Category: Reuben Page 4 of 7

Jesus Lost!

On February 3, 2011

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)³⁹And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth.⁴⁰And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.⁴¹Now 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.⁴³And 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.⁴⁴But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day’s journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance.⁴⁵And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him.⁴⁶And 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.⁴⁷And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.⁴⁸And 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.⁴⁹And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?⁵⁰And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them.⁵¹And 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?

Reuben

By Mano Paul

On January 20, 2011

In Christian, Reuben

Our beloved son, Reuben turns five years old today (January 20, 2011). We named him Reuben, because in Hebrew it means ‘Behold, a son’. The first time, the doctor told us of his birth, she said something like ‘Look, a child’.

Interestingly, as I pondered on what to write on this day, upon research in the Scripture, I learned that the announcement of the birth of Jesus Christ was in like manner as well. God spoke through the voice of his prophets, before Jesus’ birth saying “Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and bring forth a son” (Matthew 1:23). God spoke through His angel to Mary, and said “Behold, you shalt conceive in your womb, and bring forth a son, and shall call his name JESUS.” (Luke 1:31). Jesus means Savior (Matthew 1:21) and all who believe in Him shall escape death and inherit eternal life.

For those who have not believed in Jesus, God is still telling you the same thing, He has been through the ages, “Behold, a son” who is called Jesus; “Behold, MY son” – He shall save you from your sin. Will you let Jesus be born in your life? God is saying, “Reuben”.

Matthew 1:20-24 (KJV)²⁰ But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.²¹And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.²²Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,²³Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

Luke 1:31-33 (KJV) ³¹And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.³² He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:³³And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

Jesus’ Birthday Gift

By Mano Paul

On December 27, 2010

In Become a Child, Christian, Christmas, Reuben

On Christmas day, as we prepared to go for worship to the Church, I explained to our beloved 4 year old son, Reuben, as to what Christmas is all about. I told him that it was the birthday of Jesus and asked him if he had wished Jesus, a “Happy Birthday”. Then I asked him as to what gift, he would want to give to Jesus, on this day? As he pondered, I told him, that the best birthday gift, one can give to Jesus is his or her very own life. I noticed the expression change on my son’s face from inquisitiveness to concern. Then he said, “if we give our life to Jesus as a gift, won’t we be dead?”. I started to tell him, that what I meant was not necessarily the physical offering of our lives, but stopped as I realized that there was a hidden truth in what my son (whom I believed was being used by the Holy Spirit of God) said.

Our lives should be an offering to Jesus, as his gift, in such a manner, that we can join in with Apostle Paul and express “It is no longer, I who live, but Christ Jesus who lives in me” (Galatians 2:20). Being dead to self and sin, and offering our lives to Christ Jesus is the best birthday gift we can give to Jesus. It goes far beyond, just wishing Jesus a “Happy Birthday”, because when one offers their life to Jesus (by believing in His Name and accepting Him to be their Lord and Savior), it will truly be a very “Happy Birthday” for Him, with a lot of rejoicing in heaven, where He has gone to prepare a place for all who believe in Him (John 14:3).

Jesus was God’s gift to man kind, and our gift to Him is our life! Have you given the gift of your life to Jesus, as His birthday gift?

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.

Conviction, Cleansing, and Consent

By Mano Paul

On August 30, 2010

In Christian, Reuben

I was watching a show “The greatest is the least” with my loving wife, Sangeetha and beloved son, Reuben. In this episode, they depict the account where Jesus washes the feet of His disciples. When Peter refuses to let Jesus wash his feet, Jesus responds by saying, “if you DO NOT LET ME wash you, you have no part with me“. The words that stuck in my mind was “If you DO NOT LET ME”.

See the Holy Spirit of God convicts us of our sin. He also convicts us of righteousness (our need for God) and of judgment (John 16:8-11). God who is Holy can have no communion with sin. To have communion with God, we need to be cleansed. Jesus is ready to wash us. It is His blood that was shed that cleanses us of all unrighteousness (1 John 1:7-9) so that we can be righteous, a.k.a., in a right standing before God. But then again, why is it that not all are clean and saved? Even though, the conviction and the cleansing is the responsibility of God, He is not a puppeteer or one who coerces anyone to believe in Him and accept Him. To be washed by Jesus is to first LET HIM wash us. In other words, it is ours to consent, in response to His conviction so that He can cleanse us. The conviction and cleansing is His to do, the consent however is ours. Without our consent, we can have no part with Jesus, for He is Holy as is His Father and His Spirit, the triune God in One.

If you have never believed in Jesus, believe in Him as the ONE TRUE God, who paid the penalty of you sin (which is death) and LET HIM cleanse you. If we have believed and are a born again believers, but have back-slidden, then we (you and I) too must LET HIM cleanse us. Ask Him to create in us a clean (cleansed) heart and renew a steadfast Spirit within us. If we don’t let Jesus wash us clean, we can have no part with Jesus. Oh, what a tragedy that is!

John 13:4-10 (KJV)⁴ He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself.⁵ After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.⁶Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet?⁷Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter.⁸Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.⁹Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head.¹⁰Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all.

1 John 1:7-9 (KJV)⁷But 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.⁸If 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.

Wise or Fool

By Mano Paul

On August 25, 2010

In Christian, Reuben

When sharing the words of Jesus about the wise man who was likened to be as the one who built his house upon the rock and the foolish man who was likened to be as the the one who built his house upon the sand, with Reuben, our beloved 4-year old son, I was telling him that merely listening to the words of Jesus is insufficient; we must also obey (do) them. For failing to do so will result in a structure that will collapse when the winds and waves of this world buffet against us.

If we were to ask ourselves, as to whether we are wise or a fool, what is going to be our most likely answer? This question to some may even seem rude, so let me ask you the same question in a different way. How many of us listen to the word of God and follow and do what He requires of us to? We must not only hear, we must also do! Easier said than done, but the good news is that it is not by our own might, nor by or power, nor by our own strength, but by the Holy Spirit of God that we can be obedient to what God requires of each one of us. (Zechariah 4:6)

But what does it mean to say that we must not only listen but also do? This means that our faith is to be exercised. How is that so? Faith comes by hearing the word of God. So when we listen (hear), we receive faith, but what good is faith if it does not produce any fruit? In order for faith to produce fruit, it must be put into action (do). In fact, the scripture is very clear that “faith without works” is dead. In other words, “hearing without doing” is dead and the dead don’t stand. It is only those who put their faith into action; the wise; the living that can stand up against the pressures of this world.

Let us not merely listen, but let us also do!

Matthew 7:24-27 (KJV)²⁴ Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:²⁵And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.²⁶And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:²⁷And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.

There is wonder wonder …

By Mano Paul

On August 24, 2010

In Become a Child, Christian, Reuben

Our beloved 4 year old son, Reuben was learning to sing the song, “There is power, power, wondering working power, in the blood of the Lamb (Jesus Christ)” but instead of singing it the way we are used to signing it, he switched the words “wonder” and “power” and sang it as “There is wonder wonder power working wonder in the blood of the Lamb”. At first thought, I thought that I had to correct him so that he could correctly learn the words, but soon it dawned on me that he was spot on and accurate about the blood of the Agnus Dei, the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ.

There is not only power in the blood of the Lamb so that you and I could be free for the bondage of the sin (that easily besets us), but there is wonder, power working wonder in the blood of the Lamb. The greatest power working wonder is that a sinner can be forgiven and made into a saint. Personally, I wonder and marvel at this blessed assurance, where I (the chief of sinners) am imputed righteousness and declared blameless before the throne of God above, because of the shed blood of the Jesus Christ, by which alone there is remission of sin. We can be forgiven from the burden of sin and free from the bondage of sin, for there is wonder wonder power working wonder in the blood of the Lamb.

Exodus 15:11 (KJV)¹¹Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?

Lack(ed) Nothing

By Mano Paul

On August 20, 2010

In Become a Child, Christian, Reuben

When our beloved 4 year old son, Reuben, was repeating Psalm 34, when he came to verse 10, instead of saying “but they that seek the LORD shall not want (lack) any good thing”, he left out the word “good” and said “but they that seek the LORD shall not want anything“. In other words, he was saying, that those who seek the LORD lack nothing and in essence meaning that the LORD shall supply all the needs of His people, who seek Him, in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19). Those who seek the LORD shall find Him in Christ Jesus and shall have the need for nothing else.

Though the operative word is “seek”, the one in operation truly is the LORD, who is Jehovah Jireh, THE PROVIDER. Nehemiah 9:20-21 is an attestation of this Truth for it reads that the people in the wilderness were sustained by the LORD who gave them a good spirit to instruct them besides provisions of manna and water for their hunger and thirst. The Psalmist avers that God will teach us and instruct us in the way we should go (Psalm 32:8). Jesus is the teacher from heaven (John 3:2); Jesus is the manna from heaven (John 6:31-33) and Jesus is the living water (John 4:14; John 7:37-39) that sustains us always, especially during the dry spells (wilderness) of our lives.

When we find Jesus (as we seek the LORD), we shall lack nothing. When we have Jesus, we have it ALL. When we have Jesus, nothing else is needed. In other words, as our loving son aptly put it, those who seek the LORD shall not want (lack) ANYTHING.

Point(s) to ponder:

Are you/I seeking the LORD?
Do you have (believe in) Jesus, in which case, you have shall not lack anything?

Nehemiah 9:20-21 (KJV)²⁰Thou gavest also thy good spirit to instruct them, and withheldest not thy manna from their mouth, and gavest them water for their thirst.²¹ Yea, forty years didst thou sustain them in the wilderness, so that they lacked nothing; their clothes waxed not old, and their feet swelled not.

Doubly Fed

By Mano Paul

On July 8, 2010

In Become a Child, Christian, Reuben

Many times, I have heard the story of Jesus, miraculously feeding the five thousand men with five loaves and two small fishes. I have heard preachers exposit on the generosity of the lad who gave his five loaves and two small fishes, the number of food items used to feed a multitude, the number of leftovers that was collected and more. But it was not until recently, when I heard our beloved 4 year old son, Reuben tell me this story in simple child-like terms, did it dawn on me several hidden treasures in this account as recorded in all four of the gospels (Matthew 14:13-21; Mark 6:31-44; Luke 9:11-17; and John 6:1-14). As Reuben told me the story, I asked him, as to why Jesus did this miracle? His response, “because the people had walked up the mountain [to be with Jesus] and they were hungry!”

See a great crowd came unto Jesus, who was up in a mountain, to be with Him. They wanted to be with Jesus and had followed him on foot out of the cities (Matthew 14:13; Luke 9:11); They wanted to be with Jesus and ran and outran Jesus and the apostles to arrive before them (Mark 6:33); They wanted to be with Jesus because they saw the signs (miracles) of His healing of the diseased (John 6:2). As our son exclaimed, yes, the people were hungry but what were they hungry for? They were hungry for spiritual food and they got doubly fed, both spiritually and physically.

Point(s) to ponder:

Are we climbing over our situations (mountains) to be with Jesus? Are we following Him, running to Him and outrunning others to be with him? Do we see the signs of His Salvation (spiritual healing) and are we following him as witnesses of the same?
Are we hungry for Jesus and his words? Sadly many times, we seek after things and people that can physically provide food on the table and miss out on the spiritual provisions. Instead, if we seek Jesus first, his indomitable and eternal kingdom and his righteousness, we can assured of Him living up to His Name, Jehovah Jireh (our provider), and be doubly fed (both spiritually and physically). Jesus is the only one who can totally satisfy and in order to be satisfied, we must first be hungry for Him!

John 6:3-13 (KJV)³ And Jesus went up into a mountain, and there he sat with his disciples.⁴ And the passover, a feast of the Jews, was nigh.⁵When Jesus then lifted up his eyes, and saw a great company come unto him, he saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat?⁶And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do.⁷Philip answered him, Two hundred pennyworth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may take a little.⁸One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, saith unto him,⁹There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many?¹⁰And Jesus said, Make the men sit down. Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand.¹¹And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would.^|

12 When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost. ¹³Therefore they gathered them together, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, which remained over and above unto them that had eaten

What kind of a father is Jesus?

By Mano Paul

On June 21, 2010

In Christian, Reuben

We all celebrated father’s day 2010 yesterday and I thank God for having granted me the privilege of being an earthly father to Reuben Abishai Paul (RAP). As I reminisced about father’s day, I was reminded of my own biological father, Dr. R.A.C. Paul, who on the 30th day of September, 1986 passed away from this ephemeral world to enter into an eternal kingdom. And as my heart wandered to wonder about why I was deprived of a father-son relationship, I was promptly reminded from the scripture that God is the father of the fatherless (Psalm 68:5). Jesus Christ addressed Almighty God as Holy Father (John 17:11) while affirming that He and the Father are One (John 10:30).

But what kind of a father is Jesus/God?

He is a
Friend of the sinner (Matthew 11:19),
Alpha/the First (Revelation 1:8),
Teacher from God (John 3:2),
Holy (Mark 1:24),
Emmanuel/With us (Matthew 1:23) and a
Rock (1 Corinthians 10:4) on whom we can depend.

And to all who believe and receive Jesus, He gave them the power to be called the sons of God (John 1:12) and because we have received the Spirit of adoption, we can call God, “Abba, Father” (Romans 8:15). Our relationship with God is that of a father-son relationship only because of our Spiritual Father, Jesus Christ; it is by adoption, and not by ancestry.

And as children of God, what kind of father’s do we need to be?
We need to be
1. the friends of those who are lost (who have not believed and accepted Jesus as their Lord and Father);
2. the first (alpha) to pass the baton of faith to our earthly children;
3. the teacher of the fear of the Lord;
4. holy as God the father is Holy;
5. always with and for our children and loved ones; and
6. the rock on which our children and loved ones can depend on.

John 1:12-13 (KJV)¹²But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:¹³ Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

Ephesians 6:4 (KJV)
⁴And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

Showing – Knowing God

By Mano Paul

On May 12, 2010

In Christian, Poetic Prompts, Reuben

It is nine years since Sangeetha and I have been married
and as I pondered on times past,
a roller coaster deluged my mind of emotions varied
and memories that eternally last.

I realized how she has always been a good friend,
a sacrificial, caring and loving wife
and an excellent mother with whom I intend
to spend my remaining life.

Now as we go from this year to next,
I pray that we both together
can vow as per the Holy text
To always love one another

And that we may both grow
loving one another; for in doing so
we demonstrate (show) that we know
Jesus Christ, from whom rivers of living water flow.

For Jesus is Love personified
and the only God bonafide
And everyone that loves is born of God from above
and knows God for God is love.

1 John 4:7-8 (KJV)⁷Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.⁸ He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

Category: Reuben Page 4 of 7

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