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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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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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Men in Uniform

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 questioning.

From a distance they all appear the same. Only as they come near can you spot their facial features. They are all different. But they function as if they had one mind. This is because all follow the Commander and trusts and obeys him.

Their uniform is matched to their Commander’s dress. In fact, no one without uniform is permitted to march in their unit. If someone tries to do so, he will be easily spotted because of the different dress that he is wearing. He will be put out of their group quickly. Since it is an army, he will face punishment too for not wearing the given uniform.

In this army, the Commander is the one who gives uniforms to all his soldiers. Nobody can stitch his own uniform. This is because it will never have the high standard and perfection of the uniform that the Commander gives. In reality, there is one simple rule to be in this army: Wear the uniform the Commander gives! Or be thrown out!

But if a soldier’s uniform gets dirty and soiled in the battle, he can run to the Commander. He has a fountain where stained clothes are washed. Then they become bright and clean. With this shining uniform, they can continue to march behind the Commander again.

As night falls, all of them march to the inside of the castle. They are safe there because their Commander is always with them.

Truth Flags

  • Jesus is your Commander.
  • Jesus clothes you with His own uniform. The Bible calls it, His righteousness.
  • Jesus changes filthy uniforms and gives new clean ones.
  • The dirty uniforms are washed in the blood of Jesus.
  • God wants all who believe in His Son Jesus, including you, to be like Him.

For further study:

References (NIV)

  • Commander (Isaiah 55:4).
  • Clothes (Isaiah 61:10) and “Clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 13:14).
  • Changing filthy clothes (Zechariah 3:3–5) and “put off your old self, … put on your new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness” (Ephesians 4:22-24).
  • Righteousness, “This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe” (Romans 3:22), and (Philippians 3:9).
  • Fountain (Zechariah 13:1).
  • Blood of Jesus (1 John 1:7,9; Revelation 7:14).
  • The power and scope of cleansing (Isaiah 1:18).
  • The likeness of Jesus (1 Corinthians 15:49, 1 John 3:2).

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You’re a God

You’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 the long road home.

You’re my loving God who forsakes not,
Even when I wander from your fold;
But searches for me till I am found
And carries me home on shoulders broad.

You’re my God when dreams are lost,
And doors shut close at every turn:
Then you open mine eyes to see
Your hand reviving your work in me.

You’re a God who fails not to provide
Your trusting child his every need:
Beside the brook; by raven’s flight,
And in the desert; by springs nearby.

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The River of Life

There 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 of this river, river, river,
Stand the tree of life,
Yielding fruit every month–
It is food that never fails.
Their leaves wither not;
And they heal the nations.

There is a river of the water of life;
Whose streams make glad
The city of God.
This is a river;
A spring of living water
That wells up to eternal life!

—–
This song has been based on the following texts: Revelation 22:1–2, Ezekiel 47:1-12, John 4:13–14; 7:37–39 and Psalm 46:4. May you experience the fullness of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in you as you read these Scriptures. Amen.

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Still I Am His Child

When 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 His child!”

When beneath a broom tree
I in fear and despair lie
And pray for life to die–
I wake to an angel’s touch
And eat of heaven-sent food:
“Still I am His child!”

When that urgent mail returns
With unopened seal; my faith trembles
And looks up to see starless nights–
Oh mournful song; death-scented breath,
Challenge me not, touch me not:
“Still I am His child!”

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This poem came as a result of the Holy Spirit deeply impressing upon the author the thought that whatever happens, he is still God’s child. Even when he falls into sin (stanza 1), even when he makes mistakes (stanza 2), even when he is discouraged like Elijah (stanza 3), and even when prayers seem unanswered and fear of death lurks around (stanza 4), he was reminded that he is still God’s child!

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Someone was Waiting

Someone 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
And a far country reached
With no thoughts of home I’d left.

Someone was waiting for me;
While my heart burned with care
With none to share; for all ‘d left.
Then begged I to be pity shown:
But who ‘d care for a waste like me;
Shame-drunk, poor ‘n homeless me.

Someone was waiting for me;
This thought with force now struck
Like a bolt of lightning shook me up–
Of feast and festivity at home;
Now happy thoughts sprang up
At every step to my home I took.

Someone was waiting for me;
To richly welcome sinner me.
It made all the difference to me;
As through the open gate across the lawn
He ran to me with outstretched arms
And poured love’s full cup on me.

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Even Our Failures

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 in the list. Yet God has included their names here.

The people mentioned in this list had different temperaments and character. Some of them had daring faith; while some others had glaring failures in their lives. Overall we find diverse personalities being joined together like linking beads in an ornament of exquisite beauty.

God blended them all together into his grand design. He used their lives to bring about the birth of his Son to this world. All this took centuries.

Therefore the long list of names tell you that God finds you useful; and in spite of most unlikely circumstances in your life, he can fit you perfectly into the working out of his great plans for good.
It is God’s grace that makes even our failures blend into His bigger picture. That grace came to us through Jesus Christ!

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Our Burden-bearer

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 mortal. Our hearts warm at his presence.

The divine footprints on earthly soil tell us that the experience was real. He had indeed walked on earth. Christmas is the moment of recognition that he is walking along with us. No wonder they called him Immanuel meaning God with us.

But when we journey we often carry loads. Some of us are not bothered by their weight. Others are not even aware that they are bending low. The stranger seems to know what is pulling us down.

More than that, our thoughts are guided to that moment in our journey when we walked past a hill that was outside city limits. It was on top of it that a man was lifted high for all the world to see. He hung there between earth and sky naked and bleeding.

It was as if he said, “I take it all. I drink the cup of sorrow that all the load people carry have squeezed into it.”

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Is God Your Hiding Place?

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 draw near to God in full assurance of faith that he is our hiding place (Psalm 32:7).

Then, there are occasions when we need a refuge in times of distress in life. No life is free from trouble and there are seasons when we feel burdened beyond measure.

Those are times we shouldn’t move away from God but inch closer to him. Emotionally we might not feel the love of God nor joy nor peace. In such darkness, God is more near than you think.

Don’t trust your emotions. But trust your God when there is no light (Isaiah 50:10). Then you will find God a shelter from the storm and a shade from the heat (Isaiah 25:4).

As we sing,

Oh, Jesus is a Rock in a weary land,
A weary land, a weary land;
Oh, Jesus is a Rock in a weary land,
A Shelter in the time of storm.1

You will find him comfort you with a mother’s love (Isaiah 66:13) when you move to him, your hiding place.

But God is not just your hiding place in your brokenness because of sin and failure, and when your life is in distress. There is more.

Yes, more is the word. God himself testified that he talked with Moses like a man talks face to face to his friend (Numbers 12:8, Exodus 33:11). Earlier, Moses had spent forty days and nights with God.

Yet he was not satisfied even when God promised him that “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest (Exodus 33:14).” He wanted to know more of God. And he made a bold request: “Now show me your glory (Exodus 33:18).”

Surprisingly, God did not deny that request but told him that he will put Moses inside a hiding place–a cleft in the rock (Exodus 33:22)–to see him.

In Christ, we have that hiding place. He is the cleft in the rock. Paul says our life is hidden with Christ in God (Colossians 3:3).

But intimacy with God is reserved for those who long for God and thirst for God (Psalm 42:1) and like Moses (Exodus 33:13) and Paul desired, “that I may know him (Philippians 3:10).”

It is when you long for God like that he will be for you a hiding place.

Are you weary today because of your struggle with sin? Go to God your hiding place.
Are you weary today because of your troubles in life? Go to God your hiding place.
Are you weary today because of your lack of spiritual growth? Go to God your hiding place.

No failure in your life is final if you go to God your hiding place!

A Cleft in the Rock

You Are My Hiding Place

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Seek God: Return to Your First Love!

Where have we failed?

God has his moments of disappointment with each one of us. Often we think that it is limited to times when we sin. Sadly, that is not true. There are many more occasions when we bring pain to the heart of God.

First and foremost we need to understand God seeks our company. God had asked us to seek him (Amos 5:4). But we are too busy–sometimes the tragedy is that we are busy in the Lord’s work. Jesus felt the pain of not having a listening ear when he was just very near the time of his crucifixion.

But Martha was busy. And she complained. Will you take some time to sit and listen to Jesus today? He is not asking you to do anything big, but just come and give him company.

Secondly, like the wicked, we too have no room in our thoughts for God (Psalm 10:4). See, we have a wrong idea about God’s call in our lives. Often we think of it as God asking us to go as a missionary, or calling us to preach or do some particular task for God.

As long as this thinking dominates our minds, we miss what is God’s primary call in our lives. The greatest call Jesus gave to all is, “Come to me.” The disciples were called to be with him (Mark 3:14). But we want to run ahead of God.

Finally, love for God makes time for God. He is a lover. And he seeks his bride and beloved. For what? To rejoice with her. But what about the bride? Is she running after others? Is she busy with her ornaments? See, love toward God is not an emotion as many mistakenly think about it. Love is a response to the sacrificial giving of God on the cross.

But how many of us pray without asking God for anything in particular? Is that possible? When prayer becomes a simple walking into God’s presence, and when he asks you, “My child, what brings you here?” and you reply, “Simply nothing. Just came to hang around here,” and you walk out after spending some time in his presence seeking nothing, asking nothing but simply having desired his company; then you have started to really pray.

The truth is that God is waiting–like a disappointed lover. Asking himself, “What more could have been done for my vineyard than I have done for it (Isaiah 5:4)?” Unless he is your first love in life; you are disappointing God time and again. Let me repeat, repent when God reminds you of sin in your life. But repent greatly for having lost your first love for him (Rev. 2:4). Therefore return to your first love! Amen.

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God Will Show Mercy on You

When everything fails and you have no one to hold on to, seek God’s mercy.

If you have wondered whether God can stretch his mercy a little bit more; yes he can and he will; for you!

He is holy; and God is a God of justice. Yet he listens to the cry of a desperate heart.

“How many times will he show mercy?” You might ask. One more time; every single time you are in desperate need of it!
His mercy is undeserved kindness.

You might have sinned against him.
You might have broken the promise you made.
You might have deliberately forgotten him in times of your prosperity.

Now you are in distress.
Now your mind is accusing you.
Now you are in sickness.
Perhaps you are terminally ill.

Whatever it be, his mercies will never fail. Just cry out to him.

The love of God put on display on the cross where Jesus hung bleeding to death is the surest sign of God’s mercy to you.

God is merciful.
In your distress today, call out to him.
He has seen your tears.
He will answer you.

Yes, God will come near to you. His mercies will not fail. But your opportunity is now. Do not delay; do not postpone seeking him. For who knows whether tomorrow is yours or not?

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“Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions.” — Psalm 51:1 Bible NIV.

“If you, O LORD, kept a record of sins, O Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness; therefore you are feared.” — Psalm 130:3, 4 Bible NIV.

*John 3:16 Bible NIV

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The Miracle on the Road to Emmaus Is Not What You Thought It Is!

It was a journey from Jerusalem to Emmaus, a village 7 miles away. Two men walked and talked. Their hearts were sad.

A stranger joined them. They did not recognize him. He asked them, “What are you talking about?”

They stood still; unable to assess how this person missed the momentous event that all had witnessed just two days ago.

So they asked, “Are you the only person who has visited Jerusalem and not knowing about all that happened?”

“What things?” the stranger asked. They began to tell him how their hopes were dashed when the One they had put their trust in was crucified.

But that is not all, they added. Some women among us amazed us this morning. They said that they were met by angels at the tomb of this man. They said he is alive! And his body the women found not.

The stranger then began to open their hearts to understand from what was written in the Scriptures about himself. Still their eyes were not opened to recognize him. But their hearts felt a strange burning.

There was something familiar about him that they couldn’t recognize. Until; a little later he gave thanks to God and broke bread and ate with them and disappeared from their sight.

But that was because it was nearing sunset. And the two men had invited to him to come stay with them as he was trying to move on further.

“Come, stay with us,” they had told him. What a miracle awaited them. They saw and talked with the Risen Christ. And he was recognized in the homely act of breaking the bread around the dinner table.

Miracles are not made of extraordinary stuff. The miracle is that we miss to see God each day as he travels with us in the ordinary, routine, and sometimes boring day-to-day activities of life! He walks with us on sad-end roads and makes real the meaning of the Son-rise to us!

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—
The Post is based on the Gospel of Luke 24:13–35 Bible

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Lesson 35: Let Us Draw Near to God

This Lesson is part of John’s Gospel Easy Notes Series. 

Intimacy with God

Jesus spoke hard-to-digest language when he spoke about having intimacy or close communion with him. He told: “Unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you (John 6:53).”

Do not say this is a hard saying and leave Jesus like many of the disciples did (see John 6:60, 66). Instead move closer to Jesus. This is how it can be done:

As we look at Hebrews 10:22 we are encouraged. It says, “Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water (Hebrews 10:22).”

Let us draw near.

Let us draw near because a new and living way has been opened for us. Therefore we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place, that is, heaven’s throne room where God dwells, by the blood of Jesus. (Hebrews 10:19, 20). Tell God that you are approaching by the blood of Jesus. You are then given right of access.

Let us draw near.

Let us draw near because our elder brother Jesus, who is the great priest over the house of God, is already there in God’s presence. He ever lives to intercede for us (Hebrews 7:25, Romans 8:34). When he is there, and you approach by his blood, God is happy to welcome you as a brother or sister of Jesus. Remember Jesus is all mankind’s representative in heaven as he shared fully in our humanity.

Let us draw near.

Let us draw near with a sincere heart. That is a repentant heart. There might be hidden sins in our lives. Ask God to search them out (Psalm 139:23). When you allow the Spirit of God to search you like how a security personnel frisks you before you enter a high security area for hidden things, you have a sincere heart.

Let us draw near.

Let us draw near with full assurance of faith. We need to have faith in the blood of Jesus. We need to have faith that his blood is more than sufficient to take care of our sins.

“There must be a full assurance of faith that there is a Holy Place where we can dwell and walk with God; that the power of the precious blood has conquered sin so perfectly that nothing can prevent our undisturbed fellowship with God.”–The Power of the Blood of Jesus by Andrew Murray

Let us draw near.

Let us draw near is a call has special reference to prayer.

“There are moments of closer fellowship when the soul turns itself entirely to God to be engaged with Him alone.” — Andrew Murray.

Each time you pray just think of the blood of Jesus. Ask God to remove sin in you through the blood of Jesus so that any known or unknown sin will not come as a barrier between you and God. Take time to be conscious that you are now in the very presence of God by the blood of Jesus. And then pray.

“Brethren, ‘let us draw near.’ Let us pray for ourselves, for one another, for everyone. Let the Holiest become our fixed abode [home or place of residence] that we may carry about with us everywhere the presence of our God.” – Andrew Murray

Let us look at cleansing found in Hebrews 10:22. The following is taken from Andrew Murray’s book.

“There is for us a twofold cleansing with water and blood. Baptism with water is unto repentance for laying aside of sin. ‘Be baptized and wash away your sins.’ While the blood cleanses the heart, the inner man, baptism is the yielding of the body, with all its visible life, to separation from sin.”

“The power of the blood to cleanse inwardly cannot be experienced unless we also cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh. The divine work of cleansing by sprinkling of blood and the human work of cleansing by laying aside sin are inseparable.”

“We must be clean to enter into the Holiest. Just as you would never dream of entering in to the presence of a king unwashed, so you cannot imagine that you could come into the presence of God, in the Holy Place, if you are not cleansed from every sin. In the blood of Christ that cleanses from all sin, God has bestowed on you [given to you] the power to cleanse yourself. Your desire to live with God in the Holiest must always be united with the most careful laying aside of even the least sin. The unclean may not enter the Holiest.”

“Praise be God, He desires to have us there. He desires our purity that we may enjoy the blessing of the Holiest—that is, His Holy Fellowship. And He has taken care that through the blood and by the Spirit, we may be clean.”

Let us draw near.

“The Holiest Place is open even for those in our congregations who have not yet truly turned to the Lord. For them also the sanctuary has been opened. The precious blood, the living way, and the High Priest are for them also. With great confidence we dare to invite even them, ‘Let us draw near.’ ”

Let us draw near.

The invitation comes especially to all believers. Be not satisfied to stand in the porch. It is not sufficient to cherish the hope that your sins are forgiven. ‘Let us draw near’; let us enter within the veil; let us in spirit press on to real nearness to our God. Let us draw near and live nearer to God.”

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Lesson 27: The Risen Christ Meets with Peter on the Shore of the Sea of Galilee

This Lesson is part of John’s Gospel Easy Notes Series. 

A discouraged Peter goes out to fish and he was able to persuade six other disciples to go with him. That night they caught nothing. Soon, Jesus standing on the shore tells them to cast their net on the right side of the boat. Then they caught a large number of fish. Soon John told Peter, “It is the Lord.”

As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he wrapped his outer garment around him and jumped into the water. See, this man had denied Jesus. Yet love for Jesus was still in his heart. That is why that unhesitant response of jumping into the water.

Jesus, who had attended many dinners during his earthly ministry, now played the host and invited the disciples saying: “Come and have breakfast (John 21:12).” What a lovely picture is this. These disciples were coming to the shore from the sea, cold and wet. What they needed was some warmth and some food. Jesus provides for them. Remember he is now the Risen Lord.

Now follows that crucial conversation Jesus had with Peter. The setting was dramatic. The catch of fish reminded him of the first time Jesus had helped him have a miraculous catch of fish (see Luke 5). Then Jesus had told him: “”Don’t be afraid; from now on you will catch men (Luke 5:10b).” But Peter, in his discouragement, had forgotten that calling and had gone out to fish.

A note on discouragement:
Before we move further let me say a word about the power of discouragement. Other than doubt, discouragement has made many a man or woman of God move away from what God has called them to do in life. There is nothing to be ashamed about discouragement.

We find Elijah one day running many miles in the power of the LORD faster than a chariot (1 Kings 18:46) and again running in his own strength from Jezebel (1 Kings 19:3). He sat down under a broom tree and prayed that he might die (v. 4)! Remember that this was just after he brought down fire and then rain from heaven in answer to prayer!

We find a discouraged David encouraging himself. It is recorded “David found strength in the LORD his God (1 Samuel 30:6b). Remember all his men were talking about stoning David at this time!

Peter, because he had denied the Lord, was a discouraged man. Neither the special message to him from the angel (see “And Peter” in Mark 16:7), nor Jesus’ special appearance to Peter of which the Bible says nothing more (Luke 24:34, 1 Corinthians 15:5), nor his appearing to the disciples together twice (John 20:19, 26) was able to drive discouragement out of Peter.

Similarly, why are you discouraged today? What is the failure in your life that is now making you walk away from God’s call on your life? The Risen Lord is not finished with you yet. He is standing at the next turn inviting you to have a chat with him.

Again, as you look at the encounter of Jesus with Peter, there was a fire of burning coals on the shore. And Jesus was asking him three times, “Simon, son of John, do you truly love me more than these (John 21:15)?’ Three times he had denied knowing his Lord while he was standing before a fire warming himself (John 18:18).

Right now, is the Lord reminding of you certain things that happened in your life?

Peter was hurt when Jesus asked him the third time. His reply was: “Lord you know all things; you know that I love you (John 21:17).” Jesus gives him the task of feeding his lambs and taking care of his sheep. Jesus also gives him a clue as to the kind of death he would die to glorify God (tradition says that Peter was crucified upside down).

Jesus is not surprised when we fail. He knew that Peter was going to deny him. But Jesus had prayed for him (Luke 22:31, 32). By any chance if you have failed God in some way, Jesus is even now giving you a chance to make things right with him. His only question is “Do you love me?” What is your answer?

A note on love for Jesus:
God is not expecting from you a great performance. He is simply asking you, in the midst of all your sinful failures, just one question: “Do you love me?” Let that question ring in your ears all the time. Think about a little child with soiled hands offering his mother a glass of water to drink. The mother can scold the child or the mother accepts the glass of water looking to the love with which the child brought that glass of water to her. God looks at your heart (1 Samuel 16:7, 1 Chronicles 28:9). Jesus did not ask Peter anything about why he failed nor did he make fun of his boast earlier. The only question was, and is to us today, “Do you love me?”

Finally, Peter was a bit curious about John: “Lord, what about him?” Jesus answered Peter, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me (John 21:22).” See, Jesus is not asking you to follow anyone else or find out what is God’s plan for someone else. He is asking you to follow him.

“Follow me” was the initial call made to Philip in this gospel (John 1:43). The gospel ends with a reminder of that call, “You must follow me.” We need to keep this call of Jesus in mind always.

One lovely thought: Judging by the language used in verse 20, it can be understood that Jesus had taken Peter to be alone with him when he asked him the question “Do you love me?” repeatedly. He knows how much shame you bear. See, it was a well- known fact that Peter had denied Jesus. But Jesus was not making it a matter of public discussion. Do you now feel the gentleness and understanding with which Jesus deals with you when you fail him?

Insights on Peter’s Failure:

Overconfidence
“Almost as sad as Judas was Peter, the deserter in the hour of need, denying three times that he had any connection with his best Friend! This is a lesson for us—overconfidence. Poor Peter is to be pitied, for he really loved the Master.

Peter did not know that the supreme trial of his life would come in the question of a servant maid. It is so often thus. We lock and bolt the main door, but the thief breaks into a tiny window we had not thought of. We would die at the stake, but deny Christ in our speech.

All the disciples but John deserted Jesus in the hour of his greatest need. (Peter denied Jesus, but he stayed close by). – Dr. Henrietta C. Mears

The Hero and the Coward
(John 18:15-18; John 18:25-27)

(i) The first thing to remember about Peter is not his failure, but the courage which kept him near to Jesus when everyone else had run away. His failure could have happened only to a man of superlative courage. True, he failed; but he failed in a situation which none of the other disciples even dared to face. He failed, not because he was a coward, but because he was brave.

(ii) We must remember how much Peter loved Jesus. The others had abandoned Jesus; Peter alone stood by him. He loved Jesus so much that he could not leave him. True, he failed; but he failed in circumstances which only a faithful lover of Jesus would ever have encountered.

(iii) We must remember how Peter had the courage and the tenacity of purpose to redeem himself, to start from failure and attain to greatness.

The essence of the matter was that it was the real Peter who protested his loyalty in the upper room; it was the real Peter who drew his lonely sword in the moonlight of the garden; it was the real Peter who followed Jesus, because he could not allow his Lord to go alone; it was not the real Peter who cracked beneath the tension and denied his Lord. And that is just what Jesus could see. A tremendous thing about Jesus is that beneath all our failures he sees the real man. – William Barclay

The story of Peter is one of repentance. Just as Peter was denying the Lord, the rooster crowed. The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him. “And he went outside and wept bitterly (Luke 23:46).”

The story of Peter is also one of great intercession. Jesus had earlier told Peter that Satan had asked to sift you as wheat. “But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail (Luke 22:32).”

The story of Peter is again one of great restoration. Think about it. Peter was the natural leader of the Twelve. Yet he had denied his Master. He bore that shame. Yet Jesus restored him. And on the Day of Pentecost he was the one who spoke to the crowds enabled by the Holy Spirit.

If at all you have failed God, trust in the One who has already prayed for you. He will restore you. Even if you have walked away from God for many years now, he will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten (Joel 2:25). Return to Jesus and he will return to you (see Malachi 3:7). Let the story of Peter inspire a great comeback to God in your life. Amen.

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Lesson 24: The Spirit of Holiness

This Lesson is part of John’s Gospel Easy Notes Series. 

Look at how Paul describes the power of the Holy Spirit when Jesus was raised from the dead—“and who through the Spirit of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord (Romans 1:4).”

Two things are to be noted here:

One, we cannot claim to have the Spirit of God in our lives and continue to live in sin. He is the Spirit of holiness and there is no fellowship possible with darkness. “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honour God with your body (1 Corinthians 6:19, 20).”

Two, the extraordinary power of God which raised Jesus from the dead is at work in us as well. Paul describes that power as “his incomparably great power,” and “that power is like the working of his mighty strength” which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead. Read Ephesians 1:19, 20.

Practical Application: Somewhere I read about people trying to move a huge tree trunk lying near a river bank. It was so huge and heavy that many people together could not move it. Later the water level rose and flooded the bank. And it floated the huge trunk. And with very little effort people could guide it to where they wanted to move that to. It is like that in our lives too. When the Spirit of God comes he will make what looked impossible, move with ease in our lives.

It doesn’t mean we become holy or become saints in one second. It doesn’t mean that we do not face struggles common to man. God allows us to pass through all life’s common experiences but enables us to have his grace in the midst of tough situations.

Like how he dealt with Paul saying “My grace is sufficient for you for my power is made perfect in weakness (1 Corinthians 12:9).”

Eternal Guarantee

Almost all of us are familiar with giving an advance payment for something we plan to buy. It can be a car or a house. The Bible uses a similar language to help us understand the meaning of God sending the Holy Spirit into our hearts.

Paul says that the indwelling Holy Spirit is God’s seal of ownership on us. The word “pledge” or “deposit” is used in this context. It is God’s guarantee to keep the Believer saved and safe (Ephesians 1:13b—14).

The word for “pledge” or “deposit” appears only three times in the New Testament, always in reference to the Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 1:22; 5:5, and Ephesians 1:14). The Holy Spirit is God’s advance payment made to assure you of eternal life and the extraordinary life with God for all eternity: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him” – but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit (2 Corinthians 2:9, 10).

The Promise Is for You

If you need the blessing of the Holy Spirit you need to thirst for him (see John 7;37, 38). Thirst is most important.

The next thing is to ask. As simple as that. “If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him (Luke 11:13)!

Just receive the Gift of the Holy Spirit in faith as you accepted the gift of eternal life by faith. See what Peter said at Pentecost: “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call (Acts 38, 39).”

The promise of the Holy Spirit is for you. He is the gift that God has promised to give you when you believe in Jesus. Now how do you receive a gift? You say thanks and just receive; isn’t it?

THIRST → ASK→ RECEIVE

The Spirit of God witnesses or testifies in your heart that you are God’s child. “For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship [some translations, “adoption”]. And by him we cry, ‘Abba, Father.’ The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children (Romans 8:15, 16).”
—
Encouraged by the Holy Spirit

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Lesson 20: I Will Not Leave You as Orphans

This Lesson is part of John’s Gospel Easy Notes Series. 

Jesus was comforting his disciples because to be orphaned is a sad state to be. He told them: “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you (John 14:18).”

Jesus was talking about his constant presence with each one of them and with each one of us too. If Bethlehem was, God with us; and Calvary, God for us; then Pentecost is, God within us. So Jesus was talking about each one of us experiencing the very real presence of God in our lives through the gift of the Holy Spirit residing in us.

We have often neglected this ministry of the Holy Spirit. He is the one who makes Jesus real to us. In his time on earth Jesus had to go to the tomb of Lazarus to meet with Martha and Mary and to comfort them. But today, through the Holy Spirit Jesus can be real to anyone in any part of the world at any time of the day or night in whatever situation or circumstance you find yourself to be.

The Sent One

The Father sent the Son into the world. The Son, from the Father, is sending the Holy Spirit into the hearts of believers (John 15:26). Therefore the Holy Spirit is the promised gift to the church. And that is why Jesus asked the disciples to wait for the promise (Acts 1:4, 5).  And it was a kind of birthday gift to the church on the day of Pentecost.

The unique event of Pentecost will not be repeated again. It was this unique gifting of the Holy Spirit to the body of believers that formed the nucleus of the church. Now all who are added to the body of believers are so added because the Holy Spirit has convicted them of sin, and they have looked to Jesus and his shed blood in faith, and have repented having accepted Jesus as Lord and Saviour of their lives.

So without the Holy Spirit residing in one’s heart no one can become a child of God and no one can say “Jesus is Lord” without him (1 Corinthians 12:3). No one therefore should tell you that you do not have the Holy Spirit. He was given to the church—the organic body of believers and not the organisation—to be dwelling in us until Jesus comes again.

At the same time the Spirit of God can move mightily in your life only if you give him the control of your lives, and you confess and say goodbye to all known sin in your life, and you live a life of obedience to his gentle whispers in your heart. It is not a one-time experience alone (the Baptism of the Holy Spirit) but a daily experience we all need to have (being filled with the Spirit—Ephesians 5:18).

It Is for Your Good That I am Going Away

Jesus was saying farewell. He was speaking about his suffering, crucifixion and death. For the first time the disciples were feeling helpless. Jesus was no longer going to be with them. But Jesus was trying to tell them that unless he went the Holy Spirit cannot come (see John 16:7)

Let us look at Pentecost once again.

What happened on that day can be compared to a king taking up his rightful place on the throne and distributing gifts to the courtiers. That is what Peter preached about Jesus: “Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear (Acts 2:33).”

“Scriptures make it plain that the coming of the Spirit at Pentecost and ever since is the result of Jesus’ exaltation, glorification, and crowning in heaven. . . . In other words, the outpouring of the Spirit is earth’s evidence and proof of what happened after Jesus’ ascension, not only of the magnificence of His crowning in Heaven, but of His very real coronation power.” – Catherine Marshall in her book, The Helper.

“The Holy Spirit has not been poured out on you or me to prove how great we are, but to prove the greatness of the Son of God.” – Watchman Nee

Jesus had his glorification in mind when he said “It is for your good that I am going away.” His glorification included his cross, resurrection, ascension and crowning in heaven. Without his death on the cross, this outpouring of God’s Spirit would not have been possible.

See John 7:38:

“If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.”

To this John adds his comment: “By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified (7:39).”
—
The Comforter

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Lesson 15: “I Am the Good Shepherd.”

This Lesson is part of John’s Gospel Easy Notes Series. 

John 10:11
A Leader

“ ‘Shepherd’ was the name he [God] gave then to those to whom he had entrusted the political, moral, and spiritual leadership of his people. In Ezekiel 34, God rejects the shepherds who had failed and he himself promised to come to be the good shepherd of Israel. Jesus takes up that theme and applies it to himself.” – Ronald S. Wallace

David knew God as “my Shepherd (Psalm 23:1).” David himself was a shepherd boy before he became king and therefore knew the special personal relationship a shepherd had with his sheep.

“The shepherd’s task was not only constant but dangerous, for in addition, he had to guard the flock against wild animals, especially against wolves, and there were always thieves and robbers ready to steal the sheep. Constant vigilance, fearless, courage, patient love for his flock, were the necessary characteristics of the shepherd.”– William Barclay.

Therefore the people of Palestine always applied the name of shepherd to their king; and Jesus took the shepherd’s image as the type of self-sacrifice.

The Voice of the Shepherd
The sheep listen to the voice of the shepherd. The shepherd calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. In Palestine, the sheep was with the shepherd often for years and had descriptive names like “Brown-leg” and “Black-ear” that the shepherd called them. Are you able to hear the voice of Jesus your good shepherd? Is God intimate with you so much as to call you by names that describe you through the eyes of his love and care for you?

The shepherd led the sheep out as he went on ahead of them. The purpose was to ensure the path ahead was safe. Often the sheep had to be encouraged to follow as well.

A traveller tells how he saw a shepherd leading his flock come to a ford to cross a stream. The sheep was unwilling to cross. The shepherd finally solved the problem by carrying one of the lambs across. When its mother saw her lamb on the other side she crossed too, and soon all the rest of the flock had followed her.

When Jesus talked about himself as the good shepherd he is also revealing his heart which is always ready to encourage you.

Willingness to Give Up His Life
The true shepherd is recognised by his willingness to give up his life to protect and preserve the life of his sheep. Jesus is not a helpless victim whose life is taken from him. He was given authority to willingly lay down his life and take it up again (John 10:17, 18). No other person in human history can make this claim. He not only spoke like that but also showed that on Calvary.

“Jesus’ point is that the man who works only for reward chiefly thinks of the money; the man who works for love thinks chiefly of the people he is trying to serve. Jesus was the good shepherd who so loved his sheep that for their safety he would risk, and one day give, his life.”– William Barclay.

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Lesson 10: The Last Night–Jesus Takes Centre Stage

This Lesson is part of John’s Gospel Easy Notes Series. 

Let us look at the last night of Jesus on earth. John devotes Chapters 13 to 19 to the last twenty-four hours of Jesus on earth.

I Am He!
We find Jesus predicting his betrayal to the Twelve. Then he makes this statement:

“I am telling you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe that I am He (John 13:19).”

Background verses: Jesus is using God’s name I Am Who I Am. Read Exodus 3:14 where God reveals this name, his personal name, YHWH name to Moses. In Deuteronomy 32:39, God says, “See now that I myself am He!” You also find a similar usage in Isaiah 43:10, “so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he.”

Jesus says that “I am he” or “I am the one I claim to be” in John 8:25 and 28 too. His claim represents the timelessness of God and the eternal being of Christ. It equates him with God.

Jesus in Complete Control
“It was as he dismissed Judas that he most fully and closely demonstrated his right to have such a title. He gave him the sop and took complete command of the situation: ‘Do quickly what you are going to do (v. 27b).’ He acted as if he were in complete control—as indeed he was—even of the evil Judas hatefully intended. He thus displayed God’s complete sovereignty* over all that was intended to lead to his own death (compare Acts 2:23, 3:18).”  – Ronald S. Wallace
[*Sovereignty means having supreme power or authority.]

And It Was Night
John, as we noted earlier, is not just telling the facts about the life of Jesus. He is also helping us understand the meaning of what happened. Here, as soon as Judas leaves, John comments, “And it was night (John 13:30).”

He was not just reporting the fact that it was night. He had already mentioned about the evening meal (13:2). Therefore the mention of night is not just reporting the fact that night had set in. Instead it is a recollection of the darkness that came into their hearts at that time.

Judas, at that point in time, as the door closed behind him was going out from the light of the world into “outer darkness.”

The next time John reports of dawn was when Jesus was risen from the dead: “Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, . . . (John 20:2). The stone from the entrance of the tomb had been removed. Night and darkness had given way to Sonrise even as it gave way to sunrise— the break of dawn!

Are you passing through some “night experience” in your life right now? Is there some mistake that happened that you can do nothing about? Has some habit of sin taken a strong hold in your life? Are you sorrowing over a personal loss? Is your career in trouble? Are there difficulties in marriage? Are finances running out?

Jesus never promised a life without problems. But let us look beyond the night and wait expectantly for the Risen Christ to bring light and hope into our troubled lives. Read also Psalm 18:28, Isaiah 50:10, Micah 7:8, 9 regarding God’s light shining in our darkness and keeping our lamps burning!

Recall: When John reported the sign of Jesus walking on the water (John 6:16—21), there are two things that he had in mind.

    • One, the darkness around them and the trouble they faced and the absence of Jesus. A night experience is one in which you feel keenly the absence of Jesus.
    • Two, the fact that Jesus came to them. He did not leave them alone in their difficulty and John records that when Jesus came and they took him into the boat, “immediately the boat reached the shore where they were heading.” John is emphasising the difference Jesus makes when he is with us in our “night experiences.”

When Judas Was Gone
In verse 31 of Chapter 14, which reads, “And when he was gone, Jesus said,” we find more than a mention of time!

The going out of Judas from among them gave some relief to Jesus. For Judas, with his heart of unbelief, was a barrier for Jesus preventing him from opening up his heart to his disciples.

Only after Judas leaves, Jesus speaks so lovingly to The Eleven. He addresses them as “My children (13:33)” and he calls them “friends (15:15)” and gives them a new command to love each other (13:34, 15:12) and demands obedience as proof of their love for him (14:21).

Is Jesus your friend?
Do you love him?
If you love him, do you obey his commands?
Is love for others real in your life?

The Hatred of the World
Jesus speaks realistically about the hatred the world will show towards his disciples because the world persecuted him and hated both Jesus and the Father (John 15:18—25).

Read more on “friendship with the world is hatred toward God” in James 4:4. We need to understand this because one of the key emphases in John’s gospel is the hate of the world against God the Father: “He who hates me hates my Father as well (John 15:23).”

We too will be party in the hatred as we make friendship with the world. John uses the words the “the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life (1 John 2:15—17 KJV)” to describe our love for the world.

The Love of the Father
The assurance that the Father himself loves the disciples was given (John 16:27). The reason for the Father’s love is that they had loved Jesus and had believed that he came from God (John 16:27).  When Jesus reached this stage he was speaking plainly about going back to the Father (v. 28).

The Moment of Belief
The disciples were relieved with what they seemed to understand and said so: “This makes us believe that you came from God (v. 30b).” What a moment it is when Jesus says, “You believe at last (v. 31)!” But then Jesus tells them plainly that they are all going to leave him all alone. At the same time Jesus said, “Yet I am not alone for my Father is with me (v. 32b).”

The Gift of His Peace
He tells the disciples that they are going to experience grief (John 16:20) but their grief will turn to joy. The promise that prayer in his name will be answered and answers to prayer will bring joy was given (16:24).

He ends by telling them the purpose of his farewell address: “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world (John 17:33).” Two things are clear here. Jesus never promised an easy life to any of his disciples. Instead he realistically told them and us too that we will have trouble in this world.

But he has promised, “In me you may have peace.” The gift of his peace is something we can all be assured about. Ask him for his peace in all the troubles of your life and it will be given to you. We often pray for removal of our troubles. But shouldn’t we first ask for his peace in our situations? Think about it.

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When God Is Offering You Mercy, Do Not Refuse It!

When God is offering you something, do not dare to refuse it. Especially when he is offering mercy to you. Not that you deserve it. No. Not at all. God sees you are faithless. Yet he is offering mercy to you today.

What is your faithlessness? It is showing your back to your relationship with God and seeking out others or even material things. Sometimes your devotion to other people superseded your devotion to God.

In spite of all this and knowing all about your backsliding, God is calling you to return. If you return, God says, “I will frown on you no longer for I am merciful.” He also says, “I will not be angry forever.” (See Jeremiah 3:12).

See, this is a time when God is showing mercy to you. Whatever is your sin, he is able and willing to show you mercy. The one thing expected of you is that you acknowledge your guilt for you have rebelled against God. Your disobedience too has to be confessed (see 3:13).

Return, for God is calling you. Why spend your time in misery when you are invited with an offer of mercy? He is calling you to an intimate relationship with him (see 3:14). That is the loveliness of God’s call. If you return he will restore you to your rightful.place (Luke 15:22).

Why delay? The door of mercy will not always remain open. There came a day when the door of Noah’s ark was shut by God (Genesis 7:16b). Now is the time of God’s mercy to you. Return to God my friend. Do not delay.
—
Insight
Gift offers and vouchers are an image from everyday shopping life. It also regretfully reminds us that no offer is valid for ever. Yet, the offer of mercy from God stays open since the resurrection of Jesus Christ and is the longest run offer in history. But that too has an end, says the Bible; avail of it before it expires.

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About God’s Will and Right Sexual Conduct

So many youngsters are worried about finding God’s will. In today’s world they are more in confusion about right sexual conduct.

The Bible speaks about this in very clear terms.

Flee.

That means run away from sexual immorality (1 Corinthians 6:18, 2 Tim 2:22). So do not stay in a place, situation or in front of your computer or mobile where you expose yourself to temptation. Joseph ran out of the house when he was tempted sexually (Genesis 39:12).

Avoid that Lustful Look.

The eye is the gate through which most sexual temptations are welcomed and entertained. Of course in today’s world you are confronted with sexually provocative pictures and images everywhere. It is possible to feast your eyes wrongly without anyone knowing it.

The argument is that you are not hurting anyone as all this is in your mind alone. But Jesus said,  “anyone who looks lustfully at a woman has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Matthew 5:28).

Hide.

It is not hiding from God after you sin that is meant. It is hiding God’s word in your heart. That alone will help you not to sin against God (Psalm 119:11). Unless you store up God’s word how can the Spirit of God bring that to your remembrance (John 14:26) and help you to use it as a sword to defeat the devil (Ephesians 6:17)? The more you stay away from reading God’s word regularly, the more easy it is for you to lust.

Finally, Be Honest with God.

Talk to him honestly about your sexual struggles. Name them by its right name: Masturbation voyeurism, pornography, sexual fantasies, fetishes, incestuous thoughts, emotionally involved and sexually explicit chats, and so on. Why is this important?

It is important because you have in Jesus someone who is able to understand you fully, thoroughly, completely and absolutely like no one else. He was tempted while on earth; and that includes sexual temptations as well. So he understands the pressure in your mind as you struggle against temptation. Therefore he is able to help you when you are being tempted (Hebrews 2:18).

But Jesus never sinned. That also means that temptation is not sin. Some are so worried when lustful thoughts pound at your mind. It is only when you stop fighting against it that you open the door for sin to enter in.

Now the Bible encourages us to approach the throne of grace (please note it is not the throne of judgement) with confidence. Yes, with confidence. Some translations say “boldly”! So that you will receive mercy and find grace that will help you in your need which includes sexual temptation. (Read Hebrews 4:15, 16).

My dear friend, the simplest thing you can do now is to tell God your sexual struggle and ask, “Lord, help me.” David’s prayers when he had repented of his adultery is also helpful: “Have mercy on me, O God” and “Create in me a pure heart, O God” (Psalm 51:1, 10).

And never forget that the cleansing fountain (Zechariah 13:1) of the blood of Jesus shall cleanse you. Ask God to wash you clean by his precious blood (1 John 1:7). Right now.

Remember God loves you. You might have told God to give you one more chance for you to be good. And you might have failed a thousand times. Still God loves you. He does not approve of your sin but he loves you.

Run to Jesus every time you fall. Do not stay away from him. And you will experience his forgiving love. He will not give up on you. He says, “You are mine (Isaiah 43:1z)!

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Are You Struggling with Masturbation?

You have hope. You are not a failure in God’s eyes because you are struggling with the habit of masturbation!

You’re probably reading this article because you are longing to find victory over this sinful habit. You have struggled to overcome this habit for so many years; but have failed. Each time you failed, you decided to quit this habit. You read the Bible more. You prayed more. You told your close friends about your decision to get over this habit.

Yet when temptation came you found it difficult to resist. You sinned time and again. And you even thought of giving up on your life because you felt so miserable.

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Let me tell you one thing. God loves you knowing all about you. He knows your struggle in this area. You can therefore be honest with him when you pray. Tell him what is that trips you. It can be the words of your friend. It can be internet pornography. It can be some dirty pictures. It can be chat or mobile phone messages. Or it can be wrong thoughts that you entertain in your mind.

Whatever it be, think about these things. Jesus shed his blood on the cross for the forgiveness of your sins including masturbation. He loves you. And he will never give up on you. Each time you ask his forgiveness, he forgives. He does not condemn you. At the same time, he wants you to lean heavily on him and learn to bring your thoughts under his control.

Why is this important? This is important because, Satan attacks your mind. He wants you to think destructive thoughts. The mind is the area where you play with sexual thoughts. Ask God to cleanse your mind and heart with the blood of Jesus continually.

Satan will always accuse you. Sometimes he succeeds in putting a sexual and sinful thought into your mind and then blame you for it. The best way to counter this is to identify the source of the thought. Satan will not stand when he is exposed. He will flee. If you have to resist the devil, you’ll have to recognize him when he comes to you like a roaring lion.

Sometimes he comes masked as an angel of light. He gives you so many reasons why acting out in masturbation your sinful sexual thoughts is Ok. He might tell you that everybody does it. He might tell you that you can do this one last time and then live in victory from the next day on. All these are lies. Call them by that name.

Now he might use yet another trick. He might get you obsessed with victory over this sinful habit. When you are so obsessed, you will try to win over this wrong habit by your own effort. And therefore each time you fail, you brood over it, feel discouraged and waste your time thinking of your defeat.

Don’t do it that way. The Bible talks of sin and failure openly. It never says that you’ll never sin. But it says that Jesus is your high priest in heaven, ever living to pray for you. He understands your struggle because he lived on earth as a human being. He was tempted. But he never sinned. So he knows the power of temptation. And he is willing to help you.

To help you, he has sent the Holy Spirit to live in your heart. He is your Helper. Seek his help. It is not the act of masturbation that is the problem. The problem is with the sinful thoughts that go along with it.

Remember that God has a plan for your life. He is a God of compassion. He loves you. Enjoy God’s great compassion towards you this day. For the Bible says: “Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness (Lamentations 3:22, 23).” Again the Bible declares: “Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the LORD who has compassion on you (Isaiah 54:10).

Therefore thank God for the great compassion he has towards you. Thank God for all the times you failed in this area. Ask his help to avoid situations and people who pull you into this sin. Keep yourself engaged in some good work and in helping others.

Thank God for the brokenness in your life because you have failed. God does not despise a broken heart. Thank God for the humility that has come to you because you failed. Thank God that he loves you even when you are not perfect.

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13 NIV).

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Battling Depression

The word depression immediately brings thoughts of darkness. Yes, depression can be described as absence of light. It can also be absence of joy.

When all the world seems happy and asks us to be like them we simply can’t. The sadness is increased when nobody understands what we are passing through.

They come out with nice sounding solutions. Only we know that it does not work. Others criticize, adding to our pain. But to add fuel to the fire comes the thought that all this is because God has rejected me!

Depression can have a variety of causes. But when you find yourselves passing through it, even small things can hurt and add to the lingering sense of worthlessness.

Sometimes you feel like ending your life but still you battle against this mad thought because you know you’re God’s child. Many hurtful thoughts from the past haunt you: Abuses, betrayals, denials, rejections, criticisms, failures and disappointments; all dance furiously with mocking faces right before your eyes. And you feel like giving up.

Now there are no easy solutions to depression. Yet the simplest message to you who suffer from this is “Don’t give up!” The battle might be long.

Yet God can and will ransom you unharmed from the battle waged against you: “He ransoms me unharmed from the battle waged against me, even though many oppose me” (Psalm 55:18 NIV). That means He will deliver you.

God is also asking you to “Wake up!” This is important to defeat depression. If you obey the result will be that you will make depression your captive. No longer will it conquer you (Ref. Judges 5:12). You have allowed it to rule over you long enough. It is not to be tolerated.

Arise! Wake up! Fight! “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you” (Isaiah 60:1 NIV). Surely darkness retreats for your light has come!

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Being Honest with God

We act all the time everyday; not in movies but in our interaction with others. We put on masks. We wear one at home, put on another at the workplace and yet another at the Church.

And the most difficult part comes when at times the masks are accidentally removed at the wrong places to reveal the “real you” within you. Then it creates heartaches and tears not only for you but all those related to you.

This happens mainly because you have not been honest with God. You are able to wear masks before people because you were a mask before God. Yet know that it does not help to enable you have a walk of victory.

To walk in the freedom of life that God has granted you in Jesus Christ you need to be open and honest before God. “How honest should I be?” you might ask. “Be painfully honest with God” is the answer.

Moses, David, Elijah, Jonah, Peter and Paul; all were honest with God. Some of them complained. Some of them confessed. Some of them said that they were afraid. Yes, they were all painfully honest with God.

Being honest with God doesn’t happen automatically. You have to find time to spend with God talking to him from the depths of your heart. Remember God knows it all, every single pulse of your thoughts and actions even before you say it.

Yet when you talk to God openly about your sins, your heartaches, your anger, your disappointments, your frustrations; there is a cleansing and purification that takes place.

The hardest of them all is confession of sin. Yet when you bare it open before Him honestly without trying to make excuses, then you are allowing God to forgive you and help you move on.

Then you’ll experience God very near to you: “The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth” (Psalm 145:18 NIV). That means being honest with God.

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Though Yours Sins Are like Scarlet

“Come now, let us reason together,” says the Lord. “Though yours sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool” (Isaiah 1:18 NIV).

Have you all your life been in search of assurance of forgiveness of your sins? If yes, your search ends here today. God is calling you for a debate. He is pointing out the evidence against you.

Your sins are like scarlet and are red as crimson. It cannot escape notice. God has noted it. So has your conscience testified against you. The stain of your sins are inescapable. Yes, God is calling your attention to it.

But that is not all. He calls your attention to your sins to show you the depth of its filth. He wants you to realize how utterly impossible it is to remove those stains.

Then, if your heart is grieving over all that has been done; you are agreeing with God that what has been done has been utterly sinful. Then you and God meet on a common meeting ground.

Instead, if you deny your great sinfulness, God can do nothing about it. That is why He is calling you and saying, “Come now, let us reason together.”

What God wants you to know is that He can do the seemingly impossible with your sins. He can change you from within. Your sins shall be wiped out. Instead of its stains; they shall be as white as snow and be like wool.

What God is saying is that He can remove your sins in such a manner that no trace of it can be found it. Instead something pure and spotless shall remain.

Why search more for other solutions? See, there is none else who can remove your sins. The Bible says the blood of His Son Jesus purifies you from all sin when you agree with God that you have indeed committed sin (see 1 John 1:7-10).

The Bible again declares that “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins” (see Ephesians 1:7). Yes, redemption means saving from evil. God has indeed made provision for the forgiveness and removal of your sins.

Possibly, you will now say that your sins are many and they are so vile. Therefore you are not willing to come to God.

But know that Jesus is the friend of sinners and He came to seek and to save you. This is His good news: “I have swept away your offenses like a cloud, your sins like the morning mist. Return to me, for I have redeemed you” (Isaiah 44:21 NIV)!
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My Advocate Is on High

Even now my witness is in heaven; my advocate is on high . . . on behalf of a man he pleads with God as a man pleads for his friend (Job 16:19, 21 NIV).

Job longed for someone to plead his cause with God (Job 9:33). Like him we too might come to a point in life where we feel the need to have an advocate with God.

The good news is that the Bible says we have One to plead our cause with God. Though Job might not have fully understood the role of his advocate in heaven, we have been given the privilege to know much more about Him. His name is Jesus!

During His life on earth, Jesus spoke a parable. That parable talks about a man who planted a fig tree in a vineyard. But when the master came to look for fruit in it, he did not find any.

So he said to the caretaker of the vineyard, “For three years now I’ve been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven’t found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?” (Luke 13:7 NIV). But then the caretaker pleads to the master to give the fig tree one more year; one more chance.

During that time he promised to dig around it and fertilize it. He also said that if it did not yield fruit even after such efforts the master may feel free to cut it down.

Think about it. What if that caretaker had not spoken on behalf of that fig tree? In a similar fashion, what if our advocate in heaven does not speak on your behalf? But He does. The Bible says that Jesus speaks to the Father on our behalf when we sin (see 1 John 2:1).

He does that continuously for He lives forever. Yes, He has a permanent priesthood: “Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.

Such a high priest meets our need” (Hebrews 7:25, 26a NIV). See, Jesus intercedes for you in God’s presence.

In yet another passage, the same truth is revealed thus: “Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died–more than that, who was raised to life–is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us” (Romans 8:34 NIV).

So you can be bold when Satan accuses you, because you have been washed by the blood of the Lamb. Therefore Jesus is pleading for you before God (read Zechariah 3:1–5 for better understanding of Satan’s accusation and the Lord’s reply; read also Revelation 12:10b, 11a).

Jesus has such earnestness in pleading for you because He is not ashamed to call you brother/sister (Hebrews 2:11b) and He is not unable to sympathize with your weakness. This is because He too was tempted in every way, just as you are tempted today. But He did not sin.

So He understands the pressure of temptation on your life. But when tempted, you can do this: “Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need” (Hebrews 4:16 NIV).

You can do so in hope because Jesus your brother is there as your advocate on your behalf before God’s holy presence.
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Why Do You Say Nothing About Bringing the King Back?

So why do you say nothing about bringing the king back? (2 Samuel 19:10b NIV).

Where is your king? Have you sent him away and anointed someone else to be your king?

Look at history. King David had to flee because the people of Israel had made his son Absalom king. But Absalom died in battle. And the people were left without a king.

Is this your situation today? Where is God, your King? Has He been thrown out of the throne of your heart and someone or something crowned king instead?

Remember, the romance with the new ruler of your heart won’t last long. Soon the new ruler will disappoint. The Israelites found themselves in such a situation.

They had pinned their hopes on Absalom, a handsome guy. They had fallen for his appearance and were won over by his winsome behavior. Yet the people found their throne empty.

So, how long do you think your new ruler will last? Would he be able to meet your expectations? Even though things might look promising on the outside, do not be deceived. Instead, put the rightful King back on the throne.

Now the people started talking among themselves. They looked to their past. They reminded themselves of David and what he had done for them. They remembered that it was he who fought for them and rescued them from the hands of their enemies.

So you too, now think of your past. Who rescued you from the sinful mess? Who showed you grace and mercy? Was it not God, your King? Yes, think about the past when you had crowned Him King.

Finally, do not let this opportunity slip by. This is your chance to send word to the King. Tell Him that you need Him. Ask Him to come back and occupy the throne of your heart. Say, “Welcome, my Lord and my King!”
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The King’s Friend

Hushai the Arkite was the king’s friend (1 Chronicles 27:33b NIV).

It would surprise you to note this. In this section in this book it is the names of people who were the officials of David that has been recorded. All of them were included because of their position.

But this one man’s name was recorded because of his relationship with the king!

God has people in positions of leadership and duty in His church too. Their names are all remembered by God. But there number is few compared to the multitudes who are not in leadership.

You may be one among the multitudes. The question is, are you remembered by God? Definitely yes; especially so if you are His friend!

Yes, God places much value on His friends. Abraham was God’s friend (Isaiah 41:8). And God talked to Moses face to face, as a man speaks with his friend (Exodus 33:11).

You too can be God’s friend. It may not be possible to be God’s friend exactly the same way Abraham or Moses were God’s friends. But still you can be His friend. And that means you are the King’s friend!

Think about it. Has not God called you to have a relationship with Him? Would you value a friendship with the world or friendship with God (Read James 4:4)?

If you value your friendship with God, you’ll be remembered by Him even if you do not enjoy any position in the world or in the church.

If you read 2 Samuel 16:17 you’ll know that Hushai was known to others as the king’s friend! Is this how you are known to others?

Do people say when they meet you that you are the friend of God the King? Think about it. What a privilege it is to be known as the King’s friend!
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Building Temple, Only Blocks Dressed at the Quarry Used

In building the temple, only blocks dressed at the quarry were used, and no hammer, chisel or any other iron tool was heard at the temple site while it was being built (1 Kings 6:7 NIV).

God does the shaping work on your life early. He does not wait for the time for actual building up of your life to shape you. This is the reason why you seem to be laid aside while you badly want to go ahead.

But it is not actually a laying aside that is happening; but it is the preparation work. This is the time when God uses the hammer and chisel and other tools on you. You are being dressed at the quarry now.

This preparation implies that God has a design in mind for your life. It is part of His master plan for His kingdom. So He knows where you are going to fit in. In this shaping phase of life, He prepares you with the overall plan of His kingdom in mind.

If you can find any comfort during the painful preparatory stage; then find comfort in the thought that you do not exist for yourself alone in God’s kingdom. Instead you are built together into a spiritual house with others as living stones (1 Peter 2:5).

Therefore the rough edges have to go; and instead shape and beauty and order comes to make you fit into that Grand Design of God.

But more than all this your thoughts should lift up to heaven. There everything is perfect. No more work is to be done there. All work and preparation has been assigned to take place on earth. And there is no second chance.

Therefore if you shall cooperate with the Master Builder who has the best intentions for you in mind; you can lay your foundation with gold and silver and costly stones (1 Corinthians 3:12) for the life to come.
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