Hidden (Krypto) Treasures

While the earth remains

On March 17, 2014

In Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

Genesis 8:22 reads as “While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.” This is a promise that God proclaims after he accepted the sacrifice of Noah. What is interesting to note is that while this verse speaks of the provisions of God in seedtime and harvest and the patterns of God in temperature (cold and heat) fluctuations, seasons (summer and winter) and a perpetual rotation of the earth on its axis making the diurnal (day) and nocturnal (night) cycle, it also speaks of a definite period of time that the earth will remain.

In other words, the earth as we know it will have an end, as we know it. It was destroyed once by flood (during the time of Noah), but it will be destroyed once and for all. by fire, when the Lord Jesus Christ returns, as the Scripture indicates in 2 Peter 3:10-12).

Points to ponder:
Unfortunately many live today, while the earth remains, as if the present would be the model of the future, seeking and hoarding the ephemeral and earthly things, that will one day be burnt up. The present would pass for there is a definite time period for this earth to remain and no one else knows when the end shall be, except God the Father, who is in heaven, but there will be an end … so as the Scripture advises, let us not be ignorant (2 Peter 3:5) walking after our own lusts (2 Peter 3:3), but instead let us diligently look forward to the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ; to the new heaven and new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness (2 Peter 3:13), while the earth remains!

Genesis 8:22 (KJV)
22 While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.

2 Peter 3:4-14 (KJV)
4 And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.
5 For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water:
6 Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished:
7 But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.
8 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
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.
10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,
12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?
13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.

God’s testimony – What is in man?

By Mano Paul

On March 11, 2014

In Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

Sandwiched between the acceptance of Noah’s offerings and God’s vow to not curse the ground again or smite any living creatures of his, is what would seem like an unfitting statement. This reads “for the imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth.” While this directly speaks to the just nature of God, meaning, that he would not punish the ground with a curse as he had done, on account of man, deeper scrutiny of the scripture reveals a hidden treasure about the very omniscience of God. God the creator, knew his creation (man). God knew the propensity of man to be continuously evil which was a result of the first Adam’s disobedience.

In the gospel according to John in chapter 2 verses 24 and 25, it is written that Jesus knew all men and he did not have the need for anyone to testify to him about men, for he knew what was in man. In man, is a heart that is inclined to wickedness for in sin are all humans conceived (Psalm 51:5). God knows that the source from which springs the issues of life (Proverbs 4:23), out of that very source proceeds things that define a man, such as evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness and blasphemies (Matthew 15:19-20). This is why we all ought to ask God to create in us a clean heart and to renew a steadfast Sprit within us (Psalm 51:10) so that we would have a heart that is after God’s own heart (Acts 13:22).

Points to ponder:
God knows what is in man – in you and me. If God was to see into our heart today, what would he say – what would be God’s testimony of you and me? Will he find a heart that is prone to perpetual evil or will he find a pardoned heart that is after his very own?

Genesis 8:21 (KJV)
21 And the Lord smelled a sweet savour; and the Lord said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man’s sake; for the imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done.

Matthew 15:19-20 (KJV)
19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:
20 These are the things which defile a man: …

Acts 13:22 (KJV)
22 And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave their testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will.

For man’s sake

By Mano Paul

On March 10, 2014

In Christian, Genesis, Jesus Christ - The Ark, Noah's Ark (and Jesus), Through the Bible

Genesis 8:21 states that when God accepted the sacrificial offering of Noah, the LORD said in his heart that he would no longer curse the ground for man’s sake. The ground from which man was fashioned (Genesis 2:7) was cursed when Adam, the man sinned (Genesis 3:17). Now with the offering of a man, Noah, a preacher of righteousness (2 Peter 2:5), being accepted, the LORD promised not to curse the ground again anymore, for man’s sake, even though God testified that every inclination of man’s heart was evil from his youth. This speaks of the magnanimity of God’s mercy to man and grace to his creation.

Points to ponder:
Despite the evilness in our hearts, God’s mercy is magnanimous, stretching not only to man, but to all of his creation – even the very ground from which man was fashioned. For man’s sake, God shall no longer curse the ground because he is a just, merciful and loving God. For your sake and mine, God accepted the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, the man (1 Timothy 2:5), who preached righteousness (1 Peter 3:18-20), being righteousness himself (Jeremiah 23:5) and because of Jesus, he shall curse no more. Jesus had to become the curse for you and me, for it is written that cursed is every one who hangs on a tree (Cross) (Deuteronomy 23:21; Galatians 3:13). Jesus had to become the curse for you and me, for man’s sake.

1 Peter 3:18-20 (KJV)
18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:
19 By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison;
20 Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.

An archetypal handmaid of the LORD

By Mano Paul

On March 6, 2014

In Christian

My beloved wife, Sangeetha Johnson Paul, celebrates her birthday on the 6th of March, each year, and this year, as I pondered on what to write, here are a few words that came to mind, that I penned …

Nine days before the ides of March,
did my wife arrive on earth as a torch,
to warm and light the lives of many,
emulating the love of Christ to all and any.

“Whoso finds a wife obtains favor of the LORD” states the Holy Book
which I can verily, verily, aver as true in my life, when retrospectively, I look.
A daughter, sister, mother and wife, are ways that I can have her entitled,
but most of all, a handmaid of the Lord, is what she is – an archetypal.

In all decisions, she makes, she questions “What Would Jesus Do?”
and follows God’s leading hand, guiding me in our life’s pas de deux,
in matters of life that matter, that is, in giving, forgiving and love
expressing always her faith in action, guided from above.

Nine days before the ides of March,
did my wife arrive on earth as a torch,
not put under a bushel, but standing tall,
emulating the love of Jesus Christ, to me, our children and to all.

Luke 1:38 (KJV)
38 And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.

Proverbs 18:22 (KJV)
22 Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the Lord.

Matthew 5:15 (KJV)
15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.

From stench to a sweet savour (in God’s nostrils)

By Mano Paul

On March 5, 2014

In Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

Genesis 8:21 starts out by saying that when Noah sacrificed a burnt offering as his worship to God, God smelled a sweet savour, which first and foremost establishes the fact that God is not some inanimate source of uncontainable power, devoid of human emotions and feelings … but instead he can smell i.e., he can feel. Infact, I believe that we have the senses (one of which is the sense of smell) because we are made in the image of the Creator and have his attributes (Genesis 1:27). Second, the sacrifice of Noah was a sweet smelling aroma to God. This made me wonder and ask “What was the smell in the land, at that time, before God smelled the burnt offerings from Noah?” If you allow me to indulge myself a little, I suspect that with the destruction and death, caused by the universal deluge (flood), rotting bodies of land creatures and mankind would have been sprawled around the world, and from their decay should have aroused the stench of death. So before God smelled the sweet savour in his nostrils, that came from the sacrifice, the stench of death would have prevailed, in the land.

Points to ponder:
Just like the offerings of Noah, Jesus who gave himself for us as an offering and a sacrifice to God, which is once and for all, was a sweetsmelling savour unto God (Hebrews 10:1-10; Ephesians 5:2). Until Jesus’ offering and willful sacrifice, sin and its wages, which is death (Romans 6:23), along with its stench, prevailed. Now all who believe in Jesus Christ, who have confessed their sins and the Lordship of Jesus the Savior, that is in them that are saved, are indeed a sweet smelling savour of Christ himself to God (2 Corinthians 2:15). No longer is the stench of death on them that have believed for the gift of God is eternal life in and through and by Christ (Romans 6:23; John 3:16). The question is, on you will God smell the stench of death or a sweet savour?

Ephesians 5:2 (KJV)
2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.

2 Corinthians 2:15 (KJV)
15 For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish:

I was born … and heaven rejoiced

By Mano Paul

On March 3, 2014

In Christian

Let me start off by saying that the very title of this article may seem weird to some and to others, even impossible – but kindly bear with me for a little bit longer and you would see how relevant and important it is.

On the 3rd of March, each year, my family celebrates this day, as the day I was born and this year it is no different. And on this day, as I pondered the message, that God has in store for me and his people, I realized that when someone is born, it is a time of celebration … but even greater celebration is for those who are born again i.e., those who have believed in the Lord Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior – for to be born once, means we die twice (physically and spiritually), but to be born twice (physically and spiritually) is to die once (physically) and that is reason, even for the angels in heaven to rejoice (Luke 15:10) for the one who was lost is now found.

Points to ponder:
– When we are born, the people who love us (angels on earth) rejoice.
– When we are born again, the angels in heaven rejoice.
Can you say, that you have made the angels in heaven rejoice? In other words, can you say, “I was born (again), and the angels in heaven rejoiced?”

Luke 15:10 (KJV)
10 Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.

Worship before Work – Putting First things First

By Mano Paul

On February 25, 2014

In Christian

Genesis 8:18-20 gives the account of what Noah did after he, his family and the living things, went forth of the ark. It was a new world to inhabit and the curse of the ground was still in effect, and so one would think, that Noah would have first thought about how he would have to ‘work’ to make the ground yield a produce for sustenance, for it is not until a little later that we learn that, the animals were given to man as food (Genesis 9:3). But Noah does not plan his work first. His priorities were God first, goods second. Instead of working, he builds an altar and makes a burnt offering, taking every clean beast and bird, and worships God (Genesis 8:20).

Points to ponder:
Often we get caught in the hamster wheel of work/life balance that we forget the worship/life aspect altogether. We find ourselves busy with the humdrum work in this world that gives us no time for the heavenly worship. Wherein lies our priority? Is it work for the ephemeral or is it worship of the eternal (Psalm 90:2)? Noah put first things first and worshipped God before working the ground. Can we be like him? Worship before work – and that is – putting first things first.

Genesis 8:18-20 (KJV)
18 And Noah went forth, and his sons, and his wife, and his sons’ wives with him:
19 Every beast, every creeping thing, and every fowl, and whatsoever creepeth upon the earth, after their kinds, went forth out of the ark.
20 And Noah builded an altar unto the Lord; and took of every clean beast, and of every clean fowl, and offered burnt offerings on the altar.

Go forth – A family affair

By Mano Paul

On February 24, 2014

In Christian

When the earth was dried, and all who were in the ark were saved, from God’s inundating judgment, God told Noah to leave the ark. The King James Version renders it as “Go forth of the ark, thou, and thy wife, and thy sons, and thy sons’ wives with thee.” (Genesis 8:16). In this one verse are two hidden treasures that we must not miss. First it is the command of God to “Go forth.” Second, God includes Noah’s family (his wife, his son and their wives) to be part of this commission.

God wants us, who are saved by being in Jesus Christ – The Ark of our salvation, to Go forth. Jesus himself said, “Go ye (forth) therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever that he has commanded us” and yes, he promised to be with us, even unto the end of the world. (Matthew 28:19-20). And this commission is not just for an individual, but for the family as well. Noah was to lead his family safely to the new world, just as it is expected of each of us, who are saved by grace, through faith in Jesus to lead our families safely into the new world, God has provisioned for us.

Points to ponder:
The Triune God in one, introspects, “Who will go for us? Whom shall I send?” (Isaiah 6:8). Are you and I willing to say “Here I am Lord, send me” (as did prophet Isaiah – Isaiah 6:8) and are we willing to “Go forth (of the ark i.e., with the Salvation of Jesus Christ) and is our family also part of this journey?” God wants us to “Go forth (of the ark), as a family!” and we can be assured that Jesus will go with us, even unto the end of the world.

Genesis 8:16 (KJV)
16 Go forth of the ark, thou, and thy wife, and thy sons, and thy sons’ wives with thee.

Matthew 28:19-20 (KJV)
19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Opening Up (to God first)

By Mano Paul

On February 21, 2014

In Christian, Genesis, Jesus Christ - The Ark, Noah's Ark (and Jesus), Through the Bible

Genesis 8: 13 reads “And it came to pass in the six hundredth and first year, in the first month, the first day of the month, the waters were dried up from off the earth: and Noah removed the covering of the ark, and looked, and, behold, the face of the ground was dry.”

What caught my attention was that Noah removed the covering of the ark and I wondered as to why this was the case. Obviously the Lord had shut the one door (Genesis 7:16) which means that Noah did not have the key to open the door, but would it not have been easier for Noah to open a side of the ark, for the ark had already rested on top of a mountain (Genesis 8:4), and the waters were dried up from the earth (Genesis 8:13-14)? What could be the reasons why Noah opened the top (covering) of the ark, before seeing the dry ground (firm foundation) on which he could stand? Your guess is as best as mine and we would never know until we see him in the city built by God and possibly ask him (Hebrews 11:7,10).

Although we do not know the reason why Noah opened the covering on top, there is a lesson, I believe, we could extrapolate from this incident. We must first open up to God, to the maker of the heavens and the earth, when we are in the ark. God first, then comes our mission of going forth of the ark.

Points to ponder:
We must open up to God for guidance and direction, first, when we are in Christ Jesus, the Ark, before looking around and seeing the firm foundation on which we can stand, and going forth with Christ in us. This not only applies for full time or part time missionaries, but to each Christ follower. Have you opened up (to God first)?

Genesis 8:13-14 (KJV)
13 And it came to pass in the six hundredth and first year, in the first month, the first day of the month, the waters were dried up from off the earth: and Noah removed the covering of the ark, and looked, and, behold, the face of the ground was dry.
14 And in the second month, on the seven and twentieth day of the month, was the earth dried.

(The power of) An Olive Leaf

By Mano Paul

On February 19, 2014

In Christian, Genesis, Jesus Christ - The Ark, Noah's Ark (and Jesus), Through the Bible

Genesis 8:11 reads “And the dove came in to him in the evening; and, lo, in her mouth was an olive leaf pluckt off: so Noah knew that the waters were abated from off the earth.” Did you notice the singularity of what was brought back, by the dove, to Noah and his family – it was an olive leaf; one olive leaf (unlike what most images of this account depict, which is an olive branch with many olive leaves in it). Now why is this significant?

First it is interesting to note that it was an Olive leaf (not an apple leaf or a pomegranate leaf or any other kind of leaf). Second, it was one Olive leaf.

Chris Kilham, a well known authority on natural medicine, who focuses on natural remedies worldwide, writes in his article entitled “The healing power of olive leaf”, that was published in the “Nutrition and Fitness” section of Fox News on January 23, 2013, that the olive leaf has tremendous medicinal benefits, from controlling blood pressure, stabilizing blood sugar and controlling diabetes. He writes, that oleuropein, the primary compound in the olive leaf is an excellent medicine to fight internal antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal infections. This compound is also researched to be an antioxidant which inhibits the oxidant of lipids, thereby reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases and stroke, besides being anti-inflammatory, which reduces the likelihood of nervous/degenerative diseases. Additionally, oleuropein is also speculated to increase the production of thermogenin, which is attributed to burning fat efficiently, which could lead to a healthier lifestyle. Furthermore, the olive leaf is an excellent source of apigenin and luteolin, two anti-cancer compounds and cinchonine, which is anti-malarial. So while the olive tree is known for its oil and fruit, it’s leaf is highly valuable for its healing powers.”

Now enough of the botany lesson, lets get back to the Scripture.
First, Ezekiel 47:12 speaks of the leaf as a source of medicine. The very last chapter in the Bible informs us that, in the midst of the street, on either side of the river that flowed from the throne of God, was the tree of life, which produces twelve manner of fruit, every month: and the leaves of this tree was for the healing of the nations (Revelation 22:1-2). Jesus is the tree of life and he is the hope (of healing) of all nations (Matthew 12:21). In fact, he is the ONLY hope and source of healing for all nations. If only we, his people, who are called by his name, would humble ourselves and pray and seek his face and turn from our wicked ways, he will hear from heaven and will come and heal our land (nations), forgiving our sins and spiritually restoring our health (2 Chronicles 7:14).
Second, it was an olive leaf – ONE Olive leaf. There is only one, one name, by which man can be saved, that is given under heaven or earth (Acts 4:12) and that name is Jesus, to which every knee shall bow and every tongue will confess that he is Lord (Philippians 2:10).

Points to ponder:
Jesus Christ is The Olive Leaf, that brings healing to all the nations and He is the Only One by whom, you and I can be saved. Have you received This Olive Leaf? Have you humbled yourself and called on the name of the Lord, praying and seeking his face, turning from our wicked ways, so that he can spiritually heal us forgiving our sins and healing our land.

Genesis 8:11 (KJV)
11 And the dove came in to him in the evening; and, lo, in her mouth was an olive leaf pluckt off: so Noah knew that the waters were abated from off the earth.

Revelation 22:1-2 (KJV)
1. And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.
2 In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.

2 Chronicles 7:14 (KJV)
14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

Acts 4:10-13 (KJV)
10 Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.
11 This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.
12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.

Fox News Source: http://fxn.ws/1oR9aex

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