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Category: Christian Page 161 of 169

Lessons from the Bee – impossible made possible

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On April 17, 2009

In Bible Animals, Christian

We watched the Bee movie of couple of months ago and the opening line stuck in my mind. The movie begins with “According to all known laws of aviation, there is no way that a bee should be able to fly. Its wings are too small to get its fat little body off the ground. The bee, of course, flies anyway. Because bees don’t care what humans think is impossible.”

Many times our human minds negate miraculous events around us because it concludes that such events are impossible. Events that defy human explanation such as healing and cure from a terminal disease, the barren women given birth, the comatose coming alive, the lame walking, the blind seeing, the deaf hearing, the mute speaking, the captive being set free, those in bondage being released, the dead being raised, and the one miracle that all should experience, which is the miracle of a sinner turning saint when they trust and believe in Jesus, all seem impossible to the human mind.

But the question that God asked Sarah (Abraham’s wife) when he laughed at the promise of her being with child in her nineties is the same question that God is asking today – Is anything too hard for the LORD?

Bees not only fly, but they can dance, because God made them to be able. God has made us in his image (Image Deo) and with Him on our side, we can achieve the impossible as well. Take heart in the fact that there is nothing impossible with God and like the bees, we don’t have to care what humans think is impossible.

Genesis 18:13-14
13 And the LORD said unto Abraham, Wherefore did Sarah laugh, saying, Shall I of a surety bear a child, which am old?
14 Is any thing too hard for the LORD? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.

Lessons from the Ant – be wise

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On April 16, 2009

In Bible Animals, Christian

Recently, my wife Sangeetha and I were watching the movie, the Ant Bully with Reuben, our three year old son and this piqued his interests to find out more about ants. This led to a barrage of questions, such as “Are ants good?”, “Are they bad?”, “Will they hurt us?”, “Are the black ants good and the red ants bad?”, yada yada yada … As we struggled hard to slake his inquisitive mind, it gave us a perfect opportunity to talk to him, about what the Bible said about ants and we came up with three things.

  1. Ants are hard working creatures. They are not lazy and they plan in advance (Proverbs 6:6-8)
    Even God plans. The Bible says that God has plans for you, to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you a future and a hope (Jeremiah 29:11); It should therefore not be incredible that one of God’s creations, irrespective of its size, has the same ability to plan for a rainy day in advance; How much more, we the apex of God’s creation should do likewise as well?
  2. Ants are not strong,  yet they know how to protect (scouts and soldier ants) and provide (foragers) food for the colony (Proverbs 30:25)
    Some scientists, entomologists and others object to this Bible verse that “ants are not strong”  by saying that ants can carry items many times heavier than what is their body size. While this is true, it however does not negate what the Bible says about ants as not being strong creatures. Two ways to look at the infallibility of the Bible are
    1. Strength in comparison to other creatures of God. In comparison, ants are not stronger than other creatures (you, the animals, the birds, the fish etc). and
    2. This should only bring awe in our minds the evokes praise that God in his brilliance created a creature (the ant) that though it is not strong, it can carry loads many times heavier than it body size.  What is more important to realize is that, it is not the strong that always win the battle (Eccl 9:11). David was not as strong as Goliath but the battle belonged to the Lord and David was on the Lord’s side. If you feel you are feeble, look at the ants and marvel at the God who created it and who makes the weak strong. Jesus said, if you are weak and heavy laden, come to me and I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28-29).
  3. Ants are wise
    As is evident with our observance of ants, entomologists report that ants live a social life and have ranks – queen, soldiers, scouts, foragers, workers etc … The infallible Bible reports that ants have not guide, overseer or ruler and this is true. None of the ranks observed play the role of a guide, overseer or ruler and yet they know how to be orderly. This is known to be because they are known to be effective communicators. They are wise. Did you notice in a colony of ants, there is no King, only a queen. Their ruler (King) is God. Our allegiance to follow the ruler of the universe (God) and communication amongst people (neighbors) must be the same as well.

Point(s) to ponder:

  • Go to the ant; consider her ways, and be wise:

Proverbs 6:6-8
6 Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: 7 Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, 8 Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest.

Proverbs 30:25
25 The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer;

Matthew 11:28-29 (Words of Jesus)
28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

Caged Lion Apologetics – The Bible needs no defense

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On April 15, 2009

In Christian

The following is an excerpt from “Is the Bible truly God’s Word?” published at www.gotquestions.org

Throughout time, skeptics have regarded the Bible as mythological, but archeology has established it as historical. Opponents have attacked its teaching as primitive and outdated, but its moral and legal concepts and teachings have had a positive influence on societies and cultures throughout the world. It continues to be attacked by science, psychology, and political movements, and yet it remains just as true and relevant today as it was when it was first written. It is a book that has transformed countless lives and cultures throughout the last 2000 years. No matter how its opponents try to attack, destroy, or discredit it, the Bible remains just as strong, just as true, and just as relevant after the attacks as it was before. The accuracy which has been preserved despite every attempt to corrupt, attack, or destroy it, is clear testimony to the fact that the Bible is truly God’s Word and is supernaturally protected by Him. It should not surprise us that no matter how the Bible is attacked, it always comes out unchanged and unscathed.

The Bible indeed is indestructible. Jesus himself said, Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away (Mark 13:31).
The Bible needs no defense. As Charles Spurgeon once said that the idea of having to defend the Bible is akin to the idea of people trying to defend a caged lion from a group of men who had come out with sticks to attack it. He then concluded by saying, “Many suggestions are made and much advice is offered. This weapon is to be recommended, and the other. Pardon me if I offer a quiet suggestion. Open the door and let the lion out; he will take care of himself. Why, they are gone! He no sooner goes forth in his strength than his assailants flee. The way to meet infidelity is to spread the Bible. The answer to every objection against the Bible is the Bible.”

Are you hungry for the BIBLE?

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On April 14, 2009

In Christian

The Bible is God’s infallible word.Canonized within two testaments (the Old and New) it begins with Creation and closes with an apocalyptic  unveiling (Revelation). It is so rich and filled with stories of love, war, romance,  rebellion, repentance, redemption, hope, salvation and instructions to live life abundantly. The Bible is inspired by God to inspire us (2 Tim 3:16-17 ) and it guides us and shows us the way (Psalm 119:105)

Someone once said, that The B.I.B.L.E. stands for Basic Instruction Before Leaving Earth.
Jesus said, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God, which includes every word in the Bible. We must seek to consume it so that it nourishes us.
Psalm 119:11 states “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee“ but the devil is seeking always to deceive us and make us sin against God.

So be aware and be aware of his evil schemes and wield the Bible (the sword of the Spirit, the word of God) against his attacks. Someone once said, “Even the devil is not afraid of a Bible that has dust on it“.
Are you hungry for the Bible?

2 Tim 3:16-17
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

Psalm 119:105
105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

Living among the Dead

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On April 12, 2009

In Christian

It’s Easter (Passover), the day where people worldwide, celebrate the fact that Jesus, who was killed had risen from the dead and is Alive today.

The question that the two men posed to those who sought the body of Jesus in the tomb where they had laid Him, after they had taken Him down from the Cross, was “Why do you seek the living among the dead?” and then they exclaimed, He is not here, but is risen.

Because He is risen (alive), all who come to accept Him (Jesus) as Lord and Savior will have eternal life and not perish (die the second death).
We are commissioned to reach out (seek) souls that don’t know Jesus as Lord and Savior (dead souls), among those who do (living souls).

This Easter, the question is not just “Why seek we Jesus, the living among the dead?” but the real question must be
“Why aren’t we seeking the dead for the living One who is risen?“. Think about it!

Luke2 4:1-8

1 Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them.
2 And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre.
3 And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus.
4 And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments:
5 And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead?
6 He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee,
7 Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.
8 And they remembered his words

God’s alias

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On April 10, 2009

In Christian

It is Good Friday and as I wondered what to write about, I realized that Good Friday is indeed a Love story …

We call on God by many names

  • El (God) and its variations – Elohim (the Almighty Creator), El  Elyon  (“Most High God”), El Shaddai (“God Almighty”), El `Olam (“Everlasting God”), El Hai (“Living God”), El Ro’i (“God of Seeing”), El Elohe Israel (“God, the God of Israel”), El Gibbor (“God of Strength”) …;
  • Jehovah (THE Being, The I AM) and its variations – Jehovah-jireh (God, my provider), Jehovah-rophe (God, my healer), Jehovah-nissi (God, my banner), Jehovah-M’Kaddesh (God, my sanctifier), Jehovah-shalom (God, my peace), Jehovah-tsidkenu (God, my righteousness), Jehovah-rohi (God, my shepherd), Jehovah-shammah (God, my presence)
  • Adonai (the Lord); Alpha and Omega (the beginning and the end) and so on

Ever wondered as to what God’s alias is, that would not dilute His character or demote His being?

The entire Bible is a love story. God’s love for his creation, for us. The Bible also records in 1 John 4:7-8 that we ought to love one another, for Love is of God and everyone that loves is born of God and knows God, He that loves not, knows not God for God is Love, Beloved, let us love one another.

God’s alias is given in the portion of his infallible word. God IS Love.

Replacing the word ‘love’ with the word ‘God’ as recorded in 1 Corinthians 13 which gives us the excellent attributes of “Love”, makes us in fact see who God is.

Love (God) is patient, love (God) is kind. Love (God) does not envy, love (God) does not boast, love (God) is not proud.
Love (God) is not rude, love (God) is not self-seeking, love (God) is not easily angered, love (God) keeps no record of wrongs.
Love (God) does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
Love (God) always protects, love (God) always trusts, love (God) always hopes, love (God) always perseveres.
Love (God) never fails.
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love (God) . But the greatest of these is love (God).

Point(s) of ponder:

Call on God as He is Love and you will find the warmth of his unconditional, sacrificial and sanctifying love embrace you, no matter what state you are in or who you are.

What is the Maundy in Maundy Thursday

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On April 9, 2009

In Christian

Maundy Thursday or Holy Thursday is the immediate Thursday that precedes Good Friday (that commemorates Jesus’ crucifixion) and Easter (that commemorates Jesus’ victory over sin and death by his resurrection from the dead).

As I researched the origin of the word, “Maundy”, I was surprised to learn that it is a derivative from the word mandé that was used in the medieval times of England and archaic France, with roots to the Latin word mandatum. Mandatum is the first word in the phrase “Mandatum novum do vobis ut diligatis invicem sicut dilexi vos” which is recorded in John 13:34 that states “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you“. This was said by Jesus as he washed his disciples feet, demonstrating that just as He, the God of the universe came to serve, we must also do so, with compassion/love (the new commandment) and humility.

This Maundy Thursday, let us realize that we are given

  1. a new commandment (mandatum) to LOVE (God first, and all others as ourselves next) as God loves us (which  is unconditional, sacrificial and sanctifying)
  2. a commission to SERVE – for just as God (Jesus) washed the feet of his disciples, we must also humble ourselves to serve one another. A leader for God is a Servant unto him and men/women first.

John 13:34
34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

Sinless vs. Blameless

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On April 8, 2009

In Christian

In a message by (late) Dr. Adrian Rogers, he mentioned that sin must be
1. Exposed to the Light
2. Expressed to the Lord – If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to cleanse us of ALL unrighteousness
3. Expelled from our Life

It it impossible for man/woman to be sinless, except when Jesus washes ALL sins away. This happens when we accept Jesus as Lord and Savior, believe that Jesus is the sacrificial lamb of God, an atonement for our sins and we confess our sins to Jesus. This however gives us no carte blanche license to sin, instead, we must aspire to be Holy (without sin) as God is Holy – the first requirement.  Jesus is able to present us blameless (even if we are sinners), because of His sanctifying blood that was shed, that can wash our uncleanliness whiter than snow.

On this side of heaven, we are removed from the penalty and power of  sin but not from its presence, because this is where Satan’s, the lord of sin dwells (Rev 2:13), but on the other side of heaven, we are not only removed from the penalty and power of sin, but also from the presence of sin.

Point(s) to ponder:

Can God tell of you/me as he told of Job, Look at my servant <fill your name here>, none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright (blameless) man, one that feareth God and escheweth evil?

Colossians 1:21-22
21 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled
22 In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:

Job 1:8
8 And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?

Me against the world as was Antipas …

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On April 7, 2009

In Christian

Antipas is one of the few martyrs mentioned in the Bible by name. Not only is he mentioned in the Bible, he was spoken of by God. Rev 2:13 records the martyrdom of Antipas, who did not deny the Faith and was faithful to the point of death.

His martyrdom cannot be refuted and the most accepted version of his death as recorded in 92 A.D. by Simeon Metaphrastes is that he was roasted alive in a copper bull-shaped altar. Antipas refused to deny Jesus Christ and worship the Roman Emperor, just as the Hebrew boys, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah (more commonly known by their Babylonian names – Shadrach, Meshach and  Abednego) did.

Antipas, whose name means “against all”, was advised that “the whole world is against you!” before he was sentenced to be martyred. His response was “Then I am against the whole world”.

Point(s) to ponder:

  1. Can God tell of us that we are faithful and that we will not deny Him? (like he did of Antipas)
  2. Are we against the world, set apart, or are we one with the world? What are we going to be known for?
Rev 2:13
13 I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan’s seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth.

James 4:4
4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.
Romans 12:2
2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

 

Letting God down

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On April 6, 2009

In Christian

In a Time Magazine interview, Billy Graham once said –  “I wake up every morning with a fear, that I may let my Lord down.”
One thing to realize though, is even if we let God down, God will never let us down, for He is FAITHFUL and TRUE (Rev 19:11)
Let’s try not to let God down, holding fast to the profession of our faith without wavering – for He is FAITHFUL. He will never let you down.

Point(s) to ponder:

  1. What is our prayer when we wake up every morning?
  2. What is the righteous fear we have?

Rev 19:11
11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.

Hebrews 10:23
23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) 

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