The halfbaked Bard

The Lord gave David victory, wherever he went. 2 Sam:8:6b David understood this truth when he said in Psalm:1 Whatever he does, prospers.  We need to underline this truth in our hearts as we move on to the new year. A new perception of an unchanging God. God who never changes has always been like that. The promise has always been there. But has it been practicalized in my life?  As a child of God, this is what God has to tell me. Think of it in the view point of an earthly father. Wouldn't I want my child to succeed in the things he does. Of course not in things which are bad for him, nor things which are harmful for him. In the same way, in accordance with the will of God, His plan is to make things prosper for us, give us victories in what all we do.  For He has plans to prosper us.  A child of God who lives in line with his Father's will, will not ask for things nor will he do things which are against His plan. Asking God, seeking His will becomes His ...

Who am I?  What is my worth?  Why have you chosen me?  Why you have not dealt with me as I deserve?  Why have you still sustained my life?  Why do you still love me?  Why did I not perish till date like the people in Noah's times?  Why was I not punished immediately like Korah?  Why me?  Why did you die for me, when I was still your enemy?  Why did you make me seated along with you?  What did I do to deserve all this? 

God never barges in.  God never demands.  He never asks for your possessions.  Neither He asks for sacrifices.  All He asks is to set your hearts for Him To love Him, with all your heart, soul and mind Not that He is lonely and in need of love But that He is love And is overflowing with love No barging in! Only if you let - All He asks is to be a man after His own heart To see things which He sees To think the way He thinks After all, you are created in His own image Marred though you are, fallen as you are No barging in! Only if you let - All He asks is that you enjoy the life abundant Life in its fullness as He promised The love relation the Father, Son and Holy Spirit enjoys He wants to share with you too In knowing Him is eternal life.  In tasting Him is the purpose of your life In fellowship with Him, lies the meaning of your life No barging in! Only if you let - All He asks is that you lie in His bosom For this purpose you were created Fallen t...

How concerned are you about God?  2Sam:7:2 David said, I am living in a beautiful cedar palace, but the Ark of God is out there in a tent.  What is driving through your heart? Is it about God at all? Or is it about how you can make your future secure and your life pleasurable.  Also your body is the temple of God. How concerned are you about the purity and holiness of it all? The thoughts that you entertain, the words that you speak. The better question to be asked is, Are you concerned about God at all? 

2Sam:6:22 I will become even more undignified than this, and I will be humiliated in my own eyes.  Dignity is something which we strive for. To earn respect from others and especially your subordinates. You will be conscious enough to behave in a proper way. In a formal gathering there is an etiquette. In your office there is a decorum to behave.  In contrast, how do you behave with the person whom you love the most in this world? You crack jokes, you don't mind sounding silly. You wanna enjoy every moment with them. You want them to enjoy every moment with you.  How do you spend time with children? You become like them, imitate their blabbery, enjoy their kiddish talks. You don't think about dignity or poise.  Like David, am I willing to be undignified for God? Am I willing to be ridiculed and sillified for the sake of God. That depends on how much free are you with God. This is not being disrespectful to God, but being free with God whom you love so dea...

2Sam:6:12 The Lord blessed Obed-edom's household and everything he had because of the Ark of God.  The presence of the Lord brings blessings Because He is the source of all blessings Not material, not physical healing alone But mental and emotional too Spiritual upliftment and abundant life Life in its fullness as intended to be Peace and joy to it's fullness Love abundant as from God.  Do you refuse to be blessed?  When there is presence of God in your heart, won't you reflect His attributes?  When there is anger and jealousy and pride, whose presence does it reflect? The Almighty God's? Or His enemy's? 

Immanuel, God with us A promise that is more than sufficient In this lonely world, where all are in their own cocoon A God who will strengthen you, comfort you When you feel all alone You face testing times, God is with us You face difficult times, God is with us You face lonely times, God is with us You face depressed times, God is with us Immanuel, God with us A God who took care of the root cause of man With sin, we cannot approach a Holy God That's why He became sin for us So that we could gain access to throne of grace That we could be heirs of God, co heirs with Christ Jesus the Son of God, came down to die for my sins To redeem me, to rescue me from my sinfulness Do u believe; That's what Immanuel means Immanuel, He understands what you face Immanuel, He strengthens you when tempted Immanuel, He died on your stead on the cross Immanuel, He received your punishment Immanuel, He did this out of love, He redeemed Immanuel, He loves you for eternity Immanuel, He ...

Love is good, in love there is freedom But not compromising on respect A child loves his father, wouldn't dare to disrespect Even as a friend he sees him But his love is shown in his reverance Uzzah understood it the hard way May be he had good intentions But the Ark is supposed to be handled in a holy way.  Where is my reverance these days?  To my Father in Heaven, Holy, Almighty King of kings, Lord of Lords.  When I sit with the Word, when I pray When I listen to His voice Through His anointed prophets What is my demeanor, what is my stance?  Where is my reverance?  Where is my reverance these days?  When I am alone in my bed What thoughts wander through my mind Clinging on to the modern day idiot box in my hand What all I see? What all I hear?  Thinking no one is near Forgetting the promise in Matt:28:20 Where is my reverance?  Where is my reverance these days?  When I am with my gang, in a holiday mood.  What do I talk, w...

1Sam:5:17-25 When the Philistines set their army against the newly ordained king of Israel, David might have been full of vigour to attack them back. Newly appointed king, a new army, a new capital. People are all set for a new beginning.  David, but does not rely on his own instincts. He just plainly asks the Lord - should I go out to fight the Philistines? The Lord says yes.  The second time when the Philistines attack again, David does the same thing. He asks the Lord again. The Lord likes the way David asks him so plainly and replies - do not attack them straight on, but circle around them.  And David did exactly what the Lord commanded.  Can we be so plain before God? Asking Him even the smallest decisions we have to take? It is not being silly. It is not being dunce or being a dimwit. It comes out of a realisation that without God's help i can do nothing.  Jesus says about the vine branches in John:15:5 Apart from me you can do nothing.  J...

1Sam:5:10 And David became more and more powerful because the Lord God of Heaven's Armies was with him.  David got military strength_ because the Lord of Heavenly Armies was with him.  You will be able to love. Or do you feel unloved?_ God is love.  You will have peace_ because He is the Prince of Peace.  Do you feel helpless?_ He is the Mighty God.  Fearful of death?_ He is the Everlasting Father. Do you struggle with pride?_ He humbled Himself in obedience to God.  Struggling with sin?_ He is the Holy One.  Do you feel all alone?_ we have a High Priest who sympathises with our weakness. Whatever your struggle is, the solution of it all is Jesus, because He is the epitome, He is the source, He is the ultimate.  Phil:4:19 And my God shall supply all your needs according to His glorious riches, given to us in Christ Jesus.  He wants to give according to His standard, not based on our desires. Just ask. 

Man's basic nature is to shift stands. Man's elementary character is to cling on to what seems to last for him. It is easy for him to change his opinion and beliefs, depending on the ease of circumstances. Israel till the death of Ishbosheth was after him and against David. The moment Ishbosheth dies, they look to David as king.  Therefore shifting your stands makes you a person with lack of integrity. Clinging on to your beliefs makes you a person with rectitude. But it would be advisable if those beliefs are centred around the will of God. You can even believe in any ideology. But again it is expedient if it is noble and true.  We can believe in something which we believe as truth and ultimately turn out to be a fool.  Psalm:14:1 The fool says in his heart "There is no God" Believe in the right things and then cling on to it. 

A man of integrity, never wavers from his convictions and beliefs. He sticks on to what he holds as truth, no matter what. Whether it is favourable news or unfavourable news, his actions reflect his stance. None would be able to convince him otherwise.  Just like David who was convinced that killing innocent blood should be punished, be it his subject or his enemy. That made him a righteous king. 2 Sam 4. Compromising and jeopardizing on your stand and acting according to the situation is the antonym of probity. It is unfairness. It is corruption. It is lack of integrity.  And what is the key to integrity? What is the key to consistently obey God?  Psalm:119:11 I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. 

David mourns for Abner's death. His enemy's side. How is it possible to cry for your enemy's death?  Is it possible to love someone who hurt you? Is it possible to love him who is against you? To care for him when he is in trouble? Our first response would be, "serves him right" Rom 5:10 For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of His Son while we were still His enemies.  Christ could do it on the cross and be an example for us. He did what He preached - Love your enemies. 

How is it even possible? Mary is not of that type. I know she loves me. Her love to me has no boundaries. Unconditionally she loves me. Through her love only I came to know how much more my Father in heaven loves me. She cares for me. She forgives me without keeping a list. She loves her God too. She fears her Father. She would never commit this sin because I know her completely like no one else does. I know for sure, more than she loves me, she loves her God. She hopes for the Messiah. She would never commit this wretched sin. She knows the consequences. Not out of the fear of consequences, but out of her love to God, she would never do this. I'm sure.  But who would believe me? She is pregnant. The fact remains a truth. It's disgrace for me. It's disgrace for my family. She says she had a vision. How could someone be pregnant by just a vision. She might be true, I know her. She wouldn't lie. But how am I supposed to believe this? What will my friends tell ...

Though for the time being Joab chose to forgive Abner, when an opportune time comes for him to avenge the death of his brother,  he acts and kills Abner. A sad ending of the story of a man who could have been a walking testimony - harbouring grudge all his life. What has it resulted in? A curse from David.  2 Sam:3:28-29 open sores or leprosy or walks on crutches or dies by sword or begs for food.  Harbouring evil will only sicken you, bring in curse. God wouldn't be able to bless you. Because of His holy nature. That abundant life in you is lacking probably because of this. Might not be grudge. Might be anger, might be lustful fantasies, might be not taking a stand amongst your colleagues, may be a habit of white lie.  1 Pet:1:16 Be holy, because I am holy. 

2 Sam:2:18 - 3:1 2Sam:2:28 So Joab blew the ram's horn and his men stopped chasing the troops of Israel.   Asahel was said to be as swift as a gazelle and was chasing Abner, when he was killed by him. Seeing the death of his brother, Joab who was chief of David's army chases Abner. That is when Abner shouts out to Joab, "Must we always be killing each other? Don't you realize that bitterness is the only result?" V:27 Joab said, "God only knows what would have happened if you hadn't spoken. " He chooses not to avenge., for the time being.  Forgiveness is a choice, while bitterness is not, it is a natural instinct. Choosing to forgive and harbouring bitterness doesn't go hand in hand.  Do you forgive like this? Putting a full stop to your emotions and your wrong choices? That you realize, you are going the wrong path and choose to stop, blow the horns and turn back. If you haven't been able to yet, ask of His abundant grace. He will...

(2Sam 2) The people of Judah after Saul's death, anointed David as king, based on God's promise.  Where as the others including Ephraim and Benjamin tribes ordained Ishbosheth, son of Saul as their king.  David asked God where he should go and God answered him to go to Hebron.  Where as the others chose Mahanaim for themselves.  Who are you loyal to? Your Father in heaven who directs your every path, who has plans to prosper you, who loves you as you are?  Or are you loyal to yourself, your logic, your reasoning, your desires and your plans?  What do you want to pursue in life? Your desires ot God's?  Ttp: Will you be able to say no to your deepest desire /plan if you realize it is not God's? 

Courtesy - Love your enemy (Sculpted by Timothy Scmalz)  2 Sam:1:17-27 Continuing on David's thoughts about Saul - Saul had only given him misery. But once he learnt of Saul's death he only has words of praise for the Lord's anointed one. The accomplishments his sword has achieved and not the personal grudge he had against him. David weeps on a serious note for Israel, for the loss of its king.  Why can't we see the good of others; why can't we cry over others who have tortured us - is it because we are so myopic that we can only see the wrong they did to us - then is it not self centredness and self love?  1Pet:4:7 Love covers a multitude of sins.  You are asked to love your enemies in fact - those who have wronged you and that will cover a multitude of sins that they have done to you What is the example we have in Christ?  Rom:5:10 - For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his son, while we were still His enemies......  ...

2 Sam 1 David had always been running away because of Saul. Saul was always after him. He was his enemy.  But when he learnt that Saul has been killed as confessed by an Amalekite, David orders his men to execute him, saying how dare you kill the Lord's anointed one.  We might not kill, but do we despise? There might be ministers whose teachings we cannot agree. There might be authoritarians who might be so corrupt. There might be our own bosses or teachers who are partial and rude to us for no reason. But that is between God and them. Who am I to judge them and thereby despise them. He /She is on authority as ordained by God, the Supreme Ruler.  If you can't agree or accept his teaching, do not accept. But do not despise or show disrespect.  If you are being cornered by your boss, it is allowed by God for some time. Do not despise.  If the rulers of the nation are fully corrupt and partial, believe that God is in control. Yet do not despise. 

The last portion of Genesis.  7 years of famine is over. Joseph could very well take the initiative to take the Israelites back to Canaan, the promised land. It was in Joseph's mind always, to go back to the promised land, as promised by God to his forefathers. Jacob had told him about this vision when he blessed. But he knew it was not the time. He was willing to wait.  Now he is 110 years old. He knew that he was about to die. But he still clings on to the promise of God. Promise to his fathers. He is sure God in His time, He will take. He need not do anything. Ultimately Joseph dies in Egypt without being able to go to the promised land.  I need not do. He will take in His time. I just have to trust in the Almighty's hands that will take care of me with the best plan for me.  May be you are tired of waiting - In His time.  May be you are in a hopeless situation - In His time.  In faith are you waiting for an alliance, but God has been continu...

Gen:50:14-21 Joseph's brothers never understood him. They did not understand the gem that he is - neither when they were young, nor when they were in Egypt. Even after their father died, they are fearful that Joseph would repay his grudge over them and they send him a message, threw themselves down before Joseph. Seeing their misconception about him, Joseph broke down and wept.  May be there is no one who understands you; you have been misunderstood all day long; may be because of your naivety and innocence; may be you are that irritating guy in the gang; though you never intended it all. In secrets of your bed, may be seeing all  these you might have broken down and wept.  May you respond the way Joseph responded. V:21b. So he reassured them by speaking kindly to them.  Matt:7:12 So in everything, do to others what you would have them to do to you.  Be kind to them when they persecute you.  It's difficult to counter cruelty with kindness. But b...

A semicolon tatoo is used to express solidarity against suicide, depression and other mental health issue - indicating, life doesn't end here. It continues with hope and faith.  A semicolon in English grammar also means a pause, which is intended to continue into another clause. It's not a full stop, but indicates a perpetuation.  Gen:49:18 I trust in you for salvation, O Lord.  This verse comes in between, Jacob's blessings of his sons. He was doing something really important. And suddenly he remembers a prayer to utter. Not as a tradition. But suddenly he remembers to utter a prayer of trust. It was his prayer always, in between other important and non important things - in present continuous tense.  How imperative it is to relate to your Father, in between your busy and non busy hours.  In between your work, in between your studies. Take a power break, talk to Him. Gather strength and be rejuvenated and then get back to work. Alone you would lose ...

Gen 49.10 The scepter will not depart from Judah Nor the ruler's staff from his descendants Until the coming of the one to whom it belongs The one whom all nations will honour.  This is the blessing of Jacob over his son, Judah. We all know Jesus was born of the lineage of Judah. Or is it about David and his descendants to be king forever? Not al all. After the exile we know that the sons of David lost the kingship. Christ is the ruler to whom it all belongs, though it was given over to satan as a result of the fall.  2 Cor:4:4 addresses satan as the God of this world. Luke:4:6 justifies his own claim. But it is all temporary. John:12:31 - he will be cast out.  And what is rightfully His, He will reclaim.  The King of kings, the Lord of Lords.  The Almighty King The victorious Jesus.  The Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End.  Phil:2:10-11 That at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow In heaven and on earth and under the earth An...

Gen 31.43 Jacob addresses God as God of my father - God of Abraham and the fearesome God of Isaac  Several years later in Gen 48.15 he says - "May the God before whom my grandfather Abraham and my father Isaac walked, the God who has been my shepherd all my life, to this very day." "Their God" has changed gradually to "my God" - over the years as he experienced God face to face in his sojourn. Where he has seen the hand of God providing for him, protecting him, blessing him, correcting him, relating to him, prompting him to repent and correct himself. God has become a personal God. Not as a God who would dance according to his whims and fancies. But a God who loves him personally as a father would love his son.  We understand this uniqueness and personal nature of this God, much more because of the cross. A God who does all things as He did for Jacob, He also held Himself responsible for the root cause of our rebellion and paid the penalty.  A ...

Gen:47:31 Israel bowed in worship as he leaned on his staff.  Not just of old age. But of the dislocated hip that happened in Peniel.  Man who made himself through hard work and toil. Through striving and deceiving. Now leans on a staff because he cannot stand on his own. He humbles himself because the staff constantly reminds who he really is, his inherant nature. A deceiver.  Some things stay with us life long in order to remind us who we are. A thorn in the flesh was always there in the life of the greatest disciple of Jesus in order to keep him humble. These thorns are angels, says a Malayalam song writer.  We often pray, fast and submit prayer requests for these staffs and thorns to go away. But little do we realize that, it is these staffs and thorns that keep us humble, in need of God. Staffs and thorns make us realize who we really are, our intrinsic nature - rebels, self centred, prideful.  Let us thank God for the staff and thorns in our li...

The years of my pilgrimage are a hundred and thirty Gen 47:9 These are the words of a heal grabber, blessing snatcher, stealer, cheater, deceiver, liar who changed gradually. He realizes the truth that his life is a pilgrimage, a sojourn. He understands who he really is, towards the fan end of his life. That he has been running frantically and uselessly all these years.  There is no permanent residency here on this earth, beloved one. We are all pilgrims. Hoarding up things or fame or name is futile. We have an inheritance to have up there in heaven, to be enjoyed for eternity.  My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going . John 14:2‭-‬4  Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin des...

Gen 46:33- 47:6 When Israel and his family comes to Egypt, Joseph insists that they would tell that they are shepherds, when Pharoah asks them. Because the Egyptians despised shepherds, he thought, Pharoah would let them live in Goshen. But when Pharoah meets them in person, he offers them the best land in Egypt. Not just Goshen, he offerred them any place they choose. And he also offerred them to be in charge of his livestock too.  When God gives, He gives the best. The best for you. Not the suboptimal ones.  Your wife /husband, your children, your parents, your talents, your field of ministry, your job, your assets, your education - all that you have is the best for you. Because the Grand Weaver is the One who sets things for you.  Do not compare. Do not complain. Do not be unhappy or jealous.  For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.  Jer:29:11

Psalm 22:3 God resides on the praises of Israel.  This holy day, let us look back and thank Him for what He has done in our lives - on the cross, He lifted us up from the miry clay, undeservingly while we were still His enemies He loved us, without conditions, He has sustained us from the enemy's snares, He has provided and protected us.  Not by our merit, but by grace. 

As Jacob sets out to Egypt, he comes to Beersheba and builds an altar to worship the God of his father. The God of Isaac had promised to bless him and his descendants in Beersheba. Jacob comes back and remembers the promise.  There is always a role of coming back in your life, where you revisit again and see what God had said, what God had promised, what God had done. And resubmit ourselves into His mighty hands.  A revisit. As to what God had told earlier. This is the last month of 2021. What had God told you last year. Has he fulfilled it? Coming back brings thankfulness. Coming back brings in hope. Coming back increases our faith in the One who called you.  Writing down can be a means to come back. We are inherently ungrateful who keep forgetting. Recently I came across a promise that was given to me regarding my children 3 years back. I had written the date in my Bible itself. I had totally forgotten about it. How beautifully hopeful I have become after the revisit....

Gen:45:24 So Joseph sent his brothers off, and as they left, he called after them, "Don't quarrel about all this along the way" Knowing his brother's character, Joseph might have had an afterthought. He went after them. Please dont quarrel about this. It is all done. It is all finished.  The same message we see on the cross. It is finished. Do not fret. Do not worry. Do not sin. It is all done. All you need to do is to keep looking at the cross and see what the Lord has done.  No ifs or buts.  Only the deed on the cross matters. 

Gen 45:15 Joseph's brothers were able to talk freely with him, only when they understood that he forgave them. Whatever bad they had intended, Joseph has forgiven and has believed that it has happened for their good. Till now they were fearful, now they can deal with freedom.  Dealing with compassion and forgiveness, telling them it's okay, releases both you and them from the bondage of unrest, peacelessness, fear, worries and anxiety. If there is anyone who needs forgiveness today, it is you. Freedom beckons you. Choice to forgive others releases you. 

Joseph's secret to complainless living is his attitude that God is Sovereign. He is in full control. What was intended bad for me, God turns it out for good. Retrospectively we may be able to fit in the pieces of the puzzle. But God already knew. And He is a God who loves me.  The Almighty, All powerful, Sovereign God is my loving Father.  What more do I need?