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
Pages
Monday, July 30, 2012
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
Saturday, July 28, 2012
Friday, July 27, 2012
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Thursday, July 19, 2012
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."
"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."
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."
"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."
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
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
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.
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Monday, July 9, 2012
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)
Thursday, July 5, 2012
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!
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.
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.
"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.)
Sunday, July 1, 2012
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