But Why?

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. - Proverbs 3:5-6. (NIV) .

There are so many things in life that we just can't explain. Often these are the things that are completely beyond our control. Maybe someone we love was taken from us because of a thoughtless accident, or as a result of a disease. Maybe we are dealing with the loss of  our own health or someone else's. Maybe we have lost a job unexpectedly. Maybe a dream will not be realized. Maybe a relationship has died, and we are grieving that loss. And the list goes on.


Today's verse admonishes us not to lean on our own understanding, but this is exactly what we do. When things don't go the way we think they should, we try to pull them apart, to dissect them, to bring about some kind of understanding. "If we could only understand why this happened, maybe we could learn to accept it and to heal the hurt." Does that sound familiar? The next step seems to be, "Well, if someone else could only understand what we are feeling, then it might feel better," but that never happens, because no one could truly understand our loss. Well, almost no one. There is someone who does.


"In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight."  (Proverbs 3:6) When we bring our focus back to God, from ourselves and from our loss, then we discover that it is God who understands our hurt, and it is God who is able to make our paths straight again. It is God who can heal us of all our hurts. 

The Tulip

"Because I live, you also will live". - John 14:19.(GNB). 


Recently, while driving through the city, we passed a church. This was not a typical, large-city church with a new design and a modern look. It was a simple brick building that we were more accustomed to seeing in smaller communities.


To one side of the main entrance, there was a large wooden cross, a reminder of Christ's victory, for all to see. Yet it wasn't the cross that grabbed my attention. Beside the cross, among the grass and weeds, was a lone red tulip.


What a wonderful testimony to Christ's love for us. It was as though a drop of His blood had touched the ground beneath the cross, there to spring again into life, a vision of His promise of eternal life.


All it takes is a drop, and His love can grow in our tender hearts. For us, He died. For us, He lives. For us, He loves.


You have been raised to life with Christ, so set your hearts on the things that are in heaven, where Christ sits on his throne at the right-hand side of God.- Colossians 3:1 (GNB)

Stale Bread

"I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will givefor the life of the world." - John 6:51 (NIV).


Returning to our home after ten days away, I opened the refrigerator, and there was a half loaf of bread. I had forgotten to put it into the freezer and it had became stale. The bread had lost its usefulness.

How often do we become spiritually stale and lose our usefulness to God, like the bread left to lose its freshness slowly? Have we ever lost that zest for our relationship with God?

Often it happens because we neglect the spiritual disciplines that enhance our relationship with God.However, I did find a use for the bread, for it had only become stale, not totally useless. I used it for toast.

Now what about us? God has chosen us to be His, and, though we may have slidden back, God can still find a use for us.

Even in our disobedience, when we busy ourselves with other things and neglect our relationship with Him -- things like slackening off reading our Bible, negligence in our devotions, and laxity in prayer - - God, through adding a little heat to refine our thinking, can renew our minds and show us the way back.

Like using stale bread to make toast, something useful, we are enabled through God's grace, once more to be living, useful servants for Jesus, knowing He is the Bread of Life.

Life With a Purpose

Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go." - Joshua 1:7 (NIV).

Motivational speaker, Mark Victor Hansen, said, "Setting goals is one of the most important things you can do to guarantee your personal, professional and financial success. Goals are like a road map to your target destination. Each goal accomplished is another mile behind you on the way to where you want to be."

Years ago another speaker said, "Success is the ability to embrace a worthwhile goal and employ all of your powers for the achievement of that goal."

A life without goals is like a ship without a rudder drifting where the winds and waves of chance direct. However, even more important than setting goals is to first discover one's God-given life purpose and then establish goals to fulfill that purpose.

This is exactly what Joshua did. And as long as he and the people of Israel lived by God's laws and followed God's plan, God assured them that they would have good success. God will do the same for you and me too as we live in harmony with his will and follow God's plan and purpose for our life.

The Best Investment You will Ever Make

"The future reward is unlimited - Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God." - (John 6:68 NIV) 

In the world of investing, a contrarion is someone who invests in what is currently out of favour. When a valuable commodity or an industry becomes unpopular, contrarion investors buy, and then wait patiently for their investment to pay off, as the world situation changes. They buy based upon their faith in the underlying value of the investment.


Could there be a better time for us to buy as much stock as possible in Jesus Christ, even if it takes everything we have, even though he may be "out of favour" in this wicked world? Sure, I know he wasn't the kind of king mankind expected, and most people only put faith in what is powerful here and now, but let's consider some of the underlying value that makes Jesus, God's "suffering servant", the investment opportunity of our lifetime.


The future reward is unlimited - Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God. (John 6:68 NIV) 

This investment pays great dividends - "I tell you the truth," Jesus replied, "no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age (homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields -- and with them persecutions) and in the age to come, eternal life". (Mark 10:29-30 NIV)


This investment will humble every rival - Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:9-10 NIV)


Security in insecure times - On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. Men will faint from terror, apprehensive at what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your
salvation is drawing near. (Luke 21:25-28 NIV)


Only available for a limited time - In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you. I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation. (2 Corinthians 6:2 NIV)


No one is too poor to invest - That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. (Romans 10:9 NIV)


I don't mean to make light of our Saviour by comparing him to an investment, but in reality, Jesus Christ is an investment choice that every one of us must make. Let us not be deceived, for there is not another name under heaven by which we can receive salvation and everlasting life. If we have not done so already, we must make our investment today, while there is still time.

The Fruit of a Deeper Root

"People who conceal their sins will not prosper, but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy."  - Proverbs 28:13 (NLT).


Problems. Nobody is immune from committing sins. However, often the problems we see are not the problems that are! For instance, a problem, whether it is emotional, spiritual or physical, is often the symptom of a deeper problem; that is, "the fruit of a deeper root." The root cause may be an unresolved emotional, spiritual or moral problem which can express itself in any one of a number of ways such as the following: relational conflicts, worry, stress, anxiety, insomnia, depression, addictions, spiritual dryness, physical sickness, abuse, etc., etc.


Many physical symptoms can be symbolic. For example, ulcers may be caused not so much by what we eat but by what is eating us. Tension headaches can be caused by "jamming up" anger in our head. Aching shoulders may be caused by our feeling that we are burdened by a heavy load. And if I have a pain in the neck, I may....


Confession opens the door for recovery: not only from the symptoms but also from the causes.


After David confessed his sin, he said, "Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sin is put out of sight! Yes, what joy for those whose record the Lord has cleared of guilt, whose lives are lived in complete honesty! When I refused to confess my sin, my body wasted away, and I groaned all day long. Day and night your hand of discipline was heavy on me. My strength evaporated like water in the summer heat. Finally, I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide my guilt. I said to myself, 'I will confess my rebellion to the Lord.' And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone." - Psalm 32:1-5 (NLT).


A good example to follow.

Come Apart & Rest a While

"The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, 'Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.'" 
- Mark 6:30-31 (NIV).

"According to a Greek legend, in ancient Athens a man noticed the great storyteller Aesop playing childish games with some little boys. He laughed and jeered at Aesop, asking him why he wasted his time in such frivolous activity.


"Aesop responded by picking up a bow, loosening its string, and placing it on the ground. Then he said to the critical Athenian, 'Now, answer the riddle, if you can. Tell us what the unstrung bows imply.'


"The man looked at it for several moments but had no idea what point Aesop was trying to make. Aesop explained, 'If you keep a bow always bent, it will break eventually; but if you let it go slack, it will be more fit for use when you want it.'


So many of us today, including me, are bogged down with being too busy. Much of life seems to be controlled by the tyranny of the urgent—unforeseen crises or needs that daily pop up unexpectedly—all of which are a vivid reminder that I,  too, need to "come apart and rest a while—before I come apart." Even Jesus and his disciples, in the midst of their busy ministry, needed to take time out to get some rest. Dare we do less? There are times when we, too, need to loosen the bow.

True Blessings

"Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him. - Psalm 34:8 (NKJV) 


As a kid, I hated to see spinach on my plate. "Taste it and see; it's good for you!" my mother would say, to persuade me to eat it. At age eight, I saw no good coming out of a dollop of cooked spinach. I preferred to munch on a cookie instead. To stimulate my palate, Mom even made spinach balls with sweet rice and yogurt, and arranged them beautifully on my plate. Gladly, years later, I took a liking to spinach, and enjoyed its benefits. Today, it's my turn to coax my children to eat this vitamin-rich vegetable, while they in turn give me the look that I gave Mom years back.


The psalmist calls us to taste and see the goodness of God. But we are somewhat reluctant to heed His call. Like kids, we like to run around snacking on junk food, losing the appetite for the living bread. Unless it's presented with fun and excitement, some of us wouldn't want to touch it. For some, the "do's" and "don'ts" of religion have left a bitter taste. We no longer reach out for the bread. As a result, we become malnourished and deny ourselves the blessings of God.


David, the man after God's heart, faced life's challenges common to you and me. He knew the agony of losing a child, the terror of enemy attack, and the pain and guilt after committing sin. Yet, he remained unmoved in his trust in God. Amidst his troubles, David saw God's hand protecting, comforting, correcting, and guiding him. These are the blessings he saw when he said, "Blessed is the man who trusts in Him."

Can you hear the whistle sound
For them souls heaven bound?
Climb onboard the glory ride
Set your earthly bonds aside.

This old train will leave someday
Boarding Christians along the way.
Roaring down those one-way tracks,
Bound for heaven, it won't be back.

Get your ticket while you can
If you want a ride to glory land.
We'll meet at the Lords station,
There's no time left for hesitation.

This long black train has no gears
It's full throttle ahead leaving here.
The archangel will be our engineer,
We'll depart amidst angel cheers.



The price of the ticket is paid for you,
Jesus died on the cross for sins you do.
Surrender to the Good Shepherd your all
Before you miss that last boarding call.

We'll glide on the ride to heavens shore
Where you will endure troubles no more.
So shed your shackles no need to pack,
Board that glory train with one-way tracks.

When I meditated on the word Guidance, I kept seeing "dance" at the end of the word.

I remember reading that doing God's will is a lot like dancing.

When two people try to lead, nothing feels right.

The movement doesn't flow with the music,

and everything is quite uncomfortable and jerky.

When one person realizes that, and lets the other lead,

both bodies begin to flow with the music.

One gives gentle cues, perhaps with a nudge to the back

or by pressing Lightly in one direction or another.

It's as if two become one body, moving beautifully.

The dance takes surrender, willingness,

and attentiveness from one person

and gentle guidance and skill from the other.

My eyes drew back to the word Guidance.

When I saw "G: I thought of God, followed by "U" and "I".

"God, "U" and "I" dance."

God, you, and I dance.

As I lowered my head, I became willing to trust

that I would get guidance about my life.

Once again, I became willing to let God lead.

My prayer for you today is that God's blessings

and mercies be upon you on this day and everyday.

May you abide in God as God abides in you.

Dance together with God, trusting God to lead

and to guide you through each season of your life.

This prayer is powerful and there is nothing attached.

If God has done anything for you in your life,

please share this message with someone else,

for prayer is one of the best gifts we can receive.

There is no cost but a lots of rewards;

so let's continue to pray for one another.

And I Hope You Dance


 

If Jesus Come to Your House

"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." - Romans 12:1-2 (NKJV).


"Former President Harry Truman was famous for the long walks he took. Those were simpler days when he could take a walk like everyone else. One evening Truman decided to stroll to Memorial Bridge on the Potomac. While there, he grew curious about the mechanism that raised the middle span of the bridge. Making his way across the catwalks and through the inner workings of the bridge, he suddenly came upon the bridge tender, eating his supper out of a tin bucket.


"The man showed no surprise when he looked up and saw the most powerful man in the world. He just swallowed his food, wiped his mouth, smiled, and said, 'You know, Mr. President, I was just thinking of you.' It was a greeting Truman never forgot."


Truman's experience reminds of the poem, "If Jesus Came to Your House" A poem that I read many years ago and found a copy on the web. It would be more applicable for me if it were, "If Jesus Came to My House."


"If Jesus came to your house to spend a day or two / If he came unexpectedly, I wonder what you'd do. / Oh, I know you'd give your nicest room to such an honored Guest, / And all the food you'd serve to Him would be the very best, / And you'd keep assuring Him you're glad to have Him there / That serving Him in your own home is joy beyond compare.


"But when you saw Him coming, would you meet Him at the door / With arms outstretched in welcome to your heavenly Visitor? / Or would you have to change your clothes before you let Him in? / Or hide some magazines and put the Bible where they'd been? / Would you turn off the radio and hope He hadn't heard? / And wish you hadn't uttered that last, loud, hasty word?


"Would you hide your worldly music and put some hymn books out? / Could you let Jesus walk right in, or would you rush about? / And I wonder if the Savior spent a day or two with you, / Would you go right on doing the things you always do? / Would you go right on saying the things you always say? / Would life for you continue as it does from day to day? / Would your family conversation keep up its usual pace? / And would you find it hard each meal to say a table grace? / Would you sing the songs you always sing, / and read the books you read, / And
let him know the things on which your mind and spirit feed? / Would you take Jesus with you everywhere you'd planned to go? / Or would you, maybe, change your plans for just a day or so?


"Would you be glad to have Him meet your very closest friends? / Or would you hope they'd stay away until His visit ends? / Would you be glad to have Him stay forever on and on? / Or would you sigh with great relief when He at last was gone? / It might be interesting to know the things that you would do? / If Jesus Christ in person came to spend some time with you."


It would be very interesting if Jesus did come in person to your house and mine.

The Prayer Of Jabez

"Jabez was more honourable than his brothers. His mother had named him Jabez, saying, "I gave birth to him in pain." Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, "Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain." And God granted his request. - 1 Chronicles 4:9-10 (NIV).

We've been hearing a lot about the little book written by Bruce Wilkinson, The Prayer of Jabez. Most, but not all, of the press that I've heard was positive. A good friend loaned her book to me and I was intrigued by the inconsistency of recording the prayer among the genealogy of 1 Chronicles. But there it is, right in the middle of a long list of names, a little two-sentence prayer that Mr. Wilkinson credits for bringing many great opportunities into his life.

Would it work for me? I didn't see that it could do any harm, although it was a departure from my normal intercessory prayer life. It seemed somewhat selfish to simply pray for more territory and personal protection with no requests for others. In spite of the initial discomfort, I began praying the "Prayer of Jabez". Soon, I began to see more opportunities to share God's blessing with others and I found I was able to open up and share my story of God's love more freely.

But, one morning recently, I was especially blessed. On my way into the city, traffic was a little heavy and I was already past the grey figure of a man alongside the road with his thumb in the air. Occasionally I'll pick up a hitchhiker if I have seen his face clearly and feel comfortable with the person from this first impression. But this morning, with no conscious thought, I pulled to the side of the road to offer this man a ride. He picked up his small pack of possessions and ran to my vehicle to secure his ride. When I offered my hand and introduced myself, I saw that the man seemed confused. Maybe he was mentally disabled; I couldn't tell.

In fact, he had been alongside the road in prayer. His body had run to catch the ride, but his heart and mind were still with God and couldn't break away for a few minutes. Soon he was able to tell me his name and that he was heading south. He asked if there was a church of his denomination in the city. "Yes, there is," I replied, "and I will take you there." We chatted a little along the way and I told him that I had prayed that morning for "expanded territory" and in particular for an appointment today to share God's love. I thanked him for being that appointment.

Soon we arrived at the church. I had a few leftover cookies from a meeting the prior evening, so I gave those to my new friend. I asked if he had enough money for lunch and he said that he did. So we parted ways there in front of the church. He went on his way and I on mine to enjoy God's blessing that he had shared with me.

Recommend

Give Me Wisdom

Are you worried about things to fulfill and how to manage the upcoming events?

When we see people do things tactfully we say wow! that was pretty good, you were nicely handled the situation! But there is a limit to human tactics, limited areas. All are limited to their on field of expertise. King Solomon was not wise but he asked God and he become the wisest man forever we praise. The book of Proverbs is written by King Solomon. He says “The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom” (Proverbs 1:7)

Sometimes when we see people giving wisdom he will be in heights and he is the wisest in the universe. Sometimes we will generate a mourning inside oh I’m not. I will say the wisest one in this world is he who fears God and stick to him in all his ways. The wisest is the one he who walk with God and put God in front for all his decisions. Who decides with God and follow his words everyday, every movement in his life.

Do not worry that you have no wisdom and all your doings ends up with foolishness. Because He wants people who aren’t wise and He will fill you up with wisdom.

But one step you will have to take, give yourselves to his hands and as I said walk with him and put him in front of all your decisions. You will see the difference.

Experience the difference! Taste the difference! 

How They Prayed...

The next time you pray, take a moment to think about men and women of the Bible and how they prayed. We can all learn much about prayer, just from looking into their lives and their prayer habits. Their life's journey serves as an incredible example for all of us. 

Always start with praise! So many of their prayers began by praising God! For example, Daniel's focus was on God's greatness. He prayed to "the great and awesome God, who keeps His covenant of love with all who love Him and obey His commands" (Daniel 9:4). He acknowledged God as absolutely righteous, merciful and forgiving.

Begin your own prayers with praise and thanksgiving. Praise God for His mercy, His power and His love! Thank Him for His daily provisions for you and for your loved ones. Give Him the glory for your talents, your blessings and most of all for eternal salvation given so freely to each of us, through His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. God has given us so much! 

Adore Him...For He adores you so very much! 

And Mary said, "My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior" (Luke 1:46 & 47).

Quiet Before The Lord

"But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." - Matthew 6:6. 




Many times individuals have asked me what they can do for their illness or other problems. They have in most cases, sought help from someone and are in desperate need for further guidance. It is all this time that I usually try to point out the power and presence of prayer in their lives. 


You need to hear again and again the importance of prayer to your wholeness of body, mind, and spirit. Your goal is to achieve the point where you pray without ceasing. This cannot be accomplished overnight but is an art developed over a period of years. There are some tangible steps and I will mention some of them.


First, every believer should sense the importance of spending some time each day in prayer and in meditation. Many of your ailments and many problems of this world could be solved if we all would spend some time alone with God every day. It might be for five minutes or for two hours but it should be a very definite period of time.


I don't necessarily mean the same time each day, but a definite time of quietness before the Lord, regardless of when it is done.


It is not easy to quiet the mind and to put aside all which would detract from the power of the Lord being released in and through you. That which is not easy is essential.


I appreciate being reminded that I am not called to do the easy, but to do the essential. Prayer is essential.

Life Is a Gift

"Pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." - 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18 (NIV). 


"There was a blind girl [or so the story goes] who hated herself because of her blindness. Not only did she hate herself but she hated everyone else, except her loving boyfriend. He was always there for her. She said that if she could only see the world, she would marry her boyfriend.


"One day someone donated a pair of eyes to her and then she could see everything—including her boyfriend. Her boyfriend asked her, 'Now that you can see the world, will you marry me?' The girl was shocked when she saw that her boyfriend was blind too, and refused to marry him. Her boyfriend walked away in tears, and later wrote a letter to her that simply said, 'Just take care of my eyes dear.'


"Too often we change when our status changes. Only a few remember what life was like before and even fewer remember who to thank for always being there when times were painfully unbearable.


"Life is a gift, so today: Before you think of saying an unkind word, think of someone who can't speak. Before you complain about the taste of your food, think of someone who has nothing to eat. Before you complain about your husband or wife, think of someone who's crying out to God for a companion. Before you complain about your life, think of someone who went too early to heaven.


Before you complain about your children, think of someone who desires children but is barren. Before you argue about your dirty house that someone didn't clean or sweep, think of the people who are living in the streets. Before whining about the distance you drive, think of someone who walks the same distance with their feet. And when you are tired and complain about your job, think of the unemployed, the disabled and those who wished they had your job.


"And before you think of pointing the finger or condemning another, remember that not one of us is without sin and all will answer to one Maker. And when depressing thoughts seem to get you down, try to put a smile on your face and thank God you're alive and still around. Life is a gift, live it, enjoy it, celebrate it, and fulfill it.


"Enjoy the moment. It may not come around again."

Geographical will of God :

Geographical will of God :


Look, I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go.
Genesis 28:15 (Holman Christian Standard Bible)


Do we need journeying mercies? Here are choice ones—God's presence and preservation, In all places we need both of these, and in all places we shall have them if we go at the call of duty, and not merely according to our own fancy. Why should we look upon removal to another country as a sorrowful necessity when it is laid upon us by the divine will?

In all lands the believer is equally a pilgrim and a stranger; and yet in every region the Lord is His dwelling place, even as He has been to His saints in all generations. We may miss the protection of an earthly monarch, but when God says, "I will keep thee," we are in no real danger. This is a blessed passport for a traveler and a heavenly escort for an emigrant.

Jacob had never left his father's room before; he had been a mother's boy and not an adventurer tike his brother. Yet he went abroad, and God went with him. He had little luggage and no attendants; yet no prince ever journeyed with a nobler bodyguard. Even while he slept in the open field, angels watched over him, and the Lord God spoke to him. If the Lord bids us go, let us say with our Lord Jesus, "Arise, let us go hence." R1

It’s the geographical will of God which should acceptable by us in terms of choice. God is sovereign & He knows what is He doing ! Some time we really wonder that why God has called us in the places we don’t like or far from our close ones.

Tell you something, last afternoon I went to meet one of my brother & friend in Christ for some work but when I reach there I heard that he has gone to airport to see off his wife cause his father in law has died on the morning. When he back we started conversing & beautifully he said to me that it’s the cost of discipleship that we have to pay as we can’t support when our loved ones suffer or die. You know what came in my mind instantly ! I thought of the Greek word mathetes which means a learner & follower of Jesus Christ.

Think ! we all have to follow Jesus as he called to follow.

GOD KNOWS THE BEST FOR US. 

PRESSING ON TO PERFECTION

It was not to live a mediocre Christian life in this world, that our Lord mercifully saved us from eternal destruction and has made us his children. The word of God is clear in that he expects us to be like him when he returns. While we are in this world, we have to strive – not in the strength of our own failing flesh; but in the enabling strength of the Holy Spirit towards PERFECTION, which is our ultimate goal. Our spiritual life is always in a state of growth and development, deeply rooted in the word of God, drawing nourishment like a tree planted by streams of water to yield fruits in season, even the fruit of the spirit. (Psalm I ). If we do our part in this process, God is just and faithful to do his part of sanctifying us entirely (1. Thess.5:23-24). The responsibility of purifying ourselves daily lies with us as is clearly stated on I John 3:2,3 “But we know that when he appears we shall resemble HIM… and everyone who has this hope resting on Him. Purifies himself as he is pure”, and 2 Cor.7:1.. Let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of flesh and spirit and complete our dedication (holiness) in reverence of God”.

As it was the cry and longing of the Apostle Paul, let it be our own longing also to “press on to perfection”, (Heb. 6:11) until the Lord returns when we shall see him face to face in all the beauty of his holiness when we shall be like him too!

One of the major set backs that contribute to the failure of our victorious Christian life is the uncontrolled use of our tongue. James 1:26 says that our religion is worthless if we cannot bridle our tongue. From the very mouth of our Lord we know that for every careless and idle word that we speak, we are accountable on the Day of Judgment. We invite your attention to the article ‘The use of the tongue’ by Elias Alaskan in this issue which will help us to judge ourselves in this important matter so that we can grow towards perfection; so that on the Day of Judgment we may be found perfect.

“If we scrutinized ourselves, then we should not be judged” 1 Cor. 11:31 (Berkeley version). 

Do you want God to write an autobiography for you ?

God himself has written about Caleb . "But my servant Caleb, because he has had a different spirit and has followed Me fully, I will bring into the land which he entered, and his descendants shall take possession of it" .

Indeed, there were giants in the land, but they knew their God was bigger than any giant. Unfortunately, Caleb reports were contradicted by the negative reports of the other spies. The ten negative spies saw only the barriers that stood between them and their promised land. They did not believe God was bigger than their circumstances.

God says that Caleb followed & trusted Him wholeheartedly. Could God say the same thing about you ?

Let the God of Caleb speak to you as you are entering into a brand new year of opportunities and challenges !

God bless you abundantly and make you a blessing to so many across the globe.

What is the Meaning of Life

What is the Meaning of Life 

Dr. James George

It is the Question the campus is filled with.

There are concerted efforts of Satan through books like ‘Da Vinci Code’ & movies like ‘that to pull down Christianity’.

- Our goal should be to show them the hope of life through Jesus Christ.

We have to tell them.

1) We are not here by accident. We are here by a specific purpose.
- DNA designed by God, He is our Creator. (Is. 139:13-16)
- Our characters determined by God.

2) Our soul is eternal, our body perishable. Our soul will go to eternal joy or eternal hell.
- God’s purpose of creation of Adam & Eve was to walk, live and converse with them. But it got lost because of sin.
- God sent His son to reconcile us to God through Jesus. (Phil.2 : 12:13)

3) Make youth aware that she / he must work out their own salvation. Through spiritual activities we must grow in Christ through regular communion with God, meditating the Word of God, and memorizing it related to salvation, baptism, lost nature of humanity. Jesus too relied on his word when He confronted Satan. A youth must reveal his / her identity to others as a born-again child and have fellowship with other Christians.

4) Meaning of life will be conformed when we grow to the full measure of Jesus Christ. God’s spirit work in us, when we work out our salvation.

Tell everyone that Jesus Christ is a living reality. He will be with us in the valley of death, dry lands and on up hill journey. Let’s never give up…. Never give up. 

Will Jesus Come to Earth Again?

"Jesus said, "In my Father's home [heaven] there are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me." - John 14:2-3 (NIV). 


Year after year with "tireless regularity and eternal patience," God reminds the world every Christmas that he sent his Son, Jesus, to save lost mankind. Christmas is also God's reminder that Jesus is coming back to earth for all who have accepted him as their personal Lord and Savior.


His first coming is an indisputable fact of history. His second coming to end this world age is just as certain. According to Bible scholars, there are 1,845 references in the Old Testament and 318 in the New Testament about Christ's second coming to earth. This means for every prophecy in the Bible about Christ's first coming—every one of which was fulfilled in minute detail—there are eight about his second coming!


Jesus is coming again. God has promised this in his Word, the Bible. Jesus himself promised it as well. And all the signs that Jesus and the Bible said would immediately precede his return are evident today, also reminding us that Christ's return could be very soon. If it were today, would you be ready?


This festive season is also a reminder to all Christians that Jesus has commissioned all of us to spread his message of salvation to everyone everywhere. - Mark 16:15. Jesus said that, "This gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come."- Matthew 24:14 (NIV). Never has this been more possible than it is today because our generation has the greatest means of worldwide communications the world has ever seen.

The Enemy Surrounds Us: Don't Let..

"But if we walk in the light as He [God] is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us." - I John 1:7-8 (NKJV). 

Dr. Vance Havner, 1901 - 1986 was a very popular "revivalist" and Bible conference speaker and authored over 30 books of sermons and devotionals. Vance Havner was known for his fascinating "salt and pepper" statements, one of which was, "The enemy surrounds us. Don't let one escape!" 


True, there are external forces for good and evil surrounding us. Both are continually competing for our mind's and heart's allegiance. However, the greatest enemy we have is not that which surrounds us, but that which lies within us—that is, our own nature—which bears both the image of God for good and our conflicting sin nature with its bias towards sin and evil.


Tragically, it is our sin nature that is the cause of our spiritual death, and in time, will cause our physical death. When God said to our first parents that if they disobeyed him and sinned by eating the forbidden fruit "you will surely die," - Genesis 2: 17 (NIV). It didn't mean immediate physical death, but rather that they would implant within themselves the seed of death that would cause them to die physically. However, it did mean immediate spiritual death which is not separation from physical life, but eternal separation from a God of absolute holiness in whose presence no sinner can survive. Just as some germs or bacteria cannot survive in light neither can sinners survive in the all-consuming Light and Holiness of God.


So here's the conflict for us. We are all sinners and the seed of death is within us at the moment of our conception. We are not only going to die physically, but because of our sin nature are doomed to eternal separation from God—a God of absolute holiness—in the place God's Word, the Bible, calls hell. 


Furthermore, because God is also a God of absolute justice, all sin must be judged and, as we have seen from the beginning, God's just judgment of sin is death. 


But herein lies our salvation. God is not only a God of absolute holiness and justice, but also a God of perfect love and mercy.


However, God is also a God of perfect love and in his everlasting love and mercy provided the penalty to meet the demands of his justice by giving his own Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross to pay the penalty and ransom price for our sins. This was so we could be totally forgiven and cleansed from all sin and made holy so we would be able to dwell in the House of the Lord (God) forever and ever!


What a God we have. What a Savior. And what a wonderful gift of forgiveness and eternal salvation God offers to "whosoever will may come."


If you have never accepted God's forgiveness and his gift of eternal life, be sure to do that today.

Hold Things Of The World More Loosely

"Do not store up treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is there your heart will be also." - Matthew 6:19-21 (NIV). 

At the annual gathering of a group in the past week, the talk got around to cars, pick-up trucks, and vans, and how important they are to our worldly way of life. I noticed that, of the seven or eight cars in the driveway, all were different makes and models. They were bought to satisfy particular personal needs or desires of their owners.


The bottom line is that the cars are worldly possessions, and they reflect what is important to us, the owners. A year from now, at the next gathering, many of them will have been replaced by a new model. Replacement will not likely be out of necessity but out of the desire to have the best from the grab bag of toys that the economy presents.


I thought back to September 11, 2001, and recalled how the stately world symbols of achievement and mastery came tumbling down. The point is that all of the symbols of worldly success can crash just as easily as the twin towers in New York City.


We get too closely attached to the material things of life, and we forget the spiritual foundations. Wealth and things are not condemned in and of themselves. What Jesus condemns is greed and hoarding. What we treasure in life is most often the place where our heart will be found. We must learn to hold the things of this world more loosely, and the things of God's kingdom more firmly.

Problem Solving

"If anyone lacks wisdom, ask God who gives to all generously ... and it will be given to you." - James 1:5 (NIV). 


The following formula for resolving problems, I believe, came from Norman Vincent Peale. He said to visualize ... prayerize ... actualize.


Visualize. We need to see a problem for what it is, and usually what we see isn't the real problem at all. Often it is the symptom of a deeper, hidden problem, the fruit of a hidden root! As somebody else said, "God is merciful. When we have unresolved personal problems, he gives us symptoms." Only as we see the cause of any problem can we ever resolve it. Once we do this, we need to visualize (see) what we need to do to overcome the problem as well as visualizing or seeing the final outcome.


Prayerize. We also need to ask God to give us the wisdom and courage to see and confront the real cause of our problem. Then pray realistically, not only by committing our problem to God and asking for his guidance to help to find a solution, but also to give us the courage to do our part.


Actualize. Finally, we need to realize that we are responsible for resolving our problems. No matter what happens to us, we are always responsible for our reactions, feelings, and what we do about resolving our problems. God will give us wisdom if we ask for it, insight if we desire it, and courage if we need it, but he won't do for us what we can and need to do for ourselves. If he did, it would keep us over-dependent and immature.


Accepting responsibility for our problems, emotions, behavior, and our life is the heart of adult maturity. As we do our part to overcome our difficulties, God will do his part. As another has said, "God feeds the sparrows but he doesn't throw the food into their nests." 

Simple Words & A Big Box

"So you must also be ready, because the Son of man will come at an hour when you do not expect him." - Matthew 24:44 (NIV). 

Sometimes my mind comes to a screeching halt, and I spend time thinking about a word or two. It never fails that God shows me volumes just through a word. For instance, I believe God reveals Himself and His love every day. If we don't see Him, it is our fault, not His. There are two words, "expect" and "look", that describe how we can choose to see God.


According to Webster's Dictionary, to look means "to use or direct one's eyes in order to see or search or examine", referring to something defined and concrete. To expect means "to think or believe that (a thing) will happen". This definition is a little less precise, a little more abstract.


It seems to me that if we look for God, we limit Him and what He can do. It is like placing Him in our box. If we just expect Him to walk with us and reveal Himself each day, in the way He chooses, then we jump right into His box, which is much bigger and certainly more exciting. Today we can remind ourselves not to look for God, but to just expect Him to be there. How He chooses to be there is up to Him.


Some days, He hides subtly. He might be in the urging to say a kind word to someone who seems unhappy, or He might be in the hug we need at just the right moment. Other days He is blatant and bold, like the incredible sunset I saw the other night, one I would have missed if He had not quietly said, "Go outside for a minute."


Each day is different, except for the expectancy. We learn that God is faithful and will be there. We learn to let Him show up, how and where He wants to. We learn not to look for Him, but just to expect Him to surprise us.

Giving From the Heart

"The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart" - (1 Samuel 16:7, NIV). 


I recall reading about a missionary in Africa who taught the nationals that Christians gave each other gifts on Christ's birthday as an expression of their joy. This is ideal but it often isn't true. Being a Christian doesn't guarantee pure motives.


A student of the missionary mentioned above gave his teacher a beautiful seashell as a gift. When asked where he had discovered such an extraordinary shell, the native said he had walked many miles to a certain bay, the only place where these shells could be found.


The missionary was deeply moved and told the young man how much he appreciated his gift, to which the native replied, "Long walk, part of gift."


This indeed is a gift from the heart with a pure motive. I'm not sure all our giving (including mine) is with pure motives as there are all sorts of reasons why we give. However, the only true giving is that which comes from the heart with a pure motive. Too much of some people's giving, I'm afraid, is manipulative; that is, it's giving to get which isn't giving at all. For instance, if I keep giving gifts to my boss as a means to get a promotion,that's not giving. It's manipulative.


It is reported that an English nobleman just before his death said, "What I spent, I had. What I kept, I lost. What I gave, I have." When motives are pure this is true.

Oh God, Please Change My...

"There be three things which are too wonderful for me, yea, four which I know not: The way of an eagle in the air; the way of a serpent upon a rock; the way of a ship in the midst of the sea; and the way of a man with a maid." - Proverbs 30:18-19 (NIV).


"It's not my problem. It's my  spouse  who needs help!"


How many times have you heard this defensive type of statement? Having worked in the area of divorce recovery for the past decade or more, I have heard it repeatedly. One person recently said to me, "How do I make my husband understand that he is the one who needs help. He needs to know that he is wrong so he can get counseling."


"And why did you marry this person? What attracted you to him/her in the first place?" I ask. Rarely do I get an honest answer.


This is not true in all cultures but, at least where we make our own choice about whom we marry, there are always underlying reasons why we are attracted and drawn to a particular person of the opposite sex.


At least one single man I know was facing reality when he said that he could walk into a room full of women and would automatically be attracted to the sickest (emotionally sickest) woman in the room! He knew it was because of his own emotional sickness. There's hope for this man.


No matter what your  spouse  has done, the reality is you can't change them. If you try to, it just makes them angry or angrier. As I've said many times, the only one we can ever change is our self, and as we change, those around us are almost forced to change in one way or another. However, this is not always for the best because some people don't want us to change and get angry when we do. Change upsets the games they are playing!


I'm not saying that we should put up with someone else's abusive behavior. Not at all. But we need to remember that we are the only person we can ever change. And while we pray for the other person, we need to first ask God to change us—and to confront us with the truth about ourselves so we can see any character flaws we have that we need to work on and resolve.


And we can always ask God to help us to be as Jesus to our spouse so that they, seeing Jesus in us, will want him for themselves. That may be the only hope for encouraging others to change.