Biblio

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. (ESV) Matthew 6:13 It may be common to each one of us to feel the following at the end of the day: it would be nice if I could avoid shouting at my spouse/children/subordinate etc; it would be nice I could speak to so and so with little more gentleness and sweet words. This kind of feelings would run through our mind at the end of every day. We often recognize how difficult situations exposes our weakness, character flaws and areas where we need to overcome the fruits of the flesh. Some of these areas such as anger, bad temper, harsh words, lying etc. may be repeating very frequently in our lives. One of the keys to overcome this kind of issues is to pray for spiritual protection over our lives before we start our day. The probable meaning this verse is that “If it be thy will do not permit us, weak as we are by nature and prone to sin, to enter into situations which in the natural  course of events would expose us to tempta

He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. (ESV) Psalms 1:3 A person who is meditating the word of God day and night and walk in the path of righteousness is like a tree planted by streams of water. Usually a plant by streams will be always green and strong in spite of dry seasons. Likewise, a person living according to the word of God will be fruitful in spite of difficult situations or seasons. Many people work hard, but no much result. We will not be like that; we will produce fruits in its season. Lord does everything to us beautifully in its time. Do not fear anything, especially about your future because it is our promise that we will not wither in any areas of life but will receive prosperity in everything. Key for fruitfulness and success is to read, meditate, believe and practice the word of God. “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall medi

Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? (ESV) 2 Corinthians 6:14 We are living among unbelievers. We cannot run away from them. We are exposed to their values, culture, lifestyle and influences. Often times believers want to become like an unbeliever because of different reasons. However, we are not supposed to blindly follow any unbeliever’s perspective of life or value or life style. Our model is our heavenly Father for our life. Jesus did what he saw Father is doing and spoke what he heard from the Father. As children of God, we are born from God and we are expected to imitate our Father. Daniel lived among unbelievers but he always drew a line of separation from their ungodly value system and life. We too are expected to keep separation from unbelievers. This is not running away from them but it is all about living among them without their stain on our lives. In this life styl

5 The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot. 6 The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance. (ESV) Psalms 16:5-6 Psalmist acknowledges that Lord is his portion and cup. It indicates that nothing satisfies the Psalmist other than God himself. He put his trust in God and he choose Him as his portion than anything else in the world. Probably every cup and every portion coming from this world can run out but the Lord is always a refreshing source of every kind of provision in our lives. Life may take many turns but Lord holds your lot. He provides to us every blessing. No one can take away it and no situation can affect it. Since God holds your lot, you need to expect a beautiful inheritance. Seeing a situation or thinking about uncertain future, we should not be shaken. Rather we should have this assurance in our heart that Lord is my lot. We need to completely trust that God is our provider. We live in His providential care.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, (ESV) Ephesians 1:3 We are blessed in Christ. The usage “in Christ” refers our relationship and spiritual position. We access spiritual blessings of heaven through Christ. Spiritual blessing in the heavenly places refers every kind of spiritual blessings which can be released to us through Holy Spirit. Heaven has unlimited spiritual resources which we have access. Our engagement with Spirit of God will bring those spiritual blessings to us. People are very eager to receive material blessings from God. What about spiritual blessings? Today many of us are not able to influence the world around us. We are waiting to see the kind of God’s move mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles. Many of us are waiting for more spiritual breakthroughs. The fact is that we are spiritually blessed in Christ and we can access more spiritual blessings in Christ in greate

And when the priests came out of the Holy Place, a cloud filled the house of the Lord, so that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud, for the glory of the Lord filled the house of the Lord. 1 Kings 8:10-11 Priests dedicated Solomon’s temple to the Lord. They sacrificed countless sheep to God (v. 5). Then they put the ark of the covenant to the Most Holy Place. In this context, God’s presence visibly manifested as a cloud inside the house of the Lord. This visible manifestation of God’s presence is called glory here. Today we are the temple of God – church and each born again individual. His presence is among us when we gather together and also in each one of us. We are hosting God’s presence. One of the ways to connect, experience and increase God’s presence in our lives is to worship him. Worship leads us into glory encounter. Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name! (Psalms 100:4). When Elijah offe

Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ (ESV) Matthew 25:45 The people who were on right hand side (sheep) received eternal inheritance because they were compassionate and loving to people who were needy. In contrast, people who are at the left (goats) received eternal punishment because they did not treat the needy with compassion which was a sin of omission. Failure to treat others with care, compassion and love considered as failing to treat Jesus well. God is really looking to us at how we treat others, especially the least ones around us. People can be harsh, arrogant, rude, hypocritical, senseless, jealous to others. People may avoid, ignore and neglect others if they do not like a person or somebody. People may close their eyes to certain people because they are not good in their perspective. People may rejoice on the fall of someone in their heart or even wish something bad to happen t

And the Lord said to Jehu, “Because you have done well in carrying out what is right in my eyes, and have done to the house of Ahab according to all that was in my heart, your sons of the fourth generation shall sit on the throne of Israel.” (ESV) 2 Kings 10:30 God rewarded Jehu for carrying out what is right in God’s eyes and fulfilling what is in God’s heart toward Ahab’s family. In other words, Jehu knew the heart of God and he just carried out the heart of God through his life. Jehu fulfilled God’s will, desire and plan. It is God’s desire about everyone that we would know His heart and carry out it on this earth. When we do this, God trusts us and gives us unusual favor upon us. God is always searching men and women who are after his own heart like David. In David’s case also, you may see God is giving unusual favor to him. Moreover, we bring blessings to our generations when we just carry out God’s heart on this earth. Jesus prayed that not my will but thy will be done. He taug

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. (ESV) Psalms 23:4 The valley of the shadow of death also can be translated as deep darkness. “Perhaps the idea is that in a valley in the desert (or wadi) in Judah one can encounter deep shadows, and cannot know for sure who (bandits) or what (animals, flash floods) lurks in them; even in such period of suspense and danger, the faithful find assurance that God is with them, and thus they need not fear” (ESV Study Bible, 966). In our Christian journey, we all may go through the valley experience of suspense, uncertainty, bareness, brokenness, fear, pain and no breakthroughs. However, we do not need to fear any evil even in our darkest valleys because God is with us. He will give us strength and comfort to go through this season. In our dark valley, no one may be able to comfort but there is a God who walks along with us in our dark valle

See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! (NIV) 1 John 3:1 God so loved the world and sent His son to save us (Jn.3:16). God has a great love for us (Eph.2:4). His love for us is steadfast, everlasting and unconditional. God lavished His love for us by laying down the life of His Son Jesus at the cross on behalf of us. “… how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ” (Eph. 3:18). Nothing can separate from this love, even death. This love has been poured out into our heart through the Holy Spirit (Rom. 5:5). God’s love has been LAVISHED on me and POURED OUT into my heart. When we are born into God’s family as His child, we become worthy to receive God’s love. Holy Spirit comes on us when we born as His children with this deep love of God. As a child of God, I can receive this lavishing love of God into my heart through the Holy Spirit.  I do not need to search for love, acceptance or for signific

  Now if we are children, then we are heirs —heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. (NIV) Romans 8:17 You are born of God. You are a child of God. You are not a slave or an orphan. You are a part of God’s family. Therefore, you are heirs of God and co-heirs of Christ. You have an inheritance in God. This inheritance includes God’s heavenly resources and eternal rewards of us. This inheritance can be experienced in this world as well as in eternal life. We draw from our inheritance when we live on this earth by prayer - calling “Abba”. We have a potential to live a life which is filled with heavenly resources. We are blessed with every spiritual blessing of heaven (Eph. 1.3). We are called to be blessed. On the other hand, the revelation of our eternal inheritance should be a motivation to endure the cross. If we have a cross on this earth, then we have a crown and glory in eternal life. Sufferi

To redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. (NIV) Galatians 4:5 The very concept of family is very close to the  heart of God. God is a family. Trinity exemplifies a family relationship in Father – Son - Holy Spirit. The idea of father -son which is foundation of concept of family comes from Trinity. Unity, love, intimacy, honor, interdependence, relationship and fellowship are integral parts of Trinity. Moreover, God began the world with a family. Christ’s love for church is a model for a good marriage/family relationship. God calls His church as a household or family. When you are born again, remember that God adopted you as His child and gave you membership in His family. The point is that we are members of God’s family. This family feeling and behavior should reflect in our relationship with God, our earthly family members and church. Therefore, we need to develop a strong a loving-united-intimate relational atmosphere in our homes as well as in our c

…but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,…(Eph. 5: 18-21) John 4:24 says God is Spirit and therefore we must worship him in spirit. God is Spirit means God has immaterial existence and being. Material existence has limitation of time and space. Thus, our worship should match with the very nature of God’s being and existence. The nature of worship should be spiritual. That’s why we must worship God in Spirit. Thus, worship is a spiritual act or a spirit filled act. In New Testament era, God unlocks to us a greatest resource to worship him: Holy Spirit. Holy Spirit is essential to bring a worship that God deserves since we are not able to do so with our own ability. Holy Spirit unlocks to us great resources to worship him: spiritual languages and spiritual songs. Spiritual language or

…who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. (NIV) Romans 8:4 1. TWO WALKS: We can live according to the flesh and Spirit (v.4). This represents two kinds of life style. Life according to flesh reflects:   self reigns over everything; try to perform and do many things to get God’s/men’s approval; insecure in many ways;  produce fruit of the flesh; struggle to live in forgiveness; live like a spiritual orphan; Gives greater priority for self-gratification over spiritual matters. Life according to Spirit reflects:   Spirit reigns over everything; totally driven by our original identity as children of God; Knows that God accepts us and loves us; filled with love; experiences habitation of God; Produces the fruit of the Holy Spirit.  2. TWO MINDSETS (Rom.8:5): Spirit filled mindset sees everything in life through the eyes of God (the way God sees things) and through our identity as a child of God whereas mindset of flesh will see everything through self and str

For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. (NIV) Romans 8:14 God likes to lead His children by the Holy Spirit. The verb ‘led’ (Gk. agō) implies an active personal involvement by the Spirit in guiding God’s children. Similarly, in Gal. 5:16, Paul says walk by Spirit which also implies both direction and power of God that God gives to His Children. God likes to direct us in all our decisions and actions by His Spirit. Moreover, He likes to supply His power through the Holy Spirit to us to do what He directed us to do. This leading of Holy Spirit is active and consistent. He likes to lead you in everything in your life – job, studies, family life, handling children, prayer, ministry, rest etc. He is our best friend. He just brings our heavenly Father’s heart, care, protection, wisdom, power and love to everything in our lives. God likes to involve very intimately with us. This is the way we keep our life in the will of God and please our Father in heaven. We ne

Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” (NIV) Galatians 4:6 It was a very big question in my heart how  Holy God can become my Father and how I, sinner by birth, can be His beloved Son? Answer is that God never looked at me or anyone on this earth without His Son Jesus, the lamb of God who was slain from the creation of God (Rev.13.8). Father looks at me through His Son Jesus. He looks at me and you through the crucified lamb and the blood of Jesus. We become children of God by receiving God’s begotten Son Jesus into our heart by faith (Jn.1.12-13). Reception of Christ in our heart made us to be born from God. Paul says that we are died with Christ, buried with Christ and risen with Christ in baptism (Rom.6). We are born of God through the Holy Spirit who is called the Spirit of Son. God the Father put the Spirit of His Son in us to make us His children. We are clothed by Christ. We have the mind of Christ.

And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with Him I am well pleased.” (NIV) Matthew 3:17 Father God affirmed the Sonship of Jesus, the real identity of Jesus. Father also expressed his love and happiness to His Son Jesus. I believe that this is the way God sees me and you. My Son: Father God redeemed each one of us by the blood of Jesus. As a result, we become God’s sons and daughters through a covenantal relationship which is established by the blood of Jesus. Paul clearly says we are purchased by God (Gal.3.13; 1Cor.6:20). Surely God looks at me and you say “my son, my daughter.” We are God’s possession and treasure. I love :  God is love and He loves us. He manifested this love by giving His Son for us at the cross. You are created to receive this eternal love within you. Do not think you have nobody and no one loves you. You are covered by God’s love. It flows into our heart. You can feel it and taste it. I am well pleased :  Many people think that God is

….the son of Adam, the son of God. (NIV) Luke 3:38 I am not beautiful! I am not capable! I do not have money! They will not accept me! I will fail! Many believers struggle with these kinds of thoughts. On the other hand, people themselves try to present saying that: I have (possessions and achievements). I am (titles). Both the groups of people look into themselves through these kinds of lenses. These kinds of thoughts usually make people to seek acceptance, appreciation, recognition, position in their life. The root cause of these kind of thoughts is that they do not know who they are in God. If we fail to see us the way God sees us, we will live in false identity. God sees us as His sons and daughters. Until you see yourself as God sees you, think about yourself the way He thinks about you and feel the way He feels towards you, you may not walk in real identity as God’s sons and daughters. Coming to agreement with how God sees you will unlock our inheritance in God and destiny in

….the Lord has assigned to each his task. (NIV) 1 Corinthians 3:5 For we are God’s coworkers. You are God’s field, God’s building. (HCSB Free) 1 Corinthians 3:9 We are co-workers of God. We are called to partner with God in His work on this earth. God has given each one of us an assignment in this world. This is the purpose of our life. We should know why God created us. If we know this, we need to partner with God. It is not about the fact that we know our purpose and do whatever we want to do to achieve it rather we wait upon the Lord to understand how God wants to lead us and partner with us. Life and life mission/purpose is a partnership with God in His assignment. To partner with God, we need at least two keys: Firstly, hearing God consistently and growing in divine revelation. If we do not have this communication, we may miss progress in divine assignment and we may not see something fresh from God time to time in our lives. Secondly, saying YES to God. When God leads us a

1. What is Seeking God? It is single minded – focused pursuit of God. It is zealous and intensive search of God in our lives. It is habitual practice of prioritising God in our lives even though we have so many distractions in our lives. It is channelising everything in our lives to centre on God. It is a conscious human pursuit to centre their life in God. 2. Prayer is the key to seek God if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land. (ESV) 2 Chronicles 7:14 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. 13 You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. (ESV) Jeremiah 29:12-13 Prayer is our dependency upon God. It is a reflection of our need of God. It is a heart to heart conversation with God. It is an intimate communion and communication with God. It is devoting your time in