My Dear Brothers and Sisters, I greet and bless everyone in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. The blessed word that God has given for you today is from the book of Genesis 32:26, “The Angel of God said, Let Me go for the day breaks. But Jacob said, I will not let you go, unless You bless me.”
Dear Brothers and Sisters, from the above passage we learn that the Angel of God by an admirable condescension speaks to Jacob, “ Let Me go for the day breaks.” But Jacob was reluctant, to leave the Angel of God. He resolves he will have a blessing even though all his bones are put out of joint, than allow the Angel to leave him without a blessing. Having been left alone he spread his fears before God in Prayer, for prayer is indeed wrestling with God. Nothing requires more vigour and unceasing exertion than wrestling because it is an emblem of the true spirit of faith and prayer. Jacob kept his ground, though the struggle continued long. This did not shake his faith or silence his prayer. So he prevailed and was blessed. Jacob relied on God for his sustenance.
My Dear Brothers and Sisters, Jacob went to his uncle’s place with empty hand and a staff. The only blessing he had while he went to his uncle’s place was the blessing of His parents. But now God had blessed him with many children, servants, cattle, and much wealth. So he decided to leave his uncle and return back to Canaan his Father’s place. He wanted to go back and settle there with his wives and children. The Bible says, He returned with two companies. God had blessed him abundantly. But he feared to enter into His Fathers place, because he feared his elder brother Esau, who had earlier planned to kill Jacob for grabbing all the Blessing’s from his father Isaac. There was a family enmity that continued for over a period of time. Being very tired all the servants and his wives and children were fast asleep. But Jacob could not sleep. He was filled with fear, while returning home to see his Father. He was gripped with fear. He was afraid of facing the consequences awaiting him in his homeland. He was alone by the river side of Jabbok. And he cried out to God in deep distress that God should help him, from the hands of his elder brother. For he was afraid that he and his entire family, his wife and children, his servants would be destroyed.
During this critical time God came to meet him as the Angel of God. And Jacob struggled with him and prevailed. God blessed Jacob as He had promised him, while he was on his way to his uncle’s place. The very same night God changed the heart of his brother Esau, and he came to meet Jacob on his way to Canaan. Esau embraced Jacob and kissed him and a peace treaty was made between the brothers after many long years. Thus God changed the situation in favour of Jacob his beloved. Though the night was agonious, God granted him a peaceful morning.
My Dear Brothers and Sisters, today as you are reading this message with much grief and sorrow, God Himself comes down to join with you in your problems. Share your difficulties with God. Often you share your sorrows with others who cannot help you in any way. But you never understand that there is a God beside you who can help you from all your troubles. You don’t realize to seek God at times of trouble. Learn to share your problems with God, He will solve all your problems in an amicable manner and set you free. May be you youngsters, cannot share your problems with your own parents but when you share with God however big your problem might seem to be God will counsel and solve all your problems. Start sharing with God. Make Him the Lord and Master of your life. He will bless you as He blessed Jacob, and change the worst situation in favour of you. God bless you.
Prayer: Our loving heavenly Father, we thank You for this blessed day. Thank You for teaching us the importance of Prayer. May we look up to God when we are in trouble? Teach us not to share our problems with others who cannot help us. Make us to understand that we need to put our confidence in God rather than man.
In Jesus name we pray.
Amen.
I greet and bless everyone in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. The blessed word that God has given for you today, is from the book of Luke 19:10, “For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”
Jesus was on the way to Jericho, and there he healed a blind man. This was a proof that he was the Messiah. The incident with Zacchaeus happens in Jericho as Jesus was passing through. The healing of the blind man spread quickly so that the crowd began to gather as Jesus passed through the city of Jericho.
Those who sincerely desire a sight of Christ like Zacchaeus, will break through opposition and take pains to see Him. And Christ invited Himself to Zacchaeus house. Wherever Christ comes he opens the heart and inclines it to receive Him. He that has a mind to know Christ shall be known of Him. And those whom Christ calls must humble themselves and come down.
Zacchaeus gave proof publically that he had become a true convert. He does not look to be justified by his works like the Pharisee, but by his good works, he shows the sincerity of his faith and repentance. Zacchaeus is declared to be a happy man. He had turned from sin to God. Now that he is saved from his sins, from the guilt of them, from the power of them, he is entitled to receive all the benefits of Salvation. Christ had come to his house, and where Christ comes he brings salvation with Him.
Zacchaeus did not expect that he would be entertaining the Son Of God in his own house. As a rich important and chief tax collector he was an individual who was hated by the Jews and despised by the Romans. For they considered him to be a swindler or a thief. But Jesus did not ignore him or condemn him. He took time to come to him, to call him, and open up for him a new path of salvation. For Jesus had come to seek and to save that which was lost. No doubt God had been preparing the heart of this wealthy yet detested tax collector. For God is able to discern the motives of every man. And this meeting with Christ brought a sinner to repentance.
Have you received the salvation of God. If not seek Him and He will be found by you. If you reject Him then He will also reject you and it will be too late to be saved. Because salvation comes from God by grace through faith. And because you have not received salvation you would have incurred great loss in your life. God wants you to get back all that you have lost in your life. Make God the portion of your life. Say Lord “I am Yours and You are mine. Nothing shall separate me from the Love of God.” If you truly make this commitment, God will save you from the mouth of the grave, and the gate of hell shall not prevail you. God bless you.
Prayer: Our loving heavenly Father, we thank you for this blessed day. Heavenly Father thank you, that you came to seek and to save a lost sinner like me, and for the amazing love and grace you have bestowed upon me. Thank you for forgiving my sins, for bringing salvation into my heart and for making it Your dwelling place. Keep me humble and meek. May I be used for your glory in all that I say and do.
In Jesus name we pray.
Amen.
I greet and bless everyone in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. The blessed word that God has given for you today, is from the book of 1 Chronicles 28:9, “If you seek Him , He will be found by you. But if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever.”
From the above context we understand that it is very necessary to seek the Lord and His righteousness. If not the Lord will reject us forever. Here King David speaks to the assembly of Israel; The king told the members in the assembly that it was his desire to build a house of rest for the ark of the covenant of the Lord. But God had instructed him clearly that his son, Solomon should build the temple. Moreover he said that God had chosen his son Solomon to sit on the throne of the kingdom of the Lord over Israel.
The Lord said to David, “It is your son Solomon who shall build My House and My Courts, for I have chosen him to be My son, and I will be His Father. Moreover I will establish his kingdom forever if he is steadfast, to observe My commandments.” So David was very concerned about his son Solomon. Through the above reference David reminds his son Solomon, to be careful to observe the commandments of God. He reminds his son, about the greatness of God. Though he was the king of Israel he never forgot his small beginnings. He remembers his lowly position. He never forgets that God took him up from the sheepfold, from following the sheep to be the ruler over God’ chosen people.
Therefore having recollected his past life and how God had lifted him to the level of a great king and how the Lord had magnified him, he cautions his son Solomon, to seek the Lord with all of his heart. He said to him “If you seek Him, He will be found by you. But if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever.” He not only advises him to seek the Lord but also admonishes him to seek God’s favour, wisdom, and good understanding to rule over his people wisely. Thus we see David as a good father to his son. And since Solomon obeyed David God blessed him with wisdom and wealth.
Are you willing to seek the Lord with all of your heart? Are you refusing to accept Him as the Lord of your life? Think well . For if you neglect God then you will be at a loss. Your life will come to an end. As long as you have God with you then you will be successful. Once you leave Him, He will neglect you also. Having God with you is the greatest power of life. Alone with God you can achieve marvellous things in life. You will be the winner and not the victim nor the loser. David proved himself great while he boldly fought against Goliath single handed because the Lord was with Him. Is the Lord with you? If not make Him your friend, the lover of your soul. Have an intimate relationship with God from the moment you read this message, never postpone to possess Him, inside your heart. He will bring healing to you. He will bring victory to you. He is an Honest God whom you can trust. Men make promises but fail to keep it. But God is unchanging . He says “For I am the Lord, “’ I do not change.”God bless you.
Prayer: Our loving heavenly Father, we thank You for this blessed day. Lord we thank You for your servant David who was a man after your own heart. Help us to be like him. . Be with us Lord, as you were with David, and make us victorious in life. Teach us to seek after you and your precepts and never to reject You or hurt Your feelings in any way. May we set our mind on things above and not on the things of the Earth. Let Christ reign our hearts.
In Jesus name we pray.
Amen.
My Dear Brothers and Sisters, I greet and bless everyone in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. The blessed word that God has given for you today, is from the book of Psalms 92:12, “The Righteous Shall flourish like a Palm tree. He shall grow like a Cedar in Lebanon.”
My Dear Brothers and Sisters from the above context we understand the beauty, the erectness, the stateliness and the growth of the palm tree. All this is the symbol of the prosperity, and the happiness of a righteous man. The Palm tree is constantly green and flourishing, spreads its branches very wide and grows to a vast size. The tree affords refreshing shade to travellers. It also produces dates a very sweet luscious kind of fruit. It is a most beautiful tree. And in every way, an invaluable treasure to the inhabitants of those hot countries. And hence it is considered as a fit symbol of the flourishing state of a righteous man.
My Dear Brothers and Sisters, The Bible says, the righteous grow like a Cedar, in Lebanon. They are immensely large, Some of them are nearly 35 to 40 feet tall. They flourish for ages. And are always, green. When cut down they yield a most beautiful, kind of wood, brown in colour, solid, durable, and in some sort incorruptible. The Cedars as well as the palm trees when compared to the short lived and withering grass are a striking illustration of the well founded durable, and continually increasing virtue and happiness of the truly righteous in opposition to the momentary, trifling and perpetually decaying prosperity of the wicked.
My Dear Brothers and Sisters, The Cedar is a noble and long lived tree. The Bible says, As the days of a tree, are the days, of my people. Just as the Cedar waves its mighty branches in perpetual verdure over the mountains, the truly godly man under all adversities retains the joy of his soul and continues to make progress in the divine life. Though the grass makes hay for the oxen the Cedars help in building the temple of the Lord. The palm trees too were planted within the very house of the Lord, and their presence there was ornamental, appropriate and highly suggestive. They were best emblem of the righteous, a fat, and flourishing old age – a peaceful end – a glorious immortality.
My Dear Brothers and Sisters, God sometimes grants prosperity to wicked men in displeasure. Yet they flourish but for a moment. Hence let us seek for ourselves the salvation and grace of the Gospel. Let us be anointed by the Holy Spirit, and share the Redeemer’s glory. It is from his grace, by his word and Spirit, that believers receive all the virtue, that keeps them alive. And makes them fruitful. The text tells us not only what the righteous is but what he shall be, come what may. The good man shall flourish and flourish in the noblest manner. May the Lord help you also to be righteous and walk worthy of the Lord God.
Prayer: Our loving heavenly Father, we thank You for this blessed day. Dear Lord, help us to grow in the Lord daily like the trees that brings forth fruit in its season. Lord let our days be like the trees that live long. Teach us to enjoy peace and grow fat like stall fed calves. Make our lives a blessing to others.
In Jesus name we pray.
Amen.
My Dear Brothers and Sisters, I greet and bless everyone in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. The blessed word that God has given for you today, is from the book of Psalm 86-7 , “ In the day of trouble I will call upon You. And You will Answer me.”
My Dear Brothers and Sisters, When poverty and wretchedness is felt by us then we plead to God for His mercy. The best thing to do is to commit ourselves to God’s keeping. You are one whom God have set apart for Himself and has made you partaker of your sanctifying grace. It is a great encouragement to prayer life. You have learnt to trust in Him. We may expect comfort from God, when we keep up our communion with God. A man who makes God his refuge will feel assured that God will interrupt and save him from all his troubles. He had firm confidence in God at all times, an unwavering belief that God is a hearer of prayers.
My Dear Brothers and Sisters, from the above passage we see how God answers anyone who called on His Name. It is useless to cry to those who cannot or will not hear. But Jehovah the living God really does help to those who call upon Him. The above passage reveals that David believed the Lord to be a living and potent God and indeed to be God alone and hence he resolved in every hour of trouble to call upon Him. There was one such blind man called Bartimaeus, who believed in Jesus. He heard that Jesus and His disciples were coming to Jericho. And a great multitude followed him. Bartimaeus sat by the roadside begging and when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus son of David, have mercy on me.” Many warned him to be quiet but he cried out all the more. Jesus son of David, have mercy on me.”
My Dear Brothers and Sisters , Hearing his loud cry Jesus knew that the blind man was badly in need of help, So Jesus stood still and commanded his disciples to bring the blind beggar up to Him. So the disciples said to him, “Rise, He is calling You.” And throwing aside his garments he rose and came to Jesus.”Jesus asked him, what do you want Me to do for you? The blind man said, to him, “Rabboni help me receive my sight.” Then Jesus said, to him, “Go your way, your faith has made you well.” And immediately he received his sight.” He did not ask Jesus for money. But he asked for his sight, so that he might work hard and make his living. He did not want to beg anymore. Thus God heard his cry and performed a miracle for him and delivered him from his bondage.
My dear Brothers and Sisters, what trouble do you have today? What problem are you facing at the moment? Are you going through depression? Or is it financial difficulty? Is there some kind of disease in your body? Have you some sort of fear about the future of your children? Are you scared that the debtor will catch hold of your neck for not paying your dues? Is there a boil in your body and you are worried that it might be cancer. Call unto Jesus, He will help you overcome your problems. All those who called on his name, “Jesus” He has never let go of them. He never disappointed them either. So call upon His name. And He will solve all your problems. He is able to do exceedingly, abundantly above all that we ask or think. He is able to save to the utmost. He is able to save to the uttermost, those who come to God, through Him. Call on His name He will answer you. God bless you.
Prayer: Our loving heavenly Father, we thank You for this blessed day. Lord teach us to have faith in You like the blind man. Help us to cry out to God in times of distress and not approach others, who cannot be of any help. Make us to rely on You for all our need. Lord open a way where there seems to be no way. Lord be merciful to us and help us in our daily walk of life so that we may not lack any good thing.
In Jesus name we pray.
Amen.
