Count On God’s Perfect Time!

  “I have seen the burden God has laid on the human race. He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart” Ecclesiastes 3:11 (a).

“For there is a proper time and procedure for every matter,
    though a person may be weighed down by misery.”  (Ecclesiastes 8:6).

The wisest man ever lived on the face of the earth, King Solomon has much to say about God, His seasons, and times. God has time for everything in your life. God’s time is the best and perfect time. Sometimes we may need to wait for His time. Other times God may act swiftly and we may have to move with God. However, makes sure it is God’s time before you move forward.

In order to understand God’s time, you need to know His word – the Bible and the counsel of the Holy Spirit. Those who know the Bible and listen to the indwelling Holy Spirit can figure out God’s timing in a better way because they hid God’s word and listen to the prompting of the Holy Spirit.

Solomon says “I have seen the burden God has laid on the human race”. You and I can also agree with what he wrote. However, we also need to remember this truth about God-“He has made everything beautiful in its time.” He did in the past. He will do it again and again in the future.

Out insight also says, “for there is a proper time and procedure for every matter, though a person may be weighed down by misery.”  Sometimes we are weighed down by miseries, don’t we? However, there are also proper times and procedures in God’s calendar.

You see, you can not rush God and at the same time, you can not delay God. God has His perfect time and season for all matters of your life. This is because he has ordained all things of your life ahead of time to happen at an appropriate time. David wrote in Psalm 139 that God had woven him together in the depths. God knew his unformed body when it was knitted together in the mother’s womb. Then It reveals a marvelous truth- “all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.”

David wrote in Psalm 30:5 this about God, “For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime! Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning.” Isaiah 40:31 says, “But they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.”

You see, in His perfect time, He makes everything beautiful.  Weeping may last for a period of time, but joy is on the horizon. God will bring it to pass for sure. Those who wait for God’s timing have renewed strength and eventually fly high like eagles. They would still run again without getting weary. They would continue walking without fainting.

I hope and pray that you would understand God’s timing by reading and learning the Bible and continuously listening to the Holy Spirit who is there to help and guide through it all.

All these things I mentioned above won’t make sense if you have not connected to the living God in heaven in and through the savior of the world – Jesus Christ – who died, buried, and rose again to pay for all your sins and make a brand new creation. The first step is acknowledging the living God who is the creator, sustainer, and provider of all by accepting Jesus Christ as your savior and Lord. There starts a new, blessed and exciting journey with the love and guidance of God’s word and His Holy Spirit.

“Father in heaven, I understand you sometimes allow burden and difficulties in my life according to your sovereign plan and purpose. It is also important that I need to keep in mind God’s time is a perfect time. I must have God’s word in my heart and I must listen to the divine promptings of the Holy Spirit. Lord help me to study your words recorded in the Bible in these perilous times and listen to your Holy Spirit. I believe Jesus Christ died and rose again by paying for all of my sins on His divine and sinless body. I accept him as my savior and Lord. Open my heart to obey you. Help me to surrender my life to you and your plans. In Christ’s name, I pray. Amen.”

“God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” John 4:24.

Jesus revealed the truth about worship to a person who was looked down on by the Jews in those days because she was a Samaritan woman. Moreover, apparently due to the fear of ridicule and mocking from people in her village, she came alone to the well during the noontime, although usually, women used to go to draw water in the afternoon and evening hours. She had a history that was not very much appreciable in the sight of people. She traded husbands five times in the past and now living with a man who is not her husband.

Jesus stopped on the way to Samaria just to talk to her. Jesus had a divinely appointed time in God’s clock to have a conversation with this Samaritan woman.

In the conversation, Jesus told her that if she knew the gift of God, and who is asking her for water, then she would have asked Him, and He would have given her living water. Jesus said whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water He shall give him will never thirst again. However, the water He shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up to everlasting life.

Jesus was saying to her what she was after would only make her thirst again and again. In her case, relationships after relationships were what she was thirsting after. However, Jesus promised she would never thirst after things that could never truly satisfy her if she drinks the water that springs up to everlasting life only Jesus can provide. That water that springs everlasting life is knowing Jesus as the Messiah, the savior of the whole world who can forgive and save fully and completely and grant her eternal life in heaven regardless of her background.

The woman tried to change the topic by saying that the Samaritans worship at Mount Gerizim, while the Jews worshiped at Jerusalem. Jesus sticks with the point and said, “Believe me, dear woman, the time is coming when it will no longer matter whether you worship the Father on this mountain or in Jerusalem…But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father seeks such to worship Him.”

What does spirit and truth worship mean? First of all, let me say what worship is not. Worship is not to be confined to any particular place like Mount Gerizim or Jerusalem. In addition, worship is not based on any specific patterns or ceremonial regulations as some denominations do even these days. I know some people give importance to their temple/churches or certain outside ceremonies/patterns of worship. However, although these outward things could help in worship, they are not the essential ingredients that please God.

Jesus said you must worship Him in spirit and truth. Did you notice Jesus’s words? “For the Father seeks such to worship Him.” God seeks worshippers who worship in spirit and truth.

What is worship in spirit mean? Your worship must come from spirit, the internal core of your soul. You see, your dead spirit was quickened and made alive by God when you repented of your sins and accepted Jesus Christ as your savior and Lord. (Ephesians 2:4-6). That is the beginning point. Now you worship God in spirit. Not by seeing specific outward arrangments but by the acknowledgment of truth from the bottom of your soul- spirit. Your spirit is now in passion for the Lord God because He made you alive and you found the truth about Jesus Christ that liberated you from bondage.

Secondly, worship must be in truth. You should know the truth about God and then only meaningful worship is possible. Jesus said I am the truth. Worshiping in truth means you know the truth about Jesus Christ. Moreover, your acceptance of the truth- that Jesus is your savior and Lord, he died in your place for all of your sins. God loves you, He transferred you from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of His beloved Son when you believed in Jesus; God gave forgave all your sins by the shed blood of Jesus Christ, he granted you eternal life by saving you from eternal hell. These are some of the fundamental truths. However, your knowledge of truth would increase tremendously as you grow in the Bible and Christ. All this body of truths helps you worship in spirit and truth. Father seeks such worshippers who worship in spirit and truth.

You see, worship is not just outward ceremonies or specific patterns. Worship is not just going to a building or place. You must worship God in spirit and truth. Regardless of location and structure, though they can help, you must worship Him in spirit and based on the truth of Jesus Christ. Jesus is the truth. You must know Jesus personally, and worship must come from your innermost heart.

Worship in spirit only leads to some momentary emotional experiences which eventually fades away. Worship based on truth only leads to legalism and monotonous experiences. Worship involves both spirit and truth to make it a pleasing aroma to God.

Beloved, I do not know about your background. However, if Jesus can save the Samaritan woman, he can save you regardless of your environment. Jesus loves you and wants to save you so that you would not thirst after what the world offers you. What the world offers you to fill your thirst leads only to an empty and lost soul, while Jesus fills you and gives rest and satisfaction to your soul. Turn to Christ today and begin to worship Him not just outwardly but in spirit and truth.

“Father in heaven, please fill my soul with your love and make me alive your Spirit. I want to born again into your heavenly family by believing in Christ Jesus. I believe he died and rose again for my sins. Please forgive my sins. Save me and give me eternal life. In Christ’s name I pray. Amen.”

Replace Fear with Worship!

“Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.” But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord.” NIV
“So don’t worry or be afraid of their threats. Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life.”  1 Peter 3:14-15. NLT.

Rick Warren wrote, “The more you pray, the less you’ll panic. The more you worship, the less you worry. You’ll feel more patient and less pressured.”

Are you afraid or worried? These days we do not need to ask that question, do we? People are naturally afraid and worried about many things. You end up worrying about your future. You worry about your health condition. You worry about finance. You worry about relationships.

Bible shows two strong antidotes to your fear and worry. Every time these two antidotes works. It is nothing other than paying and worshiping Lord Jesus Christ. Replace fear and anxiety with prayer and worship. Philippians 4:6 says about prayer in the midst of worries and anxieties. Today’s insight shows worship amid fear and worry. Each time fear pops up and each time worry pops up, revere, give worth, thank, praise, and think very highly about Lord Jesus Christ. You know nothing impossible for God. Moreover, you know He never leaves you nor forsakes you. Therefore, why don’t you worship? Worship has the power to replace fear and worry from your heart.

Our today’s insight says this fact. I placed two translations –NIV and NLT. It says, “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened. “But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord.” NLT says, “So don’t worry or be afraid of their threats. Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life.”

You see, when you accepted Christ as your savior and Lord, He is the Lord of all the areas of your life. He is not just the Lord on Sundays and prayer meetings. He is the Lord of your relationships, finance, health, career, future, and all. If He is the Lord of all areas, then you do not worry because he worries for you. Bible promises in 1 Peter 5:7, “Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.” Worship Christ as the Lord of your life when fear and worry grips you.

Bible says in Exodus 8:1, “Then the LORD said to Moses, “Go to Pharaoh and say to him, ‘This is what the LORD says: Let my people go, so that they may worship me.” The Lord God released the children of Israel from slavery in Egypt to worship him. However, on the way to the promised land, when they were faced with trials, they became worried and afraid. The worry and fear resulted in murmuring, complaining, and even accusing Moses and the Lord. Had they worshipped who was with them by the pillar of light in the night and pillar of clouds in the day (Exodus 13:21-22), do you think the outcome would have been different? The fear, complaining, and fighting instead of worship caused a high price to them – many died in the wilderness, and they wandered another forty years in the desert.

Beloved, trials and suffering can cause worry and fear. We are also on our journey to the promised land of heaven. Do not be fearful; do not be frightened and do not worry. Instead, you worship Christ as the Lord of your life. Each time when you face trials and sufferings, you have a choice-worry/fear or worship. I hope you would choose worship. It is not easy. It is still your choice, and the Lord asks you to do it. 1 Peter 2:9(b) says, you are called, “so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” When you worship you proclaim the excellencies of God.   Like the hymns sings, “Let me like Mary through the gloom, come with a gift to Thee”. The gift of praise and worship. Dear ones, this is different from the world’s value system, isn’t it? You bet, people would want to know the reason for your peace and hope. Be prepared to answer everyone who asks you the reasons for the hope you have in the Lord.

Got a moment for today’s prayer? “Father in heaven, I praise and worship you amid my painful circumstances. Like Mary on the first Easter morning came to the tomb of Jesus with a gift, I offer my praise and worship to you in the midst of my pain and gloom. Accept my gift of worship. I desire no one more than you in my life. As I worship you, Lord, I surrender my life fully and completely to you. Use me for your glory. In Christ’s name, I pray. Amen.”

An Unchanging Focus in an all-changing World!

“You, Lord, laid the foundation of the earth in the beginning, and the heavens are the work of your hands;” Hebrews 1:10
“Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.” Psalms 90:2

Everything around is constantly changing. Weather changes, people come and go, world governments and their leaders change, and our health conditions change. In the midst of all such changing and altering circumstances, what you and I need is an unchanging focus.

Bible gives this unchanging focus in our ever-changing lives. Isaiah 40:28 says, “Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable.” You see God is everlasting and eternal. He is the creator of the earth. God does not feel tired or get weary. He does not ever say ‘that was a surprise and I did not know about it.’ His knowledge and understandings are unsearchable. Bible says he knows how many hairs you have on your head. He knows all about you, your spouse, your children, and the people around you.

Our insights remind us God laid the foundation of the earth in the beginning. And the heavens are the work of His hands. Even before the mountains were brought forth or even before God had formed the earth and the world, He is God from everlasting to everlasting. You see we do have the restraints of time but God does not.

Beloved, the Bible says, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” The Jesus you came to know in the pages of the Gospels in the Bible is the same in the past, today, and forever. His character does not change. He is the same in love, mercy, compassion, and forgiveness if you come to Him for help.

The Lord God appeared and said, “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.” Jeremiah 31:3. You see God is everlasting and His love toward you is everlasting. God is everlasting and his kindness toward you is unfailing. It is His deepest passion to draw you to Him with unfailing kindness and love.

You see, we know love because God first loved us (1 John 4:19), when we understand God gave his one and only Son to save us from our destruction and ruin. Moreover, we came to know what love is when we look at the cross and reflect on the truth “Jesus laid down his life for us.” 1 John 3:16 (b). Bible affirms “God is love.” (1 John 4:8 (b)).

Then we sometimes doubt and puzzle If God is love, why all these bad things are happening?

Listen very carefully to what the Bible says, “endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? No, if you are not disciplined-and everyone undergoes discipline- then you are not legitimate children, not true sons and daughters. Besides, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. If so, how much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live! They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, so that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. Hebrews 12:7-11.

Is it too hard? He wants to get draw you to his unfailing love and kindness. He loves you. Because of His love, he disciplines us as our earthly fathers did to us. It is painful. However, it has the potential to produce a huge harvest of right living and peace if you allow yourself to be trained by it.

Father in heaven, In an ever-changing world I live in, help me to put my full focus on you. You are everlasting to everlasting my God. You are the creator of all. Your love is everlasting and you possess unfailing kindness toward me. I know love because you loved me first by sending your Son to this earth for my sake. I know love when I look at Jesus who carried my sins and punishment on his body on the cross. He died and rose again for me. I accept Him as my savior and Lord. Please forgive me and make me your child today. In christ’s name, I pray. Amen.”

The Empty Tomb Reminds Silently the Resurrection of All!

“But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.  For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man.  For as in Adam all die, so in Christ, all will be made alive. But each in turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him.” 1st Corinthians 15: 20-23.

During the horrific days of COVID-19, “New York City officials have hired contract laborers to bury the dead in its potter’s field on Hart Island as the city’s daily death rate from the coronavirus epidemic has reached grim new records in each of the last three days. There are about two dozen bodies a day, five days a week buried on the island, said Jason Kersten, a spokesman for the Department of Correction, which oversees the burials. Before burial, the dead are wrapped in body bags and placed inside pine caskets. The deceased’s name is scrawled in large letters on each casket, which helps should a body need to be disinterred later. They are buried in long narrow trenches excavated by digging machines.” Reuters.

All these happened in 2020 when the world was silently commemorating and reflecting in their homes the death, burial, and resurrection of the Son of God who became the Son of Man, Jesus Christ, to save people from their sins and consequent death. People remembered the fear, absence of peace around them, and who finally conquered fear and hopelessness. 

The empty tomb there in the land of Israel which is visited by millions of people and the resurrection of Jesus Christ is God’s loudspeaker to the humans that all who die would be resurrected. The first fruit is a sample, a glimpse, an example of the many fruits to come. The passage says Jesus Christ was the first fruit of those who have died. It continues to say death came through a man, referring to Adam, and the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. In Adam, all die, and in Christ, all will be made alive again. God in His eternal and divine plan demolished the hopelessness of man into full hope. Bible says those who received Jesus have full, safety and security for their future. Even from the narrow trenches excavated by digging machines, one day, all will be resurrected. Remember, Jesus was the first fruit. 

Bible affirms that all who are dead will be resurrected. John 5:28-29 says there are two groups of the resurrections-one group that will rise at the voice of the Lord for eternal life and the second group eternal condemnation and damnation. However, the bodily resurrection would be certain for all people.

If nothing else we understand from Easter Sunday, this is what we must all know. The empty tomb and the resurrection of Christ guarantee the resurrection of all. The basic tenet is this – through one man, death entered humanity (Adam), and through another man, who was fully man and God, Jesus Christ the resurrection of all happens. Now, where you spend your eternity (in heaven with God or away from God in condemnation/destruction) hinges on the decision you make about Jesus Christ, the Son of God, whom God sent as a ransom for all of your sin.  

Jesus said and it is recorded in John 10:27-28, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: and I give unto them eternal life, and they shall never perish.” John also recorded in John 3:16 what Jesus said, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” Bible also affirms in 1 John 5:12, “Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.” It means whoever accepts and believes in the Son of God (Jesus) has eternal life with God in heaven at the time of resurrection. Whoever does not accept and believe in the Son of God (Jesus) does not have eternal life.

Beloved, the Easter Sunday, first of all, reminds us of the assurance of all people’s future resurrection. Secondly, it reminds us of the assurance of Justice and the victory of God over the devil and darkness. Devil, by gathering the mob against Jesus, thought he won Friday night through the dawn of Sunday. However, God changed the table- Justice prevailed and God came through victoriously. The angel announced about Jesus, “He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay”. The Easter assured Justice and victory in the midst of darkness around us. We have many dark moments in our lives on this earth. We witness and encounter many injustices here now, don’t we? 

Thirdly, Easter affirms the security, safety, and full hope of eternal life at the moment of death. Only Jesus would give quietness, comfort and full and unshakable hope even perilous days like today. 

Bible says this, “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.  But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 

 You see, God already granted us victory. The victory is available in Lord Jesus Christ. Did you claim the victory of Easter as your personal victory as of yet? 

“Father in heaven, I know humanity’s security and hope is found only in you. I agree the sting of death, which we see all around us these days, is sin. However, I praise and thank you, God. You give us the victory through Lord Jesus Christ. The blood of Jesus Christ has the power to cleanse us from all our sins. Help us, Lord, to listen to what you say to us. I believe you speak loudly from heaven to find refuge in the savior of the world, Jesus Christ before it gets late. I accept Him as my savior and Lord. I repent of my sins and turn to you for your help. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.”

The Counselor and Guide Of Your Life!

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
I will guide you with My eye.” Psalms 32:8. NKJV

One of the Lailah Gifty Akita quotes says, “May you be guided to walk in the right paths.” She also said, “May God guide you along the best pathway for your life.”

Bible reveals God is not just your creator and savior only,  but also your counselor and guide while we live here on this earth. Most of the time, we think about God as our creator, deliverer, and savior. There is nothing wrong with it. However, God of the Bible reminds us in the Bible’s pages that He wants to instruct us, teach us and guide us.

Today’s Bible insight says, “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye.” According to this verse, He does three things in his children’s life. He instructs/teaches, and guides. The way you should go is important to him. Hence he instructs and teaches. Did you realize the Lord guides you with His eyes on you? You are so valuable to Him because you are chosen (Ephesian 1:4, 1st Peter 2:9), bought by the blood of Jesus Christ, the Son of God (1st Corinthians 6:20, Galatians 3:13 and Revelation 5:9), and you belong to Him and His special possession (1 John 4:4, 1st Corinthians 3:23 and 1st Peter 2:9). You are infinitely valuable and precious because you are a child of God when you accepted Jesus Christ as your savior. (John 1:12). Psalms 37:23 says, “The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD, And He delights in his way.” NKJV. God orders your steps, although most of the time, you are not aware of it. He does it because you are his delight like your children are your delight.

Beloved, the Lord instructs and teaches you the way you should go through the pages of the Bible. Holy Spirit, whom the Lord gave us, also teaches us. Instruction and teaching also happen in our prayer time. He instructs and teaches you through Godly people’s teachings/preaching and their writings/books. Moreover, the Lord also instructs and teaches us through the good and bad events in our life.

However, when it comes to guidance, God promises, that He will guide you with His eye. Did you notice He says, “I will guide you with My eye.”? He is looking and watching at all the steps you take. If you move in or step into something you should not be, he can sovereignly change or alter your steps so that His plans will be accomplished throughout your life and you would be happy and satisfied. He brings events and people into your life that you never thought of. Later you look back and see God’s handprints all over it, though you did not understand when it originally happened. Why? Because the Lord guides you with His eye on you. Proverbs 16:9 says, “We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps.” NLT. You can plan your ways; however, the LORD can set aside your plan and determine/establish his steps in your life. Have you experienced it in your life? You excellently planned things. Then God stepped in, overthrew it, and established His plans? You got uncomfortable, upset, and angry. Later you figured out the Lord did the right thing for you, didn’t you? You ended up praising him. Why? Because the Lord is the one who orders, guides, directs, and even finally determines your steps/ways.

Beloved, God’s sovereign guidance in people’s lives is illustrated in almost all books of the Bible so that we would know how intricately and intimately He is interested in guiding us. Take the example of Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Ruth, David, and many others.

A true Christian who loves the Lord must be excited about his life. God orchestrates everything behind the screen because he guides you with His eyes on you. The Christian life is not boring. The Christian life is full of new and adventurous things. Through the vicissitudes of life, even though the valley of deep darkness and shadow of death, He guides you sovereignly and perfectly safe.

“Father in heaven, I thank you because you instruct, teach me the way I should go. Help me to read and learn the Bible, listen to you in prayer, lean on the Holy Spirit and listen to God’s people when they teach. Lord, I am thrilled you guide me with your eye on me. Through all my life circumstances -painful and joyful-you are with me to order and establish my steps. Finally, you will guide me even through the valley of death when I am ready to come to your presence. I thank you and worship you. In Christ’s name, I pray. Amen.”

Enthusiasm (En Theos) – part 2

“That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you who are in Rome.” Romans 1:15

Saul who became the apostle Paul and the greatest missionary of history was once an ardent enemy of Christianity in the first century. His life’s goal as a persecutor of Christians was evident to all people. He arrested, persecuted, imprisoned, and supported murdering many believers in Christ. He later wrote his testimony to Timothy, “He was a blasphemer, a persecutor, and a violent man.” 1 Timothy 1:13-14. He also said he acted in ignorance and unbelief in those days. However, he testified the grace of our Lord was poured out on him abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. He admitted in 1 Timothy 1:15 that he was the worst of all sinners. He said he is the worst of all sinners, Jesus Christ displayed his immense patience on him. He also wrote -this is an example for all those who would believe in him and receive eternal life. He said to King Agrippa when he was on trial that he was convinced in those days that he ought to do all that was possible to oppose the name of Jesus of Nazareth. He said he put many of the Lord’s people in prison, and when they were put to death, he cast his vote against them. He said he was so obsessed with persecuting them that he even hunted them down in foreign cities. (Acts 26:9-11).

However, on the way to Damascus to arrest the Christians and bring them to Jerusalem to put them in prison,  Jesus Christ appeared to him in a vision, and this incident turned around his life, and he accepted Jesus as his savior and Lord and got baptized. (Acts 9). Now he is enthusiastic and eager to preach the gospel to all the people everywhere, including the people in Rome,  which was the world’s capital in his days.  He says “ For I have a great sense of obligation to people in both the civilized world and the rest of the world, to the educated and uneducated alike” (Romans 1:14) NLT. The reason why he is very enthusiastic and eager to preach the Gospel (the good news) of Christ is this-“It (Gospel) is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile.  This Good News of God tells us how He makes us right in His sight.” (Romans 1:16-17) NLT. God makes people right with him by his grace upon the profession of faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who died and rose again for their sins. This is the Gospel or good news.

Beloved, the Gospel has the divine dynamite power in it to save any and everyone regardless of their background and make them stand right with God. Poor, rich, educated, uneducated, black, white or others, those who are in prison or out of prison, immoral or moral- anyone can be forgiven and saved eternally forever and ever. As we discussed in yesterday’s daily insight, genuine enthusiasm comes to your life when you connected to God by the blood relationship with Jesus Christ because Jesus shed his blood to save you forever and ever. This is why Paul was eager to preach the gospel.

I know many friends who are enthusiastic in sharing and preaching the Gospel around the world amid sufferings and persecutions. God knows each one of you, and he has the eternal reward for you. Hebrews 6:10 says, “God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.”

However, if you are an individual who is against the preaching of the good news of Jesus Christ, may I tell this- you are not persecuting another human being. You are persecuting Jesus Christ. Each hardship you do to a Gospel preacher or Christian missionary, you do to the living God in heaven.  Jesus in his vision to Saul who became Paul said this, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.” (Acts 26:14). He did not ask why do you persecute the believers in Him. If you are a persecutor, it is mindboggling but understand God loves you and has a loving and wonderful plan for your life as He had for Paul.

Dear one, what are you passionate and enthusiastic about? If the grace and love of God gripped you in the person and work of Jesus Christ, then you would also be eager to preach and share the good news of the grace and love of Christ. Like Paul, you would be a bond-servant of Christ set apart for the Gospel. (Romans 1:1)

Got a moment for today’s prayer? “Father in heaven, I believe in the Gospel, the good news, that you love me and I can get forgiveness of all my sins and get connected to your eternal love by accepting Your Son, Jesus Christ, as my savior and Lord. I repent of my sins and call upon the name of Jesus Christ now. Please wash my sins, save me and grant me forgiveness and eternal life. Lord, now I surrender my life for the sake of the Gospel. Use me to share your grace and love to all people everywhere. Use me for your cause Lord. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.”

Enthusiasm (En Theos) – part 1

“Whatever you do, do it enthusiastically, as something done for the Lord and not for men.” Colossians 3:23 (HCSB).

Oliver Wendell Holmes, who was an associate justice of the supreme court of the USA  said, “It’s faith in something and enthusiasm for something that makes life worth living.” Henry David Thoreau, an American essayist, poet, and philosopher said, “Enthusiasm is a supernatural serenity.”

Interestingly, do you know the word enthusiasm comes from the Greek word, “Entheos”? En Theos means God within. Understanding this fact Earl Nightingale, an American radio speaker and author said, “the happiest, most interesting people are those who have found the secret of maintaining their enthusiasm, that God within.” Indeed, it is not just faith in something, but it is the faith in God that produces true enthusiasm and makes life worth living.

We live in a culture where positive thinking is emphasized a lot. It says you need to think positively always. However, the truth is this- just positive thinking would not make you an enthusiastic person. Enthusiasm means something inspiring inside you or a strong excitement feeling. Of course, positive thinking people are generally more successful than negatively oriented people. Reading books that promote an optimistic thinking style would also not be just enough, although it helps.

If you want to enjoy real and genuine enthusiasm, as the Greek root word reveals, you must have God in you. When you have God in you, you will become enthusiastic in whatever you do and whatever role you find yourself in.

When nations and communities take God out of their schools, colleges, and societies, the real passion and enthusiasm in whatever you do eventually fade away. Life becomes dull, discouraged, and depressed. The immediately preceding context of today’s Bible verse gives a little bit more colorful background to today’s insight. Verse 18-22 says, “Wives, be submissive to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives and don’t be bitter toward them.  Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.  Fathers, do not exasperate your children, so they won’t become discouraged.  Slaves, obey your human masters in everything. Don’t work only while being watched, in order to please men, but work wholeheartedly, fearing the Lord.”

Then our today’s Bible insight comes- as wives, husbands, children, fathers, employees, whatever role you find yourselves in life-“Whatever you do, do it enthusiastically, as something done for the Lord and not for men.”

Your enthusiasm comes from the fact that is described in the first four verses of this chapter. It says, “You have been raised to life with Christ, so set your hearts on the things that are in heaven, where Christ sits on his throne at the right side of God.  Keep your minds fixed on things there, not on things here on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. Your real life is Christ, and when he appears, then you too will appear with him and share his glory.” You have divine enthusiasm inside you because you have Christ inside you. Once your spirit was dead toward God. Now because you believed in the Son of God, Jesus Christ, your dead spirit became alive. You are not walking dead anymore. You are walking in a full life with God because God is inside you.

Beloved, if you do not have God in your life, you can step out of your dull and hopeless life and step into the excitement and passion that He provides no matter what the circumstances are.  It is possible because the sin issue that separated you from God was removed by Jesus Christ, the savior of the world. Jesus paid all your sins by his sinless and divine blood. Now you can get connected to God and have him inside you when you repent of your sins and invite Jesus Christ into your life by prayer.

Got a moment for today’s prayer? Father in heaven, having you in my life is the source of my enthusiasm. Now, help me Lord to do whatever I do with eagerness and passion as if I am doing it to you. May I do my daily tasks with my whole heart because not to man but you, I am doing. In the name of Christ, I pray. Amen.”

The Source Of Peace and Fearlessness!

Jesus said, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33.

The world is without peace and in the grip of fear these days. Peace is not a commodity you can buy from superstores or convenience stores. Your peace of mind is not humanly generated. It has never been and it is not now and it will never be. Your peace is linked to your relationship with the prince of peace. The prince of peace and the source of peace is a person, the Son of God, Jesus Christ.

Jesus also said and it is recorded in John 14:27, ‘ Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

You see, peace is absent from the hearts that are fearful about tomorrow and the future. If you know your future is safe and secure, then, there is no need to worry. Worry comes due to the uncertainty of the future. God promises your future is safe and secure, not because of any merit in you, but because God made it safe and secure for you.

First of all, Jesus says He gives his divine peace to you. It is not like the temporary or short-term peace world offers you. It is a lasting peace He gives you even though the world is in chaos and turmoil. In the midst of all the pains this world gives, he protects his heart and mind with his peace. Remember once when Jesus was with the disciples and a fierce storm hit the boat and he was sleeping although the boat was buffeted by waves. Mark 4:35-41. Even chaos, turmoil, and danger all around and inside the boat, he was sleeping in perfect peace in the midst of all. Then when the disciples woke him up, He rebuked the wind and said, “Peace! Be still” The wind ceased and there was a great calm.

Of course, this incident teaches a few things. The most important lesson is this-Jesus Christ is God-man. Fully God and fully man. One hundred percent God and one hundred percent man. Theologians describe this as the hypostatic union. In his humanity, he slept. The incident described there also shows Jesus is fully God. He woke and ordered the wind to stop. In one phrase, “Peace! Be still!” All the chaos ended.

I think there is something else to remember. As God, Jesus is fully in peace in the scary and dangerous times of life. Why should He be afraid because he is God? The creator does not need to be afraid at all because He is the creator and sustainer of all. His peace is not affected by any type of chaos or turmoil.

Beloved, this is the type of peace He promised to give you. It is divine and powerful. Secondly, you do not need to be afraid when you know for sure you are safe and secure. Jesus said as a child of God who accepted Christ as your savior, you are in the hands of the Lord Jesus and in the hands of God the Father. Listen to what Jesus said, “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.  My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand.  I and the Father are one.” John 10:28-29.

When you think about it the worse and bad thing that could happen to you is your death. However, those who accepted Christ as their savior, have eternal life. Jesus said “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. No one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand.” 

Beloved if you have eternal life and you shall never perish as Jesus promised, then why do you worry? 

Rest assured whatever happens, for a child of God, all of it happens for his ultimate good only. God makes it all for his children’s good ultimately.

Are you a child of God? Bible says in John 1:12, “But as many as received Him (Jesus), to them He (God) gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name.”

If you come to Jesus Christ and accept Him as your savior and Lord in a small prayer now, you are now connected to the prince of peace who grants divine and powerful peace inside you, no matter what you are faced with. Moreover, your future is safe and secure because You shall never perish and no one will snatch you out of the hand of Jesus and God the Father. If you are already a child of God, then live in full peace that He grants you. May His grace and peace abide you day in and day out. 

“Father in heaven, I need peace in these trying and dangerous days. I need the prince of peace, the Son of God, Jesus in my life. I receive Jesus as my savior now. I believe he died and rose again for me and paid for all of my sins. Please save and grant me your divine peace and security. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.”

God cares about heart and character!

“You were taught to leave your old self—to stop living the evil way you lived before. That old self becomes worse because people are fooled by the evil things they want to do. But you were taught to be made new in your hearts, to become a new person. That new person is made to be like God—made to be truly good and holy.” Ephesians 4:22-24

God is after your character. He wants you to stop living the way you lived before. The old self-controlled life causes foolish consequences and actions. God wants you to be new in your hearts- become a new person. Leave the old and embrace the new things God wants you to have. 

 You see, the Bible says God wants to transform you to Christ-likeness with the fruit of the spirit described in Galatians 5:22-23. It says there, “But the Spirit produces the fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control” God wants us to bear more and much fruit and fewer acts of the flesh.

However, unfortunately, we see around us the acts of the flesh more often than the fruit of the spirit. The acts of the flesh are described in verses 18 to 21 of the same chapter. They are immorality, impurity, sensuality,  idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions,  envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”

Did you notice, that it ends with a serious warning if we continue in such a lifestyle without any signs of repentance, the passage says this – such people will not inherit the kingdom of God. 

Beloved, how important to him that we develop fruit for him? It means the internal qualities described above. Jesus cursed and said this after looking for fruit in a tree, “May you never bear fruit again!” Immediately the tree withered.” May He never say this about any one of us! Do you show forth love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control? These are the fruit God is looking for in our lives even amid ill-treatments, pains, and confusion. If not all, at least a few fruits do we have? Or are we closer looking to the acts of flesh which are immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, faction, envying, drunkenness, carousing and things like these? If so, can we lean on the loving Lord’s call to move away from these actions to look more like the first list – the fruit of the spirit.

Beloved, we have to lean on the Lord in prayer and in the word of God to get there. We must allow the Holy Spirit to control our thinking and actions. As long as flesh controls our thinking and actions, no character developments happen. We need to punish our body and make it under our control as we discussed in earlier insights to show forth much spiritual fruit in our lives. I know how hard it is to move out of flesh to Spirit. Whatever it costs, we must make it happen. Not many days left. The few days left, may we live striving forward to bear at least a few of the fruit of the Spirit.

Remember God is not after your reputation/fame. He is not after your convenience and well-being. He is after your heart and character. The COVID-19 disaster also proves this fact. God doesn’t care much about our convenience. He does not. He is after our character. He wants to groom you to the likeness of His Son, Jesus before you stand in front of him one day. For this purpose, God would allow severe hardships in your life. He intends to make fruit out of you. He would make hard-pressed fruit, which causes stress and pain as He did in Jeremiah’s life, for a world dying in their sins every day. Sweetly allow Him to do this in and through you. 

It does not really matter what was your past. It is not late yet. Begin today. Surrender and commit today for God to transform you. Allow Him to see fruit/character developing inside you. 

“Father in heaven, I want to bear fruit for you in my life. I want to cooperate with you to develop my character because you are after my character, not after my reputation, well-being, or convenience. I submit and surrender to you today. I am sorry I was living according to my old ways. I looked more like a flesh-oriented person than a spiritual person. Help me Lord and change me today so that I can honor you when I live here temporarily. In Christ’s name, I pray. Amen.”