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How to Approach God

With Adoration and Praise

He is “majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders.” “Who among the gods is like you, O LORD (Exodus 15:11)? Therefore, magnify and glorify the LORD in prayer (Psalm 34:3).

With Blessing

We  often think of God blessing us. Why not take time to bless his glorious  name (Nehemiah 9:5z). Why not bless his holy name. Let this be done remembering all his benefits (Psalm 103:1, 2 KJV) and for all spiritual  blessings given us in Christ (Ephesians 1:3 KJV).

With Broken Hearts

We are so proud and self righteous. But God desires that we tear our hearts and not put up a show outwardly (Joel 2:13). He accepts broken hearts sorrowing over sin (Psalm 51:17, 2 Corinthians 7:10). He accepts those who approach him in humility (Luke 18:13).

With Gladness and Joy

We  are called to worship our LORD wth gladness, joyful songs, and  thanksgiving (Psalm 100;2, 4). For the joy of the Lord is your strength  (Nehemiah 8:10). So come to him with joyful songs and thundering praise (Revelation 19:6).

With Freedom and Confidence  

Jesus is at the right hand of God. He ever lives to intercede for us (Hebrews 7:25).  Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with confidence; for our high priest and helper is there to answer our cries and make our prayers  acceptable to God (Hebrews 4:16).

With the Cry “Abba Father”

Oh  let us never forget that Jesus came to show us how to know God as our  heavenly Father. Let us by the Spirit of God come to God like a child (Romans 8:15, Galatians 4:6).

With Confession of Sin

You  do not not need someone to stand between you and God other than Jesus  himself (1 Timothy 2:5). Tell God that you have sinned. Seek his forgiveness and mercy and pardon (see 1 John 1:9).

With Your Needs

God  already knows your needs before you ask him (Matthew 6:8). Still he  encourages you to ask, seek and knock in prayer (Matthew 7:7). He will  richly supply all your needs (Philippians 4:19).

With Intercession for Others

How often we become selfish and pray for our needs alone. God earnestly desires that we pray for others (Ezekiel 22:30, Ephesian 6:18).

With Stillness

We  are restless. We want to somehow help God to get answers to our  prayers. May God give us grace to be still before him and to quietly  trust that he will bring answers to our prayers. God does not want our  fleshly help nor does he want us to run to Egypt (it symbolises our relying on human strength and not on God) (see Isaiah 31:19).

The  message is, “Be still, and know that I am God (Psalm 46:10).” If you do  so, you will not have to fight the battle. But you need to just stand firm. The battle is not yours, but God’s (see 2 Chronicles 20;13—17).  The LORD’s deliverance will come to you; your need only be still.

With a Sincere Heart

Jesus  has nothing to do with hypocrites. He wants us to draw near to him with  sincere hearts and full assurance of faith (Hebrews 10:22) and in confidence in his blood shed on the cross (Hebrews 10:19).

With Faith

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

** End **

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Struggling with Your Faith in God? Get to Know the Reality!

Life is not easy. The life of faith not easy at all.

In my Sunday School days I grew up fascinated by stories of young David killing Goliath, Daniel unharmed in the den of lions and the dreamer Joseph becoming Prime Minister in Egypt.

As I grew up I also dreamed of becoming such a giant of faith. But then the reality slowly made itself clear. Such greatness is not destined for every one of us. Those were God’s specially chosen children.

But that doesn’t prevent anyone from becoming strong in faith. So I still dared to dream to become Somebody for God making a difference in the world. I started reading great faith-building books. I listened to emotionally charged sermons talking about prosperity. Honestly, I believed it all to be true. And I tried to make my faith-muscles as strong as possible.

Slowly my world started falling apart. Instead of a smooth sail what I got was winds and storms. When I looked for light I found darkness. I turned to the Church to find some meaning in my struggles. They seemed to ignore the reality of such a struggle. For them keeping traditions is what mattered most. That burdened me more.

Even when my struggles did not make meaning I tried to believe. Through repeatedly falling into sin, through failures, through discouragement I battled on with a firm resolve to become a giant of faith.

But then I had started asking questions: Does God really like me? Why is there no immediate change in me? When I want to become a saint why does not God make me victorious in the twinkling of an eye? Why am I not experiencing peace at all times?

The funny part of it all is that God did not answer these questions!

So the struggles continued. During brief moments there were flashes of heavenly light giving me a little hope. But then the returning darkness after that killed all those fleeting glimpses of joy.

Now I have grown up. Still many questions remain unanswered. Not that I do not expect answers. But the reality is that God may not bother to answer them at all.

Yet the quest for answers taught me some lessons about the reality. The most important one is that there is a process involved in becoming a man or woman of faith. Joseph had his waterless pit and prison, David had his years of fleeing from Saul, and Daniel his years of training in the king’s court; before they were ready for God’s best.

The Christian world today generally teaches about the possibility of instant imitations of such giants of faith. But the reality is that such faith cannot be imitated without passing through the process of tests of faith; where doubts, confusion, failures, disappointment all mix together to shake faith itself. Peace amidst such a process cannot be defined as the absence of such trouble. But I learned the hard way that peace is the Presence of Christ with us in the midst of such trouble.

Along with it came the realization that Jesus was the greatest Realist of all times. He talked realistically about heaven and the life to come. And He talked about the glory that we would have in heaven. But He also said that in this world we will have trouble. He asked us to cheer up because He has overcome the world.

Paul is an example of one who believed in this realism. He had all kind of struggles, heartaches, sadness, physical troubles and the added burden of being let down by people. Yet in spite of all this he rejoiced, terming these as “light and momentary troubles.” All this was possible because He enjoyed the presence of God. Sometimes he seemed to miss that even. Yet he ran his race of faith and finished it.

This is reality. We are called to run with faith. That does not prevent us from going through struggles. It may not bring us a hundred percent return on the money that we gave to God—in popular terms, “the seed that we sowed into God’s kingdom.” The race of faith does not take place in a modern Olympic stadium even. It takes us through byways and rough terrains, across seas and over mountains and through shadowy valleys. We may be practically unknown, battling alone; trying hard to finish the race; perhaps to collapse once the finishing tape is touched.

Sometimes God never gives us company. It almost seems He has forsaken us. In spite of His promise of never leaving us or forsaking us we feel as if God has indeed forsaken us. He may also choose not to answer our prayers as we expect.

But all this does not deny the reality of God. And His great love towards us in and through His Son Jesus Christ. Neither does it stop Him dwelling within us through the Holy Spirit.

The reality therefore is that God is still with us. His words are still true. But many mistaken interpretations of His Word is what misleads us: False hopes are bombarded onto our minds to suit our materialistic and selfish attitudes. They drive us away from the reality found in His Word.

Another confusion is regarding the supernatural. Definitely, signs and wonders and miracles are all the normal part of the Christian life. But they are not greater than the reality of God. And they should never be permitted to obscure the face of God.

Let us also remember that we have a giving God. He spend His Son on us; fully.

Shall we at least consider to give something of our lives for Him? That would truly imitate the reality of Jesus on the cross. He died not to give us prosperity. But He died to purchase our forgiveness. And to give us life eternal.

Yes, God did not spare His own Son. He did that for us.

That is the Reality!

 

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Will You Repent?

Will you repent?

Repentance has to begin with asking God to search our hearts (Psalm 139:23, 24). It is when you allow the Holy Spirit to turn the spotlights on, that he will show you the secrets of your heart—sins of pride and self-righteousness and many more. David never allowed God to search his heart after he had sinned. God had to send Prophet Nathan with a story that gripped David’s heart and made him realize his sin (2 Samuel 12:1—13). David was a true believer and a man after God’s own heart, but he needed to repent. Psalm 51 records his great cry of penitence and repentance (Reading Psalm 32 and 38 will also be helpful).

Will you repent?

Repentance has to do with a turning back. The prodigal son after coming back to his senses (Luke 15:17), with words of repentance, started walking back towards his father’s home ready to confess his sins (see also Hosea 14:1, 2). David takes words of repentance with him and cries out to God to have mercy on him (Psalm 51:1).

Will you repent?

Repentance has to do with confession and cleansing. If we say we have no sin we are deceiving ourselves says God’s Word (1 John 1:8). Moreover, we are making God out to be a liar (1 John 1:10). But if we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). By the word confess most of us understand it as saying “Sorry.” But the Biblical understanding of the word is different. It is agreeing with God that what we have thought, spoken, or done is sin and wrong and evil in his eyes. And, in the blood of Jesus, we have a cleansing fountain that can wash away all our sins (1 John 1:8, Zechariah 13:1). David’s prayer echoes this need for cleansing (Psalm 51:2, 7, 10).

Will you repent?

Repentance has to do with changed action. Zacchaeus said he will pay fourfold if he had cheated anyone (Luke 19:8). John the Baptist asked us to produce fruit in keeping with repentance (Matthew 3:8). The Ninevites as a nation humbled themselves before God and judgement of God was averted (see Jonah Chapter 3). If we say we have repented and repeat the same wrong actions again and again, can it be true repentance? We can use terms like “weakness” or “God will forgive” to excuse our sinful living (see 2 Peter 2: 22). But God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows (Galatians 6:7, 8).

Will you repent?

Repentance will finally lead to restoration of a right relationship with God and restoration of joy (Psalm 51:12). We see that happening in the story of the prodigal son, and in the story of David’s repentance. So, God is calling you to repent. It is not a one-time act alone. It is a constant attitude and a daily attitude that we need in life. That is why Paul says, “count yourselves dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus (Romans 6:11).” Look to Jesus, the crucified one, always, and allow God to search your heart in the light of that judgement and God’s wrath against sin that fell on Jesus on the cross (2 Corinthians 5:21).

Will you repent?

Remember Jesus warned us in the incident of the tower of Siloam that fell on eighteen people killing them. He said, “Unless you repent, you too will all perish (Luke 13:5). John the Baptist said, “the axe is already at the root of the trees (Matthew 3:10). Peter said, “For it is time for judgement to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God (1 Peter 4:17)?”.

Will you repent?

This is a time when we have to preach the message of God’s wrath and judgement to come (Revelation 6: 16, 17). It is going to be terrible and universal and sudden (Matthew 24:36—41). And many who feel safe in churches worldwide will certainly face judgement (Romans 2:1–5). The message to repent has to be preached. Will you proclaim it?

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We Do Not Look to Jesus Because

We do not look to Jesus because his sinless perfection makes us uncomfortable in his holy presence.

We do not look to Jesus because the “I” in me is demanding to be crowned and fighting to rule my life.

We do not look to Jesus because so many of our friends do not consider him and they make fun that we have suddenly taken a U turn in life.

We do not look to Jesus because he always says, “Follow Me,” and demands obedience and a life of sacrifice.

We do not look to Jesus because it is not easy for us to make him our first love in our life above all others.

We do not look to Jesus because his way is that of the cross; and life by the way of death.

We do not look to Jesus because we want to strive and toil and labour to earn our own salvation rather than put our trust in what he has finished or accomplished by his blood on the cross.

—
Look and Live!
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Who Fulfills Your Desires?

Who fulfills your desires? That is the question I would like to explore.

Desires are many. And all your life you strive hard to fulfill your desires. Some happen; others don’t come to pass.. Fulfilment of desires makes you elated while desires not fulfilled disappoint.

I leave out what is plainly known to all as bad desires out of my discussion. And what remains are good desires. Who fulfills them is the question?

The Bible gives an answer to this question. It says God will “give you the desires of your heart.” Is that possible? Is God interested in your desires? The answer to both questions are an emphatic “Yes.” The Bible clearly states the promises of God can be claimed and they are “Yes” in Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 1:20).

Then why is that many of your desires are not met? That is a good question. Let us look at God’s promise: “Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart (Psalm 37:4).”

So it is plain that there is a condition on which the promise is made. You have to delight in God. Now what do you do when you delight in someone? Or to put it in perspective what does a lover do when he is engaged to a girl to be married? Does he not seek time away from others to be with his beloved because he delights in her?

Similarly, if you delight yourself in the LORD you will long to spend time with him. Reading the Bible becomes a delight, maybe a greater delight than the food you enjoy the best. Prayer stops being formal but becomes an ongoing conversation with occasional quarrels with the LORD like any normal human relationship.

Moreover, when you delight yourself in the LORD you recognize and welcome the presence and indwelling of the Holy Spirit in your life. You allow him to search and examine your heart and obey his prompts with gladness.

You start to realize that he dwells in your body and your body is his temple. So you will allow the Spirit of God to sanctify your bodily desires so that the sinful desires will lose strength and the godly desires become deep-rooted.

One more impact is that your desires will start to conform to the desires of God for your life. Then it becomes a willing obedience from your part. And thus your desires will be fulfilled because there is no conflict with what you desire and what God wills for your life. Amen.

Related Posts
Delight Yourself in the LORD and He Will Give You the Desires of Your Heart!
Delight in the Lord, He Will Give Desires of Your Heart

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Jesus, You Know It All: I Need You!

Jesus
You know it all
How I feel like a failure.

Jesus
It is tough to believe
That you still love me
When others despise.

Jesus
I know that your cross
Was for my sins
And you knew how I would blunder
Along the way.

Jesus
If I may ask
How many second chances
Will you give
When time after time I fail?

Jesus
I know there is no answer
To that question
For you did not count the sacrifice
Nor your life did you hold dear.

Jesus
I trust in your blood
And its cleansing power
That it shall make white and pure
All the stains.

Jesus, LORD of all,
Shoulder my burdens
And lead me on.

Jesus
I know not the next step
I have to take.
It’s all dark, and I fear.

Jesus
Would you encourage me this day
With one word of yours.
Even if you remain silent
I trust that you are there.

Jesus
I need you.

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Grieving the Spirit of God and the Spirit of God Giving Rest

In a short passage in Isaiah the theme of grieving the Spirit of God and the Spirit of God giving rest to God’s people are clearly mentioned. We need to be warned against grieving the Spirit of God and we can find encouragement and comfort in the fact that the Spirit of God leads us onward and gives us rest.

In the prayer as coming from the lips of one of the exiles of God’s people in Babylon (starting from Isaiah 63:7) God’s loving-kindnesses towards his people are mentioned. God became their Saviour in the expectation that his people will remain true to him. In all their troubles and difficulties he too was afflicted and distressed. The angel of God’s presence saved them and he carried them.

Yet they rebelled and grieved his Holy Spirit (v. 10). See, many of us are familiar with Ephesians 4:30 which speaks about not grieving the Holy Spirit. But this is not just a truth mentioned in the New Testament alone. Right from the time God began to gather for himself a people, the Holy Spirit has been grieved by the faithlessness and thanklessness of God’s people.

Here in this passage in Isaiah the contrast cannot be missed. God was faithful to his people. He took care of them. But they grieved the Spirit of God.

Without trying to be judgemental, let me ask you to examine your heart. Seek God’s help to search your heart. And find out whether there is anything in your life that is grieving the Spirit of God. Maybe your reading this is a God-given chance to get right with God.

Now in the passage in Isaiah there comes a warning. The God who was with them in their afflictions and who had carried them turned against them and became their enemy and God himself fought against them. See, God is a God who disciplines his children. If you grieve the Spirit of God continuously you might find God fighting against you. And that will be a very disastrous situation.

Yet there is hope. When you give chance to God to work in your life and you set your heart right before God, the Holy Spirit will lead you and guide you. He will help you to progress and move ahead in your walk with God without anything creating an obstacle in your path. You will be given rest by the Holy Spirit.

Two images have been used here to tell us about the rest-giving ministry of the Holy Spirit: like a horse in open country and like cattle that go down to the plain. The first image speaks about progress and the second one talks about rest. May you progress led by the Spirit and may you find rest by the Spirit of the Lord.

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Jude 5 Warning: God Later Destroyed Those Who Did Not Believe!

“Now I want to remind you, though you know everything once and for all, that the Lord, after saving a people out of the land of Egypt, subsequently destroyed those who did not believe.” — Jude 5 NASB

Warnings are not welcome to those who constantly listen to the prosperity preachers. But remember the warning of Jude 5 about how God later destroyed those who did not believe! That means your beginning well is not enough. Your finishing strong is more important. Will you qualify?

Yes the Bible is full of warnings. Jude the brother of Jesus Christ speaks about how God delivered his people out of Egypt but destroyed them all because of unbelief.

See what a sad thing it was. They were delivered from their bondage by the protection and the passing over by the blood of the Passover lambs.

They were strengthened for their journey ahead by feeding on the Passover lambs roasted over fire.

They got all the provisions they needed for their journey and to construct a tabernacle to worship God by plundering the Egyptians even as they journeyed from their land of slavery.

God who had told Jacob not to be afraid and that he will go down to Egypt with him and would surely bring him back (see Genesis 46:2–4) journeyed with them in a pillar of cloud by day and fire by night (Exodus 13:22).

God made the Red sea part and a dry pathway was created in the midst of the waters for the huge Israelite population to cross over. What a miracle it was in addition to the ten awesome judgements of God they had witnessed in the land of Egypt!

What more should God had done to make them really believe and trust him? But sadly the people had left Egypt but Egypt was still in their hearts.

They were so near the promised land but had to wander around in the desert for forty years and perish. Only those who were under twenty years at the time of the Exodus survived. Yes God later destroyed those who did not believe!

See, what bitter results their unbelief brought on them.

Remember the awesome lessons this brings to you:

One, look to God always. He is the God of the impossible and the improbable.

Two, the Israelites longed to go back to their bondage. You should learn to value the freedom in Jesus to which God has called you (John 8:36, Galatians 5:1).

Three, many of them perished because of murmuring against God or rebellion against him or giving way to immoral acts. Watch out against discontentment, impatience, and impurity in your hearts (see 1 Corinthians 10:1–13).

Finally remember to treat the blood of Jesus as precious. An attitude of continual humbling before God and seeking a continual cleansing from this fountain of blood is needed (Zechariah 13:1).

Instead if you trample down the Son of God and treat the blood of Jesus as an unholy thing and insult the Spirit of grace (Hebrews 10:29) only a fearful expectation of judgement remains. And if judgement begins at the house of God, then what will become of those outside of it.

The wrath of the Lamb of God is coming on this world soon (Revelation 6:16, 17). Can Jesus be angry? Oh yes! He showed mercy to sinners but he overturned the tables of those who made business out of his Father’s house!

So let you not be found among those who God later destroyed those who did not beleive!

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Where Is Jesus in Our Christmas Celebrations?

Where is Jesus in our Christmas celebrations?

Christmas becomes meaningful only when we understand the missionary heart of God. He loved the world and gave his Son to us.

God sent his Son. Jesus could have stayed in the comfort zone of heaven. But he chose to have a humble birth and be a servant of men. Will we ever understand his love?

Let us face the truth honestly. What is Christmas to you? Christmas is the message of the wrath of God against sin as well as the sinner (see John 3:18 and 36). A lot of people are perplexed at this truth.

Singing of Christmas carols, conducting stage shows and erecting costly mangers will not make sense if Christmas does not lead a sinner to Jesus and if it does not make us bow at his feet in worship.

Let me ask once again, “Where is Jesus in our Christmas celebrations?”

And what is worship? Jesus, he is God! It is that recognition that makes us worship him. The whole point of the book of Revelation is worship. It tells us Jesus is God. Even John the beloved disciple of Jesus could not handle the vision of Jesus in all his majesty and John fell at his feet as though dead (Rev. 1:17).

Christmas should disturb us, upset us, and alarm us like it did to King Herod and all Jerusalem when they heard that a king is born (Matthew 2:3). The King demands obedience. The King has authority. The King demands worship. Remember Jesus was King in his cradle and the baby in the manger was and is “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6).”

Yes, let us face it honestly. We want the comfort of our celebrations so that God will be busy searching for new recruits to spread the gospel. Now you might know why the angel went and announced the Christmas message to shepherds. They were willing to go and see Jesus and then spread the word (Luke 2:17, 18).

Let me ask yet again, “Where is Jesus in our Christmas celebrations?”

As another Christmas season is approaching, is there at least one person in your mind to whom you wish to share the gospel with?

How long do you think will there be windows of opportunity that will give us freedom to proclaim the gospel? How long will you be complacent and be focused on lesser priorities in life?

Unfortunately the devil has made us worship him at Christmas time. Shocked? Yes you should be.

The angelic announcement was: A Saviour is born and not Santa Claus has come. And there is no Saviour without the blood on the cross and the empty tomb.

The angelic announcement again was: He is Christ the Lord and not he is the jolly good old merry Santa Claus. The Lordship of Christ demands that we bow down low before his absolute authority in our lives. If that is true, how about the “I and My Decisions” that we make each day? Is God pleased with them? Or are our prayers still, “My will be done in heaven and on earth in Your Name!”?

Do you earnestly seek God for the decisions you make each day? You might make mistakes understanding his guidance. That is ok. Many saints have made them. But what God will not forget is the sincerity with which you asked for his wisdom in all that concerns you.

I am not against celebrations. God is not against them either (He was at the wedding feast at Cana and dinners, remember.). But what we have to be on guard is against the devil hijacking Christmas to make the world worship him.

The angelic announcement was good news of great joy to all the people. But what is the news that we proclaim today? Jesus was born in Bethlehem. Full Stop! ?

That message doesn’t save. It is his blood on the cross that saves!

May God be with you this Christmas time and may he enable you to step into the New Year with renewed hope. May you find God having gone ahead of you and waiting. Just talk to him. He will love to hear from you.

But let end asking you time and again, “Where is Jesus in our Christmas celebrations?”

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Did God Say Holiness Is Difficult for You to Achieve?

Be holy.

God did not say it is impossible or difficult, but simply commanded us to be holy. So it is not an option, but a command to be followed.

We should be thankful that God pointed us to himself as the model to follow for holiness (see Leviticus 11:44). The Bible declares that God is light and there is no darkness in him at all (1 John 1:5). Therefore the command be holy has to do with us coming into God’s light.

Jesus said that we love to stay in darkness because light exposes our deeds. Therefore the first step to be holy is our willingness to be exposed by the light of God (John 3:20). It is only when we come into his light will we be enabled to see how we look like in the light of the holiness of God.

Secondly, there is the idea of separation from the world. And separation unto God. That is the thought behind the word, “consecrate yourselves and be holy (see Leviticus 11:44).” Simply wishing to be holy will only be wishful thinking.

To become practical you have to earnestly desire to be holy; renew your mind and offer our bodies as living sacrifices (see Romans 12:1, 2). What does all that mean? It simply means that there is a battle involved.

Our flesh won’t submit to holiness. We need to keep the attitude of holiness constantly in front of us; and our own inner fleshly attitudes will fight against it. Therefore it is not going to be easy.

Thirdly, God is a jealous God. He has used the image of being a husband to his people. And he expects us to have a single-minded pure devotion to him like a faithful bride (see 2 Corinthians 11:2).

You cannot flirt with the world and have a relationship with God. That is why James uses the term “adulterous people” to denote those who have a friendship with the world (James 4:4). What is your situation? Are you having a friendship with the world. Then you are in enmity with God and a walk of holiness is impossible.

Fourthly, without a knowledge of God you cannot even desire to be holy.

Think about it. If your knowledge of God through reading and meditating on Scripture is limited, your desire to be separated unto him will also be limited.

Without doubt, your unwillingness to spend time with God by reading his word is the single biggest point of failure in your life. Without falling in love with God’s Word, you can never know God.

And unless you have a big vision of God you will never desire to be holy.

Finally, there is a divine element and a human element in being holy.

The human element is expressed in David’s cry: “Create in me a pure heart, O God (Psalm 51:10a).” He had understood that his sin was primarily against God (Psalm 51:4). He also realized that cleansing should be deeper than just asking for forgiveness.

Isaiah too had this realization as he saw a vision of God. Seraphs crying out “Holy, Holy, Holy,” was too much for him to handle. So he cried out, “Woe to me! I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips (see Isaiah 6:5).”

Then God takes the initiative to cleanse his lips with fire from the altar (see verses 6, 7). Remember Isaiah was a prophet of the Lord and a godly man. Yet his righteousness was like filthy rags before God (see Isaiah 64:6). He needed cleansing. How much more do we?

Unless God helps us we cannot walk in holiness in our own effort. But we need to count ourselves dead to sin (Romans 6:11) and also put to death whatever belongs to our earthly nature (see Colossians 3:5). But we often, instead of putting to death, put to sleep so that it can wake up and restart whenever needed.

Paul cries out to crucify the sinful nature with its passion and desires (Galatians 5:24). Unfortunately the cross has become an ornament of gold to most of us and a fashion statement rockstars wear. We have forgotten that the cross is a bloody instrument to torture to death. That is what Paul is asking us to do—crucify your flesh! There cannot be a compromise here if we have to be holy.

Sinless perfection is not what is understood by holiness. John makes it clear: “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us (1 John 1:9).” Therefore when you fail and fall find your way back to the cleansing fountain of the blood of Jesus immediately (1 John 1:7, Zechariah 13:1). Trust in nothing else. Ultimately it is the blood of Jesus alone that enables you to be holy before God. Amen.

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Sexual Fantasies in the Minds of Men Is Sin and Playing with Fire!

Sexual fantasies occupy much space in a man’s mind. If he is not on his guard, not right with God, or is not walking with God at the moment; the sight of a woman can trigger a lot of sexual thoughts in his mind.

This is because men are stimulated by sight. It doesn’t matter whether a woman is properly dressed or not. An undisciplined mind is is easily run over by sexual fantasies.

These sexual fantasies are sin. Why? Because if given a chance you’ll act them out. You play with sexual fantasies in your mind because you think no one knows and you won’t get caught. You can still keep your outward appearance of godliness while inside you can have sexual pleasure.

Some of you might be young. Some of you in middle age. But if you never have tried to control sexual fantasies, it will have a stronghold in your mind. This will get difficult to break as years pass by.

If you wish to get out of it; you need to take it to the Lord in prayer. And accept sexual fantasies as sin. Now there are thoughts that Satan can bombard into your mind from outside. Maybe flaming arrows of the evil one that Paul speaks about (Ephesians 6:16) can refer to that.

That is why when you walk on the road or even reading the Bible or attending church suddenly a sexual thought pops up into your mind. If you do not immediately recognize the source and flee to Jesus from it; you are in trouble.

The thought that you cannot come out of sinful sexual fantasies is a lie of the devil. It might take some time to break out of the habit. You have to humble yourself before God and seek his help repeatedly.

Do not think that you alone are addicted to fantasies. Many men who might have a close walk with God can also battle the temptation of sexual fantasies. Your feelings of inferiority, rejection you have faced, abuse that you might have undergone in your childhood can all determine the intensity of sexual fantasies you entertain in your mind.

Now there are practical things you need to consider. It is true that you are faced with lot of women dressed differently than expected. That can create sexual fantasies. But wait a minute.

Can a burning stick thrown into water ignite water? No; isn’t it? At the same time, can a burning stick thrown into a can of petrol or gasoline ignite it? Pretty quickly, isn’t it? So what does that mean? It means that there is something in your heart that responds to the flaming arrows thrown at you. That is where the problem lies (Reading James 1:13–15 might be helpful).

Look at David. He saw a woman bathing. That was not the problem. The problem was that he fantasized sexually about her in his mind and might have gone through all that he planned to do to her in his mind even before she ever appeared in person before him.

Why did that happen? David was a godly person. But for some reason he did not maintain a close walk with God and neglected his duty of leading the army in war during that period in his life. Therefore he fell into sin.

Look at Joseph. He chose to stay away from Potiphar’s wife. Why? Because even in his thoughts he did not want to violate the sacredness God has placed on marriage. He knew it was sin against God. He had all the opportunity inviting him to sin sexually. Yet he did not fall because he did not sexually fantasize.

Married men also need to be careful. Perhaps it is more easy for you to sexually fantasize than before. If your sexual fantasies don’t match with your real life with your wife; then you are crossing the boundaries. If you are substituting someone else in your mind other than your wife for sexual pleasure then you are crossing the boundaries.

You need to confess before God and ask his help. Perhaps your wife is not respecting you or not interested in sex or is busy chatting on social media. It can make you vulnerable to sin as you feel you have a right to sin because you are neglected.

Take your emotional need to the Lord in prayer. But do not think that sexual fantasies are the way out. It will destroy the very foundations of your married life.

Sexual fantasies will lead you to sinful action. It can result in a lot of weird sinful sexual behaviour. Therefore seek God’s mercy before it is too late.

It is a reality that men do struggle with sexual fantasies. If not, why did not there remain at least one to cast a stone at the woman caught in adultery and brought before Jesus (see John 8:7–9)? Not one of them might have committed adultery for real. But their minds were not free from sexual fantasies.

Techniques to avoid the second look is not what you need. That doesn’t work. It is God’s mercy and compassion you need to seek. It is the help of the Spirit of God that you need to seek earnestly. It is a desire to spend more time with God’s word that you need to seek.

The blood of Jesus is powerful and effective to cleanse you from all your sexual fantasies (see 1 John 1:7; Hebrews 9:14). Ask God to cleanse you thoroughly by the precious blood of Jesus.

When sexual fantasies trouble your mind remember that Jesus said: “But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart” — Matthew 5:28.

There is no need to explain what Jesus said. It means what it says. Therefore cry out to God regarding the sexual fantasies you are having. Spell out to God in honest words what you secretly cherish and are obsessed with in confession before him. And ask him to cleanse you with the precious blood of Jesus. There is nothing else that can cleanse like his precious blood.

And seek God’s help to bring every wrong sexual thought you have captive and make it obedient to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5). If you think the battle is too much, remember that the battle is the LORD’s even as the boy David said as he took on the giant Goliath (1 Samuel 17:47). And remember 1 John 4:4 says, “the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.”

Yes big is your God. And bigger than your battle with sexual fantasies. He will certainly deliver you.

Did God Say Holiness Is Difficult for You to Achieve?

Are You Struggling with Masturbation?

Are You Hooked to Internet Pornography? 7 Steps to Freedom from Sin!

The Deception of Innocent-Looking Chat Relationship Outside Marriage

About God’s Will and Right Sexual Conduct

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Give Me a Sign of Your Goodness

“Give me a sign of your goodness, that my enemies may see it and be put to shame, for you, O LORD, have helped me and comforted me” — Psalm 86:17.

David is praying. And at the end of his prayer, he is looking at his proud enemies who are attacking him. He pleads for God’s mercy to be shown him. And then he asks God to give him a sign of his goodness.–a sign or token of his love and compassion and mercy towards him.

We all have felt the need of signs even though we are called to walk by faith. Gideon for example is listed in the Roll Call of Faith in Hebrews Chapter 11. He was a man of faith who overcame feelings of inferiority and insignificance to accomplish great things for God.

Yet he keenly felt the need for confirmation of what God had told him through an angel. Therefore Gideon asked for a sign from God to confirm the message he had heard. Not satisfied with the first sign he asked for a second one by reversing the conditions (see Judges 6:36–40). God did not find fault with him for asking for a sign for confirmation.

Not only that, God himself told Gideon to go to the enemy camp at night and listen to what they were saying so that he will be encouraged (Judges 7:10, 11). What a God who as David said: “You stoop down to make me great (Psalm 18:35)!

In the verse for our thought, the Psalmist is asking for a sign. He needed a little bit of reassurance. We all need it from time to time; don’t we? Most of us are under pressure due to office or home-related issues. Personal problems, relationship issues, financial constraints, trouble from neighbours can all put a strain on us.

It is during those times that we feel like asking for a sign. The Psalmist asked for a sign of God’s goodness. That very prayer reminds us that “God is good all the time” as an uplifting song says. King David during a very very difficult time of his life wrote Psalm 34 (see title description of the Psalm). There he says, “Taste and see that the Lord is good (v.8).”

God’s goodness results in answered prayers. God listens to you when you ask for a sign of his goodness. Make sure that you are not asking because of unbelief. Rather believe in God’s promises and trust God to bring a token of his grace come into your life that can assure and reassure you of his love and care for you.

Cast all your cares on him (Psalm 55:22, 1 Peter 5:7) is a reminder that we all need. He will sustain you. In spite of all the difficulties you are facing may God show you a sign of his goodness that you may find strength in him today.

Judges 6:40 That Night God Did So
Judges 7:2 You Have Too Many Men
Judges 7:5 Separate Those Who Lap the Water
Judges 7:10,11a Listen to What They Are Saying, Afterward
Judges 8:4 Exhausted, Yet Keeping Up the Pursuit

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Abstain from Fleshly Lusts That War Against Your Soul

If we have the realization that we are aliens and strangers in this world, it will make a difference in our spiritual walk.

The first thing you should know is that you will always feel the lusts of the flesh or sinful desires that war against the soul (1 Peter 2:11). But then it is a proof that you are a child of God. You are living in enemy territory and therefore you are targeted.

The second thing to remember is that you should not have a friendship with the world. Most of us love to have fellowship with God and also be friends with the world. This cannot be because the Bible says anyone who is a friend of the world makes himself or herself an enemy of God (James 4:4). There is no compromise on this truth.

But we are ever so forgetful. We need constant reminders. The Israelites were asked to live in booths made of leaves for a week. This festival was known as the Feast of Tabernacles or Feast of Booths. The great proclamation of Jesus: “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink (John 7:37)” came at the end of one such feast.

Living in booths reminded the people that God had led them out of slavery in Egypt and led them in the desert for forty years (Leviticus 24:43). Barclay comments: “The historical significance of all this was to remind the people in unforgettable fashion that once they had been homeless wanderers in the desert without a roof over their heads.”

Now booths were made of leaves and they were a temporary shelter. It reminded them that earth is not their permanent home. They had a heavenly calling and a heavenward journey. The thirst they felt during this time should remind them that God alone satisfies. Remember once again the invitation of Jesus to find your satisfaction of thirst in him.

Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in earlier times lived as aliens and strangers. They dwelt in tents. They lived as sojourners on earth (see Hebrews 11:8–10, 13). What a great example they have set in this regard to remind us that we are just passing through this earth.

Let us be honest here. Is there anything about our lifestyle, our behaviour, or our attitudes that communicate to others that we are travellers to our heavenly country and home?

Often we are eager to be part of the crowd. We want to please all our friends. We compartmentalize God to Sundays and our fellowship meetings. And like what the Jewish leaders did on good Friday evening we too place a guard to make sure that God remains part of our walk and talk only on Sundays and fellowship meetings. We talk very differently with our friends at our office. They find us no different from them!

Sorry dear brother and sister, your pretense won’t do. Seek God earnestly. Jesus attended the synagogue every Sabbath. But he lived out his relationship with God in the marketplace. He spent time with God in prayer alone and in lonely places; but he was no hermit or sanyasi living away from people. And those who saw him and mingled with him knew he was a man sent from God.

Remember if you are truly following Jesus, the world will hate you (John 15:18, 19). The preaching of the cross will offend people. The prosperity gospel to which we all are or were attracted to is Satan using the bait of worldly kingdoms to have all of us worship him. The road is broad there. You will have the company of unbelievers there.

If sin and judgement and hell is not preached; then you are at a place which worships Santa Claus and not Jesus Christ. Your love for Jesus should be greater than the love and devotion you show to your local church or fellowship. We are living in times of great deception. Unless we are alert to the truth that we have no friendship with the world we might have no second chance.

It is a warning not only to you but also to me. Do not rest your assurance of salvation on your church membership, your works of charity, your donations to ministry or your spiritual gifts.

Be alert. Stay awake. Be watchful. Jesus is coming like a thief in the night.

Be always reminded that you are not a permanent resident here but only a traveller; travelling on in hope. That will give you courage to abstain from fleshly lusts that war against your soul.

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God Who Watches Over You

“I, the Lord, watch over it” — Isaiah 27:3

Have you ever wondered if God watches over you? Let us look at Isaiah 27:2–6 to find the answer. Here God is calling Israel, his people, a fruitful vineyard. Earlier he was disappointed with it (see Isaiah 5:1–7). But now God is saying that he watches over it.

Have you wondered whether God is angry with you? It could be that you had sinned against the Lord and even after you have repented and been washed in the blood of the Lamb, you still feel that God is angry with you. God is not condemning you (Romans 8:1). And even if he had been angry with you; now his anger has turned away (Isaiah 12:1). Therefore you can be joyous (Isaiah 12:3). Further, God says, “I am not angry (Isaiah 27:4a).”

God’s intention for you is that you be a fruitful vineyard. You will be one “in that day.” It is that day of God’s blessing that will come upon you like it is going to come to Israel. Then “Jacob will take root, Israel will bud and blossom and fill all the world with fruit (Isaiah 27:6).” God wants you to bear fruit for his glory (John 15:8).

To this end, God is watching over you like his own vineyard. He is watering it continually giving you all grace that is needed to flourish. He is guarding you day and night so that no one will harm you (Isaiah 27:3). He who watches over you will neither slumber nor sleep (Psalm 121:4).

So dear friend, do not move away from God. Be under his watchful care and eye. Do not rebel against him. But be at peace with him. He is not angry with you but wants to make you fruitful. Jesus too said the same thing. Therefore abide or remain in him and let the word of God remain in you (John 15:5, 7). Be encouraged today for God is watching over you.

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Unless You Bless Me

All of us have tried praying or happily listened to others praying, “I will not let you go unless you bless me (Genesis 32:26).” Easily said than done. Why?

Not one of us is willing to struggle with God and prevail. Jesus asked us not to go for vain repetition in prayer. At the same time he said, “Ask, Seek, Knock.” Each of those verbs shows an increasing intensity in prayer.

At another time Jesus told about importunity (shameless boldness, persistence) in prayer. That word means a boldness which violates normal behaviour. A man goes to his friend’s home at midnight seeking bread to serve for his guest. He was desperate and he got an answer.

Jesus was quick to point out that the request was granted not because of the fact that the man was his friend but because of the boldness of the request (Luke 11:8).

Jacob was both desperate and bold. He was desperate because he was in great fear and distress at the thought of meeting his brother Esau. He was at the end of his wisdom for scheming and deceiving. He had no more ideas left. He desperately needed help. And he knew only God can, and not his scheming (see Genesis 31:9).

Jacob again was bold. He knew that unless he had God’s blessing he amounted to nothing significant. He had seen trouble and been in difficulties. Yet he did not ask for anything to meet his earthly needs. That goes against our daily prayers, and against common sense. He sought God with great desperation and boldness: “He struggled with the angel and overcame him; he wept and begged for his favour (Hosea 12:4a).”

And Jacob ended with a limp. Blessings in life are not given without the limp. That is the sign God has touched you. That is the sign that you were made weak in your natural self that in God you might be strong. Paul had this limp, the famous “thorn in the flesh.” But God’s grace was abundant to him. It was sufficient. God’s power was made perfect in his weakness (see 2 Corinthians 12:9).

Therefore pray with persistence. You ought to pray always and not give up (Luke 18:1). The beauty of prayer is that God rarely changes circumstances. He did not cause the fire to be drenched with rain for the three friends of Daniel nor did God kill the lions for Daniel himself. Instead God made them victors over their very negative circumstances.

This is what the Psalmist found true about prayer: “When I called, you answered me; you made me bold and stouthearted (Psalm 138:4). Prayer changes you first and you alone. Often our prayers are focused on changing our husband or wife or parents or children or boss or friend or teacher or neighbour or enemy. God has nothing to do with them.

We should not forget but remember that in answer to Jacob’s prayer, Jacob was changed to a man with a limp whom God had touched. Jacob’s name was changed from what meant as a deceiver to Israel meaning one who struggles with God. Absolutely nothing happened to Esau! God did not deal with him at all.

Therefore when you pray, “unless you bless me,” be ready to get that limp. Then you are safe because God has touched you. His Almighty hand is upon you. Jacob will still meet Esau. But that is a kind of anticlimax because he had already met God.

Have you?

Remember, to meet God, Jacob had to be left alone (Genesis 32:24)!

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The Secret of Prayer Posts List

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Let Us Be Honest About Prayer

Most of us pray. Yes, for an approaching exam, when sickness comes, during financial crisis, and when there is some other trouble. At other times it is just routine “Bless me O Lord and my family (and sometimes we add, “only ME and MY Family”; which means O Lord hope you understood that means bless only us and no one else)!

Let me be honest. Most of our prayers are good for the trash can. And it goes right there. Why? Because God looks at our heart. He cannot be fooled. He sees the motive with which we ask. And as our Father in heaven; a wise parent, he denies our requests.

But God is calling us to pray. He loves to hear from us. And he is a Lover. Yes, he is a Lover who loves to spend time with his loved ones. But what do you and I do? We just rush in saying, “I have too many things to do today. Watch over me. And in case I have done something wrong, forgive me. Just to keep my conscience clear I read Psalm 23 at night and Psalm 121 this morning. Please remember for me Psalm 91 which I didn’t find time to read. So bless me  O Lord.” 

It doesn’t matter if you don’t feel like praying. Jesus pointed that out; didn’t he? “The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.” Fight that feeling of discouragement and pray. It is not grammar or quoting the correct verses that matter. What matters is that you start praying.

Some people tell you that you should start praising God, then confess your sins, then tell your needs and present the needs of others before him. There is actually no rule for this. You just open your heart before God.

Be honest with him. Talk to him just as you talk with your best friend but with reverence. Approach God telling him that you come to him only on the merit of the blood of Jesus. That is the only password that God accepts. Do not trust anything else when you come to God.

Tell him your fears. Tell him your temptations (he already knows about them). Tell him your failures. Tell him your dreams and desires. There is nothing you can’t tell him.

Ask God to change you. Do not pray to change others. That is self-righteous praying. Often we pray, “Lord, change me” and then refuse to accept and rebel against the people whom he brings to our paths to change us. It can be your close relatives, your colleagues, your neighbour, or even your enemies. They are God’s chosen instruments to bring down your pride and bring brokenness in your heart.

So what can you do today? Just right here and now pray to God. Just tell him whatever comes to your mind. And make it a point to remember him often during the day. It doesn’t matter in what situation you are in. The simplest prayer you can pray is “I love you, O my God.”

Then ask God the Holy Spirit to help you. It is clearly told us that he helps us in our weakness in prayer (see Romans 8:26, 27). When he himself will lift up our hearts to God in prayer, why don’t we ask him to help us? And the Spirit of God will always pray according to God’s will. What does that mean? It means that he will pray for what is best for us in God’s eyes. And that prayer is always answered.

Finally, look at the ministry of Jesus today. He always lives to intercede for us (Hebrews 7:25, Romans 8:34). Yes, he is praying for you and me. What a truth that is! And he prays for you with compassion because he understands what you are passing through fully. He is your elder brother in heaven. 

That is why Robert Murray M’Cheyne wrote: 

“If I could hear Christ praying for me in the next room, I would not fear a million enemies. Yet distance makes no difference. He is praying for me.”

It is also encouraging to read this: “It is a consoling thought that Christ is praying for us, even when we are negligent in our prayer life; that He is presenting to the Father those spiritual needs which were not present to our minds and which we often neglect to include in our prayers; and that He prays for our protection against the dangers of which we are not even conscious, and against the enemies which threaten us, though we do not notice it. He is praying that our faith may not cease, and that we may come out victoriously in the end. (Berkhoff, Systematic Theology p. 403).

So my dear friends, all kinds of success and prosperity you have is good. But how sad it is when you don’t abide in Jesus through the reading of God’s Word and prayer. Just lift up your heart in prayer right now and say, “Thank you, Lord.”

And don’t stop there. For the next one week, try to pray as much as you can. Do not keep aside a particular time. Pray deliberately whenever you can. While you watch TV or the internet, or when you are chatting, playing, taking a bath, in the kitchen, while teaching, studying or driving; just talk to God in prayer. He is listening.

The Secret of Prayer Posts List

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Do You Allow God to Examine You?

But the one who examines me is the Lord (1 Corinthians 4:4b NASB).

Each one of us should live our lives with this truth dominating our minds.

For we are subject to examination every day of our lives. Others judge us constantly. Sometimes they praise us; sometimes they criticise us. There could be elements of truth in both.

But Paul is not satisfied with the approval of men not is he discouraged when they find fault. He says that even when he examines himself and finds nothing against himself, he is still not going to rely on it.

The reason is that he is conscious of the fact that it is the Lord who examines him.

See, God rewards, but not before he examines. Each of us is always under his watchful eye. We judge by what we see. Our judgements are often based on outward appearances.

But Paul refuses to judge himself because he is conscious of the fact that motives of men’s hearts God will disclose. And he will bring things hidden in darkness to light.

So there are two things we can do. Like Paul let us not try to judge anything before the proper time. Secondly, let us ask God to examine us and reveal to us our wrong motives in the good things we do–be it preaching, singing, helping others, or giving money to the Lord’s work.

Such an attitude will help us to get out of complacency–the feeling of satisfaction at everything we were able to do.

It will also help us to be more Christ-like. How is that going to happen? See, when you are in earnest, the Spirit of God will reveal where your motives are not in line with God’s will. You need his grace in abundance to repent and fall in line with God.

The process is painful, humbling and also one which builds you up. In that slow progress you become more Christ-like.

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The Deception of Innocent-Looking Chat Relationship Outside Marriage

Lust deceives. You might not know it. The lack of physical or emotional intimacy in marriage can make you feel attracted to someone else other than your husband or wife. Maybe lack of appreciation or care can be a sea of petrol or gasoline waiting to be ignited by a casual physical touch, a longing look or even a smile that looks angelic.

Be warned. All this is a kind of substitution for the real relationship with your husband or wife. It takes a lot of prayer, perseverance, and love to make a marriage work. And tons of forgiveness for the many little wrongs that keep happening every day.

Honestly, it can be exciting to chat with someone other than your husband or wife. Someone in the opposite sex can easily distract you if you are not watchful. Social media provides endless opportunities for you to connect with someone other than your husband or wife. Unless you draw the line at the very outset, an innocent beginning can lead you to an adulterous relationship.

Therefore, never encourage yourself to have secretive relationships.

Never spend too much time with someone of the opposite sex talking about personal matters; especially relating to emotional disturbances or troubles in one’s solo or married sex life.

Cut down time spent on social media as much as you can. Even spending too much for scrolling through all the messages can drain away the strength you gained through Bible reading or prayer.

Be accountable to someone you trust. Open up and share your struggles. Often the first thing you do is to hide what is secretive from this person. Why? Because stolen water is sweet and food eaten in secret is delicious (Proverbs 9:17).

Today it is so easy to lie in your bedroom and connect with a married man or woman other than your husband or wife. Technology has made it possible. No one else will know.

But God sees; God knows. He calls it adultery.

If you have gone far already, take a bold step to cut off that relationship. Confess to God and repent of your sin.

Do not worry about consequences of cutting off the wrong relationship. God will see to it. He will protect you from the harm you seem to fear.

Show courage to step out of the deception. Even if it is simply chatting alone, in God’s eyes sinful talk is equivalent to a live-in relationship.

Sin deceives. It destroys. It kills.

If you are comfortable being self-righteous and finding fault with the other person for your own sinfulness; you are sitting on the edge of a cliff and ready to crash down to the rocks below where the waves hit.

Act now. Confess. Repent. Cut off that wrong relationship. Get right with God and with your husband or wife.

Read more posts in Living Streams

About God’s Will and Right Sexual Conduct

Are You Hooked to Internet Pornography? 7 Steps to Freedom from Sin!

Are You Struggling with Masturbation?

Did God Say Holiness Is Difficult for You to Achieve?

Sexual Fantasies in the Minds of Men Is Sin and Playing with Fire!

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Set Your Heart on Things Above

If no one has called you nuts (meaning crazy, foolish, strange) after seeing your attitudes towards the things of the world; then there is something wrong with your walk with God.

Like how a foreigner is easily recognized in a crowd of natives; you should be seen different in your attitudes and lifestyles because you are heavenly-minded. This is what Paul meant when he said, “set your heart on things above (Colossians 3:1).”

He is asking us to look at Christ now seated at the right hand of God. Along with Christ we too have been raised up to be there. Our position in God’s eyes as a believer is that we are seated with Christ in heaven (see Ephesians 2:6 also). Right now it is so even when we live on earth.

We should be conscious of this fact. It can happen only when we die to earthly things–earthly glory, ambitions and pride. This death is hard to die. Like Lot’s wife we love to look back (Luke 17:32) and hold on to the things that we held dear before.

The question is, “Whom are you trying to please; God or your loved ones and friends?” Jesus always did what pleased his Father (John 8:29). Today, each one of us finds a false security in the standard of spirituality practised in one’s immediate spiritual circles–be it the church, prayer fellowship, or online Bible Study groups.

This is not enough. Have you set your hearts on things above? Is Christ your life? That means, “Is he your everything?” Whom do you love more than him? Your loved ones, your possessions, your reputation, or your career? Does he have supremacy in your life as he has supremacy over all creation, the church and everything in heaven and on earth (Colossians 1:15–20)?”

From where does your sense of security in life come from? Is it because you have good health and wealth and education and beauty and wisdom? Or is it because “your life is now hidden with Christ in God (Colossians 3:3).” What a blessing it is to realise that you are secure in him, even now. It is in that realisation you can sing the song with which Habakkuk ends: “Though the fig tree does not bud . . . I will be joyful in God my Saviour (Habakkuk 3:17, 18).”

Paul continues to move on to practical things on what it means to set your minds on things above:

Put to death whatever belongs to your earthly nature which includes sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed. Paul equates greed with idolatry. We may not bow down before real idols but greater idols are there in our hearts.

Paul is not saying, “Don’t worry. Jesus will forgive.” He is saying, “Put to death.”

You cannot put to death by gentle feather-light touches; you have to take a knife and plunge it into the flesh to kill. Have you take that drastic decision to put to death all that is sinful in your life or are you like Samson being put to sleep on Delilah’s lap?

The old self is characterised by anger, rage, malice, slander (an many of us have that as a main diet in our menu each day; saying bad and untrue things about people we know and finding happiness in it), filthy language (you cannot have one language for your church, another language with friends, yet another in your home, and still another at office) and lying.

The new self which God has given you should experience growth each day in the knowledge of God. Paul says, “Clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature (Romans 13:14).

Therefore recall these truths each time you have a change of dress. Make a picture in your mind about clothing yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ. And removing from yourself the old things, the sinful things, the things of the earth, the things that displeases the Lord.

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Are You Hooked to Internet Pornography? 7 Steps to Freedom from Sin!

God is merciful. He will show you compassion.

But if that is all, then you have got a wrong picture of God. He is holy.

You need to look at the holiness of God before you find reasons to justify your surfing the internet to see or read porn.

God understands your struggle. You do not wish to be a slave to sin. But you find yourself return to the vomit time and again as the Bible says (2 Peter 2:22).

Do not deceive yourself by saying to yourself that God will forgive. Yes, he does that through the precious blood of Jesus shed on the cross.

But look at the cross. The punishment that had to fall on you fell on him.

Yes, look to Jesus. You can see love in his eyes. But he came to set captives free (Luke 4:18, John 8:36).

  • Therefore the first step to get out of internet pornography is to call it by its true name–sin.
  • Step two is to stop justifying your sin. Do not put the blame on your hormones, your friends, or anything else. Accept responsibility like David and say, “I have sinned against the Lord (2 Samuel 12:13; Psalm 51:4).”
  • Step number three is to stop relying on your resolution, “This one last time I will look at internet porn. From tomorrow I will stop.” It has never worked and never will.
  • Step number four is to spend more time with God’s Word and hiding it in your heart so that you will not sin against God (Psalm 119:11). Yes, the Word of God can strengthen you in your fight against sin and can cleanse your mind of filth.
  • Step number five is to seek the help of the Holy Spirit. Without his help you fight an ever-losing battle.
  • Step number six, always remind yourself that God has called you to be holy. Fleeing sexual immorality is God’s will for you (1 Corinthians 6:18, 1 Thessalonians 4:3). Therefore run away from all sources of temptation like how Joseph did.
  • Finally, return to God with all your heart each time you saw porn. The battle is real. There is no moment you are insulated and safe against temptation. The Bible warns: “So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful you don’t fall (1 Corinthians 10:12)! Just cry out to God for mercy. He will hear you.

But do one thing. Never yield a moment to the devil’s lie that it is impossible to break this evil habit of yours. He is a liar and a murderer always (John 8:44).

Do not deceive yourself by thinking that circumstances were favourable; therefore it was God’s will. Read James 1:13–15 and be warned.

Do not think that it is ok because nobody else is watching me. I am harming no one. All these are lies of the devil. Jesus said, looking lustfully at a woman is already adultery committed with her in one’s heart (Matthew 5:28). So it is your heart’s attitude that is primarily counted. So looking lustfully at an image, movie, picture etc. amounts to adultery.

Remember that each time you see porn you are strengthening the hands of the wicked and pouring out money to them.

Remember this too: When the Bible says that God’s wrath is being revealed against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness (Romans 1:18), wrath certainly includes wrath against pornography as well.

If you are married, then know that you are defiling your marriage bed (Hebrews 13:4) by filling your mind with lust.

If you earnestly repent and seek God with a broken heart, he will restore the joy and sanctity of sex in marriage as he created it to be (Proverbs 5:16–20, Song of Songs).

Stop being unfaithful to God and your beloved wife or husband.

God’s hand is not shortened. He is Almighty. He can deliver you from internet pornography. But the devil would like you to believe that it is impossible.

The question is, do you want to believe the lie of the devil or the truth of God?

The Deception of Innocent-Looking Chat Relationship Outside Marriage

About God’s Will and Right Sexual Conduct

But David Remained in Jerusalem, Woman Bathing

Are You Struggling with Masturbation?

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For Children: Dreamers Say “NO” to Temptation

The key point in the life of Joseph the dreamer is that he kept himself pure. Even when temptation came in the path of duty, he said “No” to the wrong moves made by Potiphar’s wife towards him. Therefore when Potiphar’s wife took hold of his cloak one day to make him sleep with her, he left it in her hands and ran out of the house.

Many young people think that they can sin and escape if no one is watching. But if God has given you a dream, know that you too like Joseph have to run away from sources of temptation. Joseph ran because he knew that all sin is against God. He did not want to ruin God’s plans for his life by sinning (see Psalm 119:9, 11).

People, like Joseph, who achieve success in life, have one thing in common. It is their ability to stay focussed on their dreams. They learn to say “No,” to all things that will take them away from their goal in life.

As young children your primary focus now should be to study well and do your best. When your friends ask you to spend time for less important things like going to parties or movies, tell them that you are going to study. If you focus on your studies now, you’ll be able to do well in your career later.

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For Children: Be Prepared

Be Prepared
Man first landed on the moon after years of preparation. Likewise, a team which wins the cricket or football world cup or an athlete who wins gold at the Olympics does so after years of hard work and preparation. Again, no one clears a national level examination without long years of preparation. It is clear from these statements that preparation with a definite goal in mind is important for success.

There Is No Luck Factor
Several young people think that those who succeed do so because they have got talent or luck. This is untrue. A cricket or football player or an athlete spends several hours practising even when they not competing in an international event. That way they keep their talent polished and ready. That is true with all great players.

What about the luck factor? Nobody has succeeded in life because of luck. Then who are the persons who became lucky? In the words of Seneca, “Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.” Those people who got lucky were those who did not sit idle and waste their time. They used all the time they got to prepare themselves. And when the opportunity came they were ready.

God Keeps His Servants Prepared
David’s spend his childhood as a shepherd. That was God’s training ground for him to later become the shepherd, leader and king of the nation of Israel. First of all, his ability to take care of the sheep and protect them from the lion and the bear was a training ground for him to be able to trust in God to kill the giant Goliath.

Then his ability to play the harp well which he practiced and perfected while taking care of the sheep got him an entry into Saul’s court. As he stayed with King Saul, God gave David the shepherd boy an opportunity to learn the way administration is carried out in the palace. That helped him when he became king.

There is another aspect in David’s later life which we often forget. He had a great desire to build a temple for God Almighty. Yet God did not allow him to do so; but promised David that his son would build the temple. We all remember Solomon as the one who build the magnificent temple; but we forget that it was David who made extensive preparations for it (1 Chronicles 28 and 29).

So remember that your preparedness can impact the next generation with great blessings.

Be Ready for Your Opportunity
It is important to understand that the circumstances of your life, however difficult or unattractive it seems to be, are designed by God to give you the best preparation for your future. And when you are faithful to God in little things of life, he will promote you to greater things in life.

The secret is to trust God while he is preparing you. Your role is to be prepared and wait patiently for God to open the right door for you at the right time. Make the motto of the Scout Movement, “Be Prepared,” a motto of your life too.

Did not Jesus too emphasize the importance of preparedness when he told the parable of the ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom (Matthew 25:1—13)? Therefore be ready and prepared for your opportunity!

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For Children: How to Make Right Decisions

We all make decisions every day. As a young person, it is important that you learn to make good decisions. Let us try to find out some steps that can help you make the right decisions in life.

Wisdom
The first thing needed to make good decisions is wisdom. Wisdom is the ability to apply knowledge in a practical way. The Bible speaks much about wisdom. There are at least two important lessons you should know. One, the Bible says that the fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 9:10). Those who fear the LORD avoid evil.

The second lesson is from James. He tells us that God gives wisdom to those who ask God for it (James 1:5). He advises us to ask without doubting. When we ask God he gives us the wisdom to make good decisions.

Ask God First
Before you make any big decision, seek God’s counsel. That means asking God’s opinion as to what to do. When Saul saw the vision of the risen Jesus Christ on the road to Damascus, he asked this same question. “What shall I do, Lord?” (Acts 22:10).  Jesus, before he chose the 12 disciples spent an entire night in prayer (Luke 6:12, 13). See how big an importance Jesus gave to asking God for wisdom in choosing his disciples.

In the Old Testament, the story is told about 2 kings getting ready to go to war. But suddenly the godly king Jehoshaphat reminds everybody that it is good to go to war, but seek God’s counsel first (1 Kings 22:5). The simple lesson for you is Ask God First.

Stay Away from Evil
So many young people are attracted by evil because it looks good. Instead of avoiding that evil, they go and get a taste of it. Soon, they find that they made the wrong decision when they are trapped by evil.

When friends encourage you to go along with them to participate in wrong deeds, the right decision always is to say “No” to them. They may make fun of you and might not include you in their group. But your decision will be right.  And God will reward you for staying away from evil.

Think About Consequences
If you plant a mango seed in the ground, after some years you will get a mango tree and plenty of mangoes. Likewise every decision you make is like a seed you plant. Some years later you will reap the harvest. If you have sown good seed, you will reap goodness. But if you have sown bad seed, you will be paid back evil.

So whenever you make a decision, think about the consequences. What is going to happen if you decide not to study but run away from home and school? So many young people think that life is like a movie which shows happy endings. Sadly it is not true.

In movies, most of the stories shown are not real. Life is not like that. It involves lot of struggles and hardship. So deciding not to study is a bad decision. This is because it is going to give you negative results. When all your friends have good jobs and families in future, you alone will be wandering around without money or people to support you.

The Greatest Decision
One of the most familiar verse to all is John 3:16. Jesus talks here about God’s great love. Those who accept Jesus will not perish but have eternal life. No doubt, accepting Jesus as Lord and Saviour of one’s life is the greatest decision. And it will affect your life on this earth and eternity as well.

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For Children: The Importance of Having Goals in Life

Young people like football. It is a fast moving game and is very exciting. Even though there are many interesting moments in football, the crowning moment happens when a goal is scored. Then there is a great celebration among fans and teammates. At that moment everyone rushes to congratulate the person who scored the goal!

Life is like a game of football. And to succeed in life you should have goals in life. If a goal is absent in your life, you will be kicked here and there by any passerby. That brings us to the question, What is a goal? In simple terms, it can be understood as your aim or ambition in life.

What happens when you have a goal in life? First of all let me tell you what happens if you do not have a goal in life. I still remember the opening sentence of a chapter in the Moral Science textbook we had to learn at school. It said: “The greatest tragedy in life is to stand at the end of it and see it was wasted!” Your life will be wasted if you do not have a worthy goal in life.

That brings us to the next question. What is a worthy goal in life? Is it gaining money? Is it chasing after happiness? Is it getting big educational degrees? All these are good. But beyond all this your goal in life should be to make a positive difference in the life of others.

For example, somebody wants to become a doctor. That goal can come true only if he completes his higher education well. It can bring him a lot of happiness. Moreover, it can bring him money. But beyond all this, if he has the aim of serving people and helping them live healthy lives; his goal is a worthy one. If you look at great men and women who shaped human history, you will find that they all had the good of others in mind.

Again, if you look at the lives of successful people one common thing you will find is that each one of them had a big goal in mind. And they went after that goal in spite of all fear, failure, doubt and discouragement. Such people never allowed other distractions to turn their focus away from their goal. They concentrated on their goal with a single-minded aim.

Let us take an example from the Bible. Saul was a man with a single-minded aim of persecuting the followers of Jesus Christ. But after Jesus Christ revealed himself to Saul when he was on the road to Damascus (Acts 9) his life completely changed. More than that, his goal changed. From then on his big goal in life was to know Jesus Christ (Philippians 3:10, 14) and to tell others about him in places where nobody had gone to preach before (Romans 15:20).

He compared life to a race and his big ambition was to finish the race (Acts 20:24). And he wanted to share with as many as possible the greatness of Jesus Christ before his life was over. Everything else in his life came second to this goal in life. So he went on missionary journeys in Asia and Europe, and faced many hardships in life. He did not turn away from his goal in the face of these persecutions.

Therefore his life still impacts the world. Some 14 letters, a major portion of the New Testament, are written by him. There is not one among us his life has not impacted. Such is the impact of a great goal in life. And surely there is no greater goal in life than knowing Jesus Christ, the Son of God, our Saviour, Redeemer, and Friend, who shed his blood on the cross and died for you and me!

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For Children: Utilize Your Time Wisely

Time Is Precious
If time is wasted, there is no way to get it back. Those who have succeeded in life are those who made the best utilization of time.

Your childhood and youth are the best times of your life. You can make best use of time by following some simple principles.

Plan
Make the best use of today. Do not postpone for tomorrow that which can be done today. At the end of a day, plan how the next day can be utilized effectively. When morning comes just take a look at that list and once again refresh your minds of that plan.

Pray
Begin the day with prayer. Jesus began his day by rising before dawn and spending time with his heavenly Father in prayer. This is a great example to follow. You can praise God and thank him for the gift of a new day. And then seek his help in all the things you will be attempting to do that day.

Read
Spend some time reading the Bible. This is important as God has promised to guide his children. He does so mainly through the wisdom he grants to those who read and meditate on the Word of God regularly. You can view the Bible as a map that is going to help you reach your goal or destination.

Prioritize
Do the difficult tasks first. The common mistake is to do easy tasks first and keep the important tasks for the last. The fact is that small and less important tasks steal our time and energy. At the end of the day you will not have the motivation to do the important tasks. So begin each day by attempting to do the important and difficult tasks first.

Split
A big task can be split into smaller units. You can allot a certain amount of time to each unit depending on how difficult it is. For example, you need to revise your Biology lessons for your examination. If you have one week to go for the examination, split the portions to be covered into 7 units. And cover each unit each day. In that way you can effectively revise your lessons.

Make Notes
While you study, write down notes. You need not note down in entire sentences. Instead, just note down the important points. During your final revision, you can just go through these points. It will remind you all that you studied. More importantly, it will save you a lot of time.

Set a Fixed Time for Entertainment
“All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy,” is an old proverb. It is important that you spent time for physical activity. This will keep you healthy and strong and mentally alert too. But see that there is a time limit for such activity.

Have a Specific Goal
Habits can have great influence in your life. One way to form good habits is to set aside five minutes a day to achieve a larger goal. Imagine that you would like to become good in writing. Utilize five minutes every day to improve your writing skills. It will help you form a positive habit which you will find difficult to break in later years. Over a period of time this habit will help you become good in writing.

Worship
Today’s world is obsessed with work. Most businesses now operate on a 24 x 7 basis. This is only going to wear people out. Remember that God has set aside one day for man’s rest. It is a time that you need to utilize to worship God. It not only honours God but also refreshes your spirit, mind and body. And you can look forward to the upcoming week with confidence!

“Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom” – Moses (Psalm 90:12 NIV).

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Leadership Lessons from Nehemiah–a Man with a Burden and a Man of Prayer

Nehemiah was the leader whom God used to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. A study on his life will help us understand how to be an effective leader.

First of all, Nehemiah was a man with a burden in his heart. As the Book of Nehemiah opens, we find Nehemiah weeping as he heard the report about the walls of Jerusalem being broken down. This was the city where the Temple of God once stood. This was where prayers where offered to God. But now because of the sins of God’s people, God had allowed enemies to destroy it.

Nehemiah was one person among many others who was carried into exile to a foreign land at that time. And when he heard about the destruction of Jerusalem he broke down and wept. This was because he was concerned about what concerned God. A leader is one whose heart has a burden for what God is concerned about.

During Nehemiah’s time, God wanted to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. God was able to act through Nehemiah because Nehemiah had the same concern God had about Jerusalem. Today, God is concerned about people who have not heard the good news of Jesus Christ. A Christian leader therefore is one who has a concern to spread the good news about Jesus Christ.

Secondly, Nehemiah was a man of prayer. Even though he held a position close to the king, he did not neglect praying to God. He spent time in mourning and fasting and praying before God. In other words, he spent much time in prayer in secret. Therefore he found favour in the eyes of the king when he made a request to go back to Jerusalem to rebuild its walls.

A Christian leader is a person who spends much time in prayer. He finds time even during his busy schedules to pray and talk to God. This is what Jesus also asked us to do. In the Sermon on the Mount he said, “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 NIV).

In the same manner, we find that Nehemiah’s life and work are full of prayers. Some of them are on-the-spot prayers, very quick and brief. But God gave answers to all of them. Some Bible Teachers call these prayers, “arrow prayers” of Nehemiah. They are shot to the throne of God whenever he faced a crisis. But we need to note that Nehemiah had absolute confidence that God would answer these prayers because he had spent much time with God in secret prayer.

To conclude, let me remind you two valuable lessons on leadership you learn from Nehemiah. A leader is one who shares God’s concern for people. Again, a leader is one who spends much time in prayer especially in secret

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Be Confident in the Lord

Are you confident? If the answer is yes, the next question is on what are you basing your confidence? Some people put confidence in their family background, education or riches. All these are good but not good enough. As a believer in the Lord Jesus, you have better things to be confident about.

God loves you

The love of God for you is not a happy feeling. Instead it is practical. God sent his Son Jesus to this world because he loves you. The cross of Calvary where Jesus bled and died will always remind you that God’s love for you is real. Yes it was for you that he died.

God is with you

One name by which Jesus is introduced to us is Immanuel meaning God with us. You should always remember this truth that you are not left alone in this world. Even though the presence of God is not seen with your eyes, God is present with you. That should give you confidence. He has promised never to leave you nor forsake you. Therefore Paul asked this question, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31).

God has a plan for you

God spoke through prophet Jeremiah to the Israelites who were taken captive to Babylon in these words, “I know the plans I have for you (Jeremiah 29:11).” That truth should encourage you to know that you are not on earth by chance. You are here with a purpose. God has a plan for your life. Even when there are lot of negative things happening in your life, there will come a time when God will take you from the prison to the palace as it happened in the life of Joseph.

God has given you the Bible to be your guide

The instruction given to Joshua about success nearly 35 centuries ago is relevant to you and me today also. He was told to meditate on God’s word day and night and not turn away from it. He was asked to obey its instructions. He was told that if he obeyed God’s word he will be prosperous and successful (Joshua 1:7, 8). The Psalmist also has echoed this thought: “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path (Psalm 119:105).” So as you journey forward in life, you can be confident that God will guide you through his word especially when you make decisions.

God has sent his Spirit to be with you and in you

God’s message came to his people through prophet Haggai saying, “My Spirit remains among you. Do not fear (Haggai 2:5).” The Bible also tells that you are the temple of the Holy Spirit and he lives in you (1 Corinthians 6:19). By this, God’s presence is real in your life. The power of God is also available to you in all difficulties that you will face. The Spirit of God is known as your Helper. He will help you say no to temptations and live a godly life.

You can because God says you can

King David said, “With your help I can advance against a troop; with my God I can scale a wall” (Psalm 18:29). David had great victories because he did things with God’s help and he believed he can achieve with God’s help. Similar is the story of Paul. He went through great hardships for the gospel. Yet he was able to great things. What was the secret? The answer is found in Paul’s words, “I can do everything through him who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:13). You too can conquer all difficulties in life and succeed. Be confident in the Lord that you can!

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The Road to Freedom

The Road Map

Think about road maps. It helps people who are not familiar with the routes to proceed in the right direction. You need not stop to ask anyone. What you need to do is follow the directions; recognize the landmarks properly and proceed. You will reach your destination quite comfortably.

So to reach your goal of freedom, you need to have a road map. This is to make sure that you reach the destination with minimum effort and without loss of time and energy. A proper guide in this form will prevent you from taking unnecessary deviations.

Now you may ask, “Which is the road map I need to refer to?” It is a wise question indeed. Many companies publish road maps. So which is the one you need to carry? If you are in an earnest attempt to travel on the road to freedom, you need not search long to find the right road map.

This road map gives you detailed and specific directions to reach your goal; namely freedom. It also tells you about the crossroads where you need to be careful so that you may not go in wrong directions. It tells you about enemies who might try to stop your journey to freedom. But above all this it tells you the help you have to reach the right destination.

So reach out to your road map that can guide you in the right direction; the Bible!

The Two Roads

The Bible constantly speaks of two ways. These ways are the Way of Life and the Way of Death. Now the Bible as a road map tells us to follow the way of life. At the same time it warns us of the disaster that can happen to us if we follow the way of death.

The way of life leads you to eternal life. The gate that leads to it is small and narrow. Only a few choose to travel on it. The travelers on this road obey God. It is the way of holiness. Those who travel on this road are wise. Above all they love God. And His blessings rest on their lives.

But the way of death leads you to destruction. The gate that leads to it is wide. The road is also broad. And many choose to travel on it. The travelers on this road disobey God. It is a way of uncleanness. Many who travel on this road are fools. They hate God and even deny His existence. They also love wickedness. And the curse of God shall fall upon their lives.

Travel on the way of life may at times be hard and filled with suffering. Feelings of loneliness may strike at any moment. Darkness can cloud the path unexpectedly. Yet in the end the path will shine with light.

But travel on the way of death is almost a carefree one. Those who travel on it will always have company. The way is dark always; but lit by dim lights that shade the sinful acts. There are lots of byroads. And there are lots of houses of various pleasures in them. There are colorful lamps hung out in front of them inviting people to visit. And like flies attracted by the brightness of the flames people go in and perish. Travel on this road ends in the powerful jaws of death.

So there are two roads that the Bible describes. The way of life and the way of death. You can travel on any one of these ways. It is your choice. But God is asking you this day to choose the way of life which takes you to freedom. Not only shall He bless you for this choice; but He shall also reward you for your obedience at the end of your journey.

The Tug of War

It is possible that you are traveling on the way of death right now. You are enjoying life and it is free from trouble. And you may ask, “How can you tell that I don’t have freedom in this road?” It is a good question.

But the freedom you are enjoying is a false kind of freedom. Yet again you may ask, “All right, can you prove that what I enjoy now is not real freedom?” That surely is a challenging question. Now here is the answer.

Can you recall any time in your life when you attempted to break away from the road you were traveling to cross over to the road to freedom? Actually, you might have felt a huge tug of war in your heart when you had tried to move on to the road to freedom. And finally your team would have pulled you back. So the result was that you could not change track to the road to freedom!

So what does it prove? It simply tells you that there is some evil power which is controlling you. It does not allow you to move out on your own. When you try to do so, it pulls you back. And if you are wise enough, you would have realized that a greater power than the one which holds you now is needed for you to break free!

And if you really want to break free, you need to see where you stand before you make a move. For that we shall look at the road map once again.

A Look in the Mirror

This road map that we are speaking about now is a very special one. If you hold it close you will find your reflection in it. It functions as a mirror. The more you look into it the more sharp the image in it becomes. And you will indeed be surprised at what you see there!

Now take a look in this mirror. At first you may not be able to see clearly. But do not give up! Keep on looking. And your features will come sharply on the image very soon.

“Look! Are you seeing some surprising things there?”

“Yes!”

“Are you not taken aback by what you see?”

“I never thought I looked like this!”

And this what you might have seen: Instead of a lovely resemblance of yourself, you saw a blurred image. At the first look itself it must have shown you your sunken eyes, frowning forehead, scowling face, lips being bitten in anger, unkempt hair and disheveled dress!

And as you peered into the darkness that seemed to surround your image you must have seen that instead of standing upright you were crawling on the ground. Oh, the powers of darkness had pulled you down! However hard you tried you could not get up!

With great sadness and despair as you kept looking you realized that you were locked in a prison which felt like a red-hot burning oven. And each prison bar spelled the name of your sins!

The tears in your eyes now blur the image you had seen. You now realize how helpless you are. You now see that the road you had been traveling is not the road to freedom. And you cry out, “Oh, help! Someone come and set me free!”

The Signpost

And as you cried out, the mirror shook. The image was gone. You applied the brakes and parked the vehicle on to the side. As you rolled down the windows to get some fresh air, the wind turned the pages of the road map. And your eyes got hooked to a signpost there. It read thus:

“So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”

You thought about it. But you could not understand what it meant. But still you knew that it spoke about being set free. It also told you that if you are thus set free, you will always be free!

You looked around to see if someone could help you to know what it meant. You saw someone taking a stroll in the meadow nearby. You rushed to him. But he just shouted to you to leave him alone. You came back to the side of the road. You frantically tried to flag down the passing cars. But no one stopped for you.

You broke down and wept. Your whole body shook. And as you rested by the tree trunk, the gentle wind kissed you to sleep.

And the nightmare returned. The same prison. Now burning hot. You are still crawling. Each prison bar stood strong preventing your escape. Shame like molten lava burned your mind. And again you cried out in your sleep: “Oh, who shall set me free!”

The Son Sets You Free

This time your cry is answered. And in your dream you see a brilliant light shining outside your prison. Its powerful beam creates a pathway to your prison door. And One like the sun in its noon-day splendor is walking up to you. He is clothed in white. And love, pure love, is what His eyes gently speak!

He lifts His hands and breaks open the prison door. No one can stop Him from doing so. And as He walks up to you, you look up amazed. Because you now see the mark of wounds upon His body. And He now places His hands upon your head. And as you feel the blood from His wounds washing you from head to foot; you see the prison bars melt down one by one. You are now lifted up to stand upon your feet. And He looks once more upon your face. Your eyes lock. And you weep again. He wipes your tears away. And you can do nothing but gently whisper, “Thank you Jesus, thank you so much!”

And then the falling rain drops awakes you from your sleep. And you look around. Your sleep was pleasant to you. The grass looks greener. Each little flower sprightly dancing in the meadow is sweetly smiling as if they were happy for you!

And you find the rainbow spreading its arc across the skies. It seems to say, “Oh, my child, you are now free. Free for ever. You are now like a bird in the skies!”

And the journey continues. But this time the road is different. It is the road OF freedom!

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