Thoughts for another day

March 29, 2013.

Today's verse: Lk. 23:34. Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. (KJV)

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

At the moment I write this, 10:23 am, my mind goes back to this time centuries ago in Israel when one Man, was at the scourging pillar, being scourged by Roman brutes with all their strength, for what, perhaps even they didn’t know.  At the center of it all, was the man being scourged whom they called Jesus Christ, who is our God and Savior. 

On Him God had cast the sins of all mankind, in fact, He became sin, for us and therefore, the wrath of God was fully poured out on Jesus Christ.  The result was such vehemence and hatred of the Jews for Jesus that they didn’t desist when Pilate brought Him to the judgment seat, His body broken, His face puffed and swollen and His whole form disfigured by the many stranded whip which had at its edges, sharp pieces of metal, iron hooks, etc. to tear the flesh off the person being scourged; from their demand that He be crucified.  Their cries bayed for His Blood and ironically, it was His Blood that was to wash away the sins of mankind and therefore, although not explicable, the ferocious rage led to the crucifixion of the Lamb of God, outside the city and probably at the same time as the lambs were sacrificed by the Jews observing the Passover of the Lord as it came down to them from the time of Moses.   

While history isn’t the motive of this reflection and you could find some error here depending on which Biblical scholar you read, putting things in the right perspective is my sole aim and beholding my Savior on the Cross is what I crave for; and even more, my ears tinge with tearful eyes when His Words hit them, ‘Father forgive them, for they know not what they do!’  My friend, those for me are the most satisfying and gratuitous Words that filled the chasm created by the sin of the first man and fused once again the pure relationship man had with God.  I go back in time to see Jesus on the Cross and I behold Him in intense pain, bleeding, weeping copiously inside because of the sheer pain, yet looking at me…no not with disdain for what my sins did to Him but with eyes of mercy that say to me, ‘It’s okay, I have done this for you.  Be glad and go tell all about what I have done for you and them and you will find me with you whenever you share this sight with man.’  I pause, then look up and then thank Him…my Savior, my Lord, my All.

Thoughts for another day

March 28, 2013.

Today's verse: Mk. 15:26. And the superscription of his accusation was written over, THE KING OF THE JEWS. (KJV)

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

Jesus was crucified to death and as was the practice of the Romans, they placed a sign on the Cross to indicate His crime and it read, ‘JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS.’  Strange isn’t it, punished for being a King?  But what’s stranger is that Pilate in his affirmation through that writing on the Cross did that which the Jews didn’t do.  Isn’t it strange that the Jews, who knew Scripture and were waiting for the promised Messiah, didn’t recognize Him?  They didn’t, even when Jesus did all those marvelous works which no one could do unless He was God.  And may I say, they didn’t recognize Jesus as the King of the Jews although they read the Scriptures, Sabbath after Sabbath in the synagogues.  And if their hearts were right, they would have discovered Jesus for what He really was: The Divine King! 

Let’s go to Gen. 14:18, ‘Then Melchizedek King of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High,’ see here is Jesus the King of Salem.  The Name Melchi’zedek is a combination of two words, ‘malqui’ and ‘sedek’ which means ‘King of righteousness…see Heb. 7:2.  And Jesus stood before the Jews saying, ‘Can any of you prove me guilty of sin?’ Jn. 8:46. Then Salem means peace and Jesus exhibited it abundantly even as He healed people and sent them in peace.  Were they to watch Him closely, see His nature and His works and listen to His Words, which were like no other as the Bible says, He taught them with authority, unlike the scribes and Pharisees; then they would plainly see Him as King which, because of their pride, they didn’t, for their minds were closed and in their hearts they didn’t accept the mercy of God.  But then, much as the Jews didn’t like it, Pilate in the finale on Calvary, asserted: Jesus as King.  What a tragedy that the Jews, the chosen people of God never accepted God as King.  If we go back in time, to meet Samuel, we see that the Jews even then rejected God as their King…1 Sam. 8:7.   

Is it different now?  We need to ask ourselves that, even as we reflect on the passion and death of our Lord.  Is He King of my life?  Truly, if we accept Him as King, He will give us His Kingdom as our heritage in the next life and we’ll spend it with Him; glorifying and worshiping Him, just the way we do now, of course with a lot more fervor, for we shall see Him face to face and be one with Him.

Thoughts for another day

March 27, 2013.

Today's verse: John 19:5, 13. And Pilate saith unto them, Behold the man! When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he brought Jesus forth, and sat down in the judgment seat in a place that is called the Pavement, (KJV)

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

Here’s something intriguing in John’s Gospel.  Consider this:  Jesus, the King of glory…the Master of the universe, the ONE who holds the life breath of every human being and who with a Word can destroy mountains and plunge the planets into oblivion; yes, Pilate orders Him scourged and then brings Him, into the ‘hall of judgment’ and tells the marauding crowd of Jews, ‘Behold the Man!’ Little did Pilate realise that the One he called, ‘Man’ was the Creator of the universe Who held His peace so that Pilate and the Jews could both be reconciled with God.   

Then, Pilate sat Him down in the judgment seat not knowing He was seating Him, Who is the Judge of the entire universe, onto the earthly judgment seat, which if Jesus desired, He could’ve destroyed with, but a Word.  But He held His peace so that what was written about Him in the Scriptures would be fulfilled and He had just the previous night, submitted fully to the will of His Father, which was that He die for us men to liberate us from the clutches of sin and death.   

My friend, if you’ve read this and thought of the awesome significance of this Scripture, blessed are you, for know that Jesus, endured the shame reserved for men, nay, for criminals who committed gruesome crimes, just because He loved us.  So vast was His love, He didn’t consider being judged by a frail mortal as shameful.  On the other hand, when it comes to us, we don’t even like to talk to lower ranked people. 

Jesus was made to sit on the Pavement, to be judged…imagine, Him the Blessed, Almighty and Holy One, seated on His throne in heaven, flanked by glorious angels who didn’t dare look at Him, yea, the same Jesus, sat on the pavement.  Don’t forget He had endured much pain and shame a few minutes earlier when the Roman soldiers had spat on Him, teased Him and tortured Him even to chunks of flesh, being yanked off Him ferociously.  And while in intense pain, all Jesus did was think of you and me.  Oh, so beautiful a God; how can we thank Him enough that He is our God and He has called us unto Him, giving us the privilege of being His children.

Thoughts for another day

March 26, 2013.

Today's verse: 2 Chron. 16:9. For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. (KJV)

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

The troubles of life can be many; and many of us believers are also subject to the troubles that life, as a matter of course, brings us.   You can measure a man’s relationship with God on what is his response when trouble or disaster strikes for his response is but a reflection of how much he has harbored the Gentle Holy Spirit inside of him.  I believe no other yardstick is as good to determine what I may say, the God Quotient (GQ) in a man.

At a time when Peter didn’t know Jesus well, he stepped into the water and after a few moments found himself sinking.  But later, in the Book of Acts, we see the same Peter standing before the rulers and elders, and boldly declaring that Jesus was the awaited Savor and that salvation is only in the Name of Jesus, Acts. 4:8-13; what transformed Peter?  The clue is there in 4:8, ‘Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit…’  Now when you’re filled with the Holy Spirit, this happens when you openly acknowledge that Jesus is the Son of God and the Christ then, you move into a space which is a special position of God.   In this space, you’re devoted to God and act according to His will.  Your heart is perfect towards Him and you find doing things that please God, also pleasurable. 

This state is perfect for our Scripture above to be realised.  You know, when God is all you have and everything for you is but an act of His, then God’s eyes are upon you.  His Grace becomes your garment and His blessings, your propellers.  Wherever you go, His eyes follow you and so success follows you everywhere.  Peace and Joy are the other two companions that join with you and the nature of Jesus engulfs you, much to the delight of our Father in heaven, who goes ahead of you and is strong on your behalf, cutting off your enemies and moving away your burdens and difficulties. 

Thoughts for another day

March 25, 2013.

Today's verse: Sirach 34:14. Whoso feareth the Lord shall not fear nor be afraid; for he is his hope. (KJV)

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

The fear of the Lord is everything that’s good for man for with it comes life and also the cloak of God’s blessing, His protection and provision.  When a man is in awe of God and is rightly disposed to Him, then his mind is used of the Lord to the disclosure of knowledge wherewith the man can go into the world and seek to earn with the knowledge that God has given and he is able to earn well and fend for himself.

When a man has the right perspective about God, he realizes how big God is and how small everything else is.  That’s the time when like they say, a man can look at the problem he faces straight in the eye and not look at it as if it’s anything, rather warn it, pointing to his God and declaring how big God is.  Eventually, the problem will be dwarfed by God and made to disappear because God was exalted by the man despite the problematic situation.  God loves when a man can praise Him when he is in difficulty with not much hope, for one can only glorify God when one projects Him as one’s all, no matter what.

For the man who fears the Lord, there’s no other fear that can grip.  For, because of his reverence to the Lord, the Lord is pleased and guards him.  There’s no harm that can harm him as long as God is there and God becomes his hope as the man realizes that God is able to work wonderfully in his life.  Thus is the Scripture above really alive in him who is attuned to God and knows God and has a healthy fear of Him.

Thoughts for another day

March 22, 2013.

Today's verse: Micah 7:9. I will bear the indignation of the LORD, because I have sinned against him, until he plead my cause, and execute judgment for me: he will bring me forth to the light, and I shall behold his righteousness.  (KJV)

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

Fadee was touched by the Lord in a dramatic way in the year 2000.  Thus began his journey with the Lord but it was never smooth.  Because of a fiercely zealous spirit, according to the Ministry the Lord had put in his heart, Fadee sank into the Bible.  His life became God’s Word and he soaked the Word like the dry ground does, the first rains to fall on it.  Fadee fasted and prayed and was ever ready to move where the Lord wanted him to.  He preached, counseled and helped people; all for the Lord and many started going to Fadee to receive the good the Lord gave through his ministry. 

But Fadee desired more from the Lord because he believed the Lord wanted him to do much more as his faith made him believe insanely in the Lord’s power to do anything and he even envisioned the lame walk, the blind see, the dead rise, through his ministry.  He firmly believed the Lord would do all he would ask for.  But as the years passed, on the one hand, Fadee couldn’t see the great work He expected the Lord to do and on the other, he became spiritually arrogant so as to look down at other preachers and ministers of God.  Time went by and Fadee still didn’t see his ministry start.  He knew only God could launch it while believing that whatever he had been able to do through God’s power in the past was nothing compared to what was in store and his pride increased even more. 

By his arrogance, Fadee even prophesied healings etc. in prayer meetings that actually never occurred and while he attributed his prophecies as God’s message, it was simply not the case.  Slowly the preaching assignments reduced, people who used to come to him went elsewhere and Fadee was reduced to just a man with a mission; but no mission!  It even made him wonder whether the Lord had a mission for him anymore.  He has now realised his faults and regrets his big pride.   Our Scripture above is his solace for he believes that once God chooses, He retains and uses the person – didn’t He do that with Jonah?  My friend, if in the walk of life you’ve drifted away from God like Fadee, no matter why, also do like Him: ask for forgiveness from God and bear His anger waiting on Him.  He will come and pardon you and eventually you will do what He has given you in your ministry and then there will be great glory to God. 

Thoughts for another day

March 21, 2013.

Today's verse: Daniel 9:19. O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive; O Lord, hearken and do; defer not, for thine own sake, O my God: for thy city and thy people are called by thy name. (KJV)

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

Two things in this reflection that should touch your hearts as you read the Scripture today, wherein you will find a heart-felt pleading by Daniel, a prophet of God whereby he asks God to forgive and help Israel.

One, in prayer, Daniel implores God telling the Almighty that he’s asking not because the Israelites are righteous or anything like that but because of God’s great mercy; this is there in the previous verse to our Scripture.  This is an important aspect of praying to God, for we tell Him that we don’t deserve anything from Him for we’re such stupid creatures, offending Him continuously.  But, we implore Him because we know He loves us and His mercy which flows like an ocean, never ending, is always with us.  When we ‘remind’ God of this, he works for us and does great wonders in our lives. These wonders may not mean wealth, fame or standing, but simply peaceful and full lives.

Two, Daniel reminds God that the city and the people are His and are called by His Name.  How much more today; for we Christians bear the name of Christ.  How much more will His Grace flow to us for we carry His Name to the nations and reveal Him to them?  How much more will God the Father work for us for having accepted His Son, whereby we honor Him and His holy will.  The Name of Christ is all we need to be secure before God and the prayer that Daniel made can be repeated oft before God for it pleases Him when we call ourselves Christian and place our needs before Him.  We must always remember that we’re sinners and in need of God’s mercy and we accept the blood of His Lamb, Jesus, to wash away our sins.  It’s such a glorious sight for a man to come before God covered in the blood of the Lamb, which is what happens when we believe Jesus to be His Son and the Savior of the world.  Therefore, in steadfast confidence we stand, imploring God to do away with our difficulties for we His people, the sheep of His flock, bear the Name of His Most beloved Son.

Thoughts for another day

March 20, 2013.

Today's verse: 2 Cor. 7:10. For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death. (KJV)

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

Picture Zacchaeus, chief of the tax collectors, he’s climbed a sycamore tree and is waiting for Jesus.  You know what, he’s fed up of life; he’s been an awful man; his greed and contempt of people have led him to insane hatred for them.  He detests that people reciprocate the revulsion he has for them.  Come on, he seems to tell them in his mind, have some respect for me, after all, I’m a big official of the regime and if you don’t change your ways, I’ll cause you much harm, both financially and in your social standing.  But the more he threatens them, the more they treat him as garbage.

Fed up with their insults and their carcinogenic hatred for him, he opens up a little crack in his mind to do something about it; the question is how?  Then he hears of this Man: holy, wonder-Worker; they even call Him the promised Messiah; and he hears something pleasing to his ears: Jesus has no qualms mingling with sinners, particularly tax collectors and other riff-raff who’re way down in the societal pecking order.  His eyes widen, hope soars in his mind…can I meet Him?  His mind rubbishes the thought…then again his squinty eyes ponder, maybe, I can meet Him.  Finally, he tells himself, so what if I don’t achieve anything, atleast I’ll learn who the Man is.  He plans to meet Him, but, there’s one big hurdle:  if the Jews learn of his intention, they’d laugh him to scorn, maybe even hurt him.  But by now, his desire to meet Christ is too intense to make him veer from his plan and in his mind he says, ‘Anyway I’m short.  So I’ll need to climb a tree and nestled in its branches, hidden from all, I’ll see him.’  Early in the morning, he’s there at the spot, waiting for Jesus. 

There’s a burst of noise and he senses them coming.  He peers to see Jesus and instantly his whole being sizzles at the sight of the Lord.  He’s truly enamored and gripped by the Spirit and something inexplicable starts happening in his heart.  Then suddenly Jesus stops under the tree; he tries to slink into himself, become invisible; but who can hide from the Master’s eyes?  The Master looks up, their eyes meet; and He says, ‘Zacchaeus come down, for today, I must stay at your house!’  No request this, but a command.  A command Zacchaeus immediately obeys even as the filth in his heart is flushed away.  He comes down a lighter man, his spirit experiences heaven and in that moment he does a 180^o turn.  Jesus smiles and welcomes him as he kneels at His feet.  Godly sorrow engulfs Zacchaeus and he declares, ‘See Lord, half my possessions, I’ll give to the poor; and if I’ve defrauded anyone of anything, I’ll pay back four times as much,’ heaven’s doors open for this pudgy little man. 

Time to ponder my friend; is my repentance Zacchaeus-like, or is it just a declaration of my mouth and not a heart thing?  Our relationship with God depends on this answer.

Thoughts for another day

March 19, 2013.

Today's verse: 2 Tim. 4:18. And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. (KJV)

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

What struck me in our Scripture above is, Paul’s thought which is, ‘The Lord shall deliver me from every evil work and preserve me unto His heavenly Kingdom.’  The confidence Paul expresses isn’t common for few people have such confidence in God; In fact, most people, even famous preachers, say, ‘don’t worry, God will take care,’ but it’s only lip-service because, they’re far removed from the distressful situation and of course, there’s no harm if one speaks that way.  Quite honestly, even I’ve said this to people and though meant to encourage them, there’re times when I didn’t mean it.

The question is, why don’t we mean it? The simple answer is, because our experience with God is limited and improper.  I see people praying and after a while, stop.  When asked, they say, ‘what’s the use of praying; God doesn’t answer prayer’ and, even I’m guilty of doing the same at times.  This is akin to a situation where we pray and demand that God do what we ask or we tell Him that we will stop believing in Him.  To me or anyone else doing it, I’d like to say that it’s wrong because God is Sovereign and not obligated to either listen to or answer our prayer and we must not forget that our life breath is in His hands and it’s for Him to take our lives whenever He wants.  After all, who’re we that we question God or impose conditions on Him?

But there’s another kind of experience which I can say Paul has had.  This experience is where you really come to know the Lord.  Now anyone having this experience has his world revolving around the Lord.  Whatever He does is always with the conscious knowledge of God’s Presence.  For example, if one sees a beggar, one remembers what the Lord says and gives; if one sees a person who’s always quarrelsome, one greets that person and so on.  In all this, one is doing things not for the persons seen, but as to the Lord Himself.  The mind is so filled with the Lord that all the time, we tilt toward His will and do what we know will please Him.  And our confidence also rises as we see His hand work marvelous things in our lives for we move according to His promises and He honors every promise.  Sometimes He takes time to honor the promise, but He does honor it in time.  Eventually, like Paul, we too who have such experiences will always be confident that God will rescue us from everything and lead us into eternal life.

Thoughts for another day

March 18, 2013.

Today's verse: 1 Cor. 15:49. Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we will also bear the image of the man of heaven. (NRSV)

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

Since we’re born of Adam, we bear his image, an earthy image for Adam was of the earth.  The body we have is natural, prone to corruption and decay.   From the time of Adam until the end of age before we’ll be raised in glory, we’ll bear his image and his body, which will see corruption.  On death, the body will wither and not leave any trace; and as Paul says, this body is sown in dishonor because it’s a corrupt body - it’s carnal and will see death and cannot be raised to eternal life.  Therefore, God has a solution and the solution is patterned on the spiritual.

The spiritual body that we will inherit is on the lines of the Spiritual Man, Who is the Christ.  Christ is of heaven and we who die unto Christ will be like Him, heavenly and spiritual.  Our bodies that will be sown will be corruptible, earthy and mortal; but when we’re raised, God will give us bodies that will be raised in glory, incorruptible and immortal and these are the bodies with which we will live our eternal lives to be with Him our Groom and our Maker.

On our spiritual bodies will we see death having no hold and death itself will be swallowed up in victory.  Thanks to God, the Father of Jesus Christ, we have a future body which is undying and holds promise from Him.  In this future there will not be a single blemish on us for every blemish will be washed away in the blood of the Christ and our bodies will shine with splendor on that glorious day, as they reflect the magnificent attire of heaven, all ready as the bride of Christ, so we may be married to Him and live with Him for ever and ever.  Let the will of God in this direction be done in totality, Amen.

Thoughts for another day

March 15, 2013.

Today's verse: Heb. 12:11. Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.  (KJV)

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

Have you ever been tested by God?  Severely?  Perhaps, some may say yes, but I tell you, very few are tested that way.  Most of us are tested mildly and that’s simply because our trove of faith is so shallow, that a greater test might break us and God our loving Father as we know, never tests us beyond the bounds of our endurance.   Still, there’re some people who’re severely tested by God.  I know of a man who preaches at a famous retreat center in India.  His life is an example of the harsh testing God can give– severe and merciless, yet at the same time, sanguine.   If I remember correctly, he was a nuclear scientist and he had two sons who were both walking up the alley of death early on in life and later succumbed to their ailments.  Even his wife died leaving him to tend after one of his sons, by himself, what with his busy schedules that left him hardly any time.  But, he endured the severity that destiny allotted to him, rather gracefully.

The great thing about the man is his approach to life.  I remember him smiling and talking about his life, his family and his travails to a shocked and visibly shaken audience; yet I could see his faith –rock solid and sure.  I believe our Scripture today is about understanding the lives of such people, who harbor in their hearts, a peace that passes all understanding despite being in the midst of a fierce storm.  Come on, how can you understand the calm of a man, who’s lost his all in life and still graciously accepts it as God’s will!

My friend, I really admire those who’re firm in their faith.  They’re an inspiration to us who’re not picked by God to show how much we can bear what He gives us – even if it’s painful.  And I know, no trial at the moment one is going through it, is good or enjoyable.  But meekly surrendering to the trial and taking it as God’s will for our lives is an act of positively accepting God and His ways.  In this God will account to that person, righteousness; for believing in Him despite all odds I reckon is the zenith of union with Him.  The one, who’s able to do this, will sure meet Him someday beyond the river.

Thoughts for another day

March 14, 2013.

Today's verse: Philip. 3:9. And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: (KJV)

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

In the world, among those who believe in the presence of God, there’re two kinds of people.  One, those who believe one can attain to salvation through things devised by men and two, those who’re among Christians, who believe that the righteousness needed to gain eternal life is not within the power of man to attain, but comes simply by faith in Christ Jesus, the Savior of the world.  Which is the right way, for no matter what a man may do, his actions simply cannot blot out his sin just the way, one cannot wash away the blot on a clean white cloth so as to make the cloth look the way it did before it got blotted.

But the blood of Christ can do that for us; why?  Because the blood of Christ is so precious, so holy that no matter what blot comes in its wake, it’s instantly cleaned and there’s so much immensity in Jesus’ Blood that even a drop of it is enough to wash every blot of every generation of mankind.  On this I would also like to point out that the great coming down of Christ to earth from heaven is akin to holding the entire water of an ocean in a cup because Christ, who spans heavens and earth, came in the form of a finite and frail man!  That’s why I talk of the immensity of Jesus’ blood for who can fathom the extent of His flowing blood? And did He himself not say, ‘This is My blood of the New Covenant, which is shed for many!’  So His blood remains un-exhausting, even if every sin of every human being on earth is washed clean.

Having said that, I submit that no matter what we do, we can’t add an iota of purity to our souls.  There can be nothing we do that can grant us any merit to be considered citizens of God’s Kingdom.  It’s only our faith in Christ which makes Him our Savior; and our belief in Him that makes us clean by God’s massive power which is exercised for us when we believe that Christ is the Son of God and He came to save us by His death and resurrection.  In believing this, we set free the fountain of God’s Grace, which certifies us as fit to be citizens of heaven to be and rule with Christ forever.

Thoughts for another day

March 13, 2013.

Today's verse: Rom. 8:3. For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do: by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and to deal with sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, (NRSV – copyright ack.)

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

I’ve read this verse many times and even dwelt on it in teaching people in the Bible class, but this time when I looked at it, God’s Spirit opened my eyes to a slightly new dimension which, without God’s enlightening Grace is difficult to conceive.   What we will see in this reflection is but a wee bit of the whole wisdom of God and how the law which God created to keep man from wrong yet, gave rise to sin through the knowledge of sin which came from it.  Sinful flesh charged up to the law for in it, sin took the opportunity to deceive us and by it slew us…Ro. 7:11. 

The law is spiritual but the flesh is sinful because in it dwells nothing good and is the route by which we’re in rebellion with God and sin takes advantage of this by bearing fruit unto death.   We know flesh avails nothing except slavery to the one by whom sin was caused.  Therefore, by our minds, we want to do God’s will but our flesh, is in mutiny to Him.  Sometimes we don’t understand why we sin, but we do, and then we feel miserable before God.  I’m sure we all find ourselves in that situation;  even Paul, the great saint of God, laments sinful flesh, calling it ‘body of death’ Rom. 7:24. 

But God, whose wisdom far exceeds the bounds of man’s ability to imagine, had a plan and through that plan, He sent His Precious Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to rebel against sin and the carnal DNA of man.  He lived without sin, making a mockery of it in the flesh.  In His death on the Cross, he made an end to the hegemony of sin on the flesh of man and by His Resurrection, made possible the raising of the corrupt and sinful flesh of man into the incorruptible flesh of man.  What a glorious future we have to be able to live in an incorruptible body and be with Him all our lives. 

Thoughts for another day

March 12, 2013.

Today's verse: 2 Pet. 1:2. Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, (KJV)

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

Knowing God is that all important necessity of any Christian’s life.  I would even say, ‘Know God, Know life.’  One may never understand, but it’s so essential to know God for in God is light and in light we don’t stumble for the light is able to show us where’re the highs or where the lows are, and the ditches or the straight path; and sojourning on earth becomes but a hymn of praise to Him.

Shockingly, many adult, baptized, ‘spiritually mature’, holy and sincere Christians don’t know God.  We think we know Him but we don’t for when the question of ‘His being’ arises, we flounder at the ‘trial’ posts of our lives.  At the same time, it isn’t that those who know Him don’t flounder or fall. Remember Peter; though he knew Christ, he still denied Him.  But this floundering is momentary.  A, what might I call it, knee-jerk reaction to the pain of the trial by which all knowledge of God flies out of the window and we fall.  But then like Peter, we get up and quickly re-connect for we know that He is the real vine and we’re the branches and without His sap, our lives will dry out: wither.

When we know Him, His Grace becomes an integral part of our lives.  You know, in this situation, one may be going through a severe trial and the carnal mind often asks the spirit, ‘hey, aren’t you worried, what’s going to happen now…you’re so much down, how will you rise; your future’s ruined, you’re finished, there’s no hope for you… and so on.  Yet, the spirit smiles; why? Don’t know…but it still smiles for deep within Grace has taken over and rules the spirit; and Grace affirms to the spirit that all is well; it’s not over yet; in due time, the might of the Almighty One will be manifest in your favor!  And peace floods the soul for where Grace is, peace isn’t far behind.  All this because we know Him for whom all things are possible and who will with deep compassion draw His child up, no matter what ditch he is lying in.

Thoughts for another day

March 11, 2013.

Today's verse: John 15:20a. Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; (KJV)

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

Hanif looked up at the sky; it never occurred to him that he would have to undergo such difficulties after he accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.  Living in the coastal city of Alexandria, peppered with educated and progressive individuals, his childhood was spent hanging out with friends, sons of rich industrialists all living in plush houses near the coast.  Son of a rich trader and well entrenched in the Islamic faith, Hanif somehow intrinsically refused to believe the teachings of Islam. Meeting Yusuf, the Christian son of an affluent merchant, changed his life completely for in Yusuf, he saw a peace and a calm he didn’t see anywhere else.  Unlike the other boys, Yusuf was composed and dignified, yet humble and friendly.  He always wore the cross around his neck, not the safest of things to do in the neighborhood, yet he didn’t bother for he wasn’t ashamed of his Savior Jesus Christ and spoke about him to everyone he possibly could and nothing could scare him.  Hanif couldn’t help but admire his zeal for the Lord. 

Hanif had a good upbringing because of his genteel mother who taught him and his three brothers, the values of life. This upbringing kept him away from trouble and in a strange way, made him yearn for Yusuf’s company as he was the only one who could understand him.  Gradually, Hanif learnt about Jesus Christ and His love.  It intrigued Hanif to know that God loved men so much, and that He could come down in the form of man and die for him was something he couldn’t quite understand.  But when Yusuf spoke with such zeal, he couldn’t refute it and it even surprised him that God wasn’t remote but involved in the lives of men which eventually made him accept Christ as his Lord and Savior.  Yusuf warned him that about the repercussions but he never knew they could be so dreadful.  In a matter of days, everyone was against him.  His father, mother, siblings, relatives, neighbors, friends and everyone seemed to think of him as the traitor.  He was shunted out of his home and had to take up a menial job while staying at Yusuf’s place.

Then one day, a group of men with masks attacked them as they were walking home, stabbed Yusuf to death and put the weapon in his hands to frame him.  The judge convicted him, despite all his defenses as false witnesses, even his friends, said they saw him standing near Yusuf’s body with the knife.  The motive they allotted to the murder was that Hanif harbored a grudge over Yusuf as because of him, he had to face great trouble; which was just utter nonsense for if he had any real friend whom he loved a lot, it was Yusuf.  Yet, who would listen?  In jail too, he wasn’t left in peace as the Islamic inmates beat and tortured him.  Today after being beaten for nothing, he sat outside in the open near his cell, blood oozing from the wound in his face.  He removed the copy of John’s Gospel he had smuggled inside the jail, one of the precious gifts Yusuf had given him and read it.  His eyes turned to our Scripture today.  Tears fell from his eyes as he thought of Christ, sneered and ridiculed, beaten and tortured by the Romans.  He thought, ‘what is a life-time jail sentence compared to that.’  And he thanked God for choosing him to suffer for the Name of His Son – what a wonderful privilege to serve the Living God he thought; peace flooded his soul even as he forgave all those who hurt him and ill-treated him. 

Thoughts for another day

March 8, 2013.

Today's verse: 1 Thess. 1:5a. For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; (KJV)

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

The Gospel of God isn’t weak as some may consider it, but it’s packaged by the power of God…yes, the power that’s capable of destroying mountains and rending huge clouds pregnant with water to deliver an abundance of rain.  When we learn the Gospel, first as kids and then as grown-ups, we’re somehow led to believe it’s weak and very boring.  Sometimes it happens because we associate the Spirit of the Gospel with the person who preaches it, who at times may appear to be docile and weak.  Be that as it may, no one should ever think that God’s Gospel is weak for His Word contains his abundant power.

We’re not to forget that when we’re weak, then God is strong.  It’s an eternal truth enshrined in His Holy Word; and it always works, for at the command of the person preaching the Gospel, the dead rise, the lame are healed, the prisoners are set free and even the blind see.   Such is the power of the Gospel that the devil scampers away at the mere mention of the Word. 

In our Scripture today, Paul asserts that the Gospel, preached by them wasn’t in nature, weak, but filled with power and with much assurance or conviction.  It came with conviction from them for they had seen the effects of the Gospel, how it was powerful, being able to convert souls and change the leanings of a man from things evil, to things of God.  Both physically as well as spiritually, the Gospel can do much to a man for it has the power to launch an attack against satan which cannot be quelled by him.  It is only the Gospel of Jesus Christ that can convert a human being from being a chaser of things of the world to be a chaser of God’s things and mind you when I say this, I know the utter difficulties of leading a life chasing things of God: it can be so frustrating that at times one wants to give up because it is so strenuous.  Yet, God’s Gospel isn’t so weak that it can leave a man who listens to it, chooses to live and preach it, high and dry and desperate.  Rather, being filled with promise, God’s Gospel inflames the human heart with hope and the promise of new life. 

Thoughts for another day

March 7, 2013.

Today's verse: Rom. 8:10. But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness. (NIV – copyright ack.)

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

On the face of it, when we read the above Scripture, it seems quite simple and easy to comprehend, but a closer look and we realise there’s a great deal of mystery in the statement, for how can I grasp: ‘if Christ is in me, then my body is dead’; besides, though Christ is in me right now, my body isn’t dead as I’m able to walk and work, being pretty much alive; also that I write this reflection and you, though you have Christ are yet alive and are reading this and well, trying to comprehend.  But then, as I go forward in my thinking, there’s a great truth that hits me for I realise that when Paul says my body is dead, he actually means ‘the desires of the body.’

Now the desire of the body is largely carnal.  That is my situation without Christ, helpless and prone to fall.  But, with my conscious acceptance of Christ, His Spirit comes to dwell in me and the situation then is what I call…Spiritual.  We know that the desires of the flesh are against the desires of the Spirit and vice-versa; but in the Spiritual new self, His Spirit works in me to attain to or appropriate the desires that reflect my craving for things of heaven and thus I’m subsequently able to express both thoughts and affinities toward things of God, for deep within, the idea of living in accord with God’s will becomes real and my mind strives actively to live His way, shedding the carnal path.

By the coming of the Holy Spirit, which is given us as the further work of God, after He puts on us His seal of ownership (this of course happens as we open up to His invitation to accept His Son as our Redeemer and believe that He died for us) our spirits are quickened and become alive in the heavenlies, as the righteousness of Christ becomes ours by transfer because of the Holy work of God and achieved by the shedding of the blood of His Son.  Then on we’re one with Christ and in and through Him alone, we’re one with the Father – alive and well, even through eternal life. 

Thoughts for another day

March 6, 2013.

Today's verse: col. 1:13. Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: (KJV)

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

When Adam and Eve sinned, the destiny of God’s most beautiful creature, man, suddenly changed from one to live in eternal light, to one to live in eternal and deep darkness: the soul of man was transferred to the power of darkness.  To lead a life, or should I say exist, without the Presence of God, where the only thing available was torment to the soul; was a very frightening but real prospect to the entire human race.  But God had not finished yet; God had a plan in His mind to deliver man from this terrifying scenario.

Years later, Jesus, the only Son of God, shed all His glory and came upon earth as fragile man to fulfill the task the Father had set for Him which was to redeem man.  Through the sin of one man, the entire human race was doomed and now through the righteous sacrifice of one Man, the entire human race was to be saved from sure destruction.  And I say destruction because the prospect of hell is utterly horrifying.  If one were to describe it, it could chill the very marrow in the bones and make them as dry twigs.  But thanks be to our God and Savior Jesus Christ that He turned the evil scheme of the devil upside down and by His Cross made of him a laughing stock, for what the devil had deemed to be the end, rather became the beginning of a new story for man, freshly redeemed by God who loved him so much that He gave His life for him, something the devil’s evil mind could never conceive.

And thus God’s eternal plan fructified and the work of redemption was over.  Man now awaits his Redeemer to come and take His bride unto Him in which we will see how God having delivered us from the power of darkness, will now translate us into the Kingdom of His beloved Son.  Where there will be neither sorrow nor fear.  Only the Lamb of God with His bride deeply ensconced in Him in an eternal embrace of deep passion and love that only God can involve us in.  Blessed is the one who is considered worthy to be the bride of Christ.

Thoughts for another day

March 5, 2013.

Today's verse: Rom. 8:25. But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it. (KJV)

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

In our lives, we’re able to bear many adversities and stumbling blocks because we hold ‘hope’ in our hearts – the hope, that things will be better tomorrow and that our problems will somehow vanish and leave us free.   Every human being has hope in his heart as an instinct and it’s quite powerful in that, hope refuses to leave except perhaps in dire situations when one can see one’s boat sinking, and then like a pricked balloon hope too ceases to be.

Now having hope without recourse to a higher power (God in our case) to deliver that hope is like hoping in probability and believing in the man-made maxim, ‘every bad is followed by good and vice-versa.’  But, it may not be so; hence, if hope one must, then it’s better one hopes in something that’s sure, and like Paul would say, I guide you to that ‘sureness’, the Rock of Ages, in Whom one may hope and that hope will, in every probability, be realized.  I believe that everything we hope for in God, will be ours – whether it be peace of mind or a good home or the right kind of success in life. 

The message of the Gospel is one of Hope:  hope to live a clean, full life in this world and in the next, we’ll be welcomed into our eternal dwellings to be with our God and Savior, to commune with Him forever and ever.  Now Paul has a valid point in our Scripture above when He says that if we hope for what we see, then it cannot be called hope for how can you hope for what already is?  But we know we’re saved because we hope.  This hope is, as a result of our past experiences where we saw God fulfilling all He promised in His Word and this gives us greater reason to hope.  And we patiently wait for our hope to be realised.  Paul says Ro. 5:5 ‘hope doesn’t disappoint,’ so surely, in time, God will bring about the object of our hope.  Let us then hold on to this hope of living lives pleasing in His sight, and when the time comes, He will welcome us with arms wide open.

Thoughts for another day

March 4, 2013.

Today's verse: Ps. 36:9. For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light. (KJV)

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

What will life be without God?  For me, and I’m sure for you too, it’s just inconceivable isn’t it?  How can one stay without breath or oxygen?  That and even more is the significance of God in our lives.  In fact, God is life and truly without God, there can be no life.   The essence of living isn’t without God for how can a created thing even live without the pattern of its Creator (particularly because it’s molded in His form and image) and how can the pattern not have the being of the Creator for the pattern is obviously spawned from the Creator’s being isn’t it? That’s the reason why when we forsake the Lord, there’s an emptiness within and joy flees the soul.

With God alone is the fountain of life for He alone is God and He alone is the giver of life.  In God alone is the light with which we shall see for without God is no light except utter darkness and gloom.  With God in our lives, we’re filled with light.  There may be errors in our ways and there may be offences with which we cloud our walk with Him, yet when He is there, there’s the fragrance of life all around; the incandescent but definite glow of living light.

God, though holy, (I won’t add a superlative for holy means holy) yet tolerates our weaknesses and our imperfections…why?  Because He loves us.  He loves us so much that at times when I think on this, I’m not able to understand why He loves us so.  All I can see is His Face clothed with mercy…like no other mercy I’ve ever seen or known, and all I can see Him telling me is, ‘walk in My light for in it, you will live.’

Thoughts for another day

March 1, 2013.

Today's verse: 1 Peter 3:15. and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: (KJV)

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

Kit worked as an officer in the Buildings department of the Municipality. The head of the department was Amit, a man notorious for corruption, embezzlement and extortion.   Every day, Kit saw scores of people calling upon Amit for one thing or other and every day he saw huge sums of money being handed over to people in his department, most of it being pocketed by Amit.  Although tempted because of his low salary, Kit never took a penny from anyone; in fact it sickened him to see such greed for money in everyone in the department.  Only his firm commitment to the Lord kept greed away from him; and God’s Grace strengthened his will to keep his hands clean.  Amit, his boss would often ask him to shuffle papers of those who had bribed him and Kit would often remind him that there were others, earlier in the queue, but Amit would get his way. 

Suddenly one day, there was a raid by the anti-corruption bureau (ACB) and all in the department were arrested including Kit.  Their houses were sealed, their bank accounts frozen. Everything turned topsy-turvy for the entire lot.  These men who boasted of connections at the top, couldn’t get help from anybody, neither could they explain the source of money found in their homes.  Kit was also implicated because of the reputation of the department in which everyone was assumed to be corrupt though they found nothing at his home. His jail term was waived away miraculously by the judge, although he wasn’t fully exonerated and mercifully, his bank account was un-frozen.  He was suspended from work and faced a bleak future with the shame society reserved for him.  His friends and colleagues knew he was innocent, but no one came forward as the case was taken up at the highest levels and no one wanted to be involved.  Despite all this, Kit somehow managed to smile.  Inside he was miserable and often he would think how he could ever get into such trouble despite living the way God wanted him to.  Yet, his faith didn’t dwindle and when people offered their regrets, all he did was smile and say, its okay.  His friends from the church helped a lot during the crisis as they knew him but even they couldn’t fathom the reason for the comfort on his face.  He just told one thing:  I have hoped in the Lord and I know that anyone who hopes in Him, doesn’t hope in hopelessness! 

Some time went by; Kit shook the entire episode of his mind, yet never lost faith that God would do something for him.  He managed to look after his family with a small job offered him by a church member.  Then one day, he was summoned by the Municipal Corporation and told it was a mistake the ACB had made in arresting and implicating him; and though they tried to find some wrong, they never could as Kit’s hands were clean and every other person in the department corroborated that he was honest.  It was therefore decided, he would be re-instated into service; not as an officer but as the head of the department; suggested by the mayor; and all his back pay was to be paid to him with twice the interest, which the judge had ordered!  It was a fantastic shock for Kit and even as he accepted the re-instatement, his face beamed with gratitude to God, Who he knew had made this happen.  He had lead Kit through the lean time but never abandoned him and then promoted him so wonderfully for he knew that even if he were to work all his life he’d never have become the head of the department.  Putting aside all shame, he knelt there itself and glorified the God of Israel, Who had so wonderfully worked things out for him, true to His promise.  Glory to God.