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Sunday Sermonettes | The Power of Prayer: Discovering How Prayer Works

Sunday Sermonettes #025

Disappointed with Prayer

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.

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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. .

If you have sinned against God; ask for cleansing through the blood of Jesus from all that defiles heart and mind.

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!”

Read more on The Holy Spirit Who is our Helper in Prayer

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Sunday Sermonettes | God Is the Lifter of Your Head

Sunday Sermonettes #018

Sin, failures, mistakes, and troubles caused by people who are close to you can cause your head to bow down. You might feel defeated. Sometimes you are burdened by sorrow. Or you can think of any number of reasons that pull you down. It is at such times that you need to think of God, who is the lifter of your head.

Life might bring unexpected reversals of fortunes. Sometimes friends and family can act against you. Those who stood by you in your good days and were loyal to you might change sides quickly. You might be forced to lick your wounds. When everyone and everything seems to turn against you, and your head is bowed down in despair, it is then you need to remember that God is the lifter of your head.
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Even when others think that you are finished and there is no fight left in you; know that God is not finished with you yet.

First, he will be a shield around you. You know what that means. It means that God himself will take the hits against you so that you will be protected. It means that he has a stake in your life that no force on earth or hell can disrupt. He has invested in you by the blood of his Son Jesus shed on the cross. He will therefore surround you with help.

Next he will be your glory. You know what that means.

In spite of all the trouble you are going through right now; your value, worth, and significance come from God.

No matter what negatives others are telling about you, no matter how much they shout you are a failure, no matter how firmly they believe that God will not help you anymore, the weight of evidence is on your side. God will come to your help and will be the lifter of your head.

What you should always recall in your mind is that the author of Psalm 3 (where we find the words, “But you … O LORD … lift up my head” ) was going through a great crisis in his life when he wrote these words. His own son was trying to kill him and take over the throne. He had to flee for his life, covering his head, walking barefoot, and being pelted by stones while being cursed by his enemies. Moreover people were saying God will not help King David because he had committed grievous sins.

It was true that he had sinned—adultery and murder. It was true that he had no right to expect help from God. But because he admitted to God saying, “I have sinned against the Lord,” and had sincerely repented of his sins; he found mercy and forgiveness with God. At the same time the troubles he was now going through were the consequences of his sin.

Yet, in spite of his present misery, David had the courage to hope in God. You too can hope in God even when defeated and down. Seek God’s mercy and expect his help. There is no defeat in your life that God cannot bring good out of it.

So David cries out to God for help. He is assured that God will answer him. Therefore even when enemies are closing in on him, he is able to lie down and sleep at night. For his found strength to sustain in his trust in God. And he expressed confidence in God even when tens of thousands are drawn against him in battle on every side.

You too can find consolation in the fact that your deliverance and your salvation does not depend on your goodness but God’s mercy alone. Even when you find yourself in a defeated situation today, lift up your eyes and look to God who is the lifter of your head. He will not leave your head bowed down in shame. He will lift you up. For God delights in showing mercy to those who trust in him.

“Do not gloat over me, my enemy! Though I have fallen, I will rise. Though I sit in darkness, the LORD will be my light. Because I have sinned against him, I will bear the LORD’s wrath, until he pleads my case and establishes my right. He will bring me out into the light; I will see his righteousness.” — Micah 7:8, 9 Bible.

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

Sunday Sermonettes #004


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Your Look Matters

Woman Eyes

Your look matters. What you see is what makes you think. Looking up at the twinkling stars is what made the poet ask, “How I wonder what you are?” Likewise looking at the beautiful can trigger your imagination to see diamonds in every twinkle in the sky.

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That kind of look of wonder and imagination was in the past. Today people are hooked to what they see on the screen or in the streets. When you engage with what you see; you imagine, you think, and you act on your thoughts. So it is important to know that your look matters.

What you look at constantly can feed your mind. It can create a web which links to emotions. So it is up to you to choose what links you like to create. Remember it all starts with what you choose to see. Unlinking the hooks you have created is not easy like how you unlink when you write a piece of code. So be careful for your look matters.

There are a lot of things you cannot avoid seeing. Life is busy and your eyes and sight collide with too much visual information, entertainment, and enticement through the media too. Like there are censoring boards and editors in the movie world, you should consciously have filters in place which will weed out unwanted images and thoughts.

Otherwise, distractions can easily make you slip and fall. And it all starts with what you look at. The choice is yours. Make a wise decision not to look at what is wrong, what is tempting, and what can lead you down to a slippery path to destruction. Please God and you will have the courage to say no to the glittering things of life that appeal to your eyes. So watch what you look at; for your look matters.
Read Your Look Matters on LinkedIn

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School Assembly Say No to Drugs Speech

Red Lighted Candles Christmas GiftRespected 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.

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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.

2 Minute Speech on That One Word Every Young Girl Should Be Bold to Speak!

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When Problems Appear Bigger to You Than They Really Are

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.

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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

—
1 Philippians 4:6, 7 Bible NIV 1984.

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A Short Speech on Greed

Greedy Fox

Red Lighted Candles Christmas GiftHi friends,

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!

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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.
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Distractions Drug You to Lose in Life

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.

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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.

First of all let me talk about focus. Take the example of a student preparing for the upcoming exams. Think about the student having books on one side and chatting on the mobile at the same time. It is like trying to pilot a plane while also trying to drive a car.

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

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Short Speech on the Importance of Hiding God’s Word in Our Hearts

Hello Everyone,

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.

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The 10th Commandment: You Shall Not Covet!

Times have changed. Centuries have passed by. Empires have risen and fallen. From the man who walked all the way; we have come to a point when man travels to Space as a tourist. But man has not changed. His heart is having the same makeup and is prone to get corrupt. It is not virus free; not at all. Therefore let me talk about one of the viruses that plots evil in the human heart—the breaking of the 10th Commandment which God gave the world through Moses the prophet: You shall not covet!

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Coveting is essentially an yearning to possess something which is not rightfully ours. It can be anything that you set your desire on. For a child it can be a pencil, a toy, or even a sweet his or friend has. For a man or woman it can be things much larger and more prized than all these. Coveting is a desire that crosses boundaries God has kept for our own safety. It is like ignoring the red lights and pressing on the accelerator of your car. You might succeed to get, to grab, to hold, and to possess. But it destroys everything that we cherish in life in that process:

Relationships turn murky. There is heartbreak and sorrow. Justice is upset. Wrong is done. There is violation of human dignity. The tales of misery and sorrow do not end; it continues in the family. The results of breaking the 10th Commandment which says, you shall not covet, is terrible.

So is there a checklist I can refer to in order that I might not violate the 10th Commandment? It is a good question. The starting point is, do not covet anything that belongs to your neighbour. The wise King Solomon made the point: “All labour and all achievement spring from man’s envy of his neighbour.”1 We compare and contrast with what our neigbours have. Then we start to covet.

Be thankful for what you have. Get rid of that sense of dissatisfaction in life. Serious consequences that can plague you lifelong accompany the violation of the 10th Commandment, you shall not covet. At the end of the day you and me are answerable and accountable to God when we stand before his judgement seat. Not one of us can stand before his wrath. So let us not covet.

—

The 10th Commandment is found in Exodus 20:17 and Deuteronomy 5:21

1Ecclesiastes 4:4 Bible

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Speech on Pollution of the Mind

Air, water, soil, and noise pollution are commonly talked about. The advancement in technology and the giant leaps made in development has caused harm to our environment and to ourselves. But today I would like to speak about the pollution of our minds which nobody talks about much. This pollution is immersive and no one can easily escape the web it weaves.

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Pollution of our minds is a reality. There are several ways in which it can happen. Pollution of the mind happens when the gateways of the mind like the eyes and ears are open to pollutants.

We live in a highly visually stimulated world. Technology has brought lot of distractions too right in front of our eyes along with all the educational, informational and entertainment possibilities it offers. The question is, “Are children taught to filter all that they see?” Does our educational system teach them how to discern whether what they consume on the internet is polluting material or not?

As there are non-biodegradable waste, so also there are pollutants of the mind that are non-erasable. Some kinds of conversations we listen to which fall into the category of slander and gossip remain in the minds with permanence. So also certain kinds of literature we read, movies or videos we watch, or sensational news we consume that glorify evil; all put their roots deep down in our minds.

So here are three simple steps to avoid pollution of the mind:

One, avoid and run away from places, situations, and entertainment, which you know can poison your mind.

Two, do not engage in conversations that make fun of others, mock, and demean people.

Three, involve in creative activities and cultivate good friendships in life.

To conclude, let me remind you that in this age of Space travel and tourism, we have created a huge quantity of debris in Space already, thus polluting what was majestic, glorious, and reflecting God’s incomparable wisdom and power. We’ve polluted everything possible, filling it with junk. Therefore, let me plead with you not to let your minds become a garbage graveyard from where nauseating smell emanates and the smoke of burning never stops. 

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Are You in the Habit of Postponing?

So many people dream about the perfect time to begin. It rarely happens. Though there are occasions when timing means everything; most of life is about doing things now. Do not postpone anything that you can do today and now. If you do it becomes a habit that is going to be difficult to break.

So how do you get out of the habit of postponing? Take a look at certain elements you need to keep in mind.

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We are told not to worry about tomorrow. It means that we use the present opportunities. The right time to start is now. The secret is to start small. There should be a sense of urgency in getting things done.

Many people never start to do anything thinking of the bigness of the task ahead. It is wise to break the big task into small bits and work on each bit at a time. That makes the big work manageable. So many small acts done consistently over a period of time will yield better results than attempting to do a big thing all at once.

It is observed that when there is a flow of things happening you do your tasks well. But when there is a break a long gap follows. Each time you want to restart what you have been doing you feel a kind of inertia holding you back. And you wait for an appropriate moment to restart.

Instead of waiting for the right time, start immediately. The joy of doing what you have been doing well will return very quickly. You will also start to wonder why you waited so long?

Avoid too much thinking and too much planning. It can take away your initiative. Start to act now. And be prepared to make the needed changes as you go along. Pick up a project or plan you had shelved long ago. If you haven’t played your guitar for a long time now, just pick it up, wipe the dust and start strumming. The tune will follow. The melody will return. The power of acting now will ensure that you will be able to follow through.

So now is the time to take action. Get up and do something. And get rid of your self-defeating habit of postponing.

What Better Hope in Life Do You Have Than This?

Time Is the Stuff Life Is Made of and Laziness Is the Lover That Steals It
One Minute Speech for Children on the Importance of Time

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Five Simple Steps for Children to Get Out of Bad Habits

Habits can make or break your life. If you are addicted to bad habits think on these points.

Bad habits give you pleasure. But as with everything there is a price tag. Nothing comes free of cost. Think about how the bad habit will take its toll on your life.

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Bad habits have triggers. Certain people or situations compel you to indulge in bad habits. The best thing you can do is to identify the triggers and avoid them.

Bad habits can take hold of you when you are alone and feel lonely. Therefore try to build good friendships or engage in creative hobbies or sports.

Bad habits mostly take hold of you because you have no purpose in life. Do not be idle. Do something positive. Work towards a meaningful goal.

Bad habits can make you feel like a failure. But there is good news for you. If you can rise up one more time and fight one more round, you are no failure.

Hope these tips will inspire you to get rid of bad habits and get started with good habits instead.

What Better Hope in Life Do You Have Than This?

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Online Exams for Young Children and Fashionable Cheating

Online classes have changed the way children learn. It has also given rise to the practice of fashionable cheating. It is considered smart; but is it?

Many parents without second thoughts help students, especially young children with answers. And children get good marks. Parents are proud and children are happy.

But what are the consequences of this?

First of all, truth no longer has any weightage in the mind of the child. He or she is shown by example that it is ok to cheat by his or her parents who are most likely their primary role models. In this situation, how can you expect a child to grow up without resorting to greater malpractices in future?

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Sadly, honesty is the best policy will remain in this growing up generation, a proverb to be recited and not to be practised.

Students, 7 Steps to Overcome Your Fear of Exams!

Secondly, children will grow up thinking that getting full marks is quite easy if one is smart enough to invent ways to cheat. He or she will never be able to appreciate an objective evaluation whenever that happens. A child under the present fashionable cheating contexts grows up with no understanding of how to cope with mistakes, failures, criticism, rejection and unfavourable comparisons too.

Sad to say, a child grows up with a false estimate about one’s own intelligence and academic knowledge.

Thirdly, parents need to remember that children will grow up soon. They will learn to stand on their own feet. The Internet will become a gateway for them to a virtual world where one’s safety depends much on self-discipline. A child growing up learning fashionable cheating will soon master the craft of doing more tricks online that can bring real heartache for everyone concerned.

In all earnestness let me say that then it will be too late to correct.

Finally, what many parents are not aware of is that online video conferencing or online classes are tricky. Sometimes there can occur unexpected bugs. While they think that audio is mute, it actually might not be. When they help children write exams the instructions they give and the answers they whisper to their children are all heard by many. Many teachers might even be able to know which child is being helped. In this context, does fashionable cheating sound nice to you?

Let me conclude by saying that it is ok for parents to desire that their child get good marks and full marks whenever possible. But let that happen without sacrificing character and integrity, truth and honesty; for these are the essentials for a solid foundation for their child’s future. So dear parents, say No to fashionable cheating during online exams for the sake of your children.

What Better Hope in Life Do You Have Than This?

1 Minute Speech for Children on Respect

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Chocolates Are Not Lollipops!

Chocolates are not lollipops. Of course they are not; but both can be enjoyed in a traffic jam in the skies. If you are wondering what they mean; it is all about creativity and imagination.

Chocolates are not lollipops can be the way you look at things. Chocolates can tempt but lollipops can entice; but they mean the same. You end up eating sugar and paying for it.

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Chocolates are not lollipops might be about how memorable you can be with words. As we get lost in a flood of chats, some pictures can stay in mind if you can but paint it in flashy strokes.

Chocolates are not lollipops is a reminder that life is sweet the way you see it. If life gets hell-busy then you forget to take time to slow down and relish the warmth of joy of spending quality time with family and friends.

Chocolates are not lollipops bring to our minds the nostalgia of childhood where life looked promising, fresh, colourful, and evergreen. Some of those dreams might be yet inside wrappers; but chocolates and lollipops don’t come without them.

Chocolates are not lollipops in spite of the fact that they hide sweetness within: Chocolates are gifted and it is always elite; while lollipops remain the delight of children who roam in cartoons, comics and legends.

Chocolates are not lollipops tell us that if love is an emotion, then life becomes a rollercoaster ride. But when love is a commitment to believe the best and attempts not to keep a record of wrongs; both forgiveness and forgetting become possible even at the fall of autumn leaves!

A Short Speech on Love ❤️

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1 Minute Speech on Self and Selfies

My Professor once asked this question in class:
“Whose face do you look for first when you get see the group photo of your class in the College Magazine?”

Each one of us knew the answer as the capital letter I. And now selfies have arrived to make it bold and underlined.

First of all, the popularity of selfies is a reflection of this anxiety in human nature to see oneself in a better light.

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Secondly, selfies make people focus on themselves. The amount of time spent by people obsessed with selfies is enormous. It is easy to forget others and their needs in the pursuit of taking selfies.

Thirdly, selfies are a proclamation of our own importance; whether good or bad being a matter of difficult judgement.

Finally, selfies have become, fun, popular and fashionable. It has made photography have different dimension. It will stay.

But my simple question is, “Can there be a selfless selfie?”

1 Minute Speech on God’s Mercy for You

2 Minute Speech on the Meaning of Life!

Jesus Is Risen!

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Remind Yourself That Success Is Just a Few Steps Away When You Are Tempted to Quit

Long distance runners or swimmers probably find the laps immediately after the half-way mark most difficult. That is the time when motivation starts running low and discouragement sets in.

Of course there are individual variations but anyone who has attempted a big project knows all about the pressure that builds on the mind towards the middle.

Here are 7 tips to beat this depression:

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#1. When your energy is running low do not think of the finishing tape. Think of what you are doing at the present. Just focus on completing that one step. In other words do it one step at a time.

#2. Recollect your motive. What was it that made you attempt this in the first place? When you think of it; your motivation, if it is a genuine one, will come back. Find some way to keep reminding yourself of your mission statement.

#3. Remind yourself that great victories are won by simply holding on when the cause seems hopeless. Do not listen to your emotions which are playing tricks on your mind at the moment. So stay on course no matter how low you feel.

#4. Try to stand in the shoes of a Coach. Imagine you telling somebody in your current situation words of motivation. What will you say? Definitely you won’t ask that person to quit; will you? So the positive words you would imagine telling another will itself pump you up with enthusiasm.

#5. Seek help. There is no need to act brave when you are feeling down. Talk with someone you trust and ventilate your thoughts. Make sure that the person you are talking to is someone who is able to help you see reality in a proper light. After listening to you, he or she will be able to tell you exactly why situations are not as bad as it seems to be.

#6. Do not spend time answering your critics. If you do so, you will waste your time and valuable energy. Let your achievement do the talking. Criticism, if you listen to it too much, can take away your ability to concentrate on your goal.

#7. Make prayer a habit. Those who suddenly think about calling to God for help would possibly find that they don’t have his phone number. But those who are familiar with God by spending time with him daily will find it much easier to tell God how tempted they are to quit. When such an honest prayer is made, God often sends his angels to strengthen  you; and often these angels are people whom you least expected to be there for you at that critical hour.

In conclusion, just one word. It is too early to quit in life, always!
You Can Find Success God’s Way

Motivational Speech: The LORD Is My Shepherd

Jesus Is Risen!

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Break the Chain of These Four Thought Habits

You cannot have a garbage truck spilling over with waste material running in your mind and at the same time be able to achieve greatness in life.

Without doubt, thoughts affect your life in a big way.

First of all, say no to negative thoughts. It includes worry, jealously, inferiority and thoughts of giving up on life.

They come as guests uninvited but plan to stay if you give permission.

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Secondly, say no to impure thoughts. Most of them make a way into our minds from outside like flaming arrows shot to fall inside heavily-guarded forts. In real life situations, the guards will do the fire fighting. But in our minds we are too lazy to fight.

One way to fight impure thoughts is to keep yourself busy thinking on pure and lovely thoughts, thoughts of success and excellence. This will keep your mind occupied that it won’t have space for impure thoughts that try to enter your mind.

Having good friends and deliberately turning your eyes away from looking at all that is evil can help.

Thirdly, say no to thoughts of hatred. Life brings us lots of hurts. It can come from parents, brothers or sisters, close relatives or friends, neighbours, teachers, friends or strangers. Having been at the receiving end when you were innocent, young, and having not the courage or wisdom to resist brings life-long trauma.

The result is that you harbour unforgiveness in your heart. You hate others. Unless God heals this brokenness, there is no deliverance. So seek God’s help.

Finally, say no to gossip. Don’t tear down a person’s life by listening to jokes about him or her. Gossip gives us great thrill because we are enjoying at another person’s expense. Gossip separates close friends, betrays confidence, and creates unnecessary quarrels. Listening to gossip doesn’t become any less poisonous just because it is flavoured with strawberry or butterscotch and sugar.

Taking a decision not to listen to gossip and saying that you are not interested when someone else starts speaking about another in a wrong light is the solution.

Let me conclude. The more you allow negative thoughts, impure thoughts, thoughts of hatred and entertain gossip; you become more and more of a garbage dump. And you know what: People have a tendency to throw more garbage when they see it piled up somewhere. Don’t you think that it is so?

4 F’s That Make Life What It Is

Jesus of Nazareth Our Burden-Bearer

Jesus Is Risen!

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1 Minute Speech on Temptation!

I was watching a fancy dress program at my kids’ school a few days ago. A five -year old dressed as an old lady was hobbling along the stage with the aid of a stick. She looked very realistic.

Suddenly she saw someone at the far end of the stage holding out a chocolate to her. At that moment, totally forgetting the situation, she rushed to grab the chocolate! Watching the rest of the participants perform, I have no doubt that she would have easily been voted the best of the participants otherwise.

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What made her do so? Temptation.

Temptation. It often comes right at the path of your duty. One way to escape it is to be prepared. Do not let temptations take you by surprise.

Temptation. The moment you allow curiosity to take the first bite; you are finished. The moment you think it is safe to step inside a lion’s cage to take a selfie; even your bones will not be recovered.

Temptation. The longer it knocks at your door, the more bold you should be that you can overcome it. It is because you are still safely locked in. However great and furious the knock or pleading just say NO.

Temptation. It has great power when it comes through your friends. The possibility that they might reject you or make fun of you can unnerve you. It is good to be called names rather than to slip into a lifetime of misery and regret.

Temptation. It often defeats you when you stay a moment longer at spots you are not supposed to be. Run away. And do not look back for that second glance. Guard your eyes. Let it not look at evil and have your hearts hooked by what you see.

Temptation. It can come in many subtle and glamorous forms.
Temptation that is not attractive;
that doesn’t have a tinge of pleasure in it;
that does not give you a momentary satisfaction cannot be called temptation.

The danger about temptation is that it makes you think only of instant gratification and not about long-term and far reaching consequences, guilt, shame, remorse, ridicule and the burden of sin that you need to face or carry.

Ultimately the only absolute defence against temptation that I know is God. Call out to him for help. A sincere heart prayer and cry from a broken and contrite heart is always heard and answered.

Your Look Matters
How to Win the Battles of Your Mind

Short Speech on the Importance of Hiding God’s Word in Our Hearts

Jesus—the Friend of Sinners!

Jesus Is Risen!

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“The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe” (Proverbs 18:10 Bible NIV).