Hidden (Krypto) Treasures

To get pearls, one must dive deep!

Month: November 2010 Page 2 of 3

Never ending (Waves of) Love

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On November 15, 2010

In Christian

Yesterday, Sangeetha and I spent a wonderful afternoon with our beloved 4 year old, Reuben, in the Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brasil. Reuben and I were leaving footprints  and drawing images and patterns on the beach sand, which the waves of the Atlantic ocean would wash out, making the places where we had scribbled once again smooth, clean and neat. As I was watching the non-stop waves break on the shore and restore the beach sand, entirely, without discrimination, back to what it was, it struck me that the Love of our God is like the never ending waves of the sea. No matter how much we mess up our lives and scribble our lives with sin, the blood of Jesus Christ, washes us and restores us back into a clean and neat state, blameless before the throne of a just God.

Truly even in creation (the waves), we see the love of God, and what a wonderful God we have and serve, who loves us with an never ending (everlasting) love.

Jeremiah 31:3 (KJV)
3 The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.

The Substitute

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On November 12, 2010

In Christian

Sometime with laconic statements, volumes can be spoken and pastor, preacher, Bible teacher and profilic author, Dr. Henry Allen Ironside, who is commonly known as the Archbishop of Fundamentalism, once aptly put it “[Jesus] Christ is the substitute for everything, but nothing is a substitute for Christ [Jesus]“.

Jesus said, “without me, you can do nothing” (John 15:5). There is no substitute for Christ. He Himself bore our sins, in His own body on the tree [Cross], that we being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes we are healed (1 peter 2:24).

Point(s) to ponder:
Jesus Christ is God’s sacrifice, our Substitute and no one, nor anything, can take his place.

The Veteran – Jesus Christ

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On November 11, 2010

In Christian, Veteran's Day

Freedom - Broken ChainsOn November 11, Americans celebrate Veterans Day honoring military veterans. It is also celebrated as Armistice Day or Remembrance Day in other parts of the world, as it is the day in which the Armistice that ended World War I was signed.

While driving by, I saw a billboard outside a church, which read “Freedom did not come by free, so say thank you to a veteran.” As I pondered on that thought, I realized that the same is true with our Spiritual conditional as well. Freedom (from the power of the devil and from death) did not come by free. It cost the Almighty God of the universe, His Only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. It cost Jesus, His life so that we may be made alive. It cost God to forsake His very own so that He may accept us and free us from the bondage of sin and its penalty, which is death. Freedom did not come by free!

The Bible says, as the grace of God, which frees us, reaches more and more people, there will be more thanksgiving and God will receive more and more glory (2 Corinthians 4:15). This means that, we who have come under the grace of God, must be thankful, for by our thankfulness, God attains more glory. Freedom for us from hell did not come by free, so we need to say thank you to THE VETERAN – Jesus Christ.

Point(s) to ponder:
When was the last time you/I were/was thankful to the Lord Jesus Christ? What were/was you/I thankful for?

2 Corinthians 4:15 (NLT)
15 All of this is for your benefit. And as God’s grace reaches more and more people, there will be great thanksgiving, and God will receive more and more glory.

To be a Christian means what?

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On November 10, 2010

In Christian, Quotable Quotes

British religious leader, William Penn (1644-1718)  is known to have quoted “To be like Christ is to be a Christian”. What does it mean to be like Christ? How can unholy and sinful man/woman be like a Holy and Sinless God?

The Apostle Paul in his letter to the Ephesians writes that we ought to be imitators of Christ. But Apostle Paul with the divine wisdom of the Holy Spirit also penned the words “I am crucified with Christ, Nevertheless, it is no longer I who live, but Christ [Jesus] who lives in me” (Galatians 2:20). Apostle Paul recognized and counsels us that to be a Christian does not mean that we are trying to live like Christ did, but that, it is Christ living in us. The only way unholy and sinful man/woman can be like a Holy and Sinless God is to let Christ live in us, by believing in Him as the Only true God, who gave Himself for us and who takes away our sins, and the sin of the whole world.

Point(s) to Ponder:
Now upon realizing that to be a Christian is to let Christ live in us, would you deem yourself a Christian? I ask myself the same!

Galatians 2:20 (KJV)
20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

Success Formula

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On November 9, 2010

In Christian

Many of us aspire to be somebody in life; we want to be successful.

But how can one be assured of sure success?
Joshua chapter 1 verse 7 and 8 answers this question.

There are three things that go hand in hand for one to be successful.

These include:
1. Don’t let the book of the the law (Scripture) depart out of thy mouth (Talk the talk)
2. Meditate therein day and night (To be talked to)
3. Observe to do according to all that is written (Walk the walk)

The Bible is the answer to our pursuit for being successful.

Point(s) to Ponder:
Do you/I talk the talk?
Do we mediate on His infallible Word day and night?
Do we walk the walk?

Joshua 1:7-8 (KJV)
7 Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper withersoever thou goest.
8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

Roaring lion

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On November 8, 2010

In Christian

Amos 3:4 asks the questions “Will a lion roar in the forest, when he hath no prey? will a young lion cry out of his den, if he have taken nothing?” which is indicative of a cause and effect relationship. The shepherd-turned-prophet uses this example to warn a rebellious nation, that their disobedience will lead them to be like prey to the kingdoms (Assyrians) that the Lord was raising against them. Israel was soon going to be invaded and destroyed by the Assyrians and Judah would go into exile (captivity) in Babylon. But going back to the cause and effect relationship, the fact of life, is that a lion roars when it has caught its prey (Isaiah 5:29). Hold that thought!

1 Peter 5:8 counsels us all to be sober and vigilant, because our adversary the devil is like a roaring lion, walking about, seeking whom he may devour.

Now putting Amos 3:4 and 1 Peter 5:8 together, we can extrapolate, that the devil’s roar (the effect) is as a result of of him having caught prey (the cause).  Sadly, there are many who believe not in Jesus Christ, whom the devil, the god of this world, has blinded and held as prey (captive) in the darkness and in the fear of the shadow of death,  so that the glorious light of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is not shone on them (2 Corinthians 4:4).

So what should be our response? We are to be watchful (sober and vigilant) so that we ourselves don’t fall to be prey to seeking satan. Second, Jesus said, Watch and Pray always so that you are counted worthy and that you escape (Luke 21:36). Let the only Lion whose roar (of victory) can be heard, be Jesus Christ, the Lion of the tribe of Judah (Revelation 5:5). Let us be vigilant to shut the roar of the lion that is seeking whom he may devour.

Amos 3:4 (KJV)
4 Will a lion roar in the forest, when he hath no prey? will a young lion cry out of his den, if he have taken nothing?

1 Peter 5:8 (KJV)
8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

Luke 21:36 (KJV)
36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

Knowledge is Power, but what kind?

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On November 5, 2010

In Christian

You must have heard of the saying, “Knowledge is Power” and this is very true. Take a game of chess, the winner is the one who not only knows how to play the game, but is also the one who knows what his opponent is thinking. Effective war strategists spend a lot of time learning about the enemy. To know of the other’s gameplan/strategy is very powerful. But we must also recognize that “the kind of power” is directly proportional to the “kind of knowledge” one has.

The book of Jude refers to those who have taken the grace of God as an unbounded license to live a sensual and self-satisfying selfish life, as brute beasts, who have not Spiritual knowledge, but natural knowledge. It goes on to counsel us that natural knowledge corrupts (Jude 1:10). Spiritual knowledge on the other hand corrects, cleanses and conforms us into the Image of Jesus Christ, our Savior. John 17:3 says that to Know Jesus is eternal life. Who is this Jesus? Jesus is revealed to those whom God, the Father wishes to reveal, (Matthew 16:17) and the Holy Spirit of God bears witness (Romans 8:16). Thus the knowing of Christ Jesus is Spiritual knowledge and when we know Him through His words, we will not sin against Him (Psalm 119:11); we will be cleansed of our wicked ways and we will know of His perfect character and conduct, that we need to conform to.

So, yes, Knowledge is Power, but the kind of Knowledge matters. Natural knowledge corrupts, while Spiritual knowledge, corrects, cleanses and conforms us to God’s image.

Jude 1:10 (KJV)
10 But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves.

1 Corinthians 12:7-8 (KJV)
7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.
8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;

God will good will

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On November 4, 2010

In Christian

Luke 2:14 states that when Jesus was born, an angelic choir sang “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”
1 John 2:2 states that Jesus Christ is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

The Merriam-Webster’s dictionary defines the word “propitiation” as “to gain or regain the favor or good will; appeasing God with an atoning sacrifice.” So in other words, we can say that while the angelic choir sang about the Salvation (good will) of all mankind, they were singing about the atoning Sacrifice of the maker of all mankind. In other words, the angels were singing, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, and propitiation for ours sins and for that of the whole world (all men/women).”

The will of God is that all are called to repentance (2 Peter 3:9) and are saved (2 Peter 3:15). In other words, the will of God is the good will of all men. God’s will is good will toward all men so that man may in turn do God’s will.

Luke 2:14 (KJV)
14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

1 John 2:2 (KJV)
2 And he [Jesus] is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

The Representative and The Re-presenter

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On November 3, 2010

In Christian, Music Musings

1 John 2:1-2 states “My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.” Jesus Christ is our advocate, meaning He is our representative. A representative is one who represents, i.e., the one who stands in the place of another. Guilty, we stand before God the Judge, but when Jesus our representative, presents the case that our penalty has been paid by His death on the Cross for our sins, and when we walk in the newness of life, in the Spirit, there is nothing left to condemn us (Romans 8:1). Jesus represents us i.e., Jesus stands for us.

Jude 1:24 states that Jesus is “able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy“. This means that Jesus not only represents us but He is able to re-presents us, i.e., present us again. We are stained by sin and guilty of our selfish internal desires that rebel against a loving God, but He presents us not as we are, but re-presents (presents us again) as faultless, when we believe in Him. For everyone who is in Christ is a new Creation, the old has passed away, the new has come (2 Corinthians 5:17).

The lyrics of the song, “Before the throne of God above” beautifully illustrates this fact.

Before the throne of God above, I have a strong and perfect plea,
A great High Priest whose name is Love, who ever lives and pleads for me.
My name is written in his hands, my name is graven in his heart
And while I know in heaven He stands, no tongue can bid me thence depart.

When satan tempts me to despair, and tells me of my guilt within;
Upward I look to see Him there, who made an end to all my sin.
Because a sinless Savior died, my guilty soul is counted free,
For God the Just is satisfied, to look on Him and pardon me.

Jesus is not only our representative, but He is our re-presenter as well.

1 John 2:1-2 (KJV)
1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

Jude 1:24 (KJV)
24 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,

God the Giver

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On November 2, 2010

In Christian

A well known verse that is often quoted amongst Christians to encourage those who are in need is “My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory”, but often this is quoted incompletely, because what follows is “by Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19). It is Christ Jesus that fulfills all our need.  Through the knowledge of Jesus Christ, we are given Peace (1 Peter 1:2), Power that is divine (1 Peter 1:3), Provisions of all things that pertain to life (1 Peter 1:3), Promises that are precious (1 Peter 1:4) and Prudence (1 Peter 1:5).

We are given Peace that passeth all understanding when we believe in Jesus Christ (Philippians 4:7).
We are given Power to live a free and victorious Christian life. But often our humanness takes priority and we falter, but praise be to God that even if we sin, we have a High Priest who is our advocate (1 John 2:1) who represents us.
We are given Provisions that pertain to all things in life, meaning we are given everything and yet we find ourselves struggling hard to provide and feed our own hedonistic appetites, not trusting Him at His word.
We are given Promises that are precious but we try to hurry up God’s time table by not waiting for His Promises to be fulfilled (as did Abram) which often leads to conflicts.
We are given Prudence (diligence) to accept Jesus for His Peace, believe in Him for His Power, trust Him for His Provisions and wait on Him for His Promises.

God the giver, has given us Peace, Power, Provisions, Promises and Prudence so that we may be partakers of His divine nature.

Point(s) to Ponder:

  1. Do you have the Peace that passeth all understanding?
  2. Do you feel like you have God’s Power?
  3. Do you trust God for His Provisions?
  4. Do you trust God and His Promises?

Let us all be Prudent to trust Him and take Him at His word.

2 Peter 1:3-5a (KJV)
2 Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,
3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:
4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
5 And beside this, giving all diligence [prudence],

Philippians 4:19 (KJV)
19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

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