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 … Read the rest
“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 … Read the rest
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 … Read the rest
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 … Read the rest
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 … Read the rest
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 … Read the rest
During Christmas celebrations at schools and churches, we often see many young children dressed up as angels in bright and shining clothes and waiting in the wings behind stage. The very spectacle reminds us of the first Christmas when angels played key roles in the unfolding drama.
Many wonder who the angels really are? Angels … Read the rest
I have seen a strange thing happening. Invited guests often ignore the newly wedded couple. They are more interested in eating the good food provided for and meeting friends and relatives. All this is good. But they forget that the reason for the joyous occasion is the joining together of the bride and groom.
I … Read the rest
Learn to smile. But know that it is not the lips that create a smile. Instead it is your inward joy that radiates.
Then comes respect for others. Well, it is not popular. But it is the right attitude to have. Perhaps you don’t know how it hurts others when you speak without respect and … Read the rest
These are based on assumptions arrived at by husband or wife about what the other is going to say or do in a particular situation. This assumption is usually based on past experiences. And partners assume that they can precisely predict the other’s behaviour or communication. The reality is that often these assumptions … Read the rest
What matters most in martial relationships is communication, what hurts most is also related to the same.
Some husbands find fault all the time. Some wives nag all the time. Both are equally dangerous. The problem that criticism creates is two-fold. It generates a spirit of ill-will and a sense of … Read the rest
If someone asks you what matters most in marital relationships, you will probably say, “Love,” “Trust,” “Faithfulness,” “Finance,” “Intimacy,” and so on. All these are true and have their own importance.
But what about “communication?” Failure in many a marriage can be traced to lack of proper communication:
It is not just about avoiding conflicts.… Read the rest
A Time of Change
Chapter 1:1—9
Life is full of change. It demands of us greater trust in God than before. But often we tremble in fear; both real and imagined. As we look at the opening chapter of the Book of Joshua we find a change in leadership and a change in direction of … Read the rest
Make money grow little by little. You never know how much power 1 rupee has until you try to get a train ticket when you are having 1 rupee less than needed. So it doesn’t matter if your saving is small; but store it up little by little. One day you’ll be surprised that it … Read the rest
Man has not changed in spite of great advancements in science and technology.
Fashions and food habits might have changed; but the way he acts and reacts in interpersonal relations have remained the same.
It is against this backdrop that the following words of wisdom related to communication mostly penned by Solomon, the wise king, … Read the rest
All the four gospels show us that the Holy Spirit came down in the form of a dove and rested on Jesus at the time of his baptism. If the Son of God needed the Spirit of God in his life and ministry, can we do ministry without the enabling of the Holy Spirit? Think … Read the rest
You might have sung this song at least once:
Have Thine own way Lord
Have Thine own way
Thou art the potter I am the clay
Mold me and make me after Thy will
While I am waiting yielded and still.*
This image of the Potter and the clay comes from a lesson God taught … Read the rest
“Adam, Seth, Enosh, Kenan, Mahalel, Jared, Enoch, Methuselah, Lamech, Noah”; so begins the not usually read and thought to be boring account of names in the book of 1 Chronicles.
But.
Are they just names?
Let us look at some of them:
Adam. You cannot read that name and not think about God and creation, … Read the rest
“Why this waste (Matthew 26:8)?” That was man’s estimate of love lavished on Jesus. But Jesus valued that act of love which made that woman pour perfume on his head.
We need more people with this kind of a give it all attitude. We need more believers who will not count the cost but sacrifice … Read the rest
“What to do next?” is a question that troubles us often. You can rely on your wisdom or consult with family and friends or even get expert opinion from other sources. It can turn out right as well.
But then there is someone waiting for you to ask. He is ever willing to guide you. … Read the rest
Good news spreads. Does it? No. It spreads only when it is shared.
The greatest tragedy of the church is that it is keeping the good news to itself. The primary thing is to experience the good news yourself. And then when you have tasted its joy, share it.
Four lepers walked into an enemy … Read the rest
Jesus is always ready to answer tough and probing questions. He had already told his disciples about his coming death. And then when a chance came, Peter asked Jesus, “We have left everything to follow you! What then will be there for us (Matthew 19:27)?”
Jesus did not find that question offensive!
Secondly, he answered … Read the rest
Look and live! Can anything be more simple than this?
In answer to Moses’ prayer, God asked him to make a serpent and put it on a pole. So any one of the impatient, grumbling, fault-finding Israelites bitten by venomous snakes can look at it and live!
There was nothing magical in the bronze serpent. … Read the rest
“Stay there until I tell you (Matthew 2:13)” was the command Joseph received from an angel of the Lord.
He was asked to escape to Egypt with baby Jesus and Mary. He obeyed immediately, that very night (v. 14)! Then he was to wait until the word came from God.
Waiting is no easy task. … Read the rest
Who is going to stand at the judgement to condemn you? The Queen of the South.
The queen of Sheba was a foreigner to Israel and lived far away. She heard about Solomon and traveled many many days to reach Jerusalem.
She heard two things about Solomon. One was his wisdom. The other was his … Read the rest
You can come out of Egypt. But it is real hard to get Egypt out of your heart.
The Israelites were delivered from the slavery of Egypt by the mighty hand of the LORD and by observing the Passover. They were protected by the blood and later the Red Sea parted to open for them … Read the rest
Immanuel. God with us (Matthew 1:23).
Jesus is God with us. His birth brought God near to us. A holy God shook hands with sinners, visited their homes and ate with them.
He attended weddings as well as funerals. He blessed weddings with his abundance and disrupted funerals with life-gifting power.
He was a doctor … Read the rest
Do you think Jesus came to earth without a purpose? Unimaginable; isn’t it?
Just take a look at John 10:10, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” Again, look at Luke 19:10, “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.” Both these … Read the rest
I have never understood why there is such a detailed and repetitive description of offerings made at the anointing of the altar and its dedication when the tabernacle was set up (see Numbers 7:10–88). But there must be a purpose in all that the Spirit of God has recorded in Scripture.
First and foremost it … Read the rest
666. The Mark of the Beast!
Perhaps nothing else holds such fascination in the minds of believers and non-believers alike in these last days.
The first thing to note is that the beast or false prophet decieves the people of this earth (Rev. 13:14). This he is able to accomplish because of the signs he … Read the rest
