- Bro. M. Geo Prakash
‘AATHAVAN' 📖✝ BIBLE MEDITATION
No:- 1,088 💚
February 01, 2024 💚
Thursday 💚
"The first man is of the
earth, earthy; the second man is the Lord from heaven. As is the earthy, such
are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that
are heavenly." ( 1 Corinthians 15 : 47, 48 )
In today's meditation verse,
the apostle Paul compares the Lord Jesus Christ and the first man, Adam, and
says some things.
Adam, the first man, was
formed from this soil. God created him from dust. That Adam was full of earthly
desires. Because he had the desire of the world, he disobeyed God and gave
place to the desire of his heart. If we are like that today, we are like Adam.
That is what the apostle Paul says, "As is the earthy, such they also that
are earthy."
But we are not made for this
earth; Instead, we were created to live with God forever. Those who are made to
live with Christ as heavenly beings. If we want to become heavenly beings, we
must become like him. That is why Paul Apostle said, "as is the heavenly, such are
they also that are heavenly."
If we truly know Christ, we
will be like him seeking those things where he is. "If ye
then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ
sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on
things on the earth." (Colossians 3: 1, 2) we read.
Beloved, we must always be
seekers after something higher. Our eyes should be looking upwards. A pig
cannot look up. The reason is its physical structure. It looks at the soil and
thinks that the impurities in the soil are big. But we humans are not made like
pigs; Created for a higher purpose. When we raise our eyes to God, we can have
greater experiences.
Although in this world we
have acquired the likeness of the earth like Adam, when we look to God and
change our ways, we will attain His likeness. "And as we have borne the
image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly." (1
Corinthians 15: 49)
Christ came to guide us to
reach a higher image and established eternal redemption.
Although we have now
received the likeness of Adam, we can receive the likeness of a greater glory.
Can receive the likeness of Christ. If we look towards the heavenly one and
follow him, we can receive the likeness of the heavenly Christ according to the
verse, "As the heavenly one is, so are the heavenly ones." That is
what we are called to do.
There's a saying, "Aim
for the moon; you'll hit the stars." Yes, higher thinking and visions make
us attain the image of Christ.
‘AATHAVAN' 📖✝ BIBLE MDITATION No
:- 1,089 💚
February 02, 2024 💚
Friday 💚
"That
I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his
sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;" (Philippians 3: 10)
In today's verse, the
apostle Paul mentions the goal of his spiritual life. That is, he says that his
purpose is to become like Christ in his death and become somehow worthy of
resurrection by knowing how Christ's sufferings have united him with him and
the power of his resurrection.
Here, Christ's death means
our death to sin. Resurrection means turning away from sin. "For
to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both
of the dead and living." (Romans 14: 9) Here the words death
and resurrection are said in a spiritual sense. He is the Lord of the dead and
the living in the spiritual life. That is why it is necessary for those who are
dead in spirit to come alive and know them.
Paul, who says that he is
trying to attain the power of Christ, but has not yet grasped it, says what he
does to reach it; - “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended:
but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching
forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize
of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3: 13, 14)
Yes, our spiritual journey
is a continuous journey. In that journey, we should be those who forget the
things that are behind and seek the things that are ahead, as the Apostle Paul
says.
Yes beloved, we must forget
the deeds of the old sinful life that we lived before we started the spiritual
life. Let them go. We must forget them altogether and pursue only the glorious
prize of Christ. He says that he continues towards the goal for the goal of the
supreme calling that God has called in Christ Jesus.
If we are chosen in the
spiritual life, we will be like this. Otherwise, we will be soulless, simply
praying to fulfill worldly desires. That is why the apostle Paul says, "Let
us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in anything ye be otherwise
minded, God shall reveal even this unto you." (Philippians 3: 15)
Therefore, beloved, let us
endeavor to somehow know Him and the power of His resurrection and the unity of
His sufferings, and to become worthy of His death, and yet to be raised from
the dead.
‘AATHAVAN' 📖✝ BIBLE MEDITATION
No:- 1,090 💚
February 03, 2024 💚
Saturday 💚
"You
only have I known of all the families of the earth: therefore, I will punish
you for all your iniquities." (Amos 3: 2)
Generally good children in
families and children who do well in schools get special attention. Not only
that, children who are so good, even if they make a small mistake, it will be
viewed very seriously. "I was expecting more from you…. Alas, and you have
gone and done something like this?" parents and teachers will say like that.
Yes, even the smallest mistakes made by those loved will be looked big.
God sees people in the same
way. By his grace and knowledge, he shows compassion to those he knows. "As it
is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated." (Romans 9: 13) we
read. And, "Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he
will he hardeneth." (Romans 9: 18) it is said.
If you look at the lives of
Jacob and David, they made many mistakes. But because God knew them, He
punished them and accepted them.
This is how God knew the
people of Israel. This is how he knows people in the New Testament. This is how
He has identified us as spiritual Israelites. That is why the apostle Peter
said, "But
ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar
people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of
darkness into his marvellous light;" (1 Peter 2: 9)
As God knows us like this,
he says that he will punish you for all our iniquities. "If ye
endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom
the father chasteneth not?" (Hebrews 12: 7)
We see many of the wicked
people of this world prospering and living flawlessly despite their many
mistakes. But spiritual men who commit minor mistakes receive greater
punishment from God. The reason is that he treats us as sons.
Even if God punishes in this
way, it will give us peace in the end. "Now no chastening for the present seemeth to
be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit
of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby." (Hebrews 12: 11)
Yes, dear ones, when God
gives us punishments in spiritual life, we should find out the reason and
correct ourselves. We need the knowledge that He punishes us only because He
knows us. “Because I know only you among all the families of the earth, I will
punish you for all your iniquities, says the Lord God. So let us live our
spiritual lives with caution.
'AATHAVAN' 📖✝ BIBLE MEDITATION
No:- 1,091 💚February
04, 2024 💚Sunday
💚
"Now
unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or
think, according to the power that worketh in us," (Ephesians 3: 20)
A reading of today’s verse
makes it clear that this is not being said from a worldly perspective. Because
the apostle Paul says, "He is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that
we ask or think according to the power that worketh in us." That
means not worldly things; rather, it is said that He works within us in our
inner man.
That is, He works in our
inner man more than we ask. If we ask Him to grow in our spiritual life,
overcome sin and live a holy life, He will do more in us than we can think and
pray.
Beloved, our God desires
holiness. He knows our weaknesses. That is why he said to the apostle Paul, "My
grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in
weakness." ( 2 Corinthians 12 : 9 )
Today we may struggle with a
particular sin that we cannot overcome. But if we really want to let it go, He
will help us. He gives the power to overcome that sin. "Most
gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of
Christ may rest upon me." ( 2 Corinthians 12 : 9 ) says
Paul.
Many people look at this
verse with a worldly view and think that God will give us more blessings than
we ask for. The Bible was not written for the enrichment of our worldly life;
On the contrary, it was written for our spiritual development. only when we
understand the purpose it is written it will qualify us for the life hereafter.
If we pray with the thoughts
of wanting to know Christ more, taste His true power, overcome sin and become
holy, His power will work within us much more than we pray and think.
Yes, beloved, "If in
this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most
miserable." ( 1 Corinthians 15 : 19 )
‘AATHAVAN' 📖✝ BIBLE MEDITATAION
No:- 1,092 💚
February 05, 2024 💚Monday
💚
"But
with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the
wilderness." ( 1 Corinthians 10 : 5 )
The apostle Paul speaks
today's verse as a recipient of a new revelation. Many Christians today still
think that it is God the Father who spoke and acted in the Old Testament and
only Christ who speaks in the New Testament. If that is so, then Christ cannot
be God! Yes, Christ was with the Father before the creation of the world. The
Bible say that He is the creator of the worlds.
God, who spoke His message
through the prophets in Old Testament times, "Hath in these last days
spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom
also he made the worlds;" (Hebrews 1: 2) we
read. If we think that he was born and lived only two thousand years ago, it
means that we do not accept him as a powerful God.
It was Christ who led the
people of Israel in the land of milk and honey. "And did all eat the same
spiritual meat; And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of
that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ." (1
Corinthians 10: 3, 4) The same Christ who led the people of Israel
in the wilderness leads us today.
But those people who
consumed the meat and drink of wisdom fell into the worldly desire called lust.
So, they were destroyed. This is what today's verse says, "But
with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the
wilderness." Also says that "Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them
also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents." (1 Corinthians 10: 9)
Beloved, the words, “God was
not pleased with many of them” are a warning to us today. Even though we claim
to be baptized Christians, we partake of Christ's body and blood, but if we are
immersed in the lure of worldly lust, we will not have share with Christ; we
would be like the Israelites who tested Christ.
"Now
these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil
things, as they also lusted." (1 Corinthians 10: 6) He will work in us
when we accept Christ as the mighty Son of God and commit ourselves to Him
believing that we have been redeemed by Him.
He will
bring us into the great eternal Canaan just as he led the people of Israel into
worldly Canaan with his mighty hand. It is said that, “God was not pleased with
most of them.” We should not join that crowd. Only then will He be pleased with
us.
'AATHAVAN' 📖✝ BIBLE MEDITATION
No:- 1,093 💚
February 06, 2024 💚Tuesday
💚
"Wherefore let him that
thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall." (1 Corinthians 10: 12 )
The spiritual life is
something we must live carefully. We may trust that we will stand firm in God.
But as long as we live in this world, suffering and problems will follow us.
Therefore, today's verse advises that he who thinks he is standing in the spiritual
life must be careful not to fall.
Moreover, we should not
think lightly of others. A person who is weak in spiritual life today may later
become master in spiritual life and reach a higher level than us. Similarly, a
person who excels in spiritual life today may turn out to be spiritually weak.
Therefore, he who thinks himself standing must be careful not to fall.
The devil who fights against
us in the spiritual life is watching to see when we will fall. There are many
things in today's world that are tempting spiritual people. Sin is at the
fingertips of men today. Yes, even if we accidentally touch a link on the
mobile phone, we will be bombarded with dirty porn. Therefore, he who thinks
himself standing must be careful not to fall.
That is why the apostle
Peter said, "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a
roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:" (1 Peter 5:
8)
This can only be done if we
are firmly dependent on the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ with faith. Ordinary
worldly people easily fall into such sufferings. This is what the apostle Peter
continues when he says, "Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing
that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the
world." (1 Peter 5: 9)
Therefore, dear ones, it is
necessary to be cautious, no matter how spiritually exalted we are today. We
should think that we are standing only because of God's grace. In the spiritual
life some may have fallen away because of unbelief. For that, if we are proud
that "I am not like that" we will also fall.
The following words of the
apostle Paul, having in mind the Jews and the Gentiles, are applicable to us also:
- "Well;
because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not
highminded, but fear: For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed
lest he also spare not thee." (Romans 11: 20, 21)
'AATHAVAN' 📖✝ BIBLE
MEDITATION No:- 1,094 💚
February 07, 2024 💚Wednesday
💚
"And
let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint
not." (Galatians 6: 9)
The apostle Paul compares
doing good to sowing seeds. He who sows the seeds does not enjoy its fruit
immediately after sowing. Crop growth and fruiting are delayed. But the farmer
does not get tired because of that. Similarly, we should not get tired after
doing good without thinking that we will get its benefits immediately. So he
goes on to say:-
"As we
have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them
who are of the household of faith." (Galatians 6: 10)
We
should do good to everyone according to the time available to us. In
particular, he said that the household of faith should be helped. He uses the
words to do good, not to help. That is, we should help those who need financial
help and do good things for others as much as we can.
Doing good is an opportunity
available to everyone. We all can do something good for others. It may be a
guidance, it may be an advice, it may be to help a person go where he cannot go
alone...we can do something good like this. Man was created to live socially.
When we help, we strengthen our relationships with our fellow human beings.
Once myself along with my
pastor friend went to the municipal office for a small job. When the officer on
duty saw us, he said, "Brother, I know you, what can I do for you?"
He gave us all the help as asked. He did not help us financially; Instead he
did us good. Apostle Paul says that even if we are not able to provide
financial assistance, we should do what we can to help others.
But some do any good deed
after calculating whether it will benefit them. The apostle Paul describes
doing this with the words sowing to the flesh. He says that those who do good
for their own benefit will only reap destruction. "For
he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that
soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life
everlasting." (Galatians 6: 8)
Therefore, it is understood
that God considers the intention of doing that action more important than the
action we do. He knows the innermost thoughts of our hearts. When we do good
deeds with a good heart, God will give us good results. Yes, thus "Let us
not grow weary in doing good; if we do not grow weary, we will reap in due
season." That is, when we do good with spiritual love, we attain eternal
life through the Spirit.
'AATHAVAN' 📖✝ BIBLE MEDITATION
No:- 1,095 💚
February 08, 2024 💚Thursday
💚
"And
whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving
thanks to God and the Father by him." (Colossians 3: 17)
Even many Christians today
do not have a clear understanding of God the Father. Many consider the Father
God is for Old Testament and the New Testament to Jesus. Besides this, a
"Jesus only" crowd has arisen. The reason for such erroneous teachings
is that the scriptures are not read with understanding. The apostle John made
this clear in his letters.
Anyone who denies Jesus
Christ is a liar. He calls the Antichrist the one who denies the Father and the
Son Jesus Christ. "Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus
is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son." (1
John 2: 22) Our Lord Jesus Christ taught us to pray, "Our Father
in heaven." God the Father sent Christ into the world.
Therefore, "Whosoever
transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that
abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the
Son." (2 John 1: 9)
That is, if we remain in the
teaching of Christ, we will have the Father and the Son. The verse says that we
should give all the glory to God the Father through Jesus Christ. "…. in
all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and
dominion for ever and ever. Amen." (1 Peter 4: 11)
Jesus Christ said that if we
want to attain eternal life, we must know God the Father and Jesus Christ whom
He sent. "And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true
God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent." (John 17: 3)
It is the Lord Jesus Christ
who has forgiven our sins and reconciled us to God. That is why the apostle
Paul said, "And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus
Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement." (Romans 5: 11)
That is why you are being "Ye
also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to
offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ." (1
Peter 2: 5) says Peter.
We can see that the apostle
Paul begin all his letters with, "Grace and peace from God the Father and
the Lord Jesus Christ." Therefore, any prayer of ours should be an
ascension to God the Father through our Lord Jesus Christ. That is what is
acceptable to God and what Christ and the apostles instructed us to do. If we
do not glorify God the Father, thinking that we are giving priority to Christ,
we will be antichrists.
'AATHAVAN' 📖✝ BIBLE MEDITATION
No:- 1,096 💚
February 09, 2024 💚
Friday 💚
“Trust in him at all times;
ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us.” ( Psalms 62
: 8 )
Prayer is not a lot of
shouting or chanting a few mantras over and over again. Rather, it is the
experience of our hearts being poured out with God by trusting Him. As we pour
water or any other liquid in a vessel; Pouring out heart’s longings with faith
in God's society. It has no time or period.
People have many ideas about
prayer. Some teach that God hears the prayer that is prayed early in the
morning, some say that prayer with fasting is more effective. Some people say
that we should pray by making a vow or solemn. Some say that one-tenth of a day
should be set aside for prayer. But these are mostly untrue except human
teachings.
These are the methods and
opinions expressed by many people in various occasions in the Bible about
prayer, but we cannot say that this is the exact way for payer and we should
always pray like this and then only God will accept our prayers.
Because those who pray as a duty
can also get up early in the morning to pray. Many friends I know say,
"From my young age, my parents used to wake us up early in the morning to
pray, so it became a habit." But they say that they do not know how to
pray in close union with God except that they pray daily in the manner taught
to them by their parents since childhood.
So is fasting prayer.
Fasting in the belief that God will answer our prayers because we do not eat is
not acceptable. And many who pray like this are also praying to fulfill their
worldly needs. Most of the time, those who pray by vowing are also praying for
their worldly blessings.
Some say to pray two hours
and forty minutes which is a tenth part of a day. God's love surely cannot be
found in those who pray and calculate like this. For they can only be said to
fulfill the prayer as a commandment
But God hears and answers
the prayer of tears that come with heartache and hope. Such a prayer is a
prayer that pours out the heart into the community of God. King Hezekiah prayed
like this. Samuel's mother Anna prayed like this. Jesus Christ also prayed with
loud voices and tears with broken heart.
It is good to rise early in
the morning and pray; It is acceptable. But God does not listen to our prayers just
because we pray like that, by fasting, or because we pray for hours. He sees
our broken hearts. Heartbreak over our mistakes. To break down and repent with
the desire to get closer to God; Repentance for insulting others.... Praying
with inner longing. ...Even if such prayers are not prayed for hours, God will
hear and answer them immediately.
Beloved, let us pour out our
petitions in the presence of God with true faith, with fervor, with a broken
heart, and God will surely be our refuge.
'AATHAVAN' 📖✝ BIBLE MEDITATION
No:- 1,097 💚
February 10, 2024 💚Saturday
💚
"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 : 10 )
Solomon committed the same
sin as Adam in the Garden of Eden. God walked with Adam in the garden. Adam saw
Him face to face. Even so, he was deceived by Satan. The reason is desire. He
was more interested in eating the forbidden fruit than the words of God.
Moreover, he made it because Eve would regret if he did not eat the fruit that
she brought.
So was Solomon. After God
appeared to him twice and God commanded him not to follow foreign gods to
satisfy his wives, he started worshiping the other gods they were worshiping.
He thought that if he did not worship like that, their wives would feel regret
of it.
"He turned his heart
away from the Lord, and did not keep his teaching, and the Lord was angry with
him". Yes, so angry that he divided his country into two and belittled the
majesty of his rule. God limited his punishments because of his father David
who followed the Lord faithfully; Otherwise he would have completely destroyed
him.
Beloved, today we must try
not to be like Solomon. We need to choose between God or worldly power, money
and fame. No matter how close we are to God, sometimes some things we do for
our spouse and children will separate us from God. Some actions we do for
position and money will separate us from God.
But for one thing, God is
not a cruel man watching over us and punishing us. He also sees our innermost
mind. Even if we sometimes do certain things for the sake of our wife and
children, He knows our inner heart. God will tolerate the small mistakes we make
when our hearts are pierced by unavoidable circumstances. For example, Naaman
has to enter into the Rimmon temple with the king and bow Rimmon when the king
bows it. He consulted about this to Elisha.
"....when
my master goeth into the house of Rimmon to worship there, and he leaneth on my
hand, and I bow myself in the house of Rimmon: when I bow down myself in the
house of Rimmon, the LORD pardon thy servant in this thing. And he said
unto him, Go in peace. So he departed from him a little way." ( 2 Kings 5
: 18,19 ) It is thus clear that it is necessary to be truthful in
heart.
It is mentioned in today’s verse, ‘his heart was
turned from the LORD" That means denying the Lord Jesus. So,
it is necessary to be careful not to turn our hearts away from the Lord Jesus
mentally and physically. Yes beloved, the fall of Solomon who spoke 3000
proverbs is a warning to us.
'AATHAVAN' 📖✝ BIBLE MEDITATION
No:- 1,098 💚
February 11, 2024 💚Sunday
💚
"But while men slept, his
enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way." (Matthew
13: 25)
Today's verse spoken by
Jesus Christ is said in the parable he told. In this parable it is said that he
who sows seeds has sown good seeds. Jesus explains that it was the Son of Man
who sowed these seeds. (Matthew 13:37) That is, if we are sown by the Lord
Jesus Christ, we will be good seeds.
As these good seeds grow, so
do the weeds. It is the devil who sows these weeds. Jesus Christ here refers to
the weeds as the sons of the wicked. (Matthew 13:38) That is to say, the same
crops sown by the Son of Man are also growing among the wicked and evil men
sown by the devil.
Today's verse says,
"While a men slept, his enemy comes and sowed tares among the wheat."
The man who sowed the good seeds knew that the devil sowed weeds there. This is
evident from the master telling the servant, "The enemy has done it"
(Matthew 13:28). That is, the enemy raises wicked men among the good without
their knowledge to destroy the people who live in Christ, the good crop.
But God, being gracious,
does not destroy the weeds immediately. Instead, he makes them grow with good
crops and for the last days of harvest. He said, "Let both grow together
until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather
ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather
the wheat into my barn." (Matthew 13: 30) Yea, "That
the wicked is reserved to the day of destruction? they shall be brought forth
to the day of wrath." (Job 21: 30)
He lets the weeds planted by
devil grow, knowing that they will never turn into good. Because if they are
uprooted, the good crop may be destroyed. Thus, he transforms evil into good.
Because weeds are necessary for believers in Christ. By it he purifies his
people.
Look at the life of Joseph,
his siblings were like weeds. They did evil to him. God tested Joseph through
them. In the end it turned out to be good. "But as for you, ye thought evil against me;
but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much
people alive." (Genesis 50: 20)
In this world also he
sometimes saves the children of the good harvest by the wicked. Perhaps the
manager, boss, etc. in our workplace are wicked. But God does not destroy them
immediately but saves us through them. If He destroy them immediately, the good
crops will also be affected.
Finally, we read, “while men
slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way." Yes
beloved, if we are spiritually asleep the devil will be sowing weeds. So, we
need to be vigilant in our prayers. If we remain in the spiritual slumber of
prayerlessness, the weeds will overtake us. Satan will be sowing weeds. Let's
do them with vigilance.
'AATHAVAN' 📖✝ BIBLE MEDITATION
No:- 1,099 💚
February 12, 2024 💚Monday
💚
“While it is said, today if
ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.” (
Hebrews 3 : 15 )
God's words were revealed to
the people of Israel through Moses. But all who heard it disobeyed those words.
They grumbled against God. Because they liked the old Egyptian life. They
longed for what they had eaten in Egypt and that food was no longer available.
This is what we read, “For
some, when they had heard, did provoke: howbeit not all that came out of Egypt
by Moses.” (Hebrews 3: 16)
Even today, God's words are
preached in various ways such as magazines, news media, wall writings and
sermons. The messages preached by God's servants often touch our hearts.
Scriptural meditations pierce the heart. The words of God come to all of us in one
way or another in our daily lives. But because they say that we want to change
the old life we are living, we harden our hearts like the people of Israel in
those days.
Yes, many times we say,
"This sermon was good" and share some video sermons with others. But
we are not ready to walk straight to the truth of the message and change our
lives. Today's verse says to those who ignore God's words, “if ye will hear his
voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.”
It is good practice to
listen to the messages of all Christian denominations in general, regardless of
denomination. Each church has teachings that are right and contradict the
scriptures. There are teachings that make us feel like that. A person who knows
Christ should only see if what is said is in accordance with the scriptures
rather than who said it as much as possible.
Beloved, if we approach
everything with an open mind, we can realize the truth. Therefore, we must
first prioritize hearing God's words, believe them, and obey them. Only then
can we attain the state of eternal life promised by the Lord Jesus Christ.
This is said in the Epistle
to the Hebrews, “And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest,
but to them that believed not? So, we see that they could not enter in because
of unbelief.” (Hebrews 3: 18,19)
Yes beloved, "If you
will hear His voice today, do not harden your hearts as it happened in the
provocation" church discrimination will harden our hearts. Unbelief
hardens our hearts If we ignore God's words thinking, "This is not our
church...he is saying something...", that unbelief will prevent us from
entering into God's rest.
'AATHAVAN' 📖✝ BIBLE MEDITATION
No:- 1,100 💚
February 13, 2024 💚Tuesday
💚
"The sacrifice
of the wicked is an abomination unto the Lord: but the prayer of the righteous
is his delight." (Proverbs 15:8)
Humans generally think of
God as having a mind like themselves. Shouting praise greetings before a
political leader, wearing flower garlands, anointing the leader’ photos with
milk will make him feel happy. Humans think of God as a similar political leader.
God is the seer of what is. It is often forgotten that He expects from men a
pure state of mind.
God will not be pleased with
the grandiose sacrifices or feasts in the temples. He would feel pity for such
people. Not today, God made this clear to the people through the prophet Isaiah
about 750 years before the birth of Christ. 'To what purpose is the multitude of your
sacrifices unto me? saith the LORD: I am full of the burnt offerings of rams,
and the fat of fed beasts; and I delight not in the blood of bullocks, or of
lambs, or of the goats." (Isaiah 1: 11)
Today's verse says that the
sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to God. It is abominable, says the
Lord God, to take murder, robbery, and bribery and gather money and other
assets and then stand and offer sacrifices in temples. But many are interested
only in visiting temples and paying offerings and worshiping.
We can pray for hours, we
can fast and pray, we can offer various offerings to God and pray but if our
life is unworthy God will not hear our prayer. "And when ye spread forth
your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I
will not hear: your hands are full of blood." (Isaiah 1: 15)
You may have heard in many
sermons that your lack of prayer is the reason for your blessing, and that not
reading the scriptures is the reason for your unblessed life. But dear ones,
first of all our lives must be pure. Our lack of blessings is because our lives
are not pleasing to God.
Anyone can pray, no matter
what life they are living. But God does not hear all prayers. God will give
priority to the prayer of repentance and forgiveness. Therefore, first of all
we should realize our sins and pray for repentance and get the certainty of
forgiveness. Prayer without it is like empty shouting.
First "Wash
you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes;
cease to do evil;" (Isaiah 1: 16) says the Holy Lord. Today's
verse says that the prayer of the pure is pleasing to Him. Let us make
ourselves pure before God. Sacrifices and offerings are secondary.
'AATHAVAN' 📖✝ BIBLE MEDITATION
No:- 1,101 💚
February 14, 2024 💚Wednesday
💚
"That
ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without
offence till the day of Christ. Being filled with the fruits of righteousness,
which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God." (Philippians
1: 10, 11)
Praising
God, the Father with our mouths is not the real glorifying act. Instead, our
lives should become fruitful as we give Him real glory and praise. This is what
the apostle Paul says in today's meditation verse: "Be filled with the
fruits of righteousness that come from Jesus Christ, so that God may be
glorified and praised."
Not
only that, but when we live such a fruitful life, we can become fit for the day
of Christ's second coming. This is what the apostle Paul says: "I pray
that you will be clean and blameless for the day of Christ."
That
is, when we live a fruitful life, we glorify God the Father while qualifying
ourselves for the coming of Christ.
We
can become fruitful only when we live a life of union with Christ Jesus. That's
why Jesus Christ said, "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot
bear fruit of itself, except it abides in the vine; no more can ye, except ye
abide in me." (John 15:4)
Yes,
beloved, a spiritual man is a man full of spiritual fruits. But today, this has
generally been forgotten, and a spiritual man is thought to be a person who
attends certain congregations. A spiritual man should have the fruits that the
Apostle Paul says. "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,
longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance; against
such there is no law." (Galatians 5:22–23)
We
cannot obtain these spiritual fruits by ourselves. We can become fruitful only
when our lives are grafted to the Lord Jesus Christ. It is only when our
character traits are joined to Jesus Christ that we can be transformed and
become fruitful. The apostle Paul says that he is praying for the Philippian
church believers to be clean and blameless for the day of Christ.
Beloved,
let us commit ourselves to living a fruitful life with Christ as we realise
that simply saying "Hallelujah" is not glory to God the Father. Then
only through us will God the Father be glorified and praised.
'AATHAVAN' 📖✝ BIBLE MEDITATION
No:- 1,102 💚
February 15, 2024 💚Thursday
💚
“Herein is
love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the
propitiation for our sins." ( 1 John 4 : 10 )
Our
old sinful life in Egypt separated us from God and left us restless. Then we
know nothing about God and His glory and power; we have not considered them. We
were living in this world, drowning in the desires of the world. But God had a
plan for us. That plan was because of His love for us.
Yes,
beloved, not because we loved God, but because He loved us and sent His Son as
a sacrifice for our sins. If He had not loved us, we would not have received
Christ and His salvation.
Because
our sins are washed away, we know God and His Son. So, we love him. The reason
we love him like this is because he loved us before, forgave our sins, and
accepted us. Yes, "We love him because he first loved us." (1 John
4:19)
Saying
that you love God with your mouth is not loving Him. Worshipping him with
garlands and fragrant incense sticks is not loving him; It is not a sign of
loving Him to give more offerings or to attend prayer meetings or services.
That is why John says, "If a man says, I love God, and hateth his brother,
he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he
love God whom he hath not seen?" (1 John 4:20)
That
is to love our fellow-born; to love our fellow human beings regardless of
caste, religion, and race. John says that if he does not love like this, he is
a liar. Because if we truly have our sins cleansed and have experienced
salvation, we will respect and love everyone. It means that one who does not
love like that has not yet received forgiveness from God for his sins. How can
he love the invisible God? The apostle John asks.
Our
siblings may ignore us and misunderstand us. We cannot go to them all the time
and explain our situation. But we can pray for them. Praying like that is a
sign that we love them. God, who knows the things that are hidden, knows them.
Yes,
beloved, not because we loved God, but because he loved us and sent his Son as
a sacrifice for our sins. We should extend the same unconditional love to
everyone, regardless of caste, religion, or race.
'AATHAVAN' 📖✝ BIBLE MEDITATION
No:- 1,103 💚
February 16, 2024 💚
Friday 💚
"Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit
which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of
God." (1
Corinthians 2: 12)
Worldly
knowledge is enough to know the things of this world. The teachers who teach us
in schools or colleges acquire worldly knowledge and teach it to us. But if we
want to know the things of God, worldly knowledge is not enough. We cannot know
God by studying at theological colleges. The words "knowing God" are
used in the Bible, not "knowing about God.".
Yes,
beloved, we can know about God by studying theology, reading the Bible,
listening to sermons, and reading news articles about God. But if we want to
know God, we need the help of the Holy Spirit. That is why the apostle Paul
says, "we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which
is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of
God."
And,
"Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth,
but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with
spiritual." (1 Corinthians 2:13) The Holy Spirit gives us the knowledge to
relate spiritual things to spiritual things.
Many
people today teach the scriptures with a worldly meaning. This is due to the
absence of the anointing of the Spirit. There are many books that speak and
teach about worldly affairs. There are many scholars. The Bible is not written
for our worldly lives.
So
many people cannot accept many points of the scriptures. Only when our
spiritual eyes are opened do we understand their meaning. Yea, "But the
natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are
foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually
discerned." (1 Corinthians 2:14)
After
experiencing salvation and receiving the anointing of the Holy Spirit, one may
feel that the same verse takes on a new meaning when reading the scriptures,
beyond what one normally gets when reading the scriptures. The reason is that
the Spirit makes us understand the exact purpose for which the verse was
written.
That
is why we need the anointing of the Holy Spirit to know God and His words. It
is necessary for us to receive the Spirit that comes from God in order to know
what God has given us. All things are new when the Spirit, who guides us into
all truth, comes into us. Our souls will also be renewed and we will know the
truth.
Therefore,
dear ones, let us ask the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth, to fill us with his
anointing and help us to know the truth.
'AATHAVAN' 📖✝ BIBLE MEDITATION
No:- 1,104 💚
February 17, 2024 💚
Saturday 💚
"So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches
of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations
that you endure." (2 Thessalonians 1:4)
Today's
meditation verse is the words of the apostle Paul praising the church in
Thessalonica. That is, the people of that congregation suffered many things
because of the Jews. But they showed patience and faith in spite of those
sufferings. Therefore, the apostle Paul says that he is proud of them.
Paul
does not mention what the church suffered in Thessalonica. He says that it is
simply suffering. We need not examine here what suffering is. Rather, what we
should consider is that they faced adversity with patience and faith.
As
the apostle Paul continued to write, "Seeing it is a righteous thing with
God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you," (2 Thessalonians
1:6)
Today
in our lives too, there may be sufferings that can destroy our faith. Suffering
can happen to us because of people or circumstances. But we are told that we
should bear them with patience and faith as the church in Thessalonica.
When
we live like that, God will comfort us who are afflicted; He says that he will
give torment to those who torment us. In the life of the pious Job, suffering
came. The worst suffering that none of us have ever faced. But Job endured them
with faith and patience. We know how God raised him up in the end.
That's
why the apostle James, in his epistle, said, "Behold, we count them happy,
which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job and have seen the end of the
Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful and of tender mercy." (James 5:11)
Yes,
dear ones, the Lord is very kind and compassionate and will not leave us
unsatisfied with our sufferings. The results of his action will be surprising.
As a result, let us face our sufferings in life with patience and faith,
whether they are caused by others or circumstances. It is just for God to
reward those who are troubled.
Like
the apostle Paul, many who acted against Christians are turning back and
professing the faith they opposed. As Christians, it is our patience and faith
that will enable God to work. So, let's face adversity with patience and faith.
'AATHAVAN' 📖✝ BIBLE MEDITATION
No:- 1,105 💚
February 18, 2024 💚
Sunday 💚
"I have hated them that regard lying vanities, but I
trust in the LORD." (Psalms 31:6)
In
this world, people are living believing many mystical things to be true. Even
if we tell such people the truth, they will not accept it. For example, having
faith in money, position, fame, or beauty is clinging to vanity.
All
the above impermanent things perish. These do not bring us any permanent help
or benefit. It is futile to rely on them unless they help for a certain period
of time. For example, no matter how much money, influence, or manpower we have,
if a very deadly disease has come upon us, none of these will help us. In those
times, we run to the Lord.
David
was well aware of this truth, even as a king. That is why he says that he hates
those who cling to such vain illusions and believes in God rather than not
clinging to such illusions. Not illusory kingship or wealth; instead, he says
that God is my hope.
We
can also read this truth in the book of Jonah, the prophet. Jonah says,
"When my soul fainted within me, I remembered the Lord, and my prayer came
in unto thee, into thine holy temple; they that observe lying vanities forsake
their own mercy" (Jonah 2:7–8).
Yes,
if we look at what the prophet Jonah says, it is clear that he was, in some
way, believing in this illusion. What is that? He had a feeling that his fame
would suffer if his prophecy did not come true. Yes, he had such a mystical
idea. Now he feels and reports when he prays from the fish’s belly. He says,
"I thought of the Lord when my soul fainted within me."
Realising
this, he says, "Those who cling to false delusions lose the grace that
comes to them." We who claim to live in Christ should look at ourselves
and correct ourselves if we have any activities that destroy grace.
Worldly
pursuits, thoughts of vain pride, and pride in the gifts God has given us will
destroy God's grace. So let us cling to the Lord as the supreme gift. “But he
that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.” (2 Corinthians 10:17)
'AATHAVAN' 📖✝ BIBLE MEDITATION
No:- 1,106 💚
February 19, 2024 💚
Monday 💚
"And so Pilate, willing to content the people,
released Barabbas unto them, and delivered Jesus, when he had scourged him, to
be crucified." (Mark 15:15)
Generally,
people who have been in power from that day to this day are the ones who want
to somehow retain their position but do not see anything about justice and
fairness. They act according to the wishes of the people, even if it is an
injustice, only desiring to keep up their position.
Pilate
knew that Jesus Christ was innocent. He just wanted to free him. But his desire
for office did not allow him to act boldly. Therefore, desiring to please the
people, he let Barabbas go and handed Jesus to be crucified.
Even
we Christians today are like this many times. To please the wife, to please the
children, and to please the superiors, we push Christ away.
This
verse also explains another thing to us. Who made Pilate free? The unrighteous
Barabbas. "And there was one named Barabbas, which lay bound with them
that had made insurrection with him, who had committed murder in the
insurrection." (Mark 15:7) That is, he was involved in riots, murders,
etc. Pilate releases him for Christ. He chooses the unrighteous over the
righteous.
This
is the case with today's politicians. They don't need peaceful, righteous
people. They cannot do politics with them; world power cannot be sustained if
they select the righteous. Politicians want grassroots villains. They are the
ones who help politicians during election times.
Yes,
dear ones, such men are needed for the rule of this world. But if we want to
participate in the reign of Christ, it is necessary to live as humble people
like him. It is not known what happened to Barabas, who was freed that day. But
Christ, who was unjustly accused and died on that day, is still leading the
people as the victorious Christ.
We
don't have to live as people-pleasers. No matter what happens, we should try to
live as those who please only the Lord Jesus Christ. Yes, beloved, that is what
makes us victorious in Christ.
'AATHAVAN' 📖✝ BIBLE MEDITATION No:
- 1,107 💚
February 20, 2024 💚
Tuesday 💚
"I know thy works; behold, I have set before thee an
open door, and no man can shut it, for thou hast a little strength, and hast
kept my word, and hast not denied my name." (Revelation 3:8)
The
apostle John was told to write today's verse to the apostle of the church in
Philadelphia. The commitment of the Philadelphia congregation is mentioned
here. In other words, even if the spiritual power was small, they did not deny
the Lord's name and lived by the word of the Lord.
That
is, they did not reject the Lord, even though they suffered various hardships.
So, it is said that “I have set before you an open door, and no man can shut
it." The reason they did not reject God was because they knew God's
patience. So, they were fully confident that the Lord would deliver them from
their sufferings.
Thus,
"Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee
from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them
that dwell upon the earth." (Revelation 3:10), says the Lord.
Beloved,
this is God's message to us today also. We must not underestimate the spiritual
strength within us. Alas, I have no strength. Some people feel it when they
fall into the same sin again and again. But God says that even if you have
little strength, if you do not deny the Lord's name and count on His patience,
you will succeed.
Gideon
said to God that he did not have the strength to fight the Midianites that day.
God said, "Go in this thy might, and thou shalt save Israel from the hand
of the Midianites; have not I sent thee?" (Judges 6:14) He also tells us
today, "Though you have little strength, I am with you because you have
not denied my name and kept my word."
So
even if we have some strength, let's protect it. Let us patiently wait for the
Lord to act with faith without denying him. “Because thou hast kept my word,
behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it," says
the Lord. It means that no one can stop the blessing that I am giving you.
'AATHAVAN' 📖✝ BIBLE MEDITATION No:-
1,108 💚
February 21, 2024 💚
Wednesday 💚
"Now the Spirit speaketh expressly that in the
latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits
and doctrines of devils." (1 Timothy 4:1).
Today's
meditation is a prophetic verse revealed by the Holy Spirit to the Apostle
Paul.
The
prophetic revelation revealed to the apostle Paul two thousand years ago is
taking place today. In fulfilment of this prophetic revelation, many who claim
to be believers today have become slaves to certain ministers rather than
Christ. So, they do not judge whether what the preachers are saying is
scriptural or not.
And
many professed believers do not know how to read the Bible with the help of the
Spirit. Many so-called Christian believers who attend spiritual churches often
say, "Our pastor said this." Most of these people do not have the
revelation of the Spirit. This is the reason for today's paradoxical Christian
ministries. Yes, many people believe what their trusted ministers tell them to
be true.
If
we want to escape from deceiving spirits and the teachings of devils, we must
first experience the salvation that Jesus Christ gives. The Christian faith
holds that the Lord Jesus Christ suffered, died, and rose again for our sins.
If we accept this, confess our sins to Him, and entrust ourselves to Him, He
will save us and reveal Himself to us; He will continue to lead us by his
Spirit.
“In
the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing
spirits and doctrines of devils," says the apostle Paul's prophecy.
Accordingly, the trick of the conscience-stricken liar is to ignore the
salvation that the death of the Lord Jesus Christ has brought to us and not to
treat people in that way.
Today,
we see various politicians daring to engage in unscrupulous activities to
collect money. Likewise, some Christian workers work against their consciences
in order to earn money despite preaching the gospel truths of God. Such
Christian ministers are conscientious-stricken liars. That is, conscience
killers.
The
Spirit further reveals through the apostle Paul that "through the
deception of liars, some will fall away from the faith, giving heed to seducing
spirits and doctrines of devils." Yes, beloved, this is the result of the
doctrinal deception that is taking place among Christians today. That is,
people fall away from the higher Christian faith by becoming addicted to the
deceiving spirits and the devil's teaching through the preaching of liars who
have seducing spirits.
Therefore,
dear ones, what Christians should do is not be deceived by the illusion of a
liar who has no conscience, but to flee from such deceiving spirits and the
teachings of devils and keep their faith. For that, we should not fix our faith
on the ministers but on Christ. We must surrender ourselves completely to the
Lord Jesus Christ without surrendering ourselves to the so-called servants.
Just
because a lot of people run after someone doesn't mean he's teaching the truth;
it reveals that he teaches to please people. Let us guard our faith by not
listening to deceiving spirits and the doctrines of devils.
'AATHAVAN' 📖✝ BIBLE MEDITATION No:-
1,109 💚
February 22, 2024 💚
Thursday 💚
"Not to all the people, but to witnesses chosen
before God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead."
(Acts 10:41)
The
Lord Jesus Christ, after his death and resurrection, appeared directly to those
who dined with him and lived as his witnesses. He showed them that he was
alive.
What
would ordinary people in the world do? At first, they would go before Pilate
and shout, "Hi, you have killed me; here I am alive." But Jesus
Christ did not appear to others like that. Because the scriptures say that no
one can see God without holiness.
Everyone
saw him when he lived in the world as a man. But he was no longer just a man;
instead, he gave up his human nature and presented himself as God. So, he
appeared to those who were with him and those who lived the life of witnesses
ordained by God. The wicked, the greedy for office, the greedy for money, and
the drunkard cannot see God.
Beloved,
this is still happening today. Even many professing Christians do not fully
know the power of Christ and the truths of the Scriptures; they do not accept
them. Many people do not accept that Christ, who was the same yesterday, today,
and forever, is still alive today and that he is still speaking and leading
those who have experienced redemption.
The
Bible is not a myth; the incidents mentioned in it are actual events. Is not
Jesus saying, "If thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of
God?" (John 11:40) If we believe, as Jesus Christ said, we can see his
glory.
At
that time, many did not even believe that Christ spoke to the apostle Paul.
That is why he says, "Since ye seek a proof of Christ speaking in me,
which to you-ward is not weak, but is mighty in you.' (2 Corinthians 13:3)
"Not
to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before God, even to us, who did
eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead,” as said, if we develop our
relationship with him, he will also talk to us. That is why we claim to be
worshippers of the living God. We are not simply praying to the wall or praying
into the invisible air. There is a loving Father who hears and answers our
prayers. Try to listen to His voice and obey it.
If
we develop our personal relationship with God and live a life connected with
Him, we can feel His presence and His guidance in our lives.
'AATHAVAN' 📖✝ BIBLE MEDITATION No:-
1,110 💚
February 23, 2024 💚
Friday 💚
"Will thou shew wonders to the dead? Shall the dead
arise and praise you? Shall thy lovingkindness be declared in the grave? or thy
faithfulness in destruction?" (Psalms 88:10, 11)
The
psalm from which our meditation verse for today is taken is the psalm of Haman
the Ezraite. Do you perform miracles for the dead? Will the dead arise and
praise you? As the questions asked in today's verse usually give the answer
"no,".
Haman,
who was full of various kinds of grief, was frustrated with his life and
uttered these verses. We read this at the beginning of the psalm in which
today's meditation verse is said. He says, "For my soul is full of
troubles, and my life draweth nigh to the grave. I am counted with them that go
down into the pit; I am as a man that hath no strength." (Psalms 88:3, 4)
Beloved,
such situations can happen sometimes in our lives. We can also think like this
when all the paths in life are blocked and there is no more hope. "There
is no way for us to escape; it is all over." But we can read in many
incidents in the Bible that our God works miracles even for the dead.
Likewise,
“Shall thy lovingkindness be declared in the grave?” today's verse asks. Yes,
Jesus Christ raised Lazarus from the grave four days after his death. Today,
many people make the decision to commit suicide, thinking that life is over.
Beloved, if we accept Christ with faith, He will raise up our dead life, even
if it has been buried for many days.
All
the powerful works of God are manifested in situations that man cannot handle.
Mountains on either side of the Pihahiroth valley, the Red Sea in front, and
the pursuing Egyptians behind. (Exodus, chapter 14) There was no way for the
Israelites to escape. Just as the Egyptians were closing in and rushing to
destroy them, God's power appeared and parted the Red Sea, allowing them to
cross the sea without getting wet.
"I
am he that liveth and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and
I have the keys of hell and of death." (Revelation 1:18) Yes, dear ones,
as the above verse says, our Lord Jesus Christ holds the key to death and the
underworld. So, we need not be afraid of any death situation.
He
works miracles for the dead; He raises the dead to life and makes them praise
Him. His grace will be revealed in the grave, and his truth in destruction.
'AATHAVAN' 📖✝ BIBLE MEDITATION No:-
1,111 💚
February 24, 2024 💚
Saturday 💚
“And as the ark of the LORD
came into the city of David, Michal Saul's daughter looked through a window,
and saw king David leaping and dancing before the LORD; and she despised him in
her heart.” (2 Samuel 6: 16)
David tried to bring the ark
of the Lord to his city. The ark brought from Abinadab's house in Gibeah
remained in the house of Obed-edom the Gittite for three months. Then he
brought it from there into the city of David. (2 Samuel Chapter 6) Then King David
with full of joy and sang and danced in front of the ark. When Saul's daughter
Michal saw King David leaping and dancing before the Lord, she despised him in
her heart.
We can still see such mocking
taking place today. It is true that spiritual worship is not dancing and singing
alone, but there are people who worship such a way in spirit with a true heart.
They are mocked by some traditionalists. Beloved, this verse is given as
today's meditation so that such people may be warned.
God may have given each of
us different spiritual experiences. Some may feel the presence and grace of God
and the good things He has done for them and be filled with praise in the
spirit. This is what David says to Michal who laughed at him.
“It was before the LORD,
which chose me before thy father, and before all his house, to appoint me ruler
over the people of the LORD, over Israel: therefore, will I play before the
LORD. And I will yet be viler than thus, and will be base in mine own sight” (2
Samuel 6: 21, 22) says David. That is, I am the king; But, David says, I am
ready to humble myself as much as I can for the sake of the Lord, not only do I
sing for the good things the Lord has done for me.
True spiritual life is not
boasting. Those who adorn themselves with costly dresses, jewels and wear
various kinds of golden bangles and go to the temples do not understand such
lowliness of spirit; No higher spiritual experiences are known to them. They
tend to underestimate others like Michal.
The Lord recognized and
accepted David's true heart and his dancing and praising Him. On the contrary,
God punished Michal for mocking David. Yes, “Therefore Michal the daughter of
Saul had no child unto the day of her death.” (2 Samuel 6: 23)
So beloved, if we expect
everyone else to do the same as we praise and worship God, and mocking others
will bring curses. Each denomination may have different ways of worshiping God.
But we cannot say that only one method is correct. “God is a Spirit: and they
that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.” (John 4: 24)
'AATHAVAN' 📖✝ BIBLE MEDITATION
No:- 1,112 💚
February 24, 2024 💚
Sunday💚
“For the invisible things of him from the creation of the
world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his
eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse." (Romans 1:20)
The
controversy over whether God exists or not has been going on since the
beginning of time. Those who say no and those who say yes are citing different
sources. The apostle Paul makes it clear here. That is, the creations that we
see in the world are proof that God exists and His power and divinity. He says
that they are clearly seen in the things that were created.
The
human body is a miracle. Look at how finely arranged each part of the human
body is. A computer equivalent to the human brain has yet to be invented. A
camera equivalent to the human eye has not yet been invented. An atheist
scientist who studied the human body was surprised by the way the human nervous
system is structured. After looking at the human nervous system, he says:
"The
way the blood vessels and nerves are arranged in the human body made me wonder.
The place where two blood vessels join and divide is as finely planned as a
plumber in the world connecting a water pipe and an electrician connecting an
electrical appliance. Yes, these cannot be formed naturally. David understood
these things in spirit and rejoiced in spirit, and says, “I will praise thee;
for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvellous are thy works; and that my
soul knoweth right well.” (Psalms 139:14)
Also,
many scientists are amazed by the structure of space planets. Aldrin, who
accompanied Armstrong to the moon and returned, stated that he understood many
truths clearly mentioned in the scriptures when looking at the earth from
space. He mentions that if one goes to space and comes back, he will be in awe
of God and His greatness. It is noteworthy that he became a servant of God in
the later part of his life.
Albert
Einstein is the greatest scientist the world has ever seen. Rockets are sent
into space based on his theories. Though he does not accept God, he says, “All
the planets in space are thought out and wisely designed by a great brain.” But
this genius didn't realize till the end that God is that big brain.
And
in the book of Psalms, we read, “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the
firmament sheweth his handywork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto
night sheweth knowledge. There is neither speech nor language, and their voice
is not heard. Their line has gone out through all the earth, and their words
have gone to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the
sun.” (Psalms 19:1–4)
This
is why the apostle Paul states that "they (the agnostic) have no
excuse" because God's power and majesty are clearly seen in the creation
of the world. In other words, they cannot get away with this on the Day of
Judgement.
Claiming
to believe in God and living a sinful life that is not acceptable to Him is
equal to saying that God does not exist. Yes, beloved, let's live a
God-fearing life. “The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God”( Psalms
53:1).
'AATHAVAN' 📖✝ BIBLE MEDITATION No:-
1,113 💚
February 26, 2024 💚
Monday 💚
"Many times did he deliver them, but they provoked
him with their counsel and were brought low for their iniquity." (Psalms
106:43)
If
we act and live against God, relying on our own ideas, it will be iniquity in
God's eyes. Today's meditation verse warns us that such iniquity will make us
low.
If
you look at the lives of the people of Israel, they were always working against
God. After their liberation from Egypt and their possession of the land of
Canaan, God guided them through various judges. Eventually they appealed to
Samuel to make them kings, and he made Saul their king.
The
people of Israel often turned away from the God who saved them and led them and
worshipped other gods. Whenever they deviated, God made them slaves to enemy
kings and humiliated them. When they appealed to God for forgiveness, He
liberated them. But they soon lost their way again.
Thus,
“Many times did he deliver them, but they provoked him with their counsel and
were brought low for their iniquity."
Beloved,
today we may know the Lord Jesus Christ. May be well versed in spiritual life.
But if our lives are belittled, we need to examine ourselves. Often, God
forgives our sins and mistakes, but we may be working against Him because of
our own thinking. Let us examine ourselves.
The
various sufferings and problems we face today may be due to our self-conceived
actions against Him. So "My son, despise not thou the chastening of the
Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him" (Hebrews 12:5), the
scriptures advise. Not only that, when God reprimands us like this, it is
necessary that we realise and repent.
God
freed the Israelites when they turned away from Him and sinned, but not
everyone enjoyed the fruits of that deliverance. Many were destroyed. So, it is
necessary that we be careful and commit ourselves to living a life that is
suitable for God. If we live like the Israelites, we will not always get God's
help.
This
is why Proverbs warns us: "He, that being often reproved hardeneth his
neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy." (Proverbs
29:1)
'AATHAVAN' 📖✝ BIBLE MEDITATION No:-
1,114 💚
February 27, 2024 💚
Tuesday 💚
"Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him,
upon them that hope in his mercy; to deliver their soul from death, and to keep
them alive in famine." (Psalms 33:18, 19)
Today's
verse explains what God will do in the lives of people who fear God and live in
fear of God.
First,
he protects the soul of a person who lives in fear of the Lord from death. That
means not worldly death but spiritual death. Yes, they will not be caught by
the second death, the fire of hell. And in times of drought and famine, they
will be kept alive. The sufferings and troubles of this world will not carry
them. Third, God's eyes are always on them.
Realising
this, King David says, "The God of my mercy shall prevent me; God shall
let me see my desire upon my enemies." (Psalms 59:10) Yes, even though
King David sinned, he depended more on God's grace, and God saved him many
times from the snares of death. He destroyed those who opposed him.
The
Apostle Peter says, "For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and
his ears are open unto their prayers; but the face of the Lord is against them
that do evil." (1 Peter 3:12) If we surrender ourselves to living a
righteous life, we can receive the Lord's grace.
And
as the apostle Peter says, his ears are attentive to their prayer. Beloved, we
are not of our own strength; on the contrary, we stand by God's grace. Some
people think that everything happened because they prayed and say, "I
received God's grace and my petitions because I prayed." Beloved, prayer
is important in our lives, but if we think that we have received something
because of our prayer, then we are dishonouring God's grace.
"Every
good gift and every perfect gift is from above and cometh down from the Father
of Lights, with whom there is no variableness, no shadow of turning. Of his own
will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of
firstfruits of his creatures." (James 1:17, 18)
God's
grace is that He willingly gives us benefits without any change or shadow of
difference. That is why it is necessary for us to depend on His grace. Then the
Lord will deliver our souls away from death. His eyes will be focused on us.
'AATHAVAN' 📖✝ BIBLE MEDITATION No:-
1,115 💚
February 28, 2024 💚
Wednesday 💚
"Like the lion and the young lion roaring on his
prey, when a multitude of shepherds is called forth against him, he will not be
afraid of their voice nor abase himself for the noise of them; so shall the
LORD of hosts come down to fight for mount Zion and for the hill thereof."
(Isaiah 31:4)
Today's
verse explains what kind of protection the Lord's hand will give us when we
live as people suitable for God's holy Zion.
While
the shepherds are tending the flock, sometimes deadly animals like lions come
and prey on the sheep. Thus, when a lion comes with its cubs and catches the
sheep, the shepherds gather together and chase it away. But the lion is not
afraid of that cry. He will not let go of his favourite goat. In the same way,
God says that He will work for His people with stubborn zeal.
And
in the next verse, Isaiah says, "As birds flying, so will the LORD of
hosts defend Jerusalem; defending also he will deliver it; and passing over he
will preserve it." (Isaiah 31:5)
Chicken
keepers at home may have probably seen a mother hen struggle to protect her
chicks from crows and hawks. Although she cannot fly like them, the mother hen
will fly to protect her chicks when she tries. Sometimes the crow is killed.
This verse also says that God will support us.
Beloved,
if we live a godly life, we will have such protection from God. Troubles may
overwhelm us, or some may be working against us. But they did not know that
they were facing the King Lion of the Jews. If they dare to continue working
against us, their lives will be miserable.
David,
who experienced such protection and presence of the Lord, says, "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)
If
we make sure of God's presence, we can stand firm no matter what problem or
suffering comes. "My goodness, and my fortress; my high tower, and my
deliverer; my shield, and he in whom I trust; who subdueth my people under
me." (Psalms 144:2), we can say with confidence, like David.
Yea,
beloved, like birds that fly and guard, the Lord of hosts will support us; He
will keep us safe; He will come through and set us free. Let us not be dismayed
but be determined.
'AATHAVAN' 📖✝ BIBLE MEDITATION
No:- 1,116 💚
February 29, 2024 💚
Thursday 💚
"And there followed him a great company of people
and of women, which also bewailed and lamented him. But Jesus, turning unto
them, said, Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep for yourselves
and for your children." (Luke 23:27–28)
For
many who attend the liturgies on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, the suffering
and death of Jesus can evoke an emotion in the heart and bring tears to the
eyes. It is an emotional stimulus. Many people cry when watching a sad movie.
For some people, the stories they read in books can trigger such emotions. But
in the next few days, they will forget everything.
Beloved,
the tortured death of Jesus Christ is not to be forgotten after a day or two of
emotional weeping. Jesus did not want people to cry for him in such pity.
He says the same thing to the women who wept for him: "Weep not for me,
but for yourselves and your children.".
Jesus
knew how horrible sin and death are. But people didn't care about it. They wept
with emotion and pity for him. So, Jesus Christ is indicating here that it is
useless to cry for just one or two days without repenting of your sinful life
and not worrying about the repentance of your children.
And
he looked at the crowd and said, "For if they do these things in a green
tree, what shall be done in the dry?" (Luke 23:31) When our lives are
like a dead tree, it makes no sense to live without worrying about them and
weeping over the sufferings of Christ.
Beloved,
enough is the addiction to mere emotions. Such sentimentality does not help
anything. If we don't repent, it will eventually lead us straight to hell.
"Lord, Lord, have I not wept for you every Good Friday?" We cannot
get away with saying that. Because Jesus Christ has already made it clear that
simply listening to sermons or partaking of the Eucharist in God's temple
without repentance will not entitle us to heaven,
"Then
shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast
taught in our streets. But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye
are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity." (Luke 13:26–27)
Beloved,
may our weeping these days not be mere tears of passion and pity for Jesus
Christ, but tears of repentance for sin. That is what Jesus Christ wants.
