The All Encompassing....

Well, we have been through various topics these past few blogs, but as Good Friday comes by, the mind lingers onto the cross more than usual. Why? Cos you will hear the elders of the church constantly talking about it, the bible study groups also would concentrate and link everything to it and then your Christian friends who observe the lent. The cross should always be on your mind but during these days we tend to link it to a lot more than our sins.

One particular thought was brought in today and I couldn’t help but write about it. So the portion is John 19:23-26. We have 4 soldiers trying to divide the garment, the 4 women and Apostle John himself. These 3 groups of people are standing around the cross where the Lord Jesus is still hanging, taking his last few painful breaths. What proceeds form there is an entirely different topic to talk on but the 3 groups of people is what catches your attention. 

The 3 groups.... around the cross.....

This in a way signifies 3 sets of people

1.       The soldiers – The group of people who need the cross and are unaware of the saving grace. But the Lord Jesus Christ died for them too. They need to keep aside their ignorance and know this.

2.       The women – The weaker section of the society. The cross is for all those who are weak and heavy laden. It calls to all of them who are burdened, for they will find rest and peace. It calls out to those who cannot fight for themselves for the Lord fights battles, nay, battles and war for them. These are the people who are always on the victory stand because their hope is the cross.

3.       The apostle - The ones who spread the ‘Good news’. They are taught by the Holy Spirit into bringing everyone in the knowledge of what the Lord has done and has promised for them. They stand for the elders and the teachers of at our churches.

This right about summarizes everybody. I fall in the second group, not because I am a woman but because I know I am weak and I lean on to the Lord to fight for me, cos I submit everything to Him to take care of, cos I want to be free of worries. You too I am sure come in one of these categories. Which one is it? Feel free to share.

Worshiping from Psalm 103

Psalm 103 written is by King David. The first 5 verses speak of the personal mercies which he experienced. These verses are....

"1 Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.
2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:
3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;
4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;
5 Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's."

When I stand for worship, thanking the Lord for his sacrifice on the Cross of Calvary, I realise that these 5 verses hold the reason why I must worship him.

I must worship the Lord because he--
1. Forgives - How many times I sin,  and I come back to him, I know I am forgiven, he does not remember my sins and has forgotten it. The Lord Jesus Christ died for my sins.... MY SINS!!! He constantly changes me for the better. I stop sinning because i am a better person than I was when I first knew him. When I first came to know of the saving grace.

2. Heals - He heals me of my past. I do not talk of the physical healing but woulds made by my sins are all healed by his blood,

and finally

3. Restores - He restores me with new life and assurance because he rose again and he has promised me eternal life with him.

After all this, can I stay back from not worshiping him? How much more can one give????

Privileges of the Spirit of the Lord within me

You would have to forgive me for an irregular blogging pattern, all this owing to the tough schedule I go through and so much packed for the weekends and the weekdays that there is not time left to just sit, think and relax and then write.

Nevertheless I can’t wait to share what I heard this Sunday at church!!! This Sunday was more on the Spirit of the Lord in us. For those of you who haven’t accepted the lord Jesus Christ as your personal saviour and called him into your heart, I suggest you do soon!!!!!. The privileges of having the Spirit of the Lord in us are immense. And it right about encompasses everything that is there to trouble in this life.

The many privileges of having a the Spirit of the Lord in us are-

1.       When we look at Daniel, he seems like one of those brave men of the Bible who feared nothing even when the whole world was against them, literally. In Daniel 4:8, 9 we see that,”... and no secret troubleth thee”. Now for the King of Babylon, Nebuchadnezzar to have said that would require substantial proof and experience. Thus by this small yet very significant example, we learn that when the Spirit of the Lord resides in us then nothing in this world troubles us. For if anything, even in the minutest level is bothering us, all we have to do is, like Daniel... PRAY!!!!!. As mentioned again in Daniel 6:10, “Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.” He gave thanks.. T-H-A-N-K-S.. Thanks... we don’t do that do we? We rather spend the time, grumbling or  figuring out a way to get over the problems knowing for fact that the one who made the universe can take care of it all.

2.       We are able to anything, even if it is impossible. In Phillipians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” Why does Paul say so? It is because it is not the strength in me that does the miracles but the Spirit of God in me.

3.       Having insight, intelligence, wisdom and understanding. Daniel 5:11 “There is a man in thy kingdom, in whom is the spirit of the holy gods; and in the days of thy father light and understanding and wisdom, like the wisdom of the gods, was found in him;..”  When we have the wisdom and intelligence then our way of thinking and approach to situations changes.

4.       We learn to live like Christ. We slowly shed away old and bad behaviour and imbibe a Christ like approach to life. The change just happens, and before you realise, you already start detesting your old life. Why? You are changed now.

5.       We live a mortal life of which is devoid of worries (as we submit everything to Him to takes care of it all) and we shall be living an immortal life of everlasting joy.

So then cast your cares upon him and know that with the Spirit of the Lord within you is doing marvelous thing in you and through you.

Have a blessed week ahead!!!!!!