Hidden (Krypto) Treasures

To get pearls, one must dive deep!

Month: February 2011

The valentine of God

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On February 14, 2011

In Christian, Valentine's Day

Commonly, the word ‘valentine’ is used to refer to someone’s sweetheart but interestingly, the Merriam-Webster’s dictionary also defines the word ‘valentine’ as “a gift or greeting sent or given to someone special.” Valentine means a gift and a gift represents both the heart of the giver and the receiver. The one giving gives because he or she loves the one to whom it is given. The one receiving is given because they are deemed special by the giver.

God sent us His Son (Jesus Christ), and through Him, we receive the gift of eternal life. Why did God do this? Because He loved you and I, whom He deems to be very special. We are the apple of His eye.

The ever popular verse from Romans 6:23 can be read as “the valentine (gift) of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord”. You are special in God’s eye. I am special in God’s eye. He loves you and me very much and He has sent us the valentine (gift) of eternal life. All we need to do, is receive His gift by believing that Jesus Christ is God’s valentine to mankind.

Romans 6:23 (KJV)
23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift [valentine] of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Pre-requisite for entry into heaven

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On February 11, 2011

In Christian

A Sunday school teacher was tasked to explain to six-year-olds in his class, what someone had to do in order to go to heaven and in this endeavor, he questioned his class on this subject.
“If I sold the things I love, like my house and my car, and gave all my money to the Church, would that get me into heaven?”
“NO!” the children all answered.
“If I prayed to God everyday and if I attended the church every Sunday, and kept everything neat and tidy, would that get me into heaven?”
Again the answer was “NO!”
“Well then,” he said, “If I loved my wife dearly, and be kind to animals and gave to the poor, would that get me into heaven?”
Again they all shouted “NO!”
“Well then, how can I get into heaven?”
A boy in the back row stood up and shouted, “YOU GOTTA BE DEAD”.

Not all who call Lord, Lord will enter into the kingdom of heaven, but only he/she who  does the will of God, the Father, who is in heaven (Mathew 7:21) will enter into heaven. His will is what may seem at first to be an oxymoron, which is for us to be a living sacrifice (living for Him; dying to all others). God wants us to totally surrender to this will of His, and in order for us to surrender all to Jesus, we must be dead to sin, and be dead to self and be willing to die for Him (our Lord and Savior).

We GOTTA BE DEAD so that it is no longer we who live but Christ Jesus that lives in us (Galatians 2:2o).

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.

Sow Christ Jesus

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On February 10, 2011

In Christian

Once while traveling for work, in one of the airports, I came across an advertisement which caught my attention. It was the advertisement for the organization CARE (www.care.org) which aims at defending dignity and fighting poverty. The advertisement had in it a picture of an African woman with the following words, printed next to her – “She can plant the seeds of change. If she can get the seed.”

This social message has some serious undertones in our Christian life.  Christian have The Seed. Jesus Christ is The Seed. This is how He is referred to in the very first book of the Bible, much before His birth on earth. When man and woman sinned by disobeying God, because of the deception of satan, God declares war on satan, informing him of his impending doom, by expressing that God will put an enmity between satan and the woman and between the seed of satan (self-righteous; counterfeit believers) and the Seed of the woman (referring to Jesus Christ) who will crush the head of satan, while satan merely bruises His heel. (Genesis 3:15). At the Cross, satan bruised the heel of Jesus by nailing his feet, but by His sacrificial dying and by His resurrection from the dead, Jesus crushed the head of satan, totally defeating satan and the power of death that he had.

Just as a seed germinates and brings forth life, in the soil that receives it,  so does Jesus germinate and brings forth eternal life in all who receive Him. Jesus Christ is The Seed that changes death to life; He is The Seed that brings life. But how can one plant when they don’t have The Seed, themselves? This is a stark reminder for all those who have The Seed (Jesus), that they ought to sow Jesus Christ in someone else.

Point(s) to ponder:

Do you have Jesus Christ; The Seed? If not, receive Him with a fertile heart, so He can bring you life! and if you do, Sow Jesus Christ in someone who does not have Him.

Genesis 3:15 (KJV)
15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.

The Gospel in Song (during Super Bowl)

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On February 9, 2011

In Christian

During the 2011 Super Bowl XLV halftime show, the Black Eyed Peas with R&B star Usher and former Guns N’ Roses guitarist Slash, entertained millions by featuring the following setlist:
1. I Gotta Feeling
2. Boom Boom Pow
3. Sweet Child O’ Mine
4. Pump It
5. Let’s Get It Started
6. OMG
7. Where Is The Love? and
8. The Time (of our life)

One of the controversies before the game was that the ‘Look Up John 3:16’ ad was rejected to be aired during the Super Bowl game, but unbeknown to many, closer review of the events on this day, show that each song in this set list that was featured during the same Super Bowl game could be used with the other to unfold the very essence of John 3:16; God’s beautiful story for the Salvation to mankind. Continue reading for to see how.

We have been having  The Time (of our life) as in the time of Noah, ignoring and disobeying God’s commands and indulging in sinful wickedness, only to become a prisoner of a war (POW); a war between God and evil that began in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:15). I Gotta Feeling that there is something horrendously wrong with this sinful lifestyle of mine and I see that validated from the Bible, which states that the wages of sin is death (Boom Boom Pow). Oh My God (OMG), what can I do? is my cry. We have refused or rejected the Faith, and we do not have Hope nor Love. Where is The Love? I ask, and hidden in the Scripture (Bible), I hear God’s still soft voice, say, “I have sent you my Only Begotten Sweet Child O’ Mine, who is called Jesus Christ and all who believe in Him shall not perish (i.e., be  no longer a prisoner to death) but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16). Why did God do this? Because He loved each one of us very much. Jesus Christ was God’s response to man’s groaning and cry – Where is The Love? Jesus is God’s gift to mankind. For the wages of sin is death (Boom Boom Pow), but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord (Romans 6:23). He sacrificed Himself so that we would not have to pay the penalty of our sin. His love for you made Him endure our Cross and He who knew no sin, was imputed our sin on Himself, separating Him from God, a agonizing experience in which He had to cry out OMG, OMG, why have you forsaken me? (Matthew 27:45-46). God (the Father) forsook God (the Son) so that He would not have to forsake you and me.  To God be the glory! for this provision, He has made possible, through Jesus Christ, for the problem of our sin. All we need to do is accept this gift of God, by believing in Him. So Let’s Get It Started. Delay no further, for now is the accepted time; now is the day of [your] salvation (2 Corinthians 6:2). And when we believe, let our lives change and let us love the Lord our God, with all our soul, strength, mind and heart and let us love our neighbors as ourselves (Luke 10:27). Let every pump of our heart (heartbeat) out-pour this story of God’s love for and to mankind. Let us Pump It (share) with those who have not yet heard it. Only then can we truly say that we are in deed having The Time of our lives.

‘Look up John 3:16’ ad was rejected but in the Song setlist is hidden the Gospel of Truth. There is no stopping God’s message. His Word does not return void (Isaiah 55:11) and shall accomplish that which God pleases.

Point(s) to ponder:

If you have never accepted this free yet costly gift of God to mankind, then you can receive Him today.
A – Acknowledge the need you have for a savior.
B – Believe in Jesus Christ, God’s gift for the salvation of the world.
C – Confess with your mouth your sinfulness, for He is faithful and just to cleanse us of ALL unrighteousness.

Isaiah 55:11 (KJV)
11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

John 3:16-17 (KJV)
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

Where is the Love?

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On February 8, 2011

In Christian

Singing against a backdrop of glow-in-the-dark words that spelled the word “LOVE”, singer Will.i.am of the Black Eyed Peas adapted and sang the song “Where is the Love?” during the 2011 Super Bowl XLV halftime, as an appeal to Barack Obama, the present President of the United States of America. Interestingly, the question, “Where is the Love?” should really be “Who is THE LOVE?”. I wonder as to how many can answer this question – Who is the Love?

1 John 4:7-8 states, “Beloved, let us love on another, for love is of God and everyone that loveth is born of God and knoweth God, He that loveth not, knowteth not God, for God is Love”. The Love of Jesus Christ is also the greatest for greater love has no man, than one, who lays down his life for his friends (John 15:13) and while we were still sinners, Christ Jesus died for us (Romans 5:8). Jesus Christ is love personified.

Where is the Love? – In Christ Jesus
Who is the Love? Jesus Christ

Romans 5:8 (KJV)
8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

John 15:12-14 (KJV)
12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.
13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.

To God be the glory

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On February 7, 2011

In Christian

Super Bowl Sunday (February 6th, 2011) began with our family attending the Hill Country Bible Church in Pflugerville, where the pastor Danny Box expounded on the topic entitled “The Conceited God” and in his discourse shared that we were designed and delivered for God’s glory. Later that evening, we spent the evening with our near and dear friend’s, watching the Super Bowl XLV game between the Pittsburg Steelers and the Green Bay Packers in our friends, Thompson and Santhini Nesaraj’s home. The game was an exciting game for sure, but what really stood out for me, was what was said after the game was over.

Wide receiver Greg Jennings, who scored two touchdowns for the Packers, in his post game interview with the sideline reporter, started his response to her question by saying “To God be the glory” and then he ended his response with the same words, “To God be the glory”, sandwiching the journey of the Packers through setbacks to now being the winners of the prestigious Vince Lombardi trophy in Super Bowl XLV. What a witness to the millions who were watching? In deed, the winners are not the ones to be glorified, but to God and God alone is to be given all the glory.

We are all designed for God’s glory (Isaiah 43:7).

We have been delivered for God’s glory (Ephesians 1:12-13).

Let us proclaim with our lips and demonstrate with our lives  this deliverance to those who have not yet been delivered from death, for God’s glory. Let our lives be sandwiched within glorifying God from its beginning to the end. To God be the glory; To God be the glory!

Isaiah 43:7 (KJV)
7 Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him.

Ephesians 1:12-13 (KJV)
12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.
13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

Rays and GRACE

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On February 4, 2011

In Christian

Just as the rays of the sun dispels the darkness in a room at the break of dawn; the GRACE of the Son of God (Jesus) dispels the darkness (of sin) in our lives. when He dawns on our lives.

Point(s) to ponder:
Have you let Jesus, the bright and morning star (Revelation 22:16) dawn on your life?

1 John 1:5-9 (KJV)
5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:
7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Jesus Lost!

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On February 3, 2011

In Become a Child, Christian, Reuben

Luke 2:39-52 records that Jesus went with his parents to Jerusalem when he was twelve years old to celebrate the passover. After the celebration was over, his parents started to go back home, assuming that Jesus was with some other kinsfolk and acquaintances, but Jesus had stayed behind in Jerusalem. They return to Jerusalem searching frantically for Jesus, thinking He was lost and after three days, they find Him in the temple, engaged in conversation with the learned doctors (religious teachers). Mary, his mother in fact questions Jesus, in her anxiety, asking “Son. why have you thus dealt with us? Behold, your father and I have sought you sorrowing.” In other words, she was asking “How  can you stay behind? We had to search for you frantically thinking that you were lost.” Jesus replied, “Did you not know that I must be about my Father’s (God’s) business?” but they understood Him not.

Recently, when our beloved five year old son, Reuben, was narrating this story to my wife Sangeetha and me, he expressed that, Jesus’ parents, were looking for Jesus for Jesus because they were lost. Sangeetha corrected him, but saying that, Jesus’ parents were looking for Jesus because he was lost. But Reuben kept saying that the parents of Jesus were lost and as I questioned, “they were lost”, I realized that there was a hidden truth in what Reuben was expressing to us. Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd who searches for all who are lost without hope was indeed not lost at all. He was just where He needed to be; in the temple of God. His parents who searched for Him were the ones who were lost because they were not with Jesus.

We who believe in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, are the temple of God, for the Spirit of God dwelleth in us (1 Corinthians 3:16). Today, there are many without hope, who are lost, who are frantically searching for Jesus. When they encounter us, will they have to continue searching for Jesus as they cannot find Him in us, thinking that He is lost or will they find Jesus in us, going about His Father’s (God’s) business?

Reuben’s video is linked in the comments section of this article. Enjoy!

Luke 2:39-52 (KJV)
39 And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth.
40 And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.
41 Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover.
42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast.
43 And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it.
44 But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day’s journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance.
45 And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him.
46 And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.
47 And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.
48 And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing.
49 And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?
50 And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them.
51 And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.
52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.

1 Corinthians 3:16 (KJV)
16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?

Christ tarries; we carry

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On February 2, 2011

In Christian, Poetic Prompts

If you and I want God to no longer tarry,
then you and I must our cross and His gospel carry
to all the world that have not believed and are lost
that Salvation comes from none other than Jesus Christ who died on the Cross
and rose He did from death and from the grave on day three
so that none perish and all of us can be with God in eternity!

Jesus Christ tarries His coming, so that we can carry His Salvation to all the world.

2 Peter 3:9,15a (KJV)
9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
15 And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation;

Is Jesus late?

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On February 1, 2011

In Christian

The Bible informs us that Jesus who came in the form of a man a little over 2000 years ago will return again to receive all who believe in Him to be with God for ever, but why has this second coming of Christ Jesus not yet happened? Is Jesus late? This is a question that has been posed, not just in recent times, but in days of yore as well. The Apostle Peter had to contend with this question, from those who scoffed and mocked, writing off God to be slack concerning His promise of eminent and imminent return. The Apostle Peter writes that “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” and accounts that the “longsuffering of our Lord is salvation” (2 Peter 3:9,15).

God’s will is that all be saved by coming to repentance, believing in Jesus Christ, by whose shed blood, there is remission of sin and that none should perish. Jesus expressed that the end will come when His Kingdom gospel is preached to the all the world (Matthew 24:14). So God delays His coming, because He has commissioned us to relay His coming, to all the world.

Point(s) to ponder:
Jesus is not late! God’s delay of His coming warrants our relay of His coming.

Matthew 24:14 (KJV)
14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.

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