Gave them over

Rom:1:24

God gave them over.

This is the worst punishment possible. To the consequence of sin. You are free to "indulge" in sin, without His loving restraint and ultimately face the punishment. Man created in the image of God destined to be with Him, left to be eternally separated from Him.

When man had the option to believe in God, through the creation around and in his conscience he knew, still He chose to believe against God. He thought it was wise to say there is no God, or He substituted Him with an image. But it was utter foolishness.

God allowed, He permitted. He let. But with its consequences.

Personally speaking, when the Holy Spirit convicts you, repent and come back to Him. Do not harden your heart. God is merciful to forgive. If not, if we keep persisting in our adamancy, He will let us go (God forbid).

No justifying.

No excuses.

Just absolute repentance seeking forgiveness.

That is the key to a renewed relationship with your creator God, who is your Father. Through Jesus Christ there is forgiveness of sin. And through Him alone.

Image courtesy: https://magazine.byu.edu/article/letting-go-and-holding-on-to-childhood/

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Encourage

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/

Forgiveness is the first step

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

Rom:1:8

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

Accomplished. Satisfied.

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...

Calm

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/

Be encouraged and be an encouragement

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 ...

Time is running out

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...

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