I greet and bless everyone in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. The blessed word that God has given for you today, is from the book of Luke 19:10, “For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”
Jesus was on the way to Jericho, and there he healed a blind man. This was a proof that he was the Messiah. The incident with Zacchaeus happens in Jericho as Jesus was passing through. The healing of the blind man spread quickly so that the crowd began to gather as Jesus passed through the city of Jericho.
Those who sincerely desire a sight of Christ like Zacchaeus, will break through opposition and take pains to see Him. And Christ invited Himself to Zacchaeus house. Wherever Christ comes he opens the heart and inclines it to receive Him. He that has a mind to know Christ shall be known of Him. And those whom Christ calls must humble themselves and come down.
Zacchaeus gave proof publically that he had become a true convert. He does not look to be justified by his works like the Pharisee, but by his good works, he shows the sincerity of his faith and repentance. Zacchaeus is declared to be a happy man. He had turned from sin to God. Now that he is saved from his sins, from the guilt of them, from the power of them, he is entitled to receive all the benefits of Salvation. Christ had come to his house, and where Christ comes he brings salvation with Him.
Zacchaeus did not expect that he would be entertaining the Son Of God in his own house. As a rich important and chief tax collector he was an individual who was hated by the Jews and despised by the Romans. For they considered him to be a swindler or a thief. But Jesus did not ignore him or condemn him. He took time to come to him, to call him, and open up for him a new path of salvation. For Jesus had come to seek and to save that which was lost. No doubt God had been preparing the heart of this wealthy yet detested tax collector. For God is able to discern the motives of every man. And this meeting with Christ brought a sinner to repentance.
Have you received the salvation of God. If not seek Him and He will be found by you. If you reject Him then He will also reject you and it will be too late to be saved. Because salvation comes from God by grace through faith. And because you have not received salvation you would have incurred great loss in your life. God wants you to get back all that you have lost in your life. Make God the portion of your life. Say Lord “I am Yours and You are mine. Nothing shall separate me from the Love of God.” If you truly make this commitment, God will save you from the mouth of the grave, and the gate of hell shall not prevail you. God bless you.
Prayer: Our loving heavenly Father, we thank you for this blessed day. Heavenly Father thank you, that you came to seek and to save a lost sinner like me, and for the amazing love and grace you have bestowed upon me. Thank you for forgiving my sins, for bringing salvation into my heart and for making it Your dwelling place. Keep me humble and meek. May I be used for your glory in all that I say and do.
In Jesus name we pray.
Amen.
I greet and bless you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. The blessed word that the Lord has given me to bless you today is from the book of Ruth 2:12, “May the Lord repay you for what you have done. May you be richly rewarded by the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge.”
The bible tells us about the life of Ruth where she had to go through a great loss. She lost her husband at the time she was to get settled in life. She did not have a child. In this situation, God watched over her carefully. He wanted to know as to what decision she would take during a tough situation. The decision that Ruth took in spite of all the losses she went through, was pleasing in the sight of God. The mother-in-law of Ruth gave her an advice telling her to return to her parents’ house and to start a new life. In turn, Ruth told her that she would not leave her and go anywhere. God watched all that was taking place. When God keenly watched over her works, God was able to see that she was protecting her testimony. As God was well pleased with her, He blessed her with a good life.
Likewise, God watches over you when you take a decision during times of problem. The decision that you take must satisfy the heart of God. You might have had some small problems with your fellow mates. Those small issues might have worsened only because of your tension. My dear children of God, I advise you not to get tensed for every small issue. In situations such as these, learn to take wise decisions. Only then, you will be able to maintain peace with everyone around you. The Lord will reward you for all the efforts that you have put in at your work. When the works of your hand are pleasing in the sight of God, God will do great wonders in your life and you will be richly blessed.
God bless you.
Prayer:
Our loving heavenly Father, we thank You for this blessed day. Lord, give your children the wisdom to handle a problem wisely. Let them not get tensed for small issues. Father, let all the decisions that they take especially at the time of a problem be wise and pleasing in thy sight. Jesus, I pray that You may reward them according to the works of their hand. In Jesus name we pray,
Amen.
I greet and bless everyone in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. The blessed word that God has given for you today, is from the book of Judges 15:18 ,“ Then he became very thirsty; so he cried out to the LORD and said, “You have given this great deliverance by the hand of Your servant; and now shall I die of thirst and fall into the hands of the uncircumcised.”
The Bible records the story of Samson. He was a Nazirite to God from his birth. The Philistines wanted to take hold of Samson and kill him because of the atrocities he did in the land of Ashkelon. He set fire to the grain fields and destroyed the crops because his father in law had cheated him. His father in law had given his wife in marriage to his companion and so he grew furious and burned the crops. As revenge the men grew angry and burned his father in law and his wife. And he smote them hip and thigh with a great slaughter: and he went down and dwelt on the top of the rock Etam.
Three thousand men of Judah went up to Samson and arrested him saying that they will not deliver him into the hands of the Philistines and not kill him. They bound him with two new ropes and brought him up from the rock. But when he came to Lehi, the Philistines came shouting against him. Then the spirit of the Lord came mightily upon him and the ropes that were on his arms became like flax, and his bonds broke loose from his hands. And Samson found a new jawbone of an ass, and put forth his hand, and took it, and slew a thousand men there with. He threw the jawbone from his hand and called that place Ramath Lehi.
Then Samson, became very thirsty; so he cried out to the LORD and said, “You have given this great deliverance by the hand of Your servant; and now. Shall I die of thirst and fall into the hands of the uncircumcised.” He questions God if he should die of thirst after having killed 1000 Philistines. Samson fell on the ground where there was not a brook or well or spring from where he could drink water and quench his thirst. There was no one nearby who could give him water, for his thirst. He was at the verge of death because of terrible thirst. At that time he called upon God.
He tells God ‘’It is true that You have been with me so long and strengthened me to fight against the Philistines, but now that I am thirsty will you let me die in the hands of the uncircumcised.” He was not in a state to even celebrate his victory. Rather he was at the verge of death. God heard the cry of Samson. We read in the book of Judges, So God split the hollow place that is in Lehi, and water came out, and he drank . And his spirit returned and he revived. He called that place En Hakkore. If God had not heard his cry and provided him with water, He would have died of thirst. And God’s plan in his life would not have been fulfilled. Water also refers to the Holy Spirit. Believers cannot survive without the Holy Spirit. God hears the cry of his children. For when, The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. We see in the Bible many people cried out to the Lord, Moses cried out to the Lord for help. Hannah cried to the Lord in the temple for a child. Hezekiah cried to the Lord to be healed. God heard the boy Ishmael crying for water as he was thirsty in the wilderness. Jeremiah cried out to the Lord for the deliverance of his people. God heard the cry of all these people. Will he not hear your cry ? Your tears will be turned to joy.
God bless you.
Prayer: Our Loving Heavenly Father, we thank you for this blessed day. Lord, we thank You for splitting the hollow place and providing water for Samson to quench his thirst. When we cry, please listen to our cry and answer us speedily. Let us know that You are all powerful and that You can meet all our needs.
In Jesus Name we pray.
Amen.
I greet and bless you in the name of our Lord and Xavier Jesus Christ.
The blessed word that God has given for you today, is from the book of Ephesians 3:20, “Now to him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us.”
Paul has been outlining about the riches of God’s grace towards His people. And Paul’s heart-desire and earnest prayer is that we understand the riches of His grace towards us and that we stand firm in the faith; grow in grace; trust in the Lord with all our heart and become rooted and grounded in the love of Christ. And so Paul writes in His letter to the Ephesians proclaiming God’s goodness and grace. Paul desires that we know that God is able. Paul in this inspiring and exhilarating note of praise wants us to know that God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think.
Many people who go through tribulation, and affliction, often wish to end up their life. They find it hard to live because of the pressure mounting upon them , especially those who suffer from huge debts. If you lose hope, just because of debts, then the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary will become meaningless. Jesus died that you might live. And he became poor that you might become rich. Surrender your life to Him and He will change your situation. God says, Beloved I pray that you may prosper in all things, and be in health just as your soul prospers.
Once when I was ministering in Sri Lanka, I met a person who was hiding in shame and humiliation because he had debts about crores of Rupees. He had a very luxurious house with chandeleons and waterfalls but there was darkness inside the house. The family was overcome with fear, sorrow and shame. This gentleman had nearly seven and half crores of debts. He was staying in his own house for rent. And he said that there was no chance of closing his debts, and the only solution was to commit suicide. After sharing Gods word to him, and assuring him that Our God is able to close debts worth millions of rupees. When I told him that God is able to do exceedingly above all that we ask or think for Our Father has gold and silver in His hands, and that the Earth is the Lords and all its fullness, the world and those who dwell there in. That evening he attended our cottage meeting.
He gained confidence and took me to his godown and his factory. After a small prayer he sat in his cabin. His Co workers and other business partners, dealers came up to him and encouraged him by extending support to him in his business. Those who came to see him said that he had talents in dry fish export and there were many to support him in his business. They asked him to restart his business and promised to help him financially. They spoke to him without hurting his feelings. They also asked him to pay back the dues slowly as soon as he gets profit in his business. There was a great change in the attitude of the customers and other business giants who approached him. They said that he possessed good marketing and exporting capacity too. They asked him not to worry and asked him to continue his business . And he need to repay his debts only when he made a good profit.
The man was wonder struck at the changed attitude of his business partners. The entire life style of this person changed. All this was because of his faith in Jesus. He cleared all his debts and is now one of the leading business man in town. God exalted him because he believed that Jesus was able to do more than we ask or think. He purchased back his house in which he was living for rent. His business flourished and he bought a new car. God blessed his family once again. But now he was a new person in Christ. God changed his sorrow into joy, and his curse into a blessing. Praise be to God.
Prayer: Our loving heavenly Father, we thank You for this blessed day. Heavenly Father, we thank You, because You are able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think. Thank You for having given us the power of the Holy Spirit, working in our inner man. Lord we willingly yield to Your transforming work in our life. Help us to realize and experience how great a God You are.
In Jesus name we pray.
Amen.
I greet and bless everyone in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. The blessed word that God has given for you today, is from the book of Joshua 14:10,
“Now then, just as the Lord promised, he has kept me alive for forty-five years since the time he said this to Moses, while Israel moved about in the wilderness. So here I am today, eighty-five years old! I am still as strong today as the day Moses sent me out; I’m just as vigorous to go out to battle now as I was then. Now give me this hill country that the Lord promised me that day. You yourself heard then that the Anakites were there and their cities were large and fortified, but, the Lord helping me, I will drive them out just as he said.”
From the above context we understand that Caleb believed in the promise of God that was spoken by the words of Moses. Caleb says these words “ The Lord hath kept me alive these forty and five years”’ The longer we live the more sensible we should be of God’s goodness to us in keeping us alive! After they reach Canaan, Caleb was much old in age and he says, “ I am as strong this day,” Though eighty-five years of age, he was as lively and strong as when he was forty. He says, “ As my strength was then so it is now “— This was the fruit of the promise, and was beyond what God had expressed; for God not only gives what he promises, but more. If he promises life, he will add health and strength, and all that which will make the life promised a blessing and comfort. This Caleb mentions here to the glory of God, and as a reason for his asking a portion which he must rescue out of the hands of the giants.
It was not an easy task for him to receive the mountainous region as the portion of his inheritance. And Moses had promised him that particular portion, once they entered the land of Canaan. He had to wage war with the giants as many huge giants lived in that mountainous region. He could possess the land from their hand only if he won them in the war. So he needed strength, and extraordinary strength to win the battle. He needed strength not only for counsel, but for action; for marching and fighting. “To go out, and to come in” To perform all the duties belonging to him, in that new place. This he got by following the Lord fully.
Just as God extended strength to His servant Caleb who was a man with a different spirit, God extended such strength to a sister, a professor in a reputed college in Tirunelveli. She was suffering from an unknown disease. There was no medicine to cure her. Her husband was so distressed and worried over the health of his wife who was becoming worse and worse day after day. All her blood would get frozen and get clotted and this, when it reaches her heart she might collapse. She was asked to be taken to the Government hospital in Tirunelveli, as she was at the verge of death. Fear gripped them, especially her husband who couldn’t see his wife suffer with this disease.
It so happened in the midst of this entire horrible situation, that sister was watching my programme one day, through the TV Channel. She heard me saying “ , Sister you are a wealthy person but your wealth cannot save your life. Your blood has frozen and you are at the point of death. There is a hole in your heart. And pumping of blood has become very low. There is no medicine for curing you, But God has come down in a marvellous way to give you new organ. God is changing all your organs that need to be renewed; Only God can save you and extend your life. And since you believe My words the frozen blood has melted and now you shall return to your normal stage of life.” After watching the programme on the TV , she became energetic.
That Sister had faith in My Words so she called her husband and asked him to remove all the couplings from her body. But her husband hesitated. He told her the message could have been for someone else. But that sister was sure that the message was for her . So she was firm in her faith. Yes, My dear friends if you believe you shall see the glory of God. She told her husband that God’s word entered her body and cleared all the frozen blood, and she feels better in health. But her husband did not believe. That night an angel of God, appeared to her in a dream and assured her that He had sent His word through His servant and healed her of her unknown disease.
Thus God extended the life of that sister who was actually struggling for her life. He gave her an extraordinary strength to recover from her fallen state of life. The Bible says, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble” and this goes to prove in the case of that sister, who was suffering from sickness. But God sent His word and healed her. God will heal you too of your sickness if you abide by His word. God bless you.
Prayer: Our loving heavenly Father, we thank You for this blessed day. Thank You for blessing Caleb with an extraordinary strength and helping him to obtain the mountainous region as his inheritance. Likewise we pray that you would strengthen us to overcome all our sicknesses and problems which we face in our lives. Teach us to abide in Your words.
In Jesus name we pray.
Amen.
