Hidden (Krypto) Treasures

To get pearls, one must dive deep!

Jesus Gave Thanks :: to Satisfy us

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On November 19, 2012

In Christian, Thanksgiving

It is thanksgiving season and there are many reasons for us to be thankful to God for, but have you ever wondered what Jesus was thankful for. Matthew 15 records the account of Jesus miraculously feeding 4000 men, besides women and children, with just seven loaves of bread and a few fishes. But before Jesus performs the miracle of multiplying the few to feed the many, he gave thanks and broke the bread and gave it to his disciples to give it to the people (Matthew 15:16). The Bible records that all ate and were filled (satisfied) (Matthew 15:37).

Points to ponder:
Jesus gave thanks to God for the miracle of satisfying the people who had followed him and not eaten for three days (Matthew 15:32). He is the bread of life and all who come to (follow) him shall be satisfied and filled and shall never hunger (John 6:35). Are you fasting and following Jesus? Am I fasting and following Jesus? We can give thanks this thanksgiving season, for Jesus who satisfies us to the fullest, unlike any other.

Matthew 15:32-39 (KJV)
32 Then Jesus called his disciples unto him, and said, I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days, and have nothing to eat: and I will not send them away fasting, lest they faint in the way.
33 And his disciples say unto him, Whence should we have so much bread in the wilderness, as to fill so great a multitude?
34 And Jesus saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven, and a few little fishes.
35 And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground.
36 And he took the seven loaves and the fishes, and gave thanks, and brake them, and gave to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude.
37 And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the broken meat that was left seven baskets full.
38 And they that did eat were four thousand men, beside women and children.
39 And he sent away the multitude, and took ship, and came into the coasts of Magdala.

John 6:35 (KJV)
35 And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.

To be patient is to be …

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On November 16, 2012

In Christian

We often here that “Patience is a virtue.” but what is patience? How can one define patience? A friend of mine posted recently on her Facebook profile – “To be patient is to trust in God’s timing!” and I couldn’t agree with her more. This brings to question, the need to define “impatience” then – so, what is impatience?

The Bible informs us that God is patient towards us and is not slack in his promise to return, so that no one may perish but that all may be saved (2 Peter 3:9). In fact, the King James Version of the Bible renders the word “patience” as “longsuffering”. Come to think of it, longsuffering is a compound word made up of the words ‘long’ and the other ‘suffering’. The word ‘long’ is indicative of the element of TIME and the word ‘suffering’ is indicative of the element of TESTING. To be patient is to be tested over time. Abraham, the Father of Faith was tested over time and we know of two occasions specifically. One was to trust in God, for a year, regarding the promise of his own son but Abraham failed that test as he was impatient and not trusting in God’s timing and thus had Ishmael with his concubine, Hagar. On the second occasion, Abraham was tested for three days (for that was the length of the journey to the place of sacrifice) regarding the sacrifice of his only son and he passed this test by not holding back his beloved son from God, as he was patient in trusting that at the time that God had ordained, God will come through and provide the needed sacrifice that would be acceptable to God. As a father, I can only imagine how testing and how long those three days would have seemed, as Abraham trekked his way with Isaac, his son, to Moriah to sacrifice his own son in response to God’s command.

Points to ponder:
To be patient is to be tested over time and trust that at God’s ordained time, all things according to his word shall come to pass. If that wait seems long, don’t lose heart, but be patient, for though it may seem slow, steadily and surely the answer is coming (Habakkuk 2:3). If the wait seems hard and you are suffering, don’t lose heart, but be patient, for in the end suffering (persecution) produces perseverance that leads to perfection (James 1:2-4). To be patient is to trust in God’s timing but to be impatient is to not trust in God at all. I choose to be patient … What do you want to be – Patient or Impatient?

Habakkuk 2:3 (NLT)
3 This vision is for a future time. It describes the end, and it will be fulfilled. If it seems slow in coming, wait patiently, for it will surely take place. It will not be delayed.

James 1:2-4 (KJV)
2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

2 Peter 3: 9 (KJV)
9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

Whatcha Lookin’ At?

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On November 15, 2012

In Christian

The slang “Whatcha Lookin’ At?” stems from a commercial for Channel 11 in the 50s to the 60s and has been used by several lyricists in their songs. As sanctified followers of Jesus Christ, we ought to be asking the question ‘Whatcha lookin at?’ to ourselves.

We must first Look ON to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2)
We must then Look OUT at the fields, for the harvest truly is plentiful but the workers are few (John 4:35; Matthew 9:37).
We must then Look IN to ourselves in self-examination, so that we may not lose what we have worked for and that we may receive our reward in full. (2 John 1:8)

Points to ponder:
Are you/Am I looking UP and ON to Jesus Christ? This is our look to be SAVED and be SANCTIFIED.
Are you/Am I looking OUT at the harvest (of lives to be reconciled unto God)? This is our look to SEEK and to SERVE.
Are you/Am I looking IN to ourselves, so that in the end we receive the full reward. This is our look to SURVEY and be SATISFIED.
So, whatcha lookin’ at?

Hebrews 12:2 (KJV)
2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

John 4:35 (KJV)
35 Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.

Matthew 9:37-38 (KJV)
37 Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few;
38 Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.

2 John 1:8 (KJV)
8 Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.

Hallowed Be thy Name

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On November 14, 2012

In Christian

When Jesus taught the disciples to pray, he started out by teaching them to address God as ‘Our Father’ and then immediately focused their attention to the Holiness of God, borne in his Name. But have you noticed, that Jesus did not merely express the holiness of God’s name by saying “Hallowed is thy Name”, but instead said “Hallowed BE thy Name.”  There is absolutely no doubt that God’s Name is Holy, but is there a possibility of God’s Name being dishonored and not being treated as Holy?

We can dishonor God and not treat his name with respect (hallow it) by our words. Exodus 20:7 establishes that one should not take the name of the Lord in vain, for in doing so, one is guilty of not hallowing God’s name. We can also dishonor God and not treat his name with respect (hallow it), by our deeds (actions). The book of Proverbs in chapter 30 verses 8 and 9 states, “Give us just enough, not too much (riches) nor too little (poverty), but just what is needed, lest in our fullness we deny God or in our emptiness steal and take the name of the Lord in vain.”

Points to ponder:
So when we pray, “Hallowed be thy name.”, let us recognize that in our words and in our deeds we can dishonor God’s name. For God’s name to BE hallowed, our lives must match what our lips teach, i.e., in our actions and in our words, we must be able to say “Hallowed BE thy Name.”

Matthew 6:9 (KJV)
9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

Exodus 20:7 (KJV)
7 Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.

Proverbs 30:8-9 (KJV)
8 Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me:
9 Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the Lord? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain.

Deepavali – A Biblical Perspective

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On November 13, 2012

In Christian

From  the 11th to the 15th of November 2013, millions in India and Hindus all over the world celebrate Deepavali (or Diwali) which means ‘The festival (row) of lights.’ Renowned Hindu author, Subhamoy Das in his article, “The Spiritual Significance of Diwali”,  published in Hinduism.about.com writes the following, under the section “Illuminate your inner self”.
“The light of lights, the self-luminous inner light of the Self is ever shining steadily in the chamber of your heart. … Fix the mind on this supreme light and enjoy the real Deepavali, by attaining illumination of the soul. … Celebrate the real Deepavali by living in Brahman (the inner self), and enjoy the eternal bliss of the soul. The sun does not shine there, nor do the moon and the stars, nor do lightnings shine and much less fire. All the lights of the world cannot be compared even to a ray of the inner light of the Self. Merge yourself in this light of lights and enjoy the supreme Deepavali. Many Deepavali festivals have come and gone. Yet the hearts of the vast majority are as dark as the night of the new moon. The house is lit with lamps, but the heart is full of the darkness of ignorance.
O man! Wake up from the slumber of ignorance. Realise the constant and eternal light of the Soul, which neither rises nor sets, through meditation and deep enquiry. May you all attain full inner illumination! May the supreme light of lights enlighten your understanding! …”

Closer scrutiny on the significance of Deepavali and correlating it with the Bible reveals some hidden treasures in the scriptures that reflect that the real meaning of Deepavali can be found in Jesus Christ, the Light of lights – the Light of the World (John 8:12).

The light of lights, the self-luminous inner light of the Self is ever shining steadily in the chamber of your heart
[Jesus, the Light of lights, said, ‘Behold I stand at the door (of your heart) and knock, If anyone hears my voice, let him/her open the door and I will come in and commune with him/her’ (Revelation 3:20)].

Fix the mind on this supreme light and enjoy the real Deepavali, by attaining illumination of the soul. [Let us fix the eyes (of the mind) on Jesus Christ, the author and finisher of faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the Cross, despising its shame and is now seated at the right hand of God (Hebrews 12:2)]  

Celebrate the real Deepavali by living in Brahman (the inner self), and enjoy the eternal bliss of the soul.
[Jesus will keep in perfect peace (eternal bliss) whose minds are stayed on him (Isaiah 26:3)]

The sun does not shine there, nor do the moon and the stars, nor do lightnings shine and much less fire. All the lights of the world cannot be compared even to a ray of the inner light of the Self. Merge yourself in this light of lights and enjoy the supreme Deepavali.
[And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb (Jesus Christ) are the temple of it. And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb (Jesus Christ) is the light thereof. And the nations of them which are saved (those who merge themselves with the Light of lights) shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it. (Revelation 21:22-24)]

Yet the hearts of the vast majority are as dark as the night of the new moon. The house is lit with lamps, but the heart is full of the darkness of ignorance.
[In whom the god of this world (Satan) hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. (2 Corinthians 4:4)]

O man! Wake up from the slumber of ignorance. Realise the constant and eternal light of the Soul, which neither rises nor sets, through meditation and deep enquiry. May you all attain full inner illumination! May the supreme light of lights enlighten your understanding! …
[Give not sleep to thine eyes, nor slumber to thine eyelids (Wake up) (Proverbs 6:4). Let our eyes prevent the night watches, that we might meditate in the word of God, which is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path (Psalm 119:148,105). May Jesus, the Light of lights, enlighten our understanding of the scripture (Luke 22:45)]

Points to ponder:
The real meaning of Deepavali is the light within one self. The Bible says, that Jesus Christ is the hidden treasure within our mere mortal bodies (jars of clay) (2 Corinthians 4:7). To all who believe in Jesus and to those who receive him, He comes into their lives, dispelling all the darkness (of sin and death). Now that you are illuminated with this knowledge, tarry no longer – the real meaning of Deepavali is Jesus Christ, the Light of this world and the one to come, within us.

Happy Deepavali or should I say, Blessed (happy) are those who have Jesus Christ within. Are you blessed/happy?

John 8:12 (KJV)
12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

Jeremiah 17:7 (KJV)
7 Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is.

Jesus Veteran – Been There, Done That

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On November 12, 2012

In Christian, Veteran's Day

Been there, done that is an expression used to indicate someone who has personal experience of the topic at hand. On November 11th, 2012, America celebrated its Veteran’s day in honor and in remembrance of the many living soldiers who fought to defend the people of the country. In the context of war, a Veteran is a person who is not afraid of going behind enemy lines and has been there and done that.

In the context of spiritual warfare, the ultimate Veteran who has been behind enemy (satan or devil or adversary) and overcome is Jesus Christ. He died to destroy the power of the enemy which is death (Hebrews 2:14), in defense of the people of the world (John 3:16), who were under its bondage (Hebrews 2:15) and overcame death destroying it and the devil by being resurrected to life, by the Power of God (Romans 1:4). In like manner, we ought to be warriors of God, for God. We need to withstand and stand in the evil day, adorning the whole armor of God, against the temptations, of the enemy of our souls (Ephesians 6:13,16). We can learn from Jesus himself, who was tempted in every which way, yet without sin (Hebrews 4:15). He is the ultimate Veteran, in dealing with temptation, and is able to succor us when we are tempted (Hebrews 2:18).

Points to ponder:
This Veteran’s day, while we wish our fellow veterans, gratitude for their service to their country, let us not forget to remember and express our heartfelt gratitude and sacrifice of praise to Jesus Christ – the Ultimate Veteran. He gave his life for you and me once and if he was asked to do it again, he would respond without hesitation, “Absolutely, Been There, Done That – I’ll do it gladly for you again.” The question is, would you and I be willing to gladly give our life to him, in response to his call of Love, expressed on the Cross. Do not continue to be subject under the bondage of sin and death. When our time on earth is due and the roll call in heaven is taken, can you and I say, when asked of our account in serving God as Jesus did, in being his servant and soldier, “Been There, Done That.” so he can say of each one of us, “Well done, my good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of the Lord.”

Hebrews 2:13-18 (KJV)
13 And again, I will put my trust in him. And again, Behold I and the children which God hath given me.
14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;
15 And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.
16 For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham.
17 Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.
18 For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.

Our defense attorney in heaven

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On November 9, 2012

In Christian

Because Jesus obeyed God and willingly gave up his life, enduring the Cross and despising its shame, God raised him up to have the name above all names (Philippians 2:9) and to sit at his right hand (Hebrews 12:2) as our defense attorney (representative/advocate) (1 John 2:1), for Christ entered into heaven for us (Hebrews 9:24). Jesus Christ on the Cross is our Substitute and in God’s presence, he is our Spokesperson; speaking in our defense.

Points to ponder:
Jesus Christ in God’s presence can be our defense attorney, only if we let him to be in us, by trusting in him to represent us before God (Ephesians 3:16). I have, Have you?

Hebrews 9:24 (KJV)
24 For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:

1 John 2:1-2 (KJV)
1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. 

Don’t leave Jesus hanging on the Cross

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On November 8, 2012

In Christian

Galatians 3:13 establishes that our redemption from the curse of the law came with a curse on Jesus Christ for it is written, “Cursed is every one who hangs on a tree (Cross).” Isaiah 53:4-6 calls out seven instances of how Jesus Christ on the Cross is our Substitute.
1. He bore our griefs
2. He carried our sorrows
3. He was wounded for our transgressions
4. He was bruised for our iniquities
5. The chastisement of our peace was upon Him
6.With His stripes we are healed; and
7. Our iniquity has been laid on Him.

Points to ponder:
Jesus Christ on the Cross is OUR Substitute. But what is of crucial importance is to trust in Jesus, so that He can substitute the “self” within us, with himself. We must not leave Jesus hanging on the Cross! Is Jesus your Substitute?

Galatians 3:13 (KJV)
13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:

Isaiah 53:4-6 (KJV)
4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

I voted … Elect you this day …

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On November 7, 2012

In Christian

Reuben, our six year old, beloved firstborn, son came home with a sticker on his shirt, which read “I voted” and I asked him, what that meant. He replied that in order to teach the importance of voting and what it means to vote for someone, his teacher in school, asked all the students in his classroom to vote for their best author, positioning two of well known children’s book authors on a ballot.

November 6, 2012, (Election day), all American citizens were expected to vote for who they wanted to be their President – Barack Obama or Mitt Romney. Some voted and some did not. Those who voted, had to choose between Obama and Romney. Supporters of Obama, related to the campaign motifs of “Hope”, “Change” and “Forward” while supporters of Romney hoped that the change to go forward would be through Romney’s presidency. Either way, voters had to elect this day, who they wanted to serve them.

John F. Kennedy, past President of the United States, in his 1961 Inaugural address said “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.” Echoing this motif, while it is important to elect the person whom you want to serve you, what is of even greater importance is electing the person whom you want to serve.

Points to ponder:
Electing an author or a temporary president is our duty and is important, but electing Jesus Christ, the author and finisher of our faith (Hebrew 12:2) and the eternal President of all presidents (King of all kings – Revelation 19:16), is even more important. All must elect, not to be served but to serve (Matthew 20:25-28).

Jesus is the only HOPE of all nations (Matthew 12:21), the one who can CHANGE us into a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17), and he is asking you to “Get up and come FORWARD. (Luke 6:8; NASB)”

I vote today, “As for me and my house, I ELECT to serve the Lord, the One True God, Jesus Christ.” (Joshua 24:15). What about you? Elect you this day, whom ye will serve  … Today is your day of Election (2 Corinthians 6:2). Ask not what God can do for you, ask what you can do for God.

Matthew 20:25-28 (KJV)
25 But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them.
26 But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister;
27 And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:
28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto [served], but to minister [serve], and to give his life a ransom for many.

Joshua 24:14-15 (KJV)
14 Now therefore fear the Lord, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the Lord.
15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.

It is good for us to be here … said the disciple

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On November 6, 2012

In Christian

The Bible records in the gospel according to Dr. Luke, the account of the transfiguration of Jesus, wherein he was glorified and affirmed of his sonship by God (Luke 9:28-36). But what is often missed are the action and words of Peter and the other disciples, which is of significance, during Jesus’ transfiguration. First, the disciples of Jesus, Peter, James and John, awoke from their sleep. Second, they saw the glorified Jesus and his servants, Moses and Elias. Third, Peter responded by saying to Jesus, “Master, it is good for us to be here; let us make you and your servants tabernacles.”

Many continue to be heavy in sleep, even as Jesus is being transfigured in all of his glory in this world. We must first awake, but awaking alone is not sufficient. We must seek to see and see Jesus in all of his glory that is implicit in his creation and explicit through his character as revealed and evident in the Holy Bible. Third, we must recognize Jesus to be our Master. In other words, we must recognize our place as faithful servants of his, ready to serve him at his call and command. Fourth, only when we experience and enjoy his communion and fellowship with us, we can say “It is good for us to be here (in his presence)”. Finally, we must be zealous about building in ourselves first and then in others, the tabernacle for Jesus to reside.

Points to ponder:
Are you/Am I sleeping or awake?
Are you/Am I seeing Jesus in all of his glory or have we been blinded by the devil, lest we see the glorious truth of the gospel in Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 4:4)?
Are you/Am I recognizing that Jesus is the Master and that we ought to be his faithful servants?
Are you/Am I experiencing God’s presence with us in the person of Jesus Christ, so much so that we can truly tell him, “Master, It is good for us (not anyone else) to be here.”?
Are you/Am I zealous about letting Jesus tabernacle in our hearts?

As disciples of Jesus, we must be able to say to Jesus, “Master, it is good for us to be here”, but what is more important is, can Jesus, our Master and Savior, who tabernacles within us (for we are the temple of the Holy God – 1 Corinthians 3:17, 2 Corinthians 4:7) say of you and me, “Servant, It is good for us* to be here (in you).”
* = The Triune God in One; Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Luke 9:28-36 (KJV)
28 And it came to pass about an eight days after these sayings, he took Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to pray.
29 And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering.
30 And, behold, there talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elias:
31 Who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem.
32 But Peter and they that were with him were heavy with sleep: and when they were awake, they saw his glory, and the two men that stood with him.
33 And it came to pass, as they departed from him, Peter said unto Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias: not knowing what he said.
34 While he thus spake, there came a cloud, and overshadowed them: and they feared as they entered into the cloud.
35 And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him.
36 And when the voice was past, Jesus was found alone. And they kept it close, and told no man in those days any of those things which they had seen.

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