The halfbaked Bard

Moses' plan and desire was to lead the Israelites to the promised land. That was what was commanded by God. Later out of anger, when Moses and Aaron failed to demonstrate God's power and glory in Meribah waters, God's choice was that they too would die and not go into the promised land. Such a shocking ordeal it would have been for Moses. But look at the way he responded Num:27:15 O Lord, You are the God who gives breath to all creatures. Please appoint a new leader. 1️⃣ He gladly accepted the answer "No". No complaints. No reasoning. No arguements. How could he do that? Something which he was so passionate about is being denied. The key was, he knew that God has something better for him (Heb:11). He knew being with the holy God for eternity is much more worthwhile than roaming in the promised land as aliens or strangers. It's better up there. 2️⃣ Eventhough he was in a time of thrashed hopes, he was thinking of a new leader for Israel. He was so m

Zelophehad was one person who died with Korah's rebellion. His daughters bring in a legitimate claim for inheritance. As he had no sons. God agrees it's legitimate cause and agrees to the claim. Family has been an integral unit in God's kingdom. Though Jesus calls us as friends, it's more than that when he says He has made us His children, His heirs. Family is filled with love 💕 agape love which doesn't set apart conditions. Family is one unit. Where there is role for forgiveness Where there is support Where there is holding each other Where there is togetherness Where there is as one, trusting in the Master designer.

Psalm six is a prayer to God by David. Many a times I run out of words in praying to God.  Psalmist describes words to express his plea to God. 1. Have compassion on me Lord (v:2) It's a request to God to feel for him. In this time of loneliness and self centredness when there is no one to feel for you. It's a plea to God requesting Him to be on your side. It's also an appeal to come to his aide as he is weak.  Rom:8:31 If God is for us who can be against us. 2. Heal me(v:2). It's a plea to God to touch him and heal him completely. Physically, mentally, emotionally. A healing in a multidimensional way. Bones in agony signifies physical, mental and emotional pain. 3. Restore me(v:3). Restore means to bring back to original situation. Means to what we were initially. To His bosom. To being his child. Presence of sin marrs our relationship with God. And a petition to restore is first by repenting and asking for forgiveness.  In Psalm 51 David asks to restore un

How much the Lord abhors sinfulness How much the Lord detests perversion We who persist in sin Declare to be children of God, part of His body Leaders of His body Part takers with Jesus in death How much we love our own sinful desires How much we yearn to satisfy our hunger Our lust, our pride, our greed, our selfishness God is exactly on the other pole His agape love, His selflessness, His purity And His holiness How much we crave for earthly blessings How much we fool ourselves when we follow Him thus Money, family, secure future But He asks, why so myopic? I called you to bless you eternally I am your very great reward, He says How much should we love our Abba How much should we long for Him His love to be revealed and reflected in us His grace is sufficient for us Detest the evil ways, Flee from the devil Run to Jesus; He will run to you. His love to us was revealed in this that He chose to die - as a ransom, as a price For yours and mine sins with its red and fiery cla

This is what the Lord says: “Let not the wise boast of their wisdom or the strong boast of their strength or the rich boast of their riches,   but let the one who boasts boast about this:  that they have the understanding to know me, that I am the Lord , who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,” declares the Lord . Jeremiah 9:23‭-‬24 NIV Boasting is talking with extreme self satisfaction and pride -  We might not always boast with our words. But it's it there in our hearts? - thinking high of ourselves - know it all attitude - to get things done my way - what's ur attitude at home? What's ur behaviour while driving? Pride was the first sin seen in Lucifer. How do I know I have pride? Do I find fault with others overlooking their goodness? Am I superficial, trying to hide my sins where as points my fingers at others faults? Am I defensive, when people try to correct? What's my attitude when I come to God's pre

Phinehas, the son of Eleazar and the grandson of Aaron, was filled with zeal for the Lord that he immediately executed a sinning Israelite Zimri and a Midianite woman Cozbi infront of everyone. (Num:25) And God testifies about him - " being as zealous among them as I was". Finally God blesses him and his descendants by giving permanent right to priesthood because of his zeal for God. Zeal is a very uncommon word now. It means eagerness or ardent interest in pursuit of something. Passion or fervor are close words. Everyone has a zeal. The question is what's yours? For some it is to make money. For some it is to get a job. For some it is to be viral. For some it is to be famous But Phinehas had the mind of God,in having a zeal for God Himself. He hated what God abhorred and loved what He loved. Are you zealous towards following God finding out what His heart yearns? David had that zeal - that's why he was called a man after God's own heart.

Merry Christmas everyone Christmas is the best time of the year. There is joy, there is homecoming, there is sharing, there are cakes and appam and stew, there are lots of crackers. The year ends with a bang. Rejuvinated and renewed we go into the new year. I was often biased of the symbols of Christmas. I always thought they are remnants of customs and praxis. They are actually ghosts of what our forefathers meant with good intention, lost the purpose, yet stay as ornaments. I thought it was worthwhile to revisit what the symbols exactly mean. 1. Star - Star signifies the bright new star that appeared on the sky during Jesus birth. The wise men were led to Jesus by the star. Thus the symbol star signifies, the pointer to Jesus, the real morning star. 2. Candles - when there was no electricity, candles were used to light up the whole place. Now they have slowly given way to multicoloured LED lights and illuminations. Candles and decorative lights sig

Adam had no one except Eve to listen to,  For he forgot the ever present Help Cain listened to himself, when  He marked to slay his own brother Jacob had his mother Rebecca Advise him to cunningly grab blessings. Balaam needed a donkey To open up its mouth and show the angel Mary and Joseph chose to believe and  obey What the angel told them. So did Elizabeth and Zechariah Who believed the improbable Whom do we have, to listen To admonish, to advise God is our refuge, our everpresent help In times of trouble, His word says. Everyone else around is helpless And futile and feeble and vain. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet And a light unto my path. Keep me from deceitful ways;  Be gracious to me and teach me your law. The Word became flesh and  Made his dwelling among us. And I will ask the Father, and he will give  An advocate to help you and  Be with you forever -the  Spirit of truth. You know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. Here is God who is Almighty All Pow

At last the day has come The day of judgement and weighing  Nevertheless a doubt would come I'm doomed if would be judged God sat on the throne Ornamented with precious stones All men of all race Stood infront, Adam to me How huge the sea was, Sea of not waves and water But of sin, lust and greed In full form of manhood Wondered all, what's happening Some bereaved,  some peaceful Some yet wondering, what to do next Mixed emotions could I see. A huge thundering voice was heard Corners of the earth, it shook "Given I each of you a  span of life  To live in the beaitiful earth I created To tend it, to mend it To nurture it, to value relations, To love each other Come now to weigh your deeds,  To the judgement throne" By the score ad-lib and off the cub Formed groups, unhappy arrogant   and with closed fists Frowning and looking at each other And to the throne, with resentment Complaints raised, accusations came of the bar To the one not to be questioned Lend

I would be powerless to do anything against the will of the Lord my God - Balaam Yes the Lord is Sovereign - ultimately His will alone will happen. And whatever we try to do against it would be powerless and futile. Yet remember He is a good God, not a cruel one. So our job is to just trust in Him. Determination, Ambition, Focus and Striving hard are all good. But the underlying question has always to be " Is it your will?" Do not strive if it's not His will . Secondly, if an aparent ill thing happens in your life, work hard to rectify it. Moreover pray - Is it your will to let me go through this? If it is, what is it that you are trying to tell me? A sin to confess.  A prideful heart. Resentment or hatred. Is this some sort of pointer to a deeper rottenness. When we feel powerless, power comes from yielding to His will.

Though the Bible tells the story of Israel and how God led them, the Lord was also involved with other people and their lives. He dealt with others as well and spoke to them too. Balaam was a prophet sort of a person who lived in the banks of Euphrates river. Blessings fall on any people whom he blesses and curses fall on people whom he curses. And Balak the Moabite king seeks his help to curse Israel. The Lord talks to Balaam that night, not to curse the nation of Israel. A totally unrelated person to Israel, is dealt personally by the "God of Israel". Rahab was a prostitute and a Canaanite woman who was convinced that God would hand over her land to Israel. Ruth was a Moabitess, who got influenced by her mother in law. Nebuchadnezzar, a king of Babylon was convinced that there is no other God like the God of Shadrach, Mesach and Abednego who could rescue like this. Darius another Babylonian king, after seeing how Daniel was kept safe in the lion's den, passe

If mine eyes are not to see you, If mine words are not to praise you, If my thoughts stop thinking of you, If my day's not rolling with you.     What love I have for thee O Lord? If I pray without confidence, If I live with you not near me, If my life's not burning for you, If my deeds are not reflecting you.      What love I have for thee O Lord? Holy Saviour, Thou hast died for me My words and thoughts are to reflect Thee My walk should show your passion to me And my life should show completely.      What love You have for me O Lord.

He died for you: why don't you live for Him? He gave up everything for you: Why don't you gain every circumstance for Him? He died to receive you: why don't you live to please Him? He has given you moments of joy : why do you want to grieve Him? He suffered shame for you: why don't you gain fame for Him? He died for you on the cross: why don't you put to death your selfish desires? He was laid in the tomb for you for three days: why don't you stand for Him, through your life? He was called a sinner for you: why don't you be called a saint for Him? He loved you with His holy heart: why don't you love Him with your filthy heart?

When the Lord sets you on a path - that is the best for you, because He knows what is best for you. Here, because the Edomites refused to let Israel pass through their country to Canaan, they had to go around the land of Edom. And because Israel knew there was an easier way, they started to grumble. We tend to grumble when we compare. When we think there is an easier way. When we think the other way is better for us. When we think that way was more comfortable. God allows you to tread through this path dear one, not to make you comfortable but He knows the big picture and He knows what's best for you. He is not the one who tries all permutations and combinations in your life and guesses or tries to find out what's best for you. But He simply knows because He is the One creator God. So stop comparing with the other friend who has become successful and you are still struggling to meet ends. Stop comparing with the other sister who is multi-talented and acquires all pr

This is a story I heard a long time back. Once there was a boy and he was gifted a toy boat. He loved the boat. He played with it on the banks of the river. He ate his food with it. He slept with it. He took it to the school. He couldn't do anything without the toy boat.  One day while he was playing on the banks of the river with his boat, the wind took the boat away. The boat drifted farther and farther away from him till he lost it out of his sight. The boy was very sad that day that he lost his most precious possession. The boy couldn't think of doing anything without his toy boat. He couldn't play, he couldn't eat or drink. His father promised him another toy boat, but the boy could not be pacified. Such was his love to the boat. One day he walks through the streets to his school, he saw something astonishing. Behind the glass door of a shop, displayed for sale was his boat, worn and torn, with even his initials engraved on the rudder. The boy rushed to

Aaron was the chief of priests, selected by God Almighty Himself. Moses' own brother who was with him when he led the children of Israel from Egypt. Throughout the wilderness in Sinai, Zin and Paran we see Aaron hand in hand with Moses. Many a times we see him interceding for the children of Israel along with Moses. Now it's time for Aaron to join his ancestors in death. And Eleazar his son succeeds him. Why do we run after fame and acceptance and recognition? What is the span of time that we are talking about? How long? Why should we cling on? Or desire? A good leader not only leads from the front, but develops second line leaders. Aaron had to step out of the priestly garments and hand it over to Eleazar. Moses also had to chose Joshua as his successor. But King Saul never understood the joy of it. Do we find joy in doing things? Or delegating? Do we cling on? Or do we distribute? Second question that we need to ponder - Why do I love the lime light? Love, accepta

Israelites ask permission to Edomites, whether they could pass through to the promised land. Edomites are descendants of Esau - brothers indeed. But the king of Edom refuses. Let us peek into another person who was totally not related to the Israelites- yet behaved in an unprecedented way - Rahab. She was a Canaanite woman, who was enemies to Israel. But her faith was immense - "I know the Lord has given you this land". She helps the spies. Two contrasting people reacting in different ways to God's plans. One, a direct relative to the children of God, choosing not to be part of God's plan, ultimately becoming a constant pain for them. Revolting frequently against most of their kings (Saul, David, Solomon, Jehoshaphath) through the history of Israel, though they were vassals to them. One totally unrelated to them and involved in a heinous profession, helped them out of her faith in the God of Israel. Her destiny of being the great great grandmother of David

I can do nothing on my own. Any guesses who made this statement? Napolean? Alexander the great? Gandhiji? Abraham Lincoln? The truth is this statement was made by Jesus. Hold on. Is God Himself saying this?  If He says it how much more should we say it. All that we do in our lives, is not the outcome of our talents or our efforts or our hard work. It's all what God has given. Unless God gives the opportunity how do we do it? So do we give God the due credit. Rather than demanding for the word of appreciation  What is logically right? Many a times when we do things we desire that credit and appreciation and forget totally about God. We are so enamoured in being basked in the glory it gives. But we need to humble ourselves in saying apart from Him I can do nothing.

I'm happy and why should I not be 'Coz my Father has commanded - Rejoice always For He has taken my sins away No sin - no grief Child of God am I  No place to be distressed Child of God, with all privileges Co heir with Jesus. I'm peaceful and why should I not be 'Coz my Father has promised me Peace that passeth all understanding Though I may go through  the darkest valley I fear no evil, for Thou art with me Then why should I worry For I can't add an inch of my hair by worrying So sit back and relax. For He is my Lord I'm saved and why should I not be 'Coz my Father told "who ever  believes on me Shall not perish but have  eternal life" If from the depth of my heart I do believe That Jesus is Lord And He has taken care of my sins He will take care of my future too Both present and eternal. I'm being loved and why should I not be 'Coz my Father told that He loves me. For love's definition in itself is He The God shaped vacuu

At Kadesh, which was later called Meribah, people complaint against Moses and Aaron that they do not have water to drink. Moses is instructed to speak to the rock to provide water. But Moses out of his anger to the Israelites strikes the rock twice, and water gushes out. Num:20:12 But the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, because you did not trust me enough to demonstrate my holiness to the people of Israel, you will not lead them to the land I am giving them. WAIT! HOLD ON! What happened to Moses' purpose of life? Why was he called? Why punish him for such a small sin? This is injustice - Korah and the idol worshippers and the rebels and Moses all have the same punishment. Totally unfair? Let's look at it in a different perspective. In God's eye view. ⭐ God asks to speak to the rock, Moses strikes. Imagine the two scenarios and you are there in the scene. Where do you think His power would be established better? One shows God's power alone and the other is like

Whatever the situation is - whether he was running away from his enemies or Saul or even his own son - David always had this confidence when he prays - that God would hear him. Ps:5:1 Hear me as I pray. Ps:5:2 Listen to my cry for help. Ps:5:2 I pray to no one but you. Ps:5:3 Listen to my voice in the morning. Ps:5:3 Wait expectantly. Ps:5:7 Because of your unfailing love, I can enter your house. Such was his assurance and hope. When you are in distress, when your hearts are in trouble all you need is a listening ear. An ear which listens without a bias. Having someone to just listen to you when you want to talk is a relief and a blessing. And David realised this truth that only his God could do that. He knows your heart's plight for it was He who fashioned it. He knows the deepest feel of your heart because it was He who designed it. I write because I have the confidence that my Lover listens. the drawing disciple  draws because she is confident that He listens. Don Mo

Num:18:32 But be careful not to treat the holy gifts of the people of Israel as though they were common. To consider the things of God as common is irreverance.  Do I consider the things of God as silly, insignificant, not serious or unimportant? What about your time? What about your tithe? What about your worship? Last but not the least what about your life? Your whole being belongs to the Lord. Your life gains meaning and purpose only when it's linked to God. Here is something which I wrote about common some time back. Click on the link de rigueur

Num:18:20 The Lord said to Aaron, “You will have no inheritance in their land, nor will you have any share among them; I am your share and your inheritance among the Israelites. How do you take this statement God makes towards the tribe of Levi? Do you take it as a burden or injustice or consider it as unfair or silly? Do you take it as a privilege, undeserved mercy, kindness? "Ha, doesn't matter to me" "Hmm, the other was probably better" "Ok thank you, now what about the REAL inheritance? How will I meet my ends?" I say this because I'm a person who would think like that. Man's nature is to prioritise things which are concrete in front of his eyes and has a tendency to easily forget what's abstract. But what's really abstract and what's concrete? Which would last, that's more concrete right? Is the Lord so real to me that like the Korah sons I would say - I would rather be a door keeper in the house of my God (rele

One famous dialogue of the spiderman series.  As Kerala starts to walk to the polling booth today, this is one thing we need the candidates to remember.  Aaron, his sons and the tribe of Levi were given a great privilege to take care of the sanctuary. They were literally close to God, His presence and His glory. But they were also held responsible for any violations concerning the sanctuary or priesthood.  Our privilege is that we are children of God. John:1:12 1John:3:1 Rom:8:17 And the responsibility is 1Pet:1:16. Be holy as I am holy. The responsibility is to reflect your father. The responsibility is to not do things which hurt Him or bring Him pain. You cannot serve two masters. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in them. Will it be a compromise? A sacrifice? Not at all. A privilege. With great privilege comes great responsibility.

Num:17:8 He found that Aaron's staff representing the tribe of Levi had sprouted, budded, blossomed and produced ripe almonds. All the other staff representing the other tribes stayed the same and did not bear anything. By this they knew that God chose Aaron - by the buds and flowers and fruits. Matt:7:16 By their fruits you will recognise them. Matt:7:18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Bud/Flower/Fruit is the identification of a tree. We know this is a mango tree only when it bears mango fruit. Aaron's staff was that of almond, people realized it when it bore almonds. Similarly what we really is depicted by the fruit that we bear. Gal:5:19 When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear. What fruit do we bear? Impurity? Lustful pleasures? Idolatory? Quarrelling? Jealousy? Outbursts of anger? Selfish ambition? Envy? - the Word says those will not inherit the kingdom of God. Or is it love, joy, pe

Destiny is not a very favoured word in Christendom. But I want to use it in the context of Korah. Korah was a person who led a rebellion against Moses and Aaron including 250 people questioning who placed them as leaders. His rebellion was against God. He gets duly punished by God. The earth opens up and swallows him and his family. The story doesn't end there. In Psalms we see at least 11 Psalms entitled to someone known as Sons of Korah. This is so startling and soothing at the same time. One who started a rebellion against God, his very own sons becomes a writer of the Psalms which lasts for centuries. Their ancestor questions God, but the sons write  "my soul pants for you, my God.   My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God? " Korah asks God about his motives, his sons says I will put my hope in God. Your life's destiny is not determined what your ancestors did. No curse no sin of your father's is valid on your life. Provide

Num:17:1-11 Aaron's staff is budded. Who are we to grumble against the Lord's choice? Who are we to complain against the Lord's plan? The Lord's plan for us, might not be rationale and acceptable for us, because we in our futile mind has limitted knowledge of the big picture. Ps:2:1-2 Why do nations conspire And people's plot in vain The kings of the earth take their stand and rulers gather together against the Lord and against the Anointed one. Who are we to question the Lord. Jer:29:11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you not to harm you, plans to give you hope and future. It is a matter of trusting in God. That is the answer to grumbling, answer for all the questions. Why only me? Why do I have to go through all these? The Lord is in control and He is sure of what He is doing, dear one. He who started will finish. It is His business, not my headache. My purpose is to just trust and not doubt.

The very next day of Korah's rebellion and punishment he and his 250 supporters received, the children of Israel again started to mutter and murmur. The Lord is so furious and he sends a plague to kill all of them except Moses and Aaron. But Moses asks Aaron to burn incense and carry it out among the people in order to purify them and make them right with the Lord. While the plague was still going on Aaron runs through the community. Interceding is when you stand in that gap between God and the other person. Interceding ins not "your faith shall save him". But " your faith shall bridge the gap and God can work in his life" Is there a difficult friend? Is there a mentee still struggling? Is there a disobedient child? Is there injustice from authorities? Standing in the gap in these situations is not like a moderator where you talk and convince both the parties, but you pray that God would be kind to him and deal with him unconditionally. It might be i

"I have not done anything on my own" Moses wants Israel to remember that he has done everything based on God's commands. No selfish interests. Not to gain fame for his own name. Not to bless his family or descendants.                                             Num:14:12-13                                             Num:20:12                                             Num:12:7-8 The admonition we too as New Testament Christians have is to do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of others. Phil:2:3-4 Then it continues to say that this is the same attitude of Christ. When we look deep down into our hearts motive behind any of our acts, we see that self love and conceit in us that is behind our every deeds. That selfish ambition. That there is something to gain for me. May be a secret desire or satisfaction. May be a feeling of accept

Num:12 Aaron and Miriam rebels against Moses and they learned it the hard way that God is supreme and sovereign. Num:14 Aaron is seen alongside Moses to fall down to intercede for the whole community of Israel(v:5) Again when the Lord wants to punish the whole community, when the Lord communicates, Aaron is there shoulder to shoulder to Moses (v:26) Num:16 When Korah conspires, his complaints are against both Moses and Aaron (v:3)  And it's both Moses and Aaron together interceding for the whole nation, falling face down on the ground (v:22) A man who was instrumental in instituting idol worship in the community has known the living true God. A man who complained against his own brother on being the leader, has no ego now stands along with his brother to intercede for the country. When he had a genuine encounter with God, he understood the essence of his calling and becomes serious about it, serious about God. A man who feared men and paid heed to their desires, falls p

Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. What is your heart's deepest desire, will show where your priority is.? Is career in the deepest pocket of your heart. Is it money? Is it fame? Is it your friends circle? Dear one can it be God that you deeply desire? To know Him. To have an in-depth relation with Him. To commune with Him as Friend. Is He in any of the pockets? Do you restrict him to just one room in ur heart. Which you open when you pray and close it immediately. Like your pet? Is He like your wishmaker, to present your desires to him to get it done. Or is the room always open along with other rooms so that he has the key and he is there in all rooms? Has he become the shoulder to lean on. In sadness. To laugh with when you are merry. The counsellor. The caretaker. The fortress. Father. The refuge. The joy of our salvation. The King of Kings and Lord of Lords. And if even one room is kept closed to Him, we realize, that room is our treasure. More v