The halfbaked Bard

Acts:6:1-7 The seven men were selected for distributing food for the widows. But these seven were chosen as those who were well reported and full of the Spirit and wisdom. Such a menial job, but such high qualification. One of them, Stephen, has been described as man full of faith and the Holy Spirit. No job is menial. You might be the church choir leader or the one who preaches. Or you might be the least important person in the choir. Or you might be the one who wipes clean the chairs. In God's eyes both are the same, whether you do it faithfully and with thankfulness - that is what matters. That makes it even more significant. Each job has its own value. Each job entrusted to you is important. Whether you are a student or a teacher, a doctor or an engineer or a daily wages worker, do it as if you are doing it for God. It has to be impeccable. Give your best shot. Do it with full heart. Image courtesy: https://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-maintain-a-wooden-dining-table-165...

You may even find yourself fighting against God. Acts:5:39 Gamaliel was a man of wisdom. He said, if this is from man, it will die off soon. But if this is from God, it will not die and infact you will end up fighting against God. That would be utter foolishness. You might not literally decide to fight against God. But not accepting His flow of events, trying to resist that, He might be taking you through a not so easy path, and you resist going there. All these you might end up resisting God. You will end up hurt and bruised and foolish. But how do you know the path He is taking you. Spend time with Him. Know His heart. Seek Him. That is the only way. Be sure where you are going, it is God's paths. Otherwise do not take it. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Resist God and you will end up bruised and foolish. Image credit: https://wallpapers.com/wallpapers/cool-boxing-720-x-1280-fr008lzdluxilvgu.html

He sold a field he owned and brought the money to the apostles. Acts:4:37 It was not a mandate that all should sell everything they own and bring the money to the apostles. Barnabas sold "A" field he owned. The problem with Ananias and Saphira was not that they sold only some of their land, but they claimed that it was the full amount. They wanted appreciation and therefore they lied. Whereas Barnabas sold one of his property and was truthful. Be honest. White lies are also lies before God's eyes. No one might be able to catch you red handed. But God sees. It is against God that you lie. David in Psalm 51 realised it. Joseph in Potiphar's house realised it. You are standing before God always. Stand with awe. Walk with reverence. Live with a reverential fear. Image credit :  https://www.dreamstime.com/close-up-woman-feet-walking-barefoot-sand-leaving-footprints-golden-beach-vacation-travel-freedom-concept-people-image200555858

Acts:3:19 Do you think God wants us to obey you rather than Him?  Peter filled with the Holy Spirit, has the audacity to ask this bold statement to the chief priests and rulers when they were warned not to preach in the name of Jesus Christ. Who do you think we should obey? Whom should you listen to? Whom do you try to please? There is the God Almighty on one side; the All Powerful God who has given you the responsibility to tell about Him. On the otherside, you fear about man whose opinion flickers all the time.  The Almighty God, who is Eternal. And there is man who is temporal.  The God who is love, who gave up everything for you, died for your redemption, dared to call Himself sin, He who hates sin. And then there is man who will forget you the next moment, who knows only to love himself. How do you take your decisions? Is the world's standards a criterion for your decision making? Or is God your decision Maker? He said He has plans to prosper you. He said...

Beautiful gate had no beauty It was dull, dismal and colourless All I could see was my lame legs And the skin and bones that is left of them. I knew every stone in the gate Every stain on the gate The contrast was obvious Lacklustre was the Beautiful gate. My eye level caught strong legs walk by The muscles that bulged out in the calves of men The smooth skin of the legs of women Mine was brute, cold and lifeless. Then two men came by First time I remember, I saw face of men First time I remember, a man looking at me eagerly I looked at them intently, expecting. But they disappointed me first Gold or silver, I do not have ,he said Dullness blanketed yet again Ashen laden was still mine eyes. In the name of Jesus of Nazareth, walk A jolt from somewhere, filled me. My very own eyes saw it as it progressed Something which I dreamt, but couldn't believe. The thigh muscles, the calves - as I desired My bones felt strength within The skin was dry, now it is shining From icthy...

A deep sense of awe came over them all. Acts:2:43 There is the joy and happiness There is the feeling of friendship There is this freedom of being child of God Where is the awe? There is this boldness to approach the throne of grace There is the openness to talk to Him always Where is the fear - holiness of God vs my wretchedness Where is the awe? He is a consuming fire He is the righteous Judge He has the right to punish your body and soul to eternal hell Where is the awe? Awe is respect plus fear Just because He is a loving Father doesn't mean That He is not a Righteous Judge He would not compromise on His holiness. Awe has given way to licentiousness Fear of the Lord has given way to complacency God is Almighty and I, small and futile God is holy and I, a sinner Awe with love and gratitude That is the right attitude Reverential fear, as you stand in the presence of God always That would give you the right frame of worship. Image credit: https://wtop.com/health-fitnes...

Acts:2:1-13 It is often common to see, when there is a manifestation of the power of the Holy Spirit, it is being misinterpreted with logical reasoning. The first manifestation of the coming of the Holy Spirit was people speaking in tongues and it was misinterpreted as drunkenness. Whether it is really true healing? Whether it is a gimmick? Whether we can give a more logical explanation to it than divine intervention? Why can't my futile human brain accept the fact that God can work in unnatural ways (which is natural for Him). Why do I trust in things which I see alone? I am not saying, you should believe in every such things that happen as divine intervention. Discernment, the Spirit Himself will give. The Holy Spirit is alive. He is God. His manifestations are real. We should be aware and we should believe that there is another realm which is difficult for us to comprehend, but not infeasible to believe. Image credit: https://www.mexperience.com/mexicos-mystical-wind...

Acts:1:3 When Jesus was here on this earth for forty days after His crucifixion, He appeared to many and proved to many that He was alive. And He talked to them about the Kingdom of God. This is probably the last moments Jesus will have, to talk to His friends in person. And for Him, this is probably one of the most important times with them. And therefore, if He talks about the Kingdom of God at this crucial juncture then it means, the Kingdom of God is that important for Him. All we need to do is to seek the Kingdom of God with the same passion as Jesus proclaims the Kingdom of God. Which God Himself beautifully portrays in the whole Bible. The Old Testament is a shadow of it. Jesus explains every angle of it. The epistles say everything about it. And the last book describes the epitome of the glory of it. Unless you search the Scriptures passionately, eagerly and inquisitively, how will you know?  Image credit: https://www.biblestudytools.com/bible-study/topical-stud...

You follow me. Jn:21:22 Peter was asked to follow Jesus. Impulsive as he is, he asks, "What about the other person?" Jesus befits a reply, How does it concern you. You follow me. Jesus is not asking us not to be bothered about the other person's future. We should be concerned about other's eternity. That's why we share the Good News. We should love your neighbour as yourself. But most pertinent thing is your discipling. God will not hold you accountable for another man's growth or his relationship with God. But yours. The world around may crumble before you,  but you follow me. Your loved ones will falsely accuse you, but you follow me. Your own friends will desert their faith, but you follow me. The world around you might be chaotic, but you follow me. Image credit: https://www.beliefnet.com/ilovejesus/features/what-did-jesus-do-after-his-resurrection.aspx

I am amazed at Peter's inconsistency. One fine morning he decides that he is going for fishing and He drags 6 others too. Eventhough he has seen the risen Lord already twice. But he had a family to feed, and friends to lead. So he logically decided that he will go and do the things that he is good at. But when the disciple whom Jesus loved, realised that it was their Lord who was standing on the beach, the moment Peter realised with surity that it is Jesus indeed, he leaves his boat, his net, 153 fish he caught, his friends everything that was dear to him and rushed to Jesus. The others stayed on to pull the net. But Peter rushed to his beloved Jesus. I see Peter in me- inconsistent. But Jesus loves me and comes for me. His love is not based on what I do. Not based on whether I have disappointed Him, yet again. He loves me as I am. He comes to reinstate me and equip me. Such is the love of my Jesus whom I have disappointed often. Even when I have turned my back against ...

Jn:20:22 Then He breathed on them and said, Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone's sins, they are forgiven. If you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven. The Holy Spirit helps you to forgive. If you forgive, they are forgiven indeed. If you do not forgive, then they are not. What a serious footing? Am I the reason why my brother stands unforgiven? What about my family? My own friends? Do they stand guilty because of me? Yes it's true, that ultimately when they stand before God, it is whether they have sought forgiveness from God themselves that matters. But have I forgiven? You might not have been able to forget the injustice done to you. The lack of love. But the Holy Spirit will enable you to forgive. Forgiveness is so important that in the Lord's prayer He highlights - Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. If you want to be forgiven, you have to forgive. Do you want to stand before the Lord guilty or forgiven? Do you want ...

Ps:22:18. They divided my garments themselves and threw dice for my clothing. Ps:22:15. I am thirsty. Ps:34:20. Not one of his bones will be broken. Zech:12:10. They will look on the one they pierced. John's account of Jesus' crucifixion - minimum four places he states that the scriptures to be fulfilled. Jesus' death was not accidental. Neither was it a surprise for God. It was planned as early as the garden of Eden (even before that - for God is omniscient). Jesus' death happened not because of chance, but a pre-planned one, for the sake of salvation of mankind. John:19:35. This report is from an eyewitness giving an accurate account. He speaks the truth so that you also can believe. Historically proven truth. These disciples who are accused of taking away the body of Jesus and claiming that He rose from the dead. How is it possible with the most authoritative Roman seal in place? Why would they stand so strong for a lie that they would uphold?  Why would ...

Why do I fall in sin? I am not a desperate rebel who looks for ways to sin. I as a child of holy God, do hate sin. Yes my heart is inclined to sin, because of my fallen nature. But deep down inside, I am now a new creation. The old has gone, the new has come. But still, sometimes I stumble and fall. Forgetting my master's cruel death, a penalty for my sin. Why? As Paul says, I do things which I hate to do. I end up doing things which I don't want to do. Why? Peter, though He was warned, fell for it because he was warming himself, instead of being close to the presence of Jesus. David fell for it, because he was in the terrace at the time when he was supposed to be in war. Pharaoh's heart was hardened, because he hardened his heart first. Lot slowly drifted away, because of the subtle compromises he made. Be not, where you are expected not to be. Do no things which you are not expected to do. Do not start a chain of events which will lead you further to sin. If y...

I am He. Jn:18:5 Three times, Jesus said, I am He. Three times He echoes the sound of Yahweh. And the third time all who heard Him,  Drew back and fell to the ground. No surround sound. No acoustic effect. Just the authority. Such power. The Creator, the Almighty, the All Powerful. The All knowing God. The Second of Trinity. This same Jesus. The same authenticity. Says to you in the midst of your turmoils. I am He. That's enough for your mountains to crumble. For He is your Maker. For He is your Husband. Therefore His words are trustworthy. Do not be afraid, I am with you. I have plans to prosper you. I am on your side. I will fight for you. Your enemies therefore will flee, No matter how powerful they are. Be it the strongest men on earth. Or a powerful demon against you. Every knee shall bow, when He says, I am He. Don't you dare touch my child. He is mine, He proclaims. He declares, not whispers. That is enough, my dear one. Death could not restrict Him. Grave co...

John 17 They were always yours. They belong to you. May they be in us. I am in them and you are in me. You love them as much as you love me. Your love for me will be in them. And I will be in them. The prayer of Jesus is for you specifically. The prayer is all about knowing the Father and the Son Jesus Christ. Whom the Father sent. The love between the Father and the Son is to us and also among us. That we belong to the Father originally and He has always loved us. Do we realize the mindset of the Father. He is mindful of us. He wants us to experience the unending love, that He has. He is the source of all love. As much as there is love in the Trinity, so much He loves me. He can't love less. What is there in me to love me this much, Oh! Father. Image credit: https://stjohnswestbrunswick.org.au/2024/03/21/john-17-the-prayer-of-jesus/

Jn:16:33 Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world. Christian walk is never promised to be a smooth run. You will have many trials and sorrows- for two reasons. 1. Sin is the primary reason of sufferings and trials. But Jesus says, I have overcome the world. He came to pay the penalty of the sin of the whole world. Jesus is the solution. 2. You have moved from the dark to the light. Now you are on the opposite side as the world. The prince of the earth is your enemy now, and he will tooth and nail try to subdue you. But Jesus says, I have overcome the world. He has indeed overcome through His death on the cross. And He promises to be with you till the end of days. Again Jesus is the solution. Not the absence of trials and sorrows is the proposed solution. But through it all He promises to be faithful. He promises to be with you. He enables and equips you. He will strengthen you. He will comfort you. This is the tr...

I will send Him to you. John:16:7 The work of the Holy Spirit is -  1. To convict the world of its sin, of God's righteous and coming judgement. 2. To guide you into all truth. 3. To tell you about the future. 4. To teach you everything. 5. To remind you everything that the Son has told. The Holy Spirit, the third person of Trinity, has been given as a gift, as a Helper, as an Advocate to lead you farther to the Father through the Son. He is always there with you. The most neglected person of the Trinity, while He is always available.  He is the One who gives His fruit - love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control. Ask and it shall be given unto you, is the promise. So if you don't have it, it is because you don't ask. And because you don't ask the right person. Do not grieve the Holy Spirit, by neglecting His nudgings by revelling in sin. Do not belittle His presence. Remember He is in you always. Image courtesy...

They hated me without cause. Jn:15:25 Man, by his nature hates God. His natural inclination is to rebel against God. Because of his fallenness, because of what happened at the garden of Eden, the devil has inculcated his nature into mankind. And through one man, all of mankind has become corrupt and mutated to hate God. For what? For nothing. From nothingness God has created us. We never even existed in space or time. But then He created us in His own image and likeness. But we rebelled. We said we don't submit to authority. Where as He has promised life in abundance. We have settled for broken cisterns. We denied His existence. We denied His control over us. We wanted the steering wheel, in turn handling it over to the evil manipulator, the Father of all lies. By our nature we won't love God. We can't love God. Rom:5:10. Our friendship with God was restored by the death of His Son while we were still His enemies. Yes! That is exactly how the cross becomes perti...

You did not choose me; I chose you. Jn:15:16 It is God who chose you. Before the foundations of the world was laid. Before you were even formed, Chosen, predestined, selected - with a purpose. To be loved by the source of love. To be possessed as His eternal treasure. Prepared for the good works, He already planned. Chosen, well ahead of time. Part of His eternal plan. To transform you into His likeness Fallen and marred as you are. Chosen, to be loved with an everlasting love. He has engraven you in His palms The scars that mar the hands of the Holy Creator Has the shape of you, to make you acceptable Chosen to be His beloved. Chosen to be in His kingdom Chosen to be in His army, victorious Chosen you to overcome the enemy, By the strength of the one who is in you. What have I done to deserve this choice? How have I been deemed qualified? Just pure love. Nothing else. I am awestruck, to be chosen. Image courtesy: https://www.delish.com/kitchen-tools/kitchen-secrets/a654130...

Jn:15:1. I am the true grapevine vine and my Father is the gardener. You are the branches. The purpose of the branches is to produce fruit. If not, the gardener will cut it off. If yes, then the gardener will prune. Only if you remain in the main vine, will you be able to produce much fruit. Remain is a restful word. Just remain in Him. Be one with Him. Imbibe from Him. Be in constant touch with Him. Being reminded of His presence always. The xylem and the phloem are continuous with the main vine. The nutrients that the branches get, is from the main vine. Connected always. The main vine is the strength and support for the branches. Be aware and sure of the glorious presence of the Almighty always. Abstain from things which He abhors. Love things which He loves and pursue it. Focus on knowing and seeking Him all the time. For that is what you have been created for. Therefore make every second count. Make every opportunity to know Him. Do not focus on bringing forth fruit. T...

I am leaving you with a gift; peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. Jn:14:27 Peace is one thing that man has always desired. Inner peace as well as peace with each other. But the peace that the world offers is dependent on circumstances. If everything goes well, then you will have peace. And that is exactly why there is a huge strife to do things well. Between kingdoms and countries; amongst individuals - there are discussions and meetings to make things well. But what Jesus promises is something different. Peace that passeth all understanding. Even when things are going wrong. When things happen contrary to your plans, still if you have peace; then that is greater peace. That greater peace enables you to hope. That greater peace equips you to smile always. That peace comes from the surity of your identity in Christ. That I am the Lord's beloved and that nothing happens in my life, without God knowing it and without God allowing ...

My darling, I want you to realise how much I love you. I have expressed my love always and my desire is that you would understand  the depth and height and width and length of my love.  You are not alone. You are not an orphan to be left alone to chance. You will be well taken care of. Your very being is mine. You are mine. You are my precious little one. Though you feel alone, I am there for you. Do not feel that no one understands you. Do not feel that no one knows your plight or cares for you. I am there on your side. I have fashioned you by my hands. I have engraved you in the palms of my hand. You are so precious to me. Do not feel abandoned. Do not feel dejected. The truth is I am with you till the end of days. Whatever contrary to this, is a lie. Just know my presence with you always. Trust in me. I am your Father. I am your Husband. I am your Lover. I am your Friend. I will never leave you nor forsake you. I have loved you with an everlasting love. My love ...

I am the way, the truth and the life Jn:14:6 I am the way. I am the only way to reach unto the Father. I am the only way of salvation. I am the only way of forgiveness of sin. And without forgiveness of sin there is no access to God. I am the truth. I am the true God. There is no lie in me. Whatever I say is true. For my nature is truth. God is true. God alone is true. So when I say, I am the truth, it proves my diety. I am the life. In me alone is life. The abundant life which I promised is only through me. Unless you believe in me there is no part in the life that I offer. Living life to the fullest is only through me, because it is I who created this life. And I will enable you to live that life to the fullest capacity in this fallen world. Not only in this world, but in the world to come as well. Image courtesy: https://www.shutterstock.com/image-vector/christian-bible-verse-way-truth-1740972008?dd_referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2F

Jn:14:3 When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. Either Jesus is an outright fool, who believed false things Himself. Or He is a liar. Or what He says is absolute truth. One cannot say, some teachings I accept. Some I reject. The same person who said, love your enemy, also said, I am with you, do not be afraid. The same person who asked you to walk the extra mile, told that He is coming back for you. He said He is coming back to get you back to where you really belong. To His place. Can we even fathom His passionate love for us. Preparing a place that is specially for you. Coming back for you. To take you there. And there you will always be with me where I am. Forever. There is no greater love than this. There is no other love. There is no other hope. And this love is the one thing that should pull us along. Don't you dare feel insecure. Don't you dare think you are unwanted. You have a Father who loves you so...

Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Jn:13:34. Love is the base of Christian belief system. Love your God and love your neighbour are the sum and substance of all the commandments according to Jesus. Love as I have loved you -  Love your enemy, who ridiculed you, who doesn't consider you, who look down upon you. Love, so much that you wouldn't consider your life, more worth than loving this person. Love like you are willing to give away your life. Love so much that you would not consider the position you have been given, as something to cling on to, as compared to the love for this person. Love selflessly. Love them, so that you would become a servant of them. Love them as if you would become empty. Continue to love them even when they do not reciprocate. Continue to love them with the same intensity even after you have been blamed and accused. Love is not just a feeling, which if there, you would love. That is easy. But love is a c...

You ought to wash each other's feet. Jn:13:14 Because I have washed your feet, you also should wash each other's feet. Be a servant to each other. Submit to one another. Not reluctantly as if you have no other option. If you do so, pride will keep on swelling up. You would become frustrated, because you think you are the one who keeps serving always and others are bossy. Lo! That will take you nowhere.  Oh! To be empty and lowly Meek and unnoticed and unknown... Let Christ be all and I be nothing. His glory shines in vessels weak. When we selflessly serve, in reality there would be no consciousness of serving. Why am I a doormat always?  Why am I being utilised?  Why should I suffer always? Let it be so. Lord enable me to cheerfully, consistently, unconsciously, willingly and by choice to be a slave to others. It is to my loved ones, that is most difficult. To be unnoticed. To be unknown. To be unappreciated. To be unacknowledged. To be just dissol...

A person who has bathed all over, does not need to wash, except for the feet to be entirely clean. Jn:13:10 Bathed all over. But feet gets dirty often. Saved once for sure. But falls into sin. Wash the feet and you would be made clean. Repent; so that you would be reinstated. Without this there is no sanctification. We are justified and will be glorified. Where as this is a process. As the Spirit guides, repent; renounce; reject. Unless you let Him wash, you don't belong to Him. Keep washing. Keep letting Him wash. Image courtesy: https://www.istockphoto.com/search/2/image?mediatype=illustration&phrase=washing+feet

John:13:3 Jesus knew that the Father had given Him authority over everything and that He had come from God and would return to God. So He got up from the table took off His robe, wrapped a towel around His waist and poured water into a basin.  Then He began to wash the disciples feet, drying them with the towel He had around Him. This is true knowing. There was nothing to prove. There was no one to prove. He was sure of His identity. His doing wouldn't determine His identity. In fact it was vice versa. His identity prompted His doing. Humbling Himself. There was no confusion. There was no mistaken identity. There was no desperation to prove. There is no question of what others will think. Just absolute surity of who He was.  Being sure of your identity in Christ and that nothing you do will deter Him from loving you more or less. There is no need to try to please others. You are indeed His beloved. There is nothing in this world that can seperate you from His love....

I have come to save this world and not to judge it. Jn:12:47 When Jesus came the first time, He came with an arm of salvation. Anyone who believes in Him shall not perish, but will have eternal life. But when He comes the second time, He is coming with an arm of judgement.  All who reject me and my message will be judged on the day of judgement by the truth I have spoken. Jn:12:48 If you receive His arm of salvation, you wouldn't have to receive His arm of judgement.  Rom:8:1. Now there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. The equation is very simple. Either you are for Him, or you're against Him. And those who are with Him will stand with Him in glory; redeemed. Those who are against Him will be pushed into eternal separation; condemned. Your eternity is determined by your brief time in this earth. Image credit: https://www.pexels.com/photo/time-watch-clock-hours-9352/

Those who love their life in this world will lose it. Those who care nothing for their life in this world will keep it for eternity. Jn:12:25 A selfless living. To leave everything and follow Jesus. You can also be a disciple clinging on to your own life. But that wouldn't be the abundant life He promised. Letting go of the very things which gives priority to you - that is the key to all the struggles you face. Then there would be no ego. Then there would be no pressure to perform. Then there would be no hurts. A carefree living concentrated fully on bringing glory to God. It sounds impossible. But you say O Lord, that nothing is impossible for you. I pray O Lord that I would leave everything that entangles me and follow you. Image courtesy: https://stock.adobe.com/search?k=disentangle