“I have yet to speak on God’s behalf.”

“I have yet to speak on God’s behalf.”

- Job 36:2

We ought not to court publicity for our virtue, or notoriety for our zeal; but, at the same time, it is a sin to be always seeking to hide that which God has bestowed upon us for the good of others. A Christian is not to be a village in a valley, but “a city set upon a hill;” he is not to be a candle under a bushel, but a candle in a candlestick, giving light to all. Retirement may be lovely in its season, and to hide one’s self is doubtless modest, but the hiding of Christ in us can never be justified, and the keeping back of truth which is precious to ourselves is a sin against others and an offence against God. If you are of a nervous temperament and of retiring disposition, take care that you do not too much indulge this trembling propensity, lest you should be useless to the church. Seek in the name of him who was not ashamed of you to do some little violence to your feelings, and tell to others what Christ has told to you. If thou canst not speak with trumpet tongue, use the still small voice. If the pulpit must not be thy tribune, if the press may not carry on its wings thy words, yet say with Peter and John, “Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee.” By Sychar’s well talk to the Samaritan woman, if thou canst not on the mountain preach a sermon; utter the praises of Jesus in the house, if not in the temple; in the field, if not upon the exchange; in the midst of thine own household, if thou canst not in the midst of the great family of man. From the hidden springs within let sweetly flowing rivulets of testimony flow forth, giving drink to every passer-by. Hide not thy talent; trade with it; and thou shalt bring in good interest to thy Lord and Master. To speak for God will be refreshing to ourselves, cheering to saints, useful to sinners, and honouring to the Saviour. Dumb children are an affliction to their parents. Lord, unloose all thy children’s tongue.

“Ye are Christ’s.”

“Ye are Christ’s.”

- 1 Corinthians 3:23

“Ye are Christ’s.” You are his by donation, for the Father gave you to the Son; his by his bloody purchase, for he counted down the price for your redemption; his by dedication, for you have consecrated yourself to him; his by relation, for you are named by his name, and made one of his brethren and joint-heirs. Labour practically to show the world that you are the servant, the friend, the bride of Jesus. When tempted to sin, reply, “I cannot do this great wickedness, for I am Christ’s.” Immortal principles forbid the friend of Christ to sin. When wealth is before you to be won by sin, say that you are Christ’s, and touch it not. Are you exposed to difficulties and dangers? Stand fast in the evil day, remembering that you are Christ’s. Are you placed where others are sitting down idly, doing nothing? Rise to the work with all your powers; and when the sweat stands upon your brow, and you are tempted to loiter, cry, “No, I cannot stop, for I am Christ’s. If I were not purchased by blood, I might be like Issachar, crouching between two burdens; but I am Christ’s, and cannot loiter.” When the siren song of pleasure would tempt you from the path of right, reply, “Thy music cannot charm me; I am Christ’s.” When the cause of God invites thee, give thy goods and thyself away, for thou art Christ’s. Never belie thy profession. Be thou ever one of those whose manners are Christian, whose speech is like the Nazarene, whose conduct and conversation are so redolent of heaven, that all who see you may know that you are the Saviour’s, recognizing in you his features of love and his countenance of holiness. “I am a Roman!” was of old a reason for integrity; far more, then, let it be your argument for holiness, “I am Christ’s!”

“The iron did swim.”

“The iron did swim.”

- 2 Kings 6:9

The axe-head seemed hopelessly lost, and as it was borrowed, the honour of the prophetic band was likely to be imperilled, and so the name of their God to be compromised. Contrary to all expectation, the iron was made to mount from the depth of the stream and to swim; for things impossible with man are possible with God. I knew a man in Christ but a few years ago who was called to undertake a work far exceeding his strength. It appeared so difficult as to involve absurdity in the bare idea of attempting it. Yet he was called thereto, and his faith rose with the occasion; God honoured his faith, unlooked-for aid was sent, and the iron did swim. Another of the Lord’s family was in grievous financial straits, he was able to meet all claims, and much more if he could have realized a certain portion of his estate, but he was overtaken with a sudden pressure; he sought for friends in vain, but faith led him to the unfailing Helper, and lo, the trouble was averted, his footsteps were enlarged, and the iron did swim. A third had a sorrowful case of depravity to deal with. He had taught, reproved, warned, invited, and interceded, but all in vain. Old Adam was too strong for young Melancthon, the stubborn spirit would not relent. Then came an agony of prayer, and before long a blessed answer was sent from heaven. The hard heart was broken, the iron did swim.

Beloved reader, what is thy desperate case? What heavy matter hast thou in hand this evening? Bring it hither. The God of the prophets lives, and lives to help his saints. He will not suffer thee to lack any good thing. Believe thou in the Lord of hosts! Approach him pleading the name of Jesus, and the iron shall swim; thou too shalt see the finger of God working marvels for his people. According to thy faith be it unto thee, and yet again the iron shall swim.

“Jehoshaphat made ships of Tharshish to go to Ophir for gold: but they went not; for the ships were broken at Ezion-geber”

“Jehoshaphat made ships of Tharshish to go to Ophir for gold: but they went not; for the ships were broken at Ezion-geber”

- 1 Kings 22:48

Solomon’s ships had returned in safety, but Jehoshaphat’s vessels never reached the land of gold. Providence prospers one, and frustrates the desires of another, in the same business and at the same spot, yet the Great Ruler is as good and wise at one time as another. May we have grace to-day, in the remembrance of this text, to bless the Lord for ships broken at Ezion-geber, as well as for vessels freighted with temporal blessings; let us not envy the more successful, nor murmur at our losses as though we were singularly and specially tried. Like Jehoshaphat, we may be precious in the Lord’s sight, although our schemes end in disappointment.

The secret cause of Jehoshaphat’s loss is well worthy of notice, for it is the root of very much of the suffering of the Lord’s people; it was his alliance with a sinful family, his fellowship with sinners. In 2 Ch. 20:37, we are told that the Lord sent a prophet to declare, “Because thou hast joined thyself with Ahaziah, the Lord hath broken thy works.” This was a fatherly chastisement, which appears to have been blest to him; for in the verse which succeeds our morning’s text we find him refusing to allow his servants to sail in the same vessels with those of the wicked king. Would to God that Jehoshaphat’s experience might be a warning to the rest of the Lord’s people, to avoid being unequally yoked together with unbelievers! A life of misery is usually the lot of those who are united in marriage, or in any other way of their own choosing, with the men of the world. O for such love to Jesus that, like him, we may be holy, harmless, undefiled, and separate from sinners; for if it be not so with us, we may expect to hear it often said, “The Lord hath broken thy works.”

SUNDAY THOUGHT- 24

SUNDAY THOUGHT-24 WHAT WORSHIP IS AN OCCASION FOR? TEXT: LUKE 2:8-20   God sent His son into the world to culminate His redemption plan for humanity. The birth of Jesus was therefore to make a new way for people to worship God. After Jesus was born the news was announced to a group of shepherds. They were asked to go and see the child. They went and saw Him. They praised and glorified God. What the shepherds had done, gives us a model for what should happen in our worship and a reminder of what worship an occasion is for.     1.       Worship is an occasion to acknowledge God's Revelation (Lk. 2:8-15). Worship becomes true when it is based on what God himself has revealed. This is the cardinal difference between the worship of the people of God and others. Many worship God but not based on His revelation. The shepherds went to Bethlehem. They saw Jesus. They praised God and glorified Him. Their worship of God was due to what God has revealed to them (v. 10-12). We know God truly because of His revelation. We are privileged to have His true revelation. We are blessed in that we are given the grace to respond to that revelation. When we worship God, let us acknowledge God's revelation which came to us through His son and His word. Let us remember that when God was sending his son to this world He was revealing Himself and His plans to us. Therefore His revelation should be acknowledged at worship.   2.       Worship is an occasion to appreciate God's gift (Lk. 2:16). "… There is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord…" (v. 11). They were told about the gracious gift God had given them. They felt compelled to go to Bethlehem and see the child –the gift of God. They went and saw him. Some commentators opine that these shepherds were keeping the flocks that were for temple sacrifices. If so, the announcement about the Messiah to them became very appropriate. They were told about the savior, the gift of God. In genuine appreciation to that, though they did not understand the full worth of this gift by then, they went and saw the child and praised God.  The gift God gave us is so valuable. But we have not known its value fully yet.  But when we worship we need to appreciate God's indescribable gift- His son, His salvation and all his inheritance.   3.       Worship is an occasion to Declare God' Marvelous works (Lk. 2:17-18).  The shepherds went and saw the baby in the manger. Then they started declaring to all they met about this child and what they were told by the heavenly angels.  They in fact became the first evangelists! All those heard them marveled. When we come to worship god, which is the appropriate time to declare God's marvelous works. This has got constructive effect in the lives of the people. When we declare what God had done in saving us and how his sanctifying work is being continuing in us, that brings edification, repentance, motivation or correction to the congregation (1Cor. 14:4,24-25).The psalms repeatedly call for declaring the works of God while praising Him (cf. Ps.92:2;96:2etc.).   4.       Worship is an occasion to express our Joy in the Lord (Lk. 2:20). This we do by praising and glorifying God. We can't praise God in bitterness. We can't glorify Him without a gratitude filled heart. Our genuine worship reflects our Joy. The shepherds were gripped with a feeling of amazement awe and wonder. Though they did not understand everything which God planned with the child at that point, they definitely knew the LORD is at something. They were filled with joy, no, rather the joy of the angels (v.10, 13-14) were passed on to them.  The birth of the child had the potential to bring glory to God. Not only the shepherds, the birth of this child occasioned others to offer joyful praises to God. Mary his mother (Lk.1:46-55); Elisabeth (Lk.1:41-45) and Zacharias (Lk. 1:67-79) Simeon and Hannah (Lk. 2:25-32; 36-38) and the heavenly host ((2:13,14) are the other people  we see glorifying and praising God at His birth. When the church comes together for worship, there should be joy. This should be  expressed in our praises and  Thanksgiving.     As we prepare to worship God this week, let us recall the value of the special revelation God had given us. Let us appreciate the gift and the gifts we received from God.  Let us declare his marvelous works. Let us praise and glorify God expressing our joy in the Lord.   Yours in The gloriuos ministry of God Joji George Abraham

SUNDAY THOUGHT - 23

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Our Threefold Activity in Worship Text: 1 Chronicles 16:4   What should Christians do when they come for worship? What activities are appropriate to be included in the worship service of the church? Different denominations include different activities in the worship meetings. Some do focus on sharing testimonies; some would include a session of prayer; some include a number of exhortations and some give emphasis on singing. But there are three essential elements in worship to make our worship appropriate and complete. They are commemoration, thanksgiving and praising. David appointed priests to do all these three in their worship of the LORD God of Israel (1Chron. 16:4). Though the reasons are different from Israel, Our worship service should consist of these three activities. In each worship meeting time should be allotted appropriately for all these three.   1.       Commemoration: This is the act of bringing back to memory what the Lord had done for us so that we may express our joy in it. No worship is complete without an act of remembrance. A Christian has a lot of things to bring to memory at the time of worship. The very reason of observing the Lord's Table is for this. Remembering the death, resurrection and ascension of the Lord Jesus Christ is central to the worship of Christians. We commemorate God's love mercy and grace towards us by means of the table. Therefore Christians gathering for worship without observing the Table of the Lord is never an acceptable practice. The table helps our commemoration. Sometimes believers tend to think about the 'here and the future' only during worship. Ie, Who we are now and what we will become? To think about this and to state it is important. But how did we become what we are now cannot be ignored.  That is where commemoration is necessary. The Lord commanded,  "Do this in remembrance of Me." During the worship service we need to commemorate all what the Lord had done to make us true worshippers.   2.       Thanksgiving: Commemoration leads to thanksgiving. Unless we make effort to commemorate we will not be motivated to give thanks. A survey of the worship performed by people (in the Scripture) testifies that they all did it as expressions of thanksgiving. In thanksgiving we express by our words and voice our gratitude to God. it is the attitude of an informed  heart. Having realized the deep misery which we were in and the great rescue made possible for us we willingly give thanks to God (cf. Rev.5:8-10). Thankfulness generates Love. Genuine thanksgiving therefore results in genuine love. This is imperative from the worshippers. Time for thanksgiving must be part of the worship service.   3.       Praising: Memories and thankfulness together leads us to praise God. This is the way we exalt God the father and His son and our savior the Lord Jesus Christ. Praise means to exalt, to eulogize, to bless, to laud or to commend. In praising we talk about the greatness of God and the greatness of his acts. When God and His glory is praised, we do something which God himself desires from us.  God deserves praise and desires it too. We make the heart of God rejoice and feel fulfilled when we give undiluted praise to Him. A Christian is called to praise God now and in the future (Ephesians 1:6; Romans 15:9). Separating time in worship services to praise God is therefore necessary.   In the worship meetings of our churches, the order we follow has determining influence- determining the effectiveness and meaningfulness of our worship. Though the New Testament is not giving us any binding pattern for collective worship, commemoration, thanksgiving and praises are the mainstay of any worship session. Though we might include different other activities in worship these three cannot be sidelined. Every believer who joins the church for worship must be prepared to commemorate, give thanks and praise God. Every worship meeting should have time for all these three.   As we prepare to worship God this week, let us commemorate what God had done for us and be prepared to give thanks for the same and praise God in the midst of the congregation of the saints.       Yours in The gloriuos ministry of God Joji George Abraham

SUNDAY THOUGHT-22

SUNDAY THOUGHT -22 A Call to Honor the Lord's Day Text: Exodus 20:8-11   The great American philosopher, Homer Simpson, said on one of his television shows: "I'm not a bad guy! I work hard, and I love my kids. So why should I spend half my Sunday hearing about how I'm going to hell?" He was actually asking these questions: Did God really mean it when He told us to set aside one day in seven for rest and worship? Did He really mean it when He told us not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together? Is there still any value to observing the Lord's Day?     From the very beginning, the Bible indicates that one day out of seven be set aside as a day of rest and reflection. In the Old Testament, judgment often fell on ancient Israel when the Sabbath was disregarded. In the New Testament, the Lord's Day became a weekly reminder of Christ's resurrection. For many people, Sundays are for banking, shopping, sports, errands, church activities, school activities, drinking, and weekend pursuits. Even among Christians, work and athletics can interrupt our worship week after week until the basic habits of the Christian life fade from view. Does your view of the Sabbath center around the Lord who commanded to keep it holy, or do we treat this day as any other? Our text today is a powerful reminder of the importance of this sacred day.   1. The Admonition in the Text. We're to remember the Sabbath Day and keep it holy. The Sabbath Day is set apart to solemnly worship God. It has its own purpose and must not be alienated for our or other uses. The command "remember" shows our tendency to forget Sabbath holiness. We are thus reminded to sanctify the day.    Leslie Flynn told of seven unmarried brothers who lived together in a large house. Six went out to work each day but one stayed home. He had the place all lit up when the other six arrived home from work. He also had the house warm, and most importantly, he had a delicious, full-course dinner ready for his hungry brothers. One day the six brothers decided that the one who had been staying home should go to work. "It's not fair," they said, "for the one to stay home while the others slaved at a job." So they made the seventh brother find work too. But when they all came home the first night, there was no light, nor was there any warmth; and worst of all, there was no hearty dinner awaiting them. And the next night the same thing: darkness, cold, hunger. They soon went back to their former arrangement. "(It's) the day of rest and worship that keeps the other six bright, warm, and nourishing. When we desecrate the Lord's Day, we only hurt ourselves."   2. The Analysis of the Text. There are six days in which we are to labor, though this is often ignored. In Old Testament times, the Sabbath was the last day of the week, or Saturday. The shift occurred as a result of the resurrection of Jesus Christ on the first day of the week. The early church began to celebrate the Sabbath as a day of rest and worship on the first day of the week. As Christians, how great a privilege it is for us that Sunday is a weekend day, the first day of the week in which we can both rest and commemorate! The seventh day commemorates God's creative work (Gen.2:1­3); the Sabbath day commemorates God's redemptive work in delivering the Israelites out of Egyptian bondage (Ex. 31:13, 16, 17; Deut. 5:15); and Sunday (the first day) commemorates the resurrection of Christ our risen Redeemer (1 Cor. 16:1­2; Rev. 1:10). The duties of that day include:     A. Rest     B. Reflection     C. Relaxation     D. Reverence     E. Renewal     F. Restoration   3. The Application of the Text. One day out of seven belongs exclusively to God. Sunday is God's gift to the church. Sunday has been turned into a day for self or sports, which shows great disregard for our Sovereign God and His Word. Many people have rejected the infallible authority of Scripture on this issue, but God's people apply His Day to their lives for their own benefit (Hebrews 4:9;10:25).   Conclusion: Monday morning you wake up and hurriedly get ready for work. In what seems like a sprint, you run through your week: children, bosses, wives, husbands, grocery shopping, overtime, bills, errands, and so much more consume our time. As Friday approaches, the anticipation for a couple days off gets you through that last day. Saturday you take the kids to the park, wash the car, clean out the garage, and catch an evening movie or play a board game. Will you give the Lord what He asks? How important it should be to teach your children and to discipline yourself to rest from life's distractions by focusing on the One who granted us life and salvation. Yours in The gloriuos ministry of God Joji George Abraham

“Saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you.”

"Saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you."

- Hebrews 9:20

There is a strange power about the very name of blood, and the sight of it is always affecting. A kind heart cannot bear to see a sparrow bleed, and unless familiarized by use, turns away with horror at the slaughter of a beast. As to the blood of men, it is a consecrated thing: it is murder to shed it in wrath, it is a dreadful crime to squander it in war. Is this solemnity occasioned by the fact that the blood is the life, and the pouring of it forth the token of death? We think so. When we rise to contemplate the blood of the Son of God, our awe is yet more increased, and we shudder as we think of the guilt of sin, and the terrible penalty which the Sin-bearer endured. Blood, always precious, is priceless when it streams from Immanuel's side. The blood of Jesus seals the covenant of grace, and makes it for ever sure. Covenants of old were made by sacrifice, and the everlasting covenant was ratified in the same manner. Oh, the delight of being saved upon the sure foundation of divine engagements which cannot be dishonoured! Salvation by the works of the law is a frail and broken vessel whose shipwreck is sure; but the covenant vessel fears no storms, for the blood ensures the whole. The blood of Jesus made his testament valid. Wills are of no power unless the testators die. In this light the soldier's spear is a blessed aid to faith, since it proved our Lord to be really dead. Doubts upon that matter there can be none, and we may boldly appropriate the legacies which he has left for his people. Happy they who see their title to heavenly blessings assured to them by a dying Saviour. But has this blood no voice to us? Does it not bid us sanctify ourselves unto him by whom we have been redeemed? Does it not call us to newness of life, and incite us to entire consecration to the Lord? O that the power of the blood might be known, and felt in us this night!

“I will pour water upon him that is thirsty.”

"I will pour water upon him that is thirsty."

- Isaiah 44:3

When a believer has fallen into a low, sad state of feeling, he often tries to lift himself out of it by chastening himself with dark and doleful fears. Such is not the way to rise from the dust, but to continue in it. As well chain the eagle's wing to make it mount, as doubt in order to increase our grace. It is not the law, but the gospel which saves the seeking soul at first; and it is not a legal bondage, but gospel liberty which can restore the fainting believer afterwards. Slavish fear brings not back the backslider to God, but the sweet wooings of love allure him to Jesus' bosom. Are you this morning thirsting for the living God, and unhappy because you cannot find him to the delight of your heart? Have you lost the joy of religion, and is this your prayer, "Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation"? Are you conscious also that you are barren, like the dry ground; that you are not bringing forth the fruit unto God which he has a right to expect of you; that you are not so useful in the Church, or in the world, as your heart desires to be? Then here is exactly the promise which you need, "I will pour water upon him that is thirsty." You shall receive the grace you so much require, and you shall have it to the utmost reach of your needs. Water refreshes the thirsty: you shall be refreshed; your desires shall be gratified. Water quickens sleeping vegetable life: your life shall be quickened by fresh grace. Water swells the buds and makes the fruits ripen; you shall have fructifying grace: you shall be made fruitful in the ways of God. Whatever good quality there is in divine grace, you shall enjoy it to the full. All the riches of divine grace you shall receive in plenty; you shall be as it were drenched with it: and as sometimes the meadows become flooded by the bursting rivers, and the fields are turned into pools, so shall you be-the thirsty land shall be springs of water.

“Be thankful unto him, and bless his name.”

"Be thankful unto him, and bless his name."

- Psalm 100:4

Our Lord would have all his people rich in high and happy thoughts concerning his blessed person. Jesus is not content that his brethren should think meanly of him; it is his pleasure that his espoused ones should be delighted with his beauty. We are not to regard him as a bare necessary, like to bread and water, but as a luxurious delicacy, as a rare and ravishing delight. To this end he has revealed himself as the "pearl of great price" in its peerless beauty, as the "bundle of myrrh" in its refreshing fragrance, as the "rose of Sharon" in its lasting perfume, as the "lily" in its spotless purity.

As a help to high thoughts of Christ, remember the estimation that Christ is had in beyond the skies, where things are measured by the right standard. Think how God esteems the Only Begotten, his unspeakable gift to us. Consider what the angels think of him, as they count it their highest honour to veil their faces at his feet. Consider what the blood-washed think of him, as day without night they sing his well deserved praises. High thoughts of Christ will enable us to act consistently with our relations towards him. The more loftily we see Christ enthroned, and the more lowly we are when bowing before the foot of the throne, the more truly shall we be prepared to act our part towards him. Our Lord Jesus desires us to think well of him, that we may submit cheerfully to his authority. High thoughts of him increase our love. Love and esteem go together. Therefore, believer, think much of your Master's excellencies. Study him in his primeval glory, before he took upon himself your nature! Think of the mighty love which drew him from his throne to die upon the cross! Admire him as he conquers all the powers of hell! See him risen, crowned, glorified! Bow before him as the Wonderful, the Counsellor, the mighty God, for only thus will your love to him be what it should.

“No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper.”

"No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper."

- Isaiah 54:17

This day is notable in English history for two great deliverances wrought by God for us. On this day the plot of the Papists to destroy our Houses of Parliament was discovered, 1605.

"While for our princes they prepare

In caverns deep a burning snare,

He shot from heaven a piercing ray,

And the dark treachery brought to day."

And secondly-to-day is the anniversary of the landing of King William III, at Torbay, by which the hope of Popish ascendancy was quashed, and religious liberty was secured, 1688.

This day ought to be celebrated, not by the saturnalia of striplings, but by the songs of saints. Our Puritan forefathers most devoutly made it a special time of thanksgiving. There is extant a record of the annual sermons preached by Matthew Henry on this day. Our Protestant feeling, and our love of liberty, should make us regard its anniversary with holy gratitude. Let our hearts and lips exclaim, "We have heard with our ears, and our fathers have told us the wondrous things which thou didst in their day, and in the old time before them." Thou hast made this nation the home of the gospel; and when the foe has risen against her, thou hast shielded her. Help us to offer repeated songs for repeated deliverances. Grant us more and more a hatred of Antichrist, and hasten on the day of her entire extinction. Till then and ever, we believe the promise, "No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper." Should it not be laid upon the heart of every lover of the gospel of Jesus on this day to plead for the overturning of false doctrines and the extension of divine truth? Would it not be well to search our own hearts, and turn out any of the Popish lumber of self-righteousness which may lie concealed therein?

“In thy light shall we see light.”

"In thy light shall we see light."

- Psalm 36:9

No lips can tell the love of Christ to the heart till Jesus himself shall speak within. Descriptions all fall flat and tame unless the Holy Ghost fills them with life and power; till our Immanuel reveals himself within, the soul sees him not. If you would see the sun, would you gather together the common means of illumination, and seek in that way to behold the orb of day? No, the wise man knoweth that the sun must reveal itself, and only by its own blaze can that mighty lamp be seen. It is so with Christ. "Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona:" said he to Peter, "for flesh and blood hath not revealed this unto thee." Purify flesh and blood by any educational process you may select, elevate mental faculties to the highest degree of intellectual power, yet none of these can reveal Christ. The Spirit of God must come with power, and overshadow the man with his wings, and then in that mystic holy of holies the Lord Jesus must display himself to the sanctified eye, as he doth not unto the purblind sons of men. Christ must be his own mirror. The great mass of this blear-eyed world can see nothing of the ineffable glories of Immanuel. He stands before them without form or comeliness, a root out of a dry ground, rejected by the vain and despised by the proud. Only where the Spirit has touched the eye with eye-salve, quickened the heart with divine life, and educated the soul to a heavenly taste, only there is he understood. "To you that believe he is precious"; to you he is the chief corner-stone, the Rock of your salvation, your all in all; but to others he is "a stone of stumbling and a rock of offence." Happy are those to whom our Lord manifests himself, for his promise to such is that he will make his abode with them. O Jesus, our Lord, our heart is open, come in, and go out no more for ever. Show thyself to us now! Favour us with a glimpse of thine all-conquering charms.

“For my strength is made perfect in weakness.”

"For my strength is made perfect in weakness."

- 2 Corinthians 12:9

A primary qualification for serving God with any amount of success, and for doing God's work well and triumphantly, is a sense of our own weakness. When God's warrior marches forth to battle, strong in his own might, when he boasts, "I know that I shall conquer, my own right arm and my conquering sword shall get unto me the victory," defeat is not far distant. God will not go forth with that man who marches in his own strength. He who reckoneth on victory thus has reckoned wrongly, for "it is not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts." They who go forth to fight, boasting of their prowess, shall return with their gay banners trailed in the dust, and their armour stained with disgrace. Those who serve God must serve him in his own way, and in his strength, or he will never accept their service. That which man doth, unaided by divine strength, God can never own. The mere fruits of the earth he casteth away; he will only reap that corn, the seed of which was sown from heaven, watered by grace, and ripened by the sun of divine love. God will empty out all that thou hast before he will put his own into thee; he will first clean out thy granaries before he will fill them with the finest of the wheat. The river of God is full of water; but not one drop of it flows from earthly springs. God will have no strength used in his battles but the strength which he himself imparts. Are you mourning over your own weakness? Take courage, for there must be a consciousness of weakness before the Lord will give thee victory. Your emptiness is but the preparation for your being filled, and your casting down is but the making ready for your lifting up.

"When I am weak then am I strong,

Grace is my shield and Christ my song."

“Their prayer came up to his holy dwelling place, even unto heaven.”

"Their prayer came up to his holy dwelling place, even unto heaven."

- 2 Chronicles 30:27

Prayer is the never-failing resort of the Christian in any case, in every plight. When you cannot use your sword you may take to the weapon of all-prayer. Your powder may be damp, your bow-string may be relaxed, but the weapon of all-prayer need never be out of order. Leviathan laughs at the javelin, but he trembles at prayer. Sword and spear need furbishing, but prayer never rusts, and when we think it most blunt it cuts the best. Prayer is an open door which none can shut. Devils may surround you on all sides, but the way upward is always open, and as long as that road is unobstructed, you will not fall into the enemy's hand. We can never be taken by blockade, escalade, mine, or storm, so long as heavenly succours can come down to us by Jacob's ladder to relieve us in the time of our necessities. Prayer is never out of season: in summer and in winter its merchandise is precious. Prayer gains audience with heaven in the dead of night, in the midst of business, in the heat of noonday, in the shades of evening. In every condition, whether of poverty, or sickness, or obscurity, or slander, or doubt, your covenant God will welcome your prayer and answer it from his holy place. Nor is prayer ever futile. True prayer is evermore true power. You may not always get what you ask, but you shall always have your real wants supplied. When God does not answer his children according to the letter, he does so according to the spirit. If thou askest for coarse meal, wilt thou be angered because he gives thee the finest flour? If thou seekest bodily health, shouldst thou complain if instead thereof he makes thy sickness turn to the healing of spiritual maladies? Is it not better to have the cross sanctified than removed? This evening, my soul, forget not to offer thy petition and request, for the Lord is ready to grant thee thy desires.

“Behold, he prayeth.”

"Behold, he prayeth."

- Acts 9:11

Prayers are instantly noticed in heaven. The moment Saul began to pray the Lord heard him. Here is comfort for the distressed but praying soul. Oftentimes a poor broken-hearted one bends his knee, but can only utter his wailing in the language of sighs and tears; yet that groan has made all the harps of heaven thrill with music; that tear has been caught by God and treasured in the lachrymatory of heaven. "Thou puttest my tears into thy bottle," implies that they are caught as they flow. The suppliant, whose fears prevent his words, will be well understood by the Most High. He may only look up with misty eye; but "prayer is the falling of a tear." Tears are the diamonds of heaven; sighs are a part of the music of Jehovah's court, and are numbered with "the sublimest strains that reach the majesty on high." Think not that your prayer, however weak or trembling, will be unregarded. Jacob's ladder is lofty, but our prayers shall lean upon the Angel of the covenant and so climb its starry rounds. Our God not only hears prayer but also loves to hear it. "He forgetteth not the cry of the humble." True, he regards not high looks and lofty words; he cares not for the pomp and pageantry of kings; he listens not to the swell of martial music; he regards not the triumph and pride of man; but wherever there is a heart big with sorrow, or a lip quivering with agony, or a deep groan, or a penitential sigh, the heart of Jehovah is open; he marks it down in the registry of his memory; he puts our prayers, like rose leaves, between the pages of his book of remembrance, and when the volume is opened at last, there shall be a precious fragrance springing up therefrom.

"Faith asks no signal from the skies,

To show that prayers accepted rise,

Our Priest is in his holy place,

And answers from the throne of grace."

“Horror hath taken hold upon me because of the wicked that forsake thy law.”

"Horror hath taken hold upon me because of the wicked that forsake thy law."

- Psalm 119:53

My soul, feelest thou this holy shuddering at the sins of others? for otherwise thou lackest inward holiness. David's cheeks were wet with rivers of waters because of prevailing unholiness; Jeremiah desired eyes like fountains that he might lament the iniquities of Israel, and Lot was vexed with the conversation of the men of Sodom. Those upon whom the mark was set in Ezekiel's vision, were those who sighed and cried for the abominations of Jerusalem. It cannot but grieve gracious souls to see what pains men take to go to hell. They know the evil of sin experimentally, and they are alarmed to see others flying like moths into its blaze. Sin makes the righteous shudder, because it violates a holy law, which it is to every man's highest interest to keep; it pulls down the pillars of the commonwealth. Sin in others horrifies a believer, because it puts him in mind of the baseness of his own heart: when he sees a transgressor he cries with the saint mentioned by Bernard, "He fell to-day, and I may fall to-morrow." Sin to a believer is horrible, because it crucified the Saviour; he sees in every iniquity the nails and spear. How can a saved soul behold that cursed kill-Christ sin without abhorrence? Say, my heart, dost thou sensibly join in all this? It is an awful thing to insult God to his face. The good God deserves better treatment, the great God claims it, the just God will have it, or repay his adversary to his face. An awakened heart trembles at the audacity of sin, and stands alarmed at the contemplation of its punishment. How monstrous a thing is rebellion! How direful a doom is prepared for the ungodly! My soul, never laugh at sin's fooleries, lest thou come to smile at sin itself. It is thine enemy, and thy Lord's enemy-view it with detestation, for so only canst thou evidence the possession of holiness, without which no man can see the Lord.

I am the Lord, I change not.”

I am the Lord, I change not."

- Malachi 3:6

It is well for us that, amidst all the variableness of life, there is One whom change cannot affect; One whose heart can never alter, and on whose brow mutability can make no furrows. All things else have changed-all things are changing. The sun itself grows dim with age; the world is waxing old; the folding up of the worn-out vesture has commenced; the heavens and earth must soon pass away; they shall perish, they shall wax old as doth a garment; but there is One who only hath immortality, of whose years there is no end, and in whose person there is no change. The delight which the mariner feels, when, after having been tossed about for many a day, he steps again upon the solid shore, is the satisfaction of a Christian when, amidst all the changes of this troublous life, he rests the foot of his faith upon this truth-"I am the Lord, I change not."

The stability which the anchor gives the ship when it has at last obtained a hold-fast, is like that which the Christian's hope affords him when it fixes itself upon this glorious truth. With God "is no variableness, neither shadow of turning." What ever his attributes were of old, they are now; his power, his wisdom, his justice, his truth, are alike unchanged. He has ever been the refuge of his people, their stronghold in the day of trouble, and he is their sure Helper still. He is unchanged in his love. He has loved his people with "an everlasting love"; he loves them now as much as ever he did, and when all earthly things shall have melted in the last conflagration, his love will still wear the dew of its youth. Precious is the assurance that he changes not! The wheel of providence revolves, but its axle is eternal love.

"Death and change are busy ever,

Man decays, and ages move;

But his mercy waneth never;

God is wisdom, God is love."

“And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away: so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.”

"And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away: so shall also the coming of the Son of man be."

- Matthew 24:39

Universal was the doom, neither rich nor poor escaped: the learned and the illiterate, the admired and the abhorred, the religious and the profane, the old and the young, all sank in one common ruin. Some had doubtless ridiculed the patriarch-where now their merry jests? Others had threatened him for his zeal which they counted madness-where now their boastings and hard speeches? The critic who judged the old man's work is drowned in the same sea which covers his sneering companions. Those who spoke patronizingly of the good man's fidelity to his convictions, but shared not in them, have sunk to rise no more, and the workers who for pay helped to build the wondrous ark, are all lost also. The flood swept them all away, and made no single exception. Even so, out of Christ, final destruction is sure to every man of woman born; no rank, possession, or character, shall suffice to save a single soul who has not believed in the Lord Jesus. My soul, behold this wide-spread judgment and tremble at it.

How marvellous the general apathy! they were all eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, till the awful morning dawned. There was not one wise man upon earth out of the ark. Folly duped the whole race, folly as to self-preservation-the most foolish of all follies. Folly in doubting the most true God-the most malignant of fooleries. Strange, my soul, is it not? All men are negligent of their souls till grace gives them reason, then they leave their madness and act like rational beings, but not till then.

All, blessed be God, were safe in the ark, no ruin entered there. From the huge elephant down to the tiny mouse all were safe. The timid hare was equally secure with the courageous lion, the helpless cony as safe as the laborious ox. All are safe in Jesus. My soul, art thou in him?

“The church in thy house.”

"The church in thy house."

- Philemon 2

Is there a Church in this house? Are parents, children, friends, servants, all members of it? or are some still unconverted? Let us pause here and let the question go round-Am I a member of the Church in this house? How would father's heart leap for joy, and mother's eyes fill with holy tears if from the eldest to the youngest all were saved! Let us pray for this great mercy until the Lord shall grant it to us. Probably it had been the dearest object of Philemon's desires to have all his household saved; but it was not at first granted him in its fulness. He had a wicked servant, Onesimus, who, having wronged him, ran away from his service. His master's prayers followed him, and at last, as God would have it, Onesimus was led to hear Paul preach; his heart was touched, and he returned to Philemon, not only to be a faithful servant, but a brother beloved, adding another member to the Church in Philemon's house. Is there an unconverted servant or child absent this morning? Make special supplication that such may, on their return to their home, gladden all hearts with good news of what grace has done! Is there one present? Let him partake in the same earnest entreaty.

If there be such a Church in our house, let us order it well, and let all act as in the sight of God. Let us move in the common affairs of life with studied holiness, diligence, kindness, and integrity. More is expected of a Church than of an ordinary household; family worship must, in such a case, be more devout and hearty; internal love must be more warm and unbroken, and external conduct must be more sanctified and Christlike. We need not fear that the smallness of our number will put us out of the list of Churches, for the Holy Spirit has here enrolled a family-church in the inspired book of remembrance. As a Church let us now draw nigh to the great head of the one Church universal, and let us beseech him to give us grace to shine before men to the glory of his name.

Cell phone vs BIBLE

Dear all

 

When I see every one on the cell phone all the time, this made me think and I am sure it would make you think too.............

 

 

 

 

 

Cell phone vs. Bible    Wonder what would happen if we treated our Bible like we treat our cell phone?  What if we carried  it around in our purses or pockets?  What if we flipped  through it several times a day?  What if we turned  back to go get it if we forgot it?  What if we used it  to receive messages from the text?  What if we treated  it like we couldn't live without it?  What if we gave it  to kids as gifts?  What if we used it  when we traveled?  What if we used it  in case of emergency?  This is something  to make you go....hmm...where is my Bible?  Oh, and one more  thing.  Unlike our cell  phone, we don't have to worry about our Bible being  disconnected because  Jesus already paid the  bill.  Makes you stop and think 'where are my priorities? And  no dropped calls! Have a blessed and wonderful day!   When Jesus died on the cross, he was thinking of you!

 

 

God is more intelligent than you do imagine

Gen 2:7 has two part:both part says about the same thing.First part says that God made mitochondria which produces energy in side the cell and second part says about respiration which is also for energy production.

Again God accepted the offering of Abel because Abel brought fat which produces energy.Gen 4:4

A) Genesis 2:7 (New International Version)

7 the LORD God formed the man ^[a] from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.

SOIL CONTAINS BACTERIA AND IF WE WERE MADE WITH SOIL, THEN THESE BACTERIA SHOULD BE INSIDE OUR CELLS.

Bacteria are single-celled organisms, and are the most numerous micro organism of the soil, with populations ranging from 100 million to 3 billion in a gram. So an average of 1billion bacteria per gram is taken for calculations.

So in 100 Kg soil: 1billion*1000*100 = 100 Trillion bacteria

It is estimated that the average human adult body contains about 10 trillion cells.

If we made from soil, then we should have 100 trillion bacteria inside us. Praise the Lord; we have 100 trillion circular bacteria DNA in our 100 trillion mitochondria as each cell contains more than 10 mitochondria.

Bacteria and Mitochondria both have circular DNA.

Ref:

http://www.cdli.ca/CITE/bw_cells.pdf.

Charlebois, R. 1999. Organization of the Prokaryotic Genome. ASM Press, Washington, D.C.

B) Genesis 2:7 (New International Version)

7 the LORD God formed the man ^[a] from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.

The respiratory center in the brainstem medulla responds to chemical and mechanical signals from the body. Changes in Carbon dioxide level regulate ventilation primarily by their effect on the pH of the cerebrospinal fluid.

(Medical Surgical Nursing, 6th ed., Lewis, Heitkemper and Dirksen, Mosby.p548)
Neonatal acidosis was studied both with and without central depression in order to ascertain whether carbon dioxide was capable of stimulating the respiratory centre under either or both conditions.
The results suggest that respiratory acidosis stimulates respiration in the newborn.

 (Frank Holmes, Department of Anesthetics, Royal Infirmary Edinburgh, Scotland, British Journal of Anesthesia, 1963, Vol. 35, No. 7 433-437)

 

In Bible, Genesis 2:7 it is written that God breathed into (Exhaled into) man's nostril and man started breathing. We know that exhaled gas is Carbon dioxide. In other words God instilled Carbon dioxide into man's nostril and man started breathing.

 

Thus Bible which is written thousands of years ago confirms the truth that carbon dioxide was capable of stimulating the respiratory centre in human.

It is wonderful to see that Bible contains minute details of respiration in common language.

“I did know thee in the wilderness, in the land of great drought.”
- Hosea 13:5
Yes, Lord, thou didst indeed know me in my fallen state, and thou didst even then choose me for thyself. When I was loathsome and self-abhorred, thou didst receive me as thy child, and thou didst satisfy my craving wants. Blessed for ever be thy name for this free, rich, abounding mercy. Since then, my inward experience has often been a wilderness; but thou hast owned me still as thy beloved, and poured streams of love and grace into me to gladden me, and make me fruitful. Yea, when my outward circumstances have been at the worst, and I have wandered in a land of drought, thy sweet presence has solaced me. Men have not known me when scorn has awaited me, but thou hast known my soul in adversities, for no affliction dims the lustre of thy love. Most gracious Lord, I magnify thee for all thy faithfulness to me in trying circumstances, and I deplore that I should at any time have forgotten thee and been exalted in heart, when I have owed all to thy gentleness and love. Have mercy upon thy servant in this thing!
My soul, if Jesus thus acknowledged thee in thy low estate, be sure that thou own both himself and his cause now that thou art in thy prosperity. Be not lifted up by thy worldly successes so as to be ashamed of the truth or of the poor church with which thou hast been associated. Follow Jesus into the wilderness: bear the cross with him when the heat of persecution grows hot. He owned thee, O my soul, in thy poverty and shame-never be so treacherous as to be ashamed of him. O for more shame at the thought of being ashamed of my best Beloved! Jesus, my soul cleaveth to thee.
“I’ll turn to thee in days of light,
As well as nights of care,
Thou brightest amid all that’s bright!
Thou fairest of the fair!”

“Renew a right spirit within me.”
- Psalm 51:10
A backslider, if there be a spark of life left in him will groan after restoration. In this renewal the same exercise of grace is required as at our conversion. We needed repentance then; we certainly need it now. We wanted faith that we might come to Christ at first; only the like grace can bring us to Jesus now. We wanted a word from the Most High, a word from the lip of the loving One, to end our fears then; we shall soon discover, when under a sense of present sin, that we need it now. No man can be renewed without as real and true a manifestation of the Holy Spirit’s energy as he felt at first, because the work is as great, and flesh and blood are as much in the way now as ever they were. Let thy personal weakness, O Christian, be an argument to make thee pray earnestly to thy God for help. Remember, David when he felt himself to be powerless, did not fold his arms or close his lips, but he hastened to the mercy-seat with “renew a right spirit within me.” Let not the doctrine that you, unaided, can do nothing, make you sleep; but let it be a goad in your side to drive you with an awful earnestness to Israel’s strong Helper. O that you may have grace to plead with God, as though you pleaded for your very life-”Lord, renew a right spirit within me.” He who sincerely prays to God to do this, will prove his honesty by using the means through which God works. Be much in prayer; live much upon the Word of God; kill the lusts which have driven your Lord from you; be careful to watch over the future uprisings of sin. The Lord has his own appointed ways; sit by the wayside and you will be ready when he passes by. Continue in all those blessed ordinances which will foster and nourish your dying graces; and, knowing that all the power must proceed from him, cease not to cry, “Renew a right spirit within me.”

“Thou that dwellest in the gardens, the companions hearken to thy voice: cause me to hear it.”
- Song of Solomon 8:13
My sweet Lord Jesus remembers well the garden of Gethsemane, and although he has left that garden, he now dwells in the garden of his church: there he unbosoms himself to those who keep his blessed company. That voice of love with which he speaks to his beloved is more musical than the harps of heaven. There is a depth of melodious love within it which leaves all human music far behind. Ten of thousands on earth, and millions above, are indulged with its harmonious accents. Some whom I well know, and whom I greatly envy, are at this moment hearkening to the beloved voice. O that I were a partaker of their joys! It is true some of these are poor, others bedridden, and some near the gates of death, but O my Lord, I would cheerfully starve with them, pine with them, or die with them, if I might but hear thy voice. Once I did hear it often, but I have grieved thy Spirit. Return unto me in compassion, and once again say unto me, “I am thy salvation.” No other voice can content me; I know thy voice, and cannot be deceived by another, let me hear it, I pray thee. I know not what thou wilt say, neither do I make any condition, O my Beloved, do but let me hear thee speak, and if it be a rebuke I will bless thee for it. Perhaps to cleanse my dull ear may need an operation very grievous to the flesh, but let it cost what it may I turn not from the one consuming desire, cause me to hear thy voice. Bore my ear afresh; pierce my ear with thy harshest notes, only do not permit me to continue deaf to thy calls. To-night, Lord, grant thine unworthy one his desire, for I am thine, and thou hast bought me with thy blood. Thou hast opened mine eye to see thee, and the sight has saved me. Lord, open thou mine ear. I have read thy heart, now let me hear thy lips.

“I will praise thee, O Lord.”
- Psalm 9:1
Praise should always follow answered prayer; as the mist of earth’s gratitude rises when the sun of heaven’s love warms the ground. Hath the Lord been gracious to thee, and inclined his ear to the voice of thy supplication? Then praise him as long as thou livest. Let the ripe fruit drop upon the fertile soil from which it drew its life. Deny not a song to him who hath answered thy prayer and given thee the desire of thy heart. To be silent over God’s mercies is to incur the guilt of ingratitude; it is to act as basely as the nine lepers, who after they had been cured of their leprosy, returned not to give thanks unto the healing Lord. To forget to praise God is to refuse to benefit ourselves; for praise, like prayer, is one great means of promoting the growth of the spiritual life. It helps to remove our burdens, to excite our hope, to increase our faith. It is a healthful and invigorating exercise which quickens the pulse of the believer, and nerves him for fresh enterprises in his Master’s service. To bless God for mercies received is also the way to benefit our fellow-men; “the humble shall hear thereof and be glad.” Others who have been in like circumstances shall take comfort if we can say, “Oh! magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together; this poor man cried, and the Lord heard him.” Weak hearts will be strengthened, and drooping saints will be revived as they listen to our “songs of deliverance.” Their doubts and fears will be rebuked, as we teach and admonish one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs. They too shall “sing in the ways of the Lord,” when they hear us magnify his holy name. Praise is the most heavenly of Christian duties. The angels pray not, but they cease not to praise both day and night; and the redeemed, clothed in white robes, with palm-branches in their hands, are never weary of singing the new song, “Worthy is the Lamb.”

“But their eyes were holden that they should not know him.”
- Luke 24:16
The disciples ought to have known Jesus, they had heard his voice so often, and gazed upon that marred face so frequently, that it is wonderful they did not discover him. Yet is it not so with you also? You have not seen Jesus lately. You have been to his table, and you have not met him there. You are in a dark trouble this evening, and though he plainly says, “It is I, be not afraid,” yet you cannot discern him. Alas! our eyes are holden. We know his voice; we have looked into his face; we have leaned our head upon his bosom, and yet, though Christ is very near us, we are saying “O that I knew where I might find him!” We should know Jesus, for we have the Scriptures to reflect his image, and yet how possible it is for us to open that precious book and have no glimpse of the Wellbeloved! Dear child of God, are you in that state? Jesus feedeth among the lilies of the word, and you walk among those lilies, and yet you behold him not. He is accustomed to walk through the glades of Scripture, and to commune with his people, as the Father did with Adam in the cool of the day, and yet you are in the garden of Scripture, but cannot see him, though he is always there. And why do we not see him? It must be ascribed in our case, as in the disciples’, to unbelief. They evidently did not expect to see Jesus, and therefore they did not know him. To a great extent in spiritual things we get what we expect of the Lord. Faith alone can bring us to see Jesus. Make it your prayer, “Lord, open thou mine eyes, that I may see my Saviour present with me.” It is a blessed thing to want to see him; but oh! it is better far to gaze upon him. To those who seek him he is kind; but to those who find him, beyond expression is he dear!

“After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, etc.”
- Matthew 6:9
This prayer begins where all true prayer must commence, with the spirit of adoption, “Our Father.” There is no acceptable prayer until we can say, “I will arise, and go unto my Father.” This child-like spirit soon perceives the grandeur of the Father “in heaven,” and ascends to devout adoration, “Hallowed be thy name.” The child lisping, “Abba, Father,” grows into the cherub crying, “Holy, Holy, Holy.” There is but a step from rapturous worship to the glowing missionary spirit, which is a sure outgrowth of filial love and reverent adoration-”Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” Next follows the heartfelt expression of dependence upon God-”Give us this day our daily bread.” Being further illuminated by the Spirit, he discovers that he is not only dependent, but sinful, hence he entreats for mercy, “Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors:” and being pardoned, having the righteousness of Christ imputed, and knowing his acceptance with God, he humbly supplicates for holy perseverance, “Lead us not into temptation.” The man who is really forgiven, is anxious not to offend again; the possession of justification leads to an anxious desire for sanctification. “Forgive us our debts,” that is justification; “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil,” that is sanctification in its negative and positive forms. As the result of all this, there follows a triumphant ascription of praise, “Thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, for ever and ever, Amen.” We rejoice that our King reigns in providence and shall reign in grace, from the river even to the ends of the earth, and of his dominion there shall be no end. Thus from a sense of adoption, up to fellowship with our reigning Lord, this short model of prayer conducts the soul. Lord, teach us thus to pray.

“Ye looked for much, and, lo, it came to little; and when ye brought it home, I did blow upon it. Why? saith the Lord of hosts. Because of mine house that is waste, and ye run every man unto his own house.”
- Haggai 1:9
Churlish souls stint their contributions to the ministry and missionary operations, and call such saving good economy; little do they dream that they are thus impoverishing themselves. Their excuse is that they must care for their own families, and they forget that to neglect the house of God is the sure way to bring ruin upon their own houses. Our God has a method in providence by which he can succeed our endeavours beyond our expectation, or can defeat our plans to our confusion and dismay; by a turn of his hand he can steer our vessel in a profitable channel, or run it aground in poverty and bankruptcy. It is the teaching of Scripture that the Lord enriches the liberal and leaves the miserly to find out that withholding tendeth to poverty. In a very wide sphere of observation, I have noticed that the most generous Christians of my acquaintance have been always the most happy, and almost invariably the most prosperous. I have seen the liberal giver rise to wealth of which he never dreamed; and I have as often seen the mean, ungenerous churl descend to poverty by the very parsimony by which he thought to rise. Men trust good stewards with larger and larger sums, and so it frequently is with the Lord; he gives by cartloads to those who give by bushels. Where wealth is not bestowed the Lord makes the little much by the contentment which the sanctified heart feels in a portion of which the tithe has been dedicated to the Lord. Selfishness looks first at home, but godliness seeks first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, yet in the long run selfishness is loss, and godliness is great gain. It needs faith to act towards our God with an open hand, but surely he deserves it of us; and all that we can do is a very poor acknowledgment of our amazing indebtedness to his goodness.

SUNDAY THOUGHT-21

SUNDAY THOUGHT -21 WORSHIPPING GOD IN IGNORANCE An yearning to worship is inbuilt in Human beings. Human history testifies that people are interested in worship. People worship either God, according to their own fanciful thinking or natural powers or great personalities (hero worship) or even Satan. A sad thing we see around us is that a majority of people are worshipping God not according to the truth of God- worshipping God in ignorance- being ignorant about the person or nature or works of God. Paul, when was in the city of Athens, could see that the Athenians were worshipping all known gods including the 'unknown God' (Acts 17:23). They were worshipping in ignorance. So Paul had to say, "…. Now what you worship in ignorance this I set forth to you…" (v. 23 b.). 'Many gods exist according to what people say; and we do not want to miss any; for we can't say which is true' seems their logic. This is the same logic that governs the pluralistic society of our nation as well. In this post modern era, where a denial of the absolute truth is the trend, it is not surprising to see this confusion prevails. People worship god/gods in ignorance. Not only the pagans, the people who claim that they know God do also worship God in ignorance. The Samaritan woman represents this group. She zealously brought up the subject of worship in her conversation with Jesus. She thought that she is, in fact the whole sect of the Samaritans are worshipping God. But Jesus contended saying, "You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we (the Jews) worship what we do know…" (John 4:22). What was the mistake of the Samaritans? They in their pride and rebellion did not want to follow what God commanded regarding worship. They in opposition to the Jews redefined faith for themselves! That led them to worship God in ignorance. The Christian community is worshipping community. But a massive group among them commits the same mistake! They say they worship God. But unfortunately in some Christian churches the worship is patterned after the Old Testament. There is a continuation of the Old Judaistic system of worship there. They have the priests as official mediators for worship; they have the Holy place where the priest alone will go; they have incense to offer at worship… They worship in ignorance -either willful or sincere! Because they are still following the patterns of the old dispensation. Just as the Jewish people continued their worship in the temple even after the death and resurrection of Jesus, probably after 're-stitching' the veil that was torn at Jesus' death, these Christians continue their worship in the temple pattern. They do not approach God having the knowledge of the new and living way God has opened for those who come to Him. They do not recognize that those who worship the Father have to worship Him by the assistance of the Holy Spirit and in accordance to the truth God had revealed in this new dispensation of grace. Though it has the name 'Christian,' the worship is not Christian, for they worship not according to the truths of God's word. And obviously God does not take pleasure in that. We who claim evangelical or protestant Christians do worship in ignorance sometimes..! How? When we approach god having unresolved tensions with fellow believers, we worship God in ignorance! When we come to worship with hidden sins that are un confessed and un forgiven, we worship God in ignorance! When we don't let someone in the church to join in worship we do the same! We do worship in ignorance, when we come to God having reluctance to obey or having made no effort to obey the great commission of the Lord. When we keep wrong understandings about God and worship we do it in ignorance. God does not want us to worship him in ignorance. He has revealed his truths in His word so that we may know him and worship Him in the light of those truths. His word is given to us not just for the sake of knowledge but to do them (Psalm 119:3). As we prepare to Worship God this week, let us see to it that we know him better lest we shall worship Him in ignorance and be rejected. Let us approach Him having the confidence in our high priest, the Lord Jesus Christ who is able to sympathize with our weaknesses. Yours in The gloriuos ministry of God Joji George Abraham