The “BEATITUDES” Part 2

“Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.” Matthew 5:4
“Those who mourn are fortunate! for they shall be comforted.” TLB
“Happy are those who mourn;
God will comfort them! GNT

The Message Bible paraphrases the verse like this “You’re blessed when you feel you’ve lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.”

Yesterday we learned about those who are poor in spirit and theirs is the kingdom of God. The context in which Jesus says this is the pride-filled and self-righteous religious leaders of his day, who never understood the term “poor in spirit” because they looked down on others, ignoring or masking their own sins. Such people then and now do not have any place in God’s kingdom. God’s kingdom is for those who understand and acknowledge their true state of sinfulness and seek God for help. To those who are poor in spirit. When you recognized you cannot make it to God and heaven by your best efforts, then you are at the end of your rope.

When you get that point and look to the cross where God made the free provision for you to enter into His kingdom, he lets you in not because of your goodness, but because of the goodness and work of Jesus Christ on your behalf by the way of the blood of Jesus Christ.

Now today’s insight says, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” You see, the poor in spirit, those who understand the dire need of God and His salvation, are people who mourn. They see a lot of inadequacies and imperfections in their life and are sorrowful over it.

This is also in contrast to the prideful and arrogant religious leaders of the day in the first century. They point their accusing fingers at others and make them mourn. They never see a reason for mourning in themselves. However, those who seek God mourn over their shortcomings. Jesus says mourning is not bad as you may have thought so far. On the contrary, it is good because those who mourn will be comforted by God. TLB says those who mourn are fortunate! for they shall be comforted.

It seems based on the pages of the Bible that God is consistently on the side of unfortunate, broken, bankrupt, ill-treated, and in deep grief. You can’t escape believing this fact when you read the scripture. Are you unfortunate, broken, bankrupt, and deep grief and sorrow? God is near you and comforts you in all your sorrows.

Isaiah the prophet may have believed he was pretty good. However, one day he was taken to the courtroom and he saw the Lord. He saw the Lord sitting on a lofty throne, and the train of his robe filled the Temple. There were mighty seraphim, each having six wings. With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they flew. They said to each other, “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of heaven! The whole earth is filled with his glory.” The voice of the seraphim shook the temple to its foundations, and the entire building was filled with smoke. Then Isaiah cried out, “It’s all over! I am doomed, for I am a sinful man. I have filthy lips, and I live among people with filthy lips. Yet, I have seen the King, the LORD of Heaven’s armies.”

The moment he acknowledged his true nature and confessed, one of the seraphim flew to him with a burning coal he had taken from the altar with a pair of thongs. He touched Isaiah’s lips with it and said, “see this coal has touched your lips. Now your guilt is removed, and your sins are forgiven.” Then God commissioned and send him as a messenger to the people. This was the calling and commissioning of Isaiah for God’s ministry.

Beloved, Isaiah acknowledged and confessed his sin. He mourned over it. He was comforted by God. He was forgiven. Then he was commissioned. God says in Isaiah 66:2, “These are the ones I look on with favor: those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at my word”. Are you humble and contrite in spirit by agreeing with God about your sinful nature? If so, Jesus says you are blessed. Blessed means ‘happy’. Those who mourn are happy. God accepts them and gives comfort.

Jesus said you shall be comforted. No doubt- it is assurance and strong promise from God. When you agree with God your sinful nature without masking and covering it, you are comforted by God. You will get into close fellowship with him. Your intimate fellowship with God and His comfort are the foundations of blessings and happiness.

Got a moment for today’s prayer? “Father in heaven, I need your forgiveness, intimate fellowship, and comfort. I repent of my sins and turn to you for your salvation. I accept Jesus Christ as my savior and Lord. I believe he died for my sins and rose again. Please comfort and deliver me now with your loving grace. I trust in your mercy, grace, love, and deliverance. In Christ’s name, I pray. Amen.”

The “BEATITUDES” Part 1

“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:3 NIV

I am giving you different translations below so that you would grab the idea behind what Jesus meant by saying blessed are the poor in spirit.

Listen carefully.

“Happy are those who know they are spiritually poor;
the Kingdom of heaven belongs to them!” GNT
“Those who know there is nothing good in themselves are happy because the holy nation of heaven is theirs.” NLV
“What wealth is offered to you when you feel your spiritual poverty! For there is no charge to enter the realm of heaven’s kingdom” TPT
“God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him,
for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.” NLT

Ideally, none of us want to be poor, do we? We all want to be rich. However, you need to realize and acknowledge your spiritual poverty to enter into God’s kingdom and richness.

What does Jesus mean by blessed are the poor in spirit? We must know how unworthy we are to come to the presence of the perfectly holy God. We must agree on how sinful we are. There are people who claim they are not sinners. However, if they really look into their hearts and lives, it won’t take much time to figure out they cannot measure up to God’s law and standards. Think about ten commandments let alone all the other numerous God’s laws, ordinances, and statutes described in the book of Exodus. No one ever can claim that they have not broken the ten commandments, except the Son of God, Jesus Christ.

Just focus on just one out of the ten commandments – the last one – that says you shall not covet. Can you claim you never coveted in your life? Covetousness is breaking the law of God and it is sin.

You see, when you come to God we need to realize our bankruptcy, unworthiness, and poverty in the presence of a completely perfect and holy God. God is totally separate and different from us. Therefore, acknowledge the sinful nature and the need for God’s help.

In short, may I put it like this – Poor in spirit are those who recognize they are totally bankrupt and broken and at the mercy of God. Theirs is God and all the vastness of His kingdom. When you feel you are not good enough and unable to make it by yourself, God invites you to come into His kingdom. God exchanges your spiritual poverty with His vast and unfathomable heavenly spiritual richness.

Bible says in James 4:6, “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” Are you humble and lowly in your heart? Or are you proud and self-satisfied? You see, God consistently resists and opposes the proud heart and thinking.

Beloved, in short, when you realize there is nothing good in yourselves to please God and then accept God’s free gift of Jesus Christ for your sins, then you are ready to enter into God’s kingdom. You are ready to enter into God’s heaven not by pride works or show ups, but by humble acceptance of God’s gift in the person and work of Christ. Because you would never make it. However, Jesus made it possible for you. We need to come in God’s way to approach Him, not by our man-made ways. This needs humility and a broken spirit that acknowledges your unworthiness before a holy God.

Jesus said and it is recorded in Matthew 19:24, “it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” Why? The pride of the rich and their proud look and nature makes it impossible for them to enter God’s kingdom. Alternatively, a lowly heart and poor in spirit enter God’s kingdom.

Beloved, do you realize that you are a sinner and there is no way you can please God and enter into His heaven without God’s provision? If so, you are poor in spirit.

Bible says in Romans 3:22©: 24, “there is no difference at all: everyone has sinned and is far away from God’s saving presence. But by the free gift of God’s grace all are put right with him through Christ Jesus, who sets them free.” You and I need forgiveness and Christ Jesus. God is willing to forgive you and make you spiritually rich when you humble yourself and come to His Son, Jesus Christ, who paid for all your sins by his divine and sinless blood.

Got a moment for today’s prayer? “Father in heaven, I accept my bankruptcy in your presence. I agree I am a sinner. I need forgiveness from you. Please forgive me. I accept Jesus Christ as my savior and Lord. Exchange my spiritual poverty with your spiritual richness and enter me into your kingdom in the name of Jesus Christ. In Christ’s name, I pray. Amen.”

The Matter of First Importance!

“For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures.” (1 Corinthians 15:3). NIV

John Wooden an American basketball player and head coach said, “The most important thing in the world is family and love.” Audrey Hepburn, a British actress, model, dancer, and humanitarian said, “The most important thing is to enjoy your life- to be happy it is all that matters.” Many people think health is the most important because we need health to work and think properly. People may vary in their opinions about what is most important. However, Paul says the most important thing had been passed on to him, and he passes that most important thing to all of us faithfully. What is the most important? The knowledge and awareness that Christ died for your sins, just as the Scriptures said.” This is called the Gospel or the good news for all people living everywhere on this planet earth.

Listen to what Paul says there. “For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures.” (1 Corinthians 15:3).  Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He was seen by Peter and then by the Twelve. After that, he was seen by more than 500 of his followers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have died. Then he was seen by James and later by all the apostles. Last of all, as though I had been born at the wrong time, I also saw him. For I am the least of all the apostles. I’m not even worthy to be called an apostle after the way I persecuted God’s church.” (1 Corinthians 15:3-9).

The three main ingredients of the Gospel or the good news is this. Jesus Christ died for our sins, then he was buried, and after that, he was raised on the third day, just as the Scriptures (Bible) said. This is the Gospel or the good news that all should hear and understand. Christ is the Son of God, who came to this earth to pay for your sins and wrongdoings, according to God’s predetermined plan. He paid for all of your sins by His precious, divine, and sinless blood that was poured out on the cross of Calvary. Isiah 53:5-6 says, “He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds, we are healed. And the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all”. This was one of the hundreds of prophecies of the Bible fulfilled in Christ Jesus.

After His death, they buried him in the tomb of Joseph of Arimathea. However, on the third day, Jesus Christ rose again from the dead defeating sin, death, and devil. Beloved, no tomb in the whole earth is open except Christ. You can still go to Israel in Jerusalem and verify the open tomb. It silently declares the truth the angel answered on that day, “ He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay”. (Matthew 28:6). It is the fact that Jesus Christ, the Son of God rose from the dead on the third day and you can verify with your own eyes. Buddha is still in the grave, Muhammed is still in a cemetery. All eastern religious heroes are still in the grave if they were ever lived. We are unable to verify the historicity of many of the eastern gods, anyway. It says after the resurrection Jesus appeared to all twelve of his disciples. Then appeared to five hundred people and most of them were still living when Paul wrote the book of Corinthians. Then Jesus appeared to James, and again to all the disciples and then he says he appeared to Paul. He says he does not deserve to be called an apostle because initially, he persecuted the church of God.

Why is this most important? You see family, love, happiness, and health all will end at the time of our last breath. We will be taken to a place called the graveyard and will be buried under six feet of mud. All we longed for here are going to end at the time of our departure. Gospel/good news that Jesus died, buried, and risen again from the dead and believing in the Son of God who allowed His body to be broken and shed his blood for our sins is the only thing that grants us admission to heaven when we fall here in the dust. There is no other way to heaven. Jesus, Himself said this, “ I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6. It is the first important thing – your life after death-eternity-hinges on what you would do with the good news and Jesus.

Remember Jesus what said to one of the criminals on the Cross. He believed Jesus did not do anything to be crucified on that cross with him. He knew Jesus was divine and innocent. He asked, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” He believed the cross is not the end of Jesus. He believed Jesus is going to rise again and going to come into His kingdom. He expressed his faith in Christ as the Messiah and Savior by requesting Jesus to remember him when Jesus comes in glory. Jesus said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:39-43). The moment this criminal died, He was in heaven in the presence of the Lord because he believed in the Gospel/good news even at the last moment of his life.

Beloved, this is why Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection is the most important thing in your life and my life. We will leave all here at the moment of our death. We will leave family, friends, loved ones, wealth, career all. However, are you sure you will be in heaven at the moment of your death? Alternatively, will you go to an eternity without the loving presence of the Lord? That is called Hell. If you are not sure yet, please call upon the name of the Lord Jesus Christ today because he loves you and he died for all of your sins and paid for your sins by His blood. He is your only savior who can save you from your sins and grant you eternal life.

Got a moment for today’s prayer? “Father in heaven, I believe God placed all of my sins on Jesus Christ, and He became the sacrificial lamb in my place. I accept Christ as my savior and Lord today. Please come to my heart and save me. Forgive my sins and grant me eternal life. In Christ’s name, I pray. Amen.”

Tragic Fall and an Awesome Reinsatement!

“And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” Luke 22:32(b)

Lord Jesus knew His favorite disciple would fail when temptation hit hard on him. Jesus predicted Peter’s failure. Jesus said to him Satan has already received permission to test him. Then Jesus said, However, I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith will not fail. Then Jesus said these amazing words to Peter. “And when you turn back to me, you must strengthen your brothers.”

Peter was overconfident in his ability. He said to Jesus, “Lord, I am ready to go to prison with you and to die with you!” To this, Jesus replied, “the rooster will not crow tonight until you have said three times that you do not know me.”

When temptation hit on him not just once, but three times- and he denied Jesus and witnessed to the public that He does not know Jesus.
Your story may be a different story of trials or temptations. Remember, Jesus did not forget his dear disciple, Peter. He remembered, sought after him, and helped in his lowest state. The guilt was heavy on Peter and he went back to his old fisherman life. He wanted to forget all about Jesus. He tried to hide and ran away from Jesus after his failure. However, Jesus would not stop pursuing him. He chased after His beloved disciple.

Mark 16:7 says, “But go, tell his disciples and Peter, “He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.” Why did Jesus specially mention the name “and Peter”? He wanted Peter to know that he is still in his loving mind although he blew it all. That word did not help much. Peter’s failure and guilt left a big scar that was too big and deep.

Jesus knew it all and appeared to him personally along with other disciples by the sea of Galilee at the place where he backslid the most (when he went back to the old job of fishermen). Jesus met him there with cooked breakfast on the charcoal fire. There at the charcoal fire, Jesus reinstated him back to His loving fellowship and gave the commission to “feed my lambs.” (John 21:15-17)

Remember Jesus prayed for him that his faith would not fail. Jesus did not allow Peter’s faith to fail, although he failed tragically and wanted to go back to his old life. If you are a child of God, God has you in His strong and mighty hand. You are in the hand of God the Father and the hands of Jesus Christ. (John 10:28-28). No one can snatch you away. Temporary setbacks and the consequent lessons you learned from the school of God equip you to strengthen your brothers more efficiently. Just in one preaching (of Peter) that is recorded in Acts 2, not just a few people, but three thousand people repented of their sins and accepted Christ as their savior and Lord. (Acts 2:41).

What are you waiting for? You have a God who is ready to use your past for his wonderful and amazing glory if you let Him. Would you come to Jesus and accept His steadfast and endless love toward you? Would you repent of your sins? He has big and strong arms to embrace you. Then He asks you to “feed his lambs” with your unique past stories.

I would encourage you to take a few minutes to recollect and write down your unique story. Then think and learn what God taught you from it. Accept God’s never-changing and eternal love toward you. Repent and turn to Jesus Christ for forgiveness and salvation. Then begin strengthening your brothers and feeding God’s lambs.

Your story would change into God’s amazing and marvelous story.

Got a moment for today’s prayer? “Father in heaven, I know you want me to turn back to you by accepting your everlasting love for me. Please forgive my sins and mistakes. I repent of it and look to you for help and deliverance. I accept Jesus Christ died and rose again in my place for all of my sins. Lord save me now and turn my story into your marvelous and amazing story. In Christ’s name, I pray. Amen.”

Your Faith Matters to Your Friends!

“Just then some people brought a paraplegic man to him, lying on a sleeping mat. When Jesus perceived the strong faith within their hearts, he said to the paralyzed man, “My son, be encouraged, for your sins have been forgiven.” Matthew 9:2 TPT

The incident said in Matthew 9 is about true and faithful friends helping their disabled friends. They brought their paralytic friend on his sleeping mat. He could not sit or walk. They had to carry him to Jesus on his mat. No inconvenience hindered or stopped them from the act of faithfulness. When Jesus perceived the strong faith within their hearts, he said to the paralyzed man, “My son, be encouraged, for your sins have been forgiven.

Beloved, did you notice Jesus understood the strong faith within the heart of the friends? Not only did they take the pain to carry him to Jesus, but also they struggled to bring him down in front of Jesus by making a way through the roof of the house where Jesus was teaching. They couldn’t come through the door because of the large crowd in and around the house. They took initiative and hardships to bring their disabled friend to Jesus for healing, didn’t they? This is an example of faith in God and faithfulness to the friend.

Jesus admired the faith of his friends. The incident does not say about the faith of the disabled man, does it? By honoring the faith of the friends, Jesus forgave and healed the disabled man.

A paralytic man won’t make it to Jesus because he is disabled. You see, the Bible says all people everywhere are disabled because they are spiritually dead toward God. People cannot make it themselves to God. They simply won’t seek God to find him. They need help to get connected to God. People are disabled in many ways -by fear, guilt, pain, discouragement, disappointments, bruises and hurt. People like the Samaritan woman who is ashamed and hurt won’t make it to Jesus. Jesus had to go to her. (John 4).

We are not to point fingers and criticize them. Jesus said and it is recorded in Luke 14:23, “’Go out to the roads and country lanes and compel them to come in so that my house will be full.” Not to criticize but lovingly compel them to come to Jesus. Jesus needs friends like you to go to the highways and byways to invite them to come to Him.
Beloved, you have people right there in your circles, family, neighborhood who need to experience the love, care, and blessings of God. It will be hard for them to get life and life eternal. They need the touch of Jesus as you had in your life.

Beloved, God would reward your faithfulness. Jesus promised and said, “Listen!” says Jesus. “I am coming soon! I will bring my rewards with me, to give to each one according to what he has done.” Revelation 22:12. (GNT) . This paralytic was fully cured and besides granted forgiveness of all his sins, not based on his faith, but based on his friend’s faith. Is it hard to figure out the truth here? God honors your faith and grants deliverance and blessings to others around you. Be faithful in sharing and introducing Jesus to others.

Got a moment for today’s prayer? “Father in heaven, I know my faith in you is important to you and it impacts others around me. Help me to be a faithful friend to bring others to Jesus. I know Jesus was faithful to me. He came from heaven to this sin-bound earth to pay for my sins with his divine and sinless blood. Please forgive my sins and shortcomings. I accept him as my savior and Lord. In Christ’s name, I pray. Amen.”

When the flame and heat are on, remember you are not alone.

 

He said, “Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods.” Daniel 3:25. NIV.

I do not need to tell you sometimes life gets harder, doesn’t it? You know it with your experiences. Daniel, a young Jewish man life was distinguishably harder being a captive in a foreign country filled with idols and idol worshippers. However, in the middle of a big city called Babylon, the center of the world in those days, filled with idols and worship of idols, he made up his mind to stand firm for the one true God-the God of Israel- who revealed Himself in the pages of the Scripture, called the Bible.

They decided to place Daniel and his three friends in a seven times hotter furnace. The king ordered the soldiers to tie up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego (by the way these were old Hebrew names). The furnace was made extremely hot that the flames of the fire killed the soldiers who took them to the flames. These three men fell into the blazing furnace firmly tied.

King Nebuchadnezzar was watching and in amazement, he leaped on his feet and asked his advisors “weren’t there three men that we tied up and threw into the fire?” They said certainly, your majesty. Then the king said, “ Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods.” King knew for sure that the fourth one was different and divine in his appearance. The best he could explain from his idol background was what he said- the fourth looks like a son of the gods.

Beloved, we know the fourth one was not a son of the gods, but he was the Son of God. You see Jesus was in existence before his incarnation and coming into this world to die for our sins in our place. This was the pre-incarnated Son of God – Jesus Christ- who was walking with them when they were placed in the flame and heat. We know the existence of Jesus Christ did not begin at the time of his human birth in Bethlehem. Colossians 1:17 says, “He (Jesus) is before all things, and in him, all things hold together.”

Dear one, is fire on in your life? Are you in flames? In your fire and flame, when the heat is seven times hotter, remember, you are not alone. In your fire, you would never walk alone if you have the Son of God, Jesus Christ, in your life. Typically, it is not in your joyful and pleasant times, but it was in your heat times, he likes to walk more closely with you. Right in the middle of your heat and pain. That is why many of the most beautiful praise and worship songs and hymns came out of people’s fiery times. Those hymns and their words still give us divine light in our daily life.

Somewhere I read a quote by an unknown author. It says, “Be willing to walk alone. Many who started with you won’t finish with you.” It is a sad tone because it bruises and breaks inside. It is true human support and presence can end as life goes on. However, do you know what Jesus Christ, the Son of God, promised? “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20(b). Praise God! Remember, you are not alone because Jesus promised: “surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Got a moment for today’s prayer? “Father in heaven, I can trust your hand fully because you were with Daniel and his friends when they were placed in blazing fire. You walked around in the fire with them. In my needs and trials, you said: “surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” I know you are with me. Help and protect me with your divine and strong hand on me. I believe in Jesus Christ because I know the eternal Son of God came into this world to pay for my sins and shortcomings to make me perfect in God’s sight. He is my savior. Please save and guide me every day. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.”

 Secrets to a Blessed Life

 

“Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked
or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers,
but whose delight is in the law of the LORD, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—
whatever they do prospers.” (Psalms 1:1-3)

There are numerous books written about the subject of how one can be successful in life. It is a fascinating topic, especially for young people. Keep in mind; people write the books you get from bookstores or online just like you and me. Of course, some of those books could help you to a certain extent.

However, if you genuinely want to be successful and happy in life and serious about it,  listen to what God, your creator, says about the topic. The manufacturer’s manual-the Bible, reveals the secrets. Our today’s insights give us the secret to success in life. Read, keep this in your inner heart, hang it around your neck, walk in it. You see, people’s ideas and opinions would change over time. Do you know what? There is only one book that will never change? The voice of God, God-breathed, the word of God, the Bible.

Do you want to know the secrets of success and happiness God revealed? Are you ready? Follow the three negative and one positive statement and then read God’s promise.

No matter what happens, you will end up succeeding with divine favor on you.

Three negative steps:

• Do not walk in step with the wicked people. Do you know a person is immoral or evil in his talks and actions? Then do not follow their advice and do not walk with him.
• Do not stand in the way that sinners take. Avoid the high way that sinners take. Do not go to his or her path and stand there. Show no interest in the ways of sinners.
• Do not sit in the company of mockers. Some people mock and laugh at the truth. Please do not go and sit with them or join them.

One positive step.

• Delight and meditate on the law of the Lord – the Bible. The Bible is the Word of God, the eternal truth that liberates and gives you freedom from various addictions and slaveries. It gives you the whole truth. It counsels, comforts, directs and confirms your steps and decisions. Reading the Bible day and night does not necessarily mean you read all the time and do not do anything else. It means spending as much time as possible. Morning and evening devotion times are suitable for those to work during the day. If both morning and evening are not possible, mark on your calendar a scheduled time. Meditation means- read and then thinking about what you read. Ask God to help you understand what you read. Then apply the principles you learned in your day-to-day life. You will be marveled at the progress and success God would give in your life.

Listen to God’s Promise if you would do the above steps:

1. You will be like a tree planted by streams of water. Such trees are thick, strong, look blessed, and happy than the other trees grown in dry places.
2. You will produce the fruit in its season- on-time fruits and no scarcity or lack of fruits
3. Your leaves will not wither. Instead, you will be pleasant to look at. Beautiful, colorful, and intense leaves
4. I love this last one. God promises whatever you do, you prosper. God will bring prosperity to you. Whatever you do. It does not matter what you do. God’s money back guaranty is on it.

Got a moment for today’s prayer? “Father in heaven, I am committing to read and meditate the Word of God- the Bible every day. Please help me to do this on a going basis every single day. I will not walk in the paths of the wicked. I will not stand in the way of sinners. I will not sit with people who laugh at the truth of God. I know you would bless me when I do these things. Bless me, Lord, and guide me every day. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray.” Amen.

The most cardinal choice-the choice between life and death!

“Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life so that you and your descendants might live! ” (Deuteronomy 30:19).

Keri Russel said, “Sometimes it is the smallest decisions that can change your life forever. ”

Edwin Markham, an American poet said, “Choices are the hinges of destiny.”

The choice that we make today clearly determines our future, doesn’t it?

Bible is full of examples of people’s choices and how they affected them. I will present you with some good and then bad decisions of Bible characters from the pages of the Bible.

• Ruth chose to go with her mother-in-law Naomi and ended up in the genealogy of Jesus Christ as the mother of Obed.
• Noah chose to obey God by building an ark exactly the way Lord showed him and ended up saving his and his family’s lives when all others perished in the water.
• Abram chose to obey God when He called him to make a break with his pagan, idol-worshipping family and friends and to go to a land that He would eventually show him.
• Moses chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin in Egypt.
• Samuel chose to stand in full devotion to the Lord God when Eli’s Sons were sinning and acting wickedly right in front of him day after day.
• Rahab, the harlot, chose to honor and believe in the God of Israel and thereby enjoyed the salvation of the Lord and got a portion in the land of promise.
• Joseph chose obedience to God in the midst of long and severe sufferings and temptations and became the prime minister of Egypt and a source of blessings for his family.
• The Apostles chose to follow Jesus Christ when He called them and became fishers of men for the kingdom of God and became the foundation of the New Testament Church.

We can also see some wrong choices and the consequences.

• Lucifer’s pride caused his highly exalted position in heaven, and his future is now determined in the lake of fire.
• Adam and Eve’s choice resulted in losing the beautiful paradise, and as a result, sin entered into this world.
• Cain’s choice resulted in him becoming the first murderer on this earth, killing his brother.
• Lot’s choice resulted in losing all at the end.
• Soul’s choice of disobedience and pride cost him the kingdom in Israel.
• By Esau’s choice, he lost his birthright and all the associated blessings.
• Judas betrayed Christ and ended up hanging himself to death.
•  Hymenaeus and Alexander shipwrecked their faith by rejecting faith in good conscience.
  And the list goes on.

Beloved, we make many choices in our lives, don’t we?  Some of them may not be that important like what I am going to eat for lunch or dinner. But some are vitally important like the choice of career and spouse. But the most important choice a person would ever make is this -the choice between life and death. In short, this is what that means- What did you do with the Son of God, Jesus Christ? Listen, there is no greater choice between cradle to grave.

Our today’s insight says, “Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life so that you and your descendants might live! ” Choice is given to us. God is asking you to choose life so that you and your children may live. You may have abundant life here on earth and eternal life in heaven after death. Bible says, “In him (Jesus Christ) was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. (John 1:4).

Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die.”
Jesus also answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Dearly Beloved, God pleads us to choose life by coming to His Son, Jesus Christ, the savior of the whole world. Jesus Christ shed his sinless and divine blood for all of our sins to reconcile us with God the Father. If there were any other ways of salvation, He did not have to come to this sinful world and die on the cross cruelly for our salvation. No other way period!

Would you choose life today? Got a moment for prayer? Pray now with me.

“Father in heaven, you asked me to choose between life and death. You said life is in your Son, Jesus Christ. I accept Jesus Christ as my savior and Lord. I believe He died and risen again for my sins. Please save me today and grant me abundant life now and eternal life when I close my eyes here on earth. In Christ’s name, I pray. Amen.”

Changing Paradigm, but only one never changes!

“My God is changeless in his love for me, and he will come and help me.” Psalms 59:10 TLB

I suppose everything in this world changes- weather, friends, dear ones in our life-all includes in this estimation. I do not know any of my elementary school friends today. Out of my middle and high school friends, I talk to only one friend now and he lives on another continent. College friends- most of them are unknown to me now. This may be especially true of me because I was grown up, went to school and colleges at an early age in another part of the world. Now I live thousands of miles away from there.

However, it is true even where I lived for the last 30 plus years now, many people came into my life and most of them are unknown to me now. Family is not different. My father whom I respected and loved dearly went to be with the Lord 15 years ago. Most of my uncles and aunties are no more with us. My mom is still alive and I thank God for her. We do not know how long she is going to live on this earth.

Beloved, we witness changes everywhere. Climate changes, culture shifts.  People’s behavior and attitude changes, career, bank balances, and health conditions change. All are unpredictable and prone to change. Sometimes, the thought of changes terrifies us. We wonder where are we heading with all these changes.

Do you know the one that has never changed? In the changing paradigm of everything around us, truly only one that does not change- God, his love, and care. The Bible clearly and distinguishably declares the unchanging lovingkindness and mercies of God in its pages.

Today’s insight says “My God is changeless in his love for me, and he will come and help me.” Only one thing you can count on in an ever-changing world. God and his love. You see, God is consistent in His presence with you and his love toward you. David is the author of Psalm 59. He went through holocaust experiences in his life. One day in the mountains and forests, the next day in the palace, then in the caves in fear running for life. A shepherd boy to a king. Then major sins happened and became the object of severe guilt, shame, ridicule, and running for life hiding in caves. Crying nights and days. Then restoration to the lost position of the king again. If any person who was fit to testify the eternal truth of the changeless love of God, it is David for sure, don’t you agree?

Stephen Chbosky said, “Things change, And friends leave. Life doesn’t stop for anybody.” However, God doesn’t change, He doesn’t leave and He stops for anybody if called upon Him. God is not a man to change. He is God from eternity past to eternity future. Listen: He loved David in eternity past and chose him in His love and kingdom. If he chose him in eternity past with no merit of his own but only based on His love and mercy, then he would not stop his love for David in this brief parenthesis called ‘his lifetime’ in which he lived.

The same is true about you. God loved you in the past, He chose you in the past even before he created this world, He loves you now and he continues to love you throughout the future eternity. David sought God and his offer of love in his lifetime. Therefore, he could rely on God’s love throughout the shifting times of his life. God’s changeless love was like a rock foundation on which he built his life. Do you know, you and I can build our life on that solid foundation?

You see, God offers his love, mercy, grace, and salvation freely. The only thing you would need to do is come and receive it. Don’t we know no gifts become ours until we accept and have them? A gift remains as a gift unpossessed until you have it as your own. Suppose you got a wristwatch for Christmas. As long as it remains packed in the gift box, it is not yours. However, when you take it from the gift box and wear it in your beautiful hand, then you have it and own it.

God offers his changeless love, forgiveness, grace, and salvation based on what Jesus Christ did for you. He calls you to come and accept His Son, Jesus Christ. When you accept the gift of Jesus, His Son, you have it all. It is that simple. I would be a fool if I do not accept His offer of changeless love and mercy, wouldn’t I?

Beloved, accept God’s love by accepting Jesus Christ. Then all of God’s love, grace, mercy, forgiveness, kindness, salvation, eternal life, heavenly inheritances become yours. Moreover, when you receive God’s love in the person of Jesus Christ, then you are divinely equipped to freely and unconditionally love others.

Got a moment for today’s prayer? “Father in heaven, thank you for reminding me today that your love for me is changeless. All may change, but you and your love, mercy, and kindness would never change from me. You promised me. I believe it. I believe Jesus died and rose again for my sins. I accept him as my savior and Lord. Fill in me your divine love that I would be equipped to love others without condition and stipulations. In Christ’s name, I pray. Amen.”

Spiritual death is more serious than physical death

But Jesus told him, “Let the spiritually dead bury their own dead. Your duty is to go and preach about the Kingdom of God.” Luke 9:60

Jesus invited a person to come and follow him. He agreed and then he said, “Lord, first let me return home and bury my father.” Jesus said, ‘Let the spiritually dead bury their own dead. Your duty is to go and preach about the kingdom of God.” 

What in the world did Jesus mean by this statement?

You see, the Bible reveals the truth about death in three different ways- physical, spiritual, and eternal death. Of course, Jesus did not mean those who are physically dead go and bury their own dead. Because those who are physically dead cannot bury the one who died. 

The second possibility is those who are spiritually dead. Bible declares spiritual death is more critical and dangerous than physical death. A person may look healthier and stronger outside but spiritually dead inside. Bible says in Ephesians 2:1-3, “As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins,  in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts.” A person is spiritually dead when he or she lives in transgressions and sins. Spiritually dead people follow the ways of this world and the ruler of the kingdom of the air. It happens knowingly or unknowingly. You may look vibrant and healthier. At the same time, you could be dead spiritually. Many people are physically alive but dead inside – spiritually dead.

In short, a spiritually dead person does not have a loving fellowship with God. If we live in this world as spiritually dead people, then the final result after death would be eternal death. This is why I said above being spiritually dead is a serious place to be in. Jesus said and you can read in John 10:10, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” Spiritual death results in eternal death. Eternal death means eternally away from God and His goodness forever and ever. On the contrary, you can become spiritually alive toward God by coming to Jesus Christ and accepting him as your savior and Lord. You become spiritually alive with God now as you live here. The final result is eternal life- living with God in heaven forever and ever. As long as he or she does not come to Christ in repentance of their sins and shortcoming and accept him as the savior, they remain in the spiritually dead condition. And the outcome would be eternal death- away from God and his goodness all throughout the eternity after your death. This is why the Bible says, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Beloved, Jesus was saying to this man, let the spiritually dead bury their own dead. Those who are spiritually alive preach about the kingdom of God. If you are still spiritually dead with no fellowship and friendship With God, I invite you to come to Jesus Christ who will raise you from spiritual dead stage to a spiritually alive stage and grant you eternal life. Then you have a job here right now – share the love and grace of God to others around you. 

Are you spiritually dead? You need Jesus Christ right now to connect with God. Are you spiritually alive already? Then you have a job only you can do. That is preaching the kingdom of God. 

The man gave an excuse to Jesus. He said let me first go and bury my father. It does not mean his father is already dead. He wants to be with his father until his death and then wants to come and follow Christ. 

Beloved, if Lord Jesus calls you now, do not give an excuse. You may never get another loving and great opportunity to come to Him. Do not neglect it when he calls you. Come when he invites you now and do what he asks you to do. Jesus lovingly calls you today to come to Him and become spiritually alive with God. He paid for your sins by his divine blood. You do not need to walk around spiritually dead- you can be alive to God with a small prayer with me now.

Got a moment for today’s prayer? “Father in heaven, I want to establish my relationship with you, by Christ Jesus. I believe Jesus died in my place and paid for my sins and shortcomings with his blood. Please forgive my sins and save me now. Lord, I know I have a duty to do. I want to share this good news and preach about the kingdom of God. I surrender my life to your calling of sharing the gospel with others. In Christ’s name, I pray, Amen.”