The halfbaked Bard

This is one phrase which brings in courage as well as encouragement. Confidence as well as comfort. Happiness as well as joy. This phrase is said to be told 366 times in the Bible - even to include Feb 29 which comes only once in 4 years. This encouragement comes from the all powerful, almighty, all knowing, King who is our Father. In Deutr:20 the Lord says - Do not be afraid because - The Lord is with you (v:1) - The Lord is going with you(v:4) - The Lord will fight for you (v:4) - The Lord will give victory (v:4) The fact that He is All Powerful God and the One who created everything is enough for you to trust His word. Yet He is your Father too and He loves you. Rom:8:31 If God is for us who can be against us? You might be standing face to face with the biggest challenge of your life. Exams. Decision about future. Fear of authority or someone greater than you Fear of unhitherto circumstances Whatever it is - your Father, the all powerful King says, Fear not. He is a good...

High above a hill in Israel Stood three trees elegant and graceful Stood they three happy and gay With expectations, ambitions and desires "Would I be a cradle That rocks the kingly and priestly" Says one, swaying and hustling in gentle breeze With hopes sailing high in the air "Would I be a big ship That takes things of value to others" Says the other, with hopes as high As the tallest mountain in Israel  "Would I be a tall tree, that grows and grows And take people to heaven A link from earth to heaven I'll be" The third tree had hopes as high as it's dream Days passed and years went Looking forward and hoping 'bout their dream With desires in their heart, dreams in their mind  And hopes on the air, they went along One bright morning came a man Near the first tree did he come Begin did he to cut the tree The joy the tree had, be put in no words The man a farmer was he Cut he the tree to make a manger The tree it's hopes did fl...

“But you may wonder, ‘How will we know whether or not a prophecy is from the Lord ?’ If the prophet speaks in the Lord ’s name but his prediction does not happen or come true, you will know that the Lord did not give that message. That prophet has spoken without my authority and need not be feared. Deuteronomy 18:21‭-‬22 NLT There are more than 350 prophesies about Jesus Christ by different prophets, kings and Psalmist in the old testament, which came true in the New testament. That itself shows the reliability of what they said, the dependability of the God behind them and the authenticity of the one person about whom they prophesied - Jesus Christ. To name a few. Gen:3:15 seed of woman (not man) - - predicts virgin birth Isa:7:14 born of a virgin Isa:9:6 a child is born - shows humanity of Christ Isa:11:1 Out of david's family Isa:50:6 He was spat up on Psa:41:9 betrayed by a familiar friend Dan:9:26 Died for the sins of the world. Killed before destruction of the t...

“When he sits on the throne as king, he must copy for himself this body of instruction on a scroll in the presence of the Levitical priests. He must always keep that copy with him and read it daily as long as he lives. That way he will learn to fear the Lord his God by obeying all the terms of these instructions and decrees. This regular reading will prevent him from becoming proud and acting as if he is above his fellow citizens. It will also prevent him from turning away from these commands in the smallest way. And it will ensure that he and his descendants will reign for many generations in Israel. Deuteronomy 17:18‭-‬20 Though these were the instructions given to the king of Israel, it is equally relevant and pertinent to us, common man. To have a regular time with God is so imperative in our daily living. To fear the Lord To obey His decrees To keep ourselves from being proud To remind us of His statutes How astute are we dear ones to hear from our Lord on a daily bas...

This is a very frequent term that the Lord tells the Israelites. He often reminds them to  - remember they were slaves once in Egypt. - remember they once lived in temporary shelters in the wilderness. - remember how the Lord has led you through the desert, splitting the Red Sea, providing for you water, manna and meat. Remembering what you have gone through, how the Lord has led you is an important task to do to reorient ourselves and our views about life. While remembering, it is advised to look at things at a different perspective, in a wider angle - to look at the consequences and how it would have ended up had it taken the normal course or a different turn. Remembering helps us in many ways * It brings gratitude and thankfulness to the One who organized. * It brings humility when you feel proud of what you are and where you are now. * It brings joy if you are sad of your present circumstances. * It brings trust, knowing He who led you this far, will lead you furthe...

Ps:11:1   I trust in the Lord for protection Trusting is putting your faith. Trusting is putting your hope.  Trusting is clinging on. Trusting is not finding aid in anything else. Not flying like a bird to the mountains for safety. Which is trusting in your ability to fly, or your wings or the mountains. v:1b What do you trust in? If you fall sick, do you trust in your bank balance, or your health insurance or God? About your children's future do you trust in your investments or God? About your future do you put your trust on your desires, plans and ambitions or God? When uncertainties come, where do you look up to? Trust in the Lord with all your heart, lean not on your own understanding. In all of your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your path straight. Pro:3:5-6 Don't be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead fear the Lord and turn away from evil. Then you will have healing of your body and strength of your bones. Pro:3:7-8 You can go to bed without ...

Psalm:10:1 O Lord, why do you stand far away? Why do you hide when I am in trouble? Do you think God is far away from you? That you are alone in this? Do you think God has deserted you so that you would find a solution alone? Do you think you have to face this huge giant all alone? The truth is (v:16) The Lord is king forever and ever. No matter what you feel, the fact is that He reigns supreme. Are you in a difficult situation dear one? Be sure that He is still in control? Be sure that He is not just the King, but this King is your Father too. Psalm:91:11-12 For He will order your angels to protect you wherever you go. They will hold you up with their hands so you up with their hands so you won't even hurt your foot on a stone. Psalm:121:8 The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go both now and forever. Psalm:91:14 The Lord says, "I will rescue those who love me I will protect those who trust in my name  When they call on me I will answer I will be with them...

Deutr;13:4 Cling to Him. Cling is a very peculiar word. It meansbto hold on tightly to and not loosen the grip. No matter what. The Bible often tells about clinging , with respect to our relationship with God. Deutr:10:20 Josh:23:8 Cling to the Lord as you have done today 2 Kings:18:6 About King Hezekiah. He clung to the Lord and he did not depart from following Him. Jer:13:11 Just like a waistband clings on to the waist of a man Clinging is loyalty Clinging is faithfulness Clinging shows your trustworthiness Clinging is Love. Do you cling on to Jesus, no matter what?

Deutr:12:4 Do not worship the Lord your God in the way these pagan peoples worship their gods. There is a desired way that God wants us to worship Him. 1. First and the most important of it all. Seek the Lord your God (v:5). Knowing God and trying to find Him out is the biggest act of worship. Where in you say. I need You. I'm not self sufficient. I depend on You. Only by seeking we know the character of God and why He is worthy of our worship. And that's why it's the most important act of worship. 2. Offer your sacrifices.  And when sins have been forgiven, there is no need to offer any more sacrifices. Hebrews 10:18 No more sacrifices are required literally. Coz everything is dealt with on the cross. Hence the sacrifice He expects of us in our act of worship are different. Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God , that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. Hebrews 13:15 The sacrifice you desire is a broken spi...

Moses narrates their own story of rebellion to God, God's anger, later how God chose to forgive them, love them and care for them and how God has been faithful to Himself in taking Israel through to the promised land. He now asks Israel a question. Deutr:10:12. What does the Lord your God require of you? He lists - Fear the Lord                 Live in a way that pleases Him                 Love Him                 Serve Him with all your heart and soul                 Obey the Lord's commands and decrees V:17 For the Lord your God is the God of gods and the Lord of Lords. He is the great God, the mighty and awesome God. So is He like that rich orphan kid who needs love and friendship? Not at all. He is not so bereft of love that He needs us to fill that gap. He is the God of love that loves you and because He is fait...

This is the promise that Moses gave the Israelites as they were about to cross Jordan into the promised land. Deutr:9:3. The land they were about to conquer was unknown territory. Few spies had gone there some time back and reported to have seen giants there. They didn't know what lies ahead. Yes! The Lord has promised, but there was lots of uncertainties. You might be taking up a new course in a totally unknown area. You might be being called for a new job, but you are not sure. Watching kids, we too realize we are like them, unsure whether to venture out into unknown arena. We need to underpin this in our hearts. The Lord goes before you. If He has called you, He will finish it, for He is faithful. Deutr:9:29 We are His special possession. And most importantly, the Lord goes before you to arrange things for us. I have enough examples in my life, which retrospectively I could see God's hand arranging things for me, even when I was uncertain to venture out into unkn...

       Why did God allow this in my life?        I have been faithful. Then why me? Why do tests or difficult situations come in our lives? Why does God allow it? Our minds are filled with many questions when we face many trials. When life takes an unexpected turn. When all you expected was a smooth road to tarry, life welcomes you with bumps and ditches and rocky terrain. Why does God allow trials? Israel also had a similar question. The Lord has called us from Egypt. Why the wilderness? Why Marah? Why the Red sea? Why no bread? Why no meat? Why no water? So many questions. One answer. Deutr:8:2 " this humbling you testing you to prove your character" James:1:2 When troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. When we had fallen, we had been marred in everyway. Especially in our faith and trust. Because of lack of trust only, Adam and E...

Why did God choose me? Because He thought I'd follow Him faithfully? Because He thought I'd not sin after knowing Him? Because He thought I'd never disappoint Him? Yet I've only followed my ways I've only sinned and fallen short I've only disappointed Him more and more. Why did God choose me? Was it because like Israel I would be numerous? Was it because I had been good throughout my life? Was it because of the good deeds that I do? Yet I'm the smallest just like Israel  I'm fully dirty, in my thoughts, words and deeds All of them are like filthy rags, before the holy God. Why did God choose me? Because my ancestors were prayerful and godly? Because my family has a good name? Because my forefathers were faithful in church? God had promised He would lavish unfailing love In thousands of generations, for those who obey. Yet God chose me personally, insignificant as I am. Why did God choose me? Worthless as I am, Rebellious as I am There is no o...

Deutr:6:25 For we will be counted as righteous when we obey all the commands the Lord out God has given us. Thus is what the Jews talk of their law. Doing everything that the law commands, makes you righteous. But is it possible? May be outwardly you will be able to show that you are doing everything right. That you worship no idols, that you would not murder or steal, that you would observe the Sabbath. But what about sins of the heart - about covetousness? About the greatest commandment of it all (as described by Jesus) - to love the Lord with all your heart with all your soul and with all your strength? Will anybody genuinely be able to say, I have obeyed it all? Jesus says looking lustfully at a woman, you have already committed adultery. (which includes pornography too. But what about your daily looks?) He also says if you are even angry with someone you are subject to judgement. If you call someone a fool you are in danger of being brought before the court. If you cu...

Deutr:4:29 And if you search for Him with all your heart and soul, you will find Him. What a promise? A God who says I'm your very great reward also extends His promise that if we search fo Him genuinely He will be found. What is it that we search desperately in our lives dear one? What is the one thing that we search for - for that is what we search genuinely with all our heart and mind and soul. Wanting to know Him more! Wanting to taste His love a bit more than yesterday! Do I want to love Him more? Ask and you shall receive Seek and you will find Knock and the door will be opened to you.

Ever since I remember I know I'm in that ditch Deep and lonely and somber With none to cater to And pour my problems on It was then when I saw A loving gleaming face at the mouth Stretching His wounded strong hands To pull and fetch me out In a moment I was up in solid ground I was ugly and untidy Full of filth and shame from the ditch All sorts of rotten things on me But He poured love from His wounds He cleansed me by His blood "Run from these woods To the sole source of light by far If you linger and look to these beaming branches You are likely to fall again For many are the ditches", says He But me not paying heed Watching the beauty of nature Not seeing the traps of the enemy Many times I fell and hurt Only to get back disappointed Crying with a heavy heart I said "It's enough" Focus on the light was His word Which I so dearly missed Now I changed mine eyes to the light  And in it alone was my desire The words of the one who saved me Rang o...

The day was calm and The sky was clear The lake was still and The wind was dear      I saw myself with my Jesus      He and me alone      I was in a boat with Jesus      He and me alone He taught me the realities of life He taught me the ups and downs I thought He did strife In due course of His life.      Now I see myself with Him      He was a breeze of comfort      Sharing my experiences with Him      Walking with me on the shore On our way did we see A bearded man with a brooding back Strolling toward Jesus and me Wearing a pure white gown he came      I asked Jesus who he was      He said "Father Abraham was he"      Overjoyed, jumping like a foal was I       'Coz my role model was he Abraham came to us, bowed before Him I was joyous to talk to him "I've respected your faith" I said "It w...

Moses badly wanted to go the promised land, he pleaded But all the Lord had to say was "Say of it no more" Because of your sin and anger you will not. You may go to Mount Pisgah and see from a distance He said, there is something better I want you to have No for an answer, how well you take it No for an answer is only an apparent heartbreak Just like Moses, should we not accept For He says, plans to prosper you I have for you Both in this world and in the world to come He has wonderful amazing awesome plans for you It all starts with trusting in "say of it no more" Not heartbroken, but excited Not bereft of hope, but fixing eyes on the One "Say of it no more" actually means Welcome to experiencing something better

Ps:9:18 But the needy will not be ignored forever The hopes of the poor will not always be crushed. In contrary to the world's teaching of hoarding, accumulating and storing up for yourself, the Lord has always been pro poor. His heart has been close to the needy. No other reason could I find, when He chose to be born in a carpenter's family In a manger was He born. He could have very well be born or brought up in a palace or a mansion atleast. (Like what He did for Moses) No other reason why He would say "Foxes have dens, the birds have nests, but the son of man has no place to lay His head" Statue called homeless Jesus we saw in the city of Capernaum, which depicts the normal way that Jesus would have slept many nights. He hasn't hoarded anything for Himself. Why do we hoard? Why should we think of investment. How can we not think of helping others in need when we have money in our bank? We think of investing in places, where we get good returns.  Bu...

Am I not being silly when I say? I follow Christ and am God's child, Yet still love the world and it's way With all its traps fiery and wild Knowing still it gives me no lasting joy It's lust, it's greed, it's pride, it's grudge All futile - immense pleasure it gives For the moment it arrives Not for that which follows Why should I go after misleading fiction This giving air of relations The rat race of this world No values for love and affection When lasting fruit He has promised Love, joy, peace - all for eternity From the unstoppable I'm quenched From the unquestionable, I'm answered From the lavish giver, I'm satisfied Oh! What joy to be close to Him To be corrected when He corrects To be moulded as He desires And revert back when He directs A lively relation, an affectionate touch A lovely hug, a caring kiss I'm filled, I'm full, I'm satisfied For I'm His and He is mine. This eternal God is mine forever. Amen

What a relevant and genuine and legitimate question? The significance of the question is, when we consider the vastness and magnanimity of God's creation. David exclaims this when he looks into the heavens and sees the moon and the stars. Millions and millions of galaxies with crores of stars and planets. One tiny galaxy is the milkyway. One tiny star of them all is our sun. And one of the 8 planets is our earth, the pale blue dot, our home. When we look at the earth too, what variety. Trees, animals, birds, fishes, mountains, hills, valleys, icebergs, oceans, waterfalls. Out of them all, God chose to create mankind in His own image and likeness- made Him only a little lower than God. And He is mindful of us. But we have been marred by our own rebellion against Him. We have deserted him. Yet He is mindful of us. That is why He chose to stoop down and come to save us from our plight. Died on the cross and raised on the third day. And is coming back to take us home. Becau...

Num:35:34 You must not defile the land where you live For I live there myself I am the Lord who lives among the people of Israel. The Lord lives among the people of Israel - Immanuel I live there myself - Jehovah Shammah You must not defile the land - Jehovah Mekoddishkem How serious we need to be about our lives that because of his presence in our lives we need to purge out every gross from our lives?

The Israelites are about to cross the River Jordan and set their foot 👣 on the promised land. The first thing that God tells them is to set their boundaries. In all directions, God gives them specific instructions to set it. To know their boundaries. As children of God we need to know our boundaries as well. Just as setting boundaries in the promised land was important, knowing your boundaries in your Christian life is as pertinent. So that sin won't creep in. So that you would know what to do and what not to do. Social activists would say, this is not freedom as promised. It feels like a cage rather than a free nation. We need to understand that freedom is not being able to do whatever you want. Freedom is being able to do whatever you are expected to do. Freedom is not wayward living. Freedom is not lawless living. Freedom is living within your boundaries. Be aware that sin might encroach subtly and gradually take away the freedom and your peace away and definitely t...

‘When you cross the Jordan into Canaan, drive out all the inhabitants of the land before you. Destroy all their carved images and their cast idols, and demolish all their high places. Numbers 33:51‭-‬52 ‘But if you do not drive out the inhabitants of the land, those you allow to remain will become barb in your eyes and thorns in your sides. They will give you trouble in the land where you will live. Numbers 33:55 Just before the Israelites cross over Jordan River to the promised land, this is the instruction God gave Moses to them. To purge out and drive out all paganism. It might look attractive, but make sure it's driven out. Because unless you do that, it will remain as an everpresent splinter (barb) in your eye and thorn on your side irritating you, pestering you, disturbing you and often taking you away from God. Sin has to definitely come out once you decide to follow Christ (though it's an ongoing process). But there are also things which apparently look ha...

Ps:7:9 For you look deep within the mind and heart. What your motive is behind every action, God knows. This is the same thing God told Samuel about David  1 Sam:16:7 The Lord doesn't see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart. So it's time we too think of our motives. Why do we do the things we do? Is there a hidden agenda for all my actions. - Appreciation from others? - Self satisfaction and gratification? We need to refocus our lives and think why we do our ministry, why we listen to the music we hear, why we listen to messages, why we watch our playlist in youtube, why we give alms? May be our motive is all good. But is there even an iota of self centredness involved? God sees that. May God help us to purge all self gratification and be more God oriented.

For they have wholeheartedly followed God This is Moses' testimony of Joshua and Caleb They had no stones left unturned in their life  Every aspect of theirs was open before God They pursued what God wanted without fail They just absolutely trusted God. No matter what They fully desired and wanted what He planned They knew He had plans to prosper, not to harm And therefore they alone claimed the promised land They alone, out of all people who set out from Egypt Could see, touch and taste what they were called for Their faith, their trust, their clinging on, really mattered.

After the battle with the Midianites, while dividing the plunder amongst them, it was instructed to Moses and Eleazar to tell the Israelites to first give the Lord His share of the plunder. Does God need money? Isn't the whole world His? Why should you give money to the church? People will misuse it. It is an instruction that the Lord has given. To give His share- though the earth is fully His. 1 Cor:4:7 What do you have that God hasn't given you? So giving is not making your church look richer. Giving is not making your temple more magnificent and pompous and gaudy. Giving is out of gratitude of what you have received. Out of indebtness of what you have received you give, be it for the needy or for the spread of the Word. That's why Jesus said the widow had put in more. With an attitude of gratitude she gave. When we think of giving we often constrain ourselves in thinking of money alone. Equally important (or even more I would say) is TIME. What is the fractio...

I have wondered why God had punished the Israelites alone for the sin they committed in Num:25. After all it was the Midianites who seduced them to sin, and why did they go unpunished. Does God punish only Israelites because they are chosen people? We often tell this to our children _ we discipline or punish because we love you. But we need to understand this aspect of God - That He is Sovereign. He loves us all and No sin goes unpunished. His justice reigns over all. We see the punishment to the Midianites who allured the Israelites to worship baal of Peor in Num:31 The Lord is Sovereign - He possesses all authority and supreme power. And sin is something which He abhors. Out of His sovereign power He will judge sin in everyone's life. Sometimes I think others are not being punished or disciplined the way I am. Children always compare between themselves regarding disciplining. But the Lord will never let any sin go unpunished. " Sinners will have no place among th...

Be true to Abba Not to cover things up. For He is watching over you. Be open to Abba Not to hide from Him. He knows you in and out. Be submissive to Abba Not to be adamant. He needs a helpless heart. Be loving to Abba Not to love anything more. Even your own self. Be faithful to Abba. Not place your feet in two boats. He yearns for your seeking heart. Be joyous in your Abba. Not to be sad or disappointed. Rejoice always is His command. Be always praying to Abba Not to solve it all yourself. He loves an evertrusting heart. Be what God wants you to be. Not the plans you have for you. Perfect and wonderful plan He has for you.

Num:30:2 A man who makes a vow to the Lord or makes a pledge under oath must never break it. He must do exactly what he said he would do. A man who keeps his word is considered as a man of dignity, a man of integrity and a man who is trustworthy. Though conceptually we concur to this, we live in a world of broken promises and unfulfilled new year resolutions. Many diaries have started with a list of desires and plans for the new year on 1/1/__ only to be disappointed and failed on the very next page. We start with a desire and enthusiasm on day 1 only to bend it for our conviniences later on. Many a gyms which were busy on Jan 1, becomes deserted and desolate later on. We have started many a diaries, but to the end of the year most of the pages are still unwritten. Why are we so inconsistent? Why so fluctuating and conflicting? A man's word should be as good as his bond - John D Rockfeller Jr. Out of our unfulfilled promises come the lack of trust people have in us. Out...

Let's hope for the best To look forward and rest Hope is to believe in zest For future, though now in any quest. Hope is the reason to live It pushes us to thrive It yearns us to hard strive That's the one which keeps us alive. When the world is in the shadow A tiny virus, its in the all time low It's all friends, no foe, now Hopes it for a remedy anew. When you are left all alone Hope pushes you not to frown And when you are left with none Still believe, you've everyone But hope is truly not of this world To eternal life it does unfold Our souls to the enemy was sold Hope tells, to His bosom you're called In His image was I made It was from there, I did fade When on the cross, He was laid I was bought back, like precious jade. Hope sustains me to persist Hope prompts me from sin to desist Hope gives me a future, He insists Hope reveals He is no heist So cling on, my dear one To the promise of the only One That He wouldn't leave us alone But come and...

Num:28:2 The offerings you present as special gifts are a pleasing aroma to me. They are my food. Whereas in Psalm:40:6 It says you take no delight in sacrifice or offerings Same thing David says in Psalm:51:16 - You do not desire a sacrifice. You do not want a burnt offering. Hence we conclude that it's not the sacrifice perse that God desires. In Psalm 40 we continue to read about taking joy in doing your will. It describes about a heart on which His instructions are written. Similarly in Psalm 51 we continue to read of the sacrifice that God actually desires, that is a broken spirit. A broken and contrite heart God will not reject. 1Sam : 15:22 To obey is better than sacrifice So what we understand is that God is not focussing on the sacrifice as such. But the heart behind it. If it's ritualistic or superficial, it doesn't please Him. But if it's a genuine act of worship from the depth of my heart, it's a pleasing aroma to Him. A genuine heart that...