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“The disciples were absolutely amazed. They asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and waves obey Him!” Mark 4:41

Wherever Jesus goes, large crowds accompanied Him because they loved to hear him and enjoyed his presence and miracles. One evening Jesus said to his disciples, “Let us cross to the other side of the lake.” So the disciples took Jesus in the boat and started out leaving the crowd behind. However, people followed him in other boats. Immediately a fierce storm came up. High and dangerous waves were breaking into the boat, and it began to fill with water. Jesus was at the back of the boat with his head on a cushion. The disciple woke him up, shouting, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”

When Jesus got up, he rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Suddenly the wind stopped. There was a great calm. Then Jesus asked them, “why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?” Then our today’s Bible insight appears. The disciples were amazed. They asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and waves obey Him!”

The Bible proves the fact that Jesus had power over people, devil and demons and nature. He also healed numerous sick people, open the eyes of the blind and ears of the deaf. Jesus raised people who were dead. A natural man would not do such miracles. Only God could do such things. If you are curious about His power and authority over people, devil, demons, nature, sickness and diseases and death, start reading the Gospel of Mark or other Gospels in the New Testament section of the Bible and discover yourselves who Jesus is. John says in John 21:25, “Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them was written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.”

Our today’s insight shows the power of Jesus over the nature. Beloved, just one rebuke of Jesus, “Silence! Be still!” was enough for the high and dangerous winds and waves to stop and bring calm to the lake. The disciples had Jesus in their boat. However, they still faced with high winds and waves. Don’t you know it is good that they had Jesus in their boat? When other boats in the lake may have drowned on that day of fierce storms, the boat where Jesus was, it was safe and secure though waves hit hard on it. This is the difference between having Jesus or not having Jesus in our lives. Dear ones, bad things, and stuff may still hit us, but the presence of Jesus Christ in our personal lives ensures safety and security. Those who have Jesus in their lives will reach the other shore safely. They will make it through rough times of life. Dear friend, do you have Jesus in your life? You can invite Him to your life today. I will help you later.

Now, Jesus asked the question, “Why are you afraid? You of little faith?” Many times when bad things happen in our lives, we usually get afraid. Fear is common to all people. One of the reasons for fear is our little faith in Christ Jesus. In short what Jesus was saying was this – there is no need to be afraid when I am in your boat. Don’t you know I will make sure you are safe? When you thought I did not care, it was not true. I knew all about what was happening to you. Bible says, cast all your cares and worries on the Lord in prayer because He cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7. Therefore, do not be afraid. Trust Me; I am with you. I will deliver you, and you will glorify me. I believe this is what Jesus meant by asking the question “why are you afraid?”

Another lesson is the need of asking or prayer from our side. Jesus wanted the men to ask Him or pray to Him for help. There are many things He does sovereignly in this world. However, many things He does are also based on our asking and prayers. Remember this truth deep in your heart. Go and ask him in prayer. Jesus said, “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.” (Matthew 7:7-8). They understood the need for prayer and asking Lord for help. The Lord usually works and accomplish his plans and goals through our prayers. He did not get upset or angry with them when they said, “Teacher, don’t you care that we are going to drown.” Did He? Jesus fully understands our fears and worries. However, going to him in prayer is essential.

Finally, the men asked each other, “Who is this man? Even the wind and waves obey Him!”. This is the basic question all people living on this earth should ask one time or another. Who is Jesus Christ? If the nature like wind and waves obey Him, surely He is not human. The Gospel of Mark proves this fact – Jesus is the Son of God who has power and authority over all. He has the authority to forgive our sins. He has the power to deliver us from all our problems. He has the power to meet all our needs in His supernatural ways. He heals the sick. He opened the eyes of blind and ears of the deaf. He will guide us and lead us with His counsel. He will take us home with Him in heaven on the last day of our life here on this earth when we take our last breath. Bible says, “God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16

May I ask you two questions. Who is Jesus Christ? Secondly, do you have Jesus in your life?
Got a moment for today’s prayer? “Father in heaven, I believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God who came to his earth, died and rose again for my sins. I need Jesus in my life. I believe the blood of Christ can cleanse me from all my sins and wrongdoings and make a brand new person. Have mercy on me Lord and save me today. Lord, I pray for your help with my problems. I give all my problems into your mighty hand. Thank you for hearing me. In Jesus Christ’s name, I pray. Amen.”

“His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” John 2:5

There was a wedding in Cana in Galilee. The earthly mother of Jesus and most probably the whole family of Jesus was present at that wedding. It could be a wedding for someone in the family. Usually, Jewish marriage lasts for seven days. During these seven days, the food and wine supply continue by both grooms and bride’s family. Running out of food and wine would mean shame and dishonor to both families. The first recorded miracle of Jesus Christ happened on this wedding occasion.

To the family’s embarrassment, they discovered that there is no more wine to give to the guests. Mary, the mother of Jesus, probably being a family member was concerned about this unexpected shame occasion. When the wine ran out, Mary said to Jesus, “They have no wine.” She knew in her heart that her son could do something to solve the issue. From the first appearance of the angel Gabriel and his announcement, Mary knew she was carrying not Joseph’s son but God’s Son in her womb. She knew that she was a virgin and never knew a man to have a child.

The angel told her “Don’t be afraid, Mary. You have found favor with God.
You will become pregnant, give birth to a son,
and name him Jesus.
He will be a great man
and will be called the Son of the Most High.
The Lord God will give him
the throne of his ancestor David.
Your son will be king of Jacob’s people forever,
and his kingdom will never end.”

Mary asked the question, How could this happen? I am a virgin. To this, the angel answered, “ The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore, the holy child developing inside you will be called the Son of God.” The angel Gabriel said to her two things. First, the child is going to the Son of God. Second, he explained how this is going to happen she being a virgin. The Holy Spirit will come upon her, and the power of the Most High will overshadow her. As a result, the holy child developing inside her will be called the Son of God. Amazing right? Now she watched the child from the very beginning, and she knew Jesus is different from other children and is indeed the Son of God who incarnated to this earth through her stomach and womb.

This is why she sought the help of Jesus when they ran out of the wine. Jesus immediately showed unwillingness and said, Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not come.” Jesus was not rude. You see, Jesus was on this earth on a predetermined calendar of God. Each event and miracles including his meeting with the Samaritan woman (John 3:4 says Jesus had to go through Samaria) and stopping right at the bottom of the sycamore tree to call Zacchaeus and going to stay in his home was according to the predetermined plan and calendar of God. (Luke 19:5 (c), I must stay at your house today). Jesus was moving each minute, hour, and the day just according to the plan and will of God. Jesus said, “I can do nothing on my own… because I seek not my own will but the will of him who sent me.” John 5:30.

His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” Dear ones, this is very important. She knew the servants should do whatever he tells them because she knew if the servants obey what he said the problem is going to get solved. Mother knew the son better than anyone else. Jesus said to them “Fill the jars with water.” They filled six stone jars with water. Then Jesus said to them, “now draw some out and take it to the master of the feast.” The master of the feast tasted it he marveled and said, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and when people have drunk freely, then the poor wine. However, you have kept the good wine until now.” The wine was superior in quality. Bible recorded this was his first sign, and he manifested his glory, and the disciples believe in Him.

Beloved, don’t you agree this was an ordinary situation but embarrassment and shame-filled the hearts because of no more wine to serve the guests. When the problem was brought to His attention, the Lord stepped in with his supernatural, divine power and authority. Do you know if we include and involve Jesus Christ in our daily life’s problems, issues, and shame, he can exhibit and display his glory and victory in and through our day to day lives? Tell Jesus Christ, the Son of God, every matter of your life. Be open to him and talk to him and then make sure to obey what he says you to do. He is God and being the creator of the whole universe; He sustains all and rules over all. However, He genuinely cares about your personal needs and worries as well. Get linked to Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who can marvelously, wonderfully and victoriously lead you here on every day and then take you home to His presence eternally in heaven when you breathe your last here on the earth. This is the savior we all need. Jesus Christ, the savior of the world. I can help to get connected to Him right now in a small prayer.

Got a moment for today’s prayer? Pray after me. “Father in heaven, I know you genuinely care about my problems and needs. Also, I know you have a beautiful plan and purpose for my life. I come to you and give my problems and issues into your hand. Please help me to know your will for my life and obey it. Guide me every day with your counsel. I accept your Son, Jesus Christ as my Savior and Lord. Please save me. In Christ’s name, I pray. Amen.”

“Bring my soul out of prison,
So that I may give thanks to Your name;
The righteous will surround me,
For You will deal bountifully with me.” (142:7)

Call upon the Lord in heaven and get deliverance.

Kahlil Gibran, the 3rd best-selling poet of all time, behind Shakespeare and Lao-Tzu said this statement, “Out of suffering have emerged the strongest souls; the most massive characters are seared with scars.”
I believe Gibran’s statement is true especially when I look at the major characters of the Bible. King David is, of course, one of the many that belong to this group.
David was on the run from the evil king of Israel – Saul. Here he, the anointed future king is hiding in a cave in Adullam in fear of Saul. This is the background of Psalm 142. Bible says David was hunted like a partridge and he felt like a pelican in the wilderness, an owl in the desert, and he said his soul was among the lions. The one who killed the giant Goliath, the one who was anointed by Prophet Samuel to become the king of Israel in place of the disobedient and jealous king Saul had to go through such sufferings and painful circumstances? Bible says David ran from city to city, cave to cave for his life. He hid in Gath, Adullam, and Mizpah. He spent fearful and sleepless nights out in open places away from his loved ones and home.

Psalm 142 is a psalm of lamentation. It starts like this, “I cry aloud to the LORD; I lift up my voice to the LORD for mercy. I pour out before him my complaint; before him, I tell my trouble.” Then he says when his spirit faint within him, it is the LORD who watches over his way. He says to the LORD in the path where he walks, his enemies had hidden snares for him. He also says- Look Lord and see, there is no one at his right hand and no one is concerned about him. He does have no refuge, and no one cares for his life. Then he cries to the LORD and said, Lord, you are my refuge. The LORD is his portion in the land the living. He says Lord to Listen to his cry because he is in desperate need. He asks the LORD to rescue him from those who pursue him. He acknowledges the fact that his enemies are too strong for him.

Immediately after these statements comes today’s insight. David says to the Lord, “Bring my soul out of prison So that I may give thanks to your name; the righteous will surround me, For You will deal bountifully with me. He feels like his soul is in prison, and he wants the Lord to bring it out of prison. If Lord does this, he says then the righteous would surround him because he believed the Lord would deal with him bountifully and graciously.

Beloved, are you in a desperate condition and do you feel like in prison? The most rewarding thing you can do in those difficult times is to cry to the LORD in heaven. Say to him that you are in a desperate condition. Ask him to rescue you from those who pursue you or from the problem you are facing. Like David said, ask LORD to bring your soul out of prison so that you may praise his name because he delivered you. Cry out to the LORD in prayer. Lament loud from your heart to the LORD.

Bible says in Psalms 145:14 & 18 the character and promise of the LORD, “The LORD upholds those who fall and lifts up those who are bowed down.” Verse 18, “The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.” Did you notice the promise of God? He is near to all who call on Him. He is very near in our troubles and fears. It repeats the truth by saying “to all who call on him in truth.” Whatever condition you find yourself in, you can call on him 24 hours 7 days a week, anytime. It does not say he is near to some people only. Bible says He is near to all who call on Him.  In the USA people can call the number 911 for an emergency helps. However, sometimes even they fail to answer your call on time and come to help on time. The Mighty One, God, the LORD who speaks and summons the earth from the rising of the sun to where it sets gives this promise “call on Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor Me.” (Psalm 50:15).

David hoped the righteous would surround him again. Why? For he believed God would deal with him bountifully. Did God do it for David? Yes, He did. David testified, “You (the LORD) delivered me from all my troubles, and my eyes have looked in triumph on my enemies.” (Psalms 54:7). He also testified the LORD like this, “I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from my fears.” (Psalm 34:4). When David cried out to the LORD and explained his desperate condition to Him, the LORD delivered not only from all his troubles but also from all his fears.

The LORD surrounded him with the righteous ones again. The LORD dealt with him bountifully. He got into the history book as the greatest king of Israel in whose line Christ the savior, the Son of God, would born into this earth. Bible says, “this was the LORD’s doing, and it was wonderful to see” (Psalm 118:23). Let me tell you beloved; only God can do such things for you. If nothing else we learned from the book of Psalms in the Bible, just one lesson learned is good enough. That is this eternal truth that God delivers from troubles and fears and He wonderfully and supernaturally changes the circumstances and condition of people if they call upon Him.

Beloved, would you call on Him today? I encourage and challenge you to call the name of the LORD today and experience what wonderful works he would do for you. Bible says “all who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Romans 10:13). There is no doubt about this. Bible promises this with no shadow of a doubt. All who calls will be saved. We can come near to God and call upon Him because Christ, the Son of God, already shed his blood and gave His life to reconcile us with the holy God in heaven. Now we can boldly call the name of God and draw near to Him for help and deliverance any time by the merit of Christ Jesus -the broken body and the shed blood of Christ opened the new way to approach God any time. Call upon God today and come boldly to Him in the name of Jesus Christ because he wants to deliver and bless you.

Got a moment for today’s prayer? Father in heaven, I am in the midst of sufferings and pain Lord. I know you delivered David from all his troubles and fears. Please deliver me from troubles and fears. I call upon the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and believe He died and rose again for all of my sins. Please come to my heart and save me. Thank you for the salvation and deliverance. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.”

“With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Be saved from this crooked and perverted generation.” Acts 2:40

Save yourself from the crooked and perverted generation.

According to the dictionary, Crooked means dishonest or illegal. This refers to people who would do any dishonest or illegal things to get their plans and goals accomplished. Perverted means having been corrupted or distorted from its original course, meaning, or state which means people distort the original truth so that they can justify their course of action.
Today’s insight is part of Peter’s preaching on the day of Pentecost in the city of Jerusalem. People from all over the world were there on that day of the Jewish harvest festival. This happened about 50 days after the resurrection of Christ from the dead and about a week after His ascension into heaven. As Christ promised earlier, He sent the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity, to abide in the believers forever to help, convict, remind, counsel, teach, guide, and empower them on this world to fulfill the mission of Christ.

You see, Jesus Christ Himself experienced both crookedness and perversion of the generation in the most severe form when he went to the cross to die in our place for all of our sins and to reconcile us to God the Father in heaven. In the same chapter in verse 23-24, Peter said to his listeners the eternal counsel of God behind the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. Listen to what he said, “Jesus was handed over to you by God’s deliberate plan and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men put him to death by nailing him to the cross. But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.”

Beloved, did you notice Jesus was handed over to us by God’s deliberate plan and foreknowledge? In other words, Jesus, the Son of God was sent by God from heaven according to His eternal plan and counsel. However, it says you (the people who were listening to Peter) with the help of wicked men put him to death by nailing Him to the cross. Then God turned the coin for the fulfillment of His eternal plan and ultimate victory. God raised His Son, Jesus Christ from the dead because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on Him. Why? Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God, and He was sent by God in a rescue mission to save people from their sins and deliberate them from the power of the devil and demons. Then he preached this- “let all of you be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.” Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection was not an accidental event. Christ’s birth, ministry, death, burial, and resurrection were prophecied beforehand more than 300 times in the old testament scriptures, and all these Bible prophecies were fulfilled literally with pinpoint accuracy. Refer https://www.teachbible.org/prophecies-fulfilled-christ-jesus/ for more information about the prophecies already fulfilled in Christ.

When people heard the preaching of Peter, they were cut to their heart and said to Peter and other apostles, Brothers, what shall we do? To this question, Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. He also said, the promise of God in Christ Jesus is for you and your children and for all who are far off- this promise belongs to all whom the Lord our God will call. Did God call you to repent and be baptized? Did you obey it? Then all of God’s promises including the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit belong to you personally.
Then Peter said warned them with many words. Our daily insight appears at this time in chapter 2:40. It says, “He pleaded with them, “Be saved from this crooked and perverted generation.”

Dearly beloved, God is pleading with you to be saved from this crooked and perverted generation because He loves, has mercy and grace on you. Do you know God loves you? The pleading is an act of making an emotional or earnest appeal to someone. God pleads with us today in our daily insight. We should turn ourselves away from the crooked and perverted generation who continuously use dishonest and unjust ways to accomplish their goals and suppress the truth of God to justify their empty ways of life inherited from their ancestors. How can we get saved from this crooked and perverted generation? By repenting of our sins and get baptized by believing in the name of Jesus Christ, the savior of the whole world. Jesus is the savior of the world as a whole because He came and shed His innocent and divine blood for the world as a whole. He died and rose again for all people living everywhere at any time- near and far away. In response to the preaching of Peter, about 3000 people believed in Christ as the Lord and Savior and got baptized and joined the Church.

Beloved, crookedness, and perversion are the norms of today’s world culture. However, God is asking us to come out of the darkness, crookedness, and corruption by coming to the light of the world- Jesus Christ, the Son of God. God also plead us to walk in light on an ongoing basis as He Himself is light and no darkness in Him (1 John 1:5)

Got a moment for today’s prayer? Father in heaven, I know I live in the midst of a dark, crooked and perverted generation that continuously does dishonest and illegal things and suppress the truth of God by following the empty way of life handed down by their ancestors. When darkness is around me and crookedness and perversion are the norms of today’s culture, I want to get connected to the source of light, truth, and eternal life- Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I believe Jesus died and rose again for my sins. I accept Him as my savior and Lord. Please save me from this crooked and perverted generation Lord. In Christ’s name, I pray. Amen.”

“Now Martha said to Jesus, “Lord if You had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You.” John 11:21-22

There is a divine reason when the answer to our prayer is delayed.

In a town called Bethany, there was a family very dear to Jesus. Jesus and His disciples frequently visited this family and members of the family Lazarus, his sisters Martha and Mary were very intimate friends to Jesus.

Jesus was teaching in Jordan, and Lazarus got sick. Martha and Mary sent words to Jesus and said, the one you love is sick. Martha and Mary knew that Jesus loved Lazarus. However, when Jesus heard this He said, “ This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” Verse #5 says Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. Then it says in verse 6, “So when He heard that he was sick, He stayed two more days in the place where He was. Then after this, He said to the disciples, “Let us go to Judea again.”

Humanly it was not impossible to understand why Jesus stayed there two more days after it says He loved them. However, the reason was also stated in the passage. Jesus said this sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it.

Beloved, sometimes when we go through heartaches, pain, and losses, even after praying to the Lord, we do not get an immediate favorable answer. However, the passage says Jesus loved them. That is all it matters in the end. One truth is sure- If He loves you and I and still does not get an answer to our prayers, He has another plan in His mind. His plan is for the glory of God that the Son of God may be glorified through it. We do not know for sure how all are going to work out or what is the final product. However, Jesus knows exactly how God is going to get glory out of it.

Then after two more days, Jesus came to Jerusalem along with His disciples. Now Martha, as soon as she heard Jesus was coming went out to meet Him and said our today’s insight. It says, “Lord if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But, even now I know that whatever you ask of God, God will give you.”

You see, even though her brother died and things were so bad for them for the last few days; still Martha expressed her full faith and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ. She was assured of the fact that if Jesus were there, her brother would not have died. However, even though He is dead now, she knew Jesus could do something about it. She understood and believed in Jesus Christ as the Son of God, and therefore she knew whatever Jesus ask of God, God would give Him. What an incredible faith and trust in the midst of loss and darkness!

Now listen carefully to the conversation between Jesus and Martha. Jesus said to her, “your brother will rise again.” Martha said to Him; she knew that he would rise again in the resurrection at the last day. Then Jesus said and revealed the most wonderful truth about Himself. Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?”

Jesus in effect said to her He is the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Him, shall live again, if he dies. Then He said, whoever lives and believes in Him shall never die. This is why Jesus said before when he heard the news of the sickness of Lazarus that his sickness is not unto death in the sense of eternally lost condition and away from the presence of the loving and gracious Lord.

Two truths emerge from Jesus’s statement. One, Jesus is the resurrection and life. In other words, He is the author of resurrection and life. No one ever claimed such a claim. Those who have Jesus Christ have resurrection and life already in them. Second, A person who believes in Christ, though he may die here on earth, he shall live. In other words, when people call it death, it is not an end of our existence. Those who believe in Jesus Christ and then die, they are going to live again in heaven forever, because Christ will raise them again.

Then Jesus asked Martha, Martha, do you believe this? To this question Martha answered, Yes, Lord, I believe you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world. Jesus asked where you have laid Him? They showed the gravesite to Him. It was in a cave. Jesus said to them, “take away the stone.” They took the stone away. Jesus lifted up His eyes and talked to His Father in heaven and said in a loud voice, “Lazarus, Come forth!” Lazarus came out bound hand and foot with graveclothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said, “lose him, and let him go.”

Beloved, our today’s insight teach us at least three points. Number one, when you and I puzzle in our mind why the Lord is not answering the prayer, the right option is to trust the heart of God altogether. He knows what He is doing. It is for the glory of God, and the Son of God gets glory somehow. In this incident, ultimately Jesus got the glory over the situation, by raising Lazarus from the dead and proving His supernatural power over death. God perfectly knows how He is going to get glory out of our sad and fearful and terrible circumstances. Always trust the hand and heart of the loving Lord, because He loves us.

Secondly, like Martha, let us keep our full faith and trust in the love of the Lord. The Lord is still able to deliver us from our bad circumstances and problems. He can always do something beyond our wildest imaginations. This truth will be tested again and again in our lives. Even if no deliverance comes, let us be firm in our faith like Daniel. Daniel said God is able to deliver us. Even if He will not deliver, we are perfectly ok, and we will not bow in front of the idol the king built.

Thirdly, there is a crucial question everyone should answer on this side of eternity. Listen! Do you believe Jesus Christ, the only savior of the world, is the resurrection and life? Do you believe he who believes in Christ though he may die, he shall live again? Saying yes to this question as Martha did when Jesus asked, hang your future destiny.

Got a moment for today’s prayer? “Father in heaven, I know I do not understand why you allowed this painful circumstance in my life. I pray Lord to deliver me with your supernatural and mighty hand. However, I know you have a plan behind though I do not fully understand now. If it brings glory to you, Lord I submit my will to your plan and will. I believe Jesus Christ died and rose again for all of my sins. I accept Christ as my savior. Please save me. In Christ’s name, I pray.”

“So she departed and went and gleaned in the field after the reapers; and she happened to come to the portion of the field belonging to Boaz, who was of the family of Elimelech.” Ruth 2:4.

God calls you to move and take steps by faith in Him.

Listen! I believe some people need to hear this message. Something happened to you in the past, and you are sitting in the mess of the past for a very long period now. May I tell you this -it is time to rise and move out by faith in God. When you get up and take steps in faith, God is going to change your current situation. However, you need to make the first step of faith. One step of faith can change the whole direction of our life. It is that one step of faith that is going to open life-changing new and fresh vision and opportunities. Bible is full of examples of those who trusted God and took the step of faith. God is asking you to do the same.

God is in charge of this universe, and He said in Isaiah 45:5, “I am the LORD; there is no other God. I have equipped you for battle, though you don’t even know me.” When God came and asked Abraham to leave, He did. “The LORD had said to Abram, “Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you.” Genesis 12:1. As a result, he became the father of many nations. His name became great, and he was a big blessing in the world and in and through His line the savior of the world – Jesus Christ, the Son of God –born. Through Him, all the families of the earth are blessed.

Today’s insight is about Ruth, the Moabite. She was not an Israelite. She was a gentile, a foreigner. Nothing but bad happened to her for the last few years. Her husband died, her father in law died, and her brother in law died and only she had Naomi, her mother in law. She was in the ashes of pain and hopelessness. Even amid calamities one after another, she knew in her heart that there is a living God in heaven and that is the God of Israel, and she put her trust in Him and followed her mother in law back to Bethlehem from Moab. When they arrived in Bethlehem, Instead of sitting idle, and brooding over the past pains and sufferings she decided to step out in faith in the Lord God in whom she trusted and came to Bethlehem. It is incredible real-life history.
Ruth, the Moabite, said to Naomi, “let me go to the field and glean among the ears of grain after one in whose sight I may find favor.” Naomi said to her, “go my daughter.” Then the Bible gives our today’s insight- “So she departed and went and gleaned in the field after the reapers; and she happened to come to the portion of the field belonging to Boaz, who was of the family of Elimelech.”

When she decided to rise and get out in faith in God, the sovereign God sovereignly directed her steps. It says there “She happened to come to the portion of the field belonging to Boaz.” In Hebrew, it says, “happen to happen.” Human perspective may see this as a chance or fate. Beloved, there is nothing like chance or fate. It is the God who directs and guides the steps of the Godly. He orders and directs our steps as we lean on Him. Bible says in Proverbs 16:9, “The mind of man plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps.” We think in our mind a course of action but even that thought and the resultant steps that we take are sovereignly directed by God. Proverbs 20:24 emphatically says, “the Lord directs our steps.” Psalms 37:23 says, “The LORD directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives.”

Beloved, are you sitting in ashes and are in the process of building a permanent monument there? Some people did that. Some people even make their graveyard in their painful circumstances. God says you were sitting there and playing the harmonium for a long time. You need to rise, move out by trusting the Lord God of heaven. You need to move forward in the plan and purpose of God.

You see, when Ruth took the first step, the sovereign Lord who establishes the steps directed her legs and feet to the right place – the field of Boaz. She happens to happen to come to the field of Boaz. The story of Ruth in the Bible is a fantastic story of the Providence, sovereignty, and redemption of God. Boaz married Ruth, and they had a son called Obed. Moreover, Obed became the father of Jesse, the father of David, the greatest King of Israel, in whose line the savior of the whole world, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was born into this world. In short Ruth, the Moabite became the great-grandmother of the Savior of the World. Christ was the Son of God who incarnated into this world through the womb of the Virgin Mary.

You see the power of stepping out in faith in the living God. Someone said like this – God always hit a moving target. He won’t get glory out of lazy couch potatoes. He won’t get any glory out of people who make a permanent residence in their sorrows and sadness either. A season of mourning, consideration, and reflection is needed. Eventually, we need to get out of our pain and fear, focus on the Lord in heaven, trust in Him and His power and step out in faith. Someone out there is waiting for your step or move to touch their lives with your divine and eternal touch. You will see the glory of God when you put your faith in God and step out in faith.

I don’t know where you are and what condition you are in. However, I have a message from God for you. The Lord God of heaven is calling you to come to His son Jesus Christ today. There starts all the blessings and adventures of a life shared with the Almighty God. It is going to be an amazing and incredible journey with the Lord in this world. Also, do you know at the time of the departure from here, He will take you to heaven with Him for eternity?

Abraham came out of the Idol culture and followed the one living God in heaven. Now Ruth the Moabite heard His call and followed Him and became a great blessing. God’s plan was perfectly fulfilled in their lives. I don’t have time and space to say about many other Bible characters. How about you, my friend? What are you waiting for? God is calling you to move out in faith, step out in faith. Do you know each time the Bible talks about Ruth, she was called Ruth the Moabite? It reminds all of us the fact that she was a foreigner. Gentile and was unworthy to come to the presence of the Holy God. If God did such a marvelous work in Ruth, God wants you to know He can accomplish incredible and life-changing events in your life.

Got a moment for today’s prayer? Father in heaven, I listen to your call. I believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who died for my sins and rose again. Lord, I call upon the name of the savior, Jesus Christ. Please save me. Please direct my steps and establish my future for your glory. I submit my will fully and completely. In Christ’s name, I pray. Amen.”

“Look,” “he (the new king) said to his people, “the Israelites have become far too numerous for us.” Exodus 1:9

God’s wonderful plan emerges out of challenges and sufferings. 

The LORD God with His power and outstretched arm delivered children of Israel from the slavery in Egypt under the leadership of Moses and led them to the promised land that is the land of Israel. However, they were slaves and in bondage in Egypt for about four hundred years before God intervened in their life. During this time of slavery and sufferings, God increased their numbers. Children of Israel were only seventy in numbers when they came into Egypt. However, God multiplied them, and they became exceedingly mighty, and the land was filled with them. God was making a nation right there in their sufferings and slavery in Egypt.

Are you in sufferings? Are you under addictions and bondage? God who rescued the children of Israel can rescue you from your circumstances. His outstretched arm and mighty power are available to you for your help and deliverance, however, bad your situation maybe today. You may think you are in severe trials or problems.

However, God has a bigger plan right amid your difficulties, sufferings, and confusions, if you listen to Him when he reaches out to you.

Now after four hundred years, according to the promise God made to Abraham, the children of Israel are ready to come out of bondage and slavery and go into the promised land. They are prepared to form a nation and its government. This is how the nation Israel came into existence on the face of the earth. It was the fulfillment of God’s promise to Abraham in Genesis 12. Abraham’s family before he obeyed the living God in heaven was idol worshippers in Mesopotamia, and God intervened sovereignly in such a background and called Abraham and asked him to come out of that idol worship background and go to the promised land that He would show him eventually. He promised Abraham, “I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you;… and all peoples on earth will be blessed through your seed.” Genesis 12

Beloved, I don’t know where you are and what background you are in today. However, I can tell you this- There is only one God, and He is the one who created the heavens and the earth. There is no other God out there by which you can receive blessings. He is the God who created man in His own image. The one true God loved us and sent his only Son to this world to save us from our sins and problems, to reconcile us with God the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who died for our sins, buried, and rose again from the dead. God is calling you to come to Him today in and through the person and work of Jesus Christ who loved you and died for all of your sins.

Abraham heard the call of God and left Mesopotamia, the idol-worshipping culture, by obeying the call of the living God. The same God is calling you today to come out of your background. It does not matter what nationality you are, what color you are, and what religion you are. The living God of the Bible calls you today to arise and come to His Son Jesus Christ. Bible says, “This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘Long ago your ancestors, including Terah the father of Abraham and Nahor, lived beyond the Euphrates River and worshiped other gods. But I took your father Abraham from the land beyond the Euphrates and led him throughout Canaan and gave him many descendants.” He wants to take you from your current situation and use you for His glorious and beautiful purposes. Like God called Abraham, God is calling you today.

God was making a nation out of the grandchildren of Abraham. Abraham’s son was Isaac, and Isaac’s son was Jacob, and God gave a new name to Jacob, and the new name was Israel. Jacob or Israel had twelve children, and these twelve children are the twelve tribes of the nation Israel. Jacob and his twelve children went down to Egypt when there was a severe famine in the entire world. Joseph was sent there ahead of time, and God made him the prime minister of Egypt, though he suffered a lot in his young life. God had a plan behind all of Joseph’s unbearable sufferings. Joseph became famous in Egypt. The whole family of Jacob was reunited in Egypt and saved from famine and death because of Joseph, and all was well for some time. Then after many years, there arose a king who did not know anything about Joseph. He started persecuting the children of Israel who became numerous at that time in Egypt. He enforced forced labor and slavery on them. However, the more he oppressed them, the more numerous in numbers they became. The whole of Egypt was afraid of the Children of Israel because they multiplied and became numerous in numbers.

Beloved, during slavery, sufferings, and confusion, the sovereign God was at work. He was making a nation out of the children of Israel to fulfill His unconditional promise He made to Abraham (Genesis 12).

Bible says in Psalms 46:10, “He (God) says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”

In your sufferings and confusions also, be still and know that He is God. He will be exalted out of your sufferings and trials. God gets the glory, and He will exalt Himself out of your problems and sufferings.

Two things – God is calling you today to come out of your background and follow Him. He will guide and direct your steps. God says and promises you will become a blessing in this world. God has big plans and purposes in your life. He has in store for you a good future, hope, and blessings. Secondly, God will be exalted in your sufferings, trials, and problems. He will get glory out of all your circumstances. Come out, stay focused on God, and see what mighty works He has in store for you.

Got a moment for today’s prayer? Father in heaven, I believe in the tremendous and matchless power you have. I believe you created the heavens and the earth. I worship you, Lord. Per your calling, I come and accept your Son, Jesus Christ, as my savior and Lord today. I believe He died and rose again for all of my sins. I call upon the name of Jesus Christ for salvation and deliverance. In Jesus Christ’s name, I pray. Amen. “

“Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.” 2 Corinthians 7:10.

The power of Godly repentance and the danger of worldly repentance.

Jesus Christ talked about repentance many times. The first preaching words came out of Jesus, the Son of God, in his public ministry was to repent. He said, Repent, for the kingdom of God has come near.” The words of John the Baptist, who prepared the way for Jesus Christ and introduced Him into this world also said the same thing. “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” The current generation of our days says do not judge me. I am not that bad. You are ok, I am ok, and all is well. However, the fact of the matter is all is not ok. The Bible, the Word of God, says there is no other way to enter into the kingdom of God other than the way of repentance by coming to God. Repentance is the pre-condition for salvation and eternal life for entering into the kingdom of God. Repentance means a change of mind that results in a change of our action and behavior because we genuinely repented about our sins and wrongdoings. Repentance has to be genuine. If genuine repentance did not happen, it would not do any good at all.

Our today’s insight says what produces genuine repentance. There is genuine and false repentance. It is essential to understand the difference. Bible gives the difference. Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.” Let me tell you the difference. I am sure you already came across many people who are in profound grief and remorseful in life because of the consequences of their sins. When people faces lose, disappointments, health problems due to their sins and wrongdoings, they feel deeply sorry, remorseful and hurt over the results. They would say why did I do what I did? I should not have done it. Now, here I am going through the consequences. They are sad and sorrowful about the results or the experiences their action caused. This is worldly sorrow. It leads only to death.

However, in contrast, Godly sorrow first look upward and admit their sins to God. It says, Lord, I sinned against you, and I am so sorry that I hurt you. Joseph when he was tempted by Potiphar’s wife day after day to lie with her, he said to her this- How could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?” David when he committed adultery and murder, and when Nathan, God’s prophet confronted him, he said, “against you only I sinned.” You see, all of our sins are ultimately against God.

Bible places two characters side by side to explain this truth. King Saul and King David. King Saul disobeyed and rebelled against God’s commandment. But not even one time he admitted God that he sinned against Him. Eventually, he lost all hope and killed himself. In contrast, King David said to the Lord, “Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight;” His first response was to God. He said my sin was against you, Lord. I have sinned and done what is evil in your sight. Secondly, David said, “Cleanse me Lord that I will be clean; wash me Lord and I will be whiter than snow. He said Lord hide your face my sins and blot out my iniquity. He also said, “Do not cast me from your presence Lord or take your Holy Spirit from me. (Psalm 51).  God forgave David restored and blessed him again because He sought God’s forgiveness.

Another classic example of worldly sorrow that leads to death is Judas who betrayed Jesus Christ. Bible describes this incident in Matthew 27. When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders. “I have sinned,” he said, “for I have betrayed innocent blood. The chief priests and the elders said what is that to us, it was your responsibility?. So Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself. Judas was remorseful, sad and knew he betrayed innocent blood. However, he never looked up to God and sought His forgiveness. He talked to Chief priests and elders. Speaking to elders, chief priest and human religious Gurus would not get our consciousness free of the burden of guilt. God will in the person and work of His Son, Jesus Christ. Juda’s sorrow was based on his guilt, but it was just a worldly sorrow. He did not look upward to God for forgiveness. His repentance was not genuine. It was an example of false repentance.

Remember, Godly sorrow always look upward to God, and seeks God’s forgiveness. Let me tell how it works. The Holy Spirit of God who works in our hearts lead us to the feet of the cross of the Son of God, Jesus Christ, where he shed his divine and sinless blood for the remission of our sins. There is no other person or place can and will do this for us. Judas just talked to chief priests and elders. He never sought God for forgiveness. David sought upward for God’s forgiveness. However, Judas threw the thirty silver pieces to the temple, went away and hanged himself.

Beloved, you see, the difference between the Godly sorrow that leads to salvation and leaves no regret and worldly sorrow that brings death?
Which route are you going to take? The way of worldly sorrow that brings death or are you going to enter the narrow gate of Godly sorrow that brings repentance that leads to salvation and no regret? God is calling you to the come to the feet of the cross of Jesus Christ, the savior of the whole world, who already paid for all of your sins by his divine and sinless blood once and for all. There is power in Godly repentance when you come to Jesus Christ and seek his forgiveness, and there are danger and hopelessness in worldly and false repentance. God wants to give you a bright future and hope if you come to His Son, Jesus Christ now.

Got a moment for today’s prayer? Father in heaven, I genuinely repent over my sins. Lord, I admit against you only I sinned. I sincerely and genuinely come to you for your help now. I know Jesus Christ died and rose again for all my sins. Please wash me by the power of His blood so that I would be clean again and become whiter than snow. Thank you for the forgiveness you granted me. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.”

“You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20.)

Have you heard the story of a small boy who made a toy boat? He spent many days of hard work and finally made a beautiful toy boat. Then he was very excited and took the boat to a small lake. He wanted to see how it would float in the water. A wind came quickly, and the boat was taken away from his reach. He started crying, standing, and looking at the toy boat, drifting away from him. Another strong wind hit again, and the boat was gone out of his sight away in the lake. He was sad.

After many months one day, when he was coming back from his school, to his surprise, he saw his boat in a neighborhood shop. Someone found the boat and picked it up from the water and sold it to the shop owner. The moment he saw the boat, he ran inside the shop and said to the shop owner this is my boat. I built it with my hand. The shop owner said if you want this boat you need to pay me the price I ask and buy it from me. The boy walked back to his home and did much hard work for the next several days by helping people cleaning cars, painting fences, helping others to carry their loads, mowing grasses, cleaning neighbor’s, etc. He saved each penny, quarters, dollars he received and went to the shop to see if the boat is still there. He was so happy his boat was still there. He paid the full money and bought back the boat he made with his own hands. When he was walking back home, he said, “I made you. I lost you. I found you. I am happy. I bought you. Now you are mine forever.”

The above story is History. I heard someone said like this- History is His-story. Yes, History is His-story. Beloved, History is God’s story.
Like the boy made his boat with his own hands, God created mankind in his own image. The Bible says in Genesis 1:27 in his likeness, in His own image, He created us; male and female He created them. Although He made us, we left him in disobedience. We were lost like the wind in the lake lost the boat. God saw we were lost in darkness, and He, our creator, had compassion toward us because we are His creation. He repurchased us with a price. The price was the blood of the Son of God, Jesus Christ.

Today’s insight says, “you are not your own; you were bought at a price.” The price God paid to reclaim us from our empty and sinful life, from our lost condition and darkness was not silver and gold but the precious blood of the lamb of God, Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Beloved, the price is fully paid. Come home to God now in and through the door of Jesus Christ. Jesus, who paid the price fully to save you, says, “‘Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come into him and dine with him, and he with Me.” (Revelation 3:20).

Will you come to God’s home? Some of us may have drifted far away from such a loving and gracious God, although we knew Him in the past. Listen, you can also come home today. Jesus calls you personally. Come Home Today. Would you honor God with your body by walking toward God? Heaven and the angels in heaven will start rejoicing over you. The Lord Jesus would say about you, “I made you. I lost you. I found you. I am happy. I bought you with my blood. The heaven and whole angles are rejoicing. Now you are mine forever.”

Got a moment for today’s prayer? “Father in heaven, I heard your loving and gracious call today. I know you bought me with the precious blood of Jesus Christ, and I belong to you. I believe Jesus Christ died and rose again for my sins. Come to my heart and save me today. In Jesus Christ’s name, 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.” 1st Peter 2:1-3.

Our today’s insight connected to what we discussed yesterday and the day before yesterday. As a result of your re-birth into God’s household, which (1) God planned in His foreknowledge in the eternity past, (2) the Son of God (Jesus) perfected in time, (3) Holy Spirit led you and set you apart with His sanctifying work, (4) upon hearing and accepting the preaching of the eternal and imperishable word of God -the good news of the gospel of salvation and by the sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ, a newly born again person can now be different from the old.

Our insight says, “Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind.” These traits are the usual traits of all people. It is not hard to see people with these traits, but it is hard to see people without these natures. However, one who is born again into God’s kingdom has the capacity and resources available to be different. I meant the capacity because, before the re-birth, we have only the flesh as the mechanism to respond. Naturally, it reacts in malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of all kinds. Now we have another power of powerful tool inside us- the indwelling of the Holy Spirit of God. 

You see, the Holy Spirit who guided and convinced you the truth about the salvation available in Jesus Christ does not leave you after His conviction work. Bible says the same Holy Spirit who guided and convinced you the truth permanently indwell in you to facilitate the development of divine nature in you. Holy Spirit convicts (John 16;8), indwells in you (John 14:17(d) and 1st Corinthians 3:16), teach you and remind you (John 14:26), reveals things to you (1st Corinthians 2:10), guides you into all the truth (John 16:13), gives spiritual gifts to believers in Christ (1st Corinthians 12:7-11), He helps us (Romans 8:26-17), He sanctifies and empowers believers to bear beautiful spiritual fruit (Galatians 5:22-25). The indwelling Holy Spirit is the source of all new and divine capacities. 

Secondly, a newly born again person has a wonderful heavenly diet to grow healthy, balanced, and become all God wants him or her to become. What is it? Our today’s insight says it is the spiritual milk of the word of God. You see, it is by the power of the imperishable seed, the word of God, you are born again into God’s household, as we discussed yesterday. The same word of God is the heavenly diet facilitating your spiritual growth. It says you crave spiritual milk, so that you may grow up in your salvation by it. You already tasted the Lord, and His word is good because you are born again by it. Now you crave for it every day and every time. A newborn infants’ craving for mom’s milk is so strong that nothing stops them from it. 

Beloved, a systematic Bible study, is the resource for your spiritual growth. If that does not happen, you need to make it happen. You can regularly attend a Bible preaching and teaching church to study the Bible; you can go to a Bible-teaching seminary or Bible school to study it. In your room, you can begin reading and studying the Bible by yourself as well. Ask God to open the door to study His word. He will faithfully pave the way for you. And in a short period of time with the help of the indwelling Holy Spirit and the study of the Scriptures, you would wonder how much you have grown to bear manifold fruit for the Lord. 

“Father in heaven, I thank you for saving me because you included me also in your eternal plan of salvation. Now help me to obey the Holy Spirit of God who indwells in me. Help me to lean on him every day and all the time. Lord, you gave me the craving for the spiritual milk, the Bible. Help me to study it and grow up in my salvation to bear beautiful fruit for your name. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.”