“Who should take the initiative?” This is a common question often heard. As Christians we often have doubts as to whether we should take the initiative to do something or wait for God’s initiative. There are no easy answers.
Yet the Bible gives us a pattern in which one of the persons concerned responded to … Read the rest
By giving Jesus to the world God demonstrated the fact that He is a giving God. Paul also reminded us of Jesus’ words: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” (Acts 20:35b NIV).
But many times we give only to find that the need is much greater than we had understood. And one … Read the rest
We all come across crossroads in life. It is at these crossroads that we find that there are more than one road to choose from in which to travel forward.
These choices imply decisions. We are compelled to take decisions for determining the future course of action. But these decisions are sometimes not easy.
For … Read the rest
Character Signatures are a special kind of patterns. They are insights found in the New Testament on the life and character of Old Testament men and women of God. These glimpses into their lives give us a more accurate picture of what gave their lives such significance and impact.
Character Signatures have a right to … Read the rest
There are certain patterns in the Bible that are unmistakable mirror images of each other. By looking closely at such instances in the Bible, we can learn much about how our lives are impacted by certain powerful spiritual prinicples.
In some Mirror Patterns you might be able to find a process in operation if you … Read the rest
As we read the Bible, we come across patterns. Patterns become recognizable when a reader sees a spiritual truth that is stated in one part of the Bible being repeated in a similar fashion in yet another portion of the Bible.
The very fact that God has said something twice means that He wants us … Read the rest
Is there any benefit in trying to understand and obey God’s will in your life? This question should be asked and its answer should satisfy. Otherwise you will never be sure why you are seeking God’s will in your life. Four benefits of seeking God’s will are enumerated here.
A Special Relationship:
Jesus was once
The greatest tragedy in Christian living is to have a good beginning but fail to capitalize on it.
People get distracted, get sidetracked and lose sight of the reward that God has kept for them. Thus they backslide and fail to fulfill the purpose for which God had called them.
What is the cause of … Read the rest
Jesus had higher priorities in life. It was seen in different instances.
For example, when He was hungry the disciples had gone to buy food. During that time He was having a conversation with the Samaritan woman by the well that proved life-changing and life-giving to her. The disciples came and urged Him to eat … Read the rest
The clock was Jesus’ slave. Never did Jesus get His sense of timing wrong. He always waited for the right time, the appropriate time; the time the Father had set for Him to act.
Jesus demonstrated this many times. To Mary, His mother, who told Him that there was no more wine at the wedding … Read the rest
Jesus was always driven with a purpose. The great sense of the mission He had to fulfill was very strong in Him. In other words, He always referred to having been “sent” to this world by His Father:
“For I came from God and now am here. I have not come on my own; but … Read the rest
The desire to please God was a dominant force in the life of Jesus.
Jesus once said: “The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him” (John 8:29 NIV) [author’s emphasis]. Jesus enjoyed a continuous conscious presence of God in His life … Read the rest
Jesus is the “Prince of Peace” (Ref. Isaiah 9:6). This was described in the great prophecy of the coming Messiah. And it was also said that there will be increase of peace when he governs (Ref. Isaiah (9:7a).
Therefore, when a person allows Jesus to govern his life, there will be an increase of peace … Read the rest
Doing God’s will is a choice. That is made clear by Jesus’ statement, “If anyone chooses to do God’s will, he will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own” (John 7:17 NIV).
Note the first part of that statement: “If anyone chooses to do God’s will.” It … Read the rest
Jesus is the only man who walked on earth and was able to do God’s will perfectly. Therefore He and His life is the best model from which we can learn.
Our lives will not be eventful like His life. Even then, in the quiet corners of our room or in the busy offices;
The great sin of modern Christianity is not making idols. But it is the great sin of reducing God’s honor to the dust. It is true that grace came through Jesus Christ. But that is not a license to preach blessings without preaching man’s responsibility to live in obedience to God and His commandments.
The
When you are invited to any home, usually the host gives you a meal. On special occasions the host gives you a feast. Now Jesus has extended you His invitation. When you accept this invitation, you are accepting Him into your life. Then He invites you home!
Since God rejoices in your salvation and since … Read the rest
The Bible was written by around 40 authors over a period of 1600 years spanning from around 1500 B.C to around 100 A.D These people were all inspired by the Holy Spirit to write though they wrote in different times and in different circumstances. The following scriptures make this point clear:
All Scripture is … Read the rest
700 years before the birth of Jesus it was foretold by Prophet Isaiah that the Spirit of God would rest upon Jesus. This is one of the loveliest descriptions of the Spirit of God in the entire Bible:
… Read the rest“The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him–
the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding,
the
In Old Testament times the Holy Spirit came upon Judges, Priests, Prophets and Kings to enable them to perform what God had called them to do. In other words the indwelling of the Spirit of God was reserved for special people.
Then, there came a time when Israel ceased to be a nation and no … Read the rest
Think about this: Who else in this world dares to call God “Father” except Christians? No one else!
How has this been made possible? One, it is the right given to those who believe in Jesus to be called children of God (John 1:12, 1 John 3:1). But that is only the first half of … Read the rest
The Bible says: “Like cattle that go down to the plain, they were given rest by the Spirit of the Lord. This is how you guided your people to make for yourself a glorious name” (Isaiah 63:14 NIV).
It is clear from this verse that even in Old Testament times, the Holy Spirit was … Read the rest
You go to meet the CEO of a big Multinational Corporation. You are to present before him an ambitious project of yours. You meet his secretary first. You brief her about your project and seeks her assistance in fixing up an appointment with the boss.
As you are inside his office you start explaining. But … Read the rest
Jesus taught much during His lifetime. Even then the disciples had difficulty understanding all He said. When Jesus left this earth, He told His disciples that He had much more to say.
But the problem was that the disciples were not capable of receiving them then: “I have much more to say to you, more … Read the rest
In the past, you might have got strength from God’s promise: “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5b NIV). But have you ever thought how this promise becomes real in your life?
The promise becoming real can be understood thus: Someone gives you a gift voucher. As long as you … Read the rest
The Bible does not introduce God. Instead it begins with God. Probably it is a human tendency to introduce everybody properly.
God, on the other hand, needs no introduction. Instead, the Bible begins with the focus on His active involvement in creation. And in the second verse, we read: “And the Spirit of God … Read the rest
The Bible teaches the Lordship of Jesus Christ. He is the Lord Jesus Christ; where Lord (Kyrios in Greek) was used by His disciples as a term equivalent to God (Yahweh in Hebrew) Himself. The fact that Jesus is Lord is evident even in the first announcement of His birth given to shepherds: “Today in
Jesus in one of His parables talked about the possibility of a man being ridiculed by others for laying the foundation of a tower but not able to finish it. Others will say about him: “This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.”
Jesus said this example to ask us to count … Read the rest
