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“What is impossible with man is possible with God.” Luke 18:27.

In our life, we do face impossibilities. People face with incurable diseases and disabilities, divorces, children going astray. We face financial stress and the list goes on. People can end up in jail. In those hard times, you feel you can’t do anything- things are out of control. Earth moves under your feet.

However, you must know God is in control of all affairs of your life. You are anchored in God. Diseases, divorces, rebellious children, financial issues, jail time and whatever it may be, God is with you. He is never out of control of your life. He knows exactly what is happening. He is there to help and deliver no matter what you face. God is the God of miracles in your impossibilities.

The four-way stops and dead ends are the times you must put your faith and trust in God only. Move closer to Him. Begin thanking, praising and worshipping God. After all, He has taken care of your future well-being. He already transferred your future address from a horrible place called Hell to a beautiful home called heaven when you called upon the name of Jesus. He will take care and be with you each step of the way when you lean on Him. Things are not out of control. God is in control.

Abraham’s wife Sarah was barren. God promised a son. However, even after waiting for long 25 years, they did not get the promised son. What must they do? Bible says, “Abraham believed in the God who brings the dead back to life and who creates new things out of nothing.” Romans 4:17(b). This is the key.

After he received the promised son, God asked him to sacrifice him in the mount of Moriah. Humanly it did not make any sense, does it? However, he obeyed God without saying anything back to him, didn’t he? You see, where was his anchor, hope and trust? Abraham believed in the God who creates new out of nothing and who brings the dead back to life. Of course, God was testing him. God did not allow Abraham to sacrifice his son. God intervened.

You must remember what Abraham remembered in your difficulties. God can bring the dead back to life. He can create new out of nothing. What is the last time you heard someone brought the dead back to life, apart from Jesus did? No man can. What is the last time you heard someone created new out of nothing? Never. God created the whole earth and universe out of nothing. Only by His omnipotent Word (Genesis 1). However, man cannot create something out of anything. These are the two prerogatives of God only. Do you know, He still does these two in your personal life?

I had times when I faced with impossibilities. Apart from God’s presence and deliverance, I would not be testifying this truth about God today. Listen! What is impossible with man is possible with God, if you let God work in your life. God can send deliverances to your diseases, disabilities, financial issues, relationship issues. He can give you hope and future again. He can create new out of nothing.

The context in which Jesus said today’s insight is salvation. A ruler came to Jesus and asked: “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus replied, you know the commandments: You shall not commit adultery, you shall not murder, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, honor your father and mother.” The ruler said is hard to believe. Do you know what he said” He said, “all these I have kept since I was a boy.” In short, in his sight, he is perfect in obeying all the commandments which are not true in any measure. Understanding his self-righteousness Jesus replied, “You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” When the ruler heard it, he was very sad, because he was very wealthy. Those who heard asked, “who then can be saved?’ To this Jesus replied, “what is impossible with man is possible with God.” Contextually, what he meant is salvation and eternal life is impossible for man. However, God makes it possible for anyone not based on their good works but based on their faith in what Jesus did.

Did you try many ways to get saved and still not sure whether you are saved from your sins and shortcomings? Are you still not sure if you have eternal life at the point of your death? Listen Jesus said, “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.” If you come to Jesus and believe he died and rose again for your sins, you got salvation and eternal life instantly at the time of the confession of your faith in Him.

You see, the biggest problem of all is -salvation and eternal life. Our passage teaches us it is impossible to get salvation by your good works. You need the Savior Jesus for salvation and everlasting life.

Got a moment for today’s prayer? “Father in heaven, I believe what Jesus said, What is impossible with me is possible with you. I fully trust and hope in your power, grace, love, and deliverance. I come closer to you. I need you now in my life more than ever. Come in my pains, and problems and deliver me with your hand. I know I can’t save myself. I need Jesus Christ who died and rose again for all of my sins. I believe in Jesus. Please forgive me, save me and grant me everlasting life. In Christ’s name, I pray. Amen.”

The truth is a person, not any man-made principles or creeds.

“What is the truth?” retorted Pilate. John 18:38 (a).

How do you define truth? Pilate asked Jesus the important question, “what is the truth”? Did you ever think what is the truth? Where do you find the truth? People may take you to certain principles or creeds to show the truth.

you see, truth is not a dogma, creed or even set of theories or principles. The truth is a person. Jesus said and it is recorded in John 14:6. He said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” He also said, “no one can come to the Father except through me.”

Beloved, if you want to know the truth, do not look anywhere else. Look on the person of Jesus Christ. Bible says in John 1:14 about Jesus, “We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” Not only Jesus said “I am the truth”, but also John testified along with other disciples that Jesus is full of grace and truth.

If you are a seeker of the way, the truth, and life, why don’t you start studying about Jesus Christ in the pages of the Bible? You can read all about Jesus and his works in four gospels in the New Testament section of the Bible –Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.

Beloved, no religious gurus ever claimed they are the way, truth or life, did they? They were all looking to find the way, truth, and life. In their pursuits, they became religious leaders or gurus. However, they were not the way, the truth, and life. No human being can claim these either.
The way is a person. The truth is the same person. And life is the same person. That is none other than the Son of God, Jesus Christ. Do you want to know the way? Do you want to know the truth? You want to get life and life eternal? Come to Jesus and take a look at him through the pages of the Bible.

Jesus said and it is recorded in John 8:31, “and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” Only truth will set you free. Once you know and accept the truth, you are free indeed. Until then you are under the bondage of deceptions and lies.

The truth is facts or things following the facts. We do not know the facts all the time. Only God knows the fact because the natures- all-knowledgeable, all-powerful and all-present-only belong to God. Hence, he is the source of all truth.

Secondly, the Word of God is the truth. Psalm 119:160 says, “The sum of your word is the truth, and every one of your righteous rules endures forever” It means all of the Scripture (the Bible) is the truth. John 17:17 says, “Sanctify them in truth, your word is the truth.” The whole Scripture (the Bible) is the truth because “all Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17. God is the truth and the Scripture is inspired or breathed out by God who is the only embodiment of truth. Therefore the Scripture (the Bible) is also the truth.

Got a moment for today’s prayer? “Father in heaven, I come to the only way, the truth and life who is Jesus Christ. I believe in Him because He is Your Son and my savior who died and rose again for all my sins. I accept Jesus Christ as my savior and Lord. Thank you for saving me and guiding me into all the truth and making free. Your word is the truth. Please sanctify and set apart me for your word and use me for your glory. In Christ’s name, I pray. Amen.”

Take care of your body for God’s glory.

“You knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” Psalm139:13-14 (NIV).

Your body is not yours. God made your body. He is the creator and owner of your body. Bible says in today’s insight that He knit you together in your mother’s womb. It also says and do you know this -you are fearfully and wonderfully made? You see, there are wonders and amazements all over your body because the wonder-working God formed it.

Not only God formed your body, but also He has an amazing and wonderful plan for your body. Bible says even though your earthly body would stop working one day, he already has plans to replace your current body with a strong, eternal and glorified body. Refer 2 Corinthians 5:1-5.

You see God looks at you and says he loves your body because you are God’s handy work. You are so precious and valuable to him. The reason is you and your body belong to him because he formed you and your body. He gave a unique shape, color, and size. The way you look is God’s master plan and He is proud of you.

What does it mean to us? If God made it and He is the owner, then we have a responsibility and accountability with our bodies. We must give an account to God about how we took care of our bodies. That means you must not ignore, abuse or destroy it. You must take care of your body by putting right and healthy food and drinks in it. You must clean it properly and do some exercises so that it will be in good shape for the glory of God and his name.

Bible says in Romans 12:1 to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God. Whatever you do in your body do it for the glory of God because it is God’s creation and he gave it to you. 1st Corinthians 10:31 says, “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” If you know this truth, then You would be careful about what you eat and drink, wouldn’t you? If something hurts, harms or causes to dis-function your body, you would be careful to avoid it. This knowledge answers many of the questions about what to eat and drink, doesn’t it? 1st timothy 4:8 says physical exercise is of some value. There is no doubt working with the body and proper exercise is a good discipline. The passage there compares physical exercise to spiritual exercise. If physical exercise is valuable, spiritual discipline and exercise have much more value. Spiritual exercise includes reading and reflecting the Bible verses, listening to Bible insights and messages, talking and praying to God, becoming part of a Bible study group in your church, being thankful to God, praising and worshipping God, etc.

Beloved, you should take care of your body. You should not ignore, abuse or try to destroy your body. When life gets harder and you and I know it will get tougher as we live here on this planet earth, remember we are not to hurt, destroy or even ignore our bodies. God created it and gave it to you to take care of it. He has a beautiful plan for it. Your body if it is buried under the earth, will rise again and be replaced with a glorified eternal body equipped to live in heaven with the triune God all through eternity.

Isaiah 26:19 says, “But your dead shall live; their bodies shall rise. You who dwell in the dust, awake and sing for joy!” Listen Jesus said and it is recorded in John 6:40, “For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them on the last day.” God’s plan for your life is you look to His Son, Jesus Christ, and believe in Him. Then you will live even if you die. The promise of Jesus is “ I will raise them on the last day.” Why should I look on to Jesus? He is the savior and only savior of the whole world. No one comes to God and heaven without Jesus. Jesus connects you with God because he died in your place for all of your sins and his divine blood cover all your shortcoming and declares you righteous to stand in front of God and to live in heaven.

Beloved, have you looked on Jesus and believe in him as your savior and Lord as of yet? If not, can I invite you to do that today with me in a small prayer?

Got a moment for today’s prayer? “Father in heaven, I know you created me and my body while I was in my mother’s womb. I know you have a plan for my body. You will rise it again to live with you forever. You are the creator and savior of my life. I accept Jesus as my savior and Lord. Please save me. In Christ’s name, I pray. Amen.”

“Call to me and I will answer you. I’ll tell you marvelous and wondrous things that you could never figure out on your own” (Jeremiah 33:3b)

Is something bothering you for a while now? You do not know how it all happened and what you would do. You do not have an answer. You do not know what to say and do not have a solution. The more you think about it, there is no way you can figure things out. I encountered times like this. I am sure you might have as well. In such times, what would you do? Go and throw a pity party? Sit down discouraged and depressed with a gloomy face? Go and tell other people how bad the situation is? 

When you cannot figure out things, probably you would never figure it out by your efforts. On such occasions, instead of pulling your hairs, breaking your brain and draining energy, God has a simple solution. He says, “Call to me and I will answer you. I will tell you marvelous and wondrous things that you could never figure out on your own.” Interestingly amazing thought, right?  

Jeremiah was in prison because they hated him when he preached about the coming judgment of God on their sins. You see, God called him, even before his birth to preach His word. God said to him, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” Jeremiah 1:5.

Now He is in a dungeon for his obedience and service to the Lord. How are you going to figure out what went and where went wrong? God said to him, “Call to me and I will answer you. I’ll tell you marvelous and wondrous things that you could never figure out on your own”. Jeremiah, instead of you throwing a pity party and forming a search group to figure out, call to me. God promises He will answer. Not only God would answer, but also God would tell him marvelous and wondrous things that he could never figure out on his own. 

God asks you to call on Him. He promises he will answer you. Then he will show and tell you marvelous and wondrous things you could not figure out. 

There are certain things in life that you and I cannot figure out. You try to get an answer and possibly a solution. However, no answer or solution happens. When you encounter things you could not change, it is called an impossible task. It is not up to you to do impossibles. God specializes in such matters. God asked this question to Jeremiah 32:27, “Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh; is anything impossible (too difficult) for Me?” It is an open-ended question demanding an answer from Jeremiah and us. The answer is no, nothing is impossible to God. 

Beloved, when you face an impossible matter, involve God in it. Call Him. He says he will answer you. Then it says the Lord would reveal marvelous and wondrous things because you are not able to figure such things out. He has marvelous and wondrous things hidden in things you cannot figure out by yourself. Only God can reveal it to you. You need Him. 

I remember I faced a few impossible things in my life. When I called upon God, did he answer me? In a few, he answered me quickly. However, in other situations, I did not get an answer immediately. However, as the days, months and in some cases years gone by, God impressed some valuable, eternal truth and lessons of His mysterious ways in my life. Now I can look back and know God answered it. Not the way I wanted. But he impressed in my heart what is important and takes priority over others. I could not figure it out. I would never figure it out. However, he helped to figure it out. I do not complain now about those things. He impressed in my heart his ways in the process. Sometimes His ways are different from our ways. In Isaiah 55:8-9 God says, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” NIV. This is why some time you won’t be able to figure it out by your efforts. 

However, God would reveal the marvelous and wondrous things that you could never figure out on your own when you call on Him. 

Got a moment for today’s prayer? “Father in heaven, I cannot figure out the things I am in now. You asked me to call on you. When I call, you said you would answer and tell me marvelous and wondrous things that I could not figure out. So I call on you. Please answer and tell me the marvelous and wondrous things. I pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.”

 

“Be careful how you think; your life is shaped by your thoughts” Proverbs 4:23 (GNT)

Your thought process is cardinal for shaping your life. I do not need to say more about it. You already know about it. If you think, you won’t pass a test, then most probably you won’t pass the test. If you think your job is hard, then it would be hard. On the contrary, if you think you would pass a test, then you would put time and effort into it and you would end up passing. If you think you would master your job, then you would put time and effort and find it rewarding and successful. 

Beloved, I am not talking about just positive thinking. What I am saying is this -the knowledge and understanding of the truth about you determine whom you would eventually become. 

Our today’s insight says, “Be careful how you think, your life is shaped by your thoughts.” Your thought process must be based on the truth. It must not be based on your feelings or what people say to you. Your thoughts must be based on truth only.  

How do you know the truth? Make yourself complete in the understanding of the truth. Jesus said in John 17:17 “sanctify them in the truth and God’s word is the truth.” Jesus also said and is recorded in John 8:32, “and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. The truth is the Word of God (the Bible). The understanding of the truth sets you free to mold you become all God created to be.

God gave all the truths about you, the world in which you live, the past, present and future events in the pages of the Bible. The more you become familiar with the Bible, the more your life would be shaped by the truth and what God says about all of the above. 

There are at least five foundational truths you should keep in your mind every day. 

First, God created you in His image. He formed you in your mothers’ womb. You may not know your real parents. Even though, what God said about you is true. You are formed by God regardless of who your parents are. (Psalms 139:13-14)

Second, God loves you and cares about you, life now and future. “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” (Lamentations 3:22-23.) God says in the Bible, “Even when you are old, I will be the same. Even when your hair has turned gray, I will take care of you. I made you and will take care of you. I will carry you and save you.” Isaiah 46:4

Jesus said, “But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?” Matthew 6:30

“Cast all your anxieties on him (God), because he cares for you”. 1 peter 5:7

Romans 8:39, “Nothing will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Listen, if all leave you, He will never leave you nor forsake you. (Hebrews 13:5). 

Third, you belong to God. More than you belong to your parents, family, spouse or children, God says you belong to Him. In Isaiah 43:1 God says He created you and formed you and therefore fear not He has called you by your name, you are His.” Psalms 100:3 says, “Know that the Lord, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people and the sheep of his pasture.”

Fourth, remember God has the best plan for your life. No matter what age you are in now. You can seek God’s plan for your life right now. He will reveal His plan for your life. School student, college student, married, employee, boss, rich, poor, advanced in age- does not matter. God has a plan for your life. I hope without delay you would ask God to reveal his plan for your life. You see, He has a plan for your life now on the face of this earth and after your life. 

Fifth, God wants you to live with Him in heaven for throughout the eternity, not based on any merits from you, but based on the merit of His Son, Jesus Christ. God invites you to live with Him. You can accept God’s invitation love, by accepting Jesus Christ, who paid all your sins and shortcomings by His divine and sinless blood. If you accept Jesus as your savior, you have God and all you need in your life now on this earth and later when you close your eyes in death. You are the recipient of God’s love, care, and the best plan. 

One more thing – you must know you are a product of good things and bad things happened to you already. You did not have control over many things happened to you. Things happened without seeking your approval or permission. Perhaps you were abused by people. You may have been abandoned. Accidents or disabilities happened to you. You may have faced a series of failures in the past. All good things and bad things that happened in your life shape your personality.  

However, how do you see and evaluate yourself in the midst of all is your thinking process. This is where the power of truth comes in to transform you to view you from a bigger perspective. “Be careful how you think; your life is shaped by your thoughts.” 

Your thought must be at least based on the above five truths I elaborated on. 

Got a moment for today’s prayer? “Father in heaven, please reveal your truth to me from the pages of the Bible. I accept your invitation to come to heaven and live with you forever at the point of my death here. I accept Jesus as my savior and Lord. I believe he died in my place for my sins and shortcomings. In Christ’s name, I pray. Amen.”

“Be persistent in prayer, and keep alert as you pray, giving thanks to God.” Colossians 4:2

Persistent prayer means to continue firmly in prayer, keep on praying,  praying in spite of difficulty, doubt, discouragement or opposition. Jesus gave a parable of the persistent widow to drive home the point that we should always pray and not give up (Luke 18:1-8).

Jesus said and it is recorded in Luke 11:9-10, “So I say to you, Ask and keep on asking and it shall be given you; seek and keep on seeking and you shall find; knock and keep on knocking and the door shall be opened to you. For everyone who asks and keeps on asking receives; and he who seeks and keeps on seeking finds; and to him who knocks and keeps on knocking, the door shall be opened.” (Amplified Bible).

Beloved, in your persistent prayer, you pray without giving up. Jesus and the verses in the Bible encourage and command you to do it. (refer Ephesians 6:18; 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18, Mark 13:33). When you pray persistently without giving up, do not think you are doing this because God needs to be reminded of it. No, He knows all about you-your struggles and needs- before you become even aware and start praying about it. However, something happens in your persistent prayers. What is it? Your faith in Him is tested and proved. Moreover, you are being transformed according to his will.

You pray persistently, and you may find out he is not answering the way you wanted. It does not mean God is not answering your prayer. Keep alert as you pray.

In many of my prayers, I got the answer exactly the way I wanted. Praise and thanks to him. However, not all the time. You see, if the answer is not coming the way you wanted, either he is deepening your faith and trust in Him or he is refocusing your goal and attention on something else. You want ‘A’ badly. However, what you need is not ‘A’ but ‘B’. You do not know it. However, he knows it. When you pray continually, your heart will be tuned to accept not A but B. You see God wants to answer your prayer. But he wants to do it in a better and a deeper way more than you could imagine so that you would be happy and His name would be glorified at the end.

This happened a few times in my spiritual life. I persistently prayed for a few things. However, in the process of persistent prayer, God changed my heart to accept not what I was prayed for but something else which eventually brought more glory to him and happiness to me. Amazing right? However, if you stop praying in the middle, you would not enjoy the full benefits. In other words, the whole process would not be fulfilling the way it was intended. Persistent prayer is a command from God. Be persistent in prayer.

Jesus Himself practiced persistent prayer. Often he withdrew from disciples and went to pray in solitude to his Father in heaven. He used to spend all night in prayer. That required enormous patience and perseverance. He remained persistent in prayers. When he was in the garden of Gethsemane, during the end of his earthy days, he was praying fervently that his sweat became drops of blood. The cup that he was going to face was so hard. The whole word’s sin would be on his shoulders and he would be the sacrificial lamb for all the people ever lived and would live on the face of this earth. He would be the atonement for people’s sins and shortcomings. It was so horrible and the burden was so heavy on him. In His persistent and fervent prayer, listen what came from his lips, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as you will.” Even though he wanted the cup to pass from him if possible, He submitted his will (prayer request) to the will of the Father.

Beloved, this is what persistent and fervent prayers would do to you as well. In the process of persistent prayer, a re-evaluation, refocus and realigning of our goals to his plans and purposes emerges. In the end, God would be glorified and you would be happy and satisfied.

Our today’s insight says, “Be persistent in prayer, and keep alert as you pray, giving thanks to God.” Each word in the verse is important. Be persistent means continue praying without giving up. Keep alert as you pray means to be diligent, watchful and open your hearts and minds for his best for you. As you continue in persistent prayer, keep your fingers loose and flexible to receive from God the very best. Give thanks as you continue your persistent prayers. You expect big things from the Big Lord, although you do not know for sure how the final product looks like. Keep heartfelt gratitude to God because you are up to something divine and unimaginable as you stick with your prayer. You would be transformed in the process of persistent prayer for sure.

Prayer transforms and persistent prayer transforms you to Christ-likeness.

Got a moment for today’s prayer? “Father in heaven, I understand through my persistent prayers you would transform me by refocusing, realigning my goals to your goals. I pray that your will would ultimately fulfilled in my life. I surrender my life for your glory. May I become more Christ-like as your Holy Spirit works inside me. In Christ’s name, I  pray. Amen.”

“The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, wild parties, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” (Ephesian 5:19-23).

I like different types of fruit. Thank God, He recently gave us a new house with a backyard that has different fruit trees. I am sure you like fruit as well. We all enjoy the taste of rich and tasty fruits, don’t we? Jesus said and it is recorded in John 15:4, “Abide in Me, and I will abide in you. A branch cannot bear fruit if it is disconnected from the vine, and neither will you if you are not connected to Me.” A branch to produce fruit, it has to be connected to the vine. So are you and I. Jesus said and it is recorded in verse 5 that He is the vine and you are the branches.

You see, if you are to produce magnificent fruit, you’ve to stay connected to Jesus. Fruit producing comes out of a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. When I look at the fruit trees, I understand this truth. A branch is connected to the vine and then only it can produce fruits. A disconnected branch from the vine never produces fruit.

Bible gives us a list of the acts of the flesh and fruit of the Holy Spirit in today’s insight. The acts of the flesh, when we are not properly connected to the vine -Jesus Christ-are sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, wild parties and so forth. This is the habitual lifestyle if you do not abide or live in Jesus Christ.

Now see the next list of fruit that Holy Spirit produces in you when you live in Jesus. They are love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

How about you? To me, I want to be more loving, joyful and peaceful. I want to radiate forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control from my life. I believe you want more of these things in your life, don’t you? Don’t you want to be more kind, gentle and faithful? Don’t you want to enjoy more love, joy, and peace? The question is – how do you experience and produce these fruits?

The secret is simple. Our today’s insights say abide in Jesus to enjoy and produce these wonderful fruits. Abide in Jesus means to go to Him in prayer and say to him you want to live in Him every day and all day. He loves to hear it from you. Begin to read the Bible and talk to him in prayer. Jesus loves you and He died to pay for all your sins. He paid it all to save you from your guilt and stain filled past. He paid it all to free you from the consequences of your sins. Bible says in Romans 6:23, “the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord”. Upon accepting Jesus as your savior, He forgives and purifies and gives you eternal and everlasting life when you close your eyes here on this planet earth.

Beloved, you are unconditionally loved by Him. God sent His only Son, Jesus Christ because He loves you, cares for you and wants to bless you with all His magnificent blessings.

Remember it is time for a change in your life. May that happen today. You want to enjoy more love, joy, and peace. You want to more kind, gentle, faithful. You want to experience self-control amid all that life throws at you. Come to Jesus. He offers the fruit that you could never buy from any other source as you abide in Him.

Got a moment for today’s prayer? “Father in heaven, I believe in Jesus Christ. I know he died and rose again to save me. He gave away his life to save me from my sins. Please forgive my sins. I turn to you in repentance today. Lord, I am the branch and you are the vine. I want to live in you every day and all day. As I live in you, help me to enjoy and share with others all the heavenly fruit that you produce in me. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray.”

“But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the man, “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!” (Mark 2:10-12).

One day Jesus came to Capernaum, a northern seashore of the Sea of Galilee. People heard He is there at Home and a large number of people gathered. There was no room left inside the home, and the outside of the house was also packed that it was impossible to go through the door to go inside the house. People were listening to the word of God He was preaching. Then came four men carrying a paralyzed man and brought him to Jesus for healing. They were so determined to bring him to Jesus because they knew that he can get healing from Jesus. We do not know for sure who took the first step. Maybe the man asked his friends to take him to Jesus. They all believed Jesus was able to heal this man. Therefore four men climbed on the roof of the house through the stairs on the side of the house and made an opening in the ceiling above where Jesus was standing and preaching. They dug a hole through the stone tile roof and then lowered the paralytic man on his mat right in front Jesus from the rooftop. Amazing!

Here is the man right in front of him while he was preaching inside the house. Bible says Jesus saw their faith. He did not get upset or angry because they dug a hole above him on the roof and brought him down. Instead, the first sentence said to the paralyzed man was, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” The friends brought the man to Jesus for his healing not necessarily for the forgiveness of sins. However, Jesus who sees the heart of all saw the heart of the paralytic man and his urgent need for forgiveness of sins. Most probably, I think the man knew about his sins and may have thought his sins caused the paralytic condition. His heart may have been feeling guilty of his past sin all these years. Therefore, the one who sees the heart and understands what is there saw his need. In such a situation, it was highly needed to forgive his sins first. If Jesus just gave him miraculous healing and sent home, it would not help his guilty conscious for the rest of his life. He would still feel guilty and horrible all the rest of his life. Jesus knew he needed the forgiveness of sins. You see, Jesus knew our hearts and thoughts. He ministers to us so that we would be well as a whole person. Are you feeling guilty about the sin of your past? Do you have burdens from the past? Jesus would never point fingers at you and blame you for your past sins. Did He do that to this man? No, Jesus called lovingly and compassionately, “Son.”

Moreover, the man heard what he needed to hear. He needed to hear that his sins were forgiven so that he could feel free from his guilty conscious. He heard it from the one who has the authority to forgive sins and free him from his guilty conscious. What a blessing! Beloved, did you go to Jesus for the forgiveness of your sins? Stay with me; I will give you a moment to do that today in a small prayer.

Now when Jesus said this, the religious leaders of the day, the Pharisees, who were waiting for an occasion to discredit Jesus, thought in their heart “who is this fellow? Who he think he is? Who can forgive sin but God alone?” Some self-made religious leaders possess this type of pharisaical attitude even in today’s circle looking for an opportunity to discredit sincere workers/missionaries of the Lord. Jesus knew the heart of the Pharisees as well and said to them, why are you thinking in your heart? Which is easier? To say to this paralyzed man, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, take your mat and walk’? Pharisees always did the easy thing- they just talked good things, thought about themselves superior to others, sat in chief seats and offered public prayers, but could never prove or validate their teachings with an action. Our today’s Bible insight appears here, “Then he said I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sin. He said to the paralytic man, get up, take your mat and walk. He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!

The insight from today’s passage is this. Pharisees were right in their statement that only God can forgive sins. However, they failed to understand and believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God who has the authority to forgive sins. Secondly, as other incidents prove in the Bible, all sickness and infirmities are not caused by sin, but some are. Lord knows all the details and our hearts. Thirdly, the forgiveness of our sins is more important than just miraculous healing. Our sins are the primary issue in the sight of God. Bible says in Isaiah 59:2,” It’s your sins that have cut you off from God. Because of your sins, he has turned away and will not listen anymore.” This is the reason why Jesus came to this world to die in our place for our sins and make us free and with no condemnation. Forgiveness of our sins make us free of our guilty conscious and grants us the freedom to love and serve God in this life. Besides, it gives us eternal life in heaven at the moment of our death. Since we do not know the day of our departure, get connected to the savior of the world, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who can forgive our sins and grant us eternal life in heaven.

Got a moment for today’s prayer? “Father in heaven, I believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God who can forgive the sins of my life. I believe Jesus died and rose again for all of my sins. I accept Him as my savior and Lord today. Please save me. (Now if you have a prayer request, say to the Lord now. I will give you a few seconds). Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.”

“Though the fig tree does not bud
and there are no grapes on the vines,
though the olive crop fails
and the fields produce no food,
though there are no sheep in the pen
and no cattle in the stalls,
yet I will rejoice in the LORD,
I will be joyful in God my Savior.” Habakkuk 3:17-18

In the Hebrew minds of olden days, the fig tree, grapes on vines, olive crops and produce of the fields, sheep in the pen and cattle in the stalls are the major ingredients of their day to day. The abundances of the above show the blessings, happiness, joy, and prosperity in their lives. Contrary, the absence of these elements signifies sadness, unhappiness, misery and loss. Even today in farming communities, the above statement is still valid. However, in modern city lives, a good job with proper health insurances, benefits and bonuses signal joy and happiness. However, unemployment, no health insurance, and benefits signify sorrow, sadness, and loss.
According to God’s covenant in the book of Deuteronomy (chapter 28), crops and offsprings are God’s blessings. The background is the prophet Habakkuk is terrified and ostracized by the coming judgment of God on Israel’s sin. However, even amid the pronounced judgments on the nation’s sin, the Lord told him, “the righteous shall live by faith.” God expects that His children, the righteous ones, shall have to live by faith and not by sight. All through history, God wants us to live in complete faith and trust in Him regardless of our circumstances. “Though the fig tree does not bud. And there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior.”
Instead of discouragement and despair, we need to raise our eyes of faith and trust in God even during calamities, dangers, and hopelessness. The righteous shall live by faith is quoted three times in the New Testament. (Romans 1:17,Galatians 3:11,Hebrews 10:38). Such is the life God expects from us.
Instead of hopelessness, the prophet is rejoicing in the LORD, the God of his salvation. He says Lord God is my strength. There is a promise to those who live by faith even amid darkness and confusion. “The Lord makes my feet like the feet of a deer; He enables me to tread on the heights.” (Habakkuk 3:19). A deer’s foot climbs mountains, and it does not slip. Dear one, as you trust in God in your difficulties and Chaos situations, God makes our feet to be like a deer that tread on the heights. God will enable us to walk hard and high places graciously. With your guidance and help your feet won’t stumble.
Jesus Christ said “in the world, you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33). He is the loving savior who died and rose again for all of your sins. We can escape from the wrath of God on our sin if we come to Jesus Christ and accept Him as our savior and Lord. On the cross, He paid for all of your sins. Now you can become God’s child through His Son, Jesus Christ. Instead of fear and confusion, God will give us His peace, salvation, and deliverance. Jesus Christ is the solution to all our problems. He will make your feet like the feet of a deer and will help you to tread on the heights. If you have not accepted Christ as your savior yet, I invite you to come to Him today. I will help you to do that now in a small prayer. Pray with me.

Got a moment for today’s prayer? Father in heaven, ” I need Jesus Christ in my life. I believe Jesus died, buried and rose again for all of my sins. I am sorry for my sins. Please come to my heart and save me. Lord, I give all my problems to your hand. Help to face all my issues with your help and give me solutions to my problems. I worship you and thank you for saving me. In Jesus Christ’s name, I pray. Amen.”

“Woe to them! They have taken the way of Cain.” Jude verse 11.

Bible says “woe to them to those who have taken the way of Cain. Cain and Abel were the children of our first parents, Adam and Eve. The life and way of Cain are described in Genesis chapter 3 in the Bible. Cain was a tiller of the ground and Abel was a shepherd. They both brought offerings to the LORD God. Abel brought fat portions of one of the firstborns from his flock and Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil. God pleased in Abel’s offering and did not please in Cain’s offering. The reason God delighted in Abel’s offering was that he brought the offerings from the firstborn of his flock. God showed to their parents –Adam and Eve the solution to their sin nature in chapter 3 of the book of Genesis. As a wise young man, he understood the seriousness of sin and the significance of blood to come to the presence of the holy God. Cain did not regard much to this revelation. Cain got upset because God pleased in Abel’s sacrifice. As a result, he got jealous and angry with Abel. God tried to talk him out from his destructive attitudes and ways. You can read all about this incident in Genesis 3.

Now, what is the way of Cain that people still taking even today and the Bible warns us? First of all, God revealed to us the only way to come to Him is by the way of blood, not by works and self-efforts. Bible says in Hebrews 9:22, “In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.” In those olden days, God gave a temporary solution for man’s serious problem of sin that hindered his fellowship and friendship with God. That was the shedding of the blood of an animal for the remission and forgiveness of sins. Now the Bible says in the book of Hebrews, all these animal sacrifices were shadows of the perfect and permanent solution for people’s sin.

These shadows were fulfilled in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the perfect lamb of God. Bible says about Jesus Christ in John 1:29, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” Jesus Christ is God’s lamb that takes away the sin of the entire world. Not just for a few groups of people, for the whole world.

Now even today after God provided the perfect and permanent solution for people sins by the blood of Christ, people try to please God and get salvation and forgiveness of their sins by their good works. Bible clearly says, no amount of good works can earn our redemption and forgiveness of sins. There is only one way for forgiveness and salvation, and that is the blood of Jesus Christ which is already poured out for our sins. If anyone thinks or imagine and think they can obtain forgiveness and salvation through his or her works, they are trying to please God as Cain did by bringing the fruits from the soil. Cain was trying to please God by bringing the works of his own hands. Bible says, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works so that no one can boast.” (Ephesians 2:8).

Secondly, the way of Cain is keeping jealousy and hatred in heart and not listening to the loving call of God for repentance. God gave two opportunities to him. First when his heart was filled with jealousy and hatred toward his brother, the LORD came to him and asked why he is angry? If he does good would God not accept him as well. However, if he does not respond to God’s loving call to repentance, sin is like a lion crouching at the door of his life to destroy him. You see, sin is pictured like a lion ready to destroy us. However, Cain won’t listen to the loving call of God for repentance. He went ahead and murdered his brother Abel out when they were in the field. Even after this brutal crime, God appeared to him again and asked: “where is your brother”? God wanted him to admit his crime in repentance so that He can show mercy and grace to Him. Cain hardened his heart again and responded by saying, “Am I my brother’s keeper?” His heart was filled with evil and wickedness and would not listen to the loving-kindness of God. The LORD said “what have you done? Your brother’s blood is crying out from the ground.” Then God had to curse and punish him. He became a wanderer and walked in fear all through his life, and his descendants were also cursed.

Beloved, Let us ask this question. Am I walking in Cain’s way? Did I accept Christ Jesus as my savior – the perfect lamb of God- who takes away the sins of my life? If not, remember there is only one way to God, and that is the way of the blood of Christ for forgiveness and blessings. When we accept God’s lamb, Jesus Christ, God will delight in us. Secondly, am I keeping jealousy and anger in my heart? God come and offer His help so that your heart can become free from envy, resentment and anger. Accept God’s love and grace today and clean the heart. Do you know when God speaks through His word, that is the golden opportunity for our deliverance blessings.

Got a moment for today’s prayer? “Father in heaven, I come to you in prayer and accept Jesus Christ, the savior of the entire world as my savior and Lord. I believe Jesus died, buried and rose again for my sins. Lord, I pray to clean my heart from envy and anger. Bless my heart with your peace and love. In Christ’s name, I pray. Amen.”