Hidden (Krypto) Treasures

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Lessons for the Donkey – pure and faithful

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On April 22, 2009

In Bible Animals, Christian

Numbers 22 in the Bible, records a fascinating story of an apostate and greedy man named Balaam that was summoned by Balak, the king of Moab, to ensure victory over the Israelites, the children of God. Balaam saddles his donkey and gets going, but the angel of LORD appears to be seen first only by the donkey, that refuses to proceed. This makes Balaam angry who strikes the donkey, not once, not twice but three times. Many preachers have expanded on the characters, Balaam and Balak, the angel of the LORD etc but there is a lot to be learned from, whom I deem is another main character in the story – the donkey.

What can we learn from the donkey?

  1. The donkey was able to see the angel of God.
    (Verse 23 – Balaam’s donkey saw the angel of the Lord standing in the road with a drawn sword in his hand.)
  2. The donkey could not only speak but also count. Fascinating, isn’t it?
    (Verse 28 Then the Lord gave the donkey the ability to speak. “What have I done to you that deserves your beating me three times?” it asked Balaam.)
  3. The donkey was faithful as a servant.
    (Verse 30 “But I am the same donkey you have ridden all your life,” the donkey answered. “Have I ever done anything like this before?” “No,” Balaam admitted.)
  4. The donkey saved a life.
    (Verses 32 and 33
    32 “Why did you beat your donkey those three times?” the angel of the Lord demanded. “Look, I have come to block your way because you are stubbornly resisting me.
    33     Three times the donkey saw me and shied away; otherwise, I would certainly have killed you by now and spared the donkey.”)

Point(s) to ponder.

  1. Are we able to see the messengers (angels and people) of God or are we so stubbornly resisting God’s will that we are blind to seeing those around us, who are warning us to live Holy and Blameless lives? Jesus said in Matthew 5:8, Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God (not only be able to see God’s messengers, but God himself)
  2. We may feel many a times like the donkey, foolish and not very wise, weak and not very strong, yet God was able to open the mouth of the donkey to speak and open his mind to count. When we feel foolish and weak, we can take solace in 1 Corinthians 1:27 that states “But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.“
  3. The final accolade that all those who believe in Jesus and are called to serve must be to receive the following testament from God – “Well done, my good and faithful servant”. The donkey has subserviently catered for his master faithfully, all his life. Are we doing the same?
  4. Are we saving the lives of those around us by sharing with them the glorious and beautiful story of Salvation and preventing them from proceeding in their way to the second death (spiritual death) in hell.

Numbers 22:21-34 (New Living Translation)
21 So the next morning Balaam got up, saddled his donkey, and started off with the Moabite officials.
22 But God was angry that Balaam was going, so he sent the angel of the Lord to stand in the road to block his way. As Balaam and two servants were riding along,
23 Balaam’s donkey saw the angel of the Lord standing in the road with a drawn sword in his hand. The donkey bolted off the road into a field, but Balaam beat it and turned it back onto the road.
24 Then the angel of the Lord stood at a place where the road narrowed between two vineyard walls.
25 When the donkey saw the angel of the Lord, it tried to squeeze by and crushed Balaam’s foot against the wall. So Balaam beat the donkey again.
26 Then the angel of the Lord moved farther down the road and stood in a place too narrow for the donkey to get by at all.
27 This time when the donkey saw the angel, it lay down under Balaam. In a fit of rage Balaam beat the animal again with his staff.
28 Then the Lord gave the donkey the ability to speak. “What have I done to you that deserves your beating me three times?” it asked Balaam.
29 “You have made me look like a fool!” Balaam shouted. “If I had a sword with me, I would kill you!”
30 “But I am the same donkey you have ridden all your life,” the donkey answered. “Have I ever done anything like this before?” “No,” Balaam admitted.
31 Then the Lord opened Balaam’s eyes, and he saw the angel of the Lord standing in the roadway with a drawn sword in his hand. Balaam bowed his head and fell face down on the ground before him.
32 “Why did you beat your donkey those three times?” the angel of the Lord demanded. “Look, I have come to block your way because you are stubbornly resisting me.
33 Three times the donkey saw me and shied away; otherwise, I would certainly have killed you by now and spared the donkey.”
34 Then Balaam confessed to the angel of the Lord, “I have sinned. I didn’t realize you were standing in the road to block my way. I will return home if you are against my going.”

Lessons from the Caterpillar – unquenchable appetite / metamorphosis

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On April 21, 2009

In Bible Animals, Christian

Whenever my wife or I read the children’s book, “The very hungry caterpillar” by Eric Carle, to our three year old, Reuben, it always brings a twinkle in his eyes as he responds, saying “no he was still hungry”, to our question – was he (the caterpillar) full?

The Bible mentions caterpillars (the young of locusts) in Psalm 105 with the same unquenchable appetite that led it to devour all things. This was no doubt execution of God’s punishments Pharaoh and the Egyptians, who were oppressing God’s chosen people and were unwilling to let them go to worship God.

From the caterpillar we can learn to have an unquenchable appetite as well. An unquenchable appetite to do God’s will and to please God. Jesus himself said, “my food is to do that will of the God, who sent him and to complete the work”. We must do likewise as well.

Eric Carle’s book, ends with the hungry caterpillar transforming itself into a beautiful butterfly. In science, this is called  metamorphosis. Christians (followers of Jesus) like caterpillars will metamorphose one day as well. Our earthly ephemeral bodies will be transformed into glorious heavenly bodies.

Point(s) to ponder:

  1. Are you/I hungry with a voracious appetite to do God’s will?
  2. Are you/I sure that you will transformed one day to have heavenly bodies and if so are you looking forward to your/mine metamorphosis?

Psalm 105: 34-35
34 He spake, and the locusts came, and caterpillers, and that without number,
35 And did eat up all the herbs in their land, and devoured the fruit of their ground.

John 4: 34
34 Jesus saith unto them, My meat (food) is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.

1 Corinthians 15:40, 44b,49, 51, 52 and 53
40 There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another.
44b There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.
49 And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.
51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.

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?

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