The halfbaked Bard

Judg:13 When the angel of the Lord came to meet Manoah's wife to give her good news of the birth of their child, she immediately ran to her husband. Manoah believed her and prayed to God to let the angel appear to them again. In this world of lack of mutual trust and respect, Manoah is an example. Now husbands do not trust their wives, neither do wives take their husbands seriously. Authorities look down upon their subordinates with contempt. Friends and co workers always do or say things which demean each other and talk behind their backs. Parents take the opinion of their children as silly and snub them. What we need is a belief that everyone is important in God's eyes. A jannitor is as important as the doctor in the hospital. A student is as important as the teacher. Each have different roles to play which the Lord has entrusted. Each man has his own identity. A particular focus on the family. As husbands do we look down upon our wives' opinion, considering t...

Judg: 12 Jephthah has finished his battle against the Ammonites and that is when Ephraim comes for a fight against him, asking him why he didn't call them for the battle which is won. The people from Ephraim were trouble makers always. In a similar situation they argue with Gideon after his victory over Midianites in chapter 8. But Jephthah says in v:12 "I summoned  you at the beginning of the dispute, but you refused to come. You failed to help us in our struggle against Ammon." Dear ones, now us the time to join our brothers and sisters who are fighting this pandemic. They seek help. Let's not sit in our comfortable couches and say I and my family are safe. Now is the time to join the battle and help them in this war. Do whatever you could. Atleast you can pray. Intercede for the country. The nation is in totter right now. Authorities are helpless. Healthcare workers are understaffed. Medical support system is crashing. They need help. We need help. Plea...

Jephthah's storyline has a tragic chapter of Mizpah, his daughter. Probably that's the most well known leaf of his story. That he kept his vow to the Lord  That he is a man of integrity. That though Mizpah wept because she would die a virgin and have no children, though she had all the reasons and chances to run away and save herself, she came back so that her father could keep the vow. They were people with integrity to the Lord (in line with yesterday's blog). Give to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's. Mk:12:17 What is God's? Your whole life. Your being. Your character, what you are! What you have! Your assets, your knowledge, your family, your time. Your entire life. Dear one, to yield to the Lord's control, your entire life, because you are His - is the vow you need to keep, that shows your integrity. Not to run after your ambitions, personal and selfish desires which will satisfy your own belly and heart, though it seems the n...

Integrity - the quality of being honest. It means to act / behave / think consistently in one particular manner. Every man has integrity. There is no such thing as lacking it. Instead a man changes his standards and believes because of his integrity to his own self, to protect himself, to make fruitful his own interests. He is loyal to his own self. Hence integrity always  has a second part for its own. Who are you loyal to? Like Loki in Marvel comics. He is always loyal to himself and his beliefs. His number one priority is himself. Yet he is not a man without integrity.  Ps:26:1 For I have acted with integrity I have trusted in the Lord without wavering. If I am a man of integrity, the question that naturally comes along with it whom do I want to satsify. If it's my own self, then I shift stands and fail to trust in Him always. If God and bringing glory to His name is my numero uno priority then I would keep trusting in Him, no matter how bad the situation I'm in...

Judg:11 Jephthah being a son of a nobody was chased away from Gilead by even his own brothers. Though he was a warrior, he was not given much value. You might be looked down upon, you might be considered of little value. But there is a God who sees. He is the one who vindicates. He will raise you up in due time. When Ammonites attacked Israel, it was Jephthah whom they turned to. It's not about getting that glory (which ultimately should go to God). It is not about being loved and accepted by others (for you are already loved and accepted by God). I'm not talking about God would bring justice or "if God be for us who can be against us" verses. I'm saying that there is a God who considers you when no one considers. He loves you and accepts you when you are in your deepest pit. He is a God who never leaves you. Nor does He forsake you. Never judges, always compassionate. Never points his finger. Always waits with arms open wide. Always has you in His min...

Judg:10 The Israelites realize their mistake of rebellion and abandoning their God. They cry out to God in their distress and confess of their sin. The Lord's response shows how much hurt He is by Israel's action. Go and cry out to the gods you have chosen. We might mistake Him for abandoning Israel but finally in v:16 we read And He was grieved by their misery.! A God who feels with us, grieves when we suffer. Jesus at the death of Lazarus, wept. He very well knew He would bring Lazarus back to life, but seeing the consequence of sin, seeing the loss of Martha and Mary, seeing the plight of mankind, He weeps. Isa:53:3 He was a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. Yes my dear brother / sister - We have a God who grieves with us. 1️⃣ Seeing our plight and what we have to go through 2️⃣ Seeing the general consequence of sin and punishment and hardening of heart and rebellion of mankind. Seeing the plight of this world He so beautifully created. This is not how I ...

The cycle of oppression -->followed by rescuing by a judge -->followed by rebellion and doing evil in the eyes of the Lord --> followed by anger of the Lord is such a predictable one for Israel. Whenever things go fine with them, they start serving other gods, rebelling against their one true God. Whenever they are oppressed they cry to the Lord. It's easy to judge them, asking "How could they?" The question we need to ask is "How are we?" When things go fine for us, do we passionately follow Him or call on His name as much as when we are in trouble? Do we go after seeking other gods - money, fame, acceptance, self love? Dear one, can we vow that we would call on Him with the same passion always? Can we pledge our allegiance to Him? He never backed out from His plan to save us! Let us not be complacent when things go well with us. And that sort of allegiance does not come with determination or fear or seeking good for yourself. It comes from...

Man being finite, is not able to see the big picture and take his decisions - where to go, what to do, all depends on his beliefs and instincts that this way is good. His intuitions are based on guidances he receives from his well wishers and people who have already trodden the path. He needs guidance, he needs opinions. But more precisely he needs someone to lead Him all the way. But only someone whom he is sure of. Trusting in a God who is Sovereign and knows it all is worthwhile rather than grappling in the dark. Ps:25:3 No one who trusts in you will ever be disgraced  V:4 Show me the right path O Lord Point out the road for me to follow V:8 He shows proper path to those who go astray V:9 He leads the humble in doing right teaching them His way V:10 The Lord leads with unfailing love and faithfulness V:12 He will show them the path they should choose Isa:30:21 Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you saying, This is the way...

Disgrace - word meaning - loss of reputation or respect. So there was respect, but that's lost because of a shameful act or behaviour.  To be ashamed or disgraced is to lose your identity amongst your peers. To be disgraced is to lose your stand in the community. To be disgraced is to be looked upon in that same way always, losing your credibility. Something you would be fearful to happen in your life. Something you want to avoid. Something you would pray not to happen. It's not about being man pleaser or not. It's about your integrity. David prays the same prayer in Psalm:25:2 Do not let me be disgraced. The key to this prayer is to trust in Him. V:3 No one who trusts in you will ever be disgraced. Cling on to Him. Persistently follow Him. He will never leave you nor forsake you. Nothing formed against you will stand.

Abimelech was one of the sons of Gideon and because he wanted to be king on his own he decided to do things his own way. He hires reckless troublemakers. He kills his own brothers. He conspires with his uncles. Whatever said and done, all evil starts in Shechem out of this one person's selfishness. Selfcentredness, selfishness and self love are harmless evils which lead a man to wretched heinous crimes. In order to fight for your own desires you would stretch the limit for anything to grab for your own. Loving yourself is a good attribute and etiquette but so much so that everything else is harnessed and manipulated to satisfy that desire! That is why Jesus asked to hate your own self. To love your neighbour as yourself. Phil:2:3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit but in humilty consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others

It's not starting well, but ending well that matters. Gideon had his own doubts, his own struggles, but at one point of time, he decides to believe and do amazing things for God. But all did not end well for Gideon. Not that he sinned. But what he did left a negative impact on future generations. When offered to be the ruler of the nation, the alluring post of first king of Israel, he rightly says- "I will not rule over you, nor will my son. The Lord will rule over you." Yet he asks to bring a gold earring each and makes an ephod and establishes it in his home town. The word says, it became a snare for Gideon and his family. It becomes a place of idol worship and prostituition for Israelites. What legacy do you leave behind? The habits my children emulate? The qualities my juniors want to follow. The character I want others to see. Is it love for money and savings. Is it craving for fame and recognition and acceptance. Or is it desire to fly high the banner of...

Psalm:24:3 Who may climb the mountain of the Lord? Who may stand in His holy place? A question that the Psalmist asks as an introspection, to self, as a desire. His longing is to climb the holy mountain and stand in the magnificent presence of his God, just like Moses did. As he realises his Father's holiness and thence his wretchedness he pens down, "those whose hands and hearts are pure" We, wretched as we are, can gain access to this Holy God's presence only with cleansing and purification. That is what happened on the cross. It is His righteousness that He has bestowed upon us. It is our punishment that He received there. So that we could gain access to His presence, to Him. But do you value it? Do you honour that right relationship with God? One day anyway, you will have to stand before Him. Whether you are washed by His blood would become the rate limiting step then. Whether you valued your relationship with God would then matter.

Judg:8:4 Though exhausted, they continued to chase the enemy. Do not lose hold of the bridle Continue fighting. Continue resisting the devil No matter how tired you are. No matter how discouraged you are. No matter how exhausted and exasperated you are. Keep holding on to God who gives you strength. Keep saying no to the enemy.  The enemy comes to steal and to kill and to destroy. But our eternal Father gives abundant life. The life He intended it to be. Life in its fullness. The enemy's lies are to destroy you. So keep saying no to that. Do not believe what he says. No matter what.

Gideon had to just blow horns He did not have to literally fight He did not have to take the sword and slay Just had to blow horns Gideon had to just obey God. Just believe in what he heard from the valley And be encouraged as the Lord said Just had to obey He just had to absolutely trust Him. No fighting. No planning Just as the Lord said would happen. This is what he was called to believe. He just had to watch his enemy Fight against each other. A man who doubted, is called to trust He just had to believe. Dear one when you are called to fight. The victory is already won. Our Lord has finished the work Just as He did on the cross, He will do it daily. Just trust, just be available. But keep resisting, keep saying no to the enemy Do not strive on your own. Just blow the horns of praise.

Imagine you are in the story of Gideon. You go along with Gideon to the valley where the enemy Midianite army have camped and you hear one of the enemy soldiers mentioning Gideon's name and that God has given him victory. From the mouth of someone who doesn't even know him. Goosebumps all over, you would bow down and worship before the Lord, just as Gideon. This is what God said. Judg:7:11 Listen to what the Midianites are saying and you will be greatly encouraged. Then you will be eager to attack. Keep your eyes open, you will be awestruck by the ways the Lord is trying to communicate to you. And when you truly realize that, you will end up worshipping Him- every day, every moment is Christ telling you. YOU ARE MINE.

Selecting 300 people out of round about 32000 to fight a mighty army is a daunting task but foolishness in the world's eyes. But the Lord says it is because, otherwise, the Israelites will boast to me that they have saved themselves by their own strength. That's why the Lord chooses people who were even too disabled to stoop down to drink water. 300 helpless people, but not afraid because the Lord is with them. You might be utterly disabled and helpless of the situation you are in now. But do not lose courage. Do not be afraid. The Lord is with you.

When I look at Gideon, I see myself. More than Elijah, I feel Gideon is more like me. Always having doubts, asking for signs. Asking queries to God. Lacking confidence in doing things for God. But yet the fact that Gideon was used mightily by God, challenges me and encourages me. I can be of use too. He strengthens. He empowers. He was called mighty warrior even before he accomplished anything. You and I are mighty warriors for God because He chose us, not because we have achieved any good thing But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 1 Corinthians 1:27 

Though Gideon is a man of doubts, asking for proofs, we see in Judg;6:25-32 him moving into action.  The Lord tells him to destroy the altar of Baal and breakdown Asherah pole. And build an altar for the Lord in the right way. Break down all evil. Whatever the Lord convicts you. Jealousy, anger, bitterness, malice, harsh words, slander. Take radical steps. And build the right things. Kindness, tenderheartedness, forgiveness Eph:4:31-32

When Gideon realized that it was an angel of the Lord he was talking to, he got scared and prayed to God. God promised him he wouldn't die, because he saw the angel face to face. Knowing the presence of the Lord in that place, knowing that the Lord is with him, out of gratitude he builds an altar to the Lord, and names the place Jehovah Shalom, which means the Lord is peace. Wherever the Lord is, there is peace. Shalom is one name of God which describes Him.  It is the third of the fruit of the Holy Spirit. Jesus promises rest and peace to anyone who is weak and heavy laden. John:14:27 - Jesus says, Peace I leave to you, my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives, do I give to you. And we are called to be peacemakers and peacemakers are promised to be called children of God -Matt:5:9 In this time of uncertainties and unrest, peace is something which everyone desires. As nations, as authorities as common people. And anyone who offers peace or offers to be a peacemake...

The Lord chose Gideon not because he was a mighty warrior. He was the least in his clan and his clan was the weakest in his tribe. He was full of doubts and was asking many signs. His heart was confused as to why the Lord is doing this to Israel then. Yet the Lord chose him. Dear one, the Lord has chosen you for a purpose not because of your merits, not your faith, nor any of your good habits. It is all grace. And that good thing or purpose can be accomplished by you alone. May be playing the second fiddle. May be working behind the stage. May be a listening ear. May be preaching. May be encouraging the youth. May be songs and worship. That one good thing only you can do, as enabled by God. So humble yourself more. Submit more to the One who gives more strength. Lean not on your own understanding. Do not be proud of your abilities or even your call. Saul was the tallest amongst other men. Though he became king, he ultimately disappointed God. David was the most unassuming a...

Psalm:23:4 Eventhough I walk through the valley of shadow of death I fear no evil For you are with me. If you ask me which is your favourite verse in the Scripture, this is it. There is so much intimacy and love written all over it. Till v:4 God was being addressed as "He". The moment I go through the valley of shadow of death, "He" becomes "You". God becomes personal because God is with me when I go through the valley. Even when I deserted Him. Even when everybody else has left me. He is there with me. What else do I want in my life. A friend. A shoulder to lean on, when there seems to be none.

Judg:4 Do not sleep like Siserah When the war is going on Do not be lazy or complacent When things seem fine, in the backdrop of war. You're in a warfare, dear one Against not flesh and blood But against the principalities of this world That's what you're fighting against. The devil is restless 'Coz you have moved out of his fold And joined his enemy's army He knows he has lost you forever Now his war is against you to bring you down 'Coz he knows he cannot wage war against Him Be on the alert His strategies are all subtle, not quiet overt. A small lie, which doesn't harm anyone Gosipping and talking behind back is fun, he whispers Porn is the new norm, everyone sees it Being self centred and selfish is loving yourself Jealousy and envy is normal for man, he mutters Social drinking is acceptable and needed For you to survive, he lies For he is the father of lies, the deceiver. But be alert, resist him And he will flee from you Not seeing your str...

Judg:4:8 Barak told her, I will go but only if you go with me. When God gives you an opportunity, to work for Him, to serve Him, to glorify His name through your life - do not give excuse like Barak. May be because of your inadequacy May be because of your lack of confidence. May be becuase of your feeling of wretchedness and not feeling worthy. I am not able. I don't think I will be able to. Whatever the reason be, when you open up before God. He will forgive you, He will equip you. He will transform you. Phil:1;6 Being confident of this very thing, He who began a good work in you, will carry it on to completion until the coming of Christ Jesus. Heb:13:21 May he equip you with all you need for doing His will He doesn't stop there. May He produce in you through the power of Jesus Christ every good thing that is pleasing for Him. He also enables us to do things which is pleasing to Him. He helps us to purge all sins from us. He doesn't call the equipped. He equip...

Psalm:22:16b They have pierced my hands and feet. Psalm:22:18 They divide my garments among themselves. And throw dice for my clothing. Two prophecies that have explicitly come true about Jesus. These are just two of the more than 100. There is no man in history like this - whose birth, life, purpose, death, resurrection and His presence even now has been so foretold. And all these have been proved true in history  🔹The sceptre will not depart from Judah 🔹The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel 🔹But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,     though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me     one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old,     from ancient times 🔹My people, hear my teaching;     listen to the words of my mouth. I will open my mouth with a parable;     I will utter hidden things, things from of old 🔹In that day the Root ...

No sin goes unpunished because of the holy nature of God. Yet no sinner goes unforgiven because of the everlasting love of God. Not a single thing which hurts God goes undealt with because of the just nature of God. Yet we all who have hurt Him, stands a chance to stand before Him because of what happened on the cross Not a single angel who was fallen can have a stand before God  Yet we all who have fallen short, stands to have a second chance. Not anyone is righteous before the most Holy God. Yet we all are declared righteous through the blood of Christ.

Josh:3:6 And they intermarried with them. Israelite sons married their daughters and Israelite daughters were given in marriage to their sons. And the Israelites served their gods. What a disappointing turn of events. Soon after Joshua died, Israel turned away from their God. Essentially because they failed to drive the old inhabitants of the land, despite the warnings from God. It became a snare for them. But we also need to know the sovereign hand of God behind this. God allowed the nations to be left there. In v:1 we understand He left the nations there to test those Israelites who had not experienced wars of Canaan. He did this to teach warfare to generations of Israelites who had not experienced battle. In v:4 we also learn that these people were left to test the Israelites to see whther they would obey the commands the Lord had given to their ancestors through Moses. So even if it was a wilful choice from Israel, we now know that it was fully under God's authority...

Macpelah, Macpelah, make haste. Oh! Simeon, you are back? Why so early? Usually you take roughly six months. This is hardly a month. Is everything alright? Hope the trade was fine and the farming too. Oh Macpelah, there is something more important I need to tell you. Come sit. Where are the boys? Rufus and Alexandre need to hear it too. Call them too. I hope everything is alright dear.  Now let that wait. Kids will take time to come. They might have gone out to fish or be with friends. They wouldn't have known you would be back so early. You go and have some rest. You look so weary and tired. You have become so lean and rangy. You were so muscular and your physique was something which evoked jealousy in others of your age in Cyrene. Now look at you. What happened to you? Oh no, Macpelah, you think so because you love me. I've not lost weight at all. I'm the same old man. Make haste and call them, I need to tell you all what happened in Jerusalem. We will talk over dinner de...

Eventhough Israel had disappointed God by turning away from Him and following other gods, prostituting against Him by worshipping other gods, deserting Him - and because of that He punished them, they were burdened by oppression and suffering from enemy countries, the highlighted character that we see in God is that the Lord took pity on His people who were burdened by oppression and suffering (Josh:2:18) Not when they turned back, not when they repented. He felt pity on them just like that. God showed mercy on us, not when we decided to repent, not when we decided to turn back. But even before that He had pity on us and our plight.  What an amazing love? What an unconditional love? What a God? Rom:5:10 For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of His Son, while we were still His enemies

Josh:2:10 . After that generation died, another generation grew up who did not acknowledge the Lord or remember the mighty things He had done for Israel. How easily and how quickly they have deserted, they have rebelled against a God who have so loved then, taken care of them and provided for them? It all started in one thing - they failed to drive out the former inhabitants in the land, and they made them slaves to them. They have broken the covenant in order to satisfy their needs. It wasn't an overt sin. But a subtle compromise. Josh: 2:3 The Lord says - they will be thorns on your sides and their gods will be a constant temptation to you. Sin's constant presence allures you to make that subtle compromise, always leads you to further sin and forget God ultimately. As long as we are in this world, we will always be tempted. We can say no to sin. But no strong willed person is strong enough to say that I have mastered sin. I will never sin. And with sin, we can never reach out...

Psalm:21:7 For the king trusts in the Lord The unfailing love of the Most High Will keep him from stumbling. This is one pic which stormed the internet of late. Joe Biden, the president of the United States stumbling and falling multiple times while boarding the Air Force One. Well the White House has tweeted he is safe. Stumbling is a time of embarassment and hurt especially when others are watching around. It also results in physical pain. No one wants to stumble. Here is a promise by the Lord Almighty. Because of His unfailing unconditional love, He will not let you stumble. Psalm:91:11-12 For He will order His angels. To protect you wherever you go. They will hold you up with their hands. So you won't even hurt your foot on a stone. His angels are around you to protect you from stumbling. Psalm:37:24 Though they stumble they will never fall for the Lord holds them by hand. So even if the angels let go of your hand and you happen to stumble, you will not fall because...