BIBLE PEARLS - AUGUST 2023

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                                    - Bro. M. Geo Prakash

AATHAVAN 🔥 916🌻 Tuesday, August 01, 2023

"For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ" ( Philippians 3 : 20 )

Apostle Paul explains in today's verse the desire of people who live a true spiritual life. This world is given to us to live in temporarily. We can probably live here until we are a hundred years old at most. But we will live forever in the heavenly abode. We are waiting for the Lord Jesus Christ to come and take us there.

And when He comes, He will transform our human bodies into the likeness of His glorious body. That is, "Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself." (Philippians 3: 21) says the Apostle Paul.

But those who pray to Jesus Christ for worldly desires do not realize this. Their worldly needs are enough for them. Glorious things are far from them.

Those who teach worldly blessings and worldly things like this are deceiving people. But this is the deception practiced by many Christian ministers today. This is what the apostle Paul said, "For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.” ( Romans 16 : 18 ) says.

Beloved, we are called to live as seekers of heavenly things. That is the purpose for which the Bible was written. Jesus Christ did not need to come into the world and shed blood to bring worldly blessings. Therefore, what we need to do is to stay away from ministers who preach the teachings of the deceitful Antichrist who serve their own bellies.

This world and everything in it will perish. All these have been thrown into the fire. Only those who live according to Christ will be joined to Christ and enjoy heavenly pleasures. It is important to live our life to be such a life. Apostle Peter says we should eagerly wait for that day.

“But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God…” (2 Peter 3 :10-12)

It is a duty to read the scriptures written for the same purpose with the desire to act according to them. Let us prepare our lives according to the scriptures and wait for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

AATHAVAN 🔥 917🌻 Wednesday, August 02, 2023

"O that thou hadst hearkened to my commandments! then had thy peace been as a river, and thy righteousness as the waves of the sea. Thy seed also had been as the sand, and the offspring of thy bowels like the gravel thereof; his name should not have been cut off nor destroyed from before me." ( Isaiah 48 : 18, 19 )

Today's verse highlights the blessings we get when we obey God's commandments and live according to Him.

The first thing we get when we listen to God's commands is God's peace. It says that peace will be like a river. As a river is filled with still water, so is the peace of the Spirit, the river of life. Second, our righteous life is like the waves of the sea without end, and they are endless throughout day and night.

Third, our descendants will be like the sand on the beach and as innumerable as, God blessed Abraham. And our name will live forever.

Many people today do not know the difference between the commandments of God and the commands of the churches they belong to. The reason is that the commandments of the church are the main ones taught today. These commands are usually created by humans. Created by religious leaders. They were created to be independent of their congregation. But if these are contrary to the commandments of God, we need not attach importance to them.

Beloved, it is a sign of loving God that we hear and obey God's commandments. Obeying church orders is not loving God. The apostle John said, "We love God by keeping His commandments; His commandments are not grievous." (1 John 5:3) mentions. If we truly love God, we will obey His commands without realizing it.

Overall, what God is saying through today's verse is that loving God means obeying His commandments. When we obey His commandments God's peace and justice will fill us. Our posterity will be blessed. Our name will live forever.

AATHAVAN 🔥 918🌻 August 03, 2023 Thursday

"....... whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. 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: 7, 8)

There is a Tamil proverb that says "He who sows evil will reap evils; he who sows millet will reap millet". The same thing happens also in the spiritual life, says the apostle, Paul. Whatever we do, we get the same result.

The apostle Paul explains two things of labouring. Labouring only for worldly needs; labouring for spiritual things. Worldly things are perishable. Praying and working for them is like what Adam did. Adam was seduced by the beauty and allure of the forbidden fruit and missed out eternal life. Similarly, if we think about worldly blessings, pray and live for them, we will reach spiritual destruction just like the impermanent worldly goods perish.

We are called to eternal life. Therefore, if we give priority to spiritual things and labour, we will be entitled to eternal life.

Working for spiritual things is not just attending church services. If we follow all spiritual practices but do not live a spiritual life, we are of the world. We can become spiritual only when we act with perfect love for God. Perfect love makes us inherently good.

As it is, we do not think and breathe. We breathe without realizing it. Similarly, spiritual activities also come naturally to us. When we live like this, we become spiritual Sowers.

In general, what is visible belongs to the world. Spiritual things are things we cannot see. Therefore, our true spiritual activities are visible only to us and to God. We will appear to the world as ordinary people.

"The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.”(John 3 : 8 ).  Beloved, if we are born of the Spirit as Jesus Christ says, we will sow spiritual things that others cannot predict; We will also receive eternal life.

AATHAVAN 🔥 919🌻 August 04, 2023 Friday

"For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had." ( Luke 21 : 4 )

Today's verses of Jesus Christ about giving offerings are a lesson for us. Generally, everyone considers those who give more offerings to the temple to be superior. This bottom-up mindset of people is visible when collecting donations for church constructions, expansion, and making special arrangements for the church.

And when a single person donates ten lakhs or one crore in temples, the news is well published by the press. Yes, this is what humans see. Humans tend to regard those who give more as superior.

But God's view is different. He knows the inner mind of people. God who created these universes is not mesmerized by the money of petty people. Because silver and gold belong to him. Yes, "The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, saith the LORD of hosts." (Haggai 2 : 8 )

Because this was the vision of Lord Jesus Christ, he best describes the offering of the poor widow who paid two pennies. On the contrary, in our temples, sometimes when collecting money for the development of the church, a few poor houses are left out. Because if you go there, you will get one hundred or two hundred rupees. They consider it as a trivial amount of money unnecessary for the great church work.

Giving with love is giving to affect oneself. A person who gives fifty rupees out of the meagre amount that he had for the next day's expenses is superior to God than a man giving thousands or lakhs as donations to church.

Some people have a desire to give more to the church and charitable causes but do not have money to give. In such a case, even if the man is unable to give what he wants to give, it will be recognized as given in the eyes of God. This is what the apostle Paul said, "For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not." ( 2 Corinthians 8 : 12 )

Beloved, let us give to the Lord with enthusiasm. God is not compelling us to give offerings or tithes; He will not bless them for giving like that. Let us give with purity of heart, willingly, to the extent that it affects us, without any expectation, as the poor widow gave. Yes, the widow paid the offering without hoping for a blessing; It is not mentioned she is blessed for such giving.

Let us keep ourselves away from false teachings taught by so-called spiritual churches.

AATHAVAN 🔥 920🌻 August 05, 2023 Saturday

"Then said Jesus again unto them, I go my way, and ye shall seek me, and shall die in your sins: whither I go, ye cannot come." ( John 8 : 21 )

Today's verse was spoken by Jesus Christ to the Jews. The Jews were seeking God according to the systems they believed in and engaged in various worship efforts. But even though the Messiah they were looking for had come among them, they could not recognize him. For them to know Him, Jesus Christ revealed Himself as the Son of God by performing various teachings, miracles, and wonders. But they did not accept him.

This is because their hearts were filled with darkness and they did not want to accept Him who is light. This is what Jesus Christ said, "And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil." (John 3 : 19 ) What is the condemnation? "You shall die in your sins."

It is unnecessary to leave the true God and wander somewhere in search of Him. Wandering like that does not free us from sin. Instead, our soul dies as a result of sin.

Beloved, what Jesus Christ is saying today applies not only to the Jews, but to all who claim to believe in Him and live without knowing Him personally. The reason is that there is no remedy other than giving ourselves to Christ to be freed from sin. He is the one who shed blood for our sins. "If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed." (John 8: 36)

To seek Christ is to welcome Him into our hearts. He will reveal Himself to us when we wholeheartedly want to know Jesus. If we are praying only for the blessings of the world, we are deceiving ourselves even though we claim to be Christians. Let us seek higher spiritual things.

Otherwise, if we are looking for him for worldly needs, He will tell us the same words he told the Jews, “I go my way, and ye shall seek me, and shall die in your sins: whither I go, ye cannot come." 

AATHAVAN 🔥 921🌻 Sunday, August 06, 2023

"Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not." ( Jeremiah 33 : 3 )

Beloved, God keeps the secrets of the kingdom of heaven hidden. He reveals them to his loved ones who live according to His wishes. The scriptures are also heavenly things and heavenly explanations. One need not to go to a theological college to know their full meaning. He reveals them to those who live a life of union with God.

Many of the disciples of Jesus Christ were illiterate fishermen. But the scriptures they wrote are surprising. In order to fully understand the meaning of the theological ideas they wrote; it is necessary for us to live a life filled with the Holy Spirit like them.

God gives us spiritual revelations when we live a spiritual life and cry out to Him. This is what is said in today’s meditative verse, "Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not".

We read the same thing in Isaiah chapter 45. "And I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places....." ( Isaiah 45 : 3 ). Worldly lustful people take this as a promise and pray, thinking that they will get such worldly blessings when they believe in God.

The secrets of the Kingdom of Heaven and higher spiritual revelations are not available to everyone. Because many people do not like them. A disinterested person will not feel happy or know the value of anything when that is given to him.

Although many believed in Jesus Christ as the Son of God and the Messiah, they all did not know the higher heavenly secrets. Yes, they are bestowed upon those who commit themselves to a life of discipleship. This is what Jesus Christ said to his disciples, "...Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given." ( Matthew 13 : 11 )

Beloved, we must first desire to know these higher secrets. We should cry out to God for these spiritual blessings, not for worldly blessings. Then God will reveal to us things that we do not know and that are beyond our understanding.

If we rely on preachers and pastors who do not know the true interpretation or meaning of the verses, then we cannot know anything. When we call out to the God with real earnestness with our corrected spiritual life. he will answer us and reveal to us great things that we do not know and are beyond our reach.

AATHAVAN 🔥 922🌻 August 07, 2023 Monday

"He must increase and I must decrease." (John 3:30)

In this world people want to be great everywhere. Even in Church matters, they want to be the number one without humility or patience. But such people are insignificant in the eyes of God.

We should only want God to increase in us. We must progress in our spiritual life day by day. When will it happen? When we let ourselves decrease. That is what John the Baptist says in today's verse, "He must increase and I must decrease." As we let us become smaller, He will increase in us.

Jesus Christ also said, "For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted." ( Luke 14 : 11 ).

This humility develops in us when we live a truly spiritual life. Christlike humility. Although he was in the form of God, he humbled himself and became human, not considering it superior. This is what the apostle Paul said, "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:" (Philippians 2: 5- 7)

Because he thus humbled himself Father God has made, "that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Philippians 2: 11)

Beloved, Christ, the Son of God who created and rules these universes, gave himself up to suffer and die at the hands of the little men he had created. How could such a humble God tolerate the pride of a useless man?

Only when the humility that was in Christ comes into us can we know Him more and more. People of the world may see that we are quiet and call us cowards. But God knows everything. God made this clear to me early in my spiritual life and confirmed this verse. It made me realize the superiority of being quiet and patient. Yes, by our patience and humility He should increase in us and we should decrease.

AATHAVAN 🔥 923🌻 Tuesday, August 08, 2023

"For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life." (Romans 5: 10)

In the past we were alienated from God by our sinful habits and were enemies to Him. He forgives us, who were such enemies with his blood. Yes, we must be washed by the blood of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, if we want to be cleansed from sins.

This is what the apostle John said, “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin." ( 1 John  1 : 7 ). We who are washed away from our sins are concealed with Him.

The assurance of this forgiveness of sins is the first step before we can experience redemption. Forgiveness of sins and redemption from sins are different things. Salvation or redemption is freedom from sin. This is what the apostle Paul says in today's verse, “we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life."

That is, first we are forgiven for all our sins and we are reconciled to Him, and then we are freed from sin and saved. Salvation is complete freedom from sin and sinful habits.

This is what Paul calls the law of the Spirit. It is the law of the Spirit that sets us free from sin and death. "For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death." (Romans 8: 2 )

"And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness." (Romans 8 : 10 ) That is, when sins are forgiven and we experience redemption, Christ works from within us. So, our body is dead to sin and our spirit is saved from destruction by that righteousness and alive. Otherwise, we will be spiritually dead.

Beloved, we are spiritual only when we receive the forgiveness and redemption of this Christ. Only by having these experiences can we avoid sin and live a successful spiritual life.

AATHAVAN 🔥 924🌻 Wednesday, August 09, 2023

"Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and for ever." ( Hebrews 13 : 8 )

Today's verse is a verse that we often hear. But when we believe this verse, it will bring a great change in us. I have faith in this verse and am comforted and reassured.

Consider the acts of power that the Lord Jesus Christ performed yesterday, that is, in the Old Testament era. Abraham, Moses, Joshua, David, and many others, he acted as the Mighty One, the Lord of Hosts. We read in the book of Acts that he did mighty work with the apostles. The Lord Jesus Christ is the same today as He was with them yesterday.

Beloved, we can rightfully pray to Him with firm faith in this verse. Because He is the same as He was yesterday, He can work in us today as well. He is said to be immutable not only today but forever. With our children and grandchildren, He can do the same kind of guidance and miracles that He did yesterday.

Pastor Johnson David, who guided me in my early spiritual life, resigned his job and came to ministry as God called him. But God did not bless him upon arrival. He lived in extreme poverty. Once he didn't even have money to buy soap to wash his only shirt. In the evening he has to address a meeting. But he had no clothes to wear. At that time, he was sitting on the porch of the house and praying in agony.

Tears flowed from his eyes as he prayed painfully, "Lord, it was because you called me I came to the ministry...have you made me like a beggar?" He wiped away the tears with the towel in his hand. Suddenly he heard a sound of something falling. When he opened his eyes, he saw a bar of soap lying in front of him. A crow was sitting on the nearby neem tree. Yes, he realized that the God who fed Elijah that day with a raven is still the same today.

He does not tell the above incident in his sermons. He will not say it because it would sound like boasting. My friend and I have been talking to him privately for hours. At that time he would tell such miracles. It helped us grow in faith.

Beloved, hold fast to this same verse. You can see a huge change in life. Our Lord Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.

AATHAVAN 🔥 925🌻 Thursday, August 10, 2023

"I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and ye do that which ye have seen with your father." (John 8: 38)

The Jews who were expecting the Messiah did not accept Jesus Christ as the Messiah. Jesus Christ declared to the people what he had seen and heard from God the Father. But many of the Jews did not accept his teaching and continued in their wicked ways.

That is why Jesus Christ said to them, "I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and ye do that which ye have seen with your father." The Jews had a pride in claiming to be children of Abraham. But their deeds were not like the deeds of Abraham.

They were often untruthful and murderous. That is why Jesus Christ said to them. "Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. " John 8: 44)

"…because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it." (John 8: 44) said Jesus Christ. Beloved, even if we claim to be Christians today, He is watching our actions and thoughts. If we have lies and murderous thoughts in us, we are also the devil's sons and daughters.

If we live in Christ, we will speak like our Father Christ, who spoke what He saw in his Father. Let us do as he did. That is the life of witness. Beloved, let us consider our words and actions. If we claim to worship Christ and live a life of lies and hypocrisy, we are born of the father of these things, the devil.

We are called to follow Christ just as He did what He heard and saw from His Father on earth. So, let us live as he modelled for us.

AATHAVAN 🔥 926🌻 Friday, August 11, 2023

"For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us."  (2 Corinthians 1: 20)

There are over three thousand promises in the Bible. All these are given by God to humans. These verses are immutable like God. But many of us are in doubt whether these God's promises will bear fruit. Or sometimes, because we are not clear, we superficially believe in these God's words and get tired because they do not work in us.

Today's verse says that all the promises of God are yes in Jesus Christ. That means they do not lie. Then why these do not work in our life?

Beloved, God is unchanging; But we often turn out to be the ones who are not worthy to inherit those promises. This is because we read the scriptures in our own way of thinking.

All God's promises are conditional. When reading the scriptures that condition comes before or after the promise verse. But we forget or ignore those conditions and cling only to promises.

For example, "There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee." (Joshua 1: 5). Many of us quote this God's promise in our prayers. But a condition is given after two verses.

"Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper withersoever thou goest." (Joshua 1: 7) That is, God says that if you follow the words of the law that Moses taught you, this promise will work for you.

Faith is also a condition of many promises in the New Testament. "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." (Romans 10: 9, 10)

But according to this verse, not everyone who says "I believe in Christ" experiences salvation, because they simply say they believe in Jesus instead of confessing wholeheartedly and trusting in other men, saints, and circumstances.

Beloved, only when we fully submit to God's words and their conditions will all God's promises will be our yes in Jesus Christ and Amen in him.

AATHAVAN 🔥 927🌻 Saturday, August 12, 2023

"For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee." 

There are many words of God in the scriptures that comfort us when we are afflicted by various difficulties. These words give us peace of mind as a father and mother comfort children. Such is the verse for today's meditation.

When picking up small children, the mother or father would hold their hands and lead them along. It gives the children a great sense of security. Beloved, don't be afraid of troubles, sorrows, sufferings. "I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee " says the Lord Jesus Christ.

Consider the miracles performed by the Lord Jesus Christ. Those mighty hands were the hands that turned the ordinary water into delicious wine. The hands that healed the blind, the deaf, the lame, the powerful hands that cast out devils. Those hands raised the dead and fed five thousand people with five loaves. Embraced people exhausted by suffering. Yes, that mighty hands will hold our right hand and lead us.

"Fear not, thou worm Jacob, and ye men of Israel; I will help thee, saith the LORD, and thy redeemer, the Holy One of Israel." (Isaiah 41: 14 ) Yes, in the eyes of God we are all like a small insects. We are a small group among the nation. We are just 2% of India's population. God comforts us with these verses.

Not only does He hold our small hands and lead us, we become strong when He does so. He is not simply holding our hands. Rather, "Behold, I will make thee a new sharp threshing instrument having teeth: thou shalt thresh the mountains, and beat them small, and shalt make the hills as chaff." (Isaiah 41: 15 ) says the Holy Lord. So, no one can stand against us.

But there is one thing we need to notice. When child is taken by us to festivals or fairs, sometimes the child wants to have certain toys and cry. If you do not give it, they will not listen to anything. Sometimes the child sat on the floor wringing our hands and refuse to come with us if we do not buy the item. Like this, we also sometimes leave God's hand for worldly desires.

When walking with God's hand, it is necessary to surrender ourselves to Him and wait for His time to come. That is why the apostle Peter said, "Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time" ( 1 Peter 5 : 6 ).

Beloved, perhaps in our family, in our town, in our community, we are neglected and unappreciated. Or worldly sufferings and diseases may have overwhelmed us and made us tired, but we should not be afraid. Let us continue our life with the faith that the mighty hand of God who created and rules the universe is holding us.

"Fear not; I will help thee." Says the Almighty God.

AATHAVAN 🔥 928🌻 Sunday, August 13, 2023

"And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares." ( Luke 21 : 34 )

Today's meditation words are what Jesus Christ said about his second coming. Jesus Christ gave the people some signs of his second coming. After saying that, he finally said today's verse.

This verse says if we are engaged in such things like gluttony, which means overeating, craving and running for food, that is food addiction, infatuation (drunkenness, lasciviousness, infatuation) and third, running and worrying about worldly desires His visit will come at a time when we do not think. So be careful in such things. That is, He will give notice before His coming to those who live apart from these.

In some parties today we can see some people running with excessive desire for food and wanting to eat all that is available. The reason is gluttony. It is mentioned in the Bible as one of the major sins.

The prophet Daniel was the one who revealed the most about the second coming of the Lord. This Daniel was careful about food as Jesus said. The king of Babylon offered to give Daniel and his three friends royal food that he would eat, but Daniel and his friends refused them and were humble in the matter of food saying that only vegetable and dhal food was enough for them. "But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself." ( Daniel 1 : 8 ) we read.

Even when they ate ordinary food, their faces and bodies were richer than those who ate royal food. Yes, "And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the king's meat." (Daniel 1: 15)

Beloved, God revealed many hidden things to Daniel who kept himself holy by avoiding royal food and wine and avoiding worldly desires. "As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams." ( Daniel 1 : 17 )

This is what Jesus Christ advises us in today's verse. Take heed that lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. If we live a life like that, then we will not only be qualified for the coming of Christ, but we will also receive a forewarning of the coming.

AATHAVAN 🔥 929🌻 Monday, August 14, 2023

"Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. "But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?" ( James 2 : 19, 20 )

We all generally believe in God. It is because of that belief that we come to temples, avoid doing certain things out of fear of God, read the scriptures, and pray to Him. Such faith is good. But this faith is not the greatest faith, says the apostle, James.

The reason is that even devils can visit temples. We read in the book of Job that devils also stood in the presence of God (Job 1:6, and Job 2:1). Satan tested Jesus Christ. And devils know more about the scriptures than we do. When Satan tested Jesus Christ, he used the same scriptures (Matthew 4:1-11), but the devils trembled when they saw Jesus. Because devils know too much about God and His holiness and power. Because the devils were the ones who were with him in the beginning and then cast into hell (Ezekiel 28).

Therefore, it is not enough for us to simply claim to believe in God and make some devotional efforts. It is necessary to show our faith in Christ in action. Otherwise, we will be worshipers of Christ just as people who do not know Christ worship other gods.

When our faith in Christ is manifested in action, we become like Christ. That is, when we have true faith in Christ, we are freed from sin by our faith in Him without doing righteous deeds; We are justified. When we turn away from sin, we come into the covenant of the Spirit.

"For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death." (Romans 8: 2) Paul the apostle said. Beloved, having such an experience and living in Christ is the life of faith. Not just going to church claiming to believe in Christ; Faith that He frees us from sin.

Devils do not have this faith and freedom from sin. That is why today's verse asks, "Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. "But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?". Yes, our faith must be manifested in our actions.

And if we do not have this faith, the scriptures say that we have dead faith. Yes, "For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also." (James 2: 26) So we who are alive will show our faith in action. For that, let us first put ourselves under the covenant of the Spirit of Christ Jesus. Listening to God's word is good not only for our soul but also for our physical health. Doctors today also say that eating less is healthy.

Let us listen to the words of Jesus Christ and protect our soul and body.

AATHAVAN 🔥 930🌻 Tuesday, August 15, 2023

"And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."  (John 8 : 32 )

Today our country is celebrating its 76th Independence Day. Freedom is happiness. When the caged bird is opened, it happily flutters its wings in the sky.

Today we humans are slaved to social media without realizing it. Due to this, the children of today have lost the various fun activities that children enjoyed about fifty years ago.

He who wants to be free must first realize that he is a slave. Only then will the desire to be freed from it develop in him. Our freedom struggle leaders propagated this among the people. We were once slaves to the British. They stirred people's feelings by propagandizing how our country will improve when we are freed from them.

In the same way, the spiritual happiness of men is lost because of their slavery to sin. But men are insensible to sin and to the joy that comes to us when we are freed from sin. Only when this feeling and desire to be freed from sin is formed, we can be freed from sin.

Although we usually look like we are free, we are slaves to sin. This is what Jesus Christ said, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin." (John 8: 34)

We cannot have true spiritual feelings while we are in bondage to sin. The relationship with God and its greatness cannot be known. We may be visiting the temples nominally. But we will have nothing to do with the God we worship. Only a relationship with God brings freedom and happiness.

Today's verse says that you will know the truth and the truth will set you free. That truth is the Lord Jesus Christ. Did he not say,  "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." ( John 14 : 6 ) He is the one who atoned for our sins with His blood. So, He is the one who can forgive our sins and free us from the clutches of sin. Yes,

"If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed." (John 8: 36)

When we receive this forgiveness of sins, we become His children; We are not slaves. We get the freedom of children. "For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father." (Romans 8 : 15 ), Paul the apostle said. Yes beloved, we must know the true Christ. Not the history of Christ and his miracles; We should know him personally as our soul's saviour. When we know that, Christ will truly set us free from the bondage of sin.

AATHAVAN 🔥 931🌻 Wednesday, August 16, 2023

"Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear" (Hebrews 12: 28)

The governments of this world will perish. There have been many great empires in history. But none of them have survived till date. Yes, the kingdoms of the world are perishable. But what the Lord Jesus Christ has promised us is the eternal kingdom that will not perish.

Christ is the King of the eternal kingdom that we cannot see with our eyes. Apostle Paul writes, "Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen." ( 1 Timothy 1 : 17 )

If we want to inherit this indestructible kingdom, we must live a holy life. Because that which is impure and defiled cannot enter that eternal kingdom. "And there shall in no wise enter into it anything that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life." (Revelation 21: 27)

Today's verse says that we, who receive the immovable kingdom for such saints, must hold on to the grace to worship God with fear and devotion. We all worship God in general. But we do not consider whether it is a worship pleasing to God. So, it is necessary for us to worship God in pleasing manner and live in this world. The apostle Paul says the following about what worship is pleasing to God; -

"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service." (Romans 12: 1)

Our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19).  So, we should present our body as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God, as the Apostle Paul says. Keeping the body holy is true worship to God. Thus, when we keep our bodies holy, we qualify for eternal life, immovable and stable. May Jesus give us the grace to guide us accordingly. May the Lord himself bless us.

AATHAVAN 🔥 932🌻 Thursday, August 17, 2023

"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)

People generally think that engaging in spiritual activities and devotional activities are for mature people. Many people think that youth and adolescence are the days are given to live happily. But today's verse instructs, "Remember your Creator in your youth."

And today's verse says that we should live as those who seek God at an early age rather than seeking God only when suffering comes and thinking of God when the sad years continue in life. This is what has been said, “while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them"

Suppose we have a ripe mango. Shall we eat the fruit tasting it well and give only the waste part attached to the nut to someone? Yes, many of us are like this. When the body is healthy and strong, we enjoy life well without worrying about anything, and when the body is weak, sick and withered, we try to seek God and surrender ourselves to Him.

Beloved, as we continue reading today's verse it is said, “Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it." (Ecclesiastes 12: 7) That is to say, before our dusty body returns to the dust it was before, and before our spirit returns to God, we must seek God in our teenage years.

By seeking God in our youth, we can avoid sinful habits and live a holy life. Look at the life of Joseph, even when Potiphar's wife insisted him to sin with her several times, Joseph defended himself by saying "... how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?" (Genesis 39: 9) He would have been only twenty or twenty-three years old then. This is because of his personal relationship with God at that young age, he envisioned God in his life. And so, we read that the Lord was with Joseph (Genesis 39:2).

Therefore, it is not necessary to wait till adulthood to seek God. When we seek the Lord in our youth, He can use us more years. Not only that, we can stay away from the sinful things of youth and live a holy life. Even though we are old now, let us make our children and grandchildren grow up to be seekers of the Lord in their youth.

AATHAVAN 🔥 933🌻 Friday, August 18, 2023

"O LORD our God, other lords beside thee have had dominion over us: but by thee only will we make mention of thy name." (Isaiah 26: 13)

Many worldly riches dominate us in this world. Money, fame, power, etc. rule our mind. These are the lords who rule us. All that enslaves us are our masters. If we are subject to their authority, God cannot fully rule us. That means we cannot fit into God's plan for us.

God wants His people to live in obedience only to His authority. So, he himself led the people of Israel. But the people of Israel wanted to have a king for themselves like the kings who ruled the people around them. They went to the prophet Samuel and said, we will be like other people; make us a king to rule over us. (1 Samuel 8:5)

This request of the people of Israel seemed an inappropriate act to Samuel. So, he made an anguished request to God for this. "And the LORD said unto Samuel, hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them." (1 Samuel 8: 7 ) Yes, God doesn't want us to let go of the Lord and live like other people. That is why He says, “they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them."

Beloved, our God is "the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;" (1 Timothy 6: 15) Therefore, it is necessary that we do not let the riches, powers, and fame of this world rule our hearts apart from Him.

God does not make us slaves; He invites us to live as citizens of rights. He wants us to be as He is. When we surrender ourselves to be ruled only by the Lord and not let the temptations of this world rule us, He will raise us up like Him. Yes, "To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne." (Revelation 3: 21) says the Holy Lord.

Beloved, until now perhaps we have allowed worldly lords other than God to rule over us. But still, we should not be like that. Henceforth we shall depend on Him alone and glorify His name alone.

AATHAVAN 🔥 934🌻 Saturday, August 19, 2023

"Therefore, by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin." ( Romans 3 : 20 )

During the Old Testament days, God gave many commandments through Moses. The commandments were given for the welfare of men and to make them worthy to stand before God. All of these commands are generally admonitions such as "don't", "don't", "remember". That is, these actions are sinful; So, they say you should not do this. So, through these laws we only know what is sin and what acts are sin.

The verse for today's meditation is beautifully stated in the common translation: - "For those who come under the deeds of the law are not acceptable in the sight of God. The law only shows them what are sins. Therefore, "For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified." (Romans 2: 13)

But it is questionable whether Christians in general today know these laws and precepts and act according to them. The reason is human weakness. Because we are weak, we break various commandments. We read that Jesus Christ came into the world to help us solve this problem.

"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)

That is, what today's verse tells us, the commandments are simply for us to realize what is sin. For example, when we go on a ride though the road, red, green, and orange lights flash in the signal areas to warn us. We should take care of them. Otherwise, there will be an accident. Lord Jesus Christ will be a good driver and help us to travel safely.

That is what the Bible calls, being led by the Spirit. "But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law." (Galatians 5: 18) Yes, when the Holy Spirit leads us, we do not obey orders; Rather, those who are subject to him.

Yes, beloved, only the knowledge of sin comes from the law. Therefore, we do not become acceptable before God by works of the law. The law tells only what are sins. So, we must surrender ourselves to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. If we are so led by the Spirit, we are not under the law.

AATHAVAN 🔥 935🌻 Sunday, August 20, 2023

"Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee." (Psalms 119: 11)

Today's verse says the need for us to love and read God's scriptures. That is, we can know God's words only when we read God's scriptures. Only then can we protect them in our heart.

In today's meditation verse, the psalmist says that he kept His words in his heart so that he would not sin against God. In other words, he says that he has preserved God’s words in his heart because of his love for God's words.

What do we humans store in our hearts today? Unnecessary words, movie songs, inappropriate words said about us by others are mostly added by us. When our heart is filled with such unnecessary things, that is what comes out of us.

That is why Jesus said, "A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh." (Luke 6: 45) When our hearts are filled with unnecessary things, our mouths speak unnecessary words.

Just as when we collect worldly riches in a money box, they help us with our worldly affairs, if we put the words of God in the treasury of our heart, they will become a guard for our soul so that we do not sin. But one thing is that, worldly riches may perish and be stolen, but the words of God that are kept in our hearts will never perish.

Beloved, at the beginning of today's meditation verse chapter, the psalmist says, "Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD. Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart. They also do no iniquity: they walk in his ways." (Psalms 119: 1 - 3) That is, if we observe the testimonies of God's scriptures and live, we will not do injustice and walk in His ways.

This is why we need to read the Bible daily. As we read them, they will be imprinted in our hearts. Those words will keep us from sinning against God. As we read the scriptures daily, we become more refined and sanctified.

AATHAVAN 🔥 936🌻 Monday, August 21, 2023

"If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?" (Luke 16: 11)

There was a great industrialist. He owned several companies. He had only one small son. He is only ten or eleven years old. His wife is illiterate. A deadly disease struck his life which was going well. The doctor advised the businessman, "You should not work as much as you used to.... delegate the responsibilities to someone you trust and take care of the business superficially."

After returning home from the hospital, thinking various pros and cons, he went to his office with a decision. He called all the key employees and talked to them and told them that he would make one of them head of the company as per the doctor's advice. Many people sitting there thought that he would put them in charge.

But the businessman, contrary to the expectations of the employees, announced that he was going to appoint an accounting department employee who has been receiving a salary of only twelve thousand per month for that responsibility. Everyone was shocked.

Yes, the company owner has observed the man's honesty, integrity and hard work at various times. He had decided that only he could run his companies and himself without deception. The man who was earning just twelve thousand as monthly salary rose to the highest position in one day. He was promoted by the boss with very high salary, separate house, car and assistants. The reason was his truth.

This is what Jesus Christ said in today's verse, "If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? Yes, the man who was faithful in worldly things was entrusted with the highest position.

Mordecai's rise was due to his truth. Even when he was a gatekeeper, he was faithful in that responsibility. He identified those who tried to kill the king and informed it to the king. He stood faithfully for his people. So, Ahasuerus placed him next to him. (Esther 10:3)

Beloved, we will be promoted if we are faithful to the work we do at any low monthly salary. There is an allegation that those who work in the police department receive more bribes. But even in that police there are true and honest men. I am not saying that all such faithful will be promoted; On the contrary, God's blessings will surely rest in their family.

If we are truthful about the unrighteous materials of the, God will trust us and reveal the secrets of the true kingdom of heaven. God does not abandon His people.

AATHAVAN 🔥 937🌻 Tuesday, August 22, 2023

"For the people shall dwell in Zion at Jerusalem: thou shalt weep no more: he will be very gracious unto thee at the voice of thy cry; when he shall hear it, he will answer thee." ( Isaiah 30 : 19 )

In today's meditation verse, Zion and Jerusalem are used as metaphors. Zion means the kingdom of heaven (the city of God) and Jerusalem means a holy life. That is, it is said that the people who are entitled to the kingdom of heaven will live a holy life.

The following words explain the blessings that come from living such a holy life that is acceptable to God. That is, when a holy life worthy of the kingdom of heaven is lived, “thou shalt weep no more: he will be very gracious unto thee at the voice of thy cry; when he shall hear it, he will answer thee."

Isaiah continues to explain its blessings in the following verses. "And though the Lord give you the bread of adversity, and the water of affliction, yet shall not thy teachers be removed into a corner any more, but thine eyes shall see thy teachers.  And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left." (Isaiah 30: 20, 21)

That is, when we live a holy life as worthy of Zion, our teacher, that is, God, will not be hidden from us even if we are in the midst of suffering and weakness. He will be with us and guide us. Even in the midst of troubles we can find His divine presence.

And He will show us the right path to follow. When we turn to the right and turn to the left, unable to choose which way to go, your ears will hear the word behind you saying: “This is the way”.

This is the difference between the blessing of the rest of the people and the people of Zion. When other people suffer, they feel helplessness. But God will not be hidden from us when we live in purity as Zion's heavenly people. We can see His face in the midst of troubles and enjoy his guidance.

Also, when we pray to Him while living like that, He will respond to our prayers immediately. This is said in today’s verse, “He will be very gracious unto thee at the voice of thy cry; when he shall hear it, he will answer thee."

Beloved, though we live in this world for a short time, we belong to the eternal city, the heavenly Zion. Those who are going to live with God. So, let us stay in Jerusalem, the holy city and continue the holy life.

AATHAVAN 🔥 938🌻 Wednesday, August 23, 2023

"For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me." ( Psalms 51 : 3 )

Beloved, if we have a sensitive heart we too can say as King David says in today's meditation verse. Lord, my sin stands before me; I acknowledge it; forgive me. When David sinned, in the beginning, he felt no guilt about it. But Nathan, the prophet made David aware of his sins. David accepted it and said, "I know my transgressions; my sin is ever before me." Not only that, he prayed to God for forgiveness. This 51st Psalm is an intercessory prayer for all of us.

"He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy." (Proverbs 28: 13) Accordingly, David received mercy.

There are no sinless men. We humans are weak. God knows this well. So, when we have a conscious heart and ask for forgiveness, He forgives our sins. "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." ( 1 John  1 : 9 )

Beloved, it is necessary for us to always have the feeling that what we are doing is wrong or sinful. Without it, we are like wild donkeys. When we live without this consciousness our prayers and all devotional activities are in vain.

"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) says the Holy Lord.

So, it is necessary for us to live with a conscious heart as today's verse says. Sin kills our soul. We are forgiven when we conscientiously confess our sins to Christ. Not only that, but we also deserve eternal life. That is why "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." ( Romans 6 : 23 ) says the apostle Paul.

Let us ask God to give us a conscious heart. Only then can we ask God for forgiveness of our sins, receive it and be saved from hell fire and become eligible for eternal life.

AATHAVAN 🔥 939🌻 Thursday, August 24, 2023

"He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities." (Psalms 103: 10)

The punishments given by world governments to those who do wrong in this world are severe. “An eye for an eye; Tooth-for-tooth” punishments are still practiced in some countries today. Even in India, though there is corruption and bribery in the judiciary, there are some conscientious judges, and sentences are given to culprits. But today's verse says about God, "He does not punish us after our sins, nor reward us according to our iniquities."

If he were to count our sins, how great would be his punishment? But He graciously does not punish us for our sins and bad deeds. Yes, "And ye shall know that I am the LORD when I have wrought with you for my name's sake, not according to your wicked ways, nor according to your corrupt doings, O ye house of Israel, saith the Lord GOD." ( Ezekiel 20 : 44 )

"For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him." (Psalms 103: 11) says the scriptures. And so, He does not deal with us according to our iniquities.

The Jews tortured Jesus Christ, spat in his face, humiliated him with unspeakable cruelty and crucified him. But he did not avenge them for their cruelty. On the contrary He prayed for their forgiveness.  “Father, forgive their sins; they do not know what they are doing”

Many witnesses are still rising today as God has said that you will know that I am the Lord, when I will not do to you according to your evil deeds, but show you grace for my name's sake. Even today, many repentant witnesses like Sadhu Sundersingh who tore up the scriptures and insulted the Christians. Yes, they came to know the Lord because God showed His grace to them without punishing them according to their deeds.

Beloved, if each of us would count our sins like this, we would ask Him for forgiveness and be grateful to Him. Only when we live like that can we know God. Otherwise, we will live and die as mere worshiping Christians until the end.

AATHAVAN 🔥 940🌻 Friday, August 25, 2023

"Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: let such as love thy salvation say continually, The LORD be magnified." ( Psalms 40 : 16 )

Today's meditation verse says the words "all who seek you" is something we should note. Yes, we must live as seekers of God. When we live like that, joy and happiness rest in us. But today, on the contrary, many of us are often "seeking what comes from God."

Once I asked some people a question as a survey. 'Why did you go to church? Or what will you pray in the temple?" Dear ones, everyone I asked this question, only answered that, “we go to church for family blessings, to get rid of diseases, to get rid of debt, this is one of our church commandments.” but no one gave an answer above these.

Only when we seek the Lord can we rejoice and be glad in Him; Today's verse tells us that only those who want His salvation can always say, "Glory be to God," no matter what happens in their lives.

Today, many of us consider our worldly sorrows too big and seek God to solve them only. But the apostle Paul says, "For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death." ( 2 Corinthians 7 : 10 ) Yes, only when we have spiritual sorrow for God can we repent and attain salvation. The verse says that if we only take worldly sorrows, our soul will die.

This is what Jesus Christ said, "Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted." (Matthew 5: 4) How can those who mourn be blessed? We do not intend to know its meaning. Yes, what Jesus Christ is talking about here is spiritual sorrow. The desire to know and reach him in life should arise in us.

When we believe and accept Him, we become His children. Then He will meet our needs. "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." (Matthew 6: 33) Didn't Jesus Christ say that? But we, on the contrary, are first seekers of worldly goods; We leave him.

"Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ." (2 Thessalonians‍ 2: 14) Paul the apostle said. Yes, He wants us to receive His salvation and attain glory. For that, we need to live as seekers of Him. When we seek Him we will rejoice and be glad in Him; Let us become lovers of His salvation. We will always glorify God whatever happen in our life.

AATHAVAN 🔥 941🌻 Saturday, August 26, 2023

"The LORD hath taken away thy judgments, he hath cast out thine enemy: the king of Israel, even the LORD, is in the midst of thee: thou shalt not see evil anymore." ( Zephaniah 3 : 15 )

Today's words of the Lord who created the whole universe give us great comfort and peace. So far we may have been subjected to various problems, hazards from worldly people and some diseases that may have been hostile against us. But today the Lord says, “I have taken away thy judgments, and cast out thine enemy"

Beloved, when we accept God's words with faith we can see them truly working in our lives. Today's verse says that the Lord will turn evil away from you, “the LORD, is in the midst of thee: thou shalt not see evil anymore" it also says.

That is, how great is it when we think that a king is with us or that we ourselves are the son and daughter of a king. Yes, in the same way, the Lord who is the king, is with us and will not only remove from us the smallness, diseases and problems that have happened to us so far, but also bless us so that we do not see any harm.

Everyone in the world has to face diseases, problems, and sufferings. We, the children of God, have them too, but the Lord is with us and helps us pass through them easily.

The prophet Zephaniah who speaks today's verse continues when he writes, "............even in the time that I gather you: for I will make you a name and a praise among all people of the earth, when I turn back your captivity before your eyes, saith the LORD." ( Zephaniah 3 : 20 )   

That means when the Lord works miraculously in our lives we will be seen as different from other people. “I will make you a name and a praise among all people of the earth” says the Lord.

Just as a king's child gets special recognition wherever he goes, God will make us who live in the Lord be glorified and praised before other people.

Beloved, consider how grateful we must be to God, who has so loved us. Let us guard ourselves against neglecting and separating Him for petty worldly pleasures. When we live like that, the unyielding God will continue to keep us in glory and praise among all the people as he said. Then we will be God's witness to others who see us.

AATHAVAN 🔥 942🌻 Sunday, August 27, 2023

"Every man also to whom God hath given riches and wealth, and hath given him power to eat thereof, and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his labour; this is the gift of God." (Ecclesiastes 5: 19)

Many people often do not know what true blessing is. They consider it a blessing to have excessive wealth, property, fame, and power. But what we often see in this world is that many people who have all the wealth are unable to eat and drink what they want.

There is a wonderful verse in the book of Proverbs. "The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it." ( Proverbs 10 : 22 ) That means the blessing of the Lord will be a complete blessing. There will be no pain. Does any mother feed her babies with good and unhealthy food? Likewise, when the Lord gives a blessing, He also gives us the grace to enjoy it fully.

Today's verse says, "Every man also to whom God hath given riches and wealth, and hath given him power to eat thereof, and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his labour; this is the gift of God." That means God's grace is necessary for us to enjoy the financial blessings we have received.

Today, when praying to God, many people only ask for worldly blessings. Christian preachers also present economic blessings as God's blessings. Even if you have a car, a bungalow and a handful of money, you need God's grace to enjoy it. What is the use of earning lakhs and spending on hospitals?

Beloved, God will give us what we need when we live a godly life. Not only that, but He will also grace us to enjoy the blessings He gives us.

"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights...." (James 1: 17) Yes, it is God the Father who gives us good things. So, whatever He gives will be good and perfect. This is what we must seek in our prayers. Father, let me fill me with perfect goodness.” It is God's grace that empowers us to partake of His bounty, to receive our portion, and to be happy.

AATHAVAN 🔥 943🌻 Monday, August 28, 2023

"And if any man thinks that he knoweth anything, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know." ( 1 Corinthians 8 : 2 )

Some people often say to me, "We are all traditional Christians. Why do you have to preach the gospel to us? Why did not go and preach Christ to people who do not know Him yet?” Today's verse is the answer of the apostle Paul to those who say like this. Yes, thinking that we know everything is a manifestation of ignorance.

This is what the Jews, who were enslaved to various traditions and sins and did not know the true God, said to Jesus Christ,  "We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man." ( John 8 : 33 ).  Yes, they don't know what they need to know. Many traditional Christians today claim the same.

Beloved, Satan has often prevented us from knowing the truth. So we don't realize that we are slaves as we hold on to tradition. Scholar Fyodor Dostoyevsky says in his book, "The best way to keep a prisoner from escaping is to make sure he never knows he is in prison."

Yes, many do not realize that they are slaves to sins and traditions. Not realizing it, they continue in the same slavery. It is only when we realize our enslavement that we could have the opportunity to be liberated and to know the true God.

We can truly love God only when we are sure that God has forgiven our sin. Thus "But if any man love God, the same is known of him." ( 1 Corinthians 8 : 3 ) says the apostle Paul.

A bigot cannot know God. Likewise, the church-obsessed Christian cannot know Christ. If we want to know the Lord Jesus Christ, we should consider everything else as waste and trash. Jesus should be accepted completely. This is, "I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ," (Philippians 3: 8) Paul the apostle said.

If one thinks he knows something, he does not yet know anything as he ought to know it. We want the emptiness that we don't know yet. Water can be collected only in an empty jug. If the jug is already filled with dirty and filthy material, it cannot collect clean water.

Lord, I give myself empty to You; Fill me with your Spirit. Let me be satisfied with the knowledge of knowing You. If we think that we are omniscient, it means that we do not yet know anything as it should be known.

AATHAVAN 🔥 944🌻 Tuesday, August 29, 2023

"Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3: 12)

Spiritual life experiences are like a vast ocean. It cannot be fully known by humans. But we who are called by Christ to the spiritual life must have a desire to know it. No one is completely adept at spiritual experiences.

Therefore, he says, I do not think that I have attained, or become fully chosen, but that I continue to desire to lay hold of that for which I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. "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)

Beloved, many professing Christians today generally do not have this idea and sense of spiritual life. Instead, petty bigotry abounds. (Including the Pentecostal churches) Apostle Paul, even though he was the greatest apostle and was used by God in the most powerful way, says he himself has not yet achieved it. If it is so, what is our position?

Christ Jesus is our stake; he is our goal. Achieving that goal is a feeling that every human being should have. The apostle Paul says he is traveling toward that goal. "I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3: 14) he says.

God can reveal spiritual secrets to us based on our level of interest. If we give a particular thing to a person who is not interested in that thing and does not know its use, he will not think much of it because he does not know its value. He had no pleasure that he had got that item. Similarly, God does not reveal great things to those who are not interested.

On the contrary, if we like a certain thing, we will have the desire to get it somehow. We will make efforts for that. God will guide such people by giving them more experiences. It was with this experience that the apostle Paul said, "I continue eagerly to lay hold of it."

"Therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded” says Paul. This thinking is the sign that we are perfect ones. Spiritual experiences can be different for everyone. But all those who are interested are the perfect ones. We are called to live as spiritual Christians and not just worship Christians.

Therefore, let us continue our spiritual race toward the goal of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

AATHAVAN 🔥 945🌻 Wednesday, August 30, 2023

"For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come." ( 1 Timothy 4 : 8 )

People are engaged in various endeavours in this world with the idea of earning money and want to somehow advance in life. In this world we see people who leave home, wife and children and work day and night in search of wealth. But the apostle Paul says that these efforts of man are of little profit.

By working hard like this we may progress in life and earn houses, cars, wealth and fame etc. But these are of little use. In the eyes of the world these things seem great, but in the eyes of God they are insignificant.

Not only this, some people go through rigorous exercises and diet control measures to maintain their bodies. Exercise and diet control are essential. But we should not depend entirely on these. It is better if such efforts are next to devotional efforts. Exercise alone will not save anyone. That is why today's verse says that godliness is profitable in all things.

The efforts we make for devotion to God and the efforts we make to establish unity with God are useful for this worldly life and the hereafter. Paul writes this to his disciple Timothy. He continued, "For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out." ( 1 Timothy 6 : 7 )

That is, no matter how much we earn through physical efforts, they are not going to come with us beyond this world. But the people of this world, because of the desire for money, leave the pious activities that are useful for this life and the life to come.

If we are working only for the wealth of this world, we will be pitiable. Yea, "For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows." ( 1 Timothy 6 : 10 )

Beloved, as you read this, you may think, should we not work? or should we not do exercise? Beloved, we need to work hard. The scriptures say that he who does not work should not eat. But rather than relying on our own labour, we should first trust God who has given us the energy and strength to work.

Yes, our carnal efforts are worthless in God's sight; Godliness is useful for everything in this life and for the life to come.

AATHAVAN 🔥 946🌻 Thursday, August 31, 2023

"But we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope" ( Romans 5 : 3, 4 )

Suffering, tribulations, and problems are common to everyone in this world. But if we run away from suffering or turn away from God, we cannot reach our goal. The Apostle Paul writes today’s verses to emphasize this fact.

Some people get frustrated because no matter how much they pray, the difficulties do not change and the sufferings continue. Others say, "It's all a myth.... Those who do not believe in God and do not pray are fine; why should we persist in the Christian faith?" they say in disgust. Or, they are talking about fake theology saying that there is no use in praying and what happens will happen in our life.

But the apostle Paul says that tribulations in our lives help us to develop patience. He says that it is a test that God puts to test our faith. That is why when we endure trials without grumbling, we know that patience produces a test and that test produces faith, and we glorify such trials.

The apostle Paul continues in the next verse, when we live a spiritual life, the Holy Spirit will guide us because we have the anointing of the Holy Spirit. Through Him God's love fills our hearts. So, we can be confident. That faith does not make us ashamed. God will surely deliver us. "And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us." ( Romans 5 : 5 ) he says.

In other words, if trials and tribulations come even when we are living in accordance with God, then we sit with the conviction that God is going to do something good for us through this test, and we glorify such trials.

The apostle James also said, “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) He reminds us of the sufferings that Job suffered and that God ultimately blessed him by freeing him from sufferings and emphasizing the need to be patient in sufferings.

Beloved, even though this is a difficult process, we must not give up. Even if we cannot pray in times of suffering, let us remain calm without grumbling to God. That is faith. "Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still." (Psalms 4: 4)