Let God’s riches available in Jesus satisfy you.

“And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19.

Alexander Pope, one of the greatest English poets said, “Blessed is he who expects nothing, for he shall never be disappointed.”

We naturally tend to place our expectations on others. We put our expectations on parents, children, spouses, friends, and even church and its members. The outcome is we get disappointed. The truth is that none will be willing and able to meet all your needs. This is the truth we learn in our lives as we grow in life.

The people around you do not have enough love, resources, and power because their love, resources, and power are limited. When they ran out of their love, resources, and power, you get disappointed. We all learn this from our life experiences, don’t we?

Beloved, God wants you to lean on him for all your needs. Jesus taught the disciples to pray for their daily needs and protection. You see, His resources, power, and love are neither limited nor conditional. His love, power, and resources are unlimited and unconditional. Bible says in Psalms 34:5 says people who looked at him (God) are glad and they will never be disappointed.

You may have done a lot of sacrifices and good things for someone near to you or a group of people. Do you think they are going to cherish/remember you for a long time? Most probably, they are not. People disappoint us. In the contrast, God remembers all the small things you did for his name. He will reward you for all your love and service for him. But do not expect any reward from people. Do not let you get disappointed by placing an expectation on others. Whoever maybe your spouse, children, co-believers, or friend. You do what God called you to do. Do your assignment faithfully as you would to the Lord. At the due time, he will reward you. Guaranteed! God has an excellent track record in remembering and rewarding.

Bible says in Ephesians 6:8, “Remember, the Lord will pay you for each good thing you do, whether you are slave or free.” There is no shadow of a doubt. God will pay you or reward you for each good thing you do, whatever your status in society is.

Today’s insight says, “And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” When God supplies, did you notice, he rewards according to His riches in glory? Think about how rich God is. How glorious He is. He will supply according to the manner of His riches and glory. Secondly, God rewards you according to his all-sufficient and supernatural richness and glory by Christ Jesus. Your reward comes from His Son, Jesus Christ, who died, buried, and rose again for all your sins and shortcomings.

Beloved, do you have Jesus in your life? If so you are richer than many others in this world.

Have you come to Jesus and accepted him as your savior and Lord? If so, God supplies and rewards you according to His richness in glory because you trusted in Jesus, His Son,  as your savior and Lord. He is the all-sufficient savior all through your life and afterlife.

If you haven’t yet, you can get connected to God and His immense provisions in and through Jesus Christ right now with a small prayer. God cleanses and purifies from your sins- past, present, and future-by the blood of Christ. When you come to Jesus God adopts you into his heavenly family and grants you eternal life. You become a co-heir with Jesus on all of God’s riches, glory, and inheritance.

Instead of placing your expectations on people, begin placing your trust and expectation on God. Then you will never be disappointed. Remember, people disappoint, but God never.

Got a moment for today’s prayer? “Father in heaven, you promised when I look at your face and lean on him, I will not be disappointed. I look to you and lean on you for all my needs. You also said you shall supply all my needs according to your riches in glory by Christ Jesus. I believe Jesus died and rose again for my sins. He paid for all my sins and shortcomings. I come and accept him as my savior and Lord. Please save me now. In Christ’s name, I pray. Amen.

Pour out hearts to the Lord for healing and deliverance!

“I am worn out from my groaning.
All night long I flood my bed with weeping
and drench my couch with tears.” Psalm 6:6 NIV

One of the quotations of Anthony T. Hincks says, “Sneakers were meant to be worn out.” However, people, I believe, are not an exception.

You see, you can stuff yourself with pain and frustrations. Or you can just open up your soul and pour your true feelings out to God in heaven. The choice is yours. David, the king of Israel chose the latter. David experienced a lot of bad things in his life along with of course many good things testifies later in verse 8, “The Lord has heard my cry for mercy.” He says in Psalms 34:4(b), “I sought the LORD, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.

The book of Psalms consistently reveals one of his unique traits – pouring out his burdened, fearful and frustrated heart to the LORD God in heaven.

Beloved, sometimes we do not tell God all our pains, hurts, and anger, do we? You see, it is ok to share your feelings with the Lord God. He planted different emotions and feelings like sadness, anger, frustration, pain, impatience inside you. God also has emotions and He made you in His image. Therefore, you can very well share with him your emotions as you share with your close friend.

It is far better to share your feelings with God in heaven than with other people.

Psalms 121:1-2 says, “I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come?
My help comes from the Lord,
who made heaven and earth.”
When you share your inside feelings with God, you get the real and needed help from the Lord who made heaven and earth. He is your creator God. I can guaranty you this -no one understands you better than your creator God in heaven-not even your parents and spouse.

The man Job was hit by untold tragedies one after another. He did not hide his emotions. Job 1:20 says this about him, “Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head and fell on the ground and worshiped.” He expressed his emotions to the Lord in heaven. In the book of Job, we can see he expressed his emotions to the Lord God in heaven many times. He felt betrayed, depressed, and ridiculed. He sincerely expressed all to God.

How about you? Are you keeping the stuff inside you? David says “all night long I flood my bed with weeping and drench my couch with tears.” This was a sorrow to the highest degree. He drenched his couch with tears. All night he shared his emotions with the one who can help him. This is the secret- share your sorrows and frustrations with the one who can help and deliver you. Share with the one who can do justice to your case. Jesus asked this open-ended question in Luke 8:7, “And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night?” The anticipated answer is yes, He would bring about justice to your case. He is willing and fully able to do it.

Psalms 146:3 gives the counsel, “Do not put your trust in princes, in human beings, who cannot save.” Psalm 18:6, “In my distress, I called to the LORD; I cried to my God for help. From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came before him, into his ears.”1 Peter 3:12 “For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer. God’s ears are attentive to your cry and prayer.

Do you want your children to share their emotions with you? Aren’t you willing to go the extra mile to help, when they share? Of course, you are. As a parent, I can testify to it.

Your Father in heaven is the same way. Bible gives the privilege to come to God in heaven in the name of His Son, Jesus Christ, and expect big things from Him. When you pray in the name of Jesus Christ, the whole heaven rings the bell and is attentive to your cry and prayer because prayer is dispatched there in the name of Jesus Christ, the mighty name.

The only way to God is by His Son, Jesus Christ. God loves you and he spared Jesus to save you and make you his own- he promises to grant you a bright future here on earth and later in heaven if you would come now.

Got a moment for today’s prayer? “Father in heaven, I know I can share all of my feelings with you and you are attentive to my cry and prayers. I come to you in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ. I believe Jesus died for my sins and shortcomings on that cruel cross and rose again on the third day. I accept Him as my savior and Lord. Lord, please help me and deliver me from my pains, sadness, and frustration. Grant me your divine joy and hope. In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.”

Long Ago, even before the creation of the world, God chose you!

“Long ago, even before he made the world, God chose us to be his very own through what Christ would do for us; he decided then to make us holy in his eyes, without a single fault—we who stand before him covered with his love.” Ephesians 1:4 (TLB)

Bible confirms God created the world. It talks about the foundation of the world referring to the act of creation by God. You should know this amazing fact that would blow your mind off with astonishments. Listen to what today’s insight says to you, Long ago, even before he made the world, God chose you to be his very own through what Christ would do for us; he decided then to make us holy in his eyes, without a single fault—we who stand before him covered with his love.”

Long ago means before God created the world. It means eternity past-no time or restriction of time existed. It means when there was only triune God-God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. The planner, God the Father was there. The savior, Jesus Christ, the executor of the planning was there and an eternal covenant/ plan was laid out. God marked out the plan based on what His Son, Jesus Christ would do for you in time. Bible reveals God chose you in that eternal plan of God even before He created the whole wide world.

When people throw bad things at you, when people desert you, when people ridicule you, when they isolate you, when they hurt you, keep this foundational truth close to your heart. God chose you, God selected you to become a member of his heavenly family. His selection has nothing to do with your work or performances. His selection has nothing to do with what other people would do to you or label you. He sovereignly picks you up to be with Him eternally in heaven with not even a single fault.

Beloved, not only he chose you through what His Son, Jesus Christ, would do for you, but also he decided then (long ago before he made the world) to make you holy in his eyes, without a single fault. Because he chose you and make you holy, you would stand before him in heaven covered with his love. Rest assured in His unchanging promise. God guarantees this promise. This is why the Bible declares in Romans 8: 38-39, “For I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from his love. Death can’t, and life can’t. The angels won’t, and all the powers of hell itself cannot keep God’s love away. Our fears for today, our worries about tomorrow, or where we are—high above the sky, or in the deepest ocean—nothing will ever be able to separate us from the love of God demonstrated by our Lord Jesus Christ when he died for us.”

You see, this was not based on your merit but only based on his loving, merciful, and kind choice of you. If you know nothing else, make sure you know this -God loves you deeply and profoundly. He is your advocate and protector. He is on your side no matter what life or people around you throw at you, period!

Are you feeling sad or depressed? I understand. I felt the same way in the past. Even now life, friends, and even closer ones throw arrows at me. However, do you know what? I do not care about it anymore. Because God’s truth- he loves me, he chose me, he makes me holy and will make me stand before him with no fault in his love – is the foundation of my thought process. God gave me a ministry of reconciliation welcoming you to Him. I want to do it faithfully as long as I live if He allows.

First thing first. If you haven’t so far, come God’s way. God’s way to make you perfect and fault-free is by Jesus Christ, His Son. Bible says in John 1:12, “But to all who received him (Jesus), he (God) gave the right to become children of God.”

Would you come and accept Jesus as your savior and Lord. He chose you to be His very own through what Jesus Christ did for you.
Got a moment for today’s prayer? “Father in heaven, I believe your word that came to me today that I am chosen by even before you made the world based on what Christ did. You decided to make me holy without a single fault and you would make stand before you blameless all throughout the coming eternity. I accept Jesus Christ as my savior and Lord. I believe he died in my place for all of my sins. In the name of Christ, I pray. Amen.”

Many “why” questions are not answered now!

“It is God’s privilege to conceal things and the king’s privilege to discover and invent. You cannot understand the height of heaven, the size of the earth, or all that goes on in the king’s mind!” Proverbs 25:2 TLB

God is God who reveals things to us. If God did not reveal himself to us, we would never know things about God. God revealed Himself in the pages of the Bible. God said he is love, he is merciful, he is kind, he loves sinners although he hates the acts of sin, he wants to save people from the power/consequences of sin and coming judgment and hell. He revealed the truth about His Son Jesus Christ. He said he sent His Son Jesus to die in our place for all of our sins so that we can be fully forgiven and accepted. He said He would adopt us as his child if you come and accept His Son, Jesus as our savior and Lord. You see God revealed himself through nature, Scripture, and Jesus Christ.

The Bible says in Deuteronomy 29:29, “The LORD our God has secrets known to no one. We are not accountable for them, but we and our children are accountable forever for all that he has revealed to us, so that we may obey all the terms of these instructions.” NLT. You see, we and our children are accountable for all that God has revealed to us.
Beloved, not only God reveals but also keeps secrets known to no one. Our today’s insight says, “It is God’s privilege to conceal things.” We do not know many things although we lived on this planet earth for a long time. We do not understand the height of heaven, the size of the earth, and things going on the king’s or other people’s minds, do we?

In his severe sufferings, Job asked many ‘why’ questions. He could not understand why horrible things happened to him one after another. He experienced unimaginable trials and sufferings. You see God taught him a lesson that He does not need to answer the ‘why’ questions. God has the privilege to keep certain things secret. He has the privilege to conceal things. He has much wider and deeper plans and purposes. Our puny mind would not be able to understand and grab hold of it right now.

I do not know what you are facing or suffering from. However I know one thing from the life history of Job and others in the Bible, He does not need to ask and get your approval before he allows things to happen to you. He sovereignly decides without seeking your permission or concurrence. Job did not understand the reason why such horrible things happened to him. Now we know why those things happened to him when we read his life history. However, he did not.

Beloved, do not try to find an explanation for all things. You would never be able to. I will let you know what you need. You need a loving and compassionate Savior who would stick with you and help you in times of your need. Don’t you think that is what we all need? Yes, in our pains, frustrations, and needs, we look for someone to remain near and close to us.

Almost all the time, when you watch tragedies over the television, you see people hug each other and stand close to each other. You need someone bigger and stronger than you to be with you in your times of need.

May I suggest who is that someone you need in your life? You need the savior God gave you for those moments and all the seasons of your life. His name is Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who carried your sins and consequent punishments on his wide and strong shoulders and poured out his life for you. The one who was buried in your place and rose again victoriously on the third day defeating sin and devil. He is the friend who will sticks with you more than a brother (proverbs 18:24).

One day shortly, when you stand in heaven, upon your death, everything going to be clear. You would get answers to all your ‘why’ questions. But not now. Then you would agree fully and completely on why things happened to you in certain ways. Wait until then. Live by placing your trust in the savior, Jesus Christ, today.

Got a moment for today’s prayer? “Father in heaven, thank you for the truth revealed to me. Thank you for your love, mercy, compassion. Thank you for giving Jesus for my sins. I accept Him as my savior and Lord. Lord I give my sufferings, problems to your divine and powerful hand. Be with me and guide me step by step as I face my difficulties. You promised your presence. I thank you because you are with me. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.”

The one who knows the inner fears says- don’t be afraid!

“But when Jesus overheard what was said, He told the synagogue leader, “Don’t be afraid. Only believe.” Mark 5:36

When Jesus had crossed over by boat to the other side, a large crowd gathered around Him while He was by the sea.  One of the synagogue leaders, named Jairus, came, and when he saw Jesus, he fell at His feet and kept begging Him, “My little daughter is at death’s door. Come and lay Your hands on her so she can get well and live.”

 On the way to Jairus’s house, people came from his home and said to him, “Your daughter is dead. Why bother the Teacher anymore?” When Jesus overheard what they said to Jairus, he told him, “Don’t be afraid. Just trust Me.”

Jesus went to the home of Jairus. The people were weeping and wailing loudly. He put all people outside and took the child’s father, mother, and those who were with him and went to the place where the child was lying. He took the child by the hand and said to her, “Talitha Koum!” which means, “Little girl, I say to you, get up!” Immediately the girl got up and began to talk. She was twelve years old. The people were utterly astounded. Jesus gave them strict orders that no one should know about this and asked them to give her food to eat.

Beloved, Jairus had a big fear in his heart because he thought his little daughter was going to die soon. That is why he fell at Jesus’s feet and kept begging him to come and lay His hands on her so she can get well and live. Now as Jesus was coming to go to his house, he heard even the worse news that his girl was already dead. People said do not to bother Jesus anymore because the girl was dead. They did not anticipate Jesus to raise the little girl from death. Overhearing what they said to Jairus, Jesus said to Him, do not be afraid, Just trust in Him. 

Beloved, are you faced with big fear and worse news in your life? Jesus tells you, “do not be afraid, just trust in Me.” When you are faced with fears and the worse news, are you going to let the fear and uncertainty control you or are you going to grab hold of the promises of God who loves you deeply? Would you listen to God’s comforting and peaceful words? 

Out today’s insight teaches us Jesus knows our inner fears and anxieties and ministers to us with his divine and powerful help. It also teaches us Jesus has authority over not only sickness and diseases but also death. He called the girl lovingly, “Little girl”. Then he used his divine power and authority and commanded: “I say to you, get up!” Death vanished and life was restored to the little girl, at the command of Jesus. Immediately the little girl got up and began to talk. 

Jesus said do not publish what happened in that house. Jesus is not just a miraculous worker. The people who try to do miracles for making money always love attracting crowds. This is how they make money. But not Jesus. He came to this world with much bigger and wider plans. 

The miracles of Jesus prove He is God. Refer to the Gospel of Mark to understand his authority and power over nature, diseases, demons, and death.  However, most of the time when he performed miracles, he ordered the people not to tell anyone. This is contrary to the modern miracle workers, isn’t it? You see Jesus came to this world not just to perform miracles. He did miracles because of his compassion and kindness. He ministered to the needs of people. However, he had a much bigger plan. He was on a rescue mission to rescue people from their sins and bondages. He came to give his life as a ransom for your sins and shortcomings. Jesus explained the purpose of his life on this earth and it is recorded in mark 10:45, “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many”

Jesus came to die in your place for all your sins, to pay a ransom for all of your sins and iniquities. Bible says in Isaiah 59:2, “It’s your sins that have cut you off from God.” Your sins separated you from your God. Nothing else. He solved the issue so that you can have a loving fellowship and friendship with God again. Jesus died and victoriously rose again on the third day defeating sin and Satan. 

Now, because Jesus paid for all your sins and shortcomings, you can come to God in and through the person of Jesus Christ. God forgives your sins by the blood of Christ. God becomes your Father. God loves you and wants to re-connect with you based on what Jesus had done for you on the cross of Calvary.

What is your fear today? Whatever it is, Jesus tells you, “do not be afraid. Just trust Me.” Would you listen to His loving call and come to Him today? He replaces his fearful heart with peace, rest, confidence, strength, joy, and happiness. Psalms 30:11, King David testifies this about God- “You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing. You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy,” You see, Jesus did this to Jairus, the synagogue leader. He will do this to you as well.

When I was pondering over today’s Bible verse a thought came to my mind – We all come across different types of fears. However, do not let fear paralyze you. On the contrary, it has the potential to open up your eyes to the ultimate truth.  Pontius Pilate asked a vital question – what is truth? (John 18:38). You see, the ultimate truth is the truth about God. God exists and rules overall and he only can turn our fears into fearlessness and confidence, mourning into gladness and joyful dancing in and through His Son, Jesus Christ. No one else would or could do it.

Got a moment for today’s prayer? “Father in heaven, I bring my fear to you today. I believe you can turn my fears into hope and confidence because Jesus Christ, your Son, stood in my place and paid off my sins and shortcomings. I trust in Jesus Christ. I accept him as my savior and Lord. I am not afraid because you asked me not to be afraid. I trust in your loving care and provisions. In the name of Christ, I pray. Amen.

A Young Girl in Israel teaches us what faith means!

“Now, faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. By faith, we understand that the universe was created by the Word of God so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.” (Hebrews 11:1)

A most critical example of faith was evident in the life history of the teenage girl in Israel, the mother of Jesus Christ, Mary. A perfect example for us to follow. In heaven, God said to the angel Gabriel this- Gabriel, the eternal plan of the redemption of human beings was going to start now, and then he commanded him to go and announce the most important message ever heard on this earth to this girl called Mary. Mary received the Word of God as it is. She showed the actual example of faith toward God, didn’t she?

Now imagine Mary’s thoughts and refer to today’s insight that says, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” Mary had assurance in her mind regarding the hope given to her by the Word of God. She had the conviction of things not seen yet. She believed in God and His message. That is why she could say, “Let it be to me according to your word.”

Faith is essential and foundational to everyone. Hebrews 6 says faith is one of the foundations of the Christian life. Everyone has faith in something. We live in a period when there is a vast atheist movement happens. The atheists attack faith and mock and ridicule Christians because we believe in a God we have never seen. However, they need more faith to believe in what they believe. They also believe in something they have never seen. They believe in a big bang that happened millions of years ago that brought the universe into existence. They did not see it, and no one ever saw it, but still, they have faith in it. They also have faith in a single cell amoeba that, in their imagination, came out of the sea, which resulted in thousands of species and creatures that we see today. To me, atheism warrants more faith to believe in such a senseless phenomenon. Today’s famous and well-known atheists have never seen it with their eyes. Moreover, nobody saw it. However, they still have faith in it. Interesting right?

Beloved, the big bang would not result in such a designed, organized and beautiful universe we see around us. Sun, moon and stars and its chores and courses, earth’s seasons that follow one after another in an organized way, the birds, the sky above us, and millions and millions of stars and galaxies all working in its ordained path happened not because of the big bang, but because of an intelligent creator God’s voice behind it. The first book of the Bible called Genesis explains it all. It was God’s Word and His voice that created such a designed and beautiful universe around us. (Genesis 1).

Beloved, our today’s insight says, “Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. By faith, we understand that the universe was created by the word of God so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.” Indeed, the universe was created by the Word of God.  Ralph Waldo Emerson said this, “All I have seen teaches me to trust the Creator for all I have not known.” Beloved, this is my conclusion -Because God created such a beautiful, organized, and design filled universe around me because God formed me meticulously and supernaturally when I was in my mother’s womb as the scripture affirms, I can trust God that He would bring beauty, order, and design out of life when I put my faith in Him.

Got a moment for today’s prayer? Pray after me. “Father in heaven, I believe you are the creator God who created this beautiful, organized, and design-filled universe around me. I give my life to you. Please take my life and order beauty, order, and design to it so that you will be glorified and magnified throughout my life. I place my faith in Jesus Christ, Your Son, who came to this world and died in my place for all of my sins. I accept Him as my savior and Lord. In Christ’s name, I pray. Amen.”

God wants you to know this.

“I have loved you with an everlasting love;

     I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.” NIV. Jeremiah 31:3

God knows all about you and still loves you. His love for you does not depend on your good works or efforts. He loves you because He is love (1st John 4:16 (b)). You see Bible affirms God is love. Bible never says God hates or God keeps a list of your wrongdoings. In his sovereign will and divine love, he chose to love you. No matter what happens in your life, He continues to love you.

Beloved, did you hear no matter what happens God still loves you? Romans 8:38-39 says, “For I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from his love. Death can’t, and life can’t. The angels won’t, and all the powers of hell itself cannot keep God’s love away. Our fears for today, our worries about tomorrow, or where we are—high above the sky, or in the deepest ocean—nothing will ever be able to separate us from the love of God demonstrated by our Lord Jesus Christ when he died for us.” TLB

Dear one, people may say you are not good enough. They may say you can’t be forgiven and you are not worthy to be accepted in their circles. They may stop loving you. They may desert you. But not God. When you hear such lies from someone, remember the unshakable truth of God’s word- the Bible. God loves you no matter what happens in your life! Period! You must figure out your true identity from what God says about you, not what people say about you.

Read today’s insight again. God says to you, “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.” What does it say? What type of love did he love you? Everlasting love. What are everlasting means? Lasting forever or eternity. He loved you with an everlasting love. Then it says, He has drawn you with unfailing kindness. In other words, he has drawn you to him with never-failing kindness. His kindness toward you never, never and not even one time fails. Rest assured on these truths. Do not listen to lies.  

If you were like me, you may have gone to God multiple times asking forgiveness for the same sin or mistake you do. I wondered many times in the past whether God forgives me again and again. If I were God, I would not. If you were God, you would not either. However, God is different. He is separate from us in His divine nature. You do not need to doubt or worry about going back to Him. He never gets tired of listening to your faults. Truly, he is delighted each time when you agree with him about your mistakes. He extends his grace freely and abundantly.

You see Christian life is not based on your performances. If it were, you would never make it because we all always blew God’s perfect standards. I am glad it is based on God’s grace. Recall that song, “Amazing grace, how sweet the sound That saved a wretch like me. Then it says “it was grace that brought us safe thus far And grace will lead us home.”

A beautiful verse in 1 John 3:1 says this, “See how much the Father has loved us! His love is so great that we are called God’s children—and so, in fact, we are.” (GNT). You are called God’s child because of His great, welcoming, and overwhelming love toward you. Moreover, listen to this in Romans 8:17, “And since we are his children, we will share his treasures—for all God gives to his Son Jesus is now ours too.” All God’s treasures belong to His Son Jesus Christ. All of it, the Bible affirms, belongs to us also as co-heirs. 

Beloved, you may have known only conditional love so far in your life. Your home, your friends, your neighbors may have done a good job in teaching you conditional love- love based on your works and performance. Think about unconditional love, God does not love you on a conditional basis. His love is unconditional and everlasting. He still loves and cares for you no matter what happens in your life. 

listen God proved his perfect and unconditional love by giving away His son, Jesus Christ, to die in your place for all of your sins. Jesus came to this world. He stood in your place carrying your sins and shortcomings on his shoulders and paid it all for you on the cross of Calvary. This is love- amazing and sacrificial love. God asks you to accept His love by accepting what His Son did for you. 

Got a moment for today’s prayer? “Father in heaven, I accept your unconditional love by accepting your Son, Jesus Christ, who died and rose again for my sins and shortcomings. Please forgive me and save me now. I praise you because I can count on your love no matter what happens in my life. You said you will never leave me or forsake me. May I continue living in the rich fertile soil of your unconditional love and never failing kindness. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.” 

 

A Best Effort and Worthy Goal!

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

Transformation in life is hard. There will be times you want to quit. You would feel discouraged, and afraid to take the next step. You may fall into a series of failures or feel like others trampled on you mercilessly. However, keep in mind your transformation is the best effort and worthy goal in your life. Do not be afraid or worried. There is divine and powerful help available from the third person of the triune God in those times – the Holy Spirit of the LORD.

Do not doubt- some of us would feel like a tree that was cut down. Listen to what Job says in his frustration and deep depression in Job 14:7, “for there is hope for a tree-if it’s cut down, it sprouts again and grows tender, new branches.” He thought there is no hope for his life although the cut-down tree has the hope to grow again. Remember, there are spiritual lessons to learn from nature- the handiworks of God. There is a lesson to glean from cut-down trees.

God is God of wonder. If you would lean on Him, he makes your cut-down tree grow again with new sprouts- leaves and branches. Believe me, he did this in my life. He would do this to you as well. God is a good God. He has compassion for all whom he has made. (Psalms 145:9). Bible promises The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. (Pslams 34:18). Do you know in your frustration, fear, and pain, God is closer to you? Grab a hold on him in those times and get saved by His wonderworking hands. Psalm 145:18 promises the LORD is close to all who call on Him, yes, to all who call on him in truth.

Beloved, major transformation happens during your painful and harsh circumstances. Moreover, God’s vision becomes clearer and brighter to you amid the hard realities of life. In such difficult times, the Holy Spirit inside you goes to work tirelessly to make you become more like Jesus Christ. You would become more like Jesus in love, compassion, grace, mercy, and kindness. This dying world direly requires as many images of Jesus Christ as possible. You would be one of his images in darkness. You will shed your light brilliantly because God’s Holy Spirit prepares you for such times.

Today’s insights say, “And as the Spirit of the Lord works within us, we become more and more like him.” You see, good changes in your life never happen quickly. Growth happens slowly but steadily. The New American Standard Bible translates you “are being transformed into the same image (image of Jesus) from glory to glory…” It takes time for the Holy Spirit to transform you. And it takes the Bible, the Word of God, to accomplish it.

Beloved, you will look more like Jesus through the work of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God (the Bible) amid your difficult and harsh times. One day you will look back and see how great the LORD was in the midst of all. How huge an accomplishment God made out of your life. You will be filled with gratitude and praise. I guaranty you this – as you walk with the Lord, lean on Him and His Word, the cut-down tree will sprout with new growth and leaves and become full of branches and leaves. God would do it for you. No one else would or could do it. It would be the hand of the Lord. His footprints and handcrafts are all over your life.

May I give an opportunity now to come to good God in heaven in and through the person of His Son, Jesus Christ, who came to this world, died and rose again to pay for all your sins? When you come to the savior of the whole world, Jesus Christ, and believe in his death and resurrection for your iniquities and sins, God gives you the Holy Spirit to indwell in you permanently, who will help and guide you all through your life.

Got a moment for today’s prayer? Father in heaven, I know I need Jesus in my life. I  believe Jesus died and rose again in my place for my sins and iniquities. I accept Him as my savior and Lord. Father, per your promise, give me your Holy Spirit to indwell in me. Help and guide me through the vicissitudes of this life. I know you transform me by your Holy Spirit to  become more like Jesus Christ. I surrender my life to you now. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.”

The touch of Jesus – Bleakness Turned into Brightness!

“Then he went up and touched the bier they were carrying him on, and the bearers stood still. He said, “Young man, I say to you, get up!” The dead man sat up and began to talk, and Jesus gave him back to his mother.” (Luke 7:14-15)

One day Jesus went to a town called Nain, about 52 miles away from Capernaum. His disciples and a large crowd went with him. When he approached the gate of the town (entrance of the city), a funeral procession was right in front of them. A dead person was carried out to the grave site for burial. In those days the bier of the dead body is accompanied by many people who walk behind it and usually the immediate family members would be in the front of the procession. They are followed by a group of mourners who mourn over death. In this case, the man had the only the mother, and she was weeping, crying and walking close to the dead body that is carried by the poll bearers. He was the only son of his mother.
Moreover, she was a widow. Widows had nothing to look forward in those olden days. The only hope in a widow’s life was her children. If no children they do not have means of livelihood. There was no life insurance, Medicare, and social securities. She would be left with the mercies of the community and who would feed an outside person because all others are working hard to supply their own people, right?

When the Lord Jesus saw her, the Bible says His heart went out to her and said, “do not cry.” Some translations say He felt compassion, felt sympathy, etc. The root word in Greek means feeling strong sympathy from inward parts, from the innermost part. Jesus moved with compassion from His innermost being. He said do not cry. Then he touched the coffin. Touched means more strong in the original language. It means he ‘seized’ or ‘laid hold’ of the coffin. As a result, the pallbearers who were carrying the body immediately stood still. It was a powerful touch or laying hold for the pallbearers and procession to stop.

You see, beloved when Jesus intervenes and touches, people will feel it. It would be a strong and divine touch that would be followed by His compassionate and grace-filled wonderful action. He did not just say, ‘do not cry’ as a comforting word like we usually say. His word is going to be followed by a divine, magnificent and sovereign action. He commanded and said, “Young man, I say to you, get up!” The dead man sat up and began to talk, and Jesus gave him back to his mother. Imagine the mourning over the only son who was dead now turned into incredible joy, smiles, laughing, and awe-inspired talking. Bible record they were all filled with wonder and praised God.

We have seen through the daily insights of the past few days, Jesus has power over the nature, over the demons and devils and sickness and diseases. Today’s insight teaches us Jesus Christ has power over death. Bible recorded Jesus raised dead and gave life on other occasions as well– Jairus’s daughter and Lazarus.

Dear ones, this meeting at the entrance of the city of Nain was not an accidental one. The Providence and sovereignty of God are behind all that happens in this world. There is nothing happens without His knowledge, approval, and pre-plan. Every minute, Jesus moved on this earth according to the divine calendar of God the Father. He had to go through Samaria to meet the Samaritan woman. Jesus said to Zacchaeus, “I must stay at your house today.” On this day Jesus went from Capernaum to this town called Nain, about 52 miles away due to a divine appointment to meet this widow with compassion and grace.

My friend, you tuned into this message and hearing about the love and compassion of Jesus Christ is also due to a divine appointment in your life from the sovereign God. He wants to touch your life like He touched the coffin of this dead young man. When He reaches your life and lay hold of your life, there is going to be fantastic and divine changes He is going to impart in your life.

Beloved, God moves in with His sovereign actions in the world, but He also drives according to our prayers and requests. The miracles of Jesus proves both these facts. This was a sovereign move of the Lord. Nobody asked him, or no one prayed. However, Jesus, the Son of God, sovereignly moved with compassion and met the need of the widow. He changed her bleak future into a peaceful and joyful one. At other times as we see, the loving Lord responds based on our prayers and requests.

Jesus Christ had divine love and compassion toward this widow from Nain. He has the same for you. Is your future seems bleak and do you feel like you lost your hope? Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who loves you and died in your place for all of your sins, can change your future into a beautiful future. Bible says God’s plan for you is the good one. The Lord God says this to you, “For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11). Would you listen to His call and come to Him today?

Got a moment for today’s prayer? “Father in heaven, I know you touched me and visited me today with your Word. I want to come to Christ and accept Him as my savior and Lord. I believe He died and rose again in my place for all of my sins. I believe the blood of Christ can wash me and make me pure again. Lord, remember me and help me. As you promised, please grant me hope and a wonderful future for my life. I surrender my life to you. Thank you for saving me. In Jesus Christ’s name, I pray. Amen.”

Jesus heals the demon-possessed!

Jesus said to him, “Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has mercy on you.” So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. All the people were amazed.” Mark 5:19-20

When Jesus got out of the boat on the shore, they went across the lake to the region called Gerasenes. Then a man with an impure spirit came from the tombs to meet him. He lived in the tombs. No one could bind him, not even with a chain. People chained his hand and foot, but he tore the chains apart and broke the irons on his feet. No one was able to subdue him. Night and day he used to cry from the tombs and hills. Also, he cut himself with stones.

When he saw Jesus from a far distance, he ran toward Jesus and fell on his knees in front of him. He cried in a loud voice, “what do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? In God’s name do not torture me!” When Jesus heard this, He said to him, “ Come out of this man, you impure spirit.” Then Jesus asked him, “what is your name?’ He said to Jesus, my name is Legion for we are many.” He begged Jesus again and again not to send them out of the area.

A large herd of pigs was feeding on the nearby hillside. The demons begged Jesus, “Send us among the pigs; allow us to go into them.” He permitted them. The impure spirits came out and went into the pigs. The herd, about two thousand in number, rushed down the steep bank into the lake and were drowned.

The herdsmen of the pigs ran off from there and reported the incident in the town and countryside. The people went out to see what had happened. The people saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons, sitting there, dressed and in his right mind. People got afraid.

When Jesus was getting back into the boat, the man who was possessed by demons begged Jesus to go with him. Jesus did not let him, but said to him, “Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has mercy on you.” So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. All the people were amazed.

Previous daily insights elsewhere taught us Jesus has power over nature. Today’s insight reminds us of the fact that Jesus Christ has authority over the devil, demons, and the kingdom of darkness. When Jesus asked the impure spirits to come out of this man, they came out. Did you notice the demons immediately recognized Jesus Christ? They called him Jesus, the Son of the Most High God. You see the demons recognize, know, testifies and obeys Jesus, the Son of God. Then I wonder why people had a problem in acknowledging Jesus as the Son of God. Is it not weird? The Bible gives us the reason why? The God of this age (Devil) has blinded the minds of unbelievers so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.” People need God’s miraculous revelation to know and believe in Christ as the Son of God because the devil has blinded the minds of unbelievers.

The man was possessed by several demons. They said the name is Legion. A legion is the largest unit in the Roman army. A legion means an average of five thousand fighting men. In other words, it refers to numerous or a multitude. In short, this man was possessed by a large number of demons. This man was uncontrollable due to the number of demons inside him gave him untamable strength. However, always God’s power and authority are greater, and demons and the devil’s power are subservient to God’s power. That is why the Bible says “greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world.” If you are a believer in Jesus Christ the one in your (the Jesus Christ) is greater in power than he is in this world (the devil).

We do not know for sure how demons can possess people. The indications from the Bible are this- habitual and unconfessed sins can open up the door for demons to enter into lives. Immoral lifestyles, getting into the habits of drug and alcohol usage, continuous rebellion, bitterness, and unforgiveness could also open up the doors. Bible says in Ephesians 4:17-32 some of the ways we can give the devil a foothold in our life. These include keeping anger in the heart without forgiving others, consistent sensual life without confession, and cleansing by the blood of Christ. Bible also links impure spirits and demon’s entrance into our lives through the worship of idols. Bible indicates idol worship and worship of demons are related. Refer to Deuteronomy 32:17 and 1 Corinthians 10:20.

Confession of our sins is crucial in this regard. This is why John says in 1 John 1 instead of saying we are without sin and claiming we have not sinned, we need to confess our sins, and when we do that, the Lord is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. Upon confession of our sins and turning away from sins and addictions, the devil loses his influence on us because the divine and sinless blood of Christ cleanses us from all our impurities.

The demons inside the man knew that Jesus would not allow them to live there anymore. Therefore, they begged Jesus’s permission to let them go into pigs. When Jesus gave authorization, they went into the herd of pigs, about two thousand in number, and got drowned in the lake. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, has power overall. When Jesus says demons come out and when He says go, they go. Without his permission, the demons could not go into the pigs. Upon the consent of Jesus, they went into the pigs, and they all rushed down the steep bank into the lake and were drowned. The devil always leads to destruction and ruin. In contrast, Jesus Christ gives abundant life, love, and peace.

Beloved, you see, this man once lived an ordinary life like other people. However, then later in his years, he was possessed by demons. He became uncontrollable, and people threw him out of their community. He ended up in tombs. What an unfortunate situation. However, Lord Jesus showed mercy toward him, healed him from the demons.
You see, Lord Jesus has power over demons and the Devil, but He also has mercy and compassion toward those who are possessed by demons. He has mercy, love, and compassion on all of us. He has the power and authority to cast demons out of a man. Lord Jesus is merciful and gracious. Nobody including his own family could help him, but Jesus stepped in and helped.

When he became well, the man asked Jesus for permission to go with him. However, Jesus had a different plan for his life. Instead of letting him go with him, Jesus gave another assignment to him. “Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has mercy on you.” He went around and started witnessing the love, mercy, and grace of Lord Jesus to all people in Decapolis.

Got a moment for today’s prayer? “Father in heaven, I know you have authority and power over darkness, demons, and devil. I believe and accept Jesus Christ as my savior and Lord because He died and rose again for my sins. Please forgive my sins. Wash me and cleanse me today and use the rest of my life for your glory. In Jesus Christ’s name, I pray. Amen.”