This Week With Jesus

1 kings 17 verses 13-15 13 Elijah said to her, “Don’t be afraid. Go home and do as you have said. But first make a small loaf of bread for me from what you have and bring it to me, and then make something for yourself and your son. 14 For this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the Lord sends rain on the land.’” 15 She went away and did as Elijah had told her. So there was food every day for Elijah and for the woman and her family. One of the basic principles of Christianity is sharing. During the early days of the disciples recorded in the Acts, the principle of sharing and the activities around it is mentioned in detail. This is especially true when we receive numerous blessings from God, not only in terms of material things but more importantly the blessing of peace offered by Jesus. In the quoted verse the widow shared her last meal. At that point in time she did not know her food supply

Proverbs 19:17 Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will repay him for his deed. ESV 17 Mercy to the needy is a loan to God, and God pays back those loans in full MSG In the quoted verse I believe that the thought is better represented by the word "needy" rather than the word "poor" as it is inclusive and refers to various needs of people. Meeting those needs creates a transformation - From Sadness to hope. Such a transformation creates hope in the hopeless when their mental or physical needs are met. This transformation can happen to anyone and everyone, who asks, as God is the author and the architect. But we too can participate in the transformation helping God with small things.  It could be helping someone buy groceries, share time with someone who maybe lonely. Maybe chat with lonely elders and listen to their stories, which, by the way , are usually very interesting, entertaining and informative. Sometimes all we may need to invest is a

Exodus 7 -12  Miracles are not magic. They are acts of God. So, let's not wonder as we do when we see a magic trick, but understand that God who created everything, manages it all and can use His creation and all the laws that accompany it, to accomplish anything He desires. For years scientists, current and old, have researched the ways of God. Numerous research has gone into the Great Flood of Noah's time. Some try to prove it happened, some try to disprove it. No one tries to research why it happened, to achieve what, they only research the how. The wondrous thing is the creation itself and how it becomes a tool to achieve Gods wishes. Take the miracles that God did to release the Jews from Egypt. The plagues, the angel of death, the parting of the Red sea etc. The wonderous thing is not how it was done but why... why God did it, which was to fulfil His purpose. The purpose was the objective and not the Miracle itself. As to how God uses His creation to do miracles, here is

Luke 15:11-32 Apart from being Gods word, The Bible is a book of wisdom. It is a book of knowledge and teaches us a way, in our professional and personal lives. It teaches us human behavior, human fallibility and Gods reaction to us and what we do. One such scenario is Rebellion. Rebellion is part of human nature, from the time of Adam and Eve. We too rebelled in our youth and our children will also do the same as will their children. As parents or elders, we sometimes take a tough stance and a high road, not remembering our own time. This parable, of the prodigal son, not only teaches us about Gods love for each one of us, but it also teaches us how we should react when we face Rebellion or disappointment from our own children. Like the father in the parable, we have to show patience, resilience, true love and understanding, tethered with God's word, to our children, guiding them and leading them. When they are unfaithful, we need to remain faithful. When they are unloving, we nee

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"Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name".  — Psalm 29:2 Are we Gods' rivals? Do we compete with Him? Unfortunately, throughout the ages man has competed with God by glorifying ourselves in our ego and our belief that we are responsible for all the good in our life. We proudly claim to be "self-made". Sounds familiar? Lucifer too had similar thoughts. He too rivalled God. He led Eve to believe she could be God too! ( “You will not surely die. For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”).   It seems to be inherent in man to try and rival God, even as we read and believe His word and even as we are strongly advised to humble ourselves.  A small example: do we donate to the needy or do we pass it on? Think about it. When God commanded "thou shall have no other Gods before me" - it included us!

  Based on the KJV devotional and Pastor Chuck Swindoll's Insight for Living.  All things are possible to him that believeth. — Mark 9:23 "Many professed Christians are always doubting and fearing, and they forlornly think that this is the necessary state of believers. This is a mistake, for “all things are possible to him that believeth” But I believe, that believing is not enough! Remember Moses?  God works best when we give up. When we lose that last sense of independence, of control and the smallest iota of self dependence.  Let me draw on Pastor Chuck Swindoll now, and see what he has to say about such times -  "Moses felt as low as a slug's belly. Way down there. He still hadn't rid himself of the idea that he was supposed to be the deliverer, and that he was somehow failing. How many times had God explained it to him? Yet, like many of us, he had trouble keeping a grip on the Lord's assurances". Are we not like Moses?  What was Moses to do now? ...