Hidden (Krypto) Treasures

To get pearls, one must dive deep!

The Gospel in Song (during Super Bowl)

By

On February 9, 2011

In Christian

During the 2011 Super Bowl XLV halftime show, the Black Eyed Peas with R&B star Usher and former Guns N’ Roses guitarist Slash, entertained millions by featuring the following setlist:
1. I Gotta Feeling
2. Boom Boom Pow
3. Sweet Child O’ Mine
4. Pump It
5. Let’s Get It Started
6. OMG
7. Where Is The Love? and
8. The Time (of our life)

One of the controversies before the game was that the ‘Look Up John 3:16’ ad was rejected to be aired during the Super Bowl game, but unbeknown to many, closer review of the events on this day, show that each song in this set list that was featured during the same Super Bowl game could be used with the other to unfold the very essence of John 3:16; God’s beautiful story for the Salvation to mankind. Continue reading for to see how.

We have been having  The Time (of our life) as in the time of Noah, ignoring and disobeying God’s commands and indulging in sinful wickedness, only to become a prisoner of a war (POW); a war between God and evil that began in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:15). I Gotta Feeling that there is something horrendously wrong with this sinful lifestyle of mine and I see that validated from the Bible, which states that the wages of sin is death (Boom Boom Pow). Oh My God (OMG), what can I do? is my cry. We have refused or rejected the Faith, and we do not have Hope nor Love. Where is The Love? I ask, and hidden in the Scripture (Bible), I hear God’s still soft voice, say, “I have sent you my Only Begotten Sweet Child O’ Mine, who is called Jesus Christ and all who believe in Him shall not perish (i.e., be  no longer a prisoner to death) but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16). Why did God do this? Because He loved each one of us very much. Jesus Christ was God’s response to man’s groaning and cry – Where is The Love? Jesus is God’s gift to mankind. For the wages of sin is death (Boom Boom Pow), but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord (Romans 6:23). He sacrificed Himself so that we would not have to pay the penalty of our sin. His love for you made Him endure our Cross and He who knew no sin, was imputed our sin on Himself, separating Him from God, a agonizing experience in which He had to cry out OMG, OMG, why have you forsaken me? (Matthew 27:45-46). God (the Father) forsook God (the Son) so that He would not have to forsake you and me.  To God be the glory! for this provision, He has made possible, through Jesus Christ, for the problem of our sin. All we need to do is accept this gift of God, by believing in Him. So Let’s Get It Started. Delay no further, for now is the accepted time; now is the day of [your] salvation (2 Corinthians 6:2). And when we believe, let our lives change and let us love the Lord our God, with all our soul, strength, mind and heart and let us love our neighbors as ourselves (Luke 10:27). Let every pump of our heart (heartbeat) out-pour this story of God’s love for and to mankind. Let us Pump It (share) with those who have not yet heard it. Only then can we truly say that we are in deed having The Time of our lives.

‘Look up John 3:16’ ad was rejected but in the Song setlist is hidden the Gospel of Truth. There is no stopping God’s message. His Word does not return void (Isaiah 55:11) and shall accomplish that which God pleases.

Point(s) to ponder:

If you have never accepted this free yet costly gift of God to mankind, then you can receive Him today.
A – Acknowledge the need you have for a savior.
B – Believe in Jesus Christ, God’s gift for the salvation of the world.
C – Confess with your mouth your sinfulness, for He is faithful and just to cleanse us of ALL unrighteousness.

Isaiah 55:11 (KJV)
11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

John 3:16-17 (KJV)
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

Where is the Love?

By

On February 8, 2011

In Christian

Singing against a backdrop of glow-in-the-dark words that spelled the word “LOVE”, singer Will.i.am of the Black Eyed Peas adapted and sang the song “Where is the Love?” during the 2011 Super Bowl XLV halftime, as an appeal to Barack Obama, the present President of the United States of America. Interestingly, the question, “Where is the Love?” should really be “Who is THE LOVE?”. I wonder as to how many can answer this question – Who is the Love?

1 John 4:7-8 states, “Beloved, let us love on another, for love is of God and everyone that loveth is born of God and knoweth God, He that loveth not, knowteth not God, for God is Love”. The Love of Jesus Christ is also the greatest for greater love has no man, than one, who lays down his life for his friends (John 15:13) and while we were still sinners, Christ Jesus died for us (Romans 5:8). Jesus Christ is love personified.

Where is the Love? – In Christ Jesus
Who is the Love? Jesus Christ

Romans 5:8 (KJV)
8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

John 15:12-14 (KJV)
12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.
13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.

To God be the glory

By

On February 7, 2011

In Christian

Super Bowl Sunday (February 6th, 2011) began with our family attending the Hill Country Bible Church in Pflugerville, where the pastor Danny Box expounded on the topic entitled “The Conceited God” and in his discourse shared that we were designed and delivered for God’s glory. Later that evening, we spent the evening with our near and dear friend’s, watching the Super Bowl XLV game between the Pittsburg Steelers and the Green Bay Packers in our friends, Thompson and Santhini Nesaraj’s home. The game was an exciting game for sure, but what really stood out for me, was what was said after the game was over.

Wide receiver Greg Jennings, who scored two touchdowns for the Packers, in his post game interview with the sideline reporter, started his response to her question by saying “To God be the glory” and then he ended his response with the same words, “To God be the glory”, sandwiching the journey of the Packers through setbacks to now being the winners of the prestigious Vince Lombardi trophy in Super Bowl XLV. What a witness to the millions who were watching? In deed, the winners are not the ones to be glorified, but to God and God alone is to be given all the glory.

We are all designed for God’s glory (Isaiah 43:7).

We have been delivered for God’s glory (Ephesians 1:12-13).

Let us proclaim with our lips and demonstrate with our lives  this deliverance to those who have not yet been delivered from death, for God’s glory. Let our lives be sandwiched within glorifying God from its beginning to the end. To God be the glory; To God be the glory!

Isaiah 43:7 (KJV)
7 Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him.

Ephesians 1:12-13 (KJV)
12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.
13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

Rays and GRACE

By

On February 4, 2011

In Christian

Just as the rays of the sun dispels the darkness in a room at the break of dawn; the GRACE of the Son of God (Jesus) dispels the darkness (of sin) in our lives. when He dawns on our lives.

Point(s) to ponder:
Have you let Jesus, the bright and morning star (Revelation 22:16) dawn on your life?

1 John 1:5-9 (KJV)
5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:
7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Jesus Lost!

By

On February 3, 2011

In Become a Child, Christian, Reuben

Luke 2:39-52 records that Jesus went with his parents to Jerusalem when he was twelve years old to celebrate the passover. After the celebration was over, his parents started to go back home, assuming that Jesus was with some other kinsfolk and acquaintances, but Jesus had stayed behind in Jerusalem. They return to Jerusalem searching frantically for Jesus, thinking He was lost and after three days, they find Him in the temple, engaged in conversation with the learned doctors (religious teachers). Mary, his mother in fact questions Jesus, in her anxiety, asking “Son. why have you thus dealt with us? Behold, your father and I have sought you sorrowing.” In other words, she was asking “How  can you stay behind? We had to search for you frantically thinking that you were lost.” Jesus replied, “Did you not know that I must be about my Father’s (God’s) business?” but they understood Him not.

Recently, when our beloved five year old son, Reuben, was narrating this story to my wife Sangeetha and me, he expressed that, Jesus’ parents, were looking for Jesus for Jesus because they were lost. Sangeetha corrected him, but saying that, Jesus’ parents were looking for Jesus because he was lost. But Reuben kept saying that the parents of Jesus were lost and as I questioned, “they were lost”, I realized that there was a hidden truth in what Reuben was expressing to us. Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd who searches for all who are lost without hope was indeed not lost at all. He was just where He needed to be; in the temple of God. His parents who searched for Him were the ones who were lost because they were not with Jesus.

We who believe in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, are the temple of God, for the Spirit of God dwelleth in us (1 Corinthians 3:16). Today, there are many without hope, who are lost, who are frantically searching for Jesus. When they encounter us, will they have to continue searching for Jesus as they cannot find Him in us, thinking that He is lost or will they find Jesus in us, going about His Father’s (God’s) business?

Reuben’s video is linked in the comments section of this article. Enjoy!

Luke 2:39-52 (KJV)
39 And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth.
40 And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.
41 Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover.
42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast.
43 And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it.
44 But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day’s journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance.
45 And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him.
46 And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.
47 And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.
48 And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing.
49 And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?
50 And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them.
51 And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.
52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.

1 Corinthians 3:16 (KJV)
16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?

Christ tarries; we carry

By

On February 2, 2011

In Christian, Poetic Prompts

If you and I want God to no longer tarry,
then you and I must our cross and His gospel carry
to all the world that have not believed and are lost
that Salvation comes from none other than Jesus Christ who died on the Cross
and rose He did from death and from the grave on day three
so that none perish and all of us can be with God in eternity!

Jesus Christ tarries His coming, so that we can carry His Salvation to all the world.

2 Peter 3:9,15a (KJV)
9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
15 And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation;

Is Jesus late?

By

On February 1, 2011

In Christian

The Bible informs us that Jesus who came in the form of a man a little over 2000 years ago will return again to receive all who believe in Him to be with God for ever, but why has this second coming of Christ Jesus not yet happened? Is Jesus late? This is a question that has been posed, not just in recent times, but in days of yore as well. The Apostle Peter had to contend with this question, from those who scoffed and mocked, writing off God to be slack concerning His promise of eminent and imminent return. The Apostle Peter writes that “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” and accounts that the “longsuffering of our Lord is salvation” (2 Peter 3:9,15).

God’s will is that all be saved by coming to repentance, believing in Jesus Christ, by whose shed blood, there is remission of sin and that none should perish. Jesus expressed that the end will come when His Kingdom gospel is preached to the all the world (Matthew 24:14). So God delays His coming, because He has commissioned us to relay His coming, to all the world.

Point(s) to ponder:
Jesus is not late! God’s delay of His coming warrants our relay of His coming.

Matthew 24:14 (KJV)
14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.

God’s relay race

By

On January 31, 2011

In Christian

During my high school years, I used to be actively involved in athletics and competed in several inter-school competitions. One of the events that our school team used to arduously practice for, was the relay race in which the starter sprinters ran till they passed the baton over to the next on track, until it reached the last one (anchor) in the relay race lineup that completed the race. I often used to run the anchor position.

In order for the relay team to win, there was one requirement, the anchor had to be holding the baton in his/her hand when the tape was cut. It was not the one who first cut the tape that won the race, but it was the one who cut the tape, holding the baton in hand. Holding on to the baton was what mattered. Additionally, it was not the anchor alone who won the race, but the whole team that received the honor and prize.

Just as it was important for each participant in a relay race to hold on to the baton, when it is in their possession and pass it on to the next one in the track, so also in our Christian race, we must hold on to the Gospel baton (i.e., keep the faith) and pass it on to our successors (our children being one in that lineup among many other) so that collectively we can win in achieving the goal of reconciling man to God, through the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

The God of the universe passed the Gospel of Salvation baton to His Only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, who passed this Gospel baton to us, when He ascended into Heaven and till our time on earth is done or till He returns to take us, who believe in Him, to be with Him for eternity, we must continue to hold on to the Gospel baton (keep the faith) and pass it on (2 Corinthians 5:18-20). Let us live in such a manner so that each of us will be able to say, when it is God’s appointed time, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:” (2 Timothy 4:7).

2 Corinthian 5:18-20 (KJV)
18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; [God passed the baton to Christ]
19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. [Christ has passed the baton to us]
20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. [We must pass the baton to others]

The Prime Asset

By

On January 28, 2011

In Christian, Movie Motions

On my flight to Dallas from Toronto, I watched the movie “Wall street: Money never sleeps” which was about corporate trading and raiding, unlikely alliances, and family re-unity with an undertone of payback. One particular line in the movie that caught my attention was by the character Gordon Gekko (played by Michael Douglas) who tells the young trader (played by Shia LaBeouf) – “Payback. Except I’m not in that business anymore – because the one thing I learned in jail is that money is not the prime asset in life. Time is.”

Recently when I asked the question on “What is life?” to my family and friends, my beloved wife, Sangeetha responded “Life on this earth is a short journey to our eternal life with Jesus.” and some of my friends reiterated “Time was all that mattered!” Time indeed is the prime asset in life.

Time interestingly is also the equalizer. Every one of us is given the same amount of time (24 hours in a day) and how we spend our time matters not only in this lifetime but in the one to come as well. When we meet Christ Jesus, face to face, we will be required to give an account and that account will be measured against how we spent our time.

The adversary of God and His people, the devil, does not have to do too much to derail us of our focus on Jesus Christ because one of the strategies that he uses against God’s people is that he robs us of our time (for God and for His will/work). An appropriate title that the devil can be given is ‘The Time robber. ‘ We often find ourselves saying, that we are busy, spending our time on things that don’t matter or matter less in God’s kingdom business, many times in the pursuit of money, the love of which is the root of all evils (1 Timothy 6:10) .

The Bible counsels us that we need to redeem (recover/repossess) our time because the days are evil (Ephesians 5:16). Time is the prime asset and our efforts should be focused on paying back to the Master Lord who has commissioned us to invest wisely so that we can payback in five or ten fold measures, when He returns. When we treat Time (our life on earth) as the prime asset, we will be less prone to whiling it away and we can look forward to hearing the Master say “Well done, my good and faithful servant.” Life on this earth is a short journey to eternal life with Jesus. How will you/I invest our prime asset?

Ephesians 5:15-17 (KJV)
15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,
16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.

We stall we fall

By

On January 27, 2011

In Christian, Physics and Christ

When watching one of Reuben’s videos on “Taking Flight”, something that caught my attention was the principle of stalling. The principle is simple, which is when we stall, we fall.

In fluid and aerodynamics, a “stall” is a condition when the coefficient of lift is reduced due to an increase in the angle known as the Angle of Attack (AOA). As long as the force (moving air) under an airplane can be applied against the body (mainly wings) of the airplane, it can lift the airplane to greater heights, but if the angle of the airplane body in increased such that the force underneath the airplane cannot be applied to lift the airplane, the airplane stalls and then falls. Extrapolating this principle, I realized that, when our lives are angled appropriately on Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit of God can help us soar on wings like eagles to highest of heights, but when our lives tilt towards the things of the world that are not in Christ Jesus, we stall and we fall.

To indeed soar on wings like eagles, we must first wait (rest) on the LORD, i.e., we must be inclined (angled) on Christ. Otherwise, we will stall and we will fall.

Isaiah 40:30-31 (KJV)
30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall:
31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

Page 114 of 171

Previous

Next

Powered by WordPress & Theme by Anders Norén