So I’ll cherish the old rugged Cross,  Till my trophies at  last I lay down;  I will cling to the old rugged Cross,  And exchange it some day  for a crown.   *George Bennard was born in Youngstown, Ohio, in 1873. He was the writer "The Old Rugged Cross.” It is arguably the most beloved hymn of all time. After coming to Christ during a Salvation Army meeting, Bennard and his wife became active in the Methodist Church. It is said that he wrote “The Old Rugged Cross” in response to some ridicule he had received. The source or topic of the ridicule isn’t clear, but his response is found in the lyrics of the hymn. His answer was to cling to the cross. He is reported to have said that, for him, “Christ and the Cross were inseparable.” Perhaps it is best that we do not know the specific reason Bennard was ridiculed. Who among us has not faced criticism or torment of some kind? We can relate to his situation without knowing the details — maybe even more so because we do not know the details. We can then apply his answer to anything we encounter.

The answer is always to cling to the Cross. Have you ever been mocked for your faith? Cling to the Cross. Have you ever been misunderstood? Cling to the Cross. Have you endured hardship and heartache? Cling, sweet friend, to the Cross.   Don’t be afraid to bear its shame and reproach because, one day, you’ll exchange it for a crown. Lord, help me to always be true to the Cross. ***selected

 

Twelve year old Jacob Smith stoop stop an 11,000 feet mountain in big sky. (2019) 

On a chilly morning  in Montana Jacob became the first legally blind skier to complete the legendary run. 

What is the secret? 

His father Nathan on every run speaks to his son over a two way radio and when Nathan tells his son to make a turn or to move in a new direction Jacob obeys instantly. 

One interviewer asked Jacob how much he trust his dad? He said I mean enough to turn right when he tells me to " Turn right "

*we also don't know the paths ahead. There's a good news, our father tells us what to do .. Just  obey our heavenly Father's voice ".

We are not alone because we have got the Almighty God who created the mountains in the first place and He is telling us, what to do and if you believe that God is in your heart and whispering to your ears-

You won't go to bed and not be able to sleep because of what will happen tmrw.. 

Because you'll know tomorrow when you get up and to start to go down/up the mountain. 

God is with you. And he will tell you what to do...The Word of God says.... 

🎵🎵Trust and obey. 

There is no other way to be happy in Jesus. 

But to trust and obey..... 

Hallelujah!! 

*selected... Turning point

 

അവൻ അവനോടുകൂടെ പോയി, വലിയ പുരുഷാരവും പിൻചെന്നു അവനെ തിക്കിക്കൊണ്ടിരുന്നു. പന്ത്രണ്ട് സംവത്സരമായിട്ട് രക്തസ്രവമുള്ള ഒരു സ്ത്രീ അവിടെ ഉണ്ടായിരുന്നു. അവൾ പല വൈദ്യന്മാരാലുള്ള ചികിത്സകൊണ്ട് വളരെയധികം സഹിച്ചു തനിക്കുള്ളതൊക്കെയും ചെലവഴിച്ചിട്ടും ഒട്ടും ഭേദം വരാതെ ഏറ്റവും പരവശയായി തീർന്നിരുന്നു.

മർക്കൊ. 5:24‭-‬26

ഒരു  "സ്ത്രീ" ഉണ്ടായിരുന്നുവെന്ന് . മാർക്കോസിന്റെ സുവിശേഷത്തിൽ എഴുതിയിരിക്കുന്നു.

പേരൊന്നും പറഞ്ഞിട്ടില്ല. അവൾ ഏകാന്തയും അശുദ്ധയും നിരസിക്കപ്പെട്ടവളുമായിരുന്നു, അവൾ ദൈവത്താൽ ശപിക്കപ്പെട്ടവളാണെന്ന് ആളുകൾ കരുതി.

അവൾ ആധുനിക കാലത്താണ് ജീവിച്ചിരുന്നതെങ്കിൽ, അവളുടെ ബാങ്ക് ബാലൻസ് ഒരു എടിഎം മെഷീനിൽ ഇങ്ങനെ പ്രദർശിപ്പിക്കും:

 "ബാലൻസ്... 0.00"

അവളുടെ ചികിൽസയ്ക്കായാണ് അവളുടെ സാമ്പത്തികം മുഴുവൻ ചെലവഴിച്ചത്. അവൾ കഠിനമായ വേദനയിലൂടെ കടന്നുപോയി.

അവൾ യേശുവിനെക്കുറിച്ച് കേട്ടതേയുള്ളു. തന്റെ അവസാന പ്രതീക്ഷയായി അവൾ യേശുവിനെ കരുതി.

അവൾ 'അവന്റെ പുറകെ' വരുന്നുണ്ടായിരുന്നു.

അവളുടെ മനസ്സിൽ രണ്ടു വിരുദ്ധ സ്വരങ്ങൾ ഉണ്ടായേക്കാം.

 "ഒന്നും മാറാൻ പോകുന്നില്ല" 

"വിശ്വാസം മാത്രം"

കൃപയുടെ മഹത്തായ നിമിഷത്തിൽ അവൾ യേശുവിന്റെ വസ്ത്രത്തിന്റെ അറ്റത്ത് സ്പർശിച്ചു, തൽക്ഷണം അവൾ പൂർണ്ണമായും സുഖപ്പെട്ടു ...

അവൾക്ക് ശാരീരിക സൗഖ്യം മാത്രമല്ല ആന്തരിക സൗഖ്യവും മനസ്സമാധാനവും ലഭിച്ചു.

**നിങ്ങളും ഇതേ അവസ്ഥയിലൂടെയാണോ കടന്നു പോകുന്നത്? വിഷാദം, രോഗം, വേദന,കുടുംബപ്രശ്‌നങ്ങൾ, ഏകാന്തത,.... കൂടാതെ വർഷങ്ങളോളം പ്രാർത്ഥനകൾക്കുള്ള ഉത്തരത്തിനായി കാത്തിരിക്കുന്നു...

ഇത് നിങ്ങളുടെ ദിവസമാണ്...

നിങ്ങൾ ദൈവത്തിന് വിലപ്പെട്ടവരാണ് !!!

യേശുവിന്റെ അടുക്കൽ വരിക.. അവനെ സ്പർശിക്കുക... അവനിൽ നിന്ന് നിങ്ങളുടെ രോഗശാന്തി സ്വീകരിക്കുക... ഇപ്പോൾ യേശുവിന്റെ നാമത്തിൽ..

 

And Jesus went with him; and much people followed him, and thronged him. And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years, Mark 5:24‭-‬25 

Mark writes that there was a certain "woman". No name is mentioned. She was lonely, unclean, rejected and people thought she was cursed by God. 

If she lived in modern times, her bank balance would be displayed on an ATM machine as:

 " Balance... 0.00" 

She spent her whole finances on her treatment. She was going through intense pain. 

She just heard about Jesus. And she thought of Jesus as her last hope. 

She was coming 'behind Him'. 

May be there were two contrary voices in her mind. "Nothing will going to change" And "only believe"

In a glorious moment of grace she touched the hem of Jesus' garment and was healed completely instantaneously... 

She not only received physical healing but also inner healing and peace of mind. 

**Are you going through same situation? Depression, illness, pain, family problems, loneliness,.... And waiting for answer to prayers  for several years... 

This is your day...

you are precious to God!!! 

Come to Jesus.. Touch him... Receive your healing from Him... Right now in Jesus name.. 

**1986,July , Joseph, the Masai Warrior who showed up at Amsterdam, (Conference)from his tribe. One day Joseph, who was walking along one of these hot, dirty, African roads, met someone who shared the gospel of Jesus Christ with him. And then and there he accepted Jesus as Lord and Saviour. The power of the Spirit began transforming his life and he was filled with such excitement and joy that the first thing he wanted to do was return to his own village and there share the good news to the members of his own local tribe.

Joseph began going from door to door telling everyone he met about the Cross. Suffering. And the salvation that it offered, expecting to see their faces light up the way his had. And to his amazement the villagers not only didn’t care, they became violent. The men of the village seized him, held him to the ground, while the women beat him with strands of barbed wire. He was dragged from the village and left to die alone in the bush. Joseph somehow managed to crawl to a water hole, and there after days of passing in and out of consciousness, found the strength to get up. He wondered about the hostile reception that he had recieved from people he had know all his life. He decided he must have said something wrong, or left something out from the story of Jesus. After rehearsing the message that he gave at first, he decided to go back and share this message again.

Joseph limped into the circle of huts and began to proclaim Jesus. “He died for you so that you might find forgiveness and come to know the living God,” he pleaded. Again he was grabbed by the men of the village and held while the women beat him, reopening wounds that had just begun to heal. Once more they dragged him unconscious from the village and left him to die. To have survived the first beating was truly remarkable. To live through the second was a miracle.

Again days later Joseph awoke in the wilderness. Bruised. Scarred. Determined to go back. He returned to the small village and this time they attacked him before he had the chance to open his mouth. As they flogged him for the third and possibly the last time, he again spoke to them, “Jesus Christ the Lord.”

Before he passed out the last thing he saw was the women who were beating him began to weep. This time he awoke in his own bed. The ones who had so severely beaten him, were now trying to save his life. And nurse him back to health. And the entire village came to Christ.

Colossians 1:24 – Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church,… 

**selected

So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?” And he said, “He who showed mercy on him.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.” Luke 10:36‭-‬37

 

*There is a  story about a guy who was walking down the street one day when he fell in a hole, and the walls are so steep that he can't get out.

 A doctor passes by, and the guy shouts up, "Hey, can you help me"? The doctor writes a prescription and throws it down in the hole, and then he walks on. 

Then a priest comes along, and the guy shouts, "I'm down in this hole. Can you help me out"? And the priest writes a prayer and throws it down into the hole and moves on.

And then a friend, a friend walks by. "Hey, Joe, it's me. Can ya help me out"? And the friend jumps in the hole. And our guy says, "Are you stupid? Now we're both in the hole". And the friend says, "Yeah, but I've been down here before, and I know the way out". That's what a friend does. A friend jumps into the hole with you, doesn't he? ..... 

My friends, if someone is caught in any kind of wrongdoing, those of you who are spiritual should set him right; but you must do it in a gentle way. And keep an eye on yourselves, so that you will not be tempted, too. Help carry one another's burdens, and in this way you will obey the law of Christ.

Galatians 6:1‭-‬2 

*selected

A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity. Proverbs 17:17

 

Mr. Sam Rayburn was Speaker of the United States House of Representatives longer than any other man in history. There's a story about him that reveals the kind of man that he really was. 

The teenage daughter of a friend of his died suddenly one night, and early the next morning, the man heard a knock on his door. When he opened it, there was Mr. Rayburn standing outside. The Speaker said, "I just came by to see what I could do to help". The father replied, in his deep grief,

 "I don't think there's anything you can do, Mr. Speaker. We are making all the arrangements". "Well," Mr. Rayburn said, "have you had your coffee this morning"? And the man replied that they hadn't taken time for breakfast, so Mr. Rayburn said that he could at least make coffee for them. 

While he was working in the kitchen, the man came in and said, "Mr. Speaker, I thought you were supposed to have breakfast at the White House this morning".

 "Well, I was," Mr. Rayburn said, "but I called the president and told him I had a friend who was in trouble, and I couldn't come....!!! 

Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. John 12:25

 

Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.Galatians 6:2 

*The great gift of service is that it also helps the one who serves. Once when traveling in Tibet, I(Sadhu Sunder Singh) was crossing a high mountain pass with my Tibetan guide. The weather had suddenly turned bitterly cold, and my companion and I feared that we might not make it to the next village — still several miles away — before succumbing to the frost.

"Suddenly, we stumbled upon a man who had slipped from the path and was lying in the snow. Looking more closely, I discovered that the man was still alive, though barely. 'Come,' I said to my companion, 'help me try to bring this unfortunate man to safety.' But my companion was upset and frightened for his life. He answered: 'If we try to carry that man, none of us will ever reach the village. We will all freeze. Our only hope is to go on as quickly as possible, and that is what I intend to do. You will come with me if you value your life.' Without another word and without looking back, he set off down the path.

"I could not bring myself to abandon the helpless traveler while life remained in him, so I lifted him on my back and threw my blanket around us both as best I could. Slowly and painstakingly, I picked my way along the steep, slippery path with my heavy load. Soon it began to snow, and I could make out the way forward only with great difficulty.

"How we made it, I do not know. But just as daylight was beginning to fade, the snow cleared and I could see houses a few hundred yards ahead. Near me, on the ground, I saw the frozen body of my guide. Nearly within shouting distance of the village, he had succumbed to the cold and died, while the unfortunate traveler and I made it to safety. The exertion of carrying him and the contact of our bodies had created enough heat to save us both. This is the way of service. 

Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. John 12:25

*selected

 

*In 1904 William Borden, heir to the Borden Dairy Estate, graduated from a Chicago high school a millionaire. His parents gave him a trip around the world. Traveling through Asia, the Middle East, and Europe gave Borden a burden for the world’s hurting people. Writing home, he said, “I’m going to give my life to prepare for the mission field.” When he made this decision, he wrote in the back of his Bible two words: No Reserves.

Turning down high paying job offers after graduation from Yale University, he entered two more words in his Bible: No Retreats.

Completing studies at Princeton Seminary, Borden sailed for China to work with gentiles, stopping first at Egypt for some preparation. While there he was stricken with cerebral meningitis and died within a month. In his Bible underneath the words No Reserves and No Retreats, he had written the words No Regrets.

Was William Borden’s seemingly untimely death a waste of human life? Absolutely not. Thousands of people have read his story and have been encouraged in their heavenly call to harvest..... 

Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain.John 12:24

....selected....Our Daily Bread, December 31, 1988

 Fritz Kreisler (1875-1962), the world-famous violinist, earned a fortune with his concerts and compositions, but he generously gave most of it away. So, when he discovered an exquisite violin on one of his trips, he wasn’t able to buy it.

Later, having raised enough money to meet the asking price, he returned to the seller, hoping to purchase the beautiful instrument. But to his great dismay it had been sold to a collector. Kreisler made his way to the new owner’s home and offered to buy the violin. The collector said it had become his prized possession and he would not sell it. Keenly disappointed, Kreisler was about to leave when he had an idea. “Could I play the instrument once more before it is consigned to silence?” he asked. Permission was granted, and the great virtuoso filled the room with such heart-moving music that the collector’s emotions were deeply stirred. “I have no right to keep that to myself,” he exclaimed. “It’s yours, Mr. Kreisler. Take it into the world, and let people hear it.”

The Christian has no right to keep the good news to himself. He must share it. 

At the same time pray also for us, so that God will give us a good opportunity to preach His message about the secret of Christ.Colossians 4:3 (a) 

Source: Our Daily Bread, February, 4, 1994

Stars and Sorrows

 

He heals the brokenhearted And binds up their wounds. He counts the number of the stars; He calls them all by name. Great is our Lord, and mighty in power; His understanding is infinite.Psalms 147:3‭-‬5

What a surprising conjunction is found in this, twin attribute of God. Active compassion in the small circles of human experience and unmeasured power in the great realms of creation!!

 
Here is God manifesting Himself in both the remotest and the nearest things of which we have any knowledge- the universal and the personal.

 
Psalmist is pointing to and underlying relationship between stars and sorrows.- one that unerringly points to the overruling care of God. If we can understand this truth as we should, it will direct our hearts into the safe anchor of His love as nothing else could do.. .
*J. Stuart holden

Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one and calls forth each of them by name. Because of His great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing.Isaiah 40:26 

 
Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. Matthew 10:29‭-‬31

🎵🎵

Oh Lord, my God

When I, in awesome wonder
Consider all the worlds Thy hands have made
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder
Thy power throughout the universe displayed

Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee
How great Thou art, how great Thou art
Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee
How great Thou art, how great Thou art

But as for me, I will look to the Lord. Micah 7:7(a)

 

Several years ago while visiting certain of the Northern European countries, it was necessary for me to cross the North Sea in a large ocean liner. During the first days of voyage we sped along calm seas, but suddenly were overtaken by a frightening tempest. The waves were like great mountains, and we were lifted up to their heights.

The great ship rocked and rolled, creaked and groaned. The faces of the passengers were blanched white with fear. Even the little ones clung to their mothers, sensing the nearness of danger... the very air was surcharged by an ominous foreboding of impending destruction.

 
When it seemed that surely the ship had endured to the very limit, a man appeared on the scene. There was no trace of anxiety or concern on his face. His presence radiated calmness, rest and peace. With a voice full of gentleness he assured us "all is well" and our fears disappeared.

 
Who was that man? The Captain. He had taken that vessel through many a long voyage, plowed rough seas, met terrible storms, and had always arrived safely in to port...
What we have to fear?... Is not our Captain on board? With Christ in the vessel we smile at the  storm.
Yes, one whose faith is continually stimulated by the upward look gives no ground to the attempted encroachment of despair.
No matter how great the trouble or how dark the outlook, a quick lifting  of the heart to God in a moment of actual faith in Him completely alter any situation and turn the darkness of midnight in to glorious sunrise.. ...
Mrs. Charles E cowman

Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the Lord, The Creator of the ends of the earth, Neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable.Isaiah 40:28 

🎵🎵

Hide me now

Under Your wings

Cover me
Within Your mighty hand

When the oceans rise and thunders roar
I will soar with You above the storm
Father, You are King over the flood
I will be still and know You are God

Find rest
Find rest, my soul
In Christ alone
Know His power
In quietness and trust

*"The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider Freeways, but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness.

We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.

We've learned how to make a living, but not a life. We've added years to life not life to years. We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We conquered outer space but not inner space. We've done larger things, but not better things.".... Selected...     

These days many are going through depression, loneliness and living with a life with no purpose. Jesus is our Hope and life... 

Jesus, I believe you are the Son of God, that you died on the cross to rescue me from sin and death and to restore me to the Father. I choose now to turn from my sins, my self-centeredness, and every part of my life that does not please you. I choose you. I give myself to you. I receive your forgiveness and ask you to take your rightful place in my life as my Savior and Lord. Come reign in my heart, fill me with your love and your life, and help me to become a person who is truly loving—a person like you. Restore me, Jesus. Live in me. Love through me. Thank you, God. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

 

Th

   

Be thankful. Col 3:15

 

 One of the greatest problems we face today in the world is human trafficking. Mexico is infamous for this. The inner wounds of such a human trafficked person is very deep. The heart of such a person will be full of hatred, revenge, hopelessness and bitterness. Some become sick because of mental trauma. Those terrible memories will continue to haunt them even after several years. What a pitiful state!

Joseph was a person who was subjected to a human trafficking where he was sold as a slave. This was by the hands of his own brothers!! He lost everything. Subsequently he had to suffer several years of imprisonment for a crime which he hadn’t committed. Those who promised to help him remembered him not.

Years went by. Now, right before his eyes are those brothers who had sold him off as a slave…

He can take anything our from his stash(store) of memories. He could take revenge… However, Joseph brought out the file of thankfulness from the heart’s stash and thanked God.

 Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Come close to me.” When they had done so, he said, “I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt!  And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. Genesis 45:4,5

Joseph who was filled with gratitude towards God and towards others, cried bitterly like a child… He longed to see his father.

…

We have so many files in the stash of memories.

You know that very well.

At this time, close all those files. Open the file of gratitude towards God and men and say to the Lord… Thank you Lord…

Only thankfulness!

To God…

And to all…

@@(Through the grills of a  prison window two men looked out; one saw the dust of the ground, while the other saw the stars of the sky…quote)

🎵🎵🎵🎵

I come before You today

And there's just one thing that I want to say

Thank you, Lord
Thank you, Lord

For all You've given to me
For all the blessings that I cannot see
Thank you, Lord
Thank you, Lord

With a grateful heart
With a song of praise
With an outstretched arm
I will bless Your name

Thank you, Lord
I just wanna thank you, Lord
Thank you, Lord
I just wanna thank you, Lord
Thank you, Lord

For all You've done in my life
You took my darkness and gave me Your light
Thank you, Lord
Thank you, Lord

You took my sin and my shame
You took my sickness and healed all my pain
Thank you, Lord
Thank you, Lord

നന്ദിയുള്ളവരായും ഇരിപ്പിൻ. കൊലൊ. 3:15

ഇന്ന് ലോകം നേരിടുന്ന പ്രധാന പ്രശ്നങ്ങളിലൊന്നാണ് മനുഷ്യക്കടത്ത്  ( human trafficking). മെക്സികോ ഇതിൽ കുപ്രസിദ്ധമാണ്.ഇത്തരത്തിൽ അടിമയായി വിൽക്കപ്പെട്ട ,നാടു കടത്തപ്പെട്ട ഒരു വ്യക്തിയുടെ ആന്തരിക മുറിവുകൾ ആഴമേറിയതാണ് .ഹൃദയം വിദ്വേഷം, പക, നിരാശ, കയ്പ്, കൊണ്ട് നിറഞ്ഞിരിക്കും. ചിലർ മാനസിക സംഘർഷം കൊണ്ട് രോഗികളാകും.എത്ര വർഷം കഴിഞ്ഞാലും ഓർമ്മകൾ ഇവരെ വേട്ടയാടിക്കൊണ്ടിരിക്കും. എത്ര ദയനീയമായ അവസ്ഥ.

ഇപ്രകാരം അടിമയായി വിൽക്കപ്പെട്ട മനുഷ്യക്കടത്തിന് വിധേയമായ ഒരാളായിരുന്നു ജോസഫ് .അതും സ്വന്ത സഹോദരൻമാരാൽ !! അവന് എല്ലാം നഷ്ടമായി .തുടർന്ന് താൻ ചെയ്യാത്ത കുറ്റത്തിന് അനേക വർഷങ്ങൾ തടവുശിക്ഷ അനുഭവിച്ചു. സഹായം വാഗ്ദാനം ചെയ്തവർ തന്നെ മറന്നു...

വർഷങ്ങൾ കടന്നു പോയി. തന്നെ വിറ്റു കളഞ്ഞ സഹോദരന്മാർ തൻ്റെ കൺമുൻപിൽ.....

ഓർമ്മകളുടെ ചെപ്പിൽ നിന്ന് ഏതു വേണമെങ്കിലും പുറത്തെടുക്കാം.. പകരം വീട്ടാം ..... എന്നാൽ ജോസഫ് നന്ദിയുടെ ചെപ്പ് ഹൃദയത്തിൻ്റെ ഷെൽഫിൽ നിന്നെടുത്ത് ദൈവത്തിന് നന്ദി പറഞ്ഞു.

യോസേഫ് സഹോദരന്മാരോടു: ഇങ്ങോട്ടു അടുത്തുവരുവിൻ എന്നു പറഞ്ഞു; അവർ അടുത്തുചെന്നപ്പോൾ അവൻ പറഞ്ഞതു; നിങ്ങൾ മിസ്രയീമിലേക്കു വിറ്റുകളഞ്ഞ നിങ്ങളുടെ സഹോദരൻ യോസേഫ് ആകുന്നു ഞാൻ. എന്നെ ഇവിടെ വിറ്റതുകൊണ്ടു നിങ്ങൾ വ്യസനിക്കേണ്ടാ, വിഷാദിക്കയും വേണ്ടാ; ജീവരക്ഷക്കായി ദൈവം എന്നെ നിങ്ങൾക്കു മുമ്പെ അയച്ചതാകുന്നു. ഉല്പത്തി 45:4‭-‬5 

ദൈവത്തോടും മറ്റുള്ളവരോടും നന്ദിയാൽ നിറയപ്പെട്ട ജോസഫ് ഒരു കൊച്ചു കുട്ടിയെ പ്പോലെ ഉറക്കെ കരഞ്ഞു .. തൻ്റെ പിതാവിനെ നേരിൽ കാണുവാൻ അവൻ ആഗ്രഹിച്ചു.

....

നമ്മുടെ മനസ്സിൻ്റെ ഷെൽഫിൽ ഓർമ്മകളുടെ അനേകം ഫയലുകളുണ്ട്.

നിങ്ങൾക്ക് അത് വ്യക്തമായി അറിയാം.

ഈ നിമിഷം മറ്റ് എല്ലാ ഫയലുകളും എന്നേക്കുമായി ക്ലോസ് ചെയ്യുക ... ദൈവത്തോടും മറ്റുള്ളവരോടുമുള്ള നന്ദിയുടെ ചെപ്പ് തുറന്നു കൊണ്ട് കർത്താവിനോട് പറയുക.... നന്ദി നാഥാ ...💧💧

നന്ദി  മാത്രം!

ദൈവത്തോട്...

എല്ലാവരോടും ......

@#(തടവറയുടെ അഴികൾക്ക് ഇടയിലൂടെ രണ്ട് പേർ പുറത്തേക്ക് നോക്കി; ഒരുവൻ നിലത്തെ    പൊടി കണ്ടു, മറ്റേയാൾ ആകാശത്തിലെ നക്ഷത്രങ്ങളെ കണ്ടു ....)

🎵🎵🎵🎵

നന്ദി നന്ദി എൻ ദൈവമേ

നന്ദി എൻ യേശുപരാ

എണ്ണമില്ലാതുള്ള നൻമകൾക്കും

അൽഭുതമാർന്ന നിൻ സ്നേഹത്തിനും;- നന്ദി…

പാപത്താൽ മുറിവേറ്റ എന്നെ നിന്‍റെ

പാണിയാൽ ചേർത്ത അണച്ചുവല്ലോ;- നന്ദി…

കൂരിരുൾ താഴ്വര അതിലുമെന്‍റെ

പാതയിൽ ദീപമായ് വന്നുവല്ലോ;- നന്ദി…

ജീവിത ശൂന്യതയിൻ നടുവിൽ

നിറവായ് അനുഗ്രഹം ചൊരിഞ്ഞുവല്ലോ;- നന്ദി…

 

Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.Colossians 3:21

 
Parents, don't be hard on your children. Raise them properly. Teach them and instruct them about the Lord.
Ephesians 6:4

**An Army dad who was deployed to Afghanistan made sure his daughter knew she was always on his mind by writing daily notes for each day that he expected to be gone.

Staff Sgt. Philip Gray wrote 270 messages to 7-year-old Rosie just before leaving Fort Drum, New York, on Oct. 7, 2019. Mom Kristen Gray said she gave her husband the idea.

"He wrote anything from, 'You are super girl' to 'Smiling makes everyone else smile,'" Kristen Gray told "Good Morning " "He was very big on feel-good words for her and girl power. He made sure to tell her how smart she was, and run fast in P.E. and things that would really make her happy."
Each morning, Kristen would slip one of Philip's notes into Rosie's lunchbox. Some of them included doodles like snowmen or pumpkins to represent holidays missed.

Philip ended up returning home Aug. 8, 2020 -- three days before Rosie's birthday.

"Now that I'm home ... she asks me, 'Dad are you going leave me and mom a note?'" Philip told " "I say 'Yes , I will leave you a note.'"

Kristen shared a video of Philip's homecoming as well as the notes on social media, which was viewed over 250,000 times.

"It's a very emotional time," Philip said. "I missed all the holidays. Thankfully, this time round was just under a year so I didn't have to miss birthdays as well."
"Stepping out of quarantine and getting to see the girl  that was the greatest thing," he added.****"

They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us? Luke 24:32

 

Renowned Christian writer F W Boreham was born and lived in a family of 9 children.

His mother constantly tried to nourish her children in the grace of God.

Once this mother and her 9 children set out in a train to see the famous Canterbury Cathedral in England.

Their relative Kitty had planned to come there at exactly 10AM and explain the history of the famous building, and many other stories to the kids.

However, Kitty did not turn up even after having waited for a long time. Boreham and his siblings came to hear eagerly, stories about the cathedral.

But now…

Suddenly one man over there knew their difficulty. He presented beautifully the history and the stories to the children making them understand them.

Starting with the incidents of the 6th century, wars, he explained even about each pillar in the Cathedral and the kids were diligently listening to them.

"Let us be fast! It’s time for the train to come...

Thank you, sir, so much."

The mother gave a word of heartfelt thanks to the stranger who shared the stores.

The stranger gave his visiting card to mother. She quickly  put the visiting card into her bag. At the correct time the train left. After a long time, the mother remembered…

Kitty didn’t come. If that stranger had not come at that time?…

Oh oh.. I forgot to even ask that gentleman’s name. How beautifully he explained all things to the kids…

Suddenly she remembered about the card.

She took the card he gave, out the bag during the journey and read his name.

Charles Dickens!

The greatest story writer living at that time!

Oh Oh.. I didn’t recognize him.

*** They didn’t recognize Jesus who was explaining everything on their 7 mile walk to Emmaus. It was the all-knowing Son of God who spoke to them as He walked with them.

Jesus who can give answers to all our questions is with us. The shepherd who speaks to us through His word.

However we don’t always recognize that voice.

Let us now tell the Lord.

'Speak, Lord

Thy servant heareth.'

അവൻ വഴിയിൽ നമ്മോടു സംസാരിച്ചു തിരുവെഴുത്തുകളെ തെളിയിക്കുമ്പോൾ നമ്മുടെ ഹൃദയം നമ്മുടെ ഉള്ളിൽ കത്തിക്കൊണ്ടിരുന്നില്ലയോ എന്നു അവർ തമ്മിൽ പറഞ്ഞു. ലൂക്കൊസ് 24:32

 

പ്രശസ്ത ക്രിസ്തീയ എഴുത്തുകാരനായ F W ബോർഹാം 9 മക്കളുള്ള ഒരു കുടുംബത്തിലാണ് ജനിച്ചു വളർന്നത് .

ദൈവകൃപയിൽ മക്കളെ വളർത്തുവാൻ അദ്ദേഹത്തിൻ്റെ അമ്മ നിരന്തരം പരിശ്രമിച്ചു.

ഒരിക്കൽ ഇംഗ്ലണ്ടിലെ പ്രശസ്തമായ കാൻ്റർബറി കത്തീഡ്രൽ കാണുവാനായി അമ്മയും ഒൻപത് മക്കളും ട്രെയിനിൽ യാത്രയായി.

തൻ്റെ ബന്ധുവായ കിറ്റി കൃത്യം പത്തു മണിക്ക് വന്ന് പ്രശസ്തമായ കെട്ടിടത്തിൻ്റെ ചരിത്രം, അനേകം കഥകൾ എല്ലാം കുഞ്ഞുങ്ങൾക്ക് പറഞ്ഞു കൊടുക്കാം എന്ന്     പ്ലാൻ ചെയ്തിരുന്നു.

എന്നാൽ അനേകം സമയം കാത്തിരുന്നിട്ടും കിറ്റി വന്നില്ല. ബോർഹാമും തൻ്റെ സഹോദരങ്ങളും അക്ഷമരായി .കത്തീഡ്രലിൻ്റെ കഥകൾ കേൾക്കുവാൻ കൊതിച്ചാണ് വന്നത്.

ഇപ്പോൾ....

പെട്ടെന്ന് അവിടെ വന്ന ഒരാൾക്ക് ഇവരുടെ വിഷമാവസ്ഥ മനസ്സിലായി.അദ്ദേഹം കുട്ടികൾക്ക് ചരിത്രവും കഥകളും മനോഹരമായി പറഞ്ഞു മനസ്സിലാക്കി .

ആറാം നൂറ്റാണ്ടിലെ സംഭവങ്ങൾ, യുദ്ധം, തുടങ്ങി കത്തീഡ്രലിൻ്റെ ഓരോ തൂണിനെക്കുറിച്ചു പോലും പറഞ്ഞ അപരിചിതനെ കുഞ്ഞുങ്ങൾ വളരെ ശ്രദ്ധിച്ചു കൊണ്ടിരുന്നു. രണ്ടു മണിക്കൂർ കടന്നു പോയതറിഞ്ഞില്ല. എല്ലാവർക്കും വളരെ സന്തോഷമായി.

വേഗമാകട്ടെ! ട്രെയിൻ വരാൻ സമയമായി.. 

സാർ വളരെ നന്ദി. 

കഥ പറഞ്ഞ അപരിചിത നോട് അമ്മ ഒരു വാക്ക് ഹൃദയപൂർവ്വം നന്ദി പറഞ്ഞു.

അദ്ദേഹo തന്ന വിസിറ്റിംഗ് കാർഡ് വേഗത്തിൽ ബാഗിൽ വെച്ചു.കൃത്യസമയത്ത് ട്രെയിൻ പുറപ്പെട്ടു. കുറേ സമയം കഴിഞ്ഞപ്പോൾ ബോർഹാമിൻ്റെ അമ്മ ഓർത്തു...

കിറ്റി വന്നില്ല, ആ അപരിചിതിൻ സമയത്ത് വന്നില്ലായിരുന്നെങ്കിൽ ..

ഓ.. അദ്ദേഹത്തിൻ്റെ പേര് പോലും ചോദിക്കാൻ മറന്നു. എത്ര മനോഹരമായിട്ടാണ് അദ്ദേഹം കുഞ്ഞുങ്ങൾക്ക് എല്ലാം പറഞ്ഞു കൊടുത്തത്....

പെട്ടെന്ന് കാർഡിൻ്റെ കാര്യം ഓർമ്മ വന്നു.

ട്രെയിൻ യാത്രയിൽ ബാഗിൽ നിന്ന് അപരിചിതൻ തന്ന കാർഡ് എടുത്ത് പേര് വായിച്ചു.

ചാൾസ് ഡിക്കൻസ്  (Charles Dickens) 

അന്ന് ജീവിച്ചിരുന്നവരിൽ വെച്ച് ഏറ്റവും നല്ല കഥാകൃത്ത് '

ഓ.. ഞാൻ അദ്ദേഹത്തെ തിരിച്ചറിഞ്ഞില്ല.

***എമ്മാവുസിലേക്ക് 7 മൈൽ ദൂരം കൂടെ നടന്ന് എല്ലാം വിവരിച്ച യേശു കർത്താവിനെ അവർ തിരിച്ചറിഞ്ഞില്ല. അന്ന് അവരോട് സംസാരിച്ചത് ഈ ഭൂമിയിലൂടെ സഞ്ചരിച്ച സർവ്വജ്ഞാനിയായ ദൈവപുത്രനായിരുന്നു

നമ്മുടെ എല്ലാ ചോദ്യങ്ങൾക്കും ഉള്ള ഉത്തരം നൽകുന്നവനായ ക്രിസ്തു യേശു നമ്മോട് കൂടെയുണ്ട്. തൻ്റെ വചനം നമുക്ക് നൽകി നമ്മോട് സംസാരിക്കുന്ന നല്ല ഇടയൻ.

പലപ്പോഴും നാം ആ ശബ്ദം തിരിച്ചറിയുന്നില്ല.

ഇന്ന് കർത്താവിനോട് പറയാം.

കർത്താവേ അരുളിച്ചെയ്യേണമേ

അടിയൻ കേൾക്കുന്നു.

 

We must be people who are always giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son … Colossians 1: 12,13

It used to be a practice with the kings of the olden days that when they conquer a people, they would take them out of their native land and settle them in a new place. This was done in order to prevent those people from uniting together and fight against the kings who conquered them.

Similarly, we were once the subjects of the kingdom of darkness. The ruler of the kingdom of darkness exercised power over us. 

However, through His death and resurrection, the Lord Jesus Christ, not only set us free from the kingdom of darkness, but also relocated us once and for all, into the kingdom of light. He made us worthy to inherit the rights of the saints of the light.

How joyfully should we thank and praise the Father who established us in the kingdom of His beloved Son. 

I will always praise the God who gave me a share in the light that is reserved for His holy ones.

When the oceans rise and thunders roar......

 

Psalms 46:10 (Read loudly )

BE still and know that I am God.”   

“Be STILL and know that I am God.”

Be still AND know that I am God.”  

“Be still and KNOW that I am God.”

“Be still and know that I am God.”

“Be still and know that I am GOD.

Trust Jesus Christ as your captain- stand aside and let Him take it.  Just be still....

 

വിശുദ്ധന്മാർക്കു വെളിച്ചത്തിലുള്ള അവകാശത്തിന്നായി നമ്മെ പ്രാപ്തന്മാരാക്കുകയും നമ്മെ ഇരുട്ടിന്റെ അധികാരത്തിൽ നിന്നു വിടുവിച്ചു തന്റെ സ്നേഹസ്വരൂപനായ പുത്രന്റെ രാജ്യത്തിലാക്കിവെക്കുകയും ചെയ്ത പിതാവിന്നു സന്തോഷത്തോടെ സ്തോത്രം ചെയ്യുന്നവരാകേണം എന്നും അപേക്ഷിക്കുന്നു. കൊലൊസ്സ്യർ 1:12,13

വളരെ വർഷങ്ങൾക്ക് മുമ്പ് കിഴക്കൻ രാജ്യങ്ങളിലെ രാജാക്കൻമാർ ഒരു പട്ടണം കീഴടക്കിയാൽ അവിടെയുള്ള ആളുകളെ മറ്റൊരു പട്ടണത്തിലേക്ക് സ്ഥിരമായി മാറ്റി പാർപ്പിക്കുമായിരുന്നു.( ആ ദേശക്കാർ പിന്നീട് സംഘടിച്ച് യുദ്ധ ചെയ്യാതിരിക്കുവാൻ വേണ്ടിയായിരുന്നു ഇങ്ങനെ ചെയ്ത് വന്നിരുന്നത്)

നാം ഇരുട്ടിൻ്റെ രാജ്യത്തിലെ പ്രജകളായിരുന്നു. ഇരുട്ടിൻ്റെ അധിപതി നമ്മുടെ മേൽ ഭരണം നടത്തിയിരുന്നു

എന്നാൽ കർത്താവായ യേശുക്രിസ്തു തൻ്റെ ക്രൂശിലെ മരണത്താൽ ,നമ്മെ വിടുവിക്കുക മാത്രമല്ല, ഇരുട്ടിൻ്റെ സാമ്രാജ്യത്തിൽ നിന്ന് നമ്മെ വെളിച്ചത്തിൻ്റെ രാജ്യത്തിലേക്ക് എന്നെന്നേക്കുമായി മാറ്റി പാർപ്പിച്ചു. (Relocated).

വിശുദ്ധൻമാർക്ക് വെളിച്ചത്തിലുള്ള അവകാശത്തിന്നായി നമ്മെ പ്രാപ്തൻമാരാക്കി !!!

നമ്മെ സ്നേഹസ്വരൂപനായ പുത്രൻ്റെ രാജ്യത്തിലാക്കി വെച്ച പിതാവിന് എത്രയധികം സന്തോഷത്തോടെ നാം സ്തോത്രം ചെയ്യണം....

&&

ശുദ്ധൻമാർക്ക് വെളിച്ചത്തിലുള്ള

അവകാശത്തിൽ പങ്കു തന്ന

ദൈവത്തിന് സ്തോത്രം സ്തോത്രം 

പാടും ഞാൻ

 

A ship was sailing in big waters in the ocean. And there was a little girl who was fast asleep in the cabin with her mother beside her. And the sea began to stir with terrible storm. 

 As the ship being tossed and the waves were rising mom was praying that the little girl would just keep sleeping but she woke up. 

And even as she did she peered through the window of the cabin  she saw the huge waves and the ship being tossed about. 

The little girl looked outwards and also looked at her worried mom's face and said. 

  "Mom, Is dad at the wheel of the ship"? 

Mom said " Yes.. He is"

And the little girl just turned to the other side and fell asleep. 

Her dad was the captain of the ship and she trusted him. And through the storm 'if my dad is at the wheel I am safe through the storm'. 

*

When I lie down, I go to sleep in peace; you alone, O Lord, keep me perfectly safe.

Psalm 4:8 

  

A sincere man was working as a Rail-gate operator near a forest. His 9-year-old also would be with him from time to time.

One day it was time for the switch to be turned on for the train to pass by. There comes his son from a very far distance walking on the rail track. There were only two options before him. Either let the train to pass by, or save his own son.

Either it was the life of his son…

Else the lives of the passengers who had filled the train.

**

The love of the Father who gave His own Son….

The love of the Son Jesus who gave His own life…

We the passengers who experienced the love of the God!!!

(Examples are limited in itself to express the love of God)

If a survey is conducted in heaven, the verse which was the cause of the salvation of maximum number of people…John 3:16

If there’s an option to hang up a verse in the heavenly house, then it would be with John 3:16 that most people would adorn with.

Look at the prayer in the letter of Paul. 

To comprehend with all the saints the love of Christ breadth and length and height and depth…Eph 3:18

The answer is in the gospel according to John.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.”  John 3:16

Insufficient are words that describe the love of God

Insufficient is this life to fully express the gratitude 

:

 

ഒരു വനത്തിൻ്റെ അരികിലുള്ള റെയിൽവേ ഗേറ്റിൻ്റെ ഓപ്പറേറ്ററായി വിശ്വസ്തനായ ഒരാൾ ജോലി ചെയ്തിരുന്നു' അദ്ദേഹത്തിൻ്റെ 9 വയസ്സുള്ള മകൻ ചിലപ്പോൾ അവിടെ കൂടെയുണ്ടാകും.

ഒരു ദിവസം പിതാവിന് ട്രെയിൻ കടന്നു പോകാനുള്ള സ്വിച്ച് ഓൺ ചെയ്യാൻ സമയമായി.തൻ്റെ മകൻ അതാ വളരെ ദൂരത്തിൽ റെയിൽവേ ട്രാക്കിലൂടെ നടന്നു വരുന്നു.

 

അദ്ദേഹത്തിന് 2 വഴികൾ മാത്രമേയുള്ളു.ഒന്നുകിൽ ട്രെയിൻ കടന്നു പോകാൻ അനുവദിക്കുക, അല്ലെങ്കിൽ തൻ്റെ മകനെ രക്ഷിക്കുക .

ഒന്നുകിൽ മകൻ്റെ ജീവൻ...

അല്ലെങ്കിൽ ട്രെയിൻ നിറഞ്ഞ് യാത്ര ചെയ്യുന്നവരുടെ ജീവൻ....

അദ്ദേഹം ട്രെയിൻ കടന്നു പോകാനുള്ള സ്വിച്ചിൽ വിരലമർത്തി...

സ്വന്ത പുത്രനെ തന്നപിതാവായ ദൈവത്തിൻ്റെ സ്നേഹം...

ജീവൻ തന്ന പുത്രനായ യേശുവിൻ്റെ സ്നേഹം...

ദൈവസ്നേഹം അനുഭവിച്ച യാത്രക്കാരായ നാം !!!

(ഉദാഹരണങ്ങൾ ദൈവസ്നേഹത്തെ വർണ്ണിക്കാൻ എത്രയോ പരിമിതം)

സ്വർഗ്ഗത്തിൽ ഒരു സർവ്വേ നടത്തിയാൽ ഏറ്റവും കൂടുതൽ ജനം രക്ഷിക്കപ്പെടുവാൻ മുഖാന്തരമായ വചനം ..... യോഹന്നാൻ 3:16

സ്വർഗ്ഗീയഭവനത്തിൽ ഒരു വാക്യ ബോർഡ്‌ ഇടാൻ അനുവാദം ലഭിച്ചാൽ .....തീർച്ചയായും രക്ഷിക്കപ്പെട്ട ജനം യോഹന്നാൻ 3:16 കൊണ്ട് ആ ഭവനം അലങ്കരിക്കും.

എഫേസ്യ ലേഖനത്തിൽ പൗലോസിൻ്റെ പ്രാർത്ഥന....

ക്രിസ്തുസ്നേഹത്തിന്റെ വീതിയും നീളവും ഉയരവും ആഴവും എന്ത് എന്നു സകല വിശുദ്ധന്മാരോടുംകൂടെ ഗ്രഹിക്കുവാനും ...എഫെ 3:18 

യോഹന്നാൻ്റെ സുവിശേഷത്തിൽ അതിൻ്റെ ഉത്തരം..

തന്റെ ഏകജാതനായ പുത്രനിൽ വിശ്വസിക്കുന്ന ഏവനും നശിച്ചുപോകാതെ നിത്യജീവൻ പ്രാപിക്കേണ്ടതിന് ദൈവം അവനെ നല്കുവാൻ തക്കവണ്ണം ലോകത്തെ സ്നേഹിച്ചു. യോഹ. 3:16 

ദൈവസ്നേഹം വര്‍ണ്ണിച്ചീടാന്‍ വാക്കുകള്‍ പോരാ

നന്ദി ചൊല്ലിത്തീര്‍ക്കുവാനീ ജീവിതം പോരാ 

How deep God The Father's love for us!!!!

I hold father's hands by the sea and asked him

Dad, how deep is this ocean?

Daughter very very deep

Like God's love!

I hold father's hands by the mountains and asked him

How tall are these mountains? 

My daughter it is very very tall

Like God's love!

I hold father's hands at night

And asked him

How many stars in this sky?

This time I answered. Infinite..... 

Like God's love my dad!!

കടൽക്കരയിൽ പിതാവിൻ കരങ്ങൾ

ചേർത്ത് പിടിച്ച് ഞാൻ ചോദിച്ചു

അപ്പാ എത്ര ആഴം ഈ സമുദ്രത്തിന്?

മകളേ വളരെ വളരെ അഴം

ദൈവത്തിൻ്റെ സ്നേഹം പോലെ !

മലനിരകളിൽ പിതാവിൻ കരങ്ങൾ

ചേർത്ത് പിടിച്ച് ഞാൻ ചോദിച്ചു

അപ്പാ എത്ര ഉയരം ഈ പർവ്വതങ്ങൾ?

മകളേ വളരെ വളരെ ഉയരം

ദൈവത്തിൻ്റെ സ്നേഹം പോലെ !

രാത്രിയിൽ പിതാവിൻ കരങ്ങൾ

ചേർത്ത് പിടിച്ച് ഞാൻ ചോദിച്ചു

എത്ര നക്ഷത്രങ്ങൾ ഈ ആകാശത്ത് ?

ഇക്കുറി ഞാൻ ഉത്തരമേകി

എണ്ണമില്ലപ്പാ ..ദൈവത്തിൻ്റെ സ്നേഹം  പോലെ !

so that you, together with all God's people, may have the power to understand how broad and long, how high and deep, is Christ's love. Yes, may you come to know his love—although it can never be fully known—and so be completely filled with the very nature of God..Ephesians 3:18‭-‬19 

ക്രിസ്തുസ്നേഹത്തിന്റെ വീതിയും നീളവും ഉയരവും ആഴവും എന്ത് എന്നു സകല വിശുദ്ധന്മാരോടുംകൂടെ ഗ്രഹിക്കുവാനും പരിജ്ഞാനത്തെ കവിയുന്ന ക്രിസ്തുവിന്റെ സ്നേഹത്തെ അറിയുവാൻ പ്രാപ്തരാകയും, ദൈവത്തിന്റെ എല്ലാ നിറവിനോളം നിറഞ്ഞുവരികയും വേണം എന്നും പ്രാർത്ഥിക്കുന്നു.എഫെ. 3:18‭-‬19 

 

“If you have run with the footmen, and they have wearied you, Then how can you contend with horses? And if in the land of peace, In which you trusted, they wearied you, Then how will you do in the floodplain of the Jordan? Jeremiah 12:5

 

*There is a memorable passage concerning Jeremiah’s life when, worn down by the opposition and absorbed in self-pity. He was ready to abandon his unique calling in God and settle for being a Jerusalem statistic. At that critical moment he heard the reprimand: “So, Jeremiah, if you’re worn out in this footrace with men, what makes you think you can race against horses? And if you can’t keep your wits during times of calm, what’s going to happen when troubles break loose like the Jordan in flood?” (Jer 12:5). 

Biochemist Erwin Chargaff updates the questions: “What do you want to achieve? Greater riches? Cheaper chicken? A happier life, a longer life? Is it power over your neighbors that you are after? 

Are you seeking greater wisdom, deeper piety?”Are you going to quit at the first wave of opposition? Are you going to retreat when you find that there is more to life than finding three meals a day and a dry place to sleep at night? Are you going to run home the minute you find that the mass of men and women are more interested in keeping their feet warm than in living at risk to the glory of God? Are you going to live cautiously or courageously? 

I called you to live at your best, to pursue righteousness, to sustain a drive toward excellence. It is easier to relax in the embracing arms of The Average. Easier, but not better. Easier, but not more significant. Easier, but not more fulfilling. I called you to a life of purpose far beyond what you think yourself capable of living and promised you adequate strength to fulfill your destiny.

If you are fatigued by this run-of-the-mill crowd of apathetic mediocrities, what will you do when the real race starts, the race with the swift and determined horses of excellence? What is it you really want, Jeremiah? Do you want to shuffle along with this crowd, or run with the horses? It is understandable that there are retreats from excellence, withdrawals from faith. It is easier to define oneself minimally  and live securely within that definition than to be defined maximally and live adventurously in that reality. 

It is unlikely, I think, that Jeremiah was spontaneous or quick in his reply to God’s question. He weighed the options. He counted the cost. He tossed and turned in hesitation. 

The response when it came was not verbal but biographical. His life became his answer, “I’ll run with the horses.”

And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. Luke 14:27 

*selected.. Run with horses

But God who is rich in mercy, for His great love, Wherewith He loved us....... Ephesians 2:4

 

**There are two words in the Bible that give us hanging-on power: But God…! These two words constitute one of the greatest phrases in the Bible, and they occur in some of our favorite passages. We’ll be reading along in the Bible and come to the record of something difficult. There was a problem; there was a danger or distress. Then we see the words, BUT GOD…. But God had an answer. But God stepped into the picture. But God issued a promise. But God came.

Joseph told his brothers in Egypt: “You meant evil against me; BUT GOD meant it for good” (Genesis 50:20). The psalmist said: “My flesh and my heart fail; BUT GOD is the strength of my heart and my portion forever” (Psalm 73:26). During a national crisis, King Jehoshaphat was told: “The battle is not yours, BUT GOD’s” (2 Chronicles 20:15).

The Bible says, “They took Him down from the tree and laid Him in a tomb. BUT GOD raised Him from the dead” (Acts 13:29-30). Romans 5:8 says, “BUT GOD demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us.”

One of our biggest problems is Reversed Clause Syndrome. We say, “God is great, but I have a terrible problem. God is good, but I have troubles.” We should reverse the sentence and say, “I have a terrible problem, but God is great, and He will lead me through it. I have troubles, but God is good, and He will work it out for my benefit.”

In 2 Corinthians 7, this phrase BUT GOD occurs in a significant way. The apostle Paul described an agonizing moment of discouragement that swept over him, saying, “For indeed, when we came to Macedonia, our bodies had no rest, but we were troubled on every side. Outside were conflicts, inside were fears” (2 Corinthians 7:5). The pressures of life had troubled Paul to the point of interrupting his ministry and putting a damper on his preaching: “When I came to Troas to preach Christ’s Gospel, and a door was opened to me by the Lord, I had no rest in my spirit… taking my leave of them, I departed…” (2 Corinthians 2:12-13).

“We were troubled on every side,” he explained. “Outside were conflicts, inside were fears. BUT GOD, who comforts the downcast, comforted us…” (2 Corinthians 7:5-6, NIV).

The passage says: “BUT GOD, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus, and not only by His coming but also by the comfort you had given him” (2 Corinthians 7:6-7, NIV).

Are you facing a problem today?... But God..!!!!!! 

**selected.. David Jeremiah

The Bible and Car Key

 

*A young man was getting ready to graduate from college. For many months he had admired a beautiful sports car in a dealer’s showroom, and knowing that his father could well afford it, he told him that was all he wanted.

As Graduation Day approached the young man awaited signs that his father had purchased the car for him. Finally on the day he was to graduate his father called him into his private study, told him how proud he was to have such a fine son and how much he loved him. He then handed him a beautifully wrapped gift box.

Curious, but somewhat disappointed the young man opened the box and found a lovely leather bound Bible with his name embossed on it in gold. He was angry so he raised his voice to his father and said, "With all of your money you give me a Bible rather than the sports car I wanted.” He then stormed out of the house leaving the Bible behind.

Many years passed and the young man was very successful in the business he went in. He had a beautiful home and a wonderful family but realized when he thought about his father that he was very old. He then decided that perhaps he should go to see him because he had not seen him since that graduation day.

However, before he could make arrangements to go he received a phone call from a funeral home director telling him that his father had passed away and had willed all of his possessions to him. He was told that he needed to come home immediately and take care of things.

When the son arrived at his father’s house sadness and regret filled his heart. He began to search through his father’s important documents and saw the Bible his father had given him for graduation. The Bible looked new just as it was years ago when he was given it.

With tears in his eyes he opened the Bible and began to turn through the pages. His father had carefully underlined a verse which was Matthew 7:11 which reads, "And if ye being evil know how to give good gifts to your children how much more shall your Heavenly Father which is in Heaven give to those who ask Him.”

As the son read those words a car key dropped from the back of the Bible. It had a tag on it with the car dealer’s name, the same dealer who had the sports car that he wanted so badly for his college graduation. On the tag was the date of his graduation and the words written in large print "PAID IN FULL.”

“Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! Matthew 7:9‭-‬11 

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. Ephesians 1:3 

*selected