BIBLE PEARLS - JANUARY 2024

                                               

                             - Bro. M. Geo Prakash 

(Meditation for January 1, 2 ..then from 15th January is available) 

‘AATHAVAN' 📖✝ BIBLE MEDITATION No:- 1,069                          💚January 01, 2024 💚Monday 💚

"The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?" (Psalms 27: 1)

I wish and pray for all those who step into the new year that the Lord himself will be with them and guide them.. !!

As King David says, let us begin this year with words of firm hope. "The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life, whom shall I fear?"

The Lord himself will be our light and keep our lives from darkness. Not only that, but He will protect us by being our biggest fortress.

When we trust in Him, He will not abandon us and keep us in the shelter of His tent when problems and sufferings come. As David said this as his statement of faith, so will we. "For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock." (Psalms 27: 5)

Yes, dear ones, the scriptures say that those who seek the Lord do not lack any benefit. As David said, "Though my father and my mother forsake me, the Lord will take me up." (Psalm 27: 10)

David speaks these verses from his own experience. From the beginning David's life was a life of oppression. He was oppressed by Saul, his own son, and enemy kings. Not only that, he also fell into sin due to bodily weakness. But God did not leave him like that but, made him shine with his light; Protected as a fortress.

We should also be those who want to live a life worthy of God and surrender ourselves to Him. All the words of God are related to human life. Therefore, it is necessary that our life should be suitable to the verse and obey the verse.

We don't want to worry about our old life, our mistakes and sins. When we cling to the Lord Jesus Christ and confess our sins, He will forgive all and enlighten us. Because He is the true light. "That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world." (John 1: 9) Apostle John identifies Christ Jesus to us. So, let's begin the new year by entrusting ourselves to Christ with faith.

"The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear? The Lord is the fortress of my life, whom shall I fear?" Let's chant that loudly with hope.

'AATHAVAN' 📖✝ BIBLE MEDITATION No:- 1,070                      💚 January 02, 2024 💚 Tuesday 💚

"Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them;' (Ecclesiastes 12: 1)

Usually, people show more interest in devotional activities and seeking God only in their old age. When there is strength in the body, they will work for the family and accumulate wealth and pleasures, and in the last days of weakness, they will seek God. But today's verse says, 'Remember your Creator in your youth.'

Most of the people seek God only when some suffering or crisis occurs in their life. Their goal is to somehow get rid of the problem. Today's verse says, remember your Creator in your youth before such evil days come, and before the years come when you say, 'I have no pleasure in them.

"Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it." (Ecclesiastes 12: 7)

Many people claim that "life is for living" and live a life as they want. Youthful age is considered to be the time to enjoy pleasure. Sadhu Sundersingh, a saint who lived in the last century and passed away, said the following about those who spend their youthful days in pleasures, in sinful life and seek God in their last days:-

"Would we give a well-ripened mango after eating it up to the end and give it to someone else with the little bit of flesh that is stuck to the mango at the end?" But many men try to give their last days to God, having spent their rich youth in family, enjoying life well, and giving the flesh attached to the nut to God."

Beloved, the preacher who spoke today's verse warns us at the end in verse 14, "For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil." (Ecclesiastes 12: 14)

Yes, "God will bring into judgment every private matter, whether good or evil, who live a godless youth and labor in sin."

Most of the people reading this may have passed their youth and reached middle age. But now we surrender ourselves to God and try to live anew. We don't need to wait for old age. Not only that, let's make our children grow in the knowledge of knowing God. In today's social environment, it is our important duty to raise children in the knowledge of God to escape from the situation where social media pulls people towards sin. Let's make children know God at an early age.

'AATHAVAN' 📖✝ BIBLE MEDITATION No:- 1,071 💚 January 15, 2024 💚 Monday 💚

"For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones." (Isaiah 57: 15)

Our God dwells in all glory. Surrounded by billions of angels, they wait to obey his orders. Hymns praising Him as Holy, Holy fill the sky. He is the creator of these universes. His reign is eternal; There is no end to it.

But such an eternal Holy says, "I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble” Yes, this is His excellence and glory. The aforesaid great and glorious God comes and resides in the mere dust man created by Him when he humbles himself.

Man is a sinner. But he says that he will not always look at his sins. If he sees like that, none of us can stand before him; Can't join him. And if he is angry all the time, we humans will get fainted. "For I will not contend for ever, neither will I be always wroth: for the spirit should fail before me, and the souls which I have made." (Isaiah 57: 16)

In this way, all human beings have lost their sanctity. They are those who have strayed away from God and are lost. Therefore, thus said Jesus, "The Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost." (Luke 19:10) So beloved, it is necessary that we always be aware of our unworthiness before God.

Sometimes trials and tribulations of this worldly life can make us feel overwhelmed and exhausted. But when we live with humility God will come into us and revive our broken spirit and heart. That is why, "I dwell in the spirit of the contrite, the heart of the contrite, and the spirit of the contrite." Says the Holy Lord.

Let us live a humble life before God. The Lord will strengthen us. "But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble." (James 4: 6)

'AATHAVAN' 📖✝ BIBLE MEDITATION - No:- 1,072 💚 January 16, 2024 💚 Tuesday 💚

"Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David." ( Isaiah 55 : 3 )

Beloved, today's verse tells us that we must obey God's words and walk accordingly. Listen and come to me is God’s supreme command.

"Come unto me: hear," we read in today's verse. That means we must first surrender ourselves to Him and go to Him. Because God does not always lead us according to pre-written commandments. Rather, He guides us eternally through the Holy Spirit.

So, first of all we should surrender our spirit, soul and body to Him and walk in the way of His Spirit. Similarly, apart from reading and listening to God's words, we must act according to them. When we walk like that, "I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David." says the Lord. What is the grace given to David? It was in his seed that the promised Christ was born. That Christ was called the son of David was a grace bestowed upon him by God.

Also, David committed various sins. Not only was adultery followed by murder, more human blood was shed by him (more murders). So, God commanded him not to build a temple. But even so, God did not leave his grace. He loved David. These are all graces that God bestowed on David.

In this way, David was not destroyed in his spiritual life and God gave him eternal grace. I will give you the same grace to you, says the Lord. This is also mentioned, “And as concerning that he raised him up from the dead, now no more to return to corruption, he said on this wise, I will give you the sure mercies of David.” (Acts 13: 34)

After reading this, we should not think that we can sin like David and ask for forgiveness. Instead, we should pray for God's grace. We are saved by grace.

Also, not everyone who comes to churches claiming to have faith in Jesus Christ will experience salvation. It is by God's grace that we get that experience. That is why 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)

We cannot be righteous just by obeying the commandments. We are saved by the grace of Christ Jesus. "For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ." (John 1: 17) So we should pray, "Lord, be gracious to me as you were to David. We can live a successful Christian life when we experience salvation by His grace.

'AATHAVAN' 📖✝ BIBLE MEDITATION  No:- 1,073 💚 January 17, 2024 💚 Wednesday 💚

"Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered." (Matthew 10: 29, 30) 

When various problems, sufferings, debts, diseases affect us, our faith decreases. Even though we are living a life according to God, when we are troubled, we may think “why I have all these sufferings and problems?” Some are unable to bear these sufferings and seek the tragic end of suicide.

If you are troubled like this, the comforting words of Jesus Christ today will surely comfort your heart. We see birds flying in the sky. We enjoy watching them flap their wings beautifully. They all fly like that according to the will of the Father. If it is not his will they will fall down.

Similarly, God has counted the millions of hairs on our head. In English translation it is mentioned, "hairs of your head are all numbered." It means that every hair is given a number just like we give number to houses. Many hairs fall out when we comb our hair. What number of hairs should fall is also his will.

Beloved, Lord Jesus Christ gives us courage that if God cares so much about even a hair that we count insignificant, will He abandon us?

If we are worried about our problems and sufferings, our mind will not get comfort. There is an end to all our sufferings. The reason is that sufferings do not follow us without God's will. They are not hidden from His view. God who makes sparrows fly without falling, God who counts the hairs of our heads, surely counts our sufferings too. Surely, He will deliver us from them.

That is why Jesus Christ continues to say, "Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows." (Matthew 10: 31) Yes, we humans are more valuable than sparrows. We are made in God's image. Therefore, the God who protects the sparrows and the hair of the head will surely protect us too.

The words of Jesus Christ give us comfort and faith in our times of suffering. So do not panic. We are valuable than sparrows and hair.

'AATHAVAN' 📖✝ BIBLE MEDITATION No:- 1,074 💚 January 18, 2024 💚 Thursday 💚

"I am the LORD thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage. Thou shalt have none other gods before me." (Deuteronomy 5: 6, 7)

 

Our Egyptian life was the old days when we lived a sinful life. A sinful life was the house of slavery. From that house of slavery, we have been freed by the grace of God. Hence He is our true God.

Therefore, we who are freed like that should depend on the Lord and consider Him as our God. But many people claim to have been redeemed by God but they are trapped in various addictions without knowing it. That is, they create various gods for themselves. They are worshiping them without realizing that they are worshiping them.

Whatever we give importance to other than the Lord Jesus Christ is worshiping another god. Even though they claim that they have been freed from their old sinful life, some people are caught up in lust for money, fame and status. That is, they regard these as God. They think that getting them is their main goal in life.

"Thou shalt have no other gods before me." says the Lord. This is the first of his ten commandments. But most of us think that worshiping other religious deities is only worshiping other Gods.

Especially materialism or desire for money dominates most of the people. That is their Lord and God. That is why Jesus Christ said, "No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon." (Luke 16 :13)

Many people are eager to serve God and worldly goods. As much as they give importance to temple, worship, they give more importance to other world gods.

Beloved, let us guard ourselves that we do not prioritize anything other than the Lord our God who brought us out of the land of sinful slavery in Egypt. None of the deities we prioritize as gods are eternal. They cannot give us complete peace of mind. Therefore, let us not have any such gods.

'AATHAVAN' 📖✝ BIBLE MEDITATION - No:- 1,075 💚 January 19, 2024 💚 Friday 💚

"But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: " ( 1 John  2 : 27 )

When we are forgiven of our sins and become Christ's, He gives us His Holy Spirit. This anointing of the Holy Spirit guides us on the right path. Jesus Christ continues to say this in today's verse, "but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him." (1 John 2: 27)

The root cause of the thousands of divisions in Christianity today is not heeding the voice of the Holy Spirit.  That is, the so-called Christian preachers give a scriptural interpretation as it appears in their minds and make people accept them without listening to the Spirit.

The Bible was written by the Holy Spirit through holy men. Therefore, only the Spirit can give the correct interpretation of the Scriptures. So, we must yield to the guidance of the Spirit and not to the teachings of men. Much of today's confusion is caused by unnecessary and untrue explanations given by preachers who are only theologically educated without the anointing of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus Christ said, "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) Yes, when, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will lead us into all truth.

Not only that, "And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:" (John 16: 8)

Beloved, therefore it is necessary for us to receive the anointing of the Holy Spirit. Without the guidance of the Spirit, we cannot lead a more spiritual life. Not only that, but the Spirit himself will teach us, saying, "The anointing you received from Him remains in you, and no one needs to teach you." He will make us realize that when we listen to false teachings and sermons, it is wrong.

The Spirit prompts us in this way, not to argue with those who assert false teachings, but to guard our souls. Therefore, it is our duty to pray with thirst for the anointing of the Holy Spirit.

"For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground: I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring:" (Isaiah 44: 3)

'AATHAVAN' 📖✝ BIBLE MEDITATION No:- 1,076 💚 January 20, 2024 💚 Saturday 💚

"But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price." (1 Peter 3 : 4 )

The apostle Peter says that it is the hidden good qualities of the heart that adorn a man. Qualities like meekness and peace are true adornment. Moreover, in the eyes of the Lord Jesus Christ, it is precious.

But in some Christian congregations, without proper understanding, this truth is distorted and it is taught that avoiding external decorations is superior in the eyes of God. The reason is that before today's verse, the Apostle Peter says for our clarity, "Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;" (1 Peter 3: 3)

That is, properly plaiting the hair, wearing gold jewellery, wearing nice clothes, etc., are not true adornment, instead he says, let the above virtues be your adornment. Because they do not realize the true meaning of this, the wrong teaching is being taught in some Christian churches that they should not wear jewellery and should wear white clothes.

God sees our innermost heart and humbleness of heart. When such humility of heart comes into a man, he naturally avoids the things which the world regards as pride. Such men who are converted into Christ will not need to wear jewellery; their hearts will avoid it. But simply removing jewellery and putting on white clothing without a change of heart will make a hypocritical Christian.

The apostle Peter continues, "For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands:" (1 Peter 3: 5) In other words, those women had qualities like gentleness and self-control. Next, Peter talks about Sarah, Abraham's wife. Abraham was the richest man; Sarah wore gold jewellery.

Beloved, we should read and live the Bible verses truly knowing the purpose of which they were written. Simply following them without understanding their meaning does not make us superior in God's eyes. Hypocrisy will turn us into fake Christians. Similarly, many verses in the Bible are misinterpreted and taught as teachings. We can walk rightly if we have the guidance of the Spirit.

‘AATHAVAN' 📖✝ BIBLE MEDITATION - No:- 1,077 💚 January 21, 2024 💚 Sunday 💚

"They are of the world: therefore, speak they of the world, and the world heareth them." (1 John 4: 5)

At the time of the Apostle John also there were Christian preachers who only preached world blessing like today. Most of the people did not like the apostolic preaching and ran after such blessed teachings. The apostle John saw this and said, "They are of the world: therefore, speak they of the world, and the world heareth them." (1 John 4: 5)

And he says, "We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error." (1 John 4: 6)

That is, if one knows God and loves Him will teach according to God's mind. People who have realized it in life will also listen to such teachings.

Following this, the apostle John says in the above verse itself, "By this we know what the spirit of truth is and what the spirit of deceit is." People who experience various sufferings in this world are not willing to wait for God. They only seek instant comfort. They are consoled by such blessing’s preachers in a psychophysical way. This is not the true comfort God gives. That is why John calls them a "deceitful spirit."

The Lord Jesus Christ is not just for the blessing of this world, rather, He wants to give the heavenly blessing first. He will also shower us with worldly blessings as we seek first His kingdom and righteousness. On the contrary, if we seek Him only for worldly blessings, we will lose both.

Let the people of the world talk about the things of the world and let those who wander for the blessings of the world listen to them.

True preachers may have smaller crowds than preachers who preach worldly blessings. Because this world gives priority to attractiveness. God doesn't attract people by showing glamours. He really needs even a small number of people who listens to Him. "Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom."(Luke 12: 32)

'AATHAVAN' 📖✝ BIBLE MEDITATION - 1,078                            💚January 22, 2024 💚 Monday 💚

"all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase." (Daniel 4: 37)

Today's verse is what Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, uttered after realizing it in his experience. We read in the Bible that God opposes the proud. Even though God resists the proud like this, He gives grace in return. That is, He opposes the proud because He bestows abundant grace.

We read this "But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble." (James 4: 6) That is, we should live with the assumption that everything is possible only because of His grace, without boasting, "This was made possible only because of me."

Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar was proud of his power as he strolled through his palace. And so, he said, "The king spake, and said, Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honour of my majesty?" (Daniel 4: 30) As soon as he said this, God humbled him and made him graze on grass like a cow.

As he grazed the grass, he realized that he is nothing and everything is because of God. Then the enlightened one says, "And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?" (Daniel 4: 35)

Beloved, let us guard ourselves against pride in any situation. All his works are truth, and his ways are justice; It is He who humbles those who walk proudly and arrogantly.

Today we may be in a good position, be in good health, live in wealth and have physical beauty. But don't look down on others for that. We must always be humble that we have received this by God's grace. In an instant we can be like Nebuchadnezzar.

He not only humbles the proud but exalts the humble. God can greatly exalt and glorify someone we think little of. "He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory:"(1 Samuel 2: 8)

Therefore, dear ones, no matter how great our position, wealth, physical strength or beauty, let us inherit the character of humility. For God's ways are just; He is the one who brings down in a moment those who walk proudly.

‘AATHAVAN' 📖✝ BIBLE MEDITATION No:- 1,079 💚 January 23, 2024 💚 Tuesday 💚

"For thus saith the LORD unto the house of Israel, Seek ye me, and ye shall live:" (Amos 5: 4)

 

Seeking the Lord means seeking to know Him with genuine love. Look for me; Not blessings from me, says the Lord God. When we seek Him like that, our soul will survive.

A man who truly loves a woman deserves that she should be his own because he loves her, but he does not fall in love by calculating how much dowry he will get if he marries her. Loving like that is not true love. But many who claim to love Jesus Christ today love Him expecting what they will get from Him. So, loving like this is not really loving Christ.

"Seek the LORD, and his strength: seek his face evermore." (Psalms 105: 4) we read in the Psalms. This verse tells us to seek him and his community not once, but daily. The reason is that life without Him, the true light, will be a life of darkness.

Also, what we see is that those who seek worldly blessings from the Lord without true love often wander from town to town and temple to temple. But this is pointless. This is what God says through the prophet Amos, "But seek not Bethel, nor enter into Gilgal, and pass not to Beersheba: for Gilgal shall surely go into captivity, and Bethel shall come to nought.' (Amos 5: 5) Yes dear, life without true love for God will make us wander like this.

We should not wander anywhere in search of God. We can know Him, worship Him, feel His presence right where we are. Yes, we can worship the omnipresent Lord anywhere. This is what Jesus said to the Samaritan woman, "Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father." (John 4: 21)

Why should we seek Him? Today's verse answers that too, "Then you shall live." that. That is, if there is no Lord in our lives, we cannot survive. No matter how many possessions we live with, it is not a truly living life. If we want to survive in this worldly life and in the hereafter, it is necessary to seek Him and for Him to be with us.

Those who live in search of God for worldly blessings cannot find His presence in their lives or realize the absence of God's presence in their lives. They eat, sleep, go to work and do prayer and temple worship as a daily routine. But those who seek and find the Lord know clearly His presence and His absence.

According to the New Testament we believers are spiritual Israelites. Therefore, God says this for us, “saith the LORD unto the house of Israel, Seek ye me, and ye shall live:" Let us rejoice in His presence.

'AATHAVAN' 📖✝ BIBLE MEDITATION  No:- 1,080              💚 January 24, 2024 💚 Wednesday 💚

"Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph." (John 1: 45)

The best experience is to know the Lord Jesus Christ and to feel His presence. In other words, it is better to experience Christ in real life and to know Him and to announce Him to others than just seeing miracles and believing in Christ.

Today's verse is about Philip. Jesus Christ calls Philip, "Follow me." Philip, who immediately followed him, found out that he was indeed the Messiah who was to come into the world on that one day he was with him. Jesus Christ did not show Philip great miracles or wonders. But through his experience with Christ, Philip knew that He was the Messiah.

The reason why Philip recognized Jesus in this way was because he was well-learned and familiar with the Old Testament texts. That is why immediately after he found Jesus, he saw Nathanael and said, "We have found him of whom Moses and the prophets wrote in the books, this is Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph."

Beloved, those who know Jesus scripturally and taste his presence are like Philip. They will be eager to tell others about the Jesus Christ they have seen and experienced. When Philip told Nathanael about Jesus Christ, he did not believe him. He answered Philip, "Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? (John 1: 46) And Philip said: "Come and see."

Yes, don't believe what I say, come and see for yourself. So should we, dear ones. Not because pastors and priests say it, but because we need to know and experience Him personally. Philip was not giving Nathanael great scriptural explanations. He brings Nathanael to Christ by saying, "Come and see."

Like Philip, we need to know Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is mentioned in the Old Testament books from Genesis to Malachi. Like Philip, we must see it. When we see what God has spoken through the prophets in the Old Testament, we will wonder and our faith in Christ will increase. Like Philip, we will begin to proclaim to others that He is the Messiah.

It is better to see Him by experience and realize Him. Then we shall also proclaim like Philip, "we found him of whom Moses and the prophets wrote in the law, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph." We will definitely report that. Moreover, then, we will not call anyone else for help and pray to them.

'AATHAVAN' 📖✝ BIBLE MEDITATION - No:- 1,081 💚 January 25, 2024 💚 Thursday 💚

“….. to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;” (Ephesians 3: 16)

All humans are of two natures – the outer man and the inner man.  The outer man refers to how we appear to the outside world. The inner man refers to our spiritual qualities that only we know, or that only we and God know.

We can express ourselves to others by pretending to be good. That means we can hide our true state of mind and present ourselves to others as good people. Yes, this is hypocrisy. Humans are often hypocritical like this. By acting like this, we can show ourselves to the world as a good person. But we cannot deceive God.

Although all men in general have this dual life, the inner man of us as Christians begins to mature as Christ forms within us. When we have our sins washed away by the blood of Christ, we begin to live the inner human life in Christ. The Bible is also written for our inner human development. We are weighed before God according to our inner spiritual condition. This is what we call spiritual life.

It is very necessary for us to be strengthened in this spiritual life of ours. In the early days of our knowledge of God, we live in an experience like that of elementary school. Only then will they teach you how to write. But we are not in that state always. We study in each class and reach a higher level of study such as MA, MPBS, Engineering studies etc.

So is the spiritual life. We must not stop at the initial stage of knowing Christ. We must be strong in Christ Jesus. Paul goes on to say, “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.” (Ephesians 6: 10)

Many Christians think that power means performing miracles and receiving the gift of healing. But real power is our complete freedom from sin and sinful habits. That is why Paul says “to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;” If we  still commits sin, it means we are not strengthened in our inner man.

If we are still in our fleshly thoughts, it means that we are not strong. Paul says, " I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.” (1 Corinthians 3: 2)

“For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?” (1 Corinthians 3: 3)

Carnal thoughts such as lust, envy, slander, pride etc. should be destroyed and we should be strengthened by the power of Christ. Yes, beloved, true power comes from the power of God's Spirit. May the power of God's Spirit sustain us and guide us. Only then can we gain power in our inner man and become proclaimers of Christ to the world.

'AATHAVAN' 📖✝ BIBLE MEDITATION No:- 1,082 💚 January 26, 2024 💚 Friday💚

"Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ." ( 2 Thessalonians‍ 2 : 14 )

Although we live in this world this is not our ultimate goal; Instead, we should listen to the gospel of Christ and live according to it and enter into glory like our Savior Jesus Christ. We must receive His glory. We should live in this world accordingly.

If we are working for wealth, fame and glory of this world or if we are asking God for these things in our daily prayers, even if we get them, our life in the hereafter will be disastrous. The purpose of the writing of the gospel is so that we may experience salvation and attain a life of glory. "He has called you to that salvation." Paul the apostle said.

What should we do about it? "Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle." (2 Thessalonians‍ 2: 15) says Paul.

Today's verse tells us that we must understand the purpose of our calling. This is the difference between Christianity and other religions. All other religions, cults and rituals point the way to this worldly blessing. But Christianity (not religion) shows the way to eternal life.

Our emphasis is on God's Word and not on prayers for worldly blessings. People are still doing the same mistake that Adam did in Eden. Ignoring the words of God, Adam and Eve fell into the lust of the eyes and were interested in worldly things. Even today God's words are ignored.

God's words are spirit and life. So, they are life-giving. "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) said Jesus Christ. Those words are the living gospel words. Through these words he has called us to that salvation through the gospel to attain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Therefore, if we want to attain the glory of Christ, we must allow His words to work in us. Heed those gospel words. "Stand ye, brethren, and observe the manners which we have preached unto you, whether by word or epistle." Paul said.

Let's firmly believe and accept God's words. Let's make them alive. Only then can we become partakers of His glory.

'AATHAVAN' 📖✝ BIBLE MEDITATION No:- 1,083 💚 January 27, 2024 💚 Saturday💚

"Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth: for thy love is better than wine." (Song of Songs 1: 2)

As we have already seen in many meditations, our relationship with God should be like a true love feeling. Nothing else – no worldly desire thoughts – can stand in the way of that love. If that is not the case, it means that we are not loving God wholeheartedly. Song of Songs was written with this experience.

Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth: Thy love is sweeter than wine are the words of the man who has tasted the love of God in that passion. King David also knew the experience of the author of Song of Songs. Therefore, David, who tasted God's love like this, tells us to taste this experience too. "O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him." (Psalms 34: 8) Yes, if we taste Him, we will be faithful to Him.

Not only that, when we truly know the Lord and live according to Him, we will have a fruitful life. For the fruits of the Spirit to work in us, we need to be true lovers of the Lord. Thus, the author of Song of songs, who lived a fruitful life tasting God's love, invites the Lord to come to him and eat the fruits he has as follows; -

"Awake, O north wind; and come, thou south; blow upon my garden, that the spices thereof may flow out. Let my beloved come into his garden, and eat his pleasant fruits." (Song of Songs 4: 16)

The above verse says, "Let my beloved come into his garden and eat his good fruits." Biblically, we, a spiritual people, are Israelites; We are his vineyard. We can read this in Isaiah. "For the vineyard of the LORD of hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah his pleasant plant:" (Isaiah 5: 7)

If we are just worshiping Christians, we will never feel His love or His relationship in our lives. When we experience Him in life, we can taste Him in our lives as David says. It is that experience that makes us love Christ alone. Only then can we live a fruitful life. With courage we can call upon him, "Let my beloved come into his garden, and eat of his good fruit."

Beloved, the kisses of His mouth help us live a higher spiritual life and help us live a fruitful life. Let us cling to the Lord with true love; Let us commit ourselves to live according to Him. Then we will also get the experience of the author of Song of Songs, "Your love is sweeter than wine." We can also experience that in life.

'AATHAVAN' 📖✝ BIBLE MEDITATION No:- 1,084 💚 January 28, 2024 💚 Sunday💚

"…… not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:" (Philippians 3: 9)

In today's meditation, the apostle Paul talks about two types of righteousness. One is the righteousness that comes from the law. It means self-righteousness. The other is the righteousness of God that comes through faith in Christ Jesus.

Those who want to be righteous by the law of righteousness are generally not righteous in reality, even though they appear to be doing good in this world. Many of the Christians we see in this world seem like righteous people who follow God's commandments. But not everyone is righteous before God. The reason is that God desires a change of heart rather than mere obedience to commandments.

Inner change does not come because we obey commands. Rather, it only happens when we believe in Christ Jesus. We can regularly go to temples, give offerings and do charity because of the commandments. But by fulfilling these commandments we cannot become righteous before God. That is why the apostle Paul said, "For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness." (Romans 4: 3)

There were no commandments in Abraham's time. But he lived a righteous life because of his faith in God.

Man of appearance is different; The inner man is different. We can do good as outsiders. But God knows our inner man. Without Christ coming into our hearts, we cannot be changed. The law cannot bring about change in the inner man. That is why Christ came into the world and had to suffer to make was not possible in to possible.

"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) we read.

Yes beloved, the righteousness of God does not come by the law. Rather, it is through the experience of God's gracious redemption. Christ need not have died if the law was sufficient. "I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain." (Galatians 2: 21)

Let's not waste God's grace created by him through Christ's death on the cross and depend on it. Let us commit ourselves to Christ so that he may come and work in us and be seen as having the righteousness of God which comes through faith in Christ.

'AATHAVAN' 📖✝ BIBLE MEDITATION No:- 1,085 💚 January 29, 2024 💚 Monday💚

"Let every man examine himself, and eat of this bread, and drink of this cup." (1 Corinthians 11:28)

Jesus Christ shed His body and blood for our redemption. That is why even today we experience salvation by getting rid of our sins. This is what Jesus Christ said, "My flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink." (John 6:55)

This spiritual truth is great. If we take the worldly meaning of the words of Jesus, we will be backsliders like many disciples who turned away from him. Because they did not understand the spiritual meaning of what Jesus said that day, "many of his disciples went back and did not walk even with him." (John 6:66)

Eating the foods of this world helps our body to grow. Eating the body of Jesus Christ which is true food and it is food for our soul. But not understanding this caused many disciples to withdraw from him.

When we partake of the Eucharist, we confess and accept the truth that the Lord Jesus Christ sacrificed His body and blood for us. But it is meaningless if it is merely an external sign. Not only that, but the Bible warns us that such consumption becomes a curse for us.

“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. (1 Corinthians 11: 28 - 30) Paul the apostle said.

Whenever we participate in the services, God wants us to take a moment to analyse whether we are worthy of partake of the Eucharist. This is what the apostle Paul says in today's meditation verse, "Let every man examine himself, eat of this bread, and drink of this cup."

Thus we shall have eternal life if we know ourselves and eat his flesh and drink his blood; He will raise us up on the last day. Rather than judging what others will think of us, we should judge and know our worth. When we realize our worth and partake of Christ's body, we become acceptable to Him. Only then will His flesh become our true food and His blood our true drink as Jesus Christ said.

'AATHAVAN' 📖✝ BIBLE MEDITATION No:- 1,086 💚 January 30, 2024 💚 Tuesday 💚

"Behold, I go forward, but he is not there; and backward, but I cannot perceive him: On the left hand, where he doth work, but I cannot behold him: he hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him:" (Job 23: 8, 9)

The pious Job also experienced what we sometimes experience today in the spiritual life. Sometimes when we are living with the experiences of being close to God, we can suddenly experience a state of emptiness without God. Sufferings also occur and we become nothing more than ordinary worldly people in spiritual life. This is one way God treat us in the spiritual life.

Sadhu Sundersingh, a saint who lived in the last century, also had this experience. He asks God about this, "Lord, even though I have not sinned, sometimes I feel as if you are suddenly far away from me. Why is it that all my joy has disappeared and I have become inferior to ordinary people?"

God answered him, "Son, if you always have higher spiritual experiences, pride will come into you without realizing it. Not only that, you will live as if you are superior to others. Apart from me, you do not exist, and you do not have spiritual life. To make you realize this, I am leaving you like this so that you do not fall into pride in spiritual life. I am there. But I am not abandoning you; I am watching you like a mother watching her toddler walk. When you can't, I will lift you up and leave you."

It is because Job experienced this experience he says I go forward, but he is not there; and backward, but I cannot perceive him: On the left hand, where he doth work, but I cannot behold him: he hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him.

But for that I did not turn back from God and His commandments, says Job. "Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food." (Job 23: 12)

Beloved, you too may have experienced such abandonment by God in your spiritual life. Don't be discouraged by that. Do not grumble against God, do not forsake His commandments. God is watching over your situation from a distance. He lends a helping hand in times of need. Yes, He is testing your spiritual life and faith.

This is what Job said with confidence, "But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold." (Job 23: 10) Let us say like him and be faithful to the Lord. May the Lord himself bless us.

‘AATHAVAN' 📖✝ BIBLE MEDITATION No:- 1,087                       💚 January 31, 2024 💚 Wednesday 💚

"Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord." (Ephesians 5: 10)

Most people today are testing the Lord rather than testing what pleases the Lord. That is, instead of thinking about how their life is and correcting themselves, they think of worldly things that are unnecessary and wish the Lord to fulfill them and pray for that.

Even though claim to be spiritual people, if we look at the prayers of some people, we cannot say that they are spiritual. Mostly they give priority to worldly affairs and pray. Not only that, some people wish and pray that they will advance in life ahead of those they do not like.

They even pray that whatever they like should happen and that the political party of their choice should come to power. Not only that, but some pray, "Lord, destroy the life of the adversary who works against me." Even many Christian pastors pray, "Lord  bring more souls to my church than that church (saying the name of a particular minister's church)."

Once a grandmother was talking to me and said, "Brother, my neighbour is not well with me. He is very problematic.  My prayer is that the Lord should drive him out of here. the Lord is not answering my prayer”. Beloved, they do not consider how God, who taught us to love our enemies, would hear such a prayer.

Any of our prayers should be as the Lord Jesus Christ prayed, "Lord, let your will be done." This is the way the scriptures teach us to pray.

One of the reasons many believers today pray un-scripturally is because of some ministers. Quoting some verses from the Old Testament, they teach that if you pray like this, you can defeat the enemies. That is why in today's verse, the apostle Paul says, "Test yourselves to see what pleases the Lord."

We should think whether the actions we do, the words we speak, and our prayers are acceptable to God and not to humans. 

If we call ourselves Christians and remain in such a state of mind, it means that we are still barren and in darkness. That is why "And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them." (Ephesians 5: 11) says the apostle, Paul.

As the year begins, from celebrity pastors to small street preachers say, "this year is a blessed year" and check your life for God's blessings. They do not say to give up unfruitful activities.

Today's meditation verse asks us to test ourselves. When we do experiments in science labs in schools, only if we do the research in a specific way can we get the expected results. Yes, dear ones, only when we structure our life based on the scriptures, God will give us the right results and make us happy. Let us "Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord."