God’s salvific plan in summary. Part 1

“And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.” Romans 8:30.

God has a perfect and eternal plan in place. God’s plan regarding humans is well summarized in today’s insight. It says, “those He (God) predestined, He also called; He also justified; those he justified, He also glorified.”

First, God’s plan included predestination. Ephesian 1:4 says, “For he (God) chose us in him (Jesus) before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.” Ephesian 1:11 says, “In him (Jesus) we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will.” Therefore God chose a believer in Christ even before He created the world. Jesus said, and it is recorded in John 6:44, “For no one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them to me, and at the last day I will raise them up.” Jesus also said, and it is recorded in John 15:16, “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you.” This is the concept of the biblical doctrine of predestination.

Now, God’s predestination or choice before the creation of the world does not eliminate the human choice of His way of salvation that is available only in Jesus Christ. There are two prominent views of predestination among Christians. The first view is called Calvinism, which says God gives irresistible grace to those whom he already chose for salvation and eternal life. The second view is Arminianism, which says people can reject God’s offer of grace through the exercise of their free choice. In Calvinism, people cannot resist God’s call because it is an irresistible call, although it includes the exercise of human free will to respond to the call.

Second, God’s salvation plan includes ‘calling.’ Our insight says those who predestined, he also called. Suppose you are chosen by God and thereby predestined before creating all (means before the creation of time as well because God created time). In that case, you will be called ‘in time’ (in the time allotted for you in history). This is the second promise of God.

Suppose you get the call to come to Jesus because God chooses people for salvation only in him (Jesus) according to Ephesians 1:4 and 1:11 and others in the pages of the Bible. You get convinced about God’s invitation to accept Jesus. In that case, you are predestined or chosen by God according to our today’s Bible insight. The right response is to believe in Jesus as your savior and Lord.
We will discuss the next two steps in the plan –Justification and glorification in the ensuing sessions.
Beloved, God invites you right now through my voice to come to Jesus and accept Him as your savior and Lord. Jesus is the only savior of humankind because He is the only one who died, buried, and rose again and paid for all of your sins by his divine and sinless blood. There is no one out there. Bible says in Romans 3 that God publicly displays Jesus and his shed blood on the cross as the propitiation/satisfaction for you. You can get forgiveness, salvation, and eternal life by placing your faith in Jesus right now. You are called. It is left you to respond to the loving invitation from God by exercising your free choice.

Would you pray after me? “Father in heaven, I understand you have a perfect eternal salvific plan. I also know your plan is in Jesus Christ. Thank you for drawing me to Jesus. I know you love me and gave Jesus for my salvation and eternal life. I accept your call and receive Jesus as my savior and Lord. Please forgive my sins and make me your child today. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen. “

“Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.” 1 Peter 2:1-3.

According to Leo Tolstoy, A Russian writer who is regarded as one of the greatest authors of all time, “Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself.”

The question is it possible to change? Getting rid of certain characteristics like deception, hypocrisy, envy, and slander is not that easy for many people. However, the powerful route to get out of those and other bad characters is craving for the Word of God. The Bible or the Word of God is described as pure spiritual milk that facilitates spiritual growth.

Our passage indicates a change is possible and much more comfortable than you ever thought if you have already accepted Jesus Christ as your savior and Lord. Peter states the reason in the preceding verses. A person who accepted Jesus is already born again into God’s family. This re-birth did not happen by a perishable seed, but by the imperishable seed, by the living and eternal word of God. When the Word of God was preached, they welcomed and accepted it. The moment they opened the door of their heart for Jesus Christ, God gave them His Holy Spirit to indwell in them. Before this event, they had only one mechanism, which was flesh. Now they have divine help inside, the Holy Spirit of God. And the change is possible.

The indwelling Holy Spirit of God and His Word are the agents who make character change possible.

Our today’s Bible insight says, “Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.”

Did you notice there is a negative and positive command in our verse? Negatively, get rid of the old clothes of malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. Positively, like newborn babies, desire (crave) for pure spiritual milk. Newborn babies crave and cry for Mom’s milk. Like newborn babies, by your faith in Jesus, you are born again into God’s family. As a baby in God’s family, you need the spiritual milk to facilitate growth and maturity to know and understand everything God has in plan for you.

The last verse of the 1st chapter suggests what the author meant by spiritual milk is the Word of God, which is the Bible. It says, “the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord endures forever.” And this is the word that was preached to you.” The Word of God is pure and unadulterated. It will equip you. It will guide you. It will counsel you. It will empower you to live a Godly life in this world. The Word of God promises wonderful benefits for this life and for the life to come. The power of the Word of God that caused you to born again in to God’s household, the same makes possible your change and transformation. 

It says by believing in Jesus, you have already tasted that the Lord is good, don’t you? You understood Jesus died, buried, and rose again for you. He forgave all your sins. He reconciled you to God, the Father. You have tasted He is good. Now for progressive spiritual growth and taste and see that the Lord is good than you ever thought in million different ways, learn the Bible. The more you study the Bible, with the help of the indwelling Holy Spirit of God inside you, you would get rid of malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, slander, and many others. 

The divine change happens when you come to Jesus and accept Him as your savior and Lord. This is the beginning point of God’s beautiful blessings and guidance.

If you haven’t committed your life to Lord Jesus, would you pray with me now?

“Father in heaven, I know I am a sinner. I need your love, forgiveness, compassion, mercy, and kindness. I know you love me and gave your one and only Son to die in my place for my sins. Jesus died, buried, and rose again for me. I accept Him as my savior and Lord. Please save me now. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.”

God transplants you to a new Kingdom- the kingdom of His beloved Son.

“For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son”. Colossians 1:13.

The USA had a crucial election. The party and the president in power lost, and another party gained control of both Congress and the Senate. Last week, two Georgia senate seat ballot determined the future voting power in the Senate. The newly elected administration would be able to achieve all they want shortly due to the majority in Congress and Senate. Of course, this is a scary thought for many people. Others are happy over this.

Pandemic and its long term effect are also in people’s hearts and minds. Would life be the same again based on the new power shift in Washington and the ongoing economic recession/depression caused by the worldwide pandemic? The hard assets like precious metals and recently cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin were on the rise, breaking all past growths. One of the main reasons for this phenomenon is that people do not trust the governments and their fiat money created by the printing presses in the United States and around the world. They lost trust in Government and their fiat currencies. The confidence in decentralized exchanges increased at the expense of the Government and its printed currencies.

Many puzzles where are we heading? Will life be normal again? The Bible reminds this comforting thought to those who already put their trust in Jesus Christ. It says, “He (God) has delivered us from the dominion of darkness and transferred us to the Kingdom of His beloved Son (Jesus Christ). This transfer already happened if you realize it or not. A done deal and the transaction occurred so quickly when you came and accepted Christ as your savior.

A rescue mission had already been accomplished for Adam’s posterity, for those who would come to Jesus. God paid for their sins and shortcomings (big or small) by the blood of Christ. The blood of Jesus is mighty to cleanse the people from their sins. The Bible says God bought them and released them from the kingdom or dominion of this world to the kingdom of His beloved Son. Therefore the result is this- You do not look forward to the kingdoms of this world or its rulers. You see, you don’t need to trust or depend on them. You belong to the Kingdom of Jesus Christ. The world’s kingdom would rise and fall as history taught us. The Egyptian kingdom fell. The Babylonian kingdom fell. The kingdom of Medes and Persians were destroyed. The Greco Empire lost its power. The Roman Empire fell apart into various small nations in Europe.

 The Bible says this in Daniel 2:42-43 about what to happen after the fallen Roman Empire this way, “As the toes were partly iron and partly clay so that this kingdom will be partly strong and partly brittle. And just as you saw the IronIron mixed with baked clay, so the people will be a mixture and will not remain united, any more than iron mixes with clay.” The attempt to unite the old Roman Empire would be made. However, the Bible says it is like Iron mixed with clay. Although they try to get united, they will not remain united, any more than iron mixes with clay. Then it says in Daniel 2:44, “at the time of those rulers the God of heaven will establish a new kingdom that will never end. It will never be conquered, but will destroy all those empires and then last forever.” 

The great God in heaven told the king of Babylon through His prophet Daniel about the timing of establishing the kingdom of God on this planet earth. In verse 45, it says how a stone broke loose from a cliff without anyone touching it and how it struck the statue made by Nebuchadnezzar (in his dream) –a statue made of Iron, bronze, clay, silver, and God. And it says in 45 © the great God in heaven told Nebuchadnezzar through prophet Daniel what will happen in the future. God has given him its true meaning.

 The Stone is nothing other than the Stone that is prophesied in the old testament Scripture in Isaiah 28:16 and Psalm 118:22, which is fulfilled in the person of Jesus Christ. Peter wrote in 1 Peter 2:6 this about this Stone. Listen, “As you come to him (Jesus), the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him—  you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.  For in Scripture, it says:

“See, I lay a stone in Zion,

     a chosen and precious cornerstone,

 and the one who trusts in him

     will never be put to shame.”

Listen: If you trust in the Stone that God laid in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, that is Jesus Christ, then you will never be put to shame. Why? As our insight says, God has delivered you from the kingdoms of this world and darkness and transferred you to the kingdom of His beloved Son, Jesus Christ.

Beloved, Let me ask you this -do you know if this transfer happened in your life? If not sure, come to Jesus right now and enter into the kingdom of Jesus Christ. It is not late as of now. 

There are only two kingdoms. Keep in mind that there is no third kingdom. You are now either in the kingdom of darkness or in the kingdom of Jesus Christ. You don’t want to be in doubt. By repenting of your sins and accepting Jesus as your savior, right at this moment, you would be transferred to the kingdom of Jesus. Praise God; I am privileged to lead you into God’s kingdom. All glory to His name.

Pray after me. “Father in heaven, I want to enter into the kingdom of your beloved Son, Jesus Christ.  I repent of my sins and turn to you for rescue and salvation. I believe Jesus died, buried, and rose again for my sins and shortcomings. I accept Jesus as my savior and Lord. Please save me and allow me to enter into the Kingdom of Your Son Jesus Christ. Thank you for saving and transplanting me. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.” 

The Light that dispels darkness out of you instantly.

“I am the Light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness but will have the Light of life.” John 8:12. ESV.

When you turn on a torchlight or light a candle into a dark room, did you notice the light conquers the darkness instantaneously? Just a click, darkness dispels. Jesus said, “I am the Light of the World. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness but will have the Light of life.”

Jesus is ‘the’ Light of the World. John says this about Jesus in John 1:4-5, “In him was life, and the life was the Light of men. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” This verse says the life of Jesus is the Light of men. That is the only Light of men because it says ‘the light of men.’

The life and Light of Jesus are what needs in the darkness of this world. Nothing else will solve the issues of darkness and the power of darkness surrounding the world and people’s hearts and minds.

You see, sin harden and darken people. The only power that can penetrate and deliver those who become prisoners of sins is the power of the Light of Jesus. The power of the Light of Jesus is felt when people hear the eternal Word of God. Bible says the eternal Word of God and Jesus are the same. John says in 1:1, “in the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. Who? The Word of God. Then verse 14 says, who is the eternal Word of God who was with God and who was God from the beginning? It says referring to the birth of Jesus Christ, “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

You see, Jesus is the life (source of life); he is the Light that dispels darkness. He is the eternal Word of God and is full of grace and truth.
Are you heavy laden and darkened by the influence of sins? Do you want to get released from your sins and feel freedom? When Jesus was born, the angel announced this – “you shall name Him Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” He is the only savior who shall save you from your sins and grant you forgiveness and true freedom. He will remove the darkness, despair, and hopelessness caused by sins out of the door like the light dispels darkness instantly.

Not only Jesus saves sinners from their sins. The news gets even better. It says that you will never walk in darkness because you follow Jesus, but will have the Light of life. Jesus dispels darkness away from you. You will reflect the Light wherever you go because He allows you to reflect His Light in and through you to the people around you.

Listen! Jesus said this, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28. Your soul may not be at rest now. You want to rest in your soul. You don’t want to be weary and burdened, do you? Jesus calls you now. Come to Him; he will restore your soul with rest and divine peace. He will make you a brand new creation.

Would you come now?

“Father in heaven, I come to Jesus Christ. I do not want to be weary and burdened. I want the restoration of my soul. I repent of my sins and turn to you. I know Jesus can save me from my sins because the Bible promised Jesus will save His people from their sins. I believe Jesus died, buried, and rose again to save me from my sins. Please save me today. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.’

God so loved to offer an incomparable and indescribable gift. 

As I was packing a few gifts on this Christmas evening, I was once again reminded of the greatest gift ever given to me with deep-felt gratitude. The greatest gift given was not from another human being. It was the gift of God. It is true about you as well. Listen! The most indescribable gift was God’s gift that is given to you. Of course, we are reminded of that gift on this 2020 Christmas as well, don’t we? Even amid the worldwide pandemic and havoc that brought to many people around the world, we remember the gift that surpasses all other gifts. 

I also remembered what Jesus said. He said, “you may have peace in me. Here on earth, you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” John 16:33. 

Christmas reminds us of the gift of God and how Jesus overcome the world to give peace even amid trials and sorrows. 

The incident of the first Christmas day, the day of the incarnation of Jesus Christ, is beautifully and amazingly described in the Bible in John 1:1 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was with God in the beginning.” The eternal Word, who was with God and who is God is Jesus Christ.

Then it says in verse 14, “The Word (Jesus) became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” The Holy Spirit inspired the disciple John to write these divinely breathed words to bring to light the meaning of the Christmas day. 

The reason for the incarnation of Jesus Christ is mentioned in 2 Corinthians 8:9. It says, “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.” Jesus was rich beyond our wildest imagination. He is the visible image of the invisible God. All things visible and invisible-things in heaven and on earth were created through Jesus and for Jesus. Listen! Jesus is, before all things, and He holds things together with His mighty power. He holds all things in this universe together in his sovereign power. Colossians 1:15-17. The creator, sustainer, and protector of all. 

Although He was rich, He became poor. This means he was born in a manger, lived in this sin-bound world with all its limitations. In the end, He was numbered among the worst criminals of His time. He became the poorer of all that through His poverty you might become rich. This is the amazing gift of God. Listen! the eternal Word of God became poor to make you rich beyond measure. Now, in Jesus, you have access to God. You have salvation, eternal life, peace, forgiveness, grace, and love of God. You are reconciled to God by the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. You become a ‘child of God’ in Christ Jesus. No other luxurious or extravagant gifts of any Christmas year would match such a wonderful, heavenly gift awarded to you personally. God just not loved you. The Bible says God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him, shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16.

May this Christmas day bring new awareness and appreciation of the love of God and His incomparable gift He gave in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The best response is a thankful heart. Worshipful and praiseful one. If you have not accepted the gift of God as of yet, come to Jesus to receive salvation, forgiveness, and eternal life by praying after me right now. God invites you to accept His gift. 

 May this Christmas 2020 bring the real joy of knowing Jesus personally with all its divine blessings. 

“Father in heaven, I understand you ‘so loved’ me to send your only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, on that first Christmas day. He, who is the visible image of the invisible God, creator, sustainer, and protector of all became poor to born in a manger. His poverty was meant to make me rich with all God has in store for me. I accept the incomparable and indescribable gift of Jesus Christ. I invite Jesus to come to my life. Please forgive my sins and save and grant me eternal life today. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.”

 

Get to know the only perfect advocate to represent you in the heavenly court.

“We have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world.” 1 John 2:2.

Two words stand out in today’s insight. The first one is ‘advocate,’ and the second’ propitiation.’ Advocate is a common name. At one point or another, we sought the help of an attorney to represent you to get justice. Hence we know the importance of an advocate to represent us. 

However, propitiation is not that common for many. The word ‘propitiation’ brings in an idea of satisfaction or appeasement toward God. In other words, propitiation means appeasing or satisfying the wrath of an offended party. God was the offended party because people disobeyed His holy commandments. By living an unholy, immoral, unethical, unthankful, disobedient, rebellious, and stubborn life, all of Adam’s posterity offended God. 

People live on His earth, which was created by God and dishonored Him. They breathe the free air God gives and then raise their fist against God. They live in the flesh that God formed and question God and His moral laws. Besides, there is no thankfulness or gratitude toward God after enjoying His favor each day and moment of life- the air, sunshine, rain, food, and countless other things.

When God looks from heaven, the Bible says, He does not see even one person who does good continuously. “There is none righteous, not even one; There is none who does good, There is not even one.” Romans 3:10-12.

God is genuinely offended by human being’s actions, behaviors, and ingratitude. How can a mortal man appease or satisfy God, who is fully holy and eternal?

In the end, the satisfaction or appeasement factors are not to be determined by the offender but by the offendee. Amazingly, God has provided the only way His wrath toward the offenders (people) can be satisfied or appeased. This is the idea of propitiation or satisfaction. 

Our today’s Bible insight says, “we have an Advocate with the Father God, Jesus Christ the righteous; He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world.” Jesus himself is the satisfaction or appeasement for all of your sins and wrongdoings. He is the ‘advocate’ to appear before the throne of holy God to defend you because Jesus Christ is the only satisfaction for the sins of the whole world, period! He paid the ransom for your sins and shortcomings on the cross by his divine and sinless blood. He is the right and only advocate for you in the sight of God. 

Since all God’s wrath toward our sins and wrongdoings fell on Jesus on that cruel cross, and Jesus willingly and voluntarily carried all in His body, you and I can escape from God’s anger or wrath. God has done what you could never do for yourself. He has done what others could never do for you. Listen! You and I did not deserve it. However, He did it for us in His mercy and grace. 

Bible says, “But to all who believed him and accepted him (Jesus), he (God) gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.” John 1:12-13. By believing and accepting Jesus as your savior and Lord, you cross over from death to life; from the fear of God’s wrath to His blessings – here now and forever through eternity.

Got a moment for today’s prayer? “Father in heaven, I believe Jesus is the only and right advocate for me because he paid a ransom for my sins by his blood. Father, you presented Jesus as the propitiation or satisfaction for all my wrongdoings. I believe You placed all my sins and wrongdoings on Your Son, Jesus Christ. I also know you put all your wrath on Jesus to save me. I accept Christ as my savior and Lord. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.”

Crisis times has the potential to ignite and energize your faith.

 “But you, O LORD my God, brought me back from the depths alive.” Jonah 2:6 (B).

The consequence of Jonah’s sin of disobedience was severe. For all of us, it is tough to fathom Jonah’s crisis experience. The sailors had to throw him into the depths of the sea to save their lives. 

He understood it was his sin that caused the severe and violent storm. He suggested to throw him into the sea to get calm from dangerous storms. He went down into the sea. Then from there, he ended up in the stomach of a big and giant fish. Jonah 1:17 says, “Now the LORD prepared a huge fish to swallow Jonah.”

Someone asked me, do you believe this incident? Friends, I believe it with all of my heart. This is not a fairy tale or a human-made story. The Son of God, Jesus Christ, validated this incident, and it is recorded in Matthew 12:39-41. Moreover, Dagon, a fish god worship, was common at that time in the Mediterranean area. Dagon is mentioned many times in the Old Testament. What do you think the reason for the miraculous repentance of Ninevah when Jonah proclaimed, “Forty more days and Nineveh will be overthrown.”? The unusual appearance of a man omitted by a great fish on the beach got the people’s attention, and the news even came to the king’s attention. The king covered himself in the sackcloth and sat down in the dust. He announced mandatory fasting in the whole country to repent.

You see, even Jonah, a prophet of God, can disobey God. However, God teaches us some lessons through this incident. The Lord does not abandon His people during their crisis experiences. He is there at the bottom of the sea and even in the belly of the fish. More than that, God can even use the disobedience of Jonah to accomplish His divine purpose. The appearance of a bleached white man due to digestive acids inside the stomach of the great fish and people who watched fish attempting to omit him on the beach all contributed to the big roar in the city to get the people’s attention and king. Praise God!

Now listen to how Jonah prayed from the depths of the sea. Carefully look or read all the words that came out of him in this hopeless situation.

“In my distress, O LORD, I called to you… From the deep in the world of the dead, I cried for help, and you heard me. You threw me into the depths, to the very bottom of the sea, where the waters were all around me, and all your mighty waves rolled over me. I thought I had been banished from your presence and would never see your holy Temple again. The water came over me and choked me; the sea covered me completely, and seaweed wrapped around my head. I went down to the mountains’ very roots, into the land whose gates lock shut forever. But you, O LORD my God, brought me back from the depths alive. When I felt my life slipping away, then, O LORD, I prayed to you, and in your holy Temple, you heard me. Those who worship worthless idols have abandoned their loyalty to you. But I will sing praises to you; I will offer you sacrifice and do what I have promised. Salvation comes from the LORD!” Jonah 2:1-9.

Jonah’s crisis was a unique one. The fear and terror he experienced in the sea’s depth and then in the belly of such a giant fish is often unimaginable for all of us. Our crisis would also be a unique one, out of which God accomplishes His purpose in His unique way, and our faith gets ignited and energized.  The Lord commanded the fish to spit Jonah up immediately on the beach. It did obey God! You see, even sea creatures, animals, and unexpected people would extend their help when God commands.

Beloved, I do not know what unique crisis you are going to face now. Most probably, yours won’t be horrible like Jonah’s, I presume. At least you are not in the depths of the sea and stomach of a huge fish. However, whatever may it be, I can point in the right direction for help. Bible promises that if you pray to the Father in heaven in the name of His Son, Jesus Christ, the only savior of the whole world, He will answer your prayer. Jesus also said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. (John 16:23). When you pray in the name of Jesus Christ, an alarm goes off in heaven, and God listens. You will have a testimony to share with others as Jonah had. Do not be ashamed to share your unique testimony. Many would-be encouraged in their trials and problems by hearing your unique and divinely designed testimony. Your unique test results in testimony and brings glory to the Lord.

Experience love and peace by forgiving from the heart.

“Love prospers when a fault is forgiven, but dwelling on it separates close friends.” Proverbs 17:9 NLT.

The COID-19 pandemic season we all are in is not an easy time in any form or fashion. Alternatively, it is more of a stressful time for the majority of people. Relationships are being tested with stress being in the lockdown. Children are schooling from home, parents working from home, and all fear of uncertainties, including health issues, financial issues, the potential for job loss, and less income, all are on people’s minds.

There is a heightened probability of becoming judgmental, critical, and less gracious and merciful these days. Parents are quick to find children’s mistakes. Spouses can also be more judgmental, critical, and controlling. We all know gracious approaches and conversations, merciful and compassionate actions, and self-control are, of course, marks of spiritual maturity and growth, don’t we?

Try not to give others what they deserve-finding faults, highlighting mistakes and omissions. Please make a point to give what they do not deserve-forgiving, merciful, gracious, and compassionate. Our insight says, “Love prospers when a fault is forgiven, but dwelling on it separates close friends.” (NLT). Another translation of the same verse says, “Whoever forgives someone’s sins makes a friend, but gossiping about the sin breaks up friendships.” You can forgive from your heart. Or you can go around and gossip about it. The result is either you make a friend or breaks up friendships.

Peter says in 1 Peter 4:7-8 says, “the end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” Peter reminds us that the end of all things is near. We have recently witnessed many thousands of people’s lives ended through the worldwide pandemic. More evil days are on the way as we continue living on this planet earth before getting better. Therefore what must we do now? The admonition is -be prayerful and love deeply because love covers a multitude of sins.

You see, people around us are most probably begging for mercy, grace, and forgiveness. You give these things that people are crying for these difficult days. Do not try injecting legalistic talks/measures with people whom you love. Say gracious, kind, merciful, and compassionate words. Try to lift them. Try to be merciful with people you come across- inside the home and outside the home.

One of the verses about God repeated in the Bible is this –”The LORD is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love” (Exodus 34:6, Pslams 145:8 and more). Isaiah 30:18 says, “Therefore the LORDS waits to be gracious to you, and therefore he exalts himself to show mercy to you.” Ephesians 1:7-8 says, “in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that He lavished on us.”

God lavished the richness of His grace by sending Jesus for our rescue through his blood. When God sent Him to us, he shed his blood for you on the cross for the forgiveness of all of your sins. That much great is the grace of God and Jesus Christ.

Maybe you can’t show mercy, grace, and forgiveness to others because you are not connected to the source- God’s love, grace, and mercy. Bible says God would make you a brand new creation capable to love, show mercy and grace to others around when you taste the love of God lavished in Christ Jesus. How can you taste the love of God? Listen! God loves you. He sent Jesus to die in your place for your sins and mistakes. Jesus died, buried, and rose again to make you a child of God. This is the good news called the Gospel, which has the power to save and empower you.

Got a moment for today’s prayer? “Father in heaven, I heard about how rich you are in grace, forgiveness, and love. I want to be like you. I want to get connected to the source of love, grace, and forgiveness- Jesus Christ- who died, buried, and rose again for my sins and mistakes. I accept Him as my savior and Lord. Please come to my life, save, and empower me. In the name of Christ, I pray. Amen.

God is the tower of refuge and deliverance in storms of life.

“As the deer pants for streams of water,

so my soul pants for you, my God.

My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.

When can I go and meet with God?

My tears have been my food

day and night.” (Psalms 42:1-3)

 

This Psalm was written in a unique and trying time in King David’s life. His son, Absalom, attempted to overthrow him and obtain the kingdom from him. A calculated attack from his flesh and blood- his son. By flattering people and using his charisma, he stole people’s hearts. Many trusted friends, advisors, and leaders in the kingdom turned away from king David and went to his camp. The historical account is in 2 Samuel 15. Absalom led a successful coup against David by conspiring a large number of people on his side. Finally, one day a messenger came to David and said, the hearts of the men of Israel already went with Absalom. David had to flee from his kingdom and palace for his safety and life. He said, “Arise and let us flee, for otherwise none of us will escape from Absalom.”

You see, David lost all – the kingdom, his home, trusted friends and advisors. David was at the lowest of low points in his life. I do not know if anyone of us faced such a traumatic time like this in our lives. All lost- I know one other person, and he is Job in the Bible. David was at the top of the mountain of blessings with God. The next day he lost all. His son orchestrated all this evil. David was in the pit of despair, loneliness, and sadness.

What was the secret of David’s victory when he faced such a difficult and trying time? Our today’s Bible insights show the secret of how he became an overcomer and came out of the tragic time victoriously. David, what was your secret? How did you go all the way down and came up again, victoriously?

Our today’s insights say a simple truth -he ran toward God amid his most painful time. I have seen many people in their difficult and troubled times, forsaking God and running away from the loving God. I hope you are not of them. David did precisely the opposite. He says, “As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God? My tears have been my food day and night.” Are you in a similar condition of pain and sadness? 

Are your tears your food day and night? If God’s anointed, David, had said his food was his own tears day and night, how about ordinary people like us? Are you pondering in your heart to leave the Lord of your hope and deliverance? Listen, your trial is the unique and God approved one for your ultimate victory and His glory. Nothing comes to us without divine approval. It was true about Job. It was true about David. It will be true for you as well. Run toward God as David did. Do not run away from God. David ran like deer pants for streams of water. He thirsted for God’s deliverance and help. He shared his deep, felt pain, and compliance with God. He set his focus on God.

In other words, David knew who is in charge of all. He placed himself in the mercy, kindness, and deliverance of God. He trusted God during the severe storm and waited for Him to act on his behalf. David did not place his hope on his ability, other people, or circumstances. He ran toward God and honestly threw himself to the mercies of God. He put his hope on God.

The same will be the secret for your victory as you face heartbreaking troubles. Jesus said, “In Me, you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” If Christ Jesus is in you, He is the hope of glory and deliverance. Because He already overcame the world, he will help you to overcome your trials and troubles. The cardinal question is -do you have Jesus Christ in you? If you have not yet accepted Christ as your savior, you can do this now in a small prayer.

Beloved, got a moment for today’s prayer? “Father in heaven, I rush to you, Lord, because my hope of deliverance is in you only. I believe the words of Jesus that I have peace in Him can overcome all my troubles. I believe Jesus died and rose again for all my sins. He paid for all of it by his blood. I invite him into my life. Lord, save me and grant me your deliverance that I may thank and praise you again. In Christ’s name, I pray. Amen.”