DON'T CRY, MY CHILD

Once in a small town of Nain, there lived a beautiful young girl who had been engaged to a handsome guy. The girl started to live everyday with dreams in her eyes about her future, wanting to explore the true meaning of love, care, and affection, waiting eagerly to spend about the rest of her life with her love, counting the number of days for her marriage. At last the most awaiting day came, which she will never forget in her life. She got married to the guy whom she started to love so much. Her marriage life was great. Everything she wished and desired for has been satisfied by her husband. Nothing she lacked. She lived a very peaceful, joyful life with him, which everyone would envy to have. Such a blessed life she had. Her dreams and hopes became very true and real when she held her boy baby in her hands. Her life was more than she dreamt and asked for. She thought that there will be no more tears and sufferings. That her life will be very smooth, pleasant and will go in the way she desired. She thought that there will be no need for her to worry about anything and her future is firm and secured.

            But from nowhere came the shock of her life. Her husband passed away all of a sudden, leaving her and their only child all alone to suffer. She felt like all her dreams have been shattered. She didn’t find any reason for her survival. The days which were once sweet to her became bitter and sorrowful. The death of her beloved, took all her joy, happiness and cheer along with it just leaving her with emptiness, loneliness and hopelessness, sucking the entire life out of her. When she was about to end her life thinking that there is no meaning for her to still go on, she heard the cry of her child. That broke her heart and the moment she saw her child’s face, she was reminded of her good old days she spent with her husband. So she decided to live for her only child and started to relive her memories, patiently watching and enjoying the different stages of life her child goes through. Her heart leapt with joy and pride on seeing her kid standing in front of her as a young fine gentleman.

            All of a sudden when everything was going well and fine, she got the greatest blow in her life which left her paralysed. Her only son for whom she has held her breadth thus far has died. Nobody was able to comfort her because greater was her grief. She couldn’t understand why all this has to happen to her. She was crying her life out when the crowd from the town carried the dead body of her son. Till now she was just living for the sake of her son. Through her tears, she saw his happiness. But the very hope for her living has been shattered in front of her eyes. She thought that there is no use for her to press on, to hope that things will reverse and her life will become alright once again like it used to be. She was broken hearted and thought that her life has come to an end. It is then something happened which changed the entire meaning of her life. It is at this time, Jesus of Nazareth met her. That made the difference in her monotonous, painful life. When Jesus saw her, He was moved with compassion and His heart went out for her. He said “Don’t cry”. He touched the coffin and brought the young man back to life and gave him to his mother.

            When Jesus says “Don’t cry”, He is not simply saying in order to comfort us like others do but rather He walks right into the situation which makes us to cry, which pains our heart and will change it upside down just for us to be happy. People may just give empty promises telling “don’t cry, I am with you” but God alone experiences what we go through by walking along with us. The world can only feel pity on our situations but it is God who will change the entire scenario which is troubling us, in favor for us. Similarly my friend you may be going through a hopeless situation thinking that there is no reason for you to press on in life. Do not lose heart. There is a God for you. He is Jesus Christ. He will interfere with your hopeless situations. He will walk right into the situation and will turn your sorrow into gladness. You will surely live.

NOT HOME YET (TAKEN FROM INTERNET)

An old missionary couple had been working in Africa for years and was returning to New York to retire. They had no pension; their health was broken; they were defeated, discouraged, and afraid. They discovered they were booked on the same ship as President Teddy Roosevelt, who was returning from one of his big-game hunting expeditions. No one paid any attention to them. They watched the fanfare that accompanied the President's entourage, with passengers trying to catch a glimpse of the great man. As the ship moved across the ocean, the old missionary said to his wife, "Something is wrong.Why should we have given our lives in faithful service for God in Africa all these many years and have no one care a thing about us? Here this man comes back from a hunting trip and everybody makes much over him, but nobody gives two hoots about us." 

"Dear, you shouldn't feel that way," his wife said. "I can't help it; it doesn't seem right." When the ship docked in New York, a band was waiting to greet the President. The mayor and other dignitaries were there. The papers were full of the President's arrival. No one noticed this missionary couple. They slipped off the ship and found a cheap flat on the East Side, hoping the next day to see what they could do to make a living in the city. That night the man's spirit broke. He said to his wife, "I can't take this; God is not treating us fairly." 

His wife replied, "Why don't you go in the bedroom and tell that to the Lord?"A short time later he came out from the bedroom, but now his face was completely different. His wife asked, "Dear, what happened?""The Lord settled it with me," he said. "I told him how bitter I was that the President should receive this tremendous homecoming, when no one met us as we returned home. And when I finished, it seemed as though the Lord put his hand on my shoulder and simply said, 'But you're not home yet!"

GOD WILL HEAR YOUR CRY

This time I would like to share with you my precious readers a true story that took place awhile ago. Once there lived a pious' person named Ethan who had a very good status in his community. He was claimed to be a God fearing person by everyone who knew him. He actively participated in all the spiritual activities of his church. One day Ethan heard the news that one of the most powerful evangelists is visiting the plains nearby his place. Ethan somehow wanted to bring him to his place and make him pray for his people and get his blessings. So, Ethan put tremendous efforts in bringing the speaker to his place. When the evangelist came to the village Ethan made him stay in his newly bought house. Though the house was newly bought it had horrible cracks on the walls making it seem worthless and quite dangerous to live in, because of the fear of walls falling apart. So he requested the evangelist to pray for that house that's ruined badly without any cause. That night the evangelist prayed for that house and GOD revealed him the reason behind the mishap; and this is the story behind the house:“The house was originally owned by a Christian family consisting of a man, his wife and their little baby. In an unfortunate road accident the lady lost her husband. The man had borrowed some money from Ethan for which he was paying him back the interest. Now after the demise of the husband, the lady was abandoned and didn't have any resources to payback to Ethan. So, Ethan suggested the lady to hand him over the house and that he'd pay her some money after settling their debt. The fact was that Ethan had an eye on that very house since it was newly built, spacious and a gorgeous one too.

The lady cried to Ethan that it was their only shelter and they would have no other place to rest their heads if he had taken their house. She pleaded him to have mercy on them since they were in a hopeless situation and had no one to help. But Ethan had no mercy on them. He took the house and gave them back a very little amount of money in return, which was an injustice against the poor helpless lady and her baby.

When this afflicted lady was dragged to the streets, she looked back at the house, with  tears rolling down her eyes and holding her baby in one hand she cried to Lord saying ' Isn't there anyone to do justice? Not even a single soul would stand for my cause? Lord will you not hear me!'. The voice of that helpless widow reached the realms of heaven and Lord's wrath poured on that house." Lord then told the evangelist to tell Ethan that he has to pay back that widow ten fold and to treat her justly.

So, are you in a hopeless situation as that of the poor widow? Do you think your cry for help is unheard? Are you thinking that your thoughts are unvoiced? And that God is stone-hearted and He is not listening to your prayers??? Are you weary searching for explanations to all mishaps in your life?
Let me tell you wonderful people, that God is so concerned about you. He loves you so much that He is very much sensitive to your voice. He hears each and every word from your mouth; even the unspoken thoughts He knows. The scripture tells us that 'Those who hope in the lord will renew their strength like eagles'. The lord tells us today in Jeremiah 29:12-13 "When you call upon me and pray to me, I will hear you. And when you seek me with all your heart, you will find me."

JUST CALL UPON GOD'S NAME (TAKEN FROM INTERNET)

The boy walked along the ocean shore . . . trying not to stray.
He looked up to his father saying, "Dad, I want to play."

His father looked upon him, with love showing in his eyes.
"Do what you want to, my son . . . but do not leave my side."

"I would never leave you Daddy, I love you way too much."
But the boy took a step away, out of his father's range of touch.

He walked through the surf, the waves tickling one toe.
"If I take one more step in . . ." he thought, "Father will never know."

His father called out to him, "Son, to me remain true!"
The boy thought with glee . . . "At the moment I don't need you!"

His father felt a sadness, but he held his tongue.
Sometimes lessons need to be learned . . . even when so young.

The boy stepped out a little further . . . the water covering his waist.
His father spoke with urgency . . . his father spoke with haste.

"My son, come back to me," he said, "The day is almost done!"
"Not yet, Dad," the boy yelled, "I'm having too much fun!"

But the boy did not have his father's insight so he could not yet tell,
The tide was coming in fast . . . there would be no time to yell.

"Father!" he tried to scream, as the water covered his head.
"I need you now, Daddy!" was what the boy had said.

And in a single instant his father was by his side.
"I thought you left me, Daddy . . . I thought you went to hide."

The father looked upon his son . . . a tear streaming down his cheek.
The boy looked upon his father . . . and cried the sobs of the meek.

"I would never leave you son . . . for I love you just the same."
"I was only waiting . . . for you to call upon my name."

TRUST IN GOD ALONE

I wish to share with you one of my personal experiences, a small incident perhaps it possessed greater dimensions to ponder. I am the last son of my family, I have an elder brother who is working in a firm and my eldest brother is well settled in his career, got married and he has a smart little kid named Sam. I used to play with Sam during my free time; I somehow picked up a trait of pulling Sam’s toys playfully and thereby leaving him very much annoyed. He’d try ceaselessly, to reach my hands and regain his playthings, but eventually he’d grow tired and give up. It is so obvious that he can’t reach up to my height or fight back to regain his stuff from me, because I am bigger than him, taller than him and in every way am far ahead.

During the middle of August I had to leave town on duty. During my absence Sam came out with a smart idea, he started moving closer with my elder brother who had better frame than me. So, as time passed by Sam became very close to my elder brother and my brother loved him back. After I returned from my training camp, I started to play with Sam as usual... but this time when I pulled out things from his hands, his help came from my elder brother who was strong enough to regain the things from my hands and give it to Sam. From there on Sam wasn’t annoyed by me anymore, he totally sought for help from my brother and was happy in being able to conquer everything he desired through my brother. No more was Sam relying on his own strength; rather he loved my brother, trusted him and so my elder brother took care of all the things for Sam.

Like the elder brother from the incident above, God wants to help everyone. It only happens when we forget who we are, what we are capable of, and trust the LORD with all our heart. When we no longer think of ourselves but take GOD as our only refuge, GOD will surely accomplish all things for us. He will lift us up and perform miracles, when we humble ourselves and exercise the fullest faith on His Name. His word tells us in Isaiah 49:23 “I am the LORD; those who hope in me will not be disappointed.” Also Bible tells us in Jeremiah 17:5-7 “Thus says the LORD: “Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart departs from the LORD. For he shall be like a shrub in the desert, And shall not see when good comes, But shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, In a salt land which is not inhabited. Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, and whose hope is the LORD. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, Which spreads out its roots by the river, And will not fear when heat comes; But its leaf will be green, And will not be anxious in the year of drought,Nor will cease from yielding fruit.”

So, let us all trust in our Almighty GOD and glorify his name through our lives on Earth. Do not put your trust in your self nor on any human for they will surely fail you. Put your trust in Jesus for He never fails you. Whatever situation you may go through, He will carry you in His hands.

GOD IS MINDFUL ON YOU

One year back in the month of March, one evening, around 6pm, my mom calls and informs me that she has breast cancer. Being at my work place, I was totally broken down at the news because I couldn’t be with her.

In the following days, the doctors decided to do the surgery in order to remove the cancer infected breast. I and my father and brothers were also present on the day of the surgery.  My mom was lying down in the surgery gown, smiling at all of us, speaking to us normally as if nothing has happened.

The time came, around 10am, they took her into surgery. My father was so tensed throughout the whole time; he was pacing in front of the Operation room. Me and my brothers sat down and were praying every moment of the time. Waiting with anxiety, not knowing whether my mom will be fine or not. With all the fear in heart, we waited. 

Four hours passed and the surgery had still not finished. After two hours or so they bring in my mom back to the ward. I looked at her frail face; she had gone in with a smile, now she looked all fragile and feeble. She was lying there with a tube inserted into her right chest connected to little white box, and blood was dripping continuously into the box. The nurse told us that she was given an anesthetic, and that she would gain her consciousness only after some time.

My Dad and my brothers decided to go out to get something to eat. I stayed back in the hospital room with my mother. I sat down looking at the blood dripping into the box, and praying that she would be just fine. After sometime my mom barely opened her eyes, and she managed to call me near her. I went close to her with so much of fear thinking what she would ask. She looked at me and asked,”Son, did you eat anything?” and she went back to unconscious state.  Later after sometime, she again woke up, and asked us, “My dear children, did you eat anything?”

Laying there in the hospital bed, with her blood constantly dripping from the tube, she was so concerned about her children well-being than her own well-being. 

Lord has promised in Isaiah 49:15, “Can a woman forget her nursing child, and not have compassion on the son of her womb?  Surely they may forget, yet I will not forget you.”  

If my mother lying down in such a state thought about her children well being, than her own pain, whenever she gained her conscious, you can imagine how much the Lord loves you. Jesus Christ demonstrated His love upon you on the cross. Even though He had gone through so much pain and agony, He thought about your own well being. Even today He thinks of you only. Because He loves you so much. Sometimes even if our dear ones love fails, His love will always be there.

“My dear child, I love you so much and I will not forget you”, says the Lord.

THE BIRD CAGE-AUTHOR UNKNOWN

There once was a man named George Thomas, a pastor in a small New England town. One Easter Sunday morning he came to the Church carrying a rusty, bent, old bird cage, and set it by the pulpit. Several eyebrows were raised and, as if in response, Pastor Thomas began to speak.

"I was walking through town yesterday when I saw a young boy coming toward me, swinging this bird cage. On the bottom of the cage were three little wild birds, shivering with cold and fright. I stopped the lad and asked, "What you got there son?"

"Just some old birds," came the reply.

"What are you gonna do with them?" I asked.

"Take 'em home and have fun with 'em. I'm gonna tease 'em and pull out their feathers to make 'em fight. I'm gonna have a real good time."

"But you'll get tired of those birds sooner or later. What will you do then?"

"Oh, I got some cats. They like birds. I'll take 'em to them."

The pastor was silent for a moment. "How much do you want for those birds, son?"

"Huh??!!! Why, you don't want them birds, mister. They're just plain old field birds. They don't sing - they ain't even pretty!"

"How much?"

The boy sized up the pastor as if he were crazy and said, "$10?".

The pastor reached in his pocket and took out a ten dollar bill. He placed it in the boy's hand. In a flash, the boy was gone.

The pastor picked up the cage and gently carried it to the end of the alley where there was a tree and a grassy spot. Setting the cage down, he opened the door, and by softly tapping the bars persuaded the birds out, setting them free.

Well, that explained the empty bird cage on the pulpit, and then the pastor began to tell this story.

One day Satan and Jesus were having a conversation. Satan had just come from the Garden of Eden, and he was gloating and boasting.

"Yes, sir, I just caught the world full of people down there. Set me a trap, used bait I knew they couldn't resist. Got 'em all!"

"What are you going to do with them?" Jesus asked.

"Oh, I'm gonna have fun! I'm gonna teach them how to marry and divorce each other. How to hate and abuse each other. How to drink and smoke and curse. How to invent guns and bombs and kill each other. I'm really gonna have fun!"

"And what will you do when you get done with them?", Jesus asked.

"Oh, I'll kill 'em."

"How much do you want for them?"

"Oh, you don't want those people. They ain't no good. Why, you take them and they'll just hate you. They'll spit on you, curse you and kill you!! You don't want those people!!"

"How much?"

Satan looked at Jesus and sneered, "All your tears, and all your blood." Jesus paid the price.

The pastor picked up the cage he opened the door and he walked from the pulpit.

SURELY I WILL COME BACK, MY CHILD

Once there was a father, who loved sailing. He lived with his son, Jeremy in a small cottage close to the sea. One day he decides to go sailing and he asks his son, “Son, would you like to accompany me this time?” Jeremy was so excited that his father was taking him sailing and he agreed to go with him.

The next day they set out to sail across the sea. Jeremy had always wanted to go with his father sailing, and he was enjoying every moment of his time with his father. Suddenly, a storm hits, and his father loses control of the boat. Jeremy started helping his father to keep the boat upright, but all in vain. The boat was filled with water and it started to sink, the storm was too strong, the boat got destroyed. Jeremy and his father got hold of a wood piece each and they began floating in the sea. The father looked up to see the nearest coast which was a little far off. He turned to Jeremy and said, “Son, hold on tight, I will swim to the nearest coast and get help. Till then, please do not leave the piece of wood. Surely I will not leave you alone and I will come back to you.” The father swam a little away from his son, to the coast, he turned back and shouted,“Son, Surely I will come back to you.” Jeremy looked at his father and waved his hands. The father a little more to the coast and again he turned and shouted, “Son!! Do not be scared I will surely come back to you”

The father finally reached the coast and informed the coastguards about what happened. They said that the sun is down now, and that they would start the search early in the morning.

Early, next day, the coastguards and the father set sail to find Jeremy.

And there was Jeremy still holding on to the piece of wood. The coast guards helped him into the boat, and asked him, “How did you know that help would come, son?” He turns to the coast guards and says, “My Father assured me he would return, and I believed in him”.

In John 14:18, “I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you” says the Lord. My dear young friends, even today you may go through the path of loneliness. You may feel as if you are all alone in this world. You may be filled with agony and pain. Today God says to you, My dear child, I will not leave you comfortless and I will come to you. God is there for you, my friend. He will come to you and bless you. Do not be discouraged, for God loves you a lot. Surely God will come to you and bless you. Keep your trust in Jesus for He will not fail you nor forsake you.

If little Jeremy had that much faith in his father, then why not we in the Father above??

WHAT WOULD JESUS WRITE ABOUT YOU

He was just another person, who just led his life normal monotonous life. One day, as Jesus was walking on the streets of Galilee, He saw this man and said, “Follow me”. He left everything and followed Jesus with the crowd. Jesus saw the crowd and He went up the hill to preach, as He called out His disciples, He wished he would be called too, and yes, his name was among the twelve. He started following Jesus, and saw that He was the ‘Son of God’. He witnessed many miracles, and listened to the parables. He wanted to follow Jesus completely, but he wasn’t ready to change. He still continued with his daily habits.
The Pharisees and the high priests were waiting to condemn Jesus, and they knew that this disciple would be of help to them. One evening they met him, and offered him thirty silver coins, and asked him to betray his Master. Being a gluttonous person, he decides to take the thirty silver coins over his Master.
Jesus was betrayed and later condemned to death. The disciple finally learned that Jesus had been condemned; he repented and took back the thirty silver coins to the chief priests and elders. “I have sinned by betraying an innocent man to death”, He said. “What do we care about that?” they answered. “That is your business!” He threw the coins down in the temple and left; then he went off and hanged himself.
Now you all know who I am talking about, yes, it is Judas Iscariot!
Many days after His death, Bible was written. If you read the Bible, you might come across the naming of all the disciples.
In Mathew 10.1-4; “Jesus called his twelve disciples together and gave them authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal every disease and every sickness. These are the names of the twelve apostles; first, Simon (called Peter) and his brother Andrew; James and his brother John, the sons of Zebedee; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew, the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Patriot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Jesus.”
In Mark 3.13-19; “…and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Jesus.”
In Luke 6. 12-16;”….and Judas Iscariot, who became the traitor.
All the disciples are given a good introduction while Judas is described as the one who betrayed Jesus and the traitor. Judas last action of betraying Jesus is what made him earn this description even in the Bible.
Let’s reflect on our life, are we like Judas, a church goer only on Sundays, a person who just dusts the Bible everyday, someone who calls on to Jesus only during times of trouble, and someone who would give away Jesus, for the pleasures of the world. Then think, how is it written about you in the book of life??

DO YOU HAVE THE BURDEN?

There was a guy who went with his church people for a trip to Kolkata. One fine evening, all the adults went out leaving all their kids under the care of that particular guy since he was the older one of the lot. Suddenly a girl named Hannah who was in 2nd standard was found missing. He searched everywhere for her and found her catching the bars of the gate and with eyes filled with tears. It was the festival time for people in Kolkata and there was a procession of statues of Kali and people were dancing in front of the statues. The particular guy thought she was missing her parents and crying. So he consoled her saying that her parents will come soon and she had no need to worry. But she didn’t stop crying. He asked the reason for her crying. She pointed her little hand towards the people who are walking in the procession and said “Anna, who will go and tell about Jesus to them”.
My dear young people, do you have the burden for the lost souls? If not you, then who will go and share the Gospel of Christ among the idol worshipers? Be filled with the burden of God and proclaim the Gospel of Christ to the people whom you meet in your life.