Lord does not leave his children at the point of failure.

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

Our Bible verse today reveals four facts: Number one is -Jesus knew Peter’s failure in advance before it happened. Number two –He interceded for Peter even before the failure. If you are a believer in Christ, Jesus knows your loss also in advance and intercedes for you in heaven, in the presence of the Father.  Thirdly, The Lord wanted Peter to turn back/repent and then strengthen the brothers and sisters in the Lord. He did not want Peter to quit and disappear, although he went back to the old fisherman’s job. Fourthly, God is greater and powerful than the adversary, the devil.  And the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. (1 John 4:4).

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

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

You see, we fail in different ways. A wrong decision we made, an immoral act we did, the bad words we used, a choice of a bad relationship, and in many other ways. Now because you failed God and others, you may think God has done with you. I am here to tell you this,  based on the truths of the Scripture,  that the Lord would not wound and shoot his people who are bought by His blood.

People do but not the Lord. Now you may think about quitting because your failure was big and huge. No more church, no more prayers, no more Bible studies, and no more fellowships. Now you think you are no more worthy of these things. Remember, Peter felt the same way. He went to the old fishing career. However, the fact is no sin is higher than the blood of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

Peter denied Jesus three times. He said, who this Jesus is? I never knew him. I do not know anything about him. Remember Peter claimed the same day a few hours ago this –“Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and die.” However, just after a few hours on the same day in the night, He denied three times. When he denied Jesus three times, Jesus looked at him, and he looked at Jesus. The look of Jesus broke him, and he went outside and wept bitterly.

Peter knew he failed Jesus. He decided to go back to his old fishing job. He decided no more and nothing to do with Jesus. He knew his failure was classic and epic in proportion. He would have never come back without the mercy, compassion, grace, and love of Jesus Christ. Jesus sent a personal note for Peter after His resurrection and then followed him to the same place where Peter met Jesus for the first time. Jesus waited for Peter with breakfast and reinstated him to the original divine call. John 21:7-19

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

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

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

God expects you to choose your leaders based on His kingdom values and goals.

“Choose for your tribes wise, understanding, and experienced men, and I will appoint them as your heads.” Deuteronomy 1:13.

Today’s insights inform us that God advances His plans through the election or selection of people. Our vote or election is important in the overall implementation of God’s kingdom plan on the earth. God has His divine ideals, and He partners with people like you and me to establish it.

Sometimes I come across the question of what I think about the coming US presidential election and the candidates. People make political parties. However, God is more interested in His kingdom agenda and goals. I would say this, if you are a Christian and believe the Bible is God’s Word, then your worldview is not what culture dictates or supports. You form your worldview on what the Bible and God’s Word says to you.

Secondly, understand today’s significant issues—the church in the past faced with idol worship, false teaching, and hypocritical legalism, and few others. However, Think what in the world is against the Bible values today. Of course, here in the US, it is not the worship of idols. Truly, false teaching is still an issue. Along with it, I believe other major current issues includes pro life vs. pro choice, alternate sex life style, threat against the traditional family structure, racism, religious extremism like ISIS and militant and intolerant religious bias all over the world, worry about religious freedom, and of course where do we stand with God’s promise to the nation Israel and Gospel proclamation. Are we going to be against Israel or pro-Israel? Are we going to support religious freedom that allows us to communicate God’s love and grace freely?

These and other important questions must be answered based on the Word of God before we go and cast our votes. This year’s election is more important than the 2016 election because of the extremist thought process and resultant actions we observed in the past few years.

I do not suggest to whom you should vote. Both men have inadequacies and faults because they are human. However, what is their conviction about Bible values? As Dr. Tony Evans recently said, I also believe God is not interested in Republicans or Democrats. I do not  think He favors Democrats or Republics. Both have good and bad people and policies. However, I know one thing -God is passionate and aggressive about the values He placed in His eternal, and everlasting Word called the Bible. Regardless of what you do or do not do, God would move forward with his timeless principles and fulfill His kingdom agenda. Knowingly or unknowingly, you and I can be part of it or against it. It is a good thing to participate in God’s kingdom goals and agenda.

Therefore pray for wisdom. Suppose you sincerely pray for wisdom according to His promise. In that case, he will give you abundant wisdom without reproach or rebuke. As God gives insight into your heart due to your genuine prayer, make sure you go to the voting locations and cast your vote. The only thing I would like to say is you must vote for God’s agenda and program. Forget about political parties and personalities. Focus on God’s timeless principles and kingdom ideas and plan.

Remember, we cannot afford to be silent and passive. We have to get involved in God’s plan because we are His children. The teachbible.org is online because we do not want to be quiet or passive about God’s salvation and goals. We must get involved with God. He called us to do it. We have a role to play, and by casting our votes based on Bible values, we are doing the will of God this year. Go forward, take time to vote, and express your choice in this election based on Bible values and the well being of our children and nation.

“Father in heaven, I want to participate with you in your kingdom plan. I need wisdom to figure out who should I caste my vote. Please give me your wisdom based on Your Word. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.”

A beautiful flower in the garden of God joined the blessed today.

“Then I heard a voice from heaven say, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” Revelation 14:13.

One of the elders in the assembly I have grown went to be with the Lord today at age 93. We had three elders in our congregation. One of them was my father, who went to the presence of the Lord in 2006. The second one departed today. And the third elder is sick and on the bed ready to go to the Lord. Today’s Bible verse was cited with the announcement of his departure. “Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.”

The Bible talks about two different types of death. One is those who die in the Lord. And the second set is those who die in their sins. Jesus said, and it is recorded in John 8:24, “I told you that you would die in your sins; if you do not believe that I am he, you will indeed die in your sins.” What is the meaning of “if you do not believe that I am he”? It talks about a person who would not believe Jesus is the Messiah, the only savior sent by God, who died, buried, and rose again victoriously for forgiveness, salvation, and eternal life.

Our elder brother in the church died in the Lord. How do I know this? I know by his words and testimony that he believed in the Lord Jesus and therefore died in the Lord. That is a blessed death. It is a blessed death because he is in the presence of the Lord in heaven at the moment of his departure.

There is a second set of death. Jesus Himself said they die in their sins because they never bothered to accept God’s forgiveness, salvation, and eternal life God offered in Him. As a result, their sins are not forgiven, and they are never reconciled to God before they depart from this earth.

Beloved, which group would you belong at the time of your departure? Would you die in the Lord and present in heaven with him at the moment of your death? Or Would you die in your sins without forgiveness and salvation and be away from the presence of the loving Lord and all the blessings?

The Bible talks more about those who die in Christ in 2nd Corinthians 5:6 and 1st Thessalonians 4:13-18 and other passages. Per 2nd Corinthians 5:6 those who die by accepting Christ as their savior would be at home with the Lord in heaven instantaneously at the time of their departure. Their bodies goes to the grave. However, their spirits goes to the presence to the Lord in heaven.

I Thessalonians 4; the Bible says you do not want to be ignorant about those who died in Christ so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope. Those who died without Christ do not have any good hope for the future. Those who died in Christ have a wonderful hope. It says there that those who died in Christ, their bodies will rise first from the ground and would be reunited with the spirits already in the presence of the Lord. At the same time, the believers in Christ who live would also be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.

Both groups, those who already died in the Lord Jesus and the living believers at the time of Christ’s coming, would be caught up to the air to be with the Lord always. This event is called the rapture. The Bible says comfort one another with these words. Yes, we do need the comfort of this beautiful hope of the Word of God, as we live in a fragile body without knowing the time of our departure.

Beloved,  those who died professing their faith in Jesus as their savior and those who live at the time of his coming, both are blessed. I would say the living believers at the time of the coming of Christ have a special privilege because they do not go through the gates of death,  as they would be transformed immediately without experiencing death.

However, if you have not accepted God’s forgiveness, salvation, and eternal life available in Christ Jesus so far, may today be your day of salvation! God says to you, “In the time of my favor, I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you. I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.”

Would you pray and accept now the blessing of future hope and security offered by the loving God?

“Father in heaven, at the moment of my death, I want to die in the Lord. I do not want to die in my sins. Thank you, Jesus came to this earth, died, buried, and rose again for all of my sins. I believe in Jesus and accept Him as my savior and Lord. Please forgive me and grant me forgiveness, salvation, and eternal life. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.”

What went wrong? Where do I find identity?

“For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:10(b).

I am sure most of us heard that famous lyrics of Lauren Daigle, “you say I am loved when I can’t feel a thing,
You say I am strong when I think I am weak
And You say I am held when I am falling short
And when I don’t belong, oh, You say I am Yours
And I believe (I), oh, I believe (I)
What You say of me (I)
I believe
The only thing that matters now is everything You think of me
In You, I find my worth, in You I find my identity, ooh oh.”

People can generally relate to that song because it is a reality of many who struggle to figure out what went wrong.  Or the people who try to find identity in the wrong places.

We want to find out an identity with some who loves unconditionally; someone mightier than us who holds us tightly when we fall short or fall apart; someone who says you belong to me, no matter what!  Then we get discouraged. You see, the reason is this -people’s love could change. Their care could change. One day they say you belong to them. Another day they would reject you. One day they would hold you dearly, and later they let you fall apart.

However, God says He loves you regardless because He created you,  saved you, and set His everlasting love on you. God is mightier than all, and  He holds you when you fall short. When you feel you do not belong anywhere, He says you belong to Him. God spoke, and it is written in Isaiah 49:6 (a), “See, I have written your name on the palms of my hands.”
Sometimes it is hard to understand God’s love and care.

We suspect whether we are held by Him or belong to Him. Apostle Paul, the great servant of the Lord, felt the same way. He prayed for God’s help, but His prayers had only one response from the Lord. It said, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” In short, the Lord did not answer the way he wanted. Instead, he gave sufficient grace in the midst of his issues. Now Paul experienced strength even when he was weak. He wrote, “for when I am weak, then I am strong. The reason is that Paul’s weakness is made perfect by the power of the all-sufficient grace of the Lord.

If the Lord did not answer your prayer as you wanted, maybe He asks you to believe in His promise that His powerful grace is sufficient for you in the midst of your issues. When you feel weak, then you will be strong, not because of anything from your part. But because of God’s mercy, loving-kindness, steadfast love, and power of grace are with you- The power of His grace makes you strong even when you are weak. Therefore, as Apostle Paul wrote, you will discover- you can do all things through Christ, who strengthens you.

Find your identity in the unconditional love and powerful grace of God. Like the above-cited song sings -you are loved when you can’t feel a thing. You are strong when you think you are weak. You are held tight when you fall short or fall apart.

Beloved, the Bible says this about the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ 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 sake, he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.” Jesus, the eternal Son of God, became poor –He became a man, even became a servant. Finally, He died a cursed and shameful death on the cruel cross for your sins and mistakes-that you might become rich in Him. Grace makes you not just powerful when you are weak.  It also makes you rich, although you are low now.

Got a moment for today’s prayer? “Father in heaven, thank you that I am loved in your Son, Jesus Christ. I am powerful when I am weak. I am held by you, although I may feel fall short. I thank you for Jesus, the eternal Son of God, who became poor for me. I believe He died for my sins, buried, and rose again. I accept the grace and forgiveness available in Jesus Christ. Please save me now. In the name of Christ, I  pray. Amen.”

Grab tightly, grow, and stand firm in the grace.

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

Grace is the mercy and loving-kindness of God given to undeserving people like you and me. I believe the entire Bible – Old Testament and New Testament- can be summarized in one word, and that is the beautiful and divine gift called grace.  It was God’s grace Adam and Eve, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, David, Samson, major and minor prophets received. It was the grace of God that Mary, the disciples, and believers in Christ all through the centuries received. It is by the same grace that God calls you today by inviting you to come to His Son, Jesus Christ. We cannot earn it because grace is a gift from God, and it is wrapped in a person, His Son, and our only savior, Jesus Christ. Bible says in Ephesians 2:8, it is by grace you have been saved through faith in Jesus Christ, and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.”

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

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

After this statement, Peter says our today’s daily insight. “I have written to you briefly, encouraging you and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it.” Whatever life throws at you- friends throw at you, family throw at you, co-believers throw at you, world throw at you, temptations throw at you, weakness, tiredness, troubles, persecutions, and your powerlessness throw at you, the grace of God stands ready like the concrete ground beneath you to get you through. God is 100% committed to your victory. Bible promises this in Philippians 1:6, “I am confident that the Creator, who has begun such a great work among you, will not stop in mid-design but will keep perfecting you until the day Jesus the Anointed, our Liberating King returns to redeem the world.” (The Voice). He will not stop and leave you. He will keep on perfecting you until the day of Jesus Christ’s return. The way He accomplishes this is by His powerful ‘grace.’

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

May I ask you this question? Did you accept God’s gift of grace as of yet? If not, today is the day for you to come and receive God’s grace freely without paying for it. A gift can not be earned by work. If acquired by work, it would not be a gift. God’s grace is personified in the person of Jesus Christ. Jesus died and rose again for all of your sins. You can get saved from all your sins and obtain eternal life in heaven with God by accepting Christ as your savior. Jesus Christ is the savior of the whole world. He is not the savior of just a few people or nations. God sent Him for the world as a whole as the only savior of humankind.

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

“As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.” James 2:26

Faith in God is always accompanied by action. Faith and good works are not contradictory. They both are complementary. In other words, if we have Bible faith we would act on the faith.

Mary had faith in God when she heard the heavenly message; she put feet to her faith by saying, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” Based on the information that Elizabeth, her relative, was pregnant at her old age, she went to the hill country to visit her. She magnified and praised God (Luke 1:46-55), and she stayed with Elizabeth for three months. These were all actions that accompanied her faith toward God.

You see, faith is a word of action. Faith does not portray a passive mindset. It never does. Faith results in obedience to God, which is an action. 1 Thessalonians 1: 9 says the people in Thessalonica “stopped worshiping idols and changed to serve the living and true God” due to their faith in the living God, which is an action they took.  Faith in God generally results in repentance, change of lifestyles, new decisions, and transformations. Someone said even your pets would take note of the changes in you if you have faith in God.

Our today’s insight says, “As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.” If there is no repentance and changes in behavior and lifestyles, then it is a dead faith. The true faith in God automatically produces actions. Jesus Christ said in Luke 6:44, “A tree is known by its own fruit.”

Luke 17:11-14 describes an incident of ten lepers who stood at a distance and cried aloud, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” When Jesus saw them, He said, “go and show themselves to the priests. He did not immediately heal them but asked them to go and show them to the priests. It says, “as they went, they were cleansed.” The ten lepers had faith in Jesus. They believed Jesus can heal them. This is the reason they cried out for help. Now they put feet to their faith and walked to see the priests. On the way, they got healed. Moses, the greatest leader of Israel, left Egypt and the position of Pharaoh’s Son for the sake of the greater value than the treasures of Egypt-the disgrace for the sake of Christ.

The immediate context of our today’s insights in James 2 gives the examples of Abraham and Rahab. They both placed their faith in God. They both acted on their faith toward God. Abraham “obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.” (Hebrews 11:8).

Similarly, Rahab put her faith in the God of Israel and acted on that faith by lodging spies in her home and sending them away in a different direction to protect them. Jesus said to the disciples when their boat was sinking due to heavy winds, take courage. It is I, do not be afraid. Peter replied and said, command him to come on the water to Jesus. Jesus said, “come.” Peter, of course, had faith in Jesus. Now put feet to his faith and started walking on water. Peter acted on his faith. He was not walking on water. Instead, he was stepping on the faith he had in Jesus Christ. He walked on the words of Jesus Christ.

Beloved, what action are you going to take today? Remember, faith toward God always results in action.

Dearly beloved, got a moment for today’s prayer? Pray after me. “Father in heaven, I place my faith on you. I will put feet to my faith by accepting Jesus Christ, your Son, as my savior and Lord. I repent of all my sins. I confess my sins to you. I believe Jesus died and rose again for all of my sins. I want to live for you the rest of my life. In Christ’s name, I pray. Amen.”

 

“Is not wisdom found among the aged?
     Does not long life bring understanding?” Job 12:12.

I  liked a quotation by Anthony Douglas Williams, and it said, “Knowledge comes from learning. Wisdom comes from living.”

Job spoke to his friends, and he said, “Is not wisdom found among the aged? Does not long life bring understanding?  The general anticipated answer is yes; both are found as people live longer and become advanced in age. We naturally expect wisdom among the aged. We also anticipate a long life would bring understanding. However, I came across aged, and those who lived long do not have both qualities. How could that be? How could a person live the whole life and advanced in age with diverse experiences not having both?

Job says in the very next verse (vs.13) this, “To God belong wisdom and power; counsel and understanding are his.” Now the picture is a little bit more complete. You see, the source of good wisdom, power, counsel, and understanding is none other God. Therefore the secret is those who are rightly connected to the source of wisdom, power, and understanding; they progresses in wisdom, power, and understanding. Those who are not connected to God does not have these wonderful qualities. Power comes to your mobile phone or laptop only because it is connected to the power outlet. The same way wisdom and understanding comes by your personal connection to God. Age or long life does not automatically grant these qualities period. This is why we do see aged and long-lived people lacking wisdom and understanding. It is pathetic, but it is true.

Verse 25 says God reveals the deep things of darkness and brings utter darkness into the light. How could two people look into the issues and come up with two different conclusions? The reason is that God reveals the secrets to the person who has God and rightly connected to God. The person who does not have God in his or her life grope in darkness with no light; end up staggering like drunkards. (Job 12:25).

You see, proverbs 2:6 says, “For the LORD gives wisdom; out of his mouth comes knowledge and understanding. James 1:5 says, “if any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”

It does not really matter what age you are. Wisdom and understanding begin with the Knowledge of God,  His counsels, and plans. You know God, His counsels, and plans through the pages of the word of God – the Bible.

You also become wiser and more understanding by knowing Jesus personally. You can learn more about Jesus by reading the Gospels and the new testament. The Bible affirms, “for in Christ
the fullness of God lives in bodily form.” You know God by knowing Him in whom the fullness of God lives in bodily form. Kn Jesus Christ the fullness of God dwells in bodily form. God sent His one and only Son Jesus to save you from sins and mistakes and grant you forgiveness and eternal life. Jesus accomplished this for you by his death, burial, and resurrection for you and your sin.

Got a moment for today’s prayer? “Father in heaven, I want to get wisdom, power, and understanding. I learned you are the source of all these wonderful qualities. You also said I could ask for wisdom, and you will give generously when I ask without finding fault with me. I know in Jesus, the fullness of God lives in bodily form. By connecting with Jesus Christ, the savior of the world, I can be wiser and more understanding. I accept Jesus as my savior and Lord. Please forgive my sins and mistakes. Please save me and grant me eternal life. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.”

The Lord God called to the man, “Where are you”? Genesis 3:9

God, the creator of all, want to walk with you and talk to you. Our first parents, Adam and Eve, enjoyed the close presence and friendship of God in the garden of Eden that He created for them. They had enjoyed the sweet and loving presence and care of God. The same way God wants to draw near to you. He wants to teach you. He desires to help and guide you. You see, God personally called Adam. God called Abraham his name and talked to him. God called and talked to Jacob, whose name was changed to Israel. God spoke to Noah. God called Moses and instructed him. God would like to call you and talk to you as well.

However, there was a problem Adam and Even encountered. They enjoyed the sweet companionship of God every day in the beautiful garden in Eden. However, when they disobeyed the command of God and failed to own it,  all have changed. The disobedience of Adam was remarkable, although Eve was instrumental for the first disobedience. The reason is that God gave the command directly to Adam. Eve had only second-hand knowledge. Adam may have told Eve what God told him. Instead of stopping Eve from disobeying, he kept silent and allowed the sin to happen. As we know today, his passivity and lack of concern to own the error caused huge and unalterable damage for his posterity.

You see, both of them were hiding among the trees to avoid contact with the loving and creator God. This is what disobedience and sin always do. It forces people to hide from God. But remember the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?” He called the man, not the woman.  I believe the reason is that God gave the command to the man directly. The second question God asked is this, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?” The man blamed Eve and said, “The woman you put here with me—she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it.” Of course, the excuse did not hold much water because he should have known better. Then the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?”

You see, God approached them when they could not come out to God is a ton of grace from God. Not only He came to them but also asked questions to settle the matter and help them again. First of all, they should understand they sinned. It was hard for Adam to accept the sin. This is a usual tendency of all people born into this world from his posterity. However, the truth is this- unless we agree with God that we failed, disobeyed, and sinned against God and broke his commandment, there is no reconciliation or resolution possible.

In the dawn of history, an innocent animal was killed, and its skin was taken to cover Adam and Eve’s nakedness. God took the initiative to come with a resolution so that reconciliation and forgiveness were possible. An innocent animal was killed shows the seriousness of sin. Sin can be atoned only by the blood. Hebrews 9:22 says the Law requires, shedding of the blood for the forgiveness of sins. Here started all the animal sacrificial system in the Jewish system.

God also promised to Eve on that day a permanent solution for the sins.  He said the seed of the woman (anticipating the virgin birth of the Messiah, Jesus Christ) would crush the head of the seed of the serpent (devil). This was the first prophecy regarding the savior and salvation of humanity. Jesus Christ was born into this world as the woman’s seed to fulfill this first prophecy in the Bible. Luke records in Luke 1:35 that the Holy Spirit of God sanctified and overshadowed Mary’s womb so that her fallen nature would not Passover to baby Jesus. The fulfillment of the first prophecy and the Son of God’s incarnation happened by the sanctifying and overshadowing work of the Spirt of God. Matthew records in chapter 1:21, “she (Mary) will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for it is He who will save His people from their sins.”

Beloved, God wants to walk with you. God wants to help you, teach you, guide you, and give a fulfilled and joyful life with his grace, forgiveness, and love. To walk with God and enjoy his love and care, you need a savior. He is the God-man- Christ Jesus. God gave the seed of the woman -Jesus Christ because He only will save people from their sins and make reconciliation back to God possible.

Got a moment for today’s prayer? “Father in heaven, I  know you want to walk and talk with me. I know you want to forgive my sins and make me your own. I believe you sent your Son, Jesus, to this world, and He died, buried, and rose again for my sins. I understand you are calling me home with you. I accept Jesus as my savior and Lord. Please forgive my sins and save me. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.”

God is bigger than your heart and its imaginations.

“For everything, there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven” Ecclesiastes 3:1.

God says his purpose stands firm forever (Isaiah 46:10), and he has a definite purpose for all you face- good or bad. Verses 2 to 8 teach us many things we consider good initially ends up bad. Alternatively, many things we think bad end up being good. A time to be born is good with joy in the hearts of people. A time to die brings sorrow and sadness. A time to embrace is good. But there is a time to refrain from embracing. A time to love. However, there is a time to hate. We don’t want good things to end with alarming results, do we? However, it happens.

On the other hand, there is time to weep and a time to laugh. A time for war and time for peace. A time to mourn and a time to dance. We like such times, don’t we? You see, life is filled with different seasons-good and bad. Our insight says, “for everything, there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven.”

Beloved, what God says is this – there is a purpose for all of the seasons of your life. In difficulties, we pray, pray, and pray. We think our prayers are not answered, although we knocked at the mercy seat many times because we do not see a change in our present condition. 1 John 3:20 says this about God. It says, “God is greater than our heart, and He knows everything.” Our heart feels that God does not hear our prayer. However, He is greater than our hearts. His plans are greater and bigger than our heart’s imaginations. Because He knows everything-past, present and future-his wave and action length are different from ours. When we talk about one day, God speaks about a thousand years. And a thousand years are like one day. (2 Peter 3:8).

Out of it all, we learn life has various seasons. We also learn that each one is God-ordained and has a unique purpose. Understanding God’s plan and purpose in varied seasons are the secret that stretches, challenges, and motivates you. Various seasons although it appears to be hard, are the times’ God meets with you one-on-one. Remember, “for everything, there is a season, and time for every matter under heaven.” God’s time does not arrive early or late. He visits us on his perfect time with his plan and purpose.

You see, Jesus came to Peter’s boat on a day of total failure. He fished all night and did not catch a single fish. An expert fisherman, Peter, knew the in and out of the lake. Now, he was tired and sick. Probably he did not know where the money for the expenses of the day comes. He was ready to go home and lie down in desperation. Here comes Jesus, who stepped into his boat and asked him to move the vessel a little bit into the water for a teaching session. (Luke 5). Peter may have thought, Jesus, I can’t do it now. Please step into another boat. However, he did allow Jesus to speak from his boat. That was the life-changing moment in Peter’s life, revealing God’s plan and purpose for his life.

Do you know your season of sorrow can also be a divinely appointed time to figure out God’s purpose for your life? Jesus knocks at your door as He did to Peter. Would you open and let him come in right now? Whatever the season you are in (could be hopelessness, worry, or sickness), let Him come in in this season of your life. Your season has a divine purpose—your time for the matter under heaven.

Got a moment for today’s prayer? “Father in heaven, I want Jesus to step into my life in this season of my life. I believe that God loves me and invites me to his Household. He wants to reveal his purpose for my life. I accept Jesus as my savior because he died, buried, and rose again for my sins and shortcomings. Please come in and fill in me your plan and purpose. In the name of Christ, I pray. Amen.”

Horse or mule?

“Do not be like the horse or the mule,
which have no understanding
but must be controlled by bit and bridle
or they will not come to you.” (Psalms 32:9)

Sophocles, who was born in 490 BC, said this, “Stubbornness and stupidity are twins.” We do not know which comes first and which precedes which. It is true both look like twins.

Then our today insight says, “do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you.” A farm owner has different types of animals on his farm. Sure mules and horse that has no understanding would not respond to the loving call of the owner to come home in the evening. In those times, the owner goes after the mule and place bit and bridle over it and force it to go to his barns.

The background of today’s insight is the joy of forgiveness. The psalmist says in verse 1 this. A person is most happy or blessed when his transgressions are forgiven when the Lord covers his sins. When we think about it is only foolishness if we try to hide sin from the Lord because the Lord is all-powerful, all present, and all knowledgeable.

Hebrews 4:13 says, “Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” So there is no point in hiding. The smart thing is to acknowledge, confess all our sins to the Lord. Bible promises, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9).

You see, we have two choices. Either we can hide our sins and wrongdoings, which David did for some time. It only resulted in the sapping of David’s energy and vitality, more heaviness, and a sad state of mind. Alternatively, we can acknowledge and confess our sins to the Lord, the one who knows about it all anyway, and receive His forgiveness, and thereby we can receive vitality, energy, blessings, happiness, and joy again in our lives.

Beloved, it is vital to seek the face of the Lord in prayer. David says in verse 6, let us pray while the Lord may be found. Why? Because we do not want God’s judgments over our sins by waiting and not seeking the Lord in prayer, do we? He says at the time of the rising of mighty waters; prayers would not reach to the Lord. There is no use in praying when it is too late.

Is this not what happened in Noah’s days? There was a long time God gave people for repentance. However, people continued in their wicked, rebellious, and sinful ways, and they continued mocking Noah, the righteous preacher of those days, with no regret. The day of the flood came eventually, and all people perished. Such kind of arrogant and foolish people are still today around us, aren’t they? They mock the Gospel, the love and grace of God. They undermine the existence and honor of the living God. Bible gives the solemn warning and admonition to pray and seek God’s face, while He could be found before it becomes late.

Then verse 7 says, if we pray on time, the Lord will protect and deliver us. Not only would we be happy and joyful but also God grants protection deliverance in our day to day lives. Don’t we need God’s protection and rescue? Sure we do every day. Verse 8 promises the Lord will instruct us and teach us the way we should go. He will counsel us with His loving eye on us. Now, not only are we in a blessed and happy condition because we prayed and confessed our sins to the Lord, and not only Lord protects and delivers us by hiding us from dangers, but listen – as an added merit, He instructs, teaches the way we should go. He will give his counsel with His loving eye on us. Oh, how important God’s counsel and guidance in our lives!

Therefore, do not be a mule if you hear the voice of the Lord today. Do not be stubborn and stupid. Instead, be submissive, humble yourself to the Lord who loves you and cares about you and your future. Listen to the voice of our creator God who sent His only Son for our salvation and forgiveness of sins. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, died in our place and paid for our sins with His precious and divine blood. He calls us to come to Him in repentance, and He promises joy, happiness, and blessings in your life. Being submissive to the Lord and His Spirit also means submissive to one another in the fear of the Lord. (Ephesians 5:21 and 1st Peter 5:5).

Not being submissive to the Lord would result in dishonoring and not considerate of others. Horse and mule trait we see around us would be the result which results in God’s judgment, if no real repentance happens.

Beloved, got a moment for today’s prayer? “Father in heaven, I am sorry I was stubborn and stupid in the past. I know I need your love, peace, blessings, happiness, and joy. I admit I am a sinner, and I pray and ask you to forgive my sins. Grant me your fellowship, peace, love, joy, and blessings. Make me happy and joyful again by your divine touch in my life. I believe Jesus Christ died for my sins, buried, and rose again for me. I accept Jesus as my savior and Lord today. Thank you for saving me. In Christ’s name, I pray. Amen.”