Reflections *15 – To God, Thanks is due

For mothers love and Fathers care
For food to eat and clothes to wear
For home and friend and answered prayer
I thank thee Lord
But most of all my thanks shall be
That on the cross of Calvary
The Saviour gave His life for me
I thank thee Lord.

An old Story: A little boy was so happy after drinking a glass of cold water on a hot day that he impulsively thanked the glass. ‘Don’t thank me ‘said the glass thank the tap where I came from’. So he thanked the tap and the tap said ‘Don’t thank me, thank the well and so he did that. Now the well replied ‘You should thank the rain and not me’ So he thanked the rain and the rain said ‘Thank the clouds and not me’. The clouds said ‘Thank the sun’ the sun said ‘Thank the ocean’ The ocean said ‘Thank the one who made me, the sun, the clouds, the rain, the well, and the man who made the tap and the glass’. Now the boy realized that everything he had came from God, and he profusely thanked God with all His heart.

God has innumerable ways to help us and reach us, but He is the source of all blessings. Many a times we thank the seen giver, but forget the unseen giver. Behind everything is the heart of our Loving Abba Father who longs to keep on blessing us as we keep on asking Him. Hallelujah!

 

Prayer: (Go through your life and thank Him with all you heart for His goodness and all that He has bountifully given you and experience His peace)

The Bible says in Rom 8:32 Since God did not spare even his own son but gave him up for us all, won’t God, who gave us Christ, also give us everything else?

THE BIBLE: Read it everyday. It records all the victories that God has given you as a believer. Read it passionately to know your new position and inheritance in Christ.

 

 

Reflections *14 – Uncertainty is your Opportunity

He will never let go YOUR HANDS

He will never let go your hands
Jesus will never let go your hands
Though the storms may come
And the winds may blow
He will never let go your hand

Certainty means that you know for sure’ the next course of action. Uncertainty means just the opposite. You are not sure of the next course of action. You do not know what to do. As your heart ponders over the uncertainty, then you tend to consider the odds for and against you. As you think about the consequences a sudden fear grips you. The thought remains in your mind and gets you tensed up.

Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength  Is 26:4

Your ride away from ‘faith in God’ has already begun. This breaking away in your mind can be instantaneous and you loose all sound judgment. Before the roller coaster ride begins, you must right now.

Thank Him for the certainties
And Trust Him for the uncertainties.

Uncertainty is your opportunity to Trust in God.
Uncertainty is your opportunity to turn to God.
Uncertainty is His call to you.
What would you choose today?

Trust in Him, Turn to Him and Obey His call.

Prayer: Loving Heavenly Father, Today no matter how bleak or uncertain things may look in my life I choose to trust in you and your love for me. I believe and confess with my mouth that my future is in your hands. Each passing day, grant me the grace to keep my eyes fixed upon you and believe in your Word, and not what the circumstances around me say. All because I ask in Jesus name. Praise the Lord.

The Bible says in Isaiah 26:3 – Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.
Further Reading : Trusting in God

THE BIBLE: Read it everyday. It records all the victories that God has given you as a believer. Read it passionately to know your new position and inheritance in Christ.

Reflections *13 – What are you saying Today

If I only TOUCH His garment, I shall be restored to health…….

In the 9th chapter of the book of Matthew, we read about a woman who had an uncontrolled flow of blood in her body for the last twelve years. Twelve years was a pretty long time. As she prepared for a close encounter with the King of Kings, she kept saying to herself.’ I will be healed, I will be healed and all I need to do is touch the garment of the Lord. And when she did so, without doubting she was not disappointed. So also, we will not be disappointed when we prayerfully approach the Lord in faith. She saw her healing before it happened, she spoke it and did what she decided to do. She declared ‘I will be healed’. This faith did not go unnoticed by the Lord.

So what are we saying today. To ourselves, to others around us. Let us remind ourselves

For she kept saying to herself, If I only touch His garment, I shall be restored to
health.    Mat 9:21

again that with God nothing shall be impossible. Let us release all the limits that We have set on God. Some times we tell our children’You are useless, and will never change’. We keep saying ‘It will never happen for me, I have always been a failure’. Today let us consciously focus our energies and our thoughts on the Lord. From now on let us speak in faith expecting things to happen. Let us speak life, let us speak hope for our children, family and all whom we come in touch with everyday. The Lord will see the faith in your words and the miracle will come forth. This one statement of faith that you make, can make all the difference in your life and in the life of others.

The lady wanted to be healed when she touched the garment and the Lord granted her healing according to her faith. She set the conditions and the Lord honoured it.

Prayer: Loving Heavenly Father, Forgive me for the times I have been rude, angry, and may have cursed others. Today I pray, that Lord you will bless them. From today grant me the grace to always encourage others and to speak life into every situation. Help me to speak in faith and see changes happening. All because I ask in Jesus name. 

The Bible says in Mark11:24   For this reason I am telling you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe (trust and be confident that it is granted to you, and you will get it.

THE BIBLE: Read it everyday. It records all the victories that God has given you as a believer. Read it passionately to know your new position and inheritance in Christ.

 

Reflections *12 – His continuing work in our lives

Out of the dust we are formed

Our God is the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end, the author and the finisher, the one who begins and the one who brings to completion, Everlasting to Everlasting God who never changes. When God does all this then the best we could do is yield and submit and stand in faith and see His mighty works in our life.

Things around us may seem insignificant to us. What we are doing now may seem too little. The day we have given our hearts to the Lord, His work has begun in our lives. We may not understand or see all of it now, but it is true. An old chorus says:

He’s still working on me
To make me what I ought to be
It took Him just a week to make
Sun and moon, and Jupiter and mars
How loving and patient He must be
He’s still working on me.

Let us be confident in Him. Let us thank Him for all that we know has happened and stand in faith looking unto Him for what He is still completing, and will complete in our lives.

Prayer: Loving Heavenly Father, I thank you that you are working in my life. I believe that all my yesterdays and my today’s put together, and all that has happened the good and the bad is working out for my good. Today, I stand believing in you Lord, that you will bring every work to completion and fulfill you plans in my life for the future. Let my life bring glory and praise to your name. In Jesus name I pray. Amen

The Bible says in Mark 11:24 For this reason I am telling you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe (trust and be confident that it is granted to you, and you will get it.

Step by step and from glory to Glory

 

 

Reflections *11 – Infinitely MORE than you can ask or think

 

Yes! That is the heart of our Heavenly Father, to give His children much more than they can ask or think. But today, what is our mind captured with? Let us not go by what people say and by what the daily news savs, but rather let us go by what the Bible says about us and our future lives. Everything else will increase your unbelief,  but the Bible will keep us on the path of increasing faith.

Today arise and pull up yourself together. No matter what has gone by, the future is bright and in His hands. God can turn it around for you. Rather than feeling defeated and brooding, turn to God. Turn your life to God. Faith is a dynamic power which works within you, when your eyes are upon Jesus, for He is the beginning and the end of it. As you stand in faith, God is pleased and His Hand moves on your behalf. May the Lord touch you even now, as you read this email.

If you ask your earthly Father for bread you will receive it, If you ask Him for fish you will receive it.  It is the heart of God to give us all good things, much more than we would give our children, He wants to give good gifts to us. The Holy Spirit is one of the precious gifts that God gives us. The Bible refers to the Holy Spirit as ‘The Helper’. The Holy Spirit helps us to lead a life that is pleasing to God, opens our understanding and guides us in all matters. The Holy Spirit comes to dwell in us. The Holy Spirit is the power of God within us to accomplish all that we would ever dare to ask or think.

Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,

 

All who have received Jesus into their hearts must pray this prayer everyday to be filled with His Holy Spirit.

 

Prayer: Loving Heavenly Father, You Word says that if I ask you for good things then you will give it to me, so today I ask you to fill me with your Holy Spirit. Let my life overflow with your presence. Fill me Lord with your Holy Spirit and let you power be manifested and seen in my life Let the fruits of the Holy Spirit, love, joy, peace, kindness, goodness, meekness, faithfulness, long suffering and self-control be seen in my life. Thank you Father for hearing my prayer, In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

 

 

Reflections *10 – Nothing is impossible with God

Is anything too hard for the Lord?
No nothing is too hard for the Lord
Offer unto Him thanksgiving and praise
And be set free in Jesus name

In the 16th chapter of the book of Acts, we read how God delivered Paul and Silas as they praised Him. They were cast into prison as they witnessed for the Lord Jesus. What was the punishment that they received? They were not only cast into the inner prison but were also chained in stocks. The stocks are wooden planks with holes which are put around the neck and feet, which are further chained and also chained to the floor. This makes the prisoners escape impossible.

But the secret is Nothing is impossible with our God’ The situation looked impossible. But they kept their faith and expectation on God and chose to sing and praise God even in such a situation. Now at midnight as Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God WHAT HAPPENED ? When they prayed and praised God in the natural, God moved in the Supernatural.

What did God do?
1. God sent an earth quake and shook the foundations of the prison
2. The doors were flung open
3. Then everyone’s chain was loosed.

Closed Doors are being opened Now

So God began at the foundation first. In your life do you find yourself caught up in a prison like situation today? Move your eyes to Jesus and praise Him. You can expect the impossible. He will free you for He came to set the captives free. He will open the doors and set you totally free, He will free you from those chains of helplessness, hopelessness, worries, self-pity, sinfulness which have held you for so many years. And He can do it right now. He will open that door of promotion, that door of increase, that door of blessing, or the door that you need. When you praise Him then the door will open not only for you, but even your family. your friends and all your loved ones and they will be set free because of your singing and praising God. What a blessing. Check it out and keep doing it everyday. Praying and praising God.

Every chain is being broken Now

Prayer: Loving Heavenly Father, Today I believe that as I pray and praise you, that Lord you will set me free, totally free from everything in life that weighs me down. I believe that every dark cloud will pass away, that every sorrow will turn into joy and all mourning into dancing. Let your presence always be with me and let your joy be my strength. All this Lord for me and my loved ones. In Jesus name I pray. Hallelujah! Thank you Jesus, Praise you Lord Jesus.

 

Reflections *9 – He is willing

Being transformed into HIS image

Jesus on the inside
Working on the outside
Oh! What a change in my life

God is still working in us. He has not given up on you. He has not forsaken you. If that is what you think, or somebody has told you that God has given up on you then that is a lie. God’s promises are much more than what we feel about ourselves or what the situation may say, or what people say about us. Gods promises are Yes and Amen in Christ Jesus. God’s promises are meant to be fulfilled in us, who believe on Him. His promises give us  new hope each day. It is not the end yet. Don’t give up. Everyday allow God to work in your lives. He is more than willing.

In Matt 8:1-3 we read the story of a leper who came to Jesus for healing. The lepers lived separately because of their sickness. As they moved around, they had to declare with their own mouths that they were unclean. Probably nobody spoke to this leper, leave aside even touching him. He came to the Lord Jesus and fell down at His feet and cried out

……… “Lord, if you are willing, You can make me clean.” Then Jesus put out His hand and touched him, saying, ‘I am willing; be cleansed. “Immediately his leprosy was cleansed. Matt 8:2,3

The most striking thing that the Lord did was that He put out His hand and touched him. This touch would have soothed and comforted His heart and lifted him up from every feeling of rejection. After having touched him the Lord spoke the Word ‘I am willing, be cleansed.’ The leper was instantly healed.

Today, year 2009, Jesus is the same. He has not changed. He is more than willing to hear your prayer. Ask Him today, what is it that you need? He is willing.

Prayer:  Loving Heavenly Father, Thank you that today I can come to your throne of grace in the name of your son Jesus Christ. Thank you for cleansing me with your precious blood. Today I put forth my needs ( one by one tell the Lord your needs-health, job, business or what is your need ) ————– believe that you are willing to hear and grant my prayer. In Jesus name I pray. Amen

Jesus on the inside …….Oh what a CHANGE

 

 

Reflections *8 – Keep your eyes upon JESUS

Mine eyes are upon thee, Oh Lord!
My heart sings a melody
The winds they blow
The raging of the sea But mine eyes are upon thee

Every work that the Holy Spirit begins in our life, He is able to bring to completion. Matthew 14th chapter records the incident of the Lord walking on the water. Peter was the only man who was able to walk on the water. It is a marvelous feat and ever since we have not heard or read about any such instances happening anywhere around the world.

Here we read that the Lord was walking on the water and Peter also desired to and started to walk on the water as the Lord called Him. Now how long was he able to walk on the water? Till the time His eyes were on the Lord, Peter walked on the water. When his eyes shifted from the Lord to the rough winds, then he started to sink. Let us learn our lessons from this practical demonstration. As we walk in faith we must develop the habit of looking unto the Lord and willfully avoid what circumstances or negative voices around us have to say.

Looking unto Jesus – Peter walks on water

As we walk on the waters with our eyes fixed upon Jesus, let us praise Him and worship Him with all our heart, soul, strength and mind. Let us be determined only to look to the Lord, having faith on His Word and He will complete the good work that He has begun in our lives.

We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, and not on the circumstances.

Prayer: Loving Heavenly Father, Help and save me in every difficult situation.  I pray that you will sustain and not allow my foot to slip. I pray that I will, continually keep my eyes upon you no matter what the situation. Help me to continue to seek you every day in prayer and in the reading of your Word. In Jesus name I pray.

Keep your eyes upon Jesus – whether calm  or troubled sea

Reflections *7 – JESUS – The Author of our faith

Our faith begins with Jesus
Jesus is the author of our faith

In the book of Matthew 8: 5 onwards we read about a Centurion whose servant was paralyzed and in terrible pain. A Centurion is a leader of one hundred soldiers. He was a man under authority. He pleaded with the Lord Jesus for the healing of his servant. Even though the Lord was willing to go to his house to heal the servant, the Centurion had faith that if the Lord would ‘only speak a word’ his servant would be healed. The Lord granted his request and commended the great faith of the Centurion. The Lord sent His Word and the Centurions servant was healed.

You may be in a pressing crowd, or alone at home, your faith will not go unnoticed by God. This kind of faith pleases the Lord and releases heavenly blessings on our life. Today all that we need is ‘a word from the Lord’. A single word from the Lord can change our lives and our future. A single word from God can impact and change a nation. The Centurion shifted his eyes from a hopeless situation to a place of hope – which is the Lord Jesus. In the same way do not focus on the situation at hand, or on your failures and get depressed, but today as you read this email, arise and lift your eyes expectantly to the Lord Jesus and call out to Him. He will send you that one word that can bring healing, deliverance and victory in your life. Hallelujah!

Prayer: Loving Heavenly Father, Many a times I have forgotten to say. Thank you, but today I thank you with all my heart for all the blessings you have bestowed upon me. Thank you for my job, family, friends, good health and the hope I have in thee. Today I pray that you will send your word from Heaven which can bring healing to my body and soul. Fill me with your heavenly joy and  peace. In the unfailing name of JESUS I pray. Amen. 

  

 

 

 

 

 

*Reflections – Repost of earlier writings.

Reflections *6 – Changing your mindset

 

To change your handset
All you would need is money
But to change your mindset?
Hmmm! Let us talk about it

There were three believers. They all had faced difficult situations, temptations, struggles and victories in their lives. They carry the memories of these difficult situations in a bag hung on their back called ‘BURDENS’. All the victories were hung in a bag on their chest called VICTORIES’. Let us see how each one faces life.

Having had many failures, the first believer often remembers his failures. He thinks he will not be successful anymore. Fear of the unknown rules his heart. He has lost all hope and is depressed. He worries about the future and has no will to carry on, He always ponders on his past failures. ‘I did not study well, I lost my job, I fell sick and so on. Now what will I do. He is unable to progress in life and is stationary. His ‘BURDENS’ bag is so full that it pulls him backwards. His ‘VICTORIES’ bag is empty. He is blinded by the devil and has forgotten his position in Jesus Christ as a believer. He has a defeated mindset.

The second believer also had failures in life like the first believer, but amidst this he also trusts in God. He carries some of his old burdens and sorrows with him. His “BURDENS’ bag is half full and he has got some victories. He goes ahead and makes some progress. He has got a progressive mindset.

Sword of the Spirit – Word of GOD

The third believer has also had failures in life like the other believers. But now he has chosen to completely trust in God. He keeps His faith on God and always looks ahead to the Lord Jesus. He spends every moment Thanking and Praising God. He prays and reads the Bible, seriously. He has cut his ‘BURDENS bag at the bottom and everything that is put there falls out. His VICTORIES’ victories bag is full and under the weight of that bag he is pulled forward to more victories. He runs ahead to more victories in Jesus Christ. His ‘BURDENS’ bag is empty. He has got a victorious mindset.

How do we renew our mindset? The Bible speaks in Rom 12:2 about renewing our mind. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.

Don’t you want to renew your mindset ? Yes, we all want a renewed mindset. As you read and meditate on the Bible the Holy Spirit works in you and renews your mind. Everything has a beginning. To go towards victory one has to start today. Today let us break free from everything that holds us back. In Jesus name, today you can overcome a defeated mindset which God has not intended for you. Let us receive a victorious mindset that God wants us to have.

Prayer: Loving, Heavenly Father. As I read you Word please let my mind be renewed.  Let your Holy Spirit work in my life. I yield to your ways and to your will. Lead me to become all that you created me for. Let me do all that you want me to do each day. I thank you for hearing my prayer. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

 

 

*Reflections – Repost of earlier writings.