31 May 2015

And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. (Acts 9:17) 

Saul, the church's greatest enemy was transformed in to one its most passionate, dedicated and inspiring  leaders ( became apostle Paul after his encounter with Jesus Christ). If we notice the Holy Spirit not only brought the change in Saul but instilled boldness to early followers of Christ to overcome Satan's barriers to see grace triumph over their enemies. For Saul to become Paul and to bring about change in the world and to be called as an apostle he had to be filled and empowered by the Holy Spirit. The God who turned an enemy into a friend can turn around situations in ways no one expects, he can cause our oppressors to be changed, for our trails to bring transformation of hearts!!! 

30th May 2015

Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God. (2 Corinthians 7:1)(NIV)

Even if we confess our sins daily, and although we know there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, we need to be careful. Delicate  choices such as resentment, laziness, gossip, selfishness, un-forgiveness, self-indulgence, pride, and uncontrolled anger can diminish our spiritual self and keep us from being God’s best!! God wants us to cast aside everything that keeps us from Him. When we truly turn our hearts toward God, He will remove any stains of uncleanliness in us!!

28th May 2015

Lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil (Luke 11:4)

We must make a choice to turn away from any situation, person, or opportunity that draws us away from God. Without striving hard to avoid temptation/sin we cannot pray to God for not to lead us out of temptation. Our prayers will go ineffective of we don't make right choices.This verse means that on our own we do not have the strength to face or overcome temptations to sin. We need the strength of our Lord to deliver us from all evil. If we sin, we must confess it to God (the gracious father). He will forgive us but we must watch from entering the same sin again! Every sin we have ever overcome was only through the grace of our Lord. Thats why Jesus mentions that all glory and honour belongs to Him... "yours is the kingdom, the power, and the glory for ever and ever"

Father God each day give us the discernment to stay away from entering temptation. Holy Spirit counsel us to make the right choices!

29th May 2015

Look, I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods (Daniel 3:25)

We can be sure that we aren't alone when we walk through the fiery trials of life; Jesus is right there with us all the way. The king had a change of heart when he saw a fourth person in the fire. He asked the door to be opened, and allowed the three young men out of that furnace without a singed hair on their heads or a hint of smoke on their clothes! Some of our troubles may seem big and difficult but God may be using our situation to bring a change of heart for the Kings (might not be in literal sense but those with authority over us) He might be using our faith for His glory. 

They were so sure of the God they serve they said "The God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up. (Daniel 3:17-18 NIV emphasis) How strong is our faith?

27th may 2015

The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself(Proverbs 11:25)

A person who is liberal in giving not only the material things but his time, comfort, love, ministry to others has the promise to be watered by God himself.The previous verse (24) indicates that selfishness leads to poverty. God has promised that if we sow more will reap more! When we give liberally out money, time and ourself, we will be watered with great joy in serving God. As a body of Christ, as a church, as a group as family if we give our time, love and ourself in praying and spending time with others in His Name, there will be great joy that prevails. Let us bless a few today by taking time to pray for others!!! 

26 May 2015

Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it. (KJV) ( Proverbs 3:27 ) 

One of the verses that Abel could recite at nearly 5 years of age which he could never really understand what it meant was this !!! Sometimes as adults we act as if we don't understand this simple verse... 

Everyone deserves to be treated good although some may not have treated us right! Our almighty God is full of grace; being created in his image, we need to show grace even when the other person doesn't treat us 'good'!! We are called to do good to return good for evil. If we allow the 'hurts' to stay longer in us it can cause sins like resentment and  bitterness! Let us not allow that bait of satan -'feelings' to hook us!! Today, in our personal prayer say a blessing prayer for all who didn't treat us right, for all those who do not deserve our kindness :) let us try to do good against our selfish minds with all our heart and be obedient to His words! God bless ...

25 May 2015

Who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?(1 Peter 3:13)

Did not Jesus Christ tell us repeatedly that in this world we have suffering??How can Peter then ask who can harm us??  The answer is yet, the same Jesus promises us that "there shall not an hair of your head perish" (Luke 21:18). We read in verse 12 because the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous and his ears are open to their prayers, then even when they suffer for righteousness' sake there is no need to fear or be troubled (verse 14). No true harm ever comes to those who follow the path of God.

Although we will have tribulation, HE has overcome the world. When we face trials we must know that our faith is being tried and it is working patience in us!! In the midst of a trial know that through our suffering the love of God will be experienced at a higher level in our hearts.

 

23 May 20115

So Mephibosheth ate at David’s table like one of the king’s sons (2 Samuel 9:11).

When David became King, he wanted to find if there was any in Jonathan’s (his best friend whom David loved as a brother) household to whom he could show kindness. David was told about the crippled Mephiboseth who lived in a place called Lo-Debar (meaning a pasture-less land). Although being a grandchild of a king, he was living in a pasture-less land like a pauper. David gave all the land that had been Saul’s to his grandson and declared that Mephibosheth should eat at the king’s table everyday.

Today if we are walk around with an emotional limp, or if we are living in a pasture less land God is still looking for ways to bless us, to restore all that was ours, and invite us to feast at His table everyday!! We are a chosen and a loved child of a King . Let us feast at His banquet table day by day from His Word and drink in the Holy Spirit’s power. Today let us not limp, but run with the joy of being a royalty!

21st May 2015

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:1-2).

When we are frustrated with things in life think of the race we are in. If we get tripped upon the shoes of another runner, or upon our own shoelace and fall down mid-race, we still have a choice: to give up the race OR to call on our Lord and get back in the race!! When we fall Remember these cloud of witnesses that encourages us in faith, can you picturize them cheering on us!!! If we ever fall let us get back up and chose to run again by asking the Lord for His grace and strength to finish the race!! Apostle Paul says : But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:13,14) Regardless of what face today, let us run to win the race!! And when we fall; let us not quit or point fingers or be a loser  instead GET back up and run again… in His mercy, strength and  love!!

Thought 20th May 2015

In lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others(Philippians 2:3-4)

Serving others is not possible without having an attitude of humility! Even though we don't deserve God's goodness God doesn't keep us from enjoying goodness in life. If we get undeserved goodness, Shouldn't we too find ways to help and consider others better than ourselves and withdraw from criticising? When the world around us tried to utilise each  others, Apostle Paul urges us to be "givers" rather than "takers"! Dear Lord, we all have ambitions, needs and wants, help us to see how far we lose ourselves in the service and benefiting of God's people around us. Transform us to be thoughtful for the world around us, to spread love, kindness and joy of our Lord!  Above all to have a burden to share the good news and to be partof the great commission !!!

19th may 2015

Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning(Psalm 30:5)

Sometimes our sorrow does go for a long time!! nights of weeping due to disappointments in life, physical pain or our loss may appear to be endless and hard to erase off our minds. But Bible says our Joy is coming! 

Our joy may seem far off but it is moving towards us and can get us out of darkness! Even if the shadows or darkness seem severe once we see a new dawn this pain will be gone and easily quickly forgotten. The dawn is approaching; the second coming of the Son; the best is yet to come! 

18 May 2015

For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. (Hebrews 10:36)(KJV)

God's timing may seem long; our wait may seem forever. But God has not forgotten us, His timing is perfect, and His patience is great! We need to persevere in obedience to receive our promises from God and to repent when we step away !! Our expectations must be from God not from people, to fulfil all promises that only God can fulfil. If we have expected and not yet received our requests let us check how are we handling the situation?  Are we focussed on our circumstances or are we praising God? Psalm 145:13 says, 'The Lord is faithful to all His promises and loving toward all He has made. Let us receive all of God's promises by being obedient to His will.

17th May 2015

As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God (Romans 14:11-12)

Today there are many who deny the need for communion with God, or deny His existence or justify one's right to sin!!  But there is a day when every single knee will bow and every single tongue will be made to confess to God. No one is strong enough to stand in His presence!! And we will all have to give account for all our thoughts, words and deeds before God. So let us submit to God by voluntarily kneeling to Him now (in total surrender!!) and ask Him to straighten our walk, thoughts and actions !! 

16th May 2015

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. (Romans 12:2 ) 

God has his ways of giving me a pep talk just witnessed it again on Friday! The message spoken @church was in the same lines of what I shared among a tiny group of 5 women on the day before at my home in Qurrum!! It touched my heart to know that God was reconfirming to me about His thoughts! Later around midnight I heard from an adorable little sister in Christ for whom I whispered several unspoken prayers wishing for a miracle. N towards the end of our chat I was teary at how God almost did the impossible in her life. Despite my prayer and little faith the prayer was answered because God remembered her, her contrite spirit! 

We live in a hollow culture full of exciting, glitz and glam. What we need is to continually seek God's perfect will by allowing God to change our values and the way we think. God values love, grace, mercy, kindness , humility, perseverance ...let us meditate on the Word of God and allow God to change us so to keep His values and to resist the temptations of this world!!