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Sunday Sermonettes | When You Feel Forgotten by God

Sunday Sermonettes #017

At some point in life each one of us might have asked this question, “Has God forgotten me?” We ask this question during the difficult times in our life.

The first thought is that delay to God’s answers to your prayers are no indication that God has forgotten you. Often, in the waiting period, when you see-saw between hope and despair, God is preparing you to receive the goodness he has kept in store for you.

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Secondly, God has promised not to forget you. And he does not lie. He never fails to keep his promises. He has said that it is highly unlikely for a mother to forget her new born baby. God says, even if she forgets, I will not forget you.

Thirdly, God is teaching you to walk by faith during those times you think that God has forgotten you. When God seems absent, the path ahead might look dark and threatening. Your friends might fall to help you. But your faith does not depend on sight. You learn to take one step at a time in hope.

Again, many times it is written in the Bible, “God remembered” someone. Does that mean God had forgotten them? No. God remembered is an expression which means the season for God to act in their lives had then come. And suddenly things begin to move in their lives swiftly.

Now, does your complaint that God has forgotten you make you an unbeliever? No. It simply tells us how weak we are and how much ẁe need to learn to depend on God to live our lives. God is bigger than we think and he does not find fault with your honest doubt, “Has God Forgotten me?”

One of the things that helps you rise above despair is looking back on your past and seeing how God has helped you. Think about how God took care of your needs during the very difficult situations in your life. He is the same God and changes not. He will not forget you. He will surely come to your help.

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Sunday Sermonettes | How to Get Your Heart’s Desires God’s Way

Sunday Sermonettes #016

The Promise

“Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart” (Psalm 37:4 Bible).

That is an exciting promise. No limits. It simply states that God will give you the desires of your heart. When God’s Word says so, you can put your confidence in it because God always keeps his part of the promise made. As you look at this promise you find God’s part as well as your role in it. God will give, but you have to delight in him.
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God First

In simple words, it means you should not put the cart before the horse. You have to put God first in your life. In all things. It is then that God becomes the delight of your heart.

When your thoughts revolve around God most of the time; he becomes the delight of your heart. This is a simple way of saying it. But it can become a start pointing. Start thinking about God and his everlasting love for you. Think of God sending his Son Jesus to bleed and die on the cross for you. Think of his forgiving love towards you.

Love for God

Delighting in God is all about love for him. He simply desires you to love him “with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” Love for God and delighting in him go hand in hand.

Again, try to express your love to God. Start to praise him. Just thank him that he has been good to you. Maybe you have gone through great troubles in life. You feel a grudge against God for the bad things that have happened. Still, make a try to tell God that you love him.

It might seem like offering God bits and pieces of a broken toy. But he accepts them all from you because you are genuinely trying to express your love. He accepts it from you as a loving father would accept it from a little child.

Talk to God

If you persist in expressing your love for God and try to talk with him; then over a period of time, God works in your heart. Be honest with God when you talk with him. Bring all your desires to him. And tell him all that is in your heart. He listens to all that you say and even what you do not say. Your heart is an open book before him; so are all your thoughts too. So he knows it all.

When you delight in God, that is when you put God first, something happens. That means you don’t fight with God about your desires. You don’t quarrel with him over it. You just tell him whatever is in your mind.

When God’s Desires Become Your Desires

During this process, God gets the chance to help you understand what his mind is about the desires you have. He will, through different people or situations but mainly through words of the Bible, speak to you. And he will show you what is best or wrong about your desires. And you get a chance to align yourselves with the best that God desires in your life. It is like having the sail of a boat catch the wind.

Then God’s desires for you become your desires. And he will give you the desires of your heart. So delight yourself in the LORD, Let him be first in your life. It will exclude and put to death every evil and sinful desire; and the temptation to do wrong that comes to your mind.

The Cleansing Blood of Jesus

And then when your heart is free of all darkness and is filled with God’s light, there is no limit to God fulfilling the desires of your heart. You might wonder how your heart can be rid of evil! Is that even possible? Yes, it is possible if you ask God to wash you clean by the blood of Jesus shed on the cross for you. The power and effectiveness of the blood of Jesus is overwhelmingly real.

Yes, when you delight in God, he will fulfil the desires of your heart. Isn’t that like one blank cheque given you to draw from the unlimited resources of God?

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Sunday Sermonettes | Lessons of Faith and Possibilities from the Miracle of Jesus Feeding the Five Thousand

Sunday Sermonettes #015

God’s Compassion

The basis of any miracle in your life is God’s compassion. This is the first of many simple lessons of faith and possibilities in the miracle of five loaves and two fish multiplied to feed five thousand people..

Jesus is moved with compassion as he sees the hungry crowd. He wants to help them. So he asked his disciples to give them something to eat.

Your Focus

Their response is like how we respond to impossibilities we face. One of them said, “Eight months’ wages would not buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!.” That was true. But they forgot it was Jesus who was with them.

The simple lesson here is to take our eyes off the difficulties facing us and focus it on Jesus. We might not know what to do. But we can look to him with expectation and in faith.
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Possibilities in Small Things

Jesus already knew what he was going to do. He asked how many loaves they had. He said, “Go and see.” Jesus was willing to see the impossible happen in small things.

By this time, another one of the disciples came to Jesus and said, “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish.” That was good for a boy’s meal.

The disciple also added his doubts to the introduction. He asked, “But how far will they go among so many?” That was a realistic question. We too often ask such questions that express doubt, negativity, and impossibility.  But we should not forget who is with us and what his plans are for the impossible situation.

Jesus was not disturbed by the question that was asked and the doubt that was expressed. He simply said, “Bring them here to me.” Yes, bring your meagre resources to Jesus and see what he is going to do with them.

A Prayer of Thanks and Expectation

Jesus creates expectancy now. He asks the disciples to seat the people in groups of hundreds and fifties. With nothing but the five loaves and two fish in the hands of Jesus,, the people would have wondered about what was going to happen.

Then Jesus exhibits his calm assurance that his Father in heaven always heard his prayers. He looked up to heaven, said thanks, and broke the loaves. He asked the disciples to distribute. He did the same with the fish. At least for once, the disciples did not doubt. They acted on his command.

Sharing and Multiplication

The five loaves of barley and two fish multiplied to feed the crowd of five thousand men besides women and children. I wonder at the willingness of the boy to share his food. Possibly if we are willing to share, God is willing to do a miracle.

Yes, God is moved with compassion when we are in need. He doesn’t always do miracles of this kind; but often uses people to meet our needs. You too can be a channel of his compassionate touch in the lives of your friends just like the boy who shared his food with Jesus.

Difficulties Can Be Met with an Attitude of Praise and Thanks

You can always take your difficulties to Jesus. You might not know what to do. But you can be assured that he has a plan. The feeding of the five thousand teaches us to thank God even before the miracle happens. It is a joyful expectation of our confidence that God is willing to meet our needs.

When we give thanks, God acts in ways beyond our imagination. We then see impossibilities give way to surplus with very meager resources. They even collected twelve baskets of barley loaves left over for Jesus had said, “Let nothing be wasted.”

What Are Miracles For?

Immediately after the miracle, Jesus dismissed the crowds and his disciples and went up alone on a mountainside to pray. That was the secret of his life. He always kept in touch with his Father in heaven, depended on him fully, and did everything to please him.

The miracles that Jesus did was a natural outflow of his constant and intimate connection with God, his heavenly Father.

The next day the crowds come searching for Jesus. Then Jesus told them something startling. “I tell you the truth, you are looking for me, not because you saw miraculous signs but because you ate the loaves and had your fill.”

How true it is that even today many follow Jesus without realizing that he is the One who satisfies their deep spiritual hunger and thirst.

Miracles are meant to lead us to God and not to satisfy our selfishness. Miracles are meant to help us focus on eternity and not on our worldly desires.

Jesus the Bread of Life

Miracles should lead us to Jesus and to the moments his body was broken for us on the cross and his blood shed there for us and the forgiveness of our sins. He is the Bread of Life who alone can fully satisfy, nourish, and gift you eternal life.
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This article is based on Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand Narratives found in the four Gospels in the New Testament of the Bible: Matthew 14:13–21, Mark 6:30–44, Luke 9:10–17, and John 6:1–14.
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Sunday Sermonettes | The Audacity of Hope in God Who Does Not Disappoint

Sunday Sermonettes #014

Audacity is courage or confidence of a kind that other people find shocking. We are now talking about that kind of courage or confidence to hope in God. It becomes shocking as you continue to hope in God when people are against you and perhaps all circumstances look negative. For the Bible confidently declares, “I am the LORD; those who hope in me will not be disappointed.”

The audacity of hope in God is what you can hold on to when you lose control over your life, when people turn against you for no reason, when fortunes take a plunge downwards, and money to make both ends meet seems hard to come by. Hope encourages you to persevere in the midst of troubles of various kinds including illness, depression, and burnout.
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Hope is the expectation and the confidence you have about the good that God is capable of bringing out of adverse situations and circumstances you find in your life. It takes a long-term view rather than being shortsighted and having a grumbling attitude in life. It gives you the courage to wait for God to act on your behalf.

In other words, the consumerist world we live in encourage us to grab things now, gratify our desires now, lust for more now, and instantly do things now; be it on credit. That kind of greedy attitude does not work with God. For he delights in those who hope in him and are willing to wait for his perfect time to act on their behalf.

The audacity of hope in God helps you rejoice even when you’re defeated and down. It is not positive thinking but something deeper that expresses its confidence in God even when outward circumstances are gloomy, and dark, and seems to be hopeless. For God is the source of all hope and he is the One who can cause you to abound in hope or overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit given to us.

The Bible speaks about Abraham, who is known as the Father of faith, believing in hope against all hope, and holding on to what God had promised him. And he was rewarded for his expectant faith in God after waiting long years for it. That perhaps is the secret: Looking to God with expectation and anticipating the good that he is going to do in spite of nothing-seems-to-be-happening days, months, or years.

Here we stand on sacred ground. The promises of God seem unbelievable when people and circumstances are against us. There might be delays. And there might be no indication from God that he is going to do something far above what we have asked or imagined. It is at these moments of silence that our faith is tested. Yet let us believe on in hope.

When you keep on praying and no answer seems to come by, it is the hope that God will listen and answer that gives you the ability to ask, seek, and knock without losing heart and courage. Persistent prayer and untiring enthusiasm to seek God’s face is what turns hope into reality.

The audacity to hope gives you the boldness in prayer to claim God’s promises. It says, along with King David, “You, O LORD, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light.” (Psalm 18:28). For it is when darkness surrounds us that we need to hope and trust in God all the more.

And it is when you have this kind of a buoyancy in hope or have optimistic faith that you see a small cloud the size of man’s hand rise on the horizon. It is just a small sign of the abundance of rain that is coming. And you can be assured that your prayers are being answered in response to your hope in God.

Yes, believe that hope in God will not leave you disappointed. You’ll certainly be a better man or woman for holding on to hope when despair clouded your mind. Yes, God is able to do immeasurably more than you ask or imagine.
And when the object of your hope is Jesus and his precious blood he shed on the cross for the forgiveness of your sins, there is the overflow of hope not only for this life but also for the life to come which is eternal. He is the greatest dealer and leader in hope the world has ever seen.

“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 5:5

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Sunday Sermonettes | Not Rejected and Forgotten but Loved and Accepted as You Are

Sunday Sermonettes #013

So many walk away to the edge because they have failed in life.
So many give up because no one seems to care.
So many find it difficult to handle rejection.
So many are unable to escape the mistakes they made while young.

There are others who have been cheated after having been given false promises. Life is a mess for many. Unable to break habits they are slaves to, many groan and cry in despair.

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Into this brokenness there walks in someone who was himself rejected, despised, wounded, bruised and forsaken.

To those who find it difficult to forgive themselves, he says, “Your sins are forgiven.” To those who are rejected, he opens his arms wide like when they were stretched out on the cross.

You are accepted just as you are no matter how much a mess you have made your life to be. He offers no easy answers. But he shares your pain. And he says, “My peace I give you.”

After all, at the end of the day, you need someone who understands; don’t you? Do not shun him thinking you are beyond help. There is no one else like him who comes to your help when you are hurting.

He never said, “I love you!” But Love was never on exhibit more plainly than when he was lifted up on the cross. He bled for you that you may belong to him. His promise to you is not an easy life but his presence with you in your troubles.

Yes dear friend, he walks in when everyone else has rejected you and walked out on you. His name is Jesus. He is your glorious hope who will make life shine bright once again for you.

Sunday Sermonettes | When You Feel Forgotten by God

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Sunday Sermonettes | God Is Holy and He Commands Us to Be Holy like He Is

Sunday Sermonettes #012

God Is Holy

I remember the emotion I felt when I read the first five books of the Bible for the first time. The realization that I stand in front of a holy God hit me with full force then.

Often we think of God as God is love. That is true. But the one unique thing about God is that he is holy.

I have no clue how to describe the holiness of God. In simple terms, he is separate from us because of his holiness. Glory, splendour, majesty, worship, awesome, beauty, unapproachable light; are all words that are associated with his holiness.

God’s Holiness is Incomparable

Often we compare ourselves with others and think, “I am better than him or her.” But God is inviting us to be holy like him. And it is impossible by any human effort.

Why? When Moses, who twice spent time with God forty days and nights on a mountain, asked God to show him God’s glory; he was told: “You cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live.”

Prophet Isaiah, likewise, had a vision of God seated on his throne and heavenly angels calling out to one another non-stop in his presence:

“Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.”

His response as he cried out was: “Woe to me! I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips.”

Simon Peter, who was a disciple of Jesus, had his first encounter with Jesus when his fishing boat was empty after a hard night’s toil in the sea of Galilee. Jesus told him to put his nets into deep water and there was a huge and miraculous catch of fish. Then Peter fell at Jesus’ knees and said: “Go away from me, Lord;  I am a sinful man.”

All these examples show us that not one of us qualifies to stand before God. The Bible says that all our righteous acts, which means all the good deeds that we do, are like filthy rags or really dirty clothes before God. They cannot earn us our salvation.

God’s Holiness Will Search Us Out

As we stand before God, his light will bring out all the hidden things in our heart and mind—even those things, minute things, that we might have forgotten. There is no escape. Every single thought; every single word; every act that we did will all be shown for what they truly are:

“Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.”

Can we stand before this holy God? No. There is a huge separation between God and us because of his holiness and because of our sinfulness.

God’s Holiness Demands Sacrifice of Sinless Blood

Therefore God himself made a way for us to approach him. He sent Jesus as a human being to bleed on the cross and die for all the sins that we have committed. As we look to Jesus and accept the truth that he died for you and me; God cleanses us from all our sins by his blood.

How is that possible? It is because Jesus lived a sinless life. And the sacrifice of his broken body and blood has all the merit in the world to give us the right to come before God without fear. For the Bible says,

“And without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.”

And since Jesus shed his sinless blood for you; that is the only way we can go to God who is holy. He is inviting us to be holy like he is.  As you look at your own sins; you might feel like giving up because being holy is impossible. But God is coming near to you in Jesus; loving you and accepting you just as you are.

God Is Commanding You and Me to Be Holy like He Is

But he won’t leave you just as you are today. He will work on you and put in your heart a desire to be holy like Jesus. And he will also make you holy like him.

That is why the Bible calls us to repent of our sins. In popular terms, it is like making a U-turn from the wrong way and moving on in the right way.

As we walk on the roads, dust and other dirt will definitely stick to us. And therefore we take a bath everyday. It is the blood of Jesus that washes us clean every moment from all sin in our lives so that we too can share in God’s holiness.

It is a process; and not just a one-time event. So the bible asks us to purify and cleanse  ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God. So let us fear God and shun all evil and constantly increase in desire to be holy like God.

“I am the LORD your God; consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am holy.”

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Sunday Sermonettes | God Motivates You to Cross the Finishing Line

Sunday Sermonettes #011

Can you expect to rise above your defeats? Yes you can, God helping you.

Can you find strength to go on in spite of all failures you have faced? Yes you can. For God’s Word says to you:

“Those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” 1

You might have made mistakes; but that is how life is. Not one of us is perfect; and it is foolish to think that all those who succeed do it perfect all the time.
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Now life for you might have slowed down; it might have even come to a standstill.

Hope might be at its last flicker. But there is a God who fans into flame the smoking wick.

He will not give up on those who think themselves failures.

He comes to give you strength. His love is neither weak nor sentimental. What he sees when he looks at you is unparalleled beauty arising out of what has been wrecked.

There is a voice of hope that whispers courage in your heart. He is asking, “What are you doing here lying down on a bed of despair, my child?”

You cannot lock yourself in your room and expect to hide from him. When he has business to do with you; he will walk right in. For he holds the key to your life; didn’t you know?

Your heartaches are his concern even when you think no one cares.

Never will he ask you to walk alone. You might not recognize his presence with you; for he loves to see you walk by faith and not by sight. He is there by your side when you are losing grip on the rocks you climb.

Still believe: When you have lost your strength and you feel that you can longer fly; he will lift you high. And make you climb the heights.

You can soar on wings like eagles on high for it is love that brings him near and touch your hurting life.

Never give up for there is a finishing line. And he is waiting there to see you cross the line.

It doesn’t matter you stumbled and fell many times. But all that now counts is that you did not lose faith in God who bled on the cross for you and did not lose sight of the finishing line.

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Accept Jesus Who Is the Gift of Christmas

Santa Claus brings gifts at Christmas. It reminds us of God’s gift of Jesus. Jesus came to bleed and die on the cross. It was to gift you with God’s forgiveness.

Now is the time to accept his gift. Just thank him for bleeding to death on the cross for you. Turn away from all evil and say Yes to the gift of eternal life. For he rose from the dead and lives forever.

Jesus loves you and accepts you for you are his child. Nothing can separate you from his love. So thank God for Jesus, the indescribable gift.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” — John 3:16 Bible

Sunday Sermonettes | How to Get Your Heart’s Desires God’s Way

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Sunday Sermonettes | I Know You: Nine Truths That God Says About You

Sunday Sermonettes #010


Before I formed you in the womb I knew you.

God knew you before anyone else knew you. It is an amazing foreknowledge. You were seen in his radar before any scan could see you.

I know you by name.

God calls each star by name. Such is his immense wisdom and power which holds them. And he is longing to be friends with you. To have a personal relationship with you. He, therefore, calls you by name and says, “You are mine.”

I know your thoughts.

When your heart is proud and unresponsive, he knows it. When your heart is broken and you are humble in your attitude, he knows it. He knows when you feel like a failure and he knows when you are nesting evil thoughts. Everything in your mind is laid open and bare before him.

I know your deeds.

Our system of evaluation is based on what we see. God’s standards are different. He weighs our deeds on a different scale. He looks at our motives and judges our deeds accordingly. Will you and I pass this test?

I know the plans I have for you.

When God’s people were in exile and captivity because of their sin, rebellion, and disobedience; he sent them a message through a prophet. God made a promise that after several decades he would bring them back to their own land. The plans he had were for their good; to prosper them, and not to harm them. His plans for you are also for good; to give you hope and a future even when your circumstances look hopeless today.

I make known the end from the beginning.

God often spoke through prophets and predicted events in the future. As he knows what lies ahead; it is wise to ask him to lead and guide you. He will not only guide you continually; but to the very end. His counsel is always wise and best. Therefore listen to his voice. You will hear him say, “This is the way, walk in it.”

I know your love for me.

The old fire has gone out. The romance is no longer there. You are doing lip service to me but your heart is not in it. What wrong did I do to you that you have forsaken your first love for me? Therefore return to me. I have loved you with an everlasting love. “Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken,” says your God.

I know your secret sins.

I know that you have tried to avoid them but have failed time and again. Your good deeds will not save you. Trust in the blood of my Son Jesus shed on the cross for you. You are clean and purified because of faith in his blood. Your heart is washed whiter than snow. So don’t be disheartened. Don’t be discouraged. Rise up from your bed of defeat. Walk away from evil. And be clothed in garments of praise.

I know your prayers.

God says: “I have heard your prayer and seen your tears.” He sees your unspoken desires; your inaudible groans, and silent lifting up of your heart to his throne of grace. He listens to your every sigh; and even what you are unable to share with your most intimate friend. Therefore do not lose heart. He is near you. He is with you. He is in you. And he is for you. He answers when you call. And he will show you great and mighty things you do not know in response to your prayers.
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Sunday Sermonettes | Your Heart’s Overflow Is What Your Mouth Speaks

Sunday Sermonettes #009


Do you consistently speak words of hope or do you speak words of despair? The power of words we use is immense. Some of their impact even time cannot erase.

But from where do words pour out? Jesus spoke the truth when he said: “For out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks.” Yes, speech is an outflow of the abundance of good or bad we store up in our hearts.

Words spoken do carry great power. In fact, the wise King Solomon said, “The tongue has the power of life and death; and those who love it will eat its fruit.” It is no secret that words affect us, influence our emotions, and colour our relationships.

So let us strive to build others up through our words. Let us encourage others; and let us avoid diminishing people in front of others. A little bit of kindness in our hearts can make the words we speak have a healing touch. It can become a lifeline of hope to a discouraged person.

But an empty vessel cannot pour out water. Likewise life-giving thoughts have to be stored up in our hearts to give life-giving words to others.

In other words, motivational speaking is effective only when the speaker is overwhelmingly thinking of uplifting the audience and painting for them the possibilities that life and the future holds for them.

His or her words should help the listeners look away from their current reality which might look like a wet blanket of despair to the future that is like a door wide open to what each of those persons can become.

Your words therefore can throw open God-gifted possibilities in the life of people. So store up God’s Spirit-filled wisdom in your heart; and your words will truly ignite hope for others. Let your mouth always speak the good, the lovely, and the inspiring that your heart is full of.

But inspiring words do not happen by chance. It has an intense and intimate connection with what our character truly is. And character is not formed in a day or two. It is shaped over the years.

For we are shaped not only by what we allow to influence us but also by what we make an honest effort to avoid. For if we avoid the baggage of words that are acidic like slander, gossip, and mocking others; our mouths will speak only of the beautiful things stored up in our hearts.

Then when we talk; our conversations will turn out to be pleasant; filled with kindness like food seasoned with salt. It will taste good and preserve relationships in contrast to having a bad taste and destroying others.

Let us therefore keep our eyes and ears open to store up good things in our hearts so that when we speak they will bring words of cheer, hope, and comfort out of the abundance stored up there.

“But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgement for every careless word they have spoken.” — Jesus Christ

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Sunday Sermonettes | Friend, Your Sins Are Forgiven

Sunday Sermonettes #008

Jesus told the paralyzed man “Friend, your sins are forgiven.” People were crowding around Jesus. So his friends had lowered him on a mat before Jesus from an opening made through the tiles in the roof of the house. They had faith that Jesus would heal him. And they were desperate to get him to Jesus.

It was clear to all that the man needed physical healing. Some of our needs are obvious like this. But when you come to Jesus, he often confronts you with a deeper and greater need than the physical. It is a need that nobody can help you with. It is your need to find forgiveness and peace with God.

When Jesus said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven,” the religious people who had gathered there began to think, “Who can forgive sins but God alone?” They were right. Only God could forgive the sins of any man or woman. But they failed to understand that Jesus was God in human flesh.

Knowing their thoughts, Jesus asked them whether it was easy to say, “Your sins are forgiven,” or to say, “Get up , take your mat and walk?”

It brings us to the question of authority.  The government or a bank can decide to cancel debts that individuals or organizations owe them. This is because they have the authority to do so. But when it comes to sins; no human agency or individual has the authority to forgive. It is an act of God’s mercy alone.

That also tells you there is nothing you can do to earn God’s forgiveness. No self-punishment, no pilgrimage, no acts of charity, no good deeds are enough. But if your heart is broken and you humbly seek God for his mercy; he will certainly forgive. Remember, no man or woman on earth can forgive sins. Only God alone can forgive.

And there is no limit to God’s forgiveness. There is no sin, however greatly it has stained your life, that God cannot forgive. Jesus shed his blood on the cross so that all can find forgiveness for their sins. He not only forgives when you tell your sins before him; but his blood also cleanses you from all sins.

Sometimes, you look at your own goodness and think there is no need for God’s forgiveness in your life. But is that true? The Bible declares, “There is no difference, for all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God.” And all of us know that there are thoughts, attitudes, words, and actions that are not right in my life and your life as well.

The point is that when such wrong things happen in our lives, you and I owe God a huge moral debt that not one of us can pay. The only solution is to take it to God and seek his forgiveness. Then, if you are truthfully earnest, God will tell you. “Friend, your sins are forgiven.” That settles it forever.

God hurls your sins into the depths of the sea and sweeps away your offenses like a cloud when he forgives you. Even though he has kept your secret sins in the light of his presence, when he forgives; he will remove them from you  as far as the east is from the west. How sweet and comforting to hear Jesus tell you: “Friend, your sins are forgiven!”
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Read more on the healing of the paralytic man in the Gospels of Matthew 9:2–8, Mark 2:1–12 and Luke 5:17–26.
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Sunday Sermonettes | Fall in Love with the Name of Jesus

Sunday Sermonettes #007

Each one of us has stared into the face of despair at some point in our lives. No hope. No one to say words of comfort. No one who understands. We, at such moments, question God’s care for us. But there is one Name that you can call upon at such times. It is the name of Jesus.

The name of Jesus brings to you God’s love and compassion. For God is merciful to those who call on him. When you speak the name of Jesus, all heaven is ready to come to your help and aid.

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Many people, even those who have not known Jesus as an intimate friend, have called upon the name of Jesus while in danger and have found help. The Bible says, “The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.” You find that true in the name of Jesus. Yes, there is divine protection in his name.

The name of Jesus is also a lover’s password. The more you love God, the more you fall in love with the name of Jesus. For in that name is contained the fullness of God’s being and character. When you speak the name of Jesus with love for him in your heart, it draws you close to God.

So fall in love with the name of Jesus. When he becomes the object of your thoughts and conversations, he draws near to you. There is no other name like the name of Jesus to release God’s love and power and authority in whatever situation you find yourself in. His name means your salvation.

For, the primary meaning of the name Jesus is that he will save his people from their sins. “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.” Your burdened heart because of guilt or shame of past sins will find a sweet medicine in the name of Jesus. His name is forgiveness if you are willing to turn away from wrong.

The Bible also says, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” So there is hope for you. There is healing in his name and deliverance from all kinds of oppression of your mind for God has given the name of Jesus extraordinary power and authority. Even demons are subject to the name of Jesus who made peace between God and you through his blood shed on the cross.

When you trust in the name of Jesus, you are moving from ignorance to truth, from darkness to light, and from death to life. When you trust in the name of Jesus, you receive a rich welcome to God’s family as his child.

Like how one of the thieves crucified along with Jesus became one. He said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, today, you will be with me in paradise.” Yes, today, now, this moment, you can become a child of God in Jesus’ name.

And when you are his child, prayers in his name are always heard and answered. It is a child’s privilege to ask; for there is freedom to access God the Father’s presence at all times. Be bold. Ask with confidence in the name of Jesus. It is God’s great joy to listen to you speak the name of his Son. And he will answer your prayers.

Finally, when you speak the name of Jesus and proclaim his name to your friends; there will come a change in you. Slowly but surely, you begin to capture the loveliness of the character of Jesus in you. So fall in love with the name of Jesus, the name that is above every name!
Sunday Sermonettes | The Glorious Hope of Seeing You in Jesus’ Likeness

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Watch Video on The Names of Jesus on YouTube
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Sunday Sermonettes | When Your Boat Is Caught in the Sudden Storm

Sunday Sermonettes #006


Life is like that. The calm of life is suddenly broken by the unexpected changes that come. And it is quite natural that we become afraid when our boat is caught in the storm.

Remember it was the same sea Jesus and his friends had travelled many times before. But the challenge of the storm this time was totally new. And all the wisdom of past experiences failed to give the friends courage in the sight of this present danger.

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As we look at this incident; there are many simple lessons we can learn from it:

One, just because Jesus is in the boat with you and me, doesn’t mean that the storm won’t come. Life’s struggles are common to all. Some storms do threaten to drown us. And being afraid is a normal reaction at such times.

Even though the friends of Jesus who were with him in the boat were experienced fishermen; they were afraid. They came to Jesus, sleeping on a cushion, woke him up and asked, “Teacher, don’t you care, if we drown?” For the waves threatened to sink the boat.

Second, Jesus sleeping is no sign that he does not care. Often, we expect him to do something in our desperate situations. And he seems to be totally not available to attend our frantic prayers and calls of distress.

At such times, it is quite natural to find fault with God for the troubles we face in life. But don’t ever forget that Jesus, the Son of God, is with us in our boat; even in the storm.

Third, we find the disciples waking Jesus up. It was after talking to the crowds and teaching them during the day that Jesus was sleeping. He, as a human being, was just like us. He became tired, hungry, and thirsty like any one of us.

But Jesus did not become angry with his friends for waking him up. He immediately got up and took care of the storm. So don’t you worry to call him 24 x 7 in any of your crises in life. He understands. And he helps because he too was caught in the storm.

Fourth, we find Jesus having authority over the winds and the waves. There is no situation or difficulty in our lives he is not able to handle.

When frightening situations seem to overwhelm and destroy us, our emotions will give us no rest. We will be tossed about on the rising waves. Yet, let us find courage in this true incident that Jesus is in control even when the circumstances are all against us, and threatening to drown us.

Again, one word from Jesus, the wind died down and it was completely calm. He stood up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet, Be Still.” The storm is not the end of the story. The command of Jesus is.

He, with you and me in the boat, is the greatest assurance we can have in life. He won’t throw you or me away. But will act when it is needed.

Finally, his question to his friends, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” is a challenge to each one of us. His friends had seen him do a lot of miracles. They had seen impossibilities turn to triumphant possibilities with Jesus. Yet the storm drove the wits out of them!

But when calm had come, the friends were terrified and they asked: “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!” The storm had rocked their boat; but it also made the friends of Jesus get a real glimpse of who he truly is.
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Based on Mark’s Gospel Chapter 4: Verses 35 to 41
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Sunday Sermonettes | Jesus Is Calling You: “Come, Follow Me”

Sunday Sermonettes #005


Jesus is calling you to himself. You cannot stay where you are to answer that call. You have to take a step forward. He is inviting you to a life of daring into the unknown. He is not promising you a bright future. He is simply promising himself.

Many people are disappointed because they look for material benefits when following Jesus. But Jesus pointed out that he had no place to rest his head unlike birds of the air which have nests and foxes which have holes or dens to retire to at the end of the day. So he was not promising an easy life to anyone who chose to follow him.

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Jesus also demands for himself the highest priority you can give when he invites and commands you to follow him. He is asking for your best love towards him. All other loves you have will appear like hate compared to your love for him. Perhaps this is hard to swallow.

Then look at role models; we have many. But when we look closely; there are so many things we find in them that can disappoint us. With Jesus, the more you look at him, the more you talk with him, the more you think of him, his loveliness only increases. He is not asking you to follow rules; he is simply calling you to follow him.

That also means that even when he seems to be absent in our struggles of life; he is always there. Though at times, he seems to have forsaken us; he is there. For he who said, “Come, follow me,” will not leave us or forsake us in times of our distress. He has gone ahead of us. Our role is to keep our eyes focused on him; and him alone.

Following Jesus can be a lonely journey at times. Some of your best friends might hate you because you follow Jesus. Your close relatives might not be as enthusiastic as you are in following Jesus. But Jesus is not calling you to follow him with a crowd. His call to you is personal.

Following Jesus demands that we focus on him; and try to avoid distractions. It is not easy. We are surrounded by gadgets that steal away much of our precious time. So to focus on Jesus, you need to make deliberate choices:

Instead of reaching out for your mobile to check for messages or updates the first thing in the morning; why not spend five minutes thanking God for the gift of a new day. Ask him for his help, presence, wisdom, and guidance to do all that you need to do that day.

“Come, follow me,” is both an invitation and a command. You are free to accept or disobey. The choice is entirely yours. But if you reject Jesus and his call; you are missing a journey along with the One who loved you and gave himself on the cross for you where he bled and died.

There are so many broad paths in this world that lead to destruction. But Jesus is inviting you to follow him along the narrow way and find life.

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Sunday Sermonettes | That First Question: “Where Are You?”

Sunday Sermonettes #004


“Where are you?” That was the first question God ever asked the first man and woman. Even now he is asking that question to you.

The question “Where are you?” is full of mercy. It shows that God has not given up on you. You might have made mistakes and also gone away from the right ways. God doesn’t want to lose you. So he is calling out to you.

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“Where are you?” God is asking because you belong. If you did not belong to God; he would not be searching for you. You have been lost. But God is coming after you to find you and celebrate it with joy. That is why Jesus said, “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.”

“Where are you?” God is asking not because he doesn’t know where you are hiding and why you are hiding from him. He already knows what you are thinking. He knows that you are afraid to face him. But he is asking the question to give you a chance to become friends with him again. Will you listen?

The question, “Where are you?” is so simple. But it has potential in it to bring you back to your senses. The question should make you think: “Am I now where I am supposed to be?” The question will help you to know that now there is an opportunity to return to the love of God. Those who will return to him; he accepts without finding fault.

The question, “Where are you?” is God calling out to you to come out of your hiding from him. He is hurt by your disobedience. But he is looking at you with love.

The question, “Where are you?” finally is a chance for you to be honest with God. It is easy to put the blame on others for your moral failure. But God’s question is an invitation to you to confess to God what you have wrongly thought, said, or done. And find in him a father’s love and a mother’s comfort.

Now what will be your response to God’s question? Will you come to God with a grateful heart, seeing that he cares for you and came to seek you? For the ultimate need of any man or woman is God’s forgiving love. You find that in Jesus, the Lamb of God, who came to reach out to you.

Remember, God is asking “Where are you?” not to the crowds, but to you as an individual. It is a very personal question; because he is concerned about you and cares for you.

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Sunday Sermonettes | An Unusual Introduction: Look the Lamb of God

Sunday Sermonettes #003


No one in all human history has been introduced to the public in this fashion. The forerunner of Jesus, John the Baptist, cried out when he saw him: “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.” The question is what does this intro mean to you?

First of all, it is an invitation. To look closely at this person.

He is described as a Lamb. Gentle. Not rebelling and crying out against all the sufferings inflicted on him as he was led to the cross. To bleed and die for all of us.

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Secondly, lambs were used for sacrifice. An innocent animal’s blood had to be shed for God to turn away from punishing someone who had done wrong. The Bible calls all wrongdoing and rebellion against God, sin.

When the forerunner said, “Look, the Lamb of God,” he was saying to the people that all those animal sacrifices in the past were looking forward to this Man sent from God to die for all.

Thirdly, he was like a sacrificial lamb roasted over the fire as God’s judgement and wrath against all our sins fell on Jesus on the cross.

In that sense, Jesus is your substitute. He died in your place. The punishment for all your sins that should have rightly come upon you; the whole of it came upon him. Yes, the Lamb of God has taken away your punishment.

Finally, in the sacrificial system, a lamb that was to be sacrificed had to be without blemish, without spot, and without defect of any sort. So the priest would examine a lamb carefully to make sure it is perfect before sacrificing it.

The invitation to you is to look and examine this Man closely. What is the fault you can find in him? If you can’t find any; look to him in faith. It was sacrificial love for you that took him to the cross. If that doesn’t prove that God loves you; nothing else will.

One look of faith is enough to fall in love with him.

“Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.”

Above all, we are called to look beyond time and into the heavens to see and experience the mighty thundering songs of praise, adoration, and worship that belongs to the victorious Lamb of God who has triumphed:

“Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honour and glory and praise.”

Yes, in heaven, the songs of praise revolve around the Lamb who bled and died to remove our sins from us.

“To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honour and glory and power, for ever and ever!” “Amen.”

“Hallelujah!

For our Lord God Almighty reigns,

Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory!

For the wedding of the Lamb has come.”

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This post was last updated on 6th February 2025.

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Sunday Sermonettes: Let There Be Light

Sunday Sermonettes #002

The first words God spoke: “Let there be light.” He can speak that word again in your darkness. It might be chaos at the moment in your life. There might be despair. And you might be losing hope. It happens like that sometimes. But when God speaks, there will be light.

We, who are used to seeing the darkness, often tremble in fear. But that is precisely when the Spirit of God hovers over you just as he did over the waters and darkness that was over the surface of the deep at the beginning of Creation. He prepares the circumstances so that when God speaks the word, there will be light.

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Light that God causes to shine will dispel all your doubts. It will reassure you of his unfailing love for you. It will guide you. It will never shine a beam across the years; but enough light to guide you one step at a time.

Light that God causes to shine in your life will cancel all negativity. The more you have been in darkness the more your thinking has become tuned to failure and defeat. You might have counted yourself useless and might have lost your self-esteem. All these will bow down to the might of the light that God speaks to come to pass in your life.

Therefore hold on to hope. No darkness in your life is beyond God’s light. The Bible says about God that even darkness is as light to him. I read somewhere of a time when a cave inside the ocean depths invited the sun to come and experience the power of darkness inside it. One day, the sun came and stepped inside the cave and asked: “Now, where is your darkness?” Oh, it is just like that when God steps into your situation of darkness!

The night might have stretched long for you. But joy comes in the morning. Light will break. Invite God to speak a word of hope in your life: “Let there be light.” When God said those words, the Bible says, “And there was light.” God is unstoppable.

You need to believe that God is willing to help you. Don’t dictate how he should do so. Leave the methods to him. He is a God of creativity and joy. Let him speak light to blaze in your darkness in a way that surprises you; beyond all that you could ask or imagine or pray for.

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Sunday Sermonettes: In the Beginning

Sunday Sermonettes #001

The opening verse of the Bible does not introduce God. He needs no introduction. He was, is, and always will be.

He created everything out of nothing. He created everything with a purpose.

The heavens are vast. They are beyond the stretch of human imagination and its ends beyond discovery.

But the earth he created for you. That you may know him and love him. He does not yield to your intellect. Because your intellect is like a spoonful of water beside the oceans. You cannot know him with your intelligence.

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Like every kingdom has a currency; the kingdom of God too has a currency. It is faith. Therefore the Bible says that “By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.”

This faith is more personal when it comes to the cross of Jesus. When the world demands that we find God through knowledge and wisdom; God says find me through my message of foolishness.

The cross of Jesus is the message of foolishness. Why? Because the cross says you can have a new beginning in your life by simply looking to Jesus in faith.

He shed his precious blood there for you; that you might find peace with God. Yes, you can be friends with God right now as you look to the cross and put your faith in the Son of God who bled and died for your sins.

When you trust in him who lives forever, he makes you a brand new creation. It is a new beginning for you. For he puts his own life within you.

Circumstances might not change but the power of this new life will give you the lift to fly above all that pulls you down. You too can enjoy this new beginning in life.

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This Day Choose

Lady with a lighted lamp

This Day Choose to be positive in spite of setbacks and disappointments that have come your way.
This Day Choose to lend a helping hand to someone who needs your presence or encouraging words even when you are hurting within.
This Day Choose hope even when all your circumstances make it look like you are alone without help in a desert.
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This Day Choose to stand with the truth though it is painful even when it seems easy to speak a lie and get away with it.
This Day Choose to show mercy to others about whom many are speaking slander and gossip.
This Day Choose to love your loved ones even when they are unlovable in their attitudes, words, and actions.Yes, it is all a choice.
We choose to love God or reject him. We choose to bless with our words or wound with our tongue. We choose life or we choose death with the choices we make. We choose what is of the earth and passing away or we choose what is eternal and lasting forever. 
If we don’t choose; we do by habit what we chose the first time when confronted with choices. So change your choices.
Thus change your habits. Thereby, change your life and destiny.

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The Pleasures of Reading

“Some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed, and some few to be chewed and digested.”

Respected Teachers and my dear friends,

Today as I speak on the pleasures of reading, the first thought that comes to my mind is from Francis Bacon. As he said, reading is like tasting and enjoying your favourite food. It gives immense pleasure. As food nourishes your body; reading refreshes and strengthens your mind.

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The second pleasure of reading is that of knowledge. Reading exposes our mind to different cultures and languages of the world. It is through reading that we connect with people across the world and participate in their lives drama; through their sorrows and joys; their despair and dreams.

The third pleasure of reading is that of inspiration. Biographies of great men and women tell us that most of them became great because of the inspiration they got from reading books especially during their childhood days. So also, as we read, our minds are ignited with hope and courage, with cheer and determination to make our lives count and leave footprints on the sands of time.

The fourth and last point I would like to communicate regarding the pleasure of reading is that of entertainment. Novels, short stories, poems, travelogues, even comics and cartoons entertain our minds. It helps us relax. More than that it engages our mind in a way nothing else does. Our imagination is ignited when we read. We become co-creators of stories as we animate the stories we read in our minds. It is definitely a healthy exercise for the mind.

Let me conclude now by saying that books continue to be written and published because people continue to read and be entertained and inspired. Reading is one of the healthiest entertainments a man or woman can have. I am sure the pleasure of reading will continue to ignite hope in countless lives even like a thousand points of light twinkling in the night sky.

Thank you

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Your Best Yes Can Be a No

It is impossible to grow in your career without being able to say No. If you say Yes all the time, that means you are being a people-pleaser. It means that you are not focused. It again means that you don’t set priorities. It also means others don’t respect your boundaries or are not even aware of them.

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If you say Yes to everything; you are going to bleed your time, energy, resources, and money for the tasks others are responsible for. That means others easily make you work for them for nothing. A Yes man or woman does not realize that he or she is an individual worthy of respect and esteem like anyone else.

Now the question is how can you say No. You might be afraid that you will hurt people if you say No. That might be true. But we are not talking about saying No to genuine requests for help. Instead, you need to ask questions to find out the real intent of people asking for favours from you. If you discover that, you will be shocked to know that what they said to you to get things done was not sincere but only a mask to conceal the real motive of manipulating you.

Often there are people who want to get things done by dumping the task on the head of someone who is weak-willed. That is not delegation but just making use of you to get them some leisure time.

Now be courteous when you say No. Tell them you have more urgent priorities to deal with at the moment. Point out to them some other method or resource or help they can seek.

A No response comes from your realization of what you are called to do in life. The more you grow as a professional the more focused you should become. That can happen only if you learn to say No to anything that distracts from what you are converging in on life.

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Don’t You Quit

There is great power in 3 things when you think about Don’t You Quit:

First of all, trust in God. When things look hopeless and no one is in a position to help you and no door seems to open, God is still there. He is ever willing to help you. So hold on in faith. Don’t you quit.

Secondly, trust in the dream God has given you. There might be things that have gone wrong. You might have made mistakes and have had your share of failures. But the good Lord who put the dream in your heart wants to see it fulfilled. So sharpen your skills, raise your vision to higher goals, and bless people through your efforts. Hold on in faith. Don’t you quit.

Thirdly, trust that a comeback is possible for you. Don’t lie down. Don’t give in to despair. It might take longer than you think. Progress might be painfully slow. But every step you take is forward. Every failure is just going to increase your resolve to succeed. So hold on in faith. A comeback will truly showcase to the world how God showed mercy to you. Don’t you quit just at the verge of victory.
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This post was inspired by the Movie HOOVEY | INSPIRATIONAL TRUE STORY | PATRICK WARBURTON

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Meet the Risen Jesus

Hope came to this world like never before when Jesus rose alive from the dead. That hope is yours for the taking.

Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, gifts you his peace and his constant presence. “I am with you always,” is his assurance. Let that promise drive away your fear.

Doubt no longer. Death has been conquered. It has been swallowed up in his victory. His life has triumphed over death.

Therefore be filled with joy. Let hope arise in your hearts. For Jesus lives! The Risen Jesus shows you the same compassion he showed to all while he walked on earth. His love for you is everlasting.

So fear not. You too will live. The blood that he shed on the cross has made peace between you and God. Now there is nothing that stands between God and you. Your sins have been washed away. You stand clean before God.

Without doubt, the resurrection of Jesus challenges us to answer the question “Where am I headed to?” Is it to heaven? Or to hell? On your life’s busy road he stands: asking you to repent, turn away from evil, and choose life. The gate is small and the road, he said, is narrow. But it leads to eternal life.

Therefore say yes to Jesus, the Son of God; the Crucified and Risen One; King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

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Saturday Awaits a Sonrise

Sad Woman

Saturday is when nothing seems to happen. That is the day Jesus lay dead in the tomb. But that was not the end. The Sonrise was about to happen. And it will happen in your life too. Have hope.
Jesus died in weakness. He bled to death on a cross. It was our sins and it’s due punishment that he carried on himself. On Saturday he lay dead in a tomb.
Saturday stands for our hopes being dashed. This happens in our lives. It’s a time we feel helpless and despair. It’s a time we see no way ahead. For God whom we thought will help seems far away.
Yet Saturday is that time of silence and darkness that the Spirit of God is at work the most. He is preparing to show his mighty power on our behalf.
Have you locked yourself up in your own discouragement? Weeping may remain for a night but rejoicing comes in the morning said King David. He knew that Saturday awaits a Sonrise. Then the power of God will be unleashed in your life.
And you will rise up in God’s strength from all your defeats. For the Son of God has risen from the dead. And there will be the same Sonrise in your life with better hopes, better dreams, and better tomorrows.
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From Death to Life on Good Friday

People Walking Road

Someday soon each one of us will stand before God. Then the only hope is what you decided about the Man bleeding on the cross for you.
For the blood of the cross of Jesus holds an attractive power nothing else on earth can match.
It is not only the central truth of all human history but also the life-giving power in every human soul as well.
It is love on public display calling you and me to see God’s judgement and wrath fall on the Son of God.
He took all the punishment of our sin and rebellion against God upon his body and gave himself for us. Why?
Because of his love for you. Because you as an individual is so precious in his eyes. Because he wants to gift you God’s forgiveness for all your sins and rebellion against him.
Therefore, come to the blood of the cross and pass over from death to life.

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Overflow with Hope

Soaring Eagle

Hope is in short supply in today’s world. But let me remind you of how to overflow with hope. If you are feeling tired and having no strength; if you feel powerless and weak; hold on. Even if you think God has forgotten you; don’t give up. For this promise of God from Isaiah 40:31 is for you:
“But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

What does this promise mean to you today? First of all, it reminds you to focus on God and not your problems. You have to hope in the Lord. You have to make a deliberate effort to turn your eyes away from all your troubles and failures and focus on God and his great power, mighty strength, and infinite wisdom.

Secondly, when you hope in the Lord, you will start to expect God to act in your life. Faith will begin to rise in your hearts. For the Bible says in Hebrews 11:1 that “faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” This kind of hope is not wishful thinking. Instead, it is based on God’s promise and assurance in our lives that he will not leave us nor forsake us.
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Thirdly, when you hope in the Lord, there is bound to be action. There will be renewal of strength. You will soar on wings like eagles; you will run and not grow weary, and you will walk and not be faint. Therefore, cheer up. Take heart. Make God the focus of your thoughts. And strength will flow into your lives.

Finally, many people lose hope today as they focus on their past sins, present failures, and future worries. See, the blood of Jesus has the power to cleanse you from all your past sins, redeem your life from present failures, and keep your mind in perfect peace as you hope and trust in him.

So be filled with hope today. As Paul wrote in Romans 15:13, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Let your cup overflow with hope today. God has heard your prayers and seen your tears. From the ashes of your defeat, hope will rise. And God will act on your behalf. Therefore, look to the God of hope today.

Read “Those who hope in me will not be disappointed,” on LinkedIn.
Isaiah 49:23
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January 2024 Inspirational Words & Images

Treasure box

January 1, 2024 | Hope

Welcome 2024 with hope in God. Out of loss in previous years; there can yet come a sprout out of the stump left.

Photo courtesy: Engin Akyurt on Pexels

January 2, 2024 | Treasure Hunt

Life is a treasure hunt. You need to restrain restless pursuit of the things of the world to find things of true value.

Photo by Suzy Hazelwood on Pexels | Microsoft Designer

January 3, 2024 | Taste

What adds taste to life is not salt, sugar, or pepper; but love and togetherness. Even in simple dishes, they add abundance.

Image courtesy: Microsoft Designer

January 4, 2024 | Mirrors

Mirrors don’t tell truth; they only tell us what we like to hear. We look at mirrors that show us our smiling best; but shun God’s Own Mirror which show us as our hearts truly are.

Photo courtesy: Andrea Piacquadio on Pixels | Microsoft Designer

January 5, 2024 | Prayer

We pray to God to change our negative circumstances. But God often gifts you grace and courage to rise above them. He first of all makes you bold before he changes difficult situations. Therefore never lose heart; never lose hope. Keep on praying. God hears. God answers.

Image generated by Microsoft Designer.

January 6, 2024 | Failures

Do not wallow in self-pity when you fail. Instead, look up and rise up now out of your bed of despair. Trust God. There is hope for your tomorrow.

Photo courtesy: Robert Kozakiewicz on Pexels | Microsoft Designer

January 7, 2024 | Be Still

There are moments in life when the best thing to do is to remain still and trust God to do the impossible. Then it becomes Himpossible.

Photo by Ken Cheung on Unsplash | Microsoft Designer

January 8, 2024 | Space Exploration

Each scientific discovery tells us how small we human beings truly are. The stunning progress of Science and Technology, especially in Space exploration in recent years; should move us to worship God the Creator, who gave us life: for his holiness, greatness, wisdom, mighty power, majesty, and glorious splendour.

The vastness of unending Space; its marvellous beauty; its stillness and laws that govern the perfect order in which stars and planets move; speak volumes of God’s incomparable greatness.

It is not scientific spirit that rejects God or deny his existence; but simply our pride that does not accept our smallness.

Photo of Solar Eclipse by Bryan Goff on Unsplash | Microsoft Designer

January 9, 2024 | Hope in God

God says, “Those who hope in me will not be disappointed.”

Photo by Frank Cone on Pexels | Microsoft Designer

Click here to read full article, How to Overflow with Hope.

January 10, 2024 | Gossip

When we listen to gossip, it can crush someone like this beautiful and innocent butterfly. Say a deliberate NO when people tell you negatively flavoured stories of others. Imagine if the story is about you. How would you feel? You can make this world a better place by refusing to listen to gossip. Yes, you can!

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January 11, 2024 | Winning

Winning at the highest level of competitions is all about: One, a burning desire to win, and Two, staying calm under pressure. Without these two; all hard work, game plan, practice, and fan support will go wasted.

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January 12, 2024 | Professional and Personal Growth

God’s best work of art in us comes through cutting away like how grape vines are pruned to produce luxuriant fruit. What are we willing to put the chisel to in our lives that even when producing pain will enable growth and fruitfulness?

Photo courtesy: Kai-Chieh Chan on Pixels | Microsoft Designer

January 13, 2024 | New Every Morning

We all fail miserably at times. And then we feel like giving up and calling ourselves failures. But God is willing to gift you yet another chance; always. For “his compassions never fail. They are new every morning.”

Image courtesy: Photo by pressthebutton on Pixels | Microsoft Designer

January 14, 2024 | Your Look Matters

So many of our thoughts start with seeing. Therefore it is important to keep an eye on what we look at. If we look too long at what is not rightfully ours; it can lead to coveting. And that can explode like a volcano; destroying trust and relationships.

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January 15, 2024 | Smile

Never forget to smile; never fail to shine a ray of hope with your smile. For you are counted richer than a billionaire if you can gift a smile.

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January 16, 2024 | Mockers

Many sit in the seat of mockers in today’s world. They try to outsmart their competitors by laughing at their expense and making fun of them. But it won’t last long. Mockers will surely fall one day.

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January 17, 2024 | Simple Words

Simple words can have great impact in communication. “I have good news for you,” need not be said as; “The report that I am going share with you is profound and impactful.” Simplicity in choice of words hides greatness within it. So, go for simple words when you communicate.

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January 18, 2024 | God Remembers You

When troubles come; it is easy to lose heart and get discouraged. But the Hebrew Poet and King David found comfort that God stores all his tears in a bottle, writes them on a scroll, and keeps a record of them. Let us be thankful that God values each one of us as individuals; and he remembers our tears.

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January 19, 2024 | Do Not Be Apologetic

You might have heard many speakers begin saying, “I’m not thoroughly prepared,” or “I am not knowledgable about this topic; but will still try to say a few words,” or something apologetic like this. Why spoil audience expectations like this? Instead, start positively and with joy and the audience will echo the same to you quickly.

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January 20, 2024 | God Cares for You

So many of us worry to death each day. The only antidote to worry is to trust in our Heavenly Father who cares for even a sparrow no one is worried about a bit at all.

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January 21, 2024 | Postpone Death If You Can

Almost anything can be postponed; except the day of death. That surely is a compelling reason for mindful living today.

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January 22, 2024 | The Blood of Jesus

The blood of Jesus on the cross is the greatest hope ever gifted to all.

A poem written on Good Friday, April 6, 2012.

January 23, 2024 | Running On Track

It is not speed, power, or efficiency; but what is more fundamental is whether you are running on track? Planets, stars, and galaxies obey heaven’s laws and follow their God-ordained orbits and there is order, harmony, and peace. So run on the track assigned and find success.

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January 24, 2024 | Follow Up

Call it leadership, management, or plain common sense, “follow up” is what gets things done. Neglect it at home, office, or anywhere else; and you’re undone.

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January 25, 2024 | We Speak What Our Hearts Are Full Of

Jesus said, “For out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks.” We have felt the power of angry words bursting forth at us from someone.

Often daily, we too hurt others with words. These are no accidents. It is coming from what we have stored up in our hearts.

Let us try to store good so that what spills out from our mouths even in angry moments are gentle words. Is it difficult? Yes. Is it impossible? No. Let us give it an honest try even though we have failed multiple times in this regard in our speaking.

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January 26, 2024 | Authority and Power

Authority and power are given. It is wise to use them with humility; for it is God who changes times and seasons.

Image by Stephanie Albert on Unsplash | Microsoft Designer

January 27, 2024 | A Matchstick Can

You can be a simple matchstick. Yet you can light many torches. Do not look at your insignificant appearance. But look at what God can do through you.

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January 28, 2024 | Valentine Gift Heart Love

There is power in love. Not many forget the first time you met true love! Here’s a story of love lifting up someone from the slimy pit; and restoring that person to dignity. Lavished love! Amazing love! Everlasting love!

Read it here: My Heart I Give to You, Oh, My Valentine!

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January 29, 2024 | Failures Come Because You Don’t Aim High

Some failures, though not all, happen because your goals are meek. Set your standards higher than normal. And that will help to bring out the best in you. Even if you fail then, you would have outshined your previous best. No failure is final when you have the guts to dare an audacious goal.

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January 30, 2024 | Take a Short Break

Long hours of intense coding can break you. Take short breaks in between. For your code matters; but your life and health matters most.

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January 31, 2024 | Forgiven Much, Love Much!

Forgiveness is the true colour of love. When God forgives, he asks no questions why you sinned or failed? He only asks, “Do you love me?” If you are forgiven much, you can love him much more!

Peggy_Marco on Pixabay | Microsoft Designer

 

These are inspirational words & images originally published on LinkedIn in January 2024. They are short snippets of wisdom motivating you to better living. They are words of hope.

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Our Daily Bread

“Give us each day our daily bread,” is a simple prayer Jesus taught us to pray.

First of all it is a child-like prayer to God our Father in heaven. A child simply expects his or her father to provide. It is an expression of trust in the love relationship between a child and father.

Secondly, it is a community prayer. It is not give me and my family our daily bread. Instead, it is a prayer for others included. We are taught to shun selfishness and embrace others’ needs too in our prayers and action.
Blood Jesus Cleanse

Thirdly, it teaches us not to take anything for granted. We may have money and purchasing power. But food and our ability to enjoy its taste is God’s gift.

Fourthly, it teaches us to be thankful. There are many who thank God before they eat. It shows us that we should not forget the Giver of good gifts when we receive them.

Fifthly, daily is a key word. Life is, and should be lived one day at a time. The present moment is of great importance. We should not be paralyzed by our yesterdays nor should we be worried and anxious about our tomorrows.

Sixthly, bread is a result of man’s labour, toil, and sweat. It is a reminder to work hard with sincerity and earn one’s bread. Idleness is not part of God’s economy. When you work with professional excellence, you are being part of the answer to your prayers.

Finally, daily bread can also remind us about feeding on God’s Word each day morning; which nourishes and strengthens our spirit. It can satisfy us more than our daily food.

“Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you.” — John 6:27 Bible

Read Our Daily Bread article on LinkedIn

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A Child’s Dream About the Future

A child will always dream about the future and I am no exception. I wish to make myself a success in future. My dream today is to become a doctor. I would like to be a child specialist. This is because I love children. To be able to care of children will give me great joy because it not only helps the children but also helps the parents as well.

Blood Jesus Cleanse

To become a Paediatrician I will study hard. I will focus sharply on my goal and will not allow distractions like movies and video games to sidetrack me from my goal.

The next step that I will take is to find out about the best medical colleges in India as well as outside the country where I can study. Learning about such colleges will inspire me and keep me motivated to achieve my goal.

But the best motivation to me comes from the joy of seeing the smiles on children’s faces whom I will treat. A child helped means that I have touched the destiny of that child. If there are healthy children that means there is a healthy tomorrow. It means that there will be people to lead the future.

Then my goal becomes more meaningful. So let me conclude by saying that I wish to become a Paediatrician in the future and bring health, healing and lovely smiles to all young children. This is my dream and my future.

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Are You Unhappy at Work?

Smiling Woman Computer

There is every chance that the title resonated with the pain in your heart; isn’t it? Many people are unhappy at work. Why is it so? There are no easy answers. But let us try to know what can be the reasons and perhaps how to try to get the better of them.

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One, probably your immediate boss is your primary problem.

Always finding fault, always pressurizing you to meet deadlines, perhaps shouting at you occasionally might best describe this person. These are negatives, no doubt about that. At the same time, try to see all this as helping to push you beyond your limits to be the best you can be. This change of perspective can take the focus away from the negative boss to the positive process of growth that is happening for good.

Secondly, your passion might be somewhere else and your heart is there.

There are compromises we all make to meet current realities related to meeting our personal and family needs. No need to become frustrated about that. You need to wait patiently till the pressure of current needs are met and then you can think of switching to a new career or try to talk with your management to help you be in a role that bests suits your talent and passion.

Thirdly, it can be a toxic work environment, a bad work culture, or even your nosey colleagues that can be the problem.

There are no easy answers here. But for the sake of argument, let me say that you will always meet people who create trouble everywhere you go. Learn to avoid being with people who are potential volcanoes waiting to erupt. When they try to pry into your personal lives; don’t fly off the handle but instead with a gentle smile try to steer the topic away to something that is currently in the news. Not easy, but definitely doable.

Fourthly, it can be that you are too focused on the pay packet.

It can be less compared to others like you in other Companies or someone junior to you has been hired with a greater salary than yours. Both are hard to digest. One way to see your job is to see the big picture. If you can find meaning in your work because of the impact and influence it has on people it can make your burden light. Monetary rewards will come when you excel. Focus on excelling in your work even if your salary is not unto expectations at this time.

Fifthly, it can easily be a problem with work-life balance.

Personal and family needs and dull daily routines can take away your happiness at work. But life is real and not a fantasy. Problems are real and can lay their weight heavily on your mind. Try to see if some chores can be delegated. Try better prioritization of tasks and time management. Try talking with your friends. Take some deliberate time for yourself each day and spend it on your hobby. See, most people never ever get started on what they wish to get done in life. Get started now. Even if it is 5 minutes a day.

Sixthly, probably you are carrying someone else’s monkey on your back.

This concept was originally proposed by William Oncken Jr. in a Harvard Business Review article way back in 1974. It is a powerful image pointing to a daily reality at work. You might be saying yes to requests for help coming from others. There is nothing wrong with helping others. But consider whether they are just putting their monkey on your back and taking life easy. You should learn to help without carrying the burden. A gentle, firm, honest No to not-so-genuine requests can make life happier for you at work.

Finally, let me conclude by pointing out something we are all guilty of. Lack of gratitude.

So many of us take things for granted in life. Our loved ones, a home, a job, means of travel, good health etc., are some of the things that we don’t think much about. See, there is much in life we can be thankful to God for. An attitude of thanks and praise to God is a sure way to bring back joy and happiness in your work and keep the hope of a better tomorrow alive.

You can read Are You Unhappy @ Work on LinkedIn
Featured image courtesy: Photo by Andrea Piacquadio: Pexels.com