If you ask me, what is the glorious hope ahead, without doubt I can answer that it is the hope of seeing you and me in the likeness of Jesus. It is the most awaited and anticipated event in God’s timeline for the end of human history.
It will also be the beginning of the glorious and never-ending companionship of Jesus with his brothers and sisters; for Jesus shared in our humanity having flesh and blood.
For then we shall see God face to face and he will wipe away every tear from our eyes.
When and How Is this Glorious Hope Going to Happen
Resurrection of the dead is what happens in the twinkling of an eye sometime soon. It will happen when God makes a trumpet call and those who are dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, Jesus. Instantly they will live and be changed.
This mortal body will be clothed with immortality, what is perishable will be transformed to what is imperishable, what has no honour now will be crowned with glory and honour.
This promise reassures us that we who have borne the likeness of the first man, Adam , who was of the dust of the earth, will one day soon bear the likeness of the man from heaven, Jesus.
Each one of us will bear our own individuality and personality; but at the same time when God looks at each one of us, he will see Jesus in us.
Your body will be released from all its earthly limitations; its weakness changed to power; and it will be glorified like the resurrected body of Jesus.
Why this Glorious Hope of Jesus’ Likeness
The truth is God created men and women in his image and likeness (Genesis 1:26, 27). But that likeness was marred and smudged and blurred by sin, disobedience and rebellion against God.
And there came an immediate separation that prevented God from having friendship with us anymore.
But Jesus restored that friendship through satisfying God’s demand for an appropriate sacrifice through his blood on the cross. It was innocent blood shed for the sins of the whole world.
Where this Glorious Hope of Jesus’ Likeness Becomes Reality
This resurrection of the dead will be sudden and universal. Out of tombs and graves, out of ashes, out of the depths of the earth and the oceans; God will bring back to life all those who have put their hope in him.
And they all will be caught up in the air to be with God forever.
All those who are alive and have put their trust in Jesus will also be caught up to God in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye.
What a glorious and joyful gathering it shall be. Hope to see each one of you then. Changed. Transformed. Made brand new in his likeness.
“And just as we have borne the likeness of the earthly man, so shall we bear the likeness of the man from heaven .” (1 Corinthians 15:49 Bible)
But What About Those Who Say No to this Glorious Hope
Then what about those who say No to Jesus now? Hope is lost for them for ever.
For even God cannot offer any hope to those who deliberately walk away from his love that sacrificed his Son Jesus on the cross.
But they too will rise from the dead. This is called the second resurrection at a later time and date.
It is for judgement and hell and unquenchable fire, where there will be darkness and weeping, gnashing of teeth and worms which never die and agony and never-ending torment. Jesus while on earth had warned people of this sad reality.
Those who go there are separated from God for ever. There is absolutely no second chance.
“If anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire” (Revelation 20:15).
What About You Who Have This Glorious Hope
Know that God never created hell for man. It was originally meant for the devil and his angels (see Matthew 25:41). It is only because men and women reject God’s love that they go there.
For this is the heart of God:
“For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, ‘declares the Sovereign LORD.’ Repent and live (Ezekiel 18:30)!”
For the Bible says, “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1).”
So, do not reject this hope and promise given to you.
Who Is Present and What Is Absent in this Glorious Hope
The glorious hope is that you will see God face to face and you will be in the likeness of Jesus.
“Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is (1 John 3:2 Bible).
The Spirit of God will complete this transforming work. And we will live with God for ever in a place where there will be no more sin, no evil, no disobedience or rebellion, no sorrow, no suffering, no sickness; no more death or mourning or crying or pain. Heaven!
What a glorious hope of being in Jesus’ likeness for ever and ever!
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At some point in life each one of us might have asked this question, “Has God forgotten me?” We ask this question during the difficult times in our life.
The first thought is that delay to God’s answers to your prayers are no indication that God has forgotten you. Often, in the waiting period, when you see-saw between hope and despair, God is preparing you to receive the goodness he has kept in store for you.
Secondly, God has promised not to forget you. And he does not lie. He never fails to keep his promises. He has said that it is highly unlikely for a mother to forget her new born baby. God says, even if she forgets, I will not forget you.
Thirdly, God is teaching you to walk by faith during those times you think that God has forgotten you. When God seems absent, the path ahead might look dark and threatening. Your friends might fall to help you. But your faith does not depend on sight. You learn to take one step at a time in hope.
Again, many times it is written in the Bible, “God remembered” someone. Does that mean God had forgotten them? No. God remembered is an expression which means the season for God to act in their lives had then come. And suddenly things begin to move in their lives swiftly.
Now, does your complaint that God has forgotten you make you an unbeliever? No. It simply tells us how weak we are and how much ẁe need to learn to depend on God to live our lives. God is bigger than we think and he does not find fault with your honest doubt, “Has God Forgotten me?”
One of the things that helps you rise above despair is looking back on your past and seeing how God has helped you. Think about how God took care of your needs during the very difficult situations in your life. He is the same God and changes not. He will not forget you. He will surely come to your help.
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
God knew you before anyone else knew you. It is an amazing foreknowledge. You were seen in his radar before any scan could see you.
I know you by name.
God calls each star by name. Such is his immense wisdom and power which holds them. And he is longing to be friends with you. To have a personal relationship with you. He, therefore, calls you by name and says, “You are mine.”
I know your thoughts.
When your heart is proud and unresponsive, he knows it. When your heart is broken and you are humble in your attitude, he knows it. He knows when you feel like a failure and he knows when you are nesting evil thoughts. Everything in your mind is laid open and bare before him.
I know your deeds.
Our system of evaluation is based on what we see. God’s standards are different. He weighs our deeds on a different scale. He looks at our motives and judges our deeds accordingly. Will you and I pass this test?
I know the plans I have for you.
When God’s people were in exile and captivity because of their sin, rebellion, and disobedience; he sent them a message through a prophet. God made a promise that after several decades he would bring them back to their own land. The plans he had were for their good; to prosper them, and not to harm them. His plans for you are also for good; to give you hope and a future even when your circumstances look hopeless today.
I make known the end from the beginning.
God often spoke through prophets and predicted events in the future. As he knows what lies ahead; it is wise to ask him to lead and guide you. He will not only guide you continually; but to the very end. His counsel is always wise and best. Therefore listen to his voice. You will hear him say, “This is the way, walk in it.”
I know your love for me.
The old fire has gone out. The romance is no longer there. You are doing lip service to me but your heart is not in it. What wrong did I do to you that you have forsaken your first love for me? Therefore return to me. I have loved you with an everlasting love. “Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken,” says your God.
I know your secret sins.
I know that you have tried to avoid them but have failed time and again. Your good deeds will not save you. Trust in the blood of my Son Jesus shed on the cross for you. You are clean and purified because of faith in his blood. Your heart is washed whiter than snow. So don’t be disheartened. Don’t be discouraged. Rise up from your bed of defeat. Walk away from evil. And be clothed in garments of praise.
I know your prayers.
God says: “I have heard your prayer and seen your tears.” He sees your unspoken desires; your inaudible groans, and silent lifting up of your heart to his throne of grace. He listens to your every sigh; and even what you are unable to share with your most intimate friend. Therefore do not lose heart. He is near you. He is with you. He is in you. And he is for you. He answers when you call. And he will show you great and mighty things you do not know in response to your prayers.
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Jesus is calling you to himself. You cannot stay where you are to answer that call. You have to take a step forward. He is inviting you to a life of daring into the unknown. He is not promising you a bright future. He is simply promising himself.
Many people are disappointed because they look for material benefits when following Jesus. But Jesus pointed out that he had no place to rest his head unlike birds of the air which have nests and foxes which have holes or dens to retire to at the end of the day. So he was not promising an easy life to anyone who chose to follow him.
Jesus also demands for himself the highest priority you can give when he invites and commands you to follow him. He is asking for your best love towards him. All other loves you have will appear like hate compared to your love for him. Perhaps this is hard to swallow.
Then look at role models; we have many. But when we look closely; there are so many things we find in them that can disappoint us. With Jesus, the more you look at him, the more you talk with him, the more you think of him, his loveliness only increases. He is not asking you to follow rules; he is simply calling you to follow him.
That also means that even when he seems to be absent in our struggles of life; he is always there. Though at times, he seems to have forsaken us; he is there. For he who said, “Come, follow me,” will not leave us or forsake us in times of our distress. He has gone ahead of us. Our role is to keep our eyes focused on him; and him alone.
Following Jesus can be a lonely journey at times. Some of your best friends might hate you because you follow Jesus. Your close relatives might not be as enthusiastic as you are in following Jesus. But Jesus is not calling you to follow him with a crowd. His call to you is personal.
Following Jesus demands that we focus on him; and try to avoid distractions. It is not easy. We are surrounded by gadgets that steal away much of our precious time. So to focus on Jesus, you need to make deliberate choices:
Instead of reaching out for your mobile to check for messages or updates the first thing in the morning; why not spend five minutes thanking God for the gift of a new day. Ask him for his help, presence, wisdom, and guidance to do all that you need to do that day.
“Come, follow me,” is both an invitation and a command. You are free to accept or disobey. The choice is entirely yours. But if you reject Jesus and his call; you are missing a journey along with the One who loved you and gave himself on the cross for you where he bled and died.
There are so many broad paths in this world that lead to destruction. But Jesus is inviting you to follow him along the narrow way and find life.
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There is great power in 3 things when you think about Don’t You Quit:
First of all, trust in God. When things look hopeless and no one is in a position to help you and no door seems to open, God is still there. He is ever willing to help you. So hold on in faith. Don’t you quit.
Secondly, trust in the dream God has given you. There might be things that have gone wrong. You might have made mistakes and have had your share of failures. But the good Lord who put the dream in your heart wants to see it fulfilled. So sharpen your skills, raise your vision to higher goals, and bless people through your efforts. Hold on in faith. Don’t you quit.
Thirdly, trust that a comeback is possible for you. Don’t lie down. Don’t give in to despair. It might take longer than you think. Progress might be painfully slow. But every step you take is forward. Every failure is just going to increase your resolve to succeed. So hold on in faith. A comeback will truly showcase to the world how God showed mercy to you. Don’t you quit just at the verge of victory.
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This post was inspired by the Movie HOOVEY | INSPIRATIONAL TRUE STORY | PATRICK WARBURTON
Hope is in short supply in today’s world. But let me remind you of how to overflow with hope. If you are feeling tired and having no strength; if you feel powerless and weak; hold on. Even if you think God has forgotten you; don’t give up. For this promise of God from Isaiah 40:31 is for you:
“But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
What does this promise mean to you today? First of all, it reminds you to focus on God and not your problems. You have to hope in the Lord. You have to make a deliberate effort to turn your eyes away from all your troubles and failures and focus on God and his great power, mighty strength, and infinite wisdom.
Secondly, when you hope in the Lord, you will start to expect God to act in your life. Faith will begin to rise in your hearts. For the Bible says in Hebrews 11:1 that “faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” This kind of hope is not wishful thinking. Instead, it is based on God’s promise and assurance in our lives that he will not leave us nor forsake us.
Thirdly, when you hope in the Lord, there is bound to be action. There will be renewal of strength. You will soar on wings like eagles; you will run and not grow weary, and you will walk and not be faint. Therefore, cheer up. Take heart. Make God the focus of your thoughts. And strength will flow into your lives.
Finally, many people lose hope today as they focus on their past sins, present failures, and future worries. See, the blood of Jesus has the power to cleanse you from all your past sins, redeem your life from present failures, and keep your mind in perfect peace as you hope and trust in him.
So be filled with hope today. As Paul wrote in Romans 15:13, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Let your cup overflow with hope today. God has heard your prayers and seen your tears. From the ashes of your defeat, hope will rise. And God will act on your behalf. Therefore, look to the God of hope today.
It is easy to say God is dead. Atheists believe that there is no God. There might be logic in their argument. Questions like: “If there is a God, why is there so much suffering in this world?” or “Why do people who profess to believe in God, do wrong things?” or “Isn’t it enough that I just be living a good life; trying to help others and not doing harm?” do not have easy answers.
Having said that, let me try to raise a few concerns.
Man is busy trying to explain origins dating back to billions of years. But while they are proposing theories; the reality of cold dark death bites. Why death?
Secondly, most human beings wear dress.
Forget about fashions; but think of normal wear. Why this distinction? If man is a social animal as many love to term it; why is man different from all other animals, birds, and reptiles in this regard? Isn’t it that the shame of the original sin in the Garden of Eden is haunting all men and women even today?
Thirdly, man thinks. And he expresses his thoughts through words.
As Dr. Samuel Johnson said, “Language is the dress of thought.” But why so many languages in the world. Well, the world had one speech and language at the dawn of human history. Was it not God who scattered men all around the world by confusing their languages because of man’s rebellion against him?
I do agree that love has been corrupted much. But then you will all agree that love is that which affirms us that we belong. It is love that reduces friction and makes hope-filled waiting possible. Who put love within man’s heart in the first place? If not God, then who? So then, Is God Who Gave You Life, Dead?
Champions have a different mindset. One thing that makes them different from others is their ability to raise their game to highest performance when situations demand it from them. Let us look at some the highlights of a champion’s mindset.
First of all, champions don’t think defeat.
They are realistic with who their competition is. But they don’t allow that to intimidate them. Often the best opponent and the toughest teams bring out the best in them and help them bring out their best performance.
Secondly, champions enjoy their game.
They workout, toil, and spend long hours in practice. All these are tolling on the mind and body. But they persevere because they enjoy what they do. Even when they sleep they dream of enjoying their game. This undoubtedly makes them raise their game to highest performance while on the field.
Thirdly, champions don’t give up till the very last.
They have the ability to bounce back from early setbacks if it happens. They keep cool under pressure. They anticipate in hope till they catch the opponent relaxing for perhaps a split second and turn the tables around. Often champions show their true colors by unbelievable comebacks especially during final moments of a game. This is performance at its very best.
Fourthly, champions treat victories differently.
They are happy; but they are dissatisfied with even their best performance. Always, they strive to find what they could do better next time. No champion relaxes on reaching a summit. They treat it as history and focus sharply on the next game coming up. Looking forward is one way champions raise the level of their game to highest performance.
Finally, champions sense it when their fans, the situation, and the watching world is expecting them to perform.
They adapt to even hostile situations and deliver under pressure. Perhaps this one distinguishes a champion from others. They raise the level of their game to highest performance when all is against them.
To conclude, you too can be a champion if you strive to win, have that killer instinct, and a never give up hope-filled attitude until you win.
I share with you this classic mistake I once made in my speech which I remember the most. The occasion was a sermon I delivered in my Church.
It was a few weeks after the Tsunami had struck South East Asia in December 2004. So I started off talking about it. In the third sentence of my sermon I said, ” A few days later the . . .”
At that point my mind went blank. I was standing in the pulpit. It was a raised platform. Around three to four hundred people were looking intently at me. I had no sermon notes with me. I simply had to go on.
I knew I had to say a word starting with the letter M. But it was not coming to mind. So I substituted with another word starting with the letter M. And this is what I said:
“A few days later themagnanimity of the tragedy struck us.”
The moment I said that in my mind’s eye I could see blue and red lights flashing and hear alarm bells ringing. But I couldn’t stop to analyze. I had to go on.
The sermon went ahead well with a few more mistakes but not as classic as the one I just mentioned. Truly “magnanimity” was a disaster.
The magnitude (which was the word I should have said) of my mistake is clear because magnanimity means generosity!
Truly a classic mistake.
But the point is that it did not stop my journey as a public speaker. I continue to speak even now.
Therefore you need not fear mistakes. Let them come.
Often there is nothing much I can do to correct the mistakes made in speech as with the case of “magnanimity” of the tragedy.
So I understand that it simply shows me as a human being capable of making mistakes, maybe time and again.
But beyond that I see that I can trust him who hung on a cross and bled for me to integrate my life’s failures and mistakes into what he is shaping and moulding me to be.
So be encouraged today to speak. Mistakes need not prevent you from achieving the best that God has kept in store for you.
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!
Open doors are everywhere. But if you don’t see them; it is simply because you are looking at the past and looking at the already closed doors! You can see open doors if you trust God and are ready to wipe your tears away and look.
What can you see then? Do you see problems instead of possibilities; do you see despair instead of hope; do you see darkness instead of light? It all depends on how you look.
Open doors will help you see a glimpse of the future. Maybe you are restricted in your circumstances and in your resources. But that does not prevent you from looking ahead in hope and believing in your God-given dreams. So look through the open door ahead. And you will see a glimpse of your future.
Open doors will help you see what task God is entrusting you with for today. When you are afraid to step forward because of your inhibitions, discouragement, and a consciousness of your own insignificance, you will hear his voice saying. “Have I not commanded you. Be strong now, and act.”
Finally open doors will help you see people who are cast down and who need a word of strength, comfort, and cheer. When you see them you will know the meaning of the days you struggled. All of it was to make you a useful instrument to touch the lives of many with God’s blessing and peace.
So look through the open door ahead. And step out to meet the need that you see ahead. Open doors will not always remain so. So walk through it right now. The opportunity is yours!
Why should you be invited to life? Aren’t you living already? Or is there life beyond life as we know it? These are important questions. The answers can impact your life more than you can imagine.
Let me invite you to look at this grand statement of truth in the Bible which says: “In him was life, and that life was the light of men.”1
In Jesus was found true life. That means the life of God himself. A life that showed to us that there is hope when everything around us is filled with despair; joy even when there is heartbreak; light in the midst of thick darkness; forgiveness we do not deserve; and life that death cannot steal.
His life shows you that God is merciful, compassionate, good, and kind-hearted. His life is always a welcome to you to reach out and grip his nail-pierced hands which bled on the cross for you.
There is something about Jesus that is full of life—abundant life, eternal life, and joy-filled life. There is peace in his life that is not absence from activities but the calm and serene authority in the midst of being busy at the marketplace.
And he is your invitation to life—life which has the expectant hope of some day being like him and enjoying the presence of God.
This life is not an end of oneself or dissolving of oneself or nirvana or rebirth of oneself. But it is knowing God and being able to love him just as you are now; and in a far better way when your death is conquered by his life in you.
Therefore choose life. And it will become the light in your life. It means that in Jesus you’ll find a true knowledge of God as your Father in heaven who cares for you.
Let me end by saying that you should not miss this opportunity to life by being busy with the worries of your daily earthly living. Choose life—life that is found in Jesus!
Respected Principal, Beloved Teachers, Dear Parents, and my fellow students,
Introduction
I stand here at this school assembly looking at the faces of young students who are the future of our country, India. There is much potential, talent, and energy in all of you. With discipline and creativity, imagination and enthusiasm, dream and drive; there is no limit to what each one of you can achieve. But sadly, today, there is a cloud that seems to darken this brightness; it is the menace of drug addiction. So let me start off this campaign by having all of you say no to drugs.
The other part of that slogan should be, “Say Yes to Life.” When saying yes to life, let me share a word of wisdom to all the stakeholders here.:To teachers, parents, as well as students.
Teachers
First of all, let me talk to our teachers. You constantly shine a light on our paths. You encourage us. We are grateful to you for that. But beyond this let me ask one more thing from you. Do not compare us with others. Do not compare our marks or our appearance.
What we expect from you is a word of appreciation. A good word of encouragement can go a long way in building our self-esteem. Give us a word of hope that in spite of our failures and mistakes we are going to make it. Perhaps the confidence you can give us, the trust you show us can in the long run help us say no to drugs than anything else.
Parents
Now let me to talk to our parents. You have made life possible for us. You have given us love and care and affection. You have given us great learning opportunities. We are here today only because of you. But there is one mistake that many parents make. You give the best toys and gadgets for your kids. You give money for their needs.
But how much of your time do you give them? Do you know the best gift you can give them is your unhurried time; your willingness to listen to them; and maybe play with them when you get a chance. Young children grow fast. And when you realize that time has flown; they will be already adults like you. Then it will be too late.
Many children turn to drugs because they seek love and acceptance they did not get at home. So they find it difficult to avoid the peer pressure and fail to say no to drugs.
Students
Now at last, let me to talk to you my friends. There is only one life. When you are young it is the springtime of life when everything is in bloom. But there are predators everywhere. They are those who seek to drain away the nectar of your life by luring you with the temptation of entertainment, pleasure, easy money and the like.
Always know that drugs come into your life to steal, kill, and destroy. It will hook you, addict you to a path of misery, and make a wreck of your mind, body, and soul.
Those who peddle drugs will make it look attractive and even innocent. But hidden behind could be the arm of mafias and terrorist outfits who have no respect for life. Know that their only aim is money by making you compromise your bright future by trading it off for illegal enjoyment the present moment.
Therefore think long-term. Think of the people who love you. Do not bring them to tears. Say no to drugs.
Conclusion
Let me end now. Even when you’ve made a mistake by chance or choice or by being forced, there is always a U-turn possible. Keep up hope. It takes courage to return and you can. It is like the prodigal son returning home to his father’s love after having wasted all his possessions in wild living.
Therefore, let me urge you once again, if there is anyone who has taken the wrong step already; it is not too late. Say no to drugs and return to life and there will certainly be a future for you.
Do you know the good news?
Jesus came to bleed and die on the cross.
He died in your place taking your punishment upon him.
But why should you be punished at all if you are good?
Well, even a good person will say that not everything is right in his heart and in this world.
There is something gone wrong with all of us.
There is the shadow of death everywhere.
But why is this so?
Because sin or rebellion against God came to this world through our first parents.
And we have inherited that tendency to disobey God.
Our hearts are deceitful; not loving the truth.
We need God’s mercy and forgiveness.
And God offers it for you at the cross where Jesus bled and died.
So, turn away from all wrong and look to him.
Because Jesus lives, we too can find life in him.
It is God’s free gift to you!
That is the good news of God.
A while ago someone rang the doorbell in my house. But no music was heard. It was not faulty but there was no electric supply. It was power cut here. He then started knocking and saying, “Hello,” and “Is there anyone in the house,” out loud.
But I was too lazy to get up and look. I was taking a short nap. It was too hot and it was just past noon.
Shortly I got up and went to answer. By that time the person had left.
I thought a little bit about this simple incident. Some knocks are heard, some are not. At least a few, we ignore.
What if the knock or doorbell ringing is a messenger with an urgent message? That thought was what finally made me get up and have a look. But I missed that opportunity.
Ignoring his knock can not only make me lose the opportunity for now; but for ever and ever and ever and ever . . . Only death and hell and burning and unending thirst remains then for ever and ever and ever and ever. . .
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Featured image courtesy: Kampus Production (Pexels) 1Revelation 3:20 Bible NIV 1984.
We have, it seems, an in-built microscope which magnifies problems to make them look bigger than they really are. Let us look at some simple steps to zoom them out to normal sizes.
First of all, problems appear big because we despair and give up hope easily. Problems look big because we look at it in fear. Instead look at problems as opportunities to make you strong in your character. This change in outlook can make a positive difference.
Secondly, problems appear big because you think on it all the time. Probably you are unable to share them with anyone. If that is the case, engage in any activity, hobby, or work that will give you relaxation and joy. The idea is to have something creative to do.
Thirdly, problems appear big because we fail to look to Jesus. The look doesn’t take problems away. But what it does is, the more we focus on him, the more God will appear big to us as he truly is. The more we look, we start to experience the peace of God.
This peace of God is beyond human understanding or logic. Like special security personnel or military forces standing guard, so God’s peace will guard your mind from all anxious thoughts invading your mind or making you to run away from facing problems.
So instead of taking a microscope to look at problems in a magnified way look to Jesus. And as St. Paul wrote: “Do not be anxious about anthing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” 1
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.
If I were to tell you, “I will not forget you,” the chances are that I will. Life is busy and when other priorities get the upper hand, you will soon be forgotten once you are out of my sight.
But when God says, “I will not forget you”, there is absolutely no way he is going to forget you, ever!
First of all, God loves you and cares for you. Therefore he will not forget you. Do you doubt whether he is interested in all the small things of life that trouble you? He is concerned for you and looks on you with favour.
Secondly, God remembers the love you have for him. He knows the times you stumbled. He has seen your earnest tears. He values your thankful heart. More than all these, he appreciates your spending time in his presence. Yes, God will not forget you.
Thirdly, God uses an unforgettable argument to make you remember that he will not forget you. He asks whether a mother can forget the baby at her breast and show no compassion on the child she has borne? Even if she forgets, which is highly unlikely, God says “I will not forget you.”
So if you are feeling lost and helpless, forsaken and misunderstood, lonely and without hope, this is God’s message for you today: “I will not forget you!” Read this post on LinkedIn
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Bible references: Isaiah 44:21; 49:15, Ezekiel 36:9, Hebrews 6:10.
Many years ago, I delivered a sermon in CSI Mateer Memorial Church, Thiruvananthapuram. The sermon was based on Isaiah 49:15. It was the month of March. And this is how I began and concluded the sermon.
Sermon Introduction: “This is the month of March and it is the festive season of autographs.” [In a few quick sentences I explained how in Schools and Colleges, Students write autographs for their friends and in the coming years what is written is soon forgotten.]
Sermon Conclusion: “This is the month of March and it is the festive season of autographs. And God in a fresh new page of your autograph book writes in the blood of his Son Jesus, ‘I will not forget you.’ “
We all know the story of the greedy fox. Therefore, today, let me tell you something about greed.[Click this link to listen to the BPPS Podcast of this speech on YouTube.]
First of all, greed makes you blind to true love. When greed takes over; people become willing to tear apart blood relationships. Remember this is just for some material gain, wealth, money or inherited property. What a sad situation it is!
Secondly, greed makes us worship money and wealth. Dear friends, only God alone is worthy of our adoration, praise, and worship. But greed makes us forget that. And we start to bow down in front of greed.
Thirdly, greed can make you grab all you want; but at the end of the day you’ll be left with nothing. Remember, how Alexander the Great had the wisdom to ask his friends to put two holes in his coffin through which his empty hands could be put outside of it for all to see and think. He had conquered a large part of the world. But he was taking absolutely nothing with him when he died.
Finally, greed can make you a monster. Many angels at heart have become ruthless when they had allowed greed to take control of their lives. Values like love, compassion, mercy, and kindess disappear from the lives of those who are greedy.
Therefore my friends, stay away from greed. Let the story of the greedy fox remind you to stay away from greed. Let me conclude with the words of Jesus Christ: “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”1
Thank you.
1Luke 12:15 Bible NIV 1984.
Featured image courtesy: Amanda Frank (Unsplash)
There is no success, no movement forward, no progress, no growth, and no development if you don’t try. So it is popularly said, “Try again and again until you succeed.” But the question is how should you try. Here are a few ways in which you can and should try.
First of all, you should try again and again with enthusiasm. As Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.” Don’t let anything discourage you. Interestingly, the word “enthusiasm” comes from the Greek words “en” and “theos”; and it means “in God.” So when you are full of enthusiasm it will be like you are energized with the joy of God.
Secondly, you should try again and again with persistence. It simply means to keep on doing and keep on moving. Many give up after they try a few times. A last final try is built upon many earlier attempts; and all of them go into the making of success. As Former U.S. President Calvin Coolidge said: “Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence.” He added that talent nor genius nor education can take the place of persistence. So persist.
Finally, you should try again and again with hope. There is much in this world that can cause despair. But as R. L. Stevenson said, “To travel hopefully is better thing than to arrive.” You should never give up hope. You should hope for a better tomorrow, always. You should hope that there will be light at the end of the tunnel. You should hope that love and truth will win over hate and lies. You should hope that your attempts will end in success. So journey in hope.
To conclude, think of what the motivational speaker Nick Vujicic said:
“I am gonna try again and again, because the moment I give up, is the moment I fail.”
Therefore try again and again with enthusiasm, persistence, and hope. Victory is near!
It is time once again for the flowers to bloom and the song of the birds to make music in our ears. Our hearts are again in spring time and we look forward to yet another year of friendship and laughter and healthy fun. As leader of the school, I wish to present before you a few thoughts on how to build healthy relationships.
At a time when relationships are crumbling everywhere; when relationships are characterized by what one can get and grab; when relationships are based more on money power and social status than on values like honesty, integrity and faithfulness; there is much to be said about building healthy relationships especially in our schools where boys and girls study together.
First and foremost, all healthy relationships are built on trust and mutual respect. Trust does not happen overnight. It is a sacred responsibility that is an outflow of good character. Trust once lost; it almost impossible to regain it. Therefore, guard it carefully. Respect each other and give each other the private space needed; not only physically but also emotionally too. Trust never crosses boundaries and does not trespass on the other’s personal space.
Secondly, all healthy relationships are built on encouragement and mutual support. When you encourage your friend to be his or her best; when you give a listening ear when your friend would like to share life’s burdens with you; when you rejoice at the academic and co-curricular achievements of your friend; and when you correct with honest intent so that your friend does not end up a loser by taking the wrong path; you are building a healthy relationship.
Finally, all healthy relationships have to be maintained. At a time when mobile phones and social media are relied upon to maintain relationships; do not mistake them for the reality of keeping in touch in flesh and blood. Lending a helping hand when needed; encouraging to hold on and not give in to life’s troubles; connecting and networking with others and speaking a good and timely word for your friend; all will go a long way in maintaining healthy relationships.
We do not live in isolation. And none of us can afford to be lonely. We have families; but we also need healthy relationships with our friends; with both boys and girls. When greed and selfishness and cut-throat competition have become the dominant and aggressive mindset of the 21st century; let us strive to be unselfish and pray for the best for our friends. In that way we can truly be the salt of the earth by building relationships that abound with life and joy.
At the World Athletic Championships Oregon 2022, the mascot, Legend the Bigfoot, photo bombed Sydney McLaughlin while holding a sign saying: “World records are my favorite food.” She had won with an incredible time of 50.68 seconds in the 400 metres hurdles which people have compared to the legendary Usain Bolt’s World record of 9.58 in the 100 metres. McLaughlin had earlier said during her Tokyo record-breaking olympic win in 2021 that: “What I have in Christ is far greater than what I have or don’t have in life.”
Having said that let me just sketch how records are born.
Records as favourite food don’t happen without hard work, sacrificing a lot, avoiding distractions,a coach’s help, and training till you think you can do no further.
Records as favourite food do happen when you focus on giving your best, aspiring to better your performance, and looking forward with eagerness to face the fiercest competitors you have in the field.
Records come and go, and you create a legacy by breaking records and making new ones. But when you see them in the perspective of eternity; such glories are for the moment and they will fade away with time. There are things that matter most and that is what Sydney McLaughline referred to; having a personal relationship with Jesus and knowing him as Saviour and Lord.
It makes sense when one sees life as a race and your goal is to finish well. For that matter, how many world record holders do you remember from former years? Very few; is it not? That’s all about earthly fame and glory. But earning praise from God at the end of your life’s race is to get a crown that will not perish, spoil or fade. So do not run aimlessly, but run so as to win the prize.
Featured image courtesy: Athletic Federation of India Tweet
Read also on Sydney’s struggles with fame and her triumph through her faith in God in this article in the Indian Express: Sydney McLaughlin and the Toxicity of Fame
Tailpiece: When 400m hurdles for the first time was introduced in the Olympics at Los Angeles in 1984, the Malayali P. T. Usha from Kerala, India, known also as the “Payyoli Express,” lost the bronze medal by 1/100th of a second. It was a race which all Indians remember for that heart-break. In that race the runner who came first was Nawal El Moutawakel from Morocco and she had won gold after clocking 55.42 in that race. 38 years later Sydney McLaughlin’s time is 4.74 seconds better.
What comes first to your mind when you think of God? This is no chicken first or egg first question. If you do an opinion poll, the results would surprise you. For what should come first might not be listed at all.
Probably the first answer would be God is love. True. The next could be that God is to be feared, held in awe. Right again. Then might come the thought that God is a judge. Of course many people fear God’s judgement but most people now live as if judgement will never come. Next one might say, God is good. So on the list will go on.
But what people neglect or do not know is that God’s primary attribute is that God is holy, holy, holy. He is light and in him is no darkness at all. He lives in unapproachable light and no one can see him and live. Whether it is chicken or egg first; without holiness no one will see the Lord.
Then you might ask, how ever can we know God? Good question. God himself has answered that question. A holy God became human in Jesus Christ. There is God’s fullest image, imprint, or representation of God’s character in him. Those who have seen him and know him has seen and known God.
In Jesus, God’s holiness came to be with us in great compassion, in mercy, and in love. Therefore sinners found in him a Friend. With our own good deeds we cannot approach God. Therefore God came down to us in Jesus. He is the only bridge that connects us sinners to God who alone is holy and worthy of our highest praise, adoration, and worship!
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Featured image: Emiel Maters (Unsplash)
“Search me, O God, and know my heart,” is a prayer that should rise out of every sincere heart. There are several possibilities of this prayer.
One, there might be hidden sins in our hearts that only God’s penetrating search lights can reveal. It will give us a chance to confess and renounce them and find God’s mercy.
Two, there can be worries and anxieties in our heart which shows lack of trust in God, our Heavenly Father. When God’s search brings them out, it gives us a chance to ask God to give us grace to believe in his goodness and care towards us.
Therefore “Search me, O God, and know my heart,” is a prayer that requires honesty as well as courage. It demands a willingness to change and also take action. It also shows trust in God who knows all about us—all our innermost secrets, fears, worries and hopes.
So let us too pray in the words of the Psalmist David,
“Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.”
When people misunderstand you and question your good motives, what do you think you need the most? Perhaps a compassionate heart, an understanding touch, a word of comfort; isn’t it? But the question is, “Who will show me compassion?”
When all call you a failure, when your best work is criticized, when you in spite of all your prayers and efforts are unable to succeed in the eyes of others, and you feel like there is no one to stand by your side; the question still is, “Who will show me compassion?”
When hope flickers and despair creeps in, when you feel like you cannot live another day, when you ask “Why am I going through all this?” the question still is, “Who will show me compassion?’
But after passing through all these, is human compassion enough? Even if someone weeps with you, who is powerful enough to heal those deep wounds in your heart and mind?
Therefore consider God. He is full of compassion. He remembers that you are nothing but dust of the earth and shows compassion like a father shows compassion to his child. His compassions never fail. They are new every morning. So look to him. Seek his face. He will show you compassion today.
He has seen your tears. He knows the pain of your broken heart. He feels your godly sorrow over your sins. Just run to him and his loving embrace. Yes, God will certainly show you compassion today.
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Bible passages referred to: Psalm 103:13, 14; Lamentations 3:22, 23; Matthew 14:14, 20:34; Mark 6:34, 8:2–3.
You might be suffering from guilt. Now how can your guilt be taken away? Will due punishment take it away? It cannot! You still will hear accusing from your conscience and often from the devil himself. Is there an escape? Oh yes, there is! Come to the fountain!
What is this fountain? It is the blood of Jesus Christ shed on the cross. The Bible says the blood of Jesus is a fountain of cleansing. All our sins, when we confess them before God and repent of them with sincere and true and broken hearts, are forgiven. Its shame and guilt is taken away. So come to this fountain.
Come to this fountain with all your failures, mistakes, and sins. There you will find pardon and forgiveness in abundance. For God is compassionate and merciful. He is ever willing to forgive when you come to him broken. He does not want you to live in guilt and shame. Therefore come to this fountain.
When God forgives, he also restores. He brings you back to a right relationship with him. He brings you out of darkness into his light, from death to life, from lies and deception to truth, and from despair to healing.
Therefore do not lose your life to guilt trips. But find God’s unconditional love and forgiveness by coming now itself to the fountain of cleansing from sin and impurity. End your guilt trip today. Come to this fountain!
If you are young and probably in your teens, life can turn difficult from being rosy as quickly as lights are switched off. You can feel unloved, rejected, and confused. The longing for acceptance can be met with scorn. People can even make fun of you. But let not your hopes be dashed: Life can be better!
The question is whether you should allow negative feelings to determine your worth? If you allow others to decide how you should feel; then all through your life you will be at other people’s mercy. Your trying hard to please everybody and saying yes to everything will surely create unpleasant experiences for you.
There are no simple solutions I have to offer when you feel unloved, rejected, and confused. The only thing I can remind you of is hope. Hope in God comes first and following that hope of a better tomorrow. You might wonder how God fits in to the whole situation you are facing. Probably you are feeling like a failure already and doesn’t want God to come to play the game of your life.
But let me tell you a simple reason why you should consider God. He is someone who is willing to accept you just as you are. What does that mean? It simply means that God loves you the way you are right now. He loves you even when you feel unloved, rejected, and confused. He does not find fault with you for your doubts. He is not angry when you rebel against him; but is patiently waiting for you to come to him. For he believes that your life can be better with better hopes, better dreams, and better tomorrows.
Usain Bolt, one of the greatest sprinters the world has seen, wrote in his autobiography1: “Distraction for one hundredth of a second might be enough to lose a race.” In this modern world of gadgets when most of us spend too much time on our mobiles, distractions, especially caused by time spent on social media can drug you to lose in life.
Why do I use the word drug? Because drugs cause addiction. And who will disagree that social media is so addictive that you simply cannot control the urge to check and recheck and scroll through the reels and trolls and status updates.
Now the impact of distractions can be felt in a few areas: Losing focus, losing a sense of priorities, and losing the sense of responsibility are some of those.
Secondly, let me talk about losing a sense of priorities. Time is limited. So not one of us can accomplish anything worthwhile in life without establishing priorities. That tells us what is urgent, important, can wait, and not needed. But distractions often make us spend valuable time on minor things, things that don’t matter, and what is frivolous.
Thirdly, let me talk about losing the sense of responsibility. Take the example of a mother of school kids and also a professional. If the mother spends long hours with her mobile, she is not doing justice to her prime responsibility of caring for her children. And one cannot find fault if her kids too just snug her and watch all that she is watching.
Let me conclude. My dear friends, life is short. And today, distractions are stealing away much time from your life. You are losing focus, losing a sense of priorities and also the sense of responsibility. So say no to distractions and avoid being drugged to lose in life. The decision is yours. Take it now! Clip on Distraction from Malayalam Sermon on the Blood of Jesus
1Usain Bolt | Faster Than Lightning | My Story | Published by Harper Collins
The Bible says: “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” Psalm 119 verse 11.
We live in a world where we face a lot of temptations. Our hearts and minds are not strong enough to resist them. We need God’s help. At the same time, we need to store up and hide God’s Word in our hearts. Why?
Because God’s Word is living and active. It is sharper than any double-edged sword. God’s Word is like fire and a hammer that breaks a rock into pieces. Therefore, storing it within our hearts gives us a fighting chance and resisting power against sin. God will bring to our minds the right word at our time of need.
Therefore, let us try to memorize God’s Word and hide it in our hearts. Yes, “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” Psalm 119 verse 11. Amen.
