The halfbaked Bard

Jn:16:33 Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world. Christian walk is never promised to be a smooth run. You will have many trials and sorrows- for two reasons. 1. Sin is the primary reason of sufferings and trials. But Jesus says, I have overcome the world. He came to pay the penalty of the sin of the whole world. Jesus is the solution. 2. You have moved from the dark to the light. Now you are on the opposite side as the world. The prince of the earth is your enemy now, and he will tooth and nail try to subdue you. But Jesus says, I have overcome the world. He has indeed overcome through His death on the cross. And He promises to be with you till the end of days. Again Jesus is the solution. Not the absence of trials and sorrows is the proposed solution. But through it all He promises to be faithful. He promises to be with you. He enables and equips you. He will strengthen you. He will comfort you. This is the tr...

I will send Him to you. John:16:7 The work of the Holy Spirit is -  1. To convict the world of its sin, of God's righteous and coming judgement. 2. To guide you into all truth. 3. To tell you about the future. 4. To teach you everything. 5. To remind you everything that the Son has told. The Holy Spirit, the third person of Trinity, has been given as a gift, as a Helper, as an Advocate to lead you farther to the Father through the Son. He is always there with you. The most neglected person of the Trinity, while He is always available.  He is the One who gives His fruit - love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control. Ask and it shall be given unto you, is the promise. So if you don't have it, it is because you don't ask. And because you don't ask the right person. Do not grieve the Holy Spirit, by neglecting His nudgings by revelling in sin. Do not belittle His presence. Remember He is in you always. Image courtesy...

They hated me without cause. Jn:15:25 Man, by his nature hates God. His natural inclination is to rebel against God. Because of his fallenness, because of what happened at the garden of Eden, the devil has inculcated his nature into mankind. And through one man, all of mankind has become corrupt and mutated to hate God. For what? For nothing. From nothingness God has created us. We never even existed in space or time. But then He created us in His own image and likeness. But we rebelled. We said we don't submit to authority. Where as He has promised life in abundance. We have settled for broken cisterns. We denied His existence. We denied His control over us. We wanted the steering wheel, in turn handling it over to the evil manipulator, the Father of all lies. By our nature we won't love God. We can't love God. Rom:5:10. Our friendship with God was restored by the death of His Son while we were still His enemies. Yes! That is exactly how the cross becomes perti...

You did not choose me; I chose you. Jn:15:16 It is God who chose you. Before the foundations of the world was laid. Before you were even formed, Chosen, predestined, selected - with a purpose. To be loved by the source of love. To be possessed as His eternal treasure. Prepared for the good works, He already planned. Chosen, well ahead of time. Part of His eternal plan. To transform you into His likeness Fallen and marred as you are. Chosen, to be loved with an everlasting love. He has engraven you in His palms The scars that mar the hands of the Holy Creator Has the shape of you, to make you acceptable Chosen to be His beloved. Chosen to be in His kingdom Chosen to be in His army, victorious Chosen you to overcome the enemy, By the strength of the one who is in you. What have I done to deserve this choice? How have I been deemed qualified? Just pure love. Nothing else. I am awestruck, to be chosen. Image courtesy: https://www.delish.com/kitchen-tools/kitchen-secrets/a654130...

Jn:15:1. I am the true grapevine vine and my Father is the gardener. You are the branches. The purpose of the branches is to produce fruit. If not, the gardener will cut it off. If yes, then the gardener will prune. Only if you remain in the main vine, will you be able to produce much fruit. Remain is a restful word. Just remain in Him. Be one with Him. Imbibe from Him. Be in constant touch with Him. Being reminded of His presence always. The xylem and the phloem are continuous with the main vine. The nutrients that the branches get, is from the main vine. Connected always. The main vine is the strength and support for the branches. Be aware and sure of the glorious presence of the Almighty always. Abstain from things which He abhors. Love things which He loves and pursue it. Focus on knowing and seeking Him all the time. For that is what you have been created for. Therefore make every second count. Make every opportunity to know Him. Do not focus on bringing forth fruit. T...

I am leaving you with a gift; peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. Jn:14:27 Peace is one thing that man has always desired. Inner peace as well as peace with each other. But the peace that the world offers is dependent on circumstances. If everything goes well, then you will have peace. And that is exactly why there is a huge strife to do things well. Between kingdoms and countries; amongst individuals - there are discussions and meetings to make things well. But what Jesus promises is something different. Peace that passeth all understanding. Even when things are going wrong. When things happen contrary to your plans, still if you have peace; then that is greater peace. That greater peace enables you to hope. That greater peace equips you to smile always. That peace comes from the surity of your identity in Christ. That I am the Lord's beloved and that nothing happens in my life, without God knowing it and without God allowing ...