Self Control

Self-control is one of the important character or fruit a believer in Christ should have. You might always compare yourself with others or you may get excited or get depressed very often. You need self-control to know that you are a child of God and you are dealing with the Job God gave you very carefully.

“Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control” – Proverbs 25:28.

               When you lose your thought that you are under the control of Christ, or you are guided by the Holy Spirit, devil will enter into your soul and take control. So scripture warns about the destruction which might not only occur to you, but to others through your lack of control.

               When evil people comes against you, to provoke you, just understand that you are in this world not to entertain them, but to lead a life which bring glory only to Christ, even though they talks bad on you. The toughest thing is when you live for Christ, and when people provoke you that you are the cause of every problem, don’t lose hope. Even though no one may know you, even though no one will see how you are fighting with the flesh, the God who created you and died for you knows your heart. Just think about that and be in control. There is no point in any argument with any one regarding scriptures or the belief in God. When you lead a holy life, even though you may not see the mighty victory, you will get a mighty peace inside your heart that is being given by the Holy Spirit.

               As you know self-control is a fruit of Holy Spirit and to achieve it perfectly, ask father to fill you with his Spirit in Christ’s name. When the anointing comes into your life, you will be a new person, separated from the evil world, guided by the self-control given by the Holy Spirit.

               There are high things to be done by a believer than to argue or quarrel with worldly people. You need to meditate on the scriptures, go to the needy and preach the good news, pray for the needy and be a witness for Christ. May the Almighty enable you to have the fruit of self-control and be a witness for Jesus Christ.

“Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life; You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you.” – 1 Thessalonians 4: 11.

                                                                                                                                 Blogged on June 2013 

Carry The Cross

 

There is a misconception in the world that when a person submits his life to Christ, his problems in life ends. After that no problem will come to his life, he will prosper in all way of life. Because of this misconception, lots of people are questioning when there are asked to follow God. Well, I don’t find anywhere in Bible telling the person who follows Christ will have a luxuries or a problem free life. Instead I know the scripture that tells, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me” – Mathew 16: 24

We can find Job a faithful servant of God being tested by Satan. He was tortured to the most that even his wife told him to leave God and die. These scriptures will tell us that you will be constantly tested in your life. But Job, the faithful servant did not go away from God, but had patience to see Gods way opened to him.

You can find the Disciples of Christ, how they were tortured when they preached the Gospel to the world. As a person who gets converted to Christ, might feel very good when their prayers will be answered instantly. But as you grow up in Christ, you will be tested; your faith will be tested to see whether you are loyal to God.

When you are tested, if you are in Christ, you will find a peace in your heart in the midst of all struggles. You will know that in all the problems God will make a way for you. Yes, with that promise, I urge you to be faithful, strong and ask Holy Spirit to lead you in the correct direction.

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” – John 16: 33

Blogged on 2013

Grow your Hair

 In the Bible, Old Testament Judges, we study about Samson. From Judges 13 onwards we can see the life history of this Jewish person who was called by God to be the leader and Judge. When he was a boy itself, God blessed him with the Spirit. Judges 13: 24, 25. But in the next chapter we see his weakness exposed even though he was a man of God. Even though God commanded them not to marry outside Jews, he wanted to marry a Philistine woman. Satan found an opportunity to get into this person and he cashed it in.  

“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak” – Mathew 26: 41.

Satan will have different ways to conquer you. He might make you to take decision suddenly and destroy you (suicide). But most of the times, he will slowly take one by one step to destroy you. God gave strength to Samson to protect Jews, but he used it for his own pleasure. He went and fought against the Philistines for getting his weak desire. These were the steps devil took to put him under. 

When devil understood Samson can be tamed, it sent Delilah to him for temptation and finally Samson failed in it. The way Satan did it; you can read it in Judges 16. Delilah did not leave Samson without letting him tell his strength. His strength was his hair and once the enemy understood it, they shaved it fully. 

Same thing happens to many one of us. When we walk with God, he gives us his Spirit and guides us to do supernatural things. But even then Satan will try to get into us. Once we open a window for the devil, he will search for our weakness to know our strength. If we give room for him he will find our strength and destroy it to finish us.

Carefully read Judges 16: 21, 22 – “The Philistines seized him, gouged out his eyes and took him down to Gaza. Binding him with bronze shackles, they set him to grinding grain in the prison. But his hair on his head began to grow again after it had been shaved.” 

Yes, Samson’s strength was his hair and once the hair started to grow, Samson understood his strength has come back. Devil can take away our strength and make us weak. But God will give us a second chance to show our strength. The question is how you are going to use the new strength. Here in the life of Samson, he used the strength to kill all the Philistines who came to see his death and in the process he himself got died. 

Our strength may not be physical. But when it is gone, go to your basics. Ask God to change your situation and surrender unto him. Once he gives you the strength back, instead of trying to take revenge on the enemy, use the strength to do things which you are supposed to do. Use it to glorify the Lord. If your strength is music, sing and help someone to sing for the glory of God. If your strength is in doing a specific work, do it and help others to do, and make efforts to bring them to Christ.

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving” – Colossians 3: 23, 24

Blogged on July 2015

Lord hardened Pharaoh's heart

 In the Holy Bible, when you read the book of Exodus, God’s chosen children Israel lived in Egypt along with the Egyptians in peace and joy. But then came a new king in Egypt who made Israel slaves and tortured them, even killed their male child by throwing them into Nile (Exodus 1).

God heard the cry of Israel and He appointed Moses to be their leader to rescue them. Moses went to Pharaoh and pleaded him to let Israelites go to their promised land and worship God. But not only Pharaoh listened to him but also gave the Israelites more work and tortured them more. Then God brought plagues against the nation of Egypt, but the children of Israel were not affected. Pharaoh understood the power of God, but was not willing to obey Him. Every time a plague came, he called Moses and told he will let them go, but once the plague stopped, he will change his mind.

Finally God decided to show his mighty hand against the people of Egypt. So God hardened the heart of Pharaoh. Pharaoh tortured Israelites the most until God send an Angel to kill all the first born male Egyptians, including the house of the king. Pharaoh had a time when he got a chance to let Israel go. But instead of seeing the power of God, he hardened his heart. Finally the time came God hardened Pharaoh’s heart to put him under great destruction, because he rose against God’s children.

Today, we see how the nations are gathered against the country of Israel and have taken decision to wipe Israel from the world map. But still God is fighting for his chosen ones and made a small nation, a powerful one. Still knowing God is with Israel; the nations are hardening their heart and are trying to attack Israel daily. We see the number of rockets which are fired from Gaza to Israel. This is the same thing what happened to Pharaoh, “The Lord hardened their heart”, so to destroy them completely.

God is still guarding his people, the Old Israel, to show the New Israel, the ones who accepted Jesus Christ as their saviour, how He will keep them safe from their enemies. When you follow Christ and live for Him, persecution and opposition will come against you in different ways. You will see God helping you to come out of the troubled situation. But sometimes, persecution comes and your life will get harder. The same God who hardened the heart of Pharaoh is hardening the heart of the ones against you, to clear them up from your path towards your heavenly crown.

“Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put come of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown” Revelation 2: 10.

 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” John 3:16.

Persecution and testing come against the children of God, who confess their sins and accept Christ as their saviour, who died as the punishment for your sins. “

As you confess your sins, accept Christ as your saviour and live a righteous life, May the Lord be with you, whatever opposition may be against you, God is going to destroy them in Jesus name. 

Blogged on 2019 November

The BOOK – The Commission

When you read the Gospel of Mathew 12, we see much controversy among the leaders concerning Jesus. Then we see a Life’s most important question in Mathew 16:13. “What do you think of Christ?” This is the question we need to ask ourselves. Peter replied to this question, “You are the Christ, the son of the living God”. It grasps Christ as the Messiah, the fulfilment of the prophecies of the Old Hebrew prophets. This confession is great because it exalts Christ as the son of God and lifts him above humanity and crowns him with deity.

Mathew 21 to 28, we see the Triumph of the King. On the morning of Palm Sunday it was understood that Jesus was to enter the city. Jesus for the first time permitted a public recognition and celebration of his rights as Messiah-King. The end was approaching with awful swiftness and he must offer himself as Messiah, even if only to be rejected.

Christ’s authority was brought into question as he went into the temple and ordered the merchants out, overturning their tables and telling them they had made the house of God a den of thieves. A bitter controversy followed. “Then the Pharisees went out and laid plans to trap him in his words” (Mathew 22:15). He bade farewell to Jerusalem until he would come again to sit on David’s throne.

Much of Jesus discourse in Mathew 24 and 25 is devoted to Christ’s second coming. He exhorts us to be ready in the parables of the faithful servant (Mathew 24: 45-51), the ten virgins (Mathew 25:1-13) and of the talents (Mathew 25:14-30).

Although a large number of disciples believed in Jesus and followed him, the opposition of the religious leaders was bitter and they determined to put him to death. On the grounds of blasphemy, and of claiming to be King of the Jews, thus making himself the enemy of the Roman emperor, Jesus was delivered up by Pilate to be crucified. After hanging on that cross, the saviour died, not from physical suffering alone but of a broken heart, for he bore the sins of the whole world. We hear his triumphant cry, “It is finished”. He paid the debt of sin and became the world’s redeemer.

The mode of Messiah’s death had been foreshadowed by various types and symbols in the Old Testament. The brazen serpent in the wilderness signified that he was to be lifted up; the lamb upon the temple alter that his blood must be shed.

Jesus was put in Joseph’s tomb, and on the third day he arose, as he had said. People thought he was dead and his kingdom had failed. By his resurrection, Christ assured his disciples that the king still lived and that one day he will come back to establish his kingdom on earth.

The climax of the book is found in his great commission. “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” (Mathew 28:18-20).

Christian faith is no national or racial religion. It knows no bounds of mountain or sea, but it envelops the globe. We are called not to run the world with armies and make people submit under the sword, nor are we called to bribe people and make them submit to get the numbers. A follower of Christ is called to be an example to the people around him and teach them and show them how to live a Christ centred life and pray for their needs so that the Spirit of God will turn them in the path of living water. May God bless you to be a faithful servant of the most high.

Blogged on 2017

Temple of Holy Ghost

 

When you say a temple of God, we might think about an architectural building. But see what our Lord is saying through his word – “Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you” (1 Corinthians 3:16).

Our God is considering us into another level from the rest of the world. If you are a child of the most Holy one, you are his temple and he lives in you. Of course, to be his child you need to confess your sins and ask him for the forgiveness from your sin and ask him to wash you by the blood of Christ Jesus who died for sinners.

This is the difference that God wants us to have from rest of the world. But most of the people who claim themselves as Christians are almost equal to those who are not. Now, how you become equal with them is that you are not keeping your body the temple of the Holy Spirit. See, you might think, ok I believe in Christ and I go to church regularly and take part in all the spiritual activities. But then analyze yourself, whether your body is a temple of God?

Analyzing yourself means, not only the outer body, but the inner soul. No one knows the inner soul except God. You can cheat the world, but not God. He is very particular about his word as you see – “you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body” (1 Corinthians 6:20). God know what you think, your desires, your dreams and all you have in you secret mind. Now you can be a holy person before others. But just analyze how big sin you are doing. Scripture will show you that.

God has told our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. Just see what he is telling about the Holy Spirit. “Every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. And whoever says a word against the son of man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come” (Mathew 12:31). Any sin can be forgiven, except the sin against the Holy Spirit. There’s no doubt that Jesus said it as it is mentioned in Mathew, Mark and Luke. You can be a godly person outside, but your sin may not be forgiven in this age or in the age to come. So Beware.

As it refers to as temple, when we look at a Church, everyone wants to have their church very perfect. That means inward and outward. Yes our God also means by that. When he means honor your body, it means outside and inside. Inside soul can be seen by God and it reflects to the world. Outside appearance of  temple can be seen by humans. I am telling about your physical appearance. God has given us a body to be his temple, not only to maintain our heart pure, but also to keep and maintain your physical body fit for his service. To a church which is about to fall, people will find it difficult to go. Same way you need to keep yourself fit for your journey towards eternity.

How to build your body a temple of Holy Spirit? You need to have a close walk with God. We see people you walked with God. (Genesis 5:24 – Enoch, Genesis 6:9 – Noah). Have a passion to read and study his word and have a one on one communication with him. Never boast about your worldly pleasures as God has sent us to preach his word and his cross, not our riches. “May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to world” (Galatians 6:14).

Be close with God through fasting and praying to keep your body clean from trials and temptations. “Even now, declares the Lord, return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning” (Joel 2:12). Keep yourself clean from the demonic world. Do regular exercises to keep your physical body fit. God has given us a physical body and it is our duty to keep it and maintain it. Exercise regularly. Never spoil your body. Spoil it in the hands of Lord. But as you are in this world keep it fit to be a warrior of the one who is above all. May God bless you.

Blogged on March 2011

Feast of The Presentation of our Lord

Today we think and meditate upon the Feast of Presentation of Our Lord in Jerusalem. According to the Law of Moses, every first male Israelite should be designated as holy to the Lord. So when Jesus was a child itself, His parents brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (Luke 2: 22-40). According to the law, they need to offer a sacrifice and so they did the sacrifice, a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons. At that time a righteous and a devout man of God Simeon, filled with the Spirit of God took child Jesus and praised God.

Throughout his whole life, he was looking forward to the consolation of Israel and a deliverer and at the right moment Spirit of God showed him Jesus. He praised God for showing him the deliverer of this world. He told Joseph and Mary about the plans of God regarding Jesus. He told them that Jesus is the savior of this world and He is going to deliver the world from sin by offering himself as a sacrifice. Soon after that a servant of God Anna, who also was fasting and praying for the savior praised God for the deliverer.

Yes, Jesus came to deliver everyone. Israelites think he come to deliver them from their enemies. But Jesus came to deliver everyone from their sins. He had the same flesh and blood as everyone. He knew how it is to be rejected, humiliated, bullied, and even getting cheated. But in all, He remained sinless because He was called to be a sacrifice for our sins.

Finally He became a sacrifice for our sins. He died on the cross for the sins we did against God for us to be free from the punishment.

Salvation or deliverance is free and it’s a grace of God. But you need to do only one thing. Repent your sins and accept Jesus Christ’s salvation in your heart. There is no need to climb any hill or carry the cross in shoulders or light a candle. Just be where you are and confess your sins before God in your heart and accept Christ’s salvation. You are free. Once you accept Christ, He tells us not to sin anymore. Yes, try not sinning anymore.

May The Lord reveal you Jesus through His word as He revealed Jesus to Simeon and Anna, and may you freely give the salvation message to the needy, in Jesus name