Jane was a scholar. She had won many awards. She was brilliant right from childhood. She even excelled in sports. She now worked as a top consultant in an IT firm. The only drawback to such an illustrious life was her being an atheist. She was raised by Bible believing parents, but after their early demise and after joining college, she slipped into questioning the existence of God and relied more on science to be the answer to everything. And then the unexpected happened. She woke up one day with sudden loss of vision. The doctors couldn't pinpoint the cause despite a battery of tests. A week into the malady, she was feeling depressed and words from friends and relatives did not comfort her any more. Her friend Ranie was with her during the day in the hospital, helping her in her tragedy. At nights, she was looked after by the nurses. She preferred to stay in the hospital hoping and believing that the doctors would find a cure.
Six weeks into her blindness, one night as she slept, she saw a dream. She saw thousands of angels coming towards her in brilliant light and in the midst of them was one whose eyes were like blazing fire, and on his head were many crowns. He was dressed in a robe dipped in blood and he stood smiling at her. She wondered who he must be, but felt a great peace when in his presence. He stretched out his right hand and touched her eyes. She wanted to be close to him, but soon he and all the angels disappeared. She woke up the next morning with great peace in her heart and though now without any vision, she was cheerful, when her friends came to see her.
When alone she pondered the dream that she had seen the night before. She usually did not see dreams but this was so graphic. A couple of days later when the hospital chaplain came by to see how she was doing, she told him of her dream. Earlier she had derided the chaplain in her heart when he had prayed for her, but now she felt that he had the answer. "Well, that's Jesus that you saw and angels accompanying him."said the chaplain. "Jesus", why would I see him? I never even think about him, she replied. "But he thinks about you and knows you. In fact, he gave his life for you on the cross, so that you could be set free from your sins if you believed in his work on the cross." The chaplain prayed and left. She was intrigued and for a long time thought about what he had said. Was it true? And why did he touch her eyes in the dream?
She wanted someone to desperately tell her more about Jesus and asked her friend to call for the Chaplain the next day. When the Chaplain arrived, her queries regarding Jesus were myriad and when he left after a long time, answering her to her satisfaction, she decided that it was time to seek Jesus by herself. She didn't know how or where to begin, the words wouldn't come to her mouth and she felt a choking sensation in her throat. She cried and confessed her sins and there were no end to her tears that night. She slept finally with a great burden lifted off her being. The next morning, when she woke up, she could see partly from her left eye. The doctors were amazed for she had not been on any specific treatment. They couldn't explain the sudden change. Her vision cleared day by day and after 2 weeks, she could see everything as before. She had taken a decision to live for Jesus and her joy knew no bounds. Anyone who encountered her thereafter had this to hear...I had a dream....Jesus touched me.
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Are we really grateful?
Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done. (Psalm 105:1)
The Lord once spoke to me and said, "If you think if you are suffering, take a look at a few others."
My 2 year daughter was sick and he brought to me a mother with her child as a patient, who was far worse in bodily health than mine.
When I felt that my salary was inadequate, he pointed to me, a helper in the place that I worked, who had a very meagre earning and I realized I earned almost 22 times more than him.
I was not happy with my car breaking down now and then and he showed me people who walked to or travelled in packed buses to their workplace.
Sometimes we tend to consider trivial the blessings that the Lord gives us. The tendency is to look at what blessings we don't have rather than be grateful for how much more we have than many.
The Psalmist spoke to himself and said,
Praise the Lord, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits. (Psalm 103:1, 2)
One verse that the Lord has reminded me often in my troubles is from the book of Job. It says,
You will surely forget your trouble, recalling it only as waters gone by. (Job 11:16)
We, as believers, must glorify and thank God for all his mercies, small and great. As the Psalmist says,
I will praise you forever for what you have done; in your name I will hope, for your name is good. I will praise you in the presence of your saints. (Psalm 52:9)
Being a faithful witness of his goodness in our lives is what God expects of us. We too must always say this one thing that the Psalmist said,
Come and listen, all you who fear God; let me tell you what he has done for me. (Psalm 66:16)
The Lord once spoke to me and said, "If you think if you are suffering, take a look at a few others."
My 2 year daughter was sick and he brought to me a mother with her child as a patient, who was far worse in bodily health than mine.
When I felt that my salary was inadequate, he pointed to me, a helper in the place that I worked, who had a very meagre earning and I realized I earned almost 22 times more than him.
I was not happy with my car breaking down now and then and he showed me people who walked to or travelled in packed buses to their workplace.
Sometimes we tend to consider trivial the blessings that the Lord gives us. The tendency is to look at what blessings we don't have rather than be grateful for how much more we have than many.
The Psalmist spoke to himself and said,
Praise the Lord, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits. (Psalm 103:1, 2)
One verse that the Lord has reminded me often in my troubles is from the book of Job. It says,
You will surely forget your trouble, recalling it only as waters gone by. (Job 11:16)
We, as believers, must glorify and thank God for all his mercies, small and great. As the Psalmist says,
I will praise you forever for what you have done; in your name I will hope, for your name is good. I will praise you in the presence of your saints. (Psalm 52:9)
Being a faithful witness of his goodness in our lives is what God expects of us. We too must always say this one thing that the Psalmist said,
Come and listen, all you who fear God; let me tell you what he has done for me. (Psalm 66:16)
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Thoughts on praise- 13
I call to the LORD, who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies. (2 Samuel 22:4)
David sang to the Lord the words of this song when the Lord delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul. (2 Samuel 22:1)
God is worthy of praise and the reasons for it are innumerable.
But in this song, David specifically praises God for delivering him from the hands of his enemies, especially from Saul.
Time and again God has delivered you and me from the enemy of our souls-satan.
We can sing along with the psalmist,
He reached down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of deep waters. He rescued me from my powerful enemy, from my foes, who were too strong for me. (2 Samuel 22:17, 18)
The Lord not only rescues us from evil satanic forces but he also arms us with strength for battle to rout the enemy. Great is his faithfulness.
David again praises God while he sings this song saying,
The Lord lives! Praise be to my Rock! Exalted be God, the Rock, my Savior! (2 Samuel 22:47)
...You exalted me above my foes; from violent men you rescued me. Therefore I will praise you, O Lord, among the nations; I will sing praises to your name. (2 Samuel 22:49, 50)
Yes, the Lord is worthy of praise and we as believers must give him praise from the depths of our hearts.
Praise: O Triune God, I praise you because you rescue me from evil satanic forces and strengthen me to war against them by your power. Truly, you are worthy of praise.
David sang to the Lord the words of this song when the Lord delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul. (2 Samuel 22:1)
God is worthy of praise and the reasons for it are innumerable.
But in this song, David specifically praises God for delivering him from the hands of his enemies, especially from Saul.
Time and again God has delivered you and me from the enemy of our souls-satan.
We can sing along with the psalmist,
He reached down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of deep waters. He rescued me from my powerful enemy, from my foes, who were too strong for me. (2 Samuel 22:17, 18)
The Lord not only rescues us from evil satanic forces but he also arms us with strength for battle to rout the enemy. Great is his faithfulness.
David again praises God while he sings this song saying,
The Lord lives! Praise be to my Rock! Exalted be God, the Rock, my Savior! (2 Samuel 22:47)
...You exalted me above my foes; from violent men you rescued me. Therefore I will praise you, O Lord, among the nations; I will sing praises to your name. (2 Samuel 22:49, 50)
Yes, the Lord is worthy of praise and we as believers must give him praise from the depths of our hearts.
Praise: O Triune God, I praise you because you rescue me from evil satanic forces and strengthen me to war against them by your power. Truly, you are worthy of praise.
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Check your Bible Knowledge - Bible Crosswords 1
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Protected by His blood!
For you have delivered me from death and my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before God in the light of life. (Psalm 56:13)
Six of us doctors were travelling back to our homes after the evening shift at the clinic on September 19th 2011. It was around 9 pm and we were travelling at a casual speed. It was a clear night and I was sitting in the front with the driver looking at the scenes that passed by. Reaching a round-about, I could see that the road ahead was wet and as soon as the van went over that area, the vehicle started swerving to the left and right alternately like a drunk. It was then we realized that it was oil and not water that must have spilled from tanker or other vehicle. For a moment, we felt that we were all facing a major disaster or death itself, for the van would overturn or be hit by another vehicle. But after a while the vehicle steadied and we continued the rest of the journey without further problems.
I noted several things here. There were no vehicles ahead of us or to the left or right. There were a few vehicles behind us but not very close. In fact one of the drivers later came along at our right side and showed an action to our driver asking whether he was crazy. It was not the driver's fault though.
God ensured safety even though we had to go through a moment of uncertainity. I make it a point to regularly pray morning and evening and always before travelling for God to cover me and my family and whatever vehicle I am travelling in, by the blood of Jesus.
Jesus' blood is our protection. I praise God for that.
The Apostle Paul writes,
He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, (2 Corinthians 1:10)
Amen to that.
Six of us doctors were travelling back to our homes after the evening shift at the clinic on September 19th 2011. It was around 9 pm and we were travelling at a casual speed. It was a clear night and I was sitting in the front with the driver looking at the scenes that passed by. Reaching a round-about, I could see that the road ahead was wet and as soon as the van went over that area, the vehicle started swerving to the left and right alternately like a drunk. It was then we realized that it was oil and not water that must have spilled from tanker or other vehicle. For a moment, we felt that we were all facing a major disaster or death itself, for the van would overturn or be hit by another vehicle. But after a while the vehicle steadied and we continued the rest of the journey without further problems.
I noted several things here. There were no vehicles ahead of us or to the left or right. There were a few vehicles behind us but not very close. In fact one of the drivers later came along at our right side and showed an action to our driver asking whether he was crazy. It was not the driver's fault though.
God ensured safety even though we had to go through a moment of uncertainity. I make it a point to regularly pray morning and evening and always before travelling for God to cover me and my family and whatever vehicle I am travelling in, by the blood of Jesus.
Jesus' blood is our protection. I praise God for that.
The Apostle Paul writes,
He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, (2 Corinthians 1:10)
Amen to that.
Thoughts on praise-12
When David heard that Nabal was dead, he said, "Praise be to the LORD, who has upheld my cause against Nabal for treating me with contempt. He has kept his servant from doing wrong and has brought Nabal's wrongdoing down on his own head.".... (1 Samuel 25:39)
Isnt' it wonderful that God upholds our cause? God restrained David from doing wrong and he does that in our lives too as believers. The Psalmist says in Psalm 125,
The scepter of the wicked will not remain over the land allotted to the righteous, for then the righteous might use their hands to do evil. (v3)
Often evil forces instigate us to do wrong, but the Holy Spirit is the one who restrains us. When other people wrong us, we may feel like retaliating with words or actions that God would not approve of. In these circumstances, the Counsellor, the Holy Spirit restrains us from doing wrong. He reminds us of what God would want us to say or do in those circumstances. If we do not follow the advice given to us by the Holy Spirit, then we bind God's hands from restraining those who work against us. But if follow the leading of the Holy Spirit and restrain ourselves, then God will deal in his inimitable ways with those who work against us.
David sang many a time regarding God upholding his cause.
My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me. (Psalm 63:8)
I know that the LORD secures justice for the poor and upholds the cause of the needy. (Psalm 140:12)
The LORD upholds all those who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down. (Psalm 145:14)
We must be thankful to God always for he upholds our cause at all times.
Praise: O Triune God, I praise you because you uphold my cause and keep me from doing wrong.
Isnt' it wonderful that God upholds our cause? God restrained David from doing wrong and he does that in our lives too as believers. The Psalmist says in Psalm 125,
The scepter of the wicked will not remain over the land allotted to the righteous, for then the righteous might use their hands to do evil. (v3)
Often evil forces instigate us to do wrong, but the Holy Spirit is the one who restrains us. When other people wrong us, we may feel like retaliating with words or actions that God would not approve of. In these circumstances, the Counsellor, the Holy Spirit restrains us from doing wrong. He reminds us of what God would want us to say or do in those circumstances. If we do not follow the advice given to us by the Holy Spirit, then we bind God's hands from restraining those who work against us. But if follow the leading of the Holy Spirit and restrain ourselves, then God will deal in his inimitable ways with those who work against us.
David sang many a time regarding God upholding his cause.
My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me. (Psalm 63:8)
I know that the LORD secures justice for the poor and upholds the cause of the needy. (Psalm 140:12)
The LORD upholds all those who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down. (Psalm 145:14)
We must be thankful to God always for he upholds our cause at all times.
Praise: O Triune God, I praise you because you uphold my cause and keep me from doing wrong.
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Thoughts on praise-11
David said to Abigail, "Praise be to the LORD, the God of Israel, who has sent you today to meet me." (1 Samuel 25:32)
David gives praise and credit to God for sending Abigail, Nabal's wife to him; for if she had not come, David would have killed all the males in Nabal's entire family for treating him with disdain. In David's own words.....
May you be blessed for your good judgment and for keeping me from bloodshed this day and from avenging myself with my own hands. Otherwise, as surely as the LORD, the God of Israel, lives, who has kept me from harming you, if you had not come quickly to meet me, not one male belonging to Nabal would have been left alive by daybreak. (1 Samuel 25:33, 34)
When Joseph's brother's decided to kill him, God touched Reuben's heart and he said,
"Let's not take his life," "Don't shed any blood. Throw him into this cistern here in the desert, but don't lay a hand on him."
Later Judah spoke and said,
"What will we gain if we kill our brother and cover up his blood? Come, let's sell him to the Ishmaelites and not lay our hands on him; after all, he is our brother, our own flesh and blood." His brothers agreed.
Thus started Joseph's journey to Egypt under God's watchful eyes.
God arranges many things for us, though we do not often realise it or acknowledge it. He often works quietly and circumstances that we think as coincidences are matters perfectly planned by God for our betterment.
Jesus said,
"My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I, too, am working." (John 5:17)
Praise: O Triune God, I praise you because you are always watching over me and working towards the fulfillment of your plans for my life.
David gives praise and credit to God for sending Abigail, Nabal's wife to him; for if she had not come, David would have killed all the males in Nabal's entire family for treating him with disdain. In David's own words.....
May you be blessed for your good judgment and for keeping me from bloodshed this day and from avenging myself with my own hands. Otherwise, as surely as the LORD, the God of Israel, lives, who has kept me from harming you, if you had not come quickly to meet me, not one male belonging to Nabal would have been left alive by daybreak. (1 Samuel 25:33, 34)
When Joseph's brother's decided to kill him, God touched Reuben's heart and he said,
"Let's not take his life," "Don't shed any blood. Throw him into this cistern here in the desert, but don't lay a hand on him."
Later Judah spoke and said,
"What will we gain if we kill our brother and cover up his blood? Come, let's sell him to the Ishmaelites and not lay our hands on him; after all, he is our brother, our own flesh and blood." His brothers agreed.
Thus started Joseph's journey to Egypt under God's watchful eyes.
God arranges many things for us, though we do not often realise it or acknowledge it. He often works quietly and circumstances that we think as coincidences are matters perfectly planned by God for our betterment.
Jesus said,
"My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I, too, am working." (John 5:17)
Praise: O Triune God, I praise you because you are always watching over me and working towards the fulfillment of your plans for my life.
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Giving Thanks
He told the crowd to sit down on the ground. When he had taken the seven loaves and given thanks, he broke them and gave them to his disciples to set before the people, and they did so. They had a few small fish as well; he gave thanks for them also and told the disciples to distribute them. (Mark 8:6, 7)
I had a question for Jesus sometime back when my salary was delayed. I had been praying regularly regarding my salary and tithing and giving to the poor and needy. I had not withheld what I was to give others lawfully. Then why was my salary being delayed? Not once but every month for several months. And he answered me through the verses given above.
Giving thanks for what little was available was what Jesus did when he had to provide for more than 4000 people. And he did the same when he had to feed more than 5000.
The latter miracle is mentioned by all 4 gospel writers. Mark writes,
"Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to his disciples to set before the people. He also divided the two fish among them all." (Mark 6:41)
Of course, we may give thanks when we get what we ask for, but God expects a heart full of gratitude when we have little too. The little that Jesus was given in his hands (7 loaves and a few fish) (5 loaves and 2 fish) were multiplied when Jesus gave thanks to the father in heaven. And the best part of the miracles were that.......
Afterward the disciples picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. (Mark 8:8)
They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces of bread and fish. (Mark 6:42, 43).......The people ate and were satisfied.
Satisfaction & some left overs......May God be glorified.
I had a question for Jesus sometime back when my salary was delayed. I had been praying regularly regarding my salary and tithing and giving to the poor and needy. I had not withheld what I was to give others lawfully. Then why was my salary being delayed? Not once but every month for several months. And he answered me through the verses given above.
Giving thanks for what little was available was what Jesus did when he had to provide for more than 4000 people. And he did the same when he had to feed more than 5000.
The latter miracle is mentioned by all 4 gospel writers. Mark writes,
"Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to his disciples to set before the people. He also divided the two fish among them all." (Mark 6:41)
Of course, we may give thanks when we get what we ask for, but God expects a heart full of gratitude when we have little too. The little that Jesus was given in his hands (7 loaves and a few fish) (5 loaves and 2 fish) were multiplied when Jesus gave thanks to the father in heaven. And the best part of the miracles were that.......
Afterward the disciples picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. (Mark 8:8)
They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces of bread and fish. (Mark 6:42, 43).......The people ate and were satisfied.
Satisfaction & some left overs......May God be glorified.
Monday, September 12, 2011
Thoughts on praise- 10
The women said to Naomi: "Praise be to the Lord, who this day has not left you without a kinsman-redeemer. May he become famous throughout Israel!" (Ruth 4:14)
Naomi had suffered much. Her husband and 2 sons had died in a foreign land and she had come back to Bethlehem as a woman without much to hope in, except Ruth, one of her daughter-in-law's who chose to stay beside her, come what may.
We read in Ruth Ch.1.
So the two women went on until they came to Bethlehem. When they arrived in Bethlehem, the whole town was stirred because of them, and the women exclaimed, "Can this be Naomi?" "Don't call me Naomi, " she told them. "Call me Mara, because the Almighty has made my life very bitter. (Ruth 1:19, 20)
But then things changed dramatically for Naomi and Ruth. Ruth went to pick up leftover grain from the fields and found herself working in a field belonging to Boaz, a relative of Naomi's husband Elimelech. Boaz was kind to her and told her:
"My daughter, listen to me. Don't go and glean in another field and don't go away from here. Stay here with my servant girls. (Ruth 2:8)
Boaz became Naomi and Ruth's kinsman-redeemer and he married Ruth, who gave birth to a son whom they named Obed. Naomi found comfort and joy in her grief from Ruth, Boaz and Obed.
The women praised God for his goodness to Naomi by granting her a kinsman-redeemer.
Praise: O Triune God, I praise you because you comfort me in my sufferings in ways only you can. I praise you because you grant me joy when I am grieved.
Naomi had suffered much. Her husband and 2 sons had died in a foreign land and she had come back to Bethlehem as a woman without much to hope in, except Ruth, one of her daughter-in-law's who chose to stay beside her, come what may.
We read in Ruth Ch.1.
So the two women went on until they came to Bethlehem. When they arrived in Bethlehem, the whole town was stirred because of them, and the women exclaimed, "Can this be Naomi?" "Don't call me Naomi, " she told them. "Call me Mara, because the Almighty has made my life very bitter. (Ruth 1:19, 20)
But then things changed dramatically for Naomi and Ruth. Ruth went to pick up leftover grain from the fields and found herself working in a field belonging to Boaz, a relative of Naomi's husband Elimelech. Boaz was kind to her and told her:
"My daughter, listen to me. Don't go and glean in another field and don't go away from here. Stay here with my servant girls. (Ruth 2:8)
Boaz became Naomi and Ruth's kinsman-redeemer and he married Ruth, who gave birth to a son whom they named Obed. Naomi found comfort and joy in her grief from Ruth, Boaz and Obed.
The women praised God for his goodness to Naomi by granting her a kinsman-redeemer.
Praise: O Triune God, I praise you because you comfort me in my sufferings in ways only you can. I praise you because you grant me joy when I am grieved.
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Thoughts on praise- 9
On that day Deborah and Barak son of Abinoam sang this song: "When the princes in Israel take the lead, when the people willingly offer themselves - praise the Lord!" (Judges 5:1, 2)
Willingly offering ourselves......is what God desires from each one of us.
There was a call from Deborah the prophetess and Barak to the tribes of Israel to assemble for war against the Canaanite king and his army.
Some of them were reluctant to go but others offered themselves willingly.
Deborah sang regarding their willingness and reluctance in this manner:
The princes of Issachar were with Deborah; yes, Issachar was with Barak, rushing after him into the valley. In the districts of Reuben there was much searching of heart.
Why did you stay among the campfires to hear the whistling for the flocks? In the districts of Reuben there was much searching of heart. Gilead stayed beyond the Jordan. And Dan, why did he linger by the ships? Asher remained on the coast and stayed in his coves. The people of Zebulun risked their very lives; so did Naphtali on the heights of the field. (Judges 5:15-18)
Deborah again praised the Lord for those who were willing.
My heart is with Israel's princes, with the willing volunteers among the people. Praise the Lord! (Judges 5:9)
Are you offering yourself willingly to do the work that the Lord has called you to? Or are you doing it reluctantly?
Praise God if you are doing it willingly. If not, you need to search your heart as to why you are reluctant after all that he has done for you.
Praise: O Triune God, I praise you for your servants who grant themselves willingly to the work that you have called them to.
Willingly offering ourselves......is what God desires from each one of us.
There was a call from Deborah the prophetess and Barak to the tribes of Israel to assemble for war against the Canaanite king and his army.
Some of them were reluctant to go but others offered themselves willingly.
Deborah sang regarding their willingness and reluctance in this manner:
The princes of Issachar were with Deborah; yes, Issachar was with Barak, rushing after him into the valley. In the districts of Reuben there was much searching of heart.
Why did you stay among the campfires to hear the whistling for the flocks? In the districts of Reuben there was much searching of heart. Gilead stayed beyond the Jordan. And Dan, why did he linger by the ships? Asher remained on the coast and stayed in his coves. The people of Zebulun risked their very lives; so did Naphtali on the heights of the field. (Judges 5:15-18)
Deborah again praised the Lord for those who were willing.
My heart is with Israel's princes, with the willing volunteers among the people. Praise the Lord! (Judges 5:9)
Are you offering yourself willingly to do the work that the Lord has called you to? Or are you doing it reluctantly?
Praise God if you are doing it willingly. If not, you need to search your heart as to why you are reluctant after all that he has done for you.
Praise: O Triune God, I praise you for your servants who grant themselves willingly to the work that you have called them to.
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Stunned!
They told him, "Joseph is still alive! In fact, he is ruler of all Egypt." Jacob was stunned; he did not believe them. (Genesis 45:26)
The pistol shrimp is an amazing creature. It makes communication sounds by snapping it's claws. But it does something far more profitable using the same claws. It uses the claw as a weapon that can stun smaller shrimps by dealing a deadly blow. It cocks it's claw like a pistol and then fires at it's prey stunning it. As the claw snaps shut, it fires a burst of bubbles. As the bubbles collapse, they temporarily reach a very high temperature and the resultant shockwave stuns the prey and the pistol shrimp has a hearty meal.
Consider these two breaking news that Jacob heard from his sons:
They took the ornamented robe back to their father and said, "We found this. Examine it to see whether it is your son's robe." He recognized it and said, "It is my son's robe! Some ferocious animal has devoured him. Joseph has surely been torn to pieces." (Genesis 37:32,33)
So they went up out of Egypt and came to their father Jacob in the land of Canaan. They told him, "Joseph is still alive! In fact, he is ruler of all Egypt." Jacob was stunned; he did not believe them. (Genesis 45:25,26)
Jacob was stunned; first when his sons lied to him regarding Joseph's death and then when they told him the truth regarding Joseph being alive as ruler in Egypt. Imagine Jacob lamenting for 22 years even though his son Joseph was alive. Some people lie for their own profit or to hide their wrongdoings. We must be careful of them to avoid unwanted misery.
The Holy Spirit will guide us in all things..i.e. if we let him.
The pistol shrimp is an amazing creature. It makes communication sounds by snapping it's claws. But it does something far more profitable using the same claws. It uses the claw as a weapon that can stun smaller shrimps by dealing a deadly blow. It cocks it's claw like a pistol and then fires at it's prey stunning it. As the claw snaps shut, it fires a burst of bubbles. As the bubbles collapse, they temporarily reach a very high temperature and the resultant shockwave stuns the prey and the pistol shrimp has a hearty meal.
Consider these two breaking news that Jacob heard from his sons:
They took the ornamented robe back to their father and said, "We found this. Examine it to see whether it is your son's robe." He recognized it and said, "It is my son's robe! Some ferocious animal has devoured him. Joseph has surely been torn to pieces." (Genesis 37:32,33)
So they went up out of Egypt and came to their father Jacob in the land of Canaan. They told him, "Joseph is still alive! In fact, he is ruler of all Egypt." Jacob was stunned; he did not believe them. (Genesis 45:25,26)
Jacob was stunned; first when his sons lied to him regarding Joseph's death and then when they told him the truth regarding Joseph being alive as ruler in Egypt. Imagine Jacob lamenting for 22 years even though his son Joseph was alive. Some people lie for their own profit or to hide their wrongdoings. We must be careful of them to avoid unwanted misery.
The Holy Spirit will guide us in all things..i.e. if we let him.
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Thoughts on praise- 8
I will proclaim the name of the Lord. Oh, praise the greatness of our God! (Deuteronomy 32:3)
Moses was 120 years old. It had been a long journey for him leading the people of God through the wilderness for the last 40 years of his life. Moses proclaimed that God's works are perfect and all his ways are just. He confessed that God is faithful, he does no wrong and that he is upright and just.
Moses reminded the Israelites the goodness of God in the midst of their unfaithfulness.
"For the Lord's portion is his people, Jacob his allotted inheritance. In a desert land he found him, in a barren and howling waste. He shielded him and cared for him; he guarded him as the apple of his eye, like an eagle that stirs up its nest and hovers over its young, that spreads its wings to catch them and carries them on its pinions." (Deuteronomy 32:11)
God sheilded them and cared for them. He guarded them as the apple of his eye. He made his people ride on the heights of the land and fed them with the fruit of the fields. He nourished them with honey from the rock, and with oil from the flinty crag, with curds and milk from herd and flock and with fattened lambs and goats, with choice rams of Bashan and the finest kernels of wheat.
God is your shield if you have trusted in him. He will guard you as the apple of his eye. Praise him for his faithfulness.
Praise: O Triune God, I praise you because your works are perfect, your ways are just, you are faithful and you do no wrong. I praise you because you are upright.
Moses was 120 years old. It had been a long journey for him leading the people of God through the wilderness for the last 40 years of his life. Moses proclaimed that God's works are perfect and all his ways are just. He confessed that God is faithful, he does no wrong and that he is upright and just.
Moses reminded the Israelites the goodness of God in the midst of their unfaithfulness.
"For the Lord's portion is his people, Jacob his allotted inheritance. In a desert land he found him, in a barren and howling waste. He shielded him and cared for him; he guarded him as the apple of his eye, like an eagle that stirs up its nest and hovers over its young, that spreads its wings to catch them and carries them on its pinions." (Deuteronomy 32:11)
God sheilded them and cared for them. He guarded them as the apple of his eye. He made his people ride on the heights of the land and fed them with the fruit of the fields. He nourished them with honey from the rock, and with oil from the flinty crag, with curds and milk from herd and flock and with fattened lambs and goats, with choice rams of Bashan and the finest kernels of wheat.
God is your shield if you have trusted in him. He will guard you as the apple of his eye. Praise him for his faithfulness.
Praise: O Triune God, I praise you because your works are perfect, your ways are just, you are faithful and you do no wrong. I praise you because you are upright.
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
One wrong turn!
The other Jews joined him in his hypocrisy, so that by their hypocrisy even Barnabas was led astray. (Galatians 2:13)
A learner driver took a wrong turn during her driving lesson in Austria and landed up in a fast flowing river. The 17 year old had just crossed a bridge over the River Enns with her dad in the passenger seat when she suddenly turned straight back to the river bank. Her father's friends rescued the pair after they realised they were trapped in the river and dialled 999.
Sometimes things happen when we least expect it. Often it may be due to some carelessness like it happened in the case of this new learner driver. There are many things that believer's tend to do carelessly and land up in trouble. The Apostle Paul writes about Peter the Apostle who was not careful regarding his being a right example to other believers at a timepoint in his ministry.
Paul writes,
"When Peter came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he was clearly in the wrong. Before certain men came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles. But when they arrived, he began to draw back and separate himself from the Gentiles because he was afraid of those who belonged to the circumcision group. The other Jews joined him in his hypocrisy, so that by their hypocrisy even Barnabas was led astray. When I saw that they were not acting in line with the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter in front of them all, "You are a Jew, yet you live like a Gentile and not like a Jew. How is it, then, that you force Gentiles to follow Jewish customs? "We who are Jews by birth and not 'Gentile sinners' know that a man is not justified by observing the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by observing the law, because by observing the law no one will be justified." (Galatians 2:11-16)
If we are careful, we can avoid unwanted troubles that not only makes us miserable but also brings misery to others.
A learner driver took a wrong turn during her driving lesson in Austria and landed up in a fast flowing river. The 17 year old had just crossed a bridge over the River Enns with her dad in the passenger seat when she suddenly turned straight back to the river bank. Her father's friends rescued the pair after they realised they were trapped in the river and dialled 999.
Sometimes things happen when we least expect it. Often it may be due to some carelessness like it happened in the case of this new learner driver. There are many things that believer's tend to do carelessly and land up in trouble. The Apostle Paul writes about Peter the Apostle who was not careful regarding his being a right example to other believers at a timepoint in his ministry.
Paul writes,
"When Peter came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he was clearly in the wrong. Before certain men came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles. But when they arrived, he began to draw back and separate himself from the Gentiles because he was afraid of those who belonged to the circumcision group. The other Jews joined him in his hypocrisy, so that by their hypocrisy even Barnabas was led astray. When I saw that they were not acting in line with the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter in front of them all, "You are a Jew, yet you live like a Gentile and not like a Jew. How is it, then, that you force Gentiles to follow Jewish customs? "We who are Jews by birth and not 'Gentile sinners' know that a man is not justified by observing the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by observing the law, because by observing the law no one will be justified." (Galatians 2:11-16)
If we are careful, we can avoid unwanted troubles that not only makes us miserable but also brings misery to others.
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Thoughts on praise- 7
He is your praise; he is your God, who performed for you those great and awesome wonders you saw with your own eyes. (Deuteronomy 10:21)
The book of Deuteronomy, known as Devarim in Hebrew, is a review of the laws in the previous 3 books of the Bible, namely Exodus, Leviticus and Numbers. Traditionally, it's contents were spoken by Moses during the last 37 days of his life, after which he died in the 40th year following the exodus from Egypt.
The last 40 years of Moses' life was so very different from the first and second 40 years. The first 40 years he spent in Pharaoh's palace, the second 40 years in Midian where he married and had two children and the last 40 years in the wilderness, travelling to and leading the Israelites to the promised land. But the experiences of the first 80 years of his life was nothing compared to the awesome experiences in the last 40 years. Moses had close fellowship with God as a man has with his friend.
The Israelites on the other hand were out of slavery and bondage and experienced the mighty acts of God on their behalf. Moses recounted the great works of God and told them that "God is their praise."
It's always good to reminisce God's wonders on our behalf and praise him for it.
Is God your praise too? Or have you given that place to someone else? Perhaps a friend or a member of your family or a relative? Remember, no one can love you more than God does, so make him your praise, if you haven't already done so.
Praise: O Triune God, I praise you because you are my praise. I praise you for your great and awesome wonders on my behalf.
The book of Deuteronomy, known as Devarim in Hebrew, is a review of the laws in the previous 3 books of the Bible, namely Exodus, Leviticus and Numbers. Traditionally, it's contents were spoken by Moses during the last 37 days of his life, after which he died in the 40th year following the exodus from Egypt.
The last 40 years of Moses' life was so very different from the first and second 40 years. The first 40 years he spent in Pharaoh's palace, the second 40 years in Midian where he married and had two children and the last 40 years in the wilderness, travelling to and leading the Israelites to the promised land. But the experiences of the first 80 years of his life was nothing compared to the awesome experiences in the last 40 years. Moses had close fellowship with God as a man has with his friend.
The Israelites on the other hand were out of slavery and bondage and experienced the mighty acts of God on their behalf. Moses recounted the great works of God and told them that "God is their praise."
It's always good to reminisce God's wonders on our behalf and praise him for it.
Is God your praise too? Or have you given that place to someone else? Perhaps a friend or a member of your family or a relative? Remember, no one can love you more than God does, so make him your praise, if you haven't already done so.
Praise: O Triune God, I praise you because you are my praise. I praise you for your great and awesome wonders on my behalf.
Sunday, September 4, 2011
God is merciful!
Before very long, a wind of hurricane force, called the "northeaster," swept down from the island. (Acts 27:14)
'Dawazi' or high-wire walking is a traditional stunt with a long history in Xinjiang, China. A Chinese high-wire artist lost his footing as he attempted to walk across a tightrope 100m above the ground with no safety net in August 2011. Strong winds left him desperately clinging on to the 15m long steel wire in front of stunned onlookers in China's Hunan Province. The wire was attached to two hot air balloons which were affected by the winds. After successfully walking across the wire at 30m in just five minutes, he took on the 100m challenge. He failed.
The man failed in his attempt because of strong winds. He must have been disappointed but surely he would try again. Luke, the physician and Paul, the apostle were on a ship, travelling to Rome but as Luke writes in the book of Acts, the winds were against them and they landed in trouble. Deep trouble, in fact. The "northeaster" or "Euroclydon" hit them hard.
Luke writes,
We took such a violent battering from the storm that the next day they began to throw the cargo overboard. On the third day, they threw the ship's tackle overboard with their own hands. When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days and the storm continued raging, we finally gave up all hope of being saved. (Acts 27:18-20)
They gave up all hope of being saved. They were at their wits end. But God was in their midst during the crisis and saved them in his mercy. None of the people on the ship lost their lives though the ship was destroyed. Paul and Luke were saved miraculously by God.
God is merciful. He saves us just in the nick of time from so many perils. We can sing along with the Psalmist regarding God's mercies in our lives too.
I will sing of the mercies of the LORD for ever: with my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations. (Psalm 89:1)
'Dawazi' or high-wire walking is a traditional stunt with a long history in Xinjiang, China. A Chinese high-wire artist lost his footing as he attempted to walk across a tightrope 100m above the ground with no safety net in August 2011. Strong winds left him desperately clinging on to the 15m long steel wire in front of stunned onlookers in China's Hunan Province. The wire was attached to two hot air balloons which were affected by the winds. After successfully walking across the wire at 30m in just five minutes, he took on the 100m challenge. He failed.
The man failed in his attempt because of strong winds. He must have been disappointed but surely he would try again. Luke, the physician and Paul, the apostle were on a ship, travelling to Rome but as Luke writes in the book of Acts, the winds were against them and they landed in trouble. Deep trouble, in fact. The "northeaster" or "Euroclydon" hit them hard.
Luke writes,
We took such a violent battering from the storm that the next day they began to throw the cargo overboard. On the third day, they threw the ship's tackle overboard with their own hands. When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days and the storm continued raging, we finally gave up all hope of being saved. (Acts 27:18-20)
They gave up all hope of being saved. They were at their wits end. But God was in their midst during the crisis and saved them in his mercy. None of the people on the ship lost their lives though the ship was destroyed. Paul and Luke were saved miraculously by God.
God is merciful. He saves us just in the nick of time from so many perils. We can sing along with the Psalmist regarding God's mercies in our lives too.
I will sing of the mercies of the LORD for ever: with my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations. (Psalm 89:1)
Saturday, September 3, 2011
Mahatwam Yahova Eere- Malayalam Christian Song
Do not neglect your gift!
Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through a prophetic message when the body of elders laid their hands on you. (1 Timothy 4:14)
Kann Trichan of Chiang Mai, Thailand, has the nickname "Superhands" for his amazing ability to scoop up pieces of chicken from burning-hot oil with his bare hands. He holds the Guinness Record for picking 20 pieces of chicken from oil heated to 480 degrees Celcius, in just one minute. He says he can feel the oil is hot when he dips his hands in it, but it simply leaves no damage. His amazing ability has won him international fame. People from all over the world come to his “Fried Chicken Iron Hands Man” food stall to see Kann use his hands to scoop out the chicken and he and his wife travel all around the world showing off his gift. "Superhands" has no idea why he can do what he does, but he’s just happy it brings a lot more customers for his business.
None of us, I guess can equal or even come anywhere near this man in his unique ability; but there's one thing noticable. He's putting his gift to good use even if it is for his own good.
Christian believers too have God given gifts, but many neglect these gifts. Gifts which can be vital in strengthening other believers spiritually. Paul, the Apostle, is advising Timothy (title verse) not to neglect the gift that was bestowed upon him. Infact, he advices him to fan into flame, the gift that he has been given by God.
I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. (2 Timothy 1:6)
The Bible speaks in detail of the gifts given to New Testament believers in the 1st book of Corinthians, Chapter 12:4-11. We read of a few more gifts in Romans Chapter 12:6-8.
Using these God given gifts will definitely be a blessing to believers and unbelievers alike, so if you have been given any such gift, fan it into flame. If you feel that you have no such gift (which is unlikely), here is a piece of advice from the Apostle Paul:
Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy. (1 Corinthians 14:1)
Kann Trichan of Chiang Mai, Thailand, has the nickname "Superhands" for his amazing ability to scoop up pieces of chicken from burning-hot oil with his bare hands. He holds the Guinness Record for picking 20 pieces of chicken from oil heated to 480 degrees Celcius, in just one minute. He says he can feel the oil is hot when he dips his hands in it, but it simply leaves no damage. His amazing ability has won him international fame. People from all over the world come to his “Fried Chicken Iron Hands Man” food stall to see Kann use his hands to scoop out the chicken and he and his wife travel all around the world showing off his gift. "Superhands" has no idea why he can do what he does, but he’s just happy it brings a lot more customers for his business.
None of us, I guess can equal or even come anywhere near this man in his unique ability; but there's one thing noticable. He's putting his gift to good use even if it is for his own good.
Christian believers too have God given gifts, but many neglect these gifts. Gifts which can be vital in strengthening other believers spiritually. Paul, the Apostle, is advising Timothy (title verse) not to neglect the gift that was bestowed upon him. Infact, he advices him to fan into flame, the gift that he has been given by God.
I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. (2 Timothy 1:6)
The Bible speaks in detail of the gifts given to New Testament believers in the 1st book of Corinthians, Chapter 12:4-11. We read of a few more gifts in Romans Chapter 12:6-8.
Using these God given gifts will definitely be a blessing to believers and unbelievers alike, so if you have been given any such gift, fan it into flame. If you feel that you have no such gift (which is unlikely), here is a piece of advice from the Apostle Paul:
Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy. (1 Corinthians 14:1)
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Nalla Edayan Yeshu Nathan- Malayalam Christian Song
Training to be godly!
Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives' tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. (1 Timothy 4:7)
In 1955 in a small village in Morocco, 26 year old Zahra Aboutalib was looking forward to giving birth to her first child, but after 48 hours of painful labour, she was rushed to the local hospital where doctors informed her that she would need a caesarean section. She fled the hospital after she saw another woman die in labour. In the ensuing days Zahra continued to suffer severe labour pains but the baby remained in her womb. After a few more days the pains ceased and the baby stopped moving. In Moroccan culture, it is believed that a baby can sleep inside the mother to protect her honour. Zahra believed this myth and put the pregnancy out of her mind. She adopted three children. When Zahra was 75 years old, the pains suddenly returned. Her son took her to a specialist, Professor Taibi Ouazzani who suspected the distended belly was being caused by an ovarian tumour and did an ultra-sound scan which revealed a large mass that he could not identify. He referred Zahra to a specialist radiographer who took a detailed MRI scan to reveal that it was the baby Zahra had conceived 46 years earlier.
The woman in question believed in a myth and it came back to trouble her 46 years later. There are many myths propogated regarding the Christian faith too that people believe in and are led astray. Christians should check what the Word of God says regarding what they are taught and what they hear. The Apostle Paul adviced young Timothy to refrain from going after myths, as we read in the title verse.
Luke, the physician, writes about a good quality of the Bereans.
Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. (Acts 17:11)
Christians should examine the things that they receive as teachings to see whether what they are being taught are true and according to the Word of God.
Test everything. Hold on to the good. (1 Thessalonians 5:21)
In 1955 in a small village in Morocco, 26 year old Zahra Aboutalib was looking forward to giving birth to her first child, but after 48 hours of painful labour, she was rushed to the local hospital where doctors informed her that she would need a caesarean section. She fled the hospital after she saw another woman die in labour. In the ensuing days Zahra continued to suffer severe labour pains but the baby remained in her womb. After a few more days the pains ceased and the baby stopped moving. In Moroccan culture, it is believed that a baby can sleep inside the mother to protect her honour. Zahra believed this myth and put the pregnancy out of her mind. She adopted three children. When Zahra was 75 years old, the pains suddenly returned. Her son took her to a specialist, Professor Taibi Ouazzani who suspected the distended belly was being caused by an ovarian tumour and did an ultra-sound scan which revealed a large mass that he could not identify. He referred Zahra to a specialist radiographer who took a detailed MRI scan to reveal that it was the baby Zahra had conceived 46 years earlier.
The woman in question believed in a myth and it came back to trouble her 46 years later. There are many myths propogated regarding the Christian faith too that people believe in and are led astray. Christians should check what the Word of God says regarding what they are taught and what they hear. The Apostle Paul adviced young Timothy to refrain from going after myths, as we read in the title verse.
Luke, the physician, writes about a good quality of the Bereans.
Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. (Acts 17:11)
Christians should examine the things that they receive as teachings to see whether what they are being taught are true and according to the Word of God.
Test everything. Hold on to the good. (1 Thessalonians 5:21)
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