Accept others as they simply are, because God accepted you just like you are!

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this, all men will know that you are my disciples if you love one another.” John 13:34

Love is what distinguishes you from other people if you are a follower of Christ. To their amazement, just before the Passover Feast, Jesus got up from the supper, laid aside His outer garments, and wrapped a towel around His waist. Then He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciple’s feet and dry them with the towel that was around Him. They, especially Peter, were unwilling to let Jesus wash his dirty feet. Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” Of course, there were rich meanings in His reply.

After washing all their feet, Jesus predicted the one who is going to betray him and singled him and asked him to go and do what he was about to do. It is mind-boggling to remember Jesus even washed the feet of Judas Iscariot. However, the deep, deep love of Jesus did not change his mind. It never did although he was with Jesus for a long time. Jesus said he knew who He has chosen mentioning Judas was not chosen from the very beginning.

After these incidents, Jesus said to the disciples, Little children, I am with you only a little while longer… a new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so also you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples if you love one another.” The key is “as I have loved you”. The pattern to adopt is the love of Jesus.
Beloved, as a follower of Christ, you cannot pick and choose whom you would love. A true believer in Jesus must love all people regardless of who they are. You must not short circuit love based on color, look, race, nationality, family status, social status, sexual status, or anything else period!

Beloved, if you start loving all people with no distinction, value and appreciate them very highly, then you will experience a divine and dramatic change in yourself first. The only way they will recognize you belong to Christ is by your unconditional, indiscriminative love for all people everywhere.

You see, to love like this, you need to accept others as they simply are because God accepted you just like you are. Genesis 1:27 says, “God created all mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.” You must see God’s image in every person to accept and honor no matter what condition they are in. The Bible reminds us in Romans 5 that God loved us when we were enemies to Him. He took the first step to reconcile us to Him through the death of His Son. God loved us when were powerless and sinners. Christ died for us when we were helpless. Listen to what is true love. 1st John 4:10 says, “This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.”

Therefore, you do not have a choice. A follower of Christ must love all people regardless of their backgrounds. When you and I accept people and love them with no strings attached, Jesus promised, “all men will know that you are my disciples.” The acid test of a true Christian is his or her love for all people.

I know it is not an easy task. In your human nature, you can not do it. However, when you understand God loves the unworthy and proved His love by sending His Son to die in your place for all of your sins, you would be curious to know more about it. You would come to His Son and accept Him as your savior and Lord. That moment God makes you a new creation by granting His Holy Spirit to dwell inside you. This is how you are empowered for the task to love and care for the unworthy. A servant of God must accept, love, and care for all people with no distinction.

Got a moment for today’s prayer? “Father in heaven, I understand you accepted and loved me when I was helpless and unworthy for your divine love. You gave your Son, Jesus Christ, to die for my sins. You put my sins and shortcomings on the body of Jesus and saved me from the power and consequences of sin. Now help me to love, care for people regardless of their background. You set the example and said, as I have loved you, so must you love. Help me to do exactly that with the enablement of your Holy Spirit. In the name of Christ, I pray. Amen.”

Secrets to victory in the lowest of low times!

“As the deer pants for streams of water,
so my soul pants for you, my God.
My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.
When can I go and meet with God?
My tears have been my food
day and night.” (Psalms 42:1-3)

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

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

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

Our today’s insights say a simple truth -he ran toward God in the midst of his most painful time. I have seen many people in their difficult and troubled times, forsaking God and running away from loving God. I hope you are not of them. David did exactly the opposite. He says, “As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God? My tears have been my food day and night.” Are you in a similar condition of pain and sadness? Are your tears your food day and night? If God’s anointed, David,  had said his food was his own tears day and night, how about ordinary people like us? Are you pondering in your heart to leave the Lord of your hope and deliverance? Listen, your trial is the unique and God-approved one for your ultimate victory and for His glory. Nothing comes to us without divine approval. It was true about Job. It was true about David. It will be true about you as well. Run toward God as David did. Do not run away from God. David ran like deer pants for streams of water. He thirsted for God’s deliverance and help. He shared his deep-felt pain and compliance with God. He set his focus on God.

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

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

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

You need God-sized help. Therefore, do not just sweat over it!

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me.” John 14:1. NIV.

Daniel Defoe, an English writer, trader, and journalist, who is most famous for his novel ‘Robinson Crusoe’ which was translated to many languages, said, “In trouble to be troubled, is to have your trouble doubled.”

Are you troubled? Listen to what Jesus says to you. He says, “do not let your heart be troubled.” Then He gives the antidote to the troubled mind. He said, Listen, “you believe in God; believe also in me.” I am quoting what Jesus said regarding the matter, “you believe in God; believe also in me.”

Beloved, we must learn how to live without a troubled, worried, and feared heart. There is only one way for it. Instead of focusing and rehearsing on troubles and worries, just cast your burden upon God and Jesus Christ who cares about you and all your troubles.

You see, when you are faced with worries and fears, you would not be able to focus on God. You need to give away your worry to God and leave it with him. Do not attempt to take it back. Because when you give your worries to him, he is going to get working on it. You may get the result soon. Or you may not get a result soon. It may take a long time. That is fine. He has your worry in His divine list. “Wait” does not mean “no” in God’s vocabulary. You just give him the matter, thank him, and move on in your life. Jesus said and it is recorded in Matthew 11:29, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Psalm 55:22 says, “Cast your burden on the Lord, And He shall sustain you.” Isaiah 41:13 promises this – “For I, the Lord your God, will hold your right hand, saying to you, ‘Fear not, I will help you.”

Beloved, it is not ignoring or irresponsibility as some people may think. In certain situations, and you would face such occasions, you cannot do anything. Your power, smartness, strength is not enough. You need God-sized help from him. Therefore you do not sweat over it. You do not stress over it. Do not let yourself be troubled. You gave to Him who can handle it in a far better way.

Therefore, do not let your hearts be troubled. Why? You can’t do anything about it. You must give to God. Then you must believe in God and in His Son Jesus Christ to bring help and solution.
You see, sometimes, God allows and works in mysterious ways that may not make sense to you or people around you. You may wonder and people with you may wonder why things happened in certain ways. Again, do not allow your heart to sweat over or bleed on it. You give to God. You must believe in God and in Jesus Christ.

You see, until you give to the Lord, you won’t be able to move forward. The reason is worry, fear, troubles have the serious potential to take your focus and mind away from God and His ways. It has the potential to drain the energy out of you. However, once you hand over to Him, then you are free to move on. Expect God to take care and find solutions and then re-focus on him.

To do this, you must be strong. You need divine strength to face troubles, worries, and problems. Naturally, we do not have it in us. When you give it to God, He grants his peace and strength through His Holy Spirit who abides in you. In the same chapter (14) a little bit later, Jesus reminded them about the help of the Holy Spirit available to them as he was going away from them for a period of time. His Holy Spirit is the perfect advocate who gives you peace, strength, guidance, counsel, and helps when you give your troubles to God. (14:16).

You see how vital is your need for God’s help, especially when you face serious difficulties? You get God’s help and strength through His Holy Spirit whom He will pour out inside you when you come to His Son, Jesus Christ.

“Father in heaven, I tried my best. The problem I am facing is too big and hard for me to handle. I cannot find a solution. God the Father, I need your help. I believe in you. I believe in Jesus Christ, your Son. I believe Jesus died and rose again for my sins. Please purify me by the power of the blood of Christ so that I would be white like wool again. I praise you Lord for helping and saving me. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.”

Win the Approval of God or Man?

“Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.” Galatians 1:10. NIV.

May I talk to you one on one and ask this important question? Are you trying to win the approval of human beings or God? Now, do you want to hear the truth? If you are still trying to please people, after all these years of faith life, you would never become a servant of Jesus Christ. You simply cannot. You see, God fashioned you to be you. If you want to build life according to your family’s, friends, spouses, or church members’ wishes, it is your choice. However, sadly, you will never be a servant of Christ and you cannot claim to be a servant of Christ. You will be the servant of others in your community, whatever good that community may be. Solemn thought to keep in your mind!

Sadly, this happens even in Christian churches where the leaders keep discriminative, hypocritical, biased, and unbiblical ideas in opposition to God’s ideas. I know the church is not a perfect place. It is a place where imperfect people gather with thanksgiving and worship because God saved unworthy people. If so, how can you turn around discriminate, and discredit another servant of Christ? I know why. I have seen it time and time again. I asked this question- why did you do what you did? The answer would be I didn’t want to hurt their feelings. Alternatively, no pain in hurting the feelings of loving the Lord. Such people want to please fallen human beings. Their aim is not to please God. The goal is to get the power, seat, prestige by doing what pleases people around them. They will get people’s honor. However, do not expect God’s honor.

Dearly beloved, I hope you would be different. You would choose to become the way God created you. Many people try to keep two faces. Openly they want to please other people around them to get a good name, power, and prestige. Jesus hated such attitudes. When they come to you personally, they act differently. True hypocrite lifestyle. How long God allows that attitude to continue? There is a day of reckoning for sure comes. It could be sooner than we think.

Beloved, the Bible says in 1 Thessalonians 2:4 “our purpose is to please God, not people. He alone examines the motives of our hearts.” Who molds your identity? Your family, your community, social media, or new age culture? Or do you want God to mold your identity? If you allow God to mold your identity, first of all, you will lose the support of people around you because most of the time, they are in direct opposition to God’s ways. However, you need to stand on your feet for the truth. Bible says, “Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.” 1st Corinthians 16:13. Those who fear the people around them cannot become true servants of God. You have to show the mind and feelings of Jesus to people around you. They would hate it to the core. To do this takes courage and strength.

If you want to be a servant of Christ, do not try to mold into the thinking that is handed down to you from other people, whatever appealing it may appear to be. Mold your thinking and actions according to the pattern of Jesus Christ which was revealed in the Gospels. Imitate Jesus by loving people with no conditions. Imitate Jesus by exalting the poor in spirit, the broken and needy. Remember pleasing people to keep your name and prestige up at the cost of another would only dishonor God. Honor God by becoming who God wants you to become.

Beloved, it starts with a strong decision with much prayer. God can unwrap your strongholds to make you free to become his true servant if you allow him to work inside you. You were in the business of gratifying people’s wish lists for a long time. You need God’s big help in this matter. The good news is that is possible with God to change you.

Got a moment for today’s prayer? “Father in heaven, touch my heart with the mighty power of your Holy Spirit to change me completely so that I would not try to please people around me for some personal gains. Lord, help me to please you with my thinking and actions. Help me to imitate Jesus in love, compassion, mercy, and lifting the people who are already bowed down. In the past, I put more weight on those who are already bowed down with various difficulties. May I become your hand and feet going forward to lift them? Change my motives and goal so that your motives and goals would become mine. In Christ’s name, I pray. Amen. “

The “BEATITUDES” Part 8

“Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,

     for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

Our study about the sermon of mounts wraps with two statements, one of which we will discuss today. It says, “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

By looking at the sermon on the mount for the last few days, we understand the world in which we live and its process is just the opposite of God’s will and desires. The world likes the proud ones, not the poor in spirit and broken. They clap their hands for the exulted, glories and rejoicing ones, not for the mourning and weeping. The world stands in unity with the pomp and strong, and not with the meek ones and it does not cheer the thirsty and hungry for right living, instead, it mocks them.  

However, in contrast, those who receive God’s invitation to his Kingdom are the poor in spirit, broken, meek and thirst for right living and action and who do understand they cannot attain God’s kingdom even by their best works and efforts. They run to the cross where the savior of the world Jesus Christ died for their sins and they lean on him for salvation and entrance into His kingdom. 

Moreover, being merciful, pure in heart, and peacemaking are foreign concepts to the fallen world. The reason is the ruler of this world, the devil, and his gangs (demons) are not merciful, pure in heart, and peace-oriented. He is cruel, impure in heart, divisive, and destructive in nature. Jesus said and it is recorded in John 8:44, the devil, who is the father of many people in this world was a murderer from the beginning. He does not have truth in him. He lies and is a liar from the very beginning. 

Our insight does not just say blessed are those who are persecuted, but it says blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness. The persecuted ones because of their own wrong living are not blessed. However, those who are persecuted because of righteousness are blessed. 

What is the persecuted because of righteousness means? It means receiving persecution for doing the right thing. The Bible says, Jesus was the prime example for this and he set an example for us to follow. Listen to what the Bible says in Peter 1:18-24, “For what credit is there if you endure the beatings you deserve for having done wrong? But if you endure suffering even when you have done right, God will bless you for it. It was to this that God called you, for Christ himself suffered for you and left you an example so that you would follow in his steps. He committed no sin, and no one ever heard a lie come from his lips. When he was insulted, he did not answer back with an insult; when he suffered, he did not threaten but placed his hopes in God, the righteous Judge.  Christ himself carried our sins in his body to the cross, so that we might die to sin and live for righteousness.” Jesus did the right thing to save us. What did he get in return? Persecution and death on the cross.

Beloved, Jesus said this, “If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you” (John 15:20). You see, when you stand for the name of Jesus Christ, the truth, and the light in this world, you are set to face persecutions. The persecution can come from religious leaders as Jesus suffered. The persecution can come from your family. It can come from the rulers and leaders of the community and nation.

I remember the way our own forefathers were ostracized even by the nominal Christian leaders because they believed in the true Gospel of the Bible and accepted Christ as their savior and Lord. Their parents forsook them, lost family inheritances because of their faith and obedience to Christ. The society where they lived and even their own nominal Christian communities and priests persecuted them and mocked them. They had to pay a big price for the righteousness that is available in Christ Jesus. 

Even today true believers in Jesus Christ are persecuted severely in many countries. Recently four years ago, on a beach in Libya, 21 Coptic true Christians who professed their faith in Jesus Christ were beheaded. You see when you stand for Christ, the salvation and righteousness available in and through the shed blood of Jesus, you can expect persecutions. If they persecuted and killed the savior of the whole world, Jesus Christ, they will also persecute you is the truth a believer should keep in mind.

However, when you are persecuted for the right living available in and through Jesus Christ, one thing is certain. Yours is the kingdom of heaven. It is not the persecution that does give you entrance to God’s heaven. It is the faith in Christ that gives you permission to heaven as we discussed in last Friday’s insight. (listen to insight dated 11/22/19). However, the persecution for righteousness underlines and assures the fact that yours is the kingdom of heaven. 

Got a moment for today’s prayer? “Father in heaven, I believe Jesus set an example for me to follow. Jesus did not commit any sins, did not deceive or do any wrong things. He did only the right thing to save me. However, he suffered to save me. Finally, Jesus gave his life to save me. I accept Him as my savior and Lord. Thank you for the assurance when I am persecuted for the righteousness that is available in you, the kingdom of heaven belongs to me. Thank you for the blessing and privilege to suffer for your name. In Christ’s name, I pray. Amen.” 

The “BEATITUDES” Part 7.

“Blessed are the peacemakers,

     for they will be called children of God.” Matthew 5:9

The poor in spirit, those who got a good grip on their broken and bankrupt condition, those who mourn, those who meek and humble, and those who hunger and thirst for right living and action (righteousness) become merciful in their outlook. Not only merciful but also they are made and declared pure in heart by God because of their faith in His Son for their sins and shortcomings. 

Now they become peacemakers as the messenger/ambassadors of God.

You see the progression here. Poor in spirit, mourning over their helpless condition, meek, hungry, and thirsty for right living results in beautiful fruits-mercy, purity, and peacemaking. You see, why many are not merciful, pure in heart, and peacemakers? They are not broken, do not understand their poverty-stricken condition in the presence of the mighty and Holy God, not meek and no desire for right living. They do not acknowledge the help of the Savior whom God sent for their help. They think they are pretty good in themselves without the help of God. They feel self-sufficient and self-content in their achievements and merits. The salvation and deliverance of God come out of your broken, mourning, meek, and inability to save yourselves conditions.

Beloved, today’s insight says “blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called children of God.” It does not mean to become a child of God you have to be a peacemaker. Or only those who are peacemakers can be called the children of God. If you want to become a son of God or a child of God, the Bible clearly states how you can. John 1:12 says, “To all who received him (Jesus Christ), who believed in his name (name of Jesus), he (God) gave the right to become children of God.” You have the right to become a child of God when you receive Jesus as your savior or when you believe Jesus died for your sake for your sins. You see to become a child of God is your right based on your faith in Jesus. 

Galatians 3:26 says, “So in Christ Jesus, you are all children of God through faith.” Listen, these passages clearly state we become a son or child of God by coming to Jesus Christ and believing in him. 

If so what is the meaning of today’s insight? 

On the day when Jesus was born the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying this, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

Several hundreds of years ago, when Isaiah the prophet prophesied about the birth of Jesus, he said, “his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. ” Isaiah 9:6. Jesus is called the Prince of peace. 

Jesus said and it is recorded in John 14:27, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” Bible says in Colossians 1:19-20 “through the Son, God decided to bring the whole universe back to himself. God made peace through his Son’s blood on the cross and so brought back to himself all things, both on earth and in heaven.” In essence, God decided to bring you back to Himself through Jesus Christ. Those who believed in Jesus are justified by faith and they have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 5:1). Bible also says this regarding the children of God -the peace of Christ rule in your hearts (Colossians 3:15). Ephesians 2:14 says, “For Christ himself has brought us peace by making Jews and Gentiles one people. With his own body, he broke down the wall that separated them and kept them, enemies.” The children of God have peace with God, peace of God and peace with one another because the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, would guard their hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:7). They have peace vertically with God and peace of God horizontally with one another. 

Therefore, the children of God become peacemakers. They carry the message of reconciliation with God and peace to the world that thirst for peace. 2nd Corinthians 5:18 says, God reconciled us to himself through Christ Jesus, and gave us the ministry of reconciliation.” The children of God bring the message of reconciliation and peace to those who have broken relationships with God and one another. They carry the work of the savior in this world. The world would not experience real peace without the ‘prince of peace’ who is Christ Jesus. All the peace attempts result in mere confusion and chaos without Jesus in them. If you want a real, truthful, lasting peace, you can find it only in a relationship with God through His Son, Jesus Christ. 

The peacemakers are the children of God because they bring the wonderful message of God’s love and peace to the world. They are testified and acknowledged by God as His children. The people who bring the Gospel message of God’s love and peace through Jesus Christ are God’s ambassadors. 

Beloved, Do you have peace in your life? If not, you need the prince of peace, Jesus Christ.

Got a moment for today’s prayer? “Father in heaven, I want to get peace with God. I know I have the right to become your child when I believe in your Son, Jesus Christ, who died and rose again for my sins. I accept Jesus as my savior and Lord. Please fill in me your peace and make me a peacemaker and your ambassador to the world who thirst for real, truthful, and lasting peace. In Christ’s name, I pray. Amen.”

The “BEATITUDES” Part 6

“Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.” NIV

Pure means “not mixed or adulterated with any other substance or material”. We read the label “100% pure olive oil.” Or “100% pure honey” etc. It means the substance is not mixed with any other. The full 100% of the product was described with no mixing or contamination.

What is pure in heart means? It means the heart is not mixed with or contaminated. Your heart stays focused. It shows an unadulterated, singly focused heart.

Now the Greek word used for pure in Matthew 5:8 is ‘Katharos’, which means clean, with no blame, no guilt. Understanding the meaning of the word, who can be pure in heart? Can anyone be uncontaminated, pure, clean, with no blame and guilt? Jesus said, “For out of the heart come evil thoughts–murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander.” Matthew 15:19. The impurity and unrighteousness of the heart is the problem of humankind. White, black, brown, Asian, middle eastern, Spanish all suffer from impure and unrighteous hearts.

Bible also says in Revelation 21:27, “Nothing impure will ever enter it (heaven), nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.” In other words, nothing impure will see God or stand in His presence.
To see God or to stand in the presence of God, the pre-condition is you must be pure.

The Bible says in Psalms 24, “Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord? And who shall stand in his holy place? Then it answers in the next verses. It says, “he who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift his soul to what is false, and does not swear deceitfully.”

Beloved, if this is the case, who in the world can be pure? The purity of the heart is an impossible thing because of the fallen condition of our hearts. A rich young ruler came to follow Jesus and boasted he kept all the law from his childhood. However, when Jesus asked to go and sell all the things he owned, give to the poor and then follow him, he became sad. Because he was very wealthy and would not let it loose. He could not follow Jesus. Jesus in this context meant the single-focused heart and the truthful nature of the heart. The statement he always obeyed the commandments of God is far from the truth. The disciples then asked this question, who then can be saved? Jesus gave an important and thought-provoking answer to their question- “with men it is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

Remember David confessed his serious sins and then prayed this way, “Create in me a pure heart, O God.” (Psalms 51:10).

You see God initiates, creates a pure heart, and then continues the work of purity in you. God creates in us what is impossible for us and enables us to pursue it. Bible says in Titus 2:14, “He (Jesus) gave himself for us, to rescue us from all wickedness and to make us a pure people who belong to him alone and are eager to do good.” Jesus makes you pure and purified because He died in your place for all your impurities, sins, and shortcomings. He makes you pure by his divine and sinless blood shed for your sake. There is an old hymn that sings like this. What can wash away my sins? Nothing but the blood of Jesus. What can make me whole again? Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

In short, God says he purifies your heart by creating a new heart in you when you obey God and come to Jesus Christ who died for your impurities and unrighteousness. Act 15:9 says God does not discriminate between people. He has one and only one way to make people pure and purified so that they can see God and live in his presence. Listen it says there, “He did not discriminate between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith.” (Acts 15:9). He purified Jews and Gentiles by their faith in Him.

This is a simple truth. You cannot achieve pure heart by your best efforts because the human heart is deceitful even beyond our understanding. All evil thinking, lies, hypocrisies, immoralities, deceptions, unfair practices, lust, cheating, murder and all come from there. God is holy and pure. God is the only one who can make your heart pure. And how he makes you pure and purified is by faith in His Son, Jesus Christ, who carried all your impurities and sins on his divine shoulders and then paid it off. This is the good news called the Gospel. You will see the Lord and you will live in His presence only if you are cleansed by the blood of Christ. Listen to what John 1:8-9 says, “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and there is no truth in us. But if we confess our sins to God, he will keep his promise and do what is right: he will forgive us our sins and purify us from all our wrongdoing.”

When God makes you pure by your faith in Jesus Christ, you are pure in heart indeed!

Got a moment for today’s prayer? “Father in heaven, I want to be pure. Initiate your work in me. Create in me a new heart. I confess my sins and shortcomings to you. Please forgive me. I believe Jesus died and rose again for my sins. I accept him as my savior and Lord. In Christ’s name, I pray. Amen.”

The “BEATITUDES” Part 5

“Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.” Matthew 5:7

You cannot be a merciful person overnight. It does not happen out of a new-year resolution or by simply making up a determination.
In the last few days we discussed the first part of the beatitudes, didn’t we?

You and I become merciful only when we are broken first. Mercy comes from a poor and broken spirit. It flows out of an understanding of your spiritual bankruptcy. Secondly, mercy flows out from your weeping, mourning, and grieving over your helpless condition concerning the nagging problem of sin. Thirdly, mercy comes out of your gentle, quiet, and submissive nature to God. And fourthly, mercy becomes a by-product of your hunger and thirst for right living and action and the resultant imputation of God’s righteousness on you by the shed blood of Jesus Christ.

All the above conditions we have discussed so far in the last few days make you a merciful person. The first-century Jewish spiritual leaders were not broken or poor in spirit, they won’t mourn over their sins because of their false estimation that they were perfect and without fault, they were not submissive to God and his plans, and they did not thirst for God’s righteousness that was available to them.

Beloved, if you want to be truly merciful in your outlook, character, and behavior, you must be truly broken inside and admit your poverty and helplessness to God. There comes a full flow of mercy into the heart because God shows you His mercy. God fills His mercy inside you. Thereby you become the caravan of mercy to others. You can’t help to fall short of mercy, because you truly got a grip of who you are in the sight of the holy God and as a result, God fills in you with His divine mercy and kindness. You freely receive from God things that you can never get or achieve in yourselves, even with the best efforts.

Today’s insight says, “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.” Bible says, “God is rich in mercy” (Ephesians 2:4). Luke 6:36 Jesus attested, your Father (God) is merciful. Lamentations 3:22 says God’s mercies never come to an end. God’s love and mercies are new every morning. 1st Peter 1:3 says, great is God’s mercy. Psalm 103:11 says God’s grace/loving-kindness toward you is high as heavens are above the earth.

God gives his rich, great, never-ending mercy when you come to him with a broken, bankrupt, mourning, lowly, meek, hungering, and a thirsting heart. Alternatively, a proud, arrogant, self-sufficient, self-righteous, looking down on others and their shortcomings would not see or receive God’s mercy. A poor in spirit, broken, meek, submissive, hungering, and thirsting for God’s help get grace in full measure.

Then Jesus says to you, “I desire mercy, and not sacrifice. For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.” (Matthew 9:13). This tells us God desires mercy more than your worship. You see, He fills in you His mercy and asks you to be merciful. He enables you to be merciful by filling his full-blown mercy in you. Jesus said, “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.” Luke 6:36.

Have you received God’s mercy as of yet? You can give out only what you received. If you haven’t received it, won’t be equipped to give it out. God’s mercy is available in and through the person of Jesus Christ.

Got a moment for today’s prayer? “Father in heaven, I seek and pray for your mercy, grace, and forgiveness. I know I need the savior, Jesus Christ, who paid for my sins and shortcomings. I believe he died and rose again for my righteousness. Fill in me your kindness and mercy by forgiving my sins that I would be merciful to others. May I be a channel of divine mercy to those around me? In Christ’s name, I pray. Amen.”

The “BEATITUDES” Part 4

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.” Matthew 5:6

Righteousness is an attribute of God only. Righteousness means-right actions or one who does right all the time. Now the question is who is right all the time? Who has the right thinking and actions? None other than God. God is morally and ethically right and perfect all the time. Bible says in Psalm 145:17, “The LORD is righteous in all his ways and faithful in all he does.” Deuteronomy 32:4 says, “His work is perfect, For all His ways are just; A God of faithfulness and without injustice, Righteous and upright is He.

Today’s insight says, “blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” What does it mean when it says hunger and thirst for righteousness? It means this -you want to be right. However, you know you are not right all the time. You want to think right. You want to see and hear the right things. But your thinking process and actions are tainted by the principle of sin and unrighteousness. This is the truth if you like it or not. No human being is righteous. Only God is righteous. This is why the Bible says, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” The desire is there but the ability is not there. This creates a vacuum in our hearts and someone said that vacuum is a ‘God-shaped’ one.

Therefore, you come to a point where you recognize you are helpless unless God helps you in your situation. You want to be right. But you know in your heart you are not right. You want to think right. You want to talk right. You want to respond and act right? However, in your system, there is a problem by which you are not able to think, talk, respond or act right all the time in a consistent way. No exception- we all are in the same predicament. Only God can fill the vacuum.

Beloved, however, amid your struggles, you hunger and thirst to live, talk, respond and act right. However, you are surrounded by people and circumstances that influence you to live wrong. However, deep inside you are hungering and thirsting for righteousness-right living and actions. You sought after many things hoping those things would fill the vacuum inside you. However, it left only more regrets and guilt feelings. In essence, you are thirsting and hungering for righteousness.

Is that you?

I gonna introduce you to a lady whom Jesus took time to talk to when she came alone to draw water. The woman was married five times and was living with another man who was not her husband. Yet Jesus took time from her busy day to talk to her. (read John 4). Jesus did not give her teaching or lecturing on an immoral life. Instead, Jesus spoke to her about the thirst deep inside her. She wanted to be right. However, circumstances and people influenced her to live wrong. However, the love of Jesus reached out to her. God’s love is amazing and mind-boggling and it can reach out to you even when I am speaking to you now.

Jesus told her this and it is recorded in John 4:13-14, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

You see, the water that Jesus gives not only quench her deep thirst but also it would become a spring of water welling up to everlasting life. It means you won’t just die and then be buried under the mud. You would have everlasting life in heaven with God. Your connection to Jesus satisfies the thirst and hunger now and forever. You do not need to thirst after things that can never bring real joy and satisfaction. No pleasures, the human relationship would satisfy your deep thirst. Your deep thirst is for God, His love, care, and plan. The lady at the well was not thirsty after she met Jesus and believed in Him. She was filled/ covered with God’s righteousness. Bible says in 2 Corinthians 5:21, “God made Him (Jesus) who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him (Jesus) we might become the righteousness of God.”

Beloved, the standard of perfect righteous living is too high for you to attain. God knew about it all. Aren’t you glad God made provision for your righteousness? God put all your sins on His Son, Jesus. Jesus died in your place for your sins, so that you become perfect right in the holy presence of God. When you come to Jesus Christ and believe in him, you are made righteous and perfect in the sight of a perfectly holy God. Jesus was treated as the sinner. And thereby you would be given the robe of righteousness to adorn you. God makes you perfect and right by the shed blood of Jesus Christ.

Beloved, I don’t know who you are. I don’t know where you are. However, may I ask you this question? Are you hungering and thirsting for righteousness – for right living? Do you want to know and do God’s will for your life? Do you understand you cannot achieve the right living even with your best efforts? If so, Jesus says you are blessed. You are happy if you have been thirsting for the right living. Whatever horrible and defiled condition you are in, It does not matter. What matters is this- God loves you. Jesus loves you. You will be covered with God’s righteousness if you come to Jesus right now. He forgives and cleanses you. He redeems you from your past. God makes you a brand new creation, pure and honorable for his purposes.

Got a moment for today’s prayer. “Father in heaven, I hunger and thirst for right and living according to your expectations. I know I cannot attain your holy standards even with my best efforts. I need the savior. I need Jesus in my life. I believe he died and rose again in my place for my sins. Please help and save me today. In Christ’s name, I pray. Amen.”

The “BEATITUDES” Part 3

“Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth.” Matthew 5:5

 Meekness means quiet, gentle, and submissive. A meek person is not violent or seeks retaliation. Meekness does not imply weakness or spinelessness. On the contrary, the Greek word from which the word meekness is translated denotes strength brought down by patience and control. Meekness is a great virtue. Numbers 12:3 says, “(Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.)” KJV. Bible says the great leader Moses was a meek person- above all the men who were upon this earth.

Beloved Jesus said and it is recorded in Matthew 11:29, “Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.” Paul appeals to the believers in Corinth by reminding them of the meekness of Christ. He writes in 2 Corinthians 10:1, “Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ.” Paul says in Philippians 2 and reminded the humbleness and meekness of Jesus. Listen, “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:

 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him and given him a name which is above every name:

That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;

 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (KJV)

Beloved, gentleness, meekness, and humility is the virtue that lifts you into God’s kingdom. This verse is also in contrast to the pride-filled, arrogant, and self-righteous religious leaders at that time. 

The meek shall inherit the earth. It is not the people who push the selfish agenda, it is not people who are self-righteous, proudful, and arrogant, and looks down on others, it is meek who shall inherit God’s earth. You see, all earth and everything in it belong to God. Psalm 24:1 says, “The world and all that is in it belong to the Lord; the earth and all who live on it are his.” Bible says in John 3:35, “The Father loves the Son (Jesus) and has placed everything in his hands.” Those who come and accept Jesus Christ, God gave them the right to become His children (John 1:12) and they (children of God because they accepted Jesus and believed in Him) become the heirs and joint-heirs of all God has. Romans 8:17, “And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ.”

When you come to Jesus Christ and accept him as your savior and Lord, God gives you His Holy Spirit. God’s Holy Spirit helps you to become more and more like Christ. Meekness, gentleness, humility, and submission to God become your character traits as well. Jesus promises you will inherit the earth with your meek nature. 

The promise has a future aspect when the kingdom of God is established on this earth referring to the Millenium or thousand-year rule of Christ when the children of God would reign with him. However, the promise is not just futuristic only. It has its present implications as well because the kingdom of God is already in force currently on earth because it was inaugurated by Jesus Christ. Many theologians use the concept “Believers are already but not in yet” when it comes to the benefits of the kingdom of God. 

Got a moment for today’s prayer? “Father in heaven, I believe you gave the right to become your child when I accept your Son, Jesus Christ, and believe in Him. I believe Jesus Christ died and paid for all of my sins by his blood. He died and rose again for my sake. Please create in me the character traits of Jesus, one of which is meekness and lowliness. I submit myself to you and may your Holy Spirit mold and make me become an honorable vessel for your glory. In Christ’s name, I pray. Amen.”