Category: Faith

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IT IS FINISHED

Scriptural Readings: John 19:30; Hebrews 4:16

Living in a fast paced world, we have to synchronize with it. What we have in our mind is how to get things done at once. Right? As a matter of fact a lot of us would like our work done the whole entire week earlier. If we ran into unexpected things(usually problems)we want to get rid of this as soon as possible.

We are exhausted because we put extra time and efforts in order that we can accomplish our daily activities as soon as possible. The result, most probably and a lot of people would agree is that we forget things.This is where the problems sneak in.

John 19:30  When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.

When work starts to file up, we get stressed. In addition of course the problems that would welcome us as soon as we enter our houses. When things like stress, worries and many more that causes our lives miserable make their way and we start to feel their presence, this is the time that we make resolutions or solutions that we think will work(most of the time it does not work!).

The problem with us Christians today is that we become very forgetful. Instead of putting Jesus Christ in front of everything, we tend to remember Him only during the time when we needed Him the most.

“It is finished”. These words are very, very powerful words! The Greek word of finish is “Teleo” which came from the word “Telos”. The word origin of telos is from a primary tello (to set out for a definite point or goal); properly, the point aimed at as a limit, i.e. (by implication) the conclusion of an act or state (termination (literally, figuratively or indefinitely), result (immediate, ultimate or prophetic), purpose).

Let’s admit it. There are times that we have to consult and believe more what the doctors say when something goes wrong with our health. When domestic problems arise, we consult first all the people we know around us. People, principles and things coming from humans are always unreliable. We should not even trust ourselves. When we are bogged by problems we cannot think well.

Hebrews 4:16 (New International Version)

Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

Hebrews 4:16 (King James Version)

Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

When He shouted“It is finished”, He terminated all the things that will make our lives difficult, miserable and we can make a list of all those things that cause us misery. Making living in this world a lot easier. All we have to do is to put our faith and trust in Him.

Heavenly Father, we live in an imperfect world and our lives are conformed and fashioned to the norms of this world. It is impossible for us to please you. We come boldly unto the throne of your grace. We claim the promise of your son Jesus that it is indeed finished that we may obtain mercy and grant us grace as we are always in time of need. We come boldly unto your throne in Jesus name. Amen!

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Do you know Jesus?….

Scriptural Readings: Hebrews 11:6, Psalms 14:1, John 3:16, John 14:6

Do we know Jesus? Interesting enough this has been a question for everyone to ask. Is Jesus just a man? Is He a God? For centuries He has been a topic trying to disprove Him as God(the Son of God of course) and only to arrive in a conclusion to many as saying He has been a source of life. To those who question Him being the son of God and being God Himself is facing a lifetime of dilemma and uncertainties for the rest of their lives. The only thing that they will face and will end up with is to try and try to disprove this reality that Jesus is the Son of God Himself! The only proof they have is science but then again science points them to what they are disproving is actually a God that they cannot disprove. They may pick up some questions along the argument but then again this will not prove any of their claims. The thing that they miss is faith. This is because they refuse this. Hebrews 11:6 ” But without faith [it is] impossible to please [him]: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and [that] he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him”. They do not want seek Him but instead they want to disprove Him!

God has already proven His omnipresence by sending His Son Jesus Christ from out of heaven to this miserable and lost world. It is not really difficult to see and experience the love of God. Say for instance the things around us are so vast that words will run out to describe and explain how these things come into existence and to make mention the things impossible for the eyes to see. All of these tells us of His omnipotence. The odd thing is that they are giving their lives disproving which they believe do not exist. I do not think that is logical. If one try to prove that is nothing out there then what is the use of giving so much of their time proving nothing is out there. That does not make any sense. This put them in to a situation that they knew in the first place that there is God out there. Psalms 14:1 To the chief Musician, [A Psalm] of David.
The fool hath said in his heart, [There is] no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, [there is] none that doeth good.

The word fool in Hebrew is nabal(naw-bawl’) meaning stupid; wicked (especially impious):– fool(-ish, -ish man, -ish woman), vile person. This word is a primitive root of the word nabel(naw-bale’) to wilt; generally, to fall away, fail, faint; figuratively, to be foolish or (morally) wicked; causatively, to despise, disgrace:–disgrace, dishounour, lightly esteem, fade (away, – ing), fall (down, -ling, off), do foolishly, come to nought, X surely, make vile, wither.

For whatsoever reason that this person has fallen away from his or her faith or they may not have faith at all, they were fooled.They think and they say to themselves that there is no God. They are considered fool or foolish. The result, they have become corrupt and the things that they can do are only abominable things.

It is now crystal clear that they cannot disprove God because it is impossible. When they finally practice faith then and only there that they will find out there is God and this time they will figure it out that they were wrong.To go against something that you do not know is foolish in nature and one will end up doing foolish things. In the same manner if one would dispute the existence of God with out knowing who this God you are trying to disprove, you will end up the loser.

An almighty God exist(Praise God!). This is a fact! Jesus is the image of the invisible God and who having the Father with Him created all things(Colossians 1:12-17).

verse 12  Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:

verse 13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated [us] into the kingdom of his dear Son:

verse 14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, [even] the forgiveness of sins:

verse 15  Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:

verse 16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether [they be] thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:

verse 17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.

God’s omniscience holds the future, our future. There will never be a point of argument. Our God reached out for His lost children. God became a man(Jesus Christ) that we might be back to the original purpose of our Father of being His children. The only way the only truth and the only life is in Jesus Christ the Son of the living God.

Do you know Jesus?….

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

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Peace of mind

Scriptural Reading John 14: 26-27

We live and survive in a jittery or agitated world. An environment controlled and is more likely to be submissive to every kind of evil influences. The minute we open our eyes whether we like it or not we will be confronted by vagueness and hesitations.

Once again as Christians, we are protected and authorized by God’s power. We have the spirit of Jesus in our spirit, soul and body and this means that we have no reason not to accomplish and follow God’s instructions.

God has always something for us. A purpose. We are a part of this purpose and sometimes we give way to some excuses when we do God’s work and it should not be delayed and it should not be this case and if He is doing something, this means we will also be rewarded.

One of the many causes of the delay of God’s work is our emotions. For whatever reason or reasons we have this feeling to step back or hold back.

v.26 But the Comforter, [which is] the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

In this passage, Jesus in His words reminded us that the Holy Spirit will teach us and will bring to our minds whatsoever He said unto us.

The word “said“ in Greek is epo, meaning a primary verb used only in the definite past tense. It is identical to rheo also a primary verb meaning flow or through the idea of pouring forth). If we are going to study deeply and carefully about what Jesus is telling us, the word “said” He was telling and referring to us are obviously His words.They are not simply words but powerful words. His words with power were poured and is flowing in our spirit, soul and body. Now having this same power given to us by our Heavenly Father through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, we can now handle and face whatever holding or taking us back from accomplishing our mission coming from God.

v.27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

These are powerful words from our savior Jesus Christ. Have we ever imagine how powerful these words are? The powers with in these words are the same powers that created our world.These words become powerful because it came from the omnipotent God!

The peace He left (Peace I leave with you) us will stay with us because He has given(my peace I give unto you) it to us and He will never take it back. It will be and is a part of our sanctification. A promise to make our lives as Christians easier.

Jesus knows that we are going to depend and look for peace outside not inside (not as the world giveth,). He knows that one way or the other we will be having a wavering faith(Let not your heart be troubled). This is why His words by the power of the Holy Spirit will continue to remind us the power of God’s words flowing in us. In the court of law if the judge said innocent then it is indeed innocent. The judge is the source of the power of the words. If the words will not come from the judge then it has no effect. The same for Christians. Jesus words are powerful because He is God himself and these words make the difference.

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. These powerful words which he left and given in order to flow in our whole being with out a doubt and with no reservation should be claimed by each and every Christians. We will continue to be a defeated Christian if we will not claim this promise.

The thing that we have to do right now is to live triumphantly through Jesus and His words inside of us, His words that is flowing in us, a peace of mind.

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Knock..Knock….Who is there?

Scriptural Readings.  Exodus 20:2; 2 Corinthians 6:18; Luke 11:11-13; Luke 11: 9

“Knock..Knock….Who is there?” This is an old joke that most of us probably already had known which starts with “Knock..Knock..Who’s there?”. When it comes to making us laugh, most of us are more attentive and more serious to it. Talk shows, comedy films and stand up comedy on bars are only few that one can catch up with the latest jokes. But what if you have been having a lot of things to settle to yourself like financial problems, domestic problems? Do you think you need a little bit of sense of humor or do you think this is the time that we knock and knock to our God? Right?

While many are arguing about how do we call our God(Jesus said simply our Father) we should be more importantly and be well sensible of our relationship with our God. Jesus taught us that if we pray, we have to address our prayer to our Heavenly Father. If He is our Father then we are His children. What does it mean? It means that we came from Him! Do we fully understand what this means? Have we seen and fully comprehended what it is to be His children? Is this relationship entirely different from our earthly father? Surely, we will be bogged down by problems and as Christians we should be more definite that we should come to the throne of grace of our God. Our spirits should be in depth in all undertakings with what God has to say.

Exodus 20:2

I [am] the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.

Obviously, it tells us that we should acknowledge Him as our God but in this modern world, one might argue that it does not matter anymore if He has taken us out from Egypt. Jesus has already freed us. That is true, one thing though that we might have missed is the power that He has shown. This is the same power that He has entrusted to us His children through His Son our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We have the same power to be freed from any bondage!

2 Corinthians 6:18

And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

Luke 11:11-13

verse 11 If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if [he ask] a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent?

verse 12 Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion?

verse 13 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall [your] heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?

With this established and accepted relationship with our Heavenly Father through our Lord Jesus Christ, where do we stand? Now here comes the perfect part. Here is what Jesus promised.

Luke 11: 9

verse 9 And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.

As children of God, we now know that the door of heaven will be opened for us. We have a loving Father. A Father who will provide and give us all the things we need, be it physical or spiritual through His Son Jesus Christ.

If you will knock and knock.. I [am] the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.

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Why win…? It is better to lose!

Scriptural reading Matthew 16:25-26,19:21

At times, for most of us, winning is always the best thing to happen. This is what most of our parents tell us when we were young. Always strive to be on top whether we are on a competition or not. We are told that success is tied up by becoming a winner.

What about in our spiritual lives? What is winning and losing is all about? Is winning good all the time? Is losing a bad thing? God has already something compatible and totally fitted for our spiritual lives.

Matthew 16:25

 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.

Jesus knows we are made up of. We are to live and survive the toughest way. Our disposition is to cling on to our dear life.The problem with this is that the WAY we live our lives. We have this certain kind of impulse or force that is uncooperative and a submissive thing in us and that has to be cut off from us through Jesus Christ in order not to take advantage of people, situations or things or even to ourselves. As long and the longer that we will be carrying out these affairs, we will lose our lives. Life in the bible sometimes refer to the soul. The soul which contains all our beliefs, principles and decisions reside. It can also be called as our self awareness or self consciousness.

Let us take a look at these 2 kinds of loses. The last part of the passage Jesus is simply telling us though it is indeed how unbearable for us to lose the things we save, we are going to lose it inevitably but on the other hand,if we are going to lose it for the sake of the Gospel of Jesus we are winning the likeness of His character, we are winning the unquestionable,irrefutable everlasting life.

Matthew 19:21

Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go [and] sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come [and] follow me.

In this passage the thing that we have to learn from God about is how to handle losing or how to lose. Jesus said to him that he should sell everything. To sell in Greek is “Poleo” probably ultimately from pelomai (to be busy, to trade) ; to barter (as a pedlar) meaning to sell or sell, whatever is sold. When some one trade during that time it means automatically that person gains something more than he or she wants and the man in the story has a lot of things to barter and therefore he has got a lot of things to gain and Jesus said what ever he will gain he will give it to the poor.

The problem lies not in the money that we hardly earn but the attitude that we have over our possessions. If these possessions turn out to be more important than our Lord and savior Jesus then we truly lost our spirituality.

It is a must and better to lose these material things that are really and easily for us to love. It is the best to lose these things in our hearts that make us to love more relating to ourselves and the material things we possess and then finally to win. Why win? For Christians the most significant is to win Jesus in our hearts. He is the prize for losing all those things that we easily love and above all He paid the price for the forgiveness of our sins.

So…Why win? Now we know why…, It is better to lose!

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The space between….

Scriptural Reading Matthew 14:22-33.

Should there be always a space between ourselves and our faith in God? Lately I have been burdened with having a space between me and my faith in God. It is with difficulty on what, how, who and why I am having this kind of difficulty in my spiritual life.

It has been always that fear comes into the picture everytime we are to deal with this space between our faith and God.

v. 26 And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.

When their whole being was defeated by fear, they cried out. A thing which most of us like the disciples cannot handle we also cry a lot.Then Jesus CAME to their rescue and said…

v.27 But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.

v.28 And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.

Then Peter with his faith said “Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water”.

The space between the time when he started to communicate to our Lord Jesus created a lot of things running in his mind. His mind meaning related with his soul not his spirit. Being a human with a small amount of faith we now start to doubt and thus the question of Peter started with the word “if”. The word “if” implies and suggests something that is unconvincing. “Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water”. We know very well that if our faith comes from our soul which can disappear and not of the spirit will create in us a lot of things which would only produce frustrations not hope, faith and love. It will increase our inability to trust on the the trust that God has given us if we could have connected with our spirits to Him.

v.29 And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.

The Lord did say only a word “Come” and Peter walked. Yes, he walked on the water. The fear of the weather though suddenly came to his attention.Once again the fear came in to the picture. Fear of which the weather cause something that has taken Peter’s whole entire being taking all his humanly faith with him going down the water.

Despite having faith we still have to conquer and learn things that God has to say. Sometime in the future, again, we might be having a space between our faith and God. This will cause a lot of discomforts in us but God will shake us until what is left is pure faith that He has given and showing us and to trust in Him no matter how big the space between our spiritual faith and God.

v.31 And immediately Jesus stretched forth [his] hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?

The answer is “COME”. This one word from the Lord Jesus is simply telling us to drop everything that we know including our earthly faith and accept his spiritual faith. He has invited us to fellowship with Him that no matter what… we are on GOOD HANDS.

Allow in us Lord God the faith that you have for us. A faith that will never fade nor waver even when times seem for us that there is a space between our faith and You. A faith that only your son Jesus can give. Amen!

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Time for repair

Scriptural readings Genesis 1:1-2; Romans 8:38-39;28

I am once again fascinated with what God and the Lord Jesus Christ has been doing in my life and I would like to give Him all the honor and glory. In the same manner, being a Christian it would be good thing for me to share things that God has given and shown me… His Words and wisdom.

Genesis 1:1

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

To create is to make something out from nothing and to create is the ability that only God can do. He has been showing me the wonders of His creation. He has once again strengthen my faith. He is constantly reminding me that whatever things may come my way He is in control of it because He created things with a purpose. He created you and I.

Genesis 1:2

And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of the God moved upon the face of the water.

I do not think that God created the earth with out form and void and with darkness. I do believe that in between verses 1 and 2 something happened and God has to do some creating but majority restoring. The same manner that some or maybe many of us think that we humans which is God’s creation is now in between verses 1 and 2. God is restoring us one way or the other and we have to respond to this. Let us be thankful to our Lord Jesus who promised us that He will never leave us or forsake us.

Romans 8:38

For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

Romans 8:39

Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

We might be facing some restoration at this point of time. We have to be patient. God has created us.

Romans 8:28

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to [his] purpose.

We are His creation and we have a purpose. He is restoring, reinstating and even re enforcing the whole things in us that we missed.

Let God continue to restore us form inside out that He may continue what He has started in us. Amen!