John the Baptist has a unique place in human history. He was the one who came to prepare the way for Jesus Christ. Like a pilot vehicle he went ahead announcing the coming of the Messiah—the anointed One for whom all Israel was waiting for.
Preparation in the Desert
God always takes a long time … Read the rest
In Old Testament times the people of God brought animal sacrifices to the temple. These sacrifices pointed to the great sacrifice of Jesus, the Lamb of God on the cross of Calvary. Now no more sacrifices for sin is left. The only sacrifice that we are asked to continually bring to God is praise (Hebrews … Read the rest
Why did God remember Noah? In fact, this is the first time the word remember is used in the Bible (Genesis 8:1). God remembered Noah for reasons we can try to follow in our lives as well.
God remembered Noah because he was blameless
Noah lived in a society that was full of violence and … Read the rest
God speaks a word of hope to all who trust in him when he says, “Forget the past.” There is no one else in all the universe who can deal with our past and give us hope for the future. God speaks about making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland. He … Read the rest
Jesus was tempted. Yet he did not sin. This tells us that temptation in itself is not sin. Temptation is like a stranger knocking on the door. It does not matter as long as the stranger keeps knocking. But temptation becomes sin when you open the door for the stranger and give him a seat … Read the rest
Bohnfi couldn’t believe his eyes! He’d wished for it just a few days ago. And now right before his eyes his wish had come true!
But Bohnfi hadn’t told anyone about his wish. So it was a complete surprise to him when it came true.
But when boys of his age tell their parents their … Read the rest
“Mom, your eyes are full of tears! Why are you crying?” asked Bohnfi.
Miriam was silent for some time. Then ran her hand over Bohnfi’s playful hair and said: “Sonny, it’s your younger sister’s sixth birthday today. I just remembered her.”
On hearing this, Bohnfi ran to his room. He came back holding a small … Read the rest
“You can do this. But you shouldn’t do that.” Are these not the words that you have heard from your childhood? Yes, isn’t it?
There is a good thing about it. It clearly teaches you what is wrong. But then there is a bad thing about it. It tells you nothing about what to do … Read the rest
Have you seen men in uniform? For example, take the case of a group of soldiers. What a lovely sight it is to see them march to the tune of the army band! There is beauty, order, rhythm and harmony in their march. They follow the Commander wherever he leads. And they obey him without … Read the rest
“Mom,” … “Dad!” Bohnfi screamed.
Hearing this cry, his parents were awakened from their sleep. They rushed to his room and switched on the lights .
Bohnfi, who usually slept well, was sitting up on his bed, wide awake, eyes popping out; filled with fear!
Steve (actually Stephen) and Miriam, his parents, looked at each … Read the rest
… Read the restYou’re a God who knows the way I take,
No path can be hidden from your eyes:
Though I do remain in the dark often;
Still, O God, you are my guiding light!You’re a God who sends your angel
To touch the lone discouraged man;
Lifting him up, giving him hope,
Bidding him walk
… Read the restThere flows a river;
A river, a river of life.
Of its abundance
I drink deeply
Till from within my heart
Its streams, living, overflows!Clear as a crystal
Flowing from God’s throne
And of the Lamb.
It’s a river, a river, a river
Of life-giving power
As its peaceful torrents flow.On the banks
… Read the restWhen the pain of sin
Clouds my broken heart
And shuts heaven’s light–
Amid this grave’s darkness
A pearl does shine:
“Still I am His child!”When that beautiful vase
Slips from my hands ‘n falls,
Cracks ‘n breaks and scattered lies–
From its broken pieces
I see emerge a grand design:
“Still I am
… Read the restSomeone was waiting for me;
Though from His loving care
And all that was good ‘n dear
I had walked away one day
Through the open gate across the lawn
With not a backward look.Someone was waiting for me;
While I in youthful pleasures
Swam to my heart’s content,
Spent all at wayside inns
… Read the restThere was a care in my heart
That I could not wish away.
So, in prayer, I took it to the Lord;
Yet the pain, its weight, remained!Was it that God did not care
To look upon my wearied soul?
When in such big a world
He had bigger things to do?I waited
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
A Christmas Story
Susan started to walk deliberately to the Coffee Shop. It was now five to three in the afternoon. As she opened the door and gazed at the dimly lit hall, she could see Rohan at the far end; the corner with a view of the sea. That had been their favourite spot … Read the rest
The good news account in Matthew’s gospel begins with a long list of names.
In this list of names there are many who failed God at some crossroad in their lives. There are blemishes in the lives of many of the people mentioned here. Even a prostitute who turned to God in faith finds mention … Read the rest
There are roads each one of us has to travel alone. In those moments, someone walks along with us. Often we are unaware of his presence.
But at some point in the journey our eyes are opened to see the stranger who accompanies us. There is something about him that is more than a mere … Read the rest
A Christmas Story
James opened the bedroom window. A cold gust of wind made the curtains flap. There was unrest in his heart. It was like chaotic voices of birds coming back to roost on trees at dusk. A sense of loss was in the air.
“Daddy, Daddy!” James was startled to hear that familiar … 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
In prayer, Jesus showed us his total dependence on his heavenly Father. It was his goal to please him. In fact, Jesus did nothing without seeking God’s approval.
He addressed God as “Abba, Father (Mark 14:36).” (Abba is an Aramaic term which young children used to address their fathers. It can be translated as “Daddy.”) … Read the rest
A better understanding of prayer can help us be great communicators; for prayer is conversation with God. When Jesus taught about prayer (recorded in his famous 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 … Read the rest
We all hide when we do wrong; don’t we? That is our first instinct. We love to move away from the light and hide in the dark.
But if we confess our sin and turn to God with a broken and contrite heart (Psalm 51:17) we have a hiding place in God.
So let us … 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
The story of the five wise virgins and the five foolish virgins should strike terror in our hearts. If it doesn’t; there is every chance we will be rushing to buy oil when Jesus comes back.
The first thing we need to note is how the chapter (Matthew 25) opens. It begins with Jesus’ words: … Read the rest
Christmas is about a response to good news.
Mary accepts the plan God had for her. It is not easy for us to imagine the trembling that might have come to Mary who was a village teenage girl when twenty centuries ago angel Gabriel told her that she was going to become pregnant as a … Read the rest
