Do Not Take Revenge

DO NOT TAKE REVENGE ON OTHERS OR CONTINUE TO HATE THEM, BUT LOVE YOUR NEIGHBORS AS YOU LOVE YOURSELF. I AM THE LORD. Leviticus 19.18.

I know of a group of Christians who attend a weekly Bible class. Once, they were studying about ‘Love’. The study lasted for several weeks. They learned many Scriptures that taught them to love others and stop hating anyone. They discussed their personal problems with each other.

They also spent much time asking God to help them forgive those whom they hated and for the grace to forgive. After all that, many still said that they found it hard to forgive. Those who were deeply hurt even admitted, “I can’t forgive, neither can I forget!” This only reveals how difficult it is to get along with people who offend and hurt you.

But the Word of God is very clear about how you should react towards those who hurt you. The Bible teaches, “Do not take revenge on others or continue to hate them, but love your neighbors as you love yourself. I am the LORD”. Not loving but hating those who are against you and taking revenge on them is the norm of this world. But you who belong to the Lord, should be different in your behaviour towards others. Your actions and reactions are to be guided by the Word of God and not by your old nature. You need to be different! THE REASON – “FOR, I AM THE LORD”, says your God. Recently, a Christian magazine in India requested me to write an article on “the Christian response to the ‘evil and corruption’ of this world”. How can we respond righteously unless we are practicing Scriptural principles?

Another good reason why God asks you not to hate but to leave revenge to Him is because “Revenge belongs to Him!” He is the judge. He judges uprightly. When God punishes, His intention is to correct and not to destroy. If you are to keep hating and take your own revenge, you may punish them ‘less’ because you are weak. Or you may inflict ‘more’ because you are strong!

Dear believer, the worst thing about hating and seeking revenge is that they destroy you in mind, body and soul more than your offender! When you cannot forgive and forget, you lose your peace, sleep, appetite, health, if not definitely your SOUL! For Jesus has told us very sternly, “if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins” (Mt 6.14.15).

Pray and practise with me: Dear Lord, help me to love others as myself and not to hate or take revenge but to leave it to You. Amen.

Others Better Than Myself

DON'T ACT OUT OF SELFISH AMBITION OR BE CONCEITED. INSTEAD, HUMBLY THINK OF OTHERS AS BEING BETTER THAN YOURSELVES. Philippians 2.3.

Think of it for a moment. Don’t you and I act out of selfish ambition most of the time? Aren’t we self-conceited?

We seldom have the humility to admit that others may be better than us or that we are not as good as they are! The root of most problems and troubles is here. Unfortunately, we Christians are no better than the others in this respect. We create more problems in the Church simply because of selfish ambition, conceitedness and lack of humility which make us think that we are right and others are not as smart as we are.

Dear believer, do you know that almost all of our problems in the home and in the church are caused by an inflated ego? Do you notice that you have no problem with those who are below you! Your problem is always with those who are above you and better than you! Have you recognised this? If not, take a little time and think about it. Your quibbles, whether at home or church or office, are with those above you and in authority! This is wrong!

It is God who places people in authority over you. He does it in His wisdom and knowledge. God commands you to respect and obey authority. God commands, “Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you” (Ex 20.12). Under no circumstances should you dishonour your parents! Again God demands of you, “The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching” (1 Tim 5.17).

This doesn’t mean that parents and elders are always right and they never make mistakes. The other day I told my daughter for some reason, “We parents give advice not because we are always right but because we have been wrong many times and learned from our mistakes!” Wise children can correct parents but with due respect. In the same way, church leaders have been wrong before and they still make mistakes. God, who has ordered us to honour them, also has given us specific instructions how to offer correction!

You must follow Christ and learn to be humble. You must learn to consider others better than yourself – not just in words but in your actions too. Because of your accomplishments and position, you often think that you are better than those who do not possess them! I thought that I was ‘better’ than my gardener! On second thought, there are many things he does that I cannot do and some things he definitely can do better! I am learning that I should consider him better than me at least as a gardener and respect him for it. The same truth applies to all! You need to reconsider your relationship with others, from home to church and office. You must learn the right perspectives from the Lord Jesus.

Pray and practise with me: Dear Lord, You were God-man. Yet You never ‘thought less’ of anyone, even a leper or harlot. Help me to begin to practice humility and consider all - at home, outside and in the church, better than myself. Teach me to treat all with respect and honour. Amen.

Prosper In All Things

SINCE THE DAY I HEARD ABOUT YOU I HAVE NOT STOPPED PRAYING FOR YOU. COL 1.9

For the past several years, I have been following the example of the great apostle Paul and praying for all of my dear readers even as he did!

My prayer for you this New Year is the same. I quote it here so that you may know what my prayer for you is and WHAT GOD'S WILL FOR YOU IS! I am breaking the prayer into item by item so that you will know what GOD EXPECTS FROM YOU.

"I ask God:

to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding.

I pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord

You may please him in every way:

You bear fruit in every good work,

You grow in the knowledge of God,

You be strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that

You may have great endurance and patience,

You may joyfully give thanks to the Father,

who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light."

Won't you too make it your daily prayer?

I also pray for you as John the apostle prayed, "The elder, To my dear friend Gaius, whom I love in the truth. Dear friend, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.

In order too prosper in all things, you work day and night! You need to work just as hard in order to prosper in your soul! So work on what God desires for you in your life as stated in Paul's prayer. A friend of mine called me up this New Year's day and said, "I have decided to read the Bible through this year, putting aside 20 minutes a day!"

Pray and practise with me: Dear Lord, help me to work on prospering my soul for I know You will prosper me in all things and in health. Amen.

The Sincere Faith

I REMEMBER THE SINCERE FAITH YOU HAVE, the kind of faith that your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice also had. I am sure that you have it also. 2 Timothy 1.5.

Often we visit our daughter and family who live in a town a few hours away. The one thing that struck me most was the devotion the mother and father have for their three children. The saying is no more an exaggeration, “the parents live for their children!” From very early in the morning to very late at night the mother and the father attend to every need of each child. Between the father who is a surgeon and the mother, a full-time home-maker, they make a dozen trips to shuttle the children to school, tuition and music lessons! It is the privilege and duty of every father and mother to take good care of the children God has blessed them with. It is especially so with Christian parents.

Unfortunately, I have seen many a Christian father and/or mother totally disregard and neglect their duty to bring their children up “in the fear and the nurture of the Lord” as the Bible requires.

But in the light of today’s Bible text - “I remember the sincere faith you have, the kind of faith that your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice also had. I am sure that you have it also” - let me remind Christian parents, especially the mothers, to pay special attention to the spiritual upbringing of your children. Caring for the physical, mental and material needs of children and lavishly providing for everything they fancy has become the norm for families today. I see this even in Christian families.

Dear believer, the serious question is, 'are you careful enough to impart your most holy faith to your children or those under your care'? I thank God for my godly parents and grandparents. I cherish the sacred memory of my grandmother and mother who were the most instrumental in imparting their faith to me from my infancy. My grandmother even conducted a Sunday School at home for our neighbourhood children so that they too shared her faith! They passed away a long while ago, but their faith abides in most of us even today.

It is said of Susannah Wesley, mother of the famous John and Charles Wesley that she took particular care of each of her 19 children! She fed, clothed and educated all of them with the meager salary of her husband who was a cleric. But what really paid off was the time and effort she put into the life of each one of those 19 children in sharing her faith to them individually. She was particular in taking each child alone with her to do some chore in order to talk to them one-to-one and to share her faith and belief. No wonder, John became England’s most renowned preacher and Charles the equally famous hymn writer!

Dear friend, Christian father or mother, I urge you to emulate my dear mother who was so serious to see her children catch her faith that her rule was, “No Bible reading and prayer, no breakfast!” Without faith it is impossible to please God (Heb.11.6). What are you doing each day to impart your faith to your children? Are you only attending to all their other needs?

Pray and practise with me: Dear Lord, forgive me for not giving equal or more time and effort to imparting my faith in You to my children. Help me to start today! Amen.

God Can Humble The Proud

GOD CAN HUMBLE ANYONE WHO ACTS PROUDLY. I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise, honor, and glorify the King of Heaven. Everything he does is right and just.. Daniel 4.37.

As we were driving back home from the church one day, I asked my wife about a young doctor and his wife whom we know well, “Which church do they attend?” To my surprise, she replied, “They often do not go to church!” He and his wife come from good Christian families. Both are professionals. He is aspiring to be a medical specialist. They were blessed with a baby lately. Everything had gone well for them. That must be the reason why they are so independent! They have it all. They do not acknowledge God’s good hand in their lives. They do not seem to need God!

King Nebuchadnezzar of the Babylonian Empire was one such person, only much greater and mightier! At the height of his power and greatness, one day, he was walking around on the roof of his royal palace in Babylon. He said, "Look how great Babylon is! I built it as my capital city to display my power and might, my glory and majesty." Before the words were out of his mouth, a voice spoke from heaven, “King Nebuchadnezzar, listen to what I say! Your royal power is now taken away from you. You will be driven away from human society, live with wild animals, and eat grass like an ox for seven years. Then you will acknowledge that the Supreme God has power over human kingdoms and that he can give them to anyone he chooses” (Dan 4.29-32).

Nebuchadnezzar was driven out of human society and ate grass like an ox. The dew fell on his body and his hair grew as long as eagle feathers and his nails as long as bird’s claws. “When the seven years had passed,” said the king, “I looked up at the sky, and my sanity returned. I praised the Supreme God and gave honor and glory to the one who lives forever. He will rule forever, and his kingdom will last for all time. He looks on the people of the earth as nothing; angels in heaven and people on earth are under his control. No one can oppose his will or question what he does. When my sanity returned, my honor, my majesty, and the glory of my kingdom were given back to me. My officials and my noblemen welcomed me, and I was given back my royal power with even greater honor than before” (vs 33-36).

When he came to his senses after his humiliation, this is what he said, “Now, I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise, honor, and glorify the King of Heaven. Everything he does is right and just, and he can humble anyone who acts proudly”.

Oh! that God would give you the sense to acknowledge His Almighty hand in all that happens in your life and continually give Him praise and glory! Dear believer, don’t be senseless like our young doctor friend or the great and mighty king! Then, God wouldn’t have to humble you or let you be troubled before you acknowledge Him and give Him His due praise and glory.

Pray and practise with me: Dear Lord, often I am tempted to feel that what I am and what I have are by my own merit. I forget to acknowledge You or give You the glory. Forgive me and grant me the due sense to do it before it is too late. Amen.

Build Conscience On The Word

SOME HAVE REFUSED TO LET THEIR FAITH GUIDE THEIR CONSCIENCE AND THEIR FAITH HAS BEEN DESTROYED LIKE A WRECKED SHIP. 1 Timothy 1.19.

Conscience is a good thing given to us by our good Lord. It is a good guide and all must endeavour to live by it. But many people, including Christians, do not heed their conscience and hence do wrong and wreck their lives. However, your conscience must be guided by the unerring and unchanging standards of the Word of God! There are many good Christians who have had their consciences ruled by what they heard from others, however good or godly they may be!

The Bible says, “faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Rom 10.17). Faith is the substance as well as the assurance of what we believe (Heb 11.1). Your tenets of faith must be founded on the WORD OF GOD ALONE! It is the revealed will of God for us. It should be what guides and rules your conscience. You must read God's Word and set your conscience right according to it. You must live by it. Every word and deed of yours must be guided by it.

We are living in the age of which the same apostle had this to say, “For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. But you, keep your head in all situations” (2 Tim 4.3-5).

Dear believer, it is good to have teachers. You may listen to all. But be like the Bereans, “They were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true” (Act 17.11). Read and constantly meditate on the unadulterated Word of God with vigour. I just bought a 'Life application Bible' at my age of seventy plus! Let the Word be the foundation for your conscience. Follow it faithfully.

The Bible warns, "You must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet's own interpretation. For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies... In their greed these teachers will exploit you with stories they have made up” (2 Pe 1.21, 2.1-3).

Be wary of interpretations and opinions of even the most popular teacher! Do not mistake God’s Word for men’s fancy doctrines, teachings or prophecies! Build your conscience on the unchanging Word. Do not wreck your life on rocks that others have placed before you!

Pray and practise with me: Dear Lord, help me to build up my most holy faith and conscience on Your eternal and revealed Word and not on any one's interpretation, and live by it. AMEN.

Love Our Brothers & Sisters

MAY THE LORD MAKE YOUR LOVE INCREASE AND OVERFLOW FOR EACH OTHER AND FOR EVERYONE ELSE, JUST AS OURS DOES FOR YOU. 1 THESSALONIANS 3.12.

‘Love’ is the greatest theme of the Bible. It is not surprising because God is love (1 Jn 4.8). His greatest expression of love towards us was the giving of His Son, Jesus Christ, to die for us! (Jn 3.16). Jesus said, “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments" (Mt 22.37-40).

‘Lack of love is the root of all problems!’ There are no problems that cannot be resolved if there is love! If you love God, you will obey Him. If you obey God, you will love people. Love does no harm to anyone! The world would be a more peaceful place to live in and life would be more pleasant for everyone.

‘To love’ should be the easiest thing to do but unfortunately it is not. Even the twelve disciples of Jesus had a problem loving each other. More than anything else, Jesus’ greatest concern was that the disciples should learn to love one another. He repeatedly commanded them to love each other for He saw in them continued traits of jealousy and selfishness! Jesus knew that if they did not genuinely love each other they could love none else!

That is why Jesus repeatedly told His disciples about loving each other. He said, "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another" (Jn 13.34,35). Thank God that He has not only commanded us to love each other but “God has also poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us” (Rom 5.5). By the love that the Holy Spirit has poured out in our hearts we can and should now love not only those who love us but also those who hurt or even hate us!

Our love will speak more eloquently than all our preaching and professing! It will be more persuasive than all the miracles we may perform. So let us make love our chief aim. The apostle Paul wrote, "If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing" (1 Cor 13:1,2). Think about it and begin to show the genuineness of your love!

Dear believer, “May the Lord make my love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else”. Notice, “each other” (means those near to you) must precede “everyone else!” Our folly is that we try to love everyone else before each other, those who are around us! It doesn’t work that way. So let us henceforth determine to begin where we should start – love the brother or sister whom we see - and ask the Holy Spirit to help us overcome our weaknesses in doing it!

Pray and practise with me: Dear Lord, thank You for Your greatest act of love in sending Your Son to die for me. Help my love for each other to increase and overflow so that all may know that I am Your disciple. Amen.

In Everything Give Thanks

IN EVERYTHING GIVE THANKS: FOR THIS IS THE WILL OF GOD IN CHRIST JESUS CONCERNING YOU. 1 Thessalonians 5.18

Thankfulness is not a trait we inherit. We need to cultivate it and teach it to our children to express gratitude for kindness received. It is not often that people thank God for His goodness to them. Often Christians are no exception. To thank God for everything and in everything as the Scripture commands is not followed by most. You may feel obliged to thank God for the ‘good things’ He has done but what about the apparently ‘bad things’ that befall you?

The Scripture teaches, “In everything give thanks!” That is a command of God! I remember reading a very long time ago an interesting small book by an army Chaplin, entitled “PRISON TO PRAISE”. The Chaplin began telling his counselees who went to him with complaints of ‘hurt in the field or by families back home’, “Come on! Gives thanks in everything!” The already hurt, poor souls were astonished and flabbergasted and asked him, “Why should we, and how could we give thanks to God when He is causing us hurt and suffering? It does not make sense!” Some had been wounded in the field, some lost friends in battle, others had bad news from home and there were those whose wives were deserting them and going after other men!

The good Chaplin replied, “It doesn’t make sense to me either! But the Word of God says so, and we must obey!” One by one the bewildered soldiers began giving thanks to God in whatever situation they were in. They didn’t exactly ‘thank God for their dead friends, sick parents or deserting wives!’ However, each one began to thank God saying, “Lord, You know my terrible situation. I thank You for it because You asked me to thank You in everything! I don’t feel like it but I do. Sometimes I feel it is crazy but still I do thank You because You have said so!” Wonder of wonders, the book goes on to tell ‘how God in miraculous ways solved many of the impossible problems of the soldiers!’

Here is yet another reason from today’s lesson for you to give thanks in everything: It is “the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you!” That sounds pretty serious, doesn’t it? God is in it, so is Christ Jesus and you too! Hey! You better do it! Let us not go against the will of God in Christ Jesus for you and me.

Dear friend, whether you are going through troubled waters and battlefields or not, begin now to obey God’s will for you in Christ Jesus - give thanks to God in everything. Then leave your troubles with Him! Like Habakkuk the prophet on the watch tower, you too may wait to hear and see what the Almighty will say or do! (Hab 2.1). God has promised and surely, He will respond!

Pray and practise with me: Dear Lord, help me to give thanks to You for everything and in all situations I find myself in, be it good or bad, for you have told me so and it is Your will for me whether I feel like it or not. Thank You Father. Amen.

Give You Thanks Forever

LORD MY GOD, I WILL GIVE YOU THANKS FOREVER. Psalm 30.12.

Once I was having a season of meditation and prayer. It gave me an occasion to think about all the good things the Lord had done for me and my family. It was also a time when I thought about all the troubles and trials that God allowed to come into our lives. For a dozen or so of ills and woes that upset us there were literally countless blessings that God had bestowed on us as individuals and as families.

Reminiscing our lives with all its ups and downs will give us much reason to thank the Lord for all His goodness. Looking back, even our troubles and sorrows will cause us to thank God for them. With hindsight, we have seen the goodness they brought about in our lives. They have caused us to depend on God. They have matured us. We have learned patience and tolerance. Whereas we have enjoyed our blessings very much, we have grown but little because of them. But the positive effects of our sufferings have made us the men and women we are today!

While we suffer or when we are in great need, we may not be in the mood for thanking God. Rather we complain and cry out. But David was different. Even when he was in great distress, we find him having an interesting mixture of attitudes and approach to God. You will find that in today’s psalm. He starts off praising and exalting God. He thanks God for His deliverances. Then suddenly he brings his petition and cry to God for deliverance from his present distress. In the midst of his cry, he sings praises to God. He also calls on others to join him and exalt God. You find him also asserting his hope in God that He will surely bring him out of all his troubles.

One may get the impression that David was confused in his misery and didn’t know what he was doing! Have you felt that way? You just do not know what to do when you are in great distress. Talk about being confused and not knowing what to do or what more to do than crying to God.

We need to have a spiritual strategy of survival or we will be depressed or succumb. Learn from King David. It is not trying your luck doing this or that! It has been tested and proved by David many times. To begin with: Praise God. Thank Him for what He has done. Cry out to God and tell Him your problems. Tell God that you will still trust Him in spite of His lack of response or delay to answer. Tell God what you have learned and experienced Him. Then be still and know that He is God and He will act!

Pray and practise with me: Dear Lord, there are times when I am so distressed that I do not know what to do, in spite of my trust, hope, prayer and cry to you. “Hear, O LORD, and be merciful to me; O LORD, be my help" (v.10). Amen.

Loving Others

MAY THE LORD MAKE YOUR LOVE INCREASE AND OVERFLOW FOR EACH OTHER AND FOR EVERYONE ELSE, JUST AS OURS DOES FOR YOU. 1 THESSALONIANS 3.12.

‘Love’ is the greatest theme of the Bible. It is not surprising because God is love (1 Jn 4.8). His greatest expression of love towards us was the giving of His Son, Jesus Christ, to die for us! (Jn 3.16). Jesus said, “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments" (Mt 22.37-40).

‘Lack of love is the root of all problems!’ There are no problems that cannot be resolved if there is love! If you love God, you will obey Him. If you obey God, you will love people. Love does no harm to anyone! The world would be a more peaceful place to live in and life would be more pleasant for everyone.

‘To love’ should be the easiest thing to do but unfortunately it is not. Even the twelve disciples of Jesus had a problem loving each other. More than anything else, Jesus’ greatest concern was that the disciples should learn to love one another. He repeatedly commanded them to love each other for He saw in them continued traits of jealousy and selfishness! Jesus knew that if they did not genuinely love each other they could love none else!

That is why Jesus repeatedly told His disciples about loving each other. He said, "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another" (Jn 13.34,35). Thank God that He has not only commanded us to love each other but “God has also poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us” (Rom 5.5). By the love that the Holy Spirit has poured out in our hearts we can and should now love not only those who love us but also those who hurt or even hate us!

Our love will speak more eloquently than all our preaching and professing! It will be more persuasive than all the miracles we may perform. So let us make love our chief aim. The apostle Paul wrote, "If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing" (1 Cor 13:1,2). Think about it and begin to show the genuineness of your love!

Dear believer, “May the Lord make my love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else”. Notice, “each other” (means those near to you) must precede “everyone else!” Our folly is that we try to love everyone else before each other, those who are around us! It doesn’t work that way. So let us henceforth determine to begin where we should start – love the brother or sister whom we see - and ask the Holy Spirit to help us overcome our weaknesses in doing it!

Pray and practise with me: Dear Lord, thank You for Your greatest act of love in sending Your Son to die for me. Help my love for each other to increase and overflow so that all may know that I am Your disciple. Amen.

Give You Thanks Forever

LORD MY GOD, I WILL GIVE YOU THANKS FOREVER. Psalm 30.12.

Once I was having a season of meditation and prayer. It gave me an occasion to think about all the good things the Lord had done for me and my family. It was also a time when I thought about all the troubles and trials that God allowed to come into our lives. For a dozen or so of ills and woes that upset us there were literally countless blessings that God had bestowed on us as individuals and as families.

Reminiscing our lives with all its ups and downs will give us much reason to thank the Lord for all His goodness. Looking back, even our troubles and sorrows will cause us to thank God for them. With hindsight, we have seen the goodness they brought about in our lives. They have caused us to depend on God. They have matured us. We have learned patience and tolerance. Whereas we have enjoyed our blessings very much, we have grown but little because of them. But the positive effects of our sufferings have made us the men and women we are today!

While we suffer or when we are in great need, we may not be in the mood for thanking God. Rather we complain and cry out. But David was different. Even when he was in great distress, we find him having an interesting mixture of attitudes and approach to God. You will find that in today’s psalm. He starts off praising and exalting God. He thanks God for His deliverances. Then suddenly he brings his petition and cry to God for deliverance from his present distress. In the midst of his cry, he sings praises to God. He also calls on others to join him and exalt God. You find him also asserting his hope in God that He will surely bring him out of all his troubles.

One may get the impression that David was confused in his misery and didn’t know what he was doing! Have you felt that way? You just do not know what to do when you are in great distress. Talk about being confused and not knowing what to do or what more to do than crying to God.

We need to have a spiritual strategy of survival or we will be depressed or succumb. Learn from King David. It is not trying your luck doing this or that! It has been tested and proved by David many times. To begin with: Praise God. Thank Him for what He has done. Cry out to God and tell Him your problems. Tell God that you will still trust Him in spite of His lack of response or delay to answer. Tell God what you have learned and experienced Him. Then be still and know that He is God and He will act!

Pray and practise with me: Dear Lord, there are times when I am so distressed that I do not know what to do, in spite of my trust, hope, prayer and cry to you. “Hear, O LORD, and be merciful to me; O LORD, be my help" (v.10). Amen.

Do Not Be Anxious

DO NOT BE ANXIOUS ABOUT ANYTHING, BUT IN EVERYTHING, BY PRAYER AND PETITION, WITH THANKSGIVING, PRESENT YOUR REQUESTS TO GOD. PHILIPPIANS 4.6.

There is a small plaque on my wall that says, “TODAY IS THE TOMORROW YOU WORRIED ABOUT YESTERDAY!” How true!

God acknowledges and the Bible addresses human being’s grave problem of anxiety. God is just like our fathers – they love us so much that not only do they not want us to suffer, they do not even want us to be anxious about anything! They will do everything possible to overcome our trouble! However, God is different from our fathers because He does not keep us from all difficulties and distresses. Rather, He allows them so that by His grace and help we would learn to overcome them and be strengthened physically, mentally and above all spiritually!

At least four times the Bible exhorts us not to be anxious, each time through a different person using different words. It is interesting to note that each time God tells you and I not to be anxious, He also gives us a valid reason for it.

God said through David, “Cast your cares on the LORD”. Then He follows it up with a reason to do so. “For the LORD will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall” (Psa. 55.22). In another psalm, David gives another compelling reason not to be anxious – “the Lord, God our Saviour, daily bears our burdens” (Psa 68.19).

The Lord Jesus Christ Himself tells us not to worry. “Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What will we eat?' or 'What will we drink?' or 'What will we wear?' For it is the Gentiles who strive for all these things.” Then He gives us a solid reason not to worry – “Your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things”. Do you need any other good reason? Here is another! Jesus asked, “Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Of course the answer is none! So why the unproductive worry? (Mt 6. 27,31.32).

The apostle Paul said, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God”. Why should you do so? Because, says Paul, “the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Phil 4.6,7).

The apostle Peter is equally persuasive in asking us not to be unnecessarily anxious, “Cast all your anxiety on the Lord”. Again he too gives us a reason that we cannot discount: “Because the Lord cares for you” (1 Pe 5.7).

Dear believer, we can’t avoid circumstances that cause us anxiety but we are to overcome anxiety. So what do we do when we are genuinely anxious about the things that happen to us? I suggest 1) You go on your knees 2) Keep your Bible open at the above four portions 3) Read aloud each one for God to hear and be reminded of His promises 4) Claim them from God.

I have heard that George Mueller, that great man of prayer of a generation ago, used to do that and get his answers from God! Try it and surely your anxieties will fade away.

Pray and practise with me: Dear Lord, help me not to worry about anything but to bring all my requests to You with thanksgiving. May Your peace rest upon me as I cast all my cares on You. Amen.

Clean Up Your Lives

CLEAN UP YOUR LIVES YOU SINNERS. PURIFY YOUR HEARTS, YOU PEOPLE WHO CAN’T MAKE UP YOUR MIND. James 4.8 (Contemporary English Version).

The reason often you and I still live in sin is that we cannot ‘make up our mind’ either to make a clean break from our sins and begin to obey the commandments of God, or to continue committing sins! Cleaning up your life and purifying your heart have become doubly difficult because you are “double minded” or you 'cannot make up your minds' about it.

We love our sin! We are not quite decided whether we want to repent and turn away from our sin. So it exerts its evil grip on us. Hence, in order to succeed, we atleast need to have a determination to stop sinning.

Instead of decidedly hating our old sinful deeds, we often try to dabble in our former sin for fun and pleasure. We deliberately make occasion for them! We tempt the devil! We play with sin like a flimsy butterfly fluttering around the fire. We flirt with sin and try to see who wins! Because we foolishly go too near ‘the fire’ we get burned! How often we and even many good men have played the fool and lost!

Do you know why Paul said to young Timothy, “But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness”? (1 Tim 6.11). Timothy was being encouraged to be like the wise young man Joseph - ‘leave our clothes behind if need be and flee from all tempting situations so that we will not fall prey to temptation and sin!’ It is not in the proximity of sin that you should try to be smart and try to “stand firm and resist the devil!” It will prove to be the most dangerous thing to do!

Dear believer, how often have you and I ‘played with sin as with fire and got burned?’ You need to have a desire and a passion for holiness and purity. Like Joseph, we too must be able to say, “How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” (Gen 39.8). You should have the determination not to flirt with any sin. You should not make occasion for it or remain in such situations. Then you can have victory. You can say with Paul, “Thanks be to God! He gives me the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Cor 15.57).

Pray and practise with me: Dear Lord, help me 'to make up my mind to clean up my life and purify my heart.' Let me not flirt with sin any longer. Give me victory over sins that easily entangle me! (Heb 12.1). Amen.

Burdens To The Lord

TURN YOUR BURDENS OVER TO THE LORD, AND HE WILL TAKE CARE OF YOU. Psalm 55.22.

The other day we were discussing in our Home Fellowship the puzzling problem of, “If God loves us so much and we love Him too, how is it we have so much trouble and turmoil in this life?” Talking about troubles, listen to poor King David’s mourning, “My heart is in turmoil. The terrors of death have seized me. Fear and trembling have overcome me. Horror has overwhelmed me. I said, "If only I had wings like a dove - I would fly away and find rest” (vs 4-6). That’s real trouble!

We must realise that being a Christian is no hedge against trials and temptations. If at all, it may only increase because we have joined forces with God to fight the devil. But then, God being Almighty, why does He allow trouble to overtake His children?

Look through the Bible and you will not find an answer that satisfies our minds. Instead of finding an answer, you probably came to the conclusion that God didn’t always remove the troubles of His people, even though He had the power to do so. But when God did not remove the troubles, He gave support and strength to people to go through them.

Through the adversities, God is moulding us into maturity, leading us to perfection and fitting us into His likeness. These are God’s ultimate goals for you and me! While labouring to establish yourself in this world and hankering after material blessings, do not forget that God’s plans and purposes for you is greater and higher.

Thank God, David had made God, “my Rock, my loving God and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer, my shield, in whom I take refuge” (Psa 144.1,2). Anyone who has no God like David’s to take care of him, will crack up or commit suicide! David knew what to do in times of distress: “But I call on God, and the LORD saves me. Morning, noon, and night I complain and groan, and he listens to my voice. With his peace, he will rescue my soul from the war waged against me, God will listen. The one who has sat enthroned from the beginning will deal with them” (vs16-19).

Dear friend in distress, God is your only hope! He alone is your deliverer. He gives you strength and provides your every need. Your only escape is “to turn all your burdens over to the LORD”. As sure as His eternal promises, “God will take care of you”.

Lead a righteous life before God. “He will never let the righteous stumble”. Apostle Paul said, “the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one” (2 Th 3.3). All through the Bible times and ever since, all who have trusted Him have found Him faithful! You too will!

Pray and practise with me: Dear Lord, I thank You for Your wonderful promise, “Cast all your anxiety (burdens, cares) on him because he cares for you” (1 Pe 5.7). Help me to put them one by one on You and feel the relief and Your care of me! Amen.

Learn To Be Disciplined

WE DONT ENJOY BEING DISCIPLINED. IT ALWAYS SEEMS TO CAUSE MORE PAIN THAN JOY. Hebrews 12.11.

'DISCIPLINE AND DISCIPLINING’ are the most unpopular words in today's vocabulary. They are the least practised virtues! Indiscipline is everywhere, from families to schools to offices and even in the society! Everything starts with the young and disciplining them is of paramount importance. But, the matter of parents disciplining their children and punishing them when necessary has become a serious and controversial issue today. Even the people of God to whom this should never have been an issue or problem are more puzzled than the people of this world.

The simple reason for this is that from the beginning until the 21st century, we learned from our forefathers and through revelation (from the Creator). But now we learn from the modern theories and assumptions of secular men who do not know the Creator! God does not come up with newer principles and practices for every new generation! His Word is once and for all established in the heavens and let the people of the earth take note!

Read the Bible and you won’t miss the truth that God is a God of discipline. Today’s Bible passage tells us clearly that God disciplines us and explains why He does so and for what purpose! You and I need to know it well so that we will not object or reject God’s discipline in our lives, though painful. We who are so used to objecting discipline, whether from parents or authorities, are inclined to do so with God also.

Disciplining is God’s way of training and correcting you. God will not stop disciplining you because you complain. It ‘puts the fear of God’ in your heart and helps you to do right and stops you from doing wrong! Disciplining is also God’s prescribed way for you to train your children. God will not change His instruction because your popular psychologist says that it is traumatic to your child’s psyche! If you think that your child will become afraid and inhibited because you say ‘NO’ or because you use the rod as God demands, remember, that is exactly what God wants to achieve! They must have the fear of God and of the rod, so that they will be ‘inhibited from doing wrong!’

God commended our fathers for disciplining us. Don’t you think that God will condemn us if we do not discipline our children and train them the way they should go when they are old? (Prov 22.6). Friend, the Bible says, “All children are disciplined by their fathers. If you don’t discipline your children, you are not treating them as part of the family (but as illegitimate children or bastards – other versions!" (vs 7,8). Are you guilty of not disciplining your child? Children and adults too do not enjoy being disciplined. It always seems to cause more pain than joy. But later on, those who learn from that discipline have peace that comes from doing what is right.

As parents who did our best to train up our four children in the way they should walk, we rejoice today, seeing them stick to it by the grace of God. It makes us extremely sad to watch young parents bringing up their children today without control or any discipline whatsoever! They let them be unruly, destroy things, scream, hurt each other and even strike back! God save our children!

Pray and practise with me: Dear Lord, discipline me when I go wrong and teach me to do right. Help me to do the same with my children. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

He Shall Direct Your Paths

IT WAS THROUGH THE ANGER OF JEHOVAH THAT ZEDEKIAH HAPPENED TO REBEL AGAINST THE KING OF BABYLON. 2 Kings 24.20.

Some things that you and I do according to our own wisdom, understanding and perception may turn out for our ruin, even though we hope that good will come out of them! That is what happened to King Zedekiah of Israel. Unlike most of the kings of the southern kingdom, Judah, Zedekiah did evil in the eyes of the Lord God. He had determined to send as exiles, the king and all the people from Jerusalem. It is even more distressing to note that King Zedekiah’s ‘wise and patriotic’ rebellion against the king of Babylon was prompted by the anger of the Lord against him. Don’t make God your enemy by trusting in your own wisdom and judgment!

What the young king Zedekiah thought was the smartest move turned out to be the stupidest thing to do!’ But he didn’t know it. It was because he would listen only to the many false prophets who spoke ‘their own words to please the king’. They were not from the Lord! The king wouldn’t listen to the one and only prophet, Micaiah who dared to tell the truth as from God though it was against the king.

There are many today, like King Zedekiah, who have their own ideas and plans and who want to do things their way. They are looking for confirmation from prophets, one after the other. Sadly there are many prophets today, prophesying things that people like to hear for fame or favours! But the truth is that they are as much deceived to believe that their words are from God as those who accept them as their ‘personal prophecy’!

It is not strange that these prophets counselled Zedekiah to go and fight with the strongest empire, because that is what the king wanted to do! But Jehoshaphat, the God-fearing king of Judah asked, "Is there not a prophet of the LORD here whom we can inquire of?" The king of Israel answered, "There is still one man through whom we can inquire of the LORD, but I hate him because he never prophesies anything good about me, but always bad. He is Micaiah , son of Imlah." "The king should not say that," Jehoshaphat replied.

Knowing well the king would accept only “yes” for an answer from God, prophet Micaiah echoed the words of the popular prophets. But when insisted, the man of God gave the unpleasant truth to the king – “you will be killed in the battle and all Israel will be scattered and taken exile!” Did the king believe the Word of the Lord? No! The Bible says, “for it was through the anger of Jehovah that Zedekiah happened to rebel against the king of Babylon in Jerusalem and in Judah, until God had put them out of His presence.”

Dear believer, it is not only the disobedient king but even the children of God who could be misguided by the popular prophets. It is even more true today when there is a restoration of the gift of prophecy. The Bible gives you one sure sign of a true prophet of God – he will not be popular or have a pleasing word all the time for you! Hunt for him if you will and take his counsel even if it is against your wish. Better still, seek God and His will from His Word and from wise and godly saints and follow it!

Pray and practise with me: Dear Lord, I am often puzzled not knowing what to do or which way to take! Thank you for Your promise, “In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths” (Pro 3.6). Amen.

Everyone Must Die Once

EVERYONE MUST DIE ONCE AND AFTER THAT BE JUDGED BY GOD. Hebrews 9.27.

A colleague of mine lately took a personal accident insurance for a million dollars. This is in addition to the adequate life cover he already has! I asked him what was the particular need for a personal accident insurance policy for him when he doesn’t travel more than 10 kilometres a day? He told me that the agent told him that statistics show that in his age group – the middle aged – the most common cause of death is by accident. In my seventy odd years, I know of only one middle-aged doctor who died in a car accident and he was drunk! It simply proves the common saying that statistics can prove anything you want it to prove!

Whether the common cause of death of the middle-aged men is by accident or not, people of all ages die everyday! In this, the Bible is absolutely right! “Everyone must die once!” My wife is a cautious woman. A dear old friend of eighty died suddenly some time ago. He died without a will. He was intending to make one at our persuasion but death caught up with him and he lost his opportunity. His family is in a quandary now. Hence, my wife told me and all our children that we should make our wills and keep them safe.

Death is common to all and it always comes unexpectedly. We are not sure of many things after death. But one thing is sure, the Bible says, “after death you will be judged by God”. The Bible also clearly states the basis of God’s judgment, “we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad” (2 Cor 5.10).

Most of us, even Christians, live lives that please ourselves and do things as though we do not have to account to anyone! If we do wrong and if we are not caught, we think that we have got away with it! No one considers that nothing escapes God’s all-seeing eyes and all their deeds are recorded by Him. Think of it, if you know that there is a camera that sees and records all that you do, would you be doing wrong? Because God’s camera cannot be seen, it doesn’t mean that it is not seeing and recording!

But no man can do right all the time in all things, even if he tries hard. You still do wrong. Thank God, He is willing to forgive you through Christ who died for you on the cross. Mel Gibson’s Hollywood film ‘Passion of the Christ’ was seen by millions across the world. When one man who saw it was asked, “Why did Jesus suffer so much and die?”, he bluntly said, “I don’t know!” Friend, Jesus came and died for your sins and mine. Today, He can grant you forgiveness of sin because He suffered and died for your sins.

Living a right life after confessing your sins also is a great problem. You will find that you need supernatural help. That is what the Holy Spirit does for you. Christ has gone to heaven. He is praying for you and He awaits you there! Therefore friend, you do not have to fear death and judgment anymore. Trust Christ and entrust yourself to Him everyday. There will be nothing to fear!

Pray and practise with me: Dear Lord, help me to live my life in the fear of God for You see all that I do and know even my thoughts and judge me accordingly. Help me do what is right, by the help of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Look Up To The Sky!

LOOK UP AT THE SKY WHO CREATED THE STARS YOU SEE? The one who leads them out like an army, he knows how many there are and calls each one by name! His power is so great--- not one of them is ever missing! Isaiah 40.29.

Many a time what I write in my devotionals are my soliloquies (solitary communion) with my God! This is particularly so when the Bible passage I am dealing with is complex and its meaning unfathomable! At other times, it is about some puzzling situation in life for which I am searching for answers from God for myself. When you feel a oneness with me as you read, it is because you are human like me and we are all in the same boat that is threatened by the storms of life. We are looking for an anchor!

How glad we should be that there is an Anchor for us in our great and awesome God, the creator and sustainer of all things! His mighty power is revealed in the Bible so clearly in many places. He manifested this in His many deeds throughout the history of peoples.

Yet, it is a great puzzle to us today as we face ‘impossible situations’ and God’s help does not arrive as we cry out! That is the enigma (mystery) of our present life of faith. Until our faith is turned to sight in eternity and our doubts vanish, we have to cling on to our Almighty God and His Word. In times of severe testing of faith, you need to reassure yourself over and over again by the unchanging Word that you are not alone. That the Lord God Almighty is with you. He is able to deliver you or take you through! You shouldn’t base your faith on your experiences. The foundation of your faith must be established on the eternal Word of God that abides forever!

In the Old Testament God told His people, Israel, “There is no one like your God, who rides on the heavens to help you and on the clouds in his majesty. The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms” (Deut 33.26,27). In the New Testament our God is described as “the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning” (Jas 1.17).

When you are buffeted by the storms of life and your faith in God is wavering and you are full of doubt, read the majestic description of our incomparably great God, in chapter 40 of Isaiah's prophecy. The words of the prophecy is most eloquent and beautifully poetic, yet extremely truthful. The Lord God knows your problems and pain and he hears your complaints and cry. Here is what He says to you, “Why do you complain that the LORD doesn't know your troubles or care if you suffer injustice? Don't you know? Haven't you heard? The LORD is the everlasting God; he created all the world. He never grows tired or weary. No one understands his thoughts” (vs 27-28).

Dear believer, the next time or maybe even now as you are sorely perplexed and puzzled over your trials and you are wavering in your faith, why not get out somewhere in the open at night and “look up to the sky! Ask yourself, ‘Who created the stars you see? The one who leads them out like an army, he knows how many there are and calls each one by name! His power is so great--- not one of them is ever missing!" Do not come away until you are convinced that 'Your God is great and He knows you and He is able to lead you', and begin to praise Him!

Pray and practise with me: Dear Lord, my problems overwhelm me! But let Your power and love amaze me and cause me to cry out, “Lord, I believe You can help me. Increase my faith. Help my unbelief!” Amen.

Don't Rely On Own Wisdom

TRUST IN THE LORD WITH ALL YOUR HEART. NEVER RELY ON WHAT YOU THINK YOU KNOW. Proverbs 3.5.

If you need wisdom, read the Book of Proverbs. Even if you do not read it daily, make it a point to read a few chapters now and then! It is bursting with wisdom – divine wisdom. Some say the wise King Solomon collected all the wise sayings of the world and made it into a book. The frequent mention of his son, suggests that Solomon wrote it mainly for his own son. However, as you read through it, you will come to the realisation that it is not merely man’s wisdom but Divine Wisdom! Look for instance at the proverb, “The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom” (Pro 9.10). No worldly wise man would admit to such a divine statement!

Much of the sayings and teachings are about seeking, acquiring and applying the wisdom of God in one’s life. Solomon was desperate in pleading with his son to listen to him and to his mother, and to learn wisdom from them. Having learned invaluable lessons through real-life experiences, and many of them through mistakes, the anxious father pleads with his son not to repeat what he encountered. The saying that ‘history repeats itself but man never learns’ is very true. But it is utter foolishness for a man to repeat his own foolishness or that of his father!

Have you ever thought why you repeat foolishness, ours or that of others? Consider today’s Bible text – “NEVER RELY ON WHAT YOU THINK YOU KNOW”. Most translations have it as, “never lean on your own understanding”. It is natural that you make your decision based on what you know or what you have heard! But the truth is that the information or knowledge on which your decision is based may be flawed or totally wrong! We live in the ‘information age’ and we get all kinds of knowledge through the media, literature and especially the internet. However, only those who are wise know that the information we obtain may be right or wrong and act accordingly.

But when you read the Book of Proverbs from the Word of God, written by inspired writers, it is distilled and pure wisdom from the mind of God and from the oven of life. It can never be wrong. Hence, listen to Solomon when he says, ”My child, don't forget what I teach you. Always remember what I tell you to do. My teaching will give you a long and prosperous life… “Never rely on what you think you know” (vs 1,2). Instead, he counsels him to “Trust in the LORD with all your heart”.

Dear believer, in an age when there are all kinds of voices calling for your attention and compliance, you need to decide on the course of action you are going to take on any issue. Never let yourself think that you are wiser than everyone, even God's Word. Simply obey the LORD and refuse to do wrong. Relying on the instruction of God’s Word and the wisdom of divine maturity will be your salvation instead of sorrow and disappointment.

Pray and practise with me: Dear Lord, help me to trust in YOU with all my heart and never rely on what I think I know! Help me to daily read and meditate on Your Word so that I will obey it. Amen.

We Are Equal

THE SHARE OF THOSE WHO GO INTO BATTLE MUST BE LIKE THE SHARE OF THOSE WHO STAY WITH THE SUPPLIES. 1 Samuel 30.24.

The text from the Bible that we are considering deals primarily with the soldiers, those on the battlefield and others in the barracks. It was a splendid principle that David set up for the army. But it has a parallel in our modern-day family and society life.

Sometime ago, I was writing the manuscript of my book on “witnessing in the market place”. The work of women in the house and mothers at home seemed to me as important or even more important than the work the men folk accomplish in the offices. But, how do we Christians consider our womenfolk who stay at home and hold that front for us? We men are out working all day and night and we leave our children entirely under the care of our wives. For long, they have been subjugated, doing supposedly ‘a menial kind of task’. They were belittled by the common name we gave them – ‘housewives!’ It is time that we Christians take a radical step toward the proper recognition of our wives and mothers.

A good principle to apply could be borrowed from the rule that David prescribed for his army. We Christians are in the Lord’s army. While the men are on the battlefront our women are holding the fort for us! They are not only the keepers of our belongings but more importantly they are the keepers and trainers of our children. They must be given equal status and more respect than ever.

The duties they perform, the responsibilities they carry and the blessings they are capable of bringing are enumerated in the excerpt from my book given below: “There are few places as strategically important to us as our homes where mothers work. It is their workplace or ‘marketplace’. Hence they form more than half of the world’s workforce. It is there that the lives of our future generations are moulded and their destinies settled for this world and for the next! If only the world had never coined that belittling name ‘housewives’ for that noble and honourable profession of ‘mothers and homemakers”, we would have given them more respect and mothers would have had more self-pride.

Homemakers or mothers should be proud of their profession for it is their divine calling! They should consider their homes their God-ordained domain and thank God for it. Every member of the family is a gracious gift from your Father in heaven to be loved and cherished with utmost care. It is the mother’s divine duty to pray for, feed, clothe, guide, train and help each one to develop to his or her highest potential in God. Together with her godly husband, she must accomplish this.

When her worldly, non-Christian counterparts swear and curse at every chore they have to do, the godly mother must view each task as a deed done unto God and a divine duty performed for the welfare of the members of her ‘home church’. The Lord has made her ‘the lady bishop or pastor’ of her little flock and she must give God an account for each one. In the measure of the gravity and responsibility with which she accepts and discharges her God-given duties, she will be respected by her family members, her church and the society, and richly rewarded by God!”

Pray and practise with me: Dear Lord, You created us man and woman and gave us our separate functions to perform. Help us to mutually respect and equally share our rewards. Amen.