tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18470494817302590602024-03-12T18:36:05.217-07:00Kingsly's ScribblingUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger209125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1847049481730259060.post-7884514411596809482021-11-07T22:25:00.000-08:002021-11-07T22:25:13.301-08:00Riches to Rags - The Story of Christmas<p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: small;">Our society loves rags to riches stories. We are never tired of hearing a person's rise from poverty.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: small;">But Christmas is about riches to rags. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: small;">For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was
rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty
might become rich. 2 Corinthians 8:9</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: small;">Jesus who was rich left everything because of the love he had for us. He lowered himself as a baby, born in a cave, wrapped in rags and set to rest in a dirty trough, used to feed cows. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: small;">This downward mobility is what we are called to do as followers of Christ. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: small;">What can you lose this Christmas? How can you lower yourself for others? <br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: small;">Its time to leave our thrones of entitlement and spiral all the way down to a manger to reach out to others. There you will find Jesus. <br /></span></span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1847049481730259060.post-58065680361491721192018-07-22T10:52:00.000-07:002018-07-22T10:52:09.703-07:00Believing a Different Story<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">In Mathew 28, we see about two groups who witness the resurrection,
the women and the soldiers. Both see the angel, both see the rolling of the
stone, both see the empty tomb, and both see the resurrected Jesus.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Both share the story with others. Women are sent to the
disciples. The guards go to the leading priests. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">What’s intriguing in this account is the guards who were
trying to guard the God had the privilege of seeing Jesus’s ultimate act, the
act of resurrection. And they even shared this story with others. I was
expected them to join the eleven soon. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">But what’s sad is once they were offered money (v12), a plan
to satisfy the governor (V14) to “save” their lives, they were ready to change the
story. They were willing to trade what they saw to what they believed. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I think deep within they believed a different story. They
believed the story that if they get some money and please people, they will be
safe. Because of that belief, they changed the story of resurrection. Even
after seeing the resurrection, their belief about life did not change. Just
Sad. In trying to save themselves they lost the real life that Jesus offered. They
saw and yet did not believe because they believed in a different story. </span><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">These guards could have been the first martyrs for Jesus. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Has your story about Jesus changed? Even after seeing and
knowing the power of Jesus many many times, are you still living and talking
like Jesus is still dead.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Then it’s high time you check your beliefs. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1847049481730259060.post-83673967531610808032017-12-31T07:51:00.000-08:002017-12-31T08:15:59.550-08:00Unknown Needs and Unknown Miracles<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">One of my friends asked me recently about this year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">How was this year for you? What did the Lord do for you?
Well, I did not have any concrete answer for these questions. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Then I was reminded about a passage of scripture, John 2,
where Jesus attends a wedding and performs his first miracle. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">In this wedding, the bride and bridegroom didn’t seem to
know that they ran out of wine. In the first place, they seem to be unaware of
their need. So they never approached Jesus with their need, because they did
not know about it. They must have enjoyed the party and had fun unaware of the
embarrassment that was waiting for them. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Many times, I am like them. I am not aware of my needs. I
just think everything is fine in my life and go on having fun. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Then, Jesus performs a miracle and even then they don’t
seem to know it. (Only the servants knew what happened.) They were unaware of
the Miracle that happened and just continued partying. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">They did not know their need and they did not know the
miracle. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">But Jesus knew their need and Jesus performed the
miracle. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">In the year 2017, there may be some who can point to
miracles in their life. Praise God for the miracles. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">But then, there are some like me who feel, everything was
just normal. We were never aware of our needs and we were never aware of the
miracles. Remember we survived because Jesus knew our unknown needs and
performed for us many unknown miracles which we would know only after we meet
God in person. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">So let us take some time and thank Jesus. Thank Him for
meeting our unknown needs through many unknown miracles. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">He is a God who does more than all we ask or imagine
(Ephesians 3:20). </span></div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1847049481730259060.post-25502617201797757772017-08-13T11:58:00.003-07:002017-08-13T11:58:54.876-07:00Actions!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. - Titus 1:16<br />
<br />
Do people realize you know God by watching your actions?</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1847049481730259060.post-24021014643792571722017-07-29T10:07:00.001-07:002017-07-29T10:11:13.887-07:00Dance and Jump or Walk<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I see a lot of "dancing in the Spirit, jumping in the Spirit, laughing in the Spirit, falling down in the Spirit" in our churches. I am not going to go in detail about them.<br />
<br />
But what the Word of God teaches us so clearly is that we need to be people who "Walk in the Spirit". (Galatians 5:16, 25)<br />
<br />
We need to walk in the Spirit and teach others to do the same.<br />
<br />
Lord, help us to Walk in the Spirit and not according to the desires of the flesh. Amen. </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1847049481730259060.post-34548708850627437652017-07-26T11:15:00.001-07:002017-07-26T11:15:21.132-07:00Everyone or Only One!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Jesus warned his disciples against the teachers of the law or the scribes and the pharisees.<br />
Its interesting to note that Jesus never said, "be on your guard against drunkards, or be on your guard against prostitutes." But he said, "be on your guard against the teachers of the law..." Luke 20:46.<br />
Of course Jesus did not agree with the actions of drunkards and prostitutes. But the greatest threat according to Jesus for his disciples are the teachers of the law who live for other people's eyes. They follow all their spiritual disciples just to impress everyone around them. So Jesus warns us against such people.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfNS_xYolT3IGYIzsAGidhh6hf9bXWA63FUq16iqt7Co9nZB4k1ef4bOKlhaDDiZONSqpSoTn0aZ8YbmpZYtCuYaBoXAkLTaq_uMxLWOxwsAU3c4m3OIcfSCKqXNFptWdHpryNloj6lXRx/s1600/257992.p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="430" data-original-width="550" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfNS_xYolT3IGYIzsAGidhh6hf9bXWA63FUq16iqt7Co9nZB4k1ef4bOKlhaDDiZONSqpSoTn0aZ8YbmpZYtCuYaBoXAkLTaq_uMxLWOxwsAU3c4m3OIcfSCKqXNFptWdHpryNloj6lXRx/s320/257992.p.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Even in the sermon the mount, Jesus explains the motives of the pharisees.<br />
<br />
They gave so that people would see and praise them..."They do it so that people will praise them.." Matt 6:2<br />
They prayed so that everyone will see them...." ...so that everyone will see them" Matt 6:5<br />
They fasted in such a way that everyone will see them..".....so that everyone will see them" Matt 6:16<br />
<br />
They did the right things with the wrong motives. They were concerned about what others would think about them.<br />
<br />
This can be so true of our spiritual life. Many a time, all we want is everyone should see us.<br />
<br />
In all three instance Jesus says, let the Father's eyes alone see you. Pray, fast and give and let only your Father see you. Pharisees said "everyone", But Jesus says, "Only One". Whose eyes are we working for? Let us work for the audience of One! Don't get carried away by the likes, comments, and the thumbs ups. We work for God and wait to hear him say, "Well done".<br />
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1847049481730259060.post-10049675567242496052017-07-13T10:40:00.003-07:002017-07-13T10:40:32.778-07:00Cult of Celebrity<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I am really tired of watching Christian ministers who have
"become" a celebrity. They are all over the place.<br />
<br />
One of the distinguished marks of these celebrities is that they are
inaccessible. No one can reach them. They can be seen only on the stage. They
are busy "Men/Women of God". They behave as if God must be really
indebted to have them on his team.<br />
They love prominent places and popularity is a drug for them.<br />
<br />
<div class="tweettextsize">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;">John Calvin
died as he lived--opposed to "idolatry" or "celebrity." His
body was put in white sheet, plain cedarwood coffin, unmarked common pit. </span></div>
He took pains to fade as namelessly from this world as he could. He
requested burial in an unmarked grave hoping to prevent pilgrims. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
In one of the last commentaries he wrote, he commented on the death and
burial of Moses, "It is good that famous men should be buried in unmarked
graves."<br />
He wanted His God to be famous!<br />
<br />
William Carey, the great missionary to India, who is also called ” The
Father of Modern Missions” said, “ remember not Carey, remember Carey’s Lord.”.<br />
<br />
John the Baptist said, “HE must increase i must decrease” (John 3;30) John
the Baptist’s ministry ended as Jesus took over. The problem now is Many “men
of God” don’t allow Jesus to take over!<br />
<br />
I guess God must also be tired of the celebrity culture within the church.<br />
<br />
May God save the church from the Cult of Celebrity. <br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1847049481730259060.post-10156676403457196022016-11-20T09:39:00.000-08:002016-11-20T09:39:08.286-08:00Offerer, Offering, Priest!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Leviticus is a book full of offerings and sacrifices. These sacrifices has three elements.<br />
<br />
1.The one who offers<br />
2. Offering<br />
3. Priest<br />
<br />
In Jesus, we have all these three.<br />
<br />
1. <br />
<b>who gave Himself for us,</b> that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself <i>His</i> own special people, zealous for good works. - Titus 2:14<br />
<br />
He is the one who offers himself. No one took his life from him but he offered it for us.<br />
<br />
2.<br />
<div class="first-line-none">
<span class="text Heb-10-10" id="en-NKJV-30144">By that will we have been sanctified through the <b>offering of the body of Jesus Christ</b> once <i>for all.</i></span></div>
<div class="first-line-none">
<span class="text Heb-10-10" id="en-NKJV-30144">- Hebrews 10:10</span><span class="text Heb-10-10" id="en-NKJV-30144"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<br />
He is not only the one who offers but he is our offering. <br />
<br />
3.<br />
Seeing then that we have a <b>great High Priest</b> who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God... Hebrews 4:14, 15<br />
<br />
He is also our Great High Priest who represents us .<br />
<br />
Time and again when sacrifices were made during the OT, they were affirming the one who would come. Lets praise him and be thankful for the grace of the one who offers, one who is our offering and one who is our great high priest. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1847049481730259060.post-24243559039570699712016-11-16T09:52:00.002-08:002016-11-16T09:52:24.581-08:00Christ B.C<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
After resurrection, when two disciples were walking to Emmaus not knowing that Jesus had risen. Jesus joins them on the road and starts a conversation.He asks them the reason for their sadness and they tell that He is dead. :)<br />
<br />
And Jesus calls them foolish and slow of heart. Then he explains the whole scriptures to them.<br />
<br />
<span class="text Luke-24-27" id="en-NKJV-26019">And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in ALL the Scriptures the things concerning Himself. - Luke 24: 27</span><br />
<span class="text Luke-24-27" id="en-NKJV-26019"><br /></span>
<span class="text Luke-24-27" id="en-NKJV-26019">In other words, Jesus wanted them to understand that the whole scriptures (the old testament was about Him). The reason they were sad is that they did not understand the scripture in the light of Jesus. </span><br />
<span class="text Luke-24-27" id="en-NKJV-26019"><br /></span>
<span class="text Luke-24-27" id="en-NKJV-26019">And in verse 44, he says all that was written in </span><span class="text Luke-24-44"><span class="woj">Law of Moses and <i>the</i> Prophets and <i>the</i> Psalms concerning Me are fulfilled. That's how Jesus taught his disciples to read the bible. The key to open the old testament was Jesus. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="text Luke-24-44"><span class="woj">In John 5:39, Jesus says, all scriptures point to ME. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="text Luke-24-44"><span class="woj">Before Jesus entered this earth as a human, he was already there. Christ was there B.C (Before Christ). :) </span></span><br />
<span class="text Luke-24-44"><span class="woj"><br /></span></span>
<span class="text Luke-24-44"><span class="woj">Not only some part of the bible but the whole bible is about Jesus. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="text Luke-24-44"><span class="woj">Try studying the old testament in the light of Jesus and you would make the connections and know Him more. and may be your hearts would start to burn as you learn. </span></span><br />
<span class="text Luke-24-44"><span class="woj"><br /></span></span>
<span class="text Luke-24-44"><span class="woj"><br /></span></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1847049481730259060.post-7065206796202697312016-11-03T09:38:00.002-07:002016-11-03T09:38:48.612-07:00Visble Image of the Invisible God!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Have you ever wondered how would God look like? How would he think? What would make him joyful and what would make him sad? What would anger him?<br />
<br />
Well, you don't have keep guessing. In Colossians 1:15 says Jesus is the visible image of the invisible God.<br />
When you look closely at Jesus, you would know God. Jesus came to show how God would like.<br />
<br />
Once Philip asked, “Jesus, can you show us the Father?" and Jesus replied, "If you’ve seen me, you’ve seen the Father.”<br />
<br />
In Jesus, we have a face for God.<br />
<br />
Start seeing Jesus. Read about Jesus in the gospels. Talk about him to your friends. What you see in Jesus is the exact and correct representation of God.<br />
<br />
Here are a few more verses:<br />
<br />
<span class="text Heb-1-1"><span class="chapternum"></span>God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, </span> <span class="text Heb-1-2" id="en-NKJV-29966"><sup class="versenum">2 </sup>has in these last days spoken to us by <b><i>His</i> Son</b>, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds; </span> <span class="text Heb-1-3" id="en-NKJV-29967"><sup class="versenum">3 </sup>who being the brightness of <i>His</i> glory and the <b>express image of His person,</b> and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself<sup class="footnote" data-fn="#fen-NKJV-29967a" data-link="[<a href="#fen-NKJV-29967a" title="See footnote a">a</a>]">[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews+1&version=NKJV#fen-NKJV-29967a" title="See footnote a">a</a>]</sup> purged our<sup class="footnote" data-fn="#fen-NKJV-29967b" data-link="[<a href="#fen-NKJV-29967b" title="See footnote b">b</a>]">[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews+1&version=NKJV#fen-NKJV-29967b" title="See footnote b">b</a>]</sup> sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, - Hebrew 1:1-3</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1847049481730259060.post-21620184658710327962016-11-02T09:56:00.002-07:002016-11-02T19:18:52.362-07:00It's all about Me - Jesus<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
And Jesus explained to them what was said about himself in ALL the scriptures, beginning with the Books of Moses and the writings of all the prophets - Luke 24:27<br />
<br />
According to Jesus, the whole of the Old Testament was about Him. He encouraged the two discouraged disciples to read the whole testament in the light of his life, death and resurrection.<br />
<br />
Every Old Testament story takes a new meaning when you read it through the Jesus lens.<br />
The story of Israel is no longer their story but the story of Jesus.<br />
<br />
Today, I read the following story. A woman who had a huge amount of money and who spent half her lifetime touring the sites and art galleries of the world. She toured everywhere. She saw almost every major museum. But she found herself bored and weary.<br />
Then she met a Frenchman who had no money, but who loved art and beauty, and began introducing her once more to the things she had already seen. Suddenly, everything was completely different in his company. When he opened her eyes, she saw things she had totally missed. And the more he taught her how to look at things, the more excited and vibrant she became. She told him, “I never knew what things were like until you taught me how to look at them.”<br />
<br />
Old Testament is like that. When we see it in the light of Jesus’ light, everything becomes new.<br />
<br />
That's the way Jesus wants us to read it! </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1847049481730259060.post-91048693873581677652016-10-30T00:54:00.000-07:002016-10-30T00:54:05.393-07:00Preaching Jesus!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
The 12 apostles and Paul's sermon seemed to be saturated with Christ. Here are some examples:<br />
<br />And daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus <i>as</i> the Christ. - Acts 5:42<br />
<br />
Then Philip went down to the<sup class="footnote" data-fn="#fen-NKJV-27182a" data-link="[<a href="#fen-NKJV-27182a" title="See footnote a">a</a>]">[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=acts+8&version=NKJV#fen-NKJV-27182a" title="See footnote a">a</a>]</sup> city of Samaria and preached Christ to them. - Acts 8:5<br />
<br />
Immediately he preached the Christ<sup class="footnote" data-fn="#fen-NKJV-27237c" data-link="[<a href="#fen-NKJV-27237c" title="See footnote c">c</a>]">[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=acts+9&version=NKJV#fen-NKJV-27237c" title="See footnote c">c</a>]</sup> in the synagogues - Acts 9:20<br />
<br />
<span class="text Acts-17-3" id="en-NKJV-27527">This Jesus whom I preach to you is the Christ - Acts 17:3</span><br />
<br />
<span class="text Acts-17-3" id="en-NKJV-27527">For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord - 2 Corinthians 4:5</span><br />
<br />
<span class="text Acts-17-3" id="en-NKJV-27527">and the list can go on. They spoke of nothing else. They spoke of Jesus all the time. They never were bored about it. They never thought that speaking of Jesus is just basic stuff. For them preaching about Jesus was the beginning and end. </span><br />
<br />
<span class="text Acts-17-3" id="en-NKJV-27527">The sermons that we hear these days somehow seems to miss this obsession with Christ. There is a obsession with doctrines, principles, rules...but Jesus is missing from today's pulpit. How did we become like this?</span><br />
<span class="text Acts-17-3" id="en-NKJV-27527"><br /></span>
<span class="text Acts-17-3" id="en-NKJV-27527">My prayer is that this Jesus obsession would sweep over our churches but it would start with you and me. </span><br />
<span class="text Acts-17-3" id="en-NKJV-27527"><br /></span>
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1847049481730259060.post-51936926399535024212016-09-29T11:29:00.001-07:002016-09-29T11:29:10.003-07:00The Promise of His Presence<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
A friend of mine pointed out to me that Matthew talks about
the same thing at the beginning and at the end and in the middle of his
Gospel:<br />
<br />
“… they will call him Immanuel (which means ‘God with us’)” Matthew 1:23<br />
“…where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them” Matthew 18:20<br />
“…surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” Matthew 28:20<br />
<br />
That''s beautiful. This great God not only came to be with us but promises to be with us to the very end.<br />
<br />
That's more than enough. His presence is all that we need! </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1847049481730259060.post-84143528227372951642016-09-28T09:56:00.002-07:002016-09-28T09:56:35.142-07:00Son of Mary?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Isn't he the carpenter, the son of Mary,.. - Mark 6:3<br />
<br />
Jesus was born of a virgin. It was a miracle. It was possible because of the Holy Spirit.But some people in those days did not believe it. Instead, they mocked at Jesus. They thought that some dirty little secret was there in the family of Jesus.<br />
<br />
And they made fun of Jesus because of that. How do i say that?<br />
<br />
Well, in Mark 6, Jesus is in his hometown. That's where people start calling him "Son of Mary".<br />
<br />In those days, people were identified with the names of their Father.<br />
James, the son of Zabedee, James the son of Alphaeus, Simon bar Jonah. Nobody were identified with their mother's name.<br />
<br />
But for Jesus they use Son of Mary to mock him. They were saying indirectly that they dont know who was the father of Jesus. They were talking ill about Mary. Jesus was ridiculed, mocked, and rejected.<br />
<br />
Jesus knew the pain of people mocking him because of the family. Jesus suffered because of these gossips.<br />
<br />
Is there a gossip going around about your family, about your father, mother, brother, sister, son or daughter. Jesus knows the pain. And he stands in solidarity with you.<br />
<br />
Once they teasingly said "<span class="text John-8-41">“We are not illegitimate children,” in John 8. </span><br />
<br />
<span class="text John-8-41"> Jesus shared and still shares our suffering. Do not worry because of the bad family name. Jesus will redeem it. He will make all things work together for good.</span><br />
<br />
<span class="text John-8-41"> </span><br />
<br />
<span class="text John-8-41"> </span> <br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1847049481730259060.post-50905867196185782372016-09-06T23:48:00.002-07:002016-09-07T01:59:52.406-07:00Free Slaves!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
In order to be truly free one must become a slave to Christ.<br />
<br />
The world seduces us with slavery and calls it freedom. Christ calls
us to become his slaves, to take up the easy yoke, which is the only
freedom.<br />
- Michael Card<br />
<br />
Paul often called himself “a slave to Christ”<br />
<br />
<span class="text Rom-1-1" id="en-TLB-25009">...This letter is from Paul, Jesus Christ’s slave,...</span>Romans 1:1;<br />...Paul, the slave of God ...Titus 1:1;<br />
....<span class="text Eph-3-1" id="en-TLB-26282">I, Paul, the slave of Christ....</span>Ephesians 3:7<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1847049481730259060.post-76817889143333143792016-09-02T09:46:00.002-07:002016-09-02T09:46:32.691-07:00Religion that God Accepts!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span class="text Jas-1-27" id="en-NIV-30294">Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. - James 1:27</span>
<br />
<div class="publisher-info-bottom with-single">
</div>
<div class="publisher-info-bottom with-single">
The word religion is used only one time (as far as i know) in the new testament. And interestingly its not used to explain all the activity we do in the name of religion. All the temple based activities are not here. </div>
<div class="publisher-info-bottom with-single">
<br /></div>
<div class="publisher-info-bottom with-single">
The religion that God accepts is this:</div>
<div class="publisher-info-bottom with-single">
</div>
<div class="publisher-info-bottom with-single">
1. Caring for the weak people (orphans and widows)</div>
<div class="publisher-info-bottom with-single">
2. Living a holy life</div>
<div class="publisher-info-bottom with-single">
<br /></div>
<div class="publisher-info-bottom with-single">
If you are doing these two things, then you are following a religion that God accepts<strong>.</strong> If not, then you are following some other religion that God does not accept. </div>
<div class="publisher-info-bottom with-single">
</div>
<div class="publisher-info-bottom with-single">
</div>
<div class="publisher-info-bottom with-single">
</div>
<div class="publisher-info-bottom with-single">
<strong></strong></div>
<div class="publisher-info-bottom with-single">
<strong><br /></strong></div>
<div class="publisher-info-bottom with-single">
<strong><br /></strong></div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1847049481730259060.post-41455454498889058422016-09-01T09:42:00.001-07:002016-09-01T09:42:48.185-07:00Dangerous Assumption!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">When Jesus was twelve years old, his parents took him to
Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover festival. After the celebration was over,
Jesus did what any parents of 12 year would not want them to do. He stayed back
in Jerusalem without informing his parents. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">They thought he was with the group,
so traveled a whole day... (Luke 2:44)</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">They were assuming Jesus was with them or with their group.
They were given the responsibility of taking care of the Son of God but missed
him because of their assumption. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Are you assuming that Jesus is with you? Instead of following
him are you assuming He is following you? Don’t live with this dangerous
assumption.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">They travelled a whole day without Jesus. How long have you
been travelling without Him? A few days, few months or few years…? </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Every year” the parents of Jesus went to Jerusalem and came
back. (See Luke 2:41, 42). It was a usual thing for them. So they thought,
Jesus would do the same, this year too. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">As an individual, as a group, as a denomination, as a church
have you been assuming Jesus is with you? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Is that your thoughts about your “every year” rituals, meetings,
travels and camps? What if Jesus has some different plans this year? Are you
going to assume what Jesus is going to do in your life and in your groups or
are you going to ask Jesus what the plans are this year? </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I don’t want to assume and miss Jesus. I don’t want to travel
without Jesus. How about you?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></b><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">If you have missed him, start looking for Him. Spend somedays
days to analyze where you missed him in the journey, ask your group and seek
him with all your heart until you find Jesus. (Luke 2:44 -45)</span></div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1847049481730259060.post-3721416870011063432016-08-31T09:19:00.003-07:002016-08-31T09:23:20.345-07:00Surrendered Self<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span class="text Luke-14-25">Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said:</span> <span class="text Luke-14-26" id="en-NIV-25580"><span class="woj">“If
anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and
children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person
cannot be my disciple. Luke 14: 25, 26</span></span><br />
<span class="text Luke-14-26" id="en-NIV-25580"><span class="woj"><br /></span></span>
<span class="text Luke-14-26" id="en-NIV-25580"><span class="woj">Wherever Jesus went, large crowd followed. People followed him for different reasons. This time Jesus turned to the crowd and said these words which would have made them uncomfortable. Jesus is saying unless you give it all, you cannot be my disciple. He did not say, you cannot be a mature disciple or a committed disciple. He simply says, you cannot be my disciple. </span></span><br />
<span class="text Luke-14-26" id="en-NIV-25580"><span class="woj"><br /></span></span>
<span class="text Luke-14-26" id="en-NIV-25580"><span class="woj">And in that list the last thing he mentions is your own life. I think that's because that's the last thing we give or surrender. </span></span><br />
<span class="text Luke-14-26" id="en-NIV-25580"><span class="woj"><br /></span></span>
<span class="text Luke-14-26" id="en-NIV-25580"><span class="woj">Peter said he gave up everything for Jesus but we see he had an unsurrendered self. People are willing to give up their family and possession and go into the ministry but they never give up their self. </span></span><br />
<span class="text Luke-14-26" id="en-NIV-25580"><span class="woj"><br /></span></span>
<span class="text Luke-14-26" id="en-NIV-25580"><span class="woj">Surrendering your self is a daily process. It has to happen everyday, in every conversation, in every decision, in every thought, in every action and every time.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="text Luke-14-26" id="en-NIV-25580"><span class="woj">Though the crowd followed Jesus, we could see they were hearts not really following the heart of Jesus. Physically they were following. But internally they were far away.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="text Luke-14-26" id="en-NIV-25580"><span class="woj">Surrendered self is a starting point to follow Jesus. </span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span class="text Luke-14-26" id="en-NIV-25580"><span class="woj"><br /></span></span>
<span class="text Luke-14-26" id="en-NIV-25580"><span class="woj"><br /></span></span>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1847049481730259060.post-18553712209124701682016-08-28T11:45:00.000-07:002016-08-28T11:45:18.872-07:00Sell and Give!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span>Sell your possessions and
give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a
treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and
no moth destroys. - </span></span><br /><span style="font-size: small;"><span>Luke 12:33 </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span>I have been thinking about this verse today. Does Jesus really mean this? Sell and Give. I have never in my life sold anything just to give to the poor. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span>I have given to the poor out of my excess. I have never gone to the extend of selling and giving. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span>I can very well pass by this command of Jesus saying its not what he meant. I may also say that the bottom line is to care for the poor and store riches in heaven. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span>But that "selling" part? What's that all about? </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span><br /></span></span>
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span> </span></span>
<br />
<span style="font-size: 18pt;"><br /></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1847049481730259060.post-17058606940290592142016-08-24T10:23:00.000-07:002016-08-24T10:23:05.992-07:00Wake up, O Lord!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span class="text Ps-44-23" id="en-NLT-14571"> I am using the following words to speak to God. </span><br />
<br />
<span class="text Ps-44-23" id="en-NLT-14571">Wake up, O Lord! Why do you sleep? - Psalms 44:23</span><br />
<br />
<span class="text Ps-44-23" id="en-NLT-14571"><span class="text Ps-44-24" id="en-NLT-14572">Why do you look the other way?</span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Ps-44-24">Why do you ignore our suffering and oppression? - Psalms 44:24</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="text Ps-44-23" id="en-NLT-14571"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-44-24"><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"></span><span class="text Ps-7-6">Wake up, my God - Psalms 7:6</span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="text Ps-44-23" id="en-NLT-14571"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-44-24"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-7-6">That's how i feel. I feel that God is sleeping when we are suffering. I am comforted that God in his mercy has given me these words of the psalmist and encourages me to be honest in my prayers. </span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="text Ps-44-23" id="en-NLT-14571"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-44-24"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-7-6"><br /></span></span></span></span></span>
<span class="text Ps-44-23" id="en-NLT-14571"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-44-24"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-7-6">I am also reminded of Jesus who slept through the storm. The roaring winds and the waves did not seem to wake him up. His disciples cried out to him saying' Don't you care if we drown?</span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="text Ps-44-23" id="en-NLT-14571"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-44-24"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-7-6"><br /></span></span></span></span></span>
<span class="text Ps-44-23" id="en-NLT-14571"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-44-24"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-7-6">And Jesus woke up. The voices of his disciples/followers/friends woke him up. Its amazing that the one who was not disturbed by the mighty winds and waves was disturbed by the feeble fearful cries of his people.How did he hear their voice amidst of the storm?</span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="text Ps-44-23" id="en-NLT-14571"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-44-24"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-7-6"><br /></span></span></span></span></span>
<span class="text Ps-44-23" id="en-NLT-14571"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-44-24"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-7-6">Hope my voice would disturb him. Lord wake up. Lord calm the storm. Lord rebuke my sorrow, fear restlessness, and unbelief. But, Lord wake up. </span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="text Ps-44-23" id="en-NLT-14571"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-44-24"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-7-6">Lord i know you never sleep....Lord wake up. </span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="text Ps-44-23" id="en-NLT-14571"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-44-24"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-7-6"><br /></span></span></span></span></span>
<span class="text Ps-44-23" id="en-NLT-14571"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-44-24"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-7-6"><br /></span></span></span></span></span>
<br />
<span class="text Ps-44-23" id="en-NLT-14571"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-44-24"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-7-6"> </span></span> </span></span> </span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1847049481730259060.post-24468152961638787682016-08-23T11:28:00.000-07:002016-08-23T11:28:31.229-07:00God who Disturbs Us<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Somethings in our life with and in God seems crystal clear till God disturbs us in his faithfulness. When we expect God to act in a way which seems to us as the faithfulness of God, he acts in ways which completely contradicts my idea of how he works and what faithfulness is. <br />
<br />
Recently, i lost my close friend, Augustine and am deeply hurt. His health issue was not healed.<br />
<br />
My expectation of what God in his faithfulness would do was not met. Problems were not fixed.<br />
He heals all my disease says psalms 103:3. But he did not heal.<br />
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C S Lewis says, "Every idea of Him we form He must in mercy shatter...." He did shatter a lot of it when Augustine died.<br />
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Instead of giving me clear answers, He has given me a lot of questions. He has disturbed my idea of so many things in life.<br />
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It clearly seems He did not work for me in this issue. Why would a God who is for me not work for me?<br />
May be he is working in me using this issue (God, who began a good work within you...) Maybe its something within that is changing. Instead of working for me maybe he is working in me. But its painful to experience the wounds created by this Great Surgeon. He wounds. He disturbs. He confuses. He shatters. He does not meet my expectation.This is not the God i had in mind. I knew a God who heals, gives us peace, speaks with clarity, meets my expectation.<br />
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What would God do for me has changed these days to what is He doing in me. <br />
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The disciples of Jesus did not understand most of what Jesus said and did. But they kept following him and did not turn back. I am like them most of the time, dull in understanding. May be i should follow their example and just stick on with Jesus in the journey.<br />
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I think these staggered thoughts would continue in few more posts...am just lamenting and thinking out loud. <br />
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<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1847049481730259060.post-2407866554276723972016-07-16T09:54:00.000-07:002016-07-16T09:54:11.477-07:00Gandhiji's Message to Christians!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Here are some of Gandhiji's thoughts on/for Christians. <br />
<br />
1. I love your Christ but I hate your Christians because your
Christians are unlike your Christ. You
Christians, should begin to live more like Christ.<br />
2. Practice your religion without adulterating or toning it down.<br />
3. Put your emphasis on love, for love is the center and soul of Christianity. Gandhi loved Jesus because he saw that Jesus’ focus was on love.<br />
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Prayer: Lord help me to begin to live more like Jesus. <br />
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</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1847049481730259060.post-58610747471244357982016-06-30T09:39:00.001-07:002016-06-30T09:39:30.933-07:00Getting Close to Jesus!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<span class="text Luke-17-12" id="en-NLT-25632"><sup class="versenum">12 </sup>As he entered a village there, ten men with leprosy stood at a distance,</span> <span class="text Luke-17-13" id="en-NLT-25633"><sup class="versenum">13 </sup>crying out, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!”</span><br />
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<span class="text Luke-17-13" id="en-NLT-25633"><span class="text Luke-17-15" id="en-NLT-25635">One of them, when he saw that he was healed, came back to Jesus, shouting, “Praise God!”</span> <span class="text Luke-17-16" id="en-NLT-25636"><sup class="versenum">16 </sup>He fell to the ground at Jesus’ feet, thanking him for what he had done. This man was a Samaritan.</span></span><br />
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<span class="text Luke-17-13" id="en-NLT-25633"><span class="text Luke-17-16" id="en-NLT-25636">Luke 17</span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="text Luke-17-13" id="en-NLT-25633"><span class="text Luke-17-16" id="en-NLT-25636">Do you want to draw close to Jesus? Well, there may be many ways to do that. In the passage that i studied today, i saw one. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="text Luke-17-13" id="en-NLT-25633"><span class="text Luke-17-16" id="en-NLT-25636">Let me explain. </span></span><br />
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<span class="text Luke-17-13" id="en-NLT-25633"><span class="text Luke-17-16" id="en-NLT-25636">When the ten lepers came, they stood at a distance and cried to Jesus. They couldn't come near to Jesus because of their leprosy. There was a considerable distance between Jesus and the ten.</span></span><br />
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<span class="text Luke-17-13" id="en-NLT-25633"><span class="text Luke-17-16" id="en-NLT-25636">So Jesus heals them when they were on the way. </span></span><br />
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<span class="text Luke-17-13" id="en-NLT-25633"><span class="text Luke-17-16" id="en-NLT-25636">Now only one returns to Jesus as he knew saw he was healed. He was filled with thankfulness. His thankful heart brought him close to Jesus. We see now he was at the feet of Jesus. The gap between Jesus and the healed leper is gone. </span></span><br />
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<span class="text Luke-17-13" id="en-NLT-25633"><span class="text Luke-17-16" id="en-NLT-25636">He knew how terrible his life was and how Jesus changed his life. He will filled with thanksgiving. </span></span><br />
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<span class="text Luke-17-13" id="en-NLT-25633"><span class="text Luke-17-16" id="en-NLT-25636">When we have a grateful heart for all that Jesus has done in our life we will for sure draw close to Jesus and fall at his feet. When you have a ungrateful attitude you move away from Jesus. </span></span><br />
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<span class="text Luke-17-13" id="en-NLT-25633"><span class="text Luke-17-16" id="en-NLT-25636">How thankful are you to Jesus? </span> </span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1847049481730259060.post-12264879816392390922016-06-29T10:09:00.001-07:002016-06-29T10:09:14.273-07:00Breaking the Barrier of Racism (Casteism)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="first-line-none">
<span class="text Matt-8-5"><sup class="versenum">5 </sup>When Jesus returned to Capernaum, a Roman officer<sup class="footnote" data-fn="#fen-NLT-23327b" data-link="[<a href="#fen-NLT-23327b" title="See footnote b">b</a>]">[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+8#fen-NLT-23327b" title="See footnote b">b</a>]</sup> came and pleaded with him,</span> <span class="text Matt-8-6" id="en-NLT-23328"><sup class="versenum">6 </sup>“Lord, my young servant<sup class="footnote" data-fn="#fen-NLT-23328c" data-link="[<a href="#fen-NLT-23328c" title="See footnote c">c</a>]">[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+8#fen-NLT-23328c" title="See footnote c">c</a>]</sup> lies in bed, paralyzed and in terrible pain.”</span></div>
<span class="text Matt-8-7" id="en-NLT-23329"><sup class="versenum">7 </sup>Jesus said, <span class="woj">“I will come and heal him.”</span></span><br />
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<span class="text Matt-8-7" id="en-NLT-23329"><span class="woj">Matthew 8: 5-7</span></span><br />
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<span class="text Matt-8-7" id="en-NLT-23329"><span class="woj">A gentile roman official approaches Jesus. Gentile and Jews never associated with each other. Any Jew who went to a gentile's home would be considered unclean. Here, we see a barrier of race or nationality. </span></span><br />
<span class="text Matt-8-7" id="en-NLT-23329"><span class="woj"><br /></span></span>
<span class="text Matt-8-7" id="en-NLT-23329"><span class="woj">But Jesus was willing to go to his home and heal. He was ready to break yet another barrier here. India has great walls of Caste. I have seen churches here also play a major part in building the walls of caste. May be it is done below the surface. But its a shame. </span></span><br />
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<span class="text Matt-8-7" id="en-NLT-23329"><span class="woj">Jesus was a barrier breaker. He was constantly smashing all the barriers that prevented people from experiencing God and enjoying the freedom of God.</span></span><br />
<span class="text Matt-8-7" id="en-NLT-23329"><span class="woj"><br /></span></span>
<span class="text Matt-8-7" id="en-NLT-23329"><span class="woj">He even went on to say:</span></span><br />
<br /><span class="text Matt-8-11" id="en-NLT-23333"><span class="woj">And
I tell you this, that many Gentiles will come from all over the
world—from east and west—and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob at
the feast in the Kingdom of Heaven.</span></span> <span class="text Matt-8-12" id="en-NLT-23334"><sup class="versenum">12 </sup><span class="woj">But
many Israelites—those for whom the Kingdom was prepared—will be thrown
into outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.</span></span><br />
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<span class="text Matt-8-12" id="en-NLT-23334"><span class="woj">Gentiles sitting next to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob? A Jew would never imagine than. Jews never sit down and eat with gentiles.Jews must have been furious. But for Jesus displaying the love and power of God was more important. </span></span><br />
<span class="text Matt-8-12" id="en-NLT-23334"><span class="woj"><br /></span></span>
<span class="text Matt-8-12" id="en-NLT-23334"><span class="woj">Christians in India should smash down the walls of Casteism if they really claim to follow their Master, Jesus. Jesus was countering their popular culture of those days. Friends, lets break some walls.</span></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1847049481730259060.post-74891283343505379952016-06-28T02:12:00.002-07:002016-06-28T02:12:29.413-07:00Breaking the Barrier of Religious Rules<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<h3>
<span class="text Matt-8-1" id="en-NIV-23347"></span></h3>
<div class="chapter-1">
<span class="text Matt-8-1"><span class="chapternum"></span>When Jesus came down from the mountainside, large crowds followed him.</span> <span class="text Matt-8-2" id="en-NIV-23348"><sup class="versenum">2 </sup>A man with leprosy<sup class="footnote" data-fn="#fen-NIV-23348a" data-link="[<a href="#fen-NIV-23348a" title="See footnote a">a</a>]">[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+8#fen-NIV-23348a" title="See footnote a">a</a>]</sup> came and knelt before him and said, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.”</span></div>
<span class="text Matt-8-3" id="en-NIV-23349"><sup class="versenum">3 </sup>Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. <span class="woj">“I am willing,”</span> he said. <span class="woj">“Be clean!”</span> Immediately he was cleansed of his leprosy.</span> <span class="text Matt-8-4" id="en-NIV-23350"><sup class="versenum">4 </sup>Then Jesus said to him, <span class="woj">“See that you don’t tell anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.”</span></span><br />
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<span class="text Matt-8-4" id="en-NIV-23350"><span class="woj">- Matthew 8</span></span><br />
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<span class="text Matt-8-4" id="en-NIV-23350"><span class="woj"> Here we read about the leper's encounter with Jesus. He asks Jesus if he is willing to cure him. As per the religious rules of those days, the lepers were to stay outside the city and should never enter the society. Anyone who touches the leper would also be called unclean. </span></span><br />
<span class="text Matt-8-4" id="en-NIV-23350"><span class="woj"><br /></span></span>
<span class="text Matt-8-4" id="en-NIV-23350"><span class="woj">But Jesus breaks the religious rules to show the leper that God is willing and loving to make him whole. Jesus breaks the barrier of religious rules. This is one the greatest barrier for people to come in contact with God. Jesus is not concerned about rules but he is filled with Love. </span></span><br />
<span class="text Matt-8-4" id="en-NIV-23350"><span class="woj"><br /></span></span>
<span class="text Matt-8-4" id="en-NIV-23350"><span class="woj">Jesus touched, said he was willing and showed his power over disease. He broke the religious rules of those days because He was greater than any rules. </span></span><br />
<span class="text Matt-8-4" id="en-NIV-23350"><span class="woj"><br /></span></span>
<span class="text Matt-8-4" id="en-NIV-23350"><span class="woj">I am wondering what religious rules keeps us from showing the love of God. Do we have the courage like Jesus to break rules for relationships? I am not talking about breaking rules just for the sake of it. But i am talking about the rules that keep people away from God. Jesus wants us to break the barrier of religious rules. </span></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0