The halfbaked Bard

Do I deserve to be heard when I pray?  Do I deserve to be answered?  For I am futile and He is eternal Can I present my case and make God answer?  Can a goat demand to be answered before it is slaughtered?  Can a calf ask for an explanation before being sold?  Can a vessel ask the potter, why he made him like thus? Can an ornament ask the goldsmith, why?  Yet He chose to answer when I pray When I am helpless, I look unto His face And He looks at me with compassion He listens when I talk  That is His choice; His mercy His kindness that He chose to listen to me His promise to listen to me is His grace.  Not my right; nor anything which I can demand It becomes even more significant when there is a huge barrier A mighty gorge between God and me All my prayers, all my worship and my requests Fall into that canyon; because of my inherent sinfulness He is holy and I am sinful He doesn't need to hear, because out of my choice I am His sworn en...

Ps:92:1 It is good to give thanks to the Lord To sing praises to the Most High.  Hallelujah!  Praise be unto God.  When do we thank God? Is it only when things go well with us? So this is like, being grateful to Him when things happen the way you want to happen. That means you see Him as a genie probably to satisfy all your desires.  See! He is Almighty. He can transform all apparent bad things for your good. Is He not able?  Shall that be a reason for us to thank Him at all times-even in apparent bad and horrible times?  Only if we offer our prayers and petitions with thanksgiving, only then will your hearts be guarded (Phil:4:6). Guarded against complaints, discontentment, grumbling. Always to be thankful. Always to be grateful. As one of my mentors and motherly figures always say - "To have an attitude of gratitude" At least if we are not able to find reasons to be thankful; is not the cross more than enough? 

“I made a covenant with my eyes not to look lustfully at a young woman. Does he not see my ways and count my every step? Job 31:1‭, ‬4  This was the verse written and pasted on the door of a junior in college. I was surprised to see this from an NRI, far from his family. With nobody to question his integrity. Nobody to answer, he could have "enjoyed" his life to the core like others. But he chose a different path. And he did enjoy...  What is my character when no one else is looking at me. Job was sure. This 16 year old boy was sure. Integrity means to be the same always. He chose to be on one side of integrity but he chose to be there always. No dwindling. No wavering. Always the same. Can I be the same man always.  Always reflecting the Lord Jesus. Always in line with His purpose. Doesn't mean always reading the word and praying. But am I always reminded of being a child of God. Even if there is a temptation to dwindle do I come back. There is a reminder. T...

Those who live in the shelter of the Most High  will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.  This I declare about the Lord:  He alone is my refuge, my place of safety;  he is my God, and I trust him.  For he will rescue you from every trap and protect you from deadly disease.  He will cover you with his feathers.  He will shelter you with his wings.  His faithful promises are your armor and protection.  Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night, nor the arrow that flies in the day.  Do not dread the disease that stalks in darkness, nor the disaster that strikes at midday.  Though a thousand fall at your side, though ten thousand are dying around you, these evils will not touch you.  Just open your eyes, and see how the wicked are punished.  If you make the Lord your refuge, if you make the Most High your shelter, no evil will conquer you;  no plague will come near your home.  For he will order hi...

Ps:90:12 Teach us to realize the brevity of life.  So that we may grow in wisdom.  Yes! Life is so brief Life in this earth is so futile You are not the most important.  Life to you might be significant But it is like a withering reed.  It is worthy only with the creator.  Unless there is this connection with Him.  Life is, otherwise hollow.  It makes a lot of noise.  But restful you will be.  When you are filled with Him.  And His love ebbs out.  The brevity of life because of your need Your ultimate want for life Not to do something. Not to be someone But to be the Lord's beloved To be engrossed on His love.  To be immersed in His purpose to love you.  Realizing this beloved God.  That is a sign of a wise person That fulfils the purpose of your life God's purpose is to love you.  To fill you with His love.  To make you sure that you are loved.  Fretting and running amok and worrying Broodi...

Ps:89:46 O Lord how long will this go on? Will you hide yourself forever How long will your anger burn like fire?  Why?  How long?  What is happening?  Where are you?  O dear! Are you filled with question marks? Are you not able to decipher? Are you perplexed?  Do you doubt His existence because of these questions? Or do you wonder why these are happening always? Or why does God do this? Is it because of my sins? What can I do to please Him? What more should I do?  Inspire of all these questions; Ps:89:52 Praise the Lord forever Amen and amen.  Phil:4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always and again I say rejoice.  Phil:4:6 Do not be anxious about anything but in everything by prayer and petition with thanksgiving present your requests to God.  In the midst of anxiety, be thankful. And with thanksgiving continue to pray.  Keep saying Hallelujah. Keep praising God. Keep thanking God remembering what He has done.  That is child...

Job:27:1-4, 6 I vow by the living God who has taken away my rights By the Almighty who has embittered my soul As long as I live While I have breath from God.  My lips will speak no evil And my tongue will speak no lies.  I will maintain my innocence without wavering My conscience is clear as long as I live.  Job's devotion to God is unwavering. Even though he was dealt unjustly, he clings further more to God.  So is Job's confidence that he is innocent and blameless. His love and persistence to God and his surity that his conscience is clear.  When can we reach that level of trust and love? Why do we fret at the drop of a hat? Why do we get upset with unprecedented circumstances? Why do we get disappointed when prayers are seemingly unanswered atleast when delayed.  Undistracted devotion.  Clinging on.  No matter what.  May the Lord help

Ps:89:16 They rejoice all day long in your wonderful reputation.  Phil:4:4 Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again - rejoice.  To rejoice is a command. There is no need to command you to rejoice when all things go wonderfully well. It becomes a natural response.  But it is a command when you have to take an effort to rejoice. When it is difficult to rejoice. When you are in a precarious situation. When you are surrounded and grounded. That is the time God urges you to rejoice.  It might seem impossible and improbable. But you can. Because rejoicing happens not on circumstances, but on His wonderful reputation, His character, His faithfulness.  Rom8:28 All things God works together for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.  Phil:1:6 He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of coming of Christ Jesus.  It is because of hope in Christ Jesus, we can rejoice.  It is...

When He tests me, I will come out as gold Job:23:10 Testing times are extremely difficult Horrendous and hard to push on When pressed from one side it is painful Then how about being pressed from every side?  But testing time; purifies you like gold You come out as pure gold Purging out all impurities He does this, so that His face shines through you.  Do not worry dear one As you are being pulverized from every side Though intended by devil to torment you It happens for your good alone.  The Lord is Almighty He is your Eternal Father Will He allow anything which you can't beat?  You are a tough fighter; an amazing warrior.  You are an encouragement for others Others they see you coming out as pure gold And has a motivation to keep fighting Challenged by seeing God's reflection in you.  I too want to be like that I too want to keep fighting, they say If God can bring the best in him I will also triumph over the enemy.  Your fight brings in ...

Make Almighty your treasure Job:22:25 Let Him be your only pleasure All others will add on pressure Only Him is beyond your measure Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also The Lord in His richness He made you so What cherishes? What drives you so?  There has to be one thing; not anything also.  God created you in His being Fallen from that is human being Second chance He gave redeeming To live life to the fullest; on the cross; He dying Eternal life is knowing Him And the one who was sent by Him Fullness and richness of life is there in Him You can do nothing; apart from Him.  Nothing else would matter As long as He is the only One who you bother Almighty God; He will take care For He loves you; He is your Father

Job:19:25-27 But as for me I know that my Redeemer lives And He will stand upon the earth at last.  And after my body has decayed Yet in my body I will see God.  I will see Him for myself Yes I will see Him with my own eyes.  I am overwhelmed at the thought.  A man with no Bible in his hands. A man who hasn't heard of any prophesies. A man who hasn't even heard of Jesus the Redeemer. What a hope? What an insight? What wisdom? What longsightedness?  I presume all these came as a revelation to him especially when he was going through the darkest time of his life.  Revelations of truth and words of wisdom reach out to you as you go through the deepest vallies of your life. More of God you learn. If it was a highway always you would never have sought God dear one. Because you would be too comfortable to want to know God. Tough times polish you.  As in the age old story of "Footprints" - during the toughest times of his life,  the only set ...

Job:16:21 I need someone to mediate between God and me As a person mediates between friends.  A human mediator has limitations. Sometimes he is biased; inclined to either party. Sometimes he is in favour to someone in particular. Sometimes he keeps quiet and let others do the talking;to talk it out or argue and solve it between themselves.  An ideal mediator is on both sides. He is a peacemaker. His only agenda is peace between the two parties. Not biased. No favouritism. Openly helping both.  Jesus is the only mediator. Justice and righteousness on one side because He is God Himself. Compassion and love to mankind on the other side because He is fully man. He understands the Father's standards and man's weaknesses at the same time.  Jesus is our only mediator.  1Tim:2:5 For there is only one God, one mediator who can reconcile God with humanity, rhe man Christ Jesus. 

Is God's comfort too little for you? Is His gentle word not enough?  Job:15:11 Comfort from God is the most satisfying. The peace that passeth all understanding. But what do you seek O my soul? What do you want when faced with trials?  Do you look for positive responses, positive affirmatioms from men or women - your dear ones? Do you demand other's presence or company or comfort? You are privileged if you have them. God will use others to comfort you.  But most importantly, His presence will only give you rest . Abounding joy. Peace that passeth all understanding. Unconditional love. Abundant life.  He is Immanuel. He is always with you. Though your mother may desert you, this Abba is an everpresent help. He will never leave you nor forsake you. His peace He giveth unto you.  Matt:11:28 Come to me you who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest.  There is healing in Jesus name. 

Job:14:4 Who can bring purity out of an impure person?  No one.  Job comes to the reality of man's sinfulness. That because of the fall, mankind has become totally impure, fully marred that no good thing can come out of him. Everything is smeared with a tinge of his fallenness.  Isa:64:6 All our good deeds are like filthy rags.  Not out of human efforts. It had to be a divine intervention. To save man from the wretched plight - he is only able to sin. God Himself had to do something.  Job:14:17 My sins would be sealed in a pouch And you would cover my guilt.  Man out of his helplessness needs to look at the finished work of salvation that Christ Jesus has offerred. Not just as a one time act. But in our daily living - that is the process of salvation. 

Why do you turn away from me?  Why do you treat me as your enemy? Job:13:24 A common question that is asked by the person who goes through much trouble. Be it, one burden which is quiet heavy or a series of troubles.  My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?  Why are you so far away when I groan for help?  Ps:22:1 O Lord, why do you stand so far away from me?  Why do you hide when I am in trouble? Ps:10:1 Though He seems so far away; He is very nigh. Though He seems not listening, He is very close by your side. Do not worry dear one; it is just a testing time, a passing one.   In my desperation I prayed and the Lord listened  He saved me from all troubles  Ps:34:6  The one who promised, "I will be with you till the end of days" is always with you. He says "Do not be afraid for I am with you". He is with you, even though you have to walk through the valley of shadow of death.  Forsaking has already happened on the cross...

Job:11:18 Having hope will give you courage.  Hope is often thought as foolishness.  A Eutopian ideology that you stick on to.  Despite evidence to the contrary, you cling on On an unrealistic, improbable future.  But hope is not on any situation Nor is it on circumstances that would change By chance; whether it happens or not Looking at all permutations and combinations.  Nor is hope dependant on your goodness,  I have done no intentional harm,  So nothing ill would ever happen Coz, all our good deeds are like filthy rags.  Hope is yet on the personality of God.  The very character of His; That He is good That He is in control; He turns everything wonderful That He loves this child of His.  That He wouldn't want His child to suffer He sympathizes; His heart aches He cries along with you Your pain is His too.  But still He allows, with a purpose That you would bloom into a beautiful flower That He has already planned you...

It is alright to ask God why! Why, so that you can rectify Not out of rebellion or curiosity For knowing without acting is futility. It is alright to ask Him why! When all queries you can't clarify But unless that WHY leads to a HOW! It is useless without a vow. Asking God why, is not wrong If it leads to change, after pondering for long But if it is only to question Him You are proving you are your God, not Him . May we ask, WHY, WHAT, WHERE, WHEN and HOW. But ultimately to Him we bow. A change in course, a decision to be made For difficulties are agents of transformation that God laid.

Job:7:3 I too have been assigned months of futility Long and weary nights of misery Job was clear of what is happening. When one after the other troubles come His way; He is still sure that these are assigned by God with a definite purpose. Sent from God. According to His foreknowledge. That His hand is in control. So as you face unsurmountable difficulties right now;you wouldn't question God once you are sure that your good Father has assigned this time for your good only. Troubled times are obviously difficult to face. But He is nigh. He has this in the centre of His palm. This is God's assignment. Take courage.