Man without the Voice - Zechariah

My son has been reading his Kid's bible and he came across the story of Zechariah, who lost his voice for doubting GOD's promise.

My son had so many questions:

1.Why Zechariah was Scared seeing the angel? Angel is from GOD, why he has to be scared to be of? It is an Angel. Not a Monster.

2.Why did he question the Angel's message, even after Angel said he is from GOD?

3.Last but not the least How did he pray to GOD or do his priestly service with NO VOICE until his promised son John was born. My son wondered if he used "Sign Language" for praying. LOL :-D :))

Now, this made me wonder.

So, Why would a priest like Zechariah be scared of the Angel? Was he not prepared? Did he think such divine intervention would not happen to him ? Did he think of himself LOW of god's grace?

I dont blame him. I have felt that way too. BUT Lucky for us, we have JESUS. Every time, I feel unworthy of the blessings. I think of the forgiveness bought by Christ blood. I immediately thank and praise GOD for we shouldnt let the enemy steal our blessings with condemnation.

Why did he question the Angel?

God has a plan for us. We know it thru our spirit or prophetic preachers. As much as we think as undeserving we are we do DOUBT God's plan for us. We question it. We rationalize and comprehend with our worldly gained knowledge. At times, we are preplexed waiting. When we do we lose our voice for sometime to praise and talk of his greatness. How great would have been Zechariah's sorrow. How heart broken he would have been?

Every line of the scripture drives a message, if we see keenly. I am so glad that I understood them thru a kid's inquisitve encounter of the subject.

Zechariah story had a happy ending. He had his promise and his voice. We all have a happy ending...If we only BELIEVE!

Holy spirit..! – Di’s account

Today Lord urged me to write about HOLY SPIRIT.

Google or Web definition of “HOLY SPIRIT” says

the third person in the Trinity; Jesus promised the Apostles that he would send the HOLY SPIRIT after his Crucifixion and Resurrection

Point to note here is “he would send the HOLY SPIRIT after his Crucifixion and Resurrection”

I pray that this post will let you ponder.

I  love Jesus and am already Saved, Then why do I need HOLY SPIRIT?

Being saved by Christ alone would not let you be a child of Christ. A proper heir of Christ should walk in the path ordained by the lord with the Word of GOD as the staff and HOLY SPIRIT as the guide.

·         Accepting Christ is the first step.

It is letting the merciful GOD to wash away the sins and purify as clean as the snow. However, for the further journey as a Christian we need his HOLY SPIRIT.

If our faith is the Spiritual Vehicle:

Learning to Drive – Accepting Christ as the Salvation, Getting the branded Car  – the Water baptism

But if we do not know where are we going, what can we do with that, how can this help our life?

·         Either we can drive in circles for the fun of it.

·         Just drive randomly to some place which we don’t want to be there.

·         Find ourselves at cross roads and make wrong choices.

Yes, We need something more now. We need a guide. HOLY SPIRIT is  the GPS. He direct you, speak wisdom to you and take you to the place you want.

Water baptism is mark of accepting Christ as your savior. It is the public acceptance of what has already transpired in the heart of the one who has received the salvation of the Lord Jesus Christ.

 Being baptized in HOLY SPIRIT is the mark and our covenant with our Lord. At that point, there is no medium between us. There is DIRECT relationship with GOD.

 Without HOLY SPIRIT you will be stranded, stunted.  You would be a Christian yet a baby in your faith.

GOD want us to mature in our faith and in our love for him. So we can enjoy the fruits of his Mercy at its full.

A baby looks cute, precious but can only wiggle, crawl around  in a confined and comfortable place. A grown up man alone can ford, climb, explore and enjoy the beauty of the creator and enjoy his blessings. Without HOLY SPIRIT and word of GOD, the GOD’s will for you would not be fulfilled to its completeness.

Here are some references from bible on Holy Spirit:

John’s account:

John answered them all, “I baptize you with[a] water. But one who is more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with[b] the Holy Spirit and fire.( Luke 3:16)

**Mark 1:8, Matthew 3:11 These are parallel references to Luke 3:16

The same is confirmed by Peter in Acts 11:16.

21 When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened 22 and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” (Luke 3:21, 22)

Lord Jesus says:

16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be[a] in you. (John 14:16-17)

On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5 

For John baptized with^[a] water, but in a few days you will be baptized with^[b] the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 1:4-5)

Lord Jesus explains the ministry of the Holy spirit:

 But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. When he comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment: 9 about sin, because people do not believe in me; about righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; and about judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned.

 “I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.  He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you.( John 16:7-14) references:

1. John 16:7 : Jn 14:16, 26; 15:26
2. John 16:7 : Jn 7:39; 14:26
3. John 16:9 : Jn 15:22
4. John 16:10 : Ac 3:14; 7:52; Ro 1:17; 3:21, 22; 1Pe 3:18
5. John 16:10 : S ver 5
6. John 16:11 : S Jn 12:31
7. John 16:12 : Mk 4:33; 1Co 3:2
8. John 16:13 : S Jn 14:17
9. John 16:13 : Ps 25:5; Jn 14:26

First Church Of Christ:

Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.( Acts 2:38)

Acts 10 – Read about Cornelius & Peter.

While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. 45 The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles. 46 For they heard them speaking in tongues[b] and praising God. ( Acts 44:46)

 “For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.” (1 Corinthians 12:13)

For more please read Acts 19:1-7, Acts 11:20, Acts 19:9-10.

Please pray for the outpouring of the HOLY SPIRIT, Today. We need him to excel in our spiritual and worldly life!

He is our counselor; he will convict us of our sins; He is the interpreter, he will enlighten the scriptures for us; He is our compass, GPS to guide us in this wilderness journey of Life.

GOD bless!

P.S. Kindly share your view points on various aspects of leading a good Christian life! Amen!

A Remarkable Testimony - Yamini's account

Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Psalm 127: 1

Praise the Lord. We have been trying to close on a new house for quite some time. The loan approval process was getting delayed due to various reasons. First the closing was planned on June 29. Then it was July 20. Then it was July 31 and thereafter it could be any day! The bank drilled us with so many questions and needed so many additional documents from us. I along with family and friends began to seek the Lord earnestly.

On Aug 9th, I miraculously stumbled upon a message in YouTube and the speaker spoke from Phil 1:6 “being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” He continued to say that the Lord who started to build your house will see to its completion. That line sparked my faith. The next day (Aug 10th) at 3.30 pm we got notice from the closing attorney that we can come for closing within an hour! We closed the same day at 6 pm and got our keys to the house.

We serve a faithful God who hears our prayers and answers them at His time for His glory!

Prayer…

Jesus in Luke 11 has taught us to pray. Tonight, I was again taught by a kid who knows just a bit of Bible & Christ. My son!

We have been praying  together on and off. But last three nights we were praying regularly holding hands, every time he prays I am filled in tears coz the prayer he makes is so unselfish and so pure. Divinely pure.

Last night he thanked god for sending a new kid to his class.

Tonight was special...

·         He thanked god for Bible

·         He thanked god for Jesus washing away the sins

·         He thanked god for helping people who are hurting

·         He thanked god for the Helmet of Salvation. (This is part he understands better in The Armor Of God)

I prayed before his prayer a long one. But his few minute prayer made me humble and low coz it was so selfless and focused on GOD. This moment, I learnt to pray like Jesus and also to pray like a Child.

Thank you so much lord for teaching me in every aspect of my life to stick to you.

Friends, I am sure you have some to share. Please do, I am wanting to hear.

"He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak."

Mark 7 :37

³⁷ People were overwhelmed with amazement. “He has done everything well,” they said. “He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.”

Please watch this Video which is in Tamizh by Bro.John Prabhaharan, how GOD heals a believer, A confident/passionate Asker, Persistent door knocker, A vigilant seeker. Yes, a TOTAL receiver of his wonderful blessings.

Thanks to Brother for putting this message in a most humorous ,interesting, encouraging and inspiring way. God bless the Pastor and JIL ministry. For further details, visit http://www.jesusthelord.asia

http://youtu.be/Ea3AqtqmcgU

Be on Track with lord!

Church, Pastor, Ministers….

Many a times when we see this on the news, people gasp , shock and frown.A  pastor or minister failed to be a christian or a human in someway or the other.

• First thing we ALL have to realize this. Pastors and Ministers are not God. They are just ordinary people chosen by God to perform extraordinary task on this earth.To shepherd us.
• They undergo the most temptation and trials than all of us.

How...Why..

Everytime there is good, there is rejoicement, there is exaltment of the lord the enemy is burning out of jealousy. He failed. He want to fail the Chosen ones, the pastors. So he can fail us the believers. He is constantly working on it.  But we know that will NOT happen as long we wrap ourselves in God’s abundant love and protection.

As a common man(a girl), I underwent some issues when I prayed for others. I learnt thru my experience, it is difficult. Now I know.

Imagine the trouble and tribulation, a Church would undergo for its assembly. Next time, such thing happens or you see something on the news PRAY…Pray for your church, pastors and all the support staff. They need a whole a lot of it.

Once in a while, extend and express your love and affection for them.

Last weekend when I came out of the church, there was no one in my side of the parking lot. I saw my Pastor and the junior pastor coming out and going towards their car. I rolled the windows down and yelled…Yes…I yelled...I called out 

“Pastor,…Pastor We love you so much”.

He came to me and held my hand on the car door and said “Oh! Thank You. That’s sweet of you”

I know I didn’t think thru that. But I really want to share what I was feeling inside. What a blessing he is to us. How he help us learn the Lord's word. I want to thank him more than my tithe and my keen listening. Something extra.

My friends, you need not have to be crazy like me. :-)

But I think it is VERY IMPORTANT to pray for our church, Pastor, Leaders and nation. Protect them in the blood of Christ. We are all one big family. Every part of it should function well for harmony.

James 5:16
Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.

1 Tim 2:1-3

I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— ² for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. ³ This is good, and pleases God our Savior

Pray without ceasing!

The ARMOR OF GOD – Di’s realization

Today, god put a thought in my heart to write about “ARMOR OF GOD”.

Every time we pray for us, for others, rebuke the evil spirits, rebuke sickness we are advised to wear the “ARMOR OF GOD”

Holy Bible says in Book of Ephesians 6:11-13

¹¹ Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.

¹²For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.

My question to you is “How good is your “ARMOR OF GOD”?” Polished? Shiny? Rightfit? Sturdy? Strong?

God has given us what should make an Armor. But have we made ourselves a strong protective ARMOR.

 The word says Ephesians 6:14-18

¹⁴ Stand firm then,

with the belt of truth buckled around your waist,

with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and

with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this,

take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Lets see:

• Breast Plate of Righteousness. The righteousness outlined in by the Holy Bible. Defined by the 10 commandments. Are you following the two important commandments taught by Jesus? Are you that righteous? 

• Belt of Truth. How truthful and honest are you? Whats your integrity scale? 

• Shield Of Faith. Do you believe Jesus is the Son Of God? Are you convinced he is your savior? Do you agree he is the maker of heaven and earth? Do you know that you are Prince/Princess of King Of Kings? 

• Helmet of Salvation. Are you saved? Accepted Christ as the head of your household? Believe in the forgiveness? Believe that Jesus died for your/my sins? 

• Sword Of Spirit, Which is the word of God. Do you believe in Trinity? Believe Jesus Christ before acending to heaven left the holyspirt amongst us to guide and lead us. Have your received holyspirit? Are you praying about it? Are you reading the word of God? Have you been using it encourage you and others?

So, How good is your ARMOR? Lord has asked us to build the armor. The Assembling instruction is given. Manuscript is available. But we are the manufacturer of that armor.

Any defect in the armor will cost your life..your spiritual and personal life, Your rise against the evil, your shoulder to shoulder walk with the lord. But this cannot be done without the Almighty’s help and strength.

Come, lets pray together and ask God for his guidance and assistance in putting together the “BEST ARMOR” as we run in this holy race. Remember Christ has won the battle and we will/can too.

Last but not least, at times of trouble though you are armor less or flawed armor on, Call out for help to God for he says Hebrew “Never will I leave you, Never will I forsake you”!

God is good, ALWAYS!

Note: Please don’t take me wrong. I am not a preacher. I am just telling my realization and experiences. I cant wait to hear your share.

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