The halfbaked Bard

Yesterday, after the India vs Australia ICC WWC semifinal, these words hung in the air after the player of the match Jemimah Rodrigues was given the stage. Your faith is being proclaimed throughout the whole world. Rom:1:8 A church which was not even started by Paul. Paul wouldn't probably have known these people personally.  But he commends their faith. You want to be a silent Christian because you are not a bold Christian. Do your colleagues know that you are a Christian? Not by name. Is there a difference between you and the nominal Christian? Between you and the carnal Christian? Do you freely proclaim that the author and finisher of your faith is Jesus?  Image credit: https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-news/womens-world-cup-2025-cried-every-single-day-went-through-anxiety-jemimah-rodrigues-opens-up-after-historic-knock-against-australia/?amp=1

Rom:1:7 Beloved of God. Rebel as I am. Enemy of God was I. Given an option, I would do things which God hates. Or else I would find ways. Unloveable as I am, incorrigible as I am. There is nothing good in me. Still He chose to love me. I am the Lord's beloved. He cherishes me. He allures me to Himself. He chose me. My destiny is He. He has kept me in His bosom. What is there in me, that you have found, that you are mindful of me? Your mind is full of me. You are mine and I am yours, He exclaims. Yes nothing can separate me now from the love of God. Oh! Wretched as I am, poor, naked and blind. Still He loves me. Dirty, filthy. The purest of the purest has loved me first. He who knew no sin, became sin for me, the very things He hates, He abhors - He became. Because of His unending, limitless love for me. Why Lord? I cannot comprehend. I cannot fathom. Image credit: https://www.pexels.com/photo/a-silhouette-of-a-father-carrying-his-child-6488427/

Acts 28 As Paul arrives in Rome, where he is expected to be trialled and executed, he doesn't waste time. He calls to the local leaders and discussed with them about the Good News. No time to rest. Lord give me such a passion to take every opportunity to share about you. Give me such love for you. Give me such love for others who are perishing in their own sin. Why is my heart not aching seeing this? Help me to do things tirelessly for you. Make every opportunity to teach the Word, to your children. To people around you. Tell them about the standards of this holy God. Tell them about the endless love of the Father, the impeccable obedience of the Son and never ending presence of the Spirit. The goodness of the Triune God. The uniqueness of this Almighty. An everpresent help in trouble. You cannot sit idly. Lord fill me with your passion, an unending desire to share about you always. Image courtesy: https://medium.com/personal-growth/this-is-what-hard-work-is-and-why-it-...

Acts 27:22 None of you will lose your lives, even though the ship will go down. The confidence Paul has in his God. The intimacy. The surity of His revelation. Not just about him. Also about his fellow crew. The ship. Their destiny. How can I know God like this? How can I be sure of His hand in my life and those in connection with me? The confidence is directly proportional to the time I spend with Him. Idling away in phone when you get a moment out, hanging out with your best buddies? Or when I get a moment, do I rush to the Word?  Nabeel Quereshi, a Muslim who later got converted to Christ, got his first exposure to real Christianity, when he saw his closest friend David Wood, reading the Bible in his free time. He was shocked and amazed seeing this. A devout Islam (then) was awestruck and challenged by this discipline. What do I do with little time I get in between work?  What do my innocent children see me do when I want to relax? What standards I have kept in ...

Acts:26:17b-18 Yes I am sending you to the Gentiles to open their eyes so they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God. Then they will receive forgiveness for their sins and be given a place among God's people who are set apart by faith in me. Set apart  Chosen.  Predestined to be redeemed by faith. Chosen even before you were formed in your mother's womb. Chosen even before the foundations of the earth. To be His very own. The counter argument is what about the rest who are not chosen. Is it not unfair? How can a just God, choose some and reject the rest? The beauty is - you are chosen. You are predestined. To be precise - is it fair to have been chosen? And He has set you apart - by faith in Jesus. Faith is your part. For the chosen, faith is given too. Yet a small ounce you have your part to play. You can say yes or you can disagree. It's a subtle blend that marks the chef's signature. We may not be able to understand it fully. ...

Acts 24 Felix the governor. Had a Jewish wife named Drusilla. Quiet familiar with the Way. Sent for Paul. Listened as Paul told about the faith in Christ Jesus. Paul reasoned with him. He should have reasoned back too. Felix becomes frightened. Go away for now. When it is more convenient, I will call you again. Hoped that Paul would bribe him. Sent for him quiet often. Talked with him. Succeeded by Portius Festus. So close yet, not sure. So many opportunities squandered. When he was the governor, he got enough exposure to the Way. Then at one point when he is stripped of his privileges, no one knows about his destiny. Now you have enough opportunities and freedom to know the person of Jesus. If you do not make use of it now, no one can be sure of the future. Be aware. 2 Cor:6:2. Now is the time of God's favour, now is the day of salvation.  Eph:5:16. Making most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Life is brief. Opportunities will become rare. Now when it i...

Acts:23:11 That night the Lord appeared to Paul and said, 'Be encouraged Paul. Just as you have been a witness to me here in Jerusalem, you must preach the Good News in Rome as well.' Paul was about to be trialled in Jerusalem. Most probably he is going to be executed. But the Lord says, you will preach the Good News in Rome as well. That means he wouldn't die here in Jerusalem and would go to Rome. Paul absolutely believes this and all his actions and decisions are later based on that. I am going to Rome. Secondly God did exactly that. When God promises something, it is our duty to just trust that. And it is His duty to fulfill that. All we have to do is to just believe what He has promised and base all our life around that. He will do it for sure, because He said so. For He is true and faithful. And remember His promise is not always a promise of blessing. It is surely a promise of suffering and pain. Why was Paul confident of going to Jerusalem? Because he kn...

Those who beat him and dragged him out of the city, how does Paul address them? Acts:22:1. Brothers and esteemed fathers.... He calmly addresses them, who hates him, who want him killed. No defending. Not justifying. Not perturbed. Just calmness, overflowing love. How could he do that? He knows how much Jesus loves him who persecuted His children, that same love He has for these people, that same love He also ought to have. Paul is not selfish to protect himself. He is ready to die now in this city as prophesied by Agabus. But he is passionate of his Saviour. He is passionate to tell these people how to be saved. Lord, give me this attitude of love to those who hate me. Give me this calmness. Image credit: https://www.pexels.com/search/calm%20sea/

You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive' Acts:20:35 It is about money that Paul mentions. But it is actually true also about time, attention and help. Giving is better than receiving. Do not think what you will get. But be willing to give. Give selflessly. Gone be the days of saying, I did not get. I was not acknowledged. I was not appreciated. Nobody encouraged me. Nobody supported me. You be the encouragement, that you did not receive. You be the support. How? As an overflowing from the source. Receive love from the source that is Agape. And give it to others. Find encouragement in the Almighty and thereby be an encouragement to others. Not to think of receiving limited things from broken cisterns. But from the source of unending living waters. Image credit: https://news.uchicago.edu/story/joy-giving-lasts-longer-joy-getting

Acts:20:28 So guard yourselves and God's people. Christian life is not a passive living. It is an active war. Where you need to guard, you need to fight, you need to proactively do things. To survive effectively. Lest you should be blown away in the current. Or else you would be swept off your feet. Unless you decide to stand firm. Be of courage, your Abba is with you in this. The war is already won. You just have to guard yourself. And also the people entrusted to you. Take proactive measures to equip them to stand firm in faith. Feed them with the word. The Holy Spirit will be with them and do the rest for their standing firm. Image credit: https://www.exchange4media.com/media-others-news/kerala-floodshelp-pours-in-from-corporates-and-the-media-world-91661.html

What change has the gospel brought in you? Acts:19:18-19 Many confessed their evil deeds. Sorcereres brought their scrolls and burnt them publicly. What is one thing that you have renounced recently? May be something changed quiet early in your Christian life. But off late?  What small sins still lingers around in your heart? It might be an overt sin that you have been struggling to put away or a harmless one which the Holy Spirit has been nudging. Why are you not able to put away with it? Why no indignation to that which the Lord abhors? Why the love for it is greater than the love for the Lord? It is a helpless cry that rises out of your forlornness, that would help you. Are you in desperate need to get rid of this? Do you realise that a fruitful relation with Him is more important than nurturing these insignificant thing? Do you abhors it because your Father abhors it? That would be the first step to renounce and throwing away baggages. And if you do not have that in...

Acts 18 Priscilla and Aquilla - deported from Rome by Claudius Caesar. Paul was with them in Corinth. They went with him to Syria. While in Ephesus, even when Paul was not there, comes Appollos. And they take him up and corrects his course. And he becomes a blessing to people in Achaia. A family that starts with trauma. Later on used amazingly. They are still not in the limelight, but they continue to be a blessing. You might be going through pain now. That is fine. God will take you through. If you leave yourself in the hand of God, He will use you and make you a blessing for many. Do not loose heart. Do not be discouraged. He is working in you. Image credit: https://www.goodsalt.com/gssearch/result/index/q/priscilla/?srsltid=AfmBOoopNf14RjPw6K9sGRso0Q2fHGjBHnwJBzseGqf6dlT7O7XAbvlX

For in Him, we live and move and exist. Acts:17:28 Our identity. Our existence. Our very breath. Our address. Our deeds, acts, words and thoughts. Our image. Our traits. Our personality.  Our narrative. Our beliefs. Our attitude. Our character. Our class. Our reputation. Our image. Our demeanour. Our talents. Our very being - in its whole wholeness. From the unseen cell or molecule or atom we consist off. This is all about God. Created by Him, for His glory. Redeemed by His precious blood. We have in us, His breath that He breathed. His image and likeness, we are. Do I reflect even an iota of it? Image courtesy: https://www.chendurs.com/all-newsletters/how-do-fingerprint-scanners-work

Bereans were open minded. They listened eagerly and searched the Scriptures (Acts:17:11) It was the greatest preacher of all time, who knew the Scriptures in and out. But still the Bereans searched the Scriptures day after day, to see if Paul and Silas were teaching them the truth. Not a blind belief of what the preacher says. Keeping the standard as the Word of God. Whether it is in line with the Word of God. The Word of God is the standard. Cross checking whether it is out of context interpretation, what they teach. Whether it is correct interpretation. It is the Scriptures themselves that teach us. Not people. Go back to the Scriptures. Systematically learn it so that your basics are all set. So that you would be able to distinguish between what is right and wrong. Make your doctrines sound. Not to blindly believe any teaching  Image credit: https://www.growingchristians.org/hermeneutics/principle-6

Acts:16:25 Around midnight, Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God. In the middle of the night In a dripping humid horid dungeon Feet clamped in stocks Bruised, beaten, wounded. Praying, singing hymns to God. How could they sing with joy? In the middle of real pain. Their singing was so enthralling That even the prisoners are listening In the middle of an earthquake Their chains fell off, the doors opened But still why did the others stay? So appealing is this joy. Even the jailer wants to know Why are you singing in the midst of pain? Not desperately crying to save. Not wailing to help them out But singing out of pure joy Of the confidence in the God who called them. Image credit: https://kimshistorytravel.com/jail-in-philippi/

Acts 15 Silas was a leader in Jerusalem. Silas was a prophet. Silas becomes a messenger to the church in Antioch. He encourages and strengthens the brothers. But later as Paul chooses him, he gladly plays the second fiddle. From now on, it is all about Paul with the less important Silas. He is one with Paul in his ministry, in persecution. Yet no one is there to commend him. All hail Paul. But Silas is insignificant. There is no promotion for Silas. Life might look stagnant for him; or even a relegation. But Silas sings with Paul while in chains. Every Sunday School kid synonymises the prison singing with Paul and Silas (in one breath). In Malayalam it is even better - Paulosum Silasum. Just because he let go of his own life to the hands of God, to be used by Him, he let His purpose thrive in him. Have ambitions, have agendas. But not over His plan for you; even when it seems making you unrecognisable, insignificant and belittling. Others might soar high in achievement. And...

Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch. Acts:14:21. In Lystra, they were stoned and dragged out of the city. To Lystra they come back to strengthen and encourage.  What a commitment?  What love to the people of Lystra? What surity of their calling? They both go back to the very place that tortured them. To the very place they suffered. We would never go back to the very place! Scared? Hatred? Indignation? What if God asks you to go back? Would you give excuses?  Would you still love the person, who stood against you? Would you hate or love him/her? If you understand the truth that, calling is unto a person not to a place, nor unto people, then it becomes easy to forgive. Forgiveness is something which needs grace, much grace. If God could forgive me yet again, how much should I? For Jesus taught us to pray - Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us.  Image credit: https://coriechu.com/blog/forgiveness-and-healing

Acts 14 In Lystra, when a crippled man, born lame was healed, they called Barnabas and Paul as gods and they wanted to offer sacrifices to them, calling them Zeus and Hermes. Despite Paul denying it outrightly, it was difficult to keep them from sacrificing to them. But then, few Jews came from Antioch and won them over; and immediately they wanted to stone them. Man's opinion is so temporal. It changes so fast. At one point they would praise you. At the next they would drag you down. Do not run after this futile asset. And man is so desperately after this appreciation. We need to come to our senses and give weightage to the truth. Instead; strive for approval from God. He never changes like shifting sands. Yearn for His comment - well done. Do things that would please Him and not man's standard.  Shifting sands vs the Rock. Image credit: https://www.istockphoto.com/search/2/image-film?phrase=shifting+sands

After David had done the will of God in his own generation, he died and was buried. Acts:13:36. David was given a job to do. And He did well. You are dearly loved by God and He has a wonderful plan for you. When your name is called, will you stand before the righteous Judge and hear the testimony, that really matters, "Well done, good and faithful servant."  What is your long term and short term desire? Your short term plans need to be based on your long term desire. Not materialistic or career based. Regarding the Kingdom of God, what has been your timeline? How do you plan further? Which subspeciality is your focus? Teaching, apologetic, discipling, counselling, teens, adults, children, organisation, devotions, families? Have you sat and thought about it? What is your mission and vision? Each step you take is it in line with this?  Accomplished is a very satisfying word. Not for selfish motifs. What have you accomplished for your King? For your Father? Image cre...

Sleep like Peter ( Acts:12:6 ). Asleep, fastened with two chains, between two soldiers, awaiting for trial the next day. The angel had to strike him on the side to wake him up, even while there was a bright light in the cell Sleepless nights as to thinking what will happen tomorrow, planning for tomorrow. What would be my children's future? How will I pay this debt off? How will I solve this? In contrast to a fast asleep Peter on the eve of his trial. He is most likely to be sentenced to death tomorrow. His friend has just been assassinated for the same faith. His Teacher said, they would all be killed. Yet He was peaceful. How much he trusted in His Lord. Do not fret, do not be afraid, for I am with you is a promise given by the Father (who never changes), to His child( whom He so dearly loves). He is faithful. With confidence we can face any challenges that come our way. Because we are confident that it is Christ who lives in us. Along with Paul we can assuredly say, ...

Prayer is power. When Peter was imprisoned, the church fervently prayed for him. And because the church prayed, Peter was miraculously rescued from the prison Prayer is not powerful. Prayer is power. Then why was James not rescued, but Peter was? The Church might have prayed for him as well, just as much they prayed for Peter! That is where we need to understand God's Sovereignty. Our duty is to pray. Gods responsibilities is to act according to His Sovereign will. We don't intervene. We don't push Him against His will. We just fervently, consistently, incessantly pray. Image credit: https://billelliff.org/blogs/news/the-model-of-prayer-in-the-early-church

Do I stand in God's way? When God plans something, do I have different plans. When Jesus prophesied about His sacrificial death on the cross, Peter even rebuked Him. The same Peter; (infact a changed Peter), later asks, "Who was I to stand in God's way?" Acts:11:17 You will definitely have a plan for your life and for your loved one's lives. But that is based on your wisdom, your reasoning. That is very very finite. And now when God reveals His plan, which is totally out of the box, when you are confused, asking why God is asking you to do it, then would you trust His wisdom? And that too it might be for a season. You might be asked to do something else later. Still will you obey?  Complete absolute obedience based on relentless trust . That is the only thing He asks. He will guide for sure. Will you stand in His way?  Image courtesy; https://www.freepik.com/free-photo/business-concept-with-wooden-cube-with-one-block-near_10183593.htm#fromView=keyword...

God shows no favouritism Acts:10:34 God shows no favouritism. But I am God's favourite. I am His precious rag doll. Because Israel was so special for Him, He was and He continues to be on their side. Yet He doesn't show them favouritism. He loves the Gentiles too. Infact I am God's favourite too. Though marred, though ragged, I am His favourite. Yet He doesn't show favouritism to me. The difference between the two words is very subtle. One an emotion, filled with love. The other is deeds, filled with partiality and injustice and therefore is not related to pure love. God is not unjust. God is pure love. He loves not just you. He loves us all. As if you are the only person left in this world. Still He would die for you. Image credit: https://thegooddoll.in/blogs/news/fabric-dolls-the-genesis-near-extinction-and-the-resurrgence?srsltid=AfmBOorEGINSRo3eLyKdT3tSx8dMyDa1pgOezqW_jUZnSIQdQmKrhPC5

He was a devout, God fearing man, as was everyone in his household. He gave generously to the poor and prayed regularly to God. Acts:10:2 Cornelius, a captain of the Italian regimen was a good man, pious and God fearing. He prayed regularly. He gave gifts to the poor.  But still he needed Jesus. Being good is pertinent. Being religious is good. But that will not take you anywhere. You still need Jesus. All our righteous deeds are like filthy rags before God. Because all have sinned and and fallen short of the glory of God. If there is anyone who thinks, you can please God by your righteous acts and good loves - you are thoroughly mistaken. You still need one more thing; one more person. He is the one who makes you righteous and acceptable before the Father. No other things, or person will enable you stand before Him. For He is the righteous and holy God. And we are wretched. You need Jesus.  Image credit: https://forallsaints.wordpress.com/2024/02/04/cornelius-the-...

Barnabas, the word means son of encouragement. His quality of encouragement is seen in bringing up of Paul. When all believers in Jerusalem were afraid of Saul, when no one believed that he had truly become a believer, it was Barnabas who took him to the apostles. Being an encourager is a tough job. It needs discernment. It needs wisdom. It needs courage. You should not be affected by your mood. You need to be open. But an encouragement can do a lot to benefit a person's life. It might transform a Saul to a Paul. If Barnabas had not taken an initiative to help him, where would have Saul been? It was because of this, that Saul stayed with the apostles(v:28). Image credit: https://kiricard.com/70-heartwarming-encouragement-messages/

But Lord, exclaimed Ananias, I've heard many people talk about the terrible things this man has done to the believers in Jerusalem. Acts:9:13 Ananias is asked to do an unrealistic thing by the Lord. To touch and heal a man who is authorised to kill the followers of The Way. Ananias, tried to explain things for the Lord. But the Lord said, go. When we are asked to do something unreasonable (in our eyes), it is a matter of trusting Him in obedience. If it is a reasonable thing to obey, then it is a simple equation. But when you are asked to obey what seems to be something which is totally out of reason, that required a lot of trust in the one who called. William Carrey comes to India. The widows of Graham Staines and Charlie Kirk decides to forgive. Peter is asked to put his net on the right hand side, after the whole night toil. Ananias is asked to go heal a persecuter of the church. What was the last thing you did unreasonably, when you had nothing but trust in Him? If ...

Acts:8:39 The Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away. Philip was a man full of the Holy Spirit. Fully led by the Holy Spirit. The Lord said to him. He obeyed. The Holy Spirit guides him. He obeyed. The Holy Spirit snatched him away. He found himself preaching the Good News. Being guided by the Holy Spirit means not going according to your plans. Not that you should not have ambitions and desires and plans. But be available and obedient to His ways. Abraham relocated his tent again and again. For He has plans to prosper you. Plans to give you hope and future. His ways are always higher and better. Always remember, that we are strangers and aliens in this world. Live with the concept of eternity. There is a life after death. That is our home. We are sojourners here. And therefore how do we live here? As led by the Spirit. Obeying the still small voice. Obeying the nudgings of the Spirit. Obeying what He tells absolutely and completely. Like Philip, being led by the Holy Spir...

Acts:8:4-25 Simon thought, he could be a part of this by paying. Though it is said that he believed and was baptized. What is the tip to crack this code? Some people have figured it out. I am still struggling. Some people have seemed to crack it. Some people have got the joy and peace that is being offered. But still I seem to wander around searching aimlessly. How do I get it? Simon wanted to buy this by money. How do you want to attain it? By attending certain meetings, do you think there will be a short cut to deliverance? Meetings are good, if you meet up with God. Relationship with Him is the priority there, not acquiring "blessings" from Him. That is God's doing, if He does it- good. But what is your heart's desire, when you want to attend such a meeting? Is it to be close to His presence, or obtain things from Him? Why do you give money? Why do you tithe? At least in the corner of your mind, do you think that you will get back? You will be blessed? ...

Acts:8:3 If Saul could be changed, I could be changed too. If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation,  The old has gone; behold the new has come. That is His plan; from one glory to another. Saul; a man who approved of Stephen's killing. The one who was determined to destroy the church, Became the Apostle of the Gentiles. The persecuter becomes the persecuted. How did the Gospel change the perspective of this man? How did this News become good to him? Because of the encounter with the person Jesus. Because of the influence of the Holy Spirit. Sanctification is a process in a Christian. But is it really happening Is holiness really progressing in you? Are you allowing the Holy Spirit to change you? Or are you comfortable in your old ways? In your own self centred cocoon, do you want to reside? In your own negativities, do you want to continue? No! I am not what I used to be. Start your day with positive affirmations. Till yesterday, what you were - that is dead. The H...

Must you forever resist the Holy Spirit? Acts:7:51 Must you forever resist the Holy Spirit? Rejecting the Way. Rejecting wisdom. Resisting the way you should walk. Stubborn. Persistent to rebel. He has words of wisdom But you wouldn't listen. Fists raised in rebellion. Choosing your own way. Your choices. Your ambitions. Your dreams. Frustrated. If that path is not taken. You think you know the best Forgetting you have a creator God, who knows it all. Trust. Love. Joy. Peace. Gentleness. Kindness. Expected fruit that the Spirit gives. But you are yet another genre. Fret. Hatred. Tensed. Angry. Frustrated. Selfish. No way of reflecting your Master. He is showing the way to trod. Looks the narrow and difficult path. But with Him, all things are possible. And if you keep resisting the Spirit. You will one day grieve Him. You wouldn't be able to take a choice  In accordance with the Spirit. Beware. Your tied hands wouldn't let you. The very hands which you have tied...