Hidden (Krypto) Treasures

To get pearls, one must dive deep!

Faith expression – Can Jesus or Jesus can

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On April 21, 2010

In Become a Child, Christian, Reuben

It was March 07, 2010 and I was having lunch with my four year old beloved son, Reuben, and loved wife, Sangeetha,  in one of the restaurants at the Magic Kingdom in Disney World, Orlando. A man guided a lady who was blind with her guide dog, to the table next to ours where he seated her. Reuben was intently looking at this lady and as I was on the verge of telling him not to stare, he suddenly mumbled something.  Since I did not hear what he said, I asked my wife as to what Reuben had just expressed. He said, “I said, Jesus can make her see“. It caught me by pleasant surprise and I soon realized that this was a expression of faith; simple faith. Many times, instead of expressing faith, we question God’s faithfulness. Rather than stating confidently, that ‘Jesus can make her see’, we tend to ask, ‘Can Jesus make her see?’ But my son reminded me that day as to how we ought to express our faith in Jesus. I learned a valuable lesson on faith that day from my four year old son. It is important how we express our belief (faith) in Jesus and our prayer is that Reuben never loses that sense of faith, one that he imparts to all, including his parents.

Hebrews 11:1 (KJV)
 1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

The eyes we see with

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On April 20, 2010

In Christian

The second book of Kings in the Bible records the event of the servant of Elisha, the man of God, who had risen early and saw a host made of horses and chariots of the Syrian army, that waged war against Israel. They were sent by the king of Syria to capture and take Elisha, the prophet of God (2 Kings 5:3). Having seen how the city of Dothan, where Elisha was, surrounded, the servant frets and worries. Elisha responds with words of assurance that, those who were with them were more than those who were with the enemy. Then Elisha prayed that the eyes of his servant be opened and the Lord opened the servant’s eyes of the servant. Now Elisha’s servant saw not man’s army of chariots and horses, but God’s army; a mountain full of horses and chariots of fire around the prophet.

Point(s) to ponder:

  1. When we see with the eyes of our body, we see the things of man, the visible and natural elements (horses and chariots).
  2. Man’s elements are not reason for us to fret or worries about, because God with us is more than the world. God and his armies who was with them were more than those of the enemy.
  3. We need to pray that the Lord opens our eyes (of faith) with which we can see God things. Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1).
  4. When we see with the eyes that the Lord opens, we see things of God; the invisible and supernatural elements (horses and chariots of fire)

2 Kings 6:13-17 (KJV)
13 And he said, Go and spy where he is, that I may send and fetch him. And it was told him, saying, Behold, he is in Dothan.
14 Therefore sent he thither horses, and chariots, and a great host: and they came by night, and compassed the city about.
15 And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do?
16 And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.
17 And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.

Idol senses

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On April 19, 2010

In Christian

It is a common for the creation to embody the creator. We see this in art, where the artist imprints their persona in a creative form, be it music, painting or sculpture. God the Creator of All made us his creation in his own image. But when the creation, in turn wants to play the creator, it has or makes no sense, especially if the creator starts to trust in their creation.  This is the problem with man, the creation wanting to be the creator. Things and items we idolize become our creation, but the scripture warns us to not put our trust in anything else but God the Only Creator of all things (Psalm 115:8).

If you want to meet someone who is dumb (mouths that cannot speak), blind (eyes that cannot see), deaf (ears that cannot hear), with no sense of smell (nose that cannot smell), with useless hands (hands that handle not), and lame (feet that cannot walk), we don’t have to look to far. We just have to turn to idols and their makers who trust in them (sometimes ourselves).

Let us not trust in anyone, save Jesus Christ, the Creator of all things and by whom all things consist (Colossians 1:16-17). Man is the creation and should not attempt to play the Creator for in doing so is nonsense (no sense at all), especially if man ends up trusting in the idol senses, which is no sense at all.

Psalm 115:4-8 (KJV)
4 Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men’s hands.
5 They have mouths, but they speak not: eyes have they, but they see not:
6 They have ears, but they hear not: noses have they, but they smell not:
7 They have hands, but they handle not: feet have they, but they walk not: neither speak they through their throat.
8 They that make them are like unto them; so is every one that trusteth in them.

Confession content – Sin or Savior?

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On April 16, 2010

In Christian

Have you ever wondered as to what we should be confessing to God? In other words, what should be the content of our confession? Searching the Holy and infallible scripture gives us the answer, relative to when the confession is made. I learn that there are only two confessions that matter with and to God.

Before we have accepted Jesus and believed in His Name, we need to confess our SINS, for he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9).
After we have accepted Jesus and believed in His Name, we need to confess our SAVIOR – Jesus Christ, who knew NO sin, but was made sin for us, so that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him (2 Corinthians 5:21).

Point(s) to ponder:

  1. Have you confessed your sins to Jesus Christ, so that he can cleanse us of all our unrighteousness?
  2. If you have had that confession of sin, then are you/I confessing the savior?

1 John 1:9 (KJV)
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

2 Corinthians 5:21 (KJV)
21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

The proof of the Risen Jesus is …

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On April 15, 2010

In Christian

In the article entitled ‘Signs of life‘, we learn that the two vital signs of life is that we ‘rise up’ and ‘speak’ as did the son of the widow who was raised by the Lord Jesus from his coffin where he lay dead. This is recorded in Luke 7:11-15. But the scripture continues to record the events that transpired after this miracle of resurrection took place. Luke 7:16 states  “And there came a fear on all: and they glorified God, saying, That a great prophet is risen up among us; and, That God hath visited his people.”

We must recognize that the signs of life that were evident in the dead man who came to life, when Jesus said ‘ARISE’ leads the crowd to fear and glorify God and exclaim that a great prophet (Nazareth’s Prophet) was RISEN among them and that God had visited his people. Jesus’ words that make the spiritually dead ARISE must in fact make those who are watching recognize that JESUS is RISEN among them.

The proof of the Risen Jesus is US; you and me, who believe in His Name. The question that needs to be answered is, “Is our lives lived in such a manner that it is evidence of our resurrection from death unto life, so that those who are watching us, will turn to fear and glorify God, and exclaim that Jesus is the Risen One of God and that God has visited them?” Think about it.

Luke 7: 11-16 (KJV)
11 And it came to pass the day after, that he went into a city called Nain; and many of his disciples went with him, and much people.
12 Now when he came nigh to the gate of the city, behold, there was a dead man carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow: and much people of the city was with her.
13 And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not.
14 And he came and touched the bier: and they that bare him stood still. And he said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise.
15 And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he delivered him to his mother.
16 And there came a fear on all: and they glorified God, saying, That a great prophet is risen up among us; and, That God hath visited his people.

Signs of life

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On April 14, 2010

In Christian

Luke 7:11-15 records the miracle in which Jesus resurrects the dead son of the widow who was laid bare in an open coffin. Jesus told the dead man, “Arise” and the dead man, sat up (or arose) and began to speak (Luke 7:15).

Did you ever wonder as to why, the getting up and the speaking of the man who was raised from the dead, is explicitly called out? It is important to recognize these two signs of life – “arose” and “spoke”.

The Bible says that those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God, sent to save His people from their sins, shall never die (John 11:25-26). But do we as believers, demonstrate the signs of life? Are we rising up from the spiritual coffin that we once lay and are we speaking about Jesus, The One who has given us life; life abundant, life eternal?

We ought to rise up and speak if we have been made alive in and by Christ Jesus.

Luke 7:11-15 (KJV)
11 And it came to pass the day after, that he went into a city called Nain; and many of his disciples went with him, and much people.
12 Now when he came nigh to the gate of the city, behold, there was a dead man carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow: and much people of the city was with her.
13 And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not.
14 And he came and touched the bier: and they that bare him stood still. And he said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise.
15 And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he delivered him to his mother.

The Demand of Christ of each Christian

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On April 13, 2010

In Christian

Neelanthil Vilunda Godumai ManiA verse that would accurately demonstrate the life of my earthly father, Dr. R.A.C. Paul, when he was with us in his earthly body is John 12:24. John 12:24 reads “Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.” In fact, the biography of his and my mother’s pioneering work, which has touched the lives of many, was originally written in Tamil, and entitled “Neelathil Vilundha Godumai Mani” which by interpretation means “The Fallen Corn of Wheat”. It is now translated into English and entitled “Pioneering on the pinda.” When my dad was alive as a missionary, there was little that he personally saw, as the fruit of his labor for the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, but since his departure to be with the Lord on September 30, 1986, there are many churches that stand firm today, which reflect as a testament to his faithfulness to the call. Truly God has given the increase, though my dad, Dr. Paul planted and/or watered.

Jesus came so he could draw all men to himself and bring many sons to glory (John 12:32, Hebrews 2:10). The demand of Christ for all Christians today is accurately stated in John 12:24 and is quite simple. We ought to die to live and bring life to many! He who is alive to themselves abides alone. He that is willing to die to sin and self, brings forth many fruit. Our lives need to be the seed that first dies and when watered by the Holy Spirit, germinates into a sapling that grows in the fear of the Lord and in the appointed time blossoms into a heavenly flower, so that others who see us as a beautiful and glorious flower in God’s garden, will glorify God THE gardener.

John 12:24 (KJV)
24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.

Know God or Known of God

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On April 12, 2010

In Christian

An interesting verse in the Holy Bible is the one recorded to the Churches in Galatia, recorded in Galatians 4:9. It reads “But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?” The part of this verse that caught my attention was “… ye have known God, or rather are known of God, …” and as I pondered, I wondered as to why such an explicit  distinction was made.

There are many who know Jesus, a.k.a know God, but what is vitally important is that to determine if they truly know God or are rather known of God. Even those who don’t believe that Jesus is the Christ know who He is, but to truly know God, what does it mean? To truly know God and to be known of God is quite a different matter in its entirety. Who are those who are truly know God or are rather known of God? The scripture gives us the answer to that question and it is quite simple. Those who keep God’s commandments are the ones who know him (1 John 2:3) and those who love God are the ones who are known of him (1 Corinthians 8:3). Jesus said, if you love me, you will keep my commandments (John 14:15).  To fear (love) God and to keep his commandments is the chief end of yours and mine (Ecclesiastes 12:13) and in doing so, not only do we affirm truthfully that we know God, but what a great thing it is to recognize that we are known of God.

Point(s) to ponder:

  1. Do you/I know God? a.k.a. are you/I keeping his commandments?
  2. Are you/I known of God? a.k.a. Do you/I love God?
  3. We ought to know God AND be known of God – Think about that!

I John 2:3 (KJV)
3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.

1 Corinthians 8:3 (KJV)
3 But if any man love God, the same is known of him.

1 John 2:4 (KJV)
4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

My Father and your Father; My God and your God

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On April 9, 2010

In Christian

Jesus is recorded to have used the phrase, ‘my Father’ many times when referring to God, who sent Him, while he was on earth. But did you realize that the King James Version of the Bible, reflects the phrase “My God” as used by Jesus, only twice. Once it was on the Cross (Matthew 27:46; Mark 15:34) and the next time, it was post resurrection, in his conversation with Mary Magdalene. Jesus told Mary, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God. (John 20:17)

Not only is this statement one that makes us the brothers (and sisters) of Jesus, but the relationship starts to get even more intimate. We are co-heirs with Christ, because Jesus makes God, His Father, our Father as well, when he says “and your Father”. In John 8:44, Jesus refers to those in whom His word had no place, and those who did not love Him (which makes up pretty much for all those unsaved, including you and me, before we heeded to the word of God and believed in Jesus) as being the children of the devil when he says “Ye are of your father the devil”. But with his act of sacrifice that was acceptable to God, His Father, we see that the lost relationship of God with man as Father and son has been restored because of Jesus’ death and Resurrection.

What a privilege it is to be adopted into God’s family as sons (and daughters) of THE Only True God who sent Jesus, His only begotten Son, so that we can believe in Him and have eternal life (John 3:16; John 17:3).  But let us pause for a moment. Jesus did not just make us sons (and daughters) of God, but he also made us servants of God. He said, my Father and your Father; and my God and your God, not just My Father and your Father. We are sons AND servants (meaning we are expected to serve) God, the Father, but many of us just want to be sons, and not servants. We tend to use God as a loving Father who fancies our every indulgence, but seldom want to have him to be the LORD of our lives; to be our God.

Note how on the Cross, Jesus addressed God as “Father” and cried “My God, my God” not “My God, your God”. However, with His act of love, dying in our stead, taking the punishment for sin for us, and His sacrifice being acceptable to God (Hebrews 10:1-18), He changes his address from just “Father” and “My God, my God” to “My Father and your Father; My God, and your God“. While this establishes a long lost relationship, let us recognize that we are not merely sons but servants as well, and are expected to inherit with Christ while serving God, Our Father. Jesus affirmed that God is “Your Father and Your God” and he meant both.

John 20:17 (KJV)
17 Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.

GRACE defined …

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On April 8, 2010

In Christian

2 Corinthians 5:18
And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;

Isaiah 1:18
Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

Ephesians 2:7
That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

Romans 3:24
Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

2 Corinthians 5:21
For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

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