Who is God to you? Creator. Provider. Almighty. Judge. All these are true. But there is something more we need to know and experience.
Jesus came to show us this “something more” about God. Jesus came to show us God our heavenly Father. Jesus called God “Abba, Father.” Just as a little one in a … Read the rest
What is the feeling of a little boy as he walks the street with his big elder brother? Confidence is the answer in one word. Confidence in the elder brother’s protective care, sure about his ability to meet any crisis, and almost an attitude of boasting to kids of his age “See, big brother is … Read the rest
The resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead was a mighty demonstration of God’s incomparably great power. It not only was his victory over death; but it also spells out this message: Jesus lives; therefore we who trust in him will also live with him, forever. This is the certainty of hope that Jesus gave … Read the rest
The greatest tragedy in Christian living is to have a good beginning but fail to capitalize on it.
People get distracted, get sidetracked and lose sight of the reward that God has kept for them. Thus they backslide and fail to fulfill the purpose for which God had called them.
What is the cause of … Read the rest
Jesus had higher priorities in life. It was seen in different instances.
For example, when He was hungry the disciples had gone to buy food. During that time He was having a conversation with the Samaritan woman by the well that proved life-changing and life-giving to her. The disciples came and urged Him to eat … Read the rest
The clock was Jesus’ slave. Never did Jesus get His sense of timing wrong. He always waited for the right time, the appropriate time; the time the Father had set for Him to act.
Jesus demonstrated this many times. To Mary, His mother, who told Him that there was no more wine at the wedding … Read the rest
Jesus was always driven with a purpose. The great sense of the mission He had to fulfill was very strong in Him. In other words, He always referred to having been “sent” to this world by His Father:
“For I came from God and now am here. I have not come on my own; but … Read the rest
The desire to please God was a dominant force in the life of Jesus.
Jesus once said: “The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him” (John 8:29 NIV) [author’s emphasis]. Jesus enjoyed a continuous conscious presence of God in His life … Read the rest
Jesus is the “Prince of Peace” (Ref. Isaiah 9:6). This was described in the great prophecy of the coming Messiah. And it was also said that there will be increase of peace when he governs (Ref. Isaiah (9:7a).
Therefore, when a person allows Jesus to govern his life, there will be an increase of peace … Read the rest
Doing God’s will is a choice. That is made clear by Jesus’ statement, “If anyone chooses to do God’s will, he will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own” (John 7:17 NIV).
Note the first part of that statement: “If anyone chooses to do God’s will.” It … Read the rest
Jesus is the only man who walked on earth and was able to do God’s will perfectly. Therefore He and His life is the best model from which we can learn.
Our lives will not be eventful like His life. Even then, in the quiet corners of our room or in the busy offices;
Sinful wickedness is on the increase everyday. Through many forms of entertainment there is an open promotion of sinful attitudes in the world today.
And Christians are exposed to these things. And they are corrupting the thinking patterns of Christians.
This is a grave problem. The old ways of fighting this menace won’t help much … Read the rest
There is great deal of comfort for a believer in the Name of Jesus. It is a name that God has given Jesus. This name is above every name.
And God’s purpose in this name is that, “at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, … Read the rest
“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 … Read the rest
Then the Philistine said, “This day I defy the ranks of Israel! Give me a man and let us fight each other” (1 Samuel 17:10 NIV).
The challenge of evil is what you find here in this verse. It began in the garden of Eden when God created man and woman. Through deception Satan was … Read the rest
Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end (Isaiah 9:7a NIV).
This is a simple equation. More of His government in your life will bring more of His peace into your life. There is no end to the possibilities of more of His government and more of His peace. Now … Read the rest
And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6b NIV).
The world craves for peace. To achieve it they go to war. This is the tragedy of the world.
Brokenness seems to have invaded the world. Nothing fits together for long. Relationships get broken, treaties are broken, and … Read the rest
And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6b NIV).
Everlasting Father. It shows God’s unchanging nature towards His children. Yes, God loves to have a loving relationship with you. Have you yet realized it?
The Christian life is miserable when you think of it in terms of … Read the rest
And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6b NIV).
Is there anyone else who can claim to be Mighty God? God asks, “Is there any God besides me? No, there is no other Rock, I know not one” (see Isaiah 44:8b).
This is an absolute claim. God … Read the rest
And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6b NIV).
He is a God who searches hearts and minds (see Revelation 2:23). He is the One who knows your future (see Jeremiah 29:11). He is the One who can tell you whether He has kept an open door … Read the rest
And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6b NIV).
Let us for a moment think of those who heard this prophecy when it was first delivered by Prophet Isaiah. They would have wondered at the strange words of it. For it talked about a child. But what … Read the rest
Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel (Isaiah 7:14 NIV).
The eternal question is, “Whom will you trust?” Will you trust your own plans or will you accept the sign that God has given you. … Read the rest
When we were overwhelmed by sins, you forgave our transgressions (Psalm 65:3 NIV).
This verse gives us a glimpse of the enormous burden of sin. A man who has never been overwhelmed by his consciousness of sin has never understood forgiveness in a real sense.
A real understanding of what sin is creates in you … Read the rest
In his days Judah will be saved and Israel will live in safety. This is the name by which he will be called: The Lord Our Righteousness (Jeremiah 23:6 NIV).
This is a clear reference to Jesus Christ. He will be called Our Righteousness.
But what does righteousness mean? It is not easy to explain. … Read the rest
My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from the words of my groaning? (Psalm 22:1 NIV).
We love a God who delivers us from evil or pain. But we cry out to a God who seems far away. The cry of a forsaken … Read the rest
Bring to the priest a sheaf of the first grain you harvest. He is to wave the sheaf before the Lord so it will be accepted on your behalf; the priest is to wave on the day after the Sabbath (Leviticus 23:10b, 11 NIV).
God had hidden a beautiful truth in this simple ceremony. This … Read the rest
Then they are to take some of the blood and put it on the sides and tops of the doorframes of the houses where they eat the lambs (Exodus 12:7 NIV).
Imagine that you were part of that group of Israelites during that time. Imagine as you watched the elders in the family, probably the … Read the rest
Kiss the Son, lest he be angry and you be destroyed in your way, for his wrath can flare up in a moment. Blessed are all who take refuge in him (Psalm 2:12 NIV).
See Jesus in a different light. He can be angry. His wrath can flare up in a moment. Does this surprise … Read the rest
… Read the restThe Lord said to Moses, “Make a snake and put it up on a pole; anyone who is bitten can look at it and live.” So Moses made a bronze snake and put it upon a pole. Then when anyone was bitten by a snake and looked at the bronze snake, he lived (Numbers 21:8,
Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey (Zechariah 9:9 NIV).
Rejoice! Your King is coming to you. Raise banners of welcome. Prepare your heart and mind to receive … Read the rest
