Merry Christmas & a blessed New Year 2008

Dear Friends,

Mark 10, verses 46 to 52 describe about "Bartimaeus Receives his Sight".If we see this passage very closely, we could able to find few things here. This blind man was sitting by the road which means that he must have been very tired of sitting there for a long time, may be he was thirsty in the hot sun or he might have struggled lot to get enough feedings of the day. This man knew that great multitude was coming on that way. It is common that if it is lot of people, surely this blind man will get enough for that day. But this man found that it was Jesus in the crowd, hence he started to cry out and say " Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me". All his tiredness and frustration have gone immediately and he was so determined to call Jesus for mercy. He forgot his own job of asking money.

We need to see 3 things here. This blind man discerned that who Jesus was? Secondly he knew that Jesus is merciful. Thirdly, he found that Jesus is the God for all people who have faith on HIM.In this Christmas season, I like to point few things in our Christian life. Like this blind man, we are all tired of leading this year 2007 with disappointments, frustrations, failures, hatreds etc. But lets be cautious that Jesus is in our midst at this time. So lets call Him loudly, Jesus, Son of David, Have mercy on me, meaning that we need Him very badly in our life boat. Because, in psalm 69:32 says "You who seek God, let your heart revive." Let us revive our hearts by calling Jesus in our lives once again in this year-end.

Secondly, if we see verse 48 in Mark, chapter 10, we found that when many were sternly telling him to be quiet, but he kept crying out all more. This shows a great lesson for us. When we face difficulties or find some obstacles in our ministry, or fell sick etc, our prayer life diminishes gradually. We find to excuse ourselves with the surroundings. But this blind man was so determined to get and grasp Jesus attention in that crowd. Have you ever tried to get Jesus attention in your failures?

Thirdly, if we see verse 52, And Jesus said to him, "Go your way, your faith has made you well." And immediately he regained his sight and began following HIM on the road. I would like to point out this man's faith on this issue. His faith made him well. How is our Christine faith in our life? If we cry for our problems to Jesus, and if Jesus says same thing to you and me, will our faith heal us???? This is a big question mark in our life. We always ask God to take away our problems leaving nothing. What is our part in this? Like this blind man, are you having great faith in Jesus for your particular problems or sickness? Shall we all ask God to revive our hearts and minds to enlarge our faith towards Him in this Christmas season?
Lets seek God to revive us once again to inherit His protection, guidance and blessings in the coming year 2008.

Wish you a Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year 2008.

Guiding Star- Lord Jesus Christ

When I was watching a Christmas tree, the star in it captured my attention. Let’s see the importance of the star. Trust in God that we will be benefited with this short message.

Let's focus our mind on Mathew chapter 2, verses 1 to 12. It talks about the visit of Wise Men. These wise men refer to magi who specialized in astrology, medicine and natural science. These men had seen the Star of Jesus from the East. When they saw the star, they decided to come and worship the king of Jews. But they went to wrong place to search for Jesus. They are wise enough to find the exact birthplace of Jesus, but their worldly wisdom directed them to king's palace. Likewise we are also disturbed with our worldly wisdom and knowledge to see Jesus in our life. Maybe we are filled with our overconfidence to deal our day today life. If so shall we seek HIS heavenly wisdom in these Christmas season?

Verse 9 of same chapter says that “ and lo, the star, which they had seen in the East, went on before them until it came and stood over where the child was”. The star was a guiding star to them, but they stopped in middle of the way and went to the palace. What a pathetic condition? When I was meditating on this, I felt in a spirit that we too do the same mistake in our life. Once we come to know Jesus, we are overwhelmed with HIS love, guidance, fellowship and blessings but could not follow Him continually. The worldly pressures distract us in many ways in our spiritually life. But these wise men could able to see the guiding star in their journey. Shall we also try to rectify our faults and find our guiding star in our spiritual life?

Verse 10 says that, "And when they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy". It is a star of happiness, which means it gives happiness to those who see it. Let's always focus ourselves to see and find the star of Jesus in our life. You and I may be getting guidance and wisdom in our spiritual life. But still there is emptiness in our life. Most of us are still seeking true happiness in our life, why? Because we do forget the verse which states that therefore do not fear, you are of more value than many sparrows and the very hairs of your head are all numbered. (Mathew,10: 30,31). Wow, what a great assurance for you and me? We are of more value in this world and our hairs are all numbered. We are precious for HIM. Praise God for these great blessings that have been kept in front of us. Shall we march forward to inherit this blessing in our life?

Let's greet one another in this Christmas season with a great star of Jesus and seek the true happiness in our life. Amen.

Wish you a Very Happy & Blessed Christmas and a prosperous New Year 2008.