Hidden (Krypto) Treasures

To get pearls, one must dive deep!

Wanna be prosperous? :: Serve God

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On February 7, 2013

In Christian, Prosperity Theology

Disciple: “What must I do to be prosperous?”
God: “Serve!”

In the book of Job, the Bible records that those who obey and serve God, returning from their sinfulness (as God has commanded), will spend their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasures (Job 36:10-11). Prosperity comes from obedience and service. There are many who have  believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who obeyed God and repented of their sins, but seldom are they in service to God.

Points to ponder:
Wanna be prosperous? Serve God as he did. Jesus laid the model down for us and he expressed it by saying, “I did not come to be served (ministered) but to serve (minister) and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Matthew 28:20). Would you consider yourself as prosperous? In other words, “Are you sacrificially serving God after you have believed and repented of your sins?”.

Job 36:10-11 (KJV)
10 He openeth also their ear to discipline, and commandeth that they return from iniquity.
11 If they obey and serve him, they shall spend their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasures.

Wanna be prosperous? :: Sin not

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On February 6, 2013

In Christian, Prosperity Theology

Disciple: “What must I do to be prosperous?”
God: “Sin not”

When the leaders of Judah decided to abandon the Temple of the Lord and instead fall into the sin of idolatry, worshipping Asherah poles and idols, it infuriated God. Yet the LORD sent his prophets to warn his people so that they would repent and return to him, but the people did not listen. Then God’s Spirit was poured out on Zechariah, the son of Jehoiada the priest, with the question “Why transgress ye the commandments of the Lord, that ye cannot prosper?” The message of the LORD was for the people to sin (transgress) not so that they may prosper, but the people at the commandment of their king, heeded not the message of God and sinned even more by stoning Zechariah to death.

Points to ponder:
Wanna be prosperous? Heed God’s voice and sin not. Why transgress ye the commandments of the Lord, that ye cannot prosper? 

2 Chronicles 24:17-21 (KJV)
17 Now after the death of Jehoiada came the princes of Judah, and made obeisance to the king. Then the king hearkened unto them.
18 And they left the house of the Lord God of their fathers, and served groves and idols: and wrath came upon Judah and Jerusalem for this their trespass.
19 Yet he sent prophets to them, to bring them again unto the Lord; and they testified against them: but they would not give ear.
20 And the Spirit of God came upon Zechariah the son of Jehoiada the priest, which stood above the people, and said unto them, Thus saith God, Why transgress ye the commandments of the Lord, that ye cannot prosper? because ye have forsaken the Lord, he hath also forsaken you.
21 And they conspired against him, and stoned him with stones at the commandment of the king in the court of the house of the Lord.

Wanna be prosperous? :: Strong and Steadfast

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On February 5, 2013

In Christian, Prosperity Theology

Disciple: “What must I do to be prosperous?”
God: “Be strong and courageous!”
Disciple: “Strong and courageous for what?”
God: “To be steadfast (not turing to right or the left) in observing all that I have commanded.”

Points to ponder:
Wanna be prosperous? Be steadfast in observing what God has commanded you to do, without weakening under the pressures of a world that is in enmity with God (James 4:4). To obey him is to love him and to love him is to keep (observe) his commandments, for Jesus said if you love me, you will keep my commandments (John 14:15), and in keeping his commandments will all men know that we are his disciples (John 13:35). Would you consider yourself as prosperous? In other words, “Are you being strong and courageous in being steadfast – steadfast in keeping God’s commandments?”

Joshua 1:6-9 (KJV)
6 Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them.
7 Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper withersoever thou goest.
8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
9 Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.

Wanna be prosperous? :: Seek

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On February 4, 2013

In Christian, Prosperity Theology

Disciple: “What must I do to be prosperous?”
God: “Seek me!”

The Bible tells us the story of Uzziah, the King of Judah who was sixteen years old when he was made king. Uzziah reigned for fifty two years and in the early days of his reign, Uzziah did right in the eyes of the Lord and he sought the God and as long as he sought the Lord, God made him prosper (2 Chronicles 26:5).

Points to ponder:
Wanna be prosperous? Seek the Lord God and his kingdom first, and all other things (that tend to make you prosperous) will be added unto you (Matthew 6:33). Would you consider yourself as prosperous? In other words, “are you seeking him?”.

2 Chronicles 26:3-5 (KJV)
3 Sixteen years old was Uzziah when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty and two years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name also was Jecoliah of Jerusalem.
4 And he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, according to all that his father Amaziah did.
5 And he sought God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding in the visions of God: and as long as he sought the Lord, God made him to prosper.

Where is liberty? Are you free?

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On January 29, 2013

In Christian

In a world plagued with addiction, there is a search for freedom – true freedom; liberty from all the things that enslave us. The Bible teaches us that where the Holy Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty (2 Corinthians 3:17) and he whom the Son of God (Jesus Christ) makes free is free indeed (John 8:36).

Points to ponder:
Are you free or under bondage? In other words, do you believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and is He the Lord of your life, for where His Holy Spirit is, there is liberty. When we walk after the Spirit and not after our flesh, there is true liberty and no condemnation (Romans 8:1).

2 Corinthians 3:17 (KJV)
17 Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.

John 8:36 (KJV)
36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

Family God

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On January 28, 2013

In Christian

Divorce plagues our society and the deception is that divorce brings about liberation while in the contrary it actually brings about loneliness. The antidote to loneliness is a God – a Family God – the God of the Bible.

When God told Noah, a just man, to come into the ark, that would save him, he told Noah to bring his family  (his wife, his sons and their wives) with him (Genesis 6:18). When Rahab, the prostitute helped the spies of God, in addition to herself, her family was promised Salvation as well (Joshua 2:18; Joshua 6:16-18).

Points to ponder:
The God of the Bible is a Family God. He cares for all, especially those who are justified by their belief in Jesus, and his promise (covenant) extends to the family of those who are in Christ, the ARK of Salvation. Irrespective of the adulterous lifestyle we have lived in the past, as long as we have repented of our sinful ways, and acted on our faith in Jesus, believing that only in him is victory over death, his scarlet blood will save us and our families (who believe and are in the household of God) – for he is a Family God who cares. Jesus promised to never leave us nor forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:6; Matthew 28:20) and that means that he is the only antidote to loneliness and only in him is true liberation, when we divorce sin.

Genesis 6:18 (KJV)
18 But with thee will I establish my covenant; and thou shalt come into the ark, thou, and thy sons, and thy wife, and thy sons’ wives with thee.

Joshua 2:18 (KJV)
18 Behold, when we come into the land, thou shalt bind this line of scarlet thread in the window which thou didst let us down by: and thou shalt bring thy father, and thy mother, and thy brethren, and all thy father’s household, home unto thee.

Joshua 6:16-17 (KJV)
16 And it came to pass at the seventh time, when the priests blew with the trumpets, Joshua said unto the people, Shout; for the Lord hath given you the city.
17 And the city shall be accursed, even it, and all that are therein, to the Lord: only Rahab the harlot shall live, she and all that are with her in the house, because she hid the messengers that we sent.

Matthew 28:20 (KJV)
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.

Food on the table or for the Soul

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On January 25, 2013

In Christian

Many in the world today are caught in the hamster wheel of life, so much so that despite all the steps they take, they go nowhere in God’s plan for their lives. They struggle harder and continue to live unfulfilled lives. While speaking with a friend of mine, he was expressing as to how he was dejected in finding out from his believer friends that they spend very little, if at all any time, reading from the Bible and meditating on the word of God, recorded in the Holy Bible. These friends he said were believers, who emulated Jesus in character (for the most part), were loving to their spouses and children, physically motivated and exercising, successful in their work places and leaders in their community. They would tell him that they are very busy, busy to put food on the table, as providers in their family. As we engaged in conversation, it dawned on us that the deception of the devil is to keep us busy with earthly things which hinder us from fulfilling the plan of God in our lives. To be so busy that we don’t have time for God is to BUSY – Be Under Satan’s Yoke. The devil tricks God’s people into being so busy that they focus on working to put food on the table as opposed to working for the Lord and getting food for the Soul from the word of God. In other words, there are many “Starving Christians” in the world today.

Points to ponder:
It is essential to work for providing for our families, but not at the expense of not working for the Lord. Remember Jesus’ words – “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” (Matthew 4:4) Seek ye first the kingdom of God (food for your Soul) and all these things (food on the table) shall be added unto you. (Matthew 6:33). What are you working for? Putting food on the table or for your Soul? Are you a starving Christian?

Matthew 4:4 (KJV)
4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

Matthew 6:30-33 (KJV)
30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?
31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Busy Hands for God

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On January 24, 2013

In Christian

The Bible says that we ought to be doers of the word and not mere hearers of it, lest we deceive ourselves (James 1:22). Jesus likened the man who does what he hears of the word of God to be like the wise man who built his house on a rock (solid foundation) (Matthew 7:24). While it is important to recognize that we are saved solely by the grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, and not by any of our own works (Ephesians 2:8), we are called to do good works (Ephesians 2:10) – works that glorify God the Father, who is in heaven (Matthew 5:16). We must not only hear, for faith comes by hearing, but upon our response to Christ Jesus’ call, we must be busy in God’s kingdom business, of reconciling man unto God (2 Corinthians 5:20), by doing his will and not our own in our lives (Luke 22:42). In other words, we must act on our faith, by faith, for faith without action is dead (James 2:17)

Points to ponder:
One knows that time is counting when they see the hands of the clock busy and moving. In the same manner, one will know that the time of our life counts when they see our hands busy and moving, working for the Lord Jesus Christ. Let us not waste our lives. Just like the builders in the time of Nehemiah, took on one hand, weapons and with the other carried materials to do the work of God (Nehemiah 4:17), we must take on the word of God (which is the weapon (Sword) of the Spirit) on one hand, and work for the Lord with the other. Jesus’ hands were pierced so ours did not have to be. The least we can do is use our hands to work for him. The word of God and the work of God go hand in hand, and our hands must be busy for God, with both.

Ephesians 2:8-10 (KJV)
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

James 1:22 (KJV)
22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

Proverbs 18:9 (KJV)
9 He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster.

Nehemiah 4:17-18 (KJV)
17 They which builded on the wall, and they that bare burdens, with those that laded, every one with one of his hands wrought in the work, and with the other hand held a weapon.
18 For the builders, every one had his sword girded by his side, and so builded. And he that sounded the trumpet was by me.

Are you making a living or a life?

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On January 23, 2013

In Christian

Many today are in the pursuit of making a living and seldom take time to make a life. I once read the following statement in a book entitled, “God’s Little Devotional Book” – “We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give.” Jesus said, it is more blessed to give than to receive (Acts 20:35).

Points to ponder:
Are you making a living or making a life? In other words, are you getting or giving? Giving is the expression of love. God so LOVED the world, that he GAVE his only begotten Son, Jesus Christ (John 3:16), who GAVE himself willingly for the salvation of our souls (John 10:17-18). Have you given your life to and for Jesus as he has given his life for you? It is more blessed to make a life for Jesus than to make a living for ourselves. Think about it.

Acts 20:35 (KJV)
35 I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.

A king’s dream (of an everlasting kingdom)

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On January 22, 2013

In Christian

In addition to my mother, Dr. Iris Paul’s birthday (Happy Birthday Amma), on January 21st, 2013, we celebrated MLK day, celebrating the birth of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who is well known for his fight against racial discrimination and his famous “I have a dream” speech. In that speech, Dr. King, Jr. expressed his dream of seeing America one day without any discrimination on the basis of race.

The Bible records in Daniel 2:31-45 , the dream of another king, king Nebuchadnezzar, the ruler over Babylon, and this was his dream –
He saw standing before him a huge, shining statue of a man, which was a frightening sight. The head of the statue was made of fine gold. Its chest and arms were silver, its belly and thighs were bronze, its legs were iron, and its feet were a combination of iron and baked clay. As he watched, a rock was cut from a mountain, but not by human hands struck the feet of iron and clay, smashing them to bits. The whole statue was crushed into small pieces of iron, clay, bronze, silver, and gold. Then the wind blew them away without a trace, like chaff on a threshing floor. But the rock that knocked the statue down became a great mountain that covered the whole earth.

God’s servant, Daniel interprets this dream as the events that are and that are to come saying “The great God was showing the king what will happen in the future. The dream is true, and its meaning is trustworthy (certain)”.

King Nebuchadnezzar is the head of gold and prophet Jeremiah calls Babylon, a gold cup in the Lord’s hand (Jeremiah 51:7). But after his kingdom comes to an end, another kingdom (Medo-Persian led by Darius the Mede and Cyrus the Persian), inferior to his, will rise to take his place. After that kingdom has fallen, yet a third kingdom (Grecian lead by Alexander the Great), represented by bronze, will rise to rule the world. Following that kingdom, there will be a fourth one (Roman empire), as strong as iron. That kingdom will smash and crush all previous empires, just as iron smashes and crushes everything it strikes. The feet and toes you saw were a combination of iron and baked clay, showing that this kingdom will be divided. Like iron mixed with clay, it will have some of the strength of iron. But while some parts of it will be as strong as iron, other parts will be as weak as clay. This mixture of iron and clay also shows that these kingdoms will try to strengthen themselves by forming alliances with each other through intermarriage. But they will not hold together, just as iron and clay do not mix. During the reigns of those kings, the God of heaven will set up a kingdom (Jesus’ kingdom, for he was God’s Only begotten Son, not fashioned by the hands of any man) that will never be destroyed or conquered. Jesus’ kingdom will crush all these kingdoms into nothingness, and it will stand forever. That is the meaning of the rock (Jesus the Rock of our Salvation) cut from the mountain (Mount Golgotha/Calvary), though not by human hands, that crushed to pieces the statue of iron, bronze, clay, silver, and gold.

When Jesus was born, it was asked of him “Where is he, who is born THE KING (of the Jews)?” (Matthew 2:2) When Jesus was killed, it was inscribed in the titulus placed over his head, on the Cross, the inscription “This is Jesus THE KING (of the Jews)” (Matthew 27:37). And when you believe in Jesus, there is no Jew or Gentile discrimination, for we all become the children of God (Galatians 3:28) and he is the Sovereign King over all. His kingdom is indestructible and indomitable, one without end, ever expanding to cover the whole earth and every knee will bow and every tongue will confess, that Jesus Christ is Lord (Romans 14:11; Philippians 2:11)

Points to ponder:
Only those who have trusted in Jesus and have been born again by the Spirit of God belong to the indestructible, indomitable, never-ending, non-discriminating Kingdom of God? (John 3:1-18). Do you belong to the kingdom of Jesus Christ? The kingdom of God is at hand: repent and believe the gospel (Mark 1:15).

Galatians 3:26-28 (KJV)
26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
28 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.

Revelation 11:15 (KJV)
15 And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.

Mark 1:15 (KJV)
15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.

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.

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