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...