God Is Able

Hill view opposite to kodai home..........

16 February 2012  

 "Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us." Ephesians 3:20

Life’s greatest challenges  and crisis may thrash us to floor -

even though we are chased and  threatened at every corner-

though the weakness and depressed state of mind pulls us down-

 in the midst of (what seems to be ) defeat-

we will still bounce back and return to our original state , because our ‘God is Able’.

Try  walking on water ( I mean some sort crucial situation in life ,where everything goes beyond our control) and will not sink.(hold God’s hand –HE IS ABLE.)

 God’s Word nourishes and sustains us and God is able to do far above all we ask or think.

The Bible describes God as omnipotent--all-powerful, able even to create all things from nothing or from nowhere.

Read the similar verses:

• 'Moreover, I will give you what you have not asked for--both riches and honor--so that in your lifetime you will have no equal among kings. 1 Kings 3:13

• 'And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.2 Corinthians 9:8

• 'And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19

•  'Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, Ephesians 3:20

'Is anything too hard for the LORD? Genesis 18:14

CHORUS: Is anything too hard for God?
Who's got a problem beyond His power to solve?
Are there situations He's not the Master of?
Is anything too hard for God?

God Bless

Pride – a destructive element

Sloping path to kodai home.

15 February 2012.

“Everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.” Luke 18:14

We are conditioned by society to focus or condemn certain things that we can make out, while overlooking or ignoring less visible acts.

 More invisible things dominates the world rather than the visible matters.

 Hidden thoughts (more dangerous) and thereafter the actions reveal, who we are, to the people around us. The common saying "Out of sight, out of mind" is the way to describe or express the hidden idea of sin. 

We point out  many visible sins such as- adultery, homosexuality, eve teasing racism, betrayal ,murder, drugs addiction etc. At the same time we are ignoring the hidden areas that cunningly seep into our mind and inhabit our spirits (rather spoiled our image and ruining our testimonies) and put off our relationships with God.

 One such sin often over looked( set aside)- is pride. 

The Bible Says

 "haughty eyes" are first on the list of the seven things that are an abomination to God. Proverbs 6:17

"Let another praise you, and not your own mouth." Proverbs 27:2

 Christ spoke of pride : "Everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted." Luke 18:14  

we are reminded of God's complete dislike for a prideful spirit. Because, a prideful person is self centered and egoistic person, who feel that they do not need God and they can do with their wisdom anything in this world. That is simply “I can do it on my own" attitude.

God, our Creator has the perfect plan laid out before us. He has  formed, created and brought us into this world. Our attempt to "do it myself"(pride ) will lead us to the path of self- destruction.

 Pride is so devastating because of its deceptive and erroneous in nature.

 C. S. Lewis said, "A proud man is always looking down on things and people; and, of course, as long as you're looking down, you can't see something that's above you." 

We may point out pride in the life of someone else, completely ignorant of the pride in our own lives.

Pride- is a mind -set - revealed in our attitudes and interactions with others. It portrays the person.

 A prideful person 

•  wants to be the center-of-attention at all times, constantly referring to himself at all circumstances.
•  can't handle criticism and
•  hates handing out apologies.(no need to say sorry- it is below their dignity)

• The word sorry will not come out  easily.
•  They can't stand to see others succeed, and
•  refuses to do "menial tasks.
• "Pride thinking keeps their head held high –up.

Don't compare yourself to others; compare yourself to Christ. (at least try to be perfect as far as possible.)

God may allow hardship into our lives when we stumble in daily life. Nothing gets our attention better than going through a difficult time. Remember God’s Grace is sustaining you .

Such experience will filter pride in our life, causing us to return our attention on Him. 

Beware when God is out, pride is in. 

Is pride an issue in your life?

•   Take a break to examine yourself and your interests   
• Ask God to bring to light into the darkened areas, that are hindering your relationship with Him.

• Be still and listen to God’s voice.

•  Open your heart and heed what God reveals to you,

• Give Jesus the prime place in your life.

God bless

Power of the word of God.

bird of paradise flower @ kodaikanal-Tamil nadu

12 February 2012

Commands are to obey- that is a natural order of the day. But the Lord who have created the whole universe  by uttering a word.

“God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. Genesis 1:3  and

“By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God,…..” Hebrews 11 :3

The word of God is the same even today. He is omnipotent , still has everything in His control. 

 “All people are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord endures forever… 1 Peter 1:24-25

Bible quotes and illustrates the word of God differently.

Read the following verses and know the power of God’s word.

“For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Hebrews 4:12

 

“Is not my word like fire,” declares the LORD, “and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces? Jeremiah 23:29

“his word is in my heart like a fire,  a fire shut up in my bones. Jeremiah 20:9

“As the rain and the snow
   come down from heaven,
and do not return to it
   without watering the earth
and making it bud and flourish,
   so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,
  so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
   It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
   and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.”Isaiah 55:10-11

   “Heaven is my throne,
   and the earth is my footstool.
Where is the house you will build for me?
   Where will my resting place be?
  Has not my hand made all these things,
   and so they came into being?”
            declares the LORD. Isaiah 66:1-2

'My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to your word. Psalm 119:28

None in this universe is more powerful than the word of God. 

• It can be used in all situations and circumstances. 

• God’s Word is strong with a lot of active ingredients and can be used as a defence against the evil power.

•  Word of God is our source of liberty safeguarding us  from sin.

• Inhale the sweet aroma of His word and breath out its fragrance around you .

Praise the Lord

God Bless

Peace at all times

A tree @ Kodai home-Tamilnadu

11 February 2012   

May the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. 2 Thessalonians 3:16 

Turbulence (commotion) and turmoil (confusion) are the inevitable for the intolerant (narrow –minded) people. 

Everywhere we come across a disturbed state –right from home and every aspect connected in and around us.

Peace and contentment is lacking in normal part of life ( even among real- time Christians).  It is a common scenario where people spend a lot of money, energy and time- seeking for real peace.

The Bible promises  ‘perfect peace’ to  those whose mind is stayed on God.

“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast , because they trust in you .Isaiah 26:3

We have a condition to enjoy such a peace, that  is to trust God patiently.

“……Whoever believes will not act hastily. Isaiah 28:16

If we have peace stationed in our heart, we will be nurturing peace with others too. It is a pathetic scene with people without peace (in the heart) spoiling their inter- personal relationship with others. 

Social and political conflicts are invariably the result of unresolved inner conflicts present in people. God answers our prayers ,if you wait patiently.

“..the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4 :7

In spite of our problems and pains, we will be enjoying the inner peace, when we wait patiently on God’s guidance.-staying fit and being patient is the secret.

“Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men! Luke 2:14

AS a privilege, (for us) making and keeping peace with God is too easy, but building, and maintaining  the personal relationship involves lot of time and labour, along with certain amount of self-denial and patience. Without the help of God and His Grace ,it is a cumbersome task.

 Bible tells us

“When a man’s ways please the Lord, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him. Proverbs 16;7

We are His chosen vessel and called to act as salt and light of this cruel world. Be alert. 

If we loose our flavor and aroma, we will stink- and  we will become the breeding ground for hatred, rivalry, envy, discontentment, and disunity.

We may be a dangerous zone for others (spreading contagious virus around)

Peace –making is a good job, Learn to be in peace with others,if not be patient and do not be a hurdle.

God hates people who sow seeds for conflict or disharmony in families, in the work place, in the dwelling place or anywhere. 

Do not take pleasure from the tears of others.

 ‘Lord, make me an instrument of your peace;
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
when there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;…. ‘St. Francis of Assisi quotes

Blessed are the peace makers

God bless.

Trust in the Lord

  

10 February 2012   

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. Proverbs 3:5

Trusting is a tough job especially during the time of crisis. Unless we  learn a lesson from God, we may have less confidence whatsoever it is.

Trust is the practical outworking of faith, it is when we trust God, and we show that our faith in Him is real.

Often we feel we know better than God, but in reality -our wisdom and understanding is weak, dishonest and unreliable. 

We are like a broken reed. Lean on God’s word. 

God's ways are not our ways. The Lord gives wisdom and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. This is solid, reliable understanding that we can lean on, and we can build our lives upon.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

In all your ways acknowledge him. And He will make your paths straight.

Believe that God is able to do what he has promised, wise to do what is best, and good, according to His will. The positive side of it, is your trust and faith.

With complete compliance and submission, depend upon him to perform all things for you, and not to lean on your own understanding.

When we rely on our understanding, the possibility of ending in calamity is more, because in our behavior, we are hesitant and tentative in our judgment. 

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6, It exposes the blueprint on which we are going to be lead by God. 

  “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.” Jeremiah 17:7-8

Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us. Psalm 62:8

You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock Isaiah 26:3-4

Trust in the Lord with all your heart:

Lean not on your own understanding: 

In all your ways acknowledge him:

He will make your paths straight:

 

God bless

NO AUTHORITY WITHOUT OBEDIENCE

9 February 2012   

Authority is a special gift from God, which hinges on obedience. Unless we are obedient to the authority of the Lord (obedient in all ways, with all your heart), then He does not uphold our authority. Everything goes waste.

If you want to exercise the authority of Jesus’ name, we must be united in mind and heart, with Jesus. He must initiate, and we must respond in obedience.

"if you listen obediently to My commandments". (Deut. 11:13) -

"to obey is better than sacrifice" (I Sam. 15:22) -

"we must obey God rather than men" (Acts 5:29) -

"the Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him" (Acts 5:32)

Obedience to God is rather commanded to us.

“ Ye shall walk after the LORD your God, and fear him, and keep his commandments, and obey his voice, and ye shall serve him, and cleave unto him. Deuteronomy 13: 4

And Without faith, it is impossible to obey the word of God.

 “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Hebrews 11:6

 You have certain strategy to follow  to adhere the required obedience. 

 

• Obey the  voice of God:( It is your inner intuition(voice) which puts you in the right direction.).

  “….. if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: Exodus 19:5

  “but I gave them this command: Obey me, and I will be your God and you will be my people. Walk in obedience to all I command you, that it may go well with you.. Jeremiah 7:23

• Obey God’s law.

  “ A blessing, if ye obey the commandments of the LORD your God, which I command you this day: Deuteronomy 11:27

       

• Obey Christ.

    “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.2 Corinthians 10:5

•  Obey the Gospel.

  "By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name: Romans 1:5

  "But God be thanked, that ye were the  servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Romans 6:17

       

•  Keep the commandments.

  “ Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. Ecclesiastes 12:13

•  Submit yourself to higher powers.

 "Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Romans 13:1

•  Pray  that God will give us the understanding and He will teach us His will.

 "Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I delight Psalms 119:35.

 "Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness. Psalms 143:10

“But the Lord is faithful, who shall establish you, and keep you from evil,” II Thess. 3:3.

““If God be for us, who can be against us?” Rom. 8:31

Of course, Satan is (will be) against you. But the power with which Satan attacks you is marginal compared to the power that God gives you to overcome the devil. Praise the Lord.

Don't be discouraged, if you have many weaknesses and often slip down from God.

 Remember, His strength is made perfect in weakness. In Christ, we are bigger and more powerful than sin and the devil.

 “For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace .What then? Shall we sin because we are not under the law but under grace? By no means! Romans. 6:14-15.

 Be smart. Jesus is watching you. 

Do not lose your authority.Use it to Glorify His name.

 

Misappropriation leads to condemnation.

Preserve your status in Christ. 

God bless