Thoughts for another day

Jan. 31, 2014.

Today's verse: 1 Pet. 1:8.  Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: (KJV)

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

Belief in God is so powerful because belief leads you to where He is.  Paul says, Rom. 1:20, ‘For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities - his eternal power and divine nature - have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made’ (the emphasis is mine) and therefore the first sight that we cast out in the morning reminds us of our God.  The trees, the sky, even the water we use to wash ourselves clearly remind us of His benevolent and marvelous hand which He moved on our behalf and created such beauty and enthralling things just for us so that though we do not see Him, we may yet know and understand Him.

When we accept the reality of God through zillions of things we see as being His Own, and we invite Him in our lives, He moves in us in curls of love, lilting tunes of loveliness and all that’s comfortable and good.  His invisible hand caresses us in a manner that’s both real, yet not natural… in the sense, nothing on earth could do that to us.  When we accept this love, thanking Him in our hearts, he goes further and creates bubbles of joy in our lives.  The potency of this joy is so much within that now the surety of God isn’t a question but an affirmative yes; and the yearning for Him, begins in multiple folds of waves lashing at our hearts.

Never in this process are we able to see Him, yet we rejoice in a way only we can describe and to each one, this experience is different but so, so, so very good that it cools our soul, bringing it into subjection to our God residing in us.  His Holy Spirit then takes it upon Himself to protect us, lead and drive us to the Blessed Savior’s work, prompting silently, ‘Do not fear, I AM with you.’   All this seems so unreal, but to be honest for the soul that experiences this, the world and all in it is so unreal; for only God is real.  His life, His way and His work, is paramount and absolutely cogent and the promise of spending eternity stands as a reward before us in all its grandeur and splendor.

Thoughts for another day

Jan. 30, 2014.

Today's verse: Is. 52:10. The LORD hath made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God. (KJV)

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

Oh the sweetness of this wonderful Word of God to the soul of the one who traverses the length and breadth of the earth to proclaim the Good News of our Lord for in it is, the definiteness of the Lord’s awesome power on display on behalf of the person carrying the Gospel. 

Jesus said, Mk. 16:15-18, ‘Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.  He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.  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.’  This is mighty for they are impossible for any person to do that except for God and it is wonderful that God does it for them who go preach the Gospel and also for them that believe in the Gospel.

We understand and we know that for salvation there’s nothing else we have except the Name of Jesus Christ.  And to live a good life on earth too we have nothing else but the Name of Jesus Christ.  He gives us the power to cast out wickedness from our lives.  We may still endeavor to do evil, but somehow we find that we’re not interested in carnal pleasures the way we were before we came to the Lord and gradually there’s a decrease of things unholy in our lives which is brought about by His power.  Later on we also discover that the natural too is subject to us for God bares His arm on our behalf and that too before the nations and by His miraculous power through us, makes joyous the hearts of the people; such that all the ends of the earth rejoice in the salvation our God provides.  Truly, marvelous is our God and marvelous will be the life we will live with Him forever.

Thoughts for another day

Jan. 29, 2014.

Today's verse: Philip. 3:10. I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, (KJV)

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

Every Christian person who is a true follower of Christ, even if blessed with tons of wealth and riches has to, at one point of time or other, leave them all behind and get involved in the work of the Lord for that is His Majesty’s command.  It’s no advice nor choice, but a clear demand to get into the field and sow the glorious Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Today, the field is ripe as it was when Jesus said, Luke 10:2, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.’  God is looking to see who will go and reap.  In some places we need to sow and in other places we need to reap for surely the harvest is great and we’re laborers in the vineyard of the Lord.  In course of time, He will reward us for we did His work and as He says, every worker deserves his wages.  The same power that resurrected Jesus will work in us when we obey God’s will.

It’s in doing His work after forgetting self that we’re fit to be in the choice place God has prepared for us.  And when we’re sincere in going about God’s business, the evil one will come to disturb and get us beaten or even killed.  It’s only when persecuted that we can truly say the Lord is working in us for it’s His confirmation that our work is bringing in souls into the Kingdom and the devil seethes in rage and persecutes us and we must remember, only efficacious work in God’s vineyard results in severe persecution.  We’re people who want to share in Jesus’ suffering so that we learn to obey God and also know what the Lord went through in His wonderful salvific work for us and by being with Him in His work, we can rest assured that we’ll be with Him in eternal life.

Thoughts for another day

Jan. 28, 2014.

Today's verse: Hosea 4:6. My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: (KJV)

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

The other day, my wife’s aunt, age 55, passed away after a hectic battle with cancer.  Many pass away because of cancer and one might not think much of it, but what’s struck me, is the total lack of knowledge of God in people, particularly Christians, suffering from cancer and more so, in the case of this lady.  Some weeks ago we visited her and she appeared in good spirits.  At that time, I gave her a Scripture verse and told her that God had the power to heal her because mind you, I firmly believe God does not intend any person to die from cancer; and another thing I believe, you may not agree with me here, diseases like cancer are solely to remind man that no matter how much progress he makes in the realm of science, there’s nothing that can place him at par or above God.

I’m of the firm belief that this lady would have survived to testify of God’s goodness had she tried to learn about Him from the time she discovered she had cancer and feel His immense love and mercy, which kept her in good cheer.  When we met, she mentioned it was because of God that she had the strength to bear what she did; however, knowing her, I’d reckon she never was with God, although she was a fine human being.  I don’t wish to be critical but in the context of today’s Scripture her’s is a good example I can give of a direct effect of death due to lack of knowledge of God and there’re many others that prove true what God said in Scripture, ‘My people perish for lack of knowledge!’  At the same time, there’re also those who rely on God for their healing and they have been healed. I know of a young collegian who had blood cancer and is now completely healed.

What is this lack of knowledge?  It’s simply not knowing God, His providence, His almighty power, His nature, His forgiveness of our sins and above all His love for us.  For those who’re sick, it’s also not knowing that God has the power to heal, even when the whole world says there’s no hope; and it’s His desire to heal for Jesus said to the leper, ‘I AM willing’ Mk. 1:41.  When people tell me it’s impossible to be healed from what they’re suffering, it irritates me for I know they’re in effect telling God that He can’t heal them and thus lose their right to be delivered from their sickness.   My friend if you’re reading this, remember that God can heal and He will.  That is His plan; so don’t go against it but with it and you’ll see that you gain health.  In ending I’ll just say this, heaven is where God’s will is completely followed and in heaven they have no sick people.

Thoughts for another day

Jan. 27, 2014.

Today's verse: Jn. 10:27. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: (KJV)

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

Jesus knows His sheep and His sheep know Him.  God gave us the power of discretion but He knew what choice we’ll make long, long ago, even before the world was formed.  He knew we’ll choose Him much before the foundation of the earth; and God chose us in Christ, Eph. 1:4, ‘According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world…’ to be His and be with Him.   Never for a moment think that God isn’t aware of what we are in terms of our relationship with Him for to men we may lie, but to God, our minds are open like the open pages of a book. 

To those who’re chosen, having responded to His call is given the Grace to follow Him to wherever He is.  They are His sheep; the delight of His heart and their aim is to joy in Him, living a life minus the rigors of sin and in His light as pure and holy people as Peter refers to us, 1 Pet. 2:9, But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people.’  Such is our heritage, we who chose the Lord over all things, not by our own power but His power, and at the beginning, we received Him, The Christ, The Savior of the world.

God in His mercy for us, a dead people (we died the day Adam ate the fruit for God said, Gen. 2:17, you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die) gave us the Good Shepherd, His only begotten Son and we recognized the time of His visitation and understood the offer of eternal life He made to us.  My friend, we became His sheep and we have even come to know Him, who is God, the Owner of the universe, Eternal and Almighty, and we follow Him for we know, He leads us to the springs of the Water of life and bids us to be with Him as His bride, His inheritance and His love.  Certainly it’s a tremendous privilege to be His and live with Him; so look up and know Him and be His sheep, to rest content in His arms at the brook of still water and luscious green pasture.

Thoughts for another day 

Jan. 24, 2014.

Today's verse: Jer. 1:19 And they shall fight against thee; but they shall not prevail against thee; for I am with thee, saith the LORD, to deliver thee. (KJV)

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

Many are the evils we need to face as we sojourn on this earth if we’re to be good Christians as directed by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  He has set out a path on which we’re to walk and mind you that path is no rosy alley.  It asks us to cut off our erroneous ways in which we indulged while we still belonged to the world and in cutting off ourselves from the mainstream people, be they our friends, colleagues or associates and for that matter even our relatives, we face much ridicule and sneer.  I’ll give an example: if we have a party and in that party we don’t serve alcohol, people turn around and say, what a useless party!

These people over a period of time become our enemies and then there’re others who for reasons of envy turn against us and at times we don’t even know that they’re against us, although before us, they’re very good, so much so that we really like them.  I want to tell you my friend that our God as He said in His Word above, is there with us when we land in harm’s way.  I have experienced this and I know how He works.  In my last job, I had a colleague, who before me was so good, but behind me went and told things against me to the person we both reported to.  I didn’t have even an inkling of this but learnt of it later.  But God knew it and since I was sincere with God, God worked in my favor and this colleague lost his job. 

Again there may be many of our enemies who will fight against us because we stood up for right.  They will tarnish our names and give us a lot of discomfort.  But, take comfort with our Word today: God will deliver you.  Be sincere with Him and He will be with you and when He is there with you, no enemy can shake you or do anything to you.  On the contrary, they will be dislodged and put to shame.

Thoughts for another day 

Jan. 23, 2014.

Today's verse: John 8:43. Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to hear my word. (RSV)

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

Many Christians across the globe read the Bible, but the question is how many actually follow it.  It may shock you to know (and you could check this out, first on yourself and then with others, as to how much you learn from Scripture every day as you read it) that very, very few understand what the Bible is telling them and even fewer find it a joy to accept and keep the Word in their hearts and follow it.

I believe from the time the Bible was written and compiled, people always resisted it, unless they were open to the Spirit’s prompting and were led by Him into the truth of God’s Word.  For most of us, reading the Bible itself is a chore and a pressure on our time, though none admits this overtly.  My point is, it’s sad that we as Christians don’t hold the Bible as the basis of our faith and agree to all in it, for God didn’t mean us to select as we want and leave what we don’t.  It’s not a grocery store where you buy what you need and ignored the rest.  The whole of the Bible is a compilation of what God wants to tell us and as a Catholic, I include the seven books which my non Catholic Christian brothers brush aside as apocrypha and I urge them to read them and know the truth.  Every book of the Bible is in its own class and gives an important facet of our God and each and every book is Spirit breathed and worthy of instruction to the unlearned in God.

Inviting the Holy Spirit is essential to live the time of the Bible and understand the instructions of the Lord as at that time.  We must breathe the Word of God and accept and understand it without any bias, even if there’s something we don’t like in it.  For it could be the Holy Spirit speaking within the alleys of our dark heart and trying to spread light therein.  He opens our hearts to accept and be flooded with the Word and understand and live by it.  He makes it possible to accept the teaching of the Word even if we stand acquitted by God in it.  By His Grace we’ll be able to learn and change so that on that day, the Lord will not say to us, ‘you cannot bear to hear My Word!’

Thoughts for another day

Jan. 22, 2014.

Today's verse: Col. 2:6,7. As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. (KJV)

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

There’re three things we have in our Word as Paul tells us: 1. As we have received Christ Jesus our Lord, so we are to walk in Him, 2. To have a firm foundation in Him and be established in the faith as was taught to us and 3. To abound in this state with thanksgiving in our hearts.

It’s wonderful if we put ourselves to the task Paul has for us and while we’re at it, God will be with us, cajoling us, encouraging and empowering us to move forward even as we walk in Jesus Christ our Lord, keeping the precepts He gave in both the major commandments viz. Love God with all your strength, your mind and your heart and love your neighbor as yourself.  Other than this, Christ wants us to walk in the way He spelt out for us in the sermon He gave on the Mount, Matt. chapters 5 to 7. 

It may be difficult when we think of all Jesus has asked us to do in terms of walking in Him, but then we have Him as our firm foundation and He has established us in faith in Him, so walking His way, isn’t going to be a lone and arduous walk, but one where He is there as our Companion to talk with and cheer us on the way.  If we trust Him, He is pleased and He will show us wonderful things which we have never known and our walk will be that much more pleasant even with the tares and thorns pricking us; for who can take His love from us?

Having seen His mercy in our walk, it would then be prudent to thank Him for what He means to us.  See, He gives us the power to live, not just frugal and dissatisfied lives, but bountifully and with joy in our hearts and thus should our souls spring with cries of gratitude for all His works so that as we live we will see His hand upon us and witness His great power in all we do.

Thoughts for another day

Jan. 21, 2014.

Today's verse: Heb. 11:6. But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. (KJV)

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

When I look at the converse of our Word above (done to explain the power of faith in God) it tells me, ‘With faith it is possible to please Him (God) for he that comes to God must believe that He exists and that he rewards those that diligently seek Him.  That’s the crux of the Christian life for without faith in our God, we’re nothing and not even Christian in our way of life as everything we say and do would then be worldly; because Christian living is motivated by the life of Christ and His instructions on the way we live.

But let us look at our Word again…we know that when we begin our faith in God and live it in our lives, we’re equipped with strength for hope rises in us.  Hope tells us that we will be saved eternally because of the awesome sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross which effect will hold for as long as the world exists and then that we will live an abundant life here on earth.  Now scrounging for a living isn’t the concept that Jesus had of a full life, rather, it means you have all you need in Him and even more and that you’re then equipped to bless those that approach you.  It may not mean riches galore to be spent on your passions or other carnal interests but enough to have a good life in His Presence.

When I see the mercy, love and abundance God brought my way, I realise it was by the faith He put in my heart.  The little mustard seed of faith worked wonders in moving away my mountains of lack and sickness, both bodily and spiritually, smashing the barriers created by the devil.  Faith in God means you believe Him and His ways for He chooses not to be seen but intends all come to believe Him. He loves when a man acknowledges and looks up to Him to be blessed; as a child would, whose father is away and he hears him only on the phone, never doubts his father’s existence.  The father in turn is pleased and gives his child all he wants.  So, when we trust in God and believe Him for everything, He will also send us many blessings for He loves to reward them who seek Him diligently.

Thoughts for another day 

Jan. 20, 2014.

Today's verse: John 5:36. But I have greater witness than that of John: for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me. (KJV)

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

On earth, Jesus faced tremendous hostility, not from non-Jews,  there were many in Jerusalem as it was ruled by the Romans, but from Jews itself; that too from the Pharisees and Scribes, those apparently close to things concerning the Law and all things God.  They failed to recognize that in Jesus they were witnessing the greatest event ever and the vast love of God for them, in that He had sent His only begotten Son for their salvation, as foretold through the prophets.  Jesus even hinted of His greatness saying, ‘behold a greater than Jonah is here…a greater than Solomon is here, Mt. 12:41, 42, referring to Himself, but their hardened and blinded minds failed to read the message.

As a result, they scorned Jesus’ works and didn’t consider the power displayed in them as is evident post the miracle Jesus performed just before He uttered our Word for today.  Jesus was persecuted and reviled though they had never seen such miracles before in Israel.  Nobody even sat down to think and say, ‘Hey, I’ve never seen this before; this man is surely from God;’ except the blind man, healed by Jesus, who said, Jn. 9:33, ‘If this man were not of God, he could do nothing.’

What do you think is it different today?  Well, we like to talk of miracles but few acknowledge them and even fewer expect them in their lives.  Our godliness is just a lot of talk but there’s hardly any belief in it.  So I ask how is our witness to Christ going to be, seeing we don’t even believe in His work.  How can we effectively build upon the edifice of Christ seeing that our own foundation in Him is so weak?   Do we really believe in Christ and all that He represents or is our belief but like a water jug with holes in it?  We may be doing a bit of good for God, yet it is not the good that will save us but intense and real belief in Him, that will.  And this belief will also spur us to tend to the lesser ones and spread His Kingdom on earth.

Thoughts for another day

Jan. 17, 2014.

Today's verse: Rom. 10:13. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. (NIV)

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

There’re billions of people in the world and there’re millions of deities these people (and their ancestors) worship and follow.  Each one of them who believe and worship these idols have always believed them to be god, leave alone the fact that the idol seems so stupid and the story behind it so ungodly, to be construed as a god!  Yet, the blinded minds of people deem that idol to be god and worship it daily.  If you’re in a monotheistic country, you may not understand what I say for you’ve not seen this but for those who stay in such places, these are daily sights as people do all kinds of things in their worship of their deities.

Yet, there’s no power in them and to be very honest there’s no power in us Christians too because although we don’t worship idols our hearts are closed to the light of the LORD God, the Father of lights.  We know our God is real because the Bible says so.  Fair enough, someone might say, but my book says, my god is real and yours isn’t.  The debate can continue like it did in the case of Moses who worked wonders with his staff which, the magicians of Egypt also did. But then came a point when our God, the real God stood up and did a mighty deed that none could refute but agree that it is God’s work; and it was so in the case of Moses in the third plague of gnats, which the magicians couldn’t do and they declared, ‘This is the finger of God!’  We see the same when Elijah, invoked God in his prayer, 1 kgs. 18:37, Answer me, O LORD, answer me, so these people will know that you, O LORD, are God,’ and the fire fell from God and consumed the sacrifice laid before Him. 

Salvation is obtained only in the Name of Jesus and the Bible says, Acts. 4:12, ‘Salvation is found in no one else, for there’s no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.’  Our Word also tells that whoever calls on the Name of the Lord, he shall be saved.  This is true and if anyone challenges you on the truth of this, pray the Holy Spirit to show that person the truth and even as you stand witnessing God’s power to people, you’ll notice His mighty hand doing something so marvelous, no one will be able to refute it but agree it’s the hand of God and belief will arise in their hearts as they’re convinced that Jesus Christ is God alone and none else is.

Thoughts for another day

Jan. 16, 2014.

Today's verse: Ps. 86:11. Teach me your way, O LORD, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. (NIV)

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

The Psalmist in this wonderful prayer to God prays in a manner that I’m sure touched the heart of God for how gentle and how contrite is this prayer!  Sit for a moment in silence and pray the same and you’ll hear the bells of heaven quietly chime in answer to your prayer for it’s in tune with what the Lord desires: that we be humble before Him and walk in His ways.

God will give all Grace to the person who sits before Him with undiluted attention and softly asks Him to teach the way to follow, for remember, God has charted out a path for every individual who wants to be His disciple so that he or she may walk in it and walking in it entails the will of God.  Such a way is right before God and the person is acceptable in His sight. 

Again, when a person’s heart is undivided in his or her attention to God, God becomes real, for He is found by everyone who seeks Him honestly and with a sincere heart.  He is not a God who is a mirage in the far distance but a real and living Presence.  When we sit with our heart completely focused on Him, His warmth envelopes us and makes us aware of His Presence and suddenly we realise that He is there.  He holds us in His grasp and makes us feel His love and we are bowled over.  Even as we get back to our regular work, His dictates remain with us and we know we need to act according to them and the reverence for Him grows within us.  As we understand His personality, our lives become stronger with all fear moving our and peace and confidence moving in.  Let our prayer be like David so we also experience God the way David did.

Thoughts for another day

Jan. 15, 2014.

Today's verse: Ps. 73:25, 26. Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee.  My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion forever. (KJV)

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

Living the Christian life is like an endurance race; it’s by no means a cake-walk.  Now, I’m not talking of the mundane so-called Christian walk of millions of people who masquerade as Christians, living in their comfort zones, doing their little bit of shaking and moving according to the stated norms of their lukewarm, shallow churches and then, for lack of knowledge, think they’re walking according to the ways of the Lord but are sadly far from the truth.  I’m rather talking of the simple common folk who believe in their Bibles and the church teachings on what Jesus has asked them to do and strive each day to do that so as to be found fit to be called, ‘Christian’.

And if you belong to this class of ‘Christian’ then your utmost confidence is in the LORD God of heaven and earth.  There are times these ‘Christians’ kneel before God, confessing, ‘Father, Whom do I have in heaven but Thee and there is none on earth that I desire beside Thee.  My flesh and heart may fail, but You O Yahweh God, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob are the strength of my lowly heart and You alone are my portion (inheritance) forever.’ 

Tears and shame cover the countenance of the man who thus confesses before God, His eyes firmly on the ground, refusing to look up for the thought of utter worthlessness before a holy God, strikes their hearts and they understand that they stand before an awesome and powerful God before Whom the magnificent angels cover their faces and fall down to worship, ever ready to do His bidding.  Blessed are you ‘Christian’ if you do this for He Whose eyes are upon the earth, is looking at you right now to encourage you and lift you up from the muck you stand in.  He brings tidings of salvation and justice and He will work it out for you.  Be still and know that He is God.

Thoughts for another day

Jan. 14, 2014.

Today's verse: Is. 33:2. O Lord, be gracious to us; we have waited [expectantly] for You. Be the arm [of Your servants—their strength and defense] every morning, our salvation in the time of trouble. (Amplified Bible – copy. acknowledged)

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

There’re essentially two things that bind us and God: One, redemption of our souls which is very important and has been achieved by God by sending His Son, Jesus Christ as our Redeemer and two, to live life, day by day in a righteous manner and also full and abundant lives.  The first one is ours by belief and no one can take it away from us, provided we believe undoubting.  It’s in the second thing that most of us men, struggle, fail and fall.  For, we live in this world and the devil is constantly against our living righteous lives in honor of God. 

We perhaps don’t know the intensity with which satan works to make us children of darkness and bind us in his eternal inferno.  It’s very sad that we Christians don’t realise the constant battle that’s on between the world, ruled by satan with his legions of fallen angels and spirits; and us.  That’s why many fall.  Today our Scripture teaches us a simple prayer for salvation which I focus upon for I know that a prayer, simple as it is, but from the heart, avails much and found in the Word of God it will help us realise our petitions before God.

You know, we need God’s graciousness on us, so we pray for that.  Then waiting on Him is absolutely necessary for God may not act on our prayer immediately as we pray but in time, while we wait, He glances His eyes upon us and He redeems us and picks us up from the pit we’ve fallen into.  So in the Word of our Scripture today, we ask Him to be our arm, the strength that flows within us and also our guard from every danger, particularly to our souls and then to save us from all situations that come in our lives which have the potential to adversely affect our journey into eternal life with Him.

Thoughts for another day

Jan. 13, 2014.

Today's verse: Ps. 46:10. Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. (KJV)

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

Just in case you didn’t know and moved as you didn’t know, then you and I have a mission in life: to proclaim the Name of Jesus Christ in all the nations, delivering His Gospel to all.  Our Scripture today, supports us, in that God declares through His Word that He will be exalted among the gentiles and He will be exalted in all the earth.  This is sure assurance God sends us in our missionary walk, of the success we’ll meet us for He Himself will ensure all men know Him to be God of the universe.

During Paul’s time, God showed numerous signs and wonders wherever he went declaring the Name of Jesus over the place and the people and giving them the Good News.  He was so zealous that he didn’t bother even if he were insulted as he was in a place where they even called him a scavenger.  Therefore, I believe God worked mightily through the hands of Paul and at that time, Paul was even able to, by God’s power, raise the dead to life.  A great thing about Paul was His intense communion with God wherein he switched off from the rigmarole of work and switched into God more deeply. 

That’s the instruction we have in our Word today.  ‘Be still and know that I AM God.’  God Almighty, though extremely powerful, yet reveals Himself in stillness and in quiet and feeble tones.  When we’re able to switch off all our outward influences and switch into God, then we’ll hear Him with us.  We’ll also hear Him talk and give us ideas, opinions and advice.  In life, it’s important we regularly retreat into God and switch off the world to know and understand how we’re to proceed with His work and our own affairs, so we can do it with His wisdom and knowledge which will ensure that we succeed.  Try this approach and you’ll be successful, both, in His work and in your life.

Thoughts for another day

Jan. 10, 2014.

Today's verse: Pro. 3:5, 6. Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. (NIV - copy. ack.)

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

As we move further into the year and our lives, we see the shades of doubt within us while walking this life, there’re chances that what we do will mar the road on which we’re set and this may also affect us in the way that we move behind and not progress.  So complex are the steps of life and so obtuse its paths that without the intervention of a higher power there’s nothing a man can do.  Each step we take initiates a new set of events which may lead us to success or failure.  And if we’re doing what we were doing earlier, then there’s stagnation and the mind is hassled.  But we dare not do something new for the fear of getting into the unknown is present.

In this situation, what is the Higher Power we need to lean on to?  Many people do many things, each according to their personal beliefs and advice received from people they hold are able to advise them.  What do we have in the Word of God concerning this important aspect of life?  Our Word says, trust in the LORD God with all your heart and not lean on our own understanding.  It says that one must acknowledge Him in all one’s ways.  This is such a clear statement and such good advice.

Many people who have granted control of their lives to God, relinquishing their own control have seen marvelous things happen to them, things they couldn’t have imagined.  In my life despite the odds stacked against me, I’ve realised the wonder of the life I live and it’s all by God’s tremendous mercy and love for me and the fact that I’ve relinquished control of my life to Him.  You know, for me and for people like me, each day has no anxiety at all.  Though the storm clouds darken the sky, His armor of strength is around us and we know that with Him beside us, our paths will be straightened by His mighty power and nothing can harm us.  So let it be with you too.

Thoughts for another day

Jan. 9, 2014.

Today's verse: Matt. 6:30. Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? (KJV)

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

In our tryst to make ourselves financially secure, there’re many of us who flirt with danger by investing in nefarious schemes that promise the earth.  What’s more, once we join, just as someone lured us into it, we lure many and then they lure others and it’s a vicious line up of hungry greedy men and women, wanting to make a fast buck; eventually losing everything.   Then there’re others that do things even worse by manufacturing goods using substandard material, then selling them off for pittances.  The people most likely to fall for these goods are the poor who out of their meager funds buy them and are worse off for it.

Strange are the ways men think of making money.  Look out there, there’s a cacophony of product spiels all over the media.  You switch on any and there, you have a product message.  This is simply people selling unwanted things to gullible people to make that fast buck so as to make money and financially secure.  There’re others who make large investments in insurance for the future and so on.  I ask these people:  If you believe in God, do you think God can’t take care of your future and your needs in it?

That’s the crux of our Word today.  The example Jesus gives is that God clothes the grass of the field with such grandeur despite the fact that it’s going to wither in a jiffy then Jesus asks the question that should shame us who worry and fret so much about things concerning us.  Truly, in the context of this, I urge you my friend to stop worrying and start living, just trusting God for all your needs and even your fanciful desires (if I may say with due cognizance to God’s ways) and God will grant them.  Just trust Him and they will all be yours for our God is a mighty God and He says, Ps. 50:12, ‘the world is Mine, and the fullness thereof.’  And if all is His, will He not give what you ask, He who is so generous and beautiful?

Thoughts for another day

Jan. 8, 2014.

Today's verse: Eph. 5:1,2. Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. (NIV – copy. ack.)

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

As we move on this year, we delight ourselves knowing God moves with us and so that He continue moving with us, we must walk in a manner pleasing to Him and being pleased, He will never leave us.  Look at the manner in which Moses walked in the wilderness, confident in the Lord and full of belief, as opposed to the Israelites, barring Caleb and Joshua, always crying, murmuring about everything, despite knowing that God, the Almighty was walking with them.  Now look, if He, with a mighty outstretched arm, got them out of Egypt, would He be hassled if they asked for meat?  But see them, Nu. 11:4-6, ‘And the mixed multitude that was among them fell a-lusting: and the children of Israel also wept again, and said, Who shall give us flesh to eat? We remember the fish, which we did eat in Egypt freely; the cucumbers, and the melons, and the leeks, and the onions, and the garlic: But now our soul is dried away.’ What a picture of dismay and helplessness!  Moses was quite upset with this belligerent, murmuring crowd for their display of utter lack of trust in God.

Now imagine how God might have felt when they felt good about Egypt!  He is such a great God, with all ability and rather than just ask Him to give them what they wanted, they murmured against Him.  The real reason I believe is because they failed to know God as their Father and didn’t love Him.  I can see God’s pain when He says, Hos. 6:6, ‘For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.’ 

How is it with us this year; do we believe God is our Father who will do all things for us, yes I mean all, however impossible it be, or do we keep murmuring and telling God things that don’t please Him.  I tell you my friend, imitate God and love Him and love His other children.  Live a life of love like Christ, going and doing all that God wants you to do and being pleased, He will bless you abundantly, so there will be no lack at all in you.

Thoughts for another day

Jan. 7, 2014.

Today's verse: Mic. 6:8. He hath shown thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? (KJV)

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

As I write these reflections at the beginning of this year, our endeavor is to be focused on living a right life, for anytime soon the return of the Lord Jesus is imminent and we don’t want to be caught doing what He abhors but rather that which pleases Him.  So each day as the Spirit of God leads, we look at those things that put us right in the sight of God and thus on the Day of the Lord, we shall not be left behind.  In that line, today’s Word is clear on what’s good as has been given to us and what’s that which the LORD God wants of us.

We know He is a holy and just God, as such He would want that His followers be just and not lovers of illegality.  He wants us to be just not only with the high and mighty, for in that case we will be, but just with the lowest.  There’re many of us using the services of household help and pay them a pittance, despite costs of all things having gone over the roof.  Are we being just?  In our offices there’re some people so full of life that we are envious and it bothers us.  Being their seniors we ridicule them for no fault at all and put them down because we can’t tolerate their liveliness; and so on.  We think justice is only at the courts and are regularly unjust.  It’s time to re-think and adopt the way which will be pleasing to God.

Then, God loves when we’re merciful.  Jesus said clearly that only when we show mercy, will we find mercy.  The last but important aspect our Word advises today is that we be humble before God.  All over the Bible is the imprint of humility as we see in Abraham, Moses and in Christ Himself; and Peter exhorts us saying, 1 Pet. 5:6, ‘Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time.’  So my friend, keep in mind God’s promptings and obey His Word, so that in the time to come, we will fully breathe the air of eternal life in His kingdom.

Thoughts for another day

Jan. 6, 2014.

Today's verse: 1 Thess. 5:24. Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it. (KJV)

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

God has called us to walk in His light, in a blameless and pure manner.  Jesus said, Jn. 12:46, ‘I Am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.’  He also said, Jn. 12:36, ‘While ye have Light, believe in the Light, that ye may be the children of Light.’  So, we who believe in Him are children of Light and there can’t be darkness in us for how can darkness abide in us who believe and consequently by belief, constitute His body, the Body of the Light?   

Now since we’re children of Light, our lives must reflect light and no iota of darkness should be in us else we mar the body of Christ, the True Light.  But are we able to really reflect light all the time?  It’s impossible for us humans for we have the tendency to fall and be shrouded by evil and dark. We may pick ourselves up and get on to the Way, but again we fall and move away from it.  This happens to the most hardened soldier of Christ and there’s none who can say that he has steadfastly remained faithful to God and His holy laws.  If there’s any kind of love in us for the Lord, we’ll be anguished, for we keep offending Him and more importantly flirt around with the boundaries of the kingdom outside where there’s fire and gnashing of teeth.  

The pain brings us to really understand our carnal selves and face to face with the wonderful and ceaseless mercy of God; by which we know we’re saved.  Sometimes I shudder to think: How would it be if we had nothing on which to fall and kept repeatedly sinning.  The idea is so frightening for hell is so terrible; where the body scalds forever and ghoulish screams erupt among them who’ve fallen into it.  But thank God our Father who has created for us the solution to this dreadful scenario wherein He gave us His Son Jesus Christ so that all who believe in Him may not perish but have eternal life and also that if we sin despite our hating it, He is faithful and having called us, will also keep us sanctified through and through so that our whole spirit, soul and body are kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Look at God’s beauty and goodness that He chose us to be also His and pure even if we have sinned and made a mess of His blessings.

Thoughts for another day

Jan. 3, 2014.

Today's verse: Matt. 7:14. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. (KJV)

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

Our walk in the faith this year should provide many opportunities to first seek the path we’re to walk on and then fashion our walk to what’s our goal in life.  Many of us would want to do many things, both for personal gain and also in showing our gratitude to God.  I believe many will move closer toward God this year, more than we ever did before.  But while we do that, there’ll be many choices before us and one basic choice that will present other choices will be, ‘what path do I choose to have a closer walk with my God?’ 

Our Scripture today, clearly tells us the choice we must make:  Walk the narrow path - the essential message of our Lord to each one of us as we make this year a great celebration to His Name.  What does this mean?  It means, to discard convenience as our baggage in our ways with God.  First: the time we spend with God, if we’ve been rising early, sitting, praying to Him, then we must maintain this habit.  Next, if we’ve been spending good time with Him, we must continue doing that.  Then, if we’ve been working to spread the Gospel, then we work even more and put more effort in it. 

If the life we’ve been living is leading us to be comfortable and do a little for God, then we need to move out of that comfort zone.  We need to be disturbed that the world doesn’t know the Gospel of Christ and how much we, personally are responsible for it.  Our agenda for living must include as the base, the spread of His Kingdom and our personal goal of being righteous in His sight.  In whatever we do it is necessary that personal gain and comfort are far from our minds and in all this God will be there with us, looking over us, blessing and comforting us.

Thoughts for another day

Jan. 2, 2014.

Today's verse: Is. 40:31. But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. (KJV)

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

Christian living and Christian love my friend, is all about encouraging.  While Jesus lived on earth, His every Word, His every act was full of encouragement.  He understood the power of encouragement of His own creation, man, more than anyone else and we see Him doing that always with His disciples, leaving them in the end with His Word, ‘I AM with you always, even till the end of age!’ 

So taking the tradition of our Lord Jesus Christ as we begin this year, I’d like to encourage ourselves with the above Scripture.  As we move into the year, there may be challenges we’ve never imagined coming our way; and contingencies and emergencies and other stumbling blocks; but I want you to remember that our God is far, far bigger than any rock of difficulty and I’ll use the rather meaningful cliché: Tell not God how big your problem is, rather tell the problem, how big your God is!  If we only do this, we’ll see all our problems vanish; because God wants it that way.  God had always wanted that we be dependent on Him for all things.  Yes, even the little niggles in the body or the choices we make.  God wants to be involved in everything for He loves and aches so much for us to be with Him, I can’t tell you how much.  Believe me; He wants to be very involved in our lives.

So like the Israelites were told, I also tell you, ‘Harden not your hearts, but in humble repentance, come before God and lay yourselves down in His Presence; confide to Him everything that concerns you; everything.  And then trust Him to work things out and if something seem so impossible that there seems to be no way, don’t worry, for there’s no mountain so huge He can’t move it.  And if you wait upon Him, you’ll renew your strength, just as Abraham or Moses had done and you’ll mount up on eagles’ wings and none shall beat you.  You strength shall not wane nor your vigor diminish.  That’s the promise of the Mighty One, the Most High, the God of the universe and everything that He says, He is able to accomplish and He accomplishes it for us His children.