Hidden (Krypto) Treasures

To get pearls, one must dive deep!

No Peace (or) Know Peace

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On April 20, 2012

In Christian, With or Without Christ

Without Christ, one has no peace.
With Christ, one gets to know peace.

Points to ponder:
Jesus said, that the peace he gives is a peace unlike what the world gives (John 14:27) and so let our hearts not be troubled or afraid. He can give us this peace because he is the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6). Not only is he the Prince of Peace, but he is in the order of Melchizedek. Besides, meaning, King of righteousness (or justice), Melchizedek also means King of Salem (or the King of Peace). Not only is Jesus the Prince of Peace and the King of Peace (Genesis 14:18, Hebrews 7:2), but He is also the God of Peace (Philippians 4:9). Do you know Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior, for in knowing Him, you will know peace; real peace, unlike what the world gives and the kind that the world cannot take away.

Philippians 4:7-9 (KJV)
7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

Why is the Bible called the Holy Bible?

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On April 19, 2012

In Christian

The Bible is referred to as the ‘Holy’ Bible but have you  ever wondered as to what makes a book distinct as being ‘Holy’? The Bible is called the Holy Bible, because the author (i.e. God) is Holy (2 Timothy 3:16; 1 Peter 1:15-16) and it is written so that the readers (i.e. you and me) can be sanctified by internalizing it and become Holy as well. God commands each of us to be Holy, for He is Holy (1 Peter 1:15-16). Each book in the Bible paints the story of a Holy God who sent his Holy Son (Mark 1:24;  1 Peter 2:22), to die for us, an unholy people, so that His Holiness may be imputed on us, when we believe in his Son. In fact, there is no other way for us (readers) to become Holy, except by believing in the Holy Son of God and the ‘Holy Bible’ teaches us that.

Points to ponder:
God requires for us to be Holy for he is Holy. Are you? Am I?
In other words, have you believed in Jesus Christ, the Only begotten Holy Son of God.

1 Peter 1:15-16 (KJV)
15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;
16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

Playing hide and seek with God

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On April 18, 2012

In Christian

Someone said, “Life is like a game of hide and seek; we are either hiding from God or seeking him.” When we falter and sin, we try to hide our shame, on account of our sins, from God, as did Adam, and fool ourselves into thinking that we can hide from the only One who is not only omnipresent (Psalm 139:8) but also omnipotent (Job 42:2; Luke 1:37) and omniscient (Acts 15:18). There are no hidden (secret) sins with God for every account of our life is laid nakedly bare in front of him (Psalm 90:8). And when we are in dire straits we often seek him, although we must be seeking him first (Matthew 6:33) and at all times and not just at the time of need. Psalm 119:164 records that we must praise him seven times a day implying that we must praise him without ceasing at dawn, morning, brunch, lunch, twilight, evening, night (all day long). The Bible promises that if we seek him we will find him (Matthew 7:7) and let us seek him when he may still be found (Isaiah 55:6-7), now in the time of Grace.

Points to ponder:
Are you/I hiding from God? If you/I are hiding, let us believe in the Lord Jesus and repent of our sins so that he may clean us and clothe us with robes of his righteousness. Are you/I seeking him (all the time)? Remember, one thing is sure, irrespective of whether we seek him or not, he is expectantly yearning for us and seeking us, as did the Father of the prodigal son. Let life not be a game of hide and seek, but a practice of seeking and finding God constantly, for when we seek his face and humble and pray, and turn from our wicked ways (repent), he will hear from heaven and forgive our sins and heal the land (2 Chronicles 7:14). Note, seeking and repentance bring forgiveness and healing; hiding does not.

Psalm 90:8 (KJV)
8 Thou hast set our iniquities before thee, our secret sins in the light of thy countenance. 

Isaiah 55:6-7 (KJV)
6 Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:
7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

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.

Hopeless End or Endless Hope

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On April 17, 2012

In Christian, With or Without Christ

Without Christ Jesus, one can only look forward with trepidation to a hopeless end.
With Christ Jesus, one can confidently look forward to a city built by God with endless hope.

Points to ponder:
The Bible teaches us that Christ Jesus in us is the hope of glory (Colossians 1:27). The question then is, “Is Christ Jesus in you?” In other words, what is your state today – hopeless end or endless hope? Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior and your hopeless end will be turned into endless hope.

Colossians 1:27 (KJV)
27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: 

Convicted as charged

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On April 16, 2012

In Christian

The Bible states that we must be imitators of God as dearly beloved children (Ephesians 5:1) and counsels us to walk in love as Christ loved us and offer ourselves as a living sacrifice as did Christ Jesus (Ephesians 5:2). We must not conform to the patterns of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of our mind (Romans 12:2), so that we may prove what is good, acceptable and the perfect, will of God.

Points to ponder:
Someone questioned, “If we were to be arrested for being Christians, would there be enough evidence to convict us?”. Think about this. Are you/I imitators of God? In other words, will we be convicted as charged for being followers of Jesus Christ, proving that our lives are good, acceptable and perfect, according to the will of God?

Ephesians 5:1-2 (NLT)
1 Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. 
2 Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God. 

Romans 12:1-2 (KJV)
1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

What is the sin of the world?

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On April 13, 2012

In Christian

When John the Baptist saw Jesus, he said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, that taketh away the sin of the world.” (John 1:29). Often this is misquoted as the “sins of the world”, implying the plurality of “sin” and the comprehensiveness of God’s Salvation that comes by belief in Jesus Christ. There is absolutely no doubt that the blood of Jesus Christ was shed for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38; Acts 10:43; Hebrews 9:22) and there is no sin that is beyond the grace of God, except blasphemy against the Holy Spirit of God (Matthew 12:31-32). But before we explore as to what the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit of God is, let us first seek to see from the Scripture as to what is the sin of the world?

Jesus said that when the Holy Spirit of God comes, he will reprove the world of sin, of righteousness and of judgment and expresses that the sin of the world is unbelief in him (John 16:8-9). The sin of the world is unbelief in Jesus Christ. Extrapolating this with the unforgivable sin reveals that the outright rejection to believe in Jesus despite the conviction of the Holy Spirit is unpardonable for there is no other means to Salvation, except belief in Jesus Christ, but to all who believe, the gift of God is eternal life (Matthew 12:31-32; Acts 4:12; John 3:16).

Points to ponder:
Have you believed in Jesus Christ or are you guilty of the sin of the world? If you are being prompted by the Holy Spirit of God to believe in the Lord and have not yet believed, tarry no further, lest you make yourself unforgivable.

John 16: 7-11 (KJV)
7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
9 Of sin, because they believe not on me;
10 Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more;
11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.

Matthew 12:31-32 (KJV)
31 Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.
32 And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come. 

Acts 4:12 (KJV)
12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. 

If you were to die today, would you be dead?

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On April 12, 2012

In Christian

Jesus cried and prayed to God the Father who was able to save him from death (Hebrews 5:7), that the cup of God’s wrath on him be passed over (Luke 22:42), but God willed for him to be the passover Lamb that takes away and the sin of the world (Isaiah 53:10; John 1:29) and Jesus knew this. He himself had said earlier, that he had come to give his life (to die) as a ransom for many (Mark 10:45). Then why would Jesus pray and request that God save him from death?

We must be careful to recognize that when Jesus prayed for being saved from death, he prayed for being saved from the midst of death, and not necessarily to be spared from dying. In other words, Jesus prayed that from the midst of death, God save him, by resurrecting him from the dead and God heard (answered) this prayer of Jesus as we see from the account of the Resurrection, recorded in the Scripture (Matthew 28:6).

Points to ponder:
The Scripture affirms that we are all appointed once to die (Hebrews 9:27), but we are not appointed unto death (spiritual/second death) and all who believe in Jesus Christ, whom God heard and saved from the midst of death, resurrecting him, will also be resurrected from being dead in sin, to being dead to sin and to walking in the newness of life (Romans 6:4). If you were to die today, would you be dead?

Hebrews 5:7 (KJV)
7 Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;

Romans 6:3-11 (KJV)
3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:
6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
7 For he that is dead is freed from sin.
8 Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:
9 Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.
10 For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.
11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Post Resurrection :: Appearance of Jesus

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On April 11, 2012

In Christian

Following his resurrection, Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene (Mark 16:9-11), two on the road to Emmaus (Mark 16:12-13), his disciples (Mark 16:14), a gathering of 500 (1 Corinthians 15:6), and all of the apostles (1 Corinthians 15:7), but what is interesting to note, is that while some who saw the risen Christ worshipped him, there were others who doubted (Matthew 28:17).

Points to ponder:
Jesus said to Thomas, because you have seen, you have believed, but blessed are they who believe in me even if they have not seen me (John 20:29). For when we believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God and the Savior of all mankind, the end result would be ascribing unto him worship. Today, if the risen Lord appears to you and the eyes of your heart sees him, will you worship him or will you doubt? Don’t be a doubter!

Matthew 28:17 (KJV)
 17And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted.

John 20:29 (KJV)
29 Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed. 

Jesus was rightfully accussed

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On April 10, 2012

In Christian

Leading to the crucifixion of Jesus, the people who were seeking his death, accused Jesus of two things primarily, and guess what, they were right. One of the accusation was that he was Christ (Luke 22:66-71), which is spiritual in nature. The other accusation was that he was a king, which is physical in nature, pertaining to the things of this world (Luke 23:2).
Though Jesus was rightfully accused (for he is indeed the Christ; the anointed one of God and he is the King; the King of kings indeed), he was wrongfully condemned to death, for Pilate found no fault in Jesus (Luke 23:22), yet handed him over to be crucified.

Points to ponder:
Jesus was rightfully accused to be Christ, the Son of God and as the King, but wrongfully condemned so that when we believe in him and walk according to his Spirit, there is no condemnation for us (Romans 8:1). Jesus is both Christ and King. Do you know him as Christ and King?

Luke 22:66-71
66 And as soon as it was day, the elders of the people and the chief priests and the scribes came together, and led him into their council, saying,
67 Art thou the Christ? tell us. And he said unto them, If I tell you, ye will not believe:
68And if I also ask you, ye will not answer me, nor let me go.
69 Hereafter shall the Son of man sit on the right hand of the power of God.
70 Then said they all, Art thou then the Son of God? And he said unto them, Ye say that I am71And they said, What need we any further witness? for we ourselves have heard of his own mouth.

Luke 23:1-3 (KJV)
1 And the whole multitude of them arose, and led him unto Pilate.
2 And they began to accuse him, saying, We found this fellow perverting the nation, and forbidding to give tribute to Caesar, saying that he himself is Christ a King.
3 And Pilate asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And he answered him and said, Thou sayest it.

Jesus Amongst Thieves

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On April 9, 2012

In Christian

Interestingly, Jesus was accused of many things so that they could crucify him, but not as a thief, yet he was numbered with the transgressors (Isaiah 53:12) and was crucified in between two thieves, according to the Scripture (Matthew 27:38; Mark 15:27). For those who are familiar with the crucifixion account, one of the thieves was repentant and believed in Jesus as Lord and King (Luke 23:42) while the other was rebellious and refused the Redeemer on the Cross.

While reading this account, let us be careful to not just write off these thieves as two individuals, recorded in history, in the event of the Crucifixion. Accordingly to Malachi 3:8, the Bible establishes the fact that, many a times, we act as thieves as well. We rob God in our tithes (by withholding what is already his) and in our offering (by not offering our bodies as a living sacrifice).

Points to ponder:
Jesus finds himself, even today, amongst thieves, but the question that remains is what kind? Symbolically the two thieves that hung along side Jesus, reflects the dichotomy that exists in our society as to how one perceives the Redeeming Jesus Christ on the Cross; some have a change of heart, while others harden it. The one who believed and repented was assured of Salvation. Which kind of thief are you and  I – a rebel or a repentant one? Jesus is amongst thieves, amongst you and me and we can’t rob him.

Malachi 3:8 (KJV)
8 Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.

Romans 12:1-2 (KJV)
1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

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