BIBLE PEARLS - SEPTEMBER 2023

 

            - Bro. M. Geo Prakash

AATHAVAN 🔥 947🌻 September 01, 2023 Friday

"...for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light." (Luke 16: 8)

Spiritually living people cannot do many things that the people of this world do; Many businesses cannot be run by them successfully. The reason is that; you can do business like a worldly person successfully only if you pretend to be like this world. But in today's world, many who claim to be spiritual Christians, even though they claim to be doing spiritual worship, are engaging in various wrongdoings like worldly people without any conscience.

People who live a truly spiritual life are often considered fools by their families and the rest of the world. Because they do not act like other human beings. Some of their actions may seem foolish to others. Due to this, even the family sometimes consider them as fools.

The main reason for this is that worldly people use their brain knowledge to predict the pros and cons of an action and decide. People who live a spiritual life make decisions according to the guidance of the Spirit. So, others see the actions of spiritual men as foolishness.

This is what Jesus Christ says in today's meditation verse. Children of light are people who live the life of Christ who is the light. The children of this world are the people living the life of this world. They are more intelligent than the people of light in this world view because they make decisions with brain knowledge.

This is what the apostle Paul said, "We are fools for Christ's sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are honourable, but we are despised." ( 1 Corinthians 4 : 10 )

But God chooses for himself only those who live a foolish spiritual life. "But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty" ( 1 Corinthians 1 : 27 ) says Paul.

The reason is, "For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.” (1 Corinthians 3: 19) Yes, although others seem wise and intelligent to the world, they are fools before God. Yes, God does not see things like men.

Beloved, what Jesus Christ says in today's meditation verse can only be fully understood by those who live a spiritual life. So, we spiritual people need not worry if we are considered less intelligent than the children of this world. Because, as the apostle Paul says, “God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty”.   Let's continue our spiritual journey without being disturbed."

AATHAVAN 🔥 948🌻 Saturday, September 02, 2023

"The kingdom of God cometh not with observation. Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you." (Luke 17: 20, 21)

There is a difference between the kingdom of God and the kingdom of heaven. The kingdom of God is what people who live a spiritual life in this world experience. It is the kingdom of people living spiritual lives. That is why Jesus Christ said, "The kingdom of God cometh not with observation. Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you." But the kingdom of heaven is the kingdom what we will enjoy after our death as a reward for the good deeds we have done.

Although the Jews believed that Christ, the Messiah, would come to this world to establish the kingdom of God, they thought it would be a government like the world government. That is why they asked Jesus Christ when the Kingdom of God would come. Yes, the Jews did not understand exactly what the Kingdom of God is.

The apostle Paul clearly explained what the kingdom of God is. "For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost." (Romans 14: 17) Righteousness, peace, and joy of the Holy Spirit. These are the possessions of the people of God's kingdom.

If we are to qualify for this kingdom of God, we must become children. That means we should become childlike and guileless. When people brought little children to Jesus Christ, His disciples forbade them. Then Jesus looked at them and said. “Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. ( Luke 18 : 16 )

Beloved, if we want to qualify for the kingdom of heaven, we must first qualify for the kingdom of God in this world. As the apostle Paul says, it is necessary to live with emphasis on justice, peace, and the joy of the Holy Spirit without giving importance to worldly things such as food and drink (i.e. worldly things).

Yes, the kingdom of God cometh not with observation. Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within us.  The kingdom of God is within us. It cannot be known by people living ordinary worldly life. We can experience it when we live a spiritual life. While living in this world, we should try to live worthy of God's kingdom. Then God will include us in the kingdom of heaven.

AATHAVAN 🔥 949🌻 Sunday, September 03, 2023

"For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat." (Hebrews 5: 12)

Any living thing develops day by day. Lifeless stone, soil, etc. will remain the same for ever. So, growth is a sign of life. And many species cannot immediately eat the food that their species eat when they are born. When we were born, we were unable to eat anything but milk.

The same is the case in the spiritual life. We do not immediately become fully spiritual people upon attaining salvation. We become experts in spiritual life by learning and growing through various teachings, experiences, and life lessons. The teachers who lead us give us wisdom. This is what the apostle Paul said, "I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able." (1 Corinthians 3: 2) says.

How do we discover that we are still children in the spiritual life? Even after having many spiritual experiences, we still have the qualities of jealousy, arguments, religious congregations like ordinary people, which shows that we have not yet developed in our spiritual life. The same apostle Paul says, "For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?" (1 Corinthians 3: 3, 4)

If one is spiritually developed, such qualities will be removed from us. Beloved, let us examine ourselves. Are we still in the milk-eating state or have we qualified to eat solid food?

Some children do not have any development even fed with nutritious food. Similarly, some people do not see growth in spiritual life no matter how many years. That is what the author of Hebrews says in today's verse. That is, if you count the time when you came into Christ, you should have become qualified pastors by now. But still "you have to be preached again the original doctrines of the words of God."

Also, the next verse of today's verse says, "For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe." (Hebrews 5: 13) Yes, we do not know the path of the word of righteousness if we are spiritual babe. Therefore, it is necessary that we grow in spiritual life and become able to eat strong food. Only then can we become adapted in the spiritual life.

AATHAVAN 🔥 950🌻 September 04, 2023 Monday

"If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me” (Psalms 66: 18)

All those who believe in God pray. Everyone longs for God to hear and answer their prayers. People who do not believe in God and do not pray live with many benefits in the world. Generally, we all think that prayer is to ask God for worldly blessings and to receive them is the success of prayer.

But prayer is receiving and experiencing God, the source of life; Associating ourselves with Him. Our applications will be different when we so align ourselves with Him. Then we will prioritize spiritual things and pray. We will experience God's presence in our prayer times.

Today in the world we see many wicked and evil people flourishing. Therefore, worldly prosperity has nothing to do with prayer and God's blessings. Yes beloved, we must not be deceived by worldly prosperity. This is because the scriptures say that the wicked will prosper. "For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. For there are no bands in their death: but their strength is firm. They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men." (Psalms 73: 3- 5) But their end is like grass

 

Instead, the righteous will seek God. His blessing will be different. Yea, "The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon." (Psalms 92: 12) says the Vedas. The palm tree cannot be said to be prosperous. But it thrives in dry areas. Its entire body is useful for humans. And so is the righteous. It is a sign of complete blessing.

The Bible was not written for worldly prosperity. In today's meditation verse, the psalmist is speaking from a spiritual perspective. Yes, if we regard iniquity in our heart, the Lord will not hear us. This is what God said through the prophet Isaiah, "But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear." ( Isaiah 59 : 2 ) Yes, our iniquities separate us from God.

But today many are unaware that God has hidden His face from them because, they are receiving worldly blessings. They consider themselves loved by God. If the prosperity of the wicked and corrupt is a blessing from God, then we worship God in vain. It is also in vain that we live a good and holy life. Can we live and die like them?

In the next verse of today's verse, the psalmist affirms, "But verily God hath heard me; he hath attended to the voice of my prayer." (Psalms 66: 19) Yes, it is not as worldly people say. It is of surety that God has answered my prayer.

Yes, beloved, if we regard iniquity in our heart, the Lord will not hear us. But when we live a life according to God, even if we do not get the worldly things that we ask for in our prayers, even then we could say, "God has heard me and heard the sound of my prayer. But for some purpose, He is delaying to give me what I asked for. Let us remove the wicked thought from ourselves; we will experience the presence of God and have the assurance that God hears us.

AATHAVAN 🔥 951🌻 Tuesday, September 05, 2023

"Say ye not, A confederacy, to all them to whom this people shall say, A confederacy; neither fear ye their fear, nor be afraid. Sanctify the LORD of hosts himself; and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread." (Isaiah 8: 12, 13)

When we have sufferings, diseases and problems in the world, people around us will tell us various tricks as if they are speaking for our good. "Curses are the cause of your troubles today" they say; Or, they advise, "Try fortune-telling people just once." Further, they advise us to follow various restrictions and tricks to please God.

Today's verse brings clarity to people who are struggling with such problems and sufferings. It says that whatever these people call restraint, you do not call restraint, and do not fear and be alarmed according to the fear they fear. Not only that, it says that you should commit yourselves to living a holy life according to the Lord by trusting Him.

As we continue reading today's meditation verse, Isaiah says, "And when they shall say unto you, seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep, and that mutter: should not a people seek unto their God? for the living to the dead?" (Isaiah 8: 19)

Believing in soothsayers is not the solution to our problems. Those soothsayers are dead in spirit; We are alive. Should not a people seek unto their God? for the living to the dead?" 

We have to fear only the living God. When we fear Him, we seek to live holy lives. Yea, "Sanctify the Lord of hosts; let him be your fear, and he your dread."

Beloved, the people around us may be of different beliefs. They will advise us according to their faith. But we believe in the living God. Therefore, today's verse advises us to sanctify the Lord of hosts, without fear or dismay, according to the fear they fear.

And, "The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: he that keepeth his way preserveth his soul." (Proverbs 16: 17) Let us turn away evil things from ourselves and walk on a straight path. Then we will save our souls.

Yes, when we live as it is said, "hallow the Lord of hosts; let him be your fear" we will not consider all the unwanted restrictions and we will not be afraid and disturbed according to the fear they fear.

AATHAVAN 🔥 952🌻 Wednesday, September 06, 2023

"When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up." (Psalms 27: 10)

Will mother and father abandon us? Many people wonder if this is possible. But the fact that, this can happen is confirmed by various events happening in this world.

Some parents, despite raising their children lovingly when they are young, show a sense of difference between their children as they grow up. There are parents in the world who abandon one son and depend on another for money and luxury.

I have seen a person having two sons, join the younger son who lives comfortably in a good position and ignores the elder son. It was the elder son who helped for the education of his younger brother with the money he earned from working as a mason. But now the younger brother has achieved a good position. Now he hesitates even to tell the poor brother that he was born with him.

Younger brother's wife is a teacher. The children study in a convent school. Now he takes his mother and father with him as he needs someone to take care of the children and help. As the mother and father have got a good life, they have also written down their assets to the younger son. The eldest son and his wife and children live in poverty.

Beloved, such incidents may have happened during the reign of King David. He might have been treated as second class in his home. Having seen such experiences, he says, "When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up." 

Prophet Samuel comes to David's father Jesse's house to choose whom to choose as the next king of Israel. When he asked Jesse about his children, he introduced his seven children to Samuel. But the Lord did not choose any one of those seven.

Then Samuel said to Jesse, "Are here all your children?" After asking that, he replies, "there remains yet the youngest, and behold, he keep the sheep." Yes, Isaiah did not introduce David to Samuel in the first place because he thought little of him (1 Samuel 16: 4 - 11). But it was David, who was counted as little, who was used by God.

Not only mother and father but also relatives can ignore us at times. This is a world that values only pomp, position, money and status. But the Lord is the only one who looks at our heart and smallness. Yes, "The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble." (Psalms 9: 9) David also says this from experience. His brothers thought little of him.

Beloved, today you may be neglected and underestimated by family, friends, and society. Do not be disturbed. "When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up." Report that with faith. The Lord will miraculously exalt you among others. Those who think lightly will know it as a wonderful thing.

AATHAVAN 🔥 953🌻 September 07, 2023 Thursday

"Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men." (Matthew 16: 23)

According to today's meditation verse by Jesus Christ, many of us are Satan at times. Yes, all of us many times think of things that are not the will of God, but think and act on things that are pleasing us.

Jesus is mentioning Peter as Satan. He had praised this same Peter a little while ago. "Whom do men say that I the son of man am?" Jesus asked the disciples a question. Then they said, "Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets." (Matthew 16: 14)

Then he said to the disciples, "Whom say ye that I am?" To this Peter said, "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God."( Matthew 16 : 16 ) Then Jesus looked at Peter and said, "Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven." (Matthew 16: 17)

But in today's verse, he refers to the same Peter as Satan. If the beloved disciple - the chief disciple, Peter, who spoke contrary to the Father's will, is Satan, whom we shall be we if we act according to our own will? The only reason Peter spoke contrary to the Father's will was due to his love for Jesus Christ. Peter could not accept Jesus Christ dying on the cross. But Jesus Christ says that no matter what suffering comes or what negative situation we face, we must not act contrary to the Father's will. That is what he calls the experience of carrying the cross.

That's why Jesus says in the next verse of today's meditation, " If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me." ( Matthew 16 : 24 ) That is, even if we love as Peter loved Jesus, we will suffer. Let us carry the cross and follow him.

It is not God's will to take shortcuts to get rid of suffering; When we try to do that, we become Satan, as Jesus said. Then Jesus will look at us and say as he said to Peter, “thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men." Therefore, whatever we do, it is necessary to think whether it is suitable for God.

Christ says that although we do various devotional activities and acts of love out of love for Christ, obedience to the will of the Father is above all. Let the Holy Spirit guide us by showing us the way to know and do the will of God or the will of the Father. Only then can we be worthy of God.

AATHAVAN 🔥 954🌻 September 08, 2023 Friday

"And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world." (1 John 4: 3)

We may have seen many non-Christians have the image of Jesus Christ in their business establishments. For them, Jesus is a deity like any other deity. That is all. Many may claim that Jesus is God, Lord. Saying like this is not a pleasing confession; On the contrary, it is to declare that Jesus Christ, who came into the world as a man, is the only Son of the Father and that He is the Lord, and that there is salvation through Him only.

To confirm today's verse, John says in his second epistle that such deceitful antichrist-spirited men still exist. “For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.” (2 John 1: 7)

Today's verse says that any spirit that does not confess Jesus Christ is not from God. Not only that, “this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world." The scriptures tell us that in the last days Antichrist will come and persecute the believers. But this verse says that the spirit of the Antichrist is still now active in the world.

Regarding Jesus Christ we read, "And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Philippians 2: 11) Only when we confess that Jesus Christ is Lord do we give glory to God the Father. If we claim that Jesus Christ is one like all the other gods, it means that we have the spirit of Antichrist in us.

Therefore, "Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God." ( 1 John  4 : 15 )

Beloved, many people often say, "Just as all rivers flow into the same ocean, all religions tell us many ways to reach the same God." Human intelligence may think that this is a revolutionary idea and that it can be true. But if so, then Jesus Christ would not have said "I am the way". Yes, he is the Lord; He is the way. Confessing this is confessing Jesus Christ.

Thus "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." ( Romans 10 : 9 ) says the scriptures.

This is why in today's verse, Jesus Christ's beloved disciple John said, every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world."

We are called to confess Jesus Christ in the way the scriptures say and attain his salvation. If we say that Jesus is a preacher, god, and lord like other gods, it means that we have the spirit of Antichrist in us that we heard about.

AATHAVAN 🔥 955🌻 September 09, 2023 Saturday

"For thus saith the LORD God of Israel, the barrel of meal shall not waste, neither shall the cruse of oil fail, until the day that the LORD sendeth rain upon the earth.” (1 Kings 17 : 14 )

Today's verse tells us about helping God’s servants in their ministries.

Today's verse is the words spoken by the prophet Elijah to the widow of Zarephath. When there was a severe famine in the country, Elijah came to the village of Zarephath as directed by God. God had already arranged a widow there for Elijah to help him. The widow was also suffering from the famine and offers to help Elijah even though she has not enough flour and oil for one meal.

See what she says: - "I have not a cake, but a handful of meal in a barrel, and a little oil in a cruse: and, behold, I am gathering two sticks, that I may go in and dress it for me and my son, that we may eat it, and die." ( 1 Kings 17 : 12 )

Beloved, consider that famine. It was a severe famine. Because of that famine, even those who lived in good comfort would have suffered without food. Now also she and her son are not even able to eat for a while. She knows that afterwards she and her son will die afterwards. But she bakes the first bread for Elijah even in that desperate state of poverty.

There are two reasons for this. First, she firmly believed what Elijah said as Lord had said. The second is her compassionate nature and desire to help God's man.

Yes, the flour in the pot and the oil did not run out as Elijah said. She would have helped many people during that famine with that flour and oil that never failed. All this was because she believed in the words of the God-man and helped him. Beloved, God consider our help even though the so-called God’s servants are true or falls. Let us not check whether the servants are genuine or fake. To know it belongs to God. God will help us when we help his servants; He will also help us to help many people.

"For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister." (Hebrews 6: 10)

Yes, God is not unrighteous to forget our minister to the saints with our money.

AATHAVAN 🔥 956🌻 Sunday, September 10, 2023

"And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations." ( Luke 16 : 9 )

Many of the tools we use in this world are made for good things. But they do good or bad things according to the situation or character of those who use them. Let us take a knife for example. A knife can be used to chop vegetables, meat and fish. Also one can be killed with the same knife.

Likewise with money and worldly wealth. Worldly wealth is meant for us to use for good. But they are also like knives. So, today's verse calls it "unrighteous worldly thing". We should use the things of the world as we use the knife for good things.

For example, we can use money for many good things and at the same time it can be used for things like drinking, adultery or prostitution, corruption, and bribery. It means that we earn friends with worldly goods when used for good things. We can use our wealth not only for God's work, but also for charity and good social works.

When we do this, it means that we are making friends with unrighteous worldly goods. Thus, the charity we do with worldly goods "for the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God" ( 2 Corinthians 9 : 12 ) Paul the apostle said. Yes, many people praise God and give thanksgiving for our sake and thus earn us friends.

Beloved, we are not only have to earn material things properly; it is also necessary to spend the earned money in a good manner. When we spend it well, there will be saints who will welcome us into their eternal homes when we die. That is why Jesus Christ says “make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness”.

Jesus gives today's verse after telling a parable about an unrighteous accountant. He tries to earn friends by causing loss to his master in worldly goods because he wants friends in the world. We earn friends by spending things in a good way so that we can have friends in the heavenly home.

AATHAVAN 🔥 957🌻 Monday, September 11, 2023

"And the Spirit of the LORD will come upon thee, and thou shalt prophesy with them, and shalt be turned into another man." ( 1 Samuel 10 : 6 )

The words of Samuel the prophet to Saul is our meditation today.

Samuel's main message here is "The Spirit of the Lord will come upon you, and you will become a different man." Yes, the Spirit of the Lord is the Spirit that sets us apart; Spirit that renews us. Those who say that we do spiritual worship, that we go to spiritual worshipping church, and that we have received the anointment of the Holy Spirit, have to check themselves whether they are truly a different person as they say.

The apostle Paul said, "But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you." (Romans 8: 11) That is, our body and soul, which are addicted to sin, have died to sin, and come alive to righteousness.

Then we will be freed from sin both physically and mentally. We will know the spiritual secrets of God. "For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God." ( 1 Corinthians 2 : 11 ) says Paul. When we are like this, we are a different person.

We cannot overcome sin with our own strength without the help of the Holy Spirit. A holy life cannot be lived. We cannot live a life of witness to Christ. Only when we live with the strength of the spirit can we become a different person. Worldly men cannot fully know the activities of spiritual men. Because they are, as today's verse says, "another person."

This is what Jesus Christ also said, "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 )

We are not called to live like the people of the world. We are called to live a higher separated life. Only when we live like that can we become witnesses in our home, town, community, and the entire world.

"But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth." (Acts 1: 8)

Let us pray for the Holy Spirit and for His anointing. Only then can we become a different person and live a life of witness.

AATHAVAN 🔥 958🌻 Tuesday, September 12, 2023

"The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant." (Psalms 25: 14)

It is something we can see in the world that many people who claim to be Christians are pious during worship times but then when it comes to worldly life, they speak bad words and engage in bad activities and live various immoral lives like the wicked of the world.

This is because they are pious but, do not live a holy life. Because they have no fear of God. So, they are just worshiping Christians. But today's verse says, "The secret of the Lord is with those who fear him." Today's verse says that, He will make His secret covenant known to those who fear Him.

What is the secret? The apostle Paul says this as mystery. "To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory" (Colossians 1: 27) Yes, the glory of the Lord was revealed in the past to other gentiles who did not know the Lord and set his own people apart by various wonders. God willed to make known to His saints what that glory was like; "The secret is that Christ is in us as the hope of glory."  Christ will work within us in this worldly life so that we have the hope of a glorious life in the afterlife. When he works like that, we will live as different people.

Apostle Paul says that God chose him to announce this as good news to the people. "Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God" (Colossians 1: 25)

Christ will come and work in us according to this secret when we live a godly life, or make efforts to do so. "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me." (Revelation 3: 20) says the Lord Jesus Christ. The secret is that Jesus Christ comes into us and dine with us.

The God who created the heavens and the earth and rules the whole world says that he will come and stay and dine with us. So, when He comes and dwells among us, He will make His covenant known to them. That covenant is not like the old covenant written in stone. The author of Hebrews says, "This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them"( Hebrews 10 : 16 )

Let us commit ourselves to living a holy life in the fear of the Lord. Yes, "The secret of the Lord is with those who fear Him; to them He will make known His covenant".

AATHAVAN 🔥 959🌻 Wednesday, September 13, 2023

"Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Turn ye unto me, saith the LORD of hosts, and I will turn unto you, saith the LORD of hosts." (Zechariah 1: 3)

Our God is not zealous like worldly men; He knows human weakness. No matter how long we have forgotten and ignored Him, He forgives and accepts us because He has mercy and forgiveness. That is why He says, “Turn ye unto me, saith the LORD of hosts, and I will turn unto you."

In the book of Daniel we read, "To the Lord our God belong mercies and forgivenesses, though we have rebelled against him; Neither have we obeyed the voice of the LORD our God, to walk in his laws, which he set before us by his servants the prophets." (Daniel 9: 9, 10)

Beloved, we may have forgotten him for countless days. Our age may also be very high. But because He has mercy and forgiveness, He accepts us when we return to Him wholeheartedly.

But today most of the people do not turn their face towards God like I was in the past showing their back to God. They appeal to God only when suffering comes in their lives. God says this through Jeremiah, "Thou hast brought me forth: for they have turned their back unto me, and not their face: but in the time of their trouble they will say, Arise, and save us." ( Jeremiah 2 : 27 ) God made me realize this. This should be made clear to these people.

Yes. as Jeremiah says, I lived as one who showed him not my face but my back. I was a sub-editor of a communist monthly and was writing articles and poems that would turn people straight to immorality. But at the age of 36 I came to know Christ through a brother who was 10 years younger than me and turned my face towards Him. He also returned to me, as the LORD of hosts had said, "turn to me, and I will turn to you." Yes, God is unchanging. Look to Him with all your heart; The Lord will return to you.

God does not care about those who want to use God only for their own needs. God will hear their voice only when they return to Him wholeheartedly confessing their old mistakes.

Seeing that the people He created forget Him and live without the fear of God, God is heartbroken and says, "Can a maid forget her ornaments, or a bride her attire? yet my people have forgotten me days without number." (Jeremiah 2: 32)

No bride forgets to wear her wedding dress and wedding jewellery. But the people whom He chose as his bride have forgotten Him like that, says the Lord.

Beloved, it is not enough for us to pray daily and devoutly attend church services, we must return to Him wholeheartedly. Then “I will turn un to you” says the Lord of hosts.

AATHAVAN 🔥 960🌻 September 14, 2023 Thursday

"There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many?" (John 6: 9)

Once when Jesus Christ was preaching to the people, a large crowd gathered to listen to his teaching. Having fed their spiritual hunger, Jesus intended to feed their stomach hunger as well. So, he asked his disciple Philip, "Where can we buy bread for these people to eat?" Jesus asked this knowing the miracle he was about to perform. Then Philip said, "Even if we buy two hundred pennyworths of bread, it will not be enough for these people”.

Another disciple, Andrew, who was listening to this, said, “here is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many?”

Beloved, many times we are saying like these disciples without knowing the power of God.  “It will not be enough for these people”, “what are they among so many?”.   That is, we do not consider God and His power seriously, but consider our problem seriously. So, we cannot believe that God can accomplish this. But Jesus Christ not only fed five thousand people with those two fish and five loaves, but also miraculously left over twelve baskets of loaves.

In the same way, the people of Israel said we were satisfied with eating meat even though we were slaves in Egypt. We want to meat, "Who will give us meat in this wilderness?" (Numbers 11) Moses appealed to the Lord. And the Lord said, "You will not eat meat for a day or two, but for a month."

Even Moses could not believe this. Moses also said the same as the disciples of Jesus Christ said in today's meditation verse. He said, "The people, among whom I am, are six hundred thousand footmen; and thou hast said, I will give them flesh, that they may eat a whole month. Shall the flocks and the herds be slain for them, to suffice them? or shall all the fish of the sea be gathered together for them, to suffice them?" (Numbers 11: 21, 22)

"And the LORD said unto Moses, Is the LORD'S hand waxed short? thou shalt see now whether my word shall come to pass unto thee or not.” (Numbers 11: 23) He also gave the people the meat they needed to eat as He said.

Beloved, God's hand is not short. We must believe it. "Not enough". "How is it?", "Enough?", "Can we?" We do not have to say that in disbelief.

Our monthly income may be low, our health may be weak, we may have an incurable disease or we may be abandoned by doctors who cannot help us anymore. Let us look to the Lord without giving up faith in any situation. We can see the hand of Jesus working miracles for us. “Is the LORD'S hand waxed short? thou shalt see now whether my word shall come to pass unto thee or not” says Jesus.

AATHAVAN 🔥 961🌻 Friday, September 15, 2023

"And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them." (Isaiah 42: 16)

We are all deficient in the knowledge of God; blind people who do not know the correct spiritual path. But if we have the inner desire to know Him and grow up in spiritual life, as today's verse says, He will lead us in a way that we do not know, bring us along paths that we do not know, and He will turn the darkness into light before us. By doing this, he will not abandon us.

And after the next three verses we read, "Who is blind, but my servant? or deaf, as my messenger that I sent? who is blind as he that is perfect, and blind as the LORD's servant?" (Isaiah 42: 19)

Those who seek to live as his servants are blind, those who want to work as his messengers are blind, those who lead a righteous life are blind, and those who serve God are all blind who do not know the right path. But God sees their passion and efforts. That is why the Lord says that He will help them to turn the dark path into light and the crooked path into a straight one.

As blind people who do not know the right path, it is enough for us to take a step towards Him, and He is eager to run towards us. But today it seems that many people look towards him, but not for their worldly needs. So, he is silent.

A man who truly loves a woman does not expect what dowry she will bring. Likewise, a woman does not consider whether the groom she loves has a high position or money. That is, lovers have only one intention to live together with their loved one. If we have the same intention and interest in reaching God, God will treat us like today's verse says.

God will help us just as a mother sees a little child trying to overcome obstacles and reach her. He lightens our path and turns the crooked path into a straight one.

If we live as His servants, messengers, perfect and upright and God’s servants, He will guide us in the right path that we should walk.

AATHAVAN 🔥 962🌻 Saturday, September 16, 2023

"And they compel one Simon a Cyrenian, who passed by, coming out of the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to bear his cross." ( Mark 15 : 21 )

Beloved, today's verse advises us that whatever we do for God, it should be done with love.

Simon the Cyrene, the father of Alexander and Rupus, mentioned in today's meditation verse, did not help Christ out of love. Rather, it is said that he carried the cross for Christ out of compulsion. He was afraid of the Jews and helped carry the cross.

Similarly, we can see many people. Some people do things out of compulsion rather than being inspired by God's love for God and church work. They engage in some devotional activities out of compulsion. God approves of the actions we do out of love without any compulsion.

In a small town, the youth of the village collected donations for the consecration of a church in that area. They also forced the owner of the shop in that town to write down a huge amount. He also offered to donate a large amount of money, thinking that he should not antagonize the villagers. Then I heard him tell someone, “every year it is a big trouble for me....I have to cry and lose what they ask me to do..." he said boredly.

On the consecration festival, this shop owner who donated a lot was invited and honored with golden shawl. He was glorified among men. It was also with the intention that he should help in this way in the next year as well. Beloved, we too can do many things out of compulsion. These are things like Simon's forced cross-carrying.

But the people of the world cannot distinguish between an act of love and an act of compulsion. When Jesus Christ was staying in a Pharisee's house, a sinful woman came and wet his feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. Simon, who invited him to the feast, thought to himself, "If this man were a prophet, he would know that the woman who touches him is a sinner."

Jesus, who understood his thoughts, gave him some explanations, and finally said, "Wherefore I say unto thee, her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little." (Luke 7: 47)

Yes beloved, God will recognize even the smallest act of love. He does not consider any great deed done out of compulsion. So let us be careful, like Simon of Cyrene, to do nothing under compulsion. We should also consider this when we do anything for God. We may have to do some things like this due to the compulsion of the villagers. But we should realize that it is better to forget the act of doing that.

But He will count even the smallest act that we do with true love for Christ. He will also forgive our sins.

AATHAVAN🔥 963🌻 Sunday, September 17, 2023

"And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel." (Hebrews 12: 24)

Today's verse gives us some important messages. One is that, because blood has life (Leviticus 17:11, 14) it has the ability to speak. Abel's blood also spoke because of this. We read this in Genesis. God looks at Cain and says, "And he said, what hast thou done? the voice of thy brother's blood crieth unto me from the ground." ( Genesis 4 : 10 )

Yes, because Abel's blood was human blood, he complained to God about Cain's murder. But the Lord Jesus Christ washes away our sins with His blood. Not only that, he intercedes with God when we sin.

Abel's blood sought justice for itself. The blood of Jesus Christ intercedes for all the people of the world to sanctify them. Therefore, it is said, "In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:" (Colossians 1: 14)

And, "And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.”(Colossians 1 : 20 )

This is what today's verse says, you have come to the sprinkling blood, the blood that speaks good things rather than the blood of Abel. Yes, "And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.” (Hebrews 9: 22)

And it is said that since Jesus Christ has made a way for us to enter the holy place with his blood, we have courage with his blood, and let us join it with a true heart and full certainty of faith. (Hebrews 10:20)

Today's verse says that you have come to the sprinkling blood, the blood that speaks good things, rather than the blood of Abel.

Beloved, knowing the greatness of the blood of Jesus Christ, let us give ourselves wholly to Him to be washed by His blood. Then through his blood we will not only have courage but our faith will be perfected. With that certainty we can join him in the holy place.

AATHAVAN 🔥 964🌻 Monday, September 18, 2023

"I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the LORD sustained me." (Psalms 3: 5)

The real beauty of today’s verse can be seen only by looking at the background in which these hymns are written. David does not say these verses as we slept comfortably on the mattress and woke up, and say I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the LORD sustained me. On the contrary, these are the words spoken by David as he hides in caves and mountain crevices as he tries to escape his son Absalom as he wanders around seeking to kill him.

David reports today's words when he was wandering without proper food, sleep and rest and tired from wandering. David wakes up from sleep and says with joy and says, " I awaked; for the LORD sustained me"

Two verses before this he says, "But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head." ( Psalms 3 : 3 ) Yes, David was able to sleep peacefully because he knew that the Lord supported him with a shield. Therefore, "I will not be afraid of ten thousand of people, that have set themselves against me round about.” (Psalms 3: 6) says David.

In the New Testament, the apostle Peter was captured and imprisoned by Herod with intent to kill him. Before that he had killed James, John's brother. Because it pleased the Jews, he kept Peter in prison, intending to kill him also.

Now  a days prison officials say that prisoners who are going to be executed usually do not sleep well the night before their execution. But we read that the apostle Peter was sleeping soundly in prison without any worries. It says, "And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison." (Acts 12: 6) we read.

As David says, here God also sent his messengers and freed Peter from prison.

Beloved, do not worry about anything, suffering or sickness. Let we also say as David, "Lord, you are my shield, my glory and the one who lifts up my head." God has no partiality. God who delivered David, and Peter from the hands of the enemies, will deliver us also.

AATHAVAN 🔥 965🌻 Tuesday, September 19, 2023

"Look unto Abraham your father, and unto Sarah that bare you: for I called him alone, and blessed him, and increased him." (Isaiah 51: 2)

Today's verse advises us to follow the example of the great father Abraham and his wife Sarah.

Abraham's father Terah and his ancestors did not know the Lord; They worshipped a different deity. We read in the book of Joshua that "Your fathers dwelt on the other side of the flood in old time, even Terah, the father of Abraham, and the father of Nachor: and they served other gods." (Joshua 24: 2) But after Terah's death, God called Abraham.

"Now the LORD had said unto Abram, get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee: And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:" (Genesis 12: 1, 2)

Thus, "I took your father Abraham from the other side of the flood, and led him throughout all the land of Canaan, and multiplied his seed, and gave him Isaac.” (Joshua 24: 3) says the Lord.

Today's verse asks us to look at this Abraham and his wife Sarah. Abraham, who was brought up in the worship of other gods without knowing true God, became strong in faith in God. Therefore, “I called him alone, and blessed him, and increased him” today’s verse says.

Our God is a seer of hearts. God called and blessed Abraham because he knew his innermost heart. Abraham did not plead for God to multiply him. But God honoured his truth, integrity and faith and made him a separate nation. Yes, the entire nation of Israel is from Abraham's descendants.

That is why today's verse for meditation says, "Look to your father Abraham and to Sarah who bare you." Abraham is an example to us of how God honours a person when he believes. The author of the book of Hebrews, when speaking about faith, says, "Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable." (Hebrews 11: 12)

Beloved, today's verse instructs us to aim at this. Let us look at the faith of Abraham and Sarah. We will also try to follow it in our lives; May the Lord bless us too.

AATHAVAN 🔥 966🌻 Wednesday, September 20, 2023

"For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law;" (Romans 2: 12) 

Today's verse talks about Christ's righteous judgment. The commandments given by God to the people of Israel through Moses are the commandments of the Law.

A friend once asked me about judgment, how can God judge people who do not know Christ in this world? I told him today's verse and explained it. Those who sin without commandments will perish without commandments; Likewise, we who live under commandments will judge based on those commandments.

“Who will render to every man according to his deeds” (Romans 2 : 6 ) God has written His vows in the hearts of men. Of this, it is written, "Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;" (Romans 2: 15)

And the apostle Paul says, "For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified." ( Romans 2 : 13 ) Yes, we can know God's commandments because we live as Christians. But it is not enough to just listen, it is necessary to live by them. When we live like that, we become acceptable to God.

Other people who do not heard about the commandments of the law in their lives, when they live according to their conscience, they unknowingly become obedient to God's commandments. That is why the apostle Paul says that when they live righteous lives, they show that the work of the law is written in their hearts.

Beloved, how blessed are we to receive the commandments of the law and the Holy Spirit to help us live by them than other people!! Therefore, it is necessary for us to live with the fear that God's judgment will be too much for us who know His commandments when we violate His commandments. Yes, to whom more is given, more will be sought.

Apostle Paul even warns us and advises us, "in the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel" (Romans 2: 16) it will be known.

Let us pray that the Holy Spirit of God to guide us in the path of God and that we may escape punishment on the day of judgment.

AATHAVAN 🔥 967🌻 Thursday, September 21, 2023

"And the LORD looked upon him, and 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 )

Most of the time we get depressed because we compare ourselves to others, worry about what we don't have and value ourselves less than others. Such is the background of today's verse. But God gives strength to his loved ones and helps them in such situations.

The people of Israel, who were slaves to the Midianites, suffered greatly. When the Israelites' crops were harvested, the Midianites would come and take them away. In this situation, Gideon was harvesting wheat in his field and was threshing it near his mill for fear of the Midianites. But the Lord wanted to rescue Israel with this Gideon.

"And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him, and said unto him, The LORD is with thee, thou mighty man of valour." ( Judges 6 : 12 ) Then he announces that he has chosen Gideon to oppose the Midianites. But Gideon was at first reluctant to accept this responsibility citing his inability and weakness. Because the Midianites were skilled in war and mighty; Gideon hesitated as to how we could fight against them. Then the Lord said, “Go in this thy might, and thou shalt save Israel from the hand of the Midianites: have not I sent thee?"

Yes, dear ones, we too hesitate many times because of our weaknesses. If we have the assurance that the Lord is with us, no matter what the weakness, diseases, problems, family circumstances, inability to continue in the spiritual life, we can face the problems like Gideon met the Midianites. The strength we have is enough.

The Lord encouraged the hesitant Gideon, " Surely I will be with thee, and thou shalt smite the Midianites as one man." (Judges 6 : 16 )

Like Gideon, when we report our weakness to God and depend on His grace, He will tell us as He said to the Apostle Paul, "My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness." ( 2 Corinthians 12 : 9 )

When the Lord is with us, we become stronger even when we are weak. "Therefore, I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong." (2 Corinthians 12: 10) says Paul.

Don't be confused by what we don't have; Let's cling to God with faith and strength. The Lord said to Gideon, “Go in this thy might, and thou shalt save Israel from the hand of the Midianites: have not I sent thee?" The Lord says the same words to us. Continue to fight with the strength that we have; Because “I am with you, you will overcome all problems” says the Holy Lord.

 

 

 

AATHAVAN🔥 968🌻 Friday, September 22, 2023

"And there followed him a certain young man, having a linen cloth cast about his naked body; and the young men laid hold on him: And he left the linen cloth, and fled from them naked." (Mark 14: 51, 52)

Not a single note in the Bible was written without a reason. Today's meditation verse talks about a young man wrapped in a lien cloth who followed Jesus Christ when he was arrested.

This incident is only found in the Gospel of Mark. "What is the reason for mentioning this incident? Is it an incident of such importance?" Myself and my friend Pastor Sworna Kumar talked ten to fifteen days ago. Neither of us knew what it meant, but we assumed there must be a reason why it was written.

The Holy Spirit revealed this to Pastor Sworna Kumar when he was evangelizing a friend last week. Later that evening he happily explained this by saying, "Geo, God has given us an explanation for our doubt."

Beloved, this young man was not a disciple of Jesus; Instead, he came to have fun. He who does not live a pure life. He had come there without a garment, just wrapped in a thin cloth. In the spiritual sense he was without the garment of salvation. He is an example of those who claim to follow Christ and live unholy lives.

He did not follow Christ out of love for Christ; Instead, he followed him for fun. Even today there are Christians who have this kind of fun. People like this are the ones who are only interested in conducting festivals, temple consecrations, distributing food in church, conducting Christian art festivals etc., leaving the Christian way of life.

But God does not allow such fun Christians. They will be humiliated. We read in the Bible, some of the sons of a high priest tried to gain reputation among the people by seeing the miracles that the apostle Paul had done in Ephesus. They did not have the holiness that Paul had; did not have the power of the Holy Spirit as Paul had. Like the young man who wrapped himself in a thin cloth to hide his nakedness who followed Christ, they also wanted to follow Paul and perform a miracle.

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

Beloved, let us consider how we follow Christ. Are we following Him in holiness or are we being fun Christians? If not, are we vainly proud to claim to be Christians and live a witness less life? Let's take a look at ourselves. Our life should not become like the youth who left the linen cloth, and fled from them naked when problems and sufferings are pressing.

AATHAVAN 🔥 969🌻 Saturday, September 23, 2023

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

Although our sins are forgiven by Christ Jesus, we must always remember our old sinful life. Not only that, sometimes we may commit sins after our sins have been washed away by the blood of Jesus and we have experienced redemption and received the anointing of the Holy Spirit. David who was anointed by the Holy Spirit committed sin with Bathsheba.

God forgets our sins. Although it is true that He throws away our sins; Don't forget the sinful life.

Only when that memory is in us will our love for Christ increase. Alas, even though I have committed such a sin, God has saved me. When we think of old sins, we feel ashamed. What benefit did we get from committing such sins before? We were heading for death because of them? That is why Paul says, "What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death." (Romans 6: 21)

And only with old memories can we live cleanly now. The parable of the merciless servant told by Jesus Christ will make us realize this. (Matthew 18:23 - 35) When he owed ten thousand talents to the king and begged for mercy, the king forgave him all the debt. But the same man did not remember that. If he remembers that, he would have forgiven the debt of the man who owes him only hundred silvers.

The fifty-first psalm is the psalm sung by David when Nathan the prophet reminded David’s sin with Bathsheba. It is a psalm for forgiveness. Here he says, “my sin is ever before me”.

If we also remember our old lives, we will not do them again. Not only that, when you see people committing such sins, we will feel compassion for them.

Many who attend spiritual churches today do not have this idea. So they claim that they alone are saints and all others are sinners. One theologian said, "All those in heaven are ever lived as a saint; they are old sinners who have repented". Those who have been washed and made righteous by the blood of Christ. This is the truth. If we live like David, saying, “I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me" we can escape from continuing sin.

AATHAVAN 🔥 970🌻 Sunday, September 24, 2023

“For the poor always ye have with you; but me ye have not always.” ( John 12 : 8 )

Giving to the poor is giving to God. Also, in the Bible it is said, "He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again." (Proverbs 19: 17) 

But when we see rich people donating crores of money to temples, many of us think, "This money could have been given to so many poor people, but they are giving it to God in vain." But we do not know whether one is giving from the heart to God or for vain glory.

This becomes clear if we look at the background of today's verse. Martha and Mary prepared a feast for Jesus Christ. Then Mary rubbed expensive perfume on Jesus' feet and wiped it with her hair. "Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, which should betray him, why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor?" (John 12: 5)

Beloved, the mind of a moneyed person calculates everything in terms of money. Judas was the accountant of Jesus Christ's money. He had the wallet. We read in the Catholic Bible translation that he takes from it at times for his expenses. Yes, "This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein." (John 12: 6)

In response to him, Jesus Christ says, “the poor always ye have with you; but me ye have not always.” Jesus Christ knew Mary's inner love. But Judas only knew the price of the perfume.

We should not easily calculate what one does to the temple and what one gives to God's works. Because we don't know about the giver's heart and his love for God. If we too say, "This money could have been given to so many poor people, but they are giving it to God in vain” perhaps He will say to us as He said to Judas.

Let us not commit the sin of counting and criticizing the offerings given by others and giving to other ministries. If our heart prompts us to give to the poor, give to the poor; If we want to give to church work, give to church work. The poor are always with us; we can give whenever we want.

AATHAVAN 🔥 971🌻 Monday, September 25, 2023

"Wilt thou shew wonders to the dead? shall the dead arise and praise thee? Shall thy lovingkindness be declared in the grave? or thy faithfulness in destruction?" ( Psalms 88 : 10, 11 )   

Today's meditation verse is the anguished psalm teacher's words. Such pains and sorrows also happen to us at various times. At the beginning of this psalm with anguish the psalmist says, "For my soul is full of troubles: and my life draweth nigh unto the grave." ( Psalms 88 : 3 )

That is, I was dead out of grief; He says do you still do miracles for me again. In this state of abandonment, he wrote today's psalm.

But the Spirit of the Lord can revive a person in any situation and help him stand up. God comforted the Israelites through the prophet Ezekiel who were in a state where everything was over. He took Ezekiel in a vision to a valley full of dry bones and made him say prophesy. "Thus saith the Lord GOD unto these bones; Behold, I will cause breath to enter into you, and ye shall live:" ( Ezekiel 37 : 5 ) And so the bones came alive.

"And ye shall know that I am the LORD, when I have opened your graves, O my people, and brought you up out of your graves,” (Ezekiel 37: 13) Yes, dear ones, I will open your graves and bring you out of your graves, says the Lord Jesus Christ. Then you will know that I am the Lord.

One can trust in God till death; It is natural. But only when we believe that God has the power to give us life and deliver us even after death, contrary to nature, our mental worries disappear completely and courage is born.

Didn't Jesus Christ raise Lazarus after four days of death? Lazarus' sisters had no chance of hope in this situation. We would have been like that if we were in a similar situation. "Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days." (John 11: 39) But Jesus Christ resurrected that stinking corpse.

Yes, dear ones, our life may now be a dead life due to the succession of sufferings; But if God wills, He can change it in a moment and revive us.

"And ye shall know that I am the LORD, when I have opened your graves, O my people, and brought you up out of your graves," (Ezekiel 37: 13) says the Lord. Let us cling to him by faith.

AATHAVAN 🔥 972🌻 Tuesday, September 26, 2023

"Shall I count them pure with the wicked balances, and with the bag of deceitful weights?" (Micah 6: 11)

Whatever business we do, it is necessary to do it with truth and integrity according to God. God does not accept giving offerings or giving to temple works with the money earned by deceiving others and cheating in business. That is what today's verse is saying.

According to the situation of that time, it was mentioned here as wicked balance and deceitful weights, but in today's computer era, business fraud has changed in various ways. So, we can't get away with saying I don't have wicked balance and deceitful weights. This verse instructs us to do business with truth.

Similarly, God says through Jeremiah, "Will ye steal, murder, and commit adultery, and swear falsely, and burn incense unto Baal, and walk after other gods whom ye know not; And come and stand before me in this house, which is called by my name, and say, we are delivered to do all these abominations?" (Jeremiah 7: 9, 10)

All the sinful acts mentioned in the above verse such as theft, murders due to business competition, adultery sins that followed because of increased money, swearing falsely, worshiping other deities for the sake of business prosperity are all easily done by some business people.

Beloved, therefore whatever business you do, do it honestly. You should leave the sinful things against God. No matter how much the money earned is given as a offering to church, it is fruitless. Christian ministers who rely on offerings will not explain this truth. So, let's be cautious. Many Christian businessmen live like ordinary people of the world. But in many such industrial establishments, they invite pastors and conduct prayers.

But God says, "Therefore pray not thou for this people, neither lift up cry nor prayer for them, neither make intercession to me: for I will not hear thee." (Jeremiah 7: 16) Yes, God says that God will not listen to prayer for those who engage in such wicked acts.

Only when wrongdoers repent and pray for their sins will God answer that prayer and forgive them.

If we are business people, we should think about whether our actions are righteous and if we are wrong, we should ask for forgiveness and become a new person. Otherwise, our prayers, offerings and devotional efforts are in vain. Shall I count them pure with the wicked balances, and with the bag of deceitful weights?  asks the Holy Lord.

AATHAVAN 🔥 973🌻 Wednesday, September 27, 2023

"When thou goest out to battle against thine enemies, and seest horses, and chariots, and a people more than thou, be not afraid of them: for the LORD thy God is with thee, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt." (Deuteronomy 20: 1)

Even though the Old Testament events are the things that God did in the lives of the people of Israel as a history, we need to see them relevant to our spiritual life according to this time. They are recorded in the scriptures for our spiritual life. After describing the incidents in the life of the Israelites who were rescued from the Egyptians and journeyed to Canaan, the apostle Paul says, "all these things happened unto them for examples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come." (1 Corinthians 10: 11)

All events are like this. Similarly, we should take today's verse as well. The horse, the chariots, and the great crowd that come out to make war against us are the afflictions, the sinful circumstances, and the powers of Satan that will overthrow us in the spiritual life. We should not be afraid of them and continue our spiritual life. Our Lord Jesus Christ is with us.

Regarding our struggles in the spiritual life, the apostle Paul said, "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." (Ephesians 6: 12)

So, we must be ready to take on such enemies who pursue us in spiritual life. "Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand." (Ephesians 6: 13) says Paul. We can read about those armours in Ephesians 6:14-18. (I have mentioned these in detail in many meditations)

When we live a Christ-like life, we will have the courage and assurance that He is with us. When we have that conviction, when can go out to war against the enemies of our spiritual life, we cannot fear them, even if they are as strong as horses, as big as chariots, or as many sufferings as a great crowd.

Then, we will be assured that the Lord our God is with us, who led us out of the old land of sinful life called Egypt and leads us to the great Canaan.

AATHAVAN 🔥 974🌻 Thursday, September 28, 2023

"And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?" (Acts 8: 36)

(In this meditation I do not intend to explain, nor criticize, the conflicting opinions within the various Christian congregations about baptism. Rather, I am emphasizing the importance of baptism.)

Scripture instructs us to confirm our faith after we have been washed by the blood of Christ and experienced redemption. This will be understood if we look at the background of today's verse. When Philip evangelized the Ethiopian minister, he accepted Christ. At the same time, the desire to be baptized automatically arises in him. Then he said, "Behold, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?".

"And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him." (Acts 8: 37, 38)

Baptism is not simply washing us with water; Rather it is an agreement we make with God. When the apostle Peter says about baptism, "even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:" ( 1 Peter 3 : 21)

Second, baptism is the fulfillment of God's willed righteousness. God wants us to fulfill all basic righteousness and live according to His will. Jesus Christ did not sin; He did not need to be baptized. But he was baptized. Jesus Christ said to John the Baptist who forbade him, "Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him." (Matthew 3: 15)

Thirdly, baptism symbolizes our dying to sin and being buried with Christ and rising from the dead again as a new man. "Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead." ( Colossians 2 : 12 )

Fourthly, by baptism we put on Christ. Baptism is a spiritual garment as we clothe the body. "For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” (Galatians 3: 27) says Paul.

That is why baptism is one of the most important duties we must fulfill in Christianity. Through it we declare our faith in Christ, make a contract with God, fulfill God's justice, die with Christ to our sins and rise with Him as a new man, and put on Christ as a garment.

AATHAVAN 🔥 975🌻 Friday, September 29, 2023

"But as for them whose heart walketh after the heart of their detestable things and their abominations, I will recompense their way upon their own heads, saith the Lord GOD." (Ezekiel 11: 21)

Our God loves holiness. He desires our holiness above all our prayers and offerings. "Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:" (Hebrews 12: 14) we read. This is why our Lord Jesus Christ said in his Sermon on the Mount, "Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God." (Matthew 5: 8) He said.

The thoughts of man's heart are usually filthy. This is why Jesus Christ said, "For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man.' (Matthew 15: 19, 20)

That is why today's verse says, I will recompense their way upon their own heads, saith the Lord GOD." That is, they will bear the  benefit of their deceitful behavior.

No matter how much we pray, attend prayer meetings, and give offerings, if no changes are made in our lives, it is useless. So, it is necessary for us to correct our heart. Because the heart is very twisted. If you read the news in today's newspapers, you will understand that ninety percent of the murders, rapes, property disputes and court cases are due to the lust of the human heart.

So beloved, let us guard against our hearts not being consumed by worldly desires and perishing. Whatever worldly desire grows in us is lust. "Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life." (Proverbs 4: 23) says the Lord.

Only when we guard the heart can we progress towards a holy life. "ye shall therefore be holy, for I am holy." (Leviticus 11: 45) says the Holy Lord.

AATHAVAN 🔥 976🌻 Saturday, September 30, 2023

"The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former, saith the LORD of hosts: and in this place will I give peace, saith the LORD of hosts." ( Haggai 2 : 9 )

As we have already seen in many meditations, all the happenings of the old are the shadow of the New Testament. Today's verse is also one like that.

Today's verse is told by the prophet Haggai to the people of Israel who rebuilt the temple of Jerusalem that was destroyed and repaired. Don't worry about the destroyed old temple, "The glory of this latter temple will be greater than the glory of the former temple, says the Lord of hosts."

Beloved, according to the New Testament the true temple is our body. "Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?" ( 1 Corinthians 3 : 16 ) we read. The Holy Spirit of God dwells in the temple which is our body.

That is why it is necessary for us to keep the temple which is our body holy. The verse warns us that if we fail to guard our holiness, God will destroy us. "If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are." ( 1 Corinthians 3 : 17 )

Our sins are forgiven and we are a new human being, like the liberated Israelites from Egypt who came to Canaan. Yes, we have been freed from the grip of the old sin of Egypt. But we still have old sinful tendencies. To overcome them, we need the help of the Holy Spirit. We read it four verses before today's meditation, Haggai says about it, "According to the word that I covenanted with you when ye came out of Egypt, so my spirit remaineth among you: fear ye not." ( Haggai 2 : 5 )

Yes, we don't want to hesitate whether we could able to build our body as a holy temple. As God says through the prophet Haggai, "My Spirit shall dwell among you, according to the word of my covenant with you; fear not."

Our physical temple, if we live a godly life with the guidance of Holy Spirit, will surely be "greater than the glory of the former temple." Not only that, when the physical temple is built in holiness, as today's verse concludes, in this place will I give peace, saith the LORD of hosts.