tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10148118203146350142024-03-13T22:13:07.922-07:00BlessingsDr. Johnson Cherianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12175238859599391961noreply@blogger.comBlogger115125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1014811820314635014.post-100722045493942562009-02-15T02:19:00.000-08:002009-02-15T02:21:08.646-08:00Blessing 115- Job 9:27, 28If I say, 'I will forget my complaint, I will change my expression, and smile,' I still dread all my sufferings, for I know you will not hold me innocent. (Job 9:27, 28) <br /><br />Job wanted to desperately smile despite his misery, yet he knew that it was not going to be a "smile because of true joy" but a "smile that momentarily hid his pain" <br /><br />Interestingly, behind many a smile hides many sorrows. You experience it at some time or the other in this life that we live on earth. <br />Job had tried to prove himself innocent before God. He had no lawyer, so he argued his case with his friends and with the Almighty. <br />It didn't seem to be working though. <br /><br />It is easy figuring things out when all is going well for the believer. Then comes a time when things go wrong and you can't figure out anything. There will be no dearth of advice though, yet nothing will work till God holds out the golden sceptre. <br /><br />Job finally was set free from his misery not because of his arguments, but because God's time of deliverance had arrived. <br /><br />What's the time now? Too late you may say, as Mary and Martha said when Jesus came to Bethany to raise up Lazarus. Hang on..Just hang on..Deliverance may just be around the corner, so hang on to the faith that you have left, even though it may be as fragile as a single strand of thread. Don't give up. Jesus loves you.Dr. Johnson Cherianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12175238859599391961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1014811820314635014.post-54559857183424614942009-02-15T02:18:00.001-08:002009-02-15T02:18:45.858-08:00Blessing 114- Job 42:2"I know that You can do all things, And that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted. (Job 42:2) <br /><br />Job here has finally realized that whatever God decides to do, he brings it into being. No one can thwart what he purposes to do. That means whatever he has decided for you as a child of God, he will bring it to fulfillment. no one can thwart what he has purposed for you. As a New Testament believer, you must remember what Jesus has said regarding you; you, who has believed that Jesus is your Good Shepherd. <br />Jesus said, <br />"......I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. (John 10:10) <br />' <br />That's the plan and purpose that God has regarding you. But how can one have an "abundant life" in the midst of such terrible problems that plague our world? Quite an "enigma". Yet if we lean on the Lord for all the small and big things of our life, we can surely experience this "abundant life" that Jesus is talking about. That's why in the same chapter Jesus said, '"I am the good shepherd, and I know My own and My own know Me, (John 10:14) and also <br />"My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; (John 10:27) <br /><br />Jesus, here is talking about a personal relationship where his sheep hear his voice. This is not a one time experience but a life long relationship. If we are willing to enter into such an relationship, only then we can experience the "abundant life" that Jesus spoke of. <br /><br />His plans for you are concrete and they are for your blessing; to give you a hope and a future. God bless.Dr. Johnson Cherianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12175238859599391961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1014811820314635014.post-42247477996299093922009-02-15T02:17:00.001-08:002009-02-15T02:17:30.081-08:00Blessing 113- Jeremiah 30:17But I will restore you to health and heal your wounds,' declares the LORD, 'because you are called an outcast, Zion for whom no one cares.' (Jeremiah 30:17) <br /><br />A great promise of restoration to a people who were suffering at the hands of the enemy. God's own people were now being called "an outcast." It was like no one cared for them. Everyone seemed to have forsaken them and they were feeling very low. <br /><br />As Gideon, one of the men whom God chose to be a judge of Israel once asked: <br />"But sir," Gideon replied, "if the Lord is with us, why has all this happened to us? Where are all his wonders that our fathers told us about when they said, 'Did not the Lord bring us up out of Egypt?' But now the Lord has abandoned us and put us into the hand of Midian." (Judges 6:13) <br /><br />Israelites had sinned and so God had given them into the hands of the enemy then. But sometimes we may not find any explanation to the sufferings that we go through. <br /><br />"Why God lets us suffer even when we are sure that we are not doing anything wrong" is a question that haunts many believers. <br /><br />Not everything is explainable, but the promises of God are for us in times of suffering and finally he will grant the deliverance that we are so eager to have. The Bible says, <br />And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. (1 Peter 5:10) <br /><br />Restoration is guarenteed, so hold fast to his promises. God bless.Dr. Johnson Cherianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12175238859599391961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1014811820314635014.post-30955469271311687572009-02-15T02:13:00.000-08:002009-02-15T02:15:57.039-08:00Blessing 112- 2 Chronicles 16:9For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him......." (2 Chronicles 16:9) <br /><br />Hearts fully committed to the Lord are hard to find, but such have a special blessing from the Lord. He is always there to strengthen them in times of trouble and distress. <br /><br />The Psalmist says: <br />But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love. (Psalm 33:18)<br />Again in Psalm 34, we read, <br />The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their cry. (Psalm 34:15) <br /><br />Committment is difficult but it pays dividends. Athletes who win top spots really put in a lot of hard work to achieve success. <br /><br />The Apostle Paul referring to this writes: <br />No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs - he wants to please his commanding officer. Similarly, if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor's crown unless he competes according to the rules. (2 Timothy 2:4,5) <br /><br />Writing to the church at Corinth, Paul again says, <br />Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. (1 Corinthians 9:25) <br /><br />That's what all of us believers are hoping for! Aren't we? A crown that will last for ever. <br /><br />And a crown that will last forever is what we will receive--that is--if our hearts are committed to the Lord. Praise the Lord.Dr. Johnson Cherianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12175238859599391961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1014811820314635014.post-69093195941008885782009-02-15T02:12:00.000-08:002009-02-15T02:13:35.617-08:00Blessing 111- Genesis 46:29,30Joseph had his chariot made ready and went to Goshen to meet his father Israel. As soon as Joseph appeared before him, he threw his arms around his father and wept for a long time. Israel said to Joseph, "Now I am ready to die, since I have seen for myself that you are still alive." (Genesis 46:29,30) <br /><br />What a day it must have been for Jacob! Unbelievable, to say the least. The events that transpired must have confused him a lot as he travelled to Egypt to see his long lost son. But the voice of the Lord strengthened him. <br />"I am God, the God of your father," he said. "Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make you into a great nation there. I will go down to Egypt with you, and I will surely bring you back again. And Joseph's own hand will close your eyes." (Genesis 46:3,4) <br /><br />How wonderful it is when the Lord comforts us and strengthens us with his words. Notable are the words: "I will go down to Egypt with you, and I will surely bring you back again." <br /><br />Jacob, now old and tired of all that he had faced in his life needed God's affirmation of his presence with him and that is exactly what God did. <br /><br />In verse 30 above, we read Jacob telling Joseph: "Now I am ready to die, since I have seen for myself that you are still alive." <br /><br />The Bible says, <br />Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life. (Proverbs 13:12) <br /><br />That's exactly what Jacob had experienced in his life. Now he was content after a long, long wait. <br />Are you waiting for something to happen? Something that you greatly desire, but not yet received? Take heart. The Lord will fulfill your desire as he fulfilled Jacob's. God bless.Dr. Johnson Cherianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12175238859599391961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1014811820314635014.post-43467141836537670172009-02-15T02:10:00.000-08:002009-02-15T02:12:19.553-08:00Blessing 110- 2 Chronicles 18:29-33The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, "I will enter the battle in disguise, but you wear your royal robes." So the king of Israel disguised himself and went into battle. Now the king of Aram had ordered his chariot commanders, "Do not fight with anyone, small or great, except the king of Israel." When the chariot commanders saw Jehoshaphat, they thought, "This is the king of Israel." So they turned to attack him, but Jehoshaphat cried out, and the LORD helped him. God drew them away from him, for when the chariot commanders saw that he was not the king of Israel, they stopped pursuing him. But someone drew his bow at random and hit the king of Israel between the sections of his armor. The king told the chariot driver, "Wheel around and get me out of the fighting. I've been wounded." (2 Chronicles 18:29-33) <br /><br />Jehoshapat, the king of Judah, who was God fearing made an unholy alliance with Ahab, the wicked king of Israel. This almost killed him, but for the mercy of the Lord. The Lord drew the enemy away from him and he was saved. But look what happened to the wicked king who devised the plan to save himself in war by making Jehoshapat look like the king that the enemy were after. The Bible says, "someone drew his bow at random and hit the king of Israel between the sections of his armor" <br /><br />It was not just something that happened by chance. It was God's judgement on the wicked king. <br /><br />Are you in an unholy alliance? It may lead to your downfall. Cry to the Lord for mercy and he will save you as he saved Jehoshapat. <br /><br />The Bible is very clear regarding unholy alliances. the Apostle Paul writing to the Corinthians says, <br />"Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? What harmony is there between Christ and Belial ? What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: "I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people." "Therefore come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you." "I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty." (2 Corinthians 6:14-18) <br /><br />Being yoked together with unbelievers, wickedness, darkness, Belial, Idols... all these are definite danger signals for the believer. Check your life this day. Keep youself clean. God bless.Dr. Johnson Cherianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12175238859599391961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1014811820314635014.post-11291480452484693182009-02-15T02:09:00.001-08:002009-02-15T02:09:54.097-08:00Blessing 109- Ezra 1:1, 2In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, in order to fulfill the word of the LORD spoken by Jeremiah, the LORD moved the heart of Cyrus king of Persia to make a proclamation throughout his realm and to put it in writing: "This is what Cyrus king of Persia says: "'The LORD, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth and he has appointed me to build a temple for him at Jerusalem in Judah. (Ezra 1:1, 2) <br /><br />Then the family heads of Judah and Benjamin, and the priests and Levites - everyone whose heart God had moved - prepared to go up and build the house of the LORD in Jerusalem. (Ezra 1:5) <br /><br />From these verses, we can learn of a very important fact- The Lord moves hearts. He does it so that his plans and purposes are brought into fulfillment. After Solomon's temple had been destroyed and the Israelites had gone into captivity for 70 years, we see God moving the heart of Cyrus king of Persia to send the Israelites back to their land and give them permission to build the temple at Jerusalem. <br /><br />God is soveriegn and he can move the hearts of men to act favourably towards his children. He can devise circumstances in ways that tend to bring about deliverance for his children. <br /><br />The Lord gave Pharoah dreams which finally led to the exaltation of Joseph. The Lord is righteous and he won't sit idle when he sees ruthless and wicked men trouble his children. Sometimes he forces them to set free his children as he did in the case of the Pharoah and the Israelites who were in bondage for 430 years. <br /><br />Are you suffering because of you being subordinate to others, whether that be in your workplace or in the ministry? Take heart this day. The Lord is going to move the hearts of men these coming days and they are going to speak in your favor. They will set you free because God is going to bring such circumstances in their lives that they will be forced to set you free. Do you believe this? <br /><br />Remember what the Lord Jesus told Martha, <br />"Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?" (John 11:40) <br /><br />Believe in the Lord's words. He's going to set you free. God bless.Dr. Johnson Cherianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12175238859599391961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1014811820314635014.post-59367193838590816052009-02-15T02:08:00.001-08:002009-02-15T02:08:49.824-08:00Blessing 108- Job 12:4I have become a laughingstock to my friends, though I called upon God and he answered - a mere laughingstock, though righteous and blameless! (Job 12:4) <br /><br />When God's answer to our prayer is delayed, this is how some of our friends and relatives treat us. Perhaps some of them may not be calling upon God even half of what we do and the situation is often baffling to us as it was to Job. <br /><br />Job was in great distress and this is what the Bible says about his friends: <br /><br />When Job's three friends, Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite, heard about all the troubles that had come upon him, they set out from their homes and met together by agreement to go and sympathize with him and comfort him. When they saw him from a distance, they could hardly recognize him; they began to weep aloud, and they tore their robes and sprinkled dust on their heads. Then they sat on the ground with him for seven days and seven nights. No one said a word to him, because they saw how great his suffering was. (Job 2:11-13) <br /><br />Their intentions and grief seemed to be genuine & sincere for 1 week, but when they opened their mouths, it was accusation and judgement that they proclaimed upon Job. <br /><br />Sometimes one gets fed up of listening to "It's all your fault", "It's all your fault" all the time. So what's to be done?? <br /><br />The prophet Jeremiah writes, <br />I say to myself, "The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him." <br />The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD. (Lamentations 3:24-26) <br /><br />Jesus is righteous and He will bring deliverance to you at the right time putting all those who falsely accused you to shame. Trust in Him. He's a wonderful Savior. God bless.Dr. Johnson Cherianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12175238859599391961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1014811820314635014.post-4611777165989411412009-02-15T02:06:00.000-08:002009-02-15T02:07:37.495-08:00Blessing 107- Romans 8:11And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you. (Romans 8:11) <br /><br />This is a great promise that the Bible gives to every believer. The promise of being resurrected. The word "resurrection" is found 40 times in the New Testament and it has great significance in relation to the Christian belief. The Apostle Paul says, <br />"But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith." (1 Corinthians 15:12-14) <br /><br />There are many christians who do not believe in the resurrection. They are like the Saduccees of old, who did not believe in it either. But the Bible is very emphatic regarding this and talks of the "resurrection of life" and the "resurrection of damnation." <br /><br />Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation. (John 5:28,29) <br /><br />The program of the resurrection is clearly outlined in the Word of God. <br />1. The resurrection of Christ is the beginning- 1 Corinthians 15:23 <br />2. The resurrection of the church age believers at the rapture- 1 Thessalonians 4:16 <br />3. The resurrection of the tribulation period saints (Revelation 20:3-5) and the resurrection of Old Testament saints (Daniel 12:2) at the 2nd coming of Christ. <br />4. The final resurrection of the unsaved dead- Revelation 20:5, 11-14 <br /><br />The first three would be all included in the first resurrection or the resurrection to life and the fourth would be the second resurrection or the resurrection unto damnation. <br /><br />And the Bible tells us, <br />Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years. (Revelation 20:6) <br /><br />Praise the Lord.Dr. Johnson Cherianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12175238859599391961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1014811820314635014.post-88342433026143177952009-02-15T02:05:00.000-08:002009-02-15T02:06:24.521-08:00Blessing 106- Psalm 92:12-14The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; planted in the house of the Lord, they will flourish in the courts of our God. They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green, (Psalm 92:12-14) <br /><br />Besides drink, food and shade, palm trees provide material needed for housing, thatching, hats, baskets, furniture, mats, cordage, clothing, charcoal, brooms, fans, ornaments, musical instruments, shampoo, containers, implements and oil for fuel, light, ointments, soap and more.Perhaps this is what the psalmist had in mind when he said that the righteous will flourish like a palm tree. He was looking at the abundant fruitfullness that they can have. <br /><br />And then he compares their growth to that of a cedar. The flag of Lebanon features a cedar in green which is a reference to the famous cedars of Lebanon, renowned throughout the region. The Lebanon Cedar is an evergreen coniferous tree growing up to 40 m (130 ft) tall. To put it concisely, "The spiritual growth of a believer has no limits and can reach heights greater than the cedars of Lebanon." <br /><br />The psalmist then tells us that, for this to happen, the believer has to be planted in the house of the Lord, because all the nourishment for his/her spiritual life comes from him/her being in the presence of the Lord. And when that is taken care of, they start flourishing. Age wouldn't be a factor for them to stop being fruitful. He says that they will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green. <br /><br />Are you planted in the house of the Lord? No, it doesn't mean attending church, but being firmly rooted in the Word of God. If you are, your growth and fruitfulness are guarenteed. God bless.Dr. Johnson Cherianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12175238859599391961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1014811820314635014.post-77111943651470734532009-02-15T02:03:00.000-08:002009-02-15T02:05:17.062-08:00Blessing 105- Isaiah 41:13For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. (Isaiah 41:13) <br /><br />Though spoken by the Lord to Israel as a nation, think of it today as the Lord speaking to you. The Lord has taken hold of your right hand to strengthen you and he promises to help you. <br /><br />In the same chapter we read the Lord saying the following, <br />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. (Isaiah 41:10) <br /><br />In Psalm 18, the psalmist tells the Lord, <br />You give me your shield of victory, and your right hand sustains me; you stoop down to make me great. (Psalm 18:35) <br /><br />The saving, sustaining, strengthening, helping right hand of the Lord has been stretched forth towards you and he will bring about a change in the adverse circumstances that you are facing today. Trust in your Savior Jesus. <br /><br />Confess with your mouth this day what David said, <br />I have set the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. (Psalm 16:8)<br /><br />In the days to come you will be able to acknowledge the Lord's power upon your life saying, <br />Now I know that the LORD saves his anointed; he answers him from his holy heaven with the saving power of his right hand. (Psalm 20:6) <br /><br />and also join with the psalmist in praising your Savior saying, <br />Like your name, O God, your praise reaches to the ends of the earth; your right hand is filled with righteousness. (Psalm 48:10) <br /><br />God bless you.Dr. Johnson Cherianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12175238859599391961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1014811820314635014.post-46915249135801976002009-02-15T02:02:00.000-08:002009-02-15T02:03:31.266-08:00Blessing 104- Luke 4:25, 26I assure you that there were many widows in Israel in Elijah's time, when the sky was shut for three and a half years and there was a severe famine throughout the land. Yet Elijah was not sent to any of them, but to a widow in Zarephath in the region of Sidon. (Luke 4:25, 26) <br /><br />If you are reading this, the same applies to you. Remember you have been chosen by God to be a part of his kingdom here on earth and in eternity. The Apostle Paul says, <br />"For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified. (Romans 8:29, 30) <br /><br />The Lord Jesus Christ has a plan and purpose for your life. Predestined, called, justified, glorified is the main plan, but while you live on earth, he has a specific plan for you like he had for Abraham and Sarah. <br /><br />When you sit at his feet, he will reveal his plan for your life. Nothing haphazard, he will tell you things specifically. Because you have been chosen by him, he will arrange situations and circumstances to bring about the plans that he has for your life. <br /><br />Though Joseph set out to obey his father and enquire about the well-being of his brothers, he landed in Egypt without friends or family, but God had planned things beforehand. God knew that his brothers would throw him in the pit and plan to kill him, so he sent the Ishmaelites at the right time and made them change their mind by speaking through Judah, so they sold him to the Ishmaelites instead of killing him. <br />Before Joseph reached Egypt, God had already chosen the house where Joseph would stay for the next 11 years. <br /><br />Live close to God and you will see his plans for you taking shape and being fulfilled. Never forget that you are chosen by God. God bless you.Dr. Johnson Cherianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12175238859599391961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1014811820314635014.post-67939604756438093052009-02-15T02:01:00.000-08:002009-02-15T02:02:14.924-08:00Blessing 103- Deuteronomy 10:21He is your praise; he is your God, who performed for you those great and awesome wonders you saw with your own eyes. (Deuteronomy 10:21) <br /><br />Remember the past, how the Lord did great and awesome miracles for you? He is the same unchanging God and He will do it for you again. He is your praise and He never changes. Trust in Him to do the impossible for you and you will see His mighty power being released into your life once more. <br />So lift up your hands and praise the Lord. <br /><br />The Israelites often wondered whether the Lord would do yet another miracle when they faced yet another impossible situation. And the Lord never failed them. Whether it was the red sea or Marah or lack of food or water, the Lord provided them what they needed at the right time. Not only that, He crushed their enemies who were more powerful than them. <br /><br />Your loving Savior has a proven record of being faithful, so cast all your cares upon Him, for He cares for you. <br /><br />This is what Joshua told the Israelites: <br />Now I am about to go the way of all the earth. You know with all your heart and soul that not one of all the good promises the Lord your God gave you has failed. Every promise has been fulfilled; not one has failed. (Joshua 23:14) <br /><br />You have assurance from the Word today that your Savior will do the same for you. God bless.Dr. Johnson Cherianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12175238859599391961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1014811820314635014.post-14468006153511474572009-02-15T02:00:00.000-08:002009-02-15T02:01:02.039-08:00Blessing 102- 1 Samuel 3:10The LORD came and stood there, calling as at the other times, "Samuel! Samuel!" Then Samuel said, "Speak, for your servant is listening." (1 Samuel 3:10) <br /><br />Have you heard God's voice lately? He's always speaking to us in one way or the other. The problem is that we are not receptive many a times. <br /><br />Think of switching on the radio and selecting shortwave band. There are 100's of stations broadcasting and sometimes we have to really strain to listen to what we want. But when we really want to listen, we would do all sorts of things like putting the antenna in different positions, standing near the window with the transistor and so on and so forth. God's voice gets crowded out with all the other voices that we are eagerly receiving into us. Not that his voice is feeble or not clear; the broadcast is perfect, but the reception and the receptiveness is poor. <br /><br />In the book of Revelation we read the phrase "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches" written 7 times. It's not that only few people in these churches had ears; God here is speaking of receptiveness to his message. <br /><br />If we have the attitude that Samuel the prophet had, we surely will hear God's voice every day. In 1 Samuel Ch. 3 we read of Samuel telling the Lord, "......Speak, for your servant is listening." (1 Samuel 3:10) <br /><br />Can we tell that to our Savior everyday? If we can, then he will speak to us and we can have great fellowship with him. Try it, if you have not yet done it; it's a very fulfilling experience. God bless.Dr. Johnson Cherianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12175238859599391961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1014811820314635014.post-89372134191208058542009-02-15T01:59:00.001-08:002009-02-15T01:59:57.013-08:00Blessing 101- 1 Samuel 17:46This day will the Lord deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. (1 Samuel 17:46) <br /><br />Saying the words that we read above required a lot of courage and faith and David finally did what he said. Interestingly, David started off by saying, "This day will the Lord deliver thee into mine hand....." and not "This day I will smite thee..." because he knew that without the Lord intervening he wouldn't be able to do anything. Here was a giant who had created terror among the Israelites for 40 days and to say the words above either would make people think that he was crazy or he had some magical powers. <br /><br />Even when Goliath looked David over he disdained him: for he was but a youth, and ruddy, and of a fair countenance. <br /><br />Must have been in the movies, the fella; and here he was challenging a giant. <br /><br />No wonder then that Saul commented: <br />"Thou art not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him: for thou art but a youth, and he a man of war from his youth." (1 Samuel 17:33)" <br /><br />They all called him a youth, but this fellow had guts, so as to say, and did not back out. And the rest as they say is "history" <br /><br />Paul the apostle, writing to Timothy said, <br />"Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity. (1 Timothy 4:12)" <br /><br />Has God called you to minister for him? Forget about them who look down on you because you are young. As Paul says, <br />"Set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity" <br /><br />Remember, many called David a youth and a youth he was when he confronted Goliath, but the Lord did great things through him. Trust in the Lord. He will do great things through you too. But remember to give him all the glory. God bless.Dr. Johnson Cherianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12175238859599391961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1014811820314635014.post-30065450305459259892009-02-15T01:57:00.002-08:002009-02-15T01:58:06.630-08:00Blessing 100- 1 Chronicles 28:9"And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the Lord searches every heart and understands every motive behind the thoughts. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will reject you forever. (1 Chronicles 28:9)" <br /><br />There's something very important in these words that David tells his son Solomon. In all that we do or propose to do for the Lord, the one thing that the Lord closely scrutinizes is "what is the motive behind all this?" <br /><br />Is it to gain fame & personal glory? <br />Is it to make ourselves rich materially? <br />Is it to build our own kingdom? <br /><br />Sadly, many set out to live a holy life at the outset but their aim gets distorted after sometime. The Lord Jesus Christ pointed out 3 things/thorns that destroys our spiritual life. In the parable of the "sower & the seed" we read Jesus telling his disciples; <br /><br />"The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life's worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature." (Luke 8:14) <br /><br />Solomon began well but he went astray and did many things that angered the Lord and finally he lost much. We may have great zeal in our hearts regarding the Lord's work and we must work hard towards that end, but we must check ourselves frequently to see whether our aim really sticks onto bringing glory to the Lord and building his kingdom here on earth. <br /><br />David's advice to Solomon here is good for us too. <br />We must all remember to "serve God with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind." Hope we can do that. God bless.Dr. Johnson Cherianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12175238859599391961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1014811820314635014.post-88314586515028844562009-02-15T01:57:00.001-08:002009-02-15T01:57:26.578-08:00Blessing 99- Acts 13:2-4While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off. The two of them, sent on their way by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia and sailed from there to Cyprus. (Acts 13:2-4) <br /><br />Notice the words: "sent on their way by the Holy Spirit!" <br /><br />If we seek the Lord earnestly, He will guide us by the Holy Spirit to whichever ministry He wants to us to do. <br />Ministries vary and God knows what is best suited for us and where we have to serve Him and upto what time. <br /><br />In the New Testament we read of the great ministries that Paul & Peter had. They are so prominent. But some of the other disciples do not have so much of prominence. In fact, a couple of them have just their names mentioned not more than a few times. Yet the fact remains that God looks for faithfulness in whatever ministry he chooses to put us in and the rewards will be based on faithfulness. <br /><br />Sometimes God chooses to change the ministry that He has put us in initially. A teacher may be called to be a pastor or a pastor may be called to prophetic ministry at a time when God desires. <br /><br />We have to be alert to the voice of the Holy Spirit. He is our counselor and guide. As he sent Barnabbas and Saul for the work which he had called them to, he will guide us too and get His work done through us. <br />May Jesus bless you now and always.Dr. Johnson Cherianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12175238859599391961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1014811820314635014.post-63037265143314424472009-02-15T01:56:00.001-08:002009-02-15T01:56:47.076-08:00Blessing 98- Psalm 46:10"Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." (Psalm 46:10) <br /><br />There comes circumstances or situations in our Christian life where others are calling the shots, that means we are not in control and we cannot command others to do as we say. We may be indebted to them in some way or the other or be dependant upon them, so perhaps can't argue regarding anything that we think is injustice to us. <br /><br />In such situations, always remember to be still and let God do the talking. He will argue your case. <br />The Bible says, <br />"Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. (1 Peter 5:7)" <br />The Lord knows your difficulties and He will open up ways for you; ways which you may have never imagined about. <br /><br />He is a just God. He will never let you down. <br />Praise Him for He is about to do great things for you. He is El Shaddai- God Almighty. <br />He asks, <br />"I am the LORD, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me? (Jeremiah 32:27)" <br /><br />Be still and know that He is God.Dr. Johnson Cherianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12175238859599391961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1014811820314635014.post-33940335709343153052009-02-15T01:48:00.000-08:002009-02-15T01:49:24.170-08:00Blessing 97- Jonah 4:1But Jonah was greatly displeased and became angry. (Jonah 4:1) <br /><br />Did you get angry at God recently? Well, it's not an uncommon phenomenon. <br /><br />Here we have the little prophet getting angry after preaching a sermon which led 1,20,000 to repentance. <br /><br />Jonah's problem was different, but many of us get angry at God when we abide by the rules of the book and still land up in situations where we don't see an instant deliverance. Of course we wouldn't confess it publicly but the little secret is true. <br /><br />The prophet here had occasion to celebrate, but on the contrary, he's sulking. <br />He tells God, " "O Lord, is this not what I said when I was still at home? That is why I was so quick to flee to Tarshish. I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity. Now, O Lord, take away my life, for it is better for me to die than to live." (Jonah 4:2, 3) <br /><br />But the LORD replied, "Have you any right to be angry?" (Jonah 4:4) <br /><br />In our desperations we often ask God angrily, <br />"So what are you after?" <br />"Am I not living by your Word, what else do you want?" <br /><br />These are the milder things. The vocabulary often gets worse. <br /><br />But God understands our desperations. He knows our weaknesses. He has compassion on us. He still loves us because He is our Father and we are His children. He waits for us to calm down. He waits for us to change and He waits for a whole lot of things in our life. <br />He saves, heals, delivers and comforts, but in His own time. He is Almighty God. He loves you even though you are imperfect. God bless.Dr. Johnson Cherianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12175238859599391961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1014811820314635014.post-74139067599192210522009-02-15T01:47:00.000-08:002009-02-15T01:48:17.247-08:00Blessing 96- Genesis 21:3, 6Abraham gave the name Isaac to the son Sarah bore him. <br />Sarah said, "God has brought me laughter, and everyone who hears about this will laugh with me." (Genesis 21:3, 6) <br /><br />Finally a time for the Abraham family to rejoice. To have a hearty laugh. <br />If, Abraham when 99 and Sarah 89 were asked when they had really enjoyed laughing and rejoicing from the depths of their hearts, they would have said, "If only God's promise had materialized, we could." <br /><br />The one thing they desired was the one thing that was withheld and it caused a lot of heartbreak, anxiety & tensions. <br /><br />Now with the evidence of the promise in their hands, they laughed and even named their son Isaac which means "he laughs". <br /><br />Sarah even imagines people talking and laughing; <br />"Oh, Sarah, she's finally a mom." <br />"Sarah & Abraham, they finally did it." <br />"Wonder what took them so long." <br /><br />When the promise takes a long time to materialize, the joy it brings when it materializes finally is something just out of the world. <br /><br />Have you been waiting for God's promise to materialize? Do you feel God is doing nothing about what he promised you? <br /><br />Even when you don't see any signs of the promise being fulfilled, remember, God is at work. <br />Jesus said, <br />"My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I, too, am working." (John 5:17)" <br /><br />You are going to laugh like Sarah & Abraham when the promise is fulfilled.God blessDr. Johnson Cherianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12175238859599391961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1014811820314635014.post-32529276641785944222009-02-15T01:45:00.000-08:002009-02-15T01:47:06.598-08:00Blessing 95- Exodus 13:21, 22By day the Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night. Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people. (Exodus 13:21, 22) <br /><br />These verses demonstrate the faithfulness of God in that the Lord never left them even for a moment during all the wilderness years of his people. Anyone looking up and ahead could know for sure that God was with him/her. <br />The change of the nature of His presence with them must have been so spectacular initially (cloud changing to fire), but as is oft happens, they must have considered it routine later on. An "It's always been there" attitude must have eventually crept in. So it must be in some of our own lives now. <br /><br />Do we take the presence of God in our lives for granted and consider it routine and without importance? <br /><br />We must not. We must always remember what the prophet Jeremiah wrote; <br /><br />Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. (Lamentations 3:21-23) <br /><br />"The compassions of God never fail; they are new every morning." <br />Yes, His compassions are new every morning. <br /><br />He has compassion on you everytime you call out to Him (your father in heaven). He is still the same & unchanging God who is faithful forever. <br /><br />The Israelites saw the pillar of cloud and the pillar of fire and still they did not trust in Him often. <br />Jesus said, <br />".......blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." (John 20:29)" <br />Day or night, He's always there, whether you feel it or not. So believe. <br />God bless you.Dr. Johnson Cherianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12175238859599391961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1014811820314635014.post-60503115751671400502009-02-15T01:44:00.000-08:002009-02-15T01:45:38.925-08:00Blessing 94- Psalm 107:29He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed. (Psalm 107:29) <br /><br />Imagine God the father putting his finger to His lips and saying "Hush" to a storm that is raging. <br />That's what He's going to do about the storms that are lashing at your life. <br />Do you believe that? <br />Perhaps you are at your wit's end with all the problems that have befallen you. <br />They reeled and staggered like drunken men; they were at their wits' end. (Psalm 107:27) <br />Nothing seems to be working right for you!!! <br />You've been crying out to the Lord for deliverance but haven't seen much/any!!! <br />Well, don't stop crying out because He's going to still the storms in your life to a whisper. <br />You are going to say what the disciples said when Jesus calmed the storm in front of their eyes. This is what they said, <br /><br />"Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!" (Mark 4:41) <br />God bless.Dr. Johnson Cherianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12175238859599391961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1014811820314635014.post-2816300546087707892009-02-15T01:42:00.000-08:002009-02-15T01:44:22.642-08:00Blessing 93- 1 Chronicles 12:18Then the Spirit came upon Amasai, chief of the Thirty, and he said: "We are yours, O David! We are with you, O son of Jesse! Success, success to you, and success to those who help you, for your God will help you." So David received them and made them leaders of his raiding bands. (1 Chronicles 12:18)<br /><br />Loneliness can kill sometimes and David experienced that in his life after fleeing from Saul. Yet God arranged for brave men to team up with him and fight his enemies. <br />Sometimes in our Christian walk, we may encounter loneliness. Perhaps even when we have all our relations nearby, we may feel lonely because there is no one to say a kind word to us. <br /><br />David was suspicious of the fellows wanting to join him too, because one of them could tell Saul of his whereabouts. In such circumstances David trusted in the Lord. <br />To some he said, <br />"If you have come to me in peace, to help me, I am ready to have you unite with me. But if you have come to betray me to my enemies when my hands are free from violence, may the God of our fathers see it and judge you." (1 Chronicles 12:17) <br /><br />The words of Amasai must have strenghened David a lot. <br />Amasai said, <br />"We are yours, O David! We are with you, O son of Jesse! Success, success to you, and success to those who help you, for your God will help you." <br />If you are feeling lonely today, I pray that the Lord gives you Christian friends who speak kindly to you and strengthen you with their words and actions. God bless youDr. Johnson Cherianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12175238859599391961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1014811820314635014.post-28227128586981633472009-02-15T01:40:00.000-08:002009-02-15T01:41:56.940-08:00Blessing 92- Psalm 60:12, Psalm 108:13With God we will gain the victory, and he will trample down our enemies. (Psalm 60:12) (Psalm 108:13) <br /><br />Under attack from the enemy again? Fear not, with God you will gain the victory! The Bible says, <br />"The LORD will march out like a mighty man, like a warrior he will stir up his zeal; with a shout he will raise the battle cry and will triumph over his enemies. (Isaiah 42:13)" <br />Your enemy, satan will not gain victory over you. <br /><br />We may encounter wicked men and women in our lives.Even the apostle Paul faced such situations. And this is what he wrote to the Thessalonians. <br />And pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men, for not everyone has faith. But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one. (2 Thessalonians 3:2, 3) <br /><br />Yes, the Lord who has called you is faithful; he will not leave you nor forsake you. He will strengthen you by his mighty arms. <br /><br />The power behind evil people is satan and we can gain victory over his evil powers by standing firm in the Word, by praying with faith and trusting in the Lord. <br /><br />The Bible says, <br />"There is no one like the God of Jeshurun, who rides on the heavens to help you and on the clouds in his majesty. (Deuteronomy 33:26) <br /><br />To you he says, <br />"The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. He will drive out your enemy before you, saying, 'Destroy him!' (Deuteronomy 33:27)". God bless.Dr. Johnson Cherianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12175238859599391961noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1014811820314635014.post-85035182910873306322009-02-15T01:38:00.000-08:002009-02-15T01:40:24.939-08:00Blessing 91- John 4:38I sent you to reap what you have not worked for. Others have done the hard work, and you have reaped the benefits of their labor." (John 4:38) <br /><br />Some ministries grow rapidly while with others the growth is slow. Those whose ministries grow fast may think that it is because of their abilities or as some say, a greater anointing that is bringing them results. Anointing, methods and abilities are all important, but we must understand that many others have already labored for the souls that we have finally won for Christ. <br /><br />It's like several people taking turns to cut down a big tree. The man whose final stroke of the axe brings the tree down cannot say that he was the only one who did the job, because there were several before him who also put in their efforts. <br /><br />Sometimes it may take years for a person to accept Jesus as Savior. God may have dropped the seed of the gospel through several people of His into that person's life. Finally when the person comes to accept Christ, though the person who spoke last may feel that he/she has won a soul, God sees the many who have labored for it and the reward of the effort will be shared finally by all who have put in their effort. <br /><br />Not only that, we may work hard to bring a person to Christ and finally he/she may join another church. It's not that we have lost something,but the words of Jesus that we read above coming true. <br /><br />Sometimes we may do the hard work, but others may reap the benefits or sometimes others may do the hard work and we will reap the benefits.Dr. Johnson Cherianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12175238859599391961noreply@blogger.com0