QUOTES ON TOP

“I want something really worthwhile to live for. I want to invest this one life of mine as wisely as possible, in the place that yields the richest profits to the world and me…wherever it is, I want it to be God’s choice for me and not my own… Christ said, “He that would find his life shall lose it” and proved the truth of this divine paradox at Calvary. I want Him to lead me and His Holy Spirit to fill me.” – Betty Stam

Monday, July 30, 2012

LIKED THIS ONE A LOT


GHG - 4 (GOD WILL HEAL YOUR DISEASE)


EXODUS 23: 25, 26 “……I WILL TAKE SICKNESS AWAY FROM THE MIDST OF YOU…….. I WILL FULFILL THE NUMBER OF YOUR DAYS.”

When me and my brothers were too young, my father got affected by a disease which had put our entire family in a desperate situation. Even though, it’s a skin disease it affected my dad in a serious way. The disease started in the leg and slowly it moved to the entire body. No doctors and no medicines can stop the spreading of the disease. No one can enter the room of my dad because of the smell that comes from the wounds caused by the disease. Medicinal oils can be applied in the wounds only by using the feather of the cock. As things went in an uncontrollable way, my dad thought he will die soon.

One fine day, he called my two elder brothers to his bed side and told them like this: “My dear sons, I am going to die soon. Your youngest brother is so young. I will not see any goodness which is going to happen in his life. You both have to promise me that you will take care of your youngest brother and provide him all that he needs.” 

This was his words to my elder brothers. My relatives and other people around us also thought that our dad will die soon. Everyone lost their hope. But my mom found a way that changed our lives. Instead of sharing her fear and grief with the fellow neighbours and relatives, she began to shed tears and share her feeling with Jesus Christ through her prayers. She started praying desperately for my dad’s healing. 

Our God is a God who sees our tears. When Hagar was in the wilderness with a baby boy knowing not what to do and crying desperately as she had no one to help around, God met her on the wilderness and blessed her (Genesis 21:14-20). 

Jesus Christ heard the prayers of my mom and He saw our tears too. To everyone's surprise, God began to touch the body of my dad. Slowly my dad got well and after some years, His wounds were all healed and he began to walk normally as others used to walk. 

As this was happening in our lives, my dad’s eldest brother also got the same disease. But as their family look unto the idols for healing, he died miserably. The idols had not saved him from that disease. 

But our God is a living God who can save us from any dreadful disease. My dad is now 61 years of age and he is still healthy through the Grace of God. When he thought he will die, he was too worried about my life. God has enabled him to see the goodness filled lives of his all three sons.
My dear young friends, when you are desperate for a blessing or help, don’t look around. Look above to God. Jesus Christ will never forsake you. He will not leave you to go down in tears. He will enter into your life and He will wipe away your tears.

You might be suffering with a dreadful disease or the burden of debt or any other problems. Jesus Christ is there to help you. Whatever you ask in His name today shall be given to you says Holy Spirit. Ask God and seek His help. He will heal your disease and He will fulfill the number of your days. You will not die in this disease for God is your refuge. He will heal you and He will bless you. 

Not only God healed the disease of my dad but He also helped me when I faced several problems in my life. What kind of problem I faced? How God fulfilled His promise in my life?

          ...................... To be continued in GHG - 5


Thursday, July 26, 2012

BOOK REVIEW - 5 THE WAY OF CHRISTIAN SERVICE - Zacharias Tanee Fomum

I have read so many books in my life. But I felt the presence of Holy Spirit strongly only in certain books. This is a kind of book in which God taught me so many truths even when I started studying the preface section.

This book is about “The way of Christian Service.” It has straight forward truths about serving the Lord and distinguishing Lord’s work from the devil’s work.

“Let me say that the success of a work does not necessarily make it God’s work. A work may appear very successful and yet not be God’s. The apparent lack of success, on the other hand, does not eliminate a work from being God’s work. Judged by the number of those who heard Him and continued to be faithful to Him, the work of the Lord Jesus was a failure, yet it was very work of God.”

This book also leads you to know the necessity of the hour you are living in. Even though the author has written this book in the year close to the beginning of 1980s, still God speaks through this book.

“God calls people to impossible tasks. He calls people to that which they will never do on their own. He does this so that when the task is accomplished, it will be obvious that He did it all. The God who is I AM is available for the needs of all His servants. If their need is power, He says, “I am your Power,” and becomes their power. If they are lonely, He says, “I am your friend.” If they are weary, He says, “I am your Comforter.” If there are great obstacles, He says, “I am the One who takes away all obstacles.” He is everything that His servants need.”

The author explains the deepest Spiritual secrets with a simple real life example to understand. The author takes you through the steps in which you begin to understand the heart of the Almighty God.

“It is time for one thing and one thing only. It is time to love Jesus supremely and time to take up your cross and follow Him and, like Him, be crucified to self, the world and all else. It is time to take the Gospel to the ends of the world and to preach it powerfully and Biblically; so that it will cause you your life and your all.”

If you are out there having a great desire to serve God and to do His work diligently, this is the book you have to definitely read.

“Too many believers today are doing nothing for the Lord. They are shy and withdrawn and lack boldness and a clear sense of direction. Where are those who would dare to step out at His command and take entire villages, towns, provinces, nations and continents for Him? Where are those who would seek great things for Him?”

Are you ready to serve the Lord diligently? This is the time given to you, my dear young friend. Learn to do God’s work according to His will and not on your own will. If you want to do God’s work sincerely, surrender your life to God and He will use you for His glory. 

To me, this book is a basic guide which has several truths revealed by Holy Spirit for those who want to serve God according to His will and His direction.  I strongly recommend this book for those who are called to be God’s servants.

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

CHRISTIAN BEST ONE LINERS - 1

Many folks want to serve God, but only as advisors.
It is easier to preach ten sermons than it is to live one.
When you get to your wit's end, you'll find God lives there.
Quit griping about your church; if it was perfect, you couldn't belong.
If the church wants a better pastor, it only needs to pray for the one it has.
God Himself does not propose to judge a man until he is dead. So why should you?
We were called to be witnesses, not lawyers or judges.
Be ye fishers of men. You catch them - He'll clean them.
Coincidence is when God chooses to remain anonymous.
God doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called.
God promises a safe landing, not a calm passage.
The task ahead of us is never as great as the Power behind us.
The Will of God never takes you to where the Grace of God will not protect you.
Need a reason to be thankful? Check your pulse.
The best mathematical equation I have ever seen: 1 cross + 3 nails = 4 given.

Monday, July 23, 2012

NO CONDEMNATION IN JESUS CHRIST - A DEVOTIONAL BY JON WALKER


"Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death." (Romans 8:1-2 NIV)

No matter what you’ve ever done, there is no condemnation in Christ. He sits at the Father’s right hand, not as an accuser, but as an advocate willing to give His life for you.
God began the work to bring you back into His presence long before you were born. God knows you can’t make the journey home on your own, so while you “were still helpless,” Christ died for you (Romans 5:6 HCSB).

Jesus offers mercy, not condemnation. He says, “I desire mercy, not sacrifice” (Matthew 9:13 NIV). His objective is to bring you back into intimacy with the Father, so He’s not interested in making you jump through hoops to prove yourself worthy or to earn back God’s love.

God’s word to you is this: “These things you offer to do and the promises you want to make in exchange for your forgiveness, they’re just offerings to help you get over your guilt. I’d rather give you forgiveness and grace as a gift; I desire mercy, not these sacrifices that make you grovel in hopes of winning back my love. You never lost My love!”

“My purpose is not to condemn you but to let my life run free within you as the Holy Spirit connects you directly to the Father” (Romans 8:1-2 NIV, author paraphrase).

“Besides, you can’t wash all the stains away. So, let Me do it for you. My blood will be the bleach to wash you white as snow, and My Spirit will begin to live directly in your heart.”

Now wrapped in Christ, we find no condemnation and we’re able to “approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need” (Hebrews 4:16 NIV).

When you feel condemnation coming at you like a furious flood, stand on Jesus Christ the Rock, who said, “I no longer condemn you. Go and sin no more” (John 8:11 NLT, with author paraphrase).

NOTE :
This devotional © Copyright 2012 Jon Walker. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

Friday, July 20, 2012

UNFOLDING THE ROSEBUD - GOD'S WILL FOR OUR LIVES (AUTHOR UNKNOWN)


A young, new preacher was walking with an older, more seasoned preacher in the garden one day and feeling a bit insecure about what God had for him to do, he was inquiring of the older preacher. The older preacher walked up to a rosebush and handed the young preacher a rosebud and told him to open it without tearing off any petals. 

The young preacher looked in disbelief at the older preacher and was trying to figure out what a rosebud could possibly have to do with his wanting to know the WILL OF GOD for his life and for his ministry. Because of his high respect for the older preacher, he proceeded to TRY to unfold the rose, while keeping every petal in tact...It wasn't long before he realized how it was impossible to do so. 

Noticing the younger preacher's inability to unfold the rosebud while keeping it in tact, the older preacher began to tell the following poem...

It is only a tiny rosebud,

A flower of God's design;

But I cannot unfold the petals

With these clumsy hands of mine.

The secret of unfolding flowers

Is not known to such as I.

GOD opens this flower so sweetly,

When in my hands they fade and die.

If I cannot unfold a rosebud,

This flower of God's design,

Then how can I think I have wisdom

To unfold this life of mine?

So I'll trust in Him for His leading

Each moment of every day.

I will look to Him for His guidance

Each step of the pilgrim way.

The pathway that lies before me,

Only my heavenly Father knows.

I'll trust Him to unfold the moments,

Just as He unfolds the rose.

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

THE STORY OF SOUL - AUTHOR UNKNOWN


There once was a man named Soul who was walking in a garden. He was whistling a real sweet tune for he was saved and had the joy of the Lord, but he was a baby Christian. As Soul was walking, a beautiful and seductive woman came out from behind a tree. Soul was very startled. He said, "Hello, I'm Soul, what is your name?" 

She replied, "I am Temptation, I have what you want." "What do I want?" replied Soul.

"You want to do all things which are of the flesh," said Temptation. Soul replied, "O.K., lead me."
So he and Temptation went off and fulfilled the desires of the flesh. When Soul returned to the garden, he met a man named Condemnation. Condemnation said, "Hey, I see you have met my friend, Temptation." Soul said, "Yes, who are you?"

"I am Condemnation, I come after Temptation. We work hand-in-hand." Then Condemnation jumped on Soul's back and began to beat him. He hit him in the face and kicked him when he was down. This went on for several days. 

On about the third day, a man named Mercy came running and said, "I command you, Condemnation, to stop beating Soul." Condemnation snickered, "Make me." 

So Mercy unsheathed his sword and cut Condemnation in two. As Soul watched in astonished pain, he was overtaken by the power of Mercy. Mercy walked up to Soul and said, "I have dealt with Condemnation before. He should not show up around you anymore."

Soul replied, "How can I ever thank you?" "Well," replied Mercy, "I was sent here by God and He told me to introduce you to a dear friend of mine. His name is Redemption."

Redemption walked up and said, "Hello Soul, I see that you are not doing well."Soul replied, "Not until Mercy came along. It is a pleasure to meet you Redemption." 

"Well", said Redemption," I am glad to meet you. Are you ready to accept me?" "What do you mean?" asked Soul.

Redemption said, "Well, when you accepted Jesus and decided to walk with Him, then you chose to accept the things of Him and His love. I am a part of Jesus' love. I help you feel forgiven. You will never have to deal with Condemnation again. Temptation may come around, but I have someone I would like for you to meet who can help you with that. His name is Grace." 

Grace walked up to Soul and said, "Hello Soul, I have been waiting for you. As a matter of fact all three of us have been waiting to meet you. I will help you take the way out of Temptation that God gives you as it comes up. The last person we want you to meet is Faith."

"Hi Soul, I am Faith, and I will help you stay strong and keep your beliefs strong," said Faith.

Soul began to cry. When he began to cry Redemption said, "This is what we were here for. Jesus redeemed you, saved you by Grace through Faith and gives you his Mercy. Jesus loves you Soul."

Soul said, "I love you, Jesus."

Monday, July 16, 2012

GHG - 3 (YOU ARE HIS OWN SPECIAL PEOPLE)


I Peter 2:9 “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light”

Even though as my father accepted Jesus Christ as His savior, He never surrendered his life to God completely. He lived a life as name sake Christian doing sins and hurting God.  Someone said like this: “God hate sins but not the sinners”. God never hated my dad but He loved him so much that He gave my father a Virtuous woman as his wife.

My mother was born in the year 1954 as an eldest child in a family which then had nine children. She never knew about Christ as she was born in a family which worshiped man made idols. As she became young she hated to worship idols and decided to live a holy life of her own. At that moment of her life she got married to my dad who was a converted Christian. Both got married in the year 1977. 

As she married a Christian, she also became a namesake Christian without knowing who Jesus Christ is. God begun to touch her life slowly and she completely stopped worshiping idols and started praying to Jesus Christ.  Soon in the year 1978 she gave birth to my eldest brother and in 1979 she gave birth to my elder brother and in the year 1984 I was born. 

From my childhood days I have seen the way my mom dedicated her life completely to Jesus Christ. As we were living in a environment surrounded by my relatives who earnestly worship idols, God decided to bring us away from our relatives. We moved so far from our relatives and started a fresh life in a new city.

God touched our lives in that particular city. He directed us to the churches in which His presence overflows and He begun to draw everyone of us closer to Him. My mom is the first person who earnestly dedicated her life completely to Jesus Christ. From that day to till date, I have seen her living a holy life before God.

Thereafter she had begun to spend more time with God. She has never seen any movies or any dramas or any kind of unwanted things. She decided to take up her cross and started following Jesus Christ. The best thing about my mother is she never compelled us to choose Jesus Christ but she patiently thought us about Him and prayed to Him for our lives.

There were times my dad was affected by deadly diseases and confronted with worldly enemies. At those times I have seen my mom crying to God alone and never ever she cried to any man for help. Whenever we faced any problems and trials, the only person she looked up to is God. She never spends time talking unnecessarily to anyone but had made Jesus Christ her lover and shared everything to Him alone.

Even today, your life might be filled with sorrow and pain. Learn to look to God alone. People will fail you but God will never fail you. He will wipe away your tears and fill you with His gladness.

It was by the grace of God we have got a mom like her and through her tearful prayers we were blessed so richly.

My mom’s patience and prayer touched the life of my father and He left all sins and begun to follow Jesus Christ so diligently. There was a time my dad got affected by a dangerous disease and everyone around him lost their hope but yet my mom went to Gods feet and fought with God literally in prayer.

Does God heard my mom’s prayer and healed my dad? Can God heal a dangerous disease even today?   
                                                                        ...................... To be continued in GHG - 4


Friday, July 13, 2012

THOUGHT - 11 (GOD WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE SITUATION)


I WILL GIVE YOU THE DESIRES OF YOUR HEART SAYS JESUS CHRIST


“Delight yourself also in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart.”- Psalms 37:4

My dear young friend, you might have unfulfilled desires in your heart for a long time. You might have a desire that you long for so many days and yet it was not fulfilled.  You might have so many thoughts in your heart but you have not prayed to God about it. Today Jesus Christ is promising you that He will fulfill the desires of your heart.

Whatever be your desire, Jesus Christ will give you the desires of your heart for His glory. Your longing will come to an end says Holy Spirit. 

Exodus 3:7 And the Lord said: “I have surely seen the oppression of My people who are in Egypt, and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters, for I know their sorrows.” 

God says that He knows the sorrows of the people of Israel and Bible records that God even heard their hearts groanings. 

Even today, God knows the sorrow that you have in your heart and He will wipe away all your tears by giving you the desires of your heart. You shall not lack anything.

Nearly seven years back I joined a Christian Institution for doing Masters (M.Tech) degree in Electronics engineering. Near to that institution, there was a prayer center where people usually come and pray for their needs. Worship services will be held daily in that prayer center. I had a great desire those times to preach God’s word to people who come over there. There was no opportunity for me and so I kept my desire within my heart. But I used to go there early in the morning when no one will be there inside that prayer center. At those times, I run to the pulpit and preach God’s word in that empty place thinking as if people are sitting there keenly listening to me. This continued for several months and I thought no one watched what I am doing. I didn’t even spoke about my desire to any one. 

Prayer Center I liked: Bethesda Prayer Center, Coimbatore,India.

Even though people didn’t watched me, God was watching me from Heaven and He understood the desire which I had deep down in my heart. Jesus Christ knows my desire and He fulfilled it. Within a year time, God opened an opportunity to share His word in one of the worship services which was held there. Now as I am working in that Christian Institution, twice in a month I am sharing God’s word in that same prayer center and from the same pulpit in which I stood years back when no one was around. I had never run to anyone to get my desires fulfilled. But Jesus Christ, who knows my inner desires, stretched out His hand and fulfilled my desire. 

My dear young friends, you also might have some desires in your heart that glorifies the name of Jesus Christ. Today God will open a way to you through which He will fulfill the desires of your heart. Do not get discouraged. Delight yourself in the Lord and He shall give you the desires of your heart. God bless you.


Wednesday, July 11, 2012

I WILL BE YOUR FATHER SAYS THE LORD ALMIGHTY


II CORINTHIANS 6:18 “I will be a Father to you, And you shall be My sons and daughters, Says the Lord Almighty.”

Are you crying that you have no one to take care of you? Are you feeling like an orphan today with no one around you to help you or understand you? Are you longing for God to provide blessing in your life and are you dejected because you have not received your heart’s desire yet?
My dear young friend, don’t get dejected. Today God promises you that He will be your Father. He will be there always with you and He will never leave you alone. 

Suicidal thoughts might arise in your mind now and then as you feel lonely and dejected. Devil wants to bring an end to your life but God promises you today that He will do new things in your life. 

Jesus Christ says in John 10:10 “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”

Jesus Christ came to this world and gave His life for you because He wants you to have a blessings filled life with peace and joy. He is your Father and He will carry you as a father carries a child. He will take care of your life and He will never leave you as orphan.

In a city named Chennai in India, there lived a God fearing family. The father of the family did a business with much prayer keeping Christ as the head of his family and business. He had a son and a daughter. The father used to help many servants of God and God’s work through the revenue of his business. God’s blessing was abundant in their life. While the elder son of that family is at his very young age, the father fell sick and soon he died. No one had expected that he will die so they were filled with so much of sorrow and fear. 

The elder son of that family got devastated and he know not what to do to take care of the family members. He remained in his room crying all the day very badly. Hearing his condition many servants of God came and prayed but nothing can comfort him as his sorrow was so great. As he thought about the uncertain future a great fear filled him as he has to take care of his sister also. Weeks passed by and he remained crying to God for help. 

One day as he was crying badly to God, he saw a glorious light filling his room and there appeared Jesus to him. Jesus Christ said to him, “My dear son, don’t cry. Today onwards, I will be your Father and I will never leave you as an orphan.” 

His heart filled with great peace and joy as he understood that he was not an orphan anymore and God is his Father. On that day God wiped away his tears and blessed his life. He began to succeed in the business through God’s grace and he took care of his mom and sister well and even today they are alive living a well settled blessing filled life for the glory of God.

You might also be thinking that you are an orphan since there is no one to care of you and no one to understand you. God is telling to you today: “My dear child, I have created you in My Image. You are not an orphan. I am your Father and I will carry you safe to the blessing filled life which I have in stored for you.”

My dear young friend, you are not an orphan for God is your Father. God bless you.







Friday, July 6, 2012

JEFFIE AND GRANDPA (STORY TAKEN FROM INTERNET)




Jeffie was in his playpen and he was crying. Tears were rolling down his little cheeks; his face was red as it could be. He was crying, and he looked pitiful in his little baseball T-shirt and a diaper. 

Then Jeffie's Grandpa entered the room; Jeffie's little face lit up when he saw his Grandpa! He immediately reached out his little arms in supplication and said "Out Pa Pa out." 

What is a Grandpa to do? How can someone resist that? So Grandpa went over to the playpen, he bent over. He reached down to lift his little buddy from captivity and distress . . 
.
Just then "Law and Order" walked into the room. Momma said "Jeffie, you stay right there! I'm punishing you because you have been naughty! Dad, leave Jeffie alone!" 

Grandpa backs off and is thinking, "I can't just pick up a book and read it with Jeffie here. He would think I was uncaring and distant. I can't leave the room because he would feel like I have abandoned him." 

But you know what? Love always finds a way. Since Grandpa couldn't take Jeffie out of the playpen, Grandpa climbed in with Jeffie! Grandpa said "If you are in the playpen buddy, I'm in the playpen too. What are you in for? What is your sentence?" 

Having Grandpa Join him in his "prison cell" brought Jeffie great comfort and joy. In the midst of his captivity, Jeffie no longer felt so alone. 

What Jeffie's Grandpa did is also a picture of what Jesus Christ did for us when He came to Earth as a baby. God the Father yearned to reach down into our "playpen of captivity" and pull us out. He could not . . . because of our disobedience . . . because of our sin. What did God do?

God climbed into our "playpen" with us! When Jesus Christ entered into our "playpen of captivity," He took the sin and disobedience that should have been ours alone; releasing us from our captivity . . . allowing us the opportunity to experience the fullness of life God has for us! The message is simple, clear and personal: God with us . . . He loves you so much He sent His one and only Son, Jesus Christ!

My dear young friends, Even as you are struggling in the path of discomfort and sorrow, remember that you are not alone and Jesus Christ is with you. He will pull you out from the path of sorrow and fill your life with His joy.

"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 he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son." John 3:16-18 (NIV)


Wednesday, July 4, 2012

WOULD YOU LIKE TO MEET THE KING? - AUTHOR UNKNOWN


There once was a little boy who wanted to meet the King. He set off, walking across the beautiful countryside towards the King's castle. He walked and walked, thinking of all the wonderful things that he and the King could talk about, and he imagined how beautiful the castle was. He was just a little boy, and he wanted so much just to talk to the King, see Him on His thrown, as well as be in His presence.

Finally, after many long days of walking, the King's castle came into view. It was even more majestic than the boy had imagined! He couldn't wait to tell the King how beautiful everything was and how much he had enjoyed his walk across the countryside. The boy began to run towards the castle!
However, as the boy got closer to the outside of the castle, he noticed there was a huge fence all around it, and there was a big fancy gate in front of the castle. As the boy neared the gate, he was stopped by a gate-keeper. When ask if he had an appointment to see the King, the boy said no, and was told he would have to leave.
"I just want to see the King..." the little boy began in a halting voice. "That's not possible, unless you have an appointment, said the gate-keeper." Well, the little boy didn't have to be told twice. After all that walking, after all that thinking, after all that wishing and hoping, he turned... and ran. He was sad and so very disappointed.

He began to cry. All he wanted to do was tell the King wonderful things, and see all the beautiful things in the King's house. But he couldn't even get near the castle! The boy finally stopped running and sat down and just cried. A young man happened to be coming down the path at that very moment. He was carrying a sack over his shoulder and whistling a happy tune. He saw the little boy and stopped.
"What's wrong, young man? Why are you so sad?" he asked."Sir, I've been walking for several days just to see the King, but the gate-keeper won’t let me in. I just wanted to tell the King how lovely everything is and see all the neat things in his castle. If only I could tell the King that I just wanted to see him!" wailed the little boy.

"Whoa! Slow down a little. Sounds like you've had a rough time today." With that, the man set down His sack and began to rummage through it. "Would you like to have a fresh apple?" asked the Man. "Yes, thanks, said the little boy. I don't think I'll ever go back there!" The man looked at the little boy thoughtfully. "Look, why don't you try again. I'll go with you this time." The Man smiled at the little boy, who was obviously concerned for His (the Man's) safety; apparent thinking the gate-keeper would be really mad if the boy returned a second time. The Man stood up and dusted himself off.

"Come with Me. Maybe we can find something else to eat along the way." the Man said, holding out His hand. The little boy looked up at the Man, and looked in the direction of the castle. He was so close! Well, he reasoned, even if I can't see the King, maybe I can find something else to eat before I begin my walk home.

With that, the little boy got up and took the Man's hand. He gripped the Man's hand tighter and tighter as they got closer to the King's castle. Finally, the gate-keeper spotted them: one very frightened boy holding the hand of a Man with a sack over his shoulder. As they drew close, the little boy couldn't stand it anymore.
"Look, Mister, we don't have to do this... I don't want You to get hurt. I'll just be on my way. It was nice of You to stop... thanks for the apple... we can just turn around now..." the boy began to babble again. The man held the little boy's hand firmly and said, "Child, you've come this far with Me... how about trusting Me a little longer? Let's just see what happens."
"OK..." said the little boy. The pair came closer to the castle and the gate-keeper watched them approach. The Man looked down and winked at the boy. The boy really thought the Man might be crazy... until he looked back at the gate-keeper -- who was smiling now! The big gate in front of the castle was swung wide open. The little boy was amazed! 

"Who are You?" asked the little boy in astonishment. "Why, I'm the King's Son. By placing your trust and faith in Me, you can enter the Castle and be with the King," said the Man. The little boy had a huge smile on his face. "Can I go home and tell my parents about You?" asked the little boy. "So they can come to visit and praise the King, too!" 

Jesus threw His head back and laughed. He thought that was the best thing that anyone could do.
Would you like to see the King? Have a relation with His Son... JESUS.

Tuesday, July 3, 2012

JESUS CHRIST GAVE HIS LIFE FOR YOU


“God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” Romans 5:8. As you are absorbed in your sins and live a painful life struggling with the emptiness inside and outside you, you may doubt the love of God in your heart. You may think that the love of Jesus has decreased in your life because of your sinful activities. But the Bible says when we were sinners, Jesus died for us. That’s the love of Jesus for us.

My dear young friend, God’s love is precious and priceless. He has said “I the Lord do not change”, (Malachi 3:6). The love which He has for you is everlasting and will never change. Jesus took the cross and bore all the pain just because He thinks of you every time. He shed His own blood only because you wouldn’t have to struggle with your sins. He has given his life for you only because of His infinite love for you. Even today, Jesus loves you so much.

Why did He take the Path of Grief and Sorrows?
“But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities”. (Isaiah 53:3)
A potter made a real version of a model he had thought in his mind and cherished for a long time. After making the model of the object, he couldn’t bear to think that the object he created had no life. So he gave life to his creation and made it live and not only that he had so much love for his creation. And because of this, he gave it its own free will - a free will which also permitted the creation to leave the creator.

Soon, one day came when the creation fell in to the lustful ways of the world; it dared to leave the creator and left his care. Even though the potter had the authority to destroy the object, because of the love he had for his creation, he did not destroy it. Not only that, he also waited for his creation to come back to him. He waited with tears in his eyes and pain in his heart.
The creation was filled with all the desires and lust of the world; it left the creator and joined the only enemy of the creator, and held his hand. The enemy had great joy because the creation was tricked by him. But the potter who was the creator was in huge sorrow. The enemy decided to destroy the object as it did not have the protection of the creator and this in turn, left the creator with more pain and agony.

On one hand, the potter was in grief because the creation left him, and on the other hand he was in great sorrow because the creation was going through much pain and agony. Although the creation had left him the potter began thinking how to bring back his creation back to him. And he came to know that the only way to bring it back is to give his life for his creation. At the end what did he do? Even though his creation had left him he loved it so much as to not to see its destruction and because of this love the potter gave up his life to save his creation from destruction. The good life of the creation was far more important for the creator than his own life. Amazing is the love of the potter!!!

Beloved young men and women out there, this is the precious love that God showed at the cross of Calvary. He created you and me with clay and He gave us His own Spirit and resurrected us. He gave us His own sovereign will so that we would know what is good from evil. But we forgot this great love of God. We went for worldly desires, lust and for our own likings we separated from our creator, the Lord.

Even though, our beloved God stretches out His arms and calls us with His great love, we refuse to heed his words and love. We turned towards the evil desires. We ourselves moved away from the Gods protection. And that is when the devil brought upon us lot of problems in our lives such as diseases in our body, failures, grief and sorrows in all our works. Even in this situation God desires to recover you with His Everlasting love.

He wants to deliver us from the pain and the bondage of sin, for that He had to give His own life as a cost; He decided to sacrifice His own life for us. That is the only purpose Jesus Christ came down to this world,  endured all the sufferings, was hung on the cross, shed His blood and  gave His own life as a cost to save our lives, and made us His own people.

He loved you so much, only because of that love He went and gave His life as a cost and that way is the way of cross at Calvary. You shouldn’t sink in your own sin; you shouldn’t die because of that curse, only because of this Jesus Christ gave His own life as living sacrifice in cross. Do you know why He passed that cruel way of cross; the reason is His unmeasured love that He has on you. Don`t forget today, Jesus loves you.

Monday, July 2, 2012

GUEST ARTICLE - 1 (YOU WILL RECEIVE GOD'S HOLY SPIRIT)


“And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” – JOHN 14:13

I would like to share one of my unforgettable and remarkable experiences which helped me to progress in the spiritual realm.

At the early days of my salvation, there was so little I knew about my savior Jesus Christ and there was no knowledge about holy spirit because I’m from different background I don’t have much opportunity to read or to listen word of God. But by the grace of God, he made me to pursue my degree course in a well reputed Christian university. There I came to know more about trinity God and anointing of Holy Spirit through word of God and also by listening to several preaching from various servants of God. Then I realized the significance of the anointing of Holy Spirit which help us to lead a spirit filled life that pleases God which will also pave way for tasting the love of God and transform us into His likeness everyday. So I was very much longing to receive the anointing of God not only that I also had seen the gifts of Holy Spirit operating in the life of young people who are of my age group. I wondered how they could be so close to God, witnessing and demonstrating the power of God through their lives. I also wondered how amazingly God uses them in His ministry to reveal His glory and power through their lives which brings salvation to many souls.

I was even more determined to ask God to fill me with anointing of Holy Spirit with in the end of a particular month because my life seems to be very meaningless without knowing the will and purpose of God in my life and my heart was filled with sense of hopelessness with much burden, agonizing and despairing over my future. It became increasingly obvious that there was only way out of my grief and meaningless existences is to get closer with living God which is possible only through receiving Holy Spirit’s anointing so each day I waited in God’s presence to receive His anointing and days rolled by and reached last day of that month and it was Sunday. So I still expecting God will somehow fill me in any of the service and fortunately, at that morning three of my dear ones and me gather together for a time of prayer. During prayer time except me all other were praying tongues and prophesying God’s blessing upon our life and God began to reveal His plans for us and for our families through them and I was deeply depressed instead of being happy to hear all those wonderful promises and plans of  God in my life because I was very much troubled and worrying about unanswered prayer of mine and I was questioning myself that why me alone couldn’t experience the literal touch of God and I’m thinking that I’m may not me eligible or worthy enough to receive those gift and anointing of Holy Spirit.

It may be only for those who are predetermined by God but still my heart cries desperately to receive filling of holy spirit so that I too could walk close with my God. I was totally bewildered meanwhile one of them asked me to pray though I refused he compelled so I reluctantly made a short prayer because I couldn’t even pray in that desolate condition. After that I said nothing to indicate to anyone what was on my mind but my Lord who knows my inner thoughts revealed my condition and also His passion and burden to fill me with His spirit to one of them. So they joined with me to ask God for me with much burden and Lord lead me to repent and confess all my sins and waited in the presence of Lord earnestly. Whole day I was anticipating for the touch of lord but nothing was happened so I was broken and frustrated but my dear ones are still encouraging me and asked me to wait upon the Lord and God revealed to one of them that tell my daughter to wrestle with me like Jacob for this blessing.

When it was almost 11’O clock at night, I went alone to prayer hall and I cried inconsolably, my sobbing echoed down the prayer hall and I prayed, “Lord either fill me with your Holy Spirit or take away my life I don’t want to live without your anointing”. Suddenly before clock strikes 12 without my knowledge my tongue started to twist and was uttering an unknown language and I felt powerful touch of God which bought greatest joy in my heart and all my sorrow was vanished. I also felt very hot all over body and Lord’s presence was immense at that night so I was been uncontrollably shaken by immeasurable filling of Holy Spirit.

From that day on I could able to have an intimate relationship with my loving Father than ever before and the knowledge about Holy Spirit from the word of God was the reason which made me to have unquenchable thirst, heart of longings and desperate for anointing of Lord in my life. Bible says when the spirit of Lord Rest upon us we shall receive wisdom, understanding, knowledge, counsel, might and fear of the Lord. This will help us to build our life on Rock called Jesus Christ. More over bible says Holy Spirit will teach us all things and bring to our remembrances all things that Jesus said (John14:26). When Holy Spirit has come upon us we shall receive power and we will be witness (Acts 1:8) and most important thing is that He bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God (Rom8:16) and also helps us in our weakness for we don’t know what we should pray for as we ought, but Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groaning which cannot be uttered and he makes intercession for us according to the will of God (Rom 8:26, 27)

Bible says in Joel 2:28,27 and Acts 2:17,18 And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your young men shall see visions, Your old men shall dream dreams. And on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days; and they shall prophesy.

According to above verse our Lord is ready to pour out His spirit upon us. Are you ready to ask for Lord’s anointing in the name of Jesus Christ and receive that your joy may be full (John 16:24).If you ask God earnestly for the anointing of His Holy Spirit, surely He will pour out His anointing upon you for He is a faithful God who fulfills His promises. Ask and it shall be given to you.

(Note: My dear young friends, The author who submitted this article does not want to reveal the identity and henceforth the name and the email id of the author was not published. Guest authors are always welcome in this blog and if you want to share your testimony or any article of yours, kindly send it to me at narainpons@gmail.com. God bless you.)