PRAY FOR POWER FROM GOD

Leaders in our Churches stress too much about ethics or moral rules, living good life,doing good works. Actually, morality should be the outcome, not the first. We must know that all moral (ethic)-rule keepers tend to look and find themselves good by comparing themselves to those who don’t keep these rules. This keeps them blind about ‘sin’ the Bible say and  consider themselves ‘not sinners’. This prevent them follow the required condition the and do not need to confess and invite Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. As such, we fail to receive God’s Grace and blessing through the Holy Spirit.

This is not the right approach – keeping the Cart before the bull, as some preachers say. The right approach is to know God and His love revealed in Jesus Christ. One must first believe and accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. For this, one must follow the steps mention in the Bible. The Bible say –

“If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.  If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.” (1 John 1:8-10)

 “If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.” (Roman 10:9-11)

Step 1. Admit that you are sinner, and confess;  2. Ask forgiveness of God for your sin; 3. Believe that Jesus died on the cross for your sin, so that God will forgive your sin and rose again from the dead, which open the way to God for you and make you God’s child; 4. Invite Jesus and declare that you have accepted Him as Lord and Saviour ; 5. Thank Him for that and ask Him to give you the Holy Spirit. Then all the blessings of God will come through the Holy Spirit in Jesus name.

This is the right approach. Without doing this and receiving Jesus Christ first no one will become a good Christian. Preaching ethic or morality first left us in ‘stagnant’ position in our spiritual standard. As such, there are no differences among us – we all are same in spiritual standard. No one receive the gifts of the spirit, the power, which Jesus promised to His followers in Acts 1:8

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)

The Holy Spirit is the Power come from God to help the believers of Jesus Christ. God help believers through the Holy Spirit in Jesus name. When the Holy Spirit lives in the believer, He guides and helps the believer to have Christ-like character. The believer is bound to change and will be able to live a good life and do good works.  

So, let’s pray that God may give us the power , which our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ promise His followers.

THE BEST WAY TO RECEIVE THE BLESSING OF GOD

Look, see and examine all your actions, thoughts, attitudes and plans. You will find many short-comings, even if you are good as a person and other persons praise you. Such as, sometimes you lie, deceive others, commit mistakes, expert in finding the wrong of others but not of yours, lazy, angry, hate others, thought and made plans not good but harmful to others’ don’t want to pray, complain than praising others, and many more.

God know you very well. One of your gravest fault is ‘you still can not receive the blessings of God as you desire’.

Yes, we all commit mistake and displease God. Displeasing or angering God is called ‘Sin’ in the Bible. The result or consequence of sin is separation from God – ‘spiritual dead’ ( Romans 3:23; 6:23). Without God, we are ‘spiritually dead’. That is why, we all face problems physically, mentally and spiritually, even up to physical dead.

God loves us so much that He sent His Son Jesus Christ that we may have ‘Life’ (the Spirit of God). We are promised to have ‘life’ here on earth and life after dead to be with God forever if the Spirit of God live in us. We have the ‘Spirit of God’ (Life) if we believe and accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour.( see John 3:16) But, those who do not have ‘Life’ (the Spirit of God – the Holy Spirit) are already condemned (even here on earth and forever in Hell. (See John 3:17-18)

Therefore,  “God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).

 Those who believe and accepted Jesus Christ as personal Lord and Saviour are given the right to become the children of God. (John 1:12) This means, the believers are given the Spirit of God (the Holy Spirit).

The Holy Spirit is God. Where there is God, there can be no unholy spirit (Satan). When the Holy Spirit lives in the believers of Jesus Christ, no unholy spirit can disturb and the believers live a transforming life, transforming towards the Holy life of Jesus Christ and we the believers shall be like Him in the life to come. Halleluiyah, Amen.

Therefore, let us not deceive ourselves as if good but follow the best way to receive the blessing of God -

Knell down. Call Jesus. Surrender all your past life with all the wrong you have done in action, thought and plan. Also surrender your life and future in His hand, as Jesus surrendered His life to save us from sin and its consequences – eternal separation from God – eternal dead. Pray this prayer -

“Lord Jesus, I am a sinner and to die in sin without You. Forgive me and cleanse me of all my sin. I thank You for dying on the cross for my sin and give me the right to become the child of God. Today, I accept You as my Lord and Saviour. I keep my life and everything in Your hand. Come and take your throne in my heart and control my life. Bless me with the Holy Spirit to help and guide me live a worthy life as Your child; comfort and save me from trouble. Help me to tell others about Your love for all so that they may also receive Your blessings abundantly.  I pray in Your name, Amen.”

THE BIBLE IS THE WORD OF GOD

THE BIBLE IS THE WORD OF GOD

The Bible is book of books. The Bible is the Word of God. God speaks to us through His words.  We can learn God’s word and His works in the Bible.

The Bible is not a book of philosophy, although it is philosophical. Do not go to the Bible for a scientific treatise; however, there is no discrepancy between the ascertained facts of science and the Bible.

The Bible is not a book of history, but is found to be accurate when recording history.

The Bible was given to man from God, revealing Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and God the Son, the only Savior. (John 14:6)

The Bible is as high above all other books as the heavens are above the earth. Someone has said of the Bible: “Read it to be wise; believe it to be safe; and practice it to be right.”

The Bible is written for all men and women on earth to make us understand God’slove for us. By studying the Bible, one can understand ‘who is God and how to get His help to be saved from unending misery of life and share His eternal life.

The Bible says “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. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.(John 3:16-18)

Here, we find that God understand all our misery in life cause by Sin and have mercy on us. He loves us very much and wants to safe us from these worldly troubles. Therefore, He sent His son Jesus Christ to so that any one who believes in Him will not live a miserable life and shall not perish but have eternal life and be saved through Him. Here, we also find that “but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.” This means, if anyone do not believe in His Son Jesus Christ will be condemned. So, you must believe in Jesus.

Many persons study the Bible to get worldly knowledge and understanding. Yes, one can learn knowledge and wisdom from the Bible, but it is not the main purpose of God.

1. BIBLE STUDY FOR THE CHOSEN/ INTRODUCTION:

God loves you. He cares for you. He wants to bless you. For which, He made a provision. But He also gives us ‘freedom to chose’ – to receive or not. If you want to receive, you must learn how to receive it. His provision is both for life on earth as well as for life after dead – for eternity.

God created us to be His beloved children and live a blissful life so that we can praise His name. Sin entered the world and separated us from God. Living away from God, all live uncomfortable, miserable life with problems, sufferings and must die sooner or later. All these on earth are the result of sin and living under the power of sin and its consequences - eternal separation from God, eternal death.

God loves us so much that He made a plan to save us from the power and consequences of sin. He gives us the way to return to Him and become His children. Many persons have already received His blessings and enjoy a blessed life on earth with a hope for eternal life with Him in Heaven after this life on earth.

All the provisions of God are recorded in the Bible. So, many studies the Bible to know how to receive the blessings of God, our Creator. Hope you also receive the same. For which, you must know who is God, who created us and everything. Let us learn through His Holy Words in the Holy Bible.

You must also know that the Bible is not easy to study meaningfully without guide and without the help of the Spirit of God. Because, it is not just a simple book but the book of books, all written by men of God as God Himself had spoken to them and made them recorded His Holy words for all the people on earth.

This is a good and simple guide, easy to understand. I have prepared this with prayer and from lessons I have learnt. Please study one chapter daily with fervent prayer and meditation. Take the Bible with you and read the Bible verses given here from your Bible. Don’t try to read the whole lessons immediately. The best way is to study one lesson daily with earnest prayer that the Holy Spirit helps you understand the meanings. Read at least twice what you read after a gape of more than an hour, so that your memory may record it for you benefit.

PATHETIC LIFE OF MAN WHEN DESERTED BY GOD

When a person continue to live in sin, God deserted him. All the blessing of God also deserted him. His health and wealth become poor, poorer and he become the poorest and most pitiful person. Others started talking about him, saying :

“How deserted lives this person, once so full of power, healthy and wealthy! 

How like a widow is he, who once was great among his friends!
He who was leader among the people has now become a slave.

Bitterly he weeps at night, tears are on his cheeks.
Among all his lovers  there is no one to comfort him.
All his friends have betrayed him; they have become his enemies.

After affliction and harsh labor, he has gone into bad habit. 
He dwells among the most bad guys; he finds no resting place. 
All who pursue him have overtaken him in the midst of his distress.

The roads to him mourn, for no one comes to his appointed festivals.
All his gateways are desolate, his priests groan,
his young women grieve, and he is in bitter anguish.

His foes have become his masters; his enemies are at ease.
The Lord has brought his grief because of his many sins. 
His children have become slave, captive before the foe.

All his greatness has departed from him. 
His daughters are like deer that find no pasture;
in weakness they have fled before the pursuer.

In the days of his affliction and wandering person remembers all the treasures that were his in days of old.
When his people fell into enemy hands, there was no one to help him. 
His enemies looked at him and laughed at his bad luck.

This person has sinned greatly  and so has become unclean. 
All who honored him despise him, for they have all seen his poor condition; 
he himself groans  and turns away. ( Please read the real text below in LAMENTATION 1:1-8)

HOPE, you will not be deserted by God !

Call on Jesus. If not yet, accept Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Saviour and be baptized. Study the Bible daily and always pray. Pray for yourself and others, too.

Let’s pray, ”Lord, forgive my all the wrong I have done in Your sight. Save me from the power of sin. Be with me always and don’t ever desert me. I thank You, for dying on the cross for me and given me the right to become God’s child. You are my Lord and Saviour. Come and take Your seat in my heart. Control and direct my life. Fill me with the Holy Spirit You promises us – to help, guide, teach and comfort us. Help me to live a worthy life as Your child and bless me to bear fruit so that I may also tell others about Your love and Salvation for all who believe in You, that they may also believe You and receive Your blessing as You have given me. In Your Holy name I pray, Lord Jesus,Halleluiyah, Amen."

Write 'Amen' if you pray. God bless you.

GOD IS ALWAYS WITH US IN JESUS CHRIST

One of the best way to live Christian life is never to forget but remember that our Saviour Jesus is always with us. We can not see Him with our naked eyes as God is spirit. But He is always with the believers in the Holy Spirit( read Matthew 2018-20).He always help, guide and protect the believers. He is with us – He sees what we see and do, good or bad. He hears what we think, good or bad.He watches us all the time. He loves and cares us.

Jesus says “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me.” (John 14:1)

Therefore -

1.     Let’s trust not worry in any situation, because He cares for us.

2.      Let’s trust Him and rely on Him totally.

3.     Remember, Jesus died for our sins and gives us forgiveness and made us God’s children.

4.     Let’s thank Him everyday for His love and kindness as well as for all His blessings.

5.     Let’s confess every wrong we do and ask His forgiveness.

6.     Let’s study the Bible daily and always pray.

7.     Let’s pray for us and for others and tells about His love for us.

By living daily life as stated above, we become more careful and commit less wrong. God will also certainly help us grow spiritually everyday, our life will become more fruitful and pleasing to us and God will be pleased, too.

Praise for Spiritual Blessings in Christ

“ Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. 

For He(God) chose  US (you and me) in HIM (Jesus Christ) before the creation of the world TO BE HOLY and BLAMELESS in His sight.” (Ephesians 1:3 - 4)

Praise the Lord.

Friends in Jesus, God chose you and me in Jesus Christ to be Holy and Blameless in His sight. But, are you or me blameless, at least in your or my sight?

–  What I do some times are :-

1.   DECEIVE even my beloved one (to avoid quarrel – but is ‘deceive’).

2.   Consumed too much meat, fruit, sweet, Sour, etc. that  HARM my stomach

3.   Watch my favourite movies too long to please our mind but HARM my eyesight.

4.   SCOLDED my dearest ones when approach to get my help if and while I am busy

5.   Many more wrongs

May be you also do at least one of the above. Then, it is out  of question about HOLY and BLAMELESS in God’s sight.

Let’s better ask forgiveness to God and ask His help.

“Lord, forgive me. I am a sinner, filthy rag in Your sight. Please forgive me. I ask your forgiveness and to consider me holy and blameless as my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ has already washed away all my sins when He died on the cross to cleans all my sin and has made me Your child. Forgive all my daily blunders and help me through the Holy Spirit to live a good life as Your child. I pray in Jesus name, Amen.”

FOR YOUR BENEFIT, FORGIVE OTHERS

 “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” (Colossians 3:13)

Forgiving others is one of the best ways to get peaceful mind. If you forgive, the benefit is for you, never the loser. The one you hate never bear so much burden as you do. That bitterness only rob you of your mental peace. Many lives have been spoiled by bitterness and a lack of forgiveness. Many go through physical and emotional breakdowns because they refuse to forgive others. The longer we carry a grudge, the heavier it becomes. We cannot afford to harbor bitterness in our soul. Knowing this fact, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, out of love , tells us to forgive others.

So, forgive those who hurt you, as Jesus has forgiven us and follow the teachings in the Bible. Please read :

^“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” (Colosians 3:12-17)

Love your Boyfriend or Girlfriend in the Lord

Young boys and Girls, Love your Boyfriend or Girlfriend in the Lord (cf. Ephesians 6).

If you really love him/her and want to marry - Take care  that you and your beloved  have ‘Life in Jesus’. Always ask God in prayer to bless you two. Pray that both of you can live good life, pleasing to Him, that you two may become one in the coming day without any problem and can live a happy married life and a true Christian family with the help of God through the Holy Spirit in Jesus name.

I have seen many of friends during youth, due to some mistake could not live a happy married life and Christian family. Some even have broken family.

Study the Bible daily, a chapter or one topic at a time and always pray. Pray for you and for your beloved; for your family and for the family of your beloved. Besides, pray for your friends. Pray in Jesus name.

THE FAITH OF MARY AND MARTHA

Friends, God bless you and help you have FAITH like Mary and Martha.

Mary and Martha believed “Where there is Jesus, there is no dead! Because, Jesus is ‘the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.” The two also confessed their faith. Therefore, the Lord blessed them beyond their believe by ‘raising their dead brother Lazarus from the dead.”

 Lazarus was sick. His two sister Mary and her sister Martha sent word to Jesus. On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him,

 “Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.”

 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

 “Yes, Lord,” she replied, “I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.”

When Mary heard this, she got up quickly and went to him, she fell at his feet and said, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.”

Jesus  said, “Where have you laid him?” and  came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance.

 “Take away the stone,” he said.

“But, Lord,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man, “by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.”

Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?”

So they took away the stone. Jesus looked up and prayed to His Father in Heaven. Then, called in a loud voice,

 “Lazarus, come out!” 

The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face.

Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.”

Therefore many of the Jews who had come to visit Mary, and had seen what Jesus did, believed in him. (John 11:1-45)

Friends, Jesus is alive even today and forever. He still raised the dead and heals sick and will do forever. Have faith in Him and confess your total faith as done by Mary and Martha. Call on Him now in prayer. He will answer you.