The halfbaked Bard

Go and sin no more. Jn:8:11 Jesus came not to condemn you of sin; but to forgive. The woman caught in adultery did not deny her sin. She admitted. Therefore she went forgiven. What about the man involved? Where is he in the picture? He has never admitted that he wronged. Therefore he went unforgiven. He thinks he has escaped; he has fooled everyone. But the truth is - she remains forgiven; and he unforgiven. The instruction that Jesus gives after the forgiveness is to go and lead a life without sin. To lead a pure life. To take sin seriously and evade from it. How do you approach sin? Conceal it and you will remain unforgiven. Admit it and confess it, you will be forgiven. Once forgiven, avoid it and lead a pure life. Image credit: https://christourhope.blog/2020/01/31/lust-1-corinthians-618/amp/

Rivers of living water will flow from his heart. Jn:7:38 This promise is about those who are thirsty, and they come to Jesus. They can come to Him only as a result of two realisations. 1. That they are thirsty. 2. That (only) He can quench their thirst. And as a result, not only would they be satisfied, but they would be a channel of quenching for others, who desire to come to Him. Rivers of living water will flow from him. The Holy Spirit will overflow though him. Out of the filling that he has received Do I desire the quenching only Jesus can offer?  Do I desire the filling and overflowing of the Holy Spirit?  Do I become a channel of peace for others? Do I point to Jesus, the source? Whether you realise it or not, whether you desire it or not, rivers of living water will flow from your heart. This is a definitive, affirmative promise of Jesus. The old has gone, the new has come. You are a new creation. You are a channel of blessing. God doesn't do mistakes. He w...

Jn:7:1-36 Jesus was teaching with authority about the Father. Because He came from the Father. But others didn't believe Him. Because they couldn't look and see beyond the surface. They saw Him as the carpenter's son. Even His brothers did not believe Him. They were biased, pre occupied and judgemental. That is why some called Him a good man; some a fraud (because they knew where He came from, and He claimed to come from somewhere else), some called Him demon possessed; some asked - could He be the Messiah. Jesus invites you to a deeper relation with Him, to know Him deeper. Not a superficial smattery way of relation. A lively, lovely ongoing heart to heart relation. Then you will understand Him more. A superfluous, shallow relation will take you nowhere. Image credit: https://www.shopify.com/stock-photos/photos/rocks-in-the-shallow-waters

Jn:6:63 Human effort accomplished nothing. It echoes with the very thing that Jesus is about to say in Jn:15:5- Apart from me, you can do nothing. No matter however hard you try, you cannot stop hating someone and start loving. No matter however hard you try, you cannot exercise faith on your own. No matter however hard you try, you cannot start a good habit. Unless the Lord accomplishes. Even having a desire for Godliness is not something which you can fashion in your heart on your own. The Lord has to do it. Yes. Every good and perfect gift is from God the Father. He who began a good work in you shall carry it on to completion until the day of the coming of Christ. We just have to align ourselves with His heart. Tune yourself to the symphony that He is playing. Then you will know what is the direction of the flow of His heart. And you just place yourself in it. Image credit: https://www.pexels.com/photo/thoughtful-man-doing-paperwork-at-table-in-dark-room-7063743/

Jn:6:35. I am the Bread of Life. The first of the I am statements of Jesus. "I am" reflects the name of God. Bread is something to be eaten, to be internalised. So, unless you internalised the very nature of God, eternal life is far from you, says the Son. His very nature is to be consumed and internalised, so much so that it becomes your very nature. His love, His patience, His kindness, so that He would be reflected perfectly. Any other things that you try to do, would not satisfy you, would not quench your longing. This gives abundant life, life to the fullest, as He promised. Image courtesy: https://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/perfect-sandwich-bread

John:6:29 This is the only work God wants from you; Believe in the One He has sent. Do not think that God expects that you do great things for Him. Not miracles, not healing, not preaching, not even bringing more people to Him, pleases Him concerning you. In the overall realm, heaven rejoices when a sinner repents. But concerning you, the only work that God wants from you is just to believe in Jesus, the Son. Not a once in a lifetime belief - but on a day to day basis, during your crisis. Just trust. Earlier in the chapter, Jesus expected the disciples to trust in Him, when He was about to feed the five thousand and He assures them - I am here, when they were terrified as they see Him walking on water. For all I should trust Him, no matter what comes my way. That pleases Him. He is enough. He is there. Image credit: https://in.nec.com/en_IN/career/jobs-at-NEC.html

Jn:5:31-47 Jesus says there are five things that can testify to Him. 1. He Himself - not valid. Though He was sure of who He is - it is not relevant. But He has said N number of times, He is the Son of God. 2. Someone else - John the Baptist. Though He says He doesn't need human witness, John was like a burning and shining lamp. 3. His teachings and miracles - testify that these are the works that the Father sent Him to do. 4. The Father Himself has testified. If you do not hear His message in your hearts, it is because you do not believe. Have you hardened your heart?  5. Scriptures point to Jesus. Prophesies have come true. These are all there. Still if you don't believe, it is your fault. May be you have put your trust in Him, once and for all. [ If you have not; then now is the time]. But have you trusted in Him on a daily basis?  Image credit: https://www.rmkfirm.com/what-is-role-of-witness-in-court

I can do nothing on my own. Jn:5:30 This is not a statement of a helpless man. But of Jesus Himself. The Son of God. God Himself. This doesn't reflect His helpless state. But that, His will was so aligned with the will of the Father, that made Him say - I carry out the will of the one who sent me, not my will (later in the last part of the same verse). In the garden of Gethsamene, He echoes the same thought - not my will but Yours. Jesus knew that He had come to do the Father's will. Not His own. As I said, it was not out of helplessness. Infact He was so focussed that He did not want any other will. Anything apart from the will of the Father, He did not want. How tuned are you, to God's will in your life? Whether you eat or drink, do it for the glory of God. Anything apart from this is hamartos. Am I sensitive to the still small voice of the Holy Spirit? So much that I will do only what the Father desires. How foolish of me to bring God to the center of my will...

Jn:5:24 I tell you the truth, those who listen to my message and believe in God who sent me have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their sins, but they have passed from death into life. Once you believe in God through the Son, it is promised that you will have eternal life, you will never be condemned and you have passed from the death to the life. These are definitive, affirmative statements. Have. Will never be. Have passed. There is no possibility that you might not when Jesus says this. There is one hundred percent surity. Are we living with this assurance? We would never lose our salvation, we would never dwindle between death and life, provided we have been saved truly. When Christ died for us on the cross, He died for all our sins, which were done in the past, in the present and in the future. All our sins are covered by His blood. Does that mean, that I have the license to sin? No matter what I do, my sins are all covered? Can we sin, so that grace may ...

My Father is always working; so am I. Jn:5:18 Whatever the Father does, the Son also does. Jn:5:19 Infact the Father will show Him, how to do even greater works. Jn:5:20 The Father has life in Himself and He has granted the same life giving power to His Son. Jn:5:26 Anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done and even greater works because I am going to be with the Father. Jn:14:12 The Father and I are one. Jn:10:30 And I will ask the Father and He will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads you into all truth. Jn:14:16-17 You see the sequence of events? The Father has a will and He is executing it. The Son does the Father's will. And because He rose up from the dead and is living even now and because He has sent the Helper, the Holy Spirit to His beloved children, we are called to do the Father's will. See, we are called to do a greater purpose. A greater life. Not a mediocre one.  Are you just pushing...

Do you want to get well? Jn:5:6 To the specific question that Jesus asked, the invalid is beating around the bush. When He is willing to do a supernatural miracle, the man expresses logicality. Let God do what He is good at. Expect unexpected things from God. Those are not unnatural for Him. That is faith. Believing that God can do anything. Nothing is impossible for Him. He need not walk in human's pathway. He is not limited to man's perspective. He is beyond that. Being His child it is our privilege to wait to expect Him to work that way. Image courtesy: https://unsplash.com/photos/a-man-in-a-field-of-bushes-with-a-stick--YhAwRDPjoc

Jn:4:43-54 The government official wanted Jesus to come and heal his son and he wanted Him to come then itself for the boy was very sick. But Jesus said - Go back home, your son will live. And he just believed and went back home. The moment Jesus said that, fever left him. The man simply believed. No traditional background. No previous experiences. Not according to his own plan. But his faith made his son well. The son had a believing father. The paralysed man had four believing friends.  Whose faith- aide are you? They wouldn't be able to believe, because they are in the midst of suffering. But will you have faith? Not that your faith will save them. But you be steadfast in faith. You continue to intercede for them. You tell words of faith to them. You bring them to Christ. You pray with them. You be instrumental in instilling faith in them. I believe. Image credit: https://blog.businessglu.com/reaching-out-with-a-p-u-s-h/

My nourishment comes from doing the will of God who sent me and from finishing His work. Jn:4:34 What is your driving force?  What gives you a dopamine rush?  What gives you energy to move on? For Jesus it was doing the will of the Father, who sent Him and finishing the work He was sent to do. Be it convincing an outcast woman to tell her own city, that she has found the Messiah. Be it healing fever, or blindness, or lameness. Be it sleeping in the open. Do you grade your work for God? Oh! Just because I could only wash the dishes and not give a message today doesn't mean I am not useful for the Kingdom. God doesn't categorise people by the work they do. But He sees the heart with which they do the task given to them. Am I doing it cheerfully? Or is there a list of complaints? Image credit: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/understanding-hypnosis/202402/3-activities-to-beneficially-release-dopamine/amp

John:3:27 No one can receive anything unless God gives it from heaven. This dictum if we inscribed in our hearts would ease up our lives. John was losing on his followers. His disciples were complaining. But John was sure - I am only here to prepare the way for Him. He is the bridegroom, and the joy of the bride is to join the bridegroom. The bestman is simply glad to stand with him. This is the solution for all forms of jealousy. There is no need to compare your walk with his/hers. No one can receive anything unless God gives it from heaven. Which means no one can have something which God has taken away from him. Closed doors always lead to paths which are not destined for you. Do not force it open. Open doors lead to paths which God has planned for you. Walk in it. May God open our eyes and equip us to see God's hands in our lives. To see closed doors as God given opportunities to say no as well. Above all has He not promised that He will be with you till the very end...

No one can see the Kingdom of God unless he is born again. Jn:3:3 Born again as told by Jesus to Nicodemus means being born of the baptism of repentance and being born of the Spirit. A new life. A new creation. The old has passed. The new has come.(v5) Born again means believing that the Son of Man, a term Jesus uses for Himself, quoting the prophet Daniel, as for the Messiah, is the only way to eternal life (v15) Born again is believing that the Father God, loved me so much, that He gave His only begotten Son as a sacrifice for my sin, that I may have eternal life (v16) Born again is loving the light more than the darkness. The darkness is normally loved by others. But light I love. It is an about turn. And as I walk, I am willing to be cleansed by the light, as my sins are more exposed and desire to walk continually in the light. (v21) Image credit: https://stockcake.com/i/sprout-in-desert_1239350_943191

Jesus' very being was to reveal the glory of God the Father. The miracle at the wedding at Cana, the raising up of Lazarus, feeding the five thousand, His teachings. All was to reflect the Father's glory. What does my life reflect?  Whether you eat or drink, do it for the glory of God. 1 Cor:10:31 Image credit: https://stfrancistairua.com/2022/01/16/the-cana-wedding/

Come and see for yourself. Jn:1:46 Philip told Nathanael; what he was convinced about. Nathanael couldn't believe initially. And that is when Philip told this basic principle of sharing the Good News - come and see for yourself. Out of your love, you can share the Good News; you can share your life story to your loved and dear ones. Come and see for yourself. Do not try to argue. Do not try to convince them. Do not try to reason it out with them. Ask them to try for themselves and see. Meanwhile out of your love, continue to pray for them. We have to remember, if you win the argument, you might lose the person. Nathanael had a good friend in Philip; who introduced him to the Saviour and waited for him to experience Him. As an agent. As a catalyst. Whose Philip are you?  Image credit: https://stock.adobe.com/search?k=two+friends+walking

Come, He replied, and you will see. John:1:39 Preaching from the pulpit is easy. Do you dare to take them home? Not a pre-planned visit. Do you dare to show them your messy bedroom? Do you dare to show them, how you spend your 'me time'? Do you dare to show them how you react at home? You preach about faith from the pulpit. But at home you fret, you are frustrated, you are angry - faithlessness written all over you. You preach about trust from the lectern. But spit words of venom back home. There is worry when small things are upside down. You speak about purity from the rostrum. Whereas your home is filled with unwholesome talk. Your thoughts are as filthy. What you are in the outside, why are you not at home? This is duality. This is hypocrisy. This is what Jesus addressed as white washed tombs. Give me integrity Lord. Make me reflect you, both in the public and at home. Image credit: https://hareesh.org/blog/2016/5/25/the-dangers-of-duality-recognition-sutra-6

John 1:29 The lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. The epitaph about Jesus. The purpose of His life. In the old testament, there was at least one lamb everyone would say about. This is the lamb that will take away my sin. Jesus is that Lamb once and for all. Sacrifices in the old testament proves that sin is serious and not something God could put away with or hide under the bush. Bloodshed is mandatory. Bloodshed, not of a random lamb from your flock. Right from the heart of the family. There is not just bloodshed. There is pain. There is a cost. When the Father allowed the Son to be crucified, there was bloodshed, there was pain, there was a cost. All for my forgiveness. Now as we repent - is there pain? Is there a cost? Is there heart wrenching? Is there even a tear drop? Thinking we hurt God, who loves us so much?  Image credit: https://www.farmsanctuary.org/news-stories/ashley-lamb-born-at-farm-sanctuary/

Jn:1:18 No one has ever seen God, but God the One and only, who is at the Father's side has made Him known. Jesus' sole purpose of life was to make the Father known to the people who forgot Him. Only a bridge could do that. Only God Himself would know Him fully. The Son - who is one with the Father - who is the One and only. He became man, so that we would know God. What a mission? To not consider the consequences as significant. Considering only the goodness of the fact that we who were His enemies would become His children. That is humility. That is love. Fullness of grace and truth as described about Jesus, depicts His diety. His Godhood. Grace only God can show. And Jesus is full of it. Truth -  only God is true. This is God. This Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. Jesus is not a prophet who came from heaven to direct people to God. Nor is He a powerful being from the heavenly realms. He is the Son of God. Who became fully man to reveal God Himsel...

John:1:1-2 In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God. He was with God in the begining.  The Word, through whom and for whom this world was made, was there from the beginning. Eternal. One with the Father. Diety of Jesus. Yet a person. He. The manhood of Jesus. In Him was the life. Abundant life. Eternal life. And that life was the light of men, which shone in the darkness. The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world. He is the light of the world that shines in the dark filled incomplete lives of men. Fully God, comes to this world as fully man and lived among us. Not as the God of the myths to exercise power, to do one miraculous delivery. But bring a lasting solution for man's eternal problem. Sin. To die as a penalty and receive the punishment of your sin. So that if you believe, He will redeem you. If you receive, He has given the right to become children of God. Born of God. Many a times, because it looks...

Luke:24:25-26 The Scriptures present it. The history proves it. The eye witnesses testify it. To add to it all, people, two thousand twenty five years later experience the living Jesus. Even after you have experienced Him in your life, you find it hard to believe this very hour. Why? Faith as small as a mustard seed is enough. But the Son of God, looks into our hearts. Will He see faith? He had gone, promising to come back and expecting to see faith. Will He? Faith in what the Scriptures promised. Faith in His words. Faith in Him who promised. Image credit: https://www.learnreligions.com/bible-verses-by-topic-701344

There was pain, there was rejection There was loneliness, mocking and ridicule There was suffering to the peak There was bloodshed to the highest degree. Why had He to endure this? Why on earth had He chose to go through this? It was not the nails that held Him there. But His love to you and me! He was mindful of you, When He chose to go through it all For He said, out of His own will. Not my will, but Yours. The gruesome death, the public shame The shearing pain, the flesh writhing flogs The spot, the blood, the sweat, the public disgrace Naked as He is, He lies there helpless. Peter denies Him, Cyrene comes to help All His disciples fled, the women stayed back They yelled, crucify, Joseph declares his allegiance One thief curses, one thief is with Him in paradise. Just for the sake of redeeming the lost He endured all these, because of love Sin is serious. Consequences of rebellion are real. I will bear it on my own, for their sake, He said. What love is this? What God ca...

Luke:22:23-24 The disciples began to ask each other which of them would ever do such a thing. Then they began to argue among themselves about who would be the greater among them. Jesus tells about betrayal. The disciples tell about who among them would be the greatest. Jesus pours His heart out, trying to warn them. But they are fighting over silly things. Many a times we are like this too. We are so concerned about many petty things of us, that we tend to forget or overlook the more serious things concerning the Kingdom of God. God is waiting to open His heart out. Where as our prayers are always about me, my family and my things. How pitiful?  God is inviting us to greater things. If at all we are willing to open our hearts to things that concerns Him. If at all we live a life that is God oriented. If at all we seek God's heart and want to be concerned about His things. For the things which disturbs us right now are insignificant as compared to the greater calling. Im...

Luke:20:45-47 The teachers of the law and Pharisees wanted to show off with their robes and long prayers. In the core, they wanted to do things which would show off their pomp and authority. They would boss over the underprivileged to exercise authority. Why do we want to do the things that we do. To be appreciated by the public? To be recognised by the public? Or is my life gospel centred? Do I do the things which I do only for the sake of Christ being glorified?  Oh, to be empty and lowly Meek and unnoticed and unknown And to God, a vessel Holy Filled with Christ, and Christ alone May Christ be all, and I be nothing His glory shines in the vessels weak May Christ be all, and I be nothing This is my hope Not I, but Christ in me - Grace worship. Image credit: https://www.dmoose.com/blogs/training/body-builder-pose?srsltid=AfmBOopwLNyg0Ru1vxMPvba9LVcGUQh9cVO3YMwT5EIxMkPJ5Z3iO-Z-

Give to God what belongs to God. Luke:20:25 There is no stamp of God, that proves something belongs to Him. Like the stamp on a coin. But the inerrant rule is that whatever you have is God's. Everything you 'own' is actually His. Giving a portion of your earnings like the taxes doesn't fit in the Kingdom realm. Regarding paying taxes - you give from what is actually yours - not the country's. But regarding giving God, things are different. Because it is fully His and you are a steward. All you have is entirely His. All belongs to Him. So entrusting into His hands fully, in contrast to giving a portion is the right attitude to have. Not just your possessions. Your life in its entirety. Image credit: https://www.vancopayments.com/egiving/blog/tithing-system

My Temple will be a house of prayer, but you have made it a den of thieves. Luke:19:46 What have I made my body? The Temple of God. A den of thieves - selfish ambitions, Lust, greed, anxiety, fear, anger. To name a few. Yet there is a mob. Called to be a house of prayer. Because it is God's temple. Where is Godliness with contentment? Where is the fruit of the Spirit? Where is the Spirit filling and overflowing After all these years of knowing the Saviour? Who is enthroned? Ashamed to realise - He is locked up in a room. Will release when needed He was mindful of you, when He died. Why are you not mindful of Him? Why is entertainment, relaxation, enjoyment And lazying around taking His throne? The Joy of the Lord. Where is it? If God is not there. Then it is surely a den of thieves. Not just in your quiet time, church or Sunday school. But in your work place, in your talks In your demeanour, in your very being. Image credit: https://www.wallpaperflare.com/empty-wooden-b...

One rich man came seeking eternal life. Another rich man just wanted to have a look at Jesus. One rich man went away disappointed . The other went away joyous. About the first rich man, Jesus said it is hard for rich to enter the Kingdom of God. About the other rich man, Jesus said he was the true son of Abraham and salvation has come today.  What is impossible for people, is possible with God. Zacchaeus is an example that anyone can be saved. That everyone needs Jesus. Paul, Peter, Bartimaeus - all were saved. In every realms of life, there are lost. The Son of Man has come to seek and save them all. Not just the poor. Not just the sick. Not just the downtrodden. The rich. The well. The elite. Also need Jesus. For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. What you are going through, may be no one understands. But Jesus sees. He knows. And He has come to save you. People might ask, what is wrong with you. What do you don't have. But Jesus comes to stay. But ...

What do you want me to do for you?  Lord, I want to see. What if this question Jesus asks you today? What is it that you want me to do for you? What would be your answer? Not as a genie who makes your wishes come true. But as a loving Father. What would you genuinely answer?  Job? Children's security? Future's assurance? Health and healing? Financial security?  Or would you rather say? I want to see?  I want to see things in your perspective, Lord. I want to see you. I want to see things with the eyes of faith. Heal my myopic eye, the blind eye. The Lord knows what is your need. But He wants you to realise the need. To realise that you are blind. Unless I know the real need, how will I ask for the need. Image courtesy: https://wilmingtonfamilyeyecare.com/why-does-a-blind-eye-turn-white/

What should I do to inherit eternal life? Luke:18:18 The desire of the rich man was genuine and from the heart. Jesus' answer to him was two fold yet to the point. First - the core. The principle. The Law which paints before you the heart of God. The standard of God. It shows the holiness of God. Very difficult to fulfill it. Second - the culmination. The summary of the Law as told by Jesus Himself. To love the Lord with all your heart mind and soul. Above everything else. To give up everything else for the sake of God. To fulfil this and reach unto God is impossible. For there is a great drift between the holiness of God and the fallenness of man. The rich man like most of us was focussed on the doing than the being, to inherit eternal life.  Jesus was infact saying, there is nothing that you can do and then go and claim eternal life. No wonder he went away disappointed. Yet God's ways are beyond our ways. There is hope. What is impossible for people, is possible w...

Luke:18:14 For those who exalt themselves will be humbled and those who humble themselves will be exalted. Luke:18:14 A contrasting kingdom that is above the concept of mqankind. Just like Luke:17:33. A spiritual realm which you cannot fathom unless God chooses to reveal it to you. A similar tone we read in Luke14:8.  If you try to exalt yourself you will be humbled. Instead humble yourself under the mighty power of God, and at right time He will lift you up in honour. 1Pet:5:6. Let others take the preferred seat. Let yourself be trampled upon. Let others take the glory. John said about Jesus - He should increase, I should decrease. Will I be able to say that about my brother? When I do that, I choose to chop the head of pride that is lurking dangerously in my life. Is not humility the key to God's grace? God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble. James:4:6 What would you prefer? Self given name? Or God given grace? Image credit: https://danaa.in/product/humb...

Luke 18:1-8 Persistent requests to a godless judge will give justice to the widow. How much more, Jesus asks, a persistent prayer to a just loving Father? He will not keep putting them off. He will act on their behalf. Only pray. Only consistently pray. Only pray without ceasing, without getting bored. For if God is for us, who can be against us?  Why would I not pray? Why am I lazy to pray? Do I think I have got things in my control? Despite knowing, it is not, why am I consistently bored to pray? Because erroneously I believe that doing is more important than trusting. Pray out of faith. Prayer increases faith too.  An attitude of prayer, leads to frequent loud prayers. Always pray.  Prayer is the key to communication to God. Adoring and praising Him for who He is. Thanking Him for His benefits. Submitting our petitions and confessing our sins. Praying for others. There is enough and more to pray. Pray while you do your daily mundane things. Pray while you a...

Luke 17: 33 If you cling to your life, you will lose it and if you let your life go, you will save it. Jesus came to proclaim of a kingdom of heaven, that was totally out of this world. Not according to the norms of this world. A better way to put it is - This world which was  originally created by God with His standards have fallen so low that His standards are no longer reflected. Men have become selfish clinging to their own lives.  But Jesus has asked to come out of this shell and let go of things which you hold dear so that you would experience life in abundance which He had initially planned. If you cling, you will lose If you let go, you will save. The things so dear to you - just let go. Not to the dirt below. But leave it in God's hands and see how better He will handle for He is a loving God. Secondly seek first the kingdom of God is what He desires. It points fingers at your priority. Your most important thing in life. Is it God? Come to your senses. Ima...

Luke 17:11-19 All ten of them cried their heart out, Jesus , Master have mercy on us. But only one turned back, shouting, Praise God. One moment desperate for healing. The next moment grateful. Am I grateful for the blessings. These are not gifts or benefits for we do not deserve it. Unworthy as we are, I have been blessed. How much thankful I am? How well do I express my gratitude to the Master? The key to gratitude is this. Unless I remember the desperation I was in, I will not remember to be grateful. Unless I remember from where I have been plucked out, I will not express. Remember we were dust, doomed to hell. He pulled me out. He has delivered me always. He has been there consistently, not depending on my faithfulness. Remember and then vocalise. Image credit: https://www.thechurchnews.com/2019/8/25/23215387/boyd-matheson-jesus-gratitude-lepers/

Luke 16:31 But Abraham said, if they won't listen to Moses and the prophets, they won't listen even if someone rises from the dead. Jesus starts telling this story of the rich man and Lazarus from the context of importance of the Law once that Good News has been preached (v:16). He says,  now the good News is more important than observing the Law, which doesn't mean that the Law has lost its force (v:17). Abraham tells the rich man, that his brothers have the Law and Moses to obey and follow and if they don't follow the Law and Moses, not even someone who rises from the dead ( which personifies Jesus Himself), they would listen to (v:31). Very often we think, now that the New Testament is here, Old Testament is irrelevant. Yes it is difficult to follow the Old covenant, inch by inch. But it doesn't mean, the things in the Old Testament are insignificant.  We forget that, it shows the standards of a Holy God and those standards are the character of an unc...

Luke 16:10 If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won't be honest with greater responsibilities. It is small things that test your honesty and faithfulness. How do you handle your time? Waste it with the endless scroll or utilize it to get closer to your Father?  How do you handle the little money that you have? Lavish it upon yourself pampering yourself or share it with others? What is your heart's motif when you bring up your children? Use them for your glory or the Father's? Your job. Your assets. Your relationships. Do you have an attitude of stewardship or ownership?  Dishonesty is when you own up things which are not your own. What is it that you have, that has not been given?  It has to be all for the King's glory. He has to be your only priority, not first. Image credit: https://growingintime.com/how-to-be-a-good-steward-10-ways/

All these years I have been slaving for you. I have not disobeyed any of your orders. You have not given me anything. You are always with me. All I have is yours. The elder son missed it all. The elder son thought he had it all. But missed the whole point. He was doing things for the Father. Not knowing the basic truth that all that is the father's is his. Why do we do the things we do?  Why me? What more should I have done?  Why is God dealing with me like this? Why have I failed yet again? Why should I always suffer? These are questions that come out of a frustrated heart that thinks that I have sacrificed many things for God and I have missed out on so many things. Where as all that the Father has is mine, I forget. It should be out of gratitude and not obligation.  Shame on me, in thinking that God owes to me because I did so many things for Him.  May be overly we don't tell that to God. But our attitude says it all. That I deserve a better living tha...

Luke15 The shepherd leaving the ninety nine to go in search of one lost sheep is ridiculous, unless that lost one is me. Cleaning and sweeping the entire house in search of one lost silver coin is determination. But a better explanation is, that, for the woman, that coin was special. Waiting day and night for his lost son, who squandered his own hard earned wealth is love alone. Love is the basic factor that prompted my God to do this. To come in search of the lost me. That I am so special for Him, for I am His signet ring. Rejoicing over me when I choose to have fellowship with Him. How is it possible to love like this? Only God can love like this. For He is love. Image credit: https://howard-carter.blogspot.com/2016/12/the-lost-son-luke-1511-34-on-crossroad.html?m=1

Luke 14:33 In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything, he cannot be my disciple. Discipleship and following are different. Anyone can be a follower. But a disciple, prioritises. For a follower, it is convenience. He may or may not. He will join the meeting online, if the situations are cordial, with camera switched off and then do other things simultaneously as well. A disciple listens with intend, takes note, rerevises it, desiring to practise it. A follower is irregularly irregular in attendance. A disciple longs and plans to listen to the word. A follower may or may not obey, depending on convenience. A disciple's only option is to obey. Why do you pursue Jesus? Is it as if He is the only way to meaningful and purposeful living? Or is He one of the way? Are there other ways of entertainment and responsibilities which would weigh more in your life as compared to this God? Would you take the convenient route or the more beautiful and fruitful route of ...

Luke:14:11 For those who exalt themselves will be humbled and those who humble themselves will be exalted. This example that Jesus quoted has challenged me since childhood. To not to take up seats of honour, lest you would be embarassed and humiliated. But to take up seats of less honour, that you would be honoured by the host later. It is man's tendency to project himself. To take up honour for your own. But to keep it aside, to stay low profile so that others are honoured more, is a great thing. Others might not know it, neither would they know you. You may fade into oblivion just like that. As if you never existed. Without being noticed or honoured. But that is absolutely fine, as God sees it.  1Pet:5:6 So humble yourself under the mighty power of God and at the right time, He will lift you up in honour. But most of us focus on being lifted up in due time in honour. That becomes the motivation to humble ourselves. That is not true humbling. Is the desire to be lifted...

Karun Nair, Indian cricketer was unduly kept away from Indian cricket team. Though he scored runs in international and domestic circuit. This was a viral post of his in 2022. After which he scored piles of runs in domestic circuit and in the IPL. Finally he was given a chance to represent team India again. Inspiring stuff. Give it one more chance. Lk:13:6 Jesus the intercessory keeps on asking for one more chance for you. Those that do not bear fruit are expected to be cut down. V:5 reaffirms by saying - No and I tell you again and again that unless you repent you will perish too. Sin is not something which a holy God can accommodate with. Bearing fruit is what you think as a higher level of Christianity. But not bearing fruit is actually sin. Because that is the purpose of the plant. If you don't love your neighbour, if you do not have joy despite all your circumstances, if you do not have peace that passes all circumstances , if you are impatient and short tempered, i...

Luke 12:32 So don't be afraid, little flock. For it gives your Father, great happiness to give you the kingdom. Father's joy is to give you the kingdom. Undeserving as we were. Rebels as we were. Yet given. That is grace.  And God doesn't give it unwillingly. But with great joy. God gives His full heart when He gives you the Kingdom. Do we?  Image credit: meta ai

That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life. - Jesus Which is why?  Luke:12:21 describes the reason. Yes a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth, but not have a rich relationship with God. Focussing on the temporary, focussing on the things which will vanish. Focussing on the things which might blip. Then you worry. But if we focus on the things which is eternal. If we focus on things which would have lasting values. Then you know that God who is eternal All Powerful is your Father. He will take care. That is trust. It is faith that you believe that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ. It is trust that you believe that All things work for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteous. And all these things shall be added to you. Image credit: https://create.vista.com/photos/gold-jesus-christ/

When Jesus was addressing the 6 "what sorrow awaits you" glimpses in Luke 11, He was dealing with hypocrisy. He was asking how can you deal with the outside without thinking of cleansing the inside.  - About cleaning the dish - Sitting in seats of honour - About walking over hidden graves - Unbearable religious demands - Monuments for prophets killed by them - Removing the key to knowledge. Religiosity is good. But piety is higher. Ritualism and legalism is well appreciated. But what is more important is truthfulness of the heart. Why do I do the things that I do. Isn't heart more important than the deeds? Isn't being more important than doing?  The thief by the side of Jesus on the cross, ended up being in paradise with Him, without doing anything great. Image credit: https://www.thespruce.com/order-for-dish-washing-1900439

Lk:11:36 If you are filled with light with no dark corners, then your whole life will be radiant as though a floodlight is filling you with light. Light with dark corners. Subtle compromises, for your comfort. You have the light, but there are patches around the corner. Those things which you thought that wouldn't matter. That others wouldn't notice. Subtle things which you entertain, though the Lord had asked you to take away, but you hold on to it for your own sake. If those dark corners are not there, then there would be that radiant light which illuminates your entire life. That is beautiful. Entirely filled with light. That would be blessed to be entirely illuminated by the light. Transparent. Fully transmitting the light incident on you. Not opaque. Not translucent. No shadows. Not reflective. Not refractive. Entirely, fully transmitting. Image credit: https://stock.adobe.com/images/3d-transparent-glass-heart-with-dispersion/567453309

Luke 11:28 He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey i t.” Our understanding of blessedness is totally miscued. We think of material blessings. We think of God pouring out benefits. But blessing is knowing Him and being able to come out of the rut of rebellion and being able to obey Him.  We think of the criteria for blessing also in a miscued way. We think doing is the way to blessing. But being is more important we forget. The same God who said go and make ye disciples to the ends of the world also said, do not fret. For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. James 2:10 Going to the unreached is extremely important. So also is being a Christ like husband and a Christ embodying father at home.  It is not about doing alone. But about being as well.  Image credit: https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/giorgio-armani-designed-superyacht

Ask and shall be given to you. Seek and you shall find. Knock and the door shall be opened to you. Luke 11:9 Pray. And that's it. The Father who loves you, won't He give what is best for you. Just like an earthly father wants to give the best for his child. Wouldn't the Heavenly Father do much more? Then why wouldn't we ask, seek and knock? Because we think we are self sufficient. We think we are comfortable in the way we are. It's because of pride that we are lazy to ask.  So just pray. Pray aloud. Pray silently. Pray with others. Pray alone. Pray without ceasing. Pray desperately. Pray with tears. Pray with confidence. Father teach me to pray to you.  Image credit: https://exodus90.com/blog/spiritual-defense-deliverance-prayers-for-the-laity/

Dear Brother. Rest in peace. This life is small. Yet proved again. But you proved. Living for Christ alone matters. Trying to acquire skill  And to use your well earned medical knowledge For the poor and needy. Your words still ring in my ear. "We are alone there" Brother gone too soon. Leaving behind a legacy. Well done good and faithful servant. Enough is enough. Come back and enter the rest planned for you. In His bosom, the classic smile I can imagine. Your laughter will surely resound in heaven today. There is rejoicing in heaven  For a son has come back home. Fulfilling his Father's will for him Why should earth be gloomy?  For he is home.

Mary has discovered it. Lk: 10:42 Discovery is all about finding the knack of it. It is different from invention, which is finding something new. Where as discovery is finding out for yourself, something which already existed. Isaac Newton did not invent gravity, he discovered it. What did Mary discover? That there is only one thing worth being concerned about in life. It is to know Him.  To rush around in life is useless. To fret for petty things is useless. To be distracted with so many other things is useless. We need to discover that one thing which is worth being concerned about. Image credit: https://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/earth/geophysics/question232.htm

Luke:10:29 Who is my neighbour? Through the story Jesus' answer to this question was very explicit.  Everyone is your neighbour. Anyone who is in need is your neighbour. Anyone who is spiritually, emotionally, physically in need, you should be fully available. Do you cross over to the other side? Showing you did not see. Are the other responsibilities standing in your way. Or are you freely available  Selling out yourself, your time, your energy, your money. Are you a good neighbour?