Dealing with the Monster!

Have you ever felt that you are always on fight or flight mode safeguarding your peace of mind?

By saying Fight, I did not mean intense hurtful words or actions. I meant fighting with prayers and constant pleas to GOD.

Have you ever wondered; shouldn’t this be easy for me as a child of GOD?

I don’t know about you I have seen things falling into places for few others (i.e. Atheist, agnostics, etc.) and had made me question my ability and strength.

It is frustrating to see these annoying creatures show their head on and off. Sometimes as that smirk on your acquaintance's face when u mention  your church or Christ or faith, Sometimes to witness a dear family member blame Great GOD Almighty for all the wrongs in the world. A backhanded compliment on a well-accomplished job by a so-called friend or a colleague or someone who diminishes the value of your good work or attitude. It is indeed, quite frustrating.
 
The truth of the matter is that we deal with these Monsters every day and we are the Superheroes who slay them on a daily basis.

It was then I was reminded. The throne that I am getting ready to sit as an heir of Christ is very unique and royal. Christ, the KING of kings and the LORD of the lords and NAME above all the names have called us as HIS Heirs. These are battles as HIS Princess/Prince, as a royal priesthood that I must constantly fight. We the superheroes can't give up and can't get tired.

 Like David said

For by You I can run against a troop, By my God, I can leap over a wall. – Psalm 18:29

 But let us all remember as we polish our armor, we surely know a polished bejeweled crown is waiting to be adorned by us. Don't you all agree?

Isaiah 62:3

 You will be a crown of splendor in the LORD's hand, a royal diadem in the hand of your God.

 

How can I praise HIM?

 Praising GOD in abundance is so easy. It makes sense.

The real testament of our faith is praising GOD while walking thru the valley of death. And that is so hard. They are prayerful praises. Valley of death - the time we see ourselves in midst of so many unknowns with real pain in being, sorrow in heart, worry weighing us so down. The things that can come easy to us at that time are tears, self-pity, frustration, depression, pleas, and prayers. If we are a believer, we would make prayers like David

Psalm 13:1-6 

How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I take counsel in my soul and have sorrow in my heart all the day? How long shall my enemy be exalted over me? Consider and answer me, O Lord my God; light up my eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death, lest my enemy say, “I have prevailed over him,” lest my foes rejoice because I am shaken. But I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation.

 But then David is also the one who praised GOD when his enemies are behind for his life. The anointed King of Israel was living in hiding. He was anointed by a prophet. He had won over the Philistine Goliath by his faith in GOD of Israel and here he is in hiding. He has a track record of victory in El Shaddai and yet what he sees is dark smelly caves for bed.

 “He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the LORD and put their trust in him.” – Psalm 40:3

 “Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music;” – Psalm 98:4

 “My mouth will speak in praise of the LORD. Let every creature praise his holy name for ever and ever.” - Psalm 145:19

 “I will praise the LORD all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.” – Psalm 146:2

 “Let everything that has breath praise the LORD”. – Psalm 150:6

 Praising at that moment needs strength and power from GOD. Like Jesus said in John 15:5 we cannot do anything, absolutely anyting including praises without HIS help.

 

John 15:5 

I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.

So, today you might be in a place where your tongues are tied and spirit is damp by the sight of your stressful/tiring life. Come! Let us cheer up! Let us call out to HIM. Even if it is a squeaky meek voice, let us ask GOD thru Jesus Christ that we need HIS strength, power, wisdom to praise HIM in all the circumstances.

 Philippians 4:13 

I can do all things through him who strengthens me

 

Smooth Sailing!

As I was listening to the below verse being recited in one of the Prayer calls, it gave me a new revelation.

Luke 8:22–25

 ^“22 Now on one of those days ^[a]Jesus and His disciples got into a boat, and He said to them, “Let’s cross over to the other side of the lake.” So, they launched out. ²³ But as they were sailing along, He fell asleep; and a fierce gale of wind descended on the lake, and they began to be swamped and to be in danger. ²⁴ They came up to Jesus and woke Him, saying, “Master, Master, we are perishing!” And He got up and rebuked the wind and the surging ^[b]waves, and they stopped, and ^[c]it became calm. ²⁵ And He said to them, “Where is your faith?” But they were fearful and amazed”

Let us see 

²² Now on one of those days ^[a]Jesus and His disciples got into a boat, and He said to them, “Let’s cross over to the other side of the lake.” So, they launched out. 

These are the times as one of those days that Jesus and us -His disciples have got into a boat. Yes, we are in the same boat with HIM. And we have launched out on a mission. Mission to save ourselves, our generation, to spend our eternity with the LORD, successfully get thru this sojourn on earth.

²³ But as they were sailing along, He fell asleep; and a fierce gale of wind descended on the lake, and they began to be swamped and to be in danger. 

Jesus is with us, the Immanuel but HE is asleep or that’s what we think. We forget Psalm 121 where we know the LORD of Israel never sleeps or slumbers.

We are on a mission sailing along; we are moving forward and there is a fierce gale of wind. This is a boat with Jesus, and we think the sail is going to be smooth. Everything is going to be neat and tidy.

Alas, to our shock and surprise comes a wind. The wind brings in water into the boat scaring us to drown us and the boat. Many a time, don’t we feel that. I am in the will of GOD. HIS prophets had confirmed to us in many prayers and calls, “Sister, you are in the will of GOD” Then why this wind? We hate this wind. We don’t want the water into our boats. We are on a good and holy mission. There is no personal motive. This is for the greater good. It must go smoothly. Our business is special and GOD willing. We need favor, not winds. Yet there is wind.

²⁴ They came up to Jesus and woke Him, saying, “Master, Master, we are perishing!”

And we cry out to HIM, sometimes in frustration and anger. We claim we are perishing to the LORD who promised everlasting life, who has helped witness many miracles. We are ready to forget the past miracles coz the wind in the present is too much to handle for us.

And He got up and rebuked the wind and the surging ^[b]waves, and they stopped, and ^[c]it became calm. 

Though our prayers are made in frustration. HE gets up. HE gets up from HIS throne. HE gets up and pleads our case to our Almighty GOD. HE listens to us because HE is in the boat with us & We are in HIS boat. HE understands us more than any Leader, Family member, Medical professional, Pastor or an Official.

HE calms the winds and stills the raging sea. Once again, it’s a smooth sail.

²⁵ And He said to them, “Where is your faith?” 

Then HE says to us “Where is your faith?”. Not Yell or Condemn or Scream or Chide us. He just says to us.

Today we are dealing with such wind and storm like this pandemic or persecution at home/work/unbelievers or delayed physical healing or stumbled spiritual walk or delayed financial blessing.

 But, let us be assured that the Immanuel, Our Savior Jesus Christ is with us thru this sail. HE might appear to be sleeping yet HIS eyes are on us. HE is here to redeem us. HE is to declare over our life that HE is LORD of the Lords and King of Kings.

 Let us just prepare us to marvel and exclaim HIS doings in our life! Let us keep sailing!

 Food for your thought: 

• Have you ever wondered the change of scene, if the disciples had decided to keep calm and be faithful during this storm?  What would have been the outcome? 
• Have you thought about Paul's ship in the storm?

Please write/comment on your revelation.

 

 

ASK December 2020 Promise

 

Book Of John - Chapter 6 - Part A Bible Study

Day 6 - Chapter 6 Part A

Highlights/Understanding	Chapter 6 – NASB Translation
JESUS performed many healing miracles. Coronavirus is nothing before HIS mighty power.	6 After these things Jesus went away to the other side of the Sea of Galilee (or Tiberias). 2 A large crowd followed Him, because they saw the [a]signs which He was performing on those who were sick
JESUS Knows our needs. Jesus is concerned about the people’s need. They did not ask. He knows.	3 Then Jesus went up on the mountain, and there He sat down with His disciples. 4 Now the Passover, the feast of the Jews, was near. 5 Therefore Jesus, lifting His eyes and seeing that a large crowd was coming to Him, *said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread, so that these may eat?”
Test: Jesus was using this instance as a teachable moment for HIS disciples. Let us allow our LORD Jesus to teach us in our critical points of our life.	5 Therefore Jesus, lifting up His eyes and seeing that a large crowd was coming to Him, *said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread, so that these may eat?” 6 This He was saying to test him, for He Himself knew what He was intending to do.
Need is Big but the provision is less – What a good set up for us to witness the Magnificence of GOD’s hand on HIS people	5 Therefore Jesus, lifting up His eyes and seeing that a large crowd was coming to Him, *said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread, so that these may eat?” 6 This He was saying to test him, for He Himself knew what He was intending to do. 7 Philip answered Him, “Two hundred [b]denarii worth of bread is not sufficient for them, for everyone to receive a little.”
Now let’s talk about the Lad. ·      Can we be like that Lad? There is no place to buy food. He is a kid and I am sure he didn’t carry money. He is a smart kid; he was very thoughtful enough to carry food for his journey. But He is giving it up just because Jesus asked. ·      Is it possible for us to be that generous to give up what we have stored for us to bless multitudes? ·      What if he had refused? But I think, He came forward to help else Andrew wouldn’t have known. I believe the Lad was also equally worried about the people being hungry just like Christ coz I believe He is inspired by the Holy spirit. ·      Do we know the Lad’s name? No.  But We still talk about what the LORD did with his lunch. Didn’t John the Baptist say John 3:30 30 He must increase, but I must decrease.	8 One of His disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, *said to Him, 9 “There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are these for so many people?”
Orderliness – HE is not GOD of Chaos. He created the universe with certain Rhythm. We can spend hours on the scientific facts of symmetry and regular intervals etc. that keeps the Universe intact. I don’t believe a big bang can do that. Jesus is preparing the crowd even before the food is available. Let them sit down to receive the food in order with no chaos.	10 Jesus said, “Have the people [c]sit down.” Now there was much grass in the place. So the men [d]sat down, in number about five thousand.
Jesus Thank the heaven for what is in hand and for what is about to be received.	11 Jesus then took the loaves, and having given thanks, He distributed to those who were seated; likewise also of the fish as much as they wanted. 12 When they were filled, He *said to His disciples, “Gather up the leftover fragments so that nothing will be lost.” 13 So they gathered them up, and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves which were left over by those who had eaten. 14 Therefore when the people saw the [e]sign which He had performed, they said, “This is truly the Prophet who is to come into the world.”
Jesus does not waste food i.e. the Blessings. Don’t be a hoarder, Be Generous – Remember the lad. Don’t be extravagant and thoughtless – Help but be careful with your spending. Ask GOD for direction. HE will teach you.	12 When they were filled, He *said to His disciples, “Gather up the leftover fragments so that nothing will be lost.” 13 So they gathered them up, and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves which were left over by those who had eaten.
Jesus remembered and glorified for HIS miracle. – Man in dire need will (well mostly) not forget the blessing he received.	14 Therefore when the people saw the [e]sign which He had performed, they said, “This is truly the Prophet who is to come into the world.”

Book Of John - Chapter 5 - Bible Study

Day 5 - Chapter 5

Highlights/Understanding	Chapter 5 – NASB Translation
The Healing at Bethesda Time Period: Years of the illness or Disbelief or problem is does not matter. Faith to get delivered alone matters. 38 yrs. of illness, the sick man believed in the mighty healing words of Christ Jesus. Today we receive so many promises for life. Do we believe it? Do we act based on it? BTW, Anybody is reminded of as similar healing happening at the Beautiful Gate in the book of Acts. Act 3:2 2 And a man who had been lame from his mother's womb was being carried along, whom they used to set down every day at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, in order to beg alms of those who were entering the temple..	After these things there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 2 Now there is in Jerusalem by the sheep gate a pool, which is called in [a]Hebrew [b]Bethesda, having five porticoes. 3 In these lay a multitude of those who were sick, blind, lame, and withered, [[c]waiting for the moving of the waters; 4 for an angel of the Lord went down at certain seasons into the pool and stirred up the water; whoever then first, after the stirring up of the water, stepped in was made well from whatever disease with which he was afflicted.] 5 A man was there who had been [d]ill for thirty-eight years. 6 When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he had already been a long time in that condition, He *said to him, “Do you wish to get well?” 7 The sick man answered Him, “Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, but while I am coming, another steps down before me.” 8 Jesus *said to him, “Get up, pick up your pallet and walk.” 9 Immediately the man became well, and picked up his pallet and began to walk.
Sabbath Day Miracle: ·       Day of rest. ·       Moses law requires the Jewish people to observe the day of Sabbath.	Now it was the Sabbath on that day. 10 So the Jews were saying to the man who was cured, “It is the Sabbath, and it is not permissible for you to carry your pallet.” 11 But he answered them, “He who made me well was the one who said to me, ‘Pick up your pallet and walk.’” 12 They asked him, “Who is the man who said to you, ‘Pick up your pallet and walk’?” 13 But the man who was healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had slipped away while there was a crowd in that place.
Diseases and ailments are due to sins of the world. 38 Yrs of illness is caused by somekind of Sin. Only the LORD and the Sick man(who got healed) knows.	14 Afterward Jesus *found him in the temple and said to him, “Behold, you have become well; do not sin anymore, so that nothing worse happens to you.” 15 The man went away, and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had made him well.
Testimony - Man is not telling on Jesus. Rather He gives a testimony on Christ.	15 The man went away, and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had made him well
Law Vs. Love Grave Vs Grace In keeping up the Moses’s law Jews failed to see the miracle performed here. 38 Yrs of Illness gone in a moment. That didn’t catch their attention at all. Those days, Jews were so much into them.	16 For this reason the Jews were persecuting Jesus, because He was doing these things on the Sabbath
Jesus’ Equality with God This is another concept that Jews cannot take comprehend coz they have not completely understood, or should we say ready for the messiah as prophesied.	17 But He answered them, “My Father is working until now, and I Myself am working.” 18 For this reason therefore the Jews were seeking all the more to kill Him, because He not only was breaking the Sabbath, but also was calling God His own Father, making Himself equal with God.
Jesus Explains Jesus explaining the truths in plain language in accordance with foretold Prophesy	19 Therefore Jesus answered and was saying to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, unless it is something He sees the Father doing; for whatever [e]the Father does, these things the Son also does in like manner. 20 For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself is doing; and the Father will show Him greater works than these, so that you will marvel. 21 For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son also gives life to whom He wishes. 22 For not even the Father judges anyone, but He has given all judgment to the Son, 23 so that all will honor the Son even as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him.
JESUS is the WAY to HEAVEN	24 “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life.
Two Resurrections Dead will hear the voice of SON of GOD - Dead in Holyspirit will hear, receive salvation and will live for eternity	25 Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live.
JESUS has the power to give the Eternal life like the FATHER.	26 For just as the Father has life in Himself, even so He gave to the Son also to have life in Himself; 27 and He gave Him authority to execute judgment, because He is [f]the Son of Man.
Rapture & Second coming of JESUS	28 Do not marvel at this; for an hour is coming, in which all who are in the tombs will hear His voice, 29 and will come forth; those who did the good deeds to a resurrection of life, those who committed the evil deeds to a resurrection of judgment.
Will of the FATHER is for all us to receive salvation and eternal life.	30 “I can do nothing on My own initiative. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is just, because I do not seek My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.
Jesus talks about John the Baptist’s Testimony about Christ	31 “If I alone testify about Myself, My testimony is not [g]true. 32 There is another who testifies of Me, and I know that the testimony which He gives about Me is true. 33 You have sent to John, and he has testified to the truth. 34 But the testimony which I receive is not from man, but I say these things so that you may be saved. 35 He was the lamp that was burning and was shining and you were willing to rejoice for [h]a while in his light.
Jesus’s witness – His Miracles, Signs, Teaching & Ministry	36 But the testimony which I have is greater than the testimony of John; for the works which the Father has given Me to accomplish—the very works that I do—testify about Me, that the Father has sent Me.
Almighty GOD, the FATHER’s testimony about Jesus	37 And the Father who sent Me, He has testified of Me. You have neither heard His voice at any time nor seen His form. 38 You do not have His word abiding in you, for you do not believe Him whom He sent.
·       Testimony of the Scriptures about the SON OF GOD. ·       Testimony by Moses HE also points how it is easier for the people to believe in a Man who comes in HIS name than believe JESUS who comes in GOD’s name with so many witnesses	39 [i]You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about Me; 40 and you are unwilling to come to Me so that you may have life. 41 I do not receive glory from men; 42 but I know you, that you do not have the love of God in yourselves. 43 I have come in My Father’s name, and you do not receive Me; if another comes in his own name, you will receive him. 44 How can you believe, when you receive [j]glory from one another and you do not seek the [k]glory that is from the one and only God? 45 Do not think that I will accuse you before the Father; the one who accuses you is Moses, in whom you have set your hope. 46 For if you believed Moses, you would believe Me, for he wrote about Me. 47 But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe My words?”