, and will never unless, a Greater Power enables him do that.  The Greater Power Who can enable us to do that, is the Holy Spirit Whom  Jesus sent us as He promised His apostles. 

Jesus went through much suffering and death and by His resurrection, He opened the doorway of heaven for us, which was closed by the sin of Adam.  In His death, Jesus Christ died to sin so as to show us who live in Him, to also die with Him and thus be dead to sin.  In His resurrection, He also made us alive through Him and therefore we're alive unto God.  What this simply means is, 'we live a life, pleasing to God in and through Jesus Christ believing that He is our Savior.'  To live this kind of life, we need to go to the Holy Spirit to get His help and He is most willing to hold us up for it pleases Him to help when we're on the way Jesus taught us to go and He is pleased also when we worship and praise Jesus.  Take the mantle of Grace Jesus sends us in His Holy Spirit, and move on – alive to God, to sing His praise and do His work of lifting souls of men to Him.  Amen.

Thoughts for another day

Dec. 5, 2012.

Today's verse: Jn. 15:5. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. (KJV)

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

Yesterday, I went for a talk of a fairly controversial person who claims the Lord has spoken to her for over three years and still does.  I'm not going to be dealing with her controversies or anything the churches around the world say about her.  And if I were to make a comment on her doctrinal fallacy, I'd only say that to me she didn't appear to give any 'heretical' doctrine but rather I was taken aback by her simplicity and mostly her approach to true life in God, which of a necessity must, I repeat, must, have holiness at its core, else the life is just a sham and hoax, not worth even talking about.  This is the gleaning I received and accepted, from her talk.

When I talk on holiness, you may assume I'm holy myself, which by far I'm not and I ashamed to say how unholy I am, so much so that I squirm before the Lord, tired and worn by my deep ingrained impurity and tendency to rebel against the Holy One, the Eternal and Immortal El Shaddai.  I wish like Job I were not, for then I wouldn't dare offend my Precious Lord who gave Himself up for me.  Deep in the night, at times I think, how dare I rebel against the Lord, Whose form spans the entire universe and whose glory sounds in the deepest cells of my being, which sometimes in a shallow way I echo in the form of sounds I emit from my mouth in prayer or song.  And I may not even be able to describe to you the wrath that is to fall on the sinful…it's utterly, utterly terrible.  You won't even want to hear about it; and remember, the paths of isolation from God are so scary that your hair can stand on its end.  So frightful is the thought that I guess 99% of preachers don't even talk about it and forget talking, they don't even know about it and they may tell you…Jesus has paid the price.  Yes, Jesus has paid the price of our sins fully, but have we accepted Him fully?  Think about it.

There're times, when perhaps like you, I'm so disturbed by my inability to change myself; and I cry to the Lord, 'Oh, help me, for I'm a sinner, disgusting in Your sight and a thing doomed to destruction!'  Which is when our Scripture comes to me.  'I AM the vine and you are the branches and if you abide in Me, you will bear much fruit for without Me, you can do nothing.'  I realise without Him, I can do nothing.  I also realise that I'm the branch and He is the Vine and I need to remain attached to Him, to be with Him always; a thought refreshed in me by the speaker I earlier mentioned.  I know, all I have to do is remember I draw life from Him and must continue to draw life from Him and in that He will change me to the divine: to shun sin and walk humbly before Him.  Then I will be complete: He in me and I in Him.

Thoughts for another day

Dec. 4, 2012.

Today's verse: Ezek. 34:31. You are my sheep, the sheep of my pasture and I am your God, says the Lord GOD. (NRSV)

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

Natalie had just finished her breakfast: a small piece of bread and a cup of black tea.  The kids had left for school and her husband Mark had set off to look for work.  He was a casual laborer able to do only minor menial jobs after a fire had burnt his hand, ruining his career as an artist. The fingers with which he once wielded the brush were now a mass of bone and flesh.  Overnight, Natalie and he had been reduced to nothing; and with two little kids to feed, it was a nightmare.  Besides, she couldn't contribute anything to the expenses, being incapacitated with a problem neck that troubled her no end, bringing pain untold.  But somehow she managed to take care of the household. 

There was no help coming from anyone and as she pondered on their situation, looking at the sheer helplessness of it, she could hear herself praying, not that she believed in praying any more for the fire at their home five years ago which destroyed all they had, had shattered her belief in God.  She prayed, but now it was just out of a fear that if she didn't pray something more awful would happen.  Like every day, a few tears fell from her eyes; but today seemed a little different because her lips moved rather involuntarily saying, 'Oh God, if you really love me and remember me, send me and my family some help…'  The tears gushed out and soon she was sobbing miserably.  Then something happened: she saw a bright light. Petrified, she saw the figure of a man in that light. He said, 'Natalie, you are My sheep, the sheep of My pasture and I am Jesus Christ your Lord and God.  I remember you and here I have come to assure you that I will take care of you.  Fear no more!' 

And then the light was gone; it was like it hadn't happened at all.  She looked around nervously, startled when the bell rang.  It was the courier.  She quickly opened it as it wasn't one of those bills, the only mail they received these days.  Inside was a check with a small note: 'This is for the man who had once painted my wife's picture so lovingly.  She died last week and had willed this money to the artist who had been as a source of life for her and me with his beautiful art which kept her alive so long.' Mr Michael Manson.  Though she had heard of the Mansons, the billionaire family, she did not recall Mark ever mention of a Mr or a Mrs Manson. She looked at the check; the figure on it was $ 500,000; it was more than enough for Mark and her and their kids begin a new life.  She knew her family's life had changed and rushed to call Mark and tell him the news when her glance fell on the picture of Christ on the table.  In tears she remembered, ' you are My sheep, the sheep of My pasture and I am Jesus Christ; I will take care of you.'

Thoughts for another day

Dec. 3, 2012.

Today's verse: 2 Sam. 12:14a. Howbeit, because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme, (KJV)

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

When we sin, we don't think much of it because our aim is to achieve the purpose for which we were to sin; at times not even because of a helpless situation, not that the 'wrongness' of the sin diminishes, but in rare cases, can still be condoned, as against wanton wrong-doing.   We never realise the hurt we cause God, both in the worldly realm, as in David's sin, of which reference is made above, and the spiritual realm, of which there's a reference in the Book of Job.

In Job, we see the challenge satan puts before God of his appraisal of Job, whereby he says that if God had not put a hedge of protection around him and blessed him abundantly, then Job would not fear God and abide by His ways.  But God takes the challenge and asks satan to do what he wills but not touch his life.  Now we know what happens and though Job argues he is innocent, he yet does not err against God.  And satan stands silenced before God for he discovers that there're men like Job, who may get, the not-so-good things in life and yet, are unshaken in their faith in Him! On the other hand, God had blessed David and made him king over Israel, but he committed a shameful act with Bathsheba and got Uriah her husband killed purposely, to hide his sin with her.  David was known as a man of God and blessed by Him abundantly; but his shameful act became known to the people.  Now, because God had blessed him and raised him to be king, it amounted to David sullying the Name of God before the people and worse, even those who were anti-God by giving them a peg by which they could 'insult' Him. That is what Nathan the prophet tells David. 

Today, when we're blessed by God and kept by Him, our sinning against Him also serves to sully His Name, both in the worldly realm, if we're known to be men of God like David, and in the spiritual realm for satan gets occasion to insult our precious God on our account.  So its right for us to think about this aspect before we sin for we also know that God is offended and hurt grossly by our sins and eventually His justice would demand withdrawal of His blessings from our lives.