BIBLE PEARLS - JULY 2023

 

                    - Bro. M. Geo Prakash

AATHAVAN 🔥 891🌻 Friday, July 07, 2023

If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmising, ( 1 Timothy 6 : 3, 4 )

As today, during the time of Paul's apostles, various false teachings and guidelines were spread among people who believed in Christ. These are what Paul calls different doctrines. Those who preach such diverse teachings are those who are haughty, those who know nothing, and those who have vain arguments and arguments like a disease.

If he teaches different doctrines, without prioritizing these basic teachings of forgiveness of sins, freedom from sin, and soul salvation, and eternal life, that is, the healthy verses of Jesus Christ and the doctrines of godly devotion, then he is arrogant, ignorant, and sick of arguments and arguments.

This does not mean that we should always teach these things; On the contrary, it is these truths that should be given priority. 

Dear ones, today there are many servants of God who flip through the scriptures and preach according to themselves. Many of the sermons circulating on social media are similar. They are saying only a certain number of verses, combining the Scriptures, without realizing what they are about to say.

It was only in the 12th century that the Bible was divided into chapters and verses. Those who wrote them on leather rolls wrote them continuously.   Therefore, it is only when we read continuously that we come to know the meaning of what is written.  Those who pick up and teach the blessed verses will understand the true meaning only if they read the first and the latter parts of the verse together. Even if we clarify this to such so called servants of God, they will not understand, they will argue with us.

Paul also tells us what is the reason for this.  These are bad thinking, lack of reality in life, and thinking of the ministry as an income-generating profession. Therefore, he suggests that we should turn away from servants who give contradictory teachings. " Perverse disputing of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.” ( 1 Timothy 6 : 5 )

Let us  keep our  soul by rejecting those who teach diverse doctrines.

AATHAVAN 🔥 892🌻 Saturday, July 08, 2023

“And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean.” ( Acts 10 : 28 )

The Jews had a pride that they were God's chosen people. They considered themselves to be people favored by God and treated others as insignificant. God made it clear to Peter that this was wrong before he sent him to Cornelius. God explained that God can make anyone clean, so do not consider anyone unclean. "What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.” ( Acts 10 : 15 )

After realizing this, "...... God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean.” (Acts 10:28) says Peter.

This situation continues in Christianity today. Each denomination see other as impure and unclean. Priests and Christian ministers who talk about unity and harmony in church meetings are personally bigots, caste fanatics and language fanatics. They do not have the true attitude of Christ-like acceptance of others.

This is the curse of Christianity. Anyone with this bitter mindset cannot know Christ and experience His redemption. This is what God told Peter that day and tells us today.

Therefore, we must accept Christ with singleness of mind; He should be notified. We should not treat anyone as insignificant or unwanted. This is what the apostle Paul says, " Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus” ( Colossians 1 : 28 ) We must not seek to make any man the elect in Christ, nor be fanatical.

Also, God knows all the violence and oppression against Christians by others, apart from the division among Christians today. But God is giving them time to repent. So, they may change their mind later. So let us not single out a single person or a group of church members as unclean. Bro. Sornakumar , who is close to me now and who is serving God zealously, came to know Christ from Hinduism. He was  once a member of  R.S.S. and the person in charge of the student wing and worked against Christianity. There are many such examples.

So, let's leave narrow sectarianism and become spiritualists. Do not call any man impure or impure.

AATHAVAN 🔥 893🌻 July 09, 2023 Sunday

“Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.” ( 1 Timothy 6 : 12 )

Each of us is called to receive eternal life. If we are to receive that eternal life, we must stand in the faith. But in this world, we face various obstacles that can shake our faith. We must fight against them and win. This is what the apostle Paul advises his disciple Timothy.

The main reason that makes us slip away from faith is the desire for money or materialism. That is why Paul says in the preceding verses, "“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 )                                                                                                                

Wandering around with the desire for money is like stabbing yourself with a knife. This is what suicidal people do. If we take the wrong path instead of going straight to eternal life, it will lead to soul death. That is why the apostle Paul likens it to stabbing themselves.

We must stop chasing after money and go straight to eternal life. We have already meditated on the differences between earning money and desire for money in previous meditations. We should try to get rid of money obsession and attain eternal life. This is what the apostle Paul continues to write. "But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.” ( 1 Timothy 6 : 11 )

Righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, and meekness are the qualities that lead us straight to eternal life. We should prioritize and try to achieve these. Also, as we teach our children about study and work, we should try to develop these qualities and faith in God in them.

Our role models are also important. Our lives of faith set an example for our children. Yes, let us fight boldly to guard our faith without forgetting that we are called to fight the good fight of faith and lay hold on eternal life.

AATHAVAN 🔥 894🌻 July 10, 2023 Monday

"Awake therefore, thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light." (Ephesians 5:14)

In today's verse the words 'sleep' and 'dead' are used. These are symbolic of spiritual sleep and spiritual death.

A life of spiritual slumber is a life where one lives a life without any interest in knowing God, attends services only on certain days, reads some parts of the Bible for duty, and lives without any spiritual feeling.

A life that lives without any thought or fear of God, doing all the wretched sinful things that worldly men do, is a dead life. Paul says that it is shameful to speak out about the sins committed by dead people. " For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret" (Ephesians 5:12)

If we live in spiritual sleep, we are dead in God's view. That is why it is said, "Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead." God says do not lie down like a dead person, get up.

Many who live in spiritual slumber today take their superficial devotional activities too seriously. So, when there is any trouble or problem in life they will murmur, “I am praying too much, go to temples, read the scriptures...why do I have these difficulties.....does the Lord not see?"

Beloved, first of all we need to take stock of our spiritual life. If you are sleeping, you should wake up from sleep. "Then Christ has said that he will make you shine." Today's verse says that. Yes, if we are to be enlightened, we must first rise from our sleep, and if we are dead, we must rise again. Then we will shine.

AATHAVAN 🔥 895🌻 Tuesday, July 11, 2023

" For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.” ( John 3 : 20 )

Once, I was talking to an elder teacher of my father's age from my hometown who is dear to me. Our conversation turned to Biblical matters. After talking for fifteen to twenty minutes, he said to me, "Brother, you and everyone preaching Gospel are saying sin, sin.... What is sin?" I said to him, "All our actions against God's will are sins."

He asked for further clarification. I said to him, I will tell you a verse for illustration, “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.” ( 1 Corinthians 6 : 9, 10 )

Until then, the one who had spoken lovingly as brother, raised his hand to hit me saying, "What are you talking about? Do you know about me? Is I am your father’s age.? " I do not understand anything. Why is he so angry? When I told this incident to my spiritual friend, he said, "He's a homosexual and will he not get angry when you tell him like this? He's already been given a memo on this charge at school." After that the teacher would not talk to me. He stares at me wherever he sees me.

Yes, the reason many hesitate to come to Jesus Christ is because of their sins. None of the other so-called deities claim that human beings are prevented by their sins from approaching them. So some remedies are easily done. But we don't need to do any penance to get closer to the Lord Jesus Christ. The reason is that He Himself has become the propitiation for our sins. When we believe and accept it and receive forgiveness, we receive Christ in our lives.

There are some professions in this world where people are tending to sin the most. So, when we evangelize those who do such professions, they see it as a hindrance to their profession. So, they will not accept our gospel message.

Yes, " one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.” When thieves go to steal, they first try to put off the light in that place. Because light will illuminate their actions. In this way, because the words of Christ expose the sins of many and prick their consciences, they hate the scriptures and hate those who speak those words.

We can receive and enjoy Jesus Christ in our lives only when we boldly admit our sins without hypocrisy and accept the light Jesus Christ.

AATHAVAN 🔥 896🌻 Wednesday, July 12, 2023

"Guard your heart with all care, and out of it will flow the fountain of life." (Proverbs 4:23)

Water is the source of life. That is why scientists today are interested in knowing whether water exists on various planets. Because if there is water on a planet, it means that there are more chances for life to grow there.

If our spiritual life is to be a living life, we must have living water in our soul. Just as there are no crops or life in dry land without water, there is nothing in the lifeless soul. Today's verse says, "Guard your heart with all guard, and out of it will spring forth sustenance." Yes, if the fountain of life is to flow from our heart, our heart must be maturely guarded.

Jesus refers to the Holy Spirit as living water. This is what he said, " But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive” (John 7:39) 

If the heart is to be protected, it is necessary for us to live as people who have faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. That is why Jesus Christ said, "He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his heart shall flow rivers of living water.” ( John 7 : 38 )

And speaking to the Samaritan woman, Jesus Christ said, " If thou knew the gift of God, and who it is that said to you, give me to drink; you would have asked of him, and he would have given you living water.” ( John 4 : 10 )

But even today, people focus on other things than God. This is what God said through Jeremiah, “For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water.” ( Jeremiah 2 : 13 )

If we do not change our heart according to God and give priority to the blessings of the world, then we will be the ones who build cisterns that will not hold water from the fountain of living water. Such a tank is of no use to anyone.

Let us open our hearts to Jesus Christ; Let us guard our heart with all care, then the Spirit of life, the Holy Spirit, will flow forth from our heart as a fountain. If the fountain of life flows from our heart, we will be useful not only to ourselves but also to the people around us. A lush garden will grow around us.

AATHAVAN 🔥 897🌻 Thursday, July 13, 2023

"But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light" ( 1 Peter 2 : 9 )

Apostle Peter explains in today's verse what is the great gift we have received as chosen by Christ Jesus. He has called us out of the previously darkness into His wondrous light. We have thus become God's chosen people, priests, a holy nation, and his own people. Why did he call us like this? Because we want to make Him known to others by our witnessing life.

If everyone living in this world is to know Him who is that amazing light, then He should be announced. So, it is necessary that we declare Him with our lives.

His choosing does not come easily to us; Instead, it was obtained by His holy blood. His sufferings and shedding of blood have earned us this glory.

This is what we read in the Revelation, "Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen." ( Revelation 1 : 5. 6 )

A person in a high position will act with the aim of not being overtaken by another. But our Lord Jesus Christ chose us that we should be with the Father as he is. This he appealed to the Father in his prayer when he lived in the world with his disciples. (John - 17:23-26)

Beloved, this is the cause of the sufferings of Jesus Christ. That is, because of His love for us, He suffered these things so that we might be kings in His holy society. Only when we come to know this truth will we have a personal love for Christ.

Let us live in gratitude to Christ for his love and sacrifice for us. Let us hate the things that Christ hates. May the Lord bless us.

AATHAVAN 🔥 898🌻 Friday, July 14, 2023

“And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the LORD's, and he will give you into our hands.” ( 1 Samuel 17 : 47 )

God created these universes with his word. Everything came into being because he said let it be. How easy it is for him to destroy the man he made!! God loves those who fight against Him. That is why those who acted against Christ later repent and become His servants. The first example of this is the Apostle Paul.

Today's verse is David's words before killing the Philistine Goliath. It is better to look at this Old Testament verse in the New Testament sense.

Our Lord Jesus Christ does not save by sword and spear. When Peter struck the ear of one of those who came to arrest him in the Garden of Gethsemane with a sword, Jesus Christ said to him, "Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.”( Matthew 26 : 52 )

And not only, "Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?” ( Matthew 26 : 53 ) Yes, he can do everything in a single moment if he thinks.

But God's plan of salvation is different. Christ's blood must be shed. Salvation must take place by that blood. Therefore, if today's verse is to be said in the New Testament way it should be "And all this multitude shall know that the Lord saveth not by sword and spear, but by his own blood."

When we continue to read today's verse, it is said, "So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and smote the Philistine, and slew him” ( 1 Samuel 17 : 50 )  Beloved, we may say this also like, "Thus by three nails and a cross did Christ take away the sin, and humble it, and slewed it."

This is what the apostle Paul says, "For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh” (Romans 8 : 3 )

Yes, “all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear”

AATHAVAN 🔥 899🌻 July 15, 2023 Saturday

"And Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground.”( 1 Samuel 3 : 19 )

This verse for today's meditation got me thinking. This verse says, "Samuel grew up; the Lord was with him." Beloved, generally in our life we move away from God as we grow up. Because, more and more the attraction of the world draws us and drags us towards sin.

Samuel had the experience of hearing the voice of God when he was still a boy. In other words, he was at that age when he could not even know that the Lord was speaking to him. So, when the Lord called, "Samuel," he thought, Eli the priest was calling him. So, when the Lord called him three times, he went to Eli and said, "Here I am, did you call me?".

The third time, Eli said to Samuel: "Go, lie down: and it shall be, if he calls thee, that thou shalt say, Speak, LORD; for thy servant heareth. So, Samuel went and lay down in his place”. ( 1 Samuel 3 : 9 )

Unlike the sons of Eli the priest, Samuel was righteous and the Lord was with him.

This is a lesson for us today. Ministry is not a hereditary profession. Eli, the priest, had two sons, but God chose Samuel to ignore them. It was because of Samuel's pure life. But nowadays ministry has become a hereditary profession. The reason is that Christian ministers accustom their heirs to service so that the wealth added by them does not pass to others.

Why did God choose Samuel who ignored the two sons of Eli the priest is because of his pure life. That is why the Lord was with Samuel even as he grew up. Because it was so, “The LORD was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground. And all Israel from Dan even to Beersheba knew that Samuel was established to be a prophet of the LORD.’ (1 Samuel 3: 19,20)

Let us think about our life. How are we growing up? How is our spiritual life today compared to yesterday? It is our duty to protect our spiritual life so that the Lord does not leave us at any stage. If we live like that, God will fulfill his will for us.

AATHAVAN 🔥 900🌻 July 16, 2023 Sunday

"If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth” ( 1 John  1 : 6 )

Political parties conduct membership recruitment camps for their party. As the elections approach, their activities will intensify. Today, the situation of those who claim to be Christians has become like joining a political party, it is a sad reality.

We are not Christians because we are born of Christian parents; We are not Christians just because we go to church, pay tithes, and attend prayer meetings. Yes, we can do such things even if we are not united with Christ.

Union with Christ is experiencing Him in our lives; Living with him by developing a close relationship; Experiencing His presence in daily life; Living according to his imagination. When we live like this, our qualities change. We will have spiritual fruits.

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” (Galatians 5 : 22, 23 ) When we live like this, we have to make some sacrifices. We have to reduce our desires and needs. This is what the apostle Paul says, "And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. ( Galatians 5 : 24 )

If we are Christians in name only, we are liars. That is why today's verse says that if we claim to be united with Him and walk in darkness, we will not walk in truth and tell lies.

The apostle John says that he has announced to us what he sees and hears so that we too should live in union with Christ as his disciples. "That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.” ( 1 John  1 : 3 )

Not as nominal Christians; Let us live in union with Christ. Let our union be with the Father and His Son Jesus Christ. Let us confess to Him our sins that hinder such union and seek His forgiveness.

AATHAVAN 🔥 901🌻 July 17, 2023 Monday

"For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.” ( Romans 4 : 13 )

In today's meditation verse we see the words "righteousness by faith" are used. The righteousness that comes by faith is greater than the righteousness that comes from keeping the commandments. Yes, we can live a righteous life pleasing God only by having faith in Him.

Keeping the commandments of the law does not make us righteous. That is why Jesus Christ looked at the Pharisees and the scribes and said, "Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cumin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith.” ( Matthew 23 : 23 )

It is necessary for us to live with faith in God without leaving justice, mercy, and faith, which are special things taught in the law. It is possible only by our faith on Jesus.

In Abrahamic times no Brahminical precepts were given. It was only thousands of years after his time that the Brahminical precepts were given by Moses. But Abraham fulfilled God's righteousness before that by his faith. But the righteous Brahmin commands given by Moses did not help to live a godly righteous life. This is what the Apostle Paul said, "Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.” ( Galatians 2 : 16 )

Christ Jesus came into the world so that we can do what the law cannot do in us through faith in Christ. This is what the apostle Paul says, "For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh” ( Romans 8 : 3 ).

Therefore, beloved, if we consider ourselves righteous by keeping mere commandments, we deceive ourselves. Faith in Christ Jesus will help us to overcome our sins and live a righteous life. So let us be vigilant that our faith in Christ does not wane.

AATHAVAN 🔥 902🌻 Tuesday, July 18, 2023

"Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.” ( 1 Corinthians 2 : 12 )

In today's verse, the Apostle Paul speaks about two spirits. One, the spirit in worldly men; Another is the Spirit proceeding from God. The spirit of the world is sufficient to know and act upon its functions in this world. But it is only when we receive the Spirit from God that we can know the graces of God, the depths of His love, and the spiritual truths above. This is what Paul is saying, "we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.”

In the next verse he says, " Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual”. ( 1 Corinthians 2 : 13 ) That is, he says that we do not speak like human beings, especially worldly speakers and politicians, but we speak with the words that the Holy Spirit teaches; It means that we are speaking from the experience we have received from God.

Beloved, anyone can preach the message of Christ. But this means that the help of the Spirit is needed to declare such. Today, the speeches of many Gospel preachers and Rev. fathers are the words of human wisdom. Teaching with learned knowledge without spiritual experience is human teaching.

There is a Tamil proverb that says, "what is in a vessel, it will come in the spoon" That means we can give to others what we have. But when God works in us, we can know and teach truths that we do not know, that is, that which we do not have, by the Spirit.

Therefore, it is certain that a person who lives his life with 100% worldly desire activities cannot stand in a temple and give a spiritual message. Only one who receives the spirit given by God and lives spiritually can give spiritual messages and guide others in a spiritual way. We need to pray for getting such good spiritual teachers.

The late Pastor Johnson David (IPC Church) who guided me in spiritual life during my early days was not very educated; He never attended theological college. But I have never seen a preacher like him in all these years. Dear brethren, not only to teach in the church, but also to live a spiritual life, it is necessary to receive the spirit that comes from God so that we can know what God has given us. But these things are not understood by men who do not know what the spiritual case is; It is like a crazy rant.

Yes, " But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” ( 1 Corinthians 2 : 14 )

AATHAVAN 🔥 903🌻 Wednesday, July 19, 2023

" Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.” (Isaiah 26:3)

One thing many people lack today is peace of mind. Many who are in great positions and at the height of fame kill themselves by suicide. When we see this, peace of mind has nothing to do with position, fame, and wealth; These do not give people peace of mind.

There are millions of people in the world who have no good position, wealth, or fame. Not everyone commits suicide. But they are living with some hope. But it cannot be said that all of them are living in complete peace. Even if they do not take the decision to commit suicide, many people's lives are without peace.

A man attains complete peace only by attaching him with Jesus. Perfect peace is the peace that the world cannot give. This is what the Lord Jesus Christ also promised as follows: - " Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” ( John 14 : 27 )

Today many people are looking for the peace offered by the world in alcohol, movies and lustful things and try to find peace. Such sensual pursuits may seem peaceful at first but eventually bring various physical ailments and problems into the life and cause further loss of peace.

But perfect peace comes when we hold fast to the Lord. This is what we read in today's verse as "" Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.” Yes, our God is not unfaithful. He will not forsake us because He knows that we trust in Him; He will guard with perfect peace.

Beloved, no matter who we run to, apart from the Lord, the source of peace, we will not find complete peace. As today's verse says, if we only firmly believe in the Lord, He will protect us with complete peace. Let us, therefore, cling to him; Let us enjoy the peace that the world cannot give.

AATHAVAN 🔥 904🌻 Thursday, July 20, 2023

"He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad." ( Matthew 12 : 30 )

Christ Jesus is referring here to who is his enemy. Usually, we think of those who act against Christians as the enemies. So, we are heartbroken to see activities against Christians here and there. It is fervor with ordinary religious fanaticism.

But God considers the people who claim to be Christians who do not live in union with Christ to be a greater evil than people doing anti actions against Christians. Those who work against Christ may later repent and accept Christ. But those who claim to be Christians and live without Christ are his enemies and it is impossible for them to know Christ in life.

Also, in today's verse for meditation, Christ says that whoever does not join with Christ is scattered.

When we live without Christ, we become scatterers instead of gatherers. The reason is that Satan easily enters a life without Christ. Christ is the one who unites, Satan is the one who scatters. Hence, “He that dasheth in pieces is come up before thy face: keep the munition, watch the way, make thy loins strong, fortify thy power mightily.” (Nahum 2: 1) Nahum the prophet said.

Munition means the fence. We should keep our fence strong and safe so that Satan, the scatterer could not enter in us and spoil our life.

He that is not with me is against me; Jesus Christ's warning that he who does not gather with me scatters should always be in our memory. Today we see a lot of scattering in churches that are not in union with Christ. The council election in these churches is more laughable than a political election. Leaders of the council are wandering towards the police station and the court. Scattered mind is the reason.

We should allow He, the Chief Shepherd, to let in of us. Let us beware of the thief and the robber who does not enter through the door, but climbs in by another way. Yes, if we are not united with Christ, we will become anti-Christ and disintegrating with Satan's character instead of unity.

AATHAVAN 🔥 905🌻 Friday, July 21, 2023

"A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven." (John 3: 27)

If we are to receive anything from this worldly government, there are certain conditions. We have to submit - some evidence to the government. Based on them the government will help us by checking our application.

Getting such help from Government in our country is often difficult. Government officers and officials are corrupted and demand bribe. This results in deserving people not getting help and ineligible people getting the help.

But in the kingdom of heaven God bestows all things on us according to our righteous life and according to His will. "A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven." Yes, it is a righteous kingdom because there is no deception, mistakes, or bribes like the earthly government. It is in God's hands to consider and decide all our needs and requests.

This is what the apostle James also said, "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning." (James 1: 17) Yes, there is no shadow of difference. God has no partiality among men.

Beloved, that is why it is necessary for us to live a godly life. Without doing the will of heaven, we cannot receive the blessings of heaven by living a perverse life. We must not misunderstand God by seeing the prosperity of the wicked in the world. Worldly blessings are different; Heavenly blessings are different. He who lives a worldly life gets only worldly blessings.

"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." (Matthew 6 : 33 ) said Jesus Christ. Yes, God will give us the blessings of this world when we seek the things of God's kingdom. Yes, beloved, a man receives nothing unless it is given him from heaven. So, we should live with the aim of satisfying the heavenly God in our life. When you live like that, perfect gift from above, cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

AATHAVAN 🔥 906🌻 Saturday, July 22, 2023

" Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.” ( John 5 : 39 )

Many people today say that the Old Testament is not important for us; We are in the age of grace, so the teachings of Christ's grace are enough. Such preachers are ignorant of Christ and enemies of the gospel of Christ. "Only Jesus," they chant. This may sound like a good thing, but there are many contradictory teachings in the background. So, we need to be cautious.

The reason is that there is no New Testament without the Old Testament. The New Testament is the fulfilment of the Old Testament. The Jews are the chosen people in the Old Testament. They believed what the Old Testament prophets had said about the Messiah, the Savior of the world. So, they expected the Messiah. But they simply could not believe that Jesus Christ was the Messiah spoken of in the Old Testament.

Almost throughout the Old Testament contains some reference to Christ. Altogether there are 47 references to Christ the Messiah in the Old Testament. But the Jews did not recognize these as prophecies addressed to Jesus Christ. That is why Jesus Christ looked at the Jews and said, " Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.”

Only if we read and understand the Old Testament stories and prophecies today can we have a clear understanding of Christ and belief Him.

We can see Jesus Christ also tells the Old Testament events in many places. For example, Jesus Christ mentions Moses, Elijah, Jonah, Lot's wife, Sodom, Gomara, Isaiah etc. If we are only reading the New Testament, we will not understand any of these examples of Christ.

The Old Testament is a shadow of the New Testament. So, we need to learn them. The apostle Paul mentions that it was Christ who led the people of Israel in the Old Testament. "And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.” ( 1 Corinthians 10 : 4 )

Yes dear ones, Christ did not come just 2000 years ago. If we believe like that, it means that we consider him as one of the people like Buddha, Gandhi, etc.

Let us examine the scriptures without distinguishing between the Old Testament and the New Testament. Through them we have eternal life. When we read carefully with spiritual eyes, we can see Christ in the Old Testament. They are the ones that testify about Christ.

AATHAVAN 🔥 907🌻 Sunday, July 23, 2023

"And into whatsoever house ye enter, first say, Peace be to this house. And if the son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon it: if not, it shall turn to you again.” ( Luke 10 : 6 )

Today's meditation verse explains an important truth to us. Today most of the time the blessing ministry pastors and evangelists want to please the believers who come to them by giving them messages of blessings and blessing promises. But God's vision and His blessings are not as people say.

In today's verse, Jesus Christ says, " And if the son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon it: if not, it shall turn to you again.” Yes, dear ones, a blessed greeting or a blessed message from a Christian minister does not become a blessing in our lives. First it is necessary that we become worthy to receive that blessing. It is necessary that we become qualified to get a peace promise or wish into our lives.

Many people today fail in this regard. They fail to find real blessings in their lives as they run after the solace of the spiritual messages given by the blessing ministers.

David lived a life acceptable to the Lord; God had promised him that Christ would appear in his offspring. But when he fell into sin with Uriah's wife, God sent the prophet Nathan to warn David. " Now therefore the sword shall never depart from thine house; because thou hast despised me, and hast taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be thy wife”. (2 Samuel 12: 10) David repented.

Only when one repents from a sinful life can one attain blessings and peace. Zacchaeus's life is an example of this. Christ blesses him when he repents of his sins. In the Gospel of Luke we read, " And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord: Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken anything from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold. And Jesus said unto him, this day is salvation come to this house.” (Luke 19 : 8, 9 ) Yes, the house was got salvation when the mind was converted.

“And if the son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon it”, as today's verse says, let's decide to live as men of peace. May we find and enjoy true peace in our families.

AATHAVAN 🔥 908🌻 July 24, 2023 Monday

"He maketh the barren woman to keep house, and to be a joyful mother of children." ( Psalms 113 : 9 )

Today the average child birth rate in the country is decreasing. In earlier times each family had ten to twelve children. In the last generation it had shrunk to five or six. Now it is one or two. But the number of childless couples is ever increasing.

Medical records show that infertility treatment is more common today than ever before. Childlessness is a great tragedy. Many people are doing penance by wandering from temple to temple asking God for at least one child. Beloved, today's verse is a comforting verse for such suffering people. Yes, our Lord "maketh the barren woman to keep house, and to be a joyful mother of children."

One of the reasons for family break up today is childlessness. But our Lord is able to changes such situation. That is why today's verse says that, He makes the barren woman to keep house, and to be a joyful mother. When the Lord intervenes in our lives, He removes the separation caused by childlessness and makes us dwell at home with children.

Do not get confused or worry that you have been married for so many years. God promised Abraham a child at the age of 75 and blessed him with Isaac at the age of 100. There is nothing He cannot do. " Shall I bring to the birth, and not cause to bring forth? saith the LORD: shall I cause to bring forth, and shut the womb? saith thy God.” (Isaiah 66 : 9 )

Beloved, do not be afraid of circumstances and medical reports. God can change everything in our favour. I have heard various witnesses with negative reports, the doctors have given up and said, ”100% impossible”, have conceived child by God's miraculous touch. Trust in the Lord with faith and wait. The Lord will do miracles.

God is asking at the troubled people, " Shall I bring to the birth, and not cause to bring forth?

AAHAVAN 🔥 909🌻 Tuesday, July 25, 2023

"The dead praise not the LORD, neither any that go down into silence. But we will bless the LORD from this time forth and for evermore. " (Psalms 115 : 17, 18 )

To praise means to glorify the Lord. By saying this, it does not mean that the Lord likes people to praise Him like ordinary world leaders. God wants men to glorify Him by their love for Him. A person who feels God's love will unconsciously praise the Lord with gratitude. Today's verse says, "The dead praise not the LORD, neither any that go down into silence.” It means, only people in spiritual death alone will not praise the Lord; all others who have life will praise the Lord.

"Let give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.” ( Psalms 136 : 1 ) starts the Psalm which is known as Psalm of Praise. In this psalm, the psalmist praises the great deeds done by the Lord one by one.

"Praise ye the LORD: for it is good to sing praises unto our God; for it is pleasant; and praise is comely." ( Psalms 147 : 1 ) Why is it good to praise the Lord? Beloved, when we chant, our fetters and ailments are removed. Satan is afraid to approach a man who praises. There is liberation through praise.

Paul and Silas, who were locked up in prison, “And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed.” ( Acts 16 : 25, 26 ) we read.

Beloved, sometimes we cannot pray with fervency when more sufferings and problems approach us. At those times, if we are quietly praise God, we will get liberation. “By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.” (Hebrews 13 : 15 )

Also, the Apostle Paul says that it is God's will for us to praise. “In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” ( 1 Thessalonians‍ 5 : 18 ) Let us do God's will and inherit the blessings.

AATHAVAN 🔥 910🌻 Wednesday, July 26, 2023

" If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door." ( Genesis 4 : 7 )

Today's verse is the verse, God spoke to Cain. In Genesis we read, "But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect." (Genesis 4 : 5 )  Many of us may wonder why God did not approve of Cain's offering. A careful reading of these verses will make it clear.

It says, “Cain and to his offering”. That is, God did not approve of Cain first; and because He did not approve him, He did not approve of his offering. In today's verse, God said to Cain, " If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted?  That means, he did no good in his life. That is why he says this. And God says, " if thou does not well, sin lieth at the door." That is, because you have not done good, your sin lies at your doorstep.

Beloved, today's verse is a warning to us too. Today, we can go to church, attend gospel meetings, pray for hours, pay tithes but if we have no good in life, if we do not live a good life, our sin lies at our doorstep. We cannot continue sinning and live a successful spiritual life.

The reason is that these devotional activities do not remove sin from us. When we go to temples or other houses, we leave our shoes at the doorstep. We wear it again when we return. Yea, so shall the sin that lieth like a dog at the doorstep follow us. unbeneficial character; Hypocrisy, jealousy, and deceit were in Cain's heart, so he could not bear the Lord's acceptance of Abel's offering.

Even if we hide the presence of such qualities in us, God knows it. Therefore, if we live without a mind to do good, without change our inner mind, our prayers and worships will be in vain. God looks at us and tell, " If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door."

Beloved, we must not allow sin to lie at our doorstep. Only when we truly come into the covenant of the Spirit of Christ Jesus can we be freed from sin and the death of the soul. This is what the apostle Paul says, “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.”

True liberation from sins and deliverance from spiritual death comes to us only when we come into a spiritual covenant with Christ Jesus, not following the commandments of the law.

AATHAVAN 🔥 911🌻 Thursday, July 27, 2023

“Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.” ( James 1 : 27 )

People make various efforts to show their godliness in this world. Many who make such acts want to show their piety to others. There is also a desire to get appreciation and acknowledgement from others. But our Lord Jesus Christ taught that such acts of devotion should be private.

We should pray in privacy, with the doors closed so that only the Father can know our prayer. Fasting should be done in such a way that others do not know that we are fasting. Similarly, offerings should be done without others knowing. But many Christians today practice none of these things.

Many stand on roadside and praying, taking videos of their prayer and charity works and publishing them on Facebook, WhatsApp and other social media, paste advertising posters as fasting prayers etc. These are becoming acts of Christian devotion. This is because of their pride. It is a surprising sad fact that these people who memorize Bible verses with their numbers have lost the knowledge of the verse that "God opposes the proud" (1 Peter 5:5).

And some express their devotion by garlanding images of Christ, lighting candles, burning incense sticks etc.

But today's verse says that to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world is pure piety before God the Father. That is, helping the poor and keeping our body pure without subjecting it to sin is said to be true devotion to God.

Before helping the poor, we must first live holy so that we are not defiled by the world. In other words, engaging in cheating, bribery, embezzling someone's property and giving a portion of that money to the poor is not an act that God wants. But in today's advertising world, the world respects those who do so. Hence, those who want worldly glory engage in such activities.

Beloved, God does not approve of some extraneous devotional activities or unnecessary publicity efforts. Helping the poor with honestly earned money and keeping our body clean without sin is the kind of devotion that God wants. This is the devotion acceptable to God the Father.

AATHAVAN 🔥 912🌻 Friday, July 28, 2023

"And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye? And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded."( Acts 19 : 15, 16 )

Today's verse is a warning to people who only know Jesus Christ in name and call themselves Christians. People who claim to be traditional Christians and live without a spiritual life or desire to know Christ are more likely to get caught in these traps as today's verse says.

A good Christian life is not only knowing the history of Christ and his miracles; it is not about knowing the histories of the saints. if we boast about dead missionaries and say, "He is the one who built our church", we are deceiving ourselves.

If we are so, our life would become pitiable like the exorcists who saw the miraculous deeds performed by the apostle Paul, and acted like Paul, thinking that they too can cast out demons in the name of Jesus Christ preached by Paul.

They only knew the name of Jesus Christ preached by Paul, but did not know the relationship between Paul and Christ, the holy life of the Paul or his prayer life. So, they thought that by saying the name of Christ the demons would flee.

Satan knows just as God knows about our lives. So, the demon possessed man asked, " Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?" Moreover, it is said that he leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.

Beloved, if we know the name of Christ and live claiming to be Christians, this can happen to us too. Not only ghosts, but diseases, sufferings, problems, all these things will overcome us. If we do not live a righteous life but only pray, Satan will question us like he asked the exorcists "Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?"

Only when we know Christ in our lives, accept Him as Savior and live a holy life according to Him, Satan cannot question us. If we accept Christ for namesake, we will be pitiable.

AATHAVAN 🔥 913🌻 July 29, 2023 Saturday

"Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people,  that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?" ( 1 Kings 3 : 9 )

Today's verse is King Solomon's request to God. God approved this request; it pleased God that Solomon not asking for long life, riches, or victory over enemy kings, but prayed, “grand me an understanding heart”

Therefore, God said to him, because you made such a request. "Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee." ( 1 Kings 3 : 12 )

Beloved, this request of Solomon pleased God; but, even though God heard it, it was not a prayer for spiritual life. It is a hundred percent global application. So even after God spoke to Solomon twice, he could not live a good spiritual life like David, his father. He acquired more wealth than his father David; but, he failed in his spiritual life and eventually turned away from the Lord.

Many of us today pray like Solomon. We pray that our children may grow in wisdom and knowledge. This may sound like a good prayer, but it is not a spiritual prayer. All the people of the world pray for their children to live with wisdom and knowledge.

What we as professing Christians really need is the guidance of the Holy Spirit. He alone can teach us rightly and guide us. He alone can give us true wisdom. Yes, wisdom is one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit who "will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment" (John 16: 8) says the Lord Jesus Christ.

And, "But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you." ( John 14 : 26 ) He said.

Beloved, we should not pray for wisdom like Solomon; But rather for the anointing of the Holy Spirit, the source of wisdom. When He comes into us we can become wise. The sages of the world could not argue against Stephen that day. We read this in the book of Acts:- “And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake”. ( Acts 6 : 10 )

Beloved, Let us especially pray for the anointing of the Holy Spirit, the source of wisdom. Let us also pray to fill our children with the wisdom of the Spirit.

AATHAVAN 🔥 914🌻 Sunday, July 30, 2023

"And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart."( Jeremiah 29 : 13 )

Today many people in the world worship God but very few know Him and worship Him. According to the religious faith of their birth and according to the knowledge taught by their mother and father, they perform some worships.

In worshiping in this way, competition and jealousy and the thought that “my God is great” are increasing and they leave the love that God said. Everyone says "Love is God". But love is left behind. But the Bible, instead, says, "God is love" (1 John 4:8). Yes, if we want to know God who is love, it is necessary for us to live without being religious. "He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.” ( 1 John  4 : 8 )

As today's verse says, "And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart."(Jeremiah 29: 13), he who truly seeks will be a true human lover. He alone can know God. He who seeks God to meet his worldly needs cannot know God.

This is what Jesus Christ said to the Samaritan woman, "Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews." ( John 4 : 22 ) Yes, people were praying to an unknown God until then.

Beloved, we can only find God if we seek with true love for God in our hearts. We must try to find him. "That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us" ( Acts 17 : 27 ) says the verse. Truly, He is not far away from any of us.

Basically we are all spiritually blind. As a blind man groping to find a place or thing, we must grope him. It means that we need to have interest and effort to know Him.

Seeking God with all one's heart is to seek God with eagerness to leave worldly desires and desires. Not to blindly believe what our forefathers taught us; You have to search with the intention of knowing the truth. Even though all the ancestors and the whole world said that this world is flat, Christopher Columbus proved it wrong. Because he has the intention to find the truth.  

Beloved, if you seek Him with all your heart and leave your belief in the traditional beliefs of your forefathers, you will find Him when you seek, says the Lord God. We can find God in life only if we try to know him personally and not because our ancestors and parents told him.

AATHAVAN 🔥 915🌻 July 31, 2023 Monday

"But they constrained him, saying, Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent. And he went in to tarry with them." ( Luke 24 : 29 )

The experience of two disciples of Jesus Christ is a lesson for us. Before knowing the resurrected Jesus Christ, because their hearts were burned by his words, those two disciples turned to him and asked him, " Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent.”

Here we see events taking place contrary to what is stated in Revelation. "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me." (Revelation 3: 20) it is said.

But here, the disciples call him before he even knocks. He stays and dines with them. Yes, today's verse is a verse that we should all remember in life to know Jesus Christ.

Why did the disciples call Jesus Christ? When he explained the verses of the scriptures to them, their hearts burn with those verses. They say this after knowing that the one who came with them is Jesus Christ. "And they said one to another, did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?" (Luke 24: 32)

Beloved, when we read the scriptures, let our hearts burn with love for Christ. That means when we read those verses it should work in our heart. Christ explained to his disciples the necessity of his suffering and the plan of redemption. When they heard that, their hearts burned. So they constrainedly invited him to stay with them.

If we seek Christ only to fulfil the desires of the world, and live without interest in knowing His plan of redemption or receiving salvation, our hearts will not burn with the words. Christ will not come to dwell with us. We can cry out, "Lord, come... come...". But if we do not allow His words to work in our hearts - without burning like the hearts of Emma's disciples - we cannot experience Him in our life.

The evening of our lives has come; Time has passed. Can we still live without knowing Christ? If we love Christ with true love, "Let us beseech Him to abide with us, it is evening, and the time is gone," Let us open our hearts; then He will come into our hearts to abide with us.