THOUGHT - 15 (GOD KNOWS YOUR SITUATION)

A LITTLE PRAYER CAN BRING LOT OF WONDERS - TESTIMONY OF MS. JOCELINE JOY

“….I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you.” – John 16:23

“GOD is the reason why even in pain, I smile; in confusion, I understand; in betrayal, I trust; and in fear, I continue to fight.”

Life has a lot of ups and downs. Some of us never understand or even now understood why things happen. Mine is a little story of pure trust in the Lord Jesus, our savior. 

My name is Joceline Joy, I am currently pursuing my final year engineering in Electronics and communication. Final year is the time of tension and fear, Fear of whether will I get a job?? Or will I clear my higher studies entrance exams?? Or should I study in India or abroad??

Well, to be frank, I was also going through all these questions when suddenly our college announced that the first company will be recruiting soon in a week’s time. I thought I would prepare the next whole week, and attend my placements. But unfortunately, I feel ill again and had to go home for a checkup. I returned two days prior the placements. My mind was so tensed, with fear overwhelming me. The night before the placements round one, which was an aptitude test and a group discussion round, I prayed, “Jesus, If this is your will for me, then let it happen. If this company’s for me, then only make me clear aptitude.”

Next day morning I wake up to find myself at complete and an unusual peace. Something I have never felt before. I told my friend that I am at peace, and I don’t know how it can be, because even for a small review in the department, I am so tensed. She told me fear is from Satan, so that means if you are at peace, then God is with you. (Amen to that!)

I attended my aptitude test with the first batch of students. As we were waiting for the results, all my friends were worried if they would clear it or not, everybody started discussing the number of questions attended by each. I kept quiet and smiled, and said I know I aced the test. Just before the results were being announced, my friend told me that she would be happy if I got, I told her, I would be happy if she did too. Five minutes later, my name was announced among those who cleared aptitude. (Praise the Lord) 

Next was the group discussion, I never even attended a mock GD, but I knew God would take care, and yes like I believed, HE DID! I cleared the second round too.

The next day we were scheduled for the interview. Mine was scheduled at 5pm. I assemble with the others at 2pm in the seminar hall and waited for my call. But the interview was being delayed, and even at 9pm, the interviewer who was scheduled for us hadn’t started his 3pm batch.

Something in me said there is a reason why we are being delayed, and I could still feel the presence of Jesus with me, I just told my friend, let’s just trust in Jesus, because I have a feeling that our interviewer might change. She and I prayed and trusted that God would take care.

I was called finally for interview at 12am, and yes like I said my interviewer changed, lucky me. My interview went really well, and as I walked out the room, I said, “Thank you Jesus”.

Another hour and half as we were waiting for the results, I prayed, “Jesus, don’t ever make me doubt you, because I had already told you to make me clear aptitude on if this company is for me.”

Results were announced department wise, and “…Electronics and Communication, Joceline Joy,…”, praise God, I was selected. My heart rejoiced in the Lord, and I thanked Him, for listening to my little prayers during the last two days. 

Now, here I am testifying the glory and blessings God will give you if you trust in Him. For there is nothing that He can’t make happen. Amen to that!

                                                                                               

THE WALL - 5

ANGEL TALK - AN INSPIRATIONAL POEM (AUTHOR UNKNOWN)

Just inside the Pearly Gates
Underneath a gorgeous sky
Two angels hovered near a cloud
(They don't sit like you and I!)

"I just don't understand it,"
Said angel number one,
"I've watched and studied everything
Those foolish souls have done."

The second angel gave a shrug,
"Why do you even care?
It's no concern of ours at all
What they choose to do down there."

"Maybe not," the first one said,
"But still I'd like to know
With all the blessings they've received
What makes them quarrel so?"

The second angel stretched his wings
Then smoothed a ruffled feather,
"It's just about a hopeless cause
For men to live together."

"The Master's working very hard
Has been for generations.....
And still they fight among themselves
causing death and devastation."

The older angel softly sighed,
"You can't change things, little one,
The Master's tried everything
He even sacrificed His Son!!"

The young angel nodded slowly,
"That's what seems so bad!
He suffered, bled and died for them!
He gave them all he had!"

"Oh, He still has more to give,"
The other looked both sad and wise,
"For I've seen Jesus when souls are lost,
And I've held Him while He cries."

"For to Him each one is precious
With a value beyond measure.....
He wants them all up here with Him
To share in Heaven's treasure."

"And sometimes, someone down on Earth
Will kneel in fervent prayer
Crying out, 'Please help me, God!
Show me that You're there!'"

"And when that happens you will hear
All the bells of Heaven ring!
As the Master's love pours down like rain
And the Heart of Jesus sings!"

YOU ARE MY CHILD AND YOU ARE PERFECT IN MY EYES - TAKEN FROM A BLOG

So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak. When the man saw that he could not overpower him, he touched the socket of Jacob's hip so that his hip was wrenched as he wrestled with the man. Then the man said, "Let me go, for it is daybreak."

But Jacob replied, "I will not let you go unless you bless me." – Genesis 32:24-26

I am wrestling with God today.

My hands clenching His arms, my eyes tightly shut with tears falling down my face as I grit my teeth, push Him, and punch His chest over and over again. I am angry and frustrated and cursing myself! I soooo want to blame Him even if I know it's all my fault! My doing.

I am wrestling with God today.

Might be scandalous to you. I'm supposed to be a mature Christian, with all the right words to meet your needs. Feeling sad? Read Ecclesiastes three. For this life has seasons of mourning. Feeling angry? Search Proverbs. Never let the sun go down. Making a major life decision? Did you consult your Christian friends? That's what David did.

But today, I will have none of the coddling and trying to make myself feel good! I am wrestling with God today.

I am biting His shoulder. Pinning Him down on the floor. Pounding my head against His back. I want to kick Him! "Lord, I regret it! I regret making stupid decisions! I'm so afraid! I feel like a failure! I'm so stupid! I am just so angry with myself! And right now all I want to do is wrestle with You! I need to let this out!"

Today, I refuse to fake it. Refuse to take my daily shot of bible verses. I'm hitting Him. Stomping my feet. And like Jacob, I'm begging Him to bless me. I'm shaking Him.

My teeth chattering, "Lord, please bless me. Bless me with your mercy. I want to bask in your favor. I want to bask in your peace. I am so angry with myself. Teach me to forgive myself." Tears rolling, a bitter taste seeping out of my tongue's pores.

I am wrestling with God today.

And the Lord, unscathed, cradles me in His arms. He whispers, "You are my child. Perfect in my eyes. With my hands, I knit you together in your mother's womb."

"But why?," I scream through my bitter tears. "Why why why do I make stupid mistakes?"

He holds my hands to keep me warm. "It's an imperfect world. This is not your world. This isn't where you belong and that's why you are suffering. One day, you'll be with me. One day, you will always be filled with joy."

But today I am here. With no where else to go.

I am wrestling with God today.

And I am not letting Him go.

Until He blesses me.

ANSWERS FOR THE BIBLICAL CROSSWORD - 1 (POSTED ON SEPTEMBER 12, 2012)

1.                  Smite the shepherd and the SHEEP shall be scattered. (13:7)

2.                  HOLINESS unto the Lord of hosts. (14:21)

3.                  Young men are made cheerful by CORN. (9:17)

4.                  Band is one of the two staves. Name the other: BEAUTY. (11:7)

5.                  Woe to the idol SHEPHERD that leaveth the flock. (11:17)

6.                  Son of Zephaniah: JOSIAH. (6:10)

7.                  God will pour the Spirit of Grace upon the house of DAVID. (12:10)

8.        Idols have spoken VANITY. (10:2)

9.                  Flying roll is the representation of CURSE. (5:1-3)

10.             The fast of the fourth, fifth, seventh & tenth month shall be to the house of   JUDAH. (8:19)

11.             He that toucheth you toucheth the APPLE of His eye. (2:8)

12.             Turn you to the stonghold, ye PRISONERS of hope. (9:12)

13.       God hate false OATH. (8:17)

14.             Not by might.................But by My SPIRIT says the Lord. (4:6)

15.             And the Lord shall be KING over all the earth. (14:9)

16.      Jerusalem shall be called a city of TRUTH. (8:3)

17.             Father of Zechariah: BERECHIAH (1:1)

18.             City for which God will be a wall of fire: JERUSALEM (2:5)

19.             Who is the brand plucked out of the fire? JOSHUA (3:1,2)

20.             There won’t be any RAIN upon those who will not come up to worship the King. (14:17)

21.       Execute true JUDGMENT. (7:9)

And ENOCH walked with God. (Genesis 5:24)

GHG - 7 (FOR GOD NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE)

LUKE 1:37 “FOR WITH GOD NOTHING WILL BE IMPOSSIBLE”

The first failure in my diploma course shattered my life’s dreams. Moreover all the seniors whom I know told me that I will never get my diploma.

I remembered the way God helped me to score hundred out of hundred in SSLC public maths exam. I hate myself for the way I fell into pride. Guilt feeling overpowered me and my life was full of tears in the third semester of my diploma.

Soon that semester final exam came. I was so shocked to know that I had no holiday before the exam. It worsened my condition further.

The day of my maths exam came. I woke up exactly at 12 midnight of that day because of fear. As everyone in my home was sleeping I switched on the light to study but has fear gripped my heart, I could not solve even a simple problem. Words of my seniors came into my mind and it discouraged me further.

By one o clock in the midnight I began to cry. I was crying very badly that whole night. Seeing my worst mindset in the morning, my parents decided not to send me to the exam. They were so worried about my condition.

But 11 o clock in the morning I decided to go back to Jesus Christ and ask His forgiveness. I went to Him and cried very badly asking forgiveness for my pride. After praying for half an hour, I got up and went to write the exam.

Nothing I studied because of the fear that gripped my heart. Somehow I thought God will help me and make me pass.

I went into the exam hall and after a short prayer I opened the question paper. As I expected not even a single question was known to me. Tears began to roll out of my eyes and I told myself that I should not cry in the exam hall. I thought God has left me helpless. But God had a different plan that day.

The invigilator of that exam hall was a young woman. As she was talking to one of my friend who was writing the exam, she asked his SSLC maths marks. When she heard that he scored 94 marks she started to scold him for getting an arrear in the maths paper. As she started scolding, he was smiling at her. She got too much angry and asked him the reason. He stretched his hands towards me and told her why I should feel ashamed when there is a guy in this exam hall who scored centum in SSLC maths exam and is writing arrear now.

Hearing his reply she came towards me and began to scold me very badly. Already I was in tears. I don’t know what to do at all. After five minutes of scolding she told me something which I can never forget in my life. She is from a different religious background but she told me like this: “You know, something within my heart is telling me to help you.”

After saying this, she started to solve the problems in my question paper and taught me how to solve all the problems step by step. I couldn’t understand the way God was working and I thought it was a dream that someone inside an exam hall is helping me.

With much patience she helped me to solve the important problems. After few hours she told me that I will surely pass and asked me to submit the paper and leave the hall. I submitted the paper and came out. By God’s abundant grace I passed in that exam.

Never ever I thought that God will work through an invigilator to make me pass. God answered my prayers in an amazing way. He knows my helpless state and He dint left me orphan. He came into the exam hall and helped me.

My dear young friends, nothing is impossible for Jesus Christ. People might laugh at your failures and your friends might fail to understand your feelings. Do not be discouraged for you have a loving God who takes care of you. He knows the cry of your heart and He will help you. Whole world may stand against you but He will stand beside you and carry you in His arms. Cast your burden upon Him for He cares for you. He will not let you go down. As you look to Him, He will not cast you away. He will bless you and raise you.

I want to thank God for my loving parents He gave in my life. My father loves me in a special way and my mother takes care of my need with utmost care. They are one of the greatest gifts given by God in my life.

If a worldly father can love us in a special way how much more Heavenly Father will love us and bless us? How my father’s love was so special and how I got special blessings from my worldly father as he loved me more than anybody else?

                                                                     ...................... To be continued in GHG - 8