The halfbaked Bard

Judg:1:7  I once had seventy kings with their thumbs and big toes cut off, eating scraps from my table. Now God has paid me back for what I did to them. King Adoni-bezek God does things in His ways, in ways we cannot fathom. We see only this side of the wall. But God is Sovereign in His ways. All knowing. How can we, finite as we are, question the ways of an infinite, eternal, All knowing, Supreme God. God's ways of dealing with King Adoni-bezek was because of his sin. And no sin goes unpunished. God is not like a tyrannical dictator who kills anyone who stands against Him. But He is a compassionate Father who wants everyone to repent and renounce the old ways and come back to Him. These words come from the cruel king himself who realize that God is dealing with him the same way he has dealt with others cruelly and looks unto God God's ways are Sovereign

Serving God when your leaders are there is easy, Following Him when others are looking. It's easy to go hand in hand with other stalwarts. But it tests your mettle, when you walk alone. When none is around, do you walk with Him. When you are in the dark, do you want to walk in the light. Character is what you are in the dark. It tests your strength, when you have to walk alone. Why do we often fall apart, when others are not watching? In the midst of fellowships, you behave right, But at home, the real person comes out. That's because we want to please man rather than God. Do you want to show others, you are pious and God fearing? But when alone, you walk in your own ways. Wanting to live the way you want. To continue in your own comfort zones. But to be in the centre of what God desires Is the key to actual abundant life. To live a life centred around Him always. The invitation is to live a life of integrity.

Joshua puts down his foot and gives a final admonition to the Israelites. He was old and was about to go back home along with his ancestors. This is the final thing he wants to stir the hearts of the children of Israel with. "Choose today" You cannot serve two masters - you will end up despising one. And when you choose, you have to choose to do that with all your heart. You can pursue something without putting your whole effort. There are two ways to study. 1️⃣ Put your full effort. Might not result in very high scores. But you are sure you have put your whole effort, the best of your ability. 2️⃣ Not fully dedicated. In malayalam the word is "ഉഴപ്പ് _ uzhappu". Marks will be low, a just pass (which is what they want) or even fail. In the second one, because you don't put your whole effort, the conclusion is that, a better effort is put on something else, may be playing or other extracurricular activities. May be boozing or partying or "enjoyin...

Josh:24:12-13 It was not your swords or bows that brought you victory. I gave you land you had not worked on and I gave you towns you did not build - the towns where you are now living. I gave you vineyards and olive grooves for food, though you did not plant them. When I look back into my life, there is one thing which strikes out. That I have things in my life which I have not laboured for. All I have is a gift. There were more deserving than me. But God chose to gift me, bless me. My education - there were more deserving and hardworking kids in my school and college than me. But where am I right now - I can look back and thank Him only. My family - How many broken families I see around, with children turning renegades against their own parents. It's not that I have laboured hard. But God has been gracious. And I thank God for the love of my life, whom I do not deserve. My parents, the example they have set before me in faith life especially. That's not also somet...

Joshua:23:14 Deep down in your hearts you know that every promise of the Lord your God has come true. Not a single one has failed! In times of trouble, He has been a comfort to us. In times of confusion, He intervened into circumstances and led us through. In times of loneliness, He has been more than a companion. He said He'd be there and He has always been true. In times of neediness, He has always provided. In times of desperation, He always had a solution. In times of helplessness and hopelessness, He hath made Marah into sweet water. He is Jehovah Jireh, and He has always. In times of failures, He has made it stepping stones to try harder. In times of defeat, He Himself has pointed sin in us, to repent and reinstate. In times of lost hope, He hath filled with strength for today and hope for tomorrow. He is Jehovah Nissi, our victory Flag. When it was dark and cloudy, I still feared no evil. When sin's gloomy veil was covering me, the Light shone on me. When I w...

My ancestor was Reuben. Well he is well known for his act of compassion to his brother Joseph when his other brothers including Judah had plotted to kill him. It was Reuben who secretly planned to rescue him. Today we are on our way back to our homeland after the victories the Lord has given us. The land to the west side of Jordan was the first to be claimed in the  the promised land. Our children were small, our livestock too. So we Reubenites, Gadites and a part of Manasseh requested Moses to grant us permission to settle in the west side of Jordan river. Moses only had one condition. That we would go out for war against the enemy countries to help the rest of the tribe to claim their homeland in the promised land. We would leave back our families and our possessions on this side of the river and go help our brothers. As the leader of the Reuben tribe, I Behalel was the first to say yes. And others joined too. We thought, it's our responsibility. It's not right to...

Father i thank you for what you have done in my life. Nothing of what I have do I deserve. Right from saving me from the clutches of sin. I do not deserve to be saved, Lord. But you have done this act of kindness out of your sheer love to me. When I was still your enemy. When I was rebellious you did this act of kindness to me. When I was most undeserving you redeemed me. Not only that, every moment my act of rebellion is so evident. But still   you continued to love me and forgive me even before I sought forgiveness. The blessings I've received, both obvious and non obvious are all your grace Lord. My education. A home to live, my family. I don't have words enough to thank you. When all have rejected me, you where there on my side. You have promised that you would never leave or forsake me. And you have been faithful. Forgive me for my ingratitude. And fill me with thankfulness to you.