Let us prepare for Christmas

          As we are getting ready for Christmas, let us prepare ourselves {Spirit, Soul (mind) and body} to welcome Jesus in our life.

“In the wilderness prepare

    the way for the Lord;

make straight in the desert

    a highway for our God.

 Every valley shall be raised up,

    every mountain and hill made low;

the rough ground shall become level,

    the rugged places a plain.

 And the glory of the Lord will be revealed,

    and all people will see it together.

For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”

                                              Isaiah 40: 3-5

In those days, when a great leader was coming to visit your village, the people would prepare the road for his coming. Now as you can imagine, the roads were extremely rough and crude. So there was a lot of work to be done. They would do their best to remove the rocks, fill in the holes and uneven parts and make it as straight as possible and a fitting highway is made ready for the Monarch. This would express their appreciation and demonstrate respect to the Monarch or King. 

Of course the Scripture is not referring to a physical highway, but rather calling for all mankind to make ready and prepare the highway of our heart for the coming King, the Messiah Who is Jesus Christ. And the way to prepare for the Lord is to prepare the highway of your heart through repentance... Even in the desert of our life, in our trials and tribulations, in our sufferings, in our problems, and even when we go through the "parched life", when it seems all dry and lifeless, we have to still make straight a highway for our God... 

What does it mean to “make His paths straight”? Simply this; get your life straightened out. Prepare the highway of your heart, clear the way, and deal with every sin, on every level and every kind. That’s repentance! This involves some things... so how do we do that? First, preparing the highway of our heart requires that we deal with the things below the surface; every low thing, every ravine, the deep things in our life that no one knows about. They have to be dealt with, confessed and forsaken. That’s repentance. 

We must deal with every low thing! Our hearts need continuous preparation and we must constantly deal with our sins, especially our personal and secret sins... Every valley should be lifted up, valley of our burdens, of our confusions, of our defilement, of our profanation, of our fantasies, of self-pity, of condemnation, of bad memories and feelings, of dry bones and brokenness, etc. We need to rise above all such situations that drown us and rejoice in the Lord and praise Him and thank Him, even as we prepare to receive Him. 

Every mountain of arrogance, rebellion, pride, boasting, self-righteousness, selfishness, sinful pleasures, impatience, anger, bitterness, hatred, un-forgiveness, laziness.., should be broken down. Let us level the grounds and smoothen the rough edges with the help of the Holy Spirit. Every devious, perverse, twisted, deceitful, perverted thing whether in thought, word or deed, has to be dealt with, in order to prepare the highway of our heart for the coming of the King. 

The crooked heart becomes “straight” when we confess and repent of these sinful thoughts or actions. May be you and God are the only ones who know the condition of your heart. Get your heart ready and get your life straightened out. All the debris must be picked up and removed, every hindrance that might become a stumbling block must be dealt with. Preparation for the King comes only by complete repentance. Salvation comes only to a prepared heart... so “make ready the way of the Lord.” Every obstacle must be dealt with and removed...make your heart ready for the Lord. Deal with your sin on every level, every kind...But all too often our great commission has an omission…and that is repentance. Repentance would mean to sin no more... (John 5:14; 8:11).

And now may the Lord help us to prepare our hearts by the teaching of His Word and the convictions of His Spirit, that all high and proud thoughts may be brought down, good desires planted, crooked and rugged tempers made straight and softened, and every hindrance removed, that we may be ready to receive Him and do His will on earth, and live as His Kingdom people, with undying zeal and enthusiasm.

And then the glory of the Lord will be seen in a transformed life. The purpose of repentance is to make ready the highway of our heart for salvation and forgiveness. Repent and you will be saved. Salvation never happens without repentance. Yes, indeed, when all this is done, the glory of the Lord will be revealed in our life and that would be a worthy Christmas preparation!

All the Best and Merry Christmas!!!

Ark of the Covenant

                The "Arc of the covenant" does it sound familiar. The Ark of the covenant is described in the book of Exodus. It was created according to the pattern given to Moses by God when Israel was encamped at the foot of Mount Sinai. It is considered to be a treasure with great powers and many treasure hunters are chasing after this proving the existence of the same. In the 1981 movie Raiders of the Lost Ark, adventure hero Indiana Jones must find the Ark before the Nazis, who intend to use its power for world domination.
               According to the Book of Exodus, Yahweh instructed Moses on Mount Sinai during his 40-day stay upon the mountain within the thick cloud and darkness where God was (Ex. 19:20; 24:18) and he was shown the pattern for the tabernacle and furnishings of the Ark to be made of shittim wood to house the Tablets of Stone. Moses instructed Bezalel and Oholiab to construct the ark (Exodus 31).

 This contains 3 valuable things

• Aaron's rod(budding wood),
• a jar of manna 
• the first Torah scroll as written by Moses

The Book of Exodus gives detailed instructions on how the Ark is to be constructed. It is to be 2½ cubits in length, 1½ in breadth, and 1½ in height (approximately 131×79×79 cm or 52×31×31 in). Then it is to be plated entirely with gold, and a crown or molding of gold is to be put around it. Four rings of gold are to be attached to its four feet—two on each side—and through these rings staves of shittim-wood overlaid with gold for carrying the Ark are to be inserted; and these are not to be removed. A golden cover, a kapporet ("Mercy Seat") adorned with golden cherubim, is to be placed above the Ark. The Ark is finally to be placed behind a veil (Parochet), a full description of which is also given at Exodus 25.

This arc of covenant was taken to  the war as the first weapon against the enemy, putting God first before everything, got them victory , truly "if God with us , who can be against us". God was said to have communicated with Moses "from between the two cherubim" on the Ark's cover.. How magnificent would that be..

"Uncharted Territory" by DON MOEN

  I find myself in uncharted territory

Never felt so lost

Never felt so lonely

Where are You Lord

I’m so afraid

I can feel the fear inside me

Can’t control the chaos all around me

Where are You Lord

How can I sing the Lord’s song in a foreign land

(But) How can I forget

All You’ve done for me

Everything You’ve done Lord

Just to set me free

Teach me how to pray

Teach me how to praise

Even in the darkness

Teach me how to sing Your song

How can I sing

When my heart is broken

When every prayer is just a token

Where are You Lord

Sometimes our pain can tell a tragic story

Still I will praise You

And give You glory

Where are You Lord

Help me to sing the Lord’s song in this foreign land

(But) How can I forget

All You’ve done for me

Everything You’ve done Lord

Just to set me free

Teach me how to pray

Teach me how to praise

Even in the darkness

Teach me how to sing Your song

Your song

Gonna sing Your song

(But) How can I forget

All You’ve done for me

You have been so faithful

Meeting every need

Teach me how to pray

Teach me how to praise

Even in the darkness

Teach me how to sing Your song

Your song

Gonna sing Your song

"O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!” ~ Psalm 8:1,

Here below are some of the Jehovah's name. As we go through the list , let us meditate upon each one and allow His Spirit to show us how He has reveled each one to us personally.

• Jehovah Yahweh The Lord God - Self-Existence: I AM Exodus 3: 14; 6:2,3
• Jehovah Adonai  The Lord God Master Genesis 15:2,18:3 ,Malachi 1:6
• Jehovah Adon Kal Ha’arets – The Lord, the Lord of All the Earth Joshua 3:11
• Jehovah Bara – The Lord Creator Isaiah 40:28
• Jehovah Chatsahi -Lord my stength  - Psalm 27: 1
• Jehovah Chezeq – The Lord My Strength Psalm 18:1

The disciples were called Christians

The people our Lord Jesus Christ selected to travel with him and follow him were referred to as disciples or followers of Jesus Christ.
Do you know when they were referred as  "Christians" for the first time.

"The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch. "                                                    Acts:11:26 

It is said that when the disciples of Jesus Christ walked across their streets, they looked like Christ. All their activities were just like how Christ would do, that people looked at them and said they look like Christ, they are Christ-like, they are Christians. We who call ourself Christians, do you think outside people would be able to identify us as Christ-like, Christian.

Yes being a Christian is so tough. There is a lot of expectation set on us. 

In my school days, a group of us didn't complete our homework and the when my class teacher came. she looked at me and said "You are a Christian and how could you be so playful". I felt so sad as she scolded only me even though so many didn't complete their work.

ROMANS 16: 17-20...WHAT A WARNING!

I urge you, brothers and sisters, to keep an eye on those who cause dissensions and offenses, in opposition to the teaching that you have learned; avoid them. For such people do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the simple-minded. For while your obedience is known to all, so that I rejoice over you, I want you to be wise in what is good and guileless in what is evil. The God of peace will shortly crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

Fruits of the Holy Spirit

  A tree is identified from its fruits. St. Paul gives us the fruits of the Holy Spirit in Ga: 5 : 22

Though this references 9 Fruits of the Spirit, the original Greek term translated as "fruit" is singular, signifying that there is one fruit with nine attributes. Throughout the Bible, the righteous are likened to trees,[Prov. 11:30] and in Galatians 5 Paul explains what fruit a righteous tree bears. Accordingly, this "fruit" is grown by those who have truly repented and become followers of Jesus.

Above is the stained glass window at Christ Church Cathedral in Dublin, depicting the Fruit of the Holy Spirit along with role models representing them, i.e. the Good Shepherd representing love, an angel holding a scroll of Gloria in excelsis Deo representing joy and peace, Job representing longsuffering, Jonathan faith, Ruth gentleness and goodness, Moses meekness, and John the Baptist temperance. Executed by Hardman & Co. in the 1870s.

Bearing a fruit of the Holy Spirit is a blessing for us and for others. We may not naturally have them but we can always call unto our Holy Spirit within us who would guide us take the right decision.

Let us all start glowing up, showing our fruits.

Double Edged Sword

We have heard this quote many times I guess.

"The word of God is a double edged sword" Heb 4:12

What does "double edged" mean. Basically it means that it can cut on both the edges.

If we meditate upon this, it could mean lot many things. Here are some of the interpretations that  I have heard.

1. It can cut through our hearts and makes us realize what we have done and what we need to do.

2. It divides the Good and the evil.

3. It pierces through both the preacher and the audience.

4. The word of God tells us about both blessings and curses.

Many a time we have cried after reading a specific WORD of GOD. It is definitely sharp, it definitely touches us and penetrates our entire being and brings us closer to GOD.

Please share with me what else the "2 edges" can mean.

You are the SALT of the Earth

“You are the salt of the world. “  Mt 5:13

   We, the children of God, are all qualified to be “salts”  of the earth by THE BIBLE. But why are we compared to salt, in our User Manual?  What do you think are the qualities of salt?
1 ) White colour
     This symbolizes purity , being holy and being blameless.
2) It adds flavour to whatever you cook by fully dissolving into it.
    Can we mix with people around us, fully dissolving with them?
    Can we do good to others , can we add taste to others' life?
3) Salt brings out the taste of the other ingredients
    Can we motivate others to demonstrate their flavour or rather talents?
4) Salt is used by beggars and kings and all the religious people
    Can we be useful to all kinds of people, without considering caste, colour or creed or wealth or position?
5) Salt is also a preservative. It prevents decay.
    Can we prevent people from perversion, corruption, decay, depression, loneliness, etc.?
6) Salt creates thirst.
    Can we, as salt, create thirst in others for Jesus, His Word and His Kingdom?

Shortcuts for Success

Constantly read the book of this Law and meditate on it day and night that you may truly do what it says. So shall your plans be fulfilled and you shall succeed in everything.

                                                                                                                     Joshua 1:8

This Quote gives 3 keys to success.

1. Read , rather STUDY the Bible
2. Meditate on it day and night.
3. Do what it says.

If all of the above is done, we succeed in EVERYTHING.

Let us ask God to help us study, meditate and act upon the Word of God. If we take one step towards him, God is ready to come more than 10 steps towards us. So let us take the first step and let God lead us to success.

There are many other places in the Bible where God tells us the way to succeed.

Please add them in the comments.

BE ON YOUR GUARD!

A great Scripture to practice -

"Be on your guard, so that you do not lose what we have worked for, but may receive a full reward.

 Everyone who does not abide in the teaching of Christ, but goes beyond it, does not have God; whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son.

 Do not receive into the house or welcome anyone who comes to you and does not bring this teaching; for to welcome is to participate in the evil deeds of such a person." 2John 8-11... 

Just imagine, to welcome such people (associating with them) is to participate in the evil deeds of such a person!!! 

EMEL JOHNSON

Rejoice in Suffering

Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces endurance; endurance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. 

(Romans 5:3-5)

Suffering produces endurance, endurance produces character and character produces hope. Hope in God.
But it is so so difficult to rejoice in the suffering. It sometimes feels impossible. But it is only possible with the help of the Holy Sprit.

Let us pray to God to give us the strength to "Be Quiet" during a crisis and Rejoice in the God all the time.

The Wisdom to choose

Who is wise and understanding among you? Show by your good life that your works are done with gentleness born of wisdom.  But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not be boastful and false to the truth.  

Such wisdom does not come down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, devilish. For where there is envy and selfish ambition, there will also be disorder and wickedness of every kind.  But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without a trace of partiality or hypocrisy... James 3:13-17

  

Facebook Principle

         

" I am friend to all who fear you, to all who follow your precepts."
                  Ps: 119:63

The Bible calls us to "Add as  Friend" everyone who fear the Lord and follow his teachings.