Rules for blessed living

 beautiful rose on a tree @ Kodaikanal

11 March 2012 

  

‘Rules’- rule the universe. Everywhere it is being pushed on us. It is absolutely fine to follow some stringent rules. otherwise ‘unruliness’ will rule our mind and heart.

The consequence will be disastrous and terrible. The young and the old are already have lost their moral and ethical values of life.

I like to present the  Colossians  3:2-17 here as a general rules for a good Christian to follow. 

Since we have accepted Christ as our personal savior- The old is gone(sinful nature) and we are made a new person ( with good qualities)

Read the verses:  Colossians 3:2-17

"since you have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him(Christ) who created him, where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all

your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.

Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 

 Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them.

•   Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.

•  now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth.

•  Do not lie to one another,

• bearing with one another

• forgiving one another

• Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved,

• put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering;

• But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.

•  let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body;

•  be thankful.

• Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom,

•  teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs,

• singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

•  And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus,

•  giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”  Colossians 3:2-17

Try to uphold these statutes in life.

 Improve your mentality.

 Shun evil and allied things.

 Spread smile-with joy and peace. 

Try to keep your inner self free of guilt. (that’s is more important)

BE cheerful .Make the people around you happy. 

God Bless

Faith brings victory

Cottages in the sloppy mountain terrain @ Kodaikanal

10 March 2012  

 Faith is not ‘wishful thinking’ or "walking in the dark" or believing without evidence or without any clue or visualization.

Faith is based on knowledge and inner confidence. The obvious evidence— is the Word of God. God cannot fail. His word cannot be broken and out of order. 

God "does not change like shifting shadows". 

• “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” James 1:17.

 For God nothing is impossible, and nothing can keep him from fulfilling his promises. He is omnipotent. He has a concern for us.

• "With God all things are possible" Matthew 19:26.

Still, a lack of faith can limit, what God is willing to do in our lives. Lack of faith can be a blockage which prevents God to work miracles.

• “Again and again they put God to the test; they vexed the Holy One of Israel. They did not remember his power……. Psalm 78:41

• "anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him" Hebrews 11:6.

• "For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him" 2 Chronicles 16:9.

Read this passage to understand the need for the depth of Faith-

It should be deeper than the mighty ocean.

• "Have faith in God.”I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him" Mark 11:22-2).

• "If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it will obey you" Luke 17:6.

It conveys a simple message that moving real mountains or trees need not be a regular happening. And need not happen too.

 In reality there is no record of Jesus or the apostles ever applied faith exactly that way.

The point is,the God power regulates the universe. Life (obviously) is filled with obstacles and complications, at all levels, can be more difficult (at times) than a tall mountain.

• Who does not come up against situations, circumstances and problems that are overpowering — tight spots that challenge decision?

• Who does not face injustice, favoritism, pre-conceived notions crossing our lane?

All these- God can move and show us a clean path. 

No obstacle is too great, no barrier too prominent to be leveled before one who seeks God's help in believing prayer.

“Our God, will you not judge them?

For we have no power to face this vast army (our problems) that is attacking us.

We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.”…………

This is what the LORD says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army.

For the battle is not yours, but God’s……. ….

stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you, …...

Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.

Go out to face them tomorrow, and

 the LORD will be with you.’ 2 Chronicles 20:12-17

No need to air your grievances and injustice to any human beings. 

 Tell it to your Father and HE will fight for you. 

Praise the Lord.

 Amen.

"If you remain in me … ..and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you" John 15:7. 

"This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us" 1 John 5:14. 

God Bless

 

Nothing is too hard for the Lord

Dark forest coverage @ Munnar

9 March 2012  

The circumstances, surroundings, rules or even the laws- may seem to be going against us or nothing seems to be aligned with what we aspire to obtain.

When All doors are closed ,  we are left out to be helpless.  

 For a human it is impossible. But for the creator of this world (our Almighty Father) everything is possible.

•  "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26

• “For with God nothing shall be impossible. Luke 1:37

• “The things which are impossible with men are possible with God. Luke 18:27

We must understand the fact that God Is All-Powerful- so He can help us with anything.Can bring to surface any wonder or perform a miracle.

•  “Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh: is there any  thing too hard for the Lord? Jeremiah 32:27

Imagine God is asking these questions , when you are in a depressed state:

1. Is there anything hidden from me? 
2. Can anything unforeseen arise to hinder the fulfillment of promises and prophecies? 
3. Is there anything too wonderful for me?" 
4. Is there any hide-out plan or trap to stop me? 
5. Is there anything or anybody who can under estimate me?--question can be many.........

• "O Sovereign Lord! You have made the heavens and earth by Your great power. Nothing is too hard for You!" Jeremiah 32:17.

•  “I know that You can do everything,And that no purpose of Yours can be withheld from You. Job 42:2

• “….The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this. Isaiah 37:32

• "Is anything too hard for the LORD?.... Genesis 18:14

• "Ah, Sovereign LORD, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you. Jeremiah 32:17

The most forgotten of all facts about God is that He can MAKE SOMETHING OUT OF NOTHING.

No obstacle is too great, no barrier too imposing to be leveled out.

God is in control.

• "The One who breaks open the way will go up before them; they will break through the gate and go out. Micah 2:13

• "Indeed before the day was, I am He; And there is no one who can deliver out of My hand; I work, and who will reverse it?” Isaiah 43:13

• "Behold, I will do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness And rivers in the desert. Isaiah 43:19

 The Lord God omnipotent reignes. Revelation 19:6

God can open a new avenue for you. 

Relax( though it is very tough) and learn to cling to the power of God.

God bless

God is greater than man

A Sloppy Mountain top with trees @ Kodaikanal

8 March 2012  

‘Show off’ runs in the blood of  almost all human beings,unless we have given ourselves 100% to God , Practically there is no place for ‘self’ and its glamour.

We brought nothing in this world and not going to take anything out of the world. 

God has chosen us- not because you are great or because you are an important person. 
 Before His eyes we are nothing- still we have everything in this world (almost blessed with all the rich blessings- though we are sinners and His Grace sustains us.) 

Praise the Lord. God loves you.

• “…….For God is greater than man. Why do you contend with Him?  For He does not give an accounting of any of His words.  For God may speak in one way, or in another, Yet man does not perceive it.”Job 33:12-14

The gratification of a person never assumes a 'declining trend' but the general trend is to grieve over the unpleasant things in our life.

We have placed our trust in God – when  we face a crisis or else a ‘back-drop’, we are shattered to the core. 

• “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.  In God, whose word I praise—in God I trust and am not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me? Psalm56:4

• “The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me? .......... It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in humans. Psalm118:6-8

The common question flashes in the mind- 

• Why bad things happen for good people? 

• Why me Lord?

•  Why again I am being hit? 

• What have I done? 

•  Why I am targeted for no reason? --- you may have a number of similar questions.

“….Why do you contend with Him?  For He does not give an accounting of any of His words.  For God may speak in one way, or in another, Yet man does not perceive it.”Job33:12-14

Accept a ‘wake –up’ call to awaken you.-

Do not ever challenge (or put yourself forward) God or question His ways.

“For He need not further consider a man,That he should go before God in judgement. Job 34:23

God will never overload His Children and He takes care of them. And watches our dealings.

• “For His eyes are on the ways of man, And He sees all his steps. Job 34:21

• "The eyes of the LORD are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good. Proverbs 15:3

• "For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. 2 Chronicles 16:9

God will bring to pass what He has promised.

 Every thing  which happens( bad or good) 

God is in control. 

We cannot stop or else make something new (as we wish or perceive in mind).

Believe that God has a blue print of your life in His Mighty arms. 

Nothing unwanted  will happen.( you need patience and endurance.)

Beg for His unfailing love and grace.

“What I have said, that I will bring about; what I have planned, that I will do". Isaiah 46:11

"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me."2corithians 12:9

What a amazing promise!

What else you need.

Praise the Lord and move forward.

God Bless.

Eye of the Lord

Valley view @ Munnar Kerala

7 March 2012 

God's intimate knowledge of our lives is sometimes referred  as the "Eye of the Lord." observing both the good and evil deeds.

"The Eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good."
Proverbs 15:3

 His eye roams ( rather watching keenly) throughout the whole earth, to protect  and preserve the righteous person.

"For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him." 2 Chronicles 16:9

Of course it sustains and delivers those who are faithful . “Not a sparrow falls to the ground,” said Jesus,  and even the number of the hairs on your head are counted by God. None will fall.

 All things happen only for good (for those trust Him)the eye of the Lord is upon them that fear him -
 He watches over them, and "he" guards them from danger. 

“But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him,  on those whose hope is in his unfailing love,  to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine .Psalm 33:18

His eye( in actual fact) is  upon all men-but directed with special attention to those who fear him and trust  him. He knows their requirements and wishes, observe their on- coming dangers and He has ample ability to deliver and save them.

Read the verses;

• "But the Eyes of the Lord are on those who fear Him, on those whose hope is in His unfailing love."Psalm 33:18

• "The Eyes of the Lord keep watch over knowledge, but He frustrates the words of the unfaithful."Proverbs 22:12

• "For the Eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their prayers; but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil."1 Peter 3:12

• "The Eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their cry. The face of the Lord is against those who do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth."Psalm 34:15-16

• He does not take his eyes off the righteous; he enthrones them with kings and exalts them forever. Job 36:7

 The world now is losing its moral values.  
Media and awareness programs started to inculcate indiscipline  and unruliness among people. Remember an EYE is watchimg you all the times.
 Nothing is hidden from ‘its’ sight

"Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. Hebrews 4:13.

Living in this world , poses a tremendous challenge for a God's child.

 Do not go and hide yourself with(behind) a  mysteries thoughts.

 Trust God and plead for His assistance in your daily life.

 He will put you in the right track.

"I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you. Psalm 32:8

Since “…. his eyes like flaming torches'..., (Daniel 10:6 ) Pray for grace and mercy. Blessed are those  who find favour in the eyes of the Lord.

"May we find favor in the Eyes of the Lord. Genesis 47:25

Praise the Lord

God Bless

God Provides the Word for Life

Grass dropping down from mossy rock@Kodaikanal home

6 March 2012  

“……man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD. Deuteronomy 8:3

Globally, all the development activities, technological advancements, innovations( in all arenas’) and of course the desire of mankind to opt for more earning trend – all depend on a single concept ie ‘to cater to the needs and desires of mankind’.

Our aspiration to fulfill the desires and pent-up wishes makes us to search for new ways to earn and get satisfaction.

"Man does not live on bread alone." Life has more than physical hunger and its satisfaction. Life is simply more than that.

"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Matthew 6:25

Remember we have a body and a soul. When God created us, He created us with a body and a soul. Both aspects of our  being, need to be cared for and looked after very carefully.

God provides food for our body and also He provides His Word (tonic) for our soul.The Word is as necessary for the soul as bread is for our body- nourishment for both spiritual life and physical life.

As Jesus quoted it, ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.." Matthew 4:4.

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made." John1:1-3. 

Read the verses: It will reveal the real meaning of”Power-Packed” word of God.

• "This is my covenant with them,” says the LORD. “My Spirit, who is on you, will not depart from you, and my words that I have put in your mouth will always be on your lips, on the lips of your children and on the lips of their descendants—from this time on and forever,” says the LORD. Isaiah 59:21
• “For the word of the LORD is right and true; …... Psalm 33:4

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

• I have put my words in your mouth and covered you with the shadow of my hand…”Isaiah 51:16

• “……None of my words will be delayed any longer; whatever I say will be fulfilled, declares the Sovereign LORD.” Ezekiel 12:28

•  “The words of God are pure words; As silver tried in a furnace on the earth, Purified seven times. Psalm 12:6

• "As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him. 2 Samuel 22:31

The word of God is embedded with miraculous power-it heals, gives joy and peace, provides wisdom, leads us when we are blind, show us a clear path when confused..etc

Read  some of the verses for better understanding.

• "The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes. Psalm 19:8

• "They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb. Psalm 19:10

• "Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof. Proverbs 18:21 
• A merry heart does good like a medicine: but a broken spirit dries the bones. Proverbs 17:22

You have to taste and see the power of the word of God.

God Bless

Jealousy and envy

Pinkish Tubular Flower @ Kodaikanal Garden

5 March 2012

‘A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones’. Proverbs 14:30

In the modern era, enticed by the commercial world and hi-tech  materialism- we are over loaded with materialistic prosperity, seems to be the more common thread, which runs in our ‘nerves’ nurturing   jealousy (resentment).

Jealousy is the world's oldest emotions of mankind. If you are jealous, you feel like you have a competitor. You have a strong dislike for the person (or anything your eye sets on…) who has something (which you do not have ).

Biblically it is been found in the very beginning of time-Look at Cain and Abel- how this feeling gave way for murder.

• “For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. Yet we are humans , inclined to all kind of temptations. James 3:16

•  “Wrath is cruel, anger is overwhelming, but who can stand before jealousy? Proverbs 27:4

Jealousy is a strong feeling which creeps (rather lives silently) inside us ,even in our childhood days. It can be conquered with self control, self discipline and with wisdom through the power of the word of God.

• “For you are still of the flesh. For while there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not of the flesh and behaving only in a human way?” 1 Corinthians 3:3

• “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. 1 Corinthians 10:13

 Such a emotional feel can grow without your knowledge (dwell  within  you) then it forms as a sin. All subsequent activities that follows, will be a mar on your personality. 

This kind of jealousy is a sin and not an attribute of a Christian; rather, it shows that we are still being controlled by our own desires.

• “You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere humans? 1 Corinthians 3:3.

• “Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other”. Galatians 5:26

• "But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. James 3:14-15

 The feeling of jealous tendency may starts its roots from( rule the person)  from  anything such as - wealth, job, authority, power, leadership, recognition, talents, skills, achievements, success, intelligence, personality, youthful appearance, beauty, health, clothes, style, ......---- 

the list is never ending one……

they actually starts from nowhere and ends nowhere.

The evil power has let lose to devour the souls, Be alert, lest we may be trapped in any feelings that give way for jealousy.

The Bible enlightens us that we are to have the perfect kind of love that God has for us.

• “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.  1 Corinthians 13:4-5.

 The more we are self-centered and self –seeking, we are liable to focus less on God.

 It hardens our heart to know the truth, we are simply blind-folded -we cannot turn to Jesus.

• “For this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears,and they have closed their eyes .Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them. Matthew 13:15

•  Allow the God to take control of you. Remember god is in control. Surely God  will enable you  to  bring forth the fruit of our salvation- love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control “Galatians 5:22-23

• “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12:2

 Let  the peace of God over powers our heart and soul.

Let us be contented with  the blessings what we have.

Do not  focus your mind on others.

Try to be self controlled in all your dealings.

 Do not compare you with anyone.

God bless