This Week With Jesus

Yesterday was a stormy day for me. Full of challenges and problems I just could not resolve. My economic condition was close to bankruptcy and my personal life was in shambles. This morning, I got up, lonely, tired and feeling hopeless, staring at certain disaster. So, I took a walk at the seashore near where I live, sat on a bench, my head in my hands and contemplated a ruined life and what it would look like. At first I didn't notice the old man who was also taking a walk though I did see him in the distance, till I felt him sit beside me with a sigh. He must have walked a long way, I guess. After a few minutes of silence, he asked - "enjoying nature, are you? Are you a nature person?" Not being in the mood to strike up a conversation I simply said "no". He says- "yeah, you are young and young people take life for granted and laughed". I said "don't assume things. There are so many young people who love nature and work towards its sustainabi...

Yesterday, Pastor Rajiv talked bout the second letter John sent to the Church at Smyrna where the roman emperor Caesar was worshipped. We heard about when John wrote revelation the worship of the emperor was compulsory, and churches were persecuted because they did not bow down to Caesar and burn incense at the temple dedicated to Caesar. It was called “kaiser curios” which means Caesar is lord. Persecution of Christians was a rampant order of the day. Some were strapped to racks which was a wheel and every time they refused to deny Christ the wheel was turned which stretched every limb to breaking point till, they finally died. Others boiled alive in hot oil.  So, it makes one wonder what good came out of it? When we say or think everything happens for the good, is it a contradiction, because when we read about Smyrna, Job, or even look at the problems that surround us, it does seem that way. And when we think that we cease to really believe in it. So today, as a corollary to ...

  Today Pastor Rajiv continues his series on the church that is and the church that should be from the seven letters that Jesus Christ dictated to the apostle John addressing seven churches of that day. Today Pastor Rajiv talks about the second letter, addressed to the Church at Smyrna and what we can learn from it.

Psalms 91:14 " Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name". Psalms 3:5 " I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the LORD sustained me" . Today Francis Taylor asks a question we should always by asking ourselves - "Where and how has God made Himself abundantly present in your life? It's an interesting question! First, you need to realize that God IS present in your life. Then you need to look for him. As I was thinking about this, I remembered the movie White Christmas and the wonderful song "Count Your Blessings." What were your blessings today? Do you have your health? Did you have a nice meal? Did you find that perfect gift, or make all the lights? Do you have people in your life who love you? What are your blessings? I count my friends, my family, my home, my job. I could go on, but you get the idea. There are also significant moments – the birth of a child, recover...