An Inheritance

“You will possess their land; I will give it to you as an inheritance, a land flowing with milk and honey. I am the Lord your God, who has set you apart from the nations.” Leviticus 20:24

A people troubled and vexed by various trials were given hope by the promise God gave them. He didn’t just paint a good picture, He gave them a sure word. His word was a beacon of light to the lost and wandering people of Israel. Though they had to trudge through wilderness, they finally did see the Promised Land that God had promised them.

When life is laden with sorrows and heartbreaks we have with us the Word of God, the promises and the hope that God alone can give us. We may have to trudge with pain some more than we would like to but God doesn’t let that pain overcome us. He knows just how much we can take. He knows how that suffering will strengthen us and cause us to become a blessing to others in need.

God’s blessing cannot be compared to anything in the world. It is one of a kind and separate and superior compared to everything the world can offer. The land He promised us is a place of joy and peace and happiness. In the shelter of God’s love is a life of abundance and goodness.

When we decide to stand up with and for God, we may have to pay a price. Whatever be the price it is nothing compared to the inheritance we have in God. The wealth of the world is nothing compared to the wealth of God’s riches in glory. What would you choose – an inheritance of property that will pass away or an inheritance that will last through eternity?

Prayer:

“Dear Jesus, I thank You for setting me apart from the world and giving me an inheritance that is forever, Amen.”

An Inheritance

“You will possess their land; I will give it to you as an inheritance, a land flowing with milk and honey. I am the Lord your God, who has set you apart from the nations.” Leviticus 20:24

A people troubled and vexed by various trials were given hope by the promise God gave them. He didn’t just paint a good picture, He gave them a sure word. His word was a beacon of light to the lost and wandering people of Israel. Though they had to trudge through wilderness, they finally did see the Promised Land that God had promised them.

When life is laden with sorrows and heartbreaks we have with us the Word of God, the promises and the hope that God alone can give us. We may have to trudge with pain some more than we would like to but God doesn’t let that pain overcome us. He knows just how much we can take. He knows how that suffering will strengthen us and cause us to become a blessing to others in need.

God’s blessing cannot be compared to anything in the world. It is one of a kind and separate and superior compared to everything the world can offer. The land He promised us is a place of joy and peace and happiness. In the shelter of God’s love is a life of abundance and goodness.

When we decide to stand up with and for God, we may have to pay a price. Whatever be the price it is nothing compared to the inheritance we have in God. The wealth of the world is nothing compared to the wealth of God’s riches in glory. What would you choose – an inheritance of property that will pass away or an inheritance that will last through eternity?

Prayer:

“Dear Jesus, I thank You for setting me apart from the world and giving me an inheritance that is forever, Amen.”

An Ever-Present Help

“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”  Psalm 46:1

When it rains, we open our umbrella or run for shelter. When there is a storm we prefer to get into a building and wait it out until the storm is over. We find refuge in the place that keeps us safe from the storm outside. Similarly when a stranger attacks us we run to our loved ones for help, comfort and understanding. They team up with us and fight back for our sake.

Children run to the parents when they are hurt or feel they are danger. They know that their parents will do something about the problem they face. However we face many situations in our lives when there is no one beside us. Just like when you are new to a hostel and everyone is a stranger to you.

David saw many situations when his life was in danger and he was pursued by enemies. Yet he assures himself as he sings, ‘God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble..’ David knew God had saved his life from the lion, the bear and Goliath. He loved God and was sure that God would keep him safe no matter what came up against him.

David calls God’s help ‘ever-present’. Our family and friends may not be with us always, but God is always present with us. God doesn’t watch over us like the local watchman… Psalm 121:4 says, ‘He who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.’ So great is the love of God for each of us that He doesn’t even close His eyes. Yes He watches over you, you can trust Him with everything, just anything and everything in your life.

Prayer:

“Dear Jesus, thank You for keeping me safe in every situation of my life. I am indebted to Your great love for me, help me to stay close to You always, Amen.”

An Appointed Time

“For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay.”~ Habakkuk 2:3

Time varies in its length and importance to us according to the circumstances or situation that we may be in. A person who is waiting for years for something precious to come by will count every second precious while another standing in line to buy a ticket is not that frantic knowing that as the line progresses he will get his ticket.

When we feel despair in any given situation we forget that God doesn’t operate according to the situation or signs that are visible to us. He has His own schedule that works according to His own principles and norms. We often push ourselves to the limit and cry when the fulfillment doesn’t happen at the time when we feel we need it most.

The appointed time is God’s time, not ours. The God who runs the universe and sees that the sun shines right on time, the earth rotates and revolves in perfect order knows best about the time for fulfillment of His word to you. God works out every detail before bringing it to fulfillment, He doesn’t do a haphazard job. He does everything and sees that it is ‘good’. When we see His handiwork we know that what He does is perfect and the ‘best’.

When we learn to trust God’s timing we too will learn that He does everything for our best. He makes all things beautiful in His time. Trust Him. His promises are sure. He will not delay.

Prayer:

“Dear Jesus, I’m sorry for doubting Your faithfulness and promises. Help me to hold on so I can see Your Word fulfilled in my life and give glory to Your name, Amen.”

Altogether for Good

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” ~ Romans 8:28

Things were not working out well for Joseph. It wasn’t easy going for him. The situation was getting from bad to worse. It all began when his brothers misunderstood him and sold him as a slave to the Ishmaelites. And then a string of bad incidences followed. He was falsely accused of misbehaving with Potiphar’s wife. This landed him in prison for no crime at all. Then he was forgotten to be mentioned to the Pharaoh by the baker and butler whom he had helped. So he lingered in prison for two full years. But at the end of two full years, the breakthrough finally came. He stood before Pharaoh and interpreted the dream. So he was promoted as governor over Egypt and put in charge of the new project. He had the responsibility of preserving water and food grain as a preparation against the soon approaching famine.

Now the tables had turned. Things were in favor of Joseph…but not so for his brothers. They were trying to make it through the famine. The search for food had brought them now to Egypt and there they stood right in the presence of Joseph. They were shocked to find out that the one who sat on a throne next to Pharaoh was none other than their own brother – Joseph. They were afraid that he would take revenge for all their wrongdoing. So they asked for forgiveness. And this is what Joseph replied, ‘You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.’

God had worked out all things for good. God can do this for you too.

Prayer

“Dear Jesus, I believe that You work out all things for good. I trust You to do so in my life too. Amen.”

Hold on and keep trusting.

All things are possible

“If You can?’ All things are possible to him who believes.” – Mark 9: 23

Have you encountered situations when problems arose and someone was quick to say… ‘Oh that! It’s impossible!’ At every juncture in life we hear this chorus ‘That can’t be done!’ ‘Don’t even try it’ ‘You must be crazy to think of it’ and a host of other enthusiasm deflators. If you listen to these voices chances are you will be feeling depressed and hopeless about yourself and your situation.

Jesus challenges you today to look at your situation with a fresh outlook. He says that ‘You can!’ and for this the only pre-requisite is ‘if you believe’. He says ‘all things are possible’, He didn’t say 10% of the things or 50% of things… No… He said, ‘ALL things’ that leaves no room for the ‘this can’t be done category’. So are you ready for the challenge? Can you dare to look at your situation and say, ‘I believe it is possible because Jesus said so!’ Now tackle the whole thing with faith and prayer. Jesus will lead you each step of the way. It may be unchartered and unknown territory that you are treading but nothing is unknown to the Lord. Trust Him and He will bring you through even better than you could imagine in your wildest dreams.

Prayer:

Dear Lord Jesus, you know everything about my situation. I commit myself and my entire situation into your precious hands. Lord you said, that’ all things are possible to him who believes.’ Today I am taking a step of faith and believing that with your help my entire problem will be solved and set right. I believe that even if it takes a miracle you will do it so that your name will be glorified. I thank you in advance for your assurance and your help. Amen

All for a name

“But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.” ~ Matthew 6:20

Deep within the human heart is the desire to make a name for oneself. Look at the number of attempts to make it to the Guinness Book of World Records. Record after record gets broken as newer ones get enlisted. Astounding! Recently I read in the newspaper of how the parents of a minor boy, who are doctors, actually allowed their son to perform a caesarean section operation…just to get his name into the Guinness Book of World Records as the youngest person to have done so…shocking as to what levels can people go just to make a name!

King David was an exception to this. It is said of him that having fulfilled the purposes of God, he passed away. He is known as ‘a man after God’s own heart’. David’s life goal was to fulfill God’s purpose. Though he was a good warrior and an efficient leader, he did not try on his own to make a name for himself. It was God who promised saying, “I will make your name great…”And this happened. Note that God took the initiative. God was incharge. He ordained this. And it was so.

How about us? Let’s look into our own lives…are we trying our own efforts to become famous…well known…recognized by all people? Are we running after these transient things without realizing that they don’t satisfy? Life is more than just making a name for ourselves. What’s important is to leave behind a legacy to follow, a good example to imitate, a lifestyle that inspires others to fulfill God’s purpose in their lives.

Prayer

“Dear Jesus, thankyou for teaching me that life is more than just making a name for myself. Forgive me for focusing so much on myself. Help me liveout Your purposes. Amen.”

What is the purpose of your life?

Afflicted but Silent

“He was oppressed and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth.” Isaiah 53:7

We keep hearing ‘Down with oppression!!!’ ‘Down with this’ and ‘Down with that’… This is the age and day of the ‘rights’ of people. If someone doesn’t know how to speak for themselves there are others who will fight and advocate for their rights and what they ‘should’ get as their due.

In contrast we see Jesus, the King of kings, the Son of God who did no wrong… standing before Pontius Pilate and all the Jews, condemned like a criminal but speaking not one word in His defense. He could have started with all the prophecies and brought out the truth, He could have caused a storm to come and disrupt the happenings … He didn’t use any of His powers to save Himself.

There are times when saying the truth will not save us. There are times when others have made up their mind about you and you cannot change it, though you know it is far from true. We are forced to live with two realities – one of what things appear like and the other the way things truly are. Jesus had to go through the same experience but He didn’t let it trouble Him because He knew everything that was happening was known to His Father and that it was according to His plan.

God knows the troubles we face, the aches and pains we have to live with. Know that nothing happens without His knowledge and permission. If He has willed for us to suffer, He alone is our refuge, comfort and He is the solution too.

Prayer:

“Dear Jesus, help me to look to You when I have to endure suffering. Thank You for being with me always, Amen.”

Accepting the Conviction

“…. today if you will hear his voice, harden not your hearts” ~ Hebrews 4:7

The story of Zacchaeus in Luke 19 is a beautiful record of true repentance. Zacchaeus did not argue, justify or reason with Jesus about what he was doing. He did not get into a lengthy discussion nor skirt the issue of repentance. He accepted the conviction of his sin and decided to change his character. He submitted his will to the will of God, which resulted in a change in his conduct – he promised to give away half of his possessions to the poor who could not give him anything in return. And he was willing to restore fourfold to those whom he had accused falsely. What a tremendous change! That is true repentance. A change… a transformation from deep within the heart and will.

When God convicts us of some sin, we must accept it. Certainly as the Bible says no discipline is enjoyable at that time, but later on it yields a harvest of righteousness for those trained by it. God does not control us like puppets. He has given us the gift of free will; so that we can choose what to do and not to do. In that sense we are the masters of our own will. It is entirely at our disposal. In repentance the first thing is to accept the conviction that God brings about within us concerning a sin or wrong doing. God in his love reaches out to help us take the right track. But we must obey Him and do what He says.

Friend, what is important is how our sin or wrong doing is seen by God’s eyes and not by man’s eyes or in the world’s eyes. Human nature and the world around us is constantly changing. Only God is constant. And so is His word too. What has been deemed by God to be sin is sin for always. There are no two sides to this. Let’s hearken when God speaks to us through that still small voice.

Prayer

“Dear Jesus, You are truly the Good Shepherd who leads me in paths of righteousness. Help me hearken and obey when you speak. May my heart be open to Your working always. Amen.”

A Way Out

“The Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations” ~ 2 Peter 2:9

One of the toughest battles we fight is overcoming temptations. We struggle with this issue day in and day out. Everyday our lives are open to temptations. Some take us by surprise. Some others creep up slowly. Whichever way, we find them hard to handle.

The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 10:13, ‘No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.’ That’s true. God knows how much each one of us can handle, so He doesn’t allow us to be tempted beyond our strength. Infact God readily gives us strength to face the temptation when we look up to Him. In Isaiah 41:10 God says, ‘Do not fear for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.’ Not only that, but God also provides a way out so that we can stand up under it. There will always be a way out if only we look for it. We cannot play the blame game and point to situations or people saying that they forced us to yield. Responding to a temptation is primarily a matter of our will. We choose how to respond. When we earnestly yearn to overcome the temptations, God will help us by providing a way out.

Dear friend, are you facing a temptation that seems so insurmountable or beyond your capacity to handle that you just feel like giving in? May I encourage you to resolve not to give in to it. God in His love has prepared a way out of that situation for you. Look upto God and He will help you. With God you can overcome!

Prayer

“Dear Jesus, I look to You for strength to overcome temptations. I believe that You will provide a way out of them for me. Open my eyes to see the way out and to follow You. Amen.”

When faced with a temptation, head for the exit door.