Thoughts for another day

April 30, 2013.

Today's verse: Deut. 4:7. What other nation is so great as to have their gods near them the way the LORD our God is near us whenever we pray to him? (KJV)

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

A key aspect of our Christian walk with the Lord is that we can always sense His Presence with us which I’m sure all of us have experienced in earnest prayer.  Have you ever paused in your walk with Him and tried to understand what it means?   If of the ‘bizzyness’ we’re involved in throughout our lives we take a few moments and ponder upon who God is and what He means to us, we would be stunned at how casually we’ve treated our God. 

See, He is not the Governor or President or head of a country or a human being.  He is far, far above any human authority and beyond the dimension of any human edifice.  He is so great that the whole earth and the heavens cannot comprise Him and the earth is but His foot stool.  He fills all in all and His stature is beyond measure, so much so that when we accord Him praise, we’re doing nothing to add to His glory or His stature; but we merely make ourselves acceptable in his scheme of things.  His power is so awesome that mega mountains and the highest peaks are like little stones and His Spirit can convert to dust the huge rocks in an instant.  The massive oceans are like little puddles of water and when He flames, it’s nothing short of awesome and incredible.  Now when we worship Him, we put ourselves in line for His blessings, a thing He loves to send us because He loves to see us blessed. 

A very remarkable thing about our God is that He loves to have a one to one relationship with us.  If you remember well Jesus’ parable on the lost sheep, you’ll realise the immense love He has for us His creation.  He has made it possible for us to sense His Presence and He says, ‘You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.’ Jer. 29:13.  It gives Him immense pleasure to love us and be with us.  If only we open the eyes of our hearts and remove the rust from our minds, we’ll see our God near to us and when our mouths sing glory to Him, He enfolds us in His wake forever.  Learn to live in His Presence and in the shadow of His wings, for it’s the elixir of life.

Thoughts for another day

April 29, 2013.

Today's verse: Gal. 2:20. I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.  (KJV)

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

Accepting Jesus Christ in earnest belief as Lord and Savior means fusing into Him; a union which leaves nothing apart…a heart beating with the heart of the Lord, when we can feel the breath of God upon our backs and sense even the faintest whisperings of the Holy Spirit.  This union deflects all the attacks of the evil one and makes his temptations tepid and ineffective because when a man is fused with the Lord, then the will of the Lord is witnessed in his life.  

We must know that when we’re fully for the realization of God’s will in our lives, then the walk up the narrow path though fraught with danger, is yet pleasant and safe, for His Holy Spirit, our Most Beautiful and Awesome Partner is too involved with us to let go and allow danger to trap us.  No power on earth can compare with His power and no power can fell us when we’re under His power. 

The best the Holy Spirit does for us is keep us focused on our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and Jesus becomes real to us even as we see ourselves walking and talking with Him as He is baptized in the Jordan or as He reaches out to the leper to heal him or as He stands up for the woman bent for 18 years, healing her on a Sabbath.  Further, we even take the bread He gives us at His last supper and walk with Him with a heavy heart toward Calvary, though not in the open, fearing for our lives and then raise our eyes in disbelief and awe as He shows Himself after His resurrection and finally, see Him as He ascends into heaven in the sky, brighter than the sun; and slowly we ponder on all His Words and empowered by His Spirit are raring to go with His Good News to a lost and depraved world, bankrupt of mercy and goodness. 

It’s then that we will echo in our hearts the Word of Scripture today, calmly saying, I live, yet not I, but Christ in me, when the world seems pleasant and a field of God and men seem but our brothers and sisters who we’re meant to serve and uplift.  Into this world, we will be transported with our brother and Savior and God, Jesus, to live and breathe Him every moment.

Thoughts for another day

April 26, 2013.

Today's verse: Mt. 16:24. Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.  (KJV)

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

Among the complexities faced in our walk with the Lord are directives like our Scripture today – take up your cross and follow Me.  Living in this world, seeing the grandeur and the plush-ness, etc. one may be inclined to think – if God didn’t want us to enjoy this life with all that’s available, then why would He give the wherewithal to make all these grand things?  We may also be perplexed understanding why the world always moves toward comfort and more comfort, whereas, as true abiding Christians, our lives are never more than a moment away from sorrow and pain.

Even the finest thinkers haven’t been able to derive answers for these enigmas of life, for thinking and intellect fall far short of the ability to understand God’s ways.  But the man of God is able to discern events and tell the purpose, not always though, mind you.  As to our own selves, if we cling to God the way we must, then surely, there’s an explanation from God which is to our comfort.  I must add, unless we’re ground in the mill of life, where things tend to be painful, we’ll never find God.  Neither will we be able to experience His saving Grace, for this privilege is only to those who suffer and are close to Him; who understand why He is doing all this and in that understanding, realise that whatever the Lord God is doing is for their own good.

As we live, we may not understand the reasons why things happen, particularly things we dread.  But as we lean on God, He slowly unfolds the mystery to us and we see clearly and praise God for what He did.  Moving closer to God does a wonderful thing in our spirits; that is to accept God’s will in life.  Many a times, I want that God give me what He gives a, or b, or c, etc.  But I realise that that is not God’s plan for me as He has a unique plan, only for me.  I cannot do with someone else’s plan as it may lead me to destruction and so in prayer, I must pray that God’s will be done in my life. I can assure you that if you submit yourself to God’s will and do as He has scripted, His heart will take delight in you.  That’s when heaven’s choicest blessings will be poured in your lap.

Thoughts for another day

April 25, 2013.

Today's verse: Jn. 6:29. Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent. (KJV)

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

Yesterday we looked at faith and how it’s important that we have faith in us when we approach God, in particular faith in Jesus Christ.  Although, our Scripture today is addressed to the Jews of that time who refused to believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, it still today urges us and even the Jews I’d say, to believe that Jesus is the Son of God.  Yes, the living God who rules over the earth and all of creation.  Whose writ runs across the universe and Whose massive power is seen exercised in the gigantic and awesome things that’re before us, as belonging to the universe.

Now the point is and also the oft repeated thought to self: why is belief so important that God holds it in such high regard and why is the entire arm of God revealed to the person who has belief in his heart.  Though yet a mystery, I would still dare venture saying, ‘God is, but we don’t acknowledge Him.  But when we have faith in God, suddenly, leave alone acknowledging Him, we go on our knees and worship Him and do all those things that’re pleasing in His sight.  I believe faith in a man opens the doors of his heart to reach out to God.  When you reach out to God, you’re also inclined to abide by the rules made by Him and keep them.  Thus, the man doing this, walks in His way and in the light of His countenance.

How important faith is, we must know by what the Bible teaches and that is: Only by faith are we saved.  Of course, faith in God also leads to good works for it cannot be that one has faith yet,  no inclination to do good.  It's like, if you’re human, you have human nature and you cannot be set apart from this human nature.  Jesus has lifted up the issue of faith so high that He says, that if you believe in Him, then you do the work of God.  Truly, when you do the work of God, namely, believing in Jesus, don’t you think God will reward you abundantly?

Thoughts for another day

April 24, 2013.

Today's verse: Heb. 10:39. But we are not among those who shrink back and so are lost, but among those who have faith and so are saved. (NRSV)

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

The Lord says, ‘My righteous one lives by faith, and if he shrinks back, I will not take pleasure in him.’  A very clear directive of God that he who comes to Him, must, I repeat, must harbor faith inside of him in God, no matter what.  God takes of that faith and fulfils every wish of that man…yes, every wish of that man, who has such a great faith in God.

Listen up my friend and like the response to God’s directive in our Scripture today, say with me, ‘we aren’t among those who shrink back and so are lost, but among those who have faith and are saved.’  Faith is a great thing; in fact, I’d even say, faith is everything.  For he who has faith in God stands on solid ground.  Ah, where is the Face of God, his erroneous mind might ask him and even charge him with insanity when even in the swirling waters the man chooses to smile.  But, the man with faith in God, is unfazed for no storm can jettison him, though it may seem he is about to perish.  But his faith is rewarded by the One Whom he has set his face upon and he is drawn out of the murderous flood.

In the world today, faith is very rare.  Hardly anyone believes…I can say this with a great deal of surety and sometimes it’s even my case for though I may perform the outer deeds that befit actions of faith, in the inner heart there’s a blank where faith should be and mind you, God sees this blank, even though we may claim it’s not.  But in him that the Lord finds faith, yes, even him the Lord sets apart with blessings manifold.  And if you ask, is it possible to have faith even in the most trying circumstances, I’d say it is for I’ve undergone this process of faith and am still going through another.  If we learn to put everything in the awesome hands of God, faith follows as a gift from Him and in due course we’re saved for He is honored when we have faith in Him and He then chooses to reward us, according to the measure of faith we display.  Go on, water that little seed of faith in you today and nurture it, surely the rewards will be great.

Thoughts for another day

April 23, 2013.

Today's verse: Ps. 40: 8,9. I desire to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart.” I proclaim righteousness in the great assembly; I do not seal my lips, as you know, O LORD. (KJV)

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

The Lord knows all of us; He knows the inner things of a man, deep from the bottom-most part of the heart.  And thus He knows our desires in and out and I can truly say, ‘I desire to do Your will O my God for Your law is embedded in my heart.  You have revealed Your glorious will to me, which, by adhering to, I’m to dwell in the aura of Your Presence and as the psalmist said, “in the shadow of Your wings.” ’ 

There’s nothing of my nature and my innermost thoughts hidden to the Lord God and in the quiet of time when I’m deep in prayer with Him, He puts thoughts in my mind which’re either answers to my prayer or messages that enlighten my path in the swirling tempests of life.  That He never leaves me nor forsakes me is an assurance, both rock solid and permanent; for I realise, even when I walk in the valley of the shadow of death, I can feel His Presence as a whiff of warm air on my being.  I’m consoled and comforted by such great love that He shows, despite the fact that I’m a sinner and not worth even a single glance from Him.

Somehow, on the road of life, when I think of the difficult moments I had to live, I also remember how things worked out; so wonderfully, so miraculously.  They affirm that He my God, worked things out, even though for a brief moment, He left me; and I now know how with great compassion He gathered me.  Today too, you and I my dear friend may have storms blasting the very core of where we stand.  But let me assure you, we have the Rock of Israel around us.  I have complete trust in Him and I wait with patience, enduring the hardness of my present, knowing that in a trice, He can and will change it to my comfort.  In Him I trust and in Him I live Amen.

Thoughts for another day

April 22, 2013.

Today's verse: Ps. 71:20. Thou, which hast shown me great and sore troubles, shalt quicken me again, and shalt bring me up again from the depths of the earth. (KJV)

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

In Your Word above is my faith in You my Lord, deeply embedded in my heart, by Your goodness unto me that I might be an instrument of great proclamation unto the peoples of the earth.  In Your mercy You have lifted me up from the troubles that plagued me and put me down on safe ground, and I shall go to the ends of the earth telling the peoples, ‘Look what the Lord has done.’  And they, stunned by the work You have done for me, will ask me, were you obedient to Him?  I shall say no; then they will say, ‘ah, maybe, you did something pleasing to Him’ and I will say, no!  Then they in bewilderment will tell me, ‘oh maybe, He has chosen to dwell on you for He must’ve chosen you to be His vessel on earth’ and I will say, ‘His vessel on earth I will be, but that He did this great thing because of it, no!’

And perplexed they will ask me, ‘Then why did He do such a great thing in your life’ and I will answer boldly saying, ‘Because He loves me…because His love entails that He do great things for me and because of the faith He has embedded in my heart.’  Then they will turn and ask me, ‘how do you know He loves you?’  I will tell them to look up at the Cross.  The most significant and important sign that God has given us by which we know that He loves us; for on the Cross we see His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, hanging helplessly, bludgeoned and brutally wounded for our sake.  He took the punishment that was due to me and bore it Himself.  He uttered not a Word, when His Father, thrust upon Him all the punishment that I was supposed to bear.’

Oh, my God, I know You are the One and only Living God and that Your eyes roam the whole earth to seek out that one who is devoted to You whole-heartedly.  But today, I know that the sincere cry of a lamenting heart is heard by Your Majesty, just as the cry of Bartimaeus, rang into Your ears even as You walked among the crowd on that hot afternoon toward Jerusalem with a cacophony of voices meant to drown poor Bartimaeus’ voice.  And so with confidence, I did approach Your throne and have now known the power of Your mercy, by which You have done this great work for me.  With bended knee I bow before you, grateful and glad that You are my God and it is You that I worship.  All my life, I dedicate to Your worship that men may know You everywhere and seek Your face.

Thoughts for another day

April 19, 2013.

Today's verse: Is. 52:12. For ye shall not go out with haste, nor go by flight: for the LORD will go before you; and the God of Israel will be your rearward. (KJV)

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

The background in which our above verse is written is that the Israelites are in exile and they are to return to Israel for that is what God has decreed for them.  But returning can be a daunting task due to the inherent dangers involved on the road back.  Moreover, the Israelites are a beaten people at this time and they also need to travel through enemy territory and many are their enemies because they worship the God of heaven and earth and are not to bend and bow to anyone else.

God, through Isaiah the prophet, assures them that they will not move out of Babylon in haste or in flight due to fear but will have a steady exit.  God further promises them that He will be before them and after them.  Reading this, I feel the goodness of the Lord even as I remember the various atrocities the Israelites had committed on Him; how they rejected and threw Him out of their homes and lives.  Yet, He, the merciful and gracious God has already forgotten their insults.  He remembers the covenant with Abraham and He sets about bringing His chosen people, into their own land, which He Himself had dedicated to them. 

How is this relevant to us?   We must remember the goodness of God in what we see Him doing for the Israelites.  And I think, if God can do such great things for the Jews before Jesus came, how much more will He do for us who follow His Son Jesus having placed our trust in Him and seeing that Jesus Himself has made us so many promises of protection, piety and prosperity.  In all things, we’re more than conquerors through His Son and our Father knowing that, will do even greater things for us for we have believed His glorious work in His Son Jesus Christ and accepted Jesus as God and Savior.  Rest awhile in Him and He will guide you toward higher places and lead you to His Kingdom. 

Thoughts for another day

April 18, 2013.

Today's verse: Heb. 5:7,8,9. Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared; Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him; (KJV)

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

Suffering is part of our lives; it’s that cleansing fire that cleanses us and makes us fit enough to lie at the footstool of the Master, who in His mercy will then look upon us kindly because we’ve suffered.  Let us then remember that suffering is not the end of life but just the beginning of a life real close to our God; and you may possibly recall that it was in suffering that you were closest to God isn’t it? 

In case we feel that suffering is only for those who sin and are wrong with God, remember, it’s also for those who’re perfect before God with no blemish at all as we see in Christ.  Christ was sinless and pure before the Father, and pleasing in His sight; yet the Bible says, ‘The Lord was pleased to crush Him in infirmity’ Is. 53:10. Each person’s suffering is unique and through it God cleans the person as is needed and each person’s cleansing is unique in itself.  God our Father knows what is needed and thus He works out the process.  Jesus’ suffering was so severe because through it He was destined to save man from his sins and also give healing to his body with the addition of all kinds of blessings as a man is enabled to take.

In our suffering, let us turn to our God and Lord, Jesus Christ and just as He offered up prayers and supplications with crying and tears to His Father, let us also weep before our Father and plead for redemption.  We can rest assured that just as He brought Jesus out triumphantly, He will also bring us out in triumph giving us a victory we never thought was possible.

Thoughts for another day

April 17, 2013.

Today's verse: Acts 16:25. And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. (KJV)

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

I always hold, no matter what difficulty I face, that God gives me the Grace to look up to Him in adversity.  A key strength of the Christian is the ability to thank God no matter what the situation; and God being Sovereign may choose to answer positively and give me the crumbs that should be enough to take me out of the tunnel.

In the background to the Scripture above, Paul and Silas while engaged in the Mission work were subject to beatings and imprisonment.  While in jail, at midnight, Paul and Silas prayed and sang praises to God and if you look closely at the text, you’ll notice that the prisoners heard them.  Now that’s interesting for two reasons, one, that despite the adversity they faced, Paul and Silas didn’t bend under it nor were dismayed with God, rather they turned their focus on God, Who alone had the power to save them and He did.  The second thing is that their praying and praising was so effective and contagious that the prisoners heard them.  Perhaps that’s the reason why, no one tried to escape when the earthquake struck and all the doors of the prison flew wide open.

My friend, we must know that God isn’t our enemy.  He allows adversity to come to us for the single reason that if we believe in Him and hold fast to our faith, He will show us His glory in and through the adversity in a powerful and marvelous way, which bears His stamp distinctly; and He will save us by His mighty arm.  You’ll remember that when the Israelites came out of Egypt, they came to the Red Sea.  Now before them was the Sea and behind them they could hear the sound of the Egyptian army racing toward them.   Absolute disaster one might say…but then God worked such an amazing miracle that nations all around learnt of it and respected the God of Israel.  If you are today in adversity, sing praises to God and He will rescue you.  The bigger the adversity, the bigger will be His rescue and the greater will be the glory accorded to Him.  Would you be willing to be host to His work and an instrument whereby He can display His awesome glory?

Thoughts for another day

April 16, 2013.

Today's verse: Philip. 4:6, 7. Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (KJV)

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

In times of great stress, of tragedy or some tremendous pain, where do we go?  The solution, no matter how difficult and unreal it seems, is Jesus Christ.  Take Paul for instance: In his mission work, he went through tremendous suffering.  Such hardships that would probably make other men leave the mission field.  But Paul stuck on and the reason for that is the Lord Jesus Christ, who both strengthened him and also gave him hope that nothing would happen to him, unless He decreed it.  Therefore, Paul is able to write the Word of our Scripture today, which should give us much comfort.

Each new day may bring its share of own difficulties, we need to face.  Sometimes you get so tired, you just want to give up.  But you can’t because you realise you need to go on.  So then comes much endurance of pain and sorrow or difficulty and the heart is seized with grief and gets worn with just living.   That’s the time when, like Paul we too need to look up to God.  See, He promised that He will never leave you nor forsake you and I know it is the absolute truth.  He has also said there’s no trial that can come to you which will make you bend over and also with each trial He will grant the Grace to bear it.  In any case you will be flooded with sure but inexplicable peace.

My friend for the moment one is undergoing a trial, it seems painful.  But if the person is clinging to the Lord with unshaken faith, then soon, the trial is sent away.  The pain of that trial vanishes and newness begins which grants tremendous peace.  And if we endure the trial in this manner, God’s blessing comes pouring in our hearts, simply because we’ve exhibited acceptance of His will in our lives and when we do that, God is pleased and then you must know that the entire power of God is at your disposal.  God will work marvels in your life and lead you on.  It may take time but trudge on just trusting Him.  He will do it for you.

Thoughts for another day

April 15, 2013.

Today's verse: Ps. 10:1. Why, O LORD, do you stand far off? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble? (KJV)

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

Between the time I wrote a reflection last Friday and today, so much has happened that it’s amazing how a small gap of time has so much packed in it that it’s simply inexplicable.  You see, my sister-in-law, Anita, had gone for a small medical procedure to a hospital and today she’s no more.  Until, 6:40 PM last Friday, she was completely fit; then at 6:55, we received a call saying she was critical and then passed away.  Now there’s nothing extraordinary in a person’s passing away and I know that her’s was a simple happening, except that she was just 51 years old and at the time she passed away, she should have reached home!

Imagine the sorrow of her family – waiting to take her home when they learn she’s no more.  I went to pray for her and was truly disappointed that God didn’t listen to our prayers.  I looked at the Lord and prayed to Him telling Him she was quite young and that she had planned her daughter’s wedding in December this year and that’s a very human thing and she would like to witness her only daughter’s wedding.  But yet, the Lord chose not to answer, nor did He revive her.

My friend, strange are God’s ways for He allows things to happen that beat our understanding.  The tragedy of this happening is sure to hit her family, if not in the immediate term, atleast in the not so far future.  We feel like yelling at such times to the Lord saying, ‘Lord why do you stand far off…why do you hide yourself? Why don’t you show us Your love when we really need re-assurance and comfort?  And many times, we’ll find our questions not answered.  Yet we know God loves us and He is there for us.  Between eternity and now, when things are turbulent, we know God is around and He will safe-guard us.  On our part, we must trust Him and entrust our all to Him, even if we’re in pain and don’t understand why the pain.

Thoughts for another day

April 12, 2013.

Today's verse: 2 Thess. 3:3. But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil. (KJV)

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

When I look at the world today, I see a thick layer of hatred and disgust and scant respect for human beings from human beings.  Men are ever ready, at the least provocation, to destroy or even kill.  All sense of deference toward a fellow human being has vanished.  Talking about caring for the other one, well that literally belongs to the genre of fiction or fairy tales and admiration for someone else is but a myth and the saying, ‘Might is right’ is absolute and real. 

Today’s newspapers are filled with news on road rage, murders for flimsy reasons and the like; it’s amazing it’s happening at all.  Shooting in schools, colleges which could never be conceived are now a reality.  Though sad that it should happen at all, the fact of the matter is, it’s happening.  It worries the folk who were born perhaps 4-5 decades ago when they see these things and it frightens them as they see such a strange world into which their progeny are born and they feel terrible to know it’s irreversible.  That’s the sad reality and when we go to people who’re supposed to be the guardians of society, that is the administration and the police, well they turn the other way.  In this scenario, who can a simple, common man turn to, to get justice and feel protected?  Who’ll give him succor?

My friend, the answer on earth is none…but there is the Emperor of the Universe, the God of all, Jesus Christ, our Refuge and Savior.  And remember, He is faithful.  It reminds me of what happened with me just last Saturday, as I was poised to jump into a running train in my tryst to find a place to sit, which is the practice of anyone in Mumbai where I live.  Someone pushed me as it came into the station but my Father thwarted any attempts of the evil one to cause me any harm and frankly I still shudder what could’ve happened had God my Father not been faithful and protective of me. 

This much I know; He will establish you and keep you from evil.  That is His Word and we know how astoundingly powerful His Word is; so much so that it will last beyond even earth and heaven.  Trusting in Him my friend is not a choice but a precious privilege for all of us and being with Him, should be the delight of the soul.

Thoughts for another day

April 10, 2013.

Today's verse: Ps.119:130. The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple. (KJV)

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

God’s Word is the Mighty compilation of His Power.  To us who don’t care about words, it’s a bit difficult to understand for our limited brains will not be able to grasp how a word can be powerful.  But it’s the word which is powerful for look at the beginning of the Bible and see, it is written, ‘Then God said… ‘  Obviously, God said a Word and then it came to be created and the whole of creation was created by the Word of God.  Therefore, we must realise that the Word of God contains power which if we use, will also bring power into our lives.

In Scripture today, we learn that God’s Word provides light.  It provides light in the dark areas of our life and existence, whereby we may avoid any and every road toward these dark areas where we’re likely to fall and be defeated so as to be able to be safe.   God’s Word is that meter by which we may measure our words, our thoughts, our deeds and ensure we align to the dictates of His Word so that we’re able to eschew the things that are harmful to us.

Furthermore, it’s in the learning of God’s Word that wisdom and understanding can come to a man.  God clearly mentions what’s needed to live a life of peace and tranquility; and what He needs us to do are very simple and do-able things.  Hence it’s prudent for us to imbibe God’s Word in our lives and be raised by Him by obedience to His Word and in doing so, we will also discover heaven even as we live on earth.   In essence the keeping of God’s Word is to move through the doorway of all things heavenly, into His genial light to sup and live with Him.

Thoughts for another day

April 10, 2013.

Today's verse: Ps. 65:12. The grasslands of the desert overflow; the hills are clothed with gladness. (NIV – copyright ack.)

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

Such is the power in the mighty arm of the Lord that our Scripture says, the ‘grasslands’ of the desert overflow!  Now how on earth did grasslands appear in the desert and if there’re grasslands there, it means it’s no longer a desert, right?  The more I learn about the Lord in all earnest sitting before Him and seeking His mighty Hand, the more I learn of His massive and unimaginable power for who can understand the ‘little’ of the Almighty Power of God, except those to whom He shows it?  

Look at the sun and know that the Lord can hold it in a small corner of His palm for it’s as nothing to Him but an element of His creation; as He called to the sun to be and it was.  Yet, the diameter of the sun is 1.390 million Km. and the temperature, approximately 15.6 million ⁰C at the core!  From this imagine how great God is and if He created such a gigantic object with just a word, what does it take God to transform the desert into grassland.  Now, if you’re holding on to God about something you’ve asked according to His promise, know that it’s absolutely possible for God to give it, even if it means, giving life to your mortal body if you’re dead and somebody has prayed that you live.  This was clearly demonstrated by Jesus when he called out Lazarus from his tomb and Lazarus, walked out, burial cloths and all, to the amazement of people, stunned at what they saw.

Jesus in His Ministry, showed what God can do, so even His disciples were shaken in wonder when Jesus addressed the storm and the wind, commanding, ‘Be calm’ and they were stilled.  Awesome power as this was never seen before Jesus because they’d never been told fully about God.  But Jesus told us all.  And in Jesus’ coming as God’s Son, we were able to witness the amazing hand of God in full bloom which is why through Jesus’ death and resurrection, the price of sin across ages was paid in full, a miracle when perused with attention, will reveal its greatness, provided we don’t forget that God’s justice demanded death for man, yet, we live because in the death of the Precious Lamb of God, God’s justice was fully met and we escaped death.  Today, if there’s a lingering need you have and if you’ve expressed it to the Lord, hold on.  Do not be dismayed or frustrated if it’s delayed but believe and God will give it to you – no questions asked.  Just be sure.

Thoughts for another day

April 9, 2013.

Today's verse: James 1:6-8. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways. (KJV)

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

Declaration of faith in God is easy to make and that even before a congregation, but affirmation of faith, something that happens between God and us, is difficult, because God tests the reality of our faith and in that, we’re found wanting at some point of time or other.  I’ve seen that when God tests our faith, either through a trial or holding something back from us, we often falter in our so-called faith and fail.  In His mercy, God may grant us the thing we ask, but not before we learn a lesson (if we’re in the Lord and keen to learn) so that we may talk about it. But it’s difficult to demonstrate faith when things are tough.

In Scripture today, James exhorts us that when we ask of God, we must ask in faith. We must believe God is and He is able to give what we’ve asked Him and also that He will do it for us.  If any of these are absent, then there could be what I may call, a shortage of faith due to which we may not receive what we ask for.

Human beings vacillate so much, particularly in faith matters, it’s amazing.  That’s why James uses symbolism of ‘wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed’ for that’s what we are: one moment we’re willing to believe and the next, we question the very Presence of God.  I know because I’ve done it and it’s to my woe; for if we do that James says that, that man shouldn’t think he’ll receive anything of the Lord.  Moreover, the man is double-minded and he’ll not be serious about other things too.  My friend, check your faith in the Lord.  You may say it’s difficult sometimes to believe in God and I’d agree with you, but believe me, at the very instant of maximum difficulty, if we can trust Him fully, then I know He will be pleased and grant you what you’ve asked for immediately, just as Jesus couldn’t deny the Canaanite woman the healing she asked for her daughter and said, ‘O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt.’ Mt: 15:28.  

Thoughts for another day

April 8, 2013.

Today's verse: Hosea 12:7. You shall return by the help of your God, if you remain loyal and do right and always hope in your God. (KJV)

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

We may trudge miles away from God, forsaking Him and taking on other ‘no-gods’ as our god.  We may go into the wilderness without Him by our side for what we’ve taken with us there, are no-gods.  We may mock God in the process and do His Image much harm; we may spew evil against Him, simply because there was a situation in our lives when we sought His help and it didn’t come, only He knows why, and we decided: enough of You God…what’s the use praying and bowing the knee before You for it doesn’t result into anything.  We may then seek out the gods of people around us who we believe are prospering, making them our gods saying, if they worship these gods and they are prospering, then I too will worship them and prosper (of course to the detriment of our souls).

God my friend, has seen it all.  He knows every nuance and character of the human being.  He knows how we think and how we act…He knows everything but mind you, He is Sovereign, not obligated to either answer our prayers or even listen to us; yet He does listen and answer.  Sometimes, in deep gratitude, a man having received God’s favor may, with tears in his eyes, ask Him, ‘Why Lord are You so good to me, why do You care so much for mere mud which dares to even insult You?’

Yet, He is God and He is ours.  We can always return to Him no matter how far we’ve gone from Him.  There’s always hope as far as God is with us.  If we remain loyal and do right and hope in Him, He is as always, our God and there is no other but Him and He will see that we receive what we asked of Him, always; even if we don’t believe in it; because He has said it and we have it in His Word.

Thoughts for another day

April 5, 2013.

Today's verse: 1 Sam. 14:15. And there was trembling in the host, in the field, and among all the people: the garrison, and the spoilers, they also trembled, and the earth quaked: so it was a very great trembling. (KJV)

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

Implicit trust in God gives extraordinary results and what better example, than that in our Scripture above.  Let’s comprehend the situation here; in which Jonathan and his armor bearer have a little rendezvous with the Philistines.  Israel at that time under Saul was bereft of adequate arms and also lacked the courage to usurp the Philistines who had ventured into their territory. 

At that time, Jonathan decides to go over to the Philistine outpost telling his armor bearer, ‘Come, let’s go over to the outpost of those uncircumcised fellows. Perhaps the LORD will act in our behalf. Nothing can hinder the LORD from saving, whether by many or by few.’ Note the emphasized portion of what Jonathan says and from it one can gauge the faith he reposes in Yahweh God.  That’s what I’d say is ‘implicit faith’ and as we see the drama that unfolds, with Jonathan trusting the Lord to lead and enlighten his mind on a course of action through what the Philistines say to their incursion into their territory, a major victory is wrought for Israel; by God working out an amazing scenario whereby the earth shakes, to the panic of the Philistines and the Bible says the panic was beyond their endurance and they in confusion even thrust their swords into each other! 

I always maintain there’re great things in store for the man who believes in God greatly; as we see it in the episode of Jonathan above.  Even in our lives, there could be circumstances of conflict and confusion.  At that time, we may even wonder, if we prayed to God, how could God deliver, for deliverance seems impossible.  But if we have implicit and unshakeable faith, God will deliver us from any and every situation because HE IS ABLE and He loves when a man trusts Him implicitly and fully.  It’s time we shook out the cob-webs accumulated over our faith and yield to the steadfast faith that God gives.  We’ll surely see His hand of deliverance; for remember God is able to deliver anytime, from any situation.  All He needs in us is TRUST.

Thoughts for another day

April 4, 2013.

Today's verse: 2 Tim. 2:19. The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let everyone that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. (KJV)

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

If you’re abandoned by everyone else in the world or if no one is your friend and everyone is baying for your blood, rejoice if you’re in the Lord and are keenly into His work for the Lord knows those who belong to Him.  The world is not our destiny or destination.  Therefore, it’s highly probable that there’s discord between us and the world because our views are not accepted by them.  A look at the set of rules Christ postulated for His people and enumerated in His Sermon on the Mount (Mt. 5-7), will immediately reveal that they’re quite contrary to those held by the world; I mean, who on earth will turn his other cheek, if hit on one cheek anyway? 

Therefore, if we hold on to the teachings of Christ as the rules of our soul, then we’ll be in conflict with the world and the first ones we’ll be in conflict with are our families who’ll not be able to understand our behavior.  To rise above the notions our families hold will be a task in itself and they’ll never understand our ways for how can they as our ways will be God’s ways and God’s ways are far above the ways of the world.  Yet, we find that sticking on the path we’re on when we come to God, gives tremendous satisfaction and peace.  We come to realise that walking on God’s path, though not a cake walk, is certainly a pleasure for we learn it’s not the things we do that leads us on the track of loveliness and peace, but what God does for us as we trudge on His road.

In our Scripture, Paul clearly says that God knows them who’re His and He is attentive to their prayer and pleas.  Being His, brings about communion between God and us and we sort of, meld into Him, in which we also understand things like ‘pain in the world’ and other enigmas; which we know shouldn’t happen if God is in charge, but yet do.  Be that as it may, because of our union with God, we also cast our understanding away for we know our understanding avails nothing before God.  Further, we also realise the pain we cause Him each time we sin and we then endeavor to, as far as possible, not sin.  Only then we can surely say, ‘God knows us.’

Thoughts for another day

April 3, 2013.

Today's verse: Jas. 5:16. The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available [dynamic in its working]. (Amplified Bible – copyright ack.)

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

Everybody prays or atleast they’d say they’re praying but to God it matters whether you’re really praying or just posing to pray.  To others you may seem to be praying deeply, but God knows the truth.  Believe me people, to pray in a focused manner and from a righteous and pure heart, is a challenge for most of us and very, very few people, if at all, are able to do it.  That’s the reason we don’t see the dramatic hand of God in our lives because there’s hardly anyone out there who can lift his or her hands in prayer in so fervent a manner that God would stop everything and listen.

The fact of the matter is, what James says in our Scripture today is sure.  Now whether one’s really in a righteous condition is a moot point but I do know that when you pray with your heart, you’ll find God with you, not because I or other preachers say it, but because God Himself says it, Jer.  29:13. Such is the condition of a fervent praying heart, that I believe that heart gets connected to the heart of God and is able to move His hand, particularly when there’s a crisis.  Remember Jehoshaphat’s prayer; 2 Chron. 20:5 onwards?  God’s answer is instant and He protects them from the Ammonites, the Moabites and the Edomites. 

When the fervancy of the heart is further lifted with purity, then great things do happen; I’ll take the example of Jesus’ prayer which He made for us on the Cross, ‘Father forgive them for they know not what they do!’  We know we’re forgiven and it’s such a great miracle as eternal life came to us with God’s forgiveness.  We may now, not understand the immensity of this miracle, but when we enter the next life, we’ll sure learn the power of Christ’s prayer and know what it means to be saved.  My friend, exert yourself into gaining the purity that pleases God and connect in prayer to Him with your heart.  Soon, He will move those mountains, you asked Him to move.

Thoughts for another day

April 2, 2013.

Today's verse: Jer. 31:25. I will satisfy the weary, and all who are faint I will replenish. (NRSV – copyright ack.)

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

Many and full are the promises of the Lord God toward His people.  We read so many promises God made, both Himself in the Old Testament and Jesus Christ made in the New Testament.  We need to remember that the promises God made to various people are also extendable to us who follow Him and worship Him as God.  And that’s because God’s promises are for all His children, no matter which century they were born in or what circumstances they were born in.

Today’s Scripture has a promise that should help us find God’s support when we’re weary and His strength when we’re drained of all our strength, plunged to the earth with not an idea of how we will be able to pass over the day.  It’s then that this promise of God must come to our minds and find root in our hearts.  Then our minds will be released from the ominousness that the enemy of souls wants us to be gripped with and then shall we be free as the Son of Man wanted us to be.  We must realise that unless Jesus Christ engraves victory in our lives, we may struggle all we can but we will still not find the victory we crave.

This much we must remember that the Lord our God is always near.  He is just a cry, a tear-drop away and He is always willing to help those who reach out to Him for help.  With Him is immense power that can endure the most devastating barbs that the enemy of souls uses against the children of God.  Therefore, move near and meld in Him and feel His comfort even as He replenishes you with His abundance.

Thoughts for another day

April 1, 2013.

Today's verse: John 20:29. Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed. (KJV)

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

When I ponder on our Scripture, I wonder, why Thomas did not believe when the others told him they had seen Jesus.  Why did he insist on putting his fingers where the nails pierced Jesus’ body and also in His side, before he could believe that Jesus indeed had risen?   Actually no answer comes to me but for the fact that even the most ardent servants of God are prone to overlook the Word God speaks and so we don’t believe God to be in them and hence have little value for them.

Wonder what in a man would want to, ‘not believe’.  One key reason may be sometimes our wrong beliefs led us down the golden path when we suddenly realised that what should have been paved with gold is but a fake; and then we not only doubt our own judgments, we also doubt God’s Word regarding the matter.  At times our interpretation of God’s Word could be wrong.  Be that as it may, we must definitely not mistrust what Scripture lays down as God’s Word for Scripture never lies for it can’t lie as it takes from God and God is truth.  Therefore, if what I’m to be relying on is Scripture based, then I will realise what I am relying on because Scripture can’t be set aside.  Also because I rely on it, I start expecting the impossible from God.  In fact, because I believe, even if I haven’t seen, God’s work will be that much more awesome in my life.

My friend, belief in God and in His work is critical to leading an abundant life.  God is not One who forgets what He says in any hurry, but he always remembers, even down generations and you know what Jesus says about His Word, ‘heaven and earth will pass away, but My Word will not pass away!’  You see, God is very concerned about His Word and makes everything happen according to it.  God neither compromises nor ignores His Word and that must be the guarantee for us when we have to trust on His Word.  You and I will both see that what God has said comes to pass and for those who believe, even a blessing is there as Jesus said, ‘blessed are they that have not seen and yet believed!’