Hidden (Krypto) Treasures

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Inheriting God’s favor (in a Son)

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On January 21, 2013

In Christian, Reuben

Reuben, our beloved firstborn son, turned 7 years old yesterday (January 20, 2013) and as we reflect, on this precious gift of God the Father (Abishai) unto us, we are grateful to God for his goodness and grace that we experience in and through Reuben. God has blessed him with many talents and gifts, in faith, academics and in sports. He is gifted with a good sense of memory, memorizes Bible verses speedily, prays with faith, was identified and placed in the gifted an talented program at his School, participates in gymnastics, swimming and is a 2nd degree Brown belt in Shaolin-Do Kung Fu.

The Bible says that “Children are a heritage of the Lord” (Psalm 127:2) and the Merriam-Webster’s dictionary defines the word ‘Heritage’ as ‘property that is descended to an heir.’ As we reflect on these 7 years with Reuben as our Son, we recognize that “Reuben is a heritage of the Lord.”, a loan from above. In other words, he is God’s property given to us as a gift, as we are God’s heirs because of what Jesus Christ victoriously accomplished. Jesus restored the relationship of fallen man, with God, by his death and resurrection, and gives to all who believes in him, his Spirit of adoption, by which we can call God, Abba Father (Romans 8:15), making us co-heirs with him (Romans 8:17), and our prayer is that we will always be cognizant of God’s favor in Reuben whom we have inherited.

Our prayer for him is, as he grows up, he is first is a follower of Jesus Christ and secondly a Godly son to us and a Godly brother to his sibling Ittai; that he grows with wisdom, in stature and in favor of God and man (as Jesus did – Luke 2:52).

Points to ponder:
My beloved wife, Sangeetha and I have personally inherited God’s favor in our son, Reuben. But the whole world is eligible of personally inheriting God’s favor in his Only Begotten heavenly Son, Jesus Christ, if only they believe in Jesus. Have you inherited God’s favor in his Son, Jesus Christ?

Psalm 127:3 (KJV)
3 Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.

John 1:12 (KJV)
12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

Romans 8:15-17 (KJV)
15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

Put First Things First :: Preach (Give)

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On January 18, 2013

In 7 habits, Christian, Put First Things First

Paul, an Apostle of Christ Jesus, writes, “I delivered unto you that which I also received” and tells us what he received – the Gospel of Salvation i.e., Jesus Christ died for ours sins, according to the scriptures, and he was buried, and he rose again the third day, according to the scriptures (1 Corinthians 15:3-4).

Jesus said, “As you go, preach” … “Freely you have received, freely give” (Matthew 10:7-8).

Those of us who have received the good news of Salvation and believed in Jesus as Lord, must preach (give) the good news freely to others who have not yet believed in the Name of Jesus. This is our commission (Matthew 28:19-20).

Putting First Things First, we must preach the good news of Jesus’ death for our sins, his burial and resurrection, but before we can do that, we must first receive.

Points to ponder:
Have you received Jesus Christ as your Lord, Savior and King? If you have not, please tarry no further. If you have, are you freely giving him by preaching him to the nations? Freely you have received, freely give.  First Receive, First of all,  Preach (Give). The kingdom of heaven is at hand!

Matthew 10:7-8 (KJV)
7 And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.
8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.

1 Corinthians 15:1-4 (KJV)
1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

Put First Things First :: Know

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On January 17, 2013

In 7 habits, Christian, Put First Things First

The Apostle Peter records that “Know this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” (1 Peter 1:20-21).

Many is the world have attempted and some still continue to attempt to discredit the authority and credibility of the Holy Bible, which is in reality a love story of God unto man. It is the autobiography of Jesus, from the beginning (Genesis) until the final unveiling of him in all of his glory (Revelation). I sometimes wonder how a love story can be hated so much and when vile and baseless words are spoken against the Bible, the followers of Christ need not be discouraged or dejected, but instead take solace in the fact that all Scripture (every word of God in the Holy Bible) is inspired by God (2 Timothy 3:16) and the holy men who wrote the words of God, wrote not out of their own will, but after being moved by the Holy Spirit of God (1 Peter 1:21).

While this may seem to be a point in an apologetic defense of the Christian faith, what is of importance is to first know that “All Scripture is from God, about God, a blueprint for man to conform into God’s Image and not conform to the patterns of this world” (Romans 8:29; Romans 12:2). This conformance begins with first knowing God and his Son Jesus Christ, and this knowing is eternal life (John 17:3). At the same, this is also a warning for the Christ follower, that the words of God is not for private interpretation, for anyone who adds or subtracts from the scripture will be held accountable (Revelation 22:18-19). Unless, we have the Holy Spirit of God within us, who comes upon our belief in God’s Son, Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, we cannot be moved to interpret this love story of God unto man.

Putting First Things First, we must first Know Jesus Christ and upon knowing him, we can be sure that his words (Scripture) are given unto man from God, the Ultimate Authority over all the worlds, to tell us his Love Story, and we can take him at his word.

Points to ponder:
Are you assured of Eternal Life? In other words, do you know God and his Son Jesus Christ, for eternal life is defined as knowing the One Trust God and his Son, Christ Jesus, whom God sent into the world to save sinners (John 3:17). First Know Jesus Christ. Also, know this first, that the Bible is from God and it is about God. It is given unto man as a blueprint for us to conform into God’s Image. It is his Love Story for you and me and he loves us. Do you love him? Do I love him?

1 Peter 1:20-21 (KJV)
20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

John 17:3 (KJV)
3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

Put First Things First :: Judge (self)

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On January 16, 2013

In 7 habits, Christian, Put First Things First

Christians are often branded as people who “judge” by the secular world and rightfully so, they must be. To judge someone does not mean that we are condemning someone as most mistakenly understand it to be but instead it is to form an opinion after careful evaluation of the evidence and testing of premises.

Unfortunately, for the most part, many Christians are raised with the idea that they must not judge others. This mistaken understanding stems from taking the words of Jesus partially as opposed to the totality of what Jesus expressed. Jesus said, “Judge not so that you be not judged.” (Matthew 7:1), but he continued that counsel by saying that “By whatever judgment you judge, that same measure will be used in your judgment.” (Matthew 7:2) and then proceeded to establish a very crucial aspect of judging, which is “First, judge yourself before judging others.” Not doing so will make us a hypocrite according to Jesus (Matthew 7:3-5).

Say someone is playing with fire. If we lack judgment, we would have no qualms of joining together with them and playing with fire ourselves, which could lead to us being burned along with them. If we exercise judgment and go and tell them that they should not be playing with fire, while holding a lighted torch in our own hands, then that advice will fall on deaf ears as they would turn back and point their fingers at us, expecting the same from us. But if we exercise judgment first on ourselves and put away the torch that can burn us and others, and then tell others that they must not play with fire, then we cannot be judged for that same reason.

Christians must judge i.e., form an opinion after careful evaluation of the evidence and testing of premises, between what is Godly and that which is not, for unholiness has no part with God. We must judge so we can discern between what is of God and what is evil and we must shun evil and not be partakers of it. But when we judge, let us first remember to judge ourselves so that the sin that we warn others about is not the same sin that we are captive to. For if we judge ourselves, then we should not be judged (1 Corinthians 11:31), but if we judge others without judging ourselves first, then by that same measure will we be judged. When we are judged by God, it is not for condemnation but for chastening (1 Corinthians 11:32). We must introspect and repent first and sin no more (as Jesus asked the adulterous woman) so that the beam of sin is removed from our own lives first, before preaching the good news of the Salvation in Jesus Christ and trying to remove the mote of that same sin in someone else.

Putting First Things First, we must first introspect and judge ourselves so that there is no sin within us that displeases God. Only then can we preach Christ. Remember, David’s words when he committed the sins of adultery and murder that displeased God. Before he could say, “I will teach transgressors (sinners) your ways to convert them”, he had to pray “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence, and take not thy holy spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.” In other words, he judged himself and was found wanting of a clean heart and a renewed spirit and asked God to judge (chasten) him. Only then could he judge others and find them wanting of Salvation. (Psalm 51:10-13)

Points to ponder:
People are playing with hell fire and before we take to them the message of Salvation found solely in Jesus Christ, let us make sure that we are ourselves not playing with sin that will put us in hell fire, but let us first introspect and put away every sin that can so easily can beset us by repenting before preaching. Let us judge (ourselves)  first before judging others.

Judge others first and you will be judged (by that same measure)
Judge yourself first and you will not be judged.

Matthew 7:1-5 (KJV)
1 Judge not, that ye be not judged.
2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.
3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?
4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?
5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.

1 Corinthians 11:31-32 (KJV)
31 For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.
32 But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.

Psalm 51:10-13 (KJV)
10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.
12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.
13 Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.

Put First Things First :: Seek

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On January 15, 2013

In 7 habits, Christian, Put First Things First

Jesus said that one must first seek the kingdom of God and his righteousness and not seek after the things that may seem to be needful but which really aren’t for these things that are needed are already known to God the heavenly Father.

We ought to seek the kingdom of God and his righteousness first. A kingdom implies that there is a king and there are those who belong to the kingdom and those who don’t. Those who belong to the kingdom cherish the provisions, protection, and pleasures of the king. The kingdom of God asserts that God is Sovereign and he is The King and those who belong to his kingdom enjoy his provisions which are satisfying, his protection which is solid and the pleasure of his presence (the joy of the Lord) which is Salvation. To seek his righteousness is to seek Jesus, the righteous Branch, whose name is THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS  (Jeremiah 23:6). To belong to this kingdom means we need to be born again i.e., we should believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and be born of the Spirit (John 3:5).

Putting First Things First, we must first be seek to be born again i.e., make THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS, for all of our own righteousness are like filthy rags in the sight of a Holy God (Isaiah 64:6). We must seek to be part of God’s kingdom, meaning that we must seek to let God the Sovereign King, be our King and when we do so, all of his provisions (food and clothing that we think are needful), his protection and his pleasure (the Joy of Salvation) will be added to us to enjoy and cherish.

Points to ponder:
You may have been running away from God seeking the provisions that the world has to offer, the wealth, the fame, only to find out that the happiness that comes from these things is short-lived. You may have sought protection in the defenses of man only to find out that the fortress and refuge you received were like egg shells. You may have been seeking the pleasures of companionship with other people only to find out that apart from being with Jesus Christ, everyone is lonely and only in Him is found real peace. Stop running after what the world has to offer and seek Jesus today. Seek the Kingdom of God, letting God be your King, first.

Jesus Christ is The Seeking Shepherd, seeking those who are lost (Luke 15:4; John 10:10-15) and he is seeking you. Seek him when he may still be found (Isaiah 55:6). Putting First Things First, Seek ye first the kingdom of God and Jesus, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.

Matthew 6:33 (KJV)
33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

John 3:5 (KJV)
5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

Put First Things First :: Reconcile

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On January 14, 2013

In 7 habits, Christian, Put First Things First

Jesus said that when we worship God and are offering our gifts to God, if there is a brother with whom we need to be reconciled with, we must leave the gift at the altar and first go and get reconciled with that brother before returning and presenting our offering to God (Matthew 5:24).

Merriam-Webster’s defines the word ‘reconcile’ as ‘to restore to friendship or harmony’ or to ‘settle as in resolving differences’. Jesus called his disciples brothers (Matthew 28:10) and as co-heirs with Christ, is there a follower of Christ (a brother) we ought to be reconciled with? In order for us to be able to reconcile with men, we must first be reconciled with God. In other words, we must have believed that Jesus is the Christ, the Savior of the world, to be part of the brotherhood for in believing and in receiving him, do we get to be adopted as children of God (John 1:12).

Putting First Things First, we must first be reconciled with God and we must reconcile with other believers who may have offended us or whom we may have offended. What a friend we have in Jesus, for while we were still sinners and enemies of God, he willingly laid down his life for us, so that we can be restored into friendship and harmony with God, settling the debt of sin once and for all, by defeating death and Satan, once and for all.

Points to ponder:
Are you reconciled with God? Are you reconciled with men/women? If not, stop your worship and first get reconciled before returning to worship. This is the best gift you can give God.

2 Corinthians 5:18-21 (KJV)
18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.
21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

Matthew 5:23-24 (KJV)
23 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;
24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.

Offensive Jesus (and Christians)

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On January 11, 2013

In Christian

An individual that I invited to the Christmas party at our place, wrote in response, “As an agnostic, I find what you do, of bringing Jesus to our work community offensive and so I am not interested in attending.” Pastor and Teacher John MacArthur, Jr., in his book Found: God’s Will, writes “If the truth offends, then let it offend. People have been living their whole lives in offense to God; let them be offended for a while.”

Agnostics, Atheists and Anti-theists and for that matter all those who reject the gospel of Jesus Christ and who rebel against him, distorting the Scripture with their own foolish and empty egocentric views, find the work of the followers of Jesus Christ offensive. But those of us, who share the word of truth, of The Truth, Jesus Christ, should not be surprised when our work and words are offensive. When Jesus asserted that He was the only means to Salvation and anyone who refuses to believe and partake in communion with him, will not inherit eternal life, some of his disciples were offended and they deserted him, which led him to ask “Do my words offend you?” (John 6:61). Yes, the work of Christ is hard and the words (preaching) of the Cross is a hard saying that is deemed as foolishness unto those who are perishing but to those who are saved, it is the Power of God (1 Corinthians 1:18).

Points to ponder:
Jesus was deemed to be offensive when He preached Salvation. Are you and I also considered to be offensive when we preach the Cross, which is the word of Truth (2 Timothy 2:15); the words of everlasting life (John 6:68)? As Christians let us be unafraid of mere men who can do nothing to us, when we have the Lord on our side (Psalm 118:6) and continue to preach the Cross of Christ that brings everlasting life to all who believe. The word of God is The Sword of the Spirit – an offensive weapon in the spiritual armor (Ephesians 6:17) and when a Sword is wielded correctly, it will cut/divide those who are in Christ from those who aren’t. If the truth offends, then let it offend.

John 6:60-61, 66-69 (KJV)
60 Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it?
61 When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said unto them, Doth this offend you?
…
66 From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.
67 Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away?
68 Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.
69 And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.

Are you approved of God?

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On January 10, 2013

In Christian

Acts 2:22 refers to Jesus as a man approved of God among the people and if we are followers of God (Ephesians 5:1), we need to be approved of God amongst his people as well. The Bible counsels us to study the Word of God to show ourselves approved unto God and as workmen/workwomen, we need not be ashamed, but rightly divide [explain] the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15).
The ones who are approved unto God are not ashamed of God, but they faithfully and diligently study and teach (explain) the word of truth unashamedly.

Points to ponder:
Am I approved unto God? Are you approved unto God? i.e., Do we study the word of God and do we work for him in explaining it without any shame, though people may despise and mock us? In other words, Are we like Jesus, one approved of God among his people?

Acts 2:21-22 (KJV)
21 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.
22 Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know:

2 Timothy 2:15 (KJV [NLT])
15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing [explaining] the word of truth.

A calculated Choice – Die or Live

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On January 9, 2013

In Christian, Movie Motions

After the movie, The Passion of The Christ was released, mistakenly, an antisemitism notion was evoked, but the Holy Bible teaches us that Jesus was delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God into wicked hands that took, crucified and slew him (Acts 2:23). Thus the crucifixion of Jesus was a calculated choice of God and not a mere tragedy orchestrated by men.

The choices Jesus had was either to “Die so man will live forever with God.” or “Live and man will die forever, separated from God.” Jesus chose to die so that man can live, and he expressed this, when he said, “I lay down my life on my own free will and no man takes it from me.” (John 10:18).

Points to ponder:
What is your response to this God who willingly gave his life for you? Out of his own free will, Jesus gave his life for you. Out of our own free will, are we willing to die to self and sin, so that we may live forever with God? Whoever gives up his life for Jesus’ sake will save it, but whoever tries to hang on to their life will lose it. (Matthew 16:25). If to die for man is God’s calculated choice, then to live for God should be our calculated choice. Is it?

Acts 2:22-24 (KJV)
22 Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know:
23 Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:
24 Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.

John 10:18 (KJV)
18 No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.

Matthew 16:25 (NLT)
25 If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it.

Not guilty, yet sentenced

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On January 8, 2013

In Christian

Jesus was not guilty, but yet he suffered and was sentenced for the guilty, so that he could bring us (the guilty) to God (1 Peter 3:18). Where is the justice in all of this? Wait, justice is coming when Jesus returns (Revelation 19:11; John 16:11).

Only if we believe in Jesus, to be our Savior, Lord and King, would we be able to face God with the verdict of “not guilty” for Jesus’ righteousness is imputed on us (2 Corinthians 5:21; Philippians 3:9; Romans 4:3). Otherwise, guess what, we are all guilty of sin as charged!

Points to ponder:
Are you ready to face Jesus, The Judge when he returns? What will be your sentence? Stop refusing him and rebelling against him, but instead humble yourself, remember, repent and return to the Lord Jesus today, for today is your day of being declared “Not guilty” (2 Corinthians 6:2). He will accept you just as you are. Just believe.

1 Peter 3:18 (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:

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