Self control

Red Anthurium in summer @Trirunelveli

17 May 2012

 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness;...2 Peter 1:5-7

self-control seems to the most demanded feature of Christian life.

 Intemperance  is the big  and greatest of all evils known to man kind.

‘Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control.Proverbs 25:28

Uncontrolled temper is an sign of loss of self control.

Temperance or self control is needed not only in mental and emotional capacities.

It should be expressed in our body language too- the way we keep or face or shoulder or the   way we walk.

 Of course it should be reflected in  our feelings, thoughts , words and actions .

 We have a paradoxical bible verse found in the  New testament. 

‘Be angry, and do not sin ‘ do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil. Ephesians 4:26 

We are humans, liable to be attacked by the tactics of the devil. Beware  of yourself. 

Self control is the most important because it need  tongue –control .

Zip-up your mouth to avoid further damage ( to yourself or to others) 

 ^‘For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body’. James 3:2

When we learn to control our tongue( of course our thoughts) we can walk in a smooth route.

Praise the Lord.

God Bless

Peace

 Dwarf Pink  ixora @ my backyard garden- Tirunelveli

 15 may 2012  

‘Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid’. John 14:27

Peace is a solemn feeling to be experienced by the person .None can express the feeling verbally or figuratively.

When the heart is troubled with much disturbing factors, Jesus promises us to give peace that passes all understanding.

"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. John 14:1

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33

 Though we may read or being comforted by the verses- until and unless you experience the agony and restoration of peace thereafter- all these are mere words.

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

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful... Colossians 3:15

Read this for further edification......

Do Not Worry

 “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? 

Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.

 Are you not much more valuable than they? 

Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? 

 “And why do you worry about clothes? 

See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labour or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.

 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?

 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 

For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.

 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 

 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.

 Each day has enough trouble of its own. Mathew 6:25-34

God bless

Packing your Prayers with Praise

Wax begonias @ Tirunelveli garden

8/5/2012 The LORD reigns

The LORD reigns, let the earth be glad; let the distant shores rejoice.  Psalm 97: 1

Almost daily and at times we are careless, totally ignoring or forgetting the truths God has revealed in His Word. WE take things for granted and move freely.

We are reminded in Psalm as, "The Lord reigns; let the earth rejoice." Spurgeon calls this statement, "The watchword of the Psalm".

Four psalms expresses - “The LORD reigns” – (Psalm 93, 96, 97, and 99). It remind us  that Lord is in control.

Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let them say among the nations, "The LORD reigns!" 1 Chronicles 16:31

“How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, "Your God reigns!" Isaiah 52:7

Remember that the God who reigns is “armed with strength” -to convert all impossibilities into possibilities. Everything can be made possible in His own time.

The LORD reigns, he is robed in majesty;  the LORD is robed in majesty and armed with strength; indeed, the world is established, firm and secure. (Psalm 93:1).

‘who formed the mountains by your power, having armed yourself with strength Psalm 65:6

His strength is so great that “the world is firmly established; it cannot be moved” unless He moves it. When God moves it nothing can stand erect over the earth.

 He is not only a powerful God, He is also a just God- giving justice for the oppressed and poor. No malpractice or bribery can work to turnout the justice.

“The LORD reigns.”  The world is firmly established, it cannot be moved;  he will judge the peoples with equity. Psalm 96:10.

God’s judgments are always correct, aligned in line with what is right and just. He rewards the righteous and punishes the wicked.

‘Let those who love the LORD hate evil,  for he guards the lives of his faithful ones  and delivers them from the hand of the wicked.  Light shines on the righteous and joy on the upright in heart. Psalm 97:10-11.

Every human being, should “tremble” and “shake” before Him. We are nothing in the sight of God ( despite of the fact God loves you).

The LORD reigns, let the nations tremble; he sits enthroned between the cherubim,  let the earth shake.  Psalm 99:1.

“The LORD reigns” is a superb truth that calms our mind in the chaos of life. The God of the Universe reaches out to me (to you) in love and mercy makes my heart miss a beat. 

Praise the Lord.

 Say it…

“Praise Your great and awesome name” Psalm 99:3.

God bless

His sovereign control,

Plants on the slope... @Kodaikanal

30 April 2012  His sovereign control

 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light. Ephesians 5:8

World has numerous lines of thinking patterns. People may be forced to adopt to different thoughts in life.

But we have to use common sense  and acquired knowledge in making decisions, for the routine  matters of life.

When we are waiting for God’s will for major issues , then too much of reasoning may in fact be harmful.

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8-9

 Take the problem into your hands and analyse the pros and cons.

Discuss the issues.

 It will help you to define the problem more precisely and you can focus on that clearly .

Nothing wrong in our analysis or decision.

But we must not stay longer than required in that decision making process alone for a long time.

For we live by faith, not by sight.. 2 Corinthians 5:7 

Our knowledge ( based on our senses) seems to be adequate to comprehend  God’s ways.

Keep your ears sensitive and heart soft to listen to God’s still voice.

God is never do anything in haste because everything is under His sovereign control.

Praise the Lord

God Bless

29 April 2012  Discourage Discouragement…

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5: 7

 Discouragement is a powerful and effective tool used by satan against God’s people. Nobody can escape from this satanic attack (even in the bible  no saints could escape this.

Paul had divine  revelations but bothered by a thorn I the body- he calls it "messenger from satan” sent to to beat him.(2 cor12:7)

Paul  wished as well as repeatedly pleaded to God to  that the thorn could be removed. God strengthened Paul to learn to live with that.

Learn from this to live with your weakness and let all your mourning be turned to dancing..

Life in this era of scientific advancement with more gadgets and facilities life is filled with tension and stress. We are prone to more new diseases ( with no medicine to cure) .

Life has been hectic always for everyone.Satan uses all these to discourage us at the slightest provoke.

Bible has answers to all the problems. It tells us to cast all our anxieties on God because HE cares for us. Leave it at the Lord’s feet and donot carry it again.

 

“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

 Be alert and of sober mind. 

Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.  

 Resist him, standing firm in the faith,…1 Peter 5:7-9

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, 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." Philippians 4:6-7

This is the joy of the Lord, which turns to be your strength to resist the devil.

“Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings..  1Peter 5: 9

Faint not, nor fear; His arms are near;

HE changeth not, and thou art dear;

Only believe and thou shalt see

That Christ is all in all to thee.( John S.B. Monsell)

God bless…

promise of God

Red flowers @ tirunelveli home

25 April 2012

A promise can be defined as :"Words said or written, binding a person to do or not to do something." 

            We make a promise , giving our word that we will do something  or  may not do something.  Since the world is filled with a mixture of happy and unhappy substances, we are mostly interdependent, clinging on to somebody for something throughout our life time.

       As Christians we usually claim the promises God has given us. 

The Promises given by God to provide strength and  faith ,to walk victoriously.

 

God has given no promise which HE will not do or HE cannot do, and HE encouraged us with hope saying that He will fulfill or accomplish it in appropriate time.

           God is unchangeable, and   since He will not lie as we humans do, He will continue to be mindful  and watchful of us to fulfill His promise for the future as  He has doing   in the past .

Remember how HE lead you in your trails, troubles and in your inabilities.

       A promise is a promise from GOD – nobody can change it.

No power of this world can overrule it or make it a failure

GOD will do that in HIS own time.

 Wait  patiently and Pray. 

Have Faith in HIM. 

                       A big  question arise, Will God break His promise then?

No, God keeps His promise and God will be right there   beside you , talking and  dealing with his heart until things may turn to be alright.

There is a difference between A command from God is something man should do; a Promise from God is something God will do.

A command must be obeyed, A Promise must be believed. 

When God gives a command He says, "YOU WILL"-

 “You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.”(Deuteronomy  6:5) 

             When God gives a promise He says,

 "I WILL", ‘I am the LORD', and I will bring you out ….. I will free you …. I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and … I will take you as my own people, … I will be your God. ( Exodus 6:6-8)

The emphatic way "I WILL’s"  from this verse automatically will strengthen us.

         

“Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:7-9

Stand still and consider the wondrous works of God. Job 37:14
                                                                                 

Come unto me, ye who are weary and overburdened, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28
                                                                                 -
Wait on the Lord, be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart.  Wait, I say on the Lord. Psalms 27:14
                                                                             -
"For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." Jeremiah 29:11

BE CHEERFUL.

GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIMES

ALL THE TIMES GOD IS GOOD.

God bless