Hidden (Krypto) Treasures

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Thanking God for God

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On November 26, 2012

In Christian, Reuben

There are many reasons to be thankful for and the scripture teaches us that “in everything, give thanks.” This message hit home quite profoundly, when our six year old beloved firstborn son, Reuben, brought home a thanksgiving exercise that he had done at his school. His first grade teacher had asked the students to write three reasons as to why they should be thankful for and he penned down the following three (see image).
1.my sibling (Ittai) because he will play with me and he will be a good brother when he grows up.
2. the World because the world is our home.
3. my Mom and Dad because they love me very very very much. my God because he saved us from dieing and from sin.

Reuben reminded me that we ought to be thankful for our brothers (and sisters). Jesus called his disciples his brothers after he was resurrected (Matthew 28:10), bringing about the adoption of sons by God – many sons into glory (Hebrews 2:10). Reuben also reminded me that we should be thankful for this world and tend to it, while it is our home until we inherit the place that Jesus has gone ahead to prepare for us in his Father’s (God’s) house (John 14:2-3). Furthermore, Reuben reminded me that we ought to honor our father and mother, as we are commanded to and be thankful to them, but most of all, we should thankful to Jesus (God) for his salvation, for whoever believes in Jesus is saved from die-ing and from sin (2 Timothy 1:9-10).

Points to ponder:
Are we thankful to God for our neighbors (loving them as brothers and sisters)?
Are we thankful to God for the world in which we are placed as his ambassadors until we inherit his joy in the place that is being prepared for us?
Are we thankful to God for our parents?
Above all, are we thankful to God for Jesus, who has saved us by his death, so that we need not die?
Have you thanked God for God?

2 Timothy 1:9-10 (KJV)
9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,
10 But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:

Worthy – The Savior’s, Sinner’s and Saint’s position

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On October 30, 2012

In Christian, Reuben

Recently, while listening on the radio, the song “When the stars burn down (Blessing and Honor)” by Philips, Craig & Dean, I started describing to Reuben, our beloved six year old son, that it is highly likely that the song is based on the events that transpire in heaven as described in book the Revelation in the Bible. Revelation chapter 5 records the account of how Jesus, the Lamb of God (Agnus Dei), who took away the sins of the world (John 1:29), was the only one, worthy to open the book that was sealed and in the hands of God who sat on the throne. Jesus takes the book from the hand of God and the 24 elders that sat around him fell down and worshiped him.

Points to ponder:
The Savior’s position before a Holy God is “Worthy; Only He is Worthy” (Revelation 5:9,12).
The sinner’s (our) position before a Holy God is “NOT Worthy” (Genesis 32:10).
And when we believe in the worthiness of Jesus Christ for he has prevailed in being the acceptable sacrifice of God (Hebrews 10:10-12), we are imputed his righteousness (Romans 4:24; James 2:23) and changed from sinners to saints.
The saint’s position before a Holy God is “To Walk Worthy” (Ephesians 4:1).
As saints, we are called to be ambassadors of him (2 Corinthians 5:20), declaring his worthiness and commanded to Walk Worthy of his calling.

Ascribing one’s worth by honoring and giving glory is to worship and we ought to ascribe to Jesus, The Savior, his worth.
In other words, we ought to worship Jesus because we are NOT worthy and only He is Worthy and we can worship him by our walking worthily, in Him (Ephesians 5:8).
Are we?

Revelation 5:1-14 (KJV)
1 And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals.
2 And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?
3 And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon
4 And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon.
5 And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.
6 And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.
7 And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne.
8 And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.
9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;
10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.
11 And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands;
12 Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.
13 And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.
14 And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.

Genesis 32:10 (KJV)
10 I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies, and of all the truth, which thou hast shewed unto thy servant; …

Ephesians 4:1-3 (KJV)
1 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,
2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;
3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Everlasting kingdoms

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On October 19, 2012

In Christian, Reuben

One of Reuben’s (our beloved six year old son) favorite song is “Me without You” by TobyMac and a line in the song goes as “I’d be building my kingdom just to watch it fade away” expressing the temporary and futile state of our aspirations and efforts in the absence of God.

The chorus of the song “All in Life” by Gospel singer Carman goes as follows:
“… kingdoms come and kingdoms go
but through the Word of God, I know
when all in life is done and past
only what is done for Christ will last”

When we DO ALL that God commands us to do, we end up working in his kingdom business instead of trying to establish our very own and that Kingdom is one that last forever (Revelation 11:15; Luke 1:33) – one that is indestructible and indomitable (Daniel 2:44)

Points to ponder:
God’s promise to Solomon was “if you do all the things that I have commanded you, then I will establish your throne of your kingdom for ever.” In doing all things that God commands us to do, we can be assured of the Kingdom of God within us (Luke 17:21) to last forever. Only in Christ Jesus can all things last forever, for only in him is found eternal life (John 6:68; John 17:3).

When ALL in life is DONE and past , only what is DONE for Christ will last. There is no partial work with God.
Are you/me DOING ALL for Jesus Christ, as God has commanded us to?

1 Kings 9:3-5 (KJV)
3 And the Lord said unto him, I have heard thy prayer and thy supplication, that thou hast made before me: I have hallowed this house, which thou hast built, to put my name there for ever; and mine eyes and mine heart shall be there perpetually.
4 And if thou wilt walk before me, as David thy father walked, in integrity of heart, and in uprightness, to do according to all that I have commanded thee, and wilt keep my statutes and my judgments:
5 Then I will establish the throne of thy kingdom upon Israel for ever, as I promised to David thy father, saying, There shall not fail thee a man upon the throne of Israel.

Daniel 2:44 (KJV)
44 And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.

The Blood of the Lamb :: Covering

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On October 4, 2012

In Christian, Reuben, The Blood of the Lamb

Denis Diderot (1713-1784), who is best known for serving as contributor and chief editor of the Encyclopédie was a prominent French Philosopher, art critic and writer, during the 18th century cultural movement (known as Enlightenment or Age of Reason) among the intellectuals in Europe and America. Diderot is quoted to have said “The blood of Jesus can cover a multitude of sins, it seems to me.” Interestingly even though we often hear such a phrase in our churches, the Bible never directly talks about the “Blood of Jesus” as something that covers. However, extrapolating from a few other verses in the Bible, we see that the “Blood of Jesus is a Covering.”

1 Peter 4:8 says, “… Love covers a multitude of sins.”
Proverbs 10:12 affirms “Love covers all sins.”
1 John 1:7 states that if we have fellowship with God, the blood of Jesus his Son, cleanses us from all sins.
John 3:20 informs us that God loved the world so much that he gave us Jesus, his Only begotten son. Jesus is therefore God’s expression and personification of  love and by substituting the word ‘love’ with the Name ‘Jesus’ in the before mentioned verses, we get “… Jesus covers a multitude of sins” and “Jesus covers all sins“. Jesus covers all sins because his blood cleanses all sins. In other words, the blood of Jesus, the Lamb of God, covers all sins.

James 5:20 reads “.. he who converts a sinner from the error of his ways shall save his soul from death and hide a multitude of sins.”
During the exodus of the Israelites from the land of Egypt, the LORD passed over the houses that had the blood of an unblemished lamb on their doorposts. The blood of the lamb hid the residents and saved them from death. (Exodus 12:13, 23)
Only Jesus can convert a sinner from the error of his ways and save his soul from death and cover a multitude of sins, because Salvation is [solely] of the Lord (Jonah 2:9). The Blood of Jesus Christ, the Passover Lamb hides and covers all those who believed in his Name.

Points to ponder:
The Blood of Jesus is a covering. Have you believed in him, for in doing so, your sins shall be hidden from God’s wrath and your soul saved from death. In other words, Are you under the covering of the Blood of the Lamb?

1 Peter 4:8 (KJV)
8 And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity [love] shall cover the multitude of sins.

James 5:20 (KJV)
20 Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.

1 John 1:7-9 (KJV)
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.

Jonah 2:9 (KJV)
9 But I will sacrifice unto thee with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay that that I have vowed. Salvation is of the Lord.

The Blood of the Lamb :: Clear and Cleansing

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On October 3, 2012

In Christian, Reuben, The Blood of the Lamb

Wouldn’t you think that if you wash something with blood, it would leave the object being washed stained in red? While reading a book from the Magic School bus series, with our beloved 6 year old Reuben, I was surprised to learn that the actual color of the fluid part of blood is not red (as I thought was the case) but instead it is ‘clear’. The presence of red blood cells gives the red color to blood. Now hold that thought, please.

One of the 2000 timeless classics written and edited by Elisha Albright Hoffman (1839-1929), a Presbyterian Pastor, is the famously sung hymn – ‘Are you washed in the Blood?” which originates from the Scriptural reference in Revelation 7:14 which states.”… and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.”

We wash our clothes with clean (clear) water,  not water that is dirty (or colored), do we? Now only something that is clear can clean.

With sin man became corrupt and impure. Blood had to be shed for the remission of sins (Matthew 26:28; Hebrews 9:22), but not just anyone’s blood. The blood that was to be shed, which would satisfy God’s justice, was that of a Lamb without blemish – in other words clear (of all sin) (Exodus 12:5). Jesus is the Agnus Dei, the Lamb of God, sinless without blemish (Hebrews 4:15, 1 Peter 2:22) who takes away the sins of the world (John 1:29) and his blood cleanses us of all sins (1 John 1:7). Yes, all sin. If you are wondering that your lifestyle has been such, where you are beyond the reach of God’s love and grace, and unpardonable for the sins you have committed in the past, Jesus is saying, “Come let us reason together, though your sins are like scarlet, I will wash them white as snow, though they be like crimson, they shall be as wool.” (Isaiah 1:18). There is absolutely no one, no matter how sinful they have been, that is beyond the reach of the love of God and the cleansing power in his ‘clear’ (pure) blood.

Points to ponder:
The Blood of Jesus is clear and it cleans. Are you washed in the Blood – in the soul cleansing blood of the Lamb? Are your garments spotless – Are they white as Snow? Are you Washed in the Blood of the Lamb (of God)? Are you Washed by the Blood of Jesus Christ?

Matthew 26:28 (KJV)
28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

1 John 1:7-9 (KJV)
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.

Revelation 7: 14 (KJV)
14 And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

God [Jesus] is yet to come [again]

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On September 28, 2012

In Christian, Reuben

When I asked our beloved 6 year old son, Reuben, to make a sentence using the word “yet”, for his school homework, he responded “God (referring to Jesus) is yet to come.” It dawned on me later that from the words of a 6 year old, we were reminded of a certain and sure promise that is yet to be fulfilled.

Jesus promised that “I am going to prepare a place for you and I will come again and receive you, so that you may be where I am also.” (John 14:3) and we can take him at his word, for he is a promise keeping God (Deuteronomy 7:9).

Points to ponder:
God [Jesus] is yet to come [again] and when he comes, he wants to receive you and me. The question that remains is if we will be ready to be received by him. Those who have received him and believed in his name, he gave them the power to be called the children of God (John 1:12) and so when he returns, will you find him to be your father receiving you to take you home? In other words, have you received Jesus Christ to be your Lord and Savior, for God is yet to come! Jesus can receive only those who have received him now.

John 14:3 (KJV)
3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

2 Peter 3:9 (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.

Professional Speaking :: Jesus The Lifeguard

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On August 20, 2012

In Christian, Professional Speaking, Reuben

I  gave my six year old son, Reuben a pen and a paper and asked him to draw something that came to his mind. He drew two pictures, one of which was Jesus on the Cross and the other one was a picture of Peter, the disciple of Jesus Christ, walking on water. A well-known one-liner that is often seen on Christian T-Shirts is “My lifeguard walks on water” referring to this account of Peter walking on water, when he had his eyes fixed on Jesus.

A lifeguard is one who is responsible to ensure the safety of others from drowning. A lifeguard is vigilant often spotting and sensing terminal danger. A person who is drowning is responded to, the moment he makes eye contact with the lifeguard, especially when he is in the need of being saved. Jesus is The Lifeguard.

Jesus is vigilant and always watching, never sleeping nor slumbering, always sensing and spotting any danger to our soul and life (Psalm 121:3-5,7-8). We can lift up our eyes to Jesus Christ, the Lord and Lifeguard, from whom comes our help (Psalm 121:1).  The Bible teaches us that we do not need to worry about anything, but instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done. Then we will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything that we can understand and His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. In other words, when you feel you are drowning in life situations, don’t worry – for Jesus The Lifeguard walks on water.

Points to ponder:
Do you have the peace of God guarding your heart and mind? Don’t worry about anything but in and for everything pray and give thanks, after fixing your eyes on Jesus The Lifeguard, looking unto Him, the author and finisher of our faith, whose peace passeth all understanding. When Jesus The Lifeguard is holding on to you and me, we cannot drown in life’s situation, no matter how stormy the wind or high the waves.

Philippians 4:6-7 (NLT)
6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.
7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

Psalm 121:1-8 (NLT)
1 I look up to the mountains — does my help come from there?
2 My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth!
3 He will not let you stumble; the one who watches over you will not slumber.
4 Indeed, he who watches over Israel never slumbers or sleeps.
5 The Lord himself watches over you! The Lord stands beside you as your protective shade.
6 The sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon at night.
7 The Lord keeps you from all harm and watches over your life.
8 The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever.

Why not go to the Father?

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On March 19, 2012

In Become a Child, Christian, Reuben

After I read to our six year old son, Reuben, the story of Isaac’s twins; Esau and Jacob, and how the firstborn of the twins, Esau sold his birthright to Jacob in order to satisfy his hunger, from Genesis 25:29-34), Reuben, inquisitively and innocently asked, “Why did Esau not think about going directly to his Father, if he was hungry?” As usual, dumbfounded by his question and the simple child-like analysis of the story, I responded, “Good question!”. Later it dawned on me that many a times, we are like Esau. We go to our fellow men and are willing to trade our spiritual birthright blessings in Jesus Christ for mere beggarly elements of this world (such as position, power, pride, popularity, pleasures, etc), instead of going to God our Father, who can satisfy all our hunger; both spiritual and physical.

Points to ponder:
Why not go directly to God, our Father, who can give us this day our daily bread (and satisfy all our needs)?

John 6:32 (KJV)
32 Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven. 

A godly seed is sought

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On January 20, 2012

In Christian, Reuben

Reuben Praying

Reuben, our beloved firstborn son turns 6 years old today (01/20/2012) and we are ever so grateful to God the Father for having blessed us with such a wonderful and proper child (Hebrews 11:23). Over the course of these past six years, many times, my wife and I have wished, hoped and prayed that all we desire, is that Reuben grows up as a God fearing child. In other words, our heartfelt desire and hope is that Reuben is a godly child, growing up as Jesus did (Luke 2:52).

Malachi 2:15 states that God is seeking a godly child, and in one sense, this means that we are required to raise godly children, but deeper introspection reveals that it is also a personal reminder. Yes, God desires that every parent raises godly children, but at the same time, he is also seeking for each one of us to be His godly children. He desires and requires us to be godly; in other words, Holy, as He is Holy (1 Peter 1:16).

Point(s) to ponder:
As earthly parents, we seek and desire that our children are godly.
How much more then do you think our Heavenly Father desires this of each one of us.
A godly seed is sought – Are you/I going to be that godly seed that God desires/seeks?

Happy Birthday, Reuben Abishai Paul (RAP). God bless you richly to be godly; this is our desire. This is what your ever-loving mama Sangeetha and your ever-loving dada seek of you.

Malachi 2:15 (KJV)
15 And did not he make one? Yet had he the residue of the spirit. And wherefore one? That he might seek a godly seed. Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously against the wife of his youth.

Luke 2:52 (KJV)
52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.

1 Peter 1:15-16 (KJV)
15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;
16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

The King’s Speech

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On January 16, 2012

In Christian, Reuben

On the third Monday of January each year, America observes the birthday of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., in recognition of his active involvement in the fight against racial discrimination and his fight for equality amongst men. Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated in 1968, but many still remember him for spear-heading the Montgomery Bus Boycott and his famous “I have a dream” speech.

As our beloved five year old son, Reuben and I were talking about the diabolical effects of segregation and racial prejudice, he said “Underneath our skin, we all have the same colored blood, correct?” and I could tell that his mind was seeking an answer to the question, “How can man be so blind to not see beyond the skin?” I used the opportunity to tell him, how God created man, both male and female, in his own image and that we are all made equal in the sight of God for there is no partiality in God (Romans 2:11). Then as I read the “I Have a Dream” speech, it dawned on me that from each section of the speech, there is hidden in it a beautiful reference to the Bible. The Bible is inspired by God and so in that sense can be said to be THE KING’S speech, for God is King over all, or rightfully so, it must be “The KING of kings Speech”.

Given below is excerpts from Martin Luther King Jr.’s  speech (in red italics) following which is a reference to the Scripture.

It came as a joyous daybreak to end the long night of their captivity.
Psalm 30:5 states “… in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.”
God’s favor is life. Our trials are tribulations are merely temporary.

So we have come here today to dramatize a shameful condition.
Psalm 69:5 states “O God, thou knowest my foolishness; and my sins are not hid from thee.”
Psalm 69: 7 “shame hath covered my face.”
Sin is a shameful condition and Romans 3:23 asserts that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God

This note was a promise that all men, … would be guaranteed the unalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
2 Peter 3:9 states that God is patient not wanting anyone to perish, but that all come to repentance and have eternal life. Jesus’ sacrifice makes this possible.
2 Corinthians 3:17 states that “Where the spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty”.
Jeremiah 17:7-8 states that “Blessed (happy) are those who trust in the Lord (Jesus Christ), whose hope is the Lord (Jesus Christ). For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.”
Only in Jesus are we guaranteed the unalienable rights of life, liberty and happiness.

Now is the time to lift our nation from the quick sands of racial injustice to the solid rock of brotherhood.
Psalm 40:2 informs us that Jesus lifts those who are in the miry pit (quick sands) of sin and sets their feet on a rock solid foundation; on himself.

There will be neither rest nor tranquility … until … one is granted his citizenship rights.
Philippians 3:20 asserts that “Our citizenship is in heaven from where we look for our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ.”
John 14:2-3 assures us that “Jesus has gone  to prepare a place for us, so that we may be where He is (in his Father’s house, which is in heaven).
Revelation 21:4 asserts that in the presence of God, there will be no tear left unwiped, for God will wipe away every tear.
Only in the presence of God, is there true rest and tranquility.

Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred.
Matthew 5:44 counsels us to “Love our enemies, and pray for those who persecute us”
Jesus said. If someone strikes you on your cheek, turn to him the other as well as recorded in Matthew 5:39.
Jesus was indeed saying, don’t drink from the cup of bitterness and hatred by saying “Fight hate with love”

They have come to realize that their freedom is inextricably bound to our freedom. We cannot walk alone.
John 17:21 records that Lord prayer wherein, Jesus prayed for the unity of his disciples, that we may be one, so that the world would believe that Jesus was sent by God. We cannot walk alone.

No, no, we are not satisfied, and we will not be satisfied until justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream.
Amos 5:4 states that we ought to seek God so that we can live and Amos 5:24 records that judgment will roll down as waters and righteousness like a mighty stream.
We must seek God and not be satisfied until we find Him. Jesus said, Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all things shall be added unto you, which is recorded in Matthew 6:33.

Continue to work with the faith that unearned suffering is redemptive.
James 1:2-4 counsels us that persecution produces perfection.
1 Timothy 6:12 counsels us to fight the good fight of faith and hold on to eternal life.
We must continue to work with (keep) the faith that the present suffering is nothing compared to the future glory, in a city whose builder in God as recorded in Hebrews 11.

Let us not wallow in the valley of despair.
Psalm 23:4 assures us that even though we walk through the valley of the shadow of death, there is nothing to fear (nor despair).
Death is but a shadow to all those who have believed in the Lord Jesus Christ and that means those who are sanctified and saved have no reason to wallow in the valley of despair.

I say to you today, my friends, so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream.
James 4:13 teaches us that if we plan for the day or for the next, let it be so, according to God’s will
Matthew 6:34 informs us that tomorrow has enough troubles of its own.
So even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, let us dream that it is according to God’s will.

We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal.
Genesis 1:27 proves that God created man, both male and female in the image of God
Romans 2:11 states that in God, there is no partiality (i.e.,) all are created equal.

I have a dream that one day … the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.
John 15:15 records Jesus’ words, “I call you not servants (slaves), but friends”. But Jesus did not stop there, after his resurrection, he called his disciples, brothers as recorded in John 20:17.
When we believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, we are changed from slaves to brothers and can sit down together at the table of brotherhood.

I have a dream that one day … a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.
Isaiah 32:1 records “Behold, a king shall reign in righteousness, and princes shall rule in judgment.”
Injustice shall be turned to justice and oppression into an oasis of freedom and justice, because Jesus the king will reign in righteousness.

I have a dream that my … little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.
Philippians 2:15 counsels us that we ought to be blameless and harmless, as sons (and daughters of God), without rebuke in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, wherein we ought to shine as lights in the world. Our belief in Christ Jesus imputes his righteousness on us and makes us blameless as sons of God, and when judged by men, let us be judged for the content of our character – one that emulates Jesus Christ.

I have a dream that one day, … will be able to join hands … as sisters and brothers.
Mathew 12:48-50 records two rhetorical questions of Jesus, wherein he asked: Who is my mother? and who are my brethren? He himself then answered, “Whoever does the will of God the Father who is in heaven, is his brother, and sister, and mother.
When we do God’s will, we join hands as sisters and brothers of Jesus Christ.

I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight, and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together.
The Prophet Isaiah brings the word of the Lord, in Isaiah 40:4-5 that “Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain: And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.”

This is our hope. This is the faith that I go back … with. With this faith we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope. With this faith we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood. With this faith we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day.
The opposite of fear is not courage, but faith. When the disciples were afraid in the boat, Jesus did not say, “O ye of little courage”, but instead said, “O ye of little faith” as recorded in Matthew 8:26. Faith drives out fear and this is our faith as recorded in Matthew 12:21 that Jesus Christ is the hope of all nations.

This will be the day when all of God’s children will be able to sing with a new meaning, “My country, ’tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing. Land where my fathers died, land of the pilgrim’s pride, from every mountainside, let freedom ring.” And when this happens, when we allow freedom to ring, when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God’s children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the … spiritual, “Free at last! free at last! thank God Almighty, we are free at last!”
Galatians 3:28 states “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.”
John 8:36 asserts that “He whom Jesus, the Son of God, sets free, is free indeed”
Free at last, thank God Almighty, because of Jesus, man can be free at last!.

Points to ponder:
Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is known, remembered and celebrated for his fight against and victory over physical oppression.
Jesus Christ, the King of kings, is known, but sadly not always remembered and celebrated for his fight against and victory over spiritual oppression of the devil.
God is saying, “I have a dream”. Dream that all men come to repentance and believe in Him, for the sin of the world is unbelief in God (John 16:9). God’s dream is that you and I are free!
Are you free? Free from the bondage of sin and its wages, which is death? If not, I pray that you Trust in the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, for He will set you free and that is His Dream (desire).

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