Dear Friends,
In John 2:1-12, we see Jesus’ first miracle, everyone is well aware of this wonderful miracle in the bible. Though I have meditated this miracle few times, I have been drawn to Mary’s response and servants’ attitude now. Verse 5 says that, His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you”
Before going into detail, lets bring the wedding to our imagination. I felt that Mary, Lord Jesus mother was a close relative to the bride and the groom, may be Mary was asked to take care of catering service for the party. There we see Mary, Lord Jesus and his disciples. When I was reading, I have been inspired by Mary’s command. Mary’s words are important ones for everyone of us. Notice that she did not direct men to obey her or any other human being; instead she pointed them to the Lord Jesus and told them that He was the One who should be obeyed. “ Do whatever he tells you”. Now the question is, are you available for God’s command? Are you there to do whatever God tells you in your life? He wants to meet the needs in every area of our life. There is no prayer that is unimportant to God.
Secondly, see verse 7, Jesus said to the servants, “ Fill the jars with water”, so they filled them to the brim.
If you were a servant and asked to these ridiculous tasks, what would be your reaction? Some time, God is going to ask you to do something that you think is crazy. Our preconception stops God’s blessings. We plan a day or a event with lots of preparation, but God’s ways are always higher than ours. Would you mind to fill the jar with water? Lets imagine our lives now, most of our jars are empty and hoping that God will fill it with wine, no, we need to fill our jars first with available water. God has blessed you and me in many ways but still, we have not taken steps to fill our own life jars with word of God. We need to be like these servants, they willingly obey Christ command, and they were trained to listen God’s command.
Thirdly see verse 8, then he told them, “ Now draw some out and take it to the master of banquet”, they did so. If I was one of the servants, I should have asked Lord Jesus like this, “Don’t you think Lord; we need to taste first before taking to Master of the banquet? To my surprise, the servants obeyed completely without a doubt. Why? Because, they trusted God and they were asked to obey to Him completely. Are you there to do whatever our lord tells you in your life?
Actually, Grooms’ family knew nothing about this miracle. Apparently the only ones who knew were Jesus disciples, Mary and the servants. Why? Lord Jesus took none of the compliments away from the groom. Because Jesus cared much about that family so he would keep His first miracle a secret. Our unchanging Lord Jesus still could work for you and me in the same manners, because He accepts us as we are. Why don’t we put our faith once again to Him? Lets obey willingly so that we could see miracles in our life. Lets do whatever He tells us to do. Amen and Amen.
Thursday, August 2, 2007
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
you are worth more than many sparrows
Dear Friends,
We have seen many kinds of birds. Some species are very nice and expensive. How bout sparrows? The following verses lifted me physically and spiritually. Amen, His words are alive and His grace is new and sufficient to us. “Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. Luke 12: 6-7.”
We see birds for sacrifices in the bible. When Joseph and Mary presented the baby Jesus to the Lord, they offered a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons, we also see in Lev 14, The Lord instructed Moses how a leper who was healed from his leprosy might offer tiny birds (sparrows) for a cleansing ceremony. In Jesus time, sparrows were sold for a very low prize, five sparrows for 2 pennies. It seems that sparrows are of very little value in the eyes of men and that no man cares for them, but God does care for them, for even, “ not one of them is forgotten before God.” How about you and me? Some times, we think that God is concerned for great events in history, or in the world, or in our lives. No, the fall of a little sparrow is still under God’s control and permission. Then how much more value of you and me? God does care for every detail in our lives.
Our Lord Jesus says, " But the very hairs there are on our head are all numbered". Have we counted our hairs? We have not, but God has. Do we know how many hairs there are on our head? we do not, but God does. Then nothing happening to us is by chance without God's permission. When we are sick, miss a bus, loose something etc., we should not think that it is a coincidence. Our Lord teaches us not to FEAR. it confirms that God's protection is there for us with assurance. He is our shelter and most High, so lets not be afraid of any troubles. Yes, we are more precious than little sparrows. When little sparrow is still under God's control, God really cares for you and me. We are under His perfect will and control. so we are to love God and obey Him, in Romens 8:28 we see that, " And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose".
Lets love God by keeping His words and commandments. Lets learn to be humble and understand that God allows us to fail or to make mistake to teach us to trust in Him more and more.
May God remind us of His sovereignty and loving care always and help us to love Him, trust in Him, obey Him continually. Amen and Amen.
We have seen many kinds of birds. Some species are very nice and expensive. How bout sparrows? The following verses lifted me physically and spiritually. Amen, His words are alive and His grace is new and sufficient to us. “Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. Luke 12: 6-7.”
We see birds for sacrifices in the bible. When Joseph and Mary presented the baby Jesus to the Lord, they offered a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons, we also see in Lev 14, The Lord instructed Moses how a leper who was healed from his leprosy might offer tiny birds (sparrows) for a cleansing ceremony. In Jesus time, sparrows were sold for a very low prize, five sparrows for 2 pennies. It seems that sparrows are of very little value in the eyes of men and that no man cares for them, but God does care for them, for even, “ not one of them is forgotten before God.” How about you and me? Some times, we think that God is concerned for great events in history, or in the world, or in our lives. No, the fall of a little sparrow is still under God’s control and permission. Then how much more value of you and me? God does care for every detail in our lives.
Our Lord Jesus says, " But the very hairs there are on our head are all numbered". Have we counted our hairs? We have not, but God has. Do we know how many hairs there are on our head? we do not, but God does. Then nothing happening to us is by chance without God's permission. When we are sick, miss a bus, loose something etc., we should not think that it is a coincidence. Our Lord teaches us not to FEAR. it confirms that God's protection is there for us with assurance. He is our shelter and most High, so lets not be afraid of any troubles. Yes, we are more precious than little sparrows. When little sparrow is still under God's control, God really cares for you and me. We are under His perfect will and control. so we are to love God and obey Him, in Romens 8:28 we see that, " And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose".
Lets love God by keeping His words and commandments. Lets learn to be humble and understand that God allows us to fail or to make mistake to teach us to trust in Him more and more.
May God remind us of His sovereignty and loving care always and help us to love Him, trust in Him, obey Him continually. Amen and Amen.
Friday, July 6, 2007
The blessings to those who fear God
Dear Friends,
Psalm 34 is a Psalm of David when he refined madness before Abimelech who drove him away and he departed.David begins this psalm with a vow or a promise. Here David promises to persistently praise his God. We see frequency of David’s praise in verse 1. He is committed himself to praise God at every opportunity and in the midst of various states of mind,spirit & body. Just as we are to pray without ceasing, pray consistently in all circumstances, David promises to praise without ceasing.
In verse 2, we see the focus of praise. David does not dwell on his experience, nor even on his deliverance, but on His Deliverer. The Lord is both the subject and object of David’s praise. Verse 3 reminds us of the fellowship of praise. Praise can not only be private, here David publicly praised God at worship, he did to promote worship on the part of the entire congregation. David urged his fellow worshippers to join with him in magnifying Lord, so that His name will CORPORATELY exalted. In verses 4-7, David describes his deliverance which is the basis for his praise and worship.
I would like to concentrate on verses 8-10 which brings God’s provision and protection in our life.
“O taste and see that the Lord is good; how blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him, O fear the Lord, you His saints for to those who fear Him, there is no want. The young lions do lack and suffer hunger, but those who seek the Lord shall not be in want of good thing.”
We understood from these verses that, the majority of David’s companions did not experience the fullest blessings of God. How many of us are still like David day friends, enough to worship but fail to experience the fullest blessings of God. I would like to encourage everyone in this fellowship to taste, to trust and to fear the Lord. Our personal relationship with our God will enable us to personally experience the provision and protection of God.
I read Malachi 3:16, today in my meditation and noticed that our loving Lord listens and hears to those who fear Him. Is it not wonderful that our Almighty God is not busy with other tasks but He is keen on you and me. I understood that the fear of the Lord is the prerequisite to receive the goodness of the Lord. God’s fullest blessings is only directed toward those who FEAR Him. Because, the fear of the Lord is dependent upon a relationship between God and man. David was not delivered from the hand of Achish because of his righteousness but only by his relationship with God.
Have you ever noticed that you have not received His goodness in your life yet? Have you failed to taste His fullest blessings in your family? Have you experienced failures through your human source? This is the time to restore our relationship with Christ.. Mary of Bethany had teacher in her life, David had Shepherd in his life, what is your role with our Almighty God? He is not too busy in this busiest world. He keenly hears and listens to those who fear Him.
Lets renew our reverence relationship once again.Lets take refuge in the Lord Jesus Christ who is the redeemer of mankind through His sacrificial death on the cross of calvary. Amen and Amen.
Psalm 34 is a Psalm of David when he refined madness before Abimelech who drove him away and he departed.David begins this psalm with a vow or a promise. Here David promises to persistently praise his God. We see frequency of David’s praise in verse 1. He is committed himself to praise God at every opportunity and in the midst of various states of mind,spirit & body. Just as we are to pray without ceasing, pray consistently in all circumstances, David promises to praise without ceasing.
In verse 2, we see the focus of praise. David does not dwell on his experience, nor even on his deliverance, but on His Deliverer. The Lord is both the subject and object of David’s praise. Verse 3 reminds us of the fellowship of praise. Praise can not only be private, here David publicly praised God at worship, he did to promote worship on the part of the entire congregation. David urged his fellow worshippers to join with him in magnifying Lord, so that His name will CORPORATELY exalted. In verses 4-7, David describes his deliverance which is the basis for his praise and worship.
I would like to concentrate on verses 8-10 which brings God’s provision and protection in our life.
“O taste and see that the Lord is good; how blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him, O fear the Lord, you His saints for to those who fear Him, there is no want. The young lions do lack and suffer hunger, but those who seek the Lord shall not be in want of good thing.”
We understood from these verses that, the majority of David’s companions did not experience the fullest blessings of God. How many of us are still like David day friends, enough to worship but fail to experience the fullest blessings of God. I would like to encourage everyone in this fellowship to taste, to trust and to fear the Lord. Our personal relationship with our God will enable us to personally experience the provision and protection of God.
I read Malachi 3:16, today in my meditation and noticed that our loving Lord listens and hears to those who fear Him. Is it not wonderful that our Almighty God is not busy with other tasks but He is keen on you and me. I understood that the fear of the Lord is the prerequisite to receive the goodness of the Lord. God’s fullest blessings is only directed toward those who FEAR Him. Because, the fear of the Lord is dependent upon a relationship between God and man. David was not delivered from the hand of Achish because of his righteousness but only by his relationship with God.
Have you ever noticed that you have not received His goodness in your life yet? Have you failed to taste His fullest blessings in your family? Have you experienced failures through your human source? This is the time to restore our relationship with Christ.. Mary of Bethany had teacher in her life, David had Shepherd in his life, what is your role with our Almighty God? He is not too busy in this busiest world. He keenly hears and listens to those who fear Him.
Lets renew our reverence relationship once again.Lets take refuge in the Lord Jesus Christ who is the redeemer of mankind through His sacrificial death on the cross of calvary. Amen and Amen.
Monday, June 25, 2007
Pray without ceasing
Dear Friends,
Pray without Ceasing, I Thessalonians 5: 17, What did Paul mean by this?
A literal translation of this verse is , “Pray without interruption”. Did Paul really mean that we should give up all other activity and only give ourselves to prayer? To pray without ceasing is to pray whether we feel like it or NOT. The Apostle paul didn’t feel like praying when he was shipwrecked 3 times or when he was beaten with a rod or stoned. (II Cor 11:25). Too often we cease to pray when we fail to see the answers we want.
I personally feel that there are 2 things hidden in this verse, “pray without ceasing”. First, it is a privilege for every child of God to communicate with our creator. We worship and pray to a living Lord Jesus Christ who has resurrected from dead. Our Omnipresence God, King of kings, Eternal God, the Amen is prayer hearing and prayer answering God.
The dead of night is not too late for our God.
The breaking of the morning is not too early for the Most High
At midday, He is not too busy and
When evening gathers He is not too weary with His children’s prayer.
So pray without ceasing. Why should we pray? It is of divine authority, because our God always deserves to be worshipped, prayer is a method of worship. Let us send out at the dove of prayer, surely she will return to us with an Olive branch of peace in her mouth. So it is a privilege of every child of God to pray continually.
Secondly, it means, our prayer must be persistent. As we breathe without ceasing, so must we pray without ceasing? Never abandon prayer or never cease to pray. It is not that we must pray until we are saved and then may leave off. NO, continue in prayer until the last moment of our prayer. Being a watchful Christian, lets have our times of daily devotion fixed not by superstition but for our convenience and remembrance.
David prayed 3 times a day, so pray without ceasing. In luke 18, we see a story of the persistent widow. Persistent prayer brings victory; it is not to convince God to act but to keep active the lines of communication so that we know when He is prompting us into action. We have heard Elijah telling his servant to look 6 times, he says, go again seven times. When Peter was in prison, the church had prayed God to liberate him. Let us pray on, so that Peter will knock at our gate to bring the answers for our prayers in the coming days.
Before I conclude, I would like share my personal opinion about this verse. I go to the throne of grace to worship God and seek His blessings. I don’t go away till I have done this. So please don’t rise from your knees, till you find the blessings. Lets pray, weep, entreat, wrestle, agonize till you get that which you are praying for. Lets us avoid lethargy and indifference in prayer.
In Psalm 65:2, we see that, “You who hear prayer, To you all men will come” May the God of Amen help us go to HIS throne with prayer continually. Amen and Amen
Pray without Ceasing, I Thessalonians 5: 17, What did Paul mean by this?
A literal translation of this verse is , “Pray without interruption”. Did Paul really mean that we should give up all other activity and only give ourselves to prayer? To pray without ceasing is to pray whether we feel like it or NOT. The Apostle paul didn’t feel like praying when he was shipwrecked 3 times or when he was beaten with a rod or stoned. (II Cor 11:25). Too often we cease to pray when we fail to see the answers we want.
I personally feel that there are 2 things hidden in this verse, “pray without ceasing”. First, it is a privilege for every child of God to communicate with our creator. We worship and pray to a living Lord Jesus Christ who has resurrected from dead. Our Omnipresence God, King of kings, Eternal God, the Amen is prayer hearing and prayer answering God.
The dead of night is not too late for our God.
The breaking of the morning is not too early for the Most High
At midday, He is not too busy and
When evening gathers He is not too weary with His children’s prayer.
So pray without ceasing. Why should we pray? It is of divine authority, because our God always deserves to be worshipped, prayer is a method of worship. Let us send out at the dove of prayer, surely she will return to us with an Olive branch of peace in her mouth. So it is a privilege of every child of God to pray continually.
Secondly, it means, our prayer must be persistent. As we breathe without ceasing, so must we pray without ceasing? Never abandon prayer or never cease to pray. It is not that we must pray until we are saved and then may leave off. NO, continue in prayer until the last moment of our prayer. Being a watchful Christian, lets have our times of daily devotion fixed not by superstition but for our convenience and remembrance.
David prayed 3 times a day, so pray without ceasing. In luke 18, we see a story of the persistent widow. Persistent prayer brings victory; it is not to convince God to act but to keep active the lines of communication so that we know when He is prompting us into action. We have heard Elijah telling his servant to look 6 times, he says, go again seven times. When Peter was in prison, the church had prayed God to liberate him. Let us pray on, so that Peter will knock at our gate to bring the answers for our prayers in the coming days.
Before I conclude, I would like share my personal opinion about this verse. I go to the throne of grace to worship God and seek His blessings. I don’t go away till I have done this. So please don’t rise from your knees, till you find the blessings. Lets pray, weep, entreat, wrestle, agonize till you get that which you are praying for. Lets us avoid lethargy and indifference in prayer.
In Psalm 65:2, we see that, “You who hear prayer, To you all men will come” May the God of Amen help us go to HIS throne with prayer continually. Amen and Amen
Thursday, June 14, 2007
My Lord and My God
Dear Friends,
Have you ever doubted about your faith or Are there times you want to sit down with our Lord Jesus and get His advice? Thomas, the one of the disciples wanted Jesus’ physical presence because he doubted the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. He said in John 20: 25, “unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe”
Who is this Thomas? He was the one of the twelve (Mathew 10:3). Not knowing much about Thomas’ family background, his profession, educational levels, but we see Thomas was also present at the raising of Lazarus (John 11:16). He was a companion of Jesus Christ, he was loyal to Jesus, he also asked Jesus the way to the father’s house, John 14: 4-5. I think Thomas was very thoughtful. My imagination carried Thomas alone in the quiet place to meditate about Jesus death and filled with doubts to believe about His resurrection. May be Thomas was full of questions to accept Jesus death itself. We don’t know why Thomas was absent the first time Jesus appeared to the disciples after resurrection but he was reluctant to believe their witness to Christ resurrection. Not even 10 friends could change his mind. Some time we do doubt our God in our life, when our plans don’t succeed, or our hopes are shattered or in the time of difficult situation. It is better to doubt rather believing in silence, because doubt leads to questions, questions lead to answers and the answers are accepted.
In the bible we see many doubting people, for example, in Genesis 17: 17, Abraham and Sarah doubted when God told him he would be a father in old age. In Exodus, 3: 10-15, Moses doubted when God told him to return to Egypt to lead the people. In Luke 1:18, Zachariah doubted when told he would be a father in his old age. I think, it is a human nature to doubt about what we do not see, touch and whatever that is beyond our imagination and our ability to understand. When you and I experience doubt, take encouragement from Thomas. He didn’t stay in his doubt, but allowed Jesus brings him to belief. Our compassionate God was not hard on Thomas for his doubts instead showed himself to him. Jesus said, “Shalom”. Are you dwelling in doubts or confusions or distress or failures after failures, the unchanging Lord Jesus is telling you and me, the same promise Shalom, peace be with you. Amen. What is Thomas reply?, John 20: 28, Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God”
Let’s come out of our doubting circle and believe that God is in our midst and ready to place us on the firm ground. When I read the following verse, I am very much satisfied that I come in this scripture. John 20: 29, “ …..blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believe.” Yes, blessed are you and me who believe in our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. God’s plan is wiser; he wants to be present with you and me at all time. Even now, he is with us in the form of the Holy Spirit.
Now the question is, are you still confused to know that this a call is from our God? Let’s get up from our doubts and believe that he will never leave us alone in our doubts. His hands are stretched out towards us. Like doubting Thomas, lets confess once again, my lord and My God, I believe in you.
May the Lord Jesus Christ who has risen from the dead empower everyone with His everlasting peace in our life? Amen.
Have you ever doubted about your faith or Are there times you want to sit down with our Lord Jesus and get His advice? Thomas, the one of the disciples wanted Jesus’ physical presence because he doubted the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. He said in John 20: 25, “unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe”
Who is this Thomas? He was the one of the twelve (Mathew 10:3). Not knowing much about Thomas’ family background, his profession, educational levels, but we see Thomas was also present at the raising of Lazarus (John 11:16). He was a companion of Jesus Christ, he was loyal to Jesus, he also asked Jesus the way to the father’s house, John 14: 4-5. I think Thomas was very thoughtful. My imagination carried Thomas alone in the quiet place to meditate about Jesus death and filled with doubts to believe about His resurrection. May be Thomas was full of questions to accept Jesus death itself. We don’t know why Thomas was absent the first time Jesus appeared to the disciples after resurrection but he was reluctant to believe their witness to Christ resurrection. Not even 10 friends could change his mind. Some time we do doubt our God in our life, when our plans don’t succeed, or our hopes are shattered or in the time of difficult situation. It is better to doubt rather believing in silence, because doubt leads to questions, questions lead to answers and the answers are accepted.
In the bible we see many doubting people, for example, in Genesis 17: 17, Abraham and Sarah doubted when God told him he would be a father in old age. In Exodus, 3: 10-15, Moses doubted when God told him to return to Egypt to lead the people. In Luke 1:18, Zachariah doubted when told he would be a father in his old age. I think, it is a human nature to doubt about what we do not see, touch and whatever that is beyond our imagination and our ability to understand. When you and I experience doubt, take encouragement from Thomas. He didn’t stay in his doubt, but allowed Jesus brings him to belief. Our compassionate God was not hard on Thomas for his doubts instead showed himself to him. Jesus said, “Shalom”. Are you dwelling in doubts or confusions or distress or failures after failures, the unchanging Lord Jesus is telling you and me, the same promise Shalom, peace be with you. Amen. What is Thomas reply?, John 20: 28, Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God”
Let’s come out of our doubting circle and believe that God is in our midst and ready to place us on the firm ground. When I read the following verse, I am very much satisfied that I come in this scripture. John 20: 29, “ …..blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believe.” Yes, blessed are you and me who believe in our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. God’s plan is wiser; he wants to be present with you and me at all time. Even now, he is with us in the form of the Holy Spirit.
Now the question is, are you still confused to know that this a call is from our God? Let’s get up from our doubts and believe that he will never leave us alone in our doubts. His hands are stretched out towards us. Like doubting Thomas, lets confess once again, my lord and My God, I believe in you.
May the Lord Jesus Christ who has risen from the dead empower everyone with His everlasting peace in our life? Amen.
Sunday, June 10, 2007
Nearness to God produces Worship
Dear Friends,
As we all know, Jacob cheated his own brother for a birthright and he disguised like his brother to get his father’s blessings. Overall, Jacob succeeded in his plans and now he was going to Padan Haram to get wife for himself. For our study, lets see Genesis 28. Even now Jacob was not going with empty handed, his father Isaac blessed him again to inherit the land where he travel. Gen 28: 3, 4
Now, lets focus on his travel to Paddam Haram, verse 10 & 11 of same chapter 28, Jacob went out from Beer Sheba and went toward Haran. He came to certain place and stayed there all night. I would like to bring our attention from verse 11, Jacob stayed there all night, till that time, Jacob was not afraid or in other words, he was not scared of his journey, because he was a successful man and above all he had received his father’s blessings. According to my knowledge, he was traveling all alone to Haram. Now there is a turning point in Jacob’s life. This is a time that Jacob needed God’s guidance and this is a situation where Jacob searched God in his life. If we see verses 11 to 15, Jacob dreamed a stairway from earth to Heaven and saw angels of ascending and descending on it. What do you think about this verse? What do we learn from angels?
When angels saw the birth of Christ and knew that God had miraculously become a member of the human family to bring salvation to mankind, they shouted, “Glory to God in the highest” Luke 2:14. When angels saw the glorified Son of God and realized that He had gone through death to bring salvation to sinners, they said, “ Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessings” Rev 5:12. These angels are closer to God, so they worshipped Him. I understood that the closer we live to God, the more spontaneously and enthusiastically we will worship Him. Back to Gen 28: 17-22, Jacob was in God’s presence, so he worshipped God. How is our closer walk with our Christ? Could we able to sense God’s presence in our lives?
If we see verse 13, 14 & 15 of same chapter, God blessed Jacob with wonderful promises, “ I will not leave you until I have done that which I have spoken of to you." If we notice closely, God has spoken to Jacob in the wilderness, where you and me think there is no hope. The same God promised Abraham by multiplying his generation like stars in the sky when Abraham was in older age, without having a hope of getting child. When I was meditating about these, I could able to feel mighty power in myself, assuring that, nothing is impossible with our God. When the worldly people think there is no hope, we the believers of Christ should assure that there is a hopeful future, why? because, our God is faithful and a living God. Are you worried about your studies, or exams, or family salvation or financial crisis,or job placement or future, etc? Our God is great, His power is mighty and we worship a living God, who is in our midst to take care of us.
May the Lord Jesus help us to live obediently and pray sincerely, so that we could sense God's presence in our lives which could lead us to worship Him in private and look forward to worshipping Him with others. Amen and Amen
Love and Prayers,
As we all know, Jacob cheated his own brother for a birthright and he disguised like his brother to get his father’s blessings. Overall, Jacob succeeded in his plans and now he was going to Padan Haram to get wife for himself. For our study, lets see Genesis 28. Even now Jacob was not going with empty handed, his father Isaac blessed him again to inherit the land where he travel. Gen 28: 3, 4
Now, lets focus on his travel to Paddam Haram, verse 10 & 11 of same chapter 28, Jacob went out from Beer Sheba and went toward Haran. He came to certain place and stayed there all night. I would like to bring our attention from verse 11, Jacob stayed there all night, till that time, Jacob was not afraid or in other words, he was not scared of his journey, because he was a successful man and above all he had received his father’s blessings. According to my knowledge, he was traveling all alone to Haram. Now there is a turning point in Jacob’s life. This is a time that Jacob needed God’s guidance and this is a situation where Jacob searched God in his life. If we see verses 11 to 15, Jacob dreamed a stairway from earth to Heaven and saw angels of ascending and descending on it. What do you think about this verse? What do we learn from angels?
When angels saw the birth of Christ and knew that God had miraculously become a member of the human family to bring salvation to mankind, they shouted, “Glory to God in the highest” Luke 2:14. When angels saw the glorified Son of God and realized that He had gone through death to bring salvation to sinners, they said, “ Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessings” Rev 5:12. These angels are closer to God, so they worshipped Him. I understood that the closer we live to God, the more spontaneously and enthusiastically we will worship Him. Back to Gen 28: 17-22, Jacob was in God’s presence, so he worshipped God. How is our closer walk with our Christ? Could we able to sense God’s presence in our lives?
If we see verse 13, 14 & 15 of same chapter, God blessed Jacob with wonderful promises, “ I will not leave you until I have done that which I have spoken of to you." If we notice closely, God has spoken to Jacob in the wilderness, where you and me think there is no hope. The same God promised Abraham by multiplying his generation like stars in the sky when Abraham was in older age, without having a hope of getting child. When I was meditating about these, I could able to feel mighty power in myself, assuring that, nothing is impossible with our God. When the worldly people think there is no hope, we the believers of Christ should assure that there is a hopeful future, why? because, our God is faithful and a living God. Are you worried about your studies, or exams, or family salvation or financial crisis,or job placement or future, etc? Our God is great, His power is mighty and we worship a living God, who is in our midst to take care of us.
May the Lord Jesus help us to live obediently and pray sincerely, so that we could sense God's presence in our lives which could lead us to worship Him in private and look forward to worshipping Him with others. Amen and Amen
Love and Prayers,
Friday, June 1, 2007
The Amen
Dear Friends,
I have seen a poster recently where all the titles of Jesus Christ were given, when I was reading one by one, the title “The Amen” caught my attention. Let’s meditate on “The Amen”
Amen means truly or verily. It is an exclamation expressing agreement with a statement. At the end of a prayer it expresses the genuineness of the petition. If we see Mathew 6:13, Lord Jesus himself concludes the prayer like this, “yours is the kingdom, the power and the glory forever, Amen.” If we see Nehemiah 5:13, 8:16 all the people answered Amen, Amen with lifting their hands.
Why do we say Amen? The word ‘Amen’ is almost always last word of a solemn statement. Paul states that people of God should say ‘Amen’ at the end of a prayer in Church. (ICor 14:16) when we say Amen, we are saying, “Yes, before our God, I agree with that, I believe that to be true, I want that to be so.”
For our meditation, lets concentrate Rev 3:14, John write like this,” ….. these are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation” when I started meditating on this, God has spoken to me with the following verses. Rev 3: 19, 20., “Those whom I love, I rebuke and discipline, so be earnest and repent, here I am I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him and he with me.”
So the God of Amen, our lovely Lord Jesus Christ who is faithful and true God, is reminding once again about our present status in our Christian life. If we see this verse closely, we could able to see that, our God of Amen loves you and me, or in other words, our God of truth loves you and me, since He loved us, He has complete authority over us to discipline us. So lets be earnest and repent once again at His throne. When we see verse 20 of Rev 3, it says that, “Here I am, I stand at the door and knock, if anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him and he with me”. It confirms that our faithful God is standing and knocking at our inner person. Are we able to hear His voice? May be we are busy and hearing many voices in our busy schedule. Lets stop and discern to our Lord’s voice today.
According Isaiah 65:16, May the God of Truth help us to be truthful in our Christian calling? Are we not so grateful to have faithful and true God in our midst whose ears are open at all times to HIS children. Amen.
May the God of Amen help us to be more faithful to succeed in our Christian life?. Amen and Amen.
Love and Prayers,
I have seen a poster recently where all the titles of Jesus Christ were given, when I was reading one by one, the title “The Amen” caught my attention. Let’s meditate on “The Amen”
Amen means truly or verily. It is an exclamation expressing agreement with a statement. At the end of a prayer it expresses the genuineness of the petition. If we see Mathew 6:13, Lord Jesus himself concludes the prayer like this, “yours is the kingdom, the power and the glory forever, Amen.” If we see Nehemiah 5:13, 8:16 all the people answered Amen, Amen with lifting their hands.
Why do we say Amen? The word ‘Amen’ is almost always last word of a solemn statement. Paul states that people of God should say ‘Amen’ at the end of a prayer in Church. (ICor 14:16) when we say Amen, we are saying, “Yes, before our God, I agree with that, I believe that to be true, I want that to be so.”
For our meditation, lets concentrate Rev 3:14, John write like this,” ….. these are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation” when I started meditating on this, God has spoken to me with the following verses. Rev 3: 19, 20., “Those whom I love, I rebuke and discipline, so be earnest and repent, here I am I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him and he with me.”
So the God of Amen, our lovely Lord Jesus Christ who is faithful and true God, is reminding once again about our present status in our Christian life. If we see this verse closely, we could able to see that, our God of Amen loves you and me, or in other words, our God of truth loves you and me, since He loved us, He has complete authority over us to discipline us. So lets be earnest and repent once again at His throne. When we see verse 20 of Rev 3, it says that, “Here I am, I stand at the door and knock, if anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him and he with me”. It confirms that our faithful God is standing and knocking at our inner person. Are we able to hear His voice? May be we are busy and hearing many voices in our busy schedule. Lets stop and discern to our Lord’s voice today.
According Isaiah 65:16, May the God of Truth help us to be truthful in our Christian calling? Are we not so grateful to have faithful and true God in our midst whose ears are open at all times to HIS children. Amen.
May the God of Amen help us to be more faithful to succeed in our Christian life?. Amen and Amen.
Love and Prayers,
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)