The halfbaked Bard

Matt:16:24 If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross and follow me.  Probably the key verse for me about Christian life. It tells about man's fallen and wretched plight. Man is always self oriented and selfish. Therefore, denying yourself is proving that you love Jesus more than your own self. Declaring that God is more important to you than your own self. Your tiredness, your loss of wealth, your loss of privacy or me time - doesn't matter as long as the advacement of the kingdom is onward. If denying your desires and yielding yourself into God's hands entrusting Him to take you through the path which He has deemed best for you - he is the one who truly follows Jesus.  Jesus denied Himself for the will of the Father, for the better good. For our better good.  Take up the cross doesn't always mean persecution for the sake of the Gospel in the literal sense. In fact I believe, any trouble that comes our wa...

Jesus' response to Peter was so dramatic. He attributed it to a revelation from the Father in heaven, when he proclaimed that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God.  Whereas He attributed it to Satan, when he called Him aside and advised Him not to say of such things as death and all. Jesus further responded saying, "You are seeing things merely from a human point of view not from God's" Matt:16:23 Man's logic and reasoning and wisdom and knowledge and thought process are all fallen, just like man is. Man is so helpless that He can think of fallen ways alone. Only when he thinks in God's perspective will he be able to rise above that and be wise, and see things in a better view. The view in which it is supposed to be looked at. For that we need faith. Not 'seeing is believing'. But hoping for things which are  not seen. Seeing things in the spiritual realm, which becomes tangible only by grace.  Seeking Him and His grace, will help you out o...

Don't take things for granted. The very same Peter who was commended for the revelation that the Father gave, was immediately rebuked by Jesus in the next instance.          Matt:16:17         Matt:16:23 You think you are close to God? You think you are special to Him? Yes indeed you are. But if you think you are standing, beware that you would not fall. The moment pride encroaches into you heart you are far far far away from Him. It is all by grace that He revealed, He reveals and He will reveal.  With humility keep on placing yourself at His feet continuously seeking His face, lest you would think you are great. We need to be always sin conscious and God conscious. Otherwise there is no hope for us. We might reach heaven, but..........  Image credit: https://community.carbide3d.com/t/how-to-make-shadow-art/59199

Matt:16:13-20 Peter declared the truth that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God. That was a revelation from God, according to Jesus, not something he learnt from others or from his own effort.  Any truth about God has to come from God Himself. Man cannot decipher it out of His will. God has to reveal Himself to us. Man cannot reach out to God. God has to reach out to him. But for God to reveal Himself, we have to humble ourselves seeking God, praying that He would reveal Himself to us. Because without His revelation, there is no point in seeking.  But why do we need to know Him?  John:17:3. And this is eternal life - to know You the Only true God, and Jesus Christ, the One You sent to earth.  Image credit:  https://zanibonilighting.com/blog/post/what-is-a-beam-shaper

Jesus did many wonders.  1. By demanding faith from the receiver's side.  2. Even without them asking.  3.He infact denied doing wonders and signs to prove His authority.  He is Lord of all. He does all wonders and signs on His sovereignty. It is His choice. We can only ask for His intervention in our lives. We cannot demand for Him to work the way we want to run it. Who are we to demand? We should infact plead for Him to work the way He seems best. We don't know. But He knows. He being our Father, yet the Eternal Almighty God, He would do what is best for us only. We need to trust this.  Image credit: https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.christianity.com/wiki/jesus-christ/what-miracles-did-jesus-perform.html%3famp=1