RELATION & RELATIONSHIPS - 10 (CONVEY YOUR THANKS TO YOUR LOVED ONES FOR THEIR ROLE IN YOUR LIFE)

“But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints;neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks." - Ephesians 5:3,4

Years ago I joined an engineering university to do Post Graduate degree in engineering. In my class there were 19 students out of which only 7 were boys. Most of the students of my class were from other state and only few knew English. There was a particular girl in my class who was so calm and never mingle with anyone. 

At one particular semester we had a lab which was little bit tough because of the programming language. Everyone feared about the lab. Finally the exam day came and I got the output little bit earlier than the scheduled end. As I was about to come out, I saw that girl struggling to get the output. Her face was so sad and I could see fear in her face. She asked me to help her if I can. 

I went near to her and helped her to get the output. She was so happy and said thanks again and again. I came out the lab and soon I forgot that incident. Within few days after that incident, I met her in our college library. She came running to me and gave me a big chocolate which was so costly. I didn’t expect that at all but she told me that she bought it for me just to say thanks for the help I did in the exam. 

Our friendship began on that day because of her good character. She remembered to thank me for the small help that I did. That made a great change in our relationship. Though I lost her contact after my studies, I still remember the way she thanked me. 

Thanksgiving is an important character a saint should have. We should thank God for what He has done in our life. We should thank God for everything. At the same time we should thank our loved ones for the way they help us in everything. Someone might do a simple help to you. But remember to thank them so that they will feel special.

An American preacher once said, “Pride slays thanksgiving, but a humble mind is the soil out of which thanks naturally grow.”

You should be humble enough to thank other for the contribution that they make in your life. When you say thanks, your loved ones will feel good and your relationship will be filled with great joy. Be grateful to God for what your loved ones do in your life and also convey your thanks to them in a special way. God’s peace will be showered in your relationship.

JOY FILLED PARENTING - 0 (CHILDREN ARE GIVEN BY GOD TO US)

“Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord...” – Psalms 127:3

When I was so young, I used to hear many people telling that the marriage life is a burden. Those who got married are those who told like that. Few even gave advice to enjoy till 30 years of age and then to get married for they believed one cannot enjoy life after marriage. 

And few others are different. They never spoke about the marriage life but they felt that having a child immediately after marriage will destroy their joy. When I heard about these people words, I was confused. 

Later in my life, God taught me that marriage life is a wonderful responsibility that God gives in your hand trusting you. Holy Spirit told me that I have to take care of it like I take care of God’s ministry. And then He told that Children are joyous gift, God grants to us. 

Recently I saw a bio-data of a girl who seeks a guy for marriage. Her important preference was that the guy should hate children. I was shocked to read that. That girl was from a traditional background with good education and she is working in a MNC firm. Actually she loves to travel to different places so she feels that having a child will be a burden and it will destroy her dream. 

Nowadays many people around us hates children because of their job requirements and own desires. Though having a child after marriage is one’s personal choice, the fundamental truth to be understood is that the children are the heritage God gives to us.

You might have your own desires and dream but the desire to have a child is the greatest of all. God gives you a child trusting you that you will raise a Godly generation. Children are the blessed gift given by God to you. 

So in these section ‘Joy Filled Parenting’ I just want to share what God taught me personally about having a child and the ways He is leading me to raise the daughter He gave me recently. Continue to read and may God bless you richly.

DO NOT BE DISMAYED, THE LORD WILL GO BEFORE YOU - MONTHLY BLESSING MSG BY BRO. MOHAN C LAZARUS (TAKEN FROM A SPIRITUAL MAGAZINE)

YOU WILL LIVE AND GAIN HONOUR - WOMEN'S DAY SPECIAL

“A kindhearted woman gains honor...” -Proverbs 11:16

In Acts 9:36-42, we read about a woman named Tabitha (Dorcas). Bible says that she always does good and charitable deeds to those who are in need. She got sick and she died. The disciples who were with Tabitha asked Peter to come and pray for her. As Peter came all the widows stood around him and cried for Tabitha showing robes and the clothing she made for them when she was alive. 

Bible doesn’t say that few widows cried for Tabitha but Bible says that ‘All the widows’ came and cried. What made all the widows to come and cry for Tabitha? Tabitha was a kind hearted woman. She was gracious and she was always doing good things to others. 

Not for few moments and few days she did good. Bible clearly says that she was ‘always’ doing good. Since she helped all those who were in need she gained honour and everyone wanted her to come back alive. So they called Peter to pray for her. Peter came and prayed. Tabitha opened her eyes. Peter presented her alive to all the widows who had gathered there. Their heart would have filled with extreme joy.  

My dear young women, who needs you today? If you were needed by the poor people who live around you, you can boldly say that you have lived a life that pleases God. Your rich friends might need you by their side for entertainment. Some other people might need you for the way you make them feel good. When Tabitha died, all the widows and poor people wanted her to come back alive because Tabitha’s life was a blessing to those who were oppressed. 

Are you a kind hearted woman? Are you willing to extend helping hands to those who are in need around you? God wants you to be gracious. 

I knew a family who attended the church in which our family was a member. They were from another state and got transferred to that particular city we were living at that time. The couple had two sons. They were so rich. During those years we got into relationship with them and they came to know about our family situation. We were not so rich and we were struggling a lot at that time. 

I can say so many things about that aunty. Whenever we go to her home she would welcome us with a beautiful smile and she never allowed us to go out from her house without having food. Also whenever we need some financial support she helped us by giving lot of money. Most importantly she always treated us with respect and dignity. She knew that we could not do anything to her as we are far more less than her in social status but yet she always helped us in so many ways. God brought her into our life and she was a great blessing. 

Apart from helping us, she did so many things to all the widows in our church.  Because of all that she did, she gained honor. God blessed her sons richly and they were settled well today. 

My dear young women, be kind hearted. Help those around you. Do not be selfish. Do your best to those who are in need. You are called by God to do good things. You will live and you will gain honor. May God bless you richly. 

No doubt [women of faith in the past] were reproached for His name’s sake, and accounted mad women; but they had a faith which enabled them at that time to overcome the world, and by which they climbed up to heaven.  ~ George Whitefield

JESUS CHRIST WILL DELIVER YOU FROM ALL EVIL

“...For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever.” – Exodus 14:13

If we read from the beginning of Exodus, we could understand that the Egyptians oppressed Israelites. Israelites lived a life of slavery. The Egyptians made the Israelites lives bitter. When God rescued Israelites from the hands of Egyptians, He promised them through Moses that they will never see the Egyptians again.

Even today you might be oppressed by someone around you. You might be living as a slave to sinful habits. Because of your life situations, you might feel so bitter about your life. Do not get discouraged. Rejoice for the Lord has seen your misery.

In Exodus 3:7, The Lord said, “I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering.”

God has seen your misery. He has heard your cries and He is so concerned about your suffering. Today God is going to reveal Himself as a Deliverer in your life. He will deliver you from all the oppression, slavery and bitter situations. You will be multiplied and your blessings will increase. 

For the Egyptians whom you are see today, you will never see them again. You will be set free. Those who oppress you will be destroyed and you will live for God’s glory. 

You might be suffering because of a terrible disease. You might be facing any kind of problem in your personal life, Spiritual life and worldly life. Do not worry about anything. God will deliver you from all your problems. 

You will no more feel bitter about your life. Your heart will be filled with God’s peace. 

Years before my dad faced a tough situation in the company he worked. The management came against him in a full force and he was all alone facing the false charges which were thrown at him by the company owners. At the same time he suffered with a terrible life threatening disease. He felt so bitter about his life. His future seems to be darkened. 

As a family we never ran to anyone for help. With all our fears, we ran into the presence of God in prayer. Jesus Christ heard our prayers and delivered us from all evil. Today that particular company was closed and that management people were struggling for their life but yet God made us to live. My father is working in another firm peacefully. 

Not only that, but also God delivered him from all the sickness. He has good health now. We thought our life will end miserably. But God heard our prayers and He had seen our tears. He delivered us. 

My dear young friends, Jesus Christ will deliver you from all sins, sickness and problems. You will have peace in your job, family life and everything that you do. You will live happily under the protection of God. God will be glorified through your life. You have a blessed future.

GOD'S PROMISE FOR THE MONTH OF MARCH'15