The Devil Reads the Bible!

​The idea that the devil reads the Bible might sound provocative, but the Scriptures themselves confirm this chilling truth. The adversary is not merely aware of God’s Word; he is an expert manipulator of it. 

It is said that a good lie (that is a believable one) is always based on an aspect of the truth. And the devil does exactly that !

His knowledge of the Bible is not for worship or obedience, but for warfare and deceit.

​The most profound example of this is found in the wilderness temptation of Jesus Christ.

​The Master of Misquotation

​After forty days of fasting, Jesus was famished. The devil saw his opportunity and launched his attack, moving from tempting Jesus to doubt His identity to tempting Him to misuse His authority. The third temptation is a stunning display of the devil's biblical knowledge:

​"Then the devil took him to the holy city and set him on the pinnacle of the temple and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written, and ‘On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.’ ”— Matthew 4:5-6 (ESV), quoting Psalm 91:11-12

​The devil did not quote random poetry or philosophy; he quoted Scripture! He took the promise of divine protection, found in Psalm 91, and twisted it, urging Jesus to test God's faithfulness by placing Himself in needless danger.

​The devil’s knowledge of the Bible is:

• ​Selective: He extracts promises and phrases out of context to support his hypothesis and theory. Do we do that too?

• ​Destructive: He uses the Word of God to undermine the will of God. If we act as in point 1, we too, automatically undermine God's will.

• ​Intellectual, not Spiritual: He knows the letter of the law but rejects its life-giving Spirit and Author.

We need to think, meditate and make sure that our belief in the Word of God is not intellectual alone, but it's a belief that stems from the spirit so that we may partake of the life it offers.

​Our Defense: Knowing the Whole Truth

​Jesus’ response to the devil’s manipulation is our blueprint for spiritual defense. He didn't argue the accuracy of the quote; He countered the context and the intent by quoting other Scripture:

​Jesus said to him, “Again, it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’ ”— Matthew 4:7 (ESV), quoting Deuteronomy 6:16

​Jesus revealed the full counsel of God by bringing together a passage on God’s protection (Psalm 91) with a passage on reverent obedience (Deuteronomy 6). He showed that genuine faith does not manipulate God's promises; it walks in humble obedience within God’s will.

​This truth provides us with a critical warning and a powerful encouragement:

​The Warning:

​The devil won't only attack you with tempting thoughts; he will try to defeat you by twisting God's promises, creating doubt, or leading you into presumption. If we only have a surface-level, intellectual familiarity with the Bible, we are vulnerable to his lies.

​“Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”

​— 1 Peter 5:8 (ESV)

​The Encouragement:

​The Bible is called the Sword of the Spirit for a reason. When wielded correctly, it is the only weapon that can expose the lies of the enemy and drive him away. The devil flees not when he hears a verse, but when he is confronted by the authoritative, rightly applied Word of God.

​“For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”— Hebrews 4:12 (ESV)

​Reflection

​The devil knows enough of the Bible to use it against you. Do you know enough of the Bible to use it against him? Our protection lies not just in reading the Bible, but in studying it deeply, meditating on it faithfully, and living it out obediently, allowing the Holy Spirit to connect the wisdom of every passage.

Response Ability: Pastor Rajiv's Message

Response Ability

The central theme of today's message, is the crucial concept that human free will, or the "ability to respond," is synonymous with responsibility and the power to avoid sin by choosing the right course of action.

What is our response to sin? And what is our response to God? And finally, what is our Response Ability or responsibility as Christians? Today Pastor Rajiv answers these fundamental questions and more, drawing heavily from the Bible passage 1 Corinthians 10:1-13.

Prophet for Hire

Numbers 22:7, 12, and 2 Peter 2:15

​"So the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian departed with the diviner’s fee in their hand, and they came to Balaam and spoke to him the words of Balak. (Numbers 22:7, NKJV)

​And God said to Balaam, “You shall not go with them; you shall not curse the people, for they are blessed.” (Numbers 22:12, NKJV)

​"They have forsaken the right way and gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Beor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness..." (2 Peter 2:15, NKJV)

​The story of Balaam, found primarily in Numbers chapters 22-24, is a striking caution against spiritual compromise. Balaam was a genuine prophet who could hear the voice of God, yet he earned the infamous title of "prophet for hire."

​King Balak of Moab, terrified of the powerful Israelites, hired Balaam to curse them. The elders arrived with a "diviner’s fee" in hand—a temptation Balaam could not easily dismiss (Numbers 22:7). God's command to Balaam was crystal clear: "You shall not go with them; you shall not curse the people, for they are blessed" (Numbers 22:12).

​Here is the crux of the story: Balaam obeyed God's words, but not His heart.

• ​The Allure of the Price Tag: Though Balaam initially refused Balak's bribe, he couldn't completely shut the door on the possibility of a reward. When Balak sent richer and more prominent messengers, Balaam went back to God, essentially saying, "Is there any way I can still go?" His heart was set on the "wages of unrighteousness," as later scripture puts it (2 Peter 2:15). He wanted the profit more than he feared God's displeasure.

• ​The Peril of Half-Obedience: Balaam only spoke the words God put in his mouth, delivering blessings instead of curses. Outwardly, he was obedient. However, his divided loyalty led to an ultimate, tragic betrayal. When he couldn't curse Israel directly, he counseled Balak on how to tempt the Israelites into sin through immorality and idolatry, thereby bringing God’s judgment upon themselves (Numbers 31:16, Revelation 2:14). His greed corrupted his genuine gift.

​Reflection: Christians for Convenience 

​Balaam’s story forces us to look inward. We may not be prophets for hire, but are we Christians for convenience? Do we have a divided heart?

• ​Do we seek God's will only when it aligns with our own desires for comfort, prestige, or wealth?

• ​Do we want the blessings of God while still entertaining the temptations of the world?

• ​When we pray, are we truly seeking to hear God's clear command, or are we hoping He will change His mind and validate our greedy ambition?

​Our gifts and calling are sacred, entrusted to us by God for His purposes, not for our financial or personal gain. The error of Balaam is the danger of a heart compromised by love for the world, leading to a spiritual life of half-obedience that ultimately falls into the path of destruction.

​Prayer:

​Heavenly Father, thank You for the warning in the story of Balaam. Forgive us for the times our hearts have been divided, seeking Your blessing while coveting the rewards of this world. Help us to be fully obedient, not just with our words, but with our deepest desires. Set our hearts firmly on You, that we may love Your truth more than any earthly wage. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

ashishjsm@gmail.com

When Fear Replaces Faith

 

When Fear Replaces Faith

"And at that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah, and said unto him, Because thou hast relied on the king of Syria, and not relied on the LORD thy God, therefore is the host of the king of Syria escaped out of thine hand." — 2 Chronicles 16:7 (KJV)

King Asa had a history with God. He had seen divine intervention, tasted victory through obedience, and witnessed the power of trusting in the Lord. But years later, when faced with a new threat, Asa chose a different path. He leaned on human alliances instead of divine strength. Fear whispered louder than faith, and the result was loss—not just of military advantage, but of spiritual peace.

Fear often disguises itself as wisdom. It tells us to take control, to secure outcomes, to rely on what we can see. But faith calls us to surrender—to trust the unseen hand of God even when the odds seem stacked against us.

 Think about it. how many times have we done the same? We’ve seen God move. We’ve felt His presence in our darkest valleys. Yet when the pressure mounts, we reach for the nearest solution instead of the eternal one. We forget that the God who delivered us before is still on the throne today.

🛐 Faith is not a one-time decision—it’s a daily posture. It’s choosing to rely on God when fear tempts us to rely on ourselves. It’s remembering that our strength is not in strategy, but in surrender.

Let this be your reminder:

• God didn’t help  once—He is our helper still.

• He doesn’t abandon us in the storm—He anchors us through it.

• He doesn’t just rescue—He refines, restores, and redeems.

So if fear is creeping in, pause. Reflect. Remember. Run to the One who never fails. Let faith rise again.

Two Decades of Dread

 

​But Esau ran to meet him, and embraced him, and fell on his neck and kissed him, and they wept. (Genesis 33:4, NKJV)

​Then Jacob said, “No, please, if I have found favor in your sight, then receive my present from my hand, for I have seen your face as though I had seen the face of God, and you were pleased with me.” (Genesis 33:10, NKJV)

The Scene: Fear of Revenge 

​For twenty long years, Jacob, whose name means "supplanter" or "deceiver," lived with the knowledge that he had cheated his brother Esau out of his birthright and his father’s blessing. He fled in fear of his life, and now, returning to the promised land, he faces the moment of reckoning. Jacob is terrified, dividing his family and flocks, hoping to appease his brother with massive gifts. He expects to meet a furious warrior; he prepares for battle.

​The Climax: The Surprise of Grace

​What happens next defies human expectation. Esau approaches, but not as a vengeful enemy. He runs to Jacob. He doesn't strike a blow; he embraces him. He doesn't demand payment; he kisses him. Instead of a clash of swords, there is a flood of tears. Esau’s heart, which Jacob had every right to assume was a fortress of bitterness, had been miraculously softened and purified.

​The Lesson: Seeing God in the Face of the Forgiver

​Jacob’s reaction to this unexpected grace is the key lesson for us. He is so utterly overwhelmed by Esau’s forgiveness that he declares, "I have seen your face as though I had seen the face of God, and you were pleased with me" (Genesis 33:10).

​Why would Jacob compare Esau’s face to the face of God?

A. ​It Revealed Divine Mercy: Jacob knew he deserved justice, which would have meant judgment and death. Instead, he received mercy, which is exactly what we receive from God through Christ. Esau’s forgiveness—unmerited, costly, and overflowing—shone with the light of God's own grace.

B. It Brought Peace: When we finally receive forgiveness, the anxiety and guilt of the past lift. Jacob was set free, not by his expensive gifts, but by Esau's willing heart. This is the profound peace that only God's forgiveness provides, removing the curse and restoring relationship.

C. It Overcame the Impossible: The reconciliation of Jacob and Esau seemed impossible given the depth of their betrayal. But God was at work in the separation, transforming Jacob's character and softening Esau's heart. Their reunion is a testament to God's power to heal the deepest relational wounds.

​Application: Who's Face Do You Need to See Today?

​The question for us today is two-fold:

1. As the Esau: Is there someone in your life who has deeply wronged you? You have every right to hold onto the bitterness, but the story of Esau challenges you to surrender that right. Choose the path of strength—the strength to run toward, embrace, and forgive. When you do, you become an imperfect, yet vivid, reflection of the forgiving heart of God.

2. As the Jacob: Is there a relationship you dread because of the harm you caused? Trust that God has been preparing the way for you. Your job is to humbly approach, seek forgiveness, and, regardless of the outcome, know that your reconciliation with God is already complete because of Christ's cross. When you see genuine human forgiveness, be moved to worship the God who forgives perfectly.

​Prayer:

​Heavenly Father, we confess that it is easier for us to harbor old hurts than to release them. Thank You for the witness of Esau, who chose grace over vengeance. Soften our hearts today where they are hard and full of bitterness. And when we are the ones seeking forgiveness, help us to humbly approach, remembering that every act of mercy we receive is a reflection of Your glorious and forgiving face. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Open Hands, Open Heavens

 

Making Room for Miracles

​The need for control is deeply ingrained in the human spirit. We meticulously plan, manage, and often, try to script the outcomes of our lives, believing that our effort and foresight are the only things standing between us and chaos. We hold the reins tightly, living by the unspoken mantra, "If it is to be, it's up to me."

​But what if our tightly clenched grip leaves no space for the unexpected, the improbable, the truly miraculous? What if our control becomes an obstacle to God's greater plan?

​The Ceiling of Human Control

​When we try to manage every variable—our careers, our relationships, our finances, and even the pace of our spiritual growth—we essentially confine the possible to the limits of our own intelligence and resources. Our need for control becomes the invisible ceiling on God’s power in our lives.

​The Prophet Isaiah speaks directly to the limitations of our human perspective versus God's vast reality:

​"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the Lord. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."  (Isaiah 55:8-9 NIV)

​If God’s ways and thoughts are infinitely higher than ours, then trying to manage everything with our limited vision is an exercise in futility. It is when we acknowledge the limitations of our "ways" that we truly make room for His "higher ways" to manifest.

​The Surrender that Starts the Miracle

​The biblical narrative is replete with examples of God stepping in when human control was intentionally surrendered.

​Consider the overwhelming situation that led to the miracle of the feeding of the five thousand. The disciples looked at the logistical nightmare and immediately defaulted to their human limits: scarcity and inability.

​"But He said, 'Bring them here to Me.' Then He commanded the multitudes to sit down on the grass. And He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, He blessed and broke and gave the loaves to the disciples; and the disciples gave to the multitudes." (Matthew 14:18-19 NKJV)

​Jesus didn't ask them to find a better solution; He asked them to simply surrender what they had—to release control over the meager offering and the overwhelming problem. When they let go of their calculations and their fear of insufficiency, they made room for a miracle that defied their earthly understanding.

​Releasing control isn't a passive act of giving up; it is an active act of placing our faith in a God who specializes in the impossible. It's a declaration that we trust His power, which is infinite, more than we trust our own, which is finite.

​Trading Anxiety for Trust

​The desire for control is often just another name for anxiety. We attempt to control things because we fear the unknown and the painful. But Jesus offers us a radical alternative: trust.

​"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." (Matthew 6:34 NIV)

​When we release control, we are essentially obeying this command. We are saying, "I will not bear the burden of tomorrow's planning and problem-solving. I surrender this day and my future to You, Lord." This surrender is the birthplace of peace and the fertile ground where God’s miracles—both large and small—can take root.

​The Apostle Paul reminds us of the power that takes over when we finally admit we are out of control:

​"My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness." (2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV)

​Your weakness—your admission that you cannot handle this problem, fix this person, or control this outcome—is the exact location where God's perfect power is revealed.

​Let go of the need to control the outcome. Focus on trusting the One who already controls all things. Release the reins, and watch the space you create become the perfect stage for God's incredible, miraculous work.

​Reflection & Prayer

​Identify the Grip: What area of your life right now are you most stubbornly trying to control (e.g., a loved one's decision, a financial timeline, a personal failing)?

​Practice Surrender: Meditate on the promise that God's thoughts are higher than yours (Isaiah 55:8-9). Take a moment to mentally or physically loosen your hands, and pray, "Lord, I give you this [problem/situation]. My control is not enough. I make room for Your miracle."

​Rest in Trust: Claim the peace of Jesus by releasing tomorrow's worries to Him (Matthew 6:34).

 

The King is My Shepherd: Pastor Rajiv's Message

 

I have Had Enough! Hope Beneath the Broom Tree

 

Read 1 Kings 19:3–9

"And behold, an angel touched him and said to him, ‘Arise and eat.’” — 1 Kings 19:5

There are moments when life feels too heavy to carry. Like Elijah under the broom tree, we may find ourselves saying, “I’ve had enough, Lord.” Exhausted, discouraged, and alone, we wonder if we can go any further.

Things could not have been worse for Elijah. All his colleague prophets had been killed and he was the last one - with a promise that he too would be killed that day. He ran away - into the hot wilderness till he could run no more. He could not go back and had no strength left to go further - so he lay down to die. He gave up trying to fight against all the odds against him. 

But even in the wilderness God met him and cared for him, even though Elijah was unaware - in sleep.  This is His story of hope as it is ours- when God meets us in our "wilderness", or our deepest trouble, even when we are unaware that He is at work. 

Elijah didn’t receive a rebuke. He received rest. He didn’t hear a sermon. He felt a touch. God sent an angel—not with grand solutions, but with bread and water. Simple provisions. Quiet care. A reminder that even in despair, we are not forgotten.

This passage reminds us that hope doesn’t always roar. Sometimes, God whispers hope through rest, nourishment, and His gentle presence. 

When we feel like giving up, God invites us to rise—not in our own strength, but in His. He knows our limits. He honors our humanity. And He provides exactly what we need for the journey ahead.

So today, if we are in the "wilderness" ready to give up, lets think and reflect - 

• Where is your wilderness? Name the place where you feel weary, overwhelmed, or alone.

• What provision has God placed before you? It may be rest, a friend’s encouragement, a verse, family, or quiet time. Receive it.

• Pray with honesty and hope: “Lord, I feel tired. I feel stretched. But I thank You that You meet me here. Help me to rest in Your presence and rise in Your strength. Thank You for Your gentle care and faithful provision.”

God doesn’t just call us to mountaintops—He walks with us through valleys. And in the wilderness, He whispers hope. You are not alone. You are not forgotten. You are being restored, one step at a time.

Elijah’s story reminds us that even the strongest among us can feel weary, overwhelmed, and ready to give up. But God does not abandon us in those moments. He comes close. He provides rest. He nourishes us. And He gently calls us to rise again—not in our own strength, but in His.

If you are in a wilderness season, know this: God sees you. He understands your exhaustion. And He is already preparing what you need for the journey ahead. His provision may come quietly—a word of encouragement, a moment of peace, a simple act of kindness—but it is always enough.

So, arise. Eat. Rest. Trust. You are not alone, and this is not the end. The same God who met Elijah under the broom tree is meeting you now—with grace, with strength, and with hope.

This Too Shall Pass

 “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” — Hebrews 13:8

There are moments when the weight of life feels unbearable—when grief, uncertainty, or exhaustion cloud our vision. In those moments, let this truth anchor your soul: this too shall pass.

This heartache, this struggle, this darkness—it is not eternal. But your God is. His love is not seasonal. His presence is not conditional. His promises are not fragile. You are not forgotten in the storm; you are being held.

Hope is not passive. It is active trust in the sovereignty of God. It is choosing to believe that He is working in you and through you, even when the outcome is unclear. It is lifting your eyes from the shifting sands of circumstance to the eternal rock of Christ.

Let the promise of an ending to your trials, combined with the assurance of God’s unchanging love, fill you with courage and peace. Jesus—the Alpha and the Omega—is with you now. He will be with you until this season becomes a testimony, and your pain becomes a platform for His glory.

Reflection and Action

• Name Your Season: What “passing season” are you currently enduring? Speak it aloud. Write it down. Acknowledge the pain, but do not let it define you.

• Anchor in Truth: Meditate on Hebrews 13:8. How does the unchanging nature of Jesus offer comfort in your current situation?

• Pray with Purpose: “Lord, thank You that You are constant. Thank You that this trial is not eternal. Help me fix my eyes on You, the One who never changes. Fill me with peace, even as I wait for this season to pass. Let my life reflect Your glory, even in the waiting.”

Closing Thought

You are not alone. You are not abandoned. You are not stuck. You are being shaped, strengthened, and sustained. And one day soon, this chapter will close—not in despair, but in divine purpose.

Hold on. Hope on. Heaven is writing your story. Always remember the last verses of Psalm 91 - memorize them and recite them silently when you are in doubt. 

“Because he[b] loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him;
    I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
15 He will call on me, and I will answer him;
    I will be with him in trouble,
    I will deliver him and honor him.
16 With long life I will satisfy him
    and show him my salvation.”

Footnotes

Going Beyond Discussion

Knowing God is More Than Just Information

​There is a fundamental question in the Christian Faith: "Do we know God or know about God?" 

This strikes right at the heart of our faith. It's a challenging distinction, yet one that's vital for a deep and meaningful spiritual life. Many of us, with the best intentions, find ourselves caught in the trap of accumulating information about God without ever truly knowing Him personally.

​The Trap of "Knowing About"

​We are diligent students of the faith. We are present in church, our Bibles are open, and our notes are filled with insights from sermons and Bible studies. We can discuss theology, debate doctrine, and confidently share the historical context of scripture. We may even stand up and sing and talk about God and what it's like to be up there with Him. 

​This is all good—even necessary—but it can become a subtle barrier. We can become so focused and involved in knowing about God—His attributes, His plan, His word—that we miss out on knowing God Himself.

​Think of it this way: You can read a biography of a famous historical figure, memorize their achievements, and analyze their letters. You would know a lot about them. But you would never have shared a meal with them, laughed with them, or offered them comfort. You wouldn't know them.

​The problem, is that God wants to be known, not just discussed. He is not an abstract concept to be mastered; He is a living Person who desires a relationship.

​The Call to "Know God"

​God’s call to humanity has always been a call to intimacy. The entirety of scripture points to this:

• ​In the Old Testament, God walked with Adam and Eve in the garden. He spoke face-to-face with Moses, who treasured that personal communion more than all the riches of Egypt. The prophet Jeremiah speaks of a day when people will no longer need to teach their neighbor about the Lord, “for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest” (Jeremiah 31:34).

• ​In the New Testament, Jesus invites us not merely to follow His teachings, but to follow Him, saying, “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me” (John 10:14). His very mission was to reveal the Father so that we could have eternal life, which He defined as knowing the only true God and Jesus Christ whom He sent (John 17:3).

​Knowing God is experiential. It's the difference between reading a travel guide to a city and actually walking its streets, breathing its air, and meeting its people.

​How Do We Move from "About" to "Knowing"?

​The shift is often more about intention and posture than adding new activities to our schedule.

• ​Transform Study into Encounter: When you open your Bible, ask God to reveal Himself, not just a fact. See Bible study less as a research project and more as a divine appointment. The words on the page are the foundation, but the Holy Spirit is the connection.

• ​Move from Discussion to Dialogue (Prayer): Our prayer life should be more than a monologue of requests. True knowing requires listening. Dedicate time in prayer to simply be silent, allowing space for the Holy Spirit to speak to your heart. It’s in that two-way, vulnerable communication that relationship deepens.

• ​Apply Truth, Don't Just Acquire It: The Apostle John wrote, "Whoever claims to know God yet does not keep his commands is a liar" (1 John 2:4). Knowing God is demonstrated by obedience and a life transformed by His character. When you put what you know about Him (His love, His patience, His justice) into practice, you experience and deepen your knowledge of Him.

​Knowing God is the profound journey of faith—a life spent drawing closer to the One who already knows us completely and loves us unconditionally.

​Reflection and Action

• ​When you spend time in Bible reading or prayer, are you primarily seeking information about God or an intimate encounter with Him?

• ​What is one concrete way you can create more space for listening and true dialogue in your prayer time this week?