I promised my wife that I will pick her up after her work. It was a very hot afternoon, partly because it was very cold in the morning and hence even slight increase in temperature in the noon is making me feel like it is mid summer already.
I stopped my bike at a distance from the bus stop where my wife is expected to meet me. There were no trees and no shade to find rescue from the hot sun. Minutes passed..2, 3, 5, 10...given the Bangalore's unpredictable traffic, I wasn't surprised, but certainly became a little impatient. Short tempered (which by the way, I have started working on) I'm, started feeling a little restless. I was like "What's taking so much time?" Then I had seen something incredible from my rear view mirror.
My wife was holding hand of a blind man and helping him to cross the road. I can see that she was talking to him after they both crossed the road. She kept guiding him until they both reached my bike. "This person wants to go to Madiwala", said my wife and I knew what I had to do. Made sure she found shade where she can stand and helped that guy to get onto my bike. The first thing that this person said soon after I started my bike was "Sorry sir, I have given trouble to both you and madam". A spike of pain pierced my heart, literally. I felt I'm responsible to help this guy and he feels sorry. I knew he was telling it from the bottom of his heart. I took him to a bus stop where he can catch the bus he wanted and there another elderly lady and a man voluntered to help him get into a bus. So, I started back to pick my wonderful wife. It took 5 Kms for me to come back again, but, nothing can quantify the feeling that passed my heart at that moment.
Few minutes back, I was restless for slight discomfort. But those few minutes with him changed my feelings 360 degrees. Most of the times we do not realize how much blessed we are and hence we keep on complaining about one or the other thing/person. May be it is time to sit back and count my blessings. And, most importantly, it pains me to see a guy who can't see feeling sorry because he had cause me inconvenience. All I wanted to say to him was "Friend, it is my pleasure to help you, it is my responsibility. You don't know what difference you made to me, it is incredible".
Thanks to my wife for being such a wonderful person and making me be in any situation.
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Divorce – God’s view
Divorce – God’s view
It has been a while since I penned down on the lesions learnt during my favourite Sunday services. Now, don’t judge, it is not because I have not attended church, but simply because I had not found anything inspiring to write about.
Today’s message was centered on parenting. Although am not a parent myself, I believe that there was a take away for each person who attended the church today.
The message started with Malachi 2:15, 15 which brought us to a notice that God makes a husband and a wife one body and spirit to have children who are truly God’s people. I guess this one statement is good enough to convey how responsible parents are ought to be when it comes to parenting the children. The message progressed around giving some very beautiful insights on bringing up children in the way that God wanted.
However, verse 16 caught my attention, although it was a different context. So, I just noted down and now as I read it clearly, I’m thrilled because my God doesn’t leave room for any confusion, even with the most contemporary topic. Yes, am talking about one of the most troubling problem that the world is facing now, even the Christian families – DIVORCE.
I’m reading in ‘Today’s English version’ and verse says “I hate divorce, says the Lord God of Israel”. It goes on an ever more emphatic way “I hate it when one of you does such a cruel thing to his wife. Make sure that you do not break your promise to be faithful to your wife”.
Friends, we certainly want to make sure we please God in everything we do. God clearly says that he hates break up in marriages. Sometimes, may be it seems that we cannot take one more day of the spouse. The rift in relationships is too wide and too hard to be covered. But, the word of God clearly instructs us to be faithful to wife.
I wanted to read more on the biblical view on marriage and divorce. So, I looked up in 1 Corinthians 7: 1-16.
Paul mentions in verse 10 that the Lord commands that a wife must not leave her husband. If she leaves, she either has to be single or reconcile with her husband. But the husbands do not have any choice. The bible clearly says in the end of verse 11 “a husband must not divorce his wife”.
It is interesting to note that Paul in all his wisdom writes that even if a person has a spouse who is an unbeliever, still he or she has to stay faithful in marriage if the other person chooses to. Attention: This is still not God speaking, but Paul writes from his experience. Friends, this is not a license to go around and marry unbelievers. Message is clear, it is applicable for people who have come to Christ after marriage and the spouse is not a believer yet. In that case also, if the unbeliever spouse to stay with the believer, in all faithfulness, we are bound to respect the marriage.
I’m planning to read more on this area and document my thoughts one this plague that is shattering many families. But for now, am glad that my God has a clear and uncompromising answer to life’s toughest questions.
Sunday, January 3, 2010
One voice...
A brand new year...days just passed off. Didn't even realize how 2009 ended so soon.
Today it was a time of looking ahead for the year, being a first Sunday of 2010. As a church, we wanted to have an agreement on what our goals for 2010 should be.
One voice in church:
In Amos - 3: 3, the prophet writes "Do two men start traveling together without arranging to meet?"
The thought to be applied to today's churches is, we can not do anything unless there is an agreement. There should be one voice in anything that the church does.
In 1 Corinthians - 1:10, Paul writes to the church of Corinth "..may I appeal to all of you, my brothers, to agree in what you say, so that there will be no divisions among you. Be completely united, with only one thought and one purpose."
Paul is writing to church in Corinth at a time when Corinth was a great cosmopolitan Greek city. It was known for the commerce, proud culture, widespread immortality and variety of religions. Doesn't it sound it like many of the cities like we have today? Yes, it is pretty much like all the main cities in the world. So, this message by Paul to church in Corinth very well applies to us as well.
Why is it important to be in agreement and without any divisions in church?
Churches in rural areas have the advantage of having one kind of culture and one ideology. On the contrary, in cosmopolitan cities there are variety of cultures, people from different backgrounds and varied thought processes. Instead of a positive thing as it should be, many a time, it becomes a cause for the slower growth and less productive churches.
We can never reach destiny when traveling in a group and each person pulling in different directions. It is as simple as that. If the entire church doesn't agree on the common goals, it is really difficult to have the same needed burden and it is even more difficult to raise the passionate prayers. If, despite all these differences in people, if church can have one voice, it becomes an awesome blessing.
Today it was a time of looking ahead for the year, being a first Sunday of 2010. As a church, we wanted to have an agreement on what our goals for 2010 should be.
One voice in church:
In Amos - 3: 3, the prophet writes "Do two men start traveling together without arranging to meet?"
The thought to be applied to today's churches is, we can not do anything unless there is an agreement. There should be one voice in anything that the church does.
In 1 Corinthians - 1:10, Paul writes to the church of Corinth "..may I appeal to all of you, my brothers, to agree in what you say, so that there will be no divisions among you. Be completely united, with only one thought and one purpose."
Paul is writing to church in Corinth at a time when Corinth was a great cosmopolitan Greek city. It was known for the commerce, proud culture, widespread immortality and variety of religions. Doesn't it sound it like many of the cities like we have today? Yes, it is pretty much like all the main cities in the world. So, this message by Paul to church in Corinth very well applies to us as well.
Why is it important to be in agreement and without any divisions in church?
Churches in rural areas have the advantage of having one kind of culture and one ideology. On the contrary, in cosmopolitan cities there are variety of cultures, people from different backgrounds and varied thought processes. Instead of a positive thing as it should be, many a time, it becomes a cause for the slower growth and less productive churches.
We can never reach destiny when traveling in a group and each person pulling in different directions. It is as simple as that. If the entire church doesn't agree on the common goals, it is really difficult to have the same needed burden and it is even more difficult to raise the passionate prayers. If, despite all these differences in people, if church can have one voice, it becomes an awesome blessing.
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Suffering...never should be a surprise!!
Suffering...never should be a surprise!!
It is interesting to see how God gives a different dimension for suffering in a believer’s life. Well, God never promised a life that has paths filled with roses. But, he did promise certain things that make our journey worthwhile even with the sufferings. Let us discover those promises!!
In Psalms: 107: 23-29 we can see that there was huge storm middle in the sea and the sailors lost their courage, they stumbled and all their skill was useless. Now, who commanded the storm? God Himself!
Yes, God does allow some storms in our lives to re-build our faith, to remind us that He is still in control of things.
We should remember that not every storm is something that God He himself creates in our lives. Some are because of the things that we do and some or because of the devil who wants to take us away from God. No matter what the source of the suffering, it is important for all believers to remember this: It is God who delivers us from that suffering!!
We can see that the psalmist mentions that the sailors’ skill was useless in that storm. Friends, we might be good at hundred things in the world, we might be the best in our teams, best in our company, best in anything that the world has. But, when we are facing a suffering in this world, there comes a day when all out skills, education, money etc fails. Only God can deliver us from that suffering.
It is human tendency to run for help, look out for people whom we think can help us in trouble times. In this whole process, we should not forget that it is God who is in control of our lives and He is the one whom we have to first approach. Like that psalmist says, they have called to the Lord and He saved them from distress. Sometimes, God keep some people, some support group to help us with the problems, but, all in all, we should look for God to guide us. If we do that, He can calm the raging storms and keep the waves quiet.
In I Peter: 4: 12 - 13, peter says, ‘do not be surprised t the painful test you are suffering, as though something unusual were happening to you’. Yes, it is definitely not unusual for a believer to face suffering, rather it is expected.
Let us look at few instance Israelites were facing when they were being led by Moses through the wilderness.
In Exodus: 14 12 - 13, people were questioning Moses about why he has to bring them all to be killed by Egyptian army. Moses said “Don’t be afraid. Stand your ground, and you will see what the Lord will do to save you today; ...The Lord will fight for you and there is no need for you to do anything.
Friends, sometimes, all we have to do is ‘Stand our ground’. God takes care of the rest.
After that incident, people could not find water for three days and when they find water in Marah, it was bitter. Moses prayed to God earnestly and God showed him a piece of wood that turned water to sweet.
It is interesting to know that, God had kept the solution ready even before they asked. Friends, the deliverance is kept ready even before a suffering is allowed in our lives.
Sometimes, we need to exercise the kind of faith that Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego exhibited in Daniel: 3: 13 – 178, when they were threatened to be put in blazing fire – “We will not try to defend ourselves. If God whom we serve is able to save us from the blazing fire and from you, then he will”.
James puts in beautifully when he writes to all believers in the world in James: 1: 2 – 4, “consider yourselves fortunate when all kinds of trials come your way, for you know that when faith succeeds in facing such trials, the result is ability to endure. Make sure that your endurance carries you all the way without failing, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”
While we are at this point of trusting God, we should also look at the aspect of trusting in other people in times of suffering. In Jeremiah: 17: 5 – 8, God says that he will condemn one who puts trust in the strength of a mortal man. It is very important for us to understand that our rescue should always come from God.
Sometimes God punishes to keep us right. We can see that in Psalm: 119: 67, 71.
I know that this topic will be incomplete if we do not discuss about the suffering that Job goes through when God allows Satan to test Job. I think it is just necessary to see the end of the whole suffering that Job had gone through, Job: 42: 10, “The Lord made him prosperous again and gave him twice as much as he had before”.
With this note of promise, I would request all of us to see sufferings as gateways of blessings of God.
It is interesting to see how God gives a different dimension for suffering in a believer’s life. Well, God never promised a life that has paths filled with roses. But, he did promise certain things that make our journey worthwhile even with the sufferings. Let us discover those promises!!
In Psalms: 107: 23-29 we can see that there was huge storm middle in the sea and the sailors lost their courage, they stumbled and all their skill was useless. Now, who commanded the storm? God Himself!
Yes, God does allow some storms in our lives to re-build our faith, to remind us that He is still in control of things.
We should remember that not every storm is something that God He himself creates in our lives. Some are because of the things that we do and some or because of the devil who wants to take us away from God. No matter what the source of the suffering, it is important for all believers to remember this: It is God who delivers us from that suffering!!
We can see that the psalmist mentions that the sailors’ skill was useless in that storm. Friends, we might be good at hundred things in the world, we might be the best in our teams, best in our company, best in anything that the world has. But, when we are facing a suffering in this world, there comes a day when all out skills, education, money etc fails. Only God can deliver us from that suffering.
It is human tendency to run for help, look out for people whom we think can help us in trouble times. In this whole process, we should not forget that it is God who is in control of our lives and He is the one whom we have to first approach. Like that psalmist says, they have called to the Lord and He saved them from distress. Sometimes, God keep some people, some support group to help us with the problems, but, all in all, we should look for God to guide us. If we do that, He can calm the raging storms and keep the waves quiet.
In I Peter: 4: 12 - 13, peter says, ‘do not be surprised t the painful test you are suffering, as though something unusual were happening to you’. Yes, it is definitely not unusual for a believer to face suffering, rather it is expected.
Let us look at few instance Israelites were facing when they were being led by Moses through the wilderness.
In Exodus: 14 12 - 13, people were questioning Moses about why he has to bring them all to be killed by Egyptian army. Moses said “Don’t be afraid. Stand your ground, and you will see what the Lord will do to save you today; ...The Lord will fight for you and there is no need for you to do anything.
Friends, sometimes, all we have to do is ‘Stand our ground’. God takes care of the rest.
After that incident, people could not find water for three days and when they find water in Marah, it was bitter. Moses prayed to God earnestly and God showed him a piece of wood that turned water to sweet.
It is interesting to know that, God had kept the solution ready even before they asked. Friends, the deliverance is kept ready even before a suffering is allowed in our lives.
Sometimes, we need to exercise the kind of faith that Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego exhibited in Daniel: 3: 13 – 178, when they were threatened to be put in blazing fire – “We will not try to defend ourselves. If God whom we serve is able to save us from the blazing fire and from you, then he will”.
James puts in beautifully when he writes to all believers in the world in James: 1: 2 – 4, “consider yourselves fortunate when all kinds of trials come your way, for you know that when faith succeeds in facing such trials, the result is ability to endure. Make sure that your endurance carries you all the way without failing, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”
While we are at this point of trusting God, we should also look at the aspect of trusting in other people in times of suffering. In Jeremiah: 17: 5 – 8, God says that he will condemn one who puts trust in the strength of a mortal man. It is very important for us to understand that our rescue should always come from God.
Sometimes God punishes to keep us right. We can see that in Psalm: 119: 67, 71.
I know that this topic will be incomplete if we do not discuss about the suffering that Job goes through when God allows Satan to test Job. I think it is just necessary to see the end of the whole suffering that Job had gone through, Job: 42: 10, “The Lord made him prosperous again and gave him twice as much as he had before”.
With this note of promise, I would request all of us to see sufferings as gateways of blessings of God.
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Leadership...as God wanted it to be!!
It was yet another amazing day of worship and listening God's word. Sometimes I wonder how lively it feels to just raise the voice and sing worship songs.
As a part of the Kingdom of God series, today we had a message on 'Kingdom Government'. It is really amazing to see how God's word is full of details that a person needs to know about the life, relationships, work, secular life etc. No area is left untouched.
Two areas that we talked about interested me a lot and God's work clearly tells about they have to be since God wanted them to be.
1. Leadership: In Acts- 20:31, Jesus tells to his disciples about how He had led them. "Remember that with many tears, day and night, I taught everyone of you for three years'.
What an example of how our church and christian leadership is supposed to be!!
We might teach people apologetics, teach them how to take bible studies, teach them how to do evangelism and all these are responsibilities, but the most important thing is 'Are we having that amount of conviction that Jesus had towards leading a group?"
Friends, Jesus personally raised, mentored and taught the group. However, he knew that there are always forces that will try to act on the flock. Mere teaching is not enough for a church to survive. Do we pray with tears in eyes so that the church continues in these difficult and challenging times.
In 1 peter 5:1-5, Peter writes to church elders and instructs them clearly about how they hould grow as leaders.
a. Take care of the church willingly.
b. Do not work for mere pay
c. Have a real desire to serve
d. Do not try to rule over people in church
e. Be examples
I believe that every member of church should read this and understand that leadership is not limited to preach, teach and think that it is the way God wanted it to be.
I shall talk about the next item 'God's view of husband and wife's relationship' in the next post.
As a part of the Kingdom of God series, today we had a message on 'Kingdom Government'. It is really amazing to see how God's word is full of details that a person needs to know about the life, relationships, work, secular life etc. No area is left untouched.
Two areas that we talked about interested me a lot and God's work clearly tells about they have to be since God wanted them to be.
1. Leadership: In Acts- 20:31, Jesus tells to his disciples about how He had led them. "Remember that with many tears, day and night, I taught everyone of you for three years'.
What an example of how our church and christian leadership is supposed to be!!
We might teach people apologetics, teach them how to take bible studies, teach them how to do evangelism and all these are responsibilities, but the most important thing is 'Are we having that amount of conviction that Jesus had towards leading a group?"
Friends, Jesus personally raised, mentored and taught the group. However, he knew that there are always forces that will try to act on the flock. Mere teaching is not enough for a church to survive. Do we pray with tears in eyes so that the church continues in these difficult and challenging times.
In 1 peter 5:1-5, Peter writes to church elders and instructs them clearly about how they hould grow as leaders.
a. Take care of the church willingly.
b. Do not work for mere pay
c. Have a real desire to serve
d. Do not try to rule over people in church
e. Be examples
I believe that every member of church should read this and understand that leadership is not limited to preach, teach and think that it is the way God wanted it to be.
I shall talk about the next item 'God's view of husband and wife's relationship' in the next post.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Role of church and its members in winning hearts for God
Role of church and its members in winning hearts for God
I had a very good time this weekend worshiping God in his house. Sometimes I wonder how much it edifies to just lift up hands, raise voice and sing to God with all the heart.
Today’s message was brought by a couple from New zealand. They had been serving God since 25 years and we can certainly see their passion by how wonderfully they have put the thoughts about role of Christians in winning hearts for God in words.
• Most of the times we see people as they are. But, it is also important to look at what they can be.
• Don’t ever give up on people. This is something that today’s church should learn. There are a million ways to reach out people. Explore them. Remember – this person is important to God, do, don’t you give up.
• We should always believe in what a non-christian friends are.
• Be ready to serve them. When we say serve them, understand that it takes a lot. You may be friends with many people, but, to win them for God, you need to be ready to serve them.
• Don’t forget to honor them. Our ministry becomes more meaningful if we learn to honur people for what they are and what they can be.
“LOOK UP TO PEOPLE, BUT DON’T LOOK DOWN ON THEM, BECAUSE, LOOKING UP MAKES YOU REALIZE HOW VALUABLE THAT IS PERSON IN KINGDOM OF GOD”.
• Disciplining them is very important. Sometimes it is painful for them as well as you. But, it is important for the person given his background. As much as God works in his life, Satan also works, probably with even more vigour. Nothing succeeds as a disciplined Christian life.
What is the role of church in this? Well, church is nothing but people. So, largely, the above things matter. There is one more thing – Love your church. And, why do we need to love the church?
Love your church because of:
1. People: Church is a house of God’s people - People with one goal, people with one mindedness, people with one passion, and people with one voice. How many times did we go to church just because there is someone whom we like to be associated with? Probably someone whom you look up to as a role model...Our friends should find the same reason to be able to come to church since you go there.
2. Purpose: Don’t need to explain about this. We all know that we have the one purpose – to be ready for his kingdom on earth. No other purpose on this earth is greater than this. To this extent, the purpose of the church is to win hearts for Christ.
3. Power: Church that is built according to God’s word has an amazing power. A power that has healing, deliverance, love etc.
4. Permanence: Nothing motivates like the fact that the church is going to be forever. It is eternal. Hence we have to love this church.
God did not love only the most eligible and good people. He loved the poorest of the poor in spirit. He loved the broken heart, He loved the people who were filled with evil in their hearts, He loved the thieves and He loved the out casted. He had compassion towards all of them. So, next time when you see someone whom you hate because of what he is, remember this – God loves this person and so do we!!
I had a very good time this weekend worshiping God in his house. Sometimes I wonder how much it edifies to just lift up hands, raise voice and sing to God with all the heart.
Today’s message was brought by a couple from New zealand. They had been serving God since 25 years and we can certainly see their passion by how wonderfully they have put the thoughts about role of Christians in winning hearts for God in words.
• Most of the times we see people as they are. But, it is also important to look at what they can be.
• Don’t ever give up on people. This is something that today’s church should learn. There are a million ways to reach out people. Explore them. Remember – this person is important to God, do, don’t you give up.
• We should always believe in what a non-christian friends are.
• Be ready to serve them. When we say serve them, understand that it takes a lot. You may be friends with many people, but, to win them for God, you need to be ready to serve them.
• Don’t forget to honor them. Our ministry becomes more meaningful if we learn to honur people for what they are and what they can be.
“LOOK UP TO PEOPLE, BUT DON’T LOOK DOWN ON THEM, BECAUSE, LOOKING UP MAKES YOU REALIZE HOW VALUABLE THAT IS PERSON IN KINGDOM OF GOD”.
• Disciplining them is very important. Sometimes it is painful for them as well as you. But, it is important for the person given his background. As much as God works in his life, Satan also works, probably with even more vigour. Nothing succeeds as a disciplined Christian life.
What is the role of church in this? Well, church is nothing but people. So, largely, the above things matter. There is one more thing – Love your church. And, why do we need to love the church?
Love your church because of:
1. People: Church is a house of God’s people - People with one goal, people with one mindedness, people with one passion, and people with one voice. How many times did we go to church just because there is someone whom we like to be associated with? Probably someone whom you look up to as a role model...Our friends should find the same reason to be able to come to church since you go there.
2. Purpose: Don’t need to explain about this. We all know that we have the one purpose – to be ready for his kingdom on earth. No other purpose on this earth is greater than this. To this extent, the purpose of the church is to win hearts for Christ.
3. Power: Church that is built according to God’s word has an amazing power. A power that has healing, deliverance, love etc.
4. Permanence: Nothing motivates like the fact that the church is going to be forever. It is eternal. Hence we have to love this church.
God did not love only the most eligible and good people. He loved the poorest of the poor in spirit. He loved the broken heart, He loved the people who were filled with evil in their hearts, He loved the thieves and He loved the out casted. He had compassion towards all of them. So, next time when you see someone whom you hate because of what he is, remember this – God loves this person and so do we!!
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