Martha opens her house for Jesus and makes herself busy trying to prepare; probably a meal. See, hospitality was held in high esteem in the culture of those days. The story says that she was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. It leads us to the “Great Kitchen Debate. Distraction or Devotion Which Is Better?”
Now she had a sister named Mary. She came and sat at Jesus’ feet listening to his words. This troubles Martha. She comes and asks Jesus, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me.”
This seems to be a normal complaint and request in this context. One person is doing all the work. The other is simply chatting with the guest. Martha feels herself a victim left alone to do all the work.
Don’t you also feel like complaining when others seem to take it easy while you alone shoulder the burdens at work, whether it be home or office?
The Response: Nailing the Problem Which Is Lack of Focus
What makes this normal situation different is Jesus’ response: “Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
Jesus is not finding fault with Martha’s hospitality. But Jesus is pointing out that she is worried and upset about many things. The language that Jesus used tells us about a person being pulled in different directions at the same time. There seems to be a lack of focus.
Isn’t it typical of many of us? Aren’t we pulled in many different directions when it comes to work? When that happens, can you stop for a moment and try to prioritize. Look at what is urgent and of utmost importance at that point in time. Then focus on that one thing. It will make a difference.
Which Is Better: Distraction or Devotion
Jesus is trying to point out to Martha that her value in life does not come from what she does. God does not give us marks according to our performance even though he has promised many crowns and rewards to his faithful followers.
Jesus is present in her house. He was welcomed as the guest. Yet Martha is now very busy, distracted with preparations, her many tasks, and much serving.
She failed to value his presence. She failed to value his words—his words which Peter once described as words of eternal life (John 6:68). More than that she feels herself to be a victim of the situation when she could have had the joy of having the companionship of the Son of God in her home.
Martha is someone with great faith as her extraordinary declaration of who Jesus is shows (John 11:27) while at another time she conversed with Jesus by the grave of her brother Lazarus. But on this occasion, she is making her kitchen the greater priority.
Always put people first and tasks below them in your priority list whether at home or the office. You will be blessed and you will be a blessing in doing so.
God Is Valuing Your Companionship Not Your Busyness
We live in a fast paced world. We are busy all the time. We are dominated by the chores of life and its dull routines. Unless you make a deliberate effort to sit at Jesus’ feet, you will miss him altogether even when he is present with you.
Jesus in his response to Martha tells her that the better choice is devotion. Spending quiet and quality time with him is more important than attempting to do something for him.
So many of us are trying to do things for him. He doesn’t find fault with that. But he is asking us not to lose focus. Not to miss the better thing.
Life’s moments might not repeat themselves. So when you are with someone who loves you and cares for you, give him or her the fullest attention you can possibly give. That is the better thing than the good things you might be able to do for them.
Choose Devotion: Spending Time with Jesus
When was the last time you enjoyed the presence of God in your life? It is not something dramatic. It can happen in the kitchen in the ordinary routines of life. Just think on God. Thank him and praise him. Tell him you love him.
Will you not take a few moments to stop and talk with Jesus. In the words of Robert Frost,
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
Choosing to spend time with Jesus who bled and died for you on the cross is a choice very few make on a daily basis. That is a road that is less travelled by. But if you choose to go that way, the way of love, adoration, worship, and devotion; it will make all the difference.
It was the time we had planned to prayerfully celebrate the 85th birthday of Bishop Jesudasan (February 14, 2010) with family members. I then had a desire to publish a Coffee Table Book that would compile photographs capturing the most significant and finest moments of the Bishop’s life and ministry. I thought it would serve as an inspiration for future generations.
For several days, I visited him at his home, trying to understand and document the defining moments of his official life.
During one such conversation, Bishop Jesudasan mentioned that during the LMS (London Missionary Society | Later renamed the Council for World Mission) bicentenary celebration in London in 1995, around the theme “Dare to Dream,” only three people were given the opportunity to speak at a special gathering. during the event. One of them was Queen Elizabeth of England. Another was Bishop Desmond Tutu, representing the African continent. And the third was Bishop Jesudasan, representing the Asian continent.
With great enthusiasm I asked my Uncle, “Do you have a photograph of that moment?”
His response deeply disappointed me: “Hey, we don’t go there to speak while thinking about taking photos!”
A man who never sought to preserve even a single photograph to showcase his own greatness—that was Bishop Jesudasan!
Bishop Jesudasan
Bishop Jesudasan. That was how people lovingly called the late Most Rev. Dr. I. Jesudasan, who exhibited excellence in leadership in his ministry during his tenure as member of the Central Committee of World Council of Churches (WCC) (1983-1991), as Deputy Moderator (1980-’81) and then Moderator of the Church of South India (CSI) for three consecutive terms (1982 to 1988), and as the 3rd Bishop of South Kerala Diocese for 17 years regarded as the golden period in its history (1973 to 1990).
It was a period of holistic growth—spiritual, material, and social—for the diocese. Bishop Jesudasan, who exhibited brilliant and exceptional leadership in his ministry, led this growth from the front.”
Bejoy Peter delivering sermon on the occasion of the 100th birthday of Bishop Jesudasan
The sermon I had the joy, honour, and privilege of delivering on the occasion of the 100th birthday of Bishop Jesudasan, my Uncle, at the St. Luke’s CSI Church, Kariyilthottam, Amaravila, a village in Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday 16th February 2025, focused on the prayer life of Bishop Jesudasan. This church stands where his ancestral home had been and as his last wish it was deeded to the diocese to. build a church.
Excellence in Servant Leadership
Bishop Jesudasan considered himself a servant of Jesus. That is what is name means in his native tongue Malayalam. He found courage in the words of St. Paul, “We are fools for Christ” (1 Cor. 4:10). He showed no interest whatsoever in gaining anything for himself or acquiring fame. He never sought honour for himself. But God exalted this ordinary man, a humble servant of God, in extraordinary ways. Positions and honours sought him out.
Yet in spite of all that we consider his phenomenal achievements in church leadership, ecumenical and social standing; he asked that his tombstone bear the words from the Gospel of Luke (17:10). And also inscribe the words “An unworthy servant of the Lord, falls into they loving hands” along with it.
Bishop Jesudasan’s tombstone in M. M. Church Cemetry, LMS Compoiund, Thiruvananthapuram.
Excellence in Democratic Leadership
During his tenure as Bishop, he always gave space to everyone who had something to say, allowing them to share their opinions on the topic under discussion. He came to meetings well-prepared on the agenda items and listened attentively to those who held opposing views.
After everyone had their say, he would finally rise to speak. If someone attempted to interrupt him at that moment, he remained firm and, with decisive authority, declared, “Now the Bishop is speaking.” Those who tried to heckle him would then recognize his true leadership and settle down.
The Writing on the Wall of Time | Fiery Words
When he was the Moderator of the CSI (Church of South India), during a Synod (the highest decision-making body) meeting, some strongly argued that bishops should not retire. They reasoned that, like in other church denominations, CSI bishops should remain in office until death, as this would bring a sense of permanence to the role of a bishop. A heated, intense vocal debate ensued. What brought this debate to a decisive conclusion was the historic response given by Bishop Jesudasan.
Bishop Jesudasan. with his firmness and insight, spoke words that can be called the “writing on the wall of time”—fiery words worth noting:
“Are you permanent? Am I permanent? None of us is permanent.”
Later, in a private conversation, Bishop Jesudasan reflected on this decision, saying, “We must step aside for the new generation. Only they can move forward at the pace that the times demand.”
Excellence in Professional Leadership
He brought a sense of professionalism and a sense of purpose to the meetings he chaired. He never wasted time, was always punctual, and brought discipline to the meetings by conducting them in a business like fashion. After his demise, the then Moderator of the CSI remarked about “the presence of God he brought into every meeting.”
It was his daily habit of early morning quiet times with God in reading the Bible and prayer that helped him bring this kind of a godly leadership to all meetings. His private time with God gave him the professional edge in public life.
Excellence in Community Leadership
Bishop Jesudasan knew that a vast majority of the people God had called him to shepherd were poor, downtrodden and marginalized. His heart was always with them. Even the political leadership of the Indian State of Kerala irrespective of ideologies knew that his heart beat with the thoughts of helping the poor and brining them social justice.
He was gentle like a lamb and always approachable to the least among the people whom he served. But he was like a lion when he championed their cause for justice and spoke against all kinds of corruption within the church.
Excellence in Ecumenical Leadership
Jesus had prayed that his disciples be united in love, “That they all may be one (John 17:21 which is the motto of the Church of South India as well).” Bishop Jesudasan was always looking forward to making this prayer real and tangible by brining denominations together. He always relied on the Spirit of God to bring about this unity among God’s people. He truly championed that the kingdom of God is righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit (Ref. Romans 14:17).
There were several initiatives he took to make this unity happen at the grassroots level. Even today his ecumenical vision and farsightedness is held in high esteem. He maintained a warm and cordial relationship with the heads of other denominations and he was invited to many meetings organized by people of other faiths too.
Excellence in Spiritual Leadership
Bishop Jesudasan was a man of compassion and someone who would weep with the broken hearted. I have heard people describe him as an angel of God who visited them in their time of pain and suffering. His prayers had a tone of familiarity with God addressing him “You,” with reverence and adoration in simple childlike words.
He had a faithful habit of interceding with God for the personal needs of individuals, families, and churches. He observed a fast every Friday. Many were blessed through the fruit of his heartfelt prayers and tears on their behalf.”
His prayers echoed the praises of God. In crises, he stood firm and unshaken. and was often heard saying: “Praise be to Jesus,” and “Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift (Jesus)! His often repeated prayer was: “May the love of God that shone through Jesus on the cross . . .”
He authored many books and wrote many essays that showed his deep understanding of Scripture. He believed that when God’s people aligned themselves with God’s purposes the Spirt of God would move and transform not just individuals and families but entire communities.
An Anecdote
Let me share a radiant childhood memory of Bishop Jesudasan. One day, a group of about 20 people comprising of elders, women, and children arrived in a vehicle to meet him at the Bishop’s House located in the LMS compound. From their appearance, I felt they were from a poor church in a rural background.
After they had spoken with him about the purpose of their visit, the Bishop invited them into a small room inside. I, too, followed them in. Then, drawing aside a curtain, the Bishop revealed the interior of the room and said to them, “This is my prayer room.”
As I looked inside, I saw that the room contained only a table, a chair, a Bible, and a mat. I don’t know why, but that moment has remained vividly in my mind even after forty years.
Looking back at that moment now, I realize how profoundly the Bishop upheld the power of prayer without making any effort to highlight any of his achievements in life.
Excellence in Cross-centred Theological Leadership
Bishop Jesudasan championed the truth that God had opened a new and living way through the blood of Jesus shed on the cross through which we could approach God (Hebrews 10:19, 20), find forgiveness of sins, and also reconciliation between God and men. He also believed that the victory over all evil is possible through the cross of Jesus and the love of God on exhibit there. He spoke passionately about how God came near to us in Jesus, the Word of God become flesh, human just like us.
His theology was cross-centred and people focused. This vision helped Bishop Jesudasan show great trust in God on one hand and be near to the people he shepherded with an empathetic and loving heart. He believed that God “leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him” (2 Corinthians 2:14).
ഒരാളായിരുന്ന
Excellence in The Voice of Leadership
Bishop Jesudasan had the grace of God lighting up his face. As a speaker he did not possess charisma in the way that word is popularly understood. Yet his sermons are remembered for their depth, clarity of thought, and grounding in God’s Word. Kindly see the analysis of his famous sermon, The Feast of Life, delivered at Vancouver Canada in 1983. As he had no vested interests—only the common good of the people he led—the political leadership of the State listened to his opinions with respect.
Excellence in Leadership in Team Building
Bishop Jesudasan was not a one-man show. He understood that culture can only be taught as it was lived out by the top church leadership.
Therefore, he found people of integrity and having a track record of excellence in their own respective fields and brought them to key roles in the church administration and activities. This teamwork was crucial to his success in leading the people. And he was very conscious of the contribution of every one of them. He was very particular about keeping personal relationships and rejoiced in the achievements of others. He encouraged everyone with his smiling face and words of appreciation.
The words he chose for his farewell speech as he stepped down from leadership truly reflect his philosophy of team work: “I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow.” (Words of St. Paul in 1 Corinthians 3:7).
Excellence in Leadership in Modelling Self-Introspection
Bishop Jesudasan had a manner of conduct that was dignified exhibiting a true knowledge of the Chair he occupied and elevating its stature in the eyes of all. This was more than evident in the way he made the CSI Moderator’s post an honoured one with his reputation of integrity and godly leadership. The more God exalted him in leadership roles, the more he humbled himself before God.
One of his unforgettable habits was to take a day off from all activities on 5th of August, the day he was consecrated as Bishop and spend the day in prayer reviewing and reflecting on whether he is staying true to the call of God in his life.
The cross was his touchstone. In one of his articles he wrote:
“Those who are respected as the best in society must examine themselves before the cross of Jesus Christ to realize how great sinners they are.”
(Christava Deepika: July 2010 Article titled: The Crucifixion of Jesus Christ and God’s Church—A Bird’s Eye View). His excellence in leadership was that he was willing to do this self-introspection standing in front of the cross of Jesus before he preached to others.
“Jesus, how beautiful is Your form to my eyes!
Make me, Your disciple, wholly like You.”
യേശുവേ നിന്റെ രൂപമീയെന്റെ
കണ്ണുകൾക്കെത്ര സൗന്ദര്യം
ശിഷ്യനാകുന്ന എന്നെയും നിന്നെ-
പ്പോലെയാക്കണം മുഴുവൻ.
The 282nd song from the Malayalam Hymn Book, which he particularly loved, was one he insisted the choir sing on his 85th birthday. This can be understood as a continuation of his practice of self-introspection:
Excellence in His Leadership Legacy
The legacy he left behind is that even today his name is spoken with great admiration as he had exhibited a life of humility (living in his small cottage in later years) even while he walked with dignity along with the great men of his times. Even today he is spoken of as a role model whom we can look up to and emulate.
He was a man faithful to God’s call on his life till the very last. He prayerfully continued to serve the people even after retirement from office.
He looked to the face of Jesus all his life and that look transformed his life from a lump of coal in obscurity and poverty to that of the enduring shine and brilliance of a diamond. In the words of many, “he was a saint and during his earthly life he truly reflected Jesus.”
Bishop’s Cottage where Bishop Jesudasan lived after his retirement.Bishop Jesudasan–Positions Held, Books Authored. പ്രവാചകദൗത്യം was published in 2013 while he was on his deathbed.Click the logo to see all editions of Sunday Sermonettes on LinkedIn
Most of us do not know how prayer works. When you discover it; you will be confident to pray. And also experience the power of prayer. The truth is that most of us are disappointed with prayer. Simply because God did not answer prayers according to our wishes; many of us have given up on praying to God.
Encouragement to Pray
This post is an attempt to encourage you to pray. For God is always listening to your prayers. There might be a lot of doubts in your mind about prayer. All of them cannot be answered.
But I can assure you one thing–-If you keep on praying in spite of your doubts, and your feeling that God is absent and not listening; there will come a day and a moment when you will have the joy of knowing that none of your prayers were lost.
Prayer Is About Seeking and Finding God
Remember, God is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, He has promised that when you seek his face (that is his companionship and not his gifts), you will find him when you seek him with all your heart.
Yes, you will find him if you are earnest in prayer. Finding God and discovering more about him is the great encouragement and joy in prayer.
Prayer as a Relationship Based on Love
Prayer is not all about asking; even though God encourages us to ask, seek, and knock. He delights in us asking him because those who believe and trust in the name of Jesus are his children. So prayer is a joyful time of sharing things in your heart with your Father in heaven. So it is based on a relationship of love and not on fear.
Prayer Is the Ability to Listen to God
Prayer is also the ability to listen to what God is saying. He mostly guides us through words from the Bible. When God speaks there is an unmistakable certainty about it. It will be specific with a calm assurance of God’s peace.
When he speaks he will never contradict what he has already said in the Bible. Jesus has promised his gift of peace to us. So if you have an impression in your heart and it takes away your peace and brings distress and conflict in your mind; know that it is not from God. When God speaks, it will also come with his peace in your heart.
Prayer and Emotions
Prayer can become a time of display of strong emotions too. Sometimes we are too burdened to even utter a word. There is an inward groan from the heart for help while the lips are silent. Often we cry in our distress.
God collects all our tears in his bottle and records them in his book or scroll says the Bible. So there is nothing to be ashamed about crying or weeping as you pray. The shortest verse in the Bible says: “Jesus wept.”
Prayer as a Discipline
A life without prayer is like a barren desert. There is no refreshing, no renewal, no reviving or recharging. If the Son of God could not live without prayer while on earth; how can we?
Even though it is possible to pray anywhere and everywhere at any time during the day or night; it is good to set aside time for prayer regularly at a place which is quiet where no one will disturb you. A place where you can be alone; talk to God and listen to him.
Prayer and Action
A day begun with a prayer of thanks for the gift of a new day, and a seeking of help and wisdom for the activities of the day, will be a day accompanied by God’s blessings. Instead, we often rush to work, get too busy with our daily routines, and forget God.
Prayer is also work. So much can be accomplished if people would pray more for God’s guidance and help and knowing his will than trying to achieve everything in their own strength and knowledge.
It is prayer that gives you the courage, wisdom, and strength to make your faith become action. It assures you of success in your efforts because God is involved in your attempts because you prayed.
Prayer and Distractions
A problem with prayer is that a lot of distractions come to mind when you try to pray. Why? Because the devil knows that if someone gets connected to God; then he has to flee. So he prevents that from happening.
With the mobile in our hands; it is quite an easy thing to keep us buried in the entertainment it brings. Even the good things you watch can take away the best time you can spend in prayer.
Prayer Starters
The miracle of prayer is that even a child can pray. No qualification is required for you to start praying. If you don’t know how to start praying, why not just say, “O God, I love you.” It is a good starting point.
Or say “Hallelujah.” it means Praise the Lord. All heaven resounds with joyful notes of thundering Hallelujahs in song and praise to the Lamb of God. Oh, it can bring down God’s presence to surround you!
God’s Help in Prayer
There is also God’s help and assistance in prayer. God the Holy Spirit from within our heart, lifts up our inmost desires and heartbreaks to the throne of God. the Father. The Bible presents God as our Saviour who daily bears our burdens.
Jesus, present at the right hand of God, always lives to intercede for us. He shared in our human experiences and prayed to God while on earth with loud cries and tears. So when prays for us, he is merciful and compassionate and a great friend to bring our needs before God.
Jesus the Only Mediator Between God and Men
See, there is no need for any other person, past or present, to come between you and God. For the Bible declares that Jesus is the only mediator between God and men.
He is your advocate who speaks in your defense before God. He speaks on your behalf and through him alone you can approach God in prayer.
The Name of Jesus carries authority. God listens when you pray in the Name of Jesus for his precious blood always speaks the word of forgiveness for you when you are broken in heart and turn away from your sins.
How to Pray
You can pray anytime. You can keep your eyes open or closed. You can stand, sit, walk or kneel, or prostrate yourself face down and pray. You can pray while in the kitchen, while you are driving, or while you are attending a business meeting.
You can pray in any language or just pray to God silently. Sometimes God gifts you a language you might not know, a language that is angelic or human to help you pray.
What to Pray For
You can ask for help, for wisdom, for guidance, for strength of mind, for grace to forgive others, for courage to face difficulties, for receiving favour in the eyes of others, for health and healing, for mercy and forgiveness; and patience to wait for God to act in your life in his time.
You can ask God to gift you his peace and joy in all your troubled situations and even ask God to help you to pray in the right way. .
You should pray for the Spirit of God to touch you with God’s everlasting, unfailing, and compassionate love, because God pours out his love into our hearts through the Spirit of God.
Prayer Changes and Transforms Us
Prayer also changes us. God uses delays and frustrations and cries of “How long, O LORD? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?” to break our wills and make us humble. He prepares us before he blesses us. Therefore be bold and confident to pray to the God of all hope and mercy.
He first of all encourages us and makes our heart strong before he answers our prayers. He also prepares circumstances so that the time of our relief and deliverance will be of maximum impact to strengthen our faith in him.
The New and Living Way Opened for Us to Pray
When Jesus shed his blood on the cross and his body was broken on that tree; the huge curtain of the temple was torn from top to bottom supernaturally. It indicated that by the blood of Jesus a new and living way was opened for all to approach God with boldness and freedom. Yes, you have access to God the Father 24 x 7 through the blood of Jesus and the Spirit of God.
Peace as a Sign of Assurance in Prayer
Then, there is the peace of God which guards our hearts and minds like a battalion of soldiers and secures it against all invading worries. It can happen even in the most trying circumstances when we pray.
Therefore we need not be anxious because the peace that comes from God in answer to prayer surpasses all logic and human understanding. Yes, God will gift you his peace and make you bold. The assurance in your heart comes even before the answer to prayer comes and no change is seen in the negative situations you are in.
Why Prayers Go Unanswered
Even though there are so many things that put a roadblock to effective praying; there are a few things that need to be highlighted:
If we cherish sin or wrong things in our heart; God cannot answer prayer.
If we harbour unforgiveness in our heart; God cannot answer prayer.
If we ask with wrong motives, God cannot answer prayer.
If there is a lack of faith and there is doubt in our heart; then God is not pleased with that prayer.
And if we do not ask according to his will for our lives; God cannot answer that prayer.
And often we give up praying before God’s answer reaches us. See he is shaping and moulding your character and strengthening your faith while the answer is on the way. But a lack of persevering prayer can cause us to miss God’s best in our lives.
Start Praying Now
So my dear friend, why not start praying. Come to God with a child-like expectation. Be honest about anything and everything. God listens and he already knows what you need even before you ask him. And all heaven notes a man or woman who prays.
It is a blessed joy and great honour to have an audience with God every time you pray. And signing off prayers, “In the Name of Jesus,” aligns your requests to God’s character and his purpose for your life. Amen (it means “so be it.”).
Discover How Prayer Works
There is no way that any one of us will ever graduate in prayer. Prayer is like an ever-deepening river. You learn to pray by praying. The more you pray, the more you discover about prayer and the God who answers prayer.
As said in the beginning, prayer is an expression of a love relationship. You are God’s child. So talk to your Father in heaven. You can talk about anything; even your secret innermost thoughts and struggles of the mind which no one else can know anything about.
Whatever is your concern; is his concern too. Prayer helps you know God and discover him as your Comforter and Friend and Guide and Helper. May God gift you joy in prayer as he has promised in the Bible.
Simplicity in Prayer
The Bible says in Jeremiah 33:3, “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.”
God is asking you to call on him. He promises to answer you. You have direct access to God through Jesus. He will show you things you do not know in response to prayer. Just call him.
And speak to him as you would talk with a friend.
The Power of Prayer
Prayer is powerful. It is your direct connection with God. Prayer has got the power to demolish strongholds of negativity and wrong thoughts in your life. Prayer has got the power to move mountains that stand in your way. Prayer has got the power to change the hearts of people. Prayer has got the power to bring you angelic help in times of distress. Prayer has got the power to open doors in your life. Prayer has got the power to make God’s promises real in your life.
So “pray continually,” “pray without ceasing,” “never stop praying,” “pray all the time,” with thanks in all circumstances to experience the power of prayer.
Fight Discouragement in Prayer
The greatest weapon the devil uses to get people to stop praying is discouragement. He will tell you that God will not answer your prayers. He will discourage you through opposition even through your close relatives, family, and friends.
Discouragement can come when you prayed for something positive but its opposite happened. Discouragement can come through delays to getting answers to prayers.
But Jesus is encouraging you to close the door and pray in secret to God and not give up praying. Do not doubt God’s Word. Throughout the Bible we find God answering prayer on behalf of his children. Therefore you need to fight discouragement that comes and go on praying.
Ask | Seek | Knock | Receive
Let me end with this encouragement to pray from Jesus’ words in Luke 11:11–13 in the Bible:
“Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 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 the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”
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.
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.
Featured image courtesy: Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay
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.
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
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.
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.
Featured images courtesy: Collage of images by Peggy und Marco Lachmann-Anke, Вероника Сбитнева, Nick_the_Photographer, Foundry Co, Alexandra_Koch by Pixabay.
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.”
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.
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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
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.”
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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.
Photo courtesy: Photo by Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels | Microsoft Designer
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.
Photo by Skitterphoto on Pexels | Microsoft Designer
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!
Image by Michael Winkler from Pixabay | Microsoft Designer
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.
Photo by ThisIsEngineering on Pexels | Microsoft Designer
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.
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.
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.
A warm good morning to you all in the matchless name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
The topic for today is obedience. Isn’t it lovely that the New Testament begins with the story of one man’s obedience. The Bible says: “When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife.” The lesson for us is that one man’s obedience can impact history. So it is important for us to obey. This is especially true for us children as Paul wrote in Colossians 3:20, “Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.”
Now let me point out a few thoughts about obedience.
First of all, obedience can take us through difficulties.
Our supreme example of obedience is that of Jesus Christ who obeyed God to the point of bleeding to death on a cross. The writer of Hebrews says, Jesus learned obedience from what he suffered. It tells us that the path of obedience is not always smooth. It might lead us through difficulties and suffering. But these pressures of life will transform us from an ordinary lump of dark charcoal to a priceless diamond that shines brilliantly.
Secondly, obedience is not about obeying rules but it is about a personal love relationship with Jesus Christ.
In John 14 Jesus said, “If you love me, you will obey what I command.” Therefore obedience is an outflow of our love relationship with God. We can obey God with joy when we believe that God is good all the time. We can obey God when we believe that God has our highest good in mind when he commands us to do something. Therefore let us obey God because we love him.
Thirdly, obedience is about faith.
Let us look at Abraham, the father of faith. In Hebrews Chapter 11, that great roll call of faith, it is said “By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.” He went because he trusted in God.
Let me conclude by saying that God always warns us when we try to disobey him. If we do not listen we will sink like the great ship Titanic which ignored warnings about icebergs ahead. Let us not be like Prophet Jonah who ran away from God in disobedience; or like King Saul who lost his kingdom due to disobedience; but let us be like Joseph who obeyed God and left his footprints on the sands of time. Amen.
A warm good morning to you all. Greetings to you in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
The topic obedience is of great relevance in today’s world where artificial intelligence enables robots to obey commands. They are programmed to obey. In contrast, God gave human beings the ability to choose. We have been given free will. We can choose to obey.
Listen to God’s Word
But unfortunately, in the Garden of Eden Adam and Eve chose to disobey God. How did that tragic fall happen? It was simply because they chose to listen to the serpent which made them doubt God’s word. The question the serpent asked Eve was, “Did God really say?” She doubted God’s word and therefore disobeyed.
So my first point is that obedience can happen only when we listen to God’s word. That is why Jesus at the end of the Sermon on the Mount told us that the man who listens to his words and does them is like a man who built his house on the rock.
Secondly, obedience is love in action.
For Jesus said, “If you love me, you will obey my commandments.” Now a lot of people believe that Christianity is a set of rules dominated by the Ten commandments. But Jesus summarized those commandments into two: Love God and love your neighbour. And this love, if it is true, is always accompanied by obedience.
Jesus himself showed the extent of his love for all of us through his obedience. In Philippians Chapter 2 we read that Jesus humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross. The practical lesson for us is that there are many things that are not pleasant to do. But we do them because we love God and show that love through obedience.
Thirdly, we need to learn from examples in the Bible.
For example, we have a tremendous example of obedience in the life of Abraham. God gave him the promised child, Isaac. But after a few years God asked Abraham to sacrifice Isaac on Mount Moriah. Abraham obeyed and went. He asked no questions. We all know how God blessed Abraham for that act of unquestioning obedience.
In contrast we have the example of Prophet Jonah. He was commanded by God to preach to the people of Nineveh. Instead, he ran away in the opposite direction and boarded a ship bound for Tarshish. He had to spend three days and three nights inside the belly of a huge fish before he came back to the path of obedience.
My final thought is that Paul writing to the Ephesians says, “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.” In a generation where obedience is not regarded as popular, this command is a clear direction to children. I am sure that children who obey their parents will receive God’s blessings in their lives. Let me conclude with the chorus of a meaningful song:
Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.
Cars have revolutionized the way people live. It once was a luxury; but now it is a common vehicle. Cars offer style, comfort, ease of travel, and togetherness of family. It also reflects life in many ways.
Cars are chosen with respect to their looks, brand, fuel efficiency, leg space, boot space, interiors, power, and even the ability to park easily in busy city spaces. Owning a car, especially a car of one’s choice, is a dream come true for many. In the Indian context, often the gift of a car is common as a wedding present.
Cars are maintained well by many. It is a reflection of the owner’s personality. At the same time certain cars do make a style statement. It can easily reflect the financial or social status of those who drive expensive cars.
Cars reflect life in many ways. A brand new car signifies beginnings. And like in life, cars do get dents in busy traffic while vehicles brush against each other. A neglected car or poorly taken of car is easy to spot. So maintaining a car well takes effort. Likewise maintaining a healthy life demands good habits.
Cars also remind us of the journey of life. However good a car is; it wears down in the long run. Finally it ends up in the scrap heap. So cars remind us of a final destination. And how you should be prepared for a journey for a life beyond the end point.
So next time, you see a car; have a closer look. You might not just find your reflection but also it will set you thinking. Yes, cars do reflect life.
Shankumugham Beach, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India.
10th September 2010.
Scene I
Two sets of fishermen were standing in line. They were holding on to two ends of the fishing net. With great effort they were hauling the net in. Two men were out in the sea guiding the net even as they kept swimming. Though the tide seemed low, the waves were crashing in. And soon it started raining.
But my wife and I stood watching the fishing process with great fascination. It was the first time we were seeing it live. We found that our umbrellas were no protection against the slanting rain. And it was cold.
Yet the men toiled on; unmindful of the weather. I admired their sense of unity and purpose and how focused they were on their work. Dark and cloudy skies, crashing waves, heavy rains and biting cold—circumstances that look not promising to an average onlooker did not seem to even bother them the least. And finally they brought in their catch. Small and big fishes were there. They struggled to hold on to their freedom and life one last time. But the game was over. They were soon transferred to the waiting baskets of fisherwomen.
As the umbrella offered little protection from the rain and the winds, we tried to find shelter underneath the roof a small house nearby. From there we watched a group of fishermen trying to wash their nets. It was a fascinating sight. All of them together carried the bundled up net down to the sea. They were singing and chanting “ellelo, ellelo” and “hoi, hoi” encouraging each other and creating a jubilant mood.
Perhaps their hearts were content and thankful because of the catch of fish they got and for the safe return of those who had gone out to the sea. Well, in that heavy rain, and drenched to the core, they cast the bundled net into the sea. As the waves washed it, they straightened out that net into one long stretch.
As we watched, what happened next fascinated us very much. One fisherman lifted up the straightened out net at one end and drew it towards himself from the sea. After the net had come up two or three feet, another man stepped forward and took hold of the net ahead of the first man. Then the process repeated. Young and old stepped forward in almost rhythmically timed fashion, one at a time, until the entire net was carried by them in a single file. The wonder was that there was no one to instruct. It all happened with great precision. It was one example of brilliant teamwork.
What I thought was that they knew and understood their roles well. Without jealousy, without any thoughts that one was better than the other, with a great sense of purpose and unity, they toiled.
Epilogue
We left the shore with the thought that the morning was well spent. It was a joy to learn some life lessons first-hand. I also thought once again about that bit of sidelight information that I had read many times: Jesus called some of His first disciples “as they were casting a net into the lake” or some others who were “in a boat, preparing their nets.” Did something of the teamwork of those “unschooled, ordinary men” attract Jesus’ attention to them that made Him make them part of His team? I wonder.
Like the sea our lives are a big canvas. Nothing great can be painted there without such teamwork as these fishermen exhibit. Unflagging enthusiasm, unlimited patience, endurance and hope, the joy of celebration; all mark the lives of these men. They rise together as a team. This is their glory even as they wait for each new dawn.
Mountains are heights that can be scaled or they can seem difficult or impossible to climb. But mountains are meant to be conquered. They inspire you to bring out the best in you.
To conquer the mountains, you need to set your sights on the summit. It should become your constant dream. Every lesser goal should blur and disappear from your mind’s eye. Focus sharply on the summit. Its conquest should alone become your single passion in life. In simple words, have a steady look up.
To conquer the mountains, you need to have faith. A faith that will carry you through difficult times when hope seems lost. This kind of faith will not look at yourself and see weaknesses but it will look up to God and say, “With God, and in his mighty strength, I am enabled to do this.” Like a little sparrow perching on a mighty eagle’s spread out wings, this kind of faith will help you climb the heights and conquer.
To conquer the mountains, you need to have positive influencers around you. Not a breed of negative thinkers and those who see giants everywhere. See, when you attempt to do what the common man does not even dream of doing; there will be lot of naysayers. Listening to them can weaken your resolve; drain your strength; and make you quit. So have people around you who will energize you to conquer.
To conquer the mountains, you need to prepare, persist, and persevere. You have to sweat and toil. You have to go through boring routines without loss of enthusiasm. There is no time to think on past victories and relax. The journey is always ahead. It is a climb up.
Finally, let me remind you that each one of you might have given up the conquering of a mountain in life looking at all that is against you. Now it is time to reject that giving up attitude. Rise up from your bed of despair. Take the first step forward. And then even when your strength seems to sap. you will find the shadow of the Almighty walking beside and breathing hope into you. Therefore say with confidence, “Now, give me this mountain.” It shall be yours!
A young woman in England was troubled in her mind. She felt herself unworthy to come to Jesus. A Swiss evangelist, Cesar Malan who was visiting the town told her, “Come just as you are.” But she was not willing then to come to Jesus. It was only 12 years later that those five simple words would impact her.
She became invalid and was confined to her room. And then one night in 1834 the burden of the lost condition of her heart and soul became unbearable and she, Charlotte Elliott, thinking on those five words, “Come just as you are” came to Jesus.
She simply came with her sense of unworthiness and uselessness. That night she wrote the words of the hymn Just as I am. She said in that hymn that she was coming to Jesus not because of any claim she had to make. Instead, she was trusting the blood of Jesus the Lamb of God which was shed for her and his invitation to come to him. She said that she was not trying to clean herself but instead she was coming to the blood of Jesus which can cleanse all dark spots.
Just as I am, without one plea,
but that thy blood was shed for me,
and that thou bid’st me come to thee,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
Just as I am, and waiting not
to rid my soul of one dark blot,
to thee, whose blood can cleanse each spot,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
My dear friend, would you like to come to Jesus today? Bring your sins, your guilt, your shame, your sense of unworthiness; bring it all to him. He has not only invited you to come, but he is also eagerly waiting to see you return to him. Will you come? Will you return to his love today?
See, God’s love is not about emotions. But it is practical and sacrificial. He showed his love for you on the cross where Jesus bled and died for you. This is the central truth in all human history.
You have to look to the cross and the blood of Jesus to come to God. There is no other way. It is a narrow way. Many people reject this way because they want a way to God which is easy and popular and based on their own goodness.
But there is no other way to God. For the Bible says, in Hebrews 9 and verse 22 “and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.” (NIV) And again, the night before he was crucified, Jesus said, in Matthew 26 and verse 28, “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.”
Yes, the blood of Jesus has tremendous power to cleanse and to forgive. Because it is sinless blood;
because it is innocent blood;
because it is the blood of the Son of God fully and willingly surrendered to his Father’s will;
because it was poured out as sacrifice to the very last drop;
and because it speaks words of forgiveness even today,
it has in it the power to cleanse and forgive all your sins.
There is not one sin in your life, however great and evil it is, that the blood of Jesus cannot wash clean.
Your every secret sin, every act of disobedience, every act of rebellion against God; all their bright red scarlet stain can be washed as white as snow in the blood of Jesus. Just come to him with a sincere and broken heart; ready to turn away from evil and darkness to the light of God.
In 1 John Chapter 1 verse 7, the Bible says, “But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.” (NKJV). “And the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.” My dear friend, there is cleansing power in the blood of Jesus.
The one thing you need to do is to walk in the light. Do not run away from God when the Spirit of God convicts you of sin in your life. Like King David, agree with what the Spirit of God is showing you and say, humbly say, “I have sinned against the LORD.”
When you thus confess your sins before God, the Bible says in 1 John Chapter 1 verse 9: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Let me read that again: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” So, you can find forgiveness with God and cleansing from all your sins by the blood of Jesus.
You can come again and again to the blood of Jesus every single time you become conscious of a wrong thought, a bad word, or a sinful action from your side. For the blood of Jesus is a cleansing fountain as said in Zechariah Chapter 13 and verse 1. You cannot exhaust its cleansing flow and power.
Therefore, do not hesitate to wash yourself in the blood of the Lamb of God. Yes, do not hesitate to wash yourself in the blood of the Lamb of God. That is the only way you can enter the holy presence of God. In fact the Bible says in Hebrews Chapter 10 verse 19 that we can have confidence to enter the presence of God in the most holy place in heaven by the blood of Jesus. With boldness and freedom, we can definitely enter the presence of God by the blood of Jesus.
It further invites us to draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith. That means you need not doubt. God will welcome you for sure when you come to his presence through the blood of Jesus. This is the significance of the curtain of the temple being torn in two; from top to bottom when Jesus died on the cross.
For the blood of Jesus removes all barriers and opens the way for you to come to the presence of God. The door in heaven is open for you. The curtain, the body of Jesus, was broken for you. So come boldly; come with boldness and with confidence that Jesus your high priest in heaven is bringing you near to God by his precious blood shed on the cross of Calvary.
Yes, the blood of Jesus has permanently opened a new and living way for you to approach God. Do not hesitate when you become conscious of sin. The moment you realize you have sinned; come to God confessing your sin and be cleansed and forgiven by the blood of Jesus. The blood of Jesus makes it possible for you to have access to God at all times.
Do you find it unbelievable? Then think on what Pastor Stuart Silvester had to say about this. He once had a conversation with a friend of his who frequently flew his small private plane in and out of Toronto International Airport. He asked the pilot if he ever faced problems taking off and landing a small craft at an airport that was dominated by so many large jets. His friend responded, “My plane may be small, but I have the same rights, the same privileges, and the same access to that airport as anyone else—even the jumbo jets!” “the same access to that airport as anyone else
Yes my dear friend; don’t think yourself small or insignificant when you to come to God through the blood of Jesus. You have equal access to the throne of grace just like any giant of faith you might know. You are always welcome to go to God crying out Abba Father, crying out My Dearest Daddy, through the Spirit of God dwelling in your heart.
So draw near to God now. For the blood of Jesus has the power to make you stand before God having your past wiped clean. Come to God with a heart that is truthfully and sincerely hurt by all your sinful attitudes, thoughts, words, and actions. Ask God to help you turn away from all that is wrong in your life. The Bible calls that repentance, and it is godly sorrow that leads you to repentance.
Isn’t it sad that you still trust in your self-righteousness? Now what does that mean? You think by going to church regularly, by prayer and Bible reading, by giving tithes, by your church traditions, by your good deeds, by going on a pilgrimage, doing penance, and so on you can earn access to God. Impossible. It is your pride that makes you think so. The cross of Jesus is where man’s pride ends. No one can come to God except through the blood of Jesus shed on the cross.
So humble yourself before God. The Bible says in Ephesians Chapter 1 verse 7, “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins.” “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins.” The Bible says again in 1 Peter Chapter 1 verses 18 and 19 that we were redeemed not with perishable things such as silver and gold “but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.” “but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or spot.”
The sacrifice of Jesus was costly. As I mentioned earlier, Hebrews Chapter 9 verse 22 says, “And without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.” The blood of Jesus has purchased your pardon and freedom. There is absolutely nothing in you or your possessions with which you can clear the debt that you owe God to clear you from all your sins. Only the blood of Jesus redeems. So come to this cleansing fountain now itself.
When you do so, God justifies you. For the Bible says in Romans Chapter 5 verse 9: “Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him.” “Since we have now been justified by his blood.” Now what does it mean? It means that God will not count your sins against you. In simple terms, it means you have a clean new beginning in your life; a brand new beginning in your life. It means that as God looks at you through the lens of the blood of Jesus, it is as if you never ever sinned.
Dr. Warren Wiersbe talks about Dr. Roy Gustafson who has the finest illustration of justification he has ever heard. It seems that there was a man in England who put his Rolls-Royce on a boat and went across to the continent to go on a holiday. While he was driving around Europe, something happened to the motor of his car. He cabled the Rolls-Royce people back in England and asked, “I’m having trouble with my car; what do you suggest I do?” Well, the Rolls-Royce people flew a mechanic over! The mechanic repaired the car and flew back to England and left the man to continue his holiday.
As you can imagine, the fellow was wondering, “How much is this going to cost me?” So when he got back to England, he wrote the people a letter and asked how much he owed them. He received a letter from the office that read: “Dear Sir: There is no record anywhere in our files that anything ever went wrong with a Rolls-Royce.” “Dear Sir: There is no record anywhere in our files that anything ever went wrong with a Rolls-Royce.” That is justification!
It results in you having peace with God. In Romans Chapter 5 and verse 1 we read, “Therefore since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” This is “through faith in his blood” as is made clear in Romans 3 and 25. So if you trust in the blood of Jesus, God’s anger against you is turned away from you because of Jesus’ blood. Romans 3:25 is a very important verse which specifically mentions the object of faith which saves. That is faith in the blood of Jesus is what saves. Many non-believers accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, a divine healer, a worker of miracles, and a powerful prophet. That is all true. But that kind of faith is not enough to save. What saves you from eternal hell is your faith in his blood! So come to this cleansing fountain of blood and find peace with God.
And he will heal your wounds which were caused by sin. The Bible says in Isaiah Chapter 53, “the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.” He will also restore you to friendship with God. For, “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us.” 2 Corinthians 5:21. All the sin of the world was placed on Jesus the Lamb of God who came to take away the sin of the world. Why? To reconcile us to God. It simply means that through the blood of Jesus, God is telling you and me, “I will be friends with you.” Will you believe that? Come to the cleansing fountain of the blood of Jesus.
When you trust his blood for your salvation, sin that separated you and God is removed. The shame and guilt of sin is also taken away. That brings you into close connect and fellowship with God. Instead of enmity with God, there will be peace with God.
God has also brought you out from Satan’s dominion and darkness and evil and given you the power to lead a life that becomes increasingly holy. See, Jesus took the punishment for sins that should have come upon you and me on his body broken on the cross, to set us free! Does that mean we will never sin again. Not at all. But the blood of Jesus puts in our heart a new attitude which hates sin and evil.
In spite of that, a sinless life might not be possible, for we all sin against God from time to time knowingly or unknowingly. Therefore we need repeated cleansing by the blood of Jesus from day to day and moment by moment. So when you allow the blood of Jesus to operate in your life and submit to the powerful influence of this cleansing fountain, there will be a gradual dying to all the wrong desires as God gives you a stronger desire to be holy like him. In Hebrews 13 verse 12 we read: “So also Jesus suffered and died outside the city gates to make his people holy by means of his own blood.” The Bible calls this sanctification. It is the process by which we consistently turn away from all that is evil and become increasingly holy in our lives.
Sanctification refers to the moment by moment cleansing we all need through the blood of Jesus. Imagine you taking a walk on the road. When you come back home even though you didn’t deliberately touch any dirt, lot of dust and other matter will have accumulated in your body mixed with your sweat; isn’t it? Likewise as we live in the world things we happen to see and hear defile our mind and spirit.
Often this defilement discourages us. Then we need to consciously seek the cleansing through the blood of Jesus. We also need to separate ourselves from all known sin in our lives. And then there are matters that make our consciences unclean. We may not be aware of all that. Yet if we consciously seek the cleansing by the blood of Jesus he will do it for you.
After mentioning about the outward cleansing achieved through the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those ceremonially unclean in Old Testament times, the writer points out the inward sanctification as well: “How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God.” Hebrews Chapter 9 verse 14. Let me read that again for you. “How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God.”
How does sanctification happen in your life? Let us listen to what Jesus said in John Chapter 6 verses 53 to 57, “I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him.” Even the disciples of Jesus who listened to him say this found this a hard teaching and they were offended. So what does this mean?
Drinking his blood simply means that we allow the blood of Jesus to have an unrestrained and unrestricted influence in our lives. When we allow that to happen, it leads us to the deepest and intimate union and closer walk we can have with God. Therefore there is a great sense of nearness to God’s presence when you go to him in prayer through the blood of Jesus. From now on, practise the presence of God through the blood of Jesus even while you work or study or play or drive your car. Thus you can always experience God near and have his joy in your life. But like that disciples even today many are offended by the mention of the blood of Jesus. It certainly is not popular.
And when you allow the blood of Jesus to have an unrestrained and unrestricted influence in your life, you also have victory through the blood of Jesus. As the Book of Revelation Chapter 12 verse 11 says, “they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb.” That means there is victory over sin and Satan, and protection and deliverance from all forces of evil and darkness in the precious blood of Jesus Christ, your Lord and Saviour. In today’s world filled with all kinds of evil, temptations, distractions, worries and anxieties, depression and discouragement; your means of victory over all of it comes through the blood of Jesus. So look to Jesus and his shed blood on the cross. That is the banner of your victory. Wave it high.
Let me end with the story Billy Graham told of a boy who lost his way. a police officer was on night duty in a city in northern England. As he walked the streets, he heard the sound of a quivering sob. Shining his flashlight into the darkness, he saw a little boy in the shadows sitting on a doorstep with tears running down his cheeks. The child said, “I’m lost. Please take me home.” “I’ll be glad to take you home. Where do you live?” the officer replied. But the little boy was so tired and so scared that he couldn’t remember his address. The policeman began naming street after street, trying to help the boy remember where he lived. He named the shops and the hotels in the area but the little boy could give him no clue. Then he remembered that at the centre of the town stood a church with a large white cross that towered high above the rest of the city. The policeman pointed to the cross and said, “Do you live anywhere near that place?” The little boy’s face immediately brightened up. He said, “Yes, sir. Take me to the cross and I can find my way home.”
This day let me point you to the cross and the blood Jesus shed there for you. That is the only way home to God and to heaven and to life eternal.
The blood of Jesus shed on the cross has the power to cleanse you from all your sins.
The blood of Jesus sanctifies you by giving you power to live a holy life.
The blood of Jesus redeems you by delivering you from the power of Satan and darkness and evil.
The blood of Jesus justifies you giving you a clean brand new beginning in life
The blood of Jesus heals you especially from the brokenness of your heart caused by sin.
The blood of Jesus gives you access 24 x 7 to the throne of grace in God’s presence.
The blood of Jesus gives you victory in your fight with the world, with your sinful nature and with the devil.
The blood of Jesus gives you protection from the evil one.
And the blood of Jesus reconciles you with God and let you be friends with him.
So come to the Lamb of God. Wash your robes white in the blood of the Lamb and as recorded in Revelation Chapter 5 sing the praises of heaven saying:
“Because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.”
“Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honour and glory and praise.”
“To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honour and glory and power for ever and ever.” Amen!
Popular preaching or sermons, is about motivational stuff, how you can rise up in life; it does not preach sin and judgement, and makes you feel good about yourself even when you live in sin. There is no call to repent.
Popular preaching will send you on the highway to hell while God-centred preaching will ask you to travel the narrow road that leads to heaven.
Unless God is put at the centre and made the focus of sermons, preaching is simply about making you feel good which makes it no different than a well done motivational speech.
But true Biblical preaching helps to change lives and helps people to live lives which puts God on the throne of their heart and life. It helps you meet with Jesus who alone has the authority to forgive you your sins.
“All the world’s a stage, And all the men and women merely players”; so wrote Shakespeare. And he further added about the school boy thus: “And then the whining school-boy, with his satchel And shining morning face, creeping like snail Unwillingly to school.” Let me start right with school boys and girls; that stage where the drama of life enacts itself through the humourous fun, fight, and flight that happens when getting children ready for school.
Even when there is great fun at school and life is cool with friends, children don’t like to get up in the morning. They love to tuck themselves in the bed and say, “2 minutes,” “1 more minute,” “Please Mummy,” and so on. If that doesn’t work then there are fireworks. The only exception is when there is a picnic and they are ready even before parents are up!
As you look at what happens every morning, you simply say life is beautiful. Why? I don’t know. But memories of this fun and fight every morning are precious. No doubt the fights look terrible at times and can turn into screaming and physical fighting; there is a great relief when you catch the bus after a last minute olympic sprint defying and records-breaking run to the bus stop.
I wonder if there is any home that is free of this fun, fight, and flight I was talking about. It is only when parents talk freely with other parents that they discover this struggle is a common experience and it happens in every home in some way or the other.
Maybe that is when they realise something about the opening lines of Leo Tolstoy’s 1877 novel Anna Karenina, which begins: “All happy families are alike; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way,” whatever that means!
It is also said that a family that prays together stays together. But I would also like to add that families that experience the fun, fight, and flight of sending children to school also bond in ways that defy logic. It is the heart that wins at the end. And sometimes chocolates too which are offered or demanded as means of compromise. Life is beautiful in the fun, fight, and fight mode; without doubt.
This post features the YouTube videos of short speeches delivered on different occasions by Daniela B. Peter and Stefan B. Peter. Currently available videos in this post are:
Speech on Discipline
Speech on Leadership
Speech on the Importance of Time
Speech [Podcast] on Environment Day
A Christmas Message [Kindergarten]
Speech on Discipline
Speech on Leadership
Speech on the Importance of Time
Speech [Podcast] on Environment Day
A Christmas Message [Kindergarten]
The Rainbow
Related video:
Speech on The Importance of Hiding God’s Word in Our Hearts
യേശുദാസൻ തിരുമേനിയുടെ ധന്യമായ ജീവിതത്തെ ആസ്പദമാക്കി “ദൈവവിളിയോടു വിശ്വസ്തത പുലർത്തിയ എളിയ ദാസൻ” എന്ന തലക്കെട്ടിൽ ദക്ഷിണ കേരള മഹായിടവകയുടെ ഔദ്യോഗിക പ്രസിദ്ധികരണമായ ക്രൈസ്തവ ദീപികയിൽ ജൂലൈ 2013ൽ പ്രസിദ്ധികരിച്ച ലേഖനം തുടർന്ന് വായിക്കുക.
സാധാരണക്കാരനായ ഒരു മനുഷ്യന്റെ ജീവിതം ദൈവവിളിക്കു വിധേയപ്പെടുമ്പോൾ ഉണ്ടാകുന്ന അതിശയകരമായ ഉയർച്ചയുടേയും ദൈവ നടത്തിപ്പിന്റെയും നേർ സാക്ഷ്യമാണ് യേശുദാസൻ തിരുമേനിയുടെ ജീവിതം.
ദൈവവചനത്തിൽ അടിസ്ഥാനപ്പെടുത്തി പ്രാർത്ഥനയിൽ ശക്തി പ്രാപിച് ആരാധനയിൽ ആനന്ദം കണ്ടെത്തി പാവപ്പെട്ടവരുടെ കണ്ണീരൊപ്പുവാൻ വേണ്ടി ഉഴിഞ്ഞു വച്ചതായിരുന്നു അദ്ദേഹത്തിന്റെ ജീവിതം.
പ്രവർത്തിച്ച മേഖലകളിലെല്ലാം ദൈവ കൃപയിൽ ആശ്രയിച്ച് വിജയം നേടാൻ കഴിഞ്ഞത് ഒരു വ്യക്തിയുടെ മാത്രം ചരിത്രമല്ല മറിച് അദ്ദേഹത്തോടൊപ്പം വളർന്ന് സമൂഹത്തിന്റെ മുഖ്യധാരയിലേക്കു പ്രവേശിക്കുവാൻ ധൈര്യം ലഭിച്ച ഒരു ജനവിഭാഗത്തിന്റെ ചരിത്രം കൂടിയാണ്.
ലഭിച്ച ഉന്നതമായ സ്ഥാനമാനങ്ങളെല്ലാം തന്നെ പാവപ്പെട്ട ജനവിഭാഗങ്ങളുടെ ഉന്നമനത്തിനു വേണ്ടി അദ്ദേഹം പ്രയോജനപ്പെടുത്തി. യേശുദാസൻ തിരുമേനി എന്ന നാമധേയം സാധാരണക്കാരായ മനുഷ്യർ ഹൃദയത്തോടു ചേർത്തു പിടിച്ചതിൻറെ രഹസ്യം ഇതു തന്നെയായിരുന്നു.
സുവിശേഷം ചെല്ലുന്ന സ്ഥലങ്ങളിലൊക്കെയും ദൈവാത്മാവിന്റെ പ്രവർത്തനമുണ്ടാകുന്നുവെന്നും അതു സമൂഹത്തിലെ അനീതികൾക്കും അനാചാരങ്ങൾക്കുമെതിരായ പോരാട്ടമായി മാറുന്നുവെന്നും തിരുമേനി ഉറച്ചിരുന്നു. സഭ ക്രിസ്തുവിന്റെ ശരീരമാന്നെന്നും അതിലെ ഒരു അംഗത്തിനു വരുന്ന പ്രയാസം എല്ലാവരുടെയും വേദനയാന്നെന്നുമുള്ള വിശാലമായ ദർശനം അദ്ദേഹത്തിനുണ്ടായിരുന്നു.
ഇതര സഭാവിഭാങ്ങളുമായി സഹകരിച്ചു പ്രവർത്തിക്കാവുന്ന മേഖലകൾ കണ്ടെത്താനും കൂട്ടായ പ്രവർത്തനങ്ങൾ പ്രോത്സാഹിപ്പിക്കുവാനും അതിനു നേതൃത്ത്വം കൊടുക്കുവാനും യേശുദാസൻ തിരുമേനിക്കു സാധിച്ചു. കേരള ഐക്യ വൈദിക സെമിനാരി പ്രിൻസിപ്പൽ, [നീണ്ട 17 വർഷം] ദക്ഷിണ കേരളം മഹായിടവക ബിഷപ്പ്, ദക്ഷിണേന്ത്യ സഭയുടെ മോഡറേറ്റർ, സി. എസ്. ഐ.- സി. എൻ. ഐ. – മാർത്തോമ്മ ജോയിൻറ് കൗൺസിൽ ചെയർമാൻ, അഖില ലോക സഭാ കൗൺസിൽ സെൻട്രൽ കമ്മിറ്റി അംഗം എന്നി നിലകളിൽ അദ്ദേഹത്തിന്റെ പ്രവർത്തനം സമാനതകളില്ലാത്തതായിരുന്നു.
മറ്റു മതസ്ഥരെ ബഹുമാനിച്ചിരുന്ന തിരുമേനിയെ അവരുടെ യോഗങ്ങളിൽ പ്രസംഗിക്കുവാൻ സന്തോഷത്തോടെ ക്ഷണിക്കുക പതിവായിരുന്നു. അങ്ങനെ മത സാമൂഹിക ബന്ധങ്ങളിൽ തിരുമേനി തന്റേതായ വ്യക്തിമുദ്ര പതിപ്പിക്കുകയും വ്യത്യസ്ത ജനവിഭാഗങ്ങളുമായുള്ള സൗഹൃദം ഊട്ടി ഉറപ്പിക്കുന്നതിൽ തനതായ സംഭാവന നൽകുകയും ചെയ്തു.
യേശുദാസൻ തിരുമേനിക്കു വ്യക്തമായ രാഷ്ട്രീയ ബോധം ഉണ്ടായിരുന്നു. പാവപ്പെട്ട ജനങ്ങളുടെ ഉന്നമനത്തിന് വേണ്ടി പോരാടുകയും പാർശ്വവൽക്കരിക്കപ്പെട്ട ജനവിഭാഗങ്ങളുടെ നീതിക്കു വേണ്ടി ഉറച്ചു നിൽക്കുകയും ചെയ്യുക എന്നതായിരുന്നു അദ്ദേഹത്തിൻ്റെ രാഷ്ട്രീയം. രാഷ്ട്രീയ നേതാക്കളുമായി വ്യക്തിപരമായ ബന്ധം കാത്തു സൂക്ഷിക്കുകയും ജനങ്ങളുടെ നന്മക്കു വേണ്ടി അവരുടെ മുമ്പിൽ പ്രശ്നങ്ങളവതരിപ്പിക്കുകയും ചെയ്ത യേശുദാസൻ തിരുമേനിയുടെ നിലപാടുകൾ ഏറെ ശ്രദ്ധിക്കപ്പെട്ടവയായിരുന്നു.
കരിയിൽത്തോട്ടം കുടുംബത്തിലെ അംഗങ്ങൾക്ക് അദ്ദേഹം വലിയോരു തണൽമരമായി നിലകൊണ്ടു. നിർണായക തീരുമാനങ്ങളെടുക്കേണ്ടുന്ന സാഹചര്യങ്ങളിൽ തിരുമേനിയുടെ ആലോചനക്കും പ്രാർഥനക്കും വേണ്ടി കുടുംബാംഗങ്ങൾ കതോർക്കുകയും കാംഷിക്കുകയും ചെയ്തിരുന്നു.
വേദനയുടെയും വേർപാടിന്റെയും അവസരങ്ങളിൽ ആശ്വസിപ്പിക്കുന്ന ഒരു ദൈവദൂതനെ പോലെ കടന്നുവരികയും ഹൃദയ സ്പർശിയായ പ്രാർത്ഥനകളിലൂടെ ഏവർക്കും ധൈര്യം പകരുകയും ചെയ്ത സന്ദർഭങ്ങൾ അവിസ്മരണീയമാണ്. ഈ ശുശ്രൂഷ അനുഭവിച്ചറിഞ്ഞ ആരും അതു മറക്കുകയില്ല. തൻറെ ജീവിതത്തിൽ പ്രത്യേകമായി പ്രിയ പത്നി (ജസ്സി ബിയാട്രിസ് ) യുടെ വേർപാടിന്റെ അവസരത്തിലും തുടർന്നിങ്ങോട്ടും അനുഭവിക്കുവാൻ ഇടയായ ദൈവകൃപയുടെ ധാരാളമായ അനുഭവത്തെ കുറിച്ച് തിരുമേനി പറയുമായിരുന്നു.
സാധാരണക്കാരായ ജനങ്ങൾ തനിക്കുവേണ്ടി പ്രാർത്ഥിക്കുന്നത് തിരുമേനി വളരെയധികം സന്തോഷത്തോടെ ഇഷ്ടപ്പെട്ടിരുന്നു. പ്രഭാതത്തിനു മുൻപ് എഴുന്നേറ്റ് വേദപുസ്തക പാരായണം പ്രാർത്ഥന എന്നിവയിൽ സമയം ചിലവിടുന്നത് അദ്ദേഹത്തിന്റെ ചിട്ടയുടെ ഭാഗമായിരുന്നു. ആഴ്ചയിൽ ഒരു ദിവസം [വെള്ളിയാഴ്ച്ച ദിവസം] ഉപവാസം ആചരിക്കുന്നതു അദ്ദേഹത്തിന്റെ ശീലമായിരുന്നു.
ഈ നിഷ്ഠകൾ അദ്ദേഹത്തിന്റെ ശുശ്രൂഷയിൽ ശക്തമായ പ്രചോദനമായി മാറി. അതുകൊണ്ട് ദൈവം അദ്ദേഹത്തെ അത്ഭുതകരമായ രീതിയിൽ ഉയർത്തുകയും വിജയകരമായി നടത്തുകയും ചെയ്തു. ലഭിച്ച സ്ഥാനമാണങ്ങളൊന്നിൻറെയും പിന്നാലെ പോയതല്ല, മറിച്ചു അവ തിരുമേനിയെ തേടി വരുകയാണുണ്ടായത്.
ദൈവവചനത്തിൽ അധിഷ്ഠിതമായിരുന്നു യേശുദാസൻ തിരുമേനിയുടെ പ്രസംഗങ്ങൾ. ഇതിലൂടെ ജനങ്ങൾക്കാവശ്യമായ ആത്മീയ ശക്തി പകർന്നു നൽകുവാൻ അദ്ദേഹത്തിന് കഴിഞ്ഞിരുന്നു. ദൈവവചന ധ്യാനത്തിലൂടെ ലഭിച്ച ചിന്തകൾ പരിശുദ്ധാത്മ ശക്തിയിലും പ്രാർത്ഥനയുടെ കരുത്തിലും വ്യക്തതയോടെ അവതരിപ്പിക്കുവാൻ തിരുമേനിക്കു കഴിഞ്ഞിരുന്നു.
ലണ്ടൻ മിഷനറി സൊസൈറ്റിയുടെ (LMS) ഇരുന്നൂറാം (200th) വാർഷികം ഇംഗ്ലണ്ടിൽ വലിയോരു സമ്മേളനമായി നടത്തപ്പെട്ടപ്പോൾ മൂന്ന് പേർക്ക് മാത്രമേ പ്രസംഗിക്കുവാൻ അവസരം ലഭിച്ചുള്ളൂ. അതിലൊന്ന് യേശുദാസൻ തിരുമേനിയായിരുന്നു. മറ്റ് രണ്ടു പേർ ഇംഗ്ലണ്ടിലെ എലിസബത്ത് രാജ്ഞിയും മറ്റൊന്ന് ആഫ്രിക്കൻ ബിഷപ്പ് ഡെസ്മണ്ട് റ്റൂറ്റൂ എന്നിവരായിരുന്നു. മുഴുവൻ ഏഷ്യക്കാരെയും പ്രതിനിധീകരിക്കുവാൻ ദൈവം യേശുദാസൻ തിരുമേനിയെ ഉയർത്തിയ ഈ അവസരവും മാർക്കാനാവാത്തതുതന്നെ.
യേശുദാസൻ തിരുമേനി പല അവസരങ്ങളിലായി അനേകം ലേഖനങ്ങൾ എഴുതിയിട്ടുണ്ട്. അവയെല്ലാം തന്നെ ആഴമേറിയ ചിന്തകൾ കൊണ്ട് സമ്പുഷ്ടമാണ്.
“ഹിന്ദുമത പ്രവേശിക (1970),”
“മിഷനറി വീരനായ പൗലോസ് (1985),”
ക്രിസ്തു ജയന്തി (1990),”
“ക്രൂശിലെ മേലെഴുത്ത് (1992),”
“ഇത്ര വലിയ രക്ഷ (1998),”
“നീ വായിക്കുന്നത് ഗ്രഹിക്കുന്നുവോ (2000),
“പാതയ്ക്കു പ്രകാശം (2004),”
“രക്തം നിലവിളിക്കുന്നു (2006),
“മതപരിവർത്തനം—ഒരു ക്രൈസ്തവ സമീപനം (2008),” എന്നിവയാണ് യേശുദാസൻ തിരുമേനിയുടെ പ്രധാന കൃതികൾ. ഈ ഗ്രന്ഥങ്ങളിലെല്ലാം തന്നെ ബന്ധപ്പെട്ട വിഷയങ്ങൾ സമഗ്രമായി അപഗ്രഥിച്ചു അടുക്കും ചിട്ടയോടും കൂടി അവതരിപ്പിച്ചിട്ടുണ്ട്.
അദ്ദേഹം അവസാനം രചനയിലേർപ്പെട്ടിരുന്ന പുസ്തകം പൂർത്തിയാക്കണമെന്നത് തിരുമേനിയുടെ വലിയ ആഗ്രഹമായിരുന്നു. മേയ് 2013 – ൽ “പ്രവാചക ദൗത്യം ” എന്ന പുസ്തകം പ്രസിദ്ധീകരിച്ചു കാണുവാൻ ദൈവം അദ്ദേഹത്തിനു കൃപ നൽകി.
യേശുദാസൻ തിരുമേനിയുടെ ഭരണനൈപുണ്യം ദക്ഷിണ കേരള മഹായിടവകയും ദക്ഷിണേന്ത്യ സഭയും രുചിച്ചറിഞ്ഞിട്ടുള്ളതാണ്. ദൈവഭയമുള്ള വ്യക്തികളെ കണ്ടെത്തി അവരുടെ കഴിവുകൾ പൂർണമായി സഭയ്ക്കു പ്രയോജനപ്പെടുന്ന താക്കോൽ സ്ഥാനങ്ങളിൽ പ്രതിഷ്ഠിച്ച് ഒരു നല്ല ടീം ആയി പ്രവർത്തിക്കുന്ന രീതി തിരുമേനിക്കുണ്ടായിരുന്നു. ദക്ഷിണ കേരള മഹായിടവകയിൽ വളരെയേറെ വികസന പ്രവർത്തനങ്ങൾക്കും അടിസ്ഥാനമിട്ടത് യേശുദാസൻ തിരുമേനിയുടെ ഭരണ നേതൃത്യത്തിലായിരുന്നു.
യഥാർത്ഥമായ ജനാധിപത്യ മൂല്യങ്ങളെ ഉയർത്തി പിടിച്ചുകൊണ്ട് എല്ലാവരുടെയും ആശയങ്ങൾ ചർച്ചചെയ്യുവാൻ അവസരം കൊടുക്കുവാൻ തിരുമേനി ശ്രദ്ധിച്ചിരുന്നു. മിഷനറി പ്രവർത്തനങ്ങൾക്കും പുതിയൊരു ദിശാബോധം നൽകി ദക്ഷിണ കേരള മഹായിടവകയെ അതിലേക്കുള്ള സംരംഭങ്ങളിൽ, ആദ്യം ആന്ധ്ര പ്രദേശിലും പിന്നെ ഒറീസ്സയിലും മുന്നോട്ടു നയിച്ചത് തിരുമേനിയുടെ പ്രത്യേക താത്പര്യമായിരുന്നു.
യേശുദാസൻ തിരുമേനി ദൈവം തന്നെ വിളിച്ച ദൗത്യം വിശ്വസ്തതയോടെ അന്ത്യം വരെയും നിറവേറ്റി. പൂർണമായ സമർപ്പണവും അചഞ്ചലമായ ദൈവാശ്രയവും ദൈവനടത്തിപ്പിലുള്ള വിശ്വാസവും അദ്ദേഹത്തെ വിജയകരമായി ഓട്ടം പൂർത്തിയാക്കുന്നതിന് സഹായിച്ചു.
യേശുദാസൻ തിരുമേനിയെ കുറിച്ച് ഓർക്കുമ്പോൾ അദ്ദേഹം പ്രിയം വച്ച യേശുവിനെ കൂടെ നാം ഓർത്തു പോകുന്നു. ക്രൂശിന്റെ മറവിൽ താഴ്മയോടെ പ്രവർത്തിച്ച ഈ ദൈവദാസൻ നിത്യ ജീവന്റെ സന്തോഷത്തിലേയ്ക്ക് വിളിക്കപ്പെട്ടിരിക്കുന്നു. യേശുദാസൻ തിരുമേനിയുടെ ജീവിതം ഇനിയും അനേകകാലം നമ്മുടെ മദ്ധ്യേ ദീപ്തസ്മരണായി വെളിച്ചം പകർന്നുകൊണ്ടേയിരിക്കും.
Watch on YouTube: Malayalam Sermon on the Blood of Jesus by Bejoy Peter
Bishop Jesudasan: The Humble Servant Who Remained Faithful to God’s Call
യേശുദാസൻ തിരുമേനി: ദൈവവിളിയോടു വിശ്വസ്തത പുലർത്തിയ എളിയ ദാസൻ എന്ന തലക്കെട്ടിനു പ്രേരകമായത് തിരുമേനിയുടെ ജീവിതത്തിലെ ഒരു പ്രത്യേക ചിട്ടയാണ് എന്ന് പറയുവാൻ എനിക്കു ആഗ്രഹമുണ്ട്. തിരുമേനി ബിഷപ്പായി അഭിഷിക്തനായത് 1973 ഓഗസ്റ് 5 ആം തിയതിയാണ്. പിന്നീടങ്ങോട്ടുള്ള എല്ലാ വർഷവും ഓഗസ്റ് 5 ആം ദിവസം തൻറെ ഔദ്യോഗിക തിരക്കുകളിൽ നിന്നു അവധിയെടുത്തു ഏതെങ്കിലും ഒരു സ്വസ്ഥമായ റിട്രീറ്റ് സെന്റെറിൽ ഒറ്റയ്ക്ക് പ്രാർത്ഥനാനിരതനായി ചിലവിടുമായിരുന്നു.
അന്നു തിരുമേനി ദൈവമുൻപാകെ സ്വയം ചോദിച്ചു ഉത്തരം കണ്ടെത്തുവാൻ ശ്രമിച്ചിരുന്ന ചോദ്യമിതാണ്: “ഞാൻ ദൈവം എന്നെ ഏല്പിച്ച വിളിയോടു വിശ്വസ്തനായിരിക്കുന്നുവോ?”
അദ്ദേഹത്തിന്റെ ജീവിതത്തെ അവലോകനം ചെയ്യുമ്പോൾ ഈ ഒരു ആത്മപരിശോധന അദ്ദേഹത്തിന്റെ ദർശനത്തിലും സേവനത്തിലും നേതൃത്വത്തിലും എത്രമാത്രം സ്വാധീനം ചെലുത്തി എന്ന് മനസ്സിലാക്കുവാൻ കഴിയും.
Dreams at night are common. Some dreams are romantic, some terrify, and some are pleasant. Some dreams have warnings. Well, Pilate’s wife warned him when he was sitting at the Judgement Seat to pronounce his verdict on Jesus: “Don’t have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him.(Matthew 27:19 Bible)”
Dreams at night can come because you have a lot of worries and your mind is stressed. So many things that are troubling you can play out in your minds as dreams. It can include people you know or strangers. It can have places you are familiar with and it can be totally strange places and situations you see in your dreams.
Dreams can be realisitc like how it actually looks like in real life. Or dreams can be symbolic like the dreams of Pharaoh which Joseph interpreted. Pharaoh, the mighty king of Egypt, saw two dreams: He saw seven fat cows being eaten by seven lean cows which came out of the River Nile. Again, he saw seven heads of grain, good-looking, on a single stalk. After them came seven thin heads of grain, withered and scorched by the east wind which swallowed up the seven healthy heads.
Joseph told Pharaoh that the dreams were one and the same and that there will be seven years of plenty in Egypt which will be followed by seven years of famine when the abundance will be forgotten. He also added that since God has shown Pharaoh the dream in two forms, God was going to do it soon.
Dreams can create tension. Snakes, fire, accidents, bloodshed, are all things that occur in dreams and worry the mind. Some dreams choke us almost literally and we end up sweating and waking up. Some dreams of this kind drain the energy away from us and can cause fear. The source of dreams like these are demonic.
Dreams that trouble teens and youngsters can often be related to the relationship issues they are going through. Rejection, longing for love and acceptance, the thirst for adventure of the right and wrong kinds can all be the subject of dreams. Some nocturnal dreams make them feel unclean. It can create the feel of being exposed, being made part of some wrong activity, or being placed in filthy surroundings.
Dreams can be suurealistic with its illogical and impossible combinations of images which can come with almost Hollywood cinema effects and clarity. But the point to note is that when you try to interpret dreams, you need to know that there will be wheat and tares, which means, that there will be in it what is to be taken and what is to be rejected. You need God’s wisdom to do so.
Some dreams are prophetic. They show the dreamer what is going to happen. Or it can show the dreamer what has already taken place but is hidden from the eyes of others. Secrets are laid bare in dreams. And often God warns people in dreams.
But we are standing on difficult ground when it comes to dreams. Why? Because today, so many people claim, “I have had a dream from God.” This is nothing new. Some 25 centuries ago, God had warned about people like that, prophets who tell lies in God’s name. God instead asks people to listen to His Word, the Bible, for “Is not my word like fire,” declares the LORD, “and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces?” Jeremiah 23:29 Bible NIV.
But then some dreams and visions that came from God are so impactful that it left the prophets like Ezekiel and Daniel exhasuted and falling facedown on the ground. And sometimes sick for a fee days. Those dreams were not personal but involved the great glory of God and the prophetic unfolding of history. They are a class apart and do not occur these days.
To conclude, there are dreams in which angels act a part. For they are God’s messengers. When such dreams come, there is no doubt, but only the certain conviction that God has spoken. Most often they come to warn, to encourage, but above all to call you to repentance and obedience to God.
One long sentence begins with the thought that has crossed each of our minds when we looked up at the twinkling stars at night in our childhood and we started thinking on how it all began and how the universe came to be without man’s effort because he was not there when with just the spoken word God created the world in all its variety and beauty and order until there was that little bit of rebellion which cut off and separated man from the presence of God and it was so sad and tragic and brought death’s curse over the world which showcase God’s wisdom and power and love and care and it all seemed to end in failure when God promised that a Man would come as a child one day to bring back peace between God and sinners which became the good news for which the world waited for centuries until the Word became flesh and lived among us and faced the increasing hostility of men which finally made them nail him to a wooden cross on top a hill where he bled and died for the forgiveness of your sins and rose again from the dead the third day to live forevermore to gift eternal life to all those who would trust and believe in him which tells us that there is hope for each one of us and life will continue with you finding joy in heaven and living in the presence of God and angels and seeing the face of God only if you repent and believe the good news failing which you go to hell where the fire never stops burning and worms do not die as Jesus said which is a reality that will be your ultimate destiny if you deliberately turn away from God’s love shown you on the cross for then nothing else remains but the wrath and judgement of God falling on you which you cannot escape but can if you choose the love of God for there is no condemnation or eternal punishment for those who trust in Jesus Christ the Son of God who loved you and bled to death for you.
When angels compere, first and foremost, they compere only according to script. For angels deliver God’s message given them.
So also when you compere, your confidence will be high if you have scripted all that you plan to say.
II. Smile from your heart.
When angels compere, they communicate joy. I don’t know whether angels smile; but Jesus said about the little ones that “their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven.” So when children smile; it should be making angels smile too as there is always joy in heaven.
And when you compere, the best thing you can bring on stage is your smile. If you smile from your heart; it creates a joyous mood and anticipation in the audience.
III. Vary your voice and style.
When angels compere, they vary their style to suit their message. When they warn; they have a solemn tone communicating urgency. When they sound hope; their voice is one of comfort and strength.
The lesson is that you have to match your voice and style to suit the mood and occasion. You might invite, celebrate, thank, or simply communicate information. You cannot use the same style for all.
IV. Build rapport with the audience and put them at ease.
When angels compere, they put the audience at ease. Often they are seen and heard saying, “Do not be afraid.”
As a compere you should be able to build a rapport with the audience. Some insightful remark or a timely word that can address the dominant mood of the audience can be a great move.
V. Focus spotlight on others and highlight them.
When angels compere, they simply do whatever duties they have been assigned to. They are flames of fire and servants of God worshipping him. They do not call attention to themselves but to the message and to God who sent them.
As a compere, your role is not to be in the limelight but help the audience to focus on the person being celebrated. You are to be like a voice drawing attention to others.
VI. Create memories; not just compere speeches.
When angels compere, there is a flash of heaven meeting the earth for a brief moment in time. As a compere if you can create some precious memories; that will remain in hearts and minds for long.
In that sense, the world has ever since found hope in these words of the angel on Bethlehem’s first Christmas carolling night: “I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you. He is Christ the Lord.”
So, with angels, let us also respond saying, “Gloria in Excelsis Deo.”
VII. Be committed to excellence.
When angels compere, they do it with excellence. When they worship God saying “Holy, Holy, Holy,” or while responding to the summons of God their words and actions are enthusiastic. In other words, you’ll never see an angel perform below his best.
So being an emcee or compere is a commitment to excellence. It is an art that is mastered over time. Attention to detail and a burning desire to perform well will help you excel as a compere.
It doesn’t matter if the beginning seems small
Or having not significance great;
For God is at work
And his eye is watching over you.
There will come delays:
People might oppose you;
Some friends might leave;
And others slander you.
But then those are the very things
That make you, in weakness and fear, tremble;
And make you turn to the Lord for strength.
Look to Jesus;
Who stands by your side.
And when obstacles seem too big to overcome;
Step out in faith, and there will a way for you open,
Right in the middle of what threatens to drown you.
Now, do not lose the vision;
Its end awaits an appointed time.
Till then, toil and labour on in tears and sweat;
Someday there will be a reward;
For being faithful to the task you were given to do.
Therefore let no one despise
The day of small beginnings,
For what you’ve begun with God;
He’ll surely complete.
Let there be light.
When God speaks light into your life,
The powers of darkness will not hold its might;
For the blood of the cross washes away
Your sins; both its guilt and shame.
Being forgiven sets you free; Unbend from your stoop of low esteem.
Let there be light.
For in that flash of light
More blinding than the noonday sun
Is heard his voice:
It is hard for you to fight against the light.
So come; let the light befriend you;
And hope arise when it shines out in you.
Let there be light.
For reveal it shall; lay bare those petty things
That with monstrous roots grip within.
But in my love, says your God, no darkness resides;
Only plenteous mercy and healing besides.
For I am compassionate,
O my child; come, live in the light!
Lavender skies;
Is neither blue nor the red I knew.
The morning broke
But my heart still heaved
For the night before had seen
Yet again me go down.
Was it the pain of rejection?
Was it sheer loneliness?
That emptied my cup
Of joy, of love;
Which never ever was full.
Oh, lavender skies!
How my heart heave and sighs
As the past grinds over me
Like a cart with grain loaded;
And those merciless wheels
That crush underneath.
Like a worm;
I feel no worth.
Yet the morning brings
That word of hope:
“Lavender skies!”
It came, just came
When I’d thought all was lost.
Oh, lavender skies!
You tell me when I forget:
God’s compassions never fail;
They are new every morning;
So me can begin again
To hope, to believe,
There’s more to life
Than the moments I have failed.
Oh, lavender skies!
You’ve brought me
That splash of white
To mix with the red and the blue;
That whisper of hope
To stand up once more
In the strength
Of the love of my God;
On that mercy note
Seen on the blood of his cross.
— Note: The two words “Lavender Skies” just came to mind on Sunday morning, 5th of December 2021, as I sat a bit fatigued. It mixed with some themes that were already in mind; and I had no other choice but to allow, under divine compulsion, words to flow and pen these lines.
It is amazing that prayer often comes last in the list when we are in trouble. Isn’t it because we forget that we have a Helper who helps us to pray?
God knows that we faint when we have to stay awake and pray in the hour of our need. Therefore, he has sent into our hearts the Holy Spirit who will help us to pray.
Yes, there are moments when our hearts are too heavy that we are unable to pray. Then the Spirit of God, with groans and sighs which cannot be heard by our ears, lifts up our hearts to God in prayer. Those prayers are heard and answered, for he prays for us always according to God’s will.
When such a person is given to us; what a gift he is! And like many other gifts that God has given us; we’ve forgotten him and treated him like a stranger.
Prayer can be a joy when the Spirit of God is called upon to help you pray. He will remind you of the promises of God, and give you the boldness to pray. He will counsel you with wisdom and knowledge to take action in answer to prayer. The Spirit of God helps you to praise when there is a spirit of despair clouding your heart and mind.
He helps you look to Jesus with unwavering faith. He will help you to stand at the foot of the cross and draw near to God crying out “Abba, Father,” through the precious blood of Jesus. He will help you go to God’s throne of grace with boldness and confidence; where Jesus now alive for ever and ever, is at the right hand of God interceding on your behalf.
He makes God’s presence real to you. God’s friendship warms your heart like a lit fire on a cold day when the Spirit of God makes your heart his home.
And when you read the Bible, he makes it come alive for you. The Word of God then speaks to you not as history but as truth and as the living words of God. Guided by the Spirit of God, its wisdom becomes the answers to your prayers; a lamp to your feet and a light to your path.
The best in prayer is that the Spirit of truth shows us how ugly our hearts really are; and burns away, if we are willing, all that is not pleasing to God in our lives. So let us pray that the Spirit of God come and search our hearts, and give us the courage to change.
Prayer is not limited by language, when the Spirit of God prays in us. God becomes real and intimate to us when the Spirit of God is called alongside like an advocate or friend to help us pray.Therefore, let us simply call on the Holy Spirit, the Gift of the Father in heaven, who was sent to us in the Name of Jesus, to help us to pray.
It does not matter if your life is like the valley of dry bones; for when the Spirit of God comes, the dry bones shall come to life in answer to prayer. So also, there shall be a revival of hope; a season of refreshing, and abundant showers of blessing, when the Spirit of God comes with mighty power like the wind, and with a mother’s comforting love.
Mighty God he is, Lord God; yet gentle like a dove. He is grieved by our sins, and our cold,complacent attitude towards him.
My friend, will you give the Holy Spirit a chance; to make things right in your life? If yes, pray continually in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.
Prayer is the language of love that brings together God and you; and the Spirit of God will not fail to bring you joy when you approach God in prayer.
You’re not alone! For God will not leave you comfortless and helpless; but he has promised to come to you; the Spirit of God makes that promise true. Then the peace of God which Jesus had promised will be yours and mine.
Above all, it is the Spirit of God who makes the love of God pour out into our hearts like lights flooding a stadium at night.
“Oh, Spirit of God, come and light again that first love lost, anoint me with the oil of gladness, and restore within me the joy of God!”
“In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself interecedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will.”
Jesus is coming soon. It is going to be a sudden coming, a majestic coming, a joyous coming, and a momentous coming. Let us look at how this next great event on Planet Earth and witnessed by all is going to happen.
Warning and Encouragement
When Jesus comes back it will be like a flash of lightning.
It will happen in the twinkling of an eye.
Those who are ready will be taken; others left behind.
When the LORD Jesus comes down from heaven,
with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel,
and the sounding of the trumpet call of God,
the dead in Christ will rise first.
When Jesus comes in the clouds with power and great glory,
believers who are left and still alive at that time,
will be caught up together with them in the clouds
to meet the Lord in the air
and be with him forever.
Others will be left behind.
A Sudden Coming
The second coming of Jesus will be a sudden coming.
Without warning, when people least expect him,
when they say “peace and safety,”
when mockers and scoffers who follow their own evil desires ask,
“Where is this ‘coming’ he promised?”
When people are busy planning, eating, drinking, and making merry;
then Jesus will come like a thief in the night,
and there will be sudden destruction and judgement by fire.
And people will not escape.
So be ready. Look to Jesus with hope;
for there is not much time left to decide where you will spend all eternity:
Hell or heaven is totally your choice!
A Majestic Coming
The second coming of Jesus will be a majestic coming.
He will come as KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.
And as the Judge of the living and the dead.
And his coming on the clouds of heaven,
with power and great glory,
will initiate events that will lead
to final and inescapable judgement.
So be ready. Look to Jesus with hope;
or else you’ll be left behind.
A Joyous Coming
The second coming of Jesus will be a joyous coming.
For Jesus is coming to take us to heaven;
all those who have believed in him
and in his shed blood on the cross
for the forgiveness of their sins;
that they also may be with him forever.
But if you are left behind,
the world can offer you NO hope,
for the world in the end times will witness great trouble,
never ever before seen in the history of this world.
So be ready. Look to Jesus with hope.
You who have this hope in you purify yourself;
in the precious blood of Jesus, the Lamb of God,
so that you may not be left behind.
A Momentous Coming
“Look, he is coming with the clouds,
and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him;
and all the peoples of the earth will mourn because of him. So shall it be! Amen.”
No one knows about that day or hour of his coming.
Be on guard! Be Alert!
You do not know when that time will come.
Are you ready for his coming?
Or will he find you unprepared and sleeping?
This is your 7 minute guide to effective public speaking. These are tips that will inspire you to speak without fear. You might not be able to master all these tips at once; but they will guide you one step at a time to craft and present speeches that will remain in the hearts and minds of your audience for a long time to come. If you prefer, you can read this on LinkedIn too.
Believe you can.
There is no way you can move ahead without this.
Believe in the power of mistakes.
You will certainly make a few.
Believe in people.
Do not worry on what they will think about you.
Believe in the value of criticism.
They hurt; but they make you better.
Look at people in the eye.
That will give your message a personal touch.
Start strong. Capture attention.
For it will set the tone for the entire speech.
Speak with confidence.
That will get reflected back to you.
Use gestures to make your words come alive.
They add to the meaning of what you say.
Use transitions. First, second, third are the simplest of them.
Even huge doors move on small hinges.
Pause when needed.
They impact. They also give you enough breathing space.
Vary your voice. They call it modulation.
It helps the audience listen to you without getting bored.
Bring in homely examples.
They stick because it’s each person’s experience.
A blue ball among a lot of yellow ones catches attention.
The contrast cannot be missed.
It was like ice cream melting in my mouth.
It makes people feel what you say.
Tell stories from your life or from elsewhere.
For there is not one who fails to listen to a well-told story.
Ask questions when you want to be persuasive.
“Why do you hide when you feel guilty?” Engages the listener immediately.
“Yesterday, when I was going home . . .” awakens curiosity.
Then the audience want to know more.
Beginning with, “My topic is,” kills.
Be creative with introductions.
Always respect people’s time.
If they look at their watches, you have lost them.
Do not just give speeches.
Instead create memories.
Enjoy speaking. There is no substitute for this.
It’s like a kid running out to play.
Use images: “Look at the birds of the air;”
“They do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.”
Effectively communicates “Do not worry,” Jesus commanded.
Know where you are going to.
People do not follow when the speaker is not clear about where he or she is leading them to.
Ask yourself whether you are going to inform, persuade, or entertain.
Then start preparing your speech.
Make use of animated dialogues. It will make your speech lively.
The Lion said: “You disturbed my sleep. I’m going to kill you.”
“No. Please don’t kill me. I might be able to help you someday,” said the trembling mouse.
“Ha, ha, ha. You little mouse; you’re going to help me!” the Lion laughed out loud.
Children and adults alike will love that verbal drama!
Don’t be predictable. Vary your approaches to speeches.
You cannot speak on Artificial Intelligence the same way you talk about Love.
Do not be apologetic like “I don’t have much knowledge on this subject.”
It will surely backfire.
Do not read from a slide if you’re presenting.
The audience can do that for themselves!
A sincere compliment to the audience is always welcome.
If you can refer to a few people in the audience by name; it truly connects you to them.
If you’re talking to children, be lively. Be on the move.
Be excited. Keep interacting. Never be on a teaching mode with them.
Go for short sentences most of the time.
Long sentences are difficult to manage.
Organize your speech content.
Your audience should get it like gift packets.
People should feel a design emerge when you speak.
So, build on a skeletal framework; put in flesh and then give it life.
It is solely God’s work; but with speeches you too can.
Making people laugh is a tricky business. If you have to tell them,
“That was a joke I told you now;” it is going to be a tragedy.
Think about your audience always.
Let your desire be to help them understand.
Without doubt; there will come days when your speech might not be good.
Do not get upset. Life is like that.
Always try to finish strong.
There is nothing more desirable than a memorable conclusion.
Remember to focus on one main thought; a takeaway
That will remain in their minds like a headline.
A preacher’s focus is on that cleansing fountain;
The blood of Jesus that washes away the sins of all who trust in him and believe.
Speeches that only address the intellect;
Are like dead logs piled one upon another.
Speeches that only touch the emotions;
Are like paper burning; it’ll flare up and die out quickly.
Some speakers focus on big sounding words;
But simple words that touch the heart make it home.
Sound bites are good; but style alone without substance
Will sound like a brass pot clanging as it falls down the stairs.
If you can make people see pictures in their minds, you win.
“Imagine, a traffic jam in the skies,” is one simple example.
Create a triad of points. It is seen to be effective.
“Books inform, inspire, and entertain,” is one way to state what you’ve got to say.
Asking a question which is in everyone’s mind and answering it is good.
“Why are most people in any group spectators than participants?” is one such.
Be alert for feedback. It need not always be verbal.
Even a slight movement of the eye can tell you what the audience is thinking.
Be fresh in your presentations. Do not rely on what succeeded last time.
Add new material. Bring in ideas of current relevance.
Never get discouraged. You might never know how your words inspire.
One word of hope from you might draw a man or woman from the pit of despair back to life.
This, I believe, is the highest calling of any speaker:
To present through words the gift of hope, light, and life!
