Jesus

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New Year – New Beginning

Leave a Comment / Ideal Living, Special days /

We have entered into a new year. The previous year was filled with many memories – good and bad. For some people, last year was a beautiful one with a lot of takeaways while for others, it might be a year that they would like to forget. It is normal for everyone to wish that the good things continue and the bad things are bid a farewell along with the previous year. But, does it always go as we wish? One of the old sayings goes like this: “Man proposes, God disposes” . This means that whatever we wish, it is God’s will that prevails. This does not mean that we should not have any expectations for a happy life and everything happens based on a prescript called “fate”. This is a reminder that our desires do not outweigh the plans of the creator, who has better plans for us. Let us try to understand what God has in store for us. “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 The plan of God is for us to have a prosperous future. HE is our loving father, who loves us more than any earthly father. HIS love for us is beyond measure. HE gives us hope for a blessed future. It is usual to wonder that if God wants me to have a prosperous future, why did I face the hardships in life? This question disheartens many people to a point where they become without hope. The good news is that, there is still hope, even if the last year gave you bad memories. The past of the person does not define the future. But the same actions yield same results. If someone continues the life in the same way without making any effort to change his life, then it is normal to end up in the same situation as earlier. If someone makes an effort to change his life, God has promised that the past does not have a hold on your future. This is HIS promise, and HE does not make hollow promises. “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.” Isaiah 43:18 We should obey God and accept his guidance to see HIS plan fulfilled in our lives. In this festive season when we celebrated Christmas, did we really live with a Christmas experience? Do we understand the sacrifice made by Jesus, to come down to earth as a man? Our former life might be tempting as this is the comfort zone where everything is familiar. But, as it is often said a comfort zone is a beautiful place where nothing grows. When things do not go as we want, the usual practise is to blame God for whatever that has happened. On the contrary, if things are going on well none thank God for the wonderful things that is being done by HIM. Bible says that “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” (James 1:17). So, every time we receive something good from God, HE should be thanked for showing his love towards us. The life of Job is a perfect example for us to follow. He was blessed with children and abundant wealth (Job 1: 1-3). In the first 2 chapters, it is seen that Job loses all his wealth and also his beloved children. His health also took a toll as he lost everything, then his wife said to him, “Do you still hold fast your integrity? Curse God and die.” But he said to her, “You speak as one of the foolish women would speak. Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil?” Little did he know that his troubles were not from God, but from Satan. Job endured the tribulation and emerged victorious at the end. He was able to withstand and be grounded during the bad times, which enabled him to receive the blessings later. He did not question God during his hard times, instead thanked him for the blessing that he once enjoyed. The tribulations and the testing that occurs in one’s life is brought by the enemy. God does not tempt anyone into committing sin. But, HIS absence can cause hardships. This can be easily understood by using the example of light. Darkness is prevalent everywhere. But, when the Sun rises or light is turned on in a dark room, there is light so that we can see. Once we do not have a source of light, darkness takes over. Darkness need not be invited, it is always present. Similarly, where there is no presence of God, evil dominates. In simple words, evil is the absence of God. The evil one does not bring anything good. Jesus said “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” (John 10:10). It is an individual’s decision whether HE has to be invited into their life. Although God will never force his way into anyone’s life, HE will always fill HIS presence whenever HE is given the space. This is an individual decision and someone else cannot decide it for you. If we wish to have peace and goodness in our life, we should get out of our comfort zone and invite Jesus into our lives. He declared: “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12). This light will drive away evil from our life and will let us enjoy the good things that God has planned for us. HIS plans are for a prosperous future with hope. Let us make the New Year into more than just the flip of a calendar to a different number, but to submit ourselves and accept the

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A breathtaking view of the Milky Way galaxy illuminating the night sky over mountains.

Jesus – the silver star that always shines

4 Comments / Special days /

Christmas is being celebrated all over the world. The nights are filled with an impression as though the constellations in the Milky Way seem to be falling down onto the earth. Not only in India, but all over the world, there is a custom of exchanging sweets or other gifts on special days. But two thousand years ago, God gave humanity a priceless gift. He laid his beloved son Jesus in a manger and gave him to the people of the world. The holy Bible says that For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 When that child grew up and became a young man, he said – “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12). Even today, whoever finds Christ, whoever accepts Christ walks in the light. The mind and body are enveloped in the silver light of God’s glory. It may seem ironic that the first announcement of Jesus’ birth was made by ordinary, illiterate shepherds. The priests or Jews, who proudly boasted of knowing everything about God, did not receive that announcement. It was through shepherds, who knew nothing about God and were tending to their sheep, that God announced that gift of hope to the world. Even today, it is not those who boast of being enlightened by intelligence and knowledge who seek Jesus. Those who live in perpetual poverty, those whose lives are broken, those who are tormented by diseases, and those who see death in front of them – these are the ones who seek Jesus; those that set out to seek the owner of that wonderful name. When they believe in Jesus, by obeying Jesus’ word, they enter into a wonderful light that they have never seen before. Then, through a continuous process, they move to heights in life like the stars in the sky. The greatest gift God gave to the world was the miraculous baby Jesus, wrapped in a swaddling cloth and given to humanity. That bright light has always illuminated the world. Jesus was born in a small village called Bethlehem, located almost in the centre of the world. He lived for about 33 years in Galilee, a commercial city in Israel. Jesus, who did nothing wrong and preached only good, was given death on a wooden cross by the greatest priestly power of that time, Judaism, and the greatest military power, Rome. Having survived death, Jesus continues his victorious journey to this day; he continues to shed light on the world.  Having divided the world history into two as  A.D. and B.C., he have become a historical hero. However, he did not choose palaces or large houses as his residence while living on earth. He lived a humble life as an ordinary person among ordinary people. From that small part of the world, he conquered the world by sending his 12 chosen disciples. He did not have to take up arms for it. Civilizations like Rome and Greece collapsed before them. Socrates taught his people for 60 years in Greece. Plato, Socrates’ disciple, taught them for 40 years. Aristotle, Plato’s disciple, also devoted his life to teaching the world for 40 years. Alexander, Aristotle’s disciple, moved forward by destroying empires with the intention of conquering the world in front of Greece. But at the age of thirty-two, he had to say goodbye to this world ,without fulfilling his desire to live, ending everything. But Jesus, who lived until the age of 33, is still alive today;  As a starlight for the world, shining brightly! If God chose shepherds who were tending sheep to announce the news of Jesus’ birth, Jesus invited those who made a living by fishing to follow him. Religious leaders could have been called, priests could have been called; those who claimed to be intellectuals could have been called. Jesus chose those who knew where to cast their nets and where to catch fish. They were ready to follow him without even knowing where he was going. They were ready to wait patiently and sacrifice sleep, while others were sleeping comfortably. Jesus needed those who were ready to leave everything and follow him.Jesus still looks for those who are willing to leave their jobs, their wages, and their security to follow him.

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Person Holding Yellow Black-eyed Susan Flowers in Bloom

Seek the source of blessings and Not the Blessings

1 Comment / Ideal Living /

The Holy Bible is a collection of testimonies about blessings, which presents God as the source of blessings. God, the embodiment of blessings, has brought us into this world to bless. That is why he blessed a people who had been in slavery for 430 years, with all kinds of riches by giving them his promised land of Canaan. When we refer to a person and say that he or she is blessed, we mean that God has blessed the person. True blessing is from God. In the Bible, the word “blessing” refers to the reward that God gives to a person who stands with God. It may be asked whether the devil and his brooding plagues also do reward. The answer to that is that wealth can be bought also from the devil. But it is not called “blessing”. What God gives is eternal. It will last as long as the blessed person stays with God. But that of the devil is different. He who possesses it will not have peace. As time goes by, he will also destroy everything. Someday, at least the next generation will have to give back what they got from the devil. The word ‘bruk’ in Hebrew means to bless or bless. This word is used when any person, society or thing is filled with goodness and prosperity. Just as God is love, God is also blessing. When God loves a person, God’s vitality the source of that love, is poured into him. One becomes blessed by God only when God’s life force is poured into him. That is why some individuals can bless others. Individuals indwelling the divine life force can impart that life force to others. Thus the persons who become God’s representatives and mediators can bless others. It is another blessing from God; is a gift God wants man, his most beloved creature, to be a part of his blessed life. God is trying to do that. There are no other shortcuts to attain God’s grace. The important thing is to connect with God, the source of life and blessing. God’s blessings are easily obtained by the person who keeps in touch with God through constant prayer, organizes his life according to God. God created Adam to be the storehouse of His blessings. God filled him with blessings. Look at how God blessed him after the creation: Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.” Then God said, “I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food. And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds in the sky and all the creatures that move along the ground—everything that has the breath of life in it—I give every green plant for food.” And it was so. (Genesis 1:26-30). According to the Bible, man was created last in God’s creation. If you look at the verses given above, God has given a series of blessings to men. God created man in His image and likeness. This means that man was created with God-like individuality, rationality, and moral consciousness. They were given the gift to multiply. God has given man the blessing to rule the whole earth. God gave him glory and honour. And he put all things under his feet. God created Adam to be blessed with His blessings. But Adam failed to live a life under God’s control, full of divine blessings. How did he fail? Blessings are not free from God. Man is filled with divine goodness when he stands and builds his life with obedient to his covenant. In the garden of Eden, God made a covenant with the first man. Along with the blessing, it also included the rules for obtaining those blessings. Those promises and conditions are as follows: God only commanded not to eat the fruit of the tree of good and evil. God did not say why. God demands obedience without questioning. The reward for that has also been said – What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived”— the things God has prepared for those who love him. 1 Corinthians 2:9 In this situation, the devil took the form of a snake and went to their residence. Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?” The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.’” “You will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the woman. “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. (Genesis 3 : 1-6) This is what caused the primitive man to distance himself from God, the giver of blessings. With this, the blessings from God also became limited.

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three kings

They followed the star; you?

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Two thousand years ago, winter nights in Israel. Following a new guiding star in the sky, three foreign kings – wise men – moved there. Matthew, one of the biographers of Jesus Christ, who has always remained unfading among the biographers the world has seen, wrote: After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem 2 and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” 3 When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. 5 “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written: 6 “‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,    are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;for out of you will come a ruler    who will shepherd my people Israel.’” 7 Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. 8 He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.” 9 After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. 12 And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route. Matthew 2:1-12 It is clear from the above verses that the wise men were moving by looking at the star in the east. Who were these people? There are those who think they were Babylonians, Persians, or Indians. There is a reason for that. The word magoi (Magi) is used in Greek to refer to the wise men. The word magician is derived from the word magoi. Persians and Babylonians used to consider these people as astrologers and physicians. Their opinions and advice had been taken into consideration by the kings. The famous historian Herodotus recorded that they were of Medes. In Medya, which was a part of Persia, the Magis were the teachers of the kings. They could not absorb the sacrifices without the presence of the Magi. Moreover, they were well versed in philosophy and natural sciences. It is no exaggeration to follow a bright new star in the sky. Another group claims that these kings came from the Parthian region of Babylon. They believed that the birth stars have a strong influence on the future of people. They considered the discovery of a new star as the birth of a new king. However, the Bible records that a group of eminent men who lived in the shadow of the stars, who were known in the fields of mantra tantra, karma, and astrology, saw a new star and followed it to find Jesus. That is why some people think these kings are Indians. This fiery star still guides all those who seek goodness in their hearts. When they found Jesus, they went back another way. Do you also want to find a different path in life? That birth in Bethlehem is a miraculous event in history. That miraculous life that began with the birth through a virgin did not end with the miracle of the resurrection. Even today it leads us from miracle to miracle. Who else in history became adorable as soon as they were born? From illiterate shepherds to kings, they sought out the miraculous child and knelt at his feet. The wise men who followed the star bowed down to the baby. ‘Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.’ (Matthew 2:11). Such gifts had been presented when a king used to visit another king. One of the three precious things they saw was gold. Gold, which was considered the king of metals, was given to those in Kingly position. The second offering is frankincense. This sight, which was dedicated to the priests, was an acknowledgment of Jesus’ priesthood. The third offering was Myrrh. Myrrh was used as a precious spice to anoint the bodies of the dead. As soon as they were born, God blessed them with a vision of Jesus’ future life! What is the greatest event in world history? Which is the most remembered and noted birth in history? There is only one answer, the birth of Jesus. Who was this Jesus who split time in two, divided history into AD and BC? The Holy Bible says that when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son into the world (Galatians 4:4). When Jesus grew up, he showed the world a lifestyle different from what the world had seen. Jesus taught the world about a new way of life based on divine laws. Jesus taught about life in God’s kingdom according to God’s government, how to experience God’s closeness, how to receive God’s blessing, how to survive financial bondage, how to get healing from God, how to break the bonds of demonic bondage… etc. Jesus gave hope to the weak and oppressed. “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free” (Luke 4:18, 19). Jesus, who was born in Judaism, revealed to the world how to be saved by putting aside religions. Religious leaders teach how to find God. But Jesus announced that those who follow him, those who obey him, have found

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God Is Love

God’s Love

3 Comments / Love /

The basic needs of human beings are food, clothing and shelter. In this current era, emotional needs also play a pivotal role in the development of a person. Although not formally listed down, social acceptance, respect and love can be considered as vital needs in the upbringing of each individual. Love is important for mental and psychological well-being, which also has an impact on physical health. Love is the language which has no boundaries and is understood across the globe irrespective of race, colour, gender and religion. So, there is no wonder why God chose everlasting love as his language to talk to his children. The ancient Greeks defined three basic forms of love : The love exhibited by God is Agape. God created us and we are his children. He loves us unconditionally. The love of God is not based on what we do or how good we are. HE loves us because of who HE is and not for what we are. There is nothing that we can do to neither gain his love, nor to lose his love. The only question is whether this love is accepted. It is due to this love that Jesus came down to this earth and sacrificed himself on the cross for our sins. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16 God does not want us to perish, but death entered the world through sin. Sin entered the world when the desire to be like God was injected into man – the consequence of taking advice from the wrong person. Ever since, anyone born into this world has a sinful nature. It is this nature that makes a person commit sin. In ancient times, animals were sacrificed when someone did anything wrong. But the blood of animals could not atone for the sinful nature of man. The merciful God had compassion and he sent his son to be the sacrifice for our sins. As per the holy scriptures, this was a perfect sacrifice (Hebrews 10:14). He died on the cross not only for the sins that we committed, but also for the ones that we will commit when we live in this sinful world. How was it possible for him to be a perfect sacrifice? It’s because he did not commit any sin, since he was not born from a man. Hence, he didn’t have a sinful nature. But, Jesus became sin or rather he was made sin for us. It was this sin that was taken to the cross. There is no sin that can outweigh God’s love. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:21 It was not only the sins of human beings, but also the sinful nature that was crucified. In other words, accepting that he died on the cross for our sins is a rejection of the sinful nature. This means that anyone who believes in Jesus Christ, accepting him as Lord and saviour will be able to have everlasting life through him. Accepting him into your life is a step forward after becoming a good friend of God. It is still not too late to accept his love. In this selfish world, we love only people who are useful for us or do good to us. The affection or care that is demonstrated to someone is based on their behaviour towards us. This is not true love. Jesus said “But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” (Luke 6:27-28). This is Godly love, and Jesus demonstrated it during his mortal life. He was hated for his good deeds, he was mistreated, spitted upon, betrayed by his disciples, abandoned by his loved ones. Still he was not resented by their behaviour, but interceded for them even on the cross. He wanted the wrong deeds of the people who hurt him to be forgiven. This is the love that was demonstrated by Jesus. He died for us when we were sinners and hated him. He has left a perfect example for us to follow. We should love one another as he showed us. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 Let us take some time and ponder on the wonderful blessings that God has given in our lives. Let us thank him for all the love that he has shown us. Although he loves us, he never forces himself upon us. We have the free will to either choose his love or to be in darkness. This is the reason why in the garden of Eden, there were both the trees of life and death. It was left to Adam and Eve to choose between those. Some doubt why God created the tree of death; if it did not exist in the first place, Adam & Eve would not have eaten it. It is because God does not force us to obey him, but obedience is what he wants for his children. The absence of light causes darkness, hence darkness does not need to be explicitly invited anywhere. In the same way, evil is always present where God is not present. God loves you, nobody has to be embarrassed to present oneself into his presence. HE is our loving father, good friend, our caretaker, a strong tower during hurricanes and HE is above all our needs. HE is waiting to fellowship with us, and if we open the doors of our heart he will dwell within us. It is our choice to accept or reject his love. God is waiting. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the

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Shallow Focus of Clear Hourglass

God is waiting

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The Holy Bible presents the holy God as a good father who is loving and merciful. Jesus addresses God as Father. Jesus is the only person in history and scripture who fully obeyed, accepted and honoured God as Father. Jesus repeatedly makes it clear that he was sent by the Father and that God the Father is the source of power for all his activities. In the 17th chapter of the Gospel of John, Jesus repeats the word Father six times in his prayer. Jesus said: “No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.” (John 11:27). It is human nature to seek to persecute those who oppose them, those they dislike, and to rejoice in their downfall. The nature of God the Father is so different. God is so much higher than human nature. Jesus presented a God who ‘makes the sun shine on the wicked’. If you love those who love you, what will be the reward for you? – Jesus asked. The law in the Old Testament (Leviticus 19:18) asks you to love your neighbour. But Jesus taught us to love our enemies. No other teacher has ever taught us to love even our enemies so deeply. God loves his great creation, man, more than anything else. God hates no man; never forsakes. God the Father loves with all his heart even those who disobey Him and turn their backs on Him! When Jesus revealed this divine love through his own life, those who prided themselves as the elite of society turned against Jesus, to the extent of crucifixion. But even on the cross, Jesus addressed God as Father. Jesus approached those who criticized him for being loving and friendly with sinners, by telling parables that reveal meanings. Jesus told them parables, taken from familiar situations and related to nature. In the 15th chapter of the Gospel of Luke, we see the joy of the return of the son who was thought to be lost. This is a parable that has found its place in the world literature under the name “The Prodigal son.” This parable has been considered as one of the great stories of the world classics. It depicts the relationship between God and man in a paternal relationship. It is also a historical story of a man who is alienated from God. In the Gospel of Luke, there is a journey that begins at 9:51 and ends at 19:46. This is the journey of Jesus to Jerusalem. During this journey, we meet Jesus as the Saviour of sinners and those rejected by society. It was during this journey that Jesus presented the parable of the prodigal son to the community. As an introduction to this, Jesus tells two more parables. The first is the parable of a shepherd who leaves ninety-nine in search of one missing sheep among a hundred sheep. The second is the parable of a woman who, after losing one of her ten silver coins, lit a lamp and sweeps the whole house. The man searching for the lost sheep and the woman searching for the lost coin symbolize the Father, Mother, and Guardian God who lovingly seeks out the sinner who strays from Him. “What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off. In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish.” Matthew 18:12-14 It is after these two parables that Jesus presents the parable of the prodigal son, the most well-known in the world. This parable has twenty one verses and three characters. The youngest son who divides all his property and leaves home away from his father, the eldest son who is although hardworking, but also selfish and jealous. The third character is the compassionate and loving father who embraces and happily accepts the return of the youngest son, without showing any resentment. The main protagonist in this parable is the father who shows immense love, mercy and affection to his two children. The parable begins as follows: A man had two sons. The youngest of them said to his father: Father, give me my due share in the property; And he divided it for them. A family consisting of two sons and a father who live by hard work. It is normal to think that there was nothing lacking in the house. But the younger son is not satisfied with that. The younger son found it difficult to live within the confines of the house under his father’s control. It is difficult for many people to live under the divine rule like this. According to Old Testament Jewish law, when property was divided, the eldest son would receive a double share. That is, when the property is divided between two sons, the elder son gets two-thirds and the younger son gets one-third. The property thus obtained should be transferred only after the death of the father. In prodigal Son’s parable the younger son is hastily trying to take over his father’s property. He prefers to live his own life without wanting to be with his father and family members. The father, on the other hand, divided the property without expressing any objection. Perhaps many advices might have been shared. Everything we have belongs to God the Father. All gifts, physical, financial, mental and spiritual, are from God on high. The father divided the property without disturbing the younger son. Here we see a dignified father. Father respects individual freedom. God has given us the freedom to accept good and evil. We have the individual freedom to choose

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Become a good friend of God

Become a good friend of God

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I love God, I worship HIM – this is what those who claim to know about God say. If so, what is the relationship with God, that they claim to have found? Have you known God personally? Most people approach God like walking into a store or supermarket with a shopping list. They submit their needs to God. There would be necessary and unnecessary things in it. That is their prayer. God knows us best. Even our thoughts are clear to God. But to know about God who is our good benefactor, we neither have desire nor time. Many people have the image of a God who gets mesmerized and is obsessed with flowers, garlands, bundles of notes and gold coins, and does anything for them. God, who is the owner of all the wealth of this world, does not look at the things or the hands of the devotee who approaches Him. They are only a measure of what one gives back from what HE gives. God cares only whether the doors of the heart of the devotee, who approaches Him, are open for Him. He will see if a seat has been prepared for him, in a heart prepared for him. He needs a devotee, who comes with gifts, not gifts. God cares more about the giver, than the gift. God wants him whole. Let us surrender ourselves to God. That is the greatest gift to God. The Holy Bible, in the New Testament, tells about the great gift of love, that God gave to the world. It is said that God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son. God showed His love by handing Jesus over to the cross and giving that sacrificial blood to mankind. Jesus is the person who taught us how to live in this world and how to love God and man. Jesus continues to this day as a guiding light that has never been extinguished for two thousand years. Jesus is always our role model. Who was this Jesus who split time in two, divided history into AD and BC? The Bible says that when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son into the world (Galatians 4:4). When Jesus grew up, he showed the world a lifestyle different from what the world had seen. Jesus taught the world about a new system of life based on divine laws. Jesus taught about life in God’s kingdom according to God’s system of governing, how to experience God’s closeness, how to receive God’s blessings, how to live beyond financial bondage, how to get healing from God, how to break the bonds of demonic bondage. Jesus gave hope to the underprivileged and oppressed. “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.” Luke 4:18, 19 Jesus, who was born as a Jew, revealed to the world how to be saved by putting aside religions. The birth of Jesus reminds us of God, the great star that still gives light to the world today. Prophet, guru, sage, philosopher, financial advisor, miracle worker – although Jesus embodies these personas, Jesus is more than that. There were ups and downs in the life of Jesus too, like people call good times and bad times. Jesus is one of the most persecuted people in history without committing any crime. But neither time nor this world could weaken the mind of Jesus. That life was always full of hope. God and the time gifted Jesus with resurrection. It is this resurrection that draws many to Jesus. If God is with us, no time, no man, no devil can weaken or destroy us. For that, we must become completely under divine protection. Throughout our lives, God is trying to bring us to Himself. Often we just don’t know it. It is because our desires and God’s desires do not match, that we face difficulties. God deals with each person in a different way. It might not be others’ experience that we have. If you look for the circumstances and experiences of getting closer to God, they will all be different. God has always been the embodiment of the most transcendental personality. Be it a beggar, a millionaire, a child, a woman, a man, God can handle them in their own circumstances. Jesus chose 12 people as his main disciples. They all lived together, slept together and died together. But they were all different characters. It may seem difficult for a common man to understand that Judas was one of them. Judas carried the money box of Jesus and his companions. It was the eye on that money box that brought Judas down and led him to suicide. Peter was fickle and angry. At first, Peter was also a coward who denied Jesus, even in front of a woman. Thomas looked for reasons behind every incident. John, on the other hand, was loving and a gentle person. We may all be different personalities. But God the Father can guide us in any situation if we surrender ourselves. So we should not try to imitate others. Let us surrender ourselves to God. Then God himself will take control of us. None of us are perfect. We are the owners of imperfect personality. God is fully convinced about this better than us. God will work in our weakness. If we rely on God, we will see that He stands as a crutch in our weakness. Loyalty and love are important to approach God. Who are we? What do we love? So why don’t we love God the most who paved the way for our beloved relationships and is always with us in all things? Faithfulness is also needed with love. Faithfulness is necessary for a warm husband-wife

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Healing

Jesus’ treatment

2 Comments / Healing, Health /

Jesus thought that suffering and sickness should not exist in a world under divine control. Sickness is not part of God’s purpose. Suffering and sickness are contrary to God’s purpose. So Jesus healed everyone who came to him with sickness. Jesus also healed some of those who did not approach him. The purpose behind this was only to reveal the divine power and the coming of the divine kingdom to the world. The spirit of Jesus who was crucified and resurrected lives on today. Jesus said do not be afraid of those who kill the body, but those who kill the soul. In this situation we need to find divine power through divine healing. Once we understand the divine power, we will fear God more and love Him more. Salvation of the soul comes to us through complete submission to God. Note the record of Jesus’ public ministry in Matthew’s Gospel: Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. Then His fame went throughout all Syria; and they brought to Him all sick people who were afflicted with various diseases and torments, and those who were demon-possessed, epileptics, and paralytics; and He healed them. Matthew 4:23,24 It is recorded in many passages in the Gospels that many demon-possessed and sick people were brought to Jesus and Jesus healed them. This shows that healing is part of God’s plans. Even when the lame walked, the blind received sight, and the sick were restored to health, God was felt to be working. Now He was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. And behold, there was a woman who had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bent over and could in no way raise herself up. But when Jesus saw her, He called her to Him and said to her, “Woman, you are loosed from your infirmity.” And He laid His hands on her, and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God. (Luke 13:10-13). Here, where it says diseased spirit, it means plague. The sick person is not looking for Jesus, but Jesus is approaching the sick person and healing them. Recovery was quick. When God wants to deliver a demon-possessed person from the bondage of the devil, it just has to happen in some way. Plagues work on humans by observing one’s relationship with God. The devil can make someone sick, afflicted, or enslaved depending on how close that person is to God. Therefore, the relationship with God should be improved for self-healing. In the Gospel of Matthew chapters 8 and 9, we see many healings. The healing of the leper, the healing of the centurion’s child, the healing of Peter’s mother-in-law, the healing of the demon-possessed in the land of Gadara, the healing of the paralytic, the healing of the daughter of Jairus, the healing of the two blind men and the demon-possessed are recorded in these two chapters. The world-famous Sermon on the Mount is recorded in chapters 5, 6, and 7 before that. We can believe that these healings have come to those who have repented after listening to the Sermon on the Mount and the goodness of God has penetrated into their minds. Look at the events after the Sermon on the Mount: “When He had come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed Him. And behold, a leper came and worshiped Him, saying, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.” Then Jesus put out His hand and touched him, saying, “I am willing; be cleansed.” Immediately his leprosy was cleansed.” (Mathew 8:1-3). This is the beginning of a series of healings. The Sermon on the Mount is the mission of bringing the human mind closer to God. The Sermon on the Mount has influenced many people, including Mahatma Gandhi. Do as many good deeds as possible. Don’t waste any opportunity to do good and stay away from mistakes. Pray to God whenever you have time. If you feel that the actions you are doing are wrong, confess it to God and make amends. Thank God for every good thing He gives us. Then God will be pleased. That will bring happiness to our hearts. The waves of that happiness will also enter the body. Afflictions have no place in a person who is happy with the experience of God. He will have to run away. If any disease comes, do not transfer it from the body to the mind. Don’t pretend that you are sick. For that, the mind needs to be healthy. If the mind wants to be healthy, the mind must be fearless. To be fearless one needs divine presence in the mind. The divine presence in the mind will also reflect in the body. If this is the case then “permanent diseases” will not grip the mind and body. Stay in touch with God at all times by praying continuously. Be careful never to carry the fear of disease with you. When one is filled with fear of disease, his thoughts and attention goes to the disease. This fear of a person is enough to make him sick. Many people are living with ‘imaginary diseases’. It will spread from imagination, to the mind and then to the body. As soon as the thought of sickness enters the mind, confess the word of God, “I am healed by His wounds.” Thus expel the ‘soul of disease’ from the body. The Holy Bible says: Depart from evil, and do good; And dwell forevermore. Psalm 37:27

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Jesus’ Healing

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The physician of the New Testament, the Son of God, Jesus came into the midst of those afflicted with diseased bodies and minds. Wherever Jesus went, those who wanted to regain their lost health gathered around him. Those who could not see because of blindness, those who could not hear because of deafness, those who could not walk because their legs had no influence, lepers, those suffering from fever… all these went to Jesus. What was Jesus’ response? ‘Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd.’ (Matthew 9:36). And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people. Then His fame went throughout all Syria; and they brought to Him all sick people who were afflicted with various diseases and torments, and those who were demon-possessed, epileptics, and paralytics; and He healed them. Matthew 4:23, 24 Jesus said: ‘I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.’ (John 10:10). Having said this, Jesus has promised to give a man everything he needs. Is it good health that is needed? Is it energy that is needed? Is it peace of mind that is needed? Jesus says: ‘Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.’ (Matthew 11:28). But when Jesus heals, there are some conditions attached to it – sin no more (John 8:11). They must turn to God and repent. Jesus does not change. If Jesus cast out demons and healed the sick two thousand years ago, He continues to do so even today. Let us turn to Jesus for abundant life and health. Let us obey the words given by Jesus. Healing from Jesus is associated with obedience to God’s word, faith and prayer. Jesus’ response is remarkable when the disciples failed to heal a child possessed by an unclean spirit. Jesus said that only through prayer and fasting will these kinds of spirits go away. Jesus is rebuking the disciples’ lack of faith. Jesus also pointed out the power of prayer. Everyday, early in the morning, Jesus went to a lonely place and prayed. It was by the power gathered from God the Father, through prayer, that Jesus cast out demons and did healing ministry. But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you. Matthew 12:28 Jesus pictured his healing ministry as the coming of the kingdom of God. The Pharisees even asked Jesus if he was casting out demons with Beelzebub, the king of demons. It was as a proof that the kingdom of God has come that Jesus gave healing and cast out demons. We can desire the kingdom of God. By obeying the laws of the Kingdom of Heaven that Jesus introduced, healing will come naturally.

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Prayer

Prayer : When? How? To whom?

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There are no believers who do not pray. But the majority of those who pray are frustrated with prayer. Their complaint is that God does not answer their prayers. But they pray. Many people reject God when they don’t get what they want. When this happens, the believer becomes an atheist! In history, Jesus said the most about prayer. Jesus exhorted his followers to pray continually. He taught what prayer is and how to pray. Moreover, Jesus Himself set the example in prayer. Jesus emphasized prayer above all else in life. Time was found for prayer before breakfast. The Holy Bible says: ‘Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed.’ (Mark 1:35). Even as the people rushed to see him, Jesus wanted to talk to God through prayer: ‘However, the report went around concerning Him all the more; and great multitudes came together to hear, and to be healed by Him of their infirmities. So He Himself often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed. (Luke 5:16). When Jesus stood by the dead body and prayed, the dead came back to life. When he prayed with five loaves of bread and two fishes, the hunger of many thousands was satisfied. Sinners were able to draw near to a holy God when they prayed on the cross. Why is prayer unanswered? The Bible says that there are some things behind the unanswered prayers from God. God does not bless those who pray but do not obey Him. God shares His desires and hopes through the Bible. The Bible is the written word of God. It talks about blessings and curses. The Bible makes it clear how we can receive blessings from God by obeying Him. Selfish interests also prevent the prayer to be answered. For example, if you pray to destroy the one who opposes you, God will not cooperate with it. ‘You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.’ (James 4:3). Prayer with doubt is not answered. He is a god. A prayer to show who it is will not work. When should we pray? People who pray daily, might set aside some time for prayer. This could be in the morning, evening or night. Some pray only when they are in some crisis or danger. But God asks us to pray to him at any time and on all occasions. We should pray not only in times of sorrow but also in times of joy. Only then will God be with us in times of trouble. Therefore, wherever you are, you should remember the God who gave you life and life; Pray. A prayerful man is stronger than any weapon. A person who constantly communicates with God through prayer can find a solution to any of his problems. The Bible teaches many things to receive God’s blessings through good prayer. Let’s see what they are. God loves his children Jesus asked us to pray, saying, ‘Our Father in heaven’ (Matthew 6:9). A father has duties to his children. Children can ask and get from their father. Moreover, the blessings of the father are the inheritance of the children. So the person who prays should become a loving child of God. How to become a son or daughter of God? The Holy Bible says: ‘But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name’ (John 1:12). Those who believe in Jesus and live according to Jesus are children of God. When they pray to Jesus, their prayers are answered. Many people say that they do not know how to pray. But don’t take this as an issue. It is enough to pray like a son or daughter as if they are confessing things to their father. Jesus, who taught his disciples to pray, will also guide you in this matter. Pray with faith For a child of God, God’s riches and blessings are in store. So pray believing that you have received them. Jesus, who taught us to pray, says: ‘Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them. And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses.’ (Mark 11:24,25). Obey God Only prayer from a heart fully surrendered to God will yield the desired results. The Bible says: ‘And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight.’ (1 John 3:22). Obedience is the key to effective prayer. Jesus is the only person who lived according to all the commandments of God. So know what Jesus is asking. Live by it. Jesus said that His words are ‘life’. To whom should we pray? Jesus clearly says to whom to pray. Note: ‘And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it. If you love Me, keep My commandments.’ (John 14:13-15). Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full. John 16:24 Jesus makes another promise. Jesus has said that if two of you agree on anything they ask on earth, it will be received from my Father in heaven (Matthew 18: 19, 20). Why pray only to Jesus? The Bible reads: For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave Himself a ransom for all (1 Timothy 2:5). Seek God’s Will Most people pray to get their needs met. Before offering a prayer to God, one must inquire whether it is God’s will. Understand that God only gives

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