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

How To Develop Good Attitudes

Vegetable craving @ Tirunelveli

3 March 2012 

In this world, "attitude" is a buzzword linking it to anything connected with a person. 

One's mental attitude (whether positive or negative, healthy or unhealthy) is said to be a prime factor for success in any area. (any kind of work  or in relationships.) 

You've seen the motivational posters with the following jargans:

• A positive attitude causes a chain reaction of positive thoughts, events, and outcomes.

• A positive attitude is a powerful force.

• Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference.

In fact, the emphasis on an internal positive attitude can devolve into mere egotistical, since it doesn't require dependence on God or others.

But Bible has many posters to motivate and instrumental for our daily life’s activities.

• “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Philippians 2:4-5

•  "You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off the old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds." Ephesians 4:22

Let us see some of the tips to develop or tune your attitude.

A proper Christian attitude is always being happy or joyful in the Lord—(sometimes in outward denial of challenging realities). 

Attitude has to be more than just happy feelings. 
Develop it (It is very easy to write but a tough job to master). 

               1.Identify and be regretful for Bad Attitudes

Attitude is an issue of one's temperament, personality, emotion, or out look- the forth coming thoughts,words and action are the reflextions of that attitude( good or bad)

• "Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you." Acts 8:22

Our negative thoughts are to be dealt with by an strong will power. stop negative thought pattern.

Replace our thoughts with corresponding, constructive, action, thoughts, create a positive thought.
             2.Submit Your Attitudes to God

Take God's power within your lives. God will give us the spiritual power and ability, but we must choose to do His will.

• "Set our minds on things above." Colossians 3:2

 God commands us to do it! 
He will give us all the ability and help we need, but we must do it.

Bring your attitudes into obedience to God’s Word. 
Apply discipline to your thought life — submit your thoughts to Jesus  Christ.  
A good attitude is a matter of faith, disregarding your feelings, with a determination to embrace God’s outlook and disposition.

• "casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ..." 2 Corinthians 10:5

             3.Equip And Feed Your Attitudes

Dwell on the things that God’s word tells us to (good and virtuous things). If you dwell on the negative, your attitude will reflect the same.

• "Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy; meditate on these things." Philippians 4:8

Good attitude (Christ-centered) is  more precious than gold and rubies

God bless

Hope

Wax Begonias @ Tirunelveli

2 March 2012 

Hope is the vital thing a person must have 'inside' as a source of energy (from which we can draw power).That is the only plus -point for us( hope in God). 

The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him. Lamentations 3:25

What is hope? 

The modern idea of hope is:

•   to wish for, to expect, (without certainty of the fulfillment)

•   to desire very much, (with no real assurance of getting your desire)

“Hope” in Scripture means different:

•   It is a strong and ‘confident expectation’.

God is called “the God of Hope.” This means He is the source of all our hope. If we have hope (confident expectation), it must come from God (He alone has the power to offer it to us).

 In the Bible, hope is never a static or passive thing. 

It is dynamic, vibrant, active, directive and life sustaining. This is not what the Bible means by hope.

 The biblical definition of hope is "confident expectation." Hope is a firm assurance regarding matters that are unclear and unknown and mysterious in life.

  'For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. Romans 8:24-25

‘Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see..Hebrews 11:1

 Hope is a fundamental component of the life of the righteous

  'There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off. Proverbs 23:18

Without hope, life loses its real meaning. 

 “My splendor is gone and all that I had hoped from the LORD.”Lamentations 3:18

The righteous, who have hope in God, have a general confidence in God's protection and help - and they are free from fear and anxiety.

 where then is my hope—who can see any hope for me? Jeremiah 29:11

 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging Psalm 46:2-3

If you are without Christ, you are without God and without hope.

God Bless

Tips for a good behavior

Orange in my Home Garden @Tirunelveli

1 March 2012 

Be dependable. 

Be a trust worthy person to people, whom trust you. Take the burden (if shared) and do not unload to others, where it will spread like a  news. 
Try to be  a confident person by not revealing the matters of others, to be leaked out.  
Learn to respect the secrets of people.

Don't keep enemies.

 Paul  said in the, Bible:"Don't let the sun go down while you are still angry."Getting angry and emotional disturbed state is common state for a human being.
 If you gone 'far –off'  or in the wrong side, apologize sincerely. 
Don't hold grudges. Forgive.
 Let the sun shine without guilt.

 

Constantly learn.

Learning follows wherever we go- starting from home to any hi-tech matters. The aptitude to learn is a good . The more you learn, the more you can learn. We have a large world before us. Pick out high-quality matters to be taught .Beware of filthy aspects.

Give grace to others.

Let your words be soft and filled with grace. When your mind is overflowing with excellent  thoughts, there is no way to spill  hurting on others.   
Don’t get mad at every small thing. 

Choose your arguments wisely. 
Exercise compassion and mercy.

Finally…whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things. Philippians 4:8.

Various personality traits are there for reading but adopt the one which suits you.

Be a sincere person in all your endeavours.

God Bless

Tips for a good behavior

Beautiful flower with its fruit @ Kodaikanal garden

28 February 2012  

I came across these, while browsing on line and found it useful. 
With some modifications done , I like to post it here (ie my own thoughts also were incorporated) 
Hope it is useful.

 Tell the truth.

Do not be scapegoat hiding all the facts and truths. 
Honesty always wins.Actually there is no bigger trick in relationship  (inter-personal or intra- personal) than dishonesty. 
If you're afraid that being honest ,it will backfire , sometimes, honesty could be painful too. If you make it a point of having no reason to lie, honesty comes naturally ( it is a mind-set- very precious one to acquire).

Be on time.

Punctuality should be in your nerves. –Being ‘behind schedule’ ( in all aspects) can make the situation very uncomfortable. It's always good to write down appointments, meetings, and get-together on a calendar or planner. 

Work on self-discipline.

Self discipline is an important for acquiring a good personality. Be on your guard to accomplish the task in time. Don't postpone. Do it and do a good job(without a back drop). When you have self-discipline and know you can get things done, it becomes natural.

 

List your values. 

Evaluating your life is a good way to see who you are. What are your strong points? What are your weakness? How can you do better? Asking good questions of yourself can search out for a good thinking and plan to work on.

 

Live for a greater purpose. 

God has a purpose for you. Find something you really believe in. Read your Bible. 'Take in' the word of God.  Pray to God daily. Serve the society. Do something for environment. Adapt to good habits and try to ‘Go- Green’ with an 'Eco –friendly' policy. 

 

Challenge yourself.

 Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, "We are always getting ready to live but never living."Set aside the things that troubles you or put you on nerves. Remove stress and learn to be cool. Have a clear mind and definite principles to adapt in life.  You aren't really living ( if you don't try new things).
 

Take challenges yourself.

Keep going in life.
 Life is full of extremities.

 Take it in a right spirit .Enjoy

'Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. Colossians 3:2. 

God bless 
(....cond)