Thoughts for another day

July 31, 2013.

Today's verse: Eph. 1:17. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. (NIV – copy. ack.)

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

What’s the best thing for us as Christians: to know the Lord our God, Jesus Christ, and His Father and the Holy Spirit. Only by knowing our God do we get the power to be powerful and live a glorious life as designed by Him and also understand that our responsibility in life is to first give Him all glory, honor and praise in our Lord Jesus Christ and then proclaim His glorious Gospel to the nations.  Therefore, we find Paul praying for this gift so earnestly to God.

To do all that He wills for us and come to His saving Grace and be reconciled to Him; and then work so our brothers and sisters in the world are reconciled to Him, we must come to know Him for only then we’re able to give a true picture of Him and His message clearly and without bias to others.  Else we may do all kinds of things, in the garb of doing His work, except do His work.  It’s only when we get to know Him that we learn to love because we know that He loves us and He loves us despite the serious blotches we have.   It’s only then that we tend to see other human beings as He sees them that they need His tremendous Grace to be healed and saved for eternal life.

It’s only when we know Him that we understand the true purpose of our lives and His will in bringing us to live on earth.  The vastness of this human race then becomes our field of work and just as in a field we may have thorns and thistles and weeds and yet we do not denounce the field, so too we do not denounce our brothers and sisters but strive to give them the joy and love of our Lord and tell them that He loves them.  I’ve seen countless Christians, preachers and teachers among them, meandering around puffed up with human wisdom, castigating and chiding those crossing roads with them with notions undesirable to them.  Oh, how they cut these people and then go about saying they’re the teachers of God, disciples of Jesus and defending their faith.  Boy, do they need to know Him!  I’ve realised that the ultimate joy for every Christian is to know God and walk with Him.  It then becomes not a life on earth, but a life in Paradise where His inexplicable peace pervades our being and His cloak of love hangs over us in an unending grasp.

Thoughts for another day

July 30, 2013.

Today's verse: Eph. 1:12. in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. (KJV)

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

Much before the creation of the world, God chose us to be perfect and holy in His sight.  We were to live in love, the same kind of love God has for us which we ourselves experience and then give to others.  A love by which we make known that He is our God by whom we can love one another.  Now, God knowing we will sin, also sent us His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ in accordance with His plan to redeem us and thus make us His children.

He sent us His Grace, glorious and precious which He gave freely in Christ Jesus through Whom we have redemption, by His blood.  Consequently, we’re forgiven all our sins because of the immense mercy of God and because we stand in the light of the Cross, in which all men are absolved of all their sins, no matter what they were; because of which, God has forgotten our sins and helped us begin a new life, afresh.  In this His Grace charts our life before us and sustains us on our way.  Though we may have trials and tribulations, His Grace fully active and increasing, helps us to lead lives pleasing to Him.

Now, God has made known the mystery of His will, and it is to bring all things in heaven and earth under the hand of the One Lord, Jesus Christ.  So that all may be one and one may be all, in and only in, Jesus Christ.  There’s nothing that was, or is or will be without Jesus Christ and there’s salvation in no other name but the Name of the Lord Jesus.  The whole purpose of God is to have all things in His Son Jesus Christ and He revealed His will in Christ when time was fulfilled, to enrich us in all things that pertain to heaven and our lives with Him.  Having done all this and having chosen us to partake in His plan for eternity, He also revealed the purpose of our lives according to His magnificent plan.  That purpose is chiefly to live, and praise His Glory.  You see, His Glory is so immense, so absolutely magnificent and all encompassing, it needed that someone praise His glory and so we’re created that we may, having seen His glory, come to praise and raise it on earth, so all men will come to the knowledge of God in His Son Jesus Christ and thus be saved and enjoy eternal bliss with Him, our Father and our God.

Thoughts for another day

July 29, 2013.

Today's verse: Is. 42:14. I have long time holden my peace; I have been still, and refrained myself: now will I cry like a travailing woman; I will destroy and devour at once. (KJV)

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

This is God speaking: He is speaking imminent disaster for those who have forsaken Him; for those who have been playing around with all that is His, like His Law, etc.  He is aghast at all the people have done to Him.  Their ignorance of Him is woeful and their total disrespect tells a tale of rebellion, disobedience and mischief. 

Israel had sinned against God and they had prostituted themselves with idols and adopted their idolatrous ways.  They had become a stink in the nostrils of God and yet they were not satisfied with their erroneous ways.  In fact, one could also say, they invented new ways to anger God and shame His holy Name.  God had given them warnings again and again and had let them fall in trouble constantly.  But when they cried out to Him, He had mercy on them and He saved them from their trouble.  But still their ways did not change and it is at this time that He speaks through Isaiah, the prophet, giving them a grim warning one last time.  Telling them again that, He has held His peace for a long time, holding Himself back from His judgment; but soon He will destroy and devour at once and bring out His vengeance like a woman in pain about to deliver her child; and His bringing forth would wreck them.

Indeed, God gives us a long rope.  The stains of our sins become murkier and murkier and He constantly warns us through various signs.  Some even bodily signs like a mild sickness or even some small failure by which He wants us to learn and return.  He works in us so that over a period of time, we are able to understand His warning signs, learn His ways and return to Him.  Happy is the man who learns of God and returns for then He will find the peace of God and God will be for Him a Tower of Refuge at all times.

Thoughts for another day

July 26, 2013.

Today's verse: Deut. 10:12. And now, Israel, what doth the LORD thy God require of thee, but to fear the LORD thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul, (KJV)

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

Our Scripture gives us an idea of the things God requires of us, chiefly that we fear Him, the LORD our God and walk in all His ways.  Then we’re to love and serve Him, the LORD our God with all our heart and soul.  Easy said, but have you realised how difficult it is.  Each waking moment for many of us, it is a test of our fidelity toward God…how much we love Him and care for Him and how much we’re willing to forego for His sake.

As humans, sometimes our passions are so strong that it’s difficult to give them up: it pertains to amassing wealth, running behind all the gadgets that we feel we require but actually don’t, sexual relations, running down people, eating and eating, etc.  We’re so bound by these, it seems impossible to get rid of them.  I’ve known how I fall to these temptations time and again, even as God is alive and active in me, and I’m tuned to Him.  I’m sure you too find it difficult to exalt the noble things our Lord wants us to, in the time of trial but fret not for God can do the impossible.    

Though, we fall and experience the defeat inflicted on us by the devil, we can yet rise simply because He loves and forgives us.  He is there to cleanse us and sends His Grace in abundance.  He it is who picks us up from the muck we fall into and lifts us up to a dry and clean place.  No matter how much you fall, remember, He has given the capacity to get up and walk again in His light.  You only need to surrender and be focused on Him even when you sin; I tell you, you’ll rise and walk in His light.  The journey will be difficult, but not impossible, and that’s because He is in charge when you surrender to Him.  So go ahead and make the pledge to fear Him and love and serve Him with all thy heart and all thy soul…eventually, you’ll stand tall before Him, victorious.  Amen.

Thoughts for another day

July 25, 2013.

Today's verse: Ps. 17:6. I have called upon thee, for thou wilt hear me, O God: incline thine ear unto me, and hear my speech. (KJV)

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

God is there for all who call on Him, trusting Him to answer.  He is never too far and is nearer than we can imagine for in Him we live and move and have our being.  He is at hand and is willing to enmesh us in His love.  His response to our call is truly amazing and crystal clear if we can only silence ourselves from the cacophony of this world and move deep inside of us, so that He can speak to us and we listen. 

If we’re not able to listen to Him then it must be like the man who went on the top of a mountain range and yelled out a ‘hello’, but he could not hear the echo nor his own voice clearly because he had cotton pods in his ears.  So before we call upon the Lord, are to remove the pods in our ears?  Are we to make our minds silent to hear only the soft waves of the breeze as it blows and even hear the gentle beat of our hearts as we stay in God-given stillness? 

If we’re able to do that and be confident in Him, we can rest assured He will listen and talk to us for He answers every call, either to tell yes or no, to our prayer and give us the confidence that only a father can give his son.  And for all of us who’re inclined to Him, I tell you, He has heard the words of your mouth and has hearkened unto your call.  It’s just a matter of time when He will show forth His glory in unlimited grandeur and salvage your lost glory, raising you and lifting you to hills of beauty, unparalleled in splendor and grandness.  Yes, for those who yearn for Him and seek Him with all their hearts, He is there and His answer is just a breath away. 

Thoughts for another day

July 24, 2013.

Today's verse: 2 Chron. 9:23. And all the kings of the earth sought the presence of Solomon, to hear his wisdom, that God had put in his heart. (KJV)

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

Wisdom is a gift only God can bestow and it comes with the ‘fear’ of the Lord.  Fear in this context is not as we do, let’s say, a powerful adversary or a dangerous situation, but awe birthed by reverence and the knowledge that here is something far, far greater than anyone’s grasp.  Yes, it’s when we revere God honestly with our hearts and give Him all that’s due to Him, that wisdom comes into us.  This wisdom isn’t seen nor can it be quantified or segregated into compartments like, wisdom for getting along with people, or wisdom to handle money issues, etc.  Unless of course it’s a gift that God gives which channelizes the wisdom He puts in us into a particular field for e.g. wisdom to counsel people, etc.

Now Solomon was given wisdom by God because when God asked what he wanted, he asked for wisdom and God gave him such wisdom, that no other human wisdom could even come close to his.  So great was his wisdom that once when he gave judgment the Bible says, 1 Kgs. 3:28, ‘All Israel heard of the judgment that the king had rendered; and they stood in awe of the king, because they perceived that the wisdom of God was in him, to execute justice.’ Our Scripture today even says that all the kings of the earth sought to meet him to hear the wisdom God had put in his heart!  So one can imagine the kind of wisdom Solomon had which God gave him.

This gift of wisdom God gives must be put to right use, particularly to benefit people because that’s the main reason God gives wisdom.  We’re not to use it for our own gain or for flirting with danger for it can then have disastrous consequences as it did in the case of Solomon, who though walking in the light of God and using the attributes God gave him to the fullest, also surrendered his heart to his basic instincts and dabbled in a lot of sinful things before God, chief of which was marrying a large number of women and cohabitating with many more.  These women lured him to false gods and live an immoral and decadent life before God.  So too, if we disdain the wisdom God put in us and indulge in things that defy wisdom of God, we will face similar situations and be ruined.  Its better we use the wisdom God gives us to build up edifices before Him which will glorify His Name for a long time to come. 

Thoughts for another day

July 23, 2013.

Today's verse: Mt. 9:13. But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. (KJV)

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

Rita was ‘God fearing’: she gave her tithes regularly; fasted, prayed, keeping every Sabbath, come what may.  She was a ‘good’ woman accredited also as a counselor by her church.  She waited after church services to counsel people.  To her horror, one Sunday morning, she saw Mrs. Jones heading toward her.  Mrs. Jones was branded a loose woman and some even whispered she was a prostitute.  Her husband had left her and she lived alone on state welfare and help of a few people.  Seeing no way to escape and summoning her weakest smile, she welcomed Mrs. Jones.  The lady cried saying she needed money urgently for the mortgage of her home, and sought her help.  Now leave alone give a loan, Rita would’ve if possible, made her vanish into thin air; but had to face her and in a feeble voice said she couldn’t help.  Mrs. Jones, wiping her tears but still trying, told her she could pay the mortgage company directly if she wasn’t to be trusted, else she’d be thrown out next week.  And how could Rita not have money: her husband had the largest chain of bakeries in the city.  Yet, Rita pulled some story of how badly they were doing and shooed her away. 

Desmond’s mother’s pulse was fading.  It was 3 am and they decided to call the Pastor to send her on her journey with a few words of comfort.  Desmond ran to the church yard, a good two km. away ignoring the cold and the barking of dogs chasing him.  The gate of the church was closed.  He rang the bell but realised there was no sound coming as someone had switched off the bell so as not to disturb those inside.  Desmond shouted as loud as he could; a light came on and a window opened.  Desmond shouted but realized he was too far for the person to hear him.  The window closed and the light went out.  Desmond waited thinking somebody would come out; he waited but no one came.  He shouted again but no light came on and after almost 30 mins. He turned and returned home to find his mother dead. 

Both these instances tell us of real Christians; real people and in one case even a Pastor.  They were considered righteous and good, yet, in both cases of urgent need, they failed to show Christian charity.  Look at our Word today and see what the Lord is saying.  What’s the use of all our piety if we’re unable to see the tears in the eyes of our brethren?  And to each of us the Lord is saying, ‘I seek mercy…not your properness of rituals and sacrifices.’  What is our answer?

Thoughts for another day

July 22, 2013.

Today's verse: Rom. 10:17. So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. (KJV)

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

Sometimes when we see God’s work in both, the preacher and the one who listens to him, we’re enthralled, and crave to have the same work of God in our lives.  We re-play the message of the preacher and come to the point when he talks of faith; we listen and hear: for God to work in us greatly, we need faith.  And of course we remember the Master’s Word, Mt. 17:20, ‘for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.’

We start thinking and come to the conclusion: we must have more faith.  Paul gives us an answer:  Faith comes by hearing the Word of God in Paul’s context it’s the power to be saved to eternal life, but yet faith in God also gives us power to live victoriously.  Now, there’re many suggestions from different people on faith, such as: faith for salvation, faith for leading a full life, faith for seeing miracles, faith for working miracles in Jesus’ Name and so on.  But I believe there’s just one faith – faith in Him, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  One can’t have different types of faith for different purposes because, it tends to compartmentalize God; i.e. if I want good health, I need faith for healing; if I want prosperity, I need faith for prosperity; if I seek release from the demons that possess me, then I need the faith for deliverance and so on.  Do you think God can be compartmentalized?

I don’t think so for I hold: when you believe in Jesus, you’re saved, and His awesome power is yours by faith paving the way for the realization of what He says in Matt. 17:20.  I would imagine one needs a good measure of faith to see great things of God; and that’s what we’re to glean from what Paul says when he advocates hearing God’s Word; for remember, salvation, which we take for granted is God’s greatest miracle!  I’ve seen that when I read His Word and listen to it preached by others, my spirit is lifted to believe Him for great things and they happen.  I urge you my friend listen to His Word and listen again and again… Soon, faith will arise in you and His power will become real in your life and it will also enable you to thank and praise Him for being your Savior; and help you to preach His Good News to others; apart from seeing awesome things in your life.

Thoughts for another day

July 19, 2013.

Today's verse: 1 Cor. 2:4. And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: (KJV)

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

What do you think, that we who proclaim the Word of God, the Good News of salvation only preach words laced with human wisdom?  Or what did you think; our Word came to you bereft of any power?  If you’ve done that, then you must change that opinion for the Word we preach aren’t just words and sounds, but they’re accompanied by the elite demonstration of the Holy Spirit and where the Spirit of God is, there is power.

In the New Testament, when the apostles and disciples of the Lord preached His Word, it often brought power to the people.  This was the power of the Holy Spirit which the Lord had promised His disciples.  On the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit came down as a mighty rushing wind and settled on them in the form of tongues of fire; and thus the was Church born, a Church bequeathed with the power of God in the Holy Spirit; a Church birthed to give the message of salvation to a world that knew no freedom, no peace and no future.  Jesus told His disciples, Mk. 16:17-18, And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.’   

The Gospel isn’t without power and if there’s no power, it’s not the Gospel, but the preacher of the Gospel that’s without faith and hence without power.  But for men and women like Paul, who believe God to be behind the Word they speak, also understand it is God who is preached and when God appears, His power comes with Him; and in that are the people gripped by the Holy Spirit, speaking in tongues, prophesying and rejoicing in Him.  No harm shall come upon them and when they lay hands on the sick they’re healed and all wile things of the evil one are destroyed and thereon shall freedom, peace, prosperity and eternal life be unto them who believe. 

Thoughts for another day

July 18, 2013.

Today's verse: Mark 7:8. For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do. (KJV)

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

An insightful reading of Scripture reveals that God has always ordained a life of ease for His most precious creation – man.  But man in his ‘crookedness has always strived to make things difficult for himself and we’ve seen this from the beginning when despite having the entire garden for himself and all of the things God made for him, he did that which God asked him not to.  Thus from a life of ease, where all he needed to do was to live at the feet of God, he moved to a life of labor and work, without which he would have no food to eat.

After some time since he was created, God moved to make known to him, the purpose of his being created, by bringing him out of the land of Egypt and gave him the Law to keep.  By keeping it, God would be there to solve any of the problems he would have.  But no sooner had God given him the Law, man broke it immediately.  In this it’s to be noted that man’s ways and God’s ways are opposite to each other.  Also, in giving the Law, God wanted man to walk on the fine path by which he could always commune with Him.  But, man made them more obscure by adding his own traditions and interpretations which would only complicate life.

Now after much time had passed and when Jesus walked the surface of the earth, the Law and its understanding was so confusing and rigid that it seemed rather hypocritical, for e.g., on a Sabbath a man could rescue a donkey fallen into a pit, but he couldn’t rescue a man in a pit!!!  If someone needed help, he would have to wait till the Sabbath was over and manage the crisis until then, but he wouldn’t get immediate help which could have erased his problem.  In the spiritual sense, the outer frills were more esteemed than the content of the inner soul, viz. a man could be a scoundrel but if he had money to dress well and be in pomp, he would be respected.   Our Lord saw through this and also that only the poor were subject to the letter of the Law and that’s why Jesus worked even on the Sabbath, roundly proving that God annulled all their false notions and their traditions.  In this Jesus gave the downtrodden the hope they needed and the right approach to God’s law and the life to lead thereby.  He does the same with us today…are our minds, eyes and ears open?

Thoughts for another day

July 17, 2013.

Today's verse: John 10:10b. I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. (KJV)

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

Many times we’ve read this verse and many times our spirits have been lifted by this promise of our Savior that He has come so we might have life and life in abundance.  And then many times we have forgotten this verse and gone back to our brooding ways to grovel in the muck of anxiety and sloth. 

The heart never ponders on the significance of this verse, nor does the mind understand the impact it can have on our lives for truly our lives don’t show any sign that we ‘know’ the Messiah, the King of heaven and earth.  And therefore, since we don’t know Him, how can we find solace in His Word?  This, even as we see the wonderful world and all the good He put there in it; unsullied and beautiful, with the writing of the Creator engraved on every bit of molecule and atom.  The smallest creature to the largest form of creation, let’s say the mountains, all reflect the glory of our Savior and there’s a constant refrain of praise in their hearts, praise to Him our Savior God and they even, have no life nor wisdom like us to think of His greatness and glorify Him, yet they do.

As for us, we like to close our eyes to the fact that He created everything; rather we ingest the junk the world gives that it came to be by a big bang.  We never think on Him Who for our sakes, even with our blotches of sin, came to earth leaving His glorious and magnificent throne and died for our sakes, a shameful and painful death.  The cost He paid for our redemption is neither understood nor respected by our psyché which is always at war with Him.  Yet, His Word stands tall: I came so that you may have life and life in all its fullness.  O child of God accept, yea accept, His gift and live.  Fear not anything for everything is in His control; just frolic around in His goodness.  Leave yourself go and rejoice in what He has done for you and believe me; He intends to do more; and just now.

Thoughts for another day

July 16, 2013.

Today's verse: Eccl. 7:29. Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions. (KJV)

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

God has made man upright; take a little child, so pure and fresh that we don’t seem to get enough of it and want to constantly play with it.  Its innocence and sweetness draws a deep attraction for us and sometimes we may feel where’s the innocence of a child in us, where has it gone?  We try much to regain it but cannot, for as we grow up our footprints from the sands of time have traversed the innocent, joyful and exuberant life we trod as kids to reach where we’re today.

And what do we have today?  We have a life which on the surface seems good, but there’s hardly any goodness in it when groped deep into the heart.  If we carefully introspect, we’ll find a life filled with lies and bitterness, and what have you.  Even the best men, lead this kind of life.  Man’s inventive ways of going his own way, have provided for him some fine innovations in life.  He ignores God’s instructions with, well, I’m so busy.  A few days ago, at a Bible class I took for a new group, I asked, how much time should one devote to God daily; I got the shock of my life when one person said, ‘One Minute!’  One minute, really, I asked him, are you kidding?  But he was dead serious and quoted some name of a priest who had told him this!  I don’t believe him, but if it’s really true, woe unto that priest for leading the flock astray.  And so, we see how men devise their own machinations in giving to God, nothing; but expecting from Him, everything.

Sometime back I knew a man who apparently led a very happy life.  In one of my regular visits to encourage people to read the Bible, I started conversing with him trying to encourage him too, assuming he was doing it.  Now, this man was a picture of happiness and joy and he said his family and everyone were in very good shape; but what he told me soon after, shocked me out of my skin: he said, ‘what do I need the Bible for? I’m happy with my prayers and I don’t need it!’  I really didn’t know what to say as all words just disappeared from my mouth.  I wondered: what would be his prayers like, for he just wouldn’t be knowing God; how can he, for he never read the Bible and by his own admission, has no need of it.  Talking about a personal relationship with God would be alien to him and something he would never achieve.  I shudder to think how he would face God on the Day of Judgment for if you don’t know Him, you can’t expect Him to invite you into His kingdom.  Just goes to show, how much man has devised to be free from God.  Hosea said, 4:6, My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge; and so we need to be careful, for someday, when we stand before the throne, all our inventions will fall flat and then the judgment will be severe.

Thoughts for another day

July 15, 2013.

Today's verse: Ps. 58:11. So that a man shall say, Verily there is a reward for the righteous: verily he is a God that judgeth in the earth. (KJV)

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

God has commanded us to live holy lives; because we’re a holy people and this holiness means a keeping aside, a separation from the others; a separation from the taint of the world and its dirt.  It happens because we’ve accepted His son Jesus Christ; we’re called Christian and we’re His.  He is a Father to us and we’re His children, one big family, of which He is the head.  We’re one body and He is the head and we all work together for the raising of glory to His Name which is the reason why we’re here on earth.

Now when we do God’s will diligently, following His commandments and keeping His Words, we acknowledge His Fatherhood over us and make ourselves eligible for the numerous Graces He sends us and through that He sends us even more Grace.  Now Grace is something we don’t see, but we can experience it and live it, conscious of it all the time as it surrounds us and lifts us up to be in Him and with Him.  It’s a wonderful feeling to be reeling in Grace for the beauty of the heavens is revealed to us and we’re able to feel the wonder of the kingdom of the King of kings, the place we will be in eternity. 

God’s hand of comfort is always with us as we move with Him and choose to live the way He wants us to.  And don’t forget that He is also a Judge.  He judges the earth and all its inhabitants according to their work. He is the righteous judge who never errs in His judgment.  He is an impartial judge and His judgment is firm.  To the good He gives good; to the evil, evil.  None can escape His judgment and no one can thwart even a jot of His punishment if He has judged for punishment.  But to the good, His blessings flow, swamping them.  Righteousness lives in an atmosphere of Grace and living becomes joy that takes wings and flies.  So rejoice today, you righteous for the righteous Judge has come to judge and lead you up the golden path unto His home on high.

Thoughts for another day

July 12, 2013.

Today's verse: Ro. 1:17. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. (KJV)

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

We know the Gospel; and the essence of the Gospel is: God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.  The Gospel is about God and about His salvation in and through His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, who is Lord and King, reigning at the right hand of God through all eternity.  The Gospel is about the Holy Spirit, our God, Who was given us by Jesus Christ as our Counselor and Comforter, Who is with us wherever we are and Who is there to strengthen us when our knees get weak due to the trials and tribulations that come our way.

The Gospel is the Christian’s route to salvation and only the Gospel provides a means to eternal life. And in it is revealed the Son of God, Jesus Christ and we know, no one can go to the Father except through the Son and the Son is the WAY, the TRUTH and the LIFE.   Anyone who wishes to have life eternal must accept the Son and the Son accepts all who come to Him; He never denies anyone who in humility accepts His Name and believes in Him for salvation; for such purpose He came to earth that all may believe in Him and find rest for their souls.

Now, the Gospel is the food and by eating it we can be saved forever because it’s the righteousness of God, but, it can be accepted and imbibed only by faith.  It’s received by the faith one has inside of him; the faith which is a gift of God.  Then, once it is accepted and imbibed, it’s also to be believed in and again it’s here that faith plays an important role for it’s by faith alone that it can be accepted.  There is no other way.  And that is why the Word says, ‘the just shall live by faith.’  Faith is the solid ground of our acceptance of our God and all that stands for Him, even purity of heart and meekness and the good we do to others because we know that our belief in God must translate into action by which we also show that we are His and that He is ours.  It’s in this that we please Him and the way by which we shall find rest for our souls.  

Thoughts for another day

July 11, 2013.

Today's verse: Heb. 4:15. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. (KJV)

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

In living life you would have realised how frail and fickle our bodies are.  Sometimes you feel so bad that you hold your head in your hands and plead the Lord to heal you; for the pain is unbearable and it hurts when you sit or when you stand or move even a step.  The pain is so deep within that really you just wish to move into oblivion and you question God: Why don’t You take me to You or heal me?   And then you look up and there is just silence and darkness.

Perhaps, in extended prayer and thinking you’ll tell Him, ‘Lord maybe you don’t understand how desperately I’m in pain for my body hurts and my mind cannot be filled with anything because this pain so occupies it.  Lord maybe you don’t know pain and that is why you allow this disease to pummel me’ isn’t it?  But, think my friend of Jesus, the Son of man, who by virtue of His being born on earth was fully Man.  He had all the emotional and physical attributes of a human being in the flesh and He also would have desired this or that and have liked this or that isn’t it?  And therefore He would have also have felt pain and fatigue and tiredness or even freshness of the body, just like you and me.

But did Jesus complain?  He didn’t…we have evidence of this at the suffering He faced at the end of His mission here on earth, but He opened not His mouth to utter a single syllable of pain on His body…only the pain in His Spirit, when He senses the absence of His Father; Who chose to be absent because He had dumped our sins on Him the sinless One; and so was anathema to the Father.   But, Jesus never complained and never sinned.  Today, He reigns at the right hand of God in glory and He is our High Priest.  We are grateful and privileged; and also blessed to have Him as our High Priest to minister before our God and His Father.   We can rest assured He is interceding for us, having felt the pain we feel, and raising us up before Him, who has the power to redeem us from all our trials and tribulations. 

Thoughts for another day

July 10, 2013.

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

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

Living in accordance with God’s will requires much from a man.  There’re temptations galore that we encounter and each temptation makes us weaker.  While in this fatigue, we’re prone to fall to the very next temptation for our nature is such.  So each time I say to the Lord, I shall walk in Your ways and make all my steps pleasing to You, I do it for a while; then stray off the path because His path means, dying to self and all that’s of the self.  Now, even if for a few hours I’m able to die to self, the trials thronging me are so strong that soon, I’m swamped by them, unable to muster myself up.

In life, we’re beset by difficult problems and situations and each one of us face them time after time.  God wanted us to live well without these, but the world wants no part of God and therefore, God gave us up to our uncleanness.  So, then all that’s there in the world has become troublesome and everything looks as if it’s geared to make life difficult for us who want to walk on God’s path.  I know because whenever I try to do something pleasing to God, there’s an attack and my whole self rebels and wants to give up.  This isn’t only with me, it is with many Christian brothers and sisters who wish to please God with their lives.

But since all these fights are in the realm of God (our having accepted Christ as our Savior with genuine intent and deciding to spend a life to be a pleasing aroma in His nostrils) we submit our lives to God and hold on to Him through thick and thin.  Our Word today gives us the affirmation that all things are of God and all things are held by Him.  For those who’re devoted to Him wholeheartedly, He is the Boss and He delivers and therefore, I have the confidence that He who has called us and has begun a good work in us will perform them until the day when Christ comes again in glory.  Marvelous isn’t it, for truly the battle is His, not ours.

Thoughts for another day

July 9, 2013.

Today's verse: 2 Tim. 3:12. Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.  (KJV)

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

Have you tried living a godly life – viz. a life you know to please God?  If you have then you’ll know what the above Word means.  For you would know that as soon as you started living such a life there came upon you many of the things you perhaps were wary of; or which you probably never knew would happen to you.  The first thing you’d have noticed is that people call you a holy Joe and make fun of you and even leave you at times in great emotional distress accusing you and pointing fingers at you for no reason at all.  This happens among Christians and is rather shameful.

I’m talking of people leading good lives who have decided to be completely with the Lord and who do not want to pick fights or even argue with others. The rule of this world is: If you can bend a person, then bend him to kick him.  We see that happening day in and day out.  Those who’re meek are trampled on, they’re treated unfairly and all kinds of things are said about them as everyone knows they’ll not retaliate.  Meekness is an important aspect of Christ’s life which we imbibe as His disciples and when we’re meek, troubles follow.  When we want to talk of Christ, there’s a lot of opposition, maybe not from the person we talk to as we in all probability know the person and study him before talking to him about Christ.  But, his family members will have a problem because having come to know Christ, this person does not want to participate in the daily rituals of their deities and the problem deteriorates and the ire of his family members falls on us.

I’ve noticed that the moment one desires to live a good life, there will be threats and risks because the world cannot come to grips with Christ’s ways and His disciples.  But we don’t bother for Jesus has said, Jn. 16:33, ‘In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.’  No matter what persecution we face, we must not be deterred but walk steadfastly in that path remembering what Paul said, Rom. 8:18, ‘the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.’  What a beautiful gift from God and in all the persecutions we face, we’ll emerge only the stronger and be a testimony of God’s goodness to others like us which will result in the growth of the church and strengthening of her faith.  Amen.

Thoughts for another day

July 8, 2013.

Today's verse: Ps. 44 :27. Rise up, help us! Redeem us as your love demands. (NAB – copy. ack.)

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

When I read this verse in the Bible, it struck so sharply that I knew it had to be reflected on, today.  What struck me as tremendous is the phrase, ‘as your love demands’.  You know, there’re things pleasing to the LORD God.  One that pleases Him most is when all our prayer and meditation is sent through His Son, for all we do in the Name of the glorious Son of God, Jesus Christ, is acceptable to the Father and far, far more a pleasing smell to His nostrils than even sacrifices, etc. as we are accepted in the Beloved (Eph. 1:6).  The other thing I know is when, we solidly agree with God that He loves us, for He does, an amazing and unconditional love that knows no bounds.

What a blessed thing it is for a man to spread His hands to heaven where our God on high, lives and plead to His heart in the Name of His Son.  And even more when we tell Him, Jesus Christ His Son died for our sins, so much was His love for us, and we, though puny before Him, but prostrated and with bent bodies, tell Him to help us, even as His love demands for remember God’s love has so much in store for us – beginning with redemption, moving on to many blessings and Graces galore so that we are able to proclaim His Good News to the nations of the world, to a children begotten by men who know not the living God and that there is life after this in eternity only through the Name of His Son Jesus  Christ.

How wonderful in the ears of the Almighty when we say, ‘Lord do unto me as Your love demands’ for then we acknowledge He loves us unwaveringly and when our demands are great, we also tell Him, how great His love is for how can great love give sparsely?  Besides, don’t we know that even though we aren’t eligible for His gifts, when we display faith in His love and accept Him as our God, He looks forth and says the Word of blessing as in the case of the Syrophoenician woman whose daughter was tormented by an unclean spirit.  So today, even as you plead before Him for your blessing…no matter what, in prayer and supplication make it known to Him, the Great God of heaven and earth, that His love for you demands that He grant it to you.  He will give.

God

Thoughts for another day

July 5, 2013.

Today's verse: Ps. 37:23, 24. The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand. (KJV)

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

I love this Word, the way it’s written and even beyond that, the guarantee God provides us in it.  Yea, the steps of a man who’s right before God are patterned by the Creator and He is happy in him.  Look at it again my friend, the steps of a man are ordered by Him…think about it.  They can be yours and mine for we’re all the same before God and He can be delighted in our ways.  But we need to be right before Him.  We need to do the things that don’t hurt our neighbor or Him.  And when you think about it; is it really difficult to do that which pleases God?

You know, I’ve been going on this journey with the Lord for some time now, when I began I used to ignore the things that spoke about living right before God.  My zeal and fire for His work I thought would suffice.  But God doesn’t think like us and so as I moved on, my zeal and fire ebbed a little bit…the flimsiness in them eroded and today, there’s just the inner urge to go and do His work; also vanished are the grandiose plans of doing this and doing that and delivering millions and millions to God.  BTW, I must say, I hardly needed God’s help for I thought my sheer zeal would be enough!!!  Then again as with every sincere man or woman, God worked and He has shown me amply that I don’t need flame and fire to deliver the people. I just need to be ready to deliver the Gospel and thereon, He will take it up and lead me…not the other way round.  This process was rather slow and has taken years; but today it has made me realize that the seed of goodness has to be in me and then only will the Lord be pleased with me and bless my efforts.

I now understand the promise contained in our Word…though he may fall, he shall not be utterly cast down.  I have fallen many times but His promise has proved true all the time and it will, even in the future for I know He upholds me with His hand and guards me and there shall never come an injury that He hasn’t willed.  Glorious is my step now as I believe fully in Him to lead me to set the world on fire for the sake of His Gospel…fulfilling the wish of my God which He made when He said, ‘I came to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled!’ Lk. 12:49.

Thoughts for another day

July 4, 2013.

Today's verse: Col. 3:2. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth, (NRSV)

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

How many times do you look up…or is your gaze always earthward for ‘earthward-liness’ is the bane of the human race because what can come of the earth is nothing new or refreshing, but only decay and rot.  We who know the Lord our beloved God have a great reason to look up because we know – there He dwells in His Magnificent Mansion on the Royal Throne in splendor indescribable.  Around Him is the heavenly host prostrating themselves and worshipping Him day and night for none can withstand the magnificence of His brilliance; and the heart of every creature, even of the heavenly host, is but led to worship the God of heaven and earth.

One may not be able to see His splendor for seeing it means the destruction of the human; neither will one be able to see Him plainly as He appeared over two thousand years ago, for Christ has gone back to rule at the right hand of the Father.  But, one can feel Him, in His Spirit in deep meditation particularly when the craving of the heart is intense, His love washes over the individual and heaven looks down to see who’s this that has moved the heart of the Mighty One of Jacob!

It then becomes our raison d'etre to worship Him at all times.  To look up; for then in worship and fellowship, one can like David say, ‘I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.’  Truly when your eyes are fixed on the abode of the Holy One of Israel, blessings flow and every passing day, they become more.  That’s the assurance of Him whose promise never fails and whose Word stands ‘rock-solid’ even in the midst of everything else plunging down to destruction.  What then has earth to offer that can take our gaze away from the God Who owns this universe?

Thoughts for another day

July 3, 2013.

Today's verse: 3 Jn. 11. Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God. (KJV)

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

We lament saying, ‘there’s no goodness left in this world…everywhere there’s evil and it’s sad we have to live in this evil world.’  It’s understandable because there’s so much evil all around.  In my country India, everyday there’re rapes of women and even children happening all around though only one or two get reported in a month.  There’s robbery, looting and every kind of swindling going on.  Then people sell their wares at rates impossible to buy, thinking they’ll make huge profits and keep their families happy; all they do is help raise prices which bring them back to status quo.  This may not be termed evil but isn’t daylight robbery in terms of unthinkable prices, also an evil?

I remember when we were small, our neighbors used to take us to their homes and give sweets and savories; today, parents refuse to send their children to anyone’s homes as they could be molested.  And so the list goes on.  The question is, we Christians: are we about to also go with the crowd and lament; or do something about it.  Before even thinking of doing something, we must ask ourselves a question: are we also among those who do evil?  Am I so rude that people don’t approach me?  Am I so distant that I don’t care what happens to others as long as it doesn’t happen to me?  Do I have even a little bit of compassion on a brother or sister who has fallen on hard times?  Questions galore but meaningful if we’re to lead lives pleasing to Christ.

My friend our lives should be like the light shining on the hill that enlightens others; didn’t Jesus say that?  Going with evil should never be an option, no matter what a person might have done to us, for evil cannot wipe away evil, but the ‘good’ as a response to ‘evil’ can help ease things out.  Bear in mind that the good we do, must be despite the bad we get, because you see, we don’t belong to the world but to Christ.  We do good because we are intrinsically good and our God demands that of us.  When we do good, our Scripture says, we show we’re of God and we have experienced God.  What a difference it would make if every Christian in the world, you and I included, would act on this and bring His kingdom on earth, to the joy of our Father in heaven.