WHY DO YOU TARRY SO LONG……..?

Why do you wait dear brother/sister?

Why do you tarry so long……?

Your Savior is waiting to give you,

A place in His sanctified throng

          WHY  NOT… WHY NOT…WHY NOT ….COME TO HIM NOW!   

Why do you wait dear brother

The harvest is passing away,

Why not accept His salvation?

And throw off thy burden of sin.

Above are the lyrics from an old hymn. It is true my friend “There will be no more delay” Rev 10: 6. Jesus is coming back again, and we need to be prepared to meet Him. You got to make a choice…you cannot linger between two opinions. 1 Kings 18: 16-40 describes the victory of Elijah on Mount Carmel. Prophet Elijah challenged the followers of Baal that day, He went before the people and said,”How long will you waver between two opinions? If the Lord is God follow Him…”1Kings 18: 21. Elijah prayed unto to the Lord and the Lord sent fire from heaven and thus answered him. In the same chapter in verse39 it is written: When all the people saw this, they fell prostrate and cried, “The LORD- He is God! The LORD –He is God!”

Jesus said “ I am the way the truth and the life” John14:6. Without the way

there is no going, Without the Truth there is no knowing, Without the Life there is no living. Dear friend make up your mind.. …..Choose for yourselves this day, whom you will serve..Joshua 24:15. I want to repeat these words again: Time will delay no longer, Jesus Christ is coming soon!! Commit your life to Him and experience the joy of salvation.   

Read More

                Do you ever give thanks for a gift received?

When Jesus travelled along the border between Samaria and Galilee, Ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance and with a loud voice called unto Jesus. That day all the ten were healed as they went to show themselves to the priest obeying the word of the Lord. Jesus Christ had restored the defiled and gave them the flesh of a new born child. Out of the ten men, one returned to give thanks, but nine went away. I would like to share the lyrics of a song written by the Medical mission sisters.

“God gives gifts to us every day,                                       

Favors His people in every way; 

Hope restored and pain relieved;

Do you ever give thanks for a gift received?”

In Luke: 17:18 we read that Jesus asked …Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner? It is good to give thanks to our God. Psalms 95:2 says “Let us come before Him with thanksgiving” We need to be grateful for all His benefits towards us. We tend to take things for granted. Count your blessings name them one by one and it will surprise you what the Lord has done. Colossians 3:15 says “…be thankful”.  

Read More

                                Go in the strength you have!

When the Israelites were much oppressed by the Midianites , they cried unto the Lord for help. While Gideon the son of Joash was threshing wheat, the angel of the Lord appeared to him and said “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior” and the angel instructed him, “Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand, Am I not sending you?” Gideon replied to the angel saying: “How can I?........My clan is the weakest …and I am the least in my family.” 

As you read Judges chapter 7 you will come to know that with just 300 men Gideon’s army defeated the Midianite’s. Gideon was the least in his household, he chose only few men for a great battle, yet he was victorious because the Lord was with him.   

Dear believer don’t duck out when the Lord calls you to do greater things, when he calls he also equips you and strengthens you. Don’t settle for anything less than what you are called for. Leave your excuses behind, though you are weak or least, it doesn’t matter for “Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world” 1 John 4:4.

1 Samuel chapter 17 tells us how David fought against Goliath. In verse 33 we come to know that he was only a boy when he dared to fight the Philistine giant. Romans 8: 31 say “If God be for us, who can be against us?” However tall and strong the enemy may be, don’t be disheartened, do not confine yourself to a corner; step out in faith, “Go in the strength you have”. Remember Psalm 108:13 and confess it “With God we shall gain the victory, and He will trample our enemies.”

Read More

                        Do you know the Lord walks in disguise??

In Mathew 2:2, the wise men came to Jerusalem and asked “Where is the One, who is born King of the Jews?” If someone today would ask you the same question, what would your reply be?

In John 20:10-18 we read about how Mary Magdalene went to the tomb of Jesus and found it empty. She stood there weeping, not realizing that Jesus himself was standing there. Jesus says to her, “why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?” She thought he was the gardener. She did not realize it was Jesus, until He called her by her name. We also read in Luke 24:13-35 as two of them were walking on the road to Emmaus, Jesus himself walked along with them but they could not recognize Him until He broke the bread and gave it to them. In verse 31 it is written “Then their eyes were opened and they recognized Him”.

This happens time and again that we fail to recognize God. The Word of God says in Mathew chapter 25 verse 31 onwards, When the Son of Man comes in his glory, all the nations will be gathered before Him and He will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on His right and the goats on his left.

 “Then He will say to those on the left, ……For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me…….. …and you did not look after me. They also will answer,”Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’ “He will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.” Mathew 25:41-45.

I like to quote a few lines from a song written by Sebastian.

“Do you know that the Lord walks on earth?

Do you know he is living here now?

He is waiting for all men to recognize him here.

Do you know the Lord walks on earth?

Do you know that he walks in disguise?

Do you know he’s in crowds everywhere?

Every place you may go, you may find that he is there.

Do you know that the Lord’s in disguise?                                                          

Let us remember these words and learn to recognize Him in the people whom we meet every day. Eventually this act of ours decides our eternal life! Mathew 25:46 says, “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”  

I hope now you know the answer to the question “Where is the One, who is born King of the Jews?” – He resides in the hungry, thirsty, stranger, needy, sick and the prisoner.

Read More

       FREEDOM IS FOUND, IN WHAT YOU LEAVE BEHIND!!

When Jesus called Simon and his brother Andrew to follow Him, At once they left their nets and followed Him. So did James and his brother John. (Mark: 1:14-20). When they found Jesus the fishermen left their nets, Mathew left his tax collectors booth and followed Jesus. (Mark2:14). Are you willing to leave behind the things of this world and follow Him?

The Israelites had to leave the land of Egypt to break away from the yoke of slavery. They breathed the air of freedom as they crossed over the Red sea; their years of bondage came to an end.

In our daily life we come across situations which demands that we leave behind certain things which would otherwise prove to be hindrances for our progress. Certain bad habits to which we are enslaved need to be left behind, though it is difficult to break off, you will soon realize the freedom once it is left behind! When the Spirit of Lord sets you free you will be free indeed. 2 Corinthians 3:17 says “Where the Spirit of the Lord is there is liberty”.

I would like to share a story, it’s about an Eagle, which was chained and put in a cage for a long time, and daily he would strut around the cage and walked round and round. A day came when his master chose to give him freedom and so, took off the metal ring that kept him bound and tossed him high so that he could spread his wings and fly but the bird just came back to the ground. Though he was given the freedom, he went to the cage and began to do the strut again. The same old habit kept him bound!

Dear reader, remember the story about the eagle and don’t ever let it happen to you. For you are called to soar high, leave behind the distractions of this world let it not weigh you down. Enjoy the freedom of leaving behind!! God bless you.

Read More

                                                  What can I give Him?

Genesis the first book of the Bible, we read the about the offerings brought by Cain and Abel. Cain was a tiller of the ground and Abel was a keeper of sheep. Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the Lord but Abel brought fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. In Hebrews 11:4 it is written that “By faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did.”The Lord spoke well of Abel’s offering. The Lord puts forth an answer for His acceptance of   sacrifice; He says to Cain “If you do what is right, will you not be accepted?” Therefore remember it is not just giving, but giving the right and acceptable offering that finds the favor of the Lord.

When Jesus was born in Bethlehem, the Wise men came from the east to worship Him, when they came to the place where child was, they bowed down and presented their gifts and treasures to Him. It is written that they gifted Him gold, incense and myrrh. They offered what was best and precious unto the Lord.

2 Samuel 24: 18-25, we read about David building the altar at the threshing floor of Araunah. King David pays for the threshing floor and the oxen though Araunah the Jebusite offers to him free of charge. David replies to him saying “I will not sacrifice to the Lord my God that which cost me nothing.”  Dear believer, remember, it cost you when you make a sacrifice!

So now, what would be your offering to the Lord? In Hebrews 12:1 it is written that your reasonable service to God is presenting your bodies a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto God. As I conclude, want to quote the lyrics of an old hymn which speaks about Giving.

                            Give of your best to the Master; Naught else is worthy His Love;                                             He gave Himself for your ransom, Gave up His glory above.

                            Laid down His life without murmur, You from sin’s ruin to save,

                            Give Him your heart’s adoration; Give Him the best that you have!! 

Read More

                          ………And the House upon the Rock stood still!!

In Mathew 6:24-27 we read about the the wise and the foolish builders.  The wise man built his house upon the Rock, when the storm and floods came down, the house on the solid foundation stood strong. Whereas the foolish man built his house upon the sand, the rains came down and washed the house away. Jesus is the Rock on which we need to build; basically we should practice the word of God in our lives. Give Jesus the first place in all that we do.

In Psalms 127:1 it is written:” Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain”. You and I are the builders and if not for the Lord we would be building in vain. When Joshua sent two spies to Jericho, Rahab hid them in her house, for the kindness she showed to these two men, when the whole of Jericho was destroyed the house of Rahab was spared, not only her we read in the book of Joshua that she with her father and mother and brothers and all who belonged to her were kept alive. Her entire family received the favor.You can read it in Joshua chapter 6:15-25. When you stand firm to fulfill Gods purposes and plans, your house will be spared of danger and destruction.

In Luke 19:1-10 we read of Zacchaeus. The Lord Jesus Christ says to Zacchaeus …..”I must stay at your house…”.He welcomes the Lord gladly into his house.  Jesus says in Revelation 3:20, “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock…….” If you would open your heart to Him, He will surely reside with you. Just as it happened to Zacchaeus so will it be to you. For the Lord declared: “Today salvation has come to this house”. If not for the Lord who builds all your labor would be in vain. Make the right move and be blessed.

Read More

Let not your heart be troubled

LET NOT YOUR HEART BE TROUBLED………..

After the resurrection of Jesus Christ the disciples were wondering, startled and frightened when Jesus appeared to them. He said unto them “Why are you troubled?” and He also declared peace unto them.  Whenever, we are seized by trouble we tend to lose our peace! In Luke chapter 8 verses 23 to 25 we read about how Jesus calms the tempest. As Jesus was travelling along with the disciples in a boat, there was a great storm and the disciples were much scared as they were in great danger. They cried unto the master as they could not sail through the troubled waters. When Jesus arose He rebuked the storm and there was peace!

I Samuel 1:1-19 we read about Hannah who with much troubled heart, wept and prayed unto the Lord. She was pouring out her soul to the Lord out of her great anguish and grief. Eli the priest who heard her answered saying: Go in peace and the Lord of Israel grant your request. You might be going through a similar situation, or going through tough times in your relationships and family life. Are you troubled of what your future holds? Are you in a financial crisis? It doesn’t matter what the troubles are Jesus will sail you through. I like to remind you the lyrics of an old hymn…….

                            

                                       When trouble surrounds us, when evil comes

                            When the body grows weak and the spirit grows numb                                                                When these things beset us, He will never forget us

                                      God sends down His Love, on the wings of a dove.

Therefore dear believer, don’t give up remember the words of JESUS:” Do not let your hearts be troubled. ..”John 14:1.

Read More