God steps in when Others Step Out of Your Life!

“But when the kindness and love of God our Savior was revealed,  he saved us. It was not because of any good deeds that we ourselves had done, but because of his own mercy that he saved us, through the Holy Spirit, who gives us new birth and new life by washing us.” Titus 3:4-5 GNT 

I do not know really what you are going through. I do not need to know it either. Several years ago one major incident happened in my life. That is the time I understood the true nature of the people around me. God opened my eyes to understand that generally, people would not be with you when something bad happens in your life. They typically try to stone at you. However, there are few faithful (true born-again Christians) who would be with you in those times. Many would not. I tasted the goodness of some people and the discrimination and distaste of other people when I faced difficulties. That was a big learning experience in my life. However, do you know what? Listen! God steps in closer to you when all others step out of your life. He would show you who is truly born again and got the grip of the grace of God and who are the fake ones.

Life has a lot to learn through bad experiences than through good experiences. Typically, God molds you, amid those heartbreaking experiences, to become His vessel. So all are not bad in themselves if you let God work in your life. 

Beloved, I am saying from personal harsh experiences, no matter what worse things happen in your life, you can live with expectation and hope in the midst of it. God’s mercy and kindness are available right where you are now. The reason is – your performance or good deeds are not the basis of God’s acceptance. Today’s insight says, it was not because of any good deeds that we ourselves had done, but because of his own mercy, that he saves us. You see, God’s mercy, kindness, and love toward you are the basis of your salvation and deliverance. You may think you are better than others when it comes to purity and holiness. It is only a false estimation. You cannot make God loves you more by becoming more holy although people may teach this. This is not what the Bible teaches. God loves with His perfect love no matter who you are. Jesus loved the Samaritan woman, the woman caught in adultery, and Zacheus the tax collector.  In contrast, Jesus hated the outward superiority complex and pious hypocrisy of Pharisees, the religious leaders, who thought they are for the purity of doctrines (the Law) and pursuit of perfect holiness. His mercy, kindness, and love are for those who know and admit they are imperfect.

You see, God’s basis is His kindness, love, and mercy, not performances. And God’s mercy is available at the moment you turn to His Son Jesus Christ. The very next verse (vs.6) says, “He (God) pours out the Holy Spirit abundantly on us through Jesus Christ our Savior.” 

This is the reason why I said you can live with expectation and hope because of the awareness that he loves and cares about you no matter what circumstances you are faced with. No mess is big enough for him to clean. No sins and imperfections are out of the scope of God’s mercy. God gives new birth and a brand new life by washing and cleansing you. 

Listen! No matter what you did and where you have been, God is not against you. God is your savior. He reveals His kindness and love toward you right now. He wants to help and save you. His help and salvation are not based on the good performances that you have done. It is based on His own mercy. He gives his mercy in and through His Son, Jesus Christ. He abundantly pours out His Holy Spirit inside you and makes you a brand new creation, an honorable vessel for Him. 

Got a moment for today’s prayer? “Father in heaven, I understand you reveal your kindness and mercy in and through the Son, Jesus Christ. I place my hope in you Lord. Your deliverance and salvation are not based on my performances, but on your mercy. I plead for your mercy and forgiveness in the name of Jesus Christ because He died and rose again for all of my sins. Please make me a brand new creation, an honorable vessel for you. In Christ’s name, I pray. Amen. 

Behind the screen of miseries, God prepares an Exodus.

“They made their lives bitter with hard work building with stones and with all kinds of work in the field. They made them work very hard.” Exodus 1:14.

The Book of Exodus is the second book in the Bible. The meaning of the word ‘exodus’ is ‘exit’ or ‘a departure.’ Before the Exodus or Exit, Israel’s children had to go through untold miseries and heart pains. After Joseph’s death, who was a Hebrew and the famous then prime minister in Egypt, came new kings (Pharaohs) who did not know anything about him or the good things he had done for Egypt’s land.

The Egyptians made the children of Israel slaves and gave them hard work. They put men in power over them to make them work hard. They had to build the store-cities for Pharaoh, the king. They treated the children of Israel harshly and made their lives bitter with hard work building with stones and all kinds of work in the field. The life of the children of Israel was filled with untold miseries and groaning in the land of Egypt.

However, there is a beautiful verse in the middle of it all that you would not miss. And that is verse 12. It says, “but the more the Egyptians made them suffer, the more they became until they spread throughout the land.” Verse 7-8 tells the children of Israel became many in number. There were so many that the land was filled with them.

On top of the miseries of the slavery works, the king of Egypt also ordered the midwives to kill the Hebrews boys at the time of birth and let only daughters live. However, the midwives feared God and did not do what the king asked them to do. Because these midwives feared God and spared their lives, God “gave them families.” In short, God blessed them with families- a special blessing. Then the king ordered to throw every son of the Hebrews into the Nile but keep daughters alive.

In all these painful, heartbreaking sufferings, God was at work behind the scene. You see, when they came to Egypt, the number of the children of Israel was only seventy (Genesis 46:26-27). However, seventy are not enough for a nation being built by God according to the promise given to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. (Genesis 12:2; 17:2;26:3-4;28:13-14;35:11-12). God worked behind the scene to multiply Abraham’s descendants, Isaac and Jacob, to form a nation to fulfill his promise to them.

You see, divine work to fulfill God’s covenant and human suffering went hand in hand for some time –for about 430 years of slavery in Egypt. By multiplying and increasing the number of the children of Israel amid miseries to fulfill God’s eternal promises. You see, a nation was at birth in their sorrows in Egypt. They did not know about it. The only thing they knew was miseries and sufferings day after day for an extended period.

Where was God at this time of their hardships? You see, He was at work in fulfilling his covenant promise. Not only was God multiplying their number as he promised to Abraham, Issac, and Jacob, but also he was preparing a leader in these sufferings. The leader God was preparing was none other than Moses.

Beloved, God prepares beautiful, amazing, and divine exits amid your miseries as well. You see, the Bible affirms in Hebrews 10:23, “Let’s hold firmly to the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.”

Do you know the living God who does open divine exits even from your pains, sufferings, and ashes? His name is the LORD God, the living God in heaven. He loves you and sent His one and only Son, Jesus Christ, to make you His own by forgiving all your sins and shortcomings. Jesus came to this world, died, and rose again victoriously to save you and grant you eternal life in heaven when you close your eyes here on this planet earth. He is the sovereign Lord who can help you come out of your difficulties and miseries. Would you call upon him now with me?

“Father in heaven, I understand you have a divine purpose in my sufferings and miseries. I believe you are the living God who opens the ways of exits and deliverances in lives. I also know you love me and sent your Son and the only savior of the world to this earth. Jesus died and rose again for my sins and shortcomings. I accept Jesus as my savior and Lord. Please save me now and deliver me with your mighty arm. I call upon the name of the wonderful name Jesus for help now. In the name of Christ, I pray. Amen.”

Be still in Chaos.

“Be still, and know that I am God” Psalms 46:10.

The original meaning of the word ‘still’ in Hebrew comes from a word meaning “release or let go.”
In other words, learn to keep a loose grip on things, circumstances, and people and know we are not in control; God is.

The writer of Psalm 46 was faced with fearful circumstances, as verse 2-3 describe. However, while shaking, frightened, roaring, troubled times, the writer acknowledges the presence of the Lord. Because God is in the middle of it all, the city of God would not be moved. He says the God of Jacob is our fortress. Therefore His people would be safe and secure even in horrible experiences.

Are you faced with fearful, shaking, and troubled times? Know God is in control, and He is sovereign. During our struggles, confusion, and shocking circumstances, God asks us to be quiet before Him. In other words, stop fighting, striving, and be silent and quiet before the Lord. Give it to the Lord and allow Him to take over your case and work on it.

Secondly, after being quiet, pray. Ask God to help you see things the way He sees. Pray for a clear mind and good understanding. If possible, write down your prayers and save it in a word document. Later you will look back on your prayers and wonder How God took care of your worries and problems.

Thirdly, Open the Bible, the Word of God, and start reading. Cultivate a daily quiet and meditation time with the Lord. When you read the Bible, God talks to you. You prayed before, and now you listen to what God says to you when you open the Bible and read from it daily.

Fourthly, think about what you read. Give careful attention and ponder on what you read. Keep God’s counsel inside your heart. Start doing what He asked you to do.

Fifthly, write down daily what God communicated to you through His word. Keep and save your discoveries from the Bible in a daily dictionary or a word document. You will get lots of communications from God as you cultivate regular prayer time and listening from God. This way, you will gather a great measure of treasure for your future.

Sixthly, thank the Lord, pray, and read the Bible again. Cultivate daily conversation with the Lord.

Remember, it does not need to be a long time. Start in a small way and extend more time later if possible. Prayer, daily devotion of the Bible, take notes, and thank and close with prayer – all these can be done in less than 30 minutes. If you have a computer and word, it will make it much more manageable.

This is one of the best ways to be still before God and acknowledge He is God and is in sovereign control.
Why should we do this? 46:1 says, “God is our refuge and strength. He is the very present help in trouble. There is no refuge and strength out there apart from God. He is available to help you 24 hours and seven days of the week.

All the above are foreign languages to you if you do not have a personal relationship with God in heaven. The first thing must be first! If you are not yet connected to God, I can help you today. Jesus Christ, who came to this earth and paid for all your sins with His sinless and divine blood, is the only mediator between you and God. You can connect with God and begin a new life by accepting Christ as your savior right now in small prayer with me.

Beloved, Got a moment for today’s prayer? “Father in heaven, I want to obey your command to be still and know that you are God and you are in sovereign control of my affairs. I will pray, meditate on the Bible every day. I need your wise counsel to face the issues of my life. I understand to be still I need You in my life. I give my worries, struggles in Your hand. I accept Jesus Christ, the only mediator between You and People, as my savior and Lord. I know He shed His blood to forgive, save, and grant me eternal life in heaven. He died and rose again for my sins. Jesus, come to my life.  In Christ’s name, I pray. Amen.”

Spiritual Growth Takes Time and Effort!

“And as the Spirit of the Lord works within us, we become more and more like him.” 2 Corinthians 3:18

The Holy Spirit of God works in our hearts. Aren’t you glad He works in you? Listen, if you are still not a believer in Jesus Christ, He works inside you to convict you that you need the Savior. You see, the Holy Spirit convinces the world and people about their sins. He assures the availability of God’s grace, mercy, and goodness in the person of Jesus Christ. He reveals the way to get delivered from judgment because Christ already paid the ransom on your behalf.

However, Holy Spirit has a different work as soon as a person believes in Christ as his or her savior. Our today’s insight talks about it. “As the Spirit of the Lord works within us, we become more and more like him.” A believer is progressively becoming more and more like Jesus Christ because of the permanent indwelling of the Holy Spirit in a believer.

If you are not a believer in Christ as of yet, the Holy Spirit is bidding you to come to Jesus Christ. Would you come? I will help you to do this a little bit later. Just hang on with me for a few more seconds.

Now if you are a believer, the same Holy Spirit is at work in you. Your change and growth will be more than you ever imagined or expected. However, it is not going to happen in a matter of a few days or weeks. It takes time and effort for your spiritual growth. After a few years, you will look back and see how much you have developed and grown in the knowledge of God and His Word. You see it takes many years for a tree to become a strong one that withstands dangerous winds. We plant a small oak tree in our front yard, and then it takes many years for it to grow and become strong. It takes many years for an infant to develop into a healthy adult. An infant would not start walking and talking immediately. This is how believers in Christ are. To become strong like a healthy tree or to grow into a strong man or woman, it takes at least two things – time and the Word of God, which is the pure milk that promotes your growth. (1 Peter 2:2). You can make the growth process faster and quicker by studying the Bible regularly and intensely with the help of the Holy Spirit.

I wish and pray that you would grow strong physically and more importantly spiritually. Keep in mind, as the Holy Spirit who is living in you works inside you, you become more and more like Jesus Christ. This is the essence of spiritual growth- to become like Jesus. It is a beautiful and joyful experience to grow spiritually and become more like Jesus. An excellent goal for your life!

Now if you did not get a chance yet to accept Jesus Christ as your savior and Lord, you can become the child of God and receive the Holy Spirit inside you by believing in Jesus right now. He died for all of your sins. Then He was buried and rose again for your salvation. When you accept Christ, you become the child of God, and He deposits his gift inside you- the Holy Spirit for your growth. This is how you would mature and grow powerfully, beautifully, graciously, and strongly in the hands of God. What is it that stops you from accepting Christ? It is God’s love and mercy that bids you. You should never be afraid of coming to Christ. Only love, mercy, grace, and blessing would come upon you.

God a moment for today’s prayer? “Father in heaven, I accept your son, Jesus Christ, who died in my place for all of my sins. I open the door of my heart and please fill in me with your love, mercy, and grace. Forgive all my sins and make me your child. Lord, I understand the spirit of the Lord is at work in me to make me mature and grow graciously in the knowledge of God. Please help me to study the Bible and cooperate with the Holy Spirit to grow in you. I thank and worship you, Lord. In Christ’s name, I pray. Amen.

The One Who Is Able to Safeguard You!

“I was appointed a preacher and an apostle and a teacher. For this reason, I also suffer these things, but I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day.” 2 Timothy 1:11-12

We face several types of suffering in life. This includes health, relationship, and financial struggles and sufferings. Loneliness is another suffering. Betrayal, false accusations, evil words are yet other forms of suffering. An upright, committed, truthful preacher and teacher of Jesus Christ ending up in jail is, of course, big suffering. It is a matter of shame. 

When Paul writes this letter, he was in prison. He says God has chosen and called him to be his missionary, to preach and teach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He endured many sufferings in his life for the sake of the Gospel of Christ. He was physically and mentally abused by people. 

Truly, it is a matter of big suffering being locked up in prison and a matter of shame as well. However, he says, he is not ashamed of it. There is a reason why he is not ashamed of it. He says he knows the one whom he trusts. He did not say he knows what he trusts, but whom he trust, referring to Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is able to safely guard all that Paul had given him until that day. 

You see, if we have something valuable, we guard it safely, don’t we? When we got a somewhat valuable silver rare coin a few years ago, we kept it safe in a safe box. Usually, people keep valuable things in safe custody. You see, what was valuable to Paul, he already gave to Jesus Christ for safeguarding. Now he says, he is not worried, afraid, or ashamed because His savior who saved him is able to safely guard all that he has given him until that day. “Until that day” may be referring to the day of his departure from this world and the days after it. We do not know for sure what he exactly meant by ‘until that day’. However, the contextual evidence is for his life and future. Paul gave him and his future fully and completely to Jesus Christ on the day of his conversion when Jesus appeared to him on his way to Damascus to arrest the followers and believers in Jesus Christ. 

Beloved, did you give your life and future to Christ? If so why are you feeling worried, afraid, and ashamed? Our insight says He will safeguard you perfectly until that day. Once you give yourself to Jesus, he is not the kind of person who forgets, leaves, or ignores you. I do not know what are you worried or afraid about. It does not matter- whatever it might be, you must give that to Jesus Christ to safeguard it. Would you do it?

 Humanly it is hard to trust God in times of pain and suffering, but you must trust God and stay close to him, although it may be hard. Alternatively, you may even be afraid in those times, that you may not be fully committed to God through your attitudes and words. 

Loved ones, remember, he safeguards you perfectly secure not based on your commitment or faithfulness. It is his powerful grace, strength, and unconditional love that safeguard you and your future. Do not even worry about thinking you may fail or not be faithful. He remains faithful even when we are unfaithful because of painful circumstances. 

Got a moment for today’s prayer? “Father in heaven, I am in pain and faced with severe testing and trials. As I heard today, I give my worry and fear to you, my loving Lord. Please safely guard me through it all. I know Jesus died for my sins and rose again. I repent of my sins and turn to you for help. Please save me. In the name of Christ, I pray, Amen.” 

Through the History On This Thanksgiving Day!

The pilgrims arrived in Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA, in 1620. However, they needed more food for the first year. Their first winter was harsh, and almost half of the colonists died between 1620 and 1621. It was late for them to plant crops to supply for living. Moreover, the food supply was limited as they needed to bring more food from Europe. Due to an unexpected ship arriving to provide for their dire needs, they felt new relief.

In the 1621 springtime, the local native Americans taught them how to cultivate vegetables, corn, etc.; they also learned from them how to cook squash, corn & cranberries. The Wampanoag Indians also taught hunting skills as they were expert hunters. With God’s blessings, the summer crop gave them hope for the future. Surviving in a new, totally different, and strange place was very challenging for the colonists, who left Europe wishing for religious and fresh opportunities.
To celebrate the 1621 blessed harvest after encountering many hardships, the pilgrims and local American Indians gathered for a thankful feast. This included wild turkey, duck, corn, green vegetables, and fruits. Three days were spent for celebration and had colonists and Native Americans. Prayers, songs of Thanksgiving, and sermons were also part of the three-day feast. After the bounteous harvest, the Governor of Massachusetts, William Bradford, proclaimed a special day “to render thanksgiving to the Almighty God for all His blessings.” It was the beginning and a turning point in US history.

The first proclamation from Plymouth by Governor Bradford said, “Inasmuch as the great Father has given us this year an abundant harvest of Indian corn, wheat, peas, beans, squashes, and garden vegetables, and has made the forests to abound with game and the sea with fish and clams, and inasmuch as He has protected us from the ravages of the savages, has spared us from pestilence and disease, has granted us the freedom to worship God according to the dictates of our own conscience. Now, I, your magistrate, do proclaim that all ye Pilgrims, with your wives and ye little ones, do gather at ye meeting house, on ye hill, between the hours of 9 and 12 in the daytime, on Thursday, November 29th, of the year of our Lord one thousand six hundred and twenty-three and the third year since Ye Pilgrims landed on ye Pilgrim Rock, there to listen to ye pastor and render Thanksgiving to ye Almighty God for all His blessings.”
William Bradford, Ye Governor of Ye Colony.

From this time forward, Thanksgiving was celebrated as a day to thank God for His gracious and sufficient provision. Later, President Abraham Lincoln, in 1863, officially announced the last Thursday of November “as a day of Thanksgiving and praise to our beneficent Father.” In 1941 Congress approved the fourth Thursday of November to be observed as Thanksgiving Day and declared it a national holiday.

From the beginning to the end, the Bible describes the need for Thanksgiving to God as a requirement from His people. The emphasis of the meal offering prescribed in Leviticus 2 is Thanksgiving, as it is meant as an offering of their first fruits and a meal shared with worshippers, priests, and God. Along with other convocations, there was an appointed time for the feast of the first fruits. The event, called the Feast of Pentecost, was when people expressed Thanksgiving to God for the grain harvest and other crops (Nm 28:26-31). The book of Psalms contains many songs of Thanksgiving for God’s blessings, deliverances, salvation grace, and mercies. No wonder the first colonists celebrated a three-day celebration remembering God’s blessings and protection amid the severe challenges of adapting to their new and dangerous environment.

The New Testament in the Bible has repeated commands to give thanks to God. The Bible says in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” God said in Psalm 50:23, “The sacrifice that honors me is a thankful heart.” After receiving many gifts from the hands of God, who is the giver of all perfect gifts, giving thanks ought to be the proper response from the people. When you think about it, God’s greatest gift was Jesus Christ, His Son, who died on the cross for all of our sins, then rose again from the dead, thereby paying in full all the debts owed to Him. It is called an ‘indescribable gift,’ and 2 Corinthians 9:15 says, “thanks be to God for His indescribable gift.”

May this new thanksgiving day that we celebrate tomorrow be a day of genuinely giving honor to God by saying thank you to Him for all the manifold blessings you received from His hand. We have a choice, don’t we? We can complain and murmur, or we can be thankful. If you continuously complain about things you don’t have, you may lose even what you have now. Alternatively, if you are grateful to God for his blessings and protection, you will receive more and more.

The choice is yours and mine to be submissive and thankful to the Lord of heaven, who blesses us when we seek him with gratitude and prayers. Looking back on the history of colonists’ grateful beginnings and how the US eventually came into existence and thrived as a beacon of light and power to the world, this is the lesson I learned.

Instead of Worrying, Trust in God’s Providential Care.

“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.” Matthew 6:34.

These days are, of course, days of uncertainty. Many are gripped with fears about what their future holds. Many people faced the departure of family members or friends due to COVID-19. Now are faced with war and chances of more wars and economic issues like high inflation. Many lost their jobs. Many are worried about their jobs. Children are worried about their future.

What would happen to the world? It appears evil wins all around the world.

Personally, for all of us worrying about the future is a real fact. Security of our health, the health of our dear ones, our children’s future, and the list goes on. As the year progresses with all its scientific advancements, sometimes we stop and wonder if are we going in the right direction.

Jesus saw the crowds coming to him. He went up to a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach many things. Our today’s insight comes from those teachings. He said in verse 25, “therefore, I tell you, do not worry about your life.” The connection word “therefore” is essential. He said before this statement that no one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.

You see, there are only two masters- God or money.  We all need money to live. So it has the potential to become our master who controls us. We will end up doing anything to get money to have a good life. The better way is to take the second master option – seek God first. Instead of allowing money to your master who controls you, give first place to God and His kingdom plans. Jesus promised all other things will be added to you if you take that route. You do not seek eagerly money, and worldly things like the gentiles do. You seek God, and His kingdom plans first. First must be first. First in life must be first. First must be God and His plans for your life.

After you set your priority first, then do not worry about tomorrow. Leave your tomorrow to God. He is better able and willing to take care of it. Of course, you do what you are expected to do. If you are a student, you work hard on it. If you are an employee, faithfully do your job. If you are a parent, do your parental duties to the best of your abilities. However, all these are not “the priority”. The priority is to seek His Kingdom’s plans. Jesus also said in verses 32-33, “the pagans run after all these things” (money master things). But you seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things you want will be given to you.” Then he said, “do not worry about tomorrow for tomorrow will worry about itself.”

Beloved, God is in total control of this world and the whole universe. Because He can control the whole universe and keep it in its course and circuits without any deficiencies, He would do the same thing for your life if you love and trust Him and His plans.  The universe is beyond our understanding. The study estimated two trillion galaxies and a hundred billion stars per galaxy (more than 1  billion trillion stars). If you and I can trust the pilot who carries us around the globe in an airplane for a few hours, how much more can we believe and trust in the God of the fantastic universe-the creator, sustainer, and provider of all? God says to you Because you belong to Him, “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself” That settles the issues of worry and fear, doesn’t it?

One more thing you need to keep in mind, especially on these difficult days.  Everything happening around us and in the world are not good. Understand, God does not cause such bad and evil things either. The selfish actions of the people cause such bad and evil things. God, as the perfect Father,  gave people the freedom to choose. The freedom of choice brings with it some dangers and evil things as well. However, if you are a child of God, you give all the bad things that happened in your life to the Lord and say to him, “Lord, I do not know how to fix it all. But I believe in Your Son, Jesus Christ, who died, buried, and rose again for me. I give my life to you. Please take my life and put all the pieces of the puzzle together for your glory. I trust in you and in your Sovereign hand’s ability.” God promised in the Bible that God would cause all things –good and bad –to happen in your life and turn it around with His sovereign power for your good ultimately. (Romans 8:28).

“Father in heaven, I cast all my worries onto you because you asked me to do so. You also asked me to seek you first and your kingdom and promised all would be given to me from your wonder-working hands. I believe in your promise. I don’t know how to fix it all. But you know well to make all good in my life. Please help me. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.”

You are uniquely and wonderfully made to please God!

“Find out what pleases the Lord.” Ephesians 5:10

God uniquely made you, being the only one of its kind flavor, touch.  Listen, no one else can be you and only you can do what you are expected to do. God desires that you will be just you and what He wants you to do is what you can only do. Who you are should not be determined by your friends, spouse, boss, culture, or even parents. Of course, we can listen to their good and valuable counsel. However, at the final outset, God made you like no one else in this world. Let the Lord God who created you define you and mold you and your desires.

Our daily insight today is a verse by itself- Ephesians 5:10 which says, “Find out what pleases the Lord.” In today’s culture in many developed countries, different people from diverse backgrounds blend as one. The metaphor ‘melting pot is used for this phenomenon. Many believe America’s ‘melting pot’ culture with a multiracial background made it great in the world. However, it comes with its costs as well. Children, teenagers, and young ones, especially in developed countries, face an identity crisis as they grow up. The result is they try to get their roles and identities mixed up. In the search for true identities, they look to TV celebrities, Hollywood and Bollywood stars, highly skilled sport-stars, and billionaires. They forget the truth that God made them unique for a definite purpose, which no one else can do.

Our today’s insight says, “Find out what pleases the Lord.” Bible is full of the life histories of people who found what God wants them to do. 

God wanted Noah to build an ark to protect him and his family from the worldwide flood. God wanted Abraham to leave the idol-worshipping family and friends and go to the promised land that he would show him. From Him, a nation called Israel would come and the savior of the world, Jesus Christ, would come for the blessings of all families. 

God wanted Moses, when he grew up, to choose the ill-treatment of the people of God rather than enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin and later had a mission to deliver the people of Israel from slavery in Egypt to the promised land. Moses faced an identity crisis in the melting pot culture of Egypt. However, the culture around him, the palace, luxuries, and the coveted position of Pharaoh’s daughter’s son, did not stop him from finding out what pleases the Lord. It was not an easy choice for him because he was enjoying all the luxuries in the palace of Pharaoh as the son of his daughter. It was a weird and hard choice. However, he chose not to live in lies and deception in the palace when his people suffer as slaves in the land of Egypt. He became the greatest leader of Israel. He became the most significant lawgiver because God gave him the Law (Exodus 19:9-Exodus 20) which almost all nations of the world incorporated into their legal system.

Today people try to imitate other famous people. They look to get their cues from TV, Hollywood, Bollywood, and celebrities. In short, they want to get their identity from the culture around them. However, Moses with all his favorable circumstances of a convenient and luxurious life decided to come out of the deception of the passing pleasures and live for God’s desires. That changed him inside out and later altered the nation of Israel and the whole world.

How would you define your role and identity? Do you try to get your role and identity from the world around you and its culture? Alternatively, would you get your role in life and identity from God and His word- the Bible? I challenge you to get your identity and role in life from God and the pages of the Bible. You will never regret it if you do that. This is the secret of a victorious and satisfying life.

Bible says in 2 Timothy 2:15, “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.” Did you notice it says, ‘be diligent or do your best to present yourself approved to God”? In God’s plan, Timothy should be a workman, who accurately handles the word of truth. God has a perfect and beautiful plan for Timothy- to correctly divide or handle the Word of God – the Bible.

Beloved, consider and discover what God wants you to do, not what others want you to do. God who uniquely created you and wired you to accomplish something unique for Him when you live on this earth. Finding God’s assignment for your life and pleasing the Lord with that God-given assignment would be the most rewarding experience. Nothing else can bring complete satisfaction to our lives.

Got a moment for today’s prayer? Father in heaven, I come to you, and I want to find out what pleases you in my life. I know Jesus Christ came to this earth, died, and rose again for my sins. Please forgive my sins and make me your child. I accept Jesus Christ as my Savior and Lord. Now, Lord, show me what you want me to do. Please show me your ways and plans for my life. I want to do your will in my life. In Christ’s name, I pray. Amen.”

Listen! God has not done with you yet!

And the Lord said, “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat.  But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.” (Luke 21:31-32)

Our Bible verse today reveals four facts: Number one is -our failures are known in advance by the Lord. Number two –He intercedes for us even before our failures, not just after our failures. If He intercedes even before our failures, it assures us He is on our side no matter what happens. Thirdly, the Lord wants us to turn back to Him from our failures and strengthen our brothers and sisters in Christ. In short, He does not want us to quit and disappear. Fourthly, God is greater and more powerful than your adversary, the devil.  And the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. (1 John 4:4).

Jesus said to Simon Peter that Satan had asked permission to sift him as wheat. Satan wanted to take Peter out of the race. He tried to destroy him and his testimony forever. Satan wanted to take Peter out of His calling in life. He wants Peter not to preach on the day of Pentecost and form the church by baptizing three thousand people. Satan does not want Peter to become the pillar of the Jerusalem church and of course, did not want to write two great wonderful, and encouraging Epistles later in his life. He wanted Peter to be destroyed right there and then when he failed.

However, The Lord had an entirely different plan. Dear ones, He has a different and superior plan for you as well. Lord Jesus knew Peter’s soon-coming failure and warned him about it. Jesus also told him He already prayed for Peter. Jesus looked forward to his turning back and wanted to make Peter stronger than ever before.

You see, we fail in different ways. A bad decision we made, an immoral act we did, bad words we used, a choice of a bad relationship, and many other ways. Now because you failed God and others, you may think God has done with you. I am here to tell you this,  based on the truths of the Scripture,  that the Lord would not wound and shoot his own people who are bought by His blood. People do but not the Lord. Now you may think about quitting because your failure was big and huge. No more church, no more prayers, no more Bible studies, and no more fellowships. Now you think you are no more worthy of these things. Remember, Peter felt the same way. He went to the old fishing career. However, the fact is no sin is higher than the blood of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

Peter denied Jesus three times. He said who this Jesus is? I never knew him. I do not know anything about him. Remember Peter claimed the same day a few hours ago this –“Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death.” However, just after a few hours on the same day the night, He denied Jesus three times. When he denied Jesus three times, Jesus looked at him, and he looked at Jesus. The look of Jesus broke him, and he went outside and wept bitterly. Peter knew he failed Jesus. He decided to go back to his old fishing job. He decided no more and nothing to do with Jesus. He knew his failure was classic and epic in proportion. He would have never come back without the mercy, compassion, grace, and love of Jesus Christ. Jesus sent a personal note for Peter after His resurrection and then followed him to the same place where he was originally called, waited for Peter, and reinstated him to the original divine call.

Beloved, do you think the Lord has done with you? No, He has no plan to finish His work He began in you. Jesus says when you turn back, you will come back stronger than ever before. No one else can and would do this. However, God will do this for you. He has done this in Peter’s life, and He will do this in your life as well.

Jesus reinstated Peter. Peter did, in fact, preach on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2). He opened the gates of the church. Three thousand believed in Christ and got baptized. Many sick people got healed in his shadow as he walked on the streets of Jerusalem. (Acts 5:15). In fact, he wrote two wonderful epistles which became the scriptures, 1st, and 2nd Peter.

Yes, Beloved, the Lord has not done with your life. He wants to reinstate you if you think you failed God and others. His love, grace, mercy, and compassion will accomplish this for you.

Got a moment for today’s prayer? “Father in heaven, I thank you for talking to me today. I believe you have not finished with me. I turn back to you Lord. Please reinstate me as I come back to you and confess my sins and wrongdoings to you now. I believe Jesus Christ died and rose again for all of my sins. I believe Him as my Savior and Lord. Thank you for your wonderful love, grace, mercy, and compassion. In Jesus Christ’s name, I pray. Amen.”

The grace of God- the Concrete Ground Beneath You!

“I have written to you briefly, encouraging you and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it.” 1 Peter 5:12.

When Peter closes his first Epistle, he reflects on the concrete ground of grace beneath him, even at the point of his painful denial of Lord Jesus Christ, who he loved the most. He is reminding the same powerful grace available to us in our lives on this planet.

Grace is the mercy and loving-kindness of God given to undeserving people like you and me. Sometimes I think the entire Bible – Old Testament and New Testament- can be summarized in one word and that is the beautiful and divine gift called grace. We cannot earn it because it is a gift from God. Bible says in Ephesians 2:8 it is by grace you have been saved through faith in Jesus Christ and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.”

You see God gave His only begotten Son Jesus Christ for all of our sins and whoever believes in Jesus will be saved and granted forgiveness of sins and eternal life is merely the grace of God. Jesus died the cruel death to pay for our sins with His sinless and divine blood is powerful grace. However, we need to keep in mind grace goes beyond our salvation event. It does not stop at salvation. The grace of God that started in our salvation continues throughout all our lives here on earth and in eternity. In other words, the grace that started working in you and me never ends.

This is the reason why Peter says this about God in 1 Peter 5:10, “the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ after you have suffered a little while, will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.” Praise the Lord. It is the God of all grace who called you to His eternal glory in and through Christ. The same God of all grace will complete the work that began in you by restoring you, making you strong, firm, and steadfast.

After this statement, Peter says our today’s daily insight. “I have written to you briefly, encouraging you and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it.” Whatever life throws at you- friends throw at you, family throw at you, co-believers throw at you, world throw at you, temptations throw at you, weakness, tiredness, troubles, persecutions and your powerlessness throw at you, the grace of God stands ready like the concrete ground beneath you to get you through.

You see, God is 100% committed to your victory. Bible promises this in Philippians 1:6, “I am confident that the Creator, who has begun such a great work among you, will not stop in mid-design but will keep perfecting you until the day Jesus the Anointed, our Liberating King returns to redeem the world.” (The Voice). He will not stop and leave you. He will keep on perfecting you until the day of Jesus Christ’s return. The way He accomplishes this is by His powerful ‘grace.’

Beloved, if you believed in Christ, you are the child of God. He has abundant and overflowing grace all around you and throughout your life. God gave you so many promises along with his concrete promised ground of grace for you. Claim it every day. Stand firm in it. This is the secret of the victorious Christian life.

May I ask you this question? Did you accept God’s grace and gift yet? If not, today is the day for you to come and receive God’s grace freely without paying for it. A gift is never earned by work. If acquired by work, it would not be a gift. God’s grace is personified in the person of Jesus Christ. Jesus died and rose again for all of your sins. You can get saved from all your sins and obtain eternal life in heaven with God by accepting Christ as your savior. Jesus Christ is the savior of the whole world. He is not the savior of just a few people or nations. God sent Him for the entire world as the only savior of humankind.

Got a moment for today’s prayer? “Father in heaven, I need your mercy, loving-kindness which is your grace. I know You sent Jesus Christ to die for my sins. I believe He died and rose again for all of my sins. Please save me and guide me all through my life with your powerful grace until I come to you in heaven. I thank you for your grace and salvation. In Christ’s name, I pray.”