Saturday, October 16, 2010

Simple Thoughts On Promises- 326

But now, this is what the LORD says - he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine." (Isaiah 43:1)

"You are mine!" That's what God told his chosen people, the Israelites.
This day Jesus says the same to you. He created you, formed you, redeemed you and summoned you. You are his treasured possession. Do you believe that?

As always, his comforting words are for you and your loved ones. He says, "Fear Not".
Of course, the problems in life are real, but so are the promises of God. Hold on to the promises in the Word of God. They will strengthen you in times of trouble.

The Psalmist sang,
My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken. (Psalm 62:1, 2)

Remember, Jesus is your fortress, so you will never be shaken. Your salvation and your honor depend on God ; he is your mighty rock, your refuge. Trust in him at all times. He will deliver you from the troubles that you are going through these days. He will make you sings songs of victory very soon. Praise the Lord.

Saturday, September 4, 2010

Simple Thoughts On Promises- 325

And God said, "I will be with you. And this will be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God on this mountain." (Exodus 3:12)

This promise was God's answer to Moses' question:"Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring the sons of Israel out of Egypt?"
Moses was apprehensive and did not consider himself eligible for the job God was calling him to do. He was no longer in any authoritative position; just living an ordinary life. Gone were the days when he weilded power as the son of Pharaoh's daughter. Pharaoh was not on good terms with him anymore and Moses was fearful. He considered himself insignificant to do great exploits as God desired.

But God gave him a promise and a sign to go along with it. God promised," I will be with you" and also said, "when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall worship God at this mountain."

God is always certain of what he can do through us though we may think we are not up to the task at hand. That's because we look at the present and have not much idea of what is there in the future. But God knows the future and is certain that he can work in us to make the impossible happen because he is the one who is leading and guiding us.

What God promised, he fulfilled in the life of Moses and truly, the Israelites worshipped God at Mount Horeb later on.

Are you in two minds regarding the call that God has upon your life? Please do not look back. This day, the Lord says to you,
"Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you. (Isaiah 60:1)

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Simple Thoughts On Promises- 324

He who pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor. (Proverbs 21:21)

A proverb that came true in the life of Joseph, son of Jacob. He was a man who pursued righteousness. In distress, he did not accuse God, but waited for his deliverance. When pursued by sinful temptations, he chose to run away from it as is evident in the following verses.

Now Joseph was well-built and handsome, and after a while his master's wife took notice of Joseph and said, "Come to bed with me!" But he refused. "With me in charge," he told her, "my master does not concern himself with anything in the house; everything he owns he has entrusted to my care. No one is greater in this house than I am. My master has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?" And though she spoke to Joseph day after day, he refused to go to bed with her or even be with her. One day he went into the house to attend to his duties, and none of the household servants was inside. She caught him by his cloak and said, "Come to bed with me!" But he left his cloak in her hand and ran out of the house. When she saw that he had left his cloak in her hand and had run out of the house, (Genesis 39:6-13)

Joseph could have lived in sin, but he chose not to give into the temptation. For pursuing righteousness, he landed in prison for 2 years because Potiphar's wife falsely accused him. It was not only righteousness that he pursued; he also pursued love, in that he forgave his brothers who had thrown him mercilessly into a pit and later sold him as a slave. God's watchful eyes were on him at all times and when God exalted him, the rewards were what we read in the title verse....life, prosperity and honor.

May it be so in our lives too. God bless.

Friday, August 13, 2010

Simple Thoughts On Promises- 323

But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations. (Psalms 33:11)

No one can thwart the plans of God. He is Almighty. From the beginning, he weilds all power and everything, living and nonliving are subject to him. The Psalmist exhorts all in this manner:
Let all the earth fear the LORD; let all the people of the world revere him. For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm. (Psalm 33:8, 9)

The Apostle Paul writing to the Colossians says this regarding Jesus,
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. (Colossians 1:15-17)

Jesus said,
"All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. (Matthew 28:18)

As a believer in Jesus Christ, you must always remember that you serve an Almighty God. All authority in heaven and on earth is with Jesus. Even though circumstances in your life say otherwise, he can change everthing in a moment. He can change rules for you. He can make unyielding officials yielding. He can change governments for your sake. You are precious to him. If your plans are his original plans, he will make a way. It's only a matter of time. Hang in there. Keep praying. God bless.

Friday, August 6, 2010

Simple Thoughts On Promises- 321

And I will make the Egyptians favorably disposed toward this people, so that when you leave you will not go empty-handed. (Exodus 3:21)

God had planned to deliver the Israelites from Egyptian bondage and he didn't want them to go empty-handed. He told Moses that he was going to make the enemy be favorably disposed to them. And it did happen as God said.

The Israelites did as Moses instructed and asked the Egyptians for articles of silver and gold and for clothing. The LORD had made the Egyptians favorably disposed toward the people, and they gave them what they asked for; so they plundered the Egyptians. (Exodus 12:35, 36)

God can touch the hearts of men to be favorably disposed to his chosen ones and here is an example.
So Joseph went after his brothers and found them near Dothan. But they saw him in the distance, and before he reached them, they plotted to kill him. "Here comes that dreamer!" they said to each other. "Come now, let's kill him and throw him into one of these cisterns and say that a ferocious animal devoured him. Then we'll see what comes of his dreams." When Reuben heard this, he tried to rescue him from their hands. "Let's not take his life," he said. "Don't shed any blood. Throw him into this cistern here in the desert, but don't lay a hand on him." Reuben said this to rescue him from them and take him back to his father. (Genesis 37:17-22)

Later on.....Judah said to his brothers, "What will we gain if we kill our brother and cover up his blood? Come, let's sell him to the Ishmaelites and not lay our hands on him; after all, he is our brother, our own flesh and blood." His brothers agreed. (Genesis 37:26, 27)

God touched the hearts of Reuben and Judah at the right moments and so Joseph remained alive though his brothers had earlier planned to kill him.

If you are in a situation where others are oppressing you and not giving you what is just, take hope from the promise in the title verse. God is able to make the enemy be favorably disposed to you. The Israelites had suffered at the hands of the Egyptians; what was justly due to them as wages were withheld for quite a long time and now God wanted them to have what they had been denied earlier. God is just and he will see to it that those who have purposely withheld what is due to you, be favorably disposed to you and give you what you have asked for in prayer. Praise the Lord.

Friday, July 30, 2010

Simple Thoughts On Promises- 320

O Sovereign LORD, you are God! Your words are trustworthy, and you have promised these good things to your servant. Now be pleased to bless the house of your servant, that it may continue forever in your sight; for you, O Sovereign LORD, have spoken, and with your blessing the house of your servant will be blessed forever. (2 Samuel 7:29, 29)

King David was overwhelmed with the plethora of promises that the Lord gave him through the prophet Nathan and here he acknowledges God’s faithfulness and prays for God to bless him and his descendants continually. The promises given him were awesome. God told him,
1) I will make your name great, like the names of the greatest men of the earth.
2) I will provide a place for my people Israel and will plant them so that they can have a home of their own and no longer be disturbed.
3) I will give you rest from all your enemies.
4) I will establish a house for you.
5) When your days are over and you rest with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, who will come from your own body, and I will establish his kingdom. He is the one who will build a house for my Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.
6) Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever.

God is faithful in all that he says and does. As David says here, “His words are trustworthy”. He does not go back on the promises that he makes if we remain faithful to him. Many promises are conditional and require us to obey him in what he has told us. There are other promises that he gives and fulfills because it is his absolute will. Like here we see God proclaiming that David’s son would be the one who would build God’s temple and it was fulfilled by Solomon building it.

Another thing noticeable here is David repeatedly acknowledging that he is God’s servant. You and me, we too are God’s servants; put here on earth in our places to fulfill God’s plans through us. Shall we then be faithful in our callings, so that God may bless us and our families as he blessed David? Praise the Lord.

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Simple Thoughts On Promises- 318

But the Scripture declares that the whole world is a prisoner of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe. (Galatians 3:22)

Have you read this verse before? It very clearly states the condition of the present world; meaning it's inhabitants collectively....A PRISONER OF SIN. Not all are prisoners though. There is a minority for whom the promise of eternal life will be fulfilled because they believe in salvation through Jesus Christ.

Long ago, during the days of Noah, the world had become a prisoner of sin and God destroyed it with a flood. The Bible says,
The LORD saw how great man's wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time. The LORD was grieved that he had made man on the earth, and his heart was filled with pain. So the LORD said, "I will wipe mankind, whom I have created, from the face of the earth--men and animals, and creatures that move along the ground, and birds of the air--for I am grieved that I have made them." (Genesis 6:5-7)

And now again, the world has become A PRISONER OF SIN. And this is what the Bible has to say regarding this prisoner.
"By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men." (2 Peter 3:7)

Judgement and destruction is definite. So what must one do?

The Apostle Peter exhorts us in this manner,
"The LORD is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. But the day of the LORD will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming."(2 Peter 3:9-12)

Summing it up, he writes,
But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness. (2 Peter 3:13)

The promise will be fulfilled for those who have trusted in Jesus and are living for him. Praise the Lord.

Sunday, July 4, 2010

Simple Thoughts On Promises- 317

Did I conceive all these people? Did I give them birth? Why do you tell me to carry them in my arms, as a nurse carries an infant, to the land you promised on oath to their forefathers? (Numbers 11:12)

Frustrations come easily in this earthly sojourn of ours, and Moses, the man chosen by God to lead the Israelites from Egypt to Canaan, was no exception. The constant bickering that he had to endure from the Israelites in the wilderness frustrated him no end and the dam burst forth one day and Moses cried out to the Lord........
"Why have you brought this trouble on your servant? What have I done to displease you that you put the burden of all these people on me? Did I conceive all these people? Did I give them birth? Why do you tell me to carry them in my arms, as a nurse carries an infant, to the land you promised on oath to their forefathers? Where can I get meat for all these people? They keep wailing to me, 'Give us meat to eat!' I cannot carry all these people by myself; the burden is too heavy for me. If this is how you are going to treat me, put me to death right now--if I have found favor in your eyes--and do not let me face my own ruin." (Numbers 11:11-15)

Quite pithy statements, I would say.

I think we have all felt like Moses sometime or the other in our lives too. He told God that the burden was too heavy upon him. He wanted to die. And there were several occasions where he desired to die....for several reasons.

But God had some instant answers for Moses.
The LORD said to Moses: "Bring me seventy of Israel's elders who are known to you as leaders and officials among the people. Have them come to the Tent of Meeting, that they may stand there with you. I will come down and speak with you there, and I will take of the Spirit that is on you and put the Spirit on them. They will help you carry the burden of the people so that you will not have to carry it alone. (Numbers 11:16,17)

Wow! That would have been a big relief to Moses.
God saw his plea for assistance justifiable and provided a wonderful solution.

Is your plea justifiable in the Lord's sight? If yes, "Do not worry." He has a solution at hand. And you will see and experience it in your life very soon. Praise God for what you are about to receive. Yes, "Praise God."


Saturday, July 3, 2010

Simple Thoughts On Promises- 316

We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised. (Hebrews 6:12)

"Imitate them who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised." That's what the author of Hebrews prescribes us as medicine if we happen to be lazy.
Here's some more pep talk from the author of Proverbs for the lazy...
Lazy hands make a man poor, but diligent hands bring wealth. (Proverbs 10:4)
The lazy man does not roast his game, but the diligent man prizes his possessions.(Proverbs 12:27)

Some believers dilly-dally a lot with regard to worship, prayer, meditation of the Word and eventually stagnate in their spiritual lives. They never seem to make up their minds regarding building their spiritual lives.
King Solomon wrote,
If a man is lazy, the rafters sag; if his hands are idle, the house leaks. (Ecclesiastes 10:18)

There are many a leaking spiritual houses these days. Like Jonah who disobeyed God's command to go to Nineveh. When he was asked who he was, while on his way to Tarshish on a ship, he replied,
"I am a Hebrew and I worship the LORD, the God of heaven, who made the sea and the land."(Jonah 1:9)

Mostly true, but there are a couple of hidden things in that statement...like his disobedience and rebellion.
So, how's your spiritual life? Are the rafters sagging?

The Bible exhorts us,
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. (Hebrews 10:23)
Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. (Hebrews 13:8)

Jesus exhorts us,
I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown. (Revelation 3:11)

Let's give ear to the Holy Spirit's voice in these final days....and......"Imitate them who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised."

Sunday, June 27, 2010

Simple Thoughts On Promises- 314

Do what is right and good in the LORD's sight, so that it may go well with you and you may go in and take over the good land that the LORD promised on oath to your forefathers. (Deuteronomy 6:18)

Why is it so important to do what is right and good in the Lord's sight? Moses, here says that, it is intimately related to your wellbeing and the Lord's promise being fulfilled in your life.

Regarding a couple of kings of Judah, the Bible says,
Asa did what was good and right in the eyes of the LORD his God.(2 Chronicles 14:2)
This is what Hezekiah did throughout Judah, doing what was good and right and faithful before the LORD his God.(2 Chronicles 31:20)

All the years that these kings did good and right, the Lord blessed them abundantly, rescued them from their enemies and gave them peace. But later on when they did wrong and did not trust in God, they paid the price for it.

In his latter years as king, Asa chose to befriend a wicked king and God sent a prophet to him who said,
"For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. You have done a foolish thing, and from now on you will be at war."

King Hezekiah did an foolish thing of showing off all his treasures and riches to the envoys of a wicked Babylonian king and God had this to say to him,
The time will surely come when everything in your palace, and all that your fathers have stored up until this day, will be carried off to Babylon. Nothing will be left, says the LORD.(2 Kings 20:17)

The Apostle Paul, writing to the Philippians exhorts them in this manner:
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things. (Philippians 4:8)

To the Church at Thessalonica, he again writes,
And as for you, brothers, never tire of doing what is right.(2 Thessalonians 3:13)

Surely, doing good and right is a pleasant sacrifice in the sight of the Lord and his blessings will be upon them that do so.

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Simple Thoughts On Promises- 313

Isaiah answered, "This is the LORD's sign to you that the LORD will do what he has promised: Shall the shadow go forward ten steps, or shall it go back ten steps? (2 Kings 20:9)

Hezekiah became ill and was at the point of death. The prophet Isaiah went to him and said, "This is what the LORD says: Put your house in order, because you are going to die; you will not recover." Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the LORD, "Remember, O LORD, how I have walked before you faithfully and with wholehearted devotion and have done what is good in your eyes." And Hezekiah wept bitterly. Before Isaiah had left the middle court, the word of the LORD came to him: "Go back and tell Hezekiah, the leader of my people, 'This is what the LORD, the God of your father David, says: I have heard your prayer and seen your tears; I will heal you. On the third day from now you will go up to the temple of the LORD."

Then Hezekiah asked Isaiah, "What will be the sign that the LORD will heal me and that I will go up to the temple of the LORD on the third day from now?" And to this question, Isaiah gave the reply that we read in the title verse. Isaiah told him that the Lord will give him a sign...in the form of a miracle....LORD made the shadow go back the ten steps it had gone down on the stairway of Ahaz (the sundial of Ahaz) .

Are you waiting for a sign from the Lord regarding a promise that the Lord has given you? It will come soon. You will see a miracle. Keep praying for the Lord is at work. He will fulfill his promise to you.

Saturday, June 19, 2010

Simple Thoughts On Promises- 312

And I have promised to bring you up out of your misery in Egypt into the land of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites--a land flowing with milk and honey. (Exodus 3:17)

The Israelites were in a miserable condition in Egypt. 430 years of slavery. Pain, injury and shame were their wages for working hard. And God decided to end it all.
Long before all these years of slavery, God had spoken to Abraham regarding this bondage and the redemption. He said,
"Know for certain that your descendants will be strangers in a country not their own, and they will be enslaved and mistreated four hundred years. But I will punish the nation they serve as slaves, and afterward they will come out with great possessions." (Genesis 15:13, 14)
And it happened exactly as God said.

What God promises, he brings about at his appointed time and no one can stop him. The
Psalmist says,
Your promises have been thoroughly tested, and your servant loves them.(Psalms 119:140)

Again in Psalms 145, we read,
Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations. The LORD is faithful to all his promises and loving toward all he has made. (v13)

Even in your life, If God has promised you something, he will bring it to fulfillment, because the Bible says,
For no matter how many promises God has made, they are "Yes" in Christ. And so through him the "Amen" is spoken by us to the glory of God. (2 Corinthians 1:20)

Shall we say an "Amen" to that!

Monday, June 14, 2010

Simple Thoughts On Promises- 311

"Abner conferred with the elders of Israel and said, "For some time you have wanted to make David your king. Now do it! For the LORD promised David, 'By my servant David I will rescue my people Israel from the hand of the Philistines and from the hand of all their enemies.' " (2 Samuel 3:17, 18)

Abner, here, is reminding the elders of Israel what God had promised David. David was to be king over all the land and he was going to rescue the Israelites from their enemies. David had been anointed king over the house of Judah, but not as king of all Israel. Things had not progressed as David would have desired but God was at work. Abner, who was on Saul's side defected to David's side because of an argument with Saul's son Ishbosheth. Thus started a process by which David would be king. Abner was murdered by Joab, because Abner had killed his brother Asahel. Ishbosheth was murdered later on by Baanah and Recab, leaders of his raiding bands.

Then the Bible says,
All the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and said, "We are your own flesh and blood. In the past, while Saul was king over us, you were the one who led Israel on their military campaigns. And the LORD said to you, 'You will shepherd my people Israel, and you will become their ruler.' " When all the elders of Israel had come to King David at Hebron, the king made a compact with them at Hebron before the LORD, and they anointed David king over Israel. David was thirty years old when he became king, and he reigned forty years. In Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months, and in Jerusalem he reigned over all Israel and Judah thirty-three years. (2 Samuel 5:1-5)

God's promises to David that he would be king over all Israel were fulfilled, not partly, but fully, in God's time.

His promises to you regarding any matter will also be fulfilled totally in his wonderful time. Keep praying.

Sunday, June 6, 2010

Simple Thoughts On Promises- 310

For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. (1 Timothy 4:8)

Paul, the Apostle, exhorts young Timothy to focus on spiritual things rather than the physical. He doesn't condemn physical training and we shouldn't either because it is our duty to take care of our physical body which is the temple of God. But an over emphasis on the physical can be distractive and divert our attentions to the non-spiritual aspects of life.

Paul lays an emphasis on godliness which in essence means having great reverence for God. He says that it has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. It's very true because the physical body that we have will not last forever but our spiritual bodies will live on forever in eternity with God if we live a life obeying the Word Of God.

Paul again exhorts him saying,
But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. (1 Timothy 6:11)

Flee from worldly desires, especially the love of money is what Paul advices him here. Instead pursue things of much value in God's sight namely righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. A fine lesson for all of us who are waiting for eternal life with Jesus in heaven.

Let us not forget this day that....His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. (2 Peter 1:3)
Praise the Lord.

Monday, May 31, 2010

Simple Thoughts On Promises- 309

But from everlasting to everlasting the LORD's love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children's children--with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts. (Psalms 103:17,18)

Serving God faithfully, yet worried about your children or their future? Here's a great promise for you, even though it's from the Old Testament.

God really cares about your children; even more than you ever can. Here are a few other promises about your children because you fear the Lord and obey his Word.

Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who finds great delight in his commands.
His children will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed.(Psalms 112:1, 2)
He who fears the LORD has a secure fortress, and for his children it will be a refuge. (Proverbs 14:26)
The righteous man leads a blameless life; blessed are his children after him. (Proverbs 20:7)

Do you believe that?

King David, the great psalmist gives his testimony in this manner:
I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread. They are always generous and lend freely; their children will be blessed. (Psalms 37:25,26)

The Lord is true to his promises and he will never fail you. God Bless.


Saturday, May 29, 2010

Simple Thoughts On Promises- 308

I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high. (Luke 24:49)

This is one of the great promises of the New Testament. Jesus here, was telling his disciples that they were going to be clothed with power from on high. The disciples must have wondered what kind of power this could be. They had seen power flow from Jesus all through the time that he was with them. Could there be anything new? Jesus wanted them to stay in the city and wait for it. They obeyed him and so they could experience the power first hand. This is how Luke, the physician, writes;

They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers. When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. (Acts 1:14, 2:1-4)

Have you been clothed on from high? Jesus told his disciples before ascending to heaven;
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. (Acts 1:8)

And after the disciples were clothed with power from on high, the Bible says,
With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the LORD Jesus, and much grace was upon them all. (Acts 4:33)

Even regarding Jesus, Luke writes;
God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him. (Acts 10:38)

You need to be clothed from on high, to be constantly victorious in your war against sin and satan. May the Lord grant you that great blessing if you have still not received it. God Bless.


Monday, May 24, 2010

Simple Thoughts On Promises- 307

Simple Thoughts On Promises- 307

All these were sons of Heman the king's seer. They were given him through the promises of God to exalt him. God gave Heman fourteen sons and three daughters. (1 Chronicles 25:5)

King David, together with the commanders of his army, set apart some of the sons of Asaph, Heman and Jeduthun for the ministry of prophesying. The Bible gives a list of 14 sons of Heman and then we read, "All these were sons of Heman the king's seer. They were given him through the promises of God to exalt him. God gave Heman fourteen sons and three daughters."

Notice the part of the title verse that says, "They (sons) were given him through the promises of God to exalt him."

There are some in our generation who consider "children" a burden and a nuisance and some choose not to have children though they are married. Here, "children" were a gift from God to Heman the seer.

Do you consider your child/children as a gift from God?

We read in Psalm 127;
Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from him. (v3)

Do you consider your child/children, a heritage and reward from the Lord?

And about "grand-children", the Bible says,
Children's children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children. (Proverbs 17:6)

As a parent...Are you the pride of your child/children?

Many questions to be answered here! Hope your decisions and answers match well with the Word of God. God Bless.

Thursday, May 13, 2010

Simple Thoughts On Promises- 305

If you return to the Lord, then your brothers and your children will be shown compassion by their captors and will come back to this land, for the LORD your God is gracious and compassionate. He will not turn his face from you if you return to him. (2 Chronicles 30:9)

Hezekiah, when he was king of Judah, sent word to all Israel and Judah, requesting them to come to the house of the Lord at Jerusalem, to keep the Passover to the Lord, according to the law, because they had not kept it in great numbers. So runners went with letters from the king through all Israel and Judah, saying, "O children of Israel, come back again to the Lord, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, so that he may come again to you who have been kept safe out of the hands of the kings of Assyria. Do not be like your fathers and your brothers, who were sinners against the Lord, so that he made them a cause of fear. Now do not be hard-hearted, as your fathers were; but give yourselves to the Lord, and come into his holy place, which he has made his for ever, and be the servants of the Lord your God, so that the heat of his wrath may be turned away from you."

Hezekiah ended by saying,
If you return to the Lord, then your brothers and your children will be shown compassion by their captors and will come back to this land, for the LORD your God is gracious and compassionate. He will not turn his face from you if you return to him.

The last part of the above verse is so very true. God does not turn his face from those who return to him. Yes, God is compassionate and forgiving, and he doesn't turn his face from those who repent of their sins and back-sliding.

If you have been unfaithful to the Lord in your walk with him, God is calling you today to repent and come back to him so that he can have sweet fellowship with you again. God Bless.

Friday, May 7, 2010

Simple Thoughts On Promises- 304

Simple Thoughts On Promises- 304

Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you," declares the LORD. (Jeremiah 1:8)


Called to the work of the Lord at a very young age, Jeremiah was anxious of how he was going to fulfill the Lord's commission. But we read of God assuring him that he would be with him.

Not only Jeremiah, God assured many of his chosen ones that he would be with them and help them to fulfill his plans in their lives.
Here's the assurance he gave to Jacob,
I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you." (Genesis 28:15)

And this is what he told Moses,
"My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest." (Exodus 33:14)

The Lord God who assured Jeremiah, Jacob and Moses is with you too as you do his work of building his kingdom.

We must never forget what Jesus told his disciples when he entrusted them with the Great Commission. He said,
"All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (Matthew 28:18-20)

Yes, he is with us always, to the very end of the age. Praise the Lord.

Friday, April 30, 2010

Simple Thoughts On Promises- 303

Yet you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes. They will walk with me, dressed in white, for they are worthy. (Revelation 3:4)

God asks for purity in the lives of believers and there is always a blessing attached to them who strive to live a life pleasing to the Lord. Not an easy task but achievable with the help of the Holy Spirit. Of course, sins and short comings do come in the lives of all believers, but God is always willing to forgive and help us go forward.

The Church at Sardis in Asia Minor during the days of John the Apostle, had a few faithful believers and it was accounted by the Lord. But most of the people in the Church there were in a bad spiritual condition and this is what God had to say to them,
I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. (Revelation 3:1)

God wanted to them to repent and said,
Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your deeds complete in the sight of my God. (Revelation 3:2)

He also issued a warning if they did not repent.
Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; obey it, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you. (Revelation 3:3)

Sadly, they did not repent and the Church did not last very long. But the faithful were promised by God with this eternal promise:
They will walk with me, dressed in white, for they are worthy. (Revelation 3:4)

To us the Holy Spirit says,
He who overcomes will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out his name from the book of life, but will acknowledge his name before my Father and his angels. (Revelation 3:5)

May the Lord Jesus Christ help us all in this endeavour.

Sunday, April 25, 2010

Simple Thoughts On Promises- 302

Follow justice and justice alone, so that you may live and possess the land the LORD your God is giving you. (Deuteronomy 16:20)

God emphasized the word "justice" here and wanted the Israelites to obey his laws and be just in their dealings, so that they could possess the promised land. But many of them were corrupt including priest and prophet.

Our God is a "just God". He is just in his dealings with mankind. He expects his children also to be just in their dealings.

The Apostle Paul writes,
Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe. (Philippians 2:14, 15)

Crooked and depraved generation...perfect words to describe our generation.

Yet, God expects us to be blameless and pure children. Is it possible? With the help of the Holy Spirit, Yes. By ourselves, No.
That's why Jesus said,
The Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. (John 14:26)
But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. (John 16:13)

God will definitely bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night. He will not keep putting them off, because he is a "just God".

Monday, April 19, 2010

Simple Thoughts On Promises- 301

The Lord will keep you from all harm - he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore. (Psalm 121:7, 8)

Is God able to fulfill the things that you read in the above verses? Yes, he is! And he does it countless times in the lives of believers. Doesn't mean that believers don't fall sick or get injured. But the restraining hand of God prevents what would have been catastrophic.

Jabez prayed to God,
"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 4:10)(NIV)

...keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain....That's a neat little prayer we can pray each day. In the KJV, it's a bit different. There we read....keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me.

The thing to notice here is that God granted his request.
We all need divine protection, what with the devil prowling around like a roaring lion seeking to devour. But God's promises stand us in good stead if we pray them.

Jesus prayed,
I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name--the name you gave me--so that they may be one as we are one. (John 17:11)
My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. (John 17:15)

Yes, God will protect you and your family from all calamities if you live a life pleasing to him. Sin opens the way for satanic attacks, so we must strive to walk with God, obeying his Word. Then his promises will be fulfilled every day of our lives.

The Apostle Paul affirms,
The Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.
(2 Thessalonians 3:3)

Thursday, April 15, 2010

Simple Thoughts On Promises- 300

But the LORD your God will deliver them over to you, throwing them into great confusion until they are destroyed. (Deuteronomy 7:23)

A promise to the Israelites for obeying God's commands in the promised land. God knew the fears that the Israelites had in their hearts regarding the strength of the nations that they would encounter.
Regarding this we read in the book of Deuteronomy.
You may say to yourselves, "These nations are stronger than we are. How can we drive them out?" But do not be afraid of them; remember well what the LORD your God did to Pharaoh and to all Egypt. You saw with your own eyes the great trials, the miraculous signs and wonders, the mighty hand and outstretched arm, with which the LORD your God brought you out. The LORD your God will do the same to all the peoples you now fear. (Deuteronomy 7:17-19)

Are you being attacked by evil forces these days? Has Satan stolen the peace, joy and satisfaction in your life? Is he playing truant with your family?
Do not fear. The Lord God who delivered the Israelites will fight for you. He will set you free. Satan will not win.
Do not be terrified by them, for the LORD your God, who is among you, is a great and awesome God. (Deuteronomy 7:21)
He will do awesome miracles for you yet again. So glorify him this day.

Monday, April 12, 2010

Dr. Johnson's Devotionals From The Word Of God- 10

Dr. Johnson's Devotionals From The Word Of God- 10

On April 9, 2010, the Frankfurt-bound Condor Airlines flight and Qatar Airways plane heading for Melbourne came close to each other in mid-air over the Arabian Sea off Mumbai, India, but a collision was averted after the Air Traffic Control alerted them and asked one of them to descend by around 3,000 feet. The two flights were flying at the same altitude, and were just four miles from each other. Flights are required to maintain a safe vertical distance of at least 1,200 feet from each other.

A disaster averted in the nick of time. Obeying rules are so important for safety.

The Bible speaks of how mankind has transgressed by not acknowledging God or his will and are thus paying the price for their foolishness.

"The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities - his eternal power and divine nature - have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles. Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator - who is forever praised. Amen. Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion." (Romans 1:18-27)

God doesn't want anyone to perish eternally; he desires that all come to repentance and do his will.

Are you doing his will? If you are, here's a promise for you.
The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever. (1 John 2:17)

Saturday, April 10, 2010

Simple Thoughts On Promises- 299

Simple Thoughts On Promises- 299

The Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against him. (Daniel 9:9)

Daniel the prophet, understood from the Scriptures that the desolation of Jerusalem would last seventy years. So he turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and petition, in fasting, and in sackcloth and ashes. He prayed to God and confessed: "O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with all who love him and obey his commands, we have sinned and done wrong. We have been wicked and have rebelled; we have turned away from your commands and laws."

Acknowledging sin is the first step to restoration. The Israelites had sinned and now they were undergoing punishment in a foreign land. Daniel confessed the sins of God's people and then he acknowledged the merciful and forgiving nature of God.

Truly, our God is merciful and forgiving. If we repent of our sins, God restores the intimate relationship that we desire with him. Repentance means turning away from sin and bearing fruit that indicates repentance.

We, as believers, must often check our lives to see whether we are really walking with God; for that is what he desires from us. Praise the Lord.

Sunday, April 4, 2010

Simple Thoughts On Promises- 298

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,
because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. (Romans 8:1, 2)


Declared guilty on all accounts, but the judge of all the earth sacrifices his own son to set you free. How do you like that?

The Bible says,
For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified. What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all - how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? (Romans 8:29-32)

The world condemns believers who truly live for the Lord, because true believers do not conform to the ways of the world.

The Apostle Paul writes to the Corinthians,
Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. (1 Corinthians 6:9-11)

Because you are washed, sanctified and justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of God, there is now no condemnation for you. So rejoice, child of God.

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Dr. Johnson's Devotionals From The Word Of God- 8

Indonesia has over 130 active volcanoes, more than any other country on earth. Towering 1,200ft above the Sunda Strait in Indonesia, one of the most terrifying volcanoes the world has ever known- the Krakatoa began to stir once more last year. With an explosive force more than 13,000 times the power of the atomic bomb that destroyed Hiroshima, the 1883 eruption of Krakatoa killed more than 36,000 people and severely changed global weather for years afterwards. The enormous tsunami it generated, destroyed 165 villages and towns. Scientists believe that if Krakatoa were to erupt again, the impact would be far more devastating than that which was experienced in the 19th century. Hundreds of thousands of people could be killed if there were another massive eruption.

Is there anyone human or robotic who can control this time bomb? After all the wonderful inventions and discoveries, man comes to a point wherein he is helpless if he chooses to go ahead on his own strength.

If there is anyone who can control this potential devastator, it's the Creator himself and he is in control of all things seen and unseen. He says,
Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom or the strong man boast of his strength or the rich man boast of his riches, but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight," declares the LORD. (Jeremiah 9:23, 24)

God is in control of every situation in the life of the one who has fear of the Lord.
The Bible says,
The fear of the LORD leads to life: Then one rests content, untouched by trouble. (Proverbs 19:23)
Praise the Lord.

Sunday, March 28, 2010

Dr. Johnson's Devotionals From The Word Of God- 7

Camels can tolerate the worst of desert climates. They can survive without food and water for long periods of time. This wonderful ability stems from their body being able to store fat in their humps and water in the lining of their stomachs. They can drink 100 litres of water within 10 minutes for future use. They have double rows of long, curled eyelashes to protect their eyes from blowing sand. They can close their slit nostrils by contraction of the circular muscle during sandstorms. They consume anything from thorny shrubs to desert thistles. The broad, padded toes are insulated to avoid the desert sand's heat. Their strong, flexible web of the toes prevent them from sinking into the sand. No wonder they are called "ships of the desert."

God sustains this amazing creature in the worst of living conditions. He did sustain his chosen ones (the Israelites) too in the vast deserts as they traveled from Egypt to Canaan under the leadership of Moses & Joshua long ago.

We read of this in the book of Nehemiah;
Because of your great compassion you did not abandon them in the desert. By day the pillar of cloud did not cease to guide them on their path, nor the pillar of fire by night to shine on the way they were to take. You gave your good Spirit to instruct them. You did not withhold your manna from their mouths, and you gave them water for their thirst. For forty years you sustained them in the desert; they lacked nothing, their clothes did not wear out nor did their feet become swollen. (Nehemiah 9:19-21)

Are you experiencing a "desert like" situation in your life? Dry, barren, listless, troublesome & stormy events maybe crushing you.
Remember, the Lord who sustained the Israelites in the desert will take care of you too. Trust in Jesus. Be strong and courageous. He will make a way for you to rejoice again.

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Dr. Johnson's Devotionals From The Word Of God- 6

The human tongue can detect five basic taste components: sweet, sour, salty, bitter and umami. The last one is not a well known taste I guess. It means savoriness. Umami comes from the Japanese language meaning "flavor" or "taste". It describes the flavor common to savory products such as meat, cheese, and mushrooms. The tongue has several distinct physical features, but the Bible also speaks in length about it's spiritual power. Here are a couple of verses that speak of the power of the tongue.

The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life, but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit. (Proverbs 15:4)

The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit. (Proverbs 18:21)

The Bible speaks of several kinds of tongues. Boastful tongue, deceitful tongue, lying tongue, smooth tongue, perverse tongue, malicious tongue, sly tongue, tongue of the crafty, flattering tongue, tongue that plots destruction, tongue that brings healing, tongue of the wise, tongue of the righteous, tongue that speaks what is just and several others.

The Apostle James wrote in length regarding its destructive power.
Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
(James 3:5-8)

If our tongue brings healing to others it is a tree of life, otherwise as the Apostle James puts it...the tongue is a fire, a world of evil, restless evil, full of deadly poison......
Does our tongue bring healing to others or is it destructive? is a question we should ask ourselves.
Let's take this advice that the Bible gives us and remember it always,
Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech. (1 Peter 3:10)

Sunday, March 21, 2010

Dr. Johnson's Devotionals From The Word Of God- 4

Ever heard of the Red Devil? No, it's not the color of Satan when he's angry. It's the English translation of a Spanish word- Diablo Rojo, which is the name given to the Humboldt Squid or Jumbo Squid. It is a large, predatory squid found in the waters of the Humboldt Current in the Eastern Pacific Ocean. Their tentacles bear suckers lined with sharp teeth with which they grasp prey and drag it towards a large, sharp beak. They are known to be very aggressive and attack divers who venture too close. Their colouring and aggressive reputation has earned them the nickname 'diablos rojos' (red devils). Fishermen have to be very careful while dealing with them.

Even if you are unaware of the 'red devil', it's not a big matter, but Jesus wants every Christian to be aware of the devil(Satan), because he is always trying to bring misery to the believer.

Jesus spoke of him saying,
He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. (John 8:44)

The Apostle Peter warns believers:
...Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. (1 Peter 5:8)

So what must we do? Peter exhorts believers in this manner:
Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings. And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. (1 Peter 5:9, 10)

Shall we say an Amen to that?

Saturday, March 20, 2010

Dr. Johnson's Devotionals From The Word Of God- 3

The blue whale is the largest animal ever known to have existed. They can be up to 100 feet long and weigh up to 200 tons. They subsist mainly on a diet composed of tiny shrimplike animals called krill. Some blue whales consume up to 3-4 tons of krill per day. Its heart is the size of a small car, and its largest blood vessels are wide enough for an adult to swim through. Their tongues can weigh as much as an elephant. Blue whale calves are born after a year long growth in its mother's womb and weigh 2.5-3 tons and are 20-25 feet long at birth. Blue whales live up to 80- 90 years.

The blue whale and all sea creatures were created on the 5th day of creation according to the Bible.
And God said, "Let the water teem with living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the expanse of the sky." So God created the great creatures of the sea and every living and moving thing with which the water teems, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. (Genesis 1:20, 21)

In fact, the first blessing pronounced by God, that we read of in the Bible was on sea creatures and birds.
God blessed them and said, "Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the water in the seas, and let the birds increase on the earth." (Genesis 1:22)

When we think of the mammoth proportions of this largest animal, the blue whale, we cannot ignore the magnanimity of it's Creator.
The Psalmist sang,
When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him? (Psalm 8:4)

Yes, God cares for humanity; more than he cares for his other creations, however mighty they be. Praise the Lord.

Thursday, March 18, 2010

Dr. Johnson's Devotionals From The Word Of God- 2

The Lyrebird is one of the Australian birds, notable for their superb ability to mimic natural and artificial sounds from their surroundings. This bird is not only beautiful but has a naturally strange characteristic. It mimics the calls of other birds, sounds of chainsaws, camera shutters, cars, babies crying, dogs and many other noises. It is an excellent imitator. This clever Bird is one of the most impressive and funny birds in nature. A wonderful creation from the Master Creator.

Christians are also called to be imitators.
The Apostle Paul exhorts the believer's in Ephesus saying,
Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. (Ephesians 5:1, 2)

Paul also commends the believers in Thessalonica for doing so.
You became imitators of us and of the Lord; in spite of severe suffering, you welcomed the message with the joy given by the Holy Spirit. And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. (1 Thessalonians 1:6, 7)

Perhaps we should ask ourselves this pertinent question?
Are we imitators of Christ?
Are we a model for other Christians, especially new believers to watch and follow?

If we are, then we are truly fulfilling God's plan and purpose for our lives. If we are not, we must know that God desires much more than mere lip service. God bless.

Monday, March 15, 2010

Dr. Johnson's Devotionals From The Word Of God- 1

A blue moon refers to the second full moon that occurs in any calendar month. There are 41 months that have two full moons in every century. 'Once in a blue moon' means once every two-and-a-half years. A blue moon was originally cited as something that was impossible; only later did it come to mean unlikely. The year 2009 ended in a "Blue Moon". December 2009 had two full moons; the first on Decebmer 2nd and the second full moon was seen on December 31. Unusual event, yet it did happen.

The Bible speaks of unusual events too. Things that are slated to happen; but things that most of the people who live in the world do not believe in. Here's such an event that speaks of the moon itself.
The prophet Joel prophesied,
The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD. (Joel 2:31)

Jesus himself said,
"But in those days, following that distress, "'the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.' "At that time men will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. And he will send his angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the heavens. (Mark 13:24-27)

These verses speak of the second coming of Jesus Christ. God's judgement is coming upon this world and it's inhabitants. Only those who have placed their trust in the Son of God, Jesus Christ, will escape these judgements.
Have you accepted Jesus as your Savior and Lord? If not, you must do it without any delay. If you have accepted Jesus as your Savior, live a life that is pleasing to him at all times. God bless you.

Saturday, March 13, 2010

Simple Thoughts On Promises- 296

For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich. (2 Corinthians 8:9)

Ever wondered why Jesus, after the 40 day fast, was not supplied with a sumptuous meal by angels or why he didn't turn stone to bread as the devil asked him to. He could have done it but he didn't.

Ever wondered why Jesus, who fed 5000 and more people had to cry out on the cross, "I thirst" but no angels brought him any water or why he didn't choose to do a miracle and have his thirst quenched.

Ever wondered why Jesus, who had the angelic host for his help, did not choose to ask the Father for the same when he was being caught in the garden of Gethsamane.

The above verse explains it all. For your sake and my sake, he chose to keep aside, for a while, his liberty as Son of God to do as he pleased. That's what the Apostle Paul writes to the Philippians.
Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death - even death on a cross! (Philippians 2:5-8)

Yes, for your sake and my sake, he chose to become poor, so that we through his poverty might become rich. Rich spiritually and inherit the eternal glorious riches that are promised to everyone who accepts Jesus as Lord and Savior and live a life obeying the Word of God. God bless you.

Saturday, March 6, 2010

Simple Thoughts On Promises- 295

Like birds hovering overhead, the LORD Almighty will shield Jerusalem; he will shield it and deliver it, he will 'pass over' it and will rescue it." (Isaiah 31:5)

God is your shield against the attacks of satan. The blood of Jesus is your protection. The enemy fears the blood of Jesus. It is oppressive and destructive to them. Every day, in prayer you must cover yourself, your family and everything that God has given you with the blood of Jesus.

Have you seen helicopters sent for protection of places against terrorists? They hover around the area repeatedly to spot the offenders to destroy them and protect the innocent.

In Psalm 7, the psalmist sings:
My shield is God Most High, who saves the upright in heart. (Psalm 7:10)

Do you believe that God is your shield?
The Psalmist was sure of it, so he says,
The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. (Psalm 18:2)

God is watching over you and your family continuously because you have made him your refuge by accepting his only son Jesus as your Lord and Savior.
The Bible says,
He holds victory in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless. (Proverbs 2:7)

Yes...If your walk is blameless, he is a shield for you and he holds victory in store for you. The satanic forces that come against you will continually be defeated. Praise the Lord.

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Simple Thoughts On Promises- 294

Then the LORD said to Joshua, "See, I have delivered Jericho into your hands, along with its king and its fighting men. March around the city once with all the armed men. Do this for six days. Have seven priests carry trumpets of rams' horns in front of the ark. On the seventh day, march around the city seven times, with the priests blowing the trumpets. When you hear them sound a long blast on the trumpets, have all the people give a loud shout; then the wall of the city will collapse and the people will go up, every man straight in." (Joshua 6:1-5)

Your problem has an unique solution. There are several things that we have to look into when we encounter problems that are unusual. Here was a situation where God provided a specific solution to a problem that Joshua encountered.

First things first, our relationship with God must be such that He be willing to give us the strategy of how to go about getting the deliverance. If we are not living close to him and there is sin, often the deliverance is delayed even though we pray. Not only with God, our relationship with people should also be right. When Daniel got a deliverance from the lions, this is what he said,
My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, O king." (Daniel 6:22)... Innocent in God's sight and not doing wrong to others.

The next step is prayer and when prayer touches the heart of God, he will either deliver us from the problem or give us a strategy to overcome the situation. Acting upon God's strategy with faith is the final step and when one does that, the miracle happens.

Not only with this situation that Joshua encountered, but with every problem that the Israelites encountered in the wilderness, God gave Moses & Joshua unique strategies to overcome the situation. Be it at the Red Sea, be it at Marah, be it at Rephidim, be it in the case of lack of food or water, be it at the Jordan and so many other places, God did a miracle when Moses & Joshua prayed and then acted with faith obeying God's counsel.

One thing that one should not do when all the other things have to be done is MURMURING, for that invites disaster. May God bless you and deliver you from the problem that you are encountering these days.

Monday, March 1, 2010

Simple Thoughts On Promises- 293

The Lord said to Joshua, "Do not be afraid of them; I have given them into your hand. Not one of them will be able to withstand you." (Joshua 10:8)

Marching against the 5 Amorite kings to save the Gibeonites, Joshua was given this promise by God. After an all-night march from Gilgal, Joshua took the enemy by surprise.
The Lord threw them into confusion before Israel, who defeated them in a great victory at Gibeon. As they fled before Israel, the Lord hurled large hailstones down on them from the sky, and more of them died from the hailstones than were killed by the swords of the Israelites. On the day the Lord gave the Amorites over to Israel, Joshua said to the Lord in the presence of Israel: "O sun, stand still over Gibeon, O moon, over the Valley of Aijalon." So the sun stood still, and the moon stopped, till the nation avenged itself on its enemies. The sun stopped in the middle of the sky and delayed going down about a full day.

Not only to Joshua, God gives you a promise this day, that the satanic forces that are troubling you will not be able to withstand you.

Wear the full armour of God and resist the devil and he will flee from you. Extinguish all his fiery darts with the shield of faith that God has given you. War against the evil forces with the "Sword of the Spirit- The Word of God" and the victory will be yours. The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. God bless you.


Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Simple Thoughts On Promises- 292

Listen, my dear brothers: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him? (James 2:5)

Your bank balance doesn't look healthy! It's a matter of perpetual concern! So what's to be done?

Here's something that the Lord Almighty wants you to remember. He says,
As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. (Joshua 1:5)
Be strong and courageous.... (Joshua 1:6)
Be strong and very courageous....(Joshua 1:7)
Do not let this Book of the Law (for you and me- The Word of God) depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. (Joshua 1:8)
Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. (Joshua 1:9)

Can you believe that? The God who provided for the Israelites in the wilderness is still the same.
The Israelites ate manna forty years, until they came to a land that was settled; they ate manna until they reached the border of Canaan. (Exodus 16:35)
The manna stopped the day after they ate the food from the land; there was no longer any manna for the Israelites, but that year they ate of the produce of Canaan. (Joshua 5:12)

Times have changed but the Lord Almighty is just the same, caring and providing for those who trust in him. He is Jehovah Jireh, our Provider.

In times of doubt and unbelief, latch on to the Lord's promises.
He will never leave you nor forsake you. Some of what you need, he will provide through natural means and some supernaturally.
Praise the Lord.

Friday, February 19, 2010

Simple Thoughts On Promises- 291

Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him. (Hebrews 9:27,28)

We should if not everyday, ask ourselves often, this very pertinent question...
Are we waiting for the coming of the Lord?

After Jesus’ resurrection, as his disciples watched him ascend to heaven, two angels asked: "Men of Galilee," they said, "why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven." (Acts 1:11)

Jesus himself told his disciples...
And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. (John 14:3)

Dear friend, Jesus is coming back and that too very soon...moreover he is coming unexpectedly. Are you ready to meet him? He has this to say to you today...
"Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap.
For it will come upon all those who live on the face of the whole earth. Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man." (Luke 21:34-36)

"...he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him." This promise will be fulfilled soon. Praise the Lord.

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Simple Thoughts On Promises- 290

Simple Thoughts On Promises- 290

The days of the blameless are known to the LORD, and their inheritance will endure forever. In times of disaster they will not wither; in days of famine they will enjoy plenty. (Psalm 37:18,19)

One thing that the Lord delights in is when he sees that we are living a blameless life. In the Old Testament, we read the Israelites being exhorted to live a blameless life.
You must be blameless before the LORD your God. (Deuteronomy 18:13)

But is it really possible for one to be found blameless in the presence of a pure & holy God? Perhaps difficult, but this is what we read about some saints of old.
Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked with God. (Genesis 6:9)
In the land of Uz there lived a man whose name was Job. This man was blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil. (Job 1:1)

God demands blamelessness in our lives. It is not optional. That's what he demanded from Abraham several thousand years back.
When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to him and said, "I am God Almighty ; walk before me and be blameless. (Genesis 17:1)

There are blessings innumerable in the Word of God for those who live a blameless life serving the living God. Here are a few...
The days of the blameless are known to the LORD, and their inheritance will endure forever. (Psalm 37:18)
Consider the blameless, observe the upright; there is a future for the man of peace. (Psalm 37:37)
For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless. (Psalm 84:11)
He holds victory in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, (Proverbs 2:7)

Shall we then take a decision today as the Psalmist did long back?
I will be careful to lead a blameless life......I will walk in my house with blameless heart. (Psalm 101:2)

Remember....He holds victory in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless. (Proverbs 2:7)

God bless you.

Simple Thoughts On Promises- 289

Simple Thoughts On Promises- 289

He also says, "In the beginning, O Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment. You will roll them up like a robe; like a garment they will be changed. But you remain the same, and your years will never end." (Hebrews 1:10-12)


The unchanging nature of God is very wonderfully portrayed here by the author of Hebrews. God remains the same even though his creations come into being and then disappear. Many are they who have mouthed sarcasm at the Eternal One but eventually have fulfilled what the Bible says about their actual state.
".....for dust you are and to dust you will return." (Genesis 3:19)

The Apostle Paul rightly describes the unmatchable qualities of this mighty God when he writes to Timothy.
Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen. (1 Timothy 1:17)

Yes, he is the only God & he is eternal & immortal, whether anyone believes it or not. Sadly, there are many who live rebelliously to the divine authority and have to endure eternal punishment for their folly. Many argue about this matter, but the Bible says,
For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities - his eternal power and divine nature - have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.

And to them who believe in this only eternal and unchanging and immortal God, he has promised the greatest blessing thorugh his son Jesus Christ--ETERNAL LIFE. Praise the Lord.

Saturday, February 13, 2010

Simple Thoughts On Promises-288

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, according to the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus. (2 Timothy 1:1)

There's promise of life in Christ Jesus. Yes, eternal life is promised through him who said, "God is not the God of the dead but of the living." And in this context Jesus was teaching the Sadducees about the resurrection. He said, "At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven. But about the resurrection of the dead - have you not read what God said to you, 'I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob' ? He is not the God of the dead but of the living." (Matthew 22:30-32)
Abraham, Isaac & Jacob, though they had died physically when their time on earth was up, they were living eternally, according to these words of Jesus.

Jesus affirmed that again when he spoke to Martha, Lazarus sister. He said,
"I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die......" (John 11:25, 26)

If fact, in the gospel of John, Jesus repeatedly spoke of the promise of eternal life that comes through believing in him.
Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on him." (John 3:36)

"I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life. (John 5:24)

For my Father's will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day." (John 6:40)

If you have accepted Jesus as your Savior and are living for him, this promise of eternal life will come true in your lives sooner or later. How blessed and glorious will that day be!
Here's a great verse of exhortation to all of us who have put our trust in Jesus.
Keep yourselves in God's love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life. (Jude 1:21)
Praise the Lord.

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Simple Thoughts On Promises-287

Return to your fortress, O prisoners of hope; even now I announce that I will restore twice as much to you. (Zechariah 9:12)

The redeeming grace of Almighty God is wonderfully portrayed in this great promise to God's people who were in Babylonian captivity. True that they were prisoners; but prisoners of hope. They were now free to return to their homeland but they had nothing to bank on. All they had was destroyed by the ravages of the Babylonian king, Nebuchadnezzar. Their homes, their fields, their temple; all lay in ruins.
Yet, they had a promise to hold on to. The God against whom they had sinned resulting in their captivity had forgiven them and was willing to restore them.In fact, he was willing to restore twice as much to them.

Believers are in a way, prisoners of hope. As Paul the Apostle says,
For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know!
I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far. (Philippians 1:21-23)

Problems in life often brings despair to the believer, yet we have hope that Jesus will not leave us nor forsake us in any circumstance. Even when we sin and punishment comes into our lives, we can always be sure that the Lord will forgive us when we repent and bear fruit that comes from a repentant heart.

Carried away by the enemy and living in a foriegn land humbled the Israelites. They repented of their sins and cried out to God who was ready to forgive them. God effected their deliverance and they returned to their own country as "prisoners of hope."

God loves you and is able to restore twice as much of what you have lost. Praise the Lord.

Saturday, February 6, 2010

Simple Thoughts On Promises-286

I have seen his ways, but I will heal him; I will guide him and restore comfort to him. (Isaiah 57:18)

A promise perhaps to a person, more likely to the nation Israel which was sick spiritually. Spiritual sickness is worse than the physical, because the physical is temporary while the spiritual has permanent implications. Covetousness and idolatory had made the nation sick and God was promising to heal when he saw their repentance.

There are 3 promises in this single verse. God was going to heal, guide and restore comfort. All these are what we all desire in our lives and if we live a life of continual repentance, God is always ready to give these.

Here again the "fear of the Lord" is so very important. The Psalmist David exhorts us
in this manner:
Who, then, is the man that fears the LORD? He will instruct him in the way chosen for him. The Lord confides in those who fear him; he makes his covenant known to them. (Psalm 25:12, 14)

Some believers trivialize sin and live in it justifying themselves saying that "after all we are human." But neither God nor the Bible supports that point of view. If we desire healing, guidance and comfort in our lives, we must make it a point to check our spiritual life everyday. God loves us, but neither he nor his Word has changed. God called Abraham to serve him at age 75, but even at age 99, God had this to say to Abraham.
"I am God Almighty ; walk before me and be blameless. (Genesis 17:1)
That's what God wants from us too.
May the Holy Spirit strengthen each of us to live a blameless life. Healing, guidance and comfort from the Most High will then be ours. Praise the Lord.

Thursday, February 4, 2010

Simple Thoughts On Promises-285

The poor and needy search for water, but there is none; their tongues are parched with thirst. But I the Lord will answer them; I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them. I will make rivers flow on barren heights, and springs within the valleys. I will turn the desert into pools of water, and the parched ground into springs. (Isaiah 41:18)

The water miracles in the Bible are many and some of them are quite astounding, like this one.
The Israelite community camped at Rephidim, but there was no water for the people to drink. So they quarreled with Moses and said, "Give us water to drink." Then Moses cried out to the Lord, "What am I to do with these people? They are almost ready to stone me." The Lord answered Moses, "Walk on ahead of the people. Take with you some of the elders of Israel and take in your hand the staff with which you struck the Nile, and go. I will stand there before you by the rock at Horeb. Strike the rock, and water will come out of it for the people to drink." So Moses did this in the sight of the elders of Israel. (Exodus 17)

We are not talking here of God providing water to a couple of hundred people. The community was quite large, with 6 lac men itself; counting the women and children would put the figure at 15-20 lacs.

Moses was given a command and he obeyed it. God proved to the Israelites once again that he is Almighty and All Sufficient.

As a child of this Almighty God, you can also boldy say what the Apostle Paul wrote to the Philippians.
My God will meet all your (my) needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19)
God bless you.

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Simple Thoughts On Promises-284

Therefore I am now going to allure her; I will lead her into the desert and speak tenderly to her. There I will give her back her vineyards, and will make the Valley of Achor a door of hope. There she will sing as in the days of her youth, as in the day she came up out of Egypt. (Hosea 2:14,15)

God is All Powerful and he can change what was once a valley of trouble into a door of hope. “Achor” in Hebrew means “trouble.” Achan's sin (Joshua Chapter 7) of stealing things devoted to destruction brought calamity to him and his family. He stole a beautiful robe, two hundred shekels of silver and a wedge of gold weighing fifty shekels and hid it under the ground in his tent when God had expressly forbidden that. Joshua who was not aware of this was defeated in battle in the conquest of Ai, because of this sin.
God said,
Israel has sinned; they have violated my covenant, which I commanded them to keep. They have taken some of the devoted things; they have stolen, they have lied, they have put them with their own possessions. (Joshua 7:11)

Finally Achan was caught and we read in the book of Joshua...
Joshua said, "Why have you brought this trouble on us? The Lord will bring trouble on you today." Then all Israel stoned him, and after they had stoned the rest, they burned them. Over Achan they heaped up a large pile of rocks, which remains to this day. Then the Lord turned from his fierce anger. Therefore that place has been called the Valley of Achor ever since. (Joshua 7:25,26)

In Hosea, we read that God was going to make the “Valley of Achor a door of hope”. For Israel which had sinned repeatedly by comitting all kinds of sins and wickedness, there was still hope, for God was going to open for them a door of hope.

Making the Valley of Achor/ Valley of Trouble, a door of hope, is something only God Almighty can do. It means that the place where you saw defeat and distress will become a "door of hope" for you and your family. Can you believe that?
A place where you were ridiculed will become a place where you will bloom again because the Lord has loved you with an ever-lasting love. God bless you.

Saturday, January 30, 2010

Simple Thoughts On Promises-283

O people of Zion, who live in Jerusalem, you will weep no more. How gracious he will be when you cry for help! As soon as he hears, he will answer you. (Isaiah 30:19)

Is it possible that the Lord answers us as soon as he hears our prayers or as soon as we cry for help??
Yes. Definitely. He is able to answer and he does answer in such a way, as is evidenced in several instances in the Word of God. To quote a few...

Having killed a 1000 Philistines with the jawbone of an ass, Samson cried out to the Lord..."You have given your servant this great victory. Must I now die of thirst and fall into the hands of the uncircumcised?" Then God opened up the hollow place in Lehi, and water came out of it. When Samson drank, his strength returned and he revived. So the spring was called En Hakkore, and it is still there in Lehi. (Judges 15:18,19)

King Asa of Judah had an army of around 6 lakh soldiers and he was attacked by Zerah, the Ethiopian who had an army of 10 lakh soldiers.
Then Asa called to the LORD his God and said, "LORD, there is no one like you to help the powerless against the mighty. Help us, O LORD our God, for we rely on you....The LORD struck down the Cushites before Asa and Judah. The Cushites fled, (2 Chronicles 14:11,12)

King Ahab of Israel deceived King Jehoshaphat by asking him to go into battle wearing royal garments while he himself wore ordinary clothes so that the enemy army may not identify him.
Now the king of Aram had ordered his chariot commanders, "Do not fight with anyone, small or great, except the king of Israel." When the chariot commanders saw Jehoshaphat, they thought, "This is the king of Israel." So they turned to attack him, but Jehoshaphat cried out, and the LORD helped him. God drew them away from him, (2 Chronicles 18:31)

Eleazer, the servant of Abraham was out searching a bride for Isaac and he prayed to the Lord.... "O LORD, God of my master Abraham, give me success today....
See, I am standing beside this spring, and the daughters of the townspeople are coming out to draw water. May it be that when I say to a girl, 'Please let down your jar that I may have a drink,' and she says, 'Drink, and I'll water your camels too' - let her be the one you have chosen for your servant Isaac. By this I will know that you have shown kindness to my master." Before he had finished praying, Rebekah came out with her jar on her shoulder. She was the daughter of Bethuel son of Milcah, who was the wife of Abraham's brother Nahor. (Genesis 24:12-15)

There are many many more events in the Bible where God immediately answered the prayers of the needy. Trust in him to answer you in the same way. God bless you.

Thursday, January 28, 2010

Simple Thoughts On Promises-282

The Lord within her is righteous; he does no wrong. Morning by morning he dispenses his justice, and every new day he does not fail, yet the unrighteous know no shame. (Zephaniah 3:5)

How wonderful!! The prophet writes "Morning by morning he dispenses his justice, and every new day he does not fail.."
So if you have been waiting for justice to be done in your case, here's your promise. God is righteous and he does no wrong. Many of his ways are not easily understood by us because of our finite minds, yet we can assure ourselves that he will dispense justice in our favor as we continually trust in him.

The Bible speaks at great length regarding the righteousness and justice of God.
The Lord is known by his justice...... (Psalm 9:16)
For the Lord is righteous, he loves justice; upright men will see his face. (Psalm 11:7)
The Lord loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love. (Psalm 33:5)

God has a special promise for them who commit their way to him and trust in him:
He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun. (Psalm 37:6)

Another eternal promise is found in the above psalm and that should assure us that all is right because we have trusted in Jesus.
For the Lord loves the just and will not forsake his faithful ones. They will be protected forever, but the offspring of the wicked will be cut off; the righteous will inherit the land and dwell in it forever. (Psalm 37:28,29)

Praise the Lord.