faithwalk – enriching spiritual life

June 8, 2021

COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS

“Count your many blessings name them one by one

and it will surprise you what the lord has done.

Count your many blessings every doubt will fly

and you will keep singing as the days go by.”

The song lyric resonates with David’s words in Psalms. Many, O LORD my God, are the wonders you have done, the things you planned for us. None can compare with you; were I to speak and tell of your deeds, they would be too many to declare. (Psalm 40:5)

God has done innumerable wonders in our lives. We need to take time, ponder, reflect and fill with awe, give thanks for the specific blessings that he has purchased for each one of us at the cross of Calvary. What is blessing means to us. We should understand the God’s idea of blessing. It is more about ‘knowing Him’ than health and wealth blessings. He makes us to learn, to wait, to grow in faith before we receive the blessing. It is a great training and unforgettable experience.

The blessings of free air, water, food and light are ignored and sometimes taken for granted. We fail to see God’s care and provision in these free gifts. The seven I am statements of Jesus mentioned in John’s Gospel, tells us as who Jesus is. Do we need anything more than these in this life.

I am the Bread of Life (6:35, 48)

I am the light of the world (8:12, 9:5)

I am the door of the sheep (10:7, 9)

I am the good shepherd (10:11)

I am the resurrection and Life (11:25)

I am the way, the truth and the life (14:6)

I am the true Vine (15: 1, 5)

GOD’S PROMISES

Remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, (Isaiah 46:9)
Then take care lest you forget the Lord, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. (Deut 6:12)
I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your wonders of old. (Psalm 77:11)
Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years draw near of which you will say, “I have no pleasure in them” (Eccle 12;1)
But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. (John 14:26)
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, (Psalm 103:2)
He has caused his wondrous works to be remembered; the Lord is gracious and merciful. (psalm 111:4)
“Only take care, and keep your soul diligently, lest you forget the things that your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. Make them known to your children and your children’s children. (Deut 4:9)
You shall not be afraid of them but you shall remember what the Lord your God did to Pharaoh and to all Egypt (Deut 7:18)
…I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. (John10:10b)
He heals the broken in heart, and binds up their wounds.(Psalm 147:3)
Come to me, all you that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.(Matt 11:28)
His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence (2 Peter 1:3)
And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. (Phil 4:19)

PRAYER: Father, we thank you for being our Shepherd. You lead us from the front. You provide for us, guide us, care for us and carry us when we are with injury and in pain. You protect us from the attacking animals of the wild. Help us to forget not all the benefits that we receive from you. Help us to remain thankful to you.

June 6, 2021

Faith – God’s Promises

FAITH IN GOD

Faith is not an emotion or feeling, it is an action. We see wonderful testimonies of ‘Heroes of Faith’ and ‘Saints Hall of Fame’ in Hebrews 11^th chapter. These saints of old compose the “cloud of witnesses” in the beginning of the next chapter with their powerful testimonies to inspire the Hebrews to come to faith. In the following verses of the 11^th chapter, we read that they all got approval from God. They made decisions that pleased him. God tests our faith in the crucible. (1 peter 1:7)

Do not throw away your confidence (Heb 10:35). Faith is a lifestyle, not an event. The righteous live by faith. FAITH can be explained in the following steps.

Follow the Lord (Ephesians 5: 1): Bible tells us to follow, to listen, to obey the instructions given by God.
Acknowledge His Sovereignty: (Luke 1:37; Matt 19:26) His sovereign will has given us everything we need for life.
Imitate His personality: (1 pet 2:21; phil 2:5) Christ is our example and we are called to imitate Him.
Trust in Him at all times: (Psalm 62:8, Psalm 20: 7): our God is a trustworthy God even in the darkest times and in the valley of shadow of death. He remains faithful even if we are unfaithful…always truthful. That’s his very nature and he cannot change. He is immutable – he cannot change.
Hang on to God’s purposes: God has great plans for each one of us, plans to prosper us. (Jeremiah 29:11)

GODS PROMISES ON FAITH

Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather in barns; yet your heavenly father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? (Matt 6:26-27)
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. (Hebrews 11:6)
And Jesus answered them, “Have faith in God. Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. (Mathew 11:22)
And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.” (Mathew 21:22)
And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. (Hebrews 11:6)
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,(Ephesians 2:8)
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16)
He said to them, “Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.” (Mathew 17:20)
In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; (Ephesians 6:16)
By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith. (Hebrews 11:7)
And Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he recovered his sight and followed him on the way.(Mark 10:52)
Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ. (Romans 10:17)

PRAYER: Lord, help us to put our trust in you irrespective of the situation we are in. We are in the uncertain and unprecedented times with chaos, doubt and ambiguity all around. Teach us to understand that faith of the size of a miniature seed can move mountains. We acknowledge that we fall short of your expectations when it comes to faith. Fill us with unshakable faith that plagues, pestilences, diseases, storms and disasters cannot move us.

June 6, 2021

God’s Love – Promises of God

God is love. There is neither hatred nor envy in him. His love is inestimable. It is more than and beyond any human comparisons. To understand it thoroughly we may need a lifetime. In our earthly relations parental love is considered as the highest and unparalleled form of love. Psalmist says, even if the parents forsake me the lord will receive me (Psalm 27: 10). The Lord’s compassion on his children is also compared to the earthly father’s compassion (Psalm 103:13). God also says that, though a mother may forget you, I will not forget you (Isaiah 49:15). The earth and its elements, the world and its relationships cannot offer the kind of love that god showers on his children. God has great plans for his children. Plans to prosper you and me and not to harm us. (Jeremiah 29:11) The Psalmist says, How precious are your thoughts about me, O God! They cannot be numbered!

The parental love, the love of the spouse, siblings, our children and friends is short lived and a shadow of the real love that we are going to experience forever in the bosom of God. There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. (John 15:13). He sacrificed his everything to redeem us from the pit and bondage of sin and to set us free, free indeed! He paid the price as a ransom and purchased us and how can He possibly abandon us.

GODS PROMISES ON LOVE

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.(John 3:16)
But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)
We love because he first loved us. (1 John 4:19)
Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. (John 15:13)
So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. (1 John 4:16)
The Lord appeared to him from far away. I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you. (Jeremaiah 31:3)
In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.(1 John 4:10)
But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness. (Psalm 86:15)
And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. (Matt 22:37-39)
Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations, (Deut 7:9)
Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.” (John 14:21)

PRAYER: Lord, your love has no limits.The earthly love that I experience here is only a shadow with all its limitations and shortcomings. You understand, you care and you persevere with us. You give, give and give everything all the time to our unsatisfied souls. If all the sky were paper and all the ocean is ink, to write about the greatness of your love soon the ocean would drain dry. Help us to prioritise and value the love you have for us and to the whole world.

June 5, 2021

Rejoice – Gods Promises

REJOICE IN THE LORD ALWAYS

Paul’s letters from prison are considered the most joyful books in the bible. He urges Philippians to Rejoice in the Lord always. The word Joy is mentioned 16 times in the letter to Philippians. In spite of the sufferings he endured in the roman prison, he encouraged believers to rejoice in the Lord.

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Phil 4:4-7)

A man who needs encouragement is giving encouragement to others. In addition to his prison sufferings for four years, Paul also encountered storms and three times ship wreck, beaten with rods thrice, faced whippings for five times, stoned once, carried the agonising pain of aching ribs and muscles and scars on back for his life. History indicates many have died due to these roman beatings. Every incident of painful encounter yielded amazing results and conversions for the glory of God.

How is it possible to remain peaceful and joyful while suffering and enduring pain? What are the reasons for Pauls happiness and joy? How can he say that even if I am being poured out like a drink offering…I am glad and rejoice with all of you? (2:17,18). How is it possible to be content whatever the circumstances? (4:11)

Paul is always mindful of the future glory. I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. (Romans 8:18). He is also sure that the inner man is being strengthened despite all sufferings. Therefore, we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. (2 Cor 4:16-17)

Paul understood the magnificent generosity of God’s grace.But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. (2 Cor 12:9)

Pauls joy depended on knowing Christ. He explains it clearly in the 3^rd chapter of Philippians. When Christ himself is the reason for our joy and happiness, no one can snatch it away from us. He concluded everything in saying, for me to live is Christ and to die is gain (1:21)

GODS PROMISES ON JOY

This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. (Psalm 118:24)
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. (Romans 15:13)
Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. (romans 12:12)
So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you. (John16:22)
Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, (1 peter 1:8)
Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” (Luke 10:20)
These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. (John 15:11)
Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance. ( Luke 15:7)
For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning. (Psalm 30:5)
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. (James 1:2-3)
But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. (1 peter 4:13)
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (1 thess 5:16-18)
When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul. (psalm 94:19)
Clap your hands, all peoples! Shout to God with loud songs of joy! (psalm 47:1)

Prayer: Lord, you have brought me everlasting joy and happiness through your supreme sacrifice on the cross. My heart is filled with praise, worship, adoration and honour for your inestimable love, awesome purity and endless wisdom. show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever.

June 5, 2021

Word of God – God’s Promises

MEDITATE ON GODS WORD

Psalm 119 is a love poem to God’s law. We find the psalmists great desire to meditate the statutes and commands. It’s a sheer craving and longing for the word of God by staying awake through the watches of the night. David delighted in the decrees and they became the theme of his sojourners life. They are more precious than pure gold and sweeter than honey than the honey from honeycomb. (Psalm 119:10) I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word. (Psalm 119:16) Your decrees are the theme of my song wherever I lodge. (Psalm 119:54). The number of times we meditate on God’s word the sweeter it becomes. God’s word is compared to ‘hidden treasure’. The deeper we go into the study the wealthier we become with the discovery of more precious gold and diamonds. God’s word has the power to transform lives. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 timothy 3:16-17). It hurts God to see his children neglect the word. I wrote for them the many things of my law, but they regarded them as something foreign. (Hosea 8:12). He is furious and judges the children of Israel.. because you have ignored the law of your God, I also will ignore your children. (Hosea 4:6. We may encounter dry seasons and the word of god appears dry and unappealing but that should not be the reason to spend less time or to stop reading the bible altogether. God speaks to us in unexpected ways and times. We should ask Gods help to open our eyes that we may see the love and concern of God. Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law. (Psalm 119:18)

They stood where they were and read from the Book of the Law of the Lord their God for a quarter of the day, and spent another quarter in confession and in worshiping the Lord their God. (Nehemiah 9:3) Paul instructed Timothy to read carefully Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. (1 Tim 4:13). Lord Jesus also read the scriptures and everyone listened attentively. (Luke4:16-20).

We should spend prayer time daily along with the family for at least half an hour. It includes singing, bible reading and prayer. Children in the family should be allowed to read the scripture portions aloud as assigned to them which follows discussion and prayer time. This will help them to know the importance of the scriptures and the family altar to overcome any issue arising in their personal lives as they grow into maturity. Bible is the God’s amazing book and it has the solutions for all the problems faced by mankind. God’s word and Gods invisible hand is clearly evident in the history and in the progress of human race.

GOD’S PROMISES ON SCRIPTURES

All people are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord endures forever.”(1 peter 1:24-25)
As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. (Isaiah 55:10-11)
This is what the Lord says: “Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. Where is the house you will build for me? Where will my resting place be?Has not my hand made all these things, and so they came into being?”declares the Lord. “These are the ones I look on with favor: those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at my word. (Isaiah 66:1-2)
He sent out his word and healed them; he rescued them from the grave. Psalm 107:20)
This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: “He took up our infirmities and bore our diseases.”(Matt 8:17)
“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.” (matt 7: 24-27)
See to it that you do not refuse him who speaks. If they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, how much less will we, if we turn away from him who warns us from heaven? At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, “Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.”The words “once more” indicate the removing of what can be shaken—that is, created things—so that what cannot be shaken may remain. (Hebrews 12: 25-27)
Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart, for I am called by your name, O Lord, God of hosts. (Jeremiah 15:16)
He sent out his word and healed them, and delivered them from their destruction. (Psalm 107:20)
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.(2 Tim 3:16-17)
For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12)
So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. (Romans 10:17)
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (John1:1)
The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever. (Isaiah 40:8)
Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.(Matt 24:35)

PRAYER: Lord as the Psalmist says “Your word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path”. It is an anchor in the trials and storms of life and a compass in our perplexed journey. You have offered manifold blessings to those whose delight is in your word and who meditates on it day and night. Help us Lord to hide your word in our hearts, heed it and herald it for the expansion of your kingdom.