A wise man listens to advice

"When the turn came for Esther the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai, who had taken her as his own daughter, to go in to the king, she asked for nothing except what Hegai the king's eunuch, who had charge of the women, advised. Now Esther was winning favor in the eyes of all who saw her."

Esther 2:15

Sometimes its so easy to get carried away with an attitude of , "I know what's right". And it can even be in an area that you are so accustomed to or so familiar with that you easily dismiss the wisdom of others.

Just the other day when I was talking to my mom regarding an online banking transaction I was super quick to dismiss what she was saying. And guess what , I didn't do it just once.. but I made the same mistake twice in two consecutive days !! :) And yes Mom was right and I was way wrong .  Praise the Lord for parents with great patience and for God who loves us so much that He corrects us and grows us as our Father.

Now we see something beautiful about Esther.. While she was beautiful in form she was also beautiful in nature. We see it consistent across the book of how she listened to those whom God had placed around her in positions of wisdom.. and we know for sure that her trust and her hope rested in God above all.  Now its not like she did not have a mind of her own. We see that so well in how she called for a fast and trusted in God and how she approached the King.  But we also see her listening to Mordecai and in the initial chapters in verse 15 which is quoted above, we see that she took the advise of Hegai. She knew Hegai had a great deal of experience and that his advise would be wise.

Its easy to get lofty about things very easily that we shun what people have to say very easily. We look to taking advise as a sign of weakness when it is actually that of wisdom. 

"The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice." Proverbs 12:15

God Bless You

Stuff may cling, but lay aside EVERY weight and RUN

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God."

Hebrews 12:1-2

I remember when I was probably five or six years old there was a running race in school where we had to run to a table, eat this yummy sweet treat completely and then head on running towards the finish line. History has it that when I reached the table with the sweet treat I decided to keep it safe in my pocket for a later point in time to eat . Well obviously I did not win because my goal shifted from running the race to planning regarding my new found sweet treat ! 

"and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith"... sometimes we forget why we are running , our sights shift from Christ to other things ... May our eyes be lifted to Him always... 

This is such a beautiful passage flowing from chapter 11. However, for today lets look at this line , "let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely,"  

Lay aside every weight and sin which clings so closely. We are relatively quick to identify obvious sin but sometimes slow to lay aside weights that we have involuntary picked up getting confused between the rat race of the world and the race we are called to run in Christ. Sometimes we pack our days with so many things (which may not be necessary) and let God take a back seat in our lives. We pack our kids schedules with so many things but when it comes to church related stuff we let it take a back seat. Maybe its time to get our priorities right in our lives and even in our children's lives.

Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God

God Bless 

To Love as You Love

"And He said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”"

Matthew 22:37-40

Ok lets take a little walk down to the book of Jonah. So God told Jonah to go to Nineveh because the city had fallen into evil ways. Now Jonah did not listen and tried running away. But we all know there is no escaping God  :) So, when Jonah did go to Nineveh he spoke as God said, but guess what happened ... We read in Jonah 3 : 4-5 , " Jonah began to go into the city, going a day's journey. And he called out, “Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!” And the people of Nineveh believed God. They called for a fast and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them to the least of them. "

And it didn't stop there. But the king also joined them in fasting and repenting and gave a decree to everybody.  Now we read in verse 10 , "When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil way, God relented of the disaster that he had said he would do to them, and he did not do it."

Now what was Jonah's reaction to all of this ? He was mad. He was mad at God for relenting from disaster. Chapter 4 is a beautiful chapter where God explains to Jonah His heart. Encourage you to read it.

Now here is the thing , sometimes we can be Jonahs. We forget God's heart in doing things. We go to school. college, work , take care of the home like a mundane thing.. And we forget God's heart in it all...  When we wake up every morning , does our heart abound in love for Him who set us free ? As we walk into where God has placed us by His grace and for His glory, do we God's heart in it all ? Do we see His purposes and plans for where we are ? Do we understand His heart ? Or are we so consumed with ourselves or in the technicality of "doing things" that we miss the point of it all ?

And this is my prayer , Lord teach us to love You with all our heart, soul and mind. Lord teach us to love our neighbour as ourselves.

For those interested in reading chapter Jonah Chapter 4 , here it is : 

"But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was angry. And he prayed to the LORD and said, “O LORD, is not this what I said when I was yet in my country? That is why I made haste to flee to Tarshish; for I knew that you are a gracious God and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and relenting from disaster. Therefore now, O LORD, please take my life from me, for it is better for me to die than to live.” And the LORD said, “Do you do well to be angry?”

Jonah went out of the city and sat to the east of the city and made a booth for himself there. He sat under it in the shade, till he should see what would become of the city. Now the LORD God appointed a plant and made it come up over Jonah, that it might be a shade over his head, to save him from his discomfort. So Jonah was exceedingly glad because of the plant. But when dawn came up the next day, God appointed a worm that attacked the plant, so that it withered. When the sun rose, God appointed a scorching east wind, and the sun beat down on the head of Jonah so that he was faint. And he asked that he might die and said, “It is better for me to die than to live.” But God said to Jonah, “Do you do well to be angry for the plant?” And he said, “Yes, I do well to be angry, angry enough to die.” And the LORD said, “You pity the plant, for which you did not labor, nor did you make it grow, which came into being in a night and perished in a night. And should not I pity Nineveh, that great city, in which there are more than 120,000 persons who do not know their right hand from their left, and also much cattle?” "

God Bless You

There is Freedom !

"Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom."

2 Corinthians 3:17

This is the word of God. And we know that the word of God is truth , it is living , it is powerful ! And this is what the word of God says, "Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom."

Going back a book to 1 Corinthians 3:16 , " Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you?"

Do you not know this ? You are His temple and His Spirit dwells within you and hey , where the Spirit of the Lord is there is freedom ! 

It doesn't matter what lies the devil has whispered or convinced you to believe till this day..Stomp it all out. Declare and live this out loud, where the Spirit of the Lord is , there is freedom! And Jesus Christ is Lord of our lives !

We walk and live and breathe in freedom ! We are free ! In freedom there is no bondage.. there is no bondage to addictions, there is no bondage to pornography , there is no bondage to sin in any form ...

Whatever be your struggle know this , there is freedom in Him ! Walk in freedom today.. Its ours... Purity , Holiness by His grace and for His glory

Rejoice ! We walk in freedom !! FREEDOM ! Jesus reigns.

God Bless

The lost

"“Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and seek diligently until she finds it? And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.’ Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”"

Luke 15:8-10

In the parable prior to the this and one after this , we see the heart of God for the lost. The joy in heaven when the lost is found !  We read in Luke 19: 10 , "For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”"  

Now we read that a woman had ten silver coins, so the coin lost was hers,  in the parable of the lost sheep just before this in Chapter 15 we read that a man having a hundred sheep... so the one that was lost was his. Can you understand the longing of the heart of his own or her own being lost ?

We are all His children. He paid the price for us ALL ! Can you get a glimpse now into the joy when your son, your daughter chooses eternal life ?

As we go through the day and come across so many people , do we see them as our brothers and sisters for whom the price has already been paid ? Does our heart long with the compassion that Christ desires of us that they may come to know Him ?

God has blessed us with a whole new day to live by His grace and for His glory. Lets live out loud ! 

God Bless

I love You, I love You, I love You my Jesus

" I love you, O LORD, my strength"

Psalm 18: 1

He is our strength , He is our Lord ! Sometimes we think our conversations with God require some profound words ...Isnt this just a beautiful song of worship ? I LOVE YOU O LORD MY STRENGTH !

You are my strength Lord !

You are my God

I love you

I love you , O Lord, my strength

May we place our trust, our hope , our very lives completely in Him ! 

Rejoice ! Let us worship our God ! Let songs of praise and adoration to our Lord arise.

Love You Jesus 

God Bless

Being renewed in knowledge after the image of our Creator

"For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God."

Colossians 3:3

I remember playing hide and seek with my brother and cousins during the summer holidays as kids. Being the youngest among them I was not very good at it .. I would be behind the door with my foot visible or somehow would have crammed myself under the bed but some portion of my hand , my head would be showing... So easy find.. 

The point of being hidden is so that nothing of self is seen anymore. The word of God says, "For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God." Which basically means every bit of self has been put to death. And our lives are hidden with Christ in God. 

So if our life is hidden in Christ, when people see us what do they see ? Do they see our selfish ambitions, our pride, our ego , our self desires and then just say , "I see you" and walk away ? Or do they see Christ ?  

As we read through the entire chapter we read that we are to put to death what is earthly in us.. It can be sexual immorality, or covetousness ,  even anger , slander, obscene talk , even saying a lie to one another... We read in verses 9-10  "Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator."

Verses 12-17 , " Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."

As we continue to grow in Him may we continue to seek the things that are above , may our minds be set on things above and not on earthly things.. may our lives be hidden in Him.

God Bless You

A moment to listen

"For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”"

Matthew 12:50

From my house I have hardly a minute walk to the bus stop where I catch a bus to head off to office in the morning. So one morning as I stepped out I saw the bus was heading and I knew I had a 45 second run if I did not want to miss it , so I started running. And I heard the bus horn blaring which was unusual, anyway i kept running on the sidewalk and reached the stop in time by the time the bus reached (honestly it must have looked like something from a comic book... Jacket, back pack and runnnn... )

Anyway, this was the funny part. The moment I got into the bus the driver said , "why were you running... I was hitting the horn to make you understand that I could have picked you up from where you were and you did not have to run till the stop"...  And apparently he said the more he hit the horn, the more i ran faster !! Yes definitely comic book material

But think about this ... How often are we so fixated with something and are so busy running towards something and God is trying to get our attention ? But we are just so caught up that we aren't willing to stop and listen ?

We read in Matthew 12: 50 , "For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”"  And this is our desire... To do the will of God.. To live a life that is pleasing in His sight.. To be doers of the word and not just hearers... Yes, this is our desire. So hear is a question.. How often do we just stop and take a moment to listen to Him ?

We read in Luke 5: 16 ,"But He would withdraw to desolate places and pray."  If Jesus Himself would often spend time in prayer why do we think we are an exception to it ? Or we don't think we are an exception to it but are so caught up in doing things that we don't  spend time in His presence. 

Prayer is an important factor in doing the Father's will.  

May we not get so caught up with our own agendas that we lose sight of His

God Bless You

If you are happy and you know it...

"Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth! Serve the LORD with gladness! Come into his presence with singing!"

Psalm 100:1-2

Remember this song "If you are happy and you know it clap your hands... If you are happy and you know it then your face will surely show it" ?

We have the joy of the Lord ! So how are we showing it ? 

Does it reflect on our faces ? Does it reflect in the way we do things ? When people look at us are they able to see and say , "I want what they have.. I want that joy.. I want that peace" ..  

Yes the joy that comes from Him, His peace... Knowing that our lives our in His hands.. What an awesome assurance that we have ! Ransomed by His blood, saved by His grace, showered in His love and mercy , have His living word , .. called to make disciples... Isn't that just so awesome ?

He is our strength , He is our joy ! He is our everything ! 

So come... Lets make a joyful noise .. Lets rejoice.. Let the praises arise

Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth!

Serve the LORD with gladness!

Come into his presence with singing!

Know that the LORD, he is God!

It is he who made us, and we are his;

we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving,

and his courts with praise!

Give thanks to him; bless his name!

For the LORD is good;

his steadfast love endures forever,

and his faithfulness to all generations.

(Psalm 100 : 1- 5)

Have a wonderful beautiful day and weekend rejoicing and praising God 

God Bless

Living by the principles of the Word !

"For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.."

James 3:16-19

I remember a couple of years ago when I got promoted I was super happy. I was thanking and praising God. I was the youngest in my team to have that designation by God's grace.  And then I found out someone who had done half the work that I had over the year had got promoted too to the same designation . And honestly this was my first reaction in my head , "What ? him ? how come ?" 

Sometimes the philosophy of the world creeps into us ! The world says "Be selfish.. Its all about you...Don't be happy when good things happen to others"...

Praise the Lord for His grace. I remember God correcting me and I was like , "Lord I am so sorry for even entertaining such a thought... " 

Here is the thing.. Our God is a good God ! And He blesses us beyond what we deserve. But the philosophy of the world is one of selfishness... Its about self ambition and self desires and there are loads of opportunities to be bitter and harbour jealousy. And this can be in school, college, work or even within the church.  In the parable of the labourers in the vineyard we see that the labourers were so self interested and just lacked compassion for their fellow workers

So in my situation God had blessed me o so much. And here was the flesh saying , "Oh forget about that...look at others... see they don't deserve it...".. Put to death the ways of the flesh ! 

Our God desires that we be those who value others above ourselves... That we walk in love as He does... 

If we walk with our eyes focussed on Him , our hearts lifted to Him , our life surrendered before Him  then the way we live life will be different. 

And this is my prayer , that we may see as He sees , that we may live as He desires. May our hearts be moved with compassion and not with selfish ambition

God Bless

Amazed by His Love !

"How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them!"

Psalm 139:17

When is the last time you remember praying "Lord may I be able to move all my fingers today.." , "Lord may I be able to breathe in and breathe out.." ... "Lord when I wake up may I be able to hear the birds chirps..",... "Lord may I be able to feel the sun's heat on my skin..."... "Lord may I be healthy enough to sweat"... :D

When you woke up in the morning and picked up your brush to brush your teeth, did you pray for coordinated motor skills, for proper brain function, for teeth to remain intact,..... ?

Its amazing how much God loves us.. How much He blesses us and protects us and looks over us in love ! He is our Father ! And His thoughts regarding us are way more than our thoughts regarding ourselves.

He blesses us far beyond what we could ever imagine... He blesses us and loves us and takes care of all that we need even if we haven't prayed it ! I mean take a moment to think of all the blessings that God has showered over us and our families all through our life vs the number of prayers we have lifted up.

Our God is o so good ! He is the great I AM ! He is our Shepherd ! He is our Lord and Saviour !

The enemy doesn't like us rejoicing . So as usual when he comes to whisper a lie and say , "ohhh what about that one prayer...You have been praying...It doesn't seem to be getting answered...You are not loved of God...God doesn't care...".... Be quick to trample over the lies of the enemy ! 

"Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His steadfast love endures forever !"

We rest not on our wisdom but His ! 

God Bless

Peace !

"He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters."

Psalm 23:2

The Lord is our shepherd , we shall not want . He takes care of our every need. Isn't it beautiful that it is HE who makes us lie down in green pastures. If you have had an exhausting week and are stressed out, be encouraged. Know that our God is in charge and He is leading us. Be at rest !

Our heavenly Father knows best ! He makes us lie down in green pastures. And it is HE who leads us beside still waters. What joy to know that we are constantly taken care of by His grace ! He gives us rest, He feeds us... All we need to do is follow as He leads !

Surrendering everything to Him ! He knows our every thought.  

Yesterday a tiny round chocolate rolled off my table and fell to the ground.. for a moment I got a fright because I thought "BUG !!" ... Phew was I relieved ! And I was just thinking , "Wow Lord , you know me o so well. If I were in the midst of a group of people then I would have put on a brave front. But you know know know me :) You know every thought ! "

We read in Psalm 139 : 1- 6 , "O LORD, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O LORD, you know it altogether . You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it."

How beautiful is our God ! Can you just begin to imagine how loved we are ? He loves us more than we can ever comprehend. Have a wonderful beautiful day and weekend filled with His peace and joy by His grace and for His glory ! 

God Bless

What are you walking with ?

"The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you."

Romans 16:20

We serve such an awesome God. Who crushes Satan ? God . Where does He crush him ? Under our feet !! Isn't that just o so cool !!

The way I picture this is our Father holding us and as we walk He says , "Keep going baby.. We are doing this together.. I'll crush Satan , but we will use your feet" !! 

Here is a verse most of us are familiar with , Psalm 91 : 13 ,"You will tread on the lion and the adder; the young lion and the serpent you will trample underfoot." I remember feeling like a giant when I first learnt this verse as a kid... I would walk around stomping every time I recited this 

So God is with us and what is on our feet ? Lets turn to Ephesians 6 :15 , " and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace."

Readiness given by the gospel of peace ! The God of peace crushes satan under our feet while our feet have the shoes which is basically the readiness given by the gospel of peace.

Keep sharing the gospel, Keep walking and sharing His love and living out loud the word of God ! Keep walking moving forward doing the Father's will and guess what ? The God of peace will crush Satan under your feet !

So what's on your feet today ? What's your reason for walking ?

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you 

God Bless

Living out Loud : He rules my heart !

"And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful."

Colossians 3:15

Ever woken up a morning and been cranky ?  Ever had a morning where everything seemed to be going a little not to your liking ? Almost spilt the coffee on yourself on the way to work/college ? Reach office/college/school and then there is just tons of stuff to day and then someone says something or does something that makes you want to lose your cool?

I read this quote , "When God raises you up not even the devil can bring you down". And that is true.  We read in Colossians 3:1 , "If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God."  We have been raised with Christ ... Picture this with me ... Raised up ! No longer where we used to be. We are on higher ground now ! Such joy in the Lord !

I encourage you to read through the entire chapter 3.

Focussing on the first portion of verse 15 , it says "let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts ..." What does "rule in your hearts" mean ? It means nothing else reigns supreme... Through all those thoughts and emotions running in our hearts, it shall all be subject to the peace of Christ ! He takes precedence in our hearts.

Its so funny how we sometimes forget to surrender the small things to Him... Its like when you feel like something has made you cranky or flustered or even angry, choose to surrender it to Him. Lay it down to Him and even as you are walking through the corridor or sitting at you desk , pray this , "Lord I surrender all to you. I pray Your peace will rule in my heart" and you will be astonished. Sometimes we just forget to ask God ! :D 

"Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you." Philippians 4:4-9

God Bless