Are You Contented?

Want for better living, better electronic gadgets, better house, better cars, more pleasures etc... all this is normal human desires. But where do they stop? The only place they stop is at destroying us, making us to lose our soul and our salvation.

One of the most important properties of a Christian is to know his or her needs from his or her wants. Needs are what the Lord always commits to fulfill for those who keep His ways, but wants increases our desires of the flesh; the very thing we have to overcome, which made sin to come into man.

Let us desire more of things from the Heavenly Kingdom and less from the earthly kingdom. We need to learn to be contented in our earthly needs.

Proverbs 1:19 - So are the ways of every one that is greedy of gain; which taketh away the life of the owners thereof.

[ Prayer ]
Lord, my heart is weak and desires many a things. Help me Lord to know what is good for me and what isn't. I pray Lord that You pour more of your Spirit in me that I may learn to discern every small thing in my life. I make this prayer in Jesus' Name, Amen.

Do You Really Know Who You Are?

When the Israelites were sent to spy on the enemy, all came with a negative report leaving for two Joshua and Caleb. And it was only these two who entered the Promised Land.

When the others saw the problem, they forgot who they were and were reduced to grasshoppers in their own sight. This was the first mistake they made. No doubt the giants (called Nephilim) were real great people, even greater than what Goliath was. But when Joshua and Caleb saw them they first remembered who they were and then saw their problem.

If you see your problem however big it may be, first remember who you are. Remember you worship the True and only Living God. You are a blessed person, you have authority over your situations, fallen angels (evil spirits) are bound by the words you speak in the Name of Jesus and you are the head not the tail. When you realize this, you will be over your problem and your problem will be under your feet.

The victory is first fought within and then outside. When you face any problem keep telling yourself WHO YOU ARE.

Numbers 13:33 And there we saw the giants, the sons of Anak, which come of the giants: and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight.

[Prayer]

Lord God, You are my God. You are the one and only; Living and Almighty God. In You, I come to know who I am. The authority and victory I have over my situations. Let me never forget this even when I face small problems. I make this prayer in Jesus' Name, Amen.

What's the deal about The Mustard Seed?

Faith has been always compared to a mustard seed because of the parable that Jesus narrated. Many preachers and evangelist give the example of the mustard seed which being the smallest of seed dies and becomes a great tree, which houses birds of the air. I too use too take this example, until someone questioned me ‘mustard seed does not become a tree?’ So I checked up the scriptures and was amazed to find, how we ignore scripture verifications and take human word at face value.

Firstly mustard seed does not grow into a tree. Even Jesus knew it therefore He said Mark 4:32 – ‘greater than all herbs’. Mustard is an herb and grows into a large shrub, which can be maximum height of 8 feet /3m (only specific variety of mustard do that, else it is a very small shrub) but still does not become into tree nor big enough for birds to lodge in it.

Secondly mustard is not the smallest of seeds, there are many variety of seeds smaller than mustard.

Thirdly the mustard seed example is used in two parables – one for faith and the other Kingdom of Heaven / God. The example of mustard seed and tree is nothing to do with faith, but with the Kingdom of God.

So why did Jesus use the mustard in both His parables. There is one property of this seed for which it was specially selected for the parables (in this mail I will stick to the faith example).

If you open or dissect a mustard seed, it is a compact seed which has no air chamber in it, unlike most seeds. Air (symbolically) in the Bible has been associated with evil and not with God. Therefore mustard seed can be identified as a pure seed.

What Jesus wanted to teach us is that, even if your faith is small what matters, is it’s purity - without doubt. Doubt is compared to air, which goes against God’s Kingdom. To receive or achieve anything in faith, more than size, purity matters.

So let’s make our faith perfect by exercising it regularly, taking the promises from the Bible and helping people in need. As we keep seeing it work, the air will come out and it will start to become perfect.

Matthew 17:20 - And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.

[Prayer]

Father God, You have called me to be your child by sowing a seed of faith in me. Help me Father that I help grow it and keep it pure by not letting doubt come into it. I ask this prayer in Jesus’ Name, Amen.

[ Reference Scriptures ]

Mark 4:31-32

31 It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that be in the earth:

32 But when it is sown, it groweth up, and becometh greater than all herbs, and shooteth out great branches; so that the fowls of the air may lodge under the shadow of it.

Luke 13:18-19

18 Then said he, Unto what is the kingdom of God like? and whereunto shall I resemble it?

19 It is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and cast into his garden; and it grew, and waxed a great tree; and the fowls of the air lodged in the branches of it.

Ephesians 2:2

2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience.

Why are we tempted?

Like James says in his letter (James 1:14) very clearly that we are tempted because of our own lust. Even when we are walking with the Lord we are not perfect and therefore fall prey to temptation.

Then the very next question comes why does God allow us to be tempted?

You will understand this when you understand that Jesus too was tempted. Now Jesus had no lust in Him but He was made weak in both body and soul and lead to be tempted by Satan. The three temptations which Jesus endured were indirectly the same which Adam and Eve went through and failed. Jesus via this test showed us how we can overcome temptation by holding on to the Word. Our overcoming temptation allows us too to become a testimony for others.

Who tempts us?

This is a very tricky question. In sense that the word used for tempt and test in the Old Testament is the same Hebrew word 'nacah'. The difference lies between the purpose of it, one gives an opportunity to receive promotion and the other searches for an opportunity to demote. God does not tempt to demote, His testing is also not something He loves to do. But since He does not want to loose us, He tests us or allows us to be tested so that He can draw us closer to Him when we pass.

Am I being tested or tempted too much?

The level of testing or temptation is controlled by the Lord to not exceed our capacity. So rejoice every testing or temptation is in our capacity to overcome, just be diligent to stand with the Lord. During every temptation or testing there comes a stage of escape (or I would say wild card) for which we should watch out for and at that moment if you do the right thing, you pass.

1 Corinthians 10:13 - There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

[Prayer]
Father God, please be merciful on me and bring me not to temptation. Whenever I am tested hold my hand and do not let go of me. Guide me and send me your messengers to encourage me to overcome. I make this prayer in Jesus' Name, Amen.


[ Reference Scripture ]

1 Corinthians 10:12-14
12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.
13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
14 Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.

James 1:13-14
13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:
14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.

Hebrew 2:18
18 For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.

Genesis 22:1
1 And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am.

Building snowmen or sand castles?

Have you seen children building snowmen or sand castles? They enjoy doing it and they put a lot of efforts to make it. After they have made it they take pleasure, admiring it for some time, and then they will bring it down with their own hands or will leave it for others to trample it or let nature to do the job.

All achievements of man on earth are like those snowmen and sandcastles. The structures and landmarks which man builds maybe with bricks and stones, of concrete and iron or it may even be achievements in science or status in life, these may be there for a period of time but one day they will all face destruction and cease to exist. What ever we do in this world are just writings on a blackboard, every now and then the duster will come down over it and erase them all, along with our lives. The only things which we do for the Kingdom of God will be written in the Book of Remembrance and these are kept for all generations, till the end of creation, and these will be rewarded by God.

What are your priorities in life what are you trying to build? Is it a status in life, a name for your self, a monument, a designation? Make sure these are not top of your list, for you will land up as a big zero when the time of auditing comes. Reflect on what are your achievements in God's Kingdom? How many entries have you managed to get in your name, in the Book of Remembrance? Give this a thought...

Job 8:9 - For we are but of yesterday, and know nothing, because our days upon earth are a shadow:

[Prayer]
Lord God, open my eyes and blow away the smog which clouds my vision. Let me release what is temporary and what is permanent, and put my priorities in right order. This prayer I make in Jesus' Name, Amen.

[ Reference Scriptures ]

Malachi 3:14-18
14 Ye have said, It is vain to serve God: and what profit is it that we have kept his ordinance, and that we have walked mournfully before the LORD of hosts?
15 And now we call the proud happy; yea, they that work wickedness are set up; yea, they that tempt God are even delivered.
16 Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name.
17 And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.
18 Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not.

Are you listening?

When we read about the Lord speaking to the great people in the Bible, most think there was something very special about those people therefore the Lord spoke to them alone.

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ the only thing special, that is necessary for the Lord to speak to us is that we need to be God's children. The fact that we believe in Jesus Christ, we are confirmed as God's children and that makes us eligible for the Lord to speak to us.

In fact you and I will be surprised that there are many times the Lord has spoken to us and we have not heard Him. You would say when and how? In the start the Lord talks to us through His chosen ones, through our situations, when we read the Word of God, etc... But there will surely come a time when the Lord will speak to you in visions (not only when you are asleep but even when you are awake and with your eyes wide open, also all visions may not be from the Lord, they need to be discerned) or even in audible voice.

I will like give you an example of when the Lord first time shook me by speaking to me in audible voice. I was hearing some worship songs on a MP3 player, then I met someone who gave me some commercial songs which I put in my MP3 player by deleting the worship songs. As I was hearing (I was in a very depressed situation at that time) I suddenly heard a previous devotional song playing in between and with very clear words saying 'you did not choose me, I chose you, you are mine'. At that time I did not even know it was a scripture. Then suddenly, the previous song again continues where it stopped, that was odd! Since being a technical person I thought about thins like memory buffers, and song segment makers etc... to explain this situation. But yet I felt some thing not normal here so I immediately deleted the songs and replaced them with the original worship songs that were there before. To my amazement, I heard these songs again and again for over 2 weeks and did not find those same words in the song I heard. I knew then that the Lord had spoken to me and that incident changed the direction and speed of my spiritual life.

Desire for the Lord to speak to you, incline your ears towards Him, keep silence in your hearts and you will surely hear Him.

1 Samuel 3:10 - And the LORD came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth.

[Prayer]
Lord, You desire to speak to us and guide us through our situations. But the distractions, the commotions and the noise that is there within us keeps us from hearing your voice. Help me to focus myself, incline my ears and in silence to wait on You to speak to me. I make this prayer in Jesus' Name, Amen.


[Scripture References]

John 15:15-16
15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends (associates); for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.
16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

Matthew 10:26-27
26 Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known.
27 What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops.

How much money do you need?

We all have needs and a way of living, but as more money comes into our lives our way of living changes and our needs increases. And as our needs increase we need more money. Then when the money comes our way of life again changes! In this vicious circle God gets squeezed out more and more, till we loose Him totally.

God is our provider and He promises us that He will provide us in all our needs. But if we create artificial needs then, can we expect God to provide? Secondly if we do not trust Him then, where will our provisions come from?

Our being blessed and being satisfied in all our needs is a blessing which we received via Abraham. Abraham was blessed in all areas of his life in all his needs and much more, but he was a responsible person. Before we start asking the Lord for more, let us ask ourselves are we as responsible like Abraham? Responsibility does not mean only towards our family, but also towards our own self and mainly towards God.

Hebrew 13:5 - Let your conversation (way of life) be without covetousness (free from love for money); and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

[ Prayer ]
Father God, You are my provider. All my needs are met in You. Lord, forgive me for the times I have being anxious and did not trust in You for my provisions. Although we labor, Lord help me to focus my eyes on You to meet my needs. Also make me more responsible like father Abraham to receive your blessing like him. I make this prayer in Jesus' Name, Amen.

Can all our prayers get answered?

If you are a Christian let it be known to you, that you have not become one just because you wilth. It was the Lord who chose you to be called by His Name that you were able to become a Christian. But the purpose of you becoming a Christian is that you should go and bring forth fruit and that your fruit should remain. This is not just one instruction by three instructions.

The three instructions are:-

First is to bring forth fruit. That is to preach the Good News of the Lord Jesus Christ and to help those invited through you to become true Christians.

Second is to 'go', which means not to remain in your own comfort zone but to move out of your comfort zone to do the first task.

Third is to keep the fruit. This means to follow up with those who were given unto you. Most preachers, evangelist, healers etc. bring the Good News unto the people, but then they leave them in the cold later on. This destroys these people even more than before with lesser chances of total change.

When we pray, we are given not all things, because not all our prayers are answered. It is only when we do all these three instructions are we assured that whatsoever we ask in Christ' Name will be given by the Father.

John 15:16 - Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

[Prayer]

Lord, I thank You for choosing me to be a Christian and to be called by your Name. Father God, forgive me for not following your instructions and then doubting You because all my prayers were not answered. Today since I learnt my mistake help me correct myself and receive all my prayers through Jesus Christ, Amen.

The Way - to finding God...

All religions acknowledge God and all of them somewhat know, some of the characteristics of God; like His Holiness. Christianity has the clearest description of God than any other religion, for Christianity is not a religion but a relationship with God. We all want to come closer to God the Father, who is the creator and Almighty Being and through whom all life flows.

In the Bible it has been shown how trouble started between the God and man because of sin. Man use to be in the presence of God when he was created as Adam and Eve. But when sin entered him, God departed from his presence and man was cursed by God and thrown out of the spiritual world (Heavens) on to the physical world, with the only option of return when he is free of sin and curse. From generation to generation man could not produce even one true righteous person, therefore God had to come as man - Jesus to set an example, break the curses, make peace between God and man and show the way to overcome man's sinful nature. Jesus became the one and only unifying means between God and man. There are ways to God other than Jesus, but all of them fail and fall short of bringing man back into the presence of God.

So let us hold on to the only hope that is Jesus, by whom we will be able to go back into the presence of our Almighty Father.

John 14:6 - Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

[Prayer]
Lord Jesus, I thank You for coming to our rescue, for becoming a sacrifice of peace between God the Father and me, for healing and showing me how to overcome my sinful nature by your grace. Help me Christ Jesus to set my eyes on You always, to understand your ways and follow it. I make this prayer in your mighty Name, Amen.