Heal and Restore

"We live in a broken world". 

These are words which we often read or hear and which reflect the fact that a majority of humans are either disappointed in life or broken hearted or simply down and out. They do not experience peace And that is exactly what Christians are mandated to do. Not condemn but to heal and restore. As Jasmin Patterson says we need to stop acting like critics and start acting like intercessors.

In fact, It is our bounden duty towards fellow humans, mandated by God and enabled by Jesus Christ. Gods restoring power is one of the greatest promises from Scripture and something we can carry to everyone.

Ms Patterson also refers to Ezekial story. How we can partner with God to heal the broken. Do our part to sow seeds of life, hope and transformation however we can with our resources, relationships and sphere of influence.

Like Sarah, if God has made us laugh, we need to make people around us laugh too.

And Sarah said, God hath made me to laugh, so that all that hear will laugh with me. — Genesis 21:6

Similarly if we are healed, we can bring healing. We can be thier change through prayer and support.

Often we look at needs and say “someone should do something about that. Well today you and I can do something: pray. Interceded. And if there is something more we are enabled to do then do it.

In a classic western movie, I remember a dialogue by a cowboy, "if you want to shoot then shoot. Don't talk." So, if we want to do something about the problems and brokenness of this world then do it. Let's not simply talk.

86,400 Seconds

                                            

Man lives his or her life in moments, not in years, though we do celebrate birthdays. In actuality, life is lived in moments. We often miss fully living in the present moment because we are so busy rehashing the past or rehearsing the future. 

Our days are numbered as is our breadth. We could be happily alive one moment, and moved on the next, leaving our near and dear ones, our riches and all our material glory behind. The material outcome of each one of us is the same: ashes and dust and onto eternal life minus all we have known. Meanwhile I can either strike off the day or moments I have lived or add each day of my life to my treasure of days lived (Robert Brault).

Therefore, each moment of life is to be celebrated; with joyous gratitude and celebrating those moments with sharing a piece of ourselves. William Arthur Ward pointed this out and famously said

"God gave you a gift of 86,400 seconds today. Have you used one to say 'thank you'?"

Keep in mind the old saying. “Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is God’s gift, and that’s why we call it the present.”

Does God have a sense of humor?

Good question, but the answer depends very much on the definition of humor. Perhaps the best indication that God does have a sense of humor is that He created man in His image (Genesis 1:27), and certainly people are able to perceive and express humor. 

The American Heritage Dictionary defines a “sense of humor” as “...The ability to perceive, enjoy, or express what is comical or funny.” According to this definition, then, God must show an ability to perceive, enjoy, or express what is comical. The difficulty is that people perceive what is comical differently, and what sinful man perceives as funny would not amuse a holy and perfect God. Much of what the world calls humor is not funny but is crass and crude. Our humor is expressed at the expense of others (tearing down rather than building up), again something contrary to God’s Word.
To understands Gods sense of humor let us look at His word - the Bible and its historical narratives.
Here we find a humorous side in many, many situations. Imagine Jonah being brought back when he was running away. Or remember Balam and Balak? While Balak is surely drawn as a caricature of a monarch, their ridiculous stance is increasingly absurd with each stupidly unresponsive reaction.
Going further, what about the satire of Jotham in his story about the trees? Though in that day, as in every subsequent age, there was no room for a satirist in the kingdom of an incompetent ruler.
What about Elijah's ridicule of "the priests of Baal who wailed and slashed themselves in the hope that Baal would send fire from Heaven. "Shout louder!...Perhaps he is deep in thought, or busy, or traveling; or perhaps he is asleep and must be awakened!" (1 Kings 18:27). Infact, an Indian person can surely understand the sarcasm in the answer "I am who I am" which is actually a retort when translated into Hindi.
In the NT think about when Rhoda finds Peter at her door, she gets so excited she forgets to open the door!
Hyers says "Jesus freely used humor, irony and satire" and offers the examples of "the blind leading the blind; straining out a gnat, then swallowing a camel; meticulously cleaning the outside of a cup while leaving the inside filthy; maintaining whitewashed tombs that are outwardly beautiful but inwardly full of dead men's bones; loudly honoring past prophets while plotting to kill present ones who preach the same message."  These are examples of what Whedbee describes as "Jesus as the cynic sage."
The Bible has inspired a multitude of art and fiction in many genres, including humor and comedy. William Shakespeare's comedy The Merchant of Venice includes elements from the Book of Daniel. Biblical references can be seen in films with Charlie Chaplin and Laurel and Hardy. Modern examples include Monty Python's Life of Brian, and sketches by Rowan Atkinson.
But what I find most funny is the thought of weak and silly man trying to match wits with an almighty and all-knowing God; it is comical, and I can just picture God smiling indulgently as He watches our feeble attempts.

Never Abandoned

Rabindranath Tagore, an Indian poet, writer and composer of the Indian National Anthem said -
"Every child comes with the message that God is not yet discouraged of man"

It is inevitable that at some point in our life we face being left alone. By parents, by a spouse, friends and family. The reasons could be one of many - most common being death. As an adult, the pain and sense of abandonment can be overwhelming as can be insecurity and hopelessness. 

Yet two things come to mind in such a situation. Two verses which can rebuild hope and life.

John 15:16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.

King James Version

And then you have Isiaah 40:31 But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

These two verses give me hope that we are never abandoned. The first verse tells me that God chose me and if He chose me, He will never abandon me. God is not illogical. He made me intricately, scientifically, in a way we are still trying to understand. He took great pains to create me to fulfil a purpose or plan. Therefore, He will make sure that He takes care of me, using whatever means or whichever people.

These verses give a lot of hope, confidence and security provided that we fulfil a condition in the second verse - "waiting on the Lord". Essentially it means that we Acknowledge God's sovereign control of all things, come to terms with our dependence upon God and Seek spiritual strength from the Him.

Because of the first quoted verse, we know that God delights in each one of us, whatever we do or say. Jesus is not only our hope, but He is also God's hope, that through Him, we find our way back to Him and live under His shadow. Our trials are the road back to Him not to abandonment.

Today, if you are facing some loss, rejection and going through a sense of abandonment, pick up the Word and get to know who you are and who is your father in heaven. A quick reminder is this verse in Isiaah 41:10

"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand".

Quotable Quotes: A God Lead Life

                                      

Sometimes, simple quotes from people can be more effective than the longest or best of sermons. A couple of lines can leave a lasting impact, simplifying some of the most complicated messages. Today we bring you some quotes around the theme - A God Lead Life

1. Coincidence is Gods way of remaining Anonymous - Albert Einstein . (For all those who believe in coincidences),

2. Sir, my concern is not whether God is on our side; my greatest concern is whether I am on Gods side, for God is always right. - Abraham Lincoln.

3. Life is Gods novel. Let Him write it - Isaac Singer

4. We need to find God, and he cannot be found in noise and restlessness. God is the friend of silence. See how nature - trees, flowers, grass- grows in silence; see the stars, the moon and the sun, how they move in silence... We need silence to be able to touch souls. - Mother Teresa

5. There are two kinds of people: those who say to God, 'Thy will be done,' and those to whom God says, 'All right, then, have it your way.' - C. S. Lewis

6. God has entrusted me with myself - Epictetus

7. God has given us two hands - one to receive and the other to give - Billy Graham.

8. The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quiet, alone with the heavens, nature and God. Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be - Anne Frank

9. Our heavenly Father understands our disappointment, suffering, pain, fear, and doubt. He is always there to encourage our hearts and help us understand that He's sufficient for all of our needs. When I accepted this as an absolute truth in my life, I found that my worrying stopped - Charles Stanley

10. Start living now. Stop saving the good china for that special occasion. Stop withholding your love until that special person materializes. Every day you are alive is a special occasion. Every minute, every breath, is a gift from God - Mary Manin Morrissey