The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’ ~ Matthew 25:40

Aunt Stella is a happy old lady who is about 72 years old. She has 8 children, 16 grandchildren and some great grandchildren too. It is quite a large family. She really loves and cares for her family. But Aunt Stella also has a heart for the poor. She would collect all the coins into a special pouch and keep it aside. While traveling in the auto rickshaw through the busy streets of Hyderabad city she would look out for any poor person she could see. At the pedestrian crossing, at road intersections, at signals, at the sidewalk, on the footpath, her eyes would search all over the place. And when she came across a poor person, a leper, a handicapped, the lame, the blind, or some poor hungry beggar, she would signal the rickshaw driver to stop, pull out the pouch and generously give some coins away. This was real happiness to her.

When she shared about this I thought it is such an exemplary and wonderful thing to do.  Now, every time I take out some coins from my purse, I am reminded of Aunt Stella and her acts of kindness. She was just an ordinary housewife – but she is making a difference in her own way.

The Bible encourages us to remember the poor. How can we do this? We can also keep aside a special pouch and collect all the coins to give to the poor and needy. We can include a certain amount for the poor in the monthly budget. We could visit an old age home and donate some food, cloths etc. Or we could just give away food packets to the hungry by the roadside. There are so many ways we can remember the poor. Galatians 6:9 says, ‘Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up’. Luke 6:38 says, ‘Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.’

Prayer

‘Heavenly Father, I thank you for all the blessings You have given me. Help me to share them with those in need, even unto the least. In Jesus Name, Amen’.

He who is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward him for what he has done ~ Proverbs 19:17

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What’s your definition of love? And where do you look for it?

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Jesus walked on water. When we read that Jesus walked on water, we are able to accept it easily since we know that Jesus is God and being God, He can do anything in any way He wants. Nothing is impossible to Him. But here we see that Peter walked on water. Peter is just a mere mortal just like us… and he walked… yes, he walked on water.

We know that the universe is governed by laws that ensure that everything happens according to time and tide. God planned this wonderful mechanism that ensures that the sun shines, the seasons come and go and that day and night follow their pattern without alteration. All animals, birds and organisms live, multiply and die according to His plan.

When Jesus said to Peter, ‘Come’, He was calling him to do something that would go against the very law which keeps the universe going. According to those laws Peter should have sunk and drowned in the stormy sea. Jesus was in command, when He called out to Peter the seas didn’t drown him. Peter responded to His call and walked. He really walked on water. He did so as long as he didn’t doubt or take his eyes off Jesus.

If you think that the Christian walk with God would be routine and mundane, think again. If Jesus asked Peter to do something that defied the universal laws, He can ask you too. Is there a situation that is utterly impossible and yet God wants you to do it? Perhaps He is testing your faith. If you are willing to keep your eyes on Jesus and walk on a road that does not exist… He will do His part and hold your feet so you don’t fall. He is the ‘All-things-are-possible-God’!

Prayer:

“Dear Jesus, I’m sorry for the times I doubted You. Help me to keep my eyes on You and follow You no matter what happens around me. Amen.”

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Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD ~ Psalm 27:14

It wasn’t easy for Hannah to keep waiting and hoping. Elkanah and Hannah had been married a few years now, but had no children. She spent many nights and days weeping over this. It was as though this chapter of her life was closed. Her heart was grieved. Year after year she would say the same prayer. This time, with bitterness of soul she prayed to God and wept sore. And God heard her cry. He answered her prayer. She gave birth to a son.

Like Hannah, we have many dreams, many wishes and longings that we want to see fulfilled. Waiting for a promise to be fulfilled isn’t easy. At times we seem to be breaking under the pressure of holding on for a long time. We tend to take matters in our hands and do it our way instead of letting God do it His way. Trusting God when all things are going well is easy. But trusting God when things are difficult, when the journey gets tough, when there seems to be no hope on the horizon calls for real faith in God.

The Bible encourages us trust God through times of waiting. 2 Peter 3:9 says, ‘The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise…’God will bring His promises to pass at the time best in His mind. There is a song that goes like this – ‘In His time, in His time; he makes all things beautiful in His time. Lord, please show me everyday, as you’re teaching me Your way, that You do just what You say, in Your time.’ Isaiah 40:31 says, ‘but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.’

Prayer

“Lord, there are times, there are days, years and months I cannot understand Your ways. But I look to You, I trust in You. I believe that You make all things beautiful in Your time.”

He makes all things beautiful in His time

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Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water”; so they filled them to the brim. ~ John 2:7

The place was full of people. Everybody looked happy as the wedding celebrations went on. The guests knew nothing of what was happening behind the scene. The wine was over. There was no wine to serve the guests. Something had to be done! Amazingly Jesus who was invited for the wedding took control over the situation. Nearby stood six stone water jars, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons. Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water”; so they filled them to the brim. Then he told them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.” They did so, and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine.

I’m intrigued by the action of the servants. They filled all the six water jars with water right up to the brim. Can you imagine how it must have been to fill six water jars, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons….! It must be time consuming and a trying job. Nevertheless, the servants had complete faith in what God could do over the situation, so they filled the water pots up to the brim. They did not look at the circumstance and limit what God could do. They exercised implicit faith.

Ever wondered what if they had stopped half way, thinking, ‘it’s no good, how can filling up the jars with water help in anyway? What can God do about this?’ What if they decided, ‘Let’s just give up and stop behaving as fools,’ would the water have changed to wine even if the jars were half full?

When sudden unexpected things happen in our lives over which we have no control, how do we react? Are we doubting God’s faithfulness and sovereignty? Do we feel doubtful if things are really going to work, giving up half way? At such times, God expects us to have complete faith in Him. Instead of looking at the circumstances, let’s look to God from whom comes our help. Let’s remember, no situation can limit or hinder God from working, if only we have complete faith.

Prayer

“Dear Jesus, I come to You. I believe You alone are the one who brings change and transformation. I give my whole life to You. Help me trust You completely. Amen.”

Faith is complete trust with no iota of doubt

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“…your faithfulness reaches to the clouds” ~ Psalm 36:5

It is a new moment in history. 2007 has rolled by and a New Year has begun. Does that excite you or does it send a chill down your spine? You gulp, you swallow and muse, ‘I wonder how this year’s going to be…’ Sitting back and reminiscing about the year that passed by, as the events of last year cascade before your minds eye, your heart is already dreaming and wishing how the New Year 2008 should be.

Dear friend, you are not alone in facing this turn in the page of history. All of us have to go through it whether we like it or not. And we each will turn to that ‘something’ to get the strength to face the coming year- the horoscope, the amulet, the lucky charm… But what is that one source that we can rely on that has proved to be dependable not just for months and years but decades and centuries?

The Bible speaks of God’s faithfulness. God remains faithful, even if we are unfaithful. Now how can we be sure of that? I am reminded of the itinerant apologist, Ravi Zacharias who speaks of God telling the sun everyday, ‘Do it again’…..’Do it again’….’Do it again’. Each day, God tells the sun to shine; an evidence of His faithfulness. God did that for three hundred and sixty five days each year. And He’ll do it again. The sun shining its light is just a miniscule evidence of God’s faithfulness. To know the magnanimity of it, we must journey through the New Year alongside Him, depending on Him. Then having walked with God, treading the steps of faith, we become certain that ‘there’s no one like God’.

Prayer

“Dear Jesus, I thank you for your faithfulness. I commit this New Year to you. Help me walk with you and trust you. Amen.”

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“The Lord is good unto them that wait for him” ~ Lamentations 3:25

Instant coffee! Instant noodles! Just 2 minutes….and it’s ready at the press of a button. Today’s world is all about the instant things that seem to make life so convenient. Somehow we have come to develop an ‘instant’ outlook to life itself. It’s so hard for us to wait, to tarry. If things get a bit delayed we get so jittery and irritated….we just can’t wait.

We think the same way about some issues of life. We want it all done and finished. We want to get on with the plans we have made for our lives. And when things don’t happen the way we’ve planned, when delays, interruptions and setbacks intercept ….we just can’t take it. We take matters in our hands. Instead of asking for God’s advice and giving room for God to work things out, we think we know better and so handle things our way. And doing so can land us into trouble or we can suffer a heavy loss either of material resources, a break in relationships or loss of certain blessings.

Just as there are times to act there are also times for us to refrain from acting upon situations and things in our lives. We must understand that we come to certain points in life where we on our own cannot work things out; we come to end of our hoarded resources and that’s when we have to give room and time for God to make His move; to give us that breakthrough, the fulfillment of a dream, the gratification of a wish.

At times we are called to be the onlooker while God orchestrates the events and course of our life. The Bible teaches us to hope and quietly wait for God to do things. So let’s allow God to take charge. He knows what’s best for us.

Prayer

“Dear Jesus, I believe You always do good to those who trust You. Forgive me for taking matters into my own hands. I surrender them all to You. Do as You please. Amen.”

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“Moses answered them, “Wait until I find out what the Lord commands concerning you.” Numbers 9:8

When a situation arises, a problem is encountered or there a new happening it causes us to wonder what we should do. Most people would scan their minds to think about what would look alright, be suitable for their current needs or be approvable by certain set standards. Some don’t even wait to think about the options they just rush into the first idea that prop up in their minds.

Moses didn’t do that. When he was consulted about a matter he told the people to wait until he had heard from the Lord about what was to be done. He sought the best resource in the whole world and he was right in every way. He knew that God is omnipresent and omnipotent, He knows the past, present and future, whatever God says would be the best for any situation. 

What do you do when you are facing a difficult or new situation, a decision to be made? Do you use logic, analyze the pros and cons or just follow someone else’s advice blindly? Perhaps you should consider enlisting the help, support and advice of the great ‘I AM’ who can never go wrong!

Prayer:

“Dear Jesus, I’m sorry I jump into conclusions and often make the wrong decisions. May I seek You for all matters in my life and follow Your leading always, Amen.”

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‘As the eyes of slaves look to the hand of their master, as the eyes of a maid look to the hand of her mistress, so our eyes look to the LORD our God.’ Psalms 123:2

If you have watched a master and his servant, you will observe how the alert slave waits on his master full of admiration and devotion or a maid who looks at the hands of her mistress who may have any order or favor for her. David compares himself to be like a slave or a maid who intently waits on God and looks at His hand.

What are our eyes set on? Are we looking at God or at tsomething else? Let’s not forget that God is the source of every blessing and He is the ultimate resource for us. God deserves our admiration, trust and devotion. Let us renew our commitment to Tod and wait on Him for favor, grace and love.

If an earthly master can extend grace and favor, how much more can our Heavenly Master bestow on us for He loves us like a father, friend and a mother.

Prayer:

Dear Lord, I lift my eyes up to you. Help me fix my eyes to your hands with utmost sincerity, trust and devotion. In Jesus’ name, I ask: Amen.

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