Sweeter than Honey!
“How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!” Psalm 119:103
Good morning.
Last Sunday I sat next to an elderly woman in the Church. After the sermon started she waved her hand at me and said she would like me to mark the verses the preacher preached, in her Bible. Her Bible looked a bit old with stitches on its velvet cover. I took her Bible and pen to mark a verse as she told me. As soon as I finished marking, I returned it to her. Whenever the preacher mentioned a verse, she handed it back to me for help. To be honest, this was the first time I paid much attention to each and every single reference for all the Bible verses that were mentioned in the sermon. The reason why she needed my help was obvious. She has problem with her vision due to her age. But her thirst toward God’s Word and joy in His presence in spite of all the difficulties she faced surprised me. As I went through the pages of her Bible I could understand that she approaches the one sitting next to her every week for help, as I saw several types of marks made by people. She offered whatever she had with her (hey wait! I didn’t spy on her. It was an accident that I saw her while she offered.) and I guessed that she might have to walk while returning to her house.
I am sure God smiles when He thinks of her! What an awesome moment it would be for someone to have God smiling when He thinks of them!!!
Her seriousness toward His Word is something that cannot be compared with ours, who work in MNC’s, having multiple versions of Bible, in all possible sizes and designs, not only in our hand, but also in all the electronic devices we own, Textual, Audio, Video, what not, yet having no time to turn the pages to actually know what He speaks to us, thereby wasting so much of sacrifices the translators had made and hurting the Omnipotent God. A dusty Bible leads to dirty lives!
The author of Psalm 119 tells us that God’s Word is sweeter than honey to his mouth. Even today there are so many countries who shut their doors to God’s Word, yet, their people long to read. You and I have the most treasurable gift in our hands. Only when we realize that it is not a mortal book written by several authors, but a love letter from our loving Father, which has solutions to all the problems one can face in this cruel world, we would love to spend time reading and meditating it.
Diane Moody in her book, “Confessions of a prayer slacker”, shares with us that she visualizes that the Lord waits in her living room with a coffee pot and 2 mugs (one for Him and one for her) every morning. So she cannot sleep as soon as this scene comes to her mind. My sister-in-law always had an empty chair next to her whenever she studied so the Lord could mentor her. I have seen people counting numbers so they can fall into sleep, but my mother-in-law surprises me when she says she always recite the Bible verses if she doesn’t feel sleepy during her bed time.
Yes, there are so many people who adore God’s Word! Their soul is well! Now it is your turn. I am sure you too can new find ways just like them!
God bless you!
Traffic Lights
Brothers and sisters take note of this: everyone should be QUICK TO LISTEN, SLOW TO SPEAK and SLOW TO BECOME ANGRY. James 1-19
Listen, Speak and Anger are like the colours of the Traffic signal in terms of exhibiting the human nature of us in this world. If you follow the Traffic signals, than they ensure safe and accident free journey. Likewise the above natures or qualities if followed or avoided according to the word of God will help us to lead a life pleasing unto God and a peaceful co existence in this world.
1) Quick to listen: If you are in marketing this word Listen (Listening skill) is very frequently used while interacting with customers. When you listen to them may be it is a complaint or compliment then you show them that you “value” their views. It will help to close your sale or complaint handling very successfully. Likewise Apostle James emphasis on the aspect “Listening and doing”. In the spiritual world just listening and doing nothing about what you hear is deceiving yourselves. In verse 22 gives the Punch word “Do what it says.” He gives the example of a man looking himself in the mirror and as he goes away he forgets what he looks like. Therefore dear ones let us follow the word we hear in letter and spirit then you will be blessed in what you do. If you read John 13-17 the Lord teaches his disciples humility through washing of their feet. In 17th verse “Now that you have heard and seen these things you will be blessed if you do them.” The second most important commandment of Jesus is “love your neighbour as yourself.” Now do you act like a listener or doer? If you practise both then you are doing right.
2) Slow to speak: In Proverb 10-19 exactly defines why we should be slow to speak, when word is many, sin is not absent but he who holds his tongue is wise. Read James 1:26 says if any one does not keep tight rein on his tongue he deceives himself. Further we read the tongue is also a fire, it corrupts the whole person and set his life span on fire. Let us introspect ourselves that with the tongue we praise the Lord and father or curse men who are made in god’s likeness. Our speech if it is controlled by Satan it will be full of bitter, envy and unspiritual. But if it is ruled by God that it will be full of righteousness, love and grace. Read 2 Timothy2-16, Avoid godless chatters because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly. Make a decision today that with the help of the Holy Spirit you will rein in your tongue and use it as an instrument of praise and speak word of grace.
3) Slow to anger: James gives a fine explanation about anger, James 1:20 for anger do not bring about the righteous life that God desires. Just I would like to bring in a picture of Paul and Barnabas. If you read Acts 15:36 to 41 you will understand what I want to say. Read verse 39, they had such a strong disagreement that they have parted company. Here this disagreement was fuelled by anger. Even great apostle like Paul and Barnabas when temporarily influenced by anger, they parted company. 2Timothy 2-23, don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. That is to do things which God does not like. Therefore do not let the sun go down while you are still angry. Throw away your anger and reconcile so that the peace of God will fill your mind and soul and devil cannot enter your life.
May God bless you with good nature so that you can Arise and Shine.
If you want, I will!!!
“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “Be it unto me according to Your Word.” Luke 1: 38
Good morning!
Yesterday early in the morning when I was getting ready to go to office, I heard my husband speaking to me with a thin voice and to hear him better I went close to him without expecting him to wave his hand (without knowing that I went close to him) over my face with his nails on. A portion of skin under my eyes was peeled off. Since it was near the infraorbital furrow, it is not visible outside. But it pains.
This incident has nothing to do with the message today, except this reminded me of all the hurting moments (not physical hurts, but emotional) I experienced in my life thus far because of the ones I trusted and I didn’t reciprocate, I felt like I have been sacrificing so much for nothing, to the point that, those who hurt me didn’t even know that they did. As I think too much about it, it pains. But I believe everyone who trusts in the mortal men/women, would have the same feeling. I also understand that without my knowledge I would have also hurt others.
Every coin has two sides. I will share about the first side today, and the other side tomorrow. If you feel what you undergo is too much for you to carry, and you do not know why someone who you trusts have to do all these things to you, then the following message is for you.
I read a beautiful story which was about a young woman who was climbing the mountain and when she was hanging there on a rock ledge with hundred feet below her, lost her contact lens. Her blurred vision and the height scared her. She looked unto the Lord and prayed when she reminded herself “The eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole world.” After her friends helped her reach the bottom, and she was startled to hear someone screaming, “Hey, anybody lost your contact lens?” pointing out to an ant moving very slowly carrying the contact lens. Maybe the ant told God, “God, I don’t know why You want me to carry this load. I cannot eat it and it’s awfully heavy. But, if you want me to carry it, I will.”
Friends, you are where God wants you to be. When moments like this happen, don’t try escaping from the situation, rather, obey to Him just as Mary said, “Be it unto me, Lord.” Mary obeyed to God and there was born, the Savior, to fulfill God’s plan!!! Just say to God, “Lord I do not know why You want me to carry this load. I can’t see any good out of it, and it is awfully heavy. But, if You want me to carry it, I will.” Maybe you are the ant which God uses to help someone who needs you in their struggles! God’s will for your life will not let you go places where He cannot go with you. Whatever you go through, will be for your good and God will make things happen in His time! Just stay there! Never give up!
May God bless you!
God is Good
Taste and see that the Lord is Good Ps34:8
Most familiar verse from the Bible even a child will recite it effortlessly. Does that make this verse as simple as it looks? The interesting question here, is King David telling us that the Lord is good as he was escaping from king Achish of whom he was afraid? Taste does not mean test. Test and experience are two different actions based on our strength of Faith. I would like to share with you the positive side of Faith, which is experiencing it. Consider Ps 62:5 “For my expectation is from Him.”(KJV) What is your expectation for June? It could be anything according to your needs. But where are you looking at, to get it for you. You can look forward to people or whatever your rational mind suggests. But have you applied your faith and expected it to come from the Lord? That is how David could declare God is good even when he was fleeing for his life. Through the life threatening situation he experienced the goodness of God. Many times we give higher status to earthly resources through critical times, than we do to God. If you trust on the unchangeable God and receive your need, then you have experienced that the Lord is good. The situation may be totally negative but still you can experience the Goodness of God if you obey and practice His word.
Psalms 115:12 “The Lord has been mindful of us; he will bless us.” Every one of us in our life time has gone through or could be going through loneliness. I do not mean physical loneliness but mental or emotional loneliness. You may have everything like father mother or you may be living with your wife/husband or living with children. But in spite of all this relationship you may feel lonely and may not be able to share your inner feelings. This loneliness is not unique to us but prophet like Elijah was not spared. The word of the Lord came to him “what are you doing here Elijah?” Then he expresses his loneliness that the Israelites have rejected your covenant and put your prophets to death and I am the only one left and now they are after me (1 Kings 19:10). From his answer it is clear he was going through loneliness and the fear of death. Are you feeling left alone in the midst of your family, friends or at work place. If you can claim the promise and believe (cast all your anxiety on Him because he cares for you 1 Peter5:7)) with all your heart, and the Lord is mindful of you and he will come to bless you, that is where you experience the goodness of God.
Isaiah 30:18 “For the Lord is a God of Justice.”You are a person of integrity and honesty before God and men. But you miss increments your promotion, unexpected loss, or fail to get children admitted in good school. Our human nature says why me, not others. Do not be disheartened. “Blessed are those who wait on the Lord. He will restore what you have lost in double measure. In the month of June you will enjoy the double portion of His goodness. God bless you.
Missionary in the Marketplace
Hello Missionary,
Don’t be shocked that I called you a missionary. It isn’t a mistake. Indeed, it is YOU in the marketplace that I’m calling a missionary.
You may be wondering what this actually means as I am sure many of you are not familiar with the term “marketplace missionary”. So can someone truly be a “missionary in the marketplace?” Or is it possible for someone’s “marketplace to become his mission field?”
Well, as you keep reading, the Spirit of God will answer all your questions.
Most of the times we are awe struck by the impact created by mega church pastors and televangelists in our midst that we belittle ourselves into thinking that we aren’t useful in the kingdom of God. Maybe you condemn yourself into thinking that you are not doing anything BIG for God. I understand your desperation but in reality there is nothing to be frustrated about.
First let us clarify the two words “marketplace” and “missionary” in the light of the scriptures. From what I know, the word ‘missionary’ is not found in the scriptures at all. So then, who is a missionary? As the name itself indicates, one is called a ‘missionary’ when he is ‘sent’ on a ‘mission’. A missionary does not work on his own agenda. His whole purpose is to fulfil the mission for which he was ‘sent’. Jesus gave us the great commission in Matthew 28:19 and we are ‘sent’ by HIM for HIS mission. Hence we are HIS missionaries.
We see the express mention of the term ‘marketplace’ in many verses of the New Testament including Mark 7:4. In general parlance, the term denotes a place or an avenue where buying and selling happens and also includes the people who carry it out.
Now, when we talk about “Missionaries in the Marketplace”, it means influencing the place where we work with the light of the Gospel and demonstrating Jesus to the world. Theologians state that nearly 80% of the time, Jesus’ ministry was in the marketplace as opposed to a very few times in the church. So, if Jesus spent a lot of time reaching out to people in their place of work, it is important that we also show the same amount of perseverance in reaching people in our workplaces.
Somebody once beautifully said, “You might be the only bible that many will ever read in their life.” We are the carriers of God’s Presence. When we step into our marketplace, we bring Jesus into our office. Every move we make, our lifestyle, our conduct is a testimony to the people we are working with and we must influence upon them about Christ.
The early Christians ministered mostly in their workplaces because their whole life revolved around their work. But as time passed by, somehow the sacred secular divide crept into believers and blinded them from the revelation of carrying Jesus into their marketplace (our everyday life).
Many of us are content with dividing our lives, whereby going to church every Sunday morning and going to work the rest of the week are completely different facets of our life. But the Bible does not encourage that. When we spend more than 75% of our time in the marketplace, it needs a revelation to perceive ourselves as missionaries in the marketplace. And to adopt the attitude of “My Pastor cannot step in to my company, but I can and I am the missionary for God in my marketplace.”
When we look back at history, we see that whenever missionaries entered a country or a land, they did some powerful reforms in that society. They entered the marketplace, brought in education, stepped into healthcare, and addressed the need of the hour and so on. That is what we call a true missionary. We are called to change the spiritual atmosphere of the places we step into. There should definitely be a shift when you enter in the name of Jesus. Businesses flourish, profits increase double fold, colleagues enjoy your company, and suddenly people feel the difference.
Jesus said we are the light of the world. He didn’t say we are the light to the church. We need to see marketplace as our parish and business as our pulpit.
History has enough witnesses to emphasis the role of God’s servants in the marketplace. If not for Joseph’s interpretation of Pharaoh’s dream, the whole of Egypt would have succumbed to the famine. No decision was made in Babylon without the counsel of Daniel. Esther’s favour with the King saved the whole nation of Israel and thwarted the plans of Haman. Even Paul was a tent maker himself.
Trends are changing everywhere. It is during such a time as this where we need God’s voices in our parliament. We need God’s ideas in the media. We need God’s generals to defend the integrity of our education system. We need God’s watchmen in the legal system to fight for justice. When the whole world is in quest for hope, you who have Jesus, the Hope for all mankind is called to share HIM to the world.
The marketplace needs a Missionary, “YOU”.
Oh Missionary of God! Put on God’s armour and march on… the Kingdom awaits you… Heaven is backing you… Angels are there to guard you… You are God’s ambassador to your Marketplace… You are making a difference for eternity!
Revival and Transformation in our Nation isn’t far!!! Be a part of it.
Giftson Selladurai,
A Missionary working in God given Marketplace
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This article was published in National Christian Magazine in Australia