How our words matter across generations

This is based on a true incident. There once lived a woman who looked beautiful outside and lived in a upper middle class family. She happened to get married to a person who was from lower middle class family. After marriage she didn't trust it was God's match for her. Although her husband was good earning and didn't have any bad habits such as drinking or smoking, she cried for having got to married to her husband who was from lower middle class family. She took hold of her son , rubbed both his arms and lamented to him asking him to behave well and not to add to her trouble of having got married to this man. This got well inscribed in the small boy's heart of which he could recollect even in his 60's. What this did in the boy's life is , he could never accept his wife as the match from God and the lamentation continued as to why he got married to the wife he got. Poor wife and his family, everyday he made it as hell since he felt as hell living with his wife. 

What you say/do -- matters/affects across generations. Trusting God and speaking God's words is very important.

God -The Alpha and The Omega

God is the Alpha and the Omega which means He is the beginning and the end. He is our Father, our Creator, our Maker and All in All. When we are given a freedom to choose in life, we need to choose God's will seeing through the eyes of God with the help of the Holy Spirit. 

             I would like to explain this with the example of Lot. Before that just pause and read the verses below.  

1John 2:15 Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them.

16. For everything in the world - the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life comes not from the Father but from the world. 

17. The world and its desires pass away but whoever does the will of God lives forever. 

                  First time when Lot was given the freedom to choose the land that he got to settle, Bible says in Genesis 13:10 - Lot looked around    and saw that the whole plain of the Jordan toward Zoar was well watered like the garden of the Lord like the land of Egypt.(This was before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah).

              Had he seen with the spiritual eyes or asked God for His will who is the Alpha and the Omega (who alone knows the things to come)   he would not have chosen a land that in few years was going to become only Sulphur an uninhabitable land for generations- even till today.

           Lot was a righteous man in the sight of God except that he did not trust God wholeheartedly.  In the  midst of the sins in the Sodom and Gomorrah, he lived a righteous life. So God because of Abraham now plans to save him and takes him out of the catastrophe that he brought to Sodom and Gomorrah. 

          The Bible says when Lot hesitated and delayed going out of the city (Genesis 19:16) - the men (angels) grasped Lots hand and the hands of his wife and of his two daughters and led them safely out of the city for the LORD was merciful to them. How great is the mercy of God toward His people. 

              Now after coming to a safe zone , one of the men said "Flee for your lives! .Don't look back and don't stop anywhere in the plain. Flee to the mountains or you will be swept away!!!

               Lot should have abided to the God's plan. But then again he did the same sin manipulating / calculating the things going to happen had he had to obey the angel of the Lord. He goes on to give his explanation with the little knowledge that he has. 

                  18. But Lot said to them. "No my Lord's, please. 19. Your servant has found favor in your eyes and you have shown great kindness to me and sharing my life. But I can't flee to the mountains this disaster will overtake me and I will die.  Look here is a town near enough to run to and it is small. Let me flee to it, it is very small, isn't it? Then my life will be spared. 

                  Second time, he still kept seeing with his eyes. Now the men granted his request. But we all know what happened after that.  Had he accepted to go to the mountains his wife's mind might have occupied with the thought of how to climb the mountain fast. With the presence of the mother in the family , the girls would not have done such a shameful thing. God is the provider. God is the protector. The children would have learnt that unshaken truth just as how Isaac had learnt seeing his father.

But Alas......

Let's pray

Lord we thank you and worship you.  We believe You are the Alpha and the Omega and the controller of our lives. Lord we pray that every decision that we take in our life be according to your will. Lord we pray that you will help us to see the things around us with your eyes. Help us to always submit to your will and word. Give us the spirit of obedience. Take control of our lives. Let every step that we take be as per your will. In Jesus most precious name we pray. Amen.

              

Satan the liar

 Hi Friends,

When trouble comes or something that we wish does not happen we tend to blame God. Sometimes knowing that God cannot be blamed we take the blame that it is for our sins that God has punished us. Even the Israelites did the same thing after seeing Canaan. All they said was “Our God has forgotten us”. Instead of looking at Jesus, they saw their troubles. 

“You grumbled in your tents and said “The Lord hates us; so he brought us out of Egypt to deliver us into the hands of the Amorites to destroy us.” Deutronomy 1:27

We know satan is liar. But many times we too are deceived blaming us instead of rejoicing in Christ.

“Devil is a liar and father of lies” John 8:44

 How to overcome this Satans trap? Only by the Word Of God. Satan too will quote scriptures. But only if we know more of the Bible and the revelation of who our God is and who we are in Christ we can overcome this. When faith goes down or when doubt arises spend more time on the word of God. The word of God is a double edged sword. The word of God clearly says that when we confess our sins He forgives and forgets them. God does everything beautiful in His time. God loves us. “This is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it. God is in control of our lives. Let us not live in pit of sorrow but be glad for we serve a Loving Father and a powerful God. 

“Praise the Lord , my soul, and forget not all his benefits. Who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases”. Psalm 103:3,4

“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is 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. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen. 1Peter 5:8-10

Sharpen the axe

 If I ask you "Who is man of prayer in the bible", everybodys answer will be "Daniel". Yes though he was working in King's palace he took time to pray three times a day. Although he was super busy, he took time off to call on to God and speak to Him. If we read the book of Daniel in the bible,we see that he understood the importance of prayer. When trouble came all his answer was "Lets pray  to God and see" and not "King likes me a lot, I will speak to him". 

What prayer did in Daniel's life

1.Made him stay holy

2.Saved him from lions

3.Saved him from being killed and helped in interpreting the dream

4.Helped to receive favor from Kings.

5. Made him officer in Babylon by four kings

1. Nebuchadnezzar, after Daniel interprets his dream (2:48)
2. Belshazzar, after Daniel reads the original “handwriting on the wall” (5:29)
3. Darius the Mede, because Daniel had an “extraordinary spirit” (Da 6:1–3)
4. Cyrus the Persian, for reasons unknown … but the guy had a great résumé by then (Da 1:21; 6:28)

6. Helped him to stay healthier much more than his fellow people

7.Helped him to gain more wisdom.

        Daniel 1:17 

           To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning. And Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds.

There are absolutely many more things to be added and the list could go on. And the secret weapon for his success in life is Prayer.

Everyone must have heard about "Sharpen the axe" story where one guy was more wise in taking time out from his busy life to "Sharpen the axe". It is used as a metaphor to exercising ,sharpening the skills etc. I want to do it with "Prayer". 

This lockdown has made us super busy (Similar to rich are getting richer, the busy are made busier). The magic for this work to be easier and smarter would be to take time to 'Sharpen the axe". Take time out for every 3hrs or 4 hr to call out the Lord and ask for help. We are privileged to have direct access to the "Creator God" (Creator of us and everyone around us and also ONE who can create out of nothing).

"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.

Abraham Lincoln said, “Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe.”

Put time on your calendar to sharpen your axe. As a leader, you will be glad you stayed so sharp.

When was the last time you sharpened your axe?,” the boss asked.

“Sharpen? I’ve had no time to sharpen my axe. I have been so busy trying to cut trees….”

Lets take time out to pray (or sharpen the axe) like Daniel to lead a victorious life  in physical, mental and spiritual spheres. [Pause and read]

Prayer:

Lord Jesus we pray, you help us in this life, to live the life you want us to.We look to you for our help in our everyday life. For You know our thoughts, You know our innermost being, You know about people around us, You know our situation, You are loving, You are Omnipresent, You are Omnipotent ,You are the alpha and the omega and You are God. Help us O Lord to live victoriously .In Jesus name , we pray.Amen.

God loves a contrite spirit

Isaiah 57:15

For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite.

There are many places in the bible mentioning that God loves a contrite heart.I have always wondered as a kid after reading this verse, why God wants us to see us unhappy. For its tamil translation is "Psalm 51:17 தேவனுக்கேற்கும் பலிகள் நொறுங்குண்ட ஆவிதான்; தேவனே, நொறுங்குண்டதும் நருங்குண்டதுமான இருதயத்தை நீர் புறக்கணியீர்."

Why God loves to see us sad. Now I feel that I understand its importance.The below verse tells its importance.

Proverbs 24:16

For a righteous man may fall seven times And rise again, But the wicked shall fall by calamity.

16 - நீதிமான் ஏழுதரம் விழுந்தாலும் திரும்பவும் எழுந்திருப்பான்; துன்மார்க்கரோ தீங்கிலே இடறுண்டு கிடப்பார்கள்

There are many perspectives based on the penitent thief getting repented at the last minute of his life and getting a ticket to heaven. Many envy to have that moment in lifetime.Since it does not matter, how much we have sinned till the last minute. That last minute we can repent and get to heaven. Our past life does not matter. We do not know if we will get such a moment. Even in the cross, there was one more thief who had a hard heart.

Everybody sins. Even the proverbs righteous man sins. Saul sinned. David sinned. But David was considered righteous because of his contrite spirit. Saul was given more options to repent.Even Samuel came in spirit after his death spoke to Saul of repentance. But he hardened his heart till the last moment in his life. He did not make use of the opportunities given to him but hardened his heart in every situation. So even in the last moment, just like the impenitent thief on the cross (who did not repent) Saul knew the time of his death , but still he hardened his heart towards God.

There are few takeaways in this blog :-

1.God loves a contrite heart since he wants us to be in heaven with him.

2.No matter we sin and fall, it is ok. You are still righteous if you repent and rise again.

3.It is important to repent in the situations that you get. Because stubbornness is like a muscle. If stubbornness is yielded one time, that muscle gets stiffer and you tend to become stubborn for the rest of your life. No matter if it is the last moment of life , that stubbornness muscle having gained strength will still remain stronger at the LAST BREADTH OF LIFE.(eg: Pharoah and the egyptians, Saul)

Prayer: Jesus we pray that you give us a broken and contrite heart and help us not to yield to our stubbornness. 

Standing before Kings

 Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will stand before Kings Proverbs 22:29

The Lord raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill to set them among princes and to make them inherit the throne of glory for the pillars of the earth are the Lord's and He hath set the world upon them. I Samuel 2:8

The Lord raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth the needy out of the dunghill;

That He may set him with princes, even with the princes of his people. Psalm 113:7,8

David's life story is amazing and truly a great motivation. For from being a shepherd boy, he rose to stand before kings.But even before becoming a king, there were two instances in his life where he stood before kings.

What was he doing as a shepherd that he stood before Kings?

1. He knew the scriptures.

Well, if you see Psalm 113:7,8 is a repetition of I samuel :8 .There are many Psalms telling the story of Genesis and Exodus. He had been a good meditator of God's word as a shepherd.

2. David plays harp

Bible shows he has used his free time, devotion time in playing harp and singing songs to the Lord.This was his hobby. How did this make him stand before kings?

It is interesting to read about it in I Samuel 16:14-23. Saul was tormented by an evil spirit sent by the Lord and so they searched for a person playing harp. When they knew David played harp Saul asked Jesse to send his son to the palace leaving the sheep (or shepherd work)

3. Being a shepherd

He did a sincere work as a shepherd. He loved his sheep more than his life. That is why when bear or lion came he was able to kill it. How will taking care of sheep make him stand before kings? And this story is all time favorite for all sunday school children.God is amazing!!

Well, the jist of this blog is no matter where you are (maybe in desert just seeing the sheep or butterflies) , what you are doing ( playing tabla or just tapping on the table and making music), GOD can make you stand before Kings.

Nothing matters for God. Only your faith matters

Remember.....What to remember ?

Dear friends in Christ, 

 It is always important to remember who we were when Christ chose us.Of course it is true we are new creation in Christ. Old things are gone and all have become new. This remembrance of us, is not to make us like dogs eating their own vomit. But instead it is to humble ourselves in Christ and boast only about Him.Pride is the greatest enemy that completely destroys us. Satan knows that , since he has experienced God's wrath because of his pride. 

I would like to show examples from bible, of how one person forget who he was before God chose him and had to experience terrible death and of another person who remembered who she was before God chose and choose to humble and obey. 

 Well, the first person is Saul the first king of Israel. When Samuel chose him as King, although being the tallest there was not a pride in him. 1Samuel 9:21 says, Saul said to Samuel "I a Benjamite, of the smallest of the tribes of Israel? and my family the least of all the families of the tribe of Benjamin?" .But when he started cherishing people's voices , he completely forgot how he became a King. Or Who made him King. God was forgotten in his life. So God allowed all the spirits which made him more worse. In the battle with the Philistines, Saul was defeated. And so he took a sword and fell upon it [1 Samuel 31:4]

The other person is Esther the Queen. There are many people in the bible who humbled themselves till death after Christ chose them. But I would like to show what Queen Esther did. She was floating in favorism. There is no count of the virgins with whom she competed. King Ahaserus reigned from India unto Ethiopia over a hundred and seven and twenty provinces. From all these provinces beautiful young virgins were sought out for the King. Sure there must have been more competition. She got favorism from everyone around her. She understoon that it was the Lord's doing. That is why even after she became a queen, she choose not to trust in her beauty and charmness. But listening to Mordecai she remembered "God is everything".

May God always help us to remember that we are formed from the dust of the ground and remember God's doings in our life that it was "GOD".

Choose happiness during Death

Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might

Ecclesiastes 9:10 

Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going.

Jochebed - do you know who she is

She is the mother of Moses. Pharoah on seeing the growth of Israelites ordered execution of all male children. On hearing this, Jochebed didn't keep mourning on the plight of her son who was born. But she did with all her might to save the child in whatever ways she could. Hiding her son's birth was not an independent task too. She trained her daughter too in hiding the message of her brother baby at home.Instead of letting him be murdered, she took a basket and coated the bottom with tar, to make it waterproof. Then she put the baby in it and set it among the reeds on the bank of the Nile River. At that same time, Pharaoh's daughter was bathing in the river. One of her maidservants saw the basket and brought it to her.

Miriam, the baby's sister, watched to see what would happen. Bravely, she asked Pharaoh's daughter if she should get a Hebrew woman to nurse the child. She was told to do that. Miriam fetched her mother, Jochebed -- who was also the baby's mother -- and brought her back.

Jochebed was paid to nurse and care for the boy, her own son until he grew. Then she brought him back to Pharaoh's daughter, who raised him as her own  .

Not only was her son saved, but she was paid to nurse for her own baby. Amazing.
When trouble comes, lets not sit and lament. Instead do whatever our hands can do by trusting in God. Amen.

LOVE CLINIC (Based on Christian Faith)

Do you know what is the height of spiritual maturity. Is is not speaking in tongues. It is not prophesying. It is not healing the sick. It is not receiving the power to vanish or to bring to life the dead. It is LOVE.

1.Forgiving our enemies - One o the greatest aspect of LOVE.

Luke 174
             "then said Jesus, Father , forgive them , for they know not what they do."
Jesus spoke the above before dying on the cross. The death on the cross is the most terrile death. He wouldnt have endured pain on the hands and legs alone but on the whole ody. And that pain would have been more because of the gravitational force.And in such pain he says, "Father forgive them ".

Acts 759,60
            And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God and saying , Lord Jesus, receive my Spirit. And He kneeled down and cried with a loud oice , Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when He had said this, He fell asleep.

One thing is needed - That Good part which cannot be taken away from us

Luke 10: 38 –

38. Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.

39. And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard his word.

40. But Martha was cumbered about much serving and came to him and said Lord dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? Bid her therefore that she help me.

41. And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:

42. But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

Dear All,

 Greetings in the precious name of Jesus Christ. It’s been long since I wanted to write this. May God our father help us to choose that good part, which is needful and which shall not be taken away from us.  For many days, I didn’t know what that good part was. I used to think, why Jesus had been harsh to Martha. Just imagine a relative has come to your house, and you just sit with them and keep chatting, without preparing any meals for them. What would be the thought of that relative Uncle. Just put your uncle in Jesus place. What would your uncle have answered? He would have obviously asked your sister to come and help you. Is it not?. So what’s wrong? Why did Jesus answer so? What is the good part that Mary chose? What is that thing which cannot be taken from her?

Well, it is the PRESENCE OF GOD. Jesus doesn’t want any of your servings or meals. He longs for your presence. He just wants to chat with you and love you more and more. We may keep going after work, doing this and that. They are all temporary. They will one day avanish. You have to stop working one day. But it is only the presence of God that is permanent if chosen. Yes, only if you choose it. And His Presence delights you. Blessed, blessed, blessed are those who have experienced this delight.

Had Martha also delighted in Jesus presence like Mary, they would have eaten together a very special meal miraculously created by our Lord Jesus.  Even we too might tell(This message is esp for me, bcoz I am just like Martha. That is why Holy Spirit revealed to me be like Mary and I wanted to share it with you) that we have a project to finish, we have a meal to cook, we have got to clean the house, we have got to constantly watch our kid. But I tell you, that if we are going to take a decision and spend our little time with Jesus, He will start giving us more time to sit with Him by handling all of our chores. Yes, just start spending your time with Him and just see the transformation around you.(Believe it or not, this is the truth).

Few verses which describes, how David experienced God’s presence.

You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

Psalm 15:11

Surely you have granted him unending  blessings and made him glad with the joy of your presence.

Psalm 21:6

Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.

Psalm 51:11

Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, LORD.

Psalm 89:15

7Where can I go from your Spirit?  Where can I flee from your presence?

8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.

9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea,

10 even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.

11 If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,”

12 even the darkness will not be dark  to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you.

Ps 138 7-12

July 7^th, I was urged to write. But I too got distracted and alas by God’s grace I have obeyed to that urge to complete it. 

What BIBLE tells about Drinking

I was urged to write this for long time. Many people think, drinks are given in churches and Christians have fun time there. Also for all celebrations , Christians drink and enjoy as a family. Well let me illustrate you the verses in the Bible, which teaches on drinking. Then you will understand what type of teaching is there in the Bible for yourself.

Instructions given by God for His workers(who are dedicated to Him like today’s Pastors ,Deacons and believers)

Numbers 6:1-4

1. Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 2"Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: "When either a man or woman consecrates an offering to take the vow of a Nazirite, to separate himself to the LORD, 3he shall separate himself from wine and similar drink; he shall drink neither vinegar made from wine nor vinegar made from similar drink; neither shall he drink any grape juice, nor eat fresh grapes or raisins. 4All the days of his separation he shall eat nothing that is produced by the grapevine, from seed to skin.

Instruction given to a Mother on how to grow up a child (who was called to be dedicated to God)

Judges 13:3,4

3.Angel of the LORD appeared to the woman and said to her, "Indeed now, you are barren and have borne no children, but you shall conceive and bear a son. 4.Now therefore, please be careful not to drink wine or similar drink, and not to eat anything unclean.

1Timo 3:2,3,8

2. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach; 3. not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous; 8. Likewise deacons must be reverent, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy for money.

Instructions to Kings on Drinking

Proverbs 31:4

4. It is not for kings, O Lemuel, It is not for kings to drink wine, Nor for princes intoxicating drink;

Consequences of Drinking

Proverbs 20:1

1. Wine is a mocker, Strong drink is a brawler, And whoever is led astray by it is not wise.

Proverbs 21:17

17.Whoever loves wine will never be rich.

Proverbs 23:19-21

19.Hear, my son, and be wise; And guide your heart in the way. 20.Do not mix with winebibbers, Or with gluttonous eaters of meat; 21.For the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty, And drowsiness will clothe a man with rags.

Proverbs 23:29-35

29.Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has contentions? Who has complaints? Who has wounds without cause? Who has redness of eyes? 30.Those who linger long at the wine, Those who go in search of mixed wine. 31.Do not look on the wine when it is red, When it sparkles in the cup, When it swirls around smoothly; 32.At the last it bites like a serpent, And stings like a viper. 33.Your eyes will see strange things, And your heart will utter perverse things. 34.Yes, you will be like one who lies down in the midst of the sea, Or like one who lies at the top of the mast, saying: 35."They have struck me, but I was not hurt; They have beaten me, but I did not feel it. When shall I awake, that I may seek another drink?

Isaiah 5 :11,12,13

11.Woe to those who rise early in the morning, That they may follow intoxicating drink; Who continue until night, till wine inflames them! 12.The harp and the strings, The tambourine and flute, And wine are in their feasts; But they do not regard the work of the LORD, Nor consider the operation of His hands. 13.Therefore my people have gone into captivity, Because they have no knowledge; Their honorable men are famished, And their multitude dried up with thirst.

Isaiah 28:1,2,3

1.Woe to the crown of pride, to the drunkards of Ephraim, Whose glorious beauty is a fading flower Which is at the head of the verdant valleys, To those who are overcome with wine! 2.Behold, the Lord has a mighty and strong one, Like a tempest of hail and a destroying storm, Like a flood of mighty waters overflowing, Who will bring them down to the earth with His hand. 3.The crown of pride, the drunkards of Ephraim, Will be trampled underfoot;

Hosea 4:11

11."Harlotry, wine, and new wine enslave the heart.

God's LOVE - To what can it be compared

Dear All,

Most blessed are those who have enjoyed the love of God and are in the ocean of His love. Come to Him to enjoy His love. It is more than the love of your wife, husband, mother, father, brother, sister or friends. His love can never be measured, can never be compared.

God says “Can a woman forget her nursing child, And not have compassion on the son of her womb? Surely they may forget, Yet I will not forget you. See, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands; Your walls are continually before Me.”

Below are few illustrations of His love.

What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, "Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!' I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.

What woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it? And when she has found it, she calls her friends and neighbors together, saying, "Rejoice with me, for I have found the piece which I lost!'

Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.

A certain man had two sons. And the younger of them said to his father, "Father, give me the portion of goods that falls to me.' So he divided to them his livelihood. And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together, journeyed to a far country, and there wasted his possessions with prodigal living. But when he had spent all, there arose a severe famine in that land, and he began to be in want. Then he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would gladly have filled his stomach with the pods that the swine ate, and no one gave him anything."But when he came to himself, he said,"How many of my father's hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you,and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants."'"And he arose and came to his father.But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. And the son said to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.' "But the father said to his servants,"Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry;for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' And they began to be merry. "Now his older son was in the field. And as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. So he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. And he said to him, "your brother has come, and because he has received him safe and sound, your father has killed the fatted calf.'"But he was angry and would not go in. Therefore his father came out and pleaded with him. So he answered and said to his father, Lo, these many years I have been serving you; I never transgressed your commandment at any time; and yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might make merry with my friends. But as soon as this son of yours came, who has devoured your livelihood with harlots; you killed the fatted calf for him. And he said to him, "Son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours. It was right that we should make merry and be glad, for your brother was dead and is alive again, and was lost and is found."

I can remember the first song taught in my school on God’s love.

God’s love is so wonderful.

It is so high that we can’t get over it.

It is so deep that we can’t get below it.

It is so wide that we can’t get around it

Oh Oh wonderful LOVE.

Jesus - The greatest REFORMER

Christ is the greatest reformer of all times. And He calls us to be like Him. Be the reformer. Be the change!.

Jews are the people who follow tradition more strictly. They follow all things literally without any reasoning. They don't think about the real meaning in it. They were also very good in judging and condemning people who do not follow them. Jesus living in such a community was very bold and didn't live a normal life. He was the greatest reformer. He was the first to do many things in such a community.

Having learnt all the scriptures he didn't choose the learned like other Pharisees. But choose fishermen and tax collectors who were rejected by the Pharisees and Scribes. 

(Just imagine , you are going to start a big business where you require disciplined people with more knowledge. Will you choose fishermen for a change?)

(Scribes had knowledge of the law and could draft legal documents (contracts for marriage, divorce, loans, inheritance, mortgages, the sale of land, and the like). Every village had at least one scribe. Pharisees were members of a party that believed in resurrection and in following legal traditions that were ascribed not to the Bible but to “the traditions of the fathers.”)

Below are the reforms he teached,

You have heard that it was said to those of old, "You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.' 

But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, "Rascal!' shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, "You fool!' shall be in danger of hell fire. 

Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Agree with your adversary quickly, while you are on the way with him, lest your adversary deliver you to the judge, the judge hand you over to the officer, and you be thrown into prison. 

Assuredly, I say to you, you will by no means get out of there till you have paid the last penny

You have heard that it was said to those of old, "You shall not commit adultery.' 

But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 

"You have heard that it was said, "An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.'

But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also

If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. 

And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two

You have heard that it was said, "You shall love your neighbor and hate your 

enemy.' 

But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? 

If you lend to those from whom you hope to receive back, what credit is that to you? For even sinners lend to sinners to receive as much back

How are you living? Are you different from others in your good deeds or just following the larger group who claim to live good lives.

When Jesus was 12yrs old, he was in the temple sitting with the teachers listening to them and asking them questions.

How are we when we are 12yrs, do you sit with the professors to know about more things?

First to love sinners

Jesus sat and ate with tax collectors and sinners. He was even questioned by the Pharisees for his behavior. Look at how Jesus answers ""Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance." 

Just imagine you going to the red light area and eating with them. Will you dare to do such a thing to bring about a revolution?

Then one of the Pharisees asked Him to eat with him. And He went to the Pharisee's house, and sat down to eat. And behold, a woman in the city who was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at the table in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster flask of fragrant oil, and stood at His feet behind Him weeping; and she began to wash His feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head; and she kissed His feet and anointed them with the fragrant oil. Now when the Pharisee who had invited Him saw this, he spoke to himself, saying, "This Man, if He were a prophet, would know who and what manner of woman this is who is touching Him, for she is a sinner." And Jesus answered and said to him, "Simon, I have something to say to you." So he said, "Teacher, say it." "There was a certain creditor who had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. And when they had nothing with which to repay, he freely forgave them both. Tell Me, therefore, which of them will love him more?" Simon answered and said, "I suppose the one whom he forgave more." And He said to him, "You have rightly judged." Then He turned to the woman and said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has washed My feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head. You gave Me no kiss, but this woman has not ceased to kiss My feet since the time I came in. You did not anoint My head with oil, but this woman has anointed My feet with fragrant oil. Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little." Then He said to her, "Your sins are forgiven."

First to bring a lot of changes in the Sabbath.

Now it happened that He went through the grainfields on the Sabbath; and as they went His disciples began to pluck the heads of grain. And the Pharisees said to Him, "Look, why do they do what is not lawful on the Sabbath?" But He said to them, "Have you never read what David did when he was in need and hungry, he and those with him: how he went into the house of God in the days of Abiathar the high priest, and ate the showbread, which is not lawful to eat except for the priests, and also gave some to those who were with him?" And He said to them, "The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath. Therefore the Son of Man is also Lord of the Sabbath." 

And He entered the synagogue again, and a man was there who had a withered hand. So they watched Him closely, whether He would heal him on the Sabbath, so that they might accuse Him. And He said to the man who had the withered hand, "Step forward." Then He said to them, "Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?" But they kept silent. And when He had looked around at them with anger, being grieved by the hardness of their hearts, He said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." And he stretched it out, and his hand was restored as whole as the other.

Jesus respected all the women.

And at this point His disciples came, and they marveled that He talked with a woman; yet no one said, "What do You seek?" or, "Why are You talking with her?"

The woman then left her waterpot, went her way into the city, and said to the men,

"Come, see a Man who told me all things that I ever did. Could this be the Christ?"

Then they went out of the city and came to Him.

Then the scribes and Pharisees brought to Him a woman caught in adultery. And when they had set her in the midst, they said to Him, "Teacher, this woman was caught in adultery, in the very act Now Moses, in the law, commanded us that such should be stoned. But what do You say?" This they said, testing Him, that they might have something of which to accuse Him. But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger, as though He did not hear. So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, "He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first." And again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. Then those who heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning with the oldest even to the last. And Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, "Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?" She said, "No one, Lord." And Jesus said to her, "Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more."

God’s hiring principle - Part 1

Do you think that you are the lowest of all?

Do you think that you are the one who is not respected by anyone?

Do you think that you are not fit for any bigger job?

Do  you think that you are not eligible to work with bigger people?

Well, if your answer is “YES” for the above questions, then God has chosen you for the greater works of His.

“26.Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth.

27.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.

28.God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things- and the things that are not- to nullify the things that are.

29 so that no one may boast before him.

I Corinthians 1:26-28

Moses’s answers in the interview

When Moses was called to deliver Israelites from Egyptians, he showed his humbleness and his unfitness, by telling “Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?

Exodus 3:11

He was spending his life in the desert , but God chose him to lead 6Lakh people out of Egypt. (Is that not amazing?)

Gideon’s answers in the interview

14.And the Lord looked upon him, and said, Go in this thy might, and thou shalt save Israel from the hand of the Midianites: have not I sent thee?

15. And he said unto him, Oh my Lord wherewith shall I save Israel? Behold my family is poor in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father’s house.

Judges 6:14,15

Saul’s answers in the interview

20.Samuel said “On whom is all the desire of Israel? Is it not on thee, and on all thy father’s house?

21.Saul answered and said, Am not I a Benjamite, of the smallest of the tribes of Isreal? And my family the least of all the families of the tribe of Benjamin? Wherefore then speakest thou so to me?

I Samuel 9:20,21

Peter’s answers in the interview

8.When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus knees, saying “Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.

10. Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men.

Luke 5:8-10

All of the above people were  chosen. What’s your answer to God’s calling?