Hidden (Krypto) Treasures

To get pearls, one must dive deep!

Month: March 2009 Page 1 of 2

Yes be Yes; No be No

By

On March 31, 2009

In Christian

Ever been interrupted by a call that seems important but when the person comes on the line, you find out that someone (telemarketer) is trying to sell you something. Often, I just ask if this is a courtesy call and if so, I request them politely to add my name to their do-not-call list. However, sometimes I still get calls from the same telemarketing company and no requests to be removed from their list are heeded to.

Matthew 5:37 counsels us – “Simply let our ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes’ and your ‘No’ be ‘No'”. This should work wonders with Telemarketers, I think. I am yet to validate this.
But the next time, you have a persistent telemarketer calling, do the following –

  1. Take the call
  2. Let them introduce themselves
  3. Tell them that you are more interested in sharing something with them
  4. Tell them that your master (Jesus Christ) has counseled in his Word (the Bible), that our ‘Yes’ should be ‘Yes’ and our ‘No’ should be ‘No’. (anything else is from the evil one). Dont call them evil by any chance.
  5. Now ask them, would you like to know more about this Jesus Christ. There is a high degree of possibility that they will hang-up on you and probably add you to their do-not-call list. 🙂
  6. If they stay on the phone with you, tell them that you have more to give that they can offer and best of all – it is FREE. Share with them that acknowledging Jesus as Lord, Believing in Him and Confessing our sins will be more valuable that anything anyone can sell.
  7. Ask to pray with them and pray with them.

Telemarketers have a work to do and so please be polite with them when reaching out to them.

Matthew 5:37
37. Simply let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.

Nameless

By

On March 29, 2009

In Christian

Today, I had the privilege of bringing God’s word to the ekklesia of believers at the Austin Christian Fellowship of India and the topic that the Lord had laid in my heart, for the edification of his people, the Church including myself was Nameless.

Synopsis of the message is given below :-
God has kept us ALIVE (Joshua 14:10)
Time (Life) and Chance (Opportunity) is given to all (Eccl 9:11)
So are we trying to make a Name for ourselves as those during the time of the building of the Tower of Babel did (Genesis 11:4-6), seeking one or more of the following – Power, Position, Prestige, Pleasure or Popularity
Or
are we trying to become Nameless (like the unnamed Centurioun soldier, unnamed slave girl in Naaman’s household, unnamed lepers at the gate of the city, unnamed widow that gave all that she had)

What is our pursuit?
What are we living for?

There are no titles (CEO, Janitor etc) on Tombstones and at the Foot of the Cross all are made equal with one universal title – Servant (well done faithful servant or be gone unfaithful servant).

To become nameless was to become the unnamed Altar (Acts 17:23-34) so that those who don’t know Christ, will know Him through us and that our lives will become the altar on which God accepts the lives of those who are accepting, believing and confessing.

God has kept us alive and given us time and chance – let us live Nameless lives, so that the one with the Name above all names is glorified.

Yet another Friday, the 13th !

By

On March 13, 2009

In Christian

On February 13th, I wrote on Friday, the 13th as a lucky day. It is interesting that this year, we have March 13th, yet another Friday, that falls on the 13th day of the month. Since Friday the 13th is most widely connoted with luckiness, I feel led to write a little more about this topic.

We sometimes tell about someone we deem as successful, that they have been really lucky or they were at the right time at the right place. Interestingly, the Bible states that each one of us have been given the means to succeed – Time and Chance (Ecclesiastes 9:11).

Time is not necessarily talking about age, but the breath of life that is given to us, each moment.
Chance is not necessarily talking about fate, but about the opportunities that God brings to each one of us.

So next time, you think of someone else as being lucky, think that you can be lucky as well, because, God has given us the elements that can make us successful (in his Kingdom business).

Point(s) to ponder:

Remember it is not always the swiftest that wins the race, not always the strongest that wins the battle, not always the wise that wins the bread, not always the understanding that wins the riches and not always the skillful that wins the favor – but each one of us have been given what it takes – time and chance!

  1. What are you/am I doing with your/my life (time given)?
  2. Are we cognizant of the opportunities (chance) that God gives unto us, so that we can make a difference in the lives of others?

Ecclesiastes 9:11
11 I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.

Wisdom, Might or Riches – Where is your glory?

By

On March 12, 2009

In Christian

We often tend to bask in the glory of our wisdom (which is foolishness to God for he is far wiser than the wisest man), our might (or strength) or in our riches. We rest on the laurels of past accomplishments, riding the ebbing waves of ephemeral success, trying to establish a name for ourselves.

The Bible says in Jeremiah 9:23-24  that that wise man must not glory in his wisdom, the mighty man must not glory in his might, nor the rich man glory in his riches, BUT instead, he/she that glorifieth, let him/her glory in the following
– that he he understands and knows God
– a God that exercises lovingkindness (loving and kind God), judgment (a just God), and righteousness (THE ONLY RIGHT GOD) in the earth
– a God that delighteth to be loving and kind and just and righteous.

Point(s) to ponder:

  1. Do you understand and know God?
  2. Do you know God to be loving and kind, a just God and a righteous God?
  3. Where is your glory? In your wisdom, in your strength or in your riches; or is it in God?

Jeremiah 9:23-24
23 Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: 
24 But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD.

No unfinished business with God

By

On March 11, 2009

In Christian

Philippians 1:6 states that “He that began a good work (in them) will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ”. This is very applicable today when most of leave that which we start unfinished. With God there is no unfinished business.

With God there is only completeness and perfection in that completeness. Though circumstances and situations at times may make us believe otherwise, trust that God who begins anything in your life will always bring it to fruition accordingly to his Holy will and purpose. Isaiah 10:12 refers to the time when God completes his whole work, meaning that there is no half-done work in God’s efforts.

Point(s) to ponder:
Think off the good things that you have started that have been left unfinished? Take time to address them. Ask God for his wisdom to help you get through to completing the good work he has began in you!

The wrong way to get rich – fool

By

On March 10, 2009

In Christian

As the patridge sitteth on eggs, and hatcheth them not; so he that getteth riches, and not by right, shall leave them in the midst of his days, and at his end shall be a fool. – Jeremiah 17:11

Enough said!

Beware of getting rich quickly

By

On March 9, 2009

In Christian

We have heard of the saying, Get rich or die trying. Most of us, especially me as a business man, are always seeking opportunities to make it big with the shortest critical path to success a.k.a. trying to get rich in haste. The Bible in God inspired wisdom, warns us of this effort.

Proverbs 28:30 states “A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent”
While there is absolutely nothing wrong with getting rich or being rich, the Bible does warn us to be careful of “Get rich quick” plans, since most of these efforts have the potential to compromise our faithfulness (righteousness) to God and man.

Abraham was rich, King David was rich, King Solomon was rich, Joseph of Arimathaea (Matthew 27:57) and many more in the Bible are recorded to be rich. Those in this list that were faithful are the ones who are also known to have been blessed. So watch out and beware of getting rich quickly. Think twice when you are faced with such decisions and pray to seek God’s will, evaluating if engaging would make you, to be guilty (not innocent) of being unfaithful to God and man. A faithful man shall abound with blessings.

Are you Afraid or Are you Ashamed to Die?

By

On March 8, 2009

In Christian

I personally believe that there are only two states in which one can die. Afraid or Ashamed!

If you DO NOT KNOW Jesus Christ and have not accepted him as your Lord and Savior, you have every reason to dread (be afraid of) meeting him face to face upon death or on his return (whichever is earlier).
Now if you KNOW Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior BUT have NOT done anything to be his witness to others, the you have every reason to be ASHAMED of meeting him face to face upon death or on his return (whichever is earlier).

Point(s) to ponder:
Answer the question – Are you Afraid or Are you Ashamed to Die?

Mark 8:38 (King James Version)
38. Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.

Daniel 12:2 
2 And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.

It is Finished – Genesis to Revelation

By

On March 7, 2009

In Christian

The Word of God (the Bible) is a compilation of hidden treasures and the more we search, the more it comes alive.
Most of us are familiar with the seven sayings of Jesus, when he was crucified to the the Cross for our sins, to make the payment to God so we can be restored back into a relationship with God. The sixth saying on the Cross is “Tetelastai” which means “It is Finished”

It is Finished is recorded 3 times in the Bible.
First, it is in Genesis (first book of the Bible) – Genesis 2:2 – where it is recorded that God had finished the work (of his Creation)
Second, it is on the Cross (central core of the Bible) – John 19:30 – where Jesus says, it is Finished, meaning that “It have been paid in full”, “The debt is no more”.
Thirdly, it is in Revelation (last book of the Bible) – Revelation 16:17 – where from out of the temple, came a loud voice saying “It is Finished” meaning Evil no longer has a chance against God.

Interestingly, the Genesis, this saying is at the end of the sixth day and beginning of the seventh. On the Cross, it is the end of the sixth saying and the beginning of the seventh and in Revelation, it is at the end of the sixth bowl of wrath and the beginning of the seventh.

Truly from Genesis (alpha) to Revelation (omega), It is Finished because of what Jesus did on the Cross.

Wise Woman – I am truly highly favored

By

On March 6, 2009

In Christian

Proverbs 31:10-31 talks about the qualities of a wise woman and as I read it, I can’t help but notice how wonderfully it fits like a hand in a glove to the qualities of my beloved wife – Sangeetha.

Today is my wife’s birthday and as I reminisce about who she has been to me in the past years that we dated and have been married, words fall short of the admiration I have for her (although many times, I dont show it or dont know how to show it). She is invaluable (vs 10), a person I can trust with my life (vs 11), does me more than good (vs 12), always seeking opportunities (vs 13), providing sustenance (vs 14), ensuring that there is food (vs 15), investing in the right areas (vs 16), staying fit and healthy (vs 17), evaluating what God has blessed her with (vs 18), working (vs 19), donating to the needy (vs 20), confident of facing the future because she plans ahead (vs 21), arrayed in fine clothes looking the best amongst all her other women friends (vs 22), making me (her husband) known amongs others (vs 23), with a business acumen (vs 24), unwavering and strong in her spirit and honorable in her words and actions (vs 25), wise and kind (vs 26), never NEVER idle but constantly looking after the house (vs 27).
Our son Reuben often expresses to her as to how much he loves her (vs 28) and I truly know how blessed he is to have a mother like her and she is to have a son like him.

The Bible says in Proverbs 19:14 that a prudent wife is from the Lord.
To add to it all, I cant even stop to thank God for how blessed I am for having given me a wise (a prudent) woman as wife and a wonderful son. I am truly highly favored.

Among all of the woman in the world, from the time of Eve, I can honestly and genuinely say – that my wife, Sangeetha Johnson is infact the MOST EXCELLENT of them all.
When I met her, I realized that she could love no one more, except her Savior and God – Jesus Christ, than she loves me (and I am cool with that as that is how it ought to be).

I wish I could reflect an ounce of the love she shows to me and Reuben and am learning and working at trying to be the husband that she desires me to be – more loving and caring for her needs. I am not there yet, but hope to be someday. As for today, happy birthday, Sangs. I love you lots. Kisses and Hugs. Love you, dear.

Proverbs 31:10-31
10 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. 
11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. 
12 She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life. 
13 She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. 
14 She is like the merchants’ ships; she bringeth her food from afar. 
15 She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens. 
16 She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. 
17 She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms. 
18 She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night. 
19 She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff. 
20 She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy. 
21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet. 
22 She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple. 
23 Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land. 
24 She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant. 
25 Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. 
26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. 
27 She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. 
28 Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. 
29 Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. 
30 Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised. 
31 Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.

Page 1 of 2

Next

Powered by WordPress & Theme by Anders Norén