We live in a fast-paced world. Everybody seems to be in a hurry; speeding towards meeting one deadline or the other. And in all this busyness we are fast losing the fruit of the Spirit of patience.
We also begin to expect instant achievements and success. But they are not won that way. And sadly … Read the rest
Most Christians carry a wrong idea that the saints of the Bible were extraordinary people. This is a very wrong thought. The saints may have been outstanding in their achievements for God.
But in their nature, they were quite ordinary people like you and me. It might seem hard to believe.
But that it is … Read the rest
One of the difficulties in obeying God are delays. When God delays more than we expect we tend to disobey. The reason we give for this disobedience is that God failed to meet us at our expected time.
There are a few things that should be noted about this. One fact is that we may … Read the rest
Many Christians are called to live in unfavorable situations and circumstances. They usually find themselves a minority in a Non-Christian majority environment. This causes a sense of helplessness and frustration at times.
But the fact is that we cannot escape these realities. We have to live in the midst of them. But there is one … Read the rest
There has always been a spirit of criticism and judgment among God’s children. This is most evident on two occasions: The first occasion is when a child of God is caught in a sin.
The second occasion, though it may sound strange, is when a child of God lavishes his or her love on God. … Read the rest
Throughout history God’s Word has been under attack. Yet it has survived. Not only that it continues to transform lives. That is precisely one reason why God’s Word is opposed.
People down through the centuries have tried every known method to destroy God’s Word. Many times it almost seemed that they had achieved their goal. … Read the rest
Guard your strength. This is a crucial lesson that Christians need to learn. Our defeats may not be always in the areas of our weakness. It can easily be in the area of our strengths.
One folly that Christians often commit is that they reveal their strengths to everyone they talk to. This exposes them … Read the rest
Great moments of communion with God are often followed by great attacks from the devil. Many Christians are taken off guard when this happens.
They then begin to wonder whether their recently concluded session of communion with God was real or just make-believe. If it was real, they continue to wonder, why was it that … Read the rest
The Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary defines the word “confirm” thus: to state or show that something is definitely true or correct, especially by providing evidence.
Webster’s New World Dictionary says that the word “confirm” means: to make firm; strengthen; establish. These two definitions of the word “confirm” will help us to understand this pattern better.… Read the rest
There are phases in life when there are experiences of great emptiness. This emptiness cannot be described but it is immediately understood when it comes.
During such times there is a possibility of having a vision of God. The way God chooses to reveal Himself may be a dramatic one or it could happen in … Read the rest
We always hope for good things to happen. In fact we anticipate them. That means we look forward to the event happening. In the meantime we wait with great expectation.
And then the opportunity we had waited for with great anticipation arrives. We then say that finally the great moment has arrived.
But the excitement … Read the rest
There are times when God gives us a specific message. It can come in different ways; through the Bible, through gentle and strong impressions in the heart while in prayer, through Christian friends or even through circumstances.
Sometimes what God tells us looks highly improbable. The circumstances around us will make us doubt whether what … Read the rest
This pattern represents four distinct stages that can happen in the life of Christian. It doesn’t mean that it should happen; but it only means that there is a possibility of this happening.
The first stage is marked by a moving away from God. It can happen suddenly and deliberately; or it can happen gradually … Read the rest
The Christian life is not without its troubles. By using the word “trouble” it is not meant problems common to all mankind like sickness or unemployment. The word “trouble” here denotes a host of things that give unrest to the mind. They are capable of destroying the peace of a Christian.
One of the difficulties … Read the rest
There are many names that rush to our minds when we think of Christian Ministry. Those names belong to those who have big organizations and who do ministry through the media. But there are two problems arising from this kind of association in our minds about Christian Ministry:
One problem is that we think that … Read the rest
Christian life sometimes springs surprises that are not pleasant at all. One of such surprises is that of coming to know that Satan has carried away what rightfully belonged to us. In other words, the devil during unexpected times, conquers and takes away what God had given us.
Some Christians never realize that they have … Read the rest
There is a common thought among people that God’s commands are burdensome. Therefore we act the way we like quite often clearly going against the command of God.
Then we use mainly two reasons to justify our actions: The first reason is that what we do is of little consequence and the second is that … Read the rest
“Who should take the initiative?” This is a common question often heard. As Christians we often have doubts as to whether we should take the initiative to do something or wait for God’s initiative. There are no easy answers.
Yet the Bible gives us a pattern in which one of the persons concerned responded to … Read the rest
By giving Jesus to the world God demonstrated the fact that He is a giving God. Paul also reminded us of Jesus’ words: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” (Acts 20:35b NIV).
But many times we give only to find that the need is much greater than we had understood. And one … Read the rest
We all come across crossroads in life. It is at these crossroads that we find that there are more than one road to choose from in which to travel forward.
These choices imply decisions. We are compelled to take decisions for determining the future course of action. But these decisions are sometimes not easy.
For … Read the rest
Character Signatures are a special kind of patterns. They are insights found in the New Testament on the life and character of Old Testament men and women of God. These glimpses into their lives give us a more accurate picture of what gave their lives such significance and impact.
Character Signatures have a right to … Read the rest
There are certain patterns in the Bible that are unmistakable mirror images of each other. By looking closely at such instances in the Bible, we can learn much about how our lives are impacted by certain powerful spiritual prinicples.
In some Mirror Patterns you might be able to find a process in operation if you … Read the rest
As we read the Bible, we come across patterns. Patterns become recognizable when a reader sees a spiritual truth that is stated in one part of the Bible being repeated in a similar fashion in yet another portion of the Bible.
The very fact that God has said something twice means that He wants us … Read the rest
Is there any benefit in trying to understand and obey God’s will in your life? This question should be asked and its answer should satisfy. Otherwise you will never be sure why you are seeking God’s will in your life. Four benefits of seeking God’s will are enumerated here.
A Special Relationship:
Jesus was once
The greatest tragedy in Christian living is to have a good beginning but fail to capitalize on it.
People get distracted, get sidetracked and lose sight of the reward that God has kept for them. Thus they backslide and fail to fulfill the purpose for which God had called them.
What is the cause of … Read the rest
Jesus had higher priorities in life. It was seen in different instances.
For example, when He was hungry the disciples had gone to buy food. During that time He was having a conversation with the Samaritan woman by the well that proved life-changing and life-giving to her. The disciples came and urged Him to eat … Read the rest
The clock was Jesus’ slave. Never did Jesus get His sense of timing wrong. He always waited for the right time, the appropriate time; the time the Father had set for Him to act.
Jesus demonstrated this many times. To Mary, His mother, who told Him that there was no more wine at the wedding … Read the rest
Jesus was always driven with a purpose. The great sense of the mission He had to fulfill was very strong in Him. In other words, He always referred to having been “sent” to this world by His Father:
“For I came from God and now am here. I have not come on my own; but … Read the rest
The desire to please God was a dominant force in the life of Jesus.
Jesus once said: “The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him” (John 8:29 NIV) [author’s emphasis]. Jesus enjoyed a continuous conscious presence of God in His life … Read the rest
