Don't hold a grudge

Lovely roses among rocks@ Kodaikanal home

23 February 2012  

Grudge - it's dictionary meaning is: a feeling of resentment or ill will over some grievance, or to harbor resentment.

- "hold or carry a grudge" would then mean : holding onto or carrying around a feeling of resentment over some grievance.

In other words, an un-forgiving attitude leading to bitterness. (An  unfortunate and burdensome way to live in this beautiful world.)

The word itself  has a negative sound contained in it.

A 'grudge' is not a physical thing ( it is a by -product of  ill feeling.)

 It is an invisible  mater hidden to human eye sight. 

It is something which is carried internally and its effects can be seen or expressed externally in our actions, words and through our body language .

That is reflected in our inter personal relationship, giving way for a great destruction to self and others(physically and mentally)

Hence it is not tangible, but it can breed, grow bigger and in appropriate  time, it could completely take over our lives.

Generally our physic reflects the mental attitude (either positive or negative) and the grudge, (negative attitude) will expose itself in our speech, actions and mannerism. Surely we will become negative, bitter, un-happy people, our faces will show it.(The face is the index of mind) consequently we are liable to suffer physically , mentally and emotionally. bodies will suffer from it.

Scriptures warns us against grudging:

 

• ‘Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD. Leviticus 19:18,

•  'Don’t grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door! James 5:9,

• 'Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.  See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many. Hebrews 12:14-15

• 'You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord" Ephesians 4:26-27

When something unjust is done to us ( when we feel  that way), we are not to "carry around a grudge" but 

we are to let it go - - release the burden -- 

It is definitely  not an easy task, 

it may take some time,

 but make an effort to reconciliation.(if at all possible?)

It is a contagious disease, which can spread around us , spoiling  the family, work- place residential area society and  the entire human community.

Look out – check and  weed that bad element out.

God can be a good source to supply you the needed wisdom to do.

God Bless

....cond

overcome evil with good

Bunch of flowers @ Tirunelveli home

22 February 2012

'Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good'. Romans 12:21

Many a time we are targeted by the world and its attacks (with reason or else a purposeful and a planned one) The natural tendency is to retaliate. (it turn out to be rather ‘hit –back’ in same force formula.)

Do not be "defeated" by the injury you have  received from others.

 Do not experience or channel your temper to be motivated- Your Christian principles to be abandoned- your mild, calm, cordial, kind, and compassionate temper to be disturbed by hurts which you may experience. 

Rather maintain your Christian principles amidst all opposition, and show the power of the gospel. Show that you are mightier than the others( you have the great power installed in you  by the Almighty Father)

‘The wise in heart are called discerning, and gracious words promote instruction. Prudence is a fountain of life to the prudent, but folly brings punishment to fools. The hearts of the wise make their mouths prudent, and their lips promote instruction. Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. Proverbs 16:22.

But overcome evil with good - That is, restrain or crush evil by doing good to others. Show them the loveliness of a better spirit; the power of kindness and compassion; the value of an amiable, Christian behavior. Thus, you may disarm them from their rage, and you may be the means to bring them  to better minds (a better person).

Satan, who is very busy to stir up the corruption ,hatred and seek to revenge; but ‘Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.’James 4:7

‘ Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes’. Ephesians 6:11 

 'Do not repay anyone evil for evil. 

Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone.

 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 

Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. 

On the contrary: 
“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
 if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. 

In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:20

  Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Romans 13:1
 When such thought over powers you , be on alert and watchful.

Put a chain to tie your thoughts and the other follow up deals.

Praise God ....

 now you are in the right path.

God bless

Faith

Red Anthurium @ Tirunelveli home

19 February 2012

Faith is a amazing matter, which expresses our link to God. It communicates to you certain inner feeling that what we are hoping to get.  

 Faith in God must be from the heart and it is not an intellectual factor but  a spiritual one.

"Faith is being sure of what we hope for, and certain of what we do not see." Hebrews 11:1.

 "For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, …..." Romans 10:10

"But without faith it is impossible to please God, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, …… those who diligently seek Him." Hebrews 11:6

The Bible teaches us that genuine faith is "more precious than gold that perishes" (1 Peter 1:7). 

Such faith is "tested by fire".  Both during difficult times and prosperity our faith is put to test.  Such a faith has many benefits.

•          Faith brings salvation..

‘ by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God Ephesians 2:8-9. ‘Whosoever believes in Him has eternal life.’ John 3:16,‘The just shall live by faith. Romans 1:17

•          Faith brings answers to prayer.

 "And whatever things you ask in prayer, really believing, you will receive." Matthew 21:22. God teaches us to pray for our daily bread therefore faith is a key to our material provision. Simply trust God you will receive.

•         Faith brings all the benefits of salvation into our lives -includes healing, prosperity, peace, love, joy (1 Peter 1:8), -deliverance from evil powers and the curse, purification of the mind and emotions  will be added to our benefits.

•          Faith is a major key to success( in all spheres of life)

•          Faith is the major key for an effective healing power .Jesus Christ "the same yesterday, today and forever. Hebrews 13:8,

·         Yet faith comes (Romans 10:17), it has to grow and develop.  Choose your path and get the reward from God.

"Everything is Possible"  by God. He can bring to pass anything according to His will,in our life.

Yet you need a tough training to trust God. Learn it slowly and you can be a warrior in Faith.

God bless

God Is Our Refuge

 Cellphone tower on top of the hill @ Kodaikanal

19 February 2012 

Read the following verses:

• The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms: and he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee; and shall say, Destroy them. Deuteronomy 33:27

• The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. Psalms 9:9

• The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. Psalms 18:2

• In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust; let me never be ashamed: deliver me in thy righteousness. Psalms 31:1

• Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah. Psalms 32:7

• God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Psalms 46:1

• Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast. Psalms 57:1

• In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God.Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah. Psalms 62:7-8

•  He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. Psalms 91:1-2

• For thou hast been a strength to the poor, a strength to the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shadow from the heat, when the blast of the terrible ones is as a storm against the wall. Isaiah 25:4

Take refuge under the shadow of His wings- 

None or nothing can touch you- 

Praise the Lord

God Bless

How to Pray ?

 Mountain view @ Kodaikanal

18 February 2012- 

When faced with difficult or insurmountable situations in day-to-day life, or when we are left all alone to tackle such grime conditions, we use the tool prayer. That seems to be the normal trend. 

BUT Prayer is the ‘life-line’ for us connected for 24hrs, all the 365 Days- immaterial whether we are happy or depressed. We are taught to draw ‘power’ from God to conduct ourselves in our daily life.

So follow the guidelines Jesus gave the disciples on sincere prayer.

“When you pray, you are not to be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners so that they may be seen by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full.” Matthew 6:5

 When one of the disciples said to Jesus “Lord, teach us to pray’--  Jesus responded by giving the disciples a pattern to follow.

•        Pray with meaning, no vain repetition of words (to impress others)- Prayers from your heart reach God’s heart whether they contain many words or few.

“…..when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. ^. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. Matthew 6:6-8   

• Pray “Our Father, Hallowed be Your name.” Matthew 6:9  

 Even if praying alone, remember that you are part of the family of God.we must remember that He is our holy, heavenly Father and present your requests.

•        Pray that you will eagerly and patiently wait for the day for His purpose be done in our life.

“your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” .Matthew 6:10  

•         Pray for daily needs. He knows your need, but acknowledge and thank God since HE is your Provider.

‘Give us today our daily bread’. Matthew 6:11  

•      Pray for forgiveness. Name all and specific sins. Trust that God will forgive you and enable you to forgive others too.

‘And forgive us our debts,  as we also have forgiven our debtors’. Matthew 6:12  

•  Pray to be protected from the Evil One and temptation.

'And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from the evil one’ .Matthew 6:13  

We may never fully be satisfied with the quality of our own prayers.'

Read the verses to learn about Jesus’ prayer life:

• ‘But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed . Luke 5:16 and

• ‘One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God. Luke 6:12

How this influence your prayer life?

'For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. Matthew 6:14-15'

Read 

Yours, LORD, is the greatness and the power
   and the glory and the majesty and the splendor,
   for everything in heaven and earth is yours.
Yours, LORD, is the kingdom;
   you are exalted as head over all.
 Wealth and honor come from you;
   you are the ruler of all things.
In your hands are strength and power
   to exalt and give strength to all.
 Now, our God, we give you thanks,
   and praise your glorious name. 1 Chronicles 29:11-13 

Let your prayer fall within the boundary and should not be a self- boosting one.

Let God alone hear the heart’s voice lifted up in prayer( no need that it should be uttered in terms of words.)

Let us Praise God.

God Bless

Extreme power of God

A  valley-@Kodaikanal-Tamilnadu

17 February 2012 
We are totally insufficient to do anything on our own and (but)  we may fail in many contexts. Bible teaches that great things will be done to us through God .His power and wisdom can sustain us in our daily life.  As humans we have our own limits.

 But God lacks nothing and of short of supply. HE will supply all your needs according to the riches in glory.

How much blessing you want?

 “...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.” Luke 6:38

How much victory do you own in Christ?

“...No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us” Romans 8:37  

How much grace does He bestow?
“….where sin increased, grace increased all the more, “ Romans 5:20  

How great is His peace?

 "And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7

How much power can we have operating in our life?
“…. his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength.” Ephesians 1:19

How much hope does He want you to possess?
 “...May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13

Our  God has  

            excessive power, 

excessive grace, and

excessive peace 

and lacks nothing .

God bless.