This Week With Jesus

"Examine me, O Lord, and prove me; try my reins and my heart". Psalms 26:2 KJV I remember as a child in school, when we had to take the class test it was scary. there was fear, excitement and hope - hope that somehow I would pass that test and be rewarded by my father and mother with a chocolate. Years later, as a young man in graduation, taking an exam was again filled with trepidation and hope. Hope that I would clear it and move onto to a great future. When God puts us to the test, it can be scary, exciting, confusing, and, sometimes, altogether painful. There is warfare when God exposes something we are not aware of. The enemy comes to deceive us when we try to ignore or refuse to listen to the still small voice of God within us. But, as in childhood tests and exams, there is a hope which can motivate us. That hope is a life where we are mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually free - a life which God provides. Let us therefore, not argue or think to reason with...

I paused last eve beside the blacksmith's door, And heard the anvil ring the vesper chime; And looking in I saw upon the Floor, Old hammers, worn with beating years of time. “How many anvils have you had?” said I, “To wear and batter all these hammers so?” “Just one,” he answered. Then with twinkling eye: “The anvil wears the hammers out, you know.” And so, I thought, the anvil of God’s Word For ages sceptics’ blows have beat upon, But though the noise of falling blows was heard, The anvil is unchanged, the hammers gone. -John Clifford

Let week Pastor Rajiv talked about something called arrow prayers. Arrow prayers are short prayers that only take a few seconds to pray—they are “shot” up to God in a moment. They help to penetrate darkness or fear and direct our thoughts quickly to God, especially when we feel particularly weak, vulnerable, or scared. The devil hates these kinds of prayers because they reveal the faith and hope of the one praying them. Arrow Prayers remind us that prayer doesn’t need to be complicated to be powerful! We see an example of an arrow prayer in verse four of Nehemiah 2. As Nehemiah is walking toward the king, he quickly shoots off an arrow prayer. We don’t know what his prayer was, but it might have sounded like, “God of heaven, give me favor with the king,” or “God of heaven, protect me.” Another example is of Peter as he walks on the water towards Jesus, shifting his eyes from Jesus he starts sinking and cries our - "Lord Save me". Arrow prayers can form a sort of a conversatio...

God is there all the time. We need to look for His hand in all that has taken place in my life, I need to remember all he has done; be aware of times when we have been protected against all reason. We need to remember his "Rod and His stick". That is what will create our faith and keep strengthening it. It is equally important to remember those experiences. A good way to do that maybe to create a "legacy Bible" - A record of our own thoughts and experiences as we go through our daily devotional coupled with our daily experiences.  This is a great reminder not only to us but also a great gift for our children as they too will understand our spiritual journey in this material world. It is also a wonderful way to remember His blessings and answered prayers - ours as well as for others.  A way to ensure we are not like the nine who did not return to thank Jesus. 

Its Monday morning and as everyone gets busy with work at the workplace or at home, we get focused on the week ahead and the various jobs and transactions which are lined up. We get so focused on work we seldom see people or things around us; one is reminded of a popular story about a man who got marooned and prayed and hoped that God would save him. When a ship passed by, he waved it away as did he when a helicopter came. He kept waiting for God to save Him. Eventually he died and went to heaven where he questioned God on why he wasn't saved? God replied, " I sent you a ship and a helicopter, but you refused both. What more did you expect?" This is a far-fetched story, but the point is that sometimes God answers our prayers in unexpected ways and sometimes we have to take action to make things happen. We not only have to ask but also seek and knock. We have to be aware of things around us, so we recognize when God sends an answer.  Today, at the start of the week, is the...

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1 Corinthians 12:14 ESV "For the body does not consist of one member but of many". 1 John 4:7-8 ESV  "Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love". In the quaint town of Willow Creek, nestled amidst rolling hills, lived a solitary old watchmaker named Mr. Silas. He had a small shop on the main street, its windows adorned with intricate clocks, each ticking away with a rhythm that seemed to echo the quiet rhythm of his life. Mr. Silas was known for his meticulous craft, his hands, weathered by time, capable of repairing even the most delicate of mechanisms. Yet, he was often seen alone, his days spent in the quiet hum of his workshop, surrounded by gears and springs. One rainy afternoon, a young girl named Lily wandered into Mr. Silas' shop, her worn-out shoes squeaking on the wooden floor. Lily was new to Willow Creek, and as she expl...

 

We often hear these buzz words - "Trust in God". We hear it sermons and most of all we hear it from well-wishers when we are in some trouble or a possible rock bottom. Its even printed on currency as - "In God we Trust".  It's easy to say; easy to hear; but very difficult to listen and do. Often this line becomes "jargon". So how can we actually develop trust in God? First let's get it clear: Building trust is an ongoing process. It's not overnight and instantaneous. It requires faith, patience, and a willingness to surrender control . It's about believing in His plan and timing, even when life is uncertain. Here are a few things we can do: Get to Know God Every time I read the Bible, I learn something new about God. Charles Spurgeon, a renowned preacher, once said, "Nobody ever outgrows Scripture; the book widens and deepens with our years." This emphasizes the idea that the Bible is an ever-deepening source of wisdom and revelat...

In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Captain Tom Moore, a 99-year-old war veteran, set out to raise funds for the UK's National Health Service by walking 100 laps around his garden. His initial goal was to raise £1,000, but his effort resonated with people worldwide, and he ultimately raised over £32 million. Captain Tom's determination and generosity inspired millions and provided much-needed support to healthcare workers. The Spanish Flue was another large scale disaster. The pandemic, which occurred from 1918 to 1920, was one of the deadliest in history, infecting around 500 million people and claiming at least 50 million lives worldwide. During this time, many nurses stepped up to provide palliative care, despite the high risk of infection. They worked tirelessly to ventilate rooms, administer remedies, and ensure patients were warm, nourished, and hydrated. Their efforts were crucial in alleviating the suffering of those affected by the flu. One notable example is the st...

We thank You, Lord, for Your abundant grace, mercy, and the countless ways You have sustained us. As we embark on the journey ahead, we seek Your guidance and wisdom. May Your light illuminate our path, helping us navigate the challenges and opportunities that lie before us. Grant us the courage to pursue our dreams and the strength to overcome any obstacles we encounter. Fill our hearts with love, kindness, and compassion, so that we may extend these gifts to those around us. Help us to be instruments of Your peace, spreading hope and joy in a world that often needs it. We pray for Your protection over our loved ones and ourselves, keeping us safe and healthy throughout the year. May Your presence be a constant source of comfort and encouragement. We humbly ask for Your mercy and guidance for those in need: For the sick and suffering, may Your healing hand rest upon them, bringing comfort and restoration. For those burdened with worries and anxieties, grant them peace and the assuranc...

The scout's motto in America is "Be Prepared". It is well known that Proper Preparation Prevents Poor Performance. This is also echoed throughout the Bible - Be prepared. "So neither I, nor my brethren, nor my servants, nor the men of the guard which followed me, none of us put off our clothes, saving that everyone put them off for washing". Nehemiah 4:23 KJV Just as Nehemiah and his men were always prepared to defend the walls of Jerusalem, fully armoured, we too need to be prepared with the Armour of God, at all times, to defend ourselves spiritually. I did not take this seriously till I realized mistakes I was making, in my attitude, my behavior and my habits. When I tried to stop them, they kept coming back till I started putting on the Armour one by one. Our shield and weapons are the word of God and our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ! The more we meditate and study the word, the more we can overcome. The the enemy cannot penetrate our minds and hearts. Thi...

Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert. Isaiah 43:19 KJV Sometimes, no matter how hard we think about our situation, there seems to be no way out and no hope. The choice is either giving up, ending things, or letting go. But deep down, you know you are not ready for any of this. Have you been in this situation? Does this resonate with you? Friends, we may run out of options, but God doesn’t! There’s always a way for Him because He is able to make all things possible! Remember, God is not just making a way in the wilderness. He is the Way!  (Based on a KJV Devotional post)

A man used to give a beggar $1000 every month. The man continued in this state for a period of time. One day, he gave the beggar only $750. The beggar was surprised by that, but he said to himself, $750 is better than nothing. He left. After a month, he gave the beggar only $500. The beggar was surprised! He said to the man, “You used to give me $1000, then it decreased and became $750. Now, $500, why?” May I know the reason? The man replied, “In the past, all my children were young and I was well-off, so I would give you $1000. Then my daughter grew up and entered university, and the university expenses were high, so I started giving you $750. Now, my second son entered university, and the expenses increased, so I gave you $500.” The beggar asked him, “How many children do you have?” The man replied, “Four.” The beggar asked, “And will you educate them all at my expense?!” Like the beggar in the story, Sometimes, we consider kindness and goodness of God as our right and not as unearne...

Would you like to live in a crowded house, with people you may not like, who are Loud, abusive and arrogant and maybe bullies? No? Well, neither does Jesus. Philippians 4:8 tells us how to clean out the temple of God - our minds and our bodies.  "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things". The verse is a powerful reminder to keep our faith clear and focused, avoiding the distractions and negativities that can cloud our spiritual journey. Just as we wouldn't want to live in a chaotic and unhealthy environment, we should ensure that our minds and hearts remain pure and centered on Christ. This means intentionally choosing what is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, and praiseworthy, as Philippians 4:8 advises. By doing so, we create a welcoming space for Jesus within us, allowing His ...

Todays' quotes are taken from a book called "God Calling", authored by two ladies called "the listeners" and edited by A.J. Russel. The two ladies seek no praise and choose to remain anonymous. But their claim that their messages came from the living Christ Himself! Whether one chooses to believe or not, what we cannot but realize is that their messages are deep in spiritualty and wisdom and (as A.J. Russel says) spirit led, because the Holy Spirit is not a silent spirit. We also know that if we do take the trouble to quieten our minds and hearts and God will speak to us as well, as He does to many. Not as in an event, but as a day to day conversation - guiding, sharing His peace and encouraging every day.  While we would have liked to tell you more about these ladies, today we will only quote from their book - God Calling -  "Each word or thought of yours can be like a pearl that you drop into the secret place of another heart, and in some hour of need, lo...

As we stand at the threshold of a new year, we pause to reflect on the blessings and lessons of the past. We thank You for Your grace, mercy, and the countless ways You have sustained us. Lord, we ask for Your guidance and wisdom as we embark on the journey ahead. May Your light shine upon our path, illuminating our way and helping us navigate the challenges and opportunities that lie before us. Grant us the courage to pursue our dreams and the strength to overcome any obstacles. Fill our hearts with love, kindness, and compassion, so that we may extend these gifts to those around us. Help us to be instruments of Your peace, spreading hope and joy in a world that often needs it. We pray for Your protection over our loved ones and ourselves, keeping us safe and healthy throughout the year. May Your presence be a constant source of comfort and encouragement. We ask for Your mercy and guidance for those in need: For the sick and suffering, may Your healing hand rest upon them, bringing co...

A wise judge once said, "it is not only necessary for justice to be done, but as importantly, it needs to be seen to be done." Drawing from these wise words, as Christians, it is not only important to follow Christ in letter and spirit, but also to be seen as followers of Christ, in our behavior and our attitudes to fellow men. We ourselves are the biggest witnesses to Christ and we are also our own enemy. We may preach the best of sermons, be most devout in our day-to-day devotions or know the Bible verbatim, but if our language, behavior and attitude does not reflect Christ, it is all in vain. Christ Himself spoke at length about the way we are to behave toward others; friends and enemies. More than that, however, the life He lived, accentuated by His love and compassion for the lost, provides the consummate example of what Christian behavior should look like, enabled by the Holy Spirit. The best barometer is how one reacts or behaves when facing extreme pressure of a threa...

Man does nothing without a reason. President Dieter Uchtdorf once said ... "what we love determines what we seek. What we seek determines what we think and do. What we think and do determines who we are — and who we will become" . He was speaking about how and why we love God. So, the question today is - why do we love God and Jesus? Is the reason temporal or eternal? If eternal, are we really so concerned about life and death after we have died here, a state we cannot see today. Or are we more concerned about the business of life today. Why we love God, Jesus and His Holy Spirit is a very personal question, different for each one of us. An anonymous writer says this- "I was recently asked Why I love God, His only Son and His word? It is quite simple really. Because I am not satisfied with what I have in this world today. I want to be in a world where I can play with a lion, run with the deer, walk where I want without the fear of being hurt. A world where there is no si...

Author Unknown A wise woman who was travelling in the mountains found a precious stone in a stream. The next day she met another traveler who was hungry, and the wise woman opened her bag to share her food. The hungry traveler saw the precious stone and asked the woman to give it to him. She did so without hesitation. The traveler left, rejoicing in his good fortune. He knew the stone was worth enough to give him security for a lifetime. But a few days later he came back to return the stone to the wise woman. when she asked him why he returned the stone, he said, "I've been thinking: I know how valuable the stone is, but I give it back in the hope that you can give me something even more precious. Give me what you have within you that enabled you to give me the stone." In today's circumstances, sometimes it may make more sense and wisdom to give someone in need a skill, a tool or a job, rather than just money. It may have more impact.  Remember: A little boy gave up h...