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Can a leopard change his spots?

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On April 5, 2009

In Christian

The prophet Jeremiah asks two possibly rhetorical questions, to illustrate that it is impossible for sinners (those accustomed to do evil), which is you and I, to be saved by our own accord.
The questions recorded in Jeremiah 12:23 are 1. Can the Ethipioan change his skin and 2. Can the leopard change his spots?

Think about this, can a leopard change his spot? Likewise, we cannot rid ourselves of our sinful habits (sins’ dark spots), except by the grace and mercy of the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus can make you spotless clean.
For a tow truck to be able to pull a defunct vehicle, it’s engine needs to be more powerful to pull the weight of the vehicle. There is power in Jesus and no matter how heavy our sins and situations are, He can pull you through.

So ask God today to be THE Strength, to overcome sinful habits that hold us in bondage. We cannot do it on our own, save by Jesus alone, for He paid it all.

Lord, now indeed I find. Thy pow’r, and Thine alone,
Can change the leopard’s spots And melt the heart of stone.
Jesus paid it all, All to Him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow.

Jeremiah 12:23
      Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? the may ye also do good, that are accustomed to do evil.

Lord of the law

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On April 4, 2009

In Christian

When my 3 year old son, Reuben, was repeating Psalm 1, when he came to the part – but his delight is in the law of the Lord, he instead said, but his delight is in the Lord of the law.

When I reminisced over what he had said, I could not help but wonder on God’s amazing revelation through children; Our delight should not merely be on the law of the Lord, but even more so, be in the Lord (of the law)!

Luke 24:44 states that all things which are written in the law of Moses, in the prophets and in psalms, concerning Jesus must be fulfilled.
Matthew 5:17 records the sayings of Jesus, that He indeed came to fulfill the law (and the prophets) and not to destroy (abolish) it.
How did Jesus fulfill the law, when He is the Lord of the law, the one who gave it for the benefit of man in the first place.
Romans 13:10 states that LOVE is the fulfillment of the law.

Jesus’ willingness to die in our place, by being tortured, tormented and painfully crucified on a cross on calvary is LOVE not only PERSONIFIED but EPITOMIZED.

It was this love that fulfilled all the law ever written for man. Let our delight be on the law of the LORD and in the LORD of the law.

Afraid to Amazed

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On April 3, 2009

In Christian

Mark 6:46-51 recounts the story of Jesus walking on water, a supernatural event in history to say the least.
The miraculous aspect of this event is not just the fact that Jesus was able to walk on water, which no other man or god can claim to have done, but the miraculous transformation in the minds of those who witnessed it.

Careful introspection of the text brings to light that the disciples that saw Jesus walking on the water, perceived him to be a ghost and were first Afraid. Then when he got into their ship (boat), they were then Amazed.

Point(s) to ponder:

  1. If you were to encounter Jesus today, would you perceive him to be a ghost (unreal) and be afraid?
  2. Until you ask him to come into your lives (ship/boat), where He becomes real, there is every reason to be afraid
  3. When he comes into our lives, our fear (afraid) turns to wonder (amazement), beyond measure.
  4. If you are afraid about anything, ask Jesus to come into your life and you can be guaranteed of one thing, you will no longer be afraid, but AMAZED beyond belief.

Mark 6: 46-51
46. And when he had sent them away, he departed into a mountain to pray.
47. And when even was come, the ship was in the midst of the sea, and he alone on the land.
48. And he saw them toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto them: and about the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them, walking upon the sea, and would have passed by them.
49. But when they saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out:
50. For they all saw him, and were troubled. And immediately he talked with them, and saith unto them, Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid.
51. And he went up unto them into the ship; and the wind ceased: and they were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure, and wondered.

Footprints on the water

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On April 2, 2009

In Christian

Matthew 14:24-33 records the supernatural event of Jesus walking on the water.
The Bible describes that the disciples of Jesus were in the boat, in the middle of the sea, tossed around by waves, facing a contrary wind.
This is when they see Jesus walking on the water and they were afraid. Jesus asks them not to be afraid and in the end, they worship him, the Lord of all creation, exclaiming, that He truly is the Son of God.

What is the sea, you are in the middle of? Is it a health crisis, a financial crisis, a spiritual downtime …?
What are the waves of doubt that are tossing you around? Are you questioning the sovereignty of God?
What are the winds that are buffeting against your beliefs? What are you afraid of ?

While the world today is concerned of the state of economy it is in, with unemployment and layoffs on the rise, with the health condition of men/women taking disastrous turns, Jesus is telling us just one thing – DO NOT BE AFRAID. Jesus is asking us to see His footprints on the water.

When all other ground is sinking sand, On Jesus Christ, the SOLID ROCK, we can stand.

He is the Lord of all creation, the LORD over all your circumstances. See his footprints in the middle of your circumstances and your waves of doubt will be tossed away and all contrary winds of opinions will dissipate. He is to be worshiped as He truly is the Son of God.

Matthew 14:24-33
24. But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary.
25. And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.
26. And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.
27. But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.
28. And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.
29. And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.
30. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.
31. And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?
32. And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased.
33. Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.

April Fool’s day

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On April 1, 2009

In April Fools Day, Christian

It is April 1st and in most parts of the world, friends play pranks on one another, calling them April fools.

The Bible also has some pretty serious references to “Fools” but this is no prank.
An aethesist in Florida, demanded that there be a day honoring aetheism as there is for various other beliefs; Eid for Muslims, Deepavali for Hindus, Hannukah for Jews and Good Friday, Easter and Christmas for Christians. This was an unprecedented request; the first time such as request was brought before the court of law. Without a prima facie, the judge deliberated for a while and then returned with the following verdict.
There will be no particular day set aside for aetheists, because you already have your day. It is April 1st. For all those who do not believe in God are Fools (according to Psalm 14:1 and Psalm 53:1) and there is already a day for Fools.
Court adjourned.

So today while you friends play pranks on you or you on them, remember to use this opportunity to witness to them, that there is a GOD (One and Only) and He is known to us as Jesus Christ.

Psalm 14:1
1. The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.

Yes be Yes; No be No

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On March 31, 2009

In Christian

Ever been interrupted by a call that seems important but when the person comes on the line, you find out that someone (telemarketer) is trying to sell you something. Often, I just ask if this is a courtesy call and if so, I request them politely to add my name to their do-not-call list. However, sometimes I still get calls from the same telemarketing company and no requests to be removed from their list are heeded to.

Matthew 5:37 counsels us – “Simply let our ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes’ and your ‘No’ be ‘No'”. This should work wonders with Telemarketers, I think. I am yet to validate this.
But the next time, you have a persistent telemarketer calling, do the following –

  1. Take the call
  2. Let them introduce themselves
  3. Tell them that you are more interested in sharing something with them
  4. Tell them that your master (Jesus Christ) has counseled in his Word (the Bible), that our ‘Yes’ should be ‘Yes’ and our ‘No’ should be ‘No’. (anything else is from the evil one). Dont call them evil by any chance.
  5. Now ask them, would you like to know more about this Jesus Christ. There is a high degree of possibility that they will hang-up on you and probably add you to their do-not-call list. 🙂
  6. If they stay on the phone with you, tell them that you have more to give that they can offer and best of all – it is FREE. Share with them that acknowledging Jesus as Lord, Believing in Him and Confessing our sins will be more valuable that anything anyone can sell.
  7. Ask to pray with them and pray with them.

Telemarketers have a work to do and so please be polite with them when reaching out to them.

Matthew 5:37
37. Simply let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.

Nameless

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On March 29, 2009

In Christian

Today, I had the privilege of bringing God’s word to the ekklesia of believers at the Austin Christian Fellowship of India and the topic that the Lord had laid in my heart, for the edification of his people, the Church including myself was Nameless.

Synopsis of the message is given below :-
God has kept us ALIVE (Joshua 14:10)
Time (Life) and Chance (Opportunity) is given to all (Eccl 9:11)
So are we trying to make a Name for ourselves as those during the time of the building of the Tower of Babel did (Genesis 11:4-6), seeking one or more of the following – Power, Position, Prestige, Pleasure or Popularity
Or
are we trying to become Nameless (like the unnamed Centurioun soldier, unnamed slave girl in Naaman’s household, unnamed lepers at the gate of the city, unnamed widow that gave all that she had)

What is our pursuit?
What are we living for?

There are no titles (CEO, Janitor etc) on Tombstones and at the Foot of the Cross all are made equal with one universal title – Servant (well done faithful servant or be gone unfaithful servant).

To become nameless was to become the unnamed Altar (Acts 17:23-34) so that those who don’t know Christ, will know Him through us and that our lives will become the altar on which God accepts the lives of those who are accepting, believing and confessing.

God has kept us alive and given us time and chance – let us live Nameless lives, so that the one with the Name above all names is glorified.

Yet another Friday, the 13th !

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On March 13, 2009

In Christian

On February 13th, I wrote on Friday, the 13th as a lucky day. It is interesting that this year, we have March 13th, yet another Friday, that falls on the 13th day of the month. Since Friday the 13th is most widely connoted with luckiness, I feel led to write a little more about this topic.

We sometimes tell about someone we deem as successful, that they have been really lucky or they were at the right time at the right place. Interestingly, the Bible states that each one of us have been given the means to succeed – Time and Chance (Ecclesiastes 9:11).

Time is not necessarily talking about age, but the breath of life that is given to us, each moment.
Chance is not necessarily talking about fate, but about the opportunities that God brings to each one of us.

So next time, you think of someone else as being lucky, think that you can be lucky as well, because, God has given us the elements that can make us successful (in his Kingdom business).

Point(s) to ponder:

Remember it is not always the swiftest that wins the race, not always the strongest that wins the battle, not always the wise that wins the bread, not always the understanding that wins the riches and not always the skillful that wins the favor – but each one of us have been given what it takes – time and chance!

  1. What are you/am I doing with your/my life (time given)?
  2. Are we cognizant of the opportunities (chance) that God gives unto us, so that we can make a difference in the lives of others?

Ecclesiastes 9:11
11 I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.

Wisdom, Might or Riches – Where is your glory?

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On March 12, 2009

In Christian

We often tend to bask in the glory of our wisdom (which is foolishness to God for he is far wiser than the wisest man), our might (or strength) or in our riches. We rest on the laurels of past accomplishments, riding the ebbing waves of ephemeral success, trying to establish a name for ourselves.

The Bible says in Jeremiah 9:23-24  that that wise man must not glory in his wisdom, the mighty man must not glory in his might, nor the rich man glory in his riches, BUT instead, he/she that glorifieth, let him/her glory in the following
– that he he understands and knows God
– a God that exercises lovingkindness (loving and kind God), judgment (a just God), and righteousness (THE ONLY RIGHT GOD) in the earth
– a God that delighteth to be loving and kind and just and righteous.

Point(s) to ponder:

  1. Do you understand and know God?
  2. Do you know God to be loving and kind, a just God and a righteous God?
  3. Where is your glory? In your wisdom, in your strength or in your riches; or is it in God?

Jeremiah 9:23-24
23 Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: 
24 But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD.

No unfinished business with God

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On March 11, 2009

In Christian

Philippians 1:6 states that “He that began a good work (in them) will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ”. This is very applicable today when most of leave that which we start unfinished. With God there is no unfinished business.

With God there is only completeness and perfection in that completeness. Though circumstances and situations at times may make us believe otherwise, trust that God who begins anything in your life will always bring it to fruition accordingly to his Holy will and purpose. Isaiah 10:12 refers to the time when God completes his whole work, meaning that there is no half-done work in God’s efforts.

Point(s) to ponder:
Think off the good things that you have started that have been left unfinished? Take time to address them. Ask God for his wisdom to help you get through to completing the good work he has began in you!

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