Significance of this Season!

Infamous Women in Christ Birth

In the genealogy of Jesus, five women are mentioned in Matthew 1. We usually discuss only about Mary. But let us take a look at the other four women:

1. Tamar: Matt 1: 3  Judah the father of Perez and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar. She is the daughter in law of Judah but bore a son through Judah. Widows in those days are not like today - she can’t marry anyone. She kept herself pure - did not defile herself. Judah himself testified about Tamar saying “She is more righteous than I am”. You can read more about her story in Genesis 38.

2. Rahab:  Matt 1:5 Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab. She was a prostitute from Jericho who saved the spies. You can read more about her story in Joshua 2. She gave up her profession, she was still a foreigner, but she humbled herself and learnt the laws of the Israelites. The scarlet cord that she tied saved her, her family and made her a part of Jesus’ birth. That scarlet cord (the blood of Jesus) is still available for you and me.

3. Ruth: Matt 1:5 Boaz the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth. She wasa widow, a Moabite woman. Moabites are descendants of Lot – they were a curse. You can read about that in Deut 23. She gleaned in the field of Boaz. Gleaning was done by the lowliest of the lowly. She did that but God exalted her.

4. Uriah’s wife (Bathsheba): Matt 1:6 David was the father of Solomon, whose mother had been Uriah’s wife. Even her name is not mentioned in Matthew. She lost her husband, lost her first child through David, still she pressed in. You can find her story in 2 Samuel 11 and 12.

All of the four women were imperfect – but they all had a part in bringing the Messiah to the world. They did not let their past define their future. When the enemy shows your past, show him his future which is a bottomless pit.

The only one who can prevent you from your calling is you. All these women had so many setbacks. But still they were used by God. Their job was not perfect. Their family background was not perfect. The world despised them. Nevertheless these women had a part in the Savior's birth. 

You may not have a job let alone a perfect one. You may be despised and rejected by others. But you are cherished by your father in heaven. You are his beloved daughter. You are the daughter of the king. You are a holy nation, a royal priesthood. Your identity in Christ, is your anchor.

Jesus Christ became a curse for you, to set you free from all curses. He became poor for you, to make you rich in every way. His love for you is more than you can fathom. His plans are to prosper you. His plans for you are much higher than your plans for yourself.

When we humble ourselves, God will use us to birth many children into his kingdom.

Why the Marriage? – Part 3

LORD works in mysterious ways to restore & redeem Mankind. HE is the only one who can make all things new1* and beautiful2*. HE assures that promise in every possible way through out the holy bible.

Enemy works openly and it is evident to the saints and people of GOD. When the Adam and Eve ate forbidden fruit their eyes were opened to the world in the Garden of Eden, little did they notice that their spiritual eyes were closed. They no longer understood the language of the animals or the nature or the angels. They were crowded with doubts/questions/worries & so called knowledge of the world.

When you are in Christ, the LORD with the help of the Holy spirit opens up the door to understand the happenings & secrets of the spiritual realm and once you can understand the plans of the enemy it is easy to fight and win. At least, when you win you can be sure that the victory is not because of you but because of the Everlasting Emmanuel and the LORD of the host who is holding your right hand3* and has promised not to forsake you4*.

When the enemy attacks the holy institution of Marriage. Struggle and Fight is real. There are so many sins and temptations against this holy institution.

Enemy sends his adversaries. Only the strong ones sustain. Especially in ones in Christ.

What he does to the marriages?

1.    Too much of anything  

In the name of love, being a control freak, being possessive doesn't help a marriage.  That kind of spirit is from the enemy. Know that Love is unconditional.

1 Corinthians 13:4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.

2.    Nosy….

Trust and Faith are the building blocks of your relationship. The moment you start doubting there is no end to it. When you practice putting your complete faith in GOD and HIS promises. You are practicing a trustworthy and loving relationship discipline which will get extended to your spouse, parents and your dearest friend.

3.Anger/Abuse/Assault

Forcing your spouse to do things your way. LORD has bestowed each individual with unique character, talent and outlook. As long as the foundation is built in the value of Christ, the individual can operate in any Christian faith-based institution smoothly. You will find how the LORD beautifully plug the individual in their role.

And then the enemy thinks thru it and set up a trap in the name of "Temptation" my heart sinks as I type this...How many marriages has fallen into this trap...

Dear GOD,...Dear Jesus...How many fights and stikes....Lets discuss that openly and casually in our next post. (Yes, "OUR" post....We are in this together my sisters and brothers)

1 - 2 Corinthians 5:17

2 - Isaiah 61:3

3 - Isaiah 41:13

4 - Hebrews 13:5

5 - James 1:19-20

Is the Bride Ready?

2 Timothy 2:20-21 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.

The phrase 'cleanses himself' got my attention. We are saved by His grace (Eph 2:8) and live, move and stand on that same amazing grace alone. It is His Holy Spirit that does the conviction and cleansing. Then why does Paul say 'cleanse himself'? It means you and I must do the yielding, we must do the surrender as the Spirit does the work in us. 

Rev 19:7

For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready.

We are his bride. Out of the rib of first Adam in the garden came Eve. But out of the rib of second Adam, Jesus Christ on mount Calvary came the bride of Christ (John 19:34).

None of us can forget our wedding day – next to the day we accepted Jesus as our savior, the second important day in a girl’s life is her wedding day. We do so much preparation – shopping, make up etc. All such preparation is for a marriage that will last maybe for 20, 30, 40 or 50 years in this earth. But we are talking about an eternal marriage that is going to last for eternity – how much more we must prepare ourselves. We read that the bride has made herself ready. No one else is going to make you ready. It is your responsibility. Are you like the five wise virgins ready to meet the King (Matt 25:10)?

Yield to the work of the Holy Spirit. Don’t be stubborn. Everyday crucify the flesh. Every day seek to please him more. To be transformed into His image (2 Cor 2:18) is our goal.

Our life is a mist/vapor according to James 4:13. We sometimes live this life as though we have all the time in front of us. Today is the day to serve the Lord. Don’t postpone saying I am just in my 20s, 30s etc. Let us come out of our spiritual complacency, our lethargy, our comfort zone and make this life of mist count.

Well done my good and faithful servant (Matt 25:21) – that is the biggest title anyone can have. He is not saying successful servant. He just wants you to be faithful with the talents he has entrusted to you. Don’t hide them like that wicked servant.

Is the bride ready to meet her bridegroom?

Why the Wedding - Part 2

1.     Yoke: Read 2 Corinthians 6 14-18. It warns and talks about incompatibilities between believe and non-believer.  Yoked is the word used. Yes, Man and Woman are to be yoked together that they will walk in the right and one direction. Imagine each wanted to pursue different directions, not sure where their cart called family will progress or move towards. Today many marriages have no improvement in quality of life and financially, socially, personally or professionally is because of missing oneness. It’s very important to have praying husband or wife or both for the enemy’s lies to go null. A happy and thriving family that reveres GOD produces wonderful nation for GOD. See how, Marriage is the foundation. Many pastors are tempted, or their marriages have problems is only because it’s the foundation of this world. Living together is not a marriage. Publicly under the eyes of the LORD vowing to support sickness and health is a real marriage. Having multiple partners is not marriage. If you can’t revere and love one person in life, you cannot believe in one GOD. Many thoughts and ideas stem from one single value or principle. Your outlook on marriage decides your mortal and eternal life.

2.     Today you might have failed in many areas of marriage, don’t worry. Our GOD can put everything together, didn’t HE send HIS only son Jesus for that one son Adam and all of his children.

3.     Just know that Marriage is very important and cannot be taken for granted. WORD of GOD can never go wrong.

4.     Spouse – If you do not love or respect your spouse for any reason, Know that you have drifted away from GOD’s plan. Giddy up and get back to the will of GOD and HIS plan.

5.     Broken lose or Stand Still - Either you have broken lose or you are waiting in GOD’s will for your spouse to come back way, know that prayer is the magnet that can bring you/him/her back. Coz we have a waiting/advocating/pleading merciful son of GOD in our life.

I just burst with tears now when I typed waiting. GOD of the world is waiting for you. (Read John chapter 4) I cant fathom that love coz I am so proud and arrogant to wait on someone who would repeatedly ignore me and so unstable in their love. And then I see the manifestation of LORD’s love in my life and others.

And that is the love the LORD asks of you and your partner in the marriage.

6.     Not yours, its His – This marriage is not yours. It’s a covenant between you and him, your spouse and him. It’s a contract, a deal written in HIS blood. Now think about it. This way to look at your marriage will change the dynamics of leading the marriage. You are HIS bride. When you know you are HIS bride, there is no place of any transgressions in the marriage. It becomes holy. You are sanctified and satisfied. This applies not just to women but also to men.

7.     How to – I read your mind. I hear u saying “Well, it all sounds nice to read Dii.” Do you know my struggle? Do you know about my spouse and extra baggage that has come with this marriage? I am unequally yoked or I am that unequal. How do I fix this now? I want the results now. I want to enjoy my youth. Its wasting away. How long?”

Remember something, there is no anything like perfect world or perfect relationships. Yet GOD promises perfect love for you. And out of that love you can be sure that this marriage of yours can be fixed. When is the last time someone told you that they got their six pack in a month’s time. Flesh that withers away needs time and work. Your marriage the will of GOD definitely needs time and work. Prayer is a work out, Word of GOD is the good food and developing this habit/discipline is what going to help you see a transformation you are looking forward to in your marriage.

*Disclaimer: Again, if your spouse is assaults you or hurts you/any of your family members physically. Please find shelter and pray for the situation.

Why the Wedding? - Part 1

Of all the things in the world, of all the places of sorrow, grief, pain and suffering…Why the wedding for the Son of GOD's first miracle? Have you wondered?

Why Jesus chose a wedding occasion to demonstrate HIS power bestowed upon him. Was he a party lover? Of all the miracles, changing water to wine!!! Was it the most important?

John 2:1-11

2 On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, 2 and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. 3 When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no more wine.”

4 “Woman,[a] why do you involve me?” Jesus replied. “My hour has not yet come.”

5 His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”

6 Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons.[b]

7 Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water”; so they filled them to the brim.

8 Then he told them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.”

They did so, 9 and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside 10 and said, “Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now.”

11 What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee was the first of the signs through which he revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him."

I had pondered and dismissed the thought coz I cant just comprehend why would the Son of GOD would pick a not so significant place or an event.

After 15 yrs of my marriage and some what close walk with GOD, Holy spirt revealed that this dimension is not an insignificant event rather a mighty place of power and order. Let me go step by step.

Adam & Eve

GOD brought Adam and Eve together. They become the flesh of the flesh and blood of the blood which means they are married in the eyes of the LORD.

Satan, the fallen angel who had some wisdom of GOD decided to bring division in this relationship coz he know of all the relationships that will come into existence in this world, the relationship between a husband and wife is the most holy and the only relationship that will Mimic relationship with GOD. He conspired to mar it. He decided to take his first step towards it and by confusing Eve.

He convinced Eve that she is better than her husband Adam. He made her feel important. He made her the decision maker. He tries to empower her by false hope. 

He failed their marriage. How ? By bringing hatred, spewing venomous words, blames etc. etc.

Yes, Do you think Adam wouldn't have brought fruit eating incident with Eve during hard years of his toil? On those days, he would come home tired and he would have at least mumbled in frustration and blamed Eve for the downfall. Agree?

As for Eve, imagine the only human she knows is upset with her and as she suffers from Child birth (after 2000 yrs epidural will be found) Imagine her heart wrenched with pain of guilt and would one day blow up with disrespectful words of accusation like “What were you thinking? Where were your senses?”. (Sorry, if it sounds so much like your marriage. Don’t be upset. That’s Satan's whole idea from the beginning.)

There you go, Satan attained his first victory (temporary) by bringing Sorrow to GOD’s most precious creations.

GOD has to restore this marriage back in order. Turn almost empty vessels with Wine of great taste and flavor. Turn colorless and tasteless water to A drink of joy and merriment. HE wants the relationship to be restored for the Humans to model that relationship with HIM. 

Anybody who does not respect or love his/her *spouse would not be able to completely show the reverence and love to GOD. Dont you agree?

To Be Continued..........

*Disclaimer: We are not by any chance talking here about abusive spouses. We are talking about 2 normal human beings brought together in marriage and love

Fruit of the Spirit

Fruit of the Spirit – Part 1

This article will lay the ground work as to why we need the Fruit of the Spirit, some basic foundation that will set the stage for us to meditate on each virtue in detail in the coming articles.

Gal 5:22-23 NLT

 ²² But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!

ஆவியின் கனியோ, அன்பு, சந்தோஷம், சமாதானம், நீடியபொறுமை, தயவு, நற்குணம், விசுவாசம், சாந்தம், இச்சையடக்கம்; இப்படிப்பட்டவைகளுக்கு விரோதமான பிரமாணம் ஒன்றுமில்லை.

Point1: The Fruit of the Spirit and not Fruits.

It is singular and not plural. So if anyone says fruits of the Spirit, please correct them humbly. So what does that mean to us? All the 9 virtues mentioned under the Fruit of the Spirit, we must exhibit. We cannot say, today I will show love and joy and tomorrow Self-control. It doesn’t work that way. As a child of God, as a disciple of Jesus Christ, you and I are called to reveal all these 9 virtues in our day to day walk. Is it easy? Of course not! But is it possible? Absolutely yes!

Point2: Gifts Versus Fruit

Paul mentions about the gifts of the Spirit in 1Cor 12:4-11 NKJV

Message of wisdom, message of knowledge, faith, healing, miraculous powers, prophecy, distinguishing between spirits, speaking in different kinds of tongues and interpretation of tongues.

a.       What is the difference between the gifts and the fruit of the Spirit? There are actually 9 gifts of the Spirit. The Gifts of the spirit is plural. That means you need not have all the nine gifts to be an effective Christian. These are distributed by the Spirit to each one as he determines (1 Cor 2:11). The Lord determines what gift each one must have. In verse 31 we read, ‘Now eagerly desire the greater gifts’. We must all desire or seek or ask for these gifts but the Spirit gives it to us. It is a gift. All we have to do is open in faith and use it. Imagine the gifts under the Christmas tree. We just open it and use it. We must operate the gifts the Lord has given us.

But the Fruit of the Spirit must be cultivated. A fruit is produced only after much pruning. Before we go too far on this, I want to make it very clear that is not our work that produces the fruit. It is His spirit that produces the fruit in us. Fruit of the Spirit is not works based Christianity. It is the mark of a mature Christian.

Derek Prince says it in this way “There is a difference in kind between gifts and fruit. This may be illustrated by comparing a Christmas tree with an apple tree. A Christmas tree carries gifts. Each gift is attached to it by a single act and received from it by a single act. No time or effort is required of the person receiving the gift. On the other hand, there is both time and hard work required to cultivate an apple tree. To produce fruit, it must go through a series of stages that takes several years.”

b.      Why we need both? Why the Holy Spirit inspired Paul to write about both about the gifts and the Fruit of the Spirit and not just one? The answer is simple - both are essential for our Christian living - to be an effective Christian.

Point3: Why we need the Fruit of the Spirit?

1.       It is expected of you as the Father invests in you. Fruit is the result of some work – we say fruit of the labor, fruit of the womb. We work for a month and we get paid. That’s the fruit of our labor. Same way God is working in us, and it is His expectation that we produce fruit.

Luke 13:6-9  Then he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree growing in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it but did not find any.  So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, ‘For three years now I’ve been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven’t found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?’  “‘Sir,’ the man replied, ‘leave it alone for one more year, and I’ll dig around it and fertilize it.  If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.’”

In this parable, the owner is the Father and the gardener is Jesus. He is interceding for you even today. The fertilization that is talked in this parable can refer to the many sermons we hear, many bible studies we do etc. In the place of 3 years, substitute the years you have been saved and read it again. Are you producing fruit?

2.       It brings glory to the Father

 When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father. John 15:8

3.       Others will know us by our fruit.

Matt 7:20 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.

The fruit is what attracts others to us and eventually to Jesus. The fruit is evident in the inner circle of friends, work place, at home etc. When we operate in the gifts of the Holy Spirit but do not exhibit the fruit of the spirit we become a hindrance to our brothers and sisters. We are becoming as stumbling stones for those who look to us. They begin to think ‘she is so anointed on stage, but how come she does not love? How come she is not patient?’.  We become as hypocrites to the world. So let us be very careful that our fruit is evident.

Point4: How do we produce the Fruit of the Spirit? By abiding in Him.

John 15:4-5 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.

Col 2:7 NLT

Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him

It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.” Jer 17:8

When all goes well, anyone can bear fruit. But even in times of drought, are we murmuring or producing fruit? We can bear fruit even in times of drought, even in adversity, if our roots are deep in Him. The peace in the midst of storm, the joy we possess in the midst of sickness or job loss is what attracts the world to Jesus. I want the Joy you have, I want the Peace you have – and this opens a door for us to share the gospel.

Let us bear much fruit and bring glory to the Father.

Stones will cry out!

Today the LORD revealed me something. The power of the human body, what every cell is capable of! 

Do you agree that Amoeba is LORD’s creation? Do you understand that Ferns, Jelly Fish, Octopus to Adam are all HIS handiwork? Then this is what we are missing out. 
Amoeba lives, survives and thrives – A mere unicellular being! That tells us something that every cell of our body is capable of doing something extra ordinary! 

Do we realize that? I doubt it. Let’s shed that doubt today.

When LORD said 'Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.'" And when King David said Psalm 103:1   Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.

I think we can command all our cells together to praise HIM and worship HIM by calling out.

Oh! The Nephrons in the Kidneys,…the Neurons in the brain,…the epithelial cells,…the cilia of stomach,…every blood cells,…white blood cells,…Hair follicles,..alveoli of lungs,…osteocytes of every bones and ligaments...every cell I know and I don’t know created by my GOD Almighty..Come and lets shout in unison with spirit and mind “JESUS”! “JESUS”! “JESUS”! Coz if we don’t, stones will call out HIS name!

**PRAISE JESUS and HIS MIGHTY NAME! HE died for us out of LOVE!**

Scripture References:

Luke 4:8 Jesus answered him, "It is written, 'YOU SHALL WORSHIP THE LORD YOUR GOD AND SERVE HIM ONLY.'"

Luke 19:40 "I tell you," He answered, "if they remain silent, the very stones will cry out."
Psalm 103:1   Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 - What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost [which is] in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 

Romans 12:1-21 - I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, [which is] your reasonable service.