Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. Hebrews 2:18

Easter is the most special day in the history that gave hope to the mankind!

Lazarus, the brother of Martha and Mary was dead four days before Jesus reached Bethany. Jesus loved that family and they loved him as well. He was not there when Lazarus was sick. Lazarus was buried when Jesus reached Bethany. His sisters were weeping. Jesus also wept. They told Jesus, “Lord, if you have been here, Lazarus would not have died.” They moved on to Lazarus’ tomb. There was a stone across the entrance. Surely there was bad odor. Yet, Jesus said, “Take away the stone. If you believed, you would see the glory of God.” He prayed and there came Lazarus alive with his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.”

God’s love is the same toward everyone! He doesn’t show favoritism. He loves you as much as He loved Lazarus and his sisters. He knows when you are sick. He longs to be with you in all your struggles.  He himself was buried; but He rose again. The grave could not hold Him. Death was defeated. The ultimate victory was made possible by the perfect lamb, Jesus who sacrificed Himself on the cross for us!

Friends, today you are in any of the three situations listed below.

1.       Maybe you are still living in your past glory. You are proud to say that you had spent countless hours in prayer and meditation several years ago. But the truth is, your past glory cannot do any good to you! You should be revived each moment in your life. Bible says, “The one who stands firm to the end will be saved.” Matthew 24:13. You are hesitant to go back to where you were, as things distract you and lead you away from Christ. His arm that was stretched out on the cross is still open for you. It is time to make U-turn and come back to Him as soon as you can. Don’t take chances.

 2.       Or maybe you are living a life full of guilt for the sins you have committed. You want to be out of the habits which lead you to sin, but you are not able to ask God to forgive you of your sins. Because you know you have gone to him countless times for forgiveness on the very same thing. You may feel that your prayers will not be answered. Bible clearly says, “Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.” Lamentations3:22. He can wash you from any sin and can set you free. If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. John 8:36. You no longer need to live in guilt.

 3.       Or maybe you are living a life that is pleasing to God. The best time to pray for anything is, before it happens. You may not know what is awaiting you (Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8), or what your family or friends are going through right now. In the outside people may pretend to live a holy life, but deep inside they are hurt because of the unwanted things that have done. “You are meant to be the salt of the earth and light of the world.” Matthew 5:13, 14. Breathe Jesus into someone’s life. This is the time for you to stop being content that you are safe and have a free coupon to enter into Heaven, but to stand in the gap for them and to pray for them that perish.

To summarize, what you have done thus far, doesn’t matter. God still loves you. And He wants to restore everything that you have lost so far.  He can bring back life into your holiness, deadest parts in your marriage, finances, work place, parenthood, etc…! Things that are buried deep inside can be brought to life only by the risen Lord! He knows how it feels to be buried. Pray to God that He would help open up the door that you have shut to Him long back, and guide you to take off the ugly clothes you have chosen for yourself and bring you back to the life He meant for you. He only can give you victory over the things which are defeating you over and over again!

God bless you!

One who breaks open the way will go up before them; they will break through the gate and go out. Their King will pass through before them, the Lord at their head.  Micah 2:13

The Israelites when they came out of Egypt and as they journeyed through the desert had different experiences.  He guided them with the cloud by day and with light from the fire all night. I wanted to picture before you 3 kinds of unpleasant experience through which they could behold the miracle working power of God.

 God’s Deliverance: Read Isaiah: 11-15, The Lord will dry up the Gulf of Suez, and he will bring a hot wind to dry up the Euphrates. Similar to this manifestation we see in Exodus14: 10 to 21. Here the Israelites have pitched their tent before the red sea and suddenly notice the army of the Pharaoh following them from the back. They are in a ‘land locked’ situation.   They can neither go forward nor go backward. They were terrified and cried out to the Lord. And the Lord drove the sea back with a strong east wind. The water was divided and the Israelites went through dry ground. Dear friend are you in a land locked situation in your finance, health or in your job or business? Don’t be afraid! Stand your ground and you will see what the Lord will do to save you today. The Lord will send a strong wind and make a way where there seems to be no way. You will never go through this situation again. Give all the Glory to God and only to God.

God’s Provision: Read Numbers 11: 4, 5, 20, 21 to23. Here Moses the leader who brought them out of Egypt was distressed. The people had a strong craving for meat and murmured against God and Moses. Lord told Moses I will give them meat not for a day or two but for a month. But Moses with his human wisdom and limitation of vision questions the Lord how is it possible? The reply of the Lord to Moses is an eye opener to you and me. 23^rd word, Is there a limit to my power? You will soon see whether what I have said will happen or not! Are you going through a situation that something is lacking in your life, though you are praying for long? Your hope and faith are slowly fading? (It could be a life partner, childlessness, an own home, a job abroad, peace in the family….). Be of good cheer. Our Lord has limitless power to meet your lack with just a word. The Lord will make a provision that will fill you till you need no more.  Jehovah Jireh is your provider and he will meet your lack at the right time.

God’s Power: Read Psalms 107-29, 30. He calmed the raging storm and the waves become quiet. They were glad because of the calm and he brought them safe to the port they wanted. Dear ones are you facing raging enemies in your family or work place or business. Do not Fear. We have a saviour who will silence the raging enemies and take you to the port you want to reach. He can use a wind to deliver and protect you and can silence the raging wind to sail you safe to your destination.  God Bless You.

The Lord recompense you for what you have done, and a full reward be given you by the Lord, the God of Israel. Under whose wings you have to take refuge.      Ruth 2-12(Amplified Bible)

Dearly beloved, the wings of the Lord bring 3 kinds of blessings to us. I would like to meditate the same with you.

1) Wings of Protection:  If we read Psalm 91-1, says He who dwells in the secret place of the highest remains stable and fixed under the shadow of the Almighty. That means you have made him your refuge in adverse times and his power no enemy on the earth can withstand.  Because you have made the Lord your refuge there shall be no evil befall you nor any plague (disease) or calamity come near your home. Not only that as you go out and come due to your business or personal work the Lord will send his angel to accompany you. What a privilege! Why does the Lord show such a profound grace to you, because he has set his love up on you. Dear one on whom you have set your first love?

2) Wings of Provision: It is incredible the way Elijah was fed when there was a severe famine in Samaria. If you read 1Kings 17-4,6. In the 4^th verse the Lord said “I have commanded the crow to supply you with food”. When you see the choice of food the crow brought was amazing, bread and meat in the morning and bread and meat in the evening. What is awesome is the food like meat (it must have been a cooked one and hot) and fresh bread. It implicitly implies the power of our “All mighty God”. He can call something which is not in existence and bring it to existence. You may go through a situation which totally hopeless and no remote possibility of getting help. But the Lord will use a winged avian and meet your need. Be of good courage.

3) Wings of Healing:  Malachi 4-2….the Sun of righteousness will arise with healing in his wings. This pictures a supernatural healing. Like when Peter and John went to the temple they saw a man lame by birth for 40 years. Peter spoke the word of faith, “In the name of Jesus of Nazareth walk”. Instantaneously the man’s feet and ankles became strong .He jumped to his feet and began to walk. God will work awesome miracle when you pray in Faith and glorify His name through you. May God bless you with these three blessings in July.  ERIC SUNDARARAJ- NEW HOPE MINISTRIES.

Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Matthews 5:8

Jesus sat down on the mountain and began to teach his disciples the message they have to take to the people. When Jesus said “blessed are the pure in heart” , has a deeper meaning in the sense in which the world understands purity, like free from that which is sensual, pure from lust but true in the hidden purposes and motives of the soul, free from pride and self seeking, humble, unselfish and child like.

We read in James 3:17, The Wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure. This wisdom finds expression in your good life, by deeds done in humility. But the earthly wisdom harbors bitter envy, selfish ambitions at the bottom of heart. Where there is envy and selfish ambition there you will find disorder and evil practice. But if you practice Peace in your relationship with others you will reap a harvest of righteousness. Therefore in all your relationship have the same “attitude of mind of Christ, Philippians 2:5.

Pure in heart see God in a new and enduring relation as their Redeemer; and while they discern the purity and loveliness of His character, they long to reflect His image. They see Him as a father longing to embrace a repentant son, and their hearts are filed with joy. In Psalm we read “I love you Lord, my strength”. We also read in Nehemiah 8:10 the “Joy of the Lord is your strength”.

We who are going to be the dwellers in the City of God will have to be pure in heart. If you love Jesus with all your heart you will manifest a growing distaste for careless manners, unseemly language and coarse thoughts. Revelation 21:27 says, “nothing impure will ever enter it nor will any one who does what is shameful or deceitful , only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.

So we who are living in this World need to discern the ultimate reality, we will meet Jesus face to face. Apostle Paul calls it a mystery. 1 Corinthians 15: 51, Listen I tell you a mystery. We will not sleep but will all be changed (translated) in the twinkling of an eye at the last trumpet. This is possible only when we do not conform to the pattern of this world, but transformed by the renewing of your mind (Romans 12:2). The renewed heart is a pure heart.

(Adapted from Ellen. G. White)