Thoughts for another day

Oct. 31, 2013.

Today's verse: Is. 43:21. This people have I formed for myself; they shall show forth my praise. (KJV)

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

As humans we think; and many of us at some point of time or other must have thought, ‘Why was I born.  What purpose do I have here on earth?’  This question is rather philosophical yet persistent, begging for an answer and men even go to great lengths to find an answer.  Yet, the Bible gives the answer – simple and clear; which is contained in our Scripture for today.

You see, God our Father, even before the creation of this universe and all things in it, must have pondered and wondered about His heart flowing with love.  In that effusion of love, He must have decided to create ‘something’, on which, He could lavish that love and He said, ‘what better than man, to shower love on!’  And He created man with free will to choose between the right and wrong and between the light and darkness.  God already knew that man would go against Him and would do all that he could, to vex Him, so much so that He would be forced to subject the devastating effects of His flaming wrath on them and sear them with the blaze.  It happened as He knew it would and man, though carved with such care and intricacy, fell before God.

Man’s fall was simply because he failed to understand his primary purpose in life. God in His mercy, in moments of clear speech to His servants, the prophets, shows this purpose and directs them to proclaim the same and make known this purpose to man.  So we have our Scripture today that gives the basis for man’s creation: Which is simply that man may show forth His praise!  In other words, that man may always recall the utter splendor of God in his thoughts and words; and even in what he does.  Even as I write this, I ask myself, have I understood God’s purpose for my being born and I sigh because I haven’t and therefore, I have assigned a part of my life to solely cater to my own pleasures and seek glory for myself.  That’s why we have so much chaos in this world. God had willed we praise Him and He would take care of all; but since we don’t do what He wills and also remove Him from the canvas of our lives, He has moved away resulting in the turbulence and turmoil in our world.  But yet, He is waiting for us to come to our senses and do as He says, for really, He is poised to shower us with blessings untold, the moment we do that.

Thoughts for another day

Oct. 30, 2013.

Today's verse: 1 Thess. 4:7. For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness. (KJV)

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

After having said and done all for the Kingdom of God, even living it on earth, the final analysis of a pilgrim’s progress is measured in one denomination: HOLINESS.  For unto that we’re created and called and enabled as we understand from our Scripture above.  The total distillation at the end of one’s journey is measured only by this denomination, for, which man who’s a Christian and an ardent disciple of Christ wouldn’t like to see Him; and He can be seen through holiness alone.  Remember Jesus said, Mt. 5:8, ‘Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.’  

By its meaning we know if we’re pure in our heart, we shall see God.  In the Bible, holiness and the need to be holy are mentioned many times, as well as the benefits of it as in Mt. 5:8.  The challenge each one of us has is: How to be holy.  Believe me, this is actually easy.  The Bible says of Abraham, ‘And he believed in the LORD; and He counted it to him for righteousness.’  So I would first say that belief, not partial nor empty, but real and solid, is necessary to be holy.  Belief in God at times of prosperity, when all is going well, is easy, but I dare you or anyone else to believe when things are crumbling and falling.  That’s the test isn’t it?  And great are you when you believe even then, for God is pleased and Grace is sent, unseen yet, dynamic and powerful to the person’s aid.   

Other than belief, you must have a ‘peculiar’ desire to be holy.  Your current state may be far from being holy, but, your firm belief in God has already made you righteous and you must trudge on to be really pure, without blemish.  Pray to the Spirit of God to give you a spirit that will be much troubled over your sins and grieve over them.  Cry my friend because you offended God and the tears that flow will bring about a reconciling with Him. Don’t be bothered nor guilt possessed at what happened in the past for its forgiven at the foot of the Cross.  Sincerely aim to be holy for He who has called us is Himself holy and He wants us to be holy and His Son Jesus also exhorts us to be holy, Matt. 5:48, ‘Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect’ and we know that the perfection He refers to is holiness.

Thoughts for another day

Oct. 29, 2013.

Today's verse: Ps. 51:11. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. (KJV)

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

When you enter the mind of a man who’s highly devoted to God, you’ll always find him thinking of what he should do next, to please His Majesty.  Another thing you’ll notice is that when he sins, he is perturbed and upset – not with anything external, but with himself because he allowed his soul to be tarnished.  To a man who’s close to God, a speck of sin, and that too committed wantonly, is a slur on God which he committed knowingly, amounting to rebellion against God and a great sin.

Yet, sin will always be a part of the nature of man, for he is born in sin and his flesh craves to sin.  Even, if you know God well, it may not mean that you’ll not sin for remember, even a bad thought against someone is sin.  All sinful thoughts emanate from the heart and that’s the character a man possesses in himself and that is he.  Some people’s hearts may not be very dirty but there will be some dirt by which they may sin, perhaps what we term, small sins; but sin they do commit for as I told before, man is of sin and sin is always lurking near his door, and like Paul said, Rom. 7:19, ‘the evil which I would not, that I do.’  But after sinning, men of God don’t rest till they make peace with God and that’s also the case with David after he was told of his gross sin with Bathsheba.

I’m sure David realised the immensity of the wrong he committed against God and I can also imagine how he must have flung himself before God and pleaded with Him, tears all over and in those tears, with much trepidation, he must have cried out the words of Ps. 51.  Our Scripture today is an important part of the psalm where he cries to God, to not throw him out of His Presence and not to take His Holy Spirit from him.  My friend, in every offense that we commit against God, let us be aware that we must go before Him and seek His forgiveness and make up with Him, no matter if we know that we’re still going to commit the same sin again and again.  For He knows we’re weak and He will send us the Grace to rise above our sins and praise Him, but it also means that we keep God with us, all the time, even in our sinful nature.

Thoughts for another day

Oct. 28, 2013.

Today's verse: Mark 7:8. For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, (KJV)

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

It’s indeed surprising that we the children of God, knowing His ways and walking in His light, still resort to do things that are of no consequence but ignore the commandment of God.  Even sincere, polite and gentle Christians do this; and either don’t course correct when told or adamantly hold on to their beliefs and persist in doing what they want to do.

This implies scant regard for God and disrespect to His holiness and His right ways, an insolence against God, requiring repentance.  A classic example the Lord gives us to this attitude is in the parable He narrates of the good Samaritan.  In it we see two people who know the commandment of God well, yet look not at the spirit of the commandment.  A key essential of the spirit of the commandment of God is, ‘love thy neighbor.’   But do they do that?  Rather the tradition they grew up with of not becoming unclean is too heavy on their hearts, not the meat of the commandment of helping the man.  Both walk their ways, leaving the man on the road, attacked and injured to fend for himself. 

Such is the behavior of people even today, particularly in the city of Mumbai where I live.  A man may lie injured, dying in the middle of the road, but no one looks at him; another may be screaming for help being attacked by muggers, yet no one bothers to help because their tradition insists that they keep away from these things lest they fall into trouble.  So deep rooted is the attitude to not inconvenience self, that often we learn of deaths or tragedies resulting from the callousness of people, because of their tradition; to the end that men die and perish, but tradition holds!  Wonder what God above is thinking about it…yet, I know that in each situation, He is expecting me to break the mould and move into uncharted areas for the reason of the love He has put in my heart and put on the mantle of the good Samaritan and be a source of help to others, rather than become a holy ‘Joe’, deep rooted in tradition, but empty in terms of God and His ways.

Thoughts for another day

Oct. 25, 2013.

Today's verse: Is. 12:2. Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation. (KJV)

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

Look now and know that God is our salvation.  From all the difficult moments of this life, it is He who draws us out.  The world in its evil way knows how to pile offenses on His people, the people who have no support or strength.  They make it difficult for them to live and we see that in the conditions we live in today where, getting two morsels for food is so difficult.  It’s impossible it seems to them to live, but God is involved.  He hears them.  And why will He not for if His eyes are on the sparrow then His eyes are on us and Jesus clearly said, ‘how much more valuable you are than birds’ (Matt. 6:26).

Far sure than the Mountains that stand testimony to the greatness of God and His Majesty displayed through the landscape of the earth, is the Word of God which I will trust and because of the faith He has put in my heart, I shall not be afraid, for God is my strength and my song.  He is the melody of my heart and the fortitude of my being, by which I’m able to stand up and face all situations in my life that aim to put me down.  Through His supernatural power, I’m able to, though bent, push forward and demolish the strong bastions of the evil one and destroy them; solely by the work of my God through my arms and my body and my spirit.

Yes, Jehovah God is my salvation, He is the strength of my life and I live now by faith in Him who loved me and gave Himself up for me, not that I’m worthy to even cast a glance at His magnificence, but because His love included even to die for me, so that I may understand the depth of His love and in it, have life.  I look forward to being blessed by Him so I could be a blessing to others and show them also the Love He has for them and then they too will be redeemed by His blood and His power.

Thoughts for another day

Oct. 24, 2013.

Today's verse: Gen. 18:17. And the LORD said, Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do; (KJV)

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

For me, this Scripture is one of the most touching Scriptures in the Bible and also One, which reveals God’s heart in a very profound way.  Now let me explain:  God visits Abraham, enroute to Sodom and Gomorrah and renews His promise that a child would be born to him and Sarah.  In this interesting interlude in Genesis, Chap 18, we find that God, at the request of Abraham, sits under a tree near Abraham’s tent, in the heat of the day and eats a meal!  Yea, it’s true and is in v 8.  Then He makes the promise, at which Sarah laughs to herself wondering whether she and Abraham at their age would still find the pleasure of having relations and her bearing a son.

God mildly rebukes her and asks that all important question in v 14, ‘Is anything too hard for the LORD?’  What a revelation and what a wonderful God.  Across ages after this and knowing this many men, including me, would have thought, ‘wish that God would also ask me this question’ so I could fall at His feet and say, ‘no LORD, nothing!’ and by thus saying, inherit the blessing that Abraham inherited. 

Now the interesting thing is, God blesses Abraham and God has also destined his progeny to be a large and mighty nation and that all nations on earth shall be blessed in him.  God has thus ordained all for Abraham and yet God thinks, ‘now that Abraham shall be a mighty nation, shall I hide from him what I am going to do?’  My friend, these are the Words of the Almighty, the Most High God who dwells in unapproachable light and Whom we cannot even touch.  Whenever I read this, I love God for how gentle and good He is to those who are His and how wonderfully He presents Himself to those who obey Him.  Today, we have Jesus’ Spirit with us all the time and we know that with His Spirit all things are possible and we have such a renewed life in Him, by which we shall also serve Him and delight Him.  What a wonderful opportunity He gives us to breathe His fragrance.

Thoughts for another day

Oct. 23, 2013.

Today's verse: Is. 63:17a. Why, O LORD, do you make us wander from your ways and harden our hearts so we do not revere you? (KJV)

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

Oh Lord God, King of the tribes of Jacob, God of heaven and earth, have mercy upon us O God, Your children who haven’t the sense to decipher the right from the left and aren’t able to do anything without Your counsel and the driving power that only You can provide.  We are as helpless as the little one of an eagle who can fall off the cliff and die; as it does not know yet, the power its wings have, of flight.

Oh, Lord, have mercy, for we have drunk of the cup of iniquity which the enemy of our souls pours out for us in guile and we like ignorant rabbits fall into his pits which take us away from the lovely land of Your inhabitation.  Our feet have slipped O Lord and our inner strong urges to do wrong have landed us in a situation of great discomfort for it seems to us that You have left us on our own to wander away from You; and the more we move from You in our ‘gullibility’ thinking our erroneous ways will lead us to illumination, the more we sink into the muddle of darkness and filth.  It is certainly not like us Lord to move away from You, but our weak minds sway to the sinful rhythms of this world and fall.

Oh Lord God of righteousness and purity, why have You hardened our hearts to leading us away from fear of You O God?  Yeah, we agree we have lost fear of reverence for You and while we want to give no excuses as to why this has happened, we still pray to You so You will instill in our hearts the desire to revere and honor You all the days of our lives and the lives of our children and their children through all generations.  In doing so Lord, we know that when the time is nigh for us to come to You, we will have the angelic blast of welcome into Your kingdom, the One in which we strived to live, even while on earth.

Thoughts for another day

Oct. 21, 2013.

Today's verse: Jer. 17:7. Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is.  (KJV)

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

Stan was an ardent churchgoer and a friend of Bert, a wishy-washy Christian and infrequent visitor of the church. Both of them worked for the same company as technicians for a good number of years.  Though they shared many of their beliefs and their friendship also included their families, there was an essential difference: that of faith in God.  One day, their company witnessed a takeover; a new management team was installed, creating a rather tense time for all employees of the company including Stan and Bert.  Their fears weren’t unfounded for soon most employees were sacked.

Both Stan and Bert found themselves on the roads, now middle aged with no jobs.  But as soon as they were fired, Stan went to the little corner church and knelt before the Lord, weeping and seeking solace and help. He always trusted the Lord wholeheartedly and his family placed Him at the center of their lives.  He rose after a while and going home gave them the unsavory news.  Immediately his wife and kids knelt down and prayed for God’s help in this, their time of crisis.  On the other hand, Bert, shaken to the bones with the news, not knowing what to do, hit the liquor joint.  In frustration, he drank till he could no more and crashed there.  The owner then asked his men to pick him up and put him in a taxi to take him home. 

A while passed; miraculously Stan found help coming from all quarters, some giving this, some that; some willing to pay his children’s fees, etc. After a year, he started a small business with a friend and in no time started earning a lot more than the meager salary he received.  Bert on the other hand, with no trust in God, literally fell on the streets.  He shunned God for having done this in his life and borrowed heavily.  His wife started working at menial, low paid jobs and his children had to leave school. He was forced to sell the household goods to pay off his loans.  Then he met Stan one day and, narrated his tale of woe.  Stan immediately reached out and helped him and even invited him to join the business.  Soon they prospered and as they were sitting and chatting Stan gently told Bert to review his relationship with God, now that God had brought him back on his feet.  Stan told him that when they were sacked the situation for both was the same, yet he never faced any problem because of his implicit trust and hope in the Lord, who had worked marvelously all the time and led him to start the business.  He testified to the love of God he felt even when he was doing nothing and how God had strengthened him and his family through the experience.   As Stan quoted our Scripture verse to Bert, it occurred to both how true God is to His Word for truly Stan recalled, ‘blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is.’ Bert realised his folly and now started to believe; and knelt thanking God, for rescuing him from all his problems. 

Thoughts for another day

Oct. 21, 2013.

Today's verse: Rev. 3:19. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.  (KJV)

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

Our reflection today is probably more for me than anyone else who reads it for in it, is the story I’ve heard yet, never learnt.  That’s also the case with many of us who try live on the narrow way, the way in which we need to live, to be able to meet Jesus our Savior and then walk with Him on the golden road to heaven our eternal home.

All that we do and say and eke up in this life must be focused on the permanent, which for us is, our life with God in our heavenly kingdom.  Quite often though we stumble in our paths as we walk the narrow way because we know the way is difficult.  Now look, Jesus alluded that many look for the broad way and exhorted us to look for the narrow road; why because it is the one that leads to life.  At the same time, we can safely assume that many look for the broad way simply because walking on it is easier.  By worldly norms our stumbling shouldn’t trouble us because who cares if we lie or trample upon the reputations of people, or indulge in other things evil.  The world will only pat you on the back if you do those things because by doing them, you score brownie points, on the basis of which you climb up the societal ladder and become more famous; for that’s exactly the goal of the world; the means don’t matter.  Yet, in God’s kingdom, you’ve erred and your sins vex Him deeply.

God loves us and He wants us not to stumble upon our paths of life and so He rebukes and chastens.  He permits things to happen which lay us down and we land in our beds.  We’re unwell or are put down in our careers and so on.  We may choose at this time to either blame God for the situation or thank Him. Our Word today tells us to be zealous in matters pertaining to God and repent.  It gives me much fodder for thought and tells me to mend my ways.  And I know that when I do it, He won’t leave me alone, but send His Grace as a buoy to keep me afloat even in the choppiest waters.  Praise His Name.

Thoughts for another day

Oct. 18, 2013.

Today's verse: 2 Cor. 9:7. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.  (KJV)

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

Giving: what a marvelous thought it is, yet so difficult to do and though many of us think we’re givers, it’s so much fallacious for we hardly give.  I believe the greatest thing we can do is to give, yea like Paul says, not grudgingly but with a cheerful heart.  Not because one is forced to give but because one wants to give.

I must say, when I discuss this issue with people, there’s so much disagreement among so called Christians and the most common argument is, ‘is the recipient worthy?’  Well, what do we know about the recipient, a person who sits on the roadside to beg.  Many say begging is lucrative but when asked to do it, they immediately frown at the suggestion and wonder whether you’re mad to even suggest such a thing.  The other argument that people like me put forward is: Oh, what is the use of giving small coins; rather I will give when I get into the funds and start an orphanage or a night shelter, etc.  So, showing myself a little superior, as a non-giver.  But there are times when I give and I experience such an inner joy.  I never give to the ‘person’ as such but give to Jesus and therefore neither do I seek any returns on it or do I want any gratitude from the person as I know the Lord will never keep any debt and will return what I gave, multiplied many times.   

Jesus loved a giver and someone who gave without thinking of the morrow and with nothing in the kitty…don’t we know how He praised the poor widow who put two small coins into the treasury?  And so, I wonder what Jesus will say to me, if I’m not a giver but go before Him begging for this and that!  All I’ll say is Give: it is a wonderful feeling; far better than saving one’s old shirt for a rainy day than knowing that someone is wearing it and praising God for it.

Thoughts for another day

Oct. 17, 2013.

Today's verse: Ex. 14:21. And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the LORD caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided.  (KJV)

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

The Israelites had left Egypt behind and camped before the Red sea.  And now God induced the heart of Pharaoh to follow them in his quest to not release them from slavery from the land of Egypt and bring them back.  God did this to show His awesome and last sign to seek great glory through the destroyed army of Egypt and Pharaoh, so that the Egyptians will always know that the Lord alone was God. 

When the Israelites looked up, they were chilled to their bones to see the furious Egyptians in hot pursuit and they murmured in distress to Moses, crying in remorse for having gone out of Egypt to die as they put it, in the desert.  Now they had two options before them, one, to perish in the sea or two, to turn and fight the Egyptians and both were a no-no.  They never thought of the third option for they never accorded respect to God for all the marvelous signs He had wrought in Egypt against the Egyptians.  But God in His mercy opened Moses’ thinking to the third option –the parting of the waters of the sea and the appearing of level ground, dried by the mighty hand of God for them to walk on; which our Scripture above tells us.  And God did it for them and they were saved and we see that the waters came back on to the Egyptians, when they attempted to cross the sea. 

This, my friend is very relevant to us, in that, many times today, we too have two options – the ‘yes’ or ‘no’ types.  But I urge you to keep the third ‘God’ option open.  You may not know what that option is or how it will run its course but I can assure you, it will help you cross your sea of tribulation and bring you out victoriously, slamming your enemies, be it people, or a disease, or a financial sickness or whatever.  And that will cause you great occasion to praise God.

Thoughts for another day

Oct. 16, 2013.

Today's verse: 2 Cor. 4:18. While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal. (KJV)

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

What is faith?  What is prayer and why do these two bring about so much blessing in our lives?  Faith is the Unseen through the seen (which is the self) and prayer further talks to the Unseen believing through the seen.  And through our Scripture today, Paul says that the seen is temporal and the unseen is eternal.  What a notion; the antagonist says…for really, if it’s not seen it doesn’t exist and can one really believe in that which is unseen…for how can you believe what isn’t?

Here’s the enigma before us…God dwells in the unseen and all His promises and blessings are unseen.  For example His healing:  If a person is healed by God, say in a prayer meeting or crusade, there was nothing seen, no hand, no potion, nothing; yet the cure is real.  On the other hand when we go to a doctor, there he is in front of us whom we can touch and feel.  He gives us the medicine which again we can touch and feel and we become whole and this too is real!  Both worked, but the cure with the pill may require more pills for a complete cure, but the cure in the unseen I’ve come to realise is complete in itself and even includes sometimes the impossible cure!  So which is greater? 

If this question were asked of me, I must confess I would say the unseen is greater.  The Bible has so many situations where we come to know of this, even that the world, the seen, was created by the unseen besides, to those who dwell in the seen realm, the unseen remains invisible.  But to those in the unseen realm, both the unseen and the seen are before them.  Moreover, the unseen is lasting; and Jesus hinted at this saying, heaven and earth (earth is seen) will pass away, but My Words (not seen) will remain!  So it means, Jesus’ unseen Word will always remain.  And because the Word is eternal, its effects are eternal.  We pray words which are not seen, but their effect is in the seen, like for example a job, a financial breakthrough, etc. So my friends, God though unseen is a far greater reality in our lives and we do well trusting in Him, than in trusting the world.

Thoughts for another day

Oct. 15, 2013.

Today's verse: Jer. 30:17a. For I will restore health unto thee, and I will heal thee of thy wounds, saith the LORD; (KJV)

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

Israel strayed away from God and committed abomination after abomination.  God sent many prophets to warn them and turn from their sinful ways.  But they ignored His prophets and held them to scorn (Jer. 29:19).  They thought nothing would happen to them for the Holy Temple was in their midst and they knew God promised, when the Temple was dedicated to Him by Solomon, His Presence would always be in that place.  Of course, in saying this God willed that since they knew His Presence was there, they would always fear and revere Him.  On the contrary, it made them arrogant and misappropriate God’s promises, thinking they could sin as much as they wanted and still God would protect them because His Presence was there.  God put them through massive tribulation and eventually uprooted them from their place, exiling them. 

This background is given so we’re able to understand what Jeremiah prophesied as God told him to and the terrible time the Israelites had because of the Babylonians.  In all this, God never forgot the covenant He made with them, even to Abraham.  And God in His love and mercy for His chosen people forgot His anger and reached out to them.  Through Jeremiah, He told them that He would restore their health and heal them of all the miseries they suffered.  In this God gave them hope that they would once again see their land and be put back in the position they were in. 

You know, sometimes when I think of why the evil aren’t punished and I’m angry before God, He gently points out my own sins to me and the love that He has shown me.  I see in them even that though He had punished me bitterly, He yet thought of me and brought me to the place I belonged and healed my wounds which I had suffered as a result of my erroneous ways.  I then understand the mercy and love of my God and realise how intense His love for me is; so as to enfold me, a great sinner, once again as if nothing had happened.  What a wonderful God we serve, no?

Thoughts for another day

Oct. 14, 2013.

Today's verse: Matt. 8:13. And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour. (KJV)

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

FAITH: is the key to harness God’s power and it doesn’t matter how many times I’m reminded of it or I remind others of it, it’s good, for without faith there’s nothing we can accomplish because if we don’t have faith, how can we claim to even believe in God?  The whole thing rests on the matter of faith and right at the beginning of the Bible, where the history of the people of God, the Jews, as they came to be called later, begins, is the rule of faith; demonstrated, rewarded and shaped into a principle for operating in God’s favor.  The Bible records Abraham as the first man who believed that God is; and in this belief, left his homeland and his people to go to a place God would show him! It may probably be easy for us to do that as we can reach any corner of the earth in a day today, but in Abraham’s time, a day would be sufficient to traverse but a few miles on a mule.  Abraham didn’t even know where he was to go, but he obeyed because of his belief and God credited it to him as an act of righteousness.  Thinking on it I ask, what would it be an act of, if we don’t believe? 

Now faith is not something we take lightly for I’ve seen scores of Christians who say they have faith but fall at the first hurdle God places in their paths.  Besides, it is very easy to lay claim on faith in times of ease, but the test begins only when there’s tribulation and difficulty, for all their empty pledges or swearing of having faith get shattered in a jiffy as they run helter-skelter, looking here, looking there, for a bit of solace from man…all idea of God forgotten for another day perhaps.

Now those who have genuine faith, will also work in order to demonstrate their faith for example, if Abraham wouldn’t have moved from his place, where would the idea of a Promised Land be?  We too must move in order to show we have faith and stand in the midst of the turbulence challenging the order of worldly things with our faith just as the centurion did and God, our beautiful God will be pleased with it and reward us according to our faith.  So therefore, submit today your troubling situation onto the bastion of your faith and stand upon the promises of God.  God will shatter your difficulties and bring you into the Promised Land you always wanted to be in.

Thoughts for another day

Oct. 11, 2013.

Today's verse: Eccl. 5:19. Every man also to whom God hath given riches and wealth, and hath given him power to eat thereof, and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his labour; this is the gift of God. (KJV)

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

In our short lives, we work and fulfill our earthly requirements, particularly eating and drinking and enjoying life, of course sensibly.  We work so we may be able to enjoy the comforts the world has and partake in all the wonderful things made for us, within the boundaries of our finances.  The caution is never to over indulge in them and never, never to take God out of the picture in whatever we partake, because, it is He, Who allows us a certain standard of living and were it not for Him, we could be like that family living in the shanty across the road, for whom we have scant regard, wishing them to disappear from our neighborhood as they dirty them.

A careful look at our Word above tells us also, that God gives the ability and the strength to eat of the labor of our hands or I might say, to enjoy the fruits our hard work.  If God didn’t allow this, our lives would be but a drag, a miserable existence with no meaning and life in it.  I know so many people who save a large portion of their salaries and eat like paupers.  They literally scrounge for food and eat whatever comes their way.  Ask them to spend their money on good things, they never will.  They say they’re saving for the future, a future they know nothing about and it exposes their dependence on their money for the future and not God Almighty.

There’re some who save for their old age hospitalization expenses or their child’s education and so on, without using their money to live well, now in the present time.  But how much do you need to save; well they don’t know and if they don’t know then why do they save all and then scrounge about.  I’m not saying we shouldn’t save, but savings isn’t to defy God’s provision.  As for me, I’ve gone through tremendous financial turbulence, yet there’s never been a day when I’ve lacked, because my focus isn’t on my bank balance, but on my God who is in control of my finance.  And so I say, seek to enjoy the money you have lest you die and it goes to somebody unworthy as the writer of Ecclesiastes says.  Enjoy and give praise to God for all He does for you and you’ll see your money never ending, even though it was very small to begin with. God adds to it for, when we live content fruitful lives, honoring Him with our resources, He is pleased and He sends more.  And remember it is God alone who allows us to get riches and also, He alone enables us to enjoy them.

Thoughts for another day

Oct. 10, 2013.

Today's verse: Mark 4:39. And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. (KJV)

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

I’d like you to have a close look at the Word above.  It says that Jesus arose and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, ‘Peace be still.’  The Bible also says, the wind ceased and there was great calm.  We have read this episode so many times and are so much acquainted with it and sometimes in our reading we could even just pass over it without a further thought.  But reading it yesterday struck me hard and I looked at it again.   

Now the situation was; there was this boisterous wind and equally boisterous sea both reveling in the energy the Almighty has given them and creating a picture of immense power, power enough to destroy.   But as they would have it, they dared to do it when their Creator was in a little boat and they were rocking it as to overturn it and destroy the puny men (not the Lord of course) in them,.  Now these puny men, had it up to their necks in fear, their focus shifted from their Master, sleeping on a cushion in the stern, to the powerful jabs of the wind and water and were in intense despair thinking their end was imminent; but of course, not so, the Master.  When they in great terror woke Him up, He quickly got hold of the situation and immediately asked the wind and the sea to calm down and they did.  In that calm, the men suddenly realised Who the Man was, Whom they called ‘Master!’  And this realization suddenly filled them with fear and awe.  Such is the reaction of a man when he comes face to face with His God.

You know, when there’re storms in your life, I would urge you to be confident of the One, Whom you’ve believed in, for remember, He is traveling in your boat, for He said, ‘I Am with your always, even to the end of the age.’  He may not answer you immediately as soon as you call, to check your faith.  Get into the calm mode even in the midst of that storm and then you’ll know that ‘He is God’ as so well put in Ps. 46:10, ‘Be still and know that I AM God.’  And believe me your storm will repent for having taken up cudgels against you for it never knew Who it had to contend with.  Keep faith alive and God will drive the storms from your life and you will live to testify to His Name.

Thoughts for another day

Oct. 9, 2013.

Today's verse: Matt. 6:26. Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? (KJV)

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

Sometimes the Word of God stands out crystal clear and loud; but somehow in our human inhibition and restrictive finiteness, we overlook Its import; and for that I’ll talk about our Word today; take a good look at it.  Now tell me, despite reading it, registering it and many, many times being subject to its preaching, haven’t you worried sometimes how your next meal will come or how you’re going to pay off the mortgage on your home or provide for the fees of your child in that specialized medical course?  I’ve been rather guilty of this I must confess and there’s always that little niggle of a fear as to how the day might shape tomorrow, keeping in mind that almost everything that concerns me is in disarray, chiefly my finances. 

When I ponder on how people are constantly blessed, step by step, and progress further and further – like I mean, if they owned a small house, now they own a big house, etc.  and then think of myself, I see so much decay and I wonder…am I really blessed by God?  Do I walk on His principles?  Do I do what He has asked me to?  I hear the televangelist shout from the rooftops ‘sow a seed, when in need’ and I tell myself; maybe I’ve not sown till it hurts because human logic and these preachers tell me that God moves when I move, so as to hurt.  Ah, but does God work that way?  Is He One who says, only if you sow shall I give you a great harvest?  Does God abide strictly by the principle rule of agriculture that only sowing brings about reaping?  Is God subject to human finiteness?  I’m almost prone to answer ‘yes’, but wait a minute… this morning as I watched a Christian television, there was this very simple preacher who made me look closer at our Scripture.

Jesus said, the sparrows neither sow, nor reap nor collect and yet don’t go hungry!  So I guess they follow none of the principles that agriculture lays down.  And I imagine as they fly they only give praise to their Maker and that’s enough.  The cardinal extract I would like to take from this is, ‘God has already arranged for my provision, much before I was born.’  All He wants from me is faith that He will give and also be free from anxiety.  I question myself, am I like that…the answer is ‘yes’.  As to the other thing…people are blessed from one step to the next – well I consider: am I not blessed even more because of the knowledge of God which He has blessed me with, step over step.  Hasn’t He blessed me with rising faith…strong enough to withstand the storms of life?  Has He not blessed me with peace and an ‘uncaring’ or ‘un-anxious’ attitude to money.  Has it just come like that?  No it hasn’t and that’s why I know that though my state be dismal now, it will change…yes it will change because my God in heaven is true and faithful and His Word says, ‘they who trust in Him, will never be shamed.’  It is the same for you my friend…trudge on; the dark tunnel will end soon.

Thoughts for another day

Oct. 8, 2013.

Today's verse: Pro. 30:5. Every word of God is tried and purified; He is a shield to those who trust and take refuge in Him. (Amplified Bible – copyright ack.)

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

God spoke and it happened.  You’ll never find that God spoke and it didn’t happen in the Bible.  In fact, God says, Is. 55:10, 11, ‘For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.’  Jesus said, Lk. 21:33, ‘Heaven and earth will pass away but My Words will never pass away.’  And we know from John’s Gospel that Jesus Himself is the Word and the Word was God and since God is eternal, it means His Word is eternal.

Such is the eternal might of the Word of God that come what may, it does what it has been decreed for, as God tells us above in Isaiah.  The Bible is a genuine treasure of God’s Word for every issue you and I may face, whether it be simple, like a better job; to one of life and death, like a terminal disease.  God’s Word is intense and has the power to enter any situation and change it to the cause it was sent for and it is sent in accord with the faith we hold in us toward Him; and also the fervancy of our prayer.

So then in prayer, if you’re holding on to the Word of God, remember, you’re holding on to the world’s most potent weapon and also know, it was delivered for you.  No matter what the situation, I will never believe anything other than the Word of God to work in it for me; and in God’s Word we also find the faith needed to bolster up our spirits because God in and through His Word gives us the gift of faith by which we’re able to get the blessings due to us and also those we ask for; and faith mingled with His Word is the sure path for a man.  Don’t hide your tears if you’ve held God’s Word in faith and haven’t yet received, for on the appointed day, the grave holding your blessing will burst asunder and it will come galloping to you, for you refused to give up and held His Word more than anything, despite pitch darkness and utter chaos in your life.  And surely your tears will turn to tears of Joy and gratitude to the One, True Living God, Who had mercy on you.

Thoughts for another day

Oct. 7, 2013.

Today's verse: Gal. 3:28. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. (KJV)

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

Looking at this Word which Paul wrote to the Galatians, I recall many years ago, a long conversation I had with a lady aboard an international flight.  She was reading a book on some vague form of mysticism and that’s how the conversation began.  Since it was waking time and the entertainment aboard was miserable, I asked her a few questions on the subject she was reading and like a little child latching on to a delectable dish served first time, she rattled a few choice words on meditation and how it’s so useful and helps people gain control of themselves and lead contented lives.

I listened to her carefully and then said I’m a Christian and I don’t believe in meditation and that kind of stuff for our God isn’t reached by deep meditation or practices learnt over long periods of time which essentially aims to put you in a different category than the others.  Rather I told her, our God says, Jer. 29:13, ‘And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.’  Besides, I quoted, Acts 17:28, ‘For in him we live, and move, and have our being;’   At this she grew interested and listened interestedly to what I had to say further.  I told her every Christian on planet earth must consider another Christian as a brother or sister in Christ and fellowship together in love in Christ.  And I gave her the gist of the Christian freedom and brotherhood that we enjoy. 

I managed to tell her what Paul told the Galatians and what I tell you too that in Christ, there’s no difference between any Christian brothers or sisters or brother and sister.  We’re all one in Christ and in all our worship, only Christ is adored and worshiped, no other.  She liked what I said and I continued that she too was a sister to me and she must discover Christ for herself as He is the only way to heaven and there is no other.  I also told her that in Christ we’re all one big family and we’re welcome to any church, any service all over the world and no one can stop us from participating in the worship service.  She was really fascinated and though she didn’t say anything further, I believe she would aim to know more about Christ and Christians.  At the end of the flight it really dawned on me the wonder that Jesus has been to our lives and how He bonds people from all walks of life even though they never know each other, yet, coming together in one purpose and one faith and how He accepts all, no matter who she or he is.  Isn’t that something worth living for?

Thoughts for another day

Oct. 4, 2013.

Today's verse: Dan. 4:17b. to the intent that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men. (KJV)

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

Ah, here’s a man who thought himself to be a god, for the renown of his power had spread and so had the girth of his kingdom; and in his soul, although he was given the power to destroy Jerusalem and drive the Israelites away into exile because of their sins, he thought it was he, whose expedition against them was successful.  So, we have Nebuchadnezzar being given a dream telling of his being tossed out of his throne and made like an animal, to be bathed with the dew of heaven and live in the verdure of earth, with sense like as the beasts.

And it happened as was decreed and it also tells us that men, no matter who they are, might know the power of the Most High who rules over the galactic seas of the Universe and every element in it, of which the earth perhaps is the least.  He is Sovereign and none can ever say anything to Him for who can even stand in His Presence to accuse Him? – Who indeed is fit to shake the foundations of the place the Most High stands on?  It is in His power to do or destroy and we must know that it is in His power to raise us up or demolish us.  What is important for you and I to know is that it is His reign that must be accepted by us willingly for then it pleases Him. 

You know, of all that’s in this universe, His most tender love and flowing mercy is always with man and He proved that by sending His Son to earth and giving Him the most cruel and agonizing death known to men then, a death of shame on the Cross.  What more proof do we need of His immense love for us?  It’s right then to seek Him on bended knee and worship Him to the utmost in accord with His great glory of which he left an imprint on all He created, whether living or not.  It’s then prudent to realise that in the canopy of His will, we live to our full potential and measure up to the full life He has for us; and he also tells us this in Jer. 29:11, ‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’  If we know this, we should also know that there’s nothing that can stand between us and the abundant life He has for us, except maybe our malafide desires.  It’s best then to strip ourselves of our crass nature of sin and return to the table of the Lord of Hosts: to know Him and be with Him.

Thoughts for another day

Oct. 3, 2013.

Today's verse: Rom. 10:11. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. (KJV)

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

The Scripture you see above is the crux of our Christian lives.  Amply has it been seen that the man who puts his trust in the Lord is never beaten.  I’ve seen many people who trust in God fall down, but they never fall so hard that they can’t get up and even when they fall, the environment it seems, models itself to be God’s cloak and the person is kept in good spirits – to be healed of the fall and to be blessed even further.

Recently a woman from our prayer group while going to church early morning met with an accident for the driver of the auto rickshaw in which she was riding, had to brake suddenly since a bus came in its path.  As a result the auto rickshaw turned turtle, flinging both the woman and the driver out.  But this woman had her faith firmly planted in God’s Word and miraculously survived the accident with a simple fracture in the leg and concussions on her body.  The driver though initially thought to be serious, went home with not much to tell of the accident on his body.  Now what do you think prevented this woman from serious damage?  It was the trust that she had in God, as she put it and I believe it thoroughly for I know what God can and will do, for the man who puts his trust in Him.  Mary, though not staying with Joseph, put her faith in God, that He would do everything right, and said ‘yes’ to angel Gabriel, this even when she knew how dangerous it would be, were she to be found with child and Joseph not with her.  And because of that trust, Jesus was born and became our Redeemer, making Mary a prominent part of salvation history.

My friend I tell you and myself, no matter what situation we may be in, we need to set our face like flint in our trust in the Lord.  We must believe Him especially when we feel, so low and forlorn that nothing seems to lift us up.  It may at this time even seem absurd to trust Him and our hearts may seem to tell us, God is useless, just don’t believe Him and do your own thing.  But still, believe; believe because you know He gave His life for you.  Believe, because the Bible tells you to and you believe in His Word.  Then we’ll see His light tear into our darkness and He will lift you and I up.  It will all be so good with Him.  Yeah, I believe and I’m sure you do too.