Simple Thoughts On Promises

Simple Thoughts On Promises- 326

2010-10-16T18:58:00.001-07:00

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.

Simple Thoughts On Promises- 325

2010-09-04T19:05:00.001-07:00

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)

Simple Thoughts On Promises- 324

2010-08-18T19:07:00.000-07:00

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.

Simple Thoughts On Promises- 323

2010-08-13T18:49:00.001-07:00

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.

Simple Thoughts On Promises- 321

2010-08-06T02:24:00.001-07:00

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.

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2010-07-30T01:39:00.001-07:00

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.

Simple Thoughts On Promises- 318

2010-07-13T08:48:00.001-07:00

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.

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2010-07-04T18:48:00.000-07:00

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."

Simple Thoughts On Promises- 316

2010-07-03T09:32:00.001-07:00

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."

Simple Thoughts On Promises- 314

2010-06-27T18:52:00.001-07:00

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.

Simple Thoughts On Promises- 313

2010-06-23T19:06:00.000-07:00

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.

Simple Thoughts On Promises- 312

2010-06-19T05:17:00.001-07:00

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!

Simple Thoughts On Promises- 311

2010-06-14T19:30:00.000-07:00

"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.

Simple Thoughts On Promises- 310

2010-06-06T18:52:00.000-07:00

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.

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2010-05-31T19:55:00.001-07:00

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.

Simple Thoughts On Promises- 308

2010-05-29T18:40:00.001-07:00

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.

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2010-05-24T09:06:00.001-07:00

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.

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2010-05-13T05:06:00.000-07:00

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.

Simple Thoughts On Promises- 304

2010-05-07T18:37:00.001-07:00

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.

Simple Thoughts On Promises- 303

2010-04-30T19:00:00.000-07:00

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.

Simple Thoughts On Promises- 302

2010-04-25T07:46:00.001-07:00

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".

Simple Thoughts On Promises- 301

2010-04-19T05:13:00.001-07:00

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)

Simple Thoughts On Promises- 300

2010-04-15T18:26:00.000-07:00

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.

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

2010-04-12T18:05:00.001-07:00

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)

Simple Thoughts On Promises- 299

2010-04-10T05:58:00.001-07:00

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.

Simple Thoughts On Promises- 298

2010-04-04T18:08:00.001-07:00

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.

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

2010-03-30T09:18:00.000-07:00

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.

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

2010-03-28T02:39:00.000-07:00

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.

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

2010-03-24T20:08:00.001-07:00

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)

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

2010-03-21T06:27:00.000-07:00

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?

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

2010-03-20T01:01:00.001-07:00

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.

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

2010-03-18T19:51:00.001-07:00

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.

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

2010-03-15T19:22:00.000-07:00

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.

Simple Thoughts On Promises- 296

2010-03-13T17:50:00.000-08:00

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.

Simple Thoughts On Promises- 295

2010-03-06T18:02:00.001-08:00

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.

Simple Thoughts On Promises- 294

2010-03-03T17:43:00.001-08:00

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.

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2010-03-01T19:17:00.001-08:00

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.

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2010-02-23T17:23:00.001-08:00

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.

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2010-02-19T17:04:00.001-08:00

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.

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2010-02-17T17:34:00.001-08:00

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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.

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2010-02-17T17:30:00.000-08:00

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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.

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2010-02-13T04:46:00.001-08:00

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.

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2010-02-10T03:09:00.001-08:00

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.

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2010-02-06T18:00:00.001-08:00

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.

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2010-02-04T17:24:00.000-08:00

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.

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2010-02-02T03:53:00.000-08:00

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.

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2010-01-30T17:56:00.001-08:00

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.

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2010-01-28T07:26:00.001-08:00

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.

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2010-01-25T17:46:00.000-08:00

The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor. (1 Corinthians 3:8)

Your labor for the Lord will be rewarded. Perhaps you are working in obscurity, without anyone knowing or acknowledging your work, but know this that everything is seen and accounted by the Lord. Your efforts are written down in God's books and you will receive your reward at God's chosen time.

Even though the Apostle Paul writes that,
I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. (1 Corinthians 3:6,7), it doesn't mean that God doesn't care or that he doesn't give weightage to your work. It simply means that without the Lord, we cannot achieve anything.

Our purpose is to extend the kingdom of God here on earth and bring glory to his name. For that we labor, where-ever we are and in whatever calling the Lord has given us. No work is trivial when seen through God's eyes. What he looks for in his servants is faithfulness.

So be strengthened this day, dear servant of the Most High, for the Lord appreciates what you are doing for his glory.
Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. (1 Corinthians 15:58)
God bless you.

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2010-01-23T17:21:00.001-08:00

Then the Lord said: "I am making a covenant with you. Before all your people I will do wonders never before done in any nation in all the world. The people you live among will see how awesome is the work that I, the Lord, will do for you." (Exodus 34:10)

Our God is a God who is faithful to the covenants he makes with those who seek him. Here he is making a covenant with Moses and the Israelites that he will demonstrate his power among the nations that his people were going to live.
Moses was there with the Lord forty days and forty nights without eating bread or drinking water. And he wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant - the Ten Commandments. (Exodus 34:28)

The Israelites were to obey the words of the covenant, if God was to fulfill the promises associated with it.
Obedience was what God expected, so he told Moses:
Obey what I command you today. I will drive out before you the Amorites, Canaanites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites. (Exodus 34:11)

Whenever we are pestered by satanic forces, the first thing to check in our lives is whether we are living in obedience to God and his Word. This is because we cannot get victory over the evil powers if we are disobeying God. James writes this very clearly in his book.
Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. (James 4:7,8,10)

There can be no resisiting the devil without submitting to God and his Word. If we want to be constantly victorious in our battle with the devil, we must always live a life submitted to God's Word.

It's my prayer for you today that God the Holy Spirit may help you in that. God bless you.

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2010-01-21T03:49:00.001-08:00

He said, "If you listen carefully to the voice of the Lord your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord, who heals you." (Exodus 15:26)

Nice promise (among others) related to healing that one can meditate on when one is sick. I can't see 2 meanings in what God told the Israelites then. Plain and simple....He said,"I am the Lord, who heals you."

Our Lord is "the healer" whether some people agree with it or not. Ask them who have experienced his healing touch and they will tell you it's 100% true. I for one can vouch thst he is "the healer" despite having prescribed medicines for the past 23 years.

Medicines and surgery play a great role in relief from sicknesses, but there are a plethora of sicknesses for which man hasn't yet found a cure. Even in those cases God is able and he does heal.

Jesus is the same, yesterday, today and forever and the healings that we read of in the Gospels and in the book of Acts still happen when men and women pray with faith. He is an unchanging God. If you are sick or feeling weak in your body, meditate on the promises of healing and deliverance found in the Word Of God. Experience his miraculous touch and glorify him. God bless you.

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2010-01-19T07:19:00.001-08:00

My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest. (Isaiah 32:18)

How we all long for peaceful dwelling places, secure homes and undisturbed places of rest. But it's so difficult, considering the chaos all around us. Wars, terrorism, contagious sicknesses and wickedness proliferating day by day and squeezing out whatever peace is left. But God has a promise for those whose hope is in him. A new kingdom will soon be theirs, where they can live in peace.

The fruit of righteousness will be peace; the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever. (Isaiah 32:17)
Isaiah prophesies that the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever.

The Apostle Peter 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)

World leaders are trying to harvest peace when the Bible prophesies trouble in the end times. But a child of God, can always, with confidence, say what the Psalmist said,
I lift up my eyes to the hills - where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. (Psalm 121:1,2)
He/She can also affirm what David, the psalmist and great king of Israel said when he passed through troubled times:
I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety. (Psalm 4:8)
I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the LORD sustains me. (Psalm 3:5)
Praise the Lord.

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2010-01-16T17:47:00.001-08:00

Jesus said to them, "My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I, too, am working." (John 5:17)

If you have been misguided by people into thinking that God is sitting up there in the heavens doing nothing while you battle it out here on earth, here's a clarification and a promise for you from Jesus himself. Infact, this was Jesus' answer to the Jews who persecuted him because he was healing people on the Sabbath.

We cannot limit God's acts according to our thinking, but it's also true that God doesn't do things contrary to his written Word.
An invalid man had been lying by the pool of Bethesda for 38 years and God chose a particular day to heal him. That he chose the Sabbath to heal was not by mistake but by intention to prove that he is the Lord of the Sabbath too. Yet the Jews rarely understood his intentions and instead of praising God for the astounding miracle, they chose to persecute Jesus.

If you have been passing through troubled times and seeing no immediate answer to your prayers, remember, God is not sitting inert and doing nothing about your matter. He is working and so is Jesus, to whom God has given all authority in heaven and on earth and under the earth. There will surely be a change for the good.
Hope and trust in the Lord. No good will he withhold from those whose walk is upright. God bless you.

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2010-01-14T16:48:00.001-08:00

The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining ever brighter till the full light of day. (Proverbs 4:18)

Most of us desire that God blesses us and our families with diverse blessings, but blessings that we ask of God do not come all at once. Why so? when God is All powerful and Almighty? Surely he has the authority and resources to give us all that we ask; immediately.

Have you seen the sun rise? Does it just pop up right above where you are standing early in the morning? No, it slowly rises in the east, what the writer of the above promise calls the 'first gleam of dawn.'And then it has a course to travel through the day to the west where it sets finally.

The path of the righteous can also be traced similarly according to this promise and as the sun shines brightly and at its maximum intensity, so does the one who obeys the Word of God and live according to it.

Shining brightly for Christ wherever one is. At home, at the work place, in church or wherever one be. The light of Christ will shine through the believer who is willing to follow the righteous path.

Right from the book of Genesis, we see that God desires to bless them who are willing to obey him. He has not changed and never will. The righteous will surely be blessed, slowly but surely, like the first gleam of dawn, shining ever brighter till the full light of day.

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2010-01-12T16:45:00.001-08:00

After this, the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision: "Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward. " (Genesis 15:1)

The meaning of the word 'reward' is generally given as "that which is given in return for good or evil done or received; esp., that which is offered or given in return for some service or attainment, as for excellence in studies, for the return of something lost."
Thinking in these terms, "What had Abraham done to receive God as a reward?"
The Bible says, "Abraham obeyed God". Whatever God told him to do, he did. So did Noah and the other saints of whom we read about in the Bible.

God becomes our reward when we obey him. There is no greater reward than having God himself in our lives. The Psalmist says,
I said to the LORD, "You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing. (Psalm 16:2)
Can we say that? He again says,
Lord, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure.
The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance. (Psalm 16:5,6)

The inheritance that God has kept for us in eternity is delightful and we must look forward to the day when we can experience it first hand. So let us all obey the exhortation that Paul the Apostle gives the church at Colosse.
Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.
When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. (Colossians 3:1-4)

God bless you.

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2010-01-09T18:35:00.000-08:00

He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them. (Psalm 145:19)

Do you fear the Lord? Not as fearing something that seems to be dangerous to you, but fearing because he is Almighty and worthy of respect and honor and awe.
The Bible has much to say regarding blessings for those who have'fear of the Lord'.
A few verses in this respect would do us good.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. (Proverbs 9:10)
The fear of the Lord adds length to life, but the years of the wicked are cut short.(Proverbs 10:27)
The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, turning a man from the snares of death. (Proverbs 14:27)
The fear of the Lord teaches a man wisdom, and humility comes before honor.(Proverbs 15:23)
The fear of the Lord leads to life: Then one rests content, untouched by trouble.(Proverbs 19:23)
Humility and the fear of the Lord bring wealth and honor and life.(Proverbs 22:4)

With so many blessings attached to 'fear of the Lord', it should be the endeavour of each one of us to develop this most important charecteristic and stick to it as long as we live. May the Holy Spirit help us in this. God bless you.

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2010-01-08T17:30:00.001-08:00

Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham's offspring - not only to those who are of the law but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all. (Romans 4:16)

Faith and grace are so inter-linked in everything concerning the life of a believer. Even regarding salvation, the Apostle Paul writes to the Church at Ephesus:
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast. (Ephesians 2:8,9)
Salvation is the most precious gift from God, but there are other wonderful gifts, which result from our latching on to the promises of God in his Word.

Regarding Abraham, Paul writes,
If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about - but not before God. What does the Scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness." (Romans 4:2,3)

It was not through law that Abraham and his offspring received the promise that he would be heir of the world, but through the righteousness that comes by faith. (Romans 4:13)

So it was neither through works or the law that Abraham was justified. It was because he believed God. That was credited to him as righteousness.

Romans 4:17 is a wonderful verse which speaks of El Shaddai- God Almighty and his unsurpassed greatness.
.....He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed - the God who gives life to the dead and calls things that are not as though they were. (Romans 4:17)

Do you believe that you serve Him who gives life to the dead and calls things that are not as though they were? If yes, your faith will be credited as righteousness and you will see the mighty acts of God throughout your life as a believer. God bless you.

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2010-01-06T15:45:00.000-08:00

Elisha said, "Hear the word of the LORD. This is what the LORD says: About this time tomorrow, a seah of flour will sell for a shekel and two seahs of barley for a shekel at the gate of Samaria." (2 Kings 7:1)

The Israelites were in dire straits. The famine was taking it's toll. People were eating anything that they could lay their hands on. Some had even resorted to cannibalism. The king was desperate. He laid all the blame on the prophet Elisha and wanted him killed. In the midst of all this chaos, the merciful Lord gave a wonderful prophecy through the prophet Elisha promising food for all in 24 hours time.

People couldn't believe their ears. Some kept quiet, but one with unbelief spoke and that resulted in his death.
The officer on whose arm the king was leaning said to the man of God, "Look, even if the LORD should open the floodgates of the heavens, could this happen?" "You will see it with your own eyes," answered Elisha, "but you will not eat any of it!" (2 Kings 7:2)

Suppose in the midst of a great crisis, whatever it be, the Lord speaks to you and says, "I will deliver you in a day's time", would you believe it?
Faith would say, "Yes Lord, you are mighty to save, even this moment." and wait for the miracle praising God till it happened.
On the other hand, unbelief would see one questioning the validity of the voice or reason in human terms regarding whether this was possible after all.

God is faithful and once he promises, he never goes back on it. He sees to it that he fulfills his promise.
What Elisha said came true. God used 4 lepers to fulfill his promise.
Wait for the miracle. Praise God for it. Don't worry about how it will come to pass. God has more than a 1000 ways to do everything. He will bring it to pass. God bless you.

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2010-01-03T17:31:00.001-08:00

And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?" (Luke 18:7,8)

O Dear Jesus, If only you answered my prayers! is a heart cry that often goes out from our beings. We pray and then wait, thinking of what the delay is all about when we do not see the answer to our prayers.
But Jesus promises us that he will not keep putting us off. He will see that we get justice...and how? Quickly, of course!

What have you been praying to the Lord and now are waiting for him to answer? Take heart, for the promise that you read now is just for you. God is about to bring justice for you, his chosen one.

Do you believe that he is able to do what you have asked for? If yes, then you will see his miraculous power manifest in your life once again. God loves you and because of that he sent his only son Jesus to the cross, so that you may be able to experience the eternal riches of his love. The Bible says,
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 8:32)

So be strengthened this day dear brother/sister, for the Lord is about to answer your prayers in a way that only he can. God bless you.

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2009-12-31T23:35:00.000-08:00

He who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!" Then he said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true." (Revelation 21:5)

The term "Everything new" is kind of "exciting", especially at the beginning of a new year. So what's in store for you and for me in the next 365 days? Not many of us can see that far I guess, but whatever it be, let it be good and let there be ample things that bring peace and joy.

John the Apostle, heard God saying that he was making all things new. And then the Lord said, "It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life. He who overcomes will inherit all this, and I will be his God and he will be my son." (Revelation 21:6,7)

We have been chosen by God Almighty to inherit great things. But what he wants of us has been clearly written in his Word..The Bible.
Here are a couple of verses that gives the picture....
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God - this is your spiritual act of worship.
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:1,2)

Written by Apostle Paul to the believers in Rome, the above verses are as good for our lives now as it was for the believers then.

So shall we renew our committment to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, this first day of the new year?
Remember that you have been chosen to inherit heaven and its blessings, so let your walk be worthy of it. God bless you.

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2009-12-30T07:50:00.000-08:00

The Lord will indeed give what is good, and our land will yield its harvest. (Psalm 85:12)

A lovely verse to meditate on and also something to hope for in the coming year.
Many are the things that the Lord has given us in this year which is to be history very soon, perhaps in a matter of hours.
Looking back, there are many things that the Lord gave us as answers to our prayers and there are others which the Lord gave us because he simply loves us as we are his children.

Of course there maybe several prayers for which we still have received no answers.
But we have hope that the Lord will give us our righteous desires as we delight in him. Do you believe that?

Remember what Jesus told Martha, the sister of Lazarus, before he raised him up from the dead...
"Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?" (John 11:40)

And she did see the glory of God. So will you...in the coming year...So praise the Lord as this year bids you goodbye and the new year comes into your life. All best wishes. God bless you.

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2009-12-27T19:18:00.001-08:00

Your promises have been thoroughly tested, and your servant loves them. (Psalm 119:140)

The giant among the Psalms- Psalm 119 with 176 verses has so many decision making words, yet among these, here we find the Psalmist speaking of his experience regarding the promises of God.

Thoroughly tested are God's promises and the Psalmist just loved them.
Is that your experience too?

God has a good track record in keeping the promises that he makes to his children. Even in Old Testament times, he was perfect in keeping his promises to the people he had chosen for himself. Regarding this Joshua writes:
Not one of all the LORD's good promises to the house of Israel failed; every one was fulfilled. (Joshua 21:45)

Now I am about to go the way of all the earth. You know with all your heart and soul that not one of all the good promises the LORD your God gave you has failed. Every promise has been fulfilled; not one has failed. (Joshua 23:14)

100% faithfulness. That's how our God is.
If he has promised you something and you have not seen it's fulfillment this year, he will fulfill it in the coming year.
The Bible says,
For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry. (Habakkuk 2:3)

God bless you, this day and always.

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2009-12-24T17:47:00.001-08:00

As you have been an object of cursing among the nations, O Judah and Israel, so will I save you, and you will be a blessing. Do not be afraid, but let your hands be strong." (Zechariah 8:13)

A promise for a nation who sinned and angered the Lord God who had redeemed them from their enemies and established them as a nation. The Lord said,
"Just as I had determined to bring disaster upon you and showed no pity when your fathers angered me," says the LORD Almighty, "so now I have determined to do good again to Jerusalem and Judah. Do not be afraid". (Zechariah 8:14,15)

Sin resulted in their downfall. They had only themselves to blame. Despite all that the Lord had done for them, they committed spiritual adultery and angered him. He showed no pity and brought disaster upon them handing them over to wicked kings. When they suffered, they repented of their misdeeds and turned their hearts again to their Redeemer.

We read the following verses in the book of Joel. Here, God is promising great restorative promises to his people who will repent.
I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten - the great locust and the young locust, the other locusts and the locust swarm - my great army that I sent among you. You will have plenty to eat, until you are full, and you will praise the name of the LORD your God, who has worked wonders for you; never again will my people be shamed. (Joel 2:25,26)

When we repent of our sins and misdeeds, God who is always compassionate, heals us, delivers us and restores us. Great is his love and compassion. Praise the Lord.

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2009-12-22T04:44:00.001-08:00

For the Lord will not reject his people; he will never forsake his inheritance. (Psalm 94:14)

Rejection is destructive both to the body and soul and those who have gone through it know how painful it is, especially when one has been rejected by one's own. The Lord Jesus Christ was rejected by all save a few when he lived and ministered here on earth. So he understands the pain that goes along with it. The Apostle Peter writes,
As you come to him, the living Stone - rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him.(1 Peter 2:4)
It's the same with you and me. Though we are often rejected by men, we must remember that we as believers are chosen by God and precious to him.
Because we do not indulge in worldly ways, sometimes we are ridiculed, but God loves us because we are obeying his Word to keep ourselves holy and undefiled.

The Lord will not reject us who have made him our refuge.
If you are going through an experience of rejection these days, here are a couple of promises for you from Jesus.
Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him." (John 14:21)
"If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. (John 14:23)

And may the Lord strengthen you with these verses. God bless you.

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2009-12-20T18:32:00.001-08:00

But now be strong, O Zerubbabel,' declares the Lord. 'Be strong, O Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people of the land,' declares the LORD, 'and work. For I am with you,' declares the Lord Almighty. (Haggai 2:4)

After the exile of 70 years, when the Israelites returned to their own land, instead of building the temple of the Lord and worshipping him there, the people built their houses and didn't care about the temple.
Then the word of the Lord came through the prophet Haggai: "Is it a time for you yourselves to be living in your paneled houses, while this house remains a ruin?"
Now this is what the Lord Almighty says: "Give careful thought to your ways.
You have planted much, but have harvested little. You eat, but never have enough. You drink, but never have your fill. You put on clothes, but are not warm. You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it. Go up into the mountains and bring down timber and build the house, so that I may take pleasure in it and be honored," says the LORD." (Haggai 1:2-6,8)

Then Zerubbabel, Joshua the high priest, and the whole remnant of the people obeyed the voice of the Lord and the message of the prophet Haggai and decided to do as the Lord had commanded.

When they decided to obey the Lord's command, he gave them the promise that we read in the title verse. "Be strong, I am with you" was what the Lord promised them. With the help of God, they again built the temple.

Every believer must have this attitude (obedience) for God's blessings to come upon him/her. Jesus said,
So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. (Matthew 6:31-33)
God bless you.

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2009-12-19T07:54:00.001-08:00

"Behold, I am coming soon! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy in this book." (Revelation 22:7)

Did you tell someone today that the Lord Jesus Christ is coming back? Maybe not today, perhaps last week? or the week before that?? If you haven't, you are perhaps not expecting him to come very soon.

Well, this is one thing that you need to remind yourself of everyday so that you gear up for the event.

There are debates and arguments about whether the Rapture will occur before the Tribulation or after or midway. Whenever it happens, we must be ready for the event.

Jesus said,
"No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man". (Matthew 24:36-39)

He also said, "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 21:36)

If the Lord returns today...Are you ready?

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2009-12-18T07:47:00.001-08:00

And the LORD said to Joshua, Today I will begin to exalt you in the eyes of all Israel, so they may know that I am with you as I was with Moses. (Joshua 3:7)

That "Today" came after a long wait for Joshua, but it did come. Has your "Today" of exaltation come from the Lord? It will, if it has not, but you have to persist in doing what is right in the eyes of the Lord and also be faithful in the calling that you have from the Lord. Are you in a secular work place? God has a purpose for you there? Are you working under superiors? No need to fret; the Lord will reward you for being faithful.

Even if your start is simple as it was in the lives of several people that we read of in the Word of God, if you are faithful and maintain your integrity, God will surely bless you in due time. Of course, there may be many who run ahead of you using crooked means, but they will eventually fall. Their greed and pride will bring their downfall.

Joshua was honored by God for his faithfulness. He was not only faithful to God but also to his immediate superior..Moses. Finally one day God told Joshua:
Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them - to the Israelites. Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them. (Joshua 1:2,6)

He did not fight for leadership. It was given to him by God. His faithfulness was rewarded. And so will yours be...Praise the Lord.

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2009-12-16T17:10:00.001-08:00

How great is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you, which you bestow in the sight of men on those who take refuge in you. In the shelter of your presence you hide them from the intrigues of men; in your dwelling you keep them safe from accusing tongues. (Psalm 31:19,20)

If you have reverence for the Lord and have taken refuge in him, the above promises are for you. There are several blessings promised. One blessing is that God has stored goodness for you and he will bestow it openly. The other blessing is that God will hide you from the intrigues of men and keep you safe from accusing tongues.

David, the great psalmist king of Israel sang these because he had experienced it first hand in his own life.

King Saul tried to kill him 21 times, yet God protected David and he was crowned king of Judah and Israel. None would have thought about this when David was being chased around by Saul who was jealous of him. But God had goodness stored for David and he bestowed it upon him in the sight of men.

When he did not find deliverance immediately, he despaired and said,
"I am cut off from your sight!" .....but when the Lord answered his prayers, he sang....Yet you heard my cry for mercy when I called to you for help. (Psalm 31:22)

God is good and he loves you. If you have "fear of the Lord" and have taken refuge in him, he will be with you always and deliver you from evil. Remember, he is the one who...stores goodness for you and delivers you from the intrigues of men and from accusing tongues. God bless you.

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2009-12-14T07:59:00.000-08:00

To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." (John 8:31,32)

Jesus emphasized on "Truth" and this is very evident in the gospel of John. There are a great many verses that begin with Jesus saying, "I tell you the truth". In the promise given above, Jesus stresses the fact that if one has to be his disciple, one has to hold on to his teaching and when one does that he/she will know the truth and the truth will set them free.

Some people are so bound by traditions and error filled human doctrines that they fail to see the truth that is presented in the Word of God. They were like some of the Jews of Jesus' times. When Jesus told them about 'truth' setting them free, they retaliated by saying,""We are Abraham's descendants and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?" (John 8:33)

Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever.
So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed". (John 8:34-36)

If we humble ourselves and accept and obey the Word of Truth, it will set us free. The Son of God, Jesus wants to set us free and that he will do if we hold on to his teaching. Praise the Lord.

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2009-12-13T07:56:00.000-08:00

And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. (2 Corinthians 3:18)

Have you thought about this particular verse? It says that we as believer's are being transformed into the likeness of Jesus with ever-increasing glory.
Maybe we don't take time to think about such things because of the hectic pace of life that most of us live. There are so many things to be dealt with and some of us have become wonderful multi-taskers.

But we are changing day after day as the Lord works on us and in us. Not only for us to become better human beings but mainly to prepare us for our eternal homes.

Graying, perhaps losing the sharp memory that we used to have, yet maturing spiritually to a level that we once thought we would never acheive.

We are being transformed as we pass through various life situations, good and bad, and God is renewing our spirit and soul for a home that would be ours in the fullness of time.

Look at yourself in the mirror. What do you see? Physical changes every now and then.
Do you see the spiritual transformation? the ever increasing glory?
Food for thought these days! God bless.

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2009-12-12T07:57:00.000-08:00

Is anything too hard for the LORD? I will return to you at the appointed time next year and Sarah will have a son." (Genesis 18:14)

God keeps appointments and we read the rest of the story in Genesis Chap.21.
Now the Lord was gracious to Sarah as he had said, and the Lord did for Sarah what he had promised. Sarah became pregnant and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the very time God had promised him. (Genesis 21:1,2)

To the question, Is anything too hard for the Lord? we can answer positively and say,
"No, nothing is too hard for the Lord!

At age 99, God spoke to Abraham and said,
"As for Sarai your wife, you are no longer to call her Sarai; her name will be Sarah. I will bless her and will surely give you a son by her. I will bless her so that she will be the mother of nations; kings of peoples will come from her." (Genesis 17:15,16)

When Abraham heard that he was perplexed and a bit amused too. We read in Genesis 17,
Abraham fell facedown; he laughed and said to himself, "Will a son be born to a man a hundred years old? Will Sarah bear a child at the age of ninety?" And Abraham said to God, "If only Ishmael might live under your blessing!" (Genesis 17:17,18)

But God had decided and he said, "Yes, but your wife Sarah will bear you a son, and you will call him Isaac. I will establish my covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his descendants after him. (Genesis 17:19)

Isaac was born at God's appointed time.

So what's your issue? Do you feel that the time for your miracle has passed?
This day the Lord asks you the question he asked Abraham long ago...Is anything too hard for the Lord?

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2009-12-11T07:33:00.000-08:00

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace (Ephesians 1:7)

The Apostle Peter writes,
For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers,
but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. (1 Peter 1:18,19)

God redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.
When we confessed, our offenses have been swept away like a cloud, our sins like the morning mist by the Lord Almighty.

But have we acheived our goal and can we be carefree with the precious faith that has been given to us?
The Apostle Paul had this to say,
I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:10-14)

And Paul has some good advice for all of us. He says,
All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. Why? one may ask....

(Because)...our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body. (Philippians 3:20, 21)

How wonderful. Praise the Lord!

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2009-12-10T07:57:00.002-08:00

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28)

This verse is not an echo from the past, but an invitation that still holds good today. And those who come to Jesus, heeding his call, truly find rest for their weary souls.

The gospels are replete with examples of many who found rest in this wonderful Savior. There are so many problems that we as believer's face day in and day out, but at the end of the day, we can assure ourselves that the Lord is in control because he has promised to never leave us nor forsake us.

Sleepless nights, nights where we have cried our hearts out wondering whether the Lord cares after all. Yet the doubts fly as we see redemption come at the break of a new dawn.

Jesus says, "I care for you son/daughter. I have come that you may have life, and have it to the full. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

Let us believe his words this day. God bless you.

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2009-12-10T07:57:00.001-08:00

Simple Thoughts On Promises-257

2009-12-10T07:57:00.000-08:00

Simple Thoughts On Promises-256

2009-12-09T08:18:00.001-08:00

"No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him" - (1 Corinthians 2:9)

Writing to the Corinthians, the Apostle Paul quotes the above verse from the book of Isaiah. The verse with a slight difference reads as follows:
Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for him. (Isaiah 64:4)

2 things are of note here:
God has wonderful things in store for- 1. those who love him & 2. those who wait for him.

If you love the Lord, pray to him and then wait patiently, he will reward you at his wonderful time.
In his old age, Abraham had but one desire- that his son Isaac got a good life partner. So he prayed and sent his servant Eleazer to find a bride for Isaac from among his own people.
Abraham loved God and waited patiently in prayer while his servant went searching for a suitable woman for Isaac.
How true the above promise is as we find God already having selected the right woman and sending her to the place where Abraham's servant stood waiting.

Abraham's daughter-in-law was chosen by God according to his divine purposes. In the fullness of time, she met Isaac and they got married.

If you love the Lord and have been praying for something in particular, God will answer you because of his abundant mercies. Remember, "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him."
God bless you.

Simple Thoughts On Promises- 255

2009-12-07T22:51:00.000-08:00

And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19)

What a simple yet great promise! For those who have put their trust in Jesus Christ, the Apostle Paul says that God the Father will meet all their needs. Sometimes things happen fast. Prayers are answered promptly. Needs are met without any delay. But sometimes one has to wait after praying, but God fulfills his promise.

For some who wait for a long time for their prayers to be answered, depression and despair set in. But as they meditate on the Word, God strengthens them and keeps their hope alive.

To those who obey God's Word and believe in his promises, the Bible has another wonderful promise regarding God fulfilling their needs.
The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. (Isaiah 58:11)

God cares for you and he will meet your needs because you have put your trust in his son Jesus Christ who is the Savior of the world. May God bless you and answer your prayers today.

Simple Thoughts On Promises-254

2009-12-06T07:34:00.001-08:00

I am going to bring floodwaters on the earth to destroy all life under the heavens, every creature that has the breath of life in it. Everything on earth will perish. But I will establish my covenant with you, and you will enter the ark - you and your sons and your wife and your sons' wives with you. (Genesis 6:17,18)

In a whole generation, God found one righteous man and made a covenant with him.
The Bible says,
Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord. This is the account of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked with God. (Genesis 6:8,9)
Notable here is that 7 others escaped the great flood because of this 1 man finding favor in God's eyes. God cares for the family. He could have just saved Noah because of his righteous nature and blamelessness, but he didn't do that. He had compassion on the others in Noah's family. None of them are mentioned to be having Noah's great qualities yet they escaped the wrath of God because God didn't want this righteous man to be without them after the flood.

What would have been Noah's condition if his wife and children perished in the flood and he alone escaped? It would have been something like Naomi returning from Moab without her husband and 2 sons. She asked others to call her "Mara" instead of calling her Naomi, because of all the bitter experiences that she had to go through.
Of course she found restoration through Ruth and Boaz, but that took some time.

Are you in a family? Love each other because God loves you despite your short comings. Are you the only one saved? God will have mercy on the others when you pray for them. Are you all saved? Live as children of the light and glorify God. Praise the Lord.

Simple Thoughts On Promises-253

2009-12-05T04:17:00.001-08:00

Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. (Lamentations 3:22)

The Apostle Paul writing to the Ephesians says,
And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge - that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. (Ephesians 3:17-19)

Paul here comments regarding the love of Christ and says that this love surpasses knowledge. The question that we can ask ourselves is...have we grasped how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ?
Truly it is immeasurable. He chose to die so that we could live eternally with him in heaven. He gave away all the glory that he had so that we could share in his glory.

Paul writing to the Philippians sums up the sacrifice of Jesus for our sake:
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 2:6-8)

made himself nothing...humbled himself....became obedient to death...

That love cannot be measured, but it can be amply experienced by those who put their trust in him. And because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is his faithfulness. Praise the Lord.

Simple Thoughts On Promises-252

2009-12-04T07:21:00.001-08:00

You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the LORD will be with you. (2 Chronicles 20:17)

The Moabites and Ammonites with some of the Meunites came to make war on Jehoshaphat, the king of Judah. Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the LORD, and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah. The people of Judah came together to seek help from the Lord. Jehoshaphat praised God for his sfrength and might and recounted the great deliverances God had wrought for his people and then he confessed: We have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you.

As they fasted, prayed and praised God, the Spirit of the LORD came upon Jahaziel. He said: "Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the LORD says to you: 'Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God's. Tomorrow march down against them....."
(2 Chronicles 20:15,16)
And then came the promise that we read in the title verse.
You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the LORD will be with you.
2 Chronicles 20:17)

The next morning, Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the LORD and to praise him for the splendor of his holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying: "Give thanks to the LORD, for his love endures forever."
As they began to sing and praise, the Lord set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated.

God gave a great victory to king Jehoshaphat and to the people of Judah because they trusted in him despite the odds being against them. They followed God's plan as given by Jahaziel and their fastings, prayers and praise paid off.
God loves the praises of his people. If you are in a situation like what king Jehoshaphat found himself in, start praising God. He is able to perform yet another miracle to save you. God bless you.

Simple Thoughts On Promises-251

2009-12-03T04:01:00.001-08:00

Lift up your eyes to the heavens, look at the earth beneath; the heavens will vanish like smoke, the earth will wear out like a garment and its inhabitants die like flies. But my salvation will last forever, my righteousness will never fail. (Isaiah 51:6)

Ain't the day near when the above prophesy will be fulfilled? Everything seems to be going on as usual though. Countries and country heads are laboring to establish peace. Terrorists and unholy elements are working in the reverse. Economic ups and downs, the rat race being slowed just a bit and giving way for the arms race. Global warming is taking it's toll on this earth that was created by God Almighty. As the Word prophesies, so it will be: the heavens will vanish like smoke, the earth will wear out like a garment and its inhabitants die like flies.

But there's the silver lining to this dark cloud prophesy. God says,
But my salvation will last forever, my righteousness will never fail.

To you who have believed in the triune God and accepted Jesus as your personal Savior and are living for him, the sun of righteousness will shine permanently.
The Bible says,
"Surely the day is coming; it will burn like a furnace. All the arrogant and every evildoer will be stubble, and that day that is coming will set them on fire," says the LORD Almighty. "Not a root or a branch will be left to them. But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings. And you will go out and leap like calves released from the stall. (Malachi 4:1,2)

May the Holy Spirit of God prepare each one of us who have believed in Jesus for that glorious day when we meet our Lord and Savior and be with him forever. God bless you.

Simple Thoughts On Promises-250

2009-12-02T03:04:00.001-08:00

He who despises his neighbor sins, but blessed is he who is kind to the needy. (Proverbs 14:21)

Our God is a just God. He is righteous. Therefore whether a person is a believer or not, he maintains his righteousness within the bounds of his Word. The above promise speaks of blessings for those who are kind to the needy.

There are many who do good and help the poor and needy. Some of them build homes for the poor, open charitable institutions for orphans and the aged and run hospitals and care centers for the destitute. God rewards them while they live here on earth with things that he thinks is appropriate.

There are several verses in the Bible which speak of God rewarding those who are kind to the poor and needy. Several blessings are pronounced on them in the Word of God.
A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor. (Proverbs 22:9)
He who gives to the poor will lack nothing……(Proverbs 28:27)

Some people ask, “Why God himself doesn’t feed or help the poor”? That’s because he expects those to whom he has given much to give to them. And if we look at it from another angle, “What everyone has is all given by God.”

If everyone realizes that what they have is all a gift from God, then surely their outlook will be different.

God gave the Israelites a lot of blessings which are detailed in Deuteronomy 8. But he also warned them saying,
You may say to yourself, "My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me." But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth…… (Deuteronomy 8:18)

This wonderful verse from the book of Proverbs should sum it all up regarding what our attitude should be towards the poor and needy:
He who is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward him for what he has done. (Proverbs 19:17)
Praise the Lord.

Simple Thoughts On Promises-249

2009-11-30T04:57:00.001-08:00

The man of God came up and told the king of Israel, "This is what the LORD says: 'Because the Arameans think the LORD is a god of the hills and not a god of the valleys, I will deliver this vast army into your hands, and you will know that I am the LORD.'" (1 Kings 20:28)

The king of Aram warred with the king of Israel, but he and his armies were defeated because God gave Israel victory. The Arameans investigated the cause of their defeat and came to the following conclusion:
"Their gods are gods of the hills. That is why they were too strong for us. But if we fight them on the plains, surely we will be stronger than they. (1 Kings 20:23)

God heard their talk about calling him "gods of the hills", though they did it out of ignorance, yet God proved to them that he is not only God of the hills but God of the plains too; in fact he is God Almighty; omnipotent, omniscient and omnipresent.

God sent a prophet to give the king of Israel the promise that we read in the title verse here. Compared to the vast Aramean army, the Israelite army was very small.
When the Israelites were also mustered and given provisions, they marched out to meet them. The Israelites camped opposite them like two small flocks of goats, while the Arameans covered the countryside. (1 Kings 20:27)

Yet the Lord fought for Israel and defeated the Arameans.
The Israelites inflicted a hundred thousand casualties on the Aramean foot soldiers in one day. The rest of them escaped to the city of Aphek, where the wall collapsed on twenty-seven thousand of them.

The enemy that you face today may be stronger than you but can never match the strength of Immanuel- Jesus Christ who is with you at all times. Remember, the battle is the Lord's and he will fight for you as he fought for Israel. The victory is your's so PRAISE THE LORD.

Simple Thoughts On Promises-248

2009-11-27T19:06:00.001-08:00

God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill? (Numbers 23:19)

Balaam, the false prophet was recruited by Balak, the Moabite king to curse Israel. But try as much as he would, Balaam was not able to curse the Israelites because God only gave words of blessing for him to pronounce. Initially, God did not want Balaam to go with the Moabite leaders to meet Balak, the king, but later seeing Baalam's eagerness, God allowed him to go but commanded him to speak only what God told him.

Balak was angry with Balaam for uttering words of blessing for the Israelites.
Balak said to Balaam, "What have you done to me? I brought you to curse my enemies, but you have done nothing but bless them!" He answered, "Must I not speak what the LORD puts in my mouth?" Then Balak said to him, "Come with me to another place where you can see them; you will see only a part but not all of them. And from there, curse them for me." So he took him to the field of Zophim on the top of Pisgah, and there he built seven altars and offered a bull and a ram on each altar. (Numbers 23:11-14)

The LORD met with Balaam and put a message in his mouth and said, "Go back to Balak and give him this message." Balak asked him, "What did the LORD say?" Balaam replied,
"God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill? I have received a command to bless; he has blessed, and I cannot change it." (Numbers 23:19, 20)

No one's curse can harm you if God has decided to bless you. God will even bring words of blessing from the mouth of people who intend to curse you or have cursed you in the past. Our God is El Shaddai, Almighty God. Trust in him, he will never let you down. God bless you.

Simple Thoughts On Promises-247

2009-11-27T08:07:00.001-08:00

But because my servant Caleb has a different spirit and follows me wholeheartedly, I will bring him into the land he went to, and his descendants will inherit it. (Numbers 14:24)

Of the 12 leaders who went to explore the promised land only Caleb son of Jephunneh and Joshua son of Nun gave a good report to Moses and the Israelites. The other 10 dicouraged the people from going forth to possess the land. Instead they made plans of going back to Egypt.

Seeing that, Joshua and Caleb told the entire Israelite assembly, "The land we passed through and explored is exceedingly good. If the LORD is pleased with us, he will lead us into that land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and will give it to us. Only do not rebel against the LORD. And do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will swallow them up. Their protection is gone, but the LORD is with us. Do not be afraid of them."

But the people wouldn't listen, angering God, who decided to destroy all the Israelites. But Moses interceded and thus God forgave their sin. Yet he sent a plague on the people who rebelled and they died.

God also made known his decision to the Israelites:
Not one of you will enter the land I swore with uplifted hand to make your home, except Caleb son of Jephunneh and Joshua son of Nun. As for your children that you said would be taken as plunder, I will bring them in to enjoy the land you have rejected. (Numbers 14:30,31)

If God be for us who can be against us?
Have you the spirit of Joshua and Caleb? Willing to abide by God's Word? Being led by the Spirit of God?
If yes, you will enter the promised land (Heaven) in the fullness of God's time. God bless you.

Simple Thoughts On Promises-246

2009-11-26T07:10:00.001-08:00

For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will - to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. (Ephesians 1:4-6)

Great and wonderful are the ways of the omnipotent, omniscient and omnipresent God. If you are in Christ today, the matter written above pertains to you. You have been chosen before the creation of the world in accordance with God's pleasure and will.

Writing to the Romans and the Ephesians, the Apostle Paul makes this very clear:
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. (Romans 8:29, 30)

In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. (Ephesians 1:11, 12)

You have been in God's plan always. In the fullness of time, things happened. You believed the Word and have been sealed by the Holy Spirit. Not for a day or two but for eternity.
And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession - to the praise of his glory. (Ephesians 1:13, 14)

This blessed hope is what should keep us going each day despite the troubles that we face day in and day out. May the Holy Spirit help and strengthen each of you who read this to wait patiently for that glorious day when you enter eternity and live with God forever. Praise the Lord.

Simple Thoughts On Promises-245

2009-11-25T07:13:00.001-08:00

Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun. (Psalm 37:5, 6)

2 things: commit your way and then trust in him. Whatever the problem, first lay it at the Lord's feet and then trust in him that he will make a way where there seems no way.

The Israelites often fell into the hands of their enemies because of a lack of commitment to the Lord. During the times of Samuel, the prophet, they suffered at the hands of the Philistines. Samuel advised them to commit themselves afresh to the Lord.
And Samuel said to the whole house of Israel, "If you are returning to the LORD with all your hearts, then rid yourselves of the foreign gods and the Ashtoreths and commit yourselves to the LORD and serve him only, and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines." (1 Samuel 7:3)

If you need continual deliverance from the enemy, you need to remain committed to the Lord. The Apostle Peter writes:
Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. (1 Peter 5:8)
And to escape his snares every believer needs to remain committed to the Lord.
Peter's advice to escape the devil's snare is this:
Resist him, standing firm in the faith...... (1 Peter 5:9)

And to stand firm in the faith, we need to remain committed to God and his Word.
The promise for today states- commit and trust- and the result will be- he will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.
Let that be a reality in your life. Praise the Lord.

Simple Thoughts On Promises-244

2009-11-24T07:42:00.001-08:00

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. (Hebrews 11:6)

The Bible is replete with examples of how God rewards them who have displayed their faith to the Almighty. One of the wonderful things that God does is that he uses simple things through which he displays his power. Things very ordinary, like the staff that Moses had been using for quite a few years. Little did he know about how God was going to transform that staff. While in Exodus 4:2 it is the "staff of Moses", by Exodus 4:20 it has become the "staff of God".

The "staff of Moses" did ordinary things like herding sheep and directing strays, but the "staff of God" helped to do extra-ordinary things like swallowing other staffs and splitting a sea. And imagine Moses' surprise when he threw his staff down at God's command. It became a snake; must have been some poisonous kind, for Moses ran from it.

How true then what the Apostle Paul writes to the Church at Corinth:
But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things - and the things that are not - to nullify the things that are, (1 Corinthians 1:27,28)

30 miracles with a staff. Wonderful. Excitement plus plus....
So what's that in your hands? the Lord asks. A pen, a guitar, a violin, a keyboard? Whatever! Give it into my hands, let me bless it, the Lord says and let the miracles flow..........

Simple Thoughts On Promises-243

2009-11-23T06:38:00.001-08:00

If this is so, then the Lord knows how to rescue godly men from trials and to hold the unrighteous for the day of judgment, while continuing their punishment. (2 Peter 2:9)

While speaking of God rescuing godly men from trials, the Apostle Peter mentions a couple of examples- that of Noah & Lot.
If he did not spare the ancient world when he brought the flood on its ungodly people, but protected Noah, a preacher of righteousness, and seven others; if he condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah by burning them to ashes, and made them an example of what is going to happen to the ungodly; and if he rescued Lot, a righteous man, who was distressed by the filthy lives of lawless men (for that righteous man, living among them day after day, was tormented in his righteous soul by the lawless deeds he saw and heard)... (2 Peter 2:5-8)

After Daniel was thrown into the den of lions, king Darius who gave permission for the same, spent the night restlessly.
At the first light of dawn, the king got up and hurried to the lions' den. When he came near the den, he called to Daniel in an anguished voice, "Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to rescue you from the lions?" (Daniel 6:19,20)
And Daniel's answer was: 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)

Yes, the Lord knows how to rescue godly men from trials. If you have been going through trials these days and you have been thinking why you are going through it even when you have been living close to the Lord, be strengthened this day. The Lord who rescued Noah, Lot and Daniel will rescue you too. God bless you.

Simple Thoughts On Promises-242

2009-11-22T05:10:00.001-08:00

Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. (Matthew 7:24,25)

Great crowds followed Jesus when they saw him do miracles. Sicknesses were healed, demons were driven out, food and wine were provided miraculously. They wanted more. But when Jesus started preaching about God's requirements to enter the kingdom of heaven, there were few takers. We read in John Ch.6:
From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him. "You do not want to leave too, do you?" Jesus asked the Twelve. Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God." (John 6:66-69)

Hearing God's Word is not enough; Jesus said, we must put them into practice. But some believer's do not really grow in the Lord. Of these the writer of Hebrews said,
In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God's word all over again. You need milk, not solid food!
Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. (Hebrews 5:12,13)

Is your spiritual life built on a rock solid foundation? If it is, then it will be stable when the wind blows against it. God will strengthen you and uphold you with his righteous right hand. God bless you.

Simple Thoughts On Promises-241

2009-11-21T04:34:00.000-08:00

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

Doesn't seem too complex a strategy to receive rewards from the heavenly Father. Simple on the surface but tough as well, because some believer's find time for everything else but prayer. Victory lies in being in the heavenly Father's presence and being sure that prayer for a specific request has been made in totality.

Go into your room, close the door.....Close the door and keep it closed till there is inner satisfaction that "prayer" has been complete. Only then open. There's often a tendency to rush to other things when in prayer. The door bell rings, the children call, things in the kitchen and a whole lot of other things mundane to be looked into. So close the door and if need be inform others that the door will remain closed till prayer is done with. Prayer is serious business and the diligent are rewarded.

Personal prayer is very important. Family and corporate (church/fellowship) prayers cannot replace the necessity to be alone in the Father's presence. Jesus set the example.
Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. (Mark 1:35)

If one lacks a private room for private prayer, early mornings, when everything else is quiet, is the best time to get in touch with the Father.

The secret of success in Jesus' life and ministry was his prayer strategy and because he found it effective, he wanted all who believe in him, to follow it. The strategy is simple and if employed regularly can bring great rewards from the heavenly Father.
So shall we invest some more time in private prayer??

Simple Thoughts On Promises-240

2009-11-20T04:11:00.001-08:00

As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. (Isaiah 55:10, 11)

God's word that goes out of the his mouth cannot be stopped in fulfilling what it has been sent to do; it accomplishes what God desires and it has been so from the beginning. When God said, "Let there be light", light just came into being; no questions asked. No arguments entertained, even if there were any.

We read the following in Psalms 107:
Some became fools through their rebellious ways and suffered affliction because of their iniquities. They loathed all food and drew near the gates of death. Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress. He sent forth his word and healed them; he rescued them from the grave. (Psalm 107:17-20)

When we pray, God sends his word and that brings healing, deliverance and peace. The word that God spoke during creation brought everything into being and we read in Genesis 2:
God saw all that he had made, and it was very good........ (Genesis 1:31)

The "let there be..." and "let the..." words spoken by God were so powerful that what was once "formless and empty and dark" became "very good". God, by his awesome power is able to change what is "formless and empty and dark" even in our lives into something "very good".

It's my prayer for you today that he may do such an awesome miracle for you in the coming days, that you praise his glorious name even more all the days of your life. God bless you.

Simple Thoughts On Promises-239

2009-11-18T21:07:00.000-08:00

Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:9-11)

The Bible says that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth. More than man, evil powers fear God, because they know that they are utter failures when they confront God. The Apostle James writes,
You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that - and shudder. (James 2:19)

Though we see people ignoring Jesus and the Word of God and some living in utter rebellion to God, a day will come when they realize the truth that they ignored but then it will be too late. Perhaps it will only be at the White Throne judgement that some will realize to their dismay how foolish they were not to confess the name of Jesus while they lived here on earth.

Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. Earth and sky fled from his presence, and there was no place for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what he had done. Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. If anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire. (Revelation 20:11-15)

But, how blessed are they, who, while living here on earth, confess the name of the Lord Jesus and live for him. About them the Bible says,
Blessed and holy are those who have part in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years. (Revelation 20:6)

Praise the Lord.

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2009-11-18T02:58:00.000-08:00

She sent for Barak son of Abinoam from Kedesh in Naphtali and said to him, "The LORD, the God of Israel, commands you: 'Go, take with you ten thousand men of Naphtali and Zebulun and lead the way to Mount Tabor. I will lure Sisera, the commander of Jabin's army, with his chariots and his troops to the Kishon River and give him into your hands.'" (Judges 4:6, 7)

After Ehud died, the Israelites once again did evil in the eyes of the LORD. So the Lord gave them into the hands of Jabin, a king of Canaan, who reigned in Hazor. The commander of his army was Sisera, who had nine hundred iron chariots and cruelly oppressed the Israelites for twenty years. So the Israelites cried to the LORD for help. And help came in the form of this prophecy uttered by Deborah, the prophetess.
God was going to lure Sisera and bring about his downfall.

The Lord will give you victory over the evil forces that are causing trouble in your life. Many times the enemy brings impediments to even small matters that involve believer's lives. This is to bring discouragement and despondency. But the Bible exhorts us in this manner:
Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. (James 4:7)

The enemy will not win because Jesus is on your side. He says,
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. (John 10:10)

Jesus loves you and he will give you victory. God bless you.

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2009-11-17T07:26:00.001-08:00

The LORD answered, "I will be with you, and you will strike down all the Midianites together." (Judges 6:16)

The Lord's call for service often comes in the most unexpected of places. Gideon was not exactly in a "fasting & praying" session when the Lord called out to him through an angel.
The following is what happened:
The angel of the LORD came and sat down under the oak in Ophrah that belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, where his son Gideon was threshing wheat in a winepress to keep it from the Midianites. When the angel of the LORD appeared to Gideon, he said, "The LORD is with you, mighty warrior." "But sir," Gideon replied, "if the LORD is with us, why has all this happened to us? Where are all his wonders that our fathers told us about when they said, 'Did not the LORD bring us up out of Egypt?' But now the LORD has abandoned us and put us into the hand of Midian." The LORD turned to him and said, "Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian's hand. Am I not sending you?" "But Lord, " Gideon asked, "how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family." (Judges 6:11-15)

To the question ""how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family", God answered and gave the promise--"I will be with you, and you will strike down all the Midianites together."

God's call for service in his kingdom can come at any age in a person's life. Jeremiah's call came when he was young and so also in the case of the prophet Samuel. But Moses and Aaron were called when they were in their 80's. I guess they were already in their retirement age.

If God calls you today, what will you reply? Hope your reply will be like what Isaiah said.
Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" And I said, "Here am I. Send me!" (Isaiah 6:8)

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2009-11-16T03:49:00.000-08:00

So this is what the Sovereign LORD says: "See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who trusts will never be dismayed. (Isaiah 28:16)

If you have trusted in the tested and precious cornerstone Jesus, you will not be dismayed. People in authority often oppress subordinates and get away with their mischief. Often God doesn't punish the miscreants immediately, but that doesn't mean he favors them. He has his day of judging and when his time comes, he deals with them. But God's faithful eyes are always on those who trust in him.

Isaac reopened the wells that had been dug in the time of his father Abraham, which the Philistines had stopped up after Abraham died, and he gave them the same names his father had given them. Isaac's servants dug in the valley and discovered a well of fresh water there. But the herdsmen of Gerar quarreled with Isaac's herdsmen and said, "The water is ours!" So he named the well Esek, because they disputed with him. Then they dug another well, but they quarreled over that one also; so he named it Sitnah. He moved on from there and dug another well, and no one quarreled over it. He named it Rehoboth, saying, "Now the LORD has given us room and we will flourish in the land." (Genesis 26:18-22)

Isaac trusted in God and his persistence despite opposition paid rich dividends. Trust in the Lord and look ahead. A shut door doesn't mean the end. It signals the opening of several doors for a child of God. God bless you.

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2009-11-15T06:12:00.001-08:00

But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. (John 16:7)

Jesus spoke about the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, defining his role in the lives of those who believed in Jesus and accepted him as Savior.
And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever. (John 14:16)
But 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)
"When the Counselor comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father, he will testify about me. (John 15:26)

If you have trusted in Jesus and accepted him as Savior, the Counselor will start his work in your life. He will be with you always, he will teach you all things, he will testify about Jesus and he will remind you of what Jesus has said.
The Counselor has been given the task of helping us believer’s reach eternity in heaven. He is there to guide us all along the way giving us wise counsel and leading us in the paths of righteousness. Sadly, some believer’s do not know much about him, some others ignore him. He wants to fellowship with us and tell us what Jesus desires in our lives.

As a believer, do you fellowship with your Counselor? Though you can’t see him, he is always there to speak to you and guide you through the Word of God and through dreams and visions and will speak to you with his still small voice. It’s a great experience once you start having fellowship with him. Just speak to him as though he were your close friend. His power will manifest through your lives. He is the spirit of wisdom, knowledge and understanding. He will help you with all things, whether great or small. As the Israelites were led by the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire at night in their journey to Canaan, so also the Holy Spirit will lead us in our journey to the heavenly promised land. Praise the Lord.

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2009-11-14T04:09:00.000-08:00

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My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all ; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand. (John 10:27-29)

Jesus affirms that no one can snatch a believer (who listen's to his voice and follows him) from his hand or his Father's hand. But there’s always a possibility of a prodigal walking away from the hand of the Father and landing in grave trouble.

The protection remains as long as one abides in the shelter of the Most High, but once a believer moves out of the shelter, living a worldly life and indulging in things which are not pleasing to the Father, the shadows of darkness fall on his/her life and they suffer at the hands of the powers of darkness.

The story of the prodigal son as told by Jesus is relevant for our generation too. Believer’s desire to be blessed by God in every sphere of their lives and God does bless, but then some fall away being unfaithful to the Father who gave them their heart’s desire.

God blessed Israel and gave them promises that he gave no other nations.
He made him ride on the heights of the land and fed him with the fruit of the fields. He nourished him with honey from the rock, and with oil from the flinty crag, with curds and milk from herd and flock and with fattened lambs and goats, with choice rams of Bashan and the finest kernels of wheat. You drank the foaming blood of the grape. (Deuteronomy 32:13,14)

But they backslid, grieving the Lord who had rescued them from slavery.
Jeshurun grew fat and kicked; filled with food, he became heavy and sleek. He abandoned the God who made him and rejected the Rock his Savior. (Deuteronomy 32:15)

We have much to learn from these examples. There’s safety in the Lord’s hands. If we move out of his protection, danger lurks at every corner. So let us be firm in our decision to hear the Lord’s voice and follow him steadfastly. God bless you.

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2009-11-12T18:11:00.001-08:00

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For he stands at the right hand of the needy one, to save his life from those who condemn him. (Psalms 109:31)

God is near to all who call upon him; all who call upon him in truth. In Psalm 109, David speaks about his enemies who wanted to destroy him with their words and actions. Though his life was constantly in danger for many years, God’s protective hands always saved him from disastrous situations and destruction. Finally David sang a song when God had given him victory over all his enemies. That is Psalms 18, the title of which says,
“For the director of music. Of David the servant of the LORD. He sang to the LORD the words of this song when the LORD delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul.”

In Psalms 16 & verse 8, David says,
I have set the LORD always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.

Joseph’s brothers wanted him dead because they were jealous of him (Genesis 37), but God saved him and finally exalted him to become the second in command to Pharaoh, ruler of Egypt; a country where he had been brought to and sold as a slave at the age of 17. Imagine coming to a country with a new language, new culture, new people and new circumstances. Yet God helped and saved him in his time of need and after 13 years, he stood in the presence of Pharaoh to give him counsel.

If you have been living a life pleasing to the Lord, obeying his Word, the Lord stands at your right hand too, to save your life from the wicked plans of the enemy. Not only to save you, but also to exalt you in his divine time. God bless you.

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2009-11-11T16:46:00.000-08:00

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When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."(John 8:12)

Do you have the light of life? If you are following the light of the world ‘Jesus’, you will be the light of the world. Jesus said,
You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

Darkness will have no dominion over you because the light of the “Son of God” will always shine upon you.
After Moses was in God’s presence for 40 days, his face was radiant because he was in the presence of eternal light.
When Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the Testimony in his hands, he was not aware that his face was radiant because he had spoken with the LORD. When Aaron and all the Israelites saw Moses, his face was radiant, and they were afraid to come near him.

In Psalms 4, David prayed,
Let the light of your face shine upon us, O LORD. (Psalms 4:6)

In Psalms 31, he again prays,
Let your face shine on your servant; save me in your unfailing love. (Psalms 31:16)

Asaph prays thrice in Psalms 80 for God’s face to shine upon the Israelites. (3,7,19)

It should be our prayer each day that God’s face which is brighter than the sun shines upon us, our families, our nation and the whole world so that darkness be dispelled continually. One of the blessings that God asked Aaron and his sons to bless the Israelites with was this:
"The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace."

And may God’s face shine upon all you who read this. God bless you.