Missing: fear and love for God

Passage: Psalm 3

3 Know that the LORD has set apart the godly for himself; the LORD will hear when I call to him. (Psalm 4, NIV)–emphasis added

Fear of God and Love for God has almost disappeared from our churches

The psalmist (David) lived for God even as he could have easily succumbed to pressures and pleasures. He had power, possessions and possibilities

One of the tricks of the devil is that he will tell you, you have very unique opportunities to sin, and that no one else gets such “chances”.

That is what he tells to almost everybody!

God  knows that you have opportunities to fall. But He is warning of the consequences. Comparing the “pros” and “cons”, sin is not worth going for. God never lies. Devil does not speak real truth either

David loved and feared God at all times. When he sinned, he repented completely. David was a man who would not bother about what people say. As a very young man, when he was getting ready to face Goliath, his own brothers discouraged him. But David knew what he was going to do. So he went ahead and got Goliath

Another time, he was dancing and worshiping in front of God’s Ark. His wife Michal, also daughter of Saul, made fun of him. David didn’t even care!

If David would care for anything, that would be about a report from God

Aren’t we just the opposite of David? Don’t we give much importance to what people say, and less importance to what God says?

God has separated and sanctified people who take God serious. Who those people are, will be known only at the coming of Christ. There will be some from your church and mine, but not all!

See what else God does for those who fear God

19 How great is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you, which you bestow in the sight of men on those who take refuge in you. (Ps 31, NIV)

10 His pleasure is not in the strength of the horse, nor his delight in the legs of a man; 11 the LORD delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love. (Ps 147, NIV)

God delights in those who fear God; He showers His goodness upon them

Do a self analysis, how much you love and fear God

Have a blessed day!

BG

Prayer: Father God, thank you for blessing every day and hour of my life so that I can be rest assured in you. Help me glorify your name through the things I do, words I speak and the thoughts I think today. In Jesus; name; Amen

When God is in front of you, you are heading in the right direction

When “school” is over!

Passage: Acts 1, 2 Kings 2

9 After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. (Acts 1, NIV84)–emphasis added

When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, “Tell me, what can I do for you before I am taken from you?” “Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit,” Elisha replied. 10 “You have asked a difficult thing,” Elijah said, “yet if you see me when I am taken from you, it will be yours—otherwise not.”  (2 Kings 2, NIV84)

-emphasis added

When Jesus ascended to heaven, that really affected His disciples. They would have been much better off, with Jesus physically with them

As a child, I have desired that the pastors and preachers who come to our home  stay there for ever. When some people go, you feel sad.

Jesus, however wanted his disciples to take on responsibility and continue what he started. We just can’t have school all life! We need to practice what we learn

Most people in church love to remain the same, all the time.

“Let the pastor do all the ministry; we don’t want the misery”…..!

We just like to be “the royal high priests, holy nation and the people of God…”

I don’t think God runs that type of “company” where people get all power and title, with no responsibility. What do you think?

We like to hear verses like; “I can do all things through Christ…..”  and “to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us” (Eph 3;20, NIV)

What do these verse(s) really speak about?

They actually speak about we doing something for God, when God is in/with us; they are not about getting the most expensive car or home. What do you think?

In Eph 3:20, we usually focus on “immeasurably more than we ask or imagine”, but I think, what comes first is: “according to his power that is at work within us”

When God, His Spirit is at work in us, there is no limit to what God can accomplish through us. We are to serve; we are to become a blessing to others!

This power has to first work in us, before it works through us

The message we speak, must first be spoken to us

There is much wrong gospel and commercialism out there, which destroys many

We need to take guard against such. We need to be informed and inform people about false doctrines and false teachers/prophets.

Let the word of God be our standard all the time

Have a wonderful day!

BG

Prayer: Thank you Lord Jesus,  for your power that is freely available to us. I admit that I am not availing it fully. I must change, and I need your help. Help me to focus more on being a blessing to others, than me getting blessed. Amen

When we are ready, tell God; He already has the assignment for us

God Is Love!

Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love . . .
—Jeremiah 31:3

 


As I read the Bible, I find love to be the supreme and dominant attribute of God. The promises of God’s love and forgiveness are as real, as sure, as positive, as human words can make them. But the total beauty of the ocean cannot be understood until it is seen, and it is the same with God’s love. Until you actually experience it, until you actually possess it, no one can describe its wonders to you.


Never question God’s great love, for it is as unchangeable a part of God as His holiness. Were it not for the love of God, none of us would ever have a chance in the future life. But God is love! And His love for us is everlasting.


Prayer for the day


Knowing myself as I do, Lord, the knowledge of Your love and forgiveness never ceases to amaze me. In the knowledge of this, help me to communicate to others that this love is theirs too, if they will only reach out for it.


Relationship, results and rewards

Passage: Acts 1, 2 Kings 2

9 After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. (Acts 1, NIV84)–emphasis added

When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, “Tell me, what can I do for you before I am taken from you?” “Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit,” Elisha replied. 10 “You have asked a difficult thing,” Elijah said, “yet if you see me when I am taken from you, it will be yours—otherwise not.”  (2 Kings 2, NIV84)

-emphasis added

The disciples watched the ascension of Jesus. Later on, they received the same spirit and power that was on Jesus. The Holy Spirit came upon them with power

In the case of Elijah, he specifically told Elisha: “yet if you see me when I am taken from you, it will be yours—otherwise not.”

Why such a condition? What is the connection between witnessing the ascend of a person and the descend of the power that is on them?

The person(s) who receive the power need to have an intimate connection with the person who had the power. In other words, if Elisha had no connection with Elijah, he was not going to receive that power. Even though it is ultimately the power of God and not the power of Elijah, relationship matters

Those who are not connected to Jesus should not expect the power that was on/with Jesus, to come upon them. You can’t by-pass Jesus and have the Holy Spirit!

If we are very friendly with God and unfriendly with people, if we have all the gifts and no fruit, it can affect the working of God through us!

Jesus was full of the Holy Spirit, as much as He was full of love and compassion

A person with the anointing of Holy Spirit may see multitudes touched by God, while a person without that anointing may not see much results here. However,  the rewards in heaven may not be linked to the results here (Mat 7:22, 23)

God wants to reach as much people as He can, in the limited time. So He wants you and me to be baptized by His Spirit, while we remain connected to God

We may be anointed; but, are we connected? How is our prayer and devotions?

Have a blessed day, as you ponder upon that

BG

Prayer: Father God, thank you for all your love and provisions. What I am, where I am and who I am, is all because of you. Help me to stay connected so that I can be a channel of your love and power to others. All this in Jesus’ name. Amen

“A good relationship with God and people will always have its results and rewards”

Battle Of The Spirit

Let the peace of God rule in your hearts . . .
—Colossians 3:15

 


When we examine the problems that confront us in our world today, we find that every one of them resolves into a problem of “inner space,” a problem of the dark side of the human spirit. From thousands of letters we receive, it is evident that a large proportion of the population is facing deep personal problems. They vary from person to person, but they do exist, and they are all problems of “inner space.”


Yes, we are the people who have been conquering outer space, but are in danger of losing the battle of the spirit. But there is a solution-for millions it has already been reached-and that solution is in Jesus Christ. He said, “My peace”-my liberty, my freedom-“I give unto you” (John 14:27).


Today if we will turn the searchlight of truth on the dark side of our human spirits and let Jesus Christ become the Master Control of our lives, a new day will dawn for us. Submit the “inner space” of your life to Him.


Prayer for the day


How often I hurt deep down inside me, Lord, but the knowledge of Your love and compassion brings me hope and peace.


You get what you ask

Passage: Acts 2, 2 Kings 2

On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5 For John baptized with[a] water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 1, NIV84)–emphasis added

When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, “Tell me, what can I do for you before I am taken from you?” “Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit,” Elisha replied. 10 “You have asked a difficult thing,” Elijah said, “yet if you see me when I am taken from you, it will be yours—otherwise not.”  (2 Kings 2, NIV84)

Once Elijah met Elisha, Elisha was after Elijah. God knew what type of person Elisha was. Elisha would not leave Elijah without the power that was upon Elijah!

Elijah was putting Elisha through a test; Elisha passed the test

Elijah said: “you have asked a difficult thing”. That is true

If we are willing to pursue with perseverance, we will get it. Things of the world will come to us just like that. Things of God-we have to go for it

The disciples were willing to wait and pray until the spirit came upon them

They had witnessed Jesus being taken upto heaven. They felt lonely, when Jesus was gone. They waited, setting aside every thing else. It was worth the wait!

12 I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. (John 12, NIV84)

Was Jesus lying, when He said that? I don’t think so.

Elishah asked for a double portion. He  did double of what Elijah did.

When we go to a place where we can bargain, we may say a certain price and the salesman may agree. Then we feel, “I should have asked a still lower price!”

Don’t make that mistake when you ask spiritual gifts to Jesus. Ask for the best!

11 “Which of you fathers, if your son asks for[f] a fish, will give him a snake instead? 12 Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13 If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”. (Luke 11, NIV)

When was the last time you asked God for something spiritual?

Why not give it a try? God likes it!

Have a blessed day. God has so much in store for you!

BG

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for sending Holy Spirit for us. Thank you for empowering us with the same power that manifested in you. We are blessed by the work of God: the father, son and the Holy Spirit. Thank you. Amen

God gives only genuine things; so we don’t need to check the “rating”

Intimacy that takes away fear and shame

Passage: Acts 1-2

On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5 For John baptized with[a] water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 1, NIV84)–emphasis added

When the Holy Spirit came upon the 120 on the day of Pentecost, they did not just stay there “enjoying” the spirit or the gifts. Instead, they started going out with the power they relieved and started influencing/changing the world

They were neither afraid nor ashamed of their Lord Jesus Christ

The reason why they were not afraid or ashamed of Jesus was that they knew Jesus well. Apostle Paul says why he was not ashamed of the gospel either:

16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ,[a] for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes (Rom 1, NKJV)

Paul was not ashamed of Jesus because he knew Jesus well

When you become intimate  with a person, you are no longer ashamed of that person/relationship; instead, you will be proud of that relationship. You don’t care what others say….

The closer we get to Jesus, the more we will become like Him; our walk/talk everything will change, even without our knowledge. Peter was so much influenced by Jesus and other disciples that he was identified as a man with Jesus, by the way he talked! (Mat. 26: 69-74)

To know whether we spend more time with Jesus or not, just  ask our friends what they feel. If we spend time with Jesus, they will know

The world around us may be doing things different; we don’t need to do it that way

On the day of Pentecost, when thousands were gathered in the city to celebrate the Jewish festival of Pentecost, a group of 120 were praying in a room. In the previous years, most of these celebrated the festival. But now, they had a transformation. Instead of them joining the crowd, the crowd joined them!

We cannot get the things of God without a cost. A school/college student who wants to enjoy everything out there, cannot score high grades/marks. Those who are focused on success  need to sacrifice accordingly

What is our spiritual goal? We sometimes ask children what they want to become. Have we ever asked ourselves the same question, on a spiritual level?

God is not against our advancement in job or finance, provided we are not using the wrong means to get there and we are not worshiping them. But we don’t have to ignore/sacrifice our spirituality for that

It is important we set our priorities right. God needs us, as we need God

Have a blessed day!

BG

Prayer: Father God, thank you for the gift- the gift of giving yourself to us through Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. Help us to know you more, day after day, so that others will come to know you, through us. In Jesus’ name. Amen

“God gave us His best so that we can be the best”

When the Holy Spirit comes

Passage: Acts 1-2

On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5 For John baptized with[a] water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 1, NIV84)–emphasis added

The resurrection of Jesus Christ and the baptism of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost are two marked the two important events that marked the beginning of the Church. The Church was launched in the Power of the Holy Spirit. She continues the work of the bridegroom in the same power, even today

In the Old Testament times, God dealt primarily with a person who was appointed by God to be the leader/prophet. But the church started differently, in the N.T time. It started with a group of 120 people. That is work of the Holy Spirit in the past-resurrection era!

8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”  (Acts 1, NIV84 )   

The power of Holy Spirit came on a day when there were so many people in the area, who came to attend the festival of Pentecost. 3000 people were added to the church on the inaugural day itself. Church has been growing/multiplying from that day, at a rate that alarmed its opponents

The world looks at Jesus Christ very differently

I couldn’t believe how they named a very poisonous lizard they found out there

Check “national geographic” site. They say, “people” named it J…C…. Lizard!

So, that is how people see Jesus Christ?!

Jesus came to deliver you and me from the venom/poison of the serpent, the devil

While Jesus is the savior for many,  He is savor to many others!

The value of the church will be known to the world only when she is gonefrom here

The power of God is no secret; it is public. But it becomes “personal” only to those who believe. One can go all the way to the moon and say “I didn’t see God anywhere”; that does not mean God is not there. God is a reality and He makes himself known to those who seek Him earnestly

For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him. In this you have done foolishly; (2 Chronicles 16, NKJV)

God shows His power to those who wait upon Him

If you have time for Him, He (always) has time for you

Even the youths shall faint and be weary, And the young men shall utterly fall, 31 But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint (Isaiah 40, NKJV)

Why not separate some time for the Lord this week? If you can, fast at least one meal a day and pray. Read the word

See how it helps. It helped me a lot

Have a blessed day

BG

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for loving me with real love from the depth of your heart. Help me to live that love out so that many others can experience your love. I pray that you will heal and revive the church where it is sick and “dead”. Amen

“When you have Christ in you, you live, not just exist”

 

Genuine Love

. . . being knit together in love . . .
—Colossians 2:2

 


Thousands of young couples go through with a loveless marriage because no one ever told them what genuine love is. I believe we need to read the 13th chapter of First Corinthians, in which the Apostle Paul gives us a definition of love. He says, “Love is patient and kind; love is not jealous or boastful; it is not arrogant or rude. Love does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrong, but rejoices in the right. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends.” If people today knew that kind of love, the divorce rate would be sharply reduced.


Prayer for the day


Lord Jesus, we need Your love and forgiveness in our hearts, if we are to love unselfishly.


True Colors

God carefully watches the goings on of all mankind . . .
—Job 34:21 (TLB)

 


There is an old story that tells about a pig. . . . The farmer brought the pig into the house. He gave him a bath, polished his hooves, put some Chanel No. 5 on him, put a ribbon around his neck, and put him in the living room. The pig looked fine. He made a nice and companionable pet for a few minutes. But as soon as the door was opened, the pig left the living room and jumped into the first mud puddle that he could find. Why? Because he was still a pig at heart. His nature had not been changed. He had changed outwardly but not inwardly. . . .


You can take a man—dress him up, put him in the front row in church, and he almost looks like a saint. He may fool even his best friends for a while, but then put him in his office, or in the club on Saturday night, and you will see his true nature come out again. Why does he act that way? Because his nature has not been changed. He has not been born again.


Prayer for the day


Almighty God, there are times when I debase my Christian walk and slip again into the mire. Cleanse and strengthen me, for Jesus’ sake.


Discerning the “foe” in the friend!

Passage: Mat 16

 22 Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!” 23Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.”  (Mat 16, NIV84)–emphasis added

Peter makes an apparent statement of love and concern, and Jesus rebukes him!

But notice what is written there: “Peter…began to rebuke him”

I checked other versions. Peter was using sharp language, trying to STOP Jesus from being crucified. Jesus discerned the devil’s voice in that “friendly” talk

Are our “friends” keeping us away from doing what God wants us to do?

They may be sincere; they are talking to us out of compassion. But they could be sincerely wrong. We may be going against God’s will by yielding to their advice

If God is first in our life, we better ask the Lord, what He wants us to do

Jesus told Peter that his mind was having the things of men. This is what is happening to us. We get too much of the things of men/world even while we claim to be people of God. We should know where to draw the line

When we deal with spiritual people, our relationships should be spiritual

When spiritual relationships get too personal, there are chances of compromising the truth. Many issues happen in churches because “I will support my friend whether he/she are doing the right thing or not”

On the other hand, when someone behaves wrong, it is their heart. We better address it right. They did something wrong, while there is still goodness in them

We can lead them to confession and repentance

It is interesting to see how Jesus treated Peter on various occassions. When Peter disowned Jesus just before his crucifixion, Jesus did not call him “Satan”. Instead, Jesus just looked at Peter

After the crucifixion of Jesus, Peter went back fishing again. He thought everything was over. But the resurrected Jesus went after him

If it was you or me in place of Jesus, we would do just the opposite. When Peter expressed such concern saying “let not that happen to you”, we would say, “what a love and compassion he/she has for me!”

In the second palce, when someone disowns/deserts us, we will do the same back to them, especially when we are in a powerful/better position than them

Through each of these incidents, Peter got to know Jesus closer and better

Finally, Peter became the best of all whom Jesus had.

Let Jesus be our best friend at all times. All others come next

Have a blessed day

BG

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for being such a good, real friend to me. Thank you for correcting and rebuking; loving and guiding. You were not always the person I wanted you to be, and I thank you for that. You have always been good. Amen

“Jesus will always be what He should be”

Bread Of Life

I am the living bread that came down from heaven . . .
—John 6:51

 


In John 6:48 we read that Jesus said, “I am the bread of life.” Jesus had just fed 5,000 people with five loaves and two fishes. They were all excited and thrilled over the great miracle that had occurred, [but] Jesus was talking about something more important than social needs. Bread in the Scriptures is a symbol of spiritual life.


Man has an inborn hunger for God. He cannot be satisfied with anything less than God. God alone can supply the bread which satisfies the inner longing of your soul and the hunger of your heart. . . . The Bible says that He is the Bread of Life.


Prayer for the day


Lord Jesus, thank You for satisfying the yearnings deep down in my heart. Your presence fulfills the needs of my soul, and I rejoice.


How do we see Jesus?

Passage: Mat 16


 22 Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!” 23Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.”  (Mat 16, NIV84)–emphasis added


All about Jesus is all about God; when He was looked upon with sympathy by one of His own, Jesus just called him “Satan”!


Few verses above, Jesus commented the same Peter for such a great revelation, when Peter spoke rightly about the deity/divinity of Jesus


Why did Jesus change so quickly, to call Peter “satan” few moments after commenting him?


That is a reasonable question. However, it was not Jesus, but Peter who changed. Peter changed from his divine view of Jesus to a human view. Jesus had to die for the sin of the world. He did not want anyone to look at Him with (human) sympathy and stop Him from that act on the cross. Jesus also stated why He addressed Peter as “Satan”: “you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.”


As soon as Peter made a true statement about Jesus, Satan influenced his mind to speak just the opposite. Peter got a little too childish after hearing a positive comment from Jesus. Same thing happens to many, who make a good start in Jesus. Similar things have happened to certain groups and denominations


Many Charismatic groups started right, but later on slipped into the wrong


Certain groups give much importance to the humanity of Jesus, at the cost of affecting His divinity. For some, He is still “baby Jesus”. There is a “dangerous side” of looking at Jesus from such a point of view


Judas Iscariot had to kiss him, to show who Jesus was. He did not make himself look different from the disciples by wearing a different type of dress or anything like that! Jesus was identified by His words and His works


What happened to Peter can happen to anybody, if not careful. We can easily “switch” from a divine perspective of Jesus, to a human one!


Jesus was a friend of His disciples, but He was also their Guru. He did not want “familiarity” to stop Him from doing His job. He corrected Peter then and there


Recently some US security officials who went abroad, have become the focus of the media for alleged misconduct. They had a very responsible job, which could not be compromised. That tells us something; God expects a higher standard from those in spiritual responsibility. It may be possible to “responsibly” hide certain things, but God acts responsibly after that


God is the best in every area of His responsibility. There is no judge like God!


Have a blessed day. Allow Jesus be our friend, Guru and Judge, at all times!


BG


Prayer: Father God, I fear you in reverence for who you are. I love you for what you have done for me through Jesus Christ. I thank you for the continuing work through the Holy Spirit. Help me to live and act responsibly. In Jesus’ name; Amen


“God is treated best, as God”

Cure Discouragement

Wait on the Lord, be of good courage . . .
—Psalm 27:14

 


Discouragement is nothing new. Many of the great Bible characters became discouraged. Moses in the Sinai desert; Elijah when he heard Jezebel was searching for him to take his life; and David when his son Absalom rebelled against him. It is as old as the history of man.


There is often a cause for discouragement. It comes many times when we don’t get our way, when things don’t work out the way we want them to. Discouragement is the opposite of faith. It is Satan’s device to thwart the work of God in your life. Discouragement blinds our eyes to the mercy of God and makes us perceive only the unfavorable circumstances.


I have never met anyone who spent time in daily prayer, and in the study of the Word of God, and was strong in faith, who was ever discouraged for very long.


Prayer for the day


Lord, when I am discouraged, take away the blindness of my wavering faith. You are with me always. Forgive my ungrateful heart.


When God prevails

Passage: Ezekiel 3

 16 At the end of seven days the word of the LORD came to me: 17 “Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; so hear the word I speak and give them warning from me. (Ezekiel 3, NIV84)–emphasis added

God appointed Ezekiel as a watchman over Israel. No one else could dis-appoint him.

In the New Testament, we see Paul. God appointed him. Whether others recognize or not is secondary. He did his job

You and I must do the same. Give respect to those who deserve it. Honor God

Ezekiel didn’t care what anyone less than God would think or say about his appointment. If the children of God, ministers of God were like that, church would have been much better. Instead, when we look at others and try to do what they are doing, we don’t care about God’s specific plan for us. We disappoint God!

Ezekiel’s messages were brought straight from God’s kitchen to the people.

See what Jesus did:

49 For I did not speak of my own accord, but the Father who sent me commanded me what to say and how to say it. 50 I know that his command leads to eternal life. So whatever I say is just what the Father has told me to say.” (John 12, NIV 84)-emphasis added

Even when the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit are one, Jesus made sure that every word that came out of his mouth was exactly what the father wanted Him to say. Why not we do it?

In preparing messages, let our first and the last thing be sincere prayer and let everything else fall in between.

We may hear preaching from a “leading” Pastor/preacher and may get nothing. On the other hand, God may speak to us through someone in church, may be a child or a young person. But we have a tendency to look at the messenger than the message. That is how we miss the message from God! Namaan could have missed a great blessing, if he disregarded what that servant girl told him. (2 Kings 5)

God sometimes teaches great things through our own children/family

Many churches are going their way, and God His way, parallel. In my school days, parallel lines didn’t use to meet. These days, many things have changed!

Are we on the right track? Churches and leaders claim they are on the right track, because they have to. We better search the Bible and find out if the word we hear comes from God or not. God only stands behind His word, not behind anyone else’s. So check it before we retire from the race/life. Otherwise, it may be too late

24 “Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life. (John 5, NIV)

Have a blessed day!

BG

Prayer: Father God, you have a great plan for us and the whole world; that is what is going to work, not what anybody else plans. You are in charge, and nobody else. Help us to stay focussed on you and your word, nobody else. In Jesus’ name; Amen

We can’t apply God’s warranty to anyone else’s products/preaching!

Prejudice Is Weakness

Judge not, that ye be not judged.
—Matthew 7:1

 


The word prejudice means “prejudging” or “making an estimate of others without knowing the facts.” Prejudice is a mark of weakness, not of strength. Prejudice is measured by computing the distance between our own biased opinions and the real truth. If we would all be perfectly honest before God, there would be no prejudice.


Prayer for the day


You love each one of us with a love that breaks through all prejudicial barriers, Father. Forgive me for the times I judge others. Purify my heart, that I may be used to draw people together into the bond of Christ’s unifying love.


When justice prevails

Passage: 2 Chronicles 16

 7 And at that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah, and said to him: “Because you have relied on the king of Syria, and have not relied on the Lord your God, therefore the army of the king of Syria has escaped from your hand. Were the Ethiopians and the Lubim not a huge army with very many chariots and horsemen? Yet, because you relied on the Lord, He delivered them into your hand. 9For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of thosewhose heart is loyal to Him. In this you have done foolishly; therefore from now on you shall have wars.” (2 Chronicles 16, NKJV)–emphasis added

On the cross, the love of God prevailed; on the judgment day, the justice of God will prevail

God is looking for loyalty. Today, we see ministry that is ineffective because the goals are not right

Commercialism has got such strong roots into the church and leadership so that almost everything is done is in exchange of something, some “benefit”

We can either put our complete trust in God and do everything that pleases God, or we can please some people and get some benefits

In ministry, there is this practice of pleasing somebody in leadership, securing own chairs and then grabbing some people, for the same purpose. But God, the judge of all, is watching

12 What I mean is this: One of you says, “I follow Paul”; another, “I follow Apollos”; another, “I follow Cephas[a]”; still another, “I follow Christ.” (1 Cor 1, NIV)

Yesterday, a New York City firefighter died in the line of duty. He was committed to his duty. We better learn commitment from the secular world. Many soldiers are dying in their line of duty every day

On the cross, we see commitment at its peak.  The love of God prevailed. When justice of God demanded punishment for our sins.  the Love (Jesus) took that penalty from us, and bore it himself. On the day of judgment,   justice will prevail. That day, love will say to justice: “go ahead”

King Asa, who is mentioned in the scripture for today,  started his job very good

2 Asa did what was good and right in the eyes of the LORD his God. 3 He removed the foreign altars and the high places, smashed the sacred stones and cut down the Asherah poles.[a] 4 He commanded Judah to seek the LORD, the God of their fathers, and to obey his laws and commands. (2 Chr 14, NIV)

But later on, what happens to most people happened to Asa; he messed up. Then he put prophet Hanani into prison for telling the truth

Even today, when we speak the truth, we could be “isolated” and put in the emotional prison; but God is watching.

12 In the thirty-ninth year of his reign Asa was afflicted with a disease in his feet. Though his disease was severe, even in his illness he did not seek help from the LORD, but only from the physicians. 13 Then in the forty-first year of his reign Asa died and rested with his fathers.

Asa put his trust in people. It is important that we put our trust in God alone

May God assign and use people to help us. Leave that part to God

Have a blessed day!

BG

Prayer: Lord Jesus, you are a God of love and justice. Thank you for your love on the cross, which saved us from condemnation. Help us to live our lives fully committed to you, even to th end. It is hard, but possible. Thank you Lord; Amen

“Short-term gains can end in long-term loss”

 

Where Is Heaven?

I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me.
—Luke 22:29

 


Many people have asked, “Where is heaven?” We are not told in the Scripture where heaven is. Some students have tried to take some Scriptures and put them together and say that heaven is in the north. They quote Psalm 48:2, “The joy of the whole earth is . . . on the sides of the north . . . ” The magnetic needle points north. Perhaps the Celestial City is in the north. We do not know. But no matter where heaven is, it will be where Christ is.


Many people ask, “Do you believe that heaven is a literal place?” Yes! Jesus said, “I go to prepare a place for you.” The Bible teaches that Enoch and Elijah ascended in a literal body to a literal place that is just as real as Los Angeles, London, or Algiers! The Bible also teaches that heaven will be a place of beauty. It is described in the Bible as “a building of God”-“a city”-“a better country”-“an inheritance”-“a glory.”


The Bible also indicates that heaven will be a place of great understanding and knowledge of things that we never learned down here.


Prayer for the day


Living Lord Jesus, the knowledge that You have prepared a place for me in heaven brings comfort and delight to my soul!


God’s power vs. my power

Passage: 2 Chronicles 16

 7 And at that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah, and said to him: “Because you have relied on the king of Syria, and have not relied on the Lord your God, therefore the army of the king of Syria has escaped from your hand. Were the Ethiopians and the Lubim not a huge army with very many chariots and horsemen? Yet, because you relied on the Lord, He delivered them into your hand. 9For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of thosewhose heart is loyal to Him. In this you have done foolishly; therefore from now on you shall have wars.” (2 Chronicles 16, NKJV)–emphasis added

God is committed to those who are committed to Him

When a person of God trusts in sources other than God, it is a violation!

If you are an expert in some field and a very close friend of you went to someone else for the same thing, how would you feel?

Same is what God feels when we go to someone else about something where God can help us. We should not even rely ourselves too much.

God is strong. Yet he does not want to show His strength to everybody out there

God wants His strength to be available to His own

When Jesus was physically on the earth, the disciples wanted Jesus to show His power to His enemies. They sometimes wanted their master to act, when He did not even want to. They wanted Jesus to become a King, here on earth. But Jesus never yielded to their wish

Today, we have many people in leadership in church circles, who won an election and climbed up there. Many of them are too busy to pray because there is so much to be done in one term. They (have to) act in favor of the people who supported them and neglect or even put down those who didn’t.

The #1 worry/concern of most believers today, is the church. Church has become what the leaders want it ot be, and not what God wanted it to be. People are tired. If the wrong spirit is manifesting in the top leadership and that spreads to the local church leadership, that church is no longer available to God, to demonstrate His strength and love!

Church is where God wants to demonstrate His power, His love

Peter and John of the early church walked and worked together. They didn’t have much silver and gold, but had the power of God in them, as opposed to today. We have the money and the material stuff, and we lack the power and love they had. The greatest miracle would be to see a church where the original love and strength of God is available and manifested

May we make ourselves available to God so that He can manifest His love and strength in and through us

11 One thing God has spoken, two things have I heard: that you, O God, are strong12 and that you, O Lord, are loving. Surely you will reward each person according to what he has done. (ps 62, NIV)-emphasis added

Have a blessed day

BG

Prayer: Father God, thank you for choosing me to be a channel of your love and strength. Let me be filled with your love and strength that I can give it out to others who are in need of it. Help me stay out of worries. In Jesus’ name; Amen

“God is full of Power; He is looking for some channels”

All Have Sinned

So it is that we are saved by faith in Christ and not by the good things we do.
—Romans 3:28 (TLB)

 


Many people still cling to the notion that man is naturally good. We did not get this from the Greeks. Aristotle said, “There is no good in mankind.” We did not get it from Judaism. Jeremiah said, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9).


We did not get it from Christian teachings. The Apostle Paul said, “All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). We got this illusion, I believe, from the philosophers and psychologists of the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries who taught the false doctrine that man is a helpless victim of his environment.


The Bible says that man is not naturally good. All human experience confirms it. Man is rebellious by nature. This first rebellion in history happened in the Garden of Eden, where the environment was perfect and there was no heredity on which to blame it!


Prayer for the day


Each time I become obsessed by the idea that my deeds are so noble, let me remember the magnanimity of Your perfect life.


Strong and yet loving!

Passage: Psalm 62

 11One thing God has spoken, two things have I heard: that you, O God, are strong12 and that you, O Lord, are loving. Surely you will reward each person according to what he has done. (Psalm 62, NIV) –emphasis added

God is Strong, yet Loving; that is what David has found out and experienced

The usage “God spoke once but I heard twice” refers to how much important is God’s words to David. Compare it with “God spoke ten times and I heard only once”

That is what happens in most cases. David was so keen to listen to God

Two great attributes of God: Strength and love

When you have a loving friend who is not strong enough to help you, you know what that is; on the other hand, there are many who are strong/capable, but have no love. When we have the capability for something, God wants us to help others as much as we can (Pro. 3:27, James 4:17)

When strength and love combines, it is something Godly/divine

When strength and selfishness combines, it can be more satanic

Strength of knowledge, money, beauty, health, whatever it be….

Sometimes God has given you many gifts and you are keeping it to yourself without using it for the blessing/benefit of others

As long as we can share our time and talents in a way that brings glory to God, do it

They are both God’s gifts, not just ours

David goes on to say that God will reward each person according to their works

We may say, “Lord, I don’t want any reward” (!),  but God says that He will

Do we remember to complement people who do good to us?

If we do, we are doing something divine. If we are simply there to enjoy “free stuff” and not be thankful, that could be more unlike God

In the east, mostly ladies/mothers do cooking, cleaning and stuff; others usually take it for granted, because it is “their job”. Most of the time, they don’t get any compliments, but get a lot of complaints instead (for a piece of hair in the food..or for salt/sugar and so on)

As a child, I have seen Pastors/preachers come to our home and they “thank” after food or something. At that time, I used to think, “why thank? It is mom’s job!”

But later I knew that even a “thanks” means big sometimes. Many forget that!

Thank God that He is both Strong and Loving. He can and will help us

Have a blessed day

BG

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for your strength and Love. You made me strong with your strength; make me loving, with your love. Help me to be a channel of all that I receive from you so that many will be blessed, as I am blessed. Amen

“Being more like God than devil, is a matter of choice, not chance”

Blessed Are Peacemakers

I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety.
—Psalm 4:8

 


In a materialistic world which has tried to sever diplomatic relations with God, we have nowhere to retreat except within ourselves. We are like turtles in a traffic jam—the best we can do is to pull our heads into our shells and shut our eyes. But that’s a good way to get the life crushed out of us, as any dead turtle can attest.


Man’s conflict with man has been but an expression on the human level of his conflict with God. Until man finds an armistice with God, he cannot know peace with his fellowman. If we are to be peacemakers, we first must make our peace with God.


Prayer for the day


In Jesus’ name, I have found peace with You, Father. My soul praises Your holy name.


The beauty of getting it all from God!



Passage: Psalm 62

 9 Lowborn men are but a breath, the highborn are but a lie; if weighed on a balance, they are nothing;
together they are only a breath. 10 Do not trust in extortion or take pride in stolen goods; though your riches increase, do not set your heart on them. (Psalm 62, NIV) –emphasis added

The value of a person depends on his /her choices

Sometimes we get gift-cards from stores. What they have is basically a blank plastic card. The person at the counter puts in it the the value we pay for. Then that card is worth that much

When a person meets God and is charged/filled with things of God, he/she will have a certain value. The value systems of this world are very different. These are two kingdoms, two different “currencies”!. One does not work in the other

“World” will call you smart if you have power, possessions and so on

That is why people struggle for those elements

But when you have God, He takes care of all areas, everything

Jonah was in the belly of the fish, all the way down in the water

But as he prayed to God, God heard him and commanded the fish to vomit Jonah If God can bring Jonah up from such a situation, if God can command to a fish, who is it that He cannot command to? Are you in a worse position than that?

That is why it is always better to put our trust in God.

ALL things are possible with God

10 Do not trust in extortion or take pride in stolen goods; though your riches increase, do not set your heart on them (Ps 62, NIV)

Extortion and stealing: two ways in which things are wrongfully taken away from a person. In both cases, what is rightfully belonging to another person is forcefully taken away. The difference is that extortion is done while the person is watching, while stealing is done without the person’s knowledge. Satan is a stealer, most of the time (John 10:10). Unfortunately, both of these happen more often, not outside the four walls of the Church!

Why someone steals? They want things quickly. People “act love” and steal things away (Ps 62:4)

Many young people are not aware of the way in which devil steals their time and commitment. They get distracted and diverted from what is important!

When we extract or steal because we have power, we pay back later, for everything. If we deny the opportunity for someone to grow, God will block ours! The reason why many churches/people struggle, can be traced back to something done in the past. Someone was probably hurt. Once the root cause is dealt with/ solved, things will change for good

The paslmist says: “do not set your heart on riches”. Do not set your hearts on  beauty, health, children, job, power, property or anything!

If we let God be our pride, we will never regret!

Have a blessed day ahead

BG

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for caring for me. You alone is the one I can trust and rely on. You are the one who is truly interested in my well-being. Help me not to steal or extort anything from anybody, but only wait for you and pray. Amen

“When it comes from God, it stays best, and it stays for long”

A Need For God

Christ in your hearts is your only hope of glory.
—Colossians 1:27 (TLB)

 


The age-old issue, “Can man save himself, or does he need God?” is still raging across the world as furiously as ever. As long as the world goes on, people will build towers of Babel, fashion their graven images, and invent their own ideologies. Now, as in every period of history, people think they can manage without God.


Economically, they may manage; intellectually, they may manage; socially, they may get by. But down underneath the surface of rational man is a vacuum-a void that can be met only through Jesus Christ. The most astounding fact of all history is that the great and almighty God of heaven can live in your heart. It makes no difference who you are.


Prayer for the day


You fill the emptiness and longing of my soul. I need the presence of Your Spirit, dear Lord.


Search My Heart

TODAY’S VERSE
Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.
Psalms 139:23-24 (NLT)


TODAY’S THOUGHT
The Bible says that David “was a man after God’s heart.” What a tribute. Contrary to what we might think, this was not because David was perfect. He knew how easy he could fall into sin. He remembered how God had to wake him up from an immoral stupor through the rebuke of Nathan the Prophet. If anyone could have created the slogan “No perfect people allowed,” it was David. David had to give up the “perception of perfection” in order to renew a close relationship with God. When God convicted David of wrongdoing, David repented, asking God to have mercy on him. In order to stay in a close relationship with God, David decided to allow God to speak to him about his behavior. He prayed, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.” How about you? Do you feel far from God? Who moved? What is stopping you from coming back? Is it pride? Is it anger? Is it the false notion that you don’t need to? Let us join David in becoming a person after God’s heart, not through the false ambition of perfection, but through the daily, honest and open relationship with God that allows Him to search us, point out what we are doing wrong and then lead us along the path of following Him.


TODAY’S PRAYER
Father, I come to you today and pray what David prayed so long ago, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.”
AMEN


Peace,Love And Grace

TODAY’S VERSE
Peace be with you, dear brothers and sisters, and may God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you love with faithfulness. May God’s grace be eternally upon all who love our Lord Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 6:23-24 (NLT)

TODAY’S THOUGHT
Paul knew how to end a letter. I can imagine him thinking, “What three things would my dear brothers and sisters in Christ need the most in the world? What would help them with any situation? What would give them the strength to carry on? What would be worth dying for? What would make life worth living?” This was more than the granting of three wishes. Paul prayed with the full knowledge that what he prayed could be our reality. He prayed that God would give you peace. He prayed that the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ would give you love. And finally, that God’s own grace would be on you for all eternity. Peace, love, and grace. What could you do with that today? How much would you keep for yourself? How much would you give away? So what do you do when someone offers you a gift? Today, might you take and be conscious of all the peace, love and grace God has for you.

TODAY’S PRAYER
Father, thank You for Your peace, love, and grace that You have for me. I pray that today I might really begin to experience the effects of Your peace, love, and grace in all that I do. In Jesus’ name.
AMEN

ATTEND TO THE WORD

Proverbs 4:20-23 (NKJV) 20 My son, give attention to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. 21 Do not let them depart from your eyes; keep them in the midst of your heart; 22 for they are life to those who find them, and health to all their flesh. 23 Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life.


For the next few days, we are going to look into these great verses.  There is so much here, so let us get started.


Verse 20: “My son, give attention to my words.”  God is telling us to give His Word first place in our heart.  In the military, when an officer says “Attention!” the soldiers snap to it.  That is how God want us to be with His Word.


The word attention means concentration, dedication, attentiveness, diligence, mindfulness, affection, and studiousness.  It is a verb meaning to listen carefully, to pay attention, to give heed, and to obey.  That is pretty good stuff!


Our Father is telling us to give His Word our full attention, to dedicate ourselves to it, and to study it.  Why is that?  Well, as we will see later on in these verses, it brings health to our being.


In Hebrews 4:12 it says that the Word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.


God’s Word is alive!  It has power within it!  Just as a seed will produce after its own kind, so God’s Word will produce after our Father’s kind.


So what do you need today? Do you need patience, or joy, or any other promise from the Word?  Then get the promise from the Bible, attend to it, and watch the harvest come!


Confession: Today, I attend to the Word of God.  It will produce an abundant harvest in my life!


Today’s Bible Reading


Jeremiah 31:27 – 32:44


1 Timothy 3


Psalms 88


Proverbs 25:20-22


Bible in a Year: 365-Day Reading Plan : English | King James Version (KJV)


GET RID OF STRESS

Pastor Diane 


Philippians 4:6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.


The world we live in is full of anxiety, stress, and pressure.  God has the answer for us.  He tells us what we can do to have peace in the midst of the storm, to rest while others are anxious, and to be calm while others are stressed.  This is something we are going to have to make a decision to do.  We need to make a decision not to be anxious.


Another translation puts it like this: “Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything…” How can we do that?  The rest of the verse tells us how: “…but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”


I am so glad we have a God that not only hears our prayers, but is also faithful to answer them!


For the next way to stay at peace, we need to be thankful.  1 Thessalonians 5:18 says, “In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”


When we decide not to be anxious, to let our requests be known to God, and to be thankful, then we get verse 7: God’s peace, which is beyond human understanding, will guard our hearts and minds.


The Amplified translation puts it this way: “And God’s peace [shall be yours, that tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace] which transcends all understanding shall garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”


Confession:  Today, I make a decision to do the Word.  I will not be anxious about anything, but I will let my requests be made known to God.  I will be thankful.  And I am expecting His peace to mount guard over my heart and mind today!


Today’s Bible Reading


Jeremiah 30 – 31:26


1 Timothy 2


Psalms 87


Proverbs 25:18-19


Bible in a Year: 365-Day Reading Plan : English | King James Version (KJV)


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