Hidden (Krypto) Treasures

To get pearls, one must dive deep!

Tag: The Light of the world

Unaware of God’s presence

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On July 11, 2016

In Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

As Jacob was running away from his brother Esau, he stopped at a certain place to rest for the night and he dreamed. In his dream he saw the ladder set on the earth and the angels of God, ascending and descending on it and on top of it, he saw the Lord God standing. The Lord assured him of his presence, preservation and protection. When Jacob woke up from his sleep, he said, “Surely the Lord is in this place; and I knew it not.”

Points to ponder:
Into this dark world, where sin as the pitch of night abounds, God has shined his Only begotten Son, Jesus Christ – The Light of the World and Jesus’ presence, preservation by his Holy Spirit and protection is assured to all who believe in him and yet, many a times, we are unaware of God’s presence, as Jacob was. Let us recognize that God is in this place, no matter what the circumstances of your life are or how bleak the world may seem. Surely the Lord is in this place for Jesus is Emmanuel and that means God is with us – Are you and I aware of his presence? or as we saying, “I knew it not.” John 17:3 says – “To know God is Eternal life.” Are you assured of eternal life?

Genesis 28:16 (KJV)
16 And Jacob awaked out of his sleep, and he said, Surely the Lord is in this place; and I knew it not.

Refractive Crystals in God’s hands

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On May 12, 2016

In Anniversary (Wedding), Christian, Sangeetha

Murano Island - FamilyMay 12, 2016 – Sangeetha and I celebrate our 15th wedding anniversary and the symbol for the 15th anniversary is a “crystal”.

When visiting the Murano Island near Venice in May 2015, we were mind blown by the exquisite and intricate work and beauty of the glass work which are known around the world as the Murano crystals.

The word crystal is recorded 5 times in the King James Version of the Holy Bible, once in the book of Job where it is likened to be not as valuable as wisdom and understanding (Job 28:12-18), once in Ezekiel where it is used in the description of the firmament stretched above the heads of the living creatures (Ezekiel 1:22) and three times in Revelation – first as the sea of glass (Revelation 4:6), then as the holy Jerusalem descending out of heaven from God (Revelation 21:11) and finally as the pure river of water of life proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb, Jesus Christ (Revelation 22:1). The Light Crystal

Crystals get their color and beauty in the way they bend (refract) light that is not reflected from its surface. They are usually singly refractive meaning that the light that enters the crystal is not divided into two rays or they are multi refractive means that light that enters the crystals are divided into two or more rays, often causing a beautiful prism effect.

This is our prayer today, that Sangeetha and I are singly refractive of the pure light of life that has entered into our lives and that we would be multi refractive of the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ, that we hold in these earthly bodies (jars of clay), creating a beautiful prism effect on others, as The Light of the world, Jesus Christ, shines forth from our lives. Our prayer is that we are refractive crystals in God’s hands and we seek that same prayer from you.

Revelation 22:1 (KJV)
1 And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.

2 Corinthians 4:6-7 (KJV)
6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

Image Source: TEDCO

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.

Professional Speaking :: Jesus The Inventor

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On August 13, 2012

In Christian, Professional Speaking

Merriam-Webster’s dictionary defines the word ‘Inventor’ as someone who produces something (useful) for the first time. In other words, an inventor is someone who makes something new that is useful. Can we consider Jesus Christ to be an inventor then? Absolutely.

Jesus is The Inventor of all times. The LIGHT of the world, not only created (made new) the world out of darkness (Genesis 1; Colossians 1:16-18) but he also makes his light to shine the darkness of sin out of our lives when we believe in him (2 Corinthians 4:6). When one believes and abides in Christ Jesus, he/she is a new creature (an invention); the old has passed are passed away; behold all things are made (invented to be) new (2 Corinthians 5:17). Not only is the person made new, but the person is made useful (or profitable) unto God, just as we see in the transformation of the runaway slave Philemon, who in times past was useless to Onesimus his master, but is made useful to both Onesimus and to Paul in the work of God (Philemon 1:11).

Points to ponder:
Are you an invention of Jesus? In other words, have you been made new and useful by and for Jesus Christ, The Inventor (of all things). If not, believe in him today, because now is the day to be invented (made new) (2 Corinthians 6:2). Tarry no further. And for those have been made new for having believed in Jesus, are you/I useful (profitable) unto God as his invention?

2 Corinthians 4:6 (KJV)
6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

2 Corinthians 5:17 (KJV)
17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Philemon 1:11 (KJV)
11 Which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me:

Take time to be blind

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On October 4, 2010

In Christian

Many of us are familiar with or have heard of the conversion of Saul to Apostle Paul on his road to Damascus, but closer introspection of the Scripture reveals, certain hidden treasures that can be cursorily overlooked. Saul (before his conversion to Paul) in his encounter with Jesus Christ, on the road to Damascus, was surrounded by a light from heaven. He fell down and he heard a voice, asking him “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”. Saul questions, “Who are you, Lord?” to which the Lord replied, “I am Jesus whom you are persecuting”. In response with trembling and astonishment, Saul asks another question, “Lord, what will thou have me to do?”. Saul is informed to go into the city and wait until further instructions are sent to him. Interestingly, the Scripture then records, that when Saul rose up, he opened his eyes and he saw no man (was blind). It also records that those who were with him were speechless, for they heard the voice, but did not see any man.

Note how the Scripture says, Saul opened his eyes and was blind. This would imply that prior to his opening of his eyes, his eyes were closed. But then when his eyes were closed, how is it that he questions, who are you, Lord? One may think that he asked that question in response to that voice that he heard from heaven. But the Scripture also tells us that the others who were with him, heard the voice, but did not see any man. Wonder, why Saul is excluded from this list of others? Logically, this would mean that Saul was the only one who saw someone and the one who was seen by Saul, identified Himself to be Jesus, the one from heaven (John 6:32,38), The Light of the world (John 8:12). But herein lies the issues that may seem contradictory. First we established that Saul’s eyes were closed and now we see that Saul saw Jesus.

The Bible states that the light shined around Saul. It makes no mention of the light shining around those who were with Saul and we learn that they did not see any man but merely heard the voice. There are many in the world with open eyes, who can hear the voice of God, but they don’t see him. Those on whom the Light of the World (Jesus Christ) from heaven shines are those who can see Jesus, when their eyes are shut from seeing anything or anyone else.

Point(s) to ponder:
1. What are some of the things in our life, in this world, that is keeping our eyes (focus) away from Christ Jesus? Is it our families/homes, jobs/work, pleasures/hobbies, sins, etc.?
2. We must take time to be blind (close our eyes) so that the attractions and pleasures of this world does not distract us; and that we see no one else but Jesus and be enlightened by Him.

Look ye blind, that ye may see (Isaiah 42:18)

Acts 9: 1-8 (KJV)
1 And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,
2 And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.
3 And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:
4 And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?
5 And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.
6 And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.
7 And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man.
8 And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus.

John 9:39-41 (KJV)
39 And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind.
40 And some of the Pharisees which were with him heard these words, and said unto him, Are we blind also?
41 Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth.

Dr. Jesus

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On March 22, 2010

In Christian

All of the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John), record the various cases in which Jesus healed someone. Jesus is the kind of physician who would put the pharmacy out of business, because Dr. Jesus operated by the fullness of the power of God that dwelt in Him, being the fullness Himself.

What can we learn from those whom Jesus healed?
Is there an application to take away, in a day, where man’s trust is more in medicine than in the maker of men.

Jesus healed the

  • paralytic – to show that that invalid can be made valid.
  • leper – to show that the unclean can be made clean.
  • man with the shriveled hand – to show that the withered can be made whole and that the whole must be stretched to serve.
  • blind – to show the darkness is dispelled by light and that no one is deprived of seeing Jesus, the Light of the World.
  • deaf – to show that the good news can be heard since Faith only comes by hearing (the word of God).
  • mute – to show that even the dumb and dumber can proclaim the good news.
  • lame – to show that no one can any longer have a lame excuse to not walk in newness of life.
  • possessed – to show that those in bondage can be freed and that captivity is set free.
  • dead – to show that Only In him is life, life abundantly and all those who believe in Him, though they die yet shall they live.

The greatest healing that Dr. Jesus has demonstrated to many of us -Christians (i.e., his followers, who have believed in His Name) is that He has healed us from the leprosy of sin to show us blameless without spot or wrinkle.

Matthew 9:35 (KJV)
35 And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.

Luke 9:11 (KJV)
11 And the people, when they knew it, followed him: and he received them, and spake unto them of the kingdom of God, and healed them that had need of healing.

Acts 10:38 (KJV)
38 How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.

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