Righteousness delivers from death

Treasures of wickedness profit nothing: but righteousness delivereth from death. (Proverbs 10:2)

Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace. (Psalm 37:37)

Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit. (Ecclesiastes 7:8)

Praise JESUS

Dear Friends, sometime back I was going through the news looking at the recent changes happening in the North African and Middle Eastern countries. We have seen the end of the people who have ruled for decades. Their corrupt billions couldn’t help them in their difficult situation. Their end was so cruel. All bad things should come to an end. This reminds us “Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof …” (Ecclesiastes 7:8). Their treasures couldn’t help them.

This encourages us to continually lead a righteous life because it is the only way of life that is acceptable in the eyes of our LORD JESUS. It gives us the confidence in this life and the life to come, the eternity.

May GOD Bless us

Hallelujah

Wealth

It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. (Mark 10:25)

Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me. (Mark 10:21)

And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD. (Job 1:21)

As he came forth of his mother's womb, naked shall he return to go as he came, and shall take nothing of his labour, which he may carry away in his hand. (Ecclesiastes 5:15)

For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. (1 Timothy 6:10)

Then Isaac sowed in that land, and received in the same year an hundredfold: and the LORD blessed him. And the man waxed great, and went forward, and grew until he became very great: (Genesis 26:12-13)

The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it. (Proverbs 10:6)

But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19)

Praise JESUS

In this edition of the devotion, we shall see what the Holy Bible tells us about the accumulation of wealth. We will base our meditation on some scriptural references from both Old and New Testament.

Two people were talking to each other; one person asked to another one, “How much wealth did Rockefeller left to his son?” the other person replied, “He left all”. Yes, Rockefeller didn’t carry anything with him after his death. Rockefeller was one of the richest person lived in USA, the first billionaire of USA.

Job, “… the greatest of all the men of the east” (Job 1:3) and King Solomon (both of them have seen the pinnacle of wealth), had said that the material wealth cannot be taken into eternity from this world (Job1:21 & Ecclesiastes 5:15).

Apostle Paul said, “For the love of money is the root of all evil: …” (1 Timothy 6:10)

Does this mean that the people who walk with our GOD should not have material blessings?

In the Holy Bible, we could see Abraham, who was called as a Friend of GOD by GOD HIMSELF, (Isaiah 41:8) became very rich person (Genesis 24:35), also his son, Isaac became very rich, he became so rich to such an extent that the king of the land where Isaac lived started to fear Isaac (Genesis 26:29). “The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it” (Proverbs 10:6)

Also we could see in the Holy Bible, an young man who is also rich came running to our LORD JESUS CHRIST and asked, “…Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?”(Mark 10:17), I am very much impressed by his question.  I am not sure how many people in today’s world seriously think about their eternity, even believers who attend the Church regularly. It is so sad that many people seek the LORD for worldly blessings only. 

Our LORD JESUS CHRIST asked that young man to sell his wealth, give it to the poor, and then take up the Cross and follow HIM, but that young man couldn’t do that because he was very rich. The rich man’s wealth cost him his Holy calling. We could read this incident in Mark 10:17-23.

We could see in the Holy Bible that our LORD JESUS CHRIST doesn’t called everyone to follow HIM, HE chose only few and others HE asked them to stay with their family.  

So I could conclude the meditation like this, “Wealth within the will of GOD is a blessing, but the wealth outside the will of GOD could lead us to sin and may even cost our eternity”

Our LORD JESUS CHRIST said, “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God” (Mark 10:25)

Hallelujah 

Just Pass, First Class and 100%

... Jesus began to teach by the lake. The crowd that gathered around him was so large that he got into a boat and sat in it out on the lake, while all the people were along the shore at the water's edge. He taught them many things by parables, and in his teaching said: "Listen! A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants, so that they did not bear grain. Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up, grew and produced a crop, multiplying thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times. (Mark 4:1-8)

In my Father's house are many mansions: … (John 14:2)

Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done. (Revelation 22:12)

Praise JESUS

The Parable of the Sower has inspired me to write this message, Just Pass, First Class & 100%. It is an inspiration from the parable and should not be thought as an illustration of the parable.

The LORD JESUS CHRIST said, “In my Father's house are many mansions: …” (John 14:2). Where we spend our eternity is depends on how we spend our time here. Our spiritual status in Heaven is based on our spiritual status on the earth. After our death, we can not do anything to make progress in our spiritual status in Heaven. So it is necessary how we spend our time and how we respond to the calling of the LORD JESUS CHRIST in this world as a believer of the LORD JESUS CHRIST.

In the above Parable, the LORD JESUS CHRIST said, “Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up, grew and produced a crop, multiplying thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times” Mark 4:8.

In this message, my focus is on the seeds that fall on good soil and produced the corp. We could see, the same Sower, same seeds and I assume the same soil, but gave three different results – 30 fold, 60 fold and 100 fold. From the above parable, I thought of there are three different group believers, yielding three different results in response to the scripture.

We have to analyze our self on how we read the Holy Bible, how we meditate on the Word of GOD and how we respond to our meditation.

In a class of students, the teacher teaches the subject and in the exam, some peoples may fail, few are just passed, few passed with first class and only very few gets full marks. Here we see, same lesson was taught for every one, by the same teacher, but the results vary as in the parable of the Sower. The students who worked hard are the ones who got the good and full marks.

In the same way, we need to prepare and work-out for our Spiritual growth. It is not just got saved, go to Church every Sunday, and open the Holy Bible only on the next Sunday. Nothing will happen automatically; we should study, meditate and walk on what the Scripture says.

I believe the LORD JESUS CHRIST wants us be equipped ‘with all the necessary skills for the Kingdom purpose’, so that HE can use us whenever HE wants us to.

We could see in the Old Testament, “Then Isaac sowed in that land, and received in the same year an hundredfold: and the LORD blessed him”, Genesis 26:12. One of the reasons for this hundredfold blessing can be found in Genesis 24:63, “And Isaac went out to meditate in the field at the eventide: …” Shall we also do the same thing what Isaac did and get hundredfold blessing?

Many parents today want their children to have good carrier as an Engineer or Doctor etc, but how many parents dedicate their children to be an Evangelist or a Pastor or a Prophet. It is very rare.

Some time back, I was asked on how to sharpen the brilliance of a Child, though my initial response was a worldly one, later I said, “Ask him to memorize at least one verse per week, he would have memorized 520 verses in 10 years, by the time he grows up, he is not only equipped for the Kingdom purpose, but also he will be successful and prosperous”, because the Holy Bible tells us, “This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success” Joshua 1:8

Also, the LORD JESUS CHRIST says, “Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done” (Revelation 22:12). I believe those who walk with the LORD closely in this worldly life will have higher glory in Heaven.

It is the need of this hour to get all necessary skills for the Kingdom purpose.

Hallelujah

Grace

But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD. (Genesis 6:8)

And the LORD said unto Moses, I will do this thing also that thou hast spoken: for thou hast found grace in my sight, and I know thee by name. (Exodus 33: 17)

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: (Ephesians 2:8)

Praise JESUS

An online dictionary gives the following meaning for grace, “The divine favor toward man”.

Yes, it requires a special favor of the GOD Almighty JESUS CHRIST to deal with human beings. GOD is so big and powerful and we human beings are highly insignificant in this whole of universe. Yet for GOD to intervene in our destiny, it requires an uncommon favor of JESUS CHRIST towards us.

We can see how much GOD loved us in the Holy Bible, For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)

[Please go through the following link to know more about Salvation

http://JESUS-the-deliverer.blogspot.com/2009/10/will-of-god-concerning-your-life.html ]

It is this grace that saved us, not by our works.

An uncommon favor can place us in a palace (Joseph and Daniel), an uncommon favor can make us king (David), an uncommon favor will help us to see GOD Almighty HIMSELF (Moses).

In this edition of the devotion we will meditate Biblical way of receiving this uncommon favor.

First the fear of the LORD increases HIS favor toward us.

…the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, ... (Psalm 103::17).

The Holy Bible tells us that we should have the fear of the LORD. GOD is a loving GOD, John 3:16 says how much GOD loves us, at the same time we should keep it in our mind, HE is Almighty, who created, sustains the universe. For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: ( Colossians 1:16)

... If I am a father, where is the honor due me? If I am a master, where is the respect due me?” says the LORD Almighty. ... (Malachi 1:6)

The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: ... (Proverbs 8:13)

Some people may think, it is that during the Old Testament time, people fear GOD, and we are living in the New Testament time, it is the time of grace, so we can take GOD bit lighter like that, but it is the fear of GOD that results in grace.

We could see Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD (Genesis 6:8). Noah never asked anything or said anything in response to what GOD asked him to do. This shows the reverence Noah had towards the GOD Almighty. Because of that, His entire family got saved during the world wide flood (Genesis 6-8)

I want my family should be saved in this sinful, wicked generation. So with reverence and fear let us say, … as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD. (Joshua 24:15).

Second, it is humility that gives grace of the LORD.

But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. (James 4:6)

The humble people are teachable, will have understanding, patience. Our LORD JESUS CHRIST washed the feet of HIS disciples (John 13:5, 14). How much more we should be humble and show the CHRIST like character?

Hallelujah

Good Friday

“... that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;” Hebrews 2:14

Praise JESUS

Today [Good Friday], we Christians all around the world remember the Crucifixion of LORD JESUS CHRIST. We Christians set aside this day to remember the sufferings (Passion) of LORD JESUS CHRIST at the CROSS.

The death of LORD JESUS CHRIST at the Cross is very cruel and beyond comprehension. We shall see why HE should suffer such a cruel death at the Cross.

The Holy Bible tells us in Matthew 1:21 that “… he [JESUS] shall save his people from their sins” LORD JESUS CHRIST came to this world to save us from our sins. But why should HE suffer such a cruel death at the Cross to save the humanity?

The LORD declares in Leviticus 11:45, “… be holy, for I am holy”. GOD is Holy GOD, also the Holy Bible tells us in Psalms 7:11, “… God is angry with the wicked every day”. HE cannot compromise with sin as well as sinners.

When the first man Adam committed sin, GOD dealt with the sin by sending him out of the Garden of Eden, I could say, Adam lost the presence and communion with GOD, when he committed the sin.

After the separation of GOD, the sinful nature of human being started to grow exponentially and as a result, today we could see almost every part of the world is suffering with violence and every imagination of the thoughts humanity is evil.

Though GOD has sent Adam out of HIS presence, HE loves to have the fellowship with HIS creation, us.  The Holy Bible tells us in Psalm 103:13, “Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him” And also the Holy Bible tells us in Isaiah 66:13, “As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you;…”

From the above scriptures, we could see the two characteristics of GOD, first HE is Holy and hates sin, at the same time HE is a loving person.

Also the Holy Bible tells us in Exodus 34:6, 7, “… The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children's children, unto the third and to the fourth generation”

HE doesn’t want to leave humanity in this sinful situation and devised a plan for the redemption of humanity, to bring back the humanity again to HIS fellowship.

HE sent HIS only son LORD JESUS CHRIST to this world. The birth of LORD JESUS CHRIST was a miraculous birth, a sinless birth; HE was born to a virgin, so that the sinful nature of humanity doesn’t pass on to HIM. HE led a Holy life and offered HIM as a sacrifice for the sins of the world; The Holy Bible tells us in John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life”

LORD JESUS CHRIST decided to suffer the punishment for the sins of the entire humanity upon HIM. This can be found in Holy Bible in Isaiah 53:12 “… he bare the sin of many …” and in 1 Peter 2:24, “… his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree …” and also in Isaiah 53:5, “But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: …”

The Holy Bible tells us in Leviticus 17:11, “… for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul”. LORD JESUS CHRIST decided to give every drop of HIS blood for the atonement of the humanity. The Holy Bible tells us in 1 John 1:7, “… the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin”

The cruel death of LORD JESUS CHRIST at the Cross shows how much GOD hates sin and also it shows how much love HE has towards us, HE has laid down everything and came as a man into this world and suffered for you and me.

The message of the Cross does not end at HIS death, but on the third day HE rose again from death victoriously. LORD JESUS CHRST declares this in Rev 1:18,  “I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore …”

Today HE is not dead GOD, HE is alive for evermore. To have a fellowship with you and me HE came down from the Heaven, suffered for the sins of you and me.

Today LORD JESUS CHRIST offers you this pardon and you too can live a life free from sin and can have a fellowship with HIM. I have accepted this invitation, will you? If you are not saved till now please accept this invitation, please Pray this simple Prayer:

Loving JESUS CHRIST, I believe you are the Son of GOD, YOU took the form of a man through a miraculous virgin birth and suffered the cruel death at the cross for my sins. You suffered in the place I should suffer. YOU died at the Cross and rose again on the third day. I declare from now on YOU are the LORD of my life and the Savior of my soul. Forgive me and wash away all my sins with your Holy Blood and make me a partaker of heavenly family. Thank you, Amen

This simple prayer will restore your fellowship with the GOD. I encourage you to go to a Pentecostal Church and enjoy the fellowship with our LORD JESUS CHRIST.

May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world [Galatians 6:14]

Hallelujah

Thought of the Day – Medicine for Heart Problems

“.. you who seek God, may your hearts live!” (Psalm 69:32)

Praise JESUS

Some time back, I was meditating on why some people suffer with Heart problems and scriptural references for the cause of the Heart problems. While I was reading the Holy Bible, I have found few scriptures on why the human heart becomes weak.

“Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: …” (Proverbs 12:25)

“Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: …” (Proverbs 13:12)

From the above verses, we could see two of the reasons for the Heart problems.

The first verse speaks about the worrying that makes the heart sick. The LORD JESUS CHRIST said, “…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).

Worrying causes sickness to the body as well as to our soul. Worrying could also be one of the reasons for a believer’s back sliding. You could read this in the “Parable of the Sower” (Luke 8). It takes away the Word of GOD that is sowed in our hearts “The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life's worries ...” (Luke 8:14).

[Please read the message “Do not worry” at the following link

http://JESUS-the-deliverer.blogspot.com/2009/11/do-not-worry.html ]

To lead a healthy life (for both body and soul) we should lead a worry free life. We can lead worry free life only when we are totally depend on the LORD JESUS CHRIST for every need in our life, if only we know that he cares for us than we care ourselves (Matthew 7:11), we may not worry as we are doing now, “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you” (1 Peter 5:7).

The second verse says about the waiting for a long time for some good / favorable thing to happen. I believe waiting alone may not make the heart sick, but waiting with doubting (worrying) whether it will come or not may make the heart sick. If the source of the expectation is not trust worthy then we may have this problem. The Holy Bible tells us, “but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint” Isaiah 40:31 (NIV), this verse says that waiting on the LORD JESUS CHRIST will make our body strong. So the source of our waiting should be trust worthy.

I remember a person in the Holy Bible called Joseph who spent most of his youth in prison / slavery hoping for some good thing to happen to him, that he may be released from his slavery and meet his father one day (Psalm 105:16-19) but his later life was blessed by the GOD in an unmeasured way (Psalm 105:20-22).

Make your source as LORD JESUS CHRIST.

“Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD” (Psalm 27:14)

Hallelujah

Thought of the Day – Righteousness – Commit to the standards of Heaven on earth

“Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness” (2 Peter 3:13)

Praise JESUS

The Holy Bible tells us, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness” (Romans 4:3). The faith Abraham had in GOD is counted as righteousness for him. “… God is no respecter of persons:” (Acts 10:34), the GOD counted the faith of Abraham on HIM can count our faith on JESUS CHRIST as our righteousness, “But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead;” (Romans 4:24).

The Holy Bible tells us, that it is our faith in JESUS CHRIST that leads us to salvation and makes us partaker of heavenly family. “For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation” (Romans 10:10).

The verse we have taken for our meditation tells us that the new heavens and the new earth is a place for righteousness to dwell. I tried to find the meaning of the word righteousness in dictionaries. One definition of righteousness is given as adhering to the standards - adhering to the standards of Heaven.

New heavens and the new earth is a place for righteousness to dwell. The people who are saved by the grace of JESUS CHRIST will live there forever. When we live in this new earth, it is necessary for us to confirm the standards of Heaven. It is not like we go to this place then practice to live according to the standards of Heaven there, but we have to practice the standards of this righteous new heaven and new earth in this current life itself.

This can be done by following the commandments of LORD JESUS CHRIST gave to us, following the teachings and preaching of LORD JESUS CHRIST. “For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous” (1 John 5:3)

We are saved by the grace of LORD JESUS CHRIST, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:” (Ephesians 2:8) and it is HIS expectation that we should follow HIS commandments. We are saved by grace, it doesn't mean that we can live in the old ways as we lived before our salvation. GOD is very strict on this; that we should start complying the standards of the Heaven in our life on this earth itself.

This also may not be possible by us with out the grace of LORD JESUS CHRIST.

LORD JESUS CHRIST said, “… when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: ...” (John 16:13). The Holy Spirit will teach us how to lead a Holy life on this earth itself. This is why all the believers should get the anointing of the Holy Spirit and be filled with the Holy Spirit.

This is the promise of LORD JESUS CHRIST, “And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: ...” (Acts 2:17), if you have not received the Holy Spirit, cling unto JESUS CHRIST, ask to HIM fervently in prayer, the LORD who promised will definitely fill us with HIS HOLY SPIRIT.

Hallelujah