BIBLE PEARLS - NOVEMBER 2023
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- Bro. M. Geo Prakash
'AATHAVAN' BIBLE MEDITATION
- No: - 1008, Wednesday, November 01, 2023
"He
that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in
him." ( John 6 : 56 )
To
believe and know that Jesus is the Son of God is to eat and drink His blood. He
who thus believes and accepts, He will abide in Him and that man will abide
with Jesus. Jesus Christ says that I will come and stay with the man who
remains like that.
But
many of the disciples who were with him were astonished to hear today’s
meditational verse spoken by Jesus Christ. Their spiritual blindness prevented
them from knowing the truth.
"What,
does he say that if we believe and follow this man, we must eat his body and
drink his blood? Does he think we are cannibalistic savages?" They
probably thought that. So, when they heard Jesus' words, they were shocked and
turned away from him. "From that time many of his disciples went back, and
walked no more with him." (John 6: 66) we read.
Eating Christ's body and
drinking His blood are what Jesus Christ said in a spiritual sense. "It is
the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak
unto you, they are spirit, and they are life." (John 6: 63) Jesus
Christ made it clear.
The
twelve disciples with him understood this. Therefore, the apostle Peter says on
their behalf, "And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the
Son of the living God." (John 6: 69) Yes, Peter and the other
disciples learned that to believe and know that Jesus is the Son of God is to
eat and drink His blood.
Yes,
beloved, we confess that we know and believe that Christ is the Son of God when
we eat the Eucharist or partake of the Holy Supper.
But
if we do this simply out of duty, it means that we are dishonouring Him. We
cannot accept Him who is holy without holiness in our lives; He also will not
come among us. On the contrary, if we eat his body without merit, it means that
we are harming ourselves.
"But let a man examine
himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. For he
that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself,
not discerning the Lord's body. For this cause many are weak and sickly
among you, and many sleep. For if we would judge ourselves, we should not
be judged." (1 Corinthians 11: 28 - 31)
Before
we partake of Christ's body and blood, let's take care of ourselves. Let us
partake of the Eucharistic meal only if our consciences clear us of guilt.
'AATHAVAN' BIBLE MEDITATION No:-1,009,
Thursday, November 02, 2023
"Not
by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he
saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy
Ghost;" (Titus 3: 5)
We
are all impure in the presence of a holy God. As humans we can do many
righteous deeds. But He does not save us by looking at those righteous deeds.
Because Isaiah says that many human righteousnesses are like filthy rags in his
eyes. "But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are
as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the
wind, have taken us away." (Isaiah 64: 6)
Yes,
God saves us not by our righteous deeds or by the true life we live. If He look
at it like that, sinful people who live in sin and think that there is no
salvation for us, cannot know God. Yes, He is a God who loves sinners. He hates
sin but loves sinners. That is why the Apostle Paul, when writing to his
disciple Timothy, says the following: -
"Who
hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works,
but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus
before the world began," (2 Timothy 1: 9)
That
is, He does not save us because we have done good, but He saves us out of His
mercy when we believe in Him. This is what the apostle Paul said, "For
by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift
of God:" (Ephesians 2: 8)
Beloved,
perhaps we are doing good things in life. But those good works do not save us. There
are millions of other religious people living in this world. Many of them do
good and live pious lives. But that is not enough to be saved. As we have
already seen, they are human rights. Many of them are like filthy rags. If we
want to live according to God's justice, it is necessary to believe in the Lord
Jesus Christ and be saved.
Don't
worry if you have lived a sinful life so far. Let us pray for the mercy of
Christ. God loves the prayer of a sinner's repentance above all prayer. Yes,
according to today's meditation verse, He does not save us because of the works
of righteousness that we have done, but according to His mercy, He saves us
through regeneration and the renewal of the Holy Spirit.
Let
us pray for His grace whether we have lived a good life or a sinful life. He
will fill us with an experience of salvation beyond what we have ever
experienced. Yes, salvation is by God's grace.
'AATHAVAN' BIBLE MEDITATION
- No:- 1,010, Friday, November 03, 2023
“Who
shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or
persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For
thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter,
Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved
us.” (Romans 8: 35-37)
All
of us who are born in this world must experience pleasure and pain. It is not
always pleasant. Similarly, even if suffering comes, it will pass. The only way
to overcome suffering in the Christian life is to cling to the Lord Jesus. He
loves us when we live according to Him. Through Him we can bear suffering. That
is why the apostle Paul says that we are overcomers through him who loves us.
So
dear ones, we don't have to worry if suffering comes even when we are living a
godly life. He will help us to overcome completely. Because He loves us.
Also,
the Apostle Paul says that when we live a life that is right for God, He will
make us escape from the temptations that come our way. "There hath no
temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who
will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the
temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it." ( 1
Corinthians 10 : 13 )
Today,
when we read the press reports, we see many suicides due to some trivial
reason. From adults to children studying in school, they commit suicide. The
reason for this is not giving God a place in life. If we give place to Christ
in our life, tribulation, separation, suffering, hunger, nirvana. Vandalism or
charter? In all these things we can overcome through Him who loves us.
When
we believe in God, we believe God's words. Let us know that he is not a liar.
In today's meditation, the apostle Paul does not simply say that we are
overcomers, but "completely". God is perfect in everything. He has no
shortage. So, the victory we get through him will be absolute victory.
No
more suffering has befallen us than the sufferings of Job. Even though his wife
said, “curse God and die”, Job instead of her said, "Thou
speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? shall we receive good at
the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil?" (Job 2: 10)
"Though
he slays me, yet will I trust in him: “(Job 13: 15) is
Job's declaration of faith. Accordingly, God showered him with a double
blessing. Let us have true love in God; Then we will be completely overcomers
by him who loves us.
‘AATHAVAN'
BIBLE MEDITATION - No:- 1,011 Saturday, November 04, 2023
"That
is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of
God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed." (Romans 9:
8)
Apostle Paul explains an important scriptural truth in today's meditation with Abraham's son Ishmael and Isaac.
Although God had promised Abraham a son, his wife Sarah made her slave girl Hagar his second wife because he did not have a child as promised by God. She thinks that at least one child will be born through her. Abraham also agrees to it. Abraham was 86 years old when he fathered Ishmael through Hagar. (Genesis 16:16)
No matter how great a prophet is, he is only human. Abraham failed in this matter of inheritance and acted contrary to God's will. God promised a son at the age of 75 and he waited for almost 10 years before coming to this conclusion. Yet "when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect. And I will make my covenant between me and thee, and will multiply thee exceedingly." (Genesis 17: 1,2)
After
that, when he was about 100 years old, the son of promise, Isaac, was born. The
first-born Ishmael was born according to human will. Isaac, who was born later,
was born according to God's promise. God planned to separate them right then
and there. So, Sarah tempts and separates Hagar and her son Ishmael. And Sarah
said unto Abraham, "Cast out this bondwoman and her son: for the
son of this bondwoman shall not be heir with my son, even with
Isaac." (Genesis 21: 10) we read.
But
it must have been sad for Abraham to part with his son and second wife. "And
God said unto Abraham, Let it not be grievous in thy sight because of the lad,
and because of thy bondwoman; in all that Sarah hath said unto thee, hearken
unto her voice; for in Isaac shall thy seed be called." (Genesis 21: 12)
He
who is born according to the promise is favored by God. Thus,
"And Abraham
rose up early in the morning, and took bread, and a bottle of water, and gave
it unto Hagar, putting it on her shoulder, and the child, and sent her away:
and she departed, and wandered in the wilderness of
Beersheba." (Genesis 21: 14)
Beloved, this is what the Apostle Paul explains in today's meditation verse. That is to say, those who are children according to the flesh are not children of God. That is, just because we are born as children of Christian parents does not make us rightful to Christ. Those who are children according to the promise are counted as that seed. That is, first we must be entitled to the promises of Christ. To experience the redemption of being washed by His blood.
"Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called." (Romans 9: 7) That is, although nominally everyone is said to be a Christian, not everyone is a Christian; Christians, like Isaac, are entitled to the promises of Christ. Yes, those who are children according to the promise are counted as that seed. Paul said.
This profound theological truth becomes fully understood only when we are spiritually reborn. We should try to get that experience. If we simply live as worshipful Christians, we will still be children of the flesh like Ishmael; Then we are not God's children, even though we claim to be Christians, we are not Christians in the eyes of Christ. Christians are entitled to the promises of Christ. Yes, all we have to do is surrender ourselves to Christ to have our sins forgiven in order to have such a righteous life.
‘AATHAVAN' BIBLE MEDITATION - No: - 1,012, Sunday, November 05, 2023
"Nevertheless, I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you." ( John 16 : 7 )
It must be said that many of us Christians do not have a proper understanding of the Holy Spirit. Many consider it to be some kind of spirit. Even when attending spiritual meetings, many Christians leave when they pray for the Holy Spirit.
The reason for this is that in many spiritual churches, some believers roll on the floor screaming and crying that they have received the anointing of the Holy Spirit. (It is not known what spirit it is) It is like some strange spirit; Many fear that if this spirit descends upon us, we too may become like this. Yes, it is because of a lack of proper understanding of Holy Spirit.
In fact, we should call him as ‘HE’. He has a personality like the Father and the Son. In the scriptures it is said as ‘him’ to mention the Spirit. In today's meditation verse, Jesus Christ also says, “for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you."
Since the Spirit has a personality like a man, he does all the things that men do. An ordinary spirit cannot do like this.
He grieves like a man – "And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption." (Ephesians 4: 30)
Speaks
like a man – "Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and
join thyself to this chariot." (Acts 8: 29)
He helps us as men help us in weakness – "Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities” (Romans 8:26)
He Prays for us – “For we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered." ( Romans 8 : 26 )
He distributes the gifts as the elder brother or sister distributes the bread bought by the father and the mother – "But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will." (1 Corinthians 12: 11)
Searches
and knows all things – "But God hath revealed them unto us
by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of
God.” (1 Corinthians 2: 10)
Beloved, we cannot live a successful spiritual life without the companionship of this Spirit. "Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come." (John 16: 13) (John 16:13) Did Jesus Christ say that?
Beloved,
we can know the Spirit only when we are interested in knowing Him. If we are
like ordinary worldly people we cannot know and reach Him; we cannot live a spiritual
life. "Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it
seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you,
and shall be in you.” (John 14: 17)
Let us pray with thirst to receive this Spirit of truth. We can call ourselves Christians only when we have Him in us.
'AATHAVAN’ BIBLE MEDITATION - No: - 1,013, Monday, November 06, 2023
"Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee; in whose heart are the ways of them." (Psalms 84: 5)
The sacrifices and offerings we make to God are not great for Him; Instead, He wants our hearts to be clean. He also does not listen to applications made without purity of heart. (Isaiah 1:15) God wants people to know Him and live a life that suits Him.
A man must not only know Christ but grow in the experience of Christ day by day. Strength should be achieved. The Corinthian church was not strong even after being led by the apostle Paul for many years with various instructions. (1 Corinthians 3:2) So he exhorts them to be strong. Because a man is blessed only when he is blessed in Christ.
This is what we read in today's meditation verse, "Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee; in whose heart are the ways of them.” What blessing is that? In the next verse the psalmist says, "Who passing through the valley of Baca make it a well; the rain also filleth the pools." (Psalms 84: 6) That means the sufferings of life will disappear and they will be happy. Their life flourishes as the rain falls on a dry land and fills the ponds.
Our Lord Jesus Christ also said about purity of heart, "Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God." ( Matthew 5 : 8 ) Beloved, he says, if we want to see the invisible God, our hearts must be as pure as the hearts of little children. This is why the psalmist says that blessed are those who have upright ways in their hearts.
Today
people run from temple to temple to visit God. They go to holy places. They
perform various fasts and do various things that upset the body. There was no
shortage of offerings and greetings. But despite doing all this, they could not
see God. The cause is impurity of heart; Jealous thoughts.
Yes, we cannot know God in life by any actions we do without changing our heart. How can God tolerate men who are competitive and jealous of getting priority in temples? How can He expose Him to them? How can a jealous and heartless father love other, who kills his own daughter because she fell in love with someone he didn't like? How can such minded people approach or know God? But they pray too!!!
Beloved, let us strive to grow strong in God. Blessed indeed are the men who strive and gain, and those who have upright ways in their hearts. The scriptures are not simply written fables; They are the words of God that are real.
'AATHAVAN' BIBLE MEDITATION No: - 1,014, Tuesday, November 07, 2023
"The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. " (Psalms 46: 7)
The word "host" in English is now used to refer to a numerous quantity or multitude; like a "host of options." However, historically, it referred to a multitude of warriors. So, it refers to all the heavenly armies under God's command. The people of Israel had many wars. They were sometimes captured by the enemy. The reason is that they failed to obey God's commandments. But the psalmist says, "The Lord of hosts is with us."
Our God is the Lord of hosts. A conqueror of armies. Knowing this, when King David confronted Goliath, he declared, "Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied." ( 1 Samuel 17 : 45 ) and defeated him.
Yes beloved, Lord Jesus Christ did not leave us orphans in this world. The Lord of Hosts victorious Christ promised to be with us until the end of the world before He went to heaven. (Matthew 28:20) He is with us.
If we live like ordinary people of the world, we cannot realize Him and His presence. The apostle Paul says, "Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you." (Philippians 4: 9)
We
have learned about God, His commandments, heard about Him through various God
messages. We know the biographies of various saints and their lives. Apostle
Paul says that if we follow them in our life then the God of peace will be with
you.
Even many Christians today do not believe the scriptures at times. Because when they are stuck in suffering and problems, they can't believe that the God of peace is with them. In general, the human mind tends to criticize others. People don't care about their flaws. Yes, beloved, when we live God's pleasing life He will be with us as the Lord of hosts. Otherwise, we cannot see him as such. There is no point in blaming Him.
Children
who obey their parents will enjoy the benefits of home. Naturally wandering
children cannot enjoy the love of their parents and the comforts of their
property. Similarly, when you live a life according to God, you can experience
Him in your life. Then you can proclaim, “Lord of hosts is with me; I can feel
and report that the God of Jacob is my highest refuge”.
God’s Message:- ✍️ Bro. M. Geo Prakash
‘AATHAVAN’
BIBLE Meditation - No:- 1,015 Wednesday, November 08, 2023
"By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in
a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with
him of the same promise:" ( Hebrews 11 : 9 )
We call Abraham the father
of faith not only because he dared to sacrifice his son Isaac; His life from
the beginning was a life of faith. "Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee
out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a
land that I will shew thee: And I will make of thee a great nation, and I
will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a
blessing:" (Genesis 12: 1, 2) He completely believed what
God said.
Abraham's
life of faith is amazing to consider. Today, the modern world has
telecommunications equipment and vehicles for travel that were not there in
those days. Yet he obeys God's command and leaves his own country.
What will we do if today we were told to go to a small town in Northern India and stay there? What shall we count? We don't really know the language, the food, the people there. Yes, dear ones, it was in this state of ignorance that Abraham left for the land that God had promised. "By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.” (Hebrews 11: 8)
"He
wandered as a foreigner in the land of promise, and dwelt in tents with Isaac
and Jacob, the heirs of that promise;" Today we see nomadic people
pitching tents on the roadsides, and Abraham stayed like that like a homeless.
Yet he lived well in his own country. Belongs to the Chaldean city of Ur
(Genesis 11:31).
The reason Abraham waited with so much faith was, "For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God." (Hebrews 11: 10) it is said. God has not forgotten His promise; He lifted him up.
Yes,
God made that one man into a nation because he completely obeyed God's word and
left everything to go to the land, he showed him. The nation of Israel was
formed by the descendants of Abraham. Even today it remains a unique country in
the world in many ways. Abraham did not ask to bless him. I don't asked God to
make him into a nation. Rather, he obeyed the word of God.
Beloved, we must first come to the experience of hearing God speak to us; Then we should obey it. Then God will fill us with a greater blessing as He blessed Abraham.
'AATHAVAN' BIBLE MEDITATION - No:- 1,016, Thursday, November 09, 2023
"Thus, saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel,
Amend your ways and your doings, and I will cause you to dwell in this
place." (Jeremiah 7: 3)
Although
our God forgives sins, He does not consider only asking for forgiveness. He
expects us to mend our ways. That is what is said in today's meditation verse,
"Amend your ways and your doings, and I will cause you to dwell in this
place."
A
non-religious friend once asked me, "Christianity talks a lot about
forgiveness. How can it be fair for one to sin and then be forgiven?" I
told him, "Forgiveness after committing a sin is not a ritual; rather, it
is a change of heart. Repenting and making a commitment not to commit such a
sin again. Doing things that stick to that commitment."
In the Bible we read about a
man named Zacchaeus. This man was the chief of the tax collectors. One who amazed
wealth unjustly by collecting taxes. But when he came to Jesus Christ, he said,
"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." (Luke 19: 8)
It
is these kinds of actions that are said in today's verse to mend your ways and
your deeds. Not only do we realize the wrongs we have done, but we also have to
rectify our false doings. Or, attempting to do so. We may have cheated someone
and then admit it to him with an open mind.
I
will simply keep on praying and asking God to forgive me, and it is no longer a
pleasing act for God. The reason is that
if we stay like this, it means that there is no change in our inner mind.
Perhaps if the old situation returns to us, it means that we will continue to
live the same wrong life as before. Not only that; It also means that our God
supports injustice.
There
are sins like that of the Samaritan woman, and there are sins like that of
Zacchaeus. It is enough for the adulterer to stop it, but it is necessary for
those who live by embezzling material, money, or taking bribes to compensate it.
In
his epistle to Philemon, the apostle Paul writes about a man named Onesimus.
This Onesimus was a servant of his master, Philemon, who had betrayed him and
escaped. But through Paul he came to know and accept Christ. Now, he has no
money. But Paul didn't leave it at that. He writes that he will pay for the
injustice he has caused.
"If he hath wronged
thee, or oweth thee ought, put that on mine account; I Paul have written
it with mine own hand, I will repay it:" (Philemon 1: 18,19)
Yes,
God will make us dwell in goodness as we mend our ways and our deeds.
'AATHAVAN' BIBLE MEDITATION - No:- 1,017, Friday, November 10, 2023
"But
he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down
under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said,
It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life; for I am not better than my
fathers.” (1 Kings 19: 4)
Elijah's "Juniper plant experience" happens to everyone in life. Yet Elijah was no ordinary man. He is a mighty man of God. He is the one who get down fire from heaven and made the prophets of Baal realize that the Lord is the true God, who raised the dead, who miraculously multiplied flour and oil in the house of the widow of Zarephath until the end of the deadly famine.
He prayed for no rain and
closed the sky for three and a half years. Then when he prayed, the sky began
to rain. This is what the apostle James remember in New Testament as, "Elias
was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it
might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and
six months." (James 5: 17)
Yes,
the above verse says that Elijah was still a man of sorrows like us. That is
why Elijah was discouraged when Jezebel sought to kill him. Sitting under the juniper
plant, begging to die: Enough, Lord, take my soul; Saying that I am not better
than my fathers, he lay down and slept.
Because
he was a prophet of God and acted according to the word of God, he was persecuted.
Yes. No matter how much we live a life worthy of God, such sufferings and bitter
experiences happen to us in the world.
But God never leaves us
alone. God sent his angel to strengthen the exhausted Elijah. After drinking
the bread and water brought by the angel, Elijah was rebuked. "And
he arose, and did eat and drink, and went in the strength of that meat forty
days and forty nights unto Horeb the mount of God.' (1 Kings 19: 8)
Beloved,
when we experience the "Juniper plant experience" in our lives, we
must look to the Lord Jesus Christ and be strengthened. Jesus Christ has given
his body and blood for us, which is bread that is better than the bread and
water given by the angel to Elijah.
With
the strength of the bread given by the angel, Elijah walked forty days and
nights to Oreb, the mountain of God. We too can overcome the weariness of our
lives and move toward the heavenly Zion by the strength of Christ's body and
blood. The "Juniper plant experience" strengthens us in God. It makes
us realize that without Him we can do nothing.
‘AATHAVAN' BIBLE MEDITATION No:
- 1,018, Saturday,
November 11, 2023
“And
the Lord God prepared a gourd, and made it to come up over Jonah, that it might
be a shadow over his head, to deliver him from his grief. So, Jonah was exceeding
glad of the gourd” (Jonah 4:6)
In
yesterday's meditation we saw Elijah's "Juniper plant experience".
Today's meditation talks about the “castor plant (gourd) experience” of the
prophet Jonah. There is a great difference between Elijah's depression and
Jonah's depression. Elijah was saddened by the fact that even after living a
life that was acceptable to God, he is in a position of lost his life. But Jonah
was saddened and depressed at the fact that his prophecy had not been
fulfilled.
When
we read the book of Jonah, we understand that Jonah and God had a relationship
like that of a child with its parents. He was a man who could share all his
thoughts with God. Many believe that he made a rash decision to disobey God and
flee to Tarshish. But that is not true.
Jonah
already knew everything. He already knew that God would not destroy the city of
Nineveh. He had already told God that. He said, "You will not destroy
Nineveh, so why should I go there?"
We
can learn this from Jonah's prayer. Jonah “prayed unto the Lord, and said, I
pray thee O Lord, was not this my saying, when I was yet in my country?
Therefore, I fled before unto Tarshish: for I know that thou art a gracious
God, and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repentant thee of
evil” (Jonah 4:2)
But
he had human weakness. He felt that if what he prophesied did not come true
then people would not accept him as a prophet. That is why he disobeyed God and
ran away. Do we have such an understanding relationship with God? So, God did
not rebuke Jonah. Jesus Christ uses Jonah as an example of his death and
resurrection. "For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly;
so shall, the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the
earth." (Matthew 12: 40) we read that Jesus mentions.
When
his prophecy was not fulfilled, Jonah became discouraged and went out of the
city and settled in a hut. But because God is loving, He ordered a castor plant
to sprout in one day to remove Jonah's heartbreak, made it grow above him and
destroyed it in one day, thereby making Jonah and us understand how God's mercy
was.
He
said, “And should not I spare Nineveh, that great city, wherein are more than
six score thousand persons that cannot discern between their right hand and
their left hand, and also much cattle?” (Jonah 4:11) Yes, dear ones, God has
compassion not only for humans but also for animals.
Let's
not think lightly that Jonah disobeyed God, but grow in God's relationship like
him. As Jonah shared the thoughts of his heart with God, so shall we. Then God
will have mercy on us. He will reveal more things to us. As Nineveh was rescued
by Jonah, He will guide many of us to lead many in the path of righteousness.
'AATHAVAN' BIBLE MEDITATION No: - 1,019, Sunday, November 12, 2023
"That
the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the
spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:" (Ephesians 1:
17)
If
we want to excel in spiritual life and worldly life, we need wisdom to know
God. Without this wisdom, if we are simply seeking worldly wisdom as a
priority, our lives will turn out to be miserable. This is why the Apostle Paul
prays that, “God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto
you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him”
Solomon was an example man
who wanted worldly wisdom and thus spoiled his life and his country. When God
appeared to him and told him to ask what you want, Solomon said, "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)
What
Solomon asked of God was worldly wisdom that should presuppose worldly
blessing. But it is said that God willed it. God appreciated him when God heard
this. God appeared to Solomon twice. With his wisdom he spoke 3000 proverbs.
But dear ones, he left without attaining divine wisdom.
The reason is his
womanizing. He had 300 wives and 700 concubines. (1 Kings 11:3). All are strange
women forbidden by God, who made him turn away from God. They changed his mind
and made him worship other gods. "And Solomon did evil in the sight of the
LORD, and went not fully after the LORD, as did David his father.' (1 Kings 11:
6)
Yes,
dear ones, one can live away from sin only when he knows God. Even after God appeared to him twice,
Solomon knew about God but did not know God. If he had known God, he would not
have sought other gods. Yes, he has no wisdom to know God; He did not also
sought it.
And the
LORD was angry with Solomon, because his heart was turned from the LORD God of
Israel, which had appeared unto him twice, and had commanded him
concerning this thing, that he should not go after other gods: but he kept not
that which the LORD commanded. (1 Kings 11: 9,10) It was said that God,
who was pleased when Solomon heard wisdom at first, is now angry with him. Not
only that, God divided the nation of Israel into two nations.
Beloved, therefore we must be careful. We need to ask God for the wisdom to know God and the Spirit that gives clarity. This is why the apostle Paul gives us this advice in today's meditation verse. When divine wisdom comes, we can walk with wisdom in worldly affairs also. If not, we will be in the same situation as Solomon who sought worldly wisdom alone.
'AATHAVAN' BIBLE MEDITATION - No:- 1,020, Monday, November 13, 2023
"For godly sorrow worketh
repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world
worketh death." (2 Corinthians 7: 10)
There is a difference between godly sorrow and worldly sorrow. If we grieve for the worldly things, we will have no peace. Comparing ourselves with others and thinking that, we have nothing like what they have will wither us. Doctors today say that the cause for various human diseases is worldly sorrow called anxiety. Unresolved anxiety brings many diseases in our body. Yes, the medical world has discovered the truth today that the Apostle Paul said, “sorrow of the world worketh death.”
On
the contrary, we will be saved if we grieve according to God, which is
spiritual grief. Yes, beloved, the first step to salvation is sorrow for
ourselves, for our sinful life. When one commits a wrong act, one regrets, “Oh,
I have done this;'' Or the thought arises in our mind that, “I should not have
done this”. Yes, it is spiritual grief. God likes such sorrow. The reason is
that such godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented
of."
Jesus Christ also said in
his Sermon on the Mount, "Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall
be comforted." (Matthew 5: 4) We often misunderstand what
Jesus Christ said. How can those who mourn be blessed? Let's assume that. But
Jesus goes on to say, "They shall be comforted."
God's
peace is comforting. God will fill us with His salvation when we grieve
spiritually. Then the peace that the world cannot give will fill us. That is
why Jesus Christ says that those who suffer are blessed.
Most
people rarely have spiritual sorrow in their minds. "Is it wrong for
him/her to speak like that? Then how can it be wrong for me to speak
back?" Thinking that; Or after taking a bribe, says, "This is not a
big mistake, who doesn't take a bribe now? I bought it for nothing, have I also
helped the person who gave the money?" Thinking like this or, "My
monthly salary is low. How can I meet the family needs with that?" Many times,
there are many people who want to justify their mistakes like that.
Someone
I know worked in a government office. His nature is to constantly send complaint
letters to higher officials about his superiors and co-workers. Many times, his
complaint letters have been examined and was proved wrong. His colleagues do
not talk to him much. He became addicted to alcohol and eventually committed
suicide without peace of mind.
Yes
beloved, if we remain like this, we will be far from God and His salvation. The
words of the Apostle Paul should strike a fear and a warning in our hearts.
Godly sorrow then produces a repentance in us; Worldly sorrow causes death. Let
us mourn over our misdeeds; Let us seek God's forgiveness and comfort.
'AATHAVAN' BIBLE MEDITATION - No:- 1,021, Tuesday, November 14, 2023
"As newborn babes, desire
the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:" (1 Peter 2:
2)
Today's meditation verse is the advice of the apostle Peter to spiritual people. It is not enough for us to know Christ in life, we must grow in that experience daily. How can we grow? Not just by observing rituals and religious ceremonies; On the contrary, it by consuming the word of God. That's why Peter says, As newborn babies, desire milk we have to desire in the word of God to grow up.
In
this world, people point to great political leaders, scientists and
intellectuals and advise their children to become like them. But our Lord Jesus
Christ said children are model to adults. Yes, "And said, Verily I say
unto you, except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not
enter into the kingdom of heaven." ( Matthew 18 : 3 ) said
Jesus Christ.
We
can look at many great people in this world and try to become like them. But
they only serve this worldly life. Not only that, we know only one side of the
people we consider great. The lives of many famous great men are full of sinful
darkness. Therefore, we cannot take them as role models.
We
are not to become like adults; Instead, become like children. Unless we become
like children in spirit, we cannot enter the kingdom of heaven. A repentant
life is a childish life. Then, as Peter says in today's meditation, there
should be a desire to consume the milk of wisdom and grow by drinking it.
Jesus
Christ did not say, "Give place to the wise, the learned, the rich, the
kings, the chief ministers, and the prime ministers to come to me, "But
Jesus said, suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for
of such is the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 19: 14)
Beloved,
God's words are mighty and powerful. We should read them first. Knowing that,
our soul becomes like a childlike soul without hypocrisy. Then we will try to
live according to those verses. That is empowerment. When we are strengthened
like that, we can see that the words of God that we have read work powerfully
in our lives.
Let
us daily consume the unblemished milk of wisdom and gain strength in spiritual
life. Let us become like children and be entitled to the kingdom of heaven.
'AATHAVAN' BIBLE MEDITATION - No: - 1,022, Wednesday, November 15, 2023
"And I
have led you forty years in the wilderness: your clothes are not waxen old upon
you, and thy shoe is not waxen old upon thy foot." (Deuteronomy 29:
5)
When God led the people of Israel out of Egypt and into Canaan, he did many miracles. Among them, we are talking about God's parting of the Red Sea, turning back the overflowing Jordan, destroying the Jericho fortress, raining manna, miraculously giving people meat and water in the wilderness. But today's verse tells a miracle like them.
Think
how many sandals we change in a year. However, we do not walk many kilo meters
in the wilderness like the people of Israel did. But those people walked
wearing the same sandal for 40 years. It was this miracle that Moses said, “thy shoe is
not waxen old upon thy foot." Yes, they were 40 years
new.
New
sandals cannot be bought and used in the wilderness, and people cannot also make
them and wear them immediately. Similarly, it is said that the clothes they
wore never get old. What a miracle this is!!! But we don't think too much of
these.
Beloved,
it is with this same thought that we come to the New Testament thought of
journeying toward the eternal Canaan. In the New Testament we are clothed with
salvation when our sins are forgiven and we are saved. Without this garment we
cannot enter the kingdom of heaven. This garment is the sign of the saints. "And
to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white:
for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints." (Revelation 19: 8) We
have to keep it carefully not becoming old.
Jesus
Christ also said this in his parable. "And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest
thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. Then
said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and
cast him into outer darkness, there shall be weeping and gnashing of
teeth." ( Matthew 22 : 13 )
Similarly,
we can know about sandals. Those sandals are Christ's preparation of gospel of
peace. This is what the apostle Paul said, "And your feet shod with the preparation of
the gospel of peace;" (Ephesians 6: 15) Yes,
the knowledge of our scriptures is always a weapon to use them properly and we
have to live according to them so they don't become old and they should always
be kept fresh.
"The
great temptations which thine eyes have seen, the signs, and those great
miracles:" (Deuteronomy 29: 3) says Moses. Yes, dear ones, as
spiritual Israelites, when we give ourselves to Him and live, as He did to the
people of Israel that day, God will miraculously treat us to keep our salvation
clothing and our knowledge of scriptures, our preparation to use them and our
evangelical life from not becoming old in our lives.
‘AATHAVAN' BIBLE
MEDITATION - No:- 1,023, Thursday,
November 16, 2023
"For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word." ( Isaiah 66 : 2 )
Today's verse explains how much God is involved with people and how eager he is to redeem them. The previous verse of today's meditation is related to this. In it God says, "Thus saith the LORD, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that ye build unto me? and where is the place of my rest?" (Isaiah 66: 1)
Beloved,
the sun, moon, constellations, milky way, solar system in the sky are all
created by God. His is the throne of authority over these. Compared to these,
the earth is like a small step on which he steps. But today people take pride
in building a temple and doing temple work on this footstep like earth.
God says to such people, Heaven is my throne and earth is my footstool; How is the temple you are building for me? How was my accommodation? For my hand hath made all these things, saith the Lord; but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word. That is, man, I have been created such a vast space. What temple could you build for me before this?
I do not look at these. I will look upon him who is humbled and crushed in spirit and trembles at my word. I look to none other than the one who lives according to my verse, fears me, and lives according to me. Rather than looking at the great expanse of sky that I have created or the various planets that I have created in them, I will look at the man who fears me and wants to live a life that suits me, says the Holy Lord.
This is because God made man in His own image and likeness. (Genesis – 1:26) God did not give His likeness to any other creature. He only created man that way. He wants man so created to preserve that image. Therefore, no matter how great works He has created, He looks to man who trembles and obeys His commands.
He answers our prayers because He looks at man like this. Beloved, therefore we should give more importance to obedience to His verses and not to other ritualistic practices. Yes, if we always have the idea that God prefers obedience to Him more than any higher activities done for Him, we will not give importance to unnecessary things done in the name of spirituality.
'AATHAVAN' BIBLE MEDITATION No: - 1,024, Friday, November 17, 2023
"And they have not cried unto me with their heart, when they howled upon their beds: they assemble themselves for corn and wine, and they rebel against me." (Hosea 7: 14)
Today's meditation verse talks about people who pray to God only when they have some suffering or problems without true repentance.
Such people seems to be more involved in things that are acceptable to God when suffering or illness is close. They will make some changes in their lifestyle like prayer, penance, offerings, visiting temples. But God says with sadness that usually such people do not seek Him.
That is, "they have not cried unto me with their heart, when they howled upon their beds: they assemble themselves for corn and wine." In other words, God says that they engage in such pious activities to meet their worldly needs without coming to God with the intention of knowing God in life.
Following this, God says through Hosea, "They return, but not to the most High: they are like a deceitful bow:" (Hosea 7: 16). Which means that they have changed their lifestyles and returned to God, but they have not truly returned to the Most High God. This is what is said, "They return, but not to the Most High."
Beloved, this is the reason why God often does not answer us. That is, people expect a liberation for that time but do not want to achieve a permanent liberation. They have no idea to know God in their life.
However, God, out of His love for people, sometimes gives temporary relief to such people when His servants pray. But that is not enough. It is not always possible to find pastors to pray for us. If a person is persistently unrepentant, God may leave him without deliverance. Further, physical deliverance is not our goal; Rather, we must know God and become worthy of eternal life.
We must not be like men who gather for grain and wine and turn away from God. We should seek Him with the desire to know Him in life and gain the experience of God. This is God's expectation of us. Let us commit ourselves to living a life according to His will.
‘AATHAVAN' BIBLE MEDITAION - No: - 1,025, Saturday, November 18, 2023
"And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovahjireh: as it is said to this day, In the mount of the LORD it shall be seen." (Genesis 22: 14)
When Abraham dared to sacrifice Isaac, went to the land of Moriah and climbed the mountain the Lord had told him to sacrifice Isaac. But, the angel of the Lord stopped him at the end. It is certain that Abraham obeyed God and was willing to do anything for Him. Abraham already knew that God would do something miraculous to save his son. So, when Isaac said to him, "Father, here is wood and fire, where is the lamb for the sacrifice?" Abraham said, "God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering:" (Genesis 22: 8) says with certainty.
The reason is that Isaac was
the promised son of God. Abraham believed that even if he sacrificed him, God
would raise him back to life. This we read, Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed
be called: Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the
dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.” (Hebrews 11: 18,19)
Therefore, God approved the
words he spoke by faith. "And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked,
and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went
and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his
son." (Genesis 22: 13) Abraham called the name of the place Jehovahjireh:
as it is said to this day, In the mount of the LORD it shall be seen.
Beloved, for us New
Testament people, Golgotha is Jehovahjireh. The Lord Jesus Christ is the
sacrificial goat for us like the sacrificial goat for Isaac. Yes, this is what
John the Baptist pointed out to the people. "Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the
sin of the world." (John 1: 29)
If God
the Father had been silent to Abraham that day, Isaac would have been
sacrificed. Similarly, if God the Father had not given Christ the Lamb of God,
we would all have perished. Having been taken care of for us on the mountain of
the Lord, we have the opportunity to sit with Him on high.
It is in this assurance that
the apostle Paul said, 'He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him
up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?'
(Romans 8: 32) How can he who gave his own Son for us not
also give us everything else?
When
our faith in God is firm, He will be our Lord. All things will be taken care of
for us when we look toward Calvary, just as Abraham was taken care of on Mount
Moriah. Let's cling to Christ with unwavering faith.
'AATHAVAN' BIBLE MEDITATION No:- 1,026, Sunday, November 19, 2023
“And there shall in no wise enter into it anything that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.” ( Revelation 21 : 27 )
Scripture mentions that; having our name written in the Book of Life as an important qualification for entering the Kingdom of Heaven. When a person is forgiven of his sins by God and comes into the redemption experience, God writes his name in the book of life. Like this, Only those whose names are written in the book of life will enter God's heavenly kingdom. This has been mentioned in the Bible in many places.
“And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” ( Revelation 20 : 15 )
“And, I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.” ( Revelation 20 : 12 )
When Paul mentions this, he writes, “And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellow labourers, whose names are in the book of life.” ( Philippians 4 : 3 )
Even
the Old Testament worshiper Moses knew this. He was enraged when he saw that
the people of Israel made a golden calf and worshiped it saying 'This is the
God who delivered us from the Egyptians'. He asked God for forgiveness for
them. Then he said, “Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin--; and if not,
blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written.” ( Exodus 32 :
32 )
That
is, Moses had a higher idea that the people of Israel who had sinned should
receive forgiveness first than his name being written in the book of life. “And
the LORD said unto Moses, whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out
of my book.” ( Exodus 32 : 33 )
Beloved! Many Bible devotees were well aware of this fact that God writes the names of redeemed people in the Book of Life.
Even the governments of the world today have various sources of name registrations. For example, Birth Certificate, Aadhaar Card etc. If we do not have Aadhaar identity card, we cannot be accepted as Indian citizens. Aadhaar enrolment is important for any job you apply to the government.
That is why today people rush to get birth certificate within a few months of their child's birth. They are also trying to get Aadhaar card. Beloved, in the same way God has set the record of names in the Book of Life. If we have the certainty that our sins are forgiven, then our name is written in the book of life. It is in a way our passport to enter the kingdom of God. It is like a person holding an Indian passport is considered an Indian citizen by the world.
Shouldn't we get this right? Beloved, let us humble ourselves and pray to God for our salvation. God himself will write our name in the book of life. That will surely make us happy.
'AATHAVAN' BIBLE MEDITATION - No:- 1,027, Monday, November 20, 2023
"For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." (Luke 12: 34)
Man
is driven by the desires of the heart. A man's thoughts and actions depend on
the desires of his heart. This is why Jesus Christ said, "A
good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and
an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things." (Matthew
12: 35)
A
greedy person's heart is all about money and how to increase it. An aspirant's
heart is set on how to attain the position he desires. Yes, what a man
considers to be his wealth, the thoughts of his heart revolve around that. Man
will do anything to achieve it. This is what Jesus Christ said in today's
meditation verse, "Where your treasure is, there your heart will be
also."
Many criminals who get caught by the police today confess that "I did this because I wanted to get rich somehow". Most of the murders and thefts are motivated by the desire for money.
Similarly, those who have a desire to know God and have faith in eternal life, their hearts will act accordingly. Jesus Christ told many parables about the kingdom of heaven. One of them is, "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field." ( Matthew 13 : 44 )
That is, he who seeks the things of the kingdom of heaven will try to lose them and gain the kingdom of heaven.
Apostle
Paul's heart was full of desire to know the Lord Jesus. So, he says that he
considered everything else as loss and rubbish. "Yea doubtless, and I count
all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my
Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but
dung, that I may win Christ," (Philippians 3: 8)
Yes
dears, money is the most important need for us to live in this world. But we
must be careful not to set our heart on it. "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his
righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto
you." (Matthew 6: 33) If we believe in the words
of Jesus Christ, we will have confidence that He will give us what we need.
Then we
will turn our hearts towards God who is the source of blessings instead of
running in search of blessings. "Where your treasure is, there your heart
will be also." Let us consider the Lord Jesus Christ as our treasure
according to the word. Then there will be a great change in our inner state;
God will also fill us with worldly blessings.
'AATHAVAN' BIBLE MEDITATION No:- 1,028, Tuesday, November 21, 2023
"As God liveth, who hath taken away my judgment; and the Almighty, who hath vexed my soul; All the while my breath is in me, and the spirit of God is in my nostrils; My lips shall not speak wickedness, nor my tongue utter deceit." ( Job 27 : 2 - 4 )
In today's meditation verse, the pious Job refers to God by a different name. He refers to God as "a God who taken away my judgment and Almighty, who has vexed my soul."
The Bible says about Job, whose mind was exhausted due to continuous sufferings, "He was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil.” (Job 1: 1) Job's faith was supreme. So, he did not turn away from God even in the most severe tribulation in his life; Don't scold him. "Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him:" (Job 13: 15) thus he expressed his hope.
He
mentions in today's verse that he lives according to what he said. Seeing what
God is doing to me seems to push my logic aside. Job mentions that my soul is
bitter because of this act of Him, yet he says, "As long as my breath is
in me and the spirit of God is in my nostrils, my lips will not speak evil, my
tongue will not speak deceit."
It is because of such a heart that Job speaks of him in the first verse as "honest and upright, one who fears God and turns away from evil."
We see many people in the world today justifying their wrongdoing. People will justify all the evil deeds they do in their lives like bribery, murder, theft, drunkenness and prostitution. But the pious Job, on the contrary, says that no matter what happens, I will not leave my integrity before God.
God did not overlook his faith. Instead, he blessed him. But Job did not live righteously expecting that blessing. On the contrary, whether God blesses or not, he was sure that I would be righteous.
Beloved, let us learn this good deed from Job. As long as my breath is in me, and the spirit of God in my nostrils, my lips will not speak evil; As he says in today's verse, we will say with determination that my tongue will not speak deceit. Let's keep our commitment no matter what comes our way. Let us ask God to give us this strength.
'AATHAVAN' BIBLE MEDITATION No: - 1,029, Wednesday, November 22, 2023
"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works." (2 Timothy 3: 16,17)
Why should we read and understand the Bible? Because, it was first given to us by God. That is, they are the words of God. God has given them to us by His Holy Spirit through holy men. Shouldn't we know what the God who created us and guides us wants to tell us? So, we should read and know them.
Second, we must be chosen in Christ Jesus. That means we should become holy like him. For that, we have to take his words. His name is holy. "For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy;" ( Isaiah 57 : 15 ) So the words of that Holy Lord can make us holy.
Today's
verse clearly states how God's words make us holy. That is, it is said that
they are profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for teaching
righteousness, so that we "may be worthy to do every good work."
God's words give us good instruction. Stops us when we do wrongs, so our lives are corrected. And it teaches us to live righteously according to God.
And Jesus Christ wants these words to be in us always and to work in us. He will grant our prayers as we live according to His words. This is why he said, "If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you." (John 15: 7) So we need to know his words.
Yes,
beloved, it is necessary to live knowing and living the words of God that teach
and guide us so that we may be chosen in Christ and worthy to do any good
works. So first we need to know his words and become proficient in them.
We should get used to reading the Bible with the desire to know God. Reciting as a duty, reading by putting schedule - these verses for this day - will not be effective. If we have interest and time, we can even read a few books of the Bible in one day. By prioritizing prayer and scripture reading we can learn many secrets of the scriptures. Let us love the Scriptures; Let's read; Let's get a life change.
'AATHAVAN' BIBLE MEDITATION No:- 1,030, Thursday, November 23, 2023
"They
profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and
disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate." (Titus 1: 16)
Apostle Paul says today's verse when talking about the people of Crete. What kind of people are these people who claim that they know God? But their activities contradict it. They are always liars, evil beasts, slow bellies. This is what the Apostle Paul said, "One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, the Cretians are alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies." (Titus 1: 12)
What we
need to understand from these verses is that not everyone who claims to know
God really knows God. Whether they really know God can only be known by their
actions. Meaning, a fruitful life is what makes one realize whether one knows
God or not.
How are we doing in our lives? If we know God, it should be manifested in our lives.
As we have already seen in many meditations, knowing God and knowing about God are different. Those who know about God are those who only learn about His attributes. They will have no higher spiritual qualities. The people of the island of Crete that Paul the Apostle mentions in today's meditation verse are those who only know about God. But they claim they know God.
Beloved, if we live without change in our lives and follow only a few pious practices and claim to know God, we will be like the people of this island of Crete. What kind of people they are? “They are abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate” as it is said in today’s meditation verse.
We can do good works only when Christ comes into us. Only life in union with Him can transform us completely. "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.' ( John 15 : 4 ) Did not Jesus Christ say?
It is
necessary for us to be people who know and live Christ in life, not like the
people of Crete Island. Let us live by surrendering ourselves completely to
Him. Only then can we become qualified to do good deeds. Otherwise, even if we
call ourselves Christians, we will still be Christless.
'AATHAVAN' BIBLE MEDITATION - No:- 1,031, Friday, November 24, 2023
"Because of the savour of thy good ointments thy name is as ointment poured forth, therefore do the virgins love thee." (Song of Songs 1: 3)
When we receive Christ Jesus into our lives, we can smell His fragrance. Not only that, it can also be given to others. Today's verse compares the name of Christ and the life experiences we receive through Him to a fragrance, "Thy perfumes are a sweet fragrance; thy name is an ointment poured forth".
This verse says, "Therefore do the virgins love you." The word virgin here refer to believers. Yes, the virgin faithful will love him.
If we read the verses after today's verse, we can understand how long this fragrance will blow on us. It is mentioned there, "While the king sitteth at his table, my spikenard sendeth forth the smell thereof." (Song of Songs 1: 12) That is, as long as Christ is in our hearts as King, this fragrance will blow in us.
This is what the apostle
Paul said, "Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in
Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every
place." (2 Corinthians 2: 14) He spreads through us
everywhere the fragrance of our knowledge of Him. Praise be to Him.
This
knowledge of knowing Christ is fragrant only to those who are marked for the
redemptive experience. Those who dare to live in their sins and mock and walk
wickedly do not know this smell, it is like the smell of death to them.
This is what the apostle Paul said, “For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish: To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life." (2 Corinthians 2: 15,16) There is a saying that, “Does a donkey know the smell of camphor?” likewise, those who have made themselves donkeys do not smell Christ.
While
going to public places and marriage houses, many people wear fragrant 'scent'.
It will not only make them stand out, but also give them a refreshing look.
Likewise, if we put on the fragrance of the Lord Jesus Christ, we will be distinguished
from others. Our spirit will be refreshed and excited.
Let us all, virgins of faith, love him as it is said, "Wherefore virgins love thee." May His fragrance waft upon us and through us upon all around us.
'AATHAVAN' BIBLE MEDITATION No:- 1,032, Saturday, November 25, 2023
"Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors." (Proverbs 8: 34)
Today's meditation verse tells us that we should not live like insensible wild donkeys but live with a conscious heart.
Today's meditation verse tells us that we must commit ourselves to listen to God's words and act accordingly. That is, we should wait and pray daily in God's community and be eager to know God's will for us. This is what has been said, the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors."
The servant of a house is the executor of the will of the master. So, he is always ready to hear and obey the words from the Master's mouth. Such a servant will be honored by the master. Similarly, if we realize that we are made by God, we will wait and listen to Him. Didn't Jesus Christ say, “He that is of God heareth God's words" (John 8: 47)
Yes, dear ones, ever watch at His threshold, wait at His doorpost, and listen to Him. "See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven" (Hebrews 12: 25) the scripture warns.
Not only that, but as today's verse says, we can hear his knocking only when we wait at his doorpost and listen to him. Only then can we open the door of our hearts to Him; Only then will He come into us and dine with us. We can also have a better experience of dining with him.
"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) says the Lord Jesus Christ.
Today's verse says that such a man is blessed. So beloved, let us be vigilant in the spiritual life. Let us wait patiently by his doorpost; Let us hear His voice and obey it. Lord, give me a heart of understanding. Let's not just wait for worldly material blessings but for higher spiritual blessings.
'AATHAVAN' BIBLE MEDITATION No:- 1,033, Sunday, November 26, 2023
"The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe. The rich man's wealth is his strong city, and as a high wall in his own conceit." (Proverbs 18: 10, 11)
What fascinates us when we visit the palaces of the old kings are the walls, they have built to protect their palaces. That is what today's verse says as a strong tower. In Tamil Language, the word “thurukam” is used for tower. We see many words to explain this word in Tamil dictionary such as, a rare place to go, a narrow path, a mountain, a wall. It also means a safe place.
The name of our Lord is strong; It is said that the righteous will run into it and be healed. God the Father has given him the name
"That
he may be exalted above all authority, power, might, mastery, and every name
that is known not only in this world but also in the world to come". So, when we live a righteous life and cling
to Him, He will protect us as a strong wall.
This is what David said, "The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower." (Psalms 18: 2)
But today's
verse goes on to say, The rich man's wealth is his strong city, and as an high
wall in his own conceit. That is, the rich man who thinks only material wealth
and collects it will be like a safe city and a high wall for him. That is, in
his mind it will be like a city with a high wall of defence; Not really. That's
all he thinks.
That's why Jesus Christ said, "for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth." (Luke 12: 15) Yes beloved, it is no security for us when we live a Christless life while hoarding millions of riches. Much wealth may be like a high wall in his mind. But he didn't know how strong that wall really was.
Isn't there
a difference between a wall built of mud and a wall firmly built of metals like
iron and bronze? A defense built in the name of the Lord is like a bulwark made
of metals like iron and bronze. The protective fence that builds up the world's
wealth is like a mud wall. Yes, as it is said, "The name of the Lord is a
strong fortress; the righteous shall run into it and be safe."
AATHAVAN' BIBLE MEDITATION No: -
1,034, Monday, November 27, 2023
"O LORD, though our iniquities testify against us, do thou it for thy name's sake: for our backslidings are many; we have sinned against thee." (Jeremiah 14: 7)
When you
commit sin, peace of mind is disturbed. Due to this, many people who commit
sins are pricked in their conscience and seek forgiveness. In all religions
various rituals and formalities are mentioned to get rid of sin.
But our Lord from the beginning of time, has made people realize that it is only by His grace that the sins of men will be forgiven. It is not the rituals that matter, but the awareness of sin in the mind. This is why Jeremiah pleads in today's verse, “LORD, though our iniquities testify against us, do thou it for thy name's sake: for our backslidings are many; we have sinned against thee."
Sin is human nature. We have sin by nature. It was the seed from Adam and Eve. "Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me." (Psalms 51: 5) says David.
"For I
know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is
present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. For the
good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do." (Romans
7: 18,19) Paul the apostle said.
Beloved, Lord Jesus Christ came into the world to deliver us from this sinful life. God, the Father, "hath exalted (Jesus) with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins." (Acts 5: 31) says the scriptures.
Therefore, "To him give all the prophets
witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive
remission of sins." (Acts 10: 43)
God knows
our weaknesses. But we must accept them. As Jeremiah says, "Though our
iniquities testify against us, be merciful to your name; our iniquities are
great; we have sinned against you." If we can say that from the bottom of
the soul, we can experience his redemption.
The reason many Christians today do not experience salvation is because of their unfeeling heart. Most of the Christian evangelists and preachers have also kept the people in ignorance by giving importance to the blessings of the world without giving importance to this.
So, when we talk about sin, they ask, "What great sin have I committed?" or comparing themselves to others, "Everybody in the world commits some major sin... Is everyone living a good life? What major sin did I commit?" They say to themselves. Beloved, if we have such qualities, let us leave them and return to God.
"If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1: 8, 9)
"Lord, though our iniquities testify against us, be merciful for your name's sake"
'AATHAVAN' BIBLE MEDITATION -
No:- 1,035, Tuesday,
November 28, 2023
Today's meditation verse is addressed to King Cyrus.
Today's meditation verse explains to us that when we correct ourselves and live a life worthy of God without continuing the old wrong and sinful ways we have lived so far, and the mistakes made by our ancestors, God will bless us and correct the ways in our life and make us live a good life. This becomes clear if we understand the context in which this verse is spoken.
Nebuchadnezzar, in the year 586 B.C. he captured Jerusalem, destroyed the Jerusalem temple, looted all the goods from the temple, took the people captive and took them to Babylon. The people of Israel were slaves in Babylon. The Lord heard their cry. In 538 B.C. Babylon was captured by the Persian king Cyrus. Cyrus freed the Israelites in the same year that he captured Babylon. Not only that, he handed over the looted temple items to the Israelites and ordered them to rebuild the temple destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar.
"Also
Cyrus the king brought forth the vessels of the house of the LORD, which
Nebuchadnezzar had brought forth out of Jerusalem, and had put them in the
house of his gods;" (Ezra 1: 7) we read.
Because the King Cyrus thus returned the temple goods captured by Nebuchadnezzar, the Lord said, "That saith of Cyrus, He is my shepherd, and shall perform all my pleasure: even saying to Jerusalem, thou shalt be built; and to the temple, Thy foundation shall be laid." (Isaiah 44: 28)
Here king
Cyrus is addressed by God as “my shepherd”. Not only that, because Cyrus did
this, "I will go before thee, and make the crooked things straight."
The Lord told him.
Beloved, let us not worry about our old lives, our family backgrounds. As King Cyrus did, we must commit ourselves to the cleansing of our body, which is the temple of the Holy Spirit. We must mend our sinful ways and the wrong ways our forefathers unwittingly adopted. We must surrender ourselves completely to God. If we do this, as said to Cyrus, God will say to us also, "I will go before thee and make the crooked straight."
Not only that, "And I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that thou mayest know that I, the LORD, which call thee by thy name, am the God of Israel. For Jacob my servant's sake, and Israel mine elect, I have even called thee by thy name: I have surnamed thee, though thou hast not known me." (Isaiah 45: 3,4) says the Lord.
Let us
commit ourselves completely to God and decide to live a holy life. God's words
to King Cyrus apply to our lives as well.
'AATHAVAN' BIBLE MEDITATION No:-
1,036 Wednesday, November 29, 2023
I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded:" (Philippians 3: 14, 15)
We read in his letter to the Corinthians that the apostle Paul compares the course of the spiritual life to a race. There he says,
"Know
ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So
run, that ye may obtain." (1 Corinthians 9: 24)
He says the same in today's meditation verse. Every race has a goal. Success is achieving the goal. The goal of the Christian life is eternal life. The apostle Paul, who says that he is going towards that goal and says, "Let all of us who are chosen be of this mind." He invites all of us to lead a life like him in today's meditation.
Not only that, "Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample." (Philippians 3: 17) He says that we should follow his example.
We think it is only today that this spiritual overarching concept has been preached. It is not now, but as early as the time of the apostle Paul, false earthly blessing doctrines entered Christianity and pushed away the spiritual thought that Christ spoke. Apostle Paul says that those who teach worldly blessings are enemies of the cross of Christ.
"For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things." (Philippians 3: 18,19)
Yes, those who seek and teach Christ for such worldly blessings will ultimately perish. The reason is their god is their stomach. They need to fill their bellies with the world's needs. So, they think only of earthly things.
Those who want to reach the race prize of God's calling are the chosen ones in the spiritual life. That is why he says in today's meditation verse, “Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded:" Whether we are successful and whether the pastors who lead us and the Christian ministers who hold meetings and preach the gospel are right will be decided by considering this.
Beloved, let us continue our spiritual journey toward the goal of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Let us not perish by trying only to fill the needs of our belly, that is filling our worldly needs.
‘AATHAVAN' BIBLE MEDITATION No:-
1,037 Thursday, November 30, 2023
"For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." ( 2 Corinthians 4 : 6 )
We read the words "the light of the knowledge of the glory of God" in today's meditation verse. The light of God's knowledge is in Christ Jesus. Paul says that God has made that light shine in our hearts.
The first words spoken by God as recorded in the Bible is, "And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.' (Genesis 1: 3) Light came into the world through God the Light. That light came into the world as the light that is Christ. "That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world." (John 1: 9) the Apostle John mentions.
When we become believers in Christ, the light of
Christ comes into us. Yes, the light that illuminated this world, the sun, the
moon, the stars, the light in the cosmic paths, that light that created all
these things comes through Christ into our mere earthy body. This is what the
apostle Paul said, "But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the
excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us." (2 Corinthians
4: 7)
Therefore, we who have received Christ in our lives
are also light-emitting. "Ye are the light of the world. A city that is
set on an hill cannot be hid." (Matthew 5: 14) Just as a great city on a
hill cannot be hidden from the eyes of others, our light will also be seen by
others.
"For
every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest
his deeds should be reproved." (John 3: 20) As Jesus Christ said, even
today the wicked hate us who are the light. They hate the light, thinking that
their dark deeds in darkness will be revealed by His light if they come to
Christ.
The Light God does not cast anyone away. The sinful life of sinners leads them into darkness. Would a naked man dare to walk on a wedding stage illuminated by various decorative lights? Won't he run to the dark? Similarly, the sinful life of sinners drags them towards darkness.
Therefore, beloved, let us guard against dimming the light of Christ which God has made shine in our hearts. Let's give it to others. Our shining life will identify us to others as a city on a hill. Then, like insects seeking light, others will be attracted by our light and become united with us in Christ Jesus.
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