Sunday, July 31, 2016
Random Thoughts By Dr. Johnson Cherian
Sometime back, I read an article that inspired me much. In 1775, a young preacher named Augustus M. Toplady, was caught in a sudden storm, which forced him to take shelter in a cleft of a huge rock. As he waited for the storm to pass, he thought about how God had been a shelter for him in his life's storms. He found a playing card on the floor of his newly found shelter and wrote the words of the wonderful hymn, “Rock of Ages.” A hymn which has been a source of comfort to countless souls.
The ending stanza says....While I draw this fleeting breath, when mine eyes shall close in death, when I soar to worlds unknown, see thee on thy judgment throne, Rock of Ages, cleft for me, let me hide myself in thee.
Toplady died in 1778. Would he ever have imagined that a couple of centuries later, his hymn would still be sung in homes, churches and conferences. What an awesome blessing; something that no material gift can match.
Our testimony (written, spoken or sung) of the goodness of God is significant; it can do many things....refresh a weary soul, draw someone lost to the Saviour, encourage a depressed believer, challenge a Christian soldier and so much more.
If you ask Christians who Augustus M. Toplady is, not many will tell you. But to the question whether they have sung or heard "Rock of Ages" many will nod affirmatively.
Our testimony will probably outlive us, if the Saviour's return is delayed, and it will be a blessing to many; so let us do the Saviour's bidding while we can.....Remember the Master's words.....
As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. (John 9:4)
The ending stanza says....While I draw this fleeting breath, when mine eyes shall close in death, when I soar to worlds unknown, see thee on thy judgment throne, Rock of Ages, cleft for me, let me hide myself in thee.
Toplady died in 1778. Would he ever have imagined that a couple of centuries later, his hymn would still be sung in homes, churches and conferences. What an awesome blessing; something that no material gift can match.
Our testimony (written, spoken or sung) of the goodness of God is significant; it can do many things....refresh a weary soul, draw someone lost to the Saviour, encourage a depressed believer, challenge a Christian soldier and so much more.
If you ask Christians who Augustus M. Toplady is, not many will tell you. But to the question whether they have sung or heard "Rock of Ages" many will nod affirmatively.
Our testimony will probably outlive us, if the Saviour's return is delayed, and it will be a blessing to many; so let us do the Saviour's bidding while we can.....Remember the Master's words.....
As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. (John 9:4)
Saturday, July 30, 2016
Daily Devotional-5
"When you enter the land and plant any kind of fruit tree, regard its fruit as forbidden. For three years you are to consider it forbidden; it must not be eaten. In the fourth year all its fruit will be holy, an offering of praise to the Lord. But in the fifth year you may eat its fruit. In this way your harvest will be increased. I am the Lord your God.” (Leviticus 19: 23-25)
This was one of the laws that were given by God to the Israelites to obey in the Old Testament. Imagine planting a fruit tree and then waiting for 5 years to eat its fruit. That would surely test our patience. The first three years the fruit was to be considered forbidden. Then in the fourth year the fruit became holy, an offering of praise to the Lord. Finally the fruit was ready to be eaten in the fifth year. A tedious process, but one that God planned for blessing them. For he said, “In this way your harvest will be increased.” He would be checking their obedience.
If believers today were called to obey the laws given to Moses and the Israelites, there would be few to run the race. Thanks be to Jesus that he came and fulfilled the law for us, setting us free and giving us freedom. But should we use this freedom to sin? No, never. Instead we should be always grateful and thankful to God that he has set us apart for himself, paying a heavy price wherein his only begotten son had to cry out to his father, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me.”
The Bible says, “You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love.”(Galatians 5:13)
It also says, “You were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.”(1 Corinthians 6:20)
May the Holy Spirit help us all to be obedient and faithful to God and his Word. God bless.
This was one of the laws that were given by God to the Israelites to obey in the Old Testament. Imagine planting a fruit tree and then waiting for 5 years to eat its fruit. That would surely test our patience. The first three years the fruit was to be considered forbidden. Then in the fourth year the fruit became holy, an offering of praise to the Lord. Finally the fruit was ready to be eaten in the fifth year. A tedious process, but one that God planned for blessing them. For he said, “In this way your harvest will be increased.” He would be checking their obedience.
If believers today were called to obey the laws given to Moses and the Israelites, there would be few to run the race. Thanks be to Jesus that he came and fulfilled the law for us, setting us free and giving us freedom. But should we use this freedom to sin? No, never. Instead we should be always grateful and thankful to God that he has set us apart for himself, paying a heavy price wherein his only begotten son had to cry out to his father, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me.”
The Bible says, “You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love.”(Galatians 5:13)
It also says, “You were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.”(1 Corinthians 6:20)
May the Holy Spirit help us all to be obedient and faithful to God and his Word. God bless.
Friday, July 29, 2016
Daily Devotional-4
Jethro was delighted to hear about all the good things the Lord had done for Israel in rescuing them from the hand of the Egyptians. He said, "Praise be to the Lord, who rescued you from the hand of the Egyptians and of Pharaoh, and who rescued the people from the hand of the Egyptians. Now I know that the Lord is greater than all other gods, for he did this to those who had treated Israel arrogantly." Then Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, brought a burnt offering and other sacrifices to God, and Aaron came with all the elders of Israel to eat bread with Moses' father-in-law in the presence of God. (Exodus 18: 9-12)
Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law or Zipporah’s father praises the Almighty God for his mighty acts in saving Moses and the Israelites from Pharaoh and his army. He has come to a realization here that Moses’ God is greater than all other gods. This happened because of Moses giving his testimony to Jethro. In v. 8 of the same chapter, we read, “Moses told his father-in-law about everything the Lord had done to Pharaoh and the Egyptians for Israel's sake and about all the hardships they had met along the way and how the Lord had saved them.”
Our testimony can work wonders in the lives of people who are yet to know the Lord as we have known. A few words of how the Lord has taken charge of our lives after we have given ourselves to him can sow a seed of the gospel in the hearts of many. Not all may respond positively but we are all called to sow the seed and God will work in his own way in his own time to work out his purposes in that person. Maybe we are the 1st or 15th or 50th person to sow the seed in a person’s heart regarding the agape love of Jesus but it is all very important for God to work in that person’s life. So let’s not shrink back in testifying regarding the wondrous acts of God in our life and let many more praise God and accept Jesus as Savior when they realize the great works of God in our lives. God bless.
Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law or Zipporah’s father praises the Almighty God for his mighty acts in saving Moses and the Israelites from Pharaoh and his army. He has come to a realization here that Moses’ God is greater than all other gods. This happened because of Moses giving his testimony to Jethro. In v. 8 of the same chapter, we read, “Moses told his father-in-law about everything the Lord had done to Pharaoh and the Egyptians for Israel's sake and about all the hardships they had met along the way and how the Lord had saved them.”
Our testimony can work wonders in the lives of people who are yet to know the Lord as we have known. A few words of how the Lord has taken charge of our lives after we have given ourselves to him can sow a seed of the gospel in the hearts of many. Not all may respond positively but we are all called to sow the seed and God will work in his own way in his own time to work out his purposes in that person. Maybe we are the 1st or 15th or 50th person to sow the seed in a person’s heart regarding the agape love of Jesus but it is all very important for God to work in that person’s life. So let’s not shrink back in testifying regarding the wondrous acts of God in our life and let many more praise God and accept Jesus as Savior when they realize the great works of God in our lives. God bless.
Wednesday, July 27, 2016
Daily Devotional-3
The Lord is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him, my father's God, and I will exalt him. (Exodus 15:2)
After witnessing great miracles (the parting of the red sea, the Israelites walking through the sea on dry ground and Pharaoh and his armies being drowned in the sea while pursuing the Israelites) , Moses here exalts the Lord saying that God is his strength and his song and that God has become his salvation.
Has God become your song??
Young men and women often tend to sing about their love, when in love. Where do they find the words? Where do they find the praise? It just flows out of their heart.
When you delight in someone, words come flowing from the depths of the heart.
Moses, here is rejoicing because he and the Israelites had come out victorious from a seemingly impossible situation. The Red sea in front of them and Pharaoh and his armies behind.
God can do the impossible even when all doors seem closed. He’s the one who opened a way in the sea; a way which none of them (the Israelites) saw until it was in front of their eyes. A way in which they were already walking before they realized it. A way that closed as soon as they (the Israelites) had crossed over.
A way that was opened only for them.
Search the Red Sea and you wouldn’t find the path the Israelites trod on, because it was just for them. And so it will be for you. A path through the sea (your problem) in front of you. Please expect the unexpected to happen (for your good) because your God is the one who does not change and rejoice like Moses and the Israelites did when you experience the deliverance you longed for so long. Give your God praise. God bless you.
Tuesday, July 26, 2016
Daily Devotional-2
She conceived again, and when she gave birth to a son she said, “This time I will praise the Lord.” So she named him Judah. Then she stopped having children. (Genesis 29:35)
Every time that Leah bore a son on the previous three occasions, she had a great expectation that at least then her husband would love her. When she bore the first child to Jacob she named him Reuben saying, “It is because the Lord has seen my misery. Surely my husband will love me now.” When she gave birth to a son again, she said, “Because the Lord heard that I am not loved, he gave me this one too and she named him Simeon.” When she gave birth to yet another son, her expectations were very high. She said, “Now at last my husband will become attached to me because I have borne him three sons. So he was named Levi.
But things did not work out for Leah as she expected. Though Jacob had bodily union with Leah, he did not love her or perhaps his love for Rachel was greater and it was evident to all including Leah.
She finally seems to have accepted her (unloved by husband) situation and so when the fourth son was born, she did not expect Jacob to love her any more than he actually was loving her, but she took a decision to praise the Lord instead.
If some situations in your life are seemingly impossible, it is better to concentrate on the Lord and focus upon his goodness and blessings and praise him rather than grumble/worry unduly about things that have not yet worked out. God can do the impossible, but sometimes we have to wait.
Она снова забеременела, и когда она родила сына, она сказала: "На этот раз я буду славить Господа". Так что она назвала его Иуда. Потом она перестала иметь детей. (Бытие 29:35)
Каждый раз, когда Лия родила сына на трех предыдущих случаях, она имела большие надежды, что, по крайней мере, то ее муж будет любить ее. Когда она родила первого ребенка Иакову она назвала его Рувим сказал: "Это потому, что Господь видел мое страдание. Конечно, мой муж будет любить меня теперь. "Когда она родила сына снова, она сказала:« Потому что Господь услышал, что я не любил, он дал мне этот тоже, и она назвала его Симеон. "Когда она родила еще один сын, ее ожидания были очень высоки. Она сказала: "Теперь, наконец, мой муж привяжется ко мне, потому что я родила ему трех сыновей. Так он был назван Леви.
Но все не сработало для Лии, как она ожидала. Хотя у Иакова было телесное единение с Лией, он не любил ее, или, возможно, его любовь к Рахили было больше, и это было очевидно для всех, в том числе Лии.
Она, наконец, кажется, приняли ее (нелюбимый муж) ситуации и поэтому, когда родился четвертый сын, она не ожидала, Джейкоб любить ее больше, чем он на самом деле был любить ее, но она приняла решение славить Господа вместо этого.
Если какие-то ситуации в вашей жизни, казалось бы, невозможно, лучше сосредоточиться на Господа и сосредоточиться на его доброту и благословение и похвалите его, а не ворчать / беспокоиться излишне о вещах, которые еще не разработаны. Бог может сделать невозможное, но иногда нам приходится ждать.
Every time that Leah bore a son on the previous three occasions, she had a great expectation that at least then her husband would love her. When she bore the first child to Jacob she named him Reuben saying, “It is because the Lord has seen my misery. Surely my husband will love me now.” When she gave birth to a son again, she said, “Because the Lord heard that I am not loved, he gave me this one too and she named him Simeon.” When she gave birth to yet another son, her expectations were very high. She said, “Now at last my husband will become attached to me because I have borne him three sons. So he was named Levi.
But things did not work out for Leah as she expected. Though Jacob had bodily union with Leah, he did not love her or perhaps his love for Rachel was greater and it was evident to all including Leah.
She finally seems to have accepted her (unloved by husband) situation and so when the fourth son was born, she did not expect Jacob to love her any more than he actually was loving her, but she took a decision to praise the Lord instead.
If some situations in your life are seemingly impossible, it is better to concentrate on the Lord and focus upon his goodness and blessings and praise him rather than grumble/worry unduly about things that have not yet worked out. God can do the impossible, but sometimes we have to wait.
Она снова забеременела, и когда она родила сына, она сказала: "На этот раз я буду славить Господа". Так что она назвала его Иуда. Потом она перестала иметь детей. (Бытие 29:35)
Каждый раз, когда Лия родила сына на трех предыдущих случаях, она имела большие надежды, что, по крайней мере, то ее муж будет любить ее. Когда она родила первого ребенка Иакову она назвала его Рувим сказал: "Это потому, что Господь видел мое страдание. Конечно, мой муж будет любить меня теперь. "Когда она родила сына снова, она сказала:« Потому что Господь услышал, что я не любил, он дал мне этот тоже, и она назвала его Симеон. "Когда она родила еще один сын, ее ожидания были очень высоки. Она сказала: "Теперь, наконец, мой муж привяжется ко мне, потому что я родила ему трех сыновей. Так он был назван Леви.
Но все не сработало для Лии, как она ожидала. Хотя у Иакова было телесное единение с Лией, он не любил ее, или, возможно, его любовь к Рахили было больше, и это было очевидно для всех, в том числе Лии.
Она, наконец, кажется, приняли ее (нелюбимый муж) ситуации и поэтому, когда родился четвертый сын, она не ожидала, Джейкоб любить ее больше, чем он на самом деле был любить ее, но она приняла решение славить Господа вместо этого.
Если какие-то ситуации в вашей жизни, казалось бы, невозможно, лучше сосредоточиться на Господа и сосредоточиться на его доброту и благословение и похвалите его, а не ворчать / беспокоиться излишне о вещах, которые еще не разработаны. Бог может сделать невозможное, но иногда нам приходится ждать.
Monday, July 25, 2016
Daily Devotional
"Praise be to the Lord, the God of my master Abraham, who has not abandoned his kindness and faithfulness to my master. As for me, the Lord has led me on the journey to the house of my master's relatives." (Genesis 24:27)
Eleazer here is praising God for helping him in his journey and leading him to the house of Abraham's relatives. Abraham had specifically told him, " go to my country and my own relatives and get a wife for my son Isaac. (Genesis 24:4)"
That "God hears and answers prayer" is very evident in the situation here and Eleazer first mentions God not abandoning his kindness and faithfulness to Abraham even in his old age.
God is faithful; whatever be your age, trust in him. He will be with you till the end, never leaving you nor forsaking you.
"Хвала Господу, Бог господина моего Авраама, который не отказался от своей доброты и верности к господину моему. Что касается меня, Господь привел меня на пути к дому родственников моего хозяина». (Бытие 24:27)
Eleazer здесь хваля Бога за помощь ему в его путешествии и ведя его к дому родственников Авраама. Авраам определенно сказал ему: "Иди в мою страну и моих собственных родственников и получить жену для моего сына Исаака. (Бытие 24: 4)"
Что "Бог слышит и отвечает на молитву" Совершенно очевидно, в ситуации здесь и Елеазар первые упоминания Бог не отказывается от своей доброты и верности Аврааму даже в старости.
Бог верен; каков бы ни был ваш возраст, доверие к нему. Он будет с вами до конца, никогда не оставлю тебя и не оставление вас.
Eleazer here is praising God for helping him in his journey and leading him to the house of Abraham's relatives. Abraham had specifically told him, " go to my country and my own relatives and get a wife for my son Isaac. (Genesis 24:4)"
That "God hears and answers prayer" is very evident in the situation here and Eleazer first mentions God not abandoning his kindness and faithfulness to Abraham even in his old age.
God is faithful; whatever be your age, trust in him. He will be with you till the end, never leaving you nor forsaking you.
"Хвала Господу, Бог господина моего Авраама, который не отказался от своей доброты и верности к господину моему. Что касается меня, Господь привел меня на пути к дому родственников моего хозяина». (Бытие 24:27)
Eleazer здесь хваля Бога за помощь ему в его путешествии и ведя его к дому родственников Авраама. Авраам определенно сказал ему: "Иди в мою страну и моих собственных родственников и получить жену для моего сына Исаака. (Бытие 24: 4)"
Что "Бог слышит и отвечает на молитву" Совершенно очевидно, в ситуации здесь и Елеазар первые упоминания Бог не отказывается от своей доброты и верности Аврааму даже в старости.
Бог верен; каков бы ни был ваш возраст, доверие к нему. Он будет с вами до конца, никогда не оставлю тебя и не оставление вас.
Sunday, July 24, 2016
Saturday, July 23, 2016
Friday, July 22, 2016
Tuesday, July 19, 2016
Sunday, July 17, 2016
Saturday, July 16, 2016
Friday, July 15, 2016
Thursday, July 14, 2016
Sunday, July 10, 2016
Friday, July 8, 2016
Thursday, July 7, 2016
Wednesday, July 6, 2016
Tuesday, July 5, 2016
Christian Thoughts- Dr. Johnson Cherian- 05-07-2016
I have a 26 year old female patient who has hypothyroidism, multiple joint pains, a left kidney stone, a bony growth on her left hand and she is on many medications which have many side effects. She and her husband are born again believers and have a 2 year old child. She has been diagnosed with autoimmune disorder (An autoimmune disorder is one in which the body's immune system attacks and destroys healthy body tissue). Medically, the prognosis doesn't look pretty, but they are praying.
How are you this day? If in better health than her, praise God. Grumbling comes easy to some of us, even though we enjoy relatively good health and have many other blessings. It's not that those who suffer from multiple sicknesses are worse sinners and those who are in good health are the holy ones. There are many causes of sicknesses, some not yet identified.
If you are sick presently, know that there are others suffering too, some probably in a more worse condition than you. Healing can come through medicines or supernaturally and it may come soon or may take a while. You need to stay focused on Jesus, your Savior, the author and finisher of your faith. He says, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28)
How are you this day? If in better health than her, praise God. Grumbling comes easy to some of us, even though we enjoy relatively good health and have many other blessings. It's not that those who suffer from multiple sicknesses are worse sinners and those who are in good health are the holy ones. There are many causes of sicknesses, some not yet identified.
If you are sick presently, know that there are others suffering too, some probably in a more worse condition than you. Healing can come through medicines or supernaturally and it may come soon or may take a while. You need to stay focused on Jesus, your Savior, the author and finisher of your faith. He says, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28)
Monday, July 4, 2016
Christian Thoughts- Dr. Johnson Cherian- 04-07-2016
The elder unto the wellbeloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth. Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. (3 John 1:1, 2)
Gaius was a dear friend of Apostle John and a member of a church (probably in Asia Minor)which John supervised. In his letter, John commends Gaius for his hospitality to traveling preachers of the gospel, for his faithfulness and for his love. In the above verses, we read of John wishing him well--Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.
Sickness and weakness plague all who are born on earth and even the strongest are not spared. But a believer in Jesus Christ has a hope that one day his/her mortal earthly body will be changed to a glorious body that never ails or is weak. That is a thought worth cherishing. As the Apostle Paul writes to the believers in Corinth..
For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. (2 Corinthians 5:1)
John wished above all things that his friend Gaius may prosper and be in health as his soul was prospering. We can wish the same for our brothers and sisters in Christ. Though they be suffering, a few kind words can bring healing to their minds, if not their bodies.
Gaius was a dear friend of Apostle John and a member of a church (probably in Asia Minor)which John supervised. In his letter, John commends Gaius for his hospitality to traveling preachers of the gospel, for his faithfulness and for his love. In the above verses, we read of John wishing him well--Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.
Sickness and weakness plague all who are born on earth and even the strongest are not spared. But a believer in Jesus Christ has a hope that one day his/her mortal earthly body will be changed to a glorious body that never ails or is weak. That is a thought worth cherishing. As the Apostle Paul writes to the believers in Corinth..
For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. (2 Corinthians 5:1)
John wished above all things that his friend Gaius may prosper and be in health as his soul was prospering. We can wish the same for our brothers and sisters in Christ. Though they be suffering, a few kind words can bring healing to their minds, if not their bodies.
Sunday, July 3, 2016
Christian Thoughts- Dr. Johnson Cherian- 03/07/2016
In accordance with the Lord's command to him, Joshua gave to Caleb son of Jephunneh a portion in Judah - Kiriath Arba, that is, Hebron. (Joshua 15:13)
When they had finished dividing the land into its allotted portions, the Israelites gave Joshua son of Nun an inheritance among them, as the Lord had commanded. They gave him the town he asked for - Timnath Serah in the hill country of Ephraim. And he built up the town and settled there. (Joshua 19:49, 50)
From among the tens of thousands of Israelites who set out of Egypt, Caleb and Joshua were the only two elderly who entered the promised land of Canaan after a trek of 40 years through the wilderness. All others who entered the promised land were below 20 years of age. Caleb received his inheritance in the promised land early, but it was only at the very end of the allotment of the land that Joshua received his inheritance.
Was God partial? Did he favor Caleb more than Joshua? Would seem so....and sometimes we may feel that God is favoring other believers more than us. But the fact is that God has no favorites. He loves you as much as he loves the next believer. This side of eternity, we may not understand many things, but when we enter eternity in heaven, we will understand things clearly. As of now, we trust in God Almighty of whom the Apostle Paul writes,
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28)
Christian Thoughts- Dr. Johnson Cherian- 03/07/2016
When they had finished dividing the land into its allotted portions, the Israelites gave Joshua son of Nun an inheritance among them, as the Lord had commanded. They gave him the town he asked for - Timnath Serah in the hill country of Ephraim. And he built up the town and settled there. (Joshua 19:49, 50)
From among the tens of thousands of Israelites who set out of Egypt, Caleb and Joshua were the only two elderly who entered the promised land of Canaan after a trek of 40 years through the wilderness. All others who entered the promised land were below 20 years of age. Caleb received his inheritance in the promised land early, but it was only at the very end of the allotment of the land that Joshua received his inheritance.
Was God partial? Did he favor Caleb more than Joshua? Would seem so....and sometimes we may feel that God is favoring other believers more than us. But the fact is that God has no favorites. He loves you as much as he loves the next believer. This side of eternity, we may not understand many things, but when we enter eternity in heaven, we will understand things clearly. As of now, we trust in God Almighty of whom the Apostle Paul writes,
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28)
Christian Thoughts- Dr. Johnson Cherian- 03/07/2016
Saturday, July 2, 2016
Start Your Day Right- 01/07/2016, Start Your Day Right- 02/07/2016
TO RECEIVE "START YOUR DAY RIGHT" ON WHATSAPP REGULARLY, SEND A REQUEST TO MY EMAIL johnson3570@gmail.com
with your name and full mobile number with country and area code and I will add you to my broadcasting list.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)