The halfbaked Bard

Couldn't you watch with me? Matt:26:40 Jesus is working. All He asks is to be part of it. Keep watch with Him. Pray for that one person in whom God is working today. Be available for Him. Be available for him. Intercede. How can you sleep? How can you 'enjoy' and be preoccupied in your own self when your brother is struggling and when your Father is working? Keep praying. And when you pray, what happens? The Lord of Heaven's armies sends His angels to fight against the forces of darkness which is at work in your brother's life. The victory is ultimately ours. So keep watch. Image credit: https://www.luxurybazaar.com/grey-market/six-things-you-should-never-do-with-your-watch/

Yes, Jesus was distressed and anguished too He was also grieved to the point of death So it is okay, dear one to be frustrated  It might not be as grievous as that of Jesus, but it's fine. But how Jesus handled, that is a lesson for us He did not over react. He did not brood over. He did not vent it over. He did not blame Himself He just prayed - not my will, but yours. How you handle your stress makes you stronger and bolder Either you succumb and grow weaker But face it in faith, and you will grow stronger. Equipping you to face the next one. Ultimate purpose is to be transformed into His likeness Live as Jesus lived. Do as Jesus did. Here how did He handle stress and anguish? Not my will, but yours He prayed. Image credit: https://www.artisor.com/artwork/morgan-weistling/thy-will-be-done/

Pro:3.28 If you can help your neighbour now, don't say "Come back tomorrow and then I'll help you" I know of a person who would take loans to help his friends financially. I know a person who on the eve of her board exams was busy sharing the Gospel to an unknown co passenger in train. I know of people who wouldn't miss their student's fellowship on the eve of their university exams.  What is your excuse - not to go a mile further? You might not be judged if you don't. But love motivates you to go further. Love makes yourself in uncomfortable situations to help others. In Shiroor we saw that. In Mundakkai we saw that. In 2018 we saw that. What holds you to skip even a meal or sleep to pray for people in need?  Image credit: https://www.thejasnews.com/tags/Wayanad-Mundakai-Tragedy;

Weep - for there is no grain or wine To offer at the temple of the Lord Joel;1:8-9 When crisis strikes there is an option of weeping. There is also an option of being strong and facing it.  Weeping is good, for it reveals your helplessness. But why do you weep is the question we need to ask ourselves. Do you weep out of self pity? Or of self righteousness, demanding things from God's hands?  Weep because of the realisation that God is robbed off. Because He has been disappointed yet again be you.  Weep with God. For He is crying too. Not seeing your plight. Of course He is concerned about you. But He is in control of your life. And He cares for you. But He is weeping seeing the plight of mankind. The sinfulness and fallenness and lostness that so rules him.  Weep for God. And let your tears come out as prayers.  Weep for others. Weep for authorities. Weep for nations. Weep for friends. Not just for you and your dear ones alone.  Weep like Jeremi...

When Ahab runs to eat and drink, Elijah climbs Mount Carmel to continue to worship and pray. When people around you are still in their comfort zones, where are you, as a child of God as a co warrior with God in the establishment of His Kingdom? Are we still eating and drinking , in contrast to what is expected of us, with head between our knees and praying for our land, our nation, for our world.

Manoah and his wife were instructed by the angel of the Lord, that she would abstain from wine or alcoholic drinks nor eat any forbidden food.       Judg:13:14 Fasting has always been an integral part of Christian life. Just before Jesus started His ministry, he considered it imperative and peremptory that He would fast 40 days and 40 nights and spend time in the wilderness with His Father. Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount, gives specific instructions while you fast - not to look somber but wash your head and face because it's between you and your God. Acts:13 we see the disciples fasting and praying before sending Paul and Barnabas on their first missionary journey. Daniel, Esther, Moses, Nehemiah, David and even the Ninevites fasted and prayed for the situation they were in. Mark:9:29 This kind can come out only by prayer and fasting. This is the time. We who know Him as our Father, I implore that we would fast and pray for our country, for the world we are ...

Judg: 12 Jephthah has finished his battle against the Ammonites and that is when Ephraim comes for a fight against him, asking him why he didn't call them for the battle which is won. The people from Ephraim were trouble makers always. In a similar situation they argue with Gideon after his victory over Midianites in chapter 8. But Jephthah says in v:12 "I summoned  you at the beginning of the dispute, but you refused to come. You failed to help us in our struggle against Ammon." Dear ones, now us the time to join our brothers and sisters who are fighting this pandemic. They seek help. Let's not sit in our comfortable couches and say I and my family are safe. Now is the time to join the battle and help them in this war. Do whatever you could. Atleast you can pray. Intercede for the country. The nation is in totter right now. Authorities are helpless. Healthcare workers are understaffed. Medical support system is crashing. They need help. We need help. Plea...