Thoughts for another day

June 17, 2014.

Today's verse:  Luke 21:15. For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist. (KJV)

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

When you go about doing the Lord’s work, moving about preaching the Gospel in sincerity, you’ll face persecution.  See, Jesus faced tremendous resistance and He laid down His life for us; so any of His followers, who choose to do His work will also face opposition.  It’s simply because the devil can’t bear anyone preaching the Gospel of Christ in seriousness and brings about every kind of barrier to disillusion them who preach, discouraging them with threats or even physical assaults.  Everyone who takes up this task must understand the implications of a life in ministry and the dangers of, may I say, the profession.  Though there’re the inherent risks we must never forget that the Holy Spirit will be there with us and keep us from all harm and destruction.

One thing we can be sure of is, we’ll get into arguments with people at all levels, from the simplest man on the road to some of the most learned persons in authority.  It’s then that we’ll be asked why we’re doing what we’re doing and here our answers will probably help us wriggle out of tough situations.  Our sincerity and our persistence to serve the Lord will ensure the above promise of our Lord is fulfilled in the discussions we have with our foes.  We may not lose much in terms of prestige nor suffer any hurt, but then the people may not want to believe in our Lord.  Here’s a real life example why they won’t:  I heard of an incident a few years ago, a chat between a scholar of Islam and a pastor on television. 

The discussion dwelt on various aspects of Christianity, chiefly, the primacy of the Bible. The Muslim scholar asked the pastor whether the Bible was the complete truth and the Pastor said yes.  Then, the scholar pointed to Mark 16:18, asking whether this was true ‘and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all’ to which too, the Pastor said yes.  Then the man said, ‘here’s a glass with a little poison in it, drink it and prove your Bible true!’  The Pastor was aghast at the suggestion, not knowing what to say and meekly puffed out that, that’s not how the Bible means it, blah, blah…  Do you think such a Pastor could convince anyone about Christ?  What would you do if you were in his place?  As for me I’d rely on the Lord for an answer.  Once when I dwelt on it, I believe the Lord told me to tell such an adversary, ‘I will drink the poison and when I don’t drop dead, then you must follow Christ!’  In this answer the Lord gave, though I wasn’t in any way facing any danger, I realise the Lord transferred the risk of drinking the poison to the man by making him agree to become a Christian.  Particularly because he was a muslim, that too a scholar and on television, for he could never agree neither know what to say when asked such a question.  My friend, the wisdom Jesus will give us can blunt any attack we face; we see how Jesus countered many of His enemies by His sheer wisdom.  The same is available to all who bear the Good News and that is God’s guarantee.  Try Him.

Thoughts for another day

June 16, 2014.

Today's verse:  Matt. 24:11-13. And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. (KJV)

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

In these the last days, there’re things we see which seem impossible to even imagine.  Leave alone the mindless killings, the obnoxious terrorist attacks, the web of lies and various other things, even people behave so foolishly.  I’ve seen how truth is distorted and made into a lie and vice versa!  Even the custodians of law easily and without any qualms distort the truth, framing the innocent.  It’s so rampant that if today truth isn’t distorted, then it’s found to be amazing.  I’ve seen people argue for frivolous reasons and get into vicious fights for paltry things which one cannot imagine; recently in India, a man’s hands were cut by a money-lender because he couldn’t repay him the equivalent of 5 USD. 

In terms of our faith, there’s much going on out there that’s just so much hot air.  People promising this and that in their prayer meetings with no mention of things like prayer and holiness.  Imagine some years ago I saw an ad of a ministry here in Mumbai where I live, promising healings and much more if you attend their meetings!  Word of mouth is okay, but imagine a ministry advertising such things.  Makes me wonder, what has the world sunk to.  How much more down are we to go till truth prevails.  Our Scripture today has the answer in that Jesus says that false prophets will arise and deceive many.  Sin has become all pervasive and we don’t have any hesitation in committing any sin, even if it is insane, if we see some benefit in it or for that matter even if we don’t.

How are the righteous and good people going to survive in this world?  Sometimes to be seen living here itself is rather frightening and to go along with it can make your hair stand on end.  In a sin ridden and loveless world, what’s the guarantee that one can be safe and live happy.  There’s none and if we live by our own strength, then we’re sure headed toward disaster.  But the Lord says, if we endure this difficult existence, then we shall be given the crown of life and will be saved.  I believe that every believer who prevails does it, by God’s Grace and because He is in control and that’s how we will conquer and reign. 

Thoughts for another day

June 13, 2014.

Today's verse:  Sirach 51:8. Then thought I upon thy mercy, O Lord, and upon thy acts of old, how thou deliverest such as wait for thee, and savest them out of the hands of the enemies. (KJV)

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

When life’s shallow existence calls for a change in the way life is lived there may be many rough edges that need to be smoothened.  It would be time to correct the large number of wrongs that might have been committed and countless faults that could have caused immense trouble to many and great pain to God.  For all sin causes God immense ache just like the father of the prodigal son had to undergo much heartache at the carcinogenic behavior of his wayward child.  Yet, when the prodigal returned home, the father, it seemed, came back to life with his soul lifted from the morose situation his unruly son had dumped it into.  Mercy and love for his son got the better of him and he warmly welcomed him home even though the son had lost all privileges as ‘son’ to the man.

So also today, we learn of the way in which God stands at the door of our hearts, mercy flowing all around Him, waiting to see if we’ll hearken to His call and come back.  Even in the most negative situations, when wrapped in the thick smog of sin, nestled in the muck of the world; yet by the repentance in our hearts we’re troubled at the pain it causes God and are waiting for that one opportunity to get out and begin again, then God comes to us and He lifts us up and lets us live.

Surely I’d say, there’s never an occasion as long as we live our lives that God forsakes us and has no mercy on us.  His nature is love and mercy oozes out of Him as does blood out of a living person to give life to the one who needs his blood.  Jesus lost His blood to show us how much He loves us and His mercy gives us life and enriches us in its wake.   Across ages we learn of His constant mercy for man as also the Word of God tells us.  It’s enough to learn that He is merciful and considerate and then go to Him boldly even in our sin, to be embraced by Him and love Him and live for Him.

Thoughts for another day

June 12, 2014.

Today's verse:  Mal. 1:6. A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If then I am a Father, where is My honor? And if I am a Master, where is the [reverent] fear due Me? (Amplified Bible – copyright ack.)

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

See the Word of the Lord my friend and His angst within the Lord’s heart. Hear His sorrow as He says the Word for He says, ‘a son honors his father and a servant his master; but despite His being a father, there is no honor to Him and despite being Master, there is no reverence or fear of Him.  And you think this isn’t for you because God said this to His people Israel through the mouth of Malachi many years and not for you?  Then perhaps you and I need to re-look at what’s happening out there in our churches and more importantly in our hearts.

I ask this of my Christian brothers and sisters: where’s the fear of the Lord in you.  Where has the respect, the awe, the reverential fear for the Lord gone?  For I see what’s happening in the churches and gathering places and other places where people gather to ‘worship’ the Lord; there’s everything else but worship to His Name.   The leaders spew out nonsense in the Name of God, day in and day out, always talking of the good things coming the people’s way, but never of the kind of life God wants them to lead.   They talk about prosperity and bright future and great things but they never talk to people that they need to be leaning on God to get these things.

Rarely in our churches and our crusades are we told to pray for long hours; nor are we told to be holy before God for God wants us to be holy.  Nobody talks about the will of God and also that we are to give for God loves it when we give to the least of the people but we’re told we must give to them for when you give them they say God will work in your favor!  Frankly I don’t know whether God has told us to give them; and even I give sometimes, but nothing happens and I know if I go to them, they’ll say, you didn’t give cheerfully!   All I know is that I follow a God who wants me to be holy.  He wants me to spend time with Him to honor Him and revere His Name and to believe that as He passes by when I’m prostrate before Him, He will bless me.  Yes He will, for then He knows I will bless His Name in all the earth and bring all glory to Him.

Thoughts for another day

June 11, 2014.

Today's verse:  Matt. 18:20. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. (KJV)

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

How nice it is to know and realise that our Lord gives us such assurance of His Presence with us.  You know He is always there with us, but in the community of men, He is definitely present.  And just so we may think that there’re many men needed in that community for Him to be there, He junks the idea and says it’s just two or three, gathered in His Name when He is there among them. 

Now think about this: You go to church and you’re feeling low; you also see many people around you who’re gathered there for the service and then you suddenly remember this Word and believe in it; then suddenly in an instant, your spirit rises and you’re healed of your low disposition; you know something good is going to happen for something good is always in store when the Lord Jesus is around.  You recognize the power of His Word and the might of His love for you and you praise Him, Who made things so easy for you.

When I think of Jesus and His Good News, I cannot help but consider that He is so good.  In fact, by His coming here on earth, His death and His resurrection, He gave us new life and that new life comprises chiefly of being always joyful, no matter what happens.  For we know He is there when we’re with friends and family in prayer, He most certainly is a part of the group and He rejoices with us in our joy and in our praises and our giving Him glory.  Shun all fear today my friend and realise God is close to you.  He said it, that is His Word and most certainly it is engraved on the rolls of time and no one can ever etch it out.  Just trust Him when you’re praying with friends or family and He will manifest Himself to you to fill your heart with joy in abundance.

Thoughts for another day

June 10, 2014.

Today's verse:  Joel 2:12-13. Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil. (KJV)

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

There’re times when I sit before the Lord and ponder on the sins I commit.  It’s a dreadful picture that comes before me, for I know my sins and your sins and the sins of the world are so many and so thick, they’d cloud the very sight of the heavens if we could see with spiritual eyes the stairway to heaven.  And more than that, I’m concerned the Lord is not pleased with our sins which has set up His burning wrath before us to burn the nations of the world; that would include you and me.

But thank God for our Word today, I know there’s a way out before Him for He asks us to turn to Him with all our hearts with fasting, weeping and mourning.  I stress on mourning for really, when I realise I’ve offended God, then I mourn and Jesus said, ‘Blessed are they who mourn for they shall be comforted’ Mt. 5:4.  God’s comfort, when we repent of our sins and our doing Him harm, in the heart of course, is wonderful for He sets healing the very pores of our hearts by which our love can flow seamlessly all across healing us and those who we meet and interact with.

Our Word further exhorts us to rend our hearts and turn unto the LORD God; for true repentance comes not by tearing our clothes or by any outward sign of remorse for God looks straight into our hearts and until He sees a broken and contrite heart, His forgiveness is constrained from flowing.  Most importantly, I realise what a wonderful God we serve – He is angry but not for long; He is strict but does not harm us; He punishes, but is not vindictive.  Yea, He is merciful and very slow to anger. When we approach Him on bended knees, He is of great kindness to us and He regrets the evil He had planned and turns it away.  I’m glad I serve Him, the God of Jacob, for only in Him do I find the water of life and reason to hope.

Thoughts for another day

June 9, 2014.

Today's verse:  Eph. 5:15-17. See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. (KJV)

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

As I sit and discuss with friends and other people, the quality of days that’re upon us in this time, I get the general idea that the days are evil. And that’s mostly the reason the Lord wants us today to reflect on the Scripture He has set before us from Ephesians.  Paul says we must walk carefully, and with confidence, we whose walk is in the Lord, for we should not be as fools but as wise people, walking in the light of the Lord, in His wisdom that shows a sure path to safety and eternal life. 

There will be temptations galore and that reminds me of what Jesus has instructed us, Mt. 7:13-14, ‘Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.’  Walking through the narrow gate would be difficult for many of us because we’re used to walking in the wide gate, succumbing to temptations etc., but for the sake of our soul, we must endeavor to walk as the Lord has told us to. Paul asks us to make use of every moment of time (which means opportunity) to walk cautiously and steadfastly so that being not distracted, we’ll walk firmly into the vineyard of the Lord.

Paul advises us not to be like fools not knowing what is to be, but in every situation we he asks us to strive to understand God’s will for us.  Being rooted in God today is really essential for I see the pain that we will beget otherwise.  In the world, although there’s the superficial sheathe of happiness and joy, it’s hurting and people are caught in the web of deceit the devil has so skillfully spun upon them.  There’s so much pain behind the façade and that’s why we see this translated into rapes, killings, robberies, and so on.  The times aren’t good my friend, but then should we be worried.  Not even a little for we worship a God Who is still with us and He is capable of thwarting any dart the enemy may throw at us.  Just rely on Him and be wise in your ways.  And understanding His will, carry it out with honesty and integrity.  God will reward you.

Thoughts for another day

June 6, 2014.

Today's verse:  Is. 49:8. Thus saith the LORD, In an acceptable time have I heard thee, and in a day of salvation have I helped thee: (KJV)

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

There’s always hope in the Lord for His mercies don’t cease and we know they’re new every morning and His faithfulness is absolutely great.  That is His nature and that is His way; therefore, no matter how much we annoy the Lord and prick Him with our sins, there’s always hope…hope that even in the last moments, He will be there for us.

See, God wants us to gain an everlasting life to be with Him and it’s such a simple thing to gain favor of the Lord.  Today, He has given us His Son Jesus Christ who was subjected to the wrath that was reserved for us because of our sin. He replaced us and took this wrath upon Himself.  In that Jesus freed us from the bondage of sin and led us with Him into the heavens where we’ll be with Him and we’ll also sup with Him.  All we need to do is believe that Jesus Christ is the Lamb of God who was sacrificed to wash us clean from our sins by His blood.  Belief is essential; not a superficial belief, but one that pours out from the heart, speaking to Him and telling Him that He is the Lord of our lives.

In doing that we can safely say that then, it’s an acceptable time and in that time, God our Father will hear us and hearken to our call.  Then, we can say it’s a day of salvation and that He has already helped us.  God has helped us to overcome and be victorious and win the battle for our souls.  In that He also helps us to live a life that’s victorious, fearless in Him and victorious in and through Him.  God be praised who has given us such confidence in Him as to announce to the mountains to move and they will move.  All because He loves us and gives us times of favor.

Thoughts for another day

June 5, 2014.

Today's verse:  Gal. 3:26. For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. (KJV)

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

Being in Christ is not just a symbolic thing but it brings to a man the essence of God.  In Christ, we become a child of God.  Now if that’s not exciting for a human being, then what is?  Imagine being God’s son or daughter – it’s such a great privilege, not only because our future is guaranteed which means when life in this world comes to an end, the heavenly gate will be opened to us by which we can assume residence in heaven and begin our eternal life, of course with Jesus Christ.

God, in Christ, has made available a host of privileges which are ours in Him for we believed in Him and when we made Christ our Lord, God and Savior from the bottom of our hearts, we became the chosen children of God or shall I say, the ‘favored’ ones of God, and this is because God loves His Precious Son so much that anyone giving Him space in his life as Savior finds God’s love flowing through Christ in him.  Such is the awesome love of God; and it further translates into a life of confidence; and God’s mercy never ceases flowing to him.

Being a child of God guarantees success in all we do when we put our confidence in Him and believe Him for everything.  I know of so many supernatural acts of God in favor of those who believe in Christ His Son that it’s amazing to not believe in Christ.  Only the most ‘unthinking’ person can have an aversion to Jesus Christ, for every thinking person who reads about Him will learn of first, the awesome love of man for us and then, that Christ is truly, the ONE, TRUE AND LIVING GOD, Who reigns at the right hand of God.  It’s also so good to know that Christ sits on His throne interceding for us who believe in Him and no matter what situation we face here on earth we can rest assured that Christ is seized of the matter and He will provide us a solution.  Not only that, someday as we approach the pearly gates, He will Himself come and escort us to the Throne of God and put His stamp of love on us for we believed in Him and lived our lives for Him here on earth.

Thoughts for another day

June 3, 2014.

Today's verse:  John 16:27. For the Father Himself [tenderly] loves you because you have loved Me. (Amplified Bible – copyright acknowledged)

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

This is an important revelation Jesus makes to us His followers that we can approach His Father and our Father directly for the Father Himself, loves us as we love Jesus.  My friend, there’re some truths we discover in the Bible which’re more than enough to hold on to and live a lifetime and this is one of them for Jesus is saying that the Father has loved us from eternal ages because we loved Jesus and this love we have for Jesus has been known to the Father even before the beginning of time.   

Long before God created any of us on earth, He had deigned to send His Son, Jesus Christ to redeem us from death to life.  God knew it would be necessary because we would sin and that would mean we die and have no eternal life.  Now, Jesus was to come to earth and give His message, the Good News of God’s love for us and then die for us and rise on the third day.  In this God also knew that there would be some who would accept Jesus Christ as Lord, God and Savior and come to believe and love Him and these were those who would gain God’s favor and everlasting love.  They would also come to know the Father for they would know Jesus and knowing Jesus means knowing the Father, for the Father and the Lord Jesus are One.  

Jesus, in Scripture, lays bare the fact that since we know the Father and love Him, reciprocating His love, we’re His children in Christ and in that relationship the Father is most concerned about our well being and gives us anything we ask, just as an earthly father would bestow gifts on his child.  In fact I’ll stress that the Father delights in giving us things even without asking, for He joys in us when we ask that which is in His will and good for our souls.  That’s why Jesus prior to our verse says, even without His asking the Father for what we want; His Father would grant it because he loves us.  In Christ then we believe and ask confidently knowing that the Father who loves us tremendously will listen to our prayer and grant us whatever we seek.  Let nobody dissuade you from asking our Father nor should you listen to anyone who says God will not grant you what you ask for remember, God is madly in love with us and He will listen to our prayer.  Just trust Him.

Thoughts for another day

June 3, 2014.

Today's verse:  Acts 17:28. For in him we live, and move, and have our being; (KJV)

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

Sometimes in our deepest anguish, we may find God far from us.  At this time, this question hovers constantly on our lips, ‘God, where are You?'  And we may not find any answer to our question which makes us feel God is not answering us at all.  But is that it, for a God who speaks to even the innermost recesses of our being, is He to be quiet at a time when we need Him most?  Surely not, I’d say for God has already spoken to us about His being with us and its there in His precious Word, the Bible.  He meant it for us to be His communication and it kindles our hearts to know that He is in His Word and He can make His Word come alive within us.

Today’s Scripture throws some light on how deeply God is ingrained within us, right within the core of our being when Paul, the man of God, writes and says, ‘In Him we live and move and have our being.’  Wonderful it is for us to know that we have our being in Him and in Him alone we live and move.  And this is only possible if God has tied Himself with us so intricately.  This leads me to remember what our Heavenly Father says: ‘Behold, I have graven you on the palms of my hands;’ – Is. 49:16.  Then again He says to His people, Hos. 11:4, ‘I led them with cords of human kindness, with ties of love. To them I was like one who lifts a little child to the cheek, and I bent down to feed them.’  How then can we even think that God isn’t close to us?

Perhaps, it’s time to reflect on our relationship with God; to really cling to Him and get to know Him better.  There never is a time, when our God will be far from us, particularly when we’re in some kind of difficulty.  In fact, let me tell you that in those moments, He is just waiting for us to let go of whatever it is that is holding His power from working in us and when we get rid of that block, His amazing power floods into our lives and things start happening that we could not even have believed possible.  Take recourse to Him my friend in whatever situation you are and know that you live and move in Him and your being is in Him and surely He will guide you and give your rest.

Thoughts for another day

June 2, 2014.

Today's verse:  Jer. 31:3. “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness.’ (KJV)

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

We may live our entire lives trying to understand the kind of love that God has for us and we’ll never be able to make out even the curve of the ‘a’ of it, leave alone any part of it.  We tend to believe our finiteness makes it impossible to understand God’s love and in a way it’s true, for how can something finite ever understand what is infinite.  Where would one draw the line for the beginning or even assume a mark to note the end, for neither would be correct.  If we try measure from the bottom, we quickly understand it’s immeasurable for it stretches on and on and on; and so it is with the other sides!  And it’s also because we never delve into God’s love to live it or share it.

This morning I was angry on someone for an error and I told the Lord, ‘See, Lord, now don’t defend the person for what she has done for every time she does this irritating me and you always tell me to forgive!’  Then God put this thought in my mind: How many times do you ask me to forgive you for the things you do to irritate Me and I forgive…seventy times seven you know!  I was completely floored when I heard this and boy, the Lord did teach me something.  But moving back to the times the Lord forgives me, I realise it’s because He loves me and Him being perfect love is all the more potent because His mercy is unceasing and fresh every morning even to the end that though I vex Him much, I yet, by His Grace am able to sit and sup with Him.

That’s because of the tremendous love He has for me.  Ah, today’s Word of Scripture is so pleasant to my soul, like rain on parched land when I hear Him say: ‘I have loved you with an everlasting love and drawn you with loving-kindness’ it’s manna for my soul which, though wrinkled by the famine of goodness in me is nourished by the abundance of His manna of love and restoration.  Honestly, were it not for God, where would I be or rather what would I be…but a stone on the earth to be trampled upon by the forces nature would unveil to destroy me.  But because of Him, my Redeemer, I am exalted and reign, even with Him as my Strong Tower and my reason of refuge.